WEEK 4 DAY 5: MISSION

[wonderful_mods]

Mission: "Free Paulownia Mall from Noise."
Time Limit: Long
Noise Plane: Duet
Wall Instructions: Key wall in front of Paulownia Mall.
Wall Rewards: Hip Snake
Reaped Rewards: Hot Gaze
Mission Rewards: Choose ONE: 1-handed sword, 2-handed sword, Boxing Gloves, Knuckles, Axe, Hammer, Spear, Bow, or Kunai.

[Another day, another Noise-erasing mission. However, this time there is a definite cause behind the noise: Someone has been wreaking havoc in the Police Station, and the Officer there is really starting to get tired of not being able to catch the culprit. To get rid of the Noise completely, the Players will have to address this little problem. But anyone who helps will be rewarded with a weapon... apparently, some strings have been pulled in that regard. Could the higher-ups be planning something?]

Comments

[notsogrimreaper]

I'm sorry to interrupt, I know it's a mission...

[Ryoji takes a brief look around the mall before speaking again.]

You remember what I told you about... what I am, right?

[cruel_kindness]

Nah, it's no problem at all.

Of course we do, Mr. Thanatos. What about it?

[notsogrimreaper]

[He forces a weak smile at the nickname before continuing.]

This world is the one I'm from... except it's a little different. When I found out what I was, I gave my friends a choice... to kill me and live in peace and ignorance until I brought about the end of the world, or let me live only to have to fight me.

When I tried to talk to my friends here, they didn't recognize me. They chose to kill me... so that means that the end is coming. I'm working to stop it, and... I think the only way is for me to be completely erased from existence.

[He finally pauses, letting that sink in. Hopefully, she doesn't argue with his decision.]

[cruel_kindness]

[The Flutters are both silent as all the implications sink in. Fluttercruel looks horrified.]

No. Buck no. We can't do that to you!

[Sorry, Ryoji, but it looks like arguing here is going to happen, whether you like it or not.]

[notsogrimreaper]

You don't have to. Ichigo-san has already agreed to it. I was just telling you what is going to happen...

I just want to say goodbye.

[He can't leave everyone without making sure to speak with everyone, even if they hate him for what's going to happen.]

[cruel_kindness]

No! Buck that! We'll find a way! Mission's over! Come with me!

[She starts pushing Ryoji to the hotel so they can try and find a way for Ryoji to be alive. One thing's for sure. Fluttercruel's acting like a spoiled child right now.]

O-Oh no ;;

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji doesn't try to resist, but that's only because he's trying to turn around and look at her. He's miserable that he has to do this, that she's so hurt about it.]

I'm sorry, I really am! Please, just listen to me. There's no other way. I-I just want you to accept that. This is what's best for everyone.

[cruel_kindness]

No! We can force a bucking world change early somehow! We can lock you up someplace where you won't do your little deathy destroy the world thing! Your our friend, we can't let you get erased...!

[notsogrimreaper]

Trust me, if there was any other way to do this, I would have taken it. But there's really nothing we can do! I'm sorry. Just please let me say goodbye to you.

[cruel_kindness]

[Fluttercruel's pushing eventually slows to a stop. A few seconds afterward, Ryoji will feel a hoof on his shoulder. The Flutters don't want a friend to die. Cruelly's sniffing by now. And if Ryoji looks back, he'll see a puppy dog face attempting to convince him.]

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji turns as soon as he hears the sniffling, and it's hard to resist that face. He has to close his eyes, putting a hand on her head in an attempt to provide some sort of comfort.]

Please don't cry. It'll be okay...

[cruel_kindness]

B- but... You'll be g- gone and [sniff] You're one of m- my friends... [sniff]

[Fluttershy's attempting to reassure Fluttercruel, saying that they'll remain friends whether or not he's gone, but Fluttercruel isn't having any of it, still trying to puppy dig face him into submission.]

[notsogrimreaper]

It's okay. I'll still be your friend, when I'm gone. I'll still be here. Just not physically.

Even then, I'll be there whenever you need me. I'll... I'll watch over you, okay? Just please don't cry... I'm sorry.

[The more upset she gets, the more he gets, and it looks like he's holding back tears, desperately trying to keep his mask and keep smiling.]

[cruel_kindness]

[Fluttercruel suddenly flutters around to hug Ryoji. By now, tears are going down her face.]

P- please don't go...

[That's all she says. That's all she CAN say. Fluttercruel feels so useless right now. She can't help Ryoji and this makes her feel horrible.]

[notsogrimreaper]

I won't go yet... It's not going to happen until tomorrow. We can spend all day together if you want.

[He hesitates, but he manages to return the hug, sniffling a bit himself now. It's the right thing to do, but that doesn't make it easy.]

[cruel_kindness]

[Cruelly remains crying, but she nods her head yes. She does indeed want to spend time with Ryoji. It's... going to be hard for The Flutters after he's gone.]

[notsogrimreaper]

Alright. Then we'll do whatever you want today. I'll buy you lunch as a thank you, okay?

[He wants to be sure that he shows his gratitude for the second life he did get to have, however short it was.]

[cruel_kindness]

[Cruelly nods again. By the time they to the restaurant, Fluttercruel's calmed down enough to just feel horrible and sniff occasionally, not outright openly weeping.]

[notsogrimreaper]

[Don't worry, Cruelly, Ryoji feels more horrible than you do. Thankfully, they get led to a table quickly before the waitress leaves them be, giving them both time to calm down.]

[cruel_kindness]

[The Flutters just sit at the table in silence for a while, unable to look at Ryoji.]

...We're going to miss you s- so much.

[notsogrimreaper]

I'm going to miss you too. I-I really wish there was another option. It's not going to hurt me, at least not physically, but knowing how hurt you are...

[Ryoji can't continue. He just looks down at the table and flips through the menu distractedly.]

[shy_kindness]

[Fluttershy takes control and smiles sweetly.]

Ryoji, I'll help her through this. I'll be sad to see you go, too. Fluttercruel's strong. Stronger than I am. But we'll both remember you and work toward becoming alive again. For you.

[I would like to remind you that Fluttershy has The Element of Kindness. And that was a really kind thing to say.]

[notsogrimreaper]

[That was more than just kind, that was exactly what Ryoji needed to hear. All he wants is for the people in the Game to be alive again, and knowing that the Flutters will move on when faced with hardship is a relief. He smiles back.]

I'm glad. I want you to move on. If there's anyone else who misses me, could you... talk to them? I don't want anyone to miss me.

[Or at least not too much.]

[shy_kindness]

[Fluttershy nods happily.]

Of course I'll do that. I'm your friend, why wouldn't I do that?

[She knows firsthand what it feels like to lose a loved one. Even if she didn't have that happen to her at all. It's complicated.]

[notsogrimreaper]

Thank you so much... for everything. Especially for being my friend through all of this.

[He's so glad that he'll get to keep his friends safe.]