Consider this an apology for my parody OFF fic. (Which would have been deleted a few hours after posting if not for AuraPen.) Here we have a more serious, slightly more lemon flavoured adventure between a female Player and The Batter. Probably gonna still feel a little AU/OCC whatever, but I'll try to keep it somewhat familiar? Enjoy, and let me know what you think. Also, I would like to point out that sometimes she is referred to as "The Player" and "His Player". That is not a mistake, it was intentional. Anyway, this wasn't mentioned in the description, but the reason this story is rated M is for some minor sexual content, but no descriptions of actual sex.

This story got progressively more involved and emotional as I typed it too, no idea how. Hope I didn't go overboard?

"Player, enough. You obviously don't know the way through. Let's just get the path from one of the Elsen's."

It was Zone 3, the last place to purify before The Room. The Player and The Batter had been trying to get through one of the rooms for almost an hour, but just one misstep sent the duo back to the beginning and dumped Spectres on them. The Player quickly realized that there were some places safe to step on, and others not, but keeping track of those spots was difficult.

"You know they're not going to help us, right Batter? They're terrified of you."

The Batter shrugged his shoulders.

"That is hardly my concern."

The Player sighed and looked at The Batter's stats. His health and CP had taken quite the dive, as well as the health and CP of the two Add-Ons that were currently traveling with them. The Player sighed and looked at a watch on her wrist.

"Hey, I gotta get going soon. I've got a big exam tomorrow and if I stay up any later playing I'll be dead in the morning."

The Batter frowned and tried to crane his neck to get a look at the watch. He knew that The Player had a life outside the game, but it was always sad when she had to leave.

"... Alright..."

The Player bid her farewell to The Batter and teleported away, leaving him alone in the game. He sighed, and absently walked back to the room he and The Player had been trying to get through. He didn't know all the routes they had taken to get through, The Player was supposed to be keeping track of that herself. The Batter walked along a path in the room, seeing if he could maybe get through without the help of The Player. After several unsuccessful attempts, The Batter stopped and returned to the save point. The Player hated when he tried to make progress without her anyway. He slumped down on the ground and sighed, preparing to wait out the hours until his Player returned.

When his Player finally returned, The Batter hid his excitement well.

"I see you've returned. And how was the exam?"

The Player rubbed the back of her head sheepishly.

"I'm pretty sure I bombed it. I've been spending too much time playing games and not studying."

The Batter allowed himself a light chuckle.

"Well, I'm certainly not complaining about all the time we're spending together."

His Player gave him a playful punch on the shoulder.

"Hey now, that almost sounds like you're trying to flirt with me, Batter."

The Batter adjusted his cap and turned away so his Player couldn't see the blush that bloomed across his face. His Player had no idea, least not to The Batter's knowledge, that the arrogant purifier harboured a crush on her. At first he brushed it off as just having contact with someone other than an Elsen, or other unimportant NPC, but then he realized how amazing his Player truly was. A law student who owned a hipster coffee shop. She talked about the shop a lot actually, to calm herself down when she couldn't solve a puzzle.

"Let's finish that puzzle, I think I've got it figured out now."

It wasn't until after he purified Zone 3 The Batter began to worry.

"The game's almost over... I suppose I won't be seeing you once it's done?"

They were level grinding in the purified Zone 2 when The Batter asked his question. The Player stopped and looked at The Batter curiously.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

The Batter shuffled his feet.

"Well... Once you beat the game, what reason would you have to play again? There's no 'New Game Plus' or anything."

The Player folded her arms and tilted her head.

"You're worried I'm not going to play anymore? Well that's a silly fear. A game doesn't need 'New Game Plus' to replay it. The early 'Phantasy Star's didn't have 'New Game Plus'. 'Grandia II' didn't have 'New Game Plus'. 'Skies of Arcadia' didn't have 'New Game Plus', you wanna know how many times I replayed them?"

The Batter lifted his head, hopeful.

"You mean, once you beat the game you'll play again?"

The Player nodded.

"Of course. It might not be the very next day, but I've enjoyed my time with you Batter. I'll play again."

It had been months since The Batter saw his Player. Every day he repeated her words in his head, that she'd 'play again', but it seemed those words were an empty promise. She beat the game, watched all the Endings, and just disappeared. The Batter wished she would have uninstalled the game files, at least then he wouldn't be suffering in her absence.

The Batter eventually convinced himself that his Player hadn't returned because she couldn't bear to be leading a villain, a man who would kill his wife and child. Couldn't bear to be friends with one responsible for the slaughter of countless innocent Elsen. Couldn't bear the fact she smiled so warmly at a monster.

It was hardest when he had to fight her. Even though it was really The Judge he rained blow after blow upon and not her, The Batter felt that each attack of his fell directly upon her. Then there was the look of confusion and devastation on her face. All the hours they spent together, when he was a simple tool of destruction. Not the pure force that he truly believed he was.

Oh how it all came crumbling down.

Now he was left in a world that had been purified. Destroyed, erased until nothing was left. The loneliness seeped into The Batter's very being, consuming him until it drove him mad. He spent his time crying in the agony of his loss.

Until one day his Player returned.

"Batter! You look just as confident as I remember! How are you?"

At first he couldn't believe it. His Player had returned after months of being gone. She started a new file, booted up a new adventure, and things quickly picked up like she had never left.

"I'm the same as I've always been." Was his answer.

His Player smiled, the simple gesture warming The Batter to his core. Oh how he missed her, truly.

This time around his Player focused more on level grinding than the last time. She said it was her goal to beat Dedan in five turns, and Japhet, and Enoch. And then take their sweet old time beating the Queen. The Batter was worried, at first, that his Player would hate him for being a monster.

"I'm not going to hate you for being who you're meant to be, Batter."

Her words were, as always, a reassurance. The Batter was satisfied.

They continued their journey, his Player telling him about her life, how school was going, how the shop went. In return, The Batter told her of the post-game. The nothingness that exists after, the silence and the loneliness. His Player was compassionate, apologizing for his extended torture. The Batter shrugged it off, claiming he was sure it was like that in any game.

"Yeah, but I don't make a friend like you in just any game, do I?"

The Batter smiled at his Player. The feelings he had for her came rushing back stronger than he remembered and before he realized what he was doing, he had grabbed his Player in a tight embrace. She hesitated for just a moment, surprised by The Batter's affectionate gesture, before returning the hug with equal enthusiasm.

"It's great having you back."

Dedan took longer than five turns to beat, the Player was too impatient to level grind that high so early in the game. To make it fun, the Batter challenged his Player to not use healing items on him. She was hesitant at first, not wanting to expose him to unneeded harm, but after much reassurance she relented. It made The Batter feel proud to not have items used on him, like he was a mighty warrior showing off.

Things felt different this time around, it was like the battles were playful. Dedan seemed to be toying with The Batter as they fought, like he too was playing a game. The Batter didn't feel that he or Dedan were in the wrong, they were simply doing what was meant to be done. It didn't hurt that The Player was having fun. After the fight with Dedan, The Batter and his Player entered Zone 2. The Batter could tell his Player was getting tired. She was letting him fight by himself more and more, and she had become less chatty.

"If you're getting tired, go to bed."

The Player smiled.

"I've got some play left in me still. I'll go to bed later."

The Batter folded his arms and looked at The Player with a disapproving stare.

"Your sleep is more important. Go on, off to bed."

The Player sighed and shook her head but had a smile on her face.

"Aren't I supposed to be the one looking after you?"

She stepped closer to The Batter and hugged him. He was quick to return the hug and used his height advantage to rest his chin atop her head. Before they parted, The Batter snuck in a few gentle pats on her back and smiled.

"See you soon."

It was several days before The Player came back, but when she did she was apologetic.

"There was a big storm, we lost power for a few days. I didn't want to drain my laptop battery playing games. I'm so sorry I didn't come see you."

The Batter smiled at her.

"It's no problem. I'm just glad you're here now."

The Player turned her head away suddenly.

"Geez Batter, could you be any less subtle with your flirting?"

The Batter uncomfortably shifted his weight and wrung his hands.

"Uh, I didn't mean..."

The Player glanced over at The Batter struggling and giggled.

"Relax, I'm just teasing you."

He sighed and shook his head.

"It wasn't funny."

The pair continued the game. Grinding levels, purifying Spectres, and more talking to make up for the lost time. Before they reached the Library, The Player said she wanted to go back to Zone 1 and walk around a bit. The Batter was more than happy to oblige, keeping his arrogant and bored facade. They had already done a fair amount of level grinding, so The Batter could tell that wasn't his Player's intention for revisiting Zone 1. When they got there, she sat down with closed eyes and just listened to the sounds. After a time, The Batter became uncomfortable and started to pace.

"This nothingness bothers me. Can we leave?"

The Player looked at him in curiosity and nodded slowly.

"Yeah. I was just seeing if I could make sense of what these whispers are in the background. We'll have to come back later and pick up some items, okay? I read somewhere online there's special goodies in here."

The Batter agreed with his Player, and the two left.

It was wrong, and he knew it. But that didn't stop him from thinking about his Player as he leaned against a wall with his pants around his ankles. His hand moved evenly along his throbbing hardness as his Player invaded his thoughts. Her smile, her laugh, how she was a ferocious tigress in battle and a warm kitten outside. A moan escaped The Batter. He was so close to his climax, just a few more moments...

"Aaahh~!"

His breath came in gasps as he recovered. When he had recovered enough, he pulled his pants with trembling hands and fastened his belt. Feelings of guilt floated down on him and settled heavily. Doing such an impure act while thinking of The Player, his best friend and the person who brought the greatest meaning to his life... It was a deplorable act... He needed to seek repentance.

He went to Zone 2 without The Player and climbed to the top of the Library. Waiting for him at the top was Japhet, as always. He seemed surprised to be facing The Batter without The Player close by, but that didn't stop the battle. The Batter and Japhet traded blows until both were bloodied and weak. Japhet had the upper hand. Without The Player, The Batter couldn't use items. His health and CP were both nearly zero, and both Add-Ons were defeated.

"It seems you have met with your end Batter. Are you ready for your demise?"

The Batter laughed darkly.

"I suppose I must be Japhet. Now deliver it to me."

The Batter had no idea what would happen if he were to be defeated. He was sure if The Player was there, she could just use a Joker on him and everything would be fine. But he was by himself, no Player around.

It was his end.

"Prepare to die, Batter!"

"NO!"

From out of seemingly nowhere, The Player rushed at Japhet and slammed into him with her tiny body. This surprised Japhet enough The Batter was able to dodge out of the way of an attack that would certainly kill him and rush to The Player's side. She immediately began shoving Luck Tickets and Silver Flesh at The Batter.

"Baka, baka, baka! Fighting Japhet without me, getting your Add-On's killed! What were you thinking?"

Japhet screeched and came careening towards The Batter and The Player. The Batter scooped her up in his arms and leapt away from the attack. When Japhet circled around for a second time, The Batter met his attack head on with a Furious Homerun. Japhet fell to the ground and skidded to a halt a mere foot from The Player. She looked from Japhet and then to The Batter as the Zone became enveloped in an impossibly bright light.

"It was stupid, what were you thinking!"

The Batter's head hung in defeat. Not at the hands of Japhet, or a Spectre, but at the harsh words coming from The Player. Rage and hurt flared in her eyes as she shouted at The Batter.

"We don't know what would happen to you if you are defeated, let alone if it happens while I'm not here! What if you were lost forever? What if I never got to see you again? What if you..!"

She took a shaky breath in.

"What if you became on of those... Things?"

The Batter felt his heart sink deeper into the pit of his stomach. The Player was worried about him, and he acted stupidly. She was worried that if he was defeated, he would become like one of the purified Elsen's. A monstrosity with no sentience or soul. If The Batter could be considered as having a soul.

"I... I had my reasons." He said simply.

The Player sighed and covered her eyes. She stayed like that for a long time, until The Batter reached a trembling hand out to her and placed it gently against her cheek. She looked up at him with wide eyes.

"Batter..."

This is the first chapter, a second chapter is on the way. Please, leave a review and tell me what you think. I'm not so sure about the style of the story, so I'd really like feedback about that.