Disclaimer: I do not own the Fate franchise it belongs to Kinoko Nasu and Type-Moon.

Death and Rebirth

Chapter 4

Kiritsugu Emiya had only one thing to say once he and Maiya rendezvoused with Irisviel and Saber.

"Well, shit."

"Kiri!" Irisviel primly snapped. "Watch your language!"

Kiritsugu just gave her an unimpressed look. "No offense," he began. "But I'd say it pretty much describes this whole mess. For starters, it sure looks like your old man was holding out on us, and is even hedging his bets on this whole damn contest. That, and that other Einzbern lady made some outrageous claims too."

Irisviel winced. "You mean…the part where she claimed to be my daughter?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Irisviel," Saber began. "Is that really possible?"

Irisviel sighed. "As much as I hate to admit it," she began. "It is, yes. I'm not saying it's easy, because it wouldn't be. It'd involve long, complicated, and very dangerous alchemical rituals, and would require plenty of expensive and even rare alchemical reagents, but it's possible. No, more than that. Doable, even. As for…Schneeweißchen's claim that my family used my genes to correct her own…also possible, if a bit unlikely. I mean, it makes sense, from a certain point of view, since from the sound of things, the…Subject M-0042 that Schneeweißchen was 'born' from was a failed experiment, but was salvaged and even made a success, almost like recycling even, it's just that…well…"

"Your father would rather discard failures, right?" Kiritsugu finished, clearly remembering what happened back when he'd first been introduced to Irisviel.

"Yes." Irisviel said, clearly thinking of the same thing and understandably very uncomfortable at the reminder.

Kiritsugu scratched his head. "...depending on when this 'Schneeweißchen' was born," he eventually and reluctantly mused. "We might actually have a hand in Acht pulling that kind of stunt."

"Because of our example we showed him that some 'failures' can actually be salvaged and turned into success instead?" Irisviel asked.

Kiritsugu sighed. "Yes." he said. "Pretty much…that said, could it really be true? I mean, this could all just be bullshit, relying on sheer audacity or even taking advantage of how paranoid people have to be to succeed in the Moonlit World to make it seem credible, when they're really just blowing smoke and having us chase after shadows that aren't really there."

"...no," Irisviel said after a moment with a shake of her head, and a thoughtful look on her face. "She's almost certainly the real deal. That flight spell of hers isn't one of ours, but her teleportation spell seems to have elements of our own mysteries, while her energy beams and lightning storm are purely ours. If I had to guess, the first two were probably stolen mysteries locked away in the archives just waiting for my father or someone else to find a use for, even if the teleportation spell needed some tinkering to work as it did. As for the latter two…okay, there's a possibility it could have been stolen, but very unlikely. Not impossible, but…so improbable that it might as well be."

"Why?" Kiritsugu asked.

"Because most magi would be left struggling to power just one of those beams." Irisviel said. "Powering two either at once or in a row would kill them outright. Even the oldest families like Barthomeloi would struggle with a single volley, without using any other mysteries. But at the time, Schneeweißchen was a) flying, b) apparently using some kind of tracking spell to find Matou, and c) casually just firing off beams like there was no tomorrow."

"Add to that throwing around lightning and more beams afterward," Kiritsugu said with a slow nod. "And yeah, I see what you mean. Only a homunculus could have that much prana, and a homunculus with a quality on par with yourself or your relatives at that."

"Yes." Irisviel simply said.

Kiritsugu didn't say anything, at least, not at first. Instead, he just pulled out a packet of cigarettes, then taking one, put it in his mouth and lit it with a lighter. "Well," he began while taking a deep breath and then blowing out a plume of smoke. "Shit."

Irisviel sighed while Saber looked back and forth between them. "While it does seem to go against the spirit of fair competition," she eventually began. "I do not think it actually violates the letter of any rule in this contest, does it not? Also, from a certain point of view, this contest is called a 'war'. And in war, the whole point is to win, by any means necessary. In that light, can we truly blame Irisviel's father for doing as he did? Setting aside the…questionable origins of this 'Schneeweißchen', that is."

"Well, if you put it that way…" Irisviel glumly said, while Kiritsugu was eyeing Saber appraisingly, as if he hadn't expected to hear something like that coming from her of all people.

"Although," Saber continued. "If they are your relatives, would it not be possible to negotiate an alliance with them? After all, don't our goals remain the same, and even fight for the same family?"

"Well…technically yes…" Irisviel said, clearly embarrassed and fidgeting while glancing sideways at her husband. "...it's just that…well…Kiri here has our command spells, so…yes, we're fighting for my family, but also for the Emiya family - even if it's just Kiri really - while my…other daughter, is fighting solely for my family, so…"

Irisviel lamely trailed off, while Kiritsugu gave a sigh. "Let me guess," he said, giving his wife a knowing look. "You'd prefer we not kill your pseudo-daughter."

"Illya could surely use a younger sister to spoil and look after." Irisviel softly said with a faux-demure and even bashful pose, causing Kiritsugu's eye to twitch.

"No promises." he finally said, and Irisviel beamed before bounding over to hug him and press a kiss against his cheek. "Well, if nothing else, Schneeweißchen certainly doesn't shy away from using superior (magical) firepower, and is pretty vocal about putting Tohsaka and Matou into the ground."

"Speaking of Tohsaka," Saber began. "How did Schneeweißchen know about Archer's true identity?"

"...good question…" Kiritsugu muttered.

"Actually, I think I might have an idea about that." Irisviel said, and drawing eyes her way. "Most likely, she consulted the Einzbern archives after Tohsaka and Kotomine's piece of theater the other night, and inferred his identity from there."

"...could we not do the same?" Saber asked after a moment.

"...I…I could ask…" Irisviel hesitantly said with another glance at Kiritsugu, who just sighed.

"Let me guess," he dully began. "Since I might have pushed your old man just a bit too much insisting over doing things my way, he's likely to say no."

"Well, yes." Irisviel admitted. "Although…speaking of knowing, there was that strange address Archer used for Schneeweißchen…Mutilated Child, I think it was."

"Sounds fairly accurate," Kiritsugu said. "Assuming Schneeweißchen is what we think she is."

"More importantly," Saber cut in. "How did Archer know?"

Then pausing, she narrowed her eyes. "Do you know, Kiritsugu?" she asked.

"Strange as it might sound, yes." Kiritsugu admitted. "The moment Schneeweißchen identified him for us, I read him as best I could, and identified one of his Noble Phantasms. Sha Naqba Imuru: the Shining and Omnipotent Star. From what I can tell, it's a form of omniscience, that works like…well, it's like Archer is able to look down on things like a chess game, which he can freely rewind and fast forward, allowing him to look backwards and forwards in time. It has limits, though I'm not sure what yet, but I assume Sha Naqba Imuru let him see Schneeweißchen's origin…which might as well be confirmed, now that I think about it."

"Ah…I see…" Saber said with a slow nod. "...it would also explain how he knew Schneeweißchen would respond positively to being told to deal with Matou and their Servant even before they could act. Archer knew not just her past, but also her intent. Being asked to kill Matou and their Servant is simply a given, either way."

"It does seem that way, doesn't it?" Kiritsugu remarked.

"...by process of elimination," Saber continued after a moment. "Schneeweißchen's Servant would be Caster, wouldn't it?"

"Yes, I think so too." Kiritsugu said with a nod.

"So, now what?" Saber asked.

"We continue as planned…" Kiritsugu began, only to trail off as Irisviel coughed.

"About that," she said, a look in her eyes telling her husband that she was about to put her foot down. "Schneeweißchen has exposed Tohsaka and Kotomine's little scheme to just about everyone else. And I'm getting the feeling they won't be too happy about that. I know the plan is to focus on Lord El-Melloi first, since he's the most dangerous Master in the contest, but I'd rather not leave my other daughter on her own against the likes of Kotomine."

"Not against Tohsaka?" Kiritsugu asked, sounding amused.

Irisviel snorted. "Archer aside, Tohsaka's ordinary, both by general magi and even your own standards." she said. "After what my daughter's shown she's capable of, Schneeweißchen could storm his workshop and Tohsaka would be a smoking smear on the ground at the end of it all. No, he's no threat to her. Kotomine, though…he's dangerous."

"...this is true, on both counts." Kiritsugu conceded with a nod. "Alright, Iri, I'll take that into account, and adjust our plans going forward."

In all honesty, Kiritsugu didn't feel very comfortable about that, but when his wife beamed at his response, he found it quite easy to get over it.

Well…if she's Iri's daughter, then I guess she's my daughter too…sort-of.

And I guess I can't deny Illya could use a little sister…one bigger than she is…

…well, that's a problem for another day…right then…how do I go about this?


Archer kept his eyes closed as he allowed the aroma of wine to fill his nostrils, before opening his eyes to spot Kirei Kotomine about to walk by the living room. "You there!" he imperiously barked. "Come and attend to me!"

A moment later and Kirei was standing impassively before Archer. "And?" he asked. "Has the fool Tokiomi settled down yet?"

"Master Tokiomi has calmed down, yes," Kirei replied. "Although he remains concerned over tonight's developments."

Archer snorted contemptuously. "And so the man continues to prove himself a disappointment of a servant to the king." he drawled. "That all now know that the one true king walks the world once more is something to be celebrated, not lamented over. It matters not that others will see it as a challenge, for indeed, let them come. Let them prove themselves and their claims to be heroes against the first and the greatest. They will lose, but perhaps one or another may yet prove themselves worthy, as unlikely as that might be."

Kirei was silent, and after a long moment, Archer turned to him. "You have nothing to say?" he asked.

"Aside from our…ruse, now being exposed for what it is to the other Masters and Servants," Kirei began. "Master Tokiomi is also very concerned about Lady von Fernhügel and her family's apparent vendetta against the Matou. There are…plans in motion, that would be put into question should she act beyond simply fighting their representative in this contest."

Archer scoffed, Sha Naqba Imuru already allowing him to see what those plans were, and what it had already cost. Perhaps it was Tokiomi's right as the head of his family to dispose of his children as he saw fit, that much the king's own laws agreed with, but in life Archer had been a father too. He'd had many children, both boys and girls, with those few that had lived past childhood all living up to their father's high standards.

And more to the point, he would never consign any of them to such a fate as Tokiomi had decreed for his own child.

Were the man not acting within the letter of the king's own law, Archer would have struck him down on sight for the sheer mockery he made of a father's role.

"I care not for Tokiomi's plans." Archer spat. "Least of all when it concerns his impious ambitions and pitiful dreams of empty vainglory. Inform him that it would be wise to remember his place, and that his role is to restore to the king what is rightfully his."

"It will be done." Kirei said with a nod.

"See that it does." Archer curtly said before drinking deep, the wine of passable quality, if only barely. Then, noticing Kirei still present, the king's eyes narrowed viper-like at the priest.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Your pardon," Kirei began. "But if I may, I have a question to ask."

"Ask, then." Archer indulged, sensing through Sha Naqba Imuru that it might prove amusing to hear.

"With respect," Kirei said. "I find it curious that you would allows this Schneeweißchen von Fernhügel to threaten both Tokiomi Tohsaka and Zouken Matou. The former is your servant, a poor one, to be sure, but your servant still. As for the latter…I would have expected that you would reserve passing judgment to yourself, as opposed to letting a…Mutilated Child, as you called her, do so."

Archer chuckled, amused despite himself by the hollow flattery masking otherwise impertinent questions. "What is so surprising?" he asked back. "As you yourself said, Tokiomi is a poor servant. If a Mutilated Child puts him in the ground, then he deserves such a fate, for he is worthless to me, and I have no need for a failed servant. Indeed, he should see her blade striking towards his neck as a challenge, an opportunity even, to prove his worth. As for that disgusting worm…I suppose you have a point. Judgment is for the king alone, and no one else…and yet, to be judged by the king himself is a great honor, one that such a filthy corpse-eater hardly deserves. No, he does not. Not even close. And so, I offer this privilege to the Mutilated Child as a gift, for the one true king is kind and generous."

There was a long moment of silence, and then Kirei nodded in acknowledgement of the answer. He wasn't sure he completely understood, or if he could agree, but it seemed prudent to stop here instead of pushing further. "Thank you for your indulgence," he said with a bow. "King of Heroes."

Gesturing magnanimously, Archer dismissed him, Kirei backing away and then departing in silence. Alone, Archer sipped at his wine again, thoughts wandering over the many possible futures he could see.


Alarms rang and pressurized gasses hissed as homunculi bustled to and fro, a pair of them wearing aprons over their uniforms climbing up the steps to help Schneeweißchen out of the capsule. A towel was passed over and offered, Schneeweißchen first disconnecting the hardlink conduit before removing her neural collar. Only then did she take the offered towel to wipe herself down, before putting on an offered robe.

"Collate the data," she ordered crisply while stepping down the stairs, Konstanz waiting for her at the bottom and giving her a bow. "I will review it later today. For now, I wish to bathe and have something to eat before a few hours of sleep."

The homunculi chorused their assent, busy as they were with their duties and passing along Schneeweißchen's orders. "Konstanz," Schneeweißchen began. "Any updates?"

"There has been no action ever since you began your diagnostics several hours ago." the other homunculus replied. "Surveillance indicates most Masters and Servants have withdrawn to their hideouts, although unfortunately, we still have no sign of Assassin's presence. For now, we've continued to monitor Kirei Kotomine as best we can."

"Unfortunately the best we can do, given Assassin's understandable elusiveness." Schneeweißchen said with a sigh. "And what of Caster?"

"He says he will speak with you at your convenience," Konstanz said. "But is otherwise preoccupied tinkering with the Grail. I believe he has begun some kind of experiment, as it appears he's been conducting various diagnostics, taking samples, and holding minor rituals across the city. With all due precautions and stealth, of course."

"Hmm…it would be wise to look into what our ally the King of Mages is planning, yes." Schneeweißchen admitted.

"There has also been word from Strike Team Donnervogel." Konstanz continued. "Infiltration is a success, they now await for confirmation to terminate Target Raupe."

"Confirmed." Schneeweißchen said without hesitation. "Also, remind them of my elder sister's directive."

"With respect," Konstanz began. "Is it truly necessary?"

Schneeweißchen sighed. "In truth, I would say no." she admitted. "But my elder sister has her idiosyncrasies, such as her habit of suddenly saluting and proclaiming Germany's supremacy in various fields, and as her younger sister I am obliged to indulge her, so long as it does not impede in the achievement of our goals."

"As you say, my lady, it will be done."

Schneeweißchen nodded. "I suppose there are certain philosophical and moral - among other categories - questions about this portion of Operation Referee," she admitted. "But to truly be rid of weeds you must rip them out down to their very roots, otherwise, they will simply grow back again and again. At the very least it will be quick."

"Yes, my lady."

Schneeweißchen nodded again, and then paused at something her fellow homunculi had left for her on a table. It was a magazine, one she'd requested a few days ago, and which she'd all but forgotten, only to remember now. Picking it up, she opened it to the table of contents, and then finding the article that had piqued her interest, quickly flipped over to it.

Scanning the first few paragraphs had her raising an eyebrow before she snapped the magazine shut. "Konstanz?" she began while resuming her walk towards the baths.

"Yes, my lady?" the homunculus in question asked.

"Join me in about an hour." she said, before turning to look at him and raising the magazine for emphasis. "Yes, I mean inside the bath, for there is something I wish to try, and I will need your help."

"...as you wish, my lady, it will be done."

Nodding, Schneeweißchen turned back ahead of her while continuing on her way.


A/N

Continuing where the last chapter left off, Kiritsugu's come to the hilariously-erroneous conclusion that Jubstacheit's been holding out on them. That, and he's hedging his bets. Kiritsugu's completely wrong, of course, which in turn says a whole lot how treacherous the Moonlit World is that it's so believable that Jubstacheit would just be that conniving.

Naturally, Iri being Iri, is quite alright with another daughter, even an artificial one. She just needs to be allied with/defeated first.

Elsewhere, said daughter finishes her diagnostics, and is off to take a bath (and maybe some fun time)...but only after giving the go-ahead to a murder. Given how nasty people are in the Moonlit World, though, is it really so bad?