The Einzbern's Hero
A/N: OH. MY. GOD! It's back! I've actually wrote another chapter! Yay! No, but seriously Merry early Christmas guys. I'm so happy to see you all still stick with and enjoy this story. We're entering the Zouken arc now. I don't waste time. My set ups are very small compared to other stories and that's just because I don't see the point in expanding upon what will probably be explained during the actual conflict.
This was actually supposed to be the banquet of kings chapter, but unfortunately as I was writing this arc took on a life of it's own so that got moved back. Like….way back. And in all honesty what would it even look like at this point. We're so far removed from the original plot of Fate/Zero I don't see the banquet looking anything like the original. Which is good guys I don't want you to assume you know what'll happen during the banquet. Oh Gilgamesh, Rider, and Saber sit and talk philosophy while Archer cooks. No. I want something bigger and more fitting with the theme of this story. What is that you ask? Why "Acceptance" of course. But more so how I view it then the text-book definition.
Wasn't expecting this to be that much fun writing again. But I kid you not, the moment I sat down and started writing again. The story of Archer and Irisviel just flowed outta me like it never left. I became one with these characters again. So thank you guys for giving me that shove again.
Enjoy the chapter okay?
XXX
Chapter 10: The Road to heaven is paved with Hellish deeds
XXX
Irisviel stretched out from under the covers on the Mckinzie's couch as the morning sunlight peeked from the window blinds. No dreams this time, she counted herself lucky. If she only had to see a twisted version of herself possessed by an evil god of darkness once then she'd be grateful. She tried to sit up, but found it to be an extremely difficult task. Her eyes immediately shot open in a panic. Had the body paralysis advanced this quickly? No, no she moved her arms just fine, and her eyelids. So then why was she so heavy all of a sudden?
She looked down feeling the weight more on her chest than anywhere else. She saw a small lump where her chest was. Had her breast grown? No, that was a silly thought, Kiritsugu had taught her that bodies past a certain age no longer develop further, but...what if they had? Now she had to know.
Shifting the covers slightly Irisviel spotted the culprit behind her heavy chest and fortunately, or unfortunately?, they weren't bigger breast. No the true criminal had a fluff of red hair, who quietly snored away on her. She smiled softly at the sleeping Shirou-chan. She had honestly been a little worried he wouldn't get any sleep at all, but here he was sleeping like a baby.
Her eyes took on a sad look to them. She guessed he still was, how old even was he? 6? 7? No he was barley even past the baby stage and this was what his life was already involved in. His real parents were gone, killed by Caster and the demented wife of Lancer's master.
She had caused all that destruction on Fuyuki as a way of getting her revenge on her group for their death. Shirou-chan was collateral damage.
'Just like in Archer's original timeline.' Her mind thought sadly. She then rapidly shook her head, trying to dispel such negative thoughts. Shirou-chan stirred slightly as her arms shot up as she attempted to not disturb him further. Luckily he kept on sleeping, causing Irisviel to let out a quiet breath in relief. She looked up at the ceiling fan as it spun in an almost hypnotic motion. No, it wouldn't do her any good to think such negative thoughts. They were trying to change fate here.
If Archer's plan worked then she would all the time in the world to give this boy and her daughter the proper life they both deserved. If not...well she trusted her husband to figure it out.
'No I can't think like that anymore.' Irisviel thought with determination. 'Archer has worked so hard on this. Fought so hard for me. I have to believe in him. No matter how realistic it seems, I have to have faith.'
Tomorrow was a new day after all.
Speaking of new days, she really had to pee. However the sleeping iron ball on her seemed to be preventing her from that goal.
'Are all boys this heavy? I don't remember Illya being this heavy.' Irisviel thought as the urge to throw the boy off her and rush to the bathroom increased. 'Ugh, I really have to pee.'
Luckily she didn't have to as the front door slammed open, startling both her and Shirou-chan, as Archer walked through the door. His eyes narrowing at the boy before turning to her softening.
"One shouldn't sleep so late Irisviel." He told her as Shirou-chan groaned and rubbed his eyes at his impromptu awakening, glaring at his, unknowingly, future self. Archer simply returned the look.
"Archer! Why'd you do that, do you have any idea how rude that is, you woke him up!?" Irisviel scolded her servant who shrugged at her before heading over to the small kitchen area across the room. He opened the cabinets and pulled out pan before turning his head towards her.
"By the way, I recommend using the bathroom soon. The others will be up in a bit and this place doesn't seem to have another. Better to use it before it gets busy." Archer told her and she just blinked at him.
Did..did he wake Shirou up this way because he heard her thoughts.
...This man!
"Oh you...you...you!" Irisviel stuttered at him, glaring before realizing she really had to go. She threw her arms in the air before jumping up and surprising Shirou-chan, before sprinting for the bathroom. Or just a semi-fast wobble seeing as her body couldn't move as fast as it use to.
Shirou-chan just looked at the whole situation with a confused face. Archer looking back at him with a smirk.
Heh brat.
"Ugh..Hey what's up with all the noise?" Waver grumbled as he came down the stairs and poked his into the room. He sniffed the air when a pleasant aroma hit his nose. He was about to comment when a large hand pushed his head down.
"That's an absolutely divine smell! What is it?" Rider exclaimed as he voice boomed throughout the small house.
Waver shoved his giant hand off him before glaring at his servant.
"Get off me you idiot!" He yelled as Rider simply grinned at him.
Well if no was awake before they were now.
XXX
Irisviel was sitting on the couch patting her full stomach as she sighed in pure pleasure next to Shirou-chan who did the same. Archer's cooking was the best. When the war was over she'll make Archer her familiar and him slav- err… she meant cook for her. Yep that was totally it.
Waver was trying to help clean the dishes, but Archer was taking the task on himself completely. Getting a frustrated growl from the boy.
"Grr… fine! I gotta head out anyway. Gotta be some information out there on how to purify the grail." Waver grunted as he grabbed his coat and headed for the door. "Come on Rider, let's go."
Rider made a grunt for a moment, even he was a bit full after stuffing himself with Archer's food.
"That boy sure is getting more demanding lately, which is a good thing I suppose." Rider told his fellow servant and his master, before following his master out the door.
This left Archer alone with Irisviel and Shirou-chan, who were both currently resting their full bellies.
"Sooo What's the plan for today Shirou-kun?" Irisviel asked taking a moment out of her blissful to ask her servant the question. He stood there looking at her, his eyes flickering to the young child who was looking at them curiously.
Irisviel blinked at that before looking at the red haired boy with a soft smile. "Shirou-chan why don't you head to Waver-kun's room. I'm sure he's got some games up there you can play. I'm sure he won't mind."
The boy wanted to say something, but the look in the tan man's eyes showed that his presence wasn't welcomed. So he nodded at Irisviel, before hopping off the couch and making his way upstairs.
"You still aren't comfortable around him." Irisviel stated as she let out a sigh, before giving her servant a dissatisfied look. Archer simply shrugged before crossing his arms.
"Whether he does or not is not important. What matters is keeping him away from this nonsense." He told her, avoiding eye contact with her when she let out a small "hrmm" letting him know she wasn't happy with that answer. "You've decided to keep the boy, so it would be in his best interest to seperate him from the world of magi. Lest he…"
"He turns out like you?" Irisviel finshed as he trailed off.
"...Yes." Archer answered her. "You want him to avoid my fate correct?" Irisviel nodded. " Then it would be best that he never has anything to do with this world of ours."
Irisviel looked down for a moment, she didn't disagree with Archer. Should they pull this off She planned on making sure both her children got to live normal lives. No mage society nonsense or cold heartless ancient families.
No her home would be one of warmth.
But she also hated the way Archer talked about himself and his past. Like it was some sort of dark time where he was the main villain.
"I agree." She told him. She would talk to him later about this, but they needed to get back on track. "Archer what are we going to do about Illya?"
"Hmm. I have sort of an idea. We can't leave Fuyuki, more specifically you can't. You're in no condition to go anywhere at the moment." Archer said and she cursed slightly at her weaken state. Maybe if they'd thought of this before anything, they'd have taken the young girl with them. "I also can't leave either, you're my master so your safety is my highest priority."
"Aww my son loves me." She cooed at him making him sigh at her. His face masked in reaction to her words, but she could tell he was slightly embarrassed. Mother's intuition and all that.
"Ahem anyway, Kiritsugu and Maiya could go back for her, but even with my brief time there I could tell how fortified it was." Archer coughed slightly causing Irisviel to giggle at him.
Multiple Bounded fields on top of armed homunculus' and powerful mages. No the assassin duo would have to be absolutely perfect in their infiltration. Should something anything go even slightly wrong, their lives and Illyasviel's life would be in severe danger.
"What about Saber? Could we send her there with them?" She asked Archer, causing him to shake his head.
"No you were the one supplying both Saber and myself with most of the mana necessary to maintain our forms while in Germany. With you benched here, Kiritsugu would have an extremely difficult time rescuing Illyasviel and keeping Saber in fighting shape."
"I see..." Irisviel trailed off as she clinched her fist. Why was this so hard. Did the universe have something against her? All she wanted to do was hold her daughter again. After all the dreams, was it so wrong of her to want to see her child? If only they could bring her to them…
...Ahh
"What if we could convince them to give her to us?" Irisviel asked her servant who smirked at her.
"My thoughts exactly, there's one small issue I'm having with that though." Archer told her causing her head to tilt in confusion.
"Oh?"
"I have no idea how we could convince them." He told her as he sighed in irritation.
Irisviel put her hand on her chin as she thought for a moment, she didn't know either. Illya was insurance to her family. A back up for the next war should this one go poorly. Which according to Archer's memories is exactly what they were trying to avoid.
Insurance, Illyasviel was insurance.
"Ahh!" Irisviel squeaked as an idea came to her, surprising Archer. "I know a way, but we'll really have to put on a performance."
"What do you need?" Archer asked an eyebrow raised.
Irisviel looked at him nervously, her hands fidgeting together. Archer saw this and from the look she gave him grunted.
"I'm not going to like this am I?"
"Nope." She laughed awkwardly as she answered his question.
"What is it?"
Her red eyes shined brightly with determination as she looked up at him with a smile.
"Archer, I need to die."
XXX
"No."
"Wha?! Why not?! We need to do this."
"Absolutely not, you can't seriously expect me to agree to this!?"
"Yes, I absolutely can! This is for the protection of my daughter!"
Archer, Saber, Maiya, and Waver watched as Irisviel and Kiritsugu argued in the living room. Glenn and Martha were still out picking up groceries and Rider was playing his conquest game with Shirou-chan, trying to show him a 'true man's desire for conquest', or something like that.
"Our daughter-" Kiritsugu put more emphases on our to show he was her parent too. "Needs her mother!"
"I won't be actually dying! We'll just have to rush the plan to put my soul into the puppet body. YOU said it should be here tonight!" Irisviel argued with her husband, he was the love of her life, but damn when he gets stubborn, he can't be convinced by anything. She loved that about him but...damn.
"And what if it went wrong huh?" Kiritsugu argued back with her. He was standing across from her, his fists clinching and unclinching. His eyes starring back at her were a mixture of anger and fear. She knew that rushing the plan wasn't good. They didn't need even have the puppet yet, but she didn't want to wait. She wanted Illya here and now, with both of her parents.
"It won't." She walked up to him and placed her hand on his chest. "I trust you to make sure nothing happens, but we'll only have one chance at this. Once my body is soulless, it may regress to it's original form." She told him calmly. Hoping he would understand.
Kiritsugu looked away from her. All she had to do was wait, why? Why was she being so damn stubborn on this.
'I want to see Illya too. I want to see her so bad, but she's safe right now let's wait till we have everything we need for your procedure.' He thought as he look towards the one other person he knew shared his thoughts.
"Archer." The servant's eyebrow raised, but his attention was on Kiritsugu. "Are you willing to entertain this?"
Irisviel squeaked out an angry sound as she glared at her husband. "Archer agrees with me."
Kiritsugu's eyes widen as it turned into a glare as he starred at the red servant, who sighed at the situation he'd found himself in.
"I didn't agree at first. Then Irisviel came up with a strategy. In all honesty I was impressed. I knew my Master had devious mind, but she's downright evil." Archer gave an amused face as Irisviel looked at him and glared cutely.
"What do you mean?" Kiritsugu's eyes narrowed as he turned his attention to Irisviel, who seemed less confident than earlier. "What does he mean Iri?"
"We're...uh...umm" She tried and failed to find the words, but they wouldn't come. Of course they wouldn't the plan was an insane. Luckily Archer found the words for her.
"We're going to frame the Matou's when we raid their mansion tonight." He said as the other three people in the room, except Maiya, looked shocked.
"What?!" Waver yelled as his eyes grew wide. Archer looked at the younger man as he thought back to earlier this morning as he was also caught off guard by his master's plan.
XXX
"Do you even understand what you're asking?" Archer asked tensely his master as Irisviel looked at him almost calmly, too calmly if you asked him.
"Yes."
"You realize you're shortening the time table by a lot if we do this?" Archer questioned, surely she was overlooking something here. They still had time, another week at most. They could gather all they needed first. Make sure everything was in place.
"Archer." Despite how small and frail she was, whenever she got that tone, it was almost impossible not to listen to her. "I'm tired of this war. I want it to be over, now. Not today, or tomorrow. Now."
"That's impossible, despite there only being a few servants left, we still have many obstacles." Zouken, Angra Mainyu, the Einzberns, that golden bastard, even Tohsaka Tokomi who was surprisingly absent from most of the war. Why wouldn't she understand. Why was she being so stubborn. "There's only so much time we have to deal with all our enemies. We won't be able to do that in one night."
Irisviel closed her eyes and sighed. "I know. That's why I'll have to settle for taking out only two of them tonight."
The silence in the room was deafening.
"...What?"
"I know about the Matou girl."
Archer face betrayed no emotion, but his mind was in shock. What? How? When did she learn any of this. Then he felt two small hands cover his. His steely gray eyes were reflected in her crimson ones, a small smile gracing her lips.
"Shirou-kun, I thought we agreed on no more secrets." She said to him softly. Her focus entirely on him. "Why are you so worried to tell me all this? Are you afraid I'll break?"
Archer thought for a moment on his answer. Does he lie? Tell her that he planned on using the master of Berserker as a spy of sorts. No...she earned his trust, she was his master and she had supported him since his arrival. Despite his protest, she still proclaimed herself his mother. What was a mother's love if not unconditional. Even at the harshest answers.
He'll tell her the truth.
"Yes."
Her smile grew and her hands tighten on his. "Thank you for trying to protect me, but I need you to trust me."
Then she told him her whole plan and his eyes widened.
"No."
"Yes."
XXX
"This is insane!" Waver Velvet shouted as he rubbed his hands together for warmth as the sun was setting and the cold was beginning to set in.
"Those have been all our plans so far and you've gone along with each of them." Archer retorted as he, Rider, and Waver stood outside a damage shelter outside the disaster zone in Fuyuki. The plan involved finally removing Irisviel's soul and for that they needed the priests.
There was also something else they needed from them.
"That doesn't mean I agree with them!" Waver argued back, before a pat on the back by his ginormous servant knocked the wind out of him.
"Come now lad, your fair maiden has asked something from you." Rider said with a large grin plastered on his face especially at how red his master turned. "Surely you wouldn't have her warrior return empty handed."
"Shut..up...you...jerk!" Waver tried to shout, however his lung having long betrayed him, came out as more of a wheeze.
Archer watched the pair for a moment before heading to the tent, but was stopped.
"Archer, I know I'm the last person to question this, but are you sure?" Rider's voice started from behind him. Archer didn't turn to face him, instead choosing to remain silent as he continued to the tent.
Rider and Waver simply looked at his retreating form.
"This hurts him just as much." Waver said, getting a curious look from Rider.
"Oh? And how can you tell that lad?"
"Because I also hate this plan." Waver answered, getting a surprised look from Rider. His face turned even redder as he coughed into his hand. "Don't get the wrong idea, Idiot. I'm not in love with her, but I do admire her. Her spirit, her courage."
Rider's smile almost split his face as he watched his young master continue.
"What this plan entails…it hurts to think I'm letting this happen. I'm new to this, but he's her servant and he's something more. I'm sure you've noticed it as well." Rider nodded at that. While he didn't know the specifics of the relationship between Archer and the Lady Irisviel. He noticed it went beyond the normal master/servant relationship. "I can only imagine what it's like to feel that kind of helplessness."
Rider's eyes blinked at Waver in almost awe, if he weren't king. "Since when did you get so insightful." This caused the boy to sputter and grumble that he was always this insightful. The grumbling ended when Rider placed a hand on the boys shoulder. "You're right though, there are somethings in life we cannot change. However that doesn't mean we have to be happy about it. That man…he has a hard time letting go."
If this didn't turn out right, he worried how the red bowman would react. He was attached to her, despite how he acted. Should this go wrong, Rider had a feeling it would end in a battle between the two. While he had confidence in his victory, how would Archer go down worried him.
His thought process was interrupted as they opened the tent flaps that revealed a large makeshift clinic inside. Despite how small the outside looked, the inside was giant and littered with beds, each equipped with UV bags and monitors. All the beds had someone in them. People, bandaged and bloody, suffering the aftermath of Caster's attack.
"Ugh, it hurts!"
"W-where's my Wife?!"
"I can't see, god why can't I see?!"
"F-father, I-I can't feel anything."
"Rest my child, in the morning God will see you on your path from this pain."
The voice caught the attention of the three as they turned to it's source. It belonged to Kotomine Risei as he stood next to a bed that housed a man covered head to toe in bandages stained with blood. The injured man looked at Risei as he held onto his hand. The man seemed to relax at the Priest's words.
Archer and Rider stood silent as they could tell just by looking at the scene before them: This man would not survive the night. Waver just watched unaware of what would happen, till it did.
"I-I see, Thank y-you Father. I'm just t-tired. Will you stay with me till then?"
"Of course."
The injured man's eyes started to close slowly, before they shut completely. He let go of Risei's hand, falling limply off the bed. The older man sighs sadly, before taking the dead man's hands and placing them on his chest.
"Wha?! You said he was going to be okay." Waver said, shocked at what he saw. Gaining the attention of the older man as he turned to the group.
"Oh? What makes you say that young man?" Risei asked as he began walking along the tent, causing Waver to follow him.
"You said he was going to recover!" Waver said tightly, trying not raise his voice. Why was this his life, yes Magi walk with death, but he had never come across so much. Not even at the clock tower.
"No Master Waver, I said God would see him on his path. And he will, as he ascends for judgment." Risei told the young man as Waver continue to glare at him. "Sometimes all that comforts the dying is the idea that someone is looking out for him. That someone will be there at the end. Whether "
"I-i don't know." Waver stammered with indecision, not sure how to deal with that. He didn't believe it, not fully. He was a Magi. He could preform all these different feats and abilities. Yet why did he feel so powerless when confronted with places like this.
Just like with the children.
He felt Rider's hand on his shoulder once more as Waver looked down. His pride prevented him from apologizing, but he felt embarrassed at his words. Luckily Archer saved him from having to keep talking.
"Priest, where's Kirei?" Archer asked, almost demanded, his head glancing to the side as his cursed under his breath.
"And what, may I ask, is your business with my son?" Risei asked giving the red bowman his full attention.
"We have business to conduct. Your son promised me something and now plan to collect." Archer answered vaguely, getting a hard stare from the priest. "Where is he?"
Risei just stared at him for a moment, before nodding at another bed that housed another dying person. Kirei stood to the side as he held their hand, before they too passed. However unlike with Risei, Kirei's eyes took on an unusual delighted shine at the passing. Almost like he was pleased with the death.
Archer and the others walked over to the young priest as also placed the person's hand on their chest.
"Kirei." Archer said getting a startled look from the man as he looked at Archer, Rider, and Waver.
"Archer? What are you doing here?" Kirei asked as he eyes them cautiously.
"It's time for our 'agreement' to come into effect." Archer said as he motioned towards the tent flaps. Kirei nodded and followed them outside. Risei following close behind.
XXX
"So it's time?" Kirei asked as everyone stood outside among the rubble of the surrounding buildings. Archer stood across from him and nodded.
"We need your expertise. There's been a...rush to the plan." Archer said as he looked for the right word.
"A rush?" Risei spoke up this time as everyone turned to him. "A rush to what?"
Archer looked at Kirei who turned to his father and sighed. He did not look like he wanted to have this conversation.
"I will be preforming spiritual surgery on the Einzbern Homunculus." Kirei told his father who's jaw clinched at the new. "I will be putting it's-" Archer and Waver's eyes seemed to harden at his words causing the young man to correct himself. "HER soul in a new body."
"Actually there's a new change of plan to that." Archer told him making both Kotomines stare at him suspiciously.
"What? What changed?" Kirei asked, an unpleasant feeling running down his spine.
"We'll be taking on the Matou family." Archer said as the men of the cloth looked him in surprised.
"The whole family, not just the master of Berserker?" Risei asked as he looked unsettled. "What reason do you have to attack the whole family Servant Archer?"
"My reasons are personal and already explained to your son." Archer said simply making the man's already closed eyes squint even further somehow. Risei looked at Kirei for an explanation. Kirei didn't look at his father this time. Why he didn't meet his father's eyes, even he didn't know. Shame? No. Maybe the consequence of attacking a well known mage family, even a dying one. Probably not.
So then why couldn't he.
He knew why. He just didn't want to admit it.
Somehow he was sure his father knew why too.
"So what changed?" Risei asked as he wanted to change the subject.
Then Archer explained Irisviel's plan. Both men's eyes widen at what was being described to them.
"Y-you can't be serious?!" Kirei had to ask. What Archer was proposing was insane.
Wasn't it?
"Unfortunately I am. Not the most well thought out idea, but there's not a whole lot of options." Archer commented as he crossed his arms. "Once that woman sets her mind on something, there's no changing her mind."
Waver nodded in agreement without thinking. Turning red as he caught himself and felt himself shrink down as Rider laughed at him.
"Is this really necessary?" Risei asked as he walked over to Kirei and put a hand on his shoulder. "What your asking of my son is basically suicide!"
"Yes it is, the lives of two people will hang in the balance after tonight and your son is the only one that can save him." Archer told him as he walked over to Kirei. The air around him seemed to change. "Now's not the time to go back our deal Kirei." The red bowman's voice took on an authority, almost demanding quality. "Don't cross me." This got a look of shock from the younger man.
It even got a raised eyebrow from Rider, who was not use to this type of behavior from the his fellow servant. Then again he normally didn't.
Archer also didn't like the tone in his own voice. It was sounding too regal, too controlling, too much like Gilgamesh. The personality bleed was affecting him more than he liked. However, he didn't have a choice. For this, for ANY of this to succeed, he needed Kirei. So no, the young priest didn't get to back out.
Not now. Not when failure meant that his master would suffer a fate worse than death.
"I see. Very well, I shall make the appropriate preparations." Kirei said eyeing him warily, almost like Archer would attack him otherwise. Not the red servant would disagree with that entirely.
"No." Risei interjected. His body was tensed as he stepped in between Archer and his son. This gathered a look of apprehension from Waver, Rider and Kirei. "WE will make the appropriate preparations and meet you when you're ready."
Archer raised an eyebrow at this. "What?" He asked, his voice almost dangerously low.
If the older man was intimidated by his tone, he didn't show it. Merely turning to face him fully.
"From what it sounds like, you're on a time limit. You'll need someone with experience, far more than what someone whose never actually preformed the surgery can do." Risei's eyes cracked open, as if daring him to correct him.
"But Father! What about the patients, surely they need you more?" Kirei looked at his father in suprise. Not expecting this outcome.
"They have enough medical staff here to fill quite a few hospitals. They are in God's hands now. My son needs me more." Risei said giving his son a soft smile, making Kirei look down at the floor. Almost in shame.
Archer [GILGAMESH] found that quite offensive. How dare this man, deem his choice incorrect. He knew Kirei was more than capable of handling the task. Why? Because HE choose him after all.
"You...DARE mongrel." His voice seethed. He felt himself almost tremble with anger, no...with righteous judgment. He stepped towards Risei, getting both father and son to take a step back. "What makes you think that-?!"
He felt a large hand grip his shoulder, tight. He looked over his shoulder to see Rider staring down at him.
"I think this is the correct choice, ARCHER." The way the servant of the mount spoke his name snapped him back to reality. "The idea of the both of them assisting us is better than only having one. It'll only increase our odds of success."
'I'm not him. I'm not him.' He repeated in his head. Almost like a mantra. 'I'm not him, I am…'
Emiya Shirou? No he abandoned that identity, he was the heroic spirit EMIYA, a [NO NAME, a faceless guardian. So who's to say he couldn't be Gilgamesh.
'Shirou-kun' Irisviel appeared in his head. The smile on her face, the shine in ruby eyes, her voice speaking the name, the name she had decided to call him. He had abandoned that name, but when she spoke it felt like it was something new, something only she got to call him.
'Yes hold onto that. Don't let him take over.'
"Hrr...you're right. Forgive me, it's been a stressful day." Archer said as he stepped back, shrugging off Rider's hand. He stepped away from the group, turning his back from the group. They could only stare at him in bewilderment. "Kirei, Risei meet us at the Matou mansion at midnight. Everything should be in place by then."
With that he turned into his spirit form and vanished from sight. Rider felt his presence disappear from the vicinity. He looked back at the two priest who only stared at the place where Archer once stood.
"Ahh forgive that. Like he said it's been a stressful day. We will see you both tonight when battle preparations are complete." He flashed his boisterous grin, but it didn't put either men at ease. They both nodded as they turned and walked back to the medical tent.
"Okay...what was that." His master asked, shocked at the attitude that their ally displayed. He shivered slightly in fear.
"I don't know my boy." Rider said as he looked at one of the tall destroyed buildings that surrounded, a golden shimmer dissipated atop it. "But I plan to find out."
XXX
Archer stood on one of the buildings that say outside the disaster zone overlooking the Fuyuki bridge. Waiting for Kariya to show himself. He was early, but he'd hoped he would too. Even the enemy of his enemy was still an enemy at the end of the day. Then again from what he read on his file from Kiritsugu's computer, the master of Berserker wasn't an ordinary mage. Just like him.
Another headache caught him as placed a hand to his temple. Trying to sooth it. His head was swimming, the [GILGAMESH] thoughts fading, but unlike before it was slower. As though the personality was refusing to let go. It made him worry.
Two servants using the same container was a first. It was expected that there would be some side affects. Of course his E-rank luck would have it be the one Heroic Spirit whose Ego he knew would trample anything.
He sat on the ledge of the roof and let out a frustrated growl. Why was this happening now? Why was Irisviel so damn set on this insane plan? Why did pieces of the king of heroes infect his mind? Why did he have to see Kiritsugu again and Saber, Rin, Sakura? Why? Why why why why why why why why why why why why why why!? Why…
Why did he have to be summoned to this place? At this time?
To her?
It would have been so much simpler if everything just went according to plan.
But it never did for him did it?
No...it never did. So why should it now.
It was at that time he saw the shadows on the bridge shift and out wobbled the damaged form of Matou Kariya. No sign of Berserker, but Archer wouldn't write him off just yet. Archer never really got a good look at him in the market district. What with Berserker looking to make mincemeat out of him. Now however, he saw the man in full view. The dead glassy eye that looked off to the side, the dead left arm that hung limply to the side, the veins the pushed against the left side of his face.
Then he saw them move. Something squirmed the man's skin.
"I see." Archer said as he knew what was happening. The memory was faded, but Archer could feel he'd seen it before.
XXX
The purple haired girl, Sakura, was limp. He could only look at her in shock. Her mouth hung open, blood caked the inside. Then he saw something move.
Then the worm jumped out.
XXX
"Tch!" Archer's teeth clinched. The worm was up to his tricks. Another puppet in a long line of them. Like she was.
Archer shook his head. No like she would be if he didn't do something. If he didn't act, another vessel would be created at the end of this war. Needless suffering for what? A broken prize that wasn't worth it in the first place.
Well it wouldn't do well for him to get even more worked up then he already was. He needed his head for what he was about to do. The old man would be listening so he'd better make this good.
He was on the bridge in an instant. Traveling kilometers in a matter of seconds. No longer being human anymore had it's perks. He appeared behind Kariya staying in his spirit form for a moment. Looking around, he still saw no sign of the mad knight. Maybe Kariya couldn't control him? The sorry state of the man gave him a little confidence in that theory.
"Hello Matou." Archer said as he saw the man jump slightly, whipping around and glaring at him.
"Geez what are you trying to do give a guy a heart attack." Kariya asked as he continued his angry look.
"With a condition like yours it wouldn't be too hard." Archer chuckled before pretending to look around. "Where's Berserker? Figured you'd be smart and have some form of backup in case this turn south. Seems I overestimated you Matou Kariya."
The gray haired man scoffed at him. "I have Berserker where I need him most. Is that all you wanted to do, make fun of me and piss me off?"
"No I wanted to give you a chance to save the little girl trapped in that nightmare house." Archer rolled his eyes at the man. "Unless you haven't decided to participate in this war for her sake?"
Kariya's eye narrowed further at him. "How do you know about that?"
Archer only smirked at him. "My master has taken an interest in the girl."
Half-lie
His brow raised at the red bowman. "Your master? The Homunculus right? What does that doll want with Sakura?"
Archer had to ignore the small feeling of irritation at his master being referred to as a doll. How could he see what Zouken was turning Sakura into and still lack sympathy.
...Mages.
"Let's just say she feels a certain kinship to the girl. She knows what Matou Zouken is doing to her. She wants to stop him, before he corrupts her." Archer explained to Kariya.
Half-lie
The half-dead man looked somberly to the side as a sad chuckle came to his face. "Oh yeah, well it's too late for that. The Old man corrupted her before the war even started."
It felt like a pit opened in Archer's stomach. "I see." He planned for this eventuality, he knew this was a possibility. "Even still my master will want to save the girl."
Truth
"Oh? In our world a mage, real or not, never does anything for no reason. What does she get out of this?" Kariya asked as his suspicious glare returned to Archer.
"My master wishes to adopt the Matou girl." Archer said simply. Kariya's eyes widen at this.
Truth
"W-what?! You've got to be kidding me. You expect me to hand this girl from one evil mage family to another?!" Kariya shouted at him. Archer glanced around again for any sign of Berserker. Fortunately still nothing.
Archer agreed. Even he was shocked when Irisviel told him of her decision to adopt the young child.
XXX
"She looked so happy with you in the visions. If I can make that come true again I will."
XXX
That woman had dreams even crazier than his sometimes.
"No, my master wishes to leave that world behind to start anew. A new beginning, she'd like the girl to be apart of that beginning."
Truth
Archer could see the doubt and fear cross Kariya's face as his eyes raced all over the place. The master of Berserker unsure of how to take this. So Archer sighed and pulled out his next move. Family.
"My master, Irisviel, she has a daughter as well. Trapped by her own family, she wishes to unite with her. So she understands the need, the desire to save this girl." Archer spoke a softer tone getting the man's attention. "Isn't that what you want too Kariya?"
Kariya's face looked down for a moment. Silence enveloping the bridge.
"It is." He spoke softly. "But I wish to reunite her with her mother and sister as well."
"Oh I doubt my master would keep them away from her." Archer spoke amused. "But do you really think it's a good idea to reunite her with the family that sent her away?"
Kariya looked down for a moment as he thought about it. His plan was simple: win the grail war, take Sakura, rescue Aoi and Rin from Tokomi. Then they'd all be a big happy family. He never even consider Sakura's wishes. Did she even want to go back? Did it matter what she wanted?
If it didn't, then why was he even doing this?
"Sakura needs to be reunited with her family." Kariya said shaking his head and looked back at Archer. "If I can get her back to them, then she'll see finally see it."
That choice of phrase got Archer's attention as his brow furrowed. "What do you mean they'd see it?" He got a sense that maybe he should be more wary of this man being around Sakura then he originally thought.
"SHE, Aoi their mother, she'll see that this world, our world of Magi. Of blood and Magecraft is too dangerous." Kariya had an almost small crazy glint in his working eye. His hand had covered the side with the dead one as he breathed heavily. "I'll give her back and Aoi will understand. She'll see that the bastard Tokomi is evil, that he'll only get her killed. Yes she'll finally see it."
...She had to.
"Matou-san." Archer decided to speak slowly. He needed to choose his next word very carefully. "What will happen if this Aoi woman doesn't see it, as you say?"
More importantly what will happen to Sakura if her mother still doesn't want her? The world of magi was a fickle thing. They might see this as more an insult then anything else. Surely Kariya had to see it, he left the Matou family for a reason after all.
However after Archer asked his question, Kariya looked at him funny. Almost like he didn't understand the question being asked.
"What?" The man in question muttered as he looked at the other man with wider, even crazier eyes then before. "S-she will. I believe she will."
LIE
Archer simply stared at the man in question. "I see. Very well Matou-san I will convey your wish to my master."
"So what's your plan?" Kariya asked the servant before him, hoping he had a well thought out plan. "Do we just walk into the mansion and take her?"
"Something like that." Archer said simply causing the pale haired man to look at him in shock.
"A-are you crazy?! It may not look it but that mansion is home to ancient evil. It's well protected, even from servants!" Kariya exclaimed at him.
"Yes, but even with his knowledge of the grail system and how it works, we have three servants to his zero." Archer explained. He knew the worm wasn't to be underestimated even being out numbered.
"Then why tonight!? Why not wait for at least a day!? Get ready and prepare, he won't let go of Sakura easily!" Kariya grimaced as he gripped his dead arm as it twitch grossly. The worms were being stirred by his emotions.
"Like I said, my master doesn't want the girl to spend another night at that house."
HALF-TRUTH
"Wha!? I'm supposed to believe that!? That some doll is so altruistic that she heard some girl was in trouble and decided to lend her help!" Kariya didn't trust them. Archer expected that.
The red servant walked towards Kariya till they were face to face. Well more like face to chest as Archer towered over the man.
"You don't have to believe the reason, just accept that we are going to help." Archer stared down at him. "However Matou-san my master isn't a doll, I would recommend that you refrain from saying that in front of me again." The warning made the master of Berserker back away.
Archer turned away and started walking. "Meet us by the mansion in the next two hours. We'll begin then."
As he continued walking, Archer saw the veins on Kariya's face squirm even more. The old worm had been listening.
Good, that was the plan anyway.
"Irisviel is more devious then me."
XXX
Irisviel was still sitting on the couch with Shirou-chan on her lap as she slowly brushed his hair. She was smiling and humming a small tune as she ran the brush through the boy's auburn hair. She enjoyed the short time she spent with the boy.
"Shirou-chan." She said softly. The boy's eyes looked up at her curiously. He wasn't mute, but he let his expressions do the talking most of the time. Another trait she found adorable. "I just wanted you to know I'll be going out tonight. And...I won't be back for at least a day."
The boy looked confused and scared at her words. His hand gripped her skirt tightly. She stared at him sadly.
"I'm not leaving you. I don't know when but I promise, I WILL be back, and when I do I'll have a new friend to introduce you to. Well two of them actually. They're both girls." Irisviel giggled as he raised an eyebrow at her, almost asking what that had to do with anything. "Maybe I should be worried, you are quite the ladies man." Despite her teasing, from what she knew of the future that was certain.
His confused eyes were so adorable, she couldn't help herself. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Her arms were larger than his body so they rested near his abdomen. She tilted her head so it rested against the top his own.
"After all you made me fall in love with you at first sight." She spoke with a tone that she only showed Kiritsugu and Illya. Maybe it was fate or maybe her own machinations, but she truly did. She'd do anything for this boy and give him a better outcome.
All she desired was a better future for the boy who only wanted to become a hero.
The sound of footsteps caught her attention as she looked over and saw Saber walking to the doorway leading from the living room. She leaned against the door frame, wearing her black and white suit. She looked over at the two of them. Her eyes seemed to linger on Shirou-chan for awhile.
Irisviel smiled at that, she understood, it was so weird to look at this young boy and see the same man he could become.
Saber's eyes then met her own as she just stood and stared. Irisviel wanted to look away, but she couldn't. No it would be disrespectful to the one person she considered her friend. Her best friend if she was honest.
Saber didn't say a word. She knew why, she hated this plan. No in all reality she absolutely loathed it. However Saber didn't say a word, nor made any objections when the details were revealed. Even though Irisviel knew the sword wielding servant wanted to. That Saber did not accept that this was the path she choose.
Eventually Irisviel felt a small hand on her cheek, looking down she saw large amber eyes stare at her with concern. She felt tears well up in her eyes as she brought her lips down upon the boy's forehead.
"See? What I say, you are quite the ladies man." Irisviel whispered softly.
'Idiot, no more crying. No more tears.' Irisviel thought as she lifted her head from Shirou-chan. 'You have to be strong now. You have to protect him, Illya, the Matou girl. You have to save them all. This is the only way you can do it.'
Once upon a time she had to tell her daughter she wasn't coming back home. Not this time, not with this boy.
She looked up to see Saber had disappeared probably to check out the perimeter. She smiled again looking back at Shirou-chan. Yeah this would work out. It would be painful and she would despise every second of it, but as long as she had something to protect she would succeed.
She was sure of it.
XXX
Archer looked down at the Matou Mansion from near the bridge. Scoping the place out from this far was a good call. Who knows how many familiars or bounded fields Zouken had set up around the place.
"Anything Archer?" Kiritsugu asked as took a look at the direction the white haired man was looking at. Not even their sniper scope and binoculars could see as far as him.
"Nothing at the moment, but I'm sure he knows we're coming." Archer told the Mage killer as they walked back to the group. Irisviel, Maiya, Saber, Waver, Rider, Kirei, and Risei looked at them.
"Well?" Waver asked expectantly as he rubbed his arms in the cold and sneezed a little.
"Right now the house is quiet." Archer told the group as he rubbed his forehead. He couldn't believe they were actually going through with this. No scratch that he could believe it. If it was this woman then it was a possibility.
"Shirou-kun?" Irisviel asked as she leaned against Saber for support. Her expression taking on a worried look as she saw the frustration on his face.
"Are you sure?" The group fell silent as they stared at him.
"Sure? It's a little late for that don't you think?" Irisviel chuckled at him, which seemed to only frustrate him more.
"You know what will happen once we get in there don't you?" Archer pressed as he stepped towards her. "What hell that'll be awaiting you?"
Irisviel looked around at everyone. With the exception of Maiya and the Kotomines, everyone else had an almost pained expression on their faces.
"Yes." She smiled and gripped Saber's shoulder getting the girl's attention. "I know this is the correct choice."
Once more Archer stared at her, before walking up to her. "I see. Very well, as long as you believe this is the path that you must walk, then I will follow you into hell itself."
Without a word Archer lifted up Irisviel before leaping into the sky. Rider and Saber smiled at them, before grabbing the rest and following after them.
This plan was hellish indeed, but it was one that she choose. Her first choice in what everyone would hope to be a long line of them.
XXX
It's here! It's Back! Einzbern and Hero's Talk Show!
A hand smashed onto the desk as Irisviel popped her head out from under it. She looked like a wreck.
"D-did we survive!?"
Archer came stumbling onto the stage as the audience clapped. Looking just as worse for wear.
"I-I believe so."
"I thought she'd never stop chasing us."
"She is persistence."
"It's been over a year! I thought she'd have gotten bored of trying to kill us by now."
"Yeah...it's like she got her stubborn nature from someone."
"Oh?...Her father right?"
A fist smashed down on Irisviel's head.
"You! You moron!"
"Owie!"
The audience started to laugh at their antics as Archer stared at them in irritation.
Then large thunderous foot steps made the two stand straight up as they looked wide eye at the back curtain.
"Onii-chan~ Mama~ Where are you~"
"Oh no!"
"Let's go! I refuse to be turned to paste because of yours and Kiritsugu's neglectful parenting!"
"Are you saying it's my fault that we're in this position?!"
"Who else?!"
Then the sound of crashing is heard as Berserker and Illyasviel are seen destroying the wall of the set and starring at the two hosts.
"Found you~"
"RUN!"
"Get them Berserker! HAHAHAHA!"
The sound of the laughing audience was drowned out by the sound of Berserker destroying the set once more as him and Illyasviel chased Archer and Irisviel out of the room.
"NO ONE IS EVEN THERE!"
XXX
Review time:
VamPyr00: Yes and no, Kiritsugu never talked to Saber all that much. I don't see why this would be any different. He didn't yell at her then why would he now? As for Archer, he was busy, nor do I see why it would be something he would reem Saber out for. She was fighting off Lancer. Archer understood that. As for the Caster part. Archer was more curious then anything.
NavyZero8745: I'm sorry you weren't satisfied with how the UBW scene worked out. Hopefully the rest of the story will be better for you. I will work harder for that outcome.
SomewhereBeyondtheStars: I'm glad you do! Hope you enjoyed this chapter.
SentinalSlice: I'm not a super fan of making things up for already established characters pasts. I think the mystery is what makes it so enticing. Definitely look out for more Shirou-chan interactions!
LegendaryMob: I'm going to say that's more me than them. We aren't given a lot of time with them so to me there's no point in having them recognize it.
YukiTheIceWolf: So sorry for the wait bub, but hey here's a new one for you hope you enjoyed.
To a reviewer (I ain't saying your name you know who you are) who is now banned from reviewing on my story, I'm removing your stupid shit off my review board. You think because you have that as your name you seem cool? You remind me of my early days on this site. You can peddle your shit somewhere else.
XXX
A/N: Hey guys thanks for reading. I mean it, your guy's love for this story is what keeps it going. You know it is. It's been almost 10 years and I'm just now over 10 chapters. Seriously you guys are a blessing I'm truly thankful for everyday.
Whether I'm jumping back in fully is yet to be seen. I'm still writing GBT and with me trying to make sure I can still play my games and read when I'm not working makes me carving about a few hours to write a day.
However never say never as you see today. GBT chapter 2 should be published next week so be on the lookout okay?
Also guys in need for a beta at the moment for GBT if anyone is interested just PM me okay?
The original chapter 10 and original 11 will be posted on discord okay so if you wanna join send me a pm (lots of me saying that huh?)
You guys take care okay and enjoy the day.
XXX