Persona Intertwined Souls
Chapter 3: The Gathering Or The Reunion … … .. …
…At the unknown place of gathering … … … … … …
…Yosuke and Souji stare in awe at the newcomers, Igor and Minato, who have arrived in this dark, unknown place that is full of floating platforms about - - certainly not the real world, as it is. "Whoah, hey, w-w-w-who are you!?"
"…My name is Igor. I am delighted to make your acquaintance."
"Igor." Souji recognized this old acquaintance of his.
"Eh? P-Partner, y-you know this guy? And … … that guy, too?" Yosuke asked, referring to Minato.
Souji nodded. Then he turned to Minato. "I don't know who he is, though."
"I'm the one who told you about courage." Minato notified. Which Souji suddenly remembered, and it all came together, except for Yosuke that is.
"Just so." Igor confirmed.
"W-W-W-Wait a minute, I don't get it. Are we… … dreaming?" Yosuke, completely confused, inquired.
"Precisely. You are all currently in a dream. Though the aging pill item should have worked flawlessly. You two are back to where you were adolescents. *Chuckle*, I was the one who provided you such process of regressing back into your adolescent states and appearance." This surprised both Souji and Yosuke.
"Wait … … YOU'RE the reason why we're teenagers, again!? Wha… I… I… That's … … None of this makes sense!" Yosuke said in utter confusion.
"I knew a newbie wouldn't get it immediately." A boyish voice said.
"Wha…!?"
Suddenly, Akira Kurusu along with a cat costumed creature, Morgana, appeared. "Well then, why don't we - - the elite Phantom Thieves - - show you a thing or two on how it's done, especially our leader and lead star of our elite Phantom Thieves gathering, Joker, show you a thing or two about what we mean!"
"…Hiya." Akira, with his usual Phantom Thief attire, said with his usual cocky grin.
"…"
"…"
"…"
…Yosuke, Souji and Minato could only stare in awe at the newcomers - - Though Minato felt like he feels some sort of kinship with Akira. "Hiya." The latter greeted again.
"…Greetings. I guess." Minato replied.
"Ah."
"You're a Phantom Thief."
"Joker. If you may." Akira said smirking cockily.
"Joker? Huh, what … … you're a comedian or is that a nickname or something?" Yosuke asked bewildered.
"No! It's a code name! You're like NUMBSkull, if you ask me." Morgana said.
"Huh!? What the … ..A-A-A talking cat!? What the heck!?"
"I'm NOT a cat!" Morgana rebuked. "Ahem. I am the elite member of our disbanded Phantom Thief brigade, but I'm also the center of our group, your group's beloved and mighty thief who knows it all, Morgana, if you may!"
Souji, Minato and Yosuke sweat drop.
"Dude, you look like a mascot more or less. And what's with that cat costume for!? Wait, are you … … The same as Teddie!?"
"Huh? Teddie? What's this about a Teddie bear?"
"Huh? Uh, no, actually … … What IS going on here?"
"*Chuckle* I shall explain to all of you." Igor spoke up all of the sudden, gathering everyone's attention.
"Now then, let us be off to somewhere more eloquent, shall we?" At that, a Velvet door appeared, causing Yosuke to fall on his butt, in shock and surprise. "Follow me." He beckoned, and everyone, with Yosuke being last, to follow.
…
…
…At the Velvet room … …
…Yosuke is the first to feel awkward being in this dungeon like room. "…This is what you meant by "eloquent", uh, o-old man?"
"That's my master! Don't you underestimate him!" Morgana retorted.
"Shut up! And besides, I still don't know why the hell am I even here? Or all of us… …"
"Very well. I shall enlighten you considering your situation." Igor said, sitting at the nearby desk that is like a warden's desk. "My name is Igor … … I am delighted to make your acquaintance. This place exist between dream and reality, mind and matter. It is a room where only those who are bound by a "contract" may enter. But, with the power of the bonds of the heart, no door shall be barred to all of you. Thus, even someone like you, my boy, is able to come here. *Chuckle*" Igor referred to Yosuke.
"Huh? You mean … … " It suddenly hit Yosuke. "Wait, Partner, isn't this what…!?"
"Ah. I've been in a similar place like this before." Souji said, surprising and stunning Yosuke.
"It may be such a elegant and quite an interesting fate awaits all of you. Now then, I would now enlighten you with your situation in hand."
…So, Igor has stated the tale of Minato, of how he … … how he died, actually … … that's his story. How he died, end of story … … and the beginning of a new one … … … The tale of the search of identity, the truth, of Souji's tale … ,,, and fighting forth the very ugly thing in this world, sin, in Akira's tale.
Minato, whose role in the upcoming prophecy for the maternal being, Nyx, played a crucial role in its halt - - and even taking all the sins of man to call forth Nyx, and stopped them so, and Nyx, from bringing forth the Fall.
Souji, who got involved in a serial murder case along with Yosuke, went to "invite" others, those who possess the same power as his: persona. And went to stop the murderer from committing more murders and stopping the ignorance of the mass from spreading forth.
And Akira, who was introduced to the ugliness of society, and making it a reformed one - - though of course, sin is the thing that separates people from the truth - - and it is a demon lord's job to straighten up a god should they, too, commit the deadly sins as well, with the treasure of the mass taken - - Minato was relieved of his duty of being the Seal as Erebus ceased to be as the mass's hearts changed when Akira beats the fake warden and he himself finally having his rehabilitation.
…Igor has finished the tale there.
"…Just so." He said. "All of you have acquired the same burden of facing the darker side of the mass: Shadows. And even brought forth the defeat of several entities, the maternal being, a godly being known as Izanami, and the captor who has imprisoned me. So, as you all can see, this is destiny's course that has been wrought upon by all of you."
"It is your feelings and will that shapes reality, after all, that's what shape reality." Morgana said.
"…Wow, so there really are other persona-users, like us." Yosuke said. "But then again, we already saw Kirijo-san and the others."
"Yeah. That's right. I guess it's no big surprise."
"Sounds like you all have your share of experience with personas, no wonder my master recommended both of you, oh, and him." The last person who is referred to is Minato.
"Now then, there is something I must impart to you. Though you may have completed your contracts along the way, it is a fundamental step towards a bright future or even a bright solution that you take responsibility for your own actions. There is no need to worry, whichever path you choose. I shall respect your decision. But only you will bear the responsibility for your actions. No matter what end they may bring about … … Please, remember that."
"Uh, well, basically, we got to stick up to our end of the bargain in anything we bargain with, right?"
"Precisely."
"That's quite a vulgar way of putting it, though." Morgana said to Yosuke.
"Shut up! You're not much of a smooth talker yourself!"
"What!? Hey, if I may inform you, I'm a genuine Phantom Thief who has more experience that you can ever have right now!"
"Shut up! Besides, I'm no thief … … well, I don't mind stealing the hearts of these assholes you referred to in your tale." Yosuke said sounding joyous at the term Phantom Thief.
"I was a thief who stole the hearts of sinners, I had comrades, too. Including Morgana. Or Mona, his code name." Akira explained. "That's why, it's now you guys turned. I was called out once again here, since I have connections."
"Just so." Igor said. "Now then, let us take a look at your futures, shall we?" Igor summoned a set of tarot cards by merely placing his palm on his desk. "Do you believe in fortune telling?" He spread forth the cards around. "Each reading is done at the same card. Yet the results are always different. Life itself follows the same principles, doesn't it?"
This brings back memories to Souji, since his fortune was read. "Uh, yeah, like unexpected things happen, right?" Yosuke asked.
"Ah. That's right." Souji said.
"Hm."
"Hm." Both Minato and Akira nodded.
"Now then, the immediate future indicates … … Hm, the Tower in the Upright position represents the immediate future. It seems a terrible ruin may come at certain people in the direction you all are embarking on." Igor explained which confused everybody, especially Yosuke. "The card indicating the future beyond that is … … " He flips another card. "The Fool. In the Upright position. This card represents the beginning … … or the new beginning where one journey may have ended and a new one will be forged before you. Such is the way of things that some things will come to an end, allowing new beginnings to come forth. Until the cycle reverts to the center of things, of course."
"Uh, yeah, I don't really get that." Yosuke said.
"Shut up! There's no time for your vulgar impression!" Morgana exclaimed.
"Shut up you black cat thief! I don't even know what's your say in this matter!"
"Now, now." Igor calmed them down. "He does have merit of being able to contribute in our former guest's triumph against the god I mentioned."
…Everyone is perplexed now. "Now then, in the coming days, you four will enter into a contract of some sort. This coming year may be once again a turning point, just like in your case last time." Igor refers to Souji who just frowned. "If you all succeed, you may finally found your rehabilitation like our former guest." Now it's Akira's turn to frown. "But, should you succumb to the lesser nature, you may find your path to the future to be forever lost. My duty is to provide assistance to our guest to ensure that does not happen."
…Yosuke sweat drop. "Uh, c-could you uh … … speak normally…? Though … I guess I understand enough."
"Don't interrupt." Morgana rebuked again.
"Shut up."
Igor dismissed the tarot cards with just a wave of a hand, hence, they disappeared on his desk. "Now then, in order for all of you to help each other with your rehabilitation, you must first conquer your fears … …"
"You've already mentioned that we've already acquired the World Arcana." Souji said.
"…And yet, you are still a prisoner in the society you all live in." Igor countered.
"…No, I've acquired the world but I was still in prison or behind bars, back then." Akira mentioned.
"Oh, is… …that so?" Yosuke asked and Akira nodded.
"How did … … Oh right, they found the woman who accused you, too." Minato said.
"That's kinda awful cold way to put it, but yeah, I guess I'd understand, I want to criticize her, too. Going along with Shido's scheme during that time." Morgana said.
Akira nodded.
"Now then, Seta Souji, it seems you are still unable to do some the same feat as your comrades."
"…He means facing your own Shadow Self." Minato said as he understood Igor's words.
"Whoa, that's right. Nothing really happened in your case, huh?" Yosuke said.
"…I was given this power by Izanami, but - - "
"That in addition to your affiliation with the god of the underworld, fate has also dealt you the wild card. You must accept your destiny." Igor assured.
"No matter where you go, you're still won't be able to avoid problems. That's what it means, right?" Minato said.
"Precisely."
"Yup." Morgana added.
"That's how it is." Akira said.
"…So you're saying I have to do something like that, too?" Souji asked.
"Wait, really? Bro will have to face his own Shadow - - Well, does he?"
"All humans have them, even though one maybe a persona-user, they can still fall into evil but doesn't mean they can have a palace. In other words, Persona-users are impossible to have a palace it's just impossible." Morgana added.
"Oh. O….kay. So, how do we do this?" Yosuke asked.
"… …" Souji prepares himself.
"Simply step forth into the door of regression, it is where one can face one's own regrets. Now then, Mr. Seta Souji, please step forth through that door." Igor said and beckoned at the door that suddenly appeared.
"… …Okay. Here goes." Souji stepped forth.
"Bro… …just be yourself. And no matter what kind of dark side you may encounter, you're still yourself, in other words, you're in control. Okay?" Yosuke advised.
"Okay… thanks." Souji stepped forth even more, and opened the door - - the surrounding is engulfed by blinding light. And before he knows it, Souji finds himself in a dark place - - similar to the place where Yosuke first ends up. There are no lights and he stands on a platform that is only illuminated by a pillar of light from above.
"…!? This place is … …Huh!?" He hears footsteps, someone wearing a dark armor that is of medieval stature about it, rose out of the shadows - - wielding a wicked blade. Souji stood up and manifested his imitation katana. "You are … …who goes there!?"
The wicked figure just raised its blade at him - - challenging him.
*Battle Commence*
Souji faces this armored-like figure, as he figures it's not really an armor. Then, the armored figure begun to shatter all of its armor at once - - then, it begins to violently morph into the appearance of … … of Souji's own image and appearance. His Shadow Self, Shadow Souji. Who has his own wicked katana. And begins to summon forth his own persona. Jiraiya! "Jiraiya!"
The Shadow Self begin to cast Garula, to which Souji countered with him summoning Pyro Jack, that he then fused with another persona - - to summon forth Mada. The ultimate persona of the Magician Arcana. That absorbed the attack, and the Shadow is repelled by strong Fire attacks by Souji. Then, the Shadow begun to switch to his own persona and summoned forth Kintoki-Douji, and cast Mabufudyne.
Tons of ice cones begun to fly about and Souji had to use Jack Frost to cover himself from the attack as Jack Frost can absorb Ice attacks.
"…Gr, facing yourself really bites." Souji remembered Yosuke saying, "Dammit, it hurts to face yourself.", now he understands how it felt for them - - all of the members of the Investigation Team.
The Shadow Self didn't relent, and he attacked Souji with the katana in hand, with Souji being forced to repel all of them - - with his own blade, and it became a constant struggle, with neither one backing down, well, actually, Souji battling with his own inner darkness so they have the same skills in terms of combat. So perhaps it won't matter no matter how much strength he may muster, just like that time with Izanami, with her saying - - "You cannot beat me with strength alone."
…So what shall he do?
"…I will." Souji repelled the Shadow away as they come into contact in blades just a while now - - making the Shadow then summon forth Tomoe. And attack with God's Hand.
"Tch!" Souji summoned Yoshitsune to repel the attack - - as Yoshitsune is immune and can reflect physical attacks. "Hassou Tobi." Souji ordered, multiple red slash came coming out of nowhere, slashing Tomoe, forcing it back on the Shadow, and it summons forth Take-Mikazuchi, Kanji's Persona, it rains down lightning bolts on Souji.
It seems it just used Maziodyne.
Souji summoned forth his own persona - - Izanagi-no-Okami. All the while, Minato, too, gains back his persona of the World Arcana, Messiah.
Souji continued the fight. Since Izanagi is immune to lightning bolts, it didn't hurt him. Souji countered with strong wind attacks, Magarudyne.
The Shadow changed again, and this time it summons forth Sukuna-Hikona, and cast Megidolaon. This time, Souji really has to put up some effort - - as then, the blast blasted him away, and all of the sudden, the Shadow switched into … … Magatsu-Izanagi. Adachi's own persona.
Then, it used Heat Riser. It can attack in two turns, now. So - - It suddenly used Vorpal Blade. That Souji is able to repel, as Izanagi-no-Okami is immune to Physical attacks. And both Izanagis clashed and both the Shadow and Souji as well. With neither one backing down.
"We can go on, fighting like this. Forever. What is it you truly want?" Souji asked. And right then … …
The Shadow begun to speak up. "The truth doesn't matter. As long as we're together, that's all enough for me. I didn't want a future where there was no one. I didn't want a world where I was all alone, and I can no longer be with anyone as we go our separate ways."
"Ah… I used to think like that, but, I still have a place to go back to. That's why, let's go." He offered a hand to his own Shadow.
It nodded. And the Shadow becomes Izanagi, Souji's first persona. "Izanagi!" Souji summoned forth the first Izanagi, and cut his way out of the darkness and through - - the truth!
…
…
…At the Velvet room … …
Souji is lying on the ground after facing that test. "Bro! Are you all right!?" Yosuke came to his aid.
"He will be all right. But for now, time marches on in your world. I shouldn't keep you here any longer. Every time you come to this room, you will revert back to your adolescent appearance. But once you are not in the "game", then you shall be as you are your own appearance. Though it is also possible to simply remain in one appearance at the time. The decision is up to you. *Chuckle*"
End of Chapter 3