Hey, so I'm back with a new chapter!
csjoel74, glad you enjoyed the chapter. Yes, Archer doesn't feel the need to kill Shirou, and I do hope I will meet your expectations.
sUbSoNiCSoundwave, yeah, it did sting quite a bit. I honestly did consider Nero, before settling on the one who'll appear here in the chapter. There are actually quite a few Sabers I considered, but I could only choose one. So yeah, hope you'll like the extra Saber.
Kanon, why yes, he absolutely did. Angry Mango was good in Ataraxia, but remember he adapts. So as of now he is a glop of shit and malice. But we'll see how it goes.
Logic's a Product of Insanity, yes we know that bit, but Shirou and co don't know that yet. So you'll just have to read on until we get to that part.
KaneGehabite, nah, you'll have to read on to find out.
Ryu wolf, formento101026, itsmericky9, thanks dudes.
Gur40goku, yeap, and yeap, and yeap. I do hope I delivered this chapter nicely though.
Zant-of-the-Twilight, that will come. Gun blades, or at least a similar form, will appear soon. So yeah, look forward to it.
AccelBreaker, well, you'll have to read on to find out.
taiwoeretan1, Torukeru, Xivitai, Null, Pixie Duck, yes, Shirou is more competent here. He will be getting some form of Unlimited Lost Works, not the exact thing, but the bullets will be based on that. He will still use Unlimited Blade Works, but the Origin Bullets are good.
And as for Rin in the harem, I think a no would fit the story more. Sakura is more of a thing that built up, and if not for Artoria, I'd say Sakura is my favorite F/SN pairing hands down. Let's face it, if you had a cute junior coming to your house every day to cook for you, clean up for you, and make it very clear she is interested.
Well, waifu material right there. Being a closet Yandere is a plus.
SentinalSlice, Shirou at that point didn't have access to reading memories of things he scans. So he won't be able to directly understand that Archer is a version of him. Plus, to my understanding, Tracing weapons bring out a copy from the armory.
In this case, Unlimited Blade Works. So if that happens, what Archer is using is but a copy, a new one that he creates everytime he fights. So the history of the blades should still be just the legends of Ganjiang and Moye. But glad you enjoyed the Emiya interactions.
TheEmeraldMage, yes, there will be deviations from canon, for quite an amount I am hoping. I am honestly setting Shirou up to face Kirei, and it'll be fun to write when we get there.
Exodus12345, technically yeah, Avalon can purge the bugs. But they don't know that yet, so we'll just have to get there until we can solve the bug issue.
Misaka Phenex, I wouldn't say superior game. They have different selling points. Storywise Honkai is heaps better, but world building and exploration is where Genshin shines.
Genshin doesn't have a storyline, not as developed as Honkai. So if you're here for the story, Genshin isn't for you. Genshin's 'story' is shallow, focused on building the world, while Honkai does the opposite.
FGO, on the other hand, is a totally different beast, and it focuses more on story. So tbh there isn't a best, but a matter of what we want as players.
Honestly just wish everyone can enjoy all three without bashing each other. It's gacha hell anyway.
Luckenhaft, UMU! HASHIRE SORI YO, KAZE NO YO NI.
TSUKIMI HARA WO!
PADORU PADORU!
Fate-RWBY ODST, I would agree with you on the class stuff, but honestly I feel like its fine as is. As for Gil being beaten into submission, yes.
No using Origin bullets with the Calico M960, that's just a waste of bullets.
BRUH3000 and Guest, well I can't please everyone, plus I'm literally writing for fun. It is simply what I imagine and my take on the series. It might be good, or it might be bad, but that's the point of the whole thing.
Nameless, glad to see you in my review section again. I do hope this is as good as my previous stories, if not better. As for FGO, bless you and your rolls. I'm saving for Morgan and Melusine. Maybe I'll roll on Muramasa next New Year and whale for Melusine or Morgan. But we'll see.
So yeah, here's the new chapter!
XXX
"Are you a Master?"
Sakura's eyes widened, her heart stopping the moment she heard those words, "Eh?"
Shirou stared at her in the eyes, and the purple haired girl felt every bit of her strength leave her.
The redhead asked again, "Sakura?"
The purple haired girl looked down, "W-why? Why do you know about-"
Shirou cut her off, "Answer my question, Sakura."
The indifferent look in his eyes were like knives cutting into Sakura's very soul, and the purple haired girl's lips trembled, "Y-yes."
The redhead sighed, "... I really hoped I was wrong."
Shirou closed his eyes, "I suppose you are the representative of the Matou family, is that right?"
The blood drained from Sakura's face, "W-what? How do you know that?"
The redhead glanced back at his house, "My name is Emiya Shirou, Sakura. I am the heir of the Magus Killer."
Whatever Sakura does, Matou Zouken knows.
Archer's words rang in his mind, and Shirou thinned his lips, "Shinji is on this as well, isn't he? The Bounded Field at school was your work."
Sakura's hands fell limp, "Y-yes..."
The redhead sighed, before he stared at her in the eye, "In light of our relationship, Sakura, I won't do anything tonight."
His eyes turned icy cold, so much that it hurt for Sakura to even look at him, "But starting from tomorrow, we're enemies, Matou."
With that said, Shirou turned and walked back into his home, sliding the door shut as he did.
Sakura could only stand there motionlessly, unable to feel a thing as she processed the words of the redhead she'd come to care for so much.
Matou.
That was what he'd called her. Not Sakura, not even Matou Sakura.
Matou. The representative magus of the Matou family.
She glanced down at her right hand, peeling off the small film that covered her Command Spells.
The purple haired girl let out a shaky breath, and she turned away from the Emiya residence for the Matou residence.
Tears streaked down her cheeks, as every step away from the house tore into her heart, for she knew once she went back to the prison that she called a home, there would be nothing but hell.
As Sakura walked away lifelessly, Archer stood on top of a roof nearby, and he stared at the purple haired girl, before glancing at the Emiya Residence, 'So that is your choice, Emiya Shirou...'
He wouldn't judge. This Shirou was already too different than what he knew, what he remembered. Similar in some parts, but different.
In a sense, he took after Emiya Kiritsugu more.
Archer glanced at Sakura once more, memories of a life long gone resurfacing. The white haired man sighed as he left to return to his Master's home.
Perhaps he was getting soft too.
With Shirou, the young man let out a deep breath that he didn't know he was holding.
The moment he shut the door, he immediately regretted his words.
Shirou closed his eyes, 'Was I too harsh?'
He had, under stress and panic that Matou Zouken would know and thereby use their relationship for his own benefits, declared Sakura his enemy.
In fact, looking at the memories of his father's guns and bullets, he was sure that was what Emiya Kiritsugu would do.
Shirou pushed open the door to the living room, where the seven of his Servants sat patiently waiting for him.
Saber asked, "Where's Sakura?"
The redhead tensed, and an understanding look appeared on Caster, Archer and Lancer's faces.
Shirou let out a breath, "Matou Sakura... is one of the Masters participating in the war. Matou Shinji, and most likely, Matou Zouken are in on it as well."
Lancer Artoria looked at her Master, "Then what do we do, Shirou?"
The redhead clenched his fists, "Simple, we crush them."
Archer Artoria stood up, a concerned look on her face, "Shirou, are you sure? This is Sakura we're talking about."
Shirou nodded, "Yeah..."
He looked down, "The Bounded Field was their work. Sakura... wanted me to stay away from school. They probably have something big planned, possibly something that'd hurt the students."
Caster Artoria studied him for a moment, "If she came all the way to tell you that, do you really think she wants to be your enemy, Shirou?"
Shirou looked at her, and he clenched his jaw, "They're still going to hurt innocent people, I can't let that happen..."
"Besides, that's what Kiritsugu would do."
Saber's features steeled, and she opened her mouth to speak up.
"Is that it, Master?"
Rider Artoria cut her to the chase, the maid staring at their Master in the eye, "You are running away from the situation, Master."
Shirou scowled at her, "What do you mean running away? We're going to crush them tomorrow."
The sniper held her gaze, "Exactly that. That is what Emiya Kiritsugu would do. What about you? What would Emiya Shirou do?"
The redhead clenched his fists, not answering the question.
The maid thinned her lips, "I see. Until you can give me a solid answer, I won't be entering any battles. Six Servants should be more than enough for you, Master."
With that said, Rider Artoria vanished into her spiritual form, and Shirou let out a breath, leaving the house for the shack.
Archer tried to go after him, only for Lancer to hold her back, "Wait."
The younger swimsuit version looked at her older counterpart, "Why?"
Instead of Lancer Artoria, it was Caster Artoria who answered, "Because he's being hasty. He needs to calm down."
Lancer Artoria smiled, "Relax, he'll come around. Shirou is stubborn, but he's not dumb."
Assassin Artoria nodded, "Agreed."
Saber stared at her counterparts, "You seem to believe in him quite a bit."
Caster chuckled, "Of course, he may be a bit different, what with being taught properly by Kiritsugu, but it's in Shirou's nature to want to help people, especially those he cares about."
The others nodded, even Berserker, and Saber hummed, "I see."
With Shirou, he sat in the shack, staring at the Thompson Contender and his father's Origin Bullets.
Rider Artoria's words rang in his mind.
What about you? What would Emiya Shirou do?
The redhead sighed, "It's not that simple..."
Matou Zouken was a very dangerous individual. That was what Kiritsugu had told him.
A magus specializing in familiar magecraft, one who had mastered the use of Crest Worms.
No doubt Sakura and Shinji would be utilizing them as well, which made them troublesome opponents to deal with.
"I have created over a thousand blades..."
A splitting headache suddenly made itself known to the redhead, as he grabbed his head in pain, not even having the energy to voice out that pain.
"Unknown to love, nor known to hate..."
The splitting headache slightly subsided, but not so much that Shirou was conscious of his surroundings, and his lips moved.
"I am the bone of my sword..."
His magic circuits flared, and prana molded in his palms, forming a pair of swords.
Shirou grunted as the headache vanished, and he was left staring at a pair of married blades.
Kanshou and Bakuya.
The memories of the blades were still very much shrouded from him, but it still revealed everything about the original Noble Phantasms.
Everything beyond that, he figured he'd need to get them from studying Archer's copies again.
But there was one thing he was sure, the married blades were ones he would make his own.
Shirou took a deep breath, he made his decision.
He had been too caught up with the memories of the bullets and the Thompson Contender.
He wasn't a copy of Emiya Kiritsugu. He was himself, Emiya Shirou.
Shirou's dream was to be a hero of justice, not an impossible one, but one that would do everything within his power.
Winning the war without killing his dear friend wasn't impossible.
Shirou let the married blades in his hands vanish, and he stood up, turning away from his work space.
As he did, he spoke out, "Rider, you there?"
The blonde maid didn't reveal her physical form, "What is it?"
Shirou let out a breath, "I want to win without killing Sakura and Shinji."
The swimsuit version of the King of Knights didn't answer, and the redhead quickly added, "Okay, maybe Shinji can be collateral damage."
The maid revealed herself, an amused smirk on her face, "I suppose you'll need me then."
Shirou chuckled, "Maybe, six Servants are more than enough, wasn't it?"
Rider Artoria snorted, "True, but at least you know what you're doing now, Shirou."
The redhead nodded, "But of course, I'll have to find out if they're fighting in this war of their own will first."
The maid raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"
Shirou clenched his fists, "Sakura wouldn't have told me to stay away from school if she didn't care. At least, I don't think so."
He stared at Rider Artoria in the eye, "I don't want to make the same mistakes my father did."
Rider Artoria hummed, "I see, then I shall be your sword, Shirou."
The redhead smiled, "Thank you."
He turned to the main building of his home, "But before we go in, we'll need preparations."
The maid nodded, "Very well."
The pair walked into the main building, and they started to prepare.
(Linebreak)
The next morning, Shirou walked into his classroom. As expected, the Bounded Field was there, stronger than before.
The redhead hadn't seen Sakura, nor did he see Ayako or Shinji.
Or at least, until class was about to start, for the blue haired teen entered the classroom, flanked by two girls as always.
The son of the Matou family spared his long time friend a glance, a hint of malice in his eyes, but Shirou paid him no heed.
There were simply too many people around them, and Shirou had no intentions to let them be collateral.
The door slid open, and instead of Taiga, a bespectacled man walked in with a black suit.
He bore no expressions, no emotions on his face, and for as long as Shirou had been taught by him, the redhead knew that Kuzuki Souichiro was no simple teacher.
The man was too silent, too skilled in his every step.
The teacher was obviously aware of Shirou's training, or at least, to some extent.
But because they never crossed paths, neither bothered with the other.
Souichiro hummed as he studied the now quiet class, "Fujimura-sensei had to attend a meeting, so for the classes today, I will be taking over as a replacement teacher until Fujimura-sensei returns."
The students all whispered amongst each other, until the teacher spoke up, "Silence, please. We shall begin with the attendance. First up..."
After a while, it was time for recess, and Shirou stood up to head out, until Shinji called out, "So you didn't chicken out, Emiya?"
The redhead stared at the blue haired teen, "Of course not."
One of their classmates asked, "What're you two talking about?"
Shinji smirked, "Oh it's nothing really, just a little game Emiya and I have going on."
The classmate raised an eyebrow, "Oh, what kind of game?"
Shirou stared at the blue haired teen sternly, but he still answered his classmate's question, "It has nothing to do with you. It's between me and Shinji."
The classmate took that as a hint to back off, for he never knew their resident mechanic could make a face like that, "O-okay, if you say so."
Shinji's mocking smirk widened at that, "You seem really fired up, Emiya."
The redhead stared at him firmly, "You should know why."
The blue haired teen chuckled, "Oh of course, but we should save that energy for later, right? I can't wait till I see your face when I crush you."
Shirou let out a breath, "But before we go there, Shinji, are you doing this on your own terms?"
Shinji's smirk fell, "What kind of question is that?"
The redhead stared at him in the eye, "You're not threatened into playing this game by your grandfather, are you?"
The bluenette's smirk dropped, and his eyes turned cold, "Is that how it seems to you, Emiya? Is that it?"
He gritted his teeth, "Don't fuck with me! I'm in this because I want to be! HE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT!"
Shinji glared at Shirou, much to everyone's surprise, "And I'll kick your ass in this game, you'll be begging for mercy when that happens!"
With that said, the bluenette stormed out of the classroom as silence befell on them.
One of the girls in the class approached Shirou, "Emiya-kun, did something bad happen?"
Shirou's eyes lingered at the door, "No, Shinji just got too fired up. Don't worry about it."
The cold look on the usually kind and friendly redhead didn't match his words, which only served to worry the class more.
Shirou stood on the roof, looking down at the view of Fuyuki City.
"So, Archer said you figured out something?"
The redhead felt the privacy field form as he heard her voice, "Tohsaka."
He turned to see the twin tailed girl, and Rin folded her arms, "Come on, out with it. Archer was rather... annoying with the details."
Shirou nodded, "The Master who was responsible for the Bounded Field in school, I've figured it out."
Rin blinked, "Wait, really? I mean, I was wondering why the Bounded Field kept coming back up, and I figured I'd search for them."
She shook her head, "So, who is it?"
The redhead gained a cold look, "Matou Sakura."
Rin froze at his words, and after a brief moment of regaining her posture, she asked, "Are you really sure?"
Shirou nodded, turning back to look at the view, "Sakura confirmed it last night when she came over."
The twin tailed girl took a deep breath, "And what are you going to do, Emiya-kun?"
The redhead leaned on the rail, "I'm going to remove them from the war. Sakura and Shinji have something planned, presumably something that will harm the student body."
Rin furrowed her brows, "Impossible, Sakura would never-"
Shirou nodded, "I know. But it doesn't change the fact that they will be doing something of that sort. One of promises for our ceasefire was to keep the innocents out of this, wasn't it, Tohsaka?"
The girl clenched her fists, "...Yes. But we don't have to kill Sakura, please, Emiya-kun."
The redhead blinked, "Eh? Who said anything about killing Sakura?"
Rin blinked, "Eh? But you said..."
Shirou smiled dryly, "I said remove, not kill. Well, Shinji can go to hell, but I'm not killing Sakura."
The twin tailed girl blinked again, then again, before she sighed heavily, "Please be clear with your words next time, you'll give me a heart attack."
The redhead chuckled, "So, what's your relationship with Sakura? I know she looks up to you, but she's never really told me much about cool Tohsaka-senpai."
Rin's posture stiffened, "...That's... personal..."
Shirou hummed, "I see, then I won't pry."
The twin tailed girl took a deep breath, "So, what do we do? You have seven Servants, I don't think you'll need my help."
The redhead nodded, "I won't. But if you're offering, I'll have you keep the students safe."
Rin nodded, "We can do that. But try to keep it down, if you can."
Shirou nodded, "It'll be quick."
The bell rang, and the redhead turned for the door, "Time for class then. I'll be counting on you to keep the students safe, Tohsaka."
Rin nodded as he reached the door, before she called out, "Oh, and Emiya-kun."
Shirou raised an eyebrow, "What?"
He blinked as Rin tossed a small gem at him, something he easily caught, "What's this?"
Rin folded her arms, "We can use that to communicate if anything happens."
Shirou nodded, "Sure, but how do I use it?"
The twin tailed girl froze, and the redhead chuckled, "Let me guess, I need to know jewelry magecraft."
Rin blushed, "It's fine! It'll be for in case I need to ask you or tell you something!"
Shirou smiled dryly as he pocketed the gem, "Sure sure."
He stepped through the privacy barrier, "With luck, I'll see you after class then."
Rin grumbled, "Asshole."
(Linebreak)
After class, Shirou sat in his seat as the students all packed up to head home or after school clubs.
He spared Shinji a glance, who scowled at him as he left the class.
Shirou sighed as he too packed up his books, though he did it at a slower pace as he watched his classmates leave.
As he walked out of the classroom, Shirou spotted Rin, and they shared a nod, before walking in separate directions.
The redhead decided to enter the library, and to his surprise, he spotted Sakura sitting at a table by the window.
The purple haired girl's eyes widened when she saw him, "S-Senpai..."
Shirou walked over to her table, "Sakura."
The redhead sat down at her table, and the two fell into an uncomfortable silence.
One not knowing what to say, the other having nothing to say.
Soon, the sun started to set, and Shirou opened his mouth, "Sakura."
The purple haired girl flinched when he suddenly spoke up, "Y-yes?"
The redhead looked at her in the eye, "Why are you in this war?"
Sakura flinched again, "E-eh?"
Shirou held his gaze, "What do you seek to obtain from this war?"
The purple haired girl gripped the ends of her dress, "I...I don't know... I didn't really want to fight in the first place."
Shirou's eyes softened, "I see... If that's how it is, then that's fine."
Sakura blinked several times, not daring to hope, "Senpai?"
The redhead took a breath, "It's almost sundown, so I guess we'll get started."
He stood up, "Sakura, I'll have you retire from this war."
The girl's eyes widened, "H-huh?"
As if on cue, the window shattered, as two figures broke in from the outside.
But they weren't Shirou's Servants.
One of them was Rider, while the other was a knight in white armor with red highlights, wearing a horned helmet.
Rider swung her chained spikes at Shirou from the back, while the knight swung her sword at the redhead from the front.
In the blink of an eye, two Servants took on their physical form in front and behind Shirou, easily blocking the strikes.
Sakura gasped, "Rider, Saber!"
Lancer Artoria hummed as she stared into the eyes of the knight before her, "So you've been summoned, Mordred."
Rage danced in the eyes of the Knight of Betrayal, "Father...! Why are you here?!"
Rider Artoria, who had blocked Rider's chains with Excalibur Morgan, hummed, as she registered the fact that her 'son' too had been summoned.
The two pairs pushed away from each other, Rider facing Rider Artoria behind Shirou, while Mordred and Lancer Artoria stood in front of their respective Masters.
Shirou studied the knight before him, running Structural Analysis on the blade, and his head ached, though not as bad as before.
Clarent.
That was the name of the sword, and everything about it, from when it was forged, to how it was used, what it was used for, all of that information revealed itself to Shirou.
He looked at Sakura, "I never would've guessed you'd be the Master of the extra Saber, Sakura."
"And I never would've thought you'd be the abnormal Master. Never pegged you to be a cheater, Emiya."
The redhead turned to see Shinji entering the library, and Shirou thinned his lips, "Shinji."
Sakura clamped her palms together, "N-Nii-san..."
Shinji scoffed, ignoring his sister, before glancing at the two Servants, "Rider, Saber, mow them down."
Rider didn't verbally respond, but she did nod slightly. Saber, on the other hand, wasn't as obedient, "Shut up you useless piece of shit! You're not my Master!"
Shinji gritted his teeth, "Shut up and just do your job you third rate knight!"
Mordred growled, "If we weren't facing my father, I'd kill you for that!"
She turned her attention to the blonde king, unfolding her helmet to reveal her face, "But whatever..."
Lancer Artoria hummed, "So you wish to fight, Mordred?"
Mordred growled, "Hell yeah, I'm gonna kick your ass this time!"
The knight of red dashed forward, swinging Clarent. In response, Lancer Artoria blocked it with Rhongomyniad.
Not missing a beat, Lancer Artoria pushed the sword away, swinging her spear for a swipe at Mordred's head.
The boastful knight growled, "Tell me, those final words you said to me, what did you mean?!"
Lancer Artoria's lips thinned, "It is exactly as I said."
Mordred scowled, "You said you didn't hate me! Then why did you kept me at the bottom of the Rounds?! Why did you not accept me as your son?!"
The King of Knights held her gaze firmly, "I never hated you, in fact, I was proud to have someone as dependable as you, despite your misgivings as a knight."
Her eyes met Mordred's own, "As for keeping you at the bottom of the Rounds, that was not my intention, but simply because your fellow Knights of the Round Table were deserving of their titles."
The Knight of Treachery scowled, "You expect to believe that to be true?!"
Lancer Artoria nodded, "That is the truth, and it is what I truly felt."
Mordred growled and pulled away, swinging her sword again, but the glint of metal caught her attention, and she backed away as an invisible sword slashed down at the spot where she was standing.
The Knight of Treachery growled, "Who dares-!"
Her eyes widened when she was met with the familiar sight of Saber Artoria, "W-What?!"
"So you've shown yourself! You delinquent son of mine!"
Mordred backed away to right in front of Sakura as she dodged the blades of the X-Calibur, and her surprise doubled when she spotted Heroine X.
Heroine X glared at her, "It's time I punished you for destroying the castle walls!"
It was also at that moment that Rider and Rider Artoria separated from another clash, revealing the latter's appearance to Mordred.
The extra Saber gaped, "W-WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!"
Mordred almost dropped her sword, "WHY THE FUCK ARE THERE FOUR FATHERS?!"
Heroine X scowled, "Language!"
The knight was too shock to even give a response. Instead, she snapped her head at Sakura, "Master! What the hell is going on?! Your shitty grandpa and your useless brother said there'd be seven extra Servants, but what the hell?!"
The four King of Knights simply watched as their 'son' had a nervous breakdown, two not giving a fuck about it, whilst the other two were unsure how to react to it.
The reason for the latter was rather simple. Both Saber Artoria and Lancer Artoria knew Mordred well enough to know what was going through her mind most of the time.
Or at least, they thought they did, and for once, they were right on this one.
Because the expression of shock on Mordred's face wasn't one of anger or hate, certainly not one that was for battle.
It was one that bordered between confusion and excitement, and more importantly bliss and joy.
Shinji growled, "Why does it matter?! They're all Emiya's Servants anyway! Just kill them all! You did it before!"
Mordred glared at him, and the blue haired teen jumped back in freight, "Shut up you useless piece of shit! I wasn't asking you!"
Lancer Artoria, Saber Artoria and Heroine X all watched as Mordred argued with Shinji, whilst Rider Artoria and Rider were both exchanging blows behind them, sparks flying as Excalibur Morgan clashed against the nameless chained spikes.
Shirou scratched his head as he watched Mordred and Shinji scream at each other, their words pretty much incoherent as both tried to overpower the other in their screaming contest, albeit the latter with his legs shaking from the glare Mordred had.
He glanced at Sakura, who had an exasperated expression on her face, "N-Nii-san..."
Shinji growled, "ENOUGH!"
He looked past Shirou and his Servants, "Rider! Do your thing!"
The purple haired Servant dodged another bullet from Rider Artoria, and she spared Shinji and Sakura a short glance, before jumping back onto the shelves.
The Greek Servant unleashed a pulse of Prana, and the magic circles laid around the school activated.
In the blink of an eye, their surroundings took on a bloody red hue, and Shirou winced as he suddenly felt a weight pushing down on him.
Though not as much as Shirou, the four Servants too felt a weight on their beings, and Mordred clicked her teeth in annoyance, "Tch, no point killing them now..."
Shinji growled, "What are you doing, Saber?! Take them down now!"
Mordred growled, "Who do you think you're talking to?! I won't kill them like this!"
Lancer Artoria snorted, "While I admire your wish in a fair fight, Mordred, it'll be four on one. Even if you did well against me in the Battle of Camlann, surely you do not believe yourself to be able to win against four of me."
Heroine X scoffed, "Well, you're welcome to try! I'll just take down another Saber in this world! Even if, no, especially if it's you, Mordred!"
Saber Artoria simply held her shrouded Excalibur, and she glanced at Shirou, "Master, are you okay?"
Shirou nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine."
He furrowed his brows, "I'm more worried about the other students still in school."
The redhead glanced to a side as Rider Artoria chased after Rider, the former doing her best to keep up despite having much difficulty moving.
He could feel the pull on his Prana, and whilst he could resist it, he doubted his very much less skilled schoolmates could do the same.
Shirou turned away, "Keep the extra Saber busy."
Saber Artoria hummed, "Very well."
The redhead locked his sights on Rider, who was still dashing around Rider Artoria, "Trace... on..."
A bullet appeared in his left hand, while a copy of Kiritsugu's Thompson Contender appeared in his other, and he wasted no time loading the gun.
The act greatly surprised Shinji and Sakura, the former pretty much torn away from his argument with Mordred, "M-Magecraft?!"
Mordred blinked as she followed their line of sight, only to see Shirou pointing his gun at Rider, "Huh? What's a gun gonna do?"
Shirou almost smirked when he heard her question as he cocked the hammer, the gun aimed directly at the unassuming Rider.
But before he could fire, the gem he had received from Rin glowed, "Emiya-kun! Where are you?!"
Shirou blinked, and he pulled the gem out of his pocket, "Tohsaka? What's wrong?"
The sound of a crash reached his ears, and Rin screamed, "You liar! You said Sakura was the Master!"
The redhead winced, pulling the gem away from his ears, "What do you mean? Sakura and Shinji are here with me in the library."
Another crash reached his ears, and Rin yelped as the sound of wind reached Shirou's ears, followed by the girl screaming, "Then why the hell is Kuzuki-sensei the Master of Caster?!"
Shirou's eyes widened, "What?!"
Then he felt the vibrations, and the crashing became louder. Or rather, they weren't simply from the gem, but directly reaching Shirou's ears from the source.
Then, the library walls broke into countless pieces as Rin and Archer were thrown into the library, the latter with his arms around the former to shield her.
Archer grunted as his arms limped at a side, taking in the sight of Mordred and Rider, "T-This seems like a really big party. We're not invited, I see."
The dust cloud cleared up, revealing a hooded woman and Kuzuki Souichiro without his glasses, a purple glow around his fists.
The teacher hummed as he spotted Shirou, Sakura and Shinji, "Hmm, Emiya... and Matou..."
Shinji blinked, "Kuzuki-sensei?"
The former assassin spotted the gun in Shirou's hands, "So you're in on this as well, Emiya. A Thompson Contender, quite the weird weapon to use in a fight."
The redhead narrowed his eyes, "Right back at you, magecraft enhanced fists is a pretty unique weapon too."
Kuzuki hummed, "I suppose so."
Caster Artoria appeared beside Shirou, "Caster."
Caster smiled, "Ah, the other Caster, how are you?"
The twin tailed blonde narrowed her eyes, "What are you doing here?"
The witch chuckled, "Well, dear Medusa was using her Bounded Field, and since my Master works here, well, you see where my issue is?"
Shirou spoke up, "So you're here to stop them?"
Shinji's eyes paled at that implication, "W-What?"
The witch chuckled, "You can put it that way, why, I was about to do it now."
She snapped her fingers, and the pressure on them doubled. Rin gritted her teeth as she noticed Sakura, Shinji, Mordred and Medusa being affected as well, "You took over the field?!"
Archer grunted as he struggled to stand, "I guess that's the Witch of Colchis for you."
Medea chuckled, "Why thank you, nameless Heroic Spirit."
The witch glanced around the area, "But before we proceed, I suppose I should obtain more.. forces, shall we say."
Medea smiled when her eyes landed on Lancer Artoria, Rider Artoria and Saber Artoria, "Hmm, the three of you will do just fine."
Shirou growled, "You say as if I'll just hand you my Servants just like this!"
The witch chuckled, reaching into her robes, "Oh but you will."
She drew a ceremonial dagger, and Shirou and Archer instantly ran their Structural Analysis on the blade.
Rule Breaker.
Evidently, Caster Artoria too recognized the dagger as Medea reappeared in front of Saber Artoria, the latter unable to move away in time due to the Bounded Field.
Caster Artoria looked at Shirou, "Master!"
The redhead saw her eyes, and he nodded. In an instant, Chasteifol appeared in her hands.
In the next instant, Shirou felt his reserves dip, quickly replenished by the mana prisms at his home.
Caster Artoria raised her staff, "The island of the end of the worlds... The capital of sins..."
Prana flowed out of Caster Artoria as Medea raised her dagger, "The final dragon is within my heart..."
The witch swung her ceremonial dagger, "Rule Breaker!"
"Assemble, guardians of the Round Table!"
At the exact same moment, Caster Artoria slammed her staff on the floor.
"ROUND OF AVALON!"
In an instant, an aura surrounded every Servant under Shirou's command, including Shirou himself, and the dagger simply bounced off of Saber Artoria's body harmlessly.
Medea's eyes widened, "W-What?!"
The witch backed away instantly, as Saber Artoria regained her footing and swung Excalibur without any hint of hesitation.
Medea scowled, "How?! How are you moving?!"
Caster Artoria smiled, "That will be me."
The witch snapped her head at the blonde Caster, "You?! How?! There should be no magecraft that can block my Rule Breaker!"
Mordred smirked, "Well, there's a first for everything."
Medea growled, "Then I'll just have to kill you all!"
Souichiro hummed, "Calm down, Caster. We have not lost our advantage."
The woman blinked, before she sighed, "Yes, I'm sorry, I got carried away."
The teacher nodded, "Proceed with the plan, Caster."
Medea nodded, "I understand, then let us do so."
She snapped her fingers, and Caster Artoria's eyes widened, "N-!"
In an instant, every Servant vanished, except for Shirou, Rin, Sakura and Shinji.
Shinji panicked, "W-what did you do?!"
Medea smiled, "Simple, I sent them to every corner of the school, and there will be enough Dragon Tooth Warriors to play with them, for long enough anyway. Territory creation is a convenient ability, you know?"
Rin got to her feet, a scowl on her face, "You overestimate your power, Caster."
Medea smiled, "Am I now? The Blood Fort Andromeda is empowered by my magical energy. Aside from the anomaly of a Master there, the rest of you can't so much as walk, and I doubt your Servants are doing any better."
Souichiro spoke up, "Caster, the Servants will be yours, but I did say to leave whoever is responsible for the barrier to me."
The witch hummed, "Of course, I'll leave you to it then, Souichiro-sama."
With that said, Medea vanished into wisps of smoke, leaving the teacher with the students.
Shinji yelped when he saw the purple glow around Kuzuki Souichiro's fists, "K-Kuzuki-sensei!"
The teacher raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"
The blue haired teen pointed at Shirou, "Y-you wanted to deal with the one who set up the barrier, right?! It's Emiya and Tohsaka! They set it up as a trap!"
Rin gaped, "W-what?!"
Shirou simply stayed silent as he studied the former assassin.
Souichiro hummed, "Is that so? But it doesn't matter to me, because all of you are involved, and dead men tell no tales."
He dashed forward, and Shirou fired the Thompson Contender, only for the former assassin to dart to a side, dodging the bullet.
Souichiro then sprinted forward for Shirou, and the redhead cursed, "Trace...on!"
The former assassin threw his palms forward for a fatal strike, only to leap away as he was forced to dodge a blade.
Shirou held a firm expression as the married blades rested in his hands, while his peers were more than surprised.
Shinji gaped, "Emiya! You-!"
Sakura gasped when she saw Shirou holding the blades, something mirrored by Rin, "Emiya-kun, h-how?!"
Souichiro studied the small hole on the ground, created by Shirou's swing, "Impressive, Emiya."
The redhead snorted, "Same to you, if you even touched me with those hands, I'd be dead."
The former assassin spoke out emotionlessly, "That remains to be seen."
"Set: Time Alter: Accel!"
The two dashed towards it each other, and they started trading blows. Souichirou moved like a beast, not missing a single movement as he tried to take down his student.
Unfortunately for him, Shirou was just as fast, if not faster, as he matched every blow from the former assassin with Kanshou and Bakuya.
But what Souichirou lacked in speed, he made up with experience. For as trained as Shirou was, he lacked actual combat experience, something the former assassin had in spades.
Souichiro grunted as he redirected a slash from Shirou, and he backed away to dodge another slash.
Not missing a beat, the redhead released his hold on Kanshou, before drawing a gun from his back pocket, firing it at Souichiro.
Again, the assassin simply dodged it, before charging forward at the student as Shirou replaced Kanshou in his hand.
Student and teacher met each other's strikes, determined to take down the other.
XXX
OMAKE - What if the extra Saber was another Servant?
Nero
Rin sat in the room she summoned Archer in, and she stared at the magic circle with glee.
Archer leaned against the door, "Are you sure, Rin? You'll be maintaining two Servants at a time, you know?"
The twin tailed girl nodded, "Of course, if Emiya-kun can do it, then I definitely can."
The white haired man nodded, before he glanced at the clock, "Still, do we seriously need to do it at 2am?"
Rin stared at him as if he were crazy, "Of course! Even if I have the catalyst, I need the timing to be perfect! That will save me the effort and get me the best results!"
The clock hit 1.59am, and Rin turned back to the circle, "Now shut up and watch!"
She started the chant, and the magic circle glowed in response.
The glow turned blinding, before dying down to reveal a blonde in a red dress.
Rin's eyes widened, her lips curving upwards, "YES!"
The blonde Servant hummed, "Servant... Saber, I will ask this of you, are you my Master?"
The twin tailed girl pulled the Saber into a hug, "Yes! Yes! I am your Master, Saber!"
Nero blinked, before she smiled, "Umu, I'm happy to receive such a welcome, my Master."
Rin pulled away, and she grinned, "Now I have two Servants, we will have a fighting chance!"
Archer studied Nero, and he felt a headache coming, god bless him when she met the Artorias.
Siegfried
Rin stared in excitement as the magic circle glowed blindingly, and the glow died down to reveal a man with silver grey hair.
The man spoke, "Servant Saber, Siegfried, at your service."
Rin blinked when she heard his voice, "E-eh?"
Siegfried blinked, "Master?"
The girl turned to look at Archer, before back at Siegfried, "You two have the exact same voice... How?"
Archer and Siegfried shared a glance, before they both stared at Rin, speaking in complete unrehearsed unison, "Why does it matter?"
Sengo Muramasa
After preparing the magic circle, Rin glared at it, "Stupid Edelfelt! Stupid gold digger!"
Archer sighed, "I suppose you couldn't secure the catalyst, huh?'
Rin growled, "Don't remind me please!"
The white haired man sighed, "Then what do you plan to do?"
The girl sighed, "I'll just wing it, better have an extra Servant than no Servant at all."
Archer simply shrugged as Rin started the ritual, until he saw exactly who had appeared.
"Saber, Senji Muramasa. I may be a lowly blacksmith, but I do believe I can be of some use."
A very familiar voice reached their ears, and Rin and Archer could only gape when they saw who had appeared.
Muramasa blinked when he saw their expressions, "What's with those faces? You look like you know something, but also surprised, did I come at a bad time?"
Rin gaped, "E-Emiya-kun?! H-Ho-What?!"
Muramasa blinked, "Emiya?"
He blinked again, "Oh, you mean the body? Yeah, I guess this body does belong to an Emiya."
Muramasa shook his head, "But don't worry, even if I'm summoned as a Pseudo-Servant, I can still fight pretty well."
Archer massaged his temples, "I'm sorry, Master, I need some air."
The red haired Saber blinked as the Archer vanished, "What's his problem?"
Rin grumbled in annoyance, "I'll explain later... So, what can you do?"
So yeah, these are some of the few Sabers I considered using as the extra Saber. There are a few more, namely Gawain and Proto Arthur.
But I got tired, and they'll be longer to write.
So I'll post them in the next chapters..
Until then, read and review please.