My first TWEWY fic- yay! So yeah, I love this game so much it's unhealthy...just like my obsession with Joshua. You probably can't tell by the way I treat him in this fic, but I love the boy to pieces. Neku's probably out of character- he's way to concerned about Joshua...
Anyway, enjoy. Oh yeah- I figured out how to keep it from double spacing. 8D Go me!
Static in the Score
Chapter 1: Purple Noise
White noise. It was everywhere, clinging to everyone like some invisible second skin, buzzing in his ears as if someone had slipped on his headphones without hooking them properly. Neku gritted his teeth, trying to ignore the hissing; it was starting to give him a migraine. Only two weeks after escaping that last game, and already he was detecting Noise all around him. He might not be able to see them, but their influence was unmistakable. Neku forced his hands into his pockets, wishing he could put his headphones on to block the static, but he no longer wore them. He noticed a small coffee shop, easily overlooked in Shibuya's colorful array of stores. Hoping it would be quieter inside, Neku stepped inside.
The shop was quieter, and the level of static was much lower, though there were plenty of people crowding around the small tables, talking and sipping their drinks. Then Neku saw him. That white hair was unmistakable.
"Neku!" The 15 year old that greeted him seemed to practically purr with delight, a pleased smile bordering on a smirk playing on his features. There was a playful, teasing light in the dark indigo, practically purple eyes. "What a surprise seeing you here!"
Neku's fingers twitched and he clenched them into a fist, wanting nothing better than to wipe the grin off the boy's face. He had every right to, considering how the boy had shot him twice. Joshua Kiryu smiled and beckoned Neku over to his table.
"Come on, Neku," the Composer of Shibuya smiled, "I won't bite…much." He laughed his irritating, knowing laugh. Neku grated his teeth in annoyance.
People were beginning to stare- not at Joshua of course, but at Neku. Why wasn't the boy going to his friend? Neku gave Joshua a glare that, had it been anyone else, would freeze them in place, and quickly send them in the opposite direction. Joshua was unfazed. Neku walked over to Joshua's table and sat down reluctantly.
"What are you doing here?" he hissed, glaring at his ex-partner.
Joshua smiled and took a sip of his drink, watching Neku over the top of the paper cup.
"Research, of course," he said, setting his cup down. "There's something very wrong with the Noise. Not even the Reapers know what's going on, and a few of the lower ranking Support Reapers, and even two Harriers have gone missing." Joshua's expression grew serious, a rare sight. "I've also been getting reports of strange purple Noise symbols in the area. I decided it would be best if I checked it out myself." He pointed to the Player pin on his collar.
Neku frowned. "So you're the reason I'm detecting the Noise," he growled. Joshua shook his head.
"I have nothing to do with that. The sheer number of Noise has caused them to actually break the barrier to the RG, or at least fracture it. Anyone involved in the Game can sense them, just a bit," he explained, taking a slow drink of his coffee. "But I am glad I ran into you," he added as he finished. "I would appreciate your help."
Neku blinked, incredulous. Not only did Joshua have the gut to actually ask him to help after three weeks of pure hell, but he was asking…politely? "Are you insane?!" he demanded loudly, earning a few stares. Joshua waved a hand absently, and people turned around. Normally, Neku would be a bit pissed at him using his powers publicly, but he was already on a roll. "Not only do you put me through three weeks of the Game, you shot me, and now you're asking for my help?! You have to be crazy! There's no way in hell I'd-" Joshua's face was suddenly blank, emotionless.
"Sit down." He said simply, his voice cold and practically robotic. Neku blinked and sat, unable to object. Joshua's eyes had lost their playful glint, and his smirk had vanished. "You're causing a scene, and only summoning more Noise for me to clean up."
Neku was speechless; he had never seen Joshua act this way. Was this cold, emotionless demeanor always hiding under that teasing attitude? Before Neku could really think about it, Joshua had stood, and was heading for the door. Without thinking, Neku stood to follow him, reaching the door just as Joshua stepped out. As soon as Joshua crossed the threshold, he simply vanished into thin air. Neku groaned- of course Joshua would stay in the UG. Still, he felt he had to follow him, so he walked out of the shop.
Neku cried out, clapping his hands over his ears. The static was much more intense than when he had walked into the shop; he could feel the ground vibrating from the force. He looked around for some sign of Joshua, and as he did, an invisible shockwave hit him full in the chest, sending him stumbling back a few steps. As the shockwave hit him, he heard a faint, pained moan. The wave continued, leaving a large dent in the wall behind him. Neku shook his head to clear it, and the static grew even louder, and the air in front of him shimmered like heat waves. There was an enormous Noise right in front of him. Neku's eyes widened, and he stepped back. "Sh…shit…" he hissed.
An invisible force grabbed him by the collar, and he let out a startled cry. A Player pin appeared on his collar, and Joshua suddenly appeared in front of him. He had put a pin on Neku so he could see the UG. Neku swore, looking past Joshua at a huge army of the largest Drake Noise he had ever seen. They were all shades of purple, including indigo tattoos.
Joshua looked worse for the wear- his shirt was torn in several placed, deep gashes running down his arm, and his left side was badly burned. "Damn, Joshua, what happened to you?" Neku asked, eyes wide. Joshua shook his head.
"N-no time." He said, grimacing. "They're too powerful." He pressed something into Neku's hand. Neku looked down. He had given him a few basic pins. Neku nodded, pinning them to his collar. "Don't bother making a pact with me- you can fight without it now." Neku nodded and narrowed his eyes. He charged into the army of Drakes.
The movements were so natural to him now- he threw out a hand, slashing at a Noise in his way, shooting lighting at another. Though he hadn't made a pact, Neku grimaced, feeling Joshua's pain like a faint echo. It felt familiar, fighting alongside Joshua, but it was so wrong at the same time. Joshua wasn't fighting normally. He was using pure telekinesis without his signature orange cell phone, but every time he used his ability, Neku felt the pain sear through him, and the teasing words that filled their battles were missing. Joshua was going to be erased if he didn't get somewhere safe soon.
Neku was tiring- there were too many Drakes. He shot a blast of fire, watching the huge Drake turn into static, only to see another take its place. "What does it take to kill all of you?!" Neku shouted, furious and exhausted. Several Drakes fanned out, closing a ring around him. "Get away!" Neku cried, shooting Force Rounds at the Drakes, but to no avail. All at once, they were charging a beam attack. The hairs on the back of Neku's neck rose; there was something very wrong with the beam attack.
"Neku, move!" Joshua shouted urgently. He broke through the circle and tossed Neku out of the way with speed and strength surprising for his build. Neku fell back, watching the attacks strike Joshua all at once. For the second time since meeting him, Joshua had taken an attack for him.
"Joshua!" he shouted. Everything he had been through with the Composer flashed through his mind. He had always thought he hated Joshua, but seeing him take another attack for him…it was unbearable. "Joshua!" he shouted again, louder. The Drakes suddenly vanished all at once. Joshua was on his hands and knees, and didn't seem hurt. Neku ran over, kneeling beside the other boy.
Joshua blinked, looking up at Neku, as if he couldn't believe what was happening. Neku's body went numb as he realized what the attack had done. Blood red tribal tattoos were snaking down Joshua's arms, crawling up his neck. Neku's eyes locked with Joshua's. The look on Joshua's face was uncharacteristic- an expression Neku never expected to see there. Joshua was looking at Neku with unrestrained shock and terror.
"J-Joshua, say something." Neku said urgently. "Can you hear me?" Joshua blinked, looking at Neku with the same expression of terrified disbelief.
"Ne…ku…" Joshua said quietly. He swayed visibly and collapsed.
"Joshua!" Neku cried, grabbing Joshua's shoulder. "Joshua get up!" He looked around, trying to find something that could help. Finding nothing, he looked back at Joshua. "Joshua…" he trailed off, unable to think of anything to say. He jumped slightly when Joshua's eyes snapped open. Joshua turned his head, and Neku's heart stopped. Joshua's eyes were empty, emotionless. They weren't human. "Joshua, can you hear me?" Neku asked quietly. He wasn't sure if Joshua understood him anymore, but he had to try.
Joshua didn't respond. The tattoos now covering his body were moving, superimposing themselves over Joshua's hands into lethal claws. "Nn…" Joshua moaned, reaching towards Neku weakly. Neku jumped back out of Joshua's reach.
"Joshua..." Neku swallowed, looking down at him. He tapped his Player pin, wondering if he could read Joshua's mind. Joshua didn't give off any thoughts, but Noise static clung to him, coming from his very skin. Neku grimaced. His hand glowed with power, and he held it out in Joshua's direction.
Neku looked down at him, guilt making him hesitate. Joshua looked up at Neku. His empty, animalistic eyes were questioning, as if he couldn't understand what Neku was doing. "I'm sorry." Neku whispered, and he fired.
Oh god...You have no idea how bad I feel doing this to Joshua...Also, please point out any mistakes I made, because I probably missed something, or something's worded poorly...
Here's hoping for a TWEWY section soon, and quick updates!
