A/N: So.

The Fate Strange Fake anime is a thing.

...WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME IT WAS A THING?!

I was trying to get back to the Fate series as a whole before someone mentioned it; I stepped back to let it get further ahead, and it certainly has now~! Now the show's first episode, nearly an hour long, really lit the fire in me!

In other news, the previous chapter of this plot bit, AKA "A Most Unlikely Summon" may well become a story; everyone seems to love Quetz~!

But this...this is something different.

With my fifteen year anniversary on this site here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.

And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.

Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. The recent earthquake in Turkey/Syria serves as a terrible example. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.

As ever, I own no quotes, references, themes, or memes. Not a wit or a single one!

They're tributes to legends far greater than I.

Consider this a teaser. A test, if you will.

Feedback will determine if it lives.

Don't you know? Even wars have their rules; ironclad agreements made by both sides.

What's that? Rules are made to be broken?

Perhaps...what do you intend to do?

~?.

A Most Unlikely Fake

A man who knows he will die is a dangerous one.

It isn't always about winning, sometimes it's just making your enemy loses.

For one can be no more assured of his death than when his enemy accepts his own.

(.0.0.0.)

...hmm?"

Consciousness was a sudden thing.

Likewise, the summoning was a sudden one.

One moment he didn't exist. In the next, he did. With consciousness came form, and form, thought. He raised his head and took a moment to reconnoiter. To remember. Memories. He remembered his life. His death; the final act of heroic spite against Kaguya; one that both damned him and saved his world. More information trickled in. He knew where he was now. What class he'd been summoned into. What he was expected to do. And the prize at hand.

All this in an instant.

Bright blue eyes blinked. Narrowed, now.

His hands clenched into fists at his sides and hopped upright, bounding once on his heels. Still young. Good. His body was strong. Very good.

"Well, well, well," whiskered cheeks dimpled every so slightly. "Its been a long while, hasn't it? But before we get started...

Only then did he turn to face the young, starstruck individual crouched before him.

...I suppose I really oughta ask the Big Question here...

He tilted his head to regard them with a wry smile.

...are you my Master?"

A/N: Aaaand scene~!

I deliberately left this mostly threadbare for a reason. Its a template, to see what folks might think of it.

Well? What do you think? Don't hold back, I can't take it...I hope.

Once more, we're sticking with the "Embers" rule for this story, and others. Meaning folks don't like this, it won't be continued. If the story itself ain't popular/well-received...well, I won't be able to continue it. I'm working two jobs, holidays are here too, meaning I barely have time to write; as such, I cannot afford to write something folks don't enjoy.

So by all means, speak up! Your voice matters! Make yourself heard! As ever, reviews are the fuel that sustain me. Without them I cannot write a single word. Simple as that. Working nearly all hours of the day keep me absurdly busy, and I can't bring myself to write something folks don't like.

So...in the immortal words of Atlas...

...Revieeeeew, Would You Kindly?

Only a few previews this time.

(Previews)

"You stand before a King, mongrel."

Blue eyes danced merrily. "What is a king to a nonbeliever?"

Countless golden portals opened above them. "Still a King. Now...begone!"

Dye me in as much mud as you want, my ideals will never change!

Can't we all just along?"

R&R! =D