Fate/Blackened Sugar

[] Go visit Assassin. See how well she was given treatment and be there when she wakes up.
[] You need to review what information your people had gathered so far. You'll decide what to do from there. The status of Magi in the city, odd incidents and even magical activities should be of interest.

You decided to go see Assassin in her room. Now that her treatment was over, all she had to do was recover. For the next few days, you'll be without a Servant which was why you had to be careful. You limped through the suite and stepped out of it, walking down a hall to the room down ahead.

You needed a new plan. Which meant that you can no longer do this by yourself. It was time to consider your options on which one to ally yourself with. It all depended on what you could offer. You had the resources, you had the manpower, you just needed a solid wall to keep between you and your Servant against all external threats.

Something to draw the attention away from the two of you.

"Something like Brie and Medb," you murmured as you leaned on your cane as you moved, "I might have to look into the other Masters. Someone I can use and dispose of in the future."

Expendable.

You stopped before a door before knocking on it twice. Opening it, you were greeted by the sight of a bare room with a single bed at the center of it and a chair. Lying on the bed was Assassin, dressed in a patient's gown and certainly wearing more cloth than usual.

That was a plus for sure.

Her wounds had been treated but that didn't mean she could step out yet. You'll be the first to put her back down if she tried to get out. Which meant that the workload would have to fall upon you, putting yourself in greater risk in this war.

But how can you get progress without a little calculated risk?

You walked up to Assassin's side and sat by her. She was sleeping well. You were looking into the documents you had on your phone when Assassin slowly stirred in her sleep. She opened her left eye and kept her right one close as she stared at the ceiling.

You decided to put down your phone and speak, "Hey, you're finally awake."

Assassin faced you with a dazed look before holding up her hand to hide her eye, "Master! I... Where are we?"

"In a new safe house. We couldn't use the last one anymore so we had this new one. You were in quite the state back there," you told her with a smirk.

"I'm..." Assassin faltered as she looked down at herself.

"Don't get too excited. You're still hurt. Your wound isn't healing properly but you should be fine in a few days," you assured her with a nod.

Assassin fell silent as she looked down at herself. You raised an eyebrow and looked her way.

"Are you okay?" You asked with a curious tone.

"I have not performed as best as I hoped for. Because of that, I feel great shame in continuing to squander your generosity," Assassin said as she hung her head, "You would be served well by a more capable Servant, for my inadequacies, I can only beg for your forgiveness."

"Then you're forgiven, Miss Mochizuki," you said as you leaned back on your seat.

"Bu-" she began but you tapped your cane on the ground.

You looked her in her eye and said, "What's important is that you came back safe. I told you didn't I? We're partners in this War. It's not about shame or generosity, but coordinating with one another in order to achieve victory. Next time, I'm hoping for your continued support."

"You really are generous, My Lord. I promise, I will not make the same mistake twice," Assassin said with a respectful bow.

"That's good. No need to feel down when we've barely started," you told her with a nod. You then leaned forward and asked, "So, what can you tell me of your excursion tonight?"

"Yes. Matou Sakura is the Master of Lancer, a woman wielding that blessed Scythe which inflicted my wound," Assassin explained as she held her side, "She was a ferocious Servant but she wasn't sensitive enough to truly break my Presence Concealment."

"So how did she find and hurt you? Did you attack her?" You blinked in surprise.

"No. I revealed myself to her when she asked for dialogue," Assassin admitted as she lowered her head, "I did so in hopes of striking an alliance with them."

Oh.

She did... Oh. That's stupid.

"You did so on your own volition? Even when I ordered you to only investigate?" You asked her with a raised eyebrow.

"It my mistake. I deeply apologize," Assassin said but you waved your hand.

"Let's... Just not do that again. You're an Assassin, I hope you haven't forgotten," you reminded her with a worried look. You truly hoped that that would be the last time she does that, "What else can you find out about Lancer?"

"She can cause paralysis with her eyes," Assassin replied, grateful for a change in subject than her failing.

"Medusa," you breathed under your breath, "Then the thing that hurt you must have been Harpe."

Assassin's eye widened as she hid her right one, "H-How did you know?"

"She's quite famous after all. But to think she's wielding the weapon that killed her. That's annoying," you murmured as you looked to the side.

"The Gorgon. A snake goddess?" Assassin guessed as she looked your way.

"You're a Miko, right? Your patron god would be the god of Mount Ibuki, a Snake God," you recalled as you looked her way, "To think you managed to hurt Lancer and injure her Master all while escaping, it's nothing short of impressive. Especially against one that holds the same traits as your patron."

"You praise me too much," Assassin said as her ears turned red.

You smiled at her and said, "I only say what I think is right. In any case, we won't be allying ourselves with them in the future. But you've done well to sabotage their position in this war. Next time, try not to get injured."

"Oh. Yes, my lord," Assassin said as she nodded. She looked down on herself and grimaced, "I will recover. I promise."

"I know you will," you replied as you took out your phone, "For now, leave everything to me."

"Everything?!" Assassin said in surprise.

"I can handle myself while you recover. I know it's dangerous but we can't let this chance slip," you said as you waved your hand in front of her, "No rest for the wicked, as the saying goes."

"Is... Is this wise?" Assassin asked.

"Probably," you said as you took out the information your people had gathered on your phone, "Now that I'm making use of my employees more, they've neatly provided a rundown of activities happening in the city. Your encounter with Lancer and exposing her being one of them. But there's this little nugget of information I've been eyeing for awhile now."

"It's... A person?" Assassin murmured with a frown.

"Yes. She might just be a Master in this war and I'm looking to recruit her to find Caster," you said with a nod, "Kirishima Ayumi, 17 years old, a Tourist and quite possibly the civilian Master I've been looking for."

Assassin looked between you and the document before taking it into her hand to read.

You stood up as you leaned on your cane.

"Are you leaving?" Assassin asked with a worried tone.

"Yes. Information just came in on that girl's whereabouts. Every moment counts and I want to secure her help by the end of the night," you said as you smiled down on her, "Rest easy, okay?"

"Yes... But if there's trouble then please, call for me,"

You set aside your cane and pet her head, "Sure."

"Please don't do that. I'm not a child," Assassin said with an embarassed look.

"Of course, Miss Shinobi. I'll see you later," you said as you walked out the door. You needed to get ready... You really wanted to go to sleep but you'll probably regret not taking this.

.....
....
...

Riding your car through the city you reviewed more of the information you received. You decided to act on the location of this Master and strike a deal yourself properly this time but other things were happening in the city as you moved.

Cases of disappearances and bizarre deaths began to appear since before the Grail had appeared. Apparently one of the Servants was no doubt going around doing as they pleased.

If things go on, your Assassin was going to be blamed for someone else's mess. The mages in the city haven't done anything drastic either and mostly kept to themselves but they were seen gathering at certain locations.

You'll have to look out for them.

SSSSKKKRRR

The car came to a dead stop as you looked ahead.

"What's wrong?" You asked your driver as you rubbed your head.

"Seems like there's some traffic up ahead, sir," your driver replied as he fixed his glasses.

You frowned as you took your cane and opened the door, "You can go now. I'll go see what this is about."

You limped forward past the traffic and came upon the road ahead. Someone was standing on the road, glassy eyed and as if in a trance.

Cars were honking all around her and tired drivers were yelling at her to get off the road.

"Hey get off the road! I want to go home!"

"What's the hold up! You're keeping people in line!"

"Someone get her off there or I'll run her over!"

The girl simply stood there just as some police officers were about to approach her. You noticed her left hand was marked by a familiar red tattoo.

"Is this fortune or misfortune?" You wondered as you leaned on your cane.

You felt your own command seals burn beneath your glove.

[] Walk forward and stop the police. You can smooth talk them into letting you speak with the young lady. And by sweet talk, a little hypnotic suggestion to be exact. This girl can't be left out here on her own.
[] Walk to the sidewalk and remain at a distance. You don't know what this was about but you could see how it progresses. You want to see how the cops will handle this one.
[] Write in...

[] Walk to the sidewalk and remain at a distance. You don't know what this was about but you could see how it progresses. You want to see how the cops will handle this one.

Seeing the commotion, you elected to stay out of it for now. The stinging sensation on the back of your hand was testament enough on what that girl was. You blended with the crowd before you saw the nearby officers approach the girl.

"Hey, you. Get off the road, you're gonna get run over!" An officer said in alarm.

"She looks Japanese. You reckon she understands us?" The second officer asked with a wary look on her face.

"Worth a try. Excuse me. Are you lost? We can help you," the police said as he placed a hand over the girl's shoulder.

The moment he touched her, sparks came off her body as she gasped and held her head. She pushed away the police and the second officer held up her hand.

"Miss are you okay?" She asked the girl as the latter fell down on her knees clutching her head.

"I... It hurts... Help," she whimpered before gasping and becoming still.

The two officers decided that it was time to move and grabbed the girl. They supported her as they dragged her to their police vehicle and placed her inside. You frowned and watched as traffic continued on as normal.

Your car drove by and your driver honked the horn for you. Well, it would seem that you needed a set of wheels for this.

.....
....
...

Dropping off once more, you stood before the police station. On your way here, you recognized the girl as Kirishima Ayumi, the same girl you were looking to find and investigate. It would seem that she was indeed a Master in this war but her actions have been nothing if not puzzling.

You limped towards the station and recognised the patrol vehicle she left in. You climbed up the stairs and tapped your cane on the ground once, hiding your presence from the nearby officers and changing their perception of you as a fellow officer coming in.

It seemed that even at this time of night, the law never rested. You traced the presence of magical energy as your command seal stung over and over before coming upon an officer guarding a door.

"Hey, this is restricted area. Better turn back," he said as he looked at you.

"Oh I think I won't," you said as you waved your cane between his eyes and tapped it on the ground.

His vision became unfocused as he stepped aside to let you through.

No sign of a Servant or anything. That only made you suspicious. You walked through some cells and eventually came upon the one you were looking for. You looked up at the security cameras and tapped your cane once to turn them off.

Now there were no peepers.

"You haven't caused much trouble now, have you? I can only surmise that you're the careful sort on not making a commotion. I never took an ordinary girl to act that way," you said as you stood between and her cell bars.

The girl was young and was left without the backpack she carried before. She looked of Japanese descent with hazel brown hair and striking blue eyes. She looked frail but there was strength in her frame, the sort of quiet power her type would have.

She was by all means, a normal girl according to your file. Accidentally chosen as a Master, she now found herself in a Holy Grail War.

"My name is Hans Derrinsmith. How about we start by getting you out of here, hm?" You offered and the girl raised her head, nodding at your words.

.....
....
...

Leaving the station was a simple task, it only needed you to apply an amnestic charm throughout the station and expel an entire hour from their memories. No one dared stop you from stepping out there with the girl and what recording there were would be fixed by your people.

It was convenient.

Now you were stuck following this girl as she walked down the street.

"You're a nice man, Mister," the girl said as she spread her hands and turned to glance at you, "Helping out strangers is a good thing, isn't it?"

"Well, I did have a few questions I need answered from you," you admitted as you followed her, "I didn't think you would be comfortable in that cell."

"It didn't really matter. I was still getting used to this body after all," the girl said as she gave you a serene smile.

Body?

"Let me ask you straight," you said as the two of you stopped by a fountain area in a wide open space. Cars drove by in the nearby road but it was just mostly the two of you at this point, "Where's your Servant?"

"Are you sure you're fine with that question when you're all by yourself?" The girl asked as she tilted her head curiously.

"Try me," you offered as she faced you.

The two of you stared each other down before the fountain came to life and pushed water into the air, creating a curtain of water. You stood your ground as you felt a heavy presence step into the vicinity making you tense.

"So you were here after all, Berserker," the girl said as a large man appeared behind you, bare chested and carrying with him two large swords.

His body was scarred and he had a rough and brutish look about him but one cannot deny the air of regality around him. You knew this man from the night the Grail was found.

His red eyes weren't looking at you however, he was glaring at his own Master.

Berserker gave his Master a look and pointed his sword at her, "Now let me be clear, you sure as hell are not yourself, lil' missy."

"That's true. But you just have given this girl quite the scare the first time," the girl named 'Kirishima Ayumi' said as she looked at her hands, "But it's all good now."

Berserker took a look at you, "You got my thanks taking her out of that cell and getting her off trouble, but this is a bit more complicated you see."

"Well, seems like a normal thing for me. So then, would you mind introducing yourself, miss?" You asked as you faced the girl before you.

The girl smiled at you, her cold blue eyes meeting your own, "You're a nice man, Mister. And I want to be your friend. I don't know why, but I found myself in this body that isn't my own. All I could recall... Was that I was dreaming."

The girl looked at the command seals at the back of her hand.

"It was a gentle dream of numerous possibilities. But something must have gone wrong. I don't remember much about myself. Perhaps I could remember more if I stayed around," the girl continued as she faced you.

You suddenly felt chills sink down your flesh. What was this feeling?

"This war seems fun. I'll give this girl a boost during my stay. If only Berserker weren't so scared of me," the girl chuckled as she looked at the mountain of a man.

Berserker snorted at that but tightened his grip on his swords.

"An irregular of irregulars," you murmured as you gave the girl a skeptical look, "Then, is it safe to say you're not 'Kirishima Ayumi' but someone else in that body? What should I call you?"

"Call me Manaka," the girl said as she placed a hand on her chest, "Let's be friends, okay?"

The air suddenly turned colder than it was a moment ago.

[] "Friends, huh? Then I can take that as you not being my enemy? Sorry, I just have to make sure. I have a bad experience with body snatchers."
[] You have a baaaaaad feeling about this one. Even Berserker seems wary of her. Make up an excuse and beat a hasty retreat.
[] "Hey Berserker, was it? Any advice here? Is this normal? She's looking at me weird."
[] "Friendly, aren't you? Is that really wise? We just met after all. Plus I didn't free you for charity, just dialogue between us. Though, this isn't that bad either."
[] "How... How much do you exactly remember, Miss?"