Fate Alternate Redux Chapter 1

20 years ago the fifth Holy Grail of Fuyuki had concluded, with its bloodshed came great consequences. Gilgamesh in an attempt to cull the human race had unleashed the black mud within the depths of the grail itself. The resulting incident had led to the grounds in Ryuudou Temple and many other areas of Fuyuki being corrupted beyond repair and sealed off by the Clocktower and other organisations in an attempt to stem the bleeding. Angra Mainyu, the soul which had been trapped within the grail, the one responsible for the curse and surrounding corruption had finally been slain by Saber Artoria and her sword Excalibur. This however had left the grail in an unusable and broken state, unable to grant the victors their wish. As the conflict ceased and the remaining survivors attempted to move on, the grail had not.

Though departing this world alongside its servants, its programming had not yet been fulfilled. A wish needed to be granted. Incapable of solving that issue, it has floated in the sea of ones and zeros that make up this world, firing flares of information into the sky. Hoping, praying, that eventually its actions make it through, that they pierce the veil and become corporeal.

The year is now 2024, the last flare of the grail's programming has seemingly ceased. It has run dry completely, and now lays dormant. Yet out of its demise emerges a new need. Someone must refill the grail, someone must complete its function. Someone must conduct a new holy grail war.


London. The city at the center of the world. A cosmopolitan nexus, a melting pot of culture and wisdom, constantly evolving and expanding its horizons each day. At its core, the Thames, the largest natural leyline in the United Kingdom. Home to the world's elite and richest, both magical and not so. A city of learning and forward thinking, a dining hall of global intellect and collaboration. A city of legends.

Quietly he made his way down the road, weaving in and out of the crowd as he hummed to himself. Quickly ducking out of traffic as he crossed the road.

'Baker Street is certainly different from how I remember it.' He muttered to himself. 'There are a lot more shops for a start, and my house is now a museum. That certainly puts the brakes on some plans doesn't it?' Ruler stood there bemused for a moment, his finger his rubbing chin as he pondered his situation. 'It would appear I need a new base of operations. An office that I can work from, preferably one with a phone. But how does one acquire an office with no funds?' Looking around for a moment something caught his eye. A group of teenagers were communing at a nearby coffee stop, giggling about something as they bought their drinks. He couldn't place why but something felt off them, like they didn't quite fit in. 'London has certainly gotten a lot more eccentric since I was last here…..' his words however were cut short when one of them dropped their purse trying to put it back in their bag, its contents spilling out across the floor.

Being the gentleman he is, Ruler shot over quickly scooping up the now scattered coins in an instant before depositing them back into her hands.

'Apologies for the sudden intrusion Miss, I could not in good conscience leave you there to try and collect your things alone.' He smiled as he now looked at the group up close. 'Correct me if I am wrong, but you chaps wouldn't happen to be magi would you?' The group went silent, a slight awkward shock on their faces. 'As you can see I am a little lost…'

'Hey you,' a dry, tired voice interrupted him. 'Are you harassing my students?' Ruler turned, raising an eyebrow in shock.

'I most certainly am not young man.' Facing him was a tired looking man, long black hair was draped across his head as a cigarette rested on his lips.

'That's not how it looked to me.'

'I was simply helping pick up their coins after they had dropped the-'

'So is that why you were trying to chat them up?

'Chat them up? What do you take me for?'

'Some middle aged man approaches a group of young adults he doesn't know and starts acting questions, if I didn't know any better. I'd say you were trouble.' The tired man looked him up and down.

'I was going to ask them for directions before you blurted in with your accusations.'

'Yeah?'

'Yes.'

'Well if that's the case I'll answer them and you leave my students alone, how's that?'

'That works for me.'

Tilting his head the tired man looked at the students, dismissing them as he turned his attention back to Ruler.

'So what can I help you with?'

'I seem to be lost, it is a long story but I am looking for an office to work in and I was hoping that those children could point me in the way of some generous magi.' The man was speechless for a moment, taking a drag of his cigarette as he thought about the curt and bizarre explanation.

'You want an office space?'

'Yes.'

'One preferably run by magi?'

'Yes.'

'What the fuck. Why?' The tired man stood there dumbfounded. 'Who are you?'

'My apologies sir, where are my manners? My name is Ruler, it is a pleasure to meet you.' The tired man blinked.

'Say that again.'

'Ruler. My name is Ruler.' The tired man's expression soured, turning from a bemused confusion to a dark frown as he looked Ruler in the eye.

'Why is there Ruler here in London?'

'I beg your pardon?'

'Answer me,' the man spoke dryly, 'Why is there a ruler class servant here and why are they asking my students for help?' Ruler gulped. This was certainly a story that was going to need some explaining.

The man shuddered as he looked at Ruler with a mix of resignation and sullenness.

'You…..you intend to?' Ruler nodded back silently. 'That's why you want an office? You can't be serious.'

'Yes I am.' Ruler swallowed as he turned to look at the building that once used to be his home. 'The throne of heroes has sent me, Ruler Class servant, Sherlock Holmes to conduct a Holy Grail War on an unprecedented mission.' Ruler turned to face the man once more. 'My mission is to rebuild the grail and restore it using the mana of servants that fall in battle, so that it may grant someone their wish and fulfil its purpose.' The man took a drag from his cigarette, getting to his feet as he stretched his arms, a visible look of concern on his face.

'If that's the case, then you best come with me.'

'Hm?'

'We're going to the Clocktower. They'll know what to do.'