Catch-22: The Draw
By: M14Mouse
Summary: He dropped the Ziodyne card onto the ground. The sky above them open up with a bolt of lightning.
Disclaimer: Don't own them. This story is un-betaed
Remember this: The house doesn't beat the player. It just gives him the opportunity to beat himself.- Nicholas Dandolos
"My little talent is simple. I can turn any shadow psychotic…sometimes, I even break them. Very opposite of the scale of your little talent. I am curious as to whose ability will win. Let's see if you can save this shadow, shall we?"
He took out his deck of cards as the shadow screamed toward him.
He almost started cursing to himself because he knew Norn had no weaknesses. He could work through his deck and hope for a miracle punch card but that would be such a waste of time and resources.
Right now, luck wasn't on his side. He drew the first five cards of his deck and did a quick look. This hand wasn't terrible. Quickly, he formulated a plan with his cards he did have in his hand, it can be imagined that he wouldn't have a chance to draw many cards while Akechi was around.
He jumped out of the way as Norn's attack.
He couldn't just crush the card between his fingers like before. To use them, he dropped them to the ground. Discarding these cards came with a cost, sometimes, they returned to his deck and sometimes, they disappeared entirely. So, he had to choose carefully. The first five cards he draws from the deck could be blanks, low level spell cards….or devastating attacks like Inferno and Diamond Dust. This tends to drive the other personas crazy. They liked to point out that there was too much of a chance that he could get hurt. He pointed out that there is always a chance of him getting hurt.
He discarded two of his cards and allowed them to drop to the ground. The first card hit the ground in a flash of bright light. He heard the Norn's shriek in surprise and stopped her in her tracks. Few seconds later, the second card dropped to the ground and the world was covered in ice. The veins of ice rose from the ground and piece into the Norn. It struggled to break free of the ice.
This was his chance.
You aren't foolish enough to save this one!
Of course, he is going to try to save it. That is what he does!
He paid a little attention to the two arguing personas. He didn't have time for it. He was careful to cross the icy ground and touch the Norn's forehead. He felt it…saw it….heard it.
Flashes of distant images like someone put them in an old VCR.
He heard the sound of children laughing and playing.
He heard a soft voice of a woman. He couldn't understand what she was saying but it was almost a whisper into his ear.
He saw a little girl in a bright blue dress running to a swing set.
Then the visions turned dark, he heard screaming and gunshots.
He saw bodies and blood…so much blood.
He didn't reject what he saw…he took it in.
He removed his hand from Norn's head.
He saw the madness in its eyes….then he saw something else. Flash of something that made his heart ache. Norn moved away from him. He thought for a moment that she was able to attack again. He watched as one of Norn's hands broke off a branch of ice from the ground and stabbed herself in the chest.
He turned away and she screamed into a black smoke.
"Well…how interesting….I believe that this is a draw."
He didn't look at Akechi. He refused too. Instead he picked up a card off the ground, he flipped over for a moment.
His luck has seemed to change.
"I don't think so," He said as he dropped the Ziodyne card onto the ground.
The sky above them with a bolt of lightning.
-P4P5P4-
So, I met the new guy.
He looked up from the map on his phone to listen to High Pixie.
Oh?
He is old and grumpy!
He tried not to laugh at High Pixie's statement. She said the same thing about Lucifer and some of the others. So, he tried not to take that statement at face value.
But I like him. We talked about the woods. We need to visit home again. I miss them.
After we are settled, we go back and visit the others.
Good.
I am not old, girl.
High Pixie giggled at the unfamiliar voice.
Yes, you are. Old and grumpy.
He tilted his head as he listened to the two of them arguing. His voice reminded him of the earthquake like it slightly rumbled in his ear.
I bet that you aren't going to keep up with us. Does Isis need to make you a cane?
I will do no such thing for this creature. He isn't one of us, High Pixie. He is an outsider. Best ignore him until this game is over.
That is mean, Isis. He is one of us!
Be at ease, woman. I mean you no harm.
Speak to me again and I will rip out your lying tongue. I will….
Isis.
He knew Isis wanted to protect him. He was thankful for it but he liked to get to know him on his own terms. He couldn't make out the persona in his head. It was too dark but he could easily make out High Pixie, Isis and Izanagi. Izanagi wasn't near Iris or High Pixie but he was there….watching like he was sitting on a perch. Just waiting to act if he needed too.
Thank you.
He felt Isis touch his cheek.
Foolish child.
He grinned slightly as she moved away into another part of his mind. There was a moment of silence. Maybe, they are done. He moved his attention back to his phone.
There has to be a good Ramen shop around here.
Well…Isis is out about making you a cane, old man. Maybe I should get…
Girl…I swear that I have the wolves come after you.
Oooh….how delightful. I haven't played with a pack of wolves in a long time. You promise?
He felt the persona grumble under his breath.
Don't make a promise that you can't keep, girl.
Now, he needed to step in. Normally, he let his personas work out their own issues but this was different.
High Pixie…why don't you go and see what Pyro Jack is doing? I heard that he is going to make some s'mores.
He heard a high pitch squeak then he felt her presence gone. High Pixie loved her chocolate.
I wasn't actually going to hurt the girl. She is kin after all.
I know. It wasn't her that I was worried about.
There is a moment of pause.
You are a strange lad.
So, I have been told. So, do you have a name? Or do I call you old man too?
There was a long silence between them.
That is okay. It took us a month to get Abbadon to tell us his name. So, take your time.
He heard a grumble then a silence. Hmm….he seemed to have left. In the back of his mind, he heard a soft giggle.
You didn't tell him that it took us a month to figure out what he was saying!
Be good, Leanan Sidhe.
For you, sweetie? Always!
He shook his head and looked down at his map again.
Left…definitely left.
End of the Draw
Next Chapter: The Players
A/N: So, Yu met his new persona. I love personas and Yu's interactions. They are just plain fun to write. Second off, thank you for the wonderful support with your favorites, kudos, and reviews. You guys make this a gem to write.
I would like to hear your thoughts! Anyway, read and review if you wish.