lone demon found himself inside the void. It felt as if he was beneath the sea made out of space. Everything around him was pitch black, but the former participant of war paid little mind to his surroundings.
'The war is over. I lost.' He and Avenger didn't achieve their post-war goals, Lelouch failed his servant. 'Feels like I failed my second partner. Magus Killer, heh, guess it is fitting for an assassin to end the tyrant's life.'
Never mind the fact that Lelouch didn't live long enough to act as a tyrant with Nobunaga.
'Nobu.' His servant and partner, the one who promised to keep him company until the end of times. Such silly promise. But Lelouch accepted it, curious and intrigued to see how it would have turned out. 'Not anymore I'm afraid. Shame, I would love to experience another war with her again. But alas, cheating death a second time seems impossible now.'
It was a miracle. He, the Demon Emperor, was even able to participate in something like the Grail War. Even if he was merely used as a tool to prevent the worst outcome, Lelouch enjoyed his time there. A new and different world, unlike the one he conquered. Fighting side by side with historical figures across the time was the experience he would love to repeat. But Lelouch doubted that Counter Force had a need for him now.
And so, he continued to exist in this void, not knowing what to do or what fate was stored for him next...until he heard the call from someone.
"Thou shalt come under my command."
What? What was that? Lelouch didn't know how much time he spent in the void, but he could clearly hear the voice.
"-and our fate shall be combined-"
Someone was calling him? No, someone was summoning him. The Demon smiled.
'So roles reversed? Hehehe, this will be interesting.'
And so, the Demon Emperor answered the summoning.
Chaldea.
The last master of humanity looked at the summoning circle, hoping this time he will get someone to help them,
"Senpai...are you sure this will work?" Ritsuka glanced at his overprotective eggplant, aka Mashu.
"We're summoning, Mash. Literally, anything is possible." except getting a new rare servant. Ritsuka was sure he had every servant he had met on their journeys. But there was a chance he would summon a new face. More servants means more comrades in arms to help them save Pan-Human History.
Besides, Ritsuka was tired of getting black keys and lethally spicy mapo tofu.
'Give me a new SSR, please! Either someone for materials farming or a boss killer.' Ritsuka could use more buster servants now, when he had a new self-proclaimed fox secretary...
The panel on top of the room lit up, temporarily blinding the two from the brightness of the light. Multiple blue orbs appeared before them. The blue orbs started to connect with each other and turned into a ring of blue sparks swirling around. Seconds later, the ring split into three and continued to swirl around, until the light faded and in its place, a new figure stood.
It was a new servant, and the one Ritsuka hadn't seen before.
Dressed in white robes with the unknown, but exotic symbols, a young man stood before him. His appearance gave off the holy aura, but there was something strange about him, something almost demonic. The first impression senpai and his kouhai got was that it was some kind of religious figure. However, the new servant had the same aura around him similar to kings and queens among Ritsuka's servants.
The new servant opened his eyes. The royal purple eyes scanned his surroundings before focusing on the boy before him. The emotionless face quickly changed into a smirk as the new servant spread his arms at the sides and declared.
"So you're the one who fights against the world, in that case, I should offer you my help...Ruler Demon Emperor, the man who destroyed his world and made it anew! I'm at your service!" Lelouch vi Britannia bowed before Ritsuka. "I take it, you're my master-?"
"Yes. I'm Ritsuka Fujimaru, the last master of Chaldea. A pleasure to meet you, Ruler." Ritsuka offered his hand which the new Ruler took respectfully. "Please lend me your power to save humanity."
'So this is Chaldea? Huh, this should be fun.'
The moment Lelouch was summoned, he received the information about this place, about the people and their objective. His master, Ritsuka Fujimaru, was the master of hundreds of servants. Impressive, if they were fighting a war for the sake of human history, Lelouch might just stick around and see how it will end.
'From fighting against seven servants to working with hundreds. It would seem my life won't get boring any time soon.' Lelouch glanced at the girl next to his master. His class ability as Ruler would have revealed the indemnity of any servant, but he had a hard time reading this girl.
"Something wrong, Ruler?" Ritsuka called out before Lelouch nodded.
"Yes, but nothing serious, master. I'm just a little perplexed by the situation. You see, from what I knew about servants, I'm sure I shouldn't have been summoned as one...I'm not exactly from the timeline you're trying to protect."
Ritsuka blinked. "Wait, does it mean you're from Lost Belt?"
The new term was unknown to Lelouch until he received the information about so-called Lost Belts via his connection to Chaldea. The things that Lelouch saw weren't pleasing, but at the same time, it might be his best explanation. To those people, the world with giant war robots would sound like the wrong timeline after all.
"In a sense."
"Ahh, senpai." Mashu raised her hand like she was in a class. "I don't want to be rude, but do we know the identity of a new Ruler? Both Da Vinci and director Goredolf will want to know it."
"Ah yes!" Ritsuka turned towards Lelouch. "Sorry, normally I wouldn't ask servants to reveal their identity unless they're comfortable with it. But we need to know everything about you in order to prepare for the future."
'Hmm, sounds logical.' Knowing what your servants are capable of and knowing their weaknesses are necessary for the real fight. 'Besides, to them my name would mean nothing. They aren't from my world after all. No harm in telling them my identity.'
"Very well, I should share my true name with you, master. I'm the Demon Emperor, Lelouch vi Britannia. The revolutionary, the conqueror and man of miracles." Lelouch smiled. "I'm not the strongest warrior, but my strength lies in strategy and in coordinating armies. Still, for you, I should be able to pull a miracle or two."
Both Ritsuka and Mashu smiled before the former paused, remembering something.
"Wait, Lelouch? I think I heard this name somewhere before-" Ritsuka was sure someone among his Archers and Avengers mentioned this name before. Wait. wasn't Lelouch is the one who-
Before the last master of humanity could finish his thought, the doors into the summoning room were kicked open as the group of familiar servants made their way inside, making the occupants freeze. Lelouch's eyes went wide when he saw newcomers.
'Wait. they're here as well?'
"So you're finally here, mongrel! I know I felt the familiar presence." laughed the arrogant king of Uruk, as he looked at Lelouch. "Took you long enough, Lelouch Lamperouge. You're lucky I had this place to entertain me while you were absent." Archer Gilgamesh didn't forget how he wanted to fight with the once mortal and so-called world conqueror. "You will apologize by telling a good tale. I would like to hear more about your life story, no matter how short it was."
"Hahaha! You will have to wait, Goldy." Iskander walked in front of his drinking buddy."The boy will play with me first. I was looking forward to another game with him. I want to see how well he will do against that nuke obsessed pacifist in this game-"
"Agh, he killed you and all you can think is video games." the man with long black hair and cigarette in his mouth sighed, before noticing the stare from their new Ruler. "So, you're a servant as well."
"It would seem so, Lord El-Melloi II, or would you prefer to be called Waver?" Lelouch smirked when Waver turned away, swearing under his breath 'damn rulers.' Lelouch's class ability revealed to him information about servants before him.
Everyone who was once a participant in the Grail War was there.
Among shadows, he noticed Hassan of the Hundred Faces, as she stood in the corner. She didn't want to come there, but was interested to see the new servant from the war, where she apparently fought once. Near the exit, Lelouch saw the familiar Lancer. Diarmuid Ua Duibhne sent him a glare, while the new Ruler just waved at him. It would appear that someone told the unlucky Lancer about the fate that awaited his former master Kayneth after Diarmuid's defeat.
'I guess I won't be able to make friends with everyone here. Shame, but oh well, you can't win them all.' Lelouch's eyes stopped on another familiar face. And this time the Demon Emperor fought the urge to look with disgust at the familiar Caster.
The cooler Caster Gilles de Rais immediately noticed it and waved innocently with his fish eyes. "It is ok. Everyone has the same reaction when they see me. I'm here only because of British Jeanne."
'British Jeanne? He must mean-' Lelouch stopped when she had come forward.
Saber Artoria Pendragon stood in front of him. The same one he had met at Fuyuki, the one who might have been considered his ancestor simply because of how close her legend was related to Lelouch's family. Blonde knight eyed him carefully, before nodding with neutral experience.
"Lelouch Lamperouge, or should I call you vi Britannia?" It felt strange for Artoria to call him that, and Lelouch noticed it.
"Just Lelouch is fine. It is my pleasure to see you again. Although, I have a similar question. Should I call you ancestor or your highness?" Lelouch asked with a bow before raising his head with a little smirk. "Or perhaps great-great-great-grandmother?"
Artoria was frustrated before glaring at Gilgamesh who burst out laughing. "Just Artoria is fine. Please don't use that embarrassing nickname, or others might get the wrong idea, especially my knights...especially Mordred."
Mordred? Did Lelouch hear that right? The other knights of the round table are here as well? Well, that sounded wonderful. The small kid in him couldn't wait to meet the heroes from the tales Lelouch had read as a child. Speaking about the knights of the realm.
"Arrrrrrrrt." Lelouch turned towards the source of the growl, and was pleasantly surprised to see the familiar Black Knight. The Berserker from his war stood behind his King, not attacking or being provoked by the presence of Artoria. It was a rare occasion when Zerkelot was more focused on someone else who wasn't Artoria, one of her variations or Mashu.
"Oh, Sir Lancelot. I'm glad to see you in good shape."
"Aghhh...Ahhhgggg."
"Please, think nothing of it. Working with you was a pleasure."
"ARghhhh."
"Thank you, it is good to see old and familiar faces. I hope we will continue to work together in the future." Lelouch offered his hand and the mad Black Knight took it. Both Ritsuka and Mashu stared at the scene with wide eyes.
"I mean, I guessed that he is familiar with servants from the fourth Fuyuki Grail war, but not to this extent," Ritsuka whispered, while Mashu nodded.
"Y-yeah, even his highness Gilgamesh and Sir Lancelot are friendly around him." It was unusual for Mashu to see the good version of her father being this calm around others. Especially when Artoria was nearby.
Meanwhile, Lelouch looked around the servants, trying to find her. After all, if all of the servants from Lelouch's war were there, then surely his servant was there as well?
'Hmm, I hoped that maybe she was summoned as well, but it would appear I was-'
Once again the doors were kicked open as the new figure ran inside, screaming on top of her lungs.
"WHERE IS HE?!"
'It is her, it is really her. Nobu...wait, why is she short?'
Her red eyes scanned everyone in the room before stopping on one person, on him. Lelouch didn't have time to react as the black and red body jumped at him., pinning him to the floor.
"Hubby!" Oda Nobunaga yelled happily while hugging her Lelouch. "You're finally back! I missed you so much!"
The raven-haired young man was confused as to why the one who was supposed to be his Nobunaga was shorter than before, or why her voice was unusually high-pitched compared to before? Lelouch glanced at her. Her hair was black, different clothes...and different class. His class ability showed him that it was truly Oda Nobunaga, but a different version of her.
"...Nobu?"
"Nobbu! Nobbu!" The Archer version of his partner nodded happily before bringing her face close to Lelouch. "The one and only Oda Nobunaga around! Absolutely! No one else around here! Nope!"
Lelouch blinked. "But, the one who was with me was of Avenger class-"
"Nope, the one who has become your life partner was Oda Nobunaga, the closest and furthest one from the real deal Nobunaga." Archer Nobu pointed at him, a blush forming on her face. "You're Lelouch, Lamperouge or vi Britannia, doesn't matter. You're the one who changed every version of Nobunaga, made us whole. That includes the one before you, hubby!"
That was a lot to take in. Apparently, besides being a servant, Lelouch also affected the very nature of Japan's most notorious daimyo. Was it a good or a bad thing, he couldn't tell. But imagining that there were more versions of his Nobunaga was kind of scary. Nobu in his arms noticed that her life partner was having a hard time processing it.
"Come on, Lulu! You don't need to worry about this stuff. You have me next to you and that's all that matters! Oh, I can't wait to introduce you to others. Chacha will like you. Okita will be totally jealous that I have a life partner, while she will remain a single maiden for eternity! Hahaha!" Archer Nobu laughed before her face turned red and her breathing became heavy. "By the way, since you're here with me again, I think it is time to experience everything we couldn't do back there. So, how about we will start with a simple kiss-?"
Archer Nobu leaned closer, aiming to capture his lips while Lelouch didn't know what to do. Did it count as cheating, if it was another version of his lover? How does it work?!
However, before Archer Nobu could do anything, a firm kick from the side sent her flying away. Once younger Nobu was kicked out, her place was replaced by an older woman with blood-red hair. This was his Nobu, the one who fought with him.
"Honestly, you can be adorable, but also such a nuisance at times." The familiar cool voice spoke, before red eyes glanced at Lelouch. The smile on her face turned feral, as the scarlet shade took over her cheeks. An unstable laugh left her mouth as she smiled at him, sitting on his lap that was previously occupied. "Oh, my. Look who decided to finally show up. Took you long enough, Lulu~"
"Nobu-"
"The one and only." The redhead Oda Nobunaga, the same one Lelouch fought with, whispered as she leaned closer. "Aren't you a gentleman? And yet you made this poor maiden wait for so long. How cruel of you, my dear."
"Nobunaga, I-" She pressed fingers against his lips, shushing him.
"Shh, you're lucky I find you cute. Don't worry, Lulu." Her face was inches away from his. Lelouch could feel her breathing and he could taste her lips. "This time I won't allow you to leave me ever again, Lelouch-"
"You mean WE won't allow him to leave us, right?" Archer Nobu returned, not caring for the bleeding wound left by the Avenger Nobunaga's heel.
"Sorry, young me, but Lulu is mine."
"Our Lelouch!"
"You want to be beheaded and burned again, midget? If so then I can afford it." Avenger Nobunaga said dangerously, as the red aura started to form around her. Other servants noticed the possible fight and quickly made sure they were outside of the blasting zone. Lelouch couldn't leave, since Avenger Noby was sitting on top of him, not letting him go anywhere.
"Ohoho! Bold words for an old hag!" Archer Nobu's face turned blank and yet she kept smiling like a madman, ready for a fight to the death.
The object of their affection remained on the ground, not knowing what to do. Without any options, Lelouch turned towards his master, hoping he had a solution for this problem that might send Lelouch back in the void. Avengers had an advantage against Rulers after all, and he didn't want to be caught in the crossfire.
"Master! Please do something-!"
Ritsuka hid behind Mashu who summoned her shield.
"So you have those issues as well? I understand you, Lelouch." Ritsuka nodded, knowing what it is like to have female partners fight over you. But Ritsuka had Mashu and Stalker Trio to protect his chastity from some of the more territorial women, while Lelouch was on his own. His master just smiled at him as he raised his thumbs up. "Don't worry, you will get used to it. Stay strong."
"Master!"
Lelouch's face turned pale as two Nobus called upon their rifles. He couldn't stop them and soon rifles started to fire, turning the room into the battlefield. Meanwhile, the newly summoned Ruler had no idea what he got himself into.
Fate Grand Order was truly a hell and Lelouch was the newest Demon there.