A/N Warning disturbing images in the second half of this chapter, Or to quote my cousin as soon as she got to that bit.

"Oh my god, what the hell is wrong with your brain? This is creepy." I don't think its very, very bad, but she told me to put the warning up anyway and I do see her point. So never mind me, ENJOY!

The ominous green glow of the moon only seemed to highlight the shimmering silver hair and the yellow, dangerous eyes of the man I loathed more than any other.

Takaya.

He was shirtless, as usual. His tattooed arms stood out dramatically against his pale skin. I saw a flash of silver in his hand and froze. He was carrying the same revolver that he had used to gun Shinji down. I felt sick to my stomach just looking at it.

His blue haired companion Jin, or little lap-dog is what I like to call him, was standing by his side with that God-awful green jacket and black glasses on. He was carrying a silver briefcase in one hand and what looked like … a gun in the other.

I heard someone clear their throat and looked to the source of the sound; Takaya.

He had his hand up to his mouth, the one with the revolver. When he moved it away his face set into a look of revulsion.

I go to move towards him, but a hand catches my arm, I turn to see Akihiko holding on to me and shaking his head. He was mouthing, 'Not yet.'

"So, you came." Takaya's voice echoes in the silence. "Not that I'm at all surprised, you have all been trained to obey orders most profusely. Could I compare you to a pack of loyal dogs?"

Koromaru growls threateningly. I grit my teeth in anger and strain against Akihiko's grip. How dare that bastard….

"Still…" He raises his arms up into a nonchalant shrug, "I cannot blame you, this is your last chance after all… you know the significance of today, do you not?"

He studies our group for reactions, when we don't move, he continues.

"You claim you hunt the Shadows to prevent the disaster they bring… yet countless lives are lost each day, without their intervention."

I feel the others start to tense up beside me. I look over to see Ken with a frustrated expression on his face.

I look back at Takaya to see him smirking smugly. I narrow my eyes. Never have I felt such hate to another person… and for some reason it scared me a little. I wanted to do more than physically injure him, I wanted to be the one to make him suffer hell. I wanted to make him beg and plead for his life… and then take it away.

I tried to shake those thoughts from my head as he continued his speech.

"The power we wield is not itself evil.. you cannot deny this." His eyes narrowed until they started to resemble crescent moons. "So why don't you just admit it? You do not wish to eliminate the Dark Hour…you are merely deceiving yourselves…"

I shake my head furiously and Akihiko's hold tightens. "That's not true, it's nothing but a lie!"

His yellow eyes widened and fixed on me. I stared back into his eyes. There was no way I would look away first, I wasn't going to back down to this.. monster.

His expression shifted into one of contempt. "Look inside yourself, little girl, and you shall see that, I , am not the one who is lying."

I began to lost control of my temper. "What did you say to me?! You motherfuc…!" But that was when Takaya took his revolver and lazily pointed it at me. I froze in place. If this encounter had been over a month ago I would have debated whether or not he had the balls to do it… but I knew he did… and I'm guessing he would shot me right this second if I made a wrong move… even if he had known I was pregnant.

Takaya chuckled darkly. "My, my what language, didn't your mother or father ever teach you to mind your manners…and respect your elders? Even so, I'm sure it wouldn't have made a difference, because I can see for what you really are.. all of you. You are nothing more than foolish children, playing a very dangerous game."

His grin disappears and his face sets into a hard expression. "Erasing the Dark Hour, is the same as erasing yourselves." He scoffs to himself. "Tch. Is even this beyond your comprehension?"

"You're insane." I turned my head to see the person who had spoken, it had been Mitsuru.

"What rubbish, 'erasing the Dark Hour is the same as erasing yourselves?'" Mitsuru shakes her head, "It is not our Powers that define us, it is who we are as people that sets us on our path, it's as simple as that. Our Personas are a part of us… they are not us, not entirely. Why do you not understand this?"

Takaya looks at Mitsuru scornfully, and then shakes his head, sighing heavily. "It seems I was too late to show you the way, the truth… as I truly believed, our goals are irreconcilable."

Without looking at his companion he says, "Jin…"

Jin looks at Takaya, then to our group and then back at Takaya again. He narrows his eyes and with a irritated voice says, "Forget these maggots, they don't have a clue what they are saying, we'll show them what happens when you mess with us."

Junpei takes a step forward, his face furious. "Who the hell you callin' 'maggots' four-eyes!"

Takaya smiles smugly. "Fate shall decide who will prevail." He reaches his arm out and beckons us forward. "…Come, let us see who destiny is smiling upon."

(Ok, just try to imagine, 'An Unavoidable battle' is playing in the background when you read this, I listened to the song for inspiration during this bit)

Junpei, Akihiko, Yukari and I, all prepared ourselves and quickly made our way towards Strega. I heard Fuuka's voice ring in my head. "Ok everyone, these two mean business, so fight hard. But remember to be careful!"

I nod, "Gotcha." And the fight begins

I decide to summon Thor and I raise my evoker to my head and yell, "Persona!"

A burst of blue and Thor appears before us. He raises his hammer above his head and struck both Takaya and Jin in a vicious strike.

Akihiko manages to move in quickly while they are stunned with a strike attack against Jin, which knocks him to his knees. Yukari is in next and attacks Jin again using her bow.

When Yukari moves back, Jin struggles to his feet. He laughs, though obviously in pain. "You.. think that.. hurts?! It barely tickles!"

I see both Yukari and Akihiko grit their teeth in anger at being mocked. Junpei puts his evoker to his head, "I'll really give you somethin' to laugh at, lap-dog!"

There is a burst of blue light and Hermes appears. He attacks Jin with Torrent shot. Jin sways but stays on his feet. He gives Junpei a look of fury.

Takaya steps forward, "And now, you shall be judged." He suddenly grips his head in what looked like pain. There is a sound like a gun- shot and a burst of red light. A Persona raised from his body. It looked like a corpse with wings and a mask over its eyes. Takaya looked up and grinned. "Hypnos, Agidyne!"

The persona raised its hands and a burst of fire shot out. We quickly jumped out of the way, but Yukari was too slow and was hit by the flames. She frantically started patting her flaming shirt. Akihiko helps her put the flames out, but she still seems to be in considerable pain. Takaya was chuckling merrily, as if watching some Saturday morning cartoon.

Jin brought his gun up and pointed it at his head. I stared at him in horror, what is he doing?!

His smile became more twisted when he saw my face, "Play time's over kiddies, it's time for the real deal!" He pulls the trigger… and instead of him falling to the floor dead, there is a burst of red light and a metallic persona appears.

My jaw drops, Jin has an evoker?! When did he get it?!

Jin points to Takaya. "Moros, Takukaja!" The Persona whirls its arms around and a beam of yellow light surrounded Takaya. Fuukas voice rings in my head. "Takayas attack has been raised, watch out!"

"Damn it." I mutter. I look between both members of Strega, time to go all out.

For a lot of our battle, it's us trying to avoid Takayas attacks and desperately trying to hit him, but the bastard is quick on his feet. It isn't until sometime later that Junpei manages to hit him with a Kill Rush attack. Takaya sways on his feet disoriented. Jin rushes to steady him and glares at Junpei with a look off otter loathing. "You're gonna pay for that, asshole!"

Jin takes something round out his pocket and releases a pin on the top. He throws it at our group. It starts to beep

"Bomb!" Akihiko yells and we try to dive out of the way, but it hits Junpei in the chest and explodes, throwing him back.

"Jun!" I cry and run towards him.

"Oh no you don't!" Jin yells and summons his Persona, Moros, again.

"Agidyne!" I turn to see the metallic Persona raise its palm out and flames shot from them. I dive and hit the floor, hard. The flames fly over my head and I grab my stomach as it starts to throb painfully. I start to mutter comfort to myself, "You're ok, you're ok, just… get up Minako." I rose painfully to my feet and staggered over to Junpei, who was holding his head in his hands and groaning.

"Jun, are you ok?" I pant, my hand still clutching my stomach.

"Yep.." He groans, as he starts to get to his feet. "If ok means feeling like you were hit by a truck… while having a hangover, then I'm just dandy."

I giggle a little but hiss when muscles in my abdomen start to flex. Junpei face instantly changes from groggy to concerned.

"What's wrong?" He whispered.

I open my mouth ,but the pain hits me again and I double over.

"Mina, what's happening?" Junpei said urgently. I cling to his arm and shut my eyes

" Nothing, its fine. I just had to hit the dirt, and fast." I pant. "Aki.. and Yukari.. need us."

"But the baby…"

"I know… I know… but we are needed, NOW." He glances to the battle field, where Yukari and Akihiko are desperately trying to hold their own and then back at me. He nods

"Ok…. fine… but tell me if it hurts more ok…?"

I nod," Fine.."

I look up to see Takaya watching me, my arm falls from my stomach and he only gives me smugger smile… an almost… knowing smile. I shake my head, wanting to erase his face from my mind and we run back over to the battle field, me trying not to look weak by clutching my stomach.

Jin laughs as we approach. "About goddamn time, I'm sick of playing this little game, step it up a bit!" He turns to Junpei. "Nice job with taking my bomb so agreeably, you know, most people want to DODGE bombs for some bizarre reason, but I guess there really is no cure for stupidity."

Jun growls in anger, "You little punk.." And the battle starts again

We manage almost three turns of none of our team being hit with an attack and even better, Yukari was able to heal both me and Jun a little. Jun looks 100 times better than before and as for me, it took most of the pain away. This change in situation only frustrated Jin more and interested Takaya more.

Takaya raises his revolver in the air, "Well, it seems you have more than just luck on your side! So be it!"

He loaded his gun and fired at Akihiko. He jumped out of the way just in time, as the bullet flew past his ear. I sighed in relief.

Yukari summons Io and attacks Jin again. This had been our first strategy. Jin seemed like we would want to protect Takaya at all times, so taking him out so Takaya would be alone, was our top priority.

Jin slumps down, obviously exhausted. Junpei sees his chance and runs at him with his sword held high, "This is revenge, asshole!" . He brings it hold on Jin and knocks him flat onto his back.

Jin tries to pull himself up but collapses.

"Son… of a… bitch…" He mutters in rage before falling unconscious.

Jun smirks in triumph, "Oh, I'm sorry, I thought most people DODGED giant swords that are coming at them." We all wooped in appreciation.

Suddenly a huge ball of fire was flying out into our direction, and hit Akihiko in the side. He yelped in pain and ripped the burning jumper off his back.

I looked back at Takaya, who looked furious. "Do not get complacent, you have not won!"

"…Yet." I say tauntingly.

Takaya fixes me with a sly look. "…How are you feeling, my dear? A little… sickly?"

I glowered at him and grip my javelin tighter, "My health is none of your concern, asshole!"

His expression glazes over, "I'm just concerned for you, that is all… should you really be fighting, in your 'condition'?"

I stared unblinkingly into his face, and his looked right back, with that expression of pretend concern…He knew.

I shake myself and play dumb. "If you mean the fall, then you are sadly mistaken. It takes more than a little tumble to knock me out!"

A thoughtful look crossed his features and then it changes back to smug.

"It is never good to lie, my dear, or keep secrets…"

"Shut up!" I yell at him. "Quit your blabbering and fight!"

"Very well, and if you are wondering… I have very, very good hearing."

I grind my teeth in fury… shit he heard Junpei… but how…?... His Persona? I shake my head to try and stay focused.

We lay into him after that, and it seems that without his little lap-dog, he is all bark and no bite. Thor hit him with a final vicious strike before he fell to his knees.

I look at Akihiko and nod, giving him permission for the honour of the last blow. Aki stalks up to the bastard , grabs him by the throat, bends him to his level and almost too quiet to hear, he says. "This, is for all the shit you have caused." He then punches Takaya in the jaw, a crunching noise is heard, and Takaya cries out.

Aki pulls back and says, "This, is for the people you have hurt."

He punched him in the gut, and Takaya grunts in pain.

Aki holds his fist up one last time, "And this, is for Shinji, you motherfucker!"

He brought his fist down onto Takaya's nose, and another audible crunching noise echoes on the bridge.

Aki releases his grip and Takaya falls onto his back, unconscious.

Aki was panting and beads of sweat were dripping down his forehead.

I walk over to him slowly and place my hand on his arm. He looks around and I give him a small smile, which he returns. No words need to be said, we know just how much getting justice meant to each other.

I hear someone come up behind us and we turn to see Mitsuru standing there. She smiles at us and says loudly, addressing the whole group. "Well done everyone, we are nearly at the end, just a little more and it's all over."

I nod and Akihiko follows after Mitsuru, who is heading over to laughing Fuuka and Aigis. I wander over to stare over the barrier of the bridge. The river had changed to a blood red colour. It unnerved me, to see something that is usually so beautiful, change to look so sinister… the same could be said for people, I guess.

I feel a hand on my shoulder, I don't have to turn to know who it is.

"Hey, Jun."

He steps forward to stand beside me. He takes his hat off and wipes his forehead with his sleeve and then replaces it on his head.

"You hot or something?"

He grins cheekily. "Yeah, I am pretty hot…"

I groan at his failure of a joke. "I thought I told you to stop reading pun books".

He fakes a doleful look, "Aww, but they are so… punny."

I slap his arm, while he laughs at me. His chuckles trail off and he glances around. I copy him and see that we are pretty much on our own as the others are standing in small groups a short distance away.

I sigh, I know what's coming now.

Junpei looks back at me. "Mina, are…"

"I'm fine, I'm fine. I'm not in pain anymore. I think I just hurt my stomach, that's all.

He doesn't look convinced. "Are you sure? People usually make quite a big deal about when pregnant women fall."

I throw my hands up in irritation. "For God's sake Jun, that's only for women that are further on than me, I'm only 5 weeks along!"

"I'm only trying to help, you don't have to snap at me!"

I cover my face with my hands and sigh. When I look up again, Junpei is staring out into the distance with an unreadable expression on his face.

I look at the floor." Yeah, I know Jun, I'm sorry. I-I.. just feel a little…"

"Minako-san? Junpei-kun?"

We spin around to see Aigis standing behind us.

"I apologize if I've startled you, but Strega are coming around."

I turn to see our group huddled around the two members. Both Jin and Takaya were starting to stir. I immediately made my way over to the others, Aigis and Junpei right behind me.

For some reason I began shaking a little in anticipation. Jin was the first to come around. He sat up and held his head in his hands. He started talking to himself.

"How… how… is their power really THAT different than ours?"

Mitsuru raises an eyebrow. "What do you mean by… 'different'?"

Jin glares up at her. "For us, it's not that simple, our Personas have to be forced out." He shook his head, like he was dealing with stupid people. He then glared at Akihiko.

"Didn't your pal tell you? The guy with that stupid beanie."

Akihiko freezes at his words, he looks ill and a minute later, in a voice that sounded… strangled he says, "It was you… you were the ones giving Shinji those pills… you… you… were the ones who were k-killing him.."

Mitsuru looks sharply at Akihiko, "What pills? What are you talking about?"

Akihiko is visibly shaking by now.

"Akihiko! Explain yourself!" Mitsuru says in a voice colder than ice.

Akihiko audibly swallows. "Pills… pills that control a persons Persona. They stop Personas from becoming uncontrollable. Shinji was taking them… because he was afraid the same thing that happened to Ken's Mum would happen again."

Yukari ponders this over. "So these drugs just… stop Personas?

Akihiko shakes his head. "No, they don't stop Personas from existing, they just stop them from going wild. But… there are bad side effects."

"What side effects?" I ask quietly. Akihiko turns to me.

"They… they… wreck the immune system of the… taker… and they end up… dying at a much younger age."

I shake my head. "No, no… Shinji wouldn't… he… he.. wouldn't do that."

Akihiko grits his teeth. "Don't be naïve, you must have noticed… he was ill… very ill. And if you ever asked him what was wrong, he would just shrug you off, right?"

Unable to hold Akihiko's gaze any longer I look at the ground.

I know what he is saying is true… I knew something was wrong, He just never wanted to tell me, always changing the subject if I brought his health up. I close my eyes to rid the stinging sensation from them.

I hear someone scoffing, I open my eyes to look at Jin. He was watching us scornfully.

"You guys don't have the slightest clue what will happen if the Dark Hour disappears, do you? It won't matter for normal people anyway since they don't remember anything… but for us-"

"That's enough."

Takaya had come around and was beginning to pull himself up to his feet. When he was standing he turned to face us. He was out of breath and breathing deeply.

"Now, then… ordinarily, we'd withdraw… but not tonight." He stands up taller."This body, as ephemeral as it is…it is worthless without my power."

He picks up the evoker that was lying on the ground. "I shall prove my existence here and now!" He raises the evoker to his head.

Jin's expression suddenly changes to one of panic. "Takaya!" He moves forward just as Takaya pulled the trigger and knocked it from his hand.

Takaya stared at him in amazement. "What are you doing?!"

Jin grinded his teeth together. "Don't be so reckless! You're body is exhausted, summoning Hypnos now would only kill you! It would be as bad as surrendering, too die by their hands now!"

Jin started to pull Takaya towards the barriers of the bridges and turned to face us.

"You win.." Jin said, "Looks like you get your wish, now go do what you came for." They backed up until their legs hit the metal barrier. Their actions suddenly dawned on me… and apparently, I wasn't the only one.

"Wait!" Junpei yelled, his eyes wide. "Don't tell me you maniacs are gonna jump..!"

I felt myself begin to shake, strange emotions were running through my head. I'm lost in my thoughts. The sentence, 'They haven't suffered' was running through my brain. They knew the Dark Hour hurt people… killed people, and yet they cherish it, like a birthday or … holiday. They had hurt Shinji. More than once. They knew selling Shinji those pills would kill him… but they did it anyway. And then they tried to kill him, to make him an example to what happens to those that go against their cause.

I hadn't fully gotten my vengeance for all the pain they had caused … and now they thought they could die with… honour?

The edges of my vision began to darken, until the thing I saw in front of me was Strega.

I shook my head slowly from side to side. "No." I murmured

Jin bottom lip curled up as he looked at Junpei. "I'd rather die by my own hands than surrender to you."

"No." I said a little louder, but no one heard me. My gaze dropped to the floor and I saw a flash of silver; Takaya's revolver… the one used to hurt Shinji.

Jin narrowed his eyes. "You were strong, but you are nothing compared to the trials we have faced! You are nothing more than another sand dune in life's desert! Karma will come back to bite you in the ass, long after we are gone."

"No." I said in a normal talking voice. Junpei, Akihiko and Yukari turn to look at me.

"No. What?" Yukari says. I don't answer her, I barely even heard her, I continue to stare ahead, and I look into the eyes of the monster who stole part of my future from me.

Jin spread both his arms out. "Take a good look, this, is how we live!"

"NO , NO, NO!" I screamed. I lurched forward and grabbed the gun from the floor and pointed it at Jin and Takaya.

"Don't move! If you don't want to die by my hand, then don't you fucking move!"

Time just seemed to slow down then.

Jin face was frozen in a look of surprise.

Takaya's face remained smooth and unemotional.

And my friends were rooted to the spot in shock, but I didn't care. My full attention was on Takaya.

"Did you honestly think you would get away without any punishment. Hmm? Did you really think I would just stand by while you got to die the way YOU wanted… No, no… no I don't think so."

I straightened the barrel up so it pointed between Takaya's eyes.

"You have haunted my thoughts for weeks. Do you even realize the damage you have done? I almost lost my mind… all… because… of you."

I smile darkly at him and my voice becomes quiet and dangerous. "But it doesn't matter now, because I can fi-na-lly get my revenge, and look, using the same gun that you used to hurt Shinji… irony is a bitch, isn't it?"

"Do it." Takaya whispers, " When blood has been spilled, only more blood will flow after."

I quiver in anticipation.

"M-mina! W-what the hell are you doing!?" Junpei stutters beside me.

"What does it look like Jun?" I whisper, not taking my eyes of Takaya.

"Think about what you're doing! If you kill him, how will you live with yourself? You'll have murdered someone in cold blood. Shinjiro wouldn't want this…" His voice drops to a whisper, "… and your child wouldn't want their mother to be a murderer."

I shake my head. "The baby never has to know, I'll just say, 'Mummy took care of it… and I will… and then it will finally be my turn to laugh.'"

His eyes widened and his jaw quivered in horror. " …I didn't know… I-I didn't know you were this far gone… I've failed… my God… I've failed you."

"No, Junpei… you didn't fail me, you gave me something precious… HOPE… hope so I would stay alive, so I would find this animal… and put him down."

I cocked the gun and smiled. "Goodbye… you monster…"

A shot rang out over the bridge.

Takaya swayed left and right before tumbling off the bridge into the blood red river. I heard the splash and let out a breath I had been holding. My eyes flickered to Jin and my body began to quiver again. I raised the gun again. I smiled

"I think… the devil needs a little dog… to keep him company in hell."

I fired the gun again… and it hit Jin right in the heart. He clutched his chest and looked up at me with terrified eyes. Blood dribbled from his mouth as he tried to speak, but the sound of an another gun-shot cut him off. This one hit him in the neck. His mouth opened and closed, like a fish, trying to breathe. He stumbled backwards and fell from the bridge and unlike Takaya, was probably dead when he hit the water.

I felt my head droops forward and my shoulders shake in silent laughter. I don't know how long I stood like this, until I heard a terrified voice speak.

"M-m-minako-S-san, a-are you a-alright?"

I slowly turned and looked through my fringe to see a petrified looking Fuuka staring at me. I slowly stood up straight, with my hair still covering my face.

"I'm just finnneeee, Fuuka. Any particularly unusually amazingly strange reason, you are asking m-m-me?

She shook her head slowly and whispered. "No."

I felt myself slowly smile again. " Actually? You know something? I am rrrreeaaallllyyy good. But my body feelllls kinda sleepy… and quivery." I giggle a little. "It actually feels… pretty good."

I move my head limply from side to side. "You know…. I'm almost j-j-jealous of Takaya, you know whyyyy?" I gaze at the others, "WELLL? ?"

They shake their heads stiffly. I giggle and I start to sway from side to side. "Cause old Takayas, got a little doggy to follow him ANYWHERE he goes… even hell." I point to myself. "I haven't got that… No loyal c-companion for me! I…" I pause mid-sentence. "…Waity waity wait a second."

My gaze flickers between my friends until it lands on Junpei, I point at him. "You."

Junpei swallows… someone would think he was scared.

"M-me?"

I nod. "You are my watchdog!" I try to walk forward but sway violently. "Y-YOU… you, you, you." A laugh builds up in my throat. "You s-said you wanted to help me, help me get better."

I spread my arms and whisper. "I'm all better now…" My gaze meets his. "Don't you think so?"

He stares at me and he balls his trembling hands into fists. " You k-killed them… you shot them… in cold blood…" His whole body is trembling now. "W-why… it didn't have to be like… like THIS."

I lower my arms, I shake my head and my hand with the gun begins to twitch . "You don't understand Junny. Yes it did. I c-couldn't let them leave… you have to understand that? Right? They would have come back again… they would laugh again…" I grind my teeth together and turn away from the others .

"You don't understand. do y-you? You never will." I close my eyes and clutch my head in my hand. "They…wouldn't… stop… laughing. T-they wouldn't get out of my head, all day… all night, they w-were there."

I turn to Akihiko hopefully. "You must get it! Didn't their faces haunt you!"

Akihiko's expression hardened. "Yes… yes…"

I release a relieved breath. "SEE… see… even…"

Akihiko cuts me off with a cold voice. "But, I would never have done… THIS! I would never have used Shinji's name to… honour… murder!"

I begin to shake again. I look from face to face and I see the same expressions over and over; fear and revulsion. I spot Ken, who was holding onto Mitsuru's blouse.

"K-ken.. don't you g-get it" I whisper. Ken only clutches tighter to Mitsuru and in turn, she pushes Ken behind her.

My shoulders slump and I fall to my knees. "W-why… why…" I stutter and quiver on the spot.

" But I-I… did it for him. It wasn't wrong, I-I KNOW it wasn't wrong." No one moves doesn't move

My head twitchily turns back to Junpei. I reach out to him with my free hand.

"Please… p-please… h-help me…"

A tortured look crosses his face… but it eventually hardens and he stares into my face.

"No."

My eyes widen and my heart misses a beat. "… W-what.. ?" I shake my head. "B-but, y-you said that you would a-always help me…. you said y-you'd always be there… you would save m-me… you promised…"

He took a deep, shaky breath and his lips set into a straight line. " You're right, I promised Mina that… but… I don't know who you are anymore".

My jaw slackens and twitches. I shakily retract my arm. I look to my other 'friends' but they all have seemed to have taken a couple of steps back from me.

I lower my head and I rise shakily to my feet. My eyes flicker to each person's face. "So be it."

I raise the gun and point it at Junpei.

There is an audible gasp from the others. Junpeis mouth drops and I saw fear in his features. He held up his hands as if in surrender.

"W-woah, woah, what the hell are you doing?!"

"You'll tell… you'll tell. I won't be locked away." I rest my hand on my stomach. "My baby needs me."

"Minako-san, calm down, Junpei has done nothing to harm you!"

"Minako-chan", please stop this! You don't want to hurt him!"

"Mina! Please, don't hurt him!"

"Minako, get a grip! Shinji would be disgusted!"

"Arisato, Cease this at once! Do not act on impulse!"

"…*Whine*."

I ignore their pleas. I cock the gun.

Junpei shakes his head. "No, no, Minako stop… Mina… Mina… Miiinaa…. MINAKO!

.

.

.

.

…Huh..?

My eyelids flutter and I slowly open them. My vision is blurry and I feel that I'm lying on a hard surface. When my vision starts to clear, I sse Akihiko is on his knees supporting the upper half of my body and Junpei and the others are standing over me with worried expressions.

"Oh, thank God!" Yukari said covering her heart with her hand.

"W-what, w-what…" I murmur. I try to move but Akihiko holds me in place. Mitsuru starts to speak.

"Arisato, can you hear me?"

"Yep…" I say a little louder. I try to struggle from Akihiko's grip but he holds tight

" Relax, Arisato, If you are wondering what happened, you passed out, just as Strega jumped from the bridge." Mitsuru soothes me.

"Yeah. " Akihiko says, "I caught you before you hit the ground, but… you were twitching and shaking, like you were having some kind of seizure."

I opened my eyes fully. "R-really?"

"Yes." Mitsuru says.

I let out a laugh of relief and cover my face with my hands. "Thank God…"

I hear confused mutterings all around me, and I lower my hands and smile up at everyone.

"Well, Akihiko-senpai, you gonna carry me around or are you gonna help me up?"

Aki grins. "I might do neither if you're not polite to me."

But, like a gentleman, he helps me to my feet.

"Are you sure you're ok, Minako-chan?" I turn to Fuuka. I smile

"I'm fine… just a little… em… shocked."

She nods in understanding.

I take a deep breath. "So, what happened after I passed out?"

"Well, as you know, Strega jumped over the barrier, but we haven't seen them come up since… so… we think they…" Yukari trails off, looking uncomfortable.

Ken shakes his head. "What were they thinking..?"

Akihiko stares out at the river. "Don't let it get to you, they choose their own fate."

I see a hand grip Akihiko's shoulder and I turn to see Mitsuru

"…The operation has only begun. Focus on that, alright?" He nods sullenly

Mitsuru turns to Fuuka. "Is it still here ,Yamagishi?"

Fuuka nods. "Yes, it isn't moving at the moment… it will be all over if we can defeat it."

Mitsuru turns to me. "Are you in any condition to fight?"

I nod determinedly. "I'm not bailing out now."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

She nods. "Very well, let's prepare for battle."

I decide to stick with my same team from before, and we mentally prepare ourselves.

Mitsuru stands in front of us. "Ok, let's go."

We move further onto the bridge.

I walk behind the others with Junpei again… thinking about my dream.

Could I truly have done that..? Could I have… killed Takaya and Jin if given the chance?... Before I had woken up… I would have hurt Junpei. I shiver.

What the hell is wrong with me?

"Junpei?" I ask nervously.

He turns to me. "Yeah, man?"

"I have to talk to you about something… something you might not like."

He became instantly alert. "What's wrong?"

I sigh. "Nothing's… wrong… but…"

I don't get to finish my sentence. We hear a giant roar from above us.

We'd found the Shadow. Akihiko, Yukari, Junpei and I, prepare ourselves once again.

Fuuka's voice rings in our heads. "This is it. I'll do everything in my power to help you… Just be careful."

We nod and rush in as the creature roared… the Final Battle has begun.