Zelretch gazed upon a particular world, a world that was an offshoot of another world. A potential outcome, a possibility that was just one of many. And if left untouched, it would end in tragedy. And tragedy, to a man who cherished his former humanity like he did, was something he didn't like to see.

He enjoyed being entertained. He enjoyed putting people through trials. But he was never a fan of downer endings. Life was full of enough depressing things already. And yet, what could he do? Caster had been cut down prior to their arrival in the Singularity. Mash and Ritsuka weren't prepared to deal with Lancer, not as they were.

And Olga, well, she was quite the feisty one. She had a good heart and plenty of courage, but she was inexperienced on the battlefield and definitely in over her head.

If he left things like this, it would end with three dead bodies and the end of humanity in that particular continuity. And that didn't sit well with him.

He leaned back in his chair and pondered his next course of action. What could he do? He supposed he could contact Alaya, have her summon a Counter Guardian to help out. Or otherwise tweak the Throne to summon a new ally for Ritsuka. But, that would require a lot of overreach and frankly, he was too lazy to deal with all the paperwork.

But, there was a much easier solution, was there not? One that was just in the other room. He allowed his eyes to drift to the right and took in the amusing sight of a certain twin-tailed Magus arguing with her redheaded boyfriend. That's right. Rin Tohsaka, his apprentice, and her boyfriend, Shirou Emiya, an Enforcer for the Clock Tower.

They had survived the Fifth Holy Grail War in this timeline. Fortunately, this was one of the rare instances where Shirou retained his ideals. Usually, when a version of him contacted Rin, it followed a scenario where Shirou was but a shell of himself. That was not the case here.

With the Second Magic, Kaleidoscope, it would be possible to send them to aid the forces of Chaldea. The idea of them both being Masters amused him greatly. Shirou, with his dedication to justice and Rin with her intellect and talent, would create a Chaldea unlike any other.

He cackled. He couldn't wait.

"Hey, Rin~!"

After getting her attention, he explained the situation with her - complete with a power point presentation - and basically told her that it was a test she'd have to pass as his apprentice.

She glared at him, a hand on her hip. "You're just using the fact that I'm your apprentice as a convenient excuse, aren't you?"

He stared at her. "Could be."

She rolled her eyes. "Fine. If only because Shirou is already packed and ready to go." She turned to the right, where her idiot boyfriend was already geared up, looking like he was about ready to march into Mordor. "If I refused, I'm pretty sure he'd nag me until I said yes anyways."

Zelretch chuckled. "Well, your boyfriend can't turn a blind eye to people in need."

"He gave his paycheck to a random homeless guy! Twice! He is permanently on the couch!"

Shirou, for his part, didn't even look guilty. "He needed it more," he mumbled.

Rin sighed. "Anyways. Just send us already. The sooner we get this over with, the better."

"You'll be there for a while," Zelretch pointed out.

"All the better to start as soon as possible. Though, that does lead to the question. How do we explain our appearance?"

"Counter Masters" Zelretch replied.

"That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard-"

"-I cannot believe we're going with that explanation" Rin groused as she trudged alongside Shirou in the burning hellscape that was formerly Fuyuki. What was with Fuyuki and it always being on fire?

"I don't think it's that bad," Shirou replied, his tone casual, but his gaze serious. "Better than just trying to lie."

Rin sighed. "I suppose you're right. In any case, they should be right up ahead. I'll supply you with Prana. Take out Lancer and then we can plan from there."

Shirou chuckled. "So, basically. Muscle and brain, as usual."

Rin smirked. "Naturally."

"Trace on" he intoned as he sprinted toward the battlefield, Rin's prana granting him the strength to access his Projection Magecraft to a much higher level than usual. With a flash of blue light, his trusty falchions, Kanshou and Bakuya, made themselves known. He skidded to a stop in front of the Shielder - who looked disturbingly like Sakura - and blocked Lancer's scythe, his blades in an x-shape. Honestly, with his body armor and black jacket, he almost looked like Archer. If his hair ever turned white, he might just off himself out of despair. The last thing he wanted was to look even more like that pain in that ass than he already did.

"Sorry, Lancer," he said as he pushed her back. "But I can't let you kill them."

The woman, who was clearly Medusa, except younger, growled at him. "Get out of my way!"

She wasn't in her right mind. That was clear. Whatever happened to her, wasn't good. But he didn't want to kill her if he didn't have to. She might not be the Medusa he knew, but she was still Medusa.

"W-Who are you?" came the voice of who he could only assume was the Shielder. He glanced back at her, the name of her shield instantly registering in his mind. His eyes widened slightly. That was quite the surprise.

"Just a helpful agent of Zelretch," he mused. "I'm not an enemy that's for sure."

"Thank god for that," another girl's voice came. His eyes flicked toward her and he almost did a double take. She almost looked like a female version of himself. And he assumed she was thinking the same thing, because she had frozen when their eyes had met.

"Dad?"

He blinked and quickly turned back toward Lancer. He could deal with whatever the hell that was later.

He could tell there was a third figure present, but she hadn't said a word. Perhaps she was observing the situation and deciding the best way to respond first? How Rin of her.

Either way, he had to deal with Lancer right now. In his mind's eye, he pictured a dagger. A dagger that belonged to a certain Caster. If he wanted to spare Lancer and gain a powerful ally, this was exactly what he needed.

"Trace on."

Kanshou and Bakuya were replaced with a black bow, and its arrow? Rule Breaker, the severer of all contracts.

"Shielder," he said, his gaze steel. "Distract her for me."

"What he said, Mash!" the confusing girl from before shouted. "Bash her over the head!"

"Understood! Commencing combat!"

He stayed still as the Shielder rushed past him and exchanged blows with Lancer. His posture was steady. His aim was true.

And at the right moment, he fired. The dagger blew directly past Shielder and impacted Lancer in the chest. For a moment, nothing. And then she screamed. It made him feel guilty. The last thing he wanted to do was cause her pain. But his plan had worked. The murky gaze in her eyes receded, and the corruption on her was shattered along with whatever contract she was bound to. And in return, a new one was formed.

He felt the familiar burning of command seals upon his right hand.

He dismissed his bow. "It's good to have you aboard, Lancer."

His former enemy, disoriented from the change, looked at him and offered him a shaky smile. "Thank you for saving me, Master."

He chuckled. "Don't mention it."

And then he was hit over the head by Rin, who was clearly displeased that he went against her orders.

"So Saber went mad and cut you all down, huh?" Rin asked as she sat on a chair in the abandoned church they had found.

Lancer nodded. "Yes. And until Master freed me, it was as if I was in a haze."

Rin rubbed her chin in thought before gazing over at Olga. "You've been oddly quiet."

The woman in question looked up at her. "I just never thought . . . that the Wizard Marshal would interfere. Are things truly that dire?"

Rin waved her off. "Meh. Even if the world is ending, a Magus must not show fear. Besides, my boyfriend is a stubborn one. If anyone can create a miracle, it's him."

She looked over to where Shirou was sitting with Mash and their daughter - and wasn't that a shocking revelation - apparently in this timeline, she and Shirou had lived a normal married life together and had raised a normal daughter. At least until she had been employed by Chaldea.

But as she watched Ritsuka animatedly chat with Shirou, she couldn't help but smile. At least Ritsuka managed to have a normal childhood. She wouldn't wish the lives she and Shirou had led upon anyone.

"So you don't know who the Heroic Spirit inside you is?" Shirou asked the Shielder.

"No. He refused to give me his name. I don't even know the name of my Noble Phantasm," she muttered, clearly ashamed.

"I can tell you his name," Shirou said bluntly.

Mash' eyes went wide. "You can?"

"Yeah. But only if you want me to tell you."

Mash remained silent for a minute before looking up at him, expression resolute. "Tell me."

"The Heroic Spirit within you is Sir Galahad, the youngest of the Knights and wielder of the Shield, Lord Camelot."

Mash gasped aloud as she clutched her head. For a moment, he thought he'd made a mistake before she smiled at him.

"It's as if a piece of me that was missing has been filled in. Thank you, Emiya-senpai!"

Oh god, she really was like Sakura. If anyone harmed her, he may have to kill them.