A/N: Big fan of the Blazblue series. Rachel is my favorite character and I felt compelled to write this story. I'm a bit new to writing so please go easy on me. I've done my best to check for any spelling mistakes and that sort of thing. But I really hope you guys enjoy so without further ado...on with the story.

In the lower layers of the 19th Hierarchical City of Kanayama-Yamabime, resided the poor and indigenous people. The living conditions were so bad that many struggled just to see another day.

This was also the case for one particular young boy by the name of Ryon. He had black spiky hair and blue eyes and although he was only fifteen years old, Ryon had been looking out himself for the majority of his life. He survived by stealing whatever he could from others. It wasn't an easy life, but there also wasn't any other options for children like him.

It was night time out on the streets and Ryon had only his tattered clothes that didn't provide his body much warmth from the cold air. Ryon examined the contents of a wallet he 'acquired' not too long ago from a random person. Judging by the amount of Platinum dollars he would have enough money to buy food from one of the more decent restaurants.

The idea of a warm meal brought a smile to lips.

''Hey! Thief!''

The joy was instantly replaced by fear as Ryon turned around to see three grown men running towards him. One he recognized as being the guy whose wallet he currently had in his hands. Not needing anymore of a reason, Ryon took off as fast as his legs could take him, narrowly avoiding running into people along the way.

He made a sharp turn into an alleyway. He ran thinking he had gotten away from his pursuers.

Until a dead end stood in his path.

''Oh crap.'' He said, turning to see the three men catching up to him now. He was trapped.

Two of the men grabbed and held Ryon by the arms while the third checked his pockets. He pulled out his wallet and checked it's contents. There was a look of relief on his face upon discovering nothing was missing. But it soon changed to a darker look when he turned his attention back to the boy.

''Think you can just get away with stealing me, thief.''

''I was just trying to get by.'' Ryon explained, but knew it was futile.

All his response did was earn him firm slap in the face.

''Shut your damn mouth!''

Ryon get taste a bit of blood in his mouth now.

''Pieces of filth like you are the reason our communities gone to shit. You're nothing but pests. And there's only one way to deal with you.'' The man said.

He then proceeded to pull a switch blade from one of his pockets. Ryons' eyes widened in fear at the sight.

''Hey are you sure that's a good idea?'' One of the men holding Ryon asked nervously. Thinking that this was going too far.

''Shut up. Just hold him still.'' The man commanded.

Ryon struggled with all his strength to break free from the men and their vice-like hold over him. It wasn't long before he felt a sharp pain in his gut. Followed by another. Then another. He looked down to see three red holes in his shirt. A glance back at the man revealed the knife was now dripping blood from the blade. His blood.

He felt the arms that once held him up had let go and he down with his against the wall. The three men stared at him for a while before taking off. Ryon tried his best to cover his wounds with his hands but too much blood was already lost and he had no strength to get back on his feet. The realization hit Ryon almost as hard as that slap from earlier.

He was going to die.

Slowly.

In a dark alleyway.

Alone.

It was the worse feeling he had ever felt in his life. To meet the end of his life so young and in such a place. His life slowly slipping from his grasp. Ryon never felt so powerless.

''So this is it. I'm really going to die.'' He said.

''Yes. It's seems that way.''

Ryon's head turned up immediately at the source of the new voice. He saw a young girl staring down at him. She wore a frilly black gown and jacket, red ribbon bow tie, a red bat symbol design cross from the front to the back on her dress. The girls face displayed no readable emotion but there was something about her eyes that made Ryon think she was far older than she looked

''A-are you the Grim Reaper?'' Ryon gasped.

''What an absurd question.'' The girl responded. She gazed down at Ryon's wounds then met his eyes again. ''You will die soon.''

There was something strange in the way she said that. So emotionless. So matter-of-fact. It was quite unexpected from a child. Or was Ryon's fate that obvious? Even now his vision was starting to lose focus and his body started to feel numb.

''Can you...help me...please?''

There was a moment of silence before the girl replied, ''I can help you.''

In that moment, Ryon felt the strongest sense of happiness he had ever felt. First the first time in in years, he felt hope.

''But I do know not why I should.''

An in that same moment, his hope was crushed. Out of desperation, Ryon grabbed a part of her dress. Tears began to fall form his eyes.

''Please...I beg you...''

''Unhand me!'' The girl smack his hand from her dress. ''Even if I chose to help, what good would that do for me? Why should I be concerned if you live or die?''

The question rang through Ryons' mind. Why should she concern herself with him, a homeless orphan? He had no money, no way of repaying her. But right now his life was very much in her hands.

Wait.

He looked up at her again. Her red eyes seemed to pierced into his very soul. But Ryon held his gaze as he spoke.

''If you help me...then I'll be in your debt...and I'll do whatever I can to repay you.'' He said. The pain starting to become almost unbearable.

For a moment he could've sworn he saw a hint of surprise in her eyes. But was gone in an instant.

''Is that what you offer me? Your servitude in exchange for my aid?'' She asked.

''Yes.'' His reply was short and simple.

The girl continued to stare at Ryon with the same blank expression as before. Each second brought him closer to deaths door. Suddenly, she knelt down beside him.

''Close your eyes.'' She said, her hand caressing his cheek. The touch was cold yet comforting.

Ryon obeyed. And in instant a pain shot from the side of his neck. He didn't open his eyes again.