Beginning notes: This is a long chapter I'm sorry.
Chapter 4: The Reversed Chariot
July 19, 2015
It was finally the morning of the fourth day and the sky has turned dark with clouds. Rain was expected to fall at any moment, and that just makes Yu's search for his beloved partner even worse. He and Yukiko had gone off in a separate direction from Chie and Kanji to go look for the remaining members of the team with them all agreeing to meet at the Central Park. The silver haired leader was in not much condition to go too far off after carrying that Audrey girl's shopping bags for a little more than six hours yesterday. No amount of Dia could cure sore muscles (not that Yukiko could summon Amaterasu in the first place). With the weather turning bad, it was even less of a good idea to be wandering an unknown city in vague attempt of seeing a familiar face.
During the search, Yu had ended up being a temporary guide for a cat girl with golden eyes and red hair. She had been on her way to her 'Master's house' but had gotten lost in the city. She begged, and begged, and begged for him to guide her to somewhere she knew before the rain hit. Because she was cute and sweet like Nanako (and a cat) the leader just couldn't refuse. Curse his nice guy tendencies.
After dropping the cat girl off at the entryway of an apartment complex they were stopped by a busty blonde that was at least double Yu's age. She latched onto the leader quickly and pretended to not even see Yukiko. Her breath smelt of booze and nicotine, a combination all too familiar for Yu. She offered him lunch (insisting they go now before her next shift) and even a little something 'extra' for when she got off work. In the most polite way he could he turned her down. He said he had plans to meet with his friends in an hour. That, and he was from out of town. Anything to get back to looking for Yosuke and Teddie. The blonde pouted but still kissed the silver-haired teen's cheek before strutting off. Quite the odd encounter to say the least.
When the duo finally met back up with Chie and Kanji they were relieved to see their idol and detective friends with them. Rise did not hesitate to run up to hug Yu the moment she saw him just to show how much she missed him. Naoto had merely smiled seeing that most of the group is together and unharmed. Everyone decided to gather under one of the nearby gazebos just in case the rain started.
Naoto was deeply lost in thought as the others attempted to catch up. "No one has heard anything from Yosuke-senpai I will take it?" She was met with quiet nods. In particular she noticed Yu tense up at the mention of his partner's name. "Knowing senpai, he would have established contact with one of us under normal circumstance."
"Nothing about what's happened is normal though." Rise protested. "We don't even know where we are!"
The detective remained calm despite the outburst. "I am aware Rise-san. We cannot rule out the possibility that he has attempted though." She paused to glance at the group once more. "Seeing as we all landed in groups of two in three separate locations, I should be able to safely suspect that Yosuke-senpai landed in a fourth location with Teddie."
Yu perked up suddenly as something came to mind. "Yukiko and I landed in an area just north of the city center. Chie and Kanji were downtown, and you and Rise landed at the beach."
Chie nodded as she bumped her fist into her palm. "That's right! I saw a map of the city too when we were following that girl yesterday. Our locations were in the three major areas, and we're in the fourth. Yet, still no sign of Yosuke and Teddie."
"That would mean they landed somewhere outside the city." The leader added before going quiet. "If… they are even in this place at all. What if they got back to Inaba? How long have we been gone then if that's the case? Does my Uncle know we're gone? He wouldn't hesitate to conduct a full investigation if I went missing."
The leader's thoughts were interrupted by a voice suddenly speaking to him. Chie's to be specific now that he was paying attention.
"- where we should look?"
Yu blinked and shook his head. Good job spacing out Narukami. "Can you say that again? I wasn't listening, sorry."
Chie smiled, it wasn't everyday their perfect leader just stopped paying attention. "I had asked if you had any idea where we should look for Yosuke and Teddie."
Right. It makes sense she was asking that. The leader lowered his head and closed his eyes to think. "We don't know much about the surrounding area outside this city. It would be best to take a train or other type of transit to take us out of here to search the next closest area. It would be too far to walk."
The rest of the Investigation Team nodded their heads in agreement. Yukiko could be heard quietly mentioning that there had been bus stops scattered sporadically through the city. Yet, no one recalled where the closest one was. They had been so busy looking for their friends, that paying attention to the city itself was nothing but afterthought.
Unlike the cloudy skies, luck shined brightly on the team however. As soon as Rise even mentioned looking for a bus one pulled up near the edge of the park. There was a logo on the side, but no one paid it mind as the door opened to reveal a small, lime green haired man. Naoto quickly identified him as a Mii.
Kanji turned his head away from the group and glared. "Now, ain't that some convenient timin'?" He asked a hypothetical audience.
Yukiko tilted her head. "Did you say something Kanji-kun?"
While the two attempted to converse over Kanji's ability to break the fourth wall, Naoto began questioning the Mii driver. He didn't ever answer her questions of 'where does this bus go', 'where are we', and 'do you understand us'. Rather, to each one he answered with 'Buttons!' joyfully before extending out his hand, asking for payment.
Naoto and Yu exchanged confused glances. They didn't have much of a choice other than getting on the bus and hoping the Mii will lead them to the last missing teammates. The tiny detective turned to motion for the others to follow as their leader paid the fare for the group of six. How he had so much money was beyond everyone.
Everyone settled towards the front seats. Except for Yu, he went towards the middle and sat alone. While he didn't exactly prefer to be alone (having lived alone for so long and was getting used to living with close company) he felt he needed the space to let his mind wander. He didn't want to space out again. Chie and the others expected him to always be composed. This impromptu detour was starting to bring out the cracks in his mask. Worry pulsed through him, all sorts of thoughts bouncing in his head of what could have happened to his partner. Of course Yosuke was capable of taking care of himself, for the most part, but there was also Teddie to worry about.
Taking a deep sigh the leader let his thoughts go back to the possibility of Yosuke and Teddie being in Inaba once more. Having been the last two to leave, it was certainly believable. That just pressed the question, what if the rest of the Investigation Team were unable to return? There was no indication of where they were, just a nameless city populated by mostly nameless faces. It reminded the poor teen of all his years alone, the feeling of no one knowing his name and him not knowing theirs terrified him. He didn't want to admit that his mind was wandering to the idea that some cosmic power wanted to torture him by having him live out his worst nightmare.
"Four days is just too long…" Yu thought to himself.
Back at the Smash Mansion, Yosuke is quietly treading down the hall of the fourth floor. His headphones are set much louder than what would ever be considered healthy, and some of the Smashers he's passed have noted he looks exhausted. None bothered to question his lack of energy though, they all assumed it was from that close battle yesterday.
Quietly the teen finally reached the door that had Pit's name next to it. He shut off his music first before lifting his fist to knock on the door. He stopped for a second and started to put his hand down before lifting it again and placing it against the door. He did the motion once more before exhaling a tense breath and finally knocking.
Pit answered less than a minute later, his hair slightly messed up and Laurel Crown not even present.
"I'm sorry, did I wake you up?" Yosuke asked quietly, hiding his face in the collar of the shirt he borrowed from Dunban.
The angel merely stretched his back and fluffed his wings as he answered. "Yeah, you did. It's fine though, I'm used to Lady Palutena waking me up randomly just to send me on missions." Pit tried to joke but it seemed to fall flat when he noticed the teen was avoiding eye contact. "Uh, so I'll take it you're not here for small talk."
Yosuke took a deep breath and let it out, taking his headphones off his ears. "I really, really don't want to ask this but… is that offer you made still valid Pit-san?"
"Offer…?" Pit whispered as he tried to think about what he was being asked before it came back to him. "Oh! Yeah, of course it is. Come on in."
All the angel received as a response was a half nod from the brunette. He made sure he was inside his room before closing the door. He figured since he wasn't planning on having company for a few hours it would be ok to leave it unlocked. After making sure the door was closed he turned around to see Yosuke by his bed setting his headphones on the nightstand. A cheshire cat grin crosses his face as he watches.
Robin was just outside Pit's room, on his way to visit said angel for his reading lesson that morning. He had heard some rumors during breakfast about how Yosuke seemed to be wandering this way but didn't give it any merit. In a manor of over fifty people, plus many guests, baseless rumors started all the time. Something as simple as the temporary guest meandering towards Pit's room just didn't really seem plausible.
Reaching the door to Pit's room he didn't bother knocking but opened it slowly while announcing his presence quietly, in case the angel was asleep. He usually did that as Pit rarely had company and told Robin it was okay to come in without knocking. The tactician dropped the book he was carrying though when he saw what was going on. Pit was straddling a completely naked Yosuke. The teen was totally flushed and both were aware of Robin being in the room hearing the book hitting the floor.
"Pit." The mage started, placing a hand to his forehead in confusion. "What the hell!?"
The angel scrambled off of Yosuke and covered his groin area with a nearby pillow. "You weren't supposed to be here for another hour!"
The two adults started to bicker with each other over the situation before Robin. Yosuke wanted no part in it and threw his pants on as fast he could before he grabbed his shirt and headphones and rushed past the mage to leave. He didn't even take his current awkward state of dress into consideration as he rushed back towards the fifth floor. He just needed to get away from Pit's room as fast as his feet would carry him.
Yosuke cursed quietly to himself when he saw Robin enter his room. It's only been about ten minutes or so since he left Robin and Pit to whatever they were going to argue about. He was in such misery and despair that he completely forgot to lock the door when he got back. The first thing he even did when he got into the room was place his headphones on his ears and crawl onto the bed. From there he just sat with his arms wrapped around his legs, trying to make himself as small as humanly possible. His bitter mood was still evident to the mage though. Lips pursed in a hard line, tired eyes half closed in irritation, and music still being played inhumanly loud as to block out the outside world. The brunette was still in the half-dressed state that he managed to pull himself into before escaping from Pit's god forsaken room, as though he didn't wish to put in the effort to actually do any more other than sulk.
Furrowing his brows in concern, Robin calmly walks to sit at the edge of the teen's bed. He makes no effort to speak, knowing that he probably can't be heard at the moment. Rather, he waits patiently for Yosuke to respond on his own terms. Through past experience with Shulk, and his own sister, he's learned that he can't force a conversation when someone is extremely upset. Instead, until he is addressed himself, he turns his attention from the brunette to content himself to the book in his hand.
Thankfully for him, only a couple minutes of this silence passes before he hears the other's music shut off (again, it possibly can't be healthy to have that MP3 that loud) and he catches the headphones sliding off Yosuke's ears out of the corner of his eye. The teen lifts his head just enough to make eye contact. If looks could kill Robin wouldn't have lasted a second.
"You're not leaving." Yosuke hisses through his teeth.
Robin marks his place calmly before closing the book. "I'm aware. We need to have a talk."
"I'm not in the mood Robin-san. Get out of my room."
The mage stifles a laugh and smiles. Rather than leaving he opens his book once more. "I will leave after we talk. Until then, you may act as though I'm not here. I promise I will not say a word to you until you wish to hold a conversation."
A few minutes of tense silence follows. Robin does not make any motion to coax the teen into speaking. He holds to his word that he doesn't speak until spoken too. Yosuke can feel his anger slowly die away until he's left with an odd emptiness in his chest. Regret? Sadness? Fear? He couldn't really place what it was he was feeling but he at least realized he wasn't angry anymore. There was a lot for him to be angry about, but at the current moment he couldn't find himself able to shout at Robin for just being there.
"Ok…" Yosuke starts as he slowly moves so he's not in a little ball. "I think I'm ready to talk."
One again Robin marks his place in the book before closing it and setting it aside. "Alright. Now, I will preface our discussion with this. I'm not going to force you to answer me. Answer on your terms."
Eye contact is broken as the teen bites his lip. He wasn't sure what to expect any more. Clearly the mage isn't here to exactly provide him with comfort. It almost feels like he's attempting to interrogate him.
"I just want to know." Robin says as he crosses his legs. He pauses to take a breath so he doesn't sound so angry. "What's been troubling you exactly? This Mansion is a madhouse, but even I can tell you haven't been in the best mood."
"What's been troubling me!?" Yosuke snapped. His fingers gripping the bed sheets tightly. "How about everything!? Ever since I've gotten here it's been nothing but going downhill!"
Robin unintentionally recoiled back at the outburst. He wasn't expecting to be yelled at for a simple question. While he was usually pretty good at reading others, sometimes he just misspeaks and offends them. "What do you mean? How did this all start for you?"
Angry tears started welling up at the sides of the brunette's eyes. "It started with the fucking debt of course! What else do you think!? Then Phosphora-chan shocks the hell out of me! So I'm going to have an ugly scar on my arm for the rest of my life! Then there's Pit-san!"
The mage tilted his head a little. "I know he's a little… out there at times, but compared to everything else that must be a minor issue."
Yosuke fell silent for a moment. "It's been four. Damn. Days… That's how long I've been out of contact with my friends. If anything, THAT has to be what's bothering me the most."
Furrowing his brows in worry, Robin could see that was the truth. Yosuke was trying really hard to not cry in front of the tactician, but he just couldn't stop the tears from falling down his cheeks.
"I don't…" The brunette choked out a sob. "I don't even know if they're aware Ted and I are gone… No emails… no phone calls… not even a single 'are you ok' text!" He he stopped again to wipe his eyes with the back of his arm. "I'm worried they forgot about us!"
The two fall quiet after the response. Only Yosuke's sobbing could be heard between the two before even that dies down. He looks up to meet Robin's gaze with bloodshot eyes and a quivering bottom lip.
"You…" One last sniffle. "You must think I'm acting like a child. Don't you?"
Quietly the tactician digs into his robe to dig out a handkerchief. He begins to speak as the cloth is handed off. "I don't think you're acting like a child at all. Pit is… quite an ass sometimes and he shouldn't have taken advantage of your predicament." He stops speaking to give a gentle, caring smile. "As for your friends. I'm very sure that they're just as concerned about you as you are concerned about them. Even if they're not here in the Smash World, they must be worried considering you just suddenly went missing."
A sigh. "You're… you're right. Yu and the others wouldn't abandon me and Teddie. We've been there through it all since the beginning. They must be looking for us, even if we're not in the same place. But… what about everything else…? Everything has still been screwed all to hell."
Robin's smile grew a little wider. "I will admit Master Hand should have just written off your debt after that fight. He's done it before. Especially since it's my fault you didn't get that last bit you needed." He stops seeing the questioning look on the other's face. "Anyway. As for your injury, I'm sure if you ask around for someone to heal it the scars won't end up so terrible. Lucas, Peach, even Shulk would be willing to heal you."
Yosuke looks at the bandaging on his arm quietly. It was tearing and folding in places, and he forgot to change the dressings this morning when he got up. Any help with minimizing the damage would be spectacular to say the least. Though, he would feel guilty asking anyone to heal him unless he could pay for the services. He's just barely coming out of the red and the last thing he wants to do right now is go back in.
Yosuke shook his head. "I wouldn't feel right asking them. I don't have the money to pay them."
Robin furrowed his brows. "You… don't have to pay them you know. I mean it. Shulk would happily help you, no questions asked."
The mage frowned as the brunette shook his head. Four days may not be a long time to some, but the system he's had to follow is probably what's troubling him. He's had to expect payment for any service he's given, and logically he feels he'd have to do the same in return. Robin feels sorry for him, as most of the Smashers are really nice and would offer anything for free. Lucas' kindness towards Shulk during that week he couldn't see was a prime example.
Heavily sighing, Robin stood up from the bed. Without a word he dug into his robe once more and produced a small chest (no bigger than a small jewelry box at best). He took Yosuke's uninjured hand and rested the chest in it. Taking the time to explain the box is the full payment Pit had promised in the first place, the mage smiles once more. He could see much of the worried look disappear from the brunette's face before returning the smile.
Robin turned to leave, but having to turn back due to forgetting to get his book. Before that though he glanced at the teen. "I'm going to let you have some space. If you need anything though, come look for me or Shulk."
Yosuke nodded as he held the box in his hand. "Thank you Robin-san."
About twenty minutes after leaving Yosuke's room Robin is in the library contenting himself to a book of Jungian psychology. He had overheard Rosalina and Palutena discussing Yosuke's performance yesterday and how he fits his role as 'the Magician'. He had been curious over how his powers worked because he remembers hearing something about his psyche during that fight so he figured looking into psychology would help piece the puzzle together. Well, there really wasn't any puzzle to piece together, Robin just wants to figure out how a normal teenage boy was able to conjure powerful wind from his mind . Ness and Lucas were one mystery that was solved quickly. Yosuke though? He emphasized he was normal, 'just a teenager' as he said, and it just strikes the tactician as odd that he has such tremendous power.
His search for answers is interrupted though by the sound of the library doors banging open. Before he could even react Shulk was racing up to him at a blinding speed. How he managed to stop without crashing was a miracle in of itself. Shulk looks like he was interrupted from repairing some machine or vehicle, being covered in oil and grease.
"Have you seen Kuro at all today?" The blond asks quickly, out of breath from his run. "I had a vision."
Robin shakes his head. "Not since I got up. What happened?"
"I… I saw him fighting." Shulk pauses to focus on the vision. "He was fighting Yosuke. They were outside, in the rain. It didn't look good. I think Kuro was about to die."
Another shake of the head, Robin clearly showing that he was worried now. "I haven't seen him all morning. I saw Pit, but that was after my morning match. Yosuke is also hunkered down in his room. He… had a rough morning."
Shulk bites his lip and turns to run out of the library. He left out an entire part of his vision of seeing Yosuke die (or at least he thinks that's what is going to happen) but that would be a moot point if he's attacking Kuro. Prioritizing a friend's life is above an enemy's, even if they're a person. He needs to get to the courtyard, and quickly. Robin will take a bit to follow, but he knows he'll be there too.
Kuro backflips several times before landing on his feet. Water splashes up around him from the puddles forming from the rain. He had just narrowly avoided being sliced open by Yosuke's kunai. Except, the one he is facing isn't the teen himself. The dark angel can tell the one he's facing is similar to him. Repressed emotions and thoughts of an original person made manifest into an individual being. Their main differences? Well, right now all Kuro can see is that this copy of Yosuke has sinister, wild looking, gold eyes in comparison to his crimson. That, and this copy is obviously much more hostile.
The Shadow laughs as he flips his kunai into the air before catching them. "Now THIS is entertaining! Another Shadow Self? That's not something I get to face every day like this!"
Kuro manages to shoot out a charge shot from his staff before Shadow Yosuke closes the distance again. "I'm not a Shadow! I'm Dark Pit, a person all my own!" He shouts before cartwheeling out of the way. "We don't have to fight! We're the same thing!"
Shadow Yosuke grins maniacally as he tries to kick Kuro's staff out of his hand, and fails. "We're not one in the same you annoying little shit. I'm DJ! The true self of that pain in the ass Yosuke! There isn't anything that's the same between us!"
Kuro barely manages to hang onto his weapon while blocking the knives. DJ is surprisingly strong, much stronger than his human self. "That's what I mean! We're the true feelings of someone else but we don't have to fight each other! We need our other selves to exist!"
The two continue going back and forth with their argument. Obviously the dark angel cannot hold his own too well. He's a skilled ranged marksman, but his staff is not built to counter a pure melee fighter. His thoughts scream out to his twin to help him, there is no way he can handle DJ alone. Soon enough Kuro's back pressed flush against the wall of the Smash Mansion. He's cornered between the wall and the attacking Shadow.
"Trust me! You don't want to fight me!" Kuro shouts as he continues to press his staff against his opponent's kunai. Brute strength can only carry him so far. "I can help you!"
Help arrives soon enough though as a light blue arrow rockets between the combatant's faces. The sudden attack causes DJ to leap backwards and glare in the direction the arrow came from. Golden eyes narrow menacingly as he spots the attacker. Pit has his bow drawn for another attack as he steps forward.
"I don't appreciate you attacking my twin." The angel comments as he lets the arrow loose, cursing quietly as the Shadow dodges effortlessly. "I'm sure your twin wouldn't like to see you hanging here around either."
DJ laughs as he spins a kunai around his finger. "You think I'll listen to a fucker like you? You're just as annoying as I am. Besides, what kind of person sides with his Shadow?" He turns to smirk at Kuro. "And what kind of pathetic Shadow sides with his original?"
Pit glares down his opponent as Shulk and Robin arrive at the scene as well. Both males stand to either side of the angel. The blond has the Monado drawn and activated. Robin has his Thoron tome ready as well, prepared to charge.
"What on Bionis?" Shulk asks. "Is there a second Yosuke or do I need my glasses?"
Pit gently rests a hand on the Homs' shoulder. "No, you're seeing that right. That's a second Yosuke. It's his Shadow though, so don't kill it. It needs to be alive for Yosuke's sake."
Robin begins charging Thoron. "I see you changed your attitude since our talk. It's surprising to hear you concerned over someone's safety."
Pit doesn't respond as he rushes towards DJ at full speed. Of course his attack misses as the Shadow leaps into the air over his head and lands right in front of Shulk and Robin. The angel takes this opportunity to make sure his twin is alright while the other two battle the Shadow.
"You ok?" Pit asks seeing the other shaking like a leaf in the fall.
Dark Pit turns his gaze to watch Robin and Shulk battle the Shadow with tears in his eyes. "I'm fine. I wish we didn't have to fight though. He's like me."
The older angel watches as DJ unleashes a powerful wind spell that knocks the two Smashers over. "I know Pittoo. He can't stay though. We need to beat him and get Yosuke to accept him, no matter what he's hiding."
Shulk manages to pick himself up after being knocked down. "This isn't going well. I'm hesitant to use my Arts now. Though, if push comes to shove I have to cut him down. That vision can't come true."
DJ laughs as Shulk starts charging at him ready to slash him with the Monado. Without even thinking he jumps backwards into the air as he inhales quickly. His chest puffed out as he placed his first two fingers near his mouth. Shulk has no time to react as the Shadow blows a mysterious green dust in his face before landing. The impact of the hit causes him to spin in circles to disorientate him. He can hear Robin call out to him but he can't make head or tails of which way he's facing or what's in front of him.
"Good thing I never forgot how to use that amazing move!" DJ snickers as he slowly walks backwards to watch Shulk try and find his footing and attack him. "I guess I'll give myself props for that.
Robin growls as he tucks his Thoron tome away for a second and focuses his energy into using the Levin sword. The lightning just barely misses hitting the Shadow. Damn the short range of his weaponry. He can't use it again though as Shulk clumsily runs towards his opponent.
DJ laughs as Shulk attempts to slash him once more but stumbles over his own feet. "God you guys are pathetic. Even the other Shadow and his dumb self don't dare to challenge me."
"It's because we can't kill you!" Pit growls as he steps forward. "Why can't you just state your piece so we know what's going on!?"
"You're not the boss of me!"
A sudden voice cuts through the arguing as a kunai flies past DJ's ear. "Yeah. I want to know why you're here too."
Shulk finally manages to regain his composure to join everyone in looking to see that Yosuke has finally shown his face. To say he looks pissed would be an understatement. There seemed to be some sort of angry fire in his eyes as he stared down his Shadow. Casually he flicks his wrist to cause a kunai to appear to replace the one he threw.
DJ grins as he uses Wind of Oblivion to send Shulk flying into Robin. "Well look who decided to fucking show up. What took ya so long?"
"Answer my damn question. Why did you come back, and how did you get out of the TV!?" Yosuke was ready to stab his own Shadow, regardless of the consequences.
Rushing in to get in close for a clean hit, DJ replies as the kunai clash. "There's an exit isn't there? Unlike the rest of the dumbass Shadows I thought to use the damn thing."
Yosuke growls as he hops backwards. Susano-o's 'whispers' warning him of what his Shadow planned to do. "That's right, the Shadow and my Persona are the same thing." He ducked and rolled out of the way as he was told due to his Shadow going for his head and then downward slice. "You didn't explain why you came back though! Besides, I still have my Persona! You can't exist!"
"Fuck that noise!" The Shadow counters as he narrowly dodges his other self attempting a jumping kick. "I'm not your whole Persona dipshit! I'm Jiraiya!"
"Just tell me why you're here before I cut you down!"
Shulk groans as he manages to get off of Robin. He wipes the last bit of the confusion dust from his eyes and blinks. Are his eyes still deceiving him? There really is two Yosukes! And they're fighting one another! The blond stands up quickly and grabs the hilt of the Monado as another vision hits him. This can't be good.
DJ and Yosuke are squaring off while arguing over the latter's true inner thoughts. Yosuke appears to get hit with some sort of magic spell that causes a green shield structure to shatter around him. Whatever it was it seems to conflict with Yosuke's natural wind affinity. Perhaps he becomes weak to it? Regardless DJ's next attack is him causing a tornado to send his original flying and crashing into the ground, dizzy from the attack. The Shadow can be heard laughing as the vision cuts to Yosuke standing up only to be practically sliced and diced as his other self teleports around to attack him from multiple angles. This must be that part of his vision where he saw Yosuke die!
Snapping to attention Shulk practically throws the Monado down to help Robin stand up. "Robin! You need to do something! You have to stop the Shadow from attacking!"
DJ perks to attention hearing the Homs' warning. He glares as he temporarily shifts his focus from his original. "You know what. Shut the fuck up. Makajam!"
Robin and Shulk both panic as the spell hits. The Silence kicks in right away as the blond found himself unable to speak. Even if he was able to nothing would happen.
Pit stares down the Shadow seeing as he picked up that Shulk can't effectively attack him without a voice. Without provocation he shoots an arrow towards DJ but angles it away from Yosuke after it misses. Even then he almost hit him due to the teen's instinct to jump out of the way.
"Robin! His weakness is electricity!" The angel shouts as he keeps shooting arrows to keep the Shadow distracted.
The tactician nods as he brings out his Thoron tome to accompany his Levin Sword. "Time to tip the scales."
DJ laughs as he avoids the bolt of lightning cast down from the heavens. "You know, you clearly are an idiot Yosuke." He snarks as he turns around. "Just think. If you accept me now, this fighting will stop. But I know you're not going to do that. You're going to fight me to the bitter fucking end."
"What makes you say that!?" Yosuke dashes in with his kunai, aiming for the Shadow's neck, barely avoiding getting hit by Robin's Thoron. "Just talk already!"
The Shadow manages to cartwheel away from both attacks and prepares to use Wind Break. "Fine. Let me tell you the truth you deny with your heart! This Mansion is a fucking bore! There's nothing to do! And if I find something to do, it's just because someone wants to fucking rip me off or they want my body. I'm a pretty doll that can be used in any way someone wants. And once I'm no longer useful I'll either be thrown away or placed on a shelf and be forgotten!"
Yosuke's cheeks heat up in embarrassment. Was he really feeling that way? Of course, or his Shadow wouldn't be taunting him. He growls as he sees a green shield shatter around him. There goes his Wind immunity. Why does his Shadow have full access to his powers while he can't even summon Susano-o?
"You already admitted you're afraid your precious friends have gone and forgotten you even exist. Nothing's changed in eight months, you're still fucking terrified of being alone!"
Yosuke freezes up as his Shadow grins maniacally, but makes no effort to attack. "T-That I know!" He stops, feeling himself shaking, seeing the scrutinizing gaze of Robin and the one of concern from Shulk. "I am scared of being alone! And it's true this Mansion bores me! I'm treated like a tool! And I hate it!"
"Yet can we forget that fucking angel? He's the worst offender of all of this."
Everyone, including the Shadow himself, turns to look at Pit. He questions what he did to catch a Shadow's blame.
DJ laughs as he spins his kunai around his finger again. "You know what you did."
Yosuke's face heats up more and his cheeks grow redder. "Sh-shut up! I-! He-!"
The Shadow turns back around to grab the other's rain soaked shirt by the collar. Laughing he presses a kunai to his neck. "You what?"
"I'm not admitting anything! I know I can't deny you but I won't admit anything!"
"You're the one that insisted I talked." DJ laughed as he pulls his original closer, the blade touching both of their necks. He knows Robin won't attack with the teen so close. What about the fact the only person on your damn mind has been your precious Yu? You're jealous again! Not of him though, but that damn mage that can't even properly comfort someone in need."
Robin narrows his eyes at the Shadow. Yosuke must have a lot of vendettas if even he's being brought into the conversation. It is true though, he's hesitant to attack with both males so close. The teen's been shocked enough and that was enough to leave a scar. Who knows what a Thoron would do to him.
"You're so damn jealous that even that pathetic mage can snag himself a healthy relationship. And what are you stuck with? A man-whore. You can't deny that if that other Wild Card shows up even your precious partner will drop you without a second thought."
Yosuke snaps. "You're lying! Yu would never do that! His past relationships don't affect us now! So leave him out of this!"
Robin growls as he attempts to control his anger. He really wants to shoot that Shadow now. No one has the right to call him pathetic. It may be true he's lucky to have a steady relationship, but it's not without it's own problems.
Realizing how dangerous the situation is getting he tucks the Thoron away in favor of getting Elthunder. He can probably guarantee not killing Yosuke if this one hits them both. The Shadow has removed the kunai from between the guys so he could start preparing his own wind spell. Robin focuses for a second before releasing the spell. Hopefully this hits.
Thankfully DJ was so distracted with the prospect of utterly destroying his original self the that Elthunder managed to hit him and knock him over. The blow sent him a little ways away. Due to his deep rooted connection with the other though, even Yosuke ended up recoiling a little in pain from the attack. That didn't stop him from making his way to the other though. Stumbling awkwardly he managed to reach his Shadow and pin him down with a forceful hand to the neck.
DJ weakly chuckled as he saw Yosuke raise his kunai, like he was going to actually go for the kill. "I dare you."
Yosuke growled at his Shadow before letting the blade drop. "I would do it. But you're part of me." Instead of stabbing his other self he settled for a rough punch to the cheek. Even if he felt the sting too. "That's for being a pain in the ass."
"Takes one to know one."
The Smashers around the two started to lower their guards as it appeared that the brunette seems to have reached a stalemate with his other self. Shulk and Robin noticed Teddie was arriving quite late to see what was going on. He had smelt the presence of a Shadow but he didn't get here on time. The blond boy looked concerned as he clutched the umbrella in his hands tightly.
"Yosuke… your Shadow came back?" He asked quietly as he approached.
The brunette turned suddenly, but refused to release the Shadow, before looking guilty. "Yeah… sorry you have to see this again Ted."
Sheepishly Yosuke maneuvered himself to sit on his Shadow before briefly explaining what happened. He omits some details due to Teddie's innocence before turning his head to look at DJ's smug grin.
Pit and the others walk up to the odd trio before he explains to Teddie why they were there helping Yosuke. The blond seems to understand but was more disappointed he didn't get to help fight. He does get a good laugh though when Kuro offhandedly kicks DJ in the ribs and even Yosuke winces in pain.
A few minutes passes by and the rain finally begins to let up for the time being. Teddie was kind enough to hand off his umbrella to Kuro so he doesn't get sick from the rain. The blond himself wasn't bothered by the cold due to his ice affinity, he just didn't want his hair getting messed up. Within this time Pit has managed to tie up DJ with some rope that Robin questioned his possession of. Of course the Shadow wasn't thrilled to be tied up and refused to stop talking.
The sound of an engine cuts through the sound of the rain. Everyone turns their attention to see a bus pulling up in the distance. Pit shrugs and says that the bus is late today, so either it was slowed by the rain or Kiwi was driving today. He was unable to tell as he could barely make out six people getting off the vehicle in the first place. Instead of concerning himself with it he turns back to see Shulk concerning himself with healing Yosuke's injured arm. The two were discussing the battle that just occurred.
Shulk smiles as a faint blue light emitted from his hand transfers to the teen's arm. "You should have come to me after leaving the infirmary. I can't prevent scars but I'm sure they would look prettier if you didn't wait so long."
"I know. I know." Yosuke sighs as he watches as the Ether particles dance over his ruined bandages. Turning his head he catches a glimpse of a familiar face. "Yu!"
Yu perks up immediately hearing his name being called. He never really left his dazed state the entire time he was on the bus but the familiar voice hit him. Yosuke is running up to him, and for sure he could see Teddie in the background. The leader's feet started carrying him faster until he ended up running up to his partner and picking him up in a desperate hug. Yu's momentum ending up canceling out as he spun the brunette in his arms. Surprised gasps from the rest of the Investigation Team, as well as the Smashers behind Yosuke, could be heard as the two embraced.
"Do you have any clue how worried I was I'd never see you again!?" Yosuke asked desperately as he held his partner's face in his hands once his feet were back on the ground.
Yu's face heated up in embarrassment. "Sorry. We got lost in the city. We were looking everywhere for you and Teddie."
The two separate from the hug when Yosuke caught the awkward stares of the rest of his friends. He's a little flustered but tries to play it off quickly. Yukiko looks like she's about to collapse to the ground in her vain attempt of containing laughter, while Rise almost looks jealous of the two boys. Everyone else is just confused.
In the background Pit is heard yelling. "You already had the dramatic hug. Are you going to kiss or what?"
Yosuke and Yu stiffen before they turn to look at the angel, horrified.
Robin scratches his face. "You… are dating right?"
The brunette laughs nervously as he puts his hands up in defense. "N-n-no! No, no, no! I'm just really happy to see my partner again."
Yu nods quietly in agreement. Though, this argument is almost destroyed immediately once DJ speaks up. He calls Yosuke a liar and demands he just kiss the leader already. The entire Investigation Team stops their previous thoughts to see the Shadow bound on the ground while Yosuke attempts to explain why he's there. Well, at least explain as much as he can without incriminating himself too much. Of course Yu is the first to question why DJ is there while Pit uses his scarf to silence the being.
Yosuke sighs as he goes to explain. "Some… problems have come up while I was here. I don't want to talk about it with everyone here. Especially since Pit-san is responsible for a small chunk of my insecurities."
Naoto nods her head. "It's understandable Yosuke-senpai. Your first encounter with your Shadow was solely between you and Yu-senpai."
"Yeah, I'd like to keep my Shadow stuff between me and my best friend if that's how it was in the first place too." Chie adds.
Yosuke smiles. "Thanks guys. I'm glad to see you're all together. I know I was panicking over being separated from Yu, but just imagine if any of you were missing yet."
Everyone stops talking once they hear someone clear their throat. Shulk smiles sheepishly and asks if everyone would be willing to follow him. As Master Hand is still in the process of connecting their two worlds, the rest of the Investigation Team is going to need somewhere to stay. Unless they want to venture all the way back to the city of course. Yu didn't even need to consult his team to see they were all up to the idea of staying in one place until they can leave. Kanji is instructed to carry the hapless DJ as well so Master can figure out what to do with him for the time being.
As the team makes their way inside, Yosuke starts to explain what had happened with him. Including talking about why he has bandages on his arms once Yu showed intense concern towards his injury. He and Teddie explain the debt from the broken TV, and how the Smashers have been mixed in terms of how they've been treating the two. Chie would have gotten a kick out of Yosuke's misery, but even she felt bad for him considering none of this was his fault. Yukiko offers a comforting hand and Naoto merely makes a mental note to file a complaint about her friend's harsh treatment.
At the end of the day Yu finds himself sharing Yosuke's room with the latter and Teddie. He didn't complain at all, he is rather grateful that his partner even requested the two of them stay together. Naoto had been paired off with Kanji, and the rest of the girls were going to share a room. Teddie had wanted to share with the girls, but of course Yosuke vetoed the idea (so had the girls but that's beside the point).
Yosuke is sitting on his partner's lap as they talked about what had happened since they had gotten separated. He had removed his clothes much earlier and wrapped himself in a housecoat much earlier so he wouldn't get cold from standing in the rain this afternoon. The bandages on his arm were also lovingly changed by Yu's careful hands. Of course the injury was still and open mess, but at least the treatment will make them less of an eyesore once the scars heal.
"Why didn't you call me?" Yosuke asked as he dusted his lips over Yu's jaw. "Or text me? Something to let me know you were worried."
Yu tilted his head to the side to allow access to his neck. "I tried Yosuke. I promise. There wasn't any cell service, so I tried sending emails. You never replied."
Quietly Yosuke stops peppering his boyfriend's neck with kisses and pulls back. "I… never got those emails."
Yu frowns slightly, upset at the revelation. He can see the other is just as upset. They both tried to contact one another out of mutual worry. Yet, this was the first time in almost five days they've been able to actually converse. They sit in silence for a little bit. The leader can obviously see Yosuke is just as upset as he is over this. So, he does the only thing he can think of to make him feel better. Kiss him.
Thankfully Yosuke responds as expected. A little shocked, but melts into the kiss without protest. Their lips move in sync before Yu let's his partner push him back on the bed. Experience has taught him that he enjoys when he let's Yosuke take control. Quiet gasps escape his mouth as the two make-out passionately. Yu lets out a small moan as well as a hand traces down his side before moving under his shirt.
Yosuke pulls back with a cocky look. He loves looking at Yu when he's coming undone under his touch. Nothing could ruin this moment.
Except Teddie coming into the room singing loudly. Yeah, there went the mood.
Thankfully the bear didn't see Yosuke getting off Yu while the latter sat up and pressed a pillow between his legs. He was more content drying his hair before seeing the two. Cheerfully Teddie bounds over to where Yu is sitting and bounces on the bed.
"Sensei!" He cheers as he kicks his legs into the air, disregarding his current state of hardly dressed. "Did you meet any cute girls in the city!? Did you like it there!? Did you miss me?!"
Yosuke pouts and sighs before sauntering over to the other bed. Yu noticed his change in attitude immediately while he answered Teddie's numerous questions. He watches his partner collapse onto the sheets with his back to turned to them. It takes a little bit for Teddie to notice his brother on the other bed sleeping.
"Was he like this all day?" Yu asks quietly.
Teddie puffs out his lower lip in thought. "I don't know. We didn't really see each other this morning… I think he'll be back to his normal self tomorrow! Sensei's here after all!"
A small laugh. "You're right Teddie. I think we should let him sleep. We can share this bed."
The blond nods before crawling to the other side of the bed and sprawling out his limbs. Yu smiles gently before turning to look at Yosuke again. He wasn't quite asleep yet.
"Night." Yu says as he lays down. He can just barely hear his partner's response before falling asleep. At least they can both rest easy now.
Ending notes:
Just as wordy as the last one but I swear I have reasons!
1. What Yu is thinking is an allusion to what basically happens during P4DAN. Without going too into the plot, because Yu and the team went two days without contacting Dojima he started looking into their disappearance like it was the cases back in Inaba the previous year. Basically here it's just him almost tempting fate? Since it hasn't happened yet at this point?
2. If you didn't pick it up, the Huniepop girls of today were Momo and Jessie. Momo's master will remain anonymous since it's the player.
3. It may seem odd that Yu is spacing out in the early part, but considering that the IT were plucked right out from December, I'm merely trying to convey that he's a little broken inside. If you don't know what I'm talking about, I'll spare you the spoilers and just say that he's just facing a little separation anxiety since his closest friend has just gone off the radar and during the time point this is in, Yosuke is one of the few things keeping him together, so he's worried but broken. There's also the goings on in the game itself in November.
4. The entire segment between Pit and Yosuke is based on a vote I held right when I started this. The top answer had been the forced crossdressing, but the second most voted was him "selling his body". So really it's because of you guys (or at least my tumblr) that that segment exists
5. The Persona games (At least 3 and 4) are heavily rooted in Jungian psychology, so that's why Robin picked up that specific book to try and figure out why Yosuke has powers like he does. While specifically Palutena was talking about Yosuke's Arcana (fourth wall breaking allows her to know), there is also an Archetype called the same thing. In terms of the context that Robin may be looking at, it can still apply. As this Magician is has a description that says he "gets his power from another level of reality", which, essentially what the Midnight Channel and his Persona are. (Now keep in mind, "Shadows" and "Persona" are actual terms too! :D)
6. I like to imagine that Kuro and DJ are very similar due to being carbon copies of Pit and Yosuke respectively as well as representing all the emotions and thoughts their originals like to deny or they repressed. The main difference though is that Kuro was created by the Mirror of Truth and thus cannot exist without Pit, but Pit can still exist without him. On the contrary Yosuke and DJ can't exist without each other. Yosuke has to be alive in order for his psyche to even manifest period, while DJ needs to be alive in the respect that he is a VITAL part of Yosuke and without him he falls into Apathy Syndrome and simply ceases to function.