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

[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.]

[ogrewhelming]

[She'll be feeling that in the morning. She's feeling it right now, but it will take more pain than that to stop Sakura. She takes advantage of the opportunity to get the crook of her arm around the shadow's neck... Assuming she can find a neck between all that muscle and all that more muscle.]

[boxingemperor]

[Indeed, there is a neck under all of that crazy hair. Shadow Akihiko was not expecting such a move. It's not as thick as it may seem either, so she can get him into a headlock.]

Hnngh! Let go!

[ogrewhelming]

[NOPE. She increases the pressure, growling wordlessly.]

[boxingemperor]

[The shadow growls as much as it can, flailing angrily behind her. The way she's holding him makes it hard to move, since he can't see well.]

[ogrewhelming]

[She's got a free hand. She can use it to push his head further into the choke... If it breathes or bleeds, it's going to be in trouble shortly. If not, at least it'll hurt.]

Do you submit?!

[boxingemperor]

Never!

[He'll do what it takes to make his pain known.]

This is between me, myself, and I!

[ogrewhelming]

You dragged me and others into this... you hurt my friend... you've lost all right to claim this as a private matter!

[MORE PRESSURE.]

[boxingemperor]

[The shadow finally yells out in pain. Sakura is insanely strong...]

Ugh...you're...you're more than a worthy opponent. I just want him to take me seriously.

[ogrewhelming]

Speak to yourself as a friend, not an opponent! Fists... and honest words... aren't made to mix.

[This is somewhat hypocritical of her, given that she's still got a goddamn stranglehold on him.]

[boxingemperor]

Fine! I'll give him one more chance. Where is he?

[ogrewhelming]

[...Indeed. Where?]

Akihiko! Are you conscious?

[boxingemperor]

[There is uneasy quiet...followed by pieces of the stage clattering against the floor. He's up.]

Oogami-san?

[ogrewhelming]

Your other self would like to speak to you. Peacefully.

[...The shadow's part Akihiko. It should be an honorable sort, should it not? It said it would give him another chance, after all. Sakura releases her hold in a display of what may or may not be terrible judgement of character.]

[boxingemperor]

[So long as Sakura stays around, it's going to behave. All the shadow wants really is to be recognized, but it'll go to extreme lengths if it's denied, as proven before.

Akihiko closes the distance, looking at the monstrosity that is his darker side. It proves he's got a lot of potential to get stronger still.

It's going to be embarrassing admitting all of this with the others who are trapped in the gym.]

...

You're right. I'm the one who's lying to myself. I admit it, I'm afraid of being alone.