I do not own anything related to the Fate Franchise or Typemoon, I'm only responsible for how this story is written.

I Can't Believe It's Not a Game!

- Prologue: Release -

Mitsuzuri Ayako was a girl with a variety of hobbies.

While mostly known for her passion for martial arts, she was also a fan of video games. So long as she did not let her grades and her training decline, her parents had no problem with buying her new games of her favorite genres. Being a natural hardworking person, Ayako was good at balancing her time between her family, her friends and her duties, and still make some space to visit a game center or just play at home.

That said, she enjoyed playing with other kids, whether it was sports or even videogames. In the latter case, however, it was a little more difficult since her closest friend was very bad at games.

Scratch that, Tohsaka Rin was pretty bad with anything that involved technology more complex than a home telephone. She didn't even own a cellphone until some weeks ago! It was in fact her friend's poor ability with technology which allowed Ayako to see a different side hidden beneath the façade of the polite and high-class student that Rin used to speak with almost anyone else.

Still, since Rin was not a fan of spending time doing something she was so bad at, Ayako only made her attempts at inviting her to play videogames from time to time.

And now, it was one of those times.

A new game had been announced for release recently as a free download app, and after looking at the description of the gameplay, Ayako believed she had found the way to encourage her friend into joining her hobby without feeling frustrated. And so, she told her friend at school about her new finding.

"So you are saying that this game promotes cooperation instead of competition, and that I won't get left behind by a bunch of rich kids or old men who can always just empty their wallets to make their way?" Rin asked for confirmation.

"Exactly, Rin-chan. So you can take your time to get good at this game without feeling pressed by others ruining your fun", -she answered.

Rin still didn't look convinced.

"It's not like that. Of course I don't care about those cheaters who need to spend real money which could be used for more important things. It's just… well… I'm not good with all this stuff you know?"

Sighing, Ayako persisted.

"Rin, you have to learn how to use something more than a TV or a radio for your future, and I think this is the perfect time to learn" She spoke to her friend as if she was a mother chastising her child for being stubborn.

"But I'm fine with using the phone at home and I can always speak or play with you at school".

"Rin I can only speak to you when I'm at school or when I'm home, since you barely ever answer your cellphone. It's impossible to even get your mail address, because apparently you don't believe in needing one either" Ayako replied.

Before Rin could counter, Ayako continued rising her right index finger. "How about this. I helped you buy a cellphone for your birthday, so let's try making use of it. If I can teach you how to use it properly AND how to download the game when it arrives, you will have to give it a go for a week before making a choice. Either way, you are learning something".

After making her point, she observed Rin pondering her decision. She knew she had her when she mentioned her birthday's gift, as Tohsaka Rin was a girl who disliked being in the debt of others, which included not showing appreciation for a present from a friend.

So it did not take even 10 seconds before Rin conceded.

It did take more than a month of frustrating and patient teaching for Rin to finally master her cellphone without making it almost explode.

Ah, the hardships of friendship!

It was the day of release, and Ayako had invited Rin to her room to take a look at the game before she herself tried downloading it.

Rin had been brought by the fake priest, who as always made no effort to hide his amusement at her exhausting month learning how to use the phone. During that time, he actually offered to help her, since he himself owned one, but she refused him.

It would be a cold day in hell before she accepted any kind of help from Kotomine Kirei, unless she was in real need of his abilities.

No matter how hard it was.

Or Ayako's looks of disbelief after she almost kills her phone for the third time in that month.

….

In any case, she now knew how to use a cellphone and how to download applications on it, even if she only did the last in the company of her friend. She had actually managed to call Ayako on her own to confirm if the game that started all this had been released.

Invited to have lunch, Rin had arrived, in the process meeting Ayako's family. A loving family with a brother and a sister bantering between each other, both being shown affection by their parents.

A family with both parents alive.

With two siblings together.

A kind of life that lacked any concern regarding the Moonlit World, with its pride, mysteries and dangers, and duties to the family's legacy. And the eventual challenge of the Grail War which shattered the rest of her family after her sister was gone….

For a moment, Rin felt that she was not just intruding into another's home, but looking at a mirror of sorts, showing her what she could not have. It gave her a feeling of discomfort that she managed to hide behind her politeness and small smiles, though she had the feeling Ayako noticed the change.

So she actually welcome Ayako's enthusiasm when she was dragged into her friend's room after lunch, allowing for a shift in the mood. They were currently sitting both in the floor, next to the bed, looking together at what she called her "tablet".

"Ayako, you never told me what this game is about. How is it called?"

"Fate Grand Order" -she replied- "a game where you become the Master of different Servants, which you can summon to aid you in battles for restoring human history from events that may threaten our world".

That…sounded eerily familiar. But maybe it was just that, since Ayako had shown her some games with a similar theme to certain upcoming ritual that she was supposed to be part of.

And what were the chances?

"The game is about to start. I will play first so we both learn while you download your version, alright?" her friend asked, interrupting her musings.

"Very well, oh great master of gaming. Show this humble disciple how things are done!" Rin finished in a dramatic tone, making gestures with her hands as well and earning and snicker from Ayako in return.

As ordinated by the game, they started the prologue chapter.

And as the minutes progressed, the eerie feeling in Rin's gut gave way to disbelief.

How did this happen?

How did this happen?

That was the question that was currently occupying the mind of Lord El-Melloi II, also known as Waver Velvet. To understand his current plight, one needs to look back at the events that took place some weeks ago and also at Waver's history.

Not born from one of the older families of magi, Waver had to deal with the scorn and discrimination of those who did, including the instructors of the Clock Tower who believed that age and blood made prestige and might. Among those instructors was the former Lord El-Melloi and head of the Archibald Family, Keyneth, a man that publicly rejected his work on how achievements through efforts could rival those of inheritance and noble blood. Ironically, this event would become the catalyst in a chain of new events that would end with Keyneth's death in the Holy Grail War, and Waver becoming the only official survivor among the Masters and later taking the very title that his instructor once held.

Now, Waver thought of his position as both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, he could use his influence to pursue his ideas with pride, just like he had learned from the man he called his King during the Grail War; many students under his tutelage became prodigies, and offered their support to his cause and, therefore, political leverage in the Clock Tower. On the other hand, Waver had to deal with both the old farts from the Archibald Family and the insufferable current head, a young girl by the name of Reines El-Melloi Archisorte.

Due to his indirect role in Keyneth's demise (though he was sure Rider would have killed Keyneth after their third day together due to his disrespect of anyone but himself), the new Archibald head had him "pay back" by investing his efforts into restoring the clan to its former glory before the loss of both their Family Crest and their head in the war. Adding to his opposition to the hardliners within the Clock Tower, Waver Velvet had no choice but to take his role as new Lord seriously.

Still, everyone needs a way to escape the stress of work and politics, and Lord El-Melloi II found himself interested in videogames, especially those focused on strategy. Now, he was not opposed to trying all other genres, but he had his own preferences and those did not include the popular MMORPGs. As a result, he was probably the only Lord of the Clock Tower that was good with technology, owing both a cellphone and his own tablet and ordering new games of his liking from time to time for when he had time for himself.

And that is how two weeks ago, Waver Velvet had stumbled upon the release of a new game for free, which had a theme that he was familiar with. It took a while for downloading it but once he was set he started the prologue of the game.

And then the nightmare began.

While not aware of the exact cause behind the fire at the end of the Grail War, Waver Velvet had the suspicion that something related to it was responsible. And somehow, the first chapter of the game was located in the very city where it took place, a couple of years into the future.

What concerned him the most, however, was how detailed the game was in explaining some of the rules of magecraft, the command spells and even the accuracy on some of the Servants.

For anyone else, this might seem as a reason to notify another Lords of a possible leak of secrecy, but there were two problems with that option.

First, only a fool would rush with a first check, without trying to see how much information was in possession of the unknown party, and how delicate it was. Since the game had been released about a month before he started playing it, the knowledge didn't seem to have that much weight outside of those related to the Moonlit side, and especially those who actually bothered to learn how to navigate in the internet. Like any game that became popular, however, the general contents of the game would be the stuff of some media in time.

Second… only a fool rushed with information that could damage oneself!

Seriously, how the bloody hell did he become a character in a game he had no idea about until now?

With a mix of both dread and curiosity, Lord el-Melloi rushed into finishing the prologue and the first "singularity" of the game, the later now located in the days after the execution of Jeanne D'arc.

He spent some money to buy himself more time to rush the story and, after he was finished, Waver looked for more information in the web in hopes of finding more about the developers. However, he apparently found nothing.

Days later, the Lord Magus was using his resources to search more thoroughly, even cashing some favors from those with knowledge of the Underworld… and yet nothing.

Eventually, Waver opted for the best course of action possible, speaking to his benefactor/enslaver.

"So let me get this straight. There is a game which deals with information related to the Grail War you took part of as well as some basics of Magecraft and YOU ended up as one of the characters in it?" Reines asked for confirmation after listening to his story, and if her tone was any indication this was something both stupid and hilarious for her.

"A five-star Servant, apparently acting as the vessel for the chinese Heroic Spirit Zhuge-Liang" He replied.

"And what is so especial about that?" Reines asked once more, as if not understanding what was the deal. The nerve!

"A five-star Servant is impossible to get by just advancing the story, and so difficult to roll in the gacha that most players spent money in the currency to repeat the rolls" Waver answered with a deadpan tone.

"Gacha?"

"A term used by us players to refer to the luck-based pull that allows for the "summoning" of Servants as well as craft essences. But now is not the time to speak about that".

"You say that, but you speak of the rules of this game as if you were giving a lesson in the halls of the Clock Tower, Lord El-Melloi II". Reines added with amusement evident in her voice.

Waver actually coughed in his hand to avoid the moment of awkwardness and continued.

"This may not be a problem on its own, but anyone interested in mining our position has to simply point a leak in information with my name on it and it would be enough to do some damage to the reputation of the Archibald-"

"And yours as well" Reines finished for him.

"…Of course. While the mundane cares not for the accuracy of anything after Fuyuki, there is always the risk that new contents of the game could release more delicate information, such as vital locations or even mysteries. And I can't believe A GAME of all things is making me consider both a visit to that city as well as speaking to the very woman who could simply get rid of me." He was now massaging his eyebrows for the headache that had appeared since he decided speaking with Reines.

"I'm glad you are considering all the possibilities, and that you consulted with me before going to that woman. Still, you are putting as all in a difficult position by requesting a meeting with the Queen, Waver".

"Don't I know it. But I better be the one to tell her of the situation before anyone else rushes with enough information put her in a bad mood and ruin our chances for diplomacy".

It seemed they were both in agreement with the decision to take, though Reines insisted in both watching the game and joining him in his visit to the most powerful magus in the Clock Tower. However, the Archibald Head had one more question for him by the look on her face.

"You told me that you are considering making another visit to Fuyuki City. Is it nostalgia, or perhaps you found something else?

Waver stopped after opening the main door of the manor, and spoke.

"There was a Servant with a particular name in the game. A name which belonged to a man who I believed gone since the end of the Grail War, and who could provide some information if I'm lucky. Besides, I have some pending business in Fuyuki anyway so I might as well take a trip before risking my neck to Lorelei Barthomeloi."

And Waver left the Archisorte Manor, with that last detail floating in his mind.

'Of all the people who could have something to do with all this, it had to be someone related to HIM'

The one name that became the downfall of the Archibald Clan, as well as the fearsome bogeyman for many magi even to this day.

'Emiya, huh…'

"Emiya, you say?"

Kotomine Kirei considered himself a man who was both complex and simple. While not one to condone evil, he found joy in another's suffering. Being a devoted man of the Church, he still had to find the answer to whether it was alright to be born with such a twisted sense of happiness and morality, and he believed a cursed artifact hidden in the depths of the city could provide it.

Even if it meant the end of the world.

Of course when he took part of the Heaven's Feel Ritual as the Master of Assassin (and later Archer), Kirei had no idea of what laid within the Greater Grail. At that time, one of his biggest drives was to fight and understand the most dangerous enemy Master in the war, Emiya Kiritsugu.

A man so similar and yet different to him, someone who had followed a bloodstained path that gave no gains for himself, and moved from one conflict to another as if driven by a desire to find purpose. And then, one day, he simply vanished and settled down with the Einzbern, only coming out to act as the Master of Saber in the Grail War.

Before witnessing the Fuyuki Fire, Kirei believed that Emiya Kiritsugu had perhaps found the answer he was looking for all this time.

After the fire, however, he saw the shadow of the man that once was the Magus Killer, merely walking aimlessly in search for something. That walking corpse would no longer provide any answer for him, and so he focused his attention in the one thing that could represent his new found desire.

Almost ten years had passed since, and Kotomine Kirei had only had only heard once more from the name of Emiya when one of the devoted that attended to the church told him about the passing of said man. Kirei had merely accepted that as the final chapter in Emiya's life, only wondering how much suffering had that broken man carried within to his last days.

That is, until his not so grateful charge spoke the name during an outburst just as he was arriving for a formal meeting between Supervisor and Second Owner.

"Yeah, what of it? It's just some annoying guy who won't stop popping up everytime I try rolling for Servants in the game", -Rin replied now looking at him.

Ah yes, THAT game.

It seemed someone had somehow leaked information regarding the Holy Grail Wars, or at least used some of that information in the making of a videogame that had captured the attention of the Tosaka Heir. Kirei was a person that sought the ultimate answer to his question, but he could enjoy the little moments of frustration that were related to that game, from her hard time learning how to properly use her cellphone to the discovery of the contents of the game.

Since no one had decided to act yet in regards of this event he assumed that the leak had yet to be known by enough people from the Mage's Association, or perhaps they considered it of little relevance. The later made sense considering how it did not put the secrecy of Magic in jeopardy, but any new findings in the game could change that in the future.

The possibilities made sure that Kirei had no qualms in keeping the situation in secret from the Church itself, though he did wonder how the authorities in there would take the news.

And now, the game had once more picked his interest.

"I still can't believe YOU are planning on playing this as well Kotomine. It does not help that you have become the bogeyman for all of us with everything related to the rolling. Are you sure you have nothing to do with this?"

"I assure you Rin, I was as surprised as you when you showed me not just your appearance in the game but that of me and even other members of the three families. I have neither received nor offered support for anything related to this development. As for my participation… everyone can have a hobby of their own so long as it does not interfere with their goals in life, and I find this activity quite interesting", -he finished with a small smile.

"… I thought your hobby was adding salt to the wounds, you fake priest".

His smile grew slightly wider.

"And who said I cannot have both?"

Rin only looked more annoyed but said nothing.

Indeed, he had heard from her in her more relaxed moments of how the different players had been "spooked" during their tries to get a good Servant or essence by "Black Keys", and even a portrait of him posing shirtless.

And that made him curious about the game and the experiences it could offer.

Imagining the frustration, the willingness of the players to spend their money in hopes of getting luck's favor, only to fall into despair…Kotomine certainly wanted to become a part of this.

But back to his finding.

"As for your first question, Emiya was a known Magus in real life. A freelancer who combined his knowledge in Magecraft with modern technology and weapons and a very pragmatic mindset for hunting down his targets. He was so successful and so feared that he received the nickname of Magus Killer. He was even a participant in the last Heaven's Feel, the Master of Saber".

Rin was surprised for a moment but quickly recovered.

"A participant? But his profile says nothing about that, and he actually seems like a guy that could fit better in the middle ages with that bow and swords of his. Shirou Emiya never uses guns or anything like that in the game"

So, a coincidence or perhaps another sharing the same name?

"Maybe it's just a coincidence of sorts. Then again, a lot of the information has been accurate to some extent, as little as it offers. Emiya Kiritsugu was the man I was talking about, and he is currently buried in the oldest part of the city. It's up to you if you want to find more". Kotomine proposed.

He knew that Rin would try to use what little he offered as a start, but would mostly do the search on her own for the sake of her pride. This way it was also possible to find out more about his former nemesis, and even if nothing came out of her little adventure he never had to lift a finger in the first place.

At night, after the services were over, Kotomine Kirei decided to acquire his own device and give a try to the one game that had turned Tohsaka Rin into an avid player.

But what about Emiya Shirou himself?

How had he reacted to the news related to this development?

For starters, he had noticed some changes in his life.

While known in his neighborhood, the school and the Copenhagen, he was just one more bystander when walking through the streets of Fuyuki.

During the last months, however, he was becoming the focus of more and more looks.

When greeting some of the men at the Fujimura Estate, some of the younger ones gave him this funny look, as if trying to confirm something.

Kids and teenagers that he knew and even those he didn't know stared at him as he walked, some even waving at him. For the sake of politeness, he smiled and waved back.

But it was perhaps his boss in the Copenhagen who made him more surprised, as she stared at him for moments as if pondering something… and sometimes he was sure she had some drool while wearing a dazed look and a coy smile.

Was she…

Was she checking him out?

…..

Nah, he was way over his head.

Said line of thought was interrupted, however, when Taiga and even old man Taiga arrived at the end of his turn.

"Good evening Shirou-kun, how have y-"

"SHIROU!" Taiga interrupted her grandfather while getting close to him and then proceeded to shake him from his shoulders. "Why didn't you tell your onee-san about the news, I could have helped!

…

"Help with what?"

He was honestly confused, since nothing of interest had happened to him this days, aside from becoming the target of some onlookers.

"What do you mean what, the game of course!" She replied with the same enthusiasm. "But seriously, did you do it for free or did they pay you something? Did you sign some contact without reading? Did yo-"

Thankfully, the overwhelmed teenager was saved by the aged Yakuza.

"What Taiga-chan wants to ask is if you have anything to do with this?"

Raiga signaled one of his men, who then pulled out a tablet and showed what was currently on screen to Shirou.

He stared

And stared

AND Stared.

"What?"

A/N: Hello my fellow readers and writers. Yes, I live. No, I'm not updating my other works for now, so once more I offer an apology for that. I wanted to try something more simple, and also involving some crazy ideas that did not escalate in great crossovers. And this happened.

Basically, Nasuverse meets the FGO app, in a mix of both comedy and seriousness.
Hope you like it