Piecing the Fragments

Chapter 14: Taking a Ride

Original Concept: Persona 3 Portable

..

Created by: Atlus

written by: wrathie

Author's Notes: Game Spoilers Galore, Readers be warned.

Author's Notes: Thank you, Kaiser dude for the beta as always!

Edited and re-mastered on 13/02/13

..

The three of them headed back to the dormitory early to get some rest in anticipation of the next shadow attack as predicted by Mitsuru. Of course the two of them were a little sceptical of the 'bad feeling' but Arisato Minako insisted on it being the truth.

Minako even busted the old: 'Woman's intuition' on the two of them, causing them to laugh even as she pouted in disappointment.

Minako had been so certain that if she was to just tell them the truth about what was going to happen tonight, they would believe her! After all, with Mitsuru being the one who had connected the two incidents first, it would give her some credibility as well.

Still, Minako figured that it would be difficult for her to convince the other two that she could indeed predict the future if she needed to in the end. So it might be more prudent to give hints that she knew what was coming instead of saying it to their faces for now.

It was the sight of Shinjiro napping in the lounge which greeted then as they entered the dormitory and the three of them dispersed to do their own things. Minako decided to get some shut-eye after getting her equipment ready and passing some new equipment to Yukari and Junpei earlier on. The two of them had raised their eyes at seeing new weapons that Minako had stashed by herself.

Having incidents like this did make Minako wonder how odd her life truly was.

She was able to stuff large pieces of equipment in her bag and in her room without any problems and even if she wanted to hand wave it away due to her special nature, it did not explain how her friends could do the same as well. Perhaps it's a power that was associated with them being Persona users after all?

Apparently thoughts of how they actually wore the armour that she had gotten as a result of fusing in Tartarus or had bought from Officer Kurosawa occurred to Junpei too as he looked at the Armour of Light that Minako had loaned him.

Sure, there were some equipment that would fit below their clothes... but some other equipments like the 'Shirt of Chivalry' and the 'Battle Panties' were very embarrassing for all of them to wear. The Armour of Light was something different though, very different...

'So... how do we wear these?'

'Just wear it. It's magical clothes that will envelop and merge with our usual clothes while we are fighting Shadows.'

Minako knew that she was not making sense and she pinched the bridge of her nose to regain some focus even as Junpei looked at her as if she was crazy. Hell, she thought that she was crazy the first time she tried this too.

'Yea, we're not in an RPG or anything... if we were, that'll be like, SERIOUS 4th wall breaking!'

Junpei grinned even as Yukari tried on the Armour of light and to her horror and excitement the armour did merge with her clothes and increased her defensive abilities just like that. What was more disturbing was how Yukari could take off the armour of light by just pulling on her clothes and it would re-appear in her hands.

'Hey, what do you know, it does work like that.'

Yukari smiled, her eyes unfocused but the two of them dropped down together to their knees to whisper amongst the two of them even as Minako sighed, she knew this was going to happen.

'… We aren't in an RPG right...'

'…. we shouldn't think about it too much... Minako-chan was the one who loaned us this after all and it's good armour, it's the best armour I've ever seen. Mm... let's just take it as natural and... we'll be fine.'

Minako rolled her eyes as she could still hear her friends' discussion but if they could live with that without questioning too much, she felt it was better not to question them too much. However she was unable to stop herself from pointing out that they were going into what amounted into a different world that no one else could enter to possibly save the world. How could they not be in a RPG?

..

Minako was relieved to know that Shinjiro would be overlooking this operation along with Mitsuru and Akihiko. Unsurprisingly too the three of them were given a pep talk by their gruff and tough senior as they waited for the Dark Hour to start.

In a bid to motivate them, Shinjiro had cooked a fabulous meal for all of them and they were happy to listen to him again as Mitsuru and the chairman fiddled with some knobs and buttons in the control room. Akihiko himself stood at one corner, nursing his injured arm and listening on. It had been quite a while since he had made a fuss about not being able to join in and this was the first sign to Minako that Akihiko really had changed.

'So the three of you had seen some action in Tartarus. That's not a big deal. It's a tough world out there and the Shadows won't give you time to hesitate if you screw up. They won't be waiting for you to get up to attack them, they will be on you when you are down, when you are distracted and they won't stop for anything else.

So remember this. Your lives are in each other's hands. Listen to me, Iori and stop trying to treat this like a game. I'm willing to wager that the first person to get picked off by the shadows is you. You don't pay attention to what's around you, kid. Look around you, before you swing! You got a nasty swing alright but you don't want to piss off any of the girls if you hit them by accident.'

Shinjiro managed a small grin even as Junpei swallowed and the other girls giggled. Even Akihiko was inclined to grin as he shook his head. Message received.

'Takeba, you got a pretty good aim but you're a sitting duck when they get close to you. Arrows at close range won't stop them unless you shoot it on its mask. Remember, the mask is it's main weakness. But hitting it's legs or any moving parts if it gets too close works too. Or you can use your Persona...'

Shinjiro seemed to realize that as Minako was playing with her evoker and he coughed to get their attention back to him.

'Minako... you...'

Shinjiro seemed lost for words as the girl smiled eagerly at him, anticipating any sort of advise but she was sorely disappointed but happy at what he said instead.

'Stay safe.'

That's what he could squeeze out and the wild card smiled happily at their seniors as Mitsuru called out that they got a reading and it was waiting outside of Tartarus.

..

'That's odd...'

The chairman's words made Minako twitch and it was only after taking several deep breaths was she able to force herself to smile at Ikutsuki Shuji's words. The betrayer made his exclamation seem so innocent but she did not miss the confused look that flickered briefly in his eyes when Mitsuru triumphantly declared that her hypothesis was right and that those stronger shadows did appear in the Full Moon.

Minako hated that man but there was nothing that she could do now. She had no proof or any reason to act against him and she would have to suffice by killing the 2nd Shadow and letting the entire sequence of events progress along.

Minako caught the eye of Akihiko by accident and was relieved to see her senior looking at the chairman thoughtfully as well. She wondered if Shinjiro shared the same thoughts as he seemed cautious of the man as well.

'It's big... it's one of them... are the three of you ready?'

Mitsuru tersely called for the new recruits but she need not worry at all as the three of them nodded. They had armed themselves with their weapons and was ready to leave.

'The public don't know the Dark Hour exists, but they would notice if anything in city is destroyed. Remember your objective, the main thing is to eliminate the shadow and resolve the situation quickly and effectively. Do not and I repeat, do not do any heroics. This applies especially to you, Iori.'

Mitsuru sternly reminded about what they had gone through earlier. The Kirijo Heiress was surprised at the amount of maturity that the new recruit possessed after only a few days and regretfully she did not know what caused him to change. But he was certainly more reliable than before and that was what's important.

Even if that was so, the best candidate for the position of field leader was still Arisato. The three of them had formed a bond with her as the centre and it was painfully obvious to Mitsuru that she was the one who made the whole group tick. Even her, she felt an attraction to her and it made her a little jealous but that was life, passing her by as well. She was really living one now.

'You're the leader for this mission again, Arisato. We'll rendezvous in front of the station while I prepare the equipment.'

Mitsuru dismissed them and she watched with pride as the three of them ran out of the control room together without even looking at each other. Their faces were set in determination and she started slightly as Shinjiro spoke up, interrupting her flow of thoughts.

'They're ready, Kirijo. They'll be fine. Who knew that you'll be so protective to those kids.'

Shinjiro coughed before grinning at the slightly flustered Mitsuru but he nodded when she said that she was responsible for them as well.

'…But I do suppose you are right. They will be fine. Will you be coming with us, Aragaki?'

'Eh? No, I think I'll pass, the fort needs to be protected too... and Aki would want to go, right?'

Akihiko nodded and the two of them began preparing to leaveas well. Mitsuru paused before tossing Akihiko the keys to her bike with all of their equipment on it. She loved her bike but it might be best for Akihiko to drive as she kept track on the large Persona after all.

'Let's go Akihiko. You will be driving. Aragaki, please guard the chairman.'

For some reason Akihiko swallowed nervously and he shot a look of panic at Shinjiro before he slumped slightly and followed Mitsuru.

Mitsuru did nod to him in thanks before they took off as well, not noticing the slight grimace on Ikutsuki's face after he saw them off.

'So... it'll be you and me, chairman.'

Shinjiro muttered with a small grin even as he looked at the screen, wondering if that man was going to do anything in his presence.

'How about I tell you some jokes, Aragaki-san? I've got some new ones today.'

It was going to be really a long night at this rate...

..

The dilemma of using Personas for personal use had always plagued Minako and the dilemma that they were pondering tonight, the realization at how far the station was made Minako very happy indeed. She was finally able to justify the use of one of her more flashy abilities by summoning Thanatos as her answer. Yes, of all the Personas she summoned Thanatos after making the two of her close friends swear to secrecy at what she was about to do.

'W-What the hell is that!?'

Junpei was close to shitting his pants while Yukari simply looked at it in horror and morbid fascination before wondering out loud if that was the same thing that saved her a month ago.

'Yes, it's Thanatos... and as to how I can summon it, it's a long story... but I'll tell you guys about it after this is over. C'mon, we've got to get there before Mitsuru-sempai does.'

Minako jumped on top of Thanato's hands without worry and she climbed up on its back like she was riding a horse as the devilsh Persona just waited patiently in the air.

'It's perfectly safe, it's my Persona after all!'

It took a little coaxing but in the end it was Yukari who climbed on slowly onto one of Thanato's hands first. The Wild Card did wonder if it was the amount of trust that Yukari had in her that allowed Yukari to believe that she had full control of this evil looking Persona. Ir rather the fact that this Persona saved her a month ago that convinced her that it was safe.

Either way, Junpei was not one to back down after Yukari could do it and the three of them headed to the station quicker than ever as Thanatos flew quickly towards their destination, arriving before the others did.

..

'M-Man, that was so awesome!'

Junpei could not stop talking about it and Yukari seemed to have gotten the fear over the embodiment of death as she looked a little fondly as it faded away after depositing the three of them at the station. Yukari even asked Minako if there was a way to keep Io solid like how Minako did with Thanatos as well.

'Mitsuru-sempai can do it too right? So perhaps I can learn how to do it.'

Yukari mumbled and Minako explained that it was about channelling one's willpower to force them to materialize and that it would take a toll on any one who wasn't used to it. If Mitsuru and her could do it, there wasn't any reason for the two of them to not be able to do the same as well.

'You'll help me right, Minako-chan!'

'Me too! It'll be cool to get Hermes to come out like that!'

Her friends gushed and Minako promised that she'll spend time to work with them on that. Besides, she agreed that it'll be very cool to have their Personas fighting along-side with them anyway.

But all conversation ceased when they heard the sounds of burning rubber and all three of them ran up the stairs to avoid a collision with a motorbike that managed to barely stop in front of the curb..

It was Akihiko who was driving and he seemed visibly upset at how Mitsuru was looking at him and then back at her motorbike, as if considering which was more important as the two of them alighted from the bike.

Why Mitsuru allow Akihiko to drive it in the first place was beyond Minako's comprehension and she pondered that unhappily eve as Junpei commented that he lived in the most awesome dormitory ever. Yukari however, simply asked the one question everyone was supposed to ask instead of fooling around.

'Sempai, where is the shadow?'

'The shadow that I sensed is located inside a monorail that is not far from the station. To get there you will have to walk on the tracks.'

'Isn't that dangerous?'

Junpei asked a very good question for once and Mitsuru explained that in the Dark Hour no electronic equipment worked so it should be safe for them.

'But, what about your bike?'

'It's special... '

Mitsuru refused to say more even as the three of them just looked at her sceptically but Mitsuru was firm on that.

'Akihiko and I will contact you if the situation changes. We'll be heading out ourselves to get a better read on the Shadow. We cannot afford to let it get away. All of you are free to pursue it now.'

Mitsuru gave her orders but she did seem reluctant to get on the bike again when Yukari pieced the pieces together.

'I see, so Mitsuru sempai needs to operate the equipment while Akihiko sempai drives.'

But Minako asked the other question that needed answering even as they headed over to the tracks, running for dear life as Junpei commented that this was straight out of an action movie.

'Yes... but does Akihiko-sempai know how to drive a motorbike? Does he have a license?'

'Well, Akihiko-sempai can't provide us with backup like Mitsuru-sempai right? So he must have volunteered to help out in that way. I'm sure he'll be fine.'

But Yukari didn't seem too convinced at her own words and the atmosphere was heavy when all of them climbed into the carriage full of coffins. The two girls were glad that Junpei took the initiative to climb up first. It saved them the embarrassment of exposing their undergarments and they were double impressed when they climbed in to see Junpei keeping a lookup for the two of them as they climbed in as well.

'Now this is like Walking of the Dead... except we get coffins instead of zombies.'

..

'Can you all hear me?'

All of them nodded as they reported back to Mitsuru sempai even though they knew it was silly speaking out loud when the voice was in their heads. They had gotten used to it though, even if it might attract some intelligent shadows to their location at times.

'The readings are definitely coming from this particular monorail. Proceed with caution and stay together. Especially you, Iori, stay with the group at all times.'

Mitsuru reminded all of them in their minds and Junpei nodded in response, getting a good grip of his sword as he looked at the other two girls that were with him. The shadows were not going to touch even a single strand of their hair if he could help it.

'Leave it to me, Minako, Yukari, I'll bash through them!'

'I will be counting on you, Junpei.'

Minako nodded and Yukari gave him a thumbs too as they charged into the other carriage just before the doors behind them suddenly closed , trapping themselves in the other carriage.

'It looks like we're trapped inside.'

Minako reported calmly while the other two looked around for any way out. They gave up as soon as Mitsuru reported back to them about the situation.

'It must be the shadow's doing, it knows all of you are there. Be careful and be ready for anything.'

Just as soon as Mitsuru said that, a shadow dropped down from nowhere and started fleeing from the three of them despite Yukari trying to shoot it down with an arrow that missed as it moving too fast.

'It's getting away!'

Junpei shouted and Minako hoped that the boy wouldn't run away like he would always do. However she didn't need to worry as he hung back with them, looking a little disappointed but still remembering his place in the group.

'It is probably a scout to separate us... But let's go together as a group, we'll have to get rid of them anyway and we might as well do it now.'

Minako declared and although they could hear Mitsuru's sighs, she agreed with them and the three of them charged ahead with Junpei as the lead, Yukari behind him and Minako bringing up the rear.

..

Junpei had the most energy out of the three, even if he couldn't compare to Minako's full strength and he did his best to cleave through the weaker Shadows with his sword, swinging mightily and not getting any one near Yukari or Minako.

Junpei even took care to see where Yukari was at all times to avoid hitting her like Shinjiro told him to. That was very helpful as the ace of the archery club was always the first to engage their foes from a distance. After which Junpei would bash through the front row of the shadows before dodging to the side for Yukari to pick off the weakened Shadows or even to fire a few Garu spells to soften the remaining ones.

Then it was left to Minako to deliver the final blows to those that were still left standing. There were precious few that were resistant to slash or strike attacks and with her naginata alone, Minako slashed her way through the ranks of the shadows even as Yukari and Junpei guarded her back as she finished what's left of the shadows. All of them barely even used their Personas as they advanced forward.

The strategy was surprisingly efficient, no doubt polished by Shinjiro and Akihiko after long experimentation. The second generation S.E.E.S members cleared the few carriages in a few minutes. With some pointers from Minako to Junpei, rare was Minako needed to deliver the finishing blow as their synergy improved. When she did have to step in, she could concentrate fully on eliminating the few that tried to attack them from behind, serving as Yukari's guard while Yukari kept up the healing spells if necessary on the two of them.

..

'Good wor, all of you, a few carriages left-!'

The three of them felt the monorail start to move and the two girls had to catch hold of the horizontal bars of the train to stop themselves from being flung off their feet.

Junpei too lost his footing, but not before throwing his sword at the shadows as he plowed into a few of them while falling backwards.

'Pixie!'

Minako called out the tiny spire as she fired her evoker for the small fairy to blow those shadows surrounding Junpei to oblivion with a powerful Magarudyne.

'Thanks, Minako!'

Junpei gave her a thumbs-up as he recovered his sword. The boy pulled his baseball cap down firmer on his head as they listened to Mitsuru's monotonous but anxious voice.

'It seems the monorail is under the enemy's control.'

No doubt she was trying to find a way to help them as Junpei remarked that was quite obvious.

'It's less of 'it seems' than it being the truth, sempai!'

Yukari called out irritatedly too while she reinforced their position by putting a few arrows through the masks of the shadows that tried to attack them.

'The train is moving forward! Stop it at all cost or it will crash into another train!'

It would seem that the signal was getting weaker as the three of them heard what seemed like static and the sounds of engines being started up even as Mitsuru hurriedly explained to them.

'Calm down and listen to me. I sense a strong presence in the front car. That must be the one we are after. You will have to defeat it to stop the train! Akihiko, that's the clutch not the accelerat-!'

The conversation between them and Mitsurucame to an abrupt end and the three of them looked at each other before sighing and taking up their weapons again.

'Let's go.'

As one, the three of them placed their evokers against their foreheads and the three S.E.E.S members summoned their Personas at the same time to blow through the mass of shadows that were trying to squeeze past the next carriage to them.

'Hermes!' 'Io!' Pixie!'

..

Mitsuru had never been as nervous in taking or having a ride before in her entire life and she sincerely regretted bringing Akihiko along. But she admit that was better than the alternative of leaving the three to their own devices with the chairman even as her hands wrapped around Akihiko's waist after getting onto her bike. It was all in the sake of safety even as he grunted as her helmet rested on his back while he started the engine of her bike. It took a moment before they set off down the road, increasing in speed and tearing rubber in pursuit of the wayward monorail.

Although Mitsuru wanted to scream at Akihiko for his amateurish and dangerous riding skills, she admitted that she was having the time of her life as well.

Yes, even though she was frantically trying to keep track of the Shadow that was trying to cause the death of more than just her team mates, trying to contact the other three juniors that might needed her assistance as well as being in constant danger of crashing and dying due to Akihiko, Kirijo Mitsuru felt that she would never again feel the adrenaline rush she felt from this particular adventure, riding down the streets in the Dark Hour and clinging to Akihiko all the time.

But she would rather die than admit that as Akihiko screamed at her over the deafening sounds of the wind if he was doing an okay job.

'KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD!'

Mitsuru screamed in reply as the bike wobbled for a heartbeat and she gripped tighter on Akihiko's waist. It was strange how the boy that she had spent such a long time with had grown so much... perhaps she had been living in another world all along. But that sentimental thought was interrupted as she suddenly made contact with the three of them.

'Sempai! If you can hear us, we're going into the final carriage now!'

'You're objective is there! Hurry!'

It was thankful that the monorail was built beside the road and the two of them could follow it as Akihiko eased up on the speed as they caught up to the rogue train. However, the two of them could see another carriage approach in the distance.

'Hurry! Arisato! Takeba! Iori!'

Mitsuru screamed, emotion seeping into her voice as she didn't want them to die, not because she needed their strength but because she simply did not want them to leave her.

..

'…'

There were times that the world needed a pause button and this was definitely one of those moments as the Priestess Shadow appeared in front of them as a large, topless woman-shadow thingy occupying a large part of the last carriage.

'Can't it get a room?'

'Er... Minako-chan, it's technically in a room.'

Minako asked in disgust while Yukari simply face-palmed. It showed how much the three of them had gotten used to the situation and Minako wondered if she'll ever be 'normal' even if she defeated fate in the end and lived on to greet spring in the school again.

Junpei had a look that was a mix between morbid fascination and disgust as he asked the millionth dollar question.

'Hey, do you think shadows have genders?'

The two girls looked at the boy and they sighed as one, crossing their arms and turning away.

'I don't know you, Junpei.'

'Stupei... hey, Minako-chan... what say we kill him and bury him here. Would it be better for the human race?'

'H-Hey girls! I was kidding! Anyway, let's get rid of it.'

Junpei pushed his baseball cap to face the other direction and charged forward, ignoring Minako's quip about if he could get his eyes off it first and swung mightily, hitting the shadow squarely on her stomach and causing it to shriek in pain.

'That's gonna leave a bruise.'

Minako commented dryly even as Yukari summoned Io, apparently worried about the scream from Mitsuru as she told them that it was the Priestess Arcana Shadow and that it was immune to Ice attacks.

'Io, Garu!'

Minako's persona, a maiden chained to the skull of an Ox, summoned a small gust of wind below the shadow to damage it. In the process, the wind lifted the skirt of the shadow in front of Junpei. The offending sight caused the boy to stagger back while trying to hold his dinner in as Minako made a face and Yukari apologizing repeatedly.

'EWWWWW!'

'Sorry, Junpei! Didn't mean that! Accidents do happen!'

'MAAN, I hate this job!'

Junpei screamed in disgust as he returned to his former job of smashing and bashing at the Priestess shadow even as it tried to unsuccessfully drive him off. Yukari continued attempting to shot arrows at its mask while alternating between her Wind based spells.

..

For Minako, she was getting rid of the summons that the enemy was producing with powerful Mabufudynes till Mitsuru screamed at the three of them again in their minds.

'Hurry! The other carriage less than a hundred metres away!'

'Guess it can't be helped then... Yukari, please cover me! Junpei, we're out of time! I'm going in myself! Give me a lift!'

Minako shouted at Junpei even as she rushed towards him, she pointing at her back and she nodded when Junpei understood and he sprang back a little to get to a better position.

'If you see what's under MY skirt, I'll make sure that Mitsuru-sempai execute you AFTER I make sure you lie six feet under!'

Their battle strategy was a safe one as other shadows were trying to crawl in from behind and eventually they'll have defeated the Mother shadow safely. But there was a time constraint on them.

Yukari took Minako's position while the brunette charged forward, casting a last Mabufudyne to clear the path as she ran towards Junpei. The boy taking one last swing at the Priestess shadow to distract it before squatting down, doing what Minako wanted him to do and acting as a stepping board as well as a trampoline of sorts.

With his help, she jumped several feet higher than she would usually be able to, twirling her body just like how she did when fighting the Venus Eagle shadows before slamming her naginata into the Priestess Shadow's mask without mercy. With her foot planted firmly on her naginata to ensure all her weight was on it, she felt the mask of the shadow splinter and crack in half with the impact. It was both flashy and effective!

..

'Yukari! Get it NOW! Junpei... CATCH ME PLEASE!'

Minako screamed as she was flung off by the Priestess Shadow as it flailed about in pain. However like Minako had planned, it was promptly defeated by another Garu spell while flipping the skirt of the shadow again. This caused Junpei to close his eyes in reflex, somehow managing to catch Minako by using his body, she landing on his back as he groaned in pain.

'Okay, okay... I caught you, I didn't see anything orange!'

Junpei whimpered as Minako laughed while rolling off him, picking up her naginata even as Yukari helped Junpei up too.

'H-Hey, aren't we still moving?!'

Junpei call out the obvious as the three of them froze as Mitsuru screamed at them in their minds.

'What are you waiting for? It's less than 50 metres in front of you!'

Author's Notes: Minor changes as I smoothened out my delivery.

Thank you for your support!