. . .

. . .

. . .

Sunset just stood in darkness… unsure of what was going on. She contemplated hard on the recent events trying to convince herself that none of it happened… but the pain of it all felt too real to ignore. This really is just a punishment for all the cruel things I did in my past life, isn't it…? She thought to herself before falling to her knees starting to cry a bit.

"You don't deserve to be alive…"

"You were the worst person alive…"

"You were a devil…"

"You don't deserve kindness…"

Suddenly in front of Sunset; Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity stood in front of her all with black eyes and blood running down their eyes and mouths.

"You don't deserve friendship!!" All six of them shouted at the same time.

Out of fear, Sunset got back to her feet and just ran away from them… running through the endless darkness all while hearing the voices over and over again.

"No pony will miss you…"

"Celestia should have chosen better…"

"Canterlot High is better off without you…"

"Equestria is better off without you…"

"You should've just stayed dead…"

"You have no one!!"

Sunset just kept running with tears running down her face… until she fell over onto the ground. "I'm sorry…!" She shouted looking down at the ground. "Celestia… please… someone… I'm sorry…!!"

Suddenly in the distance, light shone through the darkness and expanded… it did so to the point where not a single speck of darkness could be seen. "Wait… what…?" Sunset asked herself looking around. Rather than being trapped in darkness and hearing voices… now it was just quiet.

"How peculiar…" A voice said from behind her.

"H-Huh??" Sunset asked, turning to where the voice came from. When she did, she could see a dark blue alicorn standing in front of her. hang on… why does she seem so familiar? "Who… Who are you…? I feel like I should know you..." Sunset asked.

"Frankly, I should be the one asking you…" the blue alicorn responded. "Normally when entering the dream realm I'm not met with such… ghastly nightmares."

"Hold up… dream realm?" Sunset asked for a moment. "So this is just a dream…" Sunset huffed a bit in relief.

"...On top of that, I don't think I've ever entered the dreams of someone outside of Equestria before… your dreams are new to me, young one."

"Wait-- Did you say Equestria!?" Sunset shouted.

"Indeed… call me Luna." The blue alicorn nodded.

Sunset just rubbed her eyes in shock. "L-Luna!?" Sunset exclaimed remembering Vice Principal Luna.

"Now… may I get your name?" Luna asked. "It would only be fair."

"H-huh…? Oh… right… Um…" Sunset stammered a bit unsure if she was even able to say her pony name. She just gulped before opening her mouth. "S-sunset… Shimmer…" she said before letting out a sigh of relief.

However, Luna just looked at Sunset with both shock and confusion. "Sunset… Shimmer…?" She asked. "But that can't be…" Luna said looking to the side for a moment. "Wait here." She said before quickly vanishing.

"W-wait! Where are you going!?" Sunset exclaimed as her voice echoed through the silence. "And I'm alone again…"

. . .

"Was… that really Luna…?"

After only moments of waiting for Sunset, Luna returned… only this time with a white alicorn standing beside her. Immediately, the white alicorn and Sunset looked at each other with both shock and sadness in their expressions. They simply stared in silence for a few moments. The white alicorn was the first to break the silence. "Sunset… Shimmer…?"

"P-Princess Celestia…?" Sunset asked with tears starting to form in her face again as she slowly approached the white alicorn.

"Are… you really Sunset…? Your eyes… your body; you look so young…" Celestia said looking at Sunset closely.

"...When I was your student… I ran away to Canterlot High for my own selfish reasons… When I came back to Equestria, I stole one of the elements of harmony and brought it back with me to Canterlot High…" Sunset said as tears dripped down her face. "I don't know if it really is you or not but… I'm so sorry Princess…" Sunset said as she started sobbing a bit. "If I was able to, I'd take everything horrible I did back… I'd do everything I could to--"

But before Sunset could finish her sentence, Celestia quickly lowered herself, placing one of her hooves, and wings onto Sunset as she craned her head downward as well… with tears dripping down her face. "It really is you… I missed you so much Sunset Shimmer…!"

Sunset just widened her eyes when she heard those words. She… missed me…? Sunset thought to herself before instinctively wrapping her arms around Celestia, sobbing over her.

~~~~~~~

Laying in bed with Rina, Rem was sleeping by her side. She groaned a bit as she opened her eyes. "Hm…?" She asked looking around the room to see that her sister wasn't there. "Sissy…?" She asked before looking down at Rina, seeing that she was in tears. Rem just sighed, using her sleeve to wipe away the tears before getting up from the bed to see where her sister went. But when she got out of the room, she could see that the front door was cracked open. She then decided to go inspect it.

~~~~~~~

"I don't understand… how are you both here??" Sunset asked the two as she and Celestia finally broke the hug.

"I'm here because my sister was able to take me into the dream realm with her…" Celestia answered.

"However, being able to see you raises some questions for us…" Luna added. "After all, you had been deceased for nine years." Sunset just looked down for a moment in response. "Where are you, Sunset Shimmer? Are you near Equestria?"

"That's just it… I'm nowhere near Equestria." Sunset responded. "I'm not a pony or even human anymore… for nine years, I've been living my life as a demon…"

"D-demon!?" Luna exclaimed.

"Not a bad demon!" Sunset exclaimed, waving her hands a bit. "Actually… in this world, demons are kind of normal." Sunset smiled a bit. "I've made a couple of demon friends myself."

"You… have…?" Celestia asked a little surprised… but in a good way.

"Yeah… Rem and Ram… they're twin sisters." Sunset said. "They've been my closest friends in that world since I was five years old…"

This time Celestia couldn't help but smile. "I'm glad then…" Celestia said, seeming to sigh in relief.

"How is everyone else doing? Twilight Sparkle? Everyone in Canterlot High?" Sunset asked.

Celestia just stared for a moment and sighed. "Twilight Sparkle did return to Equestria safely… but she blames herself for what happened to you."

"H-huh…?"

"On top of that, she refuses to return to that other world… so to answer your question about Canterlot High: I really don't know."

Sunset looked down again. "It's all my fault… none of this would've happened if I wasn't so selfish…"

Celestia placed a hoof on Sunset's shoulder. "You made mistakes… Everypony does… But if you really are making new friends, then I think you already learned from those mistakes…"

"Rina!! Rina wake up!!"

"W-what in the world was that!?" Luna asked looking around.

"That sounded like Rem…" Sunset responded.

"But… she called you Rina…?" Celestia asked.

Before Sunset could respond, Rem's voice called out again. "Rina, please!! Everything is on fire!!"

"What!?!?" Sunset exclaimed. "I have to go!!"

"Wait!! Sunset!!--" Celestia exclaimed.

. . .

. . .

. . .

Sunset shot her eyes open panting hard as she was immediately met with the smell of smoke again. "Rina! We have to leave!!" Rem exclaimed, dragging Sunset out of bed.

Ram could be seen on the ground, bleeding from her head. "W-what happened to her!?"

"T-those cultists… they cut off her horn when she was trying to protect me… if I wasn't so weak, I--"

"Rem, there's no time to start feeling sorry for yourself now! Where's your parents!?" Rem choked a bit shaking her head, basically giving Sunset the idea. "D-damn it… Damn it!!" She screamed angrily as her horns appeared. She ran outside looking for the witch cultists… however none of them were visible. "Where are they!?!?"

"T-the rest were killed..." Rem said carrying Ram on her shoulders.

"W-what…? You… killed them…?"

Rem just looked over for a moment. "Actually…"

"Goooodness…" said a male voice said coming from the distance a bit. When Sunset looked at the man approaching, she kept her horns out. "If ooonly I had been able to come sooner…" The man was dressed strangely… and it was hard to tell from the light of the fire, but it looked like the man was wearing make-up.

"Who are you!?" Sunset screamed angrily.

"R-Rina please! He was the one that killed the rest of those cultists!" Rem said urging Sunset to calm down.

"You… you did…?" Sunset asked looking up at the man.

"You may call me Lord Roswaal…" The man said with a nod. "Again… I apologize that I wasn't able to come to your aid sooner…"

Sunset's horns just retracted into her. "Is… there anyone else…? Anyone from our village…?"

"No… It looks like we're the only ones left…" Rem answered.

Sunset just screamed out angrily. "Damn it… If I was awake I could've done something… I…"

"Rina… you couldn't have done this alone… no one could have…" Rem said, taking Sunset's hand. "I'm just glad you're alive…"

"You don't deserve to be alive…"

Sunset winced a bit as she looked away. "R-Rina…?"

Sunset looked back at Rem for a moment. "What are we going to do now…? Where are we supposed to go…?"

"I… I don't know…" Rem said sadly as she looked back at her sister.

"Hm…" Roswaal said kneeling down, looking over Ram's head. He placed his hand on her head and seemed to be using a spell on her.

"H-hey, what are you doing…??" Rem asked.

"Worry not…" Roswaal answered. "Since her horn was cut, her magic would normally be unstable… however, I managed to stabilize it for now."

"T...thank you…" Rem nodded slightly before Roswaal took Ram gently in his arms. "H-huh…?"

"Let me finish… I did manage to stabilize her magic for now, but it's only temporary…"

"W-what…? What can we do then…?" Sunset asked.

"How about I offer you a deal?" Roswaal asked, smiling slightly. "In exchange for tending to this one's wound, the three of you could work for me."

"W-work… for you…?" Rem asked.

"Indeeeeed… I'll ensure your safety as well as offer you sanctuary in my home." Roswaal answered.

"But… what kind of work would we do?" Sunset asked.

"Simply put: you will be serving as maids in my home." Roswaal answered.

Maids!?!? Sunset thought to herself. I get that he saved us but… ugh… Sunset just sighed. "Does it… have to be maid work…?" Sunset asked.

"Well… what else would you like to do for me?" Ros asked.

"I'm… proficient in magic." Sunset answered. "I'm still learning new spells, but I think that can be useful…"

"It's true." Rem added. "Rina's learned how to use her magic faster than anyone in the village has… and she does exceptionally well with it…"

"Then perhaaaaps I may have another job for you then, dear." Roswaal said with an honest smile. "For now, please… all of you, come with me." He said as he carried Ram with him.

Rem and Rina both looked at each other before nodding, staying close behind Roswaal. "Thank you…" Sunset said.

———————

The trip took a few days… but we eventually made it to Roswaal's mansion… and by the time we got there, it was night time again. The whole trip however was silent… All of us were reflecting on what happened to us… what happened to our village… what happened to our families… At least… that's what I was doing. But at the same time, I can't help but think back to Princess Celestia, and how I was even able to see her in the first place. Would she tell the others of what happened? Would she tell Twilight? Would Twilight tell the girls at Canterlot High…?

…

Is Canterlot High even okay…? Multiple thoughts kept shooting into Sunset's mind at once. All of which came to a halt until they stopped in front of the door to the mansion. "Heeeere we are…" Roswaal announced. Sunset looked up at the Mansion closely. Jeez… this place is huge… Rem and Ram stood by Sunset but both were completely quiet. "I must go speak with Miss Emilia about you three… please, feel free to explore the mansion to start getting a better feel for your new living arrangements." Roswaal said as he opened the front door.

The three walked through the doors and right away saw how huge it was on the inside. Roswaal just went upstairs. Sunset sighed looking down. "I guess we should start taking a look around…" Sunset said, about to head off. But her hand was quickly grabbed, holding her back. "Huh?" She said turning around, seeing Rem with dried tears in her eyes.

"Don't go too far ahead of us…" Rem said.

"What…?" Sunset asked. "It's… not like we're separating…"

"...I don't understand you, Rina…" Rem said. "Our entire village… our families… everyone's gone now…" She said as tears dripped again. "How can you possibly already be alright…?"

Sunset looked down for a moment. "I'm not…" Sunset answered. "Honestly, I don't think I'll ever truly be alright… but holding onto the pain, and letting it grow inside us isn't going to do us any good… It'll take some time, but we do have to move on with our lives… And I'm not saying I won't miss mother or father… in fact, I'll probably miss them everyday…"

"...Once again, showing your maturity… but you're right…" Rem sighed. "However… it will take a long time for me to move on…" Ram didn't add to the conversation. In fact she was still silent.

"...I understand…" Sunset nods, making sure to stay close to Rem and Ram.

The three girls then started walking around the mansion, looking through random doors and seeing a variety of different rooms, which included bathrooms, bedrooms, a pretty big kitchen, and even this one huge room which was apparently a bathing area. We're really going to be living here…? Sunset thought to herself. "It's definitely impressive here." Sunset commented.

"Mhm…" Rem nodded… Ram, still silent.

Sunset sighed as she was about to open another door, however, she stopped as she smelled something. "Huh…? Someone's in here?" She asked before knocking on the door.

“You may enter, I suppose." The three hear from inside.

The three look at each other before Sunset opens the door… revealing a large library with multiple books that neither of the three had even seen before… along with what looked like a little girl with drill-like blonde hair and blue eyes… or as some people would call, a loli. It looked like she was reading a book. "Do you three have any business here, I suppose?"

"Sorry… we were just curious." Sunset answered. "The three of us are going to be working here and Roswaal asked us to take a look around."

"He asked for the help of demons now?" she sighed. "This shouldn't even surprise me anymore, I suppose." She said closing the book she was reading.

"You knew we were demons?" Sunset asked.

"It's hard to mistake your scent." The girl said walking up to us.

"Oh… so you're not human then." Sunset pointed out.

"Absolutely not, and don't you dare compare me to something as insignificant as that again." She deadpanned.

"Right… noted." Sunset nodded. "Anyways… I'm Rina… and these two are my friends, Rem and Ram."

"You may call me Beatrice… or Betty, I suppose." she answers. "Out of curiosity, what will Rossy be having you do anyways?"

"As far as my sister and myself, we will be working as maids…" Rem answered.

"As for me… I'm not completely sure yet." Sunset added. "Roswaal said he would find some other kind of work for me, but didn't say yet… he said he had to speak to Emilia…?”

“I see…” Beatrice said looking at Sunset closely. “Compared to most demons, your magic is rather powerful I suppose. I’m sure they’ll have something for you.” She said before walking over to a book, picking it off the shelf. “If you have any other questions, my door is always open… just be sure to knock first and we won’t have any issues.”

“Right… I’ll keep that in mind… and thank you.” Sunset nods.

“If that’s all you need then I would like to get back to my reading.” Beatrice says sitting back down, opening the book she grabbed. “Besides I doubt it will take too long for that silly girl to make up her mind about you.”

“Silly girl?” Sunset asked, tilting her head.

“You’ll see what I mean eventually, I suppose.” Beatrice said before fully focusing on her book.

“...Right then.” Sunset sighed as she walked out of the room with Rem and Ram following close by her.

The three demons started making their way back to the main corridor where they had entered, expecting Roswaal to already be there waiting for them. At least that’s what Sunset expects after what Beatrice said about Emilia. As they walked, Rem for the most part was silent this time… as was Ram but she looked over at Rina curiously. “I’m sorry…” Ram finally said.

“Sissy…?” Rem looked at Ram a little confused.

“Ram, why are you apologizing…?” Sunset asked.

“After everything that happened, I should have been able to do something… But instead, you were the one who kept a clear head for all of us…” Ram said. “I was… going to tell you this before the village……” She paused and sighed looking down. “You’ve been a wonderful friend to us, Rina… if anything; I would even consider you to be like a little sister to us.”

Sunset looked over at Ram and stared at her for a moment…

“You're more than just a good friend, Rina. You're like a younger sister to us.”

Sunset choked a bit hearing those words play in her head again… but she slowly forced her face into a smile as she looked back at the two. “I feel the same way about you two…” Even if I was unable to do anything for the village… Sunset thought to herself.

The three eventually enter the main corridor, this time seeing not only Roswaal, but a girl with silver hair as well. "Hm…?" Sunset looked at the girl.

"Hello there." The girl said with a tender smile as she walked up to the three demons. "My name is Emilia." The three girls didn't say anything… they just looked at her as she spoke. "I was told what happened to your village and your people… there are no words to express how sorry I am for you three… But I just want to let you know that even though you are working here, you'll be treated the same as family. This will be your home as much as it is for us."

"That's… very kind of you, Miss. Emilia." Ram comments.

"Yeah… thank you so much." Sunset nods.

"Miss. Emilia has aaaalways been one to help others in neeeed." Roswaal said with a smile.

"R-Roswaal!" Emilia let out blushing.

Sunset smiled, giggling a bit. "Always helping someone in need huh…? Reminds me of…"

Sunset stopped and remembered Twilight for a moment. "Reminds you of what?" Emilia asked.

"Nothing… it's nothing." Sunset shook her head.

"...Well…" Ram started. "In my opinion, it reminds me of you." Ram said, taking Sunset's hand.

"Huh?" Sunset asked.

"It's true..." Rem nodded. "You always thought of others before thinking of yourself… ever since we first met."

"If you're strong enough to get through this… then so am I." Ram says.

"Me too." Rem says joining in.

Emilia smiled watching the three. "Oh right." Emilia started. "Could I get your names?"

"Oh, sorry… my name is Rina." Sunset started. "And… these are my older sisters."

Both Rem and Ram looked a little shocked that Rina actually referred to them as sisters. But Ram was the first to regain her composure. "My name is Ram."

"And… my name is Rem…" Rem added. "I hope we can repay you for the kindness you've done for us…"

"Think nothing of it." Emilia smiled. "I wanted to do it."

"Thank you." Rem and Ram both say.

"Now then…" Emilia said as she turned to Sunset. "Roswaal tells me that Rem and Ram are willing to accept their position as maids… but he also says you didn't seem happy with the idea."

"I am grateful for what he did… really." Sunset says. "But I'm not exactly the 'maid' type of person.

"Well he also tells me that you mentioned something of having powerful magic… would you mind demonstrating for me?" Emilia asked.

Sunset looked to the side for a moment. "Well… I'd have to demonstrate outside. My magical affinity is fire."

"Really?" She asked, smiling a bit. "I'm sure Roswaal would be able to help you improve in your magic then."

Sunset smiled back slightly… She looked back at Rem and Ram who both had serious expressions on their face. "Right… I'll show you what I can do." Sunset says walking outside.

Everyone walked out into an open field in front of the mansion. Sunset stepped forward and held her hand out. When she did, her horns came out of her head… and without saying a word, she cast a powerful fire blast onto the ground in front of them. "...I still have a lot to learn, but I'm a quick learner." Sunset said as she looked to Roswaal and Emilia.

"I'd certainly say so…" Emilia said looking a little surprised. "How… old are you?"

"I'm nine years old." Sunset answered. Physically… Sunset says mentally.

"And your magic is that powerful already??" She asked. "I know you're a demon but… at that age, that's simply amazing." She said smiling. "With a little training… I think you'd make a wonderful knight."

"A… knight?" Sunset asked.

"I know this is a strange question to ask a child but… Have you ever held a weapon before?" Emilia asked. Sunset just shook her head in response. "Well… along with your magic training, how would you like to train with a sword as well?"

Sunset looked down thinking for a moment before looking to Rem and Ram. "Do you think I--"

"I think you're more than capable." Ram said with a nod. "I think… it'll be good for you."

Sunset looked to Rem who nodded in agreement.

Sunset looked down thinking for a moment. If I do this… All this training… I could do more than just be Emilia's knight… I could also use those skills to protect the ones close to me… so they don't have to suffer again like that night…

Sunset looked to Roswaal and Emilia with confidence in her eyes. "I'll do it."

~~~~~~~~~

Sunset was now laying in her bed, her eyes were shut but sleep wasn't coming any closer… there was only one thing on her mind. "What happened…" Sunset said to herself. "Everything that night before… there's no way it could've been a dream… I felt pain… I remember it too vividly… for that to happen and then the fire happening a second time…? There's no way that was a coincidence…"

knock

knock…

"Are you still awake, Rina…?" Sunset heard Rem's voice from the other side of the door.

"I am…" Sunset replied.

Rem slowly opened the door… and it was both her and Ram standing by the door.

"...You can't sleep either?" Sunset asked. Both just shook their heads. "Come on… I have room for the both of you." Sunset said moving toward the wallside of the bed.

Both Rem and Ram walk over, going into the bed with Sunset. The bed was a little small so they had to sort of come in close. "I still can't believe this all happened…" Rem sighed.

Sunset looked to Ram who hadn't said anything yet. "How are you feeling, Ram…?"

"...I don't know… this feeling is hard to explain… losing our home… our families… and even my horn…" Ram said, tearing up a bit. Sunset simply turned to Ram and hugged her close. Ram slowly returned the hug. "I don't understand Rina… how can you be this strong…? Both physically and mentally…"

"...I don't know…" Sunset simply answered. Truth is… as horrible as this sounds, I'm not… totally sad about this… maybe it's because that mother isn't my real one…? Yeah she brought me into this world, but I just don't feel the same connection as I do with my first birth mother. "Maybe it's because I at least have you two still…" Sunset says. "And I'm more thankful for that than you know… you two mean everything to me. No matter what happens, we'll get through it together."

. . .

. . .

. . .

Sunset looked around… nothing was there just an empty space. Sunset just sighed. "I didn't even realize I fell asleep…"

"It really is you…" Sunset hears.

She quickly darts her head, seeing a familiar purple alicorn. "...Twilight…??" Sunset asked slowly walking up to her. However, it seemed like she already had tears in her eyes. "Huh?"

"Sunset, I'm so sorry… I'm so sorry for what happened to you; I didn't mean to--!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Relax Twilight." Sunset sighed. "It's fine… yeah, I'm dead in that world… but, I've been doing alright in this one. Besides, it was my fault to begin with…" Sunset said looking to the side. "If I hadn't been so horrible, then none of this would've even happened in the first place."

"Princess Celestia told me what you told her… have you really been making friends in this world?" Twilight asked, smiling a bit.

Sunset just let out a heavy sigh. "For a while, I had a good family and home… but right now, the only family I have that are still alive are Rem and Ram… And… I'm all they have…"

Twilight frowned again hearing that. "Then all you can do is do your best, and be there for them…"

"Trust me… I know that already. I can't imagine losing them too." Sunset says.

Twilight smiled before the two hugged. "You really have changed…"

"...Do you think I could ever see Equestria again?" Sunset asked.

"That's a tough question to answer… This has never happened before." Twilight says. "But I will say this… if we can keep in contact like this, then there must be some sort of connection. Maybe someday we can use that connection to reach each other in the real world again. Of course for now that won't be for a while…"

"That's fine." Sunset smiled. "Take your time… Can you do me a favor though?"

"What is it?" Twilight asked.

"When it's possible again, do you think you could go to where Canterlot High is and… tell them how sorry I am?"

Twilight smiled. "Of course."

"Thanks, Twilight…"

______________________________________

6 Years later…

So far, living in the Roswaal manor has been peaceful. The next morning the day after we met Emilia, we met her spirit named Puck. Honestly, seeing how adorable he was, it was hard to believe such a creature could hold such devastating magic… My magic and sword training went by smoothly so far… Roswaal was able to teach me several fire spells and tricks that I had no idea I could use, as well as how to use a sword properly. Needless to say, he was surprised at the rate I was learning. Of course I wasn't the only one who had been training… Rem had been training as well. Though to be honest, she kind of surprised me when she started learning to use a morning star flail. She tells me it's to make up for her magic, but to be honest, I've seen her magic improve over the years as well. As for Ram, she's been learning to control her magic without a horn. For a demon without a horn to cast magic, it's fairly difficult. But Roswaal's been helping her a lot with it. In fact he's helped her the most out of the three of us. I know it's been tough on all of us, but I really think that we're coming along alright. As for Twilight… We've actually been able to keep in touch through the dream world. I do still miss Equestria, but I am glad I can keep in contact with them.

…

What I'm not glad about, however, is the fact that Canterlot High had been taken over… by three sirens. I swear, if I somehow go back, even if it's for a day, I'll make things right again…

"Rina?"

"Huh?" Sunset looked over at Emilia who had her arms crossed.

"You spaced out again… you sure you're feeling alright?" Emilia asked.

"Yes Miss. Emilia. I'm fine." Sunset nodded with a smile. Emilia was in town where there were many other people and merchants around. Sunset was asked to go with her for extra protection. She wore a similar outfit that Emilia wore, but more modified to look more appropriate for a knight. She also had a rapier by her side. "Hmm… Hey, do you want something to eat?"

"No, it's fine Rina I'm not--" Emilia said right before rumbling could be heard from her. "...Hungry." She said blushing a bit.

Sunset giggled slightly. "I'll look for something for both of us." She said walking off to one of the nearby stands.

"Hey there. What can I get for you?" A man with green hair asked Sunset.

"Just a couple of appas please." Sunset said as she took out money from her pocket.

"Heh… perfect…"

In almost an instant something flew by the crowd of people. "What the…" Sunset looked back at Emilia who seemed to be feeling around in her pockets. "Are you alright?"

"No I'm not! Someone just stole my insignia!" Emilia exclaimed.

"Seriously…??" Sunset asked before running back.

"Hey do you still want something?" The merchant asked.

"Sorry it'll have to wait!" Sunset exclaimed before going to Emilia. "Did you see where they went at least?"

"I'm pretty sure they went that way!" Emilia exclaimed pointing in the direction. "It was hard for me to see, but I'm fairly certain I felt something blow past me that way."

"I'll go ahead then." Sunset nods before running in the direction Emilia pointed.

"Right behind you!" Emilia exclaimed following Sunset.

The two ran as fast as they could for a bit, but they couldn't make heads or tails of where the thief went. "Damn it, where could they have gone??"

"Why don't we split up?" Emilia asked.

"...You sure?" Sunset asked.

"I'll be fine on my own for a little bit, Rina."

"No offense, but you were already alone for a little bit and look what happened." Sunset said.

"She's got a point Lia." Pucks voice could be heard.

"I'm. Fine!" Emilia said, crossing her arms. "You keep going that way and I'll search a different route with Puck."

"Please keep her safe Puck…" Sunset said.

Puck chuckled a bit. "You don't have to tell me."

Emilia huffed before running the other way. Sunset kept running, looking for any clues that lead to where the thief might have gone… unfortunately, they didn't leave any tracks. "If I were a thief, where would I go if I just stole something that valuable?"

"AAAGGGHH!!"

"Play games with us will ya!?"

"What in the...?" Sunset let out before running toward the sound of the commotion. It eventually led her into an alley where a burly man, a skinny boy, and a rather short boy was beating up someone on the ground. "Hey!!"

"Huh??" The three thugs asked, looking at Sunset. "Who in the hell are you!?" The skinny boy asked.

"It doesn't matter; just what do you think you're doing to him??" Sunset asked.

"None of your business, lady. Get lost!" The short one exclaimed.

"Sorry but I don't ignore something like this." She said before creating a flame in her hand. "If you don't wanna be burned to a crisp, I suggest you back off!"

Two of them freaked out while the skinny one just looked at Sunset in annoyance. "Forget this! He's not worth it." He said before he and the other two ran off. "We'll remember this, bitch!"

Sunset huffed, putting her flame away. She looked over at the boy and walked up to him. "You really saved me… thank you." He said.

"Well you're lucky I was around." Sunset says. "Just what were you doing in an alleyway all alone anyways? And why are your clothes we--..." Sunset stopped and took a closer look at him. Wait a sec… She thought to herself while looking at the boy. those clothes aren't normal… at least not for here… she trailed off looking at the wet track suit on a box, then at the bag on the ground. It had Ramen and a bag of potato chips inside. What the hell…? She stopped and took a closer look at the confused boy. Upon closer inspection, she could see what looked like a flip phone sticking out of his pocket. ...Wait, a phone!? Those don't even exist here! Who is this kid!?

Author's Note

Hey everyone. Sorry I took so long to update this story... it's been difficult to keep up with work and all this craziness going on. Anyways, with this chapter done, it marks the start lf the real beginning of Re:Zero. What will happen now that it was Sunset that found Subaru instead of Emilia?

Also I am still working on the collab story with UnleashedTwilight so stay tuned for when that story comes!