Multiversal Grail War

Zuko's POV

The heat of the sun beats down on me, but it's nothing compared to the fire I carry inside. This city—Fuyuki—feels foreign, crowded with people who are completely unaware of the war about to descend on their streets. As much as I want to restore my honor, to claim the Holy Grail, the civilians here shouldn't be caught in the crossfire.

But my Servant...

I glance behind me, at the man I've summoned. Joker, a madman in a purple suit with a wide, unsettling grin plastered on his face. He skips through the crowd as if he's having the time of his life, drawing more attention than I'd like. His eyes dart everywhere, soaking in the chaos of the city like a predator hunting his prey.

"So, where's the fun gonna start, Zuko?" Joker giggles, flipping a card between his fingers. His voice is shrill, cutting through the noise of the crowd. "All these lovely people, so ripe for... surprises." He grins wider, and I can feel the madness bubbling just beneath the surface.

"Keep it together," I snap, feeling the weight of my responsibilities crushing down on me. This isn't the Agni Kai. This is far more dangerous, and I need to stay focused. "We don't want to attract attention just yet. Wait until we find another Master."

He twirls around dramatically, arms spread wide as he faces me. "Oh, Zuko, Zuko, Zuko!" he laughs, eyes wide and wild. "We're in the middle of a war! Why wait when we can make things interesting now?"

I grit my teeth. Controlling the Joker was never going to be easy. He's unpredictable, reckless—the very opposite of what I need to win this war. But he's powerful. That much is clear. I just have to keep him in check.

For now, at least.

"We can't afford to waste time or energy on the civilians," I say, trying to inject some reason into his chaotic mind. "They're not our enemies."

Joker leans in close, his grin unnerving. "Not enemies? Maybe not now... but just wait until we give 'em a little push! They'll turn on each other soon enough."

I push him away, anger flashing in my eyes. "I said no."

Joker's smile falters, just for a moment. His eyes darken, and he shrugs, stepping back with a lazy wave of his hand. "Fine, fine. But don't say I didn't warn you when things get boring."

My fists clench, but I say nothing. Joker's insanity is a weapon—one I'll need if I want to win this war. I just have to make sure it doesn't spiral out of control before then.

Tanya's POV

I watch the streets below, civilians rushing about like they always do—blind to the danger swirling around them. There's something about their obliviousness that fascinates me. They have no idea that in a few short days, this entire city could be reduced to rubble. Innocents, they call them. Collateral, I'd say.

Behind me, Assassin stands quietly, his presence unnervingly calm. Light Yagami is no ordinary Servant, and I understand him well enough to know that he's constantly scheming. His mind works like a machine, cold and calculating. It's an admirable trait, and one I intend to exploit.

"We'll need to find the others soon," I say, keeping my voice low. "And eliminate them quickly. Draw this war out, and it becomes unpredictable. That's unacceptable."

Light smirks faintly. "Of course. But you should know that brute force will not win this war, Master."

I shoot him a sharp look. "I don't need you to tell me that. That's why I have you—an Assassin who can strike from the shadows. If we play our cards right, the other Masters won't even see us coming."

Light steps forward, his hands tucked into his pockets, eyes gleaming with a dangerous intellect. "I have my own methods, Tanya. You focus on the overall strategy; let me handle the eliminations. After all, I'm quite skilled at... justice."

I can't help but smirk. "Just don't forget who you're working for. I'm in command."

He inclines his head slightly, but the glint in his eyes tells me he's already planning his next move. I'll have to keep an eye on him. No matter how useful he is, Light Yagami is not someone to trust completely.

But for now, he's my weapon. And I intend to use him to its full potential.

Subaru Natsuki's POV

I'm trying to keep it together, I really am, but my heart's been pounding in my chest ever since we got to this city. The crowds, the noise—it's overwhelming. And the fact that I've been thrown into yet another life-or-death situation doesn't help.

Next to me, EMIYA, my Archer-class Servant, walks with calm composure. He's a lot more collected than I am. His eyes scan the streets, his hand never too far from the hilt of his sword. The guy oozes confidence, and that should be reassuring, but it only makes me feel more out of place.

"Are you still worried?" EMIYA asks, his voice steady.

I laugh nervously, scratching the back of my head. "Uh, yeah. I mean, have you met me? Worrying is kinda my thing."

He sighs softly, shaking his head. "If you're going to survive this war, you need to focus. Panicking won't help. Every second we waste gives the other Masters a chance to get ahead."

I nod quickly. "I know, I know! But... it's just... this is insane, right? I mean, we're supposed to summon legendary heroes, fight in a magical death match, and somehow survive to get a wish? Sounds like something out of a storybook."

EMIYA's expression softens, just a little. "Insane or not, it's real. And you've already been through worse. Trust me, you'll adapt."

His words carry a strange weight, as if he knows exactly what I've gone through. Which, honestly, might be true. I mean, he's a heroic spirit. Maybe he understands more about me than I realize. Either way, he's right—I need to focus. If I let my fears control me, I'm dead. Again.

"Alright," I say, trying to steel my nerves. "What's the plan, then? Do we go after someone first, or wait for them to come to us?"

EMIYA crosses his arms, thinking for a moment. "We should lay low for now. Scout the area, learn what we can about the other Masters. We can't afford to rush into battle without knowing who we're up against."

I nod again, feeling a little more reassured. "Got it. Lay low, gather intel. I can do that."

"Good," EMIYA says. "Let's get moving. The longer we stay still, the more likely we are to be noticed."

As we move through the streets, I try to push down the fear gnawing at the edges of my mind. I have to believe in EMIYA. He's strong. Together, we can do this.

We have to.

Tony Stark's POV

Recon is boring.

I'm not one to sit around waiting for something to happen, but this Holy Grail War has me playing it safe—for now. So, while Bumblebee cruises through the city in his car form, gathering intel, I'm left walking through the crowded streets, taking in as much as I can.

The good news? Fuyuki's a decent-sized city. Plenty of places to hide, plenty of places for an ambush. The bad news? I've got no idea who's out there. Seven Masters, seven Servants, and any one of them could pop out of nowhere to kick off the fireworks.

"Bumblebee," I say, tapping the side of my helmet to activate the comms link. "Anything yet?"

His voice crackles through the speakers. "Nothing out of the ordinary so far. No signs of Servants, but I'll keep sweeping the area."

"Good. Keep your optics open. The last thing we need is to get blindsided by a magic-wielding lunatic."

"Got it, boss."

I cut the comms and keep walking, my mind racing with possibilities. Magic, heroic spirits, the Holy Grail—it's all outside my usual wheelhouse, but I'm Tony Stark. I adapt. I innovate. And right now, I'm running through every possible strategy to win this thing.

The key is to think ahead. Whoever's out there probably has their own powers, their own Servants. And I'm willing to bet none of them are as forward-thinking as I am. I'll turn this war into a game of chess, and when they're focused on moving their pawns, I'll have the queen in checkmate before they know what hit them.

"Alright, Bumblebee, let's regroup. I've got a feeling we're gonna have company soon."

Conclusion: The First Collision

Fuyuki is alive, its streets bustling with people unaware of the deadly conflict about to unfold. But beneath the surface, the Masters and Servants are already making their moves, each plotting, each waiting for the right moment to strike.

In the shadows, the madness of the Berserker Joker festers, kept in check by Zuko's iron will. But for how long?

Elsewhere, Assassin lurks, his eyes fixed on the unwitting Masters as he prepares to strike from the shadows.

The tension is thick, and it won't be long before the first clash shatters the illusion of peace in Fuyuki.

The war has begun.

And soon, the blood will spill.