Chapter Eleven

While most will never notice, the Sith in Fuyuki City tend to keep four six man squads as an escort hidden by their stealth field generators. The Cult of Nihilus is more than a bunch of religious Sith fanatics. They are trained soldiers that are descendants of the once great Sith Empire. They have all been brought up with a vision to regain their empire and are fiercely loyal to their lords of the Sith. Gone are their cloaks, now they don their black armor with red accents and a white mask marking on their chest. The highest ranking non-Sith member of the cult is personally leading the four squads escorting Darth Skorr. Commander Miller scans the situation and reconfirms each squad's location. Bravo, the sniper squad, are spread out on various rooftops already aiming down their sights. Alfa, his squad, are currently in an abandoned house overlooking the battle. Charlie had taken positions in the now empty playground, no doubt parents were scrambling as fast as they could to get their children away. Lastly Delta is located along the streets behind cars and concrete fence lines. With the headcount finished, he looks down to his communicator waiting for the signal to attack. No luck yet, so he keeps his men from firing and watches the battle.

What am I worried about? Commander Miller asks himself. There's no reason for Lord Skorr to request fire support for a bratty little girl and her redcoat Servant is far too busy with that pitch-black armored knight to help.

"This appears to be another easy sit back and capture when subdued operation." One of the men tells another.

"Yeah it seems to be that way. Man, I wanted some action today. I thought if I transferred to escort I would get to have some, but it's turning out to be a dud like patrol was." The other man replies back.

"Didn't we have the temple attack just a few days ago?"

"I wasn't a part of it. Apparently I was 'too fresh of a recruit' for that mission."

"You always have the worst luck when it comes to being picked for missions."

"I know! Man I am pissed I wasn't able to be a part of it. I heard some strange shadow creature attacked and you guys encountered a Jedi! Figures the men there couldn't beat him. That Jedi wouldn't have escaped if I was there!"

Miller has had enough with the chatter coming from his men, "Privates, if you two say another word that does not pertain to this mission then I will have no choice than to report to Lord Skorr about your insolence! The Sith is not as forgiving as I am. And another thing, I will not have you be talking bad about the ones who attended the temple attack! We lost a lot of good men that night, and if you would have been there then you would have died easily. That Jedi managed to wound our lord and you are ten thousand years away from even scrubbing his boots! Now get back to your positions and do not say or do anything unless I say so!"

They immediately comply and Miller is satisfied with getting his troops back in line. A massive explosive draws his attention back to the battle below and he sees the enemy Servant holding a broken sword and a long crater leading to Skorr. He then watches as a newcomer comes in and saves the red Servant from the attack from Lancelot. Skorr catches the newcomer's attention and seems to make the blonde angry. After a display of power between them both, the blonde gives the red Servant an escape with his Master.

The commander looks to the shadow in the corner. "Hey skull face, have one part of you tail them and find out where their base of operations are." The Shadow Servant nods and sends one of her personas to follow. Miller opens his commlink to the other squads as hundreds of golden portals surround Skorr and Berserker, "Everyone get ready. This newcomer seems to be a Servant as well or at least in their level." He raises his blaster rifle and boots up his in-helmet display. Taking aim at the Servant, he eyes the communicator for the response from the Sith. The device blinks green and he moves his finger to the trigger. "Alright squads new objective: protect Lord Skorr and try to capture the Servant. Lethal force is approved if capture proves too difficult. Our main focus will be to shoot down any weapons that threaten our lord, but if you have a shot on the Servant then take it!"

Like clockwork when Gilgamesh's weapons shoot out, a barrage of blaster fire comes from all sides and knocks various weapons on the ground. Lancelot wastes no time in picking up a spear from the ground and deflecting hits from him. Skorr gives an evil smirk and nonchalantly waves away attacks from hitting him. Gilgamesh tries to pinpoint where the barrage is coming from, but when he follows a trail to its source, he finds no one there at a glance. He does a double take before focusing his eyes to see a faint outline behind a car. It appears to be a figure that has camouflage itself with their surroundings. He shoots a few swords towards the figure and it moves away from the car before it explodes. The explosion knocks the figure down and disrupts the stealth generator on it. A man is now relieved and receives a few more swords that leave him nailed to the ground.

"You talk big for a mortal," Gilgamesh starts, "But I should have known a mongrel such as yourself would stoop to such a cheap tactic to try to win against a king."

Skorr flicks away a couple of axes, "You keep calling yourself a king, but I don't see your kingdom. I don't see your people, your followers. All I see is a sad excuse of a tool trying to remain relevant. Well here's a newsflash for you, no one gives a wromp rat ass who you are. The person you are trying to impersonate died a long time ago. You are nothing because you came from nothing. What have you achieved with your 'life' Servant? Because all I am seeing is a whole lot of nothing. These 'treasures' of yours," He kicks away a flying lance to emphasize his point, "are worthless in the grand scheme of things. So tell me tool, while my troops fire upon you, what truly do you have?"

A fierce tick mark grows on the Babylonian King's head. "What do I have? What do I HAVE?! You filthy mongrel! In all my years as a king and as a Servant, never have I met a disgusting mongrel in my life! You make the faker look like an angel! Hell you are so infuriating that calling you a mongrel would only insult other mongrels! You are worse than the shit I wipe off my boot!"

Miller meanwhile has been taken advantage of the distraction of dialog Skorr is providing. Charlie team has placed down a twin repeating blaster turret, his personal Alfa team have mounted several heavy blaster rifles in the windows, Delta have been setting up demolition throughout the area to hopefully lead Gilgamesh into an electrified net trap, all while Bravo is making sure to keep each one of them clear with their supporting fire. Miller gives Delta the signal to begin their attack.

"Forget erasing you, I'm going to-" Gilgamesh is interrupted by a thermal detonator blowing up next to him. The ground makes a crater and the blonde stumbles forwards before catching himself. He looks back to see a cloaked figure a couple meters away. "You tried to make me kneel?! End yourself!" A gate portal opens towards the running figure before impaling air and blood splattering from an unseen grunt of pain.

"Damn, Alfa focus covering fire while Delta saves Private Ryan!" The commander orders. "Charlie, get that repeater blasting and get his attention!" The two-man operated turret fires out a stream of red bolts at the Servant.

Gilgamesh thinks nothing of it at first thinking it is like regular bullets from Earth. At first the hits barely register, however after continuous hits his now human body isn't liking the bolts hitting and instantly cauterizing wounds he is gaining. With a click of his tongue, he swaps out of the suit he is wearing into the golden armor he didn't expect to have to wear. "I'll give you low lives one thing, you're definitely a cut above the rest in the world. Mortals would usually never get close to harming a Servant, but your strange weapons bypass theirs. However, it won't stop me from killing each and every one of you!"

"I hope you didn't forget about us!" Skorr shouts from one side of Gilgamesh while Lancelot charges from another. The blonde sends the Chains of Heaven to wrap both attackers. Lancelot tries bending away from one, only to get his leg wrapped up in another one. Skorr wraps a chain around his spare lightsaber and removes his gloves from his other when it gets caught along with his other saber in its grip. Though he is without his sabers, he is far from defenseless. He sends a powerful Force push at Gilgamesh and the blonde is thrown across the street and leaves a crumbled trail of the road in its path.

Gilgamesh is beyond frustrated and contemplates just using Ea to finish this fight quickly. Although the low lives aren't worthy enough for it to be used on, sometimes pride must take a backseat. He sets himself to get up, only to get blown backwards through a concrete wall. He pushes himself up to see the now uncloaked Delta team forming around Skorr with grenade launchers. Gilgamesh opens the gate to grab the handle of EA, but his hand is shot at before he can grab it. A look to the rooftops tells him there are snipers watching his every move. While he can only hate the Sith in front of him, he can at least give credit to the soldiers for their well trained actions. He decides to move to a less visible area to avoid having his hand shot off of attempting to grab EA again. More gates open above him as he rains constant weapons to stop the advancing force. The blonde rushes to an alley assured that it will be enough to get what he needs. His plan turns out to be the attacker's plan as the nets shoot out from both sides of the alley and he quickly wastes no time in destroying it with a few weapons from his treasury. A break is not given as the failsafe if the net is unsuccessful goes off with a bang. It has enough force to level both buildings on either side of the alley.

Skorr recalls his lightsabers and rushes to the rumble with Delta team behind him. "Hold fast troops. This Servant is unlike what we faced before. I do not believe such a force is enough to kill him so easily."

"And right you are!" Rumble blows upwards revealing the golden armored Servant holding a red and black circular sword with a gold hilt as its 'blade' begins to spin. "Rejoice for I do not bring out the Sword of Rupture for just anybody. While you aren't worthy of looking at it, I am left with no choice but to leave you with nothing behind." He raises the sword and opens his mouth, but Lancelot flies out and grabs hold of the arm holding EA. Gilgamesh struggles with the Berserker for a moment before sending a kick and a hammer out of a gate, sending Lancelot flying away with bits of broken pieces of his golden armor with him. Gilgamesh returns to finish what he started, but feels a wet tear rip him open. He looks down to his cut throat in shock and turns around to come face to face with the very same Servant he has seen in the previous war shrouded in a black mist. "Ass-... Ass… in…" He coughs but retains his earlier vigor to kill the Sith. He attempts to lower Ea, but finds himself unable to move.

An outstretched arm from Skorr reaches towards Gilgamesh. "I already had one Noble Phantasm blown in my face today. I'm afraid I'm going to have to take a rain check on a second. Nicely done Assassin. You have proved yourself more than the other shadow servants that died already. Now what we have here is a perfect vessel to replace the other battery at the temple. After all tools must be replaced with better ones."

The shout "Gae Bolg!" is heard from nowhere as a red spear pierces the golden armor. Blood trickles down Gilgamesh's wound as the blonde gives a weak smile. "Thanks… *cough* Kirei…" The dying king mutters out before vanishing away. The cursed spear flies back to its owner and disappears before anyone could track it.

Commander Miller arrives with teams Alfa and Charlie behind him. He kneels down, "I'm sorry my lord that I was unable to capture the Servant."

Skorr turns to his underling. "There is nothing to forgive Commander. We did not set out to capture that particular servant, so there was no mission to fail. Raise now Commander." Miller obliges and stands and removes his helmet. Underneath is a dark skinned man with graying black hair and beard. "We set out to gain information from one of the three families and we have gained a little knowledge from the girl. It's not much to work with but I'm sure once the persona of Shadow Assassin finishes trailing her, then it is not a wasted effort. We still have another family to visit and my apprentice will investigate the others who are currently being a thorn. Collect your wounded and gear quickly before anyone else investigates our activities."

"Yes sir!" Miller replies before giving the order to the rest of the troops with him. Miller hesitantly turns back to the Sith before gaining the courage to ask, "If I may my lord?" Skorr gives him a nod, "When will we show our full strength? I understand the need for a low profile, but lately our and the rest of the Grail War activities are escalating to the point where keeping a low profile is no longer an option."

"A fair question Commander. Until we have either secured the Grail or gain an advantage big enough to combat the possible chance of a united Master/Servant force from the other participants, our hidden forces will remain where they are else we practically announce to this planet that they have an invasion in Japan." The cult leader explains. "Does that answer your question Commander?"

Commander Miller gives a quick bow, "Yes my lord." He turns and goes back to his men.

Lancer watches the Sith and his men pack up in the distance. He catches his cursed spear when it finally makes it back and leaves. "I never did like that guy."

"Even if you didn't like him," Kotomine says through their telepathic link, "He was good company and a lot stronger than you are."

"If he was so strong, then why didn't he win that fight?" Lancer mockingly asks.

"Because no matter the strength, numbers can overwhelm. If it was just between Lancelot and the alien against Gilgamesh then he may have won, but it seems this outside force is more crafty than I thought." The fake priest answers.

"What about what golden boy was trying to do at the end? Wouldn't the fight have ended quicker if he did that from the beginning?"

"Oh absolutely, but why he waited so long to use it delves into his character. Enuma Elish is quite possibly one of the strongest Noble Phantasms in existence, and he only uses it for people he deems as 'worthy' or a clear threat. He most likely underestimated them when he joined the fight and only saw them as a clear threat in the end, but by then his opponent probably already figured him out. He never once reached for any of the weapons he used so when he tried to grab Ea, they did what they could to prevent him from using it. Lastly, them hiding the shadowed version of my previous servant was brilliantly played by them. On that note, keep your eyes open as to not let one of its personas follow you." Kotomine tells him before leaving the link.

Illya pauses the cup from reaching her mouth after feeling a soul being dragged into the Grail. She is currently in the Einzbern castle located outside the city. Leysritt, one of two homunculus maids/bodyguards for Illya, notices the pause in her. "Is something wrong?"

Illya looks at her servant and takes a sip from her drink before answering. "Yes, it seems as if we have the first Servant death for this war."

Sella, the other maid, says, "That is expected. Though you seemed to be puzzled."

"Well it's because it's not a Servant from this war. It has a faint Grail signature of Mother…" Illya trails off. The two maids look between them unsure what to say. "She wouldn't have had to die if Kiritsugu just did his job in the last war and we could have stayed as a family."

"Although I never met him or your mother," Sella says, "It seems pretty bad when he betrays the Einzbern family and then adopts two random boys to replace you. And from what you told us, they tried to rush you with the Tohsaka girl to finish what he had most likely trained them to do."

"While I may have agreed with you, it's what happened with Archer trying to kill Shirou that makes me question that. Mason saw his brother in mortal danger and lost it enough to take one of Berserker's life. If Kiritsugu really trained them to be like him, Shirou would have let Saber die and Mason would have tried to kill me while I was distracted. They wouldn't have had emotions ruling their decisions like that."

Sella stays her ground. "I still don't see that as a reason for them not to be trying to kill you and get information about the Einzbern family. It could just as easily be a front since none of them died either."

Illya isn't convinced, "Maybe but there is one thing that is rejecting your statement. When they first saw me, they called me 'Nee-san'. Their expressions were both elated from seeing me, and distraught from seeing that I am their enemy. My younger brothers didn't have the look of a trained killer. What does that mean?"

Leysritt tries to take a crack at answering, "Perhaps Kiritsugu wasn't able to pass on what he was before he died. They both were around seven or so when he adopted them, so they could not have been able to be properly molded. It's been five years since his death and neither of them have taken up his mantle in that time or used his connections to make a name for themselves in the magus world. So what they are now is quite possibly an empty slate that is both unclaimed and out of the knowledge in the magus world."

Illya sets her cup down after getting an idea, "An empty unknown slate huh? I might be able to do something with them other than being a personal plaything. Alright, I'm going to meet with my younger brothers to see where their views truly lay."

Shirou finishes washing the dishes from dinner. Saber, Mason, and Caster are in the living room watching the tv. The news is on with a reporter live on screen. "As you can see, multiple blocks are destroyed leaving multiple people injured and three dead. Witnesses recall seeing multiple armored individuals attack passersby in what the police are calling a gang related attack. However the attackers don't seem to resemble any gang or organized crime families residing in Fuyuki City. The Chief of Police have stated that they haven't ruled out this being a terrorist attack. We'll be sure to keep you updated as more information comes to light."

Mason puts the tv on mute and turns to the others. "Doesn't take a genius to figure out who is behind this attack."

"The cult?" Shirou asks after returning from the kitchen and sitting down next to Saber. "I get they're trouble, but what reason would they have for destroying a neighborhood?" Right when he asks that, the surveillance field around the home goes off from a Servant.

"Looks like Archer is back," Mason says without missing a beat.

Saber looks at him puzzled, "How can you tell who it is so easily?"

"Please I can easily tell my bro-" Mason stops himself from slipping the truth, "Archer's presence fairly well. The Force helps me to identify people before seeing them so I'm not caught by surprise. Though if I have my entire attention focused on something, I can be blind to it at times. Anyways, perhaps Archer will provide the information we need."

They wait for the knock on the door, but never receive one. Instead, Archer lands in the backyard where the wide open section to the house is located. In his arms is a drained and unconscious Rin. They all jump up and quickly take her into an empty room. "What happened?" Caster asks him as she checks Rin's injuries.

"We encountered the Sith Mason told us about along with a Servant," Archer answers. "I was so busy with the Servant that I couldn't fully protect her. I'm not sure what all he did to her, but I do know he threw her around, sliced her ankle, and attacked her with some sort of lightning."

"Force Lightning," Mason chimes in. "It's a dark side ability that is almost the personification of the users' hatred with how much it sucks them into using it. It can range from a torture device to straight up killing and possibly igniting someone depending on how much the user channels it. Caster, he used the same attack on you at the temple."

The Greek woman grits her teeth, "I remember. I've experienced pain before, but that power is on a whole different level." She looks over the girl's body, "Her skin looks as if it faintly grew a few wrinkles. It's hard to notice, but it's there."

Mason places a hand on Rin's forehead and feels for any other problems, "Yeah it's one of the symptoms from the attack. The few holocrons I have include powers of the Sith to lookout for. In the worst cases, the body can look very deformed and shriveled up." Mason mutters his voice very low after feeling the extent of the damage. "If this were the temple, the healers can heal this easily." He shakes his head when they all look at him worried. "Sorry, just missing the medical technology from my previous galaxy. Don't worry though, she's not in any danger of losing her life. A bit of rest and the effects of the lightning shouldn't be a problem. Her ankle wound might be a different story depending on Caster's ability of healing a cauterized wound."

Caster looks offended, "I can't believe you would place doubt in it. I was a healer before I became a witch everyone knows. It'll be healed and she'll be walking by tomorrow."

"I'm sorry," Mason apologizes. "I didn't know if lightsaber injuries would be healed as easily. Though I'm not sure about her walking around tomorrow. Force lightning is known to cause mental damage as well as physical, which is why the Sith use it for torture. You weren't under the effects that long as well as being a Servant, so it's perhaps why it didn't do anything to you mentally. Rin though is still human and very susceptible to it, but hopefully I'm wrong and nothing comes from it." Mason looks at Archer, "Now while Caster is healing Rin, I'm going to need you to go into detail about the attack in case there is anything else I need to address."

…

One talk with Archer later, Rin's injuries have been looked after and everyone finds themselves around the house for different reasons. Caster is checking the defenses and periodically checking on Rin, Saber is trying to process the information of her old foes returning with Shirou trying to comfort her, and Mason is in his room shifting through equipment. Archer appears in the doorway as the silver hair boy is clipping the lightsaber to his belt. "What do you think you are doing?" He asks the boy.

Mason loads a round in the Thompson Arms Contender before holstering it to the calf on his left leg. "I'm going to check on Sakura." He says simply as he finishes and pushes past the Servant.

Archer follows him to the front door, "I don't recall checking in on someone to involve bringing Dad's custom made mystic code, which by the way only he should have only been able to use."

Mason opens the door and walks out towards the sunset street. "I'd be a fool to not expect any trouble especially during a Grail War, and I have a way to get around the whole 'only Dad can use it' thing. We're luckily the same blood type and a little donation can go a long way. Of course going through the process of removing the curse of the Grail was a pain in the ass. I may not be from this world, but I understand the magic enough to know anything is possible if you look and try hard enough."

"I won't bother asking how since from my experience, what you said is true to an extent. I'll instead ask why you aren't bringing Caster with you?"

"Caster is needed here with Rin. If the worst happens and I need her, then she is one telepathic link away from alerting her and having her teleport herself along with any others who comes with." Mason explains himself.

Archer looks inside the house before shutting the door to keep unwanted ears away. "Like my younger self, you are just as stubborn as he is when an idea is thought of. And here I was thinking Dad wasn't able to pass something down to you."

"That's not true. We both definitely inherited his dream of being a 'Hero of Justice'. The only difference between us is that Shirou wants to be one for the world so he can have the same feeling Dad had when he saved us. I, on the other hand, only want to be one to the people I care about to prevent my past from repeating itself." Mason then gives Archer a small smile. "You know Archer, even if you are vastly different then the boy I know in the house and I'm but a stranger to you, it doesn't change the fact that you are still Shirou and therefore my brother." Archer's usual calm and collected mask falters for a moment before he recovers, which gives Mason a quick laugh. "You just gotta get that stick up your ass out and not be so hung up on killing yourself."

"If it were only that simple," Archer just says.

"You always have a choice, even when you can't see it." Mason tells him.

Archer shakes his head with a tiny up-curled lip, "I can see why my younger self trusts you so. If I had a brother like you, perhaps my life could have been so much different. But there is no reason to dwell on things that I can't experience. If you're going to the Matou manor, let me give you some brotherly advice." He then gets a serious expression. "Be very careful with the old man. Being one of the founding families makes him very dangerous. He has lived for hundreds of years and only cares about immortality. So much so that he will use any means to obtain it, such as influencing a petal to become a new vessel from pieces leftover from the precious war by horrific means. Said petal will have a leash of sorts in it so he can control it. To save the petal, you have to extract the leash from it or he will continue to live on even without a human body. He is very powerful and will try to manipulate any situation. Try to avoid fighting him unless you have Caster, Saber, or myself to obliterate him since holy weapons/magics will do lasting damage. And even then, his knowledge might cockroach his way to escaping. Be wary of any bugs or worms when interacting with him. Lastly, Dad's origin bullet may end up being the key reason for you to escape if you need to."

Mason soaks up the information and gives Archer a respectful nod, "I appreciate the advice," his nod turning into a cheeky grin, "Onii-chan." Mason leaves in laughter before Archer has any time to react to his words.

Back inside, Saber paces the dojo before throwing a practice sword on the ground and breaking it. Shirou takes the time to creep up and talk to her. "Saber talk to me. You are highly strung pretty badly, and I'm guessing it's because of the Servants Archer mentioned."

Saber takes a deep breath in before directing her attention to her Master, "You are correct. I hoped that the man I fought ten years ago and the man that sought after my body would be long gone from this war. Gilgamesh seen me nothing but a sexual plaything to conquer. He devalues my title of king and mocks the way I lead my people! That no good, manwhore, son of a bitch king is someone who harbors almost all of my hatred! What is left is directed at your father. I don't mean to be so harsh, but being his Servant has brought nothing but death and anguish to me! I have no idea what he is as a father, but I can't see him other than a disrespectful and honorless Master. That is one quality I'm thankful you didn't get past down to you. That and the use for guns. Though your brother sadly did get that from him. But hating the dead will get me nowhere, so I'll spend it on that blonde bitch. And as if learning he was still alive wasn't bad enough, I get a reminder of my greatest failure as a king back as well. I hoped to correct my mistakes by wishing the Grail to choose someone more suited to lead Britain, but it seems as if fate wishes for me to confront Lancelot myself."

Shirou waits for her to finish venting before replying. "I don't think simply wishing the Grail to choose someone else will solve your problems. The new person might make even worse mistakes that lead to the downfall of your country. All we can do is use the past to better ourselves for the future. It's one of the reasons why I wish to become a Hero of Justice, because out of everyone that was affected by the last war I was the one chosen to be saved. Along with Mason of course, but his past affects him more than mine does. Besides that if you never grabbed that sword, then I wouldn't have been able to meet you."

She looks at him for a moment, "Perhaps it might have been for the best. While I am strong, I'm not exactly a good example for what men would want. My shortcomings may lead to disasters we can't prevent."

"We can deal with the shortcomings if they appear, and we won't be alone. Mason, and I'm sure Rin, will be there to help get us out of there. Along with that, I couldn't think of a better partner to be by my side." Shirou tries to assure her.

Saber blushes a little, "Oh thanks…" She regains some composer, "*Ahem* Shirou, would you be willing to go along with a selfish request of mine?"

"Let me guess, you want to go after Lancelot or Gilgamesh?" Shirou assumes.

"Yes, more specifically Lancelot." She corrects. "If I never see golden boy again, it'd still be too soon."

He nods along, "That's alright with me. Though the question is, where would we end up running into him without marching straight for the temple?"

"Try the Einzbern Castle," a new voice chimes in. They both look to see Archer who elaborates, "They seem to be targeting the founding families, so going there is probably your highest probability."

"But that's where Berserker and his Master is," Saber tells him. "What good reason would it be to intrude onto an enemy's base just on the chance to find a different enemy?"

"Well for one, you have someone his Master is interested in," Archer looks towards Shirou.

Saber follows his line of sight, "That's a bad idea. We'd be a walking target the moment we catch her attention."

"No he has a point," Shirou says. "Nee-san wants both Mason and I, and we can use that to our advantage. Perhaps we can negotiate some kind of truce after we explain what's happening with the Grail and hopefully use the fact that we're family as well."

Archer grunts at the last part, "I'm not sure how much being family will help. She seems contempt on killing you the other day knowing full well your relationship. But if the Cult has a way to summon more Servants than there is supposed to be in a Grail War, another ally would be beneficial."

"Well what about the last family, the Matou Family?" Saber asks. "There might be a chance they show up there as well."

Archer waves her off, "Oh don't worry about them. Mason is already on his way there." He then mutters, "Though dealing with a Servant will be the least of his worries with them."

Shirou squints at the red coat Servant, "What do you mean by that last part?"

"Oh nothing he can't handle himself," Archer states. "He's fairly strong with the 'Force' thing and a competent fighter with a blade that can cut through almost everything. Besides, he reassured me that Caster can teleport to him with others if he calls for it."

"Does Caster know he left?" Shirou again with another question.

Archer just shrugs, "He's not my Master. Though I'm sure Caster will probably chew his ass out later."

Shirou facepalms, "That idiot. Why is he rushing off to do something dangerous?"

"Heh, if that's not the pot calling the kettle black." Archer mentions as he leaves now bored of talking to his younger self.

Saber looks at Shirou, "Should we go after your brother?"

Shirou thinks about it for a moment before shaking his head. "No, he's probably just checking on Sakura. Besides, I doubt he'll be in much danger as Rin was. Dad said that family's magical bloodline died down and it's only the old man left with any sort of power. I've been to their house a few times with Shinji and their grandfather tends to stick to himself. While there's a chance for the Cult to pay them a visit, I doubt they will if they know how weakened the family is by now. And just like Archer said, Caster can get to Mason and we can go with her if he ends up needing help."

Saber nods, "Alright Shirou. We'll wait here for Mason and we can visit your sister when he comes back. Besides, we shouldn't leave Rin in case the Cult tracks her here and finishes what they started."

As she says that, two figures with skull masks outside the boundary field surrounding the Emiya estate looms. One of Shadow Assassin's persona looks to the other before the latter leaves towards the temple. The first keeps watch awaiting further orders and for more to report. However he never gets the chance to do either as a hidden third figure with a skull mask appears and grabs on to him from behind and kisses him. The persona quickly dies in a matter of seconds and disappears. She sends a silent prayer then overlooks the estate before leaving.

"Master, I highly advise against this," Rider tells Sakura in spirit form.

Sakura walks out the door of her house, "There is a strange power source lurking around for hours and it's making me uncomfortable."

"That is why I'm against this. We don't know what it is and it doesn't feel like anything from the Grail."

"I understand your concern Rider, but I think this inconvenience would make a good snack."

Sakura pauses at the gate for a second before continuing as if it didn't happen.

"And I think we should address that as well." Rider adds on.

"There is nothing to address," Sakura brushes off.

Rider is unconvinced, "Multiple personalities are no joke Master. Yours' especially since it makes Jekyll and Hyde look like a better deal."

"You misunderstand Rider, this isn't a multiple personality thing." Sakura explains. "It's just something a part of me that has been buried since back when I was first a part of this sorry excuse of a family. They wanted my body to be transformed into a worthy Matou heir, and they got something better. I am not a tool for that ancient bug prick and my body will not continue to be used as a breeding ground for their heirs or bugs! Mason will be the only one who gets to use my body now. No one else matters."

Rider decides to remain silent for she has nothing she can say to respond to that. Sakura accepts her win and continues heading towards the source she feels. A block later, she stumbles upon a woman she has never seen before standing in the middle of the street. Immediately she figures out that this woman is the source of the power and her red alien face is a dead giveaway. The woman greets Sakura, "Hello dear. You wouldn't happen to know where the Matou live?"

"I might, but I'm sorry who are you?" Sakura asks.

"Ah, where are my manners?" The woman says. "My name is Valia."

"Valia?" Sakura asks, "That's not a name common in Japan. Are you new here?"

She nods, "Yes. Some friends and I decided to come visit this city a few days ago."

"Master," Rider calls in, "I'm detecting a Servant-like presence nearby. However it feels incomplete."

The small red line around Sakura's pilpul shines brighter as her darkness takes over and expands her sensory range. "Yes I can feel it too, as well as a few groups of six in various parts of the street. However they seem invisible to the naked eye at a glance. Hmmm, that Cult Mason talked about had some advanced technology. Could they be related somehow?" Sakura then speaks out loud, "You and your friends wouldn't happen to have taken up residence at the temple would you?"

"What's it to ya?" Valia asks almost playfully.

"Well if you were, there might be something you could help with."

Valia gives a sly look, "Oh, I came looking for the Matou family and I found a girl asking for help. I'll play along for now, what kind of trouble do you need help with?"

While Sakura's smile looks innocent, the rest of her face says otherwise as the redness in her eyes glow even brighter. "Pest extermination."

Now Valia is intrigued, "Pest extermination, eh? Well it just so happens I too have a pest problem that won't stop bugging us around the temple."

"Well perhaps we can deal with two birds with one stone?"

Valia gives a vicious smile, "Oh I like that idea, however my two birds are different from yours Matou."

Sakura keeps her smile as her purple eye color is overtaken by the burning of her now blood red hungry looking eyes. A red zigzag line moves from her chest to her face and the white in her hair takes over as well. The black and red dress covers her clothes and a tendril slashes Valia on the cheek. Dark Sakura wipes the blood off the Sith and licks it, "Perhaps your birds should be the same as mine. Hunger can make a girl go crazy and you look like a great sunset snack."

The Sith gives a grand and evil smile as she wipes the blood off her cheek and licks it too, "Dear you just turned into my favorite person. Perhaps our birds can indeed be the same. What do you offer?"

"I know you are interested in someone named Nihilus and plan to use the Grail to revive him. What if I were to tell you that the pest has some leftover pieces of the previous Grail that was destroyed ten years ago and they are all yours if he is no longer a part of this world?" Dark asks enticingly

Valia gives a look as if she won the lottery. "At first you had my curiosity, now you have my attention. If what you say is true, then I see no reason that we can't kill our common birds together." She reaches into her pocket to take out a communicator and hands it to Sakura. "Take this and we will speak more about this later. Okay dear?"

The darkness recedes from Sakura until she returns to her normal self, "Of course. However, if you try to pull something…" Her shadow starts to flow around as a tendrilled mess.

"Oh please," The yellow in the Sith's eyes burns as if alive, "Don't threaten me with a good time my dear. I'm only going along with this because you amuse me. Trust me, I would just love to hear your screams as I find the source of your power." She pants Sakura's hand after placing the communicator in it. Valia then looks behind Sakura and gives some distance between them. "Looks as if we have company."

Sakura turns around and sees a silver haired teen down the street. "Mason?"

Mason turns to Sakura and runs to her. He notices Valia and steps protectively in front of Sakura with a hand on his lightsaber. The Sith looks between them and gives a mischievous smirk before addressing the newcomer. "Child of Revan, it's good to meet you. So you're the one who has caught my master's attention? Hmm, I can see why. Your presence makes you almost indistinguishable once I made the connection to your ancestor."

Mason just gives a frown, "I can't say it's good to meet you as of yet. What business do you have with Sakura?"

Valia just waves her index finger, "Nah ah, a girl can't tell you the secrets of another. I won't bother asking if the Jedi taught you that since I know they didn't. Though I will say that I am currently not a threat to her and don't plan to be if things work out. I was also just leaving anyway." She goes to turn before stopping halfway through, "Oh and I do hope you accept my master's offer. I would love to have a, what do they call it here… Ah! A kohai of my own and you could even call me senpai. I do love all the different ways the primitive people here call each other. Hopefully I'll get to see you around, Kohai." The Sith waves as she walks away.

Mason takes his hand off the lightsaber when she is gone from their sights and turns to Sakura. "Are you alright?"

She looks at him, "Yes thank you."

"What did she want with you?"

"Oh nothing really. Just asked me a couple of things before you showed up." She half truths it.

"Really? She didn't threaten or hurt you at all?" Mason as unbelievably.

Sakura shakes her head, "Nothing at all. Why are you asking?"

"Because Rin was just attacked by the Cult just a couple hours ago." He explains.

Her eyes go wide, "Nee-san…" she mumbles low enough for Mason not to hear. They attacked Nee-san. Well that's not my problem. She deserves it for never coming to help me at all. She is no sister of mine. But even if she stood on the sidelines and let it happen, it doesn't change the fact that she is my sister. My love for her isn't fully gone enough to not be sad. … Fine I'll admit I'm not one hundred percent fine with it, but it still doesn't change my opinion of her. "Do you know why they attacked her?"

"The same reason I thought she was hurting you, they are going around to each of the founding families to get some sort of information." He informs her. "Next they'll probably be after Nee-san."

Sakura's head shoots up quickly, "Nee-san? You have a sister?"

Mason nods his head, "Yeah my dad had a kid before coming to Japan and adopting Shirou and I. We've only ever met her once, and it was not a very great first impression. Anyways, I also came to ask you if you wanted to come over to our house? We know Shinji was Rider's temporary Master and I'm sure he might not be too happy about having her taken away from him."

Sakura tugs the sleeve of her shirt lower down her arm to hide the command seals, "Ah yeah something like that. I'll take you up on that offer."

Mason smiles, "Great! Do you need to grab anything at your house first? We probably could get Caster to quickly whip up some clothes for you, but I don't know if you would rather grab some instead."

She quickly shakes her head, "No. Um, like you said, Nii-san isn't too happy right now," probably cursing my name from Hell right now, "so I'll just deal with whatever Caster whips up." Mason outstretches his hand and she blushingly takes it as they walk to his house. Sakura squeezes the hand she is holding. First his hand is mine. Then his heart will be mine. Then his love will be mine. Then his body will be mine. Then he will be mine. He will be mine. He will be mine. HE WILL BE MINE!

Author's Note: I probably made some Gil fans mad with this one. I'll apologize to the Gil fans, but he was never going to make it to the end. I was thinking of killing him off similar to HF, but decided to let him go down fighting instead. Yes I did nerf him by not allowing him to use Ea, but he didn't use it against Shirou in UBW until he realized he was losing so I didn't see a reason for him not to do the same against Skorr and Lancelot. Honestly there wouldn't be a Fate story if Gilgamesh just pulled out Ea against everyone at the start of each fight. This would have came out sooner, but I couldn't figure out how I wanted the Shirou and Saber scene to go. Literally took days to find something I'm contempt enough to post. All of my original rough drafts for that part were cringe as hell, so I'll delve deeper into their relationship in a future chapter where it's hopefully less cringe and not as forced feeling. Other than that, I threw in a few hints of what may come in the future and I'm happy with the rest of this chapter.

keybladelight: Well I think it's safe to say that Rin will definitely be a lot more wary with the Force. To what extent, well that's something to find out when she wakes. And you are right, Skorr would not survive an attack from Ea and I'm not too sure who can that isn't an extremely powerful Servant or something. I do have a plan for Mason to have some sort of Force thing, but it's still a few chapters out. Also I seen the last Kenobi episode, and that fight is what I was wanting the entire time I was watching. It would have been better if they used the "Battle of the Heroes" music instead, but it was still a good fight. I've been playing with the ideas of lightsabers for a bit and I do have down on what I am going to do. Again it'll be a few chapters out, but I have it figured out. Also the teasing will never stop, I like putting the characters in such situations that's it's inevitable. Lastly I did see the Jedi: Survivor trailer, I'm excited for it. 2023 can't be here fast enough!

Well that's it from me, so I'll talk at y'all next time! Thanks for reading!