#shadow maruki

[emmajh97]

Physician, Heal Thyself.

[emmajh97-mumaji]

What would Dr. Maruki's palace have been like if the Phantom Thieves somehow took it on before the final battle against Yaldabaoth / Maruki unlocking his persona?

Obviously, they would be facing Shadow Maruki instead of actual Maruki... What would Shadow Maruki be like? Would he just look like how Maruki looks in his final boss fight (with the ridiculous gold outfit), or would he be different?

How the heck would the deal with Kasumi/Sumire go down??

If anyone has fanfic or art of this concept, do share

[artekai]

I could also see Maruki in a persona 4 situation, where he faces himself and learns to accept and love himself.

Oh, god. Do you have any idea of how much I want to see Takuto's Shadow? WE WERE ROBBED.

I imagine his Shadow would be more like Futaba's than any other Palace owner's. I think it'd be really lethargic and depressed, given that Takuto seems to be trying to suppress his negative feelings, but, depending on when he shows up, he could also be growing more desperate for help - and maybe even forgiveness - with time.

You know how Takuto always seems confident in his reality and in his ability to make everyone happy? Well, I think it would be fun to play with the idea that his Shadow might be the opposite. Maybe his shadow is that hesitant part of him that knows that this isn't a good idea because Takuto is still human, after all. Maybe his shadow is that part of Takuto that's terrified of how far he's willing to go for his beliefs, because he can see that this is clearly getting out of hand. Maybe his shadow is that part of him he's trying to squash for the sake of his reality, because, deep down, he has his own doubts, but he's pushing them down because he doesn't want to falter now.

I'm not sure that would be it, but it could be an interesting possibility. At a subconscious level, Takuto knew that he needed serious help, that he was running away from his pain and needed to move on, so I think it's likely that his Shadow would reflect that. And, well, facing that kind of shadow would force Takuto to accept that he hasn't coped as well as he'd like to believe, which would finally allow him to get him started on actual healing.

Another possibility, aside from Sad Shadow Takuto, could be Angry Shadow Takuto, haha. We all know this guy has lots of things to be resentful about, and yet he's still gentle and compassionate towards everyone around him, putting other people's needs ahead of his own feelings, so that could be another interpretation with lots of potential.

Anyways, sorry this turned into a ramble about Shadow Takuto instead of anything with him actually facing it, haha. I just think it's an idea with lots of untapped potential.

[artekai]

Oh man, I hope you were talking about Adachi in your tags, because now the idea of Adachi going into the TV world just to save Maruki is running rampant in my head… ;-;

Oh, I was ABSOLUTELY talking about Adachi! I haven't thought about the context for this, but, man, the idea of him being like "Shit, why is he there? He wasn't supposed to get thrown in!" and rushing into the TV World on his own to go get Takuto before anyone (or anything) else can get there first is just so hhhhhhhhhhh

(Also, I read your tags so I hope you don't mind me incorporating your ideas for Mookie's wedding-themed dungeon here :) )

Okay, so Adachi walks into Takuto's dungeon, telling himself that this will be quick, but he's admittedly a little curious, because this should be fun, right? Takuto is a very reserved person, but Adachi will finally get to see parts of him that no one probably has, which is exciting and will give him the chance to use that knowledge against Takuto later on, haha. However, as he goes deeper into the dungeon, he starts feeling on edge due to how silent and oppressively lonely the atmosphere is, as he looks at how dusty and old everything looks, at the furniture that's falling apart, at the cracks and the wilted flowers, and he can't help but wonder... Is this really what's inside Takuto's mind? But he always seemed like such an annoyingly cheerful and naive guy... Is it possible that, maybe... the two of them aren't that different after all?

Man, I really want to see Adachi's reaction to Takuto's Shadow and their confrontation!! And Takuto's reaction to seeing Adachi run in to save him! Do you think he would be ashamed of his Shadow or would he simply shrug and claim that it's lying? I think it would be the latter, but Adachi would be like "nah, man, that's literally you." And, then, hearing the Shadow accuse Takuto of just wanting to escape reality would make things click in Adachi's head, helping him understand Takuto better.

And!!! Takuto being exhausted after accepting his Shadow and trying to walk back on his own but failing, which means Adachi has to carry him back aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Though, that makes me wonder, what was Shadow Takuto's broadcast on the Midnight Channel like? Did he talk about his ideal reality? About his research? About his wedding? (That would be so painful... him talking about his wedding like it's going to happen as if trying to convince himself that it will...) What role does Takuto even play in P4 in this AU?

Ohhh, and I really wonder how Adachi's "Marriage is a scam" stance plays into this, because I feel like there's a GREAT opportunity for conflict and self-reflection on Adachi's part here! Imagine that Adachi is awkwardly trying to comfort Maruki, but he's uncomfortable with the subject, so he just goes and blurts out, "hey, you dodged a bullet! Who cares about marriage anyway?" and Maruki just stares at him, completely speechless, like "??? Do you really think that's a normal thing to say to someone who's grieving the loss of the love of their life???"

And Adachi could learn and grow from that experience, not wanting to make things worse because, now that he's seen Takuto's inner struggles, he feels a sense of kinship with him, even if he still doesn't fully understand Takuto's worldview. But that's part of the appeal of these two, isn't it? Two wildly different people coming to understand each other through their shared feelings and similar experiences... :')

[artekai]

I too have a Shadow Maruki idea. So you know how he was also there during the incident, and that must’ve traumatized him? I’d love to see that explored as well.

Yes! I can't believe I didn't think of that so I'm glad you brought it up!

That could be one of the points that the Shadow uses to help Takuto realize that it's okay for him to ask for help. The Shadow is really desperate at this point, so he just goes and screams through his tears, "You watched two people get brutally murdered in front of your eyes! You work with trauma victims, for god's sake, you know full well that would've been traumatizing for anyone!" He suddenly pauses to catch his breath, but he doesn't take his gaze off Takuto, glaring at him through narrowed eyes. Eventually, his expression softens a little, as he sighs and shakes his head, his voice dropping to a murmur. "How much more pain do you have to endure before you allow yourself to recognize how much you're hurting...?"

There are also his self-deprecating thoughts regarding the break-in incident, since he blames himself for being unable to protect Rumi and her parents, even though it's unreasonable to expect a victim to be able to react well during that sort of situation. And, considering his self-sacrificial tendencies, there's the possibility that a part of him thinks that it should've been him instead...

[artekai]

Imagine if maruki had a proper Awakening like the other Phantom thieves did what do you his shadow would say to him?

Oh, I'm guessing you mean an Awakening like Futaba's?

Well, after the initial shock and denial, I don't think Takuto would be able to keep rejecting his feelings for long. He can't deny that he loves Rumi, that he was hurt by what happened to her and then what happened to his research, but what he refuses to accept is that he hasn't dealt with it as well as he wants to believe and that he's projecting into everyone around him, thinking that they all want to be rid of their pain like he wants.

I think the quickest way to convince him would be to use his own ideals against him, if that makes sense? He keeps encouraging other people to take breaks, to take care of themselves, to reach out for help, to depend on others, and yet he never follows that advice. The Shadow could ask him how is he supposed to keep helping others once he reaches his limits, or why he doesn’t follow his advice, if he really does he believe it’s good for people to take breaks and look after themselves. And then Takuto would start doubting himself, but he would still insist, going “well, it may be true that I haven’t been great at leading by example, but... I’m sure that, with this power, I can take on this responsibility. I was given this task and I will see it through to the end.”

And that’s when the Shadow could confront him about his feelings on losing Rumi and having the support for his research be unfairly cut off. Like I mentioned, Takuto can’t deny loving Rumi, so his Shadow could easily connect that to his grief, no matter how much Takuto tries to convince himself that he’s doing better now. And, once Takuto admits that it still hurts him, saying “... sure, I do miss her... with all my heart,” then his Shadow could counter with “well, then how do you expect to be able to deal with all of humanity’s pain when you haven’t been able to face your own?”

And soon after, Takuto would have to realize that the Shadow is right, admitting that, if he wants to keep helping people, he needs to take care of himself too, because his grief is blinding him to the reality around him, to what both he and his patients really need, and the last thing he wants is to bring them all down with him. He’d probably start by saying something like “For a long time, I’ve been trying to ignore my pain and remain strong for the sake of those around me... But you’re right. Attempting to do all of this on my own can only end badly for everyone.” And then he’d walk up to his Shadow with an apologetic smile and say “Acknowledging my feelings was too painful, so I ended up neglecting you... But, no matter how much I deny it, you are still a part of me. I’m sorry it took me so long to realize it, haha.”

I like to think that he would end the encounter with his Shadow on a compassionate, lighthearted note :)

[artekai]

Maruki scared to ask for help, but Shadow Maruki begging him to find help because he's scared that he can't handle much more.

Oof, that would be amazing. The Shadow falls to his knees from exhaustion, sobbing as it begs Takuto to please just look at what he's doing to himself, clinging to Takuto's legs as he tries to step back in shock, staring at his Shadow wide-eyed and slack-jawed, unsure of how to even feel about this. The Shadow pleads, repeating over and over again that he can't take this kind of pressure anymore, that he can feel himself about to crack, and what will happen to the new reality once Takuto reaches his breaking point? What will happen to all of the people whose happiness depends on him?

He's trying his best, he really is, but he's terrified of what's coming, he knows he's not strong enough to maintain his reality for long, and he doesn't want other people to suffer the consequences. Takuto tries to convince his Shadow that they don't need help, but it isn't working, and he's getting anxious because he's worked so hard for this and he can't give up now, but, deep down, he knows that his Shadow is right. But who would he even get help from, without having to disrupt anyone's dream reality? It's just not possible. He has to deal with him on his own, even if it kills him.

[artekai]

I ALSO have an idea after seeing the Shadow Maruki asks. If he were put in a P4 type of situation where he faces his Shadow, as the ask says, and in turn generates a dungeon… Do you think he could have a wedding theme/based dungeon, since iirc thats what his original theme for his Palace was?

Oh no... A wedding dungeon would be so sad... Would it be like an abandoned wedding venue, with all of the decorations that would make you think that it's ready for a wedding but no guests?

I think it would have a really quiet, eerie atmosphere, and maybe some slow music playing ominously in the distance, with all the surfaces covered in dust as if no one has been here in a long time, representing Takuto's isolation and how he closed himself off after he lost Rumi. I can picture Shadow Takuto standing there in his suit, all alone, with his back turned, waiting for a wedding that will never come, grieving the future that was stolen from him.

From what I remember, his Palace was originally called the Seaside Memorial? So yeah... a memorial would be a similar option. It still focuses on his grief and his inability to move on from the Rumi incident, but I feel like, in that case, his Shadow would focus more on the pain that Rumi felt seeing her parents get murdered in front of her and how much it hurt him to see the one he loved in that state.

I also think it would also generate a nice contrast with the peaceful atmosphere of the sea and the warmth of the sun, as Takuto is desperately trying to remain positive and not bring others down even despite how much he's actually suffering, so I think that would be really symbolic. You know, as a representation of how things aren't going as well as they seem, which could apply both to his mental state and to his actualization.