Author's Notes: Hello there! This is my first ever fanfiction and I decided to write it based on The Familiar of Zero since I love that show so much. Before I begin, I would like to say that I took inspiration from spkieeb2's fanfiction, Familiar of Zero: Let's Start Again. You will notice similarities between the two, however, there will be large differences as well. I also plan to continue this fanfiction for a long time. Ideally, for more than 100 chapters as well as more than 1 sequel, regardless of how many comments or views it gets. I will also try to release at least one chapter a week. If I can release more than that, I will. No promises though. Now, without further ado, here is chapter 1 of my Familiar of Zero fanfiction. Enjoy!

Chapter 1: Back to the Beginning:

Saito woke up in his bedroom in Tokyo. He felt that something was wrong, but couldn't quite remember what. He got out of bed and walked to the window, staring out of it as if the answer to his question would somehow show itself through the pane of glass. He stared out of the window for several minutes before hearing a voice.

"Saito! Get out of bed, your breakfast will get cold!" It was his mother calling him.

"I'm coming Loui-!"

It was then that it hit him. The pinkette that had caused him so much pain, but he grew to love and care for was nowhere to be found. As he thought of her, memories of what had happened began rushing back to him. Memories of how she summoned him as her Familiar. Of how he protected her from the Rock Golem. Stopped her from being married off to a traitor. Kissed her. Met her family. Gave her a drug for her to sleep while he fought the Army of 70,000. Died for her. Came back to her and destroyed the Ancient Dragon with her. They all came back to him and hit him like a train.

He became a nervous wreck, wondering why he was in his room in Japan and not with Louise. Suddenly, a hand grabbed his shoulder.

"Saito, are you okay? You don't look too well." It was his father, a dark haired, tall, muscular, handsome man with a large beard and mustache. His eyes were even more blue than Saito's and were filled with confidence, and on this occasion, concern. Saito was in a cold sweat. He couldn't think of anything to say to his father. How could he possibly tell him about his dilemma? He instead just smiled very weakly and said, "I just feel a little sick, Dad. Do you mind if I stay in bed for today?"

His father was extremely worried. For all of his tough, masculine features, he had a very soft spot for his wife and son.

"Of course, son." he said. He kissed his son's forehead. "Get some rest."

His father left Saito's room, closing the door gently. Saito sat back down on his bed, his face in his hands. He slowly began to weep. His heart couldn't take the pain of being away from Louise again. He sat there, crying for several minutes before his eyes ran out of tears to produce. He looked at his hands, feeling like a failure. He noticed that he still had the Gandalfr rune on his hand. In an act of total despair and desperation, he spoke to it. Hoping for a reply.

"H-Hey. Derf, are you there?"

He didn't receive an answer. Sadness grew further in his heart. He had not only lost Louise, but his best friend as well. He was about to start crying again, but then heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, Partner. What's going on? I was asle-" Derf noticed how sad Saito looked and the residue his tears left streaming down his face.

"Partner, what's wrong?"

Saito could barely bring himself to answer. "She's gone, Derf. Louise…she's gone." Saito began to cry again, unable to hold back his tears. Derf knew how much pain Saito was in, despite not grasping the situation. He was silent and observed his surroundings, confused.

"Hey, Partner. Where are we? This doesn't look like Halkeginia." Saito looked at the rune.

"We're in my home. We're in Japan." Derflinger was shocked. His usually accurate memory was hazy. He didn't know what happened, but still tried to offer Saito some comfort.

"Don't worry, Partner. We'll get her back, so cheer up. She'd be shattered to know that you were in pain like this. We've always pulled through for her, so don't just give up this easily. We should look for clues." Saito knew Derf was right. He wiped his tears away.

"You're right derf. Thank you." Saito was glad to have a friend like Derf. As perverted, nosy, crafty, and annoying as he may be, he was always there when Saito needed him. Saito sat up and crossed his arms.

"Derf, what's the last thing you remember?"

Derf sighed, trying his best to remember what had happened. He remembered defeating the Ancient Dragon. He tried his best to remember something after that, but came up blank. He pondered for a few more moments.

"Partner, I don't remember much past the defeat of the Ancient Dragon. All I know is, there is no way you came back here by flying through the eclipse. That plane you had was destroyed. You had to be transported here by magic."

Saito was confused. "But the only person who could transport me here with magic is…Louise." Saito's head began to hurt, so he decided to let the issue rest for a little while. A thought then crossed his mind.

"Derf, how long was I in Halkeginia?" Derf looked confused.

"About 2 and a half years. Why, Partner?" Saito looked very serious.

"Why are my parents acting so normal, then? Wouldn't they be more excited to see me? And…if I was transported here by magic, why did I arrive in my bed?"

Derf was shocked. Both at the analytical ability of Saito, and at the realization that his observations made sense. "Maybe you should go downstairs and talk to your family, Saito. Try and find out some information." Saito nodded. He got out of bed and went downstairs. His mother, a tall, young looking 38 year old woman with nearly blonde hair and light blue eyes was sitting on a sofa watching television. She looked at Saito when she noticed him in the corner of her eye.

"Saito, your Father told me that you weren't feeling well! Why are you out of bed?" Saito was silent for a moment.

"I just came to get a glass of water." He went to the kitchen, deep in thought. His mother noticed his strange behavior, but didn't know what to ask him. In the kitchen, Saito spoke to Derf quietly.

"Derf, something is wrong. She doesn't seem worried at all. Or at least, not as worried as she should be if her son disappeared for 2 years." He drank a glass of water and began heading upstairs to his bedroom. He looked at the TV before going upstairs and noticed his mother was watching the news. A news story had just began.

"Yesterday, a 16 year old boy was killed in an elevator accident in Minato, Tokyo. The boy was allegedly backing out of the elevator with his bicycle when the elevator suddenly rose with it's doors still open, resulting in the boy's death. More on this story, later this hour."

It was when he heard this story that the penny dropped, with a horrible clang. He ran upstairs immediately and opened his closet, throwing several boxes and clothes out of his way. Derf was confused.

"Partner, what's wrong?" Saito didn't answer. He kept throwing things out of his way until he found his laptop. He knew something was wrong. His laptop should have been lost forever when he was teleported to Halkeginia. However, he had to be sure his suspicions were correct. He opened the computer and looked at the lower right hand corner where the time and date were displayed. His heart sunk as he read the words out loud.

"June 4th, 2006…" Derf was confused.

"Partner? Partner, what's wrong?" Saito got up slowly and sat on his bed. He sat motionless for several minutes before collapsing, unconscious.

Author's Notes:

Well guys, what did you think? Was it too long or short? Too much detail or too little detail? I hope it sort of deviates from the story written by spkieeb2. I thought ending the chapter with Saito realizing the situation he was in and Derf utterly confused might be a cool touch. Tell me what you think! I appreciate any reviews and any comments. I may write 3 more chapters this week if I can. Maybe more. We'll have to wait and see. Thanks for reading!

P.S. The story about the elevator accident is a real event that happened on June 3rd of 2006. I hope I did not offend anyone by including it here. May Hirosuke Ichikawa forever rest in peace.