Hey everybody. I'm back, whether you like it or not, but anyway, enough about my useless blathering. Please, enjoy. Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Atlus or in any way Persona 3.


"Out of Chaos, God made a world, and out of high passions, comes a people." –Samuel Beckett…

The Dark Hour occurred differently than it ever had before. The entire world, including that of S.E.E.S. changed, their lives halting in place as the moon and sun vied for their position in the sky. Days passed yet it was the following minute when time resumed. A rumbling started, large ravines appearing around the city and crevasses emerging within. Throughout the area, fissures sprang up, large mountains succumbing to the strength of her power. Four towers rose above the rest of the world, a four stopping the Earth's writhing. They stood at thousands of feet, outreaching any other building constructed within the city. North, South, East, and West were their names, their respective directions and angles, as well. Each represented an element, the four elements that life itself was composed directly of. Energy radiated from each tower, a giant forcefield appearing and covering all of Port Island and Iwotodai. Time then resumed.

Tartarus shot up, a dagger piercing the heavens themselves. It looked down upon the world, the overwhelming and obtrusive eyes of the tower watching the sky, the Earth, and the sea. It had increased in size, becoming higher than it had ever reached before. Surrounding establishments and structures were pulled into the giant mass, others being automatically flattened and spread along the newly constructed grounds. In their places, alien structures stood, resembling amalgams of past civilizations and societies. China, Japan, Europe, and Russia had melded into the entire city, spanning the complete history of mankind. They solemnly stood there, mocking the world.

Shadows patrolled the buildings, slowly creeping along whatever surface they could grip. The black masses filled every street in the city, the frozen citizens being ignored as the Shadows mindfully yet inattentively watched them. She watched the black masses absorb the unlucky souls who stood in the mindless paths of the Shadows, the viscous black goo dragging along the dark streets. Time then resumed and not a soul was transmogrified in the gothic casks. People ran screaming as they watched friends and family being rapt into the shapeless masses. Chaos reigned.

The news media, along with countless other different people, were down on the streets, reporters and cameramen filming the scene as victims ran by, the air filled with a thousand cacophonic screams. Others watched as the masses were assimilated into nothing by the slightest touch of the beasts. The cameras caught people being attacked, devoured, ripped into shreds, anything. Yet the news continued to show the carnage as scared families sat huddled in their rooms, watching the windows for anything that resembled the Shadows. A helicopter flew past the streets, circling around the large tower. People filmed from it as they watched the massacre below. Others shouted towards it, as if they were praying for someone to help them. The pilot didn't realize that Shadows were amassing around the edges of the tower, preparing to jump. One did, getting tangled within the small vehicle's rotor blades. They stopped and the chopper plummeted to the ground, exploding in a large pyroclasmic hell. Shrapnel pelted anything in the radius, killing people and Shadows alike.

The local police, S.W.A.T, and vice squads arrived on the streets, all of them armed to the teeth. Instantly, they started blocking off the streets and busy areas. However, when they tried to combat the monstrosities, the guns were both ineffective and unwieldy. It only served to anger the Shadows, causing them to blindly rush the defenders, which eventually died, at the hands at the fiends. People outside the city watched, for the Shadows had not passed through the barrier and attacked the outside world. An S.O.S went out of the city, before all communications had been disabled. The Japanese Army had stationed itself outside of the barrier, trying every possible mean to enter the hellhole. There was nothing anyone could do, yet there was still the S.E.E.S.

Although the S.E.E.S. had frozen with the others, they had regained their bearings the quickest and reacted almost instantly. The students from their high school had been in a stunned state, running in every which way. Akihiko had taken action and started heralding them into their dormitory. After a few minutes, over half the school sat on one of the dorm's five floors, the students packing them in and bracing for another attack. The small structure was one of the only buildings in the city that was safe, let alone stable after Tartarus rose out of the ground. Memories related to the previous Nyx incident started to resurface amongst the crowds, panic growing every second.

"How many more are out there", Yukari inquired, her breath heavy and course. Fear rippled across her eyes, both glassed over with an anxious look.

"I honestly couldn't guess. There are quite a few in our building… I doubt we have enough room left."

"Don't say that! Just stop, right now. We'll find a few more, I just know it." Yukari was one of those rare people who would selflessly sacrifice herself before anyone else. Minato couldn't stand that.

"All right, okay. We'll search." Both spread out in a mile radius, checking around for any remaining citizens. They returned after half-an-hour, both with a few extra people. They led them into the dorm, making extra room for them. The building was alive with the nervous chatter of its denizens.

"Well, Ms. Optimist, good intuition on that one."

She stuck her tongue out, smiling. It was out of place, considering the situation. "Yeah, but I can't help feel that we might be to late… Something is just not…right." A shiver ran down her spine, he body visibly shaking.

"No, trust me, we're not." He wrapped his arms around her, shielding her body from the light breeze that started blowing through the city. Yet, he was confused. How was a breeze entering the place? "Where is that breeze coming from?"

"Breeze? Now you're scaring me… You okay, Minato-kun?"

"Yeah, it's gotta be nothing." However, he realized what it was. One of the towers that loomed over the city was emanating strong gusts, it barely a breeze by the time it ran through the city. None the less, it was chilling, both literally and figuratively.

"Still. Just the sight of Tartarus, itself. I just hate the thoughts it brings. I can't stand the damn place." She closed her eyes, looking away from the dark tower.

"We've quite the history in it", he said, stroking her brunette hair. She relaxed the second he started. "Don't get me wrong. I hate the place, too. It's just… I don't know, something."

"I know what you mean." Both stood in the street, silently holding each other tightly. Whilst they were, a rumbling started up, startling both young lovers. A fine mist started rolling, very low to the ground. Lightning pierced the sky, rigidly coiling along like a disjointed snake. The fine mesh black sky shook, the mauve purple lightning shaking it around as if it were a small child's toy. Another bolt struck, smacking the top of Tartarus. The tower roared with life, the sides and base of the tower starting to grow and move. It edged forwards, moving slowly towards the center of the town, directly over the water. It was a plague, contaminating everything in its vicinity. People, building, and the Earth changed as it dragged itself over each one.

"What's it doing?" Yukari looked at it, confused. Minato didn't have an answer or explanation for himself.

"I-I don't know."

"We have to do something…right?" Her voice was unwavering, a slight tone of insecurity and skepticism in her tone. Even her body trembled, wildly shaking Minato as well.

"Yeah, we do. But what can we do? Akihiko isn't even here for the moment. Going in there with just us two is suicide."

"True. Fuuka still hasn't calmed down from last night. She's pretty shaken-up from losing Junpei."

"Oh, that…"

"It's so different without him around." She lightly frowned, giving a stifled chuckle.

"From the sound of it, you must miss him, right?"

"Hehe, that's funny, Minato-kun. But, seriously, I am pretty worried about him. I can't bear to think what that girl's-"

"Elizabeth." His tone was flat, dry, and filled with rage.

"Elizabeth, right. Well, I just don't want to think about it. He could be…"

"Dead, don't remind me." They were best friends, after all. He couldn't just leave his bud in the tower, dying, being tortured, or worse. It was too much to bear. "Please, let's change topics."

"Agreed. I'm sorry for bringing it up…"

"It's, its okay. We should really focus on the task at hand, though." He slightly pushed away from her, his feelings clouding his thoughts. Besides, now wasn't the time for this…congregation.

"So, what about you're one power? You know, our secret weapon?" He looked at her quizzically. "It could prove more than invaluable to use, especially now."

"I don't get what you mean."

"Your multiple Persona ability."

"Oh, that." He had lost the ability, only being able to use a few instead of his massive amount located in his sea of souls. Without it, he had forgotten about it. "I can't do that anymore. I only have four Persona. Even now, I think I lost the ability to use them."

"When did you lose it?" Her glance was one of disbelief. They stared at each other, both of their eyes met, Yukari being lost in his soulful eyes. She understood, but garnered something. A secondary power… yet she didn't understand.

"A while ago. I have only been able to summon a major one or two. You haven't noticed during our battles?"

Nodding, she said "I see that-" But she was cut off, he words cut with a dull cleaver, as a large crash resonated behind her, causing her to shriek loudly. A large chunk of stone was hurled at the building, missing and destroying the building on the left. It fell into nothing, a giant pile of debris left where it once stood. Another chunk was cast towards them, this one connecting with the dorm. Nevertheless, the building stood its ground as large fragments rained upon the two.

Minato shoved Yukari away, separating both before the large rocks smashed them into nothing. "Yukari!" He yelled over the large pile of refuse.

"I-I'm fine. Just, my leg hurts a little." Her right leg was caught under a small pile of debris, holding her in place. An unknown entity continued to attack the dorm, but to no avail. It held in its foundation, the building incredibly stable.

"Stay there. I'm coming over-" A bus flew through the air, slicing another random building into pieces. Four Shadows emerged from the wreckage, sharp razor claws extending from their hands. "Shit", he cursed under his breath. "Not now." He only had his Evoker, which, as it was, was more than enough.

"Minato! Help!" Apparently, a few Shadows had materialized on her side, as well. Minato didn't respond but quickly kicked the nearest one in the mask, distracting it while he pulled his Evoker out.

"Grim!" The reaper appeared, his scythe glimmering in the brilliant moonlight. "Kill them, kill them all!" A wicked smile appeared and Grim got to work. He flew over above one, holding it in place with an elongated, bony arm. With its right arm, it swung the scythe and hewed the gelatinous body in two.

"Dieeee", hissed Grim, his voice enigmatic and snake-esque. Throwing the scythe, it carved through another Shadow while Grim started casting a deadly spell. Above the melee, Akihiko came running to Yukari's aid. He stopped before jumping down, witnessing Minato's abomination of a Persona.

"What a demonic entity. He must be fighting something on the inside." No matter, he decided. All that was important was his comrade's safety. Carelessly, he dove into the fight.

Yukari watched as Akihiko dropped and quickly threw a flurry of low punches. The first Shadow that faced him died within seconds. The other three surrounded him, but the agile boxer jumped backwards, dodging the flying claw scratches.

"Too slow!" He slid, kicking one and followed with a violent uppercut, launching one of the fiends into the air. While still hanging, he grabbed his Evoke and shot himself. Zeus appeared and drove on lightning bolt into the Shadow's body, frying it until it fell into nothingness. "Follow it up with Maziodyne!" Fire in his eye, Zeus raised his hand into the air and suddenly, thundered sounded cannons that marked the barrage of lightning. Neither of the Shadows survived the attack.

On Minato's side, he slowly walked up to one and kicked its body. The thing dissolved into a fine mist running through his body. It felt odd; a tingling sensation that gave him mixed thoughts.

"Minato!" The senior friend's voice brought him back to the real world. "I've taken care of them over here. You can come, now." It was more a command, not a suggestion.

"All right." He shook his head, clearing the odd sensation away. He slowly clambered up the debris, looking upon Akihiko helping Yukari out of the large pile of rocks. She dusted herself off and casually bowed. A relieved smile occupied her face. He met the other two on the side, happy to see that Akihiko was done preparing the students. In fact, he had locked each window with the metal shutters and activated all the safety precautions. The only thing left to do was lock the front door but that was last on his list.

"Nice job helping with the people", he said, pointing towards the dormitory.

"Yeah, no thanks to you", Akihiko joked, grinning. He gave a playful punch to Minato's arm but quickly sobered up. "But, now's not the time."

"We know. How's Fuuka holding up?"

He shrugged. "She's been holed up in her bedroom the entire time. Strangely, I haven't heard a word from her since this morning."

"She's not taking this well at all. This is a horrible time for it, too."

"God, no kidding", chimed in Yukari. "I should probably go check on her. Is that okay?"

"Yeah, better you than us anyway. You two are pretty good friends, probably better than herself and us two." Akihiko nodded in agreement. She waved both guys off, heading into the dormitory. She headed up the stairs, looking at the banister to avoid the scared gazes of her fellow peers. Catching a few out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that some rocked nervously back and forth, others ranting incoherently.


Yukari maneuvered to the girl's hall, slowly and solemnly passing the groups of students sporadically located throughout the floor. Fuuka's room was the second, and she gently knocked on it twice. Nothing. "Fuuka, please answer me." She tried again. Someone came to the door, but upon it opening, it was a group of students.

"Y-yes", the timid girl with large round eyes asked. It wasn't Fuuka.

"Oh, I'm sorry. This is the wrong room." They turned their attention away and she moved to another room, pressing her ear against the door. Two of the other rooms were loud. "Way to much noise, especially for Fuuka…" The last door was her room. But, it was locked. She knocked, hearing the slight sound of shuffling in the background.

"Yes?"

"Fuuka's voice. Score." "Fuuka." The other timid, green-haired girl emerged from the dark room.

"Oh, Yukari-chan… I'm sorry for using your room. Mine was occupied and I wasn't really thinking…"

"Don't worry about it. I just want to know why you've holed yourself up here all day. What's up?" Fuuka opened the door wider, beckoning for Yukari to come in. She followed suit and went in, Fuuka closing the door behind the two.


Akihiko and Minato stood around the crowded lobby, waiting for the two girls upstairs to grace them with their presence. Although it was busy with nervous people, some had cleared out, taking up space in another part of the dorm. By now, most of the bedrooms were filled with people. Even the command room had scared students napping on the leather couches. Minato was starting to nod off, Akihiko twiddling his thumbs in the corner of the room. Both girls gracefully walked down the stairs, their footsteps silent, allowing them to approach the guys without a sound.

"Hey…" Fuuka's apprehensive voice said, ringing through Minato's ears. He gradually woke up, his eyes hazy and blotchy.

"About time both of you came down here. I was worried that I would have to send ol' Minato-chan up after you." Akihiko, in light of the situation, could still take things with an amount of humor. He tossed a gentle punch, waking Minato further.

"Jeez, just give me a sec. I'm still human. I need my sleep."

"Or you can just sleep when you're dead. Like we'll be if we don't do something." Yukari forced her way in. Any conversation that riled up Minato was worth taking part in.

"All right, just calm down." He stretched both arms into the air, wildly yawning as he rubbed the back of his neck and started cracking his joints. The bones snapped with a nauseatingly loud shattering.

"Minato-kun… How many times do I need to tell you to stop that?! It's unpleasant and rude. Besides, you'll get arthritis or something." One of Yukari's pet-peeves was bone snapping, either accidental or on purpose.

"I won't get arthritis", he retorted, shaking his head. Her little rebukes were a nice sign that she cared, let alone for him, anyway.

"Um, I thought this was serious", Fuuka said, cutting in once again, her flaccid voice a cruel contrast to those of the other three. Of course, she was correct but anything to lighten the moods was a godsend. Minato stiffened up, attentively listening to the small one.

"She's right, you two. We need a plan, and one now. Something that will give us the edge."

Remembering what Igor said, Minato raised his voice. "What if we attack Tartarus, directly before it can grow any higher or expand more. You know, beat her back down."

"It's a good plan, but how will we get in?"

"I doubt the door's locked. We could just get to the top as we once did before. Just keep climbing the floors."

"Yeah", interjected Fuuka. "Have you seen how big it is?"

"Have you? You haven't left the room since this morning." Obviously a fact, or so it appeared to Minato.

"Yes, I have. It's about three times larger than the original Tartarus. Remember how long that took us to scale? It was over nine months! We don't have that kind of time. We hardly have more than a few hours!"

"But there's got to be something in the tower that could take us to the top, instantaneously. Like the transporters that we used before."

"Yeah, that could work, but in theory. If there weren't any, you could wander the tower, lost, for days. Even if there were, how many floors would you have to go up before getting to a level that would allow you to transport?" Fuuka had spent the entire day thinking, and sobbing, but that, to her, was unimportant.

"Well, if you have a better plan, shoot. Don't just kill all of mine."

She blushed. "I…actually don't really have a, you know, plan. I guess we could check it out, but please, just don't go into it yet."

"I'm game", Akihiko announced, punching his fists together. "Take it to them, take them out. My kind of plan." He smiled. He was the confidence of the team.

"Yukari?"

"Sure, it's better than sitting here, arguing. I'm more for just checking the place out, though. I doubt I'm ready to enter the place, particularly now that it's regained its old identity."

"Well, Fuuka, if you're ready, we can head out whenever you want."

Exasperated, she let out a stilted sigh. "If I can't swade you, then so be it. I'll be behind you all the way, providing support as always." She smiled, holstering her Evoker at her thigh. Everyone had their respective weapons, Akihiko and Minato busy preparing and Yukari grabbing her bow from her room. "Well, let Operation Admonish commence!"

"Wait, wait, wait… Operation Admonish? Are you kidding me? What kind of name is that?" Akihiko, who fully understood the word, didn't understand, nor like the name. Minato had similar feelings, while Yukari was indifferent.

"I like it. We're keeping it", Fuuka, steadfast on her choice, held.

"Boys…", Yukari thought.


IT's good to get back to the scribe... abstractly speaking of course. ANYWAY, please review and critique and blah, blah, blah... :-) -AMP