“Start entry sequence.  Initiating LCL ionization.”
	“Setting interface language to Japanese.”
	“Plug Depth set at 0.40.”
	“Second stage passed.  Synchronization start.”
	“Pilot status nominal.  Entering coffin.”
	“Destination set to Tokyo, 2014 AD.”
	“Unsummon Program, start.”
	“Psuedo Spiritron Mapping complete.”
	“Commencing operation in three...two...one-”
	And the world becomes a tunnel of swirling light.


	It's a coin toss on whether or not he appears on the ground or in the sky.  He is used to this- the sudden fall, the wind hitting his face.  This time was a little different, though- for one thing, he shifted alone.  The other was that he almost immediately hit the ground.  Bending his knees, he rolls with the impact- only from a few feet up, so it wasn't too dangerous when compared with what he's gone through before.
	Rolling up to his feet, he takes a deep breath and looks out over a bustling metropolis- Tokyo.
	Sky scrapers line the horizon.  He can see towers, he can hear people, he can smell the city.
	“So this is during the incinerated history?”
	He doesn't wait for the response before dropping down to his knees.  This is old hat, old habit at this point.  Magic comes naturally- his low potential compensated for by extensive practice and rote.  He gets a response as he finishes the first part of the circle.
	“That's correct, Senpai.  This is Tokyo, 2014 AD.  Shortly after Goetia incinerated humanity.”
	Ritsuka Fujimaru grins, slightly.  Two years of history they missed, restored.  What is around him is living proof that what they did mattered.  He doesn't say so, just nodding.  Working diligently, quickly, to complete the ritual circle on the rooftop.
	“Okay, summoning circle is complete,” he says, standing, “Let's get a quick...”
	He trails off, looking over the city.  He smiles, then takes a deep breath.  Then rubs the back of his head, his black hair already damp.
	“So do we know what that anomaly was or-”
	Then there is a flash of light.  A very familiar flash of light, as it's one he's been through many, many times.  A Ray Shift, but bigger than the ones that would deposit him in different periods of history.
	Mainly because, rather than releasing a human, it releases a gold and white giant with a single, glowing red eye.  Ritsuka stares in silence as the giant robot lands, before it rises up and charges off.
	“Never mind, I think I found it.”
	Propping his hands on his hips, he watches the giant robot charges into the distance.  “Is that a giant robot?  I thought this was the real world.  When did we end up in an anime?”  He rubs his chin.  “Da Vinci-chan?  Tell me I'm not looking at a violation of the square cube law?”
	The hologram appears.  Where the others tend to appear as small versions in the corner of his eye or floating heads, the image before him is the legendary genius in all her feminine glory.  One would ask why she does such things, but the answer is all the same-
	It is Leonardo Da Vinci, and that's how she rolls.
	“Indeed!  I watched the robot through your eyes when it appeared, and judging from the swing of its arms, the impact and tremors of its movement compared to its probable mass it is indeed violating the square cube law!”
	He nods, folding his arms.  “So it's a super robot.  Got it.”
	Thankfully, he has Servants for this.  He turns to the two he brought over with him, who appear in a small display of magical light.
	“So is that human-made and if so do you have the original inside your treasury?”
	The first of the Servants, the man in golden armor, spiked blonde hair and red eyes, folds his arms across his chest and proclaims- not speaks, proclaims-
	“I do not.  That is not human-made, but a human!”
	Ritsuka turns from Gilgamesh, King of Heroes, to the green haired young man (?) in white robes.  “Fair enough.  Can you turn into something as big as that?”
	Enkidu nods with a smile.  “I can, but I would be a weapon.  I would require a wielder, or a pilot.”
	Ritsuka turns back to the King.  Gilgamesh, King of Heroes, scoffs.  “I was summoned as an Archer, not a Rider!”
	“Okay, so we can get a Rider,” Ritsuka responds with a shrug, “Maybe Iskand-”
	“No mere Rider is needed!”  Hand on his hip, other, open hand directed at the robot, the King of Heroes booms, “Only I am worthy of riding Enkidu into battle!”
	So phrasings just not a thing anymore, Ritsuka thinks.  He should have seen this coming, really, when the alert sounded off...


	Hours earlier.
	The alerts ring out in the hallways of Chaldea.  Walking in a hurry, but not running, the young Cause checks the wrist piece on his white and yellow battlesuit, running a simple diagnostic.  The Rayshift is set to start relatively soon, and he wants to be ready.
	So focused is he on his preparations, on making sure everything goes as normal, that he walks right into the golden armored man.  He looks up, takes a step back, and bows.
	“Excuse me, Your Majesty,” he says.
	“Ritsuka, this alert is infuriating,” Gilgamesh, King of Heroes proclaims, “I have been busy but cannot concentrate with this cursed racket!”
	Ritsuka knows better than to pry what Gilgamesh has been busy with, as it may as well have been beer pong.  Magnificent beer pong, with golden cups.  Or possibly some manner of dick measuring between him and Ozymandias.
	“And to cease this alert, I insist you take me with you!”
	Ritsuka blinks.  Then bows, respectfully.  “I accept and welcome your help, Your Majesty.”
	“And I offer mine as well.”
	Enkidu appears, rising from the floor, in a manner much like that american sci fi movie with the liquid metal robot.  Gilgamesh does not look at Enkidu, does not protest, but Ritsuka can see the ever-so-slight flare of his nostrils.
	“Okay,” Ritsuka says, “Let's go!”


	The giant robot is fast.  Its strides are the same as a humans, but the size of it allows it to cover ground with greater speed.  It charges through the city, leaving foot prints like craters, its red eye focused on something.  At least, until the blur and the wings and the terracotta giant lands in front of it.
	It stands as tall as the robot.  Made out of clay, in the approximation of a human form, its face featureless and its skin mottled and brown.  On its shoulder stands a man in golden armor, laughing magnificently.
	The cycloptean robot reaches up.  The shoulder fin opens, a handle swinging out, and the robot pulls out the over sized knife.  Gilgamesh snaps his fingers and two portals appear on either side of Enkidu.  With his right hand, Enkidu draws the curved sword Sul-sagana, its jagged edges crackling with flame.
	With his left hand, he draws Ig-Alima, the immense greatsword cleaving an apartment building with an idle swing.
	“Aim for the Core,” Gilgamesh orders, “And the neck!”
	Enkidu swings, flame dancing along the curved sword, before both weapons deflect off the golden wall of light that appears between them, ringing with the sound of bells.  The robot kicks back, hopping onto the roof of a building, and leaping off of it as it collapses, over Enkidu to continue its run.
	With a shout of “MONGREL!” from his rider, Enkidu chases after it.


	“You know, Gilgamesh insists he doesn't want to be friends with Enkidu, but they work so well together.”
	Ritsuka watches the giant clay man chase the giant robot, turning from them to the original impact zone.  “From what I understand,” he continues, “Gilgamesh said that their story had ended.  Which seems odd to me, because when I was reunited with my best friend I was pretty damn happy about it.”
	“Does that mean I'm your best friend, Senpai?”  He doesn't notice the slight hesitation in the voice.  Or maybe does and doesn't muse on it.
	“You know it,” he says with a grin, “Mashu, can we figure out where the giant robot came from?”
	A cough from the other end.  “We're analyzing it now, Senpai.”