"Finally! I'm at COMIC-CON!"
EVERYONE costumed, or in regular clothing, turned to look at the boy before going back to their business. After all, this convention did tend to draw some of the weirder people.
Nick flushed for a moment, then turned his focus on the building itself. The hall was decorated with posters and banners, proclaiming different events that would be going on during the week; vendors shouted out prices for their wares and groups took pictures together.
' I've been waiting all this time, and I can finally have some fun! ' Just looking at the different cosplayers made him want to do back-flips; seeing the amount of dedication and skill put into each outfit was awe-inspiring.
His own was nowhere on their level, but it could be called respectable in its own right. After all, this was his first time designing anything like it, and by himself to boot! It took time to think of what he wanted to go as, and settled on Neku Sakuraba. The few people who asked about the work seemed impressed as well, and that was more than he'd hoped for.
Walking into the building itself, there were more stalls with vendors and artists; cosplayers by the hundreds moving around like one massive wave from one area to the next. It was one thing to hear about this, compared to actually being there in person. Taking a deep breath, he slipped in and began to move.
At first, moving from one spot to another was a struggle and he ended up bumping into someone every few seconds. Eventually, he was able to 'read' the crowd itself, and go where he pleased with little to no problem.
What he was looking for, was the final pieces for his outfit. It wasn't too difficult to get a wig and style it the way it was supposed to look. The clothes were somewhat trickier, considering he had to buy pre-made clothing then cut and design it to match the character. Of course, the biggest issue of all, were the pins.
Checking the internet, talking to friends, even trying to make them himself did no good whatsoever. So, now he was stuck trying to look for a stall that would hopefully sell them.
Out of the corner of his eye, one stall stood out. It was decently-sized, but it seemed like it was being ignored by everyone that passed it by. Curious, he stepped up and began skimming over the wares.
"Hello there, Neku. What can I get for you?" A raspy voice spoke up.
Flinching, Nick looked around, followed by his eyes widening at the figure that stood off to he side. It took a moment or two to recognize the costume but nodded afterwards.
"That's.....that's uh 'Death Gun' from that anime right? Sword Art Online?" Nick was smiling, but on the inside, he was completely freaked out. ' I'm sure there wasn't anybody standing there before...'
With a small blast of steam rising from between the teeth of the mask, he nodded and gestured towards the area behind him.
"I believe I have some....things you were looking for. Pins, correct?"
Nick blinked in surprise, but nodded in careful agreement. The man gestured for him to follow, then turned and went into the deeper parts of the stall.
They both stopped in front of a medium-sized, glass-covered stand, filled with multiple pins from the game, including the boss and starter pins. It took everything he had not to hug the case and laugh like a child during Christmas.
"I'll give you the whole thing for.... $150."
Instantly, Nick turned and stared in suspicion. "What's the catch? I know there's no way you're willing to give it up that easily. There's over fifty pins in there, and they're good quality too."
Turning his head, the man seemed to stare through the red lens of the mask, before another blast of steam rose, and a broken laugh came from him.
"You took time to make that costume...and I have a feeling you'll use them well."
After looking back to the pins, he grinned and pulled out the money. "Deal!" Nick said happily. After handing the money over, he opened the case and instantly picked up the Player Pin.
Behind him, the man drew a gun from under his cloak and pointed it right at Nick, as he was looking at the pins. "Have a nice trip." He hissed.
"Wha-"
The last thing Nick saw, was a gun pointed right at his face, followed by a 'bang', and darkness.
------------------------------------------------------------ The Void -------------------------------------------------------------------------
The past few minutes were a blur. Some of the things he saw, made no sense, and hurt to even think about. The best he could do was close his eyes and hope that he would stop soon.
Nick eventually stopped and opened his eyes, finding himself floating in the middle of nowhere. Concerned, he tried moving around; finding out he couldn't nearly made him break down. Before he could, he was assaulted by a voice that seemed like it came from everywhere.
"You now have a choice. Either stay dead, and drift within the void forever, or be sent to a new world."
"What?! I-I'm DEAD?! I don't even know how I got here!"
"I am sorry for that. I would explain, but even I must abide by some rules. If I tell you more.....well...your mind would be broken.
"I don't even...just......why...?" *sob*
"........"
"....so..." *sniff* "Who are you? What happens if I choose to go?"
"....You will forget."
"WHAT?!"
"Be calm, young one. You will forget speaking to me, how you got here, and your life before this. All you will remember is your name."
"That...I....." *sigh* "To keep me sane, I'm guessing?"
"Yes, you are correct.....you seem oddly...accepting of this. Are you that resigned?"
"Kinda. I got shot in the face and saw some weird crap on the way here....but trust me, I'm freaking out right now. So, again, who are you?"
*chuckle* "That, shall be a surprise. I will not lie, things will be difficult...but before you leave, I will give you understanding of magic. It will be in a way suited for you, and you alone."
"Thanks...I guess. So what now?"
"Now, we wait. Rest child, I will speak to you once more before you leave."
".....again....thanks. Will....will anyone remember me back home?"
"....no. They will forget, as you will, but I will hold the memories, both yours and theirs."
*sob*
"Sleep. Dream of happier times....."