8 September 2012

Disclaimer: I do not own Persona 3 or any of its characters.


Chapter 11: The Chase of the Reaper

Minako sat up in bed, feeling hot and dizzy. After getting dressed, she took a step out of the room and collapsed, frightening Mitsuru who was walking down from the girl's floor. It took a few slaps and a glass of ice water to her face before she managed to regain consciousness. She slapped away Junpei's hand that held onto her, insisting she was fine. Then she took a wobbly step towards the stairs and fell head-first, rolling down the stairs, crashing into an unsuspecting blunette who was holding a tray of her breakfast.

And that was the story of how they came to skip school that day.

At least that was what she thought.

She pulled the covers over her feverish body, ignoring Minato's attempts to shove porridge into her tightly shut mouth. The covers were suddenly wrenched back violently and a pair of crystal blue orbs stared at her.

Minako groaned for the umpteenth time. "Leave me alone."

"Come on, don't be a baby."

Minako pouted and shook her head. "Say what you want, I am NOT eating that."

Minato glanced at his homemade porridge. Surely it can't be as bad as Fuuka's? "Oh, I'm sure you don't want me to pretend this spoon is an airplane."

Minako groaned. "I'm not hungry. Go away. The smell sickens me."

"That's what everyone says when they've got a fever."

"Says you."

"Come on, just one bite."

Minako eyed him. "Your one bite will turn into two." She pulled the covers over her head. "No."

Minato pried the covers off again. "Armageddon! You lose, now, open."

"Repel Armageddon. Boom, you're dead. Now go away."

"Repel Repel Armageddon. Boom boom, you're dead. You need health to continue." With that he stretched out the spoon.

Minako eyed the lump of steaming rice in dissent. "Absorb Armageddon. I'm fully recovered."

Minato laughed. "Seems like you've learned the skill masarcasm."

Minako frowned. "What's that? Sounds like an ability to put mascara on everyone."

Minato shook his head. "Ma-sar-ca-sm."

"That's mascara spelt wrong. Ugh, I hate that stuff. Yukari accidentally poked my eye with it, TWICE, one eye each."

"Mascara has nothing to do with this." Minato lifted a spoon. "Porridge now?"

"Never! I'll Sarcasm-dyne you!

Minato blinked. "Um….oh nooooooo?"

Minako grinned. "Hah, I win! Now, you must never try to feed me porridge!"

The male twin grinned. "Well, two can play that game. I'll use Dis-Sarcasm!"

Minako blinked and stuck out a tongue. "I've got Sarcasm Amp! Your attempts are useless!"

Minato smirked. "Resist Sarcasm!"

Minako gasped and grinned. "You leave me with no choice. I must use the ultimate persona fusion, ARMASARCASM!"

"What the hell is that?"

Minako laughed. "Armageddon, sarcasm-ed version."

Minato guffaws. "I bet Fuuka'll say, 'There are two shadows and they're sarcastic!'"

They roared in laughter. Minako wiped her tears. "Wow, you're all so sarcastic!"

They started laughing till their sides ache.

Everything was funny until the moment Minako dropped stiff on her bed.


However Minako deemed herself 'fully recovered', her body said otherwise. Right after she proudly announced she was 'in the pink of health', she vomited the porridge from earlier all over the poor blunette. Then the blaming game started, Minako blaming Minato for the porridge and him, blaming her for not keeping her vomit in.

Eventually, Minato left Prometheus to handle the girl while he went out on a little 'treasure hunt' for that troublemaker.

With an artificial moustache of course.

Minato had a hard time tracking down Takaya. No, not even the human GPS worked. What else could be the reason besides the fact that Chidori's persona is keeping them away from being detected? Perhaps they could confine her like before? But surely, Takaya would prevent that from happening again?

Out of the corner of his eye, Minato spotted a familiar figure. It was only then he realized he was in fact, in that little pub by the corner, called 'Que Sera Sera'.

And Que Sera Sera indeed.

Back in the first journey, Que Sera Sera was a place famous for its homebrew mix 'Elizabeth', wild parties and gangsters, maybe even yakuzas, you will never know. But now… Minato stared down at his newly washed shirt, the corners of his mouth turned down in disgust. The other merely stared at him with a proud look on his face.

Fungyaaa.

Fungyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.

That's right, a child breeding centre, because the pub is half packed with crying kids and wailing babies. The other half? Drunkards, punks and more infants huddled in a corner, only these ones look lifeless. Minato was still wearing that dumbfounded expression when he bumped into someone wearing a beanie.

"Tch, kids nowadays, aint got eyes and brains."

As though he just realized the 'mustached' guy staring at him, Shinjiro shot Minato one of his infamous death glares that helped deflect Akihiko's fan girls and walked away.

Minato scrunched his brow and exhaled. "Crap, I forgot about him…" He laughed and looked up to the sky. "Thanks for the bad memories, Fate. Perhaps if you would be so kind, mind helping me out with my little game of Sherlock Holmes?"

Just then, a strong gust of wind blew around the area, blowing Minato's moustache off his face, plus a few skirts and shrieks.

Minato groaned and shouted, "I really appreciate those panty shots, thank you!"

A few girls who heard him started shooting dirty looks and walked away from him. Minato slumped on the ground and stared at the fallen moustache. Then he looked at the group of girls walking away from him, then at their skirts, then at the direction it is blowing…

Minato clicked his fingers and jumped up. "I would kiss you if I could."

As though in response, a frog flew smack onto his lips.

"ARGH! EWW! FAAAATEEEEE!"


The monorail ride wasn't pleasant. I mean, think of it this way. People are shoving you left and right, and the self-adhesive on the moustache has worn off. And another mustached guy is staring at you. While stroking the head of his pet dog. And his pet dog is staring at you. In other words, both are staring at you.

O-kaay…

Minato was still a little paranoid when he got off the monorail, feeling a little regretful that he hadn't taken his car out for a ride. He shrugged. "Oh well, what's done is done."

Now, to find Takaya…

Minato eyed his surroundings. Miyamoto Sushi, McDonalds, Kenji's Strip Club, flashy lights, billboards and a lot of people. He sighed. "Finding Takaya here would be impossible. Where am I anyway?"

"Somewhere on Earth."

Minato stared deadpanned at a grumpy old lady standing beside him, shooting daggers in his direction while chewing gum.

A moment of silence rifted between the two when she blew a bubble, popped, and sucked it back in.

Minato grunted in disbelief and walked away.

"What would Takaya be doing in this busy city anyway?"

Minato eyed the signboard that read 'Kenji's Strip Club' in suspicion. "Unless…"


"Welcome!"

"You must be new! Do you want me to show you around?"

"Are you looking for anyone in particular?"

"Perhaps, are you looking for me?"

A girl with bunny ears touched his chest. "Wow, your chest is so hard!" Her hands travelled down. "How about…"

Minato grabbed her hands off his body. "Sorry, wrong door!"

He turned away from the line of girls in skimpy outfits and dashed out of the strip club. Once safely outside, he glanced at the signboard and sighed. "I doubt he'd be there."

Standing in the middle of the busy streets of Roppongi, Minato straightened his back and smiled nervously. "Right?"

A couple of high school girls walked by and Minato was all ears when he heard about a 'pale skinned man'.

"Ugh, did you see that earlier?"

"I know!"

"That pale skinned guy with creepy tattoos just walked into Kenji's Strip Club!"

The long haired girl rolled her eyes. "Such a major creep."

Minato could not help imagining Kenji Tomochika as the boss of a strip club, wearing revealing outfit and bunny ears, trying to seduce him like the girls earlier. At the thought, Minato almost puked and the girls stared at him.

Besides, who in their right mind would name a strip club after themselves?

"Let's go, this place is filled with creeps."

The other girl nodded while shooting him looks. "And perverts."

Minato rolled his eyes and turned back to the strip club. "If Takaya is in there, then I'm going in."

The blunette sucked in air and strode into the club again.

The bunny eared girl smiled and walked to him the moment she saw him. "Oh, you're back I see."

Minato tried to maintain a straight face. "Er, I just need the toilet."

The girl laughed. "If you had needed a toilet, wouldn't the restaurant next door have been a better choice?"

Minato blushed. "J-Just tell me where the toilet is!"


Walking down the hallway to the direction of the toilet, Minato kicked a chair and mumbled. "If it weren't for Takaya I would've remained pure by never having to venture into such a place!"

"Are you sure you're considered pure even though you've played with so many girl's hearts?"

Minato rolled his eyes. "The last thing I need is for mighty ol' Fate to tell me that."

Fate chuckled. "Oh I'm just stating the facts. Surely having another 'outlet' can't make any difference?"

"Who do you think I am? Some casanova?"

"Aha, I didn't say that!"

"Hey, I didn't do anything with her yet!"

"Oh. Did I hear a 'yet'?"

Minato groaned. "It would be better if you'd tell me something more of use instead of talking crap whenever you choose to open your unseen mouth."

Fate sounded shocked. "But I just did!"

"What? How is that-"

"Oh my, you're not going to the toilet yet?"

Minato spun around and banged head-first into the bunny eared girl. She licked her lips playfully. "Getting excited here are we?"

Minato grinned awkwardly. "Sure! So, where's the bed?"

The girl grabbed his face and started kissing him. It took all of Minato's strength to convince himself not to murder Takaya the moment he sees him later.

With much difficulty, Minato pulled himself apart and gasped for air. Laughing, he said, "Your lips are like suction cups. Once they're on, it sucks up all your breath and can't be pulled apart."

The girl grinned. "Maybe it's because you're like some magnet that attracts my lips to yours?"

Minato groaned at the memory of fan girls flocking around him. "Don't remind me about it."

The girl slipped behind him and whispered into his ear, sending shivers down his back. "Then let's take this further so you can forget about it."

"You know what? I'm going to get some popcorn."

Whilst being dragged by the girl, Minato hissed, "Shut up!"

"Alright, back in my seat."

Minato was on verge of pulling his hair out. "Help me out, will you? I have enough problems with girls! More than enough!"

"Whoops, forgot my 3D glasses. Be back in a sec."

Minato rolled his eyes and groaned.

"Alright, commercial break's over. Let the show begin!"

"There's NO SHOW!"

"Hmm, did you say something?"

Minato forced a smile. "No. Why, of course not!"

And then they were in the room, and Minato was getting pushed onto the bed. It felt weird since he was the one who usually does the pushing. In fact…

Minato let out an inaudible squeak. "I'm getting raped."

Not if I can help it.

Determined, he grabbed the girl's hips and rolled over so that he lay on top of her.

"Ready for an interesting game?"

She laughed. "Never been so ready."

Minato grinned. "Good. May I suggest that you close your eyes while I take control of this game?"

She shot him a dirty look. "The pleasure is mine."

The moment she closed her eyes, he closed his own, and replicated a pair of handcuffs. The girl shrieked in delight when she found her wrists tied to the metal bed frame.

With that, the blunette left.

Fate sighed. "Party crasher."


Minato peered into every room with hopes of finding Takaya, naked or not naked, but all he always got were naked couples, horrified shrieks, and once, a flower pot thrown into his face, but no Takaya.

The blunette was beyond puzzled. Had he left? Is he at the right place? He massaged his temples and wrecked his brain for answers. The Human-GPS wouldn't work with Chidori's protection, Fate wouldn't say a thing, Minako's wits are back in the dorm, and Takaya isn't anywhere here.

"Oh my dearly departed parents, help your son out won't you?"

"Put yourself into one's shoes to understand what they're thinking."

Minato's smile dipped for a second. "Mother?"

Memories of his mother flooded him and a tear sprung to his eye. It was only short lived however, when he slapped himself and nodded firmly.

Still standing in the middle of the hallway, Minato stroked his imaginary beard. "Put myself into Takaya's shoes? If I were Takaya, what would I be doing in a strip club, one so far away from Iwatodai? And why would I bring my two friends along with me? If I were Takaya…"

Realization hit him and Minato cried tears of joy. "Thank you, oh thank you mother!"


"Pass me the pepper, won't you Jin?"

The man clad in green handed the pale skinned man the pepper and continued to eat his sandwich solemnly.

Chidori stared at the red wallpaper of the back alley, dead to the world.

Takaya sighed. "Say something, won't you? The air is dead here!"

"Blah. Blah blah blah blah blahaa. Blahaaaaaaaa," replied Jin.

"Jin, stop talking with your mouth full."

Jin quickly swallowed his food. "Doesn't matter, said something."

Minato lowered his binoculars and sighed. "Remind me why I'm eavesdropping 10 meters away from them?"

Prometheus shrugged and pointed at the zombie-looking girl.

The blunette nodded. "Might want to take her out before she senses me."

Prometheus cocked his head quizzically.


"CAAAWW!"

Chidori paid no attention to the black bird hovering above them, so did Jin and Takaya. Little did they know, the bird's eyes were gleaming in anticipation. All within the blink of an eye, the black eagle swooped down and took flight with Chidori's prized sketchbook, earning a shriek and a frantic chase from the gothic-lolita while Jin and Takaya continued munching, oblivious to her absence.

"CAAAWW!"

The eagle returned to the rooftop and dropped the sketchbook into Minato's hands. He stroked the bird perched on his arm. "Good job."

The eagle screeched with pride while Prometheus sulked. Minato peered into her sketchbook, only to reveal a mass of disorientated squiggles. Page after page, all he saw was lines, squiggles, but never art.

Minato pointed the squiggles at an equally puzzled Prometheus. "Maybe I just don't get art?"

Prometheus scratched his helmet.

Minato squinted at the drawings again. "Not sure if I've turned gay or the drawing of Junpei last time looks a whole lot better than these?"

Prometheus held up two fingers and Minato nodded.

All of a sudden, the metal door to the rooftop opened with a clang. Out of shock, Minato dropped the book on the eagle's tail and Prometheus laughed a muffled sort of laugh. Sometimes, Minato had a feeling his persona might be an extreme sadist.

However, the laughter was short lived when Chidori plunged her hatchet into the persona's back.

Minato watched in horror as Prometheus fell to the ground while his laugh faded into silence like a dying video tape.

The moment he looked up, Minato gulped. Chidori was engulfed in a black aura as she glared at him, the chains attached to the hatchet recoiling back into her hands.

"Hey I just met you, and this is crazy."

She stretched out an arm.

"But hand my book back."

Chidori's eyes glowed a bright red while her hair flailed about from a non-existent wind.

"OR I WILL KILL YOU!"

Minato broke into a cold sweat and squeaked. "It's hard to give you, when you're sooo far. But here's your book back, so come and take it?"

Chidori calmed down when he held out the book sheepishly, as though worried that she would pounce on him and eat him whole. She strode towards him and grabbed the book.

But Minato had other plans. Chidori found herself staring into the distance past the Minato that should've been standing in front of her.

"Peekaboo."

As fast as a lion striking its prey, Minato gripped on the nape of her neck, hard. The last thing she saw were his shoes before falling into a stream of unconsciousness.


Minato hurried into the building's washroom with a bag of clothes. A balding old man standing by the toilet merely gave him an acknowledging nod. In response, Minato offered an awkward smile and entered a cubicle.

Minato pulled out the white gothic dress and squeezed himself into it. Then, he produced two large oranges and stuffed them in his white lacy bra. Once he'd given them a firm squeeze, he proceeded to his bottom and sighed.

"Somehow too flat over here."

Disgusts aside, he folded his school uniform neatly and strapped it to his bottoms.

Minato rustled around the bag. "Now, next will be…"

A wild makeup kit appeared on his hands.

Minato stared at the object for seconds, maybe even minutes.

"I guess I'll put that aside." Prometheus shook his head and Minato blushed. "For later, that is."

A wig was thrown on, together with frills, white stockings, hair accessories, shoes, more frills, and is this… a headband with a needle? Minato glanced at his reflection in his mirror awkwardly.

He groaned and cradled his head in his hands. "Now that I have this needle here, I actually feel like my head has been pierced with it."

With the makeup done, he stepped out of the cubicle and practiced some Chidori-like expressions in the mirror. The balding old man from earlier stared at him in amusement and beckoned him over.

Minato was confused, and a tad bit worried, but went over anyway. The old man gave his 'fruit boobs' a squeeze and winked at him with a thumbs up.

Minato never felt happier, his eyes shining with gleeful success. In the midst of his excitement, he shoved his rear in the old man's face, hoping that he would too, squeeze them and give him the thumbs up.

The only problem was that the old man got knocked out by his rear.


Takaya glanced up. "Oh, Chidori, Where have you been?"

Well, doesn't that sound familiar?

Minato gave a nonchalant 'hmph' and proceeded to sit on the bench. He cleared his throat nervously and perked his tone an octave higher. "So, what's our plan?"

Takaya raised a brow. "Oh? What is this? Chidori is actually interested for once?"

Minato turned stiff. On the outside, he had a stoic face. But inside, he was tearing his hair apart.

Shit! Was I too obvious? Is my cover blown? Has Takaya seen through me?

Upon seeing Chidori's 'bemused' expression, Takaya declared, "Tomorrow, we're going to capture that girl, their future support member, their shining ball!"

Minato couldn't help but gag. Shining ball?

Takaya clenched his fist. "That shining ball is the one who assists them in their missions! Without her…" He laughed like a mad man. "They'd be useless!"

"And what would you do if they had another support member?"

Takaya stared darkly at Chidori, at Minato. "They don't."

"How can you be so sure?" asked Jin.

"Let me remind the two of you. I've known those twins and their silly little group much, much more than you do. I know what will be their next move. I know who is to join. I know what their inevitable end is. I KNOW EVERYTHING!" Takaya cornered Jin and poked his chest. "Don't you dare question my abilities! I am the messiah sent to stop them from having the food chain to themselves! Else, there is no reason I would be standing here, with all these information in my mind!" Minato sighed in relief that it wasn't him in Jin's place. Takaya turned to him. "Chidori, you're going to get kidnapped by them. I suggest, no, I order that none of you approach or be acquainted with them, especially the capped goatee!

Minato nodded to his 'order', secretly thinking that Takaya had somehow avoided Jin's question earlier.

Takaya grinned. "But by the end of all these, the one thing I want most, is Arisato Minako's head, slaughtered, on my table."

"But you don't have a table."

Takay stared at Jin. "It's just an expression!"

Jin started, "What about your goal? For the destruction of the world? What has she done to you, that you'd let go of your original goal?"

"The destruction of the world will come about on its own." Takaya took a deep breath. "For now, I will leave it to them. If the destruction of the world is what they wish, then I am absolutely certain it will happen."

Minato furrowed his brow. Them? What does he mean? Could he mean SEES? Why would SEES want to bring about the destruction of the world? It doesn't make sense. All the while, it was Ikutsuki who was leading them astray. But surely Takaya knows that he and Minako would stop that?

"Arisato Minako is like a hidden fortune beneath one's feet."

Under his breath, Minato mumbled, "A hidden fortune?"

Jin kicked an empty tin lying around. "So, how about Arisato Minato?"

In his head, Minato high fived Jin.

"Rusted metal."

What the.

"But is he not the one who poses the biggest threat to us?"

"Certainly he is. Strong, influencial, inhumane, witty, flirtatious, powerful, he is almost like the final boss in a video game." Takaya's proud smile dipped. "But in time, you will find out who the final boss is."

Jin asked no more, so did Minato. He'd heard enough for the night.


Chidori sat up and groaned, the headache killing her. Groggily, she dragged her feet down the steps to the washroom where the balding old man saw her and smiled. Chidori was confused when he beckoned her over, but complied anyway. Just as he did with Minato, he grabbed her boobs and gave them a firm squeeze. Chidori trembled in disgust when he gave her the thumbs up.

When Minato arrived at the crime scene, it was already too late. The poor old man was bound in chains while Chidori appeared to be stepping on him. Minato took a step back and gasped.

"Let him go! Y-You… SADIST!"

Chidori was shocked. She too, took a step back and gasped. "How dare you call me a sadist, y-you…"

Seeing that she was stuttering, Minato sneered at her. "You what huh? Can't think of any bad words?"

Chidori huffed arrogantly. "Of course I can. In fact, I have a lot of insulting words in store for you."

Minato folded his arms and smiled. "Oh? Then, what's your best?"

Chidori smirked. She pointed an accusing finger at him and shouted confidently, "YOU ARE A NARCISSIST!"

A ball of dust rolled by, accompanied by a small gust of wind as the blunette and the old man stared at her.

After a few seconds, the old man started, "You serious?"

Chidori dug a heel into his face again. "Silence is golden, you senior citizen!"

Minato laughed like a mad man. "Well, well, who would've thought Chidori Yoshino couldn't curse and swear?"

Chidori gasped again. "Hah, don't tell me you don't think you're narcissistic?"

Minato laughed again. "I won't deny it. Yes, I am partially, but not fully narcissistic!" He stopped laughing and merely stared at her. "But, the real narcissist isn't me." He shook his head. "Who in this world, do you see walking around shirtless and tattooed at any time of the year?" Before Chidori could answer, Minato declared, "Yes, there's only one person, and we both know who it is!"

Chidori stared at him. "Huh."

Minato went to the old man and released his chains. "You know, there's always one thing that puzzles me. Why are you still following Takaya?"

Chidori blinked, but her face was the usual stoic expression. "Why, you say?"

The old man bowed to Minato and walked off. He turned to Chidori. "Yes. I don't understand. Takaya is keeping secrets from you, and yet you and Jin are following him like faithful dogs. Why?"

Chidori's face seemed to soften for just a moment, before it went back to the usual cold-hearted look she always wore. "Why do you want to know anyway? It's none of your business."

Minato grinned. As expected, no matter how cold she may seem, all she is inside, is just a lonely girl.

He turned to leave. "Think about it. The next time we meet," Minato turned and flashed her a warm smile. "Tell me."

Chidori was taken aback by the change in behavior, but chose not to show it. Once Minato was gone, Chidori exited the building and stared at the evening sky.

"Why?"


It was such an amusing fact that Minato arrived home to find his twin sleeping soundly.

"And I wonder who said she was 'fit as fiddle and didn't need any rest'?" Shrugging, he threw the covers off and shook her. "Hey, wake up."

There was no response.

He shook her more. 'Hey, wake up!"

Minako gave a sleepy grin and kicked him away.

Minato gritted his teeth as he landed on his own bed, opposite to hers. "Why you…" He grabbed her shoulders and shook her back and forth violently. "Oi, wake up!"

Minako chuckled dreamily. "No, don't. I'm very full already, Shinji…"

The blunette sighed and ran a hand through his blue hair. "Just what are you dreaming?"

Minako wriggled in her sleep, the silly grin still plastered on her face. "Shinji… I can't eat anymore…"

Minato stared gloomily at the content smile on her face. That's right. Aragaki Shinjiro, the one that Minako loved with all her heart. The day he died changed something in her. He could still remember the first week after his death, Minako slept in his room, cooked his favorite foods, visited his grave and the places he frequent every day without fail. Whenever she ate anything she would comment the same thing, "Shinji's taste better,". Although she only acted like that around him, Minato swore the others knew, but chose not to say anything. It was always Shinji, Shinji, and more Shinji, until Akihiko came along. Perhaps it was grief, or maybe love, that she and Akihiko got together and became an item. Guess that meant eventually she got over Shinjiro, and moved on.

Heck, even the bed she's sleeping on is Shinjiro's.

He looked at her and laughed at the irony.

"Hmm, Minato?"

Minato smiled at her. "Good morning sleepy-head. Slept well?"

With a smile, she rubbed her eyes and stretched her arms. "Yeah."

"Dream?"

There goes the glimmer in her eyes whenever she thinks of Shinjiro. She grabbed his sleeves and began talking excitedly. "Ah! I had this dream that Shinji kept making me eat his homemade tamago."

"Tamago?"

She pouted. "Yes, tamago! Of all the delicious things he could make, it HAD to be tamago! And when I said I was full and couldn't go on, he just stuffed it in my mouth. How rude!"

"Eh… And you just let him stuff it in?"

Fiddling the buttons on his shirt, Minako laughed. And then her smile faded. "Hey, do you think we can save Shinji this time?"

Minato shoved his hands in his pockets. "Who knows? Maybe we can, maybe we can't. But as long as we try our best, I'm sure he can be saved."

She looked at him with lifted spirits. "You think so?"

Minato nodded. She beamed at him, but he could tell she was worried. Then she clapped her hands together, as though remembering something. "Oh, that's right. Didn't you go hunting for Takaya? So? What have you got?"

Minato gasped. "Ack, I almost forgot! We have to search the school for her. Takaya's going to strike tonight!" He looked away from her, his face twisted in concern. "If we don't get to her first, who knows what will happen to shining ball…"

Minako cocked her head in confusion. "Shining ball?"

Minato stood up and nodded gravely at the calendar. "Fuuka's code name, The Shining Ball!"

Minako stared at her twin brother as he maintained his pose. "Right…"

Minato clasped her hands together. "It's true! Takaya gave her that name. He said that they will find her tonight, and who knows what they'll do to her…"

"Why are they doing this?"

"Fuuka is our important member, a support member at that, just like Chidori. Takaya knows what it's like to lose a support member so he thinks that by taking away our support member for a change, he can win against us."

"But why the name, Shining Ball?"

Minato attached a fake moustache to his face. "If my suspicions are correct, then it comes from the ball-like-shield that surrounds her when her persona is summoned."

Minako nodded. "So, should we search the school now or do we wait until the Dark Hour?"

"The sooner the better!" He grabbed his keys and pulled her hand. "Let's go!"


The twins scaled the gates of the school and sneaked past the guards stealthily. They split their ways and searched high and low for Fuuka. But at the end of the day, she wasn't in class, nor was she in the gym storage. Minato ruffled his hair in frustration.

"This stupid visor must be broken. That blinking dot of Fuuka's stated right here!"

Minako sat on the thick mattress in the gym storage. "She must be in Tartarus then."

Minato frowned. "Let's search again. Maybe we missed out somewhere."

Before they departed, Minato pulled his sister's sleeve and yanked her back, earning a small shriek from her to which he silenced with a finger.

"Remember, don't let the guards catch you. They're wolves in disguise, waiting to catch innocent little girls like you."

Minako placed her hands on her hips and sighed. "You know, we wouldn't have to act like thieves if only you used your Student Council President privilege."

He rolled his eyes. "That just ruins the fun! Now, let's get going."

An hour later and the two met up at the gym storage with nothing, just fatigue.

Minato supported himself on his knees and panted, sweat dripping from his skin. "So, found her?"

Minako too slumped against the wall gasping for breath. "Do you think I'd leave her there if I found her?"

Together, they made their way to the mattresses and hoisted their bodies on it.

"Man, I totally forgot about our extreme health penalty. Hey Fate! Aren't you happy seeing us looking like fishes out of water?"

There was a chuckle. "Heh, you bet. No entertainment beats watching you two."

Minako huffed, "Am I the only one who's just realized Fate is a sadist?"

Minato shook his head. "You're never alone with me here. But damn, we can't be putting up with this for the rest of our lives."

Minato sat up and nodded in agreement. "Can't you just revoke the penalty?"

Minato too, sat up. "Please?"

They leaned their heads against each other's. "Pleaaasseeeee?"

Silence.

Minato threw his hands in the air. "Oh come on, don't ignore us! It's a matter of life and death!"

"Well… I cannot revoke and penalties or punishments that have been done but…"

The twins nodded eagerly.

"If you're willing to make sacrifices…"

Minato gestured for him to go on.

"And put in some effort…"

The twins stared at the fidgeting hand that emerged from the sky in anticipation.

"It is possibl-"

The twins shrieked and jumped in joy with newfound energy.

Fate cleared his throat. "It is possibly impossible."

Aaand, that newfound energy is gone.

Minato raged, "Why is it impossible?"

"Do you not believe in us?" aided Minako.

Fate's voice sounded hesitant. "It's not that I don't believe you are unable to do it, just that there are quite a number of criteria you have to fulfill in order to reverse this penalty."

"Criteria?"

"Well, it is a minor penalty so…"

Minako pouted. "Just how is this considered minor?"

"Isn't it minor compared to the death sentence penalty if you don't survive this journey?"

Minato sulked. "So, what are the criteria?"

"You will have to sacrifice all your additional abilities that you obtained."

Minako crossed her arms. "Define all."

"Your universal package powers and other abilities you own. The new abilities that your personae have learnt will not have to be sacrificed."

Minato raised a brow. "All? Not even one?"

"You are allowed to retain one… I think. I'm not sure myself."

Minato slumped on the mattress. "What do you mean, you're not sure?"

"Yeah, aren't you like, the mightiest of the mighty?"

"Circumstances, my child. It depends on the circumstances."

Minako rolled her eyes. "This sounds really troublesome if you ask me."

Fate cleared his throat. "Moving on." The finger in the sky extended to two. "All social links must be maxed."

Minato groaned. "That's often achieved at the end of the year. Who knows, we might already be dead by then."

"Perseverance is the key to success." The finger count increased to three. "Defeat 25 Reapers."

The twins sucked in air.

"Four, you must defeat all the full moon bosses in the Vision Quest door at least once."

As if it wasn't enough, Fate continued. "Five, you must defeat your respective Velvet assistant."

At this point, the twins had lost any energy to comment anymore.

"Six, you must be at a minimum level of 500. Even if you have fulfilled the other criterias, I cannot revoke it until your level is sufficiently high."

Minato nodded. "Makes sense."

"Seven, you must defeat someone of a level higher than 500."

Minako whined. "Please tell me this is the end."

"Eight, you must have influence in the world."

At this, the twins snorted. "As is being popular in school is not enough."

Fate smiled, even though they couldn't see it. "The next one is less burdensome. The ninth criteria requires that you have found the one you truly love, the one you are sure you want to spend your remaining days with. However, the other must feel the same."

Minato gulped. "That's possibly impossible."

Fate chuckled. "I'm sure your charm will work well, no?"

Minako rolled her eyes. "You're talking about sincerity. What can charm do to help that?"

"Ah, I'm sure this ninth task is nothing to fret about. It will eventually come on its own. Just a word of advice, don't try too hard."

"Don't try too hard." Minato blinked. "You do realize that's the forbidden rule in the game of courting?"

"Mark my words on this one, my boy." Minato swore he saw a wink from the sky but decided it was just a supernova in space.

"Last but not least-"

"FINALLY!"

Insert awkward silence here.

Fate coughed. "Last but not least-"

"EUREKA!"

The twins were grinning from ear to ear is between the silence.

Fate coughed louder, "I said, last but not least-"

"BWAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Minato stared at his twin sister laughing.

"Well, that was random."

Minato prodded her. "Have you gone mad?" Before she could reply, he answered his own question. "Wait, I forgot you ARE mad."

Minako sulked. Fate sighed. Minato was just eager to hear the last criteria.

"As I was saying, the tenth and final criteria requires that you to discover your true self."

At this, Minako snapped out of her sulking. "Our true self?"

"I cannot disclose any more. That is for you to discover."

Minato glanced at the sky through the open doors of the gym storage. "Ten requirements to fulfill."

Minako sighed. "Of which are tedious ones."

"My question to you now is, are you in for it?"

Minato laughed. "Truth to be told, the cons weigh more than the pros."

"Here's a word of advice someone once told me." Fate paused. "There is nothing not worth doing in this world because no matter how impossible it may seem, you will never know if you will succeed in it one day."

"And may I ask how is that person today?"

"True to his words, he succeeded. A fine man he was, living on his own principles. Such a shame to know what has befallen him."

The twins looked at each other, wondering who this mysterious man is.

"Anyway my point is, if you think you really want to void the penalties, possibly including the major one depending on how well you've managed those requirements, this is the key to it."

The twins looked at each other in uncertainty.

"Give it a shot. There is no harm trying."

"Actually, while trying, we might be harmed."

"Nahh, I'm sure you'll survive."

Seeing that the twins were still in a dilemma, Fate said, "I'll leave you to your own devices for now, but when you think you're up for it, give me a call."

After that, Fate never responded to their questions.

Minako glanced at the clock on the wall. "Let's put that aside for later. For now we still have three hours to the dark hour. Perhaps its best we rest and get to Fuuka in Tartarus before Takaya."

Though hesitant, Minato complied. They exited the gym storage and sneaked out of the school grounds. Minato hopped ahead of her and asked, "Hey, don't you think this will ruin the flow of events?"

Minako scrunched her eyebrows. "That's true, but what's important here is her awakening. Will it occur naturally, or will we have to make arrangements?"

Minato grinned. "Don't try so hard, says Fate."

Minako smacked her brother playfully. "You're using it in the wrong line you know."

He hopped to his car and opened the passenger seat for her. "Please get in the car, milady."

Minako was about to get in when he gasped and slammed the door shut before her. "Whoops, I forgot I wasn't supposed to try too hard."

Minako merely rolled her eyes. "What Fate meant was not to try too hard in treating your potential lover, not your sister you idiot."

"Doesn't matter, you're still a girl in my eyes." With that, he winked playfully at her and Minako reached over the hood of the car to pinch him.


"Is everyone ready?"

Minato nodded at Mitsuru and one by one, SEES set out to Gekkoukan.

Just as the twins got into the car, the screen on the dashboard flashed on. On the screen, a loading bar was seen, and the words 'UPDATE COMPLETE' was blinking madly. Suddenly, the words vanished and a female voice spoke, "Rebooting system."

Minato stared at the screen. "Well, this has never happened before."

Minako prodded the screen, but nothing happened. "Maybe it wants to talk to us."

"Preparing compatibility mode."

Minato nodded. "Must be it."

Minako nodded as well. "Has to be it."

And just like an elevator arriving at its floor, a chime sounded before the female voice came up again.

"This device operates on the voice recognition system. Please identify yourself."

Minato pointed to himself, as though questioning the machine before clearing his throat.

"A-Ah, hello, car."

Minako facepalmed while Minato grinned stupidly at the thought of him saying hello to a car.

"User identified: Arisato Minato. Access granted."

Jaw-dropping, since the twins have never experienced such advanced technology. "Well, that's tech-y."

But there was more, the lights on the dashboard began to light up in rows. The two stared at the machine working in awe.

"Before we begin the journey, please assign an alias for this monstrous hell of a car."

The screen flashed to a sound detector graph. Minato nudged his passenger and whispered, "Hey, did you hear what she said?"

Minako shrugged, a dumbfounded look on her face. "Maybe the idea of a talking car is too much for us to handle."

They sat in their seats in silence. Simultaneously, they nodded. "Must be it."

"So, what alias should we give it?"

The auburn haired twin shrugged. "How about Car?"

"That's a noun."

"Fluffy?"

"Not a pet."

"Bumpy rock?"

"Is that even related?"

"Lamborghini Advancetador?"

"I think you pronounced it wrong."

"Gah, this is so hard!"

"Pour water on it so it becomes soft?"

Suddenly Minako exclaimed, 'Bumpy rock! The others must be there already!"

"User identified: Arisato Minako. Alias recognized: Bumpy rock."

The screen began to show some weird codes and Minato shrieked.

"No! Cancel! Cancel alias! Exit! Reboot! SHUT DOWN!"

"Processing alias 'Bumpy Rock'. Imprinting alias 'Bumpy Rock' into system data."

Minato yelled "Nooooooooooo," as though it was the end of the world while Minako let out an 'oops' and buried her face in her palms.

"Alias 'Bumpy Rock' accepted. This alias cannot be changed for security purposes." The screen flashed 'Bumpy Rock', much to the blunette's grief. "Bumpy Rock wishes you a safe a comfortable journey."

Minato clutched his chest and wept. "Right in the heart."

Trying to ease both her brother and herself, Minako patted his shoulder and offered some comforting words. "Try to ignore its existence. I'm sure that alias isn't used often…"


"Entering the Dark Hour. Compatibility mode on Bumpy Rock has been activated."

"Bumpy Rock is going through a bumpy and rocky road. Do you want to enable comfort mode?"

"Selected media: Rock and Roll. Bumpy Rock loves Rock and Roll!"

"Approaching ocean areas. Bumpy Rock advises that you steer clear of the rocks that make Bumpy Rock go bumpy to avoid Bumpy Rock from being thrown off the bridge into the water."

" Fun Facts #006: Bumpy Rock does not go well with water."

"Fun Facts #007: Bumpy Rock will sink in water."

"Bumpy Rock, designed to keep you entertained and safe throughout your journey!"

Minato turned the ignition off in exhaustion. Whoever said the alias 'Bumpy Rock' wouldn't be used often?

Minako too, has her shoulders slouched in exhaustion. She gave the dashboard a firm punch. "The damn thing can't be turned off. I've tried everything."

Of all the possibilities he could think of, only four seems the most sensible. One, the programmer of the system is an idiot. Two, the system is programmed to troll. Three, 'Bumpy Rock' hates its name and is torturing him. Four, he simply hated hearing the name 'Bumpy Rock'.

The blunette shivered as he stepped out of the car.

Junpei ran up to them and waved. "Oh hey, you're late. Had a bumpy ride?"

Minato raised a hand. "Please, enough with Bumpy Rock. Let's go."


Minato, Minako, Akihiko and Junpei roamed the purple halls of Arqa. The faces on the walls of the corridors never failed to make the twins tremble, more so now, when the entire floor appeared to be empty, and expanding at an alarming rate, with no teleporters, nor stairs to be seen. Not the best time to be separated from each other.

The earpiece cackled and Minako's voice interrupted the silence. "This seems a bit like a Death floor."

An aimlessly roaming Junpei's eyes grew wide with fear. "Oh man, of all days, why did I win Yukari in paper rock scissors today?"

Akihiko tightened his gloves and grinned. "It's my lucky day then. Good training material."

"Akihiko. You are not on par with the Arisatos. I don't want you and Iori running into a battle just to get yourselves killed."

Akihiko sighed. "We're fine, Mitsuru. A little battle experience in this, and I'll be as good as them in no time."

Minato stopped in his tracks and gripped his sword tightly. He pressed against the earpiece. "I hear it, the sound of rattling chains."

Junpei squeaked. "I-I-It's here?"

Suddenly a burst of light erupted from a distance. Gunshot sounds echoed, making it clear someone is in a battle.

"Who's fighting?"

"Don't worry, I got this under control." replied Minako.

"Has anyone found the teleporter yet?" wailed Junpei. "I just wanna get out of here!"

"Stop acting like a baby, Junpei." snapped Akihiko.

"Alright, this is what we're gonna do. Search for a teleporter and hop in it. Any unusual sounds or sightings must be reported to me." ordered Minato.

Akihiko continued roaming the hallways. "Will you be teleporting back as well?"

Minato quickened his pace. "No. Minako and I have got something to settle tonight. You guys go ahead. We'll call you guys if we need backup."

Junpei snorted. "If you guys, the pros need backup, wont bringing us to the scene kill us?"

Minato laughed. "Remember the incident at school where we were attacked? That's the kind of backup I meant."

Suddenly, Minako's voice came into the picture, seemingly out of breath as though she'd been running. "Seems that I've encountered some problems, and am running in your direction Junpei, since you're nearest to me. Be prepared!"

Junpei freaked out for a moment, because he wasn't expecting a backup call in a short time. He swung his sword and grinned. "Alright, Junpei is going to be the knight in shining armor tonight and kick some ass!"

"Junpei, keep running!"

Junpei turned around to greet Minako, only to turn pale and run for his life. "H-Hey, what's with the massive crowd with you?"

Minako's eyes darted in every direction, squinting to spot a dead end or another continuous stretch of hallway. "Beats me. Once I'd finish looting the first Reaper, these few appeared from a corner!"

Junpei darted around the corner like a madman, occasionally tripping over his own foot. "How many?"

Minako chuckled. "Why don't you count?"

Out of curiosity, the capped teenager glanced back and squeaked. "Four!" One of the chasing Reapers pointed its revolvers and fired, shooting his cap off his head.

Junpei shook a fist. "Hey, hey, hey! Watch where you're shooting! That could've killed me!"

Minako grabbed his hand and pulled him to another bend of hallways. "Sorry to break this to you but, they are trying to kill you."

"Seriously?!"

Minako smiled at him. "No, I'm joking. They just want to play cops and robbers."

Junpei grunted and almost ran into the wrong lane again, if it weren't for Minako pulling him away. "Man, I was never good at that game."

Minako panted heavily in need of oxygen and her legs were going numb from running around. She fumbled her pockets for a Traesto Gem, but there was only one. She tossed it to Junpei and replicated one for herself.

"Minato, Akihiko, can you hear me? Junpei and I are heading back by Traesto Gems."

Akihiko gripped his evoker tightly. "Why, what's going on over there?"

"I'll tell you what, there are four Reapers hot on our heels, and one of them just shot off my cap!" yelled Junpei.

Minato nodded. "Akihiko and I will find a way to meet up with you at the entrance."

Once given the approval, Junpei immediately used his Gem, and was teleported back to the entrance of Tartarus. On the other hand, Minako was still on the move, staring at the gem in her hands, even though she'd activated it the same time as Junpei.

She tossed the gem at a Reaper's head, and replicated another.

But nothing happened.

Minako was really, really exhausted, and the gems aren't working. Then it occurred to her that replicated gems, are like artificial diamonds. You can make them shine, but they can't be used to cut through anything and everything like pure diamonds. In other words, they only have the appearance, but the functionality isn't there.

Minako scanned her surroundings with the visor. Akihiko isn't near her. So is Minato. And then there's that familiar sound of noisy chatter. Who could it be?

Turned out to be Takaya and friends.

She grabbed him and shoved his unsuspecting limp body towards the pursuing Reapers, tripping them all in the process. Takaya untangled himself from the confused bunch of Deaths in black coats and ran alongside her.

"How dare you push me into them!"

Minako huffed, "What are you doing here anyway? It's not every day I meet you in Tartarus without an evil motive."

Takaya groaned, because it was mostly true, not that he was going to admit it. "I, well, I was just getting some training, you know, to beat your sorry ass?"

Minako grunted. "Why don't you fight them? Now's a good time as any to get started on your training."

Takaya turned to the increasing mass of Reapers. "That, is a little too selfish of me if I were to defeat them all by myself."

"Oh don't worry, the honor's all yours. Be my guest." With that, she stuck out a foot and Takaya tripped over it.

The pale skinned man fell and rolled on the floor for a moment before scrambling back to his feet with the Reapers a few millimeters from his heel. He grabbed her neck and strangled her.

The last thing she needed was for her airway for oxygen intake to be blocked. Minako coughed and gasped for air. "Are you crazy? Let go!"

The two ended up in a comical brawl while still on the move, both desperately trying to get each other's throats. They stopped a little while later, when one of the Reapers shot a bullet at them, separating them in an instant. In the midst of their chaotic escape, Takaya noticed his two followers were nowhere to be found.

"Look what you've done! Now Jin and Chidori have become the Reapers' victims!"

Minato shot him a tongue. "Who called you to leave them behind?"

At that moment, a grenade was sent flying. Takaya freaked out when the grenade stuck to his pants. He pried it off and tossed it into Minako's hands. The auburn haired girl stared at it curiously before realizing she was holding a piece of explosive in her hands. She then threw it back into Takaya's hands, which threw it back to her. They threw it back and forth, back and forth.

Suddenly, the grenade got stuck in Takaya's long hair.

The pale skinned man went mad. He pulled at his hair frantically, eventually pulling out his knife and slicing his hair when it refused to budge.

What an idiot he was.

After cutting off a thick wad of his hair and the grenade with it, he threw the damned thing ahead of him in a panicky state. Unfortunately, it didn't take long for the whole group to run right into its direction.

"Shit."

The little ball of explosive exploded at their feet, sending the two flying forward. The Reapers were stunned momentarily, but recovered in record time and chased them harder, feeling cheated.

"Takayaa!"

Takaya spotted Jin and Chidori coming from another junction and he immediately questioned them, "Where have you been?"

Before the question was answered, all four were frantically running for their lives together, the number of Reapers having increased to thirteen. It wasn't even surprising that they weren't trying to kill the auburn haired girl, given their circumstances.

Jin huffed and began to slow down every now and then, only to sprint a little faster just to catch up before repeating the process again.

Chidori on the other hand fared better than him. The only problem she had was trying not to trip over her ridiculously long and heavy gown. If one could imagine it properly, Chidori was running like one of those happily newly wedded girls, running happily with a bright smile into their lover's arm while happily lifting their long white gowns for running convenience. The only difference here was that, there is no bright smile, no lover's arms, a gothic Lolita dress in place for a white wedding gown, and a very unhappy girl.

And let's just say… Takaya looks like a walking zombie.

But on second thought, make that a running zombie.

Yeap, a running zombie with hair flying behind him as seen in shampoo advertisements.

Well, ruined hair, that is.

Minako was sure she couldn't be looking any better than them but what she knew was she could barely see where she was running to. For all she knew, she could've been running into another Reaper since all she could see was black, black, and more black. Occasionally she would produce an inhaler and suck on it just to regain a little color in her vision before her brain got low on oxygen again and everything would become pitch black. Then she had to rely on the visor and pray that it isn't showing her the wrong stuff.

On the other hand, Minato was somewhat worried, since he hadn't heard from her since she supposedly teleported back to the entrance. He walked some more, and groaned. "Now where the hell is that teleporter? Or a stair at least?"

But no, there was nothing.

"A human, maybe?" he wailed in desperation.

"Oh Minato, hey."

Minato stared wide eyed at an exhausted silver haired boxer. "What kind of sorcery is this?"

Akihiko cocked his head. "Huh?"

Minato shook his head. "Found nothing huh?"

Akihiko sighed. "Besides a couple of shadows I found along the way, nope, nothing." Then he grinned and held up two gold coins. "Three escaped, but I managed to kill two and get these."

Minato watched Akihiko pocket the gold coins carefully in his pocket. "So, what're you going to use them for?"

Akihiko stared at the ground, his face twisted deep in thought. "Maybe I'll sell it at Paulownia mall, then maybe get myself a new pair of gloves, or should I get a new set of gauntlets? Or maybe I could just spend them on a new sandbag. Mine's getting really soft and worn… Or hey, maybe a gym in the dorm!"

A few moments later the boxer was already in his own world, fantasizing about the things he could buy for himself and the dorm, all related to boxing and training.

"You know what? I'm going to kill some more of these shadows and get more money. See ya later!"

Minato was going to stop him in case he ran into a Reaper but the silver haired boxer was already gone. The blunette sighed. "Guess I'll just carry on looking around…"

But suddenly, the sound of chains being dragged across the floor reached his ears. Minato perked up, looking and scanning his surroundings expecting to spot Death donned in a black coat floating towards him.

But no, because just one Reaper would be too mainstream.

Minato found himself staring into the glowing eye sockets of not one, not two, not three, but five Reapers ready to rip him into pieces mercilessly. The blunette gulped as he positioned his sword in its sheath at his back and crouch down in a stance like he always did in track and field.

A warrior is one who knows how to fight, and when to back off.

Mr. Ono always, always told him that when he was trying to obtain the Sengoku helm. Mentally, Minato saluted him as he dug his heel in the ground and took off.

Because this time, show time has to wait.


A/N: A million apologizes cannot express my regret for the extremely late update. I've been ridiculously busy, getting only minimal sleep each day, which leaves only my weekends to work on this. I guess that's the sad part about life. :) If only I don't have to bring back a wad of paperwork, this chapter would probably have been out like, three weeks ago. And when I logged on to fanfiction there's a ton of updates greeting me. O.O

Erm, to reply 'hey', no, I did not write this story based on any reference at all, let alone, a picture. (Actually, I have no idea what you're trying to show me since I can't view the picture ._.)

Faust.C, muahahahah, because I believe I'm the sadist here. But don't worry, I believe Chihiro's got a good future written in my books. :D

A million thanks to those who reviewed, faved, or followed, cause each time you do, I feel pumped and manage to write twice the load of words I usually do. I guess that explains the long chapter. ;D

Bumpy Rock orders you to leave a bumpy review for this rocky chapter! :D