Overview of 'Fate/stay night' Season 3

Episode 1 - The Mion River Battle

Release Date: 2012-04-07

Saber, Lancer, and Rider fight to stop Caster's Demon from reaching the shore, however the beast regenerates at an astounding pace, making it difficult to destroy. Kirei and Risei discuss plans to cover-up the incident, while Archer and Tokiomi watch the battle aboard Archer's aircraft, the Vimana. Tokiomi pleads Archer to assist in destroying Caster, but the latter refuses after "sacrificing" four of his weapons to damage the beast. A crowd of bystanders begin to gather around the river and a pair of F-15 jets are caught in the battle while patrolling the area. Berserker appears and takes control of one of the jets and engages in aerial combat with Archer's Vimana while the other jet is consumed by Caster's Demon. Kariya confronts Tokiomi on the shore about their family, and is enraged when Tokiomi simply dismisses their family as "Rabble". Kirei watches the conversation as Kariya and Tokiomi begin to fight. Elsewhere on the shore, Uryū is shot and killed by Emiya Kiritsugu. Caster senses the death of his master, and vows to fulfill the promise he made to his master. Kiritsugu deduces that Caster's Demon is an immortal being that will regenerate itself if even a small piece of it is left, hence, it must be destroyed in a single, powerful attack. He reveals that Saber possesses one such Noble Phantasm capable of doing so.

Episode 2 - Golden Brilliance

Release Date: 2012-04-14

As Archer and Berserker continue to battle in the sky, Saber and Rider are forced to retreat from Caster's Demon to rethink their strategy. Rider will transport the demon into Ionian Hetairoi where his armies will try to hold it off as long as they can while Saber and Lancer will have to find a way to finally destroy it. Kiritsugu calls and explains to Waver on how they will defeat the demon and tells him to inform Lancer about Saber's Noble Phantasm. Lancer realizes what Kiritsugu means and destroys his Gae Buidhe to allow Saber's wound to heal and fully use her Noble Phantasm. Tokiomi defeats Kariya by shooting a fireball, burning him and falling off from the building where he is later found by Kirei who heals him. As Berserker destroys Archer's Vimana, he now sets his sights on Saber but his jet is destroyed and driven away by Lancer and Archer respectively. With the coast clear, Kiritsugu fires a flare gun to signal to Waver where Rider should transport the demon. With the demon in position, Saber uses her Noble Phantasm, Excalibur to finally destroy Caster and the demon which the former has a vision of Jeanne before his death. With the threat over, Rider and Archer have a discussion on whether Saber's life to become King was either incredible or tragic before both of them leave with Rider hoping to duel Archer in the future and Archer now smitten with Saber.

Episode 3 - The End of Honor

Release Date: 2012-04-21

Kayneth visits Risei and asks for his reward for Lancer helping defeat Caster. Risei agrees to reward Kayneth a Command Seal before Kayneth kills him to ensure the other Masters don't get one as well. However, Sola was kidnapped by Maiya during the battle at Mion River which she also cut off Sola's arm containing her Command Seals. As Kayneth scolds Lancer and mocks his chivalry, Saber and Iri, tipped off by Kiritsugu, arrives at Kayneth's hideout, where Saber wishes to finish her duel with Lancer which he agrees. As Saber and Lancer duel, Kiritsugu confronts Kayneth and having taken Sola hostage, gives Kayneth a magical unbinding contract that he will no longer harm or kill him and Sola if he does one thing for him; use up all of his Command Seals to force Lancer to commit suicide. Desperate to save Sola, Kayneth does so which Lancer curses everyone around him before dying. But because the contract only applies to him, Maiya snipes Kayneth and Sola, killing her instantly. As Saber ends Kayneth's suffering, she finally calls out on Kiritsugu for the terrible and dishonorable things he'll do to win which he retorts there's isn't anything honorable about chivalry and he will do everything to win to ensure his and Iri's wishes to save the world. As Kiritsugu leaves with Maiya, Iri collapses from exhaustion.

Episode 4 - The Eighth Contract

Release Date: 2012-04-28

Kirei discovers Risei's body and informs Tokiomi. Kirei is saddened over his father's death, although Archer suggests that his sadness is due to not having the chance to kill his own father himself. Maiya informs Iri and Saber that Tokiomi wishes to discuss an alliance, and Iri agrees to go to the church to discuss the offer. Before his meeting, Tokiomi visits his wife and Rin, giving his daughter a spell book and some wisdom before leaving. During the meeting between Iri and Tokiomi, Tokiomi suggests a temporary alliance to defeat the other contestants first. Iri agrees, but on the condition that Kirei leaves the city and can no longer be involved in the Grail War. Tokiomi complies. As Saber, Iri and Maiya leave the church, a sickly Iri reveals to Maiya that she is actually the embodiment of the Holy Grail in human form and will die to form the Grail once the war ends. Maiya promises to protect her until that time comes. Meanwhile, Kirei is preparing to leave, but reveals to Archer that his father's dying act was to leave Kirei the remaining Command Seals, restoring Kirei's ability to be a master in the War. He also reveals the secret reason behind the war; the Holy Grail can be activated only by the sacrifice of seven Heroic Spirits. Thus, even a victorious Servant must die - which is why Tokiomi is reluctant to use his command spells, as he needs at least one to command Archer's suicide should they be triumphant. Furthermore, Kirei still wants to explore his dark desires, and Archer yearns for a more stimulating master. Later, Kirei meets with Tokiomi, who gives him guardianship of Rin should anything happen to him, and an Azoth dagger as a symbol of his completed apprenticeship. Kirei then stabs Tokiomi in the back with the dagger, telling him that, just like his own father, both men never really understood him. With Tokiomi dead, Archer and Kirei form a new contract as Master and Servant.

Episode 5 - Distant Memories

Release Date: 2012-05-05

Years ago, a young Kiritsugu lived on an island in the Pacific with his father Noritaka and befriended a local girl named Shirley who called him Kerry. Noritaka was researching on immortality using plants with Shirley as his assistant. Despite being told by the townsfolk to stay away from Noritaka, Shirley is convinced his research will help the world and tells Kiritsugu she hopes he grows up to be great man. But one day, Kiritsugu is told by his father not to leave their home after asking him if he went into his lab. Kiritsugu ignores his father's warnings to search for Shirley only to be find her eating live chickens wildly. Shirley reveals she went into Noritaka's lab and use his immortality formula on herself which turned her into a Dead Apostle vampire who madly craves for blood. Shirley begs Kiritsugu to kill her while she can still have a hold on herself but he is unable to do it which leads her to attacking the townsfolk and turning them into Ghouls. As chaos spread throughout the island, Church Executors and Mages from the Mages Association arrive to stop and exterminate the outbreak and cover up the incident. Kiritsugu is saved from Ghouls when a gun welding mercenary named Natalia Kaminski saves him. Natalia explains she is there to eliminate the magus responsible for the outbreak which Kiritsugu realizes is his father. Kiritsugu confronts his father over his work and it's consequences which the latter only shrugs it off as an accident and states his plans to continue his experiments elsewhere. Angered with his father's response, Kiritsugu kills him. Emotionally broken and having nowhere to go, Kiritsugu agrees to escape together with Natalia.

Episode 6 - Where Justice is Found

Release Date: 2012-05-12

Since the incident, Kiritsugu began living with Natalia who trained him to become a mercenary just like her and travel around the world in various conflicts. Due to his unique magic, Natalia creates special anti-magic bullets from Kiritsugu's ribs. During a mission, Natalia and Kiritsugu are assigned to kill a mage who control bees familiars that turn their victims into ghouls. While Natalia boards the plane that he is in from Paris to New York, Kiritsugu heads to New York to kill the mage's associate. Both Natalia and Kiritsugu successfully eliminated their targets. However, the mage have hidden bees in his body which turns the passengers on board into ghouls. Natalia manages to get into a cockpit safely, but with the plane filled with ghouls, she request Kiritsugu to do something for her. As her plane arrives to New York, Natalia and Kiritsugu have a talk reminiscing the time they spent together and the bond they shared. With her plane within his view, Kiritsugu does what Natalia told him to do; destroy the plane to prevent a ghoul infestation with a Stinger but not before he tells her he was glad to have her as his mother. As her plane crashes, Kiritsugu goes into grief of losing another love one.

Episode 7 - Return of the Assassin

Release Date: 2012-05-19

Kiritsugu visits an ailing Iri where she gives her husband the scabbard Avalon and asks him that after the war is over, he should bring their daughter Ilya to see and explore Japan. Learning from Maiya that Saber is off to battle Rider, Kiritsugu assigns Maiya to protect his wife while he goes to assassinate Tokiomi. Meanwhile, Waver heads to the forest where he summoned Rider in order to replenish his mana where the latter wishes to battle Saber to set her straight on what it means being a King. Elsewhere, Kariya is communicated by Berserker in his nightmare before waking up to find himself in the Matō estate. In order to heal Kariya, Zōken forces his son to eat the Crest worm that took Sakura's purity. Iri has a talk with Maiya over her past as a child soldier which Iri ask Maiya to live her life after the war and hopes this will be the last Grail War so that Ilya can live a normal life. At the same time, Kiritsugu arrives at the Tosaka mansion only to discover that Tokiomi is dead. Soon, Rider attacks Iri and Maiya's location which Kiritsugu uses his command seal to order Saber to return there where she finds Maiya injured and Iri taken by Rider which she pursues on her motorcycle. As he returns, Kiritsugu cries for a dying Maiya and comforts her in her last moments.

Episode 8 - Knight on Two Wheels

Release Date: 2012-05-26

As Saber chases after Rider throughout the city on her motorcycle, Kiritsugu investigates and concludes that Rider was not responsible for attacking Iri and Maiya. Saber finds the real Rider and Waver and concludes that they did not kidnap Iri. The two servants duel which results in the destruction of Riders chariot. Meanwhile, concluding that the Matōs were behind his wife's kidnapping, Kiritsugu tortures Kariya's brother who reveals that Kariya was working with Kirei. It is soon revealed that Kirei made a deal with Kariya to kidnap Iri using Berserker's noble phantasm which allows him to disguise as another hero, in this case Rider, in exchange for two Command Seals (which he used to command Berserker to capture Iri) and a duel with Tokiomi at the church. When Kariya leaves, Kirei orders Zōken, who has been hiding and watching them, to come out. Zōken comments that he and Kirei are the same in enjoying watching Kariya suffer before he is driven away by Kirei. Kariya arrives at the church to duel with Tokiomi only to find him dead. Aoi arrives at the church immediately afterwards and becomes convinced that Kariya is her husbands killer. As Aoi weeps for Tokiomi, she angrily asks Kariya if he is happy now. A confused Kariya attempts to explain the situation and places blame on Tokiomi but Aoi reprimands him stating that he doesn't understand her and that he's never loved. Kariya snaps and strangles Aoi; by the time he comes to his senses, he has killed her. As Kariya stumbles out of the church in despair, Archer and Kirei are shown to have been watching from the balcony, enjoying the tragedy as it unfolded.

Episode 9 - All Evil in This World

Release Date: 2012-06-02

Waver returns to his hideout at the Mackenzie's household. The Mackenzies, whom Waver put a spell on them to made them believe he was their grandson, are actually aware he isn't but they enjoyed his and Rider's company. At Caster's lair, Kirei interrogates Iri about Kiritsugu, believing both of them are similar. However, Iri tells him her husband is nothing like him who is empty as Kiritsugu is fighting for the Grail to wish for a world without conflict. Disappointed, Kirei kills Iri and vows to destroy Kiritsugu's dream. Later that night, Rider and Waver sees magical flares from the theater as a sign for duel with Archer. As Rider summons his horse Bucephalus, Waver decides to use all of his Command Seals to give Rider the power he needs to win and conquer the world as he feels he is no longer worthy to be his Master. Instead, Rider still consider Waver his friend and wants him to ride with him for the battle. Kiritsugu and Saber sees the flares as well, knowing it's a trap to gather all of the contestants at the same area. Having sent the flares, Kirei prepares his fight with Kiritsugu while he sends Berserker to deal with Saber while Archer faces off with Rider. Meanwhile, Iri's soul finds herself inside the Holy Grail.

Episode 10 - The Sea at the End of the World

Release Date: 2012-06-10

As Kiritsugu and Saber arrive at the theater separately, Saber is attacked by Berserker armed with guns in the underground parking lot. Meanwhile, Rider and Waver encounter Archer at the bridge. After having a drink before their duel, Rider asks Archer to join forces to conquer the world and beyond but Archer politely declines. Elsewhere, Saber manages to destroy Berserker's guns but is startled that he knows the exact length of her sword. She ask for his true identity, but when Berserker removes his mask, she is shocked to find out he is Sir Lancelot, one of her trusted knights. At the same time, a dying Kariya begins hallucinating due to his guilt over Aoi. Rider summons Ionian Hetairoi and he and his army charge at Archer. Archer pulls out his sword Ea and uses his Noble Phantasm Enuma Elish to destroy Rider's army and Ionian Hetairoi, which sends them back to the real world. Rider asks Waver if he would like to become his retainer, which he does, so Rider pulls out Waver from his horse and orders him to live so Waver can tell the tale of his final charge. Rider charges at Archer and is slain by Archer's Ea but not before Archer tells Rider that he respects him as his equal. Archer decides to let Waver go after admiring his loyalty to Rider and departs, after which Waver mourns for Rider. Kiritsugu finally encounters Kirei while his wife's body is placed on the theater's stage.

Episode 11 - The Last Command Seal

Release Date: 2012-06-16

With Kiritsugu and Kirei fight with all of their skills, Saber finally kills Lancelot, leading to Kariya's death, where they share one last talk. As both Kiritsugu and Kirei are about to give each other the finishing blow, the Grail's power spreads it's self over them. Kiritsugu finds himself in an illusionary world where the Grail, taking the form of his wife Iri, tells him he is worthy to make a wish for the Grail. However, Kiritsugu is shocked that the Grail is evil when it deconstructs his belief of killing the few for the sakes of many and tells him it cannot save the world and end conflict unless all of humanity must die which it wants to do once it is born onto Earth. The Grail attempts to convince Kiritsugu to make his wish by promising he will be together with his family again by taking the form of both Iri and Ilya, but Kiritsugu kills them as his personal happiness is not worth the lives of the world. Now back in the real world, Kirei tells Kiritsugu it was a waste to refuse the wish and he should have give it to him so he find the meaning of his existence but Kiritsugu kills him. Saber arrives at the stage where the Grail is only to encounter Archer, who tells her she should surrender and be his wife. Kiritsugu arrives but much to both Saber and Archer's shock, he uses all of his Command Seals to force Saber to destroy the Grail using Excalibur.

Episode 12 - Fate/Zero

Release Date: 2012-06-23

Saber destroys the Grail along with the theater before disappearing. However, much to Kiritsugu's horror, the Grail spreads its lethal black ooze from the sky, causing death and destruction throughout half the city. With the city in flames, Kirei wakes up, surprise to be alive and to see Gilgamesh(Archer) as well. Gilgamesh reveals the ooze created a body for him and resurrected Kirei as well. Realizing the city's destruction was his wish, Kirei laughs on how abominable he is and wants to repeat it again which Gilgamesh joins him. Mortified of the destruction he seen, Kiritsugu finds joy and hope after rescuing a young boy who survived. A delusional Kariya believes he has save Sakura and reunited her with Rin and Aoi, unaware he has died falling into a pit of Crest worms under Matō estate which Sakura witness coldly. As morning arrives, Waver tells the Mackenzies he would like to stay with them while he travels around the world to find his own path. After presiding over Tokiomi's funeral, Kirei meets Rin and her mother Aoi, who survived but brain damaged, oblivious to what happen to her husband and Sakura, and gives Rin the Azoth dagger. Due to the curse and interference by the Einzberns for his failure, Kiritsugu is unable to reunite with his daughter Ilya so he decides to live in Fuyuki City and adopts the boy he rescued, Shirō. Saber finds herself where she fought her last battle during her life and cries to her knights for failing while she remembers Lancelot final words on how he regretted betraying her by having an affair with her wife Guinevere, which drove him into madness while still proclaiming his loyalty to his King. As she regrets for not understanding her people nor winning the Grail, the sun suddenly shines on her, giving her hope. Five years later, Kiritsugu tells Shirō how he dreamed to be a hero which Shirō promises his father that he will live out his dream for him. As Kiritsugu closes his eyes peacefully, he remembers the question Shirley ask him what he wanted to be when he grows up which he replies "a hero".