A/N: Hey everyone, Kingslayer here. This is going to be a side project of mine that I will update at random whenever I get burned out from my main work. Of course, I invite you to check that out if you're into a more serious story about FATE. But if you're just here for some easy reading, I welcome you. Sit back and I hope you enjoy the antics of Fujimaru and co. Keep on grinding! The gacha waits for no one!

Chaldea Days: Short Stories from Humanity's Last Bastion

There's no such thing as an ordinary day at the Chaldea Human Observatory. The sprawling complex of scientific buildings, barracks, training areas and all other manner of creature comforts that played house to just over a hundred humans of the highest technical and magical acumen. Each day was filled with veritable whirlwinds of research, analysis and magical experimentation. There in the frozen reaches of Earth, humanity fought against extinction. Chaldea was filled with extraordinary individuals that held the future in their hands. Despite this, life continued within the walls of Chaldea. Here are some of their stories.

First Story: A New Arrival

Fujimaru Ritsuka awoke early, as he often did, to begin his morning routine. A young man just barely across the threshold of manhood, Fujimaru was on the young side for all he had been through. Swinging his legs out of bed, he ran a hand through the mop of dark hair that hung down into his eyes. He frowned a bit; he would need to get someone to cut it soon. Wandering over to his wardrobe he pulled out his Chaldean uniform, a simple and austere white jacket and dark pants with the organizations crest over the heart. Dressing himself in front of his mirror, a pair of bright blue eyes stared back at him. He smiled back at his reflection then checked his right hand to see three, softly glowing tattoos. They were his Command Seals, his proof of his station as Humanity's Last Master. Chaldea wasn't just home to humans, it played host to a vast array of humanity's greatest heroes and historical figures. These Heroic Spirits had answered his call for aid in restoring human history to its proper form.

This was the Grand Order: restore history, defeat the rampaging magus named Solomon and save the very world itself. But it was not every day that he was fighting to restore the world, plenty happened within the safety of Chaldea that required his attention.

Precisely at the moment when he finished buttoning up his jacket, there came a small beeping from the door to his room. Knowing exactly who it was, Fujimaru couldn't help but smile as he approached the door and pressed the button that caused it to slide open,

"Morning, Mash."

"Good morning, Senpai! Did you sleep well?"

A bright smile accompanied the young woman's greeting, this was Mash Kyrielight, one of the original members of Chaldea who also carried a Heroic Spirit inside of her. Officially, she was labeled a Demi-Servant and possessed great combat prowess. Her defensive capabilities in particular had saved his life on multiple occasions. But just from her appearance alone, one would never guess at her abilities. She was shorter than Fujimaru with a slim, athletic frame that she kept covered with businesslike attire. Her pale pink hair only emphasized her youthfulness, and a pair of glasses balanced on her nose gave her a bookish appearance. Though technically one of the longest-serving members of Chaldea, she always referred to Fujimaru as "Senpai," out of respect for his knowledge of the wider world.

Fujimaru had nothing but respect for his adorable assistant. He stepped out into the corridor and closed the door behind him, "I did, thanks for asking. What about yourself?"

The pair fell into step with each other as he began to make his way towards the cafeteria, "I slept just fine. Oh, here, Senpai, the morning reports are ready for you to look at." She handed him the slim data pad she was carrying and bade him to scroll through it. Slowing his pace slightly, Fujimaru scanned the information for anything pressing. Most of it was standard analysis of their latest missions, though one note did catch his eye.

"We've got enough for a Summoning?!"

Mash beamed at him, "That's right! We can head to the Command Room once you're done with breakfast."

He returned the pad in high spirits; a Summoning was a big deal for Chaldea. It offered the opportunity to add a new Heroic Spirit to their ranks, opening new possibilities for future missions. It also meant that an entirely new personality would be added to the already colorful tapestry that Chaldea boasted. Heroic Spirits, or Servants, were very human in their mentalities. Which meant that some got along, but some do not. Managing the myriad of personalities was also the job of the Master, which meant that there was never a dull day in Chaldea.

They arrived at the cafeteria to find the place already abuzz with activity. Most of the patrons were other technicians or staff, but there were a few Servants mixed in as well. Most notably were the figures staffing the kitchen area; a tanned man in a red coat with a shock of white hair barked orders to his two assistants; a woman in a white outfit with hair as red as fire and another woman with large, fluffy fox ears and an even larger, fluffier tail. It is also worth noting that this particular person had the body of a woman, but the extremities of an animal. In place of hands and feet were fuzzy paws and razor-sharp claws. As Fujimaru approached the counter, one of her ears pricked up with excitement,

"Awoof! I smell Master! I also see a Master! Have you come to seize this cat's vittles?! How cruel of you! So, what'll it be?"

"Now, now Cat, no need to be so jumpy. Master's just come for his breakfast." The woman with red hair gently scolded the fox-eared woman before turning her attention to Fujimaru and Mash, "Good morning, you two. You've got good timing, we just finished a new batch. Be sure to eat up!"

Fujimaru returned her warm smile, "Thanks a bunch, Boudica. I'll be sure to eat plenty, it's a big day after all!"

The Iceni Queen raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Whatever for? Don't tell me you two are planning to Rayshift again so soon! Shouldn't you know that constant campaigning is bad for your health? Just look at what happened to that Iskandar if you want an example."

Gentle yet firm, that about summed up the attitude of Boudica when it came to the health and well-being of her Master. Tamamo Cat, a rather unhinged part of the Tamamo Nine, was a bit less concerned about that particular possibility,

"Mroof! A special day…Don't tell me Cat is going to be dragged to the vet! No…I've been a good cat…" Her drooping ears and pitiful sniffling stirred a quick reassurance from him,

"No, it's not anything like that! Don't worry Cat, you're not due in the infirmary for another week, I think."

Cat's eyes went wide, well, wider than usual and her tail fluffed up to twice its normal size. With a loud WOOF she darted deeper into the interior of the kitchen, knocking over several pieces of cookware with her puffed-up tail. Boudica frowned at Fujimaru,

"What's gotten into you, Master? You should know better than to upset Cat, she's very sensitive. Sometimes…now what's all this about?"

He stifled a chuckle, "Sorry about that, Boudica. We're doing a Summoning today, so I guess I'm just in high spirits!" Her eyes immediately glowed at his words,

"Oh my, did you hear that, Emiya! We're getting a new addition to our little family today! Isn't that exciting?"

The man in red's expression changed little save a raised eyebrow, "How exciting, a new palate to work with. Do try to find a Heroic Spirit with less eclectic tastes than some of the others you've managed to scrounge up. Managing with Chaldea's rations is already a difficult task as is, you know."

Despite his brusque tone, Fujimaru could tell that he was quietly excited for the potential challenge a new member to Chaldea posed. As Head Chef, Emiya was tasked with keeping everyone sated, Heroic Spirits included. While they didn't necessarily need to eat, it helped keep the atmosphere of Chaldea positive and kept all the inhabitants connected. Chaldea was more than just a place of research and experimentation; it was a home.

Fujimaru and Mash bade the kitchen staff farewell and sat themselves down to make the most of Boudica's delicious homestyle cooking. Pleasant conversation flowed easily between them while they ate, the pair were seasoned comrades and veterans of many missions that had carried them across the scope and breath of human history. Partway through their meal they were interrupted by a brash-looking man with spiky hair and clad in a blue bodysuit,

"Oi, Master! I hear we're gettin' some new blood today! Got anyone particular in mind?"

Fujimaru glanced upwards through a mouthful of toast to answer the question posed by Cú Chulainn, Ireland's Child of Light, "Word travels fast, it seems. No, we'll see who answers the call like normal. Unless, of course, you have someone you want to see again? Any fellow Celts we might make use of?"

The famed Lancer brushed off the teasing inquiry with a laugh, "Absolutely not! We've got plenty of us already, but I'm the only spear you need, Master! Lemme know when you head out again so I can join ya! Don't want my Gáe Bolg to get rusty now do we?"

With a wave of a hand, Cú Chulainn left them to finish and went on to bother Emiya over the amount of meat he received for his own breakfast. By the time Fujimaru and Mash cleaned their plates, the cafeteria was brimming with excited conversation over the new arrival. He could even see some of the Servants swapping bets with each other over the newcomer's class and place of origin. The last one to arrive was a Berserker from Europe, the ancient king named Beowulf. The prevailing hope was one from Asia, though plenty argued for other regions of the globe. Mash took in their surroundings,

"It seems everyone is getting excited to welcome someone new, Senpai. Should we head to the Command Room to begin the procedure?"

"Yeah, lets get this show on the road!"

The pair dropped off their dishes and made their way out of the cafeteria, well aware of the many eyes that were upon them. They walked along the sweeping corridors at a brisk pace, their eagerness evident in their excited steps. Word of the Summoning had spread like wildfire, creating a general buzz of anticipation throughout the complex. In no time at all, Fujimaru and Mash opened the door to the Command Room, the nerve center of Chaldea's operations.

Below them ran several layered rows of computers and technical equipment, each manned by some of Chaldea's best and brightest. This was the most crucial aspect of the entire complex, which meant that only the best could handle the complex integration of magecraft and technology. Two figures turned simultaneously to greet them as they entered; a tall man with orange hair dressed in medical attire and a beautiful woman clad in red and blue. From the looks on their faces, Fujimaru could guess that they had been arguing,

"Good morning Romani, Da Vinci. Are you two bothering the staff again?"

The adults turned at once, their sour expressions immediately replaced with bright, shining smiles,

"Yo, Fujimaru. Glad to see you're so chipper this morning."

"Mhmm, it is always a good day to see you two in such high spirits. I bet it's because you have laid eyes upon my beautiful visage for the first time this day, much like the rising sun emboldens the soul to face the day!"

"Uh, no I think it's because they're here for the Summoning, Da Vinci."

"Hmph! What a cruel, cold man you are, Romani Archaman,"

Fujimaru grinned at the rapid exchange between the two pillars of Chaldea. Romani Archaman, while officially the Head Medical Officer, he had become Acting Director after the demise of Chaldea's former leader, Olga Marie Animusphere. Laidback, easygoing, carefree and a bit on the wimpy side, Romani was nevertheless a dependable and endearing man who had seen Fujimaru and Mash through plenty of tight spots. Then there was Da Vinci, that's right, the Leonardo Da Vinci. Inventor, scientist, artist and all-around genius, Da Vinci was the brains behind most of Chaldea's operations. She was the woman who made the magic happen, in the literal as well as the figurative sense.

Despite getting on each other's nerves several times an hour, these two leaders were the glue that kept Chaldea going and they worked exceptionally well together. In fact, they were the best of friends. At first, Fujimaru had trouble resigning to the fact that the great Leonardo Da Vinci was a woman. But after his many experiences with Servants and their penchant to stray from strictly historical norms, he got over it.

"Now, now, Doctor. You know I'm always glad to see you two getting along so well. And may I add, Da Vinci," he said with a wink, "you're looking exceptionally brilliant today."

"Flatterer." Da Vinci tossed her elegant, raven black hair in mock indifference, "Complimenting me won't increase your luck in successfully Summoning a strong Servant. Still, it's nice to be appreciated for once."

Romani sighed, "If you're quite finished being dramatic, I believe Fujimaru has been patient long enough."

"Ah yes!" Da Vinci perked up as if nothing had transpired, "The Summoning Circle is all prepared, it just requires one last piece. Mash, if you would be so kind."

"Understood!" Adopting a smart and responsive tone, Mash began to descend the staircase towards the large, open space that sat towards the front of the room. The technical staff all paused as she marched by; the ritual for Summoning was well known by everyone at this point, but that did not mean that everyone enjoyed the proceedings.

As she descended the staircase, her body flared with blue energy and her entire outfit changed abruptly. In place of her demure, businesslike attire, Mash was now clad in purple and black armor that flared into a metal battle skirt, with matching purple heeled boots. On her right arm sat a massive four-pointed round shield emblazoned with arcane symbols of power. This was Mash Kyrielight, Shielder-class Demi-Servant and Fujimaru's very first contracted Servant.

Mash stepped onto the raised platform beyond the technical rows, where a specialized indent that matched the outline of her shield had been set into the floor. Dropping to one knee, she carefully set her shield into the indent and upon doing so, the symbols began to glow a bright blue. Rising to her feet, she turned about and called out,

"Summoning circle complete, Master! Mash Kyrielight, standing by to receive new orders!"

Fujimaru smiled warmly, "Thanks a bunch, Mash. Let's roll out the welcome mat, everyone! Prepare to begin the Summoning!"

The room hummed with the sound of conversation and the humming of technology as all hands went to work. Fujimaru didn't understand all the technical stuff that went into the actual process, only that he played a pivotal role in the act of calling and anchoring the Servant to the mortal world. He turned to Da Vinci,

"I'll be heading down now. Have Team B stand by in case we encounter a problem."

She returned the smile, "You got it!" Stepping over to the main console, Da Vinci pressed a button to address the entirety of Chaldea,

"Ahem. Attention everyone! This is your lovable and beautiful Technical Advisor, Da Vinci! The Summoning process has begun, so let's all put on our best faces for the new addition to the family! Security team B, please stand by for potential anti-Servant actions, we don't want the newbie going rogue right off the bat! Everyone wish our dear Master the best of luck! Da Vinci out!"

Romani rolled his eyes at her girlish address, "Could you please act in a manner befitting your station?" The only response he received was an impish smile as she set herself to task.

"So then, Fujimaru. Are you going to be doing the incantation again? You don't have to do it, you know."

"I know that, but it makes the process feel a bit more official, you know? Besides, it does give us a little bit of control. I'd rather not add in another Berserker so soon, seeing as Beowulf is still getting adjusted. The weight room is still under repair from his last match with Heracles…"

Romani offered a light laugh, "That is fair. The team should be here momentarily, so you may want to get down there while the getting is good. Best of luck."

Fujimaru nodded firmly and turned to walk down the staircase, catching bits and pieces of hurried conversation from the technical staff as he did so,

"Saint quartz levels at premium!"

"Connection to the Throne established!"

"Board is green, the ritual is stable. We are set to establish contract."

"Adjusting Chaldea's magical energy reserves to compensate, we are ready in five!"

Fujimaru marveled at the expediency of the staff, they were old pros at this and yet they still approached it with all the seriousness of their very first time. He could be so confident because he was supported by such gifted individuals. In no time he had arrived at Mash's side, the ritual space began to glow brighter at his approach and a low hum could be heard throughout the space. Mash saluted smartly,

"Ready to call a Heroic Spirit, Master!"

"Always the professional. Just what I expect from my reliable partner."

The suddenness and ease with which the compliment came turned her face a deep shade of red,

"Ah, well I…um…"

But there was no time to focus on her embarrassed stammering, the time was right to complete the ritual. From where they had entered the Command Room, the doors parted to reveal three of Chaldea's Servants that were a part of the dedicated security. Team B comprised of Lancer Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, Rider Ushiwakamaru and Saber Siegfried. They were each dedicated members of Chaldea and some of Fujimaru's original contracted Servants, thus they shared a strong bond with their Master. They split off and descended partway, standing by for potential trouble. Now that everything was in place, the rest was up to him.

With a serious expression, Fujimaru extended his right hand and bared his Command Seals. They were the proof of his position and ensured that every summoned Servant knew that he was their proper contracted Master. On occasion, a particularly unruly Servant might demand physical proof of their contract, so he had learned to show as well as tell.

Certain that he had done everything, Fujimaru intoned the tried and true incantation that had brought him and others like him access to the mighty Throne of Heroes where all of humanity's greatest figures were enshrined,

"Heed my words. My will creates your body, and your sword creates my destiny. If you heed the Grail's call and obey my will and reason, then answer my summoning! I hereby swear, that I shall be all the good in the world, that I shall defeat . . . all evil in the world! Seventh heaven clad, and the great words of power. Come forth from the circle of bindings, Guardian of Scales!"

At the completion of the chant, the circle flared with a brilliant light as three concentric circles of magical energy began to rotate in place. The rotations increased in velocity, sparking with golden lightning as they reached their peak. One of the technicians called out,

"Spirit Origin detected! Establishing contact…stabilizing and proving existence…we're getting a reading! Servant manifestation occurring in three, two, one!"

From the curtain of light, a shape began to take form, a lithe humanoid figure amidst the smoke and magical discharge. The room held its breath in anticipation and the present Servants casually hovered their hands close to their weapons. Then the light faded away to reveal the figure within; a humanoid female, slim and athletic of build clad in verdant dress and black tights the clung to her legs. Her hair was a blend of greens that faded to the color of fresh wheat, while her eyes were a piercing emerald. The only features that marked her as not entirely human were the lion's tail that emerged from her lower back and the pair of feline ears that sprouted from the top of her head.

In her hands there appeared a magnificent bow of blackened wood with golden designs etched along its shimmering length. She spoke directly to Fujimaru, ignoring any and all others as she addressed him,

"Archer, Atalante. Art thou my Master? A pleasure to make your acquaintance."