deathof4thwall | (no subject)

(no subject)

Minato's near the fountain enjoying an orange when it happens.

Blurring into existence a few feet away is a door seemingly made out of 8-bit pixels. Before Minato can react, it derezzes into a blank black portal.

Minato drops the orange and starts flying frantically in the other direction, but the portal seems to be exerting a tremendous suction on him - no matter how fast he flies, he's not actually getting away - indeed, he's only being drawn in faster.

The closer he gets to the portal, the more his wardrobe changes - his cape vanishes, his silver pants turn into blue slacks, and his purple shirt transforms into the uniform shirt and jacket of Gekkoukan High.

As he's dragged towards the portal, his expression grows more and more frantic - his pupils have shrunk to pinpoints, and his mouth is locked into a morbid rictus while a high, terrified keening issues from behind his clenched teeth.

Eventually, his powers of flight give out, leaving him clawing at the ground itself as he tries to drag himself away from the portal. As he's finally drawn in, he manages to let out one last scream of fear and despair before the door shuts and vanishes, pouring everything he has into one desperate plea.

"RYOJIIIIIIIIIiiiiiiiii-"

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Guess who has two thumbs and saw the whole thing from a distance?

This guy.

"Hey!" As he runs forward and assumes that the guy went home, he becomes confused. Going home is a good thing right? A lot of people here want to go back home, himself included. So why not him?

Something terrible must have happened back home. Or maybe he was sucked into this world's version of the Midnight Channel? Either way, it can't be good.

Souji catches up to the fountain and, seeing no door there anymore, looks around the area to where it could have gone. Maybe it's back in the Door Forest.

"...Hello?" He'll look there next, he's just...trying to catch his breath.

The dropped orange wobbles forlornly.

He picks up the orange and...stares at it as if he were staring into a crystal ball.

"...Ryoji." He'll have to remember that name when he's done looking for that door. Who was that again? He's heard the name here before...

...Oh, right. Scarf Kid.

Anyway, off he goes to the Door Forest to look for the perpetrating door.

It stands out, being literally made of pixels.

Ah, there it is.

He stops in front of it, then idly wonders if he can go inside and look.

Souji tries to open the door.

There's a sound.

It goes DOINK.

The door does not open.

Darnit.

He steps back and ponders. It's like a door you find in a TV dungeon, almost.

Maybe he needs an item to open it, who knows.

Who knows, indeed.

Maybe you should ask the scarf guy?

That a great idea, Narration!

The only thing to do now is find the Scarf Guy. Shouldn't be terribly hard.

Well, I've done all I can as the narration. You'll have to find a Scarf Guy yourself, sorry.

Welp.

So Thanatos finally shows up here after being directed by a young Izanagi look-alike who was asking about a Minato in silver pants and a helmet. He immediately goes over to the doors and finds the pizelated thing almost right away, it stands out so much.

"...Hmmn." Maybe he should try to open it.

If you touch it, it goes Doink.

Darnit.

There has to be some way of opening this stupid thing. Like some kind of...computer code.

...Hey, this is still Thanatos we're talking about, give him a break.

"M-...Minato?" Maybe he can still hear him.

BING

A piece of paper flutters down. What do?

Pick it up and read it, of course!

We apologize for the interruption in service. The problem has been resolved. Please enjoy the world of Persona 3!

It seems like there's more letters on the back. Flip the paper over and read?

Uh...yeah, sure.

Persona 3? What the heck...

i'mscaredscaredscaredSCARED
helpmeryoji
i
don't
wanna
go
back
HELP
ME

Once you're done reading, the paper bursts into violet flames, which spiral upward to form a small cloud of butterflies. The butterflies, in turn, form a rough circle, resembling a pair of lips. A sound is broadcast from them - a voice that bypasses the ears to lodge directly in the brain.

'please no i don' wanna idonwannanononoNONOOOO RYOJIHELPMERYOJIRYOJIHELLLPPMEEEEPLEASEKILLMEIDONWANNAGOBACKKILLME'

...hm. That was unusual.

It sure is.

"Minato, I'm here, but I can't open the door to get you. I need to be let in."

The butterflies form into a pulsing sphere.

'we are...the last of his strength, that he spent like water in a futile struggle. stretch out your hand and receive the power of madness!'

The sphere condenses down into a small, tear-shaped amethyst. Better catch it!

Well all right!

He doesn't have god-like reflexes for nothing, so he catches the amethyst really quick.

...The Power of Madness sounds very ominous though.

Nah, his soul-butterflies are just drama queens. You can trust me, I'm the narration.

As you catch the amethyst, the door slowly opens, making a Bloop noise.

Bloop. Like that.

Oh, well that's awesome. He takes a deep breath and walks in, hoping it's not as weird or creepy as last time.

Well, really, how bad could it - OH GOD EVERYTHING IS BURNING.

WHY ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE BURNING.

WHY DO THEY NOT NOTICE THAT THEY ARE ON FIRE.

...it probably means something that the fire is the same violet color as before, huh?

OH NO!

They're not dying or anything (he'd know that) but it is still a very disconcerting thing to see!

"Hello?" Last time, nobody even noticed him, but what about now?