I'm back! Okay, so the reason why this is out so late is because… I wanted to really take the time to think about how to proceed with this story, but I couldn't decide.
So, here's my solution. I have the two different versions I wrote in this chapter, marked as Version (number). I want you guys to vote for which one you want me to continue on.
Now, without further a due…. Let's get started.
chapter 2: New world... Sort of.
Version 1
Once he opened his eyes, Ritsuka had to admit that the sight of the clear blue sky was incredibly beautiful. Especially without the large distortion he'd seen in every singularity, that had ruined the sight every time.
He winced slightly as he sat up and felt a dull pain course through his body. Might just be his consciousness getting used to being in a body again. After all, this was his first summon.
"Good morning sleepy head"-A cheery female voice to his side called out, and he turned his head. A rather short young woman, with brown hair flowing freely down slightly past her shoulders and redish-brown eyes. Dressed in a casual attire, a black short-sleeved T-shirt, navy-blue jeans and a pair of dark-blue and black running shoes. She also sported a big smile, which only seemed to widen at his confused look, "My, you don't remember me? I suppose I look very different from when we met, but I thought my voice would at least clue you to who I am"
"Alaya?"-He asked, dumbfounded as he spotted the Command-Seals on her wrist…
Did she even need those?
"Mhm"-She confirmed, nodding her head up and down in an excited manner, "Sorry if I seem a little energetic. It's just, the first time I've been out in the world like this… What about you, quite some time since you were out of Chaldea right?"-She asked. Ritsuka chuckled in response.
"Yeah, quite some time"-He replied in a distant tone, looking out at the scenery. Alaya had chosen a remote location apparently, apparent by the trees around them, and large open field of flowers they were in.
"Come on! Let's go exploring before we start with the mission!"-Alaya suddenly grabbed the hand of the bewildered boy and pulled him up and along with her as she excitedly led them… Somewhere.
"Erm, not to ruin the moment, but explore where exactly?"-Ritsuka asked. She stopped, and gained a contemplative look, before she glanced at him.
"Hmm. Well, there's a large town, just short of being a city not far from here. Oh, and you might want to get something more casual… Don't want the Mages Association onto us the first day"-She replied.
"…While I don't mind getting something more casual, what problem would we have with the Mages Association? We're from the Counter Force"
"Yeah, it's just that they have no idea that the Counter Force is weakened and need to use Servants instead of Counter Guardians… Nor that Alaya exists as a conscious physical human… Small part of it, I may be"
"Ah"-He replied in understanding as he changed his Mystic Code from Chaldea to Royal Brand, stopping to look at her with a confused expression when she pouted at him.
"I said something casual. You look way too serious in that outfit"-She answered my silent question. The ex-master sighed and put a hand to his forehead in frustration.
"I don't have anything more casual to change into that won't give us away. My ability only includes the Mystic Codes I wore in Chaldea"-He explained, "And don't you need anything to cover the Seals?"
"…Fine. And yeah, I have gloves… But, considering none of your Mystic Codes from Chaldea will do… You and I will be going shopping once we get into town!"-She declared, pointing at him exaggeratedly with a big grin on her face. Ritsuka just shrugged.
"Sure, why not?"
…
…
…
He shouldn't have said that.
"Why did I agree to this?"-The newly made pack-mule grumbled, annoyed as he had to carry a large pack of clothes in his arms. Alaya smiled beside him, skipping along happily.
One of the things Ritsuka forgot about normal modern society from being in Chaldea for so long, was that if a male ever went out shopping with a female, it was probably not going to be a good time for him.
"Because you couldn't resist my Kawaii"-She replied cheerily. Ritsuka's mind froze, and so did his body as he slowly turned his head towards her.
"Where did you learn that?"-He asked.
"Oh, I learn from my "friends""-He caught on by the tone she used when she said "friends". She meant the Counter Guardians.
"… I have no words"
"Good, then let's get moving!"-She pointed forward and started marching in an exaggerated military style.
"*Sigh* Just what have I gotten myself into"-The poor boy groaned as he started jogging to catch up to her. Is this how Servants usually feel when they are summoned? Do Servants get summoned by little girls often?
In another part of the world, Rin Tohsaka, Sakura Matou and Illyasviel Von Einzbern all sneeze at the same time…
He pitied them… Then again, he was in the club now too, supposedly.
"… Alaya, what is this?"-Ritsuka asked as they stood in a hotel room. Well, hotel room would be pushing it.
"It's our hotel room, why?"-The Counter Force fragment tilted her head to the side in confusion.
"This, is not a hotel room… This is a luxury villa in a hotel building"-Ritsuka deadpanned at her, "How did you even get the money for this?"
"Ehehehe, funny thing about that"-The girl laughed sheepishly. Ritsuka gave his Master a flat look.
"Please don't tell me you tricked the personnel"-He said in an equally flat tone.
"Magecraft works wonders! It's not my fault that it's so much fun to mess with people…"-She pouted and crossed her arms. Wow, she really was taking her role as a little girl seriously, "Oh, and don't worry about people listening in on us. I have already set up a bounded field". Ritsuka could only gawk at her.
"What? When? How?"-He shook his head, "When did you have time for that?"-He asked with a raised eyebrow and a slightly pained expression. The headache was real. Alaya shook her finger in a "no no" kind of way with a gleaming smile.
"Secret~"-She replied in a singsong tone, skipping off into the, ah, hotel room.
*Sigh*
"Next thing you know, she's rented a super-car or something"-Ritsuka muttered before he followed her into said "hotel room".
"So"-He said as he put the package with clothes down on the floor next to one of the beds, Alaya turning to look at him, "What now?"-He asked.
"Well"-Alaya put a finger to her chin in thought, "I guess our fist order of business would be to catch the attention of the IS Academy, since we're supposed to be attending it"-She replied.
Ritsuka blinked.
"Academy?"-He asked, "And why? Can't we just apply normally if it's so important?"
"… I forgot to tell you pretty much anything about the IS, didn't I?"-She asked rhetorically, palming her forehead in embarrassment.
"Yeah, I think you did"-Ritsuka had a small smile on his face.
"In that case, get ready for a long explanation"
"No"
"… What?"-Alaya didn't understand the sudden declaration.
"I mean, no, going to the ISA would not be preferable!"-He half shouted, "Isn't there any other way?"-His expression turned pleading.
"No, not really, why? I thought you'd be used to constant female attention~"-She teased. Ritsuka rolled his eyes and sighed in frustration.
"My Servants in Chaldea weren't a bunch of schoolgirls with raging hormones"-He shot back, glaring at her, "Why would the ISA be the best choice anyways?"
"Because, that's where most of the world's IS units are stationed"-Alaya argued.
Ritsuka frowned. He wanted to say that it wasn't the best choice, but Alaya knew a lot more about this "alternate future" than he did. He'd just have to trust her, no matter how little he actually wanted to go to this female pit of hell by the sounds of it.
'An academy filled with teenage girls who think they're all that… Just spells for destruction'-He thought grimly.
Version 2
Ritsuka awoke with a start, looking around him his eyes grew wide when he realized…
He was in the air, clouds moving below his feet.
And just as he thought things couldn't get more absurd, he noticed the metal suit he apparently wore.
"What? What's going on?"-He questioned, looking over himself. The suit was a sleek design, and covered his legs, upper-stomach and arms. The armor was colored black, like a skin-suit, covered by white pieces like composite armor. Looking over his shoulders, he noticed two round pieces floating above them, with a single spearpoint shaped "wing" hovering by each, colored in black with a green light shining in the middle of the round parts.
"You're finally awake? Good, we don't have much time"-A familiar female's voice called out to him.
"Huh?"-He turned his vision to the person who spoke, and saw a woman with long brown hair, and hazel eyes, wearing a similar metal suit. Hers was colored lime-green lined with cerulean-blue "lines" across the armor, two giant silver-colored Valkyrie shaped wings by each of her shoulders, looking like they were made of energy. A teasing smile found itself on her face.
"Checking me out huh? Well, I'm afraid we don't have time for that"-She said, her expression turning serious. Dumbfounded, Ritsuka could only reply with:
"Alaya?"
Alaya nodded, and motioned to follow her as she took off. Ritsuka winced at the sonic boom, and did his best to follow. Alaya summoning him here had given him some insight as to how he would pilot his suit, but nothing extensive, so he was just working with the bare basics.
"Long story short"-Alaya started across their mental link, "These suits are called Infinite Stratos. They are only pilotable by women, under normal circumstances. Currently, an unmanned unit is going rogue, and has a couple of other pilots pinned. It's our job to make sure they get out alive"-She explained.
"Um, right… So, if only women are able to pilot these… Infinite Stratos. How come I'm capable?"-He asked, keeping his eyes on the small dot in the sky that was Alaya, as to not lose sight of her.
"You're a Heroic Spirit dummy"-She chided, "And besides, these suits made for you and me, are magical constructs… Kind of like Emiya's tracing, but suits instead of Noble Phantasms"
"… I see"-Was his reply, as he continued to soar through the sky. An idly eye went to the ocean bellow when the clouds dispersed, and Ritsuka had to admit, this was an exciting experience. He soon spotted what looked like lightning-bolts being flung across the sky from different angles and positions. He flew up to the still from of his Master, waiting for her command.
"The loner is our target, you can still use your Noble Phantasm in your IS unit, so don't hold back!"-Alaya said enthusiastically, grinning widely as she materialized a sword in her right hand, "Looks like two of them are in trouble, think you can distract it?"-She asked.
"On it"-He grinned once seeing the cards his Noble Phantasm provided him with, and took off.
The Silver Gospel's AI had not accounted for the arrival of another personalized IS, and it was cut off mid-attack on one of its opponents as three green-lit knives pinged at its shield points faster than it could react. It turned, and located the source. An unknown black and white IS that was approaching…
Turning its back on the opponent was a mistake, as Ichika hit it over the back with a swing of his sword. The Rogue IS was sent sprawling in the air, but quickly regained its balance. The new arrival shot out three more knives, colored red this time, which the AI noticed were slower than the green ones, and easily avoided them.
"Surprise!"-It was not going well for the poor AI.
*BAM* The metal shuttered under the pressure of the sword that made contact with the IS, even with the energy shields protecting it.
Two new arrivals, one female and one male, Ichika and the girls noted, much to their surprise. As far as they knew, Ichika was supposed to be the only male capable of flying the otherwise women-only machines.
The male pilot flew over to their location.
"You all right? Anyone hurt?"-He asked.
"Eh, I don't think so"-Ichika turned to the girls for confirmation, all of which responded with a shake of their head.
"Good"-Then new male pilot replied, "I know you guys have questions. But let's save that for when we're done with bucket-head here, alright?"
"Ritsuka~"-The unknown female pilot whined, "Stop slacking off and help me!"
"*Sigh*. On my way"-The person they could now identify as Ritsuka replied exasperatedly as he took off towards the fight, yelling "Leave the rest to us!".
"Wait!"-Ichika tried to follow him, but was held back by Houki, who shook her head at him.
"If they say they can take it, we should trust them. They are helping us, after all"-She reasoned. Ichika glanced at the other girls, who had agreeing expressions of varying degrees, and sighed in defeat.
Back with Ritsuka and Alaya, the former materialized a new set of Crimson Black Keys in both his hands, which he used to slash at the AI controlled IS. The IS weaved and dodged around his strikes, but as Alaya joined in it was having a much harder time.
Ritsuka threw one set of Black Keys at it on close range, hitting home with two of three… His aim was never really that good, so it was to be expected. The super-powered Black Keys did a number on the enemy's shields, and the AI listed the blades with a crimson glow as more of a threat, and did everything it could to avoid being hit by them.
Unfortunately, this allowed for Alaya to slash it across the chest, as Ritsuka's persistent attacks at both close and medium range made for the excellent distraction. The silver single-edged jagged sword had an icy-blue glow to it as it made contact with shields, and brought them close to the limit. The AI began to "panic" as it switched to more desperate measures, releasing a hailstorm of plasma around it.
Ritsuka smirked, as a black, purple and silver shield materialized in his right hand.
"Lord Camelot"-He chanted as the shield lit up and stopped the plasma projectiles dead. Alaya had already moved behind him, and was unharmed because of it.
"HAH!"-She then charged with all her might and thrusted her sword out which impacted the Rogue IS and rendered its shields completely drained. Raising her blade once more, she swung it down on the IS's arm, cutting it off before repeating the process, turning the IS into shish kebab.
"… Well, that happened"-Ritsuka trailed off, looking at his Master's handiwork.
"Yup"-Alaya replied, breathing heavily, "Also… Black Keys? Is your luck really that bad?"-She asked. Ritsuka grumbled and looked away.
"It's always the Black Keys…"-He muttered. Meanwhile, the teens off to the side were staring in shock at them, wondering who they were… And making a mental note not to get on the female pilot's bad side.
And there you have it! So, once again, leave a review with your vote on either:
Version 1
Or Version 2
Basically, version 1 has a slower, more developed approach, while version 2 is more direct "getting right into the good shit" kind of thing.
I'll give it a week before I'll start working on the third chapter. I hope you enjoyed!
As always, have a great day, or night.
GFS signing off.