??? | 4th Wall | And then Rin was a demon

[pinnedbangs]

[The flash of light caught him by surprise, honest. He had been sleeping peacefully when he was shaken awake by a tiny dedenne. It was trying to say something and if Rin listened carefully he could make out... something. Something Important. He struggled to open his eyes, feeling a certain weighted sleepiness he hadn't experienced in a long time. As a human, he didn't need to sleep for ten hours on end. As he normally was, 10 hours was the bare minimum.

Rin rolled over in bed, valiantly attempting to cover his head with his blankets when suddenly he realized - there was no comfy bed beneath him. In fact, there was nothing but a stone and maybe dirt floor. Dedenne became more insistent as Rin finally roused himself into a sitting position. Okay, so he wasn't in bed: fact. There was only Dedenne: fact. He was still in his PJs and -- wow, was he in a cave or something? This sucked. ...He rubbed his hand over his face, trying once again to keep himself awake and aware. Out of the corner of his eye, he notices something that had become far too familiar to him - a soft, glowing blue light that seemed to engulf only his immediate area.

...Damn it.

About ten minutes later, Rin manages to turn on the gear (which was luckily on his person). He doesn't look too happy - but then again, who would be happy to wake up in a cave? Not to mention that he looks like a stranger version of himself. Two horns made of blue fire seem to sprout from the front of his head, for starters. Not that he particularly cared at the moment. He just wants to get back to sleep.]

I can't find this cave on the map. It's dark as hell and I'm not about to just light it up the whole time. [grumble grumble the hell is my sword I get everything else back but my damn sword, how the hell is that fair grumble snorf] ...How do I get outta here?

...And if you see an old timey sword, lemme know.

Comments

/sorry not sorry

[caerlusignisinfernale]

[ You know what's weird, Rin? That strange familiar blue glow that seems to be getting stronger. It's not coming from you, though. In fact, it may be coming from somewhere behind. ]

Looks like somebody bit off more than they could chew.

[ There's a Houndoom coming your way but that's not Shiva... and that's definitely not Yukio... even if he looks like him. There's something that's just... off about him. ]

What's the matter, son...? Scared of the dark?

YOU ARE TERRIBLE

[pinnedbangs]

[Y'know, that was really weird, as was that pin-pricky feeling on the back of his neck. There was something powerful lurking in the shadows and it was only coming closer. He felt naked without his sword. Yeah, there were other ways to attack but - but against something that strong...?

The voice was familiar yet unfamiliar, like a corrupted music file forced to repeat the same incorrect notes. Rin turned around slowly, his earlier trepidation replaced by a much more solid emotion.

He wants to call that thing his brother - but it most certainly wasn't his twin that came towards him with languid steps.]

What did you do to Yukio?! [It was obvious what had happened -- but even so, it couldn't be true! Even though instinct told him otherwise. Even though he wanted to run - just like last time - instead of standing up to fight this monster. But wasn't he stronger now?

...If he couldn't even beat Amaimon, how was he supposed to fight this guy without his sword.

But Satan had Yukio now. Sword or no sword, Rin wasn't going to take that offense lying down.]

shhh no tears only srs arpee

[caerlusignisinfernale]

[ The body is definitely Yukio's as is the voice but everything else is just so... wrong. From his manner to his speech to even the way that lip curls into a smirk and the way those eyes are just trained on Rin. Almost the same way some form of predator would keep their eyes on a fresh steak. ]

Isn't that fucking cute? He's acting like he doesn't know!

[ And there's a laugh there. Pure and simple malicious amusement. Hell, even that Houndoom looks like it's laughing at you, Rin. But the laughter dies down soon enough though that smirk isn't going anywhere. ]

Heh... Don't tell me you've forgotten already. And we were getting along, too. If you and your brother of yours were looking to send me back to Gehenna by destroying that Gate... tough luck.

You missed.

SO MUCH SOBBING AND WAILING

[pinnedbangs]

[None of what the creature said made any sense. Rin wasn't sure if it was more disturbing that he did not understand or the fact that according to Satan, Rin and Yukio had managed to close the Gehenna Gate. What he knew for a fact was that he hated the way his brother's body was being used as some sort of living puppet.

There would be no help for him or his Dedenne if he took a step backward. It takes more courage than he would care to admit to force himself to stay in place.]

I don't know what the hell you're talking about!

[Stop looking at him with those eyes, just knock it off. If he just had his damn sword with him...! Staling for time might have to be the way.]

If what you say is true, then why are you still using my brother's body? [Why wasn't he -- in the same state as Father Fujimoto?]

I'm actually tempted to dork up this thread but it's Satan

[caerlusignisinfernale]

Your brother just made the perfect vessel, that's all. It was only a matter of time.

[ Doesn't look like he's going anywhere, though. But he's not approaching either. It's odd but his glow is faint, not as intense as it normally would be. Is it Arceus' doing? The limits of the world? Who knows? ]

But enough about me, let's talk about you. Have you been a good boy...? I was hoping you'd join us soon. There's someone in Gehenna who's been dying to see you agaiin.

i would like to see you try

[pinnedbangs]

[This wasn't how he imagined their second meeting to be. He was hoping that he would dive in with sword blazing and put an end to Satan once and for all. But things happen and even Rin grew up a little.

He takes a deep breath and stares back at Satan.]

Go find yourself some coal tar to possess instead and leave my brother out of it! He's not yours!!

[If Satan's flames are decreasing, then Rin's emotional fuel only adds to his own spark of fire. It's all for show, really. He doesn't want to ask NOR DOES HE CARE who is waiting for him in Gehenna. If any of Yukio's lessons stuck with him, it was that talking to demons was pretty taboo. Rin broke that taboo all the time. ...Huh, the lesson isn't really sticking.]

There's nothing for us to talk about, especially since I'm never joining up with you, bastard!!

[armoredsoul]

[Sadly, Alphonse is nowhere near Dark Cave right now, but he certainly can respond on the 'Gear to Rin!]

Can you feel any drafts? I think that's how you're supposed to find your way to the entrance of caves...

[...okay, he has to ask.] Um, are those...the fire's not hurting you, is it?

[pinnedbangs]

A draft? I don't think I've felt one yet. How 'bout you Mick?

[Dedenne might have been a good foot away from Rin, but it still listened to its trainer. It's going to run to every corner to check for drafts, running only as far as Rin's light has illuminated.

...Al's following question should have been expected, but he'd have prefered not to talk about it. ...But it was here now, and he wasn't going to start off his new friendship by hiding something as obvious as Blue Fire.

He purposefully passes a hand through one of his horns and bares a great big smile for Al to see. -- even though that smile is full of razor sharp teeth.] Nah, see? Doesn't hurt at all! I have plenty of control over it now. Watch.

[To further his point, he shakes his hand and -- ta-da~. A little candle flame on the tip of each finger.] ...It sorta tickles, sometimes.

[armoredsoul]

If you're really far in it might take some searching...oh! And if you find a stream of water, that might lead you out, too! I remember something about underground streams forming caves over time as they find their way to the surface.

[Those teeth aren't nearly so off-putting to Alphonse as they might be to others--he's used to Wrath and Greed, after all. And the fire lighting on Rin's fingers makes Al grin as well.] Oh wow, that's so cool! I can move earth and air with alchemy, but I never figured out fire.

[pinnedbangs]

[Al... No one ever called his flames cool before. No one's ever been completely unfazed by them. That initial fear was always the first hurdle to get over and that usually took some time. But to instantly like them off the bat? Really? He really thought it was cool? He wants to ask but that's a rhetorical question. Plus it didn't sound cool. Plus plus, it would be really lame to question it.

Well, there was Maka. She thought they were pretty cool too, but she had never seen him for what he really was...

The advice Al gives him about streams goes right over his head, simply because he still couldn't believe what he had heard. Good thing Dedenne was paying attention. It takes Rin a few seconds to recompose himself, but it hardly matters. His tail is still wagging behind him. He's beside himself with happiness.]

I don't know what alchemy is, but you gotta show me one day! When you move the earth, is it like a giant earthquake? Maybe if you see my flames in action, it'll help you figure it out! [SOCIAL LINK RANK UP]

[armoredsoul]

[To be fair Al has seen a LOT in his life, and making little flames that don't burn you...really isn't the strangest thing. His eyes raise up a bit when the tail wagging makes it into the frame, but he's quickly distracted by Rin's comments.]

Ah, not really! I mean, I guess in theory I could mimic or possibly create an earthquake, but it would take so much energy it wouldn't be worth it. It's more like...well, lemme show you! Hi-Teq, could you come hold the 'Gear for me? [From off-screen a Porygon-Z comes zipping into frame, making a few electronic buzzing sounds and a long 'hoooooooonk' like a bike horn before taking the 'Gear for Al.]

[Once Al's sure he backs up a few steps--he's outside on a street somewhere and he kneels down to clap and touch his hands to the pavement. With a flash and crackle of white-blue electricity, a small stone statue forms up out of the ground in the shape of a house cat, one that could easily fit in the palm of a hand. Al grins and picks it up (it looks like white marble) and brings it closer to the camera so Rin can see better.] I can make stuff that's a lot bigger, but the more I change the more energy it takes to do it.