4 Years Later…

The witch of envy… the very definition of taboo. To even speak the name of the witch is frowned upon. That name… is Satella. Nearly 400 years ago, Satella had absorbed the genes of the Witch of Envy. However, she wasn't compatible with it… and as a horrible result, she went out of control, swallowing half the world, killing many in the process… At least that's what I was told… Why does this matter now? Because for some reason, her scent lingers over me.

After that night at the pond 4 years ago, the other villagers had taken notice of the scent as well… there were a few that cast their suspicions onto Sunset, but they were soon after cleared away when Rem explained that she smelled the scent only moments after Rina was writhing in pain… Most of the villagers came to the conclusion that Rina was attacked that night and it was a sign to be more vigilant for anyone that seemed suspicious. However, after the four years had gone by, most of the village sort of went back to the way it used to he before the "attack" on Rina. During this time, Sunset spent most of her days learning more advanced spells… She also tried to look into the witch more and see if there was any specific reason why she was in pain like that. But ever since that night, she hadn't experienced anything like it again.

Maybe if I try to remember what happened that night… Maybe I can make it happen again… not that I really want to. But I have to know the cause of it. Sunset thought to herself while looking out at the pond in front of her.

"Rina!"

"Hm?" Sunset said looking over at where the voice came from… it was Rem who had a smile on her face. "Oh, hey Rem… wait, what's that grin for?" Sunset said smiling wryly.

Rem just giggled in response. "Nothing wrong I swear!"

"Oh come on, it looks like you want to tell me something." Sunset replied.

"Well… it's more I want to show you!" Rem said before turning to one of the trees nearby. Sunset just looked at Rem curiously. Just then, she pointed her hand to one of the trees and her horn came out of her head. "Al Huma!" Rem shouted before summoning a long spear of ice that penetrated the tree in front of her.

Sunset just smiled wide at what she did. "That's amazing Rem! You've really improved so much!"

"I wouldn't have been able to come this far if it wasn't for your help… I still don't get how you're able to use your magic so easily… but I'm glad I have someone like you to help me."

"Even though I'm younger than you?" Sunset asked giggling a bit which made Rem blush in embarrassment.

"You still remember that…?"

"Of course I do!" Sunset nodded. "How can I forget when it was the day we became friends?"

Rem just giggled in response. "Oh, that's right! There's something else I came to see you for."

"What is it?"

"Well… My mother and father wanted to invite your family over tonight. Will you be able to come?"

"I don't see why not." Sunset giggled as well. "Not many things for a nine year old to do."

"Right…" Rem said looking to the side for a moment.

"Something wrong?"

"No of course not… it's just… It's strange. Since the day you could speak, you've shown a lot more maturity than a lot of the demons here… You surprised almost everyone in our clan. A lot of them are even saying you're a genius… You learn magic faster than anyone ever has… and here you are teaching me how to do the same."

Sunset just looked to the side for a moment, thinking to herself.

"Shhhhhh…"

That dream popped up in her mind again… making her shiver a bit. "Rina…?" Rem asked noticing this.

"...I don't really have an explanation for how or why I'm able to do magic so easily… It just comes naturally to me." Sunset answered.

Rem just sighed a bit. "You and sissy are lucky… both of you were born extraordinary in the eyes of our clan… both of you are expected to do great things…" She stopped for a moment. "Sometimes I wonder… I wonder if my sister would be stronger with two horns…"

"Whoa, hang on… what are you saying? If Ram had two horns, then you wouldn't even be born…"

"You know that twins are normally executed… right?"

"Yeah, I know. I also know about what happened the day you two were born… My mother told me about it."

"The only reason both of us are still alive is because of my sisters powerful potentiel… For me, I was just lucky to still be alive."

"I don't think it was luck at all." Sunset said shaking her head. "I think you both had the potential to be strong… it just took one of you a little longer than the other. That's all."

"There you go again, showing your maturity." Rem sighed smiling a bit. "I won't think of it anymore then."

"Actually… mind if I show you a new spell I learned too?" Sunset asked before turning to the same tree, pointing her hand to the tree as her horns came out. "Goa!" Sunset exclaimed, letting loose a blaze of fire against the tree, causing it to combust and be completely engulfed in flames fairly quickly. "Tada!"

"Amazing Rina!" Rem said cheerfully. "...Um… the fire is getting a little big."

Sunset turned to the tree as the fire spread to another tree. "...Okay, I didn't think that through. Help!?" Sunset asked turning to Rem.

"I got it!" Rem said before making a pillar of water come out of the water. When she did, she shot the water at the trees that were engulfed in flames, putting out the fire for both of them. "All taken care of."

Sunset just sighed in relief. "Thanks Rem… Would've been really bad if that got out of hand."

Rem just giggled in response. "It's no problem. It's one of those things that remind me that you are still a child like me."

Sunset blushed a little in embarrassment. A child in this world maybe… Sunset thought to herself. "Oh right, where's Ram? Isn't she normally with you?"

"Sissy had a few things to take care of… I'm sure we'll see her by the time we get to our home." Rem responded.

"Well then…" Sunset started with a smirk. "How about we see which one of us is faster again?"

Rem smirked back in response. "You may be more proficient at magic than I am, but I know I'm still faster than you."

"Head start!" Sunset exclaimed before starting to run.

"H-hey!" Rem sputtered, running after her. "Don't think you'll beat me that easily!"

______________________________________

At Quark and Temae's House…

Ram was already back at home, setting up the table for dinner. "Ram?" asked Temae. "Where is your sister?"

"She probably went to see Rina to invite her over." Ram started. "I already invited Rina's family myself… by the way, it was Rem who made the dinner for tonight." Ram said smiling a bit.

"Really? Was anyone with her?"

"From what she told me, she prepared everything on her own." Ram replied.

"Really?" Temae asked in surprise.

"She's also been improving with her magic… Honestly, she's done a lot since--"

SLAM

CRASH

The door was suddenly forced open, surprising the two in the room as two little girls stormed in. "I win!" Exclaimed Sunset proudly.

"Technically I'm still the winner." Rem responded.

"What!? I totally was ahead of you!"

"Yes but had we actually started at the same time, I would've been the victor."

"Okay you got me there…" Chuckled Sunset. "But I bet I can eat faster than you!"

"Dinner hasn't even been set out yet." Rem giggled.

"Ahem!"

"Huh?" Sunset and Rem both said looking at a rather upset Temae… who slowly pointed at the broken window.

"Wait… did… we do that…?" Sunset asked blushing in embarrassment.

"It… looks that way." Rem responded.

"Neither of you are eating anything until you clean that mess!" Shouted Temae.

"S-sorry mother!" Rem exclaimed quickly grabbing a broom.

"Y-yeah, sorry!" Sunset added, going over to help Rem.

Temae just sighed shaking her head. Ram just giggled a bit before going back to setting up the table.

"Sorry about that Rem… I was the one who started it." Sunset said as she was helping clean up the mess.

"Eheh… no I'm to blame too." Rem said as she was sweeping up the broken bits of the window.

"I was the one who started the race in the first place, Rem. Please don't blame yourself." Sunset said before taking the broom. "In fact, just let me take care of it."

"But Rina--"

"No buts." Sunset said in response. "Friends don't make friends clean up their messes."

Rem thought to herself and sighed. "Very well… I'll leave you to it then." She said smiling a bit before walking off to the kitchen.

After Sunset finished cleaning the mess, Ram lightly grabbed her by Sunset by the arm. "Rina… do you have a minute?"

"Well, I just finished cleaning the mess I caused…" Sunset said blushing a bit before laying the broom against the wall. "Something you need?"

"Do you mind coming to my room? I just want to have a word with you is all." Ram said.

"Oh jeez, did I do something wrong?" Sunset groaned a bit.

Ram just giggled a bit. "Well you and Rem did just break a window, but no that's not what I wanted to talk about… please come with me." Ram said leading the way to her room.

"Alright…" Sunset responded following her.

Eventually, she was lead Ram's room. Ram just sat down in the bed and patted the seat beside her. "Please sit."

Sunset sat next to Ram on the bed. "So, what's this about?"

Ram smiled looking at Sunset. "Simply put… I just wanted to thank you."

"Huh?" Sunset asked confused.

"I wanted to thank you for being such an amazing friend…"

"An… amazing friend…?" Sunset repeated.

Those were the sort of words Sunset never expected to hear. "You were always there for the two of us… mostly for my sister… but you see, that's why I'm so thankful. Before you started talking to us, I don't think I have ever seen my sister so happy."

"I was just… trying to he a good friend, that's all." Sunset responded.

"You're more than just a good friend, Rina. You're like a younger sister to us." Ram said before taking Sunset's hand. "I hope you feel the same way about us."

Sunset looked into Ram's eyes before looking down for a moment. Is this what it's like for Twilight and her friends…? Sunset thought to herself. Suddenly her eyes started watering a bit remembering her old life. Would they have forgiven me for everything thing I did to them if I didn't die there…? Or would I have just been alone…? Sunset thought to herself, starting to tremble a bit.

"Friends with her? Are you crazy?" A random students voice said in her mind.

"What are you; nuts!? After what she did to everyone!? She's insane!" another voice said, only female this time.

"I can't believe I dated someone like that…" Flash Sentry's voice said this time.

"It was my fault for thinking she could be a promising student…" Said Princess Celestia's voice in her mind.

Not even realizing that she started sobbing, Ram grabbed Sunset by the shoulders, starting to shake her a bit. "H-hey! Rina! What's wrong??"

"H-huh?" Sunset said snapping out of it, still with tears in her eyes.

"What… what was that? Why did you suddenly start crying like that?" Ram asked with a look of concern.

Sunset just stared at Ram for a moment before wiping her own eyes. "I'm sorry… I don't know where that came from…" She lied, sniffling a bit. "I guess I'm just… happy that you see me that way… and that I don't have to feel alone."

Ram slowly wrapped her arms around Sunset, comfortingly. "You don't have to worry about feeling alone, Rina… almost everyone in the village loves you."

"Thanks Ram… that really means a lot to me." Sunset said smiling as she wrapped her arms around Ram as well, hugging her tightly.

"Now come on." Ram said letting go. "I'm sure your mother and father will be here soon."

"Right." Sunset nodded smiling a bit before going back to the dining room.

Mere moments passed before Sunset's new mother and father came in… it didn't take long to notice the broken window. "What… happened here?"

"W-well…" Sunset started.

"Your daughter and our daughter Rem were having a race… and that's the result."

Kira just looked at Sunset disapprovingly. "Rina…"

"I'm sorry mother…" Sunset sighed looking down.

Kira just held her head sighing as well. "We'll talk more about this when we get back home…" She said before turning to Rem's mother. "I apologize for Rina's behavior, Temae… is there any way to make up for the damage?"

Temae looked at Sunset for a moment. "Well… having Rina help around the house a bit could make up for it."

"Consider it done then." Kira nodded.

Temae smirked at Sunset. "You can start by cleaning up after dinner tonight."

"Y-yes ma'am." Sunset nodded before sitting at the table.

Everyone else sat at the table as the plates were being prepared. "This all looks amazing, Temae…" Kira commented.

"Thank you, but it was Rem who did the cooking this time." Temae answered.

"Wait, you can cook?" Sunset asked Rem from across the table.

"I was going to tell you after you tried it… but yes." Rem nodded. "It's a stir-fry with barbaro rabbit meat...as well as nuts I found in the forest."

"And the steamed tatoes?" Sunset asked.

"Also me." Rem nodded smiling. "I hope you all enjoy it."

Sunset just looked down at her own plate, thinking to herself for a moment. Normally I tried to convince Kira that I don't eat meat… but I can't just not eat what Rem made… Sunset sighed taking the first bite out of the stir-fry. This of course got Kira's attention.

"Really? How come you never eat meat when I'm the one who cooks it?" Kira asks with an annoyed expression.

"Well because normally I--" Sunset said while chewing… she stopped to keep chewing. This tastes… delicious.

…

I'm a pony who finds meat tasty… one of the things I hope Celestia never hears. "This meat is really good, Rem!" Sunset commented making Rem smile at her.

"I'm glad you enjoy it." Rem responded.

"That's it; you don't have anymore excuses not to eat my cooking anymore." Kira said ruffling Sunset's hair.

Everyone at the table sort of just laughed before going back to their meal. The rest of dinner went by normally as the adults were conversing with each other.

After about an hour or so, everyone was finished and Sunset took everyone's plates to go clean them like she was asked to. "Do you need any help?" Rem asked grabbing a plate to clean before Sunset could even say anything.

"You know, your mother asked me to do the cleaning… you don't have to do this, Rem." Sunset said to Rem as they both cleaned.

"You already took responsibility with the window, Rina. Just let me help you."

"But Rem--"

"Friends don't make friends clean up their messes… remember?" Rem asked smiling a bit.

Sunset just chuckled a bit. "Alright, fair point…"

"After this… would you like to spend the night?" Rem asked.

"You want me to sleep over? I mean… I would have to ask my mother first, and she might still be upset about the window."

"Don't worry, I have an idea."

After cleaning up after dinner, Sunset walked over to her mother. "Mother?" Sunset started. "Would it be okay if I spent the night here?"

"What?" Kira started. "No, you're sleeping at home."

"If I may…" Rem started walking up to the two. "I was the one who suggested the idea… I figured it would be a good way to give Rina a head start at helping around the house in the morning."

"Actually… that doesn't sound like a bad idea." Temae added.

Kira just looked at Sunset and sighed a bit. "Very well… I'll see you in the morning, Rina."

Sunset just looked at her parents walking out… Ever since that night when Kira could smell the witch's scent on me… she hasn't looked at me the same… I don't get it; is she afraid of me or something?

Rem took Sunset's hand, cutting her train of thought. "Are you alright?"

"Huh?... Yeah I'm fine. Just got a few things on my mind." Sunset answered. "Thanks for that by the way."

"Don't worry about it." Rem smiled. "Come on, let's get ready for bed." Rem said bringing me to the room.

______________________________________

…

…

…

...Wait a second… What's that smell…? Sunset thought to herself before opening her eyes. She had been sleeping in the same bed as Rem who was still asleep. However, as Sunset sat up to look around, the smell was only getting stronger… it was the smell of smoke. On top of that, Ram wasn't in the room anymore. "Wait, huh?" ...I don't like this… something's wrong. "Rem! Rem, wake up!" Sunset said shaking Rem a bit.

"H-huh?" Rem said groggily rubbing her eyes. "What's--... wait, what is that smell??"

"You can smell the smoke too, right?? That's not all; your sister isn't here!" Sunset exclaimed.

"Wait what!?" Rem exclaimed quickly getting out of bed. "Where is she!?"

"I don't know. Come on!" Sunset exclaimed taking Rem's hand, leading her outside the room.

"Mother!? Father!?" Rem called out. There was no response… Rem ran into their bedroom only to find no one there.

As for Sunset, she went for the front door… only to find that the entire village was engulfed in flames. "Oh my god…" Sunset said to herself with a wide eyed expression, as she looked around at the flames… However... Sunset quickly noticed that it wasn't just buildings that were burning. Sunset's blood quickly ran cold as she lost her breath, looking at the corpses of demons that were on fire. The only appropriate response Sunset could produce was a blood curdling scream before vomiting on the ground.

"R-Rina I can't find--!" Rem exclaimed before stopping to witness just what Sunset had seen. Her expression was just as dismayed as Sunset's was. "W-what…" She let out before seeing the burning pile of corpses. "N-NOO!! Mother!! Father!!" Rem cried about to run to the burning pile, only to be grabbed and pulled back by Sunset. "Rina, let me go!! I have to--!!"

"There's nothing you can do, Rem! They're already dead!!" Sunset exclaimed trying to hold her down.

Rem's eyes widened even more. "Sissy…!!" She exclaimed, pushing Sunset off. "Where's my sister!?"

"R-Rem we have to stay calm and--!"

"I have to find her!!" Rem screamed before running off.

"Rem!!" Sunset exclaimed trying to catch up to her. However, as she was running toward where Rem went, she stopped for a moment. "Mother… Father…!" She exclaimed before running the other direction to her house. As she was running, all she could see was just pilea of burning corpses. Dear Celestia, please let them be okay!! She thought to herself picking up the pace. Suddenly, a blade quickly flew past her face, hitting one of the burning trees nearby. "W-what the--!?" She exclaimed looking at the blade. "Dang it Sunset, keep running!!" She exclaimed to herself before running again. However, when she got there, she could see that her house was already engulfed in flames. "No!! God, why is this happening!?!?"

"R-Rina…"

"Huh??" Sunset quickly looked around for where the voice came from, only to find Kira on the ground… with a blade sticking out from her chest. "M-mother!!!" She exclaimed running over to her, falling to her knees next to her.

"Rina… you have to leave the village… run while you still can before they get to you…" Kira said weakly.

"W-who!? Who did this!?"

"Witch… Cultists… Please, Rina… there's no time to explain; you have to go!"

"But mother, I can't leave you like this! I have to do something!!" Sunset cried. I don't care if she's not my first mother! I don't want her to die!!

"Rina… there's nothing you can do…" She said before coughing blood. "Please… just go…!" Kira exclaimed before grabbing Sunset's hand with her own bloody one. When she did, she painfully pulled the blade out of her chest, handing it to Sunset. "Go and… live on…"

"Please, I--!!" Sunset exclaimed… before feeling Kira's arm go limp. Tears ran down her face as she slowly got back to her feet, holding the blade. This really is hell… Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a purple hooded figure with red eyes, slowly approaching her. "Y-you… did you do this…!?" But rather than getting a straight answer, more hooded figures started approaching. Feeling rage and hatred welling up inside her, Sunset's horns came out of her head as she was gritting her teeth. "I'll make you pay!!!" She screamed pointing her hand at the cultists. "GOA!!" She screamed, letting loose a massive blaze, in an attempt to incinerate the cultists in front of her. "You bastards!!!" She kept casting Goa multiple times until she was sure they were dealt with. Panting hard, her horns retracted into her head before she started running again. "I have to find Rem!!"

But as she was running, she suddenly felt a sharp pain before falling forward, dropping the blade that was in her hand. W-what… what… She thought to herself before abruptly coughing blood. What… how… that's impossible... She grunted struggling to get up… only to fall over on all fours again. She looked down to find a blade sticking through her stomach. Once again, all she could do was let out another blood curdling scream. She tried to reach around her back to grab the blade by the handle, but her body was too weak to reach that far from all the blood she was losing. N-No… am I… going to die again…? As Sunset was pondering this, she could hear footsteps slowly approaching her before stopping. Shakily moving her head up to see who it was, she could see another purple hooded figure with red eyes on the front. "P-please… no...I…"

But before Sunset could even form a sentence, she was lifted up by the hooded figure, and tossed into the pile of burning corpses to be burned alive. No… I… don't want to die… I…

…

…

…

Sunset just opened her eyes to find herself standing in front of the pond. W-what…? Wait, how did I get here!? Sunset thought to herself, looking around.

"Rina!"

"H-huh?" Sunset said quickly looking over at where the voice came from… it was Rem who had a smile on her face. "R-Rem!" Sunset exclaimed, running over to her. "What happened!? Where's your sister!?"

"My… my sister?" Rem asked slightly taken back by the sudden outburst. "She… had a few things to take care of… are you okay?"

"What are you talking about!? We have to--" Sunset stopped for a moment realizing something. Wait… why can't I smell smoke anymore? She thought to herself before looking up. And why is it day time!? Sunset slowly looked back at Rem for a moment. "Sorry Rem but… how come you came to see me…?" She asked curiously.

"Well… a couple of reasons… My mother and father wanted to invite your family over tonight…" Rem said.

...What? Didn't this happen before? "Is there… anything else?"

Rem just smiled a bit before turning to one of the trees nearby. "Al Huma!" Rem shouted before summoning a long spear of ice that penetrated the tree in front of her. "What do you think?" What's… going… on… Sunset thought to herself before collapsing on the ground, passing out. "R-Rina!" Rem slowly picked up Sunset, carrying her on her back. She quickly ran to the village and went straight to her home. When she got there, she could see her mother cleaning up a bit. "Mother!"

"Rem?" Temae asked looking over at her daughter. "Wait, what happened to her??" Temae asked looking at Sunset passed out.

"I don't know… all I did was show her how much my magic's improved and she just fell over!"

"Hurry and get her into one of the beds. I'll get your father." Temae said before running outside.

Rem did as her mother was told and brought Sunset into her bedroom, laying her down on the bed. "Rina… what happened to you…?"

Author's Note

I don't know how the writers of Re:Zero can do these... it took me a little while to get into the mood of insanity but I hope you all enjoyed it.