+ Your imagination can't hurt you! +

[vitaelamorte]

Who: YOU!
Where: The Mindscape
When: starting November 11th
Rating: may be up to R for character deaths
Summary: Navigate challenges to learn valuable lessons about nonviolence, cooperation, and self-sacrifice! Release your inner animal! Read more about the event here, and on the bulletin board.
The Story:




"If you know yourself, you have nothing to fear."
"Working together is the only way."
"Deaths are a necessary part of life, but not all deaths are necessary."
"The needs of the many outweigh the life of just one."

Comments

[mettatonvevo]

[It was a mistake from the moment he stepped over the threshold. His systems shudder with the latent electricity crackling in the air and when the walls leap to life he shudders, both physical and physiological reasons permeating the action.

He does not look as composed running back to the space with Frisk as he did walking off it, and practically throws himself onto it as the walls close behind him; however, he is not completely fast enough as one of his feet gets caught and he yells, his body collapsing to the ground as he pulls himself out completely.

It takes a moment for him to be able to do anything other than clutch at his leg, but after a few moments of schooling his face to not be the visage of abstract pain, he finally reveals his face to Frisk, wearing a weary grin.]

Clearly that didn't work. Do you have any ideas?

[determinedest]

[They study the barriers absently as he jogs back over to them. He looks like he's in a whole lot of pain, but that's secondary. Frisk is more intent upon the way the twin barriers of energy have collided, forming a bright zigzagging path across the hall - interspersed with that blistering brightness still, but traversable.

They look back over to him, and point. If they're bothered by how much he looks like he hurts - and they aren't - they don't show it.]

There's a way now.

[mettatonvevo]

[His smile freezes into a confused gape as he processes what Frisk has said. When his presence of mind catches up with him, he looks behind and sees that... they're right.]

...Is that the solution? Go out and then run back like hell?

[determinedest]

I guess.

[At least he doesn't have to be worried that they'll think less of him. They're pretty unperturbed, even if it wasn't the most dignified way to reach the end.

They should offer to help, maybe. He still looks like he's in a lot of pain. But...that'd be weird. Creepy. So instead they simply turn and start to move through the static barriers, winding their way toward the door at the end.]

[mettatonvevo]

[That stings. No matter how many times Mettaton tells himself that Frisk can’t help the way they act now, it still sends a deep tremor of pain through his SOUL to see them walk away without a single inquisitive word towards his state.

But, he supposes, it’s pragmatic to just… go. So he pulls himself up, ignoring the creaking of protesting metal and his systems flashing a few warnings and also makes his way to the door, carefully avoiding the walls of the path around them.]

[determinedest]

[They reach the end without difficulty. It takes careful stepping, but it seems everything has been resolved. That's the way it should be.

They don't wait for him when they reach the door. They simply open it and step through.

It does not take them to the End. It instead - takes them to the next challenge, seamlessly. They do not get the chance to so goodbye, but that's all right.

Even with that chance, they still would not have.]

[mettatonvevo]

[For Mettaton, this is the end of the line. After thinking with portals, performing for his life, and dying and resurrecting, he welcomes Wonderland's familiar walls and decor when he stumbles through the door, his body seemingly back to complete normal.

His soul remembers the pain, however, and he rubs at one of his shoulders as he turns to look back at a door that is no longer there. So Frisk didn't come out with him, huh? They did imply that they hadn't seen these challenges before, so that must mean they were still trapped.

He hopes that whoever is with them next helps them through. They're gonna need it.]