FateZero Paradox

by Praxus84

The Fourth Holy Grail War of Fuyuki City: Seven Masters, Fourteen Servants- wait, what? Someone's been messing around with the rules, for once not you-know-who. But the stakes are still very real, and the Grail can only belong to one Master and two Servants at maximum... Fate/Zero belongs to Type-Moon, and all foreign characters their respective owners, I own nothing but the plot.

23. Chapter 21: Bonds

-48:06:29

As the night slowly gave way to the next day, Fuyuki City had finally calmed down. To an extent: The authorities had spent the entire night trying to find the perpetrators of the bombings, but there were few clues to start with. Even the components of the detonated bombs or those few found which were disabled left little to be traced; telltale professional work. At some sights, it was almost as if the explosions had gone off, and the bomb traces just weren't there. Like the culprits, they seemed to have just disappeared.

Either way, there was still a sizable number of worries to go around. Preliminary casualty reports listed of at least three thousand lives lost, including the thousand caught up in the first explosion at the Hyatt hotel, and severe damage in both districts. Miyama Town had been less affected than Shinto, but roughly forty residences had still suffered or been outright destroyed. The attacks there seemed to have been aimed at key spots in the rural area.

What perplexed the policemen and bomb squad members most, however, were a few disturbances near key locations: power stations, hospitals, the refinery, even Fuyuki Bridge. All of them would've been obvious targets for crippling the city, but they were for the most part untouched. Just a few bullet holes, scorch marks or cracked surfaces. It was a junior officer who finally offered the possibility that the mysterious terrorists had targeted these places but were stopped by others. Sill, that answer presented more questions like who the defenders could've been, or why they hadn't made themselves known.

Whoever they were, though, they had protected the city's most crucial parts. All of the hospitals were at full support providing treatment to the injured, and more people were being recovered and brought to safety with each passing hour. Fuyuki had taken a heavy hit, but from a metropolitan viewpoint, it could rebuild and recover.

Still, these bombings were the third incident it had to deal with in the last week alone. Even those citizens who hadn't been affected by either the kidnappings, the strange chemical leak at the river or buildings suddenly blowing up around them woke up with a chill through their bodies, a haunting worry that something was bound to happen to them as well. More than a few were even making plans to leave. "At least for a while," they'd tell themselves. "Until things calm down again." Some worried, though, that things wouldn't calm down ever again.

Glen and Martha Mackenzie were among those still debating about it. Their home had miraculously been out of range for any explosions, and Glen wanted to stay optimistic, but his wife felt they shouldn't press their luck, especially with their grandson having returned from his evening walk thankfully unscathed, but their remaining guests gone and him unresponsive. This morning they found him curled in a ball on his bed, tears in his eyes.

Now a little later, Waver Velvet was sitting alone in "his" room, staring dully out the window as the outside world slowly grew brighter. The sun's approach did little to disperse the gloom inside him, though. I still can't believe they're gone…

Rider and Berserker X. His Servants. Two of the strongest souls he had ever encountered, and young though the boy was, he sincerely doubted he would find others of their like so quickly again. Waver had thought, well, hoped he'd be a little stronger after having to watch Saber X die, but here he was, replaying the final battle of last night in his head over and over. His invoking all of his Command Seals (a completely stupid move in hindsight), the return to the Reality Marble and Rider X's subsequent defiling it, the battle of living vs. undead, an old friend returning for only a moment, Ionioi Hetairoi's destruction… their deaths.

Waver had failed completely and utterly. He'd defended Rider's ideals with all his heart, encouraged Berserker X to cut loose, done everything in his meager power to tip the odds in their favor, and it had all amounted to nothing. Megatron might've been denied the title "King of Conquerors," but that was only because of Archer's meddling. And Archer had in turn destroyed Kenpachi, a monster Waver believed indestructible. Now he had nothing left.

…Well, not completely nothing, he recalled while gazing vacantly at his left hand. Energy of a dull green shimmered over his fingertips, his body having fully replenished its afresh Aura after nearly seven hours since its breaking. Now Waver knew why he had felt fitter and stronger yesterday, and this was just a beginner's Aura. With Qrow's dreams in mind, training it further could make even a scrawny bookworm like him a force to be reckoned with. He might even discover a Semblance of his own, and if combined with magecraft…

Waver dropped his hand with a sigh. Magecraft… Any magus professor worth their title would determine with one glance that Aura was no regular application of Thaumaturgy. And no one would believe that some mediocre student with a magic bloodline of barely three generations could do something like harness his soul as a protective energy field, a discovery out of the blue, no less.

They'd strap him down to a table and peel him apart, layer by layer. They'd apply acids and burning prods, remove his organs and preserve them in jars for future experiments. He wouldn't be a student of magecraft anymore, but a case study for it. If Waver Velvet wanted to avoid being reduced to a vegetable in some Clock Tower laboratory, no other magus could ever learn about his newfound power.

So, that defeats pretty much any chance of me ever being recognized as someone special, he noted bitterly while getting up. I can't win the Holy Grail War, I won't even make the runner-up with my Servants gone. Hell, I'm not sure I'll survive whatever the hell happens next. He hung his head in defeat. Have I accomplished anything?

Waver opened the bedroom door and walked out into the hall. Saber X's final gift to him seemed to have made his arms and legs a little more eager for movement. Well, the pacing might help distract him from his self-loathing. For a little while, at least, even if his problems still wouldn't go away…

"Hey, Waver, is that you?" He stopped at Glen Mackenzie's voice seemingly coming from nowhere, glancing around before he noticed the door to the skylight door was open and the ladder set up. He slowly moved up to see the lined face peering brightly down at him. "Glad to see you're awake." He beckoned with a hand. "Come on up here, I need to talk with you."

Waver blinked in confusion. "Um, Grandfather… Is the roof really the best spot for a conversation? Why don't you come down?" Truth be told, he wasn't in the mood for any conversation regardless of the location.

But the old man simply chuckled. "Trust me, up here's the perfect spot. You won't find a better place to appreciate the coming dawn anywhere else." Waver suppressed a sigh, wondering if this obtuseness was a sign of early senility or just him deciding to act a little eccentric. He made to refuse as kindly as he could in his current turmoil when Glen said, "Listen, Waver, we really need to have a few words. Humor this old man, would you?"

Kindly spoken though the words were, they carried a strong undercurrent that brokered no argument. Realizing it would consume more energy to keep refusing than indulge the elderly man, Waver sighed audibly this time and began to climb up. "Nobody ever listens to me…"

The Mackenzie house had been specifically designed its rooftop to be easily accessible via the skylight, so the young man reached it in little time. He immediately rubbed his hands together, shivering at the winter breeze. He recalled Aura could shield against harsh temperatures, but he wasn't experienced enough with his to activate it covertly. "Here you go." Besides, Glen would've noticed something strange about his "grandson" not being cold while sitting on the roof in only his sleepwear. He draped a thick blanket over Waver's shoulders and then passed him a mug of steaming brown liquid. "Coffee's fresh, warm yourself up."

Waver managed to give him a tiny smile in thanks before he blew a little on the coffee and took a sip. It was black and without sugar, but the bitterness provided him a good kick, and his fingers were delighted over the cup's warmth. "…How's Grandmother?"

"She's trying to get some sleep. With all the commotion that was going on last night, we couldn't have stayed in bed if we wanted to, especially with you, Alexander and Kenpachi running around who knows where…"

Waver flinched at the subtle admonishment; he should've tweaked his hypnosis better so they wouldn't worry. "I-I'm alright, Grandfather, seriously. They… kept me safe."

"But something happened to them, right?" When he received no answer, Glen hummed to himself. "And the same could be said for Qrow, huh?" Still no answer except for a slight tremble. "…I'm sorry, Waver. They were good men who knew how to liven things up, all three of them. It'll be a long while before Martha and I meet anyone like them again…"

"I don't think it's even possible…" Waver finally mumbled, prompting a pat on the back from his companion.

The two men sat there in silence for a while, sipping their coffee, then Glen sighed. "…I came up here because I needed to clear my head. What with everything that's happened these last couple of days. It's still dark enough that you can see the stars, even make out a constellation or two." He chuckled a bit. "Picking them out always cheered up our moods, remember, Waver? We used to come up here and watch the stars all the time."

"Oh, yeah…" Waver replied half-heartedly. He'd just noticed a slight blush in his "grandfather's" cheeks amidst the hair and doubted it was just from the cold. The old man might've been enjoying a little more than coffee this morning. Couldn't blame him, though, considering all of the chaos going on. Guilt nagged at the ex-Master; he was somewhat guilty for the chaos.

Unaware of the boy's musings, Glen went on. "The view's beautiful, isn't it? Even after the explosions, there's still so much of this city that hasn't been hurt. Gives me a feeling of hope, you know?" He smiled fondly and drank some more coffee. "I came to Japan for business and fell in love with it. When Martha and I moved here, she insisted the house be built up on Miyama's hill here and that it included a skylight that could get us to the roof. That was our dream, to sit up here with our grandchildren and just savor the world." His smile shifted to a sad one. "But… I had a bad fight with my son, Chris, when he wanted to raise his own kids in Toronto. Not a day goes by I don't regret it… I never thought my dream would come true."

Waver had meant to take another drink, but something about those words made his hands freeze up. "Our real grandchildren have never been up here with me, and Martha's not a fan of heights." A hand clapped down on his suddenly stiff shoulder. "I've always watched the stars alone." He slowly glanced over, but the elderly kept his stare ahead, even when he said, "Waver… you're not really our grandson, right?"

Waver was still as a statue. His spell must've worn off at some point… or maybe this man was simply cleverer than he'd given him credit. "It's weird how Martha and I kept mistaking you for him." The latter appeared to be the right answer as Glen continued. Maybe he wasn't that inebriated after all. "If I'm being honest, you're much too nice to be one of ours, anyway."

He should've been panicking or trying desperately to reestablish the illusion, but he just didn't feel the drive for either. He just palmed his forehead with a defeated sigh. This would be a perfect ending to the comedy that was his participation in the Grail War: getting kicked out by the couple he'd tricked into caring for him.

…Except Glen just sat up there, refilling his coffee. Waver asked dully, "Aren't you mad at me?"

The older man tilted his head. "Well, I ought to be." He turned, and Waver nearly gaped at the warm smile directed at him. "But Martha's been smiling so much lately, more than I would've imagined. And I have you and your friends to thank for that."

That made zero sense to the young magus. How could the old fool be so happy about his deception? He and his wife were being exploited! Their very lives were at risk because of Waver! If he'd tried something like this with a member of the Magus Association, they'd have used him as a guinea pig as payback, Aura or no Aura.

"Besides, I'm pretty sure none of you came into our house meaning us harm. I'm not blind to the sort of man someone like Kenpachi generally turns out to be, but I never sensed any kind of threat from him," Glen laughed, "and he was the scariest of you lot." His smile slipped away. "That said, I'm a little worried about your nightly walks, what with all the excitement."

Waver picked up on his words. "…I didn't set the bombs that tore through the city, Grandfather, and neither did Alexander or the others. But… I'd be lying if I said we weren't involved. I'm not anymore, at least." He sighed. "My part in this mess is over, just like… theirs. I'm… sorry for what I did to you and Grandmother, even if you don't believe me, and I can't really explain the reasons, but… I swear everything I'm telling you now is the truth."

Grandfather squeezed his shoulder and chuckled. "And oddly enough, I believe you. You don't look like the kind of kid who'd put lives in danger for some crazy reason." Waver tried not to snort; that description was unflatteringly similar to the attitude of most magi. "But I'm relieved you're not risking your life anymore, whatever your reasons were, Waver." He pulled him closer. "Even if it took losing your friends for this to happen. I'm so sorry."

The magus Waver Velvet almost snapped that they hadn't been his friends, they had just been Servants, tools for fighting- But he held his tongue. This normal man wouldn't have understood the nature of their situation, and… Waver couldn't see them as tools or friends. They were far too great for such terms that implied they needed him for anything.

"Martha's been insisting we get out of town, you know." He snapped out of his thoughts while Glen continued. "Just for a while until Fuyuki cools down again. And from the sound of it, whatever you boys were involved in probably isn't finished yet even if you are." He sighed. "It breaks my heart leaving this house even if it's hopefully just temporary, and I don't really know where we could go, but I have to agree with her." He poured more coffee into the boy's mug. "And I'd like for you to come with us."

Waver nearly performed a picture-perfect spit take. "Wh-what?!"

Grandfather laughed at his expression. "I know you being our grandson was just a dream," he admitted, "but it was a happy one. For old folks like us, spending time with young fools is a priceless treasure. I wouldn't mind keeping the dream going a little longer."

It should've been utter nonsense. Any real mage would've laughed their heads off at such sentiment… but Waver was focused on one particular word: Dream.

Come to think of it, he'd never had a real dream prior to joining the Holy Grail War. Becoming a great magus, being acknowledged by his peers, those were just goals. But now… he had met amazing beings who all defied the impossible to come to this city and fight for a miracle that might make their dreams come true. Three of them had been contracted to Waver Velvet, and through them he was able to experience how powerful such dreams could be.

A life unburdened by perpetual misfortune, a chance to just relax and spend as much time as you wanted with your friends and family…

One fight after another, each more challenging than the last, pushing you and your blade, your comrade, past your limits and beyond…

The hot air rippling across the sands of an endless desert, blue skies beckoning for a sea of the color, stretching endlessly into the horizon…

And what about him? Did he, an insecure brat of a tiny mage lineage, have a dream?

The desert came to mind again, along with its King's words. "Waver Velvet, would you serve me as my vassal?"

That's right… He had made a promise to the King. He had sworn loyalty to him and begged to share in the dream as one of his followers. Other words from his Heroic Spirits blazed through his mind and his heart.

"…as my vassal, it is your duty to live on, see the dream through, and pass it down through the generations to come."

"Don't just admit defeat and beg to die! Die first before you admit defeat!"

"Keep moving… Forward… Waver Velvet… I'm rooting for ya…"

"Live on, Waver. Survive this battle, witness it to the end no matter the outcome, and then tell this tale."

He sneaked a peek at his head and summoned that green-gray energy again, a manifestation of his soul. This time, he understood the reason Qrow Branwen had bestowed upon him this Aura: It was a gift. A gift to protect and help him live, maybe not as a magus… but just live.

None of them had managed to claim the Grail, but Rider, Saber X and Berserker X had all fought according to their beliefs and dreams, and they all met their ends with dignity and smiles on their faces. Was their Master capable of doing the same?

Not in his present state, and not as the fool he had been when he first signed up for this insanity. But not ever? What was it Kenpachi had thought in his last moments, the thought he had echoed…? I want to get stronger.

Finally, Waver gave an answer to his grandfather's offer. "…I'd like that. I really would. And it definitely wouldn't hurt you to be a little more cautious, maybe even leave for a week or so." Waver set down his mug and stood up. "…But I can't leave just yet. It's stupid of me, but… I feel like I should stay and see what's going on through to the end."

Glen eyed him with more than a little worry. "I thought you weren't risking your life anymore?"

"I won't be participating," Waver corrected, "but I was there when this mess started. The least I should do is watch it end, even if I'm gambling my life in the process," he admitted.

Glen Mackenzie scratched his beard, noting the posture and tone of the boy standing on the roof. No, calling him a boy wouldn't be quite right. "Well, I won't force you to come us if we do leave, but I trust you won't be throwing your life away. Good thing, too." He got up as well, collected his mug and thermos and made for the skylight. "Here's one last word of advice: When you take a moment to reflect on your life once you've reached my age, you'll find there's nothing more precious than life itself."

A sentiment a magus would've laughed at, but Waver Velvet contemplated it all the same while watching the sun's first rays spread across the horizon. "You should get some sleep."

Glen smiled at his grandson before heading down the stairs. "I think I'll do that. These old bones of mine yearn for my bed…" His footsteps slowly grew more distant, and then the former Master stood alone.

"Your grandfather's a wise man."

Or not, as Waver discovered while spinning around, the action nearly unseating his blanket.

"And more importantly, a good one." Assassin X raised his hands placatingly from where he sat on the roof's peak. "Easy does it, kid," he said calmly. "I'm just here to find out whether you're still competing or not."

Waver didn't see any hostility in his posture, and the fact he was seeing Assassin X at all confirmed the statement. Striking from the shadows was the forte of this one's class after all, and the boy had seen enough of him to know if the Servant wanted to kill him, he would've died and never realized it. Hell, Grandfather wouldn't have realized it.

With this in mind, he relaxed a little. "I don't know when you arrived here, so let me repeat myself: I'm done fighting in the Holy Grail War." His eyes flickered down for a second. "All of my Servants are dead, and I don't have any Command Seals left." His eyes returned to the Heroic Spirit before him. "There's no way left for me to win the Grail."

"We both know that's not strictly speaking true," the Servant of the Shadows countered. "If any of the remaining Servants were to lose their Master, you could theoretically claim their Seals and form a new contract with them even this late in the game. It's happened before in prior Grail Wars, hence the practice of dispatching both Servants and their Masters." He tilted his head as Waver stilled. "You're not the only one who does his homework."

"…Of course not." As a Servant-less Master, Waver should've headed for the church and renounced his desire for the Grail as per tradition. But with the overseer dead and Servants like Rider X on the loose, he hadn't been sure the safe zone was that safe at all… And he had wanted to make sure the bombings hadn't reached the Mackenzie's.

The young magus knew as well that even with his Aura, Assassin X didn't need the element of surprise to kill him in a fraction of a second. But something inside him refused to quiver. "Do you really think, though, that a Servant like Archer or Rider X or even your partner would be satisfied with a weakling like me for a Master? Things would have to be pretty desperate for even the late Archer X to stoop that low."

"And here I thought you had a higher opinion of yourself."

Waver gave a self-derisive scoff. "I've been pulled around enough in this mess to recognize my own failings. After all, I've got nothing left." He then let his blanket fall to the ground and spread his arms wide. "But if you still don't believe me, then stop wasting your time and mine."

The Shadow Clone of Kakashi Hatake peered at the young man before him, his eye going over last detail from arm to leg, searching for any tricks or weakness… and finding neither. Finally, he sighed through his mask. "Believe it or not, I don't enjoy killing for no reason," he slid to his feet and tucked his hands into his pockets, "and I don't see one to kill you, Waver Velvet." He walked down the roof towards him. "I think I can trust your claims," he stopped just short of him, "for now. But you might want to keep your guard up."

Waver dropped his arms again but didn't miss the warning. Assassin X and his Master were sure to keep an eye on him in case he started getting ideas. And even if they didn't deem him a target anymore, the same didn't necessarily apply for the other teams. Without Rider's team to protect him, he was a sitting duck. One wrong move, and he'd lose his head.

For some reason, though, that didn't scare him anymore. "Do whatever you want with me, just tell your Master and your partner to leave the couple of this house alone. They have nothing to do with magic or the Grail War. Their safety is all I ask."

Assassin X nodded his consent. "Saber's not the kind of person to kill innocents, let alone the elderly, and neither am I." Waver huffed in relief as he began to walk towards the far side of the roof. But then the masked man stopped. "For what it's worth, you have my condolences. King Iskandar and his crew seemed like a pretty merry bunch. Even Berserker X… sort of." His head shifted slightly. "It'd be a shame if their Master let their deaths be for nothing, considering he's such a young lad with his whole life still ahead of him." Upon hearing no answer, he bent his legs slightly and made to leap-

"…Archer's True Name is Gilgamesh." Assassin X turned back, but the boy was staring down at the shingles again. "He's the King of Heroes and the hero of the oldest epic in this world's history. Kenpachi came at him with all of his strength, plus two Command Seals, and Archer still killed him." A tiny but proud smile crossed his lips. "Not without effort, though."

Assassin X processed this information (and subtly checked his microphone was still on) before nodding again. "Well, that coincides with our own suspicions. Care to share anything else?"

The smile slipped into a frown. "Watch out for Rider X. He's an even bigger monster than any of us could've imagined." Velvet trembled at his spot, though whether from fear or rage the Servant couldn't be certain. "He has another Noble Phantasm, some kind of evil power he calls 'Dark Energon.' It… corrupts anything it touches and forces it under his will. I saw him infect Rider's Reality Marble with those twisted crystals of his, and he turned half of the Ionioi Hetairoi into twisted zombies that he then sicked onto the other half."

"…Did he… turn… Rider, too?"

The boy sucked in a deep breath. "He tried to… but Archer killed Rider before that stuff could spread through all of him. Rider could resist it, too. For a while, at least…"

This description alone made Assassin X a little queasy. He'd seen and heard of some pretty nasty jutsu in his time, especially the dreaded (and forbidden) Reanimation Jutsu a certain rogue of his village had picked up, but this "Dark Energon" sounded like it was on a different level. "Soldiers are one thing," he mused out loud, "but the Reality Marble itself… He could wrest control of something that all-encompassing while fighting Rider?"

Waver frowned, Saber X's voice telling him to go over the details again. "…Not completely, and it seemed like Rider X was surprised himself at how much headway he made. Whatever its origins, I don't think the Noble Phantasm alone could have corrupted the entire Marble."

"…Unless something else was reinforcing its power." Assassin X's eyes (one hidden behind his headband) widened in realization. "Something like a device that collects and stores mana for its owner's use."

The truth came to the former Master with the memory of another Servant's words. "That Reactor Lancer mentioned at the Banquet, the one Archer X stole… You think Rider X took it and… and… tapped into it?"

"It's plausible. Maybe if we can find that thing and neutralize it…" The Copy Ninja's clone trailed off in thought, then snapped back to reality as his Master called him. He bowed to the man. "Thank you for sharing this information with me. I'm afraid I don't know what to offer in return-"

"Just promise me you'll stop Megatron." Waver waved off the gratitude. He wasn't doing this for the Servant. "I won't win the Holy Grail, and I'll get over that somehow. But knowing that metal bastard doesn't get his claws on it either will help the process."

It was a small thing, but he could at least fight in his King's stead by passing on this information.

Assassin X nodded again before disappearing in a puff of smoke. Waver turned back to the horizon where the sun was now clearly visible, its rays warming his body and soul.

---

A nondescript car parked in front of a certain residence in Miyama Town, and its owner stepped out to walk briskly to the entrance. The house inside these walls was old-school, more traditional Japanese than the skyscrapers of Shinto. A little indulgence that had taken time and negotiations with certain individuals, but for her sake, Kiritsugu Emiya would do anything.

He was still mentally reviewing the intel Assassin X's Shadow Clone had gained from Waver Velvet; the defeated Master was a loose end, but the shinobi Servant had argued that leaving him be could do more good than harm in the long run, and Kiritsugu had let the matter rest for now. He trusted Assassin X's instincts, and there were more dangerous targets running about, especially if one took into account what the boy had told of Rider X and Archer. He'd have to review this with his Servants and come up with a few tactics for the upcoming battle.

As for the other Masters, Zouken Matou and Tokiomi Tohsaka seemed to be hunkering down in their mansions for the moment. Kariya Matou was still in his little alley, but with both Servants close by, getting to him would be tricky. And then there was Kirei Kotomine, now enjoying further protection as the replacement overseer. Kiritsugu didn't have any real proof the priest remained Rider X's Master, just suspicions and a bad feeling. He trusted the latter.

The Mage Killer passed Maiya and Saber standing guard by the storehouse, the latter greeting him with a respectful nod. He nodded absentmindedly back before he realized it, then brushed it off in favor of turning to his aide. "Are you here to check up on Ma'am?" She asked in a mostly cool tone. "Her… condition's getting worse…"

"I know." He had known from the beginning what Iri's fate entailed. Old Man Acht had told him upfront during their negotiations, of the sacrifice needed to manifest the Lesser Grail. Back then, though, Irisviel von Einzbern had been just another homunculus, a blank book to be used as kindling for the flame of miracles the Einzberns lusted after. The Mage Killer couldn't have anticipated saving her from those wolves in the snow-capped forest would've been the first step for her becoming her own person. And he never would've imagined he of all people would grow to fall in love with said person. But neither their love nor Ilya's birth changed the fact that Iri had to die for the sake of his dream.

Nobody ever accused me of being bright…

Hence the reason he stood before this shed now. This was the final test of Kiritsugu Emiya's conviction. …And for some reason, he knew it would be the last time he'd ever see Iri as… Iri. Or you can just turn and walk away, a cold voice whispered in Kiritsugu's head. Cold and without empathy, like a machine. This is a distraction. You know visiting her won't really change anything. You should invest your time with something more productive, like planning your next move.

He headed for the shed's sliding door, and once Maiya opened it, he stepped inside. As she closed it, she murmured, "The pack is with her." His lips quirked. Of course, they are.

Iri lay with her hands on her chest inside the Magic Circle, its lines glowing gently. She was so still and so pale one might've mistaken her for a corpse. Only a slight rising and falling of her chest confirmed she was still breathing. All eight of Assassin X's ninja hounds were seated at its rims, their faces scrunched up in concern. Tiny whimpers could be heard from each of them. A weak giggle bubbled up from Iri. "Such sweet little boys…"

Those red eyes then opened, and she turned slightly to smile at her husband. Damn him, why did they have to make the vessel for the Grail so beautiful? "Kiritsugu, you're here…" she whispered. Pakkun drew worriedly closer, his paws avoiding the Circle's lines with impressive dexterity, and she lifted an arm to pet him. "I'm alright, Pakkun… You don't need to look so sad…" she tried to assure him before turning to Kiritsugu again. "You came… you really came… to see me?"

"I did." Kiritsugu drew closer and knelt by her side, a hand unconsciously rubbing the nearest furry head it could find. Bull glanced up to him with black eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and he barely managed to keep his tone even. The Magus Killer could've scolded them for not being out in the city, tracking their targets' movements alongside Assassin X and his clones. "You boys mind giving us some time alone?" He'd meant to phrase it as an order.

These dogs, true to all the qualities people praised of their species, acquiesced with slight whines, one after the other poofing away. A sigh escaped him after the final Poof!

"Don't be mad at them…" Kiritsugu turned his full attention to his wife laid out before him. "I'm so happy…" Irisviel laid her arms out by her sides. "I always wondered what it would feel like… petting a dog… playing with it…" She giggled. "Snuggling with it… I never thought I would get the chance with one… Let alone eight…"

Kiritsugu nodded mechanically. Animals weren't allowed in the Einzbern castle, not even under the pretense of teaching Iri new things. He had considered smuggling a pup or a bird past the walls but decided against it. Pets tended to have short lifespans in magus households. "You ought to thank Assassin X for the opportunity," he suggested.

"I want to…" Iri agreed. "He's given us so much… opened doors for so many possibilities and ideas…" Her fingers drifted slightly together into the Bird sign. "Things I would have never imagined…" She drew in a long breath before exhaling. "He even made you working with Saber a reality… and not just my wishful thinking…"

He scoffed and noted it carried no emotion. Good. "She and I are like oil and water. It's been that way from the start. The only reason we can cooperate is because he's a busybody."

Iri laughed again. "Maybe… but that needn't be a bad thing… Assassin X… Kakashi is a good man… and you may have more in common with him than you think…"

Kiritsugu thought back to his dreams in recent days, the questions that rattled inside his skull whenever he thought about that masked Heroic Spirit… and said nothing. She made a playful smile. "And you can't really complain… You're the one who summoned him…"

"Don't remind me," he muttered. He nodded pleased to himself; he could feel his emotions being shelved away while he kneeled here in this shed, the love of his life laid out before him. This was that special talent of his Natalia had talked about all those years ago, before he had sacrificed her too: the ability to shut off his feelings and carry out his actions without them. His body could perform any task even while his heart rattled in conflict within. Such was the ability of the machine that is Kiritsugu Emiya.

For a while, he'd worried he had lost this ability due to the nature of this Grail War and the Heroic Spirits fighting in it. But right now, in this dark little room, his fears were laid to rest.

Iri was staring knowingly at Kiritsugu like she was aware of his thoughts, but she only smiled without judgment or reproach. Then she turned to the ceiling. "Ah yes… There's one more thing I have to give back to you…" She cupped her hands over her stomach, and a golden light shimmered before them.

Her husband watched as the fabled artifact Avalon emerged once again. He would've thought he'd be growing accustomed to its pious splendor, having seen its return just last night, but a part of him still grew awed in the presence of the radiant "Everdistant Utopia."

Once it was completely free of her body, Irisviel von Einzbern continued. "You'll be needing Avalon more than I do for what's to come. Even Saber agreed to this when I asked for her permission…" Her strength was depleting yet again, but she kept her voice strong. "It will definitely aid you in the final battle… And then, return it to Saber… once you've won…"

Kiritsugu's fingers wrapped around the Noble Phantasm even while he silently marveled over the sanctimonious King of Knights allowing something so precious to be passed on to him. She's more practical than I thought… No, more likely she's learned a few things from Assassin X, too. He almost made to argue, though, seeing as Avalon's power was the only thing keeping her stable at this point… but she knew that, too. She relinquished it last night to save Assassin X despite the cost to her health, and though Saber had given it back, now she was giving it up for good.

It's not like it'll do her much good anymore, the Mage Killer's logic said. Between the two of us, it's more useful in my hands as Saber's real Master. Thus, he accepted this new tool in his arsenal without argument. He would do what Iri asked of her, too, and give it back to Saber once the Grail was theirs. He didn't need any reminder of her and the things she embodied in the world to come. Besides, its restorative power didn't work without her mana.

Her task complete, Iri relaxed on the stone floor. "I'm so happy…" Her voice was so soft Kiritsugu had to strain to hear her. "I'm happy I loved and was loved… I had a husband and a daughter for nine years… You gave me everything I could've wanted… All of the happiness in this world… Things I never would've hoped to have…"

"…I'm sorry." Kiritsugu stared down at her with those dark, dull eyes. "There are so many promises I made to you and couldn't keep." He had said he'd show her the outside world, the flowers that bloomed in spring, the waters that shimmered with sunlight, and so many other wondrous things. And worst of all, he should've known these were impossible promises to make to a woman like her. I really am a wretched thing, aren't I?

"No…" But for some reason, the loving light in those red eyes didn't waver. "It was good enough… More than I had expected…" Yes… Iri had known, too, what was to be her end. How was it that she could face her fate with such a sweet, brave smile? "Any happiness that I couldn't experience… please give it to Illya." He stilled as her words rippled in his eardrum. "Your daughter… Our little Illya."

The answer clicked into place. This was how Iri could face her end with no fear or regret… Because she was doing it for their little girl. If the Einzberns didn't win the Fourth Grail War, Ilya would become a tool for the next one. Thus, mother and father had come to Fuyuki, to fight in her stead so she needn't suffer. And Iri truly believed in Kiritsugu's wish… and how their daughter could live happily in a world of peace.

"Bring her here… Show her everything I didn't have the chance for… The cherry blossoms… The clouds in summer… Maybe even a few doggies whom she can love and be loved by…"

Kiritsugu nodded to his wife's wishes. "I will." It was a meaningless gesture, another promise he might not be capable of keeping… but he made it anyway. He was already fighting for the impossible because he'd made a promise long ago; what was one more?

He stood up, cradling Avalon for a moment, then planted it inside himself. He ignored its energy washing through him in favor of saying, "I'm leaving now."

Iri hummed, her smile etching itself into his memories. "Take care… my love."

He made for the door and didn't look back.

Kiritsugu blinked a few times as the morning sun shined in his face. Once his vision cleared, he could see Maiya standing next to Saber and the real Assassin X, Pakkun nestled in her arms. Both Servants stood about four meters apart and had deployed their Noble Phantasms, but rather than sparring, they were simply holding them between one another. Lightning Blade crackled and chirped as its bolts mingled with Invisible Air, a swirling stream of electricity and wind flowing between the two.

After another second, Assassin X released his signature jutsu and took a contemplative stance. "Could use a little more fine-tuning, but I think we're on to something."

"Agreed." Saber willed away her sword as well. "I'd prefer some more practice if I can help it, though. Controlling the winds is not as simple as I'd like, let alone what we have in mind."

"Go for it." The Servants and her then turned to Kiritsugu as he approached, the Mage Killer unworried by their seeming nonchalance. All three remained on high alert and were steadily monitoring the area. Even Pakkun's sniffles were only half out of sadness. "How is she?"

"There's nothing more that can be done for her," was the Master's answer to his Servant's question. He saw regret flickering in that sole eye (odds are he's blaming himself for Iri's condition), but Assassin X kept his composure. He was a professional to the core, as was Saber. While Kiritsugu had conceded to filling the duo in on his strategies and cooperating with them, he chose to keep Iri's true nature as vessel of the Grail… confidential. He couldn't risk their compassion for her clouding their judgement and hampering their performance.

…At least, that was what he reckoned the logic behind his decision was. "Stay on guard and keep on the Masters, in particular the Matou mansion and the church. We'll rendezvous just before the meeting begins at the park."

Saber's right eyebrow rose. "You're willing to attend it?" She'd have thought such a thing too risky in their Master's eyes.

"Not without precautions." They both confirmed their orders with nods, then Saber made for her bike while Assassin X summoned a Shadow Clone who would stay here while he took off. Kiritsugu then turned to Maiya. "Remain with Assassin X's clone and watch over Iri."

Maiya replied with only a slight tremble in her otherwise cool tone. "Understood."

Kiritsugu then made to turn around but stopped, standing in his spot before placing his hand on a certain pug's sad little head. "She still has some time left, Pakkun. Why don't you help Maiya watch over her?"

Pakkun's tiny, curled tail wagged slightly, and he straightened in Maiya's hands. "Will do."

With that, the Mage Killer completed his revolution and made for his ride. "Um, Kiritsugu," Maiya spoke up, making him stop and look back. She was giving him an odd little smile. "It's strange… You don't look quite like you used to… but that doesn't feel… wrong, either."

"…Really?" He glanced over to the yard's final occupant. "Do you think I've changed, too?"

The clone of Assassin X gave his usual shrug, hands in his pockets. "Change is change, Master. Whether it's good or bad is generally up to your perspective." He tilted his head. "That said, you don't seem any less than what you were before."

He considered these observations, then headed for the gate without a second glance.

---

-44:58:12

"Father!"

A smile came to Tokiomi's lips at the sight of the little girl rushing towards him. He tried not to run from his car towards her, but he did meet her in the front yard a mite more quickly than usual. He knew this visit was a risk. He had pushed his luck enough by visiting the Zenjou residence once in this Grail War, though that had turned out to be Rin's salvation. A second time was just begging for trouble, especially with the number of Servants having dwindled. Three more dead… and one of them had managed to scar the King of Heroes.

Tokiomi still remembered his and Lancer X's shock upon Archer's return to the manor. The ancient King's smug demeanor while telling of how he killed Rider and Berserker X changed abruptly when he happened to glance at his reflection in a mirror and see what had baffled his "teammates." Furious wouldn't have been quite the right word for the Servant's expression, but… Jade and Tokiomi had silently agreed treading (more) carefully around him was best.

Despite his newly acquired scar, though, the fact remained that Gilgamesh had proved himself every bit as mighty as the Tohsaka Master had hoped. That granted him some relief given his suspicions that the battles would only escalate from here, and given how last night had begun with a mad Servant basically turning the entire city into a minefield…

Well, he couldn't deny he needed this little visit, if only to be sure his… oldest daughter was safe. Tokiomi sighed to himself as he set down his briefcase to stroke her head. The raven-black hair, the turquoise eyes gleaming like polished gemstones… They all reminded the magus of his own mother. So young, and Rin was already a sweet bundle of energy. And she was only going to grow even more beautiful and incredible. With her gifts, she would eclipse him in no time.

But I might not be around to see it happen… He closed his eyes, but the worry was a realistic one. For all of his plans, all of the meticulous preparations he had undertaken, next to nothing had transpired the way he had expected in the Holy Grail War. From the coming of the X Servants to the formation of an entire team of Heroic Spirits who answered to no one…

Add more details like the death of his father's friend, Risei and the revelation of Zouken Matou's machinations… Sakura's circumstances…

"Are you okay, Father?" Rin's voice cut through his musings. He snapped back to reality and relaxed his fingers from her hair with a sigh.

"Yes, my dear." The father reassured his daughter while smoothing her hair. "Just thinking. It's something you're always doing when you're my age."

Rin peered up at him curiously when a familiar shape shimmered into place next to him. "Not the worst of pastimes." Rin's eyes lit up as the green-clad woman knelt down to her level and uncovered a wide smile. "Hello there, little sister."

The girl hopped into her savior's arms and pulled her close, a smile and a pout struggling for dominance on her face. "Will you ever stop calling me little?"

"Not while I can still pick you up," the Servant teased right before doing so, Rin's giggles rippling in her ears. Both females turned to see Tokiomi significantly more at ease. He began to walk towards the house, briefcase back in his grip, with his Servant one step behind him.

Rin blinked where she sat inside Jade's arms. "Are you staying today, Father? Have you and Jade won the Grail War?"

"Not just yet," Tokiomi replied as Aoi met him and his Servant with a friendly, if confused, smile. His eyes lingered a while longer on his wife, but when she turned to him, he had already recomposed himself. "I have an urgent matter that needs settling." He'd have preferred doing this at their own house, but having Aoi come there ran the risk of another team capturing her and holding her hostage. Even sending Lancer X as an escort mightn't have been enough if the attacker was someone like Rider X. The church was an option, but… then they wouldn't get to visit Rin.

Once everyone had entered the house, he gave his Servant a pointed look. Jade in turn said, "So, tell me, Rin," his daughter shifted about to look her in the eye, "would you care to see if I can teach you a trick or two?"

Her eyes nearly turned star-shaped before she squealed, "Really?!" Then she flushed redder than the ribbons tying up her hair and quickly turned slightly away, mumbling, "I-I mean, if you're offering and you think you have anything to teach me, Jade…" Rin glanced hesitantly over to her father, a silent plea in those big bright eyes of hers.

Tokiomi's mouth was set in a straight line. "Always maintain your composure, Rin. Dignity is very important for a magus of our standing." She nodded, her excitement deflating.

Then his grin broke free. "And don't let opportunities like this pass you by but seize them with both hands."

That was all the encouragement Rin needed. She hopped out of her friend's hands and grabbed one to lead her through the house. "Come on, Jade! I've been practicing in the basement, so there's all of my books and stuff."

Lancer X flashed the adults a quick grin they returned as she let herself get pulled along. "Well then, let's go and see what happens. How's Kotone doing, by the way?"

"She's doing better now." Rin's voice wavered a little. "Her memory was wiped of that night," it lightened again, "but I saw her at school the next day and helped her in math. But classes were canceled today…" Their voices trailed off as they made their way down.

Aoi shook her head fondly. "Your Servant has no idea what she's in for…"

"She'll find out soon enough," Tokiomi replied with a quiet laugh.

His humor slipped again, however, when he turned to her. She noticed his look and fidgeted slightly. "Tokiomi…? Is something the matter? I-I was surprised when you called and said you and Lancer X would be coming." She had always been a little meek, particularly during the early times of their relationship. So restrained, so careful, as if one wrong word or move would shatter her betrothal to him. There were times, though, where Tokiomi wondered if there wasn't a thorn or two hidden underneath her beauty.

He had considered this matter carefully, rehearsed every word, every step needed to make what he had planned work… but right now, when he looked at her, he couldn't help but think of their other little girl.

Rin might've inherited her father's genes… but Aoi had bequeathed much of her likeness to Sakura. The gentle features, the soft voice, the unspoken promise of mystery… All in the face of a young flower he had let slip into darkness. But now he had a chance to make things right. A chance and a responsibility.

Tokiomi opened his mouth, closed it without a word, swallowed, then tried again. "Aoi… if Sakura were to return…" Her eyes widened, and he gave her a moment to process his words before continuing. "…If I were to bring her back… what would you do?"

She hesitated, then tried, "I-Is this a rhetorical question?" He shook his head. "W-well, if you believe it was best-"

"That's not what I am asking," he cut through the response any family head would normally want to hear. "What I would like to know is, what would you do?"

Aoi Tohsaka stood at her spot, not moving a muscle save for her eyes staring at him, then darting towards the front door, then at the side of the house where their only remaining daughter would be, then they returned to him. Tears began to gather, but they were kept inside, and her voice carried not a single tremble when she gave her answer.

"…I would never let her go again."

Tokiomi nodded sharply. "Well then, we have much to discuss." He gestured for the living room, and while visibly confused, she went in first before he followed, carrying his briefcase which held documents that would be vital for when the Magus Association came knocking.

---

Kariya Matou sat with his arms folded on the mattress he'd been sleeping on the last couple nights. His one good eye was fixed on the one standing above him. "I don't like this, Gandalf."

The Servant acknowledged the statement with a slightly exasperated nod. "I understand that, Kariya, but we cannot storm the mansion recklessly. Even with two of the rogues dead, Zouken most likely retains this Avenger X as protection, a foe capable of contending with knight-class Servants and the murderer of Saber X, lest we forget. And you should know better than anyone how dangerous Matou himself is. He's the one who summoned Avenger X."

"I don't think you're giving yourself and Berserker enough credit. You're each top-notch heroes alone," the pitiful Master's dreams from last night bolstered his confidence there, "and as a team, you're practically invincible!" He pointed out the alley, towards the direction of Miyama. "I know you two can save Sakura, and we might not get a better chance later."

Caster X tilted his head. "You refer to the other Masters and Servants? Are we to seek their aid?"

"We don't need to." With his hood down, Kariya's excited face could be seen clearly. "Caster and Archer X are gone, leaving that gang of rogue Servants without a monster or clone army, and with all of the stunts they've pulled, they've guaranteed that everyone else will want them out of the picture. While the other teams take on Rider X and Avenger X," he held his right hand to one side and moved his left into another direction, "we can slip into the mansion," both hands snapped together into a fierce clap, "pulverize Zouken, and get Sakura out." His mouth slipped into a frown, and he enunciated. "We. Don't. Need. His. Help."

Lancer X's visit in the prior night had come with a proposal of Tokiomi Tohsaka: The two teams would form a temporary alliance with the twin goal of eradicating Zouken and rescuing Sakura. Once she was in safe custody, they could go their separate ways or be enemies again.

Gandalf had brought up the unlikeliness of Archer investing his energy in any action of no interest or gain to him, a statement Lancer X had agreed with. She in turn argued that even if it were only her, Caster X and Berserker, the team could surely weather whatever threats that old worm threw their way, especially if they convinced the other Servants to cooperate or at least stay out of the way.

Berserker had needed all of his regained willpower not to leap at a certain prospect.

Kariya, though, had been unconvinced at the time, and his opinion hadn't changed in the last couple hours. Yes, he wanted to save Sakura more than anything else, but he knew he didn't trust Tokiomi with a mission that important. Does he really think me so weak I can't save her with my own strength?! He hissed as the Crest Worms continued to chew on his innards, the pain bolstering his anger.

Then an unexpected voice chimed in. "Rider and Berserker X perished the night before as well, Master," Berserker pointed out his friend's findings, For Someone's Glory continuing to enshroud his voice. "That leaves only six other Servants in play besides myself and Gandalf, and I have faced both rogues in battle. They are fearsome adversaries not to be trifled with, Rider X in particular."

It felt strange to see the black-armored Servant veiled in deranged darkness stand and speak so clearly. "At this stage in the War, we can hardly afford turning aside any offer of aid."

"We can hardly afford taking risks either, Berserker." Kariya wasn't about to budge just because both of his Servants could speak coherently now. "And letting any other team get too close, let alone that pompous snake, is a very big risk." A Worm bit into his spinal cord.

"Master-"

He snapped his arm through the space between them. "Look, I'm happy for you that you found your sanity again, Berserker, and I get that you've got your own unfinished business," the fallen Knight of the Round Table clenched his fists, but Kariya pressed on, "but don't forget the reason we're here as a team. I'm not about to let him take all the credit for pulling Sakura out of that damn worm pit."

Gandalf eyed him disapprovingly, but the Master sat against the alley wall with a bitter huff. Even if this Heroic Spirit had done for him than he could ever repay in fifty lifetimes, he already knew what he would say, and he just couldn't agree with it, even if the Worms weren't gnawing away inside of him. Oh, sure. We agree to his little team-up, and as soon as the rogues are out of the picture and Zouken's about to be splattered across the wall, Tokiomi will sic his golden jackass onto us, wiping out all of his competition and returning to Aoi as the heroic dad in one fell swoop.

He spat on the asphalt. Screw that. Tokiomi had his chance to be a good father, and he blew it for the sake of the Magus Association and their bullshit. I'll save Sakura, and then I'll get her, Rin and Aoi somewhere safe where no magical bastard will ever lay a finger on them again-

"Kariya…" the wizard knelt down to place his free hand onto his Master's shoulder, freeing him from his Worm-spurred fantasies, "what matters more to you? That Sakura be saved…" he squeezed slightly, "…or that you save Sakura?"

The battered man flinched. "I-is there a difference?" He stuttered while glancing away from those blue eyes that could peer into his soul so easily. They both knew the answer already: "There is to you."

"Tokiomi made a grave mistake in trusting Zouken Matou." Gandalf patted his shoulder while gong on, making Kariya glance back up to him. "Therefore, we know for certain he is not the infallible genius he presents himself as. But I sensed his determination to correct this mistake. And as much as you'd want to disagree, Kariya, Tokiomi Tohsaka isn't one to be easily discouraged." The wise Servant's words soothed the anguish inside the amateur magus and spurred him on. "With or without our aid, he will go to set things right and kill Zouken."

Lancelot smirked beneath his helmet. Though he was nowhere near as lecherous or irritating, Gandalf the Gray carried equal persuasive talents to the wizard he had known in life. "So, should we let him stumble about into Zouken's trap and put a little girl's life in further jeopardy…" he knelt down to his partner's side, "or shall we take a risk, join forces with him, and ensure she will be safe and that creature never harms anyone again?"

Kariya Matou knocked the back of his head against the wall with a tired sigh. Why did it all have to be so complicated? Why couldn't Tokiomi be the monster he had envisioned him as for so long? Why couldn't the Matou "magus" feel like he was the crusading hero of this story? Why couldn't he just imagine Aoi and her girls staring full of awe and love at him like he used to without guilt panging inside his battered heart?

His chin brushed against his ragged old sweater. …Because a real hero, the one they deserve, wouldn't blow a chance to reunite them just so he can feel proud about himself, would he?

Kariya stared between the two Servants, then after a minute or so, he grumbled, "Who the hell is the Master here?" A tired smile began to stretch across his face, though. "Alright, alright, we can at least talk with the prick and his belly dancer of a Lancer."

"It won't be just them." He and Berserker turned with some shock to Gandalf. "I happened to run into an interesting little dog, and there may be a fine chance of others attending the gathering to come."

---

-42:37:58

That should do it for now, Kirei sighed to himself as he finished writing down the final orders. This document and others would be dispersed to key locations in both the authority and the media, hopefully confirming initial theories that the previous night's bombings were the work of terrorists. He had also applied certain charms to the paper designed to ease resistance and make anyone who read the words more willing to believe them. Frankly, the relatively mundane nature of these explosions made it easier to cover up than sightings of a colossal sea monster and an even more colossal pillar of light that incinerated it.

But on the flipside, tensions were high. A contact warned him less than an hour ago that calling in the military was being taken into consideration. No surprise, considering the loss of two fighter planes in the night before and now the possibility of terrorists walking through Fuyuki's streets. The agent was already working to preempt any decisive order, and this wouldn't technically have been the first time a Grail War occurred while armed force occupied Fuyuki.

The real difficulty was warding off the Magus Association. This latest incident's non-magical aspects were of little comfort when it seemed like a new crisis would emerge every night to threaten the moonlight world's veil of secrecy the longer the Grail War proceeded. The church, too, had expressed concerns, particularly over the death of their appointed overseer. Risei Kotomine had been a faithful and respected follower of their faith, and among the early condolences Kirei had received for his father's passing (he forced his lips to remain straight) were carefully worded inquiries over the current situation.

And with Tokiomi apparently preoccupied, Kirei was left to juggle all of this by himself. He could stall for a few days, but Fuyuki City was sitting in the center of all attention, with the Japanese army on one side, Clock Tower's agents on the other, and the Holy Cross hovering nervously over it all. If the Holy Grail was to be claimed by a Master and not stumbled upon by some magus or lucky soldier or, Heaven forbid, a reporter, the War needed to end soon.

Fortunately, its participants were of the same mind in that regard. Only nine Servants left, though the majority believed it was eight, and judging by what Assassin observed, Waver Velvet had no intention of continuing the fight, which left five Masters. Tokiomi and Kariya Matou were simple enough to deal with, but Zouken Matou couldn't be underestimated, especially since he was Rider X's associate…

And at the end of it all, standing between him and all the answers to his questions, awaited Kiritsugu Emiya. How could Kirei Kotomine possibly let those vultures into the city when such a scene awaited him?

He leaned away from his desk when a familiar presence drifted into his study. "Hard at work as ever, Master?" Megatron's rasp carried its usual amusement but also a hint of boredom; it seemed the extraterrestrial warlord had finally returned from the high of facing his rival last night and walking away the victor.

Then again, the latter part was mostly due to Rider X being the survivor, as he had not been the one to steal Rider's life, let alone his army and power as Kirei suspected. No, Archer had gleefully rubbed his feat of killing both Iskandar and his pet monster in everyone's face, and in private, he had informed the priest of his doing the deed right in front of Rider X's optics.

Kirei had to fall back on his old lessons to maintain a neutral demeanor, otherwise, he might've relished the blatant frustration within his Servant's posture. "Well, last night was a bit of a chore for the both of us, I imagine. I should be grateful that Archer X didn't succeed in her plot and the city's still standing," for the most part, he added to himself with a silent prayer to the poor souls caught in the maddened Servant's rampage. "But you, though… one pawn gone along with your chief rival. I suppose for once, I ought to ask how you're doing."

"So many little ironies in life, and of different flavors as well," the Decepticon founder chuckled while drawing a yet unopened wine bottle from the stock. "The loss of Archer X and her firepower is a bit of a bother, but it wouldn't be the first time circumstances had pushed me to adjust my plans." Idly inspecting the bottle's label, he then faced the human. "And I never expected every little detail of this War to proceed exactly as I had envisioned. Unlike others."

"Sir Tokiomi seems to be understanding this lesson," Kirei noted, sorting the files before him into appropriate stacks. He briefly wondered if his Servant would interfere with their distribution so more chaos could be sowed through Fuyuki but dismissed the idea almost immediately. Chaos could only be used so much before it slipped past one's grasp, even if the grasp was that of a metal hand. And conniving though he had proven to be, Megatron was at Spark a warrior. Merely outmaneuvering his enemies tactically would never be as satisfactory as personally crushing their bodies under his heel for the Champion of Kaon's pits. One only needed to recall his confrontation with Rider last night for proof.

The battle taking place within the King of Conqueror's Reality Marble had prevented Assassin from witnessing any more than the beginning and the conclusion of the dual duel on Fuyuki Bridge. However, Kirei still "knew" of what had transpired, and not just through biased retellings. His mind had received… flashes, distorted images and sensations of terror, pain… chaos. One glance down at his hand, a mental nudge, and he knew their source.

Instead of telling Megatron this, though, he opted for staying on the current topic. "In terms of resources, he's at least on par with the other two Masters. Both Servants in peak condition, all of his Command Seals at his disposal, and he's suffered no injury whatsoever." Physically, at least. Ever since Kariya Matou had confronted him, the Tohsaka heir seemed rattled, even a little distracted from his goal, something Kirei would've never imagined.

Rider X had deftly removed the bottle's cork and was pouring wine into two glasses he had set on the desk. With Kirei sitting behind it and him leaning his massive body over, an observer with a romantic eye might've mistaken the scene as a great knight in shining armor serving his lord. "Your position is hardly any lesser than his, Kirei," the Cybertronian Servant noted. "You hold more Seals at his disposal and have received a boon he lacks."

"I'm not quite so eager on falling back on Dark Energon yet." The Master accepted his glass and gave it a light shake, observing the red liquid splashing within. "Besides, only one of my Servants is suited for direct combat on a base level as opposed to Tokiomi's two, and we've had to sacrifice much of Assassin's strength."

"Because of Tokiomi's blundering," the Servant grumbled while claiming his own glass. "But I wasn't speaking of Dark Energon." He straightened with a smirk at the curious gaze he received. "I mean you have developed your own reason to fight for the Grail, Kirei. You have ambition."

Kirei Kotomine's eyebrow arched. "And Tokiomi doesn't? My even being part of the Holy Grail War is because he seeks the Grail."

"Ah," A sharp finger rose, its tip pointing to the ceiling, "and why does he seek the Grail?"

"To achieve Akasha, discover the Swirl of the Root, we've already talked about this, Rider X. It's the goal of every magus including the entire Tohsaka family-"

"Yes." The fingertip was now aimed at his chest. "Precisely. How did you describe Tokiomi again? Right winged, a typical magus archetype?" Rider X shook his head with a wry chuckle as Kirei blinked in initial confusion. "Tokiomi Tohsaka joined the Holy Grail War not because he actually seeks that chalice but because his surname is Tohsaka. There is no ambition in him, merely obligation."

The confusion settled, and the Master made himself comfortable in his chair. "Some would praise such devotion to the family name, putting one's responsibilities to their house over personal interests." His words carried no anger or reprimand, though.

The Servant of the Mount scoffed in response. "Such is the logic of aristocrats who believe themselves entitled to everything they could've wanted simply for existing. Tokiomi is no different. He instigated all of this simply because it is what was expected of him, he's likely never had an original thought in his entire life! And why would he need to as fated patriarch of a 'glorious' magus lineage?" His words oozed with mockery. "That dullard is merely engaging in the same actions as his forebears with a tiny variation here and there. No more than an obedient drone following the instructions of fools who failed to achieve their ambitions in their own time." He took a long drink from his wine, then grimaced. "And once Tokiomi fails, the cycle will begin all over again for his spawn and the ones that follow them. Pathetic."

Kirei sipped his own wine while contemplating. Honestly, he wasn't surprised by the venom in Rider X's borderline rant. What was common practice for magus families and even ordinary folk, one generation entrusting their dreams and ambitions to the one that followed, would naturally be utter foolishness in the eyes of a conqueror who trusted only in himself to cement his legacy. Many Decepticons had once been fellow gladiators Megatron had defeated and/or inspired, and he had formed his own political party in due time.

Someone like him, Kirei surmised, born into a position of nothing and desiring to claim everything, could never trust another with his dreams. But such ruminations of a tyrant's arrogance were for later. "Still, can you truly claim I am any better than my teacher? I still don't even know what my wish is, let alone if it is any greater than the Tohsaka's."

Rider X's smirk returned. "But here you are all the same, continuing to participate in the Grail War despite fulfilling your part in Tokiomi's plans. You might've been pulled into this due to your father being the Tohsakas' lapdog, but you have developed your own desire to fight, your own ambitions. That alone elevates you above his secondhand dreams." More of his teeth became visible. "Or has your interest in a certain Mage Killer diminished?"

Kirei said nothing, for they both knew the answer. "It truly is a unique sensation, isn't it? The discovery of a nemesis. Someone who stands in direct opposition to you, who you loathe and yet respect. You may not even know the reason why you face them, only that you must if you are to achieve your goals." The Heroic Spirit sighed in delight, his wine seemingly forgotten. "And the sensation of defeating them… ah, there can be no sweeter taste in any universe."

Kirei smirked as well, an interesting idea coming to mind. "No wonder Gilgamesh robbed you of that final taste, then. Isn't it a shame how you put so much effort into seizing the mantle of King of Conquerors only for another to swipe the prize out from under you?"

His heart sang at how that metal-framed expression promptly soured. "That only means I shall enjoy tearing Gilgamesh asunder all the more when his time comes." He took another sip, his smirk half-returning. "But Iskandar nevertheless fell whereas I remained standing, proving my way of conquest was stronger. In the end, he was inferior…"

Amusement continued to bubble inside Kirei; the gladiator-turned-conqueror actually appeared sentimental. No, Rider X was being sentimental, and he could guess why. "Tell me, will you ever meet another you would deem an enemy equal to Optimus Prime?"

Rider X stilled, no emotion discernable in his frame. For once, he appeared the soulless machine one would believe him at first glance to be. Finally, he said, "…I suppose not." He turned away with a wry chuckle. "Even with so many other worlds to choose from… the Throne of Heroes cannot produce fitting rivals for me so easily. But that does not mean I won't enjoy stripping him and Saber of their strength. I shall defeat them, Kirei, just as I defeated Optimus just before my…" A brief grinding emerged from him. "Death."

"That's what truly enrages you about your death, isn't it?" Once again, that titanic body stilled like an inactive machine, much to Kirei Kotomine's delight. "You dying so close to achieving absolute victory… and it wasn't even Optimus who put an end to your tyranny."

The hidden Master had taken much time to gauge his Servant's beliefs and motivations these last few days. Yet it was only through his most recent lessons that he could discern the source of Rider X's rage in his final moments. "Oh, you'd still be vexed if you had perished at Optimus' hand, but considering your… relationship with him, I think you could've accepted it grudgingly. The Champion of Kaon, Leader of the Decepticons, destined Conqueror of Cybertron, slain in his final battle with Autobot leader Optimus Prime, his eternal nemesis."

He snapped his fingers. "Oh, forgive me, that's not what happened." His grin widened, the image of a (comparatively) small black-and-yellow Cybertronian, fabled sword in his tiny hands, swimming to his mind's surface. "Ultimately, the one who ran you through wasn't Optimus… but his scout.

"Bumblebee, a little insect you had stripped of its voice long ago. My, an ending like that ought to be the highest of humiliations for such a mighty Heroic Spirit, no?"

As a Heroic Spirit, Rider X stood roughly two-hundred-fifty centimeters tall, and his entire body was comprised of weighty metals. One could therefore reasonably assume such a being would have difficulty moving quickly.

Yet even for the trained eyes of the Executor, that massive back abruptly became a silver blur that lashed towards him-

Kirei blinked to find his Servant's arm blade at his throat.

A rumbling cackle washed down upon him. "I am utterly delighted to see how far you've developed, my Master." The words came out calm and amused, but when Kirei adjusted his gaze, he could see a near-unbridled fury burning within those crimson optics. "But do learn to pace yourself. It would be shame if your life ended here right when it was on the very cusp of completing its evolution."

Despite the blatant threat at his life, the priest didn't so much as twitch, and it wasn't thanks to his surplus supply of Command Seals. "There's an old saying humans have on this world, my dear Servant and teacher: You can't train a falcon and then not expect it to hunt."

He certainly wasn't interested in dying just yet, but if his final moments were relishing in how, for once, he was the one getting a rise out of Rider X and not the other way around… Well, there were worse ways to go. His father could attest to that.

Megatron eventually leaned away from the desk, his blade retracting like his fury. By the Allspark, I have no idea what you might become, Kirei Kotomine. He laughed again, this time mentally. But I cannot wait to see the final result. And he had no intention of letting anyone kill him before he got the chance. Not the girl smothering herself with her own crown, not the golden twit who continued to deny him what was rightfully his, not any of the other familiars gallivanting about or the fools who held their leashes. Not even Zouken or his new pet.

Right then. "And has the bird I've schooled decided on how he shall claim his prey?" The two had enjoyed riling each other up enough, now it was back to business. Kirei was right, after all: The soldier he'd invested so much into swaying to his side and driving mad was gone, Avenger X remained a double-edged, poisonous blade (potentially as deadly to his allies as to his enemies), and Zouken was little better. Meanwhile, there were still quite a few teams remaining, two of which comprised of nigh-unbreakable bonds.

But that didn't mean Kirei and Megatron were without cards to play. "Assassin informed you of his findings, including Saber's secret Noble Phantasm?" Kirei asked, earning a nod from his mentor. Avalon, the ultimate shield, the perfect match to King Arthur's all-powerful attack. Fortunately, she didn't carry both at the moment.

"The Einzbern homunculus is in possession of it, and she remains at Emiya's hidden safehouse. We know where it is, even if Assassin cannot watch it constantly," Rider X pointed out. His partner's counterpart and those beasts he employed were too careful. He had entertained the idea of letting Hassan bring Archer X into the fold, but then she had gone on her citywide temper tantrum and gotten herself killed. You will pay for your meddling, Maul. "Mounting a frontal assault alone would be risky even for me, and Kiritsugu Emiya is not foolish enough to remain in one location for too long or leave a vital asset unguarded."

"The woman may be more than just an asset for him." Kirei swirled his wine pensively. "Saber or Assassin X alone could delay any attempt we make, and once Emiya hears of it, he'll send their partner to the house. If that happens, our chances of success would drop considerably." The knight and the shinobi were too good a team for any sole Servant.

"And they will become nonexistent once the other teams catch wind of this. The nobler ones may decide to aid the King of Knights' side while the rest descend on us like vultures." Rider X refilled his glass and inspected it again. "But what if we were not the ones who attacked?" He turned back to Kirei. "Tokiomi still considers you his dutiful student, no? What if you just happened to learn of Emiya's safehouse and swiftly rushed to tell him?"

Kirei sipped his wine again while weighing the options. "Tokiomi seems to be preoccupied with something involving Kariya Matou, but it could work. Archer has no reason to contradict me, especially seeing as Saber has caught his eye. I think Lancer X is growing suspicious of me, though, and she has Tokiomi's ear half of the time."

"He will likely disregard anything she says when offered the prospect of claiming the vessel for the Lesser Grail," Rider X countered. "With his ego, he still believes he can control the flow of the Grail War." A bark escaped him. "This despite the many developments no Master could've foreseen, and with a new surprise occurring with each day and night that passes."

Kirei echoed his laugh. "I'm beginning to see what you meant when with one inviting death through accepting stagnation." They clinked their glasses in a toast to the power of change.

---

Rin Tohsaka furrowed her brows together, centering all of her focus on one single thing. Her fingers bent over the table as her Magic Circuits flared, and a blue-green glow emerged. She chewed her lip a little. Just a little more…

The mana flared up and she flinched away while shutting her eyes. She opened them again to find yet another busted gem. Tiny specks of smoke curled above it. "Oh, come on!" Rin swung her head back with a frustrated moan, new braids dancing about from the motion. "I was so close this time!"

She would've banged her head against the table's edge if it hadn't been for an arm wrapping around her. "Oh, I don't know," a voice teased while she was pulled away, "I think it's rather impressive. Yes, the scorch marks, the shards… Very picturesque for a magus your age."

The girl squirmed slightly inside the one-armed hug. "T-It's not funny, Jade!" She tried to push her friend away but was easily thwarted at every step. They had been chatting about different spells and stories from Jade all while time flew by, the older woman even undoing Rin's twin tails at her request (request, not plea) to braid them the same way hers was. She had even shown a few basic katas to the starry-eyed girl.

Then Rin had wanted to show off her progress in Conversion. So far, it hadn't gone as she'd hoped. This was the second gem she had busted, and it looked even worse than the one before it.

Jade ultimately loosened her grip, allowing the tiny body to slip free. "Seriously, you're too hard on yourself, Rin. You clearly understand the theory behind Conversion, and you show fine technique given your age."

"Yeah…" the kind words made Rin smile a little, but it dipped back into a frown at her work. "But what good is all that if I keep making messes like this?" She sighed. "Father can make figurines out of crystals like this with just a wave of his hand, but no matter how hard I try…"

Lancer X scooted closer to where she sat and patted her shoulder soothingly. "Don't forget, Rin, your father has decades of practice and experience you don't." She eyed the crystals, a thought coming to her. "And I think another part of the problem is you may be trying a little too hard." When the girl glanced up to her, frustration giving way to a nonverbal question, she decided the time was right for a little teaching. "I learned the mystic arts from my mother when I was about your age.

"And here's one of the very first lessons she taught me: In order to attain control of something, you must sometimes surrender control."

Rin didn't even try to hide her confusion. "Huh? That sounds weird, Jade. How is controlling something supposed to work if you're giving up control?"

Her friend stifled a laugh. "Yes, I found the idea odd as well when Mother first told it to me, but after some further explaining, I understood it soon enough. Of course, I've always been a clever girl…"

"Hey, I'm real clever, too! …D-don't give me that look, Jade, I'm your Master's daughter!"

Lancer X found it increasingly difficult not to giggle at the adorably indignant little girl's puffed-up cheeks… and that's when inspiration struck her. "Alright then, keep holding your breath, Rin." Those turquoise eyes widened at the odd request, but she pressed on. "Go on, as long as you can."

And Rin did, clamping both hands over her lips as an added effort. Her throat burned, her face turned red, but she kept at it with every bit of stubborn pride a seven-year-old magus girl could have, her moist eyes staring back into Jade's hazel, encouraging ones.

Finally, she couldn't take it anymore and gasped for fresh air, her friend gently stroking her back. "You held out a few seconds longer than I had expected," Jade teased her slightly. "But it hurts, doesn't it?"

Rin straightened and tried to flash her a confident grin sadly undermined by her reddened eyes. "N-no, it wasn't that hard-"

"You don't need to hide your pain around me, Rin," Jade cut her off in an assuring tone. "Yes, it hurt you just as it would hurt me if I did it too. That pain is natural." She swept a hand towards the basement surrounding them. "Air is all around us and inside us, Rin, but we do not create it. We draw it inside ourselves…" she took in a long breath through her nose, then breathed through her mouth. "…and release it once our bodies no longer need it. The air is not ours. We are simply a vessel for it, a channel through which it takes its natural path.

"When you held your breath," she gently rapped a finger against Rin's chest, the girl sitting attentively, "you were forcing it to move against this path. You tried to bind it to your own will and doing so hurt you. Sorry for that, by the way." She ruffled her dark hair, the girl giggling as she tried to fend her off. "But now, you are breathing the same way you would normally and feel not a speck of pain, yes?"

"Mmhmm." Rin nodded before tilting her head. "So… is that what you meant with surrendering control, Jade? That by pushing myself to hold my breath, I was making it harder than if I just breathe like I always do?" Her heart swelled when her teacher nodded, but she still had questions. "So, what's that got to do with magecraft?"

"Magic shares many aspects with air, Rin." The Edenian hefted the girl by her armpits and hoisted her smoothly up so she could sit on the desk's edge. "The mana you draw into your Magic Circuits is much like the air you draw into your lungs."

"Sure, Magic Circuits are how magi like Father make magic happen-"

Rin stopped when Jade shook her head. "You don't need to make magic happen, Rin. Magic is a basic element of the realm, the world, around us. It already exists, regardless of whether you cast a flashy spell. As a mage, you have the ability to tap into it, but you mustn't believe it is some external force to be bullied and bent to your will." The Servant of the Spear slipped into a low grumble. "I have encountered far too many sorcerers like that in my life, and from what I've seen lately, many magi of this world make that mistake as well. So confining."

The girl tilted her head even further with a frown. "But Father always says a true magus needs discipline and self-control to reach their full potential."

"And he's not wrong," Jade acknowledged, "such virtues are vital for every student, no matter what they seek to learn. But there have been many mages and sorcerers who entrapped themselves in discipline and stifled their development in the process. In Edenia, we would say such practitioners are staring at sunlight through a crack in the wall, marveling at how it shines into their dark chambers, when they could just as well step outside and appreciate the sunlight directly. It's baffling how often the simplest solutions are the hardest to reach." She added a little wink that made Rin giggle even while she considered this. Her gaze drifted to the shadows stretched across the room's walls, the light so small compared to the sun outside.

Then Jade raised her right hand, and Rin watched enraptured as verdant streams of energy danced from her curled fingertips into a translucent sphere above her palm. "This is the lesson my mother taught me, Rin: rather than push magic into whatever direction you want it to go, you can just… encourage it. Position yourself as simply another piece of a natural process, then give it a little nudge along the path you would prefer it to take. Watch." She then turned her hand upside down, and the beads moved their dance through the air and into an untouched gem. "I am not forcing the mana to enter this crystal, Rin, I am simply adjusting its course, and the crystal just happens to be its end point. Do you understand?"

"I… I think so," she muttered in amazement, watching how the mana flowed down like a steady stream of water from a faucet. The gem flared, and then it began to expand, then it had turned into a spiraling, smooth cone that touched Jade's fingertips, green light still dancing inside its crystalline structure and the rims along its side. "Wow…"

Jade's smile had returned, gentle and maybe a little proud of her artwork. "The more you try and force something to happen, the more resistance you encounter. Loading many heavy rocks to block a stream is more taxing than simply putting a few in the right spot to divert its course. Such is nature. And we are all just another piece of nature, like the air we breathe, the water that makes up so much of this world, and the mana which flows through us."

Rin nodded slowly, eyes drifting from her new teacher to the sculpture on the table. Other words rang inside her head aside from Jade's, though, beliefs she had before. She'd always thought being a master magus meant controlling the strongest spells, climbing your way to the top. But now she was supposed to not try hard, just be a tiny part of the world? Tokiomi's daughter didn't know how to feel about that.

As if she noticed her confusion, Jade took an unused crystal in one hand and offered her the other. "Here, why don't you give it another go? As they say, third time's the charm."

Rin hesitated for a second, but then she put her smaller hand into Jade's and let herself get pulled to the gem. She stared down at its clear surface, her hands shivering as they lifted to hover over it, and activated her Magic Circuits just like Father had taught her. She directed the mana down towards the tiny thing, wincing preemptively. Please, please don't be a dud this time…

"Easy does it, Rin." Jade whispered into her ear. "There's no need to be tense. You have nothing to fear, no one is going to punish you if this doesn't work right away." Her muscles relaxed, her head stopped pounding, the flow of mana felt less rushed. "Just… breathe."

Slender fingers slid slowly over her eyes even as her teacher continued to speak. "You have the ability, the talent and the drive. Do not overthink or second-guess yourself, do not force yourself or the mana.

"Just breathe…" she heard her friend inhaling deeply and mimicked the action, both exhaling in the same moment, "…and do what comes naturally to you."

Rin felt the mana flare up before her, and it didn't feel as bad as the last two times.

The hands fell away from her eyes, and she gasped in delight at seeing the new tips springing up from the gem, pointing out and up to her. It was nowhere as beautiful as what Father or Jade had done, but it was Rin's work, and she could still see tiny specks of magic shimmering at the points. She whirled with a big smile to find Jade beaming right back at her. "Well done, little sister." With that, Rin leaped laughing into her arms.

The sisters stayed in the hug for a few minutes before Jade gently pulled Rin loose and turned her around to look back at the desk. They gazed happily at the collection of crystal forms when Lancer X felt a slight tremor along her arm. She looked down to realize it wasn't coming from her. "Is something wrong, Rin?"

The young girl tilted up her head to show her smile, nearly claiming that nothing was wrong, she was just enjoying her success… but the words didn't come out, and her smile faded, too. Jade's too smart to fall for any of that, she sighed to herself. "I… I just wish S-" She flinched when she remembered what her parents had told her. "…Someone I know was here, too."

"This someone wouldn't happen to be your sister, would they?" Rin's eyes widened while Jade continued. "You mentioned the name Sakura to Kariya Matou the night before, and I learned a bit later of her…" She discreetly clenched a fist by her side. "Circumstances."

But despite her attempts to hide it, Rin could clearly see the sudden sharpening of her body, the fire burning inside her eyes, the same fury she had unleashed against those horrid kidnappers. A whimper escaped the girl before she could stop it, and she flinched away when the Sevant turned towards her.

The glare of Jade's eyes faded instantly upon seeing her terrified state and was replaced by shame. She sighed and raised her arms in a nonaggressive manner. "I'm sorry, Rin, I didn't mean to scare you. It's just… I have experience with being separated from family and wouldn't wish such a fate on any child, let alone you or your sister."

Rin looked down as she continued to shiver. "F-Father and Mother told me… Sakura's now part of the Matou family. She's n-not my sister anymore…" She fiddled with one of her braids' ribbons, running the red fabric against her fingers. "But… I gave her a ribbon, the first one I e-ever made… right before she… left…" Tears emerged, and she tried to hold them back as hard as she could before she laughed. "I… I charged her a reasonable price for it, a three-carat diamond payable at a decent interest rate…"

…Why in all the realms can your seven-year-old girl practice usury, Tokiomi Tohsaka?

Rather than dwell on other absurdities, Lancer X settled for scooting closer to the girl and rubbing her back. "You miss Sakura, don't you? Even if she's not at your home anymore?"

"But I-I shouldn't, right…? I c-can't call her my s-sister anymore…" Jade's heart ached at the mask Rin was putting up to hide her grief, both because it was visibly crumbling away… and that a girl this young thought she had to put it up in the first place. "I-I'm a magus, right? Or at least going to be one… I c-c-can't let this b-bother me-"

The Edenian Heroic Spirit had heard enough: She pulled Rin back into her arms and embraced her as tightly as she could. "It's alright to be bothered, Rin," she spoke softly into her ear. "Becoming a magus doesn't mean you cease to be human." It shouldn't, she added to herself as she let her friend weep into her shoulder. "And…" She swallowed a moment. Never make a promise you can't keep, Mother's voice echoed in her mind.

"…You will see Sakura again. One way or another." Jade wished she could sound less vague, but Rin squeezed her all the held her in this position for a while before shifting so they could look each other in the eye. "Have I told you of my sister yet?"

Rin blinked through her unshed tears, then shook her head. "Y-you have a sister, too? ...Older or younger?"

"We're roughly the same age, our parents had been friends long before our births, thus, we grew up together." Jade smiled at her eyes widening. "Yes, Kitana and I do not share mother or father. To be honest, we weren't even of equal social standing." She leaned closer to stage-whisper, "Kitana was the daughter of King Jerrod and Queen Sindel."

Rin gasped, her sorrow briefly pushed aside as she grasped the implication. "You knew a princess?!" Then she coughed into a fist, flustered by her childishness. Gushing over a princess… what am I, three? "So, uh, if Kitana was the princess, who were you, then?"

Jade smirked proudly. "Her bodyguard, and an excellent one at that. Though it wasn't as if she were helpless…" Her lips shifted to a smile while she reminisced over… simpler days. "Throughout our lives, we played together, trained together and fought together. There were times, of course, where we disagreed and even fought with each other, but… I can't imagine what my life would have been without Kitana, nor do I wish to."

She noticed her little friend staring and realigned her thoughts. "Blood alone does not determine the bonds you have with others, Rin. I treasure my mother with all my heart, but my love for her is no less than the love I have for Kitana as a friend and a sister, even if she didn't share mothers with me." She drew Rin a little closer. "Do you think I call you 'little sister' simply because I like the way it sounds?"

Rin's hands tightened around her friend's arms. "You… you really mean it? You think I'm like your sister? But… doesn't that mean I'm replacing Kitana?"

"No one can ever replace Kitana" Jade stroked her cheek with her thumb, her tone calming as ever. "But I can have more than one sister, can't I? Can't you?" Rin nodded after a second. "The more people you love, the greater your capacity grows to love. Kitana remained my dearest friend and sister even after I fell in love with another.

"His name was Ko'atal, though most knew him as Kotal. A fierce and noble warrior, though not without flaws, of course: His temper tended to get the better of him, and when it did, he would make rash decisions. His passion melded well with his honor, however, and he did everything in his power to support our realm." Jade smirked as her brown features reddened ever so slightly. "And his fervor proved quite useful when we were alone."

She laughed when Rin's cheeks flamed up redder than her hair ribbons. "We were adults, dear, and passion between both parties can be enjoyed and… shared... in more than one way."

"EW!" The future heir of the Tohsaka lineage stuck out her tongue and covered both ears as tightly as she could. "Ewewewewewew! I do not need to hear about this right now, Jade!"

"Right now, but not never? So, perhaps in twenty years or so, you'd prefer we continue this-"

"NO!" Rin squeaked out, her embarrassment multiplying itself by the sound she'd just made.

Jade laughed heartily, finally calming down after a while. "Sorry, sorry, I couldn't help myself." She held her hands in mock surrender when her little sister turned pouting away (though she could still recognize the tiny smile for what it was). "My point is, family needn't be those who share blood or a name. You decide whom to forge your bonds with, Rin."

Rin had finally calmed down, including from her initial sorrow over the loss of her sister. Still, as much as she admired and liked the Servant who had taught her so much, she couldn't feel completely convinced about this. "But… I heard… magi shouldn't let feelings or bonds cloud their judgement. They have to focus on reaching the Swirl of the Root, the end point for any magus…"

Jade leaned over her, a look in her eyes Rin wasn't sure what it meant. "Do you want to be 'any magus' when you grow up, Rin?"

The question sparked something inside her young soul. It didn't feel like anger or excitement or pain, but whatever it was, she didn't allow herself to break eye contact.

"Remember what I've taught you: forcing control over something only invites more resistance. And you do not carry a heart cold enough to ignore your empathy." She frowned at this until the next statement. "If you were, you wouldn't have rushed off to help Kotone three nights ago. You wouldn't be worrying about Sakura even a year after she was taken." Her frown fell away, and she focused even more. "This is no weakness, but a strength, Rin."

Jade mentally nodded at what she saw, but she kept her tone level. "Empathy, compassion and bonds… These can be shackles that hold you down and blind you to what matters. However, they can just as well push you past your limits and accomplish feats you could've never imagined. If you seek the Swirl of the Root, so be it. I will not force you to reject your obligations. Just don't limit yourself to this goal alone, and don't tell yourself you have to sacrifice your bonds with others if you wish to achieve it."

She gestured to the table, drawing these turquoise eyes to the many crystals lying there. "You're a bright young girl, Rin, and I have no doubt you will become a splendid mage. But you don't need to throw yourself into training or cast aside your humanity. Pace yourself, learn one lesson at a time, and adapt to the flow of the world even as it adapts to you." Jade then nudged her chin to direct the eyes back at her. "And most importantly, open your heart."

Rin Tohsaka gazed at the Heroic Spirit, drawing in every word, every speck of the lessons she had been taught in this little basement still tingling a little with mana, and ultimately nodded. "I… I'll try. I promise, Jade."

Lancer X was watching her carefully as well; she detected sincerity in those words and an earnest desire to improve, but there was still a hint of uncertainty there. Well, you can't just tell someone to turn and head left when they've been going right all their life, the Servant of the Spear reminded herself. She reached over to stroke that beautifully black hair, drawing giggles from Rin. She's young and bright. Let her come to her own conclusions.

Footsteps sounded through the small room, and both turned to see Aoi approaching them. She gave them a smile with more than a little sadness, but her voice was clear and direct. "Jade, your Master is finished with his business here." Rin stiffened slightly when her mother turned down to her. "You shouldn't miss your chance to see him off."

Lancer X nodded while rising gracefully to her full height. "We're finished here as well, so this is optimal timing." Rin hopped to her feet, too, and took her big sister's hand so they could walk to the door. Once there, the Servant inclined her head towards her Master's wife. "Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Aoi."

The mother shook her head. "No," she replied so softly Rin could barely hear her. "Thank you, Jade." During the parents' lengthy discussion and research, Tokiomi had made no secret of the things this warrior woman had done for them.

The two women and one girl quickly made their way through the Zenjou residence to where Tokiomi stood by the front door's side table, sorting together documents into a folder. He turned to them even while securing them inside his briefcase, a smile emerging at the sight of his daughter. "Ah, I take it you've spent your time with Jade wisely, Rin?" She nodded enthusiastically, her twinkling eyes providing a more than sufficient answer.

"She's an eager mind and quick on the uptake," Lancer X added to her pupil's delight while her Master opened the door for them to step outside. "Still a bit rough around the edges, but nothing a little refinement can't cure." All four of them walked to the front gate, no rush in their steps. Each of them, for one reason or another, wanted to cherish these peaceful seconds for as long as possible.

The father's smile grew softer, him knowing his Servant was telling the truth. "Good… good." He couldn't look anywhere but at the young girl standing there, radiant with mana and potential. He hadn't bequeathed the Tohsaka crest to her yet, but Rin was worthier of being the next head than him when he had been three times her age.

A little over a year ago, there would've been another little girl right next to her, a little smaller but equal in magical talent and bound to achieve unimaginable things when she grew up… provided she lived that long. Back then, Tokiomi had known without a shred of doubt what needed to be done so both of his prodigious little girls could become who they were destined to be without risks of whatever went bump into the night. But now…

He mentally slapped himself upside the head. This is no time for uncertainty, you fool. They had reached the gate now. Time was nearly up. His hand rustled slightly as it combed through the case, then it withdrew something more solid than the papers from before. "Rin, come here for a second."

She let go of Jade's hand and quickly came over while radiating curiosity. Her father knelt down to stroke her head. "Keep the Magus Association in your debt until you've matured. As for what comes after, I'll trust your judgement on that." Rin blinked in confusion, but he reassured her, "I know you'll be fine."

That much, he believed without a shred of doubt.

Lancer X and Aoi stood silently to the side as he continued. "The Holy Grail will appear someday. Claiming it is our responsibility as the Tohsaka family." If the Edenian warrior had listened to these words moments after her summoning, she would've been irate. Jade knew better than many what it meant to have one's childhood marred by heavy weights, and here her Master was, telling Rin that she would have to engage in the horrors of war should he fail. Even now, she wasn't at all happy with this. But… she respected honor and duty, especially to those one loved, and she understood Tokiomi was adhering to his responsibilities as head.

And she knew he had every intention of securing the Grail himself and taking this burden off his daughters' shoulders. Therefore, she held her tongue, even if seeing the young intensity in Rin's eyes made her spirit core ache.

"Most of all, if you're going to be a magus, there's no avoiding this path." Tokiomi finished by holding up the tome he'd retrieved from his briefcase. "Take this, Rin." She accepted the book with an excited sound, cradling it against her chest. It was the final of many preparations he had undertaken, just in case the worst happened to him. Tokiomi then righted himself and gave Jade a telling look.

She in turn knelt by Rin's side, feigning interest in her father's latest gift. "It seems you have quite a few expectations waiting, little sister. Do you feel up to the task?"

Rin glanced down at the closed book, considering the question, then nodded. "I can do it. I'll follow Father's teachings," she smiled brightly at the Heroic Spirit, "and yours, too, big sister." She giggled at the big hug she received, then whispered into her ear, "Will you keep your promise, Jade?"

"Of course, I will." Jade nuzzled her head against the smaller one. "After all, you'll keep yours." And even if it was solely for his family's sake, the Verdant Defender of Edenia would guard her Master's life to her dying death.

Or until they had won the Holy Grail. Preferably the latter.

Meanwhile, Tokiomi had stepped closer to Aoi for a few final words. "I'll secure the documents inside my office safe. You know how to access it. All that's left is to get her back. Once I'm sure she's safe, Jade will bring her here." He hesitated before adding, "If anything… happens to us, seek out Kirei or Kariya. You can trust them."

Aoi gave a firm nod. "I will. And… don't fail her, Tokiomi. Please." He was a little taken aback by the steel in her posture but smiled after a moment. Hidden thorns, indeed…

Tokiomi nodded his assent, then Aoi turned so she could see him and the hero pulling herself free from her daughter's embrace. "Come back when you're done," she said, a request bordering on an order. "Both of you." She managed a smile. "I'll put on some tea for you."

Jade returned it after she straightened. "It would be my pleasure, Miss Aoi."

"No calling me, 'Miss,' please, Jade. I'm hardly that old…"

"Very well." Rin grew all the more delighted at watching the back-and-forth between Mother and Jade. Maybe she's really gonna be my big sister when this is over! Her joy dampened a little when she remembered Father telling her that Servants shouldn't stick around after the Grail War, but a girl could dream, right?

Tokiomi for his part nodded relieved to himself before noting the sun's position. "Ah, it's time for us to go." Everyone turned to him, but he directed his smile and his words at his daughter. "You know what to do now, right, Rin?"

"Yes." She nodded with a proud, determined smile. "I'll see you both after."

The surety in her farewell warmed both Master and Servant's hearts and fueled their resolves all the more. While Aoi guided her little girl back inside, both marched out from the gate and towards their ride parked nearby. They would defeat Rider X and anyone else that stood in their way. They would win the Holy Grail so Rin would never be forced to fight in a War.

And most of all, they would succeed in their task tonight.

While they walked, Lancer X took a moment to say, "Thank you for the opportunity to spend some more time with your daughter. She's even more incredible -and spirited- than I could've imagined." She paused for a moment. "Though I must ask: A three-carat diamond as payment for a ribbon? Interest rates?" She narrowed her eyes at his lack of a reaction. "How is it that at her age, Rin already shows signs of a loan shark's mentality?"

"That she learned from her mother." Tokiomi scoffed at the incredulous look he received. "I'm fairly good at finances myself, but trust me, Lancer X, put Aoi up against the stock market or have her negotiate a real estate deal…" He barely managed to force down a shudder. "And she can make an entire Tarkatan horde flee for the hills."

She snickered despite herself at the image, but something told her it wasn't just a joke or an exaggeration, so she let the matter drop. They proceeded to the car in silence. But a few steps away, the Master stopped and cleared his throat, catching his Servant's attention. "Jade… I owe you an apology."

He noticed an eyebrow raising underneath her hood, but thankfully, she held her tongue. This was already hard enough. "During our… discussion yesterday morning, I was… needlessly cruel to you." Tokiomi's pride rumbled with each word; he'd never been fond of admitting fault for anything. Still, pretending he never made a mistake was hardly elegant or right. As he'd told Kariya on the rooftop, every human has to take responsibility for their actions and the consequences that follow.

Tokiomi Tohsaka was many things, but he refused to be a hypocrite. "I offer no excuse for questioning your wish or your resolve." He bowed in submission, for once not to the King of Heroes… but to a loyal friend. "I am… truly sorry."

"…Please raise your head, Master." He glanced up to see with some shock Lancer X returning the bow. "I am not without blame, either. I provoked the argument and derided your family's honor. For that, I am sorry as well." He forced down his smile; he honestly hadn't expected anything less of the Edenian.

She raised her head to reveal a sad gleam to her eyes. "And your words… were not completely wrong. It's possible that I may only be able to save one soul, not three. And for the life of me, I cannot be sure which one my heart yearns for the most."

Tokiomi nodded with genuine sympathy. After all, this little excursion had only inflamed his desire to see his own family complete again. "For what it's worth," he replied, "I do hope you can see them again. Your mother, Kitana, Ko'atal… All of them."

"As do I." Jade drew in a deep breath through her mask, then proclaimed with a calm determination in her voice, "And at the very least, I can try to save them all, can I not?"

"…Yes. Yes, you can. And you ought to." Considering the mission we're about to undertake, was left unsaid.

And a strange thought began to blossom inside the magus' mind as she gave him a grateful smile which he returned. One he might've never considered prior to the Holy Grail War, but as they made for the automobile and his gaze drifted towards the ethereal Heroic Spirit donning her hood and mask, he found himself entertaining it all the more.

Jade had gone above and beyond her duty as a Servant in aiding the entire Tohsaka family. As its head, Tokiomi therefore owed her a debt.

Was it not proper, then, that he try and repay it?

---

-40:06:28

The sun was slowly beginning to set on Fuyuki Park, but even with all the excitement in the last few days, there were still some activity, particularly around the playground. From their post by a small cluster of trees, two Servants watched as a small group of kids were running about the seesaw or on the swings. "It's baffling how the parents would even let them venture out here, let alone at this time of day," Saber wondered out loud.

During one final sweep of the city, Biscuit had run across Kariya Matou's team, and Caster X somehow spotted him. Taking him aside, the wizard had then asked him to pass on the offer of a parlay between them, the Einzbern team and the Tohsaka team, even suggesting that they by the ones to decide the meeting place. It was a strange idea, to be sure, and Kiritsugu was naturally suspicious of this; there was a possibility Kirei Kotomine or Rider X was setting a trap. Both Saber and Assassin X had vouched for Gandalf, however, arguing he was too noble a person for such subterfuge and too clever to be tricked this easily.

Ultimately, their Master had grudgingly agreed to the idea and declared this little spot in the park as the meeting point. There was no way in hell they'd just blindly walk into the church and bringing rival teams to the safehouse was out of the question. So, he decided the area just outside these trees would suffice. Spacious, far enough away from any witnesses even without a Bounded Field, clear view all around for snipers, loose soil that allowed for planting recovered explosives underneath with the Hidden Mole Jutsu… The perfect spot.

The human Shadow Clones were a ways off, and the meeting wasn't set for another few minutes, allowing the Heroic Spirits a little time to chat. Assassin X shrugged from where he was leaning against a tree. "The kids would probably drive them crazy if they had to stay home, kind of like how dogs need to go on regular walks." His eye focused on the adults half-lounging on benches or standing near the playground. "Besides, watching them play carefree can do wonders for their own nerves."

The knight-class Servant nodded after a moment of consideration. "Even if it's only for a few minutes, they can pretend they weren't at risk of getting caught in an explosion only a couple of hours… They can feel like it's just been another week like any other." She sighed almost wistfully. "The world is so simple when you're a child. You don't have to worry about much more than having a little fun every day."

"Something to envy, right?" She knew without looking her partner was eyeing her now. "It's a sad, cruel thing when kids don't get the chance to have fun." He nodded back towards the games further away. "There was a playground in the Leaf Village that looked a lot like this one. A little smaller and closer to the river, but you'd find a couple of kids scampering around there no matter what time or season it was. Father told me once it had been built decades before I was even born." Kakashi inclined his head towards her. "What about Camelot? Did anyone ever set up a nice little playground?" He paused. "Hold on… a setup like this wouldn't have existed in those days, right?"

She shook her head. "Not quite. Britain offered plenty of yards, parks and fields for children to run about, sometimes there was even a little hill where you scamper up and tumble back down again or some trees for hide-and-seek," Artoria gestured to a merry-go-round, "but nothing designed quite like that. And I had little time for such games anyway when I was their age." The seemingly young woman nodded to the kids running about and laughing.

He offered a sympathetic shrug. "Yeah, I wasn't the most social one around either when I was a boy. Too much in a hurry to join the academy and become a ninja like my old man."

"That makes two of us, though I was learning to be King." She hummed to herself, her gaze fixed on the swing set. "…There was a swing in Sir Ector's yard. A simple board of wood tied with thick rope to an elm's branches, but I would often make off for it once my studies were complete and sit right down to swing the day away." She smiled slightly while watching a boy push his little sister happily onward. "Sometimes I tried to reach the sun before it set."

Assassin X chuckled, nostalgia washing over him too. "For me, it was the monkey bars. I was always trying to beat my own records, maybe even swing from the metal and up into one of the trees. I think I still have a scar or two from a couple less graceful landings."

That confession earned him a giggle from Saber. "I once jumped off the swing just as it reached its apex and landed knee-first on an inconveniently placed rock." Both Servants winced before she continued. "Even with a certain wizard stopping by and lending me some remedies, it still took my knee two weeks to mend." She smiled a little longer, but it slowly grew sadder. "Then I became a squire, and thereby too busy for such childish pleasures."

She lifted her head to the sky, her gaze idly tracking the clouds. "You know, when I first made to draw the sword from the stone, Merlin was there as well to witness the event, no doubt to witness how all of his plans for the perfect King would begin. I thought this meant he'd be eager to see me embrace my destiny, but he advised me to give this a little more thought before I claimed Caliburn." The young King sighed as her thoughts drifted back to that day, that pivotal moment. "He told me, 'The moment you draw that sword, you'll never be human again.' I did so anyway without a moment's hesitation."

"You believed in your ideals, Artoria, and you wanted to help your people. There's no shame in having such conviction."

"But maybe I should have taken the time to think," Saber countered. "From there, it was a blur. Receiving Excalibur and Avalon, claiming the throne, forming the Knights of the Round Table… I acted decisively in every situation, shut off my emotions and desires in order to govern fairly. I did everything I could to become the 'perfect King' my people deserved…" Her green eyes traveled to the ground. "And it wasn't enough.

"Tristain said, 'The King does not understand the hearts of men,' and turned his back on the Round Table. Lancelot…" She swallowed a lump in her throat, "fell in love with Guinevere and was disgraced despite my efforts to forgive them. Mordred proclaimed himself my 'rightful heir' and led a rebellion when I refused his claims." Artoria sensed her friend's question before he could speak it. "It wasn't simply because of how Mordred… came about, though that did play a factor in my judgement of him, I must admit. But Mordred was rash, prideful and short-tempered, all qualities I believed made him unfit to be a King."

The Once-and-Furture King sighed again, a tired, mournful sound that carried on what stray breezes there were. "…When I was on that hill… surrounded by dead subjects… I had two thoughts, Kakashi. I wished I could do something… anything… to save my home… and for a single moment… I wondered if I should never have been King in the first place." Her head slumped along with her shoulders. "And I would be lying if I claimed that was the last time I've had that thought since then."

Her partner said nothing, and she continued with an ever-heavy heart. "Maybe that was why Merlin told me drawing Caliburn would mean sacrificing my humanity. It might have been a final test to see if I could understand just how the burden would be, how prepared I was. Maybe I should've never claimed the sword, the crown after all."

"Or maybe you… misinterpreted what he meant?"

Saber paused in her lament and turned to Assassin X, her eyes wide open. "What do you mean?" There was no pride or outrage in her query, only confusion.

"Well, the part about you no longer being human sounds pretty drastic, but could it be Merlin was speaking a little metaphorically?" Kakashi raised his arms placatingly. "Hear me out: You had an entire kingdom to watch over, hundreds if not thousands of subjects to provide for and protect. You couldn't make much time for ordinary activities and thoughts like taking a walk alone through the street or meeting up with friends, I can imagine. Being a King is certainly leagues above living as an ordinary human would." He shrugged. "But I still don't think you had to give up your humanity entirely while sitting on the throne, and it sounds a little dreary, anyway. Maybe you just took his words a little too literally."

Artoria Pendragon stared at him for what seemed like minutes, then released a third sigh more weary than depressed. "…That could be a possibility, given that man's personality. And mine." She had always taken things seriously, ever since she had been a little girl. Britain in those days had offered little for levity, and with the destiny that awaited her, she had never seen much reason to laugh. Honestly, the King of Knights had been smiling and laughing in this week as a Heroic Spirit more than she had in her entire past life.

She turned back to the main reason for this shift. "Well, regardless of whether I did misinterpret his words or not, my point remains, I want to save my kingdom from destruction, but I honestly don't know if I can do that, Kakashi." Any other person, and she would've been able to admit her weakness, but this ninja was like no other she had encountered. "You might've made a better King of Britain than me."

Assassin X shook her head. "Oh, I doubt that. It was hard enough for me just watching over three budding shinobi, and I messed up big with them." She offered him a weak smile that made his heart lurch. Seeing a confident, steadfast Saber in this depressing state… It was just wrong. He wracked his brain for a way to help her out of her self-loathing, something he should've said at the banquet instead of rejecting her belief… And then it came to him. "I haven't told you about the Will of Fire yet, have I?"

Saber blinked, tilting her head to ponder, then shook it. "I don't think so. Care to share?"

"It's the core philosophy of the Village Hidden in the Leaves," the Copy Ninja explained. "In fact, it's the ideal on which the village itself was built by the First Hokage."

"That term you've mentioned before," Saber briefly interjected, her curiosity growing. "I take it the Hokage is the Leaf Village's version of a King?"

Assassin X swayed his head lightly from side to side. "Sort of; my village was part of a larger country, the Land of Fire, and governed by a daimyō, a feudal lord, but the title Hokage is for the village's leader and typically strongest shinobi. And there were four other Kage, each one the leader of another of the Five Great Nations." He turned towards the trees in the garden, idly watching the few remaining leaves in the winter. "Back when I was just a boy, the Lord Hokage was the Third, hailed as the 'God of Shinobi' of his time."

"And you said your teacher would go on to become Hokage, too," Artoria recalled. "That would've made Minato-sensei the Fourth, yes?" Every time Kakashi had mentioned his mentor, it had been with the deepest respect and admiration. She in turn had grown to like the "Yellow Flash of the Leaf Village," even without meeting him in person.

Kakashi nodded happily. "At the age of twenty-one, no less." He shrugged in good humor. "Sure, you were already King long before then, but he too had earned his early promotion." His shoulders slumped as memories of the Nine-Tails' rampage surfaced. "Unfortunately, there was a terrible… incident only three years later. Minato-sensei saved the village, but at the cost of his life… and his wife's." He sighed. "They left behind a newborn son, Naruto," he nodded sadly at Artoria's widening eyes, "and the Lord Third had to come out of retirement to assume the Hokage position again."

"Dear Lord…" Only three years of leading a village, then fathering a child only to sacrifice your and your wife's life in the same day? Saber didn't wish to imagine that, and regrettably, her partner didn't have to. Poor Naruto… She cleared her throat. "Forgive me, I diverted us from the main topic. Would you still like to tell me of this 'Will of Fire' you believe in?"

As she hoped, her changing the subject snapped Assassin X out of his short funk. "It's not just me," he affirmed, "every shinobi of the Leaf Village tries to follow it. Simply put, our entire village is one cohesive house, and every single villager, man or woman, young or old, fighter or civilian, is part of one and the same family." He cupped his hands together, the fingers directed upwards. "One large flame that we all tend to and protect, just as the generations did that came before us, and so the generations to come can do the same."

Artoria could picture it, a single great fire cared for by many people and in turn warming them, and smiled. "It sounds beautiful," she praised. "And the Hokage is the pillar at the base of this flame, supporting it with their own strength?"

Kakashi shook his head a little, though. "The Hokage is the central pillar that supports the village, yes. But shinobi like me make up smaller pillars to share the weight, supporting the village as well and the Hokage so that they don't crack under the strain." He reached down to draw a circle in the dirt, then placed a pebble in its center. "As I said, we are all part of the same family, and that includes our leader. The Hokage cares for the village…" He scattered a number of smaller pebbles inside the circle. "And the village cares for the Hokage."

The King of Knights stared down at the collection in silence. She knew why her comrade had phrased his words in such a way, her thoughts traveling back to that banquet three nights ago.

She had said, "The King sacrifices himself for the country."

And Iskandar, King of Conquerors, had said, "The country sacrifices itself for the King."

Now, a humble warrior from a world was basically saying, "The King sacrifices himself for the country, and the country sacrifices itself for the King."

She slowly bent down to pick up the main pebble and inspected it. It was hardly any bigger than the others and had no particular features. One could've tossed it into a pile and then spend the rest of the day fishing for it. "A village as a house, and everyone inside it a member of its family… including its leader." She returned it to its spot. "A leader that shares their duty with others, protects and is protected… Just another member of the family."

Assassin X had been watching her carefully the entire time. "You know," he began, getting his comrade's attention, "I think if you had been born in my home, Artoria, you would've made a splendid Hokage. Maybe even as great as the King you were in Britain." She tried to protest, but he pressed on. "Even if you put up a cool demeanor, you're passionate, brave and always ready to put the needs of others before your own. This might be the first time you've heard of the Will of Fire, but I think it describes you perfectly."

Saber smiled bittersweetly. "I appreciate the praise, Kakashi, but you're giving me too much credit. I alienated my people and led my kingdom to ruin-"

"Excuse me," he interrupted her again, "but from what I've read, your kingdom fell because of a witch's manipulations," the Servant of Assassination noticed her fist clenching, "and frankly a series of tragedies. Some of them were your fault, I won't deny that, but not all of them."

"But I was the King, I should've been able to recognize the trouble brewing, I should've stopped her, I should've…" She turned away from him, her hand covering her eyes.

Kakashi sighed. "No offense, but that right there might've been your biggest mistake. You tried to be some all-powerful guardian, something beyond human that could take care of all the problems the people of Camelot had. You wanted to shoulder every last burden alone so no one else would have to." He pushed himself off the tree and let his hand fall onto his friend's shoulder. "That's why I think you're a good King. Maybe even a little too good."

Artoria faced him again with tears yet to be shed. An odd sound escaped her. "I wouldn't have thought there was such a thing as being too good a King…" She rubbed the moisture in her eyes away. "But with that in mind, do you really think I could've led the Leaf Village?"

"Certainly," he replied immediately. "You did everything you could for Britain out of love for it, didn't you? You just tried too hard to be perfect." Kakashi gazed up at the branches above them. "The Hokage I knew in life weren't perfect. The Lord Third was wise and loved by all of us, but he didn't quite have the stomach for the dark side of leadership, the kinds of decisions no one likes making yet have to be made all the same." Artoria nodded understandingly; she hadn't lived in a world of ninjas, but that didn't mean she wasn't familiar with this "dark side." Every kingdom had some less stellar secrets tucked away.

"Also, he was a bit of a pervert." That made her scowl and Assassin X hastily continue. "I mentioned the Lord Fifth in our first conversation, didn't I? Tsunade, a former pupil of the Lord Third, the master of medical ninjutsu in our world, a fierce kunoichi… and with a temper to match and an inability to walk away from any sort of gambling." He shook his head. "Not to mention she had worse luck than Qrow in that department; seriously, people knew her far and wide as 'the Legendary Sucker'." Not the sort of title one wants to be remembered for, Saber noted sardonically.

"As for the Lord Fourth…" The veteran ninja stood there for a while, his eyes shifting to the setting sun. His friend placed her hand over his and squeezed a little, bringing him back to reality. "Minato-sensei was the greatest man I ever knew. Without him, I wouldn't be half the person I am today." He released a sigh that seemed to weigh a ton. "But… even he couldn't be in every place at once." An odd sound, a mix between a laugh and a choke, escaped him. "And he had zero talent when it came to naming jutsu he had created. Plus, his wife Kushina clearly wore the pants in their relationship."

"That last one is hardly a flaw," Saber quipped before she realized it. Both Heroic Spirits promptly burst into laughter, the sound carrying through the air and mingling with that of the children who were just about to head home.

They calmed down soon enough, but the Servant of the Sword still carried a smile. "But I think I understand what you mean. The ones who held the title Hokage when you lived… each one carried his or her own flaws, but even so, you would serve all of them again given the chance?"

"In a heartbeat." The Heroic Spirit of the Shadows glanced up again at the few leaves hanging there. "Sure, none of them were perfect, and even if I never met them, I'll bet the First and Second had their own little imperfections. But that didn't stop them from leading the Leaf Village, nor did they fail to inspire so many youths to become Hokage themselves. In fact, knowing they weren't perfect inspired us all the more. We could relate to the Hokage, feel like the gap between them and us might've been wide but not boundless."

Saber followed his gaze, nodding quietly to herself. "Perhaps you're right. If I hadn't focused so hard on being the perfect King… If I hadn't built such a vast gap between myself and my subjects, even my Knights…" Her ruminations turned to her "son." Mordred had hardly been anything resembling perfect, but what if Artoria had at least taken the time to explain her reasons for withholding the crown? What if she had tried to teach Mordred what it meant to be King? "Perhaps I could've saved my home… if I had tried to be more human."

"Well, knowing that you're gluttonous, kind of judgmental, and a sore loser hasn't stopped me from being grateful to have you for a comrade." She wasn't sure whether she should thank him or clobber him for that. …Both sounds good…

Kakashi's eye returned to Artoria before she could decide. "I won't tell you to stop beating yourself up over how your kingdom's story ended. I've got my fair share of regrets, too, and they haunt me till the day I die again. But the ending is only one part of a story, and considering how the tales of King Arthur and her Knights of the Round Table are still being told today, you must've gotten a few things right during your time. It's like Gandalf said, there's no set rule to being a King or an emperor or any other kind of leader, and there's no way to be completely perfect in that role. You have a second chance, and I encourage you to think about improving your skills at ruling.

"Just please don't tell yourself you don't deserve to be a King, Artoria Pendragon. I'd gladly stand by your side, be it in Britain, in the Village Hidden in the Leaves, or here and now."

Even with the mask he wore, she could clearly see the kind smile underneath it and wondered if the one she had was equal in size. "You know, I think I would like to at least visit your home, Kakashi. It sounds like a wonderful place." She knelt to pick a leaf that still had a few specks of green. "And I must admit, its ideal is… quite inspiring."

His eye remained closed, but his face radiated joy. "I'm sure its founders would be honored to know a few of its sparks helped ignite a flame on another world. And either way, I wouldn't say no to an invitation for a visit to your kingdom."

Saber made to say she'd prepare a feast in celebration, but then both paused and straightened. They made for their Master's clone and Maiya's, keeping their senses on the presences that were approaching.

Gandalf the Gray could hardly be considered anything resembling a "devil," but it seemed speaking of him just as well made him appear. The elderly Servant of Spells strode across the grass, his staff moving with each step his right foot took, his Master to his right. Kariya Matou hobbled along supported by his Servant, but in a way, he gave off an image of resolve.

From another direction came Tokiomi Tohsaka, taking confident, measured steps to which his cane moved in perfect sync. Lancer X walked gracefully by his left side, moving with the fluidity of a stream along the grass one step and a half ahead of her Master, hand hovering near the twin rods at her side.

At a nod, the duo stepped out of the trees, Saber right, Assassin X left, and between them came Kiritsugu Emiya, disposing a spent cigarette with one hand and opening his coat a little more with the other. He took careful steps just behind his Servants while his eyes darted from one approaching team to the other. And right in front of him walked Irisviel von Einzbern.

…Or so it seemed.

The only snag to their plan had been Irisviel's deteriorating health. Despite her determination to help, she was in no condition to attend this meeting. Hence her remaining at the house with Maiya as her bodyguard. Meanwhile, a clone from Maiya would substitute as her with the Transformation Jutsu, and a clone of Kiritsugu would be in attendance alongside the Servants, officially a "consultant." As for the original, he'd have assumed a vantage point with his Walther. Just in case. Assassin X's pack hid among the area, and the ground team carried coms and microphones, allowing him to listen in and give instructions.

"I've got Tohsaka in my sights," the Mage Killer reported to them. "If it goes south, Assassin X, you deal with Lancer X while you, Saber, hold off Caster X and Berserker."

"Optimistic as ever," the Copy Ninja mumbled underneath his breath as the three teams drew closer. The playground had already emptied due to night approaching, and Maiya's double had already set a low-level Bounded Field in place for privacy. Now Tokiomi and Caster X added to the measures in place with their own magics, ensuring that neither civilian nor enemy would interfere with the parlay. Of course, Kiritsugu's sniper rounds might not be able to pierce the barrier, but if done right…

Caster X took off his hat and bowed in greeting. "Tokiomi Tohsaka, Einzbern Master," he greeted them in simple respect, "thank you for agreeing to this meeting."

"I thank you in turn for this opportunity," Tokiomi replied with a slight bow of his own, "as I had not thought I would get to meet you, Irisviel von Einzbern." His gaze narrowed at the man standing beside her. "And as a bonus, the infamous Kiritsugu Emiya… what strange bedfellows your family makes these days."

"Compromise and unusual alliances tend to happen in war," Maiya replied evenly, making sure to shift her voice and mannerisms into Irisviel's like Assassin X had taught her. "Take the three of us coming together, for instance."

Kiritsugu took out his bare hands to shrug. "I'm just here as a consultant…" His eyes met Tokiomi's. "And as a bodyguard. Play nice, and we won't be killing each other tonight." He then turned to the other Master. "So, is your attack dog going to play hide-and-seek for the entire meeting?"

Saber's jaw clenched at the comment, but Kariya was unfazed. "Nah, he's just being a little… shy at the moment." He glanced to his right. "Come on, you wanted to talk to her. We might not get another chance like this." Gandalf nodded at this, silent encouragement in his stare.

A moment passed, then shadows rose and curled into a broad shape roughly the King of Knight's size before her, then they solidified to reveal Berserker kneeling before her. Saber nearly drew her sword on instinct, and both Assassin X and Lancer X braced for battle, too, but the Servant of Madness' partner raised a hand to stop them. All three finally noticed a distinct lack of agitation in Berserker's posture; whereas he would've shaken and growled with savage fury before, now not a single sound came from him. No rattling of his armor, no animalistic snarls, no howling a distorted "Arrr…thurrrr!" One might've mistaken him for a statue. But Saber noticed the angle of that crimson visor, just enough for him to see her.

She swallowed her anxiety and stared resolutely at that enshrouded helmet. "Sir Lancelot." This late in the Grail War, there was little point in hiding True Names anymore.

The clarity of his next words took her aback. "My King." Then before Saber or anyone else could react, he reached up with both hands and removed his helmet, allowing long dark hair to spill free. Simultaneously, the black mist surrounding his armor seemed to retract; thus, all of its illustrious features were revealed, as were its wearer's.

Dark eyes opened on a handsome face and gazed up at the stock-still King of Knights. "It has been a long time, Arthur."

---

Phew, thanks for your patience and that's a wrap for Chapter 21! I couldn't help but add the canon scene with Waver and his faux grandfather, albeit with a few tweaks of course. It's one of the most touching scenes in an otherwise tragic story, so I worked it in. This one is another breather, anyway, and as the title says, one showing the various bonds that have formed during this crazy War. Having these characters interact with each other is one of the things I enjoy the most in writing this.

However, I realized while writing this thing that from here on out, there will be fewer canon scenes in my story, and those that are will naturally be different from, well, canon. This also means I'm going to have to think carefully about where one chapter ends and the next one begins, and the problem is, I may get carried away and overfill the one I'm currently on. I'm trying to be good and keep my word count between twenty to thirty thousand per chapter.

I briefly contemplated adding one more scene with Avenger X and Sakura, but I, uh… chickened out. I know Vonnegut's advice is to, "be a sadist," but every time I think of that poor girl or her uncle's canon fate, my heart snaps a little more in two. Said scene doesn't really fit in with this chapter's bonding theme, anyway (at least, not in a way I want it to), so I'll add it to the next chapter. You guys can surely guess what happens next.

Slight spoiler: Rider X didn't account for this little meeting happening. Nor did Zouken, Avenger X or even Archer.

And I'm super-psyched to announce that this story has earned a page on TvTropes! Feel free to check it out, add whatever tropes come to mind when you read this, it's a real pleasure and an honor.

On a more somber note, Rest In Peace, Lance Reddick. Another one of my favorite actors gone, at only 60…