I'm back! And I'm in college now. And life is kicking my ASS right now.

Do I have an excuse for my absence? Hell no. I'm just lazy, and this is what happened to my last fanfic 00

Do I wanna stop writing this fanfic? Also no. I still have too many plans, but it's being coupled with the fact that I have the attention span of a goldfish, and the mental capacity of a gnat.

So don't give up hope! I'm not dropping this yet! Somehow.

Subaru didn't know what was going on.

Which is a bad thing. Not knowing what was going on, was the start of MANY loops, and Subaru liked not dying. For the past few days, even weeks, Subaru was, somehow, enjoying life. He quite enjoyed the peace, and he was getting used to the cycle of it all. Wake up. Radio Calisthenics. Work. Eat. Work. Train gate. Talk to EMT. Eat. Read with Beatrice (if she didn't already kick him out), sleep.

It was a cycle that he came to enjoy, but even then, he knew something wasn't right.

Subaru was way too shocked about the situation to feel any sort of offense when he was all but ordered by the pink haired maid to sit in the back of the carriage while they dealt with the 'situation' back in the House of Karsten.

That also meant that they had to wait a bit. As long as it took to get here, they also had to be sure that both Crusch and Anastasia were inside. But the more time that passed, the more Subaru started thinking, the more gears clicked into place and started turning.

"...a hot air balloon…" His musing was almost trembling in the silence of the empty carriage. But how? Things like these are…too advanced for this world. Sure enough, the concept was simple; it was just a balloon that utilized the rising property of hot air, but…this? This was pushing it too far. He would NEVER expect this to be made in this world, much less right now, after the White Whale.

There must have been something else that made this happen. Something…from his world?

…was it…his phone?

No. He shook himself out of it, but the lingering doubts stayed in his heart like a weight. That was impossible. If the phone was still alive, it needed to be charged. There wasn't a single charger in Lugunica, not to mention how fast iPhones' batteries drain while being used. The fact that it was used until this point was nothing short of impossible, not to mention the fact that nothing about it was written in a language they could understand. There would be nothing to gain from it.

…but the internet was on.

That was something he noticed a few days ago. When he wrote an entry, the internet was on. He didn't think much of it, since maybe, it was probably the option of it being on that was showing…but even then!

The more Subaru grasped at straws the more he came to terms with it. And the more he feared.

There was a LOT in his phone that people might want. There was a lot more to it than just keeping time, and there were a lot of people who would want to take his phone.

Which means that he probably didn't lose the phone. Oh no, even worse. Someone probably TOOK his phone, granting them access to all of his entries.

He didn't want to think what would happen if they cracked the password. If they accessed it…

He had no idea what the Witch would do. But he would REALLY not like to find out. Dying out of nowhere because someone guessed a four number passcode was not something he'd like to imagine.

"Natsuki-san?" A voice broke Subaru out of his thoughts, and he looked back at the window. It was then he realized that a certain merchant was left there along with him. He broke out into a sheepish smile, directed at Otto. "Were you- saying something?"

"Eh? Oh! No, I was just talking to myself! Don't worry about it!" He deflected the topic away, and looked outside, hiding his sweat and trying to focus on something else. "...s-so…about that...flying thing. What do you think happened?" He tried not to say the name, as not to give away his knowledge of it. Then again, it was Otto. He could trust Otto.

"Eh? Oh…I thought it was beautiful!" Otto leaned back, a softer smile on his face. "After the whale, I really didn't think Anastasia would start on other projects so soon…and something so big too! It's so…advanced! "

For some reason it made Subaru flinch. He narrowed his eyes, and suddenly got closer to Otto, who suddenly leapt forward at the sudden contact at his back. "E-Eh?! Natsuki-san, what are you-"

"Say it again!"

"...I thought it was beautiful?"

"No! Not that!" Subaru shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "I meant about the project!"

"I- well-" Otto stammered, feeling as if he was suddenly put in the spotlight, which, to be fair, he kind of was. "I have never truly seen a device that allowed someone to reach the skies…Anastasia-sama has been doing that very recently, actually!"

Anastasia. The…merchant princess. The raven haired boy suddenly stopped pacing and froze, his head slowly turning. What does SHE have to do with this?

"...what do you mean by that, Otto."

…oh, Otto did not like that tone. He REALLY didn't like that tone. There was no malice, but the change was too eerie. Subaru's voice became dead calm, almost quiet. And Otto felt like he was staring at a tiger. "...I-I- u-uh-"

"Otto. What projects has she been working on." Subaru lowered his head, his hands on the wall. "Please tell me. Really. I need to know."

"...well…she wanted to…try to build in a way that meant…less land that had to be cleared…so that meant building up! I…heard the news from people working at the Hoshin Company!"

"..." That sounded very familiar. Too familiar. He pressed on. "...and what did she call them."

"Hmmmm…" Otto scratched his chin, trying to remember it, before nodding. "Since they wanted those buildings to touch the sky…I believe she called it…a 'skyscraper'? A building that would touch the sky! It's a name that fits, does it not?"

…

. . .

"...N-Natsuki-kun?"

Subaru's expression completely froze as the last puzzle piece snapped into place. Skyscraper. Hot air balloons. The fact that his phone suddenly had the wifi icon. The fact that it seemed to still be alive after all this time. It wasn't because it was offline, it was because SOMEONE WAS USING IT! How could he be so STUPID?!

A loud slam into the door jolted Otto out of his seat completely, and he looked to the side, wondering just what the hell was going on with his friend. "Wha- Natsuki-san!"

"Otto, there's no time to explain! I have to go!"

"Wait! Ram-san told you to-"

"OTTO, I HAVE TO GO!"

The merchant's mouth snapped shut as Subaru immediately stumbled out of the carriage, making his way to the Karsten's estate.

…at this point, Emilia was too sure that she was getting left behind. Just like the others, she was absolutely sure that one of them had stolen it. At this point, it was too much of a coincidence. But the fact that Rem and Ram had all but BLAZED past her the second that the moment of truth arose, she had to wonder, what was THEIR connection with this thing?

…she didn't know whether to be proud or ashamed that she seemed to be the least determined to get it back looking at effort. But she still felt as if this was…going a little too far?

"...Rem…Ram…should we not…" She tried to articulate the words, but she feared they would fall on deaf ears, a worry that would prove true, when they started trying to make their way to the rooms. The only reason they haven't been escorted out, was because the knights had recognized Rem, their hostility devolving into confusion, as they discussed amongst themselves if there was a meeting.

"...should we not…at least talk to them first?" She hit it right on the nail. She could tell just by the expressions that whatever they wanted to do, was a little less than professional.

"They stole Barasu's metia." She resisted the urge to say that it was hers, even wondering herself where the urge came from. "Whoever it was, they will not find a compromise. I will take it back myself if I must."

Emilia shuddered at the tone she said that last part in. As confident as she was in Ram's abilities…they did not equate to being able to stand against two candidates, one of which was a military leader. "Ram…we can be peaceful about this, right?"

"Of course, Emilia-sama. As long as they give it back the second I ask."

"Ram!" She grabbed the maid's arm, much to her annoyance. Emilia's eyes met Ram's. "I am SERIOUS here! You CANNOT threaten them!"

"On the contrary, I have many words to discuss with them, that one may translate as a threat. Perhaps you'd like a demonSTRATION!" Ram tried to yank her hand away, only for Emilia to hold on.

"But you will NOT! I cannot let you do that! You will put yourself in danger!"

Ram's eyes narrowing in annoyance. "I do not understand why you are being difficult, Emilia-sama. I am simply trying to retrieve," she let out a grunt as she tried again to no avail. "A precious object for your 'Subaru-kun'."

Emilia felt the bite behind that last comment, and scowled. "Do not lie to me! I've seen you every time you work, and ever since that metia came into play, you NEVER let go of it the rest of the day!" Ram flinched slightly, and Emilia pressed on. "You're just doing it so you can enjoy your DUTIES again!"

"At least it is for a WORK purpose!" Ram snarked back, finally releasing herself from Emilia's hold. "Remind me again, who was the one who spent Barasu's FUNDS on some FICTIONAL CAT?!"

"YOU TOLD ME YOU WOULD NEVER MENTION THAT AGAIN!" Emilia snapped, her face now red, and people starting to look at the…strange women. "A-At least I stop using it when the box warns me of weariness! Aren't YOU the one who works it until death?!"

"It can be revived!" She growled, waving her hands around in frustration. "I don't see why you don't see the significance of someone stealing it!"

"I do! I just have more SENSE than someone who wants to go in with violent intentions!"

"Violent- I said I was willing to be peaceful, should they just GIVE IT BACK! AM I WRONG, REM?!"

…silence. Both the oni and elf blinked, before looking around.

"...Rem?"

The blue haired maid was nowhere to be found. She went somewhere else while they were arguing. And because Rem had the best direction in this place…

They were now lost.

"..."

"..."

And immediately, Ram started rushing to wherever she thought her sister was. "REM! REM, WHERE ARE YOU-"

"YOU- YOU BETTER NOT LEAVE ME BEHIND!-"

"Come on!" Anastasia whined as she tried to tug on the sleeves of the greatest knight. "Just one more time!"

Said greatest knight was doing all he could to stop himself from shaking. He did well, but now he had to face the fact that he was afraid of heights. "Anastasia-sama…shouldn't you have more…pressing matters?" He urged. "Like…those skyscrapers?"

Anastasia didn't have enough of her focus diverted away from the magical flying balloon she made to hear Julius's almost begging tone. Still, she blinked, and finally relented with a pout. "Urgh…fine. We can settle it aside for later. BUT!" She pointed her finger and tapped his chest.

"I will not be accepting any resignations next time, mister! We're going to get it right!"

Julius accepted his defeat gracefully…externally. Internally, he groaned at the prospect of being in that death machine once again.

"...I understand, my lady." To which, Anastasia nodded and gave a little smirk, going back to the chair.

"Good! Now. The first thing I want to discuss with ya, is our new project!" She clapped her hands excitedly. "It's going to make our spaces a LOT easier to manage! But first, I need better access to what exactly is in these buildings…"

After all, the taller the building, the more unstable they were. The support they needed would probably be unimaginable…which is exactly why she needed to see it for herself. It didn't help that Natsuki-kun's language was unreadable to her, but she could still go with the pictures. Reaching over for the metia, she unlocked it with the combination she wrote down, and-

"And I suppose."

…both the knight and princess froze at the sheer COLD they felt run down their spine. It was so chilling to them, they would have sworn that it was Emilia who had walked in. They turned their heads, and instead of the candidate, they were met with a familiar, blue haired maid of the Roswaal Manor.

And despite her unreadable expression, the way she spoke had spoken prophecies of their doom.

"You plan to use the metia. That you so callously STOLE from Subaru-kun."

Rem was here. And Rem was ANGRY.

…

Anastasia shrunk away, and it would have worked, had she not nearly fallen onto the floor. She backed away nervously to Julius, who was nervously edging his hand to the hilt of his sword.

"N-Now now, Rem-san!" The merchant princess laughed nervously. "Y-You're misunderstanding something! I never STOLE it from him! I just-"

Julius slowly turned to Anastasia with wide eyes as she stuttered. What did she just get them into?

"...found it in the grass!"

"Ah yes. You found it. And decided that it was simply a random metia, with a language you do not understand," Rem whispered monotonously as she approached. Anastasia winced as she was called out. "Did you not realize it was Subaru-kun's? Perhaps by the fact that it held the time in which the White Whale attacked?"

"E-Er…I-"

"Or perhaps it would have been a better hint to know that it had HIS SCENT ON IT?"

…huh?

Rem started to seethe, the first few drops of emotion seeping through. "Or perhaps the drawings of the young girl's love that SO OBVIOUSLY equivate to the future that is for Rem and her Subaru-kun?!"

…somehow, some way, Anastasia was thinking that Rem wasn't here just to give the metia back to Natsuki-kun.

"Give me back the metia." Rem all but demanded as she spared no time in approaching. Anastasia fumbled back, holding the metia to her chest.

"H-Hey! Let's compromise!" She stammered. "I don't REALLY intend to barge into his personal life, but where he's come from, it changes everything!"

"There are no compromises for thieves." Rem's approach had stopped when Julius, finally reacting, had stepped directly in her way. She narrowed her eyes dangerously. "And what are YOU doing."

"Stopping you from doing something you may come to regret, Rem-san." It pained his heart to draw his blade against this maid. It felt as if he was violating his chivalry, but at the same time, he didn't wish danger upon his master.

…even if she apparently stole his friend's belongings.

"Rem-san, please!" She grit her teeth, going towards the back door. "Haven't you EVER wondered where he's come from?! I looked into records in Lugunica, and not a SINGLE trace of him existed!"

Rem's head snapped to the candidate and she growled. "So you spied on him?!"

"You think I wouldn't?! When a man suddenly comes in with a deal to destroy the WHITE WHALE, you don't think I'd look for information on him?!" She didn't back down on it, now stepping forward, just barely, to appeal to Rem. "Just think about it! I've seen it, maid! I've seen just a GLIMPSE of the wonders that were in the place he's come from! A place where COUNTLESS metias like this exist!" She waved the phone, watching with bated breath as Rem slowly went silent.

"A place that could serve as the foundation for a better country- no- a better WORLD!" She declared. "That's all it's ever been about! Do you know the revolution that might come, because of the origins I could find here?! It would bring Lugunica to an age of prosperity, I don't even KNOW would end!"

Both Julius and Rem stared at her with wide eyes, both equally surprised at the resolve she just showed. Seeing her chance, Anastasia unlocked the phone fully, and went back to that square with the sphere on it. She saw the familiar cities again, and showed it fully to the two.

Julius's breath wavered. It looked…so unreal. So many buildings…so tall, so beautiful. He didn't see the familiar touch of nature that he was used to seeing, but it was just so…

…human. Every touch of it was made by a human. The roads, the lights, the strange metal boxes with wheels, the stores with names he couldn't read, and the lights and poles with strings that were on the sides of the streets! So many people, and-

"This is…where Subaru comes from…?" He breathed out in wonder, his eyes not leaving the screen.

Rem said absolutely nothing. Not once did she wonder about it, and being faced with the prospect now, she had to force down the guilt of it. She had such a wonderful gift in her hands, possibly the first here to discover it, but she didn't see THIS much of it. Her Subaru-kun…who was he?

Anastasia sighed in relief, not feeling as if she could have been killed at any moment, before putting the phone down, and approaching Rem.

"I can make this happen," She told her. It wasn't a promise, but it was a statement. Anastasia knew she could, not just because she was confident in her capabilities, but ever since she laid her eyes on it, she wanted to see it with her own eyes, by her own hands.

"I just need time."

And 'the metia' went unsaid. But for the first time in a while, Rem was considering the unthinkable.

The prospect of giving up the metia.

But the fact remained, that she took it. But for this purpose? It was…understandable.

…but could she really live with it?

But before she could question it any further, the door burst open, and Anastasia groaned in weariness.

"Oh, who is it now…?"

"Rem! You-" The pink haired maid was the first to arrive, before Emilia trailed behind, whose eyes widened at the familiar box in the merchant's hands.

"You…! You have it!"

And once again, they were at a standstill. Rem had turned to her sister and the half elf with wide eyes…before her resolve hardened and she nodded to them.

Much to Ram's confusion.

She turned back to Anastasia with a shake of her head, but she seemed more respectful this time.

"While I do appreciate…and admire Anastasia-sama's vision of a better world…the metia was not mine to give up." Her eyes narrowed as Ram and Emilia finally realized what was going on, and…closed the door.

"Just as it was never yours to take."

"..." Now surrounded, Anastasia sighed and closed her eyes. She looked back at Julius with that resigned expression, and, while still deep in thought, Julius nodded back at her.

"...I guess I have no choice."

No matter what, he would support her. "I will be by your side always, Anastasia-sama," He promised. "Do not worry, we will find another way to reach your-"

"Julius, catch."

"Wha-" The knight's instincts reacted before his brain could process it, and before he could recognize it, the princess took the metia, and tossed it at Julius, who immediately caught it.

…huh. That was weird. Just now, Julius felt as if the entire world had painted a target on his back and everyone had arrows. Emilia's eyes widened as she realized what was about to happen, and Rem grit her teeth, going to take it back.

"And now!"

Anastasia, not wanting to be held hostage, leapt on a chair, and onto his shoulders.

"Julius, RUN!"

He didn't question it this time. Not when the other three had those looks on their faces. While he wanted to keep peace, he was pretty sure he wouldn't have the chance to negotiate. He turned and went out the back door.

"DON'T LET THEM ESCAPE!" Rem cried, immediately sprinting after them.

And there Crusch Karsten goes again. Walking down her hallways with every care in the world. After the first few (failed) attempts of that flying contraption that Anastasia made, she started writing down things.

Things that were basically rules that Anastasia had to follow while in her territory.

Mainly not selling them to people until she herself approved it. The last thing she wants is men falling from the sky. She really didn't know how to explain what she was doing, much less the origins of such a thing. But most of all…

"...how did she even do this?"

It was sound logic, of course, when she explained it. But no one just THINKS of that. She could live with the giant towers, but this? She definitely took inspiration. And that was the crux of the deal. If she was going to allow this to happen in her sights, she needed to know the full story.

In fact! There she was! She was running straight towards her…on top of her knight?

"Anastasia-san!" She called out, marching to her with the papers in hand. "I have to talk to-"

For a military princess, she shouldn't have been so affected by the knight immediately rushing past her, sending her stumbling away. But the fact that someone as well-mannered as Julius shoved her away had more than made her flinch. At the very least, he seemed to be distraught, as she faintly heard his frantic apologies as he ran away from the scene.

"...w-wha-"

She winced as the rush of wind came immediately, after three other figures had blazed past, one of them a figure she remembered.

…why was a maid chasing a knight? HOW was she doing that?

"GIVE IT BACK, YOU THIEF!" The sheer fury she heard in the voice of Rem had made Crusch reconsider her thoughts.

…oh. That's how.

…

Wait, she needed to talk to her! Immediately, she stood up and ran after them.

"Stop! I need to talk to you, you little-"

"We're trapped we're trapped we're trapped we're trapped-" Anastasia whimpered as she saw them closing in. Julius grit his teeth and ran as hard as he could, as if his life depended on it.

Because honestly, it probably did. Hell hath no fury than a woman scorned.

"Not…as long as I…am here…!"

No matter the deeds of his master (or in this case, a misdemeanor), he still had to assure her safety. That was his role as her knight. But at the same time, he couldn't help but be irked at the situation.

He was being chased by three girls. And he had an advanced metia in his hands. And he was giving a piggyback ride to his princess. This should have been a lucky day.

And for a second, when he saw the light at the end of the tunnel (front door), he couldn't help but break out into a smile. "We're going to make it!"

…and chains blocked the path. Destroying the wall from the force.

Welp. They weren't making it.

He skidded to a stop, and looked back wildly, backing up defensively. "Stop! This has gone on long enough, you do NOT have to resort to such drastic measures!"

"And yet YOU are the one that ran away, Julius!" Emilia huffed as she caught up. Julius paused at her reasoning.

…it was at this time, did he realize, he probably had no idea why he started running. He was very much able to just give the metia back.

"You do not UNDERSTAND the knowledge that is held here!" Anastasia declared from atop her knight's head. "And what do you use it for?! For mere RECREATION! It has more use in my hands, than it does in all of yours!"

"How dare you- it has been put to work at all times in my care!" Ram shot back with a glare. "Roswaal-sama has never been happier with my work when the light box has guided me!"

"I have never led an army until I held it in my hands!" Emilia glared intensely. How dare she imply that her cat soldiers were useless! "And Subaru is MY knight! It is in my possession as well!"

"Never in my life has Rem been more confident in her decisions than I have been right now!" The blue haired maid stormed over, and tried to snatch it away. "And I have decided that IT IS NOT YOURS!"

Julius brought the metia up higher, to get it out of Rem's reach, to which Anastasia took it out of his hands, and brought it up higher. That few inches of height had done wonders, as it was just out of Rem's reach. Now, without the threat of actual force, she tried to climb to get to it, but was met with a foot in the face as Anastasia tried to stomp the oni off. "I don't see it in YOUR hands! And it was never yours in the first place either!"

"That is BESIDES the point!"

As Rem argued futilely with the merchant, Ram had tried to draw Julius down, to get a better reach, while Emilia…stood around, not knowing what to do without being so imposing. Somehow, she was being the most reasonable out of the three. She groaned softly, and deflated.

"...what would Subaru d-" She averted her gaze…and doubled over as she saw a familiar head of black hair. With a tracksuit.

…and there stood the boy, clearly winded from running all over the manor, now gawking at the sight.

"S-Subaru!" Emilia straightened herself up, and everyone else, at the name of the original and rightful owner of the metia, froze, slowly turning their heads to the boy.

"..."

…

…

Subaru had no words for the sight. He saw his phone there. But at the same time…

"...p-pfft…"

They blinked in confusion as Subaru turned his head away, snickering to himself, before holding his gut in full blown laughter. "Bahahahahaha! Ahahahahahahaha!~"

It was too much! He was watching literal ROYAL FIGURES fight over a phone like a bunch of children! Rem was literally climbing on top of Julius, for God's sake! This was something straight out of a cartoon!

"S-Subaru-kun-" Rem immediately let go of the arm to try to make it look like she wasn't actively grabbing for the light box, before yelping at the sudden tilt back. She fell back, right on top of Ram, who barely caught her and stumbled back.

Somehow, this only made Subaru laugh harder.

All this time…he was worried that someone was stealing it. That something horrible was going to happen, but the fact that this was the cause?

This was…admittedly incredibly relieving to him. He gave a loud, content sigh, looking at them with a genuine smile.

"Okay…guys."

They seemed to relax at his tone. No anger held within, just pure mirth and relief. Until he held out his hand.

"Can you please give me back my phone?"

That took way too long. I deeply apologize. But let's face it.

I'll do it again.

Anyway, it's been a long time. So let me tell you what happened.

I just graduated high school. Yay! Now I'm in college, and summer break means nothing to me. Because I don't have one anymore.

I also work at chick-fil-a now. I am now sick of fried chicken, but you know what I am NOT sick of? Fourteen dollars an hour and a five hundred dollar paycheck every two weeks.

Anyway, now that this arc is out of the way, I got past the long part, and I can go back to it being cracky again!

But really, I tried hard to improve every chapter I write. So genuinely, I hope you all enjoyed~