OH MY GOD YOU GUYS! SORRY I TOOK SO LONG TO UPDATE! DX I'm actually not at home (I'm in San Diego exactly) and I got pretty busy lately. This chapter is slightly longer than usual, so...

Chapter #6

Enjoy the chapter! :)

In the last chapter...

At your surprise, Alfred joined SEES and Antonio announced the first "trip" to Tartarus, a hidden tower that appears only during the Dark Hour. You went to your school with Francis, Alfred, Kiku and Ludwig, who was still injured. After seeing the metamorphosis of the school, Ludwig assigned a leader for the exploration...you. Without Ludwig and Kiku, you went inside of Tartarus, where you encountered a lot of Shadows. Let's just say that that night was awesome.

Time never waits.

It delivers all equally to the same end.

You, who wish to safeguard the future,

however limited it may be...

You will be given one year;

go forth without falter,

with your heart as your guide

April 22nd, 2009

The morning at school was pretty boring. They had another assembly where Kiku, who was the school president, did a speech for the year. It was so confusing and hard for you to understand that you were looking at him like he was from another planet. When he was done and everyone was applauding, Alfred looked at you.

"Damn, dude, that was freaking amazing...So...Do you have any idea what he just said?"

You looked at him with big eyes. "Are you kidding me? Of course I don't!"

"Me neither. I mean, we live in the same dorm, but it's like we're on different planets."

"No shit."

"Man, if he asks my opinion, I don't know what I'll say..."

During the afternoon, Mr. Rome grounded a student who fell asleep and punished him by telling him to bring some pasta for tomorrow at lunch. At the end of the day, you decided to go home with Alfred. At the entrance, you saw Ludwig going out of the school and he was immediately swarmed by fangirls.

"Look, it's Ludwig-senpai!"

"Wait for us!"

He sighed awkwardly. Alfred whispered to you.

"Dude, would you look at that? I hear they're always swarming him like that. I know he's the captain of the boxing team, but...I mean, come on! You don't even see girls flock like that on TV!"

"...You sure? Because seriously, I saw a lot of girls doing that in real life and on TV."

"Really? Dude, what kind of channel are you watching? I want to see that!"

As you walk outside, Ludwig spotted you.

"Hey, are you guys free this afternoon?"

"Yeah, what's up, senpai?"

"I want you two to meet me at Paulownia Mall. I'll be at the police station, alright? See you there." He started walking away.

"Wait, what?" Alfred looked at him, surprised. "We're not hangin' out with your friends...?"

He looked back at you two. "Who, these girls? I don't even know their names. They talk so much they give me a headache. Anyway, I'm heading out. Don't keep me waiting for too long." He left. A girl started complaining.

"Awwww...Why can't he be more friendly?" The girls walked away too, leaving you and Alfred alone.

"...Are you fucking kidding me? He don't even know their names? Seriously, just look at them!"

"Alfred, calm down, will ya...?" You sweat dropped.

"Oh well, let's go." He started to walk and you followed him to Paulownia Mall. When you entered the police station, you saw Ludwig with a cop.

"Thank you sir. Oh, these are the guys I was talking about earlier." The officer stayed quiet. Ludwig looked at you and continued. "This is Officer Oxenstierna. He helps keep our squad well-equipped."

The cold-looking man suddenly spoke. "Officer Oxen is fine too..." His voice gave you and Alfred arctic chills through your spine. Ludwig gave you each some money. You counted the bills and it resulted to 5000 yen (which is probably 50$. I don't know, that's my guess).

"This is from Mr. Carriedo. You can't fight something empty-handed, so find something you like. Officer Oxen has connections...But, these things still cost money."

"Of course they do." The officer's voice made you jumped. "Nothing in life is free."

Ludwig sweat dropped. "I realize that. Well, I'll see you later. Thanks again." The German left the station. After buying some new weapons (you got yourself a better katana and bought Francis a better fencing sword, since Alfred spend his money on his weapon), you left the police station with Alfred and headed back to the dorm. Kiku greeted you with a smile.

"Welcome back. Oh, (Last Name)-san, perfect timing. I'd like to speak to you for a moment."

"What's wrong, Kiku-senpai?" you tried to stay polite to him, since you were in Persona 3.

"It's about our exploration of Tartarus. Since Ludwig is still on the mend, I'd like you to lead the team. You never know when a powerful enemy might appear, like the one you faced the other day. It's best to be prepared, or else you may find yourself in a difficult situation. So, whenever you'd like to explore Tartarus, just let me know, and I'll gather everyone there. Also, since I'm sure there are other things you will need to take care of, you may go out at night if you need to. Well, that's it. Keep up the good work." He smiled at you.

"I see...then, can we go again tonight?"

"Roger. I'll tell everyone to gather up at Tartarus." Later that night, during the Dark Hour, you went to Tartarus, where you meet up with the other members. Alfred was being obnoxious.

"Oh there she is! Alright let's go!" He was about to run inside, but Francis hold his collar to make him stop.

"Stop it, espèce d'idiot! You want to die or what? Remember that she's the leader!"

"Yeah, yeah, I know! But can we go already? I just want to use my Persona already!"

You chuckled. "Alright, alright, let's go." You all went inside. When you were about to enter the door that leads inside Tartarus, Kiku warned you.

"Oh, before I forget, you may encounter a barricade while exploring. No need to try to destroy it, consider it as a break."

"Roger. Let's go guys." You opened the door and went inside. You were in the Thebel block again.

"So, what's the plan this time, (First Name)?" Francis asked.

"...How about we separate to explore and destroy the enemy?" Alfred seemed more than happy when he heard you saying that.

"Can we? Please? Pretty please?"

Francis sweat dropped and looked at you. "...Are you sure for that one? I mean, what if we're in danger?..."

"Remember that Kiku is keeping an eye on us. You need anything, tell him and the rest of the team needs to join the person who asked for help."

"But..." Alfred started to walk away.

"Hey, too much talking! Let's get some action!" He ran away.

"Be careful, Alfred!" You yelled at him, and he didn't answered. You looked at Francis with a smile. "Well, I should get going too. Be careful, okay?" You started to run away without letting the blond reply.

"...I should say that to you, (First Name)." he muttered to himself. He started to run too.

~Alfred POV~

It has been at least 5 minutes since I ran away from (First Name) and Francey Pants. Since (First Name) told us that we can separate, that's what I did. Guys, you have no idea how much Ifrit wants to fight!

I was still running when suddenly I tripped and fell directly on the face! Dude, I swear I was bleeding from the nose! When I got up, I saw that there was a black gooey thing on my shoe. Gross! I saw then a blue mask. The Shadow was looking at me and was ready to fight.

"Oh fuck me..." I got up and took my Evoker. "Well if you want a fight, you'll have it, you son of a bitch!"

Before the monster could even send a spell against me, I summoned my Persona, which looked like a horned red demon. "Ifrit! Agi!" My badass Persona appeared and sent a Fire Spell. Thank god, Fire was its weakness! It kill the Shadow immediately. By the way, guess what? I got the spell Re Patra! I have no idea what's the effect of that spell, but who cares? As long that I get powerful! * Hero Laugh *

"Alright, to the next one!"

~Francis POV~

To be fair, I was effrayé like a kid in a maison hantée alone. Why did (First Name) had to say that we have to separate? I should have told her that I didn't want to be seul...

I was walking in the couloirs quietly so no enemy could hear me when I heard a grognement in front of me. I then saw a red mask.

"...Oh et puis merde. Pourquoi moi?" The Shadow was like a floating Tiara with hair and a red mask. I tried to keep mon magnifique calme and call Kiku-senpai.

"Senpai, I would need an analyze. Quick."

"Wakarimashita. I'll attempt to analyze the enemy." During that time, I had to dodge the attacks the Shadow was throwing at me. After a while, Senpai spoke again. "It's a Muttering Tiara. Weakness: Wind. You should be okay."

"Merci." I took out my Evoker. "Ça va aller, Francis...No freaking out..." I took a deep breath. Heureusement, I practiced a bit while the others were doing their stuff and I got the skill Garu, which apparently, it's a Wind Skill. I putted the Evoker against my temple. I started to breath heavily. I swallowed. The Shadow was charging a Fire Spell against me.

"Protège-moi, Morgane..." The monster shoot the spell. "GARU!" I pulled the trigger and a beautiful lady appeared in front of me. Brunette, robe blanche, pale skin, a little golden tiara. She was like in the legends. I never thought my Persona would have been such a beauté.

Morgane putted her hand in front of her, like to stop someone, and the Fire Spell got blocked. She then rose her hand through the air and a burst of wind was sent against the Shadow, destroying it. My legs started to shake and I fell on my knees on the ground, having a little attaque de panique. Morgane looked at me and saw me. She crouched in front of me and took my face gently between her hands before kissing my forehead. Something warm travelled through my whole body, like if I was a bébé in his maman's arms. I looked at her and she was smiling at me before disappearing. After a while, I got up, feeling better.

"I should keep going..."

~Reader POV~

While fighting the Shadows on the floor, I made sure with Kiku that the boys were okay on their own. Who knows? Alfred was maybe pissing in his pants and Francis crying in a corner. But apparently, they're both doing fine, which surprised me.

We were able to do I think 4 floors until we arrived to the 5th floor, where was some kind of big device. I think it was an Access Point. Kiku asked me to look at it and my guesses were right. If we found a small one, we can go back to the entrance, and if we found a big one like the one we just found, we can go to any floors that have the device of the same size.

I helped the others to equip the best stuff we found during the exploration of Tartarus, since Kiku sensed a powerful aura on the floor. Somehow, I was able to equip a bow that Alfred found. We walked on the floor until we found some kinds of eagles, seagulls, vultures or whatever the fuck you want to call it, three to be exact.

"Minna-san, get ready! They're coming!"

"Kiku-senpai, analysis, please!"

"Wakarimashita. I'll attempt to analyze the enemy."

Alfred, who was too excited, took out his Evoker. "Fuck the analysis! I'm not going to wait until I die to get it! Ifrit!" He summoned his Persona who used Agi against one of whateveryouwanttocallit. At our surprise, it absorbed the Fire. "Wh-What the fuck? Forget about using Fire!"

"Évidemment, imbécile!" Francis raged against the American. "You should have waited for the analysis to be done!"

One of the whateveryouwanttocallit summoned a Garu spell against Alfred. He got throwed against a wall hardly and got knocked out.

"ALFRED!" You yelled before you hear Kiku talking.

"Sumimasen it took so long. It's a Venus Eagle! Weakness: Pierce Attacks!"

"Thank you, Senpai! Francis, heal him while I fight them!"

"À tes ordres!" The Frenchman summoned his Persona, Morgane, to use Dia on Alfred while I used the bow and arrows I got earlier. Usually I suck at archery (if you're usually good, then sorry for offending you), but I managed to shoot the three of them while Francis was done healing Alfred. The poor American was still weakened. Francis stood up. "Allons-y for an All-Out Attack!"

"HELL YEAH! GO GO GO!" We both ran and smacking around the Eagles. We managed to defeat the bosses. I looked back at Alfred and he was over exhausted and wounded. I knelled down next to him. "You're ok?"

He smiled. "No problem dude! I can keep going!" He tried to get up, but he then winced of pain. I looked at him, then looked at Francis.

"We should go home for today."

"What? No, (First Name) I'm ok! I can continue...Ugh..." He held his side with pain. Francis helped him to get up, glaring at him.

"Es-tu fou? You're wounded, stupid American! You're just going to slow us!"

"Not true! I won't!" He tried to walked, but then fell on his knees. I could see that even if he was denying it, he was completely in pain. I looked at him.

"Alfred, we don't need another critical injured in our team. Either you like it or not, we have to go home." The American looked at me with a pissed off face, but I ignored it before walking toward the Access Point.

~Normal POV~

Francis helped Alfred to get up and walk.

"Damn she's really starting to piss me off..." the youngest mumbled. Francis glared at him again.

"Consider yourself chanceux that she's like this. We could have continue the exploration without giving a damn about your injury."

"That's what I wanted, Francis!"

"Oh tais-toi already! She said that we're leaving and c'est ce qu'on va faire! Now amène-toi!" Now the Frenchman was totally pissed. Alfred glared at him before starting to walk with him to the Access Point. The three of you teleported back to the entrance where Kiku was waiting.

"Welcome back. Did something happe...Jones! You're wounded!"

"It's nothing, Senpai. Don't worry..." The American got cut by you.

"His ribs are probably severely injured. He was threw on the wall pretty badly." Kiku looked at the three of you, then looked specifically at you.

"It's a good thing you came back. We should go to the hospital to make sure everything will be fine except the ribs."

Alfred looked the ground, annoyed of the situation. He had no choice but to accept the situation.

"Alright, let's go." Kiku commanded and you all left Tartarus, with the Dark Hour that was ending.

Reminder of the characters in this chapter:

Reader = Minato or Minako Arisato

Kiku Honda = Mitsuru Kirijo

Francis Bonnefoy = Yukari Takeba

Alfred F. Jones = Junpei Iori

Ludwig Beilschmidt = Akihiko Sanada

Berwald Oxenstierna = Officer Kurosawa

I hoped that you enjoyed this chapter. Reviews are welcomed. New chapter soon. :)