And here I go! This chapter is longer than last one :D I'm pretty satisfied with it, and I hope you enjoy it too!


Chapter 11: The Chariot Arcana

Friday: April 24th, 2009

I think I'll go join one of the sports clubs today. Junpei told me that the only clubs that are taking members at this time of the year are sports clubs, and not even all sports clubs. I have to choose between the Swimming Club, the Kendo Club, and the Tennis Club. I guess I'll just go for the Tennis Club, since I've done some Tennis in the past.

Today hasn't exactly been memorable. I just got up, went to school alone, and sat through the classes. I'm glad that's over. I'll go register at the club and then kill some time before I need to go work. Sounds like a plan.

I go through an outdoor hallway to get to the other building. On my way there, I notice a small tree. It must've been planted recently. Anyway, I should get to the Tennis Club. When I arrive at the courts, I spot a teacher sitting on the bleachers, looking at her watch every now and then while yawning. I've seen her before. It's Ms. Kanou. She doesn't teach my class in particular, but Junpei has been saying how she's the hottest teacher ever. I can't deny that she's pretty.

I approach her to ask her about the club.

"Hi, Ms. Kanou?"

Her attention shifts towards me and she gives me a smile.

"Hello there, can I help you?"

"Well, I was wondering about the Tennis Club."

"You want to join?"

"Yes, actually."

"Alright I'll register you. Right now we've just started the session. Would you like to practice with them today? I can introduce you while we're at it."

Starting right off the bat? That's not what I expected. But I did say that I had some time to kill, so I guess this is one way to spend my time. Ms. Kanou takes a notebook and starts writing my name in it. I go to my locker and change into my gym uniform. When I get back to the courts, Ms. Kanou immediately starts introducing me. The members' attention shifts to me.

"So, you all have a new teammate. She's from class 2-F. Everybody be nice to her, okay?"

I should say something.

"Nice to meet you all."

"Nice to meet you too!"

They all seem so friendly. I feel pretty welcomed here. It looks like it's going to be a fun year together. Ms. Kanou clears her throat, getting everyone's attention.

"Um, who was the leader for the juniors?"

"That would be me."

A serious-looking girl with long black hair tied in a ponytail comes forward. I did say they all looked friendly, but this one doesn't. She doesn't look like a bad person either, just a bit of a no bullshit aura emanates from her.

"Oh, good. I'll leave the rest to you. I don't really know what I'm supposed to do here anyway."

"…All right."

She giggles and leaves the courts. I guess she feels like her job for the day is done. The leader doesn't look too happy about it, though. She's slightly frowning.

"I don't really know anything! Tee-hee!"

A short-haired girl mimics Ms. Kanou in a mocking way.

"Haa! That sounds exactly like her. She's too old to try to act cute like that."

A tanned girl replies. Ms. Kanou doesn't seem to be very popular among the girls. I guess the fact that she's getting all of the boys' attention would create jealousy.

"...C'mon, let's get back to practice!"

Leader says to everyone, not looking too happy about their little gossip. She then turns to me.

"I'm Rio Iwasaki, a junior like you."

Even though she looks the least friendly out of everyone, she seems to be the most honest one.

"Nice to meet you. So you're the leader, right?"

"I'm in charge of the juniors in the club, so don't hesitate to ask me anything. This club meets on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. We don't meet for a few days before exams, so keep that in mind."

"Yes ma'am, I'll keep it in mind."

I giggle and smile. She gives a small smile too.

"Well then, we're going to concentrate on doing basic exercises today, so come on and join in. Just keep up as much as you can."

I nod. She's a pretty thoughtful person once you get past her stoic expression.

"The basics again...?"

One of the members starts whining.

"I keep telling you all that the fundamentals are important! Let's start off with some running."

Rio says with an authoritative tone. I guess that's why she's the leader.

"Alright…"

All of the members reply while sighing. Rio then comes up to me and explains a bit more to me.

"You stand in this line. If you start getting worn out, just keep your mind focused and you'll be able to pull through."

"I'll be alright."

This is nothing compared to what I have to go through in Tartarus. She gives me a satisfied expression.

"Ahaha, you sound promising."

As I start running, the same voice from yesterday talks to me again.

"Thou shalt have our blessing when thou choosest to create a Persona of the Chariot Arcana..."

The Chariot Arcana… I feel like I should go see Theo and fuse some of my persona now. Maybe I'll end up with something powerful.

"Well, let's go. Front row, start us off!"

Rio's voice breaks through my thoughts. She really seems to be taking her role seriously. After the running, we do some muscle exercises then a few hitting and receiving drills.

I feel energized after this workout. I take a shower in the lockers and then head to work.

It was a normal day at work. Nothing special happened, just the regular customers, since it's a weekday. When I get home, I find Mitsuru and Akihiko in the lounge, talking. They seem… close. It kind of sends a little sting in my heart. Is there something going between them?

"There you are."

Mitsuru says as she sees me. Akihiko smiles at me. It's been a while since we spent time together.

"We were thinking of going to Tartarus tonight. Are you up for it?"

Mitsuru asks me. I nod.

"Yeah, let's go."

Junpei and Yukari get ready as well and we all wait for the Dark Hour.

Finally, we get to the entrance of Tartarus. When we do, I excuse myself for a bit to go to the Velvet Room.

"Welcome."

Igor's voice greets me as I enter. I take a seat in front of him and tell him about the purpose of my visit.

"I was thinking of trying out a few fusions.

"Of course, my dear. Theodore here will be glad to help you."

Theodore then gives me a polite bow and a controlled smile, just like a server at a prestigious restaurant would do.

"Just tell me which Persona you would like to fuse and I'll tell you what the possible outcome will be."

Seems simple enough… Now which Persona should I use? I don't feel like I want to let go of my Orpheus just yet. So I guess it'll be between Apsaras, Pixie, and Angel.

"I think I'll go with Apsaras and Pixie."

"Apsaras and Pixie, you say? The outcome of such a fusion will be Nekomata, a Persona belonging to the Magician's Arcana. Some of its abilities are Agi and Cleave. With this fusion, it will obtain Dia, from Pixie, and Bufu from Apsaras."

He then goes on about its strengths and weaknesses. Finally, he tells me that, since I established the Magician's Social Link, Nekomata will gain more strength from this fusion. I agree to the fusion and Theo starts reciting a ritual while holding two Tarot Cards. The cards fuse into one and Nekomata appears. Like the Nekomata of legends, she has a cat tail and a seductive female's body. Her appearance is different depending on which legend, of course. Thanks to the Social Link of the Magician's Arcana, she gets stronger and gains the ability to Provoke the enemy.

I thank Theo and Igor and go back to the entrance of Tartarus. My teammates look at me, still not too used to me going off randomly. I look at Akihiko and he gives me a smile, to tell me that he understands what I've been doing.

"Alright, are you ready to go?"

Mitsuru asks Junpei, Yukari, and I. We all nod and head to the transporter. We arrive to the 5th floor right away and prepare ourselves.

"Be careful. The strong presence is on this floor."

Mitsuru's voice sounds in our ears I take a deep breath and concentrate. This will be dangerous, but we have to do it.

"Yukari, Junpei, let's go."


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