Disclaimer: The author doesn't own Okami or Persona 4:Golden. They belong to Clover Studios and ATLUS respectively.
As always, a big thanks to our lovely beta-reader, Timeless Dreamer Neo!
This chapter kept on going and going, but we're happy with the results.
deltadragon373: Okami is such an amazing game, so I concur!
Master of Dragons God: Thanks! Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 27: Waltz of Flames
Not a moment before they stepped through the door, they had to scatter as a massive slab of ice hurtled towards them. Souji, Amaterasu, and Yosuke dove to one side. Yu, Teddie, and Marie to another. As the slab of ice shattered, sending shards of ice flying everywhere, a wave of fire followed.
"Yosuke!"
"Right! Persona!"
Jiraiya appeared in a flash of wind, before throwing his hands out. A gale of wind roared through the room, battling the flames away.
"Stop dodging!"
Another slab of ice hurtled towards them. Izanagi reared the naginata back, twirling it in a deadly circle and shattering the slab.
"They're they are!" Issun cried out.
They were in the throne room of the castle, a large, semicircular room with two floors. Two staircases lead to the upper floor, where the throne stood. And above the throne, a massive ornate birdcage, another throne held within. Shadow Yukiko stood in the cage, glaring at them. And behind her, leaning on the throne, was…
"Amagi-san!" Yosuke called out. Yukiko, dressed in a torn and scorched pink kimono, looked up on hearing her name.
A large crack echoed across the room as Shadow Chie slammed a kingly looking gold staff into the ground. "Silence!" she yelled. Souji was too busy looking past her to pay her any mind, because chained to the throne, slumped over unconscious, was Chie. Her hands were bound by the chains and her clothes were ragged and torn.
"Chie! Amagi-san!" he called out.
Chie didn't stir, but Yukiko struggled to sit up. "W-Who?" she croaked out. Yukiko flinched as her Shadow cupped her chin, smiling.
"Look, they're here to save you." Shadow Yukiko laughed darkly, before screaming as a bolt of lightning narrowly missed the cage.
Marie, pointing her naginata at the cage, began to spark again. In response Shadow Chie slammed the staff into the ground and another huge slab of ice appeared before her.
"Make a single move," Shadow Chie growled, "And she get's it."
The slab of ice floated above Chie.
Marie growled. "You little-!"
"Marie," he said. Marie glanced at him, frustration evident. He just gave her a level look, before tilting his head. Marie blinked, glancing away before nodding. Izanagi slammed the base of his naginata into the ground as Souji turned around. He cleared his throat, attempting his best wizardly voice. "Please now, Prince. No need for anything so rash."
Shadow Chie glared at him. "I told you to leave."
He nodded, staring at the Shadow. "That you did."
"And you didn't."
"No, we didn't."
"Why?!"
"I think you already know," Souji said levelly.
Shadow Chie calmed down, eyes glowing. "Yes. I guess I do."
The smile that Shadow Chie gave him gave him goosebumps. "How unfortunate for you."
"Chie!" Yosuke stepped forward. "Chie! Amagi-san! Please listen to me!"
"Oh for gods sake…" Shadow Chie muttered.
"I know what's it's like. To face your Shadow. To face your innermost darkness!" Yosuke quieted for a moment.
"To face yourself."
"Where are you getting at?" Shadow Chie asked, exasperated.
Yosuke looked at the Shadow with nothing but sympathy. "You aren't alone."
"Yosuke…?" Yukiko whispered.
Shadow Chie started to laugh. It was a loud, ugly laugh. Shadow Yukiko just smirked. "That's it? 'You aren't alone?'," Shadow Chie kept laughing. Yosuke just stared at her. "Always thinking your so cool…" Shadow Chie chuckled darkly, "Well. We aren't alone." Shadow Chie barred her teeth and pointed the staff at Yosuke. Bufu crackled at the tip. "Let's change that!"
"Look, a distraction!" Souji yelled!
Shadow Chie scoffed. "Please, like I'll be fooled by tha-"
Amaterasu slammed into Shadow Chie at full speed. Shadow Chie didn't even have time to scream as she flew back, hitting the ground with an ugly smack. The real Chie stirred slightly, moaning.
"My Prince!" Shadow Yukiko screamed.
Amaterasu gave Shadow Chie an impassive glance, before running up to Chie. With a swish of her tail, the chain snapped, cut clean in two. And Chie was a top Amaterasu in a moment, both of them running down the stairs.
"My Prince! You filthy mongrel, give me back my Prince!" Shadow Yukiko screamed, sending fireballs towards the goddess. Amaterasu, not even turning back, started to zigzag, avoiding the flames lobbed towards her. The goddess had turned into a white blur. Unfortunately, she hadn't anticipated the wall of flames erupting at the base of the stairs. Amaterasu gave a short yelp before throwing herself over the railings, landing awkwardly. Chie was flung off the goddess and rolled across the floor. In a moment they Souji and Yosuke were next to her.
"Chie!" Yosuke cried out. Up close, Souji grimaced at the multiple bruises covering the girl's too pale flesh.
"Yosuke, Dia," he said tersely, before looking up.
Shadow Yukiko glared at them with wide eyes, gnashing her teeth.
"Give. Her. Back!" she screamed
Souji and Izanagi stared at her. She glared back, flames curling around her frame. She threw an arm out of the cage. Souji tensed and Izanagi held a hand out, sparking flickering.
"Burn to Ash-!"
"Stop it!"
Shadow Yukiko blinked in surprise as her real self stood up. Yukiko glared at her Shadow, and for a moment Souji thought her eyes would glow too.
"Stop this! Stop hurting people! Stop hurting Chie!"
Shadow Yukiko blinked. "Hurt her? I would never hurt her!" Shadow Yukiko suddenly smirked. "After all, I love her! And you love her too!"
Yukiko faltered for a moment and her Shadow went on the offensive.
"You have for so many years! She was the Prince that would save us from our fate. From that damn Inn!" Shadow Yukiko started to spark, getting more and more worked up. "That damn Inn! It's where we were born and it's where we'll die! We can never escape! From the moment we were born we were trapped in that god forsaken Inn!"
"Don't speak about the Inn like that!" Yukiko snapped.
"Why shouldn't we!?" Shadow Yukiko fake gasped. "Oh, I know. Because you're a coward. A coward! You don't have the guts to change your fate! You're useless!" Shadow Yukiko took a step towards Yukiko, who backed away, rage being replaced by fear. "Yukiko! It means snow! But what is snow? Transient and worthless! Just like you! You! Who sits on her ass, hoping to be saved because you can't save yourself! You just want to go! Anywhere is fine, as long as it's from that damn inn! But that cage that you lament about?" Shadow Yukiko glowed white and the cage, for lack of better word, vaporized. Souji felt the heat on his face and unconsciously took a step back. Shadow Yukiko, wreathed by flames, smiled at her Self. It wasn't a nice smile. "You could leave anytime you wanted. Like the bird. The only thing keeping you here is yourself. A damn, stupid, brat who can't do anything for herself!"
Shadow Yukiko sighed. "But Chie...Chie's strong. She's courageous. She doesn't let anyone tell her what she can and can't do! She's cool, and capable, and handsome! She's everything we aren't! She's our Prince," Shadow Yukiko sighed blissfully, "And with her, we'll run. Run away from this unchanging town! Screw our fate! Historic Inn, Managerial training?! Screw historic tradition! And screw the pride of the town!" There was a moment of silence, Shadow Yukiko heaving while Yukiko shook. "At least...That's how I really feel. Isn't that right...me?"
"...How dare you…"
"Yukiko-" he began, realizing what was about to happen.
"How dare you!" Yukiko screamed, "None of that is true! None of it! You're a liar! A liar!"
"Don't you mean you're a liar~?"
"No...No…! No! You're not me! YOU'RE NOT ME!"
You could hear a pin drop in the following silence. In the corner of his eye he could see Teddie start to shake.
"Heeheehee…" The silence was shattered by Shadow Yukiko's chuckles. Yukiko quivered in rage, glaring at her Shadow. "Hahahahaha…"
He felt the oppressive pressure settle across the room. Amaterasu started to snarl, Yosuke and Marie were grimacing. Yu looked lost. And Teddie was shaking like a leaf.
Shadow Yukiko threw her head back, cackling.
"Ahahahahaha!"
Yukiko took a step back as her Shadow clutched her stomach.
"Aaah! This feels wonderful! This power...It's building...more and more...If this keeps up, I'll...I'll…!" Shadow Yukiko gave a loud gasp. "Ahahah! Ahahahaha!"
The surge of power hit Souji like a brick and a dark miasma filled the room. Shadow Yukiko's gleeful scream harmonized with Yukiko's ear piercing shriek. The miasma cleared. And the room was set aflame.
A sea of flames. Fire everywhere. The room crackled and roared. The temperature spiked, becoming almost unbearable. Pillars of flame reached for the ceiling, fire lapped over the ground, hissing, spitting, crackling and whirling. Orange and red filled the room, shadows were eradicated.
Souji cursed. This was absolutely not how he wanted to start the battle.
"Agi! Agi everywhere!" Teddie screamed.
Souji watched as the fire inched towards them. Even though there was no fuel for the flames to feed on, it still spread. There was no smoke but Souji knew that the longer they took, the harder it would get to breath. And that was assuming they lived long enough and didn't become burnt crunchy bits.
He glanced behind him. Jiraiya was still healing Chie, Yosuke looking grimly up at Souji. Teddie had cowered behind Yu, who had a look of half determination, half fear. And Marie...Marie had frozen once again, shaking ever so slightly and staring into the flames emptily.
Really, really didn't want to start the battle like this.
Bark!
He glanced to his side to see Amaterasu at his side, her head held up defiantly. The goddess glanced at him, grinning wolfishly. Issun was leaping on the goddess's head, seemingly unperturbed by the vortex of flames.
"Well? Are you ready, Souji?" Issun yelled.
He turned towards Izanagi. Izanagi stared down at him. He took a breath and relaxed. "Yosuke. Take Chie to the back of the room, away from the fire. Take Marie and Yu with you."
"Souji-" Yu started to argue.
"Yu, listen to me. Without Orobas, you can't do much with these flames," Souji said firmly.
Yu scowled, before summoning Anko. Much to Souji's relief the Red Imp shambled towards Chie, picking her up. Yosuke gave the Red Imp a glance before standing up. "You sure you can handle her, partner?"
Souji gave a tense grin, turning to Amaterasu. "We can handle her."
Amaterasu barked.
Yosuke nodded, turning to run after Yu and Anko, who were running away. The headphoned boy stopped when he noticed Marie wasn't following.
"Marie?" Yosuke asked.
Marie still stared into the flames.
"Marie!"
Marie started at Souji's yell and whipped her head around before finding him.
"Go with Yosuke," he said firmly.
For a moment it looked like she was going to argue. But then she took a few steps back before turning and running from the flames.
Yosuke turned to follow her, giving him a thumbs up. "Good luck partner!"
The moment the two of them left, the flames in front of them suddenly swelled. He turned towards the flames and saw Amaterasu sitting down on her haunches. He wasn't sure if the goddess was just bored or cockey.
"I am a Shadow. The True Self!"
For a moment, Souji couldn't see her. Then he saw part of the flames move in a different direction.
Shadow Yukiko's coat was a brilliant pink vermilion, each feather shining like the flames wreathing her. It reminded Souji of a phoenix. If phoenix's had long serpentine necks that ended in a human head. Shadow Yukiko looked oddly normal compared to Shadow Yosuke. A bright red bird with Yukiko's head, the only splashes of color other than red being the white on her chest and the black of her long hair. And the piercing glare of her yellow eyes.
"My Prince...My Prince...Give me back my Prince!" she shrieked, the flames curling around her viciously.
"Right, there she is furball!"
Amaterasu got up to her feet and the mirror on her back flared, spinning. Soiji pointed his nodachi towards the Shadow, Izanagi doing the same with his naginata.
"Here goes!"
Yosuke felt the heat buffet his face even from outside the room. He wanted badly to go in there and help Souji, but-
He fixedly stared at Chie, Jiraya using Dia on the injured girl. The pallor of her skin was slowly growing healthier and her bruises paled. Still, she didn't wake. Seeing Chie so battered made Yosuke furious. But for now, all he could do was make sure she was okay…
"Yosuke-san?"
Yosuke looked up to see Yu looking at him. "Huh? What is it?"
Yu snapped his fingers and in a flash of light a small woman with insect-like wings appeared. Yosuke might have been growing more and more used to the turn his life had taken lately, but he was still unsure what to think about the demons that Souji's brother summoned.
The woman, Pixie, flew over Chie and started circling her. The warm light of Dia shone from her and Jiraiya stopped using his own Dia.
"It'd be better if you conserved your energy, since you can fight," Yu explained.
Yosuke nodded at this before turning to Marie. She was the furthest away from the door and noticeably holding herself slightly, glaring at nothing in particular. Unable to do anything else, Yosuke walked up to her. Marie glanced at him and if he didn't know her he'd have withered under her glare.
"What?" she asked, irritation thinly hid.
"Something wrong?"
"Nothing," she said through gritted teeth.
"C'mon, clearly something's bothering you."
This time he did back away slightly at the glare he was given.
"It's none of her business!"
Yosuke looked away, towards the firelight leaking through the door. He suddenly remembered Marie's reaction when they had first met Shadow Yukiko. To the fire that had engulfed the entire room. "Are you afraid of fire?"
Marie's eyes snapped towards him and in between the rage Yosuke saw a glimmer of subdued panic. "Shut up!"
"You are!" He backed away as Marie grabbed her naginata. The girl took a step forward...before explosively sighing and turning to the ground. He watched worriedly as she subtly hugged herself again, masking it as crossed arms.
"Hey, you okay?" he asked softly.
Marie looked up at him. Her green eye was as intense as it always was, but her grey eye was...dull. Subdued. "...Firejustbothersmeok?"
Yosuke blinked. "Uh, run that by me again?"
"I said it bothers me, okay?" Marie said, exasperated.
Yosuke nodded and they were both silent for a moment. "...Are you sure you'll be okay against Shadow Yukiko?" he asked.
"I'll be fine," she snapped, before looking back at the ground."...I won't let him fight alone," she muttered. She said it so quietly it was barely audible, but Yosuke heard her. Whether or not it was because of Jiraiya he wasn't sure but…
"...Are you and Souji dating?" he asked.
Marie looked at him, confused. "What?"
"He's asking whether you've shoved your tongue down his throat yet."
They whirled around.
Shadow Chie smiled at them, standing over Chie. Yu was in chains on the floor in front of her.
"Yu!" Marie yelled.
Shadow Chie laughed. "Honestly, what kind of idiots are you? You're about as aware as a pebble!"
Yosuke summoned Jiraiya and he noted with grim satisfaction that the Shadow glanced at his Persona warily.
"Let him go, Chie," he warned. Marie was less calm, spinning her naginata as sparks flew.
"That's it-!"
"One more step and the kid get's it."
The Shadow pointed her staff at Yu, who was shaking. They both froze and Shadow Chie laughed again, before kicking the real Chie, who groaned.
"Wake up, Prince Charming. Our Princess awaits."
"Agi!"
Souji dove out of the way, sliding behind a bunch of charred trees. He was followed by Izanagi, and the wave of fire hit not a moment after and Souji winced as he felt the heat lap at the trees. Still, even though this wasn't the first time the tree's had been set a flame, they were still standing strong. Leafless and blackened, but relatively strong. He had Amaterasu to thank for that. As soon as the battle started the goddess had rushed around the room, stopping occasionally. And where she stopped, tree's grew. First green shoots sprouting, cracking the stone. And then they'd grow larger and larger in seconds, growing strong and thick. But unlike normal trees, these grew together- branches weaving and curling around each other until the trees had formed a large wall. And now there were several of these all across the room. Souji wasn't sure why the tree's hadn't burnt to ash yet, but he wasn't going to complain. Hopefully they'd last long enough…
He spotted Amaterasu hiding behind another tree wall, her coat lightly singed. They looked at each other from across the room. The goddess looked annoyed. Souji understood why as he peeked past the foliage barrier.
Shadow Yukiko flapped above them. Each flap of her wings cause gusts of winds upon which embers danced, setting the already flaming room's temperature to an almost unbearable level. All attempts to reach her had been foiled by fire, or in Amaterasu's case, altitude. But, he mused, looking at the golden chain that bound the Shadow to the throne, at least the Shadow couldn't reach them either. The golden chain rattled as Shadow Yukiko flapped her wings. And Yukiko sat in the throne, staring listlessly at nothing.
Any attempt to get close to the Shadow had been repelled with fire. Lots of fire. And while Amaterasu could mostly ignore the ravenous flames, she couldn't ignore the will behind it. Issun had only given him a quick explanation before they had to run from another Maragi, but from what Souji understood, the fire surrounding Shadow Yukiko was part of her. And Amaterasu couldn't ignore that will-infused fire the same way she could normal fire. Souji was only thankful that Shadow Yukiko's fire wasn't anything like Orobas's hellfire.
"Come on out, Enchanter! Face me, Knight!"
Another wave of flame washed across the room. Souji winced and Izanagi rumbled.
"Sensei!"
He blinked and turned around. Teddie, who was hiding at the back of the room, was running towards him as fast as his stubby little legs could carry him. The bear tripped and rolled into the wall of trees just in time to avoid a wave of fire. "Teddie, what are you doing? I told you to wait in the back!" he hissed as the bear lifted himself from the ground.
Teddie blinked."I saw you struggling with the Shadow. I can help!"
"How?"
Souji received an answer when Teddie quickly unzipped part of his head. The bear started to rummage inside himself, something that made Souji stare.
"Aha!"
Souji fumbled with what Teddie suddenly thrusted towards him, and then stumbled as the full weight of the Burning Beetle's elytra hit him. The carapace of the bug like Shadow was oddly cool to the touch in the hot room. Souji pushed the elytra to the side. "Teddie, where did you get these?"
"Don't you remember Sensei? You told me that these would be useful, so I brought them along."
"Inside yourself?"
Teddie blinked. "Uh, yeah?"
Souji stared at the bear for a moment, before glancing at the elytra. "And you kept all the items?"
"Well, not all of them…"
The beginnings of a plan stirred in Souji's head. Izanagi picked up the elytra, one in each hand. The shells weren't big enough for Izanagi to hide behind. But they were big enough for most of Izanagi and all of Souji. And that was good enough.
"Teddie, can you get to Amaterasu?" Souji asked.
"Huh? W-Well, the Shadow would s-see me-"
"I'll protect you from the Shadow. I need you to get to Amaterasu and give her some of those items."
"W-Which ones?"
"Whatever she asks for. Are you ready?"
The bear looked afraid, before steeling himself. "I-I'm right behind you, Sensei!"
"Right. Rakukaja!" Izanagi glowed with a blue aura and Souji moved. As soon as he stepped out from the wall of trees, Shadow Yukiko screeched.
"There you are!" Shadow Yukiko flapped her wings and fire rushed towards him. And splashed against the shells of the Burning Beetle. Izanagi grunted and Souji felt the shells heat up.
"Teddie!"
"R-Right behind you!"
Souji and Izanagi moved across the room, Teddie scurrying behind them. Shadow Yukiko growled. "Burn, commoner!"
He felt the heat of the flames battering the shield and winced. This was going to be worse than the Beetle itself, wasn't it? But soon Teddie was near enough to the goddess to run towards her, cartwheeling madly in a rush to get behind the wall. And now, to step closer.
He walked towards the Shadow, slowly but surely.
"Come no further!" Shadow Yukiko flapped her wings again and the ground around him was in an instant, awash with fire. The only reason that he wasn't was once again the shells, which now felt like a stove just turned off. "Why! Why won't you burn!?" Another flap of her wings, and fire surrounded them again. Souji gritted his teeth. "Stay back! No further!" There was a note of panic in the Shadow's voice. Souji heard the furious barking behind him and reacted. "Ag-"
Izanagi cocked an arm back and threw one of the shells. The shell whirled through the air, slamming into the Shadow. Causing her to cry out and fall to the ground. Not a moment later a flash of white leapt overhead and Amaterasu landed in front of them, speeding towards the stairs. The goddess ignored the blazing stairs, running towards the Shadow and her host. Shadow Yukiko stumbled towards her feet, rearing back once she saw the goddess.
"Get away! Stop!" The flames around the Shadow whirled into her and she glowed white hot. "Burn to Ashes!"
Souji turned away as a blast of white hot flames roared towards Amaterasu, searing towards the goddess. The goddess skid to a stop, watching the flames sear towards her. The flames hit her dead on. And through narrowed eyes he watched as the flames whirled against the mirror. Not Amaterasu's weapon, but the Magic Mirror. The flames stood against the mirror. Before exploding outwards, engulfing the Shadow. Shadow Yukiko gave a surprised scream and the fires across the room dulled. Now was their chance!
Izanagi dropped the other shell and rushed up the other flight of stairs, bladed geta sparking against the ground. Souji followed as fast as he could. Just as he reached the top the flames dispersed violently, revealing an enraged Shadow Yukiko, glowing white-hot once more.
"You, you mutt! I'll get you for-!" Izanagi slammed into the avian Shadow sending them both flying off the ledge of the balcony. For a brief moment the Shadow and the Persona hung above floor, in the air. Then gravity took over and they both fell, Shadow Yukiko's mad flapping useless due to the Persona clinging to her. The golden chain snapped taut as they fell and Shadow Yukiko screamed, hanging upside down by her talon as Izanagi clung to her. The the chain snapped and they both fell to the floor with a booming thud, Shadow Yukiko screaming all the way. Souji stumbled as Izanagi hit the ground and winced at the Shadow's screams.
"Hah, good one furball!"
Amaterasu looked down from the balcony, curious. So she didn't notice the oncoming Agi until it was too late.
"Amy!"
Amaterasu whirled around and the ball of fire hit her straight in the face. The goddess yelped and fell off the balcony. Souji ran up to the point where she fell, heart hammering. He sighed in relief when he saw the goddess getting up to her paws as Izanagi and Shadow Yukiko laid on the ground, still stunned.
He heard a sound behind him and turned around in time to see Yukiko lobbing another fireball at him. He dodged to the side and the fireball roared past him. Yukiko, eyes still listless, held her hand, pooling more fire.
Well he couldn't have that, could he?
Silently apologizing, he rushed towards the girl and punched her in the stomach. She gasped out and crumpled, falling to the ground. Souji caught her before she could eat floor, catching her back with one arm- and grabbing both her wrists with the other. Yukiko struggled, even though she should definitely have at least been winded. But Souji was stronger than the tranced girl and soon Yukiko stopped struggling. Which would've been nice if she didn't turn towards him, staring into his eyes. The girl continued to stare and Souji started to feel uncomfortable. His alarm only increased when Yukiko suddenly thrusted her face towards him. He pulled away as far as he could, but that wasn't far if he still wanted to prevent her from acting. Soon their faces were only inches from each other and he was compelled to speak up.
"Listen, you're very pretty but I don't think this is the appropriate moment, what with you poss-"
Yukiko opened her mouth and screamed.
He was back on the boat. The ocean no longer twinkled, instead reflecting the sky and making it seem like the boat was floating in an endless void. A chill ran down his spine and as he sat up the boat rocked noiselessly. Something wasn't right. The ocean was never this still. The uneasy feeling slowly increased and he looked over the edge of the boat.
He saw Yu, dead and bloated, floating under the boat and staring at him with open eyes.
He saw his parents, bloodied and worm ridden.
He saw a white wolf, thrashing in the darkness of the water as red skeletal hands grasped at her, dragging her further into the abyss.
Before he knew it he had slammed into a wall of his boat, uncaring of the water that lapped over the edge.
No...No, they were still alive, they were safe. They had to be. Th-they weren't here, they were safe. His parents were overseas, Y-Yu was with Marie. A-And A-Amaterasu was a...a goddess! Sh-She couldn't fail!
He wasn't in a boat anymore. He was in an empty house, never lived in but always clean. The house was just as dark as the ocean, only illuminated by the static of a TV.
They were safe. They had to be safe...
He took a deep breath and stood up, turning towards the TV.
Static turned to fire and he watched his parents burn on screen, his brother consumed by flames. He saw a wolf reduced to a skeleton. And then a woman spasmed in the flames, clawing at the screen and screaming, crying, wailing-
He ran up to the TV and tried to go through it, scratching at the damningly solid screen. The woman continued to scream and cry, his family wailed, a goddess died-
No, they couldn't be dead! They couldn't, if he could just get to them!
The TV turned off and the house became dark.
No! They were still alive, they couldn't be dead, they couldn't be gone!
He couldn't be alone again...
Suddenly he heard singing. It was haunting and operatic. It banished all fear, all terror. It told him that everything was fine, that off course they weren't dead, they were still here. He relaxed, losing himself to the song. The song grew faster and faster, shriller and shriller. There was a pain blossoming in his chest, but as long as the images didn't come back…
Faster and faster the song became, and the pain grew hotter. A small part of him, unhindered by the pain or melody, raged at him to pay attention. But he sat there, curling up against the pain. He could wait it out. He could-
The song was shattered by a piercing, mournful howl and Souji's eyes snapped open. Yukiko looked surprised, her dull eyes widening. Before he could think, Souji pushed the girl away violently and she fell to the ground with a loud cry. He quickly backed away, shivering violently and breathing loudly. He was back in the throne room. Even though the room was still hot, his skin felt clammy and cold. He could here Shadow Yukiko scream in the background and Amaterasu snarl. Which meant she was alive. Which meant that his family was alive.
He held the hilt of his nodachi tightly and stared at Yukiko, who stared up at him fearfully. He felt electricity spark across him and Izanagi's rage behind his eyes.
He stared down at the possessed girl. And sighed, relaxing his grip on the nodachi.
It was about this exact moment when the slab of ice slammed into him, sending him flying. He hit the ground hard, almost rolling off the stairs.
"Again, what is it with you guys and not paying attention?"
Souji tasted blood in his mouth and looked up to see Shadow Chie standing in front of Yukiko, grinning at him. Behind her, wrapped in chains and gagged, were Yosuke, Marie, and Yu.
The Shadow cackled and pointed her staff at him, the tip bright with frost magic. And the Shadow's other hand gripped Chie's hair tightly.
"Souji!" Chie cried out, before wincing as the Shadow pulled her hair.
"Shut it!" Shadow Chie turned towards him, grinning viciously. "And then there was one."
Yosuke seethed, but that was all he could do at the moment, the chains around him coiled tight. And it was no good trying to summon Jiraiya. The Shadow's chains sealed magic or something- and Yosuke took a moment to admire that what he just thought made sense- and Marie couldn't do anything either. Though judging by how the girl glared at the Shadow, that was a good thing. They were trying to save Chie, not char-broil her.
Shadow Chie laughed again. "What, no clever words, Leader?" the Shadow said, the name filled with venom.
Souji hadn't gotten up and didn't even glance at Shadow Chie. Instead he was staring at them. The Shadow seemed to take Souji's silence for fear, or shock, because she ignored him. With Chie still in her grasp, the Shadow turned towards Yukiko.
"My Princess, please leave. I shall take care of these intruders, and there's no need for you to witness that."
Yukiko nodded, standing up and hugging the Shadow. Jiraiya noted that under different circumstances, that might've been sweet. Then Yukiko quickly scurried down the stairs. Shadow Chie watched her go. And then she slammed the staff into the ground, encasing the entire balcony in a shell of shining blue ice. The Shadow then whirled the staff around sending a ball of ice towards Souji. Souji lifted his arms and grunted as the ice hit him, encasing him in a block of ice. Marie looked even more livid and Yosuke felt a flash of anger. But they couldn't say anything, let alone do.
"Souji!" Chie yelled again, restarting her struggle. The Shadow threw the girl towards Souji and Chie landed on the ground.
"Chie," Souji said, sounding worried for her despite his own predicament.
Chie didn't look at Souji, instead curling up a little. Chie never curled up. She wasn't supposed to look so weak. "I'm sorry…" Chie whispered.
"You're sorry?" Shadow Chie laughed, "Well, that makes this entire situation alright, if you're sorry!" Shadow Chie walked up to Chie, kneeling down and thrusting her face into Chie's. "We always bragged about protecting Yukiko. About protecting people. But when push came to shove? Look at you, curled up like a baby. What happened to the cool warrior that protected people?" Shadow Chie smirked. "Oh, that's right. She never existed. You never did a thing about bullies. Sure, you'd fight them. But you never stopped them. You never stopped those guys that bullied that kid who made cute things. You never stopped the people that spread that rumor about that first year. And you never stopped people from shit talking Yosuke, even when they were right in front of you!"
He winced at how Chie flinched. Honestly, he hadn't minded that much, it hadn't been that important...
Shadow Chie stood up, a hand on her hip. "No, the only person you 'protected' was Yukiko. You 'protected' her from those creepy reporters. You 'protected' her from paper cuts by taking away those letters in her locker. You 'protected' her from any dude stupid enough to take on the Amagi Challenge," Shadow Chie cleaned one of her ears out. "Couldn't handle any rivals?" the Shadow laughed.
The Chie Yosuke knew would've come up kicking and cursing. But Chie continued to lie on the ground, her teeth gritted.
"You never protected. You hoarded. Yukiko thinks you're a Prince, but she's wrong. We ain't no Prince. We're the dragon keeping the Princess locked up. She belongs to us. Only us!"
"She doesn't belong to anyone!" Chie snapped, sitting up.
"Oh really? And if Yukiko had chosen someone like Yosuke?" The Shadow waved her staff, cold mist pouring from the tip. And the mist formed a picture.
Yukiko was standing under a streetlight. She was wearing a sleeveless black shirt, lopsided enough to show part of a red spaghetti strap. The black shirt was large enough to compliment the short shorts Yukiko was wearing in a way that brought attention to her legs. The Yukiko in the mist was looking down at her phone. Suddenly she looked up and smiled. And the picture in the mist zoomed out and Yosuke saw himself, wearing his white jacket, waving at Yukiko and grinning. The mist Yosuke said something to the mist Yukiko and the mist Yukiko laughed. And laughed and laughed. Finally the mist Yukiko calmed herself before kissing the mist Yosuke.
Yosuke wouldn't lie. He had thought about dating Yukiko before. Any guy would've. Heck, even Chie had. But he decided long ago that Yukiko was way out of his league. And besides...Senpai...
The mist Yukiko and mist Yosuke smiled at each other. The mist Yosuke put a hand around the mist Yukiko's shoulder and the two walked away. The ice mist vanished. Chie was staring at the spot it was, silent. Shadow Yukiko laughed again and put her arm over Chie's shoulder.
"You're no Prince. No Protector. Only a selfish, weak girl who isn't even good enough to be a girl. You're me. And I'm you!"
Yosuke expected Chie to scream back, like he had. Like Yukiko had. But much to his shock, Chie nodded slowly. "You're...me…"
Shadow Chie laughed, eyes wide as she stood up. "Finally you see the truth."
The Shadow suddenly gasped. And then contorted, limbs snapping and flash expanding as a black miasma surrounded her. The ice shell around them shattered and Amaterasu suddenly flew into the ground next to them, tumbling across the floor. Yosuke heard a cry and the temperature rose as Shadow Yukiko hovered overhead. The real Yukiko strode towards them, kimono smoldering. The miasma dispersed.
Shadow Chie was remarkably human. Yes, she was seven feet tall. But other than that, she was a woman. With grey skin, dressed in bright hard on the eyes yellow. If you could call what she wore clothes. The Shadow wore a bra and panties, leather garter-hose connecting the panties to the thigh high heeled boots the Shadow wore. The heel of the boots being miniature harpoons. And in the Shadow's hands, covered by armpit length studded gloves, was a chain and a red whip. You couldn't see the Shadow's face, covered as it was by the large hood. Above the eyeholes was, for reasons Yosuke couldn't even imagine, a red smiley face. The Shadow was a normal seven foot tall dominatrix...except for the rapunzelean volume of raven black hair flowing from the bottom of the hood. The hair writhed on the floor and Yosuke saw that it gouged into the stone tiles like knife through butter.
Shadow Chie laughed. "Yes! I am the Shadow, the True Self!"
The Shadow then turned to Souji, who had been silent this entire time. "Now then, Leader! It's time for you to be punished!" The Shadow cackled and Chie picked up the staff, pointing it at Souji. Yosuke once again struggled against the chains, only to cry out silently as the chains tightened. In the corner of his eyes he saw Marie continue to struggle, even though the chains already looked near to breaking her in half.
"I advise you to point that somewhere else."
Souji stared at the Shadow and Yosuke saw nothing but calm in his eyes. Didn't Souji realize what was about to happen?
"Oh, a brave dude, huh? Well, we can take care of that!" The staff crackled with ice magic.
"You are nothing but a bully," Souji continued calmly.
"Tch! So what? You're in no position to talk back!"
Souji stared into Chie's listless eyes and Yosuke felt the hair on the back of his neck rise. "You say Chie didn't protect people from bullies."
"Oh, and you did?"
Souji shrugged. "No. But once upon a time...I beat the fear of god into them!"
The ice around Souji shattered as lighting covered him. Chie had no time to react as Souji, none too gently, punched her in the stomach. Chie gagged and fell to the floor and Souji grabbed the staff.
"Y-You! I will spill your blood!"
Souji looked at the Shadow. His eyes, Yosuke noted, were flecked with yellow. "Nope."
Shadow Chie roared and her hair rushed towards Souji, intent on cutting him to shreds.
There was a burst of lightning and Yosuke's ears rang as Izanagi tore himself into existence, lightning arcing off the Persona. That wasn't what shocked Yosuke. What shocked Yosuke was when Izanagi spun his naginata around, razor sharp wind like Jiraiya's rushed off the blade and went through Shadow Chie's hair and cutting into her. Yosuke stared at Souji and Izanagi as Shadow Chie screamed. Izanagi was weak to Garu, he knew this! Yet wind flew around Souji and Izanagi as they stood there, staring at the Shadows.
"My Prince!" Shadow Yukiko screamed, before flapping her wings. A wave of fire fell from her feathers, towards Souji. The duo looked up and Izanagi raised a hand.
"Garu!"
A wave of wind flew into the fire, dispersing it. Unfortunately Shadow Yukiko had sent another wave of fire and this was now right on top of Souji. The fire struck true, and fell uselessly against Amaterasu's mirror.
"Sorry, afraid we ain't out of this fight yet toots!" Yosuke heard Issun yell.
Shadow Chie, clutching her stomach, glared at the wolf and boy. "You...You…!"
The Shadow flew into the air and landed on Chie. Chie struggled for a moment before holding her Shadow, almost parallel to the ground as her knees shook. The Shadow snapped her whip and Shadow Yukiko cawed. Souji grinned.
"Easy there, Souji."
Yosuke blinked and looked down to see Issun, poking at the chains. Amaterasu glanced at Souji before turning to the Shadows and snarling.
"Burn to Ashes!"
"Mazio!"
"Jinpugeki!"
Bark!
Amaterasu immediately leapt out of the frey of attacks. She might've been a goddess. But she was in a foreign world. And even she knew not to get in the way of young adults in the throe of emotion. If only because she had once been that young adult.
The fire and lightning the Shadow sent mixed into a wave of roaring thunder. And Izanagi cleaved through this wave with his naginata wreathed with kamikaze. The Persona rushed towards the Shadows, stubborn embers clinging to the edges of his cloak. The Persona wasted no time, thrusting the naginata towards Shadow Chie. And the Shadow couldn't avoid the strike, sitting as she was on the poor girl. But it seemed Shadow Chie had a trick. "That won't work twice! Green Wall!"
A wall of green magic formed around the Shadow. For a moment she worried that the wing magic would bounce off the wall, leaving Izanagi exposed. But the Persona's naginata clove clear through the wall, shattering it and hitting the Shadow in the gut.
Shadow Chie screamed, but much to Amaterasu's surprise, the Shadow had not been run through. She knew Shadow's to be strong, but Persona's were also strong.
Shadow Chie grabbed Izanagi's naginata before he could withdraw, glaring at him. Izanagi glared in return, flecks of grey in his raging eyes, before sparking with lightning. Shadow Chie didn't let go and instead screamed. "Get him, my Princess! Hold him while I rip him to pieces!"
Shadow Yukiko shrieked and dove towards Izanagi.
Well, we couldn't have that, could we?
Amaterasu rushed towards the fight and leapt. Landing on Izanagi's back, she immediately leapt off him and into Shadow Yukiko. Shadow skull met wolf skull and with a sickening crack Shadow Yukiko fell, Amaterasu landing atop her. The Shadow struggled under her put Amaterasu became dead weight, pinning the Shadow to the ground. She saw a flash of pink and turned to see Yukiko, possessed by her Shadow, rushing towards Souji. The goddess was impressed. In that kind of kimono, running was very difficult indeed. The possessed girl held out a hand, fire trailing from her fingers, and threw the ball of fire at Souji. Souji turned and Amaterasu smelt the storm as Souji threw a hand out, a small bolt of lightning intercepting the fireball. The boy spun the golden staff and pointed it at the girl. Unfortunately nothing happened and Yukiko sent another fireball towards him. Souji leapt out of the way and rushed towards the girl. There was a loud crack and Souji stopped as the stone in front of him shattered.
"I don't think so!" Shadow Chie snapped, her hair snaking before rushing forward in a snap. Several blades of hair hit Izanagi, forcing him back. Then the Shadow bellowed and Amaterasu felt the same rush of power as the warrior in black armor. Amaterasu got up to her paws and yelped out a warning, but too late.
"Sensei, Power Charge!" Teddie tripped over the top stair while yelling, hitting the ground and bouncing. Shadow Chie yelled and her hair blurred. Izanagi grunted and Souji fell to his knees as blades of hair impaled the Persona, running him through the shoulders and legs.
"Hahaha! Scream for me!" Shadow Chie gloated, whipping Izanagi.
Izanagi lost form for a brief moment, greying, before snapping back into form and grabbing one of the locks of hair.
"Don't you dar-!" Shadow Chie began.
Izanagi pulled on the hair, jerking Shadow Chie towards him and off her seat on Chie.
Suddenly the Shadow beneath Amaterasu stirred and she had little time to jump as Shadow Yukiko snapped upright. She whirled around as the Shadow screeched at her, embers falling from her wings. Amaterasu snarled in return. She had faced far worse that an impostor Suzaku! Suddenly Shadow Yukiko smiled, looking at something over Amaterasu's shoulder. Amaterasu didn't look away from the Shadow. Instead she took a step back into the Celestial Plane.
She took her time taking in every detail, for the fog of this world made snap glances a hasty action indeed. Shadow Yukiko stood in front of her. Yosuke, Marie, and Yu were still bound in chains, though she noted happily that Issun seemed ready to free them. Teddie was still on the ground, face down. Souji was wincing, clutching his chest as Shadow Chie's hair had enveloped Izanagi, ready to choke him.
Amaterasu narrowed her eyes and rested her face on an arm, thinking. Now, how best to do this?
…
Well, she trusted Issun, so best for Tachi to act.
She made the move and smiled before returning to the mortal plane.
Shadow Yukiko screamed as Tachi's blade bit into her, bisecting her from shoulder to leg.
Shadow Chie snapped towards the sound. "Yukiko!"
"Garu!"
A burst of wind hit Shadow Chie straight on, her hold on Izanagi loosening as she flinched back. Shadow Chie snapped towards the source and narrowed her eyes. "You!"
"Yup! Have another!" Yosuke yelled.
Jiraiya waved another hand and another blast of wind hit Shadow Chie. And at the same time a naginata embedded itself between the Shadow's hair. Marie, glaring at Shadow Chie, held the naginata tightly before summoning an enormous amount of lightning. Shadow Chie screamed as she spasmed. Unfortunately, Marie was flung back as the naginata exploded, unable to handle the power flowing through it. The girl flew back, and Amaterasu sighed in relief when Izanagi caught her, placing her on the ground gently.
"Ngh! How dare you!" Shadow Chie screamed, her hair curling around her. The Shadow thrust a hand out.
"You need to learn a lesson! Bufu!" The slab of ice formed in the air, rocketing towards Izanagi and Marie. The ice hit them and exploded.
"Marie!" Yosuke yelled. Shadow Chie cackled.
"Ahahahaha! A lesson to fools!"
The cloud of steam faded and Orobas neighed. "But for which fool, I wonder?"
Amaterasu grinned. She didn't like most demons, but Orobas was amusing enough.
Shadow Chie looked livid, whirling around to look at the enemies that surrounded her.
"Heh, things are finally looking our way, furball!" Issun leapt onto her and she pawed towards the Shadow. Shadow Chie's hair curled nervously. "Ngh! I'll deal with you all!" Shadow Chie crowed.
"You think you can take us all on? Hah!" Issun yelled.
Shadow Chie chuckled darkly and Amaterasu noticed the spike in temperature behind her. "Who said I was alone?"
Shadow Yukiko flew over head, burning brightly. "Come, My Prince! Let us dance and be merry!"
"Marie!"
Marie grunted, irritated at the voice. Couldn't she sleep just a bit more? But the voice had done its work and now Marie could feel all the aches and pains of her body, memories of the day returning to her. She slowly opened her eyes and say Souji hovering over her. For a moment she stared into his grey eyes. And then she came to her senses and quickly pushed Souji away. "Where-?" she began before suddenly realizing she was in Izanagi's arms. For a moment she was torn between getting off or staying. For metal talons, they were surprisingly comfortable.
"Marie-san?"
She turned to the side to see Yu looking at her worriedly.
"Yu, are you okay?" she asked, sitting up.
The young boy nodded. "I'm fine. Just sorta bruised."
"The question is whether you're okay, bigjob." Pixie flew overhead, staring at her.
"I'm fine," Marie said testily, getting up to her feet. She immediately heard a rumble and whirled towards it.
Shadow Yukiko whirled through the air, sending fire raining down on the floor below. In the center, throwing shards of ice in every direction, was Shadow Chie. There were flashes of color between the ice and fire- Amaterasu zigzagging in every direction and Yosuke running, a green glow surrounding him.
"They need our help," Marie said after a moment. Cause even though they were giving their best effort, Amaterasu and Jiraiya weren't enough to fight off both Shadows.
"I intend to help them," Souji said firmly, Izanagi looming behind him.
"And I knows that Prince Orobas here'll definitely help!" Pixie chirped, buzzing happily above the stoic horse.
Marie noticed that the failed to mention someone. "What about me?" she asked.
"I want you to stay here-"
"I am NOT staying here!" she snapped, glaring at Souji. He held up his hands.
"Let me finish. I wanted you to provide backup with long range attacks, since you no longer have a weapon."
"Oh."
She felt warmth rush to her cheeks. Souji seemed to take her silence for acceptance and started to walk away.
"Wait!"
Souji turned towards her and she tried to find something to say.
"...Be careful. They're tough," she warned. It was a pretty dumb thing to say, of course he knew they were tough! Souji nodded before running down the stairs, taking two at a time. Izanagi just vaulted straight over the railings, towards Shadow Chie.
"Jinpugeki!" Izanagi roared. Shadow Chie whirled around and held out her arms.
"Green Wall!" A wall of Green Magic formed again, only to shatter as Izanagi slammed into it. Shadow Chie screamed as the blast of wind hit her. "Ngh! Stop it, you bastard!"
The whip hit Izanagi straight in the chest and he flew back. Souji stumbled on the last step but continued to run towards the battle.
"Master, by your leave?" Orobas asked softly. Yu blinked and nodded.
"Uh, yeah. Go forth. You too, Pixie."
"On it, master!"
The horse demon also jumped the balcony, leaving Marie alone with Yu. With that, the two of them watched the fight down below.
Shadow Yukiko once again dived towards the ground, only to break her descent by opening her wings. And sending fire raining down. This time though, Orobas intercepted a fireball heading towards Souji, before sending his own wave of dark fire towards Shadow Yukiko. Shadow Yukiko grunted and flew back into the air, screeching. A moment later Orobas caught the edge of Shadow Chie's whip, flying back. Shadow Chie didn't seem to notice the point of light, glowing with a Dia, as she turned her head in time to see Jiraiya launch a Garu at her. At the same time Amaterasu ran towards the other side, the Devout Beads whizzing towards the Shadow. Shadow Chie's hair curled around her, the attacks bouncing off.
"Grr! You will all kneel before me!" Shadow Chie screamed as her hair flew outwards in every direction, sharp points ready to impale anything. Amaterasu and Jiraiya rushed out of the way and Izanagi rushed towards the Shadow, sparking.
"Ah, Souji! So eager for pain?" Shadow Chie cackled, locks of hair rushing towards him. Izanagi immediately brought his arm up, the edge of his coat in his hand. The hair hit him, going through the coat- and getting tangled in the coat. Marie noticed that the Persona's eyes were bright and saw Souji, standing still, being guarded by Orobas. Izanagi made a complicated move and rushed towards Shadow Chie, sans coat. Marie hadn't even realized the Persona could do that and stared. Izanagi's body was dark grey, covered with various metal, and the Persona looked smaller without the coat. But no less deadly, as the Persona rushed towards Shadow Chie who was busy fumbling with the coat tangled in her hair, raising his naginata. Shadow Chie screamed as Izanagi swung the naginata into here. And fell back as Izanagi suddenly kicked her, toppling her from her seat on...herself.
"My Prince!" Shadow Yukiko screamed, glowing red and sending a wave of fire towards Izanagi. Izanagi had no time to dodge and was engulfed by the flames. Souji screamed and fell to the ground, mirrored by Izanagi.
"Souji!" Yu cried out.
She seethed, feeling absolutely useless. Without her naginata, she couldn't use her lightning accurately. She looked around, trying to think of something.
Hmm…?
"Hahaha! So now you kneel? Then it's time to teach you a lesson!" Shadow Chie got up to her feet and raised her arm, ready to whip Izanagi. Just as she was about to, there was a flash of light and the Devout Beads wrapped around her hand. Even though her skin steamed, the Shadow struggled. Amaterasu growled, holding the Devout Beads in her mouth.
"I will deal with you later, goddess!"
"Chie!"
Shadow Chie growled as Yosuke ran forward, towards Chie. "Oh for the love of god-!"
Amaterasu growled and pulled hard on the Devout Beads. Shadow Chie stood firm, but couldn't do anything as Yosuke ran up to Chie. Chie just stared at him, not doing anything even as Yosuke grabbed her by her shoulders.
"Chie, listen to me! This isn't you! You're not like this!"
Shadow Chie gave a loud, booming laugh. "Ahahaha! Really? This isn't her?" her hair snapped like a whip while the Shadow laughed, "Newsflash Yosuke, this is her! I am a Shadow, the True Self! Ahahahaha!"
Yosuke grimaced and stared at Chie, who looked through him. "...She's right," Yosuke said at last, " She is your Shadow."
"The...True...Self…" Chie mumbled.
"But she isn't! She might be your Shadow, but she isn't your True Self!" Yosuke yelled. Chie stared at him, surprised, as Yosuke continued.
"Your Shadow is part of you. But unless you let her, she isn't all of you! You're more than this! You can be more than this!"
Yosuke took a breath and Jiraiya appeared behind him.
"...The...True…?" Chie began.
"Remember what you said about that movie you lended me? The Trail of the Dragon! You wouldn't shut up about it, it was one of your favorite movies! What happened to the girl you broke walls practicing kung-fu and ate steak by the pound! The girl who's always there for a friend, and never let anything stand in her way! That's not your Shadow, that's you! Chie Satonaka!"
Chie looked overwhelmed, moving her mouth but not making a sound. But Shadow Chie's hair was waving around nervously and the Shadow seemed fuzzier.
"Don't be stupid. I am the Shadow!"
"The...True...Self…" Chie mumbled.
"Yes! The True-!"
"I...Am...The True Self...I...Am...Chie!"
"No, no!"
The Shadow was enveloped in a dark miasma and Devout Beads flew back to Amaterasu. Chie then fell to the ground, barely caught by Yosuke.
"Chie!"
"My Prince!"
The temperature skyrocketed and light illuminated the room as Shadow Yukiko glowed bright white.
"Crap!" Yosuke yelped, Jiraiya flinching back.
"My Prince, give me back my Prince!" Shadow Yukiko screamed, "You will all burn! Burn! Burn to Ashes!"
"Oh no you don't!"
Marie pointed the golden staff at the Shadow and called forth the strongest Zio she could muster.
"Zionga!" Lightning and ice mixed together and the tip of the staff exploded, a cloud of icy mist rocketing out. The mist thundered and lightning could be see within. Shadow Yukiko had no time to react as the mist hit her. There was an ear piercing shriek and for a moment, lost in the mist of ice and lightning, Marie was afraid that she had overdone it. But to her relief the Shadow fell from the air, still in one piece but glowing dully. The Shadow hit the ground with a thud.
"...Is she okay?" Yu asked after a moment.
Amaterasu pawed to the unconscious Yukiko, whining and licking her face, before barking happily. Marie nodded.
"She should be fine. It takes a lot more to kill a Shadow."
She turned her gaze towards the unconscious form of Chie, held by Yosuke. The cloud of miasma still hung in the air, not dissipating. She narrowed her eyes. She didn't know how the Shadow Yosuke fight had ended, so she didn't know if this was good or bad. But Souji still seemed to relax, so she did too, slowly letting the staff fall to her side. The thing was heavy!
There was no warning. No portent, or sign, or anything. The miasma suddenly disappeared. And at the same time, Shadow Yukiko was engulfed in flames. Hot wind buffeted everyone in the room and Shadow Yukiko rose into the sky once more, all her injuries healed. And before anyone could react, Shadow Yukiko took a deep breath, and the castle shook with her scream.
All she saw was white, and she felt numb nothingness. Her body wouldn't respond, and her tongue was heavier than lead. Then she felt ugly laughter, and suddenly something was pressed up against her, pushing her against a wall and covering her eyes and mouth. The person laughed again, pressing their body against hers, breath intermingling.
She'd be stupid not to recognize herself.
Her Shadow continued to laugh, and she could feel hungry eyes looking at her with contempt. "You. You think you're so great, don't you? So powerful to be able to shrug off your Shadow," her Shadow stared at her with nothing but pure hatred.
"No matter what that fool said, I AM you. Nothing will change that. Nothing!"
Suddenly she was angry. Angry at everything. And with that anger, she stomped her Shadow's foot. Her Shadow jerked back in pain, and Chie immediately punched her in the stomach. Her Shadow cried out and stumbled back. Chie, seeing red, moved forward to attack her Shadow. All she caught was the edge of Shadow Chie's kick. The force of the blew sent her to the floor and for a moment her vision grew fuzzy. When it cleared she was no longer in a blank white void. She felt grass underneath her, felt the sun on her skin. As she got up, she saw the dried canal to her left and the road to her right.
She would've been stupid not to recognize the Samegawa riverbank.
"Ahaha! This is where we met her. The start of a beautiful relationship!" her Shadow said.
She narrowed her eyes and just stared at her Shadow, who smirked back. A small irrational part of her was annoyed by the fact that while she was dressed in her tattered prince costume, her Shadow was dressed in a sleek black and yellow jumpsuit. She crushed that thought, and walked towards her Shadow.
"Shut. Up."
Her Shadow smirked. "How lame! You're all deadly serious, and we've only just begun!"
"I said shut up!" Chie yelled, running at her Shadow. She aimed a kick at her Shadow, intent on wiping the smirk off the Shadow's face. A moment later she was on the ground, a boot on her chest.
"You can never beat me, Satonaka! I'm the one calling the shots now! Yukiko is mine!" Her Shadow started to stomp her. "Only mine! She. Belongs. To. Me!"
Every stomp sent pain pain shooting through every inch of her body. Her chest was on fire and when she breathed, it felt like her ribcage had shattered to pieces. She was in no state to move as her Shadow knelt down, grabbing her shirt collar and pulling her head up.
"No matter what you do, I will always be on top!" her Shadow grinned.
Chie attempted to spit in her Shadow's face. All she accomplished was a wet sound. But her Shadow seemed to realize what she had tried to do because the Shadow scowled.
"Still haven't learnt your lesson? Perhaps you need more pain!" Her Shadow cocked a fist back and Chie closed her eyes. So this was it, huh…
"What happened to the girl you broke walls practicing kung-fu and ate steak by the pound! The girl who's always there for a friend, and never let anything stand in her way!" Chie was sure her eyes snapped open, but all she saw was darkness.
"That's not your Shadow, that's you! Chie Satonaka!"
Yosuke…
He was right. She knew that. She'd known it from the beginning, since she first laid eyes on her Shadow. But how could she admit it? That this was her? This selfish, domineering, grubby, bitch.
"Your Shadow is part of you. But unless you let her, she isn't all of you! You're more than this! You can be more than this!"
The words ran around her head. She wasn't sure how long had passed but as the words echoed in her head she felt something stir in her chest. Yosuke was right about her Shadow being her. But he was also right about it being more. Her life started to flash before her eyes, and for a moment she was afraid that she was dying. But as each memory flew, she felt that spark grow brighter and brighter.
No matter what her Shadow said, she helped people as much as she could. Maybe not everyone she could, but...She did what she could. And she'd continue doing her best!
She had learned martial arts all on her own! Neither rain nor snow had stopped her! And speaking of rain, she had almost finished Aiya's Super Beef Bowl! Nobody else had done that!
Suddenly she saw Yukiko. First as the girl she had met at the Samegawa all those years ago. And then as the young woman she knew today.
Yukiko…
"Yukiko's mine. She belongs to me!"
No, she doesn't! She doesn't belong to anyone! Even if she lo-
…
Even then. You couldn't own someone. She wasn't her Shadow!
But her Shadow was her. She couldn't deny that anymore, could she?
Well, never let it be said that Chie Satonaka was a coward, cause she wasn't! Besides, almost everyone she knew had seen her Shadow. There wasn't much to hide anymore.
"Mhmhm. Truly, an interesting philosophy. Not wrong though."
If it wasn't for the fact she seemed to lack a body, Chie would've flinched. "Who's there?" she yelled with her nonexistent voice.
"Ah, that is not important, young lady. But the question remains. What shall you do now?"
She thought. But she already knew the answer, or at least part of her did. The spark pulsed gently.
"It seems you have your answer. Now, show us your conviction."
Slowly, aches and pains returned. She could feel the breeze and the sun. Feel the person sitting on her, holding her. She opened her eyes to see her Shadow, fist still cocked back. Her Shadow faltered for a moment. And Chie slammed her head into her Shadow's head. There was a loud ugly crack and Chie felt like someone had shoved an iron spike into her head. The pain blinded her and robbed her of all power for some time. When she came too, she was trembling. But on the plus side, Chie thought grimly, her Shadow was on the ground, moaning. Shakily, Chie got to her feet and walked towards her Shadow, roughly grabbing her and dragging the Shadow to her feet. The Shadow stared at her blearily and she stared back.
"...Well. Go on. Suppress me. Lie. Banish me. Do whatever." Her Shadow sounded defeated and glanced away.
"...Yosuke was right you know. You are me."
Her Shadow scoffed, refusing to meet her gaze.
"At first, I refused to believe you. But...You were right. But that doesn't mean you're all I am. That doesn't mean we can't improve."
Her Shadow glanced at her. "We?"
"You're me, aren't you?"
Her Shadow's slow, sincere smile told her that she said the right thing. Chie blinked as a drop of water fell on her nose. Before she knew it, rain fell from the sky. Her Shadow smiled and disappeared, dissolving into icy mist. The Samegawa River Bank started to fade and she felt like she was falling back, weightless. But before she disappeared, she heard the strange voice chuckle warmly.
"Truly, our guest attracts the most interesting people."
Red fire surrounded her and Marie tried hard to not freeze up. She was successful in the way that she was firmly stuck to the spot. At least she was keeping calm...Mostly.
"Crivens, make her stop!" Pixie whined, clasping her hands to her ears. The Pixie was of course talking about Shadow Yukiko. She flew overhead, screaming her head off. Yosuke and Souji were on the floor, unmoving. And Sunny was thrashing around on the floor, her paws over her ears. Marie guessed that the only reason they weren't affected was because the horse demon had formed a protective circle of dark red fire around them. Said demon was currently standing in front of Yu, arms raised high.
"What is it doing?" Yu asked.
The horse demon made a sound. "Her voice is infused with magic. Fear magic."
As suddenly as she had started, Shadow Yukiko stopped screaming.
"Ach, finally," Pixie muttered.
"Now, you are all at my mercy!"
In the silence following Shadow Yukiko's words a lone voice rang out.
"Says you babe! You're forgetting someone!"
Marie looked down at the same time Shadow Yukiko did and saw Sunny, standing proudly on her paws.
"Don't think you've won yet, lady!" Beetle yelled again.
Shadow Yukiko narrowed her eyes. "The Knight…!"
Marie was wholly unprepared for the bright flash of light and flinched away. She blinked the spots away just in time to see a diving Shadow Yukiko slam into Sunny, pinning the goddess to the floor with her talons.
"Amaterasu!" Yu yelled.
Sunny yelped and tried to claw at the Shadow. Shadow Yukiko glowed bright vermillion, pressing the wolf further into the ground. "You! All of this is your fault! I'll tear you open and boil you into scraps!" the Shadow hissed, revealing snake-like fangs in her mouth.
"We got to help her!" Marie snapped. The horse demon's fire disappeared in an instant and he turned towards Yu.
"Yes, go! Save her!" Yu yelled. The demon nodded and ran like a flash, jumping off the balcony. Marie took the safer route, running down the stairs, the staff of gold still in her hands. She cursed as she tried to aim the staff with both hands, while still running. Which was harder than it sounded! She swung the stuff, a blast of ice and lightning flying out just as Orobas was atop Shadow Yukiko, fist cocked back with blood-red fire.
Shadow Yukiko's eyes glowed with rage and she screamed, a shell of flame flying out from her. The fire hit the misty lightning, cancelling it in a loud bang. And it slammed into Orobas, sending him falling out of the air aflame. The demon hit the ground, fire dancing on his skin though this didn't seem to bother him. What did was Shadow Yukiko lunging at him. The demon dodged to the side too late, the Shadow's fangs slashing his side. Black-red molten blood splattered and Marie noted with grim glee that Shadow Yukiko flinched back, hissing in pain. She glanced down at the gold staff and hissed when she saw that the blue gem at the tip hadn't recovered completely.
"Knave! You can do nothing to me! I will not cease until all of you are Ash!" Shadow Yukiko screamed, grinding the wolf further into the ground. Sunny yelped again and Marie thought it couldn't get any worse.
Yukiko stood up, her kimono now a grimy grey streaked with the occasional pink, staring at nothing. The possessed girl blinked slowly before clearing her throat. And singing. It started as a clear note before flowing into a high pitched, haunting melody. As the song flowed through the room, Souji and Yosuke, still unmoving, began to glow as if lit from inside. And Marie knew that that glow would reduce them to ash in less than a minute. She glanced down at the staff again, the gem still not full. She swore and pointed it at the Shadow, hoping that the connection between the Shadow and Self would be enough to stop the song. Desperately she tried to force power through the staff. The staff resisted, the song rose, the glow grew stronger, and-
"Take this!"
A slab of ice hit Shadow Yukiko straight in her back. The glow faded as Yukiko stopped singing. Shadow Yukiko whirled towards her, fangs bared. "How dare you, witch-!"
"Over here, Yukiko!" Marie and Shadow Yukiko turned at the same time. Yukiko blinked languidly, staring passively at the figure who was standing in front of her. Chie looked worse for the wear, her costume burnt and torn, her arms scraped, and an ugly bruise under her left eye. But she stood proud, standing in a perfect stance, determination in her eyes.
"Chie?"
"My Prince?!"
Chie didn't relax but her expression softened. "Yukiko, please, listen to me! This isn't you! You aren't you're Shadow! You're Yukiko Amagi-!"
Shadow Yukiko blinked, bewildered, before her expression twisted into an ugly grimace. "The Jester's words have infected your mind, My Prince! Listen to yourself!"
Chie frowned. "I know what I'm saying Yukiko. I've never been more sure in my life. Please, listen to me. You don't have to do this anymore! No matter who you are, I'll accept you! We'll accept you! You don't need to lie to yourself anymore! You don't need to run!"
Shadow Yukiko stared at Chie silently, her hair blocking her eyes, and for a moment Marie thought that the Shadow would pacify. But instead, flames started to sprout from the Shadow's feathers. "...I trusted you," Shadow Yukiko whispered, voice broken.
"Yukiko-!" Chie pleaded.
"Burn! Burn! Burn to Ashes!" Fire blossomed and rushed towards Chie.
"Chie!" Marie yelled, pointing the staff at the fire and knowing that she would never be able to intercept the attack. Chie just stared at the oncoming flames, seemingly at peace. And as Marie aimed the staff, she saw a spark of blue floating level with Chie's head. Chie moved, leg blurring as she shattered the tarot card. Blue fire enveloped her as vermilion fire flew towards her and Chie opened her eyes, glowing with power.
"Protect us, Tomoe!" The blue fire coalesced and a fist hit the fire burst, dispersing it with ice magic. Chie's Persona was more muscled than Izanagi, though shorter at seven feet tall. She was fully clothed, though with how from fitting the bright black and yellow garb was it was hard to tell. The Persona also wore black and white armor- A skirt made of huge armor plates tied with a black ribbon. Thigh high boots tied tightly. Thick gloves with armored knuckles. And a helmet that looked like the fin of a shark, a shiny visor similar to the Black Knight except without holes or slits. Where the mouth would've been was a splash of rich red that gave the impression of lips. And eye's full of calm intensity stared out of the opaque visor.
Marie wasn't sure who was more surprised, her or Shadow Yukiko.
"My Prince?"
Chie took a breath, her Persona doing the same. "Let's do this, Tomoe!"
"Right!" Tomoe's voice was deep and commanding and the Persona removed something from her belt. She twirled around the cylinder, which grew to the size of a bo staff. Which then sprouted twin naginata edges from each end, glowing bright orange. Tomoe rushed forward and hit Shadow Yukiko straight on, naginata blurring. Each strike caused frost to form, ice magic flowing from the weapon. Shadow Yukiko screamed and flapped, buffeting Tomoe and causing the Persona to fall back. In the chaos Marie saw a flash of white get out of a hole and run away.
"Marie!"
Marie turned and Chie ran up to her, grinning fiercely. "Still standing?"
"I ain't going down that easy," Marie said firmly.
They both stared at Shadow Yukiko, who was screaming, flying into the air and burning bright.
"I'll be honest," Chie whispered, "I'm running on fumes. You?"
Marie glanced down at the staff. The blue gem at the tip had a crack running through it. "...I got about one more real good hit in," Marie admitted.
"Then we make that hit count," Chie said, Tomoe floating behind her.
"Well said, Chie."
They turned to see Souji. He swayed slightly and his eyes seemed dull. But he grinned at the both of them.
"I'd hug both of you right now, but I feel that might not be appropriate."
"You okay Souji?" Chie asked while Marie raised an eyebrow.
"I'll live. But first, we have a girl to save." Souji raised a hand and crushed the tarot card within. Izanagi appearing, blinking in and out of existence.
"Souji, you're barely standing," Marie began.
"I only need to use one skill. Are you ready to hit the Shadow with all you got, Chie?" Souji said, taking ragged breaths. Chie glanced at the Shadow flying high in the air.
"I don't think I can hit her like thi-"
"My Prince! Betrayed! Stolen! Burn!" Shadow Yukiko ranted, glaring at them with wide eyes, feathers glowing white.
At that exact moment a blur flew through the air and Sunny landed on Shadow Yukiko's back at the same time Orobas leapt from his perch on the goddess, grabbing the Shadow by the neck. The Shadow gave a choked scream as goddess and demon attacked, falling to the ground.
They glanced at each other.
"...Ready?" Souji asked.
Chie nodded and Marie pointed the staff at Shadow Yukiko.
"As soon as you're done, I'll give her Yomi," Marie said.
"The finishing move?" Chie grinned, before sobering up.
"Hang on Yukiko…"
Shadow Yukiko hit the ground, goddess and Orobas still on her.
"Now! Tarukaja!" Izanagi pointed a finger at Chie, who glowed with a bright red aura. Tomoe flew towards Shadow Yukiko as Izanagi disappeared. Sunny seemed to notice the Persona charging and stopped her attack before running towards Orobas and pushing them both off the Shadow. Yukiko whirled around, trying the sink her fangs into the falling figures.
"Frost Edge!" Tomoe and Chie's voice harmonized and Tomoe's naginata bit into Shadow Yukiko, cutting into the Shadow and freezing the surrounding feathers. As Shadow Yukiko screamed Tomoe jumped back. And Marie pumped everything she had once more into the staff.
"Zionga!" Lightning and ice mixed once more and Shadow Yukiko gave one last horrible scream before dissolving into black mist, the echoes of her scream mixing with the beginnings of a triumphant howl.
"We did it, hurrah…"
Marie turned to see Souji begin to fall to the ground. She dropped the staff and grabbed him before he could faceplant. "Hey, easy," she said. Souji grinned at her.
"Wlarn't youasight fersor eys," he slurred.
Marie blinked, unable to decipher the words.
"Yukiko!"
They watched as Chie ran up to Yukiko, cradling her and gently shaking her awake. "Yukiko, please, wake up!"
"...Chie?" Yukiko whispered hoarsely.
Marie saw Chie break into a tremulous grin and hug Yukiko tight. Yukiko, still not fully aware, returned the hug.
"My Prince…"
The girls stopped hugging and looked at the Shadow. Yukiko's Shadow sat on the floor, her dress torn and tattered, sobbing pitifully.
"M-My Prince…C-Come back, please! W-Without you, I...I'm nothing! P-Please!"
Yukiko stared at her Shadow with an undefinable expression and moved to cover Chie protectively. Only to be stopped by Chie herself.
"Chie?" Yukiko said.
"Yukiko...Please don't. Look into you heart," Chie said.
Yukiko seemed to struggle for a moment, before closing her eyes and whispering something. Chie nodded and whispered something back before helping Yukiko up, both of them walking towards the Shadow. The Shadow looked up at them and scooted backwards.
"Wait." Yukiko stared at her Shadow. "...You were right. Everything you said was true…" Yukiko was silent for a moment before continuing, "I ran away from my problems. I couldn't bear having everything decided for me, but...I could never decide anything for myself. And I was too cowardly to even r-run away for real. S-So I did nothing. I bottled it up. I bottled you up. But...No more running. No more lying. You're me-"
"-And I am You," Shadow Yukiko completed breathlessly. Yukiko nodded and Shadow Yukiko stood up before hugging her Self and Chie. The Shadow disappeared, turning into gentle pink flames that flowed into Yukiko. For a moment a tarot card hung in the air and behind Yukiko was a graceful female figure dressed in pink and white. The Persona was slim and beautiful in a youthful way. Marie couldn't tell whether the Persona was wearing yet another skintight costume or if she was nude, though with how the pleated skirt fell on the Persona's calves Marie assumed the Persona was clothed. Marie did not know what a ballerina was, but if she had then she would have described the Persona's legs like a ballerina's. As it was Marie only noted that the Persona had no feet. She did have arms though. And attached to her wrists were small discs. Two smaller discs adorned the Persona's heads like hair accessories. The Persona's gold eyes were warm and cheerful. And as Marie stared the Persona, a familiar scent sucker punched her nose. Cherry blossoms in full bloom. And Marie was reminded of another woman who smelled of cherry blossoms and was eternally cheerful. She heard Sunny bark in surprise behind her. The Persona waved at her before disappearing.
"My Persona…" Yukiko said, before closing her eyes and resting against Chie.
"Is she okay?"
Marie turned to see Yosuke. He looked haunted and was shivering, body tense.
"The human girl should be fine." Orobas floated towards them and some of the tension left Yosuke. Sunny followed him and barked in agreement. Beetle leapt from the wolf and onto Souji.
"You okay there bud?"
"M'fine."
Beetle paused for a moment. "Right, we better get out of here."
"How?" Marie asked. Yukiko was in no position to move, Chie seemed ready to collapse, Souji was close to unconscious and Yosuke was in no condition for another fight. Even Sunny couldn't get all of them out of the castle filled with hostile Shadows.
"Hey, Sensei!"
"Guys!"
Yu and Teddie ran down the stairs, Pixie flying over them. Yu stopped on seeing the state they were in, Teddie sliding a few feet off course. The boy stared at them for a moment before turning towards Orobas.
"Orobas, can you get us out of here safely?" the boy asked. The horse demon neighed, shaking his head.
"As you wish, Master." The horse demon shuddered before falling to all fours. There was cracking bone and shifting flesh, blood-red fire enveloping him. And the fire grew bigger and bigger and bigger. When it dispersed, Marie stared at the demon. Now fully horse, and big enough to hold all of them and five more people if needed. The monster horse snorted, black eyes watching them. "Get on."
It took some time. But soon everyone was on the horse. Yu at the front holding Orobas's mane. Marie sat behind him, uncomfortable. Partly because she'd never ridden a horse, much less one who was so wide she felt like she was doing splits. And partly because Souji sat behind her, holding her tightly by the waist and resting his head on her shoulder. Yukiko sat behind Souji, held by Chie. And Yosuke took the rear, looking just as uncomfortable as Marie. Pixie laughed, tangling herself in Orobas's mane. And Teddie was being held in the demon's mouth.
"You guys ready?" Beetle asked, he and Sunny standing next to them.
Everyone that could nodded and Yu patted Orobas.
"Ready? Teddie, lead the way."
The bear nodded, though this looked odd from his position, before pointing forward. "Onwards!"
Orobas huffed and charged. And the castle blurred past them as demon ran, followed swiftly by goddess.
And Boss Fight done! What a fight it was though, eh?
Now, you're probably wondering what was wrong with Shadow Chie. She didin't seem as powerful as she should've been, and Chie repelled her on her own. Well, that's because she wasn't rejected, nor was she accepted. No, Chie just agreed and submitted, allowing the Shadow to take over without resistance. But as you all saw, the Self can still fight off the Shadow at this point.
As for Shadow Yukiko's revival, well...Firebird. Phoenix. Seemed fitting.
I'm not sure how many people know this, but Shadow Yukiko had two interesting skills in Golden. Terror Voice, which causes Fear, and Shivering Rondo, which causes Almighty Damage to Feared foes (I know, yikes).
In this story, Amaterasu nulls Hama- but not Agi. She merely resits Fire. A high resistance, yes. But not complete. And for Demonic Fire?
What's next? Will the killer strike again? What's happening in Nippon? And how much paper work will Dojima receive? Tune in next time to find out! Remember to read and review!
