Chapter 10: The Trip Down Memory Lane & the Spear of Justice
Gekkoukan High
"Wonder what Teddie's doing at home?" Yosuke asked while yawning widely.
"Cover your mouth when you yawn Yosuke, geez. Well I bet that Teddie's probably taking a nap or something, he doesn't have much to do anyways right?" Chie answered him.
"Guess so, nyway' where's Souji?" Yosuke looked around.
"Oh Souji-kun mentioned that he's joining a club, Yukiko is with him too." Chie replied.
"So he's with Yukiko huh? Man they're tight." Yosuke grinned, remembering last night's incident.
"And just what do you mean by 'tight'?" Chie frowned at him.
Yosuke quickly look away. "It's nothing y'know ha-ha. Not like they're together or anything." Yosuke whistled nervously.
Crap I've said too much, Souji's gonna skin me alive. Yosuke turned to saw Chie looking surprised.
"You know something don't you Yosuke?" Chie gave him a reprimanding look.
Déjà vu ..."Of course not, I mean like ha-ha, how should I know if Souji likes Yukiko or not?" Yosuke bit his tongue as he continued to dig his grave deeper.
Chie wanted to ask more but then she saw Naoto walking towards them.
"Yosuke-Senpai, Chie-Senpai. Going back to the dorm already?" Naoto bowed a bit at them.
"Hmm think so Naoto-kun. We wanted to wait for Souji-kun and Yukiko but I think they're going to be late. Where's Kanji-kun and Rise-chan?" Chie asked her normally, she had already forgiven Naoto about yesterday's incident.
"Ah yes, Kanji-kun said something about joining the sewing club and Rise-chan already went off. She has an interview with the local media this evening." Naoto answered.
"So it's just us then. Hey, anybody seen Aigis-chan? Come to think of it I don't think she attended school today." Yosuke scratched his head.
"Yeah you're right...Who knows, maybe she has her reasons." Chie shrugs.
"Then let us be off, I don't want us to miss the bus." Naoto opened her shoe locker.
"Hmm, what's this?" Naoto reached inside her locker and grabbed what looked like a letter. She opened and read it quietly. "...Tsk..." She frowned.
"What's wrong Naoto-kun? Hey, what's that letter?" Yosuke turned to look at the letter Naoto was holding.
"I-it's nothing Senpai." She quickly hid the letter in her bag.
"Ooo I get it, it's a love-love letter ey?" Yosuke winked and shoved Naoto lightly.
"T-That's not it! Geez, it's nothing Senpai, it's just a junk mail." Naoto adjusted her cap.
"'Love-Love'? Seriously where'd you learn all this corny words Yosuke?" Chie shook her head.
"Let's move now Senpais' or we'll miss the bus." Naoto reminded them and they left school.
Paulownia Mall
Aigis carefully lay Teddie down on a bench and turned to the dog that followed her from the TV World. "Koromaru make sure you guard him properly O.K.?" Aigis told it and Koromaru barked energetically in response.
Aigis took out her cell phone. "...This is me again. I wanted to make confirmation that the TV World does exist; I have seen it with my own eyes."
"I see...Good work Aigis, if what you've said is true then we might have a breakthrough on the murder cases here."
"Yes I believe so too. The oddness of the time and place of the murders could be explained through that world."
"Yes, I'll immediately inform Akihiko of this information. Besides that, I wanted to inform you of a change in the test sequence."
"Change? Will we not be testing Chie-san's ability tomorrow?"
"About that...It seems another one of our comrade has already arrived in Port Island. He insisted on meeting this one particular person after he had read her data."
"Where is he?"
"I do not where he is now but I think he's already made his moves. I want you to witness their battle tonight."
"Who is this comrade of ours and the person he is testing?"
"You'll see soon enough, I think Koromaru would be excited to see him again. Go to Gekkoukan High tonight, he will be there."
"Understood."
Aigis ended the call and stared at Koromaru as he licked Teddie's face to wake him up.
Gekkoukan High
"So what sort of club are you joining Souji-kun?" Yukiko asked Souji as they scan through the notice board for available clubs.
"I don't know, but I guess I have to join one sports club and one cultural club I guess." He remembered his times at Yasogami High.
"Well we entered a bit later than the other students so I don't think there'd be that many clubs left open for registration..." Yukiko told him.
"Hmm, you're right..." Souji could see that a lot of the clubs are full.
"How 'bout this one Souji-kun?" Yukiko pointed to the Agriculture club.
"...I'll pass." Souji denied the thought of farming as a club activity.
"This one sounds good, Tea Ceremony?" Yukiko suggested.
"I'm not that sophisticated. Let's go with something simpler." Souji skimmed through the paper and found a club he's interested in; Kendo.
"Could help me with my sword training...Guess I'll take it." Souji signed his name on the registration paper.
"That's that. So how bout' you Yukiko? Any clubs in mind?" Souji asked her.
"Hmm, not really...I can't find one that interests me..." Yukiko put her finger on her chin and thought seriously, I'd want a club that both of us can enjoy...
Suddenly her eyes caught something. "Souji-kun lets join this club!" Yukiko pointed towards the Drama Club.
"This school has one too?" Souji remembered the Drama Club he joined in Yasogami High. He had fun practicing with Yumi back then...
"Alright go for it." He gave his consent.
Yukiko smiled and wrote her name and Souji's down.
"It's gonna be fun." Yukiko smiled cheerfully.
A flash of light and the Priestess Arcana flashed in front of Souji's eyes. The Priestess Arcana had increased to the second level.
"Think it will be." Souji smiled back.
Somewhere Outside Port Island: Local Park
The park was filled with families and couples. They were random people enjoying the evening together and having fun. Akihiko got off his motorcycle and took off his wind-goggles. He put on his sunglasses and took a walk inside the park. As he passes by the masses he could see two familiar figures in front of him.
"Don't go too far now Chidori!" The man told the red-haired girl, he had a smile on his face.
"O.K. Junpei-kun, hey look there's a bunch of flowers here!" Chidori pointed towards the small garden and waved at him happily.
"I see that Chidori's doing fine." Akihiko stopped beside the man.
The man turned to see who it was and his eyes grew wide. "Akihiko-san!" He stood up.
"Ha-ha, it's nice to see you again Junpei." Akihiko patted his back.
"Yeah it's good to see you too. So how's the detective thing holding up for ya'?" Junpei grinned while adjusting his cap.
"I'm up to my ears with these new cases. Seriously I don't know what the higher-ups are doing." Akihiko sighed.
"Ha-ha told ya' it's crazy to become a cop but did you listen to me? Nooo, it's always 'Ignore What Junpei Says' to you guys ha-ha."Junpei cracked a joke.
Akihiko smiled. "So your job's going well then?"
"Meh it's O.K. I guess, enough to support me and Chidori at the very least. It's rough but what the heck right? No pain no gain." Junpei smiled slightly and looked at Chidori. "But as long as she continue smiling like that, I can go through anything!"
Akihiko glanced at him. Junpei had really matured over the years; Akihiko could see the maturity in his face.
"...You've grown Junpei..." Akihiko muttered, satisfied.
"Heh course I have, wouldn't want that guy to be disappointed in me after all." Junpei grinned. Then his face became serious. "Akihiko-san...I know that you didn't come all the way here just to catch up on old times with me, so what's up?"
Akihiko turned serious too. "You got it, something's been up in Port Island lately and I need your help."
"What, the murders?" Junpei asked him.
"Yes, although I'm surprised that you know of it but the murder cases could be related to the 'other' side. There're traces of Personas involved." Akihiko told him.
"Is it something to do with Strega??!" Junpei's eyes shifted at Chidori again.
"No I don't think so, as you know Chidori is the only surviving member of Strega. I believe it involves a different suspect altogether; we're still working on that though." Akihiko replied.
"Stop Akihiko-san. I know it's a hard case for you but...I don't want to get involved in these kinds of things anymore. I mean, I have a life now...together with Chidori..." Junpei muttered.
"...I understand, but you should know that I won't stop trying to convince you to come back right?" Akihiko grinned.
"Ha-ha good luck trying Akihiko-san." Junpei grinned back.
"Oh if it isn't Akihiko-san, what a surprise! Did you come here to visit us?" Chidori's voice came in, greeting Akihiko.
"Hello Chidori-chan, ha-ha yes I am. In fact I would love to visit your apartment, could I stay for dinner?" Akihiko smiled at her.
"Of course you can, we only live a couple of blocks away from here." Chidori smiled back.
Junpei gave a look at Akihiko. "That's playing dirty Akihiko-san."
"I have the faintest idea what you're implying Junpei." Akihiko whistled.
Port Island: Student Dorm
Night-time
"I'm heading out for a bit, please don't wait up for me Senpais." Naoto told the gang as she put on her shoes.
"Huh? Where're you going Naoto-kun?" Souji asked her.
"Just to the convenience store Souji-Senpai, I won't be long." Naoto replied without looking at him.
"T-Then I'll go with you. Wouldn't want ya' ta' run into sum' kinda trouble or anythin'..." Kanji mumbled.
"It's O.K. Kanji-kun I can take care of myself." Naoto told him and opened the door.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine." She smiled a bit at them and went off.
Gekkoukan High: Rooftop
Oh Mr. Detective Prince this letter is meant for you to read,
Be careful when you carry it or you will bleed,
The moon shines brightly as the challenge is set,
Now will you gamble your life and stake your bet?
I'll be waiting for you when the two hands are one,
When the time comes this puzzle will be undone,
At the highest point of the summit you will be laid to rest,
Now I'll ask you this; will you be courageous enough to enter the Lion's nest?
Naoto read the letter again as she looked down at the school ground.
"I'm quite impressed that you've managed to figure the clues out with so little hints." A voice sounded suddenly.
Naoto didn't turn. "It's quite simple actually...When you mentioned the moon I figured it will be around night-time and this phrase, 'when the two hands are one', it refers to the clock isn't it? At midnight you will come." She explained calmly.
"You're good...Then how about the place for the challenge?" The voice asked.
"'The highest point of the summit you will be laid to rest'. The easiest hint; you're waiting at the rooftop of the school. Why else would you place the letter to be found in the school area? Besides that, I know that the sender of this letter must have something to do with Akihiko Sanada and his claim that he know about Personas so I came alone." Naoto finally turned back. "Now explain yourself, who are you-" She paused.
The voice belonged to a very young boy, perhaps too young. He was wearing what looked like a grade-school uniform and shorts. His spiky brown hair and young face shows his youthfulness.
"A child? I wasted my time playing around with an adolescent? This is degrading..." Naoto looked perplexed and slumps her back.
"I'm not a kid, I'm already in middle school if you must know." His voice sounded annoyed as Naoto looked down on him.
"Do your parents know that you're out this late? Come along I'll bring you to the nearest police station." Naoto patted his head.
The boy shoved away her hand and jumped back. "Geez why does everyone do that? I'm here to test your battle capabilities damn it. My name is Ken Amada."
"Am I supposed to believe a grade-schooler can summon a Persona? Here you can have this lollipop." Naoto took out a lollipop from her pocket and put it in his hands.
"Y-You...Argh I have had enough of you making a fool out of me! If you won't believe my words then believe your own eyes! Persona!" Ken shouted and shot himself with the Evoker. His body emits a blue light and a Persona came forth.
"So you weren't lying..." Naoto nods her head knowingly, as if accepting the facts quickly.
"My Persona, Kala Nemi." Ken looked satisfied at the sight of Naoto's face.
"...The ability to bring Personas into this world...How does he do it? Back then he used some kind of revolver..." Naoto muttered to herself, deep in thought.
"Hey don't ignore me! Hama!" Ken launched an attack.
Suddenly a flash of blue light came from Naoto and blocked the attack.
"I'm surprised that you've changed form but... Come Sukuna Hikona." Naoto's Persona zigzagged in the air so fast that it looks as if it's invisible.
"You...didn't use an Evoker did you? I'm getting more interested in you people." Ken grinned and launched another attack. Once again it was blocked by the tiny Persona.
"Hmm it is quite shocking to think of the possibility that there are other people in this world that can summon Persona but then again I didn't think that Adachi-san could summon one either..." Naoto wasn't even looking at him.
"You're really starting to piss me off, stop ignoring me!" Ken stepped forward and attacked with his lance.
Naoto sidestepped and dodged the piercing attack. "That was quite dangerous; children shouldn't play with sharp objects." Naoto scolded him.
"Don't treat me like a kid! My experience with Personas is a lot more than yours, you never had to fight the impossible have you? You'd never imagine fighting someone who is immortal!" Ken shouted. Really, what is this woman thinking? Treating me like some kind of brat...
"I've fought an immortal before, and together with my friends we've defeated it." Naoto gave him a short answer.
She didn't pay much attention to Ken, dodging and blocking his attacks every now and then. So young, yet already embroiled in something far bigger than he is... However, she is quite impressed with his battle tactics. He uses the lance to make up for his small physical built and those Hamas are not exactly fun to be hit with...
"A battle of wits huh?" For the first time Naoto actually smiled. She was beginning to enjoy the match.
Whenever she turned Ken used that chance to pierce her and if he misses he continued with a slashing technique. Naoto decided not to use her revolver, using a firearm on a kid would be unthinkable.
"Y-You, stop running away! Kala Nemi, Fatal Attack!" Ken shouted and lunged forward. Suddenly he tripped over his lance and fell forward. He was right in front of his Persona. Crap, I'm gonna get hit! He shut his eyes, bracing himself for the hit.
BANG! A loud impact, but Ken didn't feel any pain. Rather, he felt someone embracing him. He opened his eyes to see Naoto hugging him. She had used her own body to shield him from the attack.
"...Slight miscalculation...I didn't have time to order my Persona to protect you so...Heh..." Naoto sighed.
"Y-You're bleeding!" Kenwas dumbfounded. They were enemies but she had protected him.
"Nothing to worry about...And you! Children shouldn't play with sharp objects...How many times do you want me to say it?" Naoto scolded him.
"Shut up...Don't treat me like a kid..." Ken's voice was croaking.
Naoto smiled. She remembered when she was small she had found a knife lying on the floor in her house. She played with it and almost unknowingly stabbed herself. Her grandfather had stepped in and she had stabbed his hand instead. She was told off afterwards, Children should not play with sharp objects! Her grandfather's voice rung in her head.
Her blood trickled from her face to Ken's head. She hugged him tightly. "...It must've been rough for you...Dealing with Shadows at your age..."
"I-I handled it well! I-It doesn't matter how old I am or how young I look, what's important is that I tried my best!" Ken was crying. Why, why am I crying? I'm stronger than this but what she said made me...
"Children should act like children...Leave the fighting to us adults next time..." Naoto looked at Ken's face and smiled sincerely.
Mother... Ken couldn't help it. He hugged her back and cried. The most he cried since Shinjiro's death.
"That's it...Shuush, don't worry..." Naoto ruffled his hair in a motherly way.
Her pace slowed down and she finally collapsed, still hugging Ken in her arms.
"Naoto-san, Naoto-san!" ken called her name, but she had fainted.
Out of the shadows Aigis appeared. "What an incredible person..." Aigis muttered. She had witnessed the entire incident.
"Aigis-san! We need to help her!" Ken caught sight of Aigis.
"We will Ken, rest assured. I believe Naoto-kun has won this battle." Aigis smiled, looking at Naoto.
She took out her cell phone and dialled the number. "Aigis here. Ken Amada has made contact with Naoto Shirogane. We proceed with the next test as we had planned."
Aigis turned to look at Ken who was supporting Naoto and moving her towards a bench.
Unbeknownst to the group on the rooftop, their actions were observed by a little girl hovering above the air. "They are strong, aren't they Daeva?" She said to her Persona.
Yay! 10th chapter is out! Woo-Hoo! I've been up to my ears geeting ready for my finals in my U so I haven't had much time to upload my stories sigh* But don't worry, I'll still upload my fan-fic for my readers! :) I made it longer this time to make up for my last chapter so I hope u guys won't mind :p Ooooo how I love the way I made Naoto this time round, she's so cool!!!I'll keep working hard! So keep on supporting me ppl! Ya-Haw! :)