A woman stands in the infirmary of Chaldea. Due to a serious bombing, the facility is not in optimal operational standards. Nevertheless, it's up to her to get the job done and analyze, learn, and infer what to do next. Since there is no one around who outranks her, she has earned the title of Acting Director. In other words, it was time for this woman to get her act together and introduce herself! This beautiful woman who could rival the visage of a certain masterpiece is named…

It's at the tip of your tongue, your swear…

Wait a minute, you sure she wasn't supposed to be a guy?

( = = Enter Name...FLIGHTY BROAD)

Hey now, that's no way to describe a lady!

( = = One more time! Enter Name… DA VINKY)

Close, but no banana! And uh, isn't this meme out of trend now?

Your name is LEONARDO DA VINCI. After becoming a HEROIC SPIRIT, you decided to act in your best interests and model your new form after the MONA LISA. You are the kind of person to admit to be a PERVERT and when within reason, boast greatly about your ACHIEVEMENTS in life. That being said, you're a GENIUS, not a narcissist. You'll only say those kinds of things when it counts.

You have a variety of INTERESTS, including your own LOOKS, and mammals of the AVIAN variety. You have an extreme thirst for LEARNING, and THE UNEXPECTED is a subject of great interest to you. The wackier and complex to decipher, the better.

Currently you are investigating the most recent ANOMALIES to grace the Chaldea institute for the preservation of Humanity's Future. A boy and his Demi Servant who have recently returned from two forced Rayshifts, safe and sound...and a revived Master Candidate from a relatively undamaged Coffin.

What will you do?

( = = Da Vinci: Wave your arms around like a wacky inflatable and jump on top of the computers, hooting like a monkey.)

...She will not be doing that! Why would she perform such a terrible idea? Besides, you can't be Da Vinci right now. She's busy analyzing fresh data from the events of Singularity F, and checking up on the revived Master Candidate.

(= = Da Vinci: Confer with the Doctor about the new girl.)

Doctor? What Doctor?

( = = Be the New Girl.)

The first sensation Olga Marie felt upon awakening was that the space around her was no longer empty, or claustrophobic, or intensely hot like a furnace, but soft and warm, like a bed. Scratch that, this was a bed, and she was alive! Maybe that whole sequence of Singualrity F being a hellscape, Lev betraying her, and getting sent into Chaldeas, and the void space was all just a dream. Especially the scene with...some scary crimson entity. It had to be a very bad dream because she was afraid of messing up the entire Rayshift expedition. A fantasy of her worst fears, that's all that was.

That had to be it, right? So then why...why did she feel smaller and why was she in the infirmary? Why wasn't Lev here, and why was that boy and the Demi-Servant conversing with the head engineer?!

Shifting the covers to sit up properly, Olga tentatively tried to speak. "What is going on here-" And just as quickly, she clamped her hands over her mouth.

Oh, that definitely did NOT sound like her voice! She was in her mid-twenties, but the sound that came out of her mouth was that of a teenager.

As creepy and as disturbing as it sounded, this was definitely not her body. Olga no longer felt the familiar sensation of her long hair, only sensing that it fell just a bit longer than her shoulders. The fact that it was orange as fire confirmed the horrifying notion, though. She couldn't feel her Magic Circuits activating either, though something akin to it was there, like a used computer you borrowed access to. What in the world happened?

Oh wait. She knew. And now it just confirmed that the VERY bad dream was absolutely true.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!"

Da Vinci, Ritsuka, and Mash all approached her with relieved yet pitying looks. "I see you're awake now," said Da Vinci. "Try to stay calm, alright? We are also trying to figure out this situation on top of recovering Chaldea's functions."

"How...can I be calm...in a situation like THIS?!" She was seething like a kettle about to boil over in terms of frustration. "Where is Lev? Or anyone sensible to sort this out, for that matter?" She gripped the bedsheet tightly, feeling aggressively nervous.

"Director...this is all my fault." Ritsuka bowed slightly in apology, his bangs hiding the look of sorrow etched on his face. "I used the Grail to bring you back...I didn't know how it would do that, or if it even worked, I just went ahead and wished for something-"

His words grew fainter and fainter. Olga was starting to feel sick as she recalled the events of Fuyuki, her last moments and the heat from the reactor as she got closer and closer, Lev- her only friend, Lev- laughing as she was pulled away from the ground, heading straight into her father's magnum opus-

Breathe, Olga. In and out, in and out, in and out-

"From the moment I was born, I've never been accepted-" never been accepted- never been accepted- never- never- never-

"...tor? Director, I know this is a lot to take in, but we just want to say thank you."

Mash's words cut through her traumatic flashback, pulling Olga Marie back to reality in shock. Her, of all people, saying thank you. After all that girl went through, no, she didn't deserve those words. Tears stained the Director's cheeks, and Olga could feel her face burning red in shame. Her voice carried an audible waver as she struggled to find the words to reply.

"Wh-what for?"

All Olga Marie Animusphere had done was make a lot of noise. She wasn't the one commanding Mash or that blue Caster to battle against the enemy Servants, or giving directions from Chaldea as mission control. She was nothing but someone only trying to do her best, and yet accomplished nothing to show for it.

"Without you, we wouldn't have survived. You were the one guiding us through the Singularity, and led us in the right direction." Ritsuka's words felt so kind, so warm. Was this what being praised felt like? Was someone...actually thanking her?

"Senpai is right," added Mash. "You helped us a lot, and you're always so prepared. So please, let us say this.."

The sickening sensation returned again. But it felt strangely good in an unfamiliar, uncomfortable, yet bearable sort of way. Olga felt tears threatening to spill out again. And really, could anybody blame her?

Two voices landed the killing blow to her affection-deprived fortress of a heart.

"Welcome back, Director."

It was the first time in forever that she ever experienced a group hug, much less one as tight as an anaconda. But even so, she accepted it. It felt so awkward, and she didn't understand why they cared so much (the whole ordeal had only been hours at most), but she accepted it. It felt good, it felt warm, it felt right.

It felt better than anything a lifetime ago.

(= = Olga: Get some insight as to how you are now.)

"Well "Director Animusphere", I guess I should be convinced, given the actions of those two towards you. It's quite a lot to take in, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt."

Such an enigma, this girl. Soon after the successful Rayshift, a signal blared from one of the compromised Coffins- though it had been merely hours under cryo, a single Master Candidate was displaying stable signs and even approaching consciousness! The Head Engineer of Chaldea herself came down with staff to deal with both events- escorting Mash and Ritsuka to rest first, and then to investigate the mysterious signal.

They extracted her from the Coffin with care, stabilizing her breathing and heart rate. Identification pointed her out as Master Candidate #13- B Team. Auspicious number aside, nothing else seemed to come up about her in the database. But when Ritsuka awakened from his post-Rayshift nap, he immediately asked for the Director's whereabouts upon hearing about the news from Mash. As did Mash before this, though the staff was skeptical. Somehow both of them knew this strange survivor was the Director herself, despite how far-fetched their faith was.

And right they were, mused the Head Engineer as she flipped through analysis papers. Who knew the Holy Grail was capable of doing that?

"I've got good news and bad news. The good news is, obviously, that you are alive and healthy. Somehow you've gained a decent aptitude for Rayshifting." Da Vinci looked through her papers, nodding. So far the precautionary medical tests were healthy, aside from the psychological aspects. But that's to be expected- who was going to come out normal after a near-death experience? With time though, things should smooth out. "I would even go as far as to say you can handle being a Master now. Which is impressive, considering you had none of this potential before."

Normally this would be a source of immense happiness, but there was something still bothering her. "And the bad news?" Olga had a feeling about what it was, but she had to hear it from the Caster. Her hands clenched in anticipation.

"Your Magic Circuits are definitely of higher quality compared to Fujimaru, but they won't be exactly like what you had before. But with that…" Da Vinci lowered her voice, now serious. "Try using your Crest."

Olga Marie focused on her Magic Circuits. Her Od bloomed to life, creating streaks of green light across her skin. But when she focused on her forehead, where the Animusphere Crest should be, there was-

Nothing. No particular path was sensed. No long, detailed history of spells. No archives of Astromancy magecraft. It was just as good as hitting a wall, a mental blank.

Olga snapped open her eyes in frustration, turning off her circuits. "It's not there!"

"The circuitry on your forehead is there, but jammed. It won't accept you."

"I see." The Director gently touched her forehead. So then her gut feeling was true. This was really...some kind of price, huh. One of the few things her father ever gave her, the only thing she had to her name in the Mages Association was no longer hers to use. There would be no way to prove herself as the Animusphere heir. "I suppose defying the impossible had to come at a price."

"And now there is something I've been meaning to discuss, if I may." Olga nodded slowly, and Da Vinci began to speak. "Only about twenty-percent of the Chaldea staff is functional, and as far as they know, Director Olga Marie Animusphere perished before the Singularity collapsed. The world outside has been completely incinerated. There will be no help from the Mage's Association, the United Nations, or any of our sponsors." She paused, letting the grave circumstances sink in. Olga could only nod silently.

"I'm telling you this now, because as far as the records are concerned, Director, you are dead. I'm sure you understand, but even if you were to claim your identity there would be no proof to satisfy the skeptics. And you know that whatever miracle Ritsuka pulled off for you with the Grail is going to be strictly reviewed by the Mage's Association once things go back to normal. If things go back to normal." Again, Olga Marie moved her head in agreement.

"This is just my opinion, but I wouldn't put the boy under that much scrutiny- especially for interacting with a Holy Grail- when he barely knows about any of this."

"I understand," Olga huffed. "But I'm not backing down from my job just because of a circumstance like this." She stared intently into the Caster's eyes. "I am still an Animusphere, that much has not been taken away from me. I will perform my very best no matter how unfavorable the odds are." She paused, thinking of Ritsuka. He barely knew her, and she had treated him harshly, but he somehow made this miracle happen for her. "Even so...I'll have to present myself as someone else. I can't risk having someone like that go under such scrutiny when they barely know what magecraft is." She frowned. "He's just a civilian."

The Caster gave her the characteristic smile that could only come from the Mona Lisa. "I see you've started to care for that boy. The Singularity experience really changed you, hmm?"

"Why you-This isn't the time for joking Da Vinci! It's only fair that if he had gone that far to bring me back, I should give him a normal life after all of this settles out." If there was a normal life beyond this, anyway. It seemed more and more to Olga that this was not the case.

"I know, I know." The Caster looked at the former Director firmly. "So you plan on the Grand Order to go on as the Fuyuki Expedition did?"

Olga nodded. "That's right." She took a deep breath. "The mission must continue. Though my title is useless on me, I now place you, Leonardo Da Vinci, as the Acting Director of Chaldea."

There was a moment of silence for this transfer of metaphorical power. Both knew what it meant for future affairs between the organization and the outside world.

"Well then. I'll go tell Ritsuka and Mash to meet you at the Command Room." Da Vinci got up and headed towards the door, but not without turning to face the Director one more time. "Despite everything, I'm glad you are still with us. But don't push yourself too hard, alright?"

(= = Discuss the Grand Order.)

Everyone gathered in the Command Room, staff, Master, Demi-Servant, and newly revived Candidate alike. Olga felt nervous- even with the comfortable Mage's Association outfit she had found and put on, it felt weird seeing former employees look at her like they didn't know her.

"First of all, congratulations on surviving and completing your mission, Ritsuka, Mash. Well done. The situation was forced on you with no preparation, but you bravely faced the challenges and overcame it. That earned my respect and appreciation...and of the staff as well. Thanks to you both, Chaldea is saved. It's a shame about the Director, but we've no time to hold a service. All we can do is grieve." Da Vinci gave a quick glance at Olga, who did her best to keep a poker face. This was essentially her funeral, and she was attending it alive. No big deal.

"That being said, we are lucky to have another Master Candidate among us now."

Time to introduce yourself. Again. And this time, it was merely a performance to those that didn't know the truth. The staff eyed her with suspicion. But all Olga had to do was breathe, breathe in, out, in, out, phew.

"Ahem. My name is Olga...Marie...Fellows. It's nice to meet you all. I hope I can be of use, considering our current situation."

She lied as naturally as she breathed, which was to say she was hyperventilating with anxiety. But with the last phrase it got much better. Olga Marie mentally apologized to her former caretaker for taking that last name. But no one in the crowd batted an eye, so it was mission successful. Maybe they bought the whole "some people share the same names" thing.

The Caster continued. "We must defend humanity in the Director's place. That's how we pay her tribute- and to the rest of humanity as well. But you must understand that we can't contact the outside world. The staff who left Chaldea to investigate outside haven't returned. I hate to say it, but Lev's words have truth. Human Order is unfortunately gone, incinerated."

And it was all Olga's fault. But she buried that thought, for the sake of her tears. A man like that didn't deserve her tears, or any more things from her. Lev was...

"So here's the deal, Ritsuka Fujimaru. You must Rayshift along with Master Candidate #13 into these seven singularities and get history back on track. It's the only way to save humanity. However, we are still powerless- all other Master candidates are frozen. Mash is the only Servant we have."

Da Vinci smiled, though it wasn't of happiness. "I realize you're being forced into this situation. Even so, Master Candidate #48, Ritsuka Fujimaru. If you wish to save humanity. If you wish to have a future beyond 2018. Then you must go and face these seven singularities in human history. Are you prepared to do this? Can you shoulder the burden of Chaldea and humanity's future?"

There was only a second of hesitation from the young man. "Of course."

"Hmph. To think that you are the only Master capable of Rayshifting and being able to actively participate in investigating Singularities," mused Olga. "Well, besides me of course." She gave Ritsuka a serious stare. "You are certain that you are willing to aid in restoring humanity to its proper course? This is not some simple task that you can opt out from and leave Mash and I to finish your work."

His blue eyes shone with determination. "I will do it." He exhaled through his nose with a smile. "It's not like I have a choice, right? I can't just leave two people to do all the work. If I have the ability to help, then there's no reason to stay back."

"Very well," sighed Olga. "I can commend that kind of resolve." Mash smiled. That's her senpai for you. He was average, but with a good heart. Even the evil former Director had to back down to this sheer level of heroics. And together, well, the journey would be...optimistic.

"Thank you," said Da Vinci. Was there pride in her eyes? "Now we will have a force to challenge the distorted human history. We will take back the source of the distortion and rectify the Human Order. Our opponents will be the legends of human history themselves. They may call it blasphemy. I say it is a beautiful journey into the unknown!"

Surprisingly, the staff in the Command Room began to cheer. "We will take back the future- and this mission shall bear the name of the original mission of Chaldea: Grand Order!"

(= = Roll credits on this speech.)

Mash tilted her head quizzically. She had obviously done some thinking in the background. "Would that mean you're Senpai's senpai now?"

"Paisen, then?" Ritsuka suggested. But no, that sounds like it belonged to someone else.

Olga Marie fiercely blushed. To use such a term on her felt so childish! "I will have no such nickname!"

"We'll figure something out," laughed Ritsuka. Mash chuckled as well, to the chagrin of Olga.

( = DO THE GACHA, GIRL.)

Olga Marie Animusphere widened her eyes as she felt a sudden impulse to go to the Summoning Room. Was this the "witching hour" those Spiritual Evocation folks spoke of, the best time to summon a familiar? Was this what this sudden pressure in her head was? Wait, why was this even the first thing that came to mind? Shouldn't she be worried about mental interference curses or what "gacha" even is, or something of that ilk-

"Director- I mean Olga, are you alright?" Ritsuka looked at her worryingly. Mash looked at her the same way. Was it obvious her palms were sweaty, knees weak and her arms were heavy?

She had half a mind to reprimand Ritsuka for using her first name, but the unshakable urge to bolt for the Summoning Room was forcing her to spend that mental stamina elsewhere.

(= I TOLD YOU TO DO THE GACHA, GIRL.)

"I-I need to go." Her feet began moving on their own, ignoring her awkward wave to dismiss the two. Oh god, what is this? Was nobody else hearing the powerful plea to "do the gacha?" No wait, how did she know that meant to go to the Summoning Room?!

Her reluctant walking turned into speedwalking, then into a light jog, until she was straight up running for the wrecked remains of the Summoning Room's entrance. All the while, it was like someone was pushing her forward. She couldn't stop. She can't stop!

But Da Vinci said she was alright. Da Vinci wouldn't lie, right? She wouldn't let a hypothetically crazy person (Olga wasn't crazy) go on their own in such a high-maintenance facility, right?

Then Olga Marie wasn't crazy. She was just...just...just doing the gacha. She wanted to do it, and she wanted to do it right now. No, she needed to. It was only natural, like being hungry, or wanting to use the restroom. Her feet slid hard on the smooth floor as she coasted across the entrance, friction conveniently stopping her dead-center. With a rabid lunge into the room, she clawed for the sparkling Saint Quartz idly stored in a nearby box.

Her heart hammered with dread. Excitement. Anticipation! She can do it now! Olga Marie can be a Master and save the world! All she had to do was use the summoning system that resembled a mobile game's luck-based system for units! And hopefully, a shiny hero of SSR standards would answer her call! Yes, that would bring her immense satisfaction! The ultimate pleasure! And then they can get through the story nodes with ease! Though she should pull an Assassin or Berserker because the next mission would be full of-

"Olga! What in the world has gotten into you!" That's Da Vinci's voice. There's footsteps approaching. Sounds like more than one person, maybe three. Olga Marie does not care in the slightest. But. They might stop her. From doing the gacha. Time was suddenly of the essence.

Olga Marie Animusphere threw the rainbow rocks onto the platform. They bounced uselessly onto the ground. Ah. Something was missing- the eggplant's shield. But it doesn't matter. She could do this the old-fashioned way. That way, there would be no Black Keys or Mapo Tofu. Or any other Craft Essence.

"She can't possibly be summoning at this time- Olga! Stop this at once!"

There was no stopping her. As Da Vinci, Mash, and Ritsuka all barged into the room, they were helpless witnesses to the fastest summoning chant in history. If she didn't know any better, the Caster would have mistaken Olga for having acquired the Rapid Casting skill.

The room flashed with blinding radiance, knocking Olga off her feet with the powerful wind that came with the ritual. The other three shielded their faces with their arms. Three bands of light began to manifest, shining gold, then rainbow.

(= = What a lucksack! Be the SSR.)

A young lady stands on a summoning platform before a redhead who is currently at a loss for words, a commoner in an unknown uniform, a strange pink-haired girl, and a brunette woman (read: Servant, Class Caster), all watching in horror. Guessing by their reactions, these two have never seen a PSEUDO-SERVANT manifest in reality. And further inferred by the Mages Association outfit on the redhead, this was some kind of first run at a new kind of SPIRITUAL EVOCATION. Finally, this young lady is preparing to introduce herself, but she knows someone is watching.

Namely, you. Say, what is this young lady's name? Would you like to hazard a guess?

( = = Enter Name…Smug_Anime_Girl dot jpeg )

That is not very nice! Imagine if I had decided to call you Anonymous Nincompoop or something. Try again, please. That is no way to treat the heir to one of the most prestigious nobles of the Moonlit World. She is a princess, a few steps away from Lord status.

(= = Enter Name-

Too slow! You had your chance, buddy. Even so, you cannot change her name as it has already been established since the beginning. As they say, the (name) game was rigged from the start. Don't worry, she won't hold your ineptitude against you. Maybe~!

Your name is LADY REINES EL-MELLOI ARCHISORTE, and you have no idea why you're here...yet. This might turn out to be an interesting sequence of events you won't be forgetting anytime soon.

A/N: Imagine being that lucky. I haven't had a 5 star servant in forever. Arrows still don't work, that's just how it'll have to be. Next time- A new (old) friendship begins, and the Save-the-world Squad head for the land of French Bread, but not melty blood.