Fate/Infinity Shuffle

Chapter 245 – Singular Fragments:

Everything was set up for the match between The Singularities and a yet to be revealed EX Rank Team. Anxious people gathered to watch, eager to see the event just like before, when the match between the Red Oaths and the Fuyuki Defenders.

This time around, the only people to be present 'live' were the Rankers and Rulers. In addition to Sieg, who Joana dragged.

"Y-You know, this is starting to look like obsession."

"I'm not leaving him home alone!"

Shirou could tell Sieg was not pleased, struggling by being pulled and tugged by the longest strand of hair on his head.

"Joana, I live alone, what are you talking about?"

"Hey, Akane?"

"What, Sekai?"

"Can kiss for a little while we wait for the match to start?"

"…Sekai, we are literally surrounded by our friends."

The Red Oaths and the Black Yggdrasil had gathered in Akane's house to assist the match together. Snacks and everything!

The answer was an obvious no, but Aimi couldn't help but giggle.

"Oh hoh? Is it just me or is the fearless Saber of Red shy of showing affection for her lover?"

Akane narrowed her eyes at the teammate. "Somebody speaking high and mighty who's not watching the match with her boyfriend."

"Fool. My Shirou understands that watching it with my Team is dear to my heart."

"…" Akane narrowed her eyes at the Assassin and then turned to Daisuke. "Translation?"

"She's shy around people with him."

Aimi's expression changed dramatically, and her white skin turned bright red. "Daisuke!"

"What? I'm not wrong."

"It's a bit of a surprise." Taiyou admitted.

"I say the same." Hibiki added. "You always look confident. Didn't expect you to turn shy in public."

"I don't become shy!" She affirmed. "I just don't like people looking at us or acknowledging our presence in any way whatsoever."

"I believe that's called being 'redundant'." Rikuko affirmed.

Haruto was confused. "I thought that was the definition of 'shy'."

"Yes, but what she just did is called 'redundant'."

"Let's just watch the match already…"

"Guys, I'm freaking out!" Taiga, Lancer of the Singularities, could not stay put.

"C-Calm down!" Okami held him from behind, trying to keep the panicky woman still alongside Futaba and Daisuke.

Aiko kept counting the sections of her fan, over and over again. Natsumi and Akiko let out sighs, seeing the figures of their teammates, while Mash sat on the bench of the locker room they were currently in, her eyes unable to stop spinning.

"Okay, I think we're dramatizing this a little bit too much." Akiko pointed out. "We've seen what one Team is capable of."

"Well, yeah, but," protested Taiga. "we didn't know a conspirator could be in one of those Teams!"

"Speak louder, I think the US didn't hear you." Daisuke remarked, earning himself a glare.

"He's right, you know?" Same went for Futaba.

"Guys, guys, you need to calm down." Natsumi pointed out, giggling awkwardly. "I bet we're not even one tenth as nervous as the Red Oaths were…"

"Or at least, we are, but in different ways and for different reasons."

"Why did Hakuno have to tell us about the whole traitor thing?" aiko sighed, irritated. "If he hadn't, we would've done this anyway, wouldn't we?"

"Sorta. But maybe he wanted us to take this seriously?" Akiko theorized. "This is more of a sport than anything else."

"Yeah, with nuclear nukes as entertainment."

"H-Hey, we're not that dangerous." Mash pointed out, making all of her teammates turn to her. "…What?"

"Umm… don't you remember the attack on the city?"

"Which one?"

"All of them."

"W-Well, but they'll stop after we catch the traitor, right?"

Akiko thought for a second. "At least the big scale ones. Assuming nobody pulls another stunt like those three did couple months ago."

"Ahhh, memories."

"Not the time for jokes, Ogami."

Mash pinched the bridge of her nose before raising her glasses up to her forehead. "Hmmm… guys, we don't have much time." The moment she removed her hand, the glasses fell back into place. "So, let's just do our best. We'll look at this just like how we look at every other fight we had up until now. Besides, we've seen how strong an EX Rank Team is, so, you guys don't have to worry. I'll protect all of you with my shield."

The crowd of seven was somewhat surprised. They looked around at each other and just had to smirk with little 'Hmphs' escaping from their lips.

"Alright, Leader. We'll be counting on you." Akiko pointed out.

And just in time. Because the Team was called in for the challenge to start.

"Ummm, Hakuno?"

"Yes?"

"This Territory Card…"

"Oh. You like it? Mary designed it with Jinako's help. It was made just for this match, you know?"

Mash muttered unknown words, trying to figure out just what to say. "I-It's really nice."

"I know, right? I'm really proud of her." The giggle of a prideful child could be heard on the other side of the phone. "Anything else?"

"N-No. Well, thank you. The match is about to start." And she hung up after a wish of good luck. She then joined in her Team in staring at the Castle they had been Transported in front of.

"This looks a bit…"

"Cartoony?"

"Amazing!" Taiga was the only one jubilant at the sight of the battlefield.

A fortress of grey brick surrounded by multiple towers, all with green, cone-like rooftops covered in spikes. In the front entrance, over the door, what was supposed to be the face of a threatening monster turtle creature, it was replaced by Teddy's face, stoic as always. The final feature was the large pool of lava that surrounded the building.

But that was besides the point. The eight of them had to formulate a plan, while keeping in mind their Missions.

Mash – Do not deploy your Noble Phantasm more than twice during the match.

Akiko – Defeat Saber in Combat.

Daisuke – Only use 2 out of 3 Noble Phantasms.

Taiga – Defeat an opponent in single combat.

Natsumi – Defeat an opponent with the Divinity Skill.

Ogami – Defeat an opponent without the Divinity Skill

Futaba – Defeat the opponent Assassin or opponent Berserker.

Aiko – Do not engage in battle with Caster.

"Alright, Leader?"

"Well…" Mash turned to Akiko to answer. "None of use need to follow through with our Missions if we defeat them to start with. So, if you're in a pinch, don't worry and go ahead. As for our approach, we'll split and scout."

"Alright!" Taiga was getting pumped up, as shown by her fist raised into the air above.

"Daisuke, could you prepare your 'second' Noble Phantasm? I think it can be really useful for coverage, in addition to your 'first'."

"In other words, only use the Ark if I'm that much in trouble. Gotcha." Daisuke flashed a thumbs up.

"Taiga, Akiko, you two come with me. Ogami and Futaba are a group, Aiko and Natsumi are another." Mash put on a more confident smirk. "Don't worry about losing, alright?"

"Gotcha."

"Then, on my mark! Get set! … GO!" Seven members entered the castle. Daisuke, the Archer, stayed behind to scout at a distance through the many windows of the brick castle, and potentially launch a rock from his sling to help his teammates.

But in addition, it would most likely to be useful to spot the opposing Archer as well. They had to be somewhere, right?

Natsumi and Aiko paced around carefully the West wing of the castle. After their dash was cut short, they decided to stay cautious. After all, they had zero context regarding the enemy at hands.

"You think I should ignore my Mission?"

"Hm?" Natsumi was confused. "Why would you fight against a Caster?"

"Casters can fight too, right? Just look at Ogami. And since I don't have Magic Resistance, I'm an easy target for Caster specifically."

"I guess. Maybe I'm too used to seeing them just offer support."

One of Aiko's veins popped. "That's because you have Magic Resistance and decent stats."

Natsumi let out an awkward laugh. "C-C'mon, Aiko. You're pretty good at using your Card taking into account your…"

"Stats?"

"K-Kinda."

Aiko narrowed her eyes. Despite being a Berserker, with the exception of her Agility and Noble Phantasms, all of her Stats remained at a solid E. During matches she was something akin to an ace in the hole. Or maybe even a last resort.

But in most situations, she herself could only offer some support.

"But there's nothing wrong with that. You have been able to knockout a good number of opponents! And you like your Card, don't you?"

With a sigh, the teammate removed her sour expression. "I do."

"So you don't have nothing to worry about. A Player with a high compatibility with their Card is stronger than any overpowered Card."

"There's limits to that, you know?"

Natsumi raised an eyebrow. "Coming from a hopeless romantic?"

"I am a realist." Aiko clamped her hands together. "And it is one hundred percent real that nothing can ever beat the power of true love."

"There it is…" A sigh came out of her mouth. "You know, you talk big from someone without a boy-"

She was expecting a menacing shriek, such as 'SHUT UP!', but rather, it was a yell of concern.

"LOOK OUT!"

"Huh?"

A stream of fire advanced towards Natsumi, but Aiko stepped in front of her teammate and opened her fan, waving it in the following second, making the sream split apart.

"Natsumi!"

"I figured!" The Rider turned so her back would be against Aiko's and raised her shield, blocking the converging streams that curled around them.

A couple seconds later, with enough focus and effort, Aiko waved her fan again, extinguishing the stream. She let out a breath of white, visible despite the high temperature.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm more concerned about you." Aiko pointed out, as the Rider joined her side.

"Magic Resistance really is handy." She giggled, making the vein on Aiko's forehead pop again.

The two opponents approached.

By the looks of it, the two opponents were of the Lancer and Caster Class.

The Lancer was a young girl, high school level. Straight grey hair down to her chest, and almost hollow brown eyes. As for the gear she sported, a sleeveless, black dress with a short skirt and a whitish-yellow ribbon over the chest, in addition to armour of a warrior: azure, metallic gauntlets for the fore and upper arms, only exposing her shoulders, and the legs had grieves of a similar nature, but a more decorated design, the pattern making them resemble wings to an extent, all the way up to her thighs. The weapon was just as brilliant as the armour, a long spear, taller than her even, and the large tip shaped like a heart when looked at it upside down. Around her head was a crown of azure, and while the outer layer of her hair was normally, the inner side shone like a dark, starlit sky.

The Caster wasn't as flaring as the Lancer. A girl as well, without a doubt, maybe slightly older. Golden eyes full of life, and a rather boyish haircut for her brown hair, with long bangs on either side of her face. A white lab coat with a high collar, lightly decorated with a red cross, rubies, and patches of black. By the partition of the coattails, one could see her black trousers and metallic boots. In one hand, a book. In another, a Florence flask.

EX Rankers.

Himuro Kane 'The Burdened Love Detective'

Shizune Seo 'Alchemic Artist'

"More teenagers?" Natsumi was honestly surprised.

"Isn't the major population of the Game teenagers as well?" The Lancer, Kane, asked, in a rather stoic way. No sarcasm, no dry, no nothing.

"W-Well, but…" Aiko pinched the bridge of her nose. "Now I understand how Rider of Red felt."

The Caster, Seo, giggled awkwardly. "We really give the wrong idea, huh?"

"Oh, no, no, no, it's not that!" Natsumi waved her hands and shook her head. "It's our fault. We shouldn't be building you up in such a way."

"It's understandable, don't worry." Kane assured. "But, if you don't mind, we have to proceed with the match."

"O-Oh, sure, but one second." Natsumi hunched over to Aiko and whispered in her ear. "Are you sure you want to throw away your mission? We're clearly fighting a Caster."

"It's okay, don't worry." Aiko waved her hand. "I have complete trust in Mash to help us win. And of course, the other way around too."

"If you say so. Just make sure you don't regret it." Natsumi reminded, raising her sword and shield.

The Rider and Berserker spoke in perfect unison. "Ascension!"

Flames erupted beneath Aiko while a strong gust surrounded Natsumi. Once the winds dispersed and the flames ceased, the two revealed their altered appearance: Natsumi's head now wore a crown, her sword and shield became more regal, and her red hair grown slightly longer, and her back wearing a cape, while Aiko's appearance remained similar, but with completely different colours, as her pink eyes became red, light blue hair turned white, and the kimono went from white and green to charcoal brown with red and black for the flaming pattern.

Kane and Seo put on small smirks.

"Come."

Ogami and Futaba paced around carefully. The two knife wielders searched for an opponent, but neither could take the situation for granted.

"You know you're screwed if we end up fighting anyone with Magic Resistance, right?"

"You say that as if I've never thrown a punch into a Saber's face." He chuckled.

"Well, yeah, but you know," Futaba sighed in slight frustration. "Leader isn't here to protect you."

"I'm aware. But I can count on you, right?"

Futaba's cheeks turned bright red. "Oi, oi, don't say something like that." To say Futaba was just as reliable as Mash would be quite the claim.

Ogami chuckled. "Don't worry. We're partners, right? We've got to-!"

"Look out!" Futaba's hand grabbed the back of the Caster's head and bent him forward, swinging her knife over his body and striking a thrown dagger away.

Ogami straightened up his body and his confusion vanished the moment he saw the dagger stabbed through the stone floor.

The two raised their knives and leaned into each other, back to back, watching over either one's blind spot.

"You were saying?"

"I don't think I need to say something you clearly know already."

"Wow!" An excited boy emerged from the shadows of the darker dungeon of the castle. "Yukika, Yukika! That girl has the same kind of Card as me!"

And then, a sigh. "Flat, you shouldn't call my name out like that."

He put his hands behind his head. "Ehhh? But your Presence Concealment broke already."

The two Singularities looked over to their opponents.

The overly excited boy, Flat, sported blonde hair and bright eyes. And, just as he had pointed out, he used the same kind of Card as Futaba, meaning they had the same set of clothes, a formal suit and a knife.

On the other hand, the girl, Yukika, had her face concealed by a white skull mask, and her neck-length hair turned purple as a result of Installing a Hassan. In addition, her skin had become black. Her big round eyes and innocent looking face remained unchanged. Her clothes were a set of pants, belt, and split top.

Flat Escardos 'The Gentleman with an Annoying Split Personality'

Saegusa Yukika 'Assassin with a Serene Mindset'

Futaba raised an eyebrow. And it was not because of Flat's behaviour, but rather what he said.

"You noticed it too, right?"

"The guy wasn't exactly subtle." Ogami pointed out, as the two stepped away from each other. "Ascension." His body flared like the sun for a second, recreating his clothes to a more elaborate and mightier apache uniform, alongside the tribal makeup he sported.

Ogami and Futaba raised fists and quickly bumped them before separating "I'm taking the Assassin. Good luck."

"Back at you."

And with that, Futaba threw a glare at Flat, who laughed it off as he drew his own knife.

Shielder, Saber and Lancer ran through the stone corridors, Mash and Akiko trying to make sure Taiga didn't just run off to wherever she wished.

"But that pool of lava looked so cool!"

"For the last time, it looked like every other pool!" Akiko scolded, hitting the back of Taiga's head.

Mash put on an awkward expression, unable to figure out what to do. That was until she heard a rather distinct sound. "!" she leaped forward to create distance between herself and the teammates.

"Huh?"

"Leader?"

"Gh-!" She placed her shield in front of her body and planted her feet on the floor. A beam of glittering yellow light attempted to swallow it but was unable to break through the shield.

Akiko and Taiga turned serious and held up their weapons. "I'm guessing we're here."

Mash removed her shield from the front, allowing herself and the others to see their opponents.

And one of the two people standing before them was quite a shock, especially for Mash.

"S-S-S-S-" The word refused to leave until a burst of courage came flying through. "Senpai?!"

"Hello, Mash!" A young man with black messy hair and bright blue eyes waved at her. An upperclassman from their school that kept saying he was a D-Ranker up until this moment, where he revealed he was an EX Ranker. And for the first time, revealed his Card to the public as well. A white cape clad around his body, held by a strip of gold. Upper body exposed, with two incomplete rings of gold around it. Black sleeves with golden gauntlets, holding an Egyptian staff, a skirt-like mantle and a fully golden and decorated waist piece.

Gudao Fujimaru 'Sunlit King of Kings'

Akiko and taiga were both rather shocked but recovered easily enough. The to looked at the steaming Mash, who had suddenly grown rather embarrassed and shy. If not for the situation, she would be hiding behind her shield.

"Your friends, I'm presuming?"

"Underclassmen." Gudao pointed out to his leader.

"Ah, I see, I see." For once, the Player standing in front of them was an adult. The weapon he held and the armour? It was unmistakeably the same kind of Card as Ayaka from the Fuyuki Defenders used: King of Knights, King Arthur.

The adult himself looked like someone in his 40s, with shoulder length brown hair slicked backwards and a matching goatee. His face seemed to possess a couple scars. But the thing that stood out about him were the sunglases over his eyes.

And while not a shock for the three of them, a certain Player dropped her jaw at his appearance.

Kairi Sisigo 'King of Knightmares'

Sekai was concerned. She waved her hand in front of Akane's face, but no response.

"Umm…?"

"Is she okay?"

And then, Akane finally let out what her chest had been holding in. "DAD?!"

The other 13 teens became just as wide eyed and looked at the tv screen before looking back at Akane. "Dad?!"

Mash's brain suddenly made a connection. "If Senpai is here, that means…"

"Yup. She's here too." Fujimaru confirmed the suspicions, giving away the identity of the last member of the Team 'fragments of Blue and Silver'.

Outside the castle, on the opposite side from Daisuke, stood the Archer, a colleague and friend. A girl with golden eyes, bright orange hair with a side ponytail, while the clothes consisted of a green armour for the upper body and shoulders, robust clothes of black and white, and red grieves, whose colour was shared by the tall bow she held as a weapon.

"to think I'd fight my Kouhai one day. Oh wel. I'm not going to disrespect her." Ritsuka Gudako chuckled to herself, as she radied a couple arrows.

Ritsuka Gudako 'Lone Rainbow-Coloured Meteorite'

Tune in next time!

In case you are interested, Discord Server Link: discord .gg /e7Qznvb (remove the spaces)

Just as always, if you have questions or requests, be free to ask, preferably through PM.

Until next time!