#drunkadora

The Holy Grail War

A centuries old ritual where seven mages each called forth one of the world's greatest heroes to be their Servant, to fight each other to the death on their behalf. only when the war has a single victor, would the Holy Grail reveal itself to the surviving Master and Servant, to grant each of their deepest wishes, no matter how impossible or miraculous.

This was the world Shirou Emiya found himself thrust into. Not just tonight, when one of these servants, Lancer, tried to kill him twice, but apparently his entire life. It was the previous Holy Grail War that caused the great Fuyuki Fire a decade ago, the same fire from which Shirou was the only survivor. To save others as he was saved that terrible night was his fondest wish, to say nothing of keeping another such tragedy from happening in the first place.

It was with this noble intent that he held out his hand in friendship to his own Servant, Saber, the tiny woman hiding under his raincoat, the one in royal blue and shining armor as her shining green eyes blinked at him in confusion.

"Saber, are we not supposed to shake hands?" he asked.

A beat, and she finally returned the action.

"That is not the case, I was merely suprised by this sudden action. I shall swear to you once more here. So long as you possess your command seals, I shall be your trusted blade."

"I don't really get the situation too well," Shirou nodded, "but yes please."

that was when a slight cough of attention reminded Shirou that he and Saber were not alone. There was the girl in the red coat, her black hair done up in elegant twin-tails, her clear blue eyesslightly twitched in irration. Rin Tohsaka, the smartest and most popular girl in their school, and as shirou'd learned earlier that night, a secret magus and master in the war herself, her servant a red-garbed man called Archer

"Well," Rin finally said, "I'm glad you two are getting along, but this is where you and I part ways as enemies, Emiya."

"But, you helped me this far?"

"Only because you were dragged into this without a clue. Back there with the fake priest was your chance to back out, and now you're a master of your own choice."

"I know, but I'm not going to be your enemy, Tohsaka."

Rin could only facepalm at Shirou's naivete.

"If a foe is easy to slay," Archer said, materializing out of thin air, casting a contemptuous glance in Shirou's direction, "then we ought to do so."

"You don't have to tell me," Rin huffed.

"then why don't you?" her servant asked, "or are you still taking pity on this boy?"

"O-Of course not!" Rin shouted, "I-it's just... I owe him, y'know."

Shirou smiled inwardly. for all her bluster, it was clear to him that Rin was indeed a good person.

but, Just as Archer was muttering something about difficulty, a new voice rang out.

"Hey! Shirou!" exclaimed another girl, a foreigner in a dark suit with dark blonde hair and bright blue eyes, looking and sounding like a happy drunk as she staggered forward.

"Hey Master," the drunk asked, nearly toppling over to look behind her, but kept her balance with a clumsy spin. "Which one's Shirou, again?"

Shirou only realized he'd raised his hand at the sound of Rin, Saber and Archer face-palming simultaneously, and a little girl's giggle from behind the drunk.

Shirou felt a chill as he recognized the drunk's master, a very young girl in purple coat and hat, with sivler-white hair and red eyes that sparkled with childish malice. this same child had taunted him in passing only two nights ago, telling him he'd not much time left.

"Onii-chan's silly, isn't he, Berserker?" the girl said. at this, both Saber and Archer tensed

"I'unno," Berserker lazily shrugged, "how's he with boats n fire?."

"I think we can find out soon enough, now hush," the girl said, turning her attention to Rin

"Forgive my servants and mine lack of manners, Tohsaka, allow me to introduce myself. I am Illysvial Von Einsbern."

Rin stiffened, realizing the danger

"Alongside the tohsaka and Makiri," she quickly tried to explain to Shirou, "the Einsbern were one of the founding families of the Holy Grail War, under the tutelage of Keischer Zeltrech."

"Those... were words," Shirou muttered as it flew over his head.

"On the subject of words," Illyasviel said, "Berserker, you know what to say."

"I do?" Brserker said, before her brain caught up and she thrust her right hand skyward, "Oh, right...

"FOR THE HONOR OF GRAYSKULL!"

less than an instant later, a bright light erupted about Berserker, shining like the dawn, before being wreathed in arcs of crimson lightning. when it faded, Berserker's true state was revealed.

A towering, amazonian juggernaut stood before them, with flowing ash blond hair and pallid skin. clad in sleeveless dark tights and hip cape trimmed in radiant gold, while in her right hand, she held a sword of unearthly beauty and craftmanship. Unmistakeably as much a hero of legend as the other three Servants Shirou had seen that night, but at the same time wrong, her arms and sword covered in ominously glowing red veins, with just as hellish a glare coming from her scowling gaze.

"Kill them," Illyasviel said in an almost casual tone.

Berserker gave a wordless roar as she leapt forward, before a screaming rain of red bolts struck her, causing an explosion that not only knocked her off course to the nearby riverbank, but kept falling, cratering the ground under her.

Shirou only had time to realize two things in the next instant. that the sudden attack was Archers, and it had absolutely no effect on Berserker, and now only Saber duelling her invisible sword against Berserker's corrupted own was the only reason he was still alive.

taking an instinctive (and uncharacteristicly self-preserving) step back, Shirou stole a glance at Rin, mutting in awe that in addition to her obvious raw power, Berserker had skill to match Saber, implying their duel would quickly favor the giantess if nothing was done

but before Shirou could even act selflessly without thinking...

"Hey Adora," a new voice called playfully at almost normal volume, but easily cut through the clashing chorus of the duel, as Berserker whipped her head around to glare with her bloodshot eyes at the newcomer as she broke away from Saber. Masters and Servants alike followed suit at the newcomers.

perched atop a lamp-post was another woman, clad in red, smirking at Berserker with mismatched blue and yellow cats' eyes, while an equally catlike tail swayed behind her. the catgirl then dropped down to the sidewalk, drawing attention to her own master, whose purple eyes were just as wide in shock as Shirou's and Rin's.

"Sakura," Shirou could only gasp as the catgirl picked up the purplenette in a bridal carry and ran away with unnatural speed, pursued by Berserker, and she in turn pursued by Saber.