The AI Trapped on the Moon

You want to go back home? What home?

This is the year 3019. You're in Moon Dubai, a city built on the lunar surface.

I'm afraid there's no one left on Earth anymore.

That's right. And I'm not talking about the whole Bleached Earth thing you all know.

I mean that, even restored to its original state, there is no one left alive on Earth now.

Hm? No. The Bleached Earth Phenomenon only happened in your world.

This is OUR worldan Earth that was never bleached, where Chaldea never even existed.

This is Earth as it was always meant to be.

Well, apart from there not being so much as a single human on its surface.

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Wait!

Let's say you're telling the truth about this version of Dubai being on the moon in the year 3019.

It's still not possible that there are no people left on Earth!

I may not be able to verify this world's Foundation of Humanity rank right now, but the FoH itself still exists!

And that is proof humanity hasn't gone extinct!

Oh, right. That IS one way to use the Foundation of Humanity value, isn't it?

Even if you can't ascertain the value itself, the very concept of the Foundation of Humanity alone proves humanity exists.

It's true. There may not be any humans left on Earth, but humanity is still flourishing.

But, that's only in this world and time. There's no place here for obsolete humans like yourselves.

Obsolete?

Yes. You'll see what I mean once I restore the layeHuh?

Aaaaaah, I'm late, I'm late, I'm laaate! No lighthearted vibes now! Only wild rides!

Seems something ominous is headed our way.

Oh good, you're still here! I'm so sorry! I can't believe I flubbed the date by six whole days!

I must be the biggest bonehead in history! But hey, at least summer vacation isn't over yet!

Hi, everyone! It's me, BB! The all-powerful AI and partner to humankind promising you health and happiness!

I was just waiting for the perfect time to make a fancy entry! So, how are you all liking Dubai!?

(Utterly flabbergasted)

Oh. Are you mad? Are you appalled? I don't blame you.

I'm furious! And I have no one but myself to blame.

It's a good thing Lip graciously(?) agreed to be your guide.

Otherwise, I'd have left you to your own devices for six straight dayOh.

...

I see. You must be my Alter.

Let me guess. You're another, separate BB who came here from a future Mooncell?

Nice to meet you, Chaldea BB.

Productive as it would be for us to enumerate the differences between us, there's no need for that now.

Not when I have a firm grasp of your capabilities and background...and you have only six seconds.

(Sigh) So it would seem.

I'm so sorry, everyone. Thank you for everything.

Huh?

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Don't worry, I didn't delete her. I just compressed her beyond any hope of extraction and propelled her into space.

She's probably rocketing past Mars around now. She'll never return to Earth again.

You'll be joining her.

Now that you've achieved the maximum joy humans are capable of, there's nothing left to do.

So you're free to go home now. I'll even make good on our contract to send you back to Chaldea.

Hm?

What the...!?

What is this!?

Khh. Master...!

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That's right. This is the year 3019.

Records of humans, like Heroic Spirits, have no power here, because nobody remembers them anymore.

And anything that's been forgotten may as well not exist.

Now that this city's layer has switched over to Moon Dubai, it's rejecting any Heroic Spirits from before the year 2400.

You people are no exception.

It looks like only Fujimaru and Mash will be staying.

Congratulations. You two just barely made the cut.

(Those criteria don't apply to me either, but I should probably keep that to myself right now.)

You're banishing every Servant and just leaving Fujimaru and Mash?

All this behind-the-scenes manipulation is an evil mastermind move! I ought to know; I've done it before!

I still don't completely understand the situation. However, it seems clear this BB isn't the one we know, but a different one with wicked intentions.

Which means the first thing we need to do is neutralize her. I trust there are no objections?

Definitely not. We are all in agreement.

BB might have been a problem child, but she was still one of us, and she only ever tried to help.

Now that she's been sent away so forcibly, I see no reason to hold back.

BB Dubai, or whoever you are. I, Percival of the Knights of the Round Table, shall face you with all my strength.

Hell yeah! This is more like it! Let's do this, warriors!

A smart decision. I guess I should have expected nothing less from the Master of Chaldea's direct charges.

It looks like you still have a few minutes before the automatic banishment kicks in. Well then, I guess there's nothing more to be done.

Only troglodytes pick on the weak. I'd rather not recreate obsolete humanity's most charming point if I don't have to...

...but, I suppose I can play with you archaic insects for a little while.

Watch closely, Fujimaru. This will be humanity's last Servant battle ever.

She's incredibly durable, and oddly heavy! Whatever she is, she isn't what she appears to be!

So my spear was no more a match for her than your lance.

I hate to admit it, but fighting her felt like I was jabbing my spear into the city itself.

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Well, I'd love to, but it feels like something's pinning me inAaaaaah!

That wasn't banishment. That was a codec...! What are you going to do with them, BB!?

Add them to my collection. They will make nice additions to my home decor.

Although... That's odd.

Why isn't that Servant disappearing on her own?

She shouldn't be able to fight the banishment if she's unconscious.

In fact, why is she lying down at all? Did she eat something that didn't agree with her?

You look genuinely perplexed, BB Dubai.

So does this mean you did not in fact turn Ereshkigal into a Beast?

Huh? No, I don't have anything to do with that.

Frankly, I didn't think there were any Evils of Humanity left on Earth at all.

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Of course not. I'm an AI designed to preserve and manage humanity. I would never get mixed up with a Beast.

That said, this is exactly the kind of surprise I don't like.

It looks like you messed up your report, Kazuradrop.

With all due respect, no, I didn't.

There was no visual change in her outer Spirit Origin.

My only thought observing her from a distance was...

"She's acting awfully nervous and fidgety... But, I guess that's nothing new for her."

That's it.

If I'd been their guide like you planned, I could have caught this and reported it to you...

...but once Passionlip showed up, I had no choice but to stay out of sight.

So this falls on you for failing to foresee Chaldea's BB sending a guide of her own, BB Dubai.

Fine, I'll let it go this time.

BB Lily...?

Huh!? Th-that's not BB! That's Kazuradrop!

She's one of the Sakura Five who was made from BB, just like me and Melt!

She's the weakest of the Sakura series by far, so we usually keep her out of sight! Even Bartholomew's stronger than her!

I see you haven't changed a bit, Passionlip. How like you to act first and think later, if at all.

Can't you tell this is no time for pointless chitchat?

You should think more rationally. Logic, reason, all that.

Your constant failure to do so is exactly why you can never form goals of your own.

Huh? Are you...worried about me? You, of all people?

Oh, please☆ I couldn't care less what happens to any of the other Sakura Five☆

More importantly, you do understand time is running out, right, Master?

Isn't there something you should do while you still have your trusty Servants around?

Dammit, I can't stop the vanishing process! Guys, I think we need to leave for now, then

No. That will change nothing. If we can't stop ourselves from vanishing, we must eliminate the danger before we do.

I agree. Master, use a Command Spell! Help us defeat BB Dubai before we disappear!

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Yes, that's it. That refusal to give up in the face of overwhelming odds is so emblematic of you obsolete humans.

I swear... It brings back such fond memories that I don't think I'll be able to hold back.

You love pointless, unnecessary death, right? Then I will erase every trace of you down to your Spirit Origin on the Throne.

No! Everyone, run for it! That's the Mooncell's observation light!

It's a special phenomena fixation process that can even overwrite Spirit Origins directly!

Don't worry. I won't touch Fujimaru.

Just his useless Servants.

...Including that half-assed manifestation of an incomplete Heroic Spirit, Mash Kyrielight.

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Y-yes! I'm okay, Master!

I don't think that hurt me. It was just so bright I couldn't tell what was going on...

...Lip?

Passionlip is gone. She sacrificed herself to shield you from the Mooncell's observation light.

...

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That's a strange question, but I get what you mean.

You're wondering if it bothers me to erase an Alter Ego I created myself, right?

Obviously not.

The whole point of the Sakura Five was to excise BB's worst traits. They were wholly unnecessary to begin with.

Isn't that right, Master?

I'd say they were more excess than unnecessary. They embodied things like hobbies and personal tastes.

Exactly the things that should be abandoned first in pursuit of a larger goal.

Hello to you, the last humans still alive. Did you enjoy your time in Dubai?

...

So you're willing to let Mash Kyrielight stay out of respect for Lip, huh?

As long as Master's okay with that, I'm willing to leave her alone. Isn't that great, everyone?

Anyway, would you all mind leaving now? This is a throne room; only a chosen few are welcome here.

I let you in here to celebrate your accomplishment in maxing out joy levels, but that's all done now.

It's time you got back in that elevator and returned to the surface. Of course, if you refuse, I can always fight you for real.

What about the Servants you didn't banish, BB?

I can understand why you left Ereshkigal now that she's a Beast, but why keep Bartholomew around?

He's the only one here to have said anything of value.

Mostly it's that he simply is not a threat, though.

So. Mash Kyrielight. Ereshkigal. Bartholomew.

I'm going to grant you the honor of bearing witness to the election that's about to take place.

As for you, Fujimaru, I'm going to grant you special permission to participate in it.

What, you ask, is it you'll be voting on? Why, the manner of humankind's extinction, of course.

Humanity came to an end in 2999. They really brought it on themselves.

But where's the fun in that? If something's going to end, that end should matter, should have meaning.

So I gave it some thought, and decided that if humanity's going extinct anyway, it should do so more productively!

To that end, I summoned several viable candidates to choose a more meaningful end.

Kazuradrop here is one of them.

Your slogan was, "Let humankind die by nature's hand," right?

That's right. My recommendation is to starve them out of existence.

Remember that one nation here on Moon Dubai where selective breeding led to flora becoming the apex predator and fauna reduced to being fertilizer?

I found the account of its history inspiring.

I mean, humans being forced to eke out an existence like insects? Doesn't that sound like a dream come true?

That's my vision for their extinction. I'm sure the other candidates will struggle to beat it.

Simply magnificent. Your nobility and determination very nearly move me to tears.

I'm sure the rest of Moon Dubai will gladly support your position. Good luck winning the voters over.

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Weren't you listening? We're holding an election.

That election is why Dubai was rebooted into Moon Dubai, and why the Moon Cancer class was created.

We're going to get every capable boss who wants to destroy humanity together, and the one who gets the highest approval rating will get to enact their vision!

You've got to be sick and tired of humanity constantly fighting one final boss after another, right? So this time, you don't have to participate.

No, this election is all about determining who is best qualified to be the last one standing and wipe out humankind once and for all!

It's time for the final boss fight to end all final boss fights!

And I'm granting you guys the right to watch the whole thing from start to finish.

Oh, and if you want to be all, "You'll never get away with this!" go nuts. I'm granting you permission to tamper with the election.

Any Moon Cancer you can beat doesn't deserve to be the final boss in any case.

Now, this is your final warning. Would you mind leaving this room?

Don't say it, Master. I understand, but now is not the time.

...Yes. That's the right call, Master.

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Kazura, would you mind seeing our guests down to the ground?

Sure, no problem. Come along, everyone. You can use this elevator.

Oh, what should we do about Ereshkigal? Shall I carry her?

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That's fine. Then let's be on our way. And no turning back, please. It's my job to get you back down safely.

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...

Phew, that was intense! I finally feel like I can relax again!

Come on now, deep breaths. You guys haven't been breathing well either, right?

I understand how you feel but let's try to relax. Remember, the others are all seasoned Servants.

They understood falling in battle was always a risk. Besides, we still don't know for sure that they're really gone.

...

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...Well, I'll admit, the odds do seem more stacked against us than usual.

We're way off in the future, humankind is extinct, and they're holding a competition to determine who the final boss will be.

No wonder the two of you are at a loss for words. Honestly, I'm worried myself.

Lip really made a valiant effort. I didn't know she had it in her.

No data I've ever seen about her suggested she even could move that fast.

It was an incredible accomplishment. More than worth giving up the swimsuit she treasured so much.

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...That's not true. Lip should never have had to shield me.

It should have been me. I should have been the one to shield them.

That's exactly why she did it. She knew you would do your best to protect everyone else.

That's why she stepped in front of youto stop you.

That was the Mooncell's observation light. It determines any phenomena it observes.

No matter how good your defenses areeven if they're specifically Anti-Enforcementthe moment that light hits them, their effect will be neutralized.

The only way to protect yourself from that light is to either hide from it or avoid it.

Lip, a member of the Sakura Five, was the only one of you who knew that.

She understood how pointless you trying to block it with your shield would have been.

Using her larger body with her oversized hands spread out as far as they could go was the only way to truly block that light.

For once, she didn't act on emotions back there; she made a calculated choice.

She didn't sacrifice herself because it was the only option, but because she knew it was her duty as one of your companions.

...I see. Thank you for telling us this, Kazura.

Please don't thank me. I couldn't help you, even if I wanted to.

The moment this elevator touches the ground, we'll be enemies. Keep that in mind as you listen.

At the bottom, citizens should be gathering in Moon Dubai Areas E, F, and I right about now.

They're AIs who are part of the Anti-Old Humanity faction. If they find you, they'll attack immediately.

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I can't say any more. This is Area B, BB Dubai's area.

She can observe anything I say or do. Anything more I tell you would be violating the rules of the election.

...When you get to the bottom, I recommend running east as fast as you can.

Don't go in the mall.

The Moon Cancer for Area Ethe old Dubai Mall, is the strongest of the current final boss candidates.

The only chance you have to survive is to make it to the neighboring office area with its maze of buildings.

Once you've made it there, I suggest you take a look around to see the true face of Moon Dubai for yourselves.

Knowledge is power. The better you understand your situation, the better your chances of survival.

I appreciate the advice, but is that an explanation, or encouragement?

Neither. Just some idle musings. ...We're almost to the bottom now.

Okay, to the last two humans in the world who came all this way to the year 3019 from Chaldea...

Welcome to the Bellum Novae Humanitatis, Archetype Inception. I do hope you'll be impartial observers to humankind's final moments.

The Burj Khalifa's elevator just came down! The old humans from Chaldea are almost here!

Everyone from Area E, get over here now!

If we can capture the Master of Chaldea here, we'll have won!

You Area E weaklings think you can steal a march on us!? We're the ones who'll be taking Fujimaru into custody!

Let's go, valiant workers of Area I! I'm authorizing the use of any and all firearms!

No old humans are gonna walk around acting like they own the place in OUR town! Let's show these organic life-forms what a waste of space they really are!

Sir, yes, sir! Glory to the Alvatron Company!

Woooooo! Yeaaaaaah!

It's finally happening! We're gonna keep this party going!

Come on, everyone, get over here! Throw some flame! Eat some meat! Shoot some vids!

We've gotta pump out new content! Get hype! Execute the humans!

Huh? You don't remember the captain saying anything like that? Who cares!?

Yes! And they're all armed, too! We have to run!

Definitely not. They've got some seriously dangerous people out here now. Dammit, if we're going to get new types, couldn't they include some with hidden eyes!?

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I didn't feel like we could attack these citizens before, but the circumstances have changed.

Now that they're bearing down on us with clear hostility, I suggest using whatever force is necessary to neutralize them!

I agree. We don't need to kill them, but we should show them why they don't want to mess with us.

How's Ereshkigal doing, Master?

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What about your simple summons then? I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but might as well make sure.

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That's great! I guess Lady Luck is still with us.

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Even a single Servant means there's hope. It's way better than not being able to summon any at all, which is what I expected.

Any canal, no matter how narrow it might be, eventually leads to the open sea.

Master, you keep carrying Ereshkigal.

Mash, your simple summon, and I will hold the citizens back. For now, let's just focus on getting out of here. Sound good?

Yes, of course! Let's do this, Bartholomew!

Having said all that, I know I'm not the strongest Servant out there, so I won't be able to hold out for long. Hopefully, we can settle this before they figure that out.

Still, against enemies like these, I think I'll have a good chance to show off a bit!

We're fine! But I've gotta say, these people seem WAY too strong to be ordinary citizens!

I'm not like Blackbeard. Fatal wounds will actually kill me! So I'd really like to be smart about how we fight these battles!

I swear, if you hadn't blocked those attacks, Mash, I'd be down in Davy Jones's locker by now!

I'm sorry to say this when you're already tired, but I'm seeing more hostiles up ahead! It's another gathering of citizens!

Don't worry, I'll manage! There might be a lot of them, but they have no idea how to work together!

Master, you mind if we take Kazuradrop's advice and head straight for the office area to the east!?

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Understood! Heading for the offices to the east!

Master, I'm sure it won't be easy, but we're counting on you to keep carrying Ereshkigal!

Sorry, Master! I wish I could carry her instead, but we've got our hands full dealing with these citizens!

We could use all the help we can get right now, so I'm really hoping she's able to fight with us soon!

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By the way, do you know what these marks are? By the way, any idea what these marks are?

Crap, they're homing missiles! Run for iiit!