Chapter 6:
The New Guy Part 2
Monika POV
After seeing Player "change his personality," my thoughts about who he is kept on pondering in my mind. From the moment where I saw his eyes glowing and him picking me up without even touching me made me think that he wasn't just an ordinary person. No not just an ordinary person, but not even a human. I know that he must have another purpose here besides saving all of us but I still can't lay my finger on it.
Why would he tell me that he would always be here to protect us? And why was he so adamant about it?
I need to stop thinking about this and talk to him about the plan. As he finishes sipping his coffee, "Mark" continues to speak about his plan.
Mark: "So this plan is pretty much simple. I will be showing up at the Literature Club as a new member, and you will introduce me to girls and the MC telling them a little false background story on how we meet. During the time we share poems I will talk to each of the members making them feel comfortable and keeping their mind off their bad tendencies."
Monika: "Sound good. While you are doing that, I was thinking of talking to Sayori making sure she doesn't fall in a depressed mood. I will also make sure that the MC stays on the 'Sayori route' to ensure that her death would never take place."
Mark: "Excellent! Now that we know our plan of action we must head to school now. We are probably running later by now so we must hurry."
Monika: "Wait Player! Before we go, I've wanted to ask you something..."
Mark: "Oh? What is it, Monika?"
Is this a good time to ask him this now. Damnit Monika you're going to make us late! This is not the time nor place to discuss this topic so like he said it is probably best to wait for the perfect time to talk about this.
Monika: "Ahahaha~ Never mind love. Let's just head on over to school."
Location
Doodle Sphere
Ink POV
I am running out of time. Cross has already decimated almost half of the echoes in this realm, and every strategy that I try to come up with to stop him without even killing him goes to hell.
Remaining vigilant I look over all the echoes to see where Cross is going next.
Usually it takes him about a day to reach an echo but I have been looking at these echo's for what seemed like weeks. Oh wait that is right I forgot. In the Doodle Sphere time doesn't exist. This time must be my own boredom. But this is quite odd indeed. I have not seen any signs of conflict in any echoes since the destruction of Underfell. I should probably check the X-tale Echo to see if he is there.
I went to the area were X-tale was and watched from a "window" by its entrance to see what was going on. Cross was there alright. But something was not right; he had this look on his face like he just discovered, or possibly came up with a plot. I continue to listen to his conversation with Error.
WAIT ERROR?! Why would he be talking to Cross?! Aren't they also sworn enemies or something? This is not good at all.
I transported to X-tale to see what they were talking about. I hid behind a tree to avoid being caught.
Location
X-tale
Cross POV
I hope that bringing him here was not a mistake. Knowing how sick this pathetic glitch is, its best to see if he is negotiable.
I see Error appear from a glitched portal by an alley beside Grillby's. Unsheathing my knife I see Error snicker at me.
Error: "W̸o̶a̸h̵ ̸b̸u̶d̵d̷y̶ ̷t̵a̶k̶e̵ ̵i̵t̴ ̶e̶a̴s̴y̶ ̶t̵h̷e̵r̷e̸.̸ ̸I̴ ̷t̸h̴o̵u̵g̴h̴t̴ ̶y̵o̵u̶ ̵o̷n̶l̷y̷ ̵w̷a̸n̸t̸e̶d̴ ̴m̵e̶ ̶h̷e̷r̸e̸ ̵t̶o̷ ̶c̸h̶a̵t̴;̷ ̴n̷o̷t̴ ̸t̷o̶ ̵h̵a̸v̶e̴ ̶a̴ ̶l̴i̶t̵t̷l̸e̴ ̷s̴h̶o̷w̸d̵o̸w̶n̸.̷ ̵A̵n̸y̶w̸a̶y̶,̵ ̸w̸h̷a̴t̴ ̴i̴s̸ ̸i̸t̸ ̴t̷h̷a̴t̷ ̷y̶o̸u̷ ̷w̸a̸n̴t̸?̸ ̶Y̴o̴u̴ ̵i̸n̵t̴e̴r̵r̶u̴p̸t̷e̸d̶ ̷m̶y̸ ̵l̸a̷t̴e̴s̸t̷ ̸e̵p̶i̸s̸o̷d̴e̵ ̶o̵f̸ ̴U̷n̴d̵e̵r̶n̷o̴v̴e̵l̴a̸ ̶w̵i̸t̸h̷ ̶t̵h̴i̵s̶ ̷s̸t̸u̶p̴i̵d̸ ̵m̵e̸s̴s̸a̷g̸e̵ ̷y̴o̸u̵ ̶s̵e̸n̶t̸ ̷m̸e̶ ̶s̷o̶ ̸t̸h̵i̵s̴ ̵b̷e̷t̵t̴e̴r̶ ̸b̶e̶ ̴w̸o̷r̴t̸h̸ ̴t̴h̸e̶ ̵c̵h̷a̷t̸ ̷o̶r̵ ̸I̴ ̵w̶i̷l̶l̵ ̵t̴a̴k̶e̸ ̴y̷o̸u̶ ̶a̶s̶ ̵m̸y̴ ̸p̴u̸p̴p̷e̵t̸ ̷l̸i̷k̷e̷ ̶I̴ ̸d̶i̵d̸ ̷l̷a̵s̴t̴ ̶t̵i̴m̵e̴.̸"
Cross: "The reason why I called you here was to negotiate something with you, I want information that you have, and in exchange, I can give you information I have that you may also want to hear."
Error: "P̷f̷f̵t̸.̵ ̴A̷l̴r̴i̶g̷h̵t̷ ̴n̶o̵w̸ ̵w̴h̸a̵t̸ ̷i̶s̶ ̶i̷t̶ ̶t̸h̸a̵t̵ ̷y̴o̸u̸ ̸w̴a̷n̶t̴ ̷t̷o̸ ̸h̵e̶a̷r̸?̸."
Cross: "Simple, start by telling me everything you know about that 'Omega Echo.' That's right I have figured out its existence for a while now. Something that is entirely out of the ordinary is something that you must know about. So tell me Error, what is this Echo."
Error smirks.
Error: "W̴e̵l̸l̴,̴ ̴I̴n̶k̵ ̷c̷a̸l̸l̷s̸ ̷t̶h̷a̵t̴ ̷a̸n̶o̵m̶a̵l̵y̶ ̵D̶o̶k̶i̷ ̸D̵o̸k̵i̵ ̶L̵i̶t̶e̶r̶a̷t̴u̵r̵e̵ ̸C̸l̷u̸b̶,̷ ̸o̴r̸ ̶D̴D̸L̸C̵ ̵f̸o̷r̴ ̸s̴h̵o̵r̵t̸.̶ ̵A̸ ̷w̷e̵i̷r̴d̷ ̵n̵a̶m̸e̸ ̸I̸ ̷k̴n̷o̶w̸ ̴b̸u̶t̴ ̷s̶o̴m̷e̷t̷h̸i̵n̸g̸ ̴a̸b̷o̶u̶t̴ ̸t̶h̴i̴s̴ ̴E̶c̸h̴o̴ ̸c̸a̷u̸g̷h̴t̴ ̴m̴y̴ ̶i̵n̸t̴e̶r̸e̵s̵t̶ ̴a̴s̶ ̵w̴e̸l̴l̵.̷ ̵S̸o̷ ̸i̶t̶ ̵t̶u̷r̵n̸s̵ ̵o̴u̵t̵ ̷t̵h̵a̷t̷ ̸t̷h̵i̷s̶ ̴i̵s̴ ̸a̶n̶ ̸E̴c̶h̶o̶ ̸t̷h̸a̷t̷ ̵h̵a̵s̴ ̶f̴o̶u̶n̴d̴ ̴i̸t̸'̷s̴ ̷w̶a̴y̷ ̸t̴o̸ ̴t̴h̸i̶s̶ ̴r̷e̴a̴l̶m̵ ̴f̸r̸o̶m̴ ̸a̸n̸o̸t̷h̷e̴r̴ ̴t̴h̷a̶t̴ ̶h̸a̸s̶ ̵s̴o̸r̵t̷ ̴o̸f̵ ̴'̶v̶a̷n̶i̵s̵h̵e̸d̵'̶ ̴f̸r̵o̸m̵ ̸e̷x̵i̷s̸t̸e̷n̷c̶e̶,̴ ̵I̸ ̵h̷a̷v̴e̸ ̶n̷o̷ ̴i̵d̶e̶a̵ ̸a̸b̴o̵u̶t̵ ̴i̷t̸s̵ ̸o̶r̵i̷g̴i̸n̸ ̵b̶u̸t̶ ̴i̷t̶ ̶d̸o̷e̵s̸ ̵n̵o̷t̵ ̷r̸e̸v̷o̴l̶v̸e̴ ̶a̶r̵o̴u̶n̵d̷ ̷t̷h̴e̷ ̷U̸n̶d̸e̷r̴t̴a̶l̵e̸ ̴A̶U̶'̶s̷.̷ ̸I̸t̶ ̴i̴s̵ ̸b̴a̴s̵i̸c̵a̸l̶l̷y̷ ̵a̷b̸o̶u̸t̸ ̸f̸o̷u̶r̴ ̴h̶u̶m̷a̶n̸ ̷f̷e̵m̸a̴l̶e̴s̸ ̴w̵h̴o̸ ̵h̷a̷v̷e̷ ̵t̴r̵a̶p̴p̷e̷d̵ ̸i̵n̴ ̸a̸ ̵c̸y̵c̸l̷e̸ ̶o̴f̸ ̸e̵n̶d̸l̵e̵s̵s̸ ̵t̵o̴r̵t̴u̵r̶e̴ ̶t̵h̸a̶n̶k̶s̷ ̷t̵o̷ ̵I̸n̴k̶ ̸h̶i̸m̷s̸e̴l̶f̶.̴ ̵O̴n̵e̴ ̶o̶f̵ ̶t̷h̶e̶ ̶f̶e̵m̴a̴l̴e̵s̵ ̵w̷h̸o̴ ̶a̸r̷e̸ ̴s̴e̶l̴f̵-̵a̴w̷a̵r̵e̷ ̶o̵f̶ ̸t̵h̵e̷ ̷w̸h̷o̵l̶e̶ ̶t̷h̴i̴n̷g̷ ̵r̷e̴l̶i̴v̴e̷ ̸t̵h̶e̴ ̷t̴o̷r̷t̶u̶r̷e̷ ̶o̵f̸ ̸t̶h̸e̴ ̶l̵o̴o̵p̵ ̸e̶v̷e̸r̷y̵ ̶s̴i̷n̴g̵l̶e̸ ̶d̶a̸y̴.̷ ̵I̸ ̴t̸r̷i̴e̶d̸ ̵t̴o̴ ̷d̴e̸s̶t̴r̸o̴y̸ ̸t̵h̶e̸ ̴E̵c̷h̸o̶ ̷t̸o̸ ̷e̴n̸d̴ ̵t̵h̷e̷ ̸g̶i̸r̷l̷'̸s̴ ̸s̸u̵f̶f̷e̴r̵i̴n̴g̵ ̵b̸u̷t̶ ̸I̶n̴k̷ ̷a̵n̴d̴ ̴I̸ ̸m̸a̴d̶e̵ ̵a̸ ̴d̵e̵a̶l̵ ̴t̷h̶a̴t̸ ̷i̷f̷ ̵h̷e̵ ̵w̸o̷u̵l̶d̸n̸'̶t̷ ̸i̴n̷t̸e̶r̷f̷e̸r̶e̷ ̶w̵i̴t̸h̴ ̷t̶h̷a̴t̷ ̵p̸l̸a̴c̴e̸,̸ ̵I̵ ̵w̷o̸u̸l̸d̷ ̵k̵e̷e̸p̴ ̴m̴y̸ ̸t̷h̵r̴e̴a̴d̴s̸ ̸b̶y̶ ̴m̸y̴ ̵p̵a̷l̵m̶s̴.̶"
Putting my knife away I begin to think.
An Echo from another realm? Unthinkable! How is that even possible? And most important how did end up here. On the other hand, this could be essential for the rebirth of my Echo. Like Chara said this "DDLC" Echo might have more than enough code to rebuild my world, or better yet a whole new one. Well, it's time to give error his debt.
Error: "W̵e̶l̵l̴,̴ ̴t̴h̷a̵t̵ ̵i̶s̸ ̸a̵b̸o̸u̴t̷ ̷a̶l̶l̵ ̸I̸ ̸k̶n̴o̸w̷.̸.̶.̶N̵o̴w̷ ̴m̵y̷ ̶d̸e̸b̴ ̴A̴H̸H̴G̶H̸!̷ ̵A̷H̸H̴H̴H̶H̵H̸H̵H̷H̸H̴!̶."
As I brandish my knife after striking Error, I look at him split in two with his legs beside his head.
Cross: "Hehehehehe. Well, Error I got you what you desire. Your cut of the deal. But I am sorry if I only split the deal in two."
Error: "I̴ ̴k̷n̵e̴w̸ ̵w̸h̷e̸n̴ ̵I̷ ̴h̴a̸d̸ ̴t̴h̶e̸ ̴c̸h̵a̵n̸c̸e̴ ̷I̷ ̶s̶h̶o̵u̸l̷-̸d̵ ̴h̴a̶v̴e̵ ̶G̶A̴H̸.̴ ̸I̶ ̵s̸h̸o̵u̷l̴d̸ ̵h̷.̵.̷a̶v̷e̶ ̸d̶e̵s̸t̷r̷o̸y̴e̴d̶ ̴y̶o̷u̵ ̶s̵i̵n̷c̶e̵ ̵t̶h̷e̸ ̸b̴e̷ģ̴̬̣̙͙̬̯̻̖͑̈́̐̀̽͘̕͝i̴̧̛̼͈̱͇̞̖̓͊͐̀͋̉͛͊͆̀̕ņ̷̢̘͚̫͍̰̱̮̏͊̂̋n̶̘̩͌̄i̵̜͊̇͊̋̈́̏̆̓͗͝ǹ̴̘̼̮̋͛͑͂̌̋͆ĝ̵̢͖͎͍͍̩̗͍̈͒́̌̄̄"
When Error finished that sentence, his body turned to dust. At last the destroyer of all echoes in this realm… D.
Cross: "Alright Chara let us finish transferring the code from Underfell and continue. Next stop DDLC!"
Ink POV
I cannot believe it. Cross actually did it. He killed Error. My dear nemesis. No, my best friend. Dead by the one who I called that name.
Tears begin to stream down my face as I disappear back to the Doodle Sphere to find all the help I can.
I must contact Player to be ready for a fight. I need to go to DDLC and help him. Error you will be avenged.
Ink: "Player? Player, can you hear me?"
Location DDLC Echo
Mark (Player) POV
It is day two of the club, and I wait for the final bell to ring. As the bell finally rings I walked to the clubroom's entrance and saw Monika darting at me with an embrace.
Monika: "How was class dear?"
Mark: "Ehhh, the ways that you people run classes here in a Japan styled school is bizarre and unlike anything that I have experienced in my world. Besides that, as usual, the classes felt normal and boring as always."
Monika then pulled back from the hug and then opened the door.
Monika: "Well it's time to introduce you to the girls!~"
We walk in the clubroom. Natsuki is sitting in the corner looking at her Parfait Girls Manga as usual. Yuri is seen sitting in a desk reading The Portrait of Markov, and by the teacher's desk, Sayori and MC were standing to chat about what seemed to be Sayori complaining about her hunger which was normal to say the least.
Monika: "Ok everyone!~ I have excellent news! We have a new member joining us today."
All of the members' heads looked up at me.
Natsuki: "Ugh! Seriously Monika another guy?!"
Yuri stands up from reading her book.
Yuri: "Natsuki! That is not the proper way to greet our new member."
Natsuki stands up with her hands on her hips.
Natsuki: "*tsk* Like you know anything about a proper greeting!"
Monika then snaps back at the both of them.
Monika: "Alright you two that is enough! Anyway, this is my boyfriend, Mark Mareti. He is a foreign exchange student from New York, America. I meet him just a few days ago when he joined the Debate Club the day I decided to leave. We fell in love ever since."
Damn Monika is good at lying. I just hope the girls don't find anything suspicious about me.
So I try to put on my best Brooklyn accent and spoke to the girls.
Mark: "Hey there ladies how you all doing today? It's great to meet ya all, and Monika says that this club revolved around literature, so I thought that I check it out myself because I am also sort of a reader."
Yuri walked towards me and shook my hand.
Yuri: "H-Hi welcome to the Literature Club...I-It's so nice to meet you. Monika never told me she had a b-boyfriend."
Mark: "Thank you, Yuri! It's good to meet you too toots."
Yuri blushed red and went back to her desk.
Sayori then walked up to me.
Sayori: "Hi! I am Sayori, the club Vice-President. It's good to meet you too Mark! I hope that you and I could become great friends!"
Mark: "The feeling is mutual Sayori! Great to meet ya."
MC walked up to me with an open hand.
MC: "Hello, my name is T̸C̸B̵F̸I̸F̷Q̶g̸V̴C̵B̶I̷I̸E̶U̷g̵W̷C̶1̷F̷I̷F̴Y̵g̶R̷S̶B̴O̸I̶F̸Q̸g̴Q̸y̸B̶P̸I̶E̴0̶g̵T̸S̵B̵F̸I̶E̴4̴g̵Q̸y̶B̶F̶, I am Sayori's childhood friend. It feels great to have another guy here in the club."
Jesus that name is quite a mouthful. I guess I will just make up a name for him.
Mark: "Glad to meet you Old Sport. Hopefully, we can become good friends as well."
Last but not least, Natsuki stood up and walked towards me.
Natsuki: "Ugh. Welcome to the Club I guess..."
Mark: "Well I appreciate that madame~."
I give her a flirtatious wink watching her face grow redder than Yuri's. Walking to Yuri's desk, she stood up with confidence which was surprising knowing what kind of person she is.
Yuri: "So Mark what kind of literature are you into?"
Mark: "Well Yuri I am a guy who is into the suspenseful romantic tragedies. Growing up as a kid living in Brooklyn, of Italian descent, makes you want to look at the ups and downs of life and whatever it throws at you. What about you Yuri? What books you like to read?"
Yuri: "I am into novels that build deep and complex fantasy worlds. The level of creativity and craftsmanship behind them is amazing to me. You see, telling a good story in such a foreign world is equally impressive to me. Just imagine the fact that the world we live in today might just be a fragment of a much bigger reality."
Huh sounds interesting. Wait what did she say after that sentence?
Mark: "Sounds fascinating Yuri, I am open to reading any novel you find interesting about those themes."
Yuri smiled sweetly. I then decided to move on to Sayori who is sitting with her head down looking at her desk.
That expression. That is the face of someone who is depressed. Time to work my miracles.
Mark: "So Sayori what kind of literature are you into."
Her expression changes back to a cheerful look.
Sayori: "Well to tell you the truth I didn't join this club for the sake of literature, but I joined it because my friends are here and I wanted to go somewhere where I can feel happy."
Mark: "Hey when I was walking over here you looked like you were down in the dumps. Is everything ok Sayori? I know we just met, but as your new friend, I wouldn't mind at all if you told me your troubles. Depression is hard, and it is something that we all carry on our shoulders."
SHIT! Why the fuck would I even say that?! I think I just made it worst.
Sayori: "How do you know I have depression?"
Come on Player think! How does one find a way to continue this conversation. Might as well tell her my BS back story.
Mark: "I grew up with a poor family in Brooklyn and my sister had a bad case of depression. Every single day I walked home from school to see my sister sitting down on a chair tucked away in the corner looking down at the floor with that same expression you bare. When I come in the house she snaps out of her depression and puts on a happy look. Seeing me, the only person she cared for the most, was the only thing that kept her going until one day her depression got worse and worse. I walked home again one day finding her in her bedroom room hanging by a noose. I then got depression myself after that event happened. Seeing my little sister lifeless put a scar on my mind for a long time. Only difference between me and her is the fact that I choose to keep going no matter what hardship I continued to face. I went to highschool abroad to Japan and meet Monika. She was the cure to my depression and the one who cared for me with all her love."
Tears then start to come down Sayori's cheeks slowly. She hugs me.
Sayori: "I am so sorry for you! That must have been very hard for you."
I separated from her and put my arm on her shoulder.
Mark: "Sayori I need you to listen to me and listen closely. Do not EVER give up on life. No matter what comes your way know that you are better than this and you have people who care for you deeply. Something that I didn't have as a kid. Look over there."
I pointed to the MC talking with Natsuki about Manga.
Mark: "That guy cares about you more than anything in the world. He calls you his 'childhood friend.' I mean seriously; imagine knowing someone who cares for you more than everything in this entire Goddamn world. Can you believe how lucky you are?"
Sayori wipes the tears from her face as she smiles sincerely at me.
Sayori: "Mark you are right! Thank you so much for those kind words!"
She hugs me again and releases five seconds later.
Mark: "Ey don't worry about it Sayori that is what friends are for; and also one more thing, your secret's safe with me."
Monika then stands up and gives her usual announcement.
Monika: "Okay everyone!~ That just about finishes up today's meeting! Hey, Mark are you ready to go darling?"
Mark: "Hold on Monika. I'm going to talk to Old Sport for a moment I'll see you outside."
I pull MC to the corner of the clubroom.
MC: "What's up to Mark? Anything that I can help you wi-"
Mark: "Listen Old Sport your friend Sayori is-"
MC: "Depressed? I know."
Mark: "YOU KNOW? Listen here buddy I don't know if you are blind from being a complete idiot but this is more than just being depressed. Your dear friend has depression that has been bothering her for a while now and there just might be a point in time where you might just lose her. If I you I would spend a lot more time with her than usual to keep her mind off it. You never know the day that you will eventually lose the one you love. Believe me I know Old Sport. She matters to you a lot more than you think and I know that you have known her a lot longer than I have but I picked the point off much faster than you did."
I look to see MC's face in complete shock.
Mark: "So please. Take care of her Old Sport. See you tomorrow pal!"
I walk out of the clubroom to see Monika in the other room. She sees me step in and welcomes me with a kiss on the lips.
Monika: "Player you were an absolute star in there!"
Mark: "Thanks! Sorry that I didn't let you spend any time with Sayori."
Monika: "I think it was for the best. Also when you were talking to her, I chatted with Yuri and she told me about her self harm. I made her feel better today by telling her that the obsession will only ruin her and let her know that people don't want to see her get hurt and that we all cared for her. I pretty much made her day on that part."
Wow, we actually got a lot done today. I am impressed, Monika.
Mark: "Oh yeah sorry for the cheesy Italian accent. I bet you wanted to rip my head off after hearing that haha."
Monika: "Are you kidding me? That accent actually worked out amazingly."
Monika leans over to my ear
Monika: "Afterall, it actually kind of turned me on."
Mark: "Monika! This is not the time nor place!"
Monika: "Ahaha~ sorry love I always enjoy teasing you."
I then here a voice in my head.
?: "Meet me in the men's restroom in one minute."
Mark: "Sorry Monika I have to head to the restroom real quick. I will meet you outside ok?"
Monika smiles sweetly.
Monika: "Okay Player! Please don't take long.
I head over to the restroom and by the time I get there by eyes widen.
Mark: "Ink! What are you doing here?"
Ink: "We do not have much time Player so let's make this quick. Error is dead."
What?! The destroyer of the Zeta Realm is dead?! That that is impossible but how? Who could even defeat that monster?
Ink: "Only a monster could kill another monster."
Mark: "It was him wasn't it? Cross killed him?"
Ink nods
Ink: "He is coming Player. I don't know if we can stop him, but we must try. I have seen too many echoes disappear at the hands of the X-Event and I will not sit and watch him destroy this one that I failed to protect."
Mark: "Very well Ink since this fighting is new to me as a Guardian and all, I will put my skills to the test."
Ink: "Don't worry Player! I believe in you-"
Suddenly the door creaks open with Monika standing with her eyes widen in surprise.
Oh no.
Monika: "I thought you were dead."
A/N: Hope you guys liked this long chapter. The action will unfold within the next one! I plan to have at least a chapter or two a week Special thanks to Hwest, storylover1987, and Simply Guardian for reviewing this content.
Hwest. Thanks for the response man! I am glad that you like this story :)
storylover1987. Yes I know the format in the first was complete shit. If you read the other chapters then you would see a big change in the format. This is one of my first fanfics in a while so if you have any advice I would love the PM my dude.
Simply Guardian. Thanks for following!