WEEK 4 DAY 4: MISSION

[wonderful_mods]

Mission: "Ascertain the world's circumstance."
Time Limit: Long
Noise Plane: Duet
Wall Instructions: No key walls; create walls at your own discretion. Seal off the school and dorm.
Wall Rewards: Poison Scorpion
Reaped Rewards: Final Pyre, All Expired
Mission Rewards: Scarletite

[This is the vaguest mystery ever. But, scan around and one thing will become apparent. Even if the second day was spent entirely clearing noise from the area, they're all back in full force, and they seem to be possessing more people than usual. These people have feelings of hopelessness, apathy and death. But just scanning them doesn't seem to give the answers why. If the mission can believed, this is not something the Reapers have done, but something to do with the world itself. Surely someone must know the truth....]

Comments

[invisiblefloatinghead]

Oh, did you now? I suppose congratulations are in order!

[The poor Professor thinks Ryoji is a Player and has no idea that this is probably one of the worst possible things he could be saying...]

[vexed_snake]

[Asakura's still confused at this, and he actually leaves the room for a moment. There's a loud thumping noise and the sound of someone yelling something about a vending machine, and then he returns with a couple of cans. He chucks one at Ryoji.]

[tamedhollow]

[Ichigo opts to avoid the question with one of his own]

How can you tell? Are you sure?

[notsogrimreaper]

...Sorry. I don't really know what to tell you.

[notsogrimreaper]

It's getting harder to stay in control of Thanatos, and this form doesn't feel... natural any more. I can't be sure, but this is similar to how I felt the first time I transformed.

[notsogrimreaper]

[Unfortunately, hearing the Professor say that is enough to make Ryoji lose it. He's absolutely miserable, and to hear someone so happy about what is causing him immense pain, so cheerful and warm and kind to someone who's current state ensures his own doom... it's too much.

He turns away and buries his face in his hands. He had promised himself he wouldn't cry but there was really no more restraining himself.]

[poppetstrings]

...

[Her concern seems to be almost palpable.]

[notsogrimreaper]

[It hurts, but it isn't sharp. Ryoji honestly looks a little frustrated by this point.]

The lamp was better.

[notsogrimreaper]

Can't we just... talk about something else? I don't want to worry you.

[invisiblefloatinghead]

Oh! Oh, dear, I'm sorry...I didn't know...

[The Professor is so very confused right now, and he's looking around the room like he's hoping to find someone who can help, but he doesn't see anyone. He's attempting that whole "comforting hand on the shoulder" thing even though he doesn't have much hope. Maybe he should leave.]

[vexed_snake]

Really? I thought these would be much more aerodynamic.

[He throws another can at Ryoji, albeit harder this time.]

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji can't control himself any longer. His story comes tumbling out of his mouth, even if it's punctuated by sobs and mostly confusing rambling.]

No, I'm sorry... I'm going to ruin everything. You all want to come back to life but I've ruined that chance, and now you're not even going to be able to exist at all! I'm going to kill everyone if I'm not stopped...

[He swallows a bit, and when he looks up there's an oddly peaceful look on his face.]

But it's okay. Someone will stop me. I won't exist anymore, and no one will suffer.

[invisiblefloatinghead]

[That was all very rushed and confusing, but at least Ryoji's calmed down. Stein's still not sure what's going on here, but he wants to help anyway.]

I can't say I'm too clear on what you're saying, but whatever happens? I don't think it'll be your fault. You clearly don't want to do whatever it is you're saying will happen...

[tamedhollow]

[Ichigo frowns. He knows he should do it. He knows he should just kill this guy while he has the chance.

But he can't. He can't bring himself to do it. It's his weakness. Killing people... is too much]

Just hang in there, Ryoji. The week's almost over.

[roadroller]

[Rin doesn't interrupt - she's learned to hold her tongue while she's getting information, and look at that - the timer's gone from her hand, although she's barely noticed. Mostly she can't believe she's having to deal with yet another world ending situation. Will this one also have glitch holes in the fabric of reality, she wonders?

But oh no, she's not letting that slide by.]

What does that mean? What's Ichigo got to do with it?

[notsogrimreaper]

[He actually yelps at that one, forehead bruising slightly.]

You... really aren't so tough. You could actually try hitting me with your own hands.

[notsogrimreaper]

[Damn, he should have known. How does he even explain this without her objecting?]

It's... Ichigo's agreed to help me prevent this from happening. Try to understand that there isn't any other way. I need to say goodbye now.

[notsogrimreaper]

It may almost be over, but... how do we know it won't happen before the week's over?

Ichigo. I won't be angry with you. You know I want you to do it, and I promise, I won't feel any pain. I just want you and my friends to be safe, that's all.

[notsogrimreaper]

It's not my fault... but it doesn't matter. I curse you all just by existing. That's why I need to die and get Erased...

I-I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have said all that.

[vexed_snake]

Fine, then.

[And he'll walk right up to Ryoji and take a swing at him. As long as he doesn't do enough damage that things get fatal, everything should be fine.]

[invisiblefloatinghead]

No, no, it's all right. Best to get it out.

[The Professor's still not entirely certain what's going on here, but it wouldn't be the first time he's run into something regarding the potential destruction of the world.]

There's got to be a way around it...

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji stumbles backwards, vision already swimming. He tries to at least stay on his feet, but he can only take so much constant abuse. Maybe Asakura won't notice, though, and he'll just keep pummeling him until the end.]

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji just shakes his head. He had accepted the fact that there was no other way long ago.]

The only way it could happen would be with someone else using their own life force to seal me away. But I'd still die, and they would too.

[vexed_snake]

[Oh, that felt good. Asakura takes another swing at poor Ryoji. He'll also try to stop Ryoji from falling down by reaching out to grab him by the collar.

Someone in the hotel staff is probably calling the police by now.]

[invisiblefloatinghead]

[The Professor's quiet for a long moment.]

I see...that still doesn't sound as though it would be an acceptable outcome.

[He's a superhero, dangit. He's going to save everyone if he can help it.]

You know...I once almost died to save the solar system. I didn't then, but even if I had, I'd do it again in a heartbeat...

[He's quiet for a moment.]

It's got to be someone living to help with that, doesn't it?