Estimated Reading Time: 28 Minutes

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Melodic Discord

The Smash Plaza glowed under the bright, vibrant lights, each one reflecting off the surrounding glass and metal structures. The air was alive with a buzz of energy, and the vibrant hues of neon signs flickered above. Yet, amidst the dazzling display, Ness found himself lost in the simple warmth of Tina's hand in his.

As they ventured further, Tina led him down a quiet street, the sounds of their footsteps mingling with the rhythmic hum of distant music. They soon reached a neighborhood that seemed to pulse with life. A particular house stood out—a small, cozy building adorned with an array of lights that twinkled like stars against the dark sky. The music spilling from the house was a perfect harmony of beats, loud and clear, blending with the colorful lights that danced across the yard. Each note seemed to vibrate in the air, drawing them in as they approached, and Ness couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation as the beat of the music wrapped around them.

"Whoo! We're here~!" Tina's voice rang out, full of excitement as she let go of Ness's hand, practically skipping into the house. The door swung open, revealing a space alive with energy and color. The room was bathed in neon lights, casting a rainbow of hues across the crowd of spirits and Smashers, their laughter and chatter mingling with the thumping bass of the music. Ness's eyes quickly scanned the room, relieved to see that none of the familiar faces he usually saw were around.

Tina wasted no time, her body already swaying to the rhythm as she pulled herself towards the center of the dance floor. She turned back with a playful grin and motioned for Ness to join her, but he only shook his head, his cheeks flushed with a mixture of shyness and hesitation. His awkward smile spoke volumes—he wasn't quite ready to dive into the chaos of the dance floor.

Tina gave a nonchalant shrug and spun back into the crowd, her movements fluid and carefree as she lost herself to the music. Ness watched her from the sidelines, mesmerized by how she seemed to glow beneath the shimmering lights of the disco ball. The way the colors shifted on her skin, the way she danced with such confidence—it was like watching a dream in motion.

"Hey, cutie~" A soft, teasing voice drifted into Ness's ears, and before he could process it, he felt a hand rest lightly on his shoulder. He froze, his eyes widening in surprise as he turned around to face the source of the unexpected greeting.

Standing there with a playful glint in her eyes was none other than Female Robin. Her smile was warm, but there was an unmistakable mischief behind it. Ness blinked in disbelief, his mind still processing the fact that she'd called him cutie—the last person he expected to hear such a thing from.

Ness: "I-I'm sorry. I think you got the wrong guy."

F. Robin: "Nah, I'm talkin' to you, cutie pie~"

Ness: "C-cutie pie?"

F. Robin: "Yes! I've been meanin' to talk to ya."

Ness: "M-me? Are you sure?"

F. Robin: "Yes, you. You're hot."

Ness: "Huh?"

F. Robin: "Do ya wanna head upstairs and have a lil fun?"

Ness: "Wwhat!"

F. Robin: "C'mon, let's fuck~"

Ness: "I-I-I…"

F. Robin: "Aww, look at you blush. You're so cute~"

Ness was at a complete loss for words. He stood frozen, unsure how to respond to the sudden attention. No girl had ever come onto him quite like this—certainly not with the playful confidence that Robin was exuding. He couldn't help but glance over her face, taking in the details. She was cute, no doubt about it, with her sharp features softened by her warm smile, and the way her hair framed her face in loose waves. Yet, despite her charm, his heart didn't waver. He only had eyes for one girl, and it was Tina who had his thoughts, his attention, and his affections.

The realization settled in his chest like a calm weight. This was an easy rejection, he told himself. He quickly regained his composure, forcing a polite but firm smile.

Ness: "Sorry, but I'm going to have to decline your offer."

F. Robin: "What."

Ness: "It's a no."

F. Robin: "Oh yeah?"

Ness: "Yeah, sorry."

F. Robin: "I bet these will change your mind~"

Ness: "What're you—oh my god!"

Female Robin took off her top and flashed him.

F. Robin: "You like what you see?"

Ness: "T-those are—breasts…"

F. Robin: "I knew you couldn't resist. Gets em every time~"

Ness: "No! P-put those away!"

F. Robin: "C'mon, you can touch em."

Ness: "Y—No! Put your top back on. You're doing this in public. Aren't you embarrassed?"

F. Robin: "The crowd is too distracted to notice."

Ness: "Are you kidding me?! It's literally out. I can't believe you-

As Ness was scolding her, a spirit, unaware of the space around them, bumped into the brunet with unexpected force. Before he could react, Ness stumbled forward, and in a flash of panic, he crashed face-first into Robin's bare chest.

For a brief, awkward moment, time seemed to freeze. Ness's mind went blank, his heart hammering in his chest as he quickly pushed himself away, his hands flailing as if to distance himself from the uncomfortable situation. His face was burning, a deep shade of red that could rival the brightest tomato. He stammered out a quick apology, his words jumbled as he avoided looking her in the eye. "I-I'm so sorry, I didn't—! That wasn't—!"

Robin, though taken aback, seemed more amused than anything else. A small laugh escaped her lips, her eyes twinkling with mischievous delight. Ness could feel the heat in his cheeks intensify as he stood there, mortified, struggling to compose himself.

F. Robin: "Eager now, aren't we?"

Ness: "No! N-no! That's—! I was pushed."

Robin quickly put on her top, her calm demeanor not reflecting the surprise from earlier. With a playful smirk, she stepped closer to Ness, her voice lowering to a whisper. "You have no idea how long I've waited for this," she said, her words carrying a hint of teasing allure.

Ness's heart skipped a beat as she pulled him gently closer. His mind raced, the heat in his cheeks still not fading. He wasn't sure how to process the situation—especially with her so close. But before he could even gather his thoughts, she motioned upstairs with a slight nod tugging at his arm. "Let's head up there," she suggested, her tone seductive.

Ness's heart was racing, but his frustration boiled over. With a sudden force, he yanked his arm out of Robin's grip, his face now a mix of anger and disbelief. "I said no!" His voice was firm, cutting through the tension like a knife. He shook his head, his gaze locked onto hers, and he couldn't mask the disgust that flashed in his eyes. The situation was beyond uncomfortable now, crossing a line he couldn't ignore. "Don't you ever touch me like that again," he added, his words biting with a sharpness that made it clear he wasn't willing to tolerate her advances.

F. Robin: "Tch! The fuck's your problem?"

Ness rolled his eyes in frustration, shaking his head as he turned away from Robin. The sting of the awkward encounter still lingered, but his focus quickly shifted. His eyes scanned the dance floor, searching for Tina, but she was nowhere to be found. His heart sank. Where did she go?

A sudden wave of panic gripped him. Did she see what happened? The thought hit him like a punch to the gut. His chest tightened as he imagined Tina's reaction, her misunderstanding of the scene. The last thing he wanted was for her to think anything had happened between him and Robin.

He began weaving through the crowd, his pace quickening with each passing second. He needed to find her. He needed to explain, to clear up the mess before it got any worse. His mind raced, each step feeling more urgent than the last.

Finally, through the crowd, Ness spotted her. Tina was chatting with a group of spirits, an alcohol bottle in hand, her laughter bright and carefree. Relief washed over him, his heart slowing down as he made his way toward her.

As soon as Tina noticed him, her eyes lit up like stars, her smile widening. "Guys, say hi to Ness!" she exclaimed, her voice full of energy. She pulled him close to her with a playful grin. "He's the best guitar player ever!"

Caught off guard, Ness forced a cheeky smile, though his nerves were still on edge. He awkwardly waved at the group of spirits, unsure what to say. The spirits responded with waves and friendly gestures, a few of them giving him approving nods.

Ness quietly stood by Tina's side, half-listening as she and the group chatted about whatever caught their attention. His mind wasn't fully there, though. His gaze kept drifting to the bottle in her hand, watching as she took another sip. The more she drank, the more uneasy he felt.

A knot twisted in his stomach. He wanted to tell her to slow down, to be careful. But the words stuck in his throat. His anxiety kicked in, and the thought of speaking up made him feel like he was about to crash the vibe. Everyone else was drinking just as much, if not more. If I say something, I'll just seem like a buzzkill... The last thing he wanted was to come off as the guy who ruined the fun, especially not with Tina. She was having a great time, and he didn't want to be the one to put a damper on that.

So, he kept quiet, forcing a smile as he stood there, silently hating the heavy drinking atmosphere around him.

Tina suddenly stood up, her voice cutting through the conversation. "Oh shit, guys, I'mma go use it real quick," she said, gesturing to the bathroom. The group gave her casual nods and went back to chatting among themselves, barely skipping a beat.

Ness hesitated for a moment, unsure what to do. The group wasn't really talking to him, and with Tina leaving, he felt a sudden emptiness in the air. It was easy enough for him to slip away unnoticed, quietly making his way toward the bathroom. He didn't want to invade her privacy by going inside with her, but he couldn't just leave her alone in there.

So, he stood outside the door, his back pressed against the cool wall. His mind raced with questions, the unease creeping back. What if she's not okay? Thirty minutes passed, and she still hasn't come out. Ness glanced down at his phone, then back to the door, worry gnawing at him.

Just then, he spotted Mythra walking by, looking as carefree as ever. Without thinking, he called out to her, his voice a mix of desperation and uncertainty.

Ness: "Mythra!"

Mythra: "Hm? Oh, it's you…"

Ness: "Hey! Um, can I ask you a favor?"

Mythra: "Look pretty boy, just cuz everyone thinks you're hot now, doesn't mean I do. I ain't into men. I like girls, kapeesh."

Ness: "Wwhat! N-no, I'm not trying to hit on you or anything."

Mythra: "Yeah, ok, sure. I already saw your face all over Robin's boobs. Ya can't just tell me you're not tryin' to get a piece of me too."

Ness: "That was an accident! I was shoved."

Mythra: "Mhm, yeah sure."

Ness: *Sighs* "Whatever. Look, Tina's been in the bathroom for a while and I'm worried about her. Can you please check to see if she's ok?"

Mythra: "Tina? Who's that?"

Ness: "The inkling."

Mythra: "Which one? There's like five of them."

Ness: "The pink haired one."

Mythra: "Brown skin?"

Ness: "Yes! Can you please just see if she's ok?"

Mythra: "Oh, I see what you're tyrin' to do."

Ness: "Huh?"

Mythra: "You're tryin' to set me up. Once I open the door to the bathroom, you're gonna push me in and try to fuck me."

Ness: "Wwhat!"

Mythra: "Thanks for tellin' everyone that we fucked by the way. Now the disgusting men in smash keep tryin' to get me to suck their fuckin' gross ass dick."

Ness: "I never told anyone! That was Isabelle!"

Mythra: "You told her we fucked and she fuckin' spread the rumor."

Ness: "No I didn't! I don't even want you."

Mythra: "So you're backtrackin' now."

Ness: "Wwhat! When did I ever say I wanted you? This is the first time we've spoken."

Mythra: "I mean you didn't say it exactly, but your actions sure did."

Ness: "How?!"

Mythra: "And now you're tryin' to use your charms against me. Luckily I'm a lesbian. Your tricks don't work on me. I have a girlfriend."

Ness: "I find it interesting that you chose not to answer my question. This suggests that you're making assumptions without all the facts."

Mythra: "Ugh, get off my dick will ya? I don't wanna fuck you!" *Chugs alcohol*

Ness: "You know what, nevermind. Leave. I can do this myself."

Ness knocked gently on the bathroom door, his voice laced with concern. He didn't want to seem like a perv, but her health was more important than his pride. "Tina? Are you okay in there?" He stood there for a moment, waiting for a response, but there was only silence. His anxiety spiked as he glanced back at Mythra, who was standing behind him, swaying unsteadily in place. She had a bottle in her hand and a carefree grin plastered on her face, though her balance suggested otherwise.

Mythra let out a loud burp, followed by a stumble that sent her shoulder crashing against the wall.

Ness's brows furrowed. "A-Are you okay?" he asked, his tone a mixture of concern and disbelief.

Mythra, barely able to stand, shot him a glare and slurred, "Fuck you, whore!" while flipping him off. Ness blinked, momentarily taken aback by her response. He sighed and rolled his eyes.

His attention returned to the bathroom door. Tina had been in there for far too long. Without another thought, he raised his hand and focused his psychic powers, manipulating the lock. With a soft click, the lock broke free.

He opened the door slowly, his heart hammering in his chest.

What he found wasn't what he expected. Tina's head was hanging over the sink, her breathing heavy and erratic, as if she was struggling to catch her breath.

He went over to her and immediately patted her back.

Ness: "Oh my god! Tina, are you ok?"

Tina: "I'm *wheeze* fine."

Ness's eyes widened as he stepped further into the bathroom, taking in the chaotic scene. Vomit covered the sink, the counter, and even splattered on the floor, the stench immediately assaulting his senses. His stomach churned, but his concern for Tina outweighed any discomfort.

He glanced at her, still hunched over the sink, her breathing shallow and ragged. His heart sank. When did this happen? He had no idea how long she had been in here, and the loud music from the party had drowned out any sounds that might've given him a clue.

Ness: "We should leave. Here, let me heal you first."

Tina's movements were unsteady as she gently pushed Ness aside, her hand trembling slightly as she fumbled through her purse. After a moment, she pulled out a small Ziploc bag. Ness tilted his head, his brows furrowing in confusion as he watched her.

"Is that... medicine?" he asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

Tina didn't respond right away, her attention focused on the bag. Ness stepped closer, a mix of worry and confusion crossing his face. "You don't need that," he continued, his tone firm but gentle. "I can cure whatever's wrong with you. Do you have a headache?"

Tina: "Nah, this shit's for fun!"

Ness: "For fun?"

Tina: "Ya dude. Let's snort this shit!"

Ness: "Is that—cocaine?!"

Tina: "Hell yeah it is~ I was waiting for ya to show up so we can get fucked up together."

Ness: "Wwhat! Tina, no. That's bad for you."

Tina: "Who cares. It's fun."

Ness: "You're already drunk. This is going to fuck you up more."

Tina: "That's the point."

Ness: "Tina, come on, no. This isn't safe."

Tina: "Bro, chill out. Everyone's doin' drugs. It's a safe space."

Ness: "Just because everyone is doing it, doesn't make it ok."

Tina: "Ness, c'mon, don't be a wet blanket. Let's get high. It's such a fun ride. I even got some psychedelics."

Ness: "Wwhat!"

Tina: "Ya dude. Let's enjoy a fun trip ride."

Ness: "No, that's dangerous!"

Tina: "Don't worry, I've done this plenty of times."

Ness: "Tina, no, please let's just go home and-

Tina suddenly lurched forward, her face contorting in distress as she vomited into the sink. The sight of her like this hit Ness harder than he expected. She looked absolutely miserable, her body trembling and her face paler than usual.

Without thinking, he rushed to her side, his concern overwhelming his hesitation. He placed a hand on her back, softly rubbing it for comfort. With a quiet mutter, he focused his energy, summoning the familiar warmth of PK Healing. A soft glow enveloped his hand as he concentrated, channeling the healing energy through her.

The nausea and dizziness started to fade, and slowly, Tina's breathing evened out. The effects of the poisoning began to subside, though the toll it had taken on her was still visible in her weary expression.

Tina: "Thanks~"

Ness: "Thanks? That's all you have to say? Tina, don't you see what's going on? You're not ok."

Tina: "Dude, knock it off. You're not my dad."

Ness: "I'm trying to help you realize-

Tina: "Nah, I don't need you tellin' me how to live my life. I'm a free spirit!"

Tina suddenly shoved Ness aside with surprising force, stumbling as she made her way out of the bathroom. "Tina!" Ness called out, panic creeping into his voice as he quickly followed her.

He reached the front porch just in time to see her standing there, her back to him as she pulled out a vape. The soft hiss of vapor filled the air as she took a long drag, hoping the act would help calm the storm raging inside her. She exhaled a cloud of smoke, her shoulders slumped, as though trying to force her emotions to settle.

Ness stood frozen for a moment, trying to process everything. His mind was racing, the weight of the situation crashing over him all at once. His thoughts flashed back to a conversation with Sonic, where the hedgehog had called Tina a "red flag." At that moment, Ness hadn't understood. But now, watching her in this fragile state, he could see a glimpse of what Sonic had meant. Her actions, her mood swings, they all seemed to fit that description.

But unlike Sonic, who had walked away, Ness wasn't the type to give up. I can fix her, he told himself, the words bringing a surge of hope. This relationship can work. I know we're meant for each other. She just needs my help. Something she's never had before.

With newfound determination, Ness made his way toward her. His heart was beating faster with each step, but he knew what he had to do. He gently reached out and took her hand, his touch soft but firm, offering her something he hoped she could hold onto.

Tina turned toward him, her eyes catching the soft glow of the moonlight, sparkling with a mix of curiosity and vulnerability. "Ness?"

He gave her a warm smile, one that reached his eyes and reflected his genuine concern. "Let's get you home," he said, his voice steady as he bent down slightly, offering his back. "Come on, hop on. I'll give you a piggyback ride."

Her eyes brightened, and she let out a soft giggle, the sound light and carefree as she clung to him. "What a gentleman~," she purred in a teasing, seductive tone, her voice like honey.

He chuckled, trying to keep things light. "Haha, just doing my part. Sorry I scolded you earlier. I was just worried. I didn't mean to be a wet blanket." His words were soft, but there was an underlying sincerity to them.

Tina snuggled closer, resting her head on his shoulder, her breath warm against his skin. "I'll forgive you this once. Only because you magically made me feel better with your magic shit."

A part of him wanted to argue, to tell her about the deeper issues, to address the drug problem he'd seen creeping into her life. But now didn't feel like the right time.

She was still drunk, and he knew that curing her poisoning was one thing, but her drunkenness... that was another matter entirely. He didn't have the power to erase that fog in her mind, and truthfully, he didn't want to bring it up now. She was fragile in this moment, and the last thing he wanted was to upset her further.

When Ness arrived at Tina's place, he gently set her down on her bed, careful not to disturb her too much. She looked peaceful now, her breathing steady and the nausea finally gone. Her face was relaxed, though every so often, she would mutter something out of the ordinary, her words slipping from her lips in a haze. Some of it was nonsensical, but he didn't mind. He stayed by her side, watching over her, ensuring she was okay.

Just as he was beginning to feel a little more at ease, the door suddenly burst open with a loud bang. Ness flinched, his heart skipping a beat, before turning to see none other than Riley and Kip swaggering into the room.

Riley: "Oh my god! Tina, girl, why'd you leave?"

Kip: "Yeah, as soon as we got to the party, this geek carried you away."

Ness: "Hey, guys, Tina really needs to rest. She's drunk and overstimulated."

Kip: "What the fuck is overstimulated?"

Ness: "When someone experiences an overwhelming amount of sensory input or mental activity, causing them to feel overloaded, anxious, or unable to process things effectively."

Kip: "What the fuck is this nerd goin' on about?"

Riley: "My main concern is why he's here with Tina alone while she's drunk."

Ness: "I'm making sure she's ok."

Kip: "You sure you're not tryin' to rape her?"

Ness: "Wwhat! No!"

Riley: "Listen, buddy, I know about the Ness allegations."

Ness: "They're just rumors. They're not real!"

Riley: "We know you got a crush on Tina."

Ness: "I do not."

Kip: "That's a lie. I see the way you look at her."

Riley: "He looks at every girl like that, Kip."

Ness: "Wwhat! No I don't!"

Riley: "Riiight, that's why your face was all over Robin's boobs tonight at the party."

Ness: "That was an accident! Wait, you saw it? You said you arrived at the party moments before I carried Tina away. How could you have possibly known?"

Riley: "The picture is on Twitter."

Ness: "P-PICTURE?!"

Kip: "Bro, are you not online?"

Ness's hands trembled as he pulled out his phone, panic surging through his veins. His heart raced as he quickly opened Twitter, dread already pooling in his stomach. The app loaded, and his fears were confirmed. His notifications were a mess—mentions, retweets, and comments piling up like a dam about to burst.

He scrolled through the posts, his stomach sinking with every swipe. Snake had posted pictures—pictures of him with Robin, including the unfortunate stumble into her chest. There were even videos: one of him arguing with Mythra, another capturing the moment he ran out of the bathroom chasing after Tina.

Out of context, it all looked horrible. The angles, the captions, the timing—it was as if someone had perfectly presented evidence to paint him as a perverted creep.

[- Twitter:

Solid Snake #Solidgossip. Dec 15th 2024

Holy shit guys! Ness the player of the year? More like Ness the predator of the year. Check out the shots I took of him during the party here at Birdo's place.

344 Comments, 106 Shares, 13K Likes

…

Ness's fingers hovered over the screen, trembling slightly as he drafted a post to defend himself. His mind buzzed with panic, struggling to string together the right words to explain how the photos and videos were taken out of context. Just as he was about to type, a small notification banner slid across the top of his screen.

Missed calls: Lucas.