Yukari caught me on my way into the school the next day. "Hey, Minato-kun!"
I paused by the gate. "What's up?"
"I wanted to thank you… for last night." You have a gift, young woman. "It's not that I don't trust Marina or Junpei, but they're even newer to this than I am, you know?" I've seen you freeze up once, but even I paused for a moment at the sight of that thing, and I was sure I'd finally gotten Phobos locked up in a nice little box. "But you, you've been doing this for a while, right?" I nodded. "With Akihiko-senpai injured, I was kind of worried." Oops. Wait, she probably meant his ribs, not his face. "I… don't think I would have been very confident working alone with Mitsuru-senpai."
I wouldn't find a Kirijo's presence very soothing either. I gave the cocky smile that I'd been sure to master before any other expression. "There's a problem, just leave it to me."
She smiled back at me. "Alright. I'll be counting on you then."
Phase One, complete.
Asshole.
Once class ended, Yukari stood up with a yawn before facing me. "I thought I was gonna fall asleep in there."
It was pretty boring, but I didn't have time to answer before Mitsuru came in through the door. "Can I have a minute?" She continued before any of us would have time to get away. "Come to the lounge after school. I have something to tell everyone."
Junpei asked, "Are we having that talk?" Yes Junpei, Mitsuru is finally going to explain the birds and the bees to you.
"I'll save the details for later," she replied. "I'll see you there." She left quick…
I voiced my opinion. "She certainly didn't stick around long."
That's not a nice look Yukari. "She's probably busy with things like Student Council, unlike us."
"Whoa, Yuka-tan, do I sense some hostility?" If not, then you're dumber than I thought you were when we met Junpei.
She sighed. "Well, it's not that I don't like her… She's just…" Just what? A manipulative bitch? A mafia heiress that would sell us out in a heartbeat if it had a slim chance of ending the Dark Hour? The puppet master controlling every conflict in the Middle East? "N-never mind. Let's get going." Aww, I wanted to hear the end of that thought…
Sanada caught me at my shoe locker. "Hey, Arisato."
I looked at him with one eye. It was a very boring looking eye. "What do you want Sanada?" You aren't exactly in my good books.
He looked kind of sheepish. He also looked amusing with his black eye. "I… wanted to apologize about my behavior last night. It was wrong of me to treat the Shadows like something we can hunt for fun." His eyes keep darting to the left.
"Spare me the false apologies Sanada. Don't bother apologizing to me unless you actually realize that you were in the wrong." His empty hand is clenched into a fist. "Now, is there any actual reason you came over here? Or are you just here to make nice like you were told?"
He does realize that he can't beat me in a fight, doesn't he? Through his clenched jaw, he forced out, "Mitsuru wanted all of us to meet on the fourth floor of the dorm after school."
I gave a sound that could have been interpreted as a grunt or a sigh. "I got it." I fully understand that Mitsuru wants us all in that room as soon as possible.
I think I'll see a movie.
Ikutsuki, Mitsuru, and Akihiko were already back when the three of us reached the fourth floor. "Well, that's five of us. Where's Arisato-kun?"
He was looking at Akihiko. "I told him we were meeting after class." He shrugged. "I thought he got held up and was gonna catch the same train they took." He waved his good arm in our general direction.
"Well, he can catch up later." If I didn't know better, I'd say he doesn't like Minato very much. Ikutsuki returned his attention to the three of us. "I'd like your undivided attention." There isn't really much else in here to focus on. Well, I suppose I could just sit here and stare at "-were the only Persona Users we had." Damn you Akihiko! You distracted me! "However, that number recently jumped to six." Even if only five of them are here right now. "Therefore… starting tonight at twelve AM, I'd like to commence the exploration of Tartarus."
"Tartarus?" I asked. "What's that?"
"… sounds like toothpaste." Thank you for that wonderful contribution Junpei.
Yukari looked at him. "You haven't seen it, Junpei?"
Seen what?
"It's no surprise…" Ikutsuki started. "Since it only appears during the Dark Hour." Oh, joy.
Akihiko was smiling, despite his eye. "Just like the Shadows… Interesting, huh?" I think he wants Minato to make his eyes match. "And it's the perfect place for us to train. You can think of it as a Shadow nest."
That was when Minato's lazy ass showed up.
"Where've you been?" I don't see how that's any of your business, Sanada.
Focus on what's important.
You're right. He said they found a Shadow nest. "If you know where those things are congregating, why is the damn place still standing?" Where is it? I'll tear the damn place down myself. Just because you're all too afraid to use high grade explosives…
High grade explosives, raining fire, freezing it over and shattering it with hurricane force winds…
"We believe we can find the reason for the Dark Hour there." Giving a reasonable answer that, despite my seeing the logic in, I don't support. It's not that I like the Dark Hour, but trying to fight against the phenomena itself would make about as much sense as someone swearing revenge on gravity after a loved one died in a plane crash.
"Where is the damn place?" I asked.
"As I was saying," Ikutsuki started, "it only appears during the Dark Hour. You'll see it tonight when the others go."
The others? "I hope you don't mean him," I said while pointing at Sanada. Hey, the guy can barely take a punch and has broken ribs.
Mitsuru answered before he could protest my statement. "Since Akihiko hasn't fully recovered yet, he'll only come as far as the entrance."
"… I know." Now the albino's all depressed.
"Well, I'm sure he won't mind as long as you don't go too far in. Since we're dealing with Shadows, Tartarus isn't something we can avoid."
What.
I beg your pardon?
Come again?
I'm sorry?
Even that bastard seems surprised. Well, it didn't end well for you the last time you were down there, did it?
For those of you who are unaware, Tartarus is an ancient entity older than the Greek Titans. It's also the place the Titans were imprisoned by the Olympians. We don't get it either. Further down than the land of the dead ruled by Hades, as far beneath his kingdom as heaven is above the earth according to Zeus. Damnit, being disinherited means that I'm not supposed to have to deal with any shit like this!
Then tell them to call Johei Shirogane.
…
…
…
Don't ever mention that bastards name again.
"Relax, I got your backs!" Trying to impress someone Iori?
Why shouldn't he?
"I don't know about this…" Yay, Yukari has some common sense!
I'm sure it won't be there for long.
I sighed. "And what are you going to be doing?" I asked Ikutsuki.
"I'll stay here. After all, I can't summon a Persona."
Then why did it react the way it did?
I wasn't really concerned with the fact that a bunch of teenagers were walking around late at night with lethal weapons and guns that weren't real guns.
Even if Minato looks kind of like a thug with that green coat he ditched his uniform jacket for.
I was more concerned that we were back at the school.
"This is it?" I'm not the only one. "THIS is the place? Why HERE?" Looking around, it seemed like Junpei and I were the only ones having any problems with this.
"Just hang on a sec. It's almost midnight." I checked the time on my phone. Five minutes to wait. Damn, they aren't going to answer any questions until then, are they?
I saw Minato pull out his phone and dial a number. "Hey Liz. Pinocchio giving you any trouble?"
… Pinocchio?
Midnight arrived a moment before the school started rising. Well, not like it's flying up, there's just a lot more building coming up from below it. Then they started twisting, forming complex structures that looked like they shouldn't be able to stay up.
Is that a bowling ball?
I must find the psycho that designed this place and hire him to build me a palace.
"This," Kirijo began, "is Tartarus, the labyrinth that appears during the Dark Hour."
I sighed, possibly with relief, upon hearing her refer to the tower as a Labyrinth. Maybe I won't lose whatever I'm going in there to find just as I'm about to leave.
"This is the Labyrinth you were talking about?" That's what you're concerned about? The people who came up with the names for this obviously don't know shit about any mythology. "What are you talking about? What happened to our school?" I already explained what the actual Tartarus is, and the Labyrinth is supposed to be spread out beneath Europe.
You sure it's still there?
…fuck.
"Once the Dark Hour passes, everything returns to normal." Babel would have been a far better name to give this tower, especially given that I can't really tell where the top of it is.
Iori turned to Sanada. "This is the 'nest' you were talking about? But why! Why'd our school turn into a Giant Tower!" Neither of the seniors answered him. "You don't know either?"
"…No."
Bullshit.
"I'm sure it's complicated." Probably involves a lot of application of psychokinetic theory that PHILEMON barely understands. Easier to just say a butterfly did it. Like why airplanes don't fall out of the sky every night, or how cars stop moving for an hour without losing momentum or burning fuel. Unless I happen to be within a few feet of it…
Best not to dwell on that.
"Who cares anyway? It's not like it would change our minds about fighting." Not unless this tower is somehow critical to the stability of the universe.
"Who knows?" That seems like it should have been Iori's line, Sanada. "Maybe now we'll find out. Mitsuru and I have only gone in to take a peek, so this will be our first time exploring it. Exciting, isn't it?" He really wants a beating, but I'm not going to give him one until he's healed. I don't want people saying I can only beat the hell out of him because he's injured.
"Akihiko." Kirijo scolded. "I respect your enthusiasm, but you won't be accompanying us today."
"I know… You don't have to remind me." Must suck having to heal so slowly.
The others started to go in. "I'll talk to you later Elizabeth." I ended the call with an audible beep. Loud enough that it drew their attention away from the ominous tower of DOOM.
Yukari said what was on all their minds. "Your phone still works."
"…Yeah?"
Marina blinked before asking "How can your phone work?" I could try to make up some kind of believable lie, or…
"A butterfly's old bitch's hot white-haired secretary with golden eyes did it." That's kind of close to what people who knew even more than I did might consider a possibility, right?
Nope.
"If you are unwilling to tell us how you were able to do this, you don't have to." Because someone working for Kirijo already figured it out, if the lights at the dorm are any indication. "But, in the future, do not make up such ridiculous stories." But… that really is what happened.
There there… let it all out.
Why are you being nice?
… I want to come out and play?
No. I am not going along with any more of your stupid ass ideas.
With a dejected sigh, I followed the others into Babel-I mean Tartarus.
"It's just as cool on the inside."
"But it sure is creepy."
"Kirijo-san; could you please inform your father that I would like to purchase this property?" That's the first time I've ever heard him use an honorific in reference to her.
"… It's not for sale."
There isn't anything to keep this platform from falling through the endless abyss that I can see due to this room's complete lack of walls despite the ceiling!
I looked around in disbelief at the other people in the room. Yukari seemed slightly anxious, Junpei and Akihiko are admiring the 'architecture', and Minato's… trying to convince… Mitsuru to… sell him the school?
"First, we'll have you get a feel for this place." Does Akihiko have the authority to decide that? "Why don't you all go look around?"
"What!"
"By ourselves?" Hey, Yukari and I are on the same page.
"We're not asking you to go very far," Mitsuru justified… poorly. "And I'll be feeding you information from here." So you'll be here, and Akihiko will be here, and two people that have never fought Shadows, one person who got stabbed by one, and one with barely any experience fighting them will be doing the fighting. Great. They never had any intention of coming in.
"We're also going to appoint a leader, to make any necessary decisions."
"For real? One of us?" Junpei got an excited look on his face. "Ooh ooh! Me meme me Pick Me!" Oh sweet Lord he's jumping up with a hand in the air.
Akihiko looked with a grimace at Junpei's antics, Yukari's apparent disgust at those antics, and the way Minato seemed to be shrinking in on himself. "You're in charge."
"W-wait a minute, why him? He doesn't look like a leader!" True. Even if he does have blue hair, Junpei's taller and Akihiko also has strange hair. But if it's only temporary, it should be okay.
"But he has fought them before." Also true.
Minato clapped his hands together. "Alright then!" he cheerfully announced as he walked towards me. I felt him slap a hand on my shoulder. "As my first act as leader, I'm putting her in charge!" What.
"W-wha? But she's a girl!" And you're a dumbass.
"Yes she is, very observant of you Iori. She's also fought them without having a sword run through her back." Also true, but I would have died if a little boy hadn't told me to shoot myself in the head.
…There are so many things wrong with that.
"… sword?"
Akihiko sighed. "It is true that they've fought them before, but there's another reason I'd prefer one of them. You two," he directed at Yukari and Junpei as he readied his Evoker, "can you put the gun to your heads and pull the trigger without any hesitation, like she can?" So I should lead because I have a death wish?
"Y-yeah, of course I can!"
"I think so."
"I know I can't." What.
Well actually, he doesn't have his Evoker ready to use like the rest of us do. It's… probably in his pocket or something… right?
Akihiko doesn't seem amused by that. "These are Shadows we're talking about. Without your Persona, you're screwed." The thing is, I don't think he was joking.
"Well yeah, otherwise, you'll get caught when you run, overpowered when you fight, and collapse after every strike." That what happened to you?
I took a step forward before I saw something start glowing. The Velvet Key feels warm in my breast pocket.
…I didn't put that in there today.
I walked through the elevator and took my uncomfortable seat across the table from Igor.
"I've been waiting for you." That still creeps me out. "The time has come to wield your power. The tower that 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." Yeah, but you could probably save me a lot of trouble if you'd just tell me what you know. Hell, just tell me who else knows and I'll go bug them instead. "That is why you must be made aware of the nature of your power."
"Um, the last time I sat here and listened to you, I spent a week in a hospital bed."
"There's no need for you to worry. Whenever you come here of your own will, time will not pass in the outside world." Great!
"So, what do you mean by 'the nature of my power'?"
"Your power is unique. It is like the number zero… It's empty, but at the same time holds endless possibilities. You, young lady, are able possess multiple Personae, and summon them as needed."
Did he just cheerfully tell me I had multiple personalities?
"And when you have defeated 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. My spare time will soon become scarce. But, please come again of your own accord. I'll tell you then about my true role… and the manner in which I can best assist you." The balding old man with a giant nose is going to help me?
I nodded and stood.
"Ah, before I forget… Do you recall when I mentioned another resident of this room?" Vaguely. "Tell me… When you think of this person, what do you see?"
Okay, if I'm gonna get this right, I need to be as vague in the description as possible. "Is it a guy?" About a 50/50 shot there.
"I see…Then let's bring him out for a proper introduction." Called it. Damn I'm good!
…
Okay, did not expect one of the blue curtains just hanging off of thin air to open and reveal a door. Although that's nothing considering that a white-haired elevator attendant dressed in blue came through it. He's cute. Wait…
White hair. Golden eyes. Attractive.
Is this guy the one that screwed around with Minato's phone?
"My name is Theodore, but please, feel free to call me Theo. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Likewise."
"My assistant will aid you as well. Until then, farewell."
Inoue seemed to blank out for a sec-oh, Velvet Room. Must be having a little chat with Pinocchio. Iori went over to check on her. "Hey, you alright? You look like a zombie." Not quite the best description, Iori; but acceptable.
"A zombie? Really?"
"That's what you pick to dwell on?" You're the one that brought it up. "Oh, I get it. You're trying to yank my chain here." Or she's still a little disoriented from seeing the old man's nose. "Don't worry though, I got your back." I wonder what he pissed off badly enough to make him look like that.
While they were bickering, Yukari came over to me. "Didn't you say you would take care of any problems?" Crap.
"Yes I did, and I fully intend to. I just feel that someone a little closer to your level should be making the decisions about what to do." And, given what happened to the last person who led a group of Persona Users, I sure as hell don't want what this appears to be a gateway job into. "If anything comes up that you three can't handle, I'll kill it for you."
She seemed a little reassured by that. "Alright then." Certainly not completely.
I started up the stairs leading through the giant clock. "If you two're done screwing around, maybe we can get some work done?"
Didn't you say she was in charge?
Didn't I tell you all to shut up?
Deep Space Cowgirl: They might team up, but it'll be a long time from now. And, as much fun as taking Ikutuski down now sounds, I need him for other things.
neko-neko-aishizu: Aigis will be... fun, even if she doesn't arrive at a fun time.
... What are you still doing here? Leave a review or go watch the new Highschool of the Dead.