Episode I: Spiral Rainbow

...That sure is an awful lot of fire, huh?

I already know your names, Fujimaru, Mash. However...

...That doesn't mean I know everything about you. Nor the reason this city is on flames.

What happened here? This is a place where you once walked, yes?

Yes. Fuyuki City, in the far east. That first place we shifted to where a Holy Grail War was taking place.

The year was AD 2004. 13 years ago. It's very close to the present, but it's still part of the past.

This is where we...

Yes, Senpai. We fought many Heroic Spirit for the fragment of the Grail.

...That's right, Senpai. Without him, we would've died.

？！

Fou, kyau!

That's right, Fou. He's the one who taught me how to pseudo-deploy the Noble Phantasm that was too much for me.

Caster Cú Chulainn. I couldn't possibly thank him enough.

...Oh?

Oh. I see, I see. "That's why" it's me, huh? You knew him.

Mash, Fujimaru. I'm sorry, can I ask a question?

Was he doing well "at this place?"

Oh... Yes! He was doing very well. That's right! You're...

Scáthach, a warrior, a mentor to many heroes. You're the woman who trained Cú Chulainn!

I-I'm sorry. I knew that in my head, but it's so hard for me to remember that the Caster who saved us...

...is the same Cú Chulainn who's part of the Ulster Cycle, and s-so...

R-R-R-R-Right, Senpai!

Foufou.

YEAH! ...Huh?

？！

I-I'm sorry. I should've realized sooner... He saved our lives.

I don't know what to say... Um... Y-Your student really helped us out.

We're alive today thanks to the spell he wielded when he materialized as a Druid.

I see. No, there's no need to thank me.

But nonetheless, as someone deeply related to him, I shall remember that. And someday, I will tell him.

If I ever get the chance, that is. For now, you must first survive this place.

Otherwise, I'll have to tell him that I saw the children he saved...

...as they died. Now, survive! You must be strong!

GAAAAAA!

That roar!?

？！

That is another remnant of death you witnessed... Or perhaps, will witness in the future.

Time means very little in this place. Just like the Throne of Heroes.

Either way, it's something that's been left behind. Now, overcome this trial, young ones!

Fou, foou! Kyau!

R-Right... You're right, Fou. I think that might be...

That might be a little too big! S-Senpai!

？！

...I guess it would be cruel to make you do everything on your own. Come forth from my "Gate," ye Spiral Rainbow.

With the divine lightning in your hand, come forth, come forth and fight! Oh Guardian of Ulster.

？！

S-Senpai's magical circuits are being activated in a strange way! Scáthach, what are you doing?

Hmm... So that's how young kids are inside these days... Mages' bodies certainly have changed...

This innocent response is truly Oh, no. Never mind. It's a temporary contract.

I'll lend you a new power. Come forth, come forth and fight, Spiral Rainbow Sword!

Hahahaha! Finally it's time, huh? I'm so glad it happened before I got bored and went to sleep!

The young leader of the Ulster Red Branch Knights! Fergus mac Róich, at your service!

I've been waiting for this for a while now, Ms. Scáthach! Hahahahahaha! Damn, it sure is hot in here!

...Stop calling me that. When you say it, it makes me feel like a real elder.

Oh, yes. Right, right. Sorry. You're always young, Lady Scáthach.

Your heart is young, as are your skills! As sharp as when you were in your teens! But that's a different matter!

I can't call the mentor I respect a little girl! That's not the Red Branch way! Sorry, Ms. Scáthach!

A very boisterous looking man has appeared! Senpai, the Celtic-ness of this place is going up quickly!

？！

Indeed! Heh, we've got some spirited new kids, huh?

I guess you're Ms. Scáthach's latest students. Let's see. A pretty looking girl and a boy... She put her hands on you yet?

I don't go after everything that moves, like you. I invite only the finest warriors to my bedchamber.

They are the source of this dream. And hopefully, the ones who can someday lead us.

I see! Oh dear, I'm sorry. Hahaha! Then let's start with a drink! Have a drink with me!

Or let's do something else! If you need a drinking buddy though, I'm your guy!

Oh, uh. Huh! N-no, I'm sorry, I

Huh? Senpai too?

？！

GAAAA!

Hey, it was hot a moment ago, but now it's even hotter! Also I see something big, and worth punching! Even better!

So that's what I'm here for, eh? You need the greatest swordsman the Ulster has!

Time for me to show off my blade! Ms. Scáthach, let me handle this!

Hahaha! What, you don't know my Noble Phantasm?

Hahaha! So you know my Noble Phantasm, huh?

？！

Then behold my Rainbow Sword! Caladbolg, the sword that's both rainbows and lightning!

If Cú Chulainn of the Red Branch Knights stabs his foes, then I, Fergus, tear them to shreds!

The mystic sword Caladbolg! A legendary sword, said to be the model of many other mystic and holy swords!

Heaven and Earth, spin, spin, spin! Watch in awe as I wield my immense strength!

Hmm... It looked like a famous dragon, but it didn't feel that strong.

Next time, I hope to fight one with the proper mind, body and skill!

That's right, but do not let your guard down. Always face an enemy, even a weak one, with your full strength.

Hmm... Of course, I did not hold back. But are you telling me to fight until my flesh tears and bone breaks?

Hahaha! As expected of Ms. Scáthach! Just how strict can you get?

One of the heroes depicted in the Ulster Cycle, a great warrior of the Red Branch Knights, Fergus mac Róich...

Um, Fergus. You're another one of Cú Chulainn's teachers, right?

Foufou.

Hmm? You mean Sétanta? I did teach him to use a sword, but...

Unfortunately, he wasn't much of a swordsman. He quickly switched to the spear.

I trained with him and also looked after him. You can say he's almost like my own child.

So, do you know him?

Right, it seems they fought together. In this ruined city ravaged by flames called Fuyuki.

Sounds like the Norse Ragnarok. That must be so much fun. I'm jealous.

One of his natural talents is having the luck to be blessed with the most terrifying battles.

If I was there, I could've challenged him to see who was the better warrior. What a shame.

？！

Oh right, now I remember. They say he was dressed as a druid.

...WHAT!? Was he being bullied?

Hahaha! Yes, that's the reaction I was looking for. Nothing really gets funnier than this.

Fou, foufoou, kyuu?

Um, thank you, Fergus. You helped us even though we summoned you without warning...

Don't worry about it. This was just a temporary contract. Plus, I couldn't refuse Ms. Scáthach's summon.

By the way, what kind of sorcery did you use, Ms. Scáthach? How was I summoned during my mealtime?

？！

You're right, a Holy Grail is not present. I tampered around with my Primordial Runes.

I used myself as a catalyst, and stocked Heroic Spirits that I have relations to in this place.

Primordial... Runes?

Foou! Kyaau!

Yes. A true "Primordial Rune." A type of Magical Crest lost in your modern era.

Modern mages have no way of knowing this, but the runes carved by the Great God of the Norse still exist in this world.

The old runes made after that, and their modern recreations are not even close in comparison.

I see, but I don't get it at all. Ms. Scáthach sure knows a lot! I wish one of us in Red Branch has even a fraction of that intellect.

It's more than ancient, you can say it's from the Age of Gods.

That's amazing... Actually, it's really, really, amazing!

Yeah... She's using a rune from the Age of Gods, made by an actual god!

It's unimaginable to us. If the Doctor was here he'd be going crazy.

？！

But this explains something I'd been wondering about, Scáthach.

Hmm. And what's that?

I finally understand why Cú Chulainn was using runes. He learned how to use them from you.

A Primordial Rune. An ultimate spell brought forth by the Great God of the Norse.

Oh, I know that look on your face, Mash Kyrielight. You were wondering why he didn't use Ulster spells, right?

Ogham letters don't work well. Runes take effect as soon as they're drawn, which makes them better for a warrior. That's all.

I-I see... I understand that the letters of the Celtic God Ogham...

...are hard to use unless you're a true druid. Your power isn't affected by its origin, is it?

It's a matter of effectiveness. The Great God of the Norse is very kind to warriors.

Now, on to the next location. Are you ready to face the next remnant?

Yes, Senpai. I don't know how this happened, but I think I have an idea what we should do.

...Senpai, that was a very powerful response.

Are you trying to be a Celt? Are you?

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Fou, foufoou! Kyaau!