Fate/strange Fake Episode 13: Episode 13

The episode opens with two mysterious figures, their presence disquieting. Soon, Francesca and a girl with a gothic umbrella, later known as Flat Escardos, announce a strange ‘rain’ that descends upon the city. This rain quickly transforms from pink confetti into menacing wolf-like creatures, overwhelming the city's police. Amidst the chaos, Valeriy Fenand Vandeltarium appears, his sinister smile revealing his orchestrating hand in the unfolding disaster.

Valeriy is briefly seen falling from a balcony, a dramatic entrance. An Assassin with glowing red eyes appears, seemingly attacking him, but this quickly devolves into a verbal spar. Valeriy taunts the Assassin about her attempts to save Tsubaki Kuruoka, revealing his deep knowledge of her motives. He then makes a grand statement about heroes, claiming they are always forced to make difficult choices to protect humanity, his fanged grin emphasizing his manipulative nature.

Back in the ruined room, Francesca and Flat continue their cryptic banter, revealing their goal is to ‘defile’ their current adversaries. Suddenly, Ayaka Sajyou and Shishigou Kairi are transported to a familiar, yet impossible, version of Fuyuki City, complete with a grand manor. Ayaka feels a strange mark appear on her hand and sees a lightning-wreathed chariot in the sky, which Shishigou recognizes as belonging to Iskandar, the King of Conquerors.

In the ethereal blue rose courtyard, Ayaka and Shishigou encounter a familiar face, Irisviel von Einzbern, prompting Shishigou to question their reality. His declaration of being a king, however insignificant, and his desire to witness legends, precedes the dramatic appearance of Saber (Arthuria Pendragon). Francesca reveals they are observing the 4th Holy Grail War's 'King's Banquet,' where Saber, Iskandar, and Gilgamesh (Archer) debate the true nature of kingship. This philosophical discussion quickly gives way to a horrifying vision of the 4th War's tragic end, where a corrupted Saber is forced by Kotomine Kirei to destroy the Holy Grail, engulfing Fuyuki in devastating flames.

Ayaka reacts with horror to the vision of Fuyuki's destruction, while Francesca cruelly dismisses the entire spectacle as mere fantasy. She then turns her sharp tongue on Shishigou, mocking his admiration for King Arthur as a 'miserable story.' Yet, this doesn't break Shishigou; he reflects that King Arthur was not inferior, only 'spoke too softly.' He turns to Ayaka, his eyes full of newfound resolve, and asks to begin their 'encounter anew,' sealing a Master-Servant contract between them, marked by swirling blue petals.

Returning to the present, a transformed Valeriy boasts about heroes and their choices, only to be challenged by Jester, who questions Valeriy's inherent hypocrisy. Suddenly, a bolt of blue lightning strikes Valeriy, causing him pain and shattering his ghostly form. Flat smugly admits to tracing Valeriy's magic, an action orchestrated by Jester through a phone call to Lord El-Melloi II. Francesca, observing from a cruise ship, then declares Valeriy a 'bug' for his contradictory nature and orders Flat to eliminate him, leaving Valeriy enraged and seemingly defeated.

The battle rages on in the fractured city, with Shishigou now actively fighting alongside the enforcers against a monstrous entity. Valeriy, now a towering skeletal figure, boasts of his plan to annihilate humanity and deny its existence. Shishigou, reaffirming King Arthur's true kingship, charges into battle with Ayaka's support, clashing against the giant with golden slashes of light. He skillfully dodges attacks and strikes a decisive blow, causing the skeletal figures to crumble and dissipate. Exhausted but triumphant, Shishigou stands victorious, acknowledging Tsubaki's tragic fate, with Ayaka by his side.

After the battle, Sigma is seen with Tsubaki, explaining to her worried parents that a 'corrupted Grail Fragment' had possessed their daughter. Tsubaki awakens, confused but relieved, though a faint red command seal lingers on her hand, a 'mark of protection.' Sigma watches over them, a faint smile breaking through his usual stoicism, and vows to protect Tsubaki from any future harm. The lingering threat is immediate, as Sigma is next seen in a dark alley, fighting a corrupted Berserker, his eyes glowing with renewed resolve.

As the sun sets over the city, Shishigou and Ayaka stand on a rooftop, the quiet reflecting the aftermath of their intense battle. Shishigou muses that true heroism might not be about grand ideals, but rather 'simple, unwavering protection.' Ayaka nods in agreement, a faint smile on her face, acknowledging her own strength and role. Shishigou extends his hand, a gesture of their renewed partnership and shared path, as their hands join.