"...Gotta admit, Caster. You are a witch, but you do good work."

"Of course. I was a Princess before I was a Witch, and we always have an eye for fashion."

"Uhm." Attila looks down at herself, tugging at the hem of her white cheongsam. "I don't understand. Why am I wearing this?"

Inside Medea's Temple, her word is law. And Medea must say, she has done good work today. "Because you are a cute girl, Saber! Do you like the outfits?"

"They are..." The tanned Saber looks down, trying to find the words. "...Cute."

Medea nearly cries out as she holds her hands over her heart. Lancer looks away, trying – and failing – not to look at Attila. "This is a good day to have Battle Continuation," he says. "Still, I guess if Master put you up to this, it's okay."

"Okay? Okay?!" Medea turns around in a furious flourish, pointing dramatically at him. "This is more than okay, Lancer! I spent an entire day playing with – I mean working on Saber's style! This is perfection!"

"It's pretty good," Lancer shrugs. "What do you think, Saber?"

"...Cute." She tilts her head. "Cute? Is it... cute?"

"I would say so yes," Lancer nods, while Caster tries to survive another heart attack. She succeeds by the skin of her teeth, for in her territory her word is law and death would be a crime. "So, Attila the Hun huh?"

"That is my title yes," Saber nods. "Why?"

"Not much, I just wonder..."

"Hold it." Medea points at Cu again. "If you are going to fight her, do it when she isn't wearing one of her perfect dresses. What are you, some kind of dog?"

"That was intentional."

"And if it is?"

Lancer looks at her flatly, his gaze promising revenge. He looks back over at Attila. "So, what do you think Saber? Accept my challenge?"

The Saber looks straight through him. "No. I like dresses. They are cute." She looks over at Caster. "Are there more dresses?"

"Of course!" Medea says cheerfully. "This way, Saber~" She guides Attila by the shoulders, all while shooting Cu a smug look. "And you, Lancer, should know your place. Dog."

Cu thinks quietly, simmering in irritation as Medea and Attila head further into her Temple. "Yep," He decides after some thought. "Revenge it is."

When the world of 2026 burned, Chaldea alone survived

Drifting along the Kaleidoscope, the sea of possibility, it seeks to save the past

A song on their lips and a fire in their hearts, they fight to save the past in order to save the future

Standing together to endure against their foe, seeking victory for the sake of their world

Trying not to be consumed by petty revenge plots or the vagaries of chance

And invariably failing, because the Gacha taketh and the Gacha never giveth

Such is...

FATE/SUNNY ORDER

"..A-And then he says that I should look at a picture!"

Mashu looks at Kana, her expression thoroughly unimpressed. "Kana-senpai... Are you for real right now?"

"What?" Kana hugs the pillow tighter, mashing it against her chest and covering her mouth with it. "But Ritsuka's such a meanie! I do not have a-"

Mashu clears her throat loudly. "Kana-senpai, you are, speaking quite honestly, a pretty girl with a nice body. I don't get why this is a problem. If anything I have a problem."

"TOMBOYS DON'T HAVE CURVES!" Kana shouts, her words only slightly muffled. "And look at you! You're curvy too! Don't you have a problem with it?!"

"...Only if someone notices it," Mashu says furtively, her eyes looking away. She coughs again. "A-Anyways! I'm (mostly) comfortable with my body and you should be too!"

"B-BUT!" Kana tries to speak up, but her voice just falters and she is unable to carry through. "B-But... I was happier being flat and skinny..."

"Hm?" Mashu glances at her chest. It's not nothing, but they are not particularly substantial either. "You are quite modest though?"

"I'm wearing a sports bra," Kana explains. "Have been for years. Why do you think I have an extra belt on my uniform?"

"Ah." Mashu nods. She frowns. "Wait, isn't it bad for your-"

"It's cool, I have magic." The Master sighs and flops back on Mashu's bed. "I actually wanted to be like my dad, you know? Go on adventures, save people, be a hero that fights evil!"

"Don't heroes necessarily need villains?" Mashu points out. "To define good you must have evil. To save people you need to have people that need to be saved."

"Psh, no, I'm not in it to be someone who saves people, I just want to help people who need it. If people stop needing to be rescued from horrible people I'm happy to spend my life playing video games and crap." Kana sighs loudly. "Dad seems different, though. Like he's only happy when he's helping others."

"Wouldn't know how that feels," Mashu says quietly.

"No, you're just too shy and nice to be selfish once in a while. Seriously, go talk to Rits already, he literally fell into another depression spiral that led to me bitching to you right now." Kana stops, just looking up into the ceiling. "Dad's... Well, mom told me he was distorted, once – basically sparkly wizard bullshit for 'fucked in the head'. He genuinely never felt happiness unless he was helping others. Or, rather, he only felt happy as someone who helped others. Otherwise he was just going through the motions, pretending to be a person."

The Shielder falls quiet. She looks down, hair covering her eyes. "I... see."

"Yeah, it was a shitty way to live. Mom managed to help him – I like to think I helped too – but there's always that look in his eyes, like he wants to be out there saving people and not spending time at home." Kana shrugs. "Mom was a little freaked out when I told her I wanted to be like dad – though that might also be because I made a sword like he does."

Mashu frowns. "When you say 'make a sword', do you mean..."

"Yeah, I Project a little. Watch." The Tohsaka raises a hand and green lines start pulsing along her arm. "Manman terotero!"

There is a flash of green, and then in her hands is an english arming sword, crafted to perfection. Mashu looks at it, eyes wide. "You... Actually did it? But I thought Projection was-"

"Yeah, it's a dead end path. Inefficient,empty, and brittle." Kana sits upright and hands the sword to the Shielder. Mashu takes it, feeling the weight of the blade. Well balanced and... familiar, somehow. "Mine are better than most – dad taught me his steps and they seem to work pretty good – but they're still kind of crap. And he's still better than me."

The Shielder frowns again. "So that sword in Singularity F, when you were protecting the Director..."

"Yep! I made it! Of course, magicing up a sword is only half the battle. I was also taught to use the blade!" Kana frowns as she remembers, just as Mashu does. "...By the Saber we fought in Fuyuki, actually."

The violet-haired Demi-Shielder nods. "King Arthur, was it?" Kana nods. "You know, I didn't expect the legendary King of Britain to be a girl."

Kana flaps her hands. " At least she put up one hell of a fight! Honestly, if Caster wasn't there we'd be dead." She sighs happily. "And now we've summoned him as Lancer. Good times! Speaking of, go talk to Rits."

Mashu frowns. "That was random."

"It's called an abrupt topic change, sheesh."

"Speaking of..." This time, Mashu picks up a pillow and hugs it tight. "I... Saw Ritsuka-senpai wearing a dress."

"Oh?" Kana's smile grows into a cheeky grin as she leans closer to Mashu. "What did you think~?"

"...Honestly I'm more jealous that he looks good in it. Seriously. Senpai would be a cute girl and I'm not sure how I feel about that."

Kana titters as she rolls off the bed. "Well, I could just get a wig and some contacts and you'll get the gist of it~"

"Senpai please no."

The doors slide open abruptly before the situation can escalate, and Ritsuka stands in the doorway wearing a serious expression. Before Kana can make a joke or imply anything, he speaks. "So I hear you haven't finished your daily summons," he says, grimacing. It does not reach his eyes. Ritsuka glances over at Mashu and nods. "Sorry for what happened earlier."

Mashu just nods, her face visibly red even though she's covering most of it. Kana just sighs as she stands up, dismisses her projection, and heads off with her brother.

"So, what, you want to roll?"

"After what I said to you earlier... Nah, you handle it."

Kana grins as she hugs her brother from behind. "Thanks, Guda. And sorry for all the shenanigans, too."

"Mmhm," Ritsuka nods, the day brighter now.

"I hate you," Ritsuka says, the day darker now. And not just because they were inside the dark summoning chamber. A pillar was piercing the ceiling now, as three prismatic rings of energy swirl around them.

Kana shrugs, a smug grin on her face, as the summon concludes. Seriously what the actual fuck this is her first roll. She has eight more to go.

And standing before them is a girl with golden-spun hair tied into a braid, wearing an elegant blue ballroom dress with poofy shoulders. All of Ritsuka's frustration and jealousy shrivels up and dies as the light dims and realisation takes over. All the other Servants they summoned seem to remember prior summonings... Could it happen? Can he believe in it?

"I am Servant Saber, and I so swear my sword to the salvation of mankind. I ask of you." She opens her eyes, bright green gemstones that dazzle in the light. "Are you my... Kana? Ritsuka?"

"AUNT SABER?!" Kana explodes into action before he does, throwing her arms out around their new summon. "AUNT SABER YOU ACTUALLY CAME OH MY GOD!"

Arturia Pendragon, King of Knights, Lord of the Round Table, wielder of Excalibur and magical familiar of both Shirou Emiya and Rin Tohsaka, just stands in stunned silence as Ritsuka Tohsaka joins in, wrapping his arms around both of them, and only numbly raising her arms to receive their embrace.

Ever since they were old enough to learn about the tales of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, he and his sister knew that their honorary aunt, godmother, and babysitter was someone special. Sure, for the longest time Ritsuka didn't actually believe that their kind, gluttonous caretaker was actually the legendary King of the Britons, but Kana took to it like water for the thirsty, and eventually even he could not refute the truth, that his parents weren't playing a prank on him.

And when Ritsuka and Kana both joined Chaldea, both learned that their role would be to summon heroes from myth and antiquity to save mankind, and learned that they were all that was left to save mankind... They knew that she would come, sooner or later. Why wouldn't the noble King of Knights come to fight for their survival? Such a battle demanded the presence of a chivalrous knight, to say nothing of a knight each of them knew personally. The only question was whether she would remember.

Intellectually, Ritsuka knew that Servants were merely copies spun from the Throne of Heroes, reflections of one facet of the greater whole. A Heroic Spirit was an existence too great for a 'mere' Grail to incarnate, and never in full regardless. Memories made in a Grail War would be forgotten, at best remembered in books and archives with none of the emotion. He knew that she would not remember. All the facts pointed that way. Kana refused to accept that, but... Kana never paid attention in class. She wouldn't know.

And yet she was right, and he's happy for that. Their aunt remembers them. Something survived of their world, and she was the most reliable person they knew.

They stand there hugging for ten minutes, overcome by emotion. But eventually even Kana had to admit; they had some explaining to do.

Saber broke their hug first, her face screwed in confusion. "FATE called and I answered, but... How are the two of you here?" She asks. "Last I remembered, the two of you were away on some sort of internship with an NGO..."

"Yeah that was Chaldea."

"Ah." Saber nods."I suppose I should be thankful, then. If I had to choose to be summoned by anyone but your parents, it would be the two of you. Though," she adds hopefully, "I don't suppose either of them are..."

Kana shakes her head sadly. "Just us. Dad didn't secretly join like I thought he would."

"Why would he? Dad has actual things to do?"

"I don't know because maybe he'd like to travel through time?"

"Why in the hell would our father want that when we can't even-"

"Ahem," Saber says firmly. Their verbal scuffle ends then and there. "If he isn't here then that is that. The two of you are simply going to have to learn to cook."

"I can make pasta," Ritsuka offers.

"I like hamburgers," Kana suggests.

Saber gives each of them a strained look. Ritsuka feels the disappointment crawling on his back. "It is... a start," Arturia decides. She dusts her sleeves and straightens any creases on her dress. "Well, shall we see the premises?"

Kana looks at Ritsuka. "Yeah, Guda, shall we see the premises?"

"We're not done with the summons yet, but..."

"Ah, my apologies then. I can wait." Saber steps to the side, hands behind her back. "Go on then. Let us see who else answers the call."

Kana titters as she steps forward, tossing another quartet of quartz into the circle. Once more three prismatic rings spin about the room before a pillar of light shoots into the ceiling, and when the light dies a dark man in red stands before her.

...Wait.

"I suppose this is Chaldea then," the man says, his eyes closed. He opens one of them, looking down at the redheaded Master with a grey eye. "So you're my Master?"

"...You are fucking me," Ritsuka sighs. The red man looks at him, one kinked eyebrow raised. "You are actually fucking me."

"Language, Ritsuka," Saber says firmly. She works her jaw. "I have to concur however what in the hell are you doing here, Red Archer?"

"...You recognise me, King of Knights?" The red Archer asks, right as Kana falls into his chest and wraps her arms around him. "What are you doing, Master?"

"What kind of adorable daughteru would I be if I didn't greet my dad home with a hug?" She asks back with a wide, cheeky grin. "Hi!"

"I... Uh." He looks at Ritsuka, currently rubbing his temples. "What is going on, other Master?"

"We know you are Heroic Spirit EMIYA," Ritsuka explains to him. And he had nearly asked if this day could get any more interesting. Well as it turns out yes it very much can. At least he knows enough from asking mom about the Fifth Holy Grail War. "I am Ritsuka Tohsaka and that is Kana Tohsaka. We are the children of Rin Tohsaka and Shirou Emiya. Welcome to the Grand Order, please don't flip the fuck out."

"Ah." He looks down, Kana hugging him tight. EMIYA smiles softly, and puts one hand on her head. Kana giggles, happy for the affection. "Well, I suppose Rin succeeded after all – though more directly than I expected."

He looks up, a newfound determination – and hope – in his eyes. "I am EMIYA Shirou, Servant Archer. My swords are yours in salvation of mankind. And I look forward to fighting alongside you again, Saber," he adds.

"Yes," Arturia nods. "But tell me, Red Archer: Do you still cook?"

"Lancer, you maniac! What have you done?!"

"Oh, you know. Dog things." Lancer sits down right in front of Caster's door, tapping Gae Bolg on his shoulder like a fishing rod. "Why? Is something missing?"

"You know damn well what's missing!" The Princess of Colchis snaps. Her cloak is fully unfurled, runic circles traced within and around her all burning bright violet and charged with a monstrous amount of mana, enough to flatten buildings. "You are going to find them and give them back, or so help me I will make you."

"Wow, scary! I'm practically shaking, Caster!" Lancer smirks, stands up, and points Gae Bolg at her. "Well? Come and make me."

"Uhm..." Attila pokes her head out from the door to Medea's Temple, wearing a shawl about her neck. "Caster, are you certain? Master will be displeased..."

"Yeah, Caster, are you certain?" Cu taunts. "I mean, they're just models of-"

Medea, Princess of Colchis, Witch of Betrayal, self-inflicted widow and (mostly) happily single, screeches and unloads enough mana to flatten a skyscraper upon the Lancer in the form of violently violet laser beams.

There is an explosion just as Ritsuka and Kana round the corner, and they spot a man in blue dashing down the corridor, weaving left and right, leaping between the walls, floor and ceiling while evading bright and dangerous laser beams. He periodically throws his arm backwards, and yellow flashes backlight him as he sprints furiously towards them.

Cu Chulainn skids to a stop inches before colliding into his Masters and snaps a salute, making an about-face just before Caster melts his face off with bright purple death. "Good evening, Master!" He shouts loudly, just in time for Medea to land and dismiss all of her spells. He looks back, eyes widening at Arturia's presence. "Oho! Saber's here too! Just two more and we'll have a Grail War reunion, Master!"

"Lancer," Arturia nods, somewhere between appreciative and cautious.

"Lancer," Ritsuka grunts. He points at Caster, who is grinding her teeth so loudly his eardrums are vibrating. "Should I ask?"

"I'm not sure, Master," Cu grins back. "Should you? It might be hell you're going into."

"I would recommend against it, Master," Archer says carefully. "He is nothing but trouble." He shoots Lancer a dirty look, one the Celt notes immediately – and returns with a wolfish grin.

"Oho? And how would you know?" Lancer leans into Archer's face, close enough that their noses are almost touching. "Could it be? Is it because you're trouble yourself?"

Archer scoffs, exhaling right into Cu's face. "I'm simply explaining your tendency to stick your nose where it doesn't belong, Hound of Chulainn."

"Hoho! So you do remember, Red Archer!" He rears back, his red spear twirling. It stops, sharp end pointed right at Archer's throat. "Then how do you feel about finishing our fight?"

"Lancer..." Ritsuka warns in a low voice. Archer looks back, waiting for his Master's call. Ritsuka shakes his head. Kana nods vigorously. Archer sighs, and smiles smugly at Lancer.

"Unfortunately for you, Cu Chulainn, I am bound by honor to obey my young Masters," he says with a sly smirk. "Though, tell me; did the dogs enjoy the meal?"

Cu tenses. "Do you dare?"

"The meal, of course! When you fed them your honor!"

"Haha! You do!" Lancer laughs, facing skywards as he covers his eyes. He takes one, two, three steps backward. And then in an instant all the mirth in his voice dies and he charges at the man in red, Gae Bolg whistling as it darts right for the man's throat.

Archer grunts as he bats it aside with his twin blades, forced back with every blow despite his every effort. "Masters!" He shouts, despite being in a life or death battle. "I will be taking care of this dog for the next while! Please, don't worry about me!"

"Okay!" Kana says, waving after them. Ritsuka, for better or for worse, wasn't one for blindly listening to his father. "Lancer, I swear to all the fucks in the world, if you kill him I'm handing you to Caster."

Cu throws his spear at Archer, and the blow forces EMIYA out of sight. "Relax, Master!" He shouts back, "I'll just maim him! Guys like him won't listen if I only kill them!" He gives them a thumbs up before dashing right after the red Archer, gone in the blink of an eye.

Ritsuka sighs as the sounds of clashing steel and bone fade into the distance, and he looks at where Lancer came from to find all the craters, burn marks and shattered glass marking his wake. "Dammit," he sighs. "Caster, I want an explanation and then you're going to help clean this up!"

He waits. One second. Two seconds. Three seconds. Odd, Medea usually answers immediately, even if she only snickers in a sinister fashion. He looks around, and there are no servants to be found – no Lancers, Archers, Casters or Sabers.

...No Sabers.

"Kana, where's Aunt Arturia?"

"Hm?" Kana looks back at him, head tilted. "I thought she was with you?"

"...Kana, you are with me."

"Well my question is still valid! Where is she?"

"Yes, yes! Well done, Attila! You will be well rewarded!"

"Yes," the Scourge of Heaven says breathily, though she is not even winded.

Caster laughs as she flies through the air, dear Attila carrying Saber over her head as they sprint down the corridors. She never thought she would see the day where Saber, the King of Knights herself, would appear in Chaldea! And better - she would be vulnerable! That buffoon Lancer was useful after all!

Bound in enchanted chains, there is little Saber can do but squirm ineffectually. And even her enhanced strength cannot escape Attila's grasp. "I will gut you where you stand Caster!" She threatens loudly. "By the grace of God UNHAND ME!"

"The Grace of God isn't here," Attila says flatly. "Only the Scourge of God."

Medea cackles sinisterly. "Why would I, Saber? I have so many outfits for you to wear!"

Eyes wide, Saber looks down at her peer in the same class. Attila nods silently. "Cute," she says, her voice like a whisper. "...Are they cute?"

"Very cute," Medea responds, her words entirely non-reassuring.

And so the King feels the fear deep inside the Buckingham, knowing the fate that awaits her.

- End Chapter Three -