Chapter 1 - Different Instablities
Author's note: As my first fan fiction I wanted to do it on my favorite video game; Shin Megami Tensei Persona 3 Portable (I made it Generation 3 because Persona 3 Portable would sound weird as a title.) Here, I'm happy with any criticism I can get to fix my fanfic to make it better.
As a result of playing the game a couple times I was inspired to try and write both protagonists as a fan fiction, even though most of the actions and days will be partly of the game there will be some free writing.
At a last note, I also thought of making split feature to where you can follow to pick your man, but also still have a story that goes the same pathway in the end. Hopefully it works out. Please, tell me when I need to spice up things and if you prefer 1st person or 2nd person.
Disclaimer: I only own the game and my free writing parts that I add in. I do not own the name of the game.
UPDATES WILL BE MADE THROUGHOUT!
Female protagonist was chosen. Please enjoy the story line.
Time never waits…
It delivers all equally to the same end.
You, who wished to safeguard the future,
However limited it may be…
You will be given one year;
go forth without falter.
With your heart as your guide…
4/6/09 Monday
Inside the New City passenger train "Anehazuru"…evening
"Due to a malfunction in the switching system, today's rail schedule has been greatly altered. We do apologize to any customers who were in a hurry. The next stop is Iwatodai…" said a man's voice from the intercom.
The train jerked you towards the front with quite some force while the train retrieved to a stop, "Iwatodai."
You opened your eyes and found yourself in the train you first entered from the start of your journey to move back here after ten years ago, but you couldn't help noticing that you kept dreaming about a blue butterfly just fluttering around in the dark. It seemed to be happening a lot lately. You wondered if the people waiting for you at the dorm were getting anxious. You looked down at your music player to see the time despite the fact that the blinking indicator was telling you that it needs to be charged; it was close to midnight...of course they would be anxious.
"This is the final train bound for Tatsumi Port Island. Please take care to board before our departure."
The train doors opened slowly. People from outside entered in and filled the empty seats while passengers quickly moved out of the train. You decided to get off fast before the trains next departure, especially since it's your stop.
Time clicked in your head second by second...like an old grandfather clock all alone in the darkness. At that moment when it hit midnight it finally shattered into a million pieces. Every light and electronic had turned off as well as your music player, silence took over.
Never seeing this before you surprisingly stayed calm and collected even with the atmosphere being changed. As you walked away from the station everything in your head was blank. You decided to move hastily to the dorm… But the first few steps you took outside of the station, all you could see were coffin-like objects secreting a red glow that lined the deserted city that layed in puddles of blood. Looking up you saw an eerily gigantic moon emitting a green light. At least it was some sort of light.
You walked around in the city until you arrived to the Iwatodai dorm, the dorm mentioned in your admission pamphlet. You walked up the stairs to the entrance and entered into the dorm, closing the door behind you. You looked around. This'll be the place you'll be living for a while.
At least it's better than the orphanage…
"Welcome," a sudden voice had startled you, but it seemed like it was coming from your left. Looking over you saw a boy behind at a desk. He looked like the little boy from the movie, The Boy in Striped Pajamas. Though he had black hair and intense blue eyes, now that you think of it he had two shades of blue. He did look somewhat…adorable.
"You're late. I've been waiting a long time," the unfamiliar boy said softly while he held a piece of paper towards you. You looked at him in confusion; you couldn't help but come closer to him to see what was in his hands.
"W-What is this?" you asked him in stern voice. Eyeing the paper suspiciously you spotted that the paper that said contract in gold cursive.
In a trance, he startled you again, "If you want to proceed, then please sign here." He pointed at an area where he wanted you to sign. It was blank. "It's a contract. There's no need to be scared." He said quietly with a slight smile.
So arriving back here after ten years I see the lights turn off and coffins everywhere, puddles blood everywhere, the moon turning yellow and you...you randomly popping up in striped pajamas in a dark corner with a contract that could lead to my death bed and you say that I'm not supposed to be scared? Who the hell wouldn't be creeped out?
Without a response he continued, "It only binds you to accepting full responsibility for your actions."
In a effort to ask questions about what actions he meant you looked closer at the paper that was being held out to you and it read:
"I chooseth this fate of mine own free will."
What's written like that anymore? And why is he smiling still, it's creepy. Maybe I should pay more attention at him then looking at the paper.
You made eye contact with the boy and gave him a questionable look. He laughed, "You don't seem you like to talk much do you? Here just sign here," he pointed at the blank line again.
You took it and took the pen he also handed to you. You went to the desk and set the paper down. You thought upon if you even should sign the contract, but you signed it anyways.
X Minako Arisato
"…Very well. Time is something no one can escape. It delivers us all to the same end. Wishing won't make it go away. And so it begins…" he said with a serious face that matched his voice.
The boy disappeared, liquefying into the darkness in a blink of an eye. Was he a ghost from the past? But it didn't matter anyways; it wasn't like he was to come see you again.
"…Who's there?" You jumped as a girls voiced yelled.
Damn it, what the hell, they must be popping out of nowhere, everywhere…it's ridiculous!
"How can you be…But it's…!" A girl with light brown hair came from a hallway where the bathrooms were. Her mouth was open in shock.
Well, at least I'm not the only one who is seeing things all the sudden. Beh…I'm too tired...I just want to go to bed.
"Don't tell me…"
The girl is holding something that looks like a gun, you had no idea what you were going to do, to think it would be simple as in signing a contract, but now it's dodging a freaking bullet. Your eyes dilated in fear.
"Wait!" another girl walked calmly behind the crazy brown-haired chick. This one had red hair or… velvet hair?
The girl with the gun gasped hearing the voice. She turned around and the lights flickered on.
"The lights…"
No dip, thanks for pointing out the obvious, captain obvious…If it wasn't for redhead I would've had to go through all the work to dodge a bullet.
You glared at the girl with a gun stingingly, "I didn't think you'd arrive so late." Said the redhead, she seemed so amused. "My name is Mitsuru Kirijo. I'm one of the students who live in this dorm."
"…Who's she?" the other girl asked, you glared at her again.
Now you ask questions? Before you didn't even bother with asking who I was! I can't to wake up in my bed to see a gun at my head for not being able to finish what she had started here.
You kept quiet until Mitsuru spoke, "She's a transfer student. It was a last minute decision to assign her here. She'll eventually be moved to a room in the normal dorm.
Of course this isn't a normal dorm. First the boy now this, why would it be normal? Being back home and being with my aunt and uncle was a thought on the bar of crazy, but this goes way off the charts.
"…Is it okay for her to be here?" the other girl asked again. You hoped that you didn't have to share rooms, but the building seemed big enough to fit more than 20 people.
"I guess we'll see…This is Yukari Takeba. She'll be a junior this spring, just like you." Mitsuru smiled.
"…Hi, I'm Yukari." You wanted to ask about the gun, but you changed your mind just in case anything bad happened by just saying something.
"So, this isn't a normal dorm?" you asked.
"Huh! Oh, uh…of course it is!" she said caught off guard. To think that you would respond to that differently, that's totally not suspicious.
"…Not quite. It's a co-ed dorm, for one thing and there are other differences as well. I'll explain later." Mitsuru interrupted Yukari easily. "It's getting late. You'll find your room on the third floor. Your things should already be there. I suggest you tuck in for the night."
"Oh…I'll show you the way. Follow me." As long as you didn't find a gun near your head and her smiling evilly in the morning you think you'd be okay.
You followed Yukari up the stairs up to the third floor at the end of the hallway was a door.
"This is it…Pretty easy to remember, huh? ...Since it's right at the end of the hall. So any questions?"
Oh, yes…thank you for pointing out the obvious again. And duh, of course I have questions! The gun, the contract, the boy, and just about everything that I've experienced the whole night has a question to it. Thank you very much for your concern.
But only one question came out of your mouth, "Does that boy in striped pajamas live here?"
"What are you talking about? …C'mon, it's not funny." Yukari doesn't seem amused. After a few seconds of silence she decided to ask another question, "On your way here from the station, was everything okay?"
You shrugged off everything because of tiredness you really didn't want to get into things.
"Yeah."
"I see…Never mind, then. Well, I'd better get going…" she began to walk off until she turned around. "Um…I'm sure you still have other questions, but let's save them for later, okay? Good night."
As she walks down the stairs you opened the door to your new assigned room. It didn't really didn't have any specialties. A pink checkered bed across the room faced towards the windows that were on the left when you entered. A desk that only had a lamp and a chair near the windows; a sink, a mirror, and a mini fridge sat to the left of the door. You analyzed the room a little more and yawned.
Time for bed….
You went through your bags and grabbed pajamas. Jumping into bed you closed your eyes slowly…everything went black…then the blue butterfly took over your dreams.
4/07/10 Tuesday
You were up early and since you were up late you decided to get up around five to get ready for school anyways. You didn't really mind the uniform for school; it actually fit your figure quite well.
All the sudden you heard knocks on your door. "It's Yukari. Are you awake?"
You walked towards the door to let her in. "Good morning. Did you sleep okay?" she asked cheerfully.
Not really, maybe if my train arrived earlier and nothing weird happened last night maybe I would have had a good sleep.
"Mitsuru-senpai asked me to take you to school. Are you ready to go?"
For once you replied happily, "sure."
"Okay. Then, let's go."
Inside the New City passenger train "Anehazuru"…
You listened to your music player as the train rides along. You were listening to one of your favorite song: Time by Mayumi Fujita. Before Yukari even turned around to say anything you took off your earphones.
"We have to take the monorail to get there. Bet your last school wasn't like that, huh? This is my favorite part…when it feels like you're gliding over the sea."
You rolled your eyes without her seeing, but you did always admired the sea, especially since the sun beams gleam down onto the ripples of the water to make a beautiful image; the river gives you the impression that it's much more greater. The water glistened as the water moved peacefully in the direction of paradise.
"Our stop is Port Island Station at the end of the line. From there, we walk. Have you ever heard of Tatsumi Port Island? It's man-made island. They built our school right in the middle." Not liked you cared what she said, paying attention to the water was great.
"Oh, look, you can see it now!" You turned your head to where she was pointed at. You could see a nice school with great bushy trees along with flowers on them. You both walked out the train and walked toward the entrance of the school gates.
"Morning!" a female student called out and Yukari replied the same back. Well, you definitely guessed she was the popular one in school.
"Well, here we are…Welcome to Gekkoukan High! You're gonna love it here!"
We entered in the school together and Yukari turned towards you.
"You're okay from here, right? You should go see your homeroom teachers first. The Faculty Office is right here to the left. …And that concludes the tour. Do you have any questions before I go?"
That was a tour? That was short for some tour…
"Nope, I'll be okay."
"Hey…About last night…Don't tell anyone what you saw, okay? …See ya later." As if anyone would really believe you anyways, you're new to the school.
You see a bunch of people crowding at a bulletin board near the stairs. The class rosters are posted and you can't really find your name in the list…
"Damn it…I can't find my name anywhere…" you looked again, "Ah, there it is…"
-Minako Arisato - Class F
"Oh, Yukari's also in my class, beautiful…" You decided to walk to the Faculty Office that was to the left of the entrance and then turned right at the first door. As you walked you saw a blond boy who looked like he was French and a teacher wearing a strange helmet was talking to him. You walked inside the Faculty Office and closed the door behind you.
"Oh, are you the new student?" A brunette teacher asked while holding a file and turned towards you, Minako Arisato…11th grade, correct?" she flipped through the files in the folder more. "Wow, you've lived in a lot of different places…Let's see…In 1999…That was what, ten years ago? Your parents…" She suddenly stopped and gasp of shock left her lips. A slight smile left as a frown replaced it.
Wonderful…she had to bring the pain back to me…
"I'm sorry… I've been so busy, I didn't have time to read this beforehand." She said, looking at you with a sincere look, but you just scowled at her.
And you decided to read it right in front of me? Some genius you are.
"I'm Ms. Toriumi. I teach Composition. Welcome to our school." You regained your confidence and smiled at her.
"I'm pleased to meet you."
"My, aren't you polite? Girls like you should be an example for others." Ms. Toriumi said closing her eyes with her smile. "Have you seen the classroom assignments? You're in 2-F; that's my class. But first, we need to go to the auditorium. The Welcoming Ceremony will be starting soon. Follow me."
Auditorium
The principal is quite...how you would say…hefty… The auditorium was pretty big from my eyes. It made the principal look less fleshy.
"As you begin the new school year, I'd like each of you to remember the proverb, "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well." When applied to student life, this means…" He continued on.
Oh good god, I hate speeches…It doesn't help that he was old and full of old sayings…
You moved your hand to your head like you had a headache; you closed your eyes and listened to the chatter behind and in front of you. You heard some male whispering that was in your class.
"I heard we got a transfer student."
You opened your eyes to the voices. One was smirking, "Yep. I've seen her, too. She came to school with Yukari."
Tsk…I haven't even been here long enough and I already have people talking about me…
"I hear talking." A random teacher from some other class, "I believe it's someone in Ms. Toriumi's class…"
Ms. Toriumi, "Shhh! Be quiet! You're going to get me in trouble!"
After School – Homeroom
Class just ended and you were drawing in your notebook, it was the butterfly.
….Why am I so obsessed about this stupid little bug!
"'Sup, dude!" A male voice said. You looked up and saw a tall boy with a goatee and a hat. He smiled widely. "Haha, you look like a deer in headlights."
You stared at him, "what do you want?"
"Oh, come on. Let me introduce myself, at least."
"Usually when someone introduces yourself you say excuse me, not "'sup, dude!"" in your case it didn't matter because he ignored you anyways.
"I'm Junpei Iori. Nice to meet ya." He smiled with a grin. "I transferred here when I was in 8th grade. I know how tough it is bein' the new kid…"
This kid is very random…doesn't he have anything better to do than talk to me? Then again he's relatively good-looking with that baseball cap and his smile. Maybe I should be nice to him…
"So I thought I'd check up on you, make sure you weren't freaking out on your first day."
"Do I look like I'm freaking out?" you asked with a smile.
His grin faded away, "well, uh…no, I just wanted to see how you were doing is all."
A sigh became from behind. It was Yukari, she had a disappointed look on her face. Guess it happens regularly with this guy. "At it again, huh? Honestly, is there any girl you wouldn't hit on?"
Ha-ha, great, I bet he's a stalker… Ugh…just thinking of it scares me.
"Did you ever think you might be bothering someone?"
Junpei raised his guard. "What? But, I was just bein' friendly."
Sure, friendly enough to get in my pants I bet!
"If you say so." She looked at you, "anyway, some coincidence that we'd be in the same homeroom, huh?"
"Yeah, I know."
"Funny, huh?"
Yeah…luck played in my book today…what a drag. I'm in a class with get in your pants boy and the highly protective gun girl. This is gonna be a long year…
"Um, hellllo? Did you forget I'm in this class too? C'mon, lemme in on the fun! By the way, do you guys know each other? I heard you two came to school together this morning."
He's a gossiping girl or something?
"A couple of cuties like you, walking side by side…The whole class was buzzing about you."
"Ugh… Could you just cut it out?" You and her couldn't agree more than anything. "I hate dealing with rumors like that. I mean I'm used to it, but she just got here, you know? Don't you feel bad, spreading rumors like that?"
"Do you really think it's a rumor? I mean it's just people talking about us walking to school. It really couldn't be anything serious, could it?"
Yukari looked at you, "well, I guess you right… Well, I've gotta go take care of some archery team stuff. Don't try anything funny, you got that, Junpei?"
Yukari turned around and walked out of the empty class and Junpei looked at you with a tired look, "what is she, your nanny…?"
You chuckled and smiled at him. "She may think she is, but I'm pretty sure I can handle myself." You said to him.
"Okay, but just to clear something up, I seriously didn't come over here to hit on you or anything. If you ever have a problem, you can tell your ol' pal Junpei about it!"
I haven't known you for five minutes and you're already calling yourself ol' pal?
"…You're kidding, right? But I guess I'll keep your word on it when I need to dump some things on someone it'll be you.
"Ouch! Yuka-tan's rubbing off on you already, huh? Well, I'll be seeing you around, then." You watched him walk off.
"She is not rubbing off on me! In fact I'm not the one who pulled a gun out at someone and tried to shoot them" you yelled at him but he appeared that to have not heard a word. You remembered the promise that you really didn't agree on promising, more liked forced to. You decided to go home for today…however Junpei caught up to you on the way out along with influencing you to let him walk you back at the "non-normal" dorm.
"Whoa, check out the jocks on their run…Hey, did anyone tell you about the school clubs yet? Girls can join too, so why not do it if you're interested?"
"Do ya think they have volleyball? I've been pretty interested in the sport ever since I saw it on T.V…well, for schools of course." You said with hope in sport being there.
"Umm…I would think so…y-yeah they do, but you'd be joining as a new member, though, so you won't be able to apply for a little while." As you two walked back to the dorm you had a fairly good time with him.
The Iwatodai Dorm – Evening
"Welcome back." Mitsuru greeted as you walked in the dorm. "You really shouldn't be outside on your own at night. It's too dangerous."
Hmmm, I wonder why? I'm never doing that again. Who would wanna see what I saw?
"Anyway, you must be tired. You should get a good night's rest." You turned your head away from her to roll your eyes so she wouldn't see. You walked towards the hallway to go upstairs.
What is she? My mom? I can go to bed when I want to.
As you passed by the bathroom doors you saw Yukari sitting at the table in the cornor of your eye. You walked over to her.
"Hey," you said to her.
Yukari looked up at you from her book. "Oh, hi. What're you doing?"
"Nothing at the moment, I plan to just watch T.V. if there is anything on."
"Oh..." she looked at you in concern, "you're probably pretty tired, huh? Maybe you should go to bed early tonight." You turned away from her and walked up the stairs to your room...
What's up with everybody. Do they have a secret mission that I don't know about? It seems suspicious...whatever...
Dormitory lounge...later without you...
A young man walked down the stairs as Mitsuru was reading a book...
"I'm going out for a bit." he said with a confident smile.
"...Hm?" Mitsuru looked at him as spoke.
"Have you seen the newspapers lately?"
"...I know. People who had no problems before are suddenly developing acute cases of Apathy Syndrome... I've seen it in the news quite often lately. They say it's due to stress, but..."
"Yeah, right. It has to be THEM. Otherwise, it's not worth my time..." his confident smile still was glued to his pale face.
"You have a one-track mind...Will you be okay on your own?"
"Don't worry, I'm just getting a little practice." With his last word he took the next few steps and left out the door.
Mitsuru sighed..."this isn't a game, Akihiko..."
4/08/10 Wednesday
Gekkoukan High School Gates
You rubbed your eyes as you dragged your ass to school. You stayed up late to watch your favorite show. Manny finally got with Spinner when she really should've got together with Jay. You thought it was more like making Jay jealous.
"Did you hear the rumor?" said a gossiping girl behind you.
"Oh, um...something about...a bathroom?" said a loud girl. You scrunched your eyebrows at the comment.
"N-No! Not that one! I mean the story about the first-year student!" at that time you sighed because you thought they were talking about you, but you decided to keep listening. "Not only did she stop coming to school..."
Definately not about you.
"...she does nothing but sit and stare at the walls all day."
DEFINATELY not you.
"If her mother tries to talk to her, she only mutters to herself, "It's coming... It's coming...!""
The other student looked at her like she didn't believe it, "Huh. How about that."
I thought weird stuff only happened in the dorm I live in, now it's gonna be hell here too?
"You don't believe me...?" course she doesn't. It all see too lucid.
...The first bell rang...
"Shit..." you muttered and ran to the entrance doors of the school.
Afternoon class...Ms. Toriumi's class...
You slumped your head on your hand to hold your head up. Ms. Toriumi made the class look at the novel by Zenzou Kasai. She groaned..
"Why him? I'd rather talk about Utsubo Kubota."
You knew nothing about Japanese liturature. Infact you don't find any interest in composition anyways. You were more science or math, even history.
You yawned and zoned her out a little, "he became famous as a singer, but he's also produced fine literature. I wonder why it's not in the textbook. Well, I'll just bring Kubota's book next time." she averted her eyes at the sleeping Junpei. Stupei...
"...Hey, Junpei! Were you listening?" Ms. Toriumi put a serious face on, "who did I say was my favorite author?"
"H-Huh? U-Ummmmm..." he looked at you, "psst! Who does she like?"
You were tempted to give him the wrong answer, but since you were listening anyways you whispered to him, "Utsubo Kubota."
"That's right! So you were listening to me after all!"
Junpei laughed shyly, "...Well, you know how I like to pay attention!" he looked towards you with a smile as Ms. Toriumi looked back at the textbook with a frown...
"Man, you saved my bacon, Mina!"
Ha-ha, so now my nick name is Mina. Just great.
You heard from behind, "Minako gave him the answer... She must pay attention in class!" You felt like your charm had went up.
After school has ended, there wasn't much to do, so you decided to go back to the dorm.
Iwatodai Dorm Lounge...evening...
You entered in the dorm closing the door behind you. You saw Yukari sitting on the couch, talking to an unfamiliar man who sat on the armchair...he had grey hair and glasses.
"Oh, she's back."
"So, this is our new guest..." in all honestly he looked old enough to be almost your grandpa, "good evening. My name is Shuji Ikutsuki. I'm the Chairman of the Board of your school. "Ikutsuki"... Hard to say, isn't it? That's why I don't like introducing myself. Even I get tongue-tied sometimes... I apologize about the confusion regarding your accommodations. However, it may take a while longer before you recieve the proper room assignment. Is there anything you'd like to ask?"
You didn't hear the rest of what he was talking about because you were spending half the time trying to pronounce his name. It was a toungue twister...you decided to probably call him grandpa-san.
"Hello? Is there anything you'd like to ask?"
You snapped out of it, "oh, sorry. Ummm...Why'd you come here?"
Grandpa smiled, "To welcome you, of course." The smile disappeared and he looked towards Yukari, "speaking of which...Where's Mitsuru, Yukari?"
"She's upstairs."
"As diligent as always. Although, it doesn't hurt to come down and say hello..." he looked back at you, "do you have another question?"
You thought a little bit. You did hear that the dorm is Co-ed and you really haven't seen any guys, but you really wanted to ask what was going on..
"Who else lives here?"
"There are only four students in this dorm:"
Who the hell is the fourth one? Maybe it was that strange boy that I first met the other day..
"You, Yukari here, Mitsuru...And a senior named Akihiko Sanada. I hope you all get along." You grinned.
I hope so too. He's gotta be cute..
"Do you have another question?"
"No, not really." you didn't really want to talk about what you saw that night.
"Then, I hope you have a successful school year." he got up from the armchair, "Now, if you excuse me...You must be tired from all the excitement. You should go to bed early. As they say, "The early bird catches the bookworm"! Please forgive the bad pun." grandpa chuckled while looked away embarrassed.
First mom now grandpa. Hmph...and whats with that joke. I damn hope that he doesn't make them all the time...
"You'll get used to his lame jokes."
Oh god!
Grandpa was right, you were tired..you climbed the stairs and went in your room to rest...
In a certain room in the dorm...later...
"Working hard? So, how's she doing?" Grandpa spoke to Mitsuru and Yukari who were sitting at a huge computer looking thing.
Mitsuru turned towards grandpa, "she went to bed a little while ago. She's asleep now. Mr. Chairman, do you think she's...?"
"Well, let's wait and see for now." he replied, "the Dark Hour is approaching."
...MIDNIGHT...
Grandpa spoke again, "Hmm... She's still sleeping. The Dark Hour occurs every day at 12 midnight; you could say it's the "hidden" hour. During this time, an ordinary person Transmogrifies into a coffin, and is oblivious to all that occurs."
"Then, she must be..." Yukari looked somewhat shocked.
"As you can see, she's retained her human form. She's asleep, but she's definitely experiencing the Dark Hour. The only question that remains is whether or not she has the potential. Although, she must. ...If she didn't they would've preyed on her by now."
Yukari looked a little more tense, "scary..."
"In any case, we should continue to monitor her for a few more days."
"Yes, Sir." Mitsuru finally answered.
"I feel kinda bad, though, spying on her like this..." Yukari.
...
...
"...Master..." a mysterious voice called out.
"Master Minako Arisato..."
That was your name...what could be happening? Where were you? You flew across black and gray checker board tiles in the darkness, but at the end of the checkered floor was a glowing blue door, you came at it with great speed.
"Slow down!" You were frightened. "Help!"
The door swung open...suddenly you were in a chair. You saw a man with a big nose and a humpback infront of you and a table in front of him. You looked up, discovering a huge unique clock. Doors on the side and some even cloaked with a velvet colored sheet.
"What's going on? Where am I? And who are you?" you demanded.
"Welcome to the Velvet Room." The gentleman said. "My name is Igor. ...I am delighted to make your acquaintance."
Well, you defiinately remind me of the humpback of notre dame. I guess the name fits you well.
"This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter... Only those who have signed the contract can enter this place..." You saw the paper you signed at the dorm layed before you and Igor.
I'm dead! I'm dead! I made it through the door alive, but I'm dead! Shut it Minako, hold focus...damn that contract!...I knew it was a bad thing to sign...it brought me to my death bed. Good bye earth.
"Henceforth, you shall be welcome here in the Velvet Room. You are destined to hone your unique ability, and you will require my help to do so. I only ask one thing in return..."
Welcomed? So I'm not dead?
"...that you abide by the contract, and assume responsibility for the chocies you make."
"Is this a dream?" you desperately asked. God you hope you are.
"Precisely...You are fast asleep in the real world as we speak."
As soon as he said that sentence you jumped out of the chair with your hands up, "YESS! I'm alive! I'm alive! Oh, yeah..." you stopped and looked at Igor. He had the same look on his face as he did before you screamed in joy, it seemed he was waiting for you to be done.
"Ahem," you sat back down slowly, "s-sorry, you may continue." you bashfully said.
"This visit of yours is merely a dream." he continued, "however, you will come here of your own accord, sooner or later. Hold on to this..." Igor's hand quiverd towards you, it seemed like there was something in his hands. You took it from him.
"It's a velvet key. Keep it safe. But there is still one more resident of this room, who unfortunately could not be present for your arrival. But I'll make sure you two are properly introduced. Another time, perhaps. 'Til we meet again...
4/09/10 Thursday
The suns beams went through the curtains and hit your eyes. You woke up on your bed, a smile proliferated across your face. You moved out of the covers and went to take a shower before you got ready for school.
...'Til we meet again...
Those words ran through your mind over and over again. "It was only a dream. It was only a dream...nothing else." You stuck your hand in your left pocket as you grabbed a towel, shampoo, conditioner, hairdryer, and other things you needed. Your fingertips felt something on your left pocket, you took it out and observed it.
"The velvet key.." you whispered to yourself.
Gekkoukan High School Gates
You walked easily towards the school, you were smiling, but the words that were spoken were still reminiscing through your thoughts.
"You... Man, I'm so sleepy today." It was Junpei, he caught up to you with that grin, "in times like these, it's best to sleep during class!"
"Yeah, thats the best way to learn in school. Mind as well take your book, sleep on it, and hope for osmosis," you sarcastically said.
"Woah, hold the hostility Mina. But hey, would you think that would work?" he said, you looked at him with a disappointed face, "I'm joking! Man, you need to get a sense of humor. But anyways. Did you ever notice how sometimes taking a nap in class makes you feel more refreshed than sleeping at home?"
"I don't sleep in class." you replied.
"Whaaat? Why do you have to be all serious?" Stupei's smirk disappeared, "that feeling of being completely recharged is awesome... But I'm screwed later since I didn't hear the lecture!"
"Then don't sleep in class?"
He just looked at you, "we have classic lit. today... That means we're stuck with Mr. Nasty ol' Ekoda..."
After so the two of you went into the school and headed towards class.
Mr. Ekoda's class...morning...
"Ahem...I'm Mr. Ekoda. I'll be teaching you Classic Literature. I'll be teaching you about good old Japan all year. Some people say Classic Lit isn't relevent to everyday life, but oh, how they're wrong. The students, the other teachers...Wrong, wrong, wrong! Nobody really understands Classic Lit..."
You didn't really care for the lecture at all, maybe Junpei was right...maybe osmosis would work. You laughed at yourself. You decided to close your eyes just for a few moments to feel better...
As school ended you met up with Yukari at the shoe boxes and decided to go back togther.
Paulowina Mall...after school...
You entered through the entrance of the mall. You saw many stores, nine in exact, but most werent stores. A fountain stood in the middle of the mall.
"Have you come here before?" Yukari asked you as looked around a little more. "A lot of Gekkoukan students come here after school. There's a karaoke box and a CD shop. Oh, and a really great cafe, too! There's also a nightclub, but that's kindanot for us yet."
The mall was greatly crowded with students on their way back from school...
Iwatodai Dorm...evening...
As same as before you entered through the double doors of the dorm. Yukari was sitting on the couch as Mitsuru stood at the window behind the counter.
"Welcome back," Mitsuru said.
Hi, mom! How you doin'? Oh, just fine, you know school and walking home right now. Thanks for asking.
"The moon is beautiful tonight. It might be nice to read a book by the moonlight once in a while." Mitsuru completed what she said, she didn't even look at you as she spoke.
Holy poptarts in a freakin' pencil sharpener! She said something else then just 'welcome back'...
You sighed...you were tired today then usual. You decided to go to bed to night.
A certain room in the drom...Dark Hour...
Grandpa entered into the room, "...How is she?"
"...The same as last night," Mitsuru said still staring at the screen.
"Hmm... Very interesting. Even those who have the potential tend to be unstable at first...Memory loss...disorientation...But, this subject is rather unique. She hasn't exhibited any of the common symptoms."
Yukari answered unasuringly, "but... we're treating her like a guinea pig."
"I understand your concern, but it's imperative that we recruit new members. I heard she's in your class... Wouldn't you be more comfortable working with someone from the same grade? A female classmate, at that."
"Yeah, I guess. But, still..."
...An emergency call from outside rang through the room...
"Command room." Mitsuru spoke. "...Is that you, Akihiko?"
"You're not gonna believe this...! This thing is huge!" Akihiko yelled to Mitsuru. "Unfortunately, I don't have time to talk... It's chasing me... I wanted to let you guys know. I'm almost there."
"Does that mean...he's bringing that thing here!" Yukari shouted.
"Mr. Chairman! Let's suspend our observation for now. We'll prepare for battle!" Mitsuru ordered.
"...R-Right! Be careful!"
Downstairs in the lounge Akihiko barged in, "Agh...!"
Mitsuru and Yukari ran down the stairs, "Akihiko!"
"I'm alright. Get ready to be surprised... It'll be here any second."
"This is no time to joke around!" Mitsuru yelled towards him.
"It's one of them, Akihiko?" Grandpa asked Akihiko.
"Yes, but not an ordinary one-"
Something pounded on the doors.
"Ahh! What the...! ...You've gotta be kidding me!" Yukari shrieked.
"Mr. Chairman, please head for the command room! Takeba, go upstairs and wake her up! Then, escape out the back."
"But, what about you two?"
"We'll stop it here. You led it to us, Akihiko, so I'm afraid you'll have to fight."
"Like I had a choice! What are you waiting for, Yukari? Go!" he ordered.
"I-I'm going!" Yukari ran up to the third floor and to your room.
You were already awake and you heard a loud noise. It was green again...maybe you should go check outside. Before you could even get to the door Yukari banged on the door.
"Wake up! Sorry I'm coming in!"
"What the hell is going on here Yukari!" you yelled.
"I don't have time to explain. We have to get out of here, now! Hurry! Downstairs! We'll leave through the back door!" You both began to head out the door until Yukari pulled back. "Wait!...Take this, just in case." Yukari handed you a long, thin implement...like a naginata.
"Okay, let's go! Follow me!" You both ran down the stairs into the first floor at the rear entrance. "Alright, we should be safe now-"
A beep came from Yukari, "Takeba, do you read me!" it seems to be Mitsuru's voice.
"Y-Yes! I hear you!"
"Be careful! There's more than one enemy! The one we're fighting isn't the one Akihiko saw!"
"What!" A bang hit the rear door. "L-Let's pull back!" Running away from the rear entrance you and Yukari made it to the second floor. You and her heard glass breaking.
"What was that!" You heard it as it climbs the stairs, "it's getting closer! K-Keep moving! Hurry!"
You ran up to the dorm rooftop and closed the door behind you.
Yukari sighed in relief, "The door's locked. I think we're safe for now..." Yukari saw something, "..w-what!"
Across from you a black hand grabbed the edge of the roof top another had a blue mask in it's hand you noticed it had a roman numeral sign for the number one.
What could that mean?
It waved it around, almost like it was searching with it. Behind it several other hands held swords and the rest of the body climbed up on the roof fully, it crawled towards you and then stopped.
"You gotta be kidding me...! It climbed up the wall...!"
In the command room, Ikutsuki, Akihiko, and Mitsuru sat. "There! They're on the roof!" Akihiko pointed out on the screen.
"That gigantic Shadow... Just what is it we're dealing with!"
"...Let's go, Mitsuru!"
"Wait!" Grandpa seized them.
Back on the roof top the black thing with multiple hands stood there as it kept swinging it's arms around.
"That's the thing that attacked this place... We call them Shadows!" Yukari explained to you. "O-Oh yeah...I have to fight..."
You forgot that you had to fight. What the hell is wrong with you. How can you forget that you had to fight. Isn't that part of the process of fight or flight!
"I...I can summon mine... No problem..."
Yukari got into a fighting stance and took her gun out and put it to her head.
Your suicidal now! I think it's the wrong damn time to be! Shit...I'm gonna end up fighing it all on my own.
"Here we go." before she could pull the trigger to 'summon' whatever the Shadow attacked her with a huge blaze of fire, knocking her back behind you. Her gun slid at your feet. You stared it, in temptation on picking it up. You did pick it up and aimed it at the side of your head your and you placed your other empty hand on your chest, you closed your eyes.
Thou art I and I am thou
You opened your eyes and saw the boy in striped pajamas again. He was smiling at you, encouraging you to pull the trigger. He shook his head and you shook your head in return. You pulled the trigger...
Per-Son-A
and then you felt a weird blow go through your head, you felt like a part of you left your body. You looked infront of you and a figure floated, "I am Orpheus." As you stood there you suddenly felt a staggering pain go through you. It went in pulses that made you grip your head.
...Ba Bum...
Each pulse turned negative and then normal...
...Ba Bum...
You fell to your knees...
...Ba Bum...
You screamed in pain and agony...
...Ba Bum...
Orpheus, Orpheus that was a part of you, split in half. Your head felt like it was splitting in two. It hurts to much. Orpheus screamed itself as it disintegrated in red and another one took it's place.
W-Why did it hurt so much...Ngh...
You looked up at the newly formed part of you. It almost looked evil...was it death? The thing bashed the Shadow several times, giving it no mercy. As it finished it crushed a piece of the shadow in it's hands. Then it vanished...and then the swell of power subsided...Orpheus regained it's orginal form.
Back in the command room everyone was in shock just watching it from the screen.
"What on earth was that...!" Akihiko shouted. Ikutsuki stayed silent, but his mouth was open in such shock he didn't have anything to say.
Back on the roof top, Yukari regained her strength while you still sat at your knees...
"Is it over...?" she asked. After saying those words a piece of the Shadow is heading for Yukari, "it's still moving! No...G-Get away from me!"
You sighed and got up in a fighting stance with the naginata. You used slash attack on one of the Shadows, but it just wasn't enough. They both came at you scratching you with their sharp nails. You screamed as they tore through your skin, but that didn't make you stop. You finished off the Shadow with one hit. Then the Shadow attacked again, hitting you with their sharp nails. For the last hit you summoned Orpheus as you did before and had her use bash to defeat the last enemy.
Finsihed...I'm...so...tired...The monsters are gone...Yukari's safe...
...
You lost consciousness...
...
You fell to the ground. "Are you okay! Come on...!" Yukari shook you, "Please...! Can you hear me! Answer me!"
...
You woke up again, this time it was dark. You knew this was a dream. Then a source of blue light flew at you, it was that glowing blue butterfly. You held out your hand, palm face up, for it to land on. As it did you looked down...the light from the butterfly was strong enough to let you see the black and grey checkered floor again...you looked back up at the butterfly and smiled.
Lend me your light...
The word flowed through your mind and it flowed to the butterfly, the blue light grew greater and you began to walk straight. Finally, you saw the Velvet Room Door. You came to a stop in front of it and searched your pockets for the key, but you couldn't find it.
Fuck, lost the key...
You tried to open the door anyways, but didn't work...what were you suppose to do now? You looked at the butterfly and frowned. You closed your eyes...but, at that moment your hand felt heavier. You looked at your hand and there was the glowing blue key. You nodded and opened the door. Everything was the same as the last time, you took your seat, Igor was in the same spot as before.
"It's so nice to see you again." He greeted you, "you became unconscious after awakening to your "power." I see that it was Orpheus that heeded your calling. That power is called a Persona... It is a manifestation of your psyche."
"W-What do you mean?"
"A Persona is a facet of your personality that surfaces as you react to external stimuli... You can think of it as a mask that protects you as you brave many hardships.
"And that's what Orpheus is?"
"When you use your Persona ability, you must channel your inner strength. The ability evolves as you develop your Social Links-your emotional ties with others. The stronger your Social Links, the more powerful your Persona ability. Please remember that. Now then... Time marches on in your world."
Sadly...
"I shouldn't keep you here any longer. Next time we meet, you will come here of your own accord. Until then... Farewell."
Light glimmered on your eyes and they struggled to keep them closed. So you opned them...
To Be Continued.