Hi everyone! Welcome to my first Persona story! And my first Fic ever published as well! I'll warn you something, my english isn' really good, but I'm trying to improve! And ahm, I wanna thanks since the beggining to you for reading this :D Hope you like It ^^ And to one of my inspirations, the band The Corrs, whos songs inspire me to create this story D This chapter in particular, is based upon their song "The Hardest Day".

One more day, one last look
Before I leave it all behind
And play the role that's meant for us
That said we'd say goodbye

...

If I promise to believe will you believe
That there's nowhere that we'd rather be
Nowhere describes where we are
I've no choice, I love you, leave,
Love you, wave, goodbye

And all I ever wanted was to stay
And nothing in this world's gonna change, change

Never wanna wake up from this night
Never wanna leave this moment
Waiting for you only, only you
Never gonna forget every single thing you do
When loving you is my finest hour
Leaving you, the hardest day of my life
The hardest day of my life

(The Corrs, "The hardest Day")

Chapter 1: The Hardest Day

Everything happened so fast ... The cruel battle, the feeling that everything was lost, anxiety, fear, exhaustion, the pressure of knowing that not only their lives were in danger, but everything else. The world, their worlds, their friends, their stories. Everything was about to end.

"This can't be" Minako, the team leader, whispered, watching how Nyx was rising to the heavens, to the moon. A powerful beam of energy shot out of her, subjecting the team and pulling them to the ground. They tried to get up, but their bodies felt strangely heavy. "What is this?" they asked, fighting the invisible force that was taking possession of their bodies, forcing them to struggle, wasting all the energy they had left. Their bodies were exhausted, but their spirits refused to accept defeat. Minako was the last one who fell to the ground. She looked for a Akihiko, who had just fallen to his knees, not far from where she was. He was also looking at her, as he always did, watching her, not as a sister but as his girlfriend, protecting her, because he promised to himselft that he would never again allow anyone to snatch the most precious things he had.

With her remaining strength, Minako reached out her hand, trying to reach Akihiko. "Aki ..." she muttered. Akihiko did the same, and took her hand which she offered. "I love you, don't forget It" he told her. The girl giggled and closed her eyes as she held the hand of her boyfriend.

When she opened her eyes, she no longer was in Tartarus, her friends wasn't close to her, and her body felt normal. For a moment, she thought she was dead, but then she saw Igor and Theo, so she realized where she was. The Velvet Room. "The time of our contract has ended", said the old man, "It is time for you to complete your destiny." A large luminous mass formed in front of them. "This is the strength of your social links. Separated, they are weak, but together, they'll bring a new power for you." When he said that, the light turned into a card."Now, it's the time to draw on the true strength of the bonds you have forged!"

Minako opened her eyes, but she didn't feel like herself anymore. It was as if something stronger was inside of her. No, was It her? It was something, but she couldn't point out that was It. Also, her body felt really lighter. She released Akihiko's hand, and stood up. She looked up to heaven, overconfidence in her eyes, denying to lose. She stepped forward, or so she believed, because in reallity she was floating in the air. As she left, multiple voices shouted behind her, telling her to stop, please, she didn't had to do that. But yes, in her heart, she knew she had to.

She reached her final destination, right in front of Nyx, who now had an egg shape. She hold her naginata firmly in her hands, and threw herself to It. In response, she was attacked with a most certainly killing shot. But she was still alive. The voices of her friends echoing strongly in her mind, although she couldn't see them. Yet their feeling reached her mind, giving her strength.

And there she knew the answer, her true purpose. She dropped her weapon and walked to the gigantic egg shining in front of her. She opened her arms as if to embrace the air, and all the enegry of her new-found Arcana emerged from her soul, reaching Nyx, enlighting everything in pure bright light.

And thats how the Dark Hour ended. Tartarus disappeared in the middle of the night, restoring its original form to Gekkoukan High. The entire SEES team was safe, as all mankind. But, what about Minako? They where asking to themselves. Akihiko felt the anger consuming him inside, rage against himself, which completely vanished when he saw a small figure coming toward them from the school. Minako, his Minako, with a peacefull look in her face. The whole group ran up and gave her hugs and yelled her a little.

"I was so scared, how dare you to do something so stupid like that?" Yukari said, with tears rolling over her face. "Heh, next time, if you want to call out my attention, there are other way to do that, ya'know?" Jumpei laughed and gaver her a wink. The last one to say something was Akihiko, whose embrace was longer than the others, enjoying the moment as if no one else were there. To give them more privacy, the group began to walk away, heading to the dorm. "I thought I had lost you" Akihiko whispered while slowly let her go, but resting his hand on his girlfriend's waist. She wraped up in his chest, and huged him as they continued walking. "I also got scared for a moment. But there's still something we have to do so..." . "Hm ... and what is that?" "Ah, don't tell me you forgot! You.. evil" she shouted. Yukari turned her back, but then went on talking as if nothing happened with Mitsuru. "Haha, no, I wouldn't forget, I'm just playing with you" "Oh damn you ..." she muttered, and started to walk faster pretending to be furious. But she couldn't get very far, Akihiko approached her and encircled her waist with his arms, turning her gently in the air. "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you mad". Minako turned slowly and saw right into his eyes, making Akihiko blush a little. "You dumb" she whispered while giving him a tender kiss on his cheek, taking him by surprise and making his face even more red.

Hands still takens, they came into the dorm and found only Mitsuru, Fuuka and Aigis on the lounge. Koromaru was there too, but he was already asleep. They said good night to their friends, and went upstairs to their rooms. Akihiko walked with Minako to her room, where he kissed her lips, said "Good Night" to her, and went to his own room.

March 5th

The most important day on every student's life was finally here. Graduation, the day when the juniors would no longer be the 'lil'kids', and the seniors would join the adult's world. Her dormmates ere already at school, while Minako had just woke up. She was still sleepy, in fact, she has been more tired than usual on the last days . "Maybe it's just stress" she thought while combing her auburn hair into a high ponytail, when someone knocked on his door. "Who is it?" she asked. "Aigis, may I come in?" The girl opened the door and let the robot-girl come inside. "I need to talk to you ... I know you've all forgotten, but I still remember," she said. "I'm glad you remember" Minako answered with a smile. She knew what Aigis was refering to. Both sat in her room and talked about everything, Nyx, the promise and all the things the rest of the group couldn't remember.

"It is getting late, we must leave now," said Aigis while standing up quickly, his heart, if you could say that she has one, was longing to see her friends together again. Minako smiled to her tenderly, and followed her with a feeling of joy in her chest.

They reached the roof top faster than they thought. Also, they had to sneaked out from the teachers, because if they saw them, they would drag them to the auditorium. Minako was still tired, so she leaned back on a bench. Aigis sat near her, and began to talk about the weather. "The others will come soon" said Aigis, and suddenly the sound of voices and footsteps reached them. Minako tried to get up, but instead she let out a huge yawn. Aigis said she should sleep until they arrived. Minako nodded slowly and closed her eyes, sinking into a deep sleep.

"Hey, Minako ..." a soft voice and a gentle touch of a hand on her hair woked her up. Slowly, she opened her eyes and she found herself engulfed by darkness. And yet, she could see, though there was nothing really there, just emptiness and darkness. She realized that she was lying, or something like that, because there was no visible floor or nothing like that. "Ryoji" she muttered. "I'm glad you woke up, but, to be honest, I was enjoying the moment" he giggled as he stroked her hair again. Minako realized that her head was resting on Ryoji's chest. The girl stood up, embarrased, and asked what was that place. "We are inside of you, oh, well, kinda. We are in a place between your mind and your soul, where you sealed Nyx ." Minako nodded. "I...think I get It. Ohm.. and... why are you here? "she asked. "Oh, just came to say goodbye" Ryoji stopped his words when he saw the look on Minako's face "haha, don't worry, we'll meet again, the only problem is, that you will no longer remember me when that moment comes" "What? Ryoji, I would never forget you, you know... you are really important to me" she pick her words wisely, to prevent any misunderstanding (she still remembered the day when Ryoji told her that he loved her, but she rejected him for her love to Akihiko). "Haha, you're always so charming, Minako" the boy replied, standing up and approaching her. "I'm so sorry for everything that happened to you... It's all my fault ... if I could only grant one wish, I would ask that none of this had happened, I..." "Shhh, Ryoji, nothing is your fault." "But it happened because of me," Ryoji closed his eyes, and uncountable tears began to fall as he said: "Minako, since I entered your life, not as Ryoji Mochizuki, but as Pharos ... or even more, as the shadow that Agisi sealed inside of you, I've bringed you nothing but dispair, and all the tragedies that happened in your life. And the ones that will happen too..." he whispered that last part and fell to his knees in front of Minako, holding her hands between his, while begging to her, "I hope that in your heart you can forgive me someday, but if your desire is to hate me, I'll understand." He looked up to Minako, her face was pure confusion and sadness. Ryoji smiled sadly, and continued his speech, "it is time to let you go, they are waiting for you" Ryoji stood up, and kisses Minako's forehead "farewell, my dearl princess." Minako tried to say something, but before she could, her eyes closed and her body fell into Ryoji's arms.

Meanwhile, in Tatsumi Memorial Hospital, the gang was outside Minako's room. They brought her there after she fainted before the big reunion. Everyone was waiting in the hallway (everyone but Koromaru, who had to wait outside). Akihiko was walking nervously from one place to another, occasionally looking at the door. The doctor had told them that "Arisato-sama is sleeping. I can't find any sign of illness, so it's better for her to stay here to check up how she goes". He also told them that no more than two visitors were allowed in the patients rooms. Akihiko wanted to punch the poor man in the middle of his face. He is a doctor and doesn't knows what's wrong with her? To make it worst, he had to wait to see her? When the doctor walked away, Akihiko tried to enter the room, but Mitsuru stopped him. "Akihiko wait, ladies goes first" and without saying anything else, she went inside the room, followed by Aigis who said "I must be by her side." And so, Yukari said she'd go next with Fuuka, Jumpei addead "I'll go after that, sorry to you sempai", adding that Ken should go with him, since he was a child, and had to go to bed early.

An hour passed, and Yukari and Fuuka were in the room, Mitsuru was drinking a coffe that Aigis brought to her (the second one in fact) when the door opened. Fuuka was visibly scared. "Someone call the doctor, please!" she nearly yelled. Ken ran down the stairs to the reception, Mitsuru approached to Fuuka "Yamagishi, what's wrong? And, why are you crying?" "Is just..." "Move on, please," boomed the voice of a stranger. It was the doctor, followed by a nurse. Fuuka stepped aside, letting Mitsuru enter the room as well. Akihiko wanted to go in too, but Yukari stopped him at the door, "Senpai, I don't think you should come in," and slammed the door in his face.

Tension filled the air of the hall, Akihiko was still in front of the room, without saying a word to anybody. Just looking at the door, then his watch, then to the floor, the roof and back to Minako's door. What was taking them so long? And, why was he waiting outside? He was her boyfriend, if someone should be by her side, It was him. So, screw the hospital, he was going in.

He was about to open the door when Mitsuru came out of the room. She told everyone that they could go see her now. Everyone, except for Akihiko. She needed to say something before he goes in.

-What's happening Mitsuru? Don't tell me she...he asked

-No, Minako is fine, it's just that... well, she is not alright now, and... I'm not sure If you should see her in this state- the red girl sighed.

-What? Mitsuru, Is she awake?-

-Yes, she is, but...

-So there's no reason for me to not see her-and walked into the room before Mitsuru could stop him.

Inside, everyone was silent. Fuuka was still crying, and now Yukari was too. Jumpei was trying to calm them down, but It was too obvius he was crying too. The doctor was on a corner near them, filling some papers as he gave directions to the nurse. To Akihiko, they didn't exist right now. His eyes were looking to the only thing he cared about: his beloved Minako, sitting on her bed, her hands resting gracefully on her lap. His hair was covering her face. He think she still looked beautifull that way. When he was near her, he holded one of her hands.

-Minako ... I-I was... so worried about you ...-he muttered. Minako released her hand from his, and looked at him with confusion. Akihiko was equally confused. He looked at her as if expecting something-. Minako... I didn't mean to... I'm sorry- he said, thinking that she could be mad with him for forgetting everything for a month, but before he could asy anything else, Minako spoke:

-Um... who are you?

Aaaand.. that's all! Plsease review, I take anything like advices, ideas everything you want :) See you soon (I hope)

Mimi M.