#nintendodeathsystem

The question burns, nearly sparking the wooden pieces that made his "heart". Why would he get answers after decades of questions? What satisfaction would that bring him, now that he's fallen this far? The Salesman chuckles as be begins his descent, ignoring the child entirely. The creaking of the tower grows louder, muting the once comforting song.

That devil-of-a-merchant disappeared as Tatl broke out of BEN's cap. She feared him ever since he came back from—

The child shifted with an ever sinking pit at his core. He can feel a frigid sweat take hold with every step he took toward the accursed mask. Was it more terrifying to watch the other shatter his expectations, or for him to leave something in his stead? He was the Happy Mask Salesman, after all. For him to abandon this, and the Mask of Majora ...

Whatever is about to happen fills him with dread.

And whatever is about to happen, he can't avoid it.

Summoning all of Link's courage, he steps forward to close the gap. The fairy, begrudgingly, stays to watch over BEN. Though the river beneath the town and the stone walls that towered high above were the same, something in this world had twisted and darkened. An unbearable, undeniable pressure that saw through his facade from the start of his dashboard journey.

BEN squeezed his eyes shut, willing the wretched thing out of his world. When they opened, his body grew colder. He'd have to look the other in the face, as much as he wished not to.

His head fell to where a mask laid before him.

CONFESSION CANCELLED.

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He had just leapt for Lucas. Where could he be now? BEN had been temporarily blinded in the process. He could feel a warm light coat his contorting body. His fairy was stitching him together, as every consecutive crack brought back another recollection of MX's mercilessly brought him a second death. It would have been, too — MX saw his weak soul for what it was. Bones snapped back into place. His undead heart was pounding. As the light faded, he could hear HIS voice taunt him during his non-existence. ( I'M STILL HERE. I'M STILL HERE AND I'M SORRY. I JUST WANTED TO HAVE FUN. I DIDN'T MEAN IT. )

Even healed, his body was still tormented. BEN gripped himself tightly, squeezing already shut eyes tighter. The dazed boy pulled at his hair for some clarity. He tries to hiccup, but chokes on water. Water not from his cursed death, but more frigid and salty. He only now realized how weightless his body was - and not of his own volition. He so desperately doesn't want to, but he's left with no choice but to pry his eyes open to see where he'd been dragged to . . .

‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎‎ WORLD 2 — 2

Something is coming. Or rather, someone. The chains around his wrists never felt tighter, never felt heavier, never felt so ... hauntingly familiar. HEAR ME, LUNA. I AM READY TO BE WITH YOU. He didn't know how to swim. He never collected anything more than the Deku Mask anymore, there was never any need. He did not know how to swim. Someone is getting closer. In a frenzy, he mimics the game he once sat in front of a TV to play with his father. His dad got him into video games. He was always cooler than other dads. CLOSER STILL, BENNY BOY. They've beaten this before. PLEASE DON'T LET ME DIE, LUNA. I'M SCARED. They'd just have to do this again. Together.

With a simple knowing glance and little more said, he presented the other with a plain black suitcase, its contents unknown to all but the two.

"I am certain this will meet your standards."

SOME THINGS CANNOT BE HELPED. NONETHELESS, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

IT IS TAKEN WITHOUT HESITATION, Nintendo itself cracking the case off to peer within its contents. Satisfied, he locked it shut.

She had him exactly where she wanted him. Alone, helpless, and currently confused. The perfect time to enact her revenge.

In an instant, her face was all but an inch away from his, empty skin-covered craters where eyes should have been staring back at him, something slithering underneath to signify blinking. A hand reached out, clutching his shoulder with a firm, unrelenting grip. He was now locked into place. Her other hand balling into a fist, she slowly reeled back her arm as she spoke in a low, whisper-like tone—

"Pee is stored in the balls."

—And she swung directly for Red's nethers for a super-effective critical hit.

Harsh, red light traced her figure in the dark. As her silhouette grew, he felt the void in his chest sink. Glitch City isn't known for its visitors, especially not ones so ... nebulously nostalgic? His inability to recall petrified him the most. Her mannerisms screamed recognition; like an animal who has hunted the same prey too many times to count.

She clutched his shoulder. He stared at her face.

A melody pierced his mind.

This was —

❝ — F U C K. ❞

He collapsed, curled into himself, and began to writhe. His ears rang as his vision began to blur. Should one lean in, they may hear the soft squeals of the once pure-hearted trainer muttering more expletives under his breath. (Sorry, Mom.) The action caused mental anguish beyond his already wounded pride.

Physical pain. Mental anguish. His memory rewrote itself in chunks as he rolled on the ground. After another minute of shrill whimpering, he took a peek at the no-eyed girl hovering above him. He couldn't get a word out, but his expression said it all...