The Life of a not-so-ordinary Girl
By NJAM
Hey guys! ^^ I lost the original file of CH32 for some reason, so I have to write everything all over again *sulk* Fortunately for me, I still remember most of it buuut... I decided that I'll change what I originally planned abit~ So if you're wondering why this chapter took me so long, well, I was deciding stuff, and... my laptop was being reformatted xP I still have everything I backed up (Which includes this whole story) but I have to reinstall stuff and get some things fixed OwO Especially since it's downgraded to Windows XP... and before any of you ask, I used to have Windows 7 Starter. My Ninang, originally, was going to change it to Windows 7 Proffesional I think... but we couldn't find the installer and I really wanted to use my laptop already xD So now it's Windows XP~ It takes some getting used to though.
You know... I seem to remember that in one of the reviews, Hiyu said "Tao-chan"... I'm beginning to wonder what "Toa-chow" is too xD Yeah... I was looking through reviews xD It always help to read past reviews for some reason, and most of them make me smile~
Right right... I hope I got Hayate in character in the bonus chapter xD Oh Yuki, so clueluess xD xD xD For this chapter... I have to make sure I get everyone in character still owo *opens up the character list for this story* Yush! Time to type up my idea now~! x3
Oh... right, the disclaimer xD I do not own Persona, its characters, and certain/most OCs that appear here~ Everything belongs to their rightful owners! x3
Chapter 32: First Battle
"People's memories? Whaddya mean?" The spiky-haired boy asked, frowning.
"You know something, don't you...?" I turned to the Wild card and our eyes met, his features softened, reminding me of Yu "Please, tell us"
The Wild Card... He's alot like him... And not just in the fact that they're both Wild Cards. This boy...
...They deserve to know. It concerns they're friends after all.
"There's a sort of monster," I said quietly "A black thing that's indescribable, that looks for a person's specific shadows and 'feasts' on them to get their memories"
The girl with pigtails looked terrified
"I-Is that what happened to Yuki-chan?! D-Does that... Thing have her?!" She asked, worried.
"I'm not sure..." I said slowly "I know it happened to him-" I pointed at the spiky haired boy with Dark lue hair "but... I get the feeling that if it has Yuki, he's using her for something else..."
"If it's using her as some form of bait, then this monster's intelligence far surpasses that of a normal Shadow's" Naoto's cousin said "There's still the question of 'why, however..."
"Maybe he's using the missing students to lure other people's memories?" The boy with black hair suggested.
"I still don't get it... What happens to it when it steals their memories?" The pig-tailed girl asked, confused "Does it get stronger, or somethin'...?"
"I'm not sure," I replied, pushing up my glasses "All I know is that I've been fighting against it for a long time now, and it's starting to send shadows to our world..."
"Shadows?" The Wild card asked.
"Wait, you mean the time Yuki-san and I fought that shadow...?" The black-haired boy asked, and I nodded. That one time... When shadows came out of the Mirror World.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!" The pig-tailed girl said quickly, holding up her hands "What's going on now?!"
"I have no idea what the hell your talkin 'bout, but as far as I can tell, she-" The spiky-haired boy pointed at me "-is a person who knows somethin that I don't understand" He said with a frown.
"Perhaps this isn't the place to be discussing such things?" Naoto's cousin said. Suddenly, we all heard someone laugh.
"That is correct~:" A female voice said. We all looked around quickly, trying to find the source. The Wild Card grit his teeth.
"Who are you?! Show yourself!" He yelled.
"If that is what you wish~" Suddenly, An arrow buried itself near the spiky-haired boy's feet.
"W-what the hell?!" He exclaimed, stumbling backwards. The pig-tailed girl gasped.
"N-No way! You're...!" She stuttered as a girl with reddish-brown hair walked out of the shadows. Her outfit was simple, and reminded me of a magician. It was a white button-up shirt with long sleeves, tucked into a black knee length skirt that fit her well. Her black boots clicked the floor as she walked. She smiled, a cold, cold smile, and her sky blue eyes seemed unfocused as she tipped her top hat at us.
"Aww too bad~ I missed~" She said "I won't miss this time though" She aimed an arrow at the Wild Card and shot it. It was too fast for us to do anything but stand in place, frozen.
"Gah!" He yelled out. Grabbing his chest in pain, The Wild Card crumbled to the floor, his white shirt getting stained by his red blood.
"Hei-san!" Naoto's cousin exclaimed. The pig-tailed girl looked horrified.
"Sakurai-senpai?!" She said "W-What the heck's gotten into you?!" The one I assumed to be Sakurai -the one who shot the arrow- had a bored look on her face as she turned to the pig-tailed girl.
"Hmm?" Her voice somehow seemed mocking, but something... "Oh, Naoki-san"
"O-oi!" The black-haired boy yelled "Why'd you shoot-" Abruptly 'Sakurai' shot an arrow at him, and he quickly dodged the arrow Sakurai shot at him.
"T-This isn't right!" Naoki-san -I assume that's her name- exclaimed "M-My captain would never do this...!" She looked to me for answers, And I realized that I had been quiet since she appeared...
"...Hey," I said slowly, the light reflecting off my glasses "This girl was missing until now right...?"
"Yeah, so?" Naoki-san asked, before her expression changed as she realized what I was trying to say "...Wait, you mean...?"
"The monster stole her memories as well!" Naoto's cousin finished for her.
"I get the feeling she doesn't know what she's doing either..." I said, taking my whip out from my bag, thinking of restraining her but-
"No, don't hurt her!" Naoki-san yelled, tackling me to the ground so I wouldn't be able to do anything.
"Ack! I-I'm not going to hurt her!" I stuttered, before realizing that Sakurai-san had an arrow pointed at us "Ah- W-watch out!" I pushed Naoki-san away, and I managed to move just as an arrow flew between us. I got up quickly.
"We must do something, right?!" Naoto's cousin cried "Michiyo-san!" I felt myself flinch as he said my name and looked at me "You seem to have prior knowledge about all this, so I leave it up to you! Whatever you decide, I'll follow your lead!"
"I... S-So will I!" Naoki-san stuttered.
"I have no idea what's going on," The spiky-haired boy said "but I guess I hafta follow ya" The black-haired boy nodded as well, his two-colored eyes looking determined.
"I'll do the same" He said.
"Alright..." I hate it when I have to lead... But... if I really have no choice... "We have to snap her out of this" I dodged another arrow, this time it narrowly missed my body. It brushed against my jacket before flying away harmlessly, but it still left a tear.
"Stay still!" Sakurai-san said, frowning.
"You need a distraction? Leave this part to us!" Naoki-san said, tugging on the black-haired boy's arm "C'mon, Kei-kun!"
"O-ok!" Kei-san dodged an arrow that almost hit him before following Naoki, distracting Sakurai-san from us and also protecting Hei-san -The Wild Card- in the process.
"Ok, I'm not sure how to snap her out of this but..." I whispered "I think we may have to fight her"
"I was afraid you were going to suggest that, but..." Naoto's cousin sighed "It seems to be our only choice"
"So, uh..." I heard Naoki-san say, and I looked at the two of them just as she stopped running and let go of Kei-san's wrist "Got a distraction...?"
"Uh... how about-" He must've noticed Sakurai-san was about to let go of her arrow, because he suddenly yelled "DUCK!"
"I'm sorry for forcing you guys into this..." I said, looking down "But this girl..."
"Don't worry, we understand" Naoto's cousin touched my shoulder, managing a small smile. He's alot like Naoto... and not just in appearance either "What must we do?"
I closed my eyes for a second, thinking. I imagined what everyone... the Investigation Team would do. I opened my eyes and looked at Naoki-san, Kei-san, and Hei-san, making sure they were alright.
"Ergh, wha...?" I saw Hei-san stand up, holding his head.
"Hei-kun, watch it!" Naoki-san yelled before Sakurai-san shot another arrow, and it must've hit him because Hei-san collapsed. To my relief though, there were new stains of blood, so he's just unconscious...
I bit my lip, thinking. Finally an answer came to my head. But in my mind, I heard someone else's voice telling me what to do...
"I think if we manage to get her exhausted, she might finally snap out of that thing's control..." I said slowly "Once she's normal again, I want you guys to get her out of here quickly alright? The Mirror World isn't a safe place to stay in too long..."
"...And how do you propose we do that?" Naoto's cousin said, so much like Naoto, a person who didn't like things going out of hand "Eventually she will run out of arrows, but aside from that, she seems fairly kinetic"
"I don't know who her Persona is, but I'm sure that she'll start using her Persona eventually-" I replied "By then... I think if we fight her, she may get too exhausted that she'll fall unconscious..." I'm not sure... but I have to try... Perhaps if I... "Bring her back, and... I'll try to look for her memories"
"Look for..." Naoto's cousin looked surprised "Her memories...?"
"Uh- I think we should make sure no more arrows hit Nakamura right Naoki?" I heard Kei-san say to Naoki as I explained.
"E-Eh... R-Right!" I heard Naoki-san reply to Kei-san "Sheesh, you'd think these Wild Cards would have a little more resilience~"
"If this girl is being controlled by 'it', and what you said earlier..." I said "She may be controlled because she lost her memories... and if he-" I nodded at the Spiky-haired boy's directon, remembering that Yuki herself had 'found' his memories when she fought his shadow "-managed to get his back..." I continued "I get the feeling I'll find it here somewhere"
"It sounds plausible... Alright..." Naoto's cousin said, holding a short sword -his weapon, I realized "On your mark!"
The spiky-haired boy cracked his knuckles before shaking his hand and adjusting his gloves "Ready!" I nodded. I never thought I'd have to do this... not in my whole life did I think I'd have to lead. But, if you consider the situation... I had no choice.
"Go!"
:.:.:.
Michiyo swung her whip, letting go of the rest of the rope as it flew upwards. Quickly she flung it hard to her right, hitting Sakurai's arm, which made Sakurai let go of her bow. Before she could pick it up, Hayate summoned his Persona, Kurama, and used Garula.
Hayate's Persona, Kurama, was a pale white fox with silver fur, and it looked like moonlight was shining upon it. It's four tails swirled as Hayate used Garula, and the brightly colored chakra beads around his neck lit up for a second. There were several pieces of jewelry in its tail, and it's pale blue eyes stared blankly at Sakurai. It also carried a tinted yellow kantana in its mouth.
Sakurai was blown back, and so was her bow. Somehow, maybe it was her boots, she didn't fly that far back, because she didn't hit the wall, but she was in front of it. She quickly snatched up her bow, but before she could shoot an arrow, Hayate used Garula again. She was prepared for it this time though, as she dug her heels into the ground so she wouldn't be blown farther back. Akihiko quickly approached her, punching her, but she deflected the blow with her blow. What she didn't expect however was Michiyo's whip wrapping around her legs. As soon as Akihiko moved back, Michiyo quickly pulled, making Sakurai trip. Sakurai was quick however, and she landed on her side so that she wouldn't hit her head. She quickly went on her back and put an arrow to her bow. Sakurai quickly shot it at Akihiko, who was nearest to her, and he barely managed to dodge it. It scratched his arm, tearing the sleeve. He held his arm with one hand as it began to bleed a little, and Michiyo took the chance to summon her Persona.
"Ame-no-uzume!" She yelled, and her Persona quickly summoned a hamaon spell, bright enough to blind Sakurai for a seconds as Hayate approached her and, with the grip of his short sword, he knocked her out.
:.:.:.
I nodded at Naoto's cousin.
"Go" I said simply. I could tell he wanted to ask me something, but...
"Alright" He replied simply, carrying Komaki. Fortunately, Hei-san woke up again, and he could walk- but he needed some support. The Spiky haired boy helped him, grumbling. Naoki-san glanced in my direction, before following them out. Kei-san... I could tell he wanted to ask me something, but his two-colored eyes looked uncertain. I realized just what it is he wanted to ask me.
"She'll be fine" I said, and he looked at me, startled "She'll be back before you know it, smiling with all of you almost as if nothing happened.
"But what if-" I shook my head, taking off my glasses and looking at him. He must've understood, because Kei-san simply nodded and followed everyone out of the building, and I watched them until I saw them go back to our world safely. I'm not sure what convinced him exactly, but maybe it was my resemblance to Yuki...
A sigh escaped my lips. I have to look for Sakurai-san's memories now... It's either in her shadow, or...
It's with it.
I bit my lip. Come on me, you managed to find those other student's memories when Yuki stopped it's feast... for awhile. You just have to look for the glowing white balls... unless...
Ack, I have to stop thinking negative! If I managed to injure it before, I'll just have to do it again... even though last time, I was also injured and Yu... they were so worried...
I looked around carefully, putting my glasses on again after wiping the lenses with the sleeve of my jacket. Being the last one to join the Investigation Team, I was... always worried if I was strong enough to help. Everyone... they all had Personas before me. They had more experience than me. What if I did something wrong?
But, it turns out, although I did a few mistakes from time to time, they all guided me. In fact, the few times my team mates were charmed, I was somehow the one who had the best chance to dodge their attacks. Although...
I would never, ever, be able to harm them. If I did, it was only because I had to, or because it was an accident...
But the Arena... forced me to fight. I still remember what the midnight channel said the day I watched it with Erin. I was angry, and hurt. Whoever the announcer was, I wanted to... beat him up. He was so rude...!
:.:.:.
The show showed most of the Investigation team by now, and I was beginning to feel sorry for him, whoever he is. When any of us get our hands on him... he'll probably be in a world of pain. I think even Taiga would like to punch him... I get the feeling Erin, Katsu, Narashino... all those he already announced, well... pretty sure he'll be dead once they find him.
Then it showed another girl. Her weapon was a whip, and even though she was in the shadows, I recognized the shade of Dark brown hair that was tied into a loose ponytail.
My hair.
"She only comes out at night!" The announcer said "The Pretender of Shadows... Michiyo Nakashima!"
It showed me, posing with my whip in my hand. The whip made it look like I was about to hit something... or someone with it. What really shocked me, however, was what "I" seemed to say.
"Only idiots let themselves be known" But- I would never say that! So what if I didn't like having attention drawn to me?! That is- W-we never said anything like that or posed like that!
The announcer then showed Kagome, and lastly, Kazuto. Finally, the show stopped, and the TV abruptly turned off, leaving the now blank screen reflecting mine and Erin's expressions.
...I want to kill whoever made that show...
There was tension in Erin's room, of both shock and anger... then the tension was broken as Erin stood up and, while in the midst of protesting the announcer's words- she tripped, over the bowl of chips I must've left on the floor by accident. A small giggle escaped my lips, breaking some of the tension. If you think about it, it... suits us. A little bit. How does "Pretender of Shadows" even apply to me though...? Did it have something to do with how shy I was or... I don't know.
Still though... if I get my hands on the announcer- oh, he'll pay alright. Not only for insulting me, but my friends too... he'll definitely get what he deserves...
:.:.:.
I quickly swung my arm, getting me out of the small daze I had. That happened... what, half a year ago or so? I'm surprised I still remember it... wait, If I just remembered a memory like that-
It's here!
I quickly ran, realizing quickly that Sakurai-san's memories were close-by. If I manage to find it- then that girl-
I felt like my breath wooshed out of my lungs when I finally saw a glowing ball of light... which were memories. Looking around, I approached it. When I was sure I could, I picked it up. The scenery faded away and changed around me, becoming a playground, and I saw a boy with dark blue hair -but I noticed the ends were black, as if it had been dyed and cut off later on, when the Dark Blue parts of his hair grew to show it was his natural hair color. He was talking to a girl with Reddish brown hair, and I noticed that in her hair was a blue flower... what was the shade... velvet I think...
They talked to each other happily, and as if it was a dream, it faded away, and I was back in the Mirror World. In my hands the glowing white ball of light flashed every now and then, showing 'pictures' of Sakurai-san's memories. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath, and tossed the ball into the air, opening my violet eyes. I took of my glasses and watched it leave the Mirror world, going through a mirror in order to go to the human world, to where ever its owner is. That girl should be fine now...
But I'm not done yet.
It's time I get my cousin... and all the students... back. Even if it takes me weeks, even months to do it... I will not give up. I may have been employed as a scout at first, but... hey, these kids get into danger easily... just like the Investigation Team. And since no one else is here, and since among all of us hired... I had the most experience. I fought it so...
I think it's about time I take some matters into my own hands, with or without everyone...
No matter what happens.
A/n: And, I. am. doooone~!
Yes, I updated~! XD
Ah, as I mentioned earlier, the original file of CH32 got corrupted... or somethin. So, I had to do it all over again... Wasn't sure what to do though, so I RP'd about most of this with Elisabeth~ (Lucky she was on xD). The converting, well, didn't take me that long- the aftermath took me awhile though xD
I used a part of "Return of the Midnight Channel" though, for the flashback~ The whole "Only idiots let themselves be known" though... I dunno why, but it's what I though of after reading the latest chapter XD
Hmm~ What else should I type~
Ah, I wonder if I'll be friends with her again... now if only I could get myself to talk to her-
Ah, and I'm going on 'bout... random, not in this story stuff gomen~
Hmm... Actually, I'm not supposed to be using my computer on Weekdays- but I wanted to work on this, and 'sides... I... did have homework I just... didn't do it right away~ *kicked*
Let's see... did I have anything else to say? Oh right...
For those who are curious, Yuki will soon be found... but I'm not telling you how, or what will happen~ x3 I'll just say that... I will do my best writing it, as usual~
And yes, I know Sakurai is out of character- but what did you expect if she's being controlled though? xD
Random: I've been listening to a youtuber named JubyPhonic P... and I can't stop listening to her english covers of jap songs xD Especially headphone actor and Six trillion years and one night- XD Oh, and I found a tagalog song I can't stop listening to- It's called "Event Horizon", originally sung by the Vocaloid Gumi. I keep listening to Kran's version though- maybe I'll try recording myself singing it- except I'll sing it with the off vocal this time xD
...before you ask, I recorded it before, it's on my soundcloud *looks around* I sound so childish though- *kicked*
Ah, let's see~ Do I have anything else to say? No? Well then!
As usual, review please~ I'll work on the next chapter as soon as I can! 8D