I do not own Trails of Cold Steel, fate stay night, and any other reference from any other game or anime. I do own the ocs. Constructive Criticism encouraged, no smackdowns, please. First Fanfic. Slow and irregular updates.

"..." Regular conversation

HELLO Thoughts

"Mental Conversation"

Prologue

-Septim Calendar 1204-

Date: 8/31

Location: Garrelia Fortress of the Eastern Edge of Erobonian Empire

"BOOOM" "BANG BANG" "CRASH"

Training Ground

Green armored tanks fire mercilessly across the field as they advanced. Blue armored cars fired rapidly from across from them, desperately trying to stop the advance.

"BANG BANG"

Only to be destroyed by superior firepower.

Taking cover behind the decimated tanks are soldiers, scattered across the field, wearing purple uniforms outlined with black and gold, holding rifles with bayonets attached.

"I-It's no use! We can even scratch them!" Cried a soldier.

"What's happening?! Who's in control of those things?!" A soldier yells in panic.

"Get in touch with the 4th Armored Division! We need backup from Lieutenant General Craig!" Orders a soldier.

(Scene Change)

Surrounding the chaos of the training field now a battlefield, lies a green metal fortress, perhaps once proud and strong, now damaged and in flames. Scattered across it are various destroyed tanks and armored cars, all burning and smoking with the fortress. However, charging across the field, a group of 12 figures head toward an intact entrance to the fortress. Ten of them wearing similar red school uniforms while the other two wearing their own outfits.

(Scene Change)

The group enters the building, only to see a horrible sight. Inside the lobby the entrance, blood-still fresh and bright red-covered the metallic cold floors and walls, along with the dead soldiers scattered across the room.

"?!" Gasped a black-haired young man with horrified shock.

"This is awful..." whispers a blond-haired girl sadness, her hand over her mouth.

"What happened here?" rasps a bespectacled chestnut hair girl.

"Who could have done this?" Grimaced a tall, tanned skin young man as he looks at the scattered corpses.

This was a massacre. From the looks of it, the soldiers didn't have the chance to fight back. Thought a silver-haired young man with a grimace

"I can smell smoke. Are they using gunpowder?" Analyzes a short, silver-haired girl. She seems unfazed by the scene as if used to the sight already.

"...They completely blindsided us," said the blond-haired soldier, "It appears that everything else they've done today was to serve as a decoy. Even making the tanks go haywire."

"Right. It looks like their real target was the railway guns all along." Responded the fuschia-haired female instructor, with her arms folded across her chest. She wore a light brown outfit with a dark turquoise overcoat. "...Which means they must be serious about targeting that trade conference in Crossbell City."

"Th-They wouldn't..." Stutters the red-haired boy, as if the thought was very horrifying.

"How low can they possibly sink?!" snarled the green haired, bespectacled boy.

"...So they're intent on taking the chancellor's head after all." Mused the blond-haired boy.

"Resorting to such wanton violence? This is absolutely outrageous." said the blue haired girl, shaking her head disappointed.

"It only shows how desperate they are to kill him. They'll do whatever it takes to kill the chancellor, and it doesn't matter to them how many die in the end." The silver-haired boy spoke with narrowed eyes.

"..." breathed the black-haired boy with his eyes closed. Opening his eyes, filled with resolved determination, he turns to the two instructors. "Please let us help. we don't know if reinforcements are on the way, and it doesn't look like we have much time left. We have to stop them before they can activate the railway guns."

"Rean's right." The blond-haired girl agreed.

"I don't know how much we can really do, but considering the alternative, we HAVE to try." the red-haired boy pitched in with a firm voice.

"Right. I'm not about to let those terrorist have their way!" the bespectacled boy voiced his agreement.

The instructors looked at the students, all of them bearing the same determined expression and thoughts. With a final thought, the female instructor shakes her head with a resigned expression.

"(Sigh) Looks like any attempt to convince you otherwise would fall on deaf ears. All right Rean, you and the rest of Group A are with me," orders the female instructor, "Group B, you'll be under the command of Major Neithardt."

"One group will secure the gun in the right wing, the other group will secure the left. This is an actual combat situation with real lives at stake. I expect the best from each of you!" States the blond-haired soldier with a commanding voice.

"Yes, sir!" "Roger" States the group.

The black haired boy turns to the rest of the students. He looks at the silvered haired boy with a questioning look. In response, the silver-haired boy softly shakes his head and subtly gestures, as if saying the floor was his. He finishes it off with a thumbs up and a small smile. The black hair boy nods in confirmation.

"All right Class VII...Our objective is to stop the activation of the railway guns." Debriefs the black haired boy. He raises a clenched fist as he continues. "We've learned a lot at the academy. It's time to put that knowledge to the test!"

Well said. thought the silver-haired boy.

"RIGHT!" "ROGER!" "UNDERSTOOD!" the group responds.

Separating, the two group runs toward opposite doors, each leading to the left wing and right wing. As Group A goes through the right door, they encounter a group of sentries that were waiting for them.

"Here they come." Alerts the female instructor, raising a gun on the left hand and sword on the other, both in a purplish red color.

"..!" the black haired boy looks on with surprise. He quickly drew a Tachi, Japanese sword, out and into a stance.

Blocking the path in the metallic hallway is a group of mechas, composed of silver smaller ones, outline with red on top, with large green colored bipedal machines with Gatling guns attached.

Arcus-activate: Analyze! Thought the silver-haired boy. A red magic circle appeared under him as the ability took effect. Smaller ones are called Tri-Attackers R2 and the big ones are Phalanx. We should be able to take down the phalanx more quickly than last time.

"They look just like that thing we fought during our field study!" The bespectacled girl exclaims in surprise. In her hands is an ornate staff, decorated with a purple orb.

"Mechanical monstrosities...!" The blue haired girl glares at the machines in front of them. She goes into a stance, leveling a blue colored great sword at them. The sword seems as large and a slightly longer than her body.

"Save the talking for later. We need to take these things out!" The female instructor interjects.

"Quick and swift. Time is of the essence!" The silver boy comments. In his hands, are a pair of dual blades, held in reverse grip. "Emma, provide support! Everyone, charge!"

""Right!""

The machines raise their weapons and fired at the group. In response, the group weaved around the bullets and quickly attack the sentries.

"Eight Leaves One-Sword Style: Autumn Leaf Cutter!" "Arcus Activate: Frost Edge!" "Rapid Thrust!" "Demon Fang!" "Arcus Activate: Judgement Bolt!" "Arcus Activate: Fire Bolt!" "Gale Stinger!"

Making short work of the sentries, the machines lay on the floor in pieces and deactivated. Sheathing their weapons, the group took a minute to examine the destroyed phalanx.

"No doubt about it. Those things were the same as the one we fought outside Legram." The black haired boy says, kneeling next to the broken machines.

"It seems a large number of them are on the loose inside the fortress." The blond haired boy adds on, raising a hand to his chin. "I'm guessing that's what got the soldiers we just saw too."

"...It seems so." The bespectacled girl agrees.

"The structure and technology used in these machines..." muttered the silver-haired boy, taking a closer look at the inner components of the downed machine.

"So these are archaisms..." the tan boy mused.

The blue haired girl turns to the female instructor.

"Are you sure, instructor?" The girl asks.

"Yeah. they're a kind f autonomous weapon made by a rather...unsavory group. And a real pain to deal with, too." The female instructor answers, turning to the group. "We need to hurry, but keep your wits about you!"

""Understood!""

The group continues to speed through the corridor, taking down the sentries that blocked their way. Eventually, they made it outside, stepping into a viewing deck. On the left is a stairway to the railway guns. In front of them is a large canyon.

"Where are we?" The blond haired boy asks as he looks around.

"This must be Garrelia Canyon. You can see Crossbell State on the other side." Answers the bespectacled girl.

"Thump, KRRLLLCK, CHUGA CHUGA!"

"What?!" "There!"

Hearing a mechanical sound, the group turns to their left, only to see two large gates opening revealing two equally large guns.

"Th-Those are..." The girl breaths in surprise.

"The railway guns!" The tan boy finishes.

"They're enormous..." The orange haired-boy says in awe and fear.

"Damn. How'd they manage to get them prepped so fast?!" The female says in frustration. "Don't tell me they're just going to let'em rep without even setting a target!"

Sensing something approach, the silver-haired boy quickly draws his dual blades.

"Enemies, incoming!" The silver-haired boy warns.

Not a moment later, two large archaisms appear in a flash of light and electricity. Both of them floating above the cataclysm. The rest of the group draws their weapons at the same time.

Arcus Activate: Analyze! The silvered boy activates the arte on mental command. Two Zephryanthes, these things are going to be tough.

"They're certainly not shy about bringing out the big guns." The blond haired boy says sarcastically.

"Damn it, we don't have time for this! We need to take these things out fast!" the female instructor exclaims.

"Right there with you!" the black haired boy says in a determined voice.

"Let's send these cretins to the scrap heap!" The blue girl chips in.

The orbs on the archaisms chest start to glow. Knowing an attack is coming, the silver hair boy warns the rest of the group.

"Scatter, long-range attack incoming!"

Upon command, the group disperses as two electrically beams are shot to where they were just standing.

"We can't spend too much time on them! Hit them hard and with everything you got!" The silver-haired boy commands. "Laura, bring down their armor! Emma, Jusis, you're on support! Gaius, prepare your S-Break, you're with me! Everyone else, distract them!"

""Right!""

Taking a stance, the bespectacled girl and the blond boy move behind the group.

""Arcus Activate: Chrono Drive/Dark Matter!""

Activating their respective spells, a rust-colored spell circle appear under the group, enchanting the group, while a black hole appears between the machines, trying to suck them in. The tan haired boy and the silver-haired boy stand in front of them, gathering energy and preparing to strike.

"Let's go!" the black haired boy yells. "Second Form: Gale!"

"Thundering Roar! Huh! Didn't see THAT, did you?!" Yells the female instructor.

The black haired boy disappears in a burst of speed, landing two successful hits on the machines with quick precision. Following up, the female instructor shoots out a burst of electrical bullets at the machines, blinding and paralyzing them.

"Armor Break!" Yells out the blue-haired girl. Taking advantage of the enemies moment of vulnerability, she lands two powerful strikes, cracking their armor.

"CRACK CRACK!"

"Gaius!" The silver-haired boy signals.

"Oh winds, grant me your strength! Huhhhhhh! Calamity... Hawk!" The tan haired boy chants. Gathering a green aura around him, he jumps into the air and the aura transforms into an avian shape. Pointing his spear at the machines, he kicks off the air and crashes down on to them like a meteor. The impact breaks the armor more, exposing the inner frames of the machines.

"CRACK CRACK CRACK!"

"Julius, lend me your strength." The silver-haired boy quietly whispers with his eyes closed. His swords start to shine with light as an image of a man with short, brown hair. Then he disappears in a burst of speed and appears in front of the archaisms, in a pose ready to strike.

"RItual...of Destruction (II)!" The boy crosses his dual swords and swings them to his sides before dashing toward his target, performing three spinning slashes and dashing past them. He performs one more dashing slash past the target before turning around and performing a cross-shaped slash that radiates energy and explodes on the target, with quick succession, the slashes cutting into the armor and inner frame, then turns around with sheathing his blades. The two machines fall out, then suddenly explodes upon deactivation.

The group flinches in the surprise.

"Ahh!" The bespectacled girl cries out in surprise.

"Tsch. A self-destruct mechanism. Does their cowardice know no bounds?" The blond boy says in distaste.

Smart, kamikaze attack with beaten drones would take out their enemy as well, if not disorient them. Thought the silver-haired boy analytically.

"We're running out of time! I'm going to go on ahead!" The female instructor turns to the group and says. "Follow me as soon as you're sure it's safe to-" "CRRLACK, WRRRRG!"

Her words were cut off as a new mechanical sound was emitted from the railway guns. The group turns to see the guns exiting their storage and extending their guns out. Their target, the city of Crossbell. The group could only look on with a terrible realization.

"?!" The blue haired girl gasps in shock.

"The railway guns..!" The tan boy chokes out.

"No, no, no..." The female instructor repeats in panic and denial.

The flames of war...The silver-haired boy looks on with narrowed eyes.

"No...Don't..." The black haired boy chokes out in fear.

The course of this future... The silver-haired boy tightens his grip on his swords.

"STOOOOOOP!" The black haired boy cries out with an arm stretched out to the guns.

Began and was changed with a single shot.

"BAAANNNG!"