Through the Portal

Chapter One: An Unexpected Visit

Matthew gazed at the pale wall; his eyes growing cross eyed as he allowed his thoughts to roam. Pizza or tacos for dinner? Sure he hasn't had pizza in a long time, but tacos just sound right for a Saturday.

Suddenly his head turned when he heard the door open, revealing two of his best friends.

"Yup, internet is a no go." Stephanie sighed before collapsing onto the couch, Peepahu falling onto her stomach.

Jason leaned over Matt and frowned, "You okay there?"

"Just thinking."

Stephanie sat up, "About what?"

Matthew stood up, his back crackling in relief, "I don't know. Food I guess."

Jason cracked a grin, "Well, what is it today? Pizza or-"

Suddenly, the pale wall before them transformed into a swirling greenish vortex; Matt instinctively leapt to try and shield Stephanie while Jason grabbed a chair and held it out like a shield.

"What is that!?" Stephanie shouted over the swirling wind.

"I have no idea!" Matt replied.

Suddenly, a figure stepped out from the vortex. His hair was a darker brown, but there was no mistaking it.

Is that me? Matt thought to himself.

The doppelganger scanned the room until his eyes met Matt's. Grinning, he marched up to Matt.

"Um, hi?" Matt squeaked before the man gripped the collar of his shirt.

"Let him go!" Stephanie commanded. Her hands were gripped into fists that were about to fly, but the man leapt back, just inches from the vortex.

"Sorry me, but you gotta go." The doppelganger threw Matt into the vortex.

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Ugh.

All Matt could see was darkness. He tried lifting his body, but to no avail. His entire self felt like cement.

Come on Matt focus; assist your surroundings-or lack of surroundings- and figure out what happened.

He narrowed his eyes and, after several attempts, got his legs to work. Smiling, he picked a random direction and started to slowly and stiffly make his way.

Okay, so a me or a weird version of me came and dragged me here. But, where is here? And how do I get back? Are Steph and Jason okay? What is he going to do... Matt slapped his cheeks, Get a hold of yourself! One question at a time. Just...one question at a time.

Suddenly, Matt could see a glimmer of light ahead of him. His heart pounding, he broke out into a run, that looked more like how a bunny would walk, and made his way towards the light.

"Ah!"

Matt awoke with a jolt and looked around, his stomach churning when he took in his surroundings. Instead of a carpet floor there was sand and to his left was an ocean! He looked up and saw a bright blue sky with...dark blue birds flying overhead? He stood up and took a deep breath, only to automatically cough.

The air smells spicy! What kind of Dr. Suess place am I in?

Footsteps. Matt swiveled around and saw a small figure walking in the distance.

"Thank goodness there's another human," He muttered under his breath before breaking into a sprint, "Hey! Can you tell me where I am!?"

The figure stopped and as Matt came closer, his eyes widened, "Stephanie?"

She certainly had the same hair and facial features, but she was a bit smaller and wore a simple alabaster tunic, brown shorts, and a black cloak that was a bit too big for her.

"How...how do you know my name?" 'Stephanie' asked. Her voice defiantly sounded like Steph, but it was a bit more dull and timid. Kinda like the first time he met her.

"Um, well, I, uh," Matt stuttered, how does he sum up all that's happened without sounding like a madman?

Stephanie's eyes narrowed and she took a step back, "Wait...y-you're the Matthew! W-what do you want? Please d-don't hurt me!"

Matt bit his lip. Just what did this Matthew do in this world? "Hey, believe it or not but I'm not that Matthew." He got down to Stephanie's eye level and gave a friendly smile, "I am Matthew, but I'm from somewhere else. California, does that ring a bell?"

Stephanie frowned, "You...don't exactly sound like him. But California? I've never heard of it. There's Camilonia though."

"Just...what is this planet we're on?"

"Erthia."

Matt's forehead creased, "Okay, this isn't good." He stood up and began to pace back and forth, "Okay, looks like I'm going to have to not only figure out how to get back to Earth, but also-"

"Earth?"

He stopped and looked at Stephanie, "Yes, have you heard of it?"

"Kinda. Matthew, er, this Matthew use to talk about Earth but people thought he was going mad, but King Jason was kind and gave Matthew a small lab in the castle so he could do research on this Earth. But..." Stephanie gazed at her bare feet and frowned, "He went insane one day and stabbed a bunch of people, all the while talking about some portal he made. Then, he just vanished."

Matt's teeth clenched. On one hand, he couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Jason commanding a country when he couldn't even show up to work on time. Yet, on the other hand, he couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. He was an insane murderer on this planet! And, with Stephanie's reaction upon seeing him, Mat couldn't help but feel awful.

Stephanie gazed at the slowly setting sun and began to walk away. Out of instinct, Mat grabbed her arm, causing her to flinch and pull back.

"Sorry, but do you know where I can stay the night?" He checked her pockets, his cheeks growing a bright crimson, "Um, preferably a place that's free?"

Stephanie shifted her feet, "You...can sleep with Nate in the living room."

"Wait, Nate!?"

"He's my cat." Her eyes narrowed, "hurt him and I'll curse you."

Matt laughed, beads of sweat began forming on his brow, "Hah, you're...joking right?"

"No."

Matt gulped. So this Stephanie is some sort of witch, good to know.

As they fell into a steady pace, Matt allowed his eyes to wander. He could see the birds a little closer and his eyes widened at the sight. They certainly were a dark blue, but he could've sworn their faces were covered in scales. Stephanie caught his staring and a small smile was formed on her lips.

"They're called Lapises."

"Are those scales?"

"Yes."

Matt couldn't believe it. This place was weirdly amazing! Even the spicy air was beginning to be tolerable if he took short breaths. However, his mind would always go back to Earth's Stephanie and Jason. Whenever he thought of those two with that psycho, his stomach churned.

Please be okay.