A/N: Oh boy, this is the one. Here, we meet our favorite self insert protagonist according to some, genocidal maniac according to others, and walking meme beast to the remaining few. Ritsuka Fujimaru. Here's what I'm gonna do:
She'll be the female version (Gudako), and I'll try to characterize her like a composite of her Shimosa Manga; Salem Manga and Grand Carnival selves without the memes. So pretty much an easygoing Chaotic Good character with moments of focus, empathy and determination when things get hard. At least, that's how I interpret her. The last thing I want in this story is an OC, but F/GO doesn't make it easy.
Also, Chaldea doesn't have all Servants present due to being in the Shadow Border, so for now it's only the squad of Mash, Napo, Bryn, Holmes (wounded) and Vinci with support from Shirou and Ritsuka.
One last thing. I confused Wodime's name and surname last chapter. Turns out his family name is Wodime and first is Kirschtaia. So forgive that little plot hole/inconsistency. I'll fix it later.
That is all. On to the story!
She decided to do something today. She would talk to the Valkyries.
Ophelia's problems were piling up, fast. First her Saber, then Chaldea, and now the mysterious man who seemed to be getting into the heads of the Valkyries. She needed to nip this problem in the bud, like Lord Wodime would do, that she was sure of. She walked towards the back of the Ice Castle, near one of the Balconies were the sisters would be overseeing the creation of more mass-produced Valkyries. She strode alone, and her footsteps made an echo in the empty halls.
She needed to be resolute. Kirschtaria and his ideals gave her strength, but now even that was in question. She could not be wrong. How could her actions be wrong when made for him? He was righteous, courageous, intelligent. She was… simply a good evoker. A magus that hated weekends. That is all.
She reached a set of double doors and uttered an incantation given to her by Skadi. Opening it by would be easy, but everything was so cold to the touch that it was very possible it would harm her. As light from the huge sun entered from outside, she heard one of them, the pink haired one whose name escaped her.
"...It's ridiculous! Utterly so!" Her eye widened a bit. She had never heard the Valkyries so angry before, so indignant. They were cold, and acted like machines. This was new.
"Hildr, calm down. Do you need repairs? Has something gone wrong?" Ortlinde was keeping her distance while the pink haired girl was pacing back and forth. Thrud sat on an ice bench, eyes closed. One remained bruised from the battle the other day, but it was beginning to heal.
"I don't–" Hildr chocked upon hearing her sister, but then sighed and seemed to recover her composure. "–No sister. I'm completely functional. But that man is insulting our honor as Valkyries. Our duty. He should have been punished." Hildr seemed more calm now, while Ortlinde tried to maintain a stoic facade, but her worry was showing.
"I do not believe Hildr is dysfunctional, Ortlinde. However, her behavior is unfit for a Valkyrie. Remember what we are. All three of us." Thrud said, keeping her eyes closed. The remaining sisters looked at each other before nodding. Ophelia stepped up, making her presence known.
Three heads turned, and the blonde warrior maiden opened one of her eyes.
"Lady Ophelia. Why bless us with our presence?" Thrud was being polite. Of the sisters, she stuck to her duty in the best of ways. Obedient, curt, and able to voice her opinions on tactics and strategy. But she was also the most distant.
Still, being in the presence of three divine spirits was intimidating. And she was sure neither Wodime, nor Daybit nor Pepe would be. She scolded herself for being weak.
"It seems you are having trouble. Is it because of that man?" Hildr was the first to talk.
"Yes! He's insufferable!" She whined. Thrud sighed.
"He is disrupting our cohesion." Added the elder sister. Ophelia moved to the balcony, and began looking at the large frozen lake that surrounded it. It was thin ice, with water under it. Anyone falling inside would freeze to death.
"How so?" she asked.
The Valkyries kept silent. Another strange reaction.
"He said we loved him, in Proper Human History," Hildr spoke, between anxiety and spite. Ophelia turned to them in surprise. She knew his affection for the girls was notable, and his ownership of their mystic code and shield was unmistakeable, but for the Valkyries to reciprocate that love…
It would have become legend, one way or another. Which meant… either Valkyries were still alive on the modern era or…
The man had managed to summon them as Heroic Spirits, and he had been their Master.
He was even more dangerous than she initially thought.
However… if their love was reciprocal and deep, then that could be used. He had said he would put his duty first, but it was obvious in his demeanor that it was not going to be easy. Ophelia would not make it easy.
"Did you figure out his name?" she asked the sisters.
"I asked him, but nothing else. I did not want to risk manipulation." Ortlinde informed.
"And?"
"Shirou Emiya, that's what he called himself." Ortlinde said.
Shirou Emiya. The Magus from Proper Human History and a former Master. Yes, he was not a physical threat, but he still had to go.
"Listen, the three of you," she addressed the sisters, and they all turned their full attention to her. She took a breath. She knew their loyalty laid with Skadi, but the turmoil Shirou Emiya caused was maybe enough to convince them of going partially against her wishes. "We are going to get rid of them, both him and the little goddess."
Her resolute orders were met with wide eyes. However, Hildr was way more joyful. In fact, it was the first time she had seen her so happy.
"That I can do! Those are some good orders!" Even if Hildr was happy, Thrud and Ortlinde were less so.
"That goes against Lady Skadi's request." Thrud said, always the leader.
"Awww! Come on Thrud! He needs to die!" Whined the pink haired sister.
"But sister, she's right. Father told us to serve her." At this, Hildr deflated. Of course, bringing Odin in was bound to halt her plans.
She would not allow it.
"Listen. Skadi told you to serve me, right?" the three sisters nodded. "Then, if you disobeyed her on my behalf, then the fault lies with me for forcing you. You are Valkyries, you were made to follow orders. Am I wrong?" It was flimsy logic at best. She would need to think something better in the future.
However, it was Thrud who surprised her.
"You'll take the blame for us?" she asked as she remained stoic. Ophelia smiled.
"Of course. It would be an honor to do so for the legendary Valkyries." It there was something Valkyries had, and anyone from Norse mythology really, was ego.
"Very well. I guess it's acceptable." Ophelia smirked a second time. However, Ortlinde still seemed to be on the fence about it.
"This… this is not right. She's only…" At her hesitation, Thrud gave her a stern gaze.
"We are following Lady Ophelia's orders, Ortlinde. End of story." Her voice was hard and loud, and it made the hooded Valkyrie back down.
"Yes, sister."
"So, when are we doing it?" Asked Hildr. Ophelia turned back to the lake.
"When the time is right. Which means, when Skadi is distracted. With Chaldea allowed to run amok, it should be no…" In the Lake, she was something that made her stop her speech. Something, a wave of white, was moving. In a dead, frozen wasteland that had nothing remaining except ice, fire and magic.
"Lady Ophelia?" She ignored Ortlinde while channeling magical energy into her eyes.
"Sikt" With her chant, her eye glowed blue, surrounded by her magic circuits. Like a scope, she could see her target, but it was nothing more than white smoke that could be mistaken for wind or a reflection. But she knew better. Her life as a Magus was rife with assassins wanting to take her power, her mystic eye, and her magic crest.
If her parents taught her one good thing, it was to know when to reveal illusions. "avslöja" Another enchant, and the mirage was dispelled.
The white wave was nothing more than a bear, running at impossible speeds trough the ice.
On top of it, she could see something riding it. A little girl with purple clothes, and a man with red hair.
Sitonai and Shirou Emiya. They were escaping. Just like the Chaldeans. Skadi was too overconfident, again.
But Ophelia Phamrsolone was not.
"They are escaping." She hissed.
"That man, Emiya?" Hildr asked, going to her side.
"And the girl."
"Sitonai," Thrud growled.
"We need to recapture them immediately!" She could feel Ortlinde preparing to lift off. But, seeing the two escapees so exposed gave her an idea.
"Wait!" The sisters held their position. "Do you have enough Mass Produced Units?" she asked them, keeping her sight on the target.
"Yes, one full battalion for each of us." Thrud answered.
"Then… Use your Noble Phantasm. Eliminate them." She ordered.
"Yes, my Lady." Hildr sounded delighted. Maybe too much.
"Are we all in agreement?" Thrud asked.
"Yes."
"Indeed."
"Then it is confirmed. Beginning manifestation," The three Valkyries looked up to the sky, closed their eyes, and began ascending into the air.
A great amount of magical energy began swirling around them. Lights flashed around as mass produced units began manifesting around them.
"Manifestation complete."
"Corresponding bodies linked."
"Beginning Deployment." In unison, all Valkyries raised their arms, and their spears took on a heavenly, rainbow glow. They lost their form as the energy swirled around.
"Ragnarök Lífþrasir!" With a flick of their wrists, the spears were sent flying. Ophelia watched them in awe as they flew towards the target like a concentrated waterfall. No one could survive such power. Normally, their noble phantasm would be limited to a small number of active, Valkyries the sister that summoned them knew. However, with their army of mass produced units, the power output was much greater, even if each individual spear was less powerful by itself.
Ophelia saw Emiya notice the attack, and raise a purple shield to defend himself. Both riders of the white bear watched in despair how the spears of light fell upon them. It engulfed them in a blinding light, and then exploded much like a nuclear bomb.
The Crypter shielded her eye for a moment, before she got another look at the landscape. Only smoke remained, as well as the fall of water and cracking of the ice sheet. It was over, but she could not see the bodies.
Behind her, the Valkyries descended.
"Target hit. Going for visual confirmation." Said Thrud.
"Do it." Said Ophelia, keeping a close eye on the smoke cloud.
Then, something shifted. The cloud moved upwards, and a single string shot up. It was too fast, even for her enhanced eyesight.
It landed behind the group with a loud crash, breaking the ice floor and shaking the foundations of the castle.
The Servant Sitonai was crouching before them, burned, bruised and damaged. Still, the magic energy emanating from her was incredible. The power of a High Servant.
The Valkyries readied themselves, bunching up like a Phalanx.
"How dare you…" Sitonai growled, eyes shadowed by a loose fringe of unkempt hair. Then, she fixed them with her crimson eyes. Her glare promised death. "How dare you attack my little brother." She drew her short sword as cold winds swirled around her.
"I hope you've made peace. Prepare for a–!" Her war scream was cut short. A blue light from behind her paralyzed her, and in a second, Sitonai was encased in a large block of blue ice, so cold the air was turning to water vapor even in their current ambience.
For a moment no one moved as they stared into the surprised, frozen eyes of the High Servant. Then, the familiar clicking of boots was heard from behind the ice. Skadi entered the scene from behind the ice cage.
"Poor child from another time. It really would have been pleasant to know you…" Skadi almost sounded sad, as if lamenting her actions. There was no anger, no spite, nothing. Ophelia wondered if her tolerance was just madness.
The Queen of the Lostbelt then turned to the group of four, eyes narrowed. A chill ran up Ophelia's spine. She had angered a literal goddess.
"So, who authorized this attack?" She asked as she walked past the Valkyries and the Crypter to gaze upon the remaining mist from the Noble Phantasm. No one said a word, and after a moment, she turned to the Valkyries. Specifically, their leader. "Was it you, Thrud?"
She feared for her. She feared for Thrud's well being. If Ophelia knew about something, it was about responsibility.
"It was me! If you must punish someone, let it be me…" She knew about accepting punishment. Her mother made sure of it.
Skadi turned to her. "I see. I am very disappointed Ophelia, But I'll forgive you," that didn't reassure the Crypter. Not at all.
"W-What will you have me do?" She asked. She knew some reprimand was inevitable.
"Have that knight of yours move Sitonai back to her cell." Skadi said.
"Y-Yes. Of course!" Then, the Queen turned to the Valkyries.
"That child, Shirou, is alive. Find him, to make up for your mistake." Stiff as statues, the sisters nodded, before flying off.
Ophelia turned to leave, keeping an eye over her shoulder, waiting for Skadi to explode on her. But she never did, she simply remained in the balcony, staring into the fiery mountains.
As always, Gerda was making supper. Mash helped her, because, to her at least, to see such a young girl cook for four was hard. She never had a childhood per say, so she wanted to help Gerda have one. But maybe it was too late for that now, especially given the culture surrounding her village, and all the other ones.
Still, at least she could enjoy the warmth of the fireplace and the smell of food outside the Ortenaus suit.
But her Master was not so fortunate. She was easygoing when things were calm, but once things got hott, she would become tense and focused. With nowhere to focus herself, she simply looked anxious.
It had been a busy day. Rescuing Brynhildr, fighting the Valkyrie waves and defending the Shadow border. But that was not Ritsuka's worry. Hers ran much deeper.
It was, of course, the abduction of Emiya.
"Senpai, please be calm. We'll rescue him, I'm sure Napoleon and Brynhildr are thinking of something." She tried to reassure the red haired girl, no, young adult. She was much older now than when they met, and after everything that happened, it was hard to remain mentally and emotionally young.
"I'm also thinking of stuff. But I'm having a hard time seeing a way." She said, now beginning to rub her chin. This was not helping either.
"Okay Senpai. Take a breather." She said. She remembered when Ritsuka was the one doing this very same gesture for her; placing her hands on her shoulder and looking her in the eye with a warm gaze.
Ritsuka stopped, listened, and then took a long breath.
"You're right. Sorry. It's just…" The young Master trailed off, looking at the ground.
"Just?" Mash wondered, tilting her head. Then, Fujimaru looked at her. Her normal, cool demeanor was replaced by a hurt expression with narrowed eyes.
"I can't… I can't take another Romani. I just can't. I won't allow it." She said. Mash felt a pang of pain in her chest, remembering the good doctor, who always cared for her despite being a little spineless.
"It's okay. We'll find him. And get trough this Lostbelt, right?" Said Mash, a little unsure of their chances herself. Defeating a Goddess, that was a tall order, even for them. Skadi was everywhere, and was phenomenally powerful. What could they do? Sneak attacks would not work, neither brute force. At best they could recover the paper moon and figure out a plan in the Wandering Sea, if that even existed still.
"Why are you so worried about him? The envoy's probably took him to Valhalla, if what you told me is true," said Gerda in her strong accent. Both women looked at the girl with sadness.
"We don't know that. And that is what scares him. He's much like you, Gerda," said Ritsuka, kneeling at her level. "Putting himself in danger for others." The girl tilted her head.
"You do that as well. And you always return." she said, clearly not understanding the meaning behind her words. Ritsuka's eyes widened for a moment, and then her eyelids fell a little.
"I know. That's why I'll find him." The Last Master of Humanity stood up, hope seemingly reignited.
Almost as if on cue, Napoleon burst trough the door, sporting his intoxicating and wide smile.
"Stop brooding my privates, cause we found him!" He shouted. Ritsuka and Mash looked at him, aghast.
"Where?!" Shouted the Master, rushing outside past the tall, muscular Servant.
"Just outside the gate. Brynhildr used her runes to allow him entrance." Said the Archer, going outside as well.
Mash turned to Gerda.
"Please stay here."
"Should I prepare another plate?" Mash smiled at the girl's innocent behavior.
"Please do so." She exited the small cottage, and began looking for her Senpai.
She spotted her in the empty town hall. It was nighttime, so none of the village children remained outside. Along Ritsuka were Napoleon and Brynhildr, inspecting a fluffy, white polar bear. It was unlike any creature she had seen before in the lostbelts, and it's special markings meant it must have been a familiar of some sort.
On it's back rested the body of Shirou Emiya, bruised and burned. His right arm bled as it dangled, useless, from his side.
"What happened to him?!" Asked Mash, rushing to his aid. However, it was Napoleon who stopped her.
"Don't touch him! He has hypothermia. We must move him tenderly, to a warm space." He said, taking on a more stern persona, like a commander. Mash nodded, and she helped lead the bear towards Gerda's cottage.
"I'll use some warmth runes on him, try to raise his body temperature." Said Brynhildr, doing some motions with her fingers on his back.
"You do that."
"What can I do?" Asked Ritsuka, following behind the tall man.
"Help me carry him when we reach the cottage." The Master nodded, and soon they reached the house where they stayed.
Seeing the cute bear, Gerda was delighted, but that soon faded when she saw the state Shirou was in.
Thanks to Brynhildr's runes, his clothes were mostly dry by the time they got him near the bed. Still, removal was necessary. Luckily there were no superficial injuries save some bruises. However, Shirou still shivered a lot.
An hour later, the Magus was wrapped in fur blankets in Gerda's bed. Ever so slightly, he'd curl upon himself and shiver a little. Ritsuka was at his side, watching him intently.
"Sorry for taking your room, Gerda." Said Mash, looking at the girl who was sitting beside the red haired woman.
"It's okay. We have dealt with this before. It can be scary." she said, eyelids closing and opening.
Shirou shifted once again, and opened his eyes, however slightly.
"Fujimaru? Mash?" he asked, squinting harder. Both women left their seats, happy.
"Shirou!"
"Emiya! We're so glad you're okay!" Shirou looked at them, and returned the smile.
"What happened? Why am I naked?" he asked, looking below his blanket.
"You were having hypothermia, we had to remove your clothes." Knowing the implications of what she said, Ritsuka blushed. "I-I mean, o-obviously i-it was Napoleon who did it! Not me! I didn't see anything! Nothing at all!" She waved her hands around, clearly embarrassed. Shirou simply lifted an eyebrow.
"Napoleon?" He asked. Ritsuka and Mash looked at each other for a moment before realizing what was happening.
"Right. We made a few allies, like in Russia. But, you know, less Berserkers."
"I see. Well, I think I made an ally too." Mash tilted her head. Another heroic spirit?
"Who?"
"A girl named Illya- I mean Sitonai. She… wasn't with me?" he asked. Sitonai, the pseudo Servant in the castle prison who stayed behind to not draw attention to themselves. Had he brought her with him?
"No," Ritsuka answered. At that, Shirou's eyes shot open.
"Then we need to save her!" he said, trying to get out of the bed. However, Mash held him in place.
"No, Emiya. You have to rest." Shirou struggled, until Fujimaru put a hand on his shoulder.
"You're damn right we'll save her, but not right now. We need to rest. All of us. Right, Mash?" Her master blinked with a smile, and the demi-servant nodded.
"She's right. We're all exhausted. You more than anyone." At this, Shirou seemed to relax.
"Right. Sorry. Some habits die hard." He said with a smirk.
"Yeah. That they do." After that, the three of them were left in an awkward silence, broken up only by Gerda's snoring.
Luckily, it was Ritsuka who broke it.
"Well, nice seeing you again Shirou. We'll… leave you to rest. We'll meet tomorrow to discuss what we'll do. Sleep well, Emiya." With that, Ritsuka exited the room somewhat awkwardly. Mash smiled. She was back to normal. Seeing Gerda's somewhat awkward position, the demi-servant carried her out of the room and left her in a bed that was in an adjacent chamber before exiting the cottage.
Once outside, Mash took a moment to herself. The cold air made her shiver, but she had gotten used to it back on Russia. Looking up at the sky, she could see the stars and the Aurora Borealis. It was all beautiful. Even if things were ugly in the Lostbelts, some beauty remained at least.
"What a sight, eh private?" She heard from her side. Sitting on a log was Napoleon, smoking a cigarette.
"Yes. I'm glad it's not all bad." Answered Mash. What else could she say? One thing was talking to her best friend and partner Fujimaru, another to talk to the incredible Heroic Spirits that assisted them. She was more confident in her skills, but they were still intimidating nonetheless, with some exceptions.
"Indeed. Even when things are at their ugliest, beauty and hope always remain."
"That's awfully cheerful of you, Napoleon. I certainly didn't have that image of you, when I read about your exploits and reign." The man looked down, as if reminiscing.
"Well, the people needed a hero, and that's why I came. It's as simple as that." Mash raised an eyebrow, confused.
"What do you mean?" Napoleon simply laughed, throwing his cigar at the floor.
"You'll see, eventually." he said, looking back the sky. Mash felt a tremendous amount for respect for the man, despite his lovestruck antics. Why did so many male Servants need to be such… perverts? Fergus, Fionn, Blackbeard…
Still, beneath it all, he seemed grander than life itself. She could not help but be inspired. And even so, he still saved someone with traditional human methods, using expertise from his life.
"Thanks for saving Shirou, Commander. We'll be in your debt." She said with a bow. Napoleon simply looked at her, mouth curved upwards.
"No problem. Just rest for now, private. I'll take first watch."
"I couldn't possibly–"
"Oh, please. It's really no issue. Besides, your Master may appreciate the company."
"W-What do you–"
"I'm a hopeless romantic, not an idiot. Now go. Rest up. We'll meet tomorrow morning."
Blushing profusely, she bid farewell to the Servant before going to the cottage the village children had lent them for the night. Tomorrow would be a new day.
Extra Scene: Broken
"Did you see them?" Asked Ortlinde, atop one of the ice pine trees.
"Yes. All targets identified. Shirou Emiya, and the Master of Chaldea, bot resting nearby." Answered Thrud, floating nearby.
"Then let's attack. With the three of us they stand no chance!" Insisted Hildr, who was hanging off one of the trees.
"Absolutely not. We cannot hope to defeat all of them plus our elder sister. We need a better plan." Said Thrud.
"Maybe ask for reinforcements from Lady Skadi…" Mused the black haired sister.
"Ugh! We need to just–"
"Hildr! Are you really broken? Stop acting like that!" Chided Thrud, not raising her voice one bit. Hildr grunted.
She was not broken. She was right to be indignant. He did something to them. He forced them to love him. There was no other way. Otherwise meant she had, or could have, feelings. And that meant she could fall. So many times, she felt so distant from her sisters. Hildr was always eager to fight and take the souls of the brave to Valhalla, learning their stories and chatting with them.
She did not mind. She had other sisters to stick to their duties. She knew she could rely on them to help her be responsible and relay information.
Now, she was one of the remaining three Valkyries. She had fought with everything in Ragnarök, and she had failed. She could not save her sisters. All she could do was honor their memories.
Valkyries were supposed to share every thought with each other, but this she kept to herself.
"Let's go, Hildr. We know you're angry, but we must remain steadfast and focused. For the sake of this world." With that, Thrud flew away. Her plan was already in their network. Ortlinde followed without another word.
She was so lucky.
What?
Nothing. Forgive me sister. A stray thought.
I'll help you organize them later.
Yes, Ortlinde.
Observing the village one last time, Hildr set off into the night with her sisters.
A/N: Part 3 of the Lostbelt. Maybe I can take this to the end. Problem is, I may have started this too late in the story to properly have more development between Shirou and the Valks, so maybe I'll add an extra side quest, maybe involving Surtr's wife Sinmara. That could work as Skadi's counter, with Napoleon as the counter to Valks and Bryn to Sigurd.
That is all for now. Part 4 will come next, with some more focus on Thrud or Ortlinde.
See you next chapter! As always, tips, criticism and comments are appreciated in reviews.