4th wall - video/action wherever;

[islandshore]

Option A;

[So, early in the day, Riku happened to stumble upon a pretty wild discovery.

Those watching may notice some eerie music. Anyone around for the Missingno event of '09 is sure to recognize it...

Though the music abruptly fades to this a few seconds later as a small group of MISSINGNO. appear.]

So, anyone else feeling a little nostalgic? Because, seriously, these things take me way back.

[Now he can only hope that his team hasn't reverted to pixels again.]

Option B;

[When the camera turns on again, there's a strange darkness to the images presented. Black pools form along the ground with bulging yellow eyes, and Riku stands in the very center with his back facing the screen...

He lets out an eerie chuckle before turning to face everyone. The smirk on his face seems a bit more sinister than the norm, and when he speaks, there's another voice underlying his own.]

What a peculiar world... Here the denizens seem content to partake in childish spars. They are reliant on other creatures to suit their needs and therefore fail to function without these beasts as their crutches. They are everywhere, as if worshiped like gods.

[He folds his arms over his chest.]

Such a peaceful place... I do wonder how long this will last. After all, darkness claims all worlds in time, as well as every beating heart. This boy was a fool to think he could resist me. His stay has only delayed the inevitable, as you can plainly see.

[Why yes, that would be Billy Zane Ansem speaking through Riku. It was quite a pleasant surprise, too, finding him so vulnerable. Too bad it can't last forever. He just might need some help to dispel this creeper.]

Comments

Action/ Option B

[itsjustdust]

[He'd spotted you, but seriously didn't know how he felt about approaching, because what? No, seriously, what?]

That's a new look on you.

[islandshore]

["Riku" chuckles, casting Obito an over the shoulder glance.]

Is it now?

[itsjustdust]

Yeaaah, ignoring the dark not-goo dripping off you, the whole [Here he waved a hand to encompass all of him] 'I am evil and loving it' is just... not your look Riku.

I may not know you as well as the other two, but really?

[islandshore]

Hmm. It is true. In his time here, this foolish boy hasn't even tasted the darkness, nor has jealousy tainted him.

[He shakes his head.]

But because he has grown so complacent, he was unable to resist. Now he has become my vessel, just as fate had intended all along.

[itsjustdust]

...Did you really just tell me you're possessing someone in my group of people my people care about?

[What kind of villain are you, seriously?! Be at least a little sneaky!]

[islandshore]

There is little to hide. If I wished, I could reshape this vessel to a more... appropriate form.

[In fact, the idea is highly tempting.]

[itsjustdust]

Do it and I'll set you on fire. I'm sure I can find someone to heal him after dealing with you.

[islandshore]

It would not change the fact that this is still his body. Are you truly willing to put him in harm's way?

[itsjustdust]

Yep. [Sorry dude, Obito is not Disney. He's a ninja.]

He'll get better if I move quick enough, no big.

action / option A

[usedacrobatics]

Back to the Internet, maybe. I've heard of that...

[He looks a little spooked.]

Is it, you know, alive?

[islandshore]

I'm pretty sure it is. At the very least, it acts just like a wild Pokémon... just with a heck of a lot more screeching.

[Seriously, that cry just won't end. Ugh.]

[staystraught]

What'll happen if you catch it?

I have no-- I mean, these games came out when I was a toddler. I read about some of it later, but... I guess this is something like the actual game, if even the programming errors are here.

[islandshore]

Not sure. The last time they popped up, we couldn't catch them at all... not to mention a ton of other screwed up things happened, like the whole place becoming a mess of pixels.

Makes you wonder about the true nature of this place.

[staystraught]

That's. I mean, that makes it sound like we're stuck in an actual game cart. Uh, cartridge.

You know those can be overwritten, right?

[islandshore]

Like hacked? Man, I'd hate to see what happened if this place really is like a game.

[Which is becoming more and more likely, really.]

[usedacrobatics]

Not even. Hacking requires knowledge, even skills and equipment.

My cousin's Pokemon carts only had room for one save file. If someone decided to start the game over, that was it. The whole thing was deleted.

[islandshore]

So you're saying that the same thing could happen here?

[He shudders. That's an insanely scary thought.]

[usedacrobatics]

I'm saying the possibility occurred to me. If there was a way to investigate it, that'd be great.

[islandshore]

Problem is, this place makes investigating anything useful almost impossible.

[Riku brings a hand to his face, heaving a sigh.]

That's why we still don't know how or why people keep popping up here.

[usedacrobatics]

Seriously. I don't remember that being a specific ability in the games, unless you count the escape ropes or Teleport. But even then, you only end up somewhere you've already been.

[ex_aeroga402]

...Looks like it's made of blocks...

[Yeah, so here's a boy in his armor, head cocked to one side curiously. Is this derp familiar to you, Riku?]

[islandshore]

Ven?

[Uh oh. He might've jumped a little. Sorry about that, bud!]

[ex_aeroga402]

[He rubs a gloved hand against the back of his helmet, mirroring his typical sheepish gesture]

Well, last time I checked, I sure was...

[islandshore]

So you're back.

[...Sorry, Ven, but that sure is Riku punching the shoulder of your armor.]

You idiot...

[Why'd you leave?]

[ex_aeroga402]

[The gesture's not unfamiliar, though he stumbles a half-step all the same]

I thought that was Vanitas' line.

[It's a light comment, and then he glances around Riku]

I'm glad you're okay, but...is that thing dangerous?

[islandshore]

Dangerous to your ears, maybe.

[Seriously, that cry's still going.]

But I haven't seen it do anything else just yet.

[ex_aeroga402]

[Yeah, it sounds pretty bad. At least he has a helmet though]

Maybe a sleep spell...

[islandshore]

Hey, if you can do that, I'll... I don't know, get you a free lunch or something.

[Because seriously, his poor ear drums, bro.]

[ex_aeroga402]

Sounds good to me. Just nice seeing you again.

[Ven's keyblade shimmers back into his grip and he steps past Riku, pointing it into the air]

Sleep!

[With the almost cartoonish sound of a sheep bleating, a spell rains down on the creature. It promptly slumps over, unconscious.

Don't mind Ven taking his obligatory victory pose. He's a game-boy, he really must]

Ta-da!

[darkaura]

[It only takes him an instant to identify that voice. He knows who it is, and all the borrowed memories bubble over, and something he doesn't quite understand.

But in a moment he's there, his appearance heralded by a flurry of green binary. The shadows of his hood conceal his face, though he doubts this entity will fail to figure out what he might be]

Get out.

[In two simple words his anger is unmistakable. Riku isn't ready to face that darkness, not like this. Not in a world like this]

[islandshore]

[Oho, well, this is interesting. A digital creation, perhaps? Regardless, Ansem seems largely unphased, maintaining his casual stance.]

I fear that your words mean little to me. I have no intention to leave.

[darkaura]

I don't recall issuing a request.

[Perhaps the binary shimmering into being under their feet is his way of demonstrating as much]

This world may not be mine, but it's enough for me to put a stop to this.

[islandshore]

[...Well, this is interesting. Interesting and unexpected.

But, ah. Ansem's not one to go down without a fight, so pardon him as he slips into dark armor and folds his arms.]

An impressive trick, but it will take more than a mastery of data to persuade me.

[darkaura]

I anticipated as much.

[And so with more whirling green digits, a slim blade and small shield appear. Now it seems fortunate that he'd been training in an alternative form of combat - his tactics will be less predictable this way]

I'll purge you myself, if that's what it takes.