"—Celestia entrusted us with the Crystal Mirror specifically so we could test its reactions to certain phenomena. The less unknown variables, the better!"
The purple one's voice was firm, charged with the passion of someone who had rehearsed her speech a dozen times in her mind. Around her, the others exchanged glances.
The orange one nodded earnestly, her hat tilting slightly with the motion. She didn't need explanations. She had a quiet, unshakeable trust in her friend's plan. Beside her, the pink one bounced on her hooves, giggling. The idea of experiments, magic, or simply being together filled her with infectious delight.
The white one adjusted the jeweled accessory she wore around her neck, her refined demeanor lit with excitement. The prospect of helping her friends was already enough, but aiding The Princess herself? it was a dream come true.
The yellow one hesitated, her soft eyes darting between her friends and the shimmering surface of the mirror, apprehensive but resolute in her decision to assist them.
The blue one rolled her eyes, hovering midair, her wings beating lazily. "Yeah, yeah, let's just get started already," she grumbled, her voice tinged with impatience. She had places to be, tricks to practice—this felt like it was dragging on too long.
The purple one sighed, clearly annoyed but choosing not to engage. Instead, she pushed forward, the smallest flick of her tail betraying her irritation. "Fine. Just focus on the mirror. The magic of the Elements will do the rest."
Each of them adjusted their stance as they prepared to channel their power. Around their necks, brilliant gemstones began to shimmer: red, orange, blue, pink, violet. Their glow intensified as golden casings caught the light.
The air grew thick with energy as they closed their eyes. Hooves lifted from the ground, and the space around them began to hum with power. One by one, their eyes flashed a blinding white.
The multicolored light of the beam struck the mirror, but something went wrong.
A boy with empty, nasty eyes exited a convenience store. His movements were lethargic, his shoulders hunched as if weighed down by anchors. The black asphalt stretched before him, empty except for the dim glow of a streetlight.
He stepped toward the road, his lifeless gaze darting left, then right. His hand, holding a plastic bag filled with small items. He prepared to step off the curb.
Something unseen brushed against him—a sensation colder than ice yet hungrier than flame.
A shadow reached out.
The mirror cracked.
Darkness pooled from its fractured surface, tendrils of shadow clawing their way into the room. They moved with purpose, sharp and jagged like ink spilled across water. The air turned heavy, suffocating.
The glow faded from their eyes as panic set in.
"Twilight—what's happening?" the orange one asked, her voice trembling.
The purple one barely had time to answer. "The Elements—!"
The gemstones shattered, fragments scattering across the floor. The golden braces holding them fell away, leaving their necks bare.
The shadows surged, tearing through the air. One by one, they were dragged into the mirror, their cries swallowed by the void.
And then—
"―Not you."
The boy blinked.
The world around him changed, the asphalt and streetlights giving way to cobblestone streets and the murmur of a bustling crowd. He stood in the middle of a strange city, a large fountain bubbling behind him.
His dull eyes widened as he took in the surroundings. A massive reptilian beast pulled a carriage, its claws clicking against the stone. The people around him wore strange clothes, their faces weathered but filled with purpose.
"What's going on?"
"This stuff… obviously isn't fake," he murmured.
"Wait.." He glanced around aimlessly, wonder permeating his expression. "Does this mean I've been summoned to a different world?!"
With pure amazement eroding his spatial awareness, he stepped back, only to almost trip against something soft.
His gaze fell on the strange creature lying still on the ground. It was small, barely larger than a dog, with a soft pink mane cascading over its face.
He crouched, tilting his head as he examined it. "A horse?" he murmured, but something about it was… off. His dark eyes lingered on its unrealistic, feathery wings.
Curiosity flickered in his expression as he reached out, hesitating for just a moment before brushing his fingers over the creature's coat. Soft. Warm. Definitely alive.
"Is this some kind of starting gear.. Animal..?.." His words came out half-joking, but excitement glimmered in his eyes.
The murmurs of the crowd around him started pressing in. Passersby slowed, eyes lingering on him with expressions ranging from mild curiosity to unease. The weight of their stares sent a prickle down his spine. Whatever this thing was, leaving it out in the open didn't seem like a good idea.
With little choice, he scooped it up into his arms. It was lighter than expected, delicate in a way that made him hold it carefully. The creature barely reacted, its body limp against him.
As he moved through the street, the dull thud of his rubber soles was drowned out by the constant chatter and hurried footsteps of the townspeople. His mind drifted, words tumbling together in the quiet space between his thoughts.
"A fantasy world. A medieval culture. Demihumans… wars… adventures…"
A scream tore through the air.
His head snapped up.
A little girl stood frozen in the middle of the road, wide-eyed as a carriage thundered toward her. Claws clacked against the cobblestone, the heavy wooden wheels rattling over uneven ground. A man shouted—a warning, a desperate plea—but the beast pulling the carriage didn't slow.
His muscles tensed.
This was it. The perfect moment for a hero to act.
"I guess it's my time to shine—"
His arms twitched, ready to move, but then—
The weight in his hold.
Subaru's eyes flicked down to the unconscious creature in his arms.
"Oh, crap."
Before he could even attempt to set it down, a blur of silver streaked across his vision.
A figure in armor lunged forward, grabbing the girl and rolling to safety just as the carriage thundered past, missing them by mere inches.
The impact of boots hitting the ground, the scrape of metal against stone—the knight stood, adjusting their grip on the child as if the entire act had been effortless.
For a brief second, the entire street stood in silence. Then, cheers erupted from the crowd.
Subaru exhaled, realizing only then how tight his grip had become. The rush of adrenaline in his veins faded as he let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"It's fine.. There's always other opportunities for me to help out."
The creature in his arms stirred faintly.
His gaze softened. "Guess you're my responsibility now, huh?"
Subaru walked away from the bustling crowd, his gaze fixed downward as he muttered to himself. "I wonder if I have any magic powers… Maybe fireballs? Or teleportation? That'd be cool."
The streets around him felt simultaneously familiar and foreign. The stone-paved roads bore a medieval air, yet the occasional sight of demihumans—a rabbit-eared child playing with a ball, a scaly merchant haggling with a customer—reminded him he wasn't in Japan anymore. If the lizard-drawn carts lumbering by hadn't already made that clear, the peculiar smells of spices and fruit hanging in the air certainly did.
Subaru's wandering led him to a small fruit stand, run by a green-haired man with a piercing gaze. Subaru carefully set the unconscious pegasus down by a nearby wall before approaching the stand.
The fruit on display looked vaguely familiar—rounded and red—but the signs on the cart might as well have been written in hieroglyphs. Subaru squinted, trying to make sense of the jagged, looping symbols. "No good. I can't read a single character."
"Hey, boy!" The vendor's voice cut through Subaru's thoughts. His tone was gruff but curious. "Those are some strange clothes you've got on. You a traveler?"
He ignored the question altogether. Instead, he pointed to one of the red fruits. "What are these?"
"Appas," the man said, folding his arms.
Subaru tapped his chin in thought. "Alright, they understand me... so the question is…" He reached into his pocket, fishing out a few coins. Yen, glittering faintly in the sunlight.
The vendor glanced at the coins, then scoffed. "What kind of money is this? You can't use this junk in Lugunica!" He waved Subaru off dismissively.
Subaru lowered his hand, a bead of sweat forming on his brow.
"So that means you're flat broke, huh?" The shopkeeper grabbed Subaru by the shoulder and gave him a solid shove. "Scram! Quit interfering with my business!"
Walking back to the pegasus, Subaru picked her up, sighing as he carried it away. "Whatever, I'll just try to gather some information."
First, he accidentally wandered into a women's demihuman restroom, unable to decipher the signs. The result? Screams followed by a sharp slap across his face that left him stumbling, nearly dropping the pegasus.
Not long after, he mistakenly entered a demihuman-only bar. The reptilian barkeep glared at him. "This place is for demihumans only!" Before Subaru could protest, another reptilian patron brushed past him, shoving him out the door forcefully.
Stumbling back onto the street, Subaru leaned against a bridge railguard, trying to regain his balance. "Ow! H-Hey!" he exclaimed—just in time to lose his footing and tumble over the railing with the pegasus still in his arms.
Splash.
"Whoa—!" Subaru plunged into the murky water below. He thrashed and sputtered, gripping the unconscious pegasus tightly to keep its head above water. "You better be worth it, horse-bird!"
Soaked and struggling, Subaru swam to the shore, clutching the unconscious pegasus tightly. He refused to let it go, even if it meant more effort.
By the time he dragged himself out, Subaru's clothes were soaked through, and his hair clung to his face.
He slumped in a shadowy alleyway, hunched over as he wrung out his jacket.
"This… This is so wrong." Subaru groaned, raising his arms in protest as though the universe could hear him. "Wasn't I summoned into a different world?! Where's my protagonist status?!" He slumped back down with a sigh. "Damn it…"
His eyes drifted to the pegasus beside him. She lay motionless, her pastel fur darkened with dampness, feathers splayed awkwardly across the stone. She looked impossibly fragile, yet she had weight—real, undeniable.
"At least I've got you."
With a sigh, he peeled off his jacket, draping it over her like a makeshift blanket. A poor excuse for warmth, but better than nothing. His hand hovered over her for a moment before retreating.
"You better have some insane ability, or I swear I'm sending a formal complaint to whatever god tossed me here."
He dug into his pocket, fishing out his phone. Miraculously, the screen flickered on, the light casting faint shadows across the alley walls. But when he checked the signal—
"Wait—no bars?! What good is this thing, then?!" He groaned, shoving it back into his pocket before rifling through the plastic packaging of his waterlogged convenience store snacks.
"If I'd known I was going to get whisked away while leaving a convenience store, I would've bought more useful items."
He grabbed a bag of chips in resignation, and tugged at its top sluggishly, tearing it open.
Leaning forward, he began to eat.
"—-"
A sharp inhale broke the stillness.
The pegasus stirred.
Subaru snapped his gaze toward her, watching as her ear twitched, then her nose, scrunching slightly as if reacting to an invisible sensation. Her chest rose and fell in unsteady breaths, damp strands of pink mane clinging to her face. Slowly, her eyelids fluttered—just a sliver at first, then further, revealing unfocused teal eyes clouded with confusion.
She blinked. Once. Twice.
Then her entire body jolted upright.
"W-Why am I wet?!" Her voice cracked, breath shallow as she scrambled upright, her hooves slipping against the damp stone. Panic surged through her as her wings flared instinctively, water droplets flinging off in all directions. "Where am I?! W-What are you?!"
Subaru threw his hands up in reflex. "Hey, hey! Calm down!"
She backed up against the wall, sides heaving, her pupils constricted to pinpricks. She was trembling.
His throat tightened. "Look, just—breathe, okay? I'm not gonna hurt you. "
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, ears pinned against her head. She looked as though she might bolt at any second, legs tensed and ready to spring. But the way Subaru remained still, hands open, voice steady—she hesitated.
Seconds passed, stretched thin.
The tension in her frame eased. Just barely. She exhaled shakily.
"You're wet because I, uh…" Subaru rubbed the back of his head, letting out a sheepish chuckle. "…Fell off a bridge. With you. That part was… not ideal."
A flicker of uncertainty passed over her expression, as if she wasn't quite sure whether to believe him or not. But after a long pause, she lowered her wings slightly. Her mane clung to her cheek, half-obscuring her face as she looked down.
"T-Thank you for your concern…" Her voice was barely above a whisper, soft but sincere. "And for getting me out of the water. I'm sure… it couldn't have been easy."
Subaru cracked a grin. "Hah, it was no problem." He stretched out his arms, shaking off some of the residual dampness before glancing back at her. "But… now that you're awake, what's your name?"
She hesitated. The faintest hint of tension flickered in her jaw.
"…Fluttershy."
He leaned in slightly.
"Huh? Say that again?"
She swallowed, a tiny gulp, then straightened just enough to lift her voice.
"It's… Fluttershy."
Subaru blinked at her, tilting his head. "Fluttershy, huh? That's… honestly a pretty cute name. Kinda fits you."
Blushing faintly, she turned her head, trying to hide behind her mane. "O-Oh, um… thank you. I guess…"
Subaru chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Man, I gotta say, I've been in this world for like, what, a few hours? And you're already the first real friend I've got here. Isn't that kinda sad?"
Fluttershy glanced back at him, her expression softening. "Oh, um… I wouldn't say that. It sounds like you've been having a rough time…"
Subaru sighed dramatically, leaning back against the wall. "You have no idea. First, I get dumped into this place without warning, then I can't read anything, I get slapped, shoved, and soaked… Honestly, you're the only good thing that's happened to me so far."
Fluttershy's ears drooped, guilt washing over her face. "O-Oh dear.. I hope I d-didn't cause you any trouble.."
Subaru immediately waved his hands. "No, no! Don't take it that way! You're not trouble at all. If anything, you're like… my emotional support right now."
Fluttershy blinked, her head tilting slightly. "E-Emotional support? Me?"
"Totally," Subaru replied with a grin. "I mean, you're adorable, you're polite, and you can talk. That already makes you ten times cooler than half the people I've met here."
Fluttershy's blush deepened, and she looked down, pawing at the ground with a hoof. "I-I don't know about being 'cool,' but… I'm glad I could be of help, even if just a little…"
Subaru smiled warmly. "See? That's what I'm talking about. You're a real morale booster."
She seemed to retreat a bit into her person, unable to process all of Subaru's niceties.
Subaru blinked, then smiled warmly. "Well," He stretched his arms over his head, shaking off some of the lingering tension in his shoulders, "Nice to meet you, Fluttershy. I'm Subaru. Looks like we're stuck together for now."
The two sat in silence for a moment, the noise of the bustling city around them fading into the background. Subaru finally exhaled, pushing himself up and shaking the dampness from his pants with an exaggerated motion. "Alright, Fluttershy, here's the plan: we're broke, hungry, and definitely lost. But no worries! I refuse to let that get me down." He clapped his hands together, as if that alone could will luck into existence. "We're gonna find some answers, maybe some food, and figure out how to survive in this world. Sound good?"
Fluttershy shifted slightly, her ears twitching at the city noise beyond their alleyway. Her gaze flitted between Subaru and the ground, wary but not quite fearful. A moment passed before she gave the faintest nod, her voice barely more than a breath. "Mhm."
Subaru, oblivious to her shyness, suddenly remembered the groceries he carried. "Oh! Would you like some of these snacks? They're pretty good." He placed his bag of chips down in front of her, before pulling another snack out of his plastic bag.
Fluttershy hesitated, lowering her head to take in the unfamiliar scent. The bag crinkled under her gentle nudge, and she flinched slightly at the unexpected sound. "I-I've never seen anything like this before…" She glanced at Subaru, uncertain, but her stomach gave a quiet protest. "…But I am a bit hungry."
Subaru smirked. "Then dig in. Not exactly a five-star meal, but it beats starving."
As minutes passed, they both dug into and finished the snacks he had brought with him.
"Man, it's been a while, hasn't it? I'm starting to wonder when the beauty that summoned me will finally show up," Subaru said, more to himself than to her, as he rifled through his thoughts aloud.
She blinked, unsure of what he meant. "Summoned? " The word lingered in her mind, sparking confusion. She didn't understand what he was talking about, but his presence intrigued her. Even so, she remained quiet, her gentle demeanor shielding her concern.
The tranquility of the moment shifted when the sound of footsteps echoed through the alley. Subaru's chatter trailed off as he looked up, spotting three men blocking the exit.
Fluttershy shrank back, her wings fluttering nervously at her sides as she took in the imposing figures. Her instinct was to flee, but seeing Subaru tense, she steeled herself. I can't just leave someone in trouble, she thought, her timid heart beating faster. Though, she did slink into the nearby shade to avoid being seen.
The three men glared at Subaru, their expressions cold and contemptuous. They looked to be in their mid-twenties, their ragged clothes and sneering faces making them appear as though they thrived on intimidation.
Subaru swallowed hard, wiping his face with trembling hands. "Damn, a compulsory event."
The men exchanged glances, amused at his behavior.
Subaru forced himself upright, pushing past the trembling in his limbs. Cold sweat clung to his skin, but he shoved the fear down. "Alright, Subaru Natsuki, time to get serious," he muttered under his breath, flexing his fingers as if expecting to feel some hidden power awaken. "This is another world, so maybe I've got some kind of cheat ability—enhanced strength, maybe?" He bounced lightly on the balls of his feet, rolling his shoulders in mock preparation.
One of the men scoffed. "He's talkin' to himself."
"Think he understands what's happening?" another sneered.
"Doubt it."
Subaru ignored them, inhaling sharply through his nose as he straightened his posture. "Listen up, you three. Guys like me? We dream of moments like this." He cracked his knuckles, stepping forward with an exaggerated grin. "I'll beat the crap outta you and turn you into XP!"
For a brief moment, the men just stared at him. Then their expressions twisted with irritation.
"You're gonna pay for mocking us!"
"That's my line!" Subaru shot back, launching himself forward with everything he had. His fist connected with the leader's jaw, knocking the man clean off his feet. The rush of exhilaration surged through him—right up until the pain caught up. "Gah—!" Subaru yelped, clutching his throbbing knuckles.
"That hurt way more than expected!"
Fluttershy gasped, her breath catching in her throat. Her legs refused to move, locked in place as panic clashed with the urge to act.
"What do I do?"
Subaru didn't slow down, charging at the second man. "Eat this! A high kick forged by after-bath stretches!" He swung his leg up, striking the thug square in the chest and sending him crashing into the wall with a grunt.
He barely had time to register his success before the leader scrambled to his feet, reaching behind his own back and pulling out a blade.
The sight of it drained all bravado from Subaru's body. The sharp gleam of metal in the dim alleyway made his stomach churn. His knees hit the dirt before he even realized he was kneeling. "I-I'm sorry! It was all my fault! Please forgive me!" The words spilled out in a desperate rush.
"What sort of crap are you spouting?! How dare you do that to us?!"
They stomped his head into the ground, causing his forehead to bleed as it scraped against the
road.
Subaru desperately curled up as they continued to pile on blow after blow.
"This is bad, it hurts like hell. I might actually die, for real."
The realization sank in like ice in his veins. This wasn't some game where enemies left you with a sliver of health after a beating. If they decided to finish him off, there'd be no retries. No second chances.
A voice broke through the haze of pain.
"S-Stop! You don't have to hurt him!"
The blows ceased for a split second.
But In that moment—
"Hey, move, move, move! You're in my way!"
The men looked up in confusion, momentarily distracted by the sudden intrusion. Subaru's fading consciousness barely registered the movement, but he saw it: a figure, small and agile, stepping into the alley. She was a girl, no older than a young adult, with shoulder-length blonde hair that seemed to catch the light as she moved. Her eyes were fierce, full of determination, and her canine-like teeth peeked out as she made a hasty gesture of impatience.
She caught sight of Fluttershy first, standing just out of the shadows, her wings fluttering in nervous tension. The girl's steps faltered for just a moment, her gaze lingering on the strange sight before her. The pegasus's trembling but steadfast stance seemed out of place, almost ethereal, and the girl couldn't help but pause, a flicker of curiosity crossing her face. But just as quickly, the girl shook her head, as if reminding herself of something more pressing.
"Can't get distracted," Her eyes shifted back toward the end of the alley, and she gave a quick, almost apologetic glance toward the men and Subaru, who still lay crumpled on the ground.
"Man, this is crazy. But I'm busy, gotta get outta here! Live strong!"
Without another word, she sprinted past the scene, her footsteps quickening as she neared a nearby wall. With a deft movement, she jumped onto a leaning board and swiftly scaled the structure, vanishing above the rooftop.
For a moment, the alley was left in stunned silence. The men stood dumbfounded, unsure of what to make of the girl's sudden appearance and abrupt departure. Subaru's breath came in shallow gasps, his body trembling with pain as he fought to stay conscious. But the brief interruption had done nothing to change his fate, and as the alley fell back into its grim stillness, the hope he'd briefly felt was crushed once more.
The men paused, turning their attention to the shy equine. "...What the hell is that?"
Fluttershy's ears pinned back, but she didn't retreat. "Hurting others… i-it's not right. Please, just leave him alone."
The leader stepped closer, squinting as if trying to make sense of what he was looking at. "It's got wings. And it talks."
"That ain't natural," the third man murmured, taking an uneasy step back. "Think it's some kinda… Witchbeast?"
"Never seen a talking Witchbeast.."
Fluttershy's legs trembled as they continued to speak, her mind flooded with fear. Every instinct told her to flee, to find safety somewhere far away. But the chance of Subaru being hurt, gave her pause. She clenched her teeth and spread her wings just enough to make herself look bigger—not that it made much difference given her petite frame.
They stepped back, unnerved by the creature that seemed so out of place in their world. Fluttershy's soft coat, large eyes, and delicate wings didn't belong here. She was… otherworldly.
"Hell!" the first man shouted, his face pale. He equipped one of his blades, not with skill but in a frantic, panicked arc. His heart was racing, and his grip on the weapon faltered as he swung wildly at Fluttershy. "Get back!"
Fluttershy dodged instinctively, but the blades came too close. She felt the rush of air as it missed her by mere inches, but the man's attack had done something far worse—it had startled the others, and now they were reacting without thinking. In a frenzy of panic, one of the men lunged toward her, raising a trembling fist.
Before the fist could make contact, Subaru, still dazed, shot forward, grabbing the thug's arm in a desperate grip. "Stop! Don't you dare!"
The third man snarled, trying to force Subaru back. "Get off me,—" Before he could finish, using what little strength he had left, Subaru kicked the man's shin with enough force to send him staggering.
The first man equipped his twin blades, and ran toward Subaru in an attempt to save his co-conspirator.
Fluttershy tried to shove Subaru out of the way, but the weapon's arc was wild, and in the confusion, the edge sliced into her flank.
Pain. Burning and deep. Fluttershy let out a sharp cry, her legs buckling as she staggered backward. The world tilted, the sensation of warm blood trickling down her side making her feel faint.
"No!" Subaru lunged at the attacker, tackling him to the ground. The twin blades clattered onto the stone, skidding out of reach.
Fluttershy, stunned and shaking, pushed herself up. Her breath hitched. "R-Run…"
The first man scrambled to pick up his blades. He had been so far consumed by fear, that the idea of running away seemed like it wasn't an option. This was a fight for survival.
He charged again, blade poised to strike.
Subaru moved before he could think, throwing himself into the attack.
Burying into his shoulder, the blade tore through his delicate skin like paper. His body seized, his grip tightening on the thug's wrist as he glared through the haze of agony. "Don't even think about it…!"
His shove sent the leader stumbling back, but the damage was already done.
"S-Subaru!" Fluttershy cried, eyes wide with terror.
Subaru's vision began to waver. The world around him dimmed at the edges. The sensation of warmth running down his arm, soaking into his already-wet clothes, was almost distant.
"Are we gonna die..?" His mind raced. "I don't wanna die. I don't wanna die. It's true I haven't lived very virtuously. Even so, a death like this is just too cruel. Especially for her..!" He pleaded to himself internally.
His body struck the cracked cobblestone below him as gravity pulled him towards the
ground. His eyes muddled as three blurred figures ran away.
He dragged his vision over to Fluttershy.
Her mythically round turquoise eyes glistened with hot tears as her jaw locked in place.
The raven-haired boy closed his eyes.
—
—-
—-
"―Wha.. Are you okay?!"