The Shadow was an ugly, massive creature. It was black, its face was covered by a white expressionless mask and its skin had been stretched and was nailed to a what looked like a metal propeller. When we got closer, we saw what looked like three giant statues below the Shadow.

I paused in confusion. 'What the hell are those?' I said to myself.

Fuukas voice suddenly rang in my head. "I think that floating thing is the main target, but it's too far out of your attack range… wait a sec… yes! Ok, attack those statues! They're like a type of primary shield, if you defeat them, the enemy should be able to be attacked!"

"Ok!" I raise my evoker to my head. "Persona!"

There is a burst of blue light and Thor appears again. I point at the statues.

"Attack all of them with a Vicious Strike!"

Thor brings his hammer down on the statues with a booming crash.

All the statues sway violently from side to side and eventually all three topple over and disappear.

"Yes!" I say, raising my fist in the air in triumph.

The Shadow roars in pain and drops from the sky and lands on the bridge with a crash. The bridge shakes under its weight and for a terrifying second I thought it was going to cause the bridge to collapse, but it holds steady again.

"I watch too much 'Final Destination'…. " I mutter.

Fuuka speaks up. "Hurry it's in attack range, hit it!"

Akihiko raises his fists. "I've been waiting for this!... Ok, NOW!"

We rush forward in an all out attack. I strike it furiously with my javelin. The creature roars and we know it's time to move back, just as a huge clawed hand moves to take a swipe at us. We dodge it.

The Shadow moves unsteadily to stand on its hands and feet.

Yukari is first in with a pierce attack from her bow, but the creature dodges the arrow. "Damn it!" Yukari curses.

Junpei raises his evoker to his head. Hermes appears from the flash of blue.

"Hermes, Marakukaja!"

Hermes releases this bright purple light from its body and our entire team is surrounded in that light. I feel my body become stronger. Junpei has just raised everyone's defense.

The creature screams a high pitch scream and a dark bubble appears on the ground.

I crease my eyebrows together in confusion. What is it doing..?

The black bubble cleared away to reveal a small shadow, it started to crawl towards us.

"A-a Maya? Yukari stutters in surprise.

"It has a summoning ability!" Fuuka says in dismay.

"It won't be here for long!" I cry. A burst of blue light surrounds the area and Thor delivers another crushing Vicious Strike to both Shadows. The Maya screams in agony and disappears in a flash of black light. The Strike looked like it barely fazed the bigger Shadow.

"We gotta lower its defense!" Junpei shouts.

"On it!" Akihiko answers. There is a burst of light. "Caesar, Rakunda!"

Caesar raises his sword and a purple light surrounds the Shadow. The beast shivers as the light enters its body.

Yukari raises her evoker. "Io, Magarudyne!"

The rolling green wind hits the Shadow full on and it stumbles.

"Torrent Shot, Hermes!" Junpei shouts. The Persona dives in and strikes the Shadow… once… twice… three times.

The Shadow raised its head and arms and brought them down in a devastating Akasha Arts.

Everyone was knocked to the floor.

I grimace in pain from the impact. I try get onto my hands and knees, to pull myself to my feet, but when I look up, I see the massive Shadow staring straight at me.

It raises its huge hand high in the air and brings it down. I think fast and roll out of the way just in time. It smashes its hand into the concrete where my body had just been. When it lifts its hand again, there is a huge crater in the road.

"Holy shit…" I pant in relief

"Mina!" I hear Junpei yell. I look up at him, and his expression changes to relief, but not for long as the Shadow roars.

It uses another Akasha Arts attack, but this time when the attack lands we all fly a foot into the air and land with thump. I hit my head on impact and my vision becomes spotty and black. I try to pull myself up, but collapse again to the floor. "Damn it all… " I mutter painfully. I hear shouting and the sounds of the beast's cries.

I look up and see the creature is once again raising its palm above its head, but only this time, I don't have the energy to move. The hand comes crashing down and I close my eyes.

"I'm sorry… Shinji… forgive me…"

.

.

.

I waited for the agony that I had associated with this painful death… but none came. I tentatively open one of my eyes and look up.

The Shadow had both of its hands covering its face and was screaming. I shift myself, so I'm propped up on my elbow.

The beast let its hands fall from its face and I saw an arrow, lodge in its eye socket. I turn my head stiffly, and see Yukari shakily on her feet with her bow still pointed at the Shadow.

She fell to her knees and looked tiredly over at me. She gave me a small smile.

"Don't think you can go dying on us now… besides… you still have that Benefit Make-up to buy me."

I grin back at her. "Not a chance."

I push myself up and rise unsteadily to my feet. I look around and see the others are doing the same.

I point the evoker to my head. "Thor, Mediarama!"

The purple light swirled around us, and the tiredness and pain just seemed to vanish. I looked at the others and they seemed to have gained a new lease on life.

I look back at the Shadow, who by now looked really pissed off. "Ok guys, lets beat this thing!"

With the whole team motivated it wasn't long until we had the Shadow on its knees.

It had tried summoning more statues, but they were easily taken care of, and we were able to perform another all out attack.

I knew it was very nearly defeated, so I went all out.

"Ok Thor, let's make this a strong one, Ziodyne!"

The Thunder God raised its hammer to the heavens and a huge bolt of lightning crashed down on the exhausted Shadow. The light was blinding, and I had to shield my eyes.

The Shadow gave one final roar in fury and agony and fell to the ground, defeated. It disappeared it a flash of black light. And we were alone on the bridge.

We all stood in silence. Until it was broken by Junpei.

"…Is it.. over?"

I nod.

I hear a robotic voice behind me. "Operation completed… or should I say, Mission Complete." Aigis came up and stood beside us

Mitsuru stands beside her and says in a dazed voice. "Yes…It's finally…over."

There is another moment of silence… before chaos erupts.

We all start jumping and screaming, like little children.

I hug Yukari tightly and we jump around, laughing.

"It's over! We're free!" She screams. I just laugh harder.

We release each other and I turn around and see Akihiko behind me, talking to Ken. I smile at him, He notices and smiles back and I walk up to him. "We did it, Senpai!" I say and hug him. He tenses slightly, but slowly his arms encircle me

"G-good job back there…" He says in a strange voice. I pull back to look at him. He won't look me in the face. "Are you ok, Senpai?" I ask in a concerned voice.

He seems to realize his behavior and seems to force himself to relax and gives me a cheery smile. "N-no , why would something be wrong? I-I'm perfectly fine."

I purse my lips but say nothing, He shifts from foot to foot. "Uh, I'm gonna go congratulate the others… ok?" I nod understandably. "Sure, sure go ahead." I gesture to a small group of the guys and he moves off… weird.

I look over to my left see Jun hugging Fuuka, grinning from ear to ear. When he lets go, he by chance looks up and sees me watching him. I didn't think it was possible, but his grin becomes even bigger. Fuuka looks over in the direction of his gaze, she smiles when she see me and moves over to the others.

"What the hell are you doin' over there staring at me!?". Junpei laughs. "Get your ass over here!"

I laugh, I don't have to be told twice and I run up to him. My arms loop around his neck , just as his loop around me. He lifts me into the air, but I don't protest.

"We did it, Mina! It's finally over!" He shouts.

"Hell yeah! We taught those Shadow who's boss!" I laugh.

He eventually lets me down after what felt like ages. I turn to look at all my other friends, who were still all laughing and hugging each other. I feel a different kind of smile cross my face. Not a euphoric one, or joking one… but more of a fond one.

I feel a hand on my shoulder. I look around to see Aigis, smiling.

"Minako-san?" She says. "I believe a celebration is in order."

My eyes widen in excitement and I turn to Junpei, he looks as happy as me and at the exact same time we yell ,"SUSHI PARTY!"

I hear the others laugh and Aigis chuckles behind me.

"What will be our victory cheer?" She asks in the same robotic voice.

I think it over a second but decide on something universal. "Hip Hip Hooray."

Aigis nods. "Ok, 1…2…3…. Hip Hip Hooray!"

Junpei and I sling each others arms over the others shoulders and raise our fists in the air. "HIP HIP HOORAY!"

All the others go after us, except Yukari. We look at her with reproachful gazes.

She looks from face to face. "…. What?"

"Come on Yuka-tan… don't be a spoilsport!" Junpei says.

She glares at him. "At least I'm trying to keep my dignity, Stupei."

"Come on Yukari, you gotta do it!" I say a sing-song voice.

We all start to chant. "DO IT, DO IT, DO IT…!"

"OK fine!" She says holding her hands up . She crosses her arms and sighs.

"Hip…Hip…Hooray…" She mumbles.

"I can't hear youuuuu!" I say holding my hand to my ear.

"I said, Hip Hip Hooray."

I turn to Junpei, "Did you hear anything, Jun? I thought I heard a mouse whisper."

He scratches his head in pretend confusion. "I know, weird right? And I could have sworn that was Yuka-tan standing there…."

Yukari finally loses her temper. "OK, HIP HIP, FUCKING, HOORAY… ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?!"

"….Geez Yukari, if you didn't wanna cheer, you should have just said, you make us all feel bad trying to get you to actually show human kindness…" Junpei says, faking a regretful look. I place my hand over my mouth to muffle my snigger.

Yukari glares at Junpei with a look of utter loathing and looks about ready to strangle him.

I quickly change the subject. "So Mitsuru-senpai, any chance you can order us some Sushi?"

Mitsuru chuckles. "You don't waste any time do you? I think I could arrange something."

Akihiko looks thoughtful. "Hmm Sushi eh? It's been a while… well then, I call dibs on the halibut and sea urchin!"

Yukari looks startled and quickly dives in. "Oh, then I call the fatty tuna!"

Fuuka starts to look worried. "What? We're divvying it up already? In that case save me some Salmon roe."

"H-hey wait a second, you can't do that!" Junpei stutters.

'Well, If everybody is calling dibs…" I say to myself. "The sweet shrimps are mine!" I call out.

Junpei turns to me, mouth agape. "What, You too?!"

I shrug. " There are no rules that say I can't, besides there are no rules in food and war."

Junpei stares at me with an agonized look. "That's love and war you cretin!"

I dismiss his words with a wave of my hand. "Potato, Tomato, whatever, at least I'm getting my shrimp." Aigis raises her arm up.

"I reserve the tuna, squids, scallops and sea eel." she says in a monotone voice.

Junpei turns his attention to Aigis. "Hey, that's not fair! You don't even eat!"

"Looks like Aigis is gonna get more than you too. " I say, fighting off a smirk.

Junpei turns and gives me a glare and I cheekily wave my fingers at him.

Ken scoffs to himself. "You're all so weird, I mean fighting over sushi?"

"Woof!" Koromaru agrees panting with his tongue hanging out of his mouth.

Junpei gives Ken a moody glare. Yukari and my eyes meet in a meaningful look and we start to giggle.

Junpei turns his glare back to us. "I will murder you both someday, just remember that." He says in a deadpan voice.

I go up and pinch his cheek. "Aww, is Junny getting a wittle angry." I coo

Yukari shakes her head. "Don't worry Minako, he should probably grow up a little once he hits puberty."

My breath catches in my throat as I struggle not to laugh. And I fail completely.

"Low blow Yuka-tan," Junpei says with neutral expression. ".. but I would feel worse if that was coming from someone whose natural skin had actually seen sunshine in the last few years and not just 8000 layers of foundation… so how's puberty been goin' for ya?"

Yukari makes a move to get closer to Junpei, but Akihiko holds her back.

Ken turns to Mitsuru, ignoring the argument between Junpei and Yukari.

"Um, senpai? Please order tamago for me. They say you can tell a chef's skill by how he prepares his eggs."

I raise an eyebrow. "Um, just how old are you again?"

Ken looks sheepish and his face turns a light red colour.

Mitsuru looks at us both, clearly amused. "Ok, Ok, I'll have the very best food delivered tomorrow."

Fuuka looks happily at Mitsuru. "Really? Oh this is so exciting!"

Junpei pockets his hands. "Yup, it's great to be alive."

Yukari places her hands on her hips. "Don't get too excited Stupei, you're getting the leftovers."

"But it was MY idea to have Sushi in the first place!"

I tap his shoulder. "Um, yours? I believe I was there too."

He looks at me. "Yeah, but as my sidekick. You were there to back me up."

I raise both my eyebrows. "Oh sidekick is it? Well maybe I want salad instead."

Junpei snorts. "With your appetite? I'll be surprised if you don't have a whole platter for yourself!"

I attack him then and we wrestle around for a while, with the sounds of our friends laughing in the background.

When we get home, The Chairman congratulates us and we go straight to bed after that.

I awoke early the next morning… and saw I wasn't alone.

"Good Morning."

I sleepily rub my eyes. "P-pharos?"

He giggles. "Yes. it's me."

I sit up. "W-what are you doing here… I mean not here… but…"

He cuts me off. "I understand the confusion. It is the first time we have talked during the day."

He sits down on my bed and looks outside the window. "Nice weather isn't it?" He sighs. "This is indeed a new day... for both of us"

He looks back at me, his smile happy. "All the fragments of my memory have come together… I now know my role clearly." He looks into my face.

"The Time has come."

I scrunch up my face in confusion. "What are you talking about, what is happening?"

His face starts to look sad. "As difficult as it may be, I have to tell you something… I'm afraid that we have to say goodbye…for good."

He gestures to himself. "I want you to know, that our friendship, to me, has been like a miracle… but miracles don't last forever."

My face falls. "So, this is it? I can't see you anymore?"

He gives me a sad smile. "I will treasure our conversations… always. Even if this day must end, our bond will never be severed, never forget that."

Pharos looks at me with teary eyes. And I feel myself becoming sadder as well.

My little weird friend was going away, and I couldn't control it. My head falls down and I stare at my duvet.

All of a sudden a familiar voice rings in my head;

Thou art I and I am thou

Thou hast established a genuine bond

The innermost power of the Death Arcana hath been set free

We bestow upon thee the ability to create Thanatos, the ultimate form of the Death Arcana

I look up to see Pharos smiling at me. "It was fun while it lasted…"

He reaches forward to hug me and I hold him tightly, not wanting to let go, but eventually he does. He gaze drifts downward and his hand reaches out and he lays his palm flat against my tummy.

I look at him in shock. I stutter, "H-how, how…"

"I know a lot of things about you." He said simply.

I look at him unsurely. He leans in closer and he looks like he is mumbling to himself. I catch the last few word and they confuse me, "… you… or her… I wonder…"

His hand drops from my tummy and he stands up straight.

"Farewell, Minako."

And in the blink of an eye, Pharos disappears.

"Bye, Pharos." I whisper to an empty room.

I will myself to not to cry, but I feel in no mood to leave my bed just yet. I roll over to look at the alarm clock and sigh. If I don't get up I'll be late for school. It really is a crime Mitsuru wouldn't let us bunk of today, *sigh *, but that's Mitsuru for you. And now that the Shadows are all gone, she's going to fuss over our grades more than ever! I groan even louder, but force myself to leave my warm, comfy bed and get dressed in my uniform.

I walk to the train station and board the train alone, lost in my thoughts, but when I arrive at school I see Junpei and Kenji standing outside the front gate. My mood brightens immediately. Kenji just so happens to look over at me and he waves.

"Yo, Minako-chan!" I wave back and make my way over. I really liked Kenji, he was kind and funny, but that still didn't stop him hitting on anything with a skirt, even me.

My friend Rio has a huge crush on him, but he is still oblivious to her feelings, even when ,one time, she straight out confessed to him! I should know, I was there, it was mortifyingly embarrassing, especially for poor Rio, but she took it rather well, they're both still friends at least. And she's become a better person because of it, so maybe everything worked out as it should.

When I reach the two boys. Junpei slings his arm over my shoulders. "SO! Your stomach ready for tonight yet!"

I grin. "Hell yeah! I'm hungry just thinking about it."

Kenji sighs wistfully, "Man, you guys are so lucky! I wish I lived at your dorm, I want free Sushi."

I pat his shoulder sympathetically, "If you want, I could save you some and bring it in tomorrow?"

Junpei looks at me in bug eyed shock.

Kenji's expression changes from longing to mischievous. "Oh, Minako-chan, you would give me special treatment above all others?" He puts on a seductive voice. "Are you trying to say something by your gift?"

I resist the urge to roll my eyes and decide to play along. "Oh, yes, you see, I know the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, you have deciphered my clever plan."

He places the back of his hand to his forehead melodramatically. "Oh, how I should have known, I KNEW this would happen, I knew after a short amount of time you would end up falling for me!"

I laugh, "You are so full of crap Kenji."

He chuckles, "Thank you, my parents tell me that everyday."

"I think they're on to something." Junpei adds teasingly.

Kenji fakes indignation, "Well, if I'm just going to be insulted out here, I might as well find people who will be kind to me. " He starts to walk to the school door.

"That might take a while there, Kenji!" Junpei calls after him.

Kenji keeps on walking but lifts up his hand and flips Junpei off.

I laugh at them both and shake my head. I turn towards a grinning Junpei.

"Come on, let's get inside, we have Ekoda first thing." I say

We start to make our way to the entrance.

"Hey, Mina?" I turn to Junpei questioningly.

"Yeah?"

"If I lived in another dorm, would you bring Sushi to me?"

I place my hand over my heart. "And make Kenji jealous? Never!"

He looks at me with a dejected look. "B-but we're bros, bros before hoes, remember?"

Bros before Hoes? Really? I start to get a little idea in my head so and I decide to play a little game with him.

"Bros? Oh you think? Aren't we more than that?"

He looks confused. "Um, more? What do you mean?

I look over at him. "Well I mean, you're a guy…and I'm a girl… and we know a lot more about each other than bros do."

Junpei looks even more confused than before. "Um, sure? I guess?"

By now we are by the Lockers and we are the only people around. The closest person was the lady over by the snack counter.

I place my hand on his arm. "Let's not forget, we are very close."

He clears his throat nervously. "Where are you going with this…"

I turn him around so we are face to face. "I'm saying… that in my opinion. We could qualify as friends… with… benefits…"

His eyes widen so much I'm surprised they don't fall out of his head. His mouth opens and closes, he reminds me of a fish.

I try my best to relax my face into a seductive look. "Well?" I purr.

He starts to back up. "Um, uh, I d-don't really think that's a good idea." He backs up further and his back slams against the locker.

I move closer to him, until our faces are inches apart. His face is full of alarm, I resist the urge to giggle just yet.

"Really?" I whisper, "Are you sure?"

He swallows and I can see a bead of sweat developing on his forehead.

"N-no… I mean Yes! I-I mean… t-the right answer to give in this situation!"

He tries to push me back, "You d-don't really w-want that… do you?"

I smile coyly at him and lean in closer. "Why not? Your quite… delicious." I lick my bottom lip to emphasise this.

If possible his eyes go even wider and he starts to make strange choking sounds.

I decided to end his misery. I leaned down until my lips were hovering over his ear.

"You know something.." I murmur, he shakes his head stiffly. "I think… you might be right, Kenji is so much more romantic anyway."

I step back and I can't help myself. I start to laugh so hard tears pour down my cheeks, I have to lean up against the lockers so I'd keep standing.

Junpei's face changes from alarmed, to confused and eventually relieved.

"So, you weren't serious?"

I stare at him flabbergasted and calm down slightly. "WHAT?! No way in hell!"

He puts his hand over his heart. "Oh thank God! I thought you had lost your damn mind there!"

"Dude… dude… your face, was priceless!" I start to laugh harder again.

He starts to look reproached. "Well how would you like it if I suddenly came up to you and demanded you jump into my bed!"

I stop laughing and I look at him in horror, I visibly shivered. Junpei looked more insulted.

"Hey!"

"Sorry, but… I honestly cannot picture anything more disturbing."

He shivers too. "My God, I'm still shaking, you've traumatised me for life, woman!"

I roll my eyes, "Man up, now come on, the bell will ring any second."

We go up to class just as the bell rings.

When school ends we head straight home to the party. I feel on top of the world as we stroll down the street. We round the corner and see the Dorm in the distance. I look up at Junpei.

"Hey Jun?"

"Yeah?"

"I really think things are looking up for all of us now."

He nods " I know what you mean, with the Dark Hour gone and all that, what more could possibly go wrong?"

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I really like writing the battle scenes, and I thought why not throw some Kenji in there as well :) Reviews are love remember and the more reviews there are, the more motivated I will be to write, even if you just say, 'I liked this' or 'I didn't like it very much' that's cool as well.

I'll update either tomorrow or Sunday, have a great day guys!