Fate/Extra: Angelic Layer
Prologue: Welcome to S.E.R.A.P.H
(This is my first fanfic. Note that even though it is published under the Fate/Stay Night filter, it plays along more like Fate/EXTRA, the PSP game. ((Due to lack of filters for Fate/EXTRA))The concept of this fanfic is to transpose elements from Zero, Prototype and Apocrypha into the Moon Cell Setting.)
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the aforementioned franchises. Any copyright belongs to their respective owners.
The moment I entered that gaping hole, was the moment I had voluntarily accepted my own death.
The sun was shining brightly that morning. There were hazes coming out of the ground. In the past few years, global temperatures have been rising. It's as if something inside this machine called Earth is acting up and breaking down.
Classroom 2-A
A boy yawns at another seemingly boring lesson. He glances at the window next to his seat. The heat outside, coupled with the lecture inside had been taking a toll on his senses. He could barely keep his eyes open. The bell then rings, snapping him back to reality.
"All right, that's it for today's lesson. Temperatures are rising today so always remember to keep yourself hydrated!" Fujimura-sensei reminded the students before exiting the room.
The boy stood up, ruffling his raven hair as he grabs his bag. Before leaving the room, he hears someone call out to him.
"Enn, the president was looking for you."
Third floor corridor
Oh, great, and just when I'm about to get away too." Realizing that his only chance at escape was blown, he just let out a long sigh and headed to the club room. "Damn it, Nakamura, if only you didn't mention that I was around, I could have gotten away from turning in my assignment." Enn thinks to himself as he walks the third floor corridor. "Guess I'll have to ready an alib—Whoah!"
"Gaaaahh" A woman screams as Enn accidentally trips over her.
"Oww." Enn mutters under his breath. He looks up to see that he had knocked over a girl…on a wheelchair to boot. "Oh, I'm terribly sorry." He immediately mutters an apology while helping her up on her wheelchair.
"No, it's nothing but you should really watch where you're going. Otherwise you get into trouble later on." She smiles at him before turning around to leave.
"Whoa. I didn't know a sophisticated woman like that studied here in Tsukumihara. That sophisticated manner of speech, she must be a transferee. Such a soft and sweet voice, sigh… If only the president had that kind of voice then I won't be too afraid to go to club on a daily basis." Enn thinks to himself as he enters the Journalism club's room. He may not admit it, but he blushed at the sight of that girl in the wheelchair.
Classroom 3-C: Journalism club room
"All right! So who among you has actually done their assigned work?" The president asks as she slams a roll of newspaper on the table.
A young girl raises her hand. She appears to be around Enn's age and grade. She was dressed in the Tsukumihara High School girl's uniform and she was wearing glasses. To Enn, she seemed like the classical class nerd who is all books and no social life. She submits her paper to the president. The president gives the paper a quick scan before turning back to her.
"Good paper, Sajyou-san. You're a big help to the club, unlike Enn over there."
"This girl really likes rubbing lemon on my wounds" Enn stands up and throws out his classic excuse. "Well, there aren't anything new to report about in this school so isn't it a given that I won't be able to turn anything in?"
"Of course there's something. Even if it's just trivial changes, you should still keep an eye out. Look at Sajyou-san's article. It's just about some kid from a wealthy family transferring to our school but who knows? She could be very popular the next day."
"But isn't that too redundant? I mean, people come and go all the time so what's so special about doing a feature on her?"
"Like I said, they might be super popular tomorrow? Remember that priest who was transferred here last month. He seemed like a complete nobody at first but the next day he—"
"All right, all right. So where do you want me to start?" Enn buts in, not wanting to listen to her preach about people any longer.
"Well, you could try investigating some of our more popular students. Like that Tohsa-" The president tries to explain.
"Well, I'm off. To investigate I mean." Enn buts in again.
"Good luck Enn! You and Sajyou-san are our only field reporters as of now, so give it your best effort." The president cheers him on.
"Sigh… Glad I'm out of there. Yeah, like I have the guts to interview Tohsaka. Last time I did, I woke up in the clinic."
The truth is, Enn didn't want to join the Journalism club. The only reason he did was because a teacher recommended him to it and because being a member gives you privileges to watch school events without paying any fees. That and he wanted to hang out at the club room, due to the powerful air-conditioning units.
Second floor corridor
Enn had only been walking for ten seconds when he overhears a commotion near Classroom 2-A. Hearing that most of the commotions are caused by girls, Enn didn't even need three guesses as to who is causing all that.
"That ice queen… and I thought that she understands!" A furious voice echoed throughout the room. That condescending tone could only belong to one person.
"Oh Shinji-sama, you should not interact with those kind of people." One of the girls squealed.
"Right. Just leave that Tohsaka in her lonely spot at the rooftop." Another follows.
"I was going to do just that! I thought she understands how lonely it is at the top but, Gaahh!"
"Poor bloke… I'm guessing he tried to hit on Tohsaka but was shot down. Rather badly, if I might add. Usually, his aggressive approach works on any girl but didn't with Tohsaka, but—" Enn swallowed some saliva as he looked at the flight of stairs leading to the third floor and the rooftop. "Can I really hold a conversation with the ice queen of Tsukumihara?"
He made a sign of the cross just before ascending the stairs and into the rooftop. "Whatever. A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. Even if he has no life insurance." He paused for a while before opening the doors and stepping out in the red of the setting sun outside.
Rooftop
As usual, Rin Tohsaka was sitting at her spot in the rooftop, staring off into the distance. Enn ponders whether he should call out or just take a seat next to her. Deciding that the latter option could earn him a trip to the hospital, he opts for the former.
"Excuse me, may I ask you a few questions." Enn calls out to her.
Tohsaka's gaze shifted from the scenery to him. Her eyes showed a hint of annoyance and anger. This look worried Enn. If even a popular guy like Matou couldn't last a second against this girl, what makes him think that he'll fare any better. Fortunately, he was being nice; or so he thinks. Unfortunately, this girl remembered who he was.
"You. You're that fly from the Journalism Club, Enomoto-san, was it?"
"Enomoto Hidaka but just call me Enn."
"Trying to get friendly with me?" Rin's eyes narrow down into slits sending chills up Enn's spine.
"Ah no. I just wanted to ask—"
"Alright, ask away." Rin cuts him off, while fixing her pigtails.
"Ummm… know any good stories? About people in this school I mean?" Enn asks. "What are you doing you idiot! She's supposed to be the story!"
"Can't the Journalism club stop gossiping about others already? It's not good to butt into other people's live—Wait." Rin's expression changed. She seems to be thinking deeply about something.
"Aha! Why don't you write a story about "that" girl."
"Which girl?" Enn asks, no idea who she was talking about.
"You know, the one who frequently ends up in the clinic." Rin answers back rather annoyed.
"All right. Thanks for the info, Tohsaka-san!" Enn turns around to leave.
"Sheesh. Boys these days are so.." Rin turns back to her usual position. Enn shots her another glance.
"By the way, that sigil you put up, if you don't conceal it, someone else might notice." He mutters.
Rin looks back surprised but Enn had already disappeared. She glances back at the sigil she placed on the ground.
"That boy, how did he—"
Enn knew about her "secret" of course. By some twist of fate, like Rin Tohsaka, Enn was also a Magus.
First floor corridor
"Shit did I just—" Enn suddenly realizes the gravity of his actions. Now, Rin Tohsaka knows that he is a Magus like her. Any time now and she might challenge him, something Enn had avoided since he came to this school.
So far he had counted four magus in this school, including himself. There was Rin Tohsaka, the popular Tsukumihara "Ice Queen". Then there was Matou. Shinji Matou, there was a reason why he was so bloody proud and this was it. Even if he was an arrogant bastard, his claims of superiority over others were quite true. Then there was that newcomer priest, the one who took out three pit bulls using only his hands. Enn was there to see it and based on what he observed, no normal human could accomplish a feat like what that priest had done.
"Oh well. Magus need not kill each other until the situation calls for it." Enn comforts himself as he enters the Infirmary.
Infirmary
Sakura Matou, the nurse's aide greeted him a pleasant afternoon as he enters. "Good Afternoon Enomoto-san, feeling sick?" "No. I'm here to interview someone, is it alright?" Enn answers back.
"Well, if they're feeling up for it, then I guess it's fine but please don't push them too hard." Sakura answers nicely.
"Sakura Matou. Shinji Matou's younger sister. How could a nice girl like her endure having such a jerk of a big brother. Ahh… the mysteries of siblings. How could they grow up in the same environment and end up so different from each other. But does it mean that Sakura is a magus as well?" Enn glances back at Sakura who had turned her back on him and was now tending to some paperwork on the desk. "Nah, only one child could inherit the family secrets."
Enn had become acquainted with the Infirmary. Most of the times, he would feign illness and take a break here, just staring at the ceiling, not to mention that he ended up here the first time he interviewed Ms. Rooftop. But not once did he notice a girl who ends up here frequently, so he was visibly surprised when this supposed "girl" was sitting on the bed next to the one Enn frequently sleeps in. So he sat down in "his" bed and from the white curtains, he could make out a silhouette of a slender young woman.
Who are those little girls in pain,
Just trapped in castle of dark side of the moon.
Enn hears the sound of someone singing in the bed next to the one he sat on. He slightly pulled back the curtains, taking care not to be noticed by whoever she was.
Twelve of them shining bright in vain,
Like flowers that blossom just once in years.
From the small gap he created, Enn could see her full form. She was in school uniform all right. But her long, wavy, raven hair, tied into a half up, her pale complexion and pale ruby eyes that seem to glimmer in the light of the setting sun, captivated him. She was very beautiful. Before he knew it, Enn found himself listening to her song.
They're dancing in the shadow like whispers of love,
Just dreaming of place where they're free as dove.
They've never been allowed to love in this cursed cage.
It's only the fairy tale they believe.
The girl finishes her song, snapping Enn out of his daze. "Ummm. Sorry for listening in." Enn quickly mutters a quick apology. "I was wondering—"
"Third floor." The girl says.
"I'm sorry?"
"You'll find someone to write a story about on the third floor." She gets up and proceeds out of her cubicle.
"What is she, psychic?" Enn thinks to himself.
"I heard you and the others in the Journalism club room when I passed by. You need a story right? You can find one on the left wing of the third floor." The girl answers slyly.
"Well that explains it. Guess she hadn't been here long." Enn breathes a sigh of relief. If she was psychic then she might misunderstand the thoughts that's been buzzing around Enn's head while he was staring at her. Girls are prone to misunderstandings. "What story are you talking about anyway?" He follows up a question as he walks towards her.
"The one about the ghost." She answers with a smirk on her face. At that moment, Enn's face turns slightly pale.
The girl laughs a little as she asks Sakura Matou about her medicine. Enn immediately excuses himself as he proceeds outside.
"Ghosts? Haha… No way it can be real. Right?" Enn thinks to himself as he goes up the third floor again, for the second time. He may not admit it, but even he is afraid to stay at the left wing past dismissal time.
As he was climbing the stairs, another realization hit him: "I've been led away again! She was supposed to be the story!" Enn curses his stroke of bad luck. The president, Ice Queen Rin Tohsaka and that mysterious bishoujo in the clinic, he wonders why he encountered such pushy girls all in a row. What's up with that?
Third floor, left wing.
The left wing was eerily quiet. Every step Enn makes echoes out as a thundering orchestra. He was fighting the urge to break out in a cold sweat. He waited a little bit. By this time, the sun had completely set and the light of the moon cast weird shadows around the place. Enn felt goosebumps pricking out of his skin. Just then, a voice called out to him.
"Hey Onii-chan, wanna play?" A little voice called out to him.
Enn looked at the source of the voice and was astonished to see a little girl in front of him. It was evident in her attire that she was no student. She was wearing a cute light blue dress with long sleeves and a smile was plastered on her angelic face. In contrast to the ruby eyes of the woman in the infirmary, she had blue eyes that shone like majestic sapphires under the moonlight. She was quite pretty, for a kid. "Good thing I'm no lolicon." Enn thought.
"What do you want to play?" Enn asks casually while trying to smile. "Ahh.. no good, I have a very awkward smile. Hope I don't scare her away."
"Let's play tag!" The girl happily replied. She placed a small hand on Enn's jacket. "Tag you're it!"
"All right, I'm comi- Whaaa-!" Enn stands back in shock as the little girl vanished into thin air. RIGHT BEFORE HIS VERY EYES. Enn stood there for a moment, speechless at what he saw. When he was able to gather his wits, he bolted out of there. He didn't even realize he was screaming.
Second floor corridor: In front of Classroom 2-A
"Forget about my awkward smile, that was freaky!" Enn thinks as he jumped the entire stairway down to the second floor. He stopped in front of Classroom 2-A to catch his breath.
"You shouldn't run while on staircases else you might fall and have a nasty accident." Another voice breaks the silence. Enn turns around and sees the girl he tripped on earlier.
"Oh, it's just you." Enn mutters while still breathing heavily. "What are you still doing here?"
"I just finished some paperwork." She answers nicely and takes a look at Enn's face. "What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"Actually I did." Enn answers back. "The one on the left wing upstairs."
The girl looks at him with a puzzled expression. "Wait, could she be the new transferee that Sajyou wrote about?" Enn then told her what happened upstairs. After his narration, the girl's face also grew a little pale.
"I think we should just go home now?" The girl urges Enn. "Yeah, that's a good idea."
Seeing as she might have a hard time getting down, Enn had to carry her and her wheelchair on his arms.
First floor corridor
Most of the classrooms were already deserted. Enn gently opened the foldable wheelchair that he carried on his back with a free hand while his other hand acted as a sort of a chair for the lady. After setting it up, he gently set her down. Enn claims to have had no lecherous thoughts the whole time he carried her down.
"Much appreciated, thank you." The lady thanks him.
"No problem."
"I was looking around for someone to help me move go down the stairs before I saw you. So please excuse me if I had been a bother." The lady bows her head in apology.
"No-no, it's no trouble at all." Enn rebukes the apology. "Wow, how polite. Talk about class! When Tohsaka shanked me, she didn't even mutter a single apology."
The lady extends a hand to him. "My name is Fiore. Fiore Forvedge Yggdmillenia."
He shook hands with her as he introduced himself. "I am Enomoto Hidaka but just call me Enn."
"Well, Enn-kun. This is goodbye." Fiore then turns and exits the school building, joining the other groups of students going home.
Grounds
Outside, Enn was stretching his arms as he readies himself to call it a day. He glanced back at the third floor windows to check if the "ghost" was still there. He was relieved to see that she was not. Just as he was heading out, yet another voice called out to him.
"I advise you to head home now. I won't recommend taking any detours. The streets had become more dangerous this time of night." A low, masculine voice called out from the shadows. Enn turns around to see Shirou Kotomine, the school's new priest.
"I was planning to do just that, Father."
"Good, it would be bad if rumours started spreading about you and your girlfriend about staying late at night to do you know?" Kotomine teased.
"Girlfriend? Wait, is he talking about Fiore? But more importantly…" Enn looks at Kotomine with a look that could even scare a Servant of God. "SHE IS NOT MY GIRLFRIEND, NOR ARE WE DOING "THAT" IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CORRIDORS! BESIDES, WE JUST MET NOT TEN MINUTES AGO!" Enn explains while embarrassed though deep inside, he really wouldn't mind Fiore as a girlfriend, despite the astronomical odds of that happening.
"Hehehe. Relax, not that a woman like her would associate herself with you anyway. Be careful on your way home." Kotomine says as he turns to leave for his chapel.
"Lemon on my wounds eh.." Enn just sighs sadly as he exits the gate.
"Come to think of it, Fiore Yggdmillenia, Rin Tohsaka and that girl in the clinic, they were all… pretty. I wish I could get lucky with one of them. No. That's impossible."
Fuyuki City Highlights
A man, dressed in a black business outfit stared down from his place in one of the towering condominiums in the city. Down below, people were moving about their businesses, coming and going, repeating this endless cycle that has continued for decades now. The man knew though, that soon, this illusion is about to be shattered. "It" was about to start. He turns to the case on his bed and opens it, revealing all his tools to prepare himself for the coming conflict. He takes out the Contender and arms it with a single bullet.
"Guess there's nothing wrong with getting a headstart." He exits his room and into the streets below.
He had not gotten far when a shadow called out to him. "I see that someone is still wondering around at night." From the corner of a street post, Kotomine Shirou revealed himself to the stranger in front of him.
The man gave no reply and instead reached for something in his pocket. Kotomine, sensing that he is not the type to talk, positions his fists. In a blink of an eye, the Black Keys have materialized themselves before him. "Trying to get a headstart eh. Sorry, but you'll have to get past me first."
The man drew out a couple of survival knives and hurled it at the priest. The priest dodged it easily enough and was able to close the distance between him and his adversary within three steps. However, his adversary was no pushover as well. He drew out a Calico and let out a barrage of bullets at Kotomine who intercepted using the Black Keys.
In this dimly lit road, a fight was ensuing under the noses of the oblivious citizens of Fuyuki.
Tsukumihara Academy: Second Day
"Crazy world, crazy world." The president mutters to herself as she enters the journalism club's room for their daily, before homeroom, meeting. Inside, Enn and Sajyou Ayaka were already waiting.
"Did you hear the news? Mr. Prescott was killed in his home last night!" The president informs the two.
"Mr. Prescott… Ah that smug, science teacher. I could imagine why everyone will hate him but who on Earth would get it in their minds to kill him? None of my business anyway." Enn stares at the two girls who had begun gossiping about the event.
"Now that's out of the way," The president then adjusts her glasses. "Find any stories, ENN?"
Enn hands her some papers. Thanks to the "ghost" incident last night, he managed to piece up one hell of a horror story.
"This is good, this is great Enn! All right, you get a kiss from Ayaka as a reward!" The president compliments him.
Ayaka stands up to protest but Enn had already turned around to leave. Just then, the president followed up with yet another request. "By the way, there were some sounds coming from the locked up room in the corner downstairs. Could you go investigate? Who knows it could be—"
"The next hot topic. Yeah sure boss." Enn replied as he exits the room.
Second floor corridor
"How can she be so bossy this early in the morning?" Enn yawns as he proceeds to the locked up room on the second floor. "Wait, if this room is locked, then how the hell am I supposed to get in?"
He looked around the place. It was still twenty minutes before homeroom, so he thought of asking the janitors downstairs for a key.
First floor corridor
While on his way out, he passed Fiore Yggdmillenia.
"Oh Enn, where are you going?" She asks.
"Borrowing a key. Boss wants me to investigate something."
"Oh, I heard Father Kotomine has all the keys to the place. Maybe you can borrow it?"
Enn's face lit up. "Thanks for that information." He shows his gratitude before speeding down the halls to head for the chapel.
Chapel Grounds
The school chapel was located on the right side, near the archery range. It was surrounded by a majestic garden, filled with beautiful flowers on all sides. In the centre, facing the chapel doors was a water fountain lined with benches on four corners. At first glance, one might think that he is in a park instead of a school. "Every school worth its salt needs to have a place like this. Gotta attract new blood." Enn was also fascinated with this place. There by the side, he saw Father Kotomine welcoming two ladies to the place. One of them had crimson hair, tied into a ponytail and she was dressed in a plain white dress shirt and black pants. She was also wearing glasses. The other had long brown hair that flowed to her back and was dressed in a light blue sweatshirt and grey jeans. "They kind of looked alike, sisters maybe?" Enn reckoned.
"I'll be counting on you." Kotomine gives one last word before the two enter the chapel. "Oh, Enn, what brings you here in His Holy Presence?" He says, referring to the church.
"I was going to borrow a key to the closed room on the second floor. Hope you don't mind…" Enn's voice trails off as he noticed some bandages wrapped around the priest's hand. For a moment, Kotomine seems lost in thought but eventually, he consented.
"Sure, but let me unlock it for you." He beckons Enn to follow him into the room. Upon coming inside though, Kotomine was nowhere to be found. So Enn just decided to head straight to the room.
Second Floor: Closed Room
Enn now stood in front of the room in question. "Great, ten minutes before homeroom, and I'm here."
He turns the knob and , feeling that it's unlocked, opened it and went inside.
Arena Entrance
Inside, Enn saw nothing except for old cabinets and an effigy in the corner of the room. He gave the effigy a light tap and it moved, much to Enn's shock.
"Don't be afraid… This servant will protect you, as you brave the dangers beyond." A voice rung in his head. He looked up and saw a gaping black hole that leads straight ahead. He picks himself up and heads inside to investigate, the effigy following behind him.
The moment I entered that gaping hole, was the moment I had voluntarily accepted my own death.
Chimeric Lunar Sea
"How long have I been walking?" Enn tries to grasp his sense of time. It had been a while since he entered that room. He was now in some sort of virtual arena, with rogue programs that will try to make lunch out of him as soon as they see him. Fortunately, the effigy was more than up to the task of defending him. Soon, he reached a corridor that leads straight ahead, with no confusing detours. He decided to follow it, all the way to the center stage.
Center
Enn saw nothing but an old abandoned effigy, like his and some lumps on the floor. In an instant, the effigy stood up and proceeded to attack, with his effigy stepping up to protect him. Blows after blows followed but in the end, Enn's effigy lost the fight. The enemy then proceeded towards him.
"Guess I have no choice." He tries to cast an offensive spell that he knew but before he knew it, the effigy has stabbed him with its sharp limb. He collapsed to the floor, feeling numb. Now he can see what those lumps are: They were the dead bodies of other Tsukumihara students. He was about to join them in their grave.
"I can't, not yet." Enn tries to get up on his feet, but staggers back, his blood dripping to the ground.
"Will you fight or succumb to despair?" That mysterious voice asks again.
Enn didn't give a spoken answer. He continued to try standing up, to no avail. "I can't die here. Not without understanding what's going on. Not without… writing a story about this world behind locked doors. Not without… scoring a date with Fiore, Tohsaka or that girl in the clinic." He kept trying to stand up.
"Very well, perhaps you are worthy of a little more power."
Three gates materialized in front of Enn. "Your will is strong. Choose whichever gate you think will best suit your needs." Lacking the energy to ponder long, he made his way to the one nearest to him: the left gate. As soon as he touched the doors, the gate vanished and a figure descends from above.
"You called for me? Very well. Consider it an honour to have an accomplished idol like me, serve the needs of a lowly pig like you." The one speaking was the figure from above. Enn turns to get a look. She was pink haired girl, dressed in a gothic dress, that seems a little too revealing for Enn's taste. Despite looking like a complete weirdo, she was kind of cute; if you could disregard the horns on her head and her draconic tail.
"What now? Don't tell me you lost to this unsightly monster." The girl then manifested a black spear in her hands. In a matter of seconds, she had annihilated the rogue effigy. Just then, Enn felt a burning sensation on his right hand. He raised it to his face to get a look and saw that the flesh was peeling away and forming a sort of pattern. This was too much for Enn and he passed out. The last things he heard before his vision faded was the girl calling out to him.
"Oi, what's the matter with you? Hello? Master?"
"She just called me Master." Those were the last thoughts he was able to muster before fainting completely.
-Prologue End-
Enn's notes:
Well... here it is. Fate/EXTRA Angelic Layer. My first fanfic.
First of all, I would like to point out that none of the aforementioned works belong to me. Copyright belongs to their respective owners. Second, the honorifics I used are just based on what I saw in various anime I've watched. Not too familiar with Japanese honorifics myself.
As you can see, I used an OC as main character. I don't know if it's alright but seeing as how Fate/EXTRA allows you to create your own character and make your own choices, I reckoned, Why not? The only things I changed are his appearance and his name.
For Fate fans, you may have noticed several familiar faces throughout the chapter. Good for you!
Anyway, please enjoy the world of Angelic Layer!
(By the way, the song sang by the girl in the Infirmary (Fate fans might know who she is based on her appearance) came from Mai-Hime. The title is: It's only the Fairy Tale. Copyright also belongs to their respective owners.)