Fox: Woo hoo! I didn't take forever this time! :D
Thank you for your patience, everyone.
Fox: Thank you~
Persona 4 and it's world is owned by Megami Tensei. Not me. This just for fun.
Also: I have made HP into health and SP into energy. Also this is a short chapter. I mainly wanted to get a dungeon scene out. I'm already working on the next chapter.
Dance of the Cards
Dance of the Cards
IV. Junes
April 2035
Twilight
Akira, Himeko, Kotori, and Reika stood in the Tatsuhime Shrine yard. Each had their crystal torus around their necks. Ann stood in front of them.
"We shall go to the Twilight now," said Ann. The world around them waves slightly as if they in a massive heat wave. Soon it stopped; the world was now engulfed in the various blue lights of twilight. Everything seemed the same, but to Himeko everything felt different.
There was a large crash near the stone steps which caused all to look. In a heap at the top of the stairs was Takahito Amagi.
"Taka!" Himeko ran over to him. Himeko looked him over, he didn't seem to be injured anywhere.
"As I stated earlier, it is difficult to cross when one is so new," said Ann, her voice a lot closer then Himeko thought she was. All of the others soon joined them.
Takahito blinked blurry up at Himeko, "What happened?"
"You crossed without a crystal," answered Ann. She held out her hand. There was a blue crystal torus resting in her palm.
"Wait, he's one too?" asked Kotori.
"If he choses to be."
"Wait," whispered Takahito. "I can...hear something." Takahito closed his eyes and concentrated the way Himeko showed him long ago. A mellow voice echoed in his head
Thou art I
I am thou
From the sea of thy soul, I come
Takahito looked down at the card that formed in his hand. On it was a tall man with short blond hair. He was dressed in a long tunic with a cape clasped to the left. Fur trimmed boots adorned his feet. There were two rings of metal encircling him. Takahito stood up out of Himeko's arms.
"Balder," he whispered as he crushed the card. The tall man appeared behind him, the metal rings moving around them. A shallow basin appeared in front of Takahito and he looked into it, "There are...things everywhere, bad things; in different parts of town. The town itself has shifted, changed, so many different paths all twisted together...I-I don't understand."
"Yeah...what's he on about?" asked Reika.
"It seems that Takahito is able to be the support you need. I shall instruct him on what he must do. After this Twilight I will no longer accompany you," said Ann. She turned to Takahito. "Those things you sense are shadows. They are what must be destroyed to restore peace."
"This still doesn't make much sense," muttered Takahito, his brow furrowed.
"I shall explain in greater detail shortly." Ann pulled out the large book again. "Takahito Amagi before we proceed I must have you agree to embark on a journey that will lead you to others similar to you. You must find the others, regain what has been lost and fix what has been broken." She held out the book to him. He looked at the book for a long time before placing his hand on it.
"I agree." The metal rings circling him passed through his arm without incident.
"Very well. Takahito you must tell the other where they need to go. You can feel many shadows, but concentrate and you will be able to tell which ones must be dealt with first."
All were quiet as Takahito closed his eyes. Himeko's mind raced, she didn't really like the idea of Taka being involved; she knew this could be very dangerous. Even if he didn't fight she felt that somehow he was still in grave danger. She felt Akira's hand slip into her. He gave it a slight squeeze. When she looked up at him he gave her a small smile.
Kotori elbowed Reika when she sighed impatiently; Reika glared at her, but she just glared back.
"Junes. The...team must go to Junes," said Takahito after a long while.
"Very good," Ann nodded. "Now you must take three to Junes. They cannot leave this place; the world is too different here to risk it. Kotori, Akira and Himeko are going. I shall show you how."
Takahito nodded as the three prepared to leave.
Junes
"This is so weird!" exclaimed Kotori. Kotori, Akira and Himeko had stepped though the doors of Junes into a strange maze-like path. The floors and walls seemed to be made for everything from the food department. Kotori poked at a group of apples on the wall. After that she tried to pull it off, but it wouldn't budge.
"It's as if we are in a surreal painting," said Himeko.
"Guys?" They couldn't tell if Takahito's voice was inside or outside or their head. "I can't tell how many levels there are, but the shadows aren't too tough here so you should be fine. I'll help you find weakness when you enter battle... so, um, good luck."
Kotori looked at the other two. Himeko nodded back, but Akira looked a bit worried. "Well, let's go."
Junes 4th Floor
Akira looked at one of many televisions that made up the level. Most were static or blank however this large one was different.
"Hey, wait!" Akira called out to the others. Both stopped and turned to him, "Look at this."
They look at the television he pointed at. There was a strange bear-like thing on the screen. It seemed to be stuck in a loop. They couldn't be sure since the image was kind of foggy but the bear seemed very distressed.
"It's that the sometimes mascot of Junes?" asked Kotori, her eyes squinting as she tried to focus on the blurry picture, "Or at least the one here cause I've never seen it elsewhere."
"Yes, it is. He comes to the Inn sometimes," Himeko leaned closer. "He's very... different." Himeko stared for a little longer but nothing seemed to change.
"Let's go. We shouldn't stay still for too long," said Akira, looking around.
Junes 9th Floor
All three stood panting in front of the sliding glass door that lead to the next level.
"I'm not sure I can go much further. The last batch of healing wiped me out," panted Himeko.
"I feel okay, but if you don't maybe we should stop," said Kotori looking concerned. She also felt a bit guilty since she felt it was her fault Himeko was so tired. She hadn't paid close enough attention in the last battle, making Akira have to save her and both getting badly hurt. It was no wonder the last healing had drained Himeko.
"We've picked some items, maybe one of them can help," Akira touched his torus. "Takahito, do any of our items help restore energy? Himeko needs some."
"Yes, use the Soul Drops. Two should do it," answered Takahito.
"Right," Akira fished two out. He stare at them not really sure what to do. He tossed them to Himeko; before she could catch them they turned into a soft light that surrounded her.
"Oh..." whispered Himeko, "I feel much better now."
"Good." Kotori smiled. "Shall we go on?"
Himeko and Akira nodded.
Junes 10th Floor
The next level was different from the others; it was made from only Junes' billboards. There was just a short path leading to the very large sliding doors. There was a crackle as Takahito's voice sounded, "Behind those doors is a very large shadow, it's more powerful than the others. Are you ready?"
"Yes," said all three at once. They smiled at each other and went through the doors to fight the shadow.
A very large shadow was waiting for them. It looked like a bulbous humanoid creature in a too small three piece suit that stood two stories tall. A top hat was on its narrow head and a cane in its left hand that look rather dangerous. It swayed back and forth to some unheard rhythm.
"Guys..." Takahito sound nervous. "I can't tell its weakness, sorry."
Kotori took a deep breath before calling out her Persona. Unfortunately the wind attack didn't seem to do much damage. The shadow became mad. It waved its cane at them slashing them many times. Himeko quickly healed Akira before it could attack again.
This time Akira ran forward. He ducked under the cane attack and swung hard. It gave a strange wail and back away.
"Maybe it would be best just to do physical attacks," said Takahito.
"Right!" Kotori shot three quarrels at it, two hitting but the third was blocked. Himeko started to swing the ball on her weapon waiting for Akira to move away. He retreated and she swung high, aiming for the cane, managing to knock it away. That pissed off the shadow and it threw a wind attack that left Himeko panting. She could feel that her health was dangerously low.
Akira moved in front of her while Kotori fired more quarrels, trying to distract the shadow. It worked, maybe a bit too well. Kotori had to dodge two attacks.
"Himeko, heal!" shouted Akira behind him.
"I know!" Himeko shouted back, "Persephone!" Her persona came forth as a soft purple light surrounded Himeko and she immediately breathed easier.
When he was sure Himeko was fine Akira moved forward to attack again. He jumped back from the swinging fist.
"Wait! I've got this," he called when he saw Kotori load her crossbow. His slashed his card, releasing Agilaz who held up his sword and caused a large slash to appear in front of the shadow. It dissipated in dark red fog.
"Yes! We did it!" Kotori pumped her crossbow arm into the air. Himeko gave a small smile and Akira look very relieved. All three felt stronger, but Himeko was sure it wasn't after- battle euphoria.
"Guys, I'm bringing you back now. Hang on," announced Takahito.
The three of them were back at the Tatsuhime Shrine. Takahito ran over to them.
"That was so awesome!" He smiled at him. Himeko felt her heart clench. He looked so young when he smiled like that.
"It was, wasn't it?" Kotori sounded even more excited. "It was a bit nerve wracking when we were fighting, but now it's just kinda cool."
"I'm thinking that it's a good way to die painfully," said Reika coming up to them.
"Don't be such a party pooper," scolded Kotori. She still felt a slight pang of guilt for the battle before the last. She was determined not to do such a thing again, "I'll focus properly when I'm fighting."
"Yeah, she was very good during the final battle." Takahito nodded solemnly. Akira almost laughed, but managed to hold it in. He knew how much little brothers disliked it when people laughed when they were trying to be serious.
"I'm just glad it is golden week next week. No school! We can rest and maybe come again," said Akira.
"Taka, did Reika or Ann explain everything to you?" asked Himeko
Takahito nodded.
"Did defeating the Junes Shadow help?"
Takahito closed his eyes and his persona appeared. "Not really it's still kind of masked. I can just tell that it isn't around Junes. I feel something strange is at the high school, but we should rest before going there."
"At least we've knocked one item off the list. And next time, I'm going. It's rather dull just standing here by myself. Ann and mini Amagi-"
"Takahito!"
"Anyways, they were talking the whole time and even if they weren't, he was busy helping you guys."
"If you feel that way, we should find the next one fast. That way the other two people can converse while the three fight," advised Himeko.
"That is a smart choice." All turned to Ann as she spoke. They had basically forgotten she was there. "I shall not join your team next time. Next time a blue door shall be here in case the Velvet Room is needed. It is advisable that all of you go home now to rest."
"That sounds like a great idea," Kotori yawned. "The excitement is wearing off; I'm beat."
"I can take us back. Ann told me how." Takahito placed his hand over his crystal and the world wavered as if in a heat wave. When it returned to normal night had fallen.
Reika's phone immediately buzzed. The brunette took it out and whatever she saw made her frown, "Gotta go." Without waiting for a response she went down the shine steps and out of sight.
Himeko rubbed her face feeling very tired. "I really think we should all go home. We can talk later."
Akira looked at her concerned, "You're not going to ride your bike home are you?"
Himeko shook her head. "I'll take the bus. You can still hook bikes on the front. Takahito will come with me too. He'll make sure I don't fall asleep."
"He might be tired too. He's learned a lot today."
"Then the bus driver knows us. He'll make sure we get off at the right stop. So stop worrying daddy."
Akira frowned, "Don't call me that."
"Then stop worrying," Himeko turn to look where Kotori and Takahito were talking. "Taka! I'm heading home."
Takahito walked over to them with Kotori, "Yeah, I'll go to. Kotori and I were talking; we think we should meet at the flood plain. Kotori knows where Reika lives so she's get her when it's time to meet. We're thinking that we'll meet whenever everyone is free."
"Sounds good," said Himeko and Akira nodded.
Thanks for reading! Also many thanks to Fox, my BETA.