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?

17. Chapter 17

An Opportunity of Fate part 17

Shinji Matou-

Shinji watched as Caster shaped the clay under her hands. He had wondered at the statues that surrounded the odd Temple she had summoned. She had crafted each one herself.

Everyone she had ever loved. Everyone she had ever truly cared for.

Everyone she had ever slain.

The lovers from the park the other day, were positioned near the cliff, watching the impossible tide. The marble stone statues of both Kaede Makidera and Kane Himura still stood near the summoning circle that Caster would be using at moonrise.

Shinji waved his arms around, "Where have you found time for all of this?"

Caster smiled even as she shaped the clay beneath her hands, "This Temple is a part of my psyche willed into existence by my will and the power of the Grail." She paused and breathed in deep, "A touch of the world of my youth before my life was destroyed by jealousy."

Shinji looked around and truly drank in the differences. It was still wooded, but the trees were different. He didn't recognize most of them, and the air was not quite as cold.

Caster continued, "I can do things here that would be impossible outside of this place. Contacting Hades for instance. In this world he is gone, perhaps dead, perhaps merely a local elemental. But here…. Here the rules are bent. I do not know if it will be the Hades I knew, or one from a world similar to ours, but I will be able to contact him. I do not think I will ever forgive you or your family for forcing me to do what I need to summon him, but talking to my kin after so long…. That much at least will be pleasant." She took a deep breath, "Assuming he doesn't just kill us all and take us to Tartarus for using such means to draw him here."

Shinji shivered. "Is that possible?"

Caster sighed, "Yes. Not likely, I believe I have done all I need to set up peaceful negotiations, but he will not be happy. With me or with you." She kept shaping the statue, "What is it you see in this girl, Shinji. She obviously hates you. Or is that why?"

"And when you are finished she will be real?"

Medusa paused a moment, "If by real, you mean she will be a human shaped after Rin Tohsaka, then yes. But she will not be Rin Tohsaka. Just because my Familiars have been able to procure hair and blood samples, just because I have a solid grasp on the physical, does not mean I can replicate her mind or soul. To give this body life…" Another pause as she looked off into the darkness.

"What?" Shinji began to look around in the greying light. He knew by now that his Servant could see better than he could, despite the veil that closed her eyes to the light.

"Quiet. My wards have just been disturbed by…. No, it is no bother. Harmless." She went back to shaping the statue. She continued from before. "No, we have a few choices. One is simply to wait for something to enter the body. The problem would be that whatever enters will shape it to its origin. A new soul from the Root will know little and we would have to treat and train it like a baby." She looked up at Shinji, "Not exactly what you were looking for, huh?"

Shinji looked away, "But you said…."

Caster grunted, "Yes. And for that we need a Wraith of some sort. Different sorts of problems there. A new soul will have its memories and those will adjust the shape of the body, make it fit what they remember. And old soul, one well on its way to forgetfulness…. Well that will cause the body to begin to rot. Not pleasant either."

Shinji shuddered.

Caster continued, "No, what we will need is a recent death. Someone traumatized horribly enough to not have much self-presence. Someone that can convinced the body she sees is the body she had always had. It will not work forever, but it will work long enough." She smiled suddenly, "Oh, and while I will program her to be… receptive to your advances, do not anger her."

Shinji tightened his gaze on his Servant. He knew she hated him, but then as long as he had access to grandpa's Book, she had to do what he said. "And this is the best you can do? You are a magus from the Era of the Gods… and yet she will be defective?"

Medusa's grin wasn't nice or pleasant, "Boy, the weakness here is not in my mage craft. In this place and time I can do wonders that can barely be dreamed of by the petty magi of today. Moreover, do you think this is a simple working of Thaumaturgy? A simple working of wonders? No the body you see before you is a work of High Theurgy. A true human body in this era of mediocrity. She WILL be stronger and faster and tougher than you. If you manage to make the girl you have forced me to fashion for you to hate you, the modern Rin's fists will feel like love taps!" She stood up, "What did you expect? Some modern day homunculus? A later day shadow of a miracle? I will happily stop this travesty and we can continue working on ways to win this damn Grail War."

Shinji backed away, "I do, I do want to win the War. I will even stick to my pledge to free my sister afterwards. I know you can't give me Tohsaka. But you said you could give me a replacement."

Medusa said coldly, "A better replacement than you deserve. And don't think that Geis will dissolve on my death or defeat. Once this replacement is made, you will save Sakura. Or die trying."

Shinji looked away, "Why? Why do you care so much for my sister?"

Medusa said quietly, "I told you. I hope to save her becoming like me. Or fully like me. I became such a monster I killed, happily killed, even those I loved. Sakura faces much the same fate." She grunted a tiny laugh, "Oddly, doing this will save you too, Shinji. You will be one of the first she eats."

"Eats?"

Medusa smiled again, "Shinji. You know your family's magic. Your Grandfather is made of insects. He has tried to make Sakura into his copy." Her smile deepened, "From my reports he has both succeeded and failed. For his marks fill her now, are part of her that she cannot live without. But she is not a creature of insects, Shinji. No for all the old man has driven her to the Water side of the world, she is much more primal" She suddenly moved and was whispering in his ear. "She is a creature of Shadow now, Shinji."

Shinji tried to back away, but he was held helpless in the arms of his Servant. He couldn't help his body's confuses reactions, simultaneously frightened half to death and turned on. "I…."

Medusa kept softly whispering into his ear, "You would never see it coming, Shinji. Tiny blots of deep shadow come to take your life. Or perhaps she will wish to meet you in person, to give you a kiss and drain your soul."

All he had to do was command her to back off. And she would. But the words wouldn't come.

The words would not come.

Medusa continued her mental assault, softly nuzzling his neck, as she continued her whispers, "I have seen it Shinji. At least two since I was summoned. She picks her targets. Rapists. Sound familiar? She lets them think they have her. And one kiss…." Medusa kisses his neck, right around the area Shinji had seen her draw from her own targets. A moment of sublime pain. "And you are dead." Medusa let his body drop.

Shinji fell onto his back and looked up at the now shadowed Servant, her smile evident in the faint torch light. "What the hell was that for?"

The torchlight made patterns across the sash she had over her eyes, "You really are just a petulant child. Way in over your head, as much as your sister is." She shook her head, "But you have chosen your course. A true pity." She turned and walked away.

"Wait! What are you doing?"

Caster looked back at him, "I am going to make some dinner so we do not make complete fools of ourselves in front of Lord Hades. Ambrosia to strengthen I think, but no Nectar. Not until after we are done." She shuddered, "But if we survive…. I am going to get drunk." She left.

Shinji watched as the beautiful Servant left. What had he gotten himself involved in? Did he truly want power this badly?

Yes. Yes he did. He had to remember that. All of this was so he could take his rightful place.

He looked down into the pool that had the nearly completed body of Tohsaka. Her aqua blue eyes looked up at him. They were empty, with none of Tohsaka's caustic intelligence behind them. But they were clear and pure. For a moment the statue smiled up at him and closed its eyes.

Empty, but at the cusp of life. His eyes slid down the nearly completed body. Soon. Very soon she would be his.

He followed his Servant deeper into the Temple.

-Scene Break—

Ayako Mitsuzuri-

Ayako woke to the sound of thunder.

Literally.

She moved quickly to the door of the now darkened dojo and watched as a bolt of light hit a man not more than fifteen feet away. The man was wearing an archaic style of armor that Ayako could not make much not of. Only that it covered most of his body and he held a spear in one hand, a massive shield in the other. The shield interposed itself between the bolt of light and the man.

The dojo shook at the booming thunder as the bolt hit the shield. Ayako could see the spearman retreating towards the building. Looking for cover most likely.

Ayako looked around. No real places to hide. Not if the Dojo became a war zone. She needed to flee.

She noticed as everything began to slow and a sense of exhilaration began to fill her. There was a good chance that she would die in the next few minutes. Why did she feel a smile fill her face. Why did she feel excited?

She started to breathe a little heavy, "What are the odds I can make it out of this alive?"

They were bad. That was why she was excited.

To her horror she felt as her mind began to shift, even as she stretched her muscles. Time to see what she could actually do.

Even in her current odd ecstatic state she knew that fighting either of those two men outside of her door would end in near instant death. If she was incredibly lucky she might be able to injure one of them with Courage before she died, but in the current situation it was unlikely. She needed help if she was going to survive this.

Emiya. Tohsaka probably knew more, but it would be the longer run. Besides, Sakura would be at Emiya's as well.

She swiftly moved to the back door. Who knew, she might even escape before they knew she was there.

Instinctively she threw herself to the ground as she felt the probability of death reach unity if she had continued on her course. Down was the safest place.

Oh. That was how her mother had been able to dodge Sakura.

A bolt of light passed over her head and obliterated the other side of the building. A massive roar of thunder sounded in her ears, partly deafening her.

Definitely time to go.

She scrambled toward the new opening, trying to remain inconspicuous.

She paused a moment as she watched two women fight each other, one tossing dark purple globes of energy that were being blocked by some shield thingy in front of her. That woman said a line or two in some foreign language and a bolt of prismatic light chased at the first woman.

The first woman pulled a jeweled hairclip from her elaborate golden tresses and waved it to block the flash of light, "Is that the best you can do Martel? These years of whoring out secrets from Melloi not working out well for you?"

'Martel' called out something in a foreign language and a barrage of needles of bright light spray at the blonde. As the barrage of light continues, she called out, "Die you arrogant noble bitch!"

Ayako knew she should move. But she felt her world had just completely broke. Sure, she had known about magic for a few days. She had seen it. Had fought against Sakura this morning, had witnessed her own mother do some odd tricks, and now she was watching a full scale mage battle on the front porch of her school. Besides these two didn't frighten her like the other two men behind her did.

In a fair fight she might be able to defeat them. Why she thought that she wasn't sure, just she could feel the probabilities even out against them. They were more skilled and she would probably lose in any long fight.

The spray of light flew across her, each bolt warming her slightly, but not enough to burn. Where it hit fabric, it scorched. The small smell of burnt wool filled her nose, even as the sound of distant thunder behind her told her leaving would be her best option. But that risk taking part of her would not be stopped, "Do you have any idea how expensive it is to replace these tailored dress shirts? The blouse isn't so bad, but the blazer…."

"Edelfelt, we have company."

The blonde moved to place both Ayako and Martel in her sight. There was a building sound of a massive fight behind them, the dojo being smashed to bits.

Ayako stood there, ready to run, but also ready to talk. Heart of Courage rested firmly in her hands, ready to be drawn. She needed an opening to run, or these two would have an open opportunity to blast her with magic in the back.

Ayako blinked her eyes quickly at the calm thought of being blasted with magic of all things. Truly her world had completely changed over the last few days. She eyed the other two women, "Seriously, isn't there somewhere else other than my school you can hold this little brawl?"

The blonde looked at her, "I believe I have met you before. You were at Emiya' the other night." She snapped her fingers, "MItsuzuri?"

Ayako nodded gravely, "And you are the mysterious Luviagelita Edelfelt that helped my kohai in the park the other day. Thank you for that."

"Oh, it was no problem at all. How is Sakura doing, anyway?"

Ayako was about to respond when the other woman interfered. Martel ground out, "She does not belong in this competition. Technically you don't Edelfelt. By the rules there are no witnesses. Either help me eliminate this threat, or leave."

Luvia turned to Martel, "You plan to kill the girl?"

Martell shook her head, "Overkill. I will just hypnotize her and remove her memories and…."

Ayako drew the Heart of Courage. She wasn't about to have her memories erased. "Why don't we all just go our separate ways? That way I won't have to hurt you."

Martel snorted, "Like some backwards hick from a magically unimportant nation like Japan could hope to stand against a Clocktower trained magus. Let alone two. Just let your mind relax, it will be easier for you to…."

Ayako could feel the hollowness beginning. Could feel the woman's magic begin to take effect. But there had been a few changes since Ayako had let Rin erase her memories several times. Not even counting the lack of trust, each would have been enough to stop Cassandra Martel's attempt.

First were the earrings her mother had given her, allowing her some resistance to magic. A resistance that had kept her from being burnt from Cassandra's magical lasers.

Second came from the charm Issei had lovingly carved for her that even now nestled between her breasts. While Issei might not fully understand exactly what he had crafted, it still did not keep the charm from magnifying the nature of the possessor. One that had always had a strong will, and now knew that it could be stronger.

No, the real cause of Cassandra's complete failure were the events of the previous evening, when an arrogant magus had tried to steal Ayako's new earrings and earned a nasty wound in its place. And then the horror of Medea using her enchantment to force wait for her to be consumed. To stand there and accept that even contemplating survival was foolish.

Anyone attempting to manipulate Ayako in the next few days was liable to get the same result Cassandra was about to receive.

Ayako went berserk, every instinct flaring to save herself. She feinted slightly towards Luvia, causing Luvia to back up slightly in response. Her left foot slipping into a now collapsed burrow and falling to the ground. Another stomp by Ayako kicked up a small dirt clod that she then kicked into a suddenly shocked Cassandra's face.

She ran past the recovering magus, Heart of Courage in hand, swinging a passing blow. Ayako knew she would only have one shot, so she had to make it count. One swift cut using all her training and strength. Her blade scrapped along Cassandra's jacket as if along a brick wall, finding purchase into her flesh only at the end. With a flick of her blade, Ayako fled.

Whatever those men were, she didn't have a chance against them. And one of them belonged to the Martel girl. Without a thought she jumped over the school fence and kept running, trying to keep from making to easy a target.

She had to run. She had to find help. Safety.

A nearby streetlight went down as a small boulder smashed into it.

A familiar smirk appeared on her face. Maybe she could have some fun too.

And so Ayako ran.

-Scene Break—

Ilyasviel von Einzbern

Ilya sat swinging back and forth on one of the swings. Leysritt was nearby, a large backpack nearby brimming with cookies. Excellent world class quality cookies.

Even Sella agreed to that. Ilya looked over to the always pensive Sella, "Anything to report?"

Sella blinked and looked over at Ilya. "Shirou and RIn are at the Church. I had to have my Familiar stay outside the bounds, so I have no idea what may be happening there."

Ilya muttered, "Damnable priest."

Sella continued, "The City proper is quiet, but there is a major disturbance near a large private school, the Homurabara Gakuen." Her eyes grew distant again. "Yes, major Servant combat, some magus combat as well. Servants involved are most likely Archer and Lancer. Archer is a South Asian, most likely of Indian or Pakistani legend. I will need to consult the library for more details. Lancer is Greek. Notable gear and tracings indicate Mycenaean Culture likely. Trojan War hero likely."

Ilya slipped a hidden cookie out to nibble. Surely Leysritt would forgive her? "Do you know who?"

"Analyzing tactics used with known source material." Sella paused, her eyes miles away.

Leysritt handed her a couple of cookies to nibble on.

Ilya guiltily looked up at her maid, "Um."

Leysritt smiled softly, "Here have a few more. It will likely wreck your dinner, but if there is a fight you will have something to work off of."

"Thanks."

Sella's voice was dry, "Scrying is hard work too, you know."

Leysritt's eyes widened, "Sorry Sella. Let me get you a couple too."

Sella stiffly added, "And grab each of us a water bottle. They are in my pack next to the first aid kit."

Ilya asked, "You brought a first aid kit? We are just meeting Shirou."

Sella said, "I always bring a first aid kit." She was still staring off into space when Leysritt handed her the water.

Ilya watched as she opened and took a sip. "Anything?"

Sella finished her drink, "The Servants are currently demolishing a building, so I can't make them out. Defensive style of Greek Warrior not entirely typical of high end Greek heroes. Unlikely to be Odysseus, Achilles, or Diomedes. Heavy dependence on shield use indicates most likely identity is Ajax. Potentially problematic. I will give you a full tactical breakdown later."

Sella nibbled a cookie, took another drink and continued, "Both Servants in close combat, Archer too fast for Lancer to catch. None of Archer's attacks seem to faze Lancer. Stalemate."

Ilya said softly, "Retreat or Noble Phantasm."

"Yes. The minor magus duel behind the building being demolished is basically over. Three combatants, two of which were Western Magi. One possessing an unidentified style, but heavy reinforcement and use of combat mystic code suggests an unknown Eastern style. No circuit use detected. Said Eastern Magi is fleeing the scene. Second Magi recognized as Luviagelita Edelfeldt. Assumed affiliation with Archer as third Magus was carried off by Lancer. Thrid magus identity is Cassandra Martel. I have tentatively flagged each of the Western Magi as a Master."

Ilya said softly, "And the other one? The local?"

"Witness."

"Keep track of her; we may need to deal with her if the others can't." No witnesses were a key component to the war. "And let me know of anything else."

Lesritt began to push Ilya on her swing. Ilya smiled back at her maid. Such a good girl.

Sella stared off unseeing, watching through the countless Familiars she had sent into the City. Ilya's right arm, if not enforcer.

For invisible was their secret protector, an avatar of destruction. Berserker stood ready to defend his girls.

-Scene Break—

Shirou Emiya-

Shirou walked up the steps to the Church.

Arturia tapped his arm, "I will wait here. He will recognize me from the last war."

Rin said confidently, "I will protect him. We both will, won't we Roland?"

Roland flickered into view, "Sure thing, my Lady. Rest assured, Your Majesty." He then disappeared with a smile at the glower Arturia sent him.

Rin just sighed and walked up to the Church.

Shirou opened the door and walked in.

Kirei Kotomine was waiting. "So the eager Champion of Fuyuki City steps into my church. What great need drives such a hero in the making to my humble abode?"

Shirou said, "I am here to register for the Grail War. I have drawn Rider." He met Kotomine's weighty gaze and felt as if the man had read him down to his soul. He took a step back.

Kotomine began to laugh. "So I must ask you. Do you wish to fight, knowing the risk of death, not only to yourself but to your friends and family, if you participate, or do wish to bask in the safety of the Church?"

"Just give up?"

Kotomine smiled at him, "Can you honestly tell me that you have a serious motivation for participating? Or will you ramble about the pointless fripperies of defending the weak from the evil dangerous Magical War that will be occurring? Perhaps try to vainly restrict the casualties? Do you assume that you have a mobile enough Servant to be where you need to be to stop those poor innocents from perishing?" He turned to face Rin, "Honestly, my dear, I know you have been tutoring him in Mage Craft, have you not considered the political ramifications of your including him in your plans? Having a nonfamily magus training with you, particularly one as naïve as Emiya here, well it reflects poorly on your family's legacy. Your position in the Magic Association is fragile enough as it is. The only reason I was able to hold on to as much of your father's legacy as I was able to was due to the inconvenience other Families might have in occupying Fuyuki."

Rin was about to answer angrily when for just a moment reality itself seemed to ripple.

Kotomine sneered at Shirou, "So my dear hero, what will you do now? That was a ripple of major mage craft being done on the local ley lines. How will you respond. Do you even know where you need to be? Or what to do when you get there? Do you think mere idle dreams of heroism makes you a hero? That training in archery or swordplay makes you capable of being a hero out of legend? You have summoned a Servant yourself, you should realize just how much more capable they are than any mortal being. They are the real thing, you are nothing more than a modern shadow, wishing it was the image it was cast from."

Shirou spoke up, "Then I will be a shadow. A reflection, a copy. It doesn't matter. What matters are the lives I might save, the people I can protect or cause to be protected. What happens to me is unimportant."

Rin made a pained sound.

Kotomine replied, "So you would seek to emulate your father? Perhaps not an anti-hero, but a hero instead? To strive to do in the light what he did in the shadows? How long before you have to sacrifice what he did. Do you honestly believe you could ever compare to the infamous Magus Killer? You are truly naïve."

There was a second ripple.

Rin said quietly, "It is coming from the other side of the river. We should go."

Shirou turned and walked back to the front door.

Kotomine wasn't finished, "Rejoice, 'Hero,' your opportunity to prove yourself has arisen. Worry not that your need to be a hero requires the pain and suffering of others so that you can save them. That their happiness is not what you truly seek, but a moment of validation. That your survival was not a fluke, but an act of Fate that saved you and no one else in that horrible blaze ten years ago."

For just a moment the Church disappeared.

It was so hot.

He had to keep moving.

To stop was to die.

To help another was to stop.

To acknowledge another was stop.

To remember was to stop.

And to stop was to die.

He did not want to die.

He felt a hand on his shoulder.

So why had he stopped?

"Come back to me Shirou"

Rain sheeted down, the vibration off the heavy floating gears providing the first few loud clanging sounds.

From behind him, he could hear as the first hammer struck anvil, and the chiming continued.

Of course he had stopped. The Fire had stopped.

While he could not save those who had been lost.

There were still others who could be saved.

And if he could not save them all, he could still save some.

The world returned and he smiled down at a worried Rin. He looked at her oddly. Why was she crying?

Kotomine said softly, "Fascinating. You are more interesting than I expected, Shirou Emiya. I look forward to seeing what this confrontation teaches you. Should you live. Fair well, and know that the Church will shelter you should you need it." He turned a walked away.

Rin looked searchingly into his eyes. He absently put a hand to his head, "Is something wrong."

Rin shook her head, her eyes bright. "We need to go. Someone might need us."

Shirou nodded and left the Church.

Arturia was standing near the entrance, her face white. "No. It had to be my imagination."

Shirou said quietly, "You look like you have seen a ghost."

Rin startled slightly at that and shook her head a moment. Before pressing one hand to her eyes. "Someone from last war?"

Arturia said softly, "Maybe. But a Servant. What is the chance…."

Rin said, "You were summoned again."

Arturia looked over at Rin, "Did your father save his catalyst from the previous war?"

Rin said slowly, "It should still be secured. Gilgamesh…. Father's words on him made him seem a troublesome Servant. What does raw power matter if you can't be sure you can wield it?"

Arturia closed her eyes, "Just my imagination. This place gives me the chills. Let us depart."

And they hurried to the other side of the river.

-Scene Break—

Cassandra Martel-

Cassandra was shaking as she stood in the shadow of Ajax's shield.

That hide covered metal object was the only reason she was still alive. Many times over. That and the man who carried it.

Lancer looked down at her, "Are you alright, Cassie? We should really get that wound treated. It did not look too deep, but with all this chasing we have been doing…." He paused a moment, "What exactly do you plan on doing with the girl?"

"I dealt with it with a bit of first aid mage craft. We can do the real work when we get home, but for now. Well it hurts. As for the girl….. I need to talk to her."

"Dealing with halflings is dangerous, Cassie." He blinked, "Of course, you are a magus, but still it holds."

"Halfling?"

"Well calling every child from every river nymph a demigod is a bit much." A look of fondness overcame him, "I knew one on Salamis. Every time I visited that island, I made sure to visit her. Such a beautiful girl." His gaze locked on the horizon. "I looked for her before we left Greece. Even her grotto was gone. Everything had changed."

"You are saying this girl is a demigod?"

"She doesn't show signs of being a monster. It doesn't really mean much, except that she is dangerous. Sometimes inclined to think unhuman like thoughts. I have fought against such before. Annoying, but while she shows signs of power, she is inexperienced and probably unskilled. She likely knows that as well. The question is, why did she stop here? Is she exhausted or is this a trap?"

Cassandra closed her eyes, "I think it is a trap. But I need to speak with her. Situations don't simply happen. Not in this day and age. The Gods have been long dead and buried, even in a backwater like Japan. But even the cross between an Elemental and a human…. I need to know more."

"Very well. How should we approach?"

Cassandra took a deep breath. "Might as well try for a peaceful approach first."

Lancer chuckled, "Yes, because nothing like a nice long pursuit speaks of friendliness."

Cassandra shook her head, "Killing her negates her value. A corpse only holds so much value in experimentation. I wish to understand. Who is she, what is she, why was she at that school at that time." She walked up to the door and politely knocked. "Stand by to protect me, but stay invisible unless I am threatened."

Lancer dissolved into his Spirit Form.

A voice called out, "This is the Emiya Residence, is there something I can do to help."

A single line aria in French got the woman on the other side to open the door. "I am looking for a girl who recently entered this place. I am not sure what her name is, but I believe she goes to a local school nearby."

"Well Sakura did get home a little bit ago. I do hope she starts dinner soon. These late night dinners really get to me. Just because Shirou has a project he needs to complete in the City is no reason to force me to go without food, is it?"

Cassandra looked over at the red head, "I agree. I very much am looking forward to my own dinner. Unfortunately I have a few quick questions to ask before I can seek it out."

The red head stopped, "Are you from England? I am fluent in English if you prefer."

Cassandra shook her head, "I spent all the time learning this language for my current project. I might as well use it. Assuming that I am speaking correctly."

The other woman shook her head, "No. Your accent is heavy; I just don't have a lot of chances to speak with someone truly fluent." She sighed exaggeratedly, "I teach English in school, and you would think they would pay better attention."

Cassandra peeked over, "And I presume you were the best of students?"

The woman preened for a moment before she sighed, "Well maybe not. Oh, there they are."

The woman she had been chasing was standing next to a white haired, red eyed girl. "And that would be her."

Cassandra looked at what could only be a homunculus, stranger and stranger. But there was something off. If this was the Einzbern Princess, shouldn't the facial structure be more German and not Japanese.

Ah, she had almost forgotten. This Einzbern was half-Japanese. She was about to greet Miss Einzbern when the girl glared at her, eyes flaring.

She said, "You threaten and chase my friend all through town. You come into my friend's home and threaten me. You use compulsion on another of my companions. Maybe there was a time when I was weak and unable to help them, maybe then you could get away with this. But now," She began to cackle, the shadows around the courtyard beginning to refine themselves and move to attack her, "Now you and all your kind will find out the true power of Sakura Matou."

Cassandra cried out, "Wait, I just wanted to…."

Ajax materialized in front of her and shielded her with his massive frame. His spear spinning and fighting off the shadows. But they were so thick he was unable to attack in return.

And while he had a high ranking in Magical Resistance, for some reason those shadows were depleting his mana supply rapidly.

They had to escape. So she concentrated on her meager Crest. Her family had decided to pursue the purity that could be found in light itself as a means of researching the Source. There were only a couple of spells added to that meager Crest, but one would serve her well here.

She invoked Utterlight and the courtyard she was in was bathed in a brilliant bluish light that eliminated every shadow.

It had been the culmination of her Grandfather's life, that spell.

Like lightning, Lancer's spear point sought the heart of their foe. And was deflected.

By a long gleaming sword in the English teacher's hand. "I don't fully understand what is going on here, but I think it is time you left."

Ajax looked at Cassie and jumped from the Courtyard to the street and began to run.

Along the most dangerous of roads. For as they passed by a park, Cassandra could feel the prickle of another master. This one with gray hair and a purple dress. "Berserker, kill them."

All Cassandra could do was cry and support her weakening Servant as he battled a giant monster. She was certain they were both dead at the very first instant of attack. But Lancer lifted his shield and cried out Rho Aias.

His shield bloomed into a multi-petalled wonder. It held off Berserker for the moment. But for how long? How long could they hope to last?

-Scene Break—

Medea-

Medea was relaxing, watching the ongoing battle with interest. Lancer was Ajax Telamon, there was little doubt. A solid if boring choice. The Archer she didn't know.

There was another ripple as a major summoning affected the local area.

Amelia asked, "Aren't you concerned about what is going on in that Barrier by the school?"

Medea filled her glass again with wine, she offered to refill her Master's but she waved her hand away. She then answered, "Slightly. Obviously, whoever Caster is this war is asking for help. But whoever it is isn't a Master Summoner. It wouldn't take this obvious a ritual to get assistance. Probably a fairly weak, support style Magus." She looked over at her Master, "Don't get me wrong, Caster could probably easily beat any of you children. But the other Servants, yes, well Magic Resistance is common in the Knight Classes."

"Do you think we can win?"

Medea savored the wine as it played about her mouth. "Maybe. It depends on the other Servants and Masters. Caster doesn't impress me at all. But then perhaps she or he has a poor Master. Still, not impressive so far. Archer looks fast but fragile. Lancer, well he will be tough to take down, but still nothing too dangerous. The other two Knight like Servants have children as Masters. Inexperienced and naïve. Good for us. But something about that Homunculus standing there in that park. I don't know. Either she is cocky or she has something powerful."

Both of them watched Ayako lead Lancer on a merry chase. "Ah, so the little girl is a Halfling after all. I hope she escapes this…." Both watch as Lancers Master walks into the Emiya residence, which they can't see. "I should have reinforced that Familiar. It can't see through the Barrier Field. A subtle thing too."

They watched as Lancer ran right past the park.

And into the valley of Death. For a monster was waiting for them.

A monster Medea had known personally. One of the few people who had treated her fairly. A man Medea was positive deserved his heroic reputation, even if he did have a bit of a temper.

"Great Gods of Olympus. She has summoned Heracles. As Berserker."

Amelia said softly, "I take it this is bad."

Medea said flatly, "We are doomed. My only hope would be if Heracles were so focused on killing his prey I could get in a shot at the Master….." Her mind began to work fiercely. "Master I need to go and go now. I might never get this good of a chance."

Amelia thought for a moment. "I trust you. You have experience with this." She looked around, "What do you need me to do?"

Medea tightened her eyes, "Summon me with a Command Spell if you see me get over my head."

Amelia raised an eyebrow. "I only have three."

"Better two Command Spells and a living Servant, than three and a dead one."

Amelia nodded and Medea left.

Fast. She had to get there fast.

And that was the greatest gift this new body gave her. She lacked her massive prana reserves, and missed them dearly, but she was fast. And with the Ring of Gyges, invisible.

Did she try for an actual kill shot? That would be safest in the long run, but hard for her to do. She was an accomplished magus, not a knife for hire. When she killed it was usually with a curse or potion.

But Rule Breaker wasn't a normal knife. It could and would cut flesh, if poorly. No it was made to cut magic and magical constructs. As long as Medea had enough power it could break just about any magical connection.

Cutting off Heracles from the anchor the homunculus provided would be easy. And in so doing, Heracles would disappear.

After rampaging for a bit until his internal prana dissipated. But that wasn't Medea's problem.

This was almost fun! She took the knife as she was running at her target, and with a loud cry she activated it. "Rule Breaker"

-Scene Break—

Sella-

Sella was only paying moderate attention to the fight between Lancer and Berserker. It really was just a waiting game. How long could that powerful shield hold up under Berserker's pounding.

Probably not much longer.

So she was tracking Shirou and his party as they were crossing the Bridge. They were hurrying, even if Sella couldn't understand why. It was much too late to stop whatever was being summoned, and had been by the time they had first felt its stirrings. They didn't know about Ilya waiting for them.

Or the fight that was now ongoing. Although considering what had happened to the park and bits of the surrounding terrain, that wasn't likely to last.

It was Leysritt's anguished cry for Ilya that brought Sella back. Leysritt had thrown a woman against a wall, but was on her knees having problems breathing herself.

Ilya lay unconscious and bleeding.

Assassin. They had forgotten about Assassin.

Sella flung a bolt of lightning at the woman. She had dared attack Mistress! She would die!

Sella watched with glee as the woman shock and her arm smoked under the massive electrical charge.

But Assassin didn't die. No. She said a single word and the electric death stopped. Another word and beam of light sizzled passed Sella, just barely missing her.

Sella prepared another bolt, but Assassin faded out of existence.

Sella ignored the sounds of destruction behind her. Berserker didn't matter to her. Ilya did. She grabbed the first aid kit and quickly covered the wound.

She looked over at Leysritt, who was crawling towards both Ilya and Sella. She did not look well. Her face was swollen and red, and her breaths came in rapid shallow puffs.

Leysritt looked over at Ilya. "I failed you," She said thickly. She looked at Sella, "Promise me you will keep her safe. That you will, that you will live for me. That you both will live for me."

Sella reached for the other woman, her flesh felt like clay. Sella watched as her sometime antagonist, but always companion began to melt away.

Into a dress. The Dress of Heaven.

A voice broke through the mind numbing chaos that filled her mind. Shirou's voice. "What happened here?"

Sella looked up at him dumbly. His companions crowded around.

Shirou looked up at them, "Rin, take Rider and Saber and try to stop whatever that thing is. I am going to run Ilya home, and them I will be back."

The other three looked amongst each other and nodded.

Shirou touched Sella's arm, "What happened?"

Sella began to shake. "You were too late. We were too early, and you were too late."

And the chaos overwhelmed her. And Sella knew peaceful darkness for a time.

-Chapter Break—

A/N- This chapter….. Well it was difficult. So much is going on. I simply could not show it all. Hopefully it is readable and enjoyable. Please let me know. And as always let me know if you have any questions or comments.

Hopefully the next chapter in the next ten days. Wish me luck.