Fate/Division by Zero

Chapter 6

Sidequest – Part 1

Next day
Fuyuki Church
Midday

"Thank you all for coming..."

Kotomine Risei spoke in the dark church hall, inside were four familiars, and one animal with a camera and microphone attached to a collar.

"I have summoned you all here to inform you of a dire event." He stood in front of the altar, arms behind his back, "I am halting the Holy Grail War for the time being, in order for you Masters and your Servants to resolve a situation."

He let out a long sigh.

"My sources and research have led me to conclude that the Servant known as Caster has been capturing innocent civilians from Fuyuki. So far, the police are calling it a series of random kidnappings, but it has risen to such an extent that it cannot be a coincidence any more."

He turned around, but his voice still remained strong.

"We now have approximate twenty people missing, the majority of which are women and children. To what end we do not know, but most likely it is due to the Master's circumstances." His head lowered, "The Master is not a true Magus, indeed, he was the wildcard for the War. As such, the Servant requires sustenance to remain materialised and use his skills."

Risei faced the congregation.

"You are to eliminate Caster, above all else. Even though Servants are strong, they still have to abide by their Master, so again, it is apparent that the Master is happy for his Servant to be performing such activities, or is even helping him."

The elderly priest was concerned that there was one familiar fewer than he expected.

"Though I have attempted to contact all of you, I have yet to receive a response from Lancer or his Master. He has not come to the Church for sanctuary, and neither has he fallen. If for some reason he cannot receive this message, and you do happen upon him during your hunt, please inform him accordingly."

The audience didn't respond.

"Naturally, for the Holy Grail War to be postponed, there must be an incentive." He held up one finger, "I will grant one Command Seal to whoever kills Caster. Eliminating his Master will not be necessary, since with his lack of training, he will be unable to even form a Contract with another Servant should one be made available."

Lowering his hand, he clasped it in the other in front of his face in prayer.

"If the situation is called for, then you may kill the Master." He stood taller again, and bowed his head, "Thank you for your time, and good luck."

The familiars dissipated into the air or flew away after receiving their instructions.

Moving to the door, Risei locked the door and performed the sign of the cross over his heart.

Tohsaka Manor

"So, it has come down to this..." The head of the household breathed in hard.

"Yes, that Servant wasn't right in the head..." Archer narrowed his eyes, "I doubt he even cares how many he kills, so long as he finds it fun."

"An extra Command Seal will help us in the grand order of things, and give us a lot of power against the other Masters."

"You must have spoken with Risei about this beforehand."

"Correct." Tokiomi nodded, "This is a plan to ensure you get the kill..." He paused at the end of his sentence.

"You're not so sure now, are you?" Archer smiled knowingly, "The other Servants are powerful, maybe even Rider will get the prize. The dragon sure as hell isn't a normal pet."

The Tohsaka head shut his eyes, "It matters little who wins. If we win, it would be for the better, for our chances of victory. To leave a Servant like that out in the open, killing normal people for sport..."

"I couldn't agree more, Master..." Archer pulled out his Desert Eagle, dusting off the grip and then proceeding to dismantle it to clean the barrel. Though it wasn't required given his Noble Phantasm, he did it to calm himself. "Killers must be killed..."

Tokiomi pulled out a new gem from his collection and inserted it into his cane.

"Indeed... Let us see to his death tonight, Max."

Two glasses connected as the two shared a light drink to steel their nerves.

"Are you still going ahead as planned before the night starts?" Archer asked.

Tokiomi just nodded, a gentle smile on his face.

Einzbern Manor

"We cannot afford to let any other Servant take this opportunity." Maiya placed her hands on the table, "It is too great of an advantage."

"Agreed." Kiritsugu turned off the transceiver from the hypnotised bat, "An extra Seal would be beyond valuable." He watched his Servant from the side, talking quietly to Irisviel, leaving Navi with the Magus Killer.

"Yes!" The fairy brightly chirped, "Saber will be able to do more amazing stuff for you and Lady Einzbern!"

Eyeing the blue pair of wings, he visualised a fly swatter in his hands and squashing the bug. He shook his head of the image.

"I know what you're thinking, Kiritsugu..." Irisviel's voice came from across the room, as she then moved closer, "That man has to be stopped, Command Seal or no Command Seal."

The tanned man looked over, "Saber, I need to ask you something..." The swordsman drew in, "We honestly don't know how powerful Caster is, since we've only seen him in action once, and he didn't seem limited in his abilities, even if his Master was an amateur." Kiritsugu tapped his fingers, "Your Noble Phantasm, the Anti-Planet one... Will it truly destroy the Earth?"

The angry face returned, and he nodded once.

"What are you thinking about?" Maiya questioned, "You didn't plan on using it?"

"Not unless it was necessary, but since it'll destroy the planet anyway, it's not going to be of much help." He held his forehead, "A shame; it's terrifying, but an amazing ability."

Irisviel rested her hand on his shoulder, "You're upsetting Saber, Kiritsugu. You know he doesn't want to use it."

"I know... Sorry Saber..." The warrior bowed lightly, "I'm taking every possible idea and putting them into a list of actions."

"Will it be tonight?" Navi asked, landing on Kiritsugu's head, before being batted away and then nuzzling into Maiya's chest.

"Yes, there's no time to get a plan put together, we must hunt him down and find his hideout first. His workshop must be somewhere, and he won't be far from it."

Squeezing the life out of the floating fairy, Maiya spoke neutrally, "We will provide all the support. Killing the Master will be the simplest solution, and if he is assisting the Servant in arranging the kidnappings, then he is fair game."

Irisviel shivered, "Why would someone do something so evil?"

Everyone was silent until Navi squeaked from within Maiya's hands, "Because everyone is evil deep inside, but some are more evil than others."

Matou Manor

"This is just what I need..." Kariya gasped as another surge of nausea hit him, "I can use it to win..."

Berserker had spent a whole day healing, and was now back to full power. The few crest worms left in the basement were by now consumed by the Servant.

"You won't be able to win with just an extra Seal, Kariya..."

Leaping to the side, he saw the deformed figure of his grandfather smirking in a rotting body.

"Zouken... I didn't expect to see you here." The Master groaned as his stomach lurched, "I thought you were too afraid of Berserker..."

"There is that. It's not fear, but something deeper, more primal." The melting face shifted, "Your body is being consumed by the worms. Berserker is impressive, I'll give you that, but even his own Noble Phantasm to heal himself during battle cannot be active all the time, leaving you in this state."

"Shut up..." Kariya wiped away a trickle of blood that stemmed from his cheek skin cracking, "There's nothing you can offer me. You already promised me you'd release Sakura-chan to me if I win."

"That's true, but what's the point if you'll die before then?" The body shrugged, losing a bit of its flesh along the way, "I'll need to get a fresh sample soon; proximity to your Servant is making this person fester."

"I'll survive without your help." Kariya spat at Zouken, "Once the War is over, I'll be coming after you."

Finally decomposing in front of him, the mass of worms scuttled away, "I look forward to that, Kariya."

The pulsing grew inside his head.

"Yes Berserker, I'll let you feast on him, just not right now. Don't you worry; you'll get your chance."

Laughing to himself, before getting out of breath, Kariya leant against the wall in his home and slid to the ground.

A nap would do him good though.

Fuyuki Forest

"I was aware that he was not normal." Rider shook his head, "I should have taken him out instead of his contraptions."

"We were outnumbered; it wasn't an easy decision to make in the heat of it all..." Waver said, sitting up from his makeshift bed, "Now though we have a specific target, one which everyone is gunning for."

Meyontpaak snorted, her breath lighting the campfire again to keep them warm in the shade under the trees.

"I know..." Waved nodded at her dismissive response, "But we need to kill him first." He held his chest, "Oww..."

"Still paining, Master?" Rider put his hand on the boy's back.

"Yeah, the Thu'um is really powerful, but you were right, my body can't handle it just yet."

"I can brew more potions for you if you like?" Rider pulled out some wheat and flowers, along with a pestle and mortar.

"No thanks, I'll be fine." He waved him away, "I can't drink them in succession like that, I don't know how you can do it. Besides..." He took in a deep breath and breathed out, "I need a few more hours, and then we can start searching for Caster."

"Vogut rathokaaz sos los til..."

Rider and Waver thought about the dragon's words.

"So, there's blood at the docks..."

Waver scratched his chin. He knew that being a spirit conjured up from the history of the river itself, Meyontpaak is more sensitive to changes in the Mion itself, and so should be able to detect a lot of strange emissions.

Though blood wasn't uncommon, especially when disposing of consumables and sewage, if she was stating this, then there was a different type of blood flowing out there.

And that could only mean one thing.

"We search there first. This is probably the best hint we have. From what we saw of Caster, his machines would fit in well with all the equipment you see in docks and ports. A man as devious as him would no doubt be able to camouflage them to appear normal." He winced, "I'm too sore to move right now for more clues during the daytime, but when night falls, I'll be able to move around easier." Waver felt his ribs slowly mending, "Rider, I'll need your help with this battle, if we are to get the upper hand."

"Of course, Master." He adjusted his helmet, "We will await your command."

Fuyuki City

An old abandoned building in the town was currently occupied by two people. Dust had settled on all the surfaces inside, and the two had made their way in via an open window. No one would be able to tell that anyone made their way inside from the front door.

"It is as you hear, Master." Assassin bowed to Kirei, "The others are now in full search for Caster. One of my clones state that Rider is in the forest waiting, perhaps because of the battle his Master went through."

"What of Lancer?" Kirei asked.

"Nothing since the fight, his Master seemed to be injured, and even the Servant itself. Though they both retreated, they haven't been seen once."

"They cannot be dead, the Servant is still alive. How remains to be seen, yet."

Kirei breathed out a long sigh, as he sat with his elbows on his lap, thinking hard into his clasped hands.

"Are we to cooperate with Caster?" Assassin bristled at this idea.

"You are unhappy at the arrangement I have set up with that man, no?" Kirei looked up to acknowledge his Servant.

"Yes. His methods are cruel and unnecessary. Though I am an Assassin by trade and class, I choose to kill my targets in one shot without suffering. I do not wish to injure any civilians too." His eyes were visible beneath his hood, "I have a sense of honour."

"Honour is good when the situation calls for it." Kirei stood up, "In a war however, rules no longer apply."

"Surely, as a priest, you must value life above all else?"

The Master stood there and thought quietly, before coming up with his answer.

"I only desire that which amuses me. Life does not satisfy me, nor death. I have yet to find my true calling, but I believe that by observing Caster's actions I will get closer to my objective."

Even Assassin was taken aback, stepping away from Kirei, "You're a madman. Why were you chosen as my Master?"

Kirei stepped closer, "You will not defy me, Assassin, your own code prevents you." He raised his arm, showing off the Command Seals, "And if your will falters, then I can simply force you to comply."

"Bastard..." Assassin didn't want to risk having a Seal used against him, "You wish for the city to incur such pain and loss, just for your own experiment?"

"There is no other way it could be." Kirei folded his arms, glad that his Servant had given up, "The war has yet to end, no one had died either. It is time for this to change."

"I disagree with your analysis..." Assassin grit his teeth, "But, you are my Master, and I have sworn to abide by your words."

"Good, I will ask you later for your assistance. His hideout may not be revealed tonight, but if so, we will be called into action to 'fight' him."

2pm
Unknown Location

The doorbell rang, and it opened slightly.

"Oh my... I wasn't expecting to see you so soon, husband."

"I wished to see you and Rin." Tokiomi bowed lightly, Archer standing beside him, before walking into the home.

"Father?"

A little girl came bouncing down the steps, her pigtails bobbing in the air.

"Yes Rin, it's me. How have you been doing?"

Rin nodded eagerly, "I've been brushing up on the gem structure and magical theory to -"

"No..." Tokiomi let out a tiny smile, and knelt down to pat her on the head, "It doesn't matter about magic, how are 'you'?"

The emphasis he put on surprised her, since she had never heard that kind tone before.

"I'm..." She struggled to put her emotions into words, "I'm a bit lonely. Mum and I miss you a lot... To be honest, I'm sad."

"I know..." He pulled her into a hug, "I'll be home soon and we can talk more after that."

Rin froze. She was used to getting hugs from her mother, but from her father it was bizarre. She tried to figure out if he was a homunculus, but he didn't have any strange smells or tell-tale lifelessness. Over his shoulder, she saw Archer smile and nod at her.

Tentatively, she reached her tiny arms and grasped her father, hugging him with all her might.

She wouldn't admit it, but maybe a tear or two leaked into his tailored red suit.

Letting her go, Tokiomi glanced up, "Go upstairs and bring me your favourite toy, and we can talk a little more."

Rosy-cheeked, Rin nodded, and ran upstairs, giggling.

As her father stood up, his wife Aoi came closer.

"The war is getting worse I take it?"

"Yes, Caster has been kidnapping people to sustain himself, we are all tasked with eliminating him, and I seriously doubt this can be covered up easily." He looked at her, "It is a troublesome development."

"Is he that powerful?"

Archer stepped in, "Yes, though he's physically weak like Assassin, a few good hits and he's a goner. The problem is his advanced technology makes his defence near impenetrable."

"I plan on living; I'm not going for a suicide mission." Tokiomi stated clearly, "He must be stopped."

"I understand." The footsteps of Rin echoed down the stairs, "I'll retire for tea with Archer while you play with Rin."

"It's okay..." He held out his hand as he touched her fingers, "Join us; we are a family after all."

Aoi sniffed once, nodding as Rin bounded into Tokiomi, showing her new favourite doll with long red hair. As the father and daughter went into the living room, Aoi and Archer went to the kitchen to prepare snacks.

"Archer, tell me honestly." She said after boiling the kettle, "Is my husband okay? He seems more..."

"Passionate?" Archer smirked at her lack of words. Continuing on from her gaze, he sighed, "I have been seeing more of his memories through dreams, and likewise, he must have seen my own."

"Oh..." Aoi looked down, putting her hand on his arm, "I'm sorry Max. I know what happened. I can't even begin to imagine what it was like... Your own wife and daughter."

"Yeah..." Archer scratched his head, "I've never gotten over it..." He pulled out a small pill packet from inside his jacket, "That's why I've got these babies to keep me going. And alcohol."

"That still doesn't explain about Tokiomi..."

"I was getting to that part..." Archer leaned against the wall, "I told him to appreciate what he has, before it's too late. Even if he was die during this war, would you and Rin be happy? Would he have left any good memories for you two? Has he spent enough time with you, getting to know his daughter?"

Aoi closed her eyes, "He saw what you went through. He saw how you blamed yourself for all those years, wanting just another minute with them."

"He's a good man, a bit strict and focused on magic, but still a decent person." Archer smiled, "I just asked him to loosen up a bit and leave the business aside for a little while."

Allowing the teabag to filter through the kettle, Aoi pulled out some biscuits from the pantry and placed them on a tray.

"Let me take that in to them." Picking up the tray with no effort, he walked off from the kitchen into the living room as Aoi followed. Her own tears began to well up as she heard Rin and Tokiomi laugh together, something they had rarely done.

Meanwhile
The Docks

Splattering and crunching sounds squeezed out through the cages. Caster turned his head to see someone else's head fly about the room as Ryuunosuke played 'keepie uppie'.

Few of his Surveyors were cloaked around the city, and he could see what was happening at any given moment on his TV Loader. It came as no surprise that the Church would call the other Masters to kill him; he was warned as such by Kirei.

"Well, even if they find me, it isn't going to be so easy to get rid of me..." He smirked as he patted the side-table next to him.

Only for said table to moan.

"I said no talking, furniture shouldn't speak."

"Y-Yes Caster..."

Sola-Ui was sitting there in the seiza position, knees bent and legs under her body, hands on her thighs, keeping her head level as Caster balanced a drink on it. The collar on her neck was blinking between green and red, showing that it was active.

Goosebumps had risen on her body at this point, which was no surprise given her lack of clothing.

Lancer was ordered by her to stay dematerialised; Caster's gentle ministrations ensured that she kept her loyal Servant quiet.

"Are you sure I can't play with her, Jack?" Ryuunosuke was looking at her breasts, thinking how simple it would be to slice into them and carve his initials.

"Nah, she's still got mileage in her. She needs to earn it for me." He was scanning the city, "I'm going to move my workshop now, since the enemy will find this one within a day or two. I think I've found a nice and secluded spot by the river." He saw his Master's pout, "Relax, it's to keep you and I safe, I'll put up more barriers there, for the final plan."

"How many souls you got now?" Giving up on the ballgame, he allowed the head to splash on the ground.

"Quite a few, thank you for your hard work." Caster bowed his head mockingly, "I just need a few more, or even better, a single powerful soul..." He pressed a button on his chair and zoomed in on one image, "And I have the perfect target. I'll need you to go out on a mission for me, and to follow it to the letter. Any deviation could mean your death."

"Well, I don't want that. I have so much to live for. So many ways to kill!" Ryuunosuke moved in, "So, who's the person?"

Caster pointed at the TV screen, "I'll tell you exactly what to do. Don't be fooled by appearances, there are safeguards installed. But first, we need to move, and now..."

Ryuunosuke grinned widely as the teleportation squares sent them to their new hideout, pulling in the spare Loaders and Sola-Ui. He didn't bother to bring the bodies from the massacre, since they'd spoil the décor of his new home.

Meanwhile
Einzbern Manor

The group were following plans from the police, expertly hacked by Kiritsugu, to locate the missing person reports. He then began to collate a potential area for where Caster's base was.

"It's too wide and varied..." He thought back, "It must be due to that power to instantly transport somewhere."

"Yes, and no witnesses, he must be able to see the technology in that area too. No cameras..." Irisviel spoke up too.

The door opened and a harried Maiya stepped in, her breathing rapid and her cheeks flushed.

"What's wrong, did something happen?" Kiritsugu stood up straighter, tensing himself.

"No... But..." She looked to the Servant leaning against the wall, "I may have found something of interest."

In her hand was a plastic shopping bag with four items in it.

"I was looking around the areas where people went missing, asking around if anyone had sold any security cameras to places nearby, just in case we missed a private one or two..." Her eyes blinked, "Inside one, they were selling random things and -"

"It's okay..." Irisviel pulled her to the table, "Breathe in, and tell us what was there."

"I can't say any more..." Maiya closed her eyes, "But maybe this will speak for itself."

She emptied the contents of the bag. Kiritsugu looked at the receipt in confusion before turning his head to the four boxes there.

"Famicom, Super Famicom... Game Boy?" He glanced up at her, "What is..." He felt his pulse slow as a familiar name was on the cover.

Irisviel saw this too, and all three of them looked at Saber.

"Quickly..." Kiritsugu took charge, "Open them all. Are there any manuals, any stories, plots?"

Each box did indeed have one manual included, with a brief plot history. Maiya and Irisviel swallowed loudly.

"Saber... No, Link... Do you remember this time in your life...?" He pointed at the lands of Hyrule on a simple map image.

Getting closer, the Servant held his forehead and nodded.

"How did you summon him?" Irisviel gazed in wonder at her husband, "Link's a fictional hero?"

"Well, duh!" Navi buzzed around them, "Are we not all fictional heroes in some way?"

"No, we were supposed to summon King Arthur. Though his history is a bit muddled, it is rumoured that someone like that existed back in Britain. But you... You never existed in this reality."

"So? We exist there!" Navi sat on the cartridge for the first NES game, before touching each of the other cartridges.

"Are you in these games Navi?" Maiya asked, not recalling any mention of it in the manual.

"Nope! My adventures with Link are later."

The silence in the room grew.

Kiritsugu began to pace around the room. Things were slotting into place now.

"Maiya... Thank you, without this we wouldn't have understood anything about how this war turned into the maelstrom it is now." His face grew animated, "It makes sense finally. Why all the Servants seemed to be modern and completely unexpected. Abilities that not even legends would possess and multiple Noble Phantasms." He looked at Maiya, "I'll want you to buy every single copy of these games you can find in Fuyuki, even checking out Shinto. Magi are notorious for being ignorant of technology, but I don't want even the microscopic chance that they would be able to determine Saber's real identity."

Irisviel gasped, "Then, if Saber's a video game character..."

Maiya nodded, "Then they all must be as well. There can be little doubt to this now, seeing as all our research on their true identities led nowhere. We must search the stores for anything similar to the other Servants."

Kiritsugu looked at Navi, "There is still the possibility though that they could be from a game made in the future. As the bug said, her adventures were in the future, past the realm of these four games. We may find nothing now, but it is worth a look."

She nodded, "True... But if we find something that can reveal a weakness."

"Ask around at least, if they have any idea, then buy whatever could be related to the Servant. In the meantime, buy the game consoles, perhaps some ideas will come out through playing them."

Kiritsugu eyes traced his hand, showing the three equilateral triangles there, and having read up on what they were, he was glad to have such a power on his side.

"It's time to turn the war to our advantage."

9pm
Docks

"Pook do sos los mul het."

Meyontpaak breathed out, her cool air mixing with the night chills.

"This must be the place..." Waver pointed at the inconspicuous warehouse, "I sense a boundary field."

The boy had cast a simple disassociation spell on the dragon, to avoid passers-by from noticing her. In the evening it was best when the shadows would cover her up easily, but during daytime the spell was a lot less effective.

"Let's go then..." Rider was wearing his casual clothes, but changed into his standard leather armour as he kicked in the door.

Waver smelt blood almost immediately, but he pushed on, Rider next to him and Meyontpaak close behind.

"Oh God..."

What else could he do?

He vomited on the floor at the sight behind the huge containers.

Bodies strewn everywhere, blood plastered on the walls, internal organs were used as playthings.

"A common bandit..." Rider growled, "No honour, no dignity. He will have none of that when I face him."

Meyontpaak turned her head and grunted, hearing mechanical movements.

Ten Loaders picked themselves up from the wall. Rider and Waver waited, seeing no guns on their arms.

At the top where a head should be, a blue glowing power module started to flicker as the EXP Loaders ran in to the trio.

"Hang on!" Rider grabbed Waver and jumped up as Meyontpaak batted her wings, soaring up and through the corrugated roof.

The explosion from the Loaders served to level the entire building and create fires around it from the random oil spills.

"A trap..." Rider shook his head, "He knew we were coming for him, and he was ready..."

"But... What are we going to do, those bodies..."

Rider sighed tiredly, "At least they were burned, a warrior's funeral. No more harm will come to them in this day and age." He turned to his Master, "There was nothing we could do. They were already long dead."

"I know... It's just..." Waver faltered in his words.

"There's nothing more to say, other than a prayer to those who fell to Caster's whim." Rider closed his eyes, "May they reach Sovngarde safely."

"From the smell and the look of them, it seems they were just left there to rot." Waver wiped his eyes from the non-existent dust which tickled him earlier, "Caster left his workshop behind. Did he open another one? Is he finished with whatever he has planned?"

"Hmm..." Rider drummed his fingers on the dragon's head, "From what little I saw of him, he was no fool. A true coward who preferred to hide behind his toys. If he left the workshop, it means he is either spying on us, or he was informed in advance about the Church. He wouldn't dare attack without having his power at maximum, so he still needs time to prepare."

"Insider knowledge?" Waver sat back on the scales, "It's unheard of, who would -" He stopped his train of thought, as there were certainly some Masters who would be willing to help Caster in his horrid quest. "Wait, you're saying he hasn't finished?"

Rider nodded, "If he was ready, we wouldn't have faced a trap meant to taunt us. Caster would have faced us himself."

"So, there'll be more bodies..."

"No..." The masked Nord looked over the river, "He knows we'll be watching out for him a lot more carefully now. Caster is going to do something else that he hasn't done before."

Waver breathed quietly at seeing the look of disgust in Rider's eyes, and kept his thoughts to himself.

Ten minutes later
Unknown Location

The postman was tired, carrying the heavy box to the door of the large household before ringing the bell.

Through the speaker came a woman's voice, "Yes?"

"I have a parcel here, sent by courier. I need your signature to acknowledge it was received."

"Is it possible to wait a few more days? My husband is the one who signs for all items."

"Okay, I suppose so." The man sounded a little dejected, "We can leave it in the sorting office, but it is an express and urgent delivery from London..."

"London?" The woman paused, "One moment please."

A series of chains and locks were heard to be removed and released from the door. When the door opened, the woman stepped out onto the welcome mat.

"Thank you madam." The man looked up and smiled at her, his young face bearing sweat from the weight.

"Not a problem." She understood that he was just doing his job, and didn't want to burden him further, "Where do I sign?"

"Right here..." He handed her a yellow pen and a clipboard to match.

As she pushed the pen to the paper, she felt a pulling sensation at her navel.

"Sorry about this, lady." The postman doffed his cap, removing it completely, "But I'm afraid we need to look into this further... Please come with me."

Ryuunosuke smiled as both he and the woman were transported away, the parcel which contained the localised core needed for transmigration disappearing with them.

The doorway to the home was left open, and this did not go unnoticed by the other person in the home. Running outside, a young girl saw the empty entrance and the cap lying on the floor.

"Mum?"

Rin flicked her eyes side-to-side before picking up the cap. Feeling a surge of magical energy from it, she widened her eyes...

"Mum... Where did you go?"

Author's Notes

Muhahaha... You ready for hell? It's going to get hot in Fuyuki soon.

Hope you enjoyed this partial filler chapter before the meaty start.

No Servant stats yet... That should be next chapter. Instead, we have a new entry.

Alternative Servants – Berserker

The deafening roar was the first sign that Kariya had succeeded in the summoning.

The second was that the flooring gave way to a fiery pit beneath, one which by all rights should not be there. Kariya and his still manifesting Servant were on a rickety wooden bridge.

Zouken on the other hand was left in the air, having been to the side of the bridge.

"What in the world did y-"

Having fallen into the flames, his body instantly incinerating, he no longer held the capability to speak. Kariya knew the ancient one would have a crest worm or two spare in order to find a new body.

The crunching sounds of the clawed beast impacted against the logs of the bridge. Snarling, his hot breath held embers in it, though he was keeping the fire inside himself. The talons reached out for Kariya, who closed his eyes.

"Are you my Master?"

The booming voice commanded him to answer. His cat-like irises spent a spark of terror into Kariya. Despite his status as a Servant, it was he who was controlling the man's actions by fear.

"Yes, I am."

"Then, we have a contract."

Getting a closer look at him, Kariya had to wonder how he managed to bring this creature to life. He never saw anything like this, nor even heard of. The skin was dark grey, eyes red like the hair sprouting from his head. Giant horns point up and back. On his back was a hardened shell-like material endowed with multiple spikes, not entirely dissimilar to a hedgehog.

"What is your name?" Kariya swallowed, praying his Servant would acquiesce.

"You know not who I am?!" The monster stood on his back legs and roared, fire spewing from his maw, setting the walls alight, "My name is Bowser, King of the Koopas, rightful ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom."

"Wha...?"

Kariya's jaw dropped, and was about to laugh out loud at the name, only for Bowser's claw to wrap around his body, scrawny as it was. Lifting him up, he brought closer to his face, licking his lips across his serrated teeth.

"You dare humiliate me with your gaze?" He began to squeeze, "Then I shall talk no more and be a mindless beast, though you will live to regret it. Without my knowledge, you will not win."

Kariya recalled something Zouken said even as he struggled, "That's right, as a Berserker, you shouldn't be able to talk..."

Bowser chuckled, the rumbles shaking Kariya's bones, "I have been exposed to decades of mind control and spells, and I have grown weary of it all. A portion of madness helps for strength, but that is all I took from your incantation. That is why I am twice my usual size."

"Is this your doing?" The Master indicated the wooden bridge.

"My Noble Phantasm entitles me to establish my refuge how I see fit. A dungeon, castle, ship, island, planet, whatever I require, I can create."

"Pl-Planet?!" Kariya shook his head, "Please let go of me now, Berserker."

"Very well..." Dropping the man, Bowser stomped off to the tiny doorway above to the rest of the Manor, "Let me see your home." Glancing at the doorway, it expanded rapidly to allow his body to exit, even the corridors seemed to grow to accommodate his figure

"No... wait!"

"Eep!"

Kariya felt the little blood in his face drain away at that squeal.

"Ohohoho... What have we here?" Bowser grinned, showing more of his glistening fangs.

"DON'T TOUCH HER!" Kariya was seconds away from using a Command Seal, "She's my niece... I'm in the Holy Grail War to save her from this hell..."

"The princess of the castle..." Bowser turned from his Master to look at the small figure of Sakura shivering and yet leaning against the wall apathetically, not even bothering to run away.

Staring closer at her face, he saw the empty stare she held, before closing his eyes.

Placing his large palm on her head, he faced them both, "I shall win this war for you, to protect this princess, and to win myself release from my one-sided love."

"Very well, Berserker, let's formulate a plan together."

Through the shredded remains of the Servants, Berserker ploughed through all opponents all to get his final wish from the Grail.

True love's first kiss from a princess, the power of which would grant him an end to his tortured existence.