One Last Chance
Chapter 25
The Shame of Defeat
5/12/09
Minako stared at as the barrier fell before her. "Move on to the next block," Mitsuru said. Minato nodded, walking forward with smugness with every step.
"Come on, let's go," Minato said, grinning. He put a pair of gloves.
"Minato," Yukari said, trying not to burst out laughing. "What kind of gloves are those?" Yukari burst out laughing. Minato gave out a huff, looking the other way, his arms crossed over his chest.
"They're Jack's Gloves," Minato said, the head of a Jack Frost in one hand, the head of Pyro Jack in the other, serving as boxing gloves. "I wanted to accessorize," he said, glancing at Yukari's boots. "Like you, apparently. Are those new boots?" A sly grin appeared on his face. "Didn't I give you all that yen for a new bow?"
Yukari's eyes widened. "Ooh, Yuka-tan's in trouble," Junpei said with a snicker, going up the stairs.
"Sh-Shut up Stupei! Minako already bought my bow," Yukari said, looking down at her boots. "Besides, these boots help me dodge electricity attacks...some...how...I don't know why, though."
Minato shrugged. "These help me charm enemies. Oh well!" he smiled. "I guess the Dark Hour's just weird like that!"
"If all the blood and the green glow didn't tip you off," Minako said, rolling her eyes. "I don't know what will."
"The piles of shit chasing you around?" Minato asked in an child-like, innocent tone, a smile on his face.
"...let's just go."
"Shit! Look out!" Junpei ran back as a lion attached to a large, steel ball tried to attack him with a swipe of its paw. "Hermes, come on out!" Junpei pulled out his evoker, shooting himself.
"I'm not a Pokemon," the Persona said as he appeared. "What are they weak against?"
"It's a Wild Beast. It resists Pierce attacks, but they're also weak to Hama and Mudo skills," Mitsuru analyzed. "Don't you have a Persona with Hama?"
Minato grinned. "Angel, you're up!" A blonde woman with wings, wearing nothing but leather straps, appeared above Minato, letting out a moan while Minato did his best to not question when he would gain Unicorn back in a Shuffle Time. Tags surrounded one of the lions as it let out a growl of anger before disappearing in a flash of light. "Okay, Angel, you can go now!"
"May your heart always belong to the-"
"Whatever!" Minato cut in as Angel faded away. "Just go away!" he was blushing. "I got Unicorn!" he announced. No one was listening, as Yukari and Junpei fought one Wild Beast while Minako fought the other.
Minako pointed the evoker to her temple. "Lilim!" she yelled out, pulling the trigger. A blue-haired woman wearing a pink leotard appeared above her. "Mudo time!"
"I love how the succubus dresses more modestly than the angel," Hermes said, casting an Agi spell at the lion before flying past it, slashing its side.
"Io!" Io extended her arms out a gust of wind erupted from below the lion, tearing it to pieces. "One more!" Yukari said, wiping sweat from her brow.
"Nope," Minako said, stretching. "Mudo got it."
"Sweet, another battle won!" Junpei yelled out, pumping his fist into the sky.
"Come on," Minato said, riding on Unicorn. "Let's split up and find the stairs. Who wants to go with me?" Everyone quickly followed Minako the other direction. "...well then."
"Heat Balance, weak against Zio and Garu!"
"Io! Here's our chance for an all-out attack!"
"Dancing Hand, weak against fire."
"Orpheus, go for it!"
"Orpheus, you too!"
"AGI!"
"Get back here you son of a-!"
"You're here. The next guardian is on this floor."
Minato walked forward. "After all those pathetic shadows on the floor before us? I was waiting for a challenge."
"You sound like Akihiko-senpai," Yukari said, panting a little. "Well, at least I'm not as tired as the first time here."
Junpei grinned. "Come on, leader, let's kick the next shadow's ass!"
"Wait!" Mitsuru was panicking. "They're coming towards you! Three of them; stay on your toes."
"What are they weak against?" Minako asked, reaching for her evoker.
"Ice, and they're fire-users."
"Jack Frost then," Minako whispered so that no one would hear. "All right, everyone get read-" she stopped as a large explosion occurred to her left, knocking her down. "Shouldn't have equipped him, yet."
"Shit, Minako!" Jungo knelt besides her, taking her hand. "Come on, the shadows!"
"Too late," Minato said, narrowing his eyes. Three Crying Tables surrounded the, one to their left, the other to their right, one right behind them, blocking the teleporter. "We weren't careful," he narrowed his eyes, glancing back at the Laughing Table blocking their way to escape. "Pyro Jack!" he took out his evoker, pulling the trigger as Pyro Jack appeared in front of him. "That one!" he pointed to the Crying Table at their right.
"Don't use Physical attacks, they won't do much."
"Got it," Minako took a deep breath. "Jack Frost! I'll take the left one!"
"Junpei, Yukari, the one behind us," Minato said, putting his gloves away. Instead, possibly out of his ass seeing as it was far too big for his pocket, he took out a sword. "Charge!"
"Io, Garu," Yukari commanded, Io appearing above her, the same for Junpei and Hermes. Jack Frost ran towards the Table, jumping to the left as it cast Agilao.
"Bufu," Minako said with a grin as Jack Frost did a twirl, a shard of ice impaling the Crying Table's face. I didn't stop though, as it cast Agilao again. "Jack Frost-UGH!" Minako fell to her knees, cringing as she felt like she was set on fire. Jack Frost was gone. "Damn it..." Minako backed away, making sure that she had a tight grip on her naginata.
"Minako, use Apsaras!" Minato said, as the Crying Table cast another spell. Purple fog surrounded Minato. He began to cough. "Ugh, poison," gritting his teeth, he took out his evoker. "Cadenza time! Orpheus, please, come on out..." Minato fell to his knees. "Uh, damn it..."
"Apsaras!" The woman danced around as Orpheus played his lyre, the party being overcome by a refreshing sensation. "Come on, Minato Let's go!" Minako grabbed Minato's arm. "Apsaras, Posu-AAAHHH!" Minako and Minato were thrown to the ground by several Agilao's. Minako began to crawl away, dragging an nearly unconscious Minato behind her. That really burned her. Both Minato and her. "Come on, wake up..."
"Hang in there!" Yukari pulled her up from the ground, supporting her with her shoulder. "It's not over yet. Minako, stay awake."
"Come on, we're not leaving you here!" Junpei pulled Minato off the ground, doing the same as Yukari. "Hermes, keep those shadows busy."
"Io, you too!" The two ran forward, only to be stopped by the third shadow.
A Crying Table stood in front of them. "Damn, what do we do?"
"My pocket, I have a gem in it, take it out," Minako said. Yukari reached into her pocket, taking out an icy-blue gem. "That one. Throw it at the shadow!" As she said this, Io was thrown at a wall, on fire. She fell to the ground, disappearing. Yukari cringed, nearly falling herself. Junpei took the gem from her hands.
"Take this!" he threw the gem as it formed into an icicle, piercing the Tables mask. It stumbled back. "Now!" he rushed for the teleporter. Yukari was right behind him.
"Thank you..." Minako said, smiling. "Thanks..."
"No problem," the teleporter began to shine. "Come on, let's get out of here!" Yukari looked back as all three Crying Tables cast Agilao. She let out a shriek, shutting her eyes.
"Are you all all right?!" Yukari opened them again, seeing Mitsuru rush over, breathing heavily. Yukari gave her a weak laugh.
"We're alive, aren't we?"
"Dude, I think Minato needs a break. He's out cold."
Minako slumped to the ground. "I need one too..." she promptly fell unconscious.
5/13/09
Mitsuru would not let them attempt to fight the Crying Tables again until Akihiko fully recovered and they grew much stronger. "I'm sorry, but I don't want a repeat of last night." They met at the lobby. Mitsuru's face was grim, her arms crossed over her chest. "I will not suspend Tartarus explorations, but I don't want you to risk yourselves like that again."
Minato let out a huff, Junpei slumped his shoulders, Minako didn't say or do anything, and Yukari let out a sigh. "We didn't do very well out there, did we?"
Mitsuru shook her head. "You were great. No matter how grim the situation looked, you never abandoned any of your teammates. Arisato, Takeba, Iori, I'm proud of you. You never stopped thinking about your leader," Mitsuru smiled at them.
Minato looked away, clenching his fists. No one could see them, though, as they were in his pockets. 'I was so useless there. I had to get rescued by everyone else...' he narrowed his eyes.
Minako noticed this, wondering what exactly he was thinking about.
The day continued on. Minato hadn't uttered a single word.
Minako sighed, heading over to Student Council, Minato trailing behind her. "Hey, how come you haven't said anything all day?"
Minato didn't say anything.
Now, Minako began to worry.