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.

32. Short Story Collection

Hey, everyone! Hope all of my loyal readers have been doing well. So, as a late commemoration for the fact that I first began Fate/Zero Paradox three years ago, I hosted a little challenge on the Spacebattles thread. For two weeks, readers were invited to post their own short stories based on the characters of my story or their own X Servants. Paradox Carnival, FGO, that sort of stuff. And now I've compiled them all together into one special chapter, just for y'all readers on Fanfiction and Archive of Our Own. You're more than welcome to check the original versions (and in some cases the stats for the X Servants) on Spacebattles.

Enjoy!

Paradox Carnival: -85:54:22 by kreuzritter

Berserker was always restless. The fury of his Mad Enhancement coursed through every fibre of his being, driving him to unthinking rage, the need to rip and tear at anything that stood before him. Be it in physical or spirit form, the urge to bring death and destruction was constant, that even his master, the frail thing in huddled slumber on the car's back seat, would surely have his own thoughts drowned in bloodlust. Not that Master seemed to mind, muttering in his sleep about the one who started this, who gave away Master's little Princess to that... thing. But, this was nothing compared to Berserker's true depths of hatred, that would've surely driven Master to a ruined mind to match his body by now.

If not for the Old Man.

The Old Man was a wizard, one who knew charms to soothe Berserker's savagery, and the harm it would bring Master. It was the Old Man who kept them focused on their quest, to obtain the Grail and free the Princess. It was the Old Man who dredged the dark to restore Berserker's humanity, piece by piece. By now, Berserker was lucid enough for contemplation. He was still a wild dog chained for the safety of himself and others, but could be trusted not to bite the hand that fed him.

Such trust was being proven now, as Berserker's mind returned to the present. According to the Old Man, Master had been busy last night while Berserker was chasing Archer X (Berserker was pleased with himself. He was starting to use the class names in his thoughts), and thus needed a day's rest before they'd confront the king who abandoned the Princess. Berserker was to stand guard while the Old Man went to do... Berserker wasn't sure, but undoubtedly good wizard things, the Old Man was like that. Such trust was a high honor, one Berserker didn't deserve, but it was given, and Berserker would live up to such ideal. He would not betray trust again.

Never again.

And so Berserker sat in spirit form in the Toyota's front seat, not to take form or, god forbid, start the car unless a genuine threat approached.

Such a threat approached now, Berserker's smoke-wreathed form fading into reality as he recognized the three men outside the alleyway.

Yes, they were the Loud One, the Fighty One and the Skinny One. Berserker stopped. the Skinny One had fought alongside the Old Man and His King the other night. He deserved respect. He deserved to be called Saber X. Likewise, the Loud One had gifted them all with his true name. Iskand... Alexsa...Kandy... Rider. He would be Rider (Berserker pouted. Actual names were still beyond him). Berserker didn't know his counterpart that well, and straining his ability for rational thought as he was, the one eyed, spiky-haired man would still be the Fighty One.

Berserker was ready to start the car, invoke Knight of Owner and run them down like he had that bug-eyed monster last night, but then he remembered. It was daytime. No fighting in daytime. It was the only rule of this war he didn't need Master or the Old Man to make him follow. The rule also said Berserker couldn't show himself in full armor. That monstrous rage within thought this was a stupid rule, but was bound by it as surely as an invoked command seal.

But, they were threats, and approaching, and Master was dead asleep.

The black smoke fumed as Berserker's brain looped upon itself, before he got an idea.

"Okay," Qrow shrugged, "You're right, Kandy Bar, that is Caster X's car. We'll let the kid know."

And the big guy was walking towards it. great.

"We're under truce," Rider said in as close to a normal voice as he got, "It won't hurt to say hello."

"Yeah," Berserker X added, "but where there's the old guy..."

And now Kenny was walking towards it. Double great.

that's when the driver's door opened, a familiar black fog spilling out like so much discarded Mistrali takeout and coffee cups after a long stakeout.

What stepped out was clearly Berserker, but what must have been his idea of civvies. A shabby black suit, kinda like the one they briefly saw Saber in last night, but also a full motorcycle helmet, a glossy black except for the red-tinted visor, luminously glowing in the alleyway shadows.

"Ho, Sir knight," Rider shouted, his level of normal voice.

Berserker could only growl in response. Kenpachi growled back eagerly. The tension between the Berserkers was so thick that Qrow wasn't sure if they were threatening or flirting.

Oh dust, he thought, this is how everybody saw me and Winter, wasn't it?

but before that train of thought could carry further, Kandy Bar started talking again.

"We're not looking for battle, sir Knight,"

"We're not?" Kenpachi asked and GAH!

"Okay, Rider was bad enough. YOU should not be able to make a puppy dog eye."

Berserker blinked as Rider kept jabbering. Right, the Old Man had said something about a truce just before dawn, that the focus would be on the metal monster and his allies. Berserker must have still been caught in the after-battle rush of the clash with Archer X.

On the upside, Berserker's idea had paid off. To change his garb to what was still unmistakably his, was within the power of For Someone's Glory without Master wasting a command seal, even as Berserker.

He strained his tenuous sanity to focus on the words, as Rider took a flask from Saber X. This sounded important.

"..Libations, fellow hero," Rider was explaining, "that we might hear your wish upon the Grail."

they wished to hear his story? Berserker could oblige them.

The trio stood there as Berserker took Qrow's flask in hand, answering Rider's request. Unfortunately, what came out from under that helmet were nothing but snarls and growls, punctuated by frequent use of "Arrr… Urrrrrrr!"

Insane gibberish to two, but Berserker X simply nodded now and then, prompting the other Berserker to continue. Whether it was because they shared the same class, or because the black knight was exactly the kind of lunatic found in the ranks of Squad Eleven, Kenpachi Zaraki understood him perfectly. in more ways than one, Berserker X forcing a many tear back into its duct upon learning here too was a warrior seeking battle with not only the one person stronger than himself,

That woman with long, raven-black hair, a curved sword and an eerie demeanor...

but to face someone he had very complicated feelings about.

"That's rough, buddy," he finally said, before the two berserkers held out their fists and touched knuckles, the combination of ambient mana and raw manliness causing another swarm of Zouken's unseen insect spies to spontaneously combust.

"Well," Rider asked.

"that's between me and him," Kenpachi said, keeping Berserker's secret to himself, before turning to the black knight.

Berserker likewise understood his counterpart's look perfectly. A solemn, unspoken promise, that if Berserker won, then Kenpachi would be there to finish the job, and he would die as he wished.

Such respect deserved a return, and so Berserker gave an honor he otherwise reserved for His King.

the helmet's visor flipped open, revealing a once handsome face ravaged by long madness. Fair skin turned clammy; unkempt hair, lank and lifeless, peeking from around the helmband, and a brow forever furrowed. and perhaps worst of all were those eyes, wide and almost empty, so similar to those of foul Caster, but in them were glowing embers of sanity, keeping his dark mania at bay.

"Mhhh... Nks..." the madman growled, revealing pointed teeth through bloodless lips, before taking a pull of Qrow's flask...

and immediately toppled over backwards, hitting the alleyway pavement like a felled tree.

"Didn't take him for that much of a lightweight," Qrow mused, reclaiming his precious, precious little helper and what remained of last night's mortal wine.

"Nah," Berserker X shrugged, "definately too much of hardass for that to have done anything. but..."

"If he can use anything he holds as a weapon on his level," Rider continued, "and the grape being as much enemy as friend, it made your drink that much stronger."

Qrow looked down upon the fallen berserker, unable to judge the cost v benefits of supercharged booze, before the body twitched, and realization sunk in.

"Guys, we should probably go before we find out if this one's a mean drunk."

"A wise idea, friend, although Bers..." Rider stopped speechless as Berserker X left the alleyway.

"Me & him got an understanding" was his explanation, "he's got shit to do before we throw down."

The trio rushed back to the bookstore where they sensed their master.

Berserker wasn't sure what happened. he had the drink, and now he was laying on the ground beside the car. Questions for later. all that mattered was that when he stood up, he and the car were alone, and Master was finally rousing from his rest. All was well, and Berserker resumed his watch in spirit form, awaiting the return of the Old Man.

---

Paradox Carnival: Waver Velvet's The Hangover by kreuzritter

?:?:?:?

Waver Velvet's world erupted in as much overwhelming pain as overwhelming light, as if his head wanted to split open and spill forth a black goo made from all the world's evil, and the only way to stop it was to stare directly at the sun.

blearily, sensation achieved something resembling equilibrium as Waver fumbled around in what was clearly a set of bedsheets as his eyes focussed.

that was when he noticed the very scary looking man in red and black sitting in an easy chair by his bed. with darkly tanned skin and silver hair, he did nothing but radiate a sense of ominous professionalism, like he was the so-called magus killer Waver'd heard spoken in hushed rumors back at Clock Tower.

"Who the hell are you?" Waver asked, surprised at how deep his own voice sounded.

"Special Servant Archer," the self-identifying heroic Spirit said in a clipped tone, "good morning sir."

Waver quickly glanced around the bedroom. while tasteful and pleasing to his eye, there was a level of opulence to the room that told him this was nothing less than the suite of someone very rich and powerful.

"Oh this is bad," Waver said aloud, panicking, "I've gotta get home."

"You are home," Archer replied, "Mr. President."

"Who are you talking to?"

"You sir."

Waver could only nod dumbly

"Okay, so where am I?" He then asked, slowly getting out of bed, Archer rising with him

"You're in your bedroom, sir."

Another dumb nod. This archer had a gift for the obvious

"I'd ask how you got in here, but as a servant..."

"I have a key sir. we all do."

"We?"

"Your Secret Servant Service detail, Mister President."

"Why do you keep calling me that? The last thing I remember was my servants and I going to a pub after Saber X died."

"There's not much more to tell, Sir," Archer said with a shake of his head, "You got piss drunk, won the Holy Grail War and took over the world as President of the United Earth."

"How long have I been drunk?"

"You just started your second term."

"Wait, back up, I WON the Grail war? But, h-How, I mean the gold guy..."

"Gilgamesh."

"THAT WAS GILGAMESH? How the hell am I still alive?"

"As I understand it sir..."

[-]

-04:08:29

The King of Heroes reared his head back laughing at Iskandar's final offer, before finally meeting his gaze again, this time with bittersweet resignation

"It has been so long since I laughed this hard at the ramblings of someone who was no fool. Unfortunately, there is only one friend that I have ever had, and ever will."

"Yaah, thass a YOU problem, innit?" Waver's shrill fury echoed out across the bridge, followed by the stomping of his oxfords along the empty bridge.

"Watch your mongrel pup's tone, King of Conquerors" was the only warning the oldest of heroes gave, not even dignifying the boy with so much as a withering glare. His gaze still locked with Iskander.

"DAFUQ you just say? Kandy, gimme a boost."

The King of Conquerors obliged, using both arms to bring the drunkard child eye level with the world's rightful king

Gilgamesh barely had the chance to wince at the stench coming from the boy's mouth when Waver brought the whisky bottle down upon his perfectly feathered golden hairline.

[-]

"I did WHAT?"

"A bold strategy, Mr. President," Archer commented, "but surprisingly effective. Your audacity so surprised and amused Gilgamesh he literally fell over and died laughing."

"I have SO MANY questions."

"I will endeavor to answer them all, Mr. President."

---

Paradox Carnival: Stately Tohsaka Smoking Crater by kreuzritter

-162:21:44

The summons had been as sudden as it was urgent. No sooner had Irisviel and Saber set foot outside the airport, but they were contacted by agents of the War's overseer to personally report to his Church. Not just the two of them, but the Grail War's other masters were demanded to appear, on promises of absolute neutrality.

Still, Emiya wasn't one to take chances. While Saber would have to wait outside with other Servants, he'd sent his... Irisviel paused, still trying to work out how Maiya fit into her family's dynamic, before settling on 'partner', for now. The point was, Irisviel had a very capable and well-armed bodyguard to do the fighting for her in a room with 6 other magi.

But, there were only 3 others sitting in the pews when the two of them entered. A sickly, almost leprous man in a purple hoodie sat as far back in the rows as he could, clinging like a drowning man to a wooden staff, barely recognizable as the Matou representative from Kiritsugu's intelligence. But there was no mistaking the vainglorious smugness of the Lord El-Melloi as he stood at the front row, even as he glared daggers at the very young man ducked so low as to try and meld with the pew, while a dirty old crow had somehow managed to fly in, and was pecking at him as if to get the boy to stand up for himself.

Irisviel looked for the other three masters, but her search was interrupted by one of the interior doors slamming open, and Father Kotomine Risei lurched forth, or more accurately, what was left of him.

As a homunculus created specifically created for the Holy Grail War, Irisviel had been implanted with what could be retrieved of her predecessors' remains. This in turn left her with a sort of alchemic memory, vaguely familiar impressions if exposed to things and events they were. as such, she'd never met the man, but she understood the Risei of sixty years ago, a kind, energetic man.

This was no longer that man. Instead of a kind and energetic stout wall of muscle, this stocky wretch was just as miserable-looking as the Matou, who actually stood up in alarm at the sight of the man. the stench of alcohol clung to him, strong enough that Irisviel could smell it from her position by the door, a stench so overpowering up close that El-Melloi recoiled from his position, handkerchief over his mouth.

"Please be seated," Risei began, "and excuse my state. This war has taken much from me already."

They did so, and he continued.

"Forgive me, children, for I have sinned. It has been 500 days since my last confession. I see your confusion, so let me explain. I am twice now the overseer of the Holy Grail War, But I am only a man, and a father. My own son, Kotomine Kirei, was selected as a Master."

"Get to the point old man," El-Melloi urged, "What does this have to do with Stately Tohsaka Smoking Crater?"

Irisviel barely had time to look to Maiya about this unexpected news before the unmistakable sound of a Black Key whistled in the air, embedding itself next to the magus.

"Interrupt again and it's your face," was Risei's ice-blooded reply. "As I was saying: Kirei was chosen as a master, but knowing nothing of magecraft, he needed a teacher. I got him the tutelage of one of my parishoners: Tohsaka Tokiomi. Tohsaka, like so many would-be Grail magi before him, schemed to cheat this war, using Kirei and myself. Having witnessed the horrors wrought during the Third War, to my shame, I did not say no."

The Matou heir grumbled something particularly unpleasant, wisely not loud enough for Risei to hear.

"I tell you this because nothing came of it before last night's events. Each of you has been gifted an extra Servant for this war. My son and Tohsaka were no different. In fact Tohsaka was doubly gifted, summoning none less than Gilgamesh himself as Archer... and what I can only describe as some sort of demonic, metal beast, that called itself Rider X. It was hatred at first sight, and last night, the two finally came to blows. the 'smoking crater', as Lord El-Melloi so described it, was the result. they are dead. Assassin is Dead. Lancer X is dead. Tohsaka is dead. My son is dead."

He looked over them all.

"Once this meeting is done, I intend to resume drinking myself to death. But, before I can do that, there is the matter of Caster..."

---

Paradox Carnival: Aftercare of Kings by kreuzritter

"So, you used EA on him."

"I mean, it wasn't like anything else could do it."

"Well, I did my best, but you heard Praxus."

"Oh I know, love, and as always, you were beautiful."

"Flatterer."

"Only for what truly matters."

"Ah-bup-bup, this isn't QQ, we aren't going there. The fact is, you used EA for the both of them."

"Oh come on, I wasn't going to let Megatron ruin things."

"My point entirely. you didn't break out EA for me."

"I didn't even know you! You were just another Mongrel back then."

"Still am."

"DO NOT debase your self like that EVER again... You just thought 'Woof', didn't you?"

"Maybe. The point is, I know you, My King. You looked at Kenpachi the way you looked at me all those eons ago."

"Baby, I swear, he meant nothing to me."

"That'd just make it worse. You know how that's worse, right?"

"I... yes, love, of course."

"But, we both know it's a lie, you've kept that scar. And you spoke his name to his face alongside Rider."

"Is there a point to this, beloved?"

"Next time the four of us are in the same garden, you and I are climbing them like trees and showing them who the REAL kings are around here."

"As you wish, my friend Enkidu."

Author's Note (kreuzritter): this bit originally started as a riff on DBZA's Fight Counselling skit, what with how his fight with Kenpachi here was probably eerily similar to how Gilgamesh's street fight with Enkidu played out in the Nasuverse.

Then, having never seen any of Enkidu's appearances, but knowing this is THE epic bromance that brought out Goldie's best, Enkidu's turns became more teasing than hurt, complete with the "Joke's on you, I'm into that!" idea of Enkidu liking multiple shonenitis rivalries, as opposed to Gilgamesh's monogamy. just admitting that open challenge to Team Waver is a huge step for Mr. "I have had and only will have one true friend."

---

A Tale of Two Memories by Kamenmaximus

"Keep Your hands where I can see them. Back to me." Kiritsugu heard the enemy Servant say in their deep, distorted voice. He obliged, raising his empty hands above his head and facing away. At the same time he silently calls for Assassin X to come and assist.

"Gah!" Suddenly, he heard the servant behind him cry out, their voice changing in pitch as they were sent flying from the rooftop onto the ground below. He quickly turns around to see a figure in pitch black armor covered in black miasma towering over him. He prepares to activate his magecraft in order to escape and buy time for Assassin X to save him from this new threat, but the Servant just jumps off the roof after the other Servant, leaving the Magus killer confused.

On the ground, Archer X digs herself out of the crater of asphalt she created upon impact, ignoring the gawking of the other Servants around her but keeping aware if any of them try to take advantage of her position. The Servant that knocked her off the roof, she assumed they belonged to the master she had at gunpoint, landed across from her, staring her down through a glowing red helmet slit. "Son of a bitch! That hurt!" She exclaims before pausing for a moment, "And you broke my voice modulator, you fucking cockbite!"

She quickly pulls out two smgs and fires on the black armored Servant. Her target quickly stops their armored boot on the ground, shooting a loose chunk of asphalt up and using it as a shield. She keeps firing, but suddenly her guns jam simultaneously, abruptly ceasing firing. "The fuck?!" She shouts, throwing the guns to the ground and trying to switch. But in an instant the enemy is right on her, closing the distance between them at speeds impressive even for a Servant. She summons a shotgun and tries to bring it up but the Servant grabs it without even looking, as if he saw it coming before she even summoned it. She quickly lets go of the gun and swings forward with a right hook but the Servant swiftly dodges perfectly out of the way. She growls in annoyance before punching again, only for him to perfectly dodge her once again. She unleashes a flurry of blows, punches and kicks flying out only for each of them to be dodged by her opponent who didn't make so much as a peep as he used the absolute minimum amount of effort. She roars in anger, pulling out a rocket launcher and raising it to fire, only for her opponent to use the shotgun he seized to shoot right at it, causing an explosion that sends her flying back.

She pants in exhaustion, damn this Servant body for these human limitations. She looks up to where her opponent was, seeing a cloud of smoke from the blast obscuring their fate. "Heh, newsflash, black knight, shooting an explosive tends to set it off." She says with a smirk.

"Oh, I know, you did it plenty of times to the guys."

The smirk on her face dies. She staggers back in surprise. She knows that voice. "Y-you're fucking kidding me."

The smoke begins to subside, revealing the enemy Servant is unharmed, surrounded by a very familiar spherical shield. "I just knew both of us could take it" The same disembodied voice says. Beside the head of the enemy Servant, a cyan hologram flashes into existence. They are a small humanoid figure, clad in similar armor to hers, a sniper rifle clutched in their hands. "I wish I could say I'm surprised to see you, Tex, but you were always bad with goodbyes."

"C-Church?!" She exclaims. "W-what the hell are you doing here?!"

"Well, I was just participating as Caster X. Didn't really even have a wish or anything. But now? I promised you I'd let you rest, and I'm not letting you throw yourself at another battlefield." He says with a remorseful tone. The Black armored servant he's standing on the shoulder of cocks the stolen shotgun before shooting forwards at with the assistance of the speed module.

---

Trooper Tactics by irish connection

Cut into the Mansion, Kiritsugu going over strategies with CT.
"Trooper, what are the strengths of your… commandos." Kiritsugu asked, pausing as he thought of the best word for his servants summons.

Trooper responded, briskly "Delta, Omega, and 99 all are a group of the best soldiers within the GAR, though with their own strengths. 99 excels in unconventional warfare and 'out there' strategies. Using a piece of a ship as a shield to shooting down the barrel of an AAT-1. Delta are similar, though not as specialized as 99, better suited to traditional spec-ops tactics. Same with Omega. ARC troopers Fives and Echo operate better with regular clone soldiers and personnel; acting as there name implies Advanced Recon. They would work best with Saber sir, while not antisocial, 99 is more abrasive to newer people; especially with the more 'honor focused' beliefs of King Artoria, Omega and Delta are in a similar boat." said Trooper, giving Saber her 'full title and rank.'

Supposed he would be used to responding with full rank or title. Thought Kiritsugu.

"The final summons is Gregor, the sole survivor of Foxtrot, and has the same training as Delta and Omega" Trooper finished, while Kiritsugu looked over the map of Fuyuki.

"On Delta squad, you said one of the members was a demolitions expert, Scorch right?" Kiritsugu asked, adapting his original plan to a new one.

"Yes sir, be it a Thermal detonator or a sequence charger, no one has better training with them." Replied Trooper, giving Kiritsugu idea of where to use his new soldiers.

"Good, when we reach Fuyuki, I want you to summon Scorch so he can help me and Mayia plant explosives at an enemy master home base." Said Kiritsugu, pointing out on the map where the base is located.

"Yes sir, should I also bring in other members of Delta if were to be engaged by enemy servants?"

"No, I want you to stay hidden, make the enemy think Scorch is the servant as long as possible."

"Understood Master." Response Trooper to Kiritsugu orders. "Will I be accompanying you to Fuyuki or remain with lady Irisiviel and King Artoria?" asked Trooper, still standing stock still in front of Kiritsugu.

"Yes, I plan on keeping people think Irisviel is the actual master while we deal with them." Kiritsugu responded, already preparing to depart.

"Is that wise sir?" Trooper asked. "I understand the idea of using decoy and keeping the enemy guessing, but would it not make sense to use someone else."

In a moment of weakness or perhaps letting his true self out, Kiritsugu sighed and placed his head in his freed hand. "I agree with you CT, and I wish I could have found someone else, but she volunteered and her family are one of the three founding families of the Holy Grail War, their involvement is a given, even through intermediaries." responded Kiritsugu.

---

Father vs Mage Killer by Phoenixofflame

Kiritsugu wondered if he managed to anger some god. He tried to summon King Arthur using Avalon but instead of the One adult King of Knights he was expecting he got two teenage girls.

One named Bonnie Hood who wears a red hood that reminds him of a certain Grimm's fairytale and said she was a Darkstalker hunter (whatever the heck a darkstalker is) and another who wears an armored ballroom dress and claimed to be King Arthur. If it weren't for his Master's Clairvoyance and that fact he saw them being summoned he would not have believed them.

They were little girls. Children who should be no where near a battlefield. Who should be allowed to grow with their innocence in tact were now his most powerful tools to win the Grail War and achieve his wish.

And he would use them. The thought made him feel like scum but he would. He had went over what he did during the summoning ritual with a fine tooth comb and could find nothing that could explain how he got 2 Servants or why the drain from supporting them hasn't killed him yet. Which means that whatever is responsible for this did not happen on his end. Perhaps something has changed with the Greater Grail and if that's true then it's entirely possible that the other masters have X Servants as well. He needs both of them.

Besides he has already crossed this line. Irisviel has the body and brain of an adult but she has only been living for 9 years. And he's going to sacrifice her. She is the Lesser Grail. Even if he threw his wish away and ran away with her, Ilya, Saber and Archer X. She would still become the Lesser Grail in a few weeks, Saber and Archer X would return to the Throne of Heroes and he and Ilya would be on the run for the rest of their lives.

No, the only way any of this could be worth it is if he can claim his wish for world peace. If he can make it so that no more children will ever suffer like this. And if that requires killing his weak heart then so be it.

---

That Went Well by Phoenixofflame

Atrum was not having a good day. Medea has destroyed his base, butchered his staff, freed his philosopher stone supplies, and would have kill him if it weren't for Lancer X and her monstrous transformation(that she didn't tell him about). So maybe he could be forgiven for his reaction to what the Queen of Drangleic back in her human form said "That went well".

"Went well? Went well?! What part of any of that went well?!" Atrum screamed. "Well you're still alive for one" that thought stopped Atrum in his tracks "and Medea is mostly likely dead".Nashandra declared "What makes you so certain?" Atrum asked. "The Berserker X from the last war managed to find a new master."

"She used a great deal of mana during our fight and now she has no anchor to the living world" Nashandra explained "unless she manages teleport on top of a master willing to claim her she's done".

"Fine" Atrum replied " she's died but then there's you." "Mum that's not a very grateful tone to take with someone who saved your live" Nashandra said with an easy smile on her face. "Saved my live with a Noble Phantasm you lied about!" Atrum accused while pointing at her "you told me that you only had your scythe not that you transform into a giant skeleton monster! I am your Master I need to know what my Servant is capable of!"

Nashandra was quiet for a time look at her Master with a look that betrayed nothing. "My apologies Master but please understand my victory over Medea was due in part to the her being unaware of my true power"Nashandra explained "if I told you she could have found out. She is called the Witch of Betrayal after all." "Fine but from now on I expect complete honest from you." Atrum stated "I have enough problems to deal with without you keeping secrets from me."

"Of course" Nashandra said with a humble bow " I am your Servant and I will loyalty serve you until we claim victory and the Holy Grail"

"Good" Atrum visibly relaxed "I will hold you to that."Moving on Atrum said "I have a secondary base but
it will take a few days before I can get its defenses
and philosopher's stone production are up to a useable standard."

Nashandra dematerialized and followed closely behind Atrum as he walked to his secondary base. If she was visible one would see a predatory smile break out on her lips. 'You beautifully blind fool' she thought 'you make this so easy! Have you even consider why I would support you over Medea? That fact she was willing to kill you means she must have a found a way to survive without you and her understanding of magic surpass yours by leaps and bounds.

Do you believe my hunger for souls is so all consuming that I would abandon a better prospect just to satisfy it? Or do you think that because you call yourself a Master and me a Servant that you have my heartfelt loyalty? That those are anything but meaningless words?

There is only one reason you are still breathing oh "Master". Because unlike the Witch of Betrayal you are easy to manipulate.'

---

A Selfless Hero by Enoch228

…again, I ran… I couldn't do anything to help my master… Saber, is she still fighting that monstrous Berserker? I can hear its roars still echoing in my mind… I'm just not strong enough to stand against something like that… if it were my Seonbae… if it were my Master… I know either of them could have been far more reliable and brave servants. But I just can't... I'm not capable of fighting in this kind of war against a foe like that.

It's alright Sinclair. There's always next time. Just listen to your heart and find another master. As long as you are alive, you can undo everything with your wish. You can be the selfless hero you desire to be so long as you are alive. You just need to survive long enough for the right opportunity.

…if I run away… If I keep running… will I really be happy?

...I've heard this before haven't I? I ran so many times when I was alive. I never wanted to see the sights of horror before me, hear the ending of their lives… speak the excuses I would make to shield my sinking heart.

…I know that if I stand like I did then, I know that it won't be enough to make up for the indelible stigma of my sin. Of my cowardice… but if I can just turn back to the battlefield… maybe I can do something. For Saber. For master. For myself… Me, who is the most squalid and hideous person in this entire War… Maybe for a moment… I can share his dream and be a selfless hero.

Yes... maybe like master... Like Shirou... I too can use my powers for good and save something. Yes... I will break this shell that stands in my way. I'll break it altogether and soar to a higher place!

...(Sigh). And so the child returned to the battlefield, wielding his blazing emotions against that echo of a bygone myth. A sight to behold indeed as his flaming passions ignite against the indomitable might of a demi-god.

Yet... how unfortunate. The child failed to reveal his true self. He even fell short of full self-restraint yet again.

Every time he tries to soar, every time his passions come alight. His lone wing shall melt in the heat of his emotions. And I will be here, waiting to speak to him once more.

Author's Note (Enoch228): A Saber X short story/monologue for the challenge. Kinda expanding on the idea of Shirou as his master. Kinda like the idea of two wannabe heroes a lot. One views heroism as a dream. The other as an excuse and an "ideal".

(Praxus84: Sorry, but right alignment apparently doesn't work on Fanfiction. Please check out the original spot on Spacebattles if you like)

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Your Executioner by Mechafreak119

Archer was already having a bad week, about 5 seconds after he was summoned everything was thrown awry with the X Servants but at least this situation was somewhat familiar, Berserker chasing the idiot while the X Servants were keeping each other busy somewhere else. At least this gives a good chance to-

A rumbling sound began to ring through the air as something crashed near the Masters.

"Oh what now?" Archer questioned, done with today.

The dust it kicked up cleared away to reveal a giant humanoid dragon towering over even Berserker. It snapped it's gaze towards Illya, causing the girl to flinch. "Ah." It spoke. "So this is the Lesser Grail?"

Illya recoiled back. "Berserker!" She cried out. She grinned as Berserker ran forward and slammed his axe-sword-rock thing into the dragon knocking it away.

...Only for the dragon to stand back up practically unfazed and without a scratch on him. Archer could barely make out lights forming the silhouette of a rabbit and an ox in each eye respectively. Then becoming a blur to even Archer, the dragon slammed into Heracles with enough force to send the hero flying even farther than he sent the dragon.

"Okay. Not having ANY of this." Archer said as pulled out Caladbolg and pulled it back as Illya stared at where her Servant was sent flying with wide eyes and a gaping mouth.

The broken phantasm hit the dragon and exploded with devastating force.

"Did- did that get him?" Shirou couldn't help but ask.

Suddenly a pair of yellow beams shot out from the smoke and at Saber who barely managed to deflect it. The glow of the dragon's red eyes pierced through the smoke as it walked out unharmed.

"What the hell are you?!" Was the panicked scream of Rin.

"I am the Ultimate Evil. I am the Apocalypse of which Legends Speak. But the most prominent role right now to both you and my resurrection, I am your executioner!" Shendu roared.

---

The Newest Raid Boss by smartidi0t

It goes without saying that Archer, the King of Heroes, Gilgamesh, was used to being envied, despised, or inspiring an air of awe at his mere presence. I mean, look at him! While his looks alone were really all that was needed to satisfy those three reactions, for those that could somehow ignore his perfect features would instead look to his glorious treasures.

Again, who could blame them? When you owned all, of course others wanted a piece of it. However, let's make one thing clear, you do not and will not ever touch, look upon, or even think about possessing or holding his treasures okay? That's a big no-no and he's very good at telling people off for it. I mean, how do you stop a portal to his massive vault from opening practically anywhere he wants it to open and then shooting a six foot spear at Mach 7? Anybody in the right sane of mind would obviously back the fuck off.

Unfortunate then that the King of Heroes found himself in a barren wasteland of a rock floating along in space filled with nothing but the most insane lunatics he's ever had the displeasure of laying his eyes on.

"No you cannot loot my vault!"

The King yelled in frustration sending out a legendary sword at insane speed that impaled a dwarf-sized man with worn clothing, a spiky goatee, two bulky looking shotguns in each hand, and a dying smile as his body burst into digital bits.

Now, you'd think the King would have a moment to chill having killed somebody, until you factored in the other five surrounding and firing upon his form incessantly. And, just like the dead dwarf who can be spotted a distance away reforming by those same digital bits, every single one of them, except for one who had an ominous black mask, had an insane hungry look in their eyes. Genuine enjoyment and pure insanity across a woman with supernatural powers, a man of some military status, the masked assassin, a literal teenage girl with a floating robot, and a straight-up psycho screaming nonstop. Don't forget the dwarf rejoining the fight, very important detail that.

As for the King, well, for the first time that he would never admit out loud but at least to himself, he was tired. For once, praying for a god to bring him back to his home.

"I'm the conductor of the poop train! You're going to be my new meat bicycle!"

---

The Faker and The Cog by MultiverseGamer2099

"Domain Expansion"

Those were the words of the Assissan X, as Saber, Shirou and Archer turn to the X Servant, with a handsign as Archer Reality Marble is clashing with the Assissain X Domain Expansion, Prana and Curse energy clashing together.

"Assissan X, what are you-" Saber exclaims to her ally before being cut off.

"I'm sorry Shirou, but can you let me fight him first" Assissan X asks to his friend and Master of the war.

Shirou gives a glances at Assissan X as he seeing that he was staring at Archer intensely before walking towards Shirou side, Archer who in turn glances back at the Sorcerer turn Servant with a raised eyebrow.

"The way this guy acts…."

Unknown to natives of this world, seeing Reality Marble clashing with the Domain, for Assissan X the way Archer spoke to Shirou ideals, hit a nerve for Assissan X, as the worst memories of his life came floating back.

"Junpei"

Memories of a friend dying in front of him and two sinister laughter enjoying his despair and inability to save him.

" Nanami…."

"I leave the rest to you.."

the last words of his mentor before seeing him being killed by the special grade cursed spirit, in front of his eyes once again showing his inability to save those closest to him

"Kugisaki…"

" Tell everyone this for me….I had pretty good life"

Her last words with a smile to her teammate before dying in front of him by the one who killed his mentor…

"Fushigiro…"

"Don't you remember…. We be seeing something intersting didn't I say that…."

"

Brat"

Seeing his friend now possed by him enjoying the look of despair on his face as his friend was no longer there.

"Gojo-Sensei"

"You did well Gojo Satrou, I won't forget you as long as I live"

Although from he was from a distance he saw his sensei.. lost the battle to the person who broke his Ideals time and time again…

Where Shriou sees Archer stands on a hill of swords, for Assissan X he's sees area filled with ocean of blood with a tower of bones and on that throne made of bones was him… with a smirk and laughter enjoying his weakness…

But….

"When I was little, I wanted to be a hero."

"But when you grow up, it's hard to call yourself one."

"I wish I had realized that sooner."

"Then I guess you'll never be one, huh?"

"No, I never will…"

"Fine, Since you can't do it, I'll be one for you"

"You're an adult now, so you can't do it anymore, but I still can.

"Leave your dream to me"

The memories of his friend past and promise to his adoptive father and the final smile before his passing, brought back the memories of the last words of a family member long since passed, in which felt like a life time ago…

"You're a strong kid, so try to help others. Save the people you can, even if it's only those closest to you. It's okay if you lose your way, and don't worry about whether they'll thank you or not. Just save as many as you can, even if you could only save one."

"When you die, you should be surrounded by people. Don't end up like me"

Reminding him why he still fights on and keeps moving on foward..

"….Goes against everything I have fought for!"

Noticing the expression that his servant…no his friend, was giving, he wouldn't accept a no, Shirou gives a understanding nod to him, and let's him walk foward towards Archer

Servant against Sorcerer, Bowman against Shaman, Reality Marble against Domain Expansion….

Taking a battle stance with his fists filled with cursed energy, and if one paid close attention, black sparks flickering around he's fists, as his opponent summons his black and white swords.

The clash between Yuji itadori, Strongest Sorcerer of Tomrrow, and Heroric Spirit EMIYA, Counter Guardian of Alaya

Begins.

---

Sisters & Flowers by Phoenixofflame

"Come again" the cashier called out behind them as Sakura Matou and Caster X left the gardening store carrying a bag full of everything a child gardener would need to start on the road to start on the path of becoming a real gardener.

Sakura breathed out in relief. Watching Mei so convincingly playact the child she looked like was oddly disturbing. But it's over no-"Thank you for buying all this for me, big sister" Caster X said with a big smile on her face "I really love it!"

Sakura gave her a pointed look and said "Mei you can stop now." a bit harsher then she intended. Mei looked up at her eyes looking for something on Sakura's face "Have I upset you Sakura?" Mei asked as she reached for her hand "If I have then I truly apologize for it". Her thoughts practically radiating with sincerity. Sakura turned away from her and replied "No it's not a big deal I'm just making a mountain out of a mole hill".

"If it truly not a big deal Sakura then it should be easy to fix if we talk about it wouldn't you agree?"

Sakura could almost hear the smirk on her lips. "You can surprisingly stubborn you know that?" "Only when it really matters" Mei replied "and making sure I'm not hurting you accidentally matters to me. Just like if you upset me it would matter to you."

"Fine, but it wasn't that I upset, more that I was confused."

Sakura answered "If I was trapped in a 8 year olds body I wouldn't like pretending to be one. When you kept doing it threw me off a bit. See just me being silly." She said with a giggle that Mei believed was fake.

"I don't think I ever told you about Hōko." Mei said as the 2 started walking back. "Hōko?" Sakura asked. A few days ago Mei used her presence detection found out about the crest worms and ask Sakura about them. At the time she panicked. Someone finding out about what happened to her and how sick and twisted it made her was one of her biggest fears but Mei managed to calm her down. To explain something similar happened to her and it didn't make either of them sick or twisted.

If Mei was going to explain more about her painful past then she deserved her full attention.

"Yes when I escaped from the prison Rien kept me in I was found by a man named Hōko. He had lost his wife and daughter and wanted something to fill that void. So he decided to adopt me. At first I found acting like his child to be profoundly demeaning but it was nothing compared what would happen if Rien found me again so I did what I had to do"

"But over time we both changed Hōko started treating me less like his lost child and more like my own person. While as I grew to trust Hōko I slowly found that acting as his child felt less a demeaning necessity and more like a break from the responsibilities and struggles of life. That I could trust him to take care of the important things well I lived a happy life.

"I see"

Sakura said and she did. It was easy to see how Mei's relationship with this Hōko was similar to hers with senpai Emiya. It wasn't the same of course. She wasn't pretending to be younger than she was and he wasn't trying to replace a lost family member with her but she knew how much she has come to value her time at the Emiya household. Away from her grandfather and brother were she could pretend to be a normal teenage girl.

And that's what the problem was Sakura realized. Her relationship with Mei was built on their mutual understanding of each other but she couldn't see herself in the happy go lucky girl Mei was pretending to be.
Now she can.

"Let's go little sister, I would love to see what kind of flowers you will grow."

---

The Final Hero of Humanity by Narsausce

Assassin X felt the presence of the Servant before he saw it. Granted, he knew this location was a decoy, Kiritsugu was far out of harm's way and at a completely different vantage point, but the fact that a servant found that decoy spot so quickly was indeed cause for alarm. The fact that he snuck up on him almost felt like a mark on Assassin X's pride as a ninja.

Granted, it wasn't like the servant was trying to hide. Or maybe the servant had hidden and only now revealed themselves. Which of the two was more worrying? The Copy Ninja couldn't decide. Either the servant had no desire to conceal their presence due to their power, or they could conceal their power to a degree that any servant of his class would be jealous of.

The new servant rested themselves against a nearby wall to where his copy lay prone. He, or so Assassin X assumed, had a masculine frame and stood head and shoulders taller than himself. The armour the servant wore was iridescent, the colour of the metal… was it metal? It didn't really matter, the colour of the metal flickered, never staying the same shade or hue for more than an instant, never repeating the same colour more than once.

"Hello there," the masculine voice of the new servant wasn't overly threatening. While he was looking at the doppelgänger Kiritsugu, Assassin X could feel that this new servant knew of his presence, "Looking at the fight?"

"He's too casual, far too casual," Assassin X thought as he slowly moved up behind the newcomer, "Kiritsugu, I'm going to move in on this servant."

"Gotta say, you move pretty quietly. And the decoy's a nice touch," Assassin X froze mid-step, kunai half drawn as the other servant continued to lean against the wall, "I suppose that's to be expected. If I had to guess," a hand came up and stroked the chin area of the helmet, "Assassin X?"

Assassin X sighed, and the shadow-cloned version of Kiritsugu disappeared in a puff of smoke, "You're right." the shinobi muttered, "What gave me away?"

"The fact you look like a ninja, mostly," the armoured servant shrugged, "Guess it's rude to pry as much as I have. Archer X. Lancer's partener."

"Assassin X, have you dealt with the servant?" Kiritsugu's voice echoed through their mental link.

"Not yet," he replied, "Whoever this guy is, he feels a bit off. He saw through my Presence Concealment quickly enough, and my Sharingan… I get the feeling that activating it might be a bad idea."

"If the situation starts to go poorly, withdraw, and we will come up with another angle,"

Kiritsugu said. Assassin X nodded to himself. The order was well-meaning, especially as they were dealing with a potentially dangerous enemy.

"You're friend down there should watch out," Archer X idley commented, "She's paying too much attention to Red, but Yellow is just as dangerous."

"Are you… are you giving me hints?" Assassin X paused.

"Something or another, yeah," the iridescent man pushed himself off the wall he was leaning on, "Besides, knowing the tonnage of the Ketch that's bombarding you only does so much. It's like giving someone the advice of "don't get shot." In the end, it just reinforces what you know."

"Saber, both spears are dangerous," Assassin X quickly relayed the information, "Be careful."

"I will."

His partner replied over their shared link.

"I must wonder why an Archer would choose to engage their enemy in close quarters," Assassin X thought aloud as his attention refocused, "It goes against your class' inclinations, does it not?"

"Back atcha, pal," Archer X stood with his hands on the belt at his waist. Assassin X noticed the gun at his hip but overall didn't pay it much mind, "The only Assassins I know who were willing to fight out in the open like this were the type to favour the "no one left to notice" approach to the assassination. You don't look like that kind of person, no offence."

"None taken," the Copy Ninja nodded, "I guess we're both a bit odd, aren't we?"

"I suppose we are," the Archer across from him laughed, "So. Are we going to fight?"

Assassin X didn't respond, not verbally anyway, instead raising his kunai, but Archer didn't react. He didn't shift his hand toward his gun, nor did he adopt a combative stance.

"Looks like these people might make this Grail War thing fun," Archer X smiled inwardly as sparks of Arc light flooded out from him, "Sucks to be you, Kayneth, but I like to at least have a little fun."

Archer X's master had been very adamant about eliminating opposing servants. Something, something, kill them quickly, something, something, whatever is needed to win, something, something, I want the cup. And while such an act of targeted execution wouldn't be difficult for the Guardian, the stakes weren't high enough for him to put on his serious mask. Maybe if some jackass tries to pull something a la Oryx or The Witness, he'll put on his serious face, but this was a chance to have some genuine fun.

Kakashi looked over his opponent's lax stance. Neither he nor Archer X seemed willing to make the first move. Fortunately, "Assassin X" didn't have to. A shadow clone threw itself up from below, launching a trio of kunai at the other servant. Archer X's hand flashed to the gun at his waist and in a barely perceptible instant, three kunai were knocked from the air and the shadow clone was eliminated with a deadly precision. But that was enough of an opening.

Unfortunately, as Assassin X's own kunai raced for his Archer opponent's neck, he realized exactly why the cloaked servant was so lax. Because in speed that surpassed his own, two knives, though Kakashi had to admit they looked more like small machetes, leapt to Archer X's hands and locked the blade in place.

"Neat trick," Wolf smirked beneath his helmet, "Guess that was the same thing you used to disguise as the sniper, right?"

"You seem to be quite the observant man," Assassin X grunted, breaking the stalemate with a kick flip striking at Archer X's chest, "I figured no one would've noticed."

"Everyone thinks their tricks are something no-one else will ever figure out," Archer X delivered a few quick stabs, though Kakashi was barely just able to avoid them, "Funny thing is, they also tend to get a bit off balance once you do figure out their tricks. Making those clones weakens you, doesn't it?"

"Damn it," the cop ninja cursed, dodging a throwing knife as it sailed by his face, "Master, we may have a problem."

"What?"

Kiritsugu didn't hesitate, immediately turning serious. Assassin X didn't seem like the kind of individual to say "there's an issue" without good reason.

"Well, Archer X- shit," the link was filled with various silent profanities for a second, "That was way too many knives. I think he can create them."

"Assassin X."

"Right, he figured out that my Shadow Clone Jutsu requires a split off a piece of my mana every time I use it, after observing it twice,"

the Assassin Servant replied, "And I don't know how much effort he's putting into this fight."

Kiritsugu frowned. A servant not taking another servant seriously isn't uncommon, many servants can be arrogant. But if it wasn't arrogance… Well, that was possible, but unlikely. Heroes of legend are all, to an extent, personalities, grand, ego filled personalities. To have one that isn't arrogant and still not taking their opponent seriously…

That spoke to a level of power that Kiritsugu didn't really want to think about, especially when the wielder of that power stands in opposition to them.

"Just our luck…" the Magus Killer thought to himself as he glanced upwards into the sky, noting the flying shape above them, "Saber, Assassin X, it appears there are other Servants nearby. One is currently circling overhead."

"Understood, Master,"

both his servants responded, though Assassin responded noticeably quicker than his partner. Perhaps due to the urgency of his combat as opposed to Saber's. Speaking of which…

Saber deflected another blow from the shorter of the two spears. Assassin X's tip had not gone to waste, and her attention on ensuring neither spear touched her was doubled. Unfortunately Archer X had not relayed information pertaining to their abilities, but knowing both had some form of danger attached to them was enough for Saber to know to not fall for trickery.

"Your skills are admirable, Saber," Lancer complimented, three more thrusts directed her way, parried by Excalibur's blade. It had taken her some time, yes, but she had deducted the purpose of the first spear. To cease magic. Where Excalibur met the spear, Invisible Air temporarily dispersed, though it was quick to return. And while the second spear couldn't get through her armour, she presumed it to be no less dangerous than the first.

She cursed inwardly. While the duel between her and Lancer was something she found value in, single combat and testing one's skills, fighting an opponent with both longer reach, and more weapons than yourself was very tedious.

She parried another swipe of the short spear, dodging a thrust of its longer partner as she swiped her own blade at Lancer's torso, but he demonstrated agility, befitting his class, fading backwards just barely out of her reach.

"I will say the same to you, Lancer. You honour me with this duel," Saber said as the two paced around each other, barely out of each other's range, the battle itself having stalled a slight bit as they circled. Irisveal was still behind her, which was good, and she could trust that Lancer wouldn't go out of his way to attack her, especially not when they were both intent on fighting each other.

The area around them was faring much worse than either of them. The concrete floor was torn up, a few shipping containers were pulverized. And while the shipping yard looked considerably worse for wear, it was still holding up.

Nearby, a pile of shipping containers collapsed in on themselves, weakened from the strikes.

It seems as if the yard was holding up slightly worse than initially assessed. Saber mentally noted the damage but dismissed it as a concern. The area was unpopulated, and no bystanders would get hurt in the clashes, so being a bit less worried about collateral was okay.

Then Assassin X was flung over a mound of containers like a ragdoll, landing in a crouch with a pair of kunai drawn. His Sharingan was active, and it looked like he'd been stressing it for a bit.

"Assassin X?" Saber's thoughts were full of worry as her partner disengaged back to her side, "Is something the matter? Did Archer X-"

"He's just toying with me,"

Assassin X's response was curt and almost breathless if he was actually speaking from his mouth, that is, "He's a damn Archer, and I've only seen him use that gun a single damn time."

"And your

Sharingan?" Kiritsugu asked. There was little concern in his voice, but what replaced it was cold, analytical pragmatism. Saber did not like that as much, "I thought you said activating it would be a bad idea?"

"That's because it was. It's like I'm staring at a miniature sun,"

Kakashi confirmed, "But it's probably the only thing keeping me alive right now. I can't predict him, not to any meaningful degree. It's probably something to do with his legend. But his gun, whatever lightning he's been throwing off, and his speed… it's not magic; it's something else, and I can't make heads or tails of it."

Speaking of, Archer X had leapt over the containers from where Assassin X was thrown, landing near to Lancer. Saber noted that his posture was still as somewhat lax as Assassin X had described. His hands held two forearm-sized knives, the blades both wicked sharp, curving towards the end, with a sharp-looking hook on the backside of the blade. Like Assassin X had described, his armour was iridescent, almost glowing. His cloak was similarly bright, with a symbol Saber was unfamiliar with etched upon it, and something akin to a wreath of branches atop the hood covering his helmet.

It was all in stark contrast to Lancer's simple green attire and stood out immensely.

"Hello Saber," the cloaked man said with an incline in his head, "I see you and Lancer have gotten acquainted. Enjoying your duel?"

"I assume better than my partner with you," Saber replied, "Assassin X has told me he believes you're toying with him. Are you so arrogant to believe that fellow heroic spirits do not deserve your best?"

There was a brief instance of silence before Archer X barked a laugh, "Ha! No, no, not that," the cloaked hunter shook his head, "See, alone, if I didn't pull my punches, Assassin X here wouldn't be here any more. But the two of you? Maybe a third? Then I can go all out and we can have a fair fight. Trust me, Saber, I'm only keeping my cards close because using them would close this war out a bit too early."

Archer X paused, "Well, that and they'd cause untold destruction around the planet, and I quite like this little blue marble. Spent my life fighting for the place I call home, I'm not about to trash it to win a cup."

"So you admit to toying with my partner?" Saber's glare intensified, "I'll not stand by as you mock another heroic servant! Especially not my partner."

"Saber, you really don-"

"Let me have this, Kakashi,"

Artoria cut her partner off.

"Never said I was toying with him but hey, if you want to test it out," Archer X 's knives quickly returned to hidden sheaths as Ergo Sum materialized into his hand and he pointed the tip of the blade at Saber, "Be my guest and judge for yourself."

"Water Sytle: Water Dragon Jutsu!" Assassin X intoned, causing the river water to rise up in the form of a serpentine dragon.

"Just my type of fight," Archer X smiled to himself, "Once more, unto the breach."

---

Sometime later

Gandalf was sure the children were safe. With the assistance of Assassin X and Saber, the trio had bought more than enough breathing room. Perhaps not enough to speed them to safety quickly, but enough that they did not have to look over their backs to ensure that their charges were still alive.

Glamdring swung down, bisecting a horror as Caster X spoke a quick word in Quenya, bathing another few of the tentacled monsters in flame. His reserves were slowly depleting, though the load had lightened considerably.

Though more still came. His counterpart, Caster, seemed to summon these horrors with no real tax to himself. It was disconcerting how many and at what rate the madman could call forth his foul abominations.

More came still, the insane cackling of Caster heeding the ever-flowing tide of tentacles. This tide was bigger than the last few. Caster X had no doubt they would hold—but only barely.

Then, three things happened at once. Red and yellow flashes struck at the right flank as a man in green pierced several monsters. A grey blur on the left flank diced up the encroaching horde. Finally, a bolt of fire struck a single horror in the center pack, causing the beast to erupt in bright sunlight, consuming those around it and igniting them in a fireworks display that rivalled his own.

Saber X, Lancer and Archer X had made their appearance known.

"Seems we're a bit late," Archer X commented as he landed in front of the group, twirling an odd metal weapon to his hip. It glowed like the sun and seemed red hot, but the Hunter seemed to have no indication of caring, "My apologies."

"Quite the inspiring sight, Saber," Lancer complimented, "Though your swordsmanship is a tad lacking, your tenacity upholds your virtue."

"Here I thought the flirting was a one time thing," Saber X muttered. His counterpart Saber looked annoyed at him for the comment, but huffed and squared back off towards the horrors.

Across the field, Caster's mouth hung open, making him look even more like a fish than usual, then it closed into a snarl, "Who are you people?!" He yelled in fury. "What gives you the right to intrude?!"

"I have every right." The tone Archer X took was severe and deadly serious, "You attacked these children. You took them from their homes, their families, their friends. You made threats towards their wellbeing and their lives."

"What right do I have to intrude?" The sky crackled with thunder and lightning as a storm that had not existed a moment ago began to form, "I am a Guardian of Sol. That is all the right I need."

"Saber, that storm is getting big." Kakashi's Sharingan was open, staring at the sky, "Archer X seems to be controlling it. I wonder if this is another one of his noble phantasms?"

"It would be useful if it could finish Caster off,"

Saber commented back.

"I am The Young Wolf. I am the bane of The Osmium Dynasty. I am the Scourge of the Black Fleet. I am the Shield of Earth! I am the Scion of the Traveler!" Archer X continued, the storm crackling with every word said and every step taken. Caster X noted that his counterpart was still summoning horrors, but none made it particularly far, as lightning struck them, rendering them into ash.

"Damn," Saber X whistled, "With a storm this big, I'd expect to be hit at least once. Or soaked. Funny to see luck being on my side this time."

"I am the Final Hero of Humanity. And you will not see the end of this war," Archer X growled, and as the storm raged, wiping out hordes and hoards of the horrors summoned by Caster, the Servant turned to his compatriots, "For the record, Assassin X, I was going easy on you. I apologize for any issues such a revelation will cause."

"No issues," Assassin X waved his hands, "None whatsoever. It's safe for me to get these kids out of here, yes?"

Archer X nodded, then turned back to face the oncoming hordes. He walked through them unimpeded as the fish-eyed Caster made a retreat, his spellbook summoning more and more in a desperate attempt to keep him safe.

Author's Note (Narsausce): Not the longest thing I've written, but hey, these were just some short highlights of things I think might've happened in a Paradox Grail war should The Young Wolf have been summoned. Would've done this in the 5th war, but I wasn't sure who exactly was going to be summoned by who. If anything I'll do another short highlight thing when that comes out.

---

The Shadow of The Valley by Kamenmaximus

Sola-Ui Nuada-Re Sophia-Ri blearily opened her eyes to sunlight filtering through the blinds. She sits up, careful to stay quiet and not wake her fiance who was still asleep. She looks back at Kayeth and sighs. After last night's summoning, he had been complaining about his plans being ruined, having to use his second pick Servant and getting some "Yankie gun-toter" as his unexpected "X" Servant. She had mostly just nodded along to his rant, aware that both his Servants probably heard it as well. Honestly, that man could be so irritating at times, always so ready to blame others for every inconvenience. Never mind that she had to be dragged along on his little crusade in this "backwater" country. Though he had promised her that his victory would be assured, the presence of servants, especially 14 instead of the expected 7, was more than enough to make her weary of her safety. As she sits in though, she hears a sound from the suite, a sizzling noise. She quietly opens the door and investigates, walking through the luxury hotel room and towards the kitchenette area. Standing in front of the stove, hand firmly holding the handle of a skillet in one hand and a spatula in another was a man wearing a dark brown duster over sand-colored armor and similarly colored pants, he had his helmet off, revealing a slightly tanned face with sharp features, short and straight brown hair, short stubble, and gentle green eyes. While not as attractive as the stunningly beautiful Lancer, Archer X was certainly not bad looking. He noticed her and greeted her.

"Ah, Miss Nuada-Re! Good morning! You're just in time, I finished breakfast." He takes the skillet off the stove and uses the spatula to deposit the four perfectly done eggs onto four plates which already have bacon and pancakes on them, a classic American breakfast.

"Thank you, Archer X. I must say, I didn't expect anyone to be making breakfast." She said politely.

"Yeah, well, the hotel probably offers breakfast, but I doubt my master would be very satisfied with it. So I figured why not make a good first impression?" Archer X said with a smile, one the Sola-Ui couldn't help but return. "We should probably wait till everyone's here, wouldn't want Master knowing we started without him. Also Don't know were Lancer is, I went out last night to set up and he was astralized when I came back." The mention of her fiance made her smile lessen slightly. He would probably frown at the Servants eating, a waste of resources or such. Familiars they may be, is it really too much of a hassle to let them pretend to be human? It's not like her or Kayeth are strapped for cash.

"Actually, Archer X, Maybe you should eat now. Kayeth might not approve of you eating with us. Not that I have any problem with that!" She hastily corrected.

Archer X's face shifts into a contemplative expression that Sola-Ui can't seem to read before he smiles again. "Yeah, he seems like the type. I'll eat now. But, if it's not too much of a hassle, would you sit with me?"

Sola-Ui hesitated for a moment. Kayeth wouldn't like her socializing with the familiars. But, she looks into Archer X's eyes and sees an almost pleading look in them. What's the harm in humoring the one who will be fighting for them? And besides, Kayeth won't be waking for a while. "Sure, Archer X." She says, taking a seat at the table.

Archer X takes his seat. "Please, just call me Randall."

Many days later

Sola-Ui pants heavily, pain unlike she has ever felt flowing through her body. Lancer was dead, Kayeth was dead, Archer X was and soon she would be dead. She looks around the area, desperate for any hope of survival. The Magus Killer's Servants stand stunned over the actions of their master, but make no move to stop him now. The Magus Killer gained his name for a reason, he had killed people like her for years, she was just another loose end for him She closes her eyes in acceptance, and waits for death.

BANG BANG BANG

Three shots ring out, she hears movement behind her before she is suddenly grabbed and lifted off the ground. She barely has time to process what's happening before she is pulled into one of the nearby buildings. Her surroundings quickly shift before she tumbles onto the ground. She looks around, seeing that she is clearly in a much different place than before.

"Hhhrk!" She hears a sudden wrenching sound and looks to see Archer X kneeling in front of her, one arm clutching his bleeding chest, wounds that she thought had killed him in the prior fight.

"Randall!" She tries to reach her Servant, but her wounds ache in violent protest. Archer X-Randall sees this and pulls something from his jacket, a syringe of red liquid. He injects it into her arm, making her wince slightly before her pain begins to dull and lessen. Randall sighs in relief and falls backwards. "I-I thought you were dead."

"Yeah, I did too for a bit. Think I still am. But I'm used to toughing it out till the end." He grabs the edge of his helmet before wrenching it off his head, revealing his face, stained with blood. Sola-Ui starts to get up to help him but he puts a hand up to stop her. "Don't, nothing you can do for me anymore. Command seals are dead with Kayeth, only my endurance and dwindling Independent action keeping me here. Besides, there's no point. I think we both know we don't stand a chance of getting the grail anymore. And something tells me it was only Kayeth who really wanted it in the first place." That was true, she hadn't really wanted to Grail, it was Kayeth who got the idea that winning it would impress her.

"I-I don't know what I want." Sola-Ui admits. She never had known what she wanted. It was always what her family wanted, or what magus society at large wanted.

Randall puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "We never know what we want from the start. And from what I've seen, and what I've heard, you've never had the chance to look for what you wanted." He reaches back into his pocket and pulls something out, a piece of paper. He looks at it contemplatively " It might come to you quickly, it might never come to you. But you have to look for it or you'll never have the chance to find it." He turns the piece of paper around and hands it to Sola-Ui. "Circumstances kept me from finding what I really wanted till the end, but I have a good feeling about you." Sola-Ui looks down at the paper, it's a postcard, with a faded picture of a beautiful rocky canyon and the words 'Zion Valley' on the top. She looks back at Randall. "You don't got any obligations left with Kayeth dead, and it will take your family a while to find something to do with you. Should be enough time for you to find the guts to tell them to rightly fuck off." He says with a chuckle. "I'd recommend starting there, it's where I found my purpose, maybe it'll help you find yours."

Sola-Ui looks back up at Randall, noticing the tips of his fingers fading into golden dust. Tears well up in her eyes and she gives a broken smile. "T-thank you, Randall." she says with more sincerity than she thinks she has ever had in her life.

Randall Smiles back. "It was no problem, Miss. I will say, It was a little fun when it wasn't just fighting. But in the end, this was just another damn war," He closes his eyes and lets go, fading away. "And war never changes." He says, as he disappears completely. In the distance, the sun begins to rise. Sola-Ui stands up, for the first time in her life feeling truly confident about something. She'd find her purpose, one for her and no one else. And now she had a place to start.

Author's Note (Kamenmaximus): So, I was able to get another of these out of my brain. This one is a little different from the last, being more in line with a plotpoint from a potential story I'm thinking up, simplified and shortened down into a package I think is pretty satisfying. So, I hope you enjoy.

---

The Kings Burden and The Shield Duty by MultiverseGamer2099

"Apologizes Iskander, but on that I have to disagree" Was the responds from the Rider servant partner.

Originally Saber X had remained mostly kept to himself, while there were a couple snarks towards the Archer and Rider X servant, Saber X did mostly remained quiet or at the very least kept his response short.

At the beginning of this Banquet, Servants both of this world and others have been sharing their wishes, Assissan X wanting to return to fix his mistakes, Berserker X wanting battle for sake of the life and death situation, Lancer wish to fulfill his duty correctly as a knight, which he respected since he did admire knights when he was younger, Archer arrogant proclaimed to regain the grail that was rightly his, and the Rider's wish to conquer the worlds (In his partner case Re conquer) and his own, to have Joshua and even Dion survive the final battle against Ultima.

But when the Saber told her wish to save Britan from it's fate, it brought some memories back...

The smell of ashes and roaring flames, the sound of battle before crashing onto the ground, the dying breaths of a bird getting mauled by a fiery demon biting the birds thoart-

The night of flames, the moment that brought the destruction of the kingdom of Rosaria, The death of his Father, and, atleast at the time, The death of the Phoenix and of his Young Brother Joshua,

He could understand, by the founder he would done the same if it meant to save Rosaria and his brother in the past, so of course he can understand why the King of Knights would want that.

"What you say may be indeed correct"

If Saber X paid attention to saber, the slight hope from her eyes did died a bit before he continued looking at his allied servant

"While you may have a point, that she tried to be a martry to her people-"

"So you agreed with me then? Cid?" The Rider asks his X servant

"Only to that part, the rest I disagreed with, While you claim they way of Kingship is wrong to you, then the way of you kingship is wrong to me" Then Saber X turned to his counterpart.

Memories of the Dominant of Titan, and his rulling of power with the lands of the Dhalmekian Republic and the empty village and castle as well as the people turned akashic in the kingdom of Waloed as the Dominant of Odin strive for goals of his "god"

"While the way of your kingship is not wrong but it also not right, a King cannot just be a martry to their beliefs if they do the burden they carry will be too much for them to handle alone...you were a king that was needed for you time yet you carry that duty by yourself" Saber X exclaims to the King of Britan and while giving a bit of a disspointed look to King of Conquers

"But I will ask, will nothing dissuade you from you wish King of Britain?" Saber X questions to the King of Knights

Saber gives her counterpart a determined look seeing as Saber X did not diminish her wish unlike his partner servant and responds "No I shall not, for that is my duty for my people"

The other Saber then nods before giving a small if not barely visble smile to her "then do not carry that duty alone, you had your knights and the people to help you, did you not? let them help you carry that burden as well. Let the faith of the people understand that a even a king is human as well"

Faces came to mind that helped him his Journey, The late Cid, Gav, Jill, Tourgal, Joshua and Dion along with the rest of the bears of the Hideaway helped him get to the end with Ultima.

The Ninja of Konoha, then looked at the Dominant turned servant and asked "Then were you King, Cid? To put this much effort to side with a fellow king?"

"Cid is just a alias I taken up from a friend Kakashi Hatake, and no I never was burden to be a king"

Though a slight heistation at first before gaining his resolve and giving the salute that Sir Wade and the rest guardians of the flame gave to him

"My true name is, Clive Rosfield, Former Prince Of Rosaria and Shield to the Phoenix"

Author's Note (MultiverseGamer2099): Here's one I personally actually wanted to do justice with the Banquet part of the story, Since Clive was not a King but did a carry a burden similar towards it, having the faith of the bearers and remaining Dominants to lead to a better future and to fight for them, I can see him understand the views on Artoria, similar to what he seen and heard for Dion and especially to Joshua, main reason why he became his shield was to help carry that burden, because the weigh it carries can and will crush the person will, and as well acknowledged the view of Iskander albeit begrudgingly, since ya know Kuppka and Barnabas, albeit the latter bassically sacrifice most of his kingdom to become akashic

Ironically enough Clive would probably have some tension with Gillgamesh, although he's not the same as Ultima, the parts where claiming everything is the word is his treasures, is similar enough to Ultima saying the humans are his creation to obey his will

If the wording feels off, I apologize since this took a bit and effort and type most of this on a phone,

Anyways hope this another good one, got many ideas for shorts just gotta flesh them out.

---

THE OWL by Emissary of Stuff

"Come forth from the circle of binding, guardian of the scales!"

With these words, Kiritsugu Emiya completed the chant for the Servant Summoning. As soon as the blinding light that followed was gone, he would have his Servant, King Arthur and with his power, make his wish upon the Holy Grail: to save the world.

Yet, when the light faded, he did not lay eyes on the King of Knights. Instead, his vision was filled with smoke.

"Who are you?!", a female voice suddenly exclaimed from within the smoke.

The distinct sound of two metallic objects colliding echoed throughout the chapel. Kiritsugu readied his firearms and magic circuits. Irisviel made to take cover.

But before either of them could finish, two things happened.

First, the smoke was cleared in a burst of wind.

And second, a blue blur rushed in front of Irisviel.

Yet another metallic sound and the blur stopped moving. The figure that Kiritsugu beheld appeared both gallant and delicate, a young woman or perhaps even girl, dressed in ornate armor and resolutely holding what appeared to be an invisible blade.

It was a perplexing sight.

It was also insignificant, next to the small, sharp object embedded into the wall, that the girl had just deflected.

A Shuriken. Which had been aimed directly at his wife.

Enraged, Kiritsugu directed his eyes at the offender, now visible with the smoke gone.

A large man, with a sleeveless coat of feathers hanging over his shoulders, wearing archaic Japanese clothing, chain mail and large Nodachi in his hand. He was noticeably old, his face full of wrinkles, his well-kept beard and hair stark white.

The man was undoubtedly a Servant. That much was clear from the aura he exuded. Regardless, Kiritsugu aimed his gun at him. Whatever disparity in power might exist between them, he could not afford to show vulnerability towards a suspicious stranger, least of all one who had attacked Irisviel.

The girl, also a Servant, joined him in pointing her weapon at the old man. But any question, demand or accusation they had, became stuck in their throats, following the man`s next action.

He threw himself to the ground and bowed before them.

"Forgive this old fool!", he cried.

"The warrior spirit of that knight was so frightening, I acted thoughtlessly! I promise you, I am your Servant, Master!"

"Cur!", the knight shouted in response, "You target a defenseless lady to save yourself, then hide behind fear as an excuse? Such cowardly actions are hardly befitting of a Heroic Spirit!"

"I ask for leniency, lady knight. I am a mere shinobi, we are cowards by nature, I am afraid", came the swift reply of the old man.

"Why do you say that you are my Servant? Is it not her?", Kiritsugu interjected, inserting himself into the conversation.

As much as he hated to look past the attempt on Irisviel`s life, his mission still took priority above all else. He had to put his emotions aside and understand the situation rationally.

"I believe it is better if the knight explains it", the old man said with a nod towards her.

She grit her teeth, visibly dissatisfied, but still obliged:" This Holy Grail War is a bit special. Not only will there be two Servants of all classes, one of each originates from the history of a different reality. Loath as I am to admit it, that man is both your Servant and my partner. The proof is the shape on your left hand"

Kiritsugu looked at the back of his left hand and saw the change: there were now Command Seals that resembled feathered wings, as though they had always been there.

"That said", the knight continued," that is hardly grounds to let him get away with what he has done. We might be at a disadvantage with just a single Servant, but I am more than ready to bear that burden and surely, someone this untrustworthy will be a greater issue. I suggest you cut his contract right now"

Kiritsugu contemplated it for a moment and quickly gave his response:" I…appreciate your concern towards my wife. But we can`t afford to lose and need every advantage we can get. I`m not going to sever his contract quite yet"

"But-"

"It`s fine", Irisviel interrupted, speaking up for the first time," I`m ready to put my life on the line and we really have to win. Please, let this go"

The knight huffed," Hmph. Very well, if you insist, I shall try to cooperate with this man. Don`t expect much more of me though"

A relieved sigh could be heard from the old man:" Many thanks for your mercy, all of you!"

"I can still change my mind. Tell us your name and class", demanded Kiritsugu.

"That I shall", replied the old man. His tone had changed completely, now confident, giving the impression of an experienced warrior who had seen all there was to see in his years," I am the Assassin X of this Grail War, the one known as Owl. And I assure you, this old bird has but one desire: to ensure that the Grail reaches worthy hands"

"…Fine. Stand up, Assassin"

Kiritsugu still felt uncertain. Assassin was the class that suited him the best and even if he couldn`t truly trust Owl, surely he could count on him cooperating to reach the Grail. Yet, there was a palpable sense of unease when looking at this Servant. He wasn`t going to sever the contract, but it was an option he would certainly keep in the back of his mind.

By now, the Owl had stepped in front of Kiritsugu, letting the latter get a better view of the former`s imposing height. Assassin X spoke once more:

"Shall we begin?"

---

The Saber was a supremely powerful Servant. Her technique lacked little even in comparison to Isshin and despite her small size, her strength was equal if not greater. But much like Genichiro, she was young and brash. Further, judging from the way she rushed to that woman`s aid and from how outraged she became, she was quite idealistic as well. Regardless of what power she possessed and what strong fronts she put up, she would certainly present an opening with time.

His so-called Master on the other hand, was clearly more pragmatic and kept his cards close to his chest. It would take more time to fully comprehend him and how to control him. In the meantime, he`d have to play the part of the faithful ally to mitigate any risk of his Master choosing to sever the contract or use his Command Seals to force him into suicide.

As for the other Servants, there were certain to be many powerful heroes among them. But in a Holy Grail War, a battle fought under the veil of night, he held a clear advantage. Further, it would be easy to convince Saber and his Master to throw her at the more combat-oriented enemies. No, his true rival would be the Assassin of this world. But he was confident: the only person that understood him and exceeded his skill was his son and since he had already taken the Assassin X spot, it was highly unlikely that he had been summoned.

Yes, without the Wolf to stop him, he would surely take the Grail for himself.

Usui Ukonzaemon would have the world lying at his feet.

Author's Note (Emissary of Stuff): Frankly, I originally wasn`t planning on participating in this, but inspiration hit me and here we are. For those who don`t know who Owl is, he is a major antagonist of the game Sekiro and the father of the titular character of whom I made a Stat Sheet a while back. For those that have played Sekiro, do you think I got him right?

Either way, I hope you enjoyed!

---

Paradox Carnival: The Majesty of Kings by Enoch228

As the stout Gimli and princely Legolas would surrender their arms to loyal Háma, Doorward of Théoden, there were yet two whose hands would remain firmly idle.

'Truly,' said Aragorn. 'And I would do as the master of the house bade me, were this only a woodman's cot, if I bore now any sword but Andúril.'
'Aye,' said Artoria in agreement. 'As I would too if I bore now any sword but Excalibur.'

'Whatever its name may be,' said Háma, 'here you shall lay it, if you would not fight alone against all the men in Edoras.'

'Not alone!' said Gimli, fingering the blade of his axe, and looking darkly up at the guard, as if he were a young tree that Gimli had a mind to fell. 'Not alone!'

'Come, come!' said Gandalf. 'We are all friends here. Or should be; for the laughter of Mordor will be our only reward, if we quarrel. My errand is pressing. Here at least is my sword, goodman Háma. Keep it well. Glamdring it is called, for the Elves made it long ago. Now let me pass. Come, Aragorn, Artoria!''

Slowly Aragorn unbuckled his belt and himself set his sword upright against the wall. 'Here I set it,' he said; 'but I command you not to touch it, nor to permit any other to lay hand on it. In this Elvish sheath dwells the Blade that was Broken and has been made again. Telchar first wrought it in the deeps of time. Death shall come to any man that draws Elendil's sword save Elendil's heir.'

Then so too did Artoria, whom some knew as Arthur and in the accursed tongue of the enemy was named Altria, unveil her shimmering blade from its scabbard of air
'I too shall now set Excalibur against the Hall, the blade that was birthed from the world itself, whose fair form was wrought by the hands of the fae and sheltered in the bosom of the Lady of the Lake. As I set it beside its cousin in light (if not splendour… cough), know that those who dare to bear it without thought shall see their very being judged for their worth. Only the worthy may wield the Sword of Promised Victory.'

'...'

'...'

And then didst the majesty of Aragorn shine forth as he cast back his shawl to utter once more to the awed and silent Háma
'Aye, and indeed know that within Andúril dwells the light of Sun and Moon within! The Blade of the West within whom the hopes of man doth lie. Know now the majesty of the Blade unrivalled in light and splendour.'

He would utter with an air of regality that bore nothing but complete neutrality as he regarded his sister in royalty... Indeed, no further intent was there but the desire to inform the noble Doorward of his blade's worth.

Fair Artoria would utter with equal neutrality and regality.
'...and of course, mine blade bears within it the light of the planet itself. The light which shields all against threats to the world. Be aware of mine blade's supremacy…'

'...'

'Andúril is certainly far more awesome.'
'Tis not so! Excalibur shines with a brighter light!'
'Oh does it now? Perhaps it'll make for a better torch than a blade then, hmm?'
'Such a childish retort only unveils thine own jealousy.'
'So say you! Only a child would lose a scabbard! What manner of fool does that? A whole scabbard!'
'You bloody wanker!
'Blithering glutton.'
'That's it, EXCALIBUR!'
'ANDÚRIL!'

And so did verdant and lush Edoras, chief abode of the Rohirrim, come to pass as a star blazed forth betwixt its halls for but a moment. The ruins of the site yet smoldering to this day.

Bonus

'Here is the gift of Celeborn and Galadriel to the leader of your Company,' Galadriel said to Aragorn, and she gave him a sheath that had been made to fit his sword. It was overlaid with a tracery of flowers and leaves wrought of silver and gold, and on it were set in elven-runes formed of many gems the name 'Andúril and the lineage of the sword.

'The blade that is drawn from this sheath shall not be stained or broken even in defeat,' she said.

And to this splendorous sight did fair and noble Artoria, King of Knights and paragon of chivalry, utter but these few words.

'What a bloody copycat.'

Author's Note (Enoch228): I... I don't know what to say.

---

Summoning An Ice Queen by Phoenixofflame

EMIYA Counter Guardian and Archer Servant of the Fifth Holy Grail War was hit with multiple surprises the moment he opened his eyes. First off he was summoned in the outdoors instead of inside the Tohsaka Mansion. Second Rin was with Sakura and an older woman he didn't recognize. And third and most importantly there was a Servant here.

She was a young woman wearing a blue and white outfit that seemed to scream high class. Her blue eyes open wide with the same shock he felt as they both jumped back and summoned their weapons. She pulled out a modified reaper with sharpened sides and colored powder in a revolver like chamber on the sword while he armed himself with Kanshou and Bakuya. A Servant he doesn't know wielding a sword he doesn't know? Flat out impossible.

Still he knew what he needs to do. Kill or scare off the mystery Servant all while protecting Rin, Sakura, and the mystery woman. Not the hardest thing he's eve-"Wait stop!" Rin screamed out "I summoned both of you! You aren't enemies!" Archer and the Mystery Servant both turned to at look at girl speaking nonsense while she held out both her hands for them to look. On the back of one hand were his Command Seals. On her other hand were a set of Command Seals in the form of a stylized snowflake.

"I guess we are teammates." the mystery Servant said nervously as she tried to compose herself"My name Weiss Schnne. I'm the Saber X of this war." Raising her hand for him to shake. EMIYA probably looked ridiculous right now. Eyes wide mouth open but he couldn't help himself.'I don't believe my eyes' The Archer Servant thought. 'In no reasonable world should Rin be able to summon 2 Servants.' Rin is a prodigy and no one in the world knew that better then the time displaced Shirou Emiya. Rin believes she is destined for greatness. Shirou doesn't have to believe, he knew.

Which is why he knew that this is plain beyond her. Medea only managed to summon one Servant and Sasuki Kojirou barely counted as idea that Rin would be able to cheat the Grail in a way that would leave the Witch of Betrayal green with envy is insane. And even if she somehow manages it the Mana cost from supporting 2 decently powerful Servants would severely task her reserves but she looked fine.

'And what the heck did she mean by Saber X?' he thought but just as he finished that thought the Grail sent him a message. It told him that this war be extra Servants from different realities one for each team. And that Saber X was indeed his partner. Which answered one question (Rin wasn't doing it this the Grail was.) but created a few more. Who the hell would be capable of modifying the Grail to that extent and why. What the hell would anyone need a Grail powered by 14 Servants for? But those were questions for later. Right now he needed to-

"Hey are you okay?" Rin asked "You've been standing there with a weird look on your face for while now." "Rin don't be rude" the unknown woman said. "It's fine" EMIYA quickly replied " Today has just been very confusing." He took a moment to get himself regained his composure then said "I am the Archer from this world and I do not remember my name." That comment got everyone's attention.

"What how?!" Rin exclaimed. "I don't know" Archer smoothly lied "It could be an aspect of my heroic legend that I am now unaware of, It could be the changes that allow the Grail to summon 14 Servants had an adverse effect on me, or it could be my young Master made a mistake in the summoning ritual and this is the result."

"Hey you jerk!" Rin was clearly going to say more but the older woman put a had on her shoulder a that stop his Master in her tracks. "I would ask you to not insult my daughters capabilities as a mage Archer" once again one question answered several more created" Hey" Archer said holding his hands up in mock surrender "I'm not mocking her just considering all possibilities." No one here seemed to buy that but least he's confirmed one thing was still the same. Rin is still fun to tease.

Author's Note (Phoenixofflame): I think I might like making Emiyaes suffer a bit too much.

---

Rebirth Anew - Act 1 by Underdog Emiya

He opened his eyes, looking around the scenario around himself...

And attempted immediately to stab himself.

THUNK.

Nothing, to his disappointment. The blade was unable to pierce the frost armor, bouncing inoffensively against it.

"Whoa! Are you guys demons?"

The boy looked at his...partner, he supposed. He looked very odd for him, but what did he know? When Caster finished making his presentation, the warrior in the blue armor said simply:

"Berserker X."

He was sane enough to speak more, but why do so? Not like he planned to stay for much longer on this world. Better not to create bonds, not to leave scars that...

There was a boy. He was tied up and sitting at a corner, scared shitless. If the other two could see his expression, they would see a positively dark expression on his face.

The Caster approached to free him, soothingly. His body relaxed slightly. Everything seemed to be okay. Caster was letting him go, no child would believe that absurd story...

It happened too fast. Too unexpected. The monster dragged the kid away from the door in a blink of an eye. He laughed at his death, presenting himself as the child murderer, as Bluebeard.

Silence. His grip on the blade was tight, his body trembled in anger. One shot. The man was distracted, reveling on how he threw the kid in the depths of despair. Good. Wouldn´t see the attack coming. His blade let out a green light...

SLASH!

The Caster tried to defend itself by summoning familiars...yet, the Sonic Leap cut at them like butter. In one instant, the head of Caster was split into two halves.

---

Taking care of his Master was easy enough. Clock him out, cut his Command Seals from his hands and make an anonymous call to police to investigate the home, where they would find the killer, having been heroically knocked out by the father of the dead kid after a grueling fight - or so Berserker imagined the headliners.

He looked at the hand, then at the river he walked. So easy, he thought. Throw the hand into the water, for the fish to eat. Getting the release he wanted, of a swordsman undeserving of forgiveness.

Yet, in his cowardice, the hand stood there. Oh well. He would eventually fade away anyway. And with the armor his plan of suicide would not suffice. So, a slow death by depleting his magical energy.

He looked at the ocean. What would he think of that? The Underworld didn´t even have stories about an ocean. What would they think of seeing so many water beyond...

"Beautiful, isn´t it?"

Berserker X didn´t bother to draw his sword. The other man simply appeared on his side.

"Who are you?"

"No one in special...just a humble Servant," he let out some smoke out of his pipe, tipping his long hat in a courteous manner. "Caster X. I felt a rather curious disturbance in the region and I find...a ruined house, a man lacking one of his hands and a Servant carrying said hand. Wouldn´t that entice anyone´s curiosity?"

Silence.

"...what you want?"

He let out a kind smile.

"Nothing at all. I just saw a troubled young man, and felt some cheap talk would distract your poor mind," he said honestly. "Am I mistaken?"

"...my problems are no one´s business other than mine," the boy said. "Just leave me alone."

"So be it," the sorcerer said, turning his back...before turning it back. "But. As far as I understand, you lack any association to a Master. Am I correct?"

The boy gave a nod.

"Then join my group," he said. "I´m sure we would accept you with no issues."

"...I wish to join no one," he said. "Just let me fade away. It´s all I deserve in the end."

Caster X raised an eyebrow.

"Hm. I don´t think whatever happened to you justify acting in such a down rotten manner," he said. "But so be it. One can´t change the mind of a man when it´s already set on a course...but, if you were really wishing to fade away, you would do better than leave those Seals with you."

He touched the member in his pocket.

"..."

"...I can´t obligate you to take choices you don´t want to," the man stated. "But I can guarantee that whatever you look for it´s not found in the path you trail. So, what you choose: a mysterious path that may lead to nothing? Or an already traced route that ends in a dead end?"

Silence. The boy look at the hand. One last chance. Just throwing into the river, and it would be done. All that is to be said.

Yet...his curiosity. Even in such maddened rage, it still brimmed with a wish to know. To see.

"...when do we start?"

And Kirito would be damned to let a chance like that pass in blank.

---

Dark Lord VS Dark Lord by Foreigner616

Avenger X was furious. That, in itself was nothing out of the ordinary. Indeed, even during his original life (both before and after his two falls from grace), hatred and wrath had been fundamental aspects of his character. He had long learned to harness this hatred, fueling him and becoming one more weapon to turn against his enemies.
But there were two additional elements on this occasion that caused the Zabrak's rage to build and build, with no hint of it stopping: frustration and puzzlement. Who was this interloping girl?

She had come crashing down just as he was making ready to snuff out the life of that meddlesome ninja, allowing his and the other Servants' attack on Caster and his pet monster to continue unhindered. She was clad in what could conceivably be recognized as robes and armor of a Sith, if somewhat revealing around her thighs. In the dark bank of the river beneath Fuyuki Bridge, twin blades of crimson energy lashed against each other, again and again. Her eyes, brimming with the crimson and yellow light of the Dark Side, never left his hands and the blood-red lightsaber they bore.

The Son of Dathomir continued to press his enemy back, periodically switching between the Niman sequences he'd focused on following his reconstruction and the ferocious Juyo slashes he'd used in his earlier years. The girl weathered the assault in turn, but there was no definitive style she conformed to. The simplicity of Shii-Cho, the fluidity of Makashi, the resilience of Soresu, the agility of Ataru, the strength of Djem So, even some of the ferocity of Vaapad. Virtually every style was included…except, ironically, Niman. She displayed none of the advantages one of these styles might provide, (save a bit more strength than normal), but she betrayed no hints of weakness either. Whoever this interloper was, she seemed perfectly content to wait out their confrontation, and let him make the first mistake. Too bad Maul had no intention of complying.

"Zouken, tell Archer X to give this foolish brat a fatal surprise," Maul ordered via their mental link. A minute later, he spotted the telltale flash on the other side of the river and waited to see his enemy fall…Too bad she had no intention of complying either.

To Agent Texas' credit, her ambush was not a complete failure. The first shot did slam into the mystery Servant's shoulder, throwing up a large spray of blood and drawing a snarl of rage from her lips. The second, while intended to similarly perforate her leg and utterly cripple her movement, only managed to graze her and draw a hiss of pain. The third, intended to take her eye in the kill shot, missed her entirely. But the sudden interruption and injuries had provided an opening. And Maul, trained as a warrior of the Sith, had no intention of wasting it.

The Zabrak cyborg surged forward, swatting aside her hastily raised defense, his twin lightsaber blades positively thirsting to taste his opponent's blood…and thus, he almost missed the triumphant smirk that flickered across her face.

Agony ripped through the former Sith's body in an all-encompassing wave that was horribly familiar. He'd only experienced it countless times at the hands of the one being the Zabrak named Maul feared above all others. Lightning. It coursed through his body, searing his flesh, drawing a howl of hatred and agony from his throat and worst of all, wreaking bloody havoc on his cybernetics! Oh, she had to have been planning that little stunt. The Avenger could not decide who he hated more: her for having the gall to pull off that hateful trick and both injure and weaken him decisively, or himself for being so easily drawn in to her deception. And as if she hadn't had enough fun insulting his efforts, she then proceeded to take out a strange, sweet-smelling bar that the Grail informed him was some kind of confectionary, bite it, and her damn wounds started closing!

"Who are you?" the wrathful Avenger demanded coldly, refusing to be taken in by any feigned weakness any longer.
For a few moments, the girl made no reply. Just as Maul was getting ready to once more demand her identity, she looked him squarely in the eye, and declared:

"I am Berserker X, but you can call me Mysterious Heroine X Alter."

Author's Note (Foreigner616): This is a confrontation I have been dreaming about for over a year now. The idea of Maul, one of the most visually iconic Sith Lords in Star Wars history, going blow to blow with MHX Alter, FGO's premier Sith Cosplayer and one of my personal favorites is very exciting to me, and I hope the rest of you enjoy it as well.

---

A Qrow in Babylonia by nanox876

Even before having died & becoming a Servant Qrow could say he was used to dealing with weird shit. Whether it be fighting strange Grimm creations of Salem, securing magic artifacts for Ozpin, having Misfortune drop into some crazy cult while looking for the bathroom. or seeing a Faunus regrow a lizard tail he could consider himself numb to many surprises. The fact that he still kept getting surprised with even crazier shit was … well he didn't know how he felt about it all.

"A robot that transformed into a pony!?"

Qrow had met Megatron in his Grail War so transforming robots weren't new, but the pony part was surprising due to how ridiculous it sounded. Hell just the thought of Megatron turning into a pony was worth a chuckle.

"Yeah a full blown horse that could run on air while she was wielding a giant S shaped sword she could split in 2! After she used her chain magic to stagger the giant demon pillar Cu Alter turned into she started carving it to pieces with lightning while riding around before doing a midair spin slash that completely cut it in half and dissolved into rose petals!"

Qrow paused at that description thinking back to Ruby, 'She'd have loved to see that.'

Initially after being summoned by the pompous gold ass he had half a mind to leave, but couldn't bring himself to abandon the people who were in danger from the monsters currently attacking them. The fact that Ibaraki did this & started her own mountain bandit tribe like Raven also left a bad taste in his mouth. There were also the servants who had given their lives to protect Uruk; he couldn't spit on their efforts by running away. Hell Gilgamesh proved to be slightly more accommodating then he was in the war & was actually trying to help his people.

And now there was this new group Chaldea with the black haired kid with the orange scarf, the pink haired girl in armor, the little girl in a cloak, & this white haired weirdo. He was taking the time to get to know them alongside Leonidas, Benkei, & Ushiwakamaru at the house Siduri gave to them and boy did they have some stories to share.

"Is it really true that you taught Lord El-Melloi II Saber?" the girl Mashu asked.

"Still can't believe Waver actually ended up replacing that asshole. To be honest I just showed him how to throw a punch, gave some advice, & left him with Aura. Everything else he managed by himself." Qrow replied. It was also pretty insane to see just how much the kid had grown over the years based on what they said happened in Rome & that Kandy Bar somehow shrunk.

"Oh right. They're a lot of Servants who seem to remember being in Grail Wars with one another, like Aradia with Nero in Rome or Lightning & Karna back in America. Is there anybody you remember or want to reconnect with Qrow? I might be able to call them at Chaldeas." the boy Ritsuka commented.

"Eh, maybe later." While Qrow was curious about his old friends it would feel better if it were in person after being summoned & would probably need to defeat The Three Goddess Alliance first. Still would probably be best to offer some of his stories in turn.

---

"... And that was when I was Defeated! By the length of her skirt!" he replied dramatically to mess with them a bit. Strangely neither of them looked too caught off guard or grossed out like Yang was.

"I see, so she had mystic seduction powers in her pants. How long did it take for you to get rescued, Qrow?" Ritsuka asked in a matter of fact tone.

Qrow actually coughed a bit at this. "Uh no. I was making a jok-Wait is the magic pants thing actually a thing in this universe?"

Mashu had a dead look in her eyes while speaking, "After Rashomon & especially Summer with Asagi, I don't think anyone who was there could be prudish about sex."

Holy Shit! What the hell happen-

"Were you given the power to change into a woman as well Qrow?" the girl Ritsuka aske- Wait, WHAT!?

---

Qrow was probably on his tenth drink by the time he finished his story about how he rocked that skirt.

"Aren't you worried about getting a hangover Qrow?" Mashu asked worriedly.

"Naaahhh" he slurred "I can go another *hic* several more bottles…"

"Was I like this when I was drunk with Drake?" the boy girl asked.

"I don't think so…" Mashu said not looking Ritsuka in the eye.

*CRASH*

They both turned to see Qrow unconscious snoring on the ground.

"Ah damn I didn't even get to when we met Sanguinius in Camelot." Ritsuka complained.

Author's Note (nanox876): So here's a short I wrote about Qrow being summoned in Babylonia & sharing drinks & trading stories with Ritsuka & Mashu. They've encountered numerous X servants on their journey which are mentioned in the dialogue. Ritsuka now has the power to change their gender like in the mobile game due to shenanigans to go along with their summoning. Among other Servants they've met is a depressed Jade. Wasn't certain if I should upload the Servant Sheets I came up with separately, together, or under a spoiler. Kenpachi will show up around Atlantis or Olympus.

---

A King reunited with his friends by irish connection

As I appear in a strange room, I start to greet my new master "Oh, you have done well to summon me! Iskandar, King of Conqu-"

"Hey Kandy bar, it's been a while." I cut to see an old friend, Qrow.

Leaning against the entrance, I see him smiling and I respond in kind.

"HAHAHA, and it's great to see again Qrow!" Iskandr shouted, grateful to see an old friend. "Shall we continue where we last left off, old friend?" asked Iskandr, seemingly ignoring his master,

"Not yet, big boy. First let Rits get you set up and give the tour. Will give me time to tell pipsqueak" replied Qrow, walking away.

"Pip- HAHAHA Waver has finally grown to a man, and to be summoned; truly how strong he must have become. Come Master, show me around, so I can see my new allies!" said Iskandr, grabbing Ritsuka by the arm as he walks out the room.

What a start, well better than previous summoning thought Ritsuka, now no long being pulled by Iskandr.

---

As I got accustomed to Chaldea, I began seeing old friends and rivals. It did warm my heart seeing Velvet become such a fine young man, even kept my Admirable Tactics shirt. He even followed my example, in an unconventional manner but still, by taking the title of El-Melloi for himself. I do wish I could have been with him during his journeys. Well, I suppose this version of me Iskandr thought, remembering that Velvet summoned his younger self during his adventures.

Iskandr does wonder why Ritsuka asked for him, Velvet and Qrow to join him in the summoning room. "So what you need Rits?" asked Qrow, asking the question him and Velvet thought. Perhaps they anre expecting a rather volatile servant? Iskandr wondered, remembering stories of how troublesome Angron was when he was first summoned.

"Well, took some time but I think I got him this time."

Him? I thought, wondering who would he could mean. "Wait, you don't mean-" Velvet said, before being interrupted by Ritsuka, smiling "I do indeed Lord El-Melloi."

As a flash goes about the room and a servants lands, I am greeted by scared face with power eating Eye patch. "Kenpachi, Berserker or whatever. I'm here to fight…" he trails off, as he finally sees who is the room. As he does, a grin breaks across his face and exclaims "Well damn, looks like I can't escape you guys!"

"And it's good fortune to see you as well, Kenpachi!" I yelled.

---

This is how it feels to be Anakin Skywalker, forever by irish connection

As Waver heads to sleep, he dreams the lives of his servants. The glorious conquests and campaigns of Iskandr, the path Kenpachi took to become stronger and the opponents he faced. But, he started to feel cold but yet-

The first dawn of light in your universe brings pain.

All over his skin it felt like he was being stabbed, over and over. Tiny needles to the biggest swords, from his head to the toes; he felt pain.

The light burns you. It will always burn you. Part of you will always lie upon black glass sand beside a lake of fire while flames chew at your flesh.

He sees a planet of lava, of pain. He feels the unbearable heat on his raw skin, his burned skin. He sees his robotic arm try in vain to pull far from the lava river, only causing more pain. It feels like hell has come and swallowed him. He can't take it, he begs it to stop. He wants it to end.

You can hear yourself breathing. It comes hard, and harsh, and it scrapes nerves already raw, but you cannot stop it. You can never stop it. You cannot even slow it down.

He hears himself breath but it sounds wrong, it's loud and wrong. Mechanical and evil. The longer he breathes, the more it scratches at his destroyed throat, the burned over remains of ears. It curses him to alway feel pain, even when the skin heals and scars over. He will always feel the pain. He can't control it, he can't make it go away.

You don't even have lungs anymore.

He begs to die, he wants to scream, to cry, to rage; to end this existence, for it all to end. But he knows it won't.

Mechanisms hardwired into your chest breathe for you. They will pump oxygen into your bloodstream forever.

He tries to scream, to lash out to find away to rip away at the machine that makes that Godforsaken noise. He wants to embrace the anger that trapped him in this Walking coffin. He wants to crush it and free himself from it all.
Waver snaps awake, his bed and body drenched in sweat after that-that nightmare he had experienced. "H-How can he continue to live like that."

"Because I refuse to give in" was the cold response of his servant, Darth Vader; who had been at his doorway. "How, did you know-" Waver was shaking, he couldn't stop feeling cold yet he was too afraid to feel warm so soon.

"The force felt the fear in you and the hate. I remembered those feeling when I first awoke in this suit."

Author's Note (irish connection): Decided to do a little something with this one. I'm pulling mostly from the Revenge of the Sith novelization because holy shit its peak.

---

A Saint Out of Time by BlockyCommando

---

The summoning of the X Servants was a strange occurrence. A summoning completely unaccounted for, influenced by variables also unaccounted for. The personality of the summoner, compatibility between the X Servant and their Pan Human History counterpart, and even the environment were possible influences. For some, it meant a shining light in an otherwise dark abyss, for another, a guiding hand for a misguided student. But for one unfortunate man, it seemed his summoned X Servant was the exact opposite of what he and his regular Servant were. Where the Master and Servant reveled in the destruction of innocence, the X Servant brought forth was a stalwart protector of the innocent. Where they lurked in the shadows and and struck at the defenseless, He stood in the Light to strike down the Darkness. The one thing that they had in common on that fateful night, was that they were drawn to the sound of a child's cry for help...

---

Something is not right.

"Woah, two, demons... I uhhh, only prepared a sacrifice for one of you..." The orange haired, bloodstained man in front of him said. Though to him, the man's words sounded distant. The man tapped the flat edge of his knife to his chin in contemplation.

The man in front of him was his Master, the link he felt to him was true. But the robed thing exuded filth and rot next to him was his... partner?

The robed thing began to speak, but its words did not enter his mind.

No, no this is not right. Where is the voice I heard? That desperate plea for help?

His mind felt watered down, Madness Enhancement taking an immediate toll on his faculties. Regardless, he knew he had heard a voice, one that did not belong to either his Master or his "partner." A cry for a savior that he could not ignore, that of a child, that of the innocent. The other two continued their conversation, clouding his head further.

With some effort, he tuned them out as he finally expanded his senses to the room around him with some effort and—

Blood.

Blood on the floor, on the furniture, on the walls, where he was standing. Two lifeless bodies, hacked to pieces in front of the television. And...

A boy, restrained with rope and tape, looking at him with tears and terror in his eyes, desperately trying to break free of his bonds.

He looked back at his Master— No, his enemy and his demon. Light surged forth, and a shotgun shell tore straight through his former Master's shoulder taking the arm clean off.

---

"Well, I suppose I can treat you to some special lessons, dear boy." Even now, he kept his presence hidden from all, his voice untraceable. "The true meaning of one magus killing another…" A vicious smirk crawled along his lips. "The pain and suffering laced in such an action… Consider yourself honored." The wretch looked ready to faint; that was something Kayneth would happily prevent. Can't have a student sleeping through my lecture, can we?

Waver curled up into a crying ball, sensing his imminent fate. Kayneth stepped closer-

Only to hastily and inelegantly leap to the side, narrowly avoiding a neon purple discus that seared a burning amethyst hole into where he'd been standing. Assassin X and Saber X both stopped in their tracks, their attempted warning shots interrupted. Whoever threw that, it was intended to be a killing blow.

A surge of rage and killing intent flooded the dockyard sending all present Servants into high alert as an armored behemoth of a man clad in a aura of violet marched out from the sea of shipping containers. Heavily armored in silver plate accented and adorned with golds and purples, spiked armguards and pauldrons, and a deceptively plain helmet with a proud crest and thin glowing purple streak on the front. The number 14, written in roman numerals, stood out from the rest of the armor. This newcomer was a servant, and a very angry one at that.

"YOU," shouted the newcomer, "YOU WOULD THREATEN THE LIFE OF A CHILD, YOUR OWN STUDENT?! WHILE COWERING IN THE SHADOWS?!"

Another shout of rage from the newcomer caused the other servants to draw their weapons as a shield appeared on the new servant's left arm in a flash of purple as an ornate, silver metallic gun shimmered into existence in his right hand. His focus was solely on the rooftop from which El-Melloi had been speaking of.

"Berserker X I presume?" Asked Lancer warily. "Have you come to answer Rider's summons perchance?" The flow of battle had been turning against them since the end of Archer X's fight with Assassin X, and they were quickly being put on the back foot. He wasn't unaware that both Assassin X and Saber X had been enraged at his Lord's provocations of the young Master that had joined the fray, and now this Berserker servant who had most likely been content to observe had been triggered.

Sure enough, his Lord believed the same as his voice rang in his and Archer X's heads. "W-we must fall back, even I am not s-so arrogant to believe we can win against five servants at once." Fear tinged his Lord's voice, understandably so since he was nearly bisected by that shield of Berserker X's.

Archer X on the other hand remained silent, the bluster and bravado she had just showed against the four other servants vanished in an instant as she observed Berserker X. Something about him, even just looking at him, caused something to well up in the core of her programming that she hadn't felt in a long time. Fear. Whoever this new guy was, he wasn't going to play nice.

Saber X and Archer X both eyed the Servant of Rage's personal weapon, it was one thing for any Servant in this war to be proficient with firearms, much less two. But three? Archer X felt just the tiniest bit of envy at the mastercrafted weapon, while Saber X just hoped things wouldn't turn into a firefight and get his master caught in the crossfire.

"While it is good to see that your heroic virtue still remains, that is an enemy Master you are trying to defend," said Lancer to hopefully direct Berserker X's attention elsewhere as he felt the silent opponent's palpable bloodlust grow stronger, dishonorable as it may have been to run from a fight. His Lord's life took priority in this situation. Do you and your Master not also seek the—?"

"My summoner tried to sacrifice a child, a young boy, in front of my eyes moments after summoning me." Interrupted Berserker X with all the gravitas of a nuclear bomb. The other servants and masters' blood froze at the chilling revelation, Saber X in particular being the most visibly affected by the news. "I tried to kill him and his Caster, the monsters that they were, and only succeeded in taking my Command Seals back." The other participants only now noticed a small bloody sack hanging by the Berserker's waist, no doubt holding the severed limb of his former Master.

"I had fully intended to vanish after witnessing this first night of battle, the siren's song of the Grail is no different than an Ahamkara's whispers. Now I know that I still have work to do, even with the little time I have left." The new servant began a slow march towards the warehouse Kayneth was hiding on top of, causing Archer X and Lancer to zero in on and ready lances against Berserker X.

No servant, even as boisterous and snarky as Rider and Saber X and as honorable Saber, was stupid to try to stop or belittle a man hellbent on killing those who would harm children. If anything, they all would happily join him in his crusade if it were under other circumstances. Except for one that is.

"Oh? Is the life of one infant human truly worth throwing away your chance at all-powerful wishing device? To think that even in a contest of Humanity and beyond's greatest warriors that there were those so short sighted. Perhaps I should kill a few myself, just to see what it's like." A sinister, sickeningly malicious voice echoed from somewhere up above. It only served to aggravate Berserker X further. The servant whipped around searching like mad for the hidden servant as he let loose another ground shaking scream of rage.

"SHOW YOURSELF! FIGHT ME! I WILL TEAR YOU APART WITH MY BARE HANDS!"

Unfortunately for Megatron, his attempted entrance of exiting Alt Mode: Starship, landing gracefully on a nearby container, and making more threateningly vague comments was woefully interrupted by a Magnetic Grenade detonating against his face the moment his feet touch the ground, swiftly followed by a very, very angry Titan about to make good on his promise.

Author's note (Blocky Commando): Wasn't planning on joining this little contest, but seeing the Young Wolf's little snippet gave me a little bit of inspiration to write a little snippet featuring one of my favorite Destiny characters. I think Berserker would be pretty fitting for Saint-14, since every instance in lore where he's fighting he's cracking skulls and throwing hands, even headbutting a 10 foot tall Kell to death. I'll post the stat sheet I have written up in a bit, just doing the finishing touches on it.

Might do a few more of these since I have a few more scenes with Saint in mind, but this is what I've got for now. Hope you enjoyed!

---

Wash's Banquet by irish connection

"Wait, you want to use the wish to bring back your summoner? The wish that can grant the power to go back in time and not do the fuck up in your myth." Wash asked, incredulously.

"I get that, but as a knight; I failed to protect my master, I failed in my duty" responded Diarmuid. "I understand the want to go back and change things, but I would be running away from my failures."

"That is what you are doing right now!" nearly shouted Washington, confused by Diarmuid wish. "I understand not wanting to mess with the past, believe me I had to experience the effect of that, but you have the chance to live the life you want; with the lord or master or whatever you want"
"Well, if your so set on changing things like me and Queen Sweat Pea, what's your fuck up." responded Sabe- Qrow.

"You want the list?" was the sarcastic but pained response of Wash, with the more caring now worried for him. "Alright, I'll give a brief overview and you all can guess where the wish would come in. I was apart of a black ops military program that messed with AI and people's mind, I suffered from it, all my team member either experienced it, died or worse. I had been lied to, stabbed in the back and left for dead, and too top it all off I was trapped in my armor surrounded by my friend who died the same way and when I was finally free, died from blood loss. And that's all the stuff that directly affected me." was the 'list' given by Washington, now surrounded by the quiet table. Realizing what had happened, he tries to break the ice with a joke "Well, sorry about that. There's the list Qrow" was the awkward response, still by silence. In his own room, far from the banquet

"What does AI stand for."

Author's Note (irish connection): Decided to do a banquet, but Wash replaced Gilgamesh (Tex is not directly mentioned but interpret how you will)

---

Different Time, Same Pain and Resolution for the Future by MultiverseGamer2099

After the events of the sixth singularity and couple closes calls consider the allies and unexpected enemies, they had enconter in the situation along with the team of servants sent in the singularity and a couple swap outs when they needed and able too.

A Lancer in the singularity turn into a literal dragon and shot a, what many non-magical servants considers, orbital laser against another orbital laser that came from a King Arthur who went by the lion king, with a help of a Archer Arash that was summoned in the singularity, they maneged to beat the oribital strike that would have killed Ritsuka and their team before both dying in the process.

Also two Casters who maneged to fight against the Knight of Betrayal and the Knight of the Lake in that singularity, one of them used familars to attack and other martial arts and a staff (apparently one Caster was a follower of the Buddha and the other used a chant that went along the lines summoning a treasure hopefully it wasn't too serious)

(It was later found out it that it made the situation worse)

The Hassan Assissains fought together with a Saber who wield a sword-katana and had a blindfold (seriously how was she able to fight with that on) along with robot companion against Tristan of the Round table.

And a unknown Berserker who fought against the knight of the sun (loux something )

Near the end according to the ninja Assissan that went in to the fight with the Lion King, Bedivere was not a servant but a full blown human fighting along side and against servants and that Mash finally awakened her Noble Phantasm True name.

Oh yeah, speaking of Mash, did she forgot to mention that the spirit carried within her was Galahad of the roundtable the son of Lancelot of the roundtable oh and also they fought the knights of the roundtable boosted with a holy grail because they were two in that singu-

---

"Geez V, with that amount of thinking I wonder if the Mirgaine skill of ours didn't rank up with that amount of thoughts in your head" The engram told the Merc turned Servant, as she saw Silverhand leaning on to the wall near the room of her destination

"Johnny, If I understood half of this magecraft time travel shit, I wouldn't spend half my time trying to wrapped my head around it" mentally replied the Merc with a frown expression

"Just think of it as advance cyberware"

"Seriously?"

"It makes it simple not easier to understand, anyways didn't you have destination in mind?"

As she arrived at where she been meaning to go for a while.

The room of the first servant thats been here since the beginning and to have a conversation that's been long overdue

Knocking at the door of the room that belong to the lone servant of the Shielder class

"Who's there?" The voice came from the other side of the door

"It's V!...the Archer, not the one with the cane and bird.. can I come in?"

"Miss V-San? Hang on I be right there"

"Not. A. Word Johnny" she mentally told and glared at the Rockerboy

"I didn't say anything "Miss V" " The Rockerboy said with a grin with his hands up in 'mock surrender' before flickering away

As the doors open up, revealing a young girl with lavender hair with her casual chaldea clothing as she look at the Mercenary of Night City in surprise.

"Kid, I told you just V, is fine"

"Ah I'm sorry V-san"

"Close enough, Can I come in?"

"Yes! Is Mr. Silverhand-San here as well" With a smile as she let the Merc in her room

"No just us girls and you can just call him Johnny, don't think he cares much for the honorifics" the Merc commented tho it didn't stop her from grinning a bit hearing the engram called "Mister" Silverhand.

(She got a migraine later that day)

Taking a look at the room it was... mostly plain, normal looking besides many books of which she is assuming are the stories of the Hero's of this world history and cases with...black boxes?

"They are called tapes V"

"I knew that"

"Then why did you hesitate about it?"

She ignored him.

"You can take a seat V-San, I don't have much but would like a cup of water?" Asked the Shielder

"Not like I need it...but I take you up with that offer" Replied the Servant of the Archer class took a seat on a chair near the desk as Mash gave her a cup of water before sitting down on her bed

"So...how have you been feeling? Better then before?" Question the Mercenary

"Yes I am, I apologize for the concern I gave to everyone in chaldea" Mash replied as she was taking a sip from her cup

"You sure it isn't related to your checks ups with Romani? " said the Archer as she took a sip of her water

"A-ah...N-no! It nots that! I apologize it seemed the exhaustion from singularity was too much for my body" Kyrielight lied awfully to the merc

"You are a terrible liar and it doesn't suit you" giving a unimpressed and disspointed look at the Shielder

Mash then looked away a bit getting caught at her lie but didn't answer

To the situation at hand, V and Johnny had been one of the couple servants that been with Chaldea that were summoned during fourth singularity, while not on the field mostly either haveing a light drink with other servants (like cu guy and that bo rai something) at the gun range (that cowboy with the metal arm is a good gunslinger) or simply secretly digging up past records chaldea with Servant experiments and Mash named popping around, mostly due to Johnny paranoia they even found out about that and while not a expert netrunner it was still easier to dig up some files that aren't full blown magic, and even then a organization that supposed to protect humanity would have some skeletons in their closest.

Anyways it was after the fifth singularity when Ritsuka and Mash returned and V was nearby and manege to see Mash passing out and starting bleeding from her head, luckily Ritsuka maneged to grab her hitting the floor and V using her sandevistan cyberware got to the medical facilities of chaldea to get Mash checked and confirming she was one of the few "experiments" from the records they dug up. So far they kept it to themselves but probably know some other servants looked into it.

"Ya know... I been in a similar situation like your's." said the Archer of Night City

Mash looked at her with suprised expression.

"You have?" The Shielder asked the Night City Merc

"Yep...why do you think I have this guy in my head" The merc said while pointing at her neck where her Noble Phantasm, The Relic, was located and saw the confused expression on Mash face

"Right I never told you... thought the other kid would have" mutter the Mercenary before explaining the heist that changed her life and made her a legend to the throne

"Well when I was alive...a friend that I would called my brother in all but blood, and the netrunner of our group and myself were hired for a gig by a fixer, a guy who deals in contracts and who was also a sonofabitch, to steal this chip in my head-"

"Love you too V"

"Piss off Johnny"

"And well... shit hit the fan, the netrunner brain got fried and...and my friend... didn't make it..."

---

"The Biochip...Hold on to it for me..."

As she saw Jackie take out the Biochip from the back of his head and inserted to back of Valerie head, as hand dropped, the eyes of his lost the glow of life and blood stained on hands body while she was processing his death-

---

Mash quietly and patiently waited for the Archer to continue her story and not interrupted her personal memory

"Anyways...got back from the gig then the fixer tried to flatlined me"

"Flatline?" Mash questioned

"Kill me, take me out of picture, betrayed me, take your pick and no that wasn't how I actually died because the bastard couldn't even use the right gun to finish the job, I survived then found i was bassically on deaths row with bassically little to no time... tried to find a cure...and wasn't successful" told the Merc

"Was that how you died...V-san?" The Shielder hesitantly asked the Archer

---

The sound of cars, wind, advertisements from corpos, people walking, talking, killing, and the view of the night sky and city.

Before putting this pain down to rest, taking one last view at Night City, she pull the gun against her head and pull the trigger-

---

"..Yeah I did... " The Servant responded taking a pause to regain her thoughts before standing up and looking at Mash again.

"The point is kid, unlike me you still got time to make your choice when the time inevitably comes either from battle or your condition and I'm not saying this to rush your decision, I'm saying when your final moments arrives make sure the choice you do matter to the people you leaving behind" advised the Merc

She didn't noticed when Mash got up and envelope by a hug from the Shielder, or even if she was aware of that she gotten up, although awkwardly due to a bit of a height difference and hesitantly because she not used to physical contact

But it felt nice as awkwardly she was about it

"Ah so "Ms" Valerie does have a sweet spot for the little girl" The Rockerboy teases and smirks at his body shared companion.

"Go to hell "Mr" Silverhand" As merc mentally retorted knowing he meant well with his comment but didn't stop her from mentally fliping off the engram, while breaking off from the hug and giving the Shielder a smile

"Just give it some thought kid" She told the Shielder, albeit a bit awkwardly considering the unexpected hug she fot from here as walked towards the door

"Yes! Thank you V-san for telling me" with a smile she waved goodbye to the Merc.

"Anytime kid, see you around"

---

"Even without the technology of our time, these people really made humans out of magic, only to be dispose off when no longer needed or would eventually rot away within days to possibly Years, can't tell which is worse being stuck in a digital prison or being born with less time then a normal human being." The engram of Johnny Silverhand told the Merc

"No matter the time or place, bastards in the world still acts like a wannabe Arasaka. Why doesn't that suprised me" The engram mentally groaned and commented. Though V wasn't sure if heard the genuine concern for the Shielder on the engrams voice.

"Yeah...but that kid has something that we didn't have when we were racing against the clock" The servant told the engram

"Oh yeah and would that be?" Questioned the rockerboy engram

With a sad smile as she continued walking in the halls, she told him "She got someone who is dependable and trustworthy keeping a eye on her, you never get that in Night City"

"Too true..." Responded the Engram

---

As Mash looked at closed door before looking back at the chair where the Archer had sit down

"Making my last moments to matter those close to me..."

The Shielder Known as Mash Kyrielight looked at album of photos, she hid before the Merc could enter, she had from their journey to restore human history, from the serious situation to even goofy ones, Heroric spirits from the past and Heroric Spirits from other worlds were in photo album with her senpai and herself, looking down at the album she gave a determined looked at the image that featured her senpai and herself

"I want to continue to be by Senpai side"

Author's Note (MultiverseGamer2099): *cue the depressed music*

Taking inspiration from nanox876 A Qrow in Babylonia, made my own take short for FGO, but it is with Mash and V (Cyberpunk not DMC), Since what those 2 have a common in part 1 of FGO? (Atleast before Solomon) Both lived on borrowed time, well technically V already has experienced it and Mash is currently living it,

And any Cyberpunk fans can tell ya know which ending this V chose .

And yes I made a couple refrences to other crossover servants props if you got all of them

Hopefully I did maneged to keep the same energy with the characters because holy moly is this what writers deal with when making stories this was generally time consuming but also fun!

---

Serenity Amidst Snow by KnightOfTheVoi

"Why do you carve so many of those little statues?"

"Because I hope one day that which I sculpt will not be stained anymore by blood"

---

Even if Illya had already been made aware of the possible changes to the Holy Grail War due to what had happened in the 4th one- The memories of the broken promise made by Him were best left undisturbed -it was still a surprise when someone else other than her intended servant had been summoned.

Standing beside the mountain of chiseled dark muscle that was Berserker, what was still a relatively bulky man felt small, like a child beside their parent. This other Servant was dressed in clothing more in line with a vagabond than a hero of humanity, though the worn clothes still held glimmers of past glory, be it in the exquisite craftsmanship visible in some places, or the more eccentric elements of his outfit, like the mantle of orange fur resting on his shoulders or the at first glance crude prosthetic that nonetheless moved fluidly like a flesh and blood limb.

The minutes that followed were hectic to say the least, as Berserker thrashed in his chains and the vagabond Servant manifested a heavy axe into its hand as he warily watched everyone in the room.

Thankfully the reduced magical energy cost that resulted from the altered summoning did reduce the pain from anchoring Berserker to this world to a constant soreness, and after a lull in his tense state, the vagabond dropped to one knee and bowed his head at Illya.

"My Lady, I am Sekijo, One Armed Orangutan, the Assassin X. I am at your service."

What followed at the behest of Grandfather was a miserable survival out in the wasteyard outside the castle grounds, though it could have been worse were she forced to make do with the silent Berserker, the almost as silent Assassin wordlessly draped his fur mantle over her shoulders to stave off the cold the moment her shoulders shaked.

In the months leading up to the start of the Holy Grail War, Illya learned only scraps of information from Assassin himself, even when she threw out the childish threat of using a Command Seal to force him to speak all she drew from him was a tired sigh before he resumed carving away at a hunk of wood, instead drawing most of her knowledge about the man from her dreams.

A quiet joy when training amongst beasts alongside a woman. Bloodshed that made anything Berserker did in life pale in comparison. Wasting away inside a temple while madly carrying out a useless purpose. A glimmer of hope in having saved someone so much like him. An end to his suffering by the one who didn't fall as he did.

Still Assassin opened up to Illya in his own way, from quietly enjoying her presence as he sculpted another Buddha statue that was wrong, to whenever she talked around him of any particular creature come next morning a wooden carving of it would appear at her bedside table, or when she mentioned in a passing manner how she liked his fur mantle, one made from the nearby wolves appeared in her wardrobe.

Once the War started proper Assassin made sure he was worth every drop of mana and did every duty a shinobi was capable of. In every battle that the juggernaut that was Berserker battered the enemy directly, a silent shadow crept along the edges to make use of any opening caused by his companion was abused, or if he had to, make one himself.

Only the luck of Illya and her 2 Servants ran out the moment a certain golden bastard decided to appear in Einzbern Castle. The difference in approach to this by her 2 companions was stark, as while Berserker charged forward with a snarl twisting his face, Assassin X simply took his Master into his arms and left the room as fast as his legs could carry him.

"What are you doing!?, Berserker is fighting!" Illya yelled as she fruitlessly looked back towards where the clashing of weapons was heard, her tiny fist pounding with all her strength on the shoulder of her Servant.

"My Lady, your presence will only serve to hinder Heracles, he is sure to shed every drop of blood in him before he allows even a single of your hairs to be disturbed." The once shinobi did his best to explain to his Master even as he quickly made his way through the halls of the residence, kicking away from a wall whenever there was a corner, or shooting out his grappling hook whenever it would allow him to close that bit more of distance faster than his feet would carry him. "It would be best if you were sequestered in a safe location, like so he may face the enemy with his full strength, I could even return to assist him once you are safe."

The decision which Illya had to make in mere moments clearly tore her mind in two, as evidenced by the drops of blood which stained the mantle of Assassin X, or the way her face twisted with worry. Still, such a decision was taken out of her hands as in the seconds, or perhaps hours, that they retreated through Einzbern Castle a certain someone had figured out their escape route and decided to cut them off.

Without notice Assassin X ground to a halt mid step, the left wall but a couple of meters forward being torn into wood chips and dust as the same golden bastard made his way inside the hall. "For a mongrel you are rather fast, still it would not do to allow you to run away with my prize, so hand her over and I'll make your end a quick one." Illya remained still as a rock as her Servant gently set her down and wordlessly handed her one of the fingers of his prosthetic arm along with a wooden idol.

"My Lady, I will do my utmost to slay this wretch. Channel your spirit into the idol so you may leave... and later make use of the whistle, as we discussed, if I have survived I will return to your side." Tiny hands clenched around the 2 objects as a surprising amount of steel came its way the voice which answered Assassin X, the voice of a worthy leader. "You are not allowed to die, Sekijo. That is an order from your Lady."

The thinnest of smiles found itself to Sekijo's face, even as he prepared himself for the vile road he would thread in but a few moments. "Of course... Illya, my oath remains unfulfilled." And with those words being received, his Master disappeared from what was sure to become a desolate ruin.

"You miserable mongrel, that won't save her, it will only buy her a few hours at most. But you, you will regret having done that, when I am about to rip her heart out I will be sure to speak at length of the pathetic sounds you made as I tore your limbs off." Sekijo didn't react in any way to the words of the bastard in front of him, one so much like those back in Ashina. His axe left his hand to bump against the floor as he instead of containing the embers within, allowed the hateful fire inside him to spread. "Let the rivers run red. Roar with all the hate inside of you. I will ignite this pathetic hollow shell of mine until it burns, burns, burns everything to ash. Incarnation Of Hatred: A Life Of Sin And Regret"

Alas this was no longer the place for a shinobi, the only one who could face this threat was a demon.

---

Once the momentary fog cleared away from Illya's vision she managed to find her footing, bracing herself against a wall. Unfortunately she couldn't give any attention to her surroundings as all her focus was drawn to one of the contracts she had made.

Within her mindscape there she could visualize a thread of magical energy traveling through a space that was not a space towards something else. At the end of that thread she found a peculiar representation, a wooden one armed idol resting stop a bundle of kindling, one which below it hid a wooden arm flickering with embers.

This was something Illya was already used to, it was something she had mentioned to Sekijo in passing, who mumbled something about 'Of course it would look like that' before shaking his head and resuming with the carving in his hand. What was different was the disturbance that shook this connection as a large quantity of magical energy was practically ripped away from her, and the wooden arm under the kindling burst into flames.

It was horrifying to watch as fire consumed the crippled idol, to see it being warped into a twisted and charred approximation of an ape, one whose missing limb had been replaced by a fiery arm, and was surrounded by a hateful fire which burned as red as freshly drawn blood.

The shock of this drew Illya out of her mindscape, almost like she had been shoved she dropped to the floor and bumped her head against something behind her. Finally taking in her surroundings, she found herself inside a not too clean alleyway, trash scattered here and there, but what stood out was the thing behind her. Illuminating it's surroundings in a dim blue light, a man sized white sculpture rested against the wall, a blue flame burning in its clasped hands.

Even though she was close to it the fire was not uncomfortable, a stark difference against the one burning within her mind, this one almost made no sound as it swayed back and forth against a wind that was not there, bathing her in a warmth that unknowingly to her healed the small scrapes she had yet to register.

More magical energy being drawn from within her brought the focus of the young Einzbern back to the mortal encounter her companion was facing. "By the power of my Command Seal. Assassin X, Win this fight." A weight came over her voice as she spoke those words, red lines lit up all over her skin as a significant part of her magical energy was fed through the connection and some of those red lines disappeared. Even so, Illya did not dare look upon the red flames again, which mercifully stopped her from seeing the twisted idol be enveloped fully by the inferno.

All strength left the young girl as she slumped against the idol, it's surface warm and smooth, she almost managed to stop herself from thinking how this together with the warmth that enveloped her reminded her of Mother, the only thing remaining she could do was close her eyes and curl up against herself.

It was some time later Illya was disturbed from her sleep, a measure of strength returned to her body, she stood in the now dark alley, though for some reason a shadow was under and around her. It didn't take long for her to glance upwards and see the badly battered form of Heracles, burns, lacerations, even a particularly horrible wound on his stomach which looked like a large claw tore into him and left all flesh around it burnt to a crisp.

The silent Heroic Spirit only looked down at his Master blankly, not even a flicker in his expression despite the grievous wounds on his body. Some unknown communication passed between the 2, as Heracles kneeled down briefly to scoop up Illya into his arms, to then walk step by step out of the dark alley.

The Master in question, still tired, rested against the broad chest of her Servant, though a thought struck her like lightning and made her hastily bring the prosthetic finger to her lips. As her Command Seals once again lit up all across her body, Illya blew into the whistle built into the finger until all air left her lungs, and only stopping once they screamed with raw pain.

Motes of hope gathered within her as she delved once more into her mindscape. What a tragedy it was that all she found inside was white ash, not even the smallest of embers remained of her other silent companion.

Still, even as grief pooled low inside her stomach she blew once more on the whistle against her lips. The somber tune that came did manage to lessen the weight settling inside of her, even if only slightly, and as Illyasviel von Einzbern promised to herself she would die before she would lose the objects she now possessed, she could swear that tune was accompanied by a gouge carving away at wood.

Tomorrow Fuyuki as a whole would find out that yet another unexplained event struck the truly unlucky city, as a castle, along with much of the surrounding forest, on the outskirts of the city burned down to ash.

Author's Note (KnightOfTheVoi): So I was inspired to write out a piece for my favorite one armed old man, which at first I had the thought of attaching him to Shirou because I imagined to myself the cool fight Sekijo could have with Cu if he was present at the Emiya home, but having Artoria be summoned alongside yet another shinobi felt excessive, so after burning some braincells I settled on Illya.
Pairing Heracles with Sekijo felt like a rather good combo, after all the overwhelming brawn of Herc would pair nicely with a more sneaky fellow. In the 5th HGW there is no real sneaky fucker, atleast on a route that is not heaven's feel, and while Cu does scout out the other servants and masters, he does it a brute force manner which doesn't really give him the opportunity to take out masters and such. Regend himself can't do much a proper Assassin would do due to being stuck guarding some stairs, so Sekijo could do something more like what Hassan did in the 4th war. Also something important is that Sekijo would be capable of independent action unlike Herc, because he's a Berserker he's almost fully gone upstairs so he can't really come up with his own solutions beyond SMASH.

Anyway to give more context to that final scene, in no way did the Demon of Hatred manage to kill Gil, what I am saying is that between Herc not having to protect Illya, Mr Demon which is a comparable threat, if not a greater one to Herc due to his wide AOE's and liberal use of fire, and a castle which is burning down and therefore restoring Mr Demon, Gil was forced to either pull out EA or flee, which of course meant the possibility of Enuma Elish being tarnished by the blood of these mad mongrels, so Gil carried out a strategic retreat, and whomever implies otherwise is soon to be made into a pincushion by GoB.

---

Hawkeye's Diagnosis by irish connection

"Well Kariya, I guess you got lucky summoning me" said Caster X, as he tried his best to tend to Kariya. What are the chances I summoned an actual medic? Kariya thought, watching as Hawkeye worked to try and deal with the worst of crest worms work. "Listen, I get this whole secrecy nonsense, stupid it may be, but you need to go to a hospital; I've been helping around at a small place, Shinto general." Hawkeye said, bringing up an already old debate, since finding out what Kariya has to do to support Hawkeye and Lancelot in the war.

"And how eugh explain the wounds to them Pierce? 'Hi, I just so happen have my insides and nervous system being eaten alive, do you have a way to help?'." Kariya sarcastically responded, looking up in pain with his one good eye at his Caster.
Hawkeye hung his head, in shame because he can't think of any better way himself. "Listen, if we find a spot where I can set up, I can use my Phantasm to bring in my MASH, it can at least by a bit longer than what you already have" Hawkeye said, running low on options outside of continuing to run makeshift surgery on what he can steal, find, and collect with what little funds Kariya had.

"Alright, we can do that, have any spot necessary other than a leyline?" asked Kariya, using Hawkeye out stretched hand to help himself up.

"Actually," Hawkeye smiled a smile that promised headache and humor for Kariya and anyone involved, "I do not need a leyline, luck of being from the 1950s and having terrible magic stat. I just need to be close to either a hospital or a bar, and as luck would have it, the place I have been doing pro bono surgery for is right next to a nice little bar." Hawkeye responded, giving Kariya a map he made while 'shopping' for medical supplies. Huh, maybe my luck isn't that bad after all.

Author's Note (irish connection): After finishing MASH, I decided to try and write this.

---

Feed the fire, and let the last cinders burn by wing of vigilance

"What's this? A poor recreation of a Cybertronian?" the leader of the Decepticon sneers at the machine- no servant that stood before him a tan and gray one-eyed thing didn't say anything much to Megatron's displeasure and to his knowledge the humanity of this age didn't have any technology.

'Ah of course, how foolish of me' he is reminded of a recent conversation he had with the Golden King about the potential servant from the future, it seems he has the luxury of testing such an individual. "So be it."

The moment Megatron brought his cannon and fired it, he expected to see the melted remains of the impostor not for the sudden roar of thrusters boosting the machine-servant sideway before a chain of quick boost pushed the one-eyed machine away as it raised both hands and weapons of appropriate size materialized in its hands.

"Main System Activating Combat Mod"

---

Once something's alive, it doesn't die easy.

"621, you never told me your final noble phantasm." Kiritsugu stared at the pilot of the Armored Core, thinking humanity would one day leave Earth behind and explore the stars…and burn it as well if the dreams from last night were accurate.

Hard to believe he also summoned the torch bearer of said apocalypse. Was there no hope for peace within humanity?

"It's the fire…. That burned Rubicon, my fire that burned her." his servant's tone turned mournful as they stared from on top of the war machine. "I wish… to see her again."

'An anti-world… no perhaps it's more powerful than that,' Kiritsugu cannot help but let out a tsk at the thought of using such a Noble Phantasm, the collateral damage would be catastrophic not to mention the fallout of such an event would- 'damn it…'

The Fire of Raven. The noble phantasm transformed an entire solar system into ash, scorching every living soul down to their bones and he has the luck to summon the very monster that burned the stars.

"If you wish to see her again…" Kiritsugu started as he slowly climbed up the metal monstrosity and before long he stood beside his servant on top of the shoulder of the giant. "No, forget it, don't use that Noble Phantasm of yours it would spell disaster for all of us."

"Very well… Handler Emiya."

"Handler huh… not exactly a dog person."

---

"Ignite…. Burn the last cinders. Fire of Raven."

---

Author's Note (Wing of vigilance): It's a bit subpar, but yeah Kiritsugu got augmented human 621, aka the protagonist of AC VI. At least it's not Strayed.

---

I Hate Goodbyes by smartidi0t

Agent Texas, certified badass of Project Freelancer and the terror of pretty much everybody she's met, was hiding in an alleyway hoping to be unseen by her pursuer.

"You can't hide Archer X! For what you have done, I would spear you a million times over!"

The voice, her pursuer she uncharacteristically feared in this moment, spewing hatred belonged to none other than her own former partner of the Grail War. A glimpse of green armor and a flash of red shined off the moon above as she ducked backwards into the alley just in time.

That part of her brain, the part she noticed early on in this fucking mess of war, told her to reconcile with the noble bastard. Reveal herself and apologize for what she's done. And gods did she nearly want to but… self-preservation prevailed only by an edge. One of her weak spots if she were being honest. How many times has she died at this point?

Gáe Dearg smashed into and partially through the brick wall next to her head, startling the agent with a quick backpedal.

Right, keep your head in the game dumbass!

"I promise I won't miss again." Lancer, the man her mind wanted to yearn for, was glaring with unfettered hatred at the dark future solider. Tex took the moment allowed to examine him once more since what she had done. The noble, chivalrous, handsome man had veins of pulsating red crawling down from his eyes across his face and throughout the rest of his body. They were even visible over the armor like the heroic spirit had been infected with some horrific parasite. Which, Tex helpfully reminded herself, was not far from the truth.

Goddamn her for convincing that old fuck to have Lancer aid them after she kidnapped that lovesick woman. Tex has fucked up, even she wasn't dumb enough to ignore that, but that might've been one of the biggest ever committed, of all time.

"Snap out of it dumbass! You're being mindfucked by that old freak." Tex materialized an SMG in her right hand and a Knife in her left, preparing to blitz past Lancer and continue her intended mission.

"You're one to talk." Lancer spat with a yank of her spear sending brick flying to the ground and a twirl to prepare another strike forward. "If it weren't for you, I would be fighting alongside my master!"

He lunged forward, Gáe Bearg being barely parried by the edge of Tex's knife as she pulled up her shotgun to blast point blank with the pull of the trigger. But Lancer was prepared and simply batted the gun upwards avoiding the majority of the shrapnel par for a few minor pellets hitting his face. Though he ignored the pain in favor of rushing forward and delivering a devasting headbutt to the visor of Archer X. She grunted in pain as they separated, both of their heads rattled by the impact.

"If it weren't for you, I'd be avenging my master with the woman he loved!" Lancer swung horizontally with his spear, forcing Texas to dodge underneath and attempt to roll past the servant smoothly if not for Lancer's boot connecting with the master of the bow and sending her flying into the opposite building of the alley's corner. Shattered rock and a pained Texas bouncing off into the wider section of the interlocking alleyways. "If it weren't for you, I would have redeemed myself as a knight!"

This last vitriolic utterance by Lancer stung the most for Archer X as she lifted rolled over quickly to avoid the spear burying itself in the spot she had been. Rolling over top her shoulders and pushing herself onto her feet she summoned a Magnum in a flash with a few quick scattered shots at Lancer who easily avoided the bullets as Tex began to run away.

"I was doing you a favor then! If it weren't for me, you'd be groveling slave at that cock bites feet!" Texas, in full sprint with Lancer in tow, firing shot after shot of her Magnum yelled back with only minor regret marring her voice. Not regret for her actions killing that magic prick, but regret that it caused Lancer so much pain. God, why couldn't he understand her reasons? It was right in his face for fucks sake! "I don't deny that I fucked up bringing you to Zouken, but I never intended for all this shit."

A helpful reminder of her actions tonight as a building in the distance blew to smithereens with a slow fall. That better have been evacuated Texas cursed internally at her clones, grunting in pain as Lancer smacked her in the side with his oversized spear. Momentarily slowed, Texas dropped her Magnum for the more mana intensive Gravity Hammer. The blow to her reserves going ignored as she blocked the follow up, overwhelming him with her superior strength before he could out skill her in a battle of polearms. Lancer stumbled backwards at her shove, sidestepping the explosion of the hammer hitting the ground underneath and using the ensuing kinetic force to fly into the air.

Like a diving bird, Lancer threw himself forward with all his force just as Tex had the sense to swing her hammer upward in an attempt to hit the diving servant. Spear and hammer raced for one another, inching ever closer, and closer, until, by just an inch, the infected servant of the spear adjusted his smaller and more agile spear by an inch. Avoiding the direct collision with gravity hammer, Gáe Bearg scraped past the hammers head and straight into a surprised Archer X's right shoulder. However, momentums a bitch and the hammer instead connected with a defenseless Lancer's chest in an immediate coughing of spit and blood as the man lost hold of his renowned spear and sent flying into a building with an explosion of rubble.

Tex lost the strength to wield her hammer as it faded from existence, hissing in pain as she clutched her right arm with that further crimson spear buried through her shoulder and into the concrete ground. Effectively pinned, and knowing Lancer suffered the least from this exchange, Agent Texas gripped the spear with all the strength she could muster. With sickening squelches and screams of agony, the spear freed itself from the ground with a yank and began the slow agonizing process of being removed from the servants muscle and bone. Every centimeter felt like absolute hell, but, the longer this thing remained, the more mana left her. She had a mission, she had to fix her fuckup. At least once in your goddamn life, lives, whatever, fix something! Be the agent you're supposed to be! Be the badass everyone knew you were! Be the half-shark bitch those stupid fucking sim troopers feared you were!

BE. A. SUCCESS!

A boot came crashing down onto her chest. Sending her to the ground and forcing the spear to slide back through all the process she made, Texas exhaled in pain with heavy breaths.

"You're a failure Agent Texas."

The cruel words of a bloody mouthed, breathing heavy, Lancer stood atop the downed servant. Though still standing, clearly brutalized and through only sheer willpower alone as he reached to his spear and yanked it out without an ounce of care. Relishing in the pure pained noise that escaped Tex's mouth. "Everything you touch is destined to fail."

"How-," Tex tried to say through the pooling blood underneath her, the feeling of her physical life draining as well as the remnants of her mana reserves being freed one by one as her clones fell apart all around the city.

"How do I know?" Lancer finished for her, "You didn't have a contract with him for long, but it was long enough for Zouken to get some memories of yours. Your multiple deaths, your multiple attempts at being the hero." Lancer mocked Texas grinding his armored foot into her body to illicit another grunt of pain, "God, your life, it's just… One. Big. Mi-,"

"-istake."

Lancer looked down to the barely breathing servant with a cocked eyebrow.

"You think I don't know?" A harsh laugh escaped her as she looked to the side to see a couple skyscrapers in flames with even more hidden indicated by the round orange light bathing the city. "I'm not just any Agent Texas. I'm the Agent Texas." The helmeted visor looked back to Lancer, directly making eye contact even despite the lack of eyes visible from her helmet. "Every version of her from every life. The Texas that was killed by a lucky throw from a pink nobody. The Texas that killed a member of her own team because she followed orders like a mindless robot. Who then later discovered that said teammate trusted her above everyone else on the team. The Texas that wanted to end a war on her own, dying thanks to a fucking talking bomb."

She readjusted herself to a more comfortable position, grabbing hold of Lancers leg with what little strength she had remaining. A fierce fire coursing through her as she continued. "The clones of her that couldn't even kill a few sim troopers! The Texas that shot the only person that cared about her because it was necessary to complete the mission. That person cared so much for her he brought her back from the dead, and she shot him for a fight she didn't even win!" Lancer felt a degree of discomfort as the grip around his leg grew in force, "Do you know how infuriating it is to fail so much!? To try your damndest over and over again for nothing!?"

Though she wore a helmet, Lancer knew just how angry the servant was. How utterly pissed Archer X was at herself. "The Texas that failed everyone! The Texas that got her own fucking daughter killed!" Lancer, despite what had infected his mind, couldn't help his surprised expression at the tidbit of information.

Letting go of his leg and laying back to the ground, Tex exhaled in a shuttering breath, using her arm to press the release on her helmet with a hissing sound of air. Lancer took his foot off the downed servant at this action. As simple as this one move was, something about it, maybe from what he learned thanks to Zouken, or maybe it was something instinctual like how noble phantasms has an undeniable aura surrounding them. But this wasn't that, it was powerful, but it wasn't an attack. Something a part of himself had to fight to force his hand to remain by his side despite the ramping orders coming a distance away from his new master.

Slowly with a never been done before gesture. Agent Texas, the badass of project freelancer and terror of everyone she knew, let the helmet roll off her long blonde haired head with glistening streaming tears covering her cheeks as it settled to her side. She stared at herself in the visor, the face she barely knew but couldn't deny it as hers. The face of a person she was, wasn't, and was modeled after.

"The Allison that died in war and set off a horrible chain of events leaving so many to suffer in their wake."

Silence befell the two servants. One, infected by a dark master and fighting for control of who they once were, and another, broken and defeated mentally and physically. The minute that lasted between the two changed servants felt like a century. Accompanied only by the distant sound of sirens and mass of civilian voices echoing for help and safety.

"I-,"

Lancer made to speak, cutting off as Archer-, no, Allison, grunted once more. Her body beginning to fade starting from her legs and slowly moving upwards.

"Well, ain't that a bitch?" Allison asked sarcastically with a snort looking down at her own fading body. The woman turned her head to the still Lancer above her, that damn love spot of his. There was no damn way she would've been caught dead crying, especially not in front of him of all people. Hell, she didn't even know she could cry until now. Regardless, she met his eyes, "Looks like a failed again. For what it's worth, I am sorry."

Her body faded past the waist crawling its way up her torso and coming ever closer. But Allison never broke eye contact.

"If your still in there… pretty boy, kill that old fuck. Nobody deserves to be controlled like that." Just about to reach her head, she uttered one last word.

"Goodbye."

Gone from the world, carried away by a light wind, Archer X was eliminated from the grail war like she had never been there in the first place. But Lancer, whatever part of him that remained noble, remembered the complicated woman that was his partner. And, lightly, he said one thing before heading off into the night away from the scene.

"But you hate goodbyes."

Author's Note (smartidi0t): Been mulling over a way to do something with Tex for this story and kinda just stumbled upon this. In this scenario, like what happened in the story, Tex unleashed her 100 Clone Army onto the city, but, not to destroy/cause terrorism for grief-stricken revenge, but as a distraction to try and keep the masters/servants focused on the city while she snuck over to kill Zouken in a last ditch effort to free Lancer from his newly made contract. In this, instead of being ordered to kill Caster X like in canon, Tex "convinced" Zouken to keep Lancer around after she kidnapped Sola-Ui not Rider X. Lover Spot shenanigans making her do stupid stuff. While Zouken agreed, it was Avenger X that actually convinced Zouken to agree to eventually do what was pretty much detailed above at a later date. Things went off the rails as Tex, seeing what had happened Lancer under Zouken's control grew guilty and defected from the group in an attempt to free him. Fix her fuck up essentially. I'm sure there are plenty of holes with what I put together here, but y'all figure that out, that's just the best I put together in a timely manner. Regardless, I hope people enjoy this. Been a bit since I've really wrote something, but here we are.

---

Of Fang and Blade by HeWhoSeeksUnderstanding

"The Round Table, huh?"

Letting out a sigh, the necromancer known as Kairi Sisigou, lightly shook his head. This entire ordeal from the start felt like it would be an enormous pain in the neck. Seven people from times long since past, descending from on high from the vaunted Throne Of Heroes, for the great and glorious purpose to kick the hell out of one another and the Masters who summoned them. All in the name for a single wish, for both the Servant and the Master that had summoned the last Servant standing, in the form of The Holy Grail.

That alone was already a hassle and a half, but now instead of seven, there would be fourteen Servants, all clamouring for the prize, though thankfully the lines were divided between two factions: Red for those who represented the Magus Association, and Black for Yggdmillenia, so it wouldn't result in a brainless free-for-all between double the amount of regular Servants. At least not yet.

And that brought him to the other half of the pain in his neck. Yggdmillenia. The opponents of his (current) faction, and current holders of The Holy Grail, which they had successfully stolen during the closing hours of the Third Holy Grail War. In terms of Magecraft, Yggdmillenia wasn't considered all too impressive, often looked down on by the Clock Tower and the rest of the Magus Association, for their production of Mages that were usually Second rate at best, with one of the few exceptions being the leader of Yggdmillenia, Darnic Prestone Yggdmillenia. Of course, the laughter and nose looking grinded to a screeching halt once the Grail was stolen, they seceded from the Magus Association, war was declared, and the newly summoned Lancer of Black declared said war by leaving forty nine mages doing their impression of a kebab with number fifty being spared to send the message.

He doubted that things would be easy for the Clock Tower, nobody declared a war if they didn't feel certain that they had a damn good chance of winning it. And apparently, Yggdmillenia liked their odds, quite a bit actually. The Clock Tower seemed to recognize this too, hence his current contract with them, as well as the fact that they were willing to fork over a piece of the Round Table from Arthurian legends to him of all people. Well, he can only assume that the rest of his fellow "Red Faction" Masters received catalysts of equal or even greater value, they were all of them ,generally, more well regarded by the Clock Tower than he was.

Still, pondering on his fellow masters, whether red or black, was ultimately a pointless thing. He'd meet his fellow Red masters soon enough, and almost certainly encounter the Masters of Black once this new, Greater Holy Grail War began proper at Trifas. Speaking of beginning proper, he should probably get to doing just that thing.

Standing up from the bench he'd been seated, Sisigou took one more cursory look around the graveyard to ensure that the Bounded Field remained in effect. Wouldn't do to have the public freak out about a massive flash of light coming from a graveyard in the dead of night, he had standards, dammit. And the Clock Tower ragged on him about necromancy enough as it is.

From his position, the summoning circle stretched out before him and on the far side, standing opposite of Sisigou was an old pedestal, long since worn down by time and lack of maintenance and perched atop it was a single piece of wood no larger than an average fist, and of seemingly regular, but polished quality. This was the fragment of the Round Table and from it, shall a Knight of the Round Table be called forth from the Throne Of Heroes. Gawain, Percival, Lancelot, hell, if he was lucky he could nap King Arthur Pendragon himself.

Mentally reciting the necessary incantation, Kairi gave himself a little smirk. "Okay. Yeah, I got this."

After all, for as much as a pain as this new job was, he too had a wish he wanted to be granted, and he would give everything he had to see it come true.

Stretching out his right arm towards the circle, he began to chant:

"Fill, Fill, Fill, Fill, Fill

Repeat Five Times, But When Each Is Filled, Destroy It

Elements Of Silver And Iron, The Foundation Of Stone And Archduke Of Pacts, The Colour Bestowed Is Red

Raise A Wall Against The Wind And Close The Gate On All Sides

Come Forth From The Crown And Follow The Forked Road Leading To The Kingdom

Behold, My Will Creates Your Body And Your Sword, My Destiny

If You Heed The Grail's Call, And Obey My Will And Reason, Answer Me

I Hereby Swear, I Shall Be All That Is Good In The World, And That I Shall Destroy All Evil In The World

Thou Seventh Heaven, Clad In The Great Words Of Power

Spring Forth, Guardian Of The Heavenly Scales"

Before Kairi's eyes, the summoning circle ignited in a near blinding light, a kaleidoscope of every shade of red... and blue(?) before suddenly erupting in a massive geyser of light, the force causing what few non-decaying trees left in the graveyard to sway as if being struck the winds of a hurricane, whereas he stood near unaffected. Finally the eruption exploded into a pure white light consuming even him momentarily.

Kairi mentally thanked his luck for keeping the sunglasses on him, else he feared he could've gone blind.

When the lightshow finally began to subside he found himself staring at ... two figures?

"What the hell?" he murmured.

Of the two figures, the shorter of the two made the first move, glancing at the one who had been summoned beside them and gave what sounded to him like a scoff, though it was slightly muffled thanks to the helmet they were wearing. He assumed that this was the Knight of the Round Table he had summoned, as they were clad head to toe in heavy armour the colour of iron and blood, with the helmet holding only two slits allowing for sight and having a pair of horns forged into the helmet, probably for intimidation. With a hiss, the helmet obscuring their face began to collapse, folding into their daunting armour and revealing hair blonde hair set in a pony tail, a wide, almost predatory smile and a youthful and very feminine face.

"I am Mordred, Knight of The Round Table, son of Arthur Pendragon and one true heir to the Throne of Camelot. I am Saber of Red and of this I ask you: Are you the one who will serve as my Master?"

...oh.

That raised a couple of questions for Kairi about the general accuracy of the Arthurian legends, but frankly speaking he had bigger concerns than the truthfulness of ancient legends. Namely the stranger who had appeared beside Mordred.

The second figure only arched a brow. He didn't seem like a Heroic Spirit and Kairi wouldn't have thought he was had he not sensed the Mana that he was supplying this stranger. The stranger seemed to be around Kairi's age, maybe a little older, with a rough stubble and reddish brown locks that seemed only haphazardly arranged. The stranger didn't dress like a Heroic spirit, he was dressed in a simple button up shirt, with the top button left out and sleeves rolled up, a slightly dirty, loosely hanging tie, and a brown overcoat.

He looked like someone he'd find at a bar, either a cynical office worker, or more fittingly a grizzled detective.

"Dramatic aren't you?" he drawled, a gravelly hint to his voice.

"Hmph," was the only response he received.

"Well, Master," he said, turning back to Kairi and gave a slight head bow in an act of fake deference "The names Bigby Wolf. Berserker of Blue. I guess most mages and mundies call me The Big Bad Wolf."

Right. that's it. He needed clarification, now.

"Sorry, but I'm a little off my guard right now. How come I summoned two servants, and what do you mean Berserker of Blue? There are only meant to be two factions: Red and Black."

"Not anymore," Mordred answered. "See, each Master will summon an additional Servant alongside their original summon, who happens to exist outside of this world, and each additional Servant forms a third and fourth faction based on the faction that summoned them. Red gets Blue and Black gets White." the knight explained, while her associate, partner or whatever , took out a packet of cigarettes which was labelled as Huff n Puff (seriously?) and started lighting one.

Sisigou felt he was probably not going to be far behind his unexpected Servant in the nicotine department.

"Okay, but how. The Gretaer Holy Grail was designed to allow only seven Servant on each side, it's not like it can just suddenly change it's mind and decide to throw in another batch of fourteen Servants, from other worlds I might add." Sisigou sighed, a hand on his hip.

Berserker of Blue took a drag of his cigarette before speaking up. "Hey, we didn't make the rules and we don't know who did it or how either and there's nothing that can be done about it now anyway. Though, the good news is that a Servant's mana cost is cut in half so you're not really in anymore danger of running out as you usually are. And besides there's a quality to quantity."

"Yeah, I guess so." Kairi lightly chuckled.

"I gotta say though, this an awfully grim place to be summoned in." Berserker of Blue or Bigby rather remarked, staring around at the numerous tombstones.

"Well corpses are my specialty. In more ways than one."

"Tch, a necromancer. How come I always get the odd ones." Mordred remarked.

"Hey I'm hardly the only odd ball here. Since when was the son of King Arthur actually a woma-"

Before Sisgou could even process her movement, he found himself face to tip, with the Treacherous Knight's blade, an incensed look in it's wielder's eyes. "You will not refer to my gender so long as you draw breath. Understood?"

Once again, before Sisgou could respond, he found the tip pointed away from him, and between the fingers of his other Servant. "Alright knock it off. It was just an observation, you know he didn't mean to cause any offense." Frowned Bigby, who was greeted with Mordred's narrowing eyes.

"He's right. I didn't mean anything by it and I won't bring it up again." he said, hoping to placate the anger of Saber of Red.

Thankfully, his plea seemed to do the trick. Mordred ripped her blade from Bigby's grasp, and set it down in front of her.

"That will suffice. So tell me, what's our first move?"

Sisigou gave a slight grin towards his two Servants. "Well that's simple. We three, a traitor, a necromancer and child eater are going to church and confessing our sins."

The look of confusion on their faces, was definitely something he'd be laughing over for quite a while.

Author's Note (HeWhoSeeksUnderstanding): Literally wrote this in one day. No clue of what I was doing, please prevent me from doing this again.
Thaaaaanks.

---

The Prince and King by wing of vigilance

-
"Pretender about your wish... Do- do you ever hope that the Grail can grant it?" Saber asked the garishly dressed servant who was about to take a massive bite out of the cheese sandwich.

It was a slow day in Chaldea, and many of the newly summoned servants had their chances to familiarise themselves with the new environment and fellow servants, but not for these two as they shared a lunch together.

"No, as much as I wish I could stop his sacrifice... " Pretender replied, taking smaller bites from the sandwich. "I think letting that wish be left ungranted was for the better."

"Why?"

"Because it would be an insult to what we fought for," the silver-haired servant took a chunk out of the sandwich savouring each bite, quickly the sandwich vanished into the servant's bottomless appetite for all things cheesy. "Do not get me wrong, I had many regrets. Many I wished to undo, but in the end, it is what it is. What would he think if I wished for him never to sacrifice himself?"

Saber stays quiet for a moment, she was reminded of their last encounter during that abnormal grail war, Pretender X was one of the aberrant servants summoned, an incredibly powerful one with many noble phantasms.

She is reminded of the incident where the mad servant turned her master into a hamster with a wave of his weird staff/cane the Wabbajack or how he managed to match her swordplay with the Sword of the Crusader.

"Forgive me it was insensitive of me to ask." Saber apologises.

"Eh, we all have our moments." Pretender waved off the King of Knight's concerns. "But if I were to have a wish granted... I want to see him one last time, he was… radiant, so very bright during his last moment. I wasn't able to say anything in the end."

"I'm sure he knows your feelings, Pretender." Saber reached out just a little, she had a long grown sympathetic to the servant in front of her, she knew Pretender had difficulty in expressing his thoughts with the occasional bouts of madness.

"The things we do for love, and speaking of love," Pretender stood up and shouted into the cafeteria where a certain red archer was working. "Yoo hoo! Hey! Red Archer! Another grilled cheese sandwich- no make it five or I'll turn you into a pile of muffins!"

There was a muffled shout of frustration from the kitchen.

"I love that kid, always acting tough but he sure does make one mean grilled cheese sandwich." The lord of the Shivering Isles laughed as his clothes changed colour wildly before settling to a bright purple colour. "SO! What about the little old you, King of Camelot? Got any regrets to spill for Sheogorath?"

Author's Note (Wing of vigilance): Another short from me, this time with the Pretender servant Hero of Kvatch, who is stuck between the Divine Crusader and Sheogorath.

---

Recollection and Reconciliation by irish connection

"Let me get this straight, you idiots got time travel abilities and: brought a bunch of famous generals to the future, 'conquered' Camelot and renamed it to what I shall not say with the actual Round Table Knights and King Fucking Arthur around, and had to deal with actual gods." Tex replied to the Reds and Blues, finally being summoned to Chaldea. Simmons and Grif were a duo, like Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Caboose was a Berserker, same with Sarge, Church(Epsilon) was a Caster, Tucker a Saber, Donut an Assassin, Doc an Alter Ego, and Lopez a Rder. Wash and Carolina were getting food, with Carolina talking with York during it.

"Yeah, what was up with that anyway? I finally die and you idiots just immediately fall into even dumber shit." was the response from Church, who died on Chorus. Can't believe I'll say it, but I'm actually proud of these morons. Tex thought happily, remembering the story of them working together to take down Felix and the pirates.

"Yeah yeah, it was weird. Though we were still kick fucking ass." Tucker responded, after eating his sandwich.

"Yeah, I even got to say goodbye to you as well. But, that now we're here, I can take my Goodbye. YAY!" Caboose exclaimed, having the same realization he had about two days ago.

Church just shook his head in happy exasperation, "yeah buddy, you don't have to say goodbye anymore." Church said with a lazy smile.

"Now, enough of this recollection nonsense, how have you boys been meeting with our newest allies. I for one have never been more excited, outside of planning to murder Grif-"

"Up yours Sarge"

"-can it private-"

"Still a Sargent-"

"and I am a Colonel in the Chorus army so shut your trap, that's an order." which was the final say in an old argument that's lost it old hateful heat and is now just a ribbing. "As I was saying, how have y'all gotten along with our fellow heroic spirits."

"Ooh, I love hanging out with Astolfo, he has given so many good ideas." was the excited reply of Donut, shocking no one he had gotten along with the… eccentric knight of Charlemagne.

Ignoring the pink idiot, I have been working alongside people who actually know what I am saying and give respect, it is nice. Lopez said, having been quiet during the story.

"How come we can now understand any language, yet we still have no god damn idea what Lopez is saying?" Simmons asked, looking over at the old robot.

"Like I said back at the temple, 'something's are just hard wired.'" was the somewhat serious answer of Tucker, going back to eating.

Tex looks up to see Diarmuid, having left the line with food. "Hey, Dia!" Tex yelled, pointing out a spot at the table where he can sit. Diarmuid was hesitant, not only because of him and Texas history from the 4th, but also his own shame at being unable to recognize that his power affected her during their brief partnership. Deciding that it was time to reconcile with the agent, Diarmuid went to sit at the table.

"Hello, agent Texas. It has been a while." was the awkward response of Diarmuid, having no idea what to actually say.

"Christ man, I know you two ended worse than Tex and Church; but that was bad." Tucker said, looking up at the spearman.

"Up yours Tucker." was the immediate response of both Tex and Church, flipping off the resident Saber. Raising his hands in mock surrender, Tucker went back to eating.

"No, no; Tucker is right, that was a terrible way to start." Diarmuid said. "Agent Texas, I would like it apologize for missing how my Love Spot affected you during the war we served in, I did not know how far it pushed you until it was too late."

"It's fine, I should have mentioned it in the first place, at least before everything went to hell." Tex responded, patting Diarmuid on the shoulder, trying to reassure the less famous Irish spearman.

"No, it wasn't right for me to not see how it was affecting you, much like lady Sophia. Or the growing tensions between you and lord Kayneth, if I had known; then maybe-"

"Then they wouldn't have listed to you anyway. Our odds were never good Dia, between my curse at the time and hostility Sophia had from the love spot toward any women who even looked at you, we were doomed." was the sardonic ad somber response of Texas, who knew their chances of winning were slim.

"Even then, the grail was corrupted, and I doubt either us could have taken it out." Tex finished, giving Diarnuid some level of closure, seeing Tex act more easily around the 'Reds and Blues' then other servants or even her fellow agents.

"Yes, you are probably right. Though, honor does demand me to seek forgiveness." Diarmuid responded, still hanging out to the ideal of chivalry.

Texas just snook her head, giving up trying to convince the Irish spearman "Alright, I accept your apology. Now, let me introduce my lovable idiots: Church, Tucker, Caboose, Sarge, Donut, Simmons and Grif, and Lopez." Tex said, going across the table.

A smattering of "hellos and hi" great Diarnuid, who returns the greeting "It is nice to meet you all." he said, giving a smile.

"Alright, enough of the introduction shit. Hey Diarmuid, you want to hear the story of the time Tex ran away from an alien?" Church asked with a shit eating grin.

"Last I checked, your incorporeal ass was running first." was Texas immediate reply, giving Church a mock glare.

They would both turn to Tucker who said "Both you pussies were out of the building at the same time." Church was the first to reply to his teammate, looking more amused then annoyed "Now I know you are not saying anything mister 'victory lap.'" as the group descend into friendly bickering, Diarmuid started to realize What have I gotten myself into? he thought happily, realizing how easy it was for Tex to connect with them.

---

Hunter and the Hunted by Phoenixofflame

In a dark park two Servants battled in the trees tops. They would ready their arrows, aim and fire all at a speed more comparable to machine gunfire than anything a normal human could achieve. All while constantly moving from tree to tree to throw off each other's aim. Yes this is magus in the know would think of when they imagine two Acrhers fighting each other.

But it wasn't how Deylln Goblinslayer, former Captain of the Brassmoon Elite Gaurd and Servant Archer X had imagined it going.

Now it's not like he was completely caught off guard. He had expected Shinji's negotiation attempt with that Rin girl to fail. Just from how he described her she seem like the kind of bitch who needed to be shown her place before you can really get anywhere. If anything he was looking forward to the inevitable fight. To face the Archer Servant from this world. To face and overcome a worthy challenge in the field of archery.

But he didn't expect it like this. The Archer he was fighting he was a faster shot than him. Even as he created multiple arrows with his wooden arm he still was just barely keeping up with the other archer. Worse the red Archer's shots were extremely accurate despite the speed. And it was showing time and time again Deylln had to give up perfectly good shots to dodge or deflect his opponents volleys. Both of them knew that the red Archer had the advantage.

Still Deylln was far from helpless. His wooden arm may not be able to keep up with the red Archer's speed but it was still a Noble Phantasm. That includes the arrows he makes using it. Every time one of his wooden arrows clashed with his opponent's metal ones it was the metal ones that lay cracked and broken. And that was not his greatest advantage. His greatest advantage where they were fighting.

There was a reason he argued that the kid's little negotiation needed to happen here. Above everything else he is he is a Ranger and knew forests. Even a small tamed one like this. The rustle of leaves, the bending of branches, and how his opponent's stupid red and black outfit clashed with brown and green of the environment. All of those were weapons in his hands. Add he was slowly adding one more. His opponent himself. He was slowly learning about the other Archer. How he would moved, when he would fired, everything.

This red Archer may infuriatingly be the better archer but there is more to being a Ranger than just archery. No matter what happens a true Ranger is always the hunter.

The red Archer fired another volley of arrows but this one missed him by a mile. Wait how did he miss like that? It's not like I poisoned him or anything." Deylln thought " If he's making mistakes that big then this will be over so-Is it getting warmer?" Boom! A fireball how?! Medusa was supposed to keep Saber X busy! Deylln thought as he struggled to control his fall only to see his opponent preparing another volley. Three arrows were sent straight to him. He raised his wooden arm to deflect the first one but it flew with greater force than the other arrows his opponent fired at him before knocking his prosthetic out of alignment leaving the last two aimed at head and heart. He barely managed to get his head out of the way but the second managed to hit his chest.

As Emiya looked down at the small dust cloud kicked up by Archer X's fall he gave it his complete attention. He was technically a Grail War veteran and knew exactly how hard Servants can be to kill. So he wasn't that surprised when the dust cloud passed and Archer X was still alive. Marching forward with a bloody arrow in his hand and rage in his eye."I was sure that hit his core. Battle Continuation? No to little blood, he grabbed the arrow just before it could hit the heart." "You prick" Archer X growled out as the wooden parts of this body grew over his chest and face of like a protective shell. " That volley that missed me. It wasn't aimed at me at all was it! It was just to give that brat teammate of yours the space she needed to sneak attack me!" In response Emiya sighed " If you're about to give me another honor speech-" "It's not going to work again you hear me! I'm the hunter here and you're the prey!"

"Whatever you have to tell yourself little rabbit."

---

The Wizard and the King by enoch228

Altogether 1420 in the Shire was a marvellous year. Not only was there wonderful sunshine and delicious rain, in due times and perfect measure, but there seemed something more: an air of richness and growth, and a gleam of a beauty beyond that of mortal summers that flicker and pass upon this Middle-earth.

A time of restoration had come to the homes of the Shirefolk, where the merriment and joy of simpler times returned in time as the scars of Saruman's tyranny gradually faded with time.

"This serenity... so nostalgic and yet so different. The air, the soil, the breeze... all of it... I can feel a comforting sense of home within this land."

Came the voice of the King of Knights as she stood atop a distant hill, espying the fruitful labour of the Shire folk. Though not the fierce and bold Horse-lords of Rohan, nor the high and ancient folk of the Dúnedain, there was a simplicity, an innocence and strong will to these gentle folk that recalled memories of the fairer times of her reign.

A rustling sound came to her right as a figure garbed in veiled white robes indulged in the simple pleasure of pipeweed, a joy he had been denied by necessity and duty for far too long in recent years. A ring of smoke blew across the West-bound winds as the sagely old man let out a poof of air from his lips.

"It is good to see them recover after the final horror of Sauron and Saruman's devices. I am glad to know that these dear friends of ours have grown and learned the lessons of their journey, harsh and unyielding as the challenges were. Indeed they have become mighty folk in their own regard."

The King, a stoic figure watching over the fields of green, let loose a simple smile as a memory of old flew betwixt her mind, only to halt upon the image of a Hill of ruin and swords.

"I once governed over a land such as this as you know. A land of verdant hills and fertile fields. I thought that my rule could achieve the peace that these folk dwelt in for decades. I thought my rule could bring about the kingdom the people needed. But it was not so, for I had lost the heart of an ideal ruler, for I had grown too distant from these... simple things."

The distant sounds of merriment and labour, the chirping of birds flying overhead, and the rustling of the leaves in Summer filled the silence that shortly followed. The Wizard blew second puff of smoke from his pipe, the image of a crown forming amidst the ephemeral strands.

"The way of a Kingdom and King is inevitably to end, be it in millennia or but decades. This land we stand upon is truly no different from your own. Others dwelt here before hobbits were; and others will dwell here again when hobbits are no more. It is said among the Elves of Lindon that the 'wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot for ever fence it out.' I cannot deny such words hold some truth."

"Then would you say the end of my Kingdom was right? That the sight of that bloody Hill of ruin and gore, the site of my follies come to culmination was right!"

Said the King, wroth with a fire that was unlike her usual collected self, anger driven by the images of Hell. But the Wizard simply smiled a simple smile. He swept an open hand over the lands as he said.

"I do not claim the Hill of Camlann was the end your people deserved, nor do I believe tragedy to be the inevitable end of all things. Indeed, the One has made our worlds with a Music of a similar rhyme, in time, this Middle-Earth may too see your tale come forth upon this very hill. No, I tell you this, that though your way of ruling your people was flawed, it that does not mean it was wrong. All ways of kingship inherently carry flaws. No King is, was or will ever be truly perfect. That is a simple fact.

Do not deny the past because of this truth, for though the end of your reign was tragic indeed, the memory of your rule will live on through the times as an inspiration to other lands, to other peoples. A kingdom and a king ideal, a land that strove of peace amidst a time of chaos and ruin, whose end was destined, yet ever striven against. These tales have a way of enduring beyond the end to bring forth new light and hope. Do not deny the beauty of your tale, for there is purpose in it all."

The King was silent, her wroth quelled with reason. There was no malice to his speech, she knew his words had merit. There was always value in the doing, but this did not change the sorrow of the ending. No, kind Mithrandir cannot not change her mind as a whole, but the Wizard yet smiled when the time came to part. A story he glimpsed as fair Olorin, a tale of Fate and Night, where one day, very soon, her curse of despair could finally end.

---

Author's Note(enoch228): I wasn't really sure how to end this one. From introspective babble, to Monty Python lite, to a rehash of Caster X's part in Praxus' banquet in an overly long format (I literally stole an entire line), my shorts are all over the place. Think I might try something with either Kariya and the Halls of Mandos or Gandalf and... Merlin(or Artoria talking about Merlin)... or maybe Annatar and Shirou... Idk, I might not do any of them. I'll see how it goes.

Fun fact: The Shire is located where England will be in the successive Ages to LotR. I originally leaned into this concept more, but it felt too contrived in terms of dialogue.

---

A Knight in Konoha by MultiverseGamer2099

The village of Konoha is in ruins...

it been unexpected attack by the Leader of Akatsuki as many shinobis of konoha having been slain, injured or attacked by other members of Pain.

The Jonin and Chunin doing their best to fight the bodies of Pain as while the Genin guiding and protecting the villagers to safe areas within the ruins of the village.

Then when all seems lost, Naruto had arrived...

...but even that wasn't enough even learning senjutsu training and the sage mode, it wasn't enough to take down the Leader of the Akatsuki, even with the summoning jutsu it wasn't enough...

As Naruto, hands stabbed by one of the black receivers by Pain, pinning him to the ground, watched helplessly one of his friends, Hinata that fought and lost against him, was about to die, and he was unable to do anything.

As Pain raised his hand as a black receivers came out before thrusting to deal the final blow...

Whoooossshhhh

CLAANG

But It's seem that fate had different plans.

"Wha-" unable to finish he suprised reaction before being blasted by a force of wind sending him to a wall in the current battlefield.

To both shinobis suprise and awed, their Savior did not looked like a ninja at all, she had blonde hair tied into a bun, wearing a blue dress with armor plating, and was holding something with her hands though it was invisible, a jutsu perhaps?

"Are you both alright?" Asked the knight to the injured konoha ninjas.

Quickly shaking off their suprised before giving a response to their unexpected ally.

"Y-yes thank you" The hyuuga exclaims with sense of relief considering the close call she had.

"W-who are you?" Asked the knuckle head ninja, wondering who she was.

The knight looked at him with a soft smile before responding to him.

"I am ally to you and your friends, Naruto."

"She knows me?" Mentally questioned the shinobi.

Before of hearing the rubble and clash between fist and metal as the knight clash against Pain as their attacks were parried by the invisible weapon, before being pushed back again being forced to disengage rather to be thrown like before.

Even with the Rinnegans help, Pain realize that the women that attack him had no Chakra, or at the very least not a normal charkra system in her body, all that energy he was sensing was foreign especially the center of her heart...and her weapon as well keeping it cloak.

"...another ally to Konoha?" Raising a eyebrow towards the unexpected ally to the Hyuuga and student of Jiraya.

"You attacked the home village of a comrade of mine, hurt countless lives and killed many more." though it was a statement there was anger in it.

With the activation of mana burst radiating around her and the invisble wind on her sword of promised victory.

"On that, your opponent shall be me!"

With a battle cry The once and Future King of Camelot engaged the battle with the Leader of the Akatsuki.

Author's Note (MultiverseGamer2099): Suprised no one has done this yet since one of the ideas could of been having fate characters in other worlds so I give it a shot.

Not my best one, since it been a long time since I even watched naruto.

---

A Tale of Two Arthurs by Underdog Emiya

Artoria couldn´t tell when she felt something was off.

It wasn´t like how her Instinct usually acted when she was in danger. It wasn´t even something that she felt with her five senses.

She only crossed eyes with the creature – this Saber X – and his sword to feel a sense of familiarity with the blade he held.

"Oh my!" said...the sword? "Seems like a interesting blade puts itself in our way. A battle of two akin souls!"

"I wouldn´t know if we´re akin, she seems a bit more straightlaced than me," the blue being quipped, twirling the sword lazily. "Oh well. Not my first knight duel anyway, this should to prove interesting."

"...who-"

Artoria couldn´t finish her question, as Invisible Air blocked the sword. It was so different but so familiar-

What kind of sorcery was that?

At high speed, the two swords clashed. The Saber was sure he couldn´t see the sword – no tricks akin to Diarmuid and his magical spear. No, it was pure reflex, reacting to her attack and countering with his own.

"Engarde!" the sword said. "If it´s a battle of speed, Sir Sonic shall not lose at all!"

Indeed, Artoria soon saw her offensive momentum halted and being taken over by the creature´s fierce yet controlled swings.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! Metal clashed at high-speeds, but Artoria felt she needed to turn the tide.

"STRIKE AIR!"

With the next attack, she unleashed the might of the wind scabbard around Excalibur, pushing her valiant opponent away. He flipped midair, however, and landed on his feet.

"Nice trick! Here´s one of my own...try to keep up with this!"

CLANG!

A blur slashed against her. And he was now behind-

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

His offensive was relentless, zooming through the field in hypersonic slashes that Artoria barely managed to block with her Instincts.

Eventually, he stopped in front of her, blade pointed at her.

"What is your name, beastial knight?!" said the King of Knights. "And what is the blade you wield?!"

"My name?" said Saber X, pointing at himself. "I am a knight with no master other than the wind which flows free. I am Sir Sonic, Knight of the Winds, and this is my partner Caliburn! Onwards!"

Caliburn?! She couldn´t ask it before the hurricane assaulted her again – but she couldn´t help but let a small smile on her face.

What better foe to face in a battlefield than yourself?!

---

A Hound and a Priestess by Phoenixofflame

Bazett Fraga McRecmitz was happier right now than she had ever been in her life. Part of her wanted sing and dance like this was some stupid musical. And could you blame her she'd done it! She has summoned Cu Chulainn, Setanta, the Child of Light, the Hound of Culann, the man whose story saved her from a life of loneliness. He walks the earth once more by her hand. Intellectually she knew that the Grail War was far from won. That it was entirely possible that someone could summon a hero that Cu Chulainn couldn't defeat annd that all of this could still end in tragedy but that possibility felt so distant.

Even if he got in trouble she would be there to help him. She is a raising star among the Enforcers the Mage Association's official hunters of rouge mages and their monsters. Her Runes may not be the flashiest magecraft the world has ever seen but they were very effective as the Mage Association's enemies learned firsthand. With it the suit and gloves she is wearing right now let her become one of the strongest things in this city that's not a Servant. Well she wasn't arrogant enough to believe that she could outfight any but the weakest Servant but she doubted that the Masters would be able to stand against her for long.

The X Servant made this a bit more com-Cac! She almost completely forgot about her X Servant! Lord and Mary this is embarrassing. Still easy to fix "Archer X" Bazett called out
"I need to ask you a few questions"

"What do you need to know Master?"

"I already know a great deal about Cu Chalainn so I want to learn about you. Tell me about your self."

Archer X took a minute gather her thoughts "My name is Kikyo and my Noble Phantasms are Sacred Arrows: Purity Strikes True and Sealing Arrow: Love Bound Beyond Time the Grail should inform you of the rest.

It didn't escape Bazett's notice that while Kikyo had just given her a great deal of information on what she could do she kept information on who she was under lock and key. Was it just that Kikyo was a private person or a treacherous one? Bazett herself was a pretty private person but if Kikyo was a backstabber then that had to be dealt with as soon as possible. She decided that for now to trust her. She wasn't going to potentially damage a relationship that just started over a bout of paranoia. In the mean time she had few other questions.

Kikyo was not by nature a talkative person. She said what she felt needed to be said and little more. So the barrage of questions her Master had just unleashed on her was uncomfortable to say the least. "How far can you shoot, how would your Sacred Arrows effect a non demonic or even divine targets, how fast can you make a barrier" and on and on. They weren't bad questions she just wished she didn't have to answer them. But they were in the hotel room her Master had apparently paid for. She would go to bed soon and give Kikyo some blessed peace and qu-

"Everyone there are a few things I would like to get done before I go to bed. Cu Chalainn I want you to take a look at my suits."
"I am and they look great on you"

" Not like that!" Bazett's cheeks becoming as red as her hair. "I meant look at the runes inside the suit. You are the expert on runes here I want your eyes on my work."

"Huh I've never been a teacher before." Lancer noted "I Cu Chalainn with great pleasure accept the position."

"I, you" Bazett stammered out "Cu Chalainn please take this seriously!"

"Fine fine business before pleasure." Lancer said as he walked over to the closet holding Bazett's suits.

"Kikyo, I need you to make a few shikigami. Nothing too intelligent or complicated they are just there so we can see each other's abilities firsthand."

"And you're getting me a fight? You really are my kind of woman."

"Cu Chalainn!"

"Come on you were asking for that one"

"So much for peace and quiet." Kikyo thought to herself as she materialized. "I understand I will have them done by morning."

---

Forging of One Ring by Enoch228

I analyse the basic structure and modify it.
I analyse the composition materials.
But I still don't understand it. The Ring sge made just now, even as I concentrate on reading it, doesn't make any sense.

"It's not that I can't read it… but it's that it doesn't make any sense. Every time I try reproduce it, they just come out as normal rings."

Caster X's gentle expression doesn't change much, but it doesn't stop me from feeling frustrated. The one skill I have, the one talent I managed to hone… If I'm going to reach my ideal, I can't have it fail on me like t-

"Do not feel at fault dear master. This was the expected result."

Her serene voice cuts off the train of my thoughts… this was meant to happen? She gives me a look of amusement… I guess I couldn't stop the shock from reaching my face

"My, my, how adorable that expression is. But worry not master, this was the expected result. The Rings I need to help you become the Hero you want to be… the Hero you are meant to be… requires a degree of spiritual force. A portion of a soul."
"…A soul?"

Her expression turns serious. Her fiery red jewel-like eyes turning sharper than steel.

"Yes, a soul. My soul to be precise. If we are to help the world and save the lives of everyone we can, if we are to bring about an order that will end the chaos that allowed tragedies like the Fire to exist, you and I need to dedicate ourselves to this cause. Your projections, and my Fëa."
"Y-yeah, I promised that I would help your ideal. Don't worry, I'll give you my all."

…Damn it… I couldn't stop the blush from reaching my face… It's clear from her laughter. But it's terrifying, the idea that she can so casually tear apart her soul for our shared goal…

"Are you sure you won't be hurt by this? I know this is for our shared ideals… but I don't want to hurt a gi-"
"Dear master."

She cuts me off with an indescribable expression, her silvery hair flowing across her shoulders as she stands up to her full... albeit short height. It's moments like this when I can't help but realise she really isn't human… and never was.

"Your kindness is heartfelt, but for the sake of order. For the sake of a world of justice, We must to dedicate everything we have. For the sake of our ideals, my dear master."
"…I don't like it… but if you're really going to go through with this… I'll do my best to win this Holy Grail War with you… Anata."
…My face blushes again as she laughs at my inability to say her name without being awkward… I really hope she doesn't make me call her that around Tohsaka, she'd never let me hear the end of it.

"For one of the hungry Houseless, if it is admitted to the friendship of the Living, may seek to eject the fea from its body; and in the contest for mastery the body may be gravely injured, even if it is not wrested from its rightful habitant. Or the Houseless may plead for shelter, and if it is admitted, then it will seek to enslave its host and use both his will and his body for its own purposes. It is said that Sauron did these things, and taught his followers how to achieve them."

Author's Note (Enoch228): Name was an easy pun. This theoretical route is very different... also a very possible crack pairing.

This is a derivative of my Caster/Pretender X if it wasn't obvious, and yeah poor Shirou is being manipulated. Sauron is a shapeshifter and gender is quite literally a choice and preference for his kind. However, this is, as is implied above, Saber's body. Sauron is a manipulative bastard who has tricked many, many people and entire kingdoms into viewing him as a god and a "moral leading figure". I imagine him approaching a version of Artoria at the Hill (here, theoretically after Fate/Paradox) and tricking her into a Faustian bargain in some way. Not with whole lies but half lies. A rather interesting fact is that, when he was "young", Sauron did have a genuine desire to do good before devolving into pure ambition and evil.

"But like all minds of this cast, Sauron's love (originally) or (later) mere understanding of other individual intelligences was correspondingly weaker; and though the only real good in, or rational motive for, all this ordering and planning and organization was the good of all inhabitants of Arda..."

But this version of Sauron is influenced by his vessel to some degree and is from a younger point in his life when he still had some "good" (emphasis on some)... this world line may not be fully doomed... yay for Harem Protagonist: EX (this is so cursed). The original draft had a yandere final boss thing... but this is already too much for me.

---

A Rider's Spirit by Brilliant Battler

Assassin X had to give Archer X credit, she was certainly persistent. Any time she caught sight of him, she immediately filled the area with as much firepower as she could fire off at a time.

Take cover behind a container? Bullets all around until it fell apart.

Hide above her? Launch explosives up next to him.

Send a shadow clone to distract her while he flanked her? The clone never managed to make it more than a few feet before being tagged by a bullet.

The issue was that, while the environment gave him plenty of opportunities to hide and throw Archer X off, it also left him largely trapped in narrow corridors where her weaponry could easily saturate the available space.

If he could bait her into a more open area or even just close the distance he could take her, while she seemed to be stronger than him she didn't have half his skill in the martial arts, but that relied on actually breaking this stalemate.

Whatever ability she used to summon those weapons certainly seemed mana-efficient if the volume of firepower was anything to go by. Waiting this out wasn't likely an option, especially after she tried to shoot Irisveil once already.

In that case, it was time to break out some of his more explosive options.

Assassin X drew yet another kunai from his pouch and strung a paper tag up around the ring at the end. At the same time, Archer X summoned a metal ball with a handle and prepared to throw it.

However, before either X servant could launch their attack, they were interrupted by a new arrival.

"Are you sure about this?" Risei asked Tokiomi. "Kirei or not, Rider X could easily throw everything into disarray should he feel the need. A++ Independent Action isn't the sort of thing to take lightly and there's a very real chance that any attempt to reign him in one would come at an extremely high price if it even worked at all."

"Whatever the potential for Rider X's disobedience, the fact remains that Kirei retains the potential to end him should he stray too far from our plans. And he knows it," Tokiomi replied calmly.

The Tohsaka head took another sip of wine from his beloved glass. "Rider X won't risk being eliminated even with his insurance against us. So long as we retain the ability to instantly end him, even at great cost, he'll do as ordered."

"And if he finds himself in over his head and is slain…well, then his death will have weakened our enemies and provided us with valuable information. Either way, we benefit."

Kirei, listening to the conversation over the phonograph, remained silent. His training told him that he should be in agreement with his teacher, yet his mind was distracted by a memory not his own. Of an unforgivable sin and the man who had been chosen as the vessel of Evil itself, yet struggled against it without end.

'If you are unable to atone yourself, then you just have to keep on fighting!'

"Rider X…could you have an answer for me?"

His fist clenched tight as he focused once more on his Servant's senses. His teacher's orders were paramount and his role was to reign in the X Servant should he prove a liability. Yet, part of him wondered if there might be another path for him.

Shoving down those thoughts with practiced ease, Kirei reached out to Rider X through their connection.

"Are you in position?"

"Ready to strike," Rider X responded. "I'm just weighing my options for who to target first."

"Focus on the silver-haired Servant with the mask. There's a not-insignificant chance he's the second Assassin and, if that is the case, his removal could greatly benefit us. Especially if we go through with the plan we discussed earlier."

"Understood,"

the sense of connection faded to a light presence as he felt Rider X turn his focus toward his objective. "Just watch Master. I'll show you my spirit."

Assassin X, feeling his finely-honed instincts suddenly start screaming at him, threw himself to the side just in time for a strange cross-marked shuriken to pass through where his torso had been and bury itself in the nearby container.

Unfortunately, this put him square in Archer X's crosshairs. To make matters worse, the shuriken exploded into cross-shaped pillars of fire.

Fortunately, the explosion distracted Archer X long enough to keep her from open firing and gave Assassin X the chance to jump back and out of the blast radius.

"So, do have a Noble Phantasm that summons allies, or was that someone else entirely?" Assassin X asked his fellow X servant. Keeping one eye on her as he scanned the area for the new attacker with his Sharingan.

"Oh, don't you pin that bullshit on me!" Archer X yelled back, snapping back to attention and aiming an SMG at Assassin X's chest and surreptitiously pulling back her other arm to throw the metal sphere.

"Well, then I guess we he another guest. Care to step out and introduce yourself?" He asked the seemingly empty sea of containers.

No response came.

"Shy one, huh?" He joked, glancing back at Archer X.

Before she could respond, a red blur shot out of the shadows and launched Assassin X through a line of nearby containers with a double dropkick.

"What the hell?!" Archer X cried out, pointing her SMG at the new arrival.

Whatever they were vaguely resembled a human being, albeit one with a strong insectoid motif. The figure was covered in armor from head to toe, with no visible openings. Silver boots and gloves gave way to crimson limbs and back to a silver chest plate with a cross-shaped belt at it's waist. It's face was blatantly inhuman, with large green eyes, a metallic mouth plate, a pair of antennae perched atop its head, and a white scarf fluttering around it's neck.

If the monstrous appearance of the figure wasn't a reason to be concerned, the four shuriken bombs attached to him, two on it's elbows and two on it's knees, and the knife holstered at it's hip were.

It turned it's head around necks didn't move like that and glanced back at Archer X. "Worry about helping your partner. This one is mine."

Archer X had seen some fucked up things in her life, but she had to admit this thing might take the cake. And as much as it pissed her off not to run off, she wanted exactly none of whatever was going on here.

"Tch, fine," Archer X spat. "But don't think this is over. I'll come gunning for your ass some other time."

And on that note, she turned around and ran off to back Lancer up. Leaving Rider X to carry out his task without further interruption.

"Well, that felt familiar," Assassin X remarked, stepping out of the destroyed shipping container with his kunai and paper at the ready. Though anyone paying close enough attention would notice a slight hitch in his movements. "For a moment, I thought my Greatest Rival had followed me here."

"You must have lived an interesting life then," Rider X commented, drawing his knife and shifting into a combat stance. "If we both walk away from this, I'd love to hear more about it."

"I imagine that you've got some impressive stories yourself," Assassin X smirked underneath his mask. "But right now, what do you say we get down to business so I can go help my teammate?"

For a moment, the pair were still. Each of them sized their opponent up before they committed to an opening move.

Assassin X was the first to act, hurling his weapon at Rider X before running through a series of hand seals.

When Rider X attempted to deflect the knife with his own, the paper exploded. The resulting blast covered the area with smoke, hiding any indication of what the attack might have done.

"Earth Style: Swamp of The Underworld!" Assassin X slammed his hands into the ground, transforming the nearby earth into a muddy swamp.

"If his first move was any indication of what to expect, I can't give him the chance to slip away. That one blow was enough to fracture some ribs and even if I know about his stealth trick that doesn't tell me enough to fully counter it."

"Keep him trapped and limited so I don't have to worry about me or Saber getting picked off while we're busy with something else. He seems the type to prefer taijutsu, so hindering that option should give me the chance to do some damage."

However, when the smoke cleared there was no sign of Rider X.

"What?!" Assassin X quickly scanned the area in search of his foe. "Did he turn invisible again? No, not the question. Left, right, above, below?" Suddenly it hit him.

"Behind!" Assassin X turned around just in time to catch Rider X leaping off of the side of the pile of containers above him, his knife slashing down toward Assassin X's neck.

Thinking quickly, Assassin X vaulted back over the swamp and landed on the side of yet another pile of containers.

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!" With a flick of his wrist and the application of eight seals, six shurikens were thrown and became sixty, descending upon Rider X in a rain of steel.

"Toh!" Rider X smacked the shuriken away with a wave of his arm, their edges unable to pierce his metallic skin, before returning fire with another of his shuriken bombs. Assassin X was able to avoid the projectile but was caught off guard when, unlike the last one, it detonated immediately after impact.

Assassin X was sent flying by the pillar of explosive force that slammed into his spine, slamming him into the edge of the swamp he'd made for a moment before his momentum carried him out.

"Do you need me to direct Saber your way?" Kiritsugu asked Assassin X through their link. "It seems like you could use the help."

"I still have plenty of tricks up my sleeve Master, don't worry,"

he groaned as he pulled himself back to his feet. "And I've at least confirmed a few things, even if they're not particularly encouraging."

"Like?"

"You can stop holding back any time!" Rider X called out, launching himself over Assassin X and landing behind him. Leaving him trapped between the Servant and the swamp.

"Whoever this is, it seems like they're stronger, faster, and tougher than me. On top of that, they've definitely got some form of Presence Concealment. The only good news is that, aside from those explosive shurikens, they don't seem to have any ranged options," Assassin X readied himself, letting his body fall back into the familiar stance. "Frankly, if I was any other class and we hadn't already seen the other Assassin, I'd say he was an Assassin-class Servant."

"I see how that could be a problem. How much would you say you would have to reveal to beat him, even assuming he isn't hiding any additional Noble Phantasms?"

Kiritsugu asked.

"For what I've already seen? Not much more. My Sharingan should be enough to predict his moves now that I've had a chance to observe him and my Lightning Blade was designed to pierce strong defenses. Now if you'll excuse me…" Assassin X parried an oncoming punch with his upraised arm before countering with a strong jab to Rider X's gut that left his knuckles aching. "I'm going to need to focus on this."

As the two traded blows, it quickly became clear to Assassin X that something about his opponent wasn't normal. His general movements and fighting style were that of a human if an abnormal one, but the details were all wrong. Through the enhanced perception of his Sharingan, Assassin X could see Rider X's body tense and contort in ways that humans physically couldn't without a Kekkai Genkai or extensive modification.

Tells that should be there weren't, movements that meant one thing instead indicated another, and so on. It wasn't enough to render his Noble Phantasm useless, Assassin X had seen his fair share of physical abnormalities, but it certainly made things more complicated.

"Right, if Taijutsu is problematic then I just need to switch things up," Assassin X's Sharingan seemed to glow momentarily as he locked eyes with Rider X. "Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing!"

However, rather than lock up at the sight of his greatest fear projected before his eyes, Rider X continued unhindered. If anything, he seemed to be fighting harder, landing a jaw-cracking uppercut on Assassin X while the latter was stunned.

"A body that spits in the face of Taijutsu and the ability to ignore a point-blank Genjutsu like it never happened. What kind of world could result in a monster like this?" Assassin X grit his teeth and substituted himself away, leaving the log to be pulverized by Rider X's follow-up swing.

"Ok, I have to admit, I've seen a lot in my life but you're something else," Assassin X huffed from the other side of the swamp. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to explain what's going on with that body of yours or why my Genjutsu just bounced off of you?"

"Genjutsu…so that's what you call that," Rider X murmured. "Do people toy with the minds of others so easily in your world?" A pressure emanating from him that had previously been absent.

"Some more than most. Ultimately, it's a skill just like any other," Assassin X admitted. "While plenty of people try to be responsible with it, there will be others who abuse it. And in a war like this, I'm not going to pass up on something that might save my life or those of my comrades."

"Hmmph," Rider X snorted. "I've met many who toyed with the minds of others for the sake of their goals. Not a single one could be called responsible with their power, as though such a thing could even exist."

"I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you have a history with mind-altering effects," Assassin X coughed, his mask turning a shade darker. "I take it you out how to protect yourself against them?"

"No, I experienced every bit of the nightmare you tried to trap me in. The sight of the people I care for most dying by my hands." Rider X stepped forward, Assassin X bracing himself. "Greater monsters have tried far worse to break my will. Even if it means walking through Hell itself, I will never give in again. Not to them and not to you."

Rider X's scarf started to flutter as a breeze began to pick up, specks of crimson light flaring up around him as he continued to walk toward Assassin X. Who could feel a burning presence steadily rising from his opponent.

"War or not, no one has the right to toy with a person like that. To tear them apart mind, body, and soul. And if you think otherwise, then I'll put a stop to you here and now!" Rider X shot toward Assasin X at blinding speeds, fist upraised.

"Ok, definitely touched a sore spot there," Assassin X noted, frantically dodging the oncoming flurry of blows. Not an easy feat given they seemed three times faster than before. "He's got me beat in close combat, Genjutsu is worse than useless apparently, and I can't buy myself the time for anything that requires hand seals with him pressing me like this. Did I seriously run into my worst matchup on the first night of the damn war?!"

"How the hell could tonight get any worse?!"

"Saber's being overwhelmed. Lancer was command sealed to work with Archer X and kill her, duel be damned. I need you to assist her ASAP,"

And there it was.

"Master, I'm a bit tied up myself right now," Assassin X shot back. "I can try to lead us back toward Saber, but this guy isn't letting up. I can aim for extraction, but, as it turns out, our mystery guest is equipped to counter basically everything in my arsenal right now. Eliminating him tonight isn't likely unless yet another Servant throws themselves into this mess and gives me some breathing room."

"Find a way. I don't want to use a command seal on the first night if I can avoid it."

"ZX Punch!" Assassin X once again brought his right arm up to block, only to feel the limb shatter as the blow's power suddenly shot to new heights, a radiant crimson light bursting forth from Rider X. He managed to pull back in time to keep his arm from being torn apart, but the damage was done. The damaged arm hung limply at his side. Assassin X keenly aware that he'd just lost the vast majority of his options, looked back at Rider X.

"Well then," he forced out through gritted teeth. "Mind granting a dying man's curiosity and telling me who beat me?"

"Get someone talking about themselves and nine times out of ten they lose focus. Even a moment is all I'll need to retreat and grab Saber. Come on, give me something to work with big guy!"

Rider X remained silent. Simply staring at his crippled foe.

"Nothing? Is this really going to be how it ends?"

"ZX. Kamen Rider ZX," Rider X answered. "Now, let's finish this."

As Rider X readied himself for the final blow, Assassin X prepared his last gamble. One sought to cement his victory while the other hoped to avert final defeat.

And so, as the sound of thunder roared across the docks, their battle came to an end.

Author's Note (Brilliant Battler): I feel bad for doing that to Kakashi, but all my other ideas for ZX required more setup to work, and the more I thought about it the more I realized how badly ZX's altered body and Valor would screw over most of Kakashi's arsenal. He could still win in a lot of circumstances, but getting stuck up close and personal really isn't good for him and ZX's own Presence Concealment meant he'd be reluctant to let him disengage.

I went with the theme of ZX being really dangerous but pretty simple for the sheet. He doesn't have a tenth the bullshit Kakashi does, a fraction of Arturia's firepower, none of Dirarmuid's tricks, or any Megatron's ramping corruption. He's just very good at fighting things, extremely hard to put down, and just versatile enough not to be a one-trick pony.

Those familiar with the Kamen Rider series might be wondering what the heck is going on with ZX. Long story short, he's from the manga Kamen Rider Spirits, which adapts ZX, in the words of some fans, "as if it had an A-list TV show budget." Basically giving us a love letter to the Showa Riders and showing just how insane they and the rest of the Rider world can be when it's not held back by production limitations. Turns out it's both awesome and exactly as disturbing as you'd expect from a series that has cyborg supersoldiers fighting organizations that kidnap people and experiment on them to make monsters.

Seriously, if you don't mind the increased gore and horror elements, most of which is just showing more realistic versions of what the show already does, check it out. The one downside is that the official stance on translating it is "never" and fan translation is incredibly slow. Like, over a hundred chapters behind the JP releases slow. Still, if you're a fan of Kamen Rider, give it a look. Few entries in the franchise give the verse the kind of respect it does.

---

The Vessel, The Knight and The Idealistic Master moment of Peace by MultiverseGamer2099

After a close call and enconter with the Einzbern master, and a farewell parting with Rin and her Servants Rider X, and a begrudgingly Archer. The servants Assassin X and Saber were able to get their, injured master Emiya Shirou, back to his home/base and let him recover.

The Master in question was hurt, fortunate alive more for Saber and the X Servant sake, during the battle shirou pushed his servant saber, out of the way to take the blow, a rather idiotic action that would of have cost him his life

Then the Assassin X came in and force back the Berseker with his technique or perhaps a Noble Phantasm of his? While she couldn't hear the name she did see Sparks of black forcing the Berseker servant back even the Master and servants present were suprised at what happened.

"I'm alright, Saber, it just doesn''t hurt too much" told the idealist master to his Servant of the grail war

"Forgive me for not believing in you, Master, but considering the reckless action you did tonight I rather be safe" scolded the once king of camelot to the third rate magnus

As for Saber, after being able to wrap shirou with some bandages with some help with Assassin X, taking a moment to get her bearings from the attack from Master of Berseker and Castor X, sit down where the dining room of the house that reside the adopted Emiya, and thought about her new new comrade of the Assassin class, a young boy almost similar age to their master, not like the ninja her former partner of the same class was, look like more a mage, he even used a some kind of magic, wouldn't he be a Caster then? But his fighting style would be more fit for a Berserker?

Pink hair, a scar on his face, a battle harden look when fighting the enemy servant's a couple hours ago and his nails... they were almost like claws in the fight too, was he truly a Servant's from Assassin class?

Too busy with her thoughts of her new partner in this war she didn't realize a plate of food being served to her, and her Master as well to, was the Assassin X cooking for them?

"Assissan X?! When did you-" "exclaimed the Master of both servants before being cut off.

"Ah sorry thought you were all hungry, considering the night we had thought I cook up something for us, sorry for not asking to use your kitchen Shirou" said the Sorcerer as he scratched the back of his head

Although a bit annoyed at the usage of his kitchen without his permission, he waved it off

Shirou then grab his chopsticks (after a prayer as did the Assassin X and Saber followed their examples) and ate the Sorcerer food that cooked in his kitchen (he was slightly overprotective about it alright!?) and well it was good, while not same as his cooking it was a good contender, (he still had his pride for cooking afterall, even suprising himself with that thought)

"Very well I shall not leave it to waste, hunger is the enemy after all" Replied the Saber, who was already indulging to the food while still keeping her royal Charisma

"It is indeed" said with a small sad yet nostalgic smile, The Sorcerer, Yuji Itadori gave to Artoria Pendragon and Shirou Emiya

For this peaceful moment of relaxation was different for all present

For Assassin's X, seeing his master and Saber ally was like he was looking at his friends and sensei when times were more peaceful

For Saber it was felt like she was back with camelot with Her knights as well her previous comrade of the last grail war

For Shirou, it felt like back then with his adopted father and bassically older sister all but blood at more...happier times (even he didn't know he was smiling a bit)

---

Somewhere on the way back to Tohsaka manor, Archer EMIYA sense a disturbance in a kitchen of his former home

Author's Note (MultiverseGamer2099): A prequel from the first Short I made, slice of life this one is short wanted to give a shot slightly rush cuz I wanted one more out ?

Anyways this is most likely my last short for the contest it been a fun time

---

Chosen by Starmanguy

The man was looking at the temple with a degree of wonder. He was a tourist, that much was obvious, from his foreign looks and clothes to the unmistakable sense of not belonging. His eyes stuck on everything like it was the first time he had seen it.

Shirou had seen the same expression a few times on foreigners before, though they had rarely left Shinto. Miyama Town was the 'traditional' side of Fuyuki, with old homes and a closer tie to the countryside than the other half across the river. Shinto, built on the ashes of hellfire and death, was much more modern—it was closer to the 'Tokyo' feeling that so many tourists seemed to be looking for.

"Excuse me, sir?" Shirou called out in English. Between Taiga and Aunt Maiya, he considered himself fairly proficient in the language, if not flat-out fluent. "Are you lost?"

The foreign man blinked out of his awed stare and turned to Shirou. "Oh? What a curious getup you've got there. I can already tell you're quite the character."

The boy blinked. "Um, I see?" He scratches his neck. "It's the student uniform for Homurahara Academy—the local school."

"Really?" The man scratches his chin. He hummed to himself before looking back at Shirou. "If you're a student, you must be quite familiar with the area. Do you live here?"

"In the area," he answered. "Though not at the temple. I'm here on an errand."

"What's that? If you don't mind me asking."

"I'm picking on my dogs," Shirou explained. "They're trained very well, and the monks sometimes ask to borrow them as temple dogs."

"Oh, you're a trainer, too?"

"No, not me. The dogs were from a family friend who trained them before he passed," Shirou half-lied. He never met the otherworldly ninja Servant, but he knew enough about him from Aunt Maiya and the dogs. "You're a dog trainer?"

The man smiled wryly. "Of a sort, though I tend to train more dangerous creatures. But where are my manners, I never got your name."

"I'm Emiya Shirou—or rather, Shirou Emiya. It's nice to meet you."

The foreign man smiled, pulling up the brim of his blue-and-yellow cap. "Shirou Emiya, huh? It's nice to meet you as well. If you're a local, I don't suppose you could tell me about this temple?"

"The temple?" Shirou glanced up at the looming mountain of stairs leading up to the Ryuudou Temple. "I'd be happy to—though I'm not sure how much I could tell you. Wouldn't you be better off asking a monk?"

The man sighed as his shoulders slumped. "I tried—but nobody's come down in an hour. I can't just walk up, either. I'd rather not get arrested over a misunderstanding." He wistfully glanced at the torii archways. "I'm here on business, see, but I've always loved seeing places like this. I've heard the temple's been around for centuries! I was hoping I could get a chance to visit before I have to get to work, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Thank you. But even if I can't go up and see it in person, I'd still love to learn what I can about it."

The man bowed slightly as he asked, "So could you please tell me what you know? It'd be a huge help."

Shirou answered before his heart could beat. "Of course. I'd love to help." He paused, his brain searching for a way to cash the check his mouth wrote. "How about this? I have to go up the mountain to get my dogs—you can come with me, and I can introduce you to the monks."
"Seriously?" The man's head snapped up as a wide grin stretched across his face. "Fantastic! I can't thank you enough!"

"It's fine, no thanks necessary," Shirou demurred with a smile. "Helping others is its own reward. I'm happy I can be of service."

"Are you sure you don't need anything?"

Shirou shakes his head. "I wouldn't feel good taking something in return for only doing this much."

"Why's that? There's nothing wrong with accepting a reward, you know."

"Just consider it part of my… personal philosophy."

The man tilts his head. "Personal philosophy? Which is…?"

"It's not wrong to help others."

Something flashes through the man's gaze as his smile widens. "Well, I certainly can't say no to that! I'd be happy to take you up on your offer! Lead the way, Mr. Emiya!"

---

The Ninken crowded around Shirou as he rubbed their heads.

They were getting on in years. Divorced from their Master's mana pool and Spirit Origin, they've long since begun to age if it at a slower pace than the average canine.

The strange foreigner was off somewhere else, enthusiastically talking with the monks about the temple's history. Apparently, it dated all the way back to the Heian period—which was fascinating on its own—but Shirou read between the lines and realized the Ryuudou Temple was likely made as an Onmyoji fortress against Oni and Phantasmals.

No wonder it was built on top of the strongest leylines in the Ōita Prefecture. He wondered if you could use the temple as a catalyst to summon an Oni slayer like Kintarō…

"You're spacing out, Shirou."

"Sorry, sorry," the magus answered. "Just got a bit distracted, Pakkun."

The ninja dog harrumphed and leaned into Shirou's hand. "Is it about that suspicious guy?"

Shirou's smile thinned. "You noticed… of course you did. You probably could tell right away."

The dog snorted. "Just because I'm old doesn't mean I've gotten rusty."

"You haven't gotten old," Shirou lied. "Just more experienced. You only get better with age."

"Heh. If only you could talk this smoothly to girls."

Shirou did not roll his eyes. "Enough about that. What did you notice about the man?"

"'The man?'" Pakkun echoed.

"He didn't give me his name after asking for mine." It's what tipped him off that something may be wrong. "But I couldn't smell any mana."

"You thought he was a mage?"

"I thought he might have been. I'm not so sure—but the motive would fit, wouldn't it?"

With the Grail War set to begin years early despite Kiritsugu's best efforts, the Clocktower would eventually have to take notice. There was little doubt they were at least somewhat aware of the otherworldly nature of some of the Servants by now, and Shirou could only imagine how many magi would be lured by the promise of power from beyond the Kaleidoscope.

Shirou could understand the allure—his shadow clones should be preparing dinner right this very moment.

"It would fit if he was a mage," the ninja dog reminded him. "You said he didn't smell of any magical energy. That's not to say he may not be connected—maybe as a proxy or a representative. I wouldn't be surprised if the richer families sent people to scout out bases and possible Masters before they arrived."

'Reconnaissance. How very shinobi,' Shirou thought wryly. "Then does he know I'm a mage?"

"Couldn't tell you. You're the one with the magical know-how. Do you think he would know?"

He might. He could have been seeking him out if he had known that Pakkun was already at the temple… or it could have been an utter coincidence, and he was just scouting out one of the spots where the Grail could appear.

Or he could be a weird tourist. That's also an option.

Shirou couldn't help but sigh as he scratched beneath Pakkun's chin. "Sometimes I don't think I'm cut out for all this cloak-and-dagger work…"

The dog snorted. "Don't be so negative about it. You're a straightforward kind of guy. That's not a bad thing—even back home, you'd make for a pretty good Genin—"

"Boo!"

Shirou spins around on a dime. His hands rise in a defensive position as he prepares to step away. Fire burns through his soul as the aria rises to his lips.

"Trace—"

"Woah, woah, woah!" the blond foreigner jumps back with his hands up in the air. "I was going to ask if I surprised you, but I think your reaction speaks for itself, doesn't it?"

Shirou blinks. His heart hammers in his chest as he stares at the man, his mouth suddenly dry and his throat coarse.

'I didn't see him coming at all…' He turned to the dog, who was staring at the man with wide eyes. 'Pakkun didn't either? Even with his training?'

Shirou swallowed as he slowly lowered his arms. "Yeah," he said. "You did. Sorry."

'He's definitely not a regular tourist.'

The man shook his head and rolled his shoulders. "Phew. I was just coming by to say thank you."

"Ah," Shirou answered dumbly. Taking a moment to recenter himself, he stood up and let his magic circuits turn off. "You're welcome." He hadn't done anything worth thanking. "You got what you came for?"

"That and more!" he chirped. "I knew the temple was old, but I didn't know it had such a storied history, too. The head monk told me an old myth about how ancient yōkai terrorized the land until a follower of the Buddha banished them and made the temple. He said the temple's been passed down ever since. There was even a schism between brothers briefly after the end of the Edo period—apparently, they had differing opinions on how the temple should handle foreigners. Some old guy from England had showed up and started making chaos everywhere, and they were split on what to do."

"How interesting," Shirou answered politely. "Are you ready to head back down, then?"

He hummed. "Just about—though I've got a question before we part ways."

"If it's about the temple—"

"No, nothing like that." He waved Shirou off immediately. "You just remind me of someone I knew. It's been a long time since I've seen them, and I was wondering—" He trailed off before chuckling. "Well, I was wondering if you'd give me some insight into their thoughts. Since you're so similar."

He smiled. It didn't reach his eyes. "Could you help me?"

Alarm bells rang in Shirou's head. Every instinct his Aunt and the Ninken had trained in him told him that he was entering dangerous territory. The foreigner was probably fishing for information—perhaps suspecting him of being a mage, or even a Master.

"Of course," he answered immediately. "I'd love to help."

But he said the "H" word, so Shirou jumped right in.

"Perfect!" he clapped his hands and rolled his shoulders. "I had a feeling I could count on you!"

Shirou smiled politely, saying nothing.

"Well then, Shirou," he began. "Let's assume for a moment that Providence exists. That the Heavens have placed a hand on our lives and have planned out a purpose for you. Call it God, the Buddha, or whatever else you people call it, but say it's real. Are you following me?"

"So far." Shirou hadn't given much thought to the divine before—only in the abstract. He pays token service to Buddhism when he's with Issei Ryuudou and to Christianity around the few Christian students at school, but it's never really had anything to do with him.

He was born in the flames of hell, after all. The Heavens have long since turned their eyes away from him.

"Wonderful. Assuming that it's real, what do you think about heroes?"

Shirou blinked. "Heroes?" Pakkun growled behind him and raised his haunches. "What do you mean by that? What's that have to do with anything?"

"Well, it's like this," the man explained, leaning forward and wagging his finger. "If there is someone or something that invented time and space and is guiding the world along, then where do heroes fit into all this? What purpose do they serve? Why does the divine creator feel the need to elevate one over the many?"

"Heroes are supposed to save people."

The stranger raised an eyebrow. "Save people? Why?"

Shirou wasn't deterred. "Because they're heroes. It's not that people are heroes, therefore they save people, it's that they become heroes when they save people."

The man was silent but rolled his wrist for him to continue.

Shirou scratched the back of his head. "Well, people aren't called heroes until they save people, right? Like in the newspaper headlines, 'Local Hero Saves Child' or something. If you want to be a hero, you have to save people."

"Are you sure about that? Heroes aren't known for saving people—just look at guys like Cu Chulainn. He didn't do much saving, he was glorified for his combat and feats of violence. He was a philanderer and ran out on his child, yet he's still considered a hero of Ireland."

"Maybe," Shirou conceded. "But he was only called a hero after he did those things, right? He wasn't a figure of worship since birth. He chose to do those acts and then did them, and that's why people remember him."

The man hummed for a moment. "Then you think desire is what determines heroes? The desire to accomplish great feats and deeds?"

"I think that leads them to do it, which will one day make them a hero," Shirou asserted.

It sounded like a prayer. Probably because it was.

The stranger was silent for a moment before he smiled widely. "You're an idiot."
Pakkun growled. Shirou smiled awkwardly back. "So I've been told. Many times."

The foreigner burst into laughter. "Sorry! I just couldn't help myself. It's just—well, I used to think the exact same thing as you! It's nice to think that so long as you put in the effort and believed it would all work out then you'd accomplish your goal."

His smile gained an edge to it. "That's not how things work, Shirou Emiya. No matter how much one desires it, no matter how hard someone works, sometimes they don't get to accomplish what they set out to do. You can wish upon a star and work harder than anyone else, and it doesn't matter."

Shirou's smile felt brittle. "Why? Just because a goal may seem impossible, doesn't mean that it can't be achieved—"

"That's not it," the man's smile fell. "It's not that some things are impossible. It's that you're wrong that it's your desire that makes you a hero. Let's just look at the story of Beowulf. According to the legend, it was God who blessed him and allowed him to slay Grendel and Grendel's Mother. What of King Arthur—whom Merlin said would overthrow the White Dragon as well as Gaul and the Romans, before he was even born? Do you think anyone else could have done what they did? No, of course not. That's the point—they're heroes. A cut above everyone else. Their achievements may not be impossible—"

"But it's impossible for everyone not chosen."

He raised his hand. "I was wrong when I said you remind me of someone I knew. You're nothing like them. They were chosen by the gods themselves. Luck. Power. Knowledge. They had it all. They did things nobody thought possible, overturned everything we knew about the world, and they did it with ease. Because that was their purpose."

He spat the word like it was a curse. "The gods had given them a mission. A divinely-appointed mandate, and all the tools needed to complete it. The worst part is?" He laughed. "They didn't even want it! They didn't want to be a hero or to receive a grand quest, but the gods, in their infinite wisdom, chose them instead!" He threw his hands up. "And they were right to! Because they succeeded. Blessed by the Heavens, how could they ever fail?"

Shirou stared at the raving man as danger crept into the back of his mind. Behind his back, he signed a spell—and out of sight, a shadow clone arose and hid himself at a distance, tracing a bow and arrow. Just in case.

"No, Shirou Emiya. You're nothing like them. You?" The man leaned closer. "You're like me. We'll put everything on the line, our very soul if need be, to fulfill our dream. And guess what?"

Sweat ran down Shirou's back. "What?" He fought to keep himself loose as the shadow clone took up his position. He didn't dare glance towards it. "What are you talking about?"

"We get to see someone else do what we never could, right in front of our eyes. Because the gods chose someone else as their champion, and not us. No matter how much we wanted it."

He leaned back. The shadow clone's grip on the bow relaxed. "How terribly cruel of them, don't you think?"

…It would be awful to see someone become a hero before him. Shirou wondered how he would feel about such a person. But in the end, his dream isn't about the perception of others. It's a selfish, narcissistic dream that only he could ever really care about. Even still—

"If I were to see someone complete my dream, I wouldn't give up. I want to be a hero."

"Why?"

If he wanted to smile like Kiritsugu had, then he had to become a hero. The sky could fall and the doors to hell could open to welcome him, but he still wanted to become a hero. Just like how he was saved, he wants to save others.

"Because that's my purpose. Even if the gods don't want me to succeed, I'll keep going until I do. Even if it's impossible, I'll keep going. No matter how long it takes me."

The man studied him. He shut his eyes and laughed. "Wow. I knew it. You really are like me." His eyes opened and he said. "I have a dream I can't give up on either. Something I have to do, no matter how many years, decades, or even centuries it takes me."

Shirou smelled ozone, and he knew for certain this man was involved in the Grail War.

The shadows seemed to grow as the sun set beyond the horizon and something cold gripped Shirou's heart. The shadow clone drew back the arrow, and Shirou felt his circuits burn and the aria rested on his lips.

The enemy hummed. "I never formally introduced myself, did I? How improper, especially after such an enlightening conversation. Let's rectify that, shall we?"

The man slid one foot back and pulled on the brim of his cap, bowing his head slightly. "I'm a merchant of the Gingko Guild. In my free time, I'm also an explorer of ruins and ancient history."

The man smiled with slitted eyes. He looked like a snake.

"My name is Volo, one of the Servants in this Grail War. I'm a descendant of the ancient Sinnoh people, though I doubt that means much to you. It was a pleasure to meet you, Shirou Emiya. I suspect we'll be seeing a good deal of each other from now on."

He pulled out a red and white ball. "I look forward to seeing you again."

The shadow clone released the arrow.

The ball exploded, there was a flash, and then he was gone.

The arrow screamed by Shirou's ear and vanished into the trees. There was silence.

"I think," Shirou began. "We should tell Aunt Maiya about this."

"For once," Pakkun answered, "I think you have the right idea."

Author's Note (Starmanguy): As you can tell, Volo did not appreciate getting snuffed by Arceus in place of an eleven-year-old.

Originally, there was going to be another section including a discussion between Kirei and Volo regarding how, but I scrapped it because of the deadline and because I couldn't write Kirei's character to a level I was satisfied with. Safe to say, they would have pretended to be very polite while planning to betray the other as horrifically as possible.

I felt that Volo serves as a good foil to both Kirei and Shirou. Having failed in his quest to meet and overthrow Arceus, he tells the protagonist that he will continue to look for a way to meet the Pokegod, no matter what it takes. Similar to how Shirou pursues his dream of being a Hero of Justice no matter how impossible or self-destructive it may be. Kirei on the other hand, is a priest who spent so long looking for purpose in life that when he finally accepted his evil nature he latched onto it and drowned himself in it. Volo found his purpose in researching Hisuian myth, to the point that he grew obsessed with meeting Arceus no matter what. Both Volo and Kirei believe in and worship their respective gods, but also act against their wills—Volo desires to meet and overthrow Arceus and is defeated by Arceus' Champion, while Kirei breaks just about every commandment there is and dies in every route.

I can also see him being summoned in place of Caster during the Fourth Grail War. Or perhaps as his companion—two believers united in their desire to overthrow God sounds pretty cool.

Other than that, I had a lot of fun with this. I hope I did both Shirou and Volo justice, and I'm very excited to see what Praxus has cooked up for Stay Night.

---

And just in case any of my readers from Spacebattles were to pop up here, thanks again for indulging me in this madcap idea! It's been a bash reading what you cooked up.

And as a final bonus, here's a canon short I wrote to kickstart the challenge:

Mercurial Situation

Waver Velvet eyed the snarling, twitching masses gathered before him with an internal sigh. The path behind him led into an abrupt dead end, and the rest of the underground tomb had either collapsed in and was in the process of doing so. That left the only way out the one right in front of him. You know, the one crawling with rabid Dead Apostles, some of which were his fellow magi who'd been too slow to notice the tombs were opening up of their own accord. Others had been torn to shreds mercifully quick, two had managed to slip through and escape. Help should've theoretically been on its way; after acquiescing to Reines' terms and assisting her for three years now, Waver had gained just enough acclaim that his colleagues would think twice about leaving him to die.

Well, that or they wouldn't want to just abandon such a recent and precious find. Not without risking the bad tempers of at least three esteemed families. The Archibald family had certainly spent a pretty copper in funding the dig, so the budding Lord Melloi II had of course been on the shortlist for first team to go in.

Waver might've tried pleading a conflict of schedules, a heavy workload, maybe even an impromptu and highly contagious sickness. Contrary to recently popular belief, he didn't actively throw himself into insane situations. Not anymore.

"Just a quick jaunt to the site, my boy!" Urahara's aggravating voice rang through his head. "Persian ruins full of tombs and magical artefacts no living soul has seen in over thousand years! In fact, some say it was constructed during a certain conqueror's time..."

And just like that, Waver was in. Hook, line and sinker.

Waver shifted the position of the satchel slung about his torso. Never taking his eyes off the Apostles, he slowly unbuttoned his vest. One beast hissed as what little light glinted off a grey-green energy shimmering over the young lecturer's body. Something prickled in the back of his head; a familiar sensation that told him his part-time "mentor" was close by. Not close enough to stage a daring rescue, though. No doubt that candy-making, hat-and-clog wearing smartass saw this as a teachable moment for Waver. It wouldn't have been the first time. I am gonna deck him as soon as I am out of here, Waver vowed to himself.

From the look of things, the Dead Apostles weren't willing to let him leave so quickly. Or at all. One particularly large example lumbered up to him and unleashed a primal roar from its disjointed mouth, right into his face. Five years ago, the English lad's reaction would've been sheer, pants-wetting terror. He might've even fainted. His mouth opened, and the Apostles likely expected a high-pitched scream.

Instead, they got, "I wonder if I'll have an allergic reaction to that."

The big beast growled; it was unclear if it still understood human speech or even inflections of tone, but it obviously didn't appreciate Waver's comment. A massive arm reached up, obscuring what little light remained in the tomb. Claw-like nails extended from its fingers' tips before they swung down-

"Acui, mei sanguis."

But Waver had swung first.

The other Apostles' progression ceased as something bright flashed across their compatriot's body for a single second. Then said body slowly slid apart and fell to the sand-caked stone floor in neatly diced pieces.

Silver gathered and refracted the scant light as it flowed in defiance of gravity in front of Waver Velvet. With a twitch of his wrist, it receded back to its source, a handle with red and silver decorations in the magus' hand, and shaped itself into a double-edged blade.

Waver hefted the newly formed spatha before him with a quizzical hum. "Well, I had been hoping for a field test..." His eyes then drifted to the Dead Apostles who were once again on the move and even more incensed than before. He muttered, "Still, these are utterly atrocious odds you've put me in, Reines. Urahara."

Yet as the first beasts lunged towards him, his mouth began to curl into a smirk.

"Just my luck."

Don't worry, Trimmau still exists in this universe. Waver just managed to snag himself a little bit of Volumen Hydrargyrum and expand upon it with a certain someone's assistance. It's not as, well, voluminous, as Kayneth's Mystic Code, but in the right hands, it can make a deadly weapon. For now, Waver calls it, "Spatha Hydrargyrum."

Thanks for sticking around even after three years!