The sound of clanking, welding, and other such noises had become expected when one passed Vill-V's workshop. She and Ritsuka had been working on a top-secret project for the past several days— even pulling in the aid of a few other Servants for… whatever it was. RITSUKA had tried to get a peek inside but was caught by one of the Assassin's guarding the workshop. "Sorry, Shielder, but Master's orders are orders: no one can enter unless they have his and Vill-V's express permission.

So with his literal tail in between his legs, RITSUKA retreated to do other things. 'Maybe I should get some time in the simulator…'

While on his way, he passed along a certain other Servant accompanied by the last person he expected. "Oh, Miss Kyrielight," RITSUKA greeted his fellow Shielder before turning towards ELF-tsuka. "I'm surprised you're with her."

"'Cause that guy locked himself away to work on whatever it is, I'm carrying some of his weights around," sighed the ELF. "At least I'm doing actual work instead of getting dragged by everyone."

"Where were you going, RI-RITSUKA?" Mash inquired with a slight hesitation at his name. Despite being with Chaldea for some time now, she was still not used to addressing him like that.

"Fuuma shooed me away from Vill-V's lab so I was planning on taking my mind off through training," answered RITSUKA, letting out a small sigh. "Wonder why they're keeping it such a big secret…"

"Eh, I'm sure whatever it is, it'll blow up in our face," ELF-tsuka snarkily remarked with another huff before turning to Mash. "We better get going. Da Vinci wanted that report expediently as she said."

"Yes, we shouldn't keep her waiting any longer." Mash nodded before saying goodbye to RITSUKA. "Take care."

"You too," he replied before resuming his way… for about a minute before another person intercepted him. "Oh, Kosma. How are—"

"Mobius wants to see us."

…RITSUKA could feel dread consuming him from the inside, threatening to shatter his very Spirit Core.


When they arrived at the dear doctor's lab, RITSUKA's unease was written on his face. By contrast, Kosma had his usual straight-laced expression. However, that was only a front. "...Go on in."

"What?! No, you first," RITSUKA insisted with a smile only for Kosma to shake his head.

"Seniority takes precedence."

"You're older than me!"

"And you've been at Fire Moth longer."

"...Really?" RITSUKA had to wonder if that was true or if Kosma was making that up because he didn't want to knock on Mobius's door. He was positive the other MANTIS joined Moth before him. 'Wait, why am I even considering this?!' Both actually going to see Mobius and let Kosma gaslight him... Actually, the former was easily explained: he was still terrified of the reptilian scientist even if they were allies.

RITSUKA opened his mouth to convince Kosma to go in first, but fortunately both of them were saved... but also doomed as the door opened. "You two argue too loud," Klein's dry voice stated with a sigh. "Come in; the doctor's getting restless."

"That doesn't sound good…" RITSUKA groaned as he shuffled into the laboratory with Kosma trailing behind him. His unease was alleviated as he saw both Eden and Sakura already there; he guessed Mobius summoned them too for whatever she had planned. He was especially surprised that Sakura had come to consider her disdain towards the scientist. 'Eden probably asked her…'

Also there were the various ELFs that Mobius had built a few days prior; Elysia was flying around and playing with Eden, Griseo was watching Kevin and Su play a card game (where they got miniature playing cards, RITSUKA could only guess), and the last one... It seemed she was in low-power mode.

"Finally. You two took your sweet time getting here." Mobius's eyes narrowed at them but she put her annoyance aside for now. "I'll keep things brief; I want you all to uncover what Vill-V is making with Master."

"...I'm not going to get involved with this." Sakura spun around to leave but was stopped by Eden.

"Hear her out first, Sakura. It sounds interesting." The singer's amusement was written on her face as she turned back towards Mobius. "What do you have in mind then?"

"Simple, some of you create distractions while Sakura sneaks in to see what they're making." Mobius's smug grin returned as she shared her plan. "The ELFs will assist you, of course. Well, most of them..." Her gaze was now directed towards a certain pair. "I'll leave it to you to pick your partners, but everyone knows who'll go with who. How you'll go about it, I leave it to your discretion but just find out what Vill-V is up to."

"Leave it to us! Come on, Eden!" ELF Elysia cheered as she grabbed and pulled the singer by the hand to the door. Another giggle escaped Eden as she let herself be led by the recreation of her old friend.

Sakura, however, still had her reservations about the matter. That or she just wanted to get on Mobius's nerves. Probably both, to be honest. "You could just ask Master."

"I already did. He was all giddy about it but was vague about what he was actually doing," the Caster scoffed before a mocking grin spread across her face. "You're free to try yourselves, but I doubt you'll be successful no matter what manner of trick you try."

"And what's that supposed to mean?" Sakura's eyes narrowed at the unsubtle emphasis. Both RITSUKA and Kosma could feel the room start to chill as the swordswoman's hand moved towards her hilt.

"Oh, I'm just saying that Master is pretty resistant to certain techniques. Even if you were an expert in those matters, I doubt you'd be able to get anything out of him."

For a few seconds, RITSUKA feared things would escalate and he'd find himself having to stop the two from killing each other. Fortunately for everyone involved, Sakura kept a cool head about it. "...I'm not going to dignify that with a response. Kevin, come with me," she stated with a glare before turning around and leaving. The ELF of (their) humanity's greatest hero, though upset at having his game interrupted, followed after Sakura.

"That was uncalled for," RITSUKA couldn't help but remark as soon as the door closed.

"It was just a little fun," was all Mobius said to defend herself. It was pretty obvious she didn't care one way or another though. "Frankly, I'm shocked she's still willing to play along. Now, I expect both of you to be onboard as well."

"Yes," both men nodded in obedience, eliciting a satisfied laugh from Mobius.

"Good boys. Now, go find out what that woman is up to." With that, Mobius spun around and called for Klein so they could continue working on their next project.

RITSUKA nearly sprinted out as soon as she looked away; what stopped him was the reminder that he was supposed to take one of the ELFs with them as Griseo floated over. "Do you need my help?" The stand-in for their currently missing companion asked in a small voice. If he was going to be frank, RITSUKA had no idea how having the ELFs would do. They were made for combat and, assuming Mobius hadn't modified them yet, these ELFs weren't ready for that.

…Then again, just hearing Griseo boosted his mood. They could do with some moral support after dealing with Mobius.

"Yes, stick close to me," Kosma nodded before he and the blue-haired ELF left the lab. That left RITSUKA with…

"I do hope you don't mind partnering with me," ELF Su remarked as he joined RITSUKA's side. "Fu Hua is unfortunately recovering from some modifications the doctor made on her."

"Oh." RITSUKA tried to keep the disappointment in his voice hidden, but Su seemed to understand what he was feeling.

"I'm sure she'll be just as disappointed to be out of commission for this, RITSUKA," he consoled his new partner. "Now, let's be off before Mobius wonders why you're still here." With a hesitant nod of agreement, RITSUKA chased after Kosma and the others to carry out Mobius's "request." He just hoped they wouldn't find themselves getting tossed off the ship for unintentionally causing trouble…


A/N: And the next chapter of Flamechasers's shenanigans is done. I don't know why I came up with Mobius trying to get the others to figure out what Ritsuka and Vill-V are doing in secret, but that's where we are now. Fun stuff incoming, I hope.

And yes, a certain "mistake" was completely intentional. Which part you may ask? That's for you guys to find out. In any case, see you all next time!