A/N: All right folks, this where I decided to drop down the hammer regarding Junpei's fate.
***: Finally… I almost gave up on you… Oh, well…
Empyrea: Well, it's the least I could do after that writer's block. Now, let's get the show on the road!
Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3 FES and its characters, only the plot.
Chapter 20: A Heart that Believes
Junpei has now reached a decision and was successfully able to summon Medea. Meanwhile, everyone else is now calmly sitting down on the couches of the Command Room, even Yukari stopped her rampage. That is, until Fuuka's sensed something…
Fuuka: *stands up* Junpei-kun?
Akihiko: *looks at Fuuka* What's wrong?
Fuuka: I'm sensing another Persona…
Mitsuru: A Persona?
Fuuka: A Persona I once sensed before…
Yukari: *goes to Fuuka* A Persona…you sensed before?
Fuuka: …!!!
Mitsuru: What is it, Yamagishi?
Fuuka: It's…
Yukari: Who?!
Fuuka: Medea!
Others: …!!!
Mitsuru: Let's go see Iori! Now! *runs to go to Junpei's room*
Others: *runs off to head to Junpei's room*
As the others made a mad dash to Junpei's room, Junpei stares at Chidori's Persona, surprised that he was actually able to call forth his beloved's Persona, and…
Junpei: I…I did it? That means… *turns around*
Minato: This is your choice…
Junpei: It's okay, man. As long as I can bring her back to life…I…
Minato: … *averts his gaze* Goodbye, then.
Junpei: I know. Thanks, man.
Minato: *turns around and walks away* Whatever.
Minato leaves Junpei's side and went to a place filled with white light, the place where Chidori is now…
Chidori: *standing at the middle of the place* So…he chose to die. He's a fool.
Minato: *shrugs* I know. He's a complete idiot.
Chidori: I'm not going back.
Minato: What? You're just gonna waste all of the stupid sacrifices he made just for you?
Chidori: *turns to Minato* Even so, I'm not going back. That's my choice, isn't it?
Minato: The two of you are so stubborn. Placing me in the middle of all this mess isn't a nice habit, you know?
Chidori: …I can't go back.
Minato: Of course, you can.
Chidori: I can't!
Minato: Why?
Chidori: Because…
Minato: …
Chidori: He…won't be there anymore…
Minato: He did that for you.
Chidori: I did the same for him! Why can't he understand?!
Minato: Let me ask you, then…
Chidori: What?
Minato: Do you know the reason behind his doing this?
Chidori: …I…I don't.
Minato: See?
Chidori: But… That doesn't change anything! He's still the idiot!
Minato: *smirks* Yeah, sure. The idiot you love.
Chidori: …!!! *averts her gaze* That's not true.
Minato: *turns around* I see~~
Chidori: Stop that.
Minato: *smirks* Yes, of course. Why? Did I offend you? Or, did I just say a general truth?
Chidori: N-No. It's… Never mind. Get out of my sight.
Minato: Aw… Are you wonewy? Don't worry 'cause uncie Minato's here, and Sweetie pie will be here soon enough, too.
Chidori: Sweetie pie? What are you talking about?
Minato: J-U-N-P-E-
Chidori: *points her axe at Minato* Don't you dare finish-
Minato: *steps back* I?
Chidori:*strikes Minato* Die!
Minato: *swiftly dodges* Hey! That was a close one! I just said Jun-
Chidori: *gets utterly pissed* Go to hell!
Minato: *runs away* Save me, Junpei!
Chidori: *gets even more utterly pissed* Come back here! I'll rip your mouth to shreds!
Minato: What did I do?
Chidori: You-
Minato: *stops running and then turns to Chidori* That aside…
Chidori: What?
Minato: What about you-know-who?
Chidori: You-know-who? Who?
Minato: You know.
Chidori: I don't.
Minato: You know.
Chidori: I said I don't. Tell me.
Minato: Aw, c'mon. You know.
Chidori: I'm getting tired of you.
Minato: What? Why?
Chidori: Who is it, already?
Minato: You know… Junpei~!
Chidori: Him?
Minato: Yep.
Chidori: I don't care about him!
Minato: *turns around* I see. Well, then… *stretches his arms then his legs* Time to kill Junpei! *turns his back to Chidori* It was nice knowing-
Chidori: Wait. *extends her hand out to Minato*
Minato: *turns his head to Chidori* Yeah?
Chidori: Find a way.
Minato: … *faces Chidori*
Chidori: To bring me back…and…
Minato: …
Chidori: For him to live.
Minato: Then…*points at Chidori* You have to talk to him.
Chidori: There's a way?
Minato: *shrugs* I was just waiting for you, you know?
Chidori: Take me to him, then.
Minato: I understand, this way.
The place faded around them, and then, they appeared in Junpei's room, using Medea as a medium to cross from that place to their world…
Chidori: Junpei…
Junpei: C-Chidori? I-I really did it? Then-
Chidori: You're not going to die!
Junpei: Chidori? But, I…I want you back… I want you to live…
Minato: *silently watches the two from a distance as they talk* …
Chidori: *snaps at Junpei* It's meaningless!
Junpei: *snaps at Chidori* Are you saying your life's meaningless?! That's not true, Chidori!
Chidori: *averts her gaze* It's meaningless…
Junpei: *reaches out his hand to Chidori* No, it's not! I-I don't want that! I-
Chidori: *slaps Junpei's reached out hand* No!
Junpei: …! C-Chidori?
Chidori: Can't you feel it?
Junpei: F-Feel it?
Chidori: It's all meaningless…if…if you're not there…together…with me.
Junpei: …!!! Chidori… I can't live without you!
Chidori: Think about how I'll feel, then!
Junpei: *smiles* Then… Let's believe.
Chidori: Believe? In what?
Junpei: That we'll both live. *holds Chidori's hands with both of his*
Chidori: *smiles*…Yes, you're right.
Junpei: *smiles* We'll be fine, right?
Chidori: Of course. I'll see you, then…Junpei.
Junpei: Right! *lets go of Chidori's hands*
Chidori: *laughs* Idiot.
Junpei: *laughs and scratches his head* Not you, too.
Chidori: I know we can make it.
Chidori vanishes, and, Junpei is now certain that he won't regret his decision. Meanwhile, the others are outside of Junpei's room, calling him…
Akihiko: *knocks on the door* Junpei?!
Yukari: Junpei? Are you there? Answer us!
Ken: Please, senpai, open the door.
Mitsuru: Iori! If you're there, then, please answer! Tell us you're fine! Iori!
Akihiko: Damn door! I'm gonna bust this thing open!
Akihiko bashes the door and it bursts open…
Mitsuru: Is that-
Yukari: …!!! *sees Minato sitting on the bed*
Minato: *smiles and waves at Yukari*
Yukari: What?! Hey! *extends out her hand towards Minato*
Suddenly, a blinding light covers the room, and…
Mitsuru: IORI!
Junpei: CHIDORI!!!
After a while, the light slowly disappears…
Yukari: *slowly opens her eyes* …J-Junpei?
Mitsuru: *opens her eyes* Iori?
Akihiko: Where is he? Is he okay?
They see Junpei lying unconscious on the floor of his room…
Junpei: *remains unconscious* …
They all run towards Junpei, each one with the fear that he is already dead…
Akihiko: Junpei! *kneels beside Junpei's right side*
Mitsuru: Iori! *kneels beside Junpei's left side*
Yukari: Is he okay? *kneels down behind Mitsuru*
Mitsuru: I-I don't know…
Akihiko: He's not waking up… *shakes Junpei* Hey! HEY! Dammit!
Mitsuru: I failed as his senpai… I-I could not fulfill my responsibility… I… *averts her gaze*
Yukari: Is…Is Junpei really- *shakes her head* No, that's-
Fuuka: *shakes her head* Junpei-kun! I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner! I'm so sorry!
Ken: Senpai… I…I'm sorry…I couldn't… Senpai… *turns around*
Koromaru: *whimpers*
Aigis: Junpei-san… I want to cry for you, but…I can't… I'm…completely useless, aren't I? Please…answer me…
Metis: *pats Aigis' back* …Sister…
At the thought of Junpei's sudden death, everyone's eyes are brimming with tears, and their hearts filled with pain…
Akihiko: *punches his fist at the floor* Why?! Why him, too?!
Mitsuru: *clutches her arms with the opposite hands* Iori…
Yukari: This happened once…but…I…
Junpei: *stirs and slowly began to open his eyes* Uhh…*looks at them* Senpai?
Akihiko: *wipes his tears with his arm* I can still hear Junpei's voice…
Junpei: What are you shittin' about? I'm like, RIGHT HERE.
*the others turns to Junpei*
Junpei: See? TAADAA! *sits up*
Yukari: *bashes him on the head* Stupei!
Junpei: *rubs his head* OUCH!
Mitsuru: *smiles* You're all right? Thank god… We…
Akihiko: You didn't look like you were breathing…and…We…
Junpei: Hey.
Others: …???
Junpei: *smiles* Chidori told me that when April 1 comes… She'll be here.
Others: …!!!
Yukari: *smiles* Is that true?
Junpei: *nods* Yeah.
Mitsuru: Then…
Junpei: I don't know how I lived, but…I'm glad I'm alive.
Yukari: …Junpei…
Mitsuru: Iori… We…
Akihiko: *smiles* That's good.
Ken: *smiles* Senpai…
Koromaru: Arf! Arf! *wags his tail*
Aigis: *smiles* I'm glad you're safe. I was afraid of losing another friend.
Junpei: Thanks, Ai-chan.
Metis: … *appears deep in thought*
Junpei: You know, I think it was because of "him" that I'm still here.
Yukari: Do you mean, Minato?
Junpei: Yeah. Oh, right! I saw him, too!
Yukari: You did?!
Junpei: Yeah, and…
Mitsuru: What did he say?
Junpei: He said: Now a part of "me" lives in you. Live for yourself and for Chidori.
Yukari: A part of him?
Mitsuru: Part? …!!!
Yukari: …!!!
Akihiko: *looks at Yukari, then at Misuru* W-What?
Yukari: Could it be… *looks at Mitsuru* Senpai…
Mitsuru: *looks at Yukari* Yes, I know. "His" Persona.
Akihiko: What do you mean?
Yukari: Maybe… We can bring him back…if we put back together his parts… His Personas…
Others: …!!!
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY
A/N: What ever could she mean by that little line? Hehehehe…
***: *mashes Empyrea with a hammer* We already know, next chapter. So, just stay there! *turns to readers* Oh, btw, the line, Aw… Are you wonewy? Don't worry 'cause uncie Minato's here, is taken from one of Gig's lines in SoulNomad… Empyrea said it sounded cute at the time. So, see you guys next chapter!