I'm a needy fighter...I don't need a preacher...

[boxingemperor]

Characters: Akihiko, Shadow Akihiko, and anyone in the gym
Setting: Gymnasium, September 7th
Format: Either is fine.
Summary: Maybe he was meant to walk alone after all.
Warnings: Violence, everything typical of a shadow self encounter.

[Akihiko's shadow has been reduced from a snarky, cruel dating show host to a miserable, sobbing wretch on the floor. It cries more than humanly possible, and the gymnasium floor is covered in a thin film of water. This only makes the out of control electrical currents surging through the light fixtures and tv equipment much more dangerous.]

It's not fair! I just wanted to be normal! After the Dark Hour's gone, nobody will have a reason to be with me! Even my best friend doesn't want to be around me anymore.

Quit lying! You aren't telling the truth at all!

[But he is. Akihiko doesn't realize he's in denial, because the reasons his shadow is upset seems so...silly. He should be over these things...he is over them, right?]

Heh, I can't stand to be around myself, it seems.

I couldn't even get Minako-chan to like me, after I thought I finally figured it all out! She turned me down for Shinji! He was always the stronger one.

I don't need anyone! I can get by just fine on my own now.

[Now he's getting emotional too. Perhaps because seeing his shadow cry like that is so painful. But really, that can't be him. Maybe it was a few years ago, but not today.]

Doomed to be alone forever...I might as well get used to it. Nobody's going to help me, so they can just keep their distance. And if they try to hurt me, I'll use force.

Stop talking like that. I'm sick of listening to you. You're...

[Shadow Akihiko looks up at the original.]

You're not me!

[When the shadow hears those words, he holds his head in his hands. The waterworks stop, and the handsome cream-colored suit he was wearing begins to rip and tear as its body grows in mass. His hair grows into a wild mane, and his flesh fades into a pale and sickly turquoise color. A skull-shaped mask hides his face. Wrestlers wear them all the time, but it's the perfect way to hide his feelings too.

The towering gorilla of a shadow flexes and lets out a mighty roar, crackling with electricity as he swipes at Akihiko. The boxer gets knocked into the stage, writhing in pain.]

I am a shadow...the true self!

Comments

[puppy_lancer]

[Woah. What had happened? Somehow, this white haired kid had a twin brother, who showed up and gave him a breakdown with a few words. And then the crying boy had turned into some sort of monstrosity.]

Think you said the wrong thing there, kid!

[boxingemperor]

Ugh...

[Akihiko struggles to stand up after the one-hit KO he's been delivered. He really screwed up.

But just as he stands up, he falls flat against the floor.]

I'm over this...aren't I?

[puppy_lancer]

You are, but your twin doesn't seem to be.

[As Lancer rushes toward the boy and the monster, he summons Gae Bolg. The first few days in the tower had taught him to take all the monsters seriously.]

[boxingemperor]

[Shadow Akihiko takes all challengers seriously, his sights on Lancer and his spear. He attempts to throw a punch at the blue haired man to test his power and agility.]

[100percentteddiefur]

[Well it looks like the game show was cancelled. He had been too late to stop Akihiko from denying his shadow and now it was a giant creepy monster. Running over to where Akihiko had been thrown into, the bear steps in front of him.]

COME TO ME, KAMUI!

[And a card floats down to him and a blue light surrounds him. Swiping at the card, it breaks and Kamui appears in a blue light.]

Go!

[And his Persona is flying at the giant gorilla shadow to tackle it.]

[boxingemperor]

[Akihiko's shadow growls. This persona is really strong, despite its host's lack of physique.]

Violence solves everything, doesn't it?

[The shadow punches the floor, shaking the setting and causing the fixtures to shoot a big bolt of lightning in Teddie's direction.]

[100percentteddiefur]

[Oh well those bolts definitely are not fun to take. Kamui goes and covers Teddie but his persona is weak to electrcity.]

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! THAT HURTS!

[The bear is on his knees now after that blow, but he raises his hand and points at the shadow. He's making Kamui use a bufudyne spell on the creature.]

[boxingemperor]

[Likewise, Akihiko's shadow is weak to ice. And it shows.]

GYAAAAHHH! TOO COLD!

[Distracted, he starts punching and picking at the ice on him to get it off.]

[ogrewhelming]

[This is far less distressing than listening to the shadow tear into Akihiko with the sharp edge of its tongue. For one thing, she can do something about the giant monster, and that something involves charging right at it before it can hit its other self again.]

That's enough!

[boxingemperor]

[Sakura's charge sends it crashing against the wall. But it'll take more than one hit to stop it. He's impressed by her strength as he crawls back onto his feet...and hands.]

...I won't hold back!

[Just as normal, it prefers its left arm, and throws it back to ready an electrified punch at Sakura.]

[ogrewhelming]

Nor shall I!

[Strong as she is, she doesn't like her chances against that electricity thing it's so fond of. She lunges to its right and sweeps her leg out, aiming for the back of its knees.]

[boxingemperor]

[The shadow falls on its backside with a crash, but thunders back up after the intital shock and tries to body slam her.]

[nemophila]

[Hm. Well that was. A problem.

As the Shadow started to grow and mutate, Jun jumps onto the stage, kneeling down next to Akihiko. At the same time, Chronos appeared above him, flying to position himself between them and the Shadow.]

Are you alright?

[boxingemperor]

[Akihiko manages to get on his knees, feeling drained aside from the pounding headache the wall brought on. He pulls the blindfold from his eyes and looks to Jun.]

I'll be okay...don't worry about me.

[nemophila]

[He frowned-- and a quick cue to Chronos, cast a Heartful Prayer healing spell on Akihiko, before standing up and taking a firm stance to face the shadow.]

Are you done with your game now? I must say, the ratings won't be very high.

[boxingemperor]

[It looks like the audience participation will be more exciting than he planned.]

What can you do?

[legatus]

[Shinji hadn't been there for the most part. Considering the letter given out hadn't had Aki's name on it, and he had spent most of the time help others, it was only now that he had realized what was happening.

I couldn't even get Minako-chan to like me, after I thought I finally figured it all out! She turned me down for Shinji!

He always had a feeling, but now it reminded him of their stay in the Abyss of Time. It seemed so long ago from the time he'd been here inside the tower and meeting Minako again but...they had been reading to fight each other for a similar reason, and the keys they both possessed.

Girls were always a problem weren't they?

He steps in, hand already on the trigger of his Evoker.]

Orpheus!

[The female Persona casts a healing spell over Akihiko before disappearing again.]

[As for Shinjiro, he stares down at the Shadow, bus stop sign in hand.]

Tch. Idiot. You're really going to mope over one girl turning you down?!

[boxingemperor]

[While Akihiko gets his act together, his shadow is furious, stomping towards him.]

Shinji...I thought you'd never come.

[His voice breaks, as if he might calm down and surrender.

Nope.]

You took Minako-chan, and when you wake up back in my time, you'll run off with her and leave me alone. You're the last friend I have, Shinji.

I'll make sure you stick around. I'll break your legs if I have to!

[legatus]

...

[He looks over to Aki for a second.]

Once this is over, I owe you an explanation.

[Hell if he's telling the Shadow what happens after she becomes the Great Seal. He moves his weapon slightly, looking unimpressed.]

Yeah? Really think you'll be able to do that? You always were a crybaby, Aki. Grow up.

[This time, it isn't his gun, but a card that appears before him, and he cuts it with his weapon as Augustus appears behind him, his spear pointing at the shadow.]

Bring it on.

[evokingfool]

[Okay, what's going on in here--Oh crap!]

Parvati!

[The goddess appears, casting Diarama on Akihiko. Minato runs over to his senpai's side, as his Persona floats near them.]

Senpai?

[boxingemperor]

[There's a brief look of fear in his eyes. He finds himself always checking for that red armband, and it's there. The situation's still stressful, but now he's not alone.]

I messed up again, didn't I?

[evokingfool]

You did your best...but you're not alone now.

[He notice the brief flash of fear, but Minato ignores it in favour of supporting Akihiko. They need to focus on the Shadow.

He glance over at the Shadow, studying it.]

i hope this is ok ;;

[pitiedthefool]

[...Goddammit lightning bro, he was hoping he wouldn't have to fight your Shadow. Still, that giant gorilla was enough for him to unsheathe his sword and stand between Akihiko and his Shadow as Isis materializes beside him. She lifts one of her winged arms, Mediarahan falling over both of them before his cold gaze falls on the Shadow once more.]

Are you alright, Sanada-san?

[Oh right, he never mentioned he was a Persona user in front of him, had he? Oh well.]

of course it is ;w;

[boxingemperor]

Narukami-san?

[Sorry lightningbro, his stubbornness got in the way.

Akihiko finds the strength to climb to his knees when healed by Yu's Mediarahan, staring in horror at the form his shadow has taken on. It reminds him of a deformed Polydeuces, but it's insanely strong. Speaking of Polydeuces, he is surprised to see Yu is a persona user, but he can ask about that later.]

I'll be okay.

[He can't let this thing get the better of him. It'd be embarrassing to let it win. And he's already been humiliated enough as it is.]

A surprise challenger? Don't hold back, show me everything you've got!

yaaaay ;w;

[pitiedthefool]

[He nods in acknowledgement, grasping the blade with only one hand as he briefly looks over his shoulder.]

Right. Let's settle this one down, first... Izanagi!

[Isis disappears in the same blue light as always, transforming into a card before it shatters again and Izanagi-no-Okami appears before him, dropping a mind-charged Bufudyne on the Shadow. Might as well go with one elemental attack and work the way up, right? Either way it's going to get nasty with how crazy-high their power level is.]