As it seems, I've more free time than I anticipated. I hope this chapter finds you, my dear readers, well. I don't have too much to say ahead of this one, so I'll go straight to review replies.
Dragonkeeper10 – Our kouhai is adorable, yes! As is Ai, I love the fandom's take on how a female Ritsuka acts.

Trevor – He is nerfed, yes. But who knows, maybe a way to fight of Gaia's influence will come to be?

TwinstarDragon – That's the thing, isn't it? Naruto would definitely have a luck parameter of A, possibly even EX. But having good luck doesn't mean everything goes your way! Of course his luck would land him in Chaldea.

That's all from me. Thank you for the reviews, follows and favorites! I appreciate you all!

xxx

Chapter 1; Singularity F: Fuyuki

I glared at the shadowy figures that prowled around Ai, Mash and myself. My teeth ground together; I was trying to dredge up my chakra but I couldn't grip it with the same ease I had back at the command room. 'Sage damn it, I need to protect them!' But despite my anger, shame, revulsion at my inability to do aught, my chakra refused to respond.

As I stand betwixt Ai and the demons, for that was all they were to me, Mash moved in front of us. Her clothes had transformed during the rayshifting. Was that normal? A quick look at my own clothes made me discard that notion. As a bead of sweat trickled down my brow, I took the measure of our locale. We were in a city. Er, what was once a city, at least. The entire landscape had been rewrote with the motif of destruction. Rubble, fire, death. It was like we had exited the command room and promptly reentered it.

"Naruto-senpai – no, Master! I will protect you and Ai-senpai! Simply give me the order to do so!" Mash declared, the massive shield in her hands banging against the ground as she planted it in a defensive posture.

Why was she calling me Master? She wasn't a servant just before the rayshift. I knew she wasn't, she didn't have the feeling of supreme power that someone who'd ascended to the throne had. Still, she was much more potent feeling to my senses now. That shield… it held significant weight, both physically and conceptual.

Nevermind that. I couldn't fight, not without putting Ai at risk. So, I'd trust in this lavender haired girl. "Mash, do you know how to use that shield?" It wasn't easy, leaving the fighting to someone younger than me but I'd left behind my pride many times before. What was one more?

"I- believe so, Master! Simply direct me and I will destroy your foes."

I gave a single, confident nod. If she thought she could use a weapon such as that, I'd do my part. I canted my gaze around the impromptu arena we found ourselves in. The foes we had before us weren't great in strength but they were more numerous than us. I found myself being able to approximate the strength and health of our enemies. 'Master's sight, huh?' A useful ability.

I breathed in. "Mash, destroy my foes! Ensure they do not come close enough to pose a risk to Ai. Start with the one who has ranged capabilities." Mash's shield clanged against the ground as she gave a resolute "Yes, Master!" Her speed as the darted towards the skeletons was far greater than I expected, given her massive shield. The single skeleton that held a bow was closed in on in what seemed to be a single breath; her shield made for a potent weapon, as she utilized it in a sweeping fashion, bludgeoning the skeleton's head from its shoulders in two quick blows. Her getting stuck in was a mild concern, for as she battled the skeletons around her, two of them closed in on my position.

I cast a concerned glance over at Mash. She was making quick work of the cluster she was fighting. I wanted to fight. My blood screamed, it boiled. I was made to fight. It'd be easy to fight off the two before me. I wouldn't lose but… I looked at Ai. I couldn't risk her being undefended. I wouldn't be able to blitz these two down without access to my chakra.

"Mash! Return to my side!" I barked out. In a blink, I found Mash before me. "Your orders, Master?" I couldn't help the impressed grin growing on my face. This girl… she had destroyed the two boneheads that were encroaching on Ai and I during her rapid return to my side. "You're doing well, Mash. Now that their ranks have thinned, you are to finish them off. Destroy them – all the foes before us." Her confident look was a vast difference to the gloomy child she was before.

"Yes, Master!"

xxx

Mash had, needless to say, done away with the skeletons in a quick fashion after that. I was now carrying Ai, who was yet to wake up. How was I carrying her? Well, the waif of a girl was light enough that I simply carried her in my arms. Mash had offered to do such but I didn't want the one who was in charge of defending us to have to quickly toss the redhead. That and I anticipated a humorous response when Ai came to in my arms.

Speaking of, she seemed to be stirring, judging by the flitting of her eyes behind her eyelids. Her honey colored eyes were revealed, clouded by disorientation. "Mm… what… what , happened?" She murmured. I canted my head down to lock eyes with her. "We were rayshifted. You wound up unconscious during the process. Now we're in, er, Fuyuki I think." Ai seemed to still be booting up, because she leaned into my chest. And then it seemed that it dawned that she was in what amounted to a stranger's arms. Her cheeks gained a healthy tint of rose and she began to squirm. "Uhm… Naruto…" I took the time to examine the surroundings, as if I wasn't quite paying attention.

She repeated my name, and I allowed it to 'catch' my attention. "Yes?" I inquired. "Why… are you carrying me like this?" I blinked, acting as if I were confused. "It was the easiest way. You're small enough, after all." She grew a pouty look. Seems her height might be a weak spot. "I'm not small, you're just a giant." She spoke in an huffy whisper. "Are you even Japanese?" I grinned. "Something like that."

After forcing her to endure being carried in my arms for a time longer, I set her down to while we took a breather in what amounted to a crater. Surprisingly enough, there had been no more demons for us to tussle with. As Ai was testing her motor faculties, I felt a shift in the air. It was distinctive of something Chaldean, so I didn't immediately vocalize it to the other two. And then…

"Bzzt… come on, work! Oh, I'm connected! This is Doctor Romani; I've taken control of the Command Room. Do any of you read me?" Mash's head jerked up. She had been fretting over Ai and getting her up to speed.

"This is Mash Kyrielight. I'm a member of A Team. As of right now, we were successfully able to rayshift into Singularity F. I am accompanied by Naruto and Ai. Our minds and bodies are intact. Despite it all, our rayshift compatibility is within acceptable parameters. Their master parameters are also satisfactory. I request you register Naruto and Ai as researchers."

"Damn it… Naruto and Ai were both dragged there as well, huh? It's impressive that neither of you wound up losing your existence. That's a relief… However… Mash, why are you dressed like that! It's shameless, scandalous! You were raised better than that!"
Mash hummed, a hint of a playful look playing on her mien. "I had no other choice. My masters would have been unable to survive if I didn't take this form."

Romani paused. "Take that – masters? Mash, what are you -"

"Doctor Roman, please hush. Check my condition. It'll come clear then."

Another lull, as Romani presumably was preforming whatever checks he needed to do. And when he came back onto the communication line; "W-what is this!? Your parameters are much higher. Muscle density… magic circuits, even your blood is circulating better! It's almost as if you're not human anymore…"

I cast a look at Mash, finally speaking up. "Because she isn't, Doc. She's a servant now, aren't you?" She looked at me, impressed that I'd deduced such. "Naruto-senpai is correct. I don't quite know how it happened, but I managed to survive my mortal wounds by fusing with a servant."

"A human and a servant fusing! That's… that would make you a demi-servant. I have tried to do such so many times and it failed every time. You're saying that's what happened!? So it finally worked and at such an important time! Does the heroic spirit you merged with still have awareness?" Mash shook her head, replying at the same time, "No. He granted me his combat abilities and then dissipated. I don't even know his true name. I don't know the noble phantasm he granted me either. I am unaware of far too much."

Romani seemed far more upbeat than Mash did, as when he next spoke his tone was lifted, "It's fine. Many servants can be uncooperative when first summoned, yeah? At least it's you; you are one of the finest members of Chaldea and utterly trustworthy. Now, I'm not certain as to how this happened, but I'm reading that your drawing energy from both Naruto and Ai. Some mishap when the contract was formed? Nevermind, I'll examine it in detail when you are all returned."

The connection seemed to begin to fray, as judged by the static now permeating the transmission. "Damn it all… the connection is being lost. The backup generators! Fine. I'll be in touch later. There is a strong leyline near your position. About two kilometers away from you. If you can get there, we'll be able communicate then. Don't be reckless."

"It seems the connection is lost…" Ai muttered, having been listening intently. I sighed. And it was then that the sense of dread I felt earlier at Chaldea hit me. Something of immense threat was nearby. I cast my gaze around shakily. Ai and Mash were watching me with curious looks. "Naruto/Senpai?" Just when I thought the danger was going to pounce, that damned beast came scurrying out from some rubble. "Kyuu, fou!" I shivered. What a horrific tongue this being spoke.

"Fou! What are you doing here?" The… thing climbed up onto Ai and lapped at her cheek. She giggled and pushed it away. "It looks like he was rayshifted with us. How didn't we notice him…?" Mash questioned. I glared at the squirrel as he was called. He looked at me. I could feel my soul quiver. Eventually I relented. 'If he's not hostile… I suppose I can tolerate him. Maybe he'll come in use.' I gave the fluffy monster a slight nod. I could almost swear that it nodded back before it climbed atop Ai's head and planted itself there.

I grunted, casting my gaze off in the distance. I could feel the leyline Romani had mentioned. I turned my sight back to the two ladies with me. "We all rested enough?" Ai gave a nod and Mash picked up her shield. "Right. Well, we need to keep moving. There's not time to waste; not if the director's speeches about the purpose of Chaldea were accurate."

Ai stood up and took to my side, pumping her fist in the air. "Yeah! We're the protectors of humanity!" I shook my head, an amused grin playing at my lips. Mash took to our front, her shield at the ready.

"I am at your disposal, Masters." I guess this is my team, huh? Ai, Mash… Fou… and myself. Seems I'm never alone when it comes to defending humanity, huh?

Even though I miss everyone… 'I'm not alone, not anymore. So don't worry, you can rest well.'