Chapter 3: Episode 1

Disclaimer: I don't own Type-Moon or any franchises that may be found in this fic.I claim no ownership over them. Please don't sue my broke ass.I have no money :'(

Word Count: 5017

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Darkness was good.

Darkness was fine.

It was familiar.

I was safe here.

I could cry without fear.

I could sob and not be judged.

The loneliness was there, ever present, but it didn't bother me as much.

Or maybe it still did, and I had just learnt to stop caring?

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I woke up with a gasp. I had been doing that a lot lately. "What the Hell happened to me?" I checked my body to find it covered in what appeared to be fading electric burns. "There goes my first impression." I just knew Rin would never let this go if her portrayal in UBW were to go by. Maybe I was overthinking it… Maybe all children that went through the ritual ended up passed out too? With my luck, probably not.

"This sucks… Status."

[Game Ver.a3.2]

Name: Leonis Magnum

Title: A Queen's New Pet

Age: 8/21

Race: Human

Level: 3 (5.7%)

HP: 75%

MP: 100%

STR: Unranked - 16/100

AGI: Unranked - 22/100

DEX: Unranked - 16/100

VIT: Unranked - 57/100

INT: Unranked - 28/100

CHA: Unranked - 84/100

Points: 10

[—]

My Stats had gone up nicely. It wasn't remarkable or something, but a 19 Points increase, spread evenly across the board within one day of training was something I could live with. Though I had no doubt it would only get harder from here. I also developed a few Skills. Swordsmanship was nice, rather than a simple increase in Damage dealt with a sword, the Skill gave me actual muscle memory on how to wield and handle swords. Unfortunately, I was still a Rookie at it, literally.

[Skill Gained: Swordsmanship(Passive) – Rookie Lv: 2/10]

So you have learnt how to handle a sword? Good for you, buddy. Though, you still seem to be a rookie at this. At least you won't accidentally stab yourself with the pointy end now.

Aside from that, I had gained the Skill: Martial Arts. It made senses, given all the punching, kicking and jumping around I did during my and Kirei's spar.

[Skill Gained: Martial Arts(Passive) – Rookie Lv: 1/10]

You know how to use your fists and legs! Though at this Lv, all you're actually doing is flailing and flopping around like a dying fish. Hopefully, that will change soon enough.

Still, this wasn't enough. I was in Nasuverse, where almost every named character had the powers to kick my arse black and blue. I needed more. I needed Magecraft. I looked at my MP, which used to be locked. Mages in Nasuverse required mental triggers, a kind of self-hypnotism, one that's unique for every Mage and intimately connected to themselves. For Rin it had been to stab herself in the heart, Shirou's was the hammer of a gun firing. I did not know what mine was, but I had an idea of what it might be.

I had no evidences to back up my thoughts, but there's this weird feeling in my heart that this might just work. I shut my eyes.

Suddenly, I was back inside the motel where I had taken my own life. The knife in my hand felt as sharp and menacing as the day I did it. Without a second thought, I plunged it into my unprotected throat. A jolt of bio-electricity, a surge of unfamiliar energy. I couldn't quite describe it, it was slightly painful, but in a good way? I stared at my hands, now covered in Magic Circuits, my Magic Circuits. Mana was different, like an inherent part of your body, a function that had always been there but you just never noticed.

Moving it was as easy as breathing, I knew if I truly wanted, I could keep my Circuits open at all time. I wasn't sure if this was unique to me, or if all Mages felt like this, but I could certainly understand why some of them might decide to devote their entire lives to this. It was orgasmic, euphoric even. "This– What is– Amazing…" And like that, I was addicted, and Magecraft was my drug. It was mere moments after I had activated my Circuits, but I could no longer imagine a life– Nay, an existence without them.

[Skill Gained: Mana Manipulation(Semi-Active) – Expert Lv: 3/10]

Od created by the body and Prana, which was produced by the World. Two special energy utilized by Mages and most Supernatural, and now you. You're already an expert at it too, how did that happen? Still, beware, over-usage of these energies can lead to severe consequences, such as Mental Degradation and shortening of Lifespan.

And like that, my dream was snuffed out. Granted, with all that glowing, I might have had trouble keeping them open anyway, but knowing myself and considering the situation I was in, that wouldn't have worked too well as a deterrence. The Game warned me just in time. I reluctantly shut down my Circuits, a whimper nearly escaped my throat when I felt like I had suddenly gone blind in one eye. The feeling was short-lived, thankfully. "Well, everything has a price."

Despite the risks, Magecraft was too valuable for me to discard. Physical capability would only go so far in a World where every noteworthy characters could throw out gigantic Magical Beams. Especially when I was almost certain I was going to be involved or dragged in the Holy Grail War somehow. Hell, I had already met four of the main players: Shirou, Gilgamesh, Kirei and Rin. It would take a Miracle for me to not be chosen by the Grail as a Master. With my luck, the Fifth War might even go full Apocrypha… "Shit, I just jinxed myself, didn't I?"

I rubbed my glabella tiredly. "What time is it?" Looking at the clock, I didn't seem to have slept that much. It was only 8PM, I still had time for some short workout. Alternatively, I could, as Abridged Rin put it, get Magical up in here, but after that disastrous Circuits awakening, I'd rather have someone to help me by my side– Even if said someone was a sadistic priest with actual skeletons in his closet and more than a few orphans under his basement. "Where I begin?"

I had always had a problem with procrastination, it's partly why I ended my life in the first place. To counter this, I would do whatever I had to right away, because while I was a lazy, inconsistent fucking cunt, I was also a perfectionist. Once I started something, I couldn't– Wouldn't stop. Be it writing, arguing,…etc. It was a huge problem, since it made me rigid, unable to adapt to changing circumstances, but when it came to working out… There were plenty of tried and true methods. "Let's get to it then."

100 sit-ups? Done.

150 push-ups? Done.

150 squats? Done.

10 Kilometers run? Eh… Let's leave that for tomorrow.

By the time I was done, my muscles felt as heavy as leads, but I was satisfied, since my STR had grown by three Points and my VIT five. Though AGI didn't get a boost since I never did any running, and neither did DEX. "G-Gotta work on that tomorrow…" I was dead tired, forcing myself awake to set up my alarm and get hydrated. Only then did I allow myself to drop like a sack of potatoes on the bed. I didn't smell too good, but that was my future-self's problems, not mine.

It didn't take long for sleep to claim me, I didn't fight it either.

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A huge problem with 1994 was a severe lack of entertainment. I never got why Gilgamesh was so bored constantly, but now, now I understood. Video Games were a luxury I couldn't afford, not that I wanted them anyway, those things still looked like what my five years old-self would have drawn in French class. Fanfictions weren't really a thing yet and most of the books I saw and could get my paws on were philosophical, or worse, educational books. This might have helped in the long run, since I could focus on tempering myself, but…!

God, was I bored stiff. What was that proverb again? 'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy?' Damn, any more of this and I might just fall over and die. Seriously, how did I remain sane in the Void when I couldn't even handle this?! Wait, was I even sane to begin with? Ain't that a million dollars question. "I'm. So. Fucking. Bored." – "I get it already! Shut up idiot!" That was Rin by the way. This was our second day learning Magecraft. Apparently she was right in thinking I'd slow our lessons down.

While I did indeed have a cavalcade of Wiki info in my head, most of them didn't translate too well in actual lessons and practice. It made sense, since the authors and writers of Type-Moon couldn't really use Magecraft. And trying for practical lessons with half-assed info was often what killed Mages, I got that, but did we have to learn the all these theories? The answer was yes, since what I knew was even more basic than the basics. So far, I had been amusing myself by annoying Rin, but that too was losing its charm. "Rin… Rin… Rin."

" WHAT?!"

"Wanna play Uno?"

"No!"

"Monopoly?"

"NO!"

"How about–?"

"I SAID NO!!!"

Kirei had left us alone since I started complaining so it was just us two in the room. There's no possible witnesses around. Wait, what? Anyway… "Teach me some spells." – "If I teach you, will you shut up?" I nodded at that, grinning toothily at the resigned tsundere. "I guess I can teach you Gandr, it isn't a big deal anyway…" My grin widened. "But! What's in it for me?" Rin stared at me, unblinking. "Hmm… My eternal love and appreciation?"

…

"Why on Earth would I need that?"

"'Cause we are friends? Or do you want my body too?"

…

Huh, so she could blush harder. Didn't think it was feasible. "You- You IDIOT!" She shouted, pointing angrily at me. At this point, I was genuinely beginning to worry for her, all that blushing and huffing and shouting couldn't possibly be healthy. "Ugh, I'll teach you, but you have to call me sensei!" That wasn't too bad, I had done and said more degrading stuff in my lives. This was nothing compared to the shit I did in high school. "Alrighty then, Rin-sensei." I said laughingly, my hands stretching and pulling her flaming cheeks.

"Stop that!" I stopped as she asked, but couldn't resist poking one more time. "But they're so soft and squishy."

"GRRR–"

"Oh no! Kirei! Rin has been possessed by a bike!? Get a priest quick!" That was the straw that broke the proverbial camel's back. Rin abandoned all semblance of civility as she jumped on my person, her hands wrapped tightly around my neck. She came to it quickly enough and got off, seemingly having aged over a decade. "Can– Can you just–!" She let out a shuddering breath to calm herself. "Can you just sit still, please?"

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Once I sat down, she finally relaxed. "About Gandr, what do you know?" It might seem weird for her to ask this, but to be fair, I had previously displayed very random bursts of knowledge. "Well, I know it's a rune that acts as a kind of curse, decreasing the target's physical health. That it originates from Scandinavia and when concentrated enough, it has enough destructive force to knock back a fully-grown adult? I think that's called Finn Shot or something?" Leo used [Knowledge], it was super effective!

"You are correct. Gandr or Finn Shot are both curses. It works like a magical disease with no cure and will leave the target weak and winded. While it's an useful rune, us Tohsaka can only use it reliably due to our Crest, which does most of the work for us. I will teach you the rune, but don't use this in actual combat, its effectiveness isn't worth the time drawing. In fact, by the time you're done, you're likely already dead." Rin continued just as I was about to cut in. "Now, observe."

She brought up her hand, shaping it like a gun. Her family Crest shone with a bright neon as lines– Rune was drawn in the air with naught but Magical Power. I could see the Mana being compressed to her will, then… * BANG! The spell flew from her fingers, shattering her target– The poor wooden table hadn't stood a chance. "That. Was. So. COOL!"

Rin couldn't look any prouder. "Now, you try." I did as she told, first forming a mental image of the rune in my head. The knife dug into my throat– My Circuits hummed with power as it felt my intent. Mana poured from the tip of my finger as I compressed it even further and further and further. I could hear Rin's shout, asking me to stop whatever I was doing, but it sounded distant, like echoes in a valley– I couldn't stop. My intent was clear, my target in sight. With that, a Mystery was enacted and the spell blew forth, flying in curve rather than the straight line Rin's was.

-3% MP

[INT: 3 Added]

[Skill Gained: Finn Cannon(Active) – Novice Lv: 7/10]

Finn Shot– A rather simple simple, often used by those of house Tohsaka and Edelfelt. The spell itself isn't truly a spell, but a Rune that operates as a curse. For most, this spell is next to useless, as its efficiency and power simply isn't worth the time it takes to draw the Rune, but you are different. You have compressed so much Mana into it that it is now less of a Shot and more of a Cannon, hence the difference in name. Though, if you want to use it effectively in battle, you might need to increase its proficiency first.

I didn't bother reading half of it, I didn't need to. The basketball-sized crater on the wall was enough for me. Rin looked at me like I was a monster, and I couldn't help but smile in response. It felt good to be better than someone at something, doubly so when said someone was a genius heiress of an Ancient Mage Family. "I'm so fucking cool…"

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Our second Magecraft lesson ended with Rin giving me the silent treatment. I couldn't even blame her for it, she was the heiress of the Tohsaka– An Ancient Family of Mages, Gandr was her family's go-to spell and I did it better than her. Me. A kid(?) who had had his Circuits unlocked in less than two days. That must have stung, even if she tried not to show it. I apologized to her of course, yet she wouldn't have it. She refused to look at me even when it was time for her to go.

The next day, I went for my morning run, came back for our joint lesson, but she never showed. Neither did she come the day after, or the day after that day. One whole week had passed, no Rin, no Gilgamesh, just me and Kirei– The sadistic psychopath! I was going mad.

On a more positive note, I had grown stronger. My Skills were coming together nicely, I had been practicing using Finn Cannon while sparring with Kirei. The sadistic priest even admitted my progress was simply prodigious. Swordsmanship went up by three whole Levels, while Martial Arts followed closely behind at Lv. 4. Gilgamesh had also been missing, it's like she disappeared into thin air, but I wasn't too worried. There were few who could pose a threat to her, and one of whom was still a child.

I stared at the mirror, what stared back was a child with medium-length, wavy black hair tied in a bun; impossibly green eyes and well-defined facial features– He would have been popular with the ladies… This, this wasn't my body, and I was reminded of that fact every time I saw my reflection. Reminded of how I pretty much stole the life of an innocent child. Even if I was forced into this position, I still couldn't help but feel weigh down by the guilt. I could ignore it mostly, yet when I was in the confine of my room, when I had nothing to distract myself with, I began to wonder how this kid's life would have played out.

Would he have had a family?

Kids of his own maybe?

Would he have become a failure like I was?

Was I feeling lonely, guilty or was it something else? I couldn't quite tell. "This isn't helping anyone." Indeed, I had spent enough time wallowing in self-doubt and insecurities. Perhaps, it was time to let go, to live for this child whose life was so tragically stolen. But was it the right decision to make? "I don't know… What I do know is I'm late for my morning run." Yesss, joke about it. Run from the problem like usual, that was all you were ever good at anyway. I clenched my fists at my mind's traitorous whisper. "Shut up…!"

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She felt lost. It had been a week since the dreaded Fire, a week since Kiritsugu took her in, a week since she survived what she was clearly not supposed to. Nobody should or could have survived that. Except she and another did. The boy who dragged her away from the beckoning flames, the boy who gave his life to save hers. His smile was so similar to her new father's, as if that act of kindness– One that had resulted in his Death, was the greatest thing he had ever done.

Was that it? Was that the key to happiness? To be able to save someone, even at the cost of your own life? Was it truly that simple? She didn't know, though perhaps her father would have the answer? He did seem really happy when he found her.

She was pulled from her thoughts when heard grunts and laughter. A group of boys were standing in circle around something. The occasional kicks they lashed out were harsh and merciless. They were nothing like her savior, seeming to take joy in beating whatever it was. Though she needn't ask, as their following words made her realize what– Or rather, who they were attacking. "She's sooo creepy!" – "Say something!" – "This is so boring! She isn't even responding!"

It turned out to be a girl just like her. This wasn't her business, she shouldn't butt in, Shiro understood these facts, and she honestly wouldn't have if not for the girl's expression, emotionless and resigned, a look she was oh-so familiar with, a look she had seen plenty of times on the mirror. "Was that he helped me?" She muttered, her voice purposefully low as to not draw the boys' attention. She could and should walk away, get an adult to deal with the situation… That was the smart thing to do, the right thing to do. But, well, she had never claimed to be a smart girl. "Stop that!"

…

They tried to shoo her away, yet she wouldn't budge. This wasn't about the boys, or the victim herself, it was about Shiro, for she had Hope that helping this plum-haired girl might just give her what she wanted– Which was a taste of that same happiness he and her father must have felt when they saved her life. Regardless of how hard they punched, or kicked, or shouted, Shiro didn't back down. After every fall, she stood right back up to face the group, every strike only served to further strengthen her resolve. "Let's just leave, these freaks are crazy."

With her face covered in bruises and her lips split open, Shiro turned to the girl, who remained incredibly still on the ground. "Hey there, my name is Shiro– Shiro Emiya." The other girl's expression didn't change much, but the trace of curiosity and cautious happiness in those beautiful orbs told Shiro all she needed to hear. "… I'm Sakura, Sakura Matou." – "Nice to meet you Matou-san, let's be friends." And nice it certainly was. Even more than she thought. This must be it, she decided. This must be what they felt, hence this must be happiness.

Right or wrong, it didn't matter, not anymore, for Shiro had found her answer.

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Located Southside of Fuyuki City, the Tohsaka residence was one beast of a two-story mansion. Beautifully made with its Western style design, it made other residences in the neighborhood seem oddly inferior. What truly captured my attention however, was the ludicrously powerful Bonded Field that shielded the entire property. It shouldn't be this strong, at least it wasn't that impressive in the Visual Novel, but Bounded Fields degraded over time, and with Rin's dwindling inheritance and resources in Fate/Stay Night, courtesy of the priest that acted as her guardian, it was understandable why she couldn't afford to bring it back to its prime.

I walked cautiously towards the doors and knocked. What? What did you expect? I couldn't just burst inside, I wasn't keyed in, the Bounded Field would have chewed my flesh and spat up bones. "Rin! You in there?!" I heard noises, then silence. "I know you're in there, open the door, I just want to talk!"

Still nothing… "I'm going to knock until you do, don't test me." Fine, you forced my hands. KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK. "What do you want?!" Finally! "You haven't been to our lesson, I'm worried!"

"Well! I'm fine, so go away!" Damn it, just open the door Rin! "Not until I get to see you! … I'm not going through all these efforts just to talk to you through a bloody door! Open up!" KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOC– Ah, there she was. "What do you want!!?" She looked pissed, but I was sorta pissed too. "Mind explaining why you have been avoiding me?"

"I'm not avoiding you." She humph'd, looking at literally everything but me. "Then why haven't you been to our lesson?" I raised my eyebrow challengingly. "Well! Maybe I was feeling under the weather? Ever thought about that? What's the point anyway? I've learnt all those things before!"

"What brought this on? You didn't have a problem with this before." I was met with silence. God did I hate the silent treatment, it made things so fucking awkward. "Look– Can I come in, please?" I said, almost pleadingly. I was in a World far too different from my old one, living with a delusional priest that would fit right in a Doomsday Cult, Gilgamesh had fucked off to Gods-knew where, and I was fairly sure I was losing my fucking marbles.

As funny as this might sound, Rin was the only stabilizing element in my life. I was familiar with her, both from the short time we had spent in each other's presence and from the memories of sleepless nights I had wasted reading Fate fanfictions.

She was a Magus I could trust, and more importantly… She was sane. By themselves, all three of these qualities were likely a dime a dozen in this Gods-forsaken City, but what made Rin stand out as a rare and precious commodity was the fact she was a sane and trustworthy Magus. She might try to act like your typical Mages, but at her core, she was a good person, which was something few could boast in Type-Moon. Perhaps sensing my desperation, Rin sighed loudly, hands on her hips. "… Come on in."

"What is this abou-?" – "I cheated."

"Hmmm?" Rin raised her eyebrows, confusion evident on her face. "I have this… Ability that makes my life a real life RPG Game, that's how I can use Finn Shot so easily. You are the only one I can trust at the moment. The person who adopted me did so because of my ability…" That was the only reasonably sound explanation I could think of as to why Gilgamesh of all people would choose to take me in. "I know a lot about every major players in this City, I know you helped save those kidnapped kids a few weeks back, I can't tell you why I know, I just do. Kotomine Kirei is an insane Doomsday cultist,

Kiritsugu Emiya is a murderous mercenary, Zouken is a walking pus-filled, insects-ridden corpse, I'm trying to prevent the Queen Of Heroes from going apeshit on Mankind and I think I'm going insane. I can't even trust myself right now, but I know I can trust you." I added, trying to portray as much sincerity as I could. "Please, help me?" It was… Hard. I had never shown my proverbial back like this to anyone, not even my parents, but I was in over my head.

I knew myself, I knew how easily I could break under pressure and the Evils I was capable of if given the opportunity– The temptation to kill and maim everyone in this City for Exp was growing out of control. I needed her, if only to keep me in check and to help me retain my last bits of waning sanity and morality.

I couldn't go to Shirou, not with Kiritsugu still alive, Sakura was a yandere whose body housed the spirit of the Daemon King. Both were positively crazy in their own right. And if my theory that Angra Mainyu was affecting my psyche in ways undetectable to even the Game proved true, Sakura was even directly connected to the source of my problem.

[Hidden Quest Completion: Please, help me?]

Well, would you look at that? Your first hidden Quest, fun! As they always say, the first step to solving a problem, or problems in your case, is acknowledging you have one, the second is ask for help from your friends and family. But seriously? A child? Shame on you!

Objective: Get help before you go insane. (X)

Rewards: Your sanity(Pending), Exp, Skill: [Future Calculation • Percentage]

[Leveled Up: 3 – 4]

'Damn it... Not now Game!'

[Skill Gained: Future Calculation • Percentage(Passive) – Lv: 1/10]

This Skill was fashioned after the parahuman ability of Dinah Alcott, a young child who can calculate the likelihood of something occurring in the future by perceiving trillions of possible timelines and sorting them into groups based on a single event. Each Lv equals 10 questions, plus your INT, divided by two or [(10 Plus INT) : 2]. While it is incredibly useful, this Skill is also a double-edged blade, as it can't be turned off and will trigger when someone in the vicinity, or you yourself say 'What are the chances of…' Over-usage of this Skill has consequences such as bleeding from orifices, headaches and blackout from information overload.

'Damn, that sounds incredibly useful. Hmm… What are the chances of Rin agreeing to help me?' 87.3333333%. 'I was right, it is useful.'

Whatever she thought I was going to say, this definitely wasn't it from what I could see. Rin gaped at me with open mouth, stammering a mess of undistinguishable words. "You- I- What– What on Earth are you on about?!!"

"What I'm on about, Rin, is that the World is far more dangerous than you even thought possible. I have had knowledge of certain events that will occur in the future, all of which could lead to the extinction of Mankind. I want to stop it, but I'm no Hero, I can't do it alone… So will you please help me?"

[CHA: 3 Added]

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"So let me get this straight… You woke up in the wreckage of your house–"

"Actually–" I immediately shut up at her murderous glare. I wasn't the most sensitive person, but even I knew when to stop.

"You helped someone get out of the Cursed Fire of Angra Mainyu, was then saved and adopted by the Archer of the Fourth Holy Grail War, who apparently is the recently reincarnated Queen Of Heroes– Gilgamesh." She continued, resting her head against her palm. "You were also granted visions of possible futures, knowledge that you refuse to tell me fully AND a spiritual, parasitic creature called the Game. Was that all? Did I miss anything?"

"I– I don't think so?"

"Good. Now, what exactly do you want me to do this with this information?" I frowned at that. Both Rin and I didn't have the capability or powers to handle most of these problems at the moment. Telling her was indeed useless. "Well, for starter, you can teach me more about Magecraft? Kirei isn't exactly the best teacher, what with being a Doomsday cultist and all." I stopped to collect myself. "And… Maybe be my friend?

I mean, given enough time to grow as a Magus I'm sure I can handle most of these problems myself, but if I continued as I had in recent days, I'm not sure if I could remain sane when the time comes. I guess, all I need someone I can actually talk to about my problems? Someone who understands what I'm going through?"

…

"So you want me– The heiress of the Tohsaka bloodline, to be your glorified therapist? Is that it?" Rin asked pointedly. That… That was a rather poor description, but not untrue. I nodded, feeling a tad bit shy for putting an actual child in this position, but I was stressed. Sue me. "I wouldn't put like that. More like friends? I scratch your back, you scratch mine kind of deal."

Rin sighed, for the seventh time since my arrival. "Fine! I'll do it. I'll teach you Magecraft and be your friend… But I expect you to return the favors, understood? Agree to this and we have a deal, otherwise you can go look for someone else."

I grinned and shook her outsctretched hand. "I have a feeling this is gonna be the start to a beautiful friendship." I pointedly ignored Rin's small, but audible whisper. "I very much doubt it."

And that kids, was how I met your mother… Wait, what?

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