otakuro: (Shadow)
Atsuro Kihara ([personal profile] otakuro) wrote in [community profile] destinystrings2013-12-21 11:39 am

(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 The Shadow is no longer withdrawn and timid.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.))
pretty_pink_ribbon: (Your cancers would eat through the bone)

Yuzu>mediarahan>all allies | Amaterasu>maragidyne>shadow | Troll>piercing hit>shadow

[personal profile] pretty_pink_ribbon 2013-12-22 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
Well, that escalated quickly. She pulls herself back to her feet after that barrage of water, coughing and sputtering. It is clearly time get serious. She summons both her demons, Amaterasu and Troll, and then her persona too. Just in case. Now, first things first. That other guy looks like he took that last hit pretty hard, so she's going to heal him. And herself too, while she's at it. And Atsuro. Mediarahan should take care of that.

"Friends don't try to drown each other!"

Yeah, she's pretty sure that one is the evil twin. Or whatever. Her troll is aiming a piercing hit at the shadow, and Amaterasu is going to try a good old fashioned maragidyne. (Fyi, Yuzu has magic yang equipped, so everyone's mp costs are halved.)
all_wound_up: (serious)

PERSONA SKILL: BASTION

[personal profile] all_wound_up 2013-12-22 03:03 am (UTC)(link)
Nano wouldn't miss this fight for the world. More accurately, she wouldn't miss helping Atsuro for the world - she meant everything she said when she talked to his Shadow, and he is one of the most important people in the entire city to her. As soon as she catches sight of the battle raging, she's running toward the front lines as quickly as she can, keyblade at the ready and her Persona Geppetto floating protectively behind her.

"Atsuro-san!"

As soon as she reaches the battle, there is a flash of light as Geppetto fades from existence and Nano calls forth the Clock Tower Manager. As the manifestation of the feelings she and Atsuro feel for each other, it only seems appropriate to make use of it in this battle. Planting her keyblade into the ground defensively, she activates the Bastion skill.

"I'll protect you, don't worry!"


((ooc: Bastion: Increases caster's Defense and Agility by 2.5x for two turns; take attacks in place of one ally for two turns. Nano is Strong against Fire and Lightning, Absorb Light, and Reflects Physical at the moment.

For the sake of not bogging the thread down too much, she's going to be going full defense every turn while it's active and shielding Atsuro himself from attacks so he can concentrate on fighting back. Nano's a max level user too, so she can take it.))
bondsofsuffering: ([Look] never-ending nightmare)

Incinerate > Shadow Atsuro

[personal profile] bondsofsuffering 2013-12-22 03:29 am (UTC)(link)
The water had certainly thrown him off balance, but thankfully that building was right there to cling to. Still, it was an annoying move to say the least, and after watching the proceedings for a few minutes more he finally makes his move.

His Persona alone moves out from behind the building, sending a swathe of flame directly for Shadow Atsuro. However, Hizumi himself will only be peering from around the corner; he'd rather not put himself in a direct line of fire if he can avoid it.
mementodagger: (in return you gave them hell)

[personal profile] mementodagger 2013-12-22 03:53 am (UTC)(link)
"You're not the same!" Yurick snaps, his temper showing in a rare moment. "Flaws or not, the real Atsuro would never try to harm us!"

Prominence isn't enough. The Shadow is too powerful. Yurick can't protect him like this. Once again, he's too weak to save anyone.

Not Atsuro.

Not his family.

Fury burns in his chest and, for an instant, he reaches up toward his eyepatch, as if ready to pull it off. Then he hesitates, expression twisting with fear and uncertainty, before he lowers his hand to draw the dagger at his hip instead.

"You'll burn before I let you hurt anyone, you bloody fake!" But his voice is trembling, his focus incomplete as he starts to charge another Prominence. It will take several precious seconds, but it's his strongest attack, at least in this state.

And that's when another spell wraps the Shadow: a Red Wall. Even without weakness to fire, every little bit helps, right? But who cast it...?
pretty_pink_ribbon: (Your muscles would bulge underground)

Yuzu>Holy Dance>Shadow | Troll>Piercing Hit>Shadow

[personal profile] pretty_pink_ribbon 2013-12-22 04:08 am (UTC)(link)
Yuzu is not happy with that shadow right now.

"Are you crazy? He didn't attack us! How can you say there's no difference?"

Okay, so fire isn't working? Let's try some almighty , then. Yuzu is going on the offensive with holy dance. The troll is sticking with piercing hit, since that can't be resisted, nulled, or absorbed. Amaterasu will stay on the defensing, waiting until someone needs healing or reviving.
bondsofsuffering: ([Look] There's definitely a)

Hell Frost > Shadow Atsuro (Severe Ice)

[personal profile] bondsofsuffering 2013-12-22 04:15 am (UTC)(link)
Already healed everything, huh? But that attack did seem to be somewhat effective, at least. It must be the power of a MAX level Persona...

If he could use that power and strike a weakness, this really would go by quickly. With that in mind, his Persona gets to casting, this time sending a blast of ice headed towards the Shadow.
mementodagger: (only my shadow and nobody else)

[personal profile] mementodagger 2013-12-22 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
As the attack bludgeons the group, what steps from the shadows on the other side of the street, opposite Hizumi's hiding spot, is yet another nightmare for them. The Shadow's face, twisted with hatred and rage, is made all the more alarming by the lack of an eyepatch, revealing what Yurick tries to hide:

There's a reason Balor looks the way it does. Its smaller twin rests in the Shadow's lidless eyesocket, tiny black crosses tattooing the skin beneath it. The other eye glows a baleful, malicious gold.

"Betrayers... you're all nothing but a flock of traitors! You speak of friendship but you don't understand anything! What gives him--" He jabs a finger toward Atsuro. "-- any more right to exist?! It's so easy to throw aside what you don't understand... whatever isn't convenient! You cast aside feelings as if they mean nothing!"

The Shadow turns on Yurick, who had been trying to rise after the Agneysatra attack but is now frozen with naked horror. It's one thing to see the Shadow of a friend, but to see one's own, to have it spouting private thoughts....

"No...."

"Oh, come off it!" The Shadow swiftly moves to stand beside Atsuro's Shadow, clasping its kindred's wrist possessively. "You who wanted power, you hide behind it, hide everything you are, because you're afraid of what people will think! Did you tell Zael how much you hate the world? How you blame them for Mother's death?"

"Stop...!" Yurick clamps his hands over his ears, squeezing his eye shut, and his Shadow laughs at the wordless denial.

"Traitor or not, why should the sins of the father cost the mother and son? That's why you can't let anyone get too close, because you're too weak to survive that kind of pain again!"

"SHUT UP!" Yurick's scream echoes shrilly through the street, the mage frantically shaking his head as he still tries to block out the Shadow's mocking.
Edited (ha ha looking up hex codes makes me stupid) 2013-12-22 05:07 (UTC)
pretty_pink_ribbon: (Your cancers would eat through the bone)

Amaterasu>Prayer>All Allies | Troll>Bufudyne>Shadow | Yuzu>Masatukaja>All Allies

[personal profile] pretty_pink_ribbon 2013-12-22 05:27 am (UTC)(link)
"Ugh!"

That one hurt. A lot. And Yuzu can't stop herself from letting out a little cry of pain. Amaterasu is going to take care of the damage with a prayer, while the troll switches gears to cast a bufudyne. Elemental attacks are clearly doing better than physical.

"How dare you? You think any of this is easy?"

This newcomer is really pissing her off. Yuzu knows exactly how hard it is to decide to fight against your friends.

"You don't fight against your friends because it's easy or convenient! You fight them because you have to. Because sometimes that's the only way to stop them from making a terrible mistake!"

This is hitting far too close to home.

"And you can't call us traitors when he attacked first!"

Yuzu is going to take a gamble, using her persona to cast a masatukaja on her allies. They can enjoy a boost of 30% to their attack, defense, and agility. Yuzu, on the other hand, falls to her knees, left exhausted from the side effects.
all_wound_up: (upset)

Persona Skill: Eyes of God

[personal profile] all_wound_up 2013-12-22 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"A-another one?"

Nano had been so focused on defending Atsuro from his own Shadow that she hadn't even noticed the surprise attacks and defensive spells rolling in unseen from Yurick's Shadow. And now that there are two of them in the mix and the effects of Bastion have ended, she can tell she's going to have to enter the fray in earnest. Things are too dangerous to just keep defending.

"I-I can help! Don't give up, Atsuro-san and everyone!"

The Clock Tower Manager, its job complete, fades back into the shared subconscious between Nano and Atsuro. It is not Geppetto that re-emerges, however, but a beautiful woman with long blonde hair, a blue gown, and fairy wings, bursting forth from the Star Arcana card as Nano shatters it with her keyblade.

"Please help us, Blue Fairy-san!"

The Persona gracefully inclines its head toward Nano before turning toward Atsuro's Shadow and leveling her wand at it. A harsh white light shoots forth from the wand, enveloping the Shadow completely and hopefully inflicting some damage.

[Eyes of God (Inflicts medium Light damage on one enemy with a 20% chance of Fear.)]
Edited (changed my mind) 2013-12-22 16:58 (UTC)
bondsofsuffering: ([Fear] Is this world reflected in)

[personal profile] bondsofsuffering 2013-12-22 10:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Ow. Even though he's at a distance, the attack is enough to send him to his knees. The damage itself isn't so bad, but the utter lack of pain tolerance leaves him reeling for the moment.

He's sitting this round out, it seems.
mementodagger: (no sun in your shadow)

Yurick: Red Wall > Yuzu | Shadow > charging for Big Bang (2 turns)

[personal profile] mementodagger 2013-12-22 11:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Shadow Yurick's glare settles on Nano when Atsuro's Shadow and its Persona take damage from her Light spell. "You little bitch... I'll show you the meaning of pain!

Cringing at his double's vicious words, Yurick lets himself be pulled up, but he can't bring himself to meet Atsuro's eyes. He turns his face away to the right, hiding the patch.

His Shadow suddenly goes from fury to cackling with snide laughter at the insecurity it sees, turning to Shadow Atsuro with a feral grin. It still hasn't released its fellow's wrist.

"Keep them from me. I will wipe them all out with a single strike."

It lets go of the other Shadow and backs up several steps, the dark stone eye starting to glow with an even greater heat than the yellow of its left. Mana starts to gather slowly around it, crimson rather than wispy white, and Yurick's head snaps up to stare at it in terror.

"No... fire protection or get out of range, quickly! Everyone!" He summons Balor to cast Red Wall on Yuzu. Though his instinct is to protect Atsuro first, experience has taught him the vital importance of guarding the healers before all others. "We only have a minute at best!"
bondsofsuffering: ([Look] never-ending nightmare)

Hell Frost > Shadow Atsuro

[personal profile] bondsofsuffering 2013-12-22 11:15 pm (UTC)(link)
It takes him a moment to gather himself, but Hizumi manages to make it onto his feet again, taking another surreptitious glance at those gathered.

...Ah. That would be another Shadow, wouldn't it?

But first things first. If they try to split their attention too much, they won't be able to defeat either Shadow. He's not entirely sure what the second Shadow is up to, but if they can just take out Atsuro's first...

"Hell Frost."

Itzpalt obligingly sends another punishing ice spell along.
all_wound_up: (serious)

Persona Change: Blue Fairy -> Geppetto | Persona Skill: Vorpal Blade

[personal profile] all_wound_up 2013-12-23 01:39 am (UTC)(link)
"Fire protection? Okay!"

Although it's a Support type rather than the offensive sort of Persona they need at the moment, Geppetto is the only thing Nano has that innately resists fire. The Blue Fairy disappears as she calls the kindly old puppet master out once again.

"Geppetto-san, please!"

The Persona's eyes flash in response to Nano's plea, and it draws out a large carving knife. Charging forward toward the enemy Shadows, it lashes out with the strongest attack it can muster.

[Vorpal Blade (Inflicts a large amount of Physical damage with a 10% chance of Exhaustion on all enemies.)]
Edited 2013-12-23 01:40 (UTC)
pretty_pink_ribbon: (ribbon)

Yuzu>Maziodyne>Both Shadows | Troll>Mow Down>Both Shadows | Amaterasu>Maragidyne>Both Shadows

[personal profile] pretty_pink_ribbon 2013-12-23 02:36 am (UTC)(link)
Yuzu smiles as she accepts Atsuro's hand and stands back up. She still feels pretty weak, but she'll be okay. She's really glad that he understands. It had been the hardest decision she'd ever made, choosing to fight against him and Kazuya. But she'd done it anyway, because she cared. And maybe he didn't get the extra strike, but Yuzu privately thinks that Atsuro did look pretty cool just then.

Amaterasu is immune to fire damage, so she's okay. She's tossing out another maragidyne, because with magic yang up, there is mp to spare. The Troll is going with mow down, so it can also do damage to both of those shadows. Yuzu is going to muster her strength and try a maziodyne. The extra protection against fire is appreciated. That might just get her through this.
mementodagger: (no sun in your shadow)

Shadow: Big Bang | Yurick: Defend from Mortal Blow

[personal profile] mementodagger 2013-12-23 03:37 am (UTC)(link)
The shockwave bashes the mage again, almost sending him to his knees. Shadow Balor takes the Maziodyne for its master, and the Maragidyne actually invigorates Shadow Yurick, healing its wounds as the flames boost the gathering mana. Yurick sees it through wavering vision as he draws his dagger, and as he rushes forward to block Shadow Atsuro's fists with it a frantic thought explodes in his desperate mind.

If fire heals his double, does it heal him now as well? It's a huge gamble, but he has no choice. It's not like he can cast under the assault of Deathbound.

"Get back!" he screams at the others, ready to take the brunt of the fiery magic wielded by his double.

His Shadow howls with insane laughter and flings the energy outward. Several massive fireballs arc up and forward like fast missiles, a rush of impossible heat preceding them. Yurick holds his ground against both Deathbound and Big Bang, scrunches his eye shut, and prays someone can revive him if this fails. If only Zael was here with the power of the Outsider to help them.

The fire that hits him... feels warm, soothing. The aches throughout his body fade and his grip on the dagger steadies. He nearly relaxes his guard until he remembers the others with him might not be so lucky. Gritting his teeth he tries to shove Shadow Atsuro back.

"DAMN YOU! Why won't you just DIE?!" His Shadow drops back to the ground, drawing its own dagger and running toward them in a maddened bull rush.
Edited 2013-12-23 03:37 (UTC)
all_wound_up: (hurt)

Persona Skill: World Revolution

[personal profile] all_wound_up 2013-12-23 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
Nano bears the damage from the Shadow's Big Bang attack admirably with the aid of Geppetto's natural Fire resistance, and in fact bounces the Agneyastra right back in Shadow Atsuro's face thanks to its ability to reflect Physical damage. She's definitely more than a little singed, but the little robot has seen her share of fights by this point and is determined to see things through. Gritting her teeth, she and her Persona decide to do what they do best - aid and support the others with stronger attacks. A soft light washes over the group of heroes even as the two Shadows continue to face them down, bolstering their stats for what will hopefully be their final barrage against at least one of their opponents.

[World Revolution (Triples all allies' Attack/Defense/Agility for 2 turns.)]
Edited (sorry for all the edits orz) 2013-12-23 04:11 (UTC)
pretty_pink_ribbon: (Your cancers would eat through the bone)

Amaterasu>Recarmloss>Troll | Yuzu>Mediarahan>All Allies

[personal profile] pretty_pink_ribbon 2013-12-23 04:22 am (UTC)(link)
The pain is intense this time, and without that red wall from before, Yuzu probably wouldn't have made it through this barrage. She grits her teeth and manages to stay on her feet. Barely.

The troll isn't so lucky. But Amaterasu has recarmloss for a reason. The troll is brought back as quickly as it fell. And Yuzu casts mediarahan, healing both herself and her allies.
mementodagger: (until I'm standing tall)

Shadow: Running Slash > minor damage > close-proximity bystanders, all hell breaks loose > Yurick

[personal profile] mementodagger 2013-12-23 05:59 am (UTC)(link)
One Shadow down, but the other is all the more enraged by the apparent defeat of its compatriot. When Atsuro's Shadow vanishes, Yurick's lets loose with a wild shriek, the last semblance of sanity gone as it slashes wildly through anyone standing between it and the mage who still refuses to accept it. The blade is sharp and the spikes on the grip are wicked but the weapon is wielded by a hand more accustomed to magic. The cuts tear through clothing and send little flicks of blood flying where they hit, but it's nothing compared to what the Shadow had done before with the flames.

The dagger crashes into its twin, knocking Yurick's guard aside, and before the mage can recover the Shadow plunges the blade into his shoulder. Yurick screams in pain and swings his errant weapon back, driving it into the Shadow's shoulder in turn. Both blades yank free, both combatants down an arm now, and they lunge at each other again in a flurry of reckless, wild blows. They're cutting each other up, nothing truly lethal yet but there's blood everywhere.

"You know I'm right! The world hates you as much as you hate it, otherwise he'd be here! He followed you into the ship, saved your life, and now that you owe him he's forgotten you!"

"He's trying to find Calista--!"

"She's not here and he knows it! He's looking for an excuse to ditch you! And sooner or later, so will the rest!" It lays open Yurick's cheek, almost blinding his good eye.

"They're not like that--!"

"You blind fool! You latched onto Atsuro the same way! How long before he tires of you?!"

"He won't!" Yurick's attention drifts just for a second, desperately seeking to meet his friend's eyes, and the Shadow kicks him to the ground with a boot to the gut.

"Not before I kill you, at least!" And it raises the dagger, ready to stab the mage through the face.
all_wound_up: (angry)

Persona Skill: Nirvana

[personal profile] all_wound_up 2013-12-23 06:09 am (UTC)(link)
"Stop it!"

Nano's voice rings out through the air as Yurick's Shadow gets ready to finish his counterpart off. She doesn't know him personally and was originally only here for Atsuro, but Nano has never been the type to abandon someone in need - she's going to see this through to the end. There will be time for heartfelt words between friends once everyone is safe.

Once again unconsciously responding to the little robot's will, Geppetto raises his knife into the air. A blinding white light briefly fills the area before coalescing into the tip of the blade, and is then fired toward the Shadow in a powerful beam. Nano knows by now that only Yurick can get rid of his own Shadow for good, but at least she thinks this might help while he gathers his courage.

[Nirvana (Decreases one enemy's HP by 50% from the power of Light.)]
bondsofsuffering: ([Ow] While we're made to)

Hell Frost > Shadow Yurick

[personal profile] bondsofsuffering 2013-12-23 07:05 am (UTC)(link)
It's good that everyone is healed, or Hizumi probably would have been out of the fight entirely. Those attacks are outright punishing, and once again the pain was enough to make his muscles seize up, leaving him biting back a scream of pain until his wounds were healed.

Not that he's got much left to spend in this battle anyway. His mana is almost spent; he's got enough for maybe one or two more spells before he'd have to rely on close combat, and that's precisely what he's trying to avoid here.

Keeping in mind the fire attack from before, Hizumi tries the closest thing he has to the opposite element. It's time to see if Shadow Yurick can stand getting hit by a glacier, too.

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