The next day, Ash and Pikachu found themselves wandering through the halls of Chaldea, still getting used to the futuristic facility. After their exhausting day with Quetzalcoatl, the duo was hoping for a quieter day—though with everything Ash had experienced so far, he wasn't sure if "quiet" even existed here.
As they turned a corner, they came face-to-face with a woman of striking beauty and elegance. She had long, flowing brown hair and a pair of vibrant, intelligent eyes that seemed to sparkle with curiosity. Her outfit was elaborate, a mix of modern and Renaissance styles that gave her an otherworldly aura. What stood out most was her confident and welcoming smile.
"Ah, you must be the new Master I've been hearing so much about!" the woman greeted, almost in a playful tone. Her gaze shifted down to Pikachu, and her expression lit up even more. "And what an adorable companion you have here! Truly fascinating!"
Ash blinked, a little taken aback. "Uh, yeah, that's me. I'm Ash, and this is Pikachu. And you are...?"
The woman placed a hand on her chest, striking a proud pose. "I am Leonardo Da Vinci, Chaldea's resident genius! Artist, inventor, scientist—there's nothing I can't do. You're officially in the presence of greatness, my dear."
Ash tilted his head, unsure how to respond to such an introduction. Pikachu, on the other hand, gave an impressed "Pika!" as he hopped onto Ash's shoulder.
Da Vinci crouched slightly to get a better look at Pikachu, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "And you, little one, are just full of surprises, aren't you? Such an intriguing creature—electric-type, if I'm not mistaken?"
Ash's eyebrows shot up. "Wait, you know about Pokémon?"
Da Vinci chuckled. "Not exactly. Your little friend here reminds me of someone else we have around here—a peculiar little being called Fou. They're both small, fluffy, and radiate an energy that makes you want to keep them around all the time. Though Fou isn't quite as... shocking, I imagine."
"Fou?" Ash repeated, sharing a confused glance with Pikachu.
Da Vinci waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, you'll meet him soon enough. He tends to wander around Chaldea, causing a bit of mischief. But enough about Fou! I've been eager to meet you, Ash." She straightened up, her smile softening. "Welcome to Chaldea. Officially, this time."
Ash smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Thanks. I'm still trying to figure everything out. It's all a little... overwhelming."
Da Vinci placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "That's perfectly normal. Chaldea is a unique place, and being a Master comes with its fair share of challenges. But you're not alone in this. We're all here to help you, Ash."
"Thanks," Ash said, feeling a bit more at ease. "That means a lot."
Da Vinci's gaze shifted back to Pikachu, who was eyeing her curiously. "And you, Pikachu, seem like quite the loyal partner. I can tell you and Ash have been through a lot together."
"Pika pika!" Pikachu said proudly, puffing out his chest.
Da Vinci chuckled. "I thought so. You two make quite the team." She then gestured down the hall. "How about I give you a proper tour of Chaldea? There's so much to see, and I'm sure you're curious about all the technology and Servants you'll be working with."
Ash perked up at the offer. "That sounds great! Right, Pikachu?"
"Pika!" Pikachu agreed, his ears perking up.
"Excellent!" Da Vinci clapped her hands together, her eyes twinkling with excitement. "Follow me, then! I'll show you everything!"
As Da Vinci led Ash and Pikachu down a series of winding hallways, she occasionally glanced back at them with a mischievous smile. "I think it's time I show you my lab," she announced, her tone brimming with pride. "You'll get to witness the brilliance of Leonardo Da Vinci firsthand. Prepare to be amazed!"
Ash exchanged a glance with Pikachu, who tilted his head curiously. "Your lab?" Ash asked, his interest piqued. "What kind of stuff do you have in there?"
"Oh, all sorts of wonders!" Da Vinci replied, gesturing dramatically. "From inventions that can revolutionize humanity to intricate works of art and even tools to assist Servants in combat. It's where my genius truly shines!"
"Pika!" Pikachu chirped excitedly, his tail sparking a little as his own curiosity grew.
They soon arrived at a set of large, ornate doors with intricate carvings resembling gears, stars, and symbols Ash didn't recognize. With a theatrical flourish, Da Vinci pushed them open to reveal a dazzling workspace.
The lab was enormous, filled with a mix of advanced machinery and artistic masterpieces. Tables were cluttered with blueprints, glowing vials of mysterious liquids, and half-finished gadgets. Mechanical arms whirred and clicked as they worked on small contraptions, and holographic projections floated in mid-air, displaying equations and schematics. Paintings adorned the walls, some of them unfinished yet stunningly detailed. The whole room buzzed with a strange yet harmonious blend of science and art.
Ash's jaw dropped as he stepped inside, his eyes darting from one incredible creation to another. "Whoa... This is amazing!" he exclaimed.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu added, his ears twitching as he stared at a particularly shiny contraption.
Da Vinci grinned, clearly pleased by their reactions. "I knew you'd appreciate it! This is where I spend most of my time when I'm not assisting Chaldea's operations. Every invention, every creation, is a testament to my brilliance."
Ash pointed to a floating, spinning globe that displayed glowing lights and moving gears. "What's that?" he asked.
"Ah, that's a planetary alignment analyzer," Da Vinci explained. "It's used to monitor anomalies in the timelines and detect Singularities. Pretty, isn't it?"
Ash nodded, still in awe. Pikachu jumped off his shoulder and padded over to a small device that resembled a tiny, clockwork mouse. He sniffed it cautiously, and when it twitched and scurried away, Pikachu yelped in surprise, his cheeks sparking.
Da Vinci chuckled. "Careful, Pikachu. That's one of my little mechanical companions. They help keep the lab in order... most of the time."
Ash bent down to pick up Pikachu, who pouted at the mechanical mouse. "Guess we're not the only ones running around here," Ash said with a grin.
Da Vinci gestured to another table where a strange, glowing orb rested on a stand. "Now this," she said, her voice taking on a more serious tone, "is a Mystic Code prototype. It's designed to amplify a Master's connection to their Servants, making them more effective in battle."
Ash leaned in to get a closer look. The orb seemed to pulse with energy, almost like it was alive. "That's... really cool," he said. "So it can help me work better with my Servants?"
"Precisely," Da Vinci said with a nod. "With proper training, it could enhance your Command Seals and even allow for more seamless communication with your Servants on the field."
Ash looked down at his hand, where his Command Seals glowed faintly. He was still trying to wrap his head around how they worked, but the idea of improving his bond with his Servants sounded like a step in the right direction. "I'd love to give it a try sometime," he said.
Da Vinci beamed. "That's the spirit! But first, you'll need to get a handle on the basics. No sense running before you can walk, after all."
As Ash continued to admire the inventions around the lab, Da Vinci suddenly clapped her hands together. "Oh! I almost forgot!" She hurried over to a nearby table and grabbed a sleek, handheld device. "This is for you."
Ash blinked as she handed it to him. "For me? What is it?"
"It's a Master's Field Analyzer," Da Vinci explained. "Think of it as your all-purpose toolkit. It can scan Servants, analyze enemy weaknesses, and even store data about Singularities. Every Master should have one."
Ash turned the device over in his hands, impressed by its sleek design. "Thanks, Da Vinci. This is awesome."
"Of course! You'll find it quite handy out there," Da Vinci said with a wink. "Now, if you're feeling up to it, how about a quick demonstration of one of my other inventions? I promise it won't explode... probably."
Ash and Pikachu exchanged a nervous glance. "Explode?"
"I'm kidding. They don't explode. Well, most of the time anyway."
"I-I see..."
