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Post by mugenginga on Jan 1, 2010 5:01:26 GMT -5
Atem and Yuugi exchanged glances. There seemed to be something being said without being said. Yuugi looked concerned. Atem looked uncertain. Yuugi hesitated and opened his mouth. Atem nodded. The two had shared a body for some time, but it was still somewhat amusing to watch. If Souji was in any position to be in anything other than pain, he may have been surprised that it was Yuugi who stepped forwarrd.
"Your eye," Yuugi pointed to one of his eyes. It was the opposite of the one Souji had opened, so the movement was like a mirror, "Was yellow. Like... well, like our Shadows. You cussed Izanagi out, but that was understandable enough. And now you're tired, and even though I know it might be related to whatever Izanagi was doing to you, I think it might be something else. You look like you're in pain, Seta-kun. You... you're still you, right? Izanagi said..." Yuugi shook his head, "I'm sorry this is all spilling out at once... You don't have to answer."
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Anpu opened one eye. He had returned to the Apartments far earlier that day. He'd worked out for some time in the silence of the building. Adachi hadn't returned all day, the Thief King assumed he was still at work. He never understood those that grinded in normal jobs. Especially Adachi. The man could probably be a conman if he put any effort. The fact that his host still trusted him was saying something. Ryou wasn't gullible. Really, Anpu had to admit had he not seen Adachi's true colors early on, the man would have probably conned him. He deserved points for that.
He'd always slept lightly. Or close enough to always. It was all but a job requirement. He'd been keeping one ear open towards the Apartments. Izanami had dismissed him earlier that day. He didn't know what time table she was operating on, but he still felt the tie to his soul. She hadn't fulfilled her end of things yet. He wondered to himself what would happen if he killed the Pharaoh instead and shooed the thought away. Why exert effort when he didn't have to?
He'd heard doors slam and feeting running. Quite a few door slams, really. Once from the second floor, once from the floor the Pharaoh and his boyfriend stayed on. Someone who liked to be noticed by the sound of their footsteps. He sat up. He'd eaten a bit earlier as well, but to be honest he wasn't fond of cabbage. Which was all that officer had. It was insane.
"Still hiding, Ryou?"
No response. He shrugged and looped his hands behind his head. If the Pharaoh was going to be handled, he needed to figure out what he was going to do next. He'd dedicated his entire life to that cause. Adachi was reaching the end of his rope for being manipulated, and that other officer... Takahashi? Anpu wasn't sure he could stay here much longer, Takahachi had begun focusing on him a bit much. He reached into the trenchcoat he was still wearing and pulled out the vial. He still had more than a few doses...
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Ryoji let out a labored breath. It wasn't as much a sigh as just a deep breath muffled between scarf, shirt, and shoulder. He didn't particularly want to move. Right here, in this position, it was possible things were right somehow. Like if he just stayed with his head buried against Minato's shoulder, The Fall couldn't possibly come. To hell with Nyx, Death, and the entire world at this point. It was stupid, of course, but it didn't stop him from feeling like he was breaking something important as he pulled back.
"How much do they know?"
He wasn't looking Minato in the eyes. He knew Souji knew quite a bit. It had been Souji who had told him that what they couldn't tell him was bad. That seemed like the world's most comical understatement. Bad did not describe being the agent to summon the end of the world. To be fair, Souji couldn't have said more. If Souji knew, it meant Minato had told him. It meant Minato had been trying to protect him. Ryoji closed his eyes. He had to have known it was futile...
"Pretty much everything..." Teddie said.
Ryoji looked up in surprise. His face was blank for a moment. He'd completely forgotten the blond was there. No, not the blond. The Shadow. The other Shadow. He found himself wondering how long he'd been in Minato's arms. The human concept of time was interesting. It had felt like less than a far too short second and an eternity that could never be long enough at the same time. And the only part he regretted was that it had been impossible to stay like that... safe.
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on Jan 1, 2010 11:12:02 GMT -5
Souji didn't really seem all there as Yuugi listed off the things. When Yuugi mentioned his eye had been yellow, Souji had lifted one hand to his eye, winced again and lowered it. His eye had been yellow. Like a Shadow's eye. The cussing out Izanagi wasn't too surprising; Souji had been doing that a lot today. And the exhaustion... Well, Souji was still hoping that was just because he had nearly faded out of existence. But they were right about the pain. It was odd. And it didn't have much of a source.
"...It's okay. It's better I find out now than later, anyway, if it is dangerous," Souji said. "...I don't know why my eye turned yellow, or why I've got this horrible headache... but I'm still me. I don't care if I'm still human or if I am really a Shadow. But I'm still me. I nearly lost myself because of Izanagi. I'm not going to let anything like that happen again."
He tried to smile a bit for Yuugi. To tell the truth, Souji was feeling a bit worried. Izanami had to be hanging around... so where was she?
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Minato wasn't looking Ryoji in the eyes either as he pulled away. He hadn't wanted to let go either. But they couldn't just stand there forever, he knew.
"...After you attacked Anpu, I had to tell them just about everything. Souji told Naoto and Kanji both a while ago, and Souji confronted me about it the day you saved me from my Shadow," Minato said. "...but I want them to hear it from you too. I'm sorry... I'm a useless friend. I couldn't do anything to stop you from remembering..."
Again, Minato was forcing the guilt on himself. Ryoji hadn't known anything before, how was he supposed to know how bad his remembering would be? And Minato hadn't done anything to stop Izanagi from saying what he had said.
...Izanagi. Minato wanted to give that little asshole a piece of his mind. If it hadn't been for what Izanagi had said that morning, they wouldn't be here, like this.
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Post by mugenginga on Jan 1, 2010 11:42:01 GMT -5
Where she was was returning to her body. It had taken her longer than she liked, but she had clicked everything that was going on. After all, two years was but a mere second to a goddess. And while she hadn't been in the area most directly effected by the near-miss end of the world, she'd known about it. Wasn't something a diety ran around missing, after all.
Izanami had known about the Shadows. Contrary to what she was sure a lot of Souji's group believed, Shadows had been around as long as the human ego. They weren't really given names, real tags, until certain psychological studies and views on the subconscious were solidified in human society, but they'd always been there. The gods were real enough, but most of them had been "discovered" via Persona. Whatever you wanted to call them, they'd had many names.
Really, it had been the events two years past on Tatsumi Port Island that had keyed Izanami into focusing on humanity again. It was in a way responsible for her actions in Inaba, which she had chosen for its remote locale. Humanity was no longer her concern. She had promised Souji to not meddle with humanity. As a whole, anyhow. Meddling wasn't limited to "screwing over". It included helping as well. A case of be careful what you wish for.
The silver haired woman straightened up. It was likely Minato and Death would be heading back to the Apartments soon. She hadn't seen the Shadow regain its memories, but she suspected it had. He'd taken a flying crash in that direction when she had extracted herself from the conversation. If the shell had all the memories, it would have the powers. She wasn't confident that he wouldn't use them to protect his friends.
It would be... a hassle. As Nyx had so carefully pointed out, this from was mortal - It could be killed, although time meant nothing thanks to her influence. After Izanagi's chaos, she didn't like the idea of having to take another avatar. Besides, she was used to this one. Centuries were known to do that to a person, after all.
She saw a man in a white trenchcoat standing and looking at what appeared to a photo pendant. He seemed out of place for how he stood out. He glanced up at her and gave her a rather nasty glare before continuing on his way. She ignored it and opened the door to the Apartments. She suspected they were expecting her. Even if Izanagi had been suppressed, she doubted he'd gone quietly.
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Yuugi forced a return of the smile. It was more convincing, but only because Souji was in too much pain to pull off anything but agony. Souji knew what Izanagi had said through inference if nothing else. His attempts to placate the group meant he understood somewhere the fear that he was going to be lost. Yuugi caught Atem looking at him for a moment before the tanned teenager addressed Souji again.
"Can you function? Don't take this wrong, but if you're in half the pain you look to be in you'll be more of a hinderance in a fight than a help," Atem hesitated, seeming to try and find words, "If its connected to the mess with Izanagi, I don't think medication will help. I'm worried that it's because you're trying to hard to supress Izanagi. He strikes me as the type that would kill you out of spite."
It was straightforward, but that was Atem's style. If Izanagi had to, Atem really did believe he'd rip Souji's life force in twain. It would kill Souji, but if Izanagi was truly a god he'd merely have to create a new avatar. Souji, however, would be lost. It was a rock and a hard place here. If Souji gave ground to Izanagi, they might have to go through that whole hell over again. If he didn't, Izanagi might destroy Souji. Either way, Souji was at risk. And Atem hated the situation in general, he'd never been one to like not having a grasp on what was going on.
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"I'm not mad at you. Minato, there wasn't anything you could do. Even with things being different this time. And there are differences, but I don't think I can take repeating them. Right now we have to worry about Atem-kun. I... I can tell everyone after that. I don't get the purpose, the bottom line is the same, but you never did listen to reason about that..." Ryoji looked up, "Minato, if you die again I don't think anyone can save you this time. You know about that, right? Your world is safe and you're alive because of the woman named Elizabeth."
"Should I go check on Sensei...?" Teddie didn't really want to be here right now. Minato and Ryoji seemed to be having a "moment" of sorts. And it was damn depressing as far as the bear was concerned.
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on Jan 1, 2010 15:39:30 GMT -5
Souji nodded at Atem's question, and then looked even more frustrated as Atem went on. "I can't let him have any chance of taking control again, though. Any small space, any break would let him get control again. I think my headache will go down once some more of my energy's returned. I think that I'm hurting so bad because all of my energy's going toward keeping Izanagi suppressed."
He honestly wasn't sure. It was entirely possible Izanagi had done something to him. Or maybe he was just suffering the after affects of whatever it was he did to force Izanagi out. Souji had an idea of what it was, but saying it would be like admitting he actually was a Shadow. But with what Izanagi had kept telling him, and what Yuugi had said about his eyes... Souji shook the thought from his head.
Better watch out for foggy nights, said a voice in the back of Souji's head. He immediately felt disgusted with himself for thinking such a thing. What was wrong with him today? Besides spending most of the day being possessed by his Persona.
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Minato looked even more depressed as Ryoji went on, if that was possible. And then Ryoji dropped what was a bombshell to him.
"...Elizabeth did what?" Minato turned to Ryoji. If what Ryoji was saying was true, Elizabeth had taken his place as the Seal... which was why he was alive now. Elizabeth. He had formed quite the close bond to her, and Souji had said that Margaret's sister had disappeared from the Velvet Room to look for a way to free him. But he hadn't thought she actually had. Minato shook his head sadly.
Minato looked up as Teddie asked if he needed to go check on Souji. "Oh... yeah, go on ahead, Teddie." He turned back to Ryoji.
"...Ryoji, I couldn't die to seal Nyx anymore anyway. Do you remember when we met back in that Tartarus in the other side? I was over there in the first place because I was trying to seal Nyx. I don't know what was going through my head to make me think that was a good idea; I was just so stressed; K1 and Naoya had both been attacked by Shadows, Orpheus and Thanatos were both trying to kill me, and I wasn't sleeping well. I was stupid. And because I was stupid and tried to make the Seal again, I can't make it anymore. The Persona fell apart on me," Minato said. He looked down. "...Only Souji can make it now. And he's got actual people depending on him. I died, Ryoji... the whole reason the Persona fell apart was because everyone from back home's still torn up over my death. All of those bonds I made are now... tainted, I guess by everyone's sadness over my death. When I tried summoning the Persona, I heard everyone's voices... and yours was the only one that wasn't practically crying over me being dead."
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Post by mugenginga on Jan 1, 2010 16:29:06 GMT -5
"Oh god, Minato. I thought you knew. I'm sorry..."
Eye contact was broken again as Ryoji looked down at his feet. Once more his face was partially concealed by his scarf. This was all his fault. Minato was trying to take the blame but it wasn't his fault Mitsuru's grandfather had been completely off his rocker. It wasn't his fault that Minato had possessed the Potential. Or that he had in his obvious and understandable panic wandered onto the bridge. It wasn't Aigis' fault she'd ben assigned to clean up the Kirijo Group's mess. That her only option had been to put Minato into this whole mess.
Ryoji was barely hearing Minato as he continued. He hadn't even noticed Teddie nod and run off in a way that was well described as scampering. Right now he wished it could just be over. Fast forward a few weeks, fast forward to a time when he wouldn't care that everyone he knew would be dead before a month's time was up. He was Death, but he was also Ryoji. The conflict was horrendous.
His human emotions couldn't grasp the necessity of this hell. He knew it, but he didn't understand it. It wasn't outside his ability. He'd understood just fine for a time, when he had reawakened the Ryoji consciousness in that space between seconds to speak to Minato's friends. It seemed Minato wasn't the only one who had lost his grasp on the Answer by being here.
He felt even more awful as he refocused in on Minato. He'd missed most of what had been said. He heard the last parts. Why hadn't he been torn up? Because he hadn't remembered. The realization that it was for that Minato was likely alive was not lost on him. He still didn't feel like talking to Nyx, but if he was going to be lost he had to soon. He had to ask her questions. If he was going to be stuck with this humanity for a while, he wanted answers, dammit.
"....We should go," Ryoji forced out. He'd never been good at not sounding pained, though.
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Atem frowned, and the former Pharaoh had a tendency to look critical when he did that. That was the point. That he was in pain by trying to supress Izanagi. That if he kept it up, Izanagi might kill them both. Souji had a point, that was the problem. They were both right. Atem reached into his deck pouch and pulled out a card. He should have checked this earlier, but since Izanami was taking her time he could do so now.
"Hey, Seta-kun... if you're a Shadow, please don't think we care. It's not like you have to change anything or we'll change how we feel. You've lived seventeen years on 'this side', right? So this is your home, no one is going to chase you to the TV World. If that's what's causing the problem, it doesn't matter. You said yourself you're you, right? Why does it matter if you are a human or a Shadow? So please, if that's the problem just forget about it."
Atem paused as he held up the card he had chosen and looked at Yuugi. Was that Souji's problem? He couldn't be sure if his Partner was grasping at straws with that reassurance, but it was why he liked him. Yuugi always had such clarity of thinking about these things. He expressed them better to. Atem's expression shifted to an understanding grin, albeit understated. The only expression he had that was softer was when he was looking at Yuugi and making people wonder why the hell it had taken him so long to admit his feelings.
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Teddie skidded to a stop on the stairs, "Get the hell away from there, Izanami!"
He didn't even bother shifting. Mana whirled around and barely managed to sidestep the human-formed shadow and the claws he had manifested. Right now, Teddie really wasn't thinking all that straight. He was worried about Souji. Ryoji and Minato were falling apart. The world was probably going to end and he wasn't any special kind of Shadow. He was just Teddie. Maybe he could help Souji, maybe he couldn't. Minato thougth he could. But if he could prevent Souji from having to suffer anymore, today at least, he was going to.
Teddie wasn't trying to kill Mana. He'd be happy if she just got the hell away from there. But he was stressed. Very stressed. Everything could be traced to her in some fashion or another and Teddie was just sick of it.
"Why can't you just leave our worlds' alone!?"
Mana realized as she dodged another attack that the Shadow was almost crying. What the hell, did he blame her? He was quick, too. She was only dodging the attacks because the narrow space was not exactly beneficial to fighting. The claws on Teddie's hands weren't short by any means, either. She stumbled up the stairs, well aware of the noise they were making and how loud Teddie was shouting. Any chance she had for surprise had just flown out the window.
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on Jan 1, 2010 18:05:52 GMT -5
Souji had sat back down on the couch again, and he had a pained smile on his face, and for once, the pain wasn't from the headache. That wasn't his problem, really. Two of his friends were Shadows. Why should he have a problem with him himself being a Shadow? ...Okay, there was still reason to have a problem with that. But he hadn't thought they were going to chase him off or anything.
"...I don't know if I am or not. I mean, if I am, I'm somehow more human than Ryoji. I doubt even Rise would have been able to tell Ryoji was a Shadow and Ryoji still made the machines at the hospital bug out," Souji said. "...I'm afraid about what I might do if I am a Shadow... I didn't tell you what Izanagi said to me before I got control. He kept saying I should have faded away already, that I no longer exist... he was basically denying my existence."
He didn't need to explain what he meant. Everyone knew what happened when you denied a Shadow's existence. They went berserk.
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Minato still didn't say anything, but nodded when Ryoji said they should follow Teddie. In his depression, it wasn't until they were halfway up the stairs (and thus, Teddie and Izanami already in hallway) that he realized what those noises he was hearing above were.
"Izanami!" Minato yelled as he ran up the stairs. He didn't realize he had pulled his card out until he was already up in the hallway. Teddie must of run into her while she was heading for Atem and was trying to stop her. Minato ran forward and summoned Messiah at the same time. "We're not going to let you take Atem!"
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Souji jumped up as he heard the noise from downstairs. "She's here." He grabbed his katana, materialized his card, and ran out of the door.
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Post by mugenginga on Jan 1, 2010 18:43:25 GMT -5
Yuugi looked down and Atem looked sympathetic. They both understood just fine. That was the problem, aside from the pain. The emotional problem. Souji didn't think he had control. Not of Izanagi, but of himself. Yuugi thought back to the early days when Atem had killed people for putting their friends in danger. It was like that. The only way to survive in some cases was to "lose control", to go berserk.
Back then, Yuugi had thought it was a case of a dark split personality. It wasn't until Kaiba had kidnapped his grandfather that he really even tried to accept "Dark Yuugi". The symptoms Souji had were eerily similar. Yuugi always had memory lapses when Atem had come out. Souji couldn't remember what he did to Izanagi. He lost control and got through a situation. Same for Souji. Yuugi looked up. Was it possible for a "Shadow" to deny itself? If it was... Souji was killing himself. The thought appalled Yuugi.
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Ryoji had stopped a good five feet back from where the main group was. He was looking hard at Izanami. The quarters were too close here for the entire group to fight. And despite being at a numerical disadvantage, he'd sensed her presence before. She stood a chance of winning here. At least taking out some of the people in her way. For a moment, he thought that maybe it would be better. No one would have to suffer if they died now. He shook that thought away.
Teddie looked startled as Minato and than Messiah came up beside him. This was really far to narrow of a place to fight. He was pushing the thoughts aside when he felt that Shadow flare up. He stumbled back and whirled towards Ryoji, who was taking some very deliberate steps forward.
"Minato, Teddie, move," Ryoji said.
His voice was doing the split thing between his forms again. If he was going to have to bear both human emotions and his true self, he'd use it. It seemed an abuse of power, some part of his mind was screaming that to him. He didn't care enough to listen. He was Ryoji, he was Death. He could justify it by the way Izanami's human form had long passed the time she was supposed to die. The goddess may have been immortal, "Mana" was not. His form was flickering now and his eyes were hollow.
This form would scare those that didn't know it. But it would be the quickest way to handle the situation. He had powers, he had memories, and he was going to use them. Even Aigis hadn't been able to stop him, after all...
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Atem's and Yuugi exchanged glances before chasing after Souji. Yuugi had picked up the sword earlier and Atem now had two cards in his hand. He doubted Temu would be of much use here, which was why he'd be experimenting with option two. The two cards in his hand were Temu's and Black Magician. The group would reach the fight as Ryoji's form began to flicker.
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"Atem-kun!"
Anpu jerked awake. Ryou had sensed something even he had missed. He looked towards the wall. There was fighting going on. However, Anpu wasn't concerned with that right now. What he was concerned with was that despite still technically being in control, he was heading towards the door.
To those outside the head and soul of Anpu and Bakura, it would have looked like some bad comedy routine. They were switching dominance so fast Anpu's fight was making Bakura's movements jerky. The thing was, the expression wasn't changing. It was still that harsh look Anpu was known for.
"Ryou, get back in the Ring!""
"Shut the, hell up! I'm not going to let Atem-kun die!"
This was new, Anpu had to admit to himself. He finally conceded to being aware within the Ring as Bakura yanked the door open. The locks were still undone. Anpu never saw any purpose for them. It was possible Bakura would have broken through the door, his host was having a rather strongwilled moment.
Everything would happen at about the same time there. Souji's door flew open within seconds of Adachi's. Bakura in a mode that made him hard to distinguish from Anpu stepped out into the hall. Atem and Yuugi filtered out after Souji. Ryoji's form was flickering and his voice was echoing. Mana was surrounded, so things weren't going that well for her, either...
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on Jan 1, 2010 20:16:44 GMT -5
Several things happened all at once, things that Minato was having trouble keeping track of. Yuugi, Atem, and someone Minato hoped to God was Souji had come down the hall. As had Bakura, or possibly Anpu. Meanwhile, Ryoji was shifting to Death, and Minato had just panicked. Which meant Messiah had disappeared. These were cramped quarters... but they also had Izanami completely surrounded.
Minato had pretty much freaked when he saw Ryoji's hollow eyes and heard Ryoji's voice. Ryoji was going into Death-mode. Minato didn't know whether to stop him or not. On one hand... Minato didn't want to see Ryoji become Death, if even for a minute. On the other... this was Izanami, who had come to kill Atem in the first place. Finally, Minato stepped to the side.
Souji's eyes had widened the moment Ryoji's form began to flicker. And somehow, he knew Ryoji had awakened. Thanks a lot, Izanagi, he growled.
And then, a hopefully imagined response came. You're welcome.
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Post by mugenginga on Jan 1, 2010 20:32:03 GMT -5
Ryoji had been forced to put a stranglehold on the shift because Minato hesitated. By the time he'd realized the problem with this choice, the damage had been done. Doing this on purpose had probably just halved the time the world had left. Still, the barrier there had been broken and he wasn't going to waste it.
It sounded like something had shattered, a sound eerily similar to the crushing of the cards the group used to summon their Persona. Atem's eyes had widened and he had shot his hand out to stop Yuugi. Souji had come to a stop. Mana glared as in a flash of ironic white something far too similar to Thanatos for anyone who had seen that Persona's comfort was floating where Ryoji had been.
It wasn't the only transformation, either. Mana narrowed her eyes and than she launched backwards. It was really rather impressive. Certainly not human as she basically vaulted over Souji, Minato, and Atem. She had a flash of her own and an even more pale version of "Mana" was not effing floating. She had on a filmy white outfit that moved in unnatural ways in a phantom wind. Of the group there now, only Souji would know that form.
"I know you plan on taking the life of my human form, Death, but it won't stop me. I made an oath and it is something I will keep. Even if I have to drag the Pharaoh to another reality and kill him there to keep my word," her voice held the reverb this form was known for.
Bakura somehow mixed expressions of utter panic and determination. It was a bit creepy. He'd be coming across more as Anpu now. He ran forward as Death was shooting forward. The form itself wasn't that frightening, but the entity had an aura thicker than soup and it was a bit hard to breath around it. Death pulled back as Bakura cut them off. He was literally shaking, but he kept his attention on Izanami.
"If it's your word than let it go! You don't have to kill Atem-kun!"
"Shut the hell up!!" Anpu shouted at Bakura. He'd just then realized what Bakura had figured out.
Izanami paused and smirked, "You have accomplished your end, do I take that as you mean it to be a favor?"
The words had been Bakura's way of speaking. But really, at this point it was damn impossible to tell. After all, Izanami was addressing him like it was Anpu. The situation was really rather tense here...
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on Jan 1, 2010 21:00:51 GMT -5
Naoto and Kanji, of course, had made it up the stairs at this moment. They had heard the noise and knew immediately what it meant. Thing was, Naoto couldn't remember where she had left her gun, which had taken precious seconds to find. By the time they made it up the stairs, Ryoji had just shifted to his form of Death and Izanami had vaulted over the silver-haired teen in the back.
The first thing Naoto thought was that Minato had summoned Thanatos in a fit of panic again. She abandoned that thought the moment she felt the oppressive presence coming from this thing. Personas weren't anywhere near that oppressive. And just the aura felt draining. A word move through her mind.
Death.
Kanji was freaking, but at the same time, he was trying to focus on Izanami. "Trying" being the key word; he was still staring wide-eyed at Death.
Minato was looking down at the ground. Again, he felt so useless. He didn't look up until Bakura, or Anpu, or whoever was speaking now, started trying to save Atem.
Souji was keeping a careful eye on the situation. Ryoji had turned into Death. Izanami had taken a form Souji remembered all too well. And Bakura was trying to negotiate with Izanami...?
Souji looked over at Minato, and their eyes met for a moment, before Minato fell into a glare at Souji, and then turned back to the situation at hand. ...Why's he looking at me like that?! Souji asked himself.
Because he doesn't know it's you, said that little voice in the back of Souji's head, the one he had imagined.
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Post by mugenginga on Jan 1, 2010 21:22:58 GMT -5
"Yes!" Bakura shouted, "E-even if you have to do... whatever... whateveritisyouweregoingtodotoAtem-kun!"
The white haired teenager was having a hell of a time getting the words out. It wasn't Anpu all that much, although the spirit was anything but pleased. It was the fact that whatever bravado he'd worked up was falling quickly. And he had Death floating right behind him. His legs were wobbling badly, he didn't look like he was going to stand for much longer.
Izanami bowed her head, "You accomplished your end and are freeing me from mine. It was you soul, all of it that was tied into this..."
"I know! Just break it off!" Bakura sounded hysterical by this point.
"Bakura-kun, perk up!" Yuugi shouted.
He knew it was Bakura. It had to be. Bakura had been willing to throw his life away before. Several times, always to protect someone caught up in the mess Dark Bakura had caused. Anpu wasn't Dark Bakura, but the situation was close enough. And the determined look on Bakura's face had faded to panic. He couldn't stay standing anymore, and his knees hit the ground. Death shifted its focus upwards, and Izanami regarded it.
"Death threatening someone to protect one it should have claimed long ago..." she said firmly. She shook her head, "I'll let this world claim you, then."
In a flash of light Izanami vanished. It was so like how she had left Souji after taunting him to follow her. She hadn't sensed anything from Izanagi's failed avatar, but it didn't mean there wasn't anything there. Even the most sensitive of people would have had trouble with Death incarnte in the area. On that note, the form flickered again and in another flash Ryoji was standing. For all of two seconds before he passed out.
Atem looked startled as Yuugi shoved his way past. Ryoji was unconscious. That had been Ryoji. Which meant he had awakened. But right now he was concerned about Bakura, who had once again been willing to throw his life away for something that was no fault of his own. He'd heard Izanami's words, but he didn't care about any of the implications.
"Bakura-kun!!"
Bakura had allowed himself to fall forward onto his hands. He was sweating like he'd just run five miles in the desert sun. He heard Yuugi come up beside him and place his hands on his shoulders. The feeling that he was about to die was gone, but he doubted that fear would fade soon. He had tears going down his face. He jerked as Yuugi touched his shoulders.
"Bakura-kun..."
Teddie looked a bit trapped. He didn't know who he was supposed to go to first. Ryoji was out after having let his Shadow form go. He had been right. That was too powerful for words. It was worse than the ones that were known for nesting in the places his friends had awakened their Persona. By far. Nametame's... even Minato's had only been a localized fire compared to a city wide conflagration. Finally he shook his head and looked towards Souji. His claws were still attached.
"Sensei, that's you right!?"
Atem kept quiet. Any words at this point would just complicate things. The situation seemed over. No. Atem shook his head and kept his eyes on his Partner. He was alive. But Izanami was aware of The Fall. As if that didn't complicate matters, Izanami had implied something he had suspected. Every single one of the people he knew had incarnated in this life in one form or another.
His Priests. Yuugi's grandfather, Isis, Rishid, Black Magician, Seto, even Shaadi although he'd been a spirit. Bakura had made him think of that Thief King for some time, here was evidence for that. He had no doubt Yuugi was his own reincarnation, despite the inherent confusion that could cause. Mana had incarnated as Black Magician Girl, although both she and Mahaad were now truly gone.
Fate had a sick sense of humor at times, because somehow not only had he been forced upon his reincarnation... Anpu had been forced upon his. And they were anything but allies. An expression of uncharacteristic pain was on his face. This was... dammit.
Ryoji was still out cold, in any case.
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on Jan 1, 2010 22:04:40 GMT -5
Minato rushed over to Ryoji's side as soon as he returned to human form. He crouched down beside Ryoji, and after a moment, didn't try to make him wake up. The last time Ryoji had awakened, he'd passed out for nearly a whole day afterward.
Souji nodded at Teddie's question. "...It's really me. Izanagi's back to being a Persona now, see?" He held up his tarot card so that Teddie could clearly see the shining white figure on the front. "...Ryoji's fully awakened now, hasn't he?"
"...Yeah," Minato mumbled. Souji didn't press any further. Something had happened between Ryoji and Minato while Ryoji was gone. He could see that much. Minato had probably been there while Ryoji awakened...
Naoto had suddenly stepped closer to Souji, and was examining him.
"...Your eyes have changed color, Sempai," Naoto noted. Souji's eyes went wide, and he very violently shoved Naoto out of the way as he ran past her. Minato stood up.
"Hey! Souji, hey!" he called. He turned to Yuugi and Atem. "What the hell's wrong with him?!"
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Souji didn't stop until he had reached the same tree that Ryoji had been using to support himself earlier. Souji was leaning up against it himself now.
What's wrong, Shadow? Can't face your friends while you know the truth? the voice mocked.
"I... thought I.. shut you up..." Souji growled.
I thought it might be fun to humor you for a while. But don't worry. I am not going to try to make any more attempts to regain what's mine. You did quite the number on me before. Izanagi said.
"...Then, why--"
Simple. Part of it has to do exactly with what you were thinking. You're exhausted because I nearly eliminated you before you regained control. As for your odd physical changes and the pain... that's all your own fault. Izanagi stated. You're an odd sort of paradox. A human who is simultaneously a shadow. You're not like Death and the bear.
Souji winced again. He didn't want to hear any of this...
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Post by mugenginga on Jan 1, 2010 22:30:07 GMT -5
Bakura reached up and pushed Yuugi away, and not gently. He and Anpu were the same damn person. He hadn't been sure. He hadn't been sure about that tug on his being. That he'd be able to break the agreement Atem had made. But he had, and it meant he was. He was Anpu's reincarnation. He didn't have the slightest idea how the hell that worked.
"Please just stay away from me..." Bakura said.
Atem had tensed up as Yuugi stumbled backwards at Bakura's push. It didn't seem to be out of malice, though. He watched as Minato confirmed Ryoji was alive. Yuugi looked pained. He glanced back at Bakura, who was pushing himself to his feet. He looked exhausted. He looked towards Atem and quickly broke eye contact.
"I'm sorry... Yuugi-kun, are you okay? I'm sorry but I don't want to hurt you."
Atem opened his mouth to tell Bakura something but Naoto had moved quickly. And then she was being shoved to the side. Souji was running in a way that made it seem he was running away from something. He hadn't seen Souji's eyes this time, but he expected he knew what was going on. Minato all but whirled on him and asked his question.
"I wish I knew. Naoto, were his eyes yellow? Like a shadow's?" It didn't directly answer the questions put forth, but the implication was strong enough...
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Kisa Shiroi looked up from the store window she was staring into. She'd felt something rather ominous. Very strong too, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Her stunning blue eyes were concealed by her off-blue white hair, but she looked troubled. Usually she ignored surges like this, bad things tended to happen if you chased your senses. She had found her feet taking her towards the location anyways.
Really, she'd been feeling a tug in that direction since that afternoon. It was early evening now. The fact that she kept picking up on things from the same general area should probably be a warning sign. That's what she kept telling herself, anyways. It didn't change that she was now walking towards the apartments again.
Her dress was pale blue, not even dark enough to be called pastel or baby. It was darker than her hair. It breathed well, but reached her ankles. It was actually sleeveless, but the sky blue denim vest she had concealed more skin in that direction. The sleeves of the vest were long and the cuffs were closed with white buttons. There were two pockets on the vest, one on either breast and they closed with silver snaps. The collar was tall and had four evenly spaced large silver studs. It was actually rather the short vest, though. It only came about halfway down her chest.
Seperating the dress into two distinct parts was a leather belt the same sky blue as her vest. A silver snap buckle kept it on. It was round and plain, not so much as an engraving in it. Her shoes were sky blue boots with white soles. It was hard to see due to the length of her dress, but the shoes hugged her legs due to three strips of cloth buckled on the outside with silver buckles. The boots weren't leather, nothing so fancy, but they weren't plain either.
She was continuing towards the apartment when she stopped. She turned to the side and saw a silver haired teenager, probably a little older than her fifteen years. He looked to be in pain. She hesitated, something seemed off about him. She chastised herself for being rude and quickly walked over to him. She crouched a bit, because even with their heights the way he was hunched made it hard for her to look him in the eyes.
"Are you alright...?"
She wondered again if this was a good idea.
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Post by Firebreath Fishslap on Jan 1, 2010 23:05:42 GMT -5
Naoto had been thinking along the same lines as what Atem was implicating upon seeing Souji's eyes. They had indeed been yellow. Bright yellow. And it had been very startling, because Souji's eyes were normally a steely gray, like his hair. Everyone else had been too focused on Ryoji and Bakura to notice, it seemed.
"Yes. They were yellow," Naoto said. "...Does this mean what Izanagi was saying about Sempai was the truth? That he's actually a Shadow?"
"That bastard wasn't lying, then?" Kanji said. He looked a little frustrated with the situation. "There's just all kinda crazy crap goin' on today, isn't there?"
"...I suppose. But Rise and Teddie both never sensed anything wrong with Souji-sempai, and then there were those medical examinations I had done on everyone..." Naoto was still standing there thinking. Minato had meanwhile had pulled Ryoji to his feet. Minato had put one of Ryoji's arms around his shoulders to support him somewhat.
"I'm going to go take Ryoji back to my place. I'm worried about Souji, but Ryoji comes first right now," Minato said.
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Souji actually hadn't registered that someone was standing next to him until Izanagi pointed her out. Painfully. Izanagi had prodded him the same way he had when their positions were reversed.
She asked if you were alright, Izanagi said. Souji slowly turned his head to look at Kisa.
"Not really..." Souji said. He winced again, and tried to make those yellow colored irises fade back to grey again. "Who are you, anyway?" He couldn't remember ever seeing this girl before.
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Post by mugenginga on Jan 1, 2010 23:22:45 GMT -5
There were quite a few conversations going on at once. At least everyone seemed to be focused enough no their own bits to not be distracted by others. Minato was focusing on Ryoji. Yuugi and Bakura were talking amongst each other, neither of them anywhere near unaware of the other conversations. Teddie at some point had pocket dimensioned his claws away and was keeping his eye on the conversation Atem, Naoto, and Kanji were having.
Yuugi turned back to Bakura after Souji ran off. He couldn't be in two places at once, he wanted to make sure Bakura was going to be okay first. Or as okay as he could be. He was grateful for the existance of the Millenium Items, but all of this was awful. He couldn't admit it, though. Atem felt responsible for not being able to get rid of them. If he couldn't choose just one, he'd take them both.
"I'm fine, Bakura-kun. You're not. You could have been killed!"
"...I know. Can I be alone..? I think you can help everyone else more than me."
Atem covered his face and shook his head, "I don't know. If he is, if Izanagi was telling the truth, I don't think that's the main problem. Teddie and Ryoji are Shadows too," Atem glanced over to Minato as he was getting Ryoji's unconscious from to his feet, "And even if there's issues there, it's not the same as with Souji-kun. There is something else going on there. I'm worried it has to do with Izanagi. Souji-kun thinks he went 'berserk' because Izanagi was denying him, but he can't remember it."
"Bakura-kun, there has to be someone you can talk to!" Yuugi glanced at the group. Minato was already headed back towards his apartment. Yuugi bit his lower lip. This was probably going to get negative responses from the group. He looked Bakura in the eyes, "Can you talk to Adachi-san?"
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Kisa took a step back from the yellow eyes. Odd colored eyes were a dime a dozen on the Island, she had grown up here so she was used to what many people drawn here called "weird crap". It wasn't as common as a lot of visitors thought, but it wasn't rare either. What bothered her right now were all the little things that piled up into one big thing. And the older teenager in front of her, she sensed, wasn't the big thing. She looked startled as he asked her name.
"Oh! I'm so sorry! I'm Shiroi Kisa, that's with my given name last," she looked a bit concerned now, "Do you need help getting anywhere? I'd never forgive myself if I walked off and you ended up on the news or something..."
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