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Your name is Takashi Wakui. You are a sixteen-year old, Japanese high school student living in a world where half the population possesses Personas—manifestations of inner souls as demons, spirits or deities. In the past, you had been one of the unlucky ordinaries lacking a Persona. Then a game called AETHER was forcibly installed on your smartphone.

You thought it was little more than a piece of nasty spyware, but it turns out that the consequences of playing it are significantly more far-reaching than thought to be. You were transported to a realm called the Blackened Void, where you fought monsters and gained your first Persona--Ippon-Datara of the Fool Arcana, the degraded blacksmith demon god.

Now you are the Wild Card of the 22nd Century, capable of wielding Personas of each Major Arcana. To matters worse, you and several others have been cursed as AETHER’s chosen players. For what purpose does the game exist, and how is victory achieved?

PREVIOUS THREADS: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Persona%202129%20Quest
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/TwilightThorn
SPELL AND SKILL REFERENCE: http://pastebin.com/7K1f7ma5
ASK.FM: ask.fm/TwilightThorn441

[SOCIAL STATS]
>INTELLIGENCE: 15 points (Slacker)
>UNDERSTANDING: 4 points (Basic)
>CHARISMA: 5 points (Unsocial)
>WILLPOWER: 4 points (Mild)

[SOCIAL LINKS]
Void's Chosen (Fool): 1/10
Celeste Tachibana (Magician): 1/10

<Cobalt_Youth> Kid
<Cobalt_Youth> If you’re wondering how we are communicating
<Cobalt_Youth> Are such things really of your concern
<Cobalt_Youth> The expected lifespan for you humans is roughly one hundred and twenty years
<Cobalt_Youth> Your time is not infinite
<Cobalt_Youth> All perishes in the end

You stare at your phone, blinking. How did the two squatters inside the Velvet Room manage to communicate to you? Did they have access to the AETHER client as well? This ‘Cobalt_Youth’ even insinuated that such knowledge was far beyond your mental capabilities.
>>
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Damn it to hell, too many questions! As if transferring to one of the most prestigious academies in all of Japan wasn’t bad enough…

“Yo, whatcha looking at?”

Your spine stiffens in its place and you yank your head around to the left. Takauji is staring at you, a light grin on his rough, healthy face. The books for the next class are already on his desk.

“Hey, is that a Nanjo-brand phone?”

“Who’s asking?” You ask, staring at him. Instinctively, you cradle the device away from him.

“Me.” Takauji smiles, pointing to himself. The look on your face is now flat enough to disguise as a pancake and fit under the mighty wheels of a steamroller. “It’s a nice phone. I think of my friends has one. You lucked out, man. Thank whatever god you believe in that it rang between classes.”

v“What are you talking about?” You question.

“Akumachi-Kirijo is kinda twitchy when it comes to distractions in classes. If the teachers catch you with your phone out, they’ll confiscate it.” Takauji clarifies.

“They have the right to do that?”

“Yeah! You won’t get it back for at least two weeks if it happens.”

“Seriously? You grumble. Back at your former school, kids could whip out any sort of handheld devices in the courtyards and nobody gave them a second glance. “That’s harsh…”

“Hahaha, I know, man!” Takauji laughs, flashing you a thumbs up sign. “Don’t worry. Give it a week and you’ll get the hang of this place.”

“Sounds easier said than done.” You mutter. You then proceed to shut the hell up, because another teacher has arrived and English class is starting. A groan escapes from the bottom of your throat. You slump on your seat as the teacher talks about the usefulness of English and an overview of the core topics to be covered in the semester. Articles, plural forms, subjects, word order, pronunciation and exceptions fill your ears as your mind twists into the shape of a pretzel.

“Agh…”
>>
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Foreign languages are terrible, worse than discovering a bed stuffed full of poisonous spiders. What’s the point of learning them, apart from being able to understand content exclusive to the Americans? As you glumly raise your pen and write, you briefly wonder how Celeste is taking this. She’s probably speeding through the opening exercises with flying colors, being from the land of stars and stripes after all.

[12:30 pm, 4-Apr-2129]

The shrill ring of the lunch bell can’t come soon enough. As soon as the teacher leaves, the students of class mill towards the exit, like ants pouring out of a mound of dirt.
“Thank god that’s over.”

“I hear the cafeteria is serving their special curry today…”

“Let’s eat at the Battlegrounds…”

You shove your books into your bag and stand up. The Velvet Room awaits. Celeste should be done with her class too.

What will you do?

>Head straight for the Velvet Room.
>Grab lunch
>Ask Takauji to show you around
>Custom option.
>>
>>41206693
>>Ask Takauji to show you around
>>
>>41206693
>>Ask Takauji to show you around
>>
>>41206693
>Grab lunch
Woohoo Persona time.
>>
>>41206693
>Grab lunch
Let's see what the fuss about this curry is.
>>
>>41206693
>>Ask Takauji to show you around
>>
>>Grab lunch
>>
>>41206693
>>Grab lunch
>>
>>41206693
First of all,
>Grab lunch

>Grab something to eat on the go.
>Eat in Velvet Room.
>???
>Profit!

>Talk to Takauji and Celeste later, because fuck you too, Time!
>>
>>41206693
this:
>>41206870
>>
I have prepared a spell reference guide to those who haven't played the Persona games. It will probably be improved in the future. Anywa, do check it out: http://pastebin.com/7K1f7ma5

There will a proper character sheet in the next thread, I swear to god.

Writing now...
>>
>>41206693
>>Head straight for the Velvet Room.
>>
>>41206987
Neat. Thanks, Thorn. I've played them, but I still get confused about which status effect prefix is which sometimes.
>>
>>41206662
>Articles, plural forms, subjects, word order,
I honestly dont know what those terms mean.
>>
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>>41207145
You need to be 18 to be on 4chan.
>>
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>>41207206
>tfw nearly 22
>tfw only learned to use ' by reading 4chan threads
>tfw still not sure what to call them
>>
>>41207275
Have you tried simply typing it into Google and seeing what you get?
>>
>>41207330
I don't especially care enough to bother.
>>
>>41206693
>head straight for the velvet room
Food can wait, those kids talk enough shit
>>
Shouldn't our Intelligence be 18 and our Understanding be 7? They both increased by 3 in the last thread.
>>
>>41207540
I knew I forgot something...

>INTELLIGENCE: 18 points (Slacker)
>UNDERSTANDING: 7 points (Basic)
>CHARISMA: 5 points (Unsocial)
>WILLPOWER: 4 points (Mild)
>>
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>>Grab lunch.

You glance down at your stomach. Yep, there’s definitely a nagging sensation gurgling away there. No time to waste, gotta grab some chow before it all runs out.

You leave 5-3 and head out into the hallway. Turns out someone is waiting outside for you.

“Hey, Takashi-kun!” Celeste comes jogging up to you. Unlike you, she seems particularly pleased with herself. “Want to grab lunch together?”

“Why not?” You mutter.

“You look a bit down. Did something happen?”

“Nothing much.” You say. “Other than, you know, realizing how awful I am at the most spoken language on the planet. Christ, how the hell do you manage it?”

Celeste winks and then utters a jumble of characters and sounds, which your inept mind roughly deciphers as ‘Like this!’ in plain American English. Also, she is putting on a weird southern accent, originating from every bad cowboy movie from the dawn of the twenty-first century. You roll your eyes and Celeste laughs.

It doesn’t take long to reach the Akumachi-Kirijo cafeteria.

It’s a densely populated area, with enough chairs and tables to embarrass an army barracks. Nevertheless, the place is jam-packed with hungry and thirsty students, most of which are seated and devouring their meals with the speed of a fighter jet. Several vending machines are lined up against walls and there are several long queues in front of service robots.

You gotta admit, the food here looks pretty swanky. Much higher quality than the dreck served at your old school. You’re kinda worried about the prices though…

From your little adventures inside the Blackened Void, you have retrieved hard cash to add to your fledgling bank account. Your sister has neglected to give you any lunch money, something that you should discuss with her once you return home.

These seem like your best options…
>You currently have 11000 Macca.

>Special mapo tofu (6000 Macca)
>Melon bread and drink (2500 Macca)
>American Burger (4000 Macca)
>Garden salad and yogurt (3600 Macca)
>>
>>41207625
>American Burger (4000 Macca)
>>
>>41207625
>>American Burger (4000 Macca)
>>
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>>41207625
>>Special mapo tofu (6000 Macca)
Sounds delicious.
>>
>>41207625
>Melon bread and drink (2500 Macca)
MC loves bread, remember?
>>
>>41207625
>>American Burger (4000 Macca)
"Logically, if I eat the food, I can learn the language. The scientific process of osmosis."
And you know that southern accent is how Celeste actually speaks. Further cementing her 'best girl' status. It is proven fact that girls who slip between accents are always best.
>>
>>41207625
>Melon bread and drink (2500 Macca)
>>
>>41207625
>American Burger (4000 Macca)
>>
>>41207625
>Garden salad and yogurt (3600 Macca)
>>
>>41207625

>American Burger (4000 Macca)
Holy fuck thats an expensive burger, I blame inflation.
>>
>>41207625
>American Burger (4000 Macca)
>>
>>41207625
>>American Burger (4000 Macca)

Let's gain some INT
>>
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>>41207625
>Special mapo tofu
>>
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>>41207625
>>41207673
>>41207877
>Special mapo tofu
How can I refuse
>>
>>41207625
>Melon bread and drink (2500 Macca)
I want to save Macca. We have weapons to buy and Hebi-ko's generosity to repay.
>>
>>41207625
>>American Burger (4000 Macca)
>>
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>>41207625
>to embarrass an army barracks
>Eating in the barracks.
BACK OF THE LINE!
>>
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>>American Burger

You line up in front of the service robot and input your order. Behind the scenes, a meal is unwrapped, zapped in seconds and outputted on a plate. Plastic cutlery is provided. You take your order and find an empty table at the very back.

>Total Macca: 7000

“Holy cow, that’s expensive!” Celeste exclaims. She’s got a melon bread and fizzy drink from the vending machines.

You stare at her. “Really?”

“4000 Macca is equal to roughly thirty American dollars, you know.”

“Shadows are beating down at the city walls and our economy is screwed.” You reply, inspecting the burger. Cheese, tomato, beef, lettuce and beetroot. All grown in greenhouses, of course. At least there aren’t any brussel sprouts. You hate the tiny round fuckers. “What else is new?”

You eye her own food. “Are you sure that’s enough for you? It isn’t for me.”

“Some of us don’t have siblings at home, Takashi-kun.” Celeste sticks her tongue out. “I need all the money I can get.”

“For candy, no doubt…”

“Of course!”

Not that you’re complaining. Celeste can live her life the way she sees fit. And if she shares more of those delicious Jack Frost sweets, that’s just a bonus.

You bite into the burger. It’s greasy as hell and about as salty as the Dead Sea. But the beef is tender, the cheese is melted and the tomato slices are juicy. The meal is consumed within However, it leaves you with a sense of incompleteness that all junk food tends to deposit behind. If only you had some fries or water with you...

You spend a good portion of your lunch time with Celeste, eating and chatting with her…

What now?

>Head for the Velvet Room.
>Wander around for a bit.
>Go to the library.
>Research more about your school.
>Custom option.
>>
>>41208314
>>Head for the Velvet Room.
>>
>>41208314
>>Head for the Velvet Room.
>>
>>41208314
>>Wander around for a bit.
>>
>>41208314
>Head for the Velvet Room.
>>
>>41208314
>>Head for the Velvet Room.
You've given us the option frequently enough.
>>
>>41208314
>>Head for the Velvet Room.
>>
So is Izanagi at all viable during the later points of P4 given he stops getting skills at level 5?
>>
>>41208314
>Head for the Velvet Room.
>>
>>41208314
>Head for the Velvet Room.
>>
>>41208314
>Wander around for a bit.
>>
>>41208314
>Head for the Velvet Room.
>>
>>41208400
It's not impossible, but you're supposed to use new personas.
>>
>>41208314
>>Head for the Velvet Room.
>>
>>41208480
I think he's asking because Thorn said on his ask.fm that using Ippon-Datara long-term would be as effective as using Izanagi throughout the game. He wants to know how strong our public persona (ha, unintentional pun) can be.
>>
>>41208550
Thorn said it would be like Izanagi from the anime, not the game. I didn't watch the anime so I don't really know how it works there.
>>
>>41208649
Izanagi remains the main mostly with the other personas getting called in as strikers or as the situation demands.
>>
>>41208649
>>41208701
Also the anime is pretty fun. Yu is a strange guy.
>>
>>41208726
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIuVO1SsFYs&feature=youtu.be&t=168
Best scene of the anime
>>
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>>Head for the Velvet Room.

“Be right back.” You stand up, “Gotta go to the toilet.”

Celeste observes the direction you walk in. “You’re going the wrong way, Takashi-kun.” She calls out.

“No I’m not!” You shout back.

Technically, you’re right. The toilets are in this direction…if one wanted to take the absurdly long route across the academy. You weave between masses of uniforms and duck into a familiar deserted corridor. After checking that the area is devoid of all souls except your own, you unlock the Velvet Room door and step through.

“Took your time coming here, kid.” The usual darkenss surrounds the breadth of the mysterious room. The candles are lit and the two residents place down their teacups on a glass table. The boy leans forward and smirks. “Having fun?”

“Hi, Weakest One!” The girl chirps. “Nii-san, of course he’s late. After all, an important stage of his life is beginning.”

“Indeed. Although, will he able to survive it? Will he excel, or will he be chewed up by the wolves and spat back out?”

“Golly, that sounds so interesting, nii-san!”

“Alright kid. We all know what you’re here for.” The boy speaks. “You’ve unlocked a new bond. Void’s Chosen, of the Fool Arcana. Heh heh heh, this is quite fascinating. Any bond that represents the first and last card in the deck is worth investigating. You initiated with the girl named Celeste Tachibana, but how will you develop and nurture it?”

Three cards fly out of his sleeves and hang in the air.

“Go on kid, pick your poison.” He smiles again. “You’re probably wondering why we’re granting you a Persona of the Fool Arcana, when you already have Ippon-Datara. Ha…figure it out yourself. The answer should be obvious.”

He snaps his figners. The cards flip over, revealing the images of Personas stored within. You can tell that all three are equally as powerful…
>>
>>41208867
You can probably count the amount of times yu gives a fuck on one hand.
>>
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SLIME: A very basic Persona of the Fool Arcana. It is said to be the product of a failed summoning. Stripped of its original powers, it's trapped in an incomplete gel form. Slime is considered to be one of the weakest Personas in existence, desired by almost none. However, its blob-like nature makes it strangely resistant against physical attacks. Its Fool incarnation is also more versatile than its regular Chariot peers.
-Resists physical, weak to fire
[Known moves]
>Bash (Light physical damage to 1 foe)
>Evil Touch (Inflicts fear on 1 foe, medium chance)
>Tarunda (Decreases offence, 1 enemy)
>Disguise Chariot (Innate ability. The wielder’s innate Arcana will appear to be the Chariot to all methods of detection.)

YOMOTSU-SHIKOME: A magically-oriented, basic Persona of the Fool Arcana. They are the hideous demonesses of Yomi, the land of the dead in Japanese mythology. When Izanagi refused to accept his Izanami due to her ugly form, the enraged goddess sent armies of Shikome after him. The attempt was futile and Izanagi escaped using a clever trick. Yomotsu-Shikome is capable in all aspects except for physical attacks.
-Resists ice, weak to wind
[Known moves]
>Poisma (Poisons 1 foe, medium chance)
>Bufu (Light ice damage to 1 foe with a small chance of freeze)
>Sukukaja (Increases agility/evasion on 1 ally)
>Disguise Death (Innate ability. The wielder’s innate Arcana will appear to be the Death to all methods of detection.)
>>
OBARIYON: A physically adept Persona of the Fool Arcana. He is a ghost that appears at night to jump on the backs of passersby. Once on, he won’t get off easily, but some will believe he will turn into gold coins if brought back home. Obariyon is sturdy, tough and has decent speed, but his defenses against magic is lacking. Don’t expect to use much offensive magic spells with him, either.
-Resists fire, weak to ice
[Known moves]
>Sonic Punch (Light physical damage to 1 foe)
>Life Bonus (Slightly increases vitality when equipped)
>Tarukaja (Increases attack on 1 ally)
>Disguise Star (Innate ability. The wielder’s innate Arcana will appear to be the Star to all methods of detection.)

[Choose only one]
>Slime
>Yomotsu-Shikome
>Obariyon
>>
>>41208988
>Yomotsu-Shikome
>>
>>41208988
Slime for phys resistance.
>>
>>41208988
>Slime
Need a wall
>>
>>41208988
>Slime
>>
>>41208988
>Slime
>>
>>41208988
>>Slime
>>
>>41208988
>Yomotsu-Shikome
>>
>>41208964
>>41208988
Why do all the Fool Personas have Disguise [Arcana]? I don't see much point to it. It won't matter to people who know we have the Wild Card, people who know us but don't know about the Wild Card think we're a Hermit, and if we're trying to trick people we don't know yet we could just use a Persona actually of that Arcana. I guess it's a stop gap until we form a Social Link of that Arcana, then? That's the only use for it I can see.
>>
>>41208988
>Yomotsu-Shikome
>>
>>41209080
Flavor.
>>
>>41208988
>Yomotsu-Shikome
>>
>>41208988
>Slime
>>
>>41209104
So it's the Velvet Squatters messing with us, then? I can see that.
>>
>>41209147
Maybe. You think we are the only ones fooling?
>>
>>41208988
>>Yomotsu-Shikome
>>
>>41209147
We should probably ask their names, we can't call them the Velvet Squatters forever.
>>
>>41208988
>Slime
I want Yomotsu-Shikome so we have most of the elements covered, but Tarunda is really useful for boss fights.
>>41209080
Seeing as how our persona was determined early in our life, it's possible other people can somehow 'see' our arcana, probably with their own persona. If we equip a persona without the Disguise ability, our innate arcana would be revealed as the Fool, since it's only because Ippon-Datara has the Disguise:Hermit ability that people think we're a Hermit.

No idea how likely that is, though.
>>
>>41209080
the fool is a trckster, tricksters gonna trick
>>
>>41209179
Sure we can. They don't call us by our name, we won't call them by theirs.

>>41209206
No, I get that. I'm just saying that there's no situation under which we'd need a Disguise [Arcana] other than Disguise Hermit.
>>
>>41208988
>Yomotsu-Shikome
resistance to magic and poison fuck yeah
>>
>>41209206
pixie has that ability or a similar one already
>>
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>>Slime

The card glows brightly, revealing the Persona Slime in front of you. To call the creature ugly would be a massive understatement. The thing looks like someone took the world’s ugliest man, doused him in liquid fecal matter and then shoved him in a blender full of paint and used toilet paper. You watch the failed demon twitch and wobble like disgusting year-old jelly. You begin to feel like you may have made a big mistake…

“Aaaagh! Uuuuh! Raaaagh!” Slime roars.

You have no idea what is going on.

"I aaaammm Slllimmmeee! I wwwilll beee offf ussse too youuuu! Haaaaaaugh!"

It then fades. The tarot card is deposited in front of you.

“Kid, you picked…a peculiar choice, to say the least.” The boy comments. “Well, make use of what you have.”

Power flows into your mind. The bond of the Fool is granting you strength. Slime has learned a new technique…

[Choose only one]
>Needle Rush (Multiple light physical attacks to 1 enemy)
>Tera (Light earth damage to 1 enemy)
>Life Drain (Absorb a small amount of vitality from 1 enemy)
>>
>>41209329
>Tera (Light earth damage to 1 enemy)
>>
>>41209329
>>Tera (Light earth damage to 1 enemy)
>>
>>41209329
>Needle Rush (Multiple light physical attacks to 1 enemy)
>>
>>41209329
>Needle Rush (Multiple light physical attacks to 1 enemy)
>>
>>41209329
>Life Drain (Absorb a small amount of vitality from 1 enemy)
>>
>>41209329
>Life Drain (Absorb a small amount of vitality from 1 enemy)
>>
>>41209329
>Tera (Light earth damage to 1 enemy)
do we have every element yet?
>>
>>41209329
>>Tera (Light earth damage to 1 enemy)
>>
>>41209329
>Needle Rush
>>
>>41209329
>Tera (Light earth damage to 1 enemy)
>>41209381
Still need Bufu (ice)
>>
>>41209329
>Needle Rush
>>
>>41209381
No. We're lacking Wind, Ice, Light, Darkness and the advanced elements.
>>
>>41209329
>Tera (Light earth damage to 1 enemy)
>>
I wonder if we'll acquire Mara at some point...
aka Chariot Penis
>>
>>41209329
>Tera (Light earth damage to 1 enemy)
>>
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>>41209464
For those wondering what Mara looks like.
>>
>>41209329
>>Life Drain (Absorb a small amount of vitality from 1 enemy)
>>
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>>41209501
How did they think that was a good idea?
>>
>>41209329

>Tera (Light earth damage to 1 enemy)
>>
>>41209329
>Tera (Light earth damage to 1 enemy)
>>
>>41209329
>Tera
Good on you for including Earth, Gravity, Nuclear, and even Psy.
>>
>>41209329
>Tera (Light earth damage to 1 enemy)
>>
>>41209658
They just don't care.
>>
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>>41209658
*~symbolism~*

In all seriousness, probably the same reason why Mr. Friendly was thought up.
>>
Guys, I have a serious, life important question here. Is "Tanaka's Amazing Commodities" still airing and offering people amazing bargains.
>>
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>>Tera (Light earth damage to 1 enemy)

And that is that. You now have the power to fling chunks of dirt upwards when the world’s most detested Persona is equipped. Finally, you understand the whines and complaints lodged on the Internet to no-one in particular. When one heard about the Chariot Arcana, imagery related to conquest, war, command, assertion and victory sprung to mind. Not a pile of bones and filth strung together by a consciousness as flimsy as rotten fishing wire.

You exit the Velvet Room, head down the corridor and come face to face with Celeste. Again. This scenario is giving you déjà vu.

“There you are, Takashi-kun.” Celeste says.

“Oh, hey Celeste.”

“So, what are you doing here?” Celeste asks, looking utterly puzzled. “This is the second time I’ve caught you like this.”

“Um, that is…”

“You do realize that the toilers are nowhere nearby.” Celeste trails off. Then her eyes widen. “Unless…”

“I don’t know what you’re thinking but whatever it is, it’s wrong. Cut it out.” You flatly state.
“Then…”

The bell rings, saving you from further questioning. Interrogation is postponed. You look and Celeste and shrug. She narrows her eyes at you. Neither of you wish to be late, so you hop to it and dash all the way back to the main classroom block.
>>
>>41209658
It's slang for "penis" in Japanese and he represents the desires that stop enlightenment.
>>
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You sit down in your seat and check the timetable. Oh, joy. History. A double period consisting of eight minutes. Joy. Boring texts, droning lectures, reference materials and unbearably long assignments—no, positive now! You need to think like a cup half full, not half empty. It’s better than English, at the very least.

The teacher walks in and talks. This semester, you will be studying modern history as well as the other standard topics. By modern, it means history that occurred when the Internet existed in its primitive state.

The class opens with a recap of a common piece of modern history. What is it?

>World War III
>Last Word: the previous Fool.
>The Awakening of all Personas.
>>
>>41209914
We've got to come clean soon.
>>
>>41209939
>Last Word: the previous Fool.
>>
>>41209939
>>World War III
>>
>>41209939
>>Last Word: the previous Fool
>>
>>41209658
Can you guess what arcana it is?

It's Tower
>>
>>41209939
>Last Word
>>
>>41209939
>>Last Word: the previous Fool.
This should help us figure out if we should tell Celeste the truth or not.
protip: we should.
>>
>>41209939
>>Last Word: the previous Fool.
>>
>>41209939
>The Awakening of all Personas.
>>
>>41209939
>Last Word: the previous Fool.
>>
>>41209925
>>41209851
>>41209852
How did nobody go "Steve your penis monster in a chariot is fucking retarded, I am vetoing it."?

Goddammit Steve.
>>
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>>41210020
>arguing with Kaz's designs
>>
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>>41209939
Last Word: the previous fool
>>
>>41209939
>Last Word: the previous Fool.
>>
>>41209939
>>Last Word: the previous Fool.
>>
>>41210020
Japan doesn't give a fuck.
>>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbDkfG56Jbk

Man I can't wait for exam week! Guys remember to memorize the lectures this will all likely be on the test.
>>
>>41210101
Meanwhile they censor their shotgunporn.

Just the genitals, not the gore.
>>
>>41208400
Are you playing Golden? If you're not, then no.
>>
>>41210156
I don't know what you're talking about, and I don't want to.
>>
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>>41209501
Jesus, at least fucking censor that thing.
>>
>>41210249
Its worse than you think.
>>
>>41210274
I see what you did there
>>
>>41210274
Good thing you censored that, otherwise I might have been offended.
>>
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>>41210281
Great. Now you've got me caught in an infinite feedback loop. I imagine the worst possible outcome, then I think "wait, that's not horrible enough" and one-up myself, and then it just continues until "oh holy christ my brain needs to be scrubbed with steel wool".
>>
>>41210340
Welcome to my life.

I wish I was joking.
>>
>>41210359
>>41210340
The worst part is, no matter how bad you imagine, they always make something far worse.
>>
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>>41210359
>>
>>41210430
>>41210450
Eh you eventually get to the point where you just want to out do them.

And that is the story of how I decided to start working on a quest.
>>
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Yes, you are studying about the arguably most influential girl in recent memory. The Savior of Japan. Bearer of the Fool and the World. The Last Word. The woman whose presence caused a rise in Gnosticism across the globe. The strongest Persona-user in all of history.

Kaede Kurusu, your predecessor.

When Personas awakened inside the souls of humans, it didn’t take long for some controlling megalomaniac to abuse the power. In this case, it was North Korea. North Korea attacked America. The country and its allies retaliated. NK’s own allies rushed into support and thus the clusterfuck known as World War III commenced. But instead of just gunfire and infantry, this war was also fought with Personas and their magic.

Six months of death and misery raged. Then the war stopped, because the very first Shadows emerged into existence and attacked every country in the world. It sounds so obvious to you in the present. Shadows feed on the negative emotions of humanity, so a world war is the equivalent of an all you can eat buffet to them. Fuelled by collective despair, the Shadows devoured millions, grew their forces and assaulted.

The people of the past did not understand. Countries were overrun, individuals were slain. In any case, the world war was no longer focused on just humans. It became mankind fighting for survival against a seemingly insurmountable enemy hellbent on their destruction.

Weapons were constructed, anti-Shadow technology was researched. Many countries ordered conscription for all Persona-users. The tide turned for a blissful fraction, then swiftly went the other way. The Shadows eventually grouped into towering abominations millions strong, capable of annihilating entire cities in a single blow. It just so happened that one of them set their sights onto Japan. Conventional weapons appeared to have no effect on it. Nukes only staggered it for a moment. For a while, it seemed all hope was lost.

Then the Last Word arrived.
>>
>>41210491
>NK’s own allies
North Korea has allies?
>>
>>41210616
China, ostensibly.
>>
>>41210616
shh its fiction
>>
>>41210616
I am sure this is a mistake, Best Korea clearly does not need any allies to take on America.
>>
>>41210616
Mostly rogue states and anti-us nations.
>>
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8oFHqIfmws

Reports told of a girl of snow-white hair and piercing golden eyes flying high up into the sky and facing down the beast. From her soul, she drew out the tarot card of the World and crushed it in her palm.

You’ve seen video footage of it. The skies darkening in an instant. Lightning crackling down from the sky. A terrible figure forming behind Kaede Kurusu—a dark angel with four eyes and twelve rings of the color of the rainbow. Kaede pointed her finger at the Shadow and clenched her fist. The angel attacked and in an instant, the Shadow consisting of millions was reduced to nothing more than wisps of smoke.

The silence that occurred in amongst those watching was legendary.

The Last Word did not stop there. She flew across all of Japan, switching back and forth between Personas and cleansing the country of the most dangerous Personas. From this, researchers understood that she held the Wild Card in her hands. Then she soared across the rest of the world and ended World War III in a day.

The Shadows would not disappear completely, but at least humanity had the room to spare a breather, for the moment.
>>
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>>41210676
This must be some sort of typo.
>>
>>41210705
Huh, I was going to guess Sophia.
>>
>>41210705
>The Last Word did not stop there. She flew across all of Japan, switching back and forth between Personas and cleansing the country of the most dangerous Personas. From this, researchers understood that she held the Wild Card in her hands. Then she soared across the rest of the world and ended World War III in a day.
>The Shadows would not disappear completely, but at least humanity had the room to spare a breather, for the moment.
Well, certainly a big act to follow.
>>
>>41210705
Cool. Now we have something to aim for. Maybe the Velvet Squatters are right and we'll never reach anywhere near your level, Miss Kurusu. But we can try, at least.
>>
Hey Thorn, Bad bad bathhouse when?
>>
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Was Kaede Kurusu benevolent or malicious? Eighty years have passed since 2041, and nobody has found a conclusive answer. She rarely talked to her own country and could disappear up to years at a time.

In any case, the first she did after resting for three days, where everyone else was still recovering from the trauma, was fly over to North Korea and relocate all its citizens to the south.

The innocent and starving ones, that is.

Then she clapped her hands, summoned her Persona and razed the dictatorship to the ground.

Nobody survived.
>>
Wait, so if all these shadows got out all over the world, something happened to the door didn't it.
>>
>>41210830
Holy fuck. Kaede don't play.
>>
>>41210705
Calling it now - Kurusu is the BBEG.
>>
>>41210857
Quite the mary sue, isn't she?
>>
>>41210830
>Nobody survived.
Are you sure she isn't American?
>>
>>41210834
Probably not. If it had, Erebus would have summoned Nyx by now. My guess is that it has something to do with why Igor's missing. Some new stage of the conflict between Philemon and Nyarlathotep, or something.
>>
>>41210868
That's some M. Night shit. The plot twist is right in front of us the whole time.
>>
>>41210888
>I own The World and the Wild Card.
>Where all other forms of defense against sharow titans failed, I wiped them out singlehandedly.
>I ended WW3 in a day.
>I singlehandedly blew up North Korea.
>I am on record as the strongest Persona wielder ever.
No wonder the Velvet Squatters give our MC so much shit. He has to follow up THAT.
>>
>>41209501
>>41209658
Mara is almost exactly copied from stuff that Japan CURRENTLY still celebrates. As in somewhere in there, there's a giant carved wooden dong that people RIDE on.

>>41210830
mmm, gotta love the Almighty spells

>>41206987
I forgot if you mentioned, but do physical moves use HP or MP? This is an important factor that decides whether the physical almighty skills are useful.

I also noticed that you made the drain skills deal fixed damage. Interesting.
>>
>>41210963
and she's the Fool Persona Wielder the general population knows about.
>>
>>41210868
>>41210943
Not much of a TWEEST if her soul resonates with the evil creator of the physical world in which human souls are trapped.
>>
>>41211009
I wonder what she did that makes people associate Fools with Wild Cards, though. From her actions I'd expect the Wild Card to be associated with the World, not the Fool. There must be something more to it.
>>
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Of course, such an abrupt action undoubtedly caught the attention of every major power in the world. Who is this girl? Why did she do something so drastic? Will her power be a threat to us in the future?

It soon came to the point where the governments of the world were gunning for her head. Quite ironic, considering she was the person who literally saved the world.

In response, Kaede Kurusu posted a video on the Internet. A challenge to America, China and the rest. The Fool of Japan, as she named herself, would wait in the center of the Pacific Ocean, where nobody would be hurt. They could fire as many rounds, send as much troops as they could muster. It would all be futile, she said.

She was right.

All bullets bounced off her Personas. Spells were reflected straight back to their casters. When the navy and air force came after her, she drew out the humans inside the machines and deposited them into Japan, leaving nothing but empty metal husks behind. How she could transport the soldiers from the Pacific Ocean to her home country within seconds is still a mystery to this day.

Eventually, the order came for the nuclear weapons to be used. The Last Word. A final resort. The bombs were fired sky high. Kaede watched as they sped towards her and closed her eyes.

The explosions that rocked across the horizon could be heard from all over the globe. Waves of raw energy assaulted the sixteen year old girl. A weapon predicted to wipe out life on the planet was focused on a sole individual.

Useless. So very useless.

When the smoke cleared, the dust faded, Kaede was hovering in the sky. Her Persona was outstretched in front of her. There wasn’t so much a single singe or scratch on her body.
>>
>>41211269
Whoa that's nuts
>>
>>41211269
And I thought this read like bad fanfiction already, holy shit.
>>
>>41211055
>>41211269
Oh, that's why, she called herself Fool. Well, fuck her for ruining things for us, then. I hope she is the final boss, just so we get a chance to cuss her out.
>>
>>41211269
I feel so inadequate right now.
>>
>>41211269
Know what? I'm fine with not trying to one up this person. Getting SOCIAL LINKS and surviving AETHER is good enough for me.
>>
>>41211269

Of course the Foolish chick had to cause drama, ffs.
>>
>>41211269
Well, shit.

So, how do we tell Celeste? "Hey, you know that mythical girl who ended World War III, destroyed a country, and then made a mockery of every major military power and survived nuclear blasts unscathed? And how she had the Fool Arcana and the Wild Card? Yeah, you're never going to believe this..."
>>
>>41211375
Yes, let's aim for normality now. Bitches be crazy. Also, this is exactly why I don't want the info on being a Fool to leak out at all, no one has to know if we can help it. Let's level up on our own and help the group along later with the one persona they know we have.
>>
>>41211408
>So, how do we tell Celeste?
We don't.
>>
>>41211269
We should just stand up and announce that we are a fool.

Then prove it.
>>
>>41211422
We have to, sooner or later. Do it in the shadow world, since it's only the two of them.
>I'm not the Hermit, Celeste.
>I'm the Fool.
>>
>>41211422
Kinda have too to not get wrecked in AETHER. She might know already though.
>>
>>41211408
>ended World War III, destroyed a country, and then made a mockery of every major military power and survived nuclear blasts unscathed
All at 16.
Fucking Japanese with their affection for youth and their under-18 protagonists.
>>
>>41211412
>>41211422
Whether by switching persona or by telling them outright, we'll have to. Handicapping our wildcard ability is going to get us and others killed in AETHER.
>>
>>41211565
Pfft, step off pleb. All you have to do is solo grind and battles won't be a problem.
>>
>>41211422
That has the potential to be even worse than telling her. If we wait too long, she may be upset that we didn't trust her enough to spill the beans earlier. We need to both foster trust and not hamper our own abilities in AETHER, like >>41211565 says.
>>
>>41211493
>>41211565
Can we at least do it when we've got our social link up a bit. Cause right now we seem more like passing friends than secret keepers. Get those trust points up so she doesn't start avoiding us once we do tell her.
>>
>>41211598
Considering we just saved her life after she was sucked into a parallel world of shadows that nearly killed her, and that she's the only other person who knows about this, I don't think she's in a position to be picky if and when it comes out.
>>
>>41211598
>Cause right now we seem more like passing friends than secret keepers.
Shit nigga,no big deal, we just saved her life.
>>
>>41211598
>Save her life.
>Don't tell her until we do her taxes.
>>
>>41211598
>passing friends
We saved her life, and more importantly, we did shots with her. That's true trust, right there.
>>
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It was later discovered that a rare skill called Null Nuclear existed, which allowed the wielder to negate all nuclear-based attacks. The obvious conclusion was that Kaede’s Persona, the Demiurge, possessed this attribute.

“Give up.” Kaede Kurusu had spoken. “You cannot defeat me.”

With that final, resolute statement, she returned to her home country. Or rather, the sea between it and the smoldering remains of North Korea.

There, she did….something. It was an act that removed the radiation from the ruins while simultaneously restoring life there. Then a bunch of stuff happened that would eventually cause the transformation of Japan from ordinary country to a world superpower and a mighty empire. Not that said empire would conquer countries and slay men. No, everybody was too focused on the enemy already knocking at their front doorsteps, demanding human souls as consumption.

But that’s a story for another day. You know this, because history class has ended and it’s time for mathematics. Not only will you be learning about calculus, algebra and graphs, but also computer science concepts such as Turing Machines, time complexity, algorithms and the Pumping Lemma. Well, maths is sort of your strong subject…

Kaede Kurusu is no longer relevant to you. Other than injecting a stigma onto all Fool wielders as ungodly creatures of mass destruction, which is causing you mountains of stress, but whatever. She is a dead girl. You have never met her and definitely never will. What matters right now is paying attention and listening in class. A detention on the first afternoon would be awful.

Elsewhere, Celeste looks up at the holograph board and wishes she was back in America.

[4:00pm, 4-Apr-2129]

School has ended. You have no extra-curricular activities or people to meet today.

>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void.
>Walk around town.
>Study in the school library.
>Return home.
>Custom option.
>>
>>41211588
>The Personas of a Wild Card grow slowly! Grinding for experience was useless for the Last Word and those who came before her.
Only our Ippon-Datara grows at a normal rate and we don't have the persona pool of the previous Fools to solo without getting ourselves killed.
>>
>>41211691
>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void.
>>
>>41211691
>The obvious conclusion was that Kaede’s Persona, the Demiurge, possessed this attribute.
Oh fuck

>You have never met her and definitely never will.
We wish

>>41211691
>>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void.
>>
>>41211691
>>Study in the school library.
>>
>>41211691
>Study in the school library.
>>
You know, I think we can work with this. Last Word seems to have been focused on the angelic and the awe-inspiring. So let's be opposite to her, and have an army of deformed freaks. Embrace the shame the Velvet Squatters are trying to place on us, make it our own, and use that revulsion as a weapon. We've even sort of got that in our Persona line-up. We've got a cripple in Ippon-Datara and living filth in Slime. Pixie...doesn't really fit that theme, but I'm sure we can think of something.
>>
>>41211691
Make posters to try and reach more people infected with Aether before they get sent to the void.
>>
>>41211269
... Welp. No wonder we're called the Weakest One. We're gonna need quite a lot of Social Links to match up against that act, with all our current limitations.
Wait, it didn't mention any S-links that the Last Word had.
>>41211691
> You have never met her and definitely never will.
Well. Guess we'll definitely meet her.
>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void.
>>
>>41211691
>Study in the school library.
Grind Intelligence!

>Null Nuclear
We need to figure out how to get this.
>>
>>41211691
>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void.
We've got a spare iron key. Want to unlock a door with us, Celeste?
>>
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>>41211691
>It was later discovered that a rare skill called Null Nuclear existed, which allowed the wielder to negate all nuclear-based attacks. The obvious conclusion was that Kaede’s Persona, the Demiurge, possessed this attribute.
Hahaha what.
>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void.
>>
>>41211735
Let's not get that far into the iconography. All we have going for us is that we're one of the only players in this demonic mobile MMO that no one else acknowledges.
>>
>>41211735
>Pixie...doesn't really fit that theme
pixie is still seen as a weaker/lower Persona, I think our thing can be underdogs. Personas that nobody believes in that when given a chance can become something far greater
>>
>>41211691
>>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void.
I have a sneaking suspicion that the Velvet Room's current state is because Kaede abused it to all hell and back. Literal radiation removal and instant no-fail non-lethal teleports is just too much.
>>
>>41211691
>>Walk around town.
Social Links!
>>
>>41211691
>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void.
>>
>>41211691
>>Study in the school library.
>>
>>41211777
All the other Fools were amazing, crazy people who did outlandish things and singlehandedly changed the course of civilization here and there.

Our MC is a crippled late bloomer who's playing some evil MMO where a scant few people might die unless he plays the game. This is fucking beans compared to everything else. No wonder the squatters taunt him relentlessly as The Weakest One.
>>
>>41211691
>Study in the school library.
>>
>>41211691
>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void
>>
>>41211856
Until the final version of the game merges with the real world, causing massive fuckups everywhere.

Shadowruns everywhere
>>
>>41211691
>>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void.
>>
>>41211928
Yeah, it always starts as a minor threat, but it doesn't stay there. JOKER was just a creepy phone service. The Midnight Channel was a TV Station. But then they turned creepy. I'm sure by the end of this we'll be fighting some sort of world-ending threat.
>>
>>41211856
Well, P3 involved killing shadows that went on rampages, which was local-scale. Then suddenly death descends in a world-scale event and the protag stopped it.

P4 also just involved few people until the end, where it turned out Izanami would cover the world in mist, turning yet another local-scale thing into a world-scale thing.

The massive changes need not come now. It is the fate of the Fool to be involved in World-Scale events.
>>
>>41211691
Blackened Void time.
>>
>>41211965
Look up Demiurge. Tell me what you think it'll be.
>>
>>41211972
Wait, does this mean she let the bbeg unfold its plot to fill the world?
>>
>>41211982
Oh, I'm familiar with Gnosticism, I know about Yaldabaoth. But I'm not quite ready yet to assume the threat has to do with Last Word. Maybe it does, but I'm not going to assume that based on one bit of potential foreshadowing. I'm going to wait and see.
>>
>>41211691
>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void
>>
>>41211982
>>41212060
Actually, I just thought of something horrifying that it could be. The word Aether refers to the atmosphere of the supernal world, the pure essence filling heaven and distinguishing it from the imperfect earthly world of physicality. That ties in with the Gnostic themes that Last Word has. But Aether is also the name of a god in Greek myth. One who is the son of Erebus and Nyx. You know, the things destroying the world in Persona 3, that the Great Seal is designed to hold back? Specifically, it's meant to keep Erebus from calling Nyx to it, destroying humanity in the process. Much like they'd need to come together to produce a child. So, uh, anyone want to bet if that's going to be significant?
>>
>>41212060
Maybe the game is intended to train a cadre of fighters to keep Yaldabaoth/Last Word from fucking things up later.

Maybe Philemon is behind the game?

I'm not actually putting any stock into my guesses, but it's fun to theorize.
>>
>>41212259
Probably
>>
>>41212259
>Specifically, it's meant to keep Erebus from calling Nyx to it, destroying humanity in the process
So Aether IS the Door?
>>
>>41212370
I'm more suggesting that Erebus's essence managed to seep through cracks in the door (possibly caused by the same negative emotional energy that created those kaiju-Shadows) and mix with Nyx's, producing whatever threat we're going to be dealing with.
>>
>>41212370
No, looks like the door fucked up and now we have this shit.
>>
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>>41212259
So The Great Seal was really just The Great Cockblock?
>>
>>Call Celeste to the Blackened Void.

Okay, you seriously need to tell Celeste your dark secret. The existence of your friendship depends on it. But the thought of explosing yourself makes you want to run away to the deepest hole in the planet and hide there. How the hell is she going to react, considering all the bullshit your predecessor pulled? Bloody fuck Kaede Kurusu, was annihilating North Korea really necessary? They did kick off World War III and were a representation of modern 1984 by that Orwell fellow, but still.

Argh, you have no choice. Celeste is going to find out one way or another. Might as well get this over and done with…

You exit 5-3, waving goodbye to Takauji as you go. Celeste is striding out of her classroom.

“Oh, Takashi-kun!” She bounds over to you, giving a chipper smile. “Want to walk home together?”

“Uh…something’s come up.” Is what you stammer out.

“That’s a shame.” Celeste replies. “I was hoping you could show me around the city today.”

“Yeah, cool.” You says. “Look, can you come with me for a second?”

“What’s up?”

You drag her over to a slightly less crowded part of the corridor. Then you take a deep breath and look at her square in the eye. “We need to return there.”

“…where?” she questions.

“There.” You flip out your phone and opened AETHER. You whisper. “The Blackened Void.”

Celeste’s eyes widen. “I thought you didn’t want to go back there.”

“Do you? But I need to tell you something important. This is the only place we can without being spied on.”

“AETHER hasn’t sent me any notifications.” Celeste observes. “But alright, I’ll come. Just let me get by stuff first.”

She scampers off to nab her books. You decide to do the same. The oranges and reds of the afternoon skies are flowing through open windows. The streets are more packed than ever. Your heart cannot stop thumping in your chest. Perhaps you should be grateful that you survived your first day of school? Only sheer nerves remain.
>>
>>41212432
>>41212459
oh wait, I see. And I suppose someone kinda...."translated" it into programs, using its inherent chaotic nature to turn Aether into a game that can powerlevel players?
>>
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“That wasn’t so bad!” You and Celeste exit the front gates of the academy, belongings on backs.

“What was?”

“Akumachi-Kirjo. I heard it had a massive reputation, but I thought it was fine.” Celeste grins. “We’re both unscathed, Takashi-kun.”

“It’s only first day, Tachibana-san.” You mutter. "I'll put money right now on some jackass trying to mug us after school tomorrow."

“Aw, don’t be so negative!”

The bullet train is boarded and District 5 approaches within minutes. You push past the swarms of commuters and walk straight to the dusty alleyway. The door to the otherworld is opened. The vivid colors of Akumachi City melt away into dirty grays and browns of the forgotten. You crane to look at the sky. Still heavy and dark, as usual.

“Cold…” Celeste steps out from behind you, shivering. “We should wear school jumpers next time.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” You reply. Maybe Celeste is just weak to ice? Who knows.

>Tell Celeste of your status as a Fool.
>Open one of the locked doors with the key.
>Customize your safehouse.
>Explore the Forgotten City.
>Custom option.
>>
>>41212552
>Tell Celeste of your status as a Fool.
>>
>>41212552
>Tell Celeste of your status as a Fool.
>Customize your safehouse.
>>
>>41212552
>>Tell Celeste of your status as a Fool.
>>
>>41212552
>>Open one of the locked doors with the key.
need the list again
>>Customize your safehouse.
make it look nice, maybe brew some tea and make a snack before
>>Tell Celeste of your status as a Fool.
>>
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>>41212552
>Tell Celeste of your status as a Fool.
WELL
OFF WE GO
THE RIDE HAS STARTED
>>
>>41212552
>Tell Celeste of your status as a Fool.
>Customize your safehouse.
>>
>>41212552
>Open one of the locked doors with the key.
>Customize your safehouse.
>Tell Celeste of your status as a Fool.
In that order.
>>
>>41212552
>>Tell Celeste of your status as a Fool.
>>Open one of the locked doors with the key.
>>Customize your safehouse.

>show her our different personas by practicing on the weaker shadows
>>
>>41212552
>>Tell Celeste of your status as a Fool.
>>
>>41212552
>Open one of the locked doors with the key.
>>
>>41212552
>Maybe Celeste is just weak to ice?
Well, her persona *is* Sati, and Sati is kinda on fire...
>>
>>41212552
>Custom option.
Before anything else, go to Hebi-ko and pay off our debt. Shizue took a risk giving us a freebie, we shouldn't leave her hanging.
>>
>>41212552
>>Custom option.
change our screen name in AETHER to [Foolish Hermit]
>>
>>41212516
I want to be that lollipop.
>>
>>41212552
>Tell Celeste of your status as a Fool.
>>
>>41212552
>Open one of the locked doors with the key.
>Explore the Forgotten City.
Don't tell Celeste of your status as a Fool.
>>
>>41212552
>>Tell Celeste of your status as a Fool.
>>
>>41212552
>>41212629
ooh yeah, that's kinda important
>>
>>41212668
>>
>>41212552
>Tell Celeste of your status as a Fool.
"I'm a Fool."
"What? You always struck me as a pretty smart guy."
"That's not what I meant."
>>
>>41212668
Non-rebutals like >>41212691 aside, it really is kinda fucking important that we tell her.
>>
>>41212668
I'd rather wait on it too, but I think we're outvoted. Seeing as how we did kinda save her, we shouldn't get get too much backlash from it, if at all.
>>
>>41212729
>tell Celeste we're the Fool
>she begs us not to nuke her
>we show her our persona
>she looks at us with a sad look on her face and pats us on the shoulder in a patronizing manner
>>
>>41212770
>So, what's your fool persona?
>shows slime
>...aren't those, you know....failures?
>yes-I mean screw you he's resistant to physical!
>>
>>41212552
>Tell Celeste of your status as a fool
Better now than in the middle of a battle, lest it goes all FFVI when Terra uses magic for the first time and surprises the party.
>>
>>41212847
I'm guessing someone's been playing RK?
>>
>>41212746
If he doesn't get it at this point I doubt anyone can convince him.
>>
>>41212746
And make sure she's sworn to secrecy. That's important. It's not like anyone else will believe her (or us) about the game.
>>
Repay like >>41212629 says and tell Celeste about Fool.
>>
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watch Slime become a beast when it awakens, same with Pixie. Hell Ippon is gonna be a God so why not
>>
>>Tell Celeste of your status as a Fool.

You point towards the safehouse, the bastion of peace within the chaotic, oppressive lands. The scanners bleep in confirmation and the metallic door slides open with a hiss. You sit yourself down in the living room couch space. Celeste is on the opposite side of you.

“So, this is it.” You state.

“Your big secret?” Celeste asks. “Geez, Takashi-kun? What could be so important that you had to hide away from the public eyes?”

“I just don’t want any cameras to spot us, got it?”

“Oh, I see.” Celeste nods in understanding. “So this isn’t a confession or coming out of the closet, then.”

“Those won’t completely ruin my life, so no.” You reply. You place your hand on your chest and count to three. Then you open your mouth and speak…
>I’m a Fool, Celeste.
>Do you know what the Wild Card is?
>Promise me you won’t freak out at this (demonstrate Wild Card powers)
>Have you checked AETHER recently?
>Custom option.
>>
>>41212926
>>I’m a Fool, Celeste.
>>(try not to groan when she makes a bad joke)No not like that
>>Promise me you won’t freak out at this (demonstrate Wild Card powers)
>>...ta da...
>>
>>41212926
>I’m a Fool, Celeste.
>>
>>41212926
>Promise me you won’t freak out at this (demonstrate Wild Card powers)
>>
>>41212926
>>I’m a Fool, Celeste.
>>Promise me you won’t freak out at this (demonstrate Wild Card powers)
>summon slime
full anticlimax
>>
>>41212926
>Do you know what the Wild Card is?
>Promise me you won’t freak out at this (demonstrate Wild Card powers)
>>
>>41212926
>Promise me you won’t freak out at this (demonstrate Wild Card powers)
>I’m a Fool, Celeste.
>>
>>41212879
Actually yes, recently started, but am getting bummed out by the 4 and 5* relic drop rates, and I refuse to spend money
>>
>>41212926
>>I’m a Fool, Celeste.
>>
>>41212926
>>Do you know what the Wild Card is?

If we say we're a fool straight out, she'll think we're saying we're an idiot.
>>
>>41212926
>>Promise me you won’t freak out at this (demonstrate Wild Card powers)
>>
>>41212926
>Promise me you won’t freak out at this (demonstrate Wild Card powers)
Best way to do it, I think. Show her outright, use her surprise as an opportunity to explain while she's trying to figure out what she just saw.
>>
>>41212926
>>Do you know what the Wild Card is?
>>Promise me you won’t freak out at this (demonstrate Wild Card powers)
>>
>>41212955
This.
>>
>>41212926
>Promise me you won’t freak out at this (demonstrate Wild Card powers)
>>
>>41212971
It sucks, yeah. The worst part is still grinding the weak-ass core units for their sweet, sweet record materia.
>>
>>41212926
>>41212964
THIS 1000 times THIS
>>
>>41212926
>Custom option.
I'm Omega Hitler!
>>
>>41212926
>>I’m a Fool, Celeste.
>>(try not to groan when she makes a bad joke)No not like that
>>Promise me you won’t freak out at this (demonstrate Wild Card powers)
>>...ta da...
>>
>>41212955
second
>>
>>41213041
3rd
>>
>>41212926

Yeah, let's go with
>>41212955
>>41212964
>>
>>41211269
> How she could transport the soldiers from the Pacific Ocean to her home country within seconds is still a mystery to this day.

Anything is possible when one has ZA WARUDO. I guess all conventional weapons were MUDAMUDAMUDAMUDA against her?
>>
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>>I’m a Fool, Celeste.

You say it, simply and plainly. The words hang in the air for a moment, like moisture on a foggy day. Celeste blinks and tilts her head. You breathe in and out. Your heart is beating against its restrains, so viciously.

“You’re…a…Fool?” Celeste repeats, slowly.

“Pretty much, yeah.”

Then her confusion evaporates back into her usual cheery mood. “Don’t be ridiculous, Takashi-kun. You’re not stupid. I’ve met a lot of stupid people, and you’re not one.”

Oh for the love of…you sort of guessed this would happen. Trust you to put a generic word out instead of the actual term. Part of you tempted to back out and leave this safehouse. Maybe you’ll go and visit that Italian noodle shop in District 3. Unfortuantely, the more rational side of you begs to differ.

Sighing, you draw out your potential and summon Ippon-Datara’s tarot card. It has the symbol of the Hermit, the lantern, the cave and the old man, displayed on one side.

“Why are you summoning your Persona?” Celeste asks.

“Promise me you won’t freak out at this?” You utter.

You clench the card and Ippon-Datara is summoned in all his degraded, blacksmithing magnificence. Nothing to see here, this is standard operating procedure. Celeste looks unfazed, only curious as to where this is going.
>>
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You then reach into your soul and withdraw the power of the Wild Card. Ippon-Datara is compressed into the tarot card. This time, it is bathed in whiteness. You switch on a few gears inside your brain and suddenly the image of the Fool—a young boy heading off a cliff with a dog and a knapsack—appears on it.

Celeste perks up. “Hey, is that…”

You crush the card. Slime appears. It oozes onto the floor, stinking up the place and gurgling loudly.

Celeste’s eyes shoot open and her jaw drops. “What.” She says, dumbly.

You’ve definitely got her attention. You focus your power and Slime disappears. You switch to the power of the Magician. Pixie is sent out, twirling around the room with her tiny form and giggling maniacally.

“WHAT!” Celeste shouts, leaping up as if a million volts had just zoomed through her nervous system. She extends a trembling finger to your Persona. The Persona that by all rights you should not possess. “WHAT THE HELL?” she shrieks.

“I’m the Fool.” You repeat morosely. “The Wild Card, Celeste.”

“Takashi-kun, you…you…” So many words desire to spill themselves out of Celeste’s mouth. Overflow leads to bottlenecking, and it takes all her effort to stammer. You wait for her to finish. “I…what…how?”

>AETHER did some shit to me, I guess.
>Calm down, Tachibana-san.
>What are you going to do now?
>[LOCKED] If you tell anybody about this, I will tear your spine out. (Terrifying Presence perk required)
>Custom option.

Note: No, you can't choose LOCKED options without the necessary requirements. I will ignore any attempts to select them.
>>
>>41213658
>>AETHER did some shit to me, I guess.

I don't think I was born a natural Fool, someone did something to me. I don't even have the expected Wild Card perks.
>>
>>41213658
>Right before I was dragged into Aether, there was this dark room.
>I got injected with a gallon of blue stuff, fucked me up pretty bad.
>I THINK that's why I'm a Fool, now.
>>
>>41213658
>>Custom option.
"That is a VERY good question."
Also, wow, we would have to be fucking idiots to even consider using that locked option, even if it was available.
>>
>>41213658
>>AETHER did some shit to me, I guess.
>>Maybe, I don't fucking know. Only this can't leave this room.
>>
>>41213658
Why even show us the Locked options, then? Are we going to have New Game + content?
>>
>>41213658
>Calm down, Tachibana-san.
>What are you going to do now?
>>
>>41213658
>Calm down, Tachibana-san.
>AETHER did some shit to me, I guess.
>Figured you should know, considering I'll likely have to use them all in here. No I am not Near as powerful as Last Word.
>Please don't tell anyone, Aether is enough crap in my life as is.
>>
>>41213690
to explain the mechanic, and hint that whatever perks we DO have can be used in some way in the future.
>>
>>41213658
>AETHER did some shit to me, I guess.
>>
>>41213690
Timey-wimey ball?

Is there time-related shenanigans in Persona? If it's a huge spoiler you don't have to say, I just figured with all the shit going on I wouldn't be surprised.
>>
>>41213658
>>AETHER did some shit to me, I guess.
>>
>>41213658
>Custom option.
If you tell anybody about this, I will cry like a little girl.
>>
>>41213745
>Redo Celeste Rescue mission in hard mode
>all the shadows are level 30
>Free Celeste with a full party, possibly including Celeste.
>>
>>41213658
>Fuck if I know.
>>
>>41213658
>AETHER did some shit to me, I guess.
>>
>>41213658
>AETHER did some shit to me, I guess.
>>
>>41213658
>AETHER did some shit to me, I guess.
>>
>>41213658
>Custom option.
"I'm not sure. I remember some weird dream I had before I woke up in the Void, that I guess might have been real, but I don't really understand it. Look, please don't freak out. I'm nowhere near as dangerous as the last Fool. But we might need to use at some point, so I figure you deserve to hear it now instead of getting a nasty surprise later."
>>
>>41213658
>AETHER did some shit to me, I guess.
>There's a bunch of stuff with a Velvet Room and getting different personas.
>Might have something to do with me being the first player
>Might have to do with me not having a persona until I came here.
>Either way, I needed someone to confide in, and my sister might feel obligated to report me to the government as an anti-shadow operative.
>So, please don't hate me.
>>
What if Kaede is like... An inverted fool? We haven't heard anything about her fighting with allies or anything, maybe she's like the Adachi of the last gen?
>>
>>41213745
There is in Persona 2. Spoilers there, but if you're curious you can google the plot for it.
>>
>>41213658
>>AETHER did some shit to me, I guess.
>>
>>41213840
reversed World, possibly.

Which is thematically appropriate if we have to take the long, LONG journey to become anything close to that level of power and settle things properly.
>>
>>AETHER did some shit to me, I guess.

“Like what happened to you. Except mine was worse. Some robot lady came up to me and injected a load of blue liquid into my veins. It tortured me to near death and when I woke up I summoned my Persona.” You explain. You chuckle bitterly. “And then I was saddled with the biggest burden in existence. Christ…”

“This…this isn’t a trick, right?” Celeste gapes. “No smoke and mirrors, no holograms. This is all real, Takashi-kun?”

You switch back to Ippon-Datara. “If this wasn’t real, it would make my life so much easier.” You say.

“I…wow. I think I need a moment.” She states. Then she sits back down and contemplates, staring at her lap. You wait, putting away your Persona in the process. Ten seconds pass. Twenty, thirty, a minute. The humming of the refrigerator is only sound to penetrate the silence.

“You’re a Fool, Takashi-kun.” Celeste says.

“Yeah.”

“That means you have the Wild Card. You have a power that the government would kill for.”

“Yep.” So many innocents gone missing the past of humanity, their souls dissected open to be used as research fodder by raving lunatics…yet another reason why you were so determined to keep this a secret.

“You can switch between Personas at will.”

“Yeah.” Three of them. Your stock is full right now.

Celeste looks up at you, her expression unreadable. “Are you like the Last Word?”

You think back to your history classes and recall what Last Word had done to bring about the existence of the National Empire of Japan. “No. Hell no.”

Celeste breathes a sigh of relief. “That’s good. I’m glad.” She smiles.
>>
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“Look Celeste, I’m sorry for not telling you sooner.” You ramble. “But if this gets out, my life is practically dead and buried. Figured you should know though, since we’ve both been cursed by AETHER, apparently. I can’t even tell my sister or my mother about this, because they might be targeted by anti-Shadow Operatives or the government if this leaks out.”

Celeste nods.

“Can you keep this a secret?” You ask. “I’m begging you here. Please don’t tell anyone. AETHER has given me enough crap in my life as it is.”

“I’m just…reeling in shock!” Celeste exclaims. “Is this what it feels like to make a brilliant new discovery? I mean, wow.”

“Some discovery. Do you see the way fanatics worship the Last Word? It makes me want to puke.”

Then Celeste pauses and the smile fades from her face. “I definitely won’t tell anyone about this, though. Takashi-kun.”

You blink. That’s good to hear. Nevertheless… “Why?”

“Because you’re my friend, silly!” Celeste giggles. “If you died, I think I would cry a lot. I don’t want that to happen, so I’ll keep my lips sealed. You can count on me.”

“What makes you so sure you won’t talk?”

“Like I said, we’re friends. Friends don’t sell each other else. It doesn’t matter if the government offers me my wildest dreams, I won’t ever sell you out.”

You study Celeste for a moment. Her words sound genuine. Her eyes are filled with generosity instead of malice. Her smile is radiant as ever. Yes, you think you can honestly, truly trust this girl. You collapse in your seat, the stress fading from your body.

“You have no idea how much I was killing myself over this meeting.” You moan. “Thanks a bunch, Celeste. I mean it. Now I won’t have to sleep wondering if government agents will bust down my front door and drag me into a van.”
>>
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>>41212668
So how are you feeling right about now?
>>
>>41214414
Not that anon, but seriously, stop being so smug. It's toxic.
>>
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Celeste gives you the thumbs up and smiles.

“Somehow, I get the impression that nobody would believe me, even if I did spill the beans.” You mutter.

Celeste nods. “People expect Fools to be all-powerful. No offence, Takashi-kun, you’re not even close to Last Word’s level.”

“I don’t want to be near her level.” You mutter. “Kaede Kurusu was insane, doing all that stuff.”

“So…”

“So…?”

“You’re not going to become a messiah or anything like that in the future?”

“No.”

She peers at you closely. “Do you have a harem?”

“Wha—no!” You growl. “Where the hell did that come from?”

Celeste shrugs and sucks on her lollipop. “The Internet? You should see what people write about the Last Word.”

“Don’t. Tell. Me.” You shudder. Porn, no doubt. Steamy erotic fanfiction about groups of men doing the nasty to the strongest Persona user in history. Yeah, this train of thought needed its tracks blown up and the remnants scattered to the four winds.

Ultimately, you feel a sense of bliss and warmth. Glad that you can confide into someone about your Wild Card powers and Celeste has resolved to keep this a secret. She is a friend, rightly so. As you banter with Celeste as she proclaims exuberant and ridiculous theories about the nature of Fools, you think…

…yeah, you could definitely get used to this. This foreign concept of friendship…
>>
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>RANK UP!

>The Celeste Tachibana Social Link has reached Level 2.
>Pixie’s stats have increased. Magic has gone up! Endurance has gone up!
>>
>>41214487
BTW, forgot your name/trip.
>>
What will you do now?

>Customize safe house.
>Open one of the locked doors.
>Explore the Forgotten City.
>Go home for the day.
>Custom option.
>>
>>41214487
Aw yes. Gotta level those sweet, sweet Social Links.
>>
>>41214511
>Custom option.
Pay Shizue back. Seriously, we owe her.
>>
>>41214512
Whoops, sorry.

>>41214511
This is me.
>>
>>41214511
>Customize safe house.
>Open one of the locked doors.
Do it while we're here
>>
>>41214511
>>Customize safe house.
Let's do this first
>>
>>41214511
>>Open one of the locked doors.
>>
>>41214511
>>Customize safe house.
>>Open one of the locked doors.
>pay hotspring bill

and if there's time
>>Explore the Forgotten City.
Get used to switching Personas mid-fight

And you know, try to find a strategy for when we rescue the next person in here. We don't want to throw the Wild Card ball at them IMMEDIATELY.
>>
>>41214511
>Customize safe house.
>Open one of the locked doors.
>Pay hotspring's girl
>>
>>41214511
>Explore
>Pay back spring lady
>Open a door
>GRIIIIIIIIIIIIIIND!
>>
>>41214511
>Open one of the locked doors.
>>
>>41214469
>Customize safe house.
>Open one of the locked doors.
In that order
>>
>>41214511
>Customize safe house.
>Open one of the locked doors.
>Pay off spring debt.
>>
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>>Customize safehouse.

“Hey, check this out.” You boot up the terminal.

“What’s this?” Celeste asks.

“It’s a program that builds the safehouse.” You reply, accessing the desired program.

“How?”

“Hell if I know.” You observe the screen. Looks like your excursion to the Hazebound Woodlands has unlocked quite a number of upgrades.

>>CURRENT ADMIN: Takashi Wakui (Fool)
>>You have 8 Build EXP remaining.

[Upgrades]
>Deep Web Access: (5 Build EXP)
>Microwave (2 Build EXP)
>Brighter Lights (1 Build EXP)
>Bigger Kitchen (4 Build EXP)
>Bigger Bedrooms (7 Build EXP)
>Bigger Living Room (7 Build EXP)
>Bonfire Outside (8 Build EXP)
>Garage (12 Build EXP)
>Storage Room (8 Build EXP)

What are your choices?
>>
>>41214702
>Bonfire Outside (8 Build EXP)
I feel like being able to repel enemies from the Safehouse's vicinity is a good thing. Means we won't be surprised when we open up the door.
>>
>>41214702
>Microwave (2 Build EXP)
>>
>>41214702
>>Microwave (2 Build EXP)
>Brighter Lights (1 Build EXP)
>Bigger Kitchen (4 Build EXP)
>>
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>>41214702
>>Deep Web Access: (5 Build EXP)
>>Microwave (2 Build EXP)

Fuck yeah, deep web
>>
>>41214702
>Bonfire Outside (8 Build EXP)
>>
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>>41214702
>>Bigger Bedrooms (7 Build EXP)
>>
>>41214718
Considering the hotsprings and the general cash inflow we'll get later on, this is mainly to save time with teleports.

>>41214702
>Deep Web
bank the rest
>>
>Bonfire Outside (8 Build EXP)
>>
>>41214702
>>Microwave (2 Build EXP)
>>Bigger Kitchen (4 Build EXP)
>>
>>41214702
See if Celeste can log in as a guest or something on the computer.

ALSO, the comp just mentions us as a Fool, huh? If only Celeste had found out that way.
>>
>>41214702
>Bonfire Outside (8 Build EXP)
>>
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You type in your order.

>You have selected Bonfire Outside upgrade(s).
>The following upgrades will cost you 8 Build EXP, leaving behind 0 Build EXP.
>Proceed?

Your finger hovers on the left mouse bottom.
>Accept
>Decline
>>
>>41214702
>Bonfire Outside (8 Build EXP)
>>
>>41214852
>>Decline

I really want that deep web
>>
>>41214852
>Accept
I wanted Deep Web, but I'll go with this instead.
>>
>>41214852
>Accept
>>
>>41214852
>Accept
>>
>>41214852
>>Accept
>>
>>41214852
>Decline
Are you guys listening? We only need that for teleporting, and we don't have traesto yet!

The amount of money we'll save is trivial, and we already invested an iron key on the hotspring.
>>
>>41214852
>Accept
I want the Safehouse warded up to the nines.
>>
>>41214852
>Accept
>>
>>41214852
>Accept
>>
>>41214852
>Accept
>>
>>41214852
Can we roast marshmallows on the bonfire?
>>
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>>Accept

You click the mouse and the order is sent through. It is processed. The area shakes.

“What was that?” Celeste asks.

You don’t reply, instead deigning to stand up and move towards the entrance. The moment the door open, you see a bright light in front of the doors. True to the program’s words, it’s a bonfire with a gently flickering flame. A bronze sword is jutting out of the middle, exactly like the one encountered in the Hazebound Woodlands.

“Wow.” Celeste gasps.

You nod. “Neat.”
>>
and lo and behold, the hivemind refuses to negotiate.
>>
>>41214974
Cool. Now we have an additional layer of defense for the Safehouse.
>>
Why does my trip keep getting eaten jesus fucking christ

Thread will end here today. The Last Word has been revealed, in all her mysterious and overpowered form. Who is she? Does she even matter? Oh well. Thanks to all who participated. This was a particularly fun thread.

Archived thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/41206605/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TwilightThorn]
Ask FM: ask.fm/TwilightThorn441

Next thread will be on next Sunday, at 9:30 pm UTC if all goes well. Hope to see you there!
>>
>>41215024
Hope to be there, Thorn. Thanks for running.
>>
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>>41215024
Thanks a bunch for running.

The existence of a Null Nuclear skill means some serious god damned shit. I hope it didn't come in a "Null fucking everything" package because it'd be an ass and a half to go up against something like that.
We need to find out if there's a Pierce skill, or some way to get rid of elemental protections or we're hosed when the shit hits the fan.
>>
>>41215024
>Sunday
Aww
>>
>>41215024
Thanks for running!
>>
>>41215074
that's why we voted for elec break
>>
>>41215082
Next Sunday, even.



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