Fate: All Riders.

Chapter 5: Jumping in.

It appeared someone had entered the Boundary field and Emiya wasn't taking any chances. Having Iri scry the intruder the Magus Killer soon discovered the perpetrator of the attack, one Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald. He was a very talented and somewhat rightly arrogant Magus, the master of Lancer. Despite the explosives that himself and Maiya had set up earlier and detonated it appeared that the man was unharmed and no worse for wear, the exact reason why was following him.

The large blob of mercury, the Volumen Hydragyrum was just a couple feet behind its master. The mystic code was a powerful one, if he remembered his research properly then that was the only one of its kind in existence. It's presence complicated things. "Iri, can you see Lancer anywhere?" Frowning his wife continued to spy on Kayneth, the image was slightly out of focus but accurate enough to identify the Master. "The presence of a Servant is directly where Kayneth is, I assume Lancer is in Spirit form watching over his Master." Strange, why not follow his master in a physical body? This was enemy territory after all.

"I'll get ready, Maiya are the guns ready?" She nodded in confirmation, her professionalism was appreciated. Running up to his real master Saber had a surprised expression on his face.

"Hey what about me and Ankh!?" Shaking his head he addressed his wife.

"Iri, you take the pair for protection." Wait was he planning to take on a servant by himself? "See if you can catch Lancer by surprise." Okay that was just crazy; Saber didn't like this at all.

"Maiya, make sure nothing unexpected happens, I'm counting on you." Nodding once more she decided to add her own comment.

"Don't worry, I'll guard everyone's back." Furrowing his brow Emiya checked his equipment, the whole conflict was disconcerting. Though he didn't like it he used his wife's health as a way to gauge the war's progress. Without the help of Avalon it should've been more obvious but as far as he could tell she was perfectly healthy.

This lead him to conclude that the Demon Archer that was killed by Assassin at the start of the war was a fake, someone had the ability to make counterfeit Servants or at least ones that didn't fill the grail. Considering one of these fakes had attacked Lancer it was unlikely Kayneth's doing. It was true that the man could've staged it to remove suspicion but he did use a command seal during the last confrontation with the Dragon Fly Servant.

There was a chance he was responsible but it was too small for now.

The more likely suspect was either Kotomine Kirei or the now deceased Tokiomi Tosaka. The first fake servant was on the Tosaka estates, whatever the case was with the first encounter it was certain that the priest now had the means to create more Servants. Out of everyone he was the most likely suspect and thus he was the largest threat. Looking back at the crystal ball that his wife manipulated he narrowed his eyes as another thought passed through his mind.

"Since when did Kayneth wear glasses and highlight his hair blue?"

Walking boldly through the front door Kayneth introduced himself, as a lord he had to have manners.

"I, the tenth head of the Archibald family, Kayneth El-Melloi, have arrived!" Something about him seemed off. "Einzbern Master, let us battle for the Grail with our lives and honour!"

Standing at the now destroyed entrance the man simply stood, it was obvious that he was in grave danger but his supreme confidence shielded him from fear. Grinning, almost playfully he began to take a few steps forwards, the security cameras of course tracked his every step.

Walking into a trip wire the space around him was filled with deadly shrapnel. The area around the mage was instantly filled with dust however as that cleared it became apparent that his Mystic code had saved him. An orb of silver enclosed the man and once no apparent danger was detected it dutifully warped back into the original shape.

"You rely on traps?" He asked in a mocking tone. "You'll need better bait then that Einzbern. Very well I'll play along for now."

Using the Hydragyrum Kayneth had easily found his quarry, the amount of information wasn't very specific but was accurate enough to get what he wanted.

Slicing up the ground from the floor below he used the Mystic code to carry him up a level, in front of him stood the Einzbern.

"I was searching for a rat but it seemed I've found a much better catch." Was it just him or did the girl dye her hair red?

Flexing her fingers Irisviel quickly opened the door behind herself before dashing through, the sudden movement seemed to have caught the other Master off guard. The location of Lancer was undetermined, it was assumed that he was in spirit form but even the scrying magic she had used earlier failed to provide exact specifics. Emiya didn't want to go in without intelligence so here she was gathering intelligence.

Saber was kept on standby, the heroic spirit didn't like the idea but both her husband and his floating friend managed to talk him down. Speaking of Ankh he seemed to provide a measure healing and strength to the homunculus. The 'Greed' as he called himself was able to possess human beings and boost their physical abilities to keep the host from dying to some degree. Whether this was actual healing or a way to extend life was unknown even to the spirit but he did know enough to use his abilities here in battle. A sliver of mercury flashed across her vision, diving to the side she managed to avoid having her head impaled.

Something about Kayneth seemed wrong.

"Come now Einzbern, don't play hard to get!" He called out. "I do love what you've done with your hair but I must admit I prefer blue." A nearby wall simply exploded as another lance of silver obliterated it. Rushing into the dust she dived past the hall way, things weren't going according to plan. It was hoped that the traps would force Lancer to appear and defend his master, however the Mystic code was doing a fine job of that without the Servant.

Iri didn't have much offensive magic but she was sure that she had enough to make Kayneth panic. The dodging, the running it wasn't all for nothing. Emiya had everything planned out, the tripwire for the claymores at the entrance was just a test. The big ball of magic mercury prevented the shrapnel from reaching its master but it did not stop the wire from hugging his leg.

All that dodging was just a way of laying down invisible wires. "Hey ASS HOLE EAT THIS!" Another voice echoed from the mouth of Irisviel to the surprise of Kayneth. Using all her strength she pulled expecting the wires she had laid all over him to constrict and crush his body. Arms and legs pressed against his chest in an awkward manner.

He laughed.

"Oh, it seems I've been caught in a net." He mused as if the crushing pressure did not exist but judging by the lack of response his Mystic Code exhibited it wasn't hard to believe otherwise.

"It is a shame that this net has too many holes." Bursting out with sheer strength he grinned.

"Mind if I string you along?" That way of speaking, that phrase, the stance he took! It all belonged to Lancer! If this was a servant then she had to go all out, before now she only used a portion of Ankh's power, enough that he manifested himself through her hair. Submitting full control over to the greed her hand began changing, multitudes of coins seemed to shimmer along the length of her arm as a red hand replaced her own.

Ankh could have seized control at any time with much effort but subtlety was something he knew that was needed at times.

"So you're Lancer huh? Never thought you could disguise yourself like this." Lancer recognized the hand; it was the thing that floated near the Einzbern at the docks at the end of the fight. He assumed that it was a familiar considering the amount of Prana coming from it but it seemed to be a lot more intelligent.

"Oh? Disguise you say? What if Kayneth was an Ancestor of mine? I am a heroic spirit, one that's quite the catch when it comes to ladies if I say so myself, such a thing isn't too farfetched. I'll tell you right now that I am the first El-Melloi Archibald!" Snorting the homunculus stared down his opponent; he clearly didn't believe the story.

"That's not your body, I'm guessing you took control somehow like I'm doing now, the only problem is that I'm just not sure what you are." Lifting his hand Lancer made a quick motion as a silver spike shot towards the red haired greed who luckily rolled backwards to avoid the attack.

"I'll tell you what I am." Making another motion the spike expanded and split into multiple needles penetrating the nearby walls, Ankh narrowly avoided this attack as he quickly ran around the corner out of sight.

"I'M MORE HANDSOME THAN YOU!" He yelled to make sure that his opponent could hear him.

Kayneth groaned internally, it seemed that his Servant's actions would literally reflect his own in this battle, he was sure that he could regain control of his body with enough will power but that would defeat the purpose of this plan and doing so would stun and incapacitate them both for a shot moment, something that simply wouldn't do in enemy territory.

"Focus you idiot! She's getting away!"

"Come now, don't be all crabby about this, I don't bite." Sang a voice behind them.

"Damnit, I had no idea Lancer could possess his master, I guess this means your scrying powers aren't messed up then huh Irisviel?" A voice in his head told him that he was indeed correct on the subject.

Running down a new corridor it seemed they were gaining ground, the voice behind them began to fade.

"I love slippery catches, so much more satisfying when you weigh them in!"

"Damnit, where's the backup? Didn't your husband bug your clothes so that he could hear all this? Doesn't he know we're dealing with a Servant now? Where's Eiji!?" Ankh was the only person in the group who didn't call the Hero 'Saber'. It was kind of endearing but Emiya found the practice to be dangerous, even if no one in the modern age recognized his legend that didn't mean the other Heroic Spirits wouldn't.

"Come out to play Einzbern! Come now, let me just reel you in!" The voice was a lot closer than he had anticipated, running away around another corner he found himself face to face with a blob of mercury.

"Hook line and sinker!" They were tricked! It never occurred to Ankh that Lancer would separate himself from the weird mystic code. He just assumed that it would follow its master everywhere. Apparently he used his voice to herd them right where he wanted them to be. Coming around the corner on the other side of the hall way Kayneth smiled and waved.

*BANG* a bullet flew through a window shattering it.

Lancer blinked, his fashionable blue coat began to turn red. Struggling to keep control he crumbled to the ground before ejecting himself from his now prone host revealing his normal armoured form. It was at this moment that Saber materialized in front of him in his battle armour. Though Lancer himself was uninjured the shock from having a bullet go through his host's body left him somewhat dazed. A battle in such close proximity to his master was simply too dangerous.

"I don't suppose you could let me go right? I'd prefer it if my master didn't die." Saber hesitated, defeating a heroic spirit was fine, they were all technically just immortal ghosts anyways but a human being? Still he held his stance, Lancer though seemingly honourable did strike him as a trickster.

"I'll tell you what, you let me and my master go and I won't sick that blob of silver over there on your red head friend." Saber froze, it was a lie of course, Lancer didn't have control over the thing, only Kayneth did but the swordsman didn't know that.

"I think it's a fair trade don't you think?" Kayneth was still conscious if only barely, he registered that he had been shot by a gun of all things. To be brought low by a modern piece of technology was a huge blow to his honour but he understood that there were times when you should retreat. The idea of being prone, bleeding and near a battle of Servants was not appealing. To help with his Servant's facade he mentally commanded the Volumen Hydragyrum to produce spikes in a menacing manner.

The red haired Einzbern took a step back giving alternating looks between Lancer, the blob of mercury and Saber. "C'mon Eiji, don't leave us all hanging." Lowering his sword Saber silently nodded, he would let them go.

*BANG!* another nearby window shattered.

And Kayneth felt his everything burn.

No one threatened his wife and got away with it. When he saw the mystic code produce thorns he quickly loaded his Thompson contender with an origin bullet. He only had a limited amount and was told that he should only use them for the most important and dire situations.

The thing threatened Iri, that was enough for him.

He originally meant to snipe Kayneth's prone form and was simply waiting for Saber to distract Lancer for long enough to make it a viable option leaving Maiya to cover his wife. However when she told him that the ball of mercury was producing long pointy objects something in the Magus Killer snapped.

Throwing aside his sniper rifle he spoke.

"Time triple Accel."

Firing an origin bullet from the range he sat was out of the question, he had to get closer, he needed more time. Luckily making time was his specialty. Jumping off the tree that overlooked the outside of the Einzbern mansion Emiya dashed forwards at ungodly speeds leaping over obstacles and rough terrain. Pushing off against another tree he used the momentum to latch onto a branch bringing him in range of his target.

Moments later both Emiya and Kayneth ran out of time.

*Bang!*another window shattered.

Lancer had no idea what was going or why his master was behaving the way he did. Was his life tied to that blob of mercury? That would explain why the man had so much control over it but now was not the right time to think about such things. Materializing his lance he then grabbed onto his master's broken form.

"Good you're still alive, would be a pity for you to die." Saber had tensed up, seeing Lancer holding his weapon put him on edge. "I'm happy you're still alive master but we must leave now, your wife would be so sad if you perished now." The other heroic spirit hesitated at the mention of a spouse, perfect. Turning around Lancer kept an eye out, the gun man was still nearby.

The angle of the shot, the sound it all pointed to someone outside. Peering out of the now broken window Lancer spied a man in a black cloak balancing on a rather thick branch. Lowering his gun the man simply stared at the servant.

"My my, I suppose you've realized that shooting me would be useless don't you?" Nodding it seemed to be the case. Being so close to the Einzbern was probably another reason why he was not provoked. "Well I suppose I'll take my leave, next time we meet I'll be sure to reel you all in."

*CRASH!* another window shattered as Lancer jumped to safety. His master groaned in pain though Lancer paid no attention to it. His master always groaned for one reason or another.

Emiya was disappointed in Saber but he did not voice it. The servant in his eye's should have either destroyed the Mystic code earlier or rushed in to kill Kayneth thus putting Lancer on the defensive to give Iri enough time to get away. From what he saw Lancer wasn't one to harm women. The heroic spirit chased his wife but not once had delivered a lethal blow, everything that was thrown at Iri was slower then it should've been.

His earlier traps confirmed this, the Volumen Hydragyrum was quick enough to defend its master against mines, killing someone at such a close range should've been no problem for it. Yet Lancer seemed to hesitate, why Saber did not see these facts was beyond the Magus Killer. However that was behind him, now he had to deal with the present.

With the help of Ankh Iri had been able to get away with a few minor bruises and scratches, the greed apparently was able to heal it's host to a small degree and increase her toughness when possessing her. A poor substitute for Avalon but it came with the added bonus of his reflexes and experience in battle. If nothing else he had made Iri a lot safer on the frontline of war.

With Kayneth under the effects of his origin bullet it was only a matter of time before Lancer faded away. The bullet had rendered the man's magical circuits useless, in the worst case scenario his fiancé would take up the man's command seals. However according to his research the woman wasn't a combatant, eliminating her would be relatively easy compared to her would be husband. The only issue then of course would be the servant.

What he lacked in raw power he made up for in skill and the unique ability to possess his master. He was a troublesome servant but something certainly manageable.

Kayneth slept and dreamt of demons and monsters that travelled through time. He dreamt of women, lies and words with hundreds of hooks to them. Women that would love him for the lies he weaved. He dreamt of a family not of his blood but still family none the less. He dreamt of seducing more women.

He dreamt of a place where a monster like him belonged. Of a train that never stopped running in the sands of time. He dreamt of dying, as Gaia simply forgot his existence leaving nothing of his body but sand. He dreamt of delicious colourful coffee. He dreamt of women falling in love with him.

He remembered coming back to life as a boy remembered his name. He dreamt of one woman that ignored his advances turning into a younger girl. He remembered a place that he belonged. He remembered leaving that boy behind, he remembered being content. He dreamt of the boy that gave him his name and his body.

It was good to be free.

Waking up in a cold sweat he realized he was having a dream, his servant's dream. His name was Urataros? Kayneth wasn't too familiar with Asian folklore but in preparation for the Holy Grail war he had read up on it. His Servant had reminded him of Urashima Taro but was certainly not the same person despite sharing some similarities with the legend. His turtle like armour, his way of using fishing metaphor's, if he wasn't the Urashima of folklore he was at the very least influenced by it.

Attempting to get up he found himself held by some unseen force. Still struggling he questioned what was wrong with his body however a familiar voice soon filled his ears.

"It seems you're awake" His fiancé, Sola-Ui was here. This fact didn't stop him from struggling to get up. Calling out he tried to make sense of the situation.

"Sola-Ui." He called almost desperately. "What is this?" His body was bound to the bed he rested on.

"Why am I here?" He asked. Casually as if a dutiful wife Sola twisted a towel wringing the hot water from the fabric leaving the liquid to splash down into the basin below it.

"You don't remember what happened at all?" Kayneth paused, being possessed by Lancer was a unique experience. Being shot in the chest was noticeable but the pain was blunted as if it was another man's problem. However after the Heroic spirit was forced from his body the after effects took full force.

"I was shot, Lancer was near me, I couldn't really see but I could hear his plan." Despite being a dishonourable pervert Kayneth silently admitted that the man was quite cunning.

"He pretended that he could use Volumen Hydragyrum so that we could retreat, I played along but…" He paused as if the words didn't need to be spoken.

"What happened to my body?" Gently lifting his hand that held the command seals Sola began to clean it.

"There are signs that every Magic Circuit in your body went out of control." He eyes held pity. "It's a miracle that you didn't die instantly." The realization hit him hard, he didn't know what to say. "For now, all I've been able to do is regenerate your organs." Had the damage been that extensive?

"Your Magic Circuits have been completely destroyed you'll never use magic again." A tear escaped his eyes, he tried to resist this fact, it couldn't be true!

"I…I…" His fiancé continued to look down in pity.

"Don't cry, Kayneth. It's too soon to give up." Brushing the tears away with the cloth she continued. "We haven't lost yet." With the tears now gone, the encouragement washed away his sadness.

"Sola-Ui…." He was glad that he would marry this woman.

"If the Grail really is an omnipotent wish-granting device, your complete recovery should be more than possible. You only need to win, if you succeed and claim the Grail, everything will return to how it was." She explained putting her hand over his where the command seals lay.

"So…Okay, Kayneth?" It was obvious what she was implying. "Give me the Command Spells. I'll take over as Lancer's Master In order to bring you the Grail." He couldn't let her do that!

"N-No!" He had to protect her!

"You don't trust me? I, who will marry into the Archibald family?" Her voice sounded so sincere yet…

"No, but…" She laughed at Lancer's jokes, she protested when he made an innuendo against him yet said nothing when one was directed at her. "Sola-Ui, Lancer isn't as admirable as you think!" He was just trying to protect her, why couldn't she see that?

"Why do you say that?" She asked innocently as if she didn't know.

"When I asked him what he'd wish for, he replied that he doesn't seek the Holy Grail." Kayneth purposely left out the part about wishing for the love of all women, which was revealed to be a joke seconds later.

"A Servant with no desire for the Grail is categorically impossible. He must be hiding something." Like his true appearance for one. "But no matter what he's hiding, he must obey me as long as I bear these Command Spells."

"Kayneth…." Sola interrupted her husband with strained politeness, it seemed her patience was at an end.

"I won't give you the Command Spells." Could she not see that he was protecting her?

Sighing she gave her response. "Kayneth, you don't seem to understand. That we must win this, no matter what." Dropping the wash clothes she then firmly grabbed onto his pinkie and then began to pull it backwards. And she continued to pull and pull and pull.

Until it suddenly snapped. Why couldn't she see that he was trying to protect her?

"You know, Kayneth." Her tone of voice was the same as before yet her eye's now seemed disinterested, it was a terrifying thing to behold. The pain in his hand and the straps that held him down only amplified his fear.

"An unskilled spiritual healer like myself cannot hope to extract ingrained Command Spells by force." She lovingly clasped his hand again. "I can take these without resistance if the bearer agrees with it." Why couldn't she see that he was trying to protect her?

"If you won't give me your consent, then I guess I'll have to… cut your right arm off. Well?" Tears flowed freely now, Kayneth still couldn't understand why she couldn't see that he was trying to protect her.

Lancer didn't really like this situation at all. Kayneth wasn't exactly the easiest person to get along with but he was fun (and easy) to tease. If nothing else the man reminded him to a small degree of a certain red monster and that in itself was rather nice. In other words he was fond of his now injured master, it was rather worrying. Leaving the man in his beautiful fiancé's capable (and soft) hands he hoped she would find a way to save him. Standing out in the open he wondered how things could've gone differently in that Einzbern Mansion.

Footsteps behind him told of Sola's approach. "Lancer?" Turning around he faked surprise.

"Oh you shocked me." He started. "I was just thinking about things." Walking up to him he could tell already that she was about to deliver bad news.

"Kayneth isn't doing very well." He had expected as much, the man wasn't in very good shape when he finally arrived at the hideout. "I've performed the routine treatments, but…" He should've been faster, he should've been more careful, maybe if he didn't screw around so much…

"This isn't your fault." That was the biggest lie he heard all day. "Kayneth brought it upon himself. It just means the Grail War was too much for him." He tried to refuse her words.

"No, but…" Despite the few short days of being with Kayneth and Sola he had developed a bond with them. It was a bond that resembled his improvised family to some degree.

"He isn't worthy of being your Master Lancer." She stared deeply into those large orange eyes and wondered what the man behind them looked like. "Kayneth has abandoned the war, entrusting me with his rights as your Master."

Jumping ship wasn't anything new to Lancer, it was how he met the boy who gave him his name after all. Kayneth would make a fine addition to the family as would Sola-Ui… the thought ran through his mind.

"I must thank you Sola." He said honestly. She seemed surprised by his confession. "I think I know what I'll wish for now."

"A wish? If you have a wish then I'd love to hear it." That sounded familiar…

"If I get the grail then I'll wish for you and Kayneth to be with me forever." What a lovely word, forever.

Sola was equal parts relieved and furious at that moment. She was glad that Lancer wanted to be with her forever but to include Kayneth?

She simply couldn't understand.