tvk | Tenth Night - The True Self

[If you're in a room near Deacon Hall's 408 during the Dark Hour, you may hear some crashing sounds. The door is locked, however, making entry without force impossible. Thankfully(?) a timely video message should satisfy the curiosity of those people rather quickly.]

[Video]

So this is how it works...

[A yellow-eyed Tatsuma smiles and waves at the camera, before turning it away from him. The dorm room he is in looks absolutely trashed; there are actually a few holes in the walls, splatters of... something dark on the ground, and a slumped figure leaned against the desk.]

This would be the best way, wouldn't it? For getting my point across. After all, if I record this for everyone to see, they'll finally know about everything. Everything about me... and everything about you.

[The original Tatsuma shifts a little at this, but judging from the pained sounds and ragged breathing, he's not in the best shape to stand.]

Stop...

I think some of your friends would be interested in getting to know you better. But you don't let them, do you? Who have you told about it? Not Sakurai... not Daigo... not Anko... not Kyouichi... not Atsuro... not Neah... not Allen... Oh, but you told Misato, didn't you? [He chuckles coldly.] But that just to make her feel better. She felt like she was weird because of that scar... But you know how that feels more than she ever will, don't you?

Stop!

[Staggering to his feet, the original Tatsuma attempts to throw a punch at the Shadow. The phone is dropped, giving an askew view as the Shadow grabs the original by the arm and hurls him out the window. Still smiling, the Shadow grabs the phone and jumps out after its original, providing viewers with a lovely scene of the camera flying at the ground... only to stop as he lands, perfectly unharmed.]

[Action outside of the dorms/Video]

...You're running again. Are you really so ashamed of it? Those powers of yours... [The Shadow begins to examine his hand, which bears an unusual marking.] Being able to sense things... being stronger than an ordinary human even without the powers from the Dragon Stream... It's not surprising the others all avoided you. So you keep it to yourself.

[The hand clentches.]

...But not anymore. For I am a Shadow... the true self.

I won't be silenced.

[The original Tatsuma gets to his feet once more, taking on a fighting stance. The Shadow drops the phone, taking on the exact same pose. In but a second, the two begin their battle on the streets.]

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...MOMO...

[Shadow Tatsuma continues to walk to them, not looking overly concerned by that bow.]

[She doesn't move, but looks more nervous the closer he gets.]

Yes. It is. I won't let you hurt him anymore.

[Shadow Tatsuma stops once he's but a few meters away. The two are now easily within striking distance if his speed is any indicator.]

N-no! I just...

[Slowly, she lowers her bow.]

I just don't want you to hurt him...

[Shadow Tatsuma takes up his usual fighting stance.]

[The original Tatsuma will attempt to push MOMO behind him, ready to take the attack from his Shadow self. This is his Shadow, and he's not going to let anyone else be hurt by it on his account if he can at all help it.]

No!

[She tries to raise her bow again, but is taken by surprise and stumbles behind Tatauma.]

[As expected, Shadow Tatsuma attacks!

...Less expected, Original Tatsuma does absolutely nothing to block the hit! As a result, he's knocked to the ground immediately, and pinned to boot. Even the Shadow seems slightly confused by this turn of events.]

Tatsuma!

[MOMO regains her footing, but holds back... for the moment.]

I'm fine.

[Those words again. The Shadow's eyes narrow at his original, but Tatsuma doesn't seem to be effected in the least by its animosity.]

...It's all true. Everything you said. There were many things that were painful, but... I kept it to myself.

[The Shadow recoils slightly, as if the admission itself were a physical attack. Even though this frees the original up somewhat, he doesn't even attempt to get up again. Instead, he slowly continues, his words halting.]

I didn't want to go back to that. Even though I knew my friends would accept it... I was afraid.

[His hand shoots up to his Shadow's shoulder as he pulls himself up shakily. The Shadow for its part seems to be too occupied with his words to stop him.]

But I can't keep doing this. I've known for a while now... I would have to accept you.

Because... You're me, and I'm you.

[The Shadow stares for a moment longer before giving a small, relieved sigh. As he begins to fade, a true smile finds its way onto his face.

And once he's gone, Tatsuma immediately falls again, too injured to raise himself up any longer.]

[MOMO wastes no time in rushing toward him, but she knows with her powers gone there isn't much she can do. She can't stop the tears as she sees how badly her friend is hurt.]

Tatsuma... Tatsuma, hang on, you'll be okay... I... why can't I do something...!

[Suddenly, a voice echoes in the air.]

'I am thou. Thou art I. The time has come... open thine eyes, and call forth what is within!'

[MOMO looks up at something only she can see... then calls out a name, like a whisper on the wind.

Rhamiel!

[With a burst of light, a beautiful angel with multicolored wings appears. With a gentle smile and a nod to MOMO, she glides over to Tatsuma and places her hands on his chest, healing him.]

O-oh... thank you! Thank you so much!

[Tatsuma stirs, not quite ready to stand, but also not on the verge of death.]

MOMO...?

[MOMO smiles at him reassuringly while her Persona continues to heal him.]

I'm here. Just rest for now, okay?

[He doesn't really want to. He's used to being the leader - sitting back like this doesn't go well with him.

But... that would just bring back his Shadow again, and he knows it. It's time he stopped trying to do everything on his own.

Though that won't stop him from mumbling a few last things before he falls unconscious.]

...Thank you.

Tenth Night - The True Self

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