destinystrings | (no subject)

[After four days of wandering around aimlessly, the inevitable has finally happened. The two Atsuros stand in the middle of Sagittarius district, facing each other down. The Shadow is no longer withdrawn and timid. Bolstered by the promises it had heard, it stares at its counterpart now with a faint smile.]

I really thought you were going to complain about how we've never beaten Hizumi at that stupid drum game.

...

...And the dancing game, come to think of it.

Why do you do that? Whenever there's a problem... that's all you do. Laugh it off.

What? ...You want me to whine about it? Like you?

I want you to face it. All of your friends... All of your friends know how you really feel now. Everything you're afraid of. Everything you try to hide.

[The brown-eyed boy stiffens at this statement and averts his gaze with a slight shrug.]

I don't hide anything from them.

[His doppelganger pauses before calling out in a trembling, petulant, high-pitched tone.]

'They don't really like me... They don't really want me around...... Nano hates me, Midori probably can't wait to get rid of me, and Yuzu... Yuzu just deals with me 'cause she wants to be around Kazuya. ...Kazuya. Perfect hero Kazuya. The guy I stick to like a leech so maybe I feel a little more worthwhile.'

...That's not what I think at all.

'Maybe if I act like a clown, people will like me. Maybe if I make myself try harder, people will have to like me.

.......Maybe if I were a better kid, Mommy and Daddy wouldn't have ditched me like a -- '

Shut up.

[A brilliant flash of light, and the street is suddenly filled to the brim. Two demons, a Persona, and Atsuro himself stand ready on both sides, each facing their counterparts. Four on four. Atsuro clenches a trembling fist tight as his allies ready themselves to fight.]

I've never believed that. I've never believed any of those things.

...Ehehe. The sad thing is.... they all know now. They all know how you really feel, and... they still want to be your friend. -- Oh... sorry. They want to be my friend. Because you were too much of a coward to ever tell them the truth.

...I think we'll be fine without you.

Enki!

((Warning - Atsuro is Level Max, so the Shadow will pack a pretty hefty punch! There will be two threads for fighting with the Shadow and the Persona or fighting with the demons.))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Midori's demons are summoned as soon as she rounds the corner and spots the two Atsuros facing off. Lakshmi and Rangda await her orders while she surveys the scene.]

We'll clear out the demons first before we get to whatever that is. I'm coming to help, Atsuro!

[She doesn't waste time before unleashing a Holy Dance on her chosen opponents.]

Midori!

[The Holy Dance takes the two demons momentarily by surprise, but in the next instant, they've teleported right up into her face to conduct battle. That's Phantasm for you. ...Unfortunately, being controlled by an Atsuro means they're savvy enough to both pile on top of Lakshmi, sending a flurry of strong physical blows in her direction.]

Be careful! I'll try to keep him and his Persona occupied...

Got it!

[Two can play at the 'knowing what demons resist what' game. Rangda attacks the Power with her massive physical might, while Lakshmi gets enough room to let loose an Elec Dance directed at the Seiten Taisei.

As for Midori herself, she prepares to heal her demons up when they start to look hurt.]

Wait... Midori...

[At those words, the Shadow demons hold off on the attack and draw back slightly.]

Didn't you promise me...? That even if I did something bad... you'd still want to be with me...

I did. But I don't see why I can't smack you to your senses first and keep you from doing the bad thing in the first place!

[Don't even start with her, bro.]

The two of us can't exist like this... I can't stay if he survives. So... It has to be this way.

Yeah, well, I was here first.

Then it's only fair for it to be my turn... right?

You're the same person, you dummies.

[Seriously.]

...Exactly. There's only room for one Atsuro.

[The real Atsuro pauses at this comment.]

You know, I think if I push the chair into the corner, you could probably sleep under my bed.

S-Shut up! Midori...! One of us will die tonight. Either he'll destroy me, or... I'll finally have a chance to live.

That's stupid. You're not wrong but you're not right either, and neither of you should die.

[YOU'RE STUPID BOYS]

M-Midori! He's like, my fake evil twin! Of course we have to get rid of him...!

See? ...Can you really support someone like him?

Stop trying to steal my friends!

[The two of them return to exchanging blows now, leaving Shadow Atsuro's demons a bit confused. This is readily solved by the appearance of Real Atsuro's demons, who promptly begin trying to murder them as well.]

Don't you read the network or anything?

[There was a flowchart.

Midori sighs and unleashes her almighty magic on the demons again, with Lakshmi taking up healing duty and Rangda joining in the fight. Beating up the demons is safe enough.]