Chapter Text
"I'm coming D3rlord, don't you worry."
Are words Avery has repeated over and over in his head since this whole ordeal started. They are the only words that have kept him from quitting.
He could have been celebrating New Years with his real friends, or lack there of, but he's stuck on Minecraft, searching for a player that's proving to be a pain in the ass. But he has to try.
He emerges from the gate and steps through to the side, which holds the enormous hall of doors. He looks out, he barely made a dent and had plenty left. The sight makes his stomach twist, mocking how nervous he was doing this in the first place.
The glorious yellow door that stood before him was a beacon of how lost he really was. How blindly he followed through each one.
It was a beacon for how desperate he was.
Careful, but swift, he makes his way through the next door, now holding his breath as if he were underwater.
Darkness obstructs him for a few seconds, before he spots the identical door he has been met with countless of times before.
And as if it was routine, he walks, slow, then speeds up, not wanting to be in the darkness for any longer.
And here. Is where he sees, he realizes.
This next world is different.
Not a block in sight, it's smooth, the trees dance in the slight breeze that carries through the air. The sky was dusted in a cozy orange and red, signaling the beginning of the evening. The ground doesn't have its normal block texture, it looked like real dirt.
And right in front of him, was a giant blue castle.
He wasn't in Minecraft anymore.
It was cartoony, somewhat whimsical. But Avery didn't feel an ounce of joy at the new landscape.
He was horrified, only for the 10th time it seemed.
He took a few hesitant steps, the need to book it back into the gate took over his body. Until he heard a yell.
"MAMAFUCKER! GIVE MARIO THE GLASSES!! I WANNA WEAR THEM!!"
Yep, definitely want to go back to the gate, but it was shut, and most definitely wouldn't budge. He turned back around, towards the yells. Avery debated finding a place to hide, since it's been the first time that he'd actually heard another person. But wait, what was that name? Mario? The Mario? That just made Avery more curious on where he was.
Avery scanned the area around him, the castle being the obvious main thing it seemed, but to his right, he saw a building that looked like a cafe. No. Wait. It was a cafe.
"3's Coffee & Bombs"
"Well that's dangerous." Avery thought, although it was kinda badass to him as well. A place to get caffeine and bombs? Talk about a good deal.
Then reality hit him once again.
He was stuck here.
There was no reason for him to be standing there, gawking at this world, as cool as it looks, he needs to find the exit gate. And quickly.
His eyes drift back to the source of the sound he heard earlier, and now, he sees a few colorful blobs in the distance, he could vaguely make out some other details, like the fact that there were New Years decorations, and they seemed to be setting up for a party.
Of course.
Of course everything is reminding Avery how alone he is right now, how he's busting his ass for someone he shouldn't care about.
But he does.
He always will.
"Screw it." Avery thinks "Maybe they'll help me, they seem friendly enough."
And before Avery can second guess himself, he starts walking towards the party, nervous, but with a spark of determination.
Once he gets close enough, he starts to see what these people look like.
Geez, they're a colorful bunch.
And it seems Avery was right about the Mario thing, because there he was, the classic red-wearing, princess-saving plumber.
Maybe Avery just game hopped.
But that doesn't make sense.
Where is Princess Peach's castle?
What's with this blue one?
Avery had so many questions. Especially ones like:
"How the hell have they not noticed me yet?"
"Should I wait until they do?"
Avery just observes, Mario seemed to be whining about something, which is unusual. Since when did Mario whine? And why is his mustache so big, and his eyes so cross-eyed?
Who's that fella in the blue cap, teasing Mario with New Years glasses?
Avery can't handle just standing there, looking lost, despite the fact that he is. So, he clears his throat.
"Ahem."
Everyone's attention snaps to Avery. Mario screams and just falls over. The guy in the blue cap looks surprised, and everyone else just looks confused.
Mario sits up and glares at Avery before speaking
"Ey! Slime guy! You-a scared the shit outta Mario!"
Mario swears!? The hell??
Then, the blue capped guy speaks, sighing heavily before helping Mario up.
"Sorry about him, we just didn't expect another person here, I mean, it's our party."
Avery's attention focuses on him. Nodding seemingly apologetically, he speaks up too.
"No worries. Uh...I didn't want to intrude on your party, but..I could use some help getting out of here."
The blue hat guy tilts his head in confusion.
"The...exits that way? He points behind Avery. "Just go down that path and you'll hit the city."
"Er...I'm afraid it's more complicated than that."
Avery sighs and looks beyond the capped dude in front of him, to the people he assumes are his friends.
"Could I just stay for a while? So I can explain?"
Blue guy looks back to his friends, most of them shrug. He looks back at Avery and nods. The air thickens with tension.
"Go ahead."
Avery takes a breath.
"Thanks...er.."
The man in front of him then perks up, realizing Avery wants him to introduce himself. He gladly does so, the confusion wipes from his face and is replaced with a smile.
"SMG4. My name is SMG4."