Fate's Wild Card

Prologue: One Last Moment of Peace

I stare blankly at the ceiling as moonlight shines by the window.

I turn to my sister. "Hey Illya, are you awake?"

Illya fidgets and moves her whole body to my right, her eyes wide open. "Nope! I'm too excited to go to sleep!"

"Same. I just can't stop thinking about it." I said though with not as much excitement. I am pretty excited, don't get me wrong. Not only did I get to meet Artoria Pendragon, the King of Knights herself but also Mashu freaking Kyrielight herself! Who gets to say that!? (Though personally, I prefer Artoria's Alter form than her classic look).

No, it's the fact that Illya is a Master of the Fourth Holy Grail War. Not the Fifth like in canon, and that's what worries me.

She is still a child here, both physically and mentally. She isn't ready for what's about to come.

I don't want her to be exposed to all the crazy shit that happens in Fuyuki. The death and murder that'll be present constantly is not something she should see. I don't want her anywhere near Ryuunosuke Uryuu and Caster Gilles de Rias. Those fuckers can burn in hell.

But what I'm worried about is Kiritsugu Emiya himself.

Illya will see a side of her father that she never once saw before. A side that contrasts to the father she loves and cares about. A side that even Irisviel and Artoria had trouble stomaching; godforbid what Mashu will think. For crying out loud, she already had a front-row seat of the Magus Killer at work and almost got killed for it.

"Illya, do you really want to be part of this? The Holy Grail War isn't exactly kid friendly." I said.

"Of course, brother. I want to help mama and papa get their wish." Illya told me with a smile.

My eyes furrow at this. "Illya, I'm serious. The Holy Grail War isn't a walk in the park. You'll have to fight against Servants, beings with god-like power not to mention the Magi who've spent decades preparing for this moment and are determined to win by any means, even killing children." I said. "Then there's the fact that the old man is a Master too and you'll have to fight him."

"I know. I want to help papa get his wish and besides papa wouldn't hurt me. He loves me." Illya said.

I don't respond and instead pull Illya close and give her a hug. "I know he does and I love you too. I promise I'll always be there for you, sister."

Illya returns the hug. I can feel the happiness literally radiating off her.

Your [Kindness] has increased!

'I won't let them have you. As long as I'm here, you'll live the life you deserve.' I said and we both fell asleep in each other's arms.

----

"This is... problematic." Kiritsugu sighs. "With two Servants on our side we have a great advantage over the other Masters. But Illya is too young to participate. The risk is too great."

They all gathered in one of the chambers, Jubstacheit in the center of the room, Kiritsugu and Irisveil at the opposite sides of the table. Saber stands beside her Master on one side and Shielder stands by his wife on the other. He has never heard of such a class before, none of them have. She states it is a title that best suits her abilities. There is no aggression between them at least not from Shielder, Saber meanwhile stares at the shield-themed Servant analytically.

'That shield... how is it possible for her to have HIS shield? Who is this girl?' Artoria thought.

"The best course of action would be removing the Command Seals and passing them to a better prepared Magus." Jubstacheit ignores the very unfriendly gaze Saber and Shielder are giving him and continues. "But it is impossible in her case since that would require ripping out her Magic Circuits. She must go to Japan, there is no other option."