(Another sort of fused chapter. The count is gonna get off if I keep fusing chapters. xP)
You didn't have class, but you knew you would have to act early that morning because it was Friday and people were probably going to ask where Rage was before they made it to the arcade.
You traveled back to Yuni's mansion. The long walk from the road to her doorstep made you wish there was a quicker way to get there, but you ran a little faster than usual, knowing Devil Zukin was waiting for you.
You made your usual route to the room with the television, and as expected...
"I've been waiting for you," the bat girl said, sitting on the couch. "Are you ready to go in?"
You told her you were.
"I have some things for you," she said. She pulled out a nostalgic looking pair of glasses.
"With Konsento's assistance," she began, "we were able to create glasses with the ability to see like I would. These powers should not wear away as they would on a human."
You grinned, remembering the glasses you used in your last adventure. You put yours in your pocket, worried that they would fall off if you wore them before jumping inside the TV.
"Also," she said, "you had requested a weapon yesterday." She pulled out a sword that was hidden underneath the couch. "Please do not tarnish it; it is from Akira's collection."
You were nervous about using someone's possession without his permission, but took the sword anyway. You planned not to use it unless you had to.
"Shall we go in?" she asked. You offered your hand to Zukin and the two of you went into the television.
–.
This time, you didn't fall from the ceiling. The screen Zukin carried down last time was on the floor, so you two tumbled out of it and onto the ground upon entering the other side. She led you back to the city to find Rage's dojo again.
You ran to the entrance and asked Zukin if she remembered the last room. She was your best chance getting back to where you left off.
"I do," she replied. "I wonder... could Ouze lead us to the room..."
She looked as if she was channeling her inner thoughts, and then Ouze appeared behind you and Zukin. You looked above your head and watched the Persona wave her hand over the two of you, until you teleported back to the room you were in yesterday, just before the room you believed Rage was in. The door was as it was yesterday, located at the end of the small hallway in the dojo.
Zukin felt the door and got close as if to listen to what was on the other side. She sighed, relieved. "He's still there," she told you. "Please, can we go in?"
You led the way and opened the door. You saw a large room that had scrolls with assorted kanji decorated around the walls. The room was empty otherwise and had a polished wood floor. Up ahead, you saw Rage and his Shadow. It seemed Zukin noticed before you, because she was already running in his direction.
"Rage-sama!" she shouted. You called for her to stop and quickly followed her.
"Huh? Zukin?" Rage asked. "H-hey, what are you doing here?" He was growing nervous.
"We're here to save you," she said. "Come with us."
"I'm not going anywhere with you," Rage's Shadow said. As Zukin had described, he was wearing a gi with a headband, which made him look like some sort of violent takoyaki chef. You pushed the oddities aside and continued to listen.
"You know damn well I'm with Emi, so why are you always stalking me?" the copy shouted.
"Hey!" the original Rage yelled back. "Don't talk like that to Zukin!"
"You should be thanking me," Shadow Rage told him. "I just said what you've been thinking this whole time, yet you don't have the guts to tell her."
Rage mumbled something nervously.
You looked behind you and Devil Zukin was notably hurt, yet she seemed to hold her composure. You told her not to take everything the copy said literally; things often got exaggerated in this world.
She reluctantly nodded. "I want him out of here. That is our priority." She stepped in front of you. "Don't hold anything back, Rage-sama," she said confidently. "Tell me everything that's on your mind."
What was she doing? Was she trying to get Rage to reject the Shadow?
"I-I, er, Zukin," the real man started. "I gotta say, I don't know what he's talking about."
"Don't deny what you're thinking," the Shadow told him. "I came all the way to America for a fresh start, but it's just as crappy as Japan. I hated turning into an American and I don't wanna admit that I'm just as lazy as everyone else. I don't wanna go through all the work it takes to support myself, and I wish I could just go back to Japan."
"I can handle a little work!" the original argued. "It's nothing! I'd rather die than go back to my dad!"
"I want someone to tell me what a good boy I am," the copy ranted, "but my dad's too full of criticism and alcohol to do any of that. I'd go back for a job and a roof over my head, but I'm too scared of him and what he'd say."
Rage tried to punch his clone in the face, but his clone dodged the move. "Shut up!" the original said.
Two punches later, Shadow Rage caught his hand. "Don't make me angry. You know what a temper I have... you know my strength, my hates, my fears... because you and I are the same person."
"I know myself, and I know you're not me!"
Shadow Rage sent a wave through his body; Rage was knocked onto the ground without the Shadow having to budge his hand.
You held your (well, Akira's) sword to defend yourself as the Shadow's aura circled around him. The monster grew in size, though his muscles seemed to grow faster than the rest of his body.
He transformed into a monster with torn garments around his arms and lower legs. The monster wielded two swords, and he seemingly had no face until he opened a pair of glowing yellow eyes. His skin was so black he appeared to be a silhouette, and his clothes were bloody (though you wondered what the origin of the blood was).
Noting the two swords, you called upon a Persona that would be evenly matched in physical ability.
Futsunushi!
The humanlike demon and ultimate Chariot Persona was summoned with his several swords. Your warrior and the Shadow locked eyes and were ready for combat.
Shadow Rage pulled a sword back and took a strike at you, but your Persona's ability lowered his accuracy and he missed you. Taking the opportunity to counter his move, you commanded Futsunushi to use Primal Force. The bulky shadow stumbled onto the ground, weakened.
You took a strike with your (er, Akira's) sword while he was down, but the Shadow was able to block your attack with his own sword slash. The impact sent you backwards and onto the ground.
Shadow Rage began to duel with Futsunushi and the latter's many swords. Your Persona dodged a majority of the hits, and you could feel its senses guiding you where to go to avoid the attacks as well. Shadow Rage's aim was still good, however, and one swipe struck through Futsunushi and hurt you as well. You fell down in pain.
"Look out!" you heard Devil Zukin shout. You turned around for a second and noticed Ouze had her hands on Zukin's head again.
"The Shadow is calling upon the power of fire."
You heard a wave of flames, and looked forward to see fire circling Shadow Rage's sword. You switched Futsunushi for a Persona to absorb his attack.
Mada!
The ultimate magician spawned and guarded you. Shadow Rage swung his burning sword in your direction and your Persona absorbed his attack, granting you extra strength.
You felt you and Mada could perform his highest fire attack, so you used his Agidyne spell. A massive fire burned Shadow Rage.
Or so you thought.
Shadow Rage didn't seem to recover like you did, but he must have blocked your fire attack. You knew Agi spells wouldn't work, so you switched back to Futsunushi.
Shadow Rage had to recharge from his fire spell, and you had extra time to knock the boss over with another Primal Force. As your demon attacked, you followed up with a few swift strikes from your sword.
"I... I can't lose," the Shadow's distorted voice said. "I didn't come here to give up... I came here to show that I'm made of something..." You panted, trying to get your strength back after using up your stamina. You paced back, with increasing speed, away from Shadow Rage. The Shadow stabbed his right sword into the ground and used it as a support to help himself up.
"Finish him, Souji," Zukin's dark voice echoed behind you.
You toned down your power and unleashed one Vile Assault on the near defeated Shadow. He yelled for mercy and he faded beneath a large smoky aura. When the smoke faded, he was back to his form that looked similar to Rage.
You and Zukin ran to check on Rage. The man was resting on the floor next to a wall, unwilling to rise.
"Rage-sama," Zukin called gently. "You're safe now."
He groaned and tried to sit up. He leaned against the wall. "What... is going on?"
You explained to Rage that when he rejected his Shadow, it retaliated. The Shadow had knocked him out.
"I... gotta accept it?" he said weakly. "Even though he said... all that stuff about..."
"It's all right," Zukin told him. "I believe there is another side to your story. No one said you had to want me around all the time, Rage-sama." You could tell she was offended a little, despite her words. "Now is the time to face the truth that has formed before your eyes." She looked at the Shadow in the distance. You waited for Rage to get up, and you watched him approach his dark side.
"Okay," he began. "I get it. I have a temper, I'm lazy, and I'm scared. Everybody's got their own problems, and those are mine. But if I say anything you said was a lie, I'd be lying to myself. So... looks like... you're me, after all."
The Shadow rose to stand before him. The copy nodded and levitated into a transforming light.
As the light faded, the being had become a man with white pupils. He had a headband over the top of his head, holding his short white hair back. He wore a shirt wrapped by a black belt, dark pants, and dark gloves. After floating for a few seconds, he became a shining card that fell into Rage's hands.
Rage accepted it into his soul. He stumbled for a second but was able to stand.
"His name's... Benkei?" he said to you. Not like you had any idea for sure, but you told him that the Persona was probably trying to communicate with him, so that was likely his name.
"So I've got a Persona... neat!" he said. "So, wait, is this gonna wind up being like your stories from Inaba all over again?"
You sighed and told him that was probably going to happen. Of course, you welcomed him to the team... you just weren't thrilled about all the added pressure of going through another mystery again.
"Let's go home," Zukin told both of you. "Rage-sama must be tired of being in here."
"A little bit," he confessed. "How do we get out?"
"Follow us," she replied. You led the way while Zukin stayed behind a little in case Rage needed any help.
-.
Upon leaving the television, Rage collapsed on the couch.
"Ugh, it's good to be outta there," he said with a deep sigh.
"The static is unsafe for humans," Zukin said, "or at least, it seems to give you a painful headache. Are you well enough to go home?"
"Maybe... in a bit," he answered, dozing off. "Hey... what's today anyway... I feel like I've been in there a while..."
"Today is Friday."
He bolted upward. "This is DDR day? Agh-!" he gripped his forehead again and slowly laid back down.
"I won't allow you out of here until you're better, Rage-sama," Zukin threatened. "Especially not to play DDR. No one wants to call the ambulance after you faint in the middle of one of those new boss songs."
"Fine," he grumbled. "Then... let me sleep on it for a while... is that cool?"
"I'm sure it won't be a problem," she said calmly. "Souji, do you still have that sword?"
You did, in fact, still have the sword in your hand.
…!
But, you left the sheath somewhere in the television. You panicked.
Zukin chuckled in a way that made you more nervous. "Let's hope that the sheath is still there when we venture back."
You were tempted to go back in at that instant, but the bat girl interrupted your thoughts.
"Don't be concerned about it," she told you, "I had asked Akira before taking it. I'm sure he won't notice... or care, for that matter." She took the sword from your hand and hid it under the couch. "For now, let's not bring it up until he asks about it..."
You laughed a little. You also checked on Rage's condition and saw that he was smiling as well.
"Oh yeah, Souji," the tired man mumbled. "About that job..."
You told him not to worry about it. Zukin looked curious.
"What job? I thought you weren't hiring anyone."
"No, we were gonna talk to Zero," he said. "But Zero's kinda..."
"Don't worry about that," Zukin insisted. "You must swear that you won't do any harsh activity until you're able to. I can help Souji explain your condition, if I must. However," she had sort of a thinking expression with her hand on her chin, "what shall we tell them?"
Most people didn't even know Rage had gone missing... but you knew Emi would be asking around. For that reason, you felt you needed to make up a story to explain. Surely, part of the truth would be covered if you just told everyone that Rage wasn't feeling well for a few days. You proposed that idea to Zukin.
"That will work for now," she told him. "Now rest. We will see you next week, Rage-sama."
Rage waved to both of you and then relaxed lazily on the couch. You and Zukin left him alone in the room and closed the door.
"I think I will stay here tonight," she said. "I believe we should make an attempt to hide Rage-sama. After all, no one knows he's here. Will you still be going to the arcade tonight?"
You really didn't want to. Your body was exhausted and you didn't think you had the strength to stomp on a dance mat. Surely, the dancers would question your condition. You told Zukin you probably wouldn't go.
She nodded. "Perhaps that's good. Rage-sama will not have any reason to introduce you to Zero."
You thought back to Rage and told her that you would need to get information out of him when he was better. Perhaps he would remember something about his kidnapping that would lead you to the killer.
"We can ask him together," she said. "I will check on him from time to time. Perhaps next week, we can interrogate him."
You agreed to wait on Rage's condition. You felt you could count on Zukin, and that she would trust you.
The link between the two of you grew stronger... you had nearly forgotten that only a few days ago you were afraid of her. By this point, you had no reason to fear her anymore. She was an ally... and perhaps, even your friend.
