A Date at the Cafe [Rider/Archer/Assassin/Caster/Berserker]

[[Master thread for all the Servants and Masters gathering in central Miyama. At this point in time, Archer is about 10 minutes out from Fuyumi/Rider's location. Lazarus and Yui are about 2 miles away.]]

A small red dot appeared on the surface of the mirror to Fuyumi's right. Her heart started to hammer in her chest as she pulled out a paper map and compared the locations. "Rider.... We have to go. Now." She put a bill on the table and grabbed Rider's hand, pulling them along.

Once she was out on the street, she walked briskly away from the red dot, constantly glancing at the mirror. Whether it was the suspicious culprit or another combatant, she felt direly unprepared, banking her hopes on looking casual and blending in with the unassuming crowd.

"I think I can help with that!" Lazarus cast an officer's uniform on himself, and created the illusion of the smell of natural gas. He let the smell linger for a bit before confidently stepping into the square, and announcing magically (though it looked like it was through a bullhorn) "Attention everyone! There has been a major rupture in the natural gas lines in this area. Please evacuate in a calm and orderly manner and return to your homes. This area will be quarantined until we can repair the issue. Please evacuate a two square mile area!" his japanese was a bit rusty, but it shouldn't be a big concern, considering his charm spell. As he spoke, he had made his way to the master and her servant. They had already begun to flee, but he was hoping the crowds would slow them down and he would be able to cut them off.

"They're running!" Yui announced, watching the two leave the cafe.  "They must have sensed our presence.  I suppose we'll have our Servants take chase?"

She nodded to where Berserker was invisibly hovering, who understood and began to pursue the fleeing duo, still in her spiritual form.

Then Yui sensed another presence to their east.  "Another Servant!  Moving fast!"

Meanwhile, Rider quickened his pace, sensing the auras closing in on them.  "Master, they're coming quick!" Rider whispered.  "I don't want to fight in a crowded street.  What--"

The Servant was cut off as Archer lept into view.

"Watch out!" Rider barked as she let fly, their armor shimmering into existence on top of their dress. Rider drew his sword to intercept the arrow.

Damascus carried out 1 launched of one (CLASH.) :

Clash result: Tie, favor to defender

Rider's sword just managed to intercept the arrow, knocking it harmlessly aside.  Townspeople around them screamed with surprise at the armed warrior now standing in the middle of the street.

"Now, that was just rude!"

[[Rider is not going to initiate a Clash right now. I'm gonna say Berserker and Caster are three turns away.]]

"Rider!!" Fuyumi cried. What was this Servant's Master thinking, letting them attack in the open!! What to do, what to do!?

Fuyumi ran as fast as she could to the cafe, digging in her skirt pockets for her keys. She revved up the moped and drove a berth around the block, praying Rider would be all right enough by themself until she could return.

Rider was ready this time. As Archer drew her arrow and fired again, he lined his sword up and dashed forward to counter her attack.

Damascus carried out 1 launched of one (CLASH.) :

Clash result: Tie

The arrow glanced off of Rider's sword, not dealing any damage to Rider, but the power of the shot was enough to throw off his balance, and his sword went wide.

Meanwhile, an invisible Assassin arrived on the scene just in time to see Fuyumi speed off on her moped. He cursed under his breath. If Fuyumi had just been on foot, he could catch her with no problem. He wasn't sure if he could keep up with this speed without revealing himself. Regardless, he took off in pursuit.

[[Berserker and Caster are two turns away.]]

The Master sped around the fighting Servants. "Rider! Follow me!" She took a hard right and fled down the road out of town.

Caster began murmuring under his breath in a chant, the flow of energy quickening through him. [HIGH SPEED INCANTATION: RANK B]

[[Caster's High-Speed Incantation allows him to cast B-rank spells after two turns of chanting. He can cast the spell in two more turns.]]

Atalanta jumped back from Rider to gain distance for another shot. It was made even easier by his decision to heed his master. She took a turn to aim, fully drawing her bow.

Kittenboxxing carried out 1 launched of one (CLASH.) :

Lazarus clapped, attacking both Archer and Rider with bolts of lightning that appeared out of nowhere.
Kittenboxxing carried out 1 launched of one (CLASH.) :

"Uh... as you command, mistress!" As Archer drew her bow, Rider quickly turned heel and ran in pursuit of his Master. Just as he did, Lazarus' lightning bolts raced down the street to strike the two Servants.

[[Archer - Magic Resistance: D]]
[[Rider - Magic Resistance: A???]]

The first bolt bounced harmlessly off of Archer's light armor. As the second bolt approached Rider, a book hanging from his belt suddenly glowed with the picture of a strange glyph on the cover. The bolt bounced off of a barrier that suddenly appeared behind him.

"Hah!" he taunted. "It'll take more than that to-- Uh oh."

Archer released her arrow, and Rider tried desperately to dodge.

Damascus carried out 1 launched of one (CLASH.) :

Clash result: Tie, favor defence

The arrow whizzed just over Rider's shoulder. "Whew!" he gasped, and continued running after his Master.

Meanwhile, a form shimmered behind Archer, and Berserker came into view, her huge hammer gripped tightly in both hands, ready to strike.

[[Berserker and Caster are now in range for combat. Caster is ready to cast his spell.]]

Energy surged through Caster, at once overwhelming and rejuvenating. The air shimmered around his form and Caster threw a handful of jewels into the air, the gems swirling and hovering around him. [ENERGY STONE: RANK C]

[[Caster creates two B-rank stones that hover around him in combat.]]

"I'll try my best!" Yui replied, positioning herself in front of Lazarus, and beginning to chant as well.  [Barrier: Rank C]

Berserker came in for the kill, releasing a bestial howl and swinging her giant hammer with all her might.

[[Archer - Aesthetics of the Last Spurt: Rank C]]

Archer, though, effortlessly dodged the massive hammer.

Caster
HP: 100/100
MP: 460/500

[[Crushing Chasm ready in 10 turns.]]
[[Barrier ready in 3 turns.]]

Caster wrinkled his nose in distaste, brow furrowed. Whoever Archer truly was, they weren't about to be taken down by flinging rocks, but what choice did he have so soon?

With barely a twitch of his hand, the two stones shot like bullets towards each side of Archer's head, flanking her.

Fuyumi turned back to see magic sparking in the air. "They're still trapped there, aren't they?" She shouted over her shoulder. Clenching her jaw, she turned back to the public streets. Try as she might, the Church may have no choice but to get involved at this rate.

Berserker rushed forward to close the distance between her and Archer.

Meanwhile, Rider leaped forward by yards with each bound, slowly catching up to Fuyumi as she sped away on her scooter.

To her right, a figure suddenly emerged from a shadow.  A short, lean black figure with a white skull mask.  This was Assassin's only chance to hit Fuyumi, while Rider was still lagging behind!  He readied his knife for the killing blow, leaping from the rooftop toward the Master as she passed.

Rider saw the Servant appear and knew he was too far away to intercept.  He had only a split second to react.  Damn it.  He didn't want to have to use it this early.  But there was no choice.  His Master was going to die!

Rider jumped into the air.  "HIPPOGRIFF!!"

In a flash of light, the otherworldy creature appeared under him--the body of a horse and the head of an eagle.  Assassin saw the gleam of light from the corner of his eye, but had no time to react.

Noble Phantasm

HIPPOGRIFF - The Otherworldly Phantom Horse

Rider disappeared in a blinding flash of light, surging forward on his mount at an impossible speed.  Fuyumi felt little more than a strong gust of wind as he passed between her and the attacking Servant.  Assassin never even saw the attack coming.  His body, bifurcated, tumbled to the ground and dissolved into spirit particles.

Rider
HP: 200/200
MP: 220/300

Assassin
HP: 0/20
MP: 30/30

[[Crushing Chasm ready in 9 turns.]]
[[Barrier ready in 2 turns.]]

Fuyumi immediately rose out of her seat, stars in her eyes. "AMAZING! Wonderful!! Rider, was that you?? You're the BEST!!" She pulled the moped to a stop. "Wherever you are, hop on! We have to get to the battle!"

Caster steadied himself for the blow, ready to dodge or flee for a moment.

fuyumin carried out 1 launched of one (CLASH.) :