V.E.: Alright, now things are starting to heat up! I know a lot of people really want to get into the action when it comes to a story, but the thing about me is that I always need time to set up the story and by extension the characters. Sometimes, a story can move way too fast and while for fan fiction it's kind of understandable given we already know these characters, but I still need to set up a situation. It's the writer in me.
Plus, action scenes are not my strong suit. I am sorry if do not do these battles justice. Just to be clear, I warned you.
On another note, given how much time has passed and considering I want up to put up a new poll to see which story I should do next, at the end of this chapter I will be posting the winner of the poll to determine Yu's pairing. Just remember, these came out of your votes and were not my decision.
Now let's get this started!
Quote: "He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight."- Sun Tzu
"I can't believe this!"
Yu looked to his side where Chie looked to be steamed, the two were right next to the large TV they had just been by yesterday and the ever recognizable Junes jingle was playing over the loud speakers.
He raised an eyebrow at her in question before she continued on. "He should have just gone to the restroom while we were still at school!"
Narukami just shrugged. "Well, it's better he goes here than needing to go in there. Have you forgotten what happened the first time we went?"
She nodded, her expression utterly exasperated in memory of what Yosuke had done. "Hard to forget about that. Still, he's taking forever!"
Not too far away, behind the corner of where the bigger electronics and the smaller electronic sections met, Makoto simply stood there with a blank expression. He really is taking a long time.
When he had arrived at Yasogami High that morning, he had managed to stow away the gun and sword he had brought to school under his uniform into his locker with no one seeming to notice (which really made him feel a little disturbed at how easy this could happen again until the bell went off and he had to hurry to class). Along with that, he had stuffed the unusual looking blue key he had into his pocket, not sure whether it would come in handy but it felt almost like a good luck charm that was not to be tossed away. One full school day later (complete with a sleep session in Mooroka's class), he hung around his locker and waited until he saw the trio leaving the school before following a good distance behind them. He ducked behind trees and buildings just in case they might have turned around and there were a few close calls with Narukami (that teen's instincts were almost scary).
Finally, the trio and their tail had reached Junes, but just before the three were about to head into the TV, Yosuke needed to rush off and use the restroom.
While he knew it would only take a little while longer for things to get going, there was a part of Makoto that utterly irritated at having to wait for this. The anticipation had been killing him all day and to come so close to only face a delay was killing his (by his estimation, rather large) patience. To find Yukiko…to get some answers…
It was the only lead he had at the moment and he would be damned if he let it slip him by.
He was almost tempted to throw on his headphones, but he left them off because he did not want to miss anything these two were saying. So far, they hadn't really said anything he hadn't figured out, but you never knew when someone might let something slip.
Unfortunately, the two were given much time to say anything as it at that precise moment that Yosuke came sprinting back to them, his face eager and ready to go. "Alright, I'm good, let's head out!"
Chie's expression quickly changed to a very pumped up one as the tow faced the large TV. "Alright, let's go!"
Just before the two brunets could take another step, Yu Narukami stopped them. "Hold it, we need to check first."
As the gray haired teen checked the surroundings (with Makoto obviously out of view as he heard everything), the two simply waited with a hint of annoyance to their matching expression (which if they were aware they were on the same page for once, would cause them to go into denial).
About half a minute later, the gray haired teen nodded in affirmative. "Alright, now we can go."
Yosuke answered in affirmation while Chie merely nodded. "Right."
Makoto then took his time to edge slowly closer to where they were as he saw Yu Narukami the first to go through the TV, the screen rippling like the surface of water as the teen passed through. Yoskue followed right behind his friend and then Chie did the same. As soon as the three were out of sight, Makoto turned his corner and walked, finally stopping in front of the screen as the ripples had just ceased.
The blue haired teen crossed his arms as he simply stared. Now, to just wait and give them a head start. Don't want to run into too much trouble. Better check my equipment first.
With that thought, his hands immediately went to check on the sword and gun he had stashed under his school uniform (it was very uncomfortable and his movements were rather awkward, but he had managed fine). He didn't really have any body armor, but he didn't think he could find some on such short notice and not draw attention to himself.
Then his hands went to the pocket where he had stashed the strange blue key. Clenching it for almost a minute, it felt like the key was giving him courage.
Finally, after he was certain that everything was in place, he took a deep breath and his eyes steeled. Alright, here goes everything.
He reached out to the screen with one of his hands, causing ripples at the mere touch. He closed his eyes and pushed himself forward, feeling his arm go through and then finally the rest of his body. It felt like he was entering water, passing through the border of something that was familiar into the unknown. He kept his eyes closed, not wanting to see what would be in the in between.
Finally, the feeling of pressure lessened as he felt himself come into a new area. The air around him felt a little weird, but it didn't feel too different from where he had come from. He opened his eyes slowly.
Fog, that was the first thing he saw. It was strange because it had something of a yellowish tint to it, but that could be because of the strange lights that were shining above him. That caused him to his eyes to notice the immediate surroundings that he could see, but were still partially obscured by the fog. With the headlights, the strange purple insignia on the flooring, the wires that were hanging, and the stairs and ladder; Makoto felt he was at some studio. How appropriate.
He turned behind him to find what appeared to be three old red TVs (given the antenna on top) stacked on top of each other. He went to inspect them, tentatively putting his hand through the screens and seeing his arm go straight through. Given the position, this must be where I came through. So this must be the way to get back to where I came from. Good to know.
Makoto turned back to his immediate surroundings, not seeing much because of the fog. Those three aren't here, so now the question is where did they go?
It was just then a flash of sparkling blue caught his attention. He took out his sword (slipping into a comfortable fighting stance without even realizing it) and slowly creeped over, on his guard just in case it the sparkly light was not so innocent.
He let out a deep breath as he found that the flash of blue belonged to a blue butterfly that just seemed to flying around. All that anticipation and it's just a bug.
Still, the bug was glittering with something and in place that clearly had something supernatural going on so Makoto wasn't letting done his defenses that easily. It kind of looks like that butterfly I saw on the first day, but that would be impossible.
As if hearing his thoughts, the blue insect flapped its wings over to Makoto, circling and diving all around him. He smiled at the insect, still guarded but now a little at ease. "Well, I guess you seem to like me. I don't suppose you've seen three teenagers come through here and could tell me where they went, could you?"
Before the teen could question his sanity for talking to a butterfly like a real person, the butterfly flew a distance before stopping as if waiting for him.
The blue haired teen's eyes slightly widened before he shook his head. Taking from directions from a bug…then again, I've got no other choices unless I just want to sit here and wait.
And while waiting around for the three to come back and confronting them there would have probably been the safer option, he did not simply want to wait there with a sword in his hand for nothing.
Plus, there was something about this that felt…. familiar. And he would take as much of those feelings as he could get.
Makoto sighed as he walked towards the blue bug, who flittered on and sparkled as it led the teen on. "Alright then, mysterious bug that I probably am projecting too much on to, lead on."
The castle was pink on the outside.
At least, that's what Makoto thought the color of the castle was on the outside before he blinked and took a closer look and saw that it was red. He blamed the fog.
Admittedly, the fog wasn't as prevalent in the area he was currently compared to where he had first came into this world, but the yellow mist was still there. Especially when he had come inside, it seemed like it seemed to clear a bit. The inside of the castle fit with the pushiness and grandness of the outside, all red, white, and gold with posh carpets, curtains, and high ceilings and doors to match. It was rather out of place in a world that seemed to consist mostly of fog, but Makoto got the feeling this place wasn't all that natural.
The hallways on the first floor seemed to be like a maze. There didn't seem to be anyone there on that floor though he did come across some opened red chests that would suggest someone had been here and raided what they could of the place.
Call it a hunch, but he was pretty sure he found where the three had gone off to.
Who knew blue insects of supernatural origin were actually very good at guiding you where you want to go? Just as soon as he thought that, he turned around to see if the butterfly was still around. It wasn't.
With nothing else there with him, the blue teen forged on into the castle. He knew there was a possibility that that was just begging to get killed by some supernatural creature inside the castle, but logic didn't seem to be much of a factor in this world anyway.
Climbing up the stairs and reaching the second floor, he felt almost a little disappointed by the big empty room beyond the great doors with nothing in it. As well as unsettled by how quiet it was. Well, better go further in.
With that thought, the blue haired teen walked further in. The second floor only seemed to consist of that room and the small hallway on the other side that led to the door to the stairs (that was already open, no likely the prior group's doing). That was easy.
It was upon reaching the third floor that he suddenly felt his gut clench as some weird bell sound rang overhead and a familiar voice sounded with laughter present. "Teehee….My Prince will soon come for me….I'll always be waiting…Forever and ever…"
That's..! Makoto called out to the voice. "Yukiko, is that you?! Where are you?!"
No answer was given to him, leaving him only with the tense atmosphere of the third floor, His hand gipping his sword clenched harder as he took a few tentative steps forward. I don't know why, but the air here feels…different. And not necessarily a good different.
The hallways didn't look too different form the first floor so it wasn't until he saw a big black thing in front of him with a mask that made his eyes widen. What the…?!
Unfortunately, while he was taken aback for the moment, the black creature saw him and headed straight for the blue haired teen. As soon as it got close enough, the creature dissolved into three black birds that seemed to be carrying a lantern.
One started to dive straight at him, but it was at that point the boy's mind had managed to unfazed as he drew his sword before he could blink. With one quick cut, the bird disintegrated into dust while the other two birds seemed to squawk in surprise. Without really, thinking about it, Makoto took their surprise to run over and give them their own cuts. The two were destroyed in much the same manner as the first.
The teen sighed as he relaxed the grip on his sword. Pathetic.
Then the moment passed and his eyes widened as his mind registered what he had just did. Wait, did I just do that?
The way he cut those things down…it was as natural to him as breathing. As if he was used to cutting down shadowy abominations on a daily basis and in that moment, he felt like he had only used a fraction of his strength.
He felt his body still alert to his surroundings as he had finally come across something that would be a danger to him. Well, if I do run into anything else I know I can defend myself. What kind of person was I before Inaba?
Left with that question,the only thing Makoto could really do is what he had been doing before, forge further in and so he did.
Going further into this floor, he was surprised to find several chests unopened including one that seemed to need a key. He decided to take what valuables that he could for himself (a strange stone, bead, and a soda). Did those three not take the time to really explore the floor and get all the valuables?
As he went through the rest of the floor (during which he spotted another shadowy creature but made the moves to avoid it), he contemplated it further. There might have been more monsters that they had to take out which is why I only ran into those birds just now. Or they could have been in a hurry and didn't really care so much about these things. Either seems plausible.
Finally, he managed to find the stairs and ascended with great haste.
Upon reaching the fourth floor, he was greeted with the sound of those strange bells form earlier and the sound of Yukiko's voice coming from above. "Welcome, thank you for coming to the Amagi Inn today. Your room is right this way. If we can help you in any way, please let us know immediately."
The boy mulled over the words thoughtfully, noticing the difference compared to the third floor. That's strange, that's completely different from the last floor. Last time, it was about a prince or something, not what I really expected out of Yukiko. This sounds like a typical day at the Amagi Inn. What is this castle and how is it connected to Yukiko?
He walked further in, seeing a couple of creatures ahead, that seemed to scamper away as if sensing him. Odd.
Still, it wasn't enough to detract him from going further in, going down the maze like hallways until finally a strange looking golden hand creature came over to him.
The hand dissipated into two smaller ones to which Makoto went after one. This time, it took more than one hit to take it down, but it went down nonetheless. The blue haired teen then turned his attention to the other hand, but the little guy scampered off before Makoto could make a move. Figures.
He sighed, but then felt strangely satisfied at taking down the golden creature. I feel like I've fought that kind of creature before. Not just that…but the other monsters as well. But I'm pretty sure I've never been here before. Where else can you find these things?
His other hand went to gun he still had stashed away as he moved on. He didn't feel like bringing it out for some reason, but just having it there made him feel prepared.
He went through the fourth floor without much more fanfare as he found the next pair of stairs at almost the end of the last hallway he was exploring.
Upon reaching the fifth floor of the castle, the bells and Yukiko's voice were back though he wasn't that surprised by them. "Hmhmhm….Ohoho…"
He really didn't like the sound of it. What's with that creepy sounding laughter?
He started down the hall, but he was stopped not too long after by the sound of the bell and Yukiko's voice. "Wow! By any chance, are you…. another one of My Princes? I'm locked up here…please save me! Hmhmhm…I'm sure you and My Other Princes can do it…I'm sure you and the others will brave any danger to release me from this place…I'll be waiting for you…"
The voice faded away and Makoto didn't stay still as he began sprinting. Other princes must mean those three, maybe they're nearby, right on this floor. Still…is the person talking really Yukiko? I mean, it's her voice, but it sounds so…different from the Yukiko I've met.
But just as he thought this, his surroundings flashed and the bell rang out, causing him to shut his eyes in surprise. He didn't move a muscle as he did so.
When the bell faded, he heard the creepy laughter of "Yukiko" before fading away. Once he felt safe enough to open his eyes again, he was greeted with the surroundings of a different hallway than the one he had left. Well, this might be annoying.
Fortunately for him, fate decided to give him a bone as he heard a familiar voice coming from behind him. "Are you sure?!"
The blue haired teen turned around, finding that in front of a door a short distance away was Chie (the owner of the voice), Yosuke, and Yu. The three seemed to be staring very intently at some little blue bear mascot dressed in white and red. The three humans were wearing glasses for some reason, but Makoto found that this was probably not the moment to question that.
The small group didn't seem to notice him as the bear nodded. "I'm positive, it's that girl's scent!"
Yosuke then turned to the door, ready to reach for the door knob and open it. "All right then, let's do this!"
Just as his hand was about to touch the door knob, the little bear sniffed the air. "Wait, I'm smelling it again! That person is really close now!"
Chie looked at the bear incredulously. "Seriously?"
Yu responded to the bear's words calmly. "How close are we talking?"
Makoto answered in a deadpan voice as he walked right up to the small group. "Try right behind you guys."
The three students and strange bear creature turned around to find the third year standing there and went on. "All right, now maybe someone could tell me, what the hell is going on here?"
Yosuke was the first one to respond, a mixture of surprise and panic. "Makoto-sempai, what are you doing here?!"
Chie also seemed to surprised. "Yeah, how'd you get here?"
"The same way you got here. Now, what is this place and what are you three doing here? And what does it have to do with Yukiko?"
While the two brunettes seemed to cringe at the questions like children caught in wrongdoing, Yu took a step forwards his eyes hard as he gazed at the senior. "That's funny, last time we spoke you didn't seem all that interested in what we were doing."
Makoto met the stare with his own. "At the time, it wasn't any of my business what you guys were doing. Now, it is."
That didn't seem to satisfy the transfer student as the other two seemed to pick up on Narukami's tone and gaze at their sempai. "And just how is it any of your business? How did you get here?"
Makoto really didn't like repeating himself. "Like I said, the same way you did."
It was then the bear piped up then. "Then you're the culprit!"
His eyebrows rose in confusion. "Culprit? What are you talking about? And what the heck are you?"
The bear didn't seem at all bothered as he went on to accuse him even more. "You don't fool me! If you've got the power to come here, then you must be the person throwing people in here!"
"I didn't even know I could do something like this until I saw these guys do the same thing yesterday and tried it myself! I didn't even know Yukiko was involved until I overheard them talking about coming to save her! And another thing…"
But then he stopped, looking up as his senses intensified and saw another shadowy creature coming near them. He readied his sword, surprising the four as they looked ready to use their own weapons to defend themselves.
Makoto stated to sprint forwards, the four ready to fight until Makoto sprinted past them and let them notice the shadowy figure. The figure morphed into a couple of large shadowy dice, which Makoto dispatched with his sword swiftly enough.
Once finished, he sheathed his sword and let out a sigh, slightly disappointed at the lack of a challenge.
Chie was almost speechless and the blue bear looked to be on the same page. "Whoa."
Yosuke was a little vocal on his thoughts. "After all the trouble we had earlier….and he took them out with just a sword."
Yu was the only one that didn't seem to have any surprise, looking every bit the cool and collected leader.
Then Makoto spoke, not turning his back to face them. "Persona."
Now that seemed to surprise the gray haired second year with the others as the blue haired boy went on. "That word…I know that word, but I don't know from where. I have so many questions without answers, so many things I don't know, but that word…"
Then he turned to face them, meeting Yu's gaze and pleaded. "Please…tell me what you know."
For a moment, no one moved, no one spoke. Gray eyes stared down silver, those on the side not sure whether to step in or not.
Finally, Yu moved toward the door, motioning the teen to come over. "It's easier to show first than to explain everything at once."
Makoto followed his lead, wondering where this was going.
Yosuke looked at his friend with concern. "Partner?"
"Open the door, Yosuke. We'll be fine."
Yosuke looked conflicted, but he didn't say otherwise as he nodded.
"Okay."
With that, Yosuke went for the door knob and turned it, creaking the door open until it was large enough to walk through. That led the four teens and bear to walk in and stop at the sight that was before them though it was mostly a shock for Makoto.
Standing there in the middle of the room, was Yukiko. Alive, breathing, safe…. but something felt off. For one, she was in a poufy pink dress and had on a tiara that made her look like a princess. Second, that expression on her face was not one he was familiar with and the yellow eyes were an immediate red flag.
Floating right beside her, was a shadowy looking knight on a horse like object, glinting with silver armor and holding something that looked normal at a jousting competition. It reminded him of the creatures that he had come across earlier, except bigger and probably a lot more powerful.
He called to her shakily. "Yukiko… is that…?"
Chie was the first to set the record straight, the three teens getting into their battle stances (Yu with his katana, Yosuke with his knives, and Chie ready with her kicks). "That's not the real Yukiko! It's her other self!"
Yosuke chimed in before Makoto could ask anything. "Long story, we'll explain later!"
The princess Yukiko seemed to chuckle darkly as she addressed the teens. "My Prince wouldn't lose to guards such as this, correct?"
With that, the knight charged forward at the three teens, swinging its weapon as the three stared down the monster.
Makoto stood to the side, not listening as the blue bear seemed to be shouting some form of instruction to the three as everything around him seemed to fade away. Everything felt so surreal, like it was just another dream and any moment now he would make up back at the Amagi Inn with everything normal.
Except this felt more real to him than anything he experienced in Inaba.
Then a voice echoed his find, one strange yet familiar. "Well, what are you going to do now?"
With that moment passed and Makoto was back to reality. He knew the answer.
With one quick motion, he drew his blade and sprinted towards the monstrous knight.
V.E.: I know. I'm evil for ending this on a cliffhanger, but I've already written quite a bit.
Now you may have noticed Minato is pretty much a badass with a sword. The reason for this is that his physical attributes have not been reset to zero. His Persona…well we'll get to that next chapter.
Now, the poll results are in.
3rd place: Yukiko (32 votes)
2nd place: Rise (37 votes)
And 1st place: Marie (62 votes)
Wow, for the people who said they didn't like Marie, there we a lot more who liked her with Yu. Well like I said, you voted so don't get upset with me about it.
That new poll should be up on my profile. Please check it out.
Alright, not the best chapter I've written but certainly not the worst. Make sure to review and expect a wait for the next update. I've got a bunch of school work on my plate.
See you next time!