1. A decision and its consequences
I knew it would happen. The time I went alone to face Nyx, I knew I would die in one way or another. I felt it the entire month. I got sleepier each day. I felt the pain of my body being separated form my soul.
But the most pain was my friends not remembering anything at all. The more illogical thinking side of me felt betrayed, although it wasn't their fault. It still hurt though. At least I could say goodbye to them.
Their hurt expressions are even hunting me into the afterlife. I was alone again. Fate wasn't fair. It took me my family away and I was left alone for ten years until I arrived in Iwatodai.
My happiness wasn't even lasting for a year until everything was taken away from me again, by the world none the less. Every human being was against me in form of Erebus. Why was the world against me?
"Do you want to see them again?"
"...Yes."
"If you were given a second chance, would you take it?"
"...Yes."
"Be warned, there will be consequences if you chose this path. Failing might lead to more suffering as you already have to endure. But if you succeed infinite possibilities await you."
"...I'll do it!" I said with determination. "I'll succeed this time without dying! And I will save everyone!" I declared.
"*chuckle* Very well. Let us rewind the clock and return. Be warned: no one will recognize you."
Not caring about the consequences Minako took the chance. She knew her friends must be suffering as much as she does, but this will soon have an end. She felt like she was falling into a dark abyss, while something happened to her mind and body.
She saw a path of light coming closer and closer, pretty fast. Short before the impact she slowed down and landed softly on her naked feet. Minako looked down on herself and found two things out. First she had the body of a ten year old (judging from the height) and second NO she was not naked (you freaks, I know you thought that), but she was only wearing a dark red dress (just popped into my mind). Her hair was on the loose, no objections there, but why was she a ten year old?
"Consequences, huh? Is that all?" Damn her voice changed too.
"Go on, without falter. With your heart as your guide." The voice whispered into her head or rather it came OUT of her head. When you had death inside of you for ten years, you certainly don't freak out by something as simple as hearing a voice in your head.
Minako walked the down the path, which was shown in front of her. She walked for five minutes until she met a familiar face at the end. "Elizabeth!" Minako cheered and ran towards the now taller woman. She was not used to look up to people this way.
"My Minako-sama, you look quite adorable." said the avatar of power while crouching in front of the girl. Minako pouted, as Elizabeth playfully ruffled her hair. "Very funny Lizzy. Is this one of those conditions?" she asked. Elizabeth nodded.
"One of them yes. Unfortunately I cannot tell you what the other conditions will be, my apologies."
"Meh, guess neither you nor Igor planned this, right?" the girl asked grinning in satisfaction. The woman nodded. "Indeed, my master and I were quite surprised. Your will to live is quite exaggerating. Unfortunately, my master is occupied with another guest, so he cannot give this to you personally." She took out a card of her compendium and gave it to Minako. It was empty.
"A good luck charm for you."
"Thanks." Minako said although she didn't understand what the card was for. But since when come the people of the Velvet Room with a straight answer? Correct. Never. Elizabeth gave the girl a bracelet where Minako could put the empty card in.
"Ah yes, I almost forgot, you won't be able to use all your personae for quite some time. The creation of the Great Seal took a lot of your power." The avatar explained. Minako frowned. "Which one can I use?" she asked.
The blonde woman smiled. "This is your own decision. Do you want to take a look at your compendium?"
"Yes, please."
Minako took the book in both of her tiny arms. It was a little harder to handle books of that size when you're that small again. Minako made a mental note to get used to it. She flipped through the pages, looking at all her custom made personae. She chuckled at the thought of the others gaping at her when a ten year old summoned an overpowered persona. The question was which one she should take. Maybe Thanatos. Considering personae are the mental image of your own ego, think what other people would think.
The last thought gave her a great idea. Helel at first glance an angel is actually Satan before he was banned from the heavens, just because he was a little rebel. Winners make history, so who says Satan is evil? Just in case she checked his skills again (based on my personal play-through):
Morning Star
Primal Force
Maragidyne
Salvation
Mind Charge
Resist Ice
Victory Cry
Maziodyne
Satisfied she chose this persona and gave Elizabeth her compendium back. "Good luck Minako-sama." Elizabeth bowed and walked away. Minako stood in front of the golden, door-shaped light and stared at it for several minutes.
"Are you scared?"
"A little nervous." she admitted.
"Perhaps I should tell you one more thing before we go. Since you're incapable of using the wild card ability for an unknown set of time, the world chose someone else to fight the shadows."
Minako balled a fist and gritted in frustration. "I'm gonna change that too. Just watch me!"
"I can't wait. Shall we?"
"Who are you anyway?"
"*chuckle* You ask now, when it is too late to rethink your decision, my avatar?"
Minako paled. She just made a pact with the devil. She laughed over her own stupor in order to not panic or cry or overall act crazy, although her laughter was more like that of a maniac.
After she calmed down: "Just you watch. I'll find a way to make everyone happy."
"They say actions speak more than a 1000 words. Show me your potential."
Minako grinned the way she always grinned, when she'd been challenged by Rio to a tennis match. Only this time more than just who pays the next bill for ramen was at stake. Collecting all her courage, she stepped through the door.
She found herself at a scene she would never forget in her life. The night she awakened. The Magician was hovering over Yukari and a male student with blue hair and a Gekkoukan Uniform. Yukari tried, but failed to summon her persona or rather she tried, but failed to overcome her fear. The large shadow used the chance and knocked her out with an agi spell. The gun flow towards Minako, instead of the boy and she picked it up. Ignoring the cold ground under her feet, it was somehow comfortable, she approached the boy.
The shadow saw her, but didn't attack, as if he was recognizing her somehow. The boy's gaze followed the one of the shadow and he finally noticed the strange little girl. Like he had forgotten the monster behind him, he crouched in front of the girl, who held the evoker on his forehead. He didn't even flinch. Together they spoke the word, which changed their entire life.
"Per...so...na!"
Minako pulled the trigger and a persona, similar to her Eurydice appeared.
"I am thou, thou art I, I am Orpheus the Master of Strings." he announced himself. His host turned towards the shadow and was ready to give an order, when suddenly he put both hands on his head. His persona was aching in pain and suddenly a crack appeared on his head. Two hands made their way out of the crack and shredded Orpheus into pieces. Thanatos was there. He drew his blade and ripped the shadow apart who had no chance to even raise an arm. And he had a lot of them!
Strangely enough after Thanatos was done, Minako felt a surge of power inside her. She shouldn't be that surprised actually, but it came out of nowhere.
"The first shadow has returned. It has begun once again. You have one year Minako Arisato. From now on all your actions will have weight in the future. Don't disappoint me."
I thought we were done with the talking. I can only repeat myself: watch me. For now, I need an excuse why I appeared out of nowhere. And I have one, which will bring me into trouble. Get to work brain!
While Minako was trying to get her brain to work, the boy next to her hit the ground, before defeating the two lesser shadows. Maybe I shouldn't have pulled the trigger.
She realized even the slightest actions, could have very grief consequences, such as she pulling the trigger, followed by the boy falling unconscious. "Butterfly effect, gotta keep my eyes open."
"You should keep your eyes on the enemy."
Oh derp, she forgot the weakling shadows approaching her. She took the evoker from the boy. Yukari was regaining her consciousness during this time.
"What happened...*gasp*! What are you doing here?! Run away!"
"Persona!" Minako announced, summoning the fallen star of the heavens. Helel appeared and with him a bright light in the sky. The shadows sensed the sudden danger and tried to get away as fast as possible, which was really slow. A gigantic energy ball fell from the sky, causing a large explosion when it hit the ground. The roof got several cracks, meh, Mitsuru's family was rich enough to get it fixed. Yukari gaped at the girl who couldn't be older than ten and still caused that amount of damage!
The door to the roof was slammed open and Mitsuru, Akihiko and that man arrived. Minako resisted the urge to set him on fire and instead she put on the most innocent face she could think of. She just thought of Maiko and everything was fine.
The Kirijo heiress approached the little girl, who summoned the unbelievable strong persona. "Who are you?" she asked in a not so friendly tone. Minako needed to think really quickly. How would a child react to something like this?
"*sob* Baaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!" Minako started crying. She thought back to her parent's death, which made her sad enough. The rest came out from itself. "B-but I...I...waaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!"
"Sempai!" Yukari shouted and ran towards the girl, crouching in front of her and hugging her. "Shh, shh, it's alright. Everything is fine." The pink wearing girl gave her sempai a glare. She wanted to let out some things, but not in front of the little girl who saved her life. Said girl buried her face into Yukari's shoulder. She put the girl up and comforted her until she was asleep.
Minako woke up in an unfamiliar and really pink room. The tears yesterday had been real tears, as she was glad to see her best friend alive again. Rubbing her eyes, she noticed she was still wearing that dress.
"I need some new clothes..." she muttered, while throwing the blanket away and walking towards the toilet on instinct. When she came out of the bathroom, Yukari came into her room. "Oh you're awake! How do you feel?"
Minako's stomach grumbled as a respond, making the girl blush in embarrassment. Yukari giggled. "Come, let's go downstairs for breakfast."
"Okay." Minako replied like she was still confused what was going on. Yukari took her by the hand and lead the way downstairs into the kitchen. When they came across Mitsuru, Minako hid behind Yukari's legs, making the senior feeling uncomfortable. Yukari petted Minako's head and finally lead the girl into the kitchen.
"So what do you want?" Yukari asked cheerfully.
Wow, Yukari-chan will sure make a good mother one day.
"It may be because how her own mother is acting towards her."
How do YOU know?
"I have access to all your memories, Minako."
"Umm, may I have a toast please? And can you give me a knife, butter and some marmalade please?"
Yukari looked stunned at the girl. "You can make your own bread?" she asked. Minako nodded playing the shy little girl. "Wow, your mother must be proud of you."
She looked to the side. "I don't have a mom anymore. My parents died in a car accident."
Yukari was shocked to hear that. "Oh...oh...I'm sorry."
"It's okay." Minako replied giving the girl a smile.
Yukari insisted on preparing breakfast for the girl and watched as the girl happily munched down her breakfast. Yukari also prepared some hot chocolate. "I'm Yukari by the way. And your name?"
"Minako, Minako Arisato." she replied immediately, without thinking. Old habits die hard.
"D-did you say Arisato?!" Yukari asked shrieked. Minako nodded. "Is something wrong Yukari-nee-chan?" Minako asked. The question wasn't necessary, but Minako had to act like a ten year old would act.
"Oh..n-nothing. Eat your breakfast. I'll be back soon, okay?"
"Okay."
Yukari left pretty fast. It was then it dawned to Minako. The other boy's last name must be Arisato too. She slapped her forehead for her own stupidity. "What's done is done."
She finished her breakfast and made the dishes herself, although she needed a chair in order to clean everything up. Yukari, Akihiko and Mitsuru found her this way from outside the kitchen, watching as she was cleaning up everything.
"She is very diligent for a girl at her age." Mitsuru commented. "Do you think she is related to him?" Akihiko asked. "I don't know."
The three walked inside the kitchen, while Minako was putting the chair back at its place. When she saw Mitsuru she immediately hid behind Yukari.
"Don't worry Minako-chan. We only want to ask you some questions, okay?" Yukari tried to reassure. "But she is mean." the girl replied. Akihiko and Yukari had a hard time not to chuckle. "Don't worry Minako-chan. Yukari will protect you from the mean girl."
Now Minako had a hard time not to giggle. Instead she looked up and said: "Promise?"
Yukari nodded. "Promise."
"Okay."
They all sat down in the lounge, Minako next to Yukari, Akihiko and Mitsuru in front of the two. Since neither Akihiko nor Mitsuru knew how to handle kids, Yukari asked the questions. "Minako-chan, why were you on our roof yesterday? Would you please tell us?"
"Be careful of what you say. It will inflict the future."
Why does this remind me so much of a RPG?
"R-?"
Forget it, I'll tell you another time.
"Minako-chan saw big meanie shadow. Minako wanted to stop big meanie shadow." she said.
"Okay...where do you live Minako-chan?"
"...Minako doesn't remember. I...lived in a dark, green place. This place isn't dark and green. Minako is confused." she titled her head. This gets more and more complicated.
"Dark and green? Could you be more specific?" Mitsuru asked.
"..."
She shook her head. "Everything is blurry. I know the place I lived was dark and had green light, but my head is fuzzy."
Mitsuru sighed. "It must be the effect of the dark hour."
"Dark hour?" Minako asked.
"Don't worry about it Minako-chan." Yukari reassured. Minako let out a yawn, still exhausted from the recent events. Her new body still needed to adapt to her powers.
"Are you tired Minako-chan? Do you want to sleep a little more?" The pink fetish asked. Minako nodded acting tired. Yukari lead her to her room and put her into bed.
After Yukari was gone, Minako waited a little until she sneaked after her and listened to the conversation her friends had.
Mitsuru: "She'll stay here until we found out where she lives. I will go to the police station today."
Yukari: "Will she remember everything? I mean the side effect of the dark hour is only temporary, right?"
Akihiko: "Yeah, but she's a kid. Maybe she won't remember. But she said she went after that shadow. Does that mean, the girl is used to fighting shadows?"
Yukari: "Don't be ridiculous sempai. She's most likely only ten! Why should she be used to fighting shadows?"
Mitsuru: "Well she did summon her persona, like she had done it before."
Yukari: "How do you know?! Wait, you weren't just watching, were you?"
Silence.
...
Minako needed to leave immediately as Yukari was heading upstairs, frustrated with what her sempais had done. Minako snuggled under the blanket just in time, as Yukari came in and snuggled herself next to the girl. Minako turned around and hugged the now older girl, surprising her in the process. Minako acted like she was asleep, but in reality she wanted to comfort Yukari, who went through a lot too.
Downstairs...
"We really screwed up, didn't we?"the boxer asked. Mitsuru nodded. "We shouldn't have listened to the chairman. If that girl wouldn't have come, Arisato and Takeba would be dead now." She let out a sigh and stood up. "I'll see what I can find out about her."
"Do you want her to become a member of SEES?" Akihiko asked.
...
"I need to go."
"You can't do this Mitsuru! She's only a kid!"
Mitsuru left and Akihiko let his head hung, thinking back of what happened in the past to the other two little kid's life were ruined because he wasn't strong enough. Why did he listen to that man in the first place? When Akihiko saw him again, he would give Ikutsuki his special right.
