Six years ago

Naru: "Dad? What are you doing?"

An eleven-year-old Naru was standing behind his father, who himself was at the entrance to the front door. He wore a white lab coat with blue jeans and a light blue shirt underneath. He had the same dark-blue eyes and black hair as his son, only instead of the spikey Vegeta-like hair of his son, his hair was straight with long bangs that covered his eyes, giving him a dark complexion. He turned around and faced his son.

?: "Oh, just in time. I was about to wake you up."

Naru: "You didn't answer my question."

?: "I'm in front of an open door leading to the outside. What do you think I'm doing?"

Naru: "You're going to leave…aren't you."

?: "Yes. I have taught you everything you need to know. My presence is no longer required."

Naru tried hard to hold back the tears in his eyes.

Naru: "I…I understand."

?: "There is one thing I want to give you before I go."

He pulled a silver handle from his pocket and handed it to Naru.

Naru: "What is it?"

?: "It's a mystic code called the 'Lost Forge.' When you channel your reforgement magecraft through it, it will transform into any tool you need."

Naru: "Anything?"

?: "Not 'anything.' Its true power has been sealed and needs specific requirements to draw it out. That is why, I want you to remember these words: Once you have completely mastered your magecraft and removed all doubts from your mind, then you will unlock its true power. Understand."

Naru: "Not really."

?: "Good. It's not the time. It's far too soon for you to use it. Goodbye…my son."

Naru: "Goodbye Dad."

With that, Naru's father left the door, never to be seen again.

Present day

?: "...aru….Naru…..wake up!"

Naru opened his eyes. It hurt to open them. Once his vision cleared, he saw a face above his. It was Brook. She was sitting on his lap and had a hand raised above her head. Before he could say anything, she began slapping him in the face over and over again!

Brook: "WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!"

Naru: "AAHH! I'M AWAKE! I'M AWAKE!"

Brook: "WAKE UP- oh, you're awake? Thank goodness! I honestly thought you died in chapter 17!"

Naru: "Died? What are you talking about?"

Brook: "You don't remember? A crazy nun electrocuted your brain and almost killed you. How did you survive that by the way?"

Naru: "Believe it or not, I survived much worse!"

Brook: "Yikes! Now that's crazy! I can't imagine anything worse than having your brain electrocuted!"

Naru: "Um…Brook?"

Brook: "Yeah?"

Naru: "Are you on my lap?"

Brook: "Yep!"

Naru pushed her off his lap and left the tent blushing. Outside, he met Artoria who was deep in thought.

Artoria: "Oh, master! You're awake! Thank goodness you're alright! I couldn't forgive myself if anything happened to you!"

Naru: "Cut the crap Saber! Why didn't you come in and help me?"

Artoria: "I tried to, but the old man who was guarding the entrance turned out to be a servant, Lancer to be specific."

Naru: "Really? Why didn't you sense him like you did Assassin?"

Artoria: "There was a bounded field around the church that prevented servants from being identified. Lancer was using it to pose as a doorman and promote a false sense of security."

Naru: "That does make sense. The church is supposed to be a safe haven for masters during a Holy Grail War, so I can understand why it was there, but why is the Holy Church competing? I thought they were supposed to be neutral and stuff!"

Artoria: "I don't know, but the fact that they were caught the boot of us off guard and almost cost us our lives. If Miss Hackerman hadn't found us, we would have most certainly perished."

Brook: "I would have rescued you guys sooner, but the author doesn't have a constant upload schedule!"

Artoria: "More importantly, we need to talk about Lancer. Something happened during the fight."

Naru: "What do you mean 'something?'"

Artoria: "When I fought him, fate appeared to bend to his will. The first time I tried to land a critical hit on him, I ended up sneezing and missing the strike."

Naru: "Pffff! Hahahaha!"

Brook: "Hahahaha!"

Artoria: "You are both horrible! You know that!"

Naru: "Sorry, it's just that…that sounds more like a coincidence than anything else."

Artoria: "I thought so as well, but the second time I tried to attack him, the sun ended up reflecting off the coins he scattered on the ground and blinded me, allowing him to counterattack."

Naru: "That…also sounds like a coincidence."

Artoria: "Then, Lancer got cocky and decided to let me have a 'free hit' on him. When I tried to attack, I ended up stabbing myself. He then proceeded to go fully offensive while I was wounded and I ended up tripping on the coins, allowing him the opportunity to severely injure me."

Naru: "Ok…that is no longer a coincidence. Something happened during that fight. Do you have any clues about what might have happened?"

Artoria: "The only clue I have is that it was caused by a noble phantasm of some sort."

Brook: "Oh! I noticed something!"

Naru: "What did you find?"

Brook: "It had to do with the coins on the ground. They all landed on 'heads!'"

Naru: "What? That shouldn't be possible!"

Brook: "I know right? The amount of luck you would need to have every single coin land on 'heads' is mind-boggling!"

Artoia: "Luck…Naru, can you do something for me?"

Naru: "Um…sure. What do you need?"

Artoria: "Could you check my parameters? You can view them by using your 'master's perspective. It allows you to view the status of your servant."

Naru: "Alright, I'll give it a try!"

Naru's right eye started to glow, and with it, he began to see various numbers and letters appear in front of his face.

Artoria: "Naru, what do you see?"

Naru: "Um…nothing too major. I can see A's and B's so I can tell you're pretty strong."

Artoria: "I am flattered."

Naru: "Although I must ask, what is your luck stat currently?"

Artoria: "It is at A rank, one the highest a servant can get. Why do you ask?"

Naru: "Well…that's not what I'm seeing. According to my 'master's perspective,' your luck is currently an E."

Artoria: "Wha-!? Are you sure?"

Naru: "That's what it says."

Artoria: "I don't understand! How did this happen?"

Naru: "Oh! Maybe this is the effect of Lancer's noble phantasm! Maybe his noble phantasm can drain the enemy's luck parameter."

Artoria: "I sincerely doubt that. Even if I had E-rank luck, there is no way I would miss a killing blow three times in a row, or have my sword turn around and stab me! No, there is something else going on here. Draining my luck might be part of it, but I don't believe that's all his noble phantasm does."

Naru: "We need to figure out how his noble phantasm works if we're going to beat him."

Artoria: "Correct, but first we need to relocate. Lancer and his master probably noticed that we have been missing and will most likely pursue us."

Suddenly, a spiked chain came flying through the trees straight towards Naru, which Artoria managed to deflect.

Artoria: "Correction. They are already here."

Marylin and Lancer walked out of the trees. Marylin in particular looked furious at the fact that Naru had escaped, while Lancer was being rather carefree.

Artoria: "Naru, get back to the house! I'll hold them off!"

Naru: "What about you? Didn't Lancer kick your ass last time?"

Artoria: "Don't worry, I have a plan. Now go!"

Naru: "Alright. Be careful!"

Artoria: "I will."

Naru and Brook dashed through the forest and straight towards the house.

Marylin: "Lancer, keep her busy. I'll go after the master."

Lancer: "Alright then! Happy huntin'!"

Marylin dashed in Naru's direction while Artoria and Lancer faced each other once again.

Lancer: "So…...ya survived."

Artoria: "That's right. Me and my master will not be taken down so easily."

Lancer: "So I see. It's only been a few minutes and your wounds have already healed."

Artoria: "So have yours. You must also have a strong regenerative ability."

Lancer: "Correct. However, knowin' that ain't goin' to save ya. I already beat ya once. What makes ya think ya can beat me again?"

?: "Because this time she's accompanied by me!"

Lancer barely had time to turn around before Bigfoot backhanded him, sending him flying into a nearby tree.

Bigfoot: "Let me guess, I'm the 'plan' you came up with?"

Artoria: "I'm sorry to ask this of you Assassin, but will you lend me your aid? Normally, I wouldn't seek help from others, but I need time to analyze Lancer's noble phantasm and I can't do that without an extra pair of hands."

Bigfoot: "I will try, but I'm still recovering from my injuries, so don't expect much from me, Saber."

Lancer: "Are you two done with your strategy meeting? Cause I'm beginning to get bored."

Artoria: "Yes, we're done…"

Bigfoot: "...and now we're going to kill your ass!"

Lancer grinned and got into a fighting stance.

Lancer: "By all means…give it a try!"

Naru and Brook continued to run through the woods.

Brook: "Naru, how much longer?"

Naru: "Just a little further and we'll…Brook! Look out!"

Naru pushed Brook away from him as a spiked chain almost lashed them. Naru turned around to face Marylin.

Marylin: "My Crown of Thorns pierced into your brain and fried it, and now you're running around the woods like nothing happened? You truly are a monster, and as an executor, I kill monsters!"

Marylin went for another lash, only to be surprised when Naru grabbed the chain with one hand, cutting himself in the process.

Marylin: "Wha-? I-impossible! H-how did you do that?"

Naru: "Baby girl, I'm too big of a beast for you to handle!"

Naru tugged on the chain, sending Marylin flying towards him. Once she was close enough, he delivered a powerful gut punch, knocking the air out of her lungs and sending her to her knees.

Naru: "Had enough?"

Marylin: "Not even close!"

Marylin rolled up her sleeves, revealing her ash lock, armored gauntlets designed to release devastating blows to the opponent. She hit Naru with a powerful right jab, causing him to stagger backward. She delivered several more blows on Naru, hitting his chest, arms, and jaw. A final punch from Marylin knocked Naru over and caused him to cough up blood.

Marylin: "Pathetic. This is the famed ripper who terrorized the alleyways of Sekoyomaa? How disappointing. The other mages in this city must be equally as weak if this is the best you can do. If that is the case…"

Marylin raised her fist for another punch.

Marylin: "...then my victory in this Holy Grail War is assured!"

She went for the punch, ready to splatter his head into a red stain. However, as her fist was inches away from his head…

Naru: "You're still in training, aren't you."

…he caught it. He held out his hand and caught the armored gauntlet with just his palm. He then wrapped his fingers around it and crushed the gauntlet with pure grip strength, leaving both Marylin and Brook in awe.

Naru: "After all, if you were a professional executor, then you would be using black keys rather than your ash lock training wheels."

Marylin couldn't speak. The fact that this mage was capable of crushing her ash lock with grip strength alone was enough to terrify her. It was at that moment she truly understood the power of this monster before her.

Naru: "Got nothing to say? Good. It's my turn!"

Naru pulled the Lost Forge out of his pocket and used his reforgement magecraft to turn it into a taser.

Naru: "Let's see how you like it!"

He put the Taser to her head.

BZZZZZZZZ!

Marylin: "GAAAAAAH!"

Marylin vibrated for a few minutes before collapsing.

Brook: "D-did you-?"

Naru: "No, just knocked her out. Come on, let's tie her against this tree so that-"

A black key came flying through the trees and pierced Naru through the knee. Several more appeared and pierced Naru in several places. Father Gregor appeared from the woods. Brook tried to pull out her gun, but Gregor threw another black key and pierced through Brook's shoulder, pinning her to the tree. Gregor then went over to Marylin.

Gregor: "Marylin? Are you awake?"

Marylin: "Nnnn…Father? Is that you-"

SMACK!

He slapped Marylin across the face, leaving a large red mark.

Gregor: "Stupid girl! What did I tell you about underestimating your opponents!"

Marylin: "I-I'm sorry Father! I-it won't happen again!"

Gregor: "Sorry isn't good enough! We're going to have a nice, long chat when we get home, but first…"

Gregor turned around and eyed both Naru and Brook.

Gregor: "I must say, I'm impressed. Taking on an executor is no easy feat, even if my daughter was still in training."

Gregor threw some more black keys and stitched his shadow in place.

Gregor: "This is an extra precaution should you break out of the black keys pinning you to the ground. Even if you get free from those, the black keys stitching your shadow will ensure you stay trapped!"

Naru: "Shit! I can't break free!"

Gregor: "Now then…"

He took out another black key and elongated it into a large holy sword.

Gregor: "...it's time to finish this! To make sure you're dead, I'll cut your head from your body."

He raised the sword above his head.

Naru: "Shit! I can't move my limbs, Brook is pinned against a tree, and Saber and Assassin are busy fighting Lancer. This is it huh? This is how I die, and all because I wanted to quit the Holy Grail War. Why is life so unfair?"

Gregor: "You're finished!"

?: "Trace…on!"

Before Gregor could swing his sword, a huge storm of swords came flying towards him. He jumped backward to avoid them. A few of the swords hit the black keys that pinned Naru to the ground. Naru turned around to see who launched that attack and let out a sigh of relief when he found out who it was.

Shirou Emiya has arrived.