A/N: Sometimes I surprise myself with how fast I can get chapters out sometimes. Anyways I forgot to celebrate this milestone last time, but I surpassed 100 followers on my account! Thank you for all those who gave me support over the years!

Anyways it is story time!

Chapter 6: Sword and Gun Meet Again

Shirou had just gone to school when Saber decided to rummage through his clothing to find some street clothes he could wear. If the Fourth Holy Grail War had taught the Heroic Spirit anything it's that blending into plain sight is easy, and that the motorcycles are cool.

Walking back into the empty void of a room, Saber questioned where Shirou even stored his clothes. Because all the King of Knights could see is the futon where his master sleeps, and a small dresser. While it may seem obvious that the dresser has the clothes that Saber seeks, all the Heroic Spirit found were some men's underwear, and jeans. Both of which would be beneficial, but the problem is there is still no shirt.

Looking around Saber started poking around the walls to find if there was some sort of secret closet in the room, and after searching enough Saber found the closet he was looking for.

"Mmm, lots of long-sleeved shirts," Saber noticed as he looked around for something his size. After looking through some shirts and jackets, Saber found a nice polo shirt he could wear. It was white with a blue stripe that ran through the middle of it.

Saber dematerialized his armor and changed into the set of clothes that he found.

"Like I thought, this fits like a charm," Saber chuckled as he looked into the mirror that he found. Though that chuckled slowly faded to a more solemn expression as he remembered his "master" from the Fourth Holy Grail War.

Even though he didn't need clothes, she still had him try on a plethora of suits. Honestly that was some of the most fun he had had in a while. She isn't the first person he failed to save, and she probably won't be the last. With luck this will be his final Holy Grail War, but who knows? His master though kind, is extremely reckless with his life.

Speaking of his master, Saber decided to check the premises of his master's house. Between his master's last name, the information that Caster's wand spoke of, and the design of this house. Saber can only deduce that his master is related to his old master in some fashion. Probably his son, but that's weird considering he had only met the daughter in Germany. There is always a possibility that his old master remarried after the war and had a child. If that were the case, then why wouldn't the mother be here as well? The problem here is that it has only been ten years since the Fourth Holy Grail War. Shirou does not look like a ten-year-old. Maybe the boy was adopted?

Looking around the premises, Saber eventually found his way to what appears to be a dojo. This will be the perfect place to train with his master later.

While examining the Shinais inside the dojo, Saber got the brilliant idea to check if his old master kept around the V-Max after the war. With that Saber walked to the shed that sat opposite to the dojo.

"I never got a chance to properly look around this place," Saber said to himself as looked around the shed, "this must be Shirou's workshop, but I feel like he isn't the only mage who practiced their magecraft in here."

"There it is," Saber smiled as he spotted the motorcycle, "seems like someone has taken good care of you. Now where is the ignition key." Turning around he could see the keys to the V-Max dangling on a key holder.

"Well, that makes it easy," Saber said as he grasped the keys. Saber's face turned to that of a fool who only learned what he had just lost. These keys remind Saber of what he failed to do at the end of the Fourth Holy Grail War. He chased Rider and his master because he believed that they kidnapped his "master", but by the time he realized he was fooled. His "master" was already killed. Honestly, it would've been better if she was killed and it was left at that. There would've been a lot less pain and torment if there were the case, damn that beast. No damn him if he had taken care of business earlier than that foul monster would not have existed.

"As much as I don't want to face him, I must," Saber mused holding the keys in a stranglehold, "funny how things turn out that way. If only to protect this world."

Saber rolled the motorcycle outside and started the ignition. There wasn't the kick it had during the Fourth Holy Grail War which meant that someone had probably tampered it back to being a normal motorcycle. All things considered that would be for the best. The way this motorcycle handled during the Holy Grail War was too much for normal everyday use.

Now the question is where is his old master? Given that Caster is Illyasviel's servant. It makes sense if they were at the Einzbern castle.

It would be horrible if the Einzbern's had another master in the fray. Funny that he lectured Shirou on taking stupid risks earlier; he was doing the same. Granted Kiritsugu Emiya was a man that you want on your side, and the risk is justified here.

Despite it being ten years since he last stepped foot into the Einzbern Castle. Saber remembered where it was, mostly due to his special circumstances as a servant.

With that Saber was off.

Usually from the entrance of the forest where the Einzbern Castle is; it takes about four hours to reach it by foot. Keyword here is by foot. Due to Saber's riding skills, he was able to successfully navigate his way to the Einzbern Castle in a little under an hour.

Parking the bike in front of the entrance of the castle, Saber quickly put his hands up.

"I know you are aiming at me with a sniper rifle, Kiritsugu," Saber smiled as he looked to the birch of the castle, "I am not here to fight, or else you would be dead by now."

A few minutes later, two maids with weird maid clothing opened the gates of the castle.

"Mr. Watson, Master Emiya is waiting for you in the dining room," Sella announced, "we will lead you to him."

"Thank you, ma'am," Saber said as he followed the two maids to the dining room. It was a rather large dining room with 10 seats, and in one of them sat a man with a scruffy black beard and wearing an equally black suit with a black trench coat on top. Though he seems way older than when Saber last met him.

"What do you want, King of Knights?" Kiritsugu inquired. It was suspicious that Saber was here to begin with.

"To inform you, your son has been chosen as a master for the Holy Grail War," Saber shared, "and before you ask. He almost got himself killed last night."

Kiritsugu paled. It was a weird sight for Saber to see considering that the Kiritsugu he knew would never do such a thing. Though there is a first time for everything.

"Explain."

"Shirou summoned me while Lancer was trying to kill him. I fended off Lancer, and then Archer and his master came. They were no match for me, but just when I was about to kill them. Shirou used his first command spell without knowing to stop me from killing them. From there Archer's master explained the basics of the Holy Grail War before taking us to the church to get registered for the war. He was different after he left the church; before then he wanted to get out of this war, but after he was determined to win. I don't know what the overseer said to him, but given how I sensed it was Kirei Kotomine. I don't think anything good came out of it. When we were walking back home, I noticed Caster was trailing us. I wasn't going to engage any enemies until we got close to home, but Berserker changed that. I was struggling and then Shirou jumped in…"

Kiritsugu couldn't find any words to say. He should not be this shocked that his son would jump in to defend a Heroic Spirit, but at the same time his son almost died.

"Berserker retreated after Shirou was injured. I bet his master thought he was dead. Caster tried to speed up his recovery, and after a little misunderstanding I sent her on her way. Shirou mostly recovered by morning, and after some arguments he went to school, and I came here."

"I am assuming Caster devolved some details that cause you not to kill her," Kiritsugu reasoned.

"More like her stick; seems like the girl herself has some sort of relation to Shirou, or at least from the world she hails from," Saber deduced given the way that Caster knew the boy by name.

"What exactly did the stick tell you?" Kiritsugu said with his signature empty expression.

"Does the name Illyasviel Von Einzbern mean anything to you?"

"I am surprised that meant anything to you," Kiritsugu bluntly said. That caused Saber to scrunch up a bit. Catching onto Saber's expression, Kiritsugu added the words, "nothing personal but I am surprised that Sapphire asked you about Illya. Considering that by all logic you should not know about her. Guess being the product of the Second Magic has some benefits."

"Second Magic?"

"I'll explain later, but for now what did you actually come here for?"

"You don't mince words, do you Mage Killer," Saber spoke with a cocky attitude.

"As an enemy, you have no reason to make yourself this vulnerable."

"Man, is that really the way you would talk to an old friend?"

"Your different from the other Heroic Spirits, aren't you?" Kiritsugu deduced.

"One Holy Grail War and you just now figured that out," Saber remarked.

"I had my suspicions, especially since you couldn't go into a spiritual form even with Iri as your mana source."

"We all have our secrets we don't want to expose Kiritsugu," Saber verbalized, "like hiding the fact that you were the Mage Killer from your children."

"Kotomine told him didn't he."

"I wasn't in the church during the conversation, but I wouldn't be surprised. Especially since he mentioned preventing another Fuyuki Fire from starting as a result of the Grail War."

Kiritsugu sat quietly considering the information he was given. He thought for sure that Shirou wouldn't get caught up in the Holy Grail War, but it seems like fate really just likes to screw him doesn't it.

"I am here to propose an alliance," Saber said, "I take it you don't want your son to die by your hands. I also take it that you are aware of what will happen if the grail is completed again."

"I am not even a master," Kiritsugu announced as he showed his non tattooed hands.

"Neither am I, but there are certain things that I don't want to repeat. I am sure you don't want them to repeat either."

"I am sure Illya will agree to this alliance though," Kiritsugu speculated, "especially if it's to keep her big brother safe."

"That's great," Saber smiled, "though I don't look forward to working with you. I am sure we can prevent a repeat from the last Grail War."

"I think so as well. Now Arthur, are you still a Saber this time around?"

"Yes."

"You mentioned you fought Lancer, Archer, and Berserker. Do you have any clues as to what their true names could be?"

"Lancer was most definitely of Irish origin though I can't say for sure if it was Cú Chulainn, or Diarmuid Ua Duibhne. It definitely was not Fionn; not enough ego stroking, and it did not look like him. Personally, I lean closer to Diarmuid then Cú. Mainly because he regretted his life choices as a knight."

"I don't know who Archer is. He looked very familiar to me, but he was different too. At the very least I don't think owes me $20."

"Finally, Berserker revealed himself to be Beowulf during our fight. I know you've been patrolling around Fuyuki have you encountered Rider or Assassin, yet?"

"Given the nature of the Fuyuki Grail, Assassin will most certainly be apart of the Hassan. As for Rider, I've been keeping tabs on the Tohsaka and Matou families. Tohsaka summoned the Archer a few nights ago, and I don't know who the Matou summoned. That worm bastard has always been secretive. A mage by the name of Atrum Galliasta is one of the masters in the war. He set up his workshop somewhere in the business district of Fuyuki. I am planning on dispatching him as soon as I can, but right now there is too many barriers."

"Barriers?" Saber asked surprised, "why don't you just blow up the building his workshop is in like you did with El-Melloi?"

"Funny you're the one suggesting that considering that you didn't like that plan when I initially did it."

"I still don't, but I recognize that is something you would do."

"He is using women and children as a mana source," Kiritsugu bluntly said, "my life has changed since I retired. As such I don't want to kill any innocents, if that is still possible."

"Say the word, and I'll kill him myself," Saber proclaimed with righteous fury.

"Easy Saber now is not the time to let your emotions overcome you. We have to do this in a tactical way or else we might run the risk of running into a trap. Mages are bastards in that regard. Besides we don't know what servant he summoned."

"You're right."

"From what we know right now. Illya is the master of Caster, Shirou is the master of you, the Tohsaka is the master of Archer, which leaves Atrum, a Matou, and some other mage as the master of either Rider, Assassin, or Beowulf."

"Tell me one last thing Saber, now that we're allies," Kiritsugu requested, "why do you remember the previous Holy Grail War? You're supposed to just be a copy of a Heroic Spirit from the Throne of Heroes."

"It's the same reason why I can't take on a spirit form. I am technically alive. Alive until I fulfill a quest of mine."

"What's that mission?"

"To destroy the Holy Grail. I made a mistake a long time ago, and I must atone for it."

"Does this mistake have anything to do with what happened at the end of the last Holy Grail War?"

"It does. I am sorry," Saber spouted, "It is my fault your wife died."

"She was going to die regardless. I don't blame you for that," Kiritsugu affirmed, "she was created to be the Holy Grail after all, but I know how close you were with her."

"What?" Is that the reason why Irisviel was so secretive in the second half of the war? Was she trying to spare my feelings? Saber wants to tell Kiritsugu the whole truth behind what happened, but he just can't find the words to say it. Not now at least, but if not now, then when? This reminds him of the time when he couldn't tell his second master of the circumstances regarding his first master's demise. Perhaps it's that little feeling that he would be hated if he were to tell the truth.

"What time is it?"

"Around midday," Kiritsugu responded as he checked his wristwatch.

"I've got to be back home before Shirou returns from school," Saber explained.

"I'll join you. I've got some words I want to say to him, but first I must inform Illya about this alliance. I am sure she will be pleased."

"I am sure she will be," Saber chuckled remembering little Illya. She must have grown a lot between the last time he saw her and now. It sounds like she has a better relationship with her brother than his second master had with her sister.

"After that, I will get Sella and Liz to go back and pack Shirou's belongings."

"So, we'll be staying here during the war?"

"Yes, it much more remote than my house in Fuyuki."

"I am surprised that the Einzberns let you back here. From my limited interactions with them. They made it seem like if you didn't win the Holy Grail, they would kill you on the spot."

"There was a lot of complications, after the war," Kiritsugu commented.

"You killed them all didn't you," Saber said raising his eyebrow.

"Only the ones that were attacking me, and then I leveled their castle."

"Then how come you weren't scared about any retaliations?" Saber said, raising a good question.

"I crippled them for the foreseeable future. Between their losses in attack homunculi, and castle. We won't be seeing them anytime soon."

"Well, that is one potential threat down," Saber proclaimed.

After his conversation with Kiritsugu, Saber decided to go meet Caster's master. If not just to introduce himself.

"Lady Illyasviel is beyond these doors."

"Thank you again," Saber said as he stared at some rather large doors. Knocking on the door, Saber patiently waited.

"Miyu, can you get the door, please?" A voice rang.

"Yes, Illya," A childlike voice replied. A moment later a little girl opened up the doors.

"Saber?"

"Caster?"

"My master is busy playing her game," Caster deadpanned.

"I can come and say hi some other time," Saber sweat dropped.

"Don't worry Saber. My master, can stand to introduce herself," Caster said as she let Saber in.

Saber walked into the room although it felt very improper. Both him entering, and the state the room was itself. It was a very messy room, with pillows and sheets laying all over the place. In the center place was a pretty half human, half homunculus holding a purple controller that was hooked to the television. On the screen was a yellow hedgehog flying through a ruinous city towards some sort of water monster with an English song playing in the background. It was kind of a peculiar sight to see.

To his side he could see several books lining a small table with one of them open. He could only assume it was Caster reading through those books while her master was doing something to that television. If he recalls the Rider of the last war had a similar hobby; he believes it is called playing video games.

"Illya, you can pause the game," Caster complained.

"I am almost done, Miyu," Illya retorted.

"We have a guest in the room," Caster announced. One squeal later, and the image on the screen was superseded by another image called 'Pause'.

"I am super sorry," The human homunculus hybrid said as she turned to face her guest, "I wasn't expecting guests, anytime soon."

"That is no issue, a series of events led me here today, my lady," Saber said as he bowed.

"I should introduce myself. My name is Illyasviel Emiya," Illya proclaimed as she curtsied, "but you may call me Illya."

"It is my pleasure to meet you, Illya," Saber said as the afternoon sun shined highlighting his features, "I am the servant, Saber."

"Given that you made it past papa. Shirou summoned a servant didn't he," Illya said as her worries came out, "please tell me he hasn't done anything like almost get himself killed for you."

Both Saber and Caster stayed quiet. It was apparent that Caster didn't tell Kiritsugu or Illya about what occurred the previous night.

"I am just glad that he is still alive," Illya sighed, "at least we can work together as a team now."

"How do you know that I came here for an alliance?" Saber inquired.

"Papa would've put up a fight if you were here to kill me, and you remind of a sparkly knight in shining armor," Illya reasoned. Quite honestly, that was both some rather good and poor reasoning on Illya's part.

"You've met Saber before, haven't you, Miyu," Illya asked towards Caster. Despite the teenager's airheadedness, she can still tell when certain events happen.

"Yes."

"Why didn't you inform me, or papa?"

"Because that interaction wasn't necessary."

"It was because of Shirou, wasn't it."

"Huh," Caster squeaked out of surprised, "you met Saber when Shirou almost got himself killed."

"Yes."

"I take it you didn't tell us that Shirou was involved precisely because you didn't want me, Papa, or even Liz or Sella, to worry?"

"Yes." Illya went and hugged the little girl, "there there, I don't blame you for anything."

She did this all-in front of Saber. Caster was just used to it at this point. She figured that most versions of Illya are emotional like this.

"I have to thank you again for protecting my brother," Illya gleefully said.

"You're welcome," Saber exclaimed with a hint of nostalgia. At least this sister actually cared for her sibling unlike a certain crazy person he knew.

"I know after I am finished, do you want to play, Mario Kart?" Illya asked not knowing any other way to give the knight, her gratitude.

"What's a Mario Kart?"

A few hours later. Saber and Kiritsugu were making their way back to the Emiya residence. That Mario Kart game was quite fun, but getting hit by a blue shell just after he just got first place for the first time was not. He might play it again someday.

"So how are you going to face your son?" Saber inquired.

"The only way I know how," Kiritsugu replied, "sitting in the corner on a recliner. You know how people think that is menacing?"

"So, you're going to scare your son."

"He has to know the stakes are high."

"I think he knows the stakes are high. If his proclamation to me after visiting the overseer was any indication."

"I just don't want him to be killed in this Holy Grail War. I knew that he wanted to be a hero, but… No, I shouldn't have told him about my dream in the first place," Kiritsugu said, "He was a broken kid, and I gave him the worst dream to latch onto." Saber empathized; He was a father who made a horrible mistake too after all.

"Irisviel told me your dream was to be a Hero of Justice," Saber said without a hint of emotion.

"I figured as much; Sounds like something Iri would say to get you to trust me. Did I ever apologize back then for treating you like a tool?"

"No."

"I am sorry for treating you like a tool, Saber."

"I can see you are trying to do better, Kiritsugu; that is enough for me," Saber smirked, "Though may I ask why you are treating Caster as another pawn?"

"She is a little girl who got drafted to this hellhole of a situation. You know as well as I that she will die before the end of the war."

"So, you don't have faith that the girl and your daughter will make it all the way."

"No, I do. It's just that even if Illya wins the war. Caster will vanish much like you did."

"I am well aware, after all that is precisely what happened to me last time."

"I am not going to emotionally open up to a little girl who reminds me of my daughter when she was younger. Only for her to essentially die in a few weeks."

"Are you at least treating her like a human?"

…

"Illya is doing a better job at that then me. It doesn't help that Caster was distrustful of me from the start."

"With your look, I don't blame her. You look like a grumpy old man, and I don't think you're even forty yet."

"Funny, Shirou calls me an old man as well."

"You certainly act the part. Though I don't think this premature aging has to do with fatherhood. After all I still looked like this after twenty years of ruling a kingdom," Saber remarked. He looked like he was about Illya or Shirou's age after all.

"You pulled Caliburn, that sword practically ensures you look young for eternity."

"You have a point there, but even for knights like Lancelot. They still didn't look as tired as you."

Kiritsugu sighed. He never wanted to tell anyone about this, but Saber is a remarkably trustworthy man. He wouldn't tell anyone else.

"Keep this a secret from Shirou and Illya, but I am dying. Every year I find myself getting progressively weaker," Kiritsugu confessed, "that fight with the Beast at the end of the last Grail War took a lot out of me. I am honestly surprised that I was able to save Illya from the Einzberns, or so I hope."

"You have my word," Saber promised before tacking on, "oh wait you don't believe in a knight's honor."

"I'll accept it this once," Kiritsugu calmly asserted, "I didn't know the King of Knights had a sarcastic bone in his body."

"Every man has his flaws, but you know that all too well. The only man that doesn't is Jesus Christ himself," Saber stated.

"As expected from a man from 6th century Britian. I don't know maybe I should be religious. What else do I have to lose," Kiritsugu shrugged.

"You should. The good Lord forgives all, as long as you put your faith in him, and confess your sins," Saber smiled as he proclaimed his faith, "great now I sound like Jeanne D' Arc."

"It would be really funny if someone mistook you for her one day."

"Like that would ever happen."

Soon enough, Saber and Kiritsugu arrived at the Emiya residence. Kiritsugu took a seat at the table while Saber stood right next to the switch to turn the lights on.

"Saber, I'm home," a certain ginger said as he placed his bags down.

"Saber?" He asked after not hearing a reply. After about a minute or so, he walked into the living room with a knife in his hand.

"Good afternoon, Shirou," Kiritsugu said as Saber turned on the light, "it seems like we have plenty to discuss."

Shirou was in shock staring at his father before he turned his head and saw Saber.

"I know you must have many questions, but rest assured I will answer all of them," Kiritsugu said as he waved for his son to sit down, "however first I have some things I need to discuss with you."

TO BE CONTINUED

A/N: Yeah The Fourth Holy Grail War went a little differently, a certain beast hijacked this grail. Some of the servants stayed the same, but like this Fifth Holy Grail War some were changed around. I'll let y'all specutate about who stayed and who was replaced. On an unrelated note this Saber has been through Fragments of Sky Sliver, an alternative verison of Prototype, and his portions of the Grand Order storyline (up to 02/18/2025). Some details of this alternate Prototype will be explained as the story goes forth, and as such don't expect to see Ayaka Sanjou show up in this timeline. I purposely introduced some Fate/Extra characters just so y'all could specutate who the last master can be. Since unlike canon, Caster Medea can't just summon an Fake Assassin.

If I am going to be honest this chapter should've been a little bit shorter, but some of those converstations espeically the last one with Kiritsugu just flowed so well while I typing that I thought it would be a sin if I cut it off too eariler.

Well this is probably going to be the last chapter I publish this week, I am in the middle of triterm season. Enigneering triterm season, wish me luck.

Next chapter I hope to explore the dynamic between the Emiya family a little more. Good my tags align with this, and I didn't put something like Sakura down cause I feel like I am shafting every other character right now. Also I determinted the main ship for this fic already, but the tags won't reflect it till we get to that point.

I also apologize for the expostion heavy little joke chapters. I hope next chapter can be a bit more light hearted. Also if anyone has any ideas on how to make my writing a bit more flavorful, I am all ears. Finally, if anyone has any ideas on how to properly introduce that Emperor Wormtine, I mean Zouken Matou, I am all ears. I want to explore a Dark Sakura element, but it seems like I am going the route where I am going to shaft her, and shaft her big time.

NEXT TIME:

Explanations

Till Next Time!