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(xxx)- Time Skip/Flashback

-xxxx- Place

Fate/Zero: A Faker Story

Chapter 2 : First Battle

-Fuyuki City-Archers POV-

Now I know who Illya inherited her personality from. She inherited it from Irisviel, that is for sure. She dragged me to ten different stores, leaving me completely tired. Not physically, but mentally.

Finally, she drags me to this café, treating Saber and I to ice cream. Looking at her, I see her eating her ice cream, smiling as she eats it, making me reminisce about Illya, they sure look alike.

Sitting beside her is Saber just eating her ice cream with her stoic face, making me realize that this not the Saber that I know.

"This is good," Irisviel said with a happy look, making me smile at her childish behavior.

"It's true, this is good," Saber adds. I cannot help but remember the first time I make Saber eat my food.

"Hm? Why don't you eat your ice cream…" Irisviel seem realize that she still doesn't know my name.

"Shirou, my name is Shirou" I answered as I eat my ice cream too.

"Ah, so Shirou are you live here?" She asked me with a curious expression, I found it adorable.

"Yes" Technically the 'me' before the great fire live here,

"And how about you Irisviel?" Suddenly Saber tensed and I wondered that if she finally notices that I am servant.

"Eh, how do you know my name?" At this, I cannot help to sweat drop.

"When you bumped me, she" I point at Saber, "Called you Irisviel, and you called her Saber." As soon as I tell her this, Saber seems to relax.

"Oh, how silly of me, hehehe" She laugh clearly forgetting what happen before, "But how did you know Saber was a woman?"

True, with how Saber is dressed she can be mistaken as man. "I just have a good eye."

Irisviel just chuckled at my answer, and I just smile at her.

"So are you're a tourist?" I asked, even though I know her real reason.

"Yes, we just arrived today." This time it was Saber who answered.

"Is that so... How long you will you stay here?" At this, Irisviel seems to be confused how to answer my question.

"For a while." She answers vaguely, and I just nod at her. "Do you know someplace that's good for sightseeing, Shirou?"

"Of course, there are few place that are good to visit." With that, we started chatting with each other, although it just mainly Irisviel and I. Saber was just silently looking at us, only talking when Irisviel or I asked her something.

Without realizing it the time flew past and before we knew it I notice the sky already turned dark.

"Irisviel, we should head back, Kiritsugu will be worried," Saber said suddenly cutting into our conversation.

"Wow, I don't realize that it's already dark," Irisviel said as she looked into the sky. I just nodded, agreeing to her.

"Time sure does fly fast when you are having fun," I added to her statement.

"Thank you for accompanying us, Shirou" Irisviel said as she stood, followed by Saber.

"I hope we can meet again."

"Off course, we will meet again," I said pleasantly to her. 'In the battle' I silently add in my mind as I too stood up and going out the café.

We separated in front the café.

After they left I just stood in front of the café to look at them until I could not see them anymore, then walking into one of the alley near the café, checking the surrounding and making sure there is no one around I called, "Assassin."

From the shadow of the alley Assassin came out, "Archer."

"You were watching?" I asked, although it is more a statement than a question.

"Yes, is that wise to be with Saber and her master?" Assassin asked, his tone wary.

"That I don't know, only time will tell," I shrugged at Assassin. "But I got to know something interesting."

Even with his mask concealing what I see of his face, I can feel assassin's confusion, "And pray tell, what is that?"

"She not Saber's Master." I can feel Assassin surprise at that piece of information.

"I saw her hand and there is no command seal." That's not exactly a lie, but more to the fact that I know that Kiritsugu is the master. This my little pay back at Kiritsugu, for the hardship that he had done to My Saber.

"This is interesting," Assassin remarked, "You are an odd servant, you know that, Archer."

I just smirked at Assassin, "You not the first to say that."

"Huhhuhu," This is the first time that I heard Assassin laughed, it is kind of creepy, "It seems that I, Hassan-i-Sabah, still have something to learn, for someone to deceive me."

"Even so, you are here to watch me, aren't you?" I know that Tokiomi will not let me go walking around without someone to follow me.

"That is correct," Assassin answered, not even trying to deny it at all. "You are very perceptive, Archer."

"However, I also bring something from your Master," Assassin then threw me something.

When I caught what Assassin threw, I saw that it is a ring with a black jewel in it.

"It will help you conceal you presence even more and make you easier to communicate with your Master " Assassin told me the unspoken question that I had.

"Huh, it seems I have an apprehensive Master" I said nonchalantly, "May I ask question?"

Assassin just nods his head, "Is Kirei trying to investigate the other masters?"

"Yes, he ordered us to find about the other Master personality and their reason to enter the war." I just smile at Assassin answer, it seem Kirei took my advice.

"Then you know all the other Master's locations?"

"Yes, except for Caster's Master." I frown at this, I never liked the Caster class, they are too slippery.

"I see," I pause a moment pondering if I should ask the next question. "Tell me what your wish Assassin?"

"My wish? Why you ask that?" Assassin seem to be surprised at my question.

"Just curious, its up to you if to tell me or not," I said and Assassin seemed to be pondering about something.

When Assassin continued to be quiet, I figured that he would not answer so I turned my back at him.

"Wait."

Looking at Assassin from behind my shoulder, I waited because it seems that he decide to tell me.

"I wish to be reconstituted as a complete personality." I understand what he meant, Assassin had multiple personalities, so it's not weird that he wished to be one.

"How about you, Archer?"

"I have no wish, because my wish already fulfill long ago, by my own hand." Assassin is taken back by my answer; it seems he doesn't expecting that. With that I go out of the alley leaving Assassin behind me, he seemed in deep though.

(Night)

-Fuyuki City Harbour-

Looking at the battle in front of me between Saber and Lancer in my spirit form is interesting to say at least. I already saw Kiritsugu and a woman that I assume is his assistant trying to find Lancer's master that I see hiding in the shadows. Looking at Lancer's weapon I silently thank him for more additions to my weaponry, Gae Buidhe and Gáe Dearg.

I just sighed when I see Saber let go of her armor, a fatal mistake, but I cannot blame her for not knowing the nature of Gae Buidhe. I just hope that she will be okay because the effect of Gae Buidhe cannot be dispelled if the owner is still alive or the weapon is still intact.

However, the fight is not going as long as I thought it would when suddenly Rider arrived with his chariot, surround by lighting and howling. I admit that Rider had good taste on how to make great entrance. He now stood between Lancer and Saber, opening his hands, I was curious, what will happen next?

"Both of you, Sheath Your Blades," Rider proclaimed, at this I just rise one of my eyebrows at him, although they cannot see me because I'm in spirit form.

"You are in the presence of the King!"

Another king, I just can hope he not like Gilgamesh (Somewhere Gilgamesh was sneezing before cursing that an unworthy worm was talking about him)

"Who are you?" Saber and Lancer asked at the same time. It seems Lancer and Saber both share my sentiment.

But, NO way that he will answer that...

"I am Iskandar, King of Conquerors!" At this I cannot help but face fault, luckily I'm in my spirit form. It seems this king is a lot more casual or easy going, completely different from the other king I know.

"Achoo," Saber suddenly sneezed, and seemed to be looking around.

"Must be someone talking about me," I heard Saber mumbling that.

Rider, just looked at Saber before continuing, "In this Holy Grail, I am of the Rider class."

I pity Rider's Master, must be hard to have servant like that... and I see someone in Chariot with Rider. That must Rider Master and his expression is priceless, before turning into angry scowled face. I just watched with amusement at Rider and his Master's antics, who call his servant stupid and Rider's response poke to his forehead making him fall.

"Fate has brought us together to battle for the Holy Grail," He looked at Lancer, then at Saber.

"But first, I wish to make a proposition. What think you of yielding the Holy Grail to me, and joining my army?" This left me speechless, he believed that other servant will do that?

"You will be treated as honored allies and together, we shall share the joy of conquering the world!"

Silence, no one dared to speak, they were just looking at Rider as if he lost his mind or something. I cannot blame them, Rider's offer is ridiculous if I must say so myself.

Oh, Lancer just refused Rider offer stating he want to give the grail to his master. As for Saber, there is nothing to be said on the matter of the grail. She refuse his offer and said Rider was interfering her battle with Lancer, also insulting her honor. That was the Saber I knew.

However, nothing prepared me for the next action that Rider took.

"I would be willing to discuss the terms-" as he make money symbol.

"Shut up!" Lancer and Saber yelled at the same time, and if I was not in my spirit form, I would laughing my ass off. Not in front of everybody of course, I have image to maintain after all.

However, I didn't expect Saber just give them a big hint of his identity and I cannot help to sweat drop and remember the time when I summon her. It seems in this war the identity of the servant is not too important.

"Huh, I guess the negotiation failed." I just have a massive sweat drop, from the beginning was destined to fail, I just cannot comprehended what Rider was thinking when he decide to do this.

Things became even more interesting when I finally get Lancer and Rider Master name, Kayneth Archibald El-Melloi and Waver Velvet. It seems Waver stole the artifact to summon Rider from Kayneth and made him summon Lancer instead, also they are student and teacher.

"...And there are other, as well skulking in the darkness," Rider yelled and at this I frown, he then explain to Saber and Lancer that their duel attracted other heroic spirit.

"Master," I called Tokiomi with my link with him.

''Yes, Archer"

"I ask permission to join" without looking at Tokiomi face, I know he is frowning and thinking about the pros and cons about me revealing myself.

"Heroic Spirits, born again through the Holy Grail, gather here and now!" Rider yelled to the sky,

"Your decision Master, if I do not appear, it will look like we afraid of them and making us look weak, " I said trying reasoning with Tokiomi.

"Those too scared to show themselves will draw scorn of Iskandar, king of Conquerors!" Rider yelled much louder than before.

"It will reflect badly Master, to you and the Toshaka family, surely you are not afraid, Master?" I added, making a jab at Tokiomi's pride,

"Or perhaps you doubt my skill, the one who was summoned by the strongest master in this war?" That's true Tokiomi is one of the strongest Master in this war, beside Kiritsugu. The two of them are the most dangerous and stronger than any other Master. In addition, a little compliment doesn't hurt.

"I understand. However, don't fight them...but if you should fight them don't use all of your skill." I just smile at Tokiomi answer,

"Yes, Master."

With that, I materialize myself... directly behind Irisviel.

"Irisviel!" Saber yelled when she saw me behind Irisviel, and I could sense that Kiritsugu was aiming his gun to me now.

"What!" Irisviel gasped in surprise as she moved, immediately distancing herself from me, and Saber took position in front of her.

"Since when?"

I let myself smile, it seems she and Saber doesn't recognize me or even realize that I was there all this time, I must thank Tokiomi for his ring.

"Since beginning."

Her face and Saber's seem to pale at my revelation and the implication. No doubt, Kiritsugu must be cursing himself right now.

"Who are you?" Rider asked me and I just smile at him.

"Archer"

"So, you are standing behind Saber Master since the beginning the battle?" I just nod at Rider's question, but inside I was frowning. Rider just took a wild guess that someone watching the battle and I fell right into his trap.

"Hahahaha," Rider laughed suddenly, he seems found it that funny. "Interesting, truly interesting, Archer."

Rider continue to laugh but Saber was glaring at me, her glare would make other lesser man cower in fear or make other servant nervous. As I have already seen it and gotten use to it, it had little effect to me.

"Tell me Archer, why did you do nothing? Another servant would find this as the perfect opportunity to kill the Master," Rider asked me after his laughing subsided, and by the look of everyone, they too are dying to know.

"Why?" I began and I cannot help to smile.

"There are many reasons, but I don't have obligation to answer you, for my reasons are my own." Saber frowns at my answer, Lancer just remain stoic, Irisviel is confused but Rider is grinning like maniac.

"Hoho, I like you Archer, join me," Rider asked or perhaps ordered. I just shook my head and sweat drop.

"You already know my answer, Rider," I told him and Rider just sighed as he shook his head.

"However, today is a great day to meet another four servant beside myself," I said, drawing confused expressions from them when suddenly a black smoke swirling grabbed they there Berserker showed himself.

The only reason why I can detect him before the others was because of the experience when I was almost dead because of Berserker, making me develop a sixth sense for this servant. This Berserker is different than the Berserker that I knew, he more look like a dark knight, and could be mistaken for the Saber class.

Hey, King of Conquerors, did you invite him, too?" Come a smart-ass question from Lancer.

"He does not seem terribly interested in negotiations," Rider answered. Isn't that obvious.

Suddenly Berserker looks at Saber and suddenly roars, a black smoke and red markings come out from his armor. Then, in an instant, he attacks Saber, taking the light-post poles, that suddenly have the same red markings. He attacks Saber with it, and Saber brings her sword to stop his attack. I expect the poles to be cut, but when it hit Excalibur, to my shock and everyone else, the poles are not cut.

"I see, so whatever he grabs becomes his noble phantasm," Rider said out loud, this piece of information made me frown.

Berserker skill would become a great threat to me, but at the same time I could not help to think what would have happened if Berserker fought against Gilgamesh. (Somewhere in the Throne of Heroes Gilgamesh was sneezing again, and spilled the wine that he drank. Once again, he cursed, but this time with gate of Babylon wide open and ready to destroy anything near him).

The fight between Saber and Berserker continued, Saber had been distancing herself from Irisviel. However, I cannot help noticing something wrong with Saber.

The fight is too one sided, maybe the wound from Lancer was making her unable to fight properly. Berserker just keeps attacking her without pausing for a second and soon enough he broke Saber's guard.

With one powerful sweep he aimed it at Saber head, in instant I tried to move to intercept but Lancer defeated me to the point. He cut the end of the poles, saving Saber from the direct hit and making Berserker looking at the pole dumbly. Lancer then took a protective stance in front of her.

"That's enough," Lancer told Berserker, "She has previous engagement to me. If you insist on interfering, you'll have to face me."

Well, Lancer seemed to have a sense of honor, just like the other Lancer. Is every Lancer like this? In any case, he has my thanks.

However, Lancer's Master seemed to not be feeling the same way.

"What are you doing? Now is the perfect chance to defeat Saber," Lancer's Master's voice, full of disdain, revealed itself again.

"I guarantee I will defeat Saber, I swear it on my honor!" My respect for Lancer just rose.

"First, I will kill that rabid dog if you insist her here, please my Master"

That's a good speech Lancer, but I wonder if your Master felt the same.

"With my command seal, I order you…" It seems I was right, Lancer's Master, Kayneth Archibald El-Melloi, is that kind of man. He is worse than trash.

"My lord," Plead Lancer, but I know that it will fall on deaf ears.

"Help Berserker and kill Saber," Saber cannot see Lancer expression, but I can see a devastated look on his face. With that, Lancer make a slash move with his two spears making Saber jump back to avoid it.

"Lancer!" Saber seem to be worried about Lancer and I too cannot help but feel pity for Lancer.

"Sorry Saber," Lancer apologised to her in advance as Berserker stood beside him.

"Irisviel, I will stop them. While I do, you must run," Saber told Irisviel, but by the look of deviance in Irisviel's face, I know she will not comply, in fact she look determined to stay.

"Run as far away as you can." Saber told Irisviel again but Irisviel just shook her head, she was so stubborn, in fact she make me remember my old self and my own battle with Berserker.

"Please, Irisviel." Now Saber seems to be desperate, but I know Irisviel will not run.

"Its all right Saber. Believe in your Master," Irisviel told Saber, it seemed she knew that Kiritsugu was here. But I wonder what he will do, maybe he will kill Kayneth.

Even so, Kiritsugu must do something fast because Lancer and Berserker just took a stance to attack Saber. Still, I cannot just let this happen in front of me.

So when the two of them were running to attack Saber, I took action.

"Trace on," I whispered softly, not loud enough to be heard.

"Enkidu." With that, from the ground, a chain rose surprising everyone. The chain then wrapped itself around Berserker, Lancer just barely dodging it by jumping. I have no doubt that Berserker cannot free himself, after all the chain is Enkidu, a chain that I copied from Gilgamesh that even held the Berserker, Hercules.

However, I was surprised as lighting suddenly appeared, making me turn my head toward Rider. He seemed have the same thing in mind as me as he rode his chariot and crashed into Berserker who was chained to the ground. Rider crashed into Berserker with great force, making Berserker roll across the ground because just before Rider crashed into Berserker, I released him from the chain and rematerialized the chain to encircle Lancer, chaining him and making it so Lancer could not move to attack Saber.

Even so, I just couldn't relax for even a brief moment because even though Rider crashed into Berserker, Berserker managed to stand and throw what remained of the pole that he miraculously still held on to at Saber.

However, Irisviel was standing between them, it made her become the target. Nobody was fast enough to anticipate this, Saber tried to move, intercepting the pole but she was already too late.

The pole was going straight to Irisviel heart, and in that instant the image of Illya impaled by Gilgamesh came into my mind.

I don't know what happen but my body moved by itself. The next thing I knew, I stood in front Irisviel and tracing a shield, stopped the pole from harming Irisviel.

The shock in everyone's face was evident. For another servant to save another Master is unheard before. (perhaps in this war, after all Rin saved Shirou in the next war...)

Fortunately, that was Berserker's last attack before retreating. Looking back at Irisviel, I see her eye widen in shock. Perhaps this would be my atonement for letting Gilgamesh kill Illya, her daughter.

"Archer, you…." Irisviel trailed off, but I paid no attention, even as Saber was making Irisviel stand behind her. Saber too seemed to be confused and shocked.

I avoided their eyes and looked at Lancer.

"I`m sorry, but I cannot let you go," I told Lancer.

Lancer who regained his sense from the shock just let a bittersweet smile and gave me a look of understanding.

Nodding at Lancer, I looked at Rider who smiled his biggest smile to me before then looking at Lancer, with a pitying look.

"Master of Lancer, I know not from where you watching," Rider yelled, his voice was angry.

"But don't spoil a battle between knights with your petty tricks." It seems that Rider was truly angry at Kayneth's action.

"Have Lancer withdraw, if you insist on humiliating him further, then I shall join Saber with Archer." It seems Rider took my action as that.

"Together, the three of us, will annihilate your servant, who is chained by Archer, What will it be?"

Isn't the answer clear, Rider? There is no way that Kayneth will continue.

"Withdraw Lancer. That's enough for tonight," Kayneth announced, and I knew that he was pissed.

With that said I made the chain disappear.

"My thanks, King of Conquerors and Archer," Lancer said, truly grateful for us stopping him.

"It was nothing, a ray of kindness admits the shadow of battlefield, isn't that right, Archer?" Rider looked at me with his smiling face, happy that he could stop Lancer.

Lancer just looked at Saber who nods her head but before he went, I had something to say,

"Lancer, you are a proud and noble knight with great honor, it's too bad that your Master is not worthy for you to serve him." Lancer avoided my eyes and look downcast, His hand gripped the spear tightly in anger at the slight to his Master, yet Lancer avoided my eyes and look downcast, he know what I said was truthful.

"He will lead you to your own demise, but should you want to be 'free' from the 'chain' search me," I told Lancer, he look confused with my cryptic message, nonetheless he just nodded his head before turning into his spirit from.

"Archer!" Rider called me suddenly.

"You are the most interesting person that I have met. It's a pity that we don't meet when I was alive. However, lets us meet up sometime, I will treat you a drink." I cannot help but smile at him, he is truly an interesting king.

Rider then looked at Saber.

"Saber, you should settle matters with Lancer and then we shall continue," he said truly eager at the prospect fighting Saber.

"Then King of Knights and Archer, goodbye for now, I hope to enjoy our next meeting as much as I did this one," Rider declared. He seemed to be happy.

"Hey boy do you have any parting words?"

I almost forgot that Rider's Master,Waver Velvet is with him in chariot, but I sweat drop when I see Rider rise, lifting Waver in his giant hand only to find him out of cold.

"I do wish he'd shape up," Rider said as he shook him and sighed. Then he pulled on the reins making the chariot move.

"Farewell," Rider shouted as he rose to the sky and gone from our sight. With Rider gone, their attention suddenly focused on me.

"I will take my leave," I told them, as I could feel that Kiritsugu and the other woman were pointing their guns at me...again.

"Wait!" Irisviel called to me, preventing me from leaving.

"I want to thank you for saving me."

…Why do I have a feeling that something bad will happen.

"Although we are enemies I thank you for saving my Master" Saber said as she bow her head to me.

I just let a small smile for them. "Don't bow to me Saber, a King should not bow, you should hold your head high."

With that Saber rose her head and looked at me. Suddenly her eyes widened in shock, her face also become ghostly pale. At first I wondered why she looked like that.

"Is there something wrong, Saber?" I asked her.

Saber point her finger at me, or more accurately at my shield that I forget to dismissed.

"Tha..That shield…"

I wonder why she acted like that from seeing a shield, it seems that she just realized something about my shield. Looking at the shield that I traced I paled, all the blood from my face was gone.

There in my hand is white shield with three diagonal lines, I just traced it without anything specific on my mind. Why must I have traced this shield from out of my entire collection.

This shield is the shield of Lancelot, given to Lancelot by the Lady of the Lake make the user cured from the tiredness and gave him the strength of three men. I got this shield from when I wandering around as a Counter Guardian, but right now... this is bad.

"Wh..why you have it?" Saber asked, looking at me, her entire body shaking and many emotions flashing in her eyes. I just stood, silent for a moment, not knowing what to say.

"That's a story for another time," I managed to say it calmly before I turned into my spirit form and I could hear her yell at me to wait, but I ignored it. I just hope nothing bad happens because of this. On a side note, I must think something to explain this to Tokiomi.

-With my command seal, I order...Review-