Game 029 [Action] - No Way This Will Go Poorly

[neverplaysfair]

[ See Josh. See Josh being a teenager. See Josh walking in and out of Kat's Kradle, multiple times, sometimes even with things like *gasp* groceries. It's tough to tell, but he's a bit bothered by something.

He's also casually strolling in and out of the building that he's been avoiding like the plague for months. Surely nothing strange at all is happening here. ]

Comments

[neverplaysfair]

[ The irony of the action is lost on Joshua, who never had that showdown with Minamimoto. But that gun--that gun. Oh, of course Joshua recognizes that gun. That gun isn't getting Neku any points. That gun is just making things worse.

He takes a step, then teleports so he's standing right next to Neku, gun pointed right at his head. Joshua knows that it's probably a pointless endeavor; Neku will probably teleport instantly, maybe even before Joshua's appeared. But he wants the action there. He's not firing again yet, anyway. ]

No.

[soundfrequency]

[Well, it's good Joshua isn't firing yet again because Neku actually didn't move, even though his gut is telling him to move the hell away. Oh but he is prepared just in case Joshua does decide to shoot. Either way Neku is lowering his gun, just watching Joshua out of the corner of his eye.]

Then how long are you going to keep this up? I kinda wanted to talk to Mr. Hanekoma again.

[neverplaysfair]

Give her back. [ The command is harsh and cold, and his finger tightens on the trigger. ]

[soundfrequency]

I can't. Trust me—I'd take it back if I could.

[neverplaysfair]

Then do it. [ And without any other warning, he pulls the trigger. ]

[soundfrequency]

[Neku was prepared for that so the bullet doesn't hit him, just falls to the ground instead when it hits his shield, but it still makes him flinch. Being shot still freaks Neku out, especially when it's Joshua doing the shooting. Suppressing a nauseous feeling Neku teleports back again.]

—damnit would you stop for one minute!

[neverplaysfair]

Give her back!

[ Joshua doesn't even bother shooting again, just gives a wave of his hand, gun still gripped tight, sending another column of energy Neku's way. ]

[soundfrequency]

[Well, this time Neku is too busy about to yell something back at Joshua so his reaction is delayed, and because his reaction is delayed it just makes Neku hesitate more in panic. He goes to teleport again but isn't able to avoid some of the attack. He stumbles when he appears again some odd feet away and hits the ground on his side with a thud. Thaat kinda hurt. And Neku is wincing as he tries to lift himself back up.]

...why should I? You're still Composer in your world anyway.

[neverplaysfair]

Shibuya does not deserve to be sullied by your hands! [ Joshua raises his hand with the gun again, threatening, but holding off on another assault for the moment. ]

[soundfrequency]

Screw you. You were just going to Erase her anyway, at least with me maybe she has a chance.

[Neku carefully gets back to his feet, watching that gun in Joshua's hand.]

[neverplaysfair]

[ At Neku's statement, that gun? Firing again. ]

You have no idea what damage you will cause...

[soundfrequency]

[Neku is about to snap back with a nasty comment ("Like in the state you left Shibuya in?") but he stops himself. And again stops the bullet before it hits him, letting it just fall to the ground. Are you about out of bullets yet, dude?]

Why do you care? I did exactly what you wanted me to do, and you don't have to deal with Shibuya anymore. ...in my world anyway. What happened in yours? Something different happened in Mr. Hanekoma's.

[neverplaysfair]

[ He's close to it. Joshua never carries a reload. ]

You were supposed to vanish.

[ For just a moment, his voice has gone deadly calm, but the enraged edge slips back in with every word he speaks, until he's almost yelling again. ]

Shibuya had no hope of improvement and you failures were all supposed to vanish with her!

[ His finger visibly twitches on the trigger, but for some reason, he holds his fire again. ]

Your incompetence may very well destroy it all.

[soundfrequency]

You...

[So the Shibuya in that world was Erased, along with everyone with it. Shiki... Beat... Rhyme... Even him. For a moment Neku wants to lift up his gun and fire at Joshua for being such a dumbass, but he doesn't. He's too sad to even be angry at him right now.]

Maybe she does have hope for improvement. If you don't believe in my competence then believe in Shiki and Beat and everyone else who managed to change a little in that Game. But... you Erased your Shibuya.

[neverplaysfair]

I did. [ It's like a switch has been flipped back, and Joshua is calm once again. ] None of you changed. Shibuya's final performance, and she failed spectacularly.

And given that you shot, I can't imagine your world was any better.

[soundfrequency]

...it's not doing any worse. But it's not doing any better, either.

[So far, anyway. And Neku is a little relieved Joshua is calming down now because being shot at sucks. He's not letting his guard down though.]

It's weird, considering the outcome of Mr. Hanekoma's world.

[neverplaysfair]

[ Joshua's face sours at the reminder. ]

Then she will fall, and take all of Tokyo with her.

[soundfrequency]

She won't.

[neverplaysfair]

You have no idea.

/latest reply ever

[soundfrequency]

You don't either.

/I see no late

[neverplaysfair]

I do. You're a new Composer with an unrefined Soul and you know nothing.

[soundfrequency]

Says you.

[neverplaysfair]

You haven't proved me wrong yet.