Shin Persona Evangelion [NGE/Persona Fusion]

[Ultra Sonic 007]

This may seem like it's overdue, but based on a comment I recently received elsewhere, apparently the fact that there will be spoilers to both the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime and the events of various games in the Persona Series (including but not limited to Persona 3, Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4, and Persona 5) wasn't made clear just by how the plot has unveiled.

So I'm placing a sticky post for this message: if you have not watched the original Evangelion anime, or if you have not played the Persona games — especially P3, P4, P5, and their updated re-releases — then take note that this story contains spoilers to all of them. Read at your own risk.

/that should do it
//right?
///right??

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Why do I get the feeling that this is the same Asshole that authorized the raid on NERV HQ in End of Evangelion?

Click to shrink...

Kiyotada Sumaru is actually a canon character from Persona 2...kinda sorta. It's complicated.

xxxx

Rei Ayanami couldn't help but marvel, at least inwardly, at how mankind's mind could manifest in various ways.

Normally, a Shadow could not transform into a monster — a distorted self-image, or perhaps a corrupted Other Self — without being within its own Realm, the locus of a person's most potent thoughts and intentions. It had been one of the benefits of the 'Cognitive Protection Center' model of Shadow governance: constraining a Shadow's Realm to a specific mental space, where its influence on the general cognition of humanity could be minimized and regulated.

For Kiyotada Sumaru's Shadow to be so bestial in the open, it implied that his Realm was entirely mobile (a not uncommon occurrence for unregistered Shadows), or that his personal distortions weren't focused on a specific location...which, given his prior imprisonment in Siberia alongside a bunch of other dangerous Shadows, was also likely.

Either way...it was remarkably irritating in a way she was surprised by.

Her Other sighed.

"Why is your frustration a surprise?"

The Beast stoically gazed at a row of broken mirrors.

"He reminds you...of just how unfair it all is..."​

As Rei and her Persona worked in tandem, a part of her mind pondered the irony of Kiyotada Sumaru — of all people — showing up once more.

Her Other gingerly read through an old scroll.

"A poor soul. A plaything of a falsified history. A man turned into a monster by a Rumor."

The Beast took the scroll back, placing it into an ancient chest. Solemnly, she locked it tight.

"And yet, a wretched existence for merely a time...he has survived, where others did not."​

It was almost perverse. Lilith harried Sumaru's Shadow from above with a Vorpal Blade, whilst Rei ran on the ground in a direction contrary to Gilgamesh and Sinbad; Seiten Taisei flew above them all, with Ryuji and Mayumi hanging onto the simian's legs. Rei's red eyes focused on the serpentine neck and monstrous maw, wondering how much damage the monster could take before it finally went down. It's not his fault, she tried to tell herself, lashing out with one of her cross-tipped iron chains at exposed flesh. He is a mere victim, just like everyone else. He is not to be blamed for the role he played, however much a malcontent he tends to be.

Her Other quietly traced the scars on her knuckles.

"And yet that doesn't stop you from feeling bitter."​

It was a testament to Rei's self-discipline that she didn't scowl in response to the trio of Megidolaons that forced them all back, clearing away vast tracts of forestry and scarring the land. "Rotten Flesh," hissed the Shadow, stomping the ground with glowing paws; a cancerous aura erupted like a wave, appearing as a literal tide of...well, rotting flesh.

'Jump!' echoed Mayumi's voice within her mind.

Lilith dove down, yanking Rei off of the ground and into the air; Sinbad and Gilgamesh both tensed their legs, leaping high above the tide, with Toji, Mana, and Kensuke hanging on for dear life. Their startled shouts (and expressions of disgust at how the ground now bore a coating of decaying viscera) did not distract Rei from the dark fumes around the Shadow's mouth. Yamagishi-san, we need to get away-

"Trial of Darkness!" howled Sumaru's Shadow, spewing forth a stream of blackened gas and tar that paradoxically bounced into the sky, swirling like an excitable mist.

"GET BACK!" roared Ryuji, even as Seiten Taisei fired a God's Hand into the tide.

Toji instantly obeyed, willing Gilgamesh to charge away with a Speed Riser...but not before grabbing Sinbad by the hand, all but yanking the lighter Persona along. Mana managed to awkwardly balance herself on Gilgamesh's shoulders, flinging more energy blades from LABRYS at the approaching tide.

Rei narrowed her eyes, reaching for the core of her strength. Time for my ultimate technique, then. As the dark wave approached, Lilith inhaled deeply. "Eden's..." Before she said another word, an unexpected sound reached her ears from afar...and it was growing closer. Is that...a motorcycle's engine...? Her eyes darted towards the sky.

Sure enough, a two-wheeled motorcycle was soaring downward from the clouds above, blazing a trail of azure flames; however, instead of Hell Biker's usual skeleton form, he was overshadowed by none other than Evangelion Unit-01...which lent an unnerving image of Shogoki clad in black leather, with its distinctive horned helmet burning with blue fire. The almost paradoxical inclusion of a sidecar — because Hell Biker did not normally have a sidecar! — was almost enough to detract from the Eva's terrible visage.

Shinji Ikari, for all his cares and worries about he came across to others in day-to-day life, was fortunately one who often lost track of how he appeared in the midst of battle. Hence why, without hesitation, he yelled out, "AIM FOR THE HEAD!"

That he was essentially ordering himself didn't matter; if that's what it took to give his cognition an extra boost, then so be it.

Hence why Sumaru's Shadow could only blink confusedly as an 'Evangelionized' Hell Biker smashed into the side of his head, burning wheel first.

 

[neogoki]

instead of Hell Biker's usual skeleton form, he was overshadowed by none other than Evangelion Unit-01...which lent an unnerving image of Shogoki clad in black leather, with its distinctive horned helmet burning with blue fire

'Evangelionized' Hell Biker

Click to shrink...

That image. Just that Image.
So amazing. So troperific!
Makoto might ask for a race.

 

[Vajrei]

That image. Just that Image.
So amazing. So troperific!
Makoto might ask for a race.

Click to shrink...

That would be most interesting to see.

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Let's have a reminder of everyone's moves:

Rei: Persona is Lilith *Resist Ice, Weak Fire*
LILITH: Megido, Mabufudyne, Mamudoon, Megidola, Spirit Drain, Life Drain, Vorpal Blade, Eden's Fall (Unique: Move not yet shown)

Kensuke: Persona is Sinbad *No Resistances or Weaknesses*
SINBAD: Toxic Sting (causes Poison), Madness Needle (causes Confusion), Mist Rush (causes Blind), Headbutt (causes Fear), Lovetap (causes Charm), Dormin Rush (causes Sleep to all), Lucky Punch, Concealment

Pen-Pen (Mister P): Persona is Gryphon *Resist Wind/Bless, Weak Elec/Dark*; also possesses unique Force Skills and Diamrita
GRYPHON: Miracle Punch, Wings of Fury (Unique: Heavy Physical + Wind damage, makes gale force fists), Heavenly Flex (Unique: Heavy Almighty+Light damage with a chance of causing either Fear, Dizzy, Confuse, Despair, or Brainwash), Mediarama, Recarm, Amrita Drop, Regenerate 2, Invigorate 2

Toji: Persona is Gilgamesh *Resist Dark/Phys, Weak Wind/Gun*
GILGAMESH: Maeiga, Eiga, Speed Buster (Unique: Random Taru/Raku/Sukunda + Single Heavy Physical running attack), Speed Riser (Unique: Random Taru/Raku/Sukukaja + AOE Light Physical running attack), Diarama, Speed Smasher (Unique:Random Taru/Raku/Sukunda + Random Taru/Raku/Sukukaja + Single Medium Physical running attack, with 5% Recoil)

Mana: Only uses her axe and shield.
LABRYS: Absorbs the essence of enemies defeated, and can convert them into long-range strikes. Converts spiritual energy absorbed from Ghosts to empower Mana. Capable of operating independently once Mana's synchronization reaches a certain threshold.
AIGIS: Absorbs attacks, and can reflect them back at enemies. Converts spiritual energy absorbed from Ghosts to empower Mana. Capable of operating independently once Mana's synchronization reaches a certain threshold.

Mayumi: Persona is Armisael
ARMISAEL: No specific movesets yet as the Navigator Persona. Currently working on developing a new skill where Archetypes can be summoned for single-use attacks. (Think along the lines of the Blue Mage or Dark Knight class.)

Asuka: Persona is Matilda *Resist Fire, Weak Ice*
MATILDA: Brain Slapper (Unique: multi-target Light Physical Damage all foes from 1 to 4 times, with random chance of causing either Confuse or Fear or Rage), Agilao, Zionga, Sukukaja, Masukunda, Freila, Endure, Mind Cutter (Unique: Move not yet shown)

Misato: Persona is Tokoyo *Null Ice/Wind, Resist Phys/Gun/Fire/Elec, Weak Nuke/Psy*
TOKOYO: Rampage, Rising Slash, Myriad Slashes, Garudyne, Magarula, Heat Riser, Wage War, High Counter

Keita: Scion of Leliel, Persona is Phobos *Unknown Resistance/Affinity*
PHOBOS: Ziodyne, Maziodyne, Freidyne, Mafreidyne, Death Scythe (Severe Phy + Fear), Dekunda, Spirit Drain, Fear's Panic (Unique: Move not yet shown)

Musashi: Scion of Iruel, Persona is Deimos *Unknown Resistance/Affinity*
DEIMOS: Makajama, Negative Pile (Heavy Phys + Despair), Bad Beat (Medium Phys All + Despair), Debilitate, Dekaja, Life Drain, Terror's Dread (Unique: Move not yet shown)



And now, for our protagonist, Shinji Ikari, which also lists the Persona's arcana.

ACTIVE PERSONAS AS OF 9/3 (can hold 10)

HAMLET: Mudo, Tentarafoo (causes Panic), Psi, Cleave, Mapsi, Giant Slice, Psio, Final Thrust (Unique: Light Physical. When enemy is below 15% HP, random chance of instant-kill. Probability increases based on Luck stat. Ignores affinities.) (Fool) *Resist Psy, Weak Dark*
KUCHISAKE-ONNA: Maeiga, Tentarafoo, Bloody Blade (Unique: Medium Dark+Physical attack, x2), Fatal End, Hell Smile (Unique: Heavy Dark, high chance of Fear or Despair), Decapitation (Unique: Heavy Physical damage, low chance of instant-kill) (Tower) *Absorb Dark, Null Psy, Resist Phys/Ice, Weak Bless/Fire*
SOBEK: Feral Bite (Unique: 2-3 Medium Phys+Critical Chance), Diarama, Recarm, Mabufula, Agi, Dormina (Emperor) *Reflect Dark/Ice, Resist Fire/Nuke/Gun/Bless, Weak Wind/Elec/Psy* (Formed from Silky and Kinnara)
NEKO SHOGUN: Psio, Diarama, Masukukaja, Null Dizzy, Mafrei, Rakukaja (Star) *Null Bless, Resist Phys/Elec/Dark, Weak Wind* (Formed from Kodama, Sudama, and Anzu)
ISIS: Makouga, Mahama, Diarama, Resist Despair, Hamaon (Priestess) *Null Bless, Weak Psy*
LAMIA: Mudo, Rakukaja, Rising Slash, Ominous Words, Foul Breath (Empress) *Null Dark, Resist Elec, Weak Ice/Nuke*
HIGH PIXIE: Garu, Media, Dormina, Diarama (Fool) *Resist Elec/Wind, Weak Gun/Nuke*
AKABEKO: Headbutt, Makouha, Me Patra, Energy Shower, Ailment Drain (Unique: A Passive Skill, where any Ailment Skills inflicted are instead absorbed, resulting in a slight boost to HP and MP) (Strength) *Resist Ice/Wind/Bless, Weak Fire/Dark*
SHACHIHOKO: Mabufula, Magarula, Marakukaja, Null Despair (Hierophant) *Null Ice/Fire, Resist Light/Dark, Weak Elec/Nuke*
HELL BIKER: Mudoon, Agilao, Speed Master, Tetraja, Dormin Rush, Giant Slice (Death) *Reflect Fire, Resist Wind, Weak Bless* (Formed from Archangel, Matador, and Decarabia)

REGISTERED PERSONAS AS OF 9/3

PIXIE: Zio, Dia, Patra, Tarukaja (Lovers) *Resist Elec/Bless, Weak Gun/Ice/Dark*
AGATHION: Dia, Baisudi, Lunge, Rakukaja, Zio, Dodge Elec (Chariot) *Resist Gun/Elec, Weak Wind*
MANDRAKE: Pulinpa, Energy Drop, Lunge (Death) *Resist Elec, Weak Wind*
BICORN: Lunge, Tarunda, Garu, Ice Wall, Apt Pupil (Hermit) *Resist Dark, Weak Elec*
CAIT SITH: Agi, Cleave, Tarukaja (Magician) *Resist Elec, Weak Wind*
SILKY: Dormina, Bufu (Priestess) *Resist Ice, Weak Fire/Elec*
BERITH: Cleave, Rakukaja, Double Fangs (Hierophant) *Null Gun, Resist Fire, Weak Ice*
KOROPOKKURU: Makajama, Bufu, Dodge Ice, Sukunda, Fire Wall (Hermit) *Resist Ice/Wind, Weak Fire*
MOKOI: Tarukaja, Dazzler, Skull Cracker, Marin Karin (Death) *Resist Elec, Weak Wind*
KINNARA: Agi, Media (Star) *Null Fire, Resist Bless/Dark/Psy, Weak Ice*
JACK FROST: Bufu, Dormina, Energy Drop, Agi (Magician) *Null Ice, Weak Fire*
KOPPA TENGU: Garu, Sukukaja, Growth 1, Taunt, Rage Boost (Temperance) *Resist Wind, Weak Ice/Bless*
ONMORAKI: Eiha, Ice Wall, Agi, Evil Touch (Moon) *Null Dark, Resist Fire, Weak Ice/Bless*
MATADOR: Psi, Null Dizzy, Sukukaja, Double Fangs, Garula, Dormin Rush (Death) *Null Dizzy/Wind, Weak Elec* (Formed from Berith and Sandman)
YAKSINI: Hysterical Slap, Wage War, Counter, (Empress) *Resist Ice, Weak Nuclear*
SANDMAN: Dormina, Garula, Dormin Rush (Magician) *Resist Wind, Weak Elec/Fire*
ANDRAS: Foul Breath, Terror Claw, Zio, Bufu, Energy Drop, Counter (Devil) *Resist Ice/Psy, Weak Fire/Bless* (Formed from Pixie and Jack Frost)
ARA MITAMA: Miracle Punch, Freila, Taunt (Chariot) *Resist Phys, Weak Ice*
APSARAS: Rebellion, Ice Wall, Bufu, Tarunda, Eiha, Agi (Priestess) *Resist Ice, Weak Fire/Elec* (Formed from Bicorn and Onmoraki)
IPPON-DATARA: Sledgehammer, Tarukaja, Resist Dizzy, Agi, Garula (Hermit) *Reflect Wind, Resist Fire/Bless/Dark, Weak Ice* (Formed from Cait Sith and Matador)
KODAMA: Garu, Rakunda, Psi, Dia, Baisudi, Rakukaja (Star) *Resist Ice, Weak Fire* (Formed from Berith and Agathion)
SUDAMA: Mapsi, Lucky Punch, Tarukaja, Null Dizzy, Garula, Dormina (Hermit) *Reflect Wind, Weak Ice/Nuke* (Formed from Matador and Jack Frost)
MAKAMI: Double Fangs, Frei, Energy Drop, Mafrei, Tarunda, Tarukaja, Garula, Resist Dizzy (Temperance) *Null Gun/Bless, Resist Wind/Nuke, Weak Elec* (Formed from Apsaras and Ippon-Datara)
SHIKI-OUJI: Tarukaja, Taunt, Double Shot, Double Fangs, Null Dizzy, Dormin Rush (Chariot) *Null Phys/Gun/Bless/Dark* (Formed from Berith and Matador)
ONI: Rampage, Counter, Snap, Double Shot, Dormin Rush, Mafrei (Strength) *Resist Phys/Gun* (Formed from Shiki-Ouji and Makami)
ANZU: Garula, Masukukaja, Wind Break, Mafrei, Psi, Double Fangs (Formed from Oni and Matador)
INUGAMI: Pulinpa, Tarukaja, Giant Slice, Dream Needle (Hanged Man) *Null Gun/Fire/Dark, Weak Wind*
NEKOMATA: Magaru, Terror Claw, Evil Touch, Hysterical Slap (Magician) *Resist Psy, Weak Elec*
ORTHRUS: Agilao, Double Fangs, Maragi, Sukukaja, Garula, Growth 1 (Hanged Man) *Absorb Fire, Resist Nuclear, Weak Ice* (Formed from Matador and Koppa Tengu)
TITAN: Mazio, Skull Cracker, Dekunda, Media, Terror Claw, Foul Breath (Strength) *Resist Elec, Weak Ice* (Formed from Kinnara and Andras)
FUU-KI: Tetra Break, Tarukaja, Garula, Dia, Zio, Hysterical Slap (Star) *Absorb Wind, Resist Gun, Weak Elec* (Formed from Yaksini and Agathion)
CLOTHO: Mahama, Me Patra, Makajam, Tetraja (Fortune) *Null Wind, Weak Ice/Nuke*
DECARABIA: Agilao, Ominous Words, Tetrakarn, Tetraja, Mahama, Dormin Rush (Fool) (Formed from Clotho and Shiki-Ouji)
ARCHANGEL: Giant Slice, Dazzler, Hama, Baisudi, Tarukaja, Dream Needle (Justice) *Null Bless, Weak Elec/Dark* (Formed from Kodama and Inugami)

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

After Shinji Ikari's arrival...the battle took a rather anticlimactic turn. Such was the versatility of the Wild Card.

Sumaru's Shadow had tried for another Trial of Darkness; by that time, Shinji had already switched Hell Biker out for Sobek...who reflected Dark Skills.

It was a jarring sight, to see the stream of cancerous black bounce back in such a direct fashion, akin to a river being redirected into a surging fist. The impact had nearly knocked the Shadow off of his feet; delirious from the blow, he was unable to stop everyone else — Seiten Taisei, Gilgamesh, Sinbad, Lilith, and Mana Kirishima — from taking advantage of his weakness.

Hence how Ryuji Sakamoto found himself less than a half hour later, handing off his incapacitated Shadow to a trio of A.T. Agents that had responded to their call of assistance. With the Shadow having been beaten down, Sumaru was no longer in a 'monsterized' state; now, he appeared the part of an elderly politician, with his one idiosyncrasy being the shogun-esque samurai helm atop his head.

The relative simplicity with which the handover was happening honestly vexed Toji and Mana something fierce, judging by their cross expressions. "Um...are you two okay?" asked Shinji.

"It's nothing," grumbled Toji.

"Yeah," agreed Mana, looking more flummoxed than irritated. "It just feels...irritating, that it went down so quickly after you arrived."

"It is to be expected," calmly assuaged Rei, watching intently as the Anti-Terror Agents prepared Sumaru's Shadow for transport, locking him down with chains and wards designed to pacify his own cognition. "Ikari-san's ability to wield multiple Personas makes him versatile."

"Plus, he had a really cool entrance," joked Kensuke, adjusting his glasses in a dramatic fashion. "A dynamic entry, if you will."

"Useful in comedic or dramatic circumstances, depending on the genre," remarked Mayumi, adjusting her glasses in an equally dramatic fashion (only to blink at how she had inadvertently mimicked Kensuke). "Um...but it's not like it's new to us...?"

Toji snorted. "I mean, I get that. But it's still irritating. It's no fun being the weak one of the group."

"Then that would make all of us weak, Toji," griped Kensuke, nudging his friend in the side of the head. "Different skill sets for different roles. We just got caught flat-footed by an unexpected Shadow."

"...but why do we feel irritated, then? If we know that we shouldn't, and if we understand the reason why, then how come I still feel..." She made a complicated motion with her hands, trying to communicate the emotions spelled out on her face. "...like this?"

"Like you're lagging behind no matter how hard you run?" asked Toji.

"Like you're weighed down by something you can't get rid of no matter how often you throw it away?" observed Mayumi.

"Like you've got a stray hair that won't stay down no matter how much hairspray you use?" said Kensuke with a raised hand, a single index finger extended for emphasis.

Mana blinked confusedly. "...the other two fit more, but I guess that kinda works...?"

"Was going for a more lighthearted example," said Kensuke with a casual shrug.

Shinji squirmed awkwardly at the commentary about how his own abilities had introduced such tension.

"Struggling with your own faults and vices is...to be expected," remarked Rei, still staring intently at Sumaru's Shadow as he was quietly lifted upon the Persona — a flying carpet of sorts — of one of the visiting Agents. "It is a trial that no one is exempt from. Even if you improve...they will still linger, hanging onto your back."

"Preachin' to the choir there," muttered Kensuke.

There was a strange distance to Ayanami's words; did it have something to do with Kiyotada Sumaru himself? "Ayanami-san...did you know that man?" Did she fight him before his Shadow was imprisoned the first time around?

At this, Rei seemed to break out of her brief reverie with a slow blink. "...in a manner of speaking. From a long time ago..."

(Quietly, Kensuke whispered, "I smell a mystery.")

(Toji and Mayumi stared back. "Are you going to ask her?" asked the latter.)

("...no.")

("Thought so," smugly said Toji.)

"...thank you for coming to help them, Ayanami-san," Shinji said, with a slight bow. "I appreciate it."

"I was simply doing what was asked of me," she answered, watching stoically as the three A.T. Agents departed northward with their subdued quarry. "...I will continue on with my duties. Until we next meet." Without another word, she willed Lilith to pick her up by the shoulders, carrying her skyward to the west.

It was to this scene that Ryuji finally returned, watching Rei leave with a grimace. "Not even gonna hang around for the aftermath, eh?" Sakamoto turned his measured gaze back to Shinji. "Was nice to get backup from two Evangelion-users."

"Ah. I told Ayanami-san to come help since she was closer."

"And you knew we were in trouble because...?"

It was at this moment that Shinji noticed he was being stared at from everyone else. (He had enough determination to speak...but not enough to keep from sounding sheepish.) "Em...I got a text message from Ryoji Kaji's Shadow warning me about Sumaru's Shadow...?"

Ryuji stared flatly, whilst everyone else blinked.

Kensuke, naturally, asked the most sensible question. "How in the world did a Shadow text you?!"

"I was honestly wondering the same thing," admitted Shinji.

"...maybe let's break for lunch in the real world before trying to figure out how the Shadow of Katsuragi's ex is capable of texting people from the Metaverse," said Ryuji with a put-upon sigh, perfectly communicating his own exasperation without saying another word.

The five teenagers didn't protest the idea of lunch.

 

[neogoki]

"Plus, he had a really cool entrance," joked Kensuke, adjusting his glasses in a dramatic fashion. "A dynamic entry, if you will."

"Useful in comedic or dramatic circumstances, depending on the genre," remarked Mayumi, adjusting her glasses in an equally dramatic fashion (only to blink at how she had inadvertently mimicked Kensuke). "Um...but it's not like it's new to us...?"

Click to shrink...

TvTropes position in this story is standing strong.
Soon Trope-Tan will descent and teach that world how to skillfully narrate a story.

also more hints of KensukeXMayumi

 

[Vajrei]

As it was just asked, since when can a person's shadow communicate with someone from the metaverse?

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

As it was just asked, since when can a person's shadow communicate with someone from the metaverse?

Click to shrink...

If a Shadow communicated with someone in the Metaverse, that wouldn't be unusual. We even have precedent of Misato communicating in relative real time to Ritsuko from the Metaverse to reality (using the MAGI as a medium).

It's the idea of a Shadow actually TEXTING someone in reality that's weird. It's sort of in the same league as to how Mr. P can text Shinji's phone.

/maybe Kaji's Shadow is just weird like that

 

[DragonUnitOmega]

This was supposed to be done sooner.

But the crash I expected to have right after my trip two days ago decided to happen yesterday instead (because of course) and then I get a bunch of things I do everyday take longer than usually (because hey why not?!), so here it is. Later than planned.

But hey! I'm still here.

And on the bright side this day is (relatively) short so thank goodness for that.

Though this is...kinda rushed because of me trying to get this out yesterday? Specifically towards the tail end (you can probably guess where when you reach it).

Which I should probably totally revise, but like...even after sleeping on it, I feel like I'm fine with it being...a bit rushed feeling.

Probably because I'm still feeling rushed on some level, as in "I already finished it and it feels fine and it's just a review for fun so why change it?", so yeah.

watch as i regret it anyway because low self-confidence be a bitch
and memory too and it decided i forget something important

Anyways!

-puts on review glasses and turns on playlist-

Fourty eighth installment of Dragon Reviews and (Probably) Overanalyzes SPE... STARTO!

8/9 ??? To Midday - Evening

And we begin with meeting Igor, telling him about Sho's past with the Velvet Room and Yu, and that Shinji'll find out more if he faces him yet again. Understandably, he's nervous about that, but Igor reminds him circumstances change, most notably motivations to fight, and that he won't be alone in his journey.

Which is something he'll definitely need immediately as 'cause as soon as he wakes up we find shit's hit the fan.

Great.

Though with thay little author's note... Wait when was the last time I saw Igor?
-checks when I read 7/29-
-finds it was on May...of 2022-
Well at least your gap was about four months...
MINE APPARENTLY HAS BEEN TEN.
I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW MUCH TIME HAS PASSED.
I mean, considering my pace now, it makes sense, but still...
MAN. I didn't realize when I had slowed down my reading and reviewing rate...

But back to reviewing, Shinji, and us, thus get recapped what happened while he was out, both going out and being out. Junpei calling led to RyuKing making sure and then getting Misato who then sends Mana who does what we saw last time. Then after she brings him back, they're just waiting for Shinji to wake up when, well, Sho shows up and fields everyone on how he got there with an out of this world opening.

(Oh boy here we got again with the puns...
Come at me with your best shot!)

With that, Shinji tells them he had actually faced off with Sho last night ('ey, don't look at me. Sho's not "on screen". I'll only do puns when he's on screen or else I'll be here all day) and...actually had been beaten by him. He gives more context to it at Kenny's prompting, but Mana calls him out on holding back and then Toji calls bull on him not being sure why...as well as offering an ear. Admittedly, Shinji's not entirely sure either, only that he didn't feel up to it. The reminder of the ashen boy has Shinji worried and, speak of the angel devil, he texts him after Kenny gives his two cents. Speaking of two cents though, Shinji calls Kaworu and...they end up talking about control over power. Or rather Shinji's fear of his power making his control over it suspect. And it's a good point. He doesn't have to worry about hurting anyone with his power if he has control over it, especially if he's mastered control over it. With that, the call ends, Kaworu boards the bus to leave, Shinji relays his whereabouts...and then they got a plan set.

Before we move on though.

Looking out the window ((towards the smoke, towards the fire), a hollow sort of realization fell upon him. "...maybe...if he's a part of Strega...then that must mean he has power from the Angels..."

Click to shrink...

Extra parenthesis.

Kensuke shook his head. "Not since they left, no." As if to punctuate his remark, a fireball erupted from a distant section of northern Okayama. "...was starting to wonder what we would should do once you woke up.

Click to shrink...

Make up your mind, Kenny! Seems like his indecisiveness led to an error.

Free Will or self-determination.
Kaworu understands the subject well.

Click to shrink...

Also an allusion to the Death Arcana, which represents metamorphosis, regeneration, and cycles of change.

/totally subtle
//like, SUPER subtle

Click to shrink...

Oh yeah sure.
That's totally why I didn't speculate over his Death arcana link the instant he was introduced.
Totally.

It's been somewhat long in coming for a character whose had a Persona since June the 14th in story, but at long last, courtesy of @Renu...Kensuke Aida and Ozymandias:



/look at this nerd
//so much chuuni energy

Click to shrink...

'Eeey! It's the art retroactively added!
Love the piece. If it wasn't obvious, I used it as reference for the art I did.

Now we go back to the adults handling the chaos happening in the Metaverse, getting to see Iwai's suit and his Persona for the first time. It's not pretty, and even with all the forces that were already there, it's still too much. As such, no one cares about the origin point too much, where Sho is bored...and also confirms my suspicions that he didn't take any of this looping stuff well. So he's excited to see the gang pop up and proceeds to blow a few veins with getting under their skins. Shinji, though, steeled his nerves as he steals Sho's attention by leveling the playing field.

So it's the perfect time for an interruption!

Too early in the game to break out Rivers.

Also too early to break out any version of the Beast.

Click to shrink...

Agreed.

That'd be like...

If "Rivers in the Desert" was used for Madarame.

I thought Sho was not going to be working alone during this attack unless that is not what we were led to believe?

Click to shrink...

Click to shrink...

...
That is very sus.
Except I don't really think too much of that the first time through because of course I didn't!

So let's get back to plot, shall we?

Sho's surprised at the trick, but two can play that game and pulls out a field card of his own and they find the air sink deep in their bones. Shinji and Mana notice more exactly, with the latter warning the others. Sho gives her credit for that, but Toji's wondering why the hell he's pissed. Sho makes it clear he's gonna flush all the shit people have that right back at 'em. So Tsukiyomi enters the ring and the fight can begin!

And my God...

Have I mentioned I love how you do fights scenes?

Well, even if I did, I'mma just keep mentioning it. Because DAMN I love your fight scenes. They're always so hype.

Okay the start isn't exactly "hype", but it's just the beginning as the gang trade blows and get a bit of a feel of Sho. And Kenny shows off his weapon! A crossbow! A "laser" crossbow! Yes! Er...okay, not a total "yes" as Kenng still knows the trick behind the movie magic so it gets rid of any force behind the blast. (And this is where I stop trying to do puns because it was delaying me big time) Before Sho can capitalize on the chance, Shinji gets his attention again and that's Mana pulls off a Captain America with AIGIS, giving the gang a chance to regroup. Shinji also...takes the chance to ask Sho to stop again. By mentioning he's outnumbered.

...

Yeah I'mma not comment on that because I don't blame Shinji for that.

Doesn't work on Sho of course.

"Well here's a little remedial lesson: four times zero...is still ZERO!"

Click to shrink...

"You're out of your vector!"

Ahem. Excuse me.

Back to serious because...DAMN the scene from before plays out again but this time Shinji's still stunned locked and unable to move as Sho takes the chance to kill Kenny.

But that's when...

One: Rei notices.

Two:

In a dark and desolate place, stinking of blood and mold and mildew...there was a change.

INTEGRATION NOW STANDS AT 31%.
...
INTEGRATION NOW STANDS AT 36%.
...
WHAT AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE. WAS A THREAT TO A SOCIAL LINK'S LIFE ALL IT TOOK?

The cycle continued onward.

Click to shrink...

THIS
THE FUCK
WHAT THE FUCK DOES THAT MEAN, HUH?

Three:

Sho Minazuki blinked as his sword crashed into something solid. "What the?" An A.T. Field, to be precise. "No way...you're an Adept?!"

[...] "...no." It wasn't him; if Sho focused, he could barely make out the afterimage of the horned Evangelion's shape that seemed to permeate the A.T. Field. "You're just borrowing power that ain't yours."

[...] "Is it borrowed...or was it given freely?"​

Click to shrink...

HELL YEAH

Just like Minato said...

BONDS GO BOTH WAYS.

YEEEAAAAAAAHHHHH

And now the gang go all out together! Throwing attacks, status effects (one of which ticks off Sho the most; "You don't know the meaning of the word!" Guess which one), and one giant attack from Mana, having absorbed a whole lotta energy from before for a repeat of her fight with Shinji. Bur this time is does damage. Not enough to down him, but it's still something if it hurt. Everyone thinks they can still keep going, but Sho hasn't even begun when...they're dragged out of Sho's realm and:

"...feh. You got lucky...I did my job anyhow." Then, without warning, he seemed to disappear from sight.

Click to shrink...

He...
He left.
He just left
No.
NO THIS WAS A FUCKING DISTRACTION WASNT IT?!
GOD DAMN IT

They don't think about that though 'cause Rei arrives and the gang leaves just as quickly as she popped up.

We get a little bit of banter between Ren and Ken (because Ren's still a little shit) before we see that Sojiro's home was their destination. Thankfully, this time, Misato and RyuKing are informed of their departure from the hotel, while Ren muses on events. We then shift from 5's Wild Card to 3 and 4's, who also got the news. Their banter is easy and fun...and one of their better coping mechanism in the face of their pretty grim reality.

SPEAKING OF FUCKING GRIM REALITY
HEY MINAKO
HOW'VE YOU BEEN
I'M TOTALLY NOT CRYING AGAIN
OR WAITING WITH YOU FOR YOUR GAOLER'S DEMISE
HAHA
HAHA
HAHA
HA
Oh but when they do...
I'm gonna be imagining this when that happens:

Spoiler: Spoilers for Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (you probably know what it is if you've seen it)

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVbyQkn6GWg

Speaking of things that strike fear, we got Zeruel's thoughts on the whole thing and...HA. HA HA. HA HA. NOTHING GOOD COMING OUR WAY WITH ARMISAEL. AND WHATEVER IS UP NORTH. AAHHHHHHHHHH.

We're back with the gang now, RyuKing having caught up with them. He's mad, but he doesn't blame them. Not really. So while they don't get a scolding, he does tell them what to do to get ready for next time. We briefly see Mayumi looking over Mana and see her state (which Mayumi thinks should remain that way, because it sounds soooo niiiice, but isn't gonna ensure that...for now??). Then it's back to Shinji asking if something else is bothering RyuKing. And there is: where was Takaya and Jin?

Welp. You wanna know where?

In a place no one knows exists.

No one but those of highest authority.

A secret base in "no man's land" in the cognitive world.

A high security prison.

Guess what happens?

Cue Impel Down! Okay not really Impel Down, but I can't help but think of Impel Down now whenever I see a "high security prison built specifically to contain the worst of the worst of the worst" now as, unlike the arc, it's nowhere near as funny or hope filled because it's Takaya and Jin going deeper and deeper to find...

"And the reason we are here...is to recruit you....Tohru Adachi."

Click to shrink...

FUUUUUUUUUUUUCK
GREAT
JUST GREAT
Wait what were my guesses again?
-Looks-
Oh okay.
Adachi was among them.
Ahem. But besides the point...
FUCK.
Not a worst case scenario...but certainly not good either. I mean, Adachi is a wild card, and not (completely?) in the Persona sense. Yeah sure he's in prison right now...but how much does he know? Does he even know? How much will he care? Is he gonna just be on their side for a while because it's fun then switch? And then maybe switch again after?
Bah. Whatever. I'll find out...eventually.
Because who knows if I'll find out soon. (Well you guys do, obviously, but still)

Either way. That is the end of the day.

Not the end of this though.

Fuck. But hey, at least it wasn't a good person turned evil.

Click to shrink...

...that never occured to me until you said that and now I'm glad that didn't end up happening.

tfw the Smiling Traitor turns out to be Yukiko Amagi.

"Wouldn't I be called the Laughing Traitor then?"

Not the point!

Click to shrink...

i would've murdered you if you did
then maybe feed you to the sharks so they'll never find the body

Okay I'm joking, but still, I'd have been REAL mad if that was the case. Flip my shit, so to speak, because, like, I get that "what if they're evil"/"evil AUs" are fascinating, especially if they manage to keep the character in-character in their villainy, (hell I even wrote a "villainous" AU of Ref!Akira and Ref!Akechi), but most of the time that ain't my thing unless I'm told upfront the premise, like "this is a story of the downfall of a good person" or "this is a villain AU", something of the like. I lean towards redeemed/redeemable villains for a reason.

But that's not the timeline I'm living in so I'mm go before I tempt fate more.

Spoiler dodge roll: activate!

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

But the crash I expected to have right after my trip two days ago decided to happen yesterday instead (because of course) and then I get a bunch of things I do everyday take longer than usually (because hey why not?!), so here it is. Later than planned.

But hey! I'm still here.

And on the bright side this day is (relatively) short so thank goodness for that.

Though this is...kinda rushed because of me trying to get this out yesterday? Specifically towards the tail end (you can probably guess where when you reach it).

Which I should probably totally revise, but like...even after sleeping on it, I feel like I'm fine with it being...a bit rushed feeling.

Probably because I'm still feeling rushed on some level, as in "I already finished it and it feels fine and it's just a review for fun so why change it?", so yeah.

Click to shrink...

I mean, there's only so much commentary you can offer on chapters where a pitched battle (focusing only on one scene, by and large) takes up the majority of the chapter.

watch as i regret it anyway because low self-confidence be a bitch
and memory too and it decided i forget something important

Click to shrink...

I'd say don't have low self-confidence, but that would sort of be equivalent to telling a depressed person to cheer up...so I'll just post a link to a banger of a song with lyrics that seem rather applicable in this current moment:


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-soaO2lf6Q

/because when the singer says "I'm no one's captive"
//that includes ourselves
///because a lot of the time, if not most of the time
////the one keeping us 'captive'...is ourselves
/////also, Hi-fi Rush is amazing

Though with thay little author's note... Wait when was the last time I saw Igor?
-checks when I read 7/29-
-finds it was on May...of 2022-
Well at least your gap was about four months...
MINE APPARENTLY HAS BEEN TEN.
I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW MUCH TIME HAS PASSED.
I mean, considering my pace now, it makes sense, but still...
MAN. I didn't realize when I had slowed down my reading and reviewing rate...

Click to shrink...

I noticed, because I enjoy reading these.

Extra parenthesis.



Make up your mind, Kenny! Seems like his indecisiveness led to an error.

Click to shrink...

*fixy fix*

Agreed.

That'd be like...

If "Rivers in the Desert" was used for Madarame.

Click to shrink...

Or if "Battle for Everyone's Souls" was used for the Arcana Priestess in P3.

So Tsukiyomi enters the ring and the fight can begin!

And my God...

Have I mentioned I love how you do fights scenes?

Well, even if I did, I'mma just keep mentioning it. Because DAMN I love your fight scenes. They're always so hype.

Click to shrink...

I try. Some fight scenes in some stories go too low on detail (which makes it hard to know what's happening), some go for too much (which makes reading through them a slog); I try to aim for the point where the prose is still 'punchy' for the reader, while still being enough to put them in the middle of the action. (Including music definitely helps, IMO.)

THIS
THE FUCK
WHAT THE FUCK DOES THAT MEAN, HUH?

Click to shrink...

As of this point (which is September the 4th in-story), everyone else is just as in the dark as you.

He...
He left.
He just left
No.
NO THIS WAS A FUCKING DISTRACTION WASNT IT?!
GOD DAMN IT

Click to shrink...

Just like when Israfel (and Israfel) booked it in MFE.

Cue Impel Down! Okay not really Impel Down, but I can't help but think of Impel Down now whenever I see a "high security prison built specifically to contain the worst of the worst of the worst" now

Click to shrink...

Alas, if only the Great Northern Tower had had the equivalent of Magellan as the warden.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUCK
GREAT
JUST GREAT
Wait what were my guesses again?
-Looks-
Oh okay.
Adachi was among them.
Ahem. But besides the point...
FUCK.
Not a worst case scenario...but certainly not good either. I mean, Adachi is a wild card, and not (completely?) in the Persona sense. Yeah sure he's in prison right now...but how much does he know? Does he even know? How much will he care? Is he gonna just be on their side for a while because it's fun then switch? And then maybe switch again after?
Bah. Whatever. I'll find out...eventually.

Click to shrink...

Specifically, you'll see what Adachi's up to as of...August the 19th. At least, at first.

/wink

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Just as a brief reminder of what Misato's been up to: the hard drives and solid state drives she purloined (well, 'temporarily borrowed without asking permission') from the Himmel Research Institute were somewhat dinged up by the subsequent tussle with Strega in the Metaverse. As she found out yesterday (September the 3rd), getting the information off of those drives requires her to make a trip to Konoe Cybertech Systems' main office in Osaka. Osaka, as a reminder, is well over 400 kilometers west of Hakone.

xxxx

Misato Katsuragi could have taken the train from Tokyo-3 to Osaka; if she had splurged for the Shinkansen bullet train, she likely would have made it there a couple of hours ago at least. Yet...the feeling of being behind the wheel had always been a pull she couldn't ignore. Going by vehicle also guaranteed at least two other things:

One — her 'luggage' wouldn't be subject to a more intrusive search (which, as far as she knew, had become much more strict on the railways following the destruction of Tokyo-2). Even with military checkpoints being a constant whether by road or by rail, those who staffed the highway checkpoints tended to just wave her on through once she showed both her A.T. Agent badge and her official identification card signifying her as a liaison with NERV.

Two — she had sufficient time to catch up with one particular custodian.

All in all, Sae Niijima had been put through the ringer, these past two weeks since the Fog of Desolation. "So in summary," Misato said into her phone, capping off a rather long discussion, "You are now the senior ranking member of the Special Custodial Service, and one of the highest-ranking survivors of the Equal Employment, Child, and Families Bureau. Because of the actual records you managed to save from the Special Custodial Service's database, you've been 'asked' to coordinate the development and growth of the equivalent departments at the prefectural level." Because the damage done during the Fog of Desolation — both by the event itself, and the shadowy masked Remnants that had been spawned by it — had not only killed almost all members of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare, but had damaged much of the available physical and electronic records. Coalescing and harmonizing the saved data with records kept on the prefectural level would have to be bridged by the work of local custodians to fill in the gaps; it would be an immense work project. If not a monumental work, then certainly a time-consuming one. "Which all means your ability to check in on your wards is pretty much bupkis. That about sum it up?"

"Basically," dryly admitted Sae. "And to summarize your new developments, you're about to become the new Warden of Tokyo-3's Cognitive Protection Center, effective September the 14th." The day after the next new moon, it went unsaid. "Which means you'll essentially be local for the foreseeable future, which can only be a good thing from my perspective."

"I think you're vastly underestimating how much my workload's going to increase," griped Misato.

"A fair point. Fortunately, your status as the legal guardian for Mana-san and Yamagishi-san has bureaucratic inertia. So long as you maintain your position as the Task Force's liaison to NERV Headquarters, the legal protections they offer to those two girls will still hold up."

"...fair enough," she grumbled, thankful to not be more involved in the arcane minutiae of child welfare laws than she already was. (That said laws intersected far too often with laws dealing with cognitive powers was something she had long resigned herself to.) "What about the Suzuharas?"

"So long as Sakura Suzuhara is bedridden and de facto comatose, it's only a matter of ensuring her continued tenure at the Kobayakawa Memorial Hospital. As for Toji Suzuhara, I'm pleased to say that Ryuji Sakamoto has taken to certain aspects of being a guardian on an informal basis."

"Yeah," admitted Misato with a somewhat fond expression. Glad there's someone I can entrust all those brats to without worrying my head off. (That said brats tended to find their way into trouble — regardless of the efforts of any adults in their vicinity — went without saying.) "...but if you're going to be swamped for the foreseeable future, who am I going to be speaking to for custodial matters? Given the provisional government, is there someone in Kanagawa Prefecture I'll need to speak to?"

"I may be able to get two assigned to you. One for the Suzuharas, and one for the two girls under your care."

"What, one can't pull your old workload?" snarked Misato.

"I've been in this game for a long time. And with experience came seniority, and trust that I could handle it," snarked Sae right back. "The two I'm thinking of haven't been in the game for half as long as I have, so their workload is naturally going to be smaller."

"Fair enough. Can I at least have some names?"

"I'll be emailing you their custodial brochures, but it'll be Yuko Nishiwaki for Mana-san and Yamagishi-san; Kazushi Miyamoto for the Suzuharas. I think their personality profiles will mesh rather well with the children's needs."

"That so? Any other reason you're thinking of them?"

"...honestly? Given how often the Suzuharas and your wards interact due to Metaverse-related reasons, the fact that Nishiwaki and Miyamoto are dating honestly makes things less difficult," admitted Sae. "Better to have custodians who are on relatively good terms with each other if they end up having to work more closely given circumstances."

Misato couldn't help but frown. "And if things go south and their relationship goes sour?"

"Those two are a living romcom anime," huffed Sae. "I don't think you'll have anything to worry about on that front."

"We should all be so lucky," muttered Misato under her breath. "...what kind of romcom, though?"

"Judging by how some of my coworkers have described it...Nishiwaki is 'ultra tsundere', and Miyamoto is 'the dense protagonist'. If that makes any sense to you."

"More than you might realize," admitted Misato with a wry smile and the rolling of her eyes.

xxxx

/hey, two more P3 characters

 

[Vajrei]

I don't envy Sae or Misato since the circumstances of their promotions means they will get mountains of paperwork. Their situation sort of reminds me of this example.


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV2DLkDPwM8

 

[neogoki]

"Judging by how some of my coworkers have described it...Nishiwaki is 'ultra tsundere', and Miyamoto is 'the dense protagonist'. If that makes any sense to you."

Click to shrink...

Kensuke will get a trope-gasm
Hope Mana won't take them as a good example to follow.

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dClKPzjyHns

As night finally settled over Japan, Misato found herself pulling up in front of a rather large warehouse outlet on the outskirts of the Osaka metropolitan area; the storefront was sufficiently modern, but the warehouse it was connected to hinted at a huge supply chain. Hope this trip was worth it, she thought to herself, adjusting the straps of her backpack. She entered the store, beelining it to the nearest associate. "Excuse me," she said, pulling out the business card that had been given to her in Tokyo-3, "Is Fuuka Konoe available for an repair job? She was specifically recommended."

In short order, Misato was escorted through through aisles of modern electronics, with the materials becoming older the further she went; it eventually reached the point where there were enough parts hanging off of the walls that one could rebuild a PC that would have been old during her childhood. She was finally brought to an office near the back, where she was told to wait by the associate. Misato quietly tapped her elbow, hoping this would be quicker than going through the normal repair request queue at the front of the store. I REALLY hope so. Finally, the door opened, and the bespectacled associate gestured for her to enter the backrooms of the store. Misato let herself be guided to a large office, filled with bins, a microwave humming at low power, soldering equipment, and more server towers and monitors than she knew what to do with. Typing away at a keyboard was a woman — around Misato's age, possibly a bit younger — with teal-blue hair, clad in a shawl that looked fit for a grandmother. Huh. Really old-fashioned for someone my age. "Konoe-san?"

The woman's brownish-gray eyes flickered over to her. "...ah. You match the description from Kanomura-san. Misato Katsuragi from the Anti-Terror Task Force?"

The name rung a brief bell. "The manager from your Tokyo-3 location told you about me?"

"He was under the impression that your request was urgent, and decided to call ahead." How thoughtful, Misato thought with a pleased huff. Fuuka continued, "Is equipment repair what you're focusing on, or is it the data you're more concerned with?"

"Data, absolutely. But I still need the physical drives returned."

"Is there anything else I need to know about them?" she inquired, briefly turning back to her main monitor; several sequences of keys pressed coincided with lines of code being written on whatever program she was working on. "Is it part of an investigation?"

Misato arched an eyebrow. "Who wants to know?"

Fuuka, suddenly blinking out of realization, nervously fiddled with the long braid of hair going down her shoulder. "Ah. Well...as far as Anti-Terror Agents go, your name keeps popping up in news releases related to the Evangelion-users...so you're a little notorious...?"

Misato could barely resist the urge to snort. Figures. "What, you a fan? Or a critic?"

"Not at all; but sometimes I overhear my coworkers talk and speculate. It is a very eventful time; people like to gossip. Even when there's work that needs to be done..."

"...the stuff on these drives is needed for an investigation," she relented, hoisting her backpack off of her shoulders. "Real confidential."

Fuuka nodded. "I understand. We try to respect our customers' privacy as much as possible. Just know that I will have to view some files in order to ensure they're not corrupted. I will defer to your authority, but depending on the contents, I may be obligated to report them."

Standard boilerplate stuff; nothing to worry about. "Eh, this stuff is from a private research institute. I doubt you'll find anything icky on there that'll require you to contact the cops." At least, I HOPE not. "Here."

Fuuka frowned at the sight of the backpack, even as the associate which had escorted Misato audibly cringed at the sight. "This...isn't exactly a secure way of handling electronics..."

"Part of the reason I came all the way here to get them repaired," she admitted, intentionally ignoring the employee's incensed whisper of 'Uncultured barbarian' from behind her. "Can you fix them?"

As the microwave further down the desk went 'ding', Fuuka remarked, "I'll have to check first." Sliding along the floor in her chair, she opened up the microwave, revealing two bowls of what looked like spicy homemade noodle soup. "Slow and steady makes for the best meal..."

It was at that point that Misato's stomach decided to growl. "...don't mind me," she muttered with an embarrassed flush. "I've had a long drive."

Fuuka smiled slightly. "Understandable: you get in a long stretch of work, and things can just slip by. I know the feeling..."

"Two bowls?" observed Misato, wondering whether a petite lady like Konoe was going to eat it all.

"I need two when I have to pull an all-nighter," Fuuka admitted, briefly sipping from a can of green tea. "My special 'Onward to Dawn' recipe, with enough kick to keep me going!" Her brief bout of good cheer was quickly diminished. "Though none of my coworkers seem to like it..."

Misato's traitorous stomach grumbled once more. "Hell, it smells good enough that I'd be willing to take a bite." To her surprise, Konoe actually slid the second bowl over, complete with chopsticks. "Seriously?"

"If anyone wants to try my food, I'll never turn them down!" exclaimed Fuuka with an odd cheer.

(Misato, as a result of intentionally ignoring the snooty associate that had escorted her to Fuuka Konoe's office, missed his sudden expression of panic and dread.)

"...well, I'm sure not going to turn down free food," said Misato, snapping the chopsticks and digging in. If there was a certain violet aura emanating from the bowl, she didn't register its existence.

("We're going to get sued so bad," quietly hissed the associate, waiting for Misato's inevitable doom.)

As Misato audibly slurped from the noodles, she loosed a hoarse yet hearty gasp. "Woo! This stuff has some kick to it!" As she went to take another bite, she saw Fuuka looking at her strangely. "Eh?"

"...you like it?" asked Fuuka with a blink.

"I mean, if I didn't like it, I'd tell you," bluntly said Misato.

(The associate's expression of dread had transformed into one of utter bewilderment and disbelief.)

In response to this, Fuuka suddenly smiled beatifically. "You know, I think I'll prioritize your request. I'll even make it a rush order. But first," she said, turning to her own bowl. "Time to refuel."

Misato grinned, unsure of what she had done to get the woman to focus on her repair order first, but certainly unwilling to complain about it. "Sweet!" Looks like coming down here was worth the trip after all.

("Just gonna back away slowly," murmured the associate, watching with dumbfounded eyes as the customer imbibed his boss's deadly concoction. "Just gonna ignore what I witnessed..." Truly, ignorance was bliss, for no one would ever believe him.)

xxxx

/if anyone would be able to stomach (pun definitely intended) the legendarily bad cooking of Fuuka, or any of the Persona 4 girls...
//...it would be Misato

 

[neogoki]

/if anyone would be able to stomach (pun definitely intended) the legendarily bad cooking of Fuuka, or any of the Persona 4 girls...
//...it would be Misato

Click to shrink...

given Misato's "cooking style" she has build up an immunity to things like Mystery Food X.
Might create a new Archetype if it becomes more known.
Archetype Mystery Food X, the natural enemy of Persona Protags. Might be good for a laugh.

 

[Vajrei]

Here is a relevant comment about bad cook in Persona.

The four cooks of the apocolypse
War:yukiko
Pestilence:chie.
Death:rise
Famine:fuuka
And the forgotten fifth cook which was dropped and replaced for beinig to simliar to war
Conquest:nanako

Seen in the comment section of this clip. By the way, Would Misato be able to stomach that version of Mystery food X?


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcELSVvb4kg

 

[Redsoff]

Yay, Fuuka's here!
Konoe...she got together with super robot CEO man?!

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Yay, Fuuka's here!
Konoe...she got together with super robot CEO man?!

Click to shrink...

Nope. She's a more distant relation in this timeline:

Needless to say, Misato's mood was rather foul from that point forward.

It became even more so when the poor store manager of the electronics shop informed her that couldn't help her. "Seriously?"

"I do apologize, ma'am," remarked the fairly affable gentleman, a handkerchief patting away at his sweaty forehead. "But some of the damaged drives require equipment we currently don't have on hand; they're still pending parts for repairs on their own, you see. And with all of the economic issues of late, some of those parts are on backorder."

"Fantastic," she groused. "Any place nearby you can think of that might help me?"

"Not within Tokyo-3 proper; if we don't have it, none of our competitors will."

"I'm sure."

"I'm being serious, ma'am; however, if you'd like, I can give you a referral for our main office in Osaka. They've always had a backlog of spare parts, and the lady who runs our main shop there is a proverbial whiz with electronics. If she can't help you, then nobody can."

"...just give me a card or something." Can't believe I'm looking at another road trip in the near future...but I don't have much time to do it, either. Once the store manager finished writing down the contact info for their Osaka office, she was at least informed that none of the diagnostic work done would be charged to her. Small mercies, she mused, stepping out of the glass doors. She briefly glanced at the store logo before looking down at the card which bore the same: Konoe Cybertech Systems. Flipping it over, she read the address and phone number for the Osaka office before reading the name of the point of contact. "Fuuka Konoe, hmm?" Doing a quick search on her phone, she stared quietly at the photograph of a woman in her late twenties with teal-blue hair. "Granddaughter of company founder Akira Konoe, been in the family business since she was a teenager...hmm." Let's hope she's all she's cracked up to be.

Click to shrink...

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

/Misato's Apartment, Tokyo-3/


View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXrlkEBhGWc

Whether it be due to happenstance or not, Ryuji Sakamoto ended up watching over Mana, Mayumi, Toji, Kensuke, and Shinji within Katsuragi's apartment. It made more sense once she texted that she would be staying overnight at a hotel in Osaka, so it only felt natural to be their chaperone. Though, once school starts back up, it'll essentially only be Kirishima who doesn't have a spot to go to...wonder if Katsuragi's thought about that. Fortunately, the kids had managed to distract themselves with a game of mahjong that had been lying around; it was a version with, amusingly enough, Archetypes instead of traditional symbols.

("I'm surprised there are nine variants of Jack Frost," admitted Shinji with a blink.)

("Nine? As if it was reduced to just that!" said Kensuke as he shuffled the tiles. "Jack Frost, Pyro Jack, Jack Ripper, Black Frost, King Frost, Frost Ace, Lucifer Frost, Petit Frost, the Frost Five-")

("Some of those sound like a bit of a stretch," bluntly interrupted Toji.)

With the exception of that day's battle against Kiyotada Sumaru's Shadow (which, again, felt like it had come out of nowhere), the missions the rest of the evening had been relatively...simple. Probably because Ikari was eager to move past the awkwardness of how he found out about Sumaru's Shadow. He hadn't grilled the kid too harshly during their late lunch (because that would have involved their fresh soba getting cold), but he somehow doubted that Katsuragi would have reacted well to Kaji's Shadow texting Shinji Ikari...which, again, was somehow a thing. How does a Shadow text someone?

("So are we yelling 'sik wu' or 'mahjong' when we get a winning hand?" asked Mayumi.)

(Kensuke audibly hummed. "Hmm...you know, given that they're Archetypes, maybe we can shout 'Persona'!")

(Shinji blinked. "...but I'm sitting out for the first game, and I'm the only one of us who can actually use other Archetypes as Personas...")

("Irrelevant!")

I'll have to talk with Katsuragi about it. I don't know how to feel about such a flaky guy reaching out to an Evangelion-user...much less his rogue Shadow. Even IF his decision to point Ikari our way ended up saving our bacon. The overall motives were elusive; what reason did Ryoji Kaji have to stay away? Hmm...

("...did everyone finish their summer homework?" asked Mayumi out of the blue.)

("We'll finish it tomorrow," impulsively answered Shinji, Toji and Kensuke simultaneously.)

(Mayumi frowned. "Procrastinating isn't good...")

("But it's so dull," groaned Toji.)

("How bad could homework be compared to fighting an Angel? Or the Reaper?" asked Mana.)

("...well, if you put it that way..." Toji shook his head. "No, never mind, just shut up and play!")

It was odd, how deeply he'd gotten involved with this little motley crew of teenage brats. Maybe not odd...I've always had a nose for troublemakers. Yet, there was an undeniable tension that seemed to linger in the atmosphere, one that lent an air of subtle oppression to day-to-day life. The Fog of Desolation, Tohru Adachi, Strega, the formulation of the new government, criminal Shadows on the loose, and the Angels above all else...hard to know what to focus on. But that was life: they had no choice but to deal with it one step at a time.

Before his thoughts could continue, a beer slid across the kitchen table towards him. Impulsively catching it, Ryuji arched an eyebrow at the sight of Pen-Pen popping open his own can of Yebisu. "Heh. You sure the boss lady won't mind you sharing the booze?"

"Wark."

"...fair enough," he admitted, somehow understanding the bird's intent. I'd probably end up paying her back anyhow. He gazed over to the living room, where the first hand appeared to end in a draw. "You know, you're a troublesome little fowl." This declaration elicited a confused head tilt from Pen-Pen. "You heard me. That elusive Mister P, who looks so much like you...he's giving your owner fits."

"Wark," he dryly quacked, the sound of shuffling tiles filling the air

"...probably not your fault. Would be pretty unlikely, for you to actually be Mister P...just my opinion. Know why?" Taking a contemplative sip of his beer, Ryuji calmly said, "Because that means you're being an awful dick to Katsuragi for no reason. Can't imagine why you'd do that."

"Wark."

...not sure what response I was expecting. Then again, he was talking to a penguin...

"PERSONA!"

Ryuji and Pen-Pen looked back at the five teens in the living room, where the winner of the second hand had excitedly declared her victory.

Mayumi Yamagishi, cognizant of her sudden outburst, immediately sat down. "Um. Yes. Persona," she said, gesturing at her winning hand of fourteen tiles. "...I didn't mean to shout."

"It's all part of the game," Ryuji called out, making sure a warm smile was affixed to his face. "Enjoy your youth. You'll be back at school soon enough as is..."

"Don't remind us, Sakamoto-sensei!" groused Toji.

"I won't," said Mana. "Is it that big of a deal?"

At that comment, the others went quiet. "...you know, I'm not sure if you'd be classified as lucky or not..." said Kensuke. In response to her incredulous stare, he quickly amended his comment. "I mean, every dark cloud has a silver lining, right...?"

"Ken."

"Yes Toji?"

"Shut up."

"I'll take that advice."

Ryuji audibly snorted, finding a strange joy in how the quintet veered back and forth between awkwardness with nary a pause, acknowledging it while not letting it bog them down for too long. One of the benefits of being comrades in battles of life and death...

Sakamoto ruminated on his melancholy thoughts, as the children played onward, until it was finally time to turn in.

(All told, 'Persona-style' mahjong with friends...was an invigorating activity for Shinji Ikari, all things considered...)

 

[neogoki]

(All told, 'Persona-style' mahjong with friends...was an invigorating activity for Shinji Ikari, all things considered...)

Click to shrink...

and once more I find myself reminded of the Yazuka-Games.
Is Kaworu somewhere nearby ready to play the Majima to Shin-chan's Kiryu?

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

and once more I find myself reminded of the Yazuka-Games.
Is Kaworu somewhere nearby ready to play the Majima to Shin-chan's Kiryu?

Click to shrink...

Mahjong existed before the Yakuza series.

/meanwhile
//in the "Kaworu Everywhere" run of New Game+
///the moment you play a winning hand, Kaworu flips the table and demands a fight as recompense

 

[neogoki]

Mahjong existed before the Yakuza series.

Click to shrink...

I know, but the first time got to play it properly was in Yakuza
Hence Mahjong will always remind me of that series.

//in the "Kaworu Everywhere" run of New Game+
///the moment you play a winning hand, Kaworu flips the table and demands a fight as recompense

Click to shrink...

sounds legit.

 

[Vajrei]

With the attitude the boys have towards homework, KI wouldn't be surprised if they have chalk thrown at them by a certain teacher.

 

[Ultra Sonic 007]

With the attitude the boys have towards homework, KI wouldn't be surprised if they have chalk thrown at them by a certain teacher.

Click to shrink...

To be fair, wouldn't homework seem a bit of a low priority if you're not only involved in life-or-death Metaverse battles, but that reality as you know it is practically the dream of the Sea of Souls?

 

[shadow9800]

And now we get another nice, wholesome moment of the crew just relaxing and bonding together, probably my favourite type of scene from the Persona series. Also, more proof of Ryuji just being THE BEST BRO. On the one hand, I'm half-hoping that he'll be part of the team by what would be "Endgame" in a normal Persona game, but on the other hand, I'm fearful that's not gonna be the case and that something terrible might happen to him, as he doesn't have a Social Link like Shinji's other team members.