Author's notes: So I recently watched this re zero comic dub on youtube CrystalBlitz ( CrystalBlitz) and I was like 'damn! I need a reaction fic on that' and so here we are. Added a bit more dialogues so things would make sense. I tried my best to put my genuine reaction on the video. Hope you enjoy it. Do check out his/her channel because .FIRE. There are also some spyXfamily dubs which are just *inhales deeply* hrrrrnnnnnnnnnnggggg...
The theatre had finally grown quiet as the people calmed down from the train wreck that was arc 4. Their anger and sadness had slowly turned to happiness to see the satisfied and relaxed smile of their close friend or maybe even more, as he got his "happy ending".
Emilia: Subaru... Thank you... I-i will try not to be a dunderhead and be more supportive, I promise. Just wake up...
crossing her arms, her voice slightly wavering,
Beatrice: Stop that whining, I suppose. You will make betty's contractor feel terrible. Either way, betty is always going to be with him, so you don't have to worry, in fact.
Crusch: That's right, Miss Emilia. We all owe Subaru a lot. Being there for him is the least we can do to repent for everything we have done.
Rem: Rem just hopes, he will forgive us...
Felt: uhh, Are you dumb! There is no way big bro would just "forgive" for all the ... things he had to go through...
Reinhard: Miss Felt...
Felt: Just shaddup... I am okay.
That's right, guilt was the only emotion that was equally present in all, except, of course, Priscilla and Al. Roswaal, rather than guilt, just felt respect for the boy as he continued towards his goal even through death. For now, Roswaal decided to place his trust in him.
Garfield: Hey brotto, you don't think that capt'n would just... leave us, do you?
Otto: Nonsense, Natsuki san... wouldn't do that... probably.
Ram bit her lips and chose to be silent, not even consoling her sister.
The rest merely looked down, remembering how many times they had failed to save Subaru.
Ughh, Seriously! What is with you all? After showing you everything, you all still don't get it.
Priscilla: What more is there to understand? That fool wagged his tail for the wrong kind and paid the price for it. Hmph, If weren't for your petty tricks, mineself would have delivered divine punishment upon them.
Anastasia: I hate to agree but she is right ya know?
Are you sure about that?
Hearing the ominous tone, everyone put their guard up.
Emilia: Warden, Please wake up Subaru and let us go.
Even her own camp members were surprised at her authoritative voice.
I will think about it. But before that let me show you something.
With that, the screen started playing again.
Felt: What? another one?
Petra: Please be alright in this one, Subaru.
Reinhard: What exactly are you going to show us?
Let's just say "the future".
Everyone gulped as they prepared themselves, hoping they wouldn't hurt their friend again.
The crackling of embers flying around and the crumbling noises of buildings that grew too weak to stand on their own could be heard as the camera focuses. Raging fires could be seen eating away, at the once magnificent city. Two silhouettes could be seen in the middle of the rubble left behind by the flames.
Wilhelm: By the dragon!
Felt: I-is that the... capital?
Ferris: No way
Ram: What could have caused this?
Julius: The witch cult probably.
Crusch: Where are all the knights and us? Don't tell me they were able to defeat all of us?!
Felt: Wait, even Rein lost to those bastards?!
Reinhard: A-ah I am sorry.
Felt: Why are you apologizing?
Anastasia: It seems, they have some sort of ace up their sleeve.
Otto: Knowing that this is our future, is just terrifying.
Emilia: Now, that we know, we can be extra prepared and stop this disaster.
The screen focussed on Reinhard, exuding an aura of pure blood lust. His pure sapphire eyes shone with hatred and disgust directed towards the monster that caused all this and the monster that didn't stop all this.
Reinhard: -hk!
Felt: I-is that ... Rein...?
Ferris: I have never seen him so... Mad.
Wilhelm could feel his chest tightening. Please don't fall into the path of revenge as I did. Please don't be a monster like me.
Anastasia: The sword saint blinded by rage, now that's a natural disaster for ya.
Everyone stayed silent, knowing how true this was, except felt, who looked like she was ready to bite Anastasia's face off literally.
Garfield: But of course, he would be like that if the culprit is right in front of him, if it were me I would smash his head off the sidewalk.
Frederica: Garf, calm down a bit. Let's continue watching
Julius: That's right, we should find out what actually happened.
Felt: Rein get a hold of yourself
Reinhard: O-of course my L-lady.
Reinhard looked down unable to look at another one of his failures. He didn't fail everyone right? He must have tried everything right? He... His thoughts were interrupted by a small hand on his. This is good. He felt calm. Felt didn't look at him whatsoever, completely focused on the screen.
Subaru: So you can feel hatred after all, "Sword Saint"
Reinhard: I was surprised as well... I didn't think that this kind of emotion existed inside me.
Natsuki Subaru. His face riddled with scars and burns, his face pale and cheeks sunken. His "naturally scary" yet kind eyes were now vacant filled to the brim with insanity and hatred, which could scare even the bravest of warriors.
Emilia: Subaru!?
Crusch: What?
Rem: ...
Garfield: No way capt'n
Anastasia: Did Natsuki san...
Julius: Burned down the capital?
Beatrice: That's not possible, I suppose.
Priscilla: Hmm, so the dog finally snapped.
Emilia: Stop that, no way would Subaru hurt so many people. Don't you dare talk about him like that.
Priscilla: Don't you dare glare at my divine self. You and that childlike mentality are what caused that boy so much pain.
Crusch: That's enough.
Wilhelm: His eyes...
Felix: What is it old man will?
Wilhelm: They are that of a madman
Felt: Like that in arc 3...
Wilhelm: Except now he seems indifferent to even death
Everyone grimaced at the old man's words. The implications were too brutal to think.
Emilia: Wait! Maybe Subaru's under someone's control and that's why...
Otto: If so, why does Reinhard seem so disgusted to even speak to him? Isn't Subaru his-
Felt: Oy shut up! I am telling you that there is no way Rein would be like this ...to the people he cares about. I know that okay... More than any of you.
Reinhard: Forgive me lady felt. But still...
Priscilla: tch is this is not obvious enough for your incompetent heads. That fool is the sword saint and he has to deal with anything that is a threat. Is this not an appropriate reaction to the thing that destroyed the entire capital?
Felt widened her eyes. She wasn't sure whether Priscilla was trying to help her or was simply annoyed. Either way, she was grateful, but od! she wouldn't say that out loud.
Emilia: But Subaru wouldn't be able to do any of that. There must-
I can assure you that all of this is Subaru's doings of his own volition and as a matter of fact, it's not just the capital but the entire kingdom of lugunica that's burning down.
Julius: The entire kingdom...?
Crusch: How is that even possible?
Anastasia: that is what been buggin' me too. Natsuki san ain't all that strong, ya know?
Al: This is the true potential of Return by death.
Priscilla: Aldeberan, stop your rattling
Emilia: But why... Why would Subaru do all of this?
He cackled as he continued.
Subaru: You have discovered a new you, then. Happy birthday. Happy birthday, Reinhard.
Felt spat at his words. That was not the big bro she knew.
Reinhard looked at him with disgust as the madman continued rambling.
Subaru: You know? No matter what I tried and how much I tried, I could never kill you!
Reinhard: Kill me...?
Julius: K-kill Reinhard?
Felt: That's horrible! What's wrong with big bro?
Crusch: From what he said it seems he died multiple times trying. It seems you were right.
The duchess gave a short glance at Al, who shrugged his shoulder. Despite the neutral and disciplined tone of her voice, Al could hear her cracking slightly.
Ferris: But why? He is his friend, our friend! What caused him to have such a change?
Crusch gently patted the head of her breaking knight.
Reinhard: It m-must be my fau-lt. I am so-
Felt: You are not going to apologise for this Rein! As your lady, that's an order.
Wilhelm: Miss Felt is right, Reinhard. I can understand that this is hard to watch, but we must so that we can save Subaru-dono from this fate.
Garfield: Oy clown, why are you so silent? Don't tell me this is one of ya plans.
Roswaal: hmm? Not at a~ll Garfield. I am bound by our Su~baru Kun's contract after all. It is just, I was a bit depressed knowing that if I had won, I could have had a~ll this power-
*crash* Before he could finish Roswaal got slammed into the wall by Garfield.
Shut the fuck up, or I will beat ya more senseless than a drunkard in the middle o' a road.
Except for ram, most gave a satisfied nod at the state of the clown.
Subaru: And then it hit me. You are a hero, Reinhard. A hero is all you can be. What's a hero who has failed to protect? This is my gift to you!
Wilhelm: To kill a hero...
Frederica: That is a ... Surprisingly cruel way.
Silently musing to herself
Anastasia: A hero is all you can be... isn't that what tha' great spirit said in the trial? hmm...
Al: He made the people lose trust in Reinhard as a hero. What's the use of a sword saint who can't protect?
Felt: Oy! rein isn't a weapon to use okay? Even if he isn't any dumb hero. He is still my knight.
Reinhard: Lady Felt...
Felt: Don't apolog-
Reinhard: Thank you
Felt: mm...
With her teary amber eyes,
Crusch: To see the same kind, brilliant and strategising mind that was used to defeat the whale and the witch cult, used in such a disgusting and cruel way... it's just... I hate seeing him like this.
Though it was apparent that Crusch had feelings for the boy, it was shocking to see her in this state, unable to collect her emotions. This viewing truly was unlike the ones before.
Reinhard: Why...?
Subaru: Why you ask?
The mask that he was keeping on, cracked. His face contorted into something that was borderline madness and despair.
Subaru: Why are you so strong? Why are you so strong that I had to let them die to reach you?
Priscilla: So all that confidence was a facade and on the inside, he is still the same pathetic man.
Julius: He regrets doing all of that but still chose to do it?
Emilia: Subaru...
To see Subaru in such a state, took a toll on everyone, reminding them of how much he had gone through. Many couldn't help but shed a few tears while others closed their eyes in respect.
Subaru: I am so jealous of you. I wish I'd been like you. I wish I'd had the power to just outright save everyone.
Anastasia: So that was his reason. Envy.
Ferris: He had to die, again and again, watching his loved ones die and being unable to save them.
Ram: He is venting out his anger on Reinhard. He had to use that disgusting power so much, that he accepted that twisted reality of his as normal and blamed everyone else
Garfield: So that's why ma captn trains so hard.
You can stop Subaru... you don't need to be strong... you can rely on us more. We are sorry We will help you. I promise.
Reinhard just stared at the screen, not even blinking, as his sapphire eyes cracked.
Subaru: I hate you so much.
Reinhard: you are...
With each word, his heart broke piece by piece. Subaru is right, isn't he?
He got his strength by letting his dear grandmother die. He ruined his family. He couldn't save his mother and so many others. He couldn't reach the tower to help his late friend. He let the Witch cult roam free, killing who knows how many. Now too, he let his friend walk the path of evil and let the whole kingdom be destroyed. He was just a monster. Subaru, with only his wretched ability, saved everyone and did so much. If he had gotten his strength, he wouldn't suffer anymore, he would do so much.
Felt: Rein?
Reinhard: Yes?
Felt: You are crying.
He didn't even realise that tears falling down his face.
Reinhard: A-ah I-i is...
Before he could respond, he was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace by the blonde princess. Unable to contain his emotions, he cried quietly.
Felt: I am useless... If it was Subaru instead of me, everything would be...
Felt: How could you even say that?
Reinhard: But it's the truth, we all saw it.
Felt: Who saved me from that bowel hunter?
Reinhard: Subaru. see? If not were him...
Felt: No that's not the point, idiot. It was you and Subaru. You were big bro's first friend and comrade in this world. Because you helped big bro in the first place is the reason many of us are here, you know. Both of you are important to me, my family... stop saying stuff like that...
Surprised by the words of the young girl, he looked at her face that she was trying to hide. his widened, as instead of the rough and hot-headed princess, he was met with a girl poorly trying to hide her emotions as her scarlet eyes overflowed.
'Ahh, I am so dumb. Guess there are things that you can't learn from divine protections.'
Reinhard: Ahh, I didn't realise. I am sorry for hurting your feelings- Ah no, Thank you, Lady Felt. Your words were inspiring, I knew you would be a great ruler.
Felt: mm, oka- oy! don't add unnecessary details, hehehe...
Felt couldn't help but laugh a bit.
Reinhard: Thank you Lady Felt for correcting me. I will do my best to help everyone and you, I am your knight and family after all.
Felt with a slight red tint to her face, flashed him a toothy grin.
The rest of the theatre had small smiles, watching their cute interaction.
Meanwhile, Wilhelm watched them with a tinge of sadness, guilt panging him as he remembered how he broke his family. Still, he was happy for Reinhard.
Well, I am glad at least Felt and Reinhard got it
Felt: Huh? What do you mean?
What I showed was not your future, but rather the future where Subaru had never called for Reinhard at the beginning for help.
Reinhard: You mean, at the alley?
Otto: That caused this big of a change.
The others were dumbfounded by this revelation.
Of course, all alone, weak, with no one helping him, he had to completely rely on RBD to move forward.
The reason why I went through this much shit to show you all of this was not so you all could wallow in your mistakes but to trust him and support him in the future.
Emilia: We are sorry warden. But I promise to be there for my knight and trust him in whatever jeopardy he might be in.
Beatrice: You don't need to tell betty twice. I will protect my contractor with my all, I suppose
That's right, it was a simple solution. Subaru would never want them to drown in guilt or beg forgiveness or to make sure no danger would ever fall on him, to constantly protect him. No. What he needed were friends who would trust him and help him with things he was lacking in. With their newfound resolve to help the raven-haired boy, the cast continues their journey, to make sure all can laugh at the end.
So, writing a reaction fic was harder than I thought. It took like 90% of my brain cells to come up with something for all the characters and I pretty much ignored a lot of them. All of you reaction fic writers out thare are just amazing. It would be great if you could give me a few pointers, if I ever decide to do a rewrite or write another one. This was more of a Felt-Reinhard fic cuz the next chapter of my other fic is just some Reinhard fluff. Thanks for reading :)
Link for the video: /wsrW07hBY5E