Toa Solaric: It's been a long time and I finally got that damn finals finished. Though I have a new idea for a one-shot that I want to try here before going back to my fics once again.

I don't own Fate/Grand Order.

FGO- Paladin Emperor of Chaldea

A bunch of kids is gathering around a large tree, trying to reach for a ball.

"Do you need a hand?" They turned around to see a high school boy with a bicycle by his side. He has unkempt black hair and blue eyes, wearing a grey uniform with school colors on his ties.

"O-Our ball." A kid cried as they tried to reach for it.

"Okay," The student answered and began to climb up the three to the second branch and collected a bright blue ball. "Ah, here you go." He passed the ball down. "Be careful next time, okay?"

"Thank you!" The kids answered and bounced their ball, playing soccer as they dispersed from the tree.

The student jumps down and looks to where the children going. Ritsuka takes his bicycle and climbs onto the seat as he rode down to his home now.

His name is Ritsuka Fujimaru. A boy around the age of sixteen and an ordinary high school student.

Everything about him being is very average.

Average life.

Average family.

Average school life.

In another word, he lives in a very average world.

Or that what he thought after yesterday. His mom came back home one day and wanted him to sign up for an application to work as an intern in an organization known as Chaldea. From the application that his mother finds, it was an organization that goes into research in the advancement of humanity. Not to mention the wage and benefits are really incredible.

She was too depressed that she can't apply due to the age range… Ritsuka bemused due to the factor that she used one thing that make him unable to get away from signing up for something like this. The only thing that he can do now is to wait and see if this organization would accept an average person like him.

Yes, one could say that this is the natural route of the world that it will follow. Ritsuka's life would continue and a series of events would happen, there he would find friendship with beings of greater power than anyone he knows will find unbelievable.

That would certainly be the ideal route… if it weren't for a certain factor that changed everything.

The certain factor lies with a man who was carrying a stack of the book came in front of Ritsuka.

"Hey, look out!" Ritsuka shouted, but it was already too late before they collided with each other.

"I'm sorry…" The young Japanese man answered, struggled to regain his vision.

"Don't worry about it, young man." The man said as Ritsuka got a better look at him.

The old man has gray hair, a gray beard, and red eyes. The old man's clothes were a black and silver suit.

"E-even so, I should've seen you coming…" Ritsuka said, helping the old man collect his books.

"T-thank you, young man." The old man said, slowly getting up from the ground and cough a bit.

"Sir, are you alright?" Ritsuka asked, still holding his books.

"It is nothing too serious, but I might need your help me carried some of my books for me until we reach my apartment." The old man request.

"Sure thing," Ritsuka compliant.

He splits the books and placed some on his bicycle before walking beside the old man.

"I hope that I'm not interrupting any plans you have, young man." The old man replied.

"Don't worry, my folks will understand," Ritsuka reassured. "Besides I don't have anything much to do after classes finished besides going home." Whether he will be accepted into Chaldea is the unlikely chance of ever happen.

This seems to catch the old man's interest. "Really? I thought you would have a girlfriend at your age." He remarked.

"Well, I'm not that popular with girls like most guys in my school," Ritsuka explains.

"What about your dream?" Asked the old man.

"I don't know," Ritsuka answered as nothing came to mind about what he wanted to do when he grew up. "I never really thought about it, and it's not like I excel at any of the stuff I do."

"Or, you didn't find something or person to inspire you." The old man wondered.

"Hmm, maybe…" Ritsuka said before he noticed the old man stopped on his way in front of the apartment.

"You know, I think it is a fate that the two of us bump into each other," the old man began to speak, "But I can tell that something about you, destined for something else."

"Uh-huh…"

The old man then takes the rest of the books but leave one on Ritsuka's bike.

"Wait, aren't you going to take that with you?" Asked Ritsuka.

"Something tells me that you would need it more than I do. A great danger will happen in your world, young man." The old man said. "The book contains instructions to invoke something that can help you a lot, but it depends on how you used it. Trust me, you just have to draw a circle and recite the words within the book, then a great power will be of great help to you."

Ritsuka looks surprised at his words. Even though the young man was skeptical but something about the man's words makes him trust him.

"A great power…"

"I hope you live up to his expectation."

The Japanese youth then noticed the old man was gone and looks around. This made him feel a bit confused and spook by the disappearance. He then looks at the book that was left on his bicycle. Ritsuka then picks up the book before placed in his bag and pedaled away.


"I'm home!" Ritsuka announced after unlocking the door of his house and entered in the process.

"Ah, welcome back, Ritsuka~!" Ritsuka's mother said, paused from looking through the letter that she just looking over. His mother has long brown hair that was tied into a ponytail and dressing in a lime green sweater shirt and pants.

"You seem to be happy today, Mom," Ritsuka said, noticing the pleased expression on his mother's face.

"You can say that they send a reply back to your application." His mother said, making the young youth looks surprised.

"They did?" Ritsuka inquired before coming to the side of the table and look over the letter that his mother was reading. "And they want me to do an examination test tomorrow at the station?"

"Yes, even though it a little strange but it's where other applicants." His mother answered. "Anyway, I'm going to get ready and make dinner soon. I'm going to make curry for dinner tonight."

"That sounds great. I'm going to take a shower now." Ritsuka said, going up the stairs right now and head to his room. He placed his backpack on his bed before taking out the mysterious book from it.

Even though he was a little freak out by the old man's disappearance, the Japanese youth was a bit curious about what inside the book.

The instruction here looks pretty simple… He thought. The only thing that might be difficult would be drawing a circle on the floor. Not to mention the materials that are needed are easy for someone like Ritsuka.

"But still… Why someone like me gets this power?" Ritsuka wondered curiously. Despite how simple these instructions and items are, the young man can't help feeling something off.

Ritsuka may be average at everything, but he was taught to be wary of accepting something free from a stranger. Even if it something like a great power. If there was danger happen, won't someone else be worth it? Not someone average like himself?

"Hmm…" Ritsuka let out a sigh before closed the book, "I will think about what to do with this later." He soon placed the book on the table before heading to the bathroom to take a shower.


(Late at night)

"That should do it…" Ritsuka whispered after finalized a drawing of a circle on papers that are around his room.

After eating dinner and spend time with his parents, Ritsuka decided to look at the book again and make up his mind about it.

It's not out for the desire of power, but want to put the doubt of a joke aside. He wants to make certain that this wasn't some kind of joke. But if he did ends up gaining something incredible… he will think about what happens next.

In itself, there were no malice or ambition that many in his situation would seek.

With that, the Japanese youth standing in the middle of the circle and with the book in hand, Ritsuka Fujimaru began to recite it:

"Let the Diamond and the Coal be the essence,

Let my existence and the price of contracts be the foundation,

Let the blue be the color I pay tribute to,

Let the wings raised against the wind that is about to blow and soar,

Let the four cardinal doors open,

Let the only path from the empire to the throne rotate,

Let it be declared now,

Your flesh and mine will fight as one under my service, our destinies will be under our sword,

There is no Holy Grail, but please heed my call

Answer, if you are willing to obey this will and this truth,

A promise will be made here,

We will obtain all the virtues of heaven,

We will have dominion over all the evils of hell,

From the Seventh Heaven, attended by the three great words of power, emerge from the ring of control, protector of the sacred balance!" After reciting the last verse… The magic circle started to glow!

"Whoa!? Is this happening?!" Ritsuka exclaimed in surprise when he saw the circle glowing blue which he was in the middle.

Fortunately, his house is still present or his parents would hear the sounds.

Eventually, the blue color became so bright, so bright that Ritsuka Fujimaru had to close his eyes to avoid being blinded by the intense light.

And then… from one second to the next… the light suddenly goes out.

That's when Ritsuka opened his eyes to see… the circle had disappeared.

"Huh?" Responded a confused Ritsuka, seeing what just happened. He also checked the book and noticed that the content was also blank!

Does this mean that I have power…? The Japanese youth thought in shock. He soon checked himself to make sure that nothing has changed due to the strange ritual.

"Looks like everything is normal…" Ritsuka muttered, but he doesn't feel anything different from before. Normally, if someone in a situation would cry out in a rage at being a laugh.

Though he can't help but feel something might happen to him after the circle and the text in the book had vanished. The young man decided to find out if any changes happen to him after a few days. This way he will be certain that he wasn't making fun by the old man.


(Tomorrow)

Ritsuka was looking at the strange device in front of him. It wasn't that long after hearing his name being called out by the guys who were in the tent.

"So you want me to only put my hand into this thing?" Ritsuka asked after listening to the instruction about the examination. 'I was expecting a paper test or interview…'

The examiner nodded.

Ritsuka then looks back at the device before he reluctantly placed his hand on the device. Then the device suddenly vibrated with green light as which make the examiner look surprised.

"Okay… what now?" Ritsuka noticing the examiner looks speechless. "Hey, is everything alright?" he questioned.

"Umm… Sorry," The examiner apologized out of dazed. "Your compatible test is excellent."

"Huh? For real?" Ritsuka inquired with interest. "So what happens now?"

"I need to make a quick call with my boss," The examiner stated before bringing out a cookie. "But I hope you don't mind have this while waiting."

"Alright… I am going to call my mom." Ritsuka said before leaving the tent. He takes out his cellphone and goes on speed dials.

"Hey sweet,"

"Hey Mom, guess what?" Ritsuka said. "It looks like I might get in after all."

"That is great, sweet!"

Ritsuka soon takes a bite of the cookie.

"It looks like I might have to wait-"


"What is it, Fou?"

"Fou, Fou!"

What the heck? What kind of animal make that sound?

Ritsuka felt a tiny tongue licking his face.

Slowly but surely, Ritsuka regained function over his eyes, slowly opening them and seeing just what was bothering him.

"Fou?" Ritsuka blinked in confusion, unsure of how to describe the creature before him. The only thing he could tell that it looked like some sort of fluffy hybrid of a squirrel and puppy? Whatever it is it's…

Cute… Ritsuka thought. If it wasn't for his body being in this condition, he could pet it.

"Umm…"

"Huh?" Ritsuka blinked again as he looked up, realized that he and the little critter were not alone.

Knee next to him was a girl around his age, or younger than him, with lilac hair and wearing rectangular framed glasses over lavender colored eyes, and dressed a grey hoodie over a black shirt over a white-collar shirt, a red tie, a black shirt and tights, and brown shoes.

"Huh… What-!?" Ritsuka quickly sat up and jumped away from the girl in front of him, surprising her as well. Perhaps he was still jumpy from what happens. But first off… "Who are you?"

Not to mention, where was he? Looking around, he saw that he was in a huge hallway. Futuristic-looking panels lined one side of the wall while the other was completely blueish-white with this strange C symbol decorating some parts of it.

The lilac haired girl put her hands on her chin in a thinking pose as she gave her reply. A very strange reply at that.

"Let's see… Not someone whose name is worth mentioning… or something…" She turned around awkwardly realizing that she was not exactly. "I mean, I have a name. But I don't often have the chance to say it, which means I don't get to make an impressive self-introduction."

Well, you're certainly making an impression on me now, Ritsuka thought to himself. There was something about the way that the girl talked that was both amusing and cute to him.

"So where exactly am I?" Asked Ritsuka, getting to the point.

"That's an easy one," The girl said without any tension from before, "This is an observatory, built to make the future of the human race as long as possible. This is Chaldea security organization."

(A few minutes later)

Ritsuka takes in a deep gulp of the can in his hand while the lilac haired girl and the critter are beside him.

"Aaah, thanks. That hits the spot. Man, my head was pounding like hell." The Japanese youth said.

"That must be the effects of the Spiritron drive. Those who are not used to it may experience a lot of stress on the brain. Fou is the one who found you here on the floor unable to regain your consciousness."

"Fou?"

"Fou, fou."

Oh, it's that strange little creature from before… the young man thought. The squirrel-like creature jumped directly on the strange girl's face and proceed to scramble its way onto her shoulder.

"This squirrel-like beast is Fou. He's a Privileged Lifeform allowed to freely walk around Chaldea. Fou led me here, and that is how I ran into you, Senpai."

"Fou. Fou!" The now named Fou jumped off of the girl's head, landed on Ritsuka's, and then jumped off before running off to who knows where.

"He ran off again," The girl said, "He does that sometimes, just walks around."

"Is Fou a squirrel?" Asked Ritsuka, confused.

"We aren't certain but he is only one of his kind. Normally he doesn't let anyone besides from me, but he seems to like you, Senpai."

"Does he now?"

The girl nodded. "Yes. Congratulations. Now you shall be the second caretaker of Fou in Chaldea."

"Th-Thanks?" Ritsuka said, unsure whether he was being praised or not.

"By the way, are you one of the people with Master potential who they gathered for Rayshifting?" The girl asked.

"To be honest, I don't know even know what that is," Ritsuka answered.

"Eh? Have you come here without knowing what you're going to do?"

"The last thing I remember was calling my mom about being accepted and everything went blurred after eating that cookie. I think that there were also men in black masks." Ritsuka said before realized something. 'Oh great… if my mom was on dialed, there is no doubt that she will be freaked out!'

"That is bad…" The girl said with a concerned expression. "From what you tell me, you're likely to have high capabilities and that they couldn't just let you go."

"Don't tell me that I was kidnapped!" Ritsuka exclaimed in shock.

"I-I don't know what to say…" The girl said, "I'm very sorry that you have to go through that, Senpai." She said with worried about her expression.

"N-No, it's not your fault…" Ritsuka said, feeling bad about what he just says. "I'm just worried about my mom if she finds out about the kidnap…" Despite his mother being a techno-geek, she is still his mother and will search the globe for him.

"We should head to the doctor to make sure nothing went wrong. But I would like to give you the basic." The girl sigh before trying to look professional. "Chaldea is a research and observation facility that gathers researchers of every kind from magecraft to science of all kinds. All to continue the history of mankind for as long as possible. For that purpose, our top researchers have developed Chaldeas, a global environmental model."

"So that what Chaldea was?"

"It was proposed that the planets have souls, so a miniature Earth was built to replicate that soul," The girl continued. "As long as the light of civilization burns in Chaldeas, humanity is guaranteed to last for at least another 100 years."

"That's amazing…" Ritsuka said, amazed at such a technological marvel. 'It's still too bad, mom couldn't be invited here…'

"Yes. However, about a week ago, that precious light has suddenly begun to fade. If the light disappears, that means civilization will come to an end," The girl said grimly. "According to our observations, the human race is predicted to become extinct in December 2016."

"That's only a couple of months from now," Ritsuka said in alarm until he realized something.

Wait, the old man says that there was a great danger coming… was he talking about this? Was I meant to face this threat? Ritsuka thought with concerns. But most importantly, the power within him hadn't shown itself yet. He still doesn't know if he can be able to do this.

"A close examination of the information has revealed a new abnormality," The girl continued speaking, snapped Ritsuka out from his thoughts. "That's Spatial Singularity F. We discovered from 2004 to 2016 CE, there was a suburban city in Japan that was an 'unobservable area' and did not exist in history. Chaldea assumed this is the cause of Humanity's extinction, and proposed the Rayshift experiment to the United Nations, which received approval."

"I see," Ritsuka said, finally understanding what this place is. "And what is Rayshifting?"

"I was about to get that," The girl said before explaining. "Rayshifting turns a human into Spiritrons and sends them back into the past to intervene in certain events. In other words, it's like time travel. By this means we can travel to the past, investigate the cause of the singularity, and then destroy it."

"Time travel is possible?"

"And that is the idea behind Rayshift, which Chaldea is currently trying to conduct." The girl finished.

"And to think I end up in an incredible place," Ritsuka said, finished the can.

"Are you surprised?" The girl asked.

"A little, yeah," Ritsuka said. 'Still need to talk whoever runs the place about kidnap…' he thought to himself. "Oh right, I almost forgot. My name is Ritsuka Fujimaru. Nice to meet you," he said as he offered his hand.

The girl hesitated reached for it before he decided to grab her hand and gave it a firm shake. And an extra one for good measure.

When he let go, she seemed to look at her hand as if it was an alien or something.

Why does she look confused? Don't tell me that she been sheltered life…

"So how long have you been in Chaldea?" he asked curiously.

"Here… Two years?" This makes Ritsuka blinks.

"So that means you are my 'senpai', right?"

This makes the girl shook her head.

"Oh no, you see, everyone is my senpai," she replied. He blinked repeatedly before opening his mouth to question how everyone could be one's senior at anything unless one were a newborn infant. Unfortunately, he never got the chance.

"Mash, so this where you've been." A new voice interrupted them.

He turned to see a man in a green suit and tie with a cane and a top hat of all things. The western man dressed in all green, but with a purple tie that had… spikes? "And who is this?" the man asked, seemingly just noticing Ritsuka's presence.

The man takes out a bracelet and topped it, causing a small holo-screen to appear which displayed Ritsuka's face and some of his info like his age and birthday.

The more I see, the I can't help that in the future… Ritsuka thought to himself.

"Ritsuka Fujimaru, No. 48, I see… You're the rookie who just got assigned here." The man said before turning off the bracelet and offering a handshake to Ritsuka. "Please to meet you. I'm Professor Lev Lainur, one of the technicians employed here."

This dude's a technician? Ritsuka thought before shook Lev's hand, having assumed that this man was rich.

"Welcome to Chaldea. I'm glad you're here. I heard you were selected out of many applicants, how long was your training?"

"Training?" Ritsuka raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry but I don't understand. I'm still confused."

"Hm? Do you not understand?"

"No, I mean, the last thing I remember was the tent, I ate the cookie they gave me, and I think I was kidnapped here against my own free will," Ritsuka explained.

"What?" The western man looks surprised.

"This is a serious issue if this was known to the public!" The girl who Ritsuka guessed was called Mash exclaimed. "Chaldea might get into trouble for this."

"You're right, I apologize." Lev clapped his hands together and bowed in apology, looking ashamed. "And to think you were put through the simulator as soon as you got here even with everything going on. I'm not surprised you were found sleeping since you aren't used to Spirition Dives. I'm sincerely, sincerely sorry, Fujimaru-kun."

Ritsuka let out a sigh. "I-It's okay, it's not like you two were at fault or anything," Ritsuka said, trying to wave off Lev's apology. "More importantly, what should I do now?"

"Ah, that. Well, while I'd like you to visit the infirmary first just case the simulator has any lasting effects on you, the Director's orientation is about to start." Lev said. "Forgive me, but please hang in there a little longer."

"Orientation?" Ritsuka repeated, confused.

"Yes, to greet the Master candidates assigned here today like you, Senpai," Mash said.

"In other words, it's for the big boss to welcome the careless newbies," Lev said. "If you go there, you should be able to find out why you were brought to Chaldea. I suggest hurrying as the Director is not the type to forgive and forget. If you show up late, you'll be on her radar for the entire year."

"Then I guess I better hurry then," Ritsuka said. "So, where exactly is this orientation?"

Suddenly Ritsuka felt his hand was grabbed and turned to look at Mash who take him down the hallway. Lev looks surprised by following them from behind.


Ritsuka didn't felt any pleasant welcoming as he was rubbing his cheek that was sore from the hard slap. It wasn't long since he was kicked out of the meeting room by the director for falling asleep.

"Did she have to slap me like that?" he groans.

"I am sorry about what happen, Senpai," Mash said, walking beside him. She was currently helping him getting to his room. Along the way, they ran into Fou who decided to climb up Ritsuka and rest on his shoulder which the Japanese youth didn't mind in the slight.

"I'm fine, it's nothing serious," Ritsuka assured the lilac-haired girl. "I was kicked out of the briefing though…"

"Yes, but on the plus side, you're fully awake now thanks to the Director."

"That's one way of putting it," Ritsuka laughed a little at that. "What was with her anyway? She was acting all high and mighty like some noble."

"Well, in the world of Magecraft, the ability is a given, but the lineage is just as important as well," Mash explained. "The Director is the head of the Animusphere Family, a distinguished family of mages. She indeed has a strong predilection for bloodlines."

"So, it's like a Noble family?" He asked. Mash nodded.

"Exactly."

"Guess that explains why she acts like one, but I still don't know what this 'Master' stuff she was talking about means."

"I guess it is a bit confusing from a normal standpoint," Mash said before explaining. "In the world of Magecraft, Masters are people who can summon heroic spirits, famous figures in the history from the Throne of Heroes."

"Famous figures in history?" Ritsuka perked up at that. "So, people like Nobunaga and Achilles?"

Mash nodded. "Correct. Many potential Masters were needed after moving the Rayshift's experimental stage to practical use. But only a handful of mages has that potential."

Ritsuka soon gets a clear picture. "I see. So that is why they need to fill out the numbers."

"So Senpai, are you going to leave Chaldea?" Mash asked.

"Well, I'm not sure if I want to follow her, but I will wait and see how things go," Ritsuka answered. Though he was still worried about his parents, he can't easily ignore something like this. Not to mention that he need to figure out how to unlock this great power in him. "And, leaving like this going to be frustrating."

They wound their way through the identical hallways and eventually stopped outside one of many similar metallic sliding doors, making him wonder how he was ever going to remember which was meant to be his own.

"Well, here we are," Mash announced after coming to a stop. "I'm supposed to be part of the first mission so I should get back before the director finishes her speech."

"Thank you for everything," Ritsuka said.

"Not at all. If you ask me, Senpai, I wouldn't mind even if it treating you to lunch."

"Fou… Fou!" Fou spoke up, patting Ritsuka's cheek reassuringly.

"Fou says he'll look after you, Senpai," Mash said, somehow understanding the squirrel-like creature. "That puts my mind at ease."

"Well then, I guess I'll be in your care," Ritsuka smiled amusingly at Fou.

Mash soon turned around and starting make her way back to the meeting room.

"Mash!" Mash turned around and looks at Ritsuka.

"Um…" Having spoken up without thinking, Ritsuka looked a bit awkward before saying the first thing that came to mind. "Be careful."

Mash seemed momentarily surprised before smiled and waved before running off, leaving Ritsuka alone with Fou to keep him company.

"She seems like an interesting girl," Ritsuka said, smiling.

"Fou!" Fou cried out as if agreeing with Ritsuka who simply smiled at the little critter.

Pressing a button next to the door opened it.

He then noticed someone on the bed watching what appeared to be some sort of television show. The red-haired man turned his head in his direction and blinked a few times before his eyes widened comically.

….

..

"HEH?! What are you doing in here?!"

"Who the hell are you?!" Ritsuka exclaimed.

"Who am I? Isn't it obvious that I am a healthy, diligent, and hard-working doctor!?"

A doctor? Well, he certainly looks that part, Ritsuka thought, feeling a bit tired from the experience in the meeting room.

"Who told you that you could come barging in here?! This is my space!" he exclaimed. Ritsuka rocked back on his heels a bit at the unexpectedly powerful reaction.

"I was told that this was my room," Ritsuka said.

"You're a new master candidate?" the man asked, before clicking his tongue when Ritsuka nodded. "Finally showed up huh? Crud. Now I'm going to have to find someplace else to slack off," he muttered.

"I'm sorry. Who are you exactly?" Ritsuka asked, trying not to let his exasperation be heard in his voice. The man brightened, spinning around and hopping off the bed before extending his hand.

"Dr. Romani Archaman. I'm the head of the medical division here at Chaldea. You can call me 'Roman' if you like though. I think it sounds cooler." It did, and he was going to.

"Doctor? I see. Nice to meet you, Doctor." Ritsuka said, offering a handshake.

"Yeah, nice to meet you. I look forward to getting to know you," Romani said, shaking Ritsuka's hand before noticing Fou sitting on his shoulder. "I see you're already acquainted with Fou-san. Color me surprised. I've never seen him get so close to anyone besides Mash."

"Is that so?" Ritsuka blinks surprising at the fact.

"So, what brings you here? Isn't the Rayshifting starting soon? I heard all staff members were involved with it," Romani asked.

"Well…"

After five minutes, with some coffee being prepared, Romani listened to Ritsuka and what had happened that led him here.

"In other words, you've infuriated the director and were cut from the first mission." Ritsuka nodded, petting Fou who eating the strawberry from Romani's cake.

"Then we're two of a kind, you and I," Romani said as he handed Ritsuka a mug of coffee. "I got yelled by her too. She chased me out saying, 'when Romani is here, the mood softens up too much!' My job is to look after everyone's health, but the machines are more accurate at reading the vitals of mages who are in the Coffins. So I've just been here sulking."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's fine. But since we've got nothing better to do, why don't we spend some time and deepen our friendship!" Romani said.

"Sure, this is my room anyhow," Ritsuka said as he and Romani clicked their mugs together.

"Huh, I guess that means I'm visiting a friend's room," Romani said before smiling and cheering. "Woohoo! I've made a new friend!"

Ritsuka smiled to himself, amused by the doctor's antics. While he still didn't know much about this place, he could honestly say that the people he met so nicer. It wasn't long until he and the doctor killed time by just talking with one another.

"… So that's the structure of Chaldea," Romani explained. "An underground workshop built on a snowy mountain 6000 meters about sea level…"

Romani was interrupted by his watching beeping. Setting down his coffee, the doctor pressed on it, and they hear Lev's voice.

"Romani, we're going to start the Rayshift soon. Could you come in case there's an emergency?"

"Did something happen?"

"Team A is in perfect condition, but Team B and down are having small abnormality issue with some of the people less experienced with this."

"That's unfortunate. I'll go give them a little bit of anesthetic."

"Yes, be quick. You're in the medical office, right? You should be able to get here in two minutes."

And with another beep, the link was cut.

"This isn't the medical office," Ritsuka pointed out while Fou seemed to give the doctor a look of pity.

"W-Well, I won't get in trouble for being a little late." Romani groaned. "Besides, it seems like Team A isn't having any issues. Oh, that man I was talking to…"

"Prof. Lev, right?" Ritsuka interjected. "I met him earlier. He said he was a technician here."

"A technician? That's putting it lightly," Romani laughed, confusing Ritsuka. "Lev is the Mage who created the Near-Observation Lens, Sheba- A telescope used to observe the pseudo-planet, Chaldeas. Sheba not only observes Chaldeas but also serves as a surveillance system for most of this facility. Also, it was the previous Director who built the summoning/unsummoning system, which is the foundation of the Rayshift tech. To actualize that theory, the Pseudo-Spiriton Calculation Engine, which is a supercomputer, was provided by the Atlas Academy. All these different talents have been gathered to carry out this mission."

Ritsuka can't help but looks surprised. Even though he doesn't understand all things that Romani just told him, it was still amazing. Nevertheless, he got involved in something really big.

"It seems pointless to have an average doctor like me on hand, but if I'm summoned, I must go," Romani said as he made for the door. "Thanks for chatting with me, Fujimaru-kun."

"No, thank you," Ritsuka said.

"When you get settled in, come by the infirmary. Next time, I'll treat you to some yummy cake…"

BOOM!

No sooner had the doctor finished speaking than a large concussion rattled through the building and the lights cut off before a backup power source came online and alarms began to sound.

"What is this?"

"EMERGENCY. EMERGENCY. A FIRE HAS BROKEN OUT IN THE CENTRAL POWER STATION AND THE CENTRAL COMMAND ROOM. CENTRAL AREA'S CONTAINMENT WALL WILL ACTIVATE IN 240 SECONDS. ALL STAFF MUST EVACUATE FROM GATE 2 AT ONCE."

"A fire?"

"The Central Command Room…" Ritsuka said before dropping his cup of coffee.

(Flashback)

Mash seemed momentarily surprised before smiled.

(Present)

"Mash!" Ritsuka soon hurries his way out of his room, he accidentally dropped Fou, who didn't mind as he was racing alongside the Japanese youth.

"Wait!" Romani exclaimed, tagging along behind them.


Ritsuka and Romani made it to the Command Room and were greeted with a horrific sight.

The last time Ritsuka was here, the entire room was bathed in calm blue light. But now, the entire place was blazing red as fire and ruin filled the room. The only that remained unchanged was the pseudo-planet, Chaldeas, except the planet model was now pure black as if its power had been cut off.

"How awful…" Ritsuka muttered as the smell of smoke and embers filled his nostrils.

"Only Chaldeas is safe," Romani pointed out as he saw no sign of survivors. But more than that… "This was no accident. This is an act of sabotage!"

"You mean, someone did all this?" Ritsuka said, finding it hard to believe that someone would cause all of this destruction.

"Primary generator is offline. Power level critical. Automatic failover to secondary generator…failed. Please make the switch manually," an announcement system chimed in over the speakers.

"No…Chaldeas…" the doctor whispered, staring at the flaming orb in something resembling horror before shaking himself. "I've got to get the power sorted out quick! We can't let Chaldea's light go out! You need to go back the way you came!" he exclaimed, taking off at a dead run.

"Doctor Roman!" Ritsuka shouts.

Ritsuka turns and looks at the room. He tugged the collar of his uniform up to avoid inhaling as much smoke as he traveled further into the room to look for any survivors.

Mash, I will find you! Ritsuka thought seriously.

"Bulkhead is closing in one hundred eighty seconds. All remaining personal please evacuate immediately," the PA system informed him. Ritsuka ignored this as he continued the gruesome search for the lilac haired girl among the corpses.

"Final phase of rayshift has begun. Coordinates: AD 2004, January 30th, Fuyuki Japan," the system announced.

"Fou… Fou!" Ritsuka hears the familiar voice of the critter and runs toward the direction. He immediately altered course to find a large piece of debris that had toppled and a small furred creature trying in vain to lift it off of his favored human.

"… sen… pai …?"

Ritsuka gasped as he stumbled onto the disturbing sight. Mash dressed in some sort of bodysuit and with half of her body crushed under a huge slab of rock.

Oh god… Ritsuka thought in horror. 'With those wounds…' "Mash!" he called out.

"Senpai…" she acknowledged weakly. "You need to…get out…" she said, apparently struggling for breath. Ritsuka shook his head firmly.

He bent down and tried to grab the brick only to retract reflexively due to the heat.

"Never mind me… please… you need… to run…"

Ritsuka gritting his teeth. 'Whatever the power in me, wake up damn-it! I need it to save Mash!' But the Japanese youth still doesn't feel anything different.

He covering his hands with the sleeves of his clothes before trying to moving up the brick in the process.

"Please just run, there is no-"

"Forget it! I will save you! I swear it!" Ritsuka snapped furiously.

"Warning all observation staff. Chaldeas' state has changed."

Everyone gasped as the model planet above them suddenly turned bright red, looking like some sort of miniature sun.

"Now rewriting Sheba's near-future prediction data. Unable to detect the existence of mankind 100 years soon on Earth. Unable to confirm human survivors. Unable to guarantee mankind's future."

"Chaldeas… has turned bright red…" Mash said as if she were seeing the worst thing possible. "No, more importantly…"

"Central Area, sealed. 180 seconds till internal containment procedure."

"…they shut… off the area. Now… we can't… get out," Mash said, looking regretful as she turned to Ritsuka. "I'm sorry… because of me…"

"No, it's…" Despite Ritsuka felt guilt that he can't do anything before he gave Mash a reassuring smile. "I'm sure we'll find a way out of this somehow."

"Coffin vitals: Masters' baseline not reached. Rayshift requirements not met. Searching for Master candidates…found."

"Senpai… would you…" she reached out to him with her hand.

Ritsuka looks at her before taking her hand.

"Candidate No. 48, Ritsuka Fujimaru recognized. Unsummon program, start. Spiritron conversion, start," the system relayed as there was a bright flash of light.


"Fou! Fou!"

"That tickles…!" Ritsuka snapped his eyes wide open and turned to see Fou beside him.

Ritsuka soon got up and no longer find himself back in the central command room. Wherever he looked, there are ruined often burning buildings as far as the eye could see. For some reason, the first itself had a sinister feel to it, and his gut told him that coming into contact with it would be a very bad idea. But most important he is stranded here with only Fou.

"What the hell…" Ritsuka muttered under the circumstance.

Though he doesn't know what is going on, the only thing Ritsuka knows that he needs to get out of here. He picks up Fou to his arms and started his search.

But he didn't know that there weren't any exits as he was searching through the creepy city. No matter how far he searches around the strange place, there doesn't seem to be a way out for him.

"Fou…!" His companion growls in one direction, making Ritsuka turned around, and not far from him was a large black humanoid with a demonic orange hand, wandering nearby.

With Fou gripped in his arms, Ritsuka soon turned around and started running. The unknown humanoid soon followed the young man from behind as it was running after him at a rapid speed.


Ritsuka was seen catching his breath after finding a place where that thing won't bother him and Fou. He was hiding in what looks like a small house. His uniform was slightly tattered and there were some bruises on his face.

He doesn't know how long he had been here, but he knows that he needs to get out of here. Somehow.

Suddenly they hear a loud crash sound from outside and it makes Ritsuka's eyes widen in shock. Despite that, the young man and his companion tried to remain quiet as possible to not allowed their pursuer their presence.

But that didn't last against what they're dealing with.

"Fou!" Even without knowing what the critter says, Ritsuka soon moved out of the way when their pursuer slammed their fist and destroyed the door behind them.

Ritsuka soon ran outside of the house immediately. He has a panic look upon his face and he can feel his heart was racing faster than usual.

Calm down! If I can get away from here. Surely— Ritsuka thought before a blurred shadow appeared in front of him as another black figure with the same white mask as his pursuer.

The black figure slammed their leg against him and kicked him far, separated Fou from his grip.

"Fou! Kyu!" Fou cried out with worried for the young man.

"Ha…" Ritsuka catching his breath with fear and fatigue, exhaustion from all that he had to run, and fear at the possibility of dying here and that no one would know about it.

He won't be able to see his family… there is no doubt that his mother was crying with worried.

The two black humanoids with white masks slowly approaching him.

But that didn't explain why he struggled to get up. Maybe he still had held onto the slightest hope that perhaps, miraculously, his power by the ritual would be activated…

Even if he can't save Mash… he still wanted to live.

"Come on…. " said a desperate Ritsuka who clenched his fists, "Please let those powers be work…"

The large muscle man charged at him with his fist ready.

"FOU!"

When Ritsuka Fujimaru saw muscle human launched himself towards him… that's when everything went blank out of nowhere.


Ritsuka soon snapped his eyes open and find himself in an unusual place. He was standing in what looks like a stone garden with buildings that surrounding the place.

The clouds looming across the blue sky with the sun cast warmth in this realm.

But one thing that he noticed about this place: no one was around.

Yet for some reason, this place brought a… great calm to Ritsuka.

So calm that for a few moments he forgot that in the real world.

Ritsuka saw light in the three store tall buildings.

Although for a few moments, Ritsuka had an internal debate about where to go, Ritsuka decided to head into the building.

Within the building, Ritsuka sees that no one was around but still see the light from the stairs. He soon followed the light up the staircase and find himself in what looks like the top as he can see the entire place.

But most important… "The view is amazing…"

"I can say the same thing, bro!" A voice said as Ritsuka turned around and his eyes turned wide at the individual.

In front of him was a tall man with a relaxed yet imposing figure. He wore what appeared to be knightly attire, with steel arm guards and knee guards. The rest of his ensemble consisted of a black and white tunic with a white cloak that was shaded blue on the inside.

A golden cross necklace hung from his neck and his messy black hair was tinged with shades of white, giving him an exotic look. It was something that Ritsuka felt drawn to for some reason.

Because…

"Why… do you look like me?"

Ritsuka's question made the man blink before he let out a small chuckle.

"I wouldn't know the answer to that. Just trust me when I say that I'm surprised as you," The man said with a casual wave of his hand. "I am the Saber-class Servant who has been called by you, though not for the Holy Grail War, I am Charles! Charles the Great!"

Ritsuka's eyes widen in surprise at the name. "You're Charlemagne…"

Charlamagne was the Holy Roman Emperor. The leader of the twelve paladins and a hero whose excellence parallels even to the great King Arthur.

But to think that… Charlemagne looks like him!

"Yep! The one whose legendary deeds as both an emperor and warrior can be fulfilled properly." The man proclaimed with a thumb up. "And you'll be the one who inherits my powers and legends as your own!"

"What?!" Ritsuka asked, dumbfounded. "W-What did you just say?"

"I will keep it short. Normally, a ritual would invoke a Servant to be your partner in a Holy Grail War where seven Heroic Spirits are summoned to fight for a wish." Charlemagne explains.

"Wait… you mean you're going to show up and fight for me?" Ritsuka asked, momentarily forgetting his surprise over the words Charlemagne said about becoming the strongest.

Since even if that sounded good… then Ritsuka would have someone do the fights for him, and no matter where he was in the world. But Ritsuka did not wish to have someone fight his battles… he noted that Charlemagne was powerful.

"No," replied Charlemagne in a very direct way to remove the doubts from Ritsuka's heart, "That happens when using the conventional ritual, but what you did was different, you did something that I thought impossible. The ritual you used is called a Heroic Spirit and it merges with your being, though it will be up to the Heroic Spirit to accept it. It's strange."

A normal human body wouldn't be able to survive after absorbing another soul. Even if it someone like Charlemagne himself.

"Wait, you mean I could have died?!" Ritsuka choked, suddenly feeling very sick of the possibility of dying.

"Certainly a very high possibility, but the ritual must have united you with the one who is compatible with you," Charlemagne said. "You're truly something."

"So what happens now?" Ritsuka asked.

"Our souls have merged, bringing about something that can be called a 'Pseudo Servant'. You will essentially have access to all my power and abilities since you have taken my legend as your own." The man muttered something about how this situation was uncool but it sort of flew over Ritsuka's head.

"So you become me and I become you?" Ritsuka asked with astonishment, finding it hard to believe that he had just somehow managed to merge with a famous hero like Charlemagne.

"Yeah. That's how it is now. Got that down? Good. I don't feel like delving too much into the details. Exposition is such a drag," the man chuckled before they felt area flicking. "Good luck, Bro! I will keep in touch."

And so, for one moment to another, Charlemagne disappeared from where he was, which had been replaced with something else in his stead.

A blue and silver longsword stabbed to the floor. Ritsuka was surprised before he slowly walks toward the sword and draws up the hilt of the blade with his own two hands. For some reason, the young man can't help but smile at this situation.


Less than a second had passed in the Singularity F. The large grunt was about to reach for Ritsuka.

Ritsuka opened his eyes… but in that instant, he still hadn't realized that changes happen that his body and clothes underwent.

It was obvious that Ritsuka activated his powers and that the ritual had worked.

The other signs were that his clothes had changed and wear an identical suit to Charlemagne's… and that included a certain sword in the hilt that was around his waist.

Now Ritsuka soon shouts out words that he hoped would work.

"Pseudo Knight, Charge!"

After the shout, colorful swords rain above and impaled the black humanoid in the process.

"Whoa!" Exclaimed the incredulous Ritsuka when he saw that what Charlemagne said would happen.

Not to mention that the muscle black figure with the mask dissolved into ashes as a result.

"FOU!" Ritsuka snapped out of his shock and saw more black individuals with white masks appeared in the area.

Ritsuka soon gripped his sword as it glowing green before released a whirlwind with a swing of his blade to knocked every one of them back from his presence.

This makes the young man looks serious at what he can do before his blade turns light blue. "I think that I can do this. And this time I will do it."

Ritsuka raced into battle, throwing few slashes. It was clear that he had never held a sword until now, but what he lacked with his skill he was certainly making up for with his aggression and his strength as icy energy swirled around his blade with every blow.

The black humanoids seem to depend on the numbers, which make up for how weak that each one of them is individuals before they were taken out by Ritsuka slashes.

Ritsuka's inexperience was still showing, each swing was there from his hands. If he wants to get out of here, he had to keep fighting.

The black humanoids soon sent incoming knives at the back of Ritsuka. But Ritsuka soon turned around as he swings his sword that was already red and summoned a fiery tornado to destroyed the incoming knives that were aiming for him.

"Pseudo Knight, Pursuit!" Ritsuka shouted as the black humanoids around him were attack indiscrimination by the same swords that appeared from before.

There was no doubt in his mind at how powerful these swords and sensed their connection. There was one word that Ritsuka can define this feeling.

Camaraderie.

Associated with Charlemagne's bonds with his paladins.

That is just the beginning where Ritsuka obtained his power, he might not fully understand the power of the legendary figure, at least there is some connection.

Ritsuka felt within his heart. The feeling of determination that he had never felt before in his life as if something had been unlocked within him.

"Let's go, Joyeuse!" Ritsuka shouts before charging forward.

The one black figure with the white mask standing left in the destruction of his attack that takes out the rest of its' kinsmen, the black humanoid figure charged forward and prepared to kill him in one blow.

Death never came.

Instead, you hear the sound of metal hitting something.

The knives had been intercepted by Joyeuse's edge.

"Yes!" Said Ritsuka, who then took advantage of the fact that the black humanoid's arm that Joyeuse had been stretched.

It was a perfect target for Ritsuka.

The sound of a sword cutting the air is heard… and then cutting the flesh of a living being.

The black humanoid with a white mask screamed in pain at the loss of his arm.

But Ritsuka did not plan to stop there.

A kick to the stomach from Ritsuka and his enemy was sent straight into the air. Ritsuka leaps high into the sky due to the strength of the Servant that he possessed.

He soon appeared above the black humanoid and delivered a multi-color slash with many elements in one blade.

In an instant, the Shadow Servant dissolved into particles having died instantly from Ritsuka's power.

And then the silence reigned. Ritsuka had been left alone after taking down his enemies, using the power of Charlemagne that had combined with his being.

This was something that he never thought would be possible… Ritsuka can't help but be shocked at what happens. A big smile began to appear on his face.

"That was awesome!" Ritsuka yelled at the top of his lungs, his happiness was very clear.

Normally, he won't do something like this after being thrown into a new place. But never in his life that he did something like this a few minutes ago. After the tension from his shoulders and mind are lessen, Ritsuka looks at his reflection from Joyeuse.

The more that I see, I can't help wondering who I resembled… myself or Charlemagne, Ritsuka thought. But he then remembers Mash and lowers his blade to the ground.

"Mash, I'm sorry that I couldn't save you…" he whispered somberly. "I promise that I will do my best to stay alive."

He still hadn't figure out where he was, but he was going to find his way out. The only thing he needs is a plan…

His ears perked up as the sound of distant footsteps reached him. It came from outside of the house that he and Fou were, but he could sense the mystical presence of the individual. The presence reminds him of his own. A Servant.

"Whoever they are, I hope they friendly than these guys." Ritsuka muttered before looking at Fou who stared at him.

"Come on, Fou. Let's find out who this person is." Ritsuka said friendly as the white critter come to his side and climb onto his shoulder.

"Kyu!"

Ritsuka quickly made his way out of the back of the house and traversed to the street, he held his sword at the ready as he felt the unknown Servant presence get closer. They were turning the corner, a hurried quickness in their step.

"Fou..." Fou whispered.

"Please stay quiet, Fou." Ritsuka whispered.

As he saw the shadow coming closer, Ritsuka gripping the sword, prepared for the moment when the unknown Servant rounded the corner-

*FLASH*

"WAH!"

Ritsuka halted in a quiet surprise at the edge of his blade stopped itself at the large shield that was in front of him. Staring back at him, in a skin-tight black and purple armor that resembles an extremely short mini dress, was someone he thought died. Also wears black gauntlets and boots, a garter on her right thigh. Her violet eyes were widened in surprise as she stared at him, wonder and a slight hint of fear that she was almost going to get struck down.

But there is one thing for certain…

"Mash…? You're a Servant!?" Ritsuka exclaimed in shock.

"Senpai… you're one as well?" Mash uttered in disbelief.


AN: That is the end of this one-shot here. That is what I think will do for now. This was inspired by both FalconPawnch52's fic and I can't help but doing something here.