Disclaimer: I do not own Fate/Stay Night or any of its spin-offs, or any of the Type-Moon's series such as Tsukihime, Kara no Kyoki/Garden of Sinners, Mahoutsukai no Yoru/Witch on the Holy Night, Melty Blood or any related series nor do I own any of the characters from any of the series. All of the mentioned above are owned by Kinoko Nasu and Type Moon. This is purely a work of fanfiction inspired by the universe Nasu and the rest of Type-Moon created.

Chapter 3: A Deal made is a Deal Struck

February 6, 1995, Tohsaka Residence, Fuyuki Japan, 11:00pm

Rin stood there in shock as she stared at the elderly gentleman before her, who had returned his gaze to her father's book as if he had done nothing shocking at all. He delicately flipped the page as he gave a soft hum, waiting for her response with an all knowing smirk on his lips.

"Why would you take on a novice like me on as your apprentice?" Rin asked, as disbelief still coursed through her mind. She couldn't fathom why he was here or why he would ask her to be his apprentice, especially since when there were more accomplished mages out of here. Not that she would decline, but she was already the apprentice of that fake priest Kotomine. "Apart from your aptitude for jewel magecraft and the mental fortitude you have, there are many reasons that I will and will not tell you for why I want you as my apprentice. But let's just say I've decided to take a gamble on the fact that if I were to take you as my apprentice now, big things may come your way, very big things. As for Kotomine, don't worry about him, I'm taking care of it as we speak."

"Wait? How? Why?" Rin stuttered out more confused as Zelretch's smile only grew as he flipped the page again, not bothering to look at her. She couldn't get a read on him, all his emotions were perfectly concealed and yet he was displaying them in full force. "I don't understand why you are doing this. What possible reason would you have to do this? At least tell me something so I can understand what's going on."

Zelretch froze before looking over at the young girl before him. His gaze then went back to the book after a moment. "Tell me, what is the name of the second magic that I have possessed since I reached the root?" Rin looked at him puzzled as she pondered his question in his head before her eyes widened in realization.

"Your magic is known as Zelretch or Kaleidoscope. It's domain is the operation of parallel worlds." She said before her eyes widened further. "If you're here now... then that means you saw something that requires your attention." The man snapped the book shut before returning his full attention to her.

"That is more or less the gist of it. Though the exact details are unknown for reasons I won't divulge, I do plan on not interfering as I have intended to do, but it doesn't stop me from taking on an apprentice here, now does it." The man said as his red eyes gleamed with mirth and mischief. "As for Kotomine, let's just say I picked up a useful trick for being in two or three places at once." Rin tilted her head in confusion.

Kotomine Church, Fuyuki City, Japan

"So, Kotomine, tell me about this Fifth Magician that you encountered today? What did you think of her based on your observation."

A condescending voice spoke as Kotomine had entered the main hall of the church he oversees. He looked over and saw his companion during the later half of the grail war, sitting in one of the pews, sipping on a glass of wine. The man's blood red eyes met his own coal black ones as a smile appeared on the man's lips.

"If you must ask, though I could tell you were watching from afar, I take her as an obstacle and a threat to our plans if we aren't careful. One simple misstep would of cost me my life. Though her taking a small interest in my apprentice was certainly entertaining."

"So she is a cur who doesn't know her place. Though I do suppose she will provide some entertainment in the coming years. That sister of hers as well. Though which will provide better entertainment is something I haven't decided yet." The man said as if he had already decided on how to handle the Aozaki sisters, yet keeping the answer to himself. "As for the spawn of Tokiomi's loins, have you decided on how to deal with her yet? She will be a participant in the upcoming grail war, yes?"

"I believe I'll have something planned soon on how to deal with my dear apprentice. I have already implanted her family's magic crest to her, so there's a start. As for-" Before the man could continue with his thoughts on how to deal with Rin Tohsaka the doors to the church with a loud and sudden burst that almost knocked them off their hinges. Kotomine turned around and his eyes widened at the sight of a elderly man with white hair and gleaming red eyes strolled right in and made his way over to him and his companion. The man stopped before turning and facing the blonde haired man and gave a low formal bow to the man with no fear what so ever as his companion greeted him.

"Greetings, King of Heroes, King Gilgamesh of Babylon and all the known world. May I, Kischur Zelretch Schweinorg, the Second Magician, and apprentice to King Solomon, the King of Mages, present a proposal to all of our problems concerning young Miss Tohsaka. One that will indeed be satisfactory to all of us involved?"

"Oh, a relic from the age of gods, no matter if they are an Apprentice to the King of Mages, approaches me for my audience and approval?" Gilgamesh stood and walked over to where Kotomine and Zelretch were. "Very well Magician, tell us of this proposal so that I may judge it worthy or not of being part of my entertainment. Speak before I decide to end you myself. Your King demands it of you."

Hook

"As you can see, the young Tohsaka would benefit tremendously under my tutoring. While you, Father Kotomine, would be without a doubt, a wonderful mentor to young Rin, there are things I can teach her that I can only teach her as they would be fundamental to her growth as a magus. With my age and experience, I can have her prepared for the Fifth Holy Grail War in half of the time it would take an ordinary magus. Plus, I have this contract here that may or may not be to your liking if you agree to this, Father Kotomine. Please take a look and tell me what you think."

Zelretch handed over a scroll of parchment to the priest, watching as the man unroll it and read over the contents hidden within. The man's eyes widened a bit before they read over the contents further with a sparked interest. Kotomine then looked over at the Old man with a keen look on his face. "It seems everything would be taken care of if I am to agree to this deal. Though I do have a few questions before I agree to this, if you don't mind answering them."

Line

"Not at all, though, some things will have to be kept secret. I'm still a mage after all. We have to keep some things a mystery." Zelretch answered. He had no intentions on letting either of them know that he was already onto their little scheme. While he may not actively be able to stop them, it didn't mean that he couldn't set the pieces in place that would bring their downfall. Merlin for his part... well the less said about him and his actions, the better. Wouldn't want to give too much away now, right?

"Of course. First off, what do you plan on teaching the girl? Though I'm aware of your status in the moonlit world, both as a Magician and as a Wizard Marshal, I don't think an apprentice of yours would be able to learn to use the second magic in just a few years."

"You are correct in that manner. Her jewelcraft is second to none though. That and her being an average one is where I'm going to help her out with as far as magecraft goes. As for her sparring partner, I have someone in mind for the task. Hand to hand combat is a necessity for young mages these days."

"Be that as it may, I am curious as to who you've chosen to help with Rin's combat and survival training, after all, there has to be someone who has consistent contact with you enough for you to trust them with such a task after all."

"Of course, though I'm not at liberty to say much about their identity, I can tell you that they are the best in their field when it comes to hand-to-hand combat. They are a bit vicious if I do say so myself, but they will get the job done."

"Keep your secrets then, Relic." Gilgamesh said as he read the contents of the scroll. His pupils turned into a slits as he paused on a section, before a manic smile graced his lips as his eyes widened. A chuckle escaped his lips, which turned into full blown laughter. Both of the men turned their gaze towards the golden king. "Though I do have to say, this is quite the amusing turn. It seems you know how to act as a moderate playwright after all. If Tokiomi's spawn can survive the onslaught of that Mongrel princess, then I look forward to the entertainment you bring forth to the upcoming act. Provided she can survive your training with her sanity intact of course."

"I take it it's to your liking then, your majesty?"

"Of course." The demigod spoke with his hubris on a new high. "Its been awhile since I've encountered one of those Mongrel ancestors. What entertainment will this one bring, I wonder."

"And you, Father Kotomine?" The old man of the jewels asked the priest. His red eyes boring into Kotomine's coal black ones.

"I wouldn't be opposed to this." The man said with a calm smile upon his lips. "Though I cannot help but worry though. If you really do have one of them under your care, what's stopping me from alerting the church." The man just chuckled and smiled right back at the priest, undeterred from the hidden threat in between the lines.

"Simple my young friend." He paused for but a moment. "For one, you wouldn't be able to touch her. You'd need something on like mystic eyes of death perception to even have a chance. Secondly, Merem Solomon would directly stop you before you fools charge recklessly to your deaths. Third, you would have to get past me. And finally, a True Ancestor is by far more dangerous than their children." If the priest was disturbed or unsettled by this information, he didn't show it.

And Sinker!

It took a few minutes of silence before he was handed the scroll of parchment and signed it. "Very well, I will agree to this little gander of yours, Lord Zelretch. It's not everyday that one gets to meet two of the five in one day." He handed the scroll back to the elderly gentleman, who in turn, grinned in satisfaction. His red eyes gleaming with a hidden glee.

"Excellent! I shall get started right away and don't worry about young Miss Tohsaka! She has already been informed of this change in apprenticeship." Before anything else could be said, the man faded away until a set of marbles were in the place of where Zelretch once stood, before they rolled out of the church, leaving the two of them alone.

Mifune City, Japan, 12:00am

Touko parked the Mercedes Benz in the vacant lot of the place she had just bought, taking a slow drag of her cigarette as she got out. Looking around, she looked over at Kiritsugu for a moment and sighed silently. The man had pulled through on his end and she reciprocated on her end of the deal. Weeks of planning and expenses spent all in order to get an audience with the Einzberns. She had chosen this location as it was the only place suitable to discuss things privately from prying eyes and ears.

"Are you ready for this?"

The man sighed and nodded his head. He was ready as he would ever be. The Einzberns will be prepared. While Old Man Acht would not be attending, he would definitely be sending one of his Homunculus in his steed. He couldn't get Illya back himself, but with Touko's help and her connections, he would at least have a shot. That's all he needed. The man looked over at the redhead with a frown. The woman had been troublesome as the rumors suggested in the first place. But he couldn't deny the efficiency in her efforts.

The cold, crisp winter air wasn't bothering her. Was this one of her puppets? Or was she that unaffected by the cold? Even after spending all this time in her presence, it was hard to tell if this was the real Touko Aozaki or this was one of her puppets. He straightened his tie and jacket as he looked over ahead at the snow dusted parking lot as a white limousine pulls in with its high beams on. It slowed to a stop a few meters away from them. A man dressed in a butler uniform got out and walked to the rear door and opened it for the occupant in the back. A woman exited wearing a long white coat with a briefcase in hand. Both man and woman had the signature white hair, red eyes, and pale skin. No doubt about it, they were Einzbern Homunculi.

Kiritsugu and Touko approached them as the snow lightly fell to the ground, the only lights were produced by the streetlights and the cars. They stopped just in front of the two Einzbern homunculi and Touko took another drag of her cigarette. The silence reigned for a few minutes as they stared at each other, as if they were all trying to solve a puzzle. The female Einzbern glared at Kiritsugu before directing her gaze at Touko who was unfazed by the stare, blowing out a cloud of smoke after another drag of her cigarette.

"What is he doing here, Aozaki? I thought we were clear that the traitor wasn't to be part of this meeting." The woman began in an accusatory tone. Touko took another drag of her cigarette, ignoring the accusation with an accustom ease.

"If I remember correctly, the missive stated he was not allowed to have say in the terms of the deal, though it never stated that he couldn't be present or weigh his opinions and thoughts during the negotiations now, does it. I have the original missive if you would like to look it over." The mother of Shirou replied in calm, yet mocking tone. "After all, he is directly related to one of the subject's at hand and deserves to have a say in his daughter's life. As a mother myself, I would only want what's best for my son after all."

The pair of Homunculi narrowed their eyes at the red head who had pulled out another cigarette and lit it as she crushed the previous one under the heel of her boot. The woman's smile was calm and serene and yet, they couldn't help but feel an underlying air that something was amiss here. Like there was a hidden madness behind the woman's smile that was just waiting to burst forth.

"What are you getting at Aozaki? The Aozaki's never had a part of the Holy Grail War. You have nothing to gain from this." Touko's eyes narrowed from behind her spectacles. That serene smile never leaving her lips.

"Oh? But we already were involved when Lord Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald made a request for puppet parts during the war. We had to deliver them in person. My son and I then stayed in my safe house to watch the war progress as it was the safer option at the time. It wasn't until that accursed fire that I began to put things together here. With Emiya's help, that is, things became a lot more clearer. You guys really went through a lot of trouble to hide such a thing, I almost lost hope. Though you didn't account for one thing. I know the very cause of those accursed flames. That Thing was whispering in my ear the whole time. To think that the Einzbern's would go so far as to summon All the World's Evils as an Avenger class servant of all things. The one with the ability to curse anything it touches with its own noble phantasm. Imagine my surprise to find out it cursed the Greater Grail of Fuyuki.

"You lie Aozaki. To think you would buy into the traitor's lies. The Greater Grail is working perfectly as intended." This only caused the redhead to grin as she pulled off her spectacles and put them in her jacket pocket. Her eyes smiled maliciously at the two homunculus.

"Are either of you are sure about that? Are you? Cause I'm pretty sure every heroic spirit that has been summoned has been recorded down by the Grail System and the Clock Tower along with their Masters and I'm pretty sure Angra Mainyu is on that list of servants with an Einzbern as their master. Care to test that theory?"

The two looked at her with utter shock like she had lost her mind. The woman's smile didn't diminish as she began to approach the two. "A Lord of the Clock Tower killed, over five hundred people dead, a breach in the concealment of the Mystics. A possible heir to the Fifth Magician injured in the Fire. Not many people would be able to cover up this even with the church's help. I could even go on and send all the information I've gathered on your family to my contacts in the Clock Tower as well. I wonder how they will react to your family being made of nothing but Homunculi and Golems, much less to the fact that Jubstacheit is a golem himself."

"You're insane..." The female homunculus declared. "You're completely insane if you think anyone would believe that. I don't know where the hell you think any of that drivel you spat has any weight behind it. But you're not going to fool anyone with this act of yours." The woman couldn't understand why, but for one reason or another, she felt like she was staring into the face of a monster ready to tear her limb from limb. That the beast in front of her wanted this to happen, almost as if she had predicted it. They noticed Kiritsugu hadn't said a word yet as he kept staring at them with that same dead express. A cigarette in his left hand and his Thompson Contender in his right. That's when she realized that this wasn't an arranged deal, this was a trap and they had fallen right into it. The question was do they try and spring it on the hunters or do they make a strategic retreat?

She glanced back at her fellow homunculus and nodded to him in a silent agreement as he nodded at her. His mustache twitching a little as he tightened his grip on the hidden twin daggers holstered on his belt before shooting forward to hopefully catch the Magus Killer and Scarred Red off guard. Only for Touko to make a short whistling noise.

BOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!

A white blur shot down from the dark sky and slammed into her kin, cause a white cloud smoke, dust, and snow to go flying everywhere. As the smoke cleared, a figure wearing a white winter coat with green eyes and blonde hair stood over her partner with a single black boot on his head and the daggers in his left hand. A sharp grin on his face as he clenched his hand around the blades of the daggers, holding them up mockingly before snapping it in half with a single flex of his hand.

"Now now, Beo, we must play nice, they were invited here as guests after all. It isn't nice to break their toys. I set a trap and they sprang it gloriously!" Touko grinned viciously as the boy matched her grin with one of his own. His pointed ears twitching with excitement. "We still have much to discuss after all. Isn't that right, Emiya?"

"Fiiinnneeee, but I found this one a bit lackluster. Soujuurou and even Shirou put up more fun fights than this one did. Hell, He didn't even see me coming. I thought they were to be on par with a servant of all things." The blonde boy said with slight disappointment in his otherwise cheerful voice. The female homunculus almost forgot about Kiritsugu until a black blur slammed into her stomach as her body struck the front of the limo behind her, disorienting her for a few moments when she came to, she found the black barrel of a certain Thompson Contender lodged into her mouth, the Magus Killer standing over her, with a self-binding geas scroll in his free hand. A cold fury in his eyes. She found Touko standing behind him with a sadistic grin on her face before looking over at the blonde boy casually waving at her with a happy-go-lucky smile on his lips. Her eyes now returned back to the Magus killer with fear as he finally spoke for the first time this evening. The burning rage of hell lacing his voice. It was as if she was staring into the face of three monsters.

"Now, we can finally get to the main reason why we are here." The man growled, his deep voice sending tremors of fear down her spine. "You're going to help me and my associates get my daughter back to me as smoothly as possible. I recognize you as being one of Old Man Acht's main diplomats from the Einzberns, so don't think of trying anything funny. As you can see, we have our own army of monsters. Think of what would happen if the Fifth Magician was brought here instead." The woman's eyes widened as she got the message. Kiritsugu could only let off a twisted, yet broken grin. "Good. With that settled, now let's begin."

Annnnnnnd cuuuuuuuuuuut! And that is a wrap on Chapter Three. I apologize for the delay, but I've been busy with work and life. Right now, I got some time to work on the next chapter as it will be focused on Shirou, Touko, and Kiritsugu! Illya will appear, just not yet. Now Rin and Zelretch will not appear for a little while, but don't worry, I have plans for the two of them. Especially Rin. As for Lorelei, she will return soon, but only after the introduction of the final main protagonist. That's right, there are three. Though I won't spoil who it is exactly, I'll just mention that he is a future student of Waver Velvet. Let me know what you guys think in the reviews.