UPDATE: A random oneshot crossover forged from the stress that was 2020 given an actual pilot chapter!

Sneak a peek (or three) of a very short what-if scenario wherein two magical worlds merged and their characters collided.

Then... read the next for the real deal. ;3

A glimpse of another magic world…

Fate of Irregulars

The assailant in red stopped in his tracks as soon as he heard an audible click. A staring down the barrel of a gun-like object, he spoke as calmly as possible, but the air tensed as he readied for combat.

"I hope you don't plan on shooting me with that," said the dark-skinned man, silver eyes glancing over his shoulder. "I'm only here to retrieve this one. I don't intend to be a threat."

Said object of retrieval groaned as it was lifted slightly, but no other sound was made as he waited for a reply.

"That may be so, however, I have business with them. I kindly ask that you leave them to me first." the boy clad in black kept the silver CAD trained at his target's back. A biker's helm hid the sharpened and cautious cyan gaze on the very first target that his eyes failed to analyze. "Of course, I guarantee to return them. After I've ascertained they won't pose a threat to myself and my own, of course."

"That's something I can't comply with. Knowing how magicians work, I assume you plan on dissecting him for all he's worth."

"You're free to assume that. However, my aim is only to verify the potential danger of letting this one and their associates live. Nothing more." That only thing he cared about was what their existence meant. Most especially if they were a threat to a certain sister of his.

"You have nothing to worry about." The target's silver locks was waved by a passing breeze as he shrugged. Although looking slightly agitated that he was being threatened, the man in red replied calmly. "I guarantee you that, once I'm done, these people won't be able to harm you. Or anyone for that matter."

"By killing them or erasing them?"

"I prefer the term 'neutralizing'. They'll live. But I guarantee that, once it's over, they'll be able to go back living their lives like you and me."

"Forgive me if I don't believe you. You got in my way once before after all."

"That, I did." With a strained smile, the stranger loosened his grip on the unconscious body, letting it fall to the floor. But the biker-helmed boy didn't take it as a sign of concession to his request. He leaned forward, readying his battle stance. "You seriously won't let me leave, will you?"

"I've often been called stubborn." His mind began to work into overdrive. Knowing full well that his usual go-to magic, Mist Dispersal, wouldn't work on this particular opponent, he considered everything else that could be of use, be they objects in the immediate environment and other magic he may have to resort to.

"Funny. I've often been called the same." Motes of light sprung from both of the red-clad man's hands. Falchions of black and white glinted under the silver moon's light. In his Elemental Sight, however, they appeared as nothing more than unreadable blobs of data. Their owner was no different. "Sorry if this hurts a bit. I really don't want to do this, but there's a certain duty I have to fulfill."

"Isn't that a coincidence." The boy immediately charged… and appeared behind his opponent, CAD ready to fire. "I have my duties too."

His usual non-lethal Non-Systematic Magic, Compound Waves, would do little to a target whose Eidos he can't read. But even if that was the case, he came prepared to counter magic without the need for analysis. Gram Demolition would do. The CAD fired twice.

Two clangs resounded as the magic landed on target. The sound akin to shattering glass was heard. But before he could add to his preemptive assault, a cloud of dust exploded from the target's feet, as if a dust tornado sprung up from the simple act of the target twirling in place.

He knew those silver eyes were trained on him even without seeing them himself. The intent to attack was obvious to one trained in the throes of real combat.

"Ngh!" he acted accordingly and shot another in haste.

In retaliation to his attack, a new set of twin blades sliced from the shadows of the dust cloud, blocking the third shot. Another sound of shattering as they seemingly took the blow of what was essentially a blob of Psions meant to shatter all types of magic into oblivion. But it wasn't over.

The biker-helmed boy had to retract the CAD before it was sliced mid-air by yet another set of black and white blades. Vaulting back as he landed, he ducked behind a tree. Right on time, the thunk of swords half-piercing, half-shattering the bark resounded squarely opposite the trunk he hid behind.

He took this moment to breathe in.

Facing an unreadable enemy wasn't a first for the teenager, but it certainly was a challenge when said opponent could replicate, recreate, and renew his weapons. More so when the armory was not lacking in terms of versatility. Having fought this individual in the past, he already knew there was more to the red-clad man's power than just simple sword replicas.

Thinking that was the reason his opponent didn't make to approach, he had tried to think of another plan of attack.

The sound of whistling wind was his only warning.

From the open sky, his Elemental Sight spied the two distortions. In the physical plane, two black blades were flying at him from overhead. Like boomerangs, they spun in the air towards him. More specifically, they were aimed exactly on the opposite side of where the two thrown blades struck.

He ducked and rolled as the two were seemingly magnetized to his hiding spot. Splinter and bark flew everywhere, masking his escape for but a second. Another whizzing in the air alerted him to more thrown blades. Three fragile-looking long knives struck the earthen ground where he would've landed had he not flipped over at the last second. Their maroon cross-shaped handles vanished into light fragments as soon as they rested, not hitting their mark.

Not waiting for another follow-up, the boy moved, sending shots toward the blob of distorted information he could sense still hiding in the smoke from earlier. All of them hit, destroying a couple of the noise in the shape of more swords, but he knew none would pose much of a threat.

Projection magic was an astoundingly simple yet difficult magic to deal with. The boy had to give credit to whoever invented the new magic type. Compared to the specialty of the Juumonji family, the Phalanx, Projection merely made weak and flawed replicas of the real deal. But that didn't mean they weren't dangerous. Especially in the hands of this unknown red magician with his unorthodox fighting style of endlessly spawning fragile yet bizarre weapons.

Quite frankly, it was on a whole other level of annoying.

He stopped running and immediately hid behind another tree. Just in time too as a pair of medieval-age swords flew past the side of the trunk.

"Got you!"

A glint and clinking of metal resounded from behind. But unlike the earlier short swords, the boy only saw detached blades, elongated and resembling a viper, as it expanded behind him. The surprise came when it twirled in the air, going for an encirclement around his body.

Ducking at the last second, the snake sword missed with the tip just barely grazing his vest's sleeve instead. Having avoided his vitals for the most part, it was easy to evade by simply hopping back to lean against the trunk of his new hiding spot. The winding blade, just like its predecessors, evaporated into light soon after missing its mark.

A quick analogy of the attack told him he would've been struck in the shoulder and thigh. Not severely injuring him, but it would've been enough to disable him for a few seconds.

'Enough time to escape with his carry-on.'

The boy thought fast. With his CAD aimed at the base of the tree, he Decomposed a thin layer that kept it connected to the trunk. With a tap of his palm to the now-loosened lumber, he activated his Flash Cast.

"Hng!" the man was taken by surprise. He likely didn't expect a flying tree powered by simple Movement-type magic to come directly at him. "Haaah!"

Likewise, the boy didn't expect the man to cleave the tree in twain with ease. What's more, to do so with what appeared to be a very long and seemingly unwieldy sword. Though he couldn't ascertain its composition like with the twin blades, his trained eye could at least tell it was a meter long, resembling a nodachi.

"You seem to like mimicking relics and oddities alike," he said whilst keeping his CAD aimed and ready. Although small talk wasn't his forte, buying time to look for a different solution was necessary. While they could go on this repeating game of hide-and-seek, he hadn't the time to waste. "Don't you think it's a shame? Using blades designed to kill in non-lethal approaches."

"I wasn't kidding when I said I don't want to do this. I thought disabling you or getting rid of your CAD would work." The man seemed to smile wryly as his gaze flitted once to the Silver Horn. "But, I guess that's not going to work on someone as nimble as you."

"And I see that destroying all your projections won't do me any good either." A smile would've formed beneath the biker's helmet had he the capacity to actually feel enjoyment from this. "It seems we're at an impasse."

"It seems so."

The man didn't disperse the nodachi like he had with the other swords. Meaning he planned on using it still. Knowing the nodachi's length, the boy knew it wouldn't do any good unless within a certain reach. Too far as he was now, throwing it was pointless. But if he planned to use it as is, there was its weakness of being unable to be used in super-close-quarters.

Did it, too, serve a unique function like the magnetic black and white blades or the intelligent-targeting snake sword? Probably. But if he was going to just stand there, waiting, then he wouldn't find out what it could do.

Charging in would be considered suicide with an unknown enemy armed with an unknown weapon. But he had little choice if he wanted to make progress. If the silver-haired man wouldn't move from there, he'd make him.

All he had to do was get up close!

The charge was swift. Years of ninjutsu training had raised his physical abilities to their limit. Applying Acceleration-type magic to his entire body, though, he closed the distance in what would've seemed like a blink of an eye.

The man didn't blink though. He merely took two steps back and readied a stance. As if he expected the charge to begin with. A muttered whisper followed.

"… body… is made… of swords…"

Light infused the elongated blade of the nodachi. Within Elemental Sight, a mass of noise like a distorted video enveloped the area around his target, prompting the boy to attempt to halt himself immediately. CAD at the ready, he shot at the mass trying to disperse whatever spell was activating.

Unknown to him, no one could stop a skill that resembled True Magic. Not even if it was merely a copy of one.

"False Technique: Faux Tsubame Gaeshi."

At the last second, he kicked off the ground and tried to vault over what appeared to be two simultaneous strikes from either side. Landing in a roll behind the swordsman in red, he recovered to his knees but felt something off with two things: his helmet and his arm.

The former was damaged but unnoticeable. That is, had he not used Elemental Sight to 'see' the impossible attack occur, he wouldn't have noticed the hairline slice that clipped the upper-half of the helmet, only partially decapitating the plastic and metal yet leaving it seemingly untouched to the naked eye.

The latter, however, was bleeding. It was small, like a nick of a kitchen knife blade, but between his wrist and elbow. The main target was hit, however. His favored CAD was destroyed. The device was sliced down the middle, as if a blade with the width of a string drew a line down it's barrel and past the point above the trigger.

Seeing the real danger behind the attack and the skills to carry out such a move, the boy drew back. Hiding his hand behind himself, he masked the action of casting Regrowth on the injured arm and the device as if to draw a new CAD.

"Please. This is my last warning." The nodachi dissipated as silver eyes once again sought his own cyan orbs. What's more, it even felt like he saw through the now-cracked helmet and was actually staring him dead in the eye, albeit more softly than earlier. "Could you please just let me go, Tatsuya-kun?"

The boy's breath hitched under the helmet. He didn't want to confirm his identity if the opponent was merely guessing, but he had to ask. "Who are you, really?"

"If I tell you, will you let me go?" When he didn't answer after the pause, the man chuckled with a somewhat familiar smile. "Ahah… Of course not. I figured you wouldn't. You're the cautious type after all."

It was an understatement. Even if he did know the person, he wouldn't dare let his guard down with someone who posed as much a threat to himself as they did Miyuki. Not only was it ingrained in his very being, but it was also his sole reason for existing.

That's why he almost didn't know how to react when his opponent not a few moments ago dropped all signs of combat readiness to shrug nonchalantly. "But, I guess there's no chance of you getting to understand me unless I start being honest first…"

Light enveloped the man's entire body. Like the blades and weapons he used before, they all shattered and vanished into the cool night air like fading stardust. But unlike those weapons, there was something left standing in its place. Someone he recognized.

"Yo, Shiba Tatsuya. Nice seeing you on this fine evening."

For only a moment, he considered lowering his CAD. But considering the fact that such a powerful foe had actually been one of his classmates all this time…

Even though the smiling redhead before him continued to smile while staring back with golden eyes overflowing with good intentions, it was too difficult to relax when he remembered the cold and indifferent eyes of steel belonging to the same kid standing before him.

But, against his better judgement, he lowered his weapon. While it was true that he still held his reservations, that didn't mean he would ignore any solution to this issue without violence. He could only sigh at the thought of what his sister would think of his actions now.

"Do you mind explaining yourself then? Emiya Shirou."

As if to mock the tense atmosphere, the boy made a wry and trusting smile. Like he wasn't at all nervous of what was to come.

Prodigies and Rivals

The horns blared, signaling her win.

The stands cheered deafeningly yet again. Though she prayed it was for both parties' performance, the young girl herself knew that there were more praises for her absolute domination of the match. Although, she would've preferred 'skillful display', there really were few words that could accurately define her landslide victory. It was almost disheartening that she was winning too easily.

That is, if not for a certain someone watching her every step of the way.

"Amazing as always, Miyuki."

The praise alone was a simple one. One she'd grown accustomed to hearing on an almost daily basis. And yet, it never stopped the butterflies from fluttering within.

"Thank you, Oniisama… but… it was only due to your support that I—"

A hand cupping her cheeks had her jumping slightly. When it gently lifted her gaze to meet his loving own, the butterflies turned into clouds. Her honest words of humility faded into the wind.

"Come now. Don't disregard your own efforts. Be proud of what you've accomplished today. You're the most beautiful when you do."

'How could such words that come from one's sibling captivate the heart so?' one might ask. The only answer the girl had in mind was due to her love being reciprocated tenfold. Hearing a compliment from him was simply amplified by such feelings. In the silence, she prayed to enjoy every second of this time they had together.

Sadly, the blare of a neighboring ring's horns prevented the silence from lasting more than a few scant moments.

"Hm? It looks like the other competitors are finishing up. I think it was Third High against Fifth…"

Her dear brother was distracted from her again. Internally, she suppressed the desire complain. It wouldn't do to mar the perfect image, the perfect ideal, of a woman she wished to offer up to him.

Not that he could accept it at all due to the constraints known as sibling relationships.

With the moment ruined for her, there was little she could do but change out of her outfit and follow after her brother. As her match had just finished, they still had to wait until the next one was over. Even if it wasn't alone with him anymore, she'd still accept accompanying him for a few minutes, no, even another second longer.

"Who's up this time?" her dear brother's voice was so clear and audible against the cheers of the crowd.

But maybe that was just because she'd prepared herself to single it out no matter the time or place. Such a skill, although seemingly useless to the average person, was yet another thing she treasured more than most.

"Ah, Tatsuya-san! Fourth and Second High are up this time." Mitsui Honoka, adorable and excitable Honoka, eagerly made space for the two of them to sit. As she was one of the rare few to know and somewhat understand her dear brother, this little sister allowed her friend and classmate to sit next to her beloved sibling while she took the other side. "Miyuki-chan, congrats on your win! You were beautiful!"

"Honoka's right." From the furthest end, Shizuku smiled with a slightly hidden yet genuine acknowledgement "It was an amazing fight."

"Thank you, you two." Being complimented by not just a dear friend but also a teammate brought a smile to her face. One that she returned to them in full.

But unlike the compliments of her brother, she couldn't fully enjoy their praise. Different to their close sibling love, her bonds with the pair of friends wasn't what one could consider intimate. Sure, they were close, but not enough to touch her soul.

It wasn't like she was searching for the same kick she'd get from her dear brother's praise. Only he could illicit such emotions from her, of that she was certain. But praise from others all but sounded like mere background noise.

That's not to say she relegated Honoka and Shizuku as 'part of the rabble'. But having grown up being lauded by many in their family who only did so out of obligation… one tended to grow listless of the usual praise.

So out of it was she that she even failed to recognize the current match over until the horns blared once again. Checking the screen in her restrained fluster, Fourth High's contestant, someone she fought and won against earlier in the day, raised her fist to the sky in relief. As if it was to save face for her earlier defeat.

Miyuki could still remember the distraught look the girl had on when she lost against her.

'Absolute defeat'. 'Overwhelming failure'. The girl sitting quietly in the stands wondered what others truly felt when they worked so hard yet she won with little to no effort. In the face of such adversity, one should feel helplessness. Weakness. But, in a competition of strength, the prodigy child of the Yotsuba, currently Shiba, had yet to experience such loss or even feel threatened in losing.

Did that make her apathetic of their feelings? She hoped not. The girl who lost to her earlier but won now was currently being cheered on by her teammates. Smiles accompanied by tears despite the win. They hadn't been beaten down entirely, but they at least secured a spot on the scoreboard above the average.

'If one were told that all their efforts amounted to that much, how would it feel, I wonder?'

She didn't know. She wouldn't for she'd only strived for perfection and, in a sense, achieved that. She'd only received praises, not disappointment. If there was anyone to sympathized with such feelings of defeat, they would be her dear brother. But it wasn't like she could feel anything besides pride if he defeated her in a match.

She couldn't find what she sought in him.

"Is something wrong, Miyuki?"

Ah, how attentive of him. Should anything pester her, he would be the first to know. But even if she so desired to tell him what plagued her… Asking him what he felt, what he had to go through in the past, it wasn't something this love-filled girl could ask for.

She didn't want to burden him by remembering bad memories

"It's nothing, Oniisama." He didn't look convinced. Of course he wouldn't. Even if she told him everything was fine, he'd never believed it until he'd personally ensured it was himself. "I'm just nervous of my next match."

In the end, she had to play that card. It wasn't a lie, but it felt just as dirty as one for helping her avoid the topic.

"Want to go get prepared early so you have time to collect yourself before it starts?" Such advice, though unnecessary for the girl as it the upcoming match wasn't a major concern at all, was gladly accepted. She could only nod with a relieved smile. "You two, we're going on ahead."

"Ah, you're preparing now?" Honoka, although disappointed that her time with her dear brother was cut short, smiled understandingly her way. With fists pumped excitedly, she added. "Good luck on the next one, Miyuki-chan! We'll be cheering you on!"

"Last winner after you was Third High." Not even breaking composure, Shizuku nodded along with her thumb up. Even while mulling over things, Miyuki had to admit, it was an adorable show of support from the quiet girl. "We'll be here."

"I'll do my best!" Miyuki could only reciprocate their support. If not to put her brother at ease, but to also show her friends that she appreciated their feelings.

On their way back to First High's waiting room, however, she had fallen quiet yet again. With the noise of the crowd fading behind, and only her upcoming match ahead of them, her thoughts went back to the feelings of those she defeated.

'Would the next opponent feel the same, I wonder?' Should she win yet again, would her opponent feel distraught and try again? Or would they choose differently? Would they retire feeling they've reached the limit of what they can do?

Such a thought, knowing it would be her who caused it, bothered the tender mind of the teenage girl.

"Are you sure nothing's bothering you at all?"

"Mou, I said it's nothing at all, Oniisama." She made to pout, earning her a slight chuckle and loving glance from her secret first and only love.

"Well, if that's what you say, then, I'll accept it."

He always would. Even if he didn't fully mean it, he would say anything to put her mind at ease. And it did. For a brief moment, she truly felt that she could go through with this without being bothered at all. But that didn't mean her woes were erased entirely. Only pushed back in favor of spending time with her dear brother.

"Wa-wa-wa-wait a minute, Shirou! What the hell is the big idea here?!"

Such a comforting moment was then dashed away once more. It seemed as if the world conspired to take away her precious time as often as possible. But despite her internal moaning, she had to maintain the composed face of a demure lady.

Something the young lady dressed in Third High's uniform was currently lacking as she strangled another person, someone they knew and was clearly wearing their school's own uniform.

"I asked you for one favor! One! And this is what you give me?! How the hell am I going to save face if this is what you're asking em to wear?! Are you making fun of me, you bastard?!"

Normally prim and a picture of a model student, the twin-tailed girl was in a flustered panic as she held their classmate against the wall.

"Calm down, Rin!" Said classmate was also in a panic, but unlike his assailant who was as red as her uniform, he was turning pink, likely due to how close she was pushing her face into his. "Th-th-that's not my intention at all—!"

"The hell it isn't, you stupid jerk! Ah, mou! First you spill juice on my outfit, then you promise to make up for it by getting me a new one only to arrive this late before my next match. Now, you're telling me to wear this… this… abomination?!"

"I'm sorry! I asked mom and Ilya for help, but this was—"

"YOU ASKED ILYA OF ALL PEOPLE?!"

"No, wait! Don't worry about it too much! Even Sakura said it'd look good on you! She said it was a nice change of pace—"

"You told Ilya before going to Sakura!" The rage was near boiling. Had the boy been a pressure cooker put to boil, he'd be whistling with steam. "Damn that little brat—! No wait! Sakura can't be that dense! Which means… oh heeeeeelll no! She's in on it?!"

"I don't get why you're upset! I think you'll look great in it! Besides, you've worn something similar once before when we were kids, right—GAH?!" A human skull thudded against the wall.

"That's not the point, you big stupid moron!" That, apparently, was the wrong thing to say. She was red. Very red. Even redder than her uniform. "I don't know whether I should forgive your stupidity or strangle you for your ignorance—Ah!"

The girl's expression froze. Having caught sight of them from the corner of her gaze, whatever was about to be said came to a grinding halt.

"Uh… Rin? Why are you so qui—EEEHHHT!"

A loud crashing noise was all the siblings heard as their classmate disappeared behind a door that lead to another waiting room. The label above the doorway had Miyuki's eyes widen slightly while her brother merely kept silent.

"Ahem." Clearing her throat, as if what they just witnessed hadn't occurred, teal eyes stared back firmly and confidently. With a graceful bow, she spoke. "A good day to you, First High's Shiba siblings. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, face to face. You especially, Shiba Miyuki-san."

"The pleasure is mine but do forgive me. I wasn't aware we were well-known enough to be recognized by Third High." With a polite bow in return, as if to respect the unspoken wishes to ignore the previous embarrassing display, the young lady stepped forward to who she now understood was going to be her competitor. "Have we perhaps met, miss?"

"Tohsaka. Tohsaka Rin of Third High." The smile she had on was polite, charming. Completely different from her earlier one. Although, Miyuki doubted it was any less genuine due to how challenging she seemed. Like all the others who faced her before. "And no, we haven't been introduced before. Today's our first time meeting. It's wonderful to finally make your acquaintance, Shiba Miyuki-san. Shiba Tatsuya-kun."

"If you know our names beforehand, then, let me guess. You know us through a mutual friend of ours, is it?" her brother stepped forth to stand beside her. "Might he also be the one currently waiting in your school's designated room?"

"Indeed. Emiya-kun's family and my own have been fairly acquainted in the past. We were just catching up after recently reuniting. I've heard a lot of stories about his time in First High. Notably those of his… unique classmates."

It wasn't by accident that Miyuki defaulted to looking at the girl's patch. Unlike Emiya's and her brothers, Tohsaka Rin's was the same as hers. A flower. A Bloom.

Which meant that, when she referred to them as 'unique', she was talking about her brother's state as a Course 2 student.

But contrary to her expectations, the girl didn't look arrogantly their way. Nor did she look at either of them differently. Not a hint of enmity from her. Not to Miyuki. Not to her brother.

Supporting that realization, her brother didn't seem at all offended. In fact, he actually smiled. A rare phenomenon from someone as stoic as he. "I see. So, you must be the 'perceptive demon' in his life."

A knocking on the door seemed to want to protest but the twin-tailed girl continued to ignore it in favor of a smile. A very evil one. "Heeeh, so that's what he calls me when I'm not around, huh? I guess that's a topic I need to discuss with him later. Privately."

She even went so far as to tap the lock button to keep it shut from the outside. The knocking intensified, but no one would pay it any heed.

Not when Tohsaka Rin dropped the evil smile for a curious one as she stepped forward to come face-to-face with Miyuki. With another person suddenly leaning forward, uncomfortably so, she was barely able to mumble.

"Um… what are you—?"

"Hmm… so this is the face of someone who's never lost once…" Rin's eyes seemed to glow. Like she saw a prize worth taking.

"Excuse me?" Miyuki was able to recover as soon as Rin took a step back away from her, albeit only to ask.

"My bad. It's just that I've heard so much about you, I couldn't help but be curious."

Unable to respond accordingly, it was her brother who asked for her. "Oh? What about, exactly?"

"Nothing much, really. Just that there's this one genius magician who I was told is kinda amazing but comes off as plain and uninteresting. My old friend has nothing but praise for you. Somehow, I feel slightly envious about that."

The honesty behind the words had Miyuki somewhat taken aback. She'd met a few who didn't view her brother with a discriminating gaze, but even rare were the ones who didn't have a shred of prejudice in their eyes. Coming from those who had experienced it was commonplace, but for it to come from a Bloom…

"He also told me about his equally impressive sibling of yours that, despite being the apple of everyone's eye in terms of beauty, seems about as bored and uninterested in the world. Apart from her older brother, that is." The words and knowing smile had Miyuki tensing. While she did her best to hide her true feelings, there were times when her mind tended to wander. That she would be so blatant about it to incur rumors to circulate among friends… there was no use in denying her feelings for they were true, but still. "I also heard that you were a talented magician. That part's what got me interested in you the most."

'So it's about that,' she sighed to herself. Politely glancing to her brother to signal that she'd handle this exchange, she asked. "Oh? Is there something I can help you with, Tohsaka-san?"

"Yes, actually." Rin smiled. It was more devilish now than polite. And seemingly a bit on the hungry side too. "I found exactly what I needed."

A finger suddenly being pointed her way should've been a rude gesture. More so when directly at one's face. But at the girl's following declaration, her heart could only beat in anticipation.

"Shiba Miyuki, I, Tohsaka Rin, challenge you in the next Ice Pillar Break! It's a match!"

Such was the girl's shock at being given a direct challenge that she barely noticed the nearby waiting room door being pried open with force.

"O-oy! What the hell are you doing, Rin—?!"

"Shut up and get back in there, stupid Shirou!" a kick to his face forced him to do just that. Straightening out the wrinkles to her long skirt without even breaking a sweat, she then redirected her attention to the fore. "So, what say you, Shiba-san?"

It took a moment for her to get her answer. She didn't have to even see her brother nod, knowing he would accept any answer she chose. Being one who wished to show him her good side at all times, however, what could possibly compel her to say no now?

"I wholeheartedly accept your challenge, Tohsaka-san." She made sure to express her determination.

"You can drop the honorifics with me. It's fine if I do the same with you, yes?" The devilish smile only seemed to grow hungrier.

"I take it Emiya-kun told you much about me?" Noting that she would only ask if that much was fine if Miyuki herself told her so, she asked.

"Yes, actually. 'A demure girl unafraid of challenging the world. Especially so if it's for her brother's sake.' While I've yet to test that latter theory, I can tell you're not one to back out after accepting."

Although happy to hear such high expectations, the fact that part of her brother's friend's depiction of her painted a somewhat shameful image was enough to redden her ears slightly, but she didn't retreat even after being embarrassed. After all, Tohsaka Rin hadn't.

"Oh, yeah! Before I forget, don't worry about that idiot tattling your skills to me. Since this is something I wanted to do in the first place, he had no idea." Having seen the boy pop his head out in surprise already, Miyuki doubted there would be a need to even inform her. That is, unless Tohsaka Rin wanted to reassure her before the match. "And, with how fate seems to be on my side, setting us up against each other like this, I thought it best to not miss the opportunity."

"I understand." Reaching out, Miyuki offered a friendly shake. "I hope you give it your all."

"I wouldn't have it any other way." Rin not only took it but also tightened her grasp. Not aggressive, but firm enough to express her excitement. "No hard feelings afterwards, no matter the outcome. I'd prefer you go all out than to be given handicaps!"

"Then, I shan't disappoint." Miyuki could only do the same.

Currently oblivious to the two other pairs of eyes watching their exchange, the girls had locked on to one another, sparking a new rivalry just as soon as they'd met.

In the First High's waiting room, not five minutes later…

"You seem excited." The little sister almost missed her brother's words. A rarity as she always paid careful attention to when he spoke. The absolutely giddy girl pinched the knees of her red hakama as soon as she realized her mistake, bowing low to hide her reddened face. However, the older brother didn't seem to notice as he patted the top of her head. "Seems like there's nothing I need to worry about now."

"Oniisama?" she stared, meeting a kind and encouraging smile. The warmth in the look seemed to transfer its temperature to her own face as she reddened further.

"Good luck out there."

"I… I will." Desperate to not disappoint him, and with an added motivation of not disappointing her challenger, she readied herself.

The arena's atmosphere was tense. With the rivalry between First and Third High, it was to be expected. But the girl barely noticed as she stepped up to her platform.

"First High contender, Shiba Miyuki!"

"Good luck, Miyuki-chan!" From the stands, she could hear Honoka's sweet voice. Out of habit, she thought to search for her brother in the crowd, only to remember that he would be observing her from the waiting room's viewing balcony instead.

"Third High contender, Tohsaka Rin—?!"

Momentarily distracted, she didn't think to look her opponent in the eye, until her name was called. Or until the crowd started to bustle with different cheers compared to her own.

"Oo… oo… OH, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho! What in the world are you wearing?! Miss Tohsaka?!" from the neutral stands, where audience members not affiliated with either contestants sat, a student dressed in Seventh High's standard blue uniform hollered over to Miyuki's competitor. Though not as vocal as the twin-ringlet toting blonde, the rest of the audience too began to snicker and laugh.

While the women's Ice Pillar Break was indeed what one would call somewhat of a fashion show, there rarely was a person to ever walk on stage wearing an enticing magical girl outfit.

"I hope this outfit doesn't make you think I'll be playing around." Credit given where credit was due, Tohsaka Rin's composure didn't waver. Instead, she owned the image by raising what could only be considered a costume prop that was a winged magical stave and, once again, directed it at Miyuki with fire in her eyes.

Miyuki could only respond in kind by doing the same with her own shrine maiden's stave. A rare and eager smile graced her small lips. "Ready when you are!"

The horn blared, signaling the start of the fight.

Miyuki nearly stared in shock when the first two rows of her ice pillars were cleaved in twain by jewel-red light.

The Wishful Queen of Night and the Disheartened Ally of Justice

The trees rustled under the cool night breeze. Tonight was a starless one. Even the sun had long since set. Not a single source of natural light overhead besides the full moon.

It was the perfect night for infiltration.

"Ksshh… You reading me, boy?" the receiver in the old man's ear was rough, but that was to be expected as they weren't using any of the local transmitters to communicate. "As I briefed you before, the target's supposed to be in the second floor study, located in the west wing of the manor… Ksshh… Do you see it from here?"

"Yeah." From his vantage point, he could see the entirety of the manor as a whole. It was a compound that used to belong to one of the members of Hundred Families. Now though, the data of its current owner was left blank. "I see an access point just near a corner by the western gate. Data on security?"

"Four guards and three security cameras just outside on the first floor. Seven more guards and four cams inside. It's the most heavily guarded entrance."

That was to be expected, but he'd hoped for a shorter route. One with less potential obstacles enroute. After all, he preferred fewer casualties should he be noticed.

The old him would've opted for nuking the place with any armaments he could get his hands on. But many modern magicians had the ability and equipment to detect and destroy surface-to-ground missiles. Even the smallest things like a sniper rifle wasn't going to work if they had active barriers overhead. Not only that, simply planting explosives and triggering them to demolish the building was going to be difficult if they had devices that could intercept electrical signals.

But he didn't plan for others besides the one designated to die to get hurt. He wasn't that heartless. Not anymore.

In fact, the only interest this job sparked in him was the fact that his contact mentioned the mission target was someone so deadly, every magician in the country, or perhaps even the entire Asian region, was under threat.

Someone that high profile wasn't going to be easy to take out from a distance if that was the case. The only option left to him was infiltration and close-quarters assassination.

While searching about, his eyes caught another one near the opposite end. By the balcony of the east wing. Clicking his mic on, he inquired whilst visually confirming potential points of interest. "What about the southeast gate, just across from the compound's external generator?"

"Ksshh… … …" No response.

"Natalia?"

"Ksshh…" It took a while before she replied. But when she did, the man struggled on how to answer. "Boy… why did you accept helping me for a job?... Ksshh … Even after I told you the risks involved… …. Why did you accept? Ksshh…"

"I told you, didn't I? I needed a little something to do. Stretch my legs a bit—"

"Don't try and bullshit me, boy. I'm well-aware that you've been taking jobs on the side even after we split up. More dangerous ones too." He knew he really shouldn't underestimate her information gathering skills. This Natalia Kaminski wasn't the same as the first, the one he'd grown to love as a surrogate mother, but no matter the world, no matter the lifetime, she was a skilled professional. "So, tell me what's gotten into you, kid. Try me again, and I'll cancel this op."

"Wouldn't your target escape then?" He really didn't want to answer. So he tried to wave it off. "What about your perfect record, Ms. Mage Killer?"

"Hmph. Don't you dare keep pushing that title onto me, brat."

So she says, but after they'd gone their separate ways, she dutifully accepted his farewell request of taking up that accursed name. No questions asked. How understanding of her… even if she wasn't the same person…

It seems some things would continue to haunt him, from one life to the next. Maybe it was fate. Not that he believed in something he always fought back hard.

'Was it Norikata's fate to be shot by his son?' 'Was it the villager's fate to have been turned into monsters? Was it Shirley's fate to have suffered agony and torment in her last moments as a human? Was it Natalia's fate to be eventually killed by him?'

No. None of those had to happen. That Norikata was killed without his pulling the trigger was proof. That the village they hid in this time around was eradicated in mere seconds instead of being slowly infested with monsters was proof. That Shirley's life ended with a smile on her face while protecting him was proof. That he was talking to his beloved mother still… even after decades of not seeing her again… was proof…

None of them had to die… None of them had to be killed because of him… because of his mistakes…

This world, and all the people he'd gotten to know, familiar or not, was proof that it wasn't fate pulling the strings…

"Ksshh… As luck would have it, my current client is an easygoing one. A very patient woman." The familiar and knowing tone of her voice pulled him away from reminiscing the past. The relaxedness of it, he easily recognized as the rare mood she was in when she was mad, but also at the edge of her patience. "Their contact mentioned to me they've been waiting on getting this target for years. Two decades to be precise. They said I'm free to take my time. So long as I do the job properly, of course."

"Hm. Twenty tears… huh?" So nostalgic was her tone of voice that he couldn't help but push the familiar button. "Quite the patient woman indeed…"

"Ksshh… Yeah. But you know as well as I do, the same can't be said of me. Answer me, boy."

Why did he accept an offer to work with her again? Was it not already obvious? Maybe it wasn't for her. He hadn't lived with this Natalia long enough for her to grow the same motherly attachment as his first one.

"Maybe I was just happy to hear from you again."

"Ksshh… Hmph. An amusing joke. Good one kid. Now, last chance before I call it off—"

"I was being serious, though." He'd never been one for jokes. Well, not normally. When on a job, especially a very dangerous hit, he'd go back into being him of the past. Natalia never minded it, not the one he spoke to now, for it was easier to work with a machine than what should've been just a brat. He could tell by her response, she wasn't expecting him to be this relaxed. Or easygoing.

"… … Ksshh… there's a lot of things I want to say… but for your sake, I hope that's all it is…"

"You wouldn't happen to have missed me too, would you?"

"Ksshh… This, coming from the brat who willingly walks into a warzone like he has a death wish? Don't push your luck, Kiritsugu. I'm more concerned of you heading into hell before I do! If you die on me for this favor, I'll be sure to haunt you to the grave!"

That was a lie. She rarely raised her voice and only did so when she was seriously angry. Considering she merely lived day to day on a humble paycheck and didn't even give so much as a damn about her professional reputation, there were few reasons she'd be mad at him specifically.

Somehow, the thought of her mannerisms being so identical yet so different only stoked his nostalgia further.

"I don't think you need to worry about that. Rest easy already and trust me from time to time, will you?" A tired smile crept up his face under the binoculars. 'You've already been haunting me… even before we met again in this world… There's no way I'd let you go out the same way.'

He'd lost a lot of people before. He'd lost a few of them again here. There'd even been a few new ones added to the list of ghosts. Like old man Acht.

As much as he resented the golem of a magus in his world for keeping Illya away from him till the end, this world's Jubstacheit von Einzbern was genuinely a good person. The respectful light in the man's eyes when he'd met him, the love that shone through every act of concern for his last remaining family, the gratitude Acht gave to him after he'd saved his granddaughter. It was almost twenty years back, but how could he not see him as human even now? That he couldn't keep his wife from inheriting her grandfather's role in the world was one of the few promises he regrettably couldn't keep with the dead.

"Ksshh… Are you really not going to tell me, kid?"

"About what?"

"Ksshh… … … Your real reason for accepting this job…" Kiritsugu sighed. There was one difference between his Natalia and the one that lived today. And though he wouldn't ever want or tell her to change, the fact that she was more caring in this world than the last irked him slightly. "Ksshh… are you sure this isn't to prove a point? That you wouldn't fail again, like your first job with the Yotsuba—"

"There's movement on the second floor." Cutting her off, he reported his findings. "Two of the guards are leaving their post on the east wing balcony, just above the generator near the gate."

He waited for her to confirm. He knew she had eyes on the place and it wasn't an excuse to skip replying.

"Ksshh. Confirmed. They're heading to the northern balcony. Chatter on the radio suggests it's a response to an emergency call. Your decoy outside the compound must've been noticed." If there was one thing he really appreciated about his surrogate mother, it's that she wouldn't dare mix personal issues with work. That's why, when his tone changed into work-mode, she didn't continue the conversation. "Security's going to be at its lowest point at the east gate now… Ksshh… … You're going in from there?"

"Yeah."

"Ksshh… We'll continue this talk later… Until then… good luck."

"Thanks. I appreciate it…" He truly did. Not just her well-wishes, but also her understanding his hesitation to answer. Pulling up a crimson hood, he tightened the scarf to his face and pocketed the binoculars he'd been using. "Begin operation."

As soon as he said it, he began his descent off the steep cliff that was his vantage point. Leaves would've rustled as he flew past, twigs should've snapped underfoot. The wind itself was billowing past as he slid down the rock face. But not a sound was made. Neither the birds nor insects were disturbed or spooked by his sudden movements.

For none could register a ghost that sped through time itself.

"Time Alter: Double Accel."

The world slowed. Or rather, for the world, his body itself was just too fast. A Bounded Field centered in the middle of and encompassing only his body thrummed with energy. Sight and sound dimmed slightly as his senses absorbed less of the reality around him than normal. But even if his reception of senses was halved, he was still able to make sense of the world. Navigating over the forest's fallen logs and magic-rigged fences, around trees, boulders, and magic-trip-wired sensors, was as easy as breathing.

From the cliff to the very edge of the compound itself, he was undetected. An absent existence. A phantom.

Not long after awakening here, he sought to perfect what powers he was still able to use. Magecraft being one of them. Although an impossible feat for any magician of this day and age, was a familiar tool of his many, many years ago.

Sorcery was not a lost concept in this world, but it was a terribly misunderstood one. Despite how far the science has come to assess magic as part of their reality, it still lacked many things. For one, they didn't know the concept of thaumaturgy and magic circuits. Nor did they have a firm grasp of the root or the True Magics beyond human understanding.

They could build barriers that blocked or prevented outer interference. But none have yet been able to create one that manipulates the flow of time within it. What's more, modern magic lacked the ability to thoroughly ingrain spells onto objects.

Moving anywhere would've triggered audio-based detection spells. Simply applying pressure to certain areas in the ground would activate pressure or weight-sensitive zones. But that's what Mystic Codes were for.

Basic yet unmarked military boots ingrained with muffling effects. Comfortable and fitting clothes that weighed little but were still capable of resisting firearms and burning to an extent. Even his scarf, which was modeled after his son's red cloak.

For a simple assassin, he was essentially decked out far better than the world's top special forces that relied on multiple systems, armors, electronics, various CADs and software designs all at once.

Though he would've been despised as a weak and heretical Spellcaster in the old days, should he publicize his ability to create specialized magic tools, the world he was in now would hail him an innovator beyond compare.

Not that he would dare draw attention to himself anymore than he already had after marrying a defense contractor. If anyone were to get any ideas, say him making more efficient weapons than the military in exchange for his family's life, he'd silence them without hesitation.

As was his job now. So would he carry it out.

"Kkkkss—"

Noting the sudden noise in his receiver, he dove down to the ground and trusted his vest's camouflage enchantment would conceal him in the darkness. "Release Alter."

"—sh… Status." The delay in senses receded after a wave of slight nausea. But knowing who he was talking to was a woman of few words on a job, he was already aware of what she wanted.

"I've past over the outer perimeter and made my way a third towards the east inner gate. Distance, about four hundred meters."

He didn't bother asking her to confirm. Natalia had already tapped into their security feed. Should his concealment not have worked on the cameras she had control of, then the alarm would've already sounded.

"Ksshh… As always, you're head of schedule by two minutes. The two guards are still distracted up north. Watch for the ground. Three are heading west on patrol, two are staying near your point of entry. As for tech, there are three perimeters of ground sensors between you and the gate. Each approximately a hundred meters apart." She paused before resuming. "Ksshh… I know you're fast enough not to be seen by the guards, but I also know how much of a strain your… unique abilities put your body through."

While she may be the only one of this world to know of them, she was also the only one to be so cautious of them. Then again, that was by default due to their relationship.

"Resuming advance." Informing her of his intent, he activated his magic again. "Time Alter: Triple Accel."

Taking Natalia's advice was disregarded. As much as he appreciated her concern, he couldn't afford to be caught unawares here.

Now triple the speed, the rush past the traps were child's play. While any normal intruder would've been caught by the second line that resembled a checkered ring of mix-matched and alternating pressure mines and electronic detectors attached to hidden tesla coils, it was only the third perimeter that spanned the fifty meters deep and in a hex-grid pattern that needed actual thinking to get past.

But, not even affected by how his senses were only a third of their normal sensitivity, he simply used what 'time' he had on his hands and the weightlessness of his Mystic Codes to maximize his running distance before vaulting himself over seventy meters into the air.

He didn't even bother stopping there and just kicked off again as soon as he landed. Hopping over the gate with ease, he spied the cameras mounted on the walls. All of which were designed to automatically focus on movement. As he wasn't even using magic known to this world, the observation devices that should've detected changes to Eidos were meaningless against him. Forget magic, they likely weren't even fast enough to register his speed.

Finding a blind spot atop the roof behind a ventilation shaft, he deactivated his magic again, this time feeling more of the brunt than usual.

"Ngh! Haaah… Haaah…" Unlike before, it was less a wave and more his bones creaking under his skin. The pain of which caused his muscles to tense slightly.

He was glad his son was able to trace Avalon for him before today. Despite the mysteries of how it could operate in a world without its true owner, the Conceptual Weapon was still able to restore wounds albeit with a fraction of its original potency.

"Status of the area." He breathed quietly, acutely aware that he was in the vicinity of one of the guards that had his back facing him.

"Ksshh… I've eyes on the east wing's cams. Both balcony and inside hallway are cl—wait."

"What's wrong?"

"Ksshh… Someone just left the room." She went silent again. Knowing her, she was confirming the identity of the unknown. "Ksshh… Nevermind. It's just the butler. Old man Hayama must be retiring for the night. You're in the clear."

Odd that she would be familiar with the target's butler of all people, but maybe she'd just read into his profile. With that, he reactivated his magic again. Keeping it to just double speed, he hopped down the wall and landed quietly in the west balcony's shadows. Making his way around from the outside, he spied his exit plan of running through the west gate as soon as he was done.

The window was far too easy an access point. But, then again, most magicians of this age assumed all their technology and sensors would detect magic and physical infiltration with ease. With his thaumaturgy and equipped Mystic Codes, he managed to not only get in the compound, but also the target's room without so much as a peep.

He heard the target normally sat behind the desk of this dark study. The small information Natalia was able to give him included their behavioral habits, like the fact that they were a late-night sleeper that preferred the total darkness. It was an odd trait for a modern day magician, but he'd seen even more bizarre ones in his time. Not that the lack of visibility bothered him much as, being that the desk faced the room's only door out, his job should've been done the moment he fired a gun at the back of the recliner's head rest.

He wasn't using his Contender. That remained holstered to his side. While it took a painstaking amount of time to extract and recreate the Mystic Code unique only to himself, he didn't need to waste an Origin round. Not when the modern day magician couldn't stand up against even simple weaponry without ample preparation.

But as soon as his finger rested on the trigger, he failed to pull it. After all, he didn't expect the target to speak to him.

"Ara… You mean to attack me from behind? My, I didn't think you to be the sneaky type, Mage Killer-san~."

'A woman?' was the first thought in his head. The second was 'No, wait! She was expecting this?!'

BADADADADADA—

He pulled the trigger on his machine-pistol sidearm. But, much to his shock, the shots were all vaporized as soon as they left the barrel. The only indicator as to what had eliminated them were the thin streams of light that seemingly appeared and disappeared with the muzzle flash. That and the bullet fragments that clinked around, littering the floor. Not even one got so much as within a foot of her chair.

"Conventional weaponry?~ My, you certainly have the most peculiar of preferences… as always.~"

Not one to let the first failure dissuade him, he dropped a smoke grenade on the floor whilst firing up at the ceiling. Under the cover of the grenade's explosion and shattering glass falling to the floor, he hid behind the nearest couch.

He had no idea what magic she was using, but the majority of all magics relied on a line of sight with the target. If not, they wouldn't be able to calculate where their spell would hit. As to his choice of further hiding within the room, the hissing can's contents was sure to obscure not just his vision, but hers as well. In the shadows and cloud, she would see even less.

Gun in hand and reloaded, he considered pulling out the Contender just in case… only to decide against it.

He didn't know how she destroyed his first spray of bullets. For all he knew, she had a barrier that shredded physical objects as soon as they got within a certain distance.

He needed to test that theory.

"Time Alter:" he whispered as he got up from the couch. The moonlight glinted from the metal of his gun. "Quad Accel!"

His movements didn't go unnoticed. As he enunciated the chant, something was able to accurately pierce through the couch he had hidden behind, striking through not just the linen fabric, but also the wall behind the furniture and himself. Under the effects of his sped-up internal clock, he couldn't accurately see the attack, but not waiting to be skewered by whatever projectile she was using, he aimed in her general direction and pulled the trigger.

BADADADADADA—

The shots sprayed into the cloud. As soon as the bullets left the barrel, they normalized according to the time of the world and began to slowly drift in the direction they were aimed, parting the smoke a bit. Within, he saw a glint of lines. Like a wall of lasers. As he guessed, she had a barrier.

But, be that as it may, she was under the effects of an irritant smoke grenade. There was no way her barrier was airtight, nor could intercept everything.

BADADADADADA—CHK BADADADADADA—CHK

Not content with only one magazine, he loaded up another and fired again. He repeated the cycle, going through three mags in under a fraction of second. All the while, he ensured that he kept moving around the target's desk in a half-circle motion. When that was done, he made sure to lob three grenades overhead, two behind her and the third just above her.

His bones and muscles continued to creak under strain. It was too much, even for a single instant. He forced himself to duck under the opposite couch as he relented his spell. The sounds of discarded shells impacting the floor, an explosion followed by shrapnel puncturing wood and the cracking of the wall was all he heard behind his cover.

"Impressive." He grit his teeth. "For someone who only works with guns and explosives, you'd do amazingly well against any other member of my family.~"

Peeking over his cover, the dust was settling. Although the smoke grenade he'd set off earlier was still spewing, the shockwave of the grenades managed to push away some of it that he could see his target better.

The sight of her still sitting in place, face hidden by the shadow of the wall was enough to have him thinking double time for contingencies.

"However, let's stop with the games of hide and seek." A ceasefire offer? No. Even if the inviter was polite, he wasn't going to waste time until the job was done. A beam of light piercing through the couch and through his leg put an end to that thought before he could act. "Aha! I found you!~ As per the rules, the game is over now!~"

Incredulous at the casual tone she was taking this, he could only slowly get up while nursing the new leg injury. Pulling out the Contender this time, he kept it aimed her way. A single shot it may have been, but if needs be, he could activate it as soon as she so much as blinked.

The dust was now dissipating, but under the shadow of the room, he still couldn't see her face. He could sense the hint of a smile, however. "I was expecting you, Mage Killer-san.~"

That, he already knew. "Did you, now?"

Small talk likely wasn't what she wanted. But not being killed by that mysterious beam yet, it meant she wanted him alive still. He obliged, buying time for Avalon to get his leg back up to shape.

"It's not every day an assassin would visit me. But, when it happens, usually it's because of my own flesh and blood. This time is a special case, however.~" She sounded amused. Like a child having fun. "Having such a family with power-hungry tendencies, you tend to get bored of the occasional attempt every now and then. So, I thought why not hire a hit on myself for a nice change of pace. Wouldn't you agree?~"

"I wouldn't know." He assessed his leg through feeling it alone. It wasn't up to par yet. He needed more time. Fortunately, the target who claimed his hit order was staged was happy to offer him that. "It's the first time I was hired by a maniac who would do such a thing."

"You wouldn't… First time? Even after working with us in the past?~" Her head tilted as she sounded curious. Almost concerned even. It was then that she seemed to gasp in realization. "Maaah! Is it because you don't remember us?~"

The familiarity in her tone.. it wasn't as unrecognizable as he thought it was. She wasn't someone from his past, however. He hadn't met everyone, but she was not one of them. She must be someone from this time.

Few people matched her description. And he wasn't aware of any magician he'd met that would be on the same danger level as she. But, now that he thought about it, he didn't know much about her at all apart from the vague details Natalia gave him. Maybe he did know her. How would she know her title after all? But then, that would mean he'd have met her not too long ago—?!

"Don't move!" Her suddenly standing up had him on edge. His finger jumped to the Contender's trigger.

She complied. But at the same time, her shoulders seemed to slowly slump in disappointment. "You don't remember… do you? You don't… remember me…"

If she wasn't so insistent, he wouldn't have hesitated and shot her then and there. However, her voice, her disappointment, the way her hands clasped together as if in prayer… they all seemed so… familiar.

If only he had more of a clue as to when they met.

"I thought you'd remember. After all, I remembered you…" His clue came when she slowly made her approach. He took a step back. When she circled the couch, he continued to back away. Back the way he came. "After all these years… I was finally able to meet my savior from back then…"

'Savior?!' Slowly but surely, he was now retreating back to the window he came in. With the moonlight behind him, and now shining over her, he could now put a familiar face to the voice.

How he wished he hadn't.

"I believed that you hadn't forgotten. I gathered as much from your mentor, based on her assessment of you before I had her give you this job." She stepped further into range. "You hadn't forgotten, had you, Kiritsugu-sama?~"

He didn't shoot. Not when she stood directly in front of his Thompson Contender's barrel, his finger didn't obey. It couldn't. He couldn't do it.

"Y-you—!"

She knew it as well. She slowly traced the back of his hand with her fingers, ever so slowly lowering his weapon arm. When it was made to rest at her side, she took the opening to lay her head on his chest… much to his dismay.

"I missed you so…"

Lifting her gaze from his collar, her eyes met his. Within her deep violet eyes was a look of longing. One he didn't think he would ever see in another woman aside from his only love, the wife he'd lost long ago and then met again in this world.

But, to his horror, they were also the same eyes that looked upon him with such emptiness and despair. When he'd failed her twenty years prior.

"Ah, how long I've waited for this day, Kiritsugu-sama…" She pulled back his hood. The red scarf on his face came undone as she touched his cheeks with both hands. "… You haven't changed one bit… Not the serious air about you… nor that tired yet adorable look in your eyes…"

"You're…" he couldn't believe she remembered him. No. A better way to put it was that he hoped she'd forgotten.

That night two decades long past. His moment of weakness. His moment of failure. The empty rage. Of all that could come back to haunt him, it had to be her. The one he'd saved but also failed to protect. How could she stare at him with those eyes?

He hoped that he'd just fade away. To forever be a lost memory to her. That she, the only other person who shared his long lost dream with, would forget everything he ever said. Of the promise he made that day. Of the promise he broke.

"It's not 'you', Kiritsugu-sama. That look on your face, it's certain proof that you haven't forgotten me at all! If you had, you wouldn't hesitate to kill me, now would you?"

He would damn fate. He would damn himself if it would save as many as possible. But… But how could he damn someone… someone he'd sworn to protect?

"Come now," her whisper tickled his chin. Her warm, smooth fingers, contrasting the pale and sickly color of her skin, traced his cheeks before the thumb settled on his lips. "Call me like you did all those years ago. Please… For me…"

He didn't know how to go about this. No. He did know. But he just couldn't carry it out. Not after all these years of running away from his failure.

"Yotsuba—"

"No, no!~" she smiled, as if he was a child who made a mistake. "You yourself told me, didn't you, Kiritsugu-sama? That I was myself first before my family name. That I was my own person before I was a magician. Now, call me by my name. Call me as kindly and intimately like you did… on that night, twenty years ago…"

"… … Ma—" He held his breath.

For a second, what he saw of her now overlapped with his memory of her back then. Of his time serving as her temporary Guardian. Of their trip to Taipei. Of that night they escaped the other guards to fool around in town. Of the moment she forced on him her first kiss… and more…

Of that time she suddenly went missing under his watch… Of that time he so desperately tried to search for and recover her… …

Of that time he found her, alive and breathing, but internally dead and broken…

"… Maya…"

Her smile was as ecstatic as the teenage girl so long ago, mere weeks before her tragedy. His guilt overwhelmed him, just as the same guilt overwhelmed the teenage boy up to this day in his adulthood.

After finding his goal in life again… He'd failed.

After promising to himself that he'd never let those close to him get hurt ever again… He'd failed.

After giving this girl a little glimmer of light under the shade of society's expectations of her… He failed her.

She was broken. Even after separating himself from her, he knew the results of his mistake. She almost been discarded. A fate worse than what would've come about had he not involved himself with her.

"Kiritsugu-sama…" she called him, forcing his face parallel to her own as she leaned forward. "If I may?"

Ah, how cruel was fate to have her carry such feelings of longing for him… despite his failings.

He'd rather she be angry. He'd rather she swore vengeance. But no. She had to stare at him with those eyes. Eyes that didn't blame him for anything wrong when it was entirely his fault…

He couldn't push her away. Not when she stole a kiss from him yet again. Like she had on the eve that she was turned from an adolescent girl into a doll.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: What is this, you may be asking. Well, it's an idea that I had cooking up in the back of my head for almost a year prior. Due to the Big C taking over most of the time we had this year, this little idea remained a persistent procrastination of mine as I struggled with my other fic and worked on IRL stuff.

While I do want for my Arifureta fic to get somewhere, actually altering the plotline to fit a new narrative besides power-fantasy is a bit hard. Hence, this little snippet got half my wayward attention and a place on my published list as a one-shot.

Of course, this doesn't mean I plan on doing a new fic out of the blue if it's popular. This is just me randomly chucking stress into the breeze while I try to update my other work. But it doesn't mean I WON'T take a crack at it in the future. I mean, I enjoy Mahouka and Fate as much as the next rando, but I still have my other priorities. I'm not about to give up on my other work so soon. That'd be scummy for those already invested in it.

(I know. I know. I shut down my RWBY fic, but that was more out of dropping motivation to support the main series any further (Thanks a lot, RoosterTeeth. You guys suck!) than actually losing ideas. I could write it further, but I'd rather not right now.)

Oh, btw, this idea was actually inspired by an already existing MahoukaXFate fanfic, albeit on a jenkier and lighter tone than this one. Go check out ferduran and their Unlimited Rettousei. It ain't perfect, but it was a fun ride to be on for a while. :3

So, yeah. Happy 2020. Hope the next year sucks a bit less. God knows we all need a brighter year after the shittiest one so far. And thanks for all the support.

Bye and have a great time! XD

Update: Now has an actual story behind it. ;3