Chapter 10: The Priestess

5/2/09

DARKHOUR

Minato was just about to fall asleep when he felt a strange presence in his room.

"Hi, how've you been?" The boy in the striped pyjamas asked cheerfully. The boy sat on the edge of Minato's bed and chuckled.

"Mmmm... You again...?" Minato was too sleepy to be bothered with that boy. I NEED TO SLEEP.

"It's been a while huh?" he chuckled again, "One week from now, there will be a full moon..." His cheerful face suddenly turned grave, "Be careful. A new ordeal awaits you..."

Huh...? What's he talking about? "A full moon...?"

"Yes... on such days, you will face your greatest challenges..." A knowing smile spread across his face, "You must prepare for the ordeal, but time is of the essence... I'm sure you're aware of that, of course."

The boy disappeared and reappeared at the door. "I'll come see you again when it's over. Goodbye for now."

Too tired to comprehend what the mysterious boy was talking about Minato dismissed the encounter and went back to sleep. He had decided, though, to be more alert, when the full moon comes.

5/6/09

EVENING

Minato had just come back from Student Council Meeting; his head was throbbing on how to get Hidetoshi to see the light. That boy was seriously digging his own grave by accusing every single student he comes across of being the smoker in the bathroom.

Just today, Hidetoshi got punched in the face by another boy because he accused him of being the smoker, and surprisingly, Hidetoshi is still unfazed by the incident. Sigh... For the greater good huh?

Yukari stared at Minato when he'd entered the dorm. His face was dark, and he looked troubled. "Hey, Minato-kun."

"...Huh, uh, yeah?"

"let's go to Tartarus tonight... I'm getting worried since nothing's happened since that one day... Is it just me, or are more people getting Apathy Syndrome lately? I have a feeling something bad is going to happen. ...Or, am I just being paranoid?"

"Alright, I need to let off some steam anyways," Yukari grinned when Minato gave her a lop-sided smile and went up to his room to prepare.

TARTARUS

DARKHOUR

THE VELVET ROOM

Minato had entered the Velvet Room. Technically, Time stops when he enters the room, so he would be safe from being labelled as a crazy by the rest of the team.

"Welcome to the Velvet Room... How may I assist you?" Elizabeth smiled.

"I'd like to fuse."

"Of course... You have four personas thus far, of which do you wish to fuse?" Elizabeth's yellow eyes were shining, her mind calculating the infinite possibilities that the four personas could fuse.

The persona cards in question floated up into a triangular formation and they collided into a bright light. "I am Oberon, the Fairy King. I emerge from thy sea of souls and will fight with thou."

TARTARUS

LOBBY

Yukari was adjusting her thunder charm as it continually slipped off to an uncomfortable angle.

Awfully nice of him to get me one of these... But I guess he IS the leader so he would know the weaknesses of his own team members... Yukari sighed.

And besides, he gave Junpei something too didn't he, it's not like he's being especially nice to me or anything... For some reason, Yukari was blushing at the thought to him getting something just for her.

Minato unsheathed his sword and headed towards the entrance. "C'mon, let's get going."

THEBEL

1ST BLOCK, FLOOR 15

"There is one particularly strong enemy in the middle, it blocks your way so you have no choice but to eliminate it. Be careful." Mitsuru's voice cuts off and the team braced themselves as they approached the huge enemy.

Mitsuru analyzed the enemy quickly, but could not find out anything useful about the creature, save that it's name was the Rampage Drive.

Minato dodged to the side as the shadow shot a bolt of lightning at him. Tch. He flung himself to the left as Yukari took aim, he wouldn't want to be accidentally shot at should the brunette miss. Yukari's arrow pierced the shadow, but it dealt minimal damage.

Junpei swung his long sword at one of the legs of the shadow and the thing fumbled and fell down, "Here's our chance! Let's get'em!"

Minato nodded and the group jumped at the chance to deal heavy damage to the fallen shadow, Junpei shouted enthusiastically, "GET BACK HERE YOU SONOVA' -!"

Suddenly, half way through the attack, the shadow recovered and pushed Yukari against the wall, "Urrrh!"

It subsequently shot a deadly bolt of lightning at Yukari, and she couldn't do anything but take heavy damage from her Persona's weakness.

"Shit! Yukari!" Minato held his evoker to his head and summoned Oberon. The Fairy King, though small in size, fired a powerful fire ball at the weakened Rampage Drive. The Agi skill, though, was inherited, thus the damage wasn't strong enough to destroy the shadow.

"Junpei! All Assault! It's weakened already!" Shouting his order to the excited Junpei, Minato took out his balm of life and 'revived' the unconscious Yukari.

Yukari opened her milky brown eyes and the first person she saw was him.

"You okay?" His voice was soft but it was soothing and reassuring.

"Y-Yeah... That shock really threw me off guard..."she looked around and the shadow was nowhere in sight, "I-Is it over?"

"Fortunately, yes." Minato turned to Junpei, "We can continue the next couple of floors another day, we need to get some rest." His shirt was drenched in sweat and his hands were shaking, but his voice was sure and full of authority.

"Sure thing, I'm too tired to doing anything now actually, that shadow was one tough nut to crack!" Junpei stuck his tongue out in jest and sighed heavily to exaggerate his fatigue. Minato grinned at his best friend and they walked towards the access point, victorious.

Minato held out his hand to Yukari.

"C'mon, let's go." A small smile was plastered on his sweat drenched face.

5/9/09

DARKHOUR

FULL MOON

That mysterious boy had warned Minato about an ordeal on the night with a full moon.

Thus the reason he was still awake at 12am. Even if I WAS tired tomorrow, I can always sleep during Edoka's class. That man is the definition of boredom.

YUKARI'S ROOM

Yukari was experiencing that same painful dream again.

Y-Yukari... Her mom was crying, D-Daddy... Daddy... he... he died... At that time, Yukari was only 6, her mom was crying so hard...

It's your entire fault! Your Dad was the head researcher wasn't he? It's your fault! Those kids who'd blame Yukari and her family for the incident at the labs.

Yukari was starting to tear up from the dream.

It's not my fault!

COMMAND ROOM

Mitsuru was sitting in the command room, her right hand holding a steaming cup of coffee and her left hand carefully adjusting the dial.

"*sigh...*"

The door opened and Akihiko entered the room. "Still at it? Mitsuru, you're gonna get yourself sick if you kept staying up late all the time."

Mitsuru could sense genuine concern in Akihiko's voice. She smiled tenderly, "You never know when an enemy could appear."

Akihiko furrowed his eye brows; Mitsuru's workaholic lifestyle was worrying him. He sat on the sofa and sighed.

"I thought you couldn't scan outside of Tartarus?"

"To be honest, I lack the power..." Mitsuru frowned and then she smiled sadly, "Maybe this is the best Penthesilea can do in terms of data gathering."

She turned her attention solely to Akihiko, "Although, the power of Persona seems to be much broader than I thought."

Akihiko seemed puzzled; Mitsuru smiled and shook her head. She had always found his one track mind rather endearing, "We've even got someone who can switch Personae in the middle of battle. There's something special about his ability."

Akihiko finally caught up, "I have to admit, I was surprised too. But in the end, it's up to him whether or not he can reach his full potential."

Mitsuru turned her attention back to the console. Akihiko watched as Mitsuru worked and wondered if he had met anyone as strong a women as Mitsuru and smiled to himself as he continued to memorize the little details in Mitsuru's features.

Suddenly, Mitsuru jumped up. "W-What's wrong?"

"It's a shadow!" Mitsuru was already punching at the buttons.

"What? You actually found one?"

"Wait, something's not right. The reading is too big. We've never encountered anything like—"

"You mean, it's one of those!"

"...It must be." Mitsuru continued to monitor the shadow's movements.

"Well then, this is gonna be fun. I'll wake up the others." Akihiko felt adrenaline build up inside his body and ran downstairs to wake the others up.

Yukari had dragged Minato along with her while Junpei was struggling to put on his pants in his own room.

"We're here!"

From behind, Junpei hastily wore his cap while running towards the command room, "Where is it! I'll rip it a new one!"

Mitsuru wasted no time in explaining the situation.

"Whoo hoo! Time to kick some ass! OH YEAH!"

"*sigh* Junpei..." It was 12.30am and Yukari wasn't really in the mood to fight with Junpei.

"Akihiko, you stay here and wait for the Chairman."

Akihiko was flustered, "Wha-! Are you kidding! I'm going!"

"You still need to recover. You'll just be a hindrance." Mitsuru was starting to get angry, Akihiko was always like that.

"Tch!"

"They'll fare better than you, in your current state. Have faith in them, Akihiko... They're ready. You'll get your chance. But for now, wait for the Chairman."

Akihiko resigned, he had never once won against Mitsuru. Never.

"Tsk.. ... Dammit..."

"Relax! I've got it covered!"Junpei was thrusting his chest forward and posing in an angle that showed off his finer points.

"I guess I've got no choice... You're in charge." Pointing to Minato, Akihiko sighed and sat down on the sofa.

"Him again...?"Junpei was obviously upset.

"We're counting on you..." Mitsuru was busy collecting her equipment.

"Alright."

"Heh, looks like you're stuck playin' leader again... Sucks to be you." Despite his words, Junpei was visually upset and he was kicking the floor.

"You should let the three of them go first. If you're providing backup out there, you'll need time to get ready, right?" Akihiko stood up and helped Mitsuru collect her equipment.

"Wait for me in front of the station. I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Got it. Alright, let's go!" The trio left the dorm and rushed to the site.

IWATODAI STATION

"Where is she..."Yukari mumbled under her breath.

"She'll be here soon." said Junpei. Yukari jumped a little, he could hear me...?

"*sigh*There's a full moon tonight... But, it looks even creepier during the Dark Hour..." Yukari glanced up at the moon... It was bigger than during normal times. Maybe it's the effect of the Dark hour? Who knows...?

Junpei spotted a bright light coming in from the right, the purr of the engine was muted. "...Huh? What the!"

Mitsuru removed her helmet and spoke quickly, "Sorry to keep you waiting. Listen carefully. Tonight, I'll be providing support from here. Everything else is the same. The Shadow is currently located inside a monorail, not far from the station. To get there, you'll have to walk on the tracks."

"Are you serious! Isn't that dangerous...?" Minato stood in the corner and decided against reminding Junpei that electronics don't work during the Dark Hour.

"Don't worry, no electronic equipment is operable during the Dark Hour, including the monorails."

"But, your bike..." Junpei looked flabbergasted.

"It's special."Mitsuru flashed a prideful smile, "Now, if circumstances change, I'll notify you immediately."

Minato assumed his position as leader and orders the group to head out.

MONORAIL TRACKS

MONORAIL

"A-Aright... let's go" Yukari stepped onto the ladder and began to climb.

A strong gust of wind blew and Yukari's skirt lifted up to her thighs. S-Shit!

"D-DON'T LOOK UP!" Junpei and Minato turn their heads to the side and both blush. They already saw what Yukari was trying to hide. The boys shot devilish grins at each other before the climbed up the monorail.

Yukari was surveying the area, Minato was about to speak up about the doors being open when they were not in a station when the doors suddenly started to shut.

Junpei ran towards a shutting door but fails to reach it in time.

"Damn, it won't open! Ow, my fingers! Will ya look at them! They're all jacked up!"

"What's wrong? What happened!" Mitsuru's voice was unsure.

"It looks like we're trapped inside..."

"It must be the Shadow... It knows you're there. Be ready for anything! Proceed with extreme caution!"

"R-Roger! C-C'mon, let's go..."

The trio moved from car to car but no shadows were around...

"What the heck? I don't see any Shadows..." Junpei sounded irritated.

"It's so quiet it's creepy..."

"Let's just continue." Minato led the group towards the next car... Suddenly, a shadow drops from above and lands on Junpei's head.

"Holy Shit! Get it off of me!" Junpei was panicking and he took off his cap and stomped it to the ground.

"That outta get rid of it.. W-Wait what? It's still up?" The shadow crawled away and entered the next car.

"We gotta go after it!" Junpei started running after the shadow.

"No. Wait." Junpei snapped his head around, his lips turning into a frown.

"Wait! Something's not right... The enemy is acting strangely." Mitsuru's voice cracked over the transceiver.

"But, if we don't go after it, we're gonna lose it!" Junpei was starting to get impatient.

"Minato, you're in charge over there. What do you think?" This is why I don't like being leader...

"We should be careful..."

"I agree. It would be foolish to blindly chase after it."

"TSK! Who needs your advice! We can beat that thing no problem! Hell, I'll do it myself!" Junpei ran off without Minato and Yukari.

"Junpei! Wait!" Yukari was about to go after him when a shadow came up behind them.

"Watch out! Behind you!" Mitsuru's voice boomed from the transceiver.

Minato flung himself in front of Yukari and took a blow for her, his shirt suffering from a rip caused by the shadow.

"M-Minato-kun!"

He expertly dodges to the side and Yukari fires her evoker, summoning Io. The girl sitting on the cow head casts a strong garu spell and disappears into Yukari's psyche.

The shadows turned into goo and are very thoroughly destroyed.

"*sigh* This is just what the enemy wanted..." Yukari turned towards Minato, "Um... Thanks. Oh Y-Your shirt..."

Minato stared at his own ruined shirt. "It's alright. We have to go find Junpei before he gets in trouble."

"Y-Yeah. Tsk! Damn it Stupei! What were you thinking?"

The two of them caught up with Junpei and stared in horror as the capped boy was surrounded by three shadows.

"Junpei!" Yukari's voice was full of concern.

"I've got it under control! Take this, you freak of nature!" Junpei continued his bravado act and swung his heavy sword at the shadow, which easily dodged the predictable attack.

Yukari summon Io again and two heavy gusts of wind blew the shadows onto the walls of the monorail.

"H-Hey! Watch where you're pointing that thing! Sheesh!" Junpei barely dodged that garu spell, his persona weakness.

"Sorry!"

Minato shot the evoker at his head and Orpheus appeared above him. The persona flung his heavy lyre and destroyed the shadows easily, crushing them beneath his beautiful instrument.

"See! That's what happens when you don't listen!"Yukari sounded angry but her voice turned soft and kind, "...So, are you alright?"

"O-Of course I am... I was doin' just fine..."

Minato sighed. He knew his friend well enough to know that that was not true.

"Excuse me?" Yukari on the other hand, looked like she was about to explode from anger.

"Be careful, you three! I don't detect any movement, but stay alert!" Mitsuru's voice boomed from the transceiver.

Just as Junpei stood up, the monorail started to move, slowly at first but it picked up speed quickly.

"S-Shit! What the heck is this!"

"It seems the monorail is under the enemy's control...!" Mitsuru's voice was cracking.

"Whaddya mean, "it seems"!" Yukari was panicking, the monorail was speeding up again.

"Uh... This doesn't look good." Junpei's face was turning white.

"...If we can't stop that thing, it'll crash into another train!"

"WHAT! Oh, God! What are we gonna do!" Yukari was starting to sweat heavily.

"Calm down and listen. I sense a strong presence in the front car. That must be the one we're after. You'll have to defeat it to stop the train!"

"Quick, we have to go, NOW." Minato took charge and moved towards the front of the train quickly.

"What kinda messed up ride IS this!"

The trio moved quickly, car after car, they managed to dodge all the other smaller shadows blocking their way, time was running short.

Minato opened the door and a large, female shadow sat suggestively with her legs wide open. The shadow beckoned towards the party, taunting them to take action.

"Let's get this over with."

Author's Note: The longest chapter I've ever written for this story! My back is aching... The next chapter will obviously be about the second full moon battle for the S.E.E.S, Stay tuned!