For Everyone's Souls

Chapter 4: This Strange Sensation

-x-x-x-x-x-

Igor chuckled. "Do not worry. I will, as you say, 'Get on with it', soon enough. But tell me, are you not happy to see me?" the old man said with a grin.

Minato gave a wry smile. While the man was as creepy as hell, he had a good heart, and was absolutely essential on his previous journey. He couldn't imagine how he could have survived without Igor's help in fusing Personae.

"I guess I am a little happy...that reminds me, where are the Velvet siblings?" Minato questioned, unable to find any of the three assistants anywhere.

"Oh, about that..."

-x-x-x-x-x-

"Uh, Elizabeth? Are you sure this will work?" a man with neat, short white hair and golden eyes asked his sister.

"Do not worry, Theodore." Said his sister, Elizabeth, who had around shoulder-length white hair and golden eyes, much like her brother. "All we have to do is cast our over-powered Megidolaon into a very small area. The great destruction caused in such a small space would distort reality, and allow us to travel between dimensions. And so, we can finally meet Minato again." She explained.

"But, sister..." Theodore asked, still doubting her plan. "...even if it does work, how will we navigate ourselves? And besides, we will have no way of knowing where Minato is." Theodore stated the flaws of her plan.

And then, silence.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"...Sister?"

"Theodore..." Elizabeth said with a smile, but tone full of malice, "...would you like to be the test subject of my theory?" she asked, a dark aura manifesting around her.

"H-huh? B-b-but...!"

"Megidolaon."

-x-x-x-x-x-

"...Elizabeth and Theodore are trying to find a way to get to you." Igor explained. "As for Margaret, she's attending other matters. Now, enough of that. Let us move on to our main topic, as you have suggested." Igor explained.

"Fine then. Just what is it that you needed me for?" Minato asked.

"Not much, actually." Igor admitted, "I just need to tell you that you are about to embark on a new Journey...although I'm a bit late, and you're quite hesitant on joining this Journey."

"Indeed." Minato agreed. "It's not that I'm against helping people or anything; far from it, in fact. But...I really want to just have a normal life for once." He admitted.

"I'm afraid that can't happen, unfortunately." Igor said with a sad smile. "From the moment Death was sealed into you on that fateful night many years ago, every chance you've had of a normal life was lost forever..." Igor sadly stated. It was quite a surprise to Minato that the guy could even express anything besides grin creepily.

"...is that so?" Minato asked to no-one, closing his eyes as he remembered the event that changed his life forever.

"However," Igor said, breaking the silence, "Nothing happens without a purpose. There is a meaning behind every action." He told. "Tell me, Minato; Have you ever thought of the truth of even your own world? Persona-users; just who created them? Shadows; who made these mysterious entities? Just what are the purposes of these two entities that constantly battle the other?" Igor asked more and more.

"So many questions, but the Answers however...are a bit lacking." Igor stated with his trademark creepy smile.

Minato was as silent as ever. He admitted that those questions crossed his mind many times. More than once has he pondered upon the origin of the power known as 'Persona', and the dark entities known as Shadows that are forever the enemies of those who harbour the power of Persona.

"The Answers to all these questions...you will soon learn them." Igor said, breaking the silence. "You are Minato Arisato, the one who rules over Death, Judgement and the very Universe. However, in this new Journey...you will meet new enemies of a wide variety. Some may be weak, others strong. Some may be vile, while others may just be heroes on the wrong side. But, in the very end of this journey, you will face the true enemy..."

"True enemy?" Minato repeated, trying to get Igor to explain more than his cryptic words.

"...but remember, as in every journey, with new enemies will come new allies." Igor said, ignoring Minato. "You shall meet comrades of both old and new, of both light and darkness, of both great power and otherwise."

"What? So more Social Links?" Minato asked dryly.

Igor chuckled. "I'm afraid not. The need for the system has passed. But don't be fooled! The need for bonds is stronger than ever! Now, time marches on in your world..." Igor said the ever-familiar sentence.

Minato widened his eyes. "H-huh?! But, you still haven't...!"

"I'm sure you still have many questions." Igor said, cutting Minato off. "But is that not the purpose of a Journey; to learn the Answer?" Igor explained with grin. "Soon, you will meet my master...the True Master of the Velvet Room. Until then, Farewell..."

-x-x-x-x-x-

Minato woke up with a startle. He remembered everything that happened in the Velvet Room. There were still a few more hours till the time he normally woke up, however.

The blue-haired Messiah pondered on Igor's last words before awaking. (The True Master of the Velvet Room...I always assumed Igor was that.) he thought.

He shook his head. (Eh, whatever. I'm in no mood for this...screw you, Igor. I'm still not joining this Journey or whatever.)

With a small yawn, he went back to sleep. He ignored the blue butterfly observing him outside his window.

-x-x-x-x-x-

"Meet me at the Old School Building."

An annoying familiar red-head asked him. This time, however, Minato wasn't going to humour Rias.

"No." He refused simply.

"I'm sorry?" Rias asked, confused.

"I am not going to attend the Occult Research Club. Just because you forced me to join doesn't mean I'll do whatever you want." Minato explained.

"Huh? But it'll be bad for you to skip meetings!" Rias exclaimed.

"Whatever." He stated. Besides, he remembered not attending all his club meetings at Gekkoukan, and he never really got in trouble, perhaps except with Mr. Ekoda.

"W-well, if you don't come, then I'll...I'll...I'll slander your name!"

"Whatever." Minato repeated. And really, that was the best she could think of?

"Well...I'll give your fanclub pictures of you naked!"

Nope, that was the best. A chill went down Minato's spine when he wondered what his crazy fanclub would do with pictures like those. However...

"...Whatever." he said, this time a bit forced. He was willing to take the risk.

Rias pouted. "Fine then! Do it your way!" she complained before stomping off.

Silence. And then...

"Oh wow, even the most beautiful Onee-san of the school is going for Pimpnato!"

"He's captured a young heart once again! How many more will he seduce before he's satisfied?"

"Man, I'm surprised he didn't settle down for Rias-senpai. Maybe he isn't really interested in girls...?"

"Oooh, are you implying...?"

"YAOI~!"

Minato swiftly left the room before the gossip exploded.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Aigis sighed as she looked at the Moon. She was mechanical maiden, though you wouldn't notice it if you didn't knew her and covered most of her body. She had an appearance that could have passed off as a foreigner, with yellow hair and blue eyes. Most of her body was white, and a white headphone-like item covered her ears.

(How long has it been...since that day?) she thought, asking to no-one. (It's been two years since then...I wonder how you've been doing.) she asked in her mind as she stared at the Full Moon. Two years ago, Full Moons were a time to be feared...

"Can't rest, Aigis?" a voice full of authority, but also concern, spoke out from behind her.

"Kirijo-san..." Aigis muttered, not even having to turn around to know who it was.

Mitsuru Kirijo was a beautiful woman with dark red hair and similar-coloured eyes. She wore a fur coat over a tight black suit.

Aigis shook her head. "No, I'm afraid I can't rest. Even though it's been two years, I still can't forget about him..." she admitted. "Even though we've been through that mess with the Abyss of Time, even though I've accepted it...sometimes, it just pops into my mind."

Mitsuru frowned. "Why would you want to forget about him? Moving on and forgetting are two very different things. No, we should keep his memory close to our hearts, and from that, we can gain the strength to face life's hardships and move on. Aigis, we both know we've been through this two years ago. It's fine to reminisce once in a while, don't worry." She assured.

The gynoid smiled. "Yeah, you're right as usual. Thank you."

"Don't worry about it." The red-head responded as she walked up to Aigis's side. She joined her at Moon-watching, before sighing. "Aigis, I–"

She wasn't able to finish as sirens flared up across the building. A girl ran to them. She had long teal-coloured hair tied as braids, and dark brownish gray eyes, and she wore a white-coloured sundress.

"Sorry for the intrusion," She apologised. "But there's been an emergency! I've sensed a powerful being that just appeared out of nowhere!"

"What?!" Mitsuru exclaimed. "Yamagishi, was it a Shadow or something else?" she asked her subordinate, Fuuka Yamagishi.

"I'm...not sure." Fuuka admitted. "It seems to be a mix of both shadows and persona-users..." she said with a worried look and tone.

"It's fine." Aigis assured, "That doesn't matter right now. Now, we have to investigate immediately!"

Her superior nodded. "Indeed. Just where is this being located, Yamagishi?" she asked the teal-haired girl.

She had a grim expression on her face. "Moonlight Bridge."

-x-x-x-x-x-

Later that day, he stumbled upon a strange sight; Issei talking to an obviously foreign girl in nun clothing.

"Hyoudou?" he interjected.

Issei was startled, but calmed down when he recognised him. "Oh, Arisato-san. What are you doing...ah, you must want to meet Asia!" Issei guessed correctly. "Well, this is Asia Argento. I just met her today. Asia, this is an acquaintance of mine, Minato Arisato." He introduced Minato to the nun.

Asia looked at Minato with a smile. She opened her mouth to introduce herself...in an entirely foreign language.

Minato gulped. How the hell did Issei managed to understand a word she was saying? Must be a Devil ability...

Assuming so, Minato quickly equipped one of his many – an entire Arcana, if fact – Devil Persona. The persona-change caused the sound of shattering glass and shards of glass to float out of his head before disappearing.

The two were startled. "Uh...what just happened?" Issei asked.

"Yes, I could have sworn to see glass fly out of your head..." Asia asked. Good, it worked.

"Must be your imagination." Minato said with a smile. "Asia Argento, was it? I'm Minato Arisato, it's nice to meet you, Argento-san." He said with a small bow, and extended his hand.

"Oh, no need to be so formal." The blonde-haired girl said sheepishly. "Pleased to meet you too."

The two shook hands, and Minato almost expected a new Social Link to occur.

"Ah...!" Asia exclaimed, realising something. "Sorry, but I have errands to attend. I'll see you both later!" she cried out as she ran.

"Well, she was surely interesting." Minato remarked, to which Issei nodded.

"Ah," the brown-haired boy said in realisation, "You didn't come to the meeting earlier, why was that?" he asked.

"Just because she forced me to join doesn't mean I have to listen to her." Minato answered.

"Eh, really?" The devil said in surprise, "I'd do anything to talk to a girl like Buchou..." he admitted.

"You, not me." Minato said dryly. "Now, let's part ways. See you later, Hyoudou."

"Ah...! You too, then."

Unbeknownst to them, another person, in quite the distance away, was observing them from a relatively empty cafe. It was a young lady with long auburn hair wearing a school uniform, and golden eyes that shined in the dark.

"Here's your order, Miss Hikaru." The waitress said as she put down her drink, though the customer only nodded in response.

She chuckled as she observed the two teenagers. "So the Messiah and the Devil Sekiryuutei are allies, hm? An interesting union indeed..." she said, her golden eyes shining brightly...like a Morning Star.

-x-x-x-x-x-

"You...what have you done?" Mitsuru asked, her tone filled with shock.

Their surroundings could only be described with two words; chaos and destruction. Burning cars, bleeding corpses, and the weak cries of the remaining survivors, all of this surrounded them. And within all of this, was a man with short dark hair and golden eyes that shone in the dark night, donning a black suit. In his right hand, he held two metal spheres.

"What did I do? Why, all I did was kill all these people." The man said with a smirk.

"Why you...!" Aigis said in disgust, "You killed all these innocent people, who caused you no harm, and you feel no regret?"

"Eh? Of course not." He said with a shrug. "Besides, shouldn't you feel happy? I'm going to break down the bridge where your dear boyfriend that's rotting on that Moon up there had to suffer."

"...!"

"Oh, surprised I knew about that? Really though, the reason why he had to suffer so much...was because of you, wasn't it?" he said with a smirk, gaze directed at Aigis.

The gynoid widened her eyes and took a step back. (No...that's...!)

Mitsuru stood in front of her protectively. "Don't listen to him, Aigis. He's just trying to break your mind. Just remember what I said...keep his image close to your heart...and gain the strength to move on."

At her words, Aigis closed her eyes and nodded, before opening them back up, eyes steeled in resolve. She pointed her arm which held her guns at the enemy.

"You...you have defiled the name of one of my fallen comrades. I will not show mercy on you." She said with new-found strength.

Mitsuru smiled, before glaring at the enemy. "How do you know of all these things? In fact, just who are you?"

"Oh my, I forgot to introduce myself, how rude of me." He said with mock apology.

"I am Takahisa Kandori." He said, his golden eyes shining more brightly than ever.

.

.

.

End of Chapter 4

Author's Notes:

See when I told you I'll be implementing stuff from P1 and P2?

The reaction on last chapter's humour was quite mixed, though that's a good thing and I'm happy to see no-one quitting because of it or anything. This chapter has a lot less humour, except for the scene with Elizabeth and Theodore at the beginning, and the fangirls-gossip thing.

I'm not quite sure to make the P3 side of things BEFORE or AFTER Persona 4 Arena.

Hikaru is NOT an OC. She's from Shin Megami Tensei IV, and since Persona is TECHNICALLY part of that series...

Minato finally meets with Asia. Gotta move on with that plot.

As for the pairings poll, Mitsuru and Aigis are in the lead, meanwhile poor Rias and Akeno were kicked out. It is STILL not over yet, so vote away.

Sorry if I'm not responding to reviews. I'm so lazy...

Krulla Chief: I knew about Mara, but I don't think she has a husband...eh, most of my knowledge on mythology comes from Demon/Persona compendiums anyways.

Guest-who-thinks-Minato-is-OOC: The problem is, Minato doesn't actually have a set personality. We know he's quiet and sometimes indifferent, but as he is a BLANK SLATE, what and who he is therefore up to the player himself, to meld him to their liking. If you want him to be a pimp, then he is. If you want him to be an apathetic dude, then he is. In this story, he is as he is in my own interpretation.

Now, time marches on in our world. Until next time, everyone.