Shinjuku Subcategory Singularity

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« The beginning of a new tale. Four fragmented stories before the grand battle. »

(Sherlock Holmes)

The Shinjuku Subcategory Singularity (新宿亜種特異点, Shinjuku ashu tokuiten^?), identified as Subcategory Singularity I (亜種特異点 I, Ashu tokuiten I^?, localized as "Pseudo-Singularity I"), is one of five singularities manifested by the remaining Demon Gods after the defeat of Beast I Goetia. Located in 1999 AD Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan, its Humanity Foundation Value is ?? and the Demon God Baal is its creator. It was the first of the five subcategory singularities visited by Chaldea Security Organization in the undertaking of the Remnant Order to deal with the collateral damage caused by the Human Order Incineration Incident.

The events of Chaldea's visit to this Singularity are covered in the first chapter of Epic of Remnant, Quarantined Territory of Malice: Shinjuku^WP (悪性隔絶魔境 新宿, Akusei kakuzetsu makyō Shinjuku^?). It has the subtitle Shinjuku Phantom Incident (新宿幻霊事件, Shinjuku genrei jiken^?). It received a manga adaptation illustrated by Shounen Sasaki.

Setting

After escaping from the time temple following its collapse with Goetia’s demise, Baal, one of four Demon Gods who escaped, sought revenge against Ritsuka Fujimaru, the human who thwarted the Human Order Incineration. He eventually found himself in the culled timeline of 1999 Shinjuku. The city was filled with rampant crime of magical varieties, where evil consistently overcame good, forcing people to embrace the former just to survive.

After 3000 years, Baal gained the ability to fuse Phantom Spirits with Heroic Spirits, seeing the former as valuable assets for his revenge. Fusion between Phantom and Heroic Spirits was only possible due to the Counter Force being deactivated in Shinjuku with its separation from history. Baal would fuse Der Freischütz with James Moriarty, who manifested under the Archer class instead of Caster as a result of the fusion.

Seeking to thwart Sherlock Holmes, Moriarty forms an alliance with Baal, later called the ‘’Phantom Demon Alliance’’. He devised a plan to destroy the planet to help achieve both of their respective goals. They plan to transform an asteroid into a magic bullet with the Freeshooter’s powers, becoming possible only with its enhancement through the fusion with Moriarty. However, since crashing an asteroid into the planet wouldn’t be enough to destroy it, they decide to construct a tower to act as a gun barrel to shoot the asteroid into the planet’s core to destroy it. But in order to guarantee the asteroid is loaded into the barrel, Baal and Moriarty will turn it into the Freeshooter’s seventh shot, said to kill an existence important to the shooter. To achieve this part of the plan, Moriarty devised to turn Ritsuka into said important existence, which Baal begrudgingly agreed with. Recalling Sherlock never goes full force unless against him, Moriarty erases his own memories, and creates a good personality for himself to trick his enemies. He did the same to Baal's memories as well, turning him into "Evil Moriarty". The two would go their separate ways, believing themselves to enemies while instinctively following their plan.

Acting as Moriarty, Baal gathered allies to him while continuing his experiments with Phantom fusions. He fuses Doppelganger^WP with Yan Qing, fuses Christine Daaé into a Coloratura (human turned automaton) for Phantom of the Opera, and fuses Hessian^WP and Lobo^WP together to create a Phantom Servant called Hessian Lobo. With his new allies, Baal takes control of Shinjuku aided by Phantom’s Coloraturas and a private militia called the Hornets. He also has William Shakespeare captured and imprisoned inside Barrel Tower, which had begun construction. Shakespeare is forced to create monsters from the Phantoms of his own characters. Edmond Dantès is summoned into the Singularity in order to rescue Shakespeare. EMIYA Alter is also summoned into the Singularity under contract to kill Baal and joins the Alliance as it gave him a better chance to kill Baal. Sherlock rayshifts into Shinjuku to confirm his research about remnants of the Demon Gods returning, despite the Human Order Incineration being thwarted. Baal also fights Artoria Alter and Jeanne Alter in their respective territories on separate occasions, grievously wounding the latter.

History

Prelude

In Chaldea, present day, Mash Kyrielight is helping Ritsuka Fujimaru to clean their room when Leonardo da Vinci enters under the pretense of checking on them and to get away from the higher-ups. After finishing cleaning part of Ritsuka’s room, Mash goes off with Fou to make tea for herself, Ritsuka, and Da Vinci.

While they’re gone, Da Vinci informs Ritsuka that, medically, Mash is in perfect health, rejuvenated to the status of a regular teenager. The problem now, however, is that she has lost the magical energy she had as a Demi-Servant, and while her Magic Circuits are intact, they cannot activate, as if the switch to do so is jammed. Da Vinci suggests they wait and see what happens, believing it will sort itself out.

Discussing Mash's potential future, Da Vinci proposes going to school, and starts teasing Ritsuka about Mash experiencing school romance when she is abruptly tackled by a returning Mash, back with the tea. Despite her teasing, though, Da Vinci still wants Mash to think about her future and for Ritsuka to guide her.

Mash recalls how those visiting from the Mage’s Association didn’t stay for long. Da Vinci believes it was due to being overloaded by the sheer quantity of data Chaldea has collected over the last year - including the hundred-plus Servants summoned, and the unregulated (due to the lack of any living regulating body) Rayshifts performed to both the Seven Singularities, as well as over ten minor Singularities in between.

Mash then recalls while getting tea overhearing staff members distressing about an upcoming overhaul of Chaldea's staff by the Association, due to suspicion caused by Lev Lainur's betrayal. With the Animusphere in upheaval after Olga Marie's death, the Association will likely come and freeze Chaldea’s assets, sealing everything and everyone away.

In fear that Ritsuka’s unbelievable accomplishments will raise more suspicion, the staff reluctantly decide to edit Ritsuka’s information to downplay their role in the Grand Order to protect their future - to simply being a way to maintain Servant contracts while Romani Archaman was the true mastermind, handling the more complex manners.

Da Vinci agrees with the staff's plan, knowing the Association would never let someone of Ritsuka’s talent go. Mash laments how no one will know Ritsuka saved the world, but Ritsuka and Da Vinci both remind her that everyone in Chaldea and the Servants know - even Goetia. After Mash notes Fou's recent increase in innocence, Da Vinci leaves Ritsuka and Mash to get back to their cleaning, so she can hide before the investigators arrive.

However, after finishing their cleaning, an emergency alert suddenly goes off, and Da Vinci summons Ritsuka and Mash to the Command Room. Against all odds, a new, abnormal Singularity has appeared - in Shinjuku, Tokyo, 1999.

Da Vinci concludes that it is due to a time distortion left behind by the Seven Singularities, much like the minor Singularities. With the Association investigators still yet to arrive, Da Vinci has already informed them and the UN that this operation will be part of the Demon God Pillar incident cleanup. She tasks Ritsuka to repair the Singularity, having prepared some remaining Chaldean Servants to assist them.

Da Vinci convinces Mash to take on Dr. Roman's role of validating Ritsuka's existence, and the briefing concludes. Fondly recalling Roman while watching Da Vinci, Ritsuka Rayshifts into the Singularity.

Singularity Landing Point

However, Ritsuka once again arrives in the era falling from the sky. To matters worse, all the Servants that should have Rayshifted with them have been scattered, and the staff are unable to bring them back due to the Singularity establishing itself too quickly. Fortunately, Ritsuka is saved by a new Servant - a self-described shady old man.

Landing on a nearby rooftop, the old man welcomes Ritsuka to the Singularity - a hell whose streets are overrun by Spellcasters, Demonic Beasts, automatons, and pseudo-soldiers known as Hornets. Almost all of the good people have died off, leaving only the worst of the worst. Cut off from the outside world, Shinjuku is now akin to a prison, its denizens calling it Shinjuku - the Quarantined Territory of Malice.

The old man reveals that Shinjuku is surrounded by a wall through which no transmission can come in or go out. A staff member states that SHEBA is barely able to make out the remains of the wards neighbouring Shinjuku, with the world beyond the wall being the same as the periphery of the Singularities during the Incineration.

Noticing an enormous, half-built cylindrical tower to the west, unique to the Singularity, the old man explains to Mash that it is the lair of the one who will be Ritsuka's nemesis in Shinjuku, the path to reach it heavily guarded by enemy Servants. Ritsuka asks the old man who he is, but he refuses to give his True Name for security. Instead, he introduces himself as Archer of Shinjuku.

Down on the streets of Yoyogi Ni-chōme, they muse on Archer's apparently misplaced class, with even him noting that he was likely originally a Caster. Archer casually saves Ritsuka from a net trap laid by a roving gang of ruffian spellcasters, and Archer, armed with a bullet-firing coffin, and Ritsuka defeat and drive off the ruffians.

After the battle, Da Vinci and Mash privately discuss Archer of Shinjuku, both unable to determine his True Name. Noting his suspicious nature and fighting style, they agree that Archer may not only be hiding his True Name but his class as well. Regardless, Da Vinci tasks Mash with investigating Archer, all the while keeping it secret from Ritsuka.

Noting that Archer's old appearance is supposedly him in his prime, Archer reveals that even his memory is failing. He agrees to disclose what he knows about Shinjuku in exchange for Ritsuka’s trust. However, neither of them can trust the other yet (an answer that satisfies Archer), but they agree they cannot allow evil to run rampant in Shinjuku. Archer therefore decides to do his utmost to earn Ritsuka’s trust, while Ritsuka demonstrates their capabilities.

An observing shadowy figure, supposedly Edmond Dantès, notes his investigation of Shinjuku in his journal over several days. They observe and confirm Ritsuka's arrival, but note that their new companion is a being of pure evil, leaving Ritsuka's situation far more perilous than they realise. Choosing to remain in the shadows to keep the element of surprise, he deduces the Singularity wasn’t a result of mere coincidence, but something planned meticulously from the beginning with “his” involvement.

Millennium Trap

In a room decorated by a giant blue butterfly trapped in a prism, a shadowed figure welcomes a wolf-like Rider, a gun-toting Archer, and a long-haired charismatic Assassin. He informs them the barrier detected a signal earlier and, like they expected, Chaldea has sent a Master to restore humanity. It is revealed that he had hacked the Rayshift coordinates to make them fall, but was foiled by the Archer of Shinjuku's appearance, and he asks his compatriots for alternative measures.

The monstrous Rider flies into a rage, desperate to find and kill Ritsuka, while the Assassin suggests killing Ritsuka before they can see it coming. Addressing the figure as Professor, the Archer only advises him to look inside himself to see the best course of action.

Having waited for Chaldea's arrival for thousands of years, the Professor (now also identified as "Archer of Shinjuku") proposes their plan. First, their Berserker will rampage, followed by the Rider tracking Ritsuka down. Should Ritsuka survive that encounter, it will be Assassin’s turn. As for the gunman Archer, Archer of Shinjuku orders him to handle the flying squad, calling him his biggest miscalculation - revealing that Archer killed his Saber and Lancer, both darkened Heroic Spirits who didn't lose their pride.

Though he had accounted for their loss, he notes that Archer has still yet to dispose of “it". Archer speculates about Phantom Spirits being brainwashing devices (Assassin cheerfully vowing to kill the Professor), but Archer of Shinjuku claims Phantom Spirits are simply ability enhancers. Regardless, Archer declines having a Phantom Spirit transplanted on him, claiming that he’s always been Nameless and a botched transplant could affect his Spirit Origin.

Archer of Shinjuku assures him the procedure is perfectly safe, having spent 3000 years developing it, but Archer quickly leaves to double-check his sniping spot for the inevitable battle with Chaldea. Archer of Shinjuku is thankful that the Archer - EMIYA Alter - is on their side, but EMIYA casually decries Archer as simply evil.

After EMIYA Alter and Assassin leave (Archer noting the latter to be more troublesome), Archer of Shinjuku comments to himself that he only needs one more element besides his magic bullets and "Barrel" to complete his formula. Even after it is complete, he informs William Shakespeare, revealed to be held captive in chains, that he will not be set free.

Archer attempts to entice Shakespeare with a world where his creations exist in the flesh, but Shakespeare denies it as a nightmare, even with his alignment inverted. Surprised Shakespeare will still obey of his own free will even while opposing him, Archer of Shinjuku leaves, ordering Shakespeare to keep mass-producing King Lears, well-aware that Shakespeare will gladly betray him at the first opportunity.

Meanwhile, Ritsuka and the other Archer of Shinjuku continue to explore the backstreets of Shinjuku, the latter continuing to explain the city's new tenants. Mash and Ritsuka notice a baby in a stroller apparently beset by wild dogs. Before Archer can protest, Ritsuka drives the dogs away, only to find the "baby" is a bomb in disguise.

They are narrowly saved by Archer, who warns Ritsuka that the city is filled with such traps to exploit their goodness, and to be more wary of their surroundings. Mash warns of eleven approaching singing hostiles - the original trap-setters, who Archer identifies as "Coloraturas" and they quickly hide.

While hiding, Archer explains the Coloraturas are autonomous mannequins controlled by Christine Daaé, who kill while singing, without even leaving bodies (Archer speculating if the bodies are collected to be used as materials). As the Coloraturas slaughter random passers-by, they leave an injured ruffian from earlier as bait for a similar trap.

Under Archer's guidance, Ritsuka remains hidden, leaving the ruffian to be murdered by the Coloraturas. Attempting to sneak around them, Archer accidentally alerts them by knocking over trash, forcing them to fight.

After destroying nine of the Coloratura, Archer has Mash find them an optimal escape route when they are confronted by the final two enemies - the Phantom of the Opera and Christine Daaé, the insane matriarch of the Coloraturas. Archer stalls for time until Mash finds an escape route, then destroys a nearby gas station to distract the singers, allowing the heroes to escape.

Mash's escape route leads Ritsuka and Archer to a highway, Japan National Route 20, much to Archer's horror, revealing too late that the evil Servants of Shinjuku have claimed the highway as their territory.

Road Raging Monster

The highway's "owner", a monstrous Servant, immediately begins pursuing Ritsuka at high speed with a terrifying howl, travelling at 200 kilometres an hour. Archer of Shinjuku flees, carrying Ritsuka, before Ritsuka decides to stay and fight, unable to outrun their pursuer.

Archer explains that the approaching Servant is a Phantom Spirit - an entirely fictional existence, like urban legends, who are not strong enough to become Heroic Spirits, and therefore unable to be normally summoned as Servants. However, they are able to be summoned as a set, with their pursuer being one such example. Mash recalls the term from the Sixth Singularity, briefly mentioned by Sherlock Holmes in the Atlas Institute.

The enemy Servant soon catches up and attacks the heroes, revealing themselves to be an enormous man-eating wolf ridden by a headless knight (akin to a Dullahan of folklore) - dubbed the Rider of Shinjuku. The battle goes poorly, Archer being completely outclassed, and the Rider's roars of hatred hampering the heroes' ability. Archer implores Ritsuka to escape via car (with Da Vinci's assistance), and reconvene with Archer at Shinjuku Station.

Suddenly, a smokescreen covers the battlefield, saving the heroes. Making an impressive entrance, Artoria Alter arrives on a motorcycle, rescuing Ritsuka while Archer makes his own escape.

Observing from the shadows, "Edmond Dantès" is baffled by what Archer of Shinjuku’s goal might be in siding with Chaldea, certain that Archer's last act was made with an ulterior motive. Recognizing that he always gets worked up when it comes to Archer in particular, "Dantès" calms himself down, assured that Ritsuka is safe with Artoria Alter. Concluding that only one more Servant is needed to join Chaldea’s side, he leaves to pay said Servant a visit himself, noting her twisted nature.

Shinjuku Labyrinth

Artoria Alter and a panicking Ritsuka successfully escape the battle. She informs them that while she has no memory of meeting them, she is aware of their exploits in the Grand Order, and gladly forges a contract with Ritsuka.

Artoria takes Ritsuka to her hideout, the "Roost" (the basement of a burger shop), picking up Cavall II along the way, a stray dog reluctantly taken by Artoria as her pet. After Ritsuka recounts their journey thus far, Artoria reveals that she has fought Archer of Shinjuku before. However, unlike the good-humoured Archer met by Ritsuka, the "Archer" she fought was instead cold, calculating and extremely powerful, commanding numerous subordinates to do his bidding.

Artoria Alter then further reveals Archer and Rider are members of a four-Servant alliance that controls Shinjuku, the League of Phantom Fiends, believing them to be the source of the Singularity. However, while investigating the identities of the other two members, she encountered an unusually weak "Edmond Dantès", who personally requested her to help Ritsuka (much to Ritsuka's surprise).

Artoria decides to go with Ritsuka to rendezvous with Archer tomorrow, warning them of his potential betrayal given the city’s nature. Balking at the infamously labyrinthine nature of their "meeting spot", Shinjuku Station, they decide to rest for the night.

At the lair of the League, Rider of Shinjuku reports to the villainous Archer of Shinjuku of their failure to kill Ritsuka, to which he is sympathetic, knowing that evil is destined to be defeated by good. Aware of their upcoming rendezvous at Shinjuku Station, Archer excuses Rider, sending his personal guard to the Station instead to greet them.

The next "morning" (the sky permanently remaining night), Artoria Alter and Ritsuka leave for Shinjuku Station to find their Archer of Shinjuku. To the surprise of Ritsuka, Mash, and Da Vinci, the station turns out to be a literal labyrinth rather than metaphorical. While guiding Ritsuka inside, Artoria admits she is unsure whether it is due to a Servant or the nature of the Singularity.

However, Artoria Alter quickly notices that the campsite of the ruffians that usually occupy the station is gone. She hypothesizes that someone cleaned it up so Ritsuka wouldn’t notice and flee, but didn’t account for a guide already aware of the campsite's presence.

As if on cue, the perpetrators reveal themselves: an ambush of Hornets. After the heroes fight them off, Archer of Shinjuku calls out to them, engaged in battle with his own Hornets - having counted on drawing Ritsuka's attention at the station by getting into a fight.

After the heroes help Archer defeat the Hornets, however, Artoria Alter interrogates Archer, demanding to know his True Name, Noble Phantasm, and motives for assisting Ritsuka, despite having no reason to do so. Artoria quickly concludes that the Archer before them is different from the Archer of Shinjuku she had fought.

Archer confirms this, revealing his True Name was stolen, along with most of his power (reducing the strength of his Noble Phantasm). He explains his deductions that he was originally a villainous Servant, who had deliberately split off the remnants of his conscience to become a perfect villain - creating an incomplete good half - himself - and leaving an exceptionally powerful evil half.

Da Vinci confirms that Archer's Spirit Origin is incomplete and suspects completing it may get him his True Name back. Archer affirms that his goal now is to restore his name and Spirit Origin so he may serve Ritsuka with greater power, admitting he had lied about hiding his True Name earlier. Shaking hands with Ritsuka, their alliance is confirmed.

Archer then easily deduces Artoria Alter's name, class, identity and even her nature as an Alter from her appearance and a single use of “holy sword” to refer to Excalibur. Mash, impressed by Archer’s deductive skills, asks if he is a detective, even comparing him to Sherlock Holmes. Archer adamantly answers he isn’t, to the point of finding it to be the most detestable profession in the world.

Observing from elsewhere, "Dantès" acknowledges Archer's potential as a detective, but notes that his very nature as a Servant is owing to using his deductive abilities for evil. "Dantès" admits he was aware of the presence of two Archers, but was unaware that they were good and evil halves (surprised that their original even had a conscience). He notes that the bigger concern is the tower, and though he suspects its true role, "Dantès" cannot discern the nature of its "ammunition". With more questions than ever, "Dantès" leaves to search for a particular book.

Meanwhile, the heroes return to Artoria Alter's roost with the good Archer of Shinjuku, where Cavall II treats him with indifference, much to Artoria's amusement.

Black Maiden Fire Wheel

The next morning at the roost, the heroes are surprised to receive a sudden phone call, and Ritsuka answers the phone to find "Edmond Dantès". Requesting to keep his identity private, he informs Ritsuka of a contingent of soldiers sent by the League, led by a Servant named EMIYA. The soldiers are en route to kill the neutral and reclusive Jeanne d'Arc Alter, whose hideout is in Shinjuku National Garden.

After the call ends, Ritsuka tells the others what they learned, and their intention to help Jeanne Alter. Archer objects, recalling how she had attacked him when he tried to sneak into her territory. Ritsuka ignores him, seeing her actions as further endorsement considering Archer's shady demeanour, and the party leave at once.

Meanwhile, Jeanne Alter fights EMIYA Alter at the National Garden, learning that EMIYA's guns used to be swords before. Losing the upper hand, she unleashes La Grondement Du Haine with the intent of taking EMIYA down with her, setting the surrounding area ablaze. However, EMIYA manages to deflect the flames with his shield and escape, disappointed at losing a potential recruit.

Jeanne Alter collapses, having overexerted herself, and waits to disappear. Fortunately, Ritsuka’s party arrives to save her. Despite Artoria Alter and Jeanne's deep-seated rivalry, she is convinced to join Ritsuka after seeing Archer's presence on the team, and they stop to defeat a gang of ruffians attracted by Jeanne Alter's Noble Phantasm.

Afterwards, when Archer attempts to break up Jeanne and Artoria's bickering, Jeanne threatens him, believing him to have grievously injured her previously, forcing her to escape via the subway. The heroes and Archer attempt to convince her that the evil Archer of Shinjuku was responsible, though she is understandably sceptical.

Wolf Surrounded

Jeanne Alter is eventually convinced to tolerate Archer's presence, though still unable to trust him. Artoria Alter doesn't approve of Jeanne Alter joining, and the two continue to bicker until Jeanne Alter notices Artoria Alter's casual outfit. Jealous, she searches the ruins of a nearby boutique for clothes of her own, under the pretence of investigating it for being shady.

While waiting for her to return, though, the others are attacked by more ruffians, who bring along their gullibly purchased so-called “Super Chimeras“. A battle ensues, and while the Super Chimeras turn out to be surprisingly powerful, the heroes handily defeat them all save one.

However, Rider of Shinjuku suddenly attacks, killing the last Super Chimera and the remaining ruffians. Luckily, Jeanne Alter returns before Rider can attack Ritsuka, unleashing La Grondement Du Haine on Archer’s signal (mistakenly believing Artoria to have signalled her). The flames encircle the area, preventing both the heroes and the Rider from escaping, as planned by Archer. The heroes battle Rider once again, Jeanne Alter's flames hurting both sides.

Unfortunately, though the heroes are able to critically harm the Rider's knight, Rider still manages to escape. Archer realises he underestimated Rider’s tenacity, having failed to realize the wolf is the one in control, not the knight - eating people out of a deep-seated hatred rather than hunger, directly stemming from past trauma.

Ritsuka and Archer both deduce from this that the wolf is Lobo, the king of Currumpaw, a wolf originally described by author Edward Thompson Seton. Akin to a real-life Demonic Beast, who loathed humans for the death of his mate, Blanca, long until his death.

With the threat of Rider temporarily neutralised due to his wounds, Archer proposes they focus on eliminating the rest of the League - namely, the Berserker of Shinjuku, Phantom of the Opera, and the equally dangerous puppet Christine. Archer eventually convinces the Alters to put their constant bickering on hold until after Berserker's defeat.

The heroes return to the roost. Jeanne Alter shows off her newly acquired casual outfit to Ritsuka, before they answer yet another phone call from "Dantès". He informs Ritsuka of the results of his investigation - the tower being constructed on the former site of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office is in fact the giant barrel of a gun, which the evil Archer of Shinjuku, leader of the League of Phantom Fiends, plans to use to destroy the planet.

As such, "Dantès" strongly suggests defeating the League first before tackling the tower - consisting of the Berserker, Assassin and Rider of Shinjuku, as well as EMIYA Alter. Learning that Ritsuka's next target is the Berserker, "Dantès" informs them that Berserker's territory is near Kabukicho. He ends the call with a final warning to not completely trust Archer of Shinjuku, having no doubt that he is Ritsuka's enemy.

"Dantès" ponders to himself about Archer's eventual reaction to learning of his presence, and of Archer's final intentions for Ritsuka when the time comes.

Coloratura Disassembled

An unknown voice muses on different methods of trapping Ritsuka - either through cutting off all other paths of escape, or through manipulating them to consider no other options but their current path - directly into the trap. Regardless, they note that Ritsuka had fallen into it from the very beginning.

In the roost, Archer is appalled to learn that he cannot be trusted, and decides they must defeat Berserker so Ritsuka can trust him more. However, he warns against a direct assault, due to the three hundred Coloraturas patrolling Shinjuku, two hundred of which prowl Kabukicho.

Archer further reports on the Coloraturas' routine in Kabukicho - listening to and applauding the puppet Christine's singing on the loudspeakers in sync every day, regularly abducting civilians, and managing to somehow always replenish their numbers within 36 hours.

Finishing his report on Kabukicho, Archer then asks if the others have a strategy that doesn't involve a direct assault, shooting down Ritsuka's suggestions of sniping or stealth. Artoria Alter proposes destroying the Coloraturas with Excalibur Morgan, but Archer concludes that would do little to damage Kabukicho thanks to Shinjuku's impossibly high magical energy.

With no other suggestions, Archer asks the others to bring back a Coloratura intact so they may use it as a spy in Kabukicho. He, in the meantime, will purchase the materials needed to modify it.

Outside, Ritsuka and the Alters muse on "Dantès's" apparent knowledge of Archer's true identity, but soon encounter a group of Coloraturas kidnapping civilians. The trio help the people to escape and manage to capture a Coloratura intact.

They return to the roost, where Archer is waiting, ready to go. Archer opens up the Coloratura, revealing it has a human brain, eyes, and nerves inside - the kidnapped people are the ones being turned into mindless singing puppets, their muscles and nerves packed by the Phantom into empty mannequins.

However, Archer deduces that they are created out of Phantom's twisted sense of beauty rather than pragmatism, and that it is also impossible to save them after conversion. The Coloraturas are essentially undead, their original human minds broken beyond repair.

Archer then reveals his plan to rig the captured Coloratura with an explosive and return it to Kabukicho in a regular patrol change, as a diversion to allow the heroes to kill Phantom and Christine. Archer asks Ritsuka's permission, testing their resolve, aware of their reservations due to the Coloraturas' true nature as former humans, and they are unable to answer.

Outside the roost, Ritsuka thinks alone while Archer continues to work on the bomb. Mash assures them that she will be by their side no matter what they choose. Finishing his work, Archer exits and gives Ritsuka the detonator, assuring them that they will not be killing anyone. The time has come to liberate Kabukicho.

Empress Christine

In Kabukicho, Phantom and Christine revel in their madness as they brutally dismember their latest victims, the former wishing to spread his beloved's singing throughout all of Shinjuku.

Meanwhile, Archer of Shinjuku releases the modified Coloratura, and the team take up their planned positions - a still reluctant Ritsuka waiting with Archer to detonate the bomb in ten minutes. However, Archer soon detonates the bomb himself, deciding to spare Ritsuka after seeing their committed resolve, shouldering the weight himself as a villain at heart.

The attack begins. The Alters run interference to clear a path, Artoria Alter even utilizing her motorcycle, Cuirassier Alter. Ritsuka and Archer push forward through waves of remaining Coloraturas, finally confronting the Phantom and Christine themselves.

It is revealed that Christine is in fact a Phantom Spirit, placed in a Coloratura due to her middling Spirit Origin, turned mad as a result. Archer concludes that Phantom is the true Berserker of the two, abandoning his responsibility and plunging himself and Christine into a spiral of self-destruction and murder. Ritsuka and Archer engage the two Berserkers in combat, Christine morphing into a massive ghost of despair upon taking enough damage.

However, the pair are finally defeated, briefly restoring Christine's sanity and pacifying Phantom. Taking responsibility, Phantom allows Christine to disappear, deeming her role to be over, and admits his love for her was tarnished long ago.

Willing to cooperate, Phantom attempts to inform Ritsuka about the League, aware of nearly every members' desire. However, he reveals that Archer of Shinjuku alone - the one who stands above them all - is incomprehensible to him, demanding to know his desire. However, before he can reveal anything further, Phantom is suddenly killed by EMIYA Alter, who detonates him from the inside, revealing himself to Ritsuka for the first time.

Archer attempts to learn his True Name from EMIYA Alter, who refuses, and prepares to kill Ritsuka and Archer. Mash attempts to warn the Alters of EMIYA's attack, only for them to be occupied dealing with the remaining Coloraturas.

However, Ritsuka and Archer are unexpectedly "saved" by Hassan of the Cursed Arm, who drives EMIYA Alter away before the Alters arrive. Cursed Arm admits he has no memory of Chaldea, but recognises them as allies regardless. With their mission complete, the heroes make their escape from Kabukicho.

Transforming Vagabond

In the lair of the League, the evil Archer of Shinjuku learns of the Berserker Phantom's death at EMIYA's hands. With Phantom gone, it is now Assassin of Shinjuku's turn, revealed to be the one who requested EMIYA Alter to retreat in Kabukicho.

Assassin's plan is to kill Ritsuka himself, getting close to their party to do so. EMIYA and the evil Archer muse on Assassin's methods, noting his habits of observing heroes up close as potential identities. However, the conflict between his chivalry and doppelgänger nature have rendered him unpredictable, turning him into a psychotic killer, and the pair decide to leave Assassin to his methods.

The evil Archer tasks EMIYA Alter with looking into the captive Shakespeare's latest King Lear monster, informing him that a new variable has arisen which he must look into. After EMIYA Alter leaves, the evil Archer speaks alone to himself, having realised his sworn enemy is soon to make his long-awaited entrance, having deliberately left signs of his presence for Archer to find - Sherlock Holmes.

Meanwhile, the heroes return to the roost with "Cursed Arm" (Cavall II being immediately aggressive towards him). Deciding to celebrate Phantom's defeat, Archer drinks together with "Cursed Arm". Slapping Ritsuka hard on the back, Archer quickly becomes drunk and apparently passes out after several drinks.

"Cursed Arm" talks with Ritsuka, noting that there is technically no need to correct the Singularity - with the Incineration of Humanity now averted, it will disappear on its own within a month, even if powered by a Grail. However, Da Vinci affirms their need to do so, as a risk to the timeline still remains with the Incineration only barely averted - with their enemy and their motives still unknown.

"Cursed Arm" then reveals the League's plan - to destroy the planet, which Ritsuka confirms, recalling "Dantès's" words. Da Vinci is sceptical at first, as even a hypothetical Anti-Planet Noble Phantasm wouldn’t be enough to do so. Suddenly, "Cursed Arm" claims to sense someone skulking outside the roost. Mash reports finding nothing, leading "Cursed Arm" to suggest it is an Assassin, and takes Ritsuka outside with him to look.

Outside, they find nothing - and with Ritsuka alone and isolated, "Cursed Arm" decides to put an end to his charade. Mash's warning comes too late, and Ritsuka is subdued as "Cursed Arm" sheds his disguise, transforming back into his true form - the Assassin of Shinjuku.

Originally planning to kill Ritsuka, Assassin decides on a whim to take them hostage instead out of amusement. Da Vinci, astonished that Assassin could perfectly replicate everything about Cursed Arm, correctly deduces his nature as a doppelgänger. The Alters arrive to stop him, having seen through his disguise earlier, but he proves too fast and escapes. Artoria gives chase on Cuirassier Alter, leaving Jeanne and Archer behind.

Assassin sends out Hornets to delay the pursuing Artoria, who cuts them all down, Ritsuka still able to give orders from Assassin's grasp. Impressed, Assassin leads Artoria into one of Shakespeare's newly-released monsters: King Lear, based on a Spriggan.

Artoria Alter manages to defeat and destroy King Lear with Excalibur Morgan, but in doing so, exhausts herself too much. Assassin takes this chance to escape by jumping high into the sky. Chaldea's comms signal is jammed and RItsuka falls unconscious.

The Great Prison Break

"Edmond Dantès" receives a message from Archer of Shinjuku, realising to his chagrin that he had deliberately endangered Ritsuka just to draw him out, having already deduced his true identity. Despite his reluctance to capitulate to his opponent's desire, "Dantès" decides to oblige and meet Ritsuka himself.

Meanwhile, Ritsuka wakes up in the top floor of the League's headquarters: the Barrel Tower, where Assassin introduces them to the League's leader, the evil Archer of Shinjuku.

The evil Archer confirms to Ritsuka his nature, revealing that he had used the power of the Singularity's Holy Grail to separate his virtuous emotions, seeing them only as a hindrance in his battle against his rival. However, he had not expected his good half to gain sentience and stand against him, despite his ineffectualness - at least until Ritsuka's arrival resulted in Berserker Phantom's defeat and Rider of Shinjuku going missing.

He confirms his objective is the complete destruction of the planet, claiming to simply want to test his calculations as a mathematician. Preferring to not have Chaldea interfere, the evil Archer offers to send Ritsuka back to Chaldea in exchange for leaving him to his devices. Ritsuka refuses, but the evil Archer notes that Da Vinci will realize what the destruction of the planet truly signifies to convince them. He leaves Ritsuka to consider their decision.

Assassin shows Ritsuka the captive Shakespeare, who recognises Ritsuka. It is revealed that Shakespeare was tortured upon his capture, and bound in chains made to hold Servants, eventually coerced into creating King Lears for the League. Assassin leaves Ritsuka alone with Shakespeare, planning to torture Shakespeare into creating Macbeth next.

Shakespeare informs Ritsuka that despite being unrestrained, escape will be difficult for them, due to the many Hornets and King Lears patrolling the tower grounds. However, having heard of the events surrounding Ritsuka's capture, Shakespeare suspects that the good Archer was aware of Assassin's ploy and allowed Ritsuka to be captured.

Shakespeare asks Ritsuka if Archer had entrusted anything to them, leading them to realise that Archer had planted a letter on their person when "drunkenly" slapping them on the back. Shakespeare takes it to read - inside, Archer assures Ritsuka that someone will come to rescue them, who will explain everything.

As if on cue, "Dantès" arrives to rescue Ritsuka, introducing himself by name, having come at the good Archer’s behest. Apologizing to an understanding Shakespeare that he can’t rescue him as well, "Dantès" escapes the tower with Ritsuka, as they trigger a security alarm. On the streets outside the Barrel Tower, they fight their way through Hornets and a King Lear, "Dantès" in an unusually weaker state than normal.

The pair successfully escape to a nearby rooftop, where "Dantès" continues to jam Chaldea's signal to prevent the enemy from tracking them. Ritsuka correctly deduces that "Dantès" is an impostor - as the real Dantès hates being called by his True Name, preferring to use "Count of Monte Cristo". Impressed, “Dantès” removes his disguise, revealing himself to be Sherlock Holmes, reunited after their last encounter in the Sixth Singularity.

Holmes recounts his journey from London to Camelot to Shinjuku, revealing he was investigating the possibility of a Singularity occurring after humanity's restoration. Indeed, he had learnt from Tri-Hermes that the distorted history would leave remnants as humanity is restored - remnants of powers that could have threatened the world, but were wiped out in proper history.

Normally, the Counter Force would quickly dispose of such remnants, but humanity's restoration had created gaps for them to slip through, akin to hidden malware triggered by a computer reboot. Tri-Hermes had calculated one such remnant would manifest in 1999 Shinjuku - the current Singularity.

Finally, Holmes reveals his most important revelation - the identity of the Singularity's mastermind. The Archer of Shinjuku's True Name is in fact Professor James Moriarty, Holmes' arch-nemesis.

Down on the streets, Holmes explains he hesitated to reveal himself out of concern that it would endanger Ritsuka’s life, believing the "good" Moriarty’s virtuousness to be a plot. However, with even the good Moriarty having deduced Holmes's presence, his disguise is no longer necessary. Holmes admits he had attempted to limit Moriarty's appearances in Dr. Watson's works to limit his notoriety and power.

Holmes further admits he was sceptical of Moriarty's apparent split, having sensed no traces of good in him, but was convinced after witnessing the good Moriarty sincerely protect Ritsuka without concern for his own life and no ulterior motives. He confirms the good Moriarty had allowed Ritsuka to be kidnapped (and subsequently rescued), suspecting he has already deduced everything that would transpire afterward, including the reveal of his own True Name.

Holmes affirms that once everyone has gathered, he will disclose what destroying the planet truly means. A group of passing cannibals attack Ritsuka, driven by the food shortages in Shinjuku, and Holmes redons his Dantès disguise to help fight them off.

Afterward, a still-disguised Holmes meets with a local reputable arms dealer disguised as a ruffian, Kaburagi (revealed to be the original seller of the "Super Chimeras"). Easily seeing through Kaburagi's disguise and plot to abduct Ritsuka, Holmes purchases twenty of the “usual”, informing him that the end is near.

Removing his disguise, Holmes returns to the roost with Ritsuka, warning them to be ready for a lecture from the Alters.

Great Detective Work

Outside the roost, Ritsuka and Holmes reunite with the Alters, Mash, and Da Vinci, who were aware that Ritsuka was alive and well through monitoring their status. Inside, Holmes reintroduces himself, claiming to be a Caster, but also unable to assist in battle. Moriarty sheepishly emerges, confirming he had indeed engineered Ritsuka's escape (earning a beating from the Alters), and apologizes for his actions - though Ritsuka has already forgiven him.

At Holmes' urging, Moriarty formally reveals his True Name as Holmes' most hated nemesis and nature as a Phantom Spirit composite fusion to the heroes, confirming he had indeed deduced it himself, and requests to form a contract with Ritsuka. Naturally, the heroes are immediately suspicious of him, particularly Mash.

Turning to the evil Moriarty's plans, Holmes reveals that while the destruction of the planet is normally impossible for any native non-alien force due to its inherent safety provisions, it can technically be accomplished in a manner similar to the methods used by Thomas Edison and the Lion King.

As Mash elaborates, the Lion King had planned to wipe out all of humanity save for a select few by transforming her Holy Lance into the Tower at the Ends of the World, hoping to save the chosen few from the Incineration of Humanity by storing them within the Tower. Edison, similarly, had planned to use the Grail to isolate America from history entirely.

From this, the heroes deduce the key to the evil Moriarty's plan: that it is possible to destroy the world so long as it is removed from proper history. Da Vinci reveals that as the Singularity is indeed isolated from history, anything that happens within will have no adverse effect on humanity - even its total destruction. Ultimately, Ritsuka would be the only being in true danger, but the Singularity's unstable nature means forcing a Rayshift home to Chaldea is feasible.

However, regardless of its irrelevance to the Restoration of Humanity, Ritsuka adamantly refuses to abandon Shinjuku to its destruction. Accepting their resolve, Da Vinci pledges Chaldea’s full support, and the other Servants have no protest.

With that, Holmes and the good Moriarty continue, concluding that even with a vulnerable planet, the only viable method of destroying it entirely is with a meteor strike penetrating to the planet's core, with a device needed to both capture a passing meteor and funnel it directly into the core.

Holmes reveals that one such device already exists - the massive Barrel Tower, a very literal skyscraper-sized gun barrel, still under construction. Holmes further reveals the evil Moriarty's intended firing method: by fusing with the Phantom Spirit Der Freischütz - Max, the Freeshooter - armed with seven magic bullets, the first six of which will always hit their mark; the true reason behind Moriarty's Archer classification. Their deadline is the tower's impending completion, after which a meteor will shortly be summoned to commit the most heinous crime of all - the murder of Earth itself.

He deduces the League of Phantom Fiends was formed to protect the Barrel Tower, overrunning Shinjuku and building a wall to do so - and proposes their next target to be the Assassin of Shinjuku. With that, Holmes leaves the plan of attack to the more experienced Moriarty. Perusing Holmes' intel on the Assassin, Moriarty very quickly devises a scheme, and leads the confused party out to purloin clothing in the city, deciding their best approach is via "sexiness".

Clearing out the area of ruffians and Coloraturas, they acquire their new clothes, and the Alters are sent to get changed. However, Moriarty personally selects an outfit for Ritsuka, leaving both them and Mash dumbfounded.

Elegant Dance

An unknown voice muses on the power of wealth in hierarchy, and vows to forget their humiliating past - and the incompetent lord they once served. They aim to spread money all across Shinjuku, achieving glory in their former lord's place.

Meanwhile, Ritsuka and the Alters enter a lavish party via invitation, the Alters dressed in extravagant evening gowns. They are connected to Holmes and Moriarty, observing from an outside rooftop, via conventional radio to avoid magical energy detection (and Moriarty's own distrust of Magecraft, noted by Holmes as a weakness he frequently exploited in life via the Mage's Association).

Ritsuka, however, continues to balk at their own disguise - namely, crossdressing as the opposite gender: Moriarty's justification being that as the Assassin of Shinjuku already knows their face, their disguise needs to be suitably ridiculous enough to mask it.

Taking the opportunity to further humiliate Ritsuka, Jeanne Alter restrains them while Artoria Alter takes pictures of them with a phone taken from a patron, sending the photos to Chaldea’s server for Mash. As they wait for Assassin to appear, Artoria Alter takes Ritsuka for a (clumsy) dance, much to Jeanne Alter's private chagrin.

A flashback to the heroes' planning reveals further details - as the Assassin of Shinjuku always disguises himself in public, a direct assault would only let him escape in the chaos. Using the Alters as muscle, the plan is to use the Assassin's knowledge of Ritsuka's identity against him, as one of the few who would be taken aback by their sudden appearance. The Alters take the opportunity to clobber Moriarty for their disguises.

Shortly after, in the present, the Assassin of Shinjuku appears at the party with his entourage of Hornet bodyguards - wearing the face of Artoria Alter. His affluent guests thank him and his Hornets for defending them from the ruffians and Coloraturas, and to celebrate, he proposes filling the power vacuum in Kabukicho, plundering as they see fit for glory's sake.

A subordinate suggests taking some women in the party as a prize, leading Assassin to notice an infuriated Artoria Alter. Shocked, he kills the subordinate for their lack of awareness (only then becoming aware that his boss and Artoria share the same face), before ordering another to summon the Hornets and evacuate his sponsors.

The ballroom falls into chaos as the Hornets confront Ritsuka and the Alters, the latter casting their ballroom gowns aside. With their cover blown, Mash reopens communications (making sure to treasure her photos of a crossdressing Ritsuka) and Moriarty arrives just in time to help them fight off the Hornets (along with Holmes, who abstains from combat).

Assassin continues to send in reinforcements, including Coloraturas. Noticing Jeanne Alter's presence, he sends in Shakespeare's latest creation - Romeo and Juliet, a monstrous conjoined specter that causes massive collateral damage, melting nearby guests by touch. The heroes manage to defeat Romeo and Juliet, but are soon surrounded by dozens of Hornets, the Assassin of Shinjuku now among them in disguise.

Ritsuka springs Moriarty's trap - they remove their disguise, sparking a reaction of recognition from only one of the Hornets: the disguised Assassin, blowing his cover. Assassin reverts to his true form, now cornered. With nothing left to lose, he announces his True Name: Yan Qing, the Skillful Star of the 108 Stars of Destiny, from the Chinese novel Water Margin, and engages the heroes in battle with the rest of his Hornets.

Despite his abilities as a Star of Destiny bolstering his defense, Yan Qing is soon overpowered. Left with no choice, he detonates a bomb under the building to collapse it entirely. The heroes manage to escape unscathed, the Alters jumping with Ritsuka out a window.

Only a single ruffian, a Hornet, and a civilian emerge from the rubble. Moriarty and Holmes both easily deduce the civilian is Yan Qing, and Moriarty delivers the final mortal shot. Accepting his defeat, Yan Qing confesses he began losing his mind from doppelgänging into so many people - including Hassan of the Cursed Arm, who was in fact summoned and fought in Shinjuku alone before being waylaid by Yan Qing. As he retains the memories of all of his doppelgänger identities, he lost track of his own identity, going insane.

Yan Qing disappears, lamenting the loss of his pride and his failure to stop his original lord in life from foolish actions. With the Assassin of Shinjuku defeated, the heroes prepare to celebrate (Moriarty having to be reminded that Ritsuka is underage and cannot drink), only to be interrupted by an all-too-familiar howl.

Return of the Wolf King

Earlier, at the Barrel Tower, the evil Archer of Shinjuku agrees to Rider of Shinjuku's request to fuse with another Phantom Spirit, but questions if his hatred can sustain another. He describes the Phantom Spirit they ask for as a mediocre scientist without hatred and only self-interest, but still possessing a single remarkable ability.

The evil Archer warns Rider to never let his hatred for humans wane during the operation, calling it the source of his strength. By nurturing that hatred, Rider has gone from a mere Phantom Spirit to a monster capable of killing Heroic Spirits. Without it, he cannot kill Ritsuka, the only true human in Shinjuku.

In the present, the recovered Rider pursues the heroes, stoking his hatred of humanity with memories of his life as Lobo - yet still missing his old home in the plains. The heroes are cornered by Rider, now revealed to be completely invisible. Moriarty deduces Rider has been fused with Dr. Jack Griffin, the Invisible Man created by author H.G. Wells.

Rider unveils himself, both wolf and rider having Ascended further to an even more monstrous form. Holmes deduces the headless soldier riding Lobo is the Hessian from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow^WP, the fabled Headless Horseman - a mere rider while Lobo is the one in control. Mash and Da Vinci realise the combined spirit, Hessian Lobo, is no longer a Rider, but an Avenger. Lobo immediately attacks Ritsuka as the only human of the party, paying no attention to the other Heroic Spirits.

With Lobo's fusion with the Invisible Man granting him a greater evasive advantage, the heroes are unable to defeat him, only barely fend him off. In their short moment of respite, the Servants realise that someone must sacrifice themselves for the rest to escape, and Jeanne Alter volunteers without hesitation, feeling a personal obligation to give the crazed Avenger a proper goal. Holmes gives Jeanne Alter a final cryptic clue to watch her feet, and Artoria Alter some parting words of encouragement, before the party leave.

Jeanne Alter fights Hessian Lobo alone as a fellow Avenger, with each blow reminding Lobo how their burning hatred will never fade no matter how many they kill, their only solace being the fleeting dreams they see as they die. However, the battle ends with Hessian Lobo fatally wounding her through the heart. Seeing that Lobo finds no enjoyment in his vengeance, Jeanne Alter responds by unleashing La Grondement Du Haine to further delay him, before falling after suffering yet another mortal wound.

Contemplating her nature as a fake, Jeanne Alter remarks to herself how opposite she and Jeanne are when it comes to their faith in humanity. She recalls how she used to think she would never help good natured humans like the true Jeanne, finding them to be pathetic and helpless.

After deeming Ritsuka one such good-natured symbol of humanity, Jeanne Alter voices her one grievance with them - Ritsuka never asking her to dance. She tries to recall Holmes' advice before falling into unconsciousness.

Back at the roost, the heroes silently mourn their loss, and discuss their plan of attack for Hessian Lobo, now the Avenger of Shinjuku. A casualty of Industrial Revolution-era humanity's defiance against nature, Lobo was said to be unable to be trapped. As motivation to take down Lobo first, Artoria Alter confides in the heroes a private conversation she had with Jeanne Alter - where she discusses the nature of an Avenger's, and her own, hatred.

An irrational, unstoppable hatred that is unable to ever be satiated no matter how much their victims deserve it, it will continue forever until their heart gives in from the strain. Jeanne Alter concludes by imploring Artoria to tell Ritsuka to decisively kill every Avenger they meet, as an act of mercy.

In the present, knowing that Lobo is clever and powerful enough to avoid any conventional trap or containment, the heroes recall the sad conclusion to Lobo's story - falling for a trap baited with the body of his beloved wife, the white wolf Blanca. With the Singularity's nature amplifying the conceptual power of stories, this knowledge of Lobo's original death becomes a weakness as powerful as a Conceptual Weapon - namely that of animal traps and his wife Blanca.

Despite this, the heroes are left at a loss without a substitute for Blanca - until Cavall II, a very white dog, enters the room. Both Artoria Alter and Mash are horrified as they realise the others' intentions.

Homesick

On the streets of Shinjuku, Hessian Lobo continues to slaughter and devour ruffians. Having come to accept the Hessian's presence, killing automatically as he runs, Lobo ponders his endless pursuit of vengeance and slaughter to one day return to his home, until he soon realises he's forgotten what he was fighting for to begin with.

Later, on Shinjuku's highway, Ritsuka and Artoria Alter wait on her motorcycle for Hessian Lobo to arrive, with Moriarty overseeing elsewhere and Holmes with Cavall II. Artoria Alter asks Mash if she is absolutely certain Cavall II agreed to be bait. Mash assures her that he did, at least according to Fou.

A flashback to the roost reveals Artoria Alter's immense reluctance to use her dog as bait, even with Holmes' hypothesis that Lobo can no longer properly remember who Blanca was, meaning that any white, wolflike creature could be used as bait. Artoria Alter is nearly convinced by Holmes' explanation why fooling Lobo's sense of smell is not necessary, but still refuses to put Cavall II in danger. However, Fou has a direct "conversation" with Cavall II, after which both Holmes and Moriarty claim that Cavall II agreed to the plan using Animal Whispering.

Back in the present, Artoria Alter eventually relents as Hessian Lobo's approach is confirmed. The invisible wolf arrives, and a high-speed motorcycle chase ensues as he chases after Ritsuka and Artoria Alter. They lead Lobo to their first trap - a camouflaged Demonic Beast trap sold by Kaburagi, only for him to dodge it at the very last second. The same occurs with the next trap, Lobo easily evading. As the pair pass the third trap, however, Holmes reveals Cavall II to Lobo, causing him to momentarily stop dead in his tracks.

The moment of hesitation is enough, and Lobo is snared by the final trap, rendering him visible once again. With their quarry finally cornered, Artoria Alter and Ritsuka return to engage in a final battle, taking this chance to put an end to the Avenger once and for all.

Fighting past his cries of hatred, the heroes defeat and mortally wound Lobo at last, sending his magical energy into decline. Artoria Alter goes to finish Lobo off, only for the Hessian to suddenly dismount and defend Lobo, to the point of casting his weapon aside to protect him with his body. The moment is enough for Lobo to escape the trap by biting off his own leg, and run off.

Holmes stops Artoria Alter from pursuing Lobo, as the fight is already won, and to allow the Hessian and Lobo their last moments. Holmes sees the Hessian off, assuring him that his role is complete as Lobo has regained his freedom. The Hessian disappears, content.

The heroes realize that Lobo had only ever wanted to return home to the plains of Currumpaw, but had soon forgotten his goal, blinded by revenge. Suddenly, Cavall II takes off into the city, to Artoria Alter's confusion.

Meanwhile, the mortally wounded Lobo wanders Shinjuku, confused at the Hessian's sacrifice for his sake, and wishing he could return to the home he no longer clearly remembers. With his last breath, he realizes Shinjuku is now the only home he has, having thrown his old home away in his hatred. Letting out one last howl, he dies with a final glimpse of Cavall II, who joins him with a bark in solidarity.

Shinjuku Fly High

An unknown voice muses on their elaborate plan of premeditated murder, hinged on a slapdash gamble, all done for the purpose of finally defeating Ritsuka.

Within the Barrel Tower, the evil Moriarty and EMIYA Alter discuss Lobo's demise, leaving them as the only members left of the League who can protect the Tower until their scheduled "bullet" arrives. EMIYA Alter leaves to prepare an ambush and pincer attack at the Tower's base, confident that practical military tactics will prevail over Holmes' genius deduction.

Outside, EMIYA Alter prepares his Hornets for heavy combat, aware that even anti-Servant gear is insufficient to take down the heroes. Wary of Artoria Alter's sheer explosive power, he arms his men with anti-Demonic Beast gear and cursed tungsten-alloy armour-piercing ammo.

Back at the roost, Cavall II returns home to Artoria Alter's doting praise. Moriarty and Holmes return from recon in preparation for the final assault, reporting that EMIYA Alter is standing guard in front of the Barrel Tower with over 200 Hornets.

Based on the good Moriarty's lack of a need to aim, Holmes deduces that the evil Moriarty will be able to use the power of Der Freischütz to a greater extent, and turn any meteor visible from Earth in 1999 into his magic bullet, not just meteors that fell in Japan in 1999 (leaving Ritsuka dumbfounded enough to adopt certain other Servants' speech patterns). From this, he suspects Moriarty will use Bennu, a B-type asteroid^WP once observed in 1999 measuring an average of 500m in diameter.

Holmes explains that, like Heroic Spirits, Phantom Spirits also possess Noble Phantasms, but they are normally weak and cannot be used. However, the concept of a Noble Phantasm remains the same, and a Phantom Spirit’s Noble Phantasm can form so long as there is enough magical energy - such as by fusing a Phantom Spirit with a Heroic Spirit to raise the former’s Spirit Origin value. With that level of power, even a celestial object can be made into a magic bullet.

Moriarty adds a caveat, assuring Da Vinci that the Shinjuku Pseudo-Singularity is the only place where such Phantom Spirit fusions are even possible. Aware of this, Da Vinci questions who could manage to even accomplish such a feat, to which Holmes quickly cuts off the topic and withholds his knowledge, deciding it best to avoid speculation.

They return to the topic of EMIYA Alter and his Hornets, inspecting their formation through recon pictures taken by Moriarty and analysed by Da Vinci. Noticing their anti-Demonic Beast armaments, Artoria Alter surmises that she is their target, preventing them from directly charging in on Cuirassier Alter. Needing a new unexpected angle of attack to break their formation, Mash suddenly recalls a particular episode with Arash, gaining their interest (and Ritsuka's apprehension).

Later, EMIYA Alter’s forces watch in wait for the heroes' assault. Suddenly, Cuirassier Alter charges in, just as predicted, and the Hornets quickly bring it down with concentrated fire. However, as they inspect the motorcycle's remains, EMIYA Alter realises too late that it was a decoy - as Artoria Alter and Ritsuka literally fall from the sky into his formation (without Mana Burst or a Command Spell assisting), catching them all off guard.

It is revealed that earlier, Moriarty and Da Vinci had built a launcher - a "Da Vinci-modified Moriarty flyer" - on a nearby rooftop, based on the episode during the Sixth Singularity where Arash once launched the heroes and himself with his bow into the air to reach a faraway village. With Holmes standing by in Kabukicho, Artoria Alter and a very apprehensive Ritsuka are launched directly into the battlefield, where they face off against EMIYA Alter and all of his 200 Hornets.

As they fend off EMIYA Alter, their reinforcements come in the form of hacked Coloraturas, brought by Holmes from Kabukicho to attack the Hornets. With the Hornets distracted, Moriarty arrives, throwing down a smokescreen. With EMIYA Alter distracted, Artoria Alter switches out a Hornet with Moriarty disguised as a Hornet and slips away.

However, EMIYA Alter sees through the disguise, but suddenly relents upon discovering it is the good Moriarty. Cryptically questioning Moriarty's identity, EMIYA Alter abruptly allows the heroes to enter the Tower, noting that the evil Moriarty (still dubbing him the Archer of Shinjuku) had already anticipated this outcome regardless.

As the heroes leave, EMIYA Alter informs his Hornets that he will pursue the heroes inside alone, and orders them to remain outside and seal the entryway with explosives after he leaves - not wanting them to interfere in what happens next.

Barrel Tower Battle

The heroes fight their way up the Barrel Tower, past hordes of enemies of all kinds - Hornets, Coloraturas and even Super Chimeras. As they ascend, they detect EMIYA Alter's signature behind them, only to be confused when they realise he isn't pursuing them. With no time to think about it, they fight past another of Shakespeare's creations - Macbeth, a muddied existence due to having actually existed and potentially qualifying as a Heroic Spirit.

Closing in on the Tower's top floor, the heroes fight through a trio of King Lears, after which Da Vinci suddenly goes on a tangent comparing Hans Christian Andersen to Shakespeare, contrasting their love (or lack thereof) of their works. The heroes fight past a final wave of enemies, having to remind Da Vinci to focus.

True Cruelty

The heroes reach the top floor of the Barrel Tower, and the two Moriartys confront each other at last. Ignoring the others as irrelevant, the evil Moriarty focuses solely on Ritsuka, having long-since calculated their arrival. He lets slip that he has been awaiting them for 3000 years, momentarily confusing himself before he brushes it off. He announces that Bennu has already arrived. and asserts his resolve in his plan, valuing the murder of the planet over his own life.

Challenging Ritsuka to solve his case, he engages the heroes in battle. He utilizes Catastrophic Crime as his Noble Phantasm, channeling 3000 years of retribution, but is eventually defeated, ominously claiming the perfect crime has been completed before disappearing.

However, victory has not yet been achieved, as Holmes realises the Holy Grail is not yet present - meaning the "evil Moriarty's" power comes from elsewhere. Suddenly, a humanoid figure manifests, bearing familiar demonic features, and a Spirit Origin that shocks Chaldea, declaring that he has finally remembered everything. Ritsuka mistakes the figure for Goetia returned, but Da Vinci corrects them - it is in fact a Demon God Pillar.

The Demon God confirms that while his entire species was wiped out with no return in the Final Singularity, he reveals as that he had found it unforgivable that a mere ordinary human like Ritsuka had thwarted Goetia’s grand 3000-year plan, he had endured the humiliation of fleeing the Temple of Time in order to kill Ritsuka out of mere childish hatred. A murder plot planned over 3000 years, hidden in Shinjuku, all to kill one human.

A shocked Holmes reveals that Charles Babbage, as a subordinate to a Demon God Pillar in the London Singularity, had calculated that Goetia would still destroy the post-2016 (NA: post-2018) future, even without the Incineration of Humanity - realising the Shinjuku Singularity is the cause. The Demon God confirms this, revealing that he had gained the ability to fuse Phantom and Heroic Spirits over the course of 3000 years as valuable assets for his revenge, revealing his identity as the Demon God Bael.

Holmes demands to know how deeply was Moriarty involved in his plot - only to suddenly be backstabbed by the "good" Moriarty, revealing he was involved in everything. Realizing he has made a grave mistake in his deductions, Holmes concedes defeat to Moriarty. He pleads Artoria Alter to kill him as their final hope, but too late, as Moriarty cuts him off and absorbs Holmes' Spirit Origin and power entirely, Ascending in power.

Reintroducing himself as one of the masterminds behind the plot, Moriarty decides to reveal the nature of his "sudden" betrayal with Bael's permission. He reveals that he and Bael had joined forces to finally defeat and surpass their respective rivals - Holmes and Ritsuka - forming the League of Phantom Fiends. Isolated completely from humanity, the Shinjuku within the Singularity has become almost akin to a fiction, thus making it possible and only possible within Shinjuku to fuse Phantom and Heroic Spirits.

Using the counting game of 21 as a metaphor, where the player who goes second will always win, Moriarty admits he could never prevail against Holmes as he (as evil) would go "first", whereas Holmes (as good) would play "second" in reaction to him. Therefore, his conclusion was to join Holmes in the side of good, erasing his own memory to falsify a "good" persona. To further bolster the charade, he also erased Bael's memories and transformed his appearance to create the "evil" Moriarty. With both acting as "two halves" of Moriarty, they created an elaborate farce to deceive both Holmes and Ritsuka, and catch them off guard.

Suddenly, EMIYA Alter arrives and ambushes Bael, revealing he was contracted to kill the Demon God Pillar, only joining the League as it gave him a better chance of achieving his goal, knowing there would be no repercussion for destruction in a culled timeline. Bael and EMIYA Alter admit they were already aware of each other's motives, each planning to use the other. With their enemies the same, EMIYA Alter allies with Ritsuka and the heroes to fight Moriarty and Bael, who assumes his true form as a Demon God Pillar to battle. The heroes clash against the villains in an apparent final battle, Moriarty now also using Catastrophic Crime.

Bael is eventually defeated, and he entrusts his vengeance to Moriarty as they bid each other farewell. While he is furious that he couldn’t kill RItsuka himself, Bael declares their fate is already sealed, before disappearing for good with maniacal laughter. As Moriarty affirms their impending demise, the heroes are shocked as Bennu suddenly appears in the skies above Shinjuku without warning.

Great Detective's Great Deduction

Moriarty reveals his ultimate grand play - after six accurate shots, Der Freischütz's seventh bullet, guided by the Devil, will always shoot someone precious to him and will always be fired, no matter what. The heroes realize that Bennu is the seventh bullet, activated the moment they tried to kill Moriarty - as it must be fired while the shooter lives.

Horrified, Mash then deduces Moriarty's most terrible gambit: Holmes was mistaken in assuming Moriarty only needed the Grail to strengthen his bullets. Through acting as Ritsuka's Servant via his "good" persona, Moriarty has instead made Ritsuka into his sole precious someone, and led them into the Barrel Tower, ensuring that Bennu will always target them - defeating good with the power of good. The full extent of his machinations now laid bare, Moriarty declares there are about five minutes left until Bennu is loaded into the tower, and simply waits for its arrival.

With no options left, Artoria Alter takes EMIYA Alter with her to intercept Bennu, assuring Ritsuka they did nothing wrong, while Da Vinci tries to forcibly Rayshift Ritsuka home. However, as Bennu's presence has already reinforced the causality of Ritsuka's death, the Rayshift is prevented by the Singularity itself. Ritsuka challenges Moriarty, asking if he has any regrets. He pointedly refuses to answer, while Ritsuka affirms that they themselves have none.

Suddenly, Moriarty barely dodges an ambush from outside - and the real Edmond Dantès, also summoned, and the still-living Jeanne Alter arrive to face Moriarty. Jeanne Alter reveals that she had survived her fight against Hessian Lobo by following Holmes' advice, escaping into the sewers via a manhole cover at her feet.

The pair also reveal the rescued Shakespeare, and Dantès reveals he was originally summoned to rescue Shakespeare, and work with him to save another - Hans Christian Andersen, also joining the battle. Having also been summoned into the Singularity, he had narrowly escaped Kabukicho and hidden away in an abandoned house until the freed Shakespeare arrived and requested his help.

Shakespeare and Andersen reveal their trump card: Moriarty had absorbed Holmes to remain undefeated, but the writers remind him, however, that thousands of skilled detectives in literature have since followed in Holmes' wake, all Phantom Spirits of their own. Quickly creating their own derivative story to utilize their power, the pair then combine their Noble Phantasms, Märchen Meines Lebens and First Folio, to summon the Great Detectives: an army of Phantom Spirit detectives from worldwide literature 200 strong.

Represented by a round-faced Priest^WP, a string-fiddling Old Man^WP, a shaggy-haired Professor^WP and a strait-laced Gentleman^WP, the rest drift around as formless ghosts (a certain Belgian^WP among them). Though the detectives cannot fight directly, they can still lend Ritsuka their power, fighting in a manner only they can. His pride challenged, Moriarty uses the Holy Grail directly to grant himself magical energy equal to a Demon God, deciding to fight with still three minutes before Bennu's arrival.

Ritsuka affirms their resolve, briefly shaking Moriarty, before they commence their last Grand Battle with the Professor, pitting the Great Detectives' power against the Enigma at the Singularity's heart.

With the strength of the Great Detectives behind them, Ritsuka finally prevails over Moriarty. Unwilling to accept defeat, Moriarty uses the Grail to empower himself once again. However, Ritsuka takes the opportunity to invoke the Great Detectives' true power; their equivalent of a Noble Phantasm: directly accusing Moriarty of being the true culprit behind the Singularity, to which he directly confirms is true.

This seals Moriarty's defeat. By simply proving his culpability in his crimes and "unmasking" himself, he had admitted defeat to the Great Detectives, therefore completely draining him of his power.

Moriarty still questions why he had lost, despite being tactically superior in every way (still referring to Ritsuka as his Master). Ritsuka makes him realize it was his own conscience that was his undoing - by coming to genuinely care about Ritsuka and enjoy being on the side of justice as the "good" Moriarty. Unable to erase said conscience and goodness due to it being necessary for use of the seventh bullet, it had made his defeat inevitable, making him hold back against Ritsuka at the crucial moment.

Outside the Barrel Tower, the falling Bennu ceases to be a magic bullet, giving Artoria Alter and EMIYA Alter a final chance to destroy it. With only ten seconds left until impact, EMIYA Alter shatters Bennu from the inside with Unlimited Lost Works, and Artoria Alter completely destroys the resulting fragments with Excalibur Morgan.

With Bennu destroyed, Ritsuka is finally able to Rayshift back to Chaldea, and the day is won. As Moriarty begins to disappear, he apologizes to both Bael for failing their plan, and to Ritsuka for his betrayal. He assures Ritsuka their experiences with his "good" self were genuine, but implores them to treat his true evil self as another person.

Bidding farewell, the Great Detectives disappear one by one as Moriarty curses them, with the Round-Faced Priest wishing him happiness in his future, baffling him. Mash explains that Moriarty may yet be summoned as a Servant (Shakespeare confirming he has already been recorded as a proper Servant). As his final goodbye, Moriarty implores Ritsuka to entertain him once he is summoned as their Servant, before he disappears.

With their duties complete, Shakespeare and Andersen disappear as well. Before also disappearing, Dantès reminds Ritsuka that while they have a long road ahead in saving the world, they will always have his assistance (noting he was likely summoned by one of Shakespeare's many fans).

EMIYA Alter rejoins RItsuka and Jeanne Alter, informing them that Artoria Alter had ridden off to go see someone before she disappears - Cavall II. EMIYA Alter then disappears, offering Ritsuka his services if he isn't summoned as an enemy next time - for a price, at least.

Mash informs Ritsuka that preparations for the Rayshift home are ready, only for Jeanne Alter to suddenly cut off Chaldea's communications, leaving her and Ritsuka alone.

Jeanne Alter quickly puts on her party dress and demands the shocked Ritsuka give her the dance she'd missed out on. Ritsuka and Jeanne Alter dance together alone at the Barrel Tower's top floor, finally satisfying her. As Ritsuka returns to Chaldea and Jeanne Alter begins to disappear, she expects both of them to practice for next time.

Back at Chaldea (keeping their dance with Jeanne Alter private from Mash), Ritsuka and the rest of Chaldea celebrate the end of the Lost Order. They are surprised by the arrival of a still-recovering Holmes, who has decided to stay at Chaldea while he reflects on his missteps.

He explains that while absorbed by Moriarty, he had gained information about his and Bael’s discussions; most crucial of which is that there are three more escaped Demon God Pillars who are still alive, though their identities, time periods and individual desires are unknown. Holmes further admits his worry about another matter, but decides to not divulge what it is, frustrating Da Vinci.

Back in Shinjuku, Artoria Alter says her goodbyes to Cavall II and sets him free, knowing he'll be fine without her, before she disappears. As the Singularity begins to return to normal history, Cavall II wanders the city alone, making his final howls to his heart's content.

Participants

Servants

Designation	Identity	Affiliation
Saber	King ArthurWP (Alter)	Ritsuka Fujimaru
Avenger	Jeanne d'ArcWP (Alter)	Ritsuka Fujimaru
Caster	Sherlock HolmesWP	Ritsuka Fujimaru
Archer of Shinjuku	James MoriartyWP	Phantom Demon Alliance (true)
Avenger of Shinjuku	HessianWP LoboWP	Phantom Demon Alliance
Assassin of Shinjuku	Yan QingWP	Phantom Demon Alliance
Berserker of Shinjuku	Phantom of the OperaWP	Phantom Demon Alliance
Caster	William ShakespeareWP	Ritsuka Fujimaru
Archer	EMIYA (Alter)	Phantom Demon Alliance (false)
Caster	Hans Christian AndersenWP	Ritsuka Fujimaru
Avenger	Edmond DantèsWP	Ritsuka Fujimaru

Non-Servants

Designation	Identity	Affiliation
Phantom/Wraith	Christine DaaéWP	Phantom Demon Alliance
Phantom	King LearWP	Phantom Demon Alliance
Phantom	Romeo and JulietWP	Phantom Demon Alliance
Phantom	MacbethWP	Phantom Demon Alliance
Phantom	Great DetectivesWP	Ritsuka Fujimaru
Demon God	BaalWP	Phantom Demon Alliance