Chapter 20: Chapter 20 The Freeloader
In a hidden lab deep within Ishgar, chaos reigned. Scientists working on Project Superhuman scrambled in a panic, the once-sterile atmosphere now thick with tension.
At the center of it all, the lead scientist stood rigid, his expression twisted in a deep frown.
"So, you're telling me…the Devil Hunter has disappeared?" His voice was controlled, but the barely contained fury behind it was unmistakable.
"Yes, sir," a nervous scientist stammered. "From what we've gathered, Fairy Tail's Devil Hunter vanished after taking on a mission. The She-Devil and Scarlet Knight returned, but both were—"
The lead scientist's fist slammed against the metal table, sending documents scattering. The force of it made the reporting scientist flinch.
"I don't give a damn about those two! Our best DNA sample is gone! GONE!"
His breathing was heavy as he worked to calm himself, fingers twitching at his sides. He turned sharply, eyes locking onto a nearby water tank where their latest creation floated in eerie silence.
"How many samples do we have left?"
The subordinate hesitated, his voice shaky. "S-Sir… only two."
The answer only fueled the scientist's rage. With another violent slam of his fist, equipment clattered to the floor, shattering on impact.
"We had thirty-five after switching to his DNA! How the hell did you idiots burn through them so fast?!"
"Sir, please understand," the scientist pleaded, sweating under his superior's glare. "Working with DNA samples is exponentially harder than with live subjects. We're all navigating uncharted territory here. The fact that we've managed to replicate even 25% of the target's original strength is nothing short of a miracle."
The lead scientist clenched his jaw, fury simmering beneath the surface. After a long, tense moment, he exhaled, forcing himself into icy composure.
"Send a search team. Find more samples. If we can't recover them, we'll have to work with what we have." His gaze darkened. "In the meantime, divert all remaining resources into the Clone Project. Recreate Fate Redgrave. No more failures."
He ran a weary hand through his graying hair before stepping toward the last two DNA samples of Fate Redgrave, his expression hardening.
This time, he would make sure no incompetent fool squandered them.
In a different world, a body fell down from the dark sky.
Fate glanced around, his gaze settling on the skyline of a modern city.
"This world..." He murmured, landing soundlessly atop a building.
In the distance, chaos reigned. A massive figure—its body seemingly composed of living concrete—rampaged through the streets. A group of teenagers fought against it, their movements sharp and coordinated.
A boy in a red and green suit wielded a bo staff, leaping with practiced agility. Beside him, a larger teen with cybernetic enhancements charged fearlessly, his metallic limbs humming with power. Following close behind was a girl with long, flowing orange-brown hair. She flew effortlessly, her glowing green eyes brimming with energy as she unleashed a volley of starbolts at the concrete behemoth.
The creature barely flinched. With a single swing of its massive arm, it sent the cybernetic teen and the flying girl hurtling backward. The boy in red, undeterred, vaulted over the beast and slammed his staff down—only for the attack to barely leave a scratch.
"...Odd." Fate muttered.
"This isn't Fairy Tail." He concluded, thinking that he might have use this skill wrong somehow.
Another combatant joined the fray—a boy with green skin, shifting into a massive T-Rex before charging headfirst into the creature. The impact sent tremors through the battlefield, but the concrete monster retaliated, lifting the dinosaur-like form with surprising ease and tossing him across the street.
Then, a voice cut through the din:
Azarath Metrion Zinthos.
Dark magic flared, enveloping nearby rubble and hurling it toward the creature. Fate's eyes shifted toward the source—a girl cloaked in navy blue, her pale skin nearly matching his own. Short violet hair framed her face, and beneath her hooded cloak, her hands pulsed with arcane energy.
Something about her... tugged at his memory. This world... He placed a hand to his temple, trying to recall. Everything felt both familiar and foreign.
He glanced down at himself—tattered, bloodstained clothes, his once-white hair tinged pink from weeks of unwashed gore.
"Fuck, my head hurts." He muttered. Activating [Clear Mind], he forced the dull throbbing away, refocusing his gaze on the battle.
'Technically, this isn't my problem.' He thought. 'This world has nothing to do with me... just like the others.'
Dismissing his ruined outfit, he projected a fresh set of clothes to blend into the modern setting. Just as he was about to turn away, a faint sound reached his ears.
Crying.
He looked down.
A child clung desperately to his unconscious mother, trapped beneath a collapsed car. The boy's tiny hands trembled as he held onto her, sobbing softly. Nearby, chunks of debris crashed into the pavement—too close. Too dangerous. Yet, the child refused to leave her side.
Fate narrowed his gaze. The mother was losing too much blood. A normal human wouldn't survive this long. Yet, somehow, her heartbeat remained steady—though faint.
He turned back to the fight. None of the teen heroes had noticed.
Something about the scene gnawed at him. The child's fear. His desperation.
It reminded Fate of himself.
A long time ago.
A piece of his humanity.
Sighing, he activated [Mind Rope], scanning the surroundings.
More civilians were still trapped—families huddled together, parents shielding their children with fragile bodies and empty reassurances. Pointless.
They should have run. Humans were weak. They wouldn't survive if that thing crashed into their building.
Sighing in annoyance, Fate muttered, "How annoying..." His gaze flicked back to the monster.
"No magical energy... not a spirit. But this should still work."
He projected a Black Key and hurled it into the creature's shadow. The moment it landed, the beast froze in place, its body locked in its own darkness.
I will kill. I will let live. I will harm and heal.
Fate stepped forward.
None will escape me. None will escape my sight. Be crushed.
Without hesitation, he walked off the edge of the building.
I welcome those who have grown old and those who have lost.
His feet slammed into the pavement, but [Reinforcement] absorbed the impact. He didn't even flinch.
Devote yourself to me, learn from me, and obey me.
The concrete monster struggled, its immense form straining against an invisible force.
Rest. Do not forget song, do not forget prayer, and do not forget me.
Fate tossed two more Black Keys into its shadow, cementing its paralysis.
I am light and relieve you of all your burdens.
The battle-hardened teens stood frozen, watching in stunned silence as a glowing white sigil formed beneath the immobilized creature.
Do not pretend. Retribution for forgiveness, betrayal for trust, despair for hope, darkness for light, dark death for the living.
"Wow." The green-skinned boy blinked.
"So pretty!" The flying girl marveled.
"Raven, is that a magic spell?" The boy in red turned to the hooded girl.
She hesitated, eyes narrowing. "I'm not sure..."
Relief is in my hands. I will add oil to your sins and leave a mark.
Eternal life is given through death. - Ask for forgiveness here. I, the incarnation, will swear.
The creature's red eyes flickered.
Kyrie Eleison
Then, they dimmed—its very essence crushed under the weight of holy retribution. In mere moments, it was reduced to nothing more than a lifeless stone statue.
Blocking the street. An odd, misplaced monument to the battle that had just ended.
"Hey, wait!"
Fate turned, eyes meeting the group of young heroes. But his gaze lingered on only one—
Raven.
The only one here who knew magic.
After sometime.
"I see… Teen Titans, huh?" Fate murmured, stepping inside the massive T-shaped tower that overlooked Jump City.
A group of teenage superheroes protecting this world… 'Fascinating.'
"So let me get this straight—you're a magus from another world?" The cosplayer—Robin, the leader of the Titans—asked, arms crossed as he studied Fate with calculating eyes.
"Yes." Fate answered simply before sinking onto the large circular couch, stretching his legs out and propping them on the table.
'How long has it been since I last sat on something this comfortable?' He barely remembered. It hardly mattered.
The Titans stood at a noticeable distance from him, the tension in the room thick. He could tell they were wary. It wasn't just his presence—it was the smell.
The green-skinned boy, Beast Boy, wrinkled his nose. He clearly recognized the scent. Blood.
"Relax," Fate muttered, closing his eyes. "I'm neutral. Not hero material, but I'm not looking to be your enemy either."
That didn't seem to ease their nerves, but he didn't care. He wasn't planning on staying long.
Yet, despite everything, he found himself freeloading at their tower.
From their perspective, they were keeping an eye on him—monitoring him as a potential threat.
Robin stayed on high alert, the tower's security cameras likely tracking his every movement. Cyborg, the tech-savvy powerhouse, had control over the entire building and probably had him on a watchlist.
Beast Boy and Starfire, on the other hand, attempted to be friendly, but he noticed their occasional side glances. They could smell the blood on him, after all.
And then there was Raven.
She claimed not to care. But she watched him the most.
He knew because of [Mind Rope].
Her magic energy subtly trailed him everywhere—an annoying little shadow he could always sense.
At least the shower in this world was nice.
Fate stepped into the bathroom, finally able to take a proper modern shower after who knows how long. The hot water streamed down his body, washing away weeks of grime and dried blood.
"...Huh. My hair isn't changing back."
He stared at the wet strands. His once-white hair now had a faint pink hue from the blood that had stained it. Months without a proper cleanse had left it that way.
Closing his eyes, he activated [Clear Mind], shutting out unnecessary thoughts.
'Mom. Gramps. Nobbu. Even Igneel.' They were gone. He couldn't find them.
"...What did I do wrong?" he muttered under his breath. 'My friends are safe. I almost died, sure. But I didn't… at least not by her hand.'
Finishing his bath, Fate steps out from the shower.
A flicker of magic interrupted his thoughts.
His eyes snapped open.
A shadow darted away from the doorway.
Fate's brow twitched.
'Realy?'
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the tower, Raven sat frozen in her meditative pose, face burning crimson.
Back in the bathroom, Fate sighed.
'Not my problem.'
He dried off and resumed his day of freeloading.
Fate had always been lazy by nature. He only moved when it came to survival or his desire for power drove him forward. Now, with neither as an immediate concern, he indulged in rest.
He lay on the large couch, closing his eyes and returning to his inner world.
Empty...
His search has reached a dead end unable to locate his companions anywhere. He knew they were mad at him but disappearing for over a month now.
It's getting frustrating.
Opening his eyes in boredom, Fate narrowed his gaze toward the kitchen, as he watched in mild horror as the Titans consumed nothing but junk.
Beast Boy was at least eating tofu, but why only tofu? Starfire? She was drinking mustard straight from the bottle.
He nearly facepalmed.
"...Even Natsu eats healthier than them," he muttered under his breath. He never thought he'd say that sentence in his life.
Unable to ignore it, he walked to the fridge.
Opening it revealed a mess of takeout boxes, half-eaten leftovers, and a few random ingredients scattered about.
A sigh escaped him as his Mastery[Best Maid] trigger.
His body moved on its own.
With precise efficiency, he began cooking. Knives flashed, eggs cracked, rice sizzled in the pan. The rhythmic sound of chopping filled the room, drawing the attention of the Titans.
When he finally finished, he placed a fresh plate of omurice on the table.
The aroma was rich, warm, and undeniably appetizing.
He turned, only to see the Titans staring at the dish like a pack of hungry wolves.
"What? First time seeing actual food?" he teased, waiting for a reaction.
"Delicious," a monotone voice answered.
He blinked.
Raven.
The cloaked girl was already eating.
"...Indeed, friend!" Starfire beamed, floating next to her as she took a bite.
Then the rest followed suit.
Robin, Cyborg, and Beast Boy each grabbed a plate. Within minutes, the dish was gone.
"Would you mind making more for us, please?" Robin asked.
"Can you make mine vegan?" Beast Boy added.
"I would love to have more of your wonderful cooking, friend!" Starfire hovered expectantly.
"I'll have two—no, five more servings!" Cyborg held up five fingers.
"I wouldn't mind seconds," Raven murmured, a small smile on her lips.
Fate was… taken aback.
Not too long ago, they had all been cautiously keeping their distance. Now, because of a single meal, they were suddenly acting like friends?
The world doesn't work like that.
And indeed, the world doesn't work that way, the Titans had been observing him for days, setting up countermeasures in case he tried anything.
After all that surveillance, they had realized something—
Fate wasn't a spy. He wasn't a villain. He was just… freeloading quite literally.
He didn't interfere in their work. He didn't go out of his way to gather information. He simply lazed around, waiting.
Waiting for his abilities to cool down.
Waiting to leave.
And now, having found a reason—however simple—to interact with him, they finally made their move.
Fate exhaled, staring at the empty plates.
They had clearly enjoyed the food. Judging by their previous diet, they rarely had home-cooked meals.
Then again, the sight of them enjoying his cooking reminded him of the time back in Fairy Tail, when he cooked for his friends and family.
"Do I look like a cook to you?" he asked flatly.
"Yes," they all answered in unison.
His eye twitched.
But a smirk quickly formed on his lips.
"Do I look like a cook to you?" Fate asks being forced to cook for Erza and Mira.
"Yes." They answered bluntly not caring about his emotions.
"...Tch." He turned back to the kitchen.
With a flick of his wrist, he projected more ingredients, pulling them from his Reality Marble.
Reality Marble also known as Innate Bounded Field is one that centres around the materialization and projection of one's inner world onto reality.
There is also another use for this power is by directly interacting with the Reality Marble from within them.
In the Fate series, Shirou Emiya's unique way of Tracing is directly linked to his Reality Marble: Unlimited Blade Works. He didn't create swords, he created a world filled with swords. His added step of Tracing and Projecting is just him interacting with his Reality Marble outside it.
His Reality Marble was an extension of himself—a limitless space where he stored and accessed items, weapons, skills, and knowledge.
If he saw something as a "power," it became part of his arsenal and would be stored into it.
And thanks to [Self Deception], he had convinced himself that anything could become a weapon.
Even something as simple as eggs.
And so, without another word, Fate began cooking once again.
Without warning, the building flared up in red light.
"Under attack?" Fate asked, barely lifting his head from the couch, not particularly concerned.
"No. Crime alert. The H.I.V.E. is robbing a bank in the east of Jump City," Robin answered, already in motion, fingers typing rapidly on the large holo-table in the center of the room. A screen flickered to life, displaying real-time footage of a gang ransacking a bank.
"Titans, GO!"
And just like that, the five teenage superheroes sprang into action.
Fate sighed in relief, ready to sink back into the couch for a well-earned rest—
Until he found himself being lifted into the air.
He blinked.
Turning his head, he found himself in Starfire's grasp, the alien princess carrying him effortlessly as she soared toward the robbery.
"What do you think you're doing, Tan Skin?" he asked, voice deadpan.
"Oh! I am bringing you along for your first mission with us, friend!" Starfire beamed, clearly thrilled.
"I'm a freeloader, not a Titan," he pointed out, unamused.
Her smile didn't waver. "Not yet."
Fate sighed, resigned.
'Why is it that every physically stronger woman I meet insists on dictating my life?'
The thought lingered as they arrived at the scene, where the Titans were already engaging the H.I.V.E.
Fate sat atop a nearby building, watching the battle unfold. It was… tame.
No overwhelming destruction like in Fairy Tail, where cities were collateral damage.
No speed-blitz or surgical precision like the battles he was used to.
It was a structured fight.
Predictable.
"Alright then," Fate muttered, rolling his shoulders. A smirk tugged at his lips as the opening chords of Devil Trigger echoed in his mind.
"Let's give them a taste of the good shit."
"All of these thoughts running through my head
Arm on fire, veins burning red—"
Fate descended like a bullet, slamming his open palm against the massive, hairy brute fighting Cyborg.
The force sent the oversized thug crashing through multiple cars, metal groaning as vehicles were reduced to scrap under his weight.
"Frustration is getting bigger
Bang, bang, bang, pull my Devil Trigger—"
Flicking his left hand, his runes flared to life.
He thrust his palm against the pavement—frost erupted outward, spreading at an alarming speed. In seconds, the pink-haired girl found herself entombed in a massive block of ice.
Raven barely managed to phase out in time to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.
"Embrace the darkness that's within me
No more wicked hiding in the shadows anymore—"
Fate moved like a ghost, blitzing forward.
He dropkicked a child-sized opponent wearing a mechanical backpack—the impact sent him flying away from Robin.
Without missing a beat, Fate plucked a device from Robin's belt and flicked it toward the one-eyed man in red.
The device detonated midair— a flashbang, blinding his target.
The one-eyed thug collapsed, clutching his face in agony.
"When this darkness consumes me
Nothing can save you and there's no way out—"
Fate turned toward the final enemy—a man in red, currently multiplying into a swarm of identical copies.
A smirk curled at Fate's lips.
Without hesitation, he activated [Mirage Edge].
A dozen ethereal blades materialized behind him, each hovering with deadly precision.
The clones hesitated.
They exchanged nervous glances.
Then, as one, they turned to their original self.
A tense silence hung in the air.
Slowly, the leader of the clones raised both hands in surrender.
Fate grinned.
"Smart choice."