Author's Notes: I own nothing. Familiar of Zero belongs to Noboru Yamaguchi while Fate/Stay Night - Heaven's Failure is a Doujinshi made by Limit Break.

Legend of the Sword Dancer: Odd Start

The week passed, and the day came when Emilya and Karin are traveling towards the Capital, Tristania. Academy Rules state that as long as they are enrolled, students must wear the Academy Uniform even on the weekends, or even when leaving the Academy for quick identification and a show of Status. Right now Emilya was wondering how both she and Karin will change when both have reached the capital.

"Something on your mind?" Karin asked.

"I was wondering how we change once we reach the Capital." Emilya said.

"I am way ahead of you." Karin smiled.

She unbuttoned her Uniform Top and was already wearing the inner wear of the outfit she wore during the battle. Emilya then noticed that she was already wearing her boots, and was able to tell that all that was missing was the blue coat.

"You wore it underneath your uniform?" Emilya asked.

"You didn't?" Karin asked back.

It did make sense that she could have worn her Knight in Red Outfit beneath her uniform, but because of its design she opted not to. Karin was passable since she would only look like she's wearing boots instead of her usual shoes, but if Emilya had done the same, it would draw attention.

"It would draw attention to myself if I have worn mine beneath my uniform." Emilya explained. "People will wonder why an academy student is wearing steel plated boots."

"I always wondered why you chose that outfit." Karin said. "How are able to move wearing such boots?"

"It's hard to explain the material," Emilya answered.

How does one explain that the material is made of something not yet discovered, even by humanity of her original world?

When the pair had arrived in the capital, as soon as both left the carriage, both were greeted by a hooded man bearing a pin with the crest of the Knights of Round. Emilya noticed the absence of the Family Crest next to the Crest of the Knights of Round, and concluded that the hooded figure was of the Five Commoners in the Knights.

"I was surprised when Commander told me to meet with a carriage from the academy," the hooded man said. "Who knew that the infamous Iron Masked Knight and Knight in Red are a pair of Academy students, much more a pair of young women."

Both Emilya and Karin were brought their guards up as the man spoke out loud.

"There's no need for that," the man said, taking down the hood revealing himself as Ezra. "No one heard."

Emilya looked around and noticed that the people didn't even bat an eye and continued as if they heard nothing. She then turned her eyes towards the cloacked Ezra and noticed him hiding something beneath the cloak. Figuring that he knows of about Karin and her, she didn't press on the matter.

"Follow me," Ezra gestured, Arthur is waiting for you two.

The pair followed Ezra through a busy crowd, towards what would be the Barracks of the Knights of Round. Along the way, Emilya noticed that people were not paying them any attention, and were going on with their lives.

"You're casting illusion magic," Karin stated. "Something is causing them not to see us, or even hear us walk."

"Sharp," Ezra noted, before saying. "Yes, I am a mage."

"How can a Mage fall into thievery?" Karin asked. "Are you a fallen noble?"

"How can I have fallen when I have no clue of my family?" Ezra asked back.

Emilya stayed silent, and Karin immediately realized her error.

"I'm sorry," Karin said. "I never meant to insult you."

"Insult?" Ezra laughed. "Kid, I learned a long time ago not to take the words of other as an insult. Not to mention, as a former thief, there are things far worst than an insult."

"How does a mage become a thief?" Karin asked.

"Karin-" Emilya sighed.

There was a brief silence as Ezra stopped for a bit. Karin felt that the wind shifted as he stopped, but nothing happened and he just began to walk towards the barracks, a bit slower than before.

"To answer your curious mind," Ezra said. "I don't know actually, I grew in a rundown orphanage at the corner of Tristania, by the time I was around your age, funds dwindled and well, that was the first time I stole something. From then, I kept doing so, and one day I found an old wand alongside the Écu I stole. Out of curiosity, I playfully waved the wand and cast a [Levitation] spell."

"And you were successful?" Karin asked.

"To my surprise, yes," Ezra admitted. "My thoughts back then were something like, "If I learn [Invisibility Magic], I could steal without getting caught. No other element besides Wind made sense to me back then. Earth is probably the worst one, Water focuses on defensive and healing, and I am no arsonist to try Fire"... Ah... well here we are."

Karin was surprised that they were now inside the barracks, and are already in front of a large door.

"The commander's office is the furthest door." Ezra pointed out. "Oh and you are no longer invisible."

"And do tell why you have once more brought two girls into our barracks?" a sneering Severus asked. "And Academy students none the less."

"This is not what it looks like," Ezra said. "I brought them to see Arthur, and well, don't they look familiar?"

Severus turned towards the two, and realized who they were. "I was not informed that Sir Arthur's fiance would be visiting."

"It is kind of an urgent meeting." Emilya replied.

"I see, his office is the furthest door.," Severus noted, before turning towards Ezra. "As for you, you have another assignment."

Karin and Emilya watched Severus drag Ezra away. But before they could go far, Karin had another question asked.

"Sir Ezra," Karin called out. "How did you join the Knights?"

Ezra smiled reminiscing the memory as he replied. "I tried stealing from commander, turns out, he's the better wind mage."

When Karin and Emilya entered, Arthur was busy looking at a pile of scrolls on his desk. He looked up and gestured at them to take a seat.

"You were quite loud Lady Karin," Arthur stated. "But do not take Ezra's words too seriously, he known to exaggerate his tale, but it was not that far from the truth."

"I will keep that in mind Sir Marcillac." Karin replied.

"Good," Arthur said. "Now unto why I asked for the two of you to be escorted here."

Arthur stood and began to walk towards a large thick curtain, and pulled it across the only window in the room. "I suppose this will do, I'll leave you two to prepare for a meeting with the King, so I would suggest you to wear the outfit that you two were last seen in."

"Normally, Knights summoned by the King are to be escorted by their commanders, for the younger ones that is," Arthur explained. "But since you two are not official members of any of Tristain's Knights, and I was last seen with the Knight in Red, I will have to escort you two. Now then, I will have to look for Ezra while you two change, there are things I would like to confirm."

After that, Arthur left his office and closed the door leaving Emilya and Karin to change. Emilya looked around the room, and noticed that its design reminded her of how the Hall of the Round Table looked. The only thing missing would be the Round Table itself, but knowing the reason why it was shaped like so would probably not be accepted by other nobles.

Karin was already done, as all she did was remove her school uniform and place them in a small bag that Emilya packed. But Emilya then realized that Karin would be inside the room with her as she changed.

"Anything wrong Emilya?" Karin asked, noticing that Emilya stopped stripping her school uniform. "I could help you change if you want to."

She may regret saying yes to Karin's request...

Arthur walked out the main building and found Ezra and Severus in the next as Ezra began to pack once more for his Out of Kingdom assignment. Both men noticed Arthur approach and greeted their commander.

"Greetings Sir Marcillac!" both saluted.

"At ease." Arthur replied, and both men only stood firmly. "Severus, I would like to have a word with Ezra before his assignment."

"Of course Sir Marcillac." Severus bowed, before looking at Ezra. "I believe you have enough potions in stock to last until your return, but do keep in mind that the effectiveness decreases as you consume more."

After his parting words, he proceeded to walk away back to his personal quarters.

"I have read your report about the rumors a woman named Sheffield is trying to spread in Gallia." Arthur began. "How far has that rumor spread?"

"Honestly Sir Marcillac," Ezra answered. "As of now, I would assume that it had already reached Germania, and that would be the reason why His Majesty, King Phillip, called for your fiance."

"Your timing is impeccable," Arthur noted. "The very moment I talked to both sisters, you were caught inside the [Sound Barrier] I cast. And I was surprised that you did not use that against me."

"It did cross my mind," Ezra replied. "But it is only fair that I keep yours as you keep mine, and well, mine runs deeper than yours."

Arthur only raised an eyebrow, and Ezra continued.

"Well," Ezra continued. "You did say my lineage is troublesome, and if word got out two Kingdoms would affected by such. And no, I keep my promise not to dig deeper than what you have told me, after all my line of work is dangerous."

"I see." Arthur noted. "And your thoughts about that rumor, as the one who reported it, and as someone who was present during the battle?"

"I would say the rumor does have some salt," Ezra answered. "Specially that stunt you two pulled, which also solidified the fact that the Knight in Red is a woman."

"[Unison]," Arthur stated. "A spell reserved for Royalty, a symbol of union between King and Queen, passed down since the founding of the Four Kingdoms."

"Well you Royally Screwed both of you there, even the other Knights are starting to piece the puzzle together as the Iron Masked Knight had feminine features and pink hair," Ezra said. "I mean, from what I gathered, both the Marcillac and Mailliart Family are distant relatives to the crown, though the Mailliart Family is closer to Albion's Royal Family, than Tristain's that is. "

"Another word and you two will be delayed much longer." Severus interrupted. "I believe you have an assignment Sir Ezra, and a pair of Knights to escort to the King, Sir Marcillac."

"Severus!?" Ezra screamed, as the man himself suddenly appeared behind him.

"Must you always address me by my given name Sir Ezra?" Severus asked, before turning towards Arthur. "The two have finished changing Sir Marcillac, and I have already told them that I will get you."

Once they have once more parted ways, Arthur, Emilya and Karin are now in presence of King Phillip himself. They are only people inside the court chambers, and the only door is closed behind them.

"You can remove the mask and hood young ones," King Phillip said. "I am already aware of the truth beneath the guise."

Both Karin and Emilya was surprised, but since the King himself was already aware, they complied. Karin removed the mask, and Emilya let down the hood.

"Imagine my surprise when word spread that a pair of Knights riding a dragon cast [Unison] during the Battle against the Conquistadors." King Phillip began. "And much more when, the Basilisk Commander mentioned a hardheaded Knight wearing an Iron Mask with Pink hair. You both caused quite a stir."

"My King," Arthur said. "I would humbly ask that whatever punishment they will received will be shouldered by me, as I was the one who asked for Lady Emilya's help."

"Sir Marcillac," King Phillip then said. "I have no punishment in mind, rather, I will officially recognize the two as Knights of Tristain, and will be giving them their first official assignment."

"We would gladly accept your Majesty," Karin said with a smile.

"Very well," King Phillip stated. "You can come out now."

From behind the throne a girl familiar to Karin stepped out. She was dressed in a white dress with gold colored lining, and a brown vest.

"Princess Marianne," Karin greeted.

Seeing that Karin is already familiar with the young Princess, the King then gave their official assignment.

"Your official assignment," King Phillip declared. "Is to be Princess Marianne's Body Guards. Every weekends you must be present here, and if you are to be called during the weekdays, the headmaster will be informed of your absence."

POST CHAPTER NOTES:

To answer/reply to some recent reviews:

1. Guest... Whoever you are... Really?

2. Tracing Divine Constructs... I think I had an explanation about this in an earlier chapter... I mean with the infinite Emiya Shirou scattered in the Kaleidoscope, the only one who was shown in media that could Trace Divine Constructs is Miyu-Verse Shirou.

3. Yes, I do reply to some reviews at the end of each chapter. Other Writers do this before the Chapter Proper, but I figured, people will probably just skip it and go straight to the story. That's why I do it this way.

Author's Ramblings:

I have always wondered... During Louise's time (Canon), they were always seen wearing Academy Uniforms(?) (Anime Wise I mean... I don't think there was a mention of changing clothes during events outside the Academy in the LN, or was there something I missed?).

Sorry I couldn't update more often, I was busy with personal life (Again...).