Chapter 4: SEES and Tartarus

April 20, 2009 Morning-school

I walked in the faculty office with Minato because we were absent for at a week.

"Excuse me."

"You finally came? Jeez, I was getting worried about you two." Ms. Toriumi greeted us.

"I heard it was from exhaustion. I guess it has something to do with your move, huh?"

"..." 'So they tell it was from exhaustion, huh? Nice excuse!'

"I'm worried about your health…but right now your studies are quite a problem too. Missing a week of school at this time of year is going to be rough."

"Okay…" 'Whatever'

"This might be fine and dandy for you, but it's more of a problem for me." She sighed.

"Oh well." She patted our shoulder with a determined face. "Leave it to me. My reputation depends on it."

"Thanks…" Minato said.

When we returned to the classroom I sat down to take a small nap.

After school-school

"Oh,Hey you two'sup?"A capped student talk to us."I'm me? Taking a week off to kick-start your transfer, huh?You've got some nerve! I need to learn from you two."

"Junpei! They are recovering from being sick!" Yukari shouting at him.

"Um...I'm sorry to be ...who are you?" I spoke honestly, and I think Minato kun also don't remember who he capped student vomiting blood from his mouth

"You gotta be kidding me!"

"Hey, Minato! Let's walk home together!" I walked to him ignoring the capped student.

"Okay."

Command room-Evening

"Sanada-senpai's not here yet?" Yukari asked.

" has gone to pick up another one." Mitsuru answered

"Another one?"

"Another one with 'potential'. "

"Really!" and as soon Yukari say that Sanada-senpai came with someone beside him,

"Sorry I'm late. This one took a while with his me class 2-F..." And The capped boy came with his big eye widened when she see him.

"...JUNPEI! Why are you here! This is some kind of joke isn't it?" Yukari say freaked out.

"Heheh...I'll be living here from now on. I,m Junpei Iori. Nice to meet ya guys. And PLEASE remember it Minako-tan!"

" Eh? Um, sorry! I,m still little let see... Your name is Stupei? Right?" I say remembering Yukari always called him like that.

"What! Where you learn that from!" I pointing my hand to Yukari who seem amused.

"Nice job Yuka-tan! Dropping my popularity with new student."Junpei say unamused

"Who cares? You always call me 'Yuka-tan' think of this as revenge" Yukari say pouting

"But that a friendly nick name *sigh* whatever I'm not here for that."

"Okay everyone please sit down." Junpei sit next to Minato.

"Oh, before I go on, I believe I have mentioned him, but this is Akihiko Sanada and the one who sit beside him is Miki Sanada."

"How ya doin'?" Akihiko smirks."Nice to meet you all."Miki bowed politely.

"Okay, let me start off by asking you this: Would you believe me if I said a day consisted of more than 24 hours?" Junpei raised his hand excitingly.

"Totally!Here I was stepping inside convince store, and suddenly all light went off and everyone turning into -senpai found me crying like a baby... oh my gosh this is so embarrassing !"Junpei exaggerating it. "Shut up Stupei ! " I kicked him in the face and Minato punch him in stomach."For make sure you shut up. Please don't take it to the heart ." I sit in my place leaving them to see poor Junpei that kneeled down holding his stomach and face

" *giggle*Okay let start our story,this time title is 'what is dark hour?'. Minato. Do you remember the night we first came to the dorm? You had to have noticed the signs. The streetlights were out…nothing was working…there were coffins everywhere. Didn't it feel like you were in a different time? That is the Dark Hour—a time period hidden between one day and the next." I explain it and making them surprised.

"How do you..." Mitsuru the first who snap out of it.

"I been active for ten year and awakening my persona at the same time,how about you Minato?" I looked at Minato.

"Active at the same time,awakening persona a few year ago." He all person surprised that make me want to laughing

"You two has been active for ten year? I can't believe this!" Mitsuru snapped, looking at us.

"Of course you don't believe it,but it all up to you to want to believe or not.*snicker* Let continue it shall we? Normal people don't realize it, since they're all asleep in their coffins. But, that's not what makes the Dark Hour interesting." I grinning.

"You saw those creatures. I call them 'Shadows'. They only appear during the Dark Hour, and attack anyone not in a coffin. A Shadow feeds on the mind of its pray; the victim becomes a living corpse 'The Lost'. They're responsible for the illness named 'apathy sindrom'." I stopped a bit and seeing their funny to see them surprised everytime I say something they think just them who know about it.

"Although rare, there are those who can function during the Dark Hour. Some may even awaken to a power that enables them to fight the Shadows. That's "Persona"—the other self with combat ability. The Shadows can only be defeated by mean us." I finished my explanation, seeing them still wide eyed.

Ikutsuki is the first one who snap out of it. "You are really informed about dark hour,it really impressive. Now it more easier for us to ask, we're the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad—SEES for short. On paper, we're classified as a school club. But in reality, this group is dedicated to the extermination of Shadows. Mitsuru is the leader. I am the club advisor."

"We'd like you to join us. We've prepared an Evoker for you. We'd like you to lend us your strength." Junpei got up and immediately say.

"Of course I join! Fighting in unknown time to protect humanity . It like you some kinda hero in video game!" Yukari sighs at Junpei answer, she seeing me and Minato who been thingking about it.

We nodded to each other and say." We think we'll join you guys." Yukari become happy and say.

"I was afraid you'd say no. Welcome aboard!"

"Welcome to the team. I'm sure you three will be a lot of help," Miki says. Mitsuru gives us the Evoker and a holster for it.

"Kirijo-senpai,I don't think we need that except Junpei. We can summon our without already see it yesterday,right?" I give her back the just sighed. "If you say so"

"I'm glad you accepted our offer. Now, about your room assignment…why don't you just stay here, in your current room? I don't know what the holdup is, but I guess it worked out in the end," Ikutsuki laughs.

"Holdup? But, wasn't that—oh never mind. It doesn't matter anymore." Yukari there a sound of glass shattering and a card appeared infront Minako and Minato 'it must be what Igor mean by social link' they both think.

Midnight-Minako room

"Hi, how are you?"The strange boy appeared and sitting ind the edge of Minako bed.

" *yawn* Fine I you suddenly wake me up at dark hour in my room that I think it already do you get here?" I asked annoyingly.

" *giggle* I'm always with you…" He smiled at me. "Soon, the end will come. I remembered, so I thought I should tell you."

"I don't go, I want to do my beauty sleep"

" *chuckle* You are really rude aren't you .At least let me tell end of everything. But to be honest, I don't really know what it is."

"It meaningless if you don't know about it"

"At least it make you prepared." He then continued. "You know,your power is really unique. A power that takes many forms, yet is bound by none. It may prove to be your salvation, depending on where you end up." He fades from the bed, and teleported to the end of the bed.

"You remember when we first met? I expect you to honour your commitment. I'll be watching you…even if you forget about me. Okay then, see you later." 'Wow,what a creepy kid, but I feel strangely close to like Minato...Oh well, at least I get my beauty sleep'

April 21,2009 Lunchbreak-school

Minako,Minato,Yukari and Junpei is sitting in their classroom suddenly Mitsuru came to them.

"Can I have a minute?" She looked at them.

"Of course." Minako looked at Mitsuru

"Come to the command room when you get back to the dorm. I have something to everyone. I'll save the details for later. See you then."

"Wow,taking of just like that like an express train,don't tell her I say that though," Minako say seeing Mitsuru leaving after she talked to her.

"She's probably busy with things like Student Council, unlike us." Yukari pouted

"Whoa, Yuka-tan! Do I sense some hostility between you and Kirijo-senpai?" Junpei commenting Yukari .

"Well…it's not that I don't like her…she's just…oh never mind. It doesn't matter what I think of her anyway," She just say sighed at Junpei.

"Did something happen between you and Kirijo-senpai?" Junpei asks.

"It none of your business, Junpei." Yukari says before she come to me."Hey let walk home together"

"Oh sure"

"Why does Junpei have to butt into things like this? Ugh. Hey, don't say anything about earlier. It's not that I don't like Kirijo-senpai, it's just…she's not the easiest person to get along with."

"She the only child in Kirijo group and she is much older and mature in personality. Maybe that why you feel her like just need to understand her more."

"Wow,you talk like you know her a lot. But still, I'm annoyed with Junpei sticking his nose into this. And he has to say everything the most perverted way possible. He's like the poster boy for sexual harassment."

"Really?I think he's a nice guy.I think..."

"You year he been caught in girl changing room."

"Wow,he have a lot of guts."

"Lot of guts,for sneaking to girl changing room *giggle* yeah I think you're right."

Evening-command room

"Ah, you're all here. Very well, I'd like all of your undivided attention," Ikutsuki second year siting on the couch and opposite of them is Akihiko,Mitsuru and Miki.

"Now, for the longest time, the only Persona-users we've had were Mitsuru and Akihiko. But recently that number jumped to seven. And thus, starting at Midnight tonight, I'd like to commence the exploration of Tartarus."

"Tartarus? What's that? Sounds like toothpaste." Junpei asks.

"You haven't seen it, Junpei?" Yukari asks.

"I'm not surprised. It only appears during the Dark Hour ." Ikutsuki says.

"Tartarus is just like the Shadows with it only appearing during the Dark Hour. And it's the perfect place for us to train. It's like the Shadows' nest."Akihiko explain it

"Whoa. Their nest, huh?"

"But, Senpai…what about your injury?" Yukari ask with concerning face .

"Since Akihiko is still injured, he'll only come as far as the entrance," Mitsuru answered.

"Yeah, I know. You don't have to remind me…" Akihiko sighed .

"Onii-chan,you should faster you recover the faster you join." Miki say to her brother full of concern.

"I know Miki,you don't have to worry about it.I'm more worried about you, are you gonna join them to explore?" His face become serious when he asked that.

"You really silly do I'm here for?To be decoration?Of course I'm gonna join them!"

"Just be carefull.I don't want to lost my only sister."

" Okay..." Her face darkening a bit

"Relax Sanada-senpai! I'll protect your sister!" Junpei says excitingly ' I'm gonna bet that he now he think he some kinda superhero'. Miki face just become more darken.

"I don't know about this…"

"Now, it's getting near the Dark Hour, so we best make hast," Mitsuru says. She turns to Ikutsuki. "What about you, Mr. Chairman?"

"I will stay here. As you know, I can't summon a Persona." Then the room fall silent

Late night-front school gate

"HERE?This place is Tartarus?" Junpei asks with unbelieved face. " see."and at midnight the school school rise and become a tower that reach to the moon.

"This is Tartarus. The labyrinth that reveals itself every Dark Hour." Mitsuru explains.

" What happened to our school?" Junpei questions, shocked with the thing he saw.

" the Dark Hour passes, everything returns to normal." I explain it to him.

"Yeah,that right" Mitsuru say.

"Why the hell did the school turn into a tower?" Junpei asks. Mitsuru tilted her head to the side. "You don't know, huh?"

"No." Mitsuru says.

"I'm sure it's not like it change our reason to fight." Yukari says. Akihiko start talking.

"Maybe we can find out now. Mitsuru and I have only gone in to take a peek. This will be the first time exploring it. Exciting, isn't it? I'm sure we can find some clue to why this tower exists."

Dark hour-Tartarus

"Whoa. It's just as cool on the inside," Junpei says, looking around.

"It's kinda creepy, though…" Yukari says.

"This is just the entrance. The labyrinth is beyond the doorway at the top of the stairs." Mitsuru says.

"First, we need you guys to get a feel for this place. So, you will be exploring the next floor of Tartarus," Akihiko explains.

"What? By ourselves?" Yukari asks.

"We're not asking you to go very far. And I will feed information to you from here." Mitsuru says, checking her motorcycle for preparation.

"Don't worry Yukari.I'll protect you.I already familiar with this place anyways." Minako say gaining an eyebrow from Mitsuru.

"Familiar?"Mitsuru asked.

"I already training in here for two year,before I picked of by my relative."

"Two year!"Mitsuru suprised

"Yeah."

"Wow,you not just have knowledge about dark are an experienced persona-users too!" Miki say in Akihiko start talking.

"Okay that 're also going to need to appoint a leader to make any necessary decisions while in the tower."

"For real? One of us gets to be leader? Oh! Oh! Pick,pick,pick me!" Junpei says excitingly. "Ugh...Minako,you're in charge."

"Sure,senpai."

"Wait,wait, wait, why her? She's a girl!" Junpei say with 'why not me' face

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, I'm the only guy in the group, and the guy has to protect the girls, right?"

"But, Minato is a guy," I says.

"I don't her?"

"If you can beat me in experience about Tartarus Junpei, maybe you can be the leader." Junpei just make defeated face at Minako comment.

"Yeah,she say she already training in here for two year and there another can summon her persona without you can't summon your persona, you'll be screwed."

" how?I don't see you giving her screwed too!.

"Look closely Junpei." I say . I concreating and a card appeared infront of me, I crush it and Orpheus appear.

"What you do it?"Junpei say looking at Orpheus.

"Experienced can give you many yeah I want to appoint vice leader in case I can't make wise decision or if I can't join you I,senpai?" Akihiko nodded at me and Junpei raise his hand again...

"Hey,hey Mina-tan I'm sorry about before,please pick me to be vice leader.I'm not gonna let you down." Junpei say excitingly and looking at Minako." I pick you."

"Oh sure."

"Why him?He didn't look leader!"

"He already fight shadow before Junpei, he is calm and collected, he can summon persona like me and already experienced about dark hour like me."

" my luck,turned down two times." He tilted his cap and cover his come to me and say.

"Do you think we go to Velvet room?" He asked and turning to the velvet door in the corner.

"Later after explore.I think they can't see they can, they will asked about that door." He nodded and back to the party.

"You guys ready?"

"Of at your back."

Minako,Minato,Junpei,Yukari and Miki went inside to the large door disappear and inside it is a big maze.

"Wow,this place is creepy.I feel like I'm gonna lost in any moment." Junpei commenting at the Mitsuru voice can be heard from nowhere.

"Hey, do you five hear me?"

"Oh that you?"

"I will be providing you audio back-up from here."

"Oh,can you tell what it like in here." Junpei ask.

"It's my Persona's ability. I'd like to join you, but the structure of Tartarus changes from day to day. Thus outside assistance is imperative."

"Well, that makes me feel better," Yukari says with more eased face.

"Now, there are Shadows around the corner. They shouldn't be too tough, but please proceed with caution. Practice makes perfect."

"Right!" Junpei say.

"Got it," Yukari muttered, "Why is she always like that…?", Minako and the other go and see there black blob around approach it quietly and attack it making it shadows split themselves and making another black blob with blue mask.

"Guys be careful!It Cowardly Maya it weak use agi and knock them down one by one!" Minato nodded and summon his persona "Orpheus!Agi." He knocked down all shadows."Now our chances for all-out attack!" Yukari yelled "Right!" The shadows is defeated and there cards appearing in Minato and Minako mind,they shuffled, Minato pick the fairy like card in it and Minako pick the dancing girl card."Minato what persona do you Apsaras with ice ability." She looked at Minato "Pixie,she have healing ability." The group explored the tartarus and found more shadows, Minako use Apsaras at the shadows that weak ice, Minato and Yukari work on persona is Io, it good at healing and resist wind and weak persona is Hermes, it use physical skill strong fire and weak wind 'it just my feeling or it feel like Junpei weak Yukari?'. Miki persona is Callisto,just like Yukari,it use Wind but it more good at status ailment, it weak ice. The group found access point and back to the entrance.

"Welcome back." Mitsuru smiled "So, how was it?"

"No already long since I don't come here and my skill is a bit rusty, but I still remember the shadows weakness." Minako said proudly

"I see. Well, if you gained confidence, it's the best thing you could have achieved."

"Wow, I never knew I had that kind of power!" Junpei said. "But damn, I'm beat."

"That's cuz you were bouncing around like a little kid." Yukari say .

"You look pretty tired youself, Yuka-tan."

"I'm still catching my breath, actually..."

"That's the effect of the Dark Hour. You'll become fatigued more easily." I explained and Mitsuru start talking "But I'm surprised. You all did much better than I expected. At this rate, they'll catch up to you in no time, Akihiko." Mitsuru laughed.

"Huh, we'll see about that." Akihiko grinning."So about it?" He looked at Miki."I think I get the hang of this nii-chan." Miki suddenly there sound of glass shater and a card appeared infront Minako and Minato 'So it fool rank two huh?'

"Hey Minato,let go to the velvet room now.I don't think they will noticed it now." He nodded and we go to the door in the corner.

Velvet room-dark hour

"I've been waiting for you," Igor says to her. They sitting in the chair infront round table.

"The time has come for you to wield your power. The tower you are about to venture into…how did it come to be? For what purpose does it exist? Regrettably, you are not yet capable of answering these questions. That is why you must be made aware of the nature of your power."

"Yeah I wild card power,right?"

"Your power is unique. It is like the number zero. It is empty, but at the same time holds infinite possibilities. You are able to summon multiple Persona as needed. When you defeat your enemies, you will see the faces of possibility before you. There may be times when they are difficult to grasp…but, do not fear. Seize what you have earned. Your power will grow accordingly. Be sure to keep that in mind." Minako nodded and start talking.

"Just like when I got Apsaras and Minato got Pixie right." Igor nodded and continue.

" Just like before my role is to fuse persona and give them a new from." He paused a bit and continued " Do you remember your persona?They still registered in your persona compedium that Theodore carried."

"Maybe I call them later when I have enough yeah, is the bond we made with S.E.E.S is what you call social link?"

"Yes... The stronger your social link, the stronger your persona get."

"Hey,is Minato persona compedium is carried by Beth?"

"That right Master Minako, Master Minato persona compedium is carried by me,but it still empty."

"Empty?Hey Minato, are you never registered your persona?" Minako looked at Minato with disbelieving eyes.

"Actually Minako, I come in here just recently.I'm not as experienced as true that I awakened my persona a few year ago,but I just use it for self-defense." He answered

"Oh, I think you same like at least it time for your persona to be used properly.I think I'll back now Igor,bye." Igor nodded and say.

"Now then. Until we meet again…Farewell."

Ayuri : Okay.I think that warp up this first I confused to choose Miki persona but I pick Ulala persona from Eternal a little hard to write fighting scene, so I just skip it.*ding dong* Oh about time she come.

Mitsuru : I believe you called me here Fujumiko-san.

Ayuri : That right Mitsuru.I wanted you to do the disclaimer and introduction.

Mitsuru : I'll be , her are my biography

XXX

Mitsuru Kirijo

Age: 17 (18)

Date of Birth: May 8th, 1991

Zodiac: Taurus

Height: 166 cm

Blood Type: O

Initial Persona: Penthesilea

Ultimate Persona: Artemisia

Weapons: Rapier

Arcana/Social Link: Empress

Mitsuru Kirijo is the only child of Takeharu Kirijo, the head of the Kirijo Group. She is Gekkoukan High School's valedictorian and the student council president and is part of the school fencing team. She is one of the most respected and popular students at the school. Before the protagonist joins, and even to a degree after he joins, Mitsuru serves as the leader of S.E.E.S. due to her natural talent for leadership.

XXX

Mitsuru : That is my biography,I'm honored you all want to read it and Fujumiko didn't own Persona 3/FES/Portable, the one who own it is Atlus.

Ayuri : Tres Bien Mitsuru.

Mitsuru : Thank you.