"Lotta excitement goin' 'round here…"

A dirty boot stepped over a spot where a particularly large gouge had been carved into Homurahara's track field. "Suckers wrecked the place good," Archer X cackled while surveying his surroundings. "But them churchgoers are pretty quick on the clean-up, aren't they?" Sure enough, no sign of the skirmish between Lancer and Archer and Lancer X remained.

"They have to be," his Master ambled close by with his hands in his pockets, "especially with characters like you roaming about in Fuyuki." Shinji Matou turned right as the Servant snorted: The latter was a couple centimeters taller than him and certainly looked older with the lines in his face and stubbly beard along his cheekbones. He wore dark-red leathers, coat and boots, giving him an appearance of some Old-West gunslinger. A single golden arrow hung loosely by his right hip. Archer X couldn't have been mistaken for an ordinary human, though, between his blue skin, brown-red eyes and the large metallic fin affixed atop his head. "Wouldn't want you scaring off any poor schoolgirls."

"Oh, like they'd stick around if ya showed 'em yer creepy crawlie collection, boy." While he should've scolded his Servant for the lack of respect, the Master just smirked back at him. I wonder if this is how Emiya feels sometimes while putting up with me. There was something oddly fun about trading quips with this azure-faced redneck. Archer X cocked his head back and called up to the roof. "How's yer little sideshow, Deuce?"

After a moment, a woman nearly as tall as the alien Servant stepped into view. She inclined her head slightly, causing the light-purple hair that reached her shins to flow loosely about, without actually looking at him. Then again, that wouldn't have been possible in her case, what with the dark band pulled over her eyes. She was (sparsely) clad in a black sleeve- and strapless dress with red rims that started at her (well-endowed) chest and ended right at her thighs. Tights of the same color scheme covered most of her legs while a set of long bracelets were wrapped around her arms. A snake-like tattoo curled atop her forehead.

With a single step, Rider effortlessly flipped forward and landed gracefully onto the field. Her frown became more visible as she strode closer to the two. "Didn't I tell you not to call me that, Archer X?"

Archer X faked a gasp and pointed at her. "Oh hell, it's Deuce! Deuce is walkin' about! Ev'rybody's heard a tall, hot Lucy Deuce!" He laughed even while leaning away from the metal chain that snapped at his head like a whip. Half of his toothpick fell to the grass. "Girl, yer worryin' too much 'bout yer looks. I read the stories and ya ain't got much in common with what ev'rybody thinks they know about you."

"I know." She crossed her arms while turning away. "I'm not beautiful, there's no need for you to rub it in." Rider had accepted being the hideous one among her siblings long ago. That didn't mean she welcomed being reminded of it-

"Eh," the foreign Heroic Spirit shrugged, "yer not the ugliest girl I seen either."

…Even a week after getting summoned together, Rider honestly didn't know what to make of the partner fate had dealt her.

Then Shinji cleared his throat. "Save the soap opera stuff for when you're not on the clock, thank you. And getting back to the topic our resident geezer brought up..." He turned to his native Servant, ignoring the gesture the foreigner made for him.

A bit rude, her present company, but not the worst Rider had encountered. "Andromeda's still intact. That magus girl might've found some sigils, but she didn't tamper with them." She planted her left hand on her hip. "Not that it would've caused us much trouble in the long run. But this school needn't be the extent. I think we could push the boundaries a bit further."

"Not without attracting too much attention all at once," her Master shook his head. "The Blood Fort serves both as a good home field advantage for you and as bait to draw in other teams, but bait too big could put us in a tight spot." He gestured to their surroundings. "We already got a first impression of what Tohsaka's Servants can do, plus it flushed out the local Lancer."

"Still haven't a clue who his Master could be," Archer X reminded him. "And it looks like that idiot buddy of yers got caught in the crossfire. Almost got him killed." He clicked his tongue. "And ya did set him up to be there that time a' night in the first place."

Both Servants were clearly observing Shinji Matou, even if only one had his eyes on him. They wanted to see how he'd react to such a news, see if he had the strength of will to see this all the way through. Shinji turned his back to them for a moment… and shrugged. "I didn't know there was gonna be a fight so soon after Rider set up the Fort. Putting Emiya in a scenario where he could die wasn't my intention, but…" His shoulders slumped marginally. "Considering Uncle's apparently got him down as one of his targets… Him dying now and quickly would've been a mercy."

"That's a cold statement, Master." Rider's words lacked any judgment, though.

Shinji turned to see both of them staring at him neutrally. "…This is a cold world, Rider." He sighed before scowling at the sky. "And based on the latest intel from my Worms, it seems Emiya went and blundered himself the last two Servants. Tohsaka's made contact with him, too, and with his crush, he's probably already in her back pocket."

A length of chain materialized wrapped around Rider's right arm. "Fresh alliances are rarely stable, though. And if we strike quickly and at the right moment," she tilted her head towards Homuahara, "and in the right place, we can take them down in one fell swoop."

"Or maybe we can turn 'em on each other." Archer X wagged his finger with a sly smirk. "Plenty alliances fall apart 'cause both sides get too greedy an' don't trust each other enough. An' if we play this game right…"

"We can let all the other teams wear each other down," the boy who'd summoned them followed the trail with his own grin, "finish them off and collect our prize." Rider nodded along; Archer X's attitude and nicknaming aside, she didn't deny he had a cunning mind. And a fearsome weapon.

Speak of the devil: Archer X pursed his lips and let out a high-pitched whistle, his fin lighting up red, and the arrow suddenly shot out from his side and up to the roof, leaving a bright-red trail in its wake. He whistled again, this time lower and slower, and a dark shape dropped silently down to the grass, the arrow hovering at the back of his throat the whole time. He was completely covered in pitch-black robes, the only thing visible about the Servant being the skull-shaped mask on his face.

At a third drawn-out whistle, the Servant was forced to move closer lest he suffer an impromptu tracheotomy. And that would've been a kindness in comparison to what Rider had in mind with the dagger her chain ended in. "I recall you being warned to keep your distance, Assassin." She twirled her chain idly while the two men simply glared at the interloper.

The dark-clad Servant bowed his head slowly so as to not give off the wrong signal. "I was merely sent to deliver a message," he spoke in a deep, quiet voice befitting an Assassin. "There is another battle occurring in Shinto, up near the forest cemetery, and quite a fierce one from the sound of it. Its participants may warrant your interest, young Matou."

Shinji waited, his foot tapping slightly against the grass, for his "patron's" Servant to elaborate, but it seemed this was the extent of the message. I could have Rider pry the information out of this little snoop, he contemplated briefly before nixing the idea. Zouken and Masao had both stressed to him that any damage to Assassin by his hand or his Servants' would be repaid. With interest.

Thus, he shook his head. Archer X frowned but recalled his arrow while Rider retracted her dagger with a little reluctance. Assassin bowed again, and all three appreciated on some level that he wasn't smug about it, before slipping away into spirit form. "Well," Shinji bit back a wince as he summoned a couple more airborne Worms for surveillance, "let's move a bit closer so we can see what the fuss is about." He deployed the familiars and made for the exit.

Yondu made to follow him, but he couldn't resist prodding a certain snake on last time. "You comin', Lucy Deuce?"

Rider's right brow twitched even while she trudged towards the men. But as she passed her partner, she suddenly smirked and leaned near her ear. "After you, Miss Poppins."

Shinji snickered at seeing Archer X's face promptly shift into a mesh between a smile and a scowl; never had the Matou heir laughed so hard in his life before that impromptu movie night.

"Gonna tan that boy's hide red next I see 'em…" The Centaurian Servant grumbled underneath his breath as they vacated the school.

Archer fired off another volley, then climbed a little higher up the steel beams that were his perch. His eyes tracked the arch of his arrows as they rained down upon Saber X. A wider version of that black "fish" expanded from his blade to intercept most of them, the remainder blasting into the rocks and trees around him. Still, it provided an effective smokescreen for Lancer X to rush her opponent with a surprise lunge.

As their weapons clashed, Archer turned his attention to the other players in the forest. Rin was approaching Illya's vantage point. Saber and Assassin X had turned their battle with Berserker into a deadly game of hide-and-seek, making full use of their surroundings to confound the bigger, stronger Servant. He uprooted trees and crushed boulders with every blow, but none of them reached his prey. Assassin X had even called up a deep fog, further blinding him and allowing the duo to quickly strike from out of nowhere before slipping away again.

The mist also made it hard for even the bowman to determine their location; only Berserker's massive frame was an easy read. Ergo, he couldn't safely shoot down that foreign smartass and call it an accident. Worst case scenario, I fire blindly and hit Saber by mistake. Archer clicked his tongue.

His irritation grew when his gaze landed on the boy stupidly following Berserker's trail of destruction. Still didn't realize there wasn't a damn thing he could do that would have any effect. Still playing up his desire to save others and hiding his death wish. Again, Archer contemplated his options. This Grail War was far more complicated, with so many other players still unconfirmed. And even if some changes were for the better like Sakura's situation and Saber looking so much happier (though the most probable reason for that soured the taste a little) … Surely, some things were bound to be worse. It would always get worse.

Rin was alive and close by. Not close enough to interfere, and neither were any of the others. Archer nocked a fresh arrow. The tip followed the boy's back while he foolishly pursued…

Something red fluttered in the corner of his eye which widened as it traced the source. He drew the bowstring all the way back for maximum power and released the arrow along with all of his hesitation.

In the forest, Ruby had tripped backwards over a cluster of roots, costing her footing at a crucial moment. Saber X sent her to the ground with two powerful slashes, then drew back his sword as her Aura crackled. But when he was about to let the blackness loose again, he froze at a high-pitched whistle. He managed to shift his katana and the goldfish into a defensive stance just before the arrow reached him, but the sheer force of the collision blasted him into a nearby cave. Lancer X got to her feet while the cave collapsed on top of Saber X, looked out at the city and quickly flashed an I'm-OK sign as thanks, Crescent Rose at the ready.

Huffing, Archer still replied with a thumbs up, knowing she could see it. 'Task at hand.' The message was as much meant for him as for her. The scar-faced bastard wasn't out of the fight yet, and the fact he managed to guard against such a high-speed attack showed he was figuring out Archer's firepower and rate. Saber X wasn't the best swordsman the Counter Guardian had seen, but he did adapt and learn quickly.

And the boy wasn't that far anymore from the graveyard that served as Berserker's new playground. Tch, a bit faster than I thought. His path was also leading him close to where Rin was currently struggling against Illya. Archer sighed before moving further up his perch while he calculated his options.

Rin Tohsaka tumbled in a decidedly ungraceful manner along the dirt, magic bolts chasing her. She had hoped to tilt the odds back in her team's favor, but the Einzbern girl turned out to be far from defenseless. Her Gandr shots kept being countered by those two bird-like familiars fluttering about, and even as she came to a stop against some roots, she tried analyzing them. Autonomous constructs capable of automatically seeking out targets. And the amount of mana she's providing them to shoot like that… Rin gritted her teeth from pain and frustration. A collection of mini magi! She forced herself up and into the fight. But such high-performance familiars are bound to have some kind of drawbacks.

Illya ambled along the path, both Storch Ritter fluttering nimbly at her sides. "Quick little rabbit, aren't you?" She giggled before plucking two more strands of hair. Mama had devised an absolutely beautiful way to fight with Alchemy, and in her name, she had elevated Shape ist Leben to a whole new level. "Why don't I add another two to deal with you?" Another pair of Ibis flapped their wings ready to hunt their prey.

Are you kidding me?! Rin cursed behind her hiding spot. Whine later, she told herself and took a breath. If I let them box me in, I'm dead. In that case… Her gaze wandered down to some little emeralds in her hand.

Then she did something Einzbern didn't expect; she stepped out into the open. "Attacking me head-on?" The homunculus blinked before smiling again. Rin was really starting to despise that smug look on her face. "Bold but foolhardy of you, Rin." The Tohsaka Master's retort was to sprint to her right and lob her next move right in front of her. "Gandr!"

Illya had to avert her eyes from the emerald flash that pleb made, but her Ibis had no such problems. She felt them fire multiple bolts, but she watched as a bright green rectangular shield emerged to hover before Rin and block their attacks. From behind her defense, Rin fired a Gandr that took out one of her birds, then another. "Two to go!" That remark made Illya giggle. Leave it to a plebian to get so confident after one lucky shot.

Rin was empowering her next Gandr when something white pierced her shield like it was paper and zipped past her face. She glanced behind herself to find an ethereal blade lodged in the dirt. Her familiar altered its form?! "Nice job countering Zähre," Illya sneered down at the shaken magus, "but let's see you try and block Degen." Rin watched wide-eyed as the other "bird" shifted into a broadsword. "I thought you'd be more fun to play with, but it's been a letdown. Well, this is it for you." She shuffled back while the blade rose a bit higher, its tip aiming for her chest. "Death by impalement is a fitting end for a disgraceful doe."

Degen launched itself towards Illya's prey, too fast for her to escape- Blam! Illya blinked in shock as something slammed into her familiar's side, then Degen was suddenly aflame. Rose petals fluttered about in front of her, making her blink again.

"Y'know, you've got a pretty bad mouth for a girl your age."

When Illya opened her eyes, they were peering into a pair of silver ones. She stepped back only to stop at feeling something sharp at the back of her neck. A better look revealed that a slightly banged-up Lancer X was standing in front of her and holding her scythe so that its blade curled behind her.

"You might wanna give up now," Ruby warned the girl gently. "I can't say I like your attitude, and I don't like bullies in general, but I'd rather not hurt you." Those red eyes stared wide back at her, but she didn't let herself waver. Innocent as the girl looked, she had said and planned some pretty nasty things.

Rin sighed in relief at the sight of her Servant's cloak rustling before her. It had sustained a few tears, and Lancer X herself sported some light bruises, but between her Aura and Rin replenishing her mana, she'd be back in tiptop shape soon enough. The crackle of flames behind her told the Master that she'd even had the foresight to hit the other familiar (with a Fire Dust round? Now Rin was really curious about Dust…)

But just as she was debating whether or not to tell Ruby to chop off the brat's head, a black goldfish the size of her head "swam" in front of her. And another behind her. And another. And another.

'Ruby!' Dual shouts in her head rattled the Remnantian Servant, but she glanced behind her to gasp at the small school of black fish circling Rin. Her reflexes went on autopilot even as she heard a familiar voice.

"Kuro: Shred."

The goldfish erupted into a flurry of little slashes all centered on one single spot. They dissipated to reveal a series of slice-and-diced petals and a little blood that fell to the ground.

Saber X suddenly appeared in front of his Master, clumps of dirt falling from his coat. "Good reflexes." He turned to a frozen Illya as a volley of arrows descended towards them, scooping up the young girl in his right arm. "Nishiki." At his command, a tri-colored goldfish swirled around his body again, and he seemingly vanished before Archer's payload tore apart the clearing.

Saber X finally came to a stop in a farther, much denser part of the forest, panting a bit as he set down Illya and Enten. "You alright?" He carefully checked her over, but the Master was in better shape compared to the odd scrapes and cuts her Servant was sporting. "Sorry it took me so long to reach you." Though still staring at nothing, Illya patted his arm in reassurance. More of her mana flowed into him at the gesture as he kept his words brief. "Had to dig my way out first, then Archer kept trying to tag me." Chihiro kept searching for injuries. "You shouldn't pick fights recklessly while we're fighting, Illya. Did they hurt you?"

She shook her head, but her demeanor was unchanged. Not a good sign… "…Hey, Big Bro?"

"What's wrong?" Saber X tensed at her dull tone. Had he been too late? Did the other magus curse her or-?

"…That Lancer girl was kinda cute." He blinked, his face flattening like a punctured tire at his Master. But she just giggled to herself, blushing slightly. "A shame that Rin's the one who summoned her."

Illya was contemplating inviting the silver-eyed girl (and only her) to afternoon tea when her fluffy hat was pulled over her eyes. Her Big Bro then picked her up and slung her over his shoulder despite her protests, and she could hear him mutter, "Let's go check on Berserker." She pouted but relented. Wet blanket…

A little ways off where the girl Masters had had their showdown, Rin Tohsaka was currently breathing heavily slumped against a tree. Lancer X stood anxiously beside her. "Rin, are you…?"

"I-I'm fine, Ruby." The words sounded hollow even to Rin; her left cheek had been slashed open, and half a dozen other cuts were scattered across her body. Her right ponytail had also received a slight trim. "The w-wounds are shallow, nothing… serious. I just need to staunch the bl-bleeding." She invoked a light healing spell and began running her glowing hands over her right thigh, her left forearm, part of her stomach diagonally, near the right side of her neck, and what she could reach of the wounds on her back. She saved her cheek for last. "…Alright," finally, the magus sighed somewhat satisfied, "that'll do for now."

Still, she knew she'd have to perform a more thorough treatment later, lest scars remain. Sakura and Mother would go nuts if she came home looking like she'd taken a swan dive into a meat grinder. She tried not to make eye contact with how the Huntress was still watching her worriedly. In the process, Rin noticed Ruby had lost some of her left bangs; another reminder of how close a shave (literally!) it'd been.

Then Archer chimed in telepathically. 'Saber X managed to slip away with his Master from my counterattack, and I'm still searching for them. Keeping track of you, Master, is a lot easier than following enemy Masters. Apologies if my assistance was unwanted.'

Rin shook her head as her breathing slowed again. "No way," she sighed, "truth be told, I was backed into a corner." The admission tasted bitter on her lips, but she couldn't deny that Einzbern girl had been in complete control of their duel, and right when it seemed like Lancer X had turned the tables, she had nearly been sliced to ribbons by Saber X's Noble Phantasm. "Turning her hair into fully-functional familiars while having superhuman stamina to keep two Servants like that in fighting shape… The Master, the Servants, they're a whole team of monsters!"

"No kidding." Lancer X rubbed her head. "Berserker's been reshaping the forest and is still swinging full-throttle while Saber and Assassin X are probably starting to tire out. I have no idea what it's gonna take to bring down that giant short of dropping a mountain on top of him."

'And even then, I wouldn't put it past him to dig himself free of the rubble,' Archer grumbled in agreement. 'Saber X by comparison isn't as overwhelmingly destructive, but he's much more versatile and creative with his sword's power. I suspect his slashes' length and cutting power are proportionate to the size of the goldfish he creates. And it looks like he can delay the transition from fish to attack as he pleases.' Rin flinched again at the memory of those things surrounding her. She'd frozen up, no spell or trick coming to mind. Helpless. If she hadn't alerted Ruby… She could've died… if not for a… A Lancer saving her again…

While her Master kept quiet, Lancer X thought. Something felt off to her in that last attack from Saber X. She'd been dodging enough of his goldfish all night to know who fast they could slice something up. If Saber X had wanted it, with them that close around Rin, they could've ripped her apart in the time it took Ruby to see. So, did he hold off… on purpose? To give me a chance to save Rin before they cut too deep…?

'He must've prioritized protecting his Master,' Archer noted over their link; it sounded like he was having similar thoughts. Rin didn't react, though, so maybe this message was meant for Servants alone. Then he reverted to talking to both of them. 'When dealing with such Servants, the logical step would be to neutralize their Master.'

"But that's obviously easier said than done." Lancer X's eyes followed the trail of Berserker's rampage. "And with us catching our breath right now, Illya and Saber X are probably moving to regroup with Berserker." She turned back to her Master with rising worry. "Rin, Saber's really strong, and Assassin X isn't half bad himself-"

A scoff from Archer slipped into their minds.

Ruby didn't let that stop her. "But they can't take on Berserker and Saber X when they've been slugging it out for this long. If we want them on our side later down the road…"

"We should support them now, right?" Rin knew where this was going, and she honestly didn't disagree. After everything she'd witnessed this night, and putting aside any ridiculous feelings of… powerlessness, securing alliances for the future was a solid investment. "Archer, keep your distance and monitor the battlefield. Lancer X, you're with me. We'll meet up with Saber and Assassin X. Maybe we can run some interference and help them devise a winning plan."

Her Servant at her side nodded, her determination on full display. "Let's do it!"

Her other Servant was currently atop a landing station for helicopters, bow at the ready. "Understood," Archer replied before cautioning them. "But when the time comes to retreat, don't dally, you two."

'Right…' Rin didn't sound quite as confident as she might've liked. It seemed Saber X's sneak attack had shaken her, and it hadn't even been a genuine attempt on her life. Well, as long as the lesson sunk in, and Ruby would surely get her out safely. Provided she didn't do something stupidly heroic. Archer's grip tightened on his bow a bit more as he spotted movement. Speaking of which…

Rin Tohsaka and Shirou Emiya's next meeting began with them nearly colliding into one another.

Because Rin insisted they both recover a bit before traveling via Petal Burst again, Lancer X had been running ahead of her Master, following the trail Berserker had literally carved into the forest while trying to smash the other two, but she skidded to a halt at hearing two different yelps. Spinning around revealed Rin and Shirou stumbling away from each other, the boy's eyes landing on the girl's closed but still visible cuts. "What happened to you, Tohsaka?! Are you alright?"

"…Am I alright?!" Pride, frustration and a couple other emotions Rin didn't recognize flared up inside her brain, making her close the distance to Emiya and pin him against the nearest tree. "What the hell are you doing here?!" She held his right arm and twisted his left behind his back, half-compelled to make it as painful as possible. "If you don't have a way to fight, you'll just be a burden! Don't you get it?!"

Shirou's instincts kicking in from prior times he'd been put in this hold, his left heel snapped against Tohsaka's shin, the motion loosening her grip on the arm behind him. He barely stopped himself from cracking his elbow into her nose (like Maiya taught him) and settled for hitting her left shoulder. He turned around as Tohsaka stumbled back with a mix of shock and fury on her face. "Oh, and you're in complete control of this situation?! Tohsaka, you look like someone almost put you through the shredder! How can I just stand by and do nothing?"

"Uh, guys?"

All the more indignant from his comment and how he somehow broke her hold, Rin fired back, "And what can you do, Emiya?! Fine, I was in a pretty tight spot," the words made her want to set something on fire, "but if it got that bad for me, how will you fare any better? This is a matter of life and death! Don't you get that by now? If you get yourself killed without making anything happen, then you'll have died for nothing!"

"Guys?"

"I know that, but why are you getting so worked up about what happens to me? You said we were enemies back then, it's not your problem how I die!"

"Guys."

"Of course, it's my problem! I also said I owed you a debt, so if I don't let you off the hook for twenty-hours, I'd. Have. A. Big. Problem!"

"GUYS." The two hadn't realized how close to each other they'd gotten in their yelling before Lancer X shoved them apart. Matching blushes crossed their faces as the Servant stepped between them with a sigh. "Look, Rin's not wrong, Shirou. That Illya girl's not gonna call her team off when they're winning. This is really not the safest place in the city right now. We're barely staying alive here, and if you can't protect yourself, you could get really messed up." Or die was left unsaid. Despite what Rin thought, Ruby could tell Shirou wasn't a total idiot.

Her proof was how those brown eyes narrowed at her. "I know it's dangerous," Shirou started, "especially if that girl really is from the Einzbern family." Ruby noticed Rin's frown getting a little bigger; who were these Einsie-burnie guys, and why were they both cautious about them? She'd have to ask later… "But you heard her. Ka-," he sighed before correcting himself, "Assassin X is the one she's gunning after. Saber's giving her all to help him, how can I do any less?"

Tohsaka groaned into her hands, and Lancer X apparently took this as a sign that she should answer. "I get that you want to fight with your friends, trust me, I really do." Shirou believed her; she didn't seem the lying type what with how sincere her expression was. "But Assassin X and Saber can take a lot more punishment than you can. And don't you think they'd be even more worried if you jumped into a fight with Servants?"

"It's my fight, too, Rose," Shirou pointed out, his face hardening. "Maybe it's just because I'm another Master, but it sounds to me like I'm one of the girl's targets, too. She's just more interested in killing Assassin X first." A heavy crash sounded in the distance, followed by the crackle of electricity. The fight was getting worse. "Look, would either of you be fine with just standing back and letting a comrade risk their life for your sake? Would you force someone else to handle something you can't do on your own?"

Lancer X's words clogged up in her throat, and Rin herself couldn't think of any retort.

Another louder crash, then more in rapid succession. Like someone was beating on a drum. Or a body, Shirou thought in mounting horror. Figuring the girls wouldn't help him (and why should they? This wasn't their problem), he turned and resumed his run towards the battle in the hopes he wasn't too late. The mist grew denser the further he approached

Air rustled beside him as Lancer X's face popped up. "I wouldn't do either," she admitted before grabbing his shoulder. He dimly noticed her holding Tohsaka with her head turned away, too. "Just don't jump in the fight. And brace yourself." Then Shirou's whole vision turned into red.

Berserker stood tall in the graveyard, growling like a savage beast. The fog made it difficult to make out anything that wasn't right in front of him, but his ingrained instincts told him when to strike. His axe lashed out at a shadow to his right. Another series of gravestones were reduced to pebbles. Meanwhile, the left side of his abdomen was slit, a little blood spurting out. Berserker swung again only to hit more stones. He felt heat approach him from behind and whirled around in time to get a face-full of fireballs. They didn't affect him, but two slashes to his right tendon made him lurch before a longer cut stretched across his back.

Saber ducked under the retaliatory swing and scooted away amid those graves still intact. She kept her movements slow and deliberate; the mist her partner had summoned obstructed even her sight a bit. Fortunately, Saber's other senses weren't dulled by madness like Berserker's. She could hear him snarling and feel the ripples of air from his swings. She still wasn't the biggest fan of such tactics, but between her time spent with Assassin X and the current situation, she recognized they had uses.

Said partner was crouching on the opposite side of Berserker, left index and middle fingers raised before his chest. The Hidden Mist Jutsu was less taxing than more overt techniques, and with it already being a rather damp night, Assassin X only needed to gather his surroundings' moisture and spread it across the graveyard. It was just thick enough to keep Berserker guessing, so he could easily keep track of both the brute and Saber with his Sharingan. Still, if neither had remembered their partnership, coordinating moves would've been difficult.

Rose petals fluttered about as Lancer X deposited her passengers at a spot overlooking the mist-enshrouded battlefield. Rin was more used to the fluctuations caused by Petal Burst, allowing her to stand tall while Emiya braced himself against a tree. Only Berserker and the graveyard's outskirts were visible. "You have some pretty clever Servants," she acknowledged to her rival. "They set up this field to confound Berserker."

"Yeah." Shirou pushed himself off the wood to join them. "They rolled with his attacks to lead him to the forest and graveyard for cover. The park was too open and wouldn't have helped them as much." Part of the fog was blown away as Berserker brought his axe down, but only rocks were shattered.

Ruby's eyes narrowed as the fog quickly swirled around the Servant of Madness, shivering as he roared in frustration. "Plus, they probably wanted to keep Berserker away from you, Shirou." Berserker rocketed up with a mighty leap, but Saber suddenly appeared behind him to smack him back down to earth. "And I'm guessing Assassin X made this fog for even more cover. It's blocking Archer's line of sight, though."

"They must've figured they couldn't count on Archer supporting them." Rin watched bemused as the spot where Berserker had landed promptly transformed into mud, causing his heavy body to sink. "I'm not sure even Archer's arrows can pierce that hide." As he thrashed about to free himself, Saber angled her fall towards him while another shape sprang up next to her.

Assassin X's hands blurred together in a way that reminded Shirou of some spells Maiya used, then he sucked in a deep breath of air. "Wind Style: Vacuum Blast Barrage!" Snapping his head repeatedly from side to side as he exhaled (Did he pull down his mask? Shirou wondered half-idly) released a series of pressurized slashes that hurtled down towards Berserker. Are those strong enough to cut him?

What Assassin X did next, though, was something the trio couldn't have expected: He grabbed Saber who had just reached his altitude, spun and hurled her downwards. "What is he-" Tohsaka's cry caught in her throat as Saber pointed her sword down, the wind-enshrouded blade actually collecting the air slashes her partner had created, and stabbed once she reached Berserker. The graveyard shook from the gale-force impact. The onlookers braced themselves from stray gusts that washed over them. I get it, Shirou mused in awe. Between the two of them, only Saber's strong enough to really fight and hurt Berserker, but Kakashi can provide support and set her up to land even stronger attacks!

Rin came to the same conclusion but took it a bit further. How are they doing this? She stared at the duo who had landed and were regrouping. Saber harnessed Assassin X's wind attack seamlessly! And the way they set up this combo… They're not saying anything to each other, Emiya surely doesn't have the skill to establish a telepathic link between them, they're not even making signals! How can two Servants of completely different worlds, who only met each other tonight, have this level of teamwork?! …Unless…

'Those two were already acquainted with one another prior to the boy summoning them.' Archer told her in a rather testy tone, confirming her suspicions. 'They had a very… touching… reunion outside the church while you and the boy were inside. In their joy, they must've forgot Ruby and I were watching.'

'They really are old friends!' Rin snapped her head to where a bright-eyed Ruby was staring excitedly down at the two. The Huntress apparently took note of their talking over the mental link and was doing the same. 'Right, they told me that they'd been summoned to this city a while ago, and they were already partners back then, too! And I mean, you can tell when you watch them in action, right?! The teamwork's awesome!'

Archer seemed to have even less appreciation for Lancer X's enthusiasm presently than Rin. 'Thank you, Ruby, we're well aware.' Rin for her part was simply shaking in silent fury at the sheer unfairness of it all. All her talent and training, and it wasn't her who netted a Saber with a partner who fights in perfect sync with her, but… She glared at a stunned Emiya from the side. How much dumb luck does this guy have?!

Shirou felt a lot of anger coming from the side. Looks like Tohsaka's disappointed, too, that this still wasn't enough to bring him down! A geyser of dust and stone erupted before a very angry Berserker stormed out of the crater made from the combination attack. A bleeding spiral-shaped wound covered most of his chest and looked fairly, but the Servant just acted like he was ready for the next round.

If Saber or Assassin X were worried, they didn't let it show. "So much for Attack Plan 14," the latter commented while re-engaging the Hidden Mist Jutsu. "We've been hammering at him this long, and the majority of his wounds are shallow. This goes beyond natural toughness, even with Mad Enhancement."

"A Noble Phantasm, then," Saber concurred, her eyes not leaving the colossus even as the fog gathered. "Some sort of ability that shields him from harm. I doubt any attack below A-rank can actually hurt him, let alone kill him." She exchanged an uneasy look with Assassin X. Aside from Invisible Air and the Sharingan, neither had resorted to using their trump cards, a prudent decision this early in the War. But with their current power levels, they couldn't bring Berserker down easily. And he wasn't alone…

"Gotta hand it to them, those two know what they're doing." Saber X stood beside his Master on a small outcropping to observe the battle. He didn't seem in a particular hurry to assist Berserker, but his red eyes also gravitated towards Lancer X and the two rival Masters serving as audience. Then they turned elsewhere… "They're making the most out of each other's abilities, too."

Illyasviel von Einzbern had a look on his face like she was biting into a lemon. "Kakashi's as crafty as he always was. If it weren't for Saber, Berserker would've painted the cemetery with his blood by now." A hand squeezed her shoulder, but she didn't dare look up to see the disapproval that was most likely on her Big Bro's face. Illya took a breath and put on her smile. "But no matter what he tries, their fates are sealed."

Berserker seemed to agree as he barreled his way towards them, but Assassin X's mist allowed them to dodge in separate directions with time to spare. Even so, both were racking their brains for options. Saber X had yet to join the fight, too, but if he did while Berserker alone was keeping the pressure on them, this would be even trickier. And Teams Tohsaka and Einzbern surely weren't the only audience. Other Masters and Servants were surely watching from afar, some maybe gearing up to pounce upon them like vultures…

Thus, Saber decided to bring this to a decisive end. As a particularly powerful slash scattered most of the fog from her partner's spot, she stepped out into the open to draw Berserker's attention. "Circumstances bind us from holding a conversation or even exchanging names. The only way for us to speak is through blows to take one another's life." She pointed her sword towards the behemoth as he crouched for another rush. "So, to defend my comrade's, I challenge you with all my strength."

Saber X's hand reflexively traveled to Enten's hilt, but Illya patted his leg. "It's not enough against Berserker," his Master reminded him. After a moment, he stood down and resumed watch.

It seemed Berserker could at least understand her intent and readied to answer her as Saber gripped her weapon with both hands. Her focus was locked on one single point. Wind currents swirled around her blade as she charged. "This ends now, Berserker!" Whatever else might've been said was drowned out by the roar of Berserker's slash tearing up the ground in front of it. The right side of her head was grazed, but she powered through the force to push her thrust through. The juggernaut's hand shot out on instinct, catching her hidden blade millimeters from that that circular wound that hadn't fully healed.

Refusing to back down even as that axe rose again, Saber poured what mana she could spare into her arms and her sword, Invisible Air briefly falling away in the process. It couldn't be helped. She'd have to strike hard and fast enough with Mana Burst to make this gamble count. Thus, with a roar fueled by adrenaline, Saber drove her sword into his chest wound.

The remnants of Assassin X's mist were blown away as Excalibur's light shined for a single second, the drive of power which accompanied its release forcing the Masters present to avert their eyes. Even the other Servants only caught a mere glimpse of it, Ruby inadvertently drooling at its awesomeness and Saber X himself captivated by the light. Berserker had no chance of appreciating its splendor because it was too busy blasting a massive hole through his body.

Both human Masters had ducked down from the explosion of wind and smoke, and as the latter cleared, they chanced a look. Berserker had fallen to his knees, and most of his torso was vaporized. What remained were two halves slumping to either side by the weight of his arms. Even the fire of his eyes had been snuffed out. "…They got him!" Tohsaka voiced Shirou's thoughts as she pumped her arms in triumphant relief. "One down, one to go!" He tried not to let his eyes linger on the desperate grin she sported, but he understood why. Familiar or not, there was no way anyone could survive that kind of injury. Not even a monster like that.

That's when Shirou noticed the girl and her other Servant simply standing on the opposite side. What's wrong with them?! Not a flinch even when their comrade just got killed! And yet both of them looked worryingly unconcerned about half of Berserker's body being blown to kingdom come. His blood froze. Unless… He snapped his eyes back down to the battlefield.

Saber quickly covered up her sword again as she inspected Berserker's smoldering corpse. His core had surely been vaporized. A high-pitched sound made her turn towards the audience's direction and do a double take; had her niece been summoned to this time, too? "That was so cool…" Ah, right, Gareth's eyes are blue, not silver, Artoria reminded herself while suppressing the urge to coo at Lancer X's starstruck face.

"Saber!" Shirou had climbed down from his spot beside the two and was running into the cemetery. She frowned and made to warn him off when Assassin X barred his path. A clone of Saber's partner, though, was frowning beneath his mask. When she made to ask why, he tilted his head towards the other side. Where Illyasviel and Saber X hadn't moved an inch or batted an eye despite her just having killed Berserker- …Or had she?

Simultaneously, Rin and Lancer X received a telepathic message of only two words: 'Fall back.'

Berserker's body was already mending itself to the astonishment of the others as they watched. "He's regenerating even from this?!" Saber muttered incredulously while jumping backwards. She focused on the flesh reconstructing from her thrust. "No… It's almost as if time stops at death for him and is reversed to a point before." He was already rising back to his feet mid-reconstruction. Berserker's eyes flared with violent life again.

But it was a smaller, more honest soul who took the next step.

Lancer X's eyes didn't leave Berserker, her gaze focusing on the chest wound that hadn't fully healed yet. 'Don't do anything rash, Ruby.' Her partner must've guessed what she was thinking, as he sternly tried to warn her off. 'Saber should've finished him for good with her attack. And nothing short of an A-rank attack can do any damage to Berserker anyway.'

'I figured as much.' Undeterred, she bent her legs and reared back Crescent Rose. 'Put more oomph into our efforts, right?' Then the Red-Like-Roses Huntress shot forward despite everyone's protests. If going for the heart's not enough, then we gotta take off his head while he's still pulling himself together!

Too fast for her to stop, Rin could only watch as a red blur zipped past Emiya towards a still-recuperating Berserker, said blur shifting into Lancer X as her scythe's blade folded backwards. It fired once, twice, three times, the gunshots making Berserker turn mid-heal as a giant crimson buzzsaw whirled at him. But he was too late to dodge, intercept or even see the threat as with one final blast, Crescent Rose carved into the left side of his neck-

And stopped about a quarter of the way in.

Saber had been backing away from Berserker and towards Shirou, well aware of Lancer X's attack. She halted then and watched how the other knight-class Servant's battle cry turned into an impromptu "Eeep!" as she jerked to an abrupt halt. She was left dangling by Crescent Rose's handle, kicking her legs in a futile attempt to get some leverage.

…Not enough oomph, huh? Ruby thought as her baby's blade was plucked loose and lifted high, her along with it. She slowly turned and saw first a fully restored chest, then peered into a pair of (marginally less) blazing red orbs. Berserker snorted like a bull, two explosions of air from his nostrils that blew back her hair and cloak. "…I'm sorry," she tried meekly.

"." …Ruby had no idea what Berserker just "said," but it probably wasn't, "Apology accepted."

Saber was already moving to chop off Berserker's hand, but his instincts kicked in, snapping out his axe to nearly catch her. She narrowly evaded the rock when her eyes landed on a familiar sight to her right. Reading his intent, Saber decided to play along.

Lancer X looked behind her to see Saber veering to the left, trying to draw Berserker's attention. It wasn't working. She was then moved a bit, and the other hand, the one holding the super-big axe, was rearing back. She could dimly hear Rin, Shirou and even Archer yelling "Ruby!" over the rush of wind and her instincts to activate her Semblance…

Something flashed to her right. "Lightning…" Then something was rushing towards them while making a weird sound: Chirchirchirchirchirchir… "Blade!"

It was a testament to both Ruby Rose's personality and Charisma of Hope how quickly she could inspire and endear herself to others. In just a few short interactions, she had developed a positive rapport with Artoria Pendragon, which in turn led to her being in the good graces of the latter's partner. Anyone who was a friend to Kakashi Hatake's friends was a friend of Kakashi Hatake. And friend is a good synonym for comrade.

As for the Copy Ninja, while he was significantly weaker than in his time as Kiritsugu Emiya's Servant, being contracted to Shirou Emiya had slightly improved his For One's Comrades Skill.

Therefore, the Lightning Blade Assassin X unleashed to protect Lancer X became for a brief instant an A-rank Noble Phantasm.

His left hand curled around the smaller Servant's midsection, pulling her along in his lunge, while his right hand imbued with the jutsu of his own creation dug into the wound Crescent Rose had made and finished the job. The front of Berserker's throat was ripped open in a flash of lightning, blood spurting as his head tilted backwards under its own weight. If not for some strands of flesh in the back, the head would've hit the ground.

Rin sighed in relief at seeing Ruby unharmed, then she warily glared at the nearly headless Berserker. "…Was that enough?" She hated the doubt in her own voice, but well, she'd thought Saber's thrust had definitely finished Berserker off and look how that turned out. Then again, decapitation was generally considered a surefire solution for fast healers.

The two Servants landed and skidded far along a stony path. Once they stopped, Lancer X sighed in relief and turned to Assassin X. "Thanks for the save."

"Don't mention it." He shook his right hand with a wince before inspecting it, stray lightning still crackling in the air. His ring and pinky fingers were sprained. "Toughest target I ever used Lightning Blade on…"

Illya had crossed her arms and was tapping her foot at her spot, her face scrunched up in thought. "I am conflicted…" On the one hand, it bothered her little that Lancer X was still alive (and unharmed) … on the other, it was thanks to Kakashi…

She was so caught up in her ruminating she didn't notice Saber X shaking his head beside her. 'That's twice now,' he reminded her over their link, 'And only in our first fight, Illyasviel.' The girl groaned quietly; Chihiro had quickly picked up using her full first name when scolding her. And worst of all, he always had a point when doing that. Guess playtime had to come to an end.

Kakashi was just about to relax when Lancer X's eyes widened… and he realized he still sensed Berserker's presence behind him. "…Do I want to look?" His shoulders fell in anticipation.

She winced. "Probably not." He sighed but turned around anyway to see a large leonine head twitch, then snap back onto its original spot, revealing twin crimson suns full of life and glaring down at him.

…Yeah, he didn't want to look.

As Servants and humans alike watched, the rent flesh at Berserker's neck pulsed red before stitching itself back together. Another second, and it was as if the fatal injury had never existed. This isn't just some healing factor, a wary Assassin X determined as he and Lancer X backed away. Even the best regeneration can be nullified by severing the brain from the body, or destroying a spirit core in a Servant's case. That's why Saber and Lancer X chose their targets; I just picked up where Lancer X left off. And his other injuries… He scanned Berserker's body with the Sharingan. Whenever I hit him with fire or air, the first attacks always had more effect than subsequent ones of the same nature, no matter how strong the latter were. Lightning Style probably won't even tickle him anymore.

His mood dropped even further when his gaze drifted towards Illya standing up there with the reins to such a juggernaut. She must've noticed the Heroic Spirit of the Shadows watching her because she fixed him with a cold glare, pain and betrayal flickering within her red eyes. They reminded Kakashi of the last conversation he'd shared with a certain woman he couldn't protect. I failed you again, Irisviel. I failed you and Kiritsugu… and your little girl.

Assassin X had little chance to dwell on his guilt as Berserker started barreling towards him and Lancer X, and if not for spotting a worried Shirou on the other side of the graveyard, he might've let the Servant of Madness grind him into paste. Then a certain blue-and-silver shape tugged his shoulder, and they evaded his attack. Normally, Artoria's presence would be more comforting, but she herself wasn't looking too excited. "You think it's resurrection?"

"With a twist." His answer was not comforting. "You've been having a harder time cutting him the longer the fight went on, right?" Saber paused, nodding as she recalled the increasing difficulty to drive her sword through his hide. She might've attributed it to simple fatigue if not for Kakashi's expression. "Same with my jutsu. I think there's more to his Noble Phantasm than just cheating death. It's like he's… building up an immunity to whatever injures him."

Saber winced upon connecting the dots. "And now he's developed a very high 'tolerance' to our attacks." Unleashing the full strength of her Mana Burst perhaps wasn't the dumbest thing she had ever done, but upon witnessing Berserker rise to his full height, not a scratch anywhere on his bulging muscles… an argument could be made for the top twenty to thirty. They landed and two clones of Assassin X stayed while she retreated further back to the original and their Master. "Shirou, stay behind us!"

"You guys might wanna fall back," Ruby hurriedly called over to them. "It sounds like my partner's planning something big!" She owed them at least that much of a warning for their help. Then with a flutter of rose petals, she retreated to Rin's side.

A snicker caught everyone's attention. "Haven't you figured it out yet?" Illya smiled brightly from her vantage point among the trees, Saber X standing to her side. "There's nothing any of you can do to stop Berserker. He's not just any hero, he's the greatest hero in all of Greek history!"

That revelation made a sense of primal terror ripple through Rin, Saber, Shirou and even Assassin X. The foreigner only recognized the implications from browsing books in the Einzbern library (contrary to Artoria and Kiritsugu's accusations, Kakashi did read more than just smut.) but he knew enough to fear Berserker. Alias- "Herakles…?" His Master mumbled before wincing, a reaction he could sympathize with. That was a name nearly any inhabitant of this world would recognize, regardless of country or upbringing.

"H-he's a hero with tales of worldwide fame," Rin shakenly explained to Lancer X who couldn't have known but was quickly learning. "He's sure to be one of the strongest Heroic Spirits of all time, and that brat has him as Berserker!" She couldn't even feel good about knowing the Servant's True Name now.

Lancer X tried to calm her down, "Okay, I get he's a big deal," she flinched as Berserker demolished a wall of earth Assassin X's duplicate had put up, "…a really, really big deal… but there's got to be a way we can stop him! If he's that famous, you or Shirou or Saber or Archer may know a weakness this Hera-guy has."

'Herakles,' Archer corrected. 'And I've got something that might set the odds a bit more in our favor.' Hope flickered in Rin's eyes at his words. 'So do as I say, Lancer X, and get Rin to safety. You don't want to be around when this goes off.' She liked the sound of all this, but her eyes drifted to… 'Don't worry about Saber's team. If I angle this right, they shouldn't be in too much danger. Now get clear, both of you.'

'On it!' Ruby picked up their Master and blasted up into the woods with Petal Burst. Even if she didn't fully know what was going on, she trusted her partner.

Assassin X's Shadow Clones swiftly dispersed under Berserker's assault, and their originator steadily backed away keeping Shirou behind him and Saber. He picked up a tugging from the boy. "Keep it together, Shirou. It's no question that we're up against a real monster of a Servant, but you can't fear cloud your thoughts."

A jolt ran inside Shirou's body again. "N-not that…" He gasped out, something compelling him to look at a specific spot. "It's Archer…" Both of his Servants paused and eyed him from the side, but the boy's focus was off in the distance. "Don't ask me how I know, but… He's setting up his move." He grabbed them both and pulled. "Come on!"

This scene felt similar and yet different to the observer on that tower. "A splendid showing as ever, Saber. But it's not enough." Archer was privately pleased. The boy was down there, and Assassin X, too, the latter more exhausted than he was letting on. And with his attitude, he'd sooner try to get his teammates to safety than himself. Saber had better odds of surviving than the boy, too. Finally, an optimal opportunity.

He took one last glance to make sure Ruby was ushering Rin outside the area of effect. Something stabbed at his core inside him, but he ignored it. Misleading an earnest girl like her wasn't the worst of his sins. If this worked, Rin would still have a reliable Servant to win the Grail War, and he wouldn't need to care anymore.

With a flash of red flame-like mana, the Servant of the Bow summoned a special sword to his hand, though "sword" seemed inaccurate. The blade part was cylindrical, more akin to a jousting lance or even a drill. He lined it up along his other arm and drew the bowstring back. The sword shrank and elongated itself, taking on a more appropriate form as an "arrow." In his mind, he began a particular chant: I am the bone of my sword… Rather than continue the aria, Archer stopped there, which triggered a… special reaction for his freshly prepared projectile. A steady hum emanated from it as unstable power crackled within. All it needed was a target.

Red sparks danced across the landing pad, and a blue energy centered itself around the bowman. He took a breath and fired Caladbolg II. The air above Fuyuki seemed to shake as it traveled through for its target.

The sky seemed to light up blue as Shirou led Saber and Assassin X away. It wasn't that he didn't recognize the danger of them turning their backs on Berserker or his team, but somehow, he knew that they shouldn't be standing too close for what was about to come. A single point shined brightly from the sky, a metallic rod hurtling squarely towards Berserker at a speed nearly impossible to match. Assassin X's eye widened at the unstable mana bubbling inside it.

Archer had finally made his move. Which another Servant had been waiting for.

Saber X had already drawn Enten and prepared to move the moment he saw Lancer X retreating with her Master. The light in the sky was all the confirmation he needed. "Brace yourself!" He warned Illya, then tapped into Nishiki to bolster his Agility, jumping high enough to place himself between Berserker and the approaching helix of devastation.

Then he activated the third power of his Noble Phantasm: "Aka."

Even with the distance between them, Archer watched the black-clad boy intervene with little worry. Not his intended target, but at least Saber X would be dealt with, and he could just fire another afterward to erase Berserker (and just maybe the boy). He'd seen the extent of that black goldfish-attack; while potent, its upper limit was most certainly B-rank. It couldn't match the broken destructive force of Caladbolg II.

Then his eyes widened as a red goldfish flowed out from Enten to make contact with his projectile.

Fish met sword, and the atmosphere itself trembled from the collision. A heavy shockwave washed over the area, blowing leaves and clumps of dirt everywhere. The trees themselves shook from the energy that struck them, and Berserker was the only person who could stand upright from this. Shirou, Saber and Assassin X had been knocked over, the Servants instinctively wrapping around their Master as they rolled along the ground. Lancer X was doing the same for Rin while they huddled beneath an outcropping, and Illya was clinging behind a tree.

But this shockwave was a mere fraction of the devastation its creator had hoped for.

The lightshow ended, and the Emiya trio pushed themselves off the dirt to see Saber X plummeting down towards them. Berserker's massive hand reached up to catch his partner and pull him in with surprising gentleness. A slightly singed Saber X panted inside his arm before patting it with his right hand. "I'm good now, thanks." The larger Servant kneeled, allowing Saber X to step free onto the ground with a bit of a wobble, then growled something that almost sounded like a question.

"Really, I'm okay," Chihiro assured his partner despite his hand trembling slightly as he held Enten before them. The blade was coated in a red aura that emitted a low, practically eager, hum while scarlet energy crackled around its guard. "Aka sucked up the brunt of Archer's shot, but I still took some blowback. That's all."

From his spot on the platform, Archer stared in naked shock. He neutralized Caladbolg II?! No… He glared at the distant scar-faced Servant, replaying the events he saw. That red fish he called up… It absorbed the power as Caladbolg II detonated. What was released was whatever couldn't be contained in that blasted sword of his. In his frustration, he almost snapped his bow in half. "Damnit!" These X Servants were far more trouble than the Counter Guardian had anticipated.

Rin inadvertently shared her Servant's frustration as she peeked out from her hiding spot. "He reduced the power of an A-rank Noble Phantasm to a minor quake in the air?!" She smacked her head against the earth. Wasn't it bad enough that Berserker was freakin' Herakles of all heroes, no, did he have to be partnered up with such a bothersome Saber?!

"Hang on," Lancer X wondered out loud beside her (trying not to fangirl over the sword Enten), "if he can absorb energy attacks that powerful, why was he hanging back when he could've stopped Assassin X or Saber, too? I mean, his partner can't die, but was he really that okay with them just wailing on Berserker?"

'He didn't want to leave himself and Berserker blind to me or expose his sword's ability,' Archer snarled inside her mind. 'That's why Saber X held back in joining Berserker. He was waiting for me, or maybe another enemy, to make the next move and see if he could counter it. Which he did, and now he has my arrow's power on top of his.'

"Maybe…" Both Rin and the faraway Archer stilled at hearing the undercurrent in that single word. "But I'm betting he's not immortal like Berserker. Look at how wobbly he is right now." Rin risked a glance again; yes, Saber X was slouching a bit while Berserker's hand rested against his back. Like he was propping him up… "And what do you wanna bet that goldfish of his has a limit how much it can absorb?"

No answer for a long time, then, '…I'm sorely tempted to find out.' There was a new determination in Archer's voice, too, and Rin refused to fall behind. Let no one claim the next head of the Tohsaka family was a coward. Thus, she moved back up the trees alongside a scythe-brandishing Lancer X, ready to try and come up with a plan to get rid of one Servant… even while her attention drifted ever so slightly to Emiya.

Something fell from the sky and plunked against the ground in front of Shirou's feet: a cracked sword's handle of blue and gold, its entire blade pulverized. "The remnant… of Archer's arrow," he slowly realized. Kakashi and Saber had disentangled themselves and were already back on their feet in front of him.

The Copy Ninja eyed the remains curiously. There was something familiar about it…

Saber X frowned at the broken handle of a fake sword fading away into spent mana. "Scumbag." He raised his glare towards the faraway buildings. "No regard for his own weapons." This caught the red-haired boy's attention, and at least he had a better look in his eyes. So, Chihiro decided to explain. "The guy Broke his own Noble Phantasm. It's a risky way of giving your trump card a rank up and more power at the cost of making it brittle and said power highly unstable. And it's a one-time trick per Phantasm. The damage is permanent." His frown grew. "Nobody in their right mind would use that kind of tactic so carelessly."

"You sound rather passionate about this subject," Saber pointed out the distaste in her counterpart's words.

"I was raised to respect swords and the power and burdens that come with them," was all he offered.

And it sufficed for Artoria. "As another Saber, I can appreciate such sentiments and belief. You also have my gratitude for your intervention, even if it wasn't intended for our benefit." She stood up and bowed her head, her comrade following suit. She felt Shirou staring at her oddly but forgave it. This was who she was.

Saber X blinked at the courtesy. "You're right, I wasn't actually planning on saving you guys. Archer and his methods just don't sit right with me." As usual, his words were blunt but not actively malicious.

"We appreciate it all the same," Assassin X tried, "and seeing as you seem the least interested in carnage among your team, I don't suppose we could negotiate a more peaceful ending to this night…?"

Shirou paused, focusing from the back of his Servant's flak jacket to the black-haired boy's scarred face. He was plenty powerful on his own, and something told Shirou that he was responsible for Tohsaka's injuries. Not exactly a good way to start a peace talk, but then again, this "Chihiro" seemed to be honestly considering the idea himself, and he wasn't growling ferally at them like Berserker…

But a higher-pitched voice chimed in. "You'd like that, wouldn't you, Kakashi? Running away from the punishment you deserve." The Illya girl marched up past Berserker's left and positioned herself between her Servants. It looked like she couldn't decide whether to smile or scowl. "You and Saber ought to watch your backs around him, Big Brother, lest he lets you down like he did with me."

"You don't know the full story, Illyasviel," Saber interjected as Assassin X flinched. "He's not to blame for whatever you-"

"Don't talk as if you know me, Servant," she snapped at the blonde knight, Berserker looming protectively over her, "this is none of your business." Illya took a deep breath and put on her smile again while looking up (so as to not think of how sad Kakashi looked) at where other enemies stood. "Still here, Rin? I suppose I owe you an apology. Your Servants are much more interesting than I expected. Your Archer has some firepower." She giggled as an idea came to her. "Maybe you'd like it back?"

Rin stilled again, her eyes landing on Saber X's katana. Right… He didn't just nullify Archer's arrow, he absorbed it… That red-rimmed blade slowly rose along with its wielder's arm, the tip pointing upwards as red sparks flickered just a moment down its length.

All that power… Shirou couldn't read Tohsaka's thoughts, but his were the same as he watched that Servant. If released in one moment, it could blast us all off the face of the forest.

"Sounds like an idea…" All Servants not affiliated with Illyasviel von Einzbern braced themselves; they knew stopping Saber X would be all the harder with Berserker next to him, but if they didn't… "But on the other hand…" Then he lowered his arm again and turned to his Master. "It may be better to save that flash for a later battle. Firing it off now to wipe them out would be overkill, and didn't you tell us before heading out that you didn't plan on it being too exciting tonight?" There was a slight rebuke in his otherwise dry tone. You made a promise, too.

And it seemed to have an effect on Illya; her smile flattened, and she turned to him. "Come now, Big Bro. You and Berserker have been battering this rabble around easily! You can't tell me that this has been any harder than the fights you had in your old life, I saw them!"

Saber X cocked an eyebrow at her. "Well, it hasn't exactly been a cakewalk either, and- Kuro." He cut himself off midsentence to send a wide black slash into the air. It connected with multiple arrows hurtling their way, most detonating and in turn setting the others off. The sky lit up with a flurry of expanding explosions of mana. "Trading quality for quantity now, huh?" The Enchanted Blade wielder muttered out loud.

From his perch, Archer wordlessly summoned another arrow, new data collected via the volley. So, that sword of his retains its other abilities even while it has stored up a foreign power.

Berserker's axe suddenly snapped in front of his partner just as a gunshot rang out, followed by two more. Three bullets struck the stone before falling to the dirt in misshapen lumps. Next to Rin, Lancer X warily unfurled her Noble Phantasm into scythe mode as the titan took a menacing stomp towards them; looks like Archer's suggestion to neutralize Saber X wouldn't be so easy. They had yet to see how these two fought as a team, after all.

Illya stepped behind her Servants while Berserker charged snarling towards their enemies. Three arrows struck his torso without doing any damage, but they drew his attention enough for Assassin X to throw down two smoke bombs. The green smoke did nothing to deter the legendary son of Zeus as a single roar blew it all away, revealing Shirou Emiya seemingly standing all alone. His axe came down hard onto the boy faster than anyone could react.

"No!" Rin couldn't tell who yelled that word, her or Ruby, as her eyes were locked onto a mangled arm reaching up from a cloud of dust… Poof! Then it was suddenly bigger, wearing a glove that hadn't been there a second ago- Poof! And as the smoke faded, so, too, did Emiya's/Assassin X's body. Rin almost sighed in relief; Just one of Assassin X's tricks…

Berserker didn't understand what happened to the boy he'd crushed, nor did he care. He simply searched for the next person to demolish. His efforts were met by Saber who quickly chopped a set of trees down, the heavy wood toppling towards him. He reduced them to splinters with one swing of his axe, which Saber exploited to step within his reach and strike him with all her might. As she'd theorized with Assassin X, the blow did far less damage than she'd have preferred, but it along with more arrows, one Gravity Dust round, and blasts of pressurized water still forced him back.

Meanwhile, Saber X found himself locking blades with Lancer X once again. "Look, you seem like a good guy in general," he flinched a bit from the sincerity in her eyes, "and I appreciate you holding off on shredding up my Master. But we are still in this to win." With that, she pulled the trigger again, and Saber X barely managed to divert his beheading into a nasty cut down his right shoulder.

"I can respect that, and at least you seem more decent than your partner." He slashed at her three times, augmenting the third with Kuro to make her backflip away. "But just because I'm not as hard to kill as Berserker doesn't mean I'll go down easily." He shifted to a two-handed stance, "water" flowing along Enten's edge. "And it would be a shame if we didn't get rid of at least one of you after all this excitement."

Ruby's eyes widened as the blade began glowing red again. Four arrows shot down towards Saber X, but he simply said, "Kuro: Shred." A flurry of small but potent black bursts splashed out from Enten to intercept Archer's attack, not blocking but diverting their trajectories so they all crashed around him. Dust and smoke covered the field, blocking Lancer X's line of sight, then it was quickly sucked up in a whirlwind-like force coming from the glowing sword pointing her way… and as the red-clad Servant realized with a glance behind her, towards her Master. Saber X had maneuvered the fight so he could line them both up.

As Lancer X quietly debated testing her speed against the blast Saber X had claimed from Archer, Saber landed with a sharp thud beside her, flung from a blow by Berserker. Meaning the Servant with the scarred face now had three potential targets, and he wasn't letting this chance go to waste. "Aka-"

That's when Assassin X burst from the earth, driving his left fist under Saber X's chin and pushing the sword up with his right hand. Saber and Lancer X didn't hesitate to flatten themselves against the ground while Rin was abruptly tackled down just before the payload fired. Thus, a spiral blast of pure destructive force blew through the forest above them. Multiple massive trees lost their branches or were outright vaporized before the helix went off into the far night. After another couple tense seconds, no trace of it remained.

Luckily, no one had been caught in the blast. Though as the smoke settled around her, Rin thought she caught a glimpse of Emiya beside her for a second… But she was alone.

Saber X had been lifted up by the uppercut a moment before falling back to the dirt, but he managed to land on his feet and regain his stance. Assassin X tried to capitalize on the chance and wrest his katana away, but the boy's other hand drew the wakizashi, forcing him back with a diagonal cut along his jacket. "You should've used that lightning move on me," Saber X warned as he advanced on the Heroic Spirit from the Hidden Leaf Village.

That's when someone suddenly tackled him from behind and wrapped an arm around his neck. "Shirou?!" Chihiro heard Assassin X call even as he turned slightly to see a determined set of golden-brown eyes.

Illya hummed in slight shock from where she leaned casually against a tombstone. "Didn't think he'd have the guts to take on a Servant by himself." She giggled as her Big Brother struggled in vain to hold down the much stronger Big Bro Saber. "What a dummy…"

Saber X slammed the back of his head into Shirou's face, narrowly missing the other boy's nose, then stabbed his wakizashi backwards into his side. He'd aimed for a nonlethal spot; Illya had practically begged the two to take in this boy alive if possible, and while Chihiro didn't approve of her reasons, he wanted to talk with this Emiya himself-Poof!

Assassin X had been moving to save his Master when smoke billowed behind Saber X, and the latter found to his surprise his wakizashi impaling a large chunk of bark. That was…

A sound drew his attention, and the shinobi turned right to see a panting Shirou with a bruised cheek, bracing himself against a nearby tree. He spat out a globule of blood, then inspected the new cut in his jacket, everything underneath luckily unscathed. "Timing's still a bit off," he grunted in self-admonishment. "At least I did Substitution right for once."

Unlike Illya or Rin (or a certain Servant) who stared wondering how an underdeveloped novice seemingly teleported himself almost five meters away from harm like that, Kakashi quickly put two and two together as he skipped to his Master's side. So, you taught him a few of my tricks, too, huh, Kiritsugu? "Appreciate the effort, Shirou," he moved in front of him during his scolding, "but you're no match for a Servant. Much less either of these two."

Saber would've added her own two cents to his foolhardiness, but she was preoccupied with helping Lancer X parry Berserker's relentless blows. The massive Servant had charged them even before his partner's blast had ended, indicating there was some hint of cognitive ability remaining inside his warped mind. He slashed from left to right, the two narrowly dodging the axe before Saber locked it up with her sword. Lancer X tried to take advantage by jumping up for a gunshot-powered swing to his eyes, but Berserker swatted her in midair with his left hand. Her Aura saved her ribcage from being crushed, but she still went flying.

An arrow struck the side of Berserker's head, granting Artoria a moment to check on her fellow knight-class Servant. She relaxed a bit upon seeing Lancer X had rolled with the blow to flip to where her Master stood. Rather anxiously, at that, Saber noted. She's probably contemplating retreat. Not that I blame her; even though we outnumber them, Berserker and Saber X are a handful.

"Water Style: Water Shark Bomb Jutsu!" She was already ducking upon hearing Assassin X's first words, thus the great shark-shaped torrent of water he called up hurtled over her head and slammed full force into Berserker. The "teeth" barely did any damage to his chest, but the jutsu's pressure kept him thrashing in place, allowing Saber to fall back while Kakashi kept the stream going. Saber X moved to attack the masked Servant, but he was quickly intercepted by his female counterpart. Sparks flew as their swords clashed.

Lancer X readied to rejoin the fight when Rin stopped her. "It's time to retreat. We've done about all we can tonight, but it looks like we can't hope to defeat those two without a real plan. We can't even get rid of Saber X without going through Berserker." Frustration dripped into her words, and her eyes kept shifting back to the battle; Rin Tohsaka clearly didn't like this, but what other choice did they have?

'She's right, Ruby,' Archer's voice carried over before his partner could protest. 'We've at least managed to determine their abilities and fighting style. That will give us an advantage later down the road, but for now, there's little more we can do. Get our Master to safety, I've got you covered.' She could practically hear him strumming his bow over the link.

She traded a reluctant look with Rin before sighing. "Fine." But Lancer X still turned around, exchanging magazines in Crescent Rose, before firing Lightning Dust rounds at both enemies. "Let's at least give Shirou's team a chance to fall back," she explained between her shots. "That way, they can help us out later on, and you did say you owed him, Rin." Her Master sighed but nodded her consent, and while Archer grumbled, his arrows still flew.

Saber X had returned his wakizashi to its scabbard. While dodging the occasional arrow or bullet certainly didn't help, he found wielding Enten one-handed wasn't good enough against Saber. She was practically his equal in strength, and she made full use of her shorter height to step into his space. Her blade being shrouded in winds posed a slight problem, too, but most of all, this girl was just plain better with a sword than Chihiro. He hadn't managed to slip a single blow past her iron-clad defense throughout their exchange, whereas she hammered him relentlessly with powerful yet measured strikes. His arms were starting to ache after only a minute of fighting her. So, this is the gap between me and a true master of the sword, huh?

A self-taught swordsman, Saber appraised in between blocking a slash. She countered with a riposte that made him back away with a gash near his right eye. Not bad: a bit rough around the edges, but he adjusts quickly. And he has sharp eyes. She rushed him, but Saber X diverted her thrust and swung at her neck. She dodged while slashing towards his knee only for him to swerve out of range, receiving only a tiny cut in his pants. Despite Invisible Air, he's gauging my sword's length and shape with increasing accuracy. He surely caught a glimpse of it when I ran Berserker through and is redrawing it in his mind.

Despite the night's tension, Saber spared a moment to raise her sword before her. Saber X paused before returning the salute, and with perfect form, as his opponent noted approvingly.

Such moments of chivalry were sadly given little time in a battlefield. An arrow hurtled straight for Saber X's head, but he didn't move. He didn't need to; Berserker leaped down next to him and swatted it away, letting it detonate harmlessly behind them. Moisture and a stray electrical current or two trickled along his body, but sure enough, surviving Assassin X's Lightning Blade had increased his resistance to such attacks.

Said Servant had ended his Shark Bomb jutsu seconds ago and was breathing rather heavily, as his comrades noticed worriedly. I overestimated how much od I have to spare, Kakashi chastised himself. Especially when I've been using the Sharingan throughout this fight. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up.

Artoria surmised as much while she jumped away from the duo, coming to a decision: We need to retreat. Now, before Kakashi expends too much of his strength. She rushed over to him and Shirou while Lancer X and Archer continued shooting at the others. I'll have to thank them properly later- Her thoughts halted as she leaped up to bifurcate one arrow that veered too close towards Assassin X for her comfort. The mana that burst from it rattled her a bit, but it wasn't anything Saber couldn't handle.

(In Shinto, Archer briefly groused about the cruel bitch that is fate. Damn my E-rank luck…)

Assassin X spared his partner a quick nod before bracing themselves as Berserker struck the air itself with a roar. His sheer strength and fortitude nullified any projectiles, and a school of black goldfish swam around Saber X, intercepting attack after attack. A red fish emerged from his sword to swallow up the odd electric bullet or flash of mana. He's storing some attacks for future use. Assassin X watched them warily and noted how Illyasviel was sauntering over. "Finally gotten yourselves cornered, eh?" She smiled brightly at the trio while taking her place between her own Servants. "Well, you put up a very good fight, but anything else would just be delaying the inevitable."

She's right. We're running out of options. Shirou racked his brain for a way to turn this situation around or at least get Saber and Kakashi to safety. A glance behind revealed that Tohsaka and Lancer X hadn't left yet, and he could somehow sense the same was true for that Archer guy. But he couldn't expect them to intervene for his sake. It was bad enough the two before him were fighting so hard. Come on, think! Isn't anything I can do to save them?

Unbeknownst to his young Master, Kakashi Hatake had closed his eye and come to a rather desperate decision. I probably have only one shot in me, and I can't use it on Illya, but… His Sharingan's three tomoe slowly coalesced into the shape of a three-pronged windmill. If I do this right, I can at least disable one of them… So long as Shirou and Artoria survive…!

The young Einzbern sensed a shift in Kakashi's mana. Planning another trick… Well, it doesn't matter. One way or another, you're going to die right here, right now. Big Bro Chihiro was shooting Illya another of his looks from the corner of his eye, though, and forcing him would mean using up a Command Seal (…and Illya didn't feel good about that anyway), so better to have Berserk- She paused along with everyone else as an inhuman growl approached. "What the…?"

Rin and Lancer X were the furthest, but they still searched for whatever it was. "Is that a… car engine?" the Servant wondered out loud. Even her partner couldn't be sure… then the noise drew slightly closer… and passed them… heading for the Einzbern team.

Saber X turned towards the source of the (mechanical?) sound in time for twin streams of light to flare up out of nowhere, blinding the three briefly. Berserker swung at the newcomer on reflex, but his blindness slowed his axe by a small fraction, and Shirou could only watch in shock as a yellow-and-black (really small) car barreled under the deadly stone straight for the two Servants.

Then he felt his mouth hang open as the car converted midair into a humanoid body that somersaulted and kicked with both feet against Saber X's midsection.

The latter tumbled grunting backwards into Berserker who immediately halted his charging the newcomer; consideration not to crush his partner? Regardless, he didn't go on the attack, instead shielding Illya with his axe as a rapid flurry of energy bolts were shot at the ground before her feet. A yelp in surprise could be heard from behind her cover.

Everyone else stared at the interloper… robot… Servant that straightened and turned halfway so they could see more of it. It stood roughly at Assassin X's height and was comprised of bright yellow metal with splashes of black here and there. Parts of its car form were integrated into its body: Its shoulders comprised largely of two wheels and armor while the other two were at its "heels," the front lights and bumper made up its pectorals, and twin car doors hung out its back like wings. A pair of glowing cylinders were deployed like guns from its wrists.

The face was round with a long strip of black metal at the forehead while two blue eyes widened slightly at Shirou, who realized looking into them that this robot was… alive.

Assassin X's Sharingan reverted back to normal as the new Servant approached them. "You okay-Whoa, whoa…" A male voice rang out from the seemingly mouthless face as it-he held up one hand before Saber's raised (though barely visible) blade, the other still pointing his wrist blasters at Illya's group. "You're Saber, right? I'm not here to fight you, I'm here to protect him." He pointed down at Shirou who blinked at the attention. "Like you, I guess…"

Saber frowned, trading an uneasy glance with her partner. There was something familiar about this Servant's appearance, and not a pleasant kind of familiar. Granted, any signs of hostility he gave off were directed at a snarling Berserker, but both knew better than to drop their guard just because of unexpected assistance. "Why should we believe you?" She questioned him, partially to stall for time. "Who are you to care what happens to our Master? For that matter, who and where is your Master?"

"He's really your Master, huh?" Those big eyes flickered down to the boy's hands before he could cover the Seals on them, then they seemed to wince. A tiny part of Saber found the expression adorable. "Oh, she's not gonna like this…" he sighed before pointing past them.

Rin frowned at the black finger aimed her way; did she somehow summon a third Servant when she wasn't looking? Not that she doubted her own talents, but how was this possible, and how did this… machine know she wan-ahem, was weighing the benefits of getting Emiya to safety-

Something cold pressed against her throat. "Move, and you're dead," a feminine voice whispered in her left ear.

Oh, the young magus thought with a mix of trepidation and exasperation, it wasn't pointing at me.

Lancer X started next to her and brought up Crescent Rose but stopped at the dagger by Rin's neck. The latter inclined her head just enough to see who was capable of sneaking up on a mage of her caliber, while a Servant was at her side, no less, and found her turquoise eye locked with a dark green one calmly watching her. The pawn shop woman? Rin screamed in her mind. She's a Master, a magus, too?!

Shirou was just as baffled seeing his aunt behind Tohsaka and threatening her. He made to call out when he heard someone mumble, "Maiya…" His flabbergasted gaze shifted to a frozen Kakashi who was staring at Aunt Maiya, something he couldn't quite make out in those heterochromatic eyes.

The two were a fair bit apart, but Rin thought she heard Emiya's Servant say something at the same moment the woman behind her noticed them. "…Kakashi?" She whispered just audibly.

Rin glanced between them in rising confusion and frustration. Am I the only one who doesn't know Assassin X?

Still, the woman's grip slackened for a second… enough for Rin to grab her arm and force the dagger away. A knee cracked against her ribs, knocking the wind from her lungs, and that blade dispersed the Gandr she'd prepared. Rin coughed in pain, not so much from the physical blow as how her Magic Circuits flared up all over her body. It was like a stray current had run through them.

"That was a warning, little girl." Maiya eyed the Tohsaka dispassionately before invoking a Substitution from the giant scythe the Servant girl slashed at her; a log was sliced in half. She catapulted herself with a burst of od to where Shirou and his Servants (and hers) were watching, landing in a crouch… near Kakashi. He's here… He came back…

Shirou hastily held out a hand as Kakashi and Saber shifted to the woman rolling next to them. "D-don't hurt her, she's my aunt!"

"Y-your aunt?!" Rin snapped despite herself while Ruby supported her. Her Magic Circuits were behaving again, but that was a cold comfort that the woman who had been supplying her with (admittedly fair-priced) jewels was also a magus good enough to have a Servant (or with her luck two) and related to a novice like Emiya?! The boy shot him a surprised, somewhat sheepish look that made Homurahara's most famous student want to screech her fury to the heavens. Ruby tentatively patting her back didn't help much either.

As for Saber, she hadn't been keen anyway on assaulting an old ally who realized quickly they still remembered each other. Especially not when Maiya and Kakashi were trying very hard not to fixate too much on one another. The knight fought down a grin from their behavior while she studied Maiya's weapon, a long dull-grey trench knife with a curved tip, a serrated back, a tiny switch by the hilt, and a ring on the pommel. That's new. Saber sensed there was something magical about it, too.

Assassin X noticed that detail as well, as well as the Command Seals on her right hand or her lighter clothing or her having gained a few centimeters but kept much the same weight as ten years ago or how her cheekbones seemed… looser. He couldn't help but look her up and down, despite two absolutely deadly Servants breathing down their necks and having no idea what to say.

Maiya Hisau for her part forced herself to focus. She stepped over to a seated Shirou and inspected his hands. "So, you became a Master after all…" Her adoptive nephew stared back at her, his eyes widening at the set of markings her hand sported: a red, quadratic face that gave off an oddly comforting feeling for Shirou. "Yeah, our metal friend here is my Servant, and he's the only one I have." She directed this answer to the other Servants, too, before grasping his shoulder. "I'll explain later, Shirou. For now, we need to get out of this forest."

"Aw, don't leave now." Berserker had spread his arms to let Saber X step forward, both hands on his katana, while Illyasviel leered at her with a vicious smile. "I haven't a clue who you are and why you're interfering with our business, Miss, but it seems like you're acquainted with both Big Brother and Kakashi. It'd be such a shame if we didn't get to know each other."

"I know who you are, Illyasviel," Shirou glanced from his aunt to this crazy little girl and back again, trying to make sense of the former's words, "and I honestly wish we could've met under different circumstances." Aunt Maiya reluctantly raised one of her daggers at level with her head. "Your mother was a good woman… and a friend. For her sake, I'd rather we didn't fight." He noticed her gaze shifting towards the robot who in turn took a boxing stance.

As for the girl, she stiffened. Her fists clenched together so tightly blood began to drip through them. "Is that so…?" She snarled through her trembling grin while Berserker seemed to glow even redder. Saber X shot her a warning look, but Illya found it very hard to care. "Well, it looks like I've got a fair bit to discuss with you, Miss." She shivered where she stood with a furious giggle. "You, Big Brother, and Kakashi! This is all so exciting, and there's nothing anyone can say or do to stop me!"

"I disagree," a new voice rumbled from her. It was a mighty, deep sound that carried itself across the battlefield, compelling every participant, even Berserker, to inadvertently turn towards its origin.

A tall man was walking with a measured but purposeful step along the shattered tombstones. He wore robes of brown and tan that complemented his dark skin and sturdy build well, his tan pants tucked into brown boots that made gravel crunch with each step. A brown belt was strapped over his waist with pouches and some silver-black metallic cylinder that dangled loosely near his left thigh. His head lacked a single strand of hair, which meant everyone could see the lines and chin set in a stoic, no-nonsense line. Brown eyes scanned the assembled with a sense of authority, wisdom, and resolve tempered by countless conflicts.

And as the Masters (even Shirou, to some broken degree) noticed the stats "circling" his body, and the Servants registered the subtle power and authority radiating from him, they all understood this newcomer was yet another Servant.

Illya asked the question that was on everyone's mind: "And who do you think you are, Servant, waltzing in here and saying stuff like that?"

The man turned to her, the homunculus girl fighting not to flinch from his steely gaze… and he inclined his head. "Good evening, young lady. My name is Mace Windu," he intoned calmly, "and I serve as Ruler X for this city's Fifth Holy Grail War."

…You could've heard a pin drop in the silence that followed. Rin Tohsaka's brain was left reeling from the newcomer's words; he introduced himself by his True Name without blinking… but he wasn't of any of the seven normal classes? "A Ruler…?" She'd never heard of any Servant class like that before!

Ruby seemed somewhat less shocked by this development, but Archer answered the question that was on the tip of Rin's tongue. 'A Ruler, otherwise known as the Heroic Spirit of Arbitration, is a special class of Servant. They're summoned by the Holy Grail itself during times where its authority is challenged, and their task is to ensure all participants follow the rules throughout the Grail War.'

Saber was giving a similar explanation to Shirou, and he somewhat managed to understand this by searching for a familiar concept: "So… he's basically a referee for the Grail War?"

"That's…" Artoria turned to Kakashi who nodded after a moment's thought. "Pretty accurate."

Illyasviel, by contrast, already knew about the nature and responsibilities of this particular class; if she had been in a better mood, she would've happily lorded her superior knowledge over Rin (and Big Brother). As it was, though, she was busy grappling with yet another complication to what she'd expected to have been a simple business tonight.

The new Servant… Ruler X… calmly strode past Saber X who watched him carefully. Berserker snarled and leaned a little forward, but a raised hand from his partner reminded him that this wasn't someone they should just write off as an enemy. Ruler X showed no concern towards any violence as he came to a stop in front of one particular Servant. "…You're not of the fourteen chosen by the Grail," he told the yellow-black robot. "You weren't summoned under its permission." While not accusatory, his tone indicated he wanted an explanation.

"Yeah," black hands were raised defensively, "and I'm not trying to break any rules or undermine your authority, sir, honest. Just, well…"

"I summoned him." Maiya stepped forward, casting a wary eye towards the other Servants. She raised her right hand, allowing Ruler X to see the Command Seals. "I couldn't care less about the Grail, but I feared some people I care for would get themselves involved in the War one way or another…" She shot an exasperated glance over her shoulder at her nephew.

Shirou turned away with a slight grumble and a flush in his cheeks. "It was an accident…"

She forced herself not to linger on the sheepish shrug Kakashi gave her and returned to Ruler X. "I couldn't qualify as regular Master, so I acquired Seals and one Servant with outside… assistance."

Ruler X studied her carefully, his eyes apparently probing for any deception. "While your actions make you this Saber's Master, it is still facilitated outside of the Grail's authority. This disqualifies both of you from the right to claim the Grail, even if you become the last team standing." He spoke decisively, clearly accepting no argument or attempt to sway him.

While admittedly a little cowed, Maiya refused to back down. "As I said, I don't want the Grail anyway. I just want to keep the people I care for safe while this idiotic mess of a War happens." She nodded to the robot. "And the best defense against a Servant is another Servant." Her voice softened. "But I am sorry about you having to forfeit your right, X…"

"Can't be helped." "X's" door-wings rose and sank along with his shoulders. "It would've been nice if I could've gotten a chance, but I did promise I'd help you one way or another." He definitely sounded resigned, but it was swiftly overshadowed by kindness and resolute honesty. "So, as long as I can stay here and do that, I officially relinquish my wish."

An absolutely blasphemous claim for a Servant to make. It could've easily been misconstrued as a lie… And yet Ruler X wasn't the only one who recognized he spoke the truth. Even Herakles actually paused in his maddened rage to stare at the alien Heroic Spirit with something almost resembling respect.

His Master, by contrast, didn't care at all about some machine's wish, only whether or not he needed to be crushed like anyone else in her way. "Excuse me, Mr. Ruler X," she began with as much politeness as she could muster, though it was probably her testiness that drew his attention, "but if you could conduct your business with the woman and her toy on the side," she gave a sharp curtsy, "my Servants and I could return to our business."

Shirou, Maiya and their respective Servants tensed as Berserker flared up again, but they needn't have worried. "Unfortunately, I must ask you to postpone your battle for another time." Illya's smile melted away from outrage, but Ruler X didn't budge. Not even as the (literally) Herculean Heroic Spirit of Madness towered over him. "You see, I experienced …difficulty with my arrival to this city. If it hadn't been for another invoking their own summoning revival, I mightn't have appeared at all." He may as well have been discussing the weather despite such a revelation.

"So… wait…" Assassin X spoke up tentatively. "Someone else summoned you here, not the Grail itself? I thought a Ruler's not supposed to have any Master. And if you're Ruler X…"

"There is no other Ruler presently in Fuyuki." Ruler X picked up on his unspoken question and turned his head to make eye contact with him. "Only one Ruler is called per Grail War, be they native or foreign to this world. As for your other question, another person facilitated my summoning, but they are not my Master. I serve only the rules of the Holy Grail."

"In that case, why are you intervening right now?" Saber X voiced the question Illya had been about to snap out, except in a more polite and neutral tone. He could tell they wouldn't be able to intimidate him easily. "Rulers are neutral, right? They shouldn't take sides or show preferential treatment to any Master or Servant."

Mace Windu faced him again, his stony gaze seemingly wandering over the boy's more relaxed stance in comparison to his partner. "I'm not putting the battles on halt for tonight on their behalf, Chihiro Rokuhira." Everyone registered how he addressed Saber X by his name, even though he should've only just arrived. This was surely a demonstration of one Class Skill a Ruler possessed: True Name Discernment. He would surely know the names of every single Servant present just by looking at them. "Nor am doing it for yours or Berserker's." Now he did a courtesy by not simply blurting out the True Name of a local Servant. "I am advising everyone present to stand down and leave peacefully. As a personal favor to the one who helped me arrive to this city."

"A-a favor…?" Shirou repeated incredulously. Not that he wanted to look a gift horse in the mouth, but if this man was really supposed to be totally neutral in this insanity, and he looked like the kind of person who took his duties seriously…

"This person is not a participant of the Holy Grail War," he continued his explanation over any protest a frustrated Illya tried to voice. "I can't disclose their identity for their own sake, but they asked me to call a ceasefire tonight. Seeing as they aided me at great personal risk, it's a matter of personal honor that I grant their request." Reasoning both Sabers, Lancer X, Assassin X, and even Berserker could follow and accept. They offered no protests.

Rin for her part had kept silent throughout his explanations because she was too busy trying to make sense of it all. Question after question raced through her mind: Why was a Ruler only summoned during this War? Was it because of the X Servants? Was that why this Ruler was an X, too? But he wanted them to stop fighting, and it was because of someone helping him? But who was this person? They had to be a magus, right? How else could they have performed a summoning ritual? But who? How many other magi were in Fuyuki that Rin didn't know about? If they were a magus, shouldn't they seek the Holy Grail, too? And if they really weren't involved… why would they care? …Then Ruler X spoke again.

She and Lancer X were so busy listening to his words they didn't notice a butterfly with dark-blue wings fluttering down to a tree above them. Its eyes glimmered with white magic.

"As of this moment, the Grail War battles are put on hold for tonight." The Heroic Spirit's deep voice resonated across the battlefield so no one could ignore it or mistake its message. "I ask that all of you, those who are physically present and those who are watching from afar, cease hostilities and return to your respective bases to recuperate, strategize or other peaceful business. This ceasefire is only for tonight. Once the next day ends, you may proceed as normal." He wasn't injecting any special ability or the like in his words, but he exhibited obvious oratory experience, and they still carried a certain... force.

His right hand suddenly snapped out, and a spinning circle of violet light hurtled through the air before it clipped an arrow of blazing, jagged power. Ruler X eyed the resultant explosion coolly even as he stretched out his hand. The purple weapon spun in an arc and returned into his waiting grip, revealing it to be the cylinder emitting a long narrow beam of violet plasma. Like some form of sci-fi sword. "Tonight's battles are hereby over," Ruler X reiterated over the hum of his Noble Phantasm, his dark eyes narrowed at the distant buildings. "I advise all of you to stand down." Everyone could hear the unspoken Or I'll make you afterwards.

Far, far away, Archer bit back a curse but dispersed his bow all the same. Yet another complication. He'd hoped Hrunting would have better luck reaching his target, but… He couldn't afford to challenge Ruler X. He could tell, after all, that alien or not, this Servant had that same level of authority as native representatives as his class. And if he knew Archer's True Name and decided to reveal it now…

The cards had been dealt. "Looks like I don't have a choice after all," the Servant of the Bow lamented.

And indeed, others had been observing the battle between Teams Emiya and Tohsaka and Team Einzbern:

Perched atop a roof with his spear over his shoulder, Lancer accepted the decree with a shrug and a smile. The Holy Grail War was just getting started, after all.

Kirei Kotomine peered from his opened Bible to what he saw and heard through the flickering candles; a spell he'd learned from his teacher. A curious smirk spread across his lips as he returned to his current passage in the Book of Ezekiel.

A freshly constructed spyglass was lowered, revealing a young green eye gleaming with intelligence and curiosity. "Well," the Servant both belonged to muttered, "Ruler X's dramatic interventions are… timely, if nothing else."

Down in a dark alley on the other side, Shinji Matou opened his eyes to express a similar statement but in opposite context to Rider and Archer X. "Just when it was getting good, too…" Still, he recalled his scout flies without further complaint.

A hooded woman in dark-violet robes stood beside her (darling) Master, pursing her lips over what her crystal ball showed them. They exchanged an inscrutable look before the Servant decided: "Let's call the others back."

Seconds later, a face matted with burn scars and metal piercings sighed as the feminine growls next to him intensified. "Yeah, yeah, cool your tits, ya lunatic," he grumbled before turning away from the roof's edge. "Like it or not, nobody's dying tonight."

Such a conclusion didn't sit right with Illya at all. After everything they'd done, just when Kakashi and Shirou and their friends were cornered and she could be done with them, was this really how it ended? 'It's not like the odds are completely in our favor,' Chihiro reminded her. 'Berserker's down two lives. And you know, don't you? Ruler X has Command Seals for both of us.' Right… That unmistakable energy signature she noticed every time she caught a glimpse of the Servant's back. Well… Big Bro was ready to call it quits anyway…

Illyasviel von Einzbern still glared at the interloper. Ruler X stared back at her.

…She broke eye contact first. "Fine." The homunculus skipped along battered rocks with a forced shrug. "I was hoping to wrap up any boring business in the first night, but everything's so much more interesting than I expected. So, change of plans. I couldn't care less about Saber or the metal one, but Rin's Servants seem intriguing." Her head turned slightly. "Big Bro Saber, Berserker, let's go home."

Rin was tempted to call out her retreating, but a look from the Ruler Servant shut her up. His sword's blade dissipated before he addressed the Einzbern again. "Thank you for your cooperation, young lady. I bear your team no ill will and wish you good fortune."

"Oh, really..." Just as Berserker and a mostly stone-faced Saber X started dissipating, Illya faced one particular person. "Bye-bye, Big Brother, Kakashi. We'll be sure to play again another time." She noted how the dark-haired woman shuffled in front of Kiritsugu's friend, then the Einzbern Master walked off tonight's battlefield for good.

The dark-skinned Jedi Master watched her leave with a thoughtful frown when someone else addressed him. "You have our thanks, Ruler X." He turned to see Saber (King Arthur/Artoria Pendragon) bowing her head to him. "Though you may not have intervened for our sakes, it would be a lie to say your declaration was ill-timed."

"We appreciate the benefits that come with it," Assassin X (Kakashi Hatake) concurred with his own bow, Shirou and the robot hastily mimicking his action. Maiya simply nodded.

"And while I wasn't expecting your gratitude, I appreciate it nonetheless," Ruler X dipped his own head back to them. "My position prevents me from favoring any team, but I personally don't approve of that girl's motivations, either." He turned slightly back to where the young soul had stormed off with her guardians. "I sense much anger in her and even more sorrow… Hopefully, she'll find whatever closure she needs sooner than later."

He noted Assassin X deflating at his words, but then Lancer X (Ruby Rose) asked him, "Wait, didn't you wish her good luck before she left? But if you don't approve of her wanting revenge…?"

"That is simply my private opinion which has no bearing on my duties." She nodded at his explanation. "And my well wishes aren't exclusive to any single Master." A small smile played along his lips as he focused on her Master. "Neutrality takes many forms, Lancer X."

Rin Tohsaka accepted the silent message and, after sparing one last look at Emiya where they made eye contact, she spun around and began to walk off. "Come on, Lancer X. I've had more than enough excitement for one night." The silver-eyed girl huffed in agreement and collapsed her scythe before offering her hand. Rin hesitated, knowing what she'd do, then accepted it. A flash of rose petals, and they were gone.

Thus, only one team (well, maybe one-and two-thirds if you wanted to get technical) remained. Ruler X studied the three Servants carefully, his eyes lingering on Saber before they shifted towards the yellow-and-black being. "So, uh…" the Saber shifted a bit where he stood, "I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes, and even my Master technically cheated to bring me here-"

A hand was raised placatingly. "We'll be sure to discuss your involvement in this Grail War. But until then, I think I can trust you two to behave yourselves." Ruler X then turned on his heel and began walking away. "And I think it's time I meet the War's overseer."

He paused at a sudden surge of tension from no less than four individuals behind him. "If the overseer you mean is a priest named Kirei Kotomine, be on your guard," Assassin X warned him even while covering his left eye again. "You can't take anything he says at face value."

"The same could be said of you, Assassin X, given how I just arrived here and the company your team keeps," Ruler X pointed out with a pointed glance over his shoulder. "Remember, I owe neither you nor your Master anything. Don't expect any preferential treatment." While visibly fatigued, though, the masked Servant didn't even flinch under his stare. None of them did, not even the boy. "But I'll keep your advice in mind." Ruler X's body began to dissipate. "May fate be with you." Then he completed his transition into spirit form.

At which point one Servant's legs gave out. "Steady, Kakashi," Artoria promptly stepped to catch her partner and brace him against her side, "you've done enough." He spared her a grateful look amid his panting. He's been casting jutsu nonstop this evening and used the Sharingan and Lightning Blade. Saber shifted his right arm over her shoulder. And on top of all that… reuniting with Illyasviel when she's in such a state… She patted his back.

Shirou was moving to support Kakashi when Maiya beat him to it, and when he made to ask her how she fit into all this, his whole body froze up. The tension returned full force as the boy fell coughing blood to his knees. "Shirou!" Three different voices called to him before he passed out.

Just as Assassin X made to slip free of both women, the Cybertronian Servant scooped up Shirou in an impressively gentle carry. "We've got to get him somewhere safe." He turned to them with big eyes full of worry and compassion. "Is your house close by, Master?"

"It's not too far, but we'll need to walk a bit." Maiya resecured her grip on Kakashi and tilted her head past him. "I've got him, Saber. Can you take over carrying Shirou, please? X, you've expended the least energy amongst you three, so be the first line of defense."

"Of course/Sure thing." Both Sabers answered simultaneously before the metal one passed Shirou carefully over to the blonde one. They wasted no further time getting out of the forest.

Meanwhile, a red cloud dispersed at woods' end to reveal two young girls. While she didn't get dizzy anymore from Lancer X's Semblance, Rin still gave an exhausted sigh as the adrenaline finally wore off. 'Archer, meet us back at the manor. We'll go over what information all three of us gathered tonight in the morning. No detours.' She stressed over her telepathic message. To think he came close to antagonizing someone like Ruler X!

'Very well,' came a second later, neither satisfaction nor dissent in the two words. Not that the young magus could muster the energy to care. She stared down at her body, reminded that she needed to proper dress her… wounds gained from tonight. Better that than wasting her time thoughts on Emiya…

A hand clapped her shoulder but not too harshly. "C'mon," Ruby leaned into view with a soft smile. "We'll make you some fresh tea back at the house. And maybe we'll have better luck tomorrow." An earnestly silly statement… but Rin didn't really mind it at the moment.

"Right." A finger snapped up in front of the Servant's face. "But first, we're going to have a nice long talk about that stupidly reckless stunt you tried to pull on Berserker," Rin promised with a twitching grin before she stormed down the street, a nervous Ruby trudging after her.

As for Team Emiya, they managed to keep a steady pace. Assassin X was able to walk with Maiya's support, and Shirou's condition hadn't exactly worsened, though he hadn't regained consciousness, either. The walk was thereby carried in silence. The sole human awake couldn't say anything on account of processing everything: Shirou being chosen as a Master, despite her hoping he wouldn't… and summoning two very familiar faces. Both of whom clearly recognized her, one of whom hadn't left her mind for ten years. And to think, this morning, Maiya Hisau had been so disappointed when the Servant of her d-ahem wasn't summoned, but now here he was, in her grip, breathing against her cheek- Oh for goodness' sake, stop embarrassing yourself, woman! I-it's not like you're anything… special.

What Maiya didn't realize was that the man was assisting was having very similar thoughts. But after walking together in silence, one tried breaking the ice. "Your, uh… hair looks different." Kakashi cringed at his own words. Really? That's your opening line to Maiya when she hasn't seen you in ten years? Oh, you stupid-

"Er, yeah." She tucked a few strands behind her left ear. "A little change. In style. Picked it up a couple years ago. On a whim. Never changed it back." Maiya almost slapped herself for her babbling. Ten years later, and you're even more awkward around him?! "It's ridiculous, I know-"

"N-no, it… looks good. On you." …When Maiya looked away, Kakashi hung his head in silence after that, contemplating if a Heroic Spirit could actually die from embarrassment.

Which meant he couldn't notice the red dusting Maiya's cheeks or the tiny grin she sported. He may've picked up on her elevated heartrate, though. And vice versa. Possibly.

Artoria was putting what strength she could spare into stifling her giggles. These two…

To distract herself, she finally addressed the third Servant now among their team. "Forgive me for the earlier suspicions." Saber was sincere about her apology, too; after the initial shock of his appearance had worn off, something about this metallic wide-eyed fellow gave her a good feeling. His accepting he couldn't win the Grail had been resigned but genuine, she was certain. And… "Ruler X denoted you as a Saber, but what may we call you?"

"Well, I was technically summoned as a Saber X," the robot put a hand behind his head in a self-conscious, human sort of way, "but I feel like a total fake…" His faceplate retracted to reveal a small, friendly smile. "If you don't want to make any mix-up, you can just call me X or by my name: Bumblebee."

This time, she did giggle out loud. "An apt name, given your color scheme." Maiya and Kakashi visibly welcomed the distraction with their own grins.

Bumblebee's smile widened. "Fair warning, I spent the latter part of my life with two human teenagers and one pre-teen wiz kid. I've heard every conceivable joke."

The entire battle and arrival of the unexpected Servants had naturally been witnessed by the humans of the secret Matou faction. Its patriarch leaned back in his seat with a displeased grunt. "So, a Ruler was summoned after all…" His fingers steepled together in front of his face. "I'm recalling Assassin, and we better tell Caster X to speed up preparations. We may have to begin the first step after all." Zouken then raised a hairless brow when his "nephew" voiced neither approval nor disapproval.

The leader of this group stood looming over the crystal ball, his fingers gripping the table so tightly blood and wooden splinters fell to the stone floor. Masao flicked aside the image of Berserker, then one of this Ruler X, before focusing on one depicting the yellow-and-black Servant, the Cybertronian, standing battle ready.

Slowly, he bared his teeth into a vicious smile. And the hideout soon rang with the sound of furious laughter.

Well, this chapter came out a bit quicker than the last ones. I had some time on my hands and wanted to get it done before dealing with some other obligations. I sadly can't give you guys an ETA on the next one for reasons

And now onto our resident Cybertronian Servant and Ruler Servant (there's only one Ruler walking around in Fuyuki, btw. I feel like having more than one Ruler per Grail War undermines the authority of the class.) I know many of you were expecting someone else, no? Oh, my naïve little pork chops… I did consider including Optimus in this story, it was among my first draft… but then I had a couple other ideas that felt more fun! Sorry, but rest assured, there is method to my madness.

While Sakura is much better off mental health-wise compared to canon and having someone like her Atto as her teacher provides many benefits, she isn't mature enough, shall we say, to summon a seasoned venerable hero like Optimus Prime. And Maiya simply isn't compatible with him. That business played a part in who I chose for Ruler X, plus the "spiritual atmosphere" of Fuyuki. More about that another time.

But first things first:

"Illegal" Saber X-

Class: Saber

Master: Maiya Hisau

True Name: Bumblebee

Titles: Autobot Scout of Team Prime

Sex: Male

Source: Transformers Prime

Region: Iacon

Alignment: Neutral Good

Strength: C

Endurance: B

Agility: B

Mana: D

Luck: D

NP: B+

Class Skills-

Magic Resistance: Grants protection against magical effects.

C: Exposure to a strong magical power in life has reinforced Saber X's spirit against magic. He can handle himself fairly well against average magecraft, but High Thaumaturgy and Greater Rituals warrant caution.

Riding: The capacity to ride vehicles and animals.

B: Thanks to his ability to assume a vehicular form, Saber X has a natural high aptitude in this Skill. He can pilot most vehicles and ride animals with expert skill, though Phantasmal Beasts are above his level.

Personal Skills-

Shapeshift: Is a Skill that refers to both borrowing bodies and appearance change.

C: Like most of his species, Saber X has the innate ability to assume a vehicular form for traveling great distances. His takes the shape of a modern sportscar from another Earth, an automobile capable of great acceleration and agility. Saber X can shift from his regular form to his "alt-mode" and back with just a thought, granting him the element of surprise in battle. His body is currently too small to carry human passengers inside himself, but in theory, one with enough balance and resilience could ride atop the sportscar. He also gains some level of Presence Concealment in this state, allowing him to drive by others with little chance of attracting attention. Saber X can also deploy twin energy blasters from his wrists.

Mind's Eye (True): Is a heightened capacity for observation, refined through training, discipline and experience. A danger-avoidance ability that utilizes the intelligence collected up to the current time as the basis in order to predict the opponent's activity and change the current situation. This is not a result of talent, but an overwhelming amount of combat experience. A weapon wielded by none other than a mortal, gained through tenacious training. So long there is even a 1% chance of a comeback, this ability greatly improves the chances of winning.

B: From the moment he came into being, Saber X served primarily as a scout during the millennia-long war of his home. He quickly developed sharp senses and greater danger awareness, traits that serve him well in his current state. Saber X can read his opponent's fighting style and shift to match it, throwing in a few unexpected moves as well.

Valor: Is the ability to negate mental interference such as pressure, confusion and fascination. It also has the bonus effect of increasing melee damage. Not usable under the effects of Mad Enhancement.

A: Saber X carries a courageous soul and steadfast belief in protecting others with all of his strength, just as he learned from his leader and idol. Despite being cruelly stripped of his voice, he never failed to stand by his comrades' side. Along with his wrist blasters, Saber X is an expert hand-to-hand combatant.

Noble Phantasm-

?: B (Anti-Unit): ?

After I turned away from Optimus, I still wanted to bring a Transformer Servant into the game, and Maiya was my first pick for Master. But this begged the question, which one? My first candidate was Soundwave (the Prime incarnation is a grade-A Badass), but he would've betrayed her and Shirou the moment he learned of Megatron's presence in Fuyuki. Plus, I figured spending ten years with Shirou and Taiga would've mellowed Maiya out enough that she could summon an Autobot. She was never an actually evil person, anyway.

Then back to my original conundrum, which one? I considered Arcee and Wheeljack, but I couldn't think of a good enough Noble Phantasm for the former, and the latter's a bit too gung-ho loose cannon to mesh well with Maiya's personality.

Then it hit me as I re-watched Season 3 of Transformers Prime: Bumblebee. Brave, born during wartime and basically a child soldier grown up (though he had one hell of a role model), wouldn't hesitate to put his life on the line for those dear to him… Not to mention a certain someone's reaction to seeing him again as a Heroic Spirit… He was perfect for Paradox-Maiya.

As for his Noble Phantasm and class, wehell, the former ought to be obvious for any Prime fan like moi. If you're wondering about the rank, think Mordred and Clarent. And if Sasaki Kojirou is False Assassin (and still present in my fic despite the other Assassin), an Assassin kinda like a Saber, I wondered, why not bring a Saber X kinda like an Assassin into play?!

…Maybe I should consider therapy.

Oh, and his alt-mode is simply integrated into the Shapeshift Skill due to his current class. Transformer Servants' alt-modes only become Noble Phantasms if summoned in Rider class or if said alt-modes play major roles in their legends. Like the Dinobots.