Chapter Text
INTERLUDE
Subaru Natsuki.
A hero, a symbol of hope in a world filled with evil. A young man who fought to his very last strength against people who were misunderstood, but who in the end became people he had to stop.
He ran when his legs could no longer endure the exhaustion. He ran when everything was against him. He ran even as he slowly lost his power. All to save innocent people, just as he had learned from the most incredible hero of all time… All Might.
With the help of his classmates, professional heroes, friends he made along the way; even some former villains fought at his side to put an end to the center of evil… All for One.
He heard the shouts of support from everyone. They trusted him, they had hope that a young man without a Quirk could put an end to a dark chapter in their world.
And so it was. With the strength of everyone who supported him, he managed to land a decisive blow… or so he thought.
All for One did not give up. And with his last Quirk, he tried to destroy everyone and everything. But Subaru would not surrender. With his final strength, burning the last embers of One for All and with the help of the previous wielders of that power inside the body of a person who had dreamed of becoming a hero, but who did not have the right people to guide him down the right path… Shigaraki. Together they worked to put an end to this war. And so, they managed to defeat the greatest enemy of all time.
All the heroes, both professionals and students, gazed upon a boy with a fierce look, black hair, wearing a limited-edition shirt of his number one hero. With the sky clear as a sign that good had triumphed over evil, with a fist raised and floating in the bright sky as a sign of victory… Subaru Natsuki, the successor of All Might, a U.A. student and the new Symbol of Hope, rose as the greatest hero of all time.
But in the blink of an eye, everything changed. The clear sky darkened once more. The earth began to tremble as everyone wondered what was happening. Suddenly, a cloud of shadows approached the proclaimed Symbol of Hope.
That shadow began to swallow him completely. Subaru could not move; his body would not respond. He felt that entity drag him into its grasp. No one reacted quickly enough to save the boy.
As everyone ran with their battered bodies trying to save Subaru, the world lost not only a hero, it lost a symbol.
⸻
Subaru opened his eyes in shock at what he saw. He was in the center of a not-so-modern city. Without warning, without any explanation, he had been thrown into the middle of a city that reminded him of the medieval ages from books. He walked while observing his surroundings. He saw many people he identified as demi-humans, just like many of his friends.
He walked while wondering what had happened. He asked where he was, and the few who did not treat him like a madman told him that he was in the capital of Lugunica.
Subaru, confused, did not know where that capital was. He had never heard of it. And what surprised him most was that no one knew All Might. It was impossible that no one knew the Symbol of Peace, the greatest hero of all time, according to Subaru.
He reached a conclusion that terrified him. That conclusion gained strength when he arrived at an apple stand where they called them Appas. The vendor offered him some, but he had nothing but his clothes.
The lower half of his black hero suit and the green shirt he had been lent, with All Might’s smile in the center. On his wrists he wore worn bandages.
The vendor named “Kadomon” kicked him out of the stall, since he frightened all the customers with his tattered clothes and battle scars.
He left, not without first giving the vendor a kind smile. He reached an alley where three thugs tried to attack him. Subaru tried to talk things out, but the thieves did not listen and lunged at him. Even though he had lost One for All, he was much stronger thanks to his harsh training, managing to defend himself against the three men without much difficulty. Sadly for Subaru, he no longer had embers of One for All, so he was defenseless against stronger enemies.
When he was leaving the alley to look for guards to help, a beautiful girl with silver hair and amethyst eyes appeared. And a talking cat floating at her side. Subaru saw the beautiful young woman in front of him and the flying cat and decided to introduce himself. But he was surprised when the girl accused him of being a thief; it did not help that there were three robbers lying on the ground.
He quickly began to explain what had happened, the beautiful girl also clarifying everything. Subaru offered to help the girl because of her lost important insignia. Even without a Quirk, his hero’s heart could not stop helping others.
She refused many times, but in the end she accepted Subaru’s help. They spent the rest of the day together, talking and searching for what was stolen. They stopped to rest and took the opportunity to introduce themselves, since the last time Subaru had been interrupted by the false accusation.
The beautiful young woman said her name was “Satella” and the gray feline was “Puck.” Subaru introduced himself formally, thus continuing their search.
After many turns, asking people, helping a lost girl who turned out to be the daughter of the appa vendor. Subaru even learned about the great spirits like Puck and the lesser spirits of Satella that looked like a floating tennis ball.
At night they arrived at the loot house. Puck had already gone to rest, since he could not stay outside for long. Satella and Subaru entered the old house. Inside everything was in disarray and two corpses lay on the floor. A blonde girl and a giant with a club in his hands.
Both were left in shock, but they had no time, as a very seductive voice attacked the pair without warning. Cutting the couple in half as their entrails spilled from their stomachs.
The pair fell to the floor as their lives faded away. Subaru remembered all his friends, his mother, All Might, as his heart stopped. Crying as he thought he would never see them again. Everything went dark in an instant as he felt his senses leave him. Subaru Natsuki had died.
⸻
Subaru had lived through hell on earth. But he never lost his will to help and his kind heart. He was still a hero and the Symbol of Hope even in another world.
He realized on that very day that he had received a power, or rather a curse… Return by Death. Subaru did not know if it was his Quirk from his world, or a gift from the person who brought him to this world.
In the capital, on the first day he died three times trying to help the half-elf Emilia. Twice by the Bowel Hunter, Elsa Granhiert. And once by the three thieves who tried to rob him.
After his second death, trying to recover the insignia alone and seeing Felt and Rom die, he returned to the capital in a new loop, saw “Satella,” searched for her and shouted her name. Receiving hateful looks from everyone, including the half-elf. Distraught, he walked to the alley when the three idiots arrived. Subaru, lost in his thoughts, walked alongside them, being stabbed in the back and dying.
In the next loop was when he met Reinhard. The hero of this world, just like All Might in his. He helped him against Elsa, defeating her, or so they believed. With her last attack, the assassin tried to kill Emilia, but Subaru intervened with old man Rom’s weapon, preventing her from being harmed.
He suffered a cut to the stomach, fainting, not before asking the now-known Emilia for her name.
Afterwards he arrived at the Mathers mansion. Where a pair of twin maids with blue and pink hair lived alongside a girl with drill-like hair and a man dressed and made up like a clown. Known as Rem, Ram, Beatrice and Roswaal.
Subaru worked as a butler, since that was the reward he asked for, along with help learning to read and about this new world. Subaru never confessed that he came from another world.
But everything went wrong. At the mansion he died four times… one thanks to the curse of a mabeast puppy, two by Rem, who was paranoid about the Witch’s scent and the cultists, and the last time he sacrificed himself by jumping off a cliff, dying to save Rem from her fate.
In the victorious loop, he gained Rem’s trust; the oni maid even fell deeply in love with Subaru. Subaru, broken inside, cried in Emilia’s lap; afterwards he was furiously embarrassed. They ended the curses and the mabeast attack.
After the snow festival that Subaru created thanks to Puck and his problem, visitors arrived from the capital informing them that the royal selection was beginning.
Subaru, Emilia, Rem and Roswaal departed for the capital. Subaru met Wilhelm, Felix, Julius, Priscilla and Al before the event began.
Emilia asked Subaru to promise that he would not go to the royal selection. Which Subaru accepted without problem; he was not interested in politics.
Subaru had been learning Yin magic with Beatrice. He had convinced her to help him with magic. Subaru focused on wanting to be a hero like in his world. Without One for All, he had to work harder at magic.
He stayed happily at the rented hotel with Rem. While Emilia and a very angry Roswaal went to the important meeting.
To Emilia’s misfortune, everything went wrong. After being insulted, Puck came out full of rage, freezing almost everyone. Thanks to Reinhard, Puck was defeated, leaving a great disaster in which Emilia would be the main culprit.
When Emilia arrived where Subaru and Rem were with an empty look, Subaru knew that nothing was right. He realized what had happened and how innocent people had died, and worst of all, Emilia could be sentenced to death because her spirit had murdered two royal candidates. Anastasia and Crush. Since Priscilla was quick and very lucky to escape, and Felt was protected by the Sword Saint.
Most of the knights had died; Julius and Felix were among them, trying to protect their ladies. The council of sages survived thanks to Reinhard and his duty to Lugunica.
Subaru, though he disliked it, had to do something. Taking his time, he committed suicide to return in time and prevent Emilia’s death and everyone else’s.
Even knowing he might lose Emilia, Subaru broke his promise and arrived at the meeting. Intervening on Puck’s behalf, he defended Emilia, insulting all the nobles and knights for their despicable and racist acts. Subaru could not believe how the knights who called themselves the shield of the capital were worse than many villains he had known in his world.
He was expelled from the meeting while receiving hateful stares, and Emilia looked at him disappointed and sad. That hurt Subaru, but it was the best he could do.
He dueled Julius, being brutally beaten, as Subaru reproached him for his honor as a knight, angering Julius.
Emilia and Subaru argued fiercely, and Emilia abandoned Subaru.
After that everything was absolute despair for Subaru. Watching his loved ones die and being killed three times by Puck, frozen alive, as he could not save Emilia and the others.
The hero, the Symbol of Hope, fell into an abyss of absolute darkness. Thanks to Rem’s words, which made him believe again that he was a hero, he managed to start over in the new world. The maid confessed that she loved him. Subaru confessed that he loved Emilia. Rem accepted it and continued helping her hero. But Subaru did not take long to say that he loved her too.
They killed the White Whale with the help of the camps of Crush and Anastasia. Wilhelm achieved his revenge.
Rem and Crush went to the capital after the battle. Subaru, together with Julius, with whom he had reconciled, and the others, defeated Petelgeuse Romanée-Conti, the Archbishop of Sloth. But Subaru died, as he was possessed.
In the victorious loop everything went well; they managed to defeat all the Fingers and save everyone. Julius and Subaru fought against Petelgeuse, ending him thanks to Julius’s sword.
But not everything was fine, as the carriage where Emilia and the village children were was full of explosives.
Subaru, together with the newly rescued Otto, headed toward Emilia… but on the way they were caught by Petelgeuse’s final effort. He managed to overturn the carriage; Otto fell unconscious from the impact and Subaru was thrown to the ground.
Subaru was about to give up; he had thought of returning again by death. But someone appeared in his mind. The yellow-flamed spirit of All Might reminded Subaru who he was and why he fought, his dream, his goals, his duty as the number one hero in the world. It was at that moment that something returned. The power Subaru had lost returned with a new purpose. But it was not the same; the Quirks of the previous wielders no longer existed, this was rather the power of only the ninth wielder; now that power was combined with the Mana of his Gate. Thanks to mana and his magical gate he was able to rise again… One for All had returned.
Subaru stood up as One for All reacted throughout his body, making him shine with a network of crimson lines, resembling veins of pure light.
A star moved, changing colors, being caught by Subaru with his fist, preparing the attack he had learned from his greatest idol. With 20% of his power he attacked.
PLUS ULTRA!!!
A blow that would destroy entire buildings struck what remained of Petelgeuse, completely ending him.
Subaru’s body screamed in pain as his muscles contracted. The new One for All was too powerful for Subaru’s body to withstand. The boy knew that if he used it once more in those days, he would possibly die.
He woke Otto, fixed the carriage and rushed toward Emilia.
Subaru arrived where Emilia was, getting rid of the explosives in the body of the dead whale.
Subaru confessed to Emilia that he loved her. Emilia cried with happiness and both forgave each other. Emilia did not respond to the confession, as she first had to understand her feelings.
But for Subaru the bad news did not stop. Upon arriving at the Karsten mansion, he learned that Rem had been erased from memories and was left in a sleeping-beauty state. Crush had lost her memory. Subaru cried for Rem, but thanks to Emilia he stood up and promised Rem that he would save her.
They arrived at the mansion where they met Frederica and Petra, new maids of the Mathers mansion. Frederica informed them about the Sanctuary.
Emilia, Otto, Subaru and the new dragon, Patrasche, went to the place called the Sanctuary.
Upon arriving, Subaru was greeted by a beautiful witch named Echidna. Also by a tiger boy, Frederica’s brother, named Garfiel Tinsel.
A complete hell for Subaru. Dying four times, two at Elsa’s hands, one by committing suicide to avoid being devoured by the jealous witch, and suffering the worst death of all. Being eaten by the Great Rabbit.
He met the seven Witches of Sin and the most important of all, Satella… He learned that she had brought him to this world, but he did not know that she was Envy, not Satella. Subaru promised the half-elf that he would save her.
Together with Otto, they devised a plan to end once and for all the schemes of the clown who was behind everything, Roswaal L. Mathers.
Subaru helped Emilia overcome her insecurities, giving her a kiss, deepening her feelings and trust toward him. He fought Garfiel without One for All, to make the tiger boy understand that he had to do the right thing.
After that Subaru, Otto and Garfiel arrived at the mansion to end the problems once and for all. Garfiel defeated Elsa in a bloody battle. Otto, Frederica and Petra managed to stop Meili. And Subaru presented himself before Beatrice to ask her to stay with him forever. After many trials, Subaru managed to take the drill-haired girl out of the library, forming an eternal contract.
In the Sanctuary, Roswaal had lost his book thanks to the efforts of Puck and Ram. But Roswaal fulfilled his purpose, making snow fall, thus attracting the Great Rabbit.
Emilia, who had completed her trials, went into action, saving Roswaal, Ram and the villagers of the Sanctuary and Arlam.
She held off the Great Rabbit long enough for Subaru to arrive, and at his side was Beatrice, holding his hand. The new duo of spirit and contractor, combining their magic, ended the Great Rabbit by sending it to another dimension.
Thus ending the Sanctuary conflict. Emilia was certain that Subaru would be her knight. Subaru accepted, as long as he was with the people he loved and could save others, he would be happy.
A grand ceremony was held at Annerose’s mansion, consolidating Subaru with the title of knight of the half-elf, Emilia. Both happy, they danced among the crowd while smiling, contemplating a promising future.
⸻
A year had passed since the Sanctuary conflict. Subaru already mastered 50% of One for All without having problems with his body. Subaru had not told anyone about his power, not even Beatrice. He simply wanted to surprise them at a special moment by showing them all his power.
Garfiel had joined the camp as a shield; Otto was the minister of internal affairs; Roswaal had sworn an oath to Subaru that he would not harm any member of the camp.
Now everyone was on their way to Priestella. Anastasia Hoshin had invited all the camps to coexist peacefully, or so the merchant said.
Subaru, Emilia, Garfiel, Otto and Beatrice were traveling in the carriage pulled by Patrasche. Everything was normal when suddenly a light blinded everyone completely.
The group awoke in a very different place, an unknown place for all. Many orderly seats and in front of them a large black screen.
What was most surprising was that it was not only them; the five camps were gathered in the same hall.
Priscilla, Al, Heinkel and Schult were there for the camp of Baroness Barielle.
Anastasia, Julius, Ricardo, Mimi, Tivey, Hetaro were there for the merchant’s camp.
Crush, Felix, Wilhelm were there for the Karsten house camp.
Felt, Rom, Reinhard were there for the former thief’s camp.
Emilia, Beatrice, Ram, Frederica, Garfiel, Otto, Meili, Petra, Roswaal, Rem, who was asleep, were there for the half-elf’s camp.
And Subaru was already seated in the front row, but to everyone’s surprise he was deeply asleep. They tried to wake him, but none succeeded.
But a duchess interrupted the group, saying something that left everyone in shock. She had recovered all her memories from before being eaten by Gluttony. Everyone rejoiced for the duchess and Ferris was the happiest.
But everyone was even more surprised when a blue-haired maid slowly awoke. All present remembered the maid who had fought against the White Whale alongside Subaru.
Ram was the first to hug a confused Rem, explaining all the events to her. Rem understood completely and ran to the sleeping boy to hug him, disappointed that he was asleep.
But the surprise did not end there. Particles of light emerged from Emilia’s crystal. A gray feline lazily came out of the crystal. Puck had returned.
Emilia tightly hugged her beloved father and Beatrice ran to her brother, hugging him tightly.
The pleasant atmosphere disappeared when a voice spoke from the large black screen. It introduced itself as “The Guardian,” who promised to show the truth of Subaru Natsuki, the spiritual knight.
Everyone wondered what Subaru’s truth was. Emilia, Rem and Beatrice were the most confused.
The Guardian explained that everything would be shown on the screen in front of them all. Everyone was bewildered by the words of the self-proclaimed Guardian.
Priscilla was the first to complain. Arguing that a goddess would not waste time on trivialities.
Many began to argue to be let free. But the Guardian did not flinch. He told them there would be no way out of this place until they saw everything the visions would show them.
They argued for a long time, but in the end everyone reluctantly accepted and sat down.
The seats were arranged as follows:
Heinkel, Schult, Priscilla, Al, Ram and Roswaal in the last row in that order.
Frederica, Petra, Meili, Wilhelm, Ferris, Crush, Anastasia, Julius, the triplets and Ricardo in the second row in that order.
Rom, Felt, Reinhard, Rem, Subaru sleeping and in his lap Beatrice, Emilia and in her lap Puck, Garfiel and Otto in that order.
The screen turned on. Many screamed in surprise, others were frightened by the glowing screen. Beatrice took it upon herself to explain that it was a screen and how it worked. The girl had learned from Subaru.
Everyone felt it and continued watching.
The screen showed Subaru floating in the air with a raised fist while the blue sky shone, dispersing the gray clouds around him.
Everyone’s eyes widened upon seeing Subaru floating in the air as if he had just fought and claimed victory.
Emilia, Puck, Ram, Rem and Beatrice recognized the boy’s clothes. It was with those strange clothes that he kept with so much love; it was with them that they had met him.
For everyone, Subaru was a hero, but a very weak one; his greatest strength was his intelligence and leadership.
Everyone had many questions about what they were seeing, and they also did not know the place nor the people with strange outfits around him.
But no one knew the terrible visions they were about to witness.
They showed how he was brought to Lugunica. How he was torn from his world and brought to this one on the same day he met Emilia.
Everyone was petrified upon learning that Subaru was from beyond the Great Waterfall. The strange way he arrived in this world and the reason why he was brought.
They continued watching the first day of Subaru. When he arrived at the appa stand and when he entered the alley where he defended himself against the three thugs who now work with Felt.
Everything was laughter and amazement at Subaru and his first day in this world. But everything changed for a certain half-elf and her feline spirit. They saw an interaction they did not remember. When Subaru met them, both were sure it was at the loot house, Emilia and Puck said.
After that everything fell apart. They showed the shared day, the jokes and all the good moments. Everything ended when Emilia introduced herself as Satella. The theater exploded with questions that Emilia could not answer. Puck stepped in to defend his daughter.
They continued watching the projections. Everyone suspected they were lies and a game of the Guardian to mock them. But the atmosphere worsened when they showed the loot house.
Rom hugged Felt, who was crying. She had seen how her grandfather and she herself were dead. Everyone was stunned by what was shown. Many were angry; Reinhard frowned upon seeing his lady cry that way.
But it got worse when they saw how Subaru and Emilia fell dead at the hands of the Bowel Hunter.
The theater hall began to cool as Puck started floating with a face full of rage at having his daughter’s death shown. Emilia was disturbed by seeing herself dead and her knight beside her.
Everyone began shouting at the Guardian for explanations. He calmly replied that they should keep watching and that afterwards they would understand.
Minutes passed in the same way, but with no options, everyone sat down. Priscilla and Roswaal smiled with interest. The baroness, because she found it entertaining. And Roswaal because he was beginning to understand Subaru’s power.
But silence reigned when they saw the projections show Subaru again at the appa stand. At that moment all the despair of the people came to light.
They understood Subaru’s power, Return by Death. They saw how he died three times in the first arc at the hands of Elsa and the thieves.
Meili did not know how to react upon seeing her sister kill Subaru twice. Some cried, sobbed as they watched Subaru suffer again and again.
Warriors like Reinhard, Julius, Wilhelm, Ricardo and Al frowned, as their friend had to live a life full of suffering and loss.
Priscilla said nothing. She simply smiled with interest upon learning the secret of the commoner who had caught her attention so much. Though she had some doubt, thinking whether he was a monster with such power.
Roswaal finally understood the trigger of the boy’s power. He was intrigued as he kept his extravagant smile.
Emilia’s camp was the one suffering the most. Most sobbed or clenched their fists in anger. Emilia, Beatrice and Rem were the most affected, hugging the boy who remained peacefully asleep.
But it did not end there. The screen showed arc two, the four deaths at the Mathers mansion.
The other four camps were angry with Emilia’s camp for their negligence, letting the boy die again and again while everyone lived in ignorance.
Roswaal, Otto, and Garfiel tried to defend the maids because of their behavior, since these viewings were ruining Emilia’s camp—though two of them were just as angry.
Ram felt a knot in her stomach when she saw her beloved sister—and herself—torture and kill Barusu. And how that idiot little brother of hers sacrificed himself to save Rem.
Frederica hugged Petra while she cried upon seeing a kind young man being treated in such an unjust way. Petra screamed and cried from seeing her hero die cruelly; she looked at Rem and Ram with a hatred no child should ever show.
Meili was in shock, since she had been the cause of all of this. A bit of guilt seeped into her heart while she tried to hide from the wasteful looks directed at her.
Puck tried to comfort Emilia and Beatrice, who cried while hugging Subaru. Though the feline had come to like Subaru after the sanctuary. He didn’t feel that bad for the boy. Now he understood the contract with his creator.
Beatrice sobbed, but she also shot a look full of hate toward Rem. She tried to impale the maid with a “Minya,” but the Guardian stopped her. With her small arms, she hugged her beloved contractor, leaning against his chest.
Emilia felt useless. Now she understood that everything was her fault. The time they fought and Subaru shouted at her that it was all because of her—now she understood. When he cried in her lap. Emilia hated herself, because if she had let Subaru leave with Reinhard, he would be much better off. But she was selfish, because she knew it would be impossible for her to distance herself from her knight.
But the worst of all was Rem. She felt as if her world was shattering and her heart was breaking into pieces. Her hatred toward herself grew so strong that she tried to commit suicide many times. She kept an empty gaze and completely distanced herself from Subaru, since she didn’t consider herself worthy.
Ferris began to hate Subaru. As a healer, killing yourself and treating your life like a game was unforgivable. He thought many times that Subaru was a monster who controlled everyone. And some began to doubt the black-haired boy.
But when they saw Subaru crying in Emilia’s lap, they didn’t see a monster. They saw a brave human trying to protect those he loves.
They saw his victory against the attack of the Mabeasts and Meili. Many rejoiced and felt proud of the boy. Priscilla was one of the few who were not satisfied with what she saw. At that moment she saw Subaru as nothing more than a clumsy kid who wanted to be a hero.
They showed the Oni past and Subaru’s talk with Rem. Many understood Rem and decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. The maid herself felt miserable for everything she had done to her Subaru. She kept a lost, lifeless stare. Her body didn’t react.
Until Roswaal stood up and carried the Oni right to the seat next to Subaru. After Subaru’s words, Rem returned from her vegetative state and began to scream and cry as she hugged Subaru, begging forgiveness for everything—ending Arc 2 with a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth because of Subaru and his camp’s actions.
Arc 3, much worse. Emilia was shocked by the truth before her eyes. She saw how Subaru had indeed kept the promise—he had listened to her, he didn’t want to deceive her. But then she saw the disaster.
Her beloved Father. The person she trusted more than anyone. She saw how, in a fit of rage, he killed almost all the members of the royal selection—even candidates. Shattering her dream into pieces and even leaving possible capital punishment.
Everyone was left with faces of terror at the Great Spirit’s outburst. Julius was one of the most affected thanks to his closeness with spirits. Ferris, Anastasia, and Crusch cried with terror and rage at seeing their fates because of an overprotective father.
Priscilla was the only one who seemed to enjoy it, apparently. Since the world turned in her favor, she had been saved thanks to her speed and luck.
Felt was terrified. She hadn’t died, but just seeing such a disaster made her stomach churn. She hugged her grandfather with one arm while holding Reinhard’s hand for extra safety.
The Sword Saint felt useless at not being able to do anything more to stop the Great Spirit. He insulted himself in his head, telling himself he was a monster who couldn’t do anything right.
Puck felt as if his soul was being ripped from his body. Not because of the disaster he had caused—rather, it was because of the looks from Beatrice and Emilia full of fury, disappointment, and fear. Puck tried to speak, but he was quickly dismissed by Emilia, who cried uncontrollably, screaming hurtful words at her father.
Beako is disappointed in her brother. She didn’t speak; she simply curled up next to her contractor. She knew he would never fail her.
The viewings continued, showing how everything went to hell. And how the boy they criticized, hated, and hurt sacrificed himself for everyone.
They saw Subaru drive a knife into his own throat while in his mind there was only one thought: Save everyone.
Everyone was surprised by the boy’s determination. Many frowned and hated themselves, because Subaru once again had to die to save them all. But now no one complained, not even Ferris, who had previously hated Subaru for the same thing—because now his lady’s life was at stake.
In that moment, Ferris knew he was a hypocrite; he had hated Subaru and now he thanked him. All the hatred he once aimed at Subaru now fell onto himself. And Julius wasn’t in a better position.
The screen showed how Subaru, sadly, broke the promise he had made to Emilia, arriving at the royal selection.
Emilia felt her heart shrink. She wanted Subaru to wake up, to scream at him telling him she didn’t deserve him, and then to cry in his arms while he smiled at her like he always did.
They saw how Subaru acted before Puck, drawing all the hateful gazes toward himself while everyone—including Emilia—looked at him with disappointment.
In the theater, everyone frowned. Now they understood, and many—most—looked at him with respect and affection. Despite many people’s self-loathing, they knew Subaru was a complete hero.
They continued watching the battle with Julius and all the words Julius said to Subaru. “You are not worthy to be by her side,” and all the blows full of rage.
Julius cried while clutching his head, furious at himself. Everyone looked at him with disgust for the beating and the insults. Garfiel lunged at the knight, but he was stopped by the Guardian.
But everything got worse when they saw Subaru fall into absolute despair. The first loop—seeing everyone dead and seeing Subaru die frozen. In the second loop, they saw how Petelgeuse tortured Subaru, killing Rem before his eyes, and how he ended up frozen in front of the mansion with Puck turned into the Beast of the End.
Ram ran over to hug her sister. The vision of her being tortured deeply impacted her. She cried in Rem’s arms, who also cried—but for Subaru’s death. Even Roswaal frowned at seeing his dear maids in that state.
Puck had earned the contempt and disgust of everyone in the room, including Emilia and Beatrice. Both wanted nothing to do with the gray cat. Puck cried when he saw his beloved daughter and little sister looking at him with pent-up anger.
And everything got worse in the next loop. When Puck said the cruel words that finally made Subaru break.
The screen showed, to everyone’s happiness, Rem’s confession and the rebirth of the hero, Subaru Natsuki.
It was at that moment that Emilia knew what she felt. She declared her feelings for her knight as she watched him confess to Rem his love for her.
They showed how Subaru told Rem that he loved her and how she wanted to be his second wife. Everyone laughed, and the blue-haired maid blushed furiously. Emilia didn’t know what to say at what she saw.
Everyone was astonished at the fight with the White Whale. Crusch’s camp smiled as they saw the deeds of the boy from another world and how he took down that beast. Wilhelm was the happiest, since he saw his wife on the screen and how she ended the dreaded beast.
Then the fight against Petelgeuse was shown. Spirits fell again, since no one remembered what had happened. They saw how Subaru was possessed and how he asked Julius to kill him. The latter hated himself deeply; he hadn’t only hurt his friend—he had also killed him with his own sword.
After that they showed the loop of victory. The children jumped with happiness at seeing Julius and Subaru fight together. Even the knight smiled like a child at his moments with his friend.
But everyone was in shock at the big bombshell. Including Priscilla and Roswaal. The screen showed the other big secret of Subaru Natsuki.
After defeating Petelgeuse, Subaru and Otto shot toward Emilia, since there were explosives. Everything was normal until Petelgeuse appeared, to Otto’s surprise, since he never saw him. He only remembered collapsing unconscious and waking up when everything was over.
Everyone’s eyes went wide at the merchant’s words. But everyone stayed silent, because they began to hear a melody… They had heard many, but this one seemed special…
(The Guardian saved the OST “You say run,” haha).
The screen showed how a spirit of yellow flames appeared inside Subaru, who was about to give up. Everyone—there wasn’t a single person who wasn’t interested in the vision.
They saw how that entity Subaru called “All Might” reminded Subaru of his dreams, his goals, and his responsibility as the number one hero and symbol of hope.
Everyone stayed silent with wide eyes. Subaru—Subaru Natsuki himself, someone incredible but weak—began to show a power no one had seen in their life.
The vision continued. Subaru smiled with hope, looking at All Might’s spirit. He returned to reality, but everything was different. Subaru stood up as his body began to emit crimson lines, resembling veins of pure light. With a confident smile he murmured the words that left everyone bewildered… “My power… One for All is back.”
The whole theater fell silent at what they saw in the vision. Everyone turned their gaze toward the sleeping Subaru and the people closest to him. Emilia and Beatrice shook their heads. Neither of them knew what was happening.
But they didn’t have time, because the screen continued. Subaru remained standing, preparing his attack. He remembered his hero, his inspiration.
A star moved from side to side changing colors, being caught by Subaru with his fist, delivering a monologue of what it means to be a hero. With 20% of his power, he attacked.
!!!PLUS ULTRA!!!
A blow that would destroy entire buildings struck what remained of Petelgeuse, completely finishing him off.
!!!WHA A A A A T?!!!
A shout of disbelief was heard in unison from everyone. Not even Reinhard’s protections helped him keep calm. Even Priscilla screamed in disbelief, but a huge grin appeared immediately.
But the most shocked was none other than Al… The guy knew whose attack that was. The greatest hero of his world. He began to sweat cold, thinking that his bro had a copy of such a power.
The screen showed Subaru’s declaration to Emilia. The half-elf in the theater cried with happiness and couldn’t wait for the moment to tell her knight how much she loved him.
Ending Arc 3.
Arc 4 was pure cruelty. The vision showed how Subaru killed himself again for Rem and Crusch without accomplishing anything. They showed his closeness with Echidna. His relationship with Satella and his infernal loops. But the Guardian didn’t want to show anything of the trial Subaru passed in Echidna’s sanctuary. He said it would be for later.
Everyone was horrified at Subaru’s most brutal death: the Great Rabbit. They saw Roswaal’s machinations and everything he planned. Puck’s help making Emilia and Beatrice not forgive him, but stop hating him. Ram’s confession, to everyone’s surprise and horror.
Garfiel was one of the ones who suffered the most at seeing his captain go through so much—and seeing himself as one of the causes.
But everything was turned upside down when, after the last failed loop, the Guardian brought 7 more people into the theater. The 7 Witches of Sin were now in the theater to watch the young hero save everyone.
The reaction was immediate upon seeing the most important of all. Satella was standing, paying attention to no one but the sleeping Subaru. Emilia was the first to react with hatred toward the other half-elf. Everyone prepared to attack Satella. But the Guardian calmed them all down.
He informed them that from that moment on, the witches would watch the viewing along with them. Everyone tried to complain, but he ordered them to stop complaining or he would send them back to their world with all memories of this theater erased.
Roswaal was the happiest to see his teacher. He shouted to get her attention, to which Echidna reacted by raising her hand for him to stop shouting. The clown smiled with happiness.
Beatrice had mixed feelings when she saw her mother. She said nothing; she kept watching the screen while hugging Subaru.
The screen continued showing the end of Arc 4. Garfiel’s battle against Elsa, Meili’s capture by Otto, Frederica, and Petra. Subaru and Beatrice’s eternal contract. Emilia’s trials and the Great Rabbit’s death.
Everyone applauded when they saw the hero of Lugunica—the young man they respected so much—be happy, being rewarded with his title as knight. Everyone knew it wasn’t enough, but that would end when they returned to their world. They would fill him with the love he deserved.
⸻
Everyone in the theater kept watching the screen with smiles of happiness. A young man… a knight… a hero like no other, was there with a happy smile, dancing together with the person he loves.
Emilia smiled with happiness and love. She knew it—of course she knew it. She loved the most incredible guy in the whole world, in both worlds. Subaru Natsuki, her knight.
Rem shared that thought. She had hated herself like never before for having hurt her beloved. But now there were no doubts in her head; she would make her hero happy. She would give him all the love the boy deserved without hesitation.
Crusch shared those feelings. Just seeing the selfless acts of the boy from another world made her heart—once cold—now race. She knew those feelings were directed toward Subaru.
But from a distance there was someone who loved him more than anyone. A love as intense as it was warm. Satella, the Witch of Envy, looked at the sleeping Subaru with a genuinely warm smile.
Garfiel: The captain is incredible! Even the incredible me admits the captain is even more incredible. —he said with a smile and bright eyes full of admiration. After seeing his captain fight with such valor, it made him feel he had to work harder.
Felt: For once I agree with you, cat kid. —Garfiel growled at the nickname. Felt smiled, amused. —Big bro is incredible. Thanks a lot to my great knight for not being able to bring him with us from the very first day. —she said with sarcasm in her voice. She was resentful toward her knight for not being able to bring big bro to her side. She knew she would have a lot of fun with him.
Reinhard: I apologize, Lady Felt. I promise you that next time I will act in a better way.
Felt clicked her tongue in irritation. Reinhard felt disappointed in himself; despite all his strength, he would never be able to be a hero like Subaru. He would always be a monster who destroyed his family just by being born…
His destructive thoughts were stopped, since he had to catch his lady’s kick.
Felt: Stop blaming yourself for everything, Rein. You’re not less than big bro—you’re Reinhard and nothing else, and that’s fine.
Reinhard’s eyes widened. His lady’s words touched deep inside a heart battered by his childhood.
Wilhelm, who was watching his grandson’s interaction, frowned with annoyance directed at himself. His memories tormented him of how he treated Reinhard because of the death of his beloved wife. He turned to look behind him to see the other member of his family.
Heinkel clicked his tongue in anger and looked away in disgust toward the screen so he wouldn’t keep seeing his father’s face.
The Demon of the Sword lowered his head in sadness. But he couldn’t give up on his family. A young man had taught him that anything can be achieved with enough determination. He smiled as he remembered Subaru, whom he saw as a grandson.
Priscilla: Ha! As if a sewer rat like you would be worthy of having the commoner by your side. As the world turns in my favor and so I desire it, Subaru Natsuki will be mine when we get out of this stupid place. —She declared proudly. Subaru had completely earned the baroness’s interest.
But those words alerted the pointed ears of a half-elf.
Emilia: What do you think you’re saying?! Subaru isn’t going anywhere. He’ll be with me and I won’t let him go no matter what it takes. —she affirmed with determination.
Priscilla: And what will a half-demon like you do? From what I’ve seen, the boy is waiting for your answer, but a fool like you doesn’t realize what’s happening right in front of your nose.
Garfiel: What do you think you’re saying to the princess?! The captain will never leave the princess—not for you, not for anyone. —the tiger boy growled.
Petra: That’s right! Lord Subaru will stay with us and no one will be able to take him away from us. —Petra was sure of her words. She had to help her hero in everything and wouldn’t allow anyone to take him away from her.
Frederica and Meili smiled with amusement as they watched their friend take her first steps to conquer her crush. They knew it would be very difficult given her age, but they didn’t lose hope.
Roswaal: Well~, I think things~ are getting a little~…
Felt: You shut up, damn clown! When we get out of here, I’ll immediately ask Rein to go get you and lock you up until you rot.
Reinhard, though he didn’t like his lady speaking that way, accepted the order; he also wanted the margrave to pay for his actions.
Ram: Lady Felt. I would ask that you control your words. Lord Roswaal will no longer harm you…
Felt: You too, shut up! Your opinion doesn’t count when it comes to that idiot. Damn, I still don’t understand what you saw in that guy! —she shouted in frustration. She had seen the pink maid and had always thought she was someone mature, though a bit harsh. But her opinion of her changed after learning about her love for the clown.
Rem: Rem doesn’t understand Sissy either… —she said sadly. She didn’t understand love toward her master. Not after seeing what he was capable of doing to everyone for a stupid witch.
Ram: Sissy… please don’t get into this matter. It is Ram’s heart that feels this, and I can’t change it even if I wanted to.
Rem looked away. She didn’t understand what her sister felt or why. She simply preferred to keep playing with Subaru’s hair.
Anastasia: Well, the show was splendid. A merchant like me appreciates the information we just gathered. But as Master Hoshin said, a second lost is a coin lost. For those who don’t understand, let’s not waste more time and return to our world. —Of course she would never admit in front of everyone that she was restless to get back to her world and squeeze every last drop of knowledge out of Subaru and his other world.
Otto: Oh, come on, Miss Anastasia! We all know you’re desperate to get back to our world and squeeze Subaru’s mind dry. We’ve all seen your intentions. —He adjusted his hat.
The merchant put on a kind smile. But inside she was annoyed with the drunken merchant. Julius and Ricardo looked at each other nervously. They knew their boss better than anyone and they knew when something bothered her.
Al: Excuse me… but why is no one talking about what’s important? —he commented. Aldebaran had many things on his mind; the most important at the moment was the power that had been shown on the screen.
Schult: What are you talking about, Mr. Al? —asked the small boy who was in Priscilla’s lap, letting his hair be stroked.
Everyone paid attention to the man with the helmet on his head. Aldebaran rubbed his helmet, nervous at having everyone’s attention.
Priscilla: Speak already, jester! If you don’t want me to cut off your other hand with my sword. —the baroness ordered firmly.
The helmeted knight went stiff upon hearing his lady. Instinctively, he grabbed the wrist where his hand was no longer there.
Al: What Pal did was incredible. I know… but there are more questions than answers. Besides…
Beatrice: Speak, weird man! —Beako shouted with a frown.
Al: No one mentions Arc 3, and the power Pal showed… One for All. —Everyone noticed Al’s stiffness when he spoke of that power.
Mimi: Yessss! The mini-boss was incredible, Mimi really liked the attack he did…! BOOOOM! —Mimi shouted happily while bouncing from side to side.
Hetaro let out a tired snort. He held his energetic sister, trying to calm her down.
Tivey: Mr. Al is right. I had never seen that power; in all the books I have read, I had never heard of something called… One for all. —he said, adjusting his monocle and looking at the notes he had written down.
Beatrice: Betty hasn’t read anything about that either, I suppose. In Mother’s library there were no records of that power. And Betty’s Subaru didn’t tell her about his power, actually. —she said with an annoyed pout. She knew she would scold her contractor without headpats for 2 hours.
Emilia: Beako is right… Subaru didn’t tell us anything… I understand about his… authority. But about his power… I don’t understand it. —she murmured the last part. She felt bad, since her knight didn’t trust her enough. Even if she deserved it for having abandoned him, she didn’t want things to stay this way.
Puck: Oh, come on, Lia… You know how Subaru is. It’s safe to say he wants to impress you with one of his stupid stunts with his power. —Puck floated near Emilia. Even though his daughter still kept him at a distance, he had recovered a piece of Lia by helping Subaru in Arc 4. Besides, the boy from another world was kind of likable.
Emilia nodded tiredly. She wanted to believe that. But she was afraid Subaru would never trust her.
Typhon: I think Baru will do something incredible with his power! I hope he invites me when he does. —said the little witch innocently.
Minerva: What are you saying, Typhon?! That boy, even if he wants to, can’t invite you… remember we’re dead. —said the yellow-haired witch angrily. She wasn’t even angry; that’s just her personality.
Sekhmet and Daphne nodded their heads. Carmilla, who was still hidden behind Echidna, peeked out to feel.
Echidna: I am also intrigued by that power… as Beatrice said. In my library there are no records, since it has never existed… perhaps it comes from another world. —she smiled with anticipation. Knowledge was her only pleasure, and learning more about another world was exciting for the witch.
Everyone frowned upon hearing the damned witch. But they stayed silent, since what she said made sense.
A demi-human dressed as a woman stood up from his seat to speak to someone in particular.
Felix: Mr. Guardian, nya!
Crusch: Ferris… —What are you doing? —the duchess asked, worried. Even though the Guardian had shown himself kind, they didn’t know the extent of his power. They had to be careful.
Felix: Don’t worry, Miss Crusch. I just want to ask Mr. Guardian if he knows about Subaru’s power, nya. —he smiled at his lady warmly.
Everyone, though a bit surprised, nodded with understanding. Everyone was intrigued by the power he showed in Arc 3.
A few seconds passed until the Guardian’s voice echoed through the screen.
Guardian: I see you’re done talking and arguing.
The cast clicked their tongues in annoyance at the comment from the person responsible for all of this.
Felix: Mr. Guardian, nya. —Do you know about Subaru’s power, nya? —he asked cautiously, but with his characteristic sense of humor.
Guardian: Maybe I do, or maybe I don’t… it depends on how nicely you ask me. —he joked a bit.
Everyone let out a tired sigh.
Meili: Oh, come on, Mr. Guardian! We all want to know about the Lord’s power. —Meili said irritably.
Even though everyone worried about the way the former assassin spoke, everyone nodded, showing the girl was right.
Guardian: Of course I know about Subaru Natsuki! But I’m not the only one who knows, am I…? Satella.
Everyone turned their gazes toward the half-elf dressed in black in disbelief.
Echidna: Damn bitch! You knew about this and you didn’t say it?! —she screamed in rage. Aside from her instinctive hatred toward Satella, the fact that she knew things Echidna didn’t affected her more than she could accept.
Satella didn’t flinch at the witch’s words. Her gaze kept looking with love at Subaru.
Emilia: You know about Subaru’s power? —she asked with irritation. Part of her understood Satella, but she also remembered all the suffering that happened because of her.
The Witch of Envy didn’t answer. She didn’t want to do anything other than look at Subaru.
Reinhard: Excuse me, Miss Satella… could you please be so kind as to explain a bit about Subaru? We want to help him in the same way you want to help him, so it would help us a lot to know about his power so we can help him, whether in training or controlling it. —Reinhard spoke politely. Though his curiosity made him want to know about his friend’s power, he wasn’t lying about wanting to help him. The Sword Saint wanted to help him even in training to spend more time with his friend.
Everyone was left dumbfounded by how Reinhard addressed the greatest monster in their world. They knew it wasn’t the witch herself, but it still seemed insane to speak to her in the same way.
Satella stayed silent for a moment, contemplating her beloved. Without stopping looking at him, she spoke.
Satella: Yes, I do know my beloved’s power. I watched him through his journey in this world and also in the previous one. That power does not come from Authorities nor from Od Laguna. It is from beyond the Great Waterfall.
Everyone’s eyes widened upon learning of a power that comes from beyond the Great Waterfall.
Ricardo: Whew! An incredible power from the kid… but then, friend—why don’t you have a similar power? —he turned to look at his new friend of jokes.
Al: Oh, don’t get it twisted, brother. I was born with a power from another world too. I just never showed it and never confessed that those kinds of powers existed. —he answered casually.
Priscilla: Aldebarán! —Why didn’t you inform your lady of this, jester? —the baroness asked with annoyance. Without thinking, she threw a kick at the helmet, knocking it to the floor.
The helmeted knight began to sweat cold because of his slip-up. He didn’t want to talk about his power, and besides he couldn’t lie with Reinhard and Crusch around. He thought of a solution to escape.
Al: Princess, I already told you not to call me that. But I don’t have a power like Pal’s. His power is special, it’s unique, and besides…
Everyone waited, watching for the jester to finish his words.
Al: I had only seen that power in one single person… —he said with respect as he remembered that hero whom Al respected.
Everyone frowned, since Al never finished his sentences. They didn’t know if he did it on purpose, but it was starting to annoy them.
Ram: Speak already, failed human experiment! —she shouted angrily.
Al: Oh, come on, Ram! You don’t have to be so mean. Anyway, that power belongs to someone special in our world. It’s very similar to the number one hero’s. A superpowered person. His name is… All Might. The same one Pal mentioned.
Everyone’s eyes widened. They knew nothing about All Might, but just knowing he was the number one hero in Subaru’s world made them realize he wasn’t just anyone. Reinhard got excited knowing there was a superpowered person. He didn’t know if he was like him, but he felt a lot of excitement to meet him.
But all thoughts and questions were intercepted by the voice on the screen.
Guardian: I see you are very curious about the other world’s power… so I propose a deal.
Most tensed up at the Guardian’s words. But Anastasia, Echidna, Roswaal, and Priscilla paid closer attention, since their interest was through the roof.
Julius: —What is the deal, Mr. Guardian? —asked the greatest of the knights. He could see his lady’s face, how excited she was. As a good knight, he had to make his lady happy.
Guardian: Do you want to see the past of Lugunica’s hero…? Subaru Natsuki?
Everyone got excited at those words. The fact of seeing something beyond the waterfall was a gift almost no one could have.
—YEEES!!! —Echidna and Anastasia shouted in unison. This was the best day for both greedy women.
Ricardo and Al laughed out loud at the ladies’ outburst, infecting the others. However, there were still a few things to clarify.
Crusch: What will you want in return, Mr. Guardian? —she asked cautiously. She was very excited to see life from another world and see Subaru as a young man. But she also understood that not everything could be good.
Guardian: Good question, Duchess Karsten… let’s see… leeeet’s see… The truth is I don’t want anything. I simply find your reactions amusing. —he said in a playful tone. —So, do you want to see Subaru Natsuki’s past?
Everyone nodded excitedly.
Emilia: I would love to see my beloved knight’s past. —she said with an excited smile. Puck sighed tiredly, but smiled with amusement.
Rem: I also want to see my hero. —She hugged Subaru’s arm tighter.
Beatrice: I suppose Betty won’t mind seeing her contractor’s past. —she said, trying to hide her excitement.
Garfiel: See that, Brotto?! We’re going to see the captain when he was young! —he shouted enthusiastically.
Otto: Yes, Garf. It would be fun to see the world beyond the waterfall.
—YEEES!!! —all the children in the room shouted. The triplets: Meili, Petra, Typhon, Schult.
Frederica patted Petra’s head, also excited for the new adventures.
The witches settled into their seats, preparing to see things they had never seen.
The knights smiled excitedly. Reinhard, Julius, Wilhelm held back their excitement—which they did very poorly, since their smiles gave them away.
Roswaal smiled in anticipation. Ricardo got comfortable. Crusch prepared herself beside her knight, who smiled with joy. Heinkel, begrudgingly, settled in too—though he was also curious to see what the other world was like.
Even Priscilla smiled with excitement like never before. For her, it was an act worthy of seeing, something she fully deserved.
Anastasia and Echidna were the happiest, smiling with a goofy grin on their faces.
Satella, though she had already seen everything, smiled with enthusiasm, since she would keep watching the love of her life.
Guardian: Well then, ladies and gentlemen. The show starts now. —he clapped, making popcorn and drinks appear in every seat.
The screen lit up to show the hero’s adventures.
MY HERO ACADEMIA: THE SYMBOL OF HOPE.
Chapter 1: Subaru Natsuki, origin.