AN: Please enjoy the chapter.

Ch 7 The Eternal Empire Strikes Back

The next day, in the early morning Ritsuka slept in his bed with Mashu. In the next room, Romani woke early. He sat up looking around his nursery next to him was Fou curled up sleeping.

Romani stood up, toddling over to the fence of his crib. The lights were dimmed and quiet only hearing the night shift staff making way for the day shift. "Mmmmm…." The toddler hums, looking around for his parents but no one came.

"Mmmm," Romani's whimpers grew louder, wanting attention. "M-Mommy, D-Daddy…" He calls out for his parents but like before nothing.

The violet-haired toddler whimpers at the no response to his cries. Tears started to form in his eyes, soon he started to cry.

Romani's cries echoes in his nursey for someone to come.

The door opened causing the toddler's cries to tone down. Looking up from his crib he saw a face similar to his and his father coming into his nursery. "What's wrong Romani? Did you get lonely here?" Charlie walks in happily upon seeing his Great Grandson's face.

Charlie walks up to his Grandson's son, picking him up and comforting him. "There, there, little buddy. We don't want to disturb your parents now." The Pseudo-Servant bounced him in his arms.

"Ganpa," Romani looks at his Great Grandfather, happy to have someone familiar with him.

"That's right, I'm your Great Grandfather, little buddy." Charlie looks up, pondering at the title he calls himself. "Mmm, maybe Great Grandfather might be a mouth full for a toddler such as you." The Saber chuckles still bouncing the child.

Romani blinks, tilting his head at what his Great Grandfather confused with what he was saying.

Charlie looks down at Romani's Saphire eyes, chuckling at his expression. "Hehehe, your face reminds me of Jamie when he was your age," The Pseudo-Servant chuckles,

"Fou?" The two looks down at the crib where Fou sat on fours. "Fou, Fou," The Beast barks, seeing the Servant and toddler in the nursery.

"Well good morning to you Fou." Charlie greeted the mascot of Chaldea. "I hope I didn't wake you."

Romani giggles, reaching out to his fluffy protector. "Fou, Fou!" He giggles at the small Beast.

Fou saw the Human child reaching out to him, prompting him to go over to him. He jumps off the railing, then the crib board, and jumps on the King of the Franks' shoulder.

"Fou, Fou!" The small Beast waves his paw at the toddler who smiles upon seeing him.

"Fou! Fou!" Romani responded in a giggling fit.

Charlie smiles at the young child, "Hehe, imitating Fou are you?" The Saber asked, "You're adorable don't you know that?" He bounced him, having fun with it. Romani responded with a fit of laughter that bounce off the walls.

"Well, if I know that you wanted to spend time with my son then all you need to do is to ask." The three turn around to see Ritsuka leaning on his and Mashu's room entrance.

Romani peers over his Great Grandfather's shoulder, smiling at the sight of his Father. "Daddy! Daddy!" The violet-haired child reaches out to his Father.

"Woah there, little buddy." Charlie chuckles, approaching his Grandson by following Romani's attempts to reach for him. "Sorry, Ritsuka but can you take Romani off me? I'm afraid that if he keeps this up then he might fall."

Ritsuka smiles, nodding to his Grandfather's request. "I can take him off your hands." He reaches out to his toddler who giggled upon feeling his hands.

The Magus smiles, looking at his son's eyes as he nuzzles into him. "Hey there buddy, are you having fun with Grandpa?" Ritsuka asked, cradling Romani carefully.

Romani looks up at his Father, nodding in response. "Yeah, Granpa is fun!" He said,

"I see, as long as you're having fun son." Ritsuka smiles softly at the child.

"I hope that you and Mashu got plenty of rest," Charlie said, not minding that Fou is on his shoulders.

Ritsuka walks over to the small kitchen fridge in his son's room, then takes out Romani's bottle. "I know the upcoming mission preparations are stressful, especially with what you went through."

"Fou, Fou, Fou!" Fou barks, wanting to remind the family about the Ritsuka's therapist,

Charlie understood what Fou was saying, though not in words but in motions. "It seems that Fou is asking if you plan to speak with your therapist, Ritsuka." The Pseudo-Servant looks at his Grandson, seeing his answer. "I highly suggest you-"

Ritsuka closes the fridge, placing the bottle in the microwave to heat it. "I plan to but not right now. Currently, I have a lot to do today regarding the Lostbelt, Charlie." The Magus sat down in the rocking chair and fed his son. "I know that look,"

Charlie sighs, crossing his arms. "Ritsuka, you may be my master and I may let some things slide due to my circumstances on my Summoning." His eyes looked at his Grandson with contempt. "But I'm still your Grandfather, and as such, I won't let your health be at risk."

Fou nodded, agreeing with the Pseudo-Servant. "Fou, Fou,"

"Charlie…" Ritsuka sighs, knowing he was right. Though it's a bit strange to hear that from the lay-back Servant he knew. "You know, you're a bit different from the Charlie I knew from Traum. But you act the same as he did,"

"Traum…that sounds familiar," Charlie ponders, trying to remember what happened during the Singularity. "I read about it from the records but can't remember what happened. And yet it's familiar." Whenever Charlie thinks about Traum, static covers his memories. But he was certain that the Charlemagne his Grandson knew then has something he has that he doesn't currently.

It was confusion after confusion regarding himself.

Ritsuka was wondering about that for a while but kept it in the back of his mind. He Summoned Charlemagne and came as a Pseudo-Servant using his Grandfather's body. "Maybe it's the incomplete Summon? The Servants that I Summon to Chaldea remembers what happened during our adventures."

The King of the Franks nodded, probably that was the case. "Maybe, that would explain why I feel like I'm missing something in my mind and why I was Summoned as a Pseudo-Servant." Charlie sighs, petting Fou's chin. "Whatever the reason that still doesn't mean that I worry about you, not just your Servant but as your Grandfather."

"I know, and I appreciate that you worry about me." Ritsuka smiles, happy to have a family member who cares for him unlike his parents, brother, and relatives before. "You know, I do wonder about someone who cares for me as a little brother,"

Charlie blinks, not knowing that part. "Oh? Can your 'brother' here know who this person is?" He wanted to know the person that looked after him.

Ritsuka smiles at the person he looked up to before Chaldea. "His name is Motoyasu Kita-"

"Ritsuka?" Mashu enters the room, yawning at a good sleep. "Oh, Charlie-san, I didn't realize you were here." She greeted the Pseudo-Servant.

"I was the one tending to Romani, I didn't want him to disturb you guys," Charlie said, looking at the young Father and his son. "You guys seem to need some more rest." The former King stated.

Mashu made her way over to her Husband and son, "Thank you, Charlie-san." Her head turns to Romani, drinking his bottle.

Romani's Saphire eyes shifts to his mother, gurgling at the sight of his Mother. "Mommy!"

Ritsuka quickly took the bottle away before he could take another sip. "Romani, be careful when drinking your milk." He said softly, wiping away the milk from Romani's cheeks with his sleeves.

Romani was antsy, not liking how his Father is cleaning his face. "Nooo! Da mean!" He moves his head from his Father tending to him.

Everyone chuckles, seeing Romani's dissatisfaction with his Father's actions.

"Now, now Romani. Your Daddy is just cleaning your face." Mashu reached out to her son, carrying him in her arms.

Ritsuka smiles, seeing their child in his Wife's arms. "Well, it seems that Romani has a favorite parent now." He jokes with her.

Mashu jumped, seeing Romani turning his head away from his Father. "W-Wha? Romani don't be like that to your Daddy," He jokingly scolds their son on how he was acting.

Romani just blinks at his mother, curious what she means. "Mashu, it's fine. I was joking," Ritsuka stated,

"My, oh my how quaint to see a young family bonding with each other." Out of the shadows, Ashyia appeared, walking in the nursery.

Ritsuka stands upon seeing his Servant, "Ashyia what brings you here?" The master asked his Servant.

"Oh, I'm merely informing our master that preparations for the Lostbelt are going smoothly." The Alter Ego informed the young family. "Our lovely guest has been gracious enough to do an origin scan on her and this close in locating the Lostbelt. Minerva is almost finished calculating the point in this World to Rayshift,"

"That's good," Charlie commented, looking at his Grandson. "Soon we can save this World." The King smiles that they're close to saving his country.

"Fou, Fou," Fou agrees,

Ritsuka nodded, "That's great news, Ashyia." He commented on the news they received.

Ashyia smiles, relishing in his master's words. "Yes, however, if you are to ring those young Heroes along with you. I suggest some Mystic Codes adjust and track their existence in the Lostbelt." The former Apostle of the Alien God suggested.

Mashu nodded, looking back at the director of Chaldea. "Ashyia-san does have a point. Nightingale-san finished with the medical report on Adrien-kun and Marinette-san." The former Demi-Servant added, "Adrien-kun is compatible with Rayshifting while Marinette-san isn't."

"That could be difficult if Marinette wants to help," Charlie commented on the predicament.

Fou nodded, agreeing with the former King. "Fou…"

"I don't think that's a problem," Ritsuka stated, having a plan for this. "I have something in mind that might resolve that issue." The Magus suggested, seeing the confused faces of everyone.

Paris, Agreste Mansion

Gabriel looks at the Butterfly Pendant in his hands, "Master, are you alright?" Nooroo floated next to him.

"Nooroo, do you think my actions so far have any purpose?" The old Fashion Designer asked his Kwami.

"Um…" Nooroo didn't answer, still under commands not to speak his mind.

Gabriel sighs, looking at the Kwami of Transmission. "Nooroo, you are no longer bound to my previous rules." The changed man stated, "Please, speak your mind. I want to know your opinion."

The Nature Spirit blinks, seeing the man who held him captive for years is letting him speak. "Um…well, you did take extreme measures to get both Ladybug and Chat Noir's Miraculouses," Nooroo stated, feeling uncomfortable telling this to him.

"And you did put children in danger many times, even putting your son in them too." Nooroo continued with his opinion of his current master. "In my opinion, you were a villain, but you stop when Miss Emilie came back."

The Kwami of Transmission floated in front of his master. "Now you're becoming the father that Adrien deserves and a kinder person." Nooroo smiles.

"I see…thank you Nooroo," Gabriel said, appreciating his Kwami's view of him.

After all the plotting and scheming to get Ladybug's and Chat Noir's Miraculouses to bring back Emilie, who knew that a simple disappearance would lead to her awakening.

He lets out a chuckle, finding an invasion from strange robotic enemies and an Altered Marie Antoinette with Historical figures he knew stopping her plot was all it takes. To be honest, it sounds like something from a fantasy novel.

"Gabriel, are you in here?" The old Fashion Designer looks at the entrance of his office, hearing a soft voice. Nooroo returns to Gabriel's coat pocket upon hearing a female voice.

A blonde woman in a white suit and pants walks into the office, spotting her Husband sitting on the couch. "Gabriel, are you ready to leave?" Emilie asked her husband.

Gabriel sighs, standing from his seat. "You know, I never believe there was a day that I would be willing to give up this power." He looks down at the Miraculous he found in Tibet along with the Peacock Brooch. "I always thought that someday that Ladybug and Chat Noir would pry this Miraculous from my hands."

"Fate sure has her strange ways, dear." Emilie walks up to her Husband, placing her hands on his. "It's a new chapter for us, a new beginning."

Gabriel nodded, happy to have his Wife around. "Yes, a new beginning."

"Gabriel, Emilie," Nathalie enters the office, having something to tell them. "Someone is currently waiting at the front gate, requesting Adrien." She informed the reunited couple.

"Who is it, Nathalie?" Gabriel asked curiously who was outside their home.

Nathalie nods, "It's Ms. Dupain-Cheng, she said that she and Adrien have something to attend to today." The Assistant informed the parents.

Emilie smiles, having a feeling that this has something to do with her former master. "Shall I let her in?" Nathalie asked the parents.

Gabriel looks at his Wife, knowing what she was thinking. He turns to Nathalie, waiting for instructions on what to do. "Let her in, she's a friend of Adrien." He smiles.

"Yes sir," The blue-haired woman heads back to the front desk and lets in Marinette.

"Another thing that I never would've done before is letting Adrien's friends inside our house." Gabriel chuckles, seeing his misguided ways to protect his son.

Emilie steps forward, turning to her Husband. "As I said before Gabriel, Fate has her ways of changing a person." The blonde woman smiles, taking out the Peacock Brooch. "Now, let's return these Miraculous back to the Guardian. We don't need them anymore."

Gabriel nodded, agreeing with his Wife. His ultimate goal was achieved, though not with his own hands he has no use of the Butterfly Miraculous. "Of course, my love."

The couple walks out of Gabriel's office where they meet Marinette standing in their lobby. She has a pink blouse with a denim jacket over it, she also wore a light pink skirt with converse shoes. Her purse was over her side and her hair was down as usual.

"Mr. and Mrs. Agreste! Good morning to you." Marinette greeted the couple.

Emilie smiles upon seeing the Hero of Creation. "Marinette, you look lovely today." She smiles upon seeing the bluenette.

Gabriel agreed, seeing her outfit closely. "Indeed, did you make your outfit yourself, Ms. Dupain-Cheng?" He asked, impressed if she has a sense of style but more impressed if she made it herself.

Marinette blushes at the compliments from the Agrestes. "I-I did, the jacket is entirely homemade, and the dress is something that my ran Grandmother bought me." She explains to the Designer.

"Interesting, you might have a bright future in the Fashion industry if you play your cards right, Ms. Dupain-Cheng." Gabriel confidently said, seeing only a few people with this talent.

The bluenette felt like she just entered a fantasy dream, her idol, the Designer she looks up to just said she might have a future in the Fashion Industry. "T-Thank you, Mr. Agreste," Marinette responded.

Soon Adrien appeared in his usual black shirt, but with a green jacket and jeans. "Marinette, you're here!" The blonde greeted his…well technically now girlfriend.

Marinette blushed, smiling at her partner standing on the stairwell. "Adrien, hi. A-Are you ready to go?" She asked the Hero of Destruction.

Adrien made it down the stairs, now standing next to the bluenette. "Yeah, I am,"

"Where're you two are going?" Gabriel asked the two teens, curious about their plans.

Adrien turns to his father, having a cover story for this. "Um, you see father, both me and Marinette are going on our first date."

Marinette blinks, looking at the Model for answers to what he said. She saw Adrien winking at her to play along. "T-That's right, we're going to stroll around the park and go to Andre's ice cream cart." She played along with the lie.

"How cute," Emilie smiles, seeing young love blossoming before her eyes. "This reminds me of when Gabriel would take me out on dates. We walk around Paris's streets, take me to dinner when it's sundown, go out for ice cream after." She sighs, reminiscing the time during her youth.

Gabriel blushed red, hearing his Wife speaking of their youth to his son and girlfriend. "A-Ahem, i-in any case, do be careful when going out, Adrien." The old Designer informed his son, "There's still many of those things in the City."

"But Chaldea's forces are dealing with them in collaboration with the Parisian government." Emilie butted in, not wanting this little setback to ruin their first date, "Just enjoy the day and don't mind the Attack Programs still active in the City."

Adrien nodded, standing beside his girlfriend. "Thanks, mom," He smiles,

Marinette looks at Agreste parents, happy they support their sudden relationship. "Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Agreste." She said, appreciating their concern for their safety.

"Alright, we're leaving now!" Adrien waved, taking Marinette by the hands, and exited his home.

The Agrestes watched as their son left their property and off to spend the day with his new girlfriend. Emilie turns to her Husband, to see if he's prepared to leave. "Shall we go, dear?"

Gabriel nodded; now sure this was the right decision to make. "Yes, I'm ready my dear."

Near the Seine River, Ritsuka ventures out of the Storm Border with the thing he was going to do today. Next to him were two Servants; one, Charlie, being the only one from the Paris team and strong ties with Homefield advantage in the Storm Border minus a few others to a lesser extent. The others were spread out in the City, hunting down remaining Eternal Empire forces.

Charlie wore a simple brown shirt with long white sleeves, jeans, and converse shoes.

The other is a man around his thirties, with black hair with a strand of white in a form of a lightning bolt. He wore a white shirt under a blue jacket with the insides yellow. Black pants with white sneakers. (Summer Sportswear costume)

On his shoulders was a mechanical owl with one side showing circuitry and frameworks.

'It's a different feel when I'm walking in my Home Country than just seeing it through Chaldea's maps.' Mandricardo thought, feeling terrible for not going with his friend to the surface for this mission. 'Only if I have the guts to ask, Fujimaru to accompany him.' He mentally sighs.

"Mandricardo? Are you alright?" Charlie asked socially awkward Servant. "Your face is a worrying one." The King pointed out the face when he was internally contemplating himself.

The Rider looks at the King of the Franks, "O-Oh, i-it's nothing Charlemagne-"

"Mandricardo, I told you and the others when I was Summoned. Call me Charlie, alright?" Charlie smiles at the former Adventurer of his name.

The former Adventurer nods to the Pseudo-Servant's request. "Y-Yeah," Mandricardo smiles weakly, feeling weird to be buddy-buddy with the King of his enemy. 'Man, he's way too charming and laid back. To think this guy not only looks like Fujimaru but he shares a blood tie with him! Anyone would kill for that in Chaldea!' He exclaims mentally.

Ritsuka listens to his Servant's response to his Grandfather. "Charlie, stop making Mandricardo uncomfortable." He smiles defending his friend he met in Atlantis.

"How am I making him uncomfortable, Ritsuka?" Charlie asked his Grandson, wondering how he's making the guy Roland faced feel that way. "It's not like I'm Roland wh-"

"(Walk away Mandricardo, walk away…)" The Adventure moves toward their master, avoiding conversing with the King about this topic.

Charlie's eyes widen, "O-Oi! Why are you walking away?" He exclaims, seeing the actions of his fellow Chaldean.

Minerva observes the two Servants, finding it intriguing that former enemies are now awkward comrades. "How interesting that these two share the same complicated background regarding the Paladin Roland." The Terminal commented. "Proper Human History Heroes are indeed complicated."

"You have no idea, Minerva." Ritsuka sighs, hearing his Grandfather trying

The group walks up the streets, coming up to the home of the last Magus in this World. Mandricardo held back his master, seeing two other people coming at the other end. "Oi, Fujimaru. Two people are coming this way," The Rider informed his friend.

Ritsuka looks up, curious who was coming up to them. "Mmmm?" He saw two familiar people, "Emilie, and Mr. Agreste." He blinks at the couple.

The Agrestes saw the Chaldean master and his Servants standing where they were heading. "Ma-er Fujimaru." Emilie greeted her former master.

"Mr. Fujimaru, we didn't expect you to be here." Gabriel was a bit surprised to see the Magus here to see the Guardian. What was more surprising was the mechanical owl perched on his shoulders.

"As did we, Mr. Agreste," Ritsuka responded to the former Villian's statement.

Emilie smiles at her former master, stepping forward of her Husband. "Fujimaru, are you here to the Guardian of the Miraculous?" She asked.

Ritsuka nodded, "Yes, I have a few questions for him before I depart to finish off the Eternal Empire." He stated, showing his determination for saving this World. "Minerva is here to help me with it." Ritsuka motions to the Terminal for Athena.

Minerva chirps in response to her introduction from her master.

"I see you are serious about protecting Paris, Mr. Fujimaru," Gabriel commented, seeing this through the fights he was in with the Empire and the Akumatized Villian he sent. "It must be taxing if you've done this many times before."

Mandricardo chuckles, "Fujimaru is particularly an expert by now, he saved our World many times. He's considered a veteran by now." The Adventurer smiles at the two Humans.

They looked at Mandricardo, having never seen him before in the Parisian group. The Rider quickly noticed they were staring at him. 'Shit, why are they looking at me like that? Hold on didn't I introduce myself?' Mandricardo looks at the couple. 'I didn't! that's why they're looking at me like that! What kind of Servant am I?'

"A-Ahem," Mandricardo cleared his throat, "U-Um, hey I'm Rider. Another Servant of Fujimaru, nice to meet you two." He scratches the back of his head.

"I'm sorry, it still surprises me that Heroes of the past are present in the Present," Gabriel explains to the Chaldean Servant.

Charlie chuckled at Gabriel's comment, "Just like every person we met in our travels." He smiles brightly, never tired of seeing their faces.

"That's true, you're majesty," Emilie added to the former King of France's words. "But don't forget that Heroes from the Future and Present do tend to intertwine, along with Pseudo-Servant possession." She points out the Counter Guardian allies they met during their fight against Marie Alter's army.

"Oh, do I know it!" Charlie and Emilie laugh, having experienced themselves becoming Pseudo-Servants.

Gabriel, Minerva, and Ritsuka sigh seeing their loved ones getting along well. Mandricardo felt the odd one out being the only one with no familial ties with either of them. "(This is getting too awkward for someone the likes of me,)" He said to himself.

"Well, it seems that I need to prepare more than one seat in my humble abode." Everyone turns around to the entrance of the building, there stood an old Magus smiling at the group.

Minerva turns her head, tilting upon seeing the old Magus. 'Master, the Magus from the Miraculous records is here,' She mentally informed him.

"What an interesting Mystic Code," Fu saw the Terminal of the Goddess of Wisdom. He walks down the stairs of his home. "I can tell she was made by an ancient and lost form of Magecraft." He commented on the complicated design and old Magical Energy he's sensing.

"Minerva is one to behold, she's an ally from the stars for Chaldea." Ritsuka smiles, greeting the first ally he met in this World. "It's been a while, Wang."

Fu nodded, feeling like it's been a long time since he saw the master. "Yes, the last time we've met was when you were off to save Paris." The old Magus turns to a rather new and yet familiar face. "Now, Mr. and Mrs. Agreste. It's rather shocking to see the most famous Fashion Designer here in a little street like this one." He commented.

Gabriel steps forward, holding something in his hands. "Guardian, I'm here to return something that I've been abusing and one I've used recklessly for years." He opened his hand, showing the missing Butterfly Broch that was missing in the Mircale Box.

"Oh, and here." Emilie took out something from her breast pocket. "It's a bit damaged but it's good to have it than never seeing it again." The blonde woman smiles at the Magus of old.

Fu blinks, seeing the Miraculous he has lost many years ago reappear. "I see, we can discuss this inside my home." The Guardian of the Miraculous offered the people outside.

"Right, let's head go ever-" Ritsuka was pushed over to the Agrestes by Charlie, materializing Joyeuse in his hand and blocking a strike from a golden spear.

Mandricardo reverts into his Servant form and Minerva flaps her mechanized ready to defend the Humans. "Master, stand back!" The Rider informed his friend.

"Right," Ritsuka stood behind his friends, standing in front of Fu, Emilie, and Gabriel.

"W-Who just attacked us?" Gabriel asked, seeing an orange-haired man with red eyes. He wore a short black sleeve jacket and pants, his lower limbs had silver armor attached.

"Mmm, nobody can easily dodge my spear like that." The Lancer twirls his Spear, looking at the Chaldeans and their allies. More importantly, he looks directly at Charlie. "You must be a skilled warrior to even dodge it." He prostrates his golden Spear, ready to strike again.

Charlie couldn't help but see a similarity to a certain Child of the Sun. "Well, I am cool like that." The Pseudo-Servant smirks, not batting an eye against his enemy. "So, the Eternal Empire decided to strike now after a few weeks from their loss of the Queen. What gives? Usually, an Empire would strike back right away after killing of their leader."

The Lancer of the Eternal Empire smirks, "I'm not obligated to answer, my task comes first. But I'm glad to take your head." He leaps forward, thrusting his Spear at him.

AN: How do you like it? Please leave a comment or review.