Persona 3 Portable Minako's Story Reloaded
AN: No this is not a rewrite, this is the sequel. (Yes I know I published the first chapter of the sequel before finishing the original? Lolwut? The real reason is some bastard decided to steal my PSP so the original will be finished once I get my PSP back (or more likely buy a new one) Urgh bastards.) DropletofSour gave me some great advice that was rather late though :P So I'll incorporate it here.
Warnings: Torture (no gore though…well no descriptions of gore. Tis rather implied though.). Mind rape, and major break the cutie syndrome. So…here we go!
Oh wait. This story is not so heavily based off (coughrippingoffcough) Persona 3. Granted it follows the same plot but most things have changed. And of course the changes made in P3PMS still apply. (Like Aeon existing instead of Aigis for instance). Also Erebus thinks for itself. It's more of humanities malice, desire for death and yeah…it's just evil.
Don't expect to jump into the P3 Story right away. It might not begin for another…chapter? Maybe more.
AN: Due to some crackdowns there will be no Review answers at the bottom of the chapter. (Sorry guys). If you really have a pressing question PM me and I'll get back to you if you're either logged in or leave me an email.
Also as the Prologue this is going to be severely shorter than most chapters.
Edit: Warning: Wangst ahead.
Prologue: Agony
Minako felt adrift the last thing she remembered was a wetness on her cheeks and the slow steady beat of a heartbeat. The heartbeat hadn't been her own…wait.
Hadn't I been dead?
It took effort but her eyes finally opened but there was nothing but darkness around her save for the one spot of light she was occupying.
What? What's happening?
"There you are." A voice familiar and warm echoes throughout the darkness. "I was wondering when you'd wake up."
"Ryoji?" A revered whisper and the girl reached out into the darkness. She grasped nothing and tears leaked from her eyes. "You're here?"
"I'm within you once more. Where I belong." The gentle words caused Minako to gently place her hands over her heart, tears in her eyes.
"Ryoji…but…why? I…" With that the memories came rushing back, memories of joy, of sorrow, despair, hope, life, death, victory, defeat every emotion in the world came rushing into her at once eliciting a piercing scream of agony.
"Minako…" Ryoji's voice was heavy with sorrow as Minako twitched violently. "I'm sorry…I won't even be able to help you with the pain…I must…sleep…once…more."
How long had I been here? In these chains?
I want to die! I want to die! Kill me! Anyone please kill me! Stop this nightmare! I want it to end! I want to die! I want to die!
Over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over they scream.
I want to die! Please! Just let me die! I don't want to live! I want everything to end! Kill everything! Destroy everything!
Over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.
Death…death is inevitable and yet…
Please, please let me die! I beg you! Let me die!
…all of these poor souls wishing for it…who am I to deny them?
Death is deliverance! Death is what shall save us! Death shall end all suffering!
Perhaps…that is true. I don't know anymore…I don't know what I used to believe anymore. I'm empty hollow…the memories of my friends have been drowned up by the voices wishing for death. My Personas gave up their existence so I could see my friends one last time. And yet…
Someone? Anyone? Kill me! I want to die! I want to die! I want to die!
It never ends.
Fool girl! You'd stay there for an eternity? And for what? Insects that reject what you've done?
Erebus…
I look up and there it is, a strange shadow figure. It seems its taken a human form this time. Its humanoid face grins at me.
All this time…and you still haven't broken? Perhaps I should…
The figure lifts one arm which turns into something regarding a shadow whip and lashes it across my torso. A shrill scream rips from my lips, I feel a warmth running down my stomach.
What? How am I bleeding?
You're bleeding because I willed it so. You can not die and I can not remove you. But dear girl by the time I'm finished with you, you'll be wishing you were dead.
I sag in the chains binding me to the great seal. I look up and Erebus is there once again in his human form. How many times has he tortured me? Does it matter? It seems that I can not go insane either…I am not even allowed that small reprieve.
Do you wish for death yet?
…Do I? I don't know…I think…I do? Something tells me that I shouldn't but…why not?
There is no reason. Death shall free us. Death shall help us. You want to help us don't you? Then kill us! Let us die! Let us have some peace!
No…it's not any lofty ideals that keep me here…but….rather I'm afraid…I'm afraid of what'll happen after I really die…maybe that's why I'm conscious now…because I was too afraid to simply accept it…to accept completely vanishing…
A smirk. I see. Then maybe I'll hear your voice another way. This time he lifts both arms and they morph into something regarding a chainsaw.
So that is to be it then? This punishment isn't so bad, he'll only separate all of my limbs. They'll stay in place on the seal but will no longer be attached…and I'll feel every second as if I was truly alive.
As the chain like arm separates my left leg all I feel is pain so I give him the screams he so desires.
…how long have I been here? No…it doesn't matter. Erebus as always is with me. The pain…is insignificant now…
Do you wish for death yet?
Yes! Death will bring us all peace! Salvation! Death is deliverance! Death shall free us all!
I say nothing and merely look at him. Even if I wished for death could he grant it? Surly if he could he would have killed me by now. Erebus looks irritated now, granted I still scream when he tortures me but perhaps he's grown bored of it.
Perhaps…it is time for a change of pace.
What?
It waves its hand and there's…Ken? No…it can't be Ken. Erebus smirks at me before he turns his whips onto Ken.
"NO STOP IT!" this hurts far more. Another gleeful joyful smirk and the doll…because that is what it has to be it can't be Ken…screams in Ken's voice. I shake my head sobbing why? Why would he do this to Ken? He's just a kid? "STOP IT!" another tearful yell. "No…" I lay in the chains sobbing as Ken continues to scream in agony as Erebus cuts him up. "Please no…" How cruel to finally remember his face and this be the memory…
How many times have I watched Erebus kill those dolls? And yet…even though I know they aren't real…
I want to die! I want to die! Please kill me! Someone, anyone end my life!
Always these voices in my head…always…always…
"Minako…Minako…help me…." It's Yukari this time, Erebus has finished cutting her left arm and leg off and she crawls to where I am bound blood pooling everywhere. "Minako…"
"Y-Yukari!" More tears I can't bear it, I can't bear to see her suffering this way.
Always, always, always. They always crawl to me begging for help. I can't do anything…but wish for them to die swiftly.
"You see? Death is deliverance. From pain and suffering. From the cruelty and horrors of this world."
…I can't remember them anymore. Were they figments of my imagination? A mere dream to ease the pain of my eternal suffering? I can remember nothing of my so called life before this enslavement. …Or maybe…it's penance? Did I do something to deserve this? I can remember nothing…nothing but the hollowed screams of the dolls…my own screams…or was that a dream? I…I can't tell what's real anymore…do I…do I truly exist? Am I apart of the Great Seal? Or did the world end and I fell to some kind of hell? I do not know anymore. Am I…going insane?
No…I'm not going insane. I just…just…
Erebus is simply staring at me. There are no dolls for once and he walks so close I can feel his breathe on my cheek.
What is he doing?
Humans…are such…fragile creatures.
His fingers dig into my throat and I can't scream all I can do is gargle deeper, and deeper. Another hand on my breast clenching harshly and it feels…no there's just…too much…too much pain…of all the things to take? Why…why take my heart?
I…don't understand. Erebus has been gone far longer than usual. It's not often that I'm left alone so long…it is hard to tell the passing of time in this place…but…
"Min-Minako?" A gasp of shock.
Is that the grey haired boy? No it can't been Erebus killed him…right?
"Minako!" A brunette runs forward and stops short staring at the seal and my injuries in horror. My clothing is in tatters and blood is running freely but…why is she so scared? …this…this is one of Erebus' games! I force myself not to speak. I am sick of that creature's torments. An eternity of never ending death. This is what my refusal to die has given me.
"Do…you think she can hear us? She's a statue."
Is that what these dolls see? Or is Erebus trying to fool me again?
Though…the voices…they're gone now…
"If only I could have taken her place." Another male…though something is off about this one. He seems human…and yet…not. …he's the only one Erebus never killed. "I promised to protect her and yet…" But…then…is that really him? …Erebus…Erebus never killed him…
"She choose this. We should honor her sacrifice." A red haired female speaks plainly. …I don't know what to do…I can hear their voices so clearer…so tempting…just to tell them…that I'm here…but…they…they can't reach me…can they? …I…I want to get down…maybe these people…maybe they can help me?
A pure white dog with red eyes barks in agreement. Is this one of Erebus' tricks? And why do hey all look at me…as if they know me? And why do I feel this hollow pain in my chest when I look at them? With last mournful looks they vanish.
As I hear their footsteps vanishing I can't get the sad, longing look out of my mind. …Erebus…it seems that someone cares about me after all.
…It's…a nice fantasy at least.
Erebus turns in the midst of torturing me again. Before he can move however he's completely engulfed in a massive pure white light.
"Here you are."
It's…a man. With brown hair and brown eyes…he's handsome but…familiar? Erebus hadn't gotten to him as well did he?
"What? No hello?" The man is handsome and arches an eyebrow. He…seems familiar…and yet…
"Who…are you?" it takes a while to say the words. I'm no longer used to speech, the only thing that emerges from my lips anymore are screams of pain and even those have grown rare.
"Huh. So you're that far gone then. Or maybe you never remembered…"
I look at him in confusion. Never remembered? Remembered what…? Ah! No sooner than I attempt to focus than does my head feel like it's splitting apart.
"Regardless this is not working. I refuse to let my pupil lie here like a punching bag. This is beyond pathetic." he snaps his fingers and the chains holding me vanish. I fall to the ground and while it hurts its nothing compared to what Erebus has done.
"But…" …the pain is gone now…the pain in my head at least. I feel so heavy now…
"Don't worry about Erebus. He can't unleash Nyx now."
"Erebus…can't die-" Erebus had told me that often enough. The very personification of humanities desires for death…he would awaken Nyx to grant the desire for death.
"You think I don't know that girl? However he can very easily be dissipated. It'll take him weeks to reform back."
"…So…you…?" Who is this man? …Or…is he even a man? …I look him over again and he is extremely familiar…I know this man…and I know him very well…then why can't I remember his name?
…The others…I can no longer remember their names either.
"I am your teacher of course, or sensei if you'd prefer that terminology. Tatsuya Sudo…have you forgotten me?"
No. I haven't forgotten him at all. He…he was the man who took me in, who raised and taught me. The memories come back to me in a rush and I nearly double over again. No…No…
"Learn how to fight better!"
"Are you okay?"
"I see…"
"Then…you shall be my daughter…"
"I am…not one for such…frivolities."
"Thank you."
Memories of him teaching me, holding me, protecting me…Tatsuya…the pain is still there…but…Tatsuya…
"You…you're not-" Human. …Was he ever?
"Human? Obviously."
"So…when you first-"
"Yes I knew this was going to happen." Tatsuya shakes his head in annoyance. "I was originally planning on screwing both Philemon's and Nyarlathotep's plans. But…things change. Though," he smiled a little at this "it was probably for the better, and if I'm lucky this'll accomplish the same thing."
"Why…did you release me?"
"Do you want me to chain you back up there and let Erebus continue having his way with you?"
"No…no…" I wrap my arms around myself…my arms just looking at them brings to mind the scars, and all the times Erebus has broken, burned or scarred them. Death…is death not supposed to be a reprieve from mortal pain?
"I didn't think so. Stand." It's a command that I hastily find myself obeying. He walks around me then a slight frown on his face. "Damn. This would be fine if I could just erase your memory again but I can't…"
"Can't?"
"How can you change the past without knowing what you're supposed to be changing?" he sighed then. "Take this." a long black cloak materializes in his hand and he shoves it at me. "Use this to cover yourself."
"What? Why?"
"Look at yourself. Look at the scars you have on you."
I looked down at my skin again and there they are…my banners. The marks Erebus gave me. They were scars all over me, marks from the chains binding me to the seal, from Erebus, from…the dolls? I think…when they grabbed me begging me for mercy and forgiveness.
Help me! Please! Kill me! Kill me!
I scream falling to the ground and the chanting just grows louder and louder and louder and louder.
Kill us! Deliver us! We beg of you!
Memories…memories of all of those that wished for death…the cruelty the man inflicts on one another. I endured…that nearly endless suffering…for them.
As the thought snarls through my mind I hear a song. A gentle song, the feeling of warm fingers running through my hair, a heartbeat…strong and steady. Such…a nice memory…so warm…
I…am on the ground…aren't I? I look up at Tatsuya.
He simply sighs irritably. "Damn. I knew I should have come sooner. If it hadn't taken that damn Theo so long to find where the hell you were in the first place…"
I wrap the cloak around me tightly and the voices…the voices…they're…gone? No…I still here them, chanting in my head. Their eternal wish for death, for deliverance, for peace. But…the song…the song makes some of the pain go away.
"What…happens now?" I feel like a small child again and resist the urge to take his hand, the same way I used to.
"You try to figure out a way to avoid this. There are some things you have to do on your own."
"But…how?"
"Well. I'll send you back one year before you died. That should be….March 3rd of 2009 correct?"
I nod slowly. I think…it's hard to remember something when the voices start echoing. My memories are fluctuating from crystal clear to a impenetrable fog.
"Okay then…this is difficult so do try not to screw up. I'm not going to do this again."
With that I felt as though I fell through a pond of icy cold water.
3/3/2009
I jolt up and I'm…in my bed? My heartbeat is racing and I run a hand through my unbound hair. My pajamas…everything is exactly the same way it was. My bedroom door opens and Tatsuya comes in.
"Seems I got our date and location correct." His shoulders sag and I can tell it took a lot out of him. "So…you have to be at the dorm by…?"
"April 6th." It's easier to concentrate on my memories if I focus on them one by one. Trying to remember the whole school year just causes my head to hurt.
"So that gives you a month and three days to prepare. I suggest you get used to wearing long sleeves."
I look down at my arms and gasp. "What?" No! I don't want these marks! "But-"
"I wasn't able to restore your body to its original form. Well…wasn't able isn't entirely accurate more I wasn't going to waste precious energy doing so. Your body is fine. The scars actually shouldn't even be there….they're psychological in nature."
"So…I need a therapist?"
"One would think so yes." I chuckle slightly. It's like him to give such an answer.
I want to die! Please kill me! I want to die!
The smile slides off my face and I fall to the ground shaking my head in denial. Why won't they stop? Why do they keep demanding this!
Why?
"Minako." I shake my head at Tatsuya's firm tone. I can't…I can't… "MINAKO!" all of the voices disappear then and I look up at Tatsuya in fear.
"I…"
He sighs then. "You have to be more careful. Those voices…they are a part of you now…much as those scars are."
"Uh…"
"It…is not the fate I would have chosen for you…so…I hope that this…will at least make it easier to bear." this was the first time I had ever heard Tatsuya speak with such hesitation.
"…Tatsuya…"
He turns to me a sad look on his face. "Today…is the day I said goodbye to you is it not?"
"Yes…" I had lived with him nearly all my life. My aunt had taken me in only because he offered her a sizable amount of money to put up with me for the month that my memories had been disappearing. I had been given my own apartment and…the loneliness and sorrow I had felt for the first two days I'd never forget.
"It's time then…"
"Yeah…" He turns away and stops by the door. "Do you still fear death?"
I give him a sad smile. "…I…" I still do. He looks at me and sighs slightly before turning and leaving the room, closing the door behind him. My fear of death…it's what brought me all of that suffering. And…despite everything…I still…I'm still…
I get up stretching. I am death…Ryoji…Pharos…I had known Pharos…as a child. A year after Tatsuya had taken me in I had looked into a mirror and seen Pharos. As with everything I told Tatsuya and he encouraged me…now though. He must've known all along what Pharos was.
"Hi!"
Pharos had stared blankly at me. He hadn't a body then but merely had been a shadow with his beautiful eyes dragging me into them even then.
"My name's Minako…" my voice had become hesitant. I had hoped he wouldn't be like the others. Wouldn't look at my eyes and declare me a freak. Granted I doubted he could be very normal himself back then considering his body was made of strange wisps of black smoke.
"You…have pretty eyes."
I had smiled then. "Yeah. Yours are pretty too!" I had offered my hand to him then, the shadow in the mirror and he had taken it. A small tug and somehow we fell backwards with him on top of me our lips touching. Or at least I had thought it was his lips. They had been soft in warm even if they were the same as the rest of his body.
I had blushed a bright red then and shoved him off. "Sorry!"
Pharos had simply looked at me in confusion gently touching his lips. They had turned from that strange mist to normal human lips the same shade as my own.
"Hey…do…you have a name?"
"A name…I…do not have one."
"How do you not have a name? Everyone has a name silly!" he had looked sad at that.
"I don't."
"So I'll just have to give you one!"
My first true friend had been in a way myself. My lips twitched in amusement. I don't doubt Tatsuya had saw the irony in that.
"You'll give me a name?"
"Of course! That's how everyone else gets them! My mom named me Minako…see she and dad were going to name a boy Minato but I came out a girl so they named me…." my voice had trailed off then. It still hurt talking about my parents and yet…I had the feeling I should tell this stranger all about them. So I did. I told him about my parents, how they loved each other, how my father used to be kind and charming able to get everyone around him to dance to any web he spun. Tatsuya had taught me ways to dive into my mind and dig out memories even ones that would have been better off forgotten.
"Named you…?"
"Minako silly!" I had smiled then. Pharos or as I had referred to him in my mind as the shadow boy. "Hm…he was teaching me about the seven wonders of the world….Pharos of Alexandria…." I whirled the words around in my tongue.
"Pharos…of Alexandria?"
I nodded then eager to share my knowledge with the shadow boy. "It's one of the seven wonders of the ancient world! Built to guide sailors into the harbor of the island Pharos at night."
"Pharos…"
I had smiled then nodding in agreement. "It's a nice name. Do you like it?"
"For…me?" He had touched his chest then…or what should have been his chest. "Pharos…"
"Yeah. Pharos. That's your name. You'll be my guide won't you?" It had been a silly thing to say back then but now I couldn't help but laugh at the significance of that one sentence.
"Yes…I'll be your guide Minako."
I had smiled then and taken his shadowy hand into my own. "Then we'll always be together and you'll always lead the way home."
"Yes…" his lips had curled into a smile which should have been frightening considering the only things visible on his face were his eyes and his lips. But I had been so lonely that I hadn't cared if he'd been an ogre as long as he acknowledged me.
Over time Pharos had gained a more human appearance his body using becoming less shadowy by the day.
"Minako…how do you feel about death?" we had been sitting back to back one day so I didn't see his expression as he asked me.
"Death?" this had been a year after the day we first me. "Death is something that is inevitable. Something that is part of the world as surely as life is." I couldn't help parroting Tatsuya's words then. "Besides, worrying about death is a waste of energy. Let's play!" I had grabbed him then dragging him into the piano room. "I'll teach you!"
A smile of amusement crosses my lips. That had been a rather…interesting lesson. I couldn't believe the fact that Pharos played the exact same way I did. Knowing what I know now though…that made perfect sense. We were the same person after all. Just in different bodies. All of Pharos' insecurities, fears, weaknesses all of those were my own. I simply denied them how weak…how pathetic I was…I am. I shiver remembering Erebus…he had devoured my heart constantly telling me how delicious and full of fear and agony it was. Yet…even then he couldn't taste a desire to die…but only because of my fear…
I should…get out of bed. With that thought I sit up and swing my legs over the edge of the bed. I push myself off and take two steps before I collapse. My legs…oh god. I lay on the ground the memory of Erebus tearing them apart…and the pain. And…I hear a ear splitting scream of agony…is that…me? Then suddenly the pain vanishes as if it was never there and I lay on the ground panting.
"Consider that my parting gift."
A rage filled snarl. …No…who is that? It wasn't Erebus…so…was it Nyarlathotep? Philemon had technically won…I fall to the ground and lay there still. I can't even cry? …I want to cry…but…I physically can't why? This bastard won't even let me cry?
"Sometimes…we have to be strong. Even when…we don't want to be."
Who…who said that? Me…? Someone else…? My memories are spinning again…I can't…I can't think…
My eyes open and I'm still on the floor. How much time has passed? Two minutes? Two hours? Two days? My throat is dry and it itches and I crawl back to the bed. I use the mattress as support to pull myself up. Good…my strength seems to be back…and my legs feel fine. For now anyways. With that I turn away and leave my old room behind. I walk into the hallway. Tatsuya isn't here…he must've moved on. I spot a small white thing on the table. Is that? A note?
I walk over to it and open it up.
Minako. If you're reading this you've finally left that room. It took you long enough. I want you to take this card. It's a Persona. I know what you're thinking "why is the card blank?" the Persona is one that you should only use when you figure out what it is. There are no hints. No guides. You must figure it out on your own.
I will tell you one thing: don't attempt to push people away to spare them the pain of losing you. It won't work. I should know. I have tried with her and with you. Neither time worked. Enjoy the time you have with the ones you love, even if it is all too brief.
I shall be leaving. I have cancelled the deposit on your old apartment. Stay here. Heal. You have a month (if you haven't wasted it away in that room) so prepare yourself for what's to come. Scheme, prepare, fight, manipulate. Basically do everything I've told you to.
And never forget that you are The Fool and the Wild Card.
Tatsuya Sudo
Tatsuya…a warm feeling not to different from gaining a new Persona blossoms in my heart. Thank you…for everything. I place the note back on the table and look around everything looks pretty much the same. I walk through the back room and through the second building. Here it is. The training room. I grab one of the mats and sit on it. If these injuries are psychological in nature it stands to reason that I have to get rid of them by diving into my mind. I take a deep breath, close my eyes, cross my legs and dive in.
Am…I here? There's nothing here but-
Kill me. Kill us. I want to die. End it. End everything! Kill everything! Die!
It keeps repeating the desires for me to unleash death.
No. No. No. No. No. No.
I turn and run but the voices…and the hands they grab me and drag me down, down, down, down,
I scream as I throw myself forcibly from my mind. Shivering I wrap my arms around myself. …I can not do that again. Not…without help. Tatsuya…
No. I have…to…become self-reliant. I…I…I've depended on him too long.
I stand quickly and turn on the light. Suddenly the darkness, once comforting and inviting, is scary, cold and filled with death.
What am I to do? I can't even see where the damage is! No…I know what it is…I'm still afraid of death. Still clinging to my life even if I have to bear all these scars to prove it. I run a finger up my arm, the chains had dug so far into my skin that there was an imprint there. But it wasn't an angry fresh bruise, it was an old brand, my brand. Troubled I turned back to the mat and laid down, but I didn't close my eyes. I don't think I'll ever be able to sleep with the light out again.
End Prologue.