Summary: Inspired by the fic Renewed Joy by Kajune on Ao3. Proto Cú is constantly put down by his older counterparts, but he refuses to let their words affect his optimistic outlook on life. It's easier to handle them with Arthur supporting him, anyhow. Tragedy strikes, quick and unexpected, and it's a race against time to bring Proto's cheery disposition back. How do you save someone from themselves? ...Can a pure heart really turn black from hate?
Characters: Cú Chulainn (Fate/Prototype), King Arthur (Fate/Prototype), Cú Chulainn (Fate/Stay Night UBW! Lancer), Cú Chulainn (Caster), Cú Chulainn (Alter Berserker), Ko! Gil, Gudako (Fate/Grand Order), Mash (Fate/Grand Order), Romani (Fate/Grand Order), Fou (Fate/Grand Order), Merlin (Fate/Grand Order), Heroic Spirit EMIYA (Fate/Stay Night UBW), Shadow Archer (Fate/Grand Order, Singularity F), Heroic Spirit EMIYA (Alter Berserker), Jeanne d' Arc (Fate/Grand Order), Scáthach (Fate/Grand Order), Diarmuid (Fate/Zero), Arturia (Fate/Stay Night UBW), Mordred (Fate/Apocrypha), Edmund Dantes (Fate/Grand Order), Nero Claudius (Fate/Last Encore), Robin Hood (Fate/Grand Order), Angra Mainyu (mentioned, Fate/Hollow Ataraxia) [More characters may be added in later chapters]
*Prototype Cú will be referred to as Proto, his Alter Berserker counterpart as Culter, his Caster counterpart as Caster, and his UBW counterpart as Lancer. This is to avoid confusion, and I hope you guys read this!*
Warning(s): This fic is less battle-focused and more emotion-based. So, before any of you get on my case about facts and abilities, they won't show up often and for good reason. I love you all, but y'all can be vicious when it comes down to "getting it right". This fic is totally self-indulgent, supports LGBTQ+, and at points lighthearted. That being said, there is some character death, but not for long. Other warnings may include mental abuse (bullying), self-esteem issues, self-confidence issues, depression, violence, blood, gore, suicidal thoughts, and emotional whiplash. Also, angst. A lot of angst. And retrospection. (But, finally, resolution.) May put in a "bad ending" as well as a "good ending".
Chapter Summary: With the start of a new day, Proto seeks to make the most of it. A sparring session with Lancer impedes his plans, but luckily Arthur is there to provide the support he needs to keep going.
"Sekai wa koi ni ochiteiru
Hikari no ya mune wo sasu
Kimi wo wakaritainda yo
'Nee, oshiete - '"
["The whole world is falling in love,
An arrow of light striking my heart.
I want to understand you.
'Hey, tell me - '"]
~ "Sekai wa Koi ni Ochiteiru" by CHiCO and HoneyWorks
On a relatively early morning in Chaldea, Proto Cú sat up in his bed and stretched. He figured that it was a good enough time for him to get in a training exercise or two, since the silence helped him concentrate. (There was certainly another reason for being up when the sun had yet to make an appearance, but he would rather not focus on it at the moment.)
Shaking away the thoughts before they took a turn for the worst, he rolled out of bed and landed on his feet with a soft thump. The blue-haired Lancer padded gently into the bathroom, hopping into the shower quickly before stepping out 5 minutes later with a towel wrapped around his waist and another on his head.
"Where did I put my armor…?" He muttered to himself, searching through the drawers of the dresser his Master provided him with an increasing fervor as the seconds ticked by. He was touched that Gudako thought of him as just another human with human needs, and when he tried to refuse the gift she insisted. She had a heart of gold, and at this point Lancer would gladly die for her and her wish.
Sure enough, he found his armor stored away in the upper left drawer. He grabbed it, materializing into his clothes and putting it on before drying his hair the rest of the way through. Any water droplets that remained were sent flying as he shook his head from side to side, stopping to put his hair into a ponytail. Once he was done he stopped in front of his full-length mirror (another gift from Gudako, she gave all the Servants things they didn't necessarily need but made them feel all the more human. He needed to repay her somehow, someway) to double-check if he had everything.
"Today's gonna be a good day!" He grinned to himself in the mirror, spear already on his back as he shot himself a thumbs-up. Even if it wasn't a good day, then he'd just make it one!
Grin still in place, he stepped out of his room and treaded lightly to the training room. What better way to start the day than with his favorite thing to do?
Proto was in the middle of perfecting a new combo (parry, feint, jab, then swipe their feet before going for the finishing blow) when the door to the training room opened. Once his feet hit the ground he turned to see who it was, heart sinking when he was met with the face of his Lancer counterpart.
...Well, even if he was wary of him, it didn't mean that he could ignore common courtesy. "Ah, you're up early too? Good morning!"
"Mornin'." Lancer yawned as he rolled his shoulders, raising an eyebrow at Proto's words. "I come here early everyday. Thought you knew that, kid."
Proto was pretty sure that Lancer arrived a little bit later in the morning, so it was a shock to see him at all; however, that thought was quickly pushed to the back of his mind when he heard the one phrase he loathed.
Kid. Proto wasn't even that much younger than him, but it somehow made that much of a difference in the other Lancer's eyes. The word made him bristle a bit, which didn't go unnoticed by his counterpart. "...No, I sleep in a bit."
"Figured." Lancer stated matter-of-fact as he hopped once, twice before turning in his direction. "Wanna spar?"
It was a trap. Goddamn it, he knew it was a trap. Lancer definitely wanted to mop the floor with him. And yet, if he backed out then he would hear about it for a long, long time. So, he plastered a grin on his face (because he was gonna make today a good day, damn it) and raised his spear in Lancer's direction. "Thought you'd never ask."
Lancer's answering grin was all the warning he received until something struck the flat of his blade, fast and hard. Proto's eyes widened; pure instinct alone was the only thing that saved him from a (rather humiliating) defeat. He narrowed his eyes at Lancer over their now locked spears, his counterpart still grinning in that increasingly infuriating way of his.
"Is that all?!" He shouted as he batted away Lancer's spear with as much force as he could muster in a matter of milliseconds, using the momentum to pivot on his feet and go for a shallow slash across the chest. He knew that Lancer still had more stunts up his sleeve and was just testing the waters with him, but goddamn if that first strike didn't put him on edge.
(Relax. Scáthach would chastise him during their training sessions, back when he was alive. For someone so eager to rush out into battle, you're unusually tense. Where's that laid back personality?)
Sure, he'd learned to be more loose…
But his enemy was his counterpart. The one who fought 'till the bitter end, dying on the battlefield.
The one who saw fit to antagonize him daily.
"I'm just getting warmed up!" Lancer's voice brought him out of his memories, having jumped back to avoid any damage. Just as his feet touched the ground he dashed forward, aiming for another thrust, but Proto was prepared this time. The younger male sidestepped, poised for a downward slash, but Lancer's speed caught him off-guard at last when the other whipped the flat of his blade out to strike him in the abdomen.
Proto staggered back, raising his spear just in time to avoid a blow to the solar plexus (Lancer's attacks were getting frighteningly accurate at this point) and responded by pushing forward, making Lancer retreat back a few steps despite holding his ground.
"Hoh?" Lancer raised an eyebrow in surprise, as if he wasn't expecting Proto to have the strength to move him. Proto gritted his teeth; damn him for looking down on his skills! He felt his blood begin to boil, and in an attempt to assuage the impending bloodlust he darted to the side, breaking the clash and immediately turning to close in on his older counterpart. Agility was not on his side as Lancer twisted to jab at his feet, making him break his assault and jump into the air.
Was it him, or did Lancer's demeanor just change? No longer was there an easygoing grin on his face; it was replaced with such an unnerving intensity that even Proto felt uncomfortable. It wasn't just that, either; his speed...it -
Lancer became a blur, and Proto felt panic strike through his core as he looked up. Sure enough, Lancer was above him with his spear raised to slash at a downward angle. Proto felt the seconds stretching, waiting impatiently (desperately) for his feet to hit the ground once more so he could move -
A body collided into him, slamming Proto down to form a decent-sized crater in the floor. He immediately scrambled to get up but the tip of a spear in his face stopped him from doing so, an armored foot stomping on his abdomen.
Lancer's amused voice wafted towards his ears, not once easing the pressure he put on Proto. "Not bad, kid; footwork could use some improvement."
"Yeah, yeah," Proto grumbled, sitting up once Lancer moved back. "I get it."
"Do you?" Lancer cocked his head, the amused expression still on his face even though the strained but friendly air around him shifted to something more condescending. "Because I'm pretty sure I said this the last time we sparred."
Proto nodded, not letting his annoyance show on his face. He had been practicing, had been finally seeing some improvement in his fighting style, and yet…
He seemed to forget everything he learned when facing one of "The Three" in combat.
"Not bad, Lancer."
The voice made Proto look up, seeing a new figure standing in the doorway, and suddenly everything made sense.
Lancer's earliness, the shift while fighting -
It was to impress his crush.
As Lancer conversed with the Red Archer by the door, Proto felt something ugly well up inside of him before he immediately pushed it back down. He'd been made the clown before, and this time was no different. Besides, all the more surprising it would be when he turns the tables on them for once!
Proto stood up, dusting himself off and a fire lit in his eyes. He'd get better...he was sure of it!
Then, those Three wouldn't pick on him so much!
"Arthurrrrrr," Proto drawled out his companion's name in misery as he sat next to him in the mess hall, "I need to get better faster."
King Arthur, a Saber and fellow Servant who fought in the same Grail War as him, stifled a chuckle as he glanced at him. "What happened this time? Did you slip and fall into a puddle?"
Proto glared at Arthur. "That was one time!"
"And yet I'll never forget it." Arthur replied, actually laughing out loud as he took a bite of his breakfast. When the Servants were summoned, the kitchen was already here for the use of Chaldea's Staff, but ever since the Rayshift Incident...Well, the Servants make more use of it anyhow. Usually one of the Archers or (strangely enough) Robin Hood was seen in there, Master, Paravati, and Ko! Gil often helping out if Proto wasn't. Judging by the heavenly smell, Proto guessed that omurice was in store for them today.
He returned his attention to Arthur, who had shifted in his seat to better face Proto. The humorous glint in his eyes had faded, darkening in what seemed to be worry. "But in all seriousness, what happened?"
"Don't freak out," Proto started slowly, making Arthur roll his eyes, "But Lancer had me spar with him today."
Arthur's eyes widened in apparent understanding, however not saying a word. Proto liked that about the other; he would not only give input, but listen. Proto decided that his pause was a long enough suspense to have him continue. "After I lost - he was trying to impress that Red Archer - I walked out of the training room to accidentally bump into Culter. The dude growled at me. Growled!"
By now Proto was ranting, but Arthur didn't seem to mind. If anything, he was immersed in his accounts judging by the way he leaned his arm on the table, chin propped up by his hand. There was also a strange expression on his face, but Proto was too fired up about the morning to put much thought into it.
"Who the hell growls anymore?! It was totally uncalled for! Anyways, After that mishap I was on my way here when Caster - take a grand guess which one - stopped me in the hallway. He asked how the training session went and laughed at me when I told him that Lancer won. What the hell!?"
The blue-haired Servant slammed his head down onto the table, causing a few other Servants to give him a strange look but say nothing. His muffled voice rose to Arthur, a groan forming half of the sentence. "Today was supposed to be a good day…"
"It still could be." Arthur offered, placing a comforting hand on Proto's shoulder. "After all, it just started right? Gotta make the most of the present, is what you'd say."
"...You're right!" Proto's head shot up, startling the Saber a bit as he seemed to stare off into a certain section of the mess hall. "Just because it started off on the wrong foot doesn't mean that it determines how the rest of the day is gonna go. I just gotta keep looking forward!"
"That's the spirit." Arthur chuckled, following Proto's gaze. Sure enough, his other three counterparts were situated with three Archers and the other Celts: Lancer was trying to make a stab at Red Archer's omurice, resulting in a miniature war, Culter was discussing something quietly with Alter! EMIYA, Caster was busy helping Shadow Archer prepare the rest of the food in the kitchen, Diarmuid was trying not to get any food from Lancer's war on him, and Scáthach shook her head at the chaos while reprimanding Lancer's manners. Fergus had not been summoned yet, which disheartened Proto, but he knew that it was only a matter of time until he made an appearance in the halls of Chaldea.
Arthur caught the longing look on Proto's face, and inwardly sighed. He always hated these bouts of quietness Proto seemed to get sucked into, and knew whose fault it was for tearing down the once-proud man from the Grail War. He had wanted to confront his older counterparts about the effect they have on him, but Proto always stopped him without fail by waving it off and saying that it "wasn't worth it" with a laugh. Deciding to break him out of his train of thought, he opened his mouth to speak but the other Servant beat him to it.
"I want to get better, Arthur, I really do. I just...don't know if I can do it soon enough. They all look ecstatic." He gestured to the scene. "I wanna be right there with them someday, as a Servant Master can be proud of, and I hope that you'll join me over there too."
"Of course I will. You know me; I won't abandon anyone."
"See?!" Proto's eyes lit up once more, replacing the rather off-putting expression from before. Arthur was glad to see it gone; he much rather preferred the smiling Cú who always looked ahead no matter the situation. "You're cool, Arthur. I wanna be like you one day."
"Just be yourself, dummy." Arthur laughed, lightly pushing the Servant's shoulder. "That's all you need to do."
"But I need to get better!" Proto added quite dramatically, Arthur shaking his head with a sigh.
"And it'll come, with time. Don't rush it."
"Yes, teacher." Proto said sarcastically before Elisabeth Bathory stepped into the room. The only reason they noticed was because of the hush that fell over the room at her appearance.
"Ah-hem!" She cleared her throat, although there was no real reason for her to do so. "Master would like Medusa, Robin Hood, Proto, Arthur, and Mordred to accompany her and Mash on their mission!"
"Looks like that's our cue." Arthur commented as he stood up, Proto being quick to follow. In his haste he almost dropped the rest of his omurice onto the floor, but his reflexes saved him the added embarrassment.
"Don't die out there!" Caster hollered at Proto as they walked by, the other three already up ahead and walking with Bathory. Proto gave him a semi-confident grin, ignoring the way Culter rolled his eyes and barked a "Don't trip over stupid shit" at him.
"I got this...I got this...I got this…"
"We got this." Arthur corrected Proto's mantra, sending him an encouraging smile. "I've got your back, you know." Proto gave him an unidentifiable look, seeming to think about something before a true grin broke out on his face.
"Yeah...I do."
And with that, the two made their way towards their Master for their mission.
New fic? Check. Haven't updated the other ones in a while? Check. Is this fic a little confusing right now? Check. Will I try to churn out as many chapters as possible before this fic suffers the same fate? Check.
Thanks to all who checked this story out! Are you all nice and comfy, and aware of Proto's outlook? Loving the peace (mostly) in Chaldea?
Buckle up and get ready, because when shit happens...there's no going back.
See you in Chapter Two!
- VampChippzRisesAgain