October 3rd, 1993. A date Shirou would never forget.
That night, wearing an Ultraman suit, six-year-old Shirou mustered his courage and saved Sakura from the Matou household. Only to be severely disciplined in his dream by a stranger.
He found himself in a shadowy realm - no sunlight, deathly still, shadows permeating the surroundings. While stifling, there was an alluring mystery to it. But he had no interest in exploring now. Beaten black and blue, killed 21 times straight, he lay on the ground like a dried fish, not wanting to get up.
The woman intruding into his dream, monologuing as she arbitrarily "killed" him 21 times, now squatted beside him, using a blade of grass to tickle his nose.
"Achoo!"
Unable to hold it in, he sneezed.
Tossing aside the grass, the woman stood and smiled gently. "Looks like you've recovered. Now get up and let's continue."
However, to him, her gentle tone sounded just like a demon.
"What kind of joke is this?" he clutched the grass, refusing to budge.
If he stood, this woman would surely torment him again.
The purple-haired woman wore daring, skimpy leather armor over her curvy figure. In her hands were two short crimson spears. Her red eyes fixed on him.
Shirou felt miserable. He recognized her, but how could she manifest here? Why had she appeared in his dream? She had claimed to "educate" him. Then she violently beat and killed him a whopping 21 times!
Thank goodness this was just a dream. Otherwise he'd be truly dead.
"How did you get into my dream?" Shirou was exasperated.
He had just saved Sakura. The plan was to leave Fuyuki City within two days.
But instead, this woman had barged into his dream and thrashed him over some random excuse.
"If you're rested, get up and fight me again," Scáthach urged.
Shirou's face soured. "I'm just a kid, please spare me."
"Still not recovered?" she smiled. "I'll wait a bit longer then."
He eyed her warily. Why is she being agreeable?
If that's the case...
He forced a smile. "Shisho, I'm just a weakling. If you want to experience a good fight, you should find other experts."
Being killed over and over was definitely immense punishment for the life-fearing Shirou.
"That won't do," she laughed lightly. "I already promised someone I'd educate you personally." Her words seemed bizarre, especially when she mentioned "educate." When she said that, her gentle red eyes flashed a tinge of excitement that frightened him.
But he noticed something.
"You promised someone to enter my dream?" He stared at her.
"Yes, I did," she nodded.
"Who was it?" Shirou asked. He wanted to know which bastard had asked Scáthach to ruin his good dream.
It was so weird!
Whoever could request Scáthach must be another ancient hero like Gilgamesh or Iskandar. And those ancient heroes were either working odd jobs for Gaia and Alaya, or hiding in the reverse world. The only ones who could show up were the seven Servants summoned by the Holy Grail ritual.
So who the heck had asked the undying Scáthach to do this?
Most importantly, there's no way he should know anyone capable of this!
"Who was it? Hmm...someone completely self-centered, with quite the foul mouth. As long as it amuses him, he'd probably do terrible things like destroying humanity," Scáthach thought for a moment, then added, "But I don't dislike him."
Why did this description sound so familiar...? Shirou carefully asked: "Shisho, you know about the fourth Holy Grail War that happened in Fuyuki City right? Could that completely self-centered, foul-mouthed person be one of the participants?"
"That's right." she smiled.
Shirou was miserable. He knew who it was.
That bastard, Gilgamesh!
But no matter. After today, he would secretly leave Fuyuki City.
If you can't beat them, you can still run away right?
"Don't think about running away. The most likely possibility is that on your way out, that person would show up and catch you. He might even kill you along with your ride."
Shirou: "..."
"What virtue or ability do I have that would catch the eye of such a big shot..." he said bitterly.
"He's just that kind of completely self-centered person. So do you understand your situation now?" Scáthach asked, grinning.
"I understand," he nodded.
She revealed a faint smile, gripping her two short spears tighter. "So—"
"So—" He suddenly hugged Scáthach's thigh, gazing up pleadingly. "Dear Scáthach-neesan, I want you to be my Servant."
"Eh—?"
She froze.
"I'm begging you, please be my Servant!" He shamelessly pleaded.
Shirou knew himself well. Only six years old, having fused with the Saint Graph of Archer EMIYA that couldn't even function yet, most importantly - he didn't even know how to swing a sword!
No doubt a helpless chick!
Participating in the Fourth Holy Grail War like this? Wouldn't that just be suicide?
So he clung to Scáthach's thigh.
What shame was there compared to his life?
As long as he lived, that was enough!
He grasped her thigh tightly, like a drowning man grasping at straws, refusing to let go no matter what.
Scáthach didn't get angry. She gazed at him with surprise, shock, confusion and incomprehension before her expression turned calm again. She revealed her usual gentle smile and asked, "Are you sure you want me as your Servant for the Holy Grail War?"
A chance!
He was overjoyed and hurriedly nodded.
She fell silent, seemingly pondering something.
He felt a little apprehensive.
Suddenly, a thought struck him. He let go bitterly and said, "Please forgive my rudeness, Shisho."
"What is it?" Scáthach asked.
Shirou forced a bitter laugh. "I just remembered...even if you're willing to help me, how would I summon you? The Caster position has been taken..."
"If that's the case, don't worry. I have a method. But first, I have an extremely important question for you..." my king, she added silently.
Her expression turned solemn as she gazed at him and asked: "Are you sure you want me to participate in the Holy Grail War?"
He hurriedly nodded.
"Very well." Scáthach revealed a faint smile. Reaching out, she gently ruffled his soft red hair and said, "I accept."
She then pushed him out of the Land of Shadows.
As Shirou slept soundly, Scáthach pondered for a moment before contacting the mage who had ordered her to enter Shirou's dream.
She told Merlin everything.
"You're mad!" Merlin stared wide-eyed, shocked. "You want to alter the King's fate? This won't end well!"
"No," Scáthach shook her head, her expression serious. "I merely made what I believe is the right choice. Or rather, this may be the King's true fate."
Merlin frowned. "What do you mean?"
"We know the king came from this place and treated him as our king," she said. "But from the start, we should never have known his identity to do so."
"A time paradox? You mean, with the King joining us - it's possible our paradoxical selves never truly knew who he was?"
Scáthach nodded. "Moreover, even had I known the King's identity, I would have deliberately ignored it. Ultimately, how we treat him depends on our attitude. Disregarding his identity as Eternal King, if an obedient child asked me to join the excitement of the Holy Grail War, I would participate. Hence, I decided to do so."
"I see. If that's the case, by doing this, you may actually be allowing the King to follow his true fate in life. Fine, I'll help you!"
Merlin stood up. "The Lancer position has been taken, but it's fine since you qualify for Caster. All we can do now is replace the King's Caster position over to you, letting you descend as his Servant in the Caster class."
"Can it be done?"
"Easily done. I just need to deceive the Holy Grail." Merlin smiled, though his expression dimmed wistfully. "It's just...this time, Artoria is also descending..."
"Artoria huh... we'll be seeing an acquaintance then. Still, I won't hold back." Scáthach smiled.
Merlin nodded. "Mm."
As expected, Merlin intruded into Shirou's dreams. He removed the Saint Graph of Archer EMIYA from Shirou's body, deceiving the Holy Grail into believing Caster hadn't descended yet. This allowed Scáthach to form a contract with Shirou and descend as his Caster Servant.
"I'll be going now," Merlin said.
Scáthach asked, "Don't you want to say something to the King?"
"No need. For now, I just want to complete the task he entrusted me. But..." Merlin trailed off. "Should you meet Lily...nevermind. I must go." He waved and left.
In the dark of night, Scáthach watched the sleeping Shirou, softly caressing his cheek.
Without that familiar black hair, outrageous attitude, nasty barbs, or dazzling eyes brimming with fiery light. Yet with but a glance, Scáthach recognized him.
He was the king - the one who had brought light into her gloomy world over 1500 years ago.
The Eternal King.
Scáthach revealed a faint smile before fading away.
Shirou slept soundly as moonbeams filtered through the thin curtains, shining upon the vivid red Command Spells on the back of his hand.
When he awoke, he was both surprised and overjoyed to find his Archer EMIYA Saint Graph gone, replaced by his new Servant - Scáthach.
With a proper Servant, he was now a true Master!
...
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