I don't own anything except the world that this story takes place on.
Warning, may contain Out of Character moments.
It was seven fifteen in the evening, Zen and Rei finally got off the subway station that was closest to their destination, The Baron's Lounge. While Minato said not to dress up, the two decided to put on the best clothes they got, which is simply just their cleanest.
"Do you think they mind me bringing something along? It doesn't feel right to go to a get together and not have something on you." Rei commented, looking at the plastic bag she is holding.
"I'm sure they won't mind. They would be more concerned with seeing you again." Zen replied.
"You're probably right… Still, I feel really out of place…"
"Don't worry, I'll be here to protect you. We're here."
It wasn't a large establishment, a two story building that could accommodate 300 patrons comfortably. And there stood two bouncers in front of the doors, as well as several men and women in suits and sunglasses. While the bouncers aren't out of place, those men and women are, placing Zen on guard.
"Excuse me, a Yu Narukami asked us to meet us here? Gave us this card?" Rei said, approaching the bouncers as she showed them the card.
The two only took a glance at it before giving her an affirmative nod. And with a bow, Rei drags Zen inside only to find Minato standing around in the entrance way, staring at various painting reproductions.
"Leader." Zen greeted simply.
"Not your leader anymore Zen. Still, glad you made it. For a minute I thought you two weren't going to show up." Minato replied.
"Why wouldn't we? I really wanted to see everyone again, get to know what's going on." Rei said.
"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's get to business."
When the three began making their way down the first floor corridor, they ran into Yu along the way, who was emerging from the bathroom.
"Vice-leader." Zen greeted.
"Great, you two made it. Now the real fun can start. What's in the bag?" Yu commented.
"Some takoyaki I bought. I couldn't meet everyone empty handed so I bought some, hope you don't mind."
"That's fine Rei." Minato answered, patting Rei's head.
"Also, I think the agents outside might have raised some questions. They said a suspicious cloaked man and blonde woman have come to see me."
"And how did they react? Is anything ruined?" Minato asked.
"Not really, everyone looked either confused or not really concerned. But I knew who they were talking about and headed out."
"And right into the bathroom?"
"Nature called. Did Labrys come yet?"
"Of course. And no, she didn't."
"Who's Labrys? A new friend?" Rei asked.
"You'll find out later tonight. Come on, I think we kept everyone waiting for long enough." Minato said, as he and Yu began leading Zen and Rei.
Rei's heart slowly began beating faster and faster with each step she took. Her feet felt heavy, her hands trembled, and there was this constricting feeling deep within her chest. It was like she had to make a presentation in front of the class, and Rei never liked doing it. But this is just meeting some old friends, so why is she acting so shaky?
"It's okay Rei, they are just our old friends." Zen commented, noticing his lover's nervous expression.
"I don't know, what if they forgot about us after all this time?" Rei asked nervously.
"I'm sure they wouldn't Rei, you are someone unforgettable." Zen replied before clasping Rei's hand.
"Thanks Zen. I'll try not to think about it." Rei said, the nervous feeling slowly vanishing as Zen's hand warmed her own.
"Okay you two, this is it. Wait out here until we give you the signal." Yu instructed.
The two nodded and stood against the wall before Yu and Minato opened the door into the room.
"You're back! What took you so long?" A cheery voice asked.
"Sorry Rise, had to drop by the throne to drop of a package." Yu answered.
"Uh what?" Another asked, confused.
"Bathroom Junpei." Minato answered.
"Ohhhh… Makes sense."
"You should have mentioned that before you left. I had thought those suspicious individuals might have kidnapped you." A calm, elegant voice said.
"Mitsuru-senpai, Yu isn't an easy target to take down. So I doubt just anyone could kidnap him, especially when he's literally stone's throw away from help." Minato replied.
"Hmmm… You're right, it does seem a bit foolish to worry now that you mention that fact."
"Come on Mitsuru-senpai, it's only natural to be concerned about your friends." Another voice replied with reassurance.
"I know Yukari, but thank you for your reassurance. Still, did you see who these suspicious individuals Narukami?"
"Met them face to face. But don't worry, they're just two friends that I invited over." Yu answered.
"Narukami, I remember telling everyone to keep this little celebration amongst us Shadow Operatives. Is there any good reason you decided to invite these two specific individuals? Are you sure they can be trusted?"
"Mitsuru-san, Yu may be an eccentric, but he knows who can keep a secret. I should know, I'm his partner." A lively voice commented.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence Yosuke."
"I meet them and they are pretty trustworthy." Minato added.
"Well if you two are so sure, then let's give the two a warm welcome. Bring them in." Mitsuru replied.
"Come on in guys!" Yu shouted.
With a deep breath, Rei turned towards the door and began walking, with Zen closely following behind her. Step by step, her heart began beating faster and faster, the tension building in Rei's small body. And with one more step, there was no more wall hiding her or Zen, just open air between them and long lost friends.
It was quiet, no one said anything as they all saw the two, eyes widening. Rei took another step forward, as did Zen, and the two were now officially within the room. Rei was nervous as all hell and was mostly looking down, Zen remained stoic as he scanned the faces in the room. But it wasn't long before the silence was broken. With a spark of confidence, Rei looked up and let a gentle smile spread across her face, her lips let loose a warm but strong…
"Hi everyone, it's been a while."
A glass fell out of someone's hand and shattered against the floor, but everyone was still looking at the two.
"Guys, meet Zen and Rei." Yu introduced with a smile.
Whatever happened next was an uproar. Before Rei knew it, she was being hugged by several people and found it a bit hard to breath. However, despite the slight pain, Rei felt like she and Zen finally made it home after a long journey, where the warmth of the family she knew awaited her.
"Rei-chan!"
"Oh my God it is you!"
"We've missed you so much!"
"I'm home everyone…" Rei said tearfully, hugging the girl in front of her.
"Welcome back…" Yukiko replied, gently hugging her back.
Zen smiled as almost everyone crowded around Rei, he knew she was the one that everyone misses more. But he himself received a few greetings from their old friends.
"I should've expected that it would be you two. How have you been doing Zen?"
"Shinjiro. I've been doing well." Zen answered simply.
"It has most certainly been a surprise. I didn't think senpai had anymore tricks up his sleeve."
"Uhhh… Naoto? What about that time…"
"Kanji… This is not the time to mention that…"
"This was so unexpected, I am at a loss for words. Still, it is wonderful to see you both healthy." Mitsuru commented.
"To you as well." Zen replied.
"Come on! What are we all standing around for! Let's sit down and catch up!" Chie yelled out, as the crowd around Rei dispersed.
"You two must have quite a few stories to tell. It really has been too long since we saw you two." Fuuka added.
"I hope you guys don't mind, but I brought some takoyaki with me. It may not be as good since it's practically from a back alley vendor, but I couldn't come empty handed."
"Oh don't worry Rei-chan, I love me some back alley trash in my tummy!" Teddie cheered.
"Damn it Teddy! Have you been digging through our garbage again!?" Yosuke yelled.
"Not that you can prove anything…" Teddie whistled.
"Teddie is now confirmed garbage disposal, his list of utilities just keep growing!" Aigis commented, almost deadpan.
"Why is Aigis-san keeping track of this?" Ken whispered to Minato.
"Don't ask, just let her do what she wants."
"Seriously… Who would throw away good food? It's wasted nutrients that could be put could be put to better use in the body." Akihiko commented.
"That's what you're concerned with? Not the fact that our resident bear has been dumpster diving for a snack?" Shinjiro asked.
"Whatever he does on his spare time is not my concern. Though digging through someone else's trash is a felony… Teddie, I'm going to have to ask you to come with me to the station later." Akihiko replied.
"Hey wait! I wasn't alone! Koro-chan was with me! He was my lookout!" Teddie yelled.
Koromaru let out a denying bark.
"Koromaru-san says that Teddie-san is lying and that he goes through the Junes trash all by himself." Aigis said.
"So you were digging through our trash!" Yosuke yelled.
It then got really rowdy as shouts and laughter rang throughout the room. Rei herself began laughing too, missing this kind of atmosphere. Zen was simply smiling knowing that Rei was happy.
"Wow, looks like the party started without me." A new voice said.
All turned to the doorway and saw a white haired girl standing at the doorway. Well, a white haired robot girl is a more accurate description. The girl's forearms were red and resembled gauntlets, her mechanical joints were clearly visible upon her white limbs, and piercing ruby eyes that were both intimidating and attractive. To Zen and Rei, she almost resembled Aigis when they first met her, could this be a relative of some sort?
"Labrys! You made it!" Yu said.
"Sorry, all those updates and diagnostics on this old body took ages to finish."
"Sister, I told you should have done those sooner. And you should really use more caution on our missions, the amount damage you sustained worried me. What if your plume or head was destroyed?" Aigis said, worry in her voice.
"Oh don't worry little sis, I won't let something like that kill me. Anyway, anyone going to introduce me to the two new fa…?" Labrys replied before turning to Zen and Rei, stopping mid sentences when she saw Rei.
Labrys' ruby eyes went wide as she scanned Rei from head to toe, mouth still hanging open slightly. All was pretty confused when they saw the normally vocal robot go quiet, especially when the cause was the innocent and disarming Rei.
"Umm, can I help you?" Rei asked nervously.
"Are… Are you Niko?"
This time, it was Rei who went stiff. Her face pales upon letting the name she hated so much sink in. Rei's hands tremble, her chest feels heavy, her legs grow weaker, and her voice is faltering.
"I have been looking for her for a long time… Please, tell me you are Niko."
"How do you know that name?" Rei whispered, voice trembling.
"What?"
"How do you know my name!? Who are you!?" Rei shouted.
"Wait! I don't…!" Labrys began before being interrupted by Zen placing himself between Labrys and Rei, crossbow drawn.
"I will only ask you once, stay far away from Rei." Zen threatened.
"What's with you!? All I want to do is talk to Niko!" Labrys shouted.
"Don't call me that!"
Zen then pointed one of his crossbow right at Labrys' face, startling the rest.
"Woah! Zen! Don't point that at Labrys!" Yosuke yelled.
"What the hell is going on!?" Junpei shouted.
"Zen, drop the crossbow." Yu said.
Zen only tightened his grip, finger still touching the trigger.
"ZEN!" Minato yelled.
And after a tense moment, Zen lowered the crossbow but still continued to stand between Labrys and Rei.
"Labrys, we need to talk." Yu said.
"Wait!? Me!? Why am I in trouble!?"
"I didn't say you were. But there are things you need to know. Could you guys calm down Rei?" Yu replied.
"Sure thing Sensei! Just don't be too harsh on Labby-chan." Teddie replied.
"Let me join you. There are few things I have to say too." Minato added walking up to Yu.
Labrys wanted to say something, but voted against it. And before walking out the door with Minato and Yu, she took one last look at Rei and let out a whisper.
"Mom…"
And that is chapter 4. For those who have played Persona Q and Arena, you should be aware where I'm going with this. There has been speculation as to how Rei is connected to Labrys, with some saying that she is Labrys' mother. Whilst many say that she isn't, I believe she is based on what I gathered and read. If you want to know more about the evidence that supports the Rei is Labrys' Mother theory, feel free to contact me.
Anyway, what do you think of this chapter? I can't really tell since I'm a poor judge of my own work. So please, leave any and all questions, comments, and concerns about the story in the review box and I will work to improve the experience for everyone.
So, until next time. T1.