Once upon a time... in an ancient verse from the [original blog] that kicked off this whole series, there existed versions of the fools that remained in their homes and had severed ties with Master Hand. This allowed them to age like normal humans instead of timeless trophies.
Minato Arisato (Older)
Ex-Persona user of the Fool Arcana. Seen by most as apathetic and blunt… his defining characteristic is having no character.
After re-enrolling into Gekkoukan High, he'd graduate with flying colors and utilizing his incredible social stats, secure a scholarship into a prestigious university. He now studies music theory and is working toward his bachelor degree. Has a tendency to fuss over his hair, after having grown out of his self-proclaimed "emo phase".
Yu Narukami (Older)
Ex-Persona user of the Fool Arcana. Confident and affable, but strange and a little random at times.
Not feeling like going back to the mundane was for him, Yu attempted to continue his trips solo for a while. Due to an unforeseen defect however, his eyesight had become gradually worse over time... coming to a head where he almost lost his life in a particularly dangerous outing. Side effects developed what appears to be a rather bizarre case of ocular albinism.
"You're kidding. It's been how long since that fight?"
"I know, I can't believe it myself."
"Actually, that reminds me... while you were taking your sweet time getting ready in there, one of the royal carriers dropped this letter off. Looks to be from those guys."
"Well, don't keep me in suspense now! What does it say?"
"Hold your horses alright? I was waiting for you to put on your makeup and all before I actually opened it so we could read together. Aren't I so considerate?"
There was a pause. The kind of pause that spawned from sudden embarrassment.
"L-look! Between you and me, making sure this yukata was put on correctly is tough... e-especially for someone that's not even from this region! The shame would be too much if I wore this wrong in public, you see. And we can't have that." the young man holding a bin of tomatoes and cucumbers spoke matter-of-factly while his companion, the one who invited him in the first place, rolled his eyes.
"Yeah okay, your highness." the less formal of the two answered teasingly before breaking the seal on the envelope and holding out its contents, a single piece of paper, in front of them both.
"Hey guys, it's been a long time hasn't it? A lot's happened that's kept us busy. Our job's never quite done, but it might not be just the two of us handling the bulk of things.
"We've actually been training the new guy—the one who bailed you out when we couldn't, to follow our footsteps. And he's showing a lotta promise.
While I could have asked Ragna, and maybe even Hazama to tag in, well...
Let's just tagging has been almost exclusively what they've been doing since last you guys saw 'em. Not by choice, either. I think they've also been fighting over the same girl...? It's complicated.
Speaking of girls, Zen's moved in with his girlfriend and while he's always ready and willing to help us... I figure he should enjoy the life he can make with her over at Dentech City. Minato agrees.
Also I think we passed through that other guy's 'Stage' a couple times... it was never for more than a day at a time but true to his word, he's become quite the popular Sage.
Well anyway, we should definitely meet up again soon when the world as we all know it isn't at stake. It'll be great to see your kingdoms at peace. Take care of each other, your bond's as unbreakable as me and my partner's after all.
- Yu Narukami.
"Bonds, huh? I suppose he's onto something, Prince Takumi."
"Don't get all mushy on me Leo! Save that for Kamui when the fireworks go off later. I don't wanna hear later how you messed it up thinking of me."
"Best not flatter yourself too much now..." he'd wag a finger before standing up and beckoning him to follow. "Shall we go find her at the meeting place now? I want to see as much as we can together at this festival."
"Sounds like a plan." Takumi would gingerly fold the letter back into his envelope and tuck it within the inner pocket of his yukata, before the two took off to enjoy themselves on this summer evening.
The fools were asked to come inspect some of the returning ‘Stages’ for this newest, so-called ‘Ultimate’ iteration of the sport that brought them into being and one was considered to be the new popular “neutral” stage, promoting bouts of skill on an even leveled playing field that was just the right shape and size.
It was familiar to some, and new to others... for Minato and Yu, it fell into the former category and they were currently experiencing a rush of nostalgia they hadn’t known for the longest time.
“So... while we’re here already... you in the mood for a quickie?”
“Knowing us, it’s going to extend far longer than that. But yeah, I’m down.”
“...”
The handpicked third among them, who had been silent up until that point, finally decided to voice what had been sticking out in his mind since the very beginning:
“Were you two... always this homoerotic?”
The two veterans exchanged knowing glances and had to keep from stifling laughter before the blue-haired one pat the (figuratively) green boy’s back then stepped forward onto the Player 1 side of the stadium, with the gray headed male moving towards Player 2.
Once situated, the countdown began to start and both of the competitors’ blood started flowing through them rapidly in anticipation. Suddenly, small gusts of wind kicked up near their feet; not from spontaneous shifts in the weather, but from the sheer power they exuded.
“...!” It was the type of formidable strength that would leave their peers in awe, and true to form, their successor watched intently with his breath caught in his throat. He had no intention of shying his eyes away from this duel.
3...
“Watch and learn, newbie.”
2...
“Because we’re about to show you...”
1...
♪ ~ Beauty of Destiny
“The strength of our bonds!”
GO!
Duel of the Wild Cards: Minato Arisato vs. Yu Narukami.
(December 24th, 2012)
Dual Compendium (Lost Index): Ylisse and the Exalted Prince.
So as all none of you remember, Robin appeared as an ally once in the main story. He assisted [Leo in rescuing Shanz] before the Lockdown/Liberate stage arcs then briefly trained Takumi and gave Leo the ability to class change into Grandmaster.
What you all don’t know is that, at one point, I was going to have a stage in either Takumi’s “Liberate” or later on in The Great Maze that would reintroduce Robin to the teams and with him, a temporary ally (for that stage at least) in his best friend Chrom.
Subspace and Shadow Bug infested Risen were going to wreak havoc upon the home of the Shepherds, and any Awakening based RPers would’ve been welcome to leap in and fight the good fight.
Maybe someday, when I’m feeling wistful, I’ll make that forgotten chapter a reality here. Like a... Dual Xenologue, if you will.
The ‘Doors’ that allow travel between ‘Stages’ are gateway constructs that take many different shapes and sizes. When one is opened for the first time, there’s no telling where it will take the traveler. After someone has passed through a Door and emerged on the other side, that location becomes the only one which that particular Door will allow passage to. They have no known creator and why they were made in the first place is presently unknown.
In The Dual Fools’ Story, Master Hand has them repurposed for use only by the fools and all preexisting trophies. It is possible for an outsider to accompany them through a Door, but they will not open to anyone who hasn’t already passed through one at least once. The list of known users of these Doors from the Main and Supporting cast are as follows:
Dual Compendium: Supporting Cast. (Main and Other Verses)
Elleot.
Another Time, Another Place. He is the greatest sage that currently walks the land of Rigel. Working freelance for the right amount of coin, he truly seeks to learn everything he possibly can about the world and chronicle it so that perhaps future generations can put his discoveries to use. Whether it’s for good or evil is unclear. Appears in The Dual Royals’ Story: Chronicles of Valentia.
Zen.
An escort of ‘This World’, this trophy was created by Master Hand to aid Minato and Yu in their exploration following the first defeat of Tabuu. There’s a defect in his trophy’s makeup and as a result, he is inept at societal norms to a glaring fault. Thankfully this has begun to be remedied in large part thanks to his girlfriend, Amy. Appears in The Dual Fools’ After Story.
Robin.
Visiting as a combatant from ‘This World’, Tabuu’s first attack launched on The Dual Royals left Takumi without his Fujin Yumi for some time and having accidentally discovered it, it fell upon him to bring it back to the Hoshidan prince. Afterwards, he personally trained Takumi for a little while and also granted Leo the seal which allowed him to change classes from Dark Knight to Grandmaster. Appears in The Dual Royals’ Story.
Niles.
Leo’s most trusted retainer who has been accompanying him throughout the campaign and even into the Embryo. Having sensed and ratted out treason against his liege and sustaining sizable injury when protecting a beloved fellow ally, Erin, from an act of arson, this outlaw is loyal first and a scandal second. Appears in The Dual Royals’ Story.
‘This World’, simply put, is the world that trophies inhabit and participate in the sport of Brawl. Comprised of a multitude of ‘Stages’, they are all connected by a series of magical doors which can transport anyone from one place to the other in an instant, regardless of geographical location.
‘Stages’ are locations where the Main Cast reside, based off of existing and familiar places from the far reaches of the known universe. So far, ‘Stages’ added since the beginning of The Dual Fools’ Story are:
Inaba Region: Home to Yu Narukami. (Appears in Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4.)
Tatsumi Port Isle: Home to Minato Arisato. (Appears in Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3.)
The 13th Hierarchical City of Kagutsuchi: Home to Ragna the Bloodedge & Hazama. (Appears in BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger.)
Wielder of the legendary Brynhildr tome and appointed leader of the united army to save ‘This World’ from Subspace. After facing assault from false allegations over an unscrupulous encounter, this prince of Nohr has tossed aside his title for the time being and estranges himself from those who would keep his focus from the threat at hand, including former allies and even relatives. Takumi and Kamui are closest to him. Appears in The Dual Royals’ Story.
Takumi
Wielder of the legendary Fujin Yumi and vice-leader of the united army that fights to save ‘This World’ from Subspace. Having been previously possessed by the Lord of Subspace: Tabuu and then saved by his now best friend--Leo, this prince of Hoshido is willing to put his life on the line so that no one else suffers assimilation. Currently engaged to Shanzira. Appears in The Dual Royals’ Story.
Minato Arisato
Ex-Persona user of the Fool Arcana and advisor of the united army under Takumi. Resembles ‘The Hero of Old,’ but is actually a sentient trophy created by Master Hand. He previously loathed being compared to his namesake and sought to gain independence. Wherever life takes him, his faithful companion, Yu, isn’t too far behind. Appears in The Dual Fools’ Story.
Yu Narukami
Ex-Persona user of the Fool Arcana and advisor of the united army under Leo. Resembles ‘The Original Leader’, but is actually a sentient trophy created by Master Hand. Valuing the Power of Bonds above all else, he vows to do anything for those he cares about. Isn’t seen for too long without his “partner” Minato, and currently houses the displaced spirit of a dearly departed loved one, Lexie. Appears in The Dual Fools’ Story.
Ragna the Bloodedge
The most wanted criminal and Public Enemy #1 from the world of the Azure. An initially involuntary partner to Yu while Minato was incapacitated, he grew to take a liking to the boys and assisted in their pursuits until he was killed by Tabuu. Upon Tabuu’s first destruction by the fools, Master Hand restored his vitality by establishing a Life Link to his nemesis, Hazama. Seems to feel and remember something when looking at Erin but can’t quite place it. Appears in The Dual Fools’ Story and Untold Story of the Blue.
Hazama
Resembling the Captain of the N.O.L.’s Intelligence Department from the world of the Azure, he is in actuality a Subspace clone crafted by Tabuu to act as a spy following the murder of Ragna the Bloodedge. He was slain once by the fools after a lengthy battle and was brought back by Master Hand in tandem with Ragna via Life Link. Was seemingly reforming when found again by Minato and Takumi, but was slain once again by the combination of Ragna and Erin under the rules of Tabuu’s game. Appeared in The Dual Fools’ Story and Untold Story of the Blue.
