Chapter 1


If one were to ask Shirou Emiya if he believed himself to be a complex man, the question would be answered honestly, 'No.'

In fact, Shirou, in a very self-deprecating fashion, would declare himself a straightforward being who adapted well and rolled with what the world threw at him.

It was one of the reasons he wasn't panicking as he walked down a lonely sidewalk, in an unknown city, with no idea how he had arrived there in the first place. The second reason Shirou wasn't more concerned over his situation was that he had a vague idea of the events leading up to his displacement.

Rin Tohsaka had been working on something in her workshop, and she had been very cagey about it. A cagey Rin usually meant that her mentor was involved. And if her mentor was involved, then chaos was an inevitable outcome. But, on the other hand, it also allowed Shirou to have some confidence that whatever had happened was reversible.

So, when he had suddenly found himself standing on a sidewalk rather than tucking into a well-earned dinner, he had simply decided to take a walk instead.

Looking around, the city seemed pretty typical for the most part, with shops and restaurants on either side of the street, cars occasionally puttering down the road, and the odd person chatting on their phones as they walked.

These were things that Shirou took in with half an eye. Most of his attention was focused on the clear night sky with its many stars and fractured moon. The moon was broken into two great chunks, and just enough light reflected that Shirou could make out a small line of fragments trailing up and away. It was beautiful, in its own way, and certainly different than what he was used to.

Shirou saw a side alley that was darker than the streetlight-lined road. Sliding into the shadows, Shirou ignored the dumpsters and the foul odor of spoiled food. Instead, he went deeper into the alley until he was sure that no one would be able to clearly make him out in the gloom. Then, after Shirou was sure he was alone, he called on his prana and felt his circuits begin the thrum and energy flow through the channels carved directly into his soul.

A comfortable warmth began to move through Shirou as he pushed his power into his tissue and bones. Then, with a slight hop, Shirou flung himself ten meters up to lightly ascend on a roof to get a clearer view of the sky and moon.

Up high and his attention focused even higher, Shirou never noticed the girl in the bright red cloak skip into the store across the street from him, nor did he see the man with the bowler hat lead a group of men in black suits into the same shop not long after.

The loud crack drew Shirou's attention down sharply, in time to see the girl in the red cloak land on the back of a man. Both seemed launched through the broken shop window across the street from Shirou.

Shirou began to move, anticipating the injuries that needed to be addressed. But, before Shirou could leap down to the street, more men began to spill out of the shop, machete's in hand. And the girl responded in kind, reaching for a box on her low back that unfolded into a massive scythe. Seeing the weapons caused Shirou to pause as his unique magecraft fed him information about the blades and their history.

The men's weapons were nothing special. No skill went into their design or their use. Tools of intimidation by the Northside Gang.

The girl's weapon was something else, and it amazed Shirou. It was a high-caliber sniper-scythe combination, making it one of the most unique weapons Shirou had ever analyzed. But the love and care that had been imbued within it truly caught Shirou's eye. And it was wielded by a warrior with the purest of intentions. The girl, Ruby Rose, wanted to save people, and it was under that principle that the blade was made, that its owner trained to fight against evil, against the creatures of Grimm.

Ruby moved so quickly that she became nothing more than a blur of motion and rose petals as she weaved through her opponents effortlessly. Her scythe was in constant motion, and Shirou was surprised that they hadn't all been carved into ribbons as she did so. Ruby just dispatched the final man as Shirou landed on the street, and as he walked forward, he snatched a fluttering rose petal from the air. Rubbing it between his fingers, Shirou could feel and see the magic that went into its creation even as it faded to nothing.

It seemed magecraft was prevalent in this world.

The sound of clapping that drew Shirou's attention from his introspection.

"Quite the show there little red, took out all my men lickity split."

The man was tall and slight and looked more at home at a gala with his pristine white suit coat, bowler hat, and cane that he leaned on casually.

"Right!" Ruby said with an excited hop. "Did you see how I threw that one guy through the window?"

The man looked slightly taken aback before a smile formed on his lips.

"Yes, very impressive.

Ruby beamed and, with an elegant twirl, slammed the point of her scythe into the road, so she held it horizontally to the ground. Then, racking a charging handle with a clack of metal on metal, Ruby's smile became even sweeter.

"Please, sit on the ground and don't move until the police arrive."

The man just waved his finger at her.

"Now, I didn't become Roman Torchwick, Vale's most famous gentleman thief by turning myself into the police, and I'm afraid I won't be starting now. Besides, I think you're missing something."

In a flash, the man raised his cane and pointed toward Shirou.

"Civilians are the worst, aren't they?"

Shirou could make out his finger curling around a trigger as he spoke and reacted.

"Trace on"

Instantly a sword appeared suspended in the air and launched at the man. The man clumsily evaded the blade by a hair, falling to the ground and rolling back to his feet as he did so, eye wide.

Shirou was already running forward, hands held empty to the side, and blue light began to crackle from his palms, forming two blades. In his right hand Kanshou and in his left, Bakuya, white and black falchions, and Shirou's favored swords.

As soon as he was in range, Shirou unleashed a blistering array of cuts and stabs, each sword moving like it had a mind of its own as Shirou's attacks chained together masterfully.

The man proved skilled, though, and didn't let his surprise affect his ability to fight. Using his cane and deft footwork, he deflected and evaded until Shirou once more reinforced his muscles and, with a burst of speed, moved into the man's guard and kneed him just under his diaphragm. The power of the blow knocked the man off his feet and sent him tumbling down the sidewalk.

"Ok, that hurt. What are they feeding you, kids, nowadays." Torchwick groaned, pushing himself to his feet.

"Whoa." Ruby gasped as she approached carefully to stand at Shirou's side.

"You outnumber Torchwick. Please surrender." Shirou said, eyes watching that man carefully.

Roman's eyes narrowed.

"Neo now would be a good time for you to lend a hand."

The sound of breaking glass was the only warning Shirou got as a petite figure appeared in front of him and slammed a steel-toed boot into his chin. Shirou stumbled back even as Ruby let out a squeak and jumped back, evading the rapier in the woman's hand by a hair's breadth.

'Dangerous.' Shirou acknowledged. Neo's looks were deceiving. Dressed colorfully, her hair dyed brown and pink with a parasol held against her shoulder. It would be easy to mistake her for a teen heading out with friends. Neo's weapon, Hush, told Shirou the truth.

Neo had taken numerous lives with the wickedly sharp blade, and with every kill, she luxuriated in the control she possessed.

Shirou opened more of his circuits. He was unwilling to take any more risks, channeling more prana through his body until teal green channels shone through his skin.

Neo tilted her head and blinked. In Shirou's reinforced state, he could make out her eyes changed color as they closed and opened, going from pink and white to livid green.

With a sharp crack of breaking concrete, Shirou exploded forward, slashing at Neo with Kanshou, and as she bent over double to dodge, Shirou hurled Bakuya at Roman.

Roman shouted as the blade slammed into his chest, throwing him to the ground. Not giving Neo a second to recover, Shirou continued to strike with Kanshou forcing her to bring up Hush in an attempt to block. However, Shirou's strength was far superior to Neo's, breaking her guard and allowing Shirou to land a powerful uppercut knocking her up and backward over Roman's sprawled form.

"Trace on, standby."

A wave of blue appeared behind Shirou and coalesced into a wall of swords aimed at Roman and Neo.

"Ok, ok, let's take it easy now." Roman placated, trying to stand up, only to freeze as a sword pierced his hat and screamed out of sight.

"Stay down."

"Right, listen, kid, it's in your best interest here to let us walk away.

"You led a group of men who attacked a child." Shirou rebutted flatly.

Roman held up a finger. "If you want to get technical, she attacks first."

"Hey!" Ruby zipped over to stand at Shirou's side.

"Did not!"

"Did."

"Did not. You tried to rob me!"

"Yes, but non-violently, you're the one who threw poor Bobby through the window."

Roman tisked, turning his nose high.

Ruby sputtered before stamping her foot. It created a strange dichotomy, such a childish image from someone holding a massive scythe.

It was only because Shirou was on guard that he noticed a change. The smell of ash and brimstone permeated the air. Grabbing Ruby by the hood, Shirou lept backward, avoiding a pillar of fire so ferocious that the air pressure hit the pair like a wall. Shirou saw a shadowy figure on a roof a few buildings away from where they were, and he sent a handful of swords in their direction, and the rest hissed towards Roman and Neo.

The distant figure blasted the swords off course with another gout of fire while Neo dove in front of Torchwick and used her parasol to block the simple blades. Before Shirou could retaliate further, an airship shot downward to hover in the street, its nose pointed towards Ruby and himself when it opened fire.

With another shout, Shirou summoned more swords that meshed tightly together and formed a wall, temporarily blocking the deadly rounds. Not wasting time, Shirou secured a better grip on Ruby and kicked off, sprinting into a side alley. The pilot couldn't keep up with Shirou's speed, but it didn't stop them from laying down covering fire, keeping Shirou and Ruby pinned down.

The guns stopped just as quickly as they started. Shirou peaked out and could see the airship already far in the distance. Shirou stepped out of the alley and relaxed, letting his reinforcement fade away as he did. Then, turning his attention towards Ruby, he gave her a quick once over.

"Are you ok?"

Ruby looked at him with shellshock amazement, clutching Crescent Rose to her chest.

"That. Was. Incredible!"

And like that, Ruby appeared in front of Shirou and began to babble a mile a minute.

"Who are you? Are you a Huntsman? Was that your semblance? Will you show me again? Please, please, please."

Shirou blinked and took half a step back, his eyebrows touching his hairline at Ruby's enthusiasm.

"My name is Shirou," he offered her his hand, "It's nice to meet you."

"Oh, that's right!" Ruby cried, face pinking slightly as she holstered Crescent Rose, grasped Shirou's hand in hers, and quickly shook it.

"My name's Ruby Rose. Thank you for helping me." Ruby looked around them, noting the mess the street had become and the still unconscious gang members lying there, miraculously untouched by the gunfire.

"So, we should call the police now, right?" Ruby stuttered, fidgeting with her dark skirt.

Shirou was just about to agree, with a new voice interjected.

"That won't be necessary."

Shirou watched, eyes guarded, as a blonde woman strode up and peered down at the two through her glasses. She was taller than Shirou by a head and dressed in what Shirou would have described as office wear if not for the short cape slung over her shoulders.

"The police have already been notified, and a call was put in for available Hunters to report, which is why I am here. My name is Glynda Goodwitch."

"You're a Huntress!" Ruby exclaimed as she bound forward, "So cool, can I have your autograph?"

Glynda looked unimpressed.

"The two of you will come with me to the police station. You'll need to give your report of the events that transpired, and there is someone I would like you to speak with."


Shirou had never been in a police station, let alone an interrogation room, and it was not an experience he ever wanted to have. Nevertheless, Goodwitch brought Shirou and Ruby into one and sat them down before leaving them to entertain themselves. Ruby had distracted herself by exploring every corner of the room while shyly glancing at Shirou when she thought he wasn't looking.

Shirou didn't pay her much mind, trying to work through what he was supposed to say. He hadn't been able to provide an ID when Goodwitch had asked for one and had no idea how to explain his lack of official existence.

Unfortunately for Shirou, he wasn't given much time to develop a believable story as Goodwitch strode back into the room with a tablet.

"You two are quite lucky to have escaped tonight unscathed."

"Are we in trouble?" Ruby asked nervously as she returned to her seat beside Shirou.

Goodwitch's face was impassive.

"No. While I will say that your fight," Goodwitch flipped her tablet to show Shirou and Ruby a video of their fight captured by a series of security cameras. "Was ill-advised. You were clearly defending yourselves. However, it is not up to me to decide the consequences of your actions."

As if Goodwitch had queued his action, a man dressed in a well-tailored green suit and carrying a cane appeared and a plate of cookies in his hand. He was very tall, so much so that he had to duck slightly to avoid hitting his head on the door jam, but he moved with a warrior's grace. Setting the cookies down, he sat down across from Ruby and Shirou, leaning his cane against the table as he did.

"Do you know who I am?"

"You're Ozpin, Headmaster of Beacon Academy," Ruby answered immediately, reaching for a cookie as she did.

Ozpin smiled at Ruby.

"You're familiar with my school, then.

"Yeah, my older sister, Yang, is starting tomorrow. It's always been my dream to go!"

"And why does an adorable young girl want to spend her life warring against darkness personified?"

Ruby bit her lower lip and rocked side to side, clearly uncomfortable being on the spot.

"My mom was a Huntress," Ruby began quietly. "She fought really hard every day to make the world better. So I want to be like her, to save people and make them feel safe, and the best way to do that is to become a Hunter."

Shirou was taken aback by the pure sincerity in Ruby's words and the familiarity of her dream.

"A very noble answer Ms. Rose."

Ozpin turned his attention to Shirou, peering at him over the top of his spectacles.

"Mr. Emiya, eighteen years old and yet a complete mystery, not an easy feat. We've not been able to find a single record of you, but you fight with skills that set you well above the rank and file, something that would have surely drawn attention from all sorts."

Shirou shifted uncomfortably, internally warring over what he should share and what they would believe.

"I'm…not from around here."

Ozpin leaned forward, going from laid back to intense in a blink.

"I believe that was already established. I want to determine if you were the source of a phenomenon I felt less than thirty minutes before your confrontation with Roman Torchwick?"

Despite Ozpin's sudden intensity, Shirou found himself relaxing slightly. If Ozpin felt the magic that sent Shirou to wherever he was, then that meant appearing out of nowhere might not be such a fantastic event.

"Yeah, well, no. I didn't actually do anything. I was just sitting down to eat dinner when my friend's mentor did something, and the next thing I knew, I was standing on the sidewalk in the city." Shirou explained and shrugged helplessly.

Ozpin turned to share a look with Glynda, who nodded slightly.

"Mr. Emiya, and Ms. Rose, I would like to offer the two of you a spot in my school this semester," Ozpin said without preamble.

Shirou sat back and frowned. Ruby was more expressive in her surprise.

"Wha–…But I'm only fifteen!"

Opin smiled gently.

"Yes, only fifteen, but you exercised sound judgment and showed impressive talent. Your talents would be wasted at a preparatory school. And you, Mr. Emiya, your origins are unknown, but your talents are obvious, and unless I missed my guess, you currently have few other options."

Ozpin wasn't wrong. Shirou could acknowledge that much, trapped as he was with no money and no identity. But accepting had risks as well, to say nothing of the fact Shirou only had a vague idea of what Beacon Academy actually was.

"I appreciate the offer." Shirou began carefully. "But I don't think I could afford the tuition.

Ozpin waved his hand to banish Shirou's concern from the air.

"Scholarships will be arranged for the both of you to cover costs, plus give you a monthly stipend to meet your needs."

Ruby, having gotten over the worst of her surprise, leaned forward.

"I'll do it!" Ruby said, snatching up another cooking in celebration.

"Most excellent. And you, Mr. Emiya?"

All eyes in the room turned to Shirou, waiting for his answer. Shirou weighed his options. The choice should have been clear, it was an offer that would provide for his basic needs, but still, he hesitated. Entangling himself further with people like Ozpin, who seemed to hold a large amount of authority, worried Shirou.

Ruby mistook his pensive silence for nervousness and tried to cheer him on.

"Common Shirou, you're a great fighter. I'm sure Beacon will be a breeze for someone like you."

Shirou looked into Ruby's earnest silver eyes and the cookie crumbs that stuck to her cheeks and could help but chuckle.

"I guess it sounds like a pretty good deal."

Ozpin smiled victoriously before standing and grabbing his cane.

"Then the both of you will need to report to the bullhead station at the north gate tomorrow afternoon. Ms. Rose, if you give Glynda your contact information, she'll send you what you need. Glynda, given Mr. Emiya's lack of accommodation, please bring him with you to Beacon. I shall clear everything up with law enforcement."

With his commands given, Ozpin swept from the room, leaving the door open behind as he did.


This actually came out really easy, probably cause it's similar to all the other Fate/Stay RWBY crossovers but it was still a fun exercise to write it.