Chapter 7: Reawaken! Evil Smile!
Author's notes: Good news everyone! Orpheus just brought a heater so he won't freeze. Not to mention you guys gave me some really good ideas.
XoreandoX: Thanks for helping me remember Ikutsuki's name. Seriously, I had a devil of a time with his name. Also, I appreciate for giving me an idea for Minato's scythe, but I actually thought of something, but I'll keep that in mind.
Neko-neko-aishizu: Those are some great ideas for Hamuko's Persona, especially Hemera, the personification of day though it'll be awhile until we see rather or not that Hamuko will get her own Persona. And when I mean a while, I mean a LONG TIME.
KazeMirai: Good luck with your upcoming fiction. Let me know when it comes out.
AnimeCrazy88: I honestly have no clue as to why I want Junpei to give Hamuko a Jack Frost doll. I supposed you could call it a "Writer's Impulse."
I'm actually amazed as to how many people are interested in this just for the fact I included Hamuko as a little sister. Boy you guys are in for a treat in this chapter.
April 20
Minato is waiting for the train stop until Yukari come by to sit right next to him. Instinctively, Minato scoots over to once to the right. This puzzles Yukari greatly.
"Hey is something wrong?" she asked so innocently.
(Shit, I don't want to sit next to the potential psychopath today? One slip up and she'll be very suspicious. Add in the fact that she's female, she'll go after the targets that are acquainted with her…Okay time to lie.) "Sorry, but I…was making room for some other student!" he exclaimed.
Yukari looks at him strangely and says, "Okay…hey, sorry about dragging you and your sister into this."
"Sheesh, you think I could care rather or not I was forced to. Seriously, I don't give a damn so long as I fight those Shadows." said Minato.
"But doesn't Kirijo-senpai made you feel obligated to fight it?" asked Yukari.
"Listen Yukari…if she was making it into an obligation, then I would've take Hamuko with me and search somewhere else. But I was obligated a LONG time ago." explained Minato
"Huh?"
During lunch Minato and Junpei are eating some bentos when Mitsuru comes to classroom 2-F. "Could I have a minute? Come to the lounge when you get back to the dorm. I have something to tell you."
(Oh man, I really hope it isn't about the recruitment or something.) thought Minato as he sees Mitsuru leaving the classroom.
"Wow, she certainly didn't waste any time leaving." commented Junpei.
"That's because she is Student Council, unlike us." said Yukari in disgust.
"Huh? Then why you aren't in student council Yukari?" asked Minato
"Wouldn't make it. Besides, I'm already busy with other things."
(Other…things? Please tell me she isn't trying to learn how to use a REAL gun. Seems like every day, the more I learn about Yukari the easier I can imagine her to be a serial killer.) thought Minato (Damn it, nobody ever taught me on how to deal with psychopaths.)
"Hey Minato, you're sweating bullets." pointed out Junpei.
After school, Minato and Junpei went to Uchiha Elementary to pick up Hamuko. Since neither one of them wants to be late or face higher authority that is known as Mitsuru Kirijo, they flipped a coin.
"Okay Junpei, I'm heads and you're tails, okay?"
"Sure. Loser has to face the stampede of kids, right?"
"Yeah, sure." Minato flips the coin into the air and grabs it by the back side of his hand. He opens it to reveal…heads!
"What? Oh man, I'm so going to get killed, aren't I?"
"No Junpei, you'll just be slightly bruised, but nothing too serious."
"Well…here goes nothing." Junpei rushes in to the front doors of the school. Meanwhile Minato smirks as he puts his double-headed coin back into his pockets.
"There you are you two. What took you so lon- Huh? Junpei? What happened to you?" asked Yukari.
"I rather not talk." said Junpei as he rubs his arms "But if you really want to know, go pick up Hamu-chan after her primary school ends."
Yukari decides not to ask any questions, but is concerned about Hamuko." Won't she get lonely by herself?"
Both Minato and Junpei look at each other and then to Hamuko who replies by saying, "That's alright. I can stay downstairs and do my homework."
Junpei scratches his head, Yukari looks worried, but Minato pats on his sister's head. "Well, if you're stuck on a problem, you can always ask me."
"But, aniki-"
"Don't worry, your nii-san will always be there for you, no matter how busy he'll get." said Minato with a serene smile.
"…Okay." Hamuko goes to the table to do her homework.
At the fourth floor, Ikutsuki (I think I got his name right!), Mitsuru, and Akihiko are waiting for the trio. After everyone is seated, Ikutsuki announces, "Good everyone is here. I would like your undivided attention." Ikutsuki clears his throat and says, "For the longest time, the only Persona users were Akihiko and Mitsuru. However, that number junped to five."
(Yup, the five of us.) thought Minato (This team includes some reckless pretty boy boxer, the princess of cold, a potential psychopath, a really nice guy who doesn't follow the rules, and me, a guy who borderlines on blacking out in the most inconvenient times.)
"Therefore, I like to commence the exploration of Tartarus starting at midnight." continued Ikutsuki.
"Hey Minato, what's Tartarus again?" asked Junpei
"Based on my knowledge so far…the nest of those monsters things."
"…He means the Shadow." said Akihiko who heard what Junpei asked. "And Arisato is right…it's a nest of those Shadows. The perfect place to train."
Yukari looks a bit worried. "But senpai, your injury…"
Mitsuru only gives out the smallest smirk and says "Since Akihiko hasn't recovered yet, he'll only come as far as the entrance."
Akihiko bit his lip and says in a disappointing tone, "I know."
"There, there, there, "said Ikustuki "I'm sure Akihiko won't complain as long as you don't go too far. Besides…Tartarus isn't exactly we have to avoid."
"Great…this sounds like that one game…what it was called again?" mumbled Minato.
"Don't know man, but I'm sure you're thinking of Nintendo." remarked Junpei "Hey, I got a question."
"Hmm…something that we didn't explained yet?" asked Mitsuru.
"Yeah…um…how are we supposed to get to this Tartarus place?" asked Junepi.
Akihiko looks at Junpei, then to Mitsuru, then to Junpei, and finally back to Mitsuru. "Yeah…how are we supposed to get there? Because, as much as I like to train, I REALLY don't feel like walking all the way there."
Mitsuru only responds by pulling out a plastic card, with her portrait picture that says…oh.
"That's right; Mitsuru received her driver's license last month. And I won a bus in an auction, so you guys can get there."
"…Why did you buy a bus?" asked Junpei.
"Just think of it as impulse buying."
At 11:00 P.M. Minato finishes up everything: sharpening his old sickle, wash his face to stave off his blackouts, prepare for stuff for school tomorrow, and tugging Hamuko to bed.
Junpei comes down to the lounge when he sees Minato with his sickle. "Dude, is that a scythe?" he asked astonishingly.
"Technically, it's a garden sickle, but yeah, it is a scythe."
"Dude…with that thing…you could be the next Grim Reaper." stated Junpei "But man…I didn't expect you to have something like that…especially with Hamu-chan around."
Minato smiles mischievously.
The bus ride is, to say the least, boring. The next 45 minutes Minato was listening to his music, specifically KawaitaSakebi by Field of Dreams and Voice by Cloud. He then sees a building that looks vaguely familiar. It didn't dawn on him until the group got closer. That is when Junpei voice Minato's question.
"What are we doing back to school?"
Everyone got out of the bus and wait. Minato and Junpei exchange each other looks of unease. That's when Minato's watch hand-scythes align themselves to 12…
…Within that time, the school crumbles down giving rise of a massive tower.
Minato is the first to recover from that shock and asks, "What the hell happened? Did we step into another dimension?"
"This…is Tartarus, the Labyrinth." said Mitsuru.
"…Hey…Minato…how did your nightmare ended?" asked Junpei.
"I…really don't remember. It was either being mauled by monsters or wander aimlessly and be trapped in there forever."
Inside was a clock-like entrance and a motorcycle hooked up to various equipments. Junpei commented on how cool it looks from the inside for it gives a calming, yet eerie atmosphere.
"This is only the entrance, so we need you three to get a feel of this place." said Mitsuru.
"What? By ourselves?" asked Yukari.
"Don't worry Yuka-tan. There was this one manga where the heroes are in a similar situation and had to scout not very far from their location." said Junpei who is nervously smiling.
Mitsuru can't help but chuckle at Junpei's statement. "You're absolutely right Iori. We just want you three to get a good feel of this place."
"What? Does that mean you won't be coming too?" asked Minato.
Akihiko each gives everyone an earpiece as a confirmation and said, "Outside help is pretty invaluable since this maze keeps changing. We also need to appoint someone as a leader for field operations."
"Really? Who? Pick me, me, me…" said Junpei like an excited school boy on his first day.
Akihiko glances to Junpei, then to Yukari, and then to Minato. "You'll be in charge." said Akihiko to Minato.
Junpei looks surprised, but Minato is shocked by this. "Why me? I mean, granted Junpei is easily excitable and Yukari is…Yukari, but why ME?"
"I know what you mean Minato. I mean you don't look anything like a leader."
"That's not the point Junpei." said Minato. He fell silent when he notices a velvet blue door with the exact shading of that key. He slowly walked over there while Akihiko is explaining why Minato should be leader. Minato pulls out the Velvet Key and sees a light.
Minato slowly walks over to see Igor by himself. Igor grins at Minato and says, "I've been waiting for you. The time for you to wield your power has come."
"Um…mind if I ask a quick question?"
"In time…but this tower you are about to venture to-How did it come to be? For what purpose does it exist? Regrettably, you're not capable of answering either of these questions." explained Igor "That is why you must be made aware of the nature of your power."
"Well…power is power. So long as I can control it, I should be fine."
"Exactly. However…your power is like the number zero…empty, but holds infinite possibilities."
"Wait…what in Shibuya's name does that mean?"
"Do not worry…you'll understand soon." Igor stops talking while looking at Minato expectantly. Minato is pretty clueless and his face is proof. Igor enlightens him by saying, "Didn't you have a question?"
"Huh? Oh, that! Um…yeah…where's Elizabeth? I don't see her anywhere."
"She…is dealing with…family affairs. Now you must go back. Your friends are waiting."
"Hey man, snap out of it! Can't make Hamu-chan worry about you again." Junpei tries to shake Minato several times until Minato regains focus.
"Junpei, you can stop now…"
"Oh, sorry man. But you were like a zombie, just staring into space."
"Yeah, is something wrong?" asked Yukari.
"…Nah, it's alright," said Minato as he picks up his sickle. He notices that Junpei is wielding a katana, although closer examination reveals that it's actually wooden.
"Dude, while you were out, Kirijo-senpai gave us some weapons to fight. Now lets go kick some ass!" Junpei heads to top of the entrance. Yukari looks at Minato and asks something.
"Hey, where did you get that sickle anyway?"
"Oh this? I ordered it from Tanaka's show, and no…it's not a rip-off. It's actually cheaper than the ones sold in stores," explained Minato. (Well actually I ordered it from Tanaka's show. You can get weapons without raising any suspicions.)
According to Mitsuru, they only have to explore the first floor. Minato realizes one thing…he shouldn't ate that fried rice for breakfast…it's not settling in well.
Inside the first floor, things seem pretty normal. If you count the blood splatter normal. Yukari flinches at the sight of it, Junpei stops but keeps going, and Minato isn't even looking at it. All of a sudden, they hear something. The group readies their weapons in case of a surprise attack. They glance out of the corner and proceed.
Swish…
Something is right behind the trio, but didn't notice. Slowly it crept up to Yukari…slowly and silently. The attack is almost perfect…almost.
"Turn around Yukari." said Minato without turning his back. Yukari wonders for s split second as to why…until she did what she was told.
Just in time to dodge! Junpei beats up that shadow with his wooden katana while Yukari fires some arrows at it. Soon the Cowardly Maya was vanquished.
"Can you hear me?" asked Mitsuru over the headset.
"Don't worry, we're fine." said Yukari "But a Shadow almost ambushed us. If it weren't for Minato…"
"I apologize. I should've warned you there was one approaching." said Mitsuru somberly.
"Its okay senpai." said Junpei "Though, dude, how did you know it was going to hit us from behind."
Minato looks at both of them and says, "When you're the janitor at an old movie theater at Friday nights, you'll learn a thing or two about creepers."
They continued their way when they see three more of these Mayas things. Junpei is the first to respond, by heading into the enemy while madly swinging his katana. Yukari sighs and mutters "Stupei…" and releases an arrow at one of them. There was only one more left until
Screech!
The Maya was so loud that it temporarily disables communication. But the real purpose was to call for help. Soon 5 more of these Mayas and some sort of glove appear. Minato pierces through the glove Shadow with his sickle and spins around to knock off the other Shadows. He stops and hits the floor with the glove Shadow still in. Minato releases his victim only to slash at it several times for good measure. He sees Junpei's katana breaking from all that pressure and Yukari backing away while trying to get some aim. Minato grabs his gun…the Evoker as the formal term…and points it to his head.
"Taste my opposite of suicide attack!" Minato pulls the trigger to bring forth Orpheus. He lands gracefully. Orpheus's eyes glow red as he raises his lyre and strums the strings. Orpheus quickly plays his instrument and a fire ball is launch to 4 out of 5 of those Shadows.
Only the glove Shadow got out of it. It clenches itself up and goes at high speed. It grabs Orpheus and tries to crush him. Minato tries to get Orpheus to cast that fire attack, but he wouldn't respond. In an attempt to get Orpheus, Junpei tries punching it while Yukari tries to snipe it down. Yukari misses that Shadow and nearly took out Orpheus's head out.
"Hey, leave my Persona alone!" shouted Minato to either that glove or Yukari.
…Maybe both, actually.
When that Shadow stops, Minato slams his scythe down to it with so much force. The force was so great that it split the blade part from its handle. The Shadow lets go of Orpheus as it struggles to get rid of the blade. Orpheus then proceeds to bash that Shadow to a pulp with its lyre.
Once everything is done, Mitsuru calls in. "Is everyone alright?"
Junpei is the first to answer and says, "Kinda senpai. Unfortunately, my katana and Minato's scythe just got busted."
Minato tries to catch his breath when his vision starts to get hazy. He hits himself to stay on track. (Shit not now…did using Orpheus aggravate my blackouts?)
"I suggest you take an Access Point. There should be one around the corner." stated Mitsuru. "I don't detect any enemies, so it's safe to split up."
The group decides to do what Mitsuru suggested. According to Minato's watch, they have been wandering around for 15 minutes. He soon realizes that he is going in a circle. He sees the handle and the blade of his cheap scythe. He was about to grumble when he hears Junpei yelling he found the Access Point.
At that moment, Junpei heads out on his own, so Minato, as much as he hates to, tells Yukari where the Access Point is because that is an obligation for a leader.
Yukari follows the directions given by her senpai. She should see Minato at the next corner and…huh? She felt something ran behind her. Maybe she's just being nervous, but just in case…
"Um…Kirijo –senpai…are there any more enemies?"
"Let me check." replied Mitsuru "…No, I'm not picking up anything…"
"Thank goodness." said Yukari "I guess Stupei was right about me being paranoid." She lowers her bow down and continues walking.
Big mistake…
Yukari didn't know what hit her, but a Shadow knocks her down. Yukari yelps as she struggles to get her Evoker. Just as she points it to her head, one of Shadow's hands grabbed her wrist and tries to move it to a new location. The Shadow attempts to strangle Yukari, but she is trying to block it with her free hand. This proves to be futile when the Shadow puts more pressure thus she can't resist much longer.
"Hey Shadow! Over here!" shouted Minato's voice. Yukari glance back to see him…without a weapon and looks tired. "Don't worry, I got this under control!" But his thought say differently (Actually, I don't know what else am I supposed to do. I doubt I have the strength to summon Orpheus again, my scythe was destroyed, and I don't think Junpei can get here on time. All I have is something to stab at.)
The Shadow must have been a mind reader because it's goes to back to trying to strangle Yukari. Minato frowns and sigh.
"This…guess I better use that technique…even though it's been 3 years since I last used it…" Once again, Minato tries to get the Shadow's attention by throwing 10 yen coin at it. The Shadow looks at Minato annoyed.
Minato sighs as he waves his hand right in front of his face. Slowly, as the hand passes through his face, he changes his expression from the usual tired and stoic expression…to a more sinister and insane look. He is smiling like the devil who is torturing his victims; his eyes are that of a madman bent on total power never blinking and are very red.
The Shadow, for the first time, feels an emotion. The emotion of fear…
It knew it should run away, but found itself it can't. The mask just keeps staring, not even trying to strangle Yukari anymore. With each step Minato takes, the Shadow stiffens more and more…until…
Minato stabs at the Shadow with the blade of the scythe he was hiding it from behind. He proceeds to kick the Shadow out of Yukari and slowly walks over to it. The Shadow tries to get up, but Minato pins it down and stabs at it multiple times. The Shadow is screaming so much that one thought it was saying, "p-pplease…j-just k-k-kill…me…n-n-now…JUST KILL ME NOW!"
As soon as Minato finishes killing the lifeless form, he gasps for oxygen and notices his uniform was stained by the black fluids from the Shadow. He glances over to see Yukari…holding her breath. Yukari couldn't help but flinch when she sees Minato looking at her.
"Get up. I don't want to deal more of these." said Minato with his back turned. Yukari promptly gets to the Access Point. Minato hears the sound to confirm it.
"Arisato, are you alright? Takeba is back on the first floor." said Mitsuru.
"Y-yeah Mitsuru-senpai, I'm…coming…down…now…" Minato puts his stoic expression back and staggers toward the Access Point.
Akihiko and Mitsuru barely catch Minato as he fell from the Access Point. They both question what happened in Tartarus. All Minato could say were something about Shadows seeing someone smiling evilly. They carry him to the bus where Yukari and Junpei are asleep on the seats.
Back at the dorm, Minato, Yukari, and Junpei struggled just to get back at their rooms. Minato had it worst since his mind feels so drained and the halls seem to get darker. He feels it is so tempting to just blackout onto the floor.
(No, Hamuko might get worry. I…can't…make her…worry…) surprisingly, Minato reaches his room and collapses. Before going out he thought (Damn it, I did it worse. Maybe tonight isn't the same as the others, but I always grit your my for my sister's sake. It'll….be just…like any other…night…)
Orpheus is bandaging his mechanical body. He grumbles about stuff…
Orpheus: Great just great. Let see how crappy my life was. My wife died, had my head chopped off, been put into a body if questionable durability, got torn off from the inside out by Thanatos, nearly got crushed by a GLOVE of all things, nearly lose my head to that psychotic girl, and my master is just too attached to his sister. Oh wait disclaimer
Disclaimer: Observer still doesn't own Persona, but makes me say something witty.
Orpheus: Oh well, Devil May Cry 4 will make everything better. Although s/he has another question: Was it a bold (and potentially bad) move to make Minato somewhat an insane man. Cause the Observer likes the idea of Minato having two sides. The nice, stoic, and brotherly person you have come to know and love with a hint of over protectiveness for his sister and the crazy and sadistic boy. Also s/he notices that s/he mentions Hamuko in every chapter. Is that a good thing or bad thing? Cause s/he is still a newbie but really wants to improve their story. Guess they're insecure and really doesn't want to rewrite the whole thing. They'll continue on as it goes, so please settle into this roller coaster ride. Until my next screen time, see ya.
…Wait… when the hell I will talk again?