//------------------------------// // Cafeteria Meeting // Story: The Fifth Holy Grail War: A Pony's Perspective // by Evowizard25 //------------------------------// Rider couldn’t help but skip along to school today. Everything seemed to be working out for the best. Well, everything except spending time with that slimey bug of a grandfather his master had. He still really creeped him out and to be honest, he wanted to get rid of that person. He just screamed ‘I’m evil’. Had he been alive, he’d have done it already. Consequences be damned, but this was a Holy Grail War. He’d have to bear it.  Regardless, he was feeling up. His master was happy. He was going to team up with two other servants. Three servants together in a Holy Grail War meant that the competition was going to be wiped out! At least, he believed that would be the case unless a master summoned a god tier servant. Still, he knew he’d have to fight Assassin and Saber eventually, but until then, he’d get to be their friend. He couldn’t wait to get to know them since he didn’t get to talk to them much before. Saber had made it clear that they would discuss things more so today and made him stay in another room.  His master though, he was honestly thankful he had been summoned by her. She was demure, and there was a darkness behind that, but she was just so nice. She was helpful and she didn’t push him around. He also had to admit, she was a total knockout in the looks department. As a ladies man himself, Rider could appreciate beauty when he saw it. So if he ever needed mana, oh boy was he looking forward to it. Now as for the other masters, they were pretty sweet as well. Shirou seemed like a hero in the making and Rider hoped he pulled through with it. Now Twilight though, she was both fine and really smart. Didn’t really seem like the type to participate in a war, but then again, neither did Sakura. He made a mental note to keep both of them out of harm’s way.  He also made a mental note of how close Twilight was to Shirou. Seemed she might have started to like him. Good for him. All heroes deserved pretty ladies~  “So I was thinking,” Twilight spoke to Shirou, “How about during our breaks, we head to the library to check up on historical figures? I’m sure it’ll tell us some interesting aspects of our servants.” “Why don’t we just ask them?” Shirou said. Twilight nervously chuckled and scratched her cheek, “Well… that would be rather awkward and I honestly don’t think Assassin knows a lot about her history or at least cares to make it cohesive. She is rather young after all and I don’t want to bring up any bad memories.” Shirou nodded, “We can do that.” He turned his head to Sakura,”Are you up for it after school?” “Hmmm?” Sakura seemed to not be paying attention. She shook her head and waved them off, “No thank you. I think I’m okay with just going back home once school’s over. My brother wanted to talk to me anyways about a few things.” Shirou frowned, “Well, I could bring you a few books tomorrow if you want.” “That would be great, Shirou.” Sakura smiled. Just as the two other masters turned their heads back to talk to each other, Sakura’s smile vanished.  Rider could see her hands ball into fists. He frowned, “Are you alright, Sakura?” Sakura looked at him in confusion before smiling, “I’m alright, Rider. You don’t have to worry about me.” “Worrying about you is kind of my job,” Rider pointed out, raising a finger as he did so. “You’re a master and I’m your servant. I kind of go ‘poof’ if something happens to you. So spill. What’s on your mind?” Sakura didn’t say anything. She just looked at the pair in front of her. Rider looked at them for a moment, blinking a few times before he looked back at her.  “So you like him?” Sakura blushed and shook her head, “I don’t-” Rider chuckled, “Oh you do~ Now this is fantastic. Why don’t you just-” “I can’t,” Sakura clenched her teeth together and looked away. Her body was shivering slightly.  Rider frowned, “What do you mean you can’t? If you like him, tell him.” “I can’t,” Sakura said as though that explained everything, “Besides, he deserves better and it wouldn’t work anyways. So drop it.” “That doesn’t sound like you want to drop it,” Rider said, “Who’s-” “Drop it,” Sakura held up her hand with the command seals.  Rider’s eyes widened. She was threatening to use a command seal over this issue. Command seals were precious. To even think of using one now… His heart sank as he looked at her anguished face. Rider put a fist over his heart, “I’ll drop it.” He would. Seeing her relieved face, he knew he would do his best to make her happy. Whether that meant getting her together with Shirou or not, he would make Sakura the happiest master in the war. That much he could promise.  _______________________________________________________________________ Rider could tell Sakura was still bothered by something. Well he already knew what that something was, but it was a bit funny to see her bump into Shirou or cling to his arm tightly here or there when Twilight was near. It was made even more hilarious with Twilight being unaware with Sakura’s frustration. He was watching a comedy in the making. He just hoped it didn’t evolve into a tragedy.  Speaking of tragedy, he ate another piece of the school lunch. He honestly didn’t know how humans could simultaneously have the best of food and the worst of food at the same time. They had access to so many things, but school lunches seemed to be cheap. Well it wasn’t completely bad but he had hoped for better stuff in the future. At least these apples were so great and juicy~ As he was enjoying himself, he felt a presence enter the area. He spied over at a girl with red and yellow hair, which wasn’t really strange given his pink hair and Sakura’s purple hair, and a lighter purple haired woman. Something about that second woman made his skin crawl. It was almost like she was a servant or something. Well that couldn’t be true because what was the likelyhood that she was- “Master!” Rider pointed at them, “That’s a servant-” Sakura quickly put a hand over his mouth, “Shhh, you’re not supposed to say stuff about the war out loud.” “Right,” his muffled voice spoke from behind her hand. She pulled it away and saw the other two peer on over at them, “So you guys know that’s a servant?” “Yep,” Twilight nodded, which caused Shirou to look at her incredulously. “I met her a few days ago. I didn’t expect Sunset to become her master.” “When were you going to tell me Sunset was a master?” Shirou asked in an exasperated tone.  Twilight blinked a few times before laughing nervously, “Well… it never came up?” Sakura and Rider sweatdropped at hearing this. Apparently, Twilight could be a bit clueless sometimes.  Speaking of masters, Sunset walked on over to them and sat her tray down on the table. Her apparent servant sat down beside her. Sunset glared on over at Rider, “So… you guys are just racking up the ‘friends’ in your little group, aren’t you?” “Sunset-” Shirou started.  Sunset glared and pointed an accusing finger at him, “Don’t you start. You still haven’t come to my house yet.” Sakura looked confused and a little hurt, “Shirou, what is she talking about?” “I just needed to fix a few things in her home,” Shirou quickly spoke. He may be a bit clueless about somethings, but he knew that it was best to clear things up with girls as soon as you could. A few bad encounters with Taiga told him that much, “That’s all.” “My, my,” the beautiful ‘servant’ of Sunset spoke. “So quick to defend yourself. Were you really planning on taking advantage of my beautiful master?” Sunset started to sputter and blush, “Don’t you start, Caster.” “Should you be revealing my servant class so readily?” “Oh they already know,” Sunset said. “Twilight’s seen us and this guy over here,” she pointed to Rider. “Is a servant so he can sense you.” “I’m Rider by the way,” he waved.  “Charmed,” Caster gave a small wave back. “So I take it you aren’t going to fight me.” “Not until after school,” Rider gave her a thumbs up, “So until then, let’s be the best of friends.” Caster noticed where his eyes drifted, “My eyes are up here.” “I’ve made my choice.” Caster’s eyes narrowed, “Your death will not be swift.” “Awww, don’t be like that.” Rider pouted and crossed his arms, “I was just messing with you.” “So you have no interest-” “Never said that,” Rider held up a finger, “I just like having fun with people is all. I do want to be your friend.” “And friendship is really important,” Twilight spoke up. She passed out a couple of books to Sunset and Caster, “I’ve brought over a few guidebooks on the art of friendship and its benefits. How about we do a study session later.” Sunset looked at the book and then at Twilight with an annoyed expression, “You want to lecture me… on friendship.” “Well you really need it,” Twilight said, “I mean, you did sorta do a lot of bad things and left Celestia’s side. If we can teach you the magic of friendship, then we can all go back home. I can introduce you to my other friends and-” “You aren’t getting the crown,” Sunset growled, “I might not have it but you surely won’t get it if it’s the last thing I do. I will use its power to become an alicorn and show that upstart princess who threw me away how wrong she is.” “Celestia does care for you, Sunset.” “She only cares about herself,” Sunset slammed a fist into the table, “And her precious ‘friendship’. Bah. I can live my life without a single friend.” “Sunset…” Twilight’s expression turned downtrodden upon hearing that.  “I… I don’t think a life without friends is something you should be proud of,” Sakura spoke up. She was fidgeting in her seat when Sunset turned her gaze to her. “It’s not… ideal.” “And why would you say that? I can live pretty happily by myself.” “Because I was alone once,” Sakura said, “I was alone and had no one. Life felt so empty and cold and then Shirou came into my life. He was my first friend and I could smile again. So… I think you’re wrong about friendship, Sunset.” Sunset scowled, which got worse when she spied Shirou patting Sakura’s shoulder in sympathy. “I just came over here to check up on Shirou. I didn’t come here to be lectured on friendship.” “I’m sorry, Sunset.” Shirou bowed his head, “I’ve just had a lot on my plate. I’ll make sure to come by tonight to fix your problem.” Sunset smirked, “There. That’s better.” Then a small blush came to her face, “If you don’t mind, you could stay over tonight. Caster and I will keep you safe since it’s not good to be out after dark during a Holy Grail War.” Unnoticed by Shirou, both Sakura and Twilight were boring holes into his head with their gazes. Of course they weren’t glaring, but Rider could feel their intense gaze from where he was sitting.  “I’m sorry, but I have to get back home no matter what.” Shirou said, “I thank you for the offer though.” “But I can totally make it if you want a sleepover,” Rider eagerly waved his hand.  “I will end you if you try,” Caster said firmly, “You are still a rival servant after all.” “Well that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends,” Rider pointed out.  Before the conversation could continue any longer, a trio of voices started to spill into the hall. Everyone looked to the kitchen doors as they swung open and in walked three beautiful women dressed in lavish clothing. Their voices caught everyone’s attention as they sang. Their subtle movements were mesmerizing. Their eyes were enchanting. Everything about them was enticing. They had everyone’s attention to a supernatural degree.  The group at the table were watching the trio with less awe and more apprehensive. The music wasn’t getting to them as it had everyone else in the cafeteria. So they watched the trio in silence, waiting for something to happen.  Rider, however, was rubbing his chin in thought. He recognized these girls somewhere before. Their voices were familiar as were the side effects. Heck, even their faces were familiar. Yet he couldn’t quite place it. It was like it was alluding him. Then the girl with twintails turned around and he got a good look at her well rounded booty. His eyes widened and he stood up.  “I remember that butt!” The girls stopped singing and looked over at him. They gasped before baring their teeth in anger. Their formation was quite clear. They wanted to smack the person before them.  “You can’t be alive,” the orange haired one spoke up. “You’re just a kid who looks like that idiot so shut up.” “Oh don’t be like that, Adagio.” Rider grinned as he put his hands on his hips, “I enjoyed our battles all those years ago. Nice outfit, Sonata.” “Why thank you,” Sonata smiled before her sisters smacked the back of her head.  “Don’t fall for that, you idiot.” The third sister spoke up, “If it’s him, we can just kill him now and get him out of our hair.” “Aria,” Rider’s waving grew heavier, “You’re still rocking that bod, I see. Wanna have another roll in the hay like we used to.” Aria’s eyes nearly bulged out of her skull as her jaw dropped. She was blushing up a storm and stuttering as she looked at Rider.  Adagio narrowed her eyes, “You can’t be serious. You… Wait, that explains why you were gone so long that one time and had trouble walking when you came back…” She threw her arms up in the air, “Unbelievable. He’s our enemy and you… gah.” “Ooooh, details~” Sonata got closer to her stuttering sister.  “I can-” Rider started.  Aria took a deep breath and let loose a gush of sonic music. The soundwave hit Rider and smashed him into the wall, “You aren’t doing anything but dying, you little midget!” Caster sighed and looked to her master, “Shall we?” “Knock out the people in the school first and then we can,” Sunset said.  With a nod, Caster’s hand glowed. A mist started to form around the school and the students and teachers alike started to fall unconscious. This was made easier because they had laid some spells around the school beforehand for something like this. Caster had made sure that they wouldn’t be detected by the likes of Rin or other magi.  “Now then,” Sunset lit her fist up in fire magic, “How do you wish to fall today?” ___________________________________________________________________ Off in the distance, another opponent was waiting for her time to shine. Illya stared off out the window of her temporary base. She hadn’t been able to participate in the war just yet. Nor had she met the ‘brother’ that had taken her beloved father away from her. That had to change. She needed to find him and given the fact that ‘incidents’ were starting to happen around the area, the war had already begun.  That meant she had to act. She stared up at Berserker. The hulking figure of black muscle and pure hatred. He wasn’t able to talk for various reasons, but that didn’t matter to her. What mattered was his strength. He was obedient as well so he would do anything she asked of him.  She grinned, “Tonight, Shirou Emiya is going to die as well as his servant. I just know that bastard has one. Daddy wouldn’t take in a loser after all.” Berserker said nothing, but his presence was reassuring to her regardless.  “So let’s make it a night to remember,” Illya chuckled.