So we are finally upon the final chapter! As usual I'm going to address the reviews for the previous chapter before moving on. First off to aanathos and dash master 48, that was indeed a deliberate choice at the end to be a cliffhanger. How it will result will eventually be seen. And lastly is the guest who brought up how Minato deserves a second chance, while that would be nice, how this plays out is ultimately up to him, but it is nice to see that people want the best for him.
So with this final chapter I'll have notes at the end for both about the chapter and in regards to the future for whats after this story, so please make sure to check on that after you are done reading. Other then that, I want to take the time to say thanks to everyone who has ever read my story and supported me with feedback in general. I truly thank you all for the support from beginning to end with this story. Without further ado, let's begin the final chapter of this story!
"I choose… I choose to return things as they were, before we were all sent to this world," Minato said, softly but with full confidence in his voice. Everyone in the area, slowly nodded to the words they heard from him, acknowledging what he said. So Minato had decided to return everything back to normal. Before they all got involved with the world they were in right now, and back to their respective times. For the SEES members, they would return to the time during the year of 2014, during New Years. For the Investigation Team they'll return to the year of 2012, right after the second fighting tournament incident. Finally for our remaining three individuals, both Elizabeth and Theodore would return to their time during New Years, to the Velvet Room, and Marie would return with the Investigation Team during their time as well respectively.
All of them of course wouldn't remember anything, they would all forget their time here, the events that transpired here, the people and beings they all had met here, all their knowledge they gained here, and ultimately… their memories of what had happened here.
Minato decided to say his goodbyes one more time, as it seemed it was truly the end this time around. He first walked up to Yukari and gave her a warm hug.
"Keep on inspiring the children of the world, to make it a happier place Yukari," Minato stated with earnest, as Yukari nodded back with a smile, happy to hear that from him. "Keep being a great actor and model,"
"I will Minato. Thank you," Yukari replied back earnestly as well, hearing that from one of her closest friends. Minato then went to Junpei, and both gave each other a smirk.
"Your baseball team has a great coach. Keep being the man Junpei. I wish you and your team the best," Minato said in a friendly manner.
"Thanks Minato. You're the man to me as well," Junpei said back with a big grin, as he and Minato did a friendly hug as well. He then moved onto Akihiko, as he said his words to him.
"Akihiko … never stop working to improve yourself, in whatever ways you can. With or without protein," Minato said while Akihiko smirked from hearing that, as he had to admit, it was true.
"Trust me, I don't plan on stopping, any time soon." Akihiko said, as both gave each other a firm handshake. Minato then approached Mitsuru next as he said he was ready to say his goodbye to her.
"I wish you and the Shadow Operatives the best Mitsuru. I'm sure you'll also continue leading the Kirijo Group to a brighter future." Minato said which caused Mitsuru to smile back.
"Thank you Arisato. I will continue to do my best for both the Shadow Operatives and the Kirijo Group." Mitsuru replied warmly back. Next up was Aigis as Minato went to say his thoughts to her.
"Aigis, you'll always be my buddy. Robotic or human. Keep being a great person in general," Minato said. Aigis smiled softly, upon hearing such words from Minato, as she gave Minato a hug back in response.
"I will Minato. Thank you," Aigis said happily. Minato then went to Ken next as it was now his turn.
"Keep it up at school. Your future is going to be a great one Ken," Minato said with reassurance, as Ken nodded back in response.
"I appreciate it Minato-san. I really do," Ken said back with a smile on his face, as they both gave each other a hug. Minato then went towards Koromaru, and kneeled towards the white Shiba Inu as he began to softly pet the dog.
"Keep being a good boy Koromaru. You were always a good doggy," Minato said back. Koromaru barked happily and whimpered a bit sadly from what he heard, as the Shiba Inu gently licked Minato's face back, who smiled greatly from that. "I'll miss you too boy. Have fun and make sure to enjoy life,"
Minato then got up and approached Shinjiro. Minato frowned a bit, as he knew what his decision meant for him.
"Shinjiro… if you want me to reconsider… I'm willing to listen and hear you out now," Minato said softly. Shinjiro just smirked from hearing that.
"Nah. It's fine. I'm ready for things to go back as they are. I don't think I could take any more craziness from that fighting tournament and all. But... I do like that you offered, so thanks," Shinjiro responded with confidence. Minato nodded his head towards him, understanding him. He then decided to start saying his good byes to the Investigation Team members, as he went to Yosuke to begin with.
"Good luck with everything. You're a good guy Yosuke," Minato said while Yosuke had a big cheeky grin from hearing that.
"No problem Minato. I'm planning to head to college and hopefully make something of myself more, besides working at my father's Junes," Yosuke said happily. Minato smirked happily from hearing that, as the two gave each other a nod. He then turned to Chie next as she was next.
"Keep working hard and keep being energetic," Minato said, as Chie herself had a big cheeky grin from hearing that.
"Thanks! I know I will!" Chie said excitedly. "I'm working hard to become a police officer, so I got to be energetic for something like that,"
Yosuke was tempted to make a snide remark about that, but stilled his tongue, knowing that this probably wasn't the appropriate time for that. Minato nodded to her, acknowledging what she said, then moved onto Yukiko.
"Good luck with the inn. I'm sure it'll still be beloved for generations to come," Minato said nicely.
"Thank you. I'm sure it will. I still have a lot to learn, but I'm willing." Yukiko stated with a smile. Minato nodded to her, wishing her the best and then moved onto Kanji.
"Good luck with the textile and knitting stuff. I'm sure you'll make some popular stuff," Minato said encouragingly.
"Thanks Minato-sempai! I'm definitely going to show the world, what Kanji Tatsumi's stuff is made of!" Kanji yelled with high esteem, happy to hear that from Minato. Minato smirked from seeing Kanji like that, and then went onto say his next goodbyes to Rise.
"I'm sure your records will still be topping the charts for a while. Best of luck with the idol business," Minato said.
"You bet! If I somehow remember, maybe I'll make a song about this whole experience," Rise said with heart. Minato smirked, wondering if a song about this whole adventure be something he listen to. He then turned to Teddie who was still out of his costume at the moment.
"Be well Teddie. I'm sure you'll charm someone one day. Also try to continue to be a good bear in general," Minato said, while Teddie had a big bold grin from hearing that.
"I'm pretty grateful to hear that from you! I'm sure some lady will appreciate me one day! And I do plan on being a good bear, still as well, so don't worry!" Teddie exclaimed with gusto. Minato just smirked back, hoping that Teddie would be alright as well. He then turned to face Naoto, as it was her turn.
"Continue being a great detective. I'm sure with your skills, you'll continue to deliver justice, as you've helped done so, in the past," Minato praised.
"I highly appreciate what you've said and have committed it to memory. Thank you-Minato-san," Naoto said with a small smile, in a formal manner. Minato then turned to face Yu who was the last of the Investigation Team, he wanted to say goodbye to himself.
"You make a good successor to me Yu," Minato said in a friendly taunt like way, while Yu could only smirk from what he heard in response.
"And you make a good predecessor to me Minato," Yu replied back, as it was now Minato's turn to smirk back to him as both went up to each other and gave the other a firm handshake. "I promise I'll work hard with everyone else still, when we're all back, to help keep protecting the world, when we can,"
Minato and Yu broke off their handshake, as Minato and Yu nodded each other with friendly and confident smirks. Minato then looked around as he still had a few individuals he wanted to say goodbye too still. He went to Marie first, wanting to get his goodbyes with her out.
"Best of luck with everything. Also… you should probably work on your poem writing skills more," Minato said.
"Hey!? You jerk face!" Marie shouted with a pouty expression, sounding a bit annoyed. "I call you out more, but that make things more awkward and ruin the mood, and I rather not do that, so be glad!"
Minato just smirked and laughed softly in response after hearing that from her. He then turned to face Theodore as he was next.
"Thank you for helping out my friends and myself in the past. You're a great guy Theodore," Minato said with praise.
"Thank you, my sister's guest. I can see why someone such as yourself accomplished what you have done in the past," Theodore complimented. Minato smiled at hearing such a remark from Theodore. He then turned to face Elizabeth who was the last of the Velvet Room members he would need to speak with.
"Elizabeth… I just want to say thanks for helping me out on all my adventures so far, and for helping my close ones when I wasn't there. I really appreciate everything you've done for me," Minato said sincerely while Elizabeth smiled deeply from hearing that. "I was glad that you were my Velvet Room attendant and I'm glad to have met you, along with everyone else,"
"I appreciate those words very much my guest. I wish… the best for you in your decision," Elizabeth stated with both gratefulness, and a bit of sadness in her voice. Minato sensing this gave Elizabeth a gentle hug who returned it in kind. "One day… perhaps things will be different from our world. Where one won't wish to bring death upon themselves anymore,"
"That's a future that I'm sure you and everyone else here will work hard to bring," Minato said back, as he understood this was hard for her, and everyone else in general. Minato and Elizabeth broke off from their hug as they looked at each other with understanding expressions. Minato then went to the last person he wanted to say good bye to before things would return how it was for everyone before. His priestess, his special one, and his love of his life. Fuuka Yamagishi. He walked up to her, and stopped right in front of her, as the two stared long and hard at each other with emotional expressions. Everyone on the roof remained dead silent as the two looked at each other. Finally Minato spoke, saying what he wanted to say.
"I just wanted to say… that you've changed my life. I'll always remember and love you Fuuka. If it was destiny, if it wasn't destiny, regardless I'm extremely glad we made each other a part of each other's lives," Minato spoke, tremendously with extreme emotion towards her. "I'm proud of you and everything you've done. Never stop giving up and being who you are. Just know, that no matter what happens… I'll never forget you and I'll always love you,"
Minato felt tears well up from his face as he finally said all that, as they started to stream from his eyes and onto his face. Fuuka herself had something similar happen as her eyes had tears leak as well. Both tightly embraced each other and held the other in that loving embrace for what felt like forever. Everyone else watching the scene, smiled and started to get emotional as well, in each of their own ways. The two then gave each other a long loving kiss, that was full of warmth and care for each other. When the two broke off it, Fuuka then went to his ear and whispered words to him. This caused Minato to become a bit surprised.
"Are… are you sure Fuuka?" Minato asked back, a bit taken aback of what she told him. She nodded slowly and gently to him, showing that whatever she told him, it was something she was very sure of. "I just want to make sure that's what you want."
"It is Minato. I wouldn't have it any other way," Fuuka whispered gently back, causing Minato to nod to her. Minato and Fuuka then approached Elizabeth as they whispered something to her, concerning what Fuuka whispered to Minato. Elizabeth herself felt a bit surprised at what she heard.
"That's… a request I can't guarantee can happen should I not… recall this request when we all go back," Elizabeth whispered back to them. "But if I do manage to retain the knowledge of it, I will do my best to fulfill that request,"
"Thank you," Both Minato and Fuuka whispered to Elizabeth. Minato and Fuuka then walked towards the center of the room, while everyone else looked at the couple, as it was now time for Minato to make his decision occur. Fuuka decided to say words of her own to Minato.
"It was a pleasure for me to serve as your navigator Minato," Fuuka said, as her voice was on the verge of breaking into tears again. "I'm glad our lives crossed paths with each other and we got to meet together. Just as you said to me, no matter what happens… I'll never stop loving you and I'll never forget you as well,"
They both kissed each other again, and slowly looked at everyone else, who smiled for them. Then without further ado, Minato took out the form from the letter he was given, and took out a blue pen. He took a big deep breath and sighed as he knew what decision he was going to make. It was now night as the sky was darkened with colors of deep blue, and was filled with tons of bright stars, shining within the dark blue sky. He carefully placed his blue pen, near the choice he wanted, to return everything as it was before back to normal for all of them. With one decisive motion, he checked off that choice, as it was now marked with a blue checkmark for that option. As soon as that occurred, everything and everyone in the scene slowly but surely faded to white, as if it was a scene from a movie. The only thing that could be discerned was a certain couple saying this to each other, as it happened.
"I love you and I'll never stop thinking of you,"
Fuuka slowly felt her eyes waking up, as it felt she had just awoken from an extremely long nap. She slowly blinked her eyes, and gently rubbed them awake, as she looked around. She saw that herself and the others were outside by Minato's grave, while it was snowing outside. Using her right hand, she gently grabbed the back of her head, which touched upon her long-braided hair (which she grew and had when she was older), as she felt dizzy and confused for some reason.
"Why… why are we all lying on the ground outside by… Minato's grave?" Fuuka quietly spoke out loud, as she could see cold breath, emerge from her mouth. She slowly stood up, and noted how everyone else was still asleep on the ground and how they didn't seem they be waking up anytime soon, despite the very cold weather for some reason. She walked to Yukari, and very gently walked up the other girl, as the brunette slowly awakened from her sleep.
"Huh?" Yukari managed to whisper out, as she slowly began to catch her bearings, on the situation as she felt a bit dizzy herself. "What happened Fuuka? Why are we all out here like this?"
"I'm not entirely sure Yukari. But we should wake up everyone else on the ground, before we do anything else," Fuuka replied.
"You're right. Maybe once everyone is up, we can get a better idea why we were all lying on the ground out here," Yukari stated. Both began to go up to everyone and slowly wake them up, and soon everyone was standing up, all of them feeling a bit dazed, and all of them wondering what was going on.
"Man, that felt weird. Felt like I was sleeping on extremely cold marshmallows. But now that I'm awake again, I feel like I'm back to feeling really cold, which really sucks," Junpei whined, starting to shiver from the cold, due to his baseball uniform attire.
"Why does my head feel like it's dizzy?" Ken pondered out loud, as Koromaru whined in agreement.
"I agree Amada. I feel quite dizzy as well," Mitsuru questioned as she held her head with her left hand.
"I know what you mean Mitsuru. Was it the sushi we had or something?" Akihiko said, wondering why he and the others suddenly felt this way.
"I do not believe it was that. I did not partake in eating any of it, yet I feel faint as well," Aigis said, feeling woozy like the others. "That is not the only question however. We were all laying on the ground in front of… Minato's grave for some reason, all knocked out,"
Everyone looked at each other with confusion, wondering why such a thing would even occur in the first place.
"Can anyone remember why we all be knocked out here?" Aigis asked. They all slowly tried to recall what happened to them, wondering what happened.
"I remember… we were visiting Minato's grave after the dinner we all had," Ken said.
"Then it suddenly turned to midnight for the New Year and… I can't remember what happened after," Junpei said.
"Is it at least midnight now?" Yukari asked. They all stopped to take a look at any watch or their smartphones to see if the current time. It was indeed at least midnight now.
"So that means it's January 1st, 2015 at the moment," Mitsuru stated, as they all realized the New Year had passed.
"So as soon as it turned to 2015, we all fainted for some reason?" Ken questioned. The more they thought about it, the more confused they became. It didn't make any logical sense at all.
"Well we should head back inside the dormitory. Staying out here and freezing isn't something on my agenda," Akihiko suggested. They all agreed with Akihiko, as they all started to head back one by one. Everyone but one person remained, as she stared long and hard at the grave that belonged to Minato Arisato. That person being Arisato's lover. Fuuka noticed the roses she and Aigis left earlier, as before she was dazed from what had happened to them, to notice them properly. She sighed, thinking of him. She was about to turn to leave till she noticed a new particular sight that wasn't beside the grave before. It was a door that was velvet blue and looked like it was not a normal door whatsoever. Feeling the moment was ephemeral, she felt drawn towards the door as she walked towards it. As soon as that happened, she entered a world that could be described as very blue, and soon found her being become unconscious.
Fuuka slowly woke up once more, as she recovered from unconsciousness once again. She saw that she was sitting on a blue chair, in a room that had blue carpeting, blue wallpaper, and a brown desk in front of her that had a large blue chair that sat there. She saw a most peculiar old man who was wearing a black suit, white gloves, was bald on his head except for white hair to the sides of his head and eyebrows, brown shoes, had very big and exposed eyes, and a rather large nose. Behind him, she notice it looked like the gate to an elevator and it was rising. She then realized this Velvet Room actually took place within an elevator.
"Welcome. Welcome to the Velvet Room. My name is Igor. Pleased to make your acquaintance," Igor spoke, to introduce himself. "What is your name dear?"
"I am pleased to make your acquaintance as well Igor," Fuuka said back respectfully as she was somewhat familiar with this place from what she knew in regards to that time, Theodore appeared during the P-1 Climax incident to them. Something about Igor himself seemed familiar, as if she had seen him in the past a long time ago in the past. "My name is Fuuka Yamagishi,"
"What a splendid name!" Igor said rather theatrically and in a friendly manner, causing Fuuka to wonder if Igor was one for the theatrics. "I am sure you are rather curious of your current location considering the abnormality of it. But considering the life you have lived so far, perhaps this location you are in is of a nature that you have become accustomed to by now,"
"I guess that's a way of looking at it," Fuuka responded, as she had to admit he had a point. "But why has this location made itself appear to me?"
"I have someone who attends to this room, who wishes to speak and meet with you," Igor answered in a resplendent tone.
"Someone from this room, wishes to speak with me?" Fuuka asked back confused, wondering who that could even be, and for what reasons even.
"Indeed," Igor replied. "I will now leave to give you and this person confidentiality to discuss."
Before Fuuka could say or do anything, a flash of blue light appeared causing Fuuka to shield her eyes with her right arm. As soon as the blue light eventually died down to nothing, she removed her right arm and saw that Igor was gone, and a new person was sitting at the place Igor was. It was a young woman that also gave off a similar feeling that Igor did. A sense of familiarity, yet at the same time, ultimately somewhat an enigma. Fuuka smiled upon seeing Elizabeth. Besides Elizabeth appearing, a white piece of paper appeared on the table.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, my guest's special one," Elizabeth said warmly.
"My guest's special one?" Fuuka said slowly, but slowly realized what she meant. "Do you mean... Minato was your guest here?"
"You are correct. I can see why he had fallen for someone as intelligent as you," Elizabeth said impressed by her quickness to catch on. "I wished to speak to you of significant matters."
"What matters do you wish to speak of exactly?" Fuuka asked curiously.
"The first matter I wish to speak to you of, involves a request you made." Elizabeth stated. "A request you made that you told my guest and then to me in the past,"
"A… request?" Fuuka said, feeling confused by what she was hearing. She could not recall ever doing such a thing, as far as she was currently aware.
"Indeed. Before I can speak of such a thing, you also told me to remind you of an adventure you and your close companions had that was considered rather… smashing," Elizabeth said. Upon hearing the word "smash," just from Elizabeth uttering it, Fuuka felt like she herself was smashed with an intense familiarity. It was weird, since it was a word she wouldn't normally consider this resonating, yet here she was.
"Smashing… smash…" Fuuka whispered to herself as she repeated it to herself and felt as if it was something, that was significant to her.
"It was also rather… super as well," Elizabeth added. Fuuka couldn't help but feel that word was very significant as well. Especially when paired with the word smash. "An adventure so smashing and super, it was like finding out you had long lost… brothers. Just an example so to speak,"
When she finally heard the word brother, it also sprung an epiphany of feeling that felt as if something beyond normal comprehension, was telling her all three of these words meant something significant, especially with all three words together.
"I feel as if you are very close to remembering. This should be the final push you need," Elizabeth stated calmly. She then took the white paper that was on the desk and flipped it over. The back of the white paper was stamped with a peculiar symbol. It was a circle that had a thick vertical slash towards the left and a thin horizontal slash towards the bottom left of it. It was a simple yet captivating design that looked intensely familiar for some reason. Fuuka thought back to the three words that Elizabeth made stand out and what this all meant. Then after some time, her head had managed to process and connect the information as she finally as she found herself saying that her mouth was ready to utter the words most connected to this adventure.
"Super Smash Bros!" Fuuka stated with shock as she remembered those words. Her head suddenly had a rush of memories flooding in. She remembered that she and the others had spent their year in a new world that had fighting competitions from people from various universes, realities, and worlds. How they had met many new individuals of all kinds, and finally how they had finally reunited with Minato briefly. "I… I remember!"
"And since you remember, perhaps you now recall your request that you made?" Elizabeth asked of Fuuka. Fuuka nodded, answering Elizabeth's question. "My second matter involves this request on that… one that you are absolutely certain you want to perform?"
"Yes. If there is something I've ever been completely sure of in my whole entire life, that would be having this request that I asked for performed for me." Fuuka said with full confidence from herself. Elizabeth nodded back to Fuuka, understanding her correctly.
"I see. Very well then." Elizabeth stated calmly. She paused as she was curious of herself of some things. "My guest's special one… I wish you and him my sincerest wishes,"
"Thank you," Fuuka said very gently. Fuuka then stood up and walked over to Elizabeth, hugging her, causing the Velvet Room attendant to smile back, and hug her back as well. "I know that you cared for Minato a lot… and I appreciate the fact you still do, after all this time,"
"My guest was someone who was significantly important to me," Elizabeth spoke with a saddened tone. "Just like yourself and the rest of his companions, he made the universe as we know it, continue on and not succumb to death."
"He was a good person," Fuuka said back in kind as she understood entirely where Elizabeth was coming from. "That's why I want my request to happen so… he doesn't have to endure it alone if he isn't freed by then. If humanity doesn't want to stop longing for death by then,"
"I can see why you and him were truly to be together," Elizabeth said back warmly as she understood why Fuuka wanted the request she had. "I promise I'll do everything I can to make your request occur."
The two broke off from their hug from each other and they both smiled at each other. Elizabeth had done what she wanted, by inviting Fuuka to the Velvet Room.
"Now it is time for you… to go back to the real world," Elizabeth said.
"Thank you again… Elizabeth," Fuuka said, as both smiled at another in a friendly manner. "I'm going to work hard with by myself and with the others to make the world a better place for everyone and everything,"
"A noble goal indeed," Elizabeth calmly answered back in a friendly manner. "I will continue to search for a way to free him from his fate as well."
"I wish you the best of luck Elizabeth," Fuuka said as she was sure that Minato could truly be saved from his fate from one day, in some legitimate way. Whatever that way was remained to be seen (and did not involve Minato being forced to being part of a fighting tournament). Fuuka soon sat down on the chair in the room and soon closed her eyes, as she could felt her being soon taken away from the Velvet Room, while Elizabeth closed her own eyes, happy to have had a moment to meet Fuuka like that alone.
Fuuka soon found her own eyes opening again and as she slowly opened them and soon found herself standing outside by Minato's grave again outside, which was behind the Iwatodai Dormitory. She was about to head back into the dormitory but stopped, to take one last look at Minato's grave. She then turned her head away from it as she decided that was enough. She soon rejoined the others and they all soon retired for the night, as they all changed into their own sleeping clothes and each of them went towards the rooms they themselves used to stay in, years ago, as the night finally drew into a close.
It was now daytime as it was now January 1st during the day. The SEES members were all gathered in the living room area, all wearing some casual clothes, as all of them, barring Aigis and Koromaru, were holding a cup of either hot chocolate or green tea, while two huge pots filled with either hot chocolate or green tea was on a table nearby, a plate of gingerbread cookies and both vanilla and chocolate cake to enjoy as well. Koromaru had a huge dog bone at the moment he was enjoying. Right now, the SEES members were having a grand old time, as they were just enjoying themselves, drinking and snacking away peacefully, and talking to each other.
"Man I'm going to have to do hit the gym later, to shave off all these calories," Akihiko said, as he took a bite off a chocolate cake that was on his plate metal plate, as he for some reason had an intense craving for chocolate all of a sudden. "Might as well enjoy myself for this party,"
"Relax Akihiko senpai! You got time to work it off for a New Year's resolution! A brand-new year, and that means a brand new everything!" Junpei said gleefully as he greedily stuffed gingerbread cookies into his mouth.
"You better be ready to shave off those calories Junpei. Your little league team looks up to you, so you better be in shape when baseball season starts up again," Yukari reminded, as she took a piece of chocolate cake with a metal spoon off a plate, that she held that had chocolate cake on it.
"I'm sure Junpei-san will be alright Yukari-san." Ken said as he took a bite of a gingerbread cookie he held in his hands. "A new year also means another year of Gekkoukan,"
"Keep your studies and yourself well Ken-kun," Aigis said warmly, as Koromaru barked to hearing that. "Koro-chan will make sure you're doing well besides being with you,"
"I will. I also don't mind Koromaru keeping me company as well," Ken said happily which caused Koromaru to bark
"Reminds me of how you keep tabs on Akihiko, to make sure he's focused on his studies as well," Mitsuru mused.
"Hey! I can look after myself just fine Mitsuru!" Akihiko complained, while Mitsuru found herself amused while Aigis laughed softly at what she heard. Mitsuru then turned her attention to Fuuka and noticed she was in deep thought and was drinking from a cup of green tea.
"Are you alright Yamagishi?" Mitsuru asked, feeling concerned to not seeing one of her friends not being as festive compared to everyone else in the room. Fuuka broke out of her deep thought as she briefly blinked for a bit before she looked towards Mitsuru.
"Sorry. I was just thinking about something," Fuuka responded quietly. "I was just lost in thought,"
"Lost in thought about what Fuuka?" Yukari asked with both curiosity and with concern for her friend. Considering the previous night they all visited Minato's grave Fuuka carefully thought over her words before she turned to face Yukari with a smile on her face.
"I was just thinking of something… smashing. That's all," Fuuka said with a soft grin.
"Smashing?" Ken said confused, as he felt the word resonated with him for some reason. It also resonated with everyone else as well, as they heard it, which was a weird sensation.
"Yeah. I also feel pretty super as well," Fuuka said with a slight giggle. Just like when they heard the word smashing from her, to hear her say the word super so soon right after, made them all feel strangely nostalgic for some reason. "Like if I just reunited with long lost brothers,"
"You know, when you say it like that Fuuka…I feel like there's something I want to say, at the very tip of my tongue but I can't remember it at all," Yukari pondered out loud.
"I can feel it too Yucatan. I'm sure whatever it is, we'll all remember eventually," Junpei said with a friendly grin. "It's not like we aren't used to remembering stuff that's happened to us later anyway,"
"Oh boy. Here we go again," Akihiko said, in an uncertain tone, wondering what exactly they would remember, if there was something to remember.
"Like how we all did back then right?" Ken said.
"Exactly," Mitsuru said, as they recalled that was when she and Akihiko had their senior graduation, and when they all remembered the memories concerning the Dark Hour from the previous year. "Well like Iori, I do feel as if those words spoken by Yamagishi do remind me of something. It feels like it's at the tip of my tongue but I just can't quite say it yet."
"I'm sure it'll come to us all eventually," Akihiko said. Before anyone could say anything more, they all heard the doorbell to the dorm ring.
"Someone must be at the door. I wonder who it could be?" Aigis stated curiously.
"I'll go open it and see who it is," Fuuka said, as she stood up and walked to the door with a smile. She opened it and saw a familiar face, that she was glad to open the door to.
"Hey guys!" said Labrys with a big grin. Labrys was another android like Aigis, and was part of the same line of robots that Aigis was, to combat Shadows. She had silver blue hair tied into a ponytail, red eyes, and was wearing a Yasogami High uniform as it was one of her preferred articles of clothing. Unlike Aigis, she tended to be more emotional and human like in comparison (though Aigis has definitely come a long way to being human since she became a part of SEES still), and was their current newest member of the Shadow Operatives. She also had a peculiar accent that some say sounded like she was from Brooklyn of all places at times, or from the southern parts of Japan depending on who you asked.
"It is good to see you sister," Aigis said happily, while Koromaru walked over to Labrys, as she petted the dog who cooed happily. She was glad to see Labrys was joining them. "How are you doing?"
"Great! Beating up Shadows, learning more about the world still, and just enjoying life in general." Labrys said happily herself. "But enough about me, it's a New Year! Happy 2015 everybody!"
"Happy 2015 indeed Labrys!" Fuuka said happily, as Labrys smiled to hearing that.
"2015 huh? I wonder what's to expect for this year," Junpei said. "I haven't been keeping up with any recent news at all,"
"Well while it's a bit early, since the election is for it is next year, I think candidates are starting to campaign for the position of prime minister of this country at the moment," Mitsuru stated.
"Is that so?" Labrys said back in a questioning tone. "Still, what about you guys? Don't you all have any New Year's resolutions?"
"New Year's resolutions huh? Well for me it would be… to keep going with my studies, and with my modeling, and with my TV show role," Yukari stated. "I feel I'm fine with continuing to work on the same thing at the moment,"
"I want to make sure my Little League team this year goes all the way!" Junpei said excitedly. "We're going to get to the top of the Little League this year!"
"I wish to continue the same goals as Labrys." Aigis stated. "Also make sure Akihiko-san this year is keeping up with his studies as I have done in the past recently."
"As usual," Akihiko stated with a sigh, as he wasn't a fan of Aigis being a nanny for him, in that way. "But yeah. My resolution is going to continue to work on myself. Physically, academically, and so on. I still plan to become a police officer one day,"
"Well I'm going to keep working hard at Gekkoukan. Good grades, and good times," Ken said.
"For my resolution, I wish to continue running both the Kirijo Group and the Shadow Operatives well," Mitsuru calmly stated. "Nothing more, nothing less."
Koromaru barked as they all listened, both Aigis and Labrys listened as Koromaru barked as they both understood him.
"Koromaru wishes to continue being around and living very happily." Labrys stated, translating for him. "Aint that a good goal? Better lay off the high calorie doggie treats Koro-chan. Some people every year apparently say they'll lose weight and stuff but it never happens sometimes,"
Koromaru barked in response to that and Aigis laughed softly at what she heard, she translated for the Shiba Inu.
"Believe me, it is very hard. I know I have gained weight as a dog. But the treats are too good," Aigis translated for Koromaru. Everyone else laughed at what they heard, while Koromaru continued to bite and enjoy his dog bone. When everyone calmed down, Labrys then asked her next question.
"What about you Fuuka? You haven't said what your New Year's resolution is at all?" Labrys asked curiously. Everyone turned to face her, as she was deep in thought. She then smiled as she prepared to answer.
"I think… I want to make something," Fuuka said. Everyone looked at her curiously.
"You want to make something?" Ken asked curiously as he was curious what she wanted to make exactly.
"What do you want to make exactly Fuuka?" Yukari asked, curious to see what her answer was exactly.
"I want to make something… that people can enjoy if they choose to do so," Fuuka said, as the others grew curious by what she meant exactly.
"Something people can enjoy if they choose to do so?" Akihiko asked, not sure what she meant specifically.
"Do you have anything in particular in mind, you want to make, Yamagishi?" Mitsuru asked, wondering what it was exactly as well.
"I do. But I don't think I'm ready to talk about it. At least not at the moment. Maybe in the future," Fuuka said.
"Well whenever you're ready, is whenever you're ready," Junpei said, understanding what Fuuka meant.
"Yes. Take your time with whatever it is, you have in mind," Aigis suggested. Koromaru then barked happily, as Aigis translated for him "I'm sure we'll learn of it when it's ready,"
"Interesting resolution Fuuka," Labrys praised. "Well anything that can make people happy if they want, is cool in my books."
"Yeah. Well we should continue enjoying the New Year at the moment." Fuuka replied back as everyone, as they all agreed with that sentiment.
"Hey! Can we all play a game? This is a New Year's party after all," Labrys suggested.
"Anything you have in mind, you want to play?" Ken asked, while Labrys thought for a moment. She then smiled gleefully as she came up with a game they could all play.
"I'm feeling for a game of Pictionary. Can we do Pictionary?" Labrys suggested.
"Sure. That game always ends up being over the top," Junpei said in agreement.
"Who wants to go first?" Yukari asked. Fuuka immediately rose her hand, as everyone looked towards her, as she definitely wanted to draw something.
"I do. I'll go first," Fuuka said. A short while later, a double sided mobile marker board was set up in the room, as Fuuka held multiple markers of different colors. She held a book and wrote the words of what she would be drawing, and then placed it to the side, as she began to draw on the white marker board. She first drew what appeared to be a floating flat arena that appeared hanging over nothing at the moment. Everyone looked curiously, wondering why she draw such a thing. Then she drew what appeared to be a large glove, hovering menacingly over the right side of the arena. Everyone but Labrys, felt the sight was oddly familiar. Finally, for her picture, she drew what appeared to be Minato, with his Evoker held and facing the giant glove, on the left side of the arena.
"A floating arena, a giant glove, and finally… Arisato?" Mitsuru said slowly as the picture was oddly bizarre yet she couldn't help but feel it was familiar. She and all the other SEES members stared at the picture hard, while Labrys tilted her head at it, wondering what the heck it meant at all. Fuuka smile and simply said this.
"Super Smash Bros," Fuuka stated clearly and calmly. After hearing Fuuka say these three words, all the SEES members eyes suddenly widened as if a huge realization was made, as many memories came flooding back into them. All of them but Labrys exclaimed the following.
"SUPER SMASH BROS!"
"Super what's it's now?" Labrys said really confused. Everyone turned to her, as this was a long story they had to tell her. The New Year's celebration continued as they all continued to eat, drink, and socialize as the day continued, part of it telling Labrys what exactly what Super Smash Bros was, and another journey they had till it was nearly evening. When it was around that time they all decided it was time to go their separate ways till the next time, they could all catch up again.
A long time has passed since then. It was now December 31st, 2015 during the early evening as it was time for the SEES members to see each other again. They were all gathered in the Iwatodai Dormitory again. Everyone was gathered in the living room, as they were all waiting for a certain someone. Soon the doors to the room opened as Fuuka walked in, carrying what appeared to be a large square blue case.
"Hello Fuuka," Aigis said, glad to see her. However, she noticed that she was carrying a blue case. "What do you have in there?"
"I brought something we could all enjoy and entertain with for ourselves," Fuuka said happily as she joined the others in the room.
"What is it exactly?" Yukari asked, curious herself to know what was in the blue case, Fuuka brought.
"I'll show you guys," Fuuka answered back cheerily, as she carefully opened the case. When she opened it, inside was a video game console system, multiple controllers and a game case that was titled with the name "Super Bash Brothers," that everyone noticed.
"A video game system?" Mitsuru said curiously.
"Super Bash Brothers? Is that a videogame… based off the Super Smash Bros fighting tournament?" Ken asked.
"Maybe," Fuuka said in a slightly playful and friendly tone.
"Well shoot, I really want to play that!" Junpei exclaimed excitedly. "A fighting game based off that should be really fun!"
"Did you make it Fuuka?" Akihiko asked curiously.
"Sort of. I worked with a videogame company to help them make it over the course of the year, in my free time," Fuuka explained.
"Was this the thing you wanted to make Yamagishi, from the New Year's party we had last year, previously?" Mitsuru asked, as she remembered Fuuka mentioning something about that.
"Yes. I wanted to make this because I wanted it to help serve as a reminder of that time we spent with each other with Minato in that world. Also, to give something people in our world something to enjoy from it as well," Fuuka said.
"That's pretty neat of you Fuuka," Yukari stated. "A way to remember our time there and to let people in this world kind of in on that one sort of,"
"We should get started. I want to try this game out already!" Labrys asked, as everyone else agreed as they all wanted to start playing and trying out the game as well. Fuuka setup the game console, all the game controllers, and the game soon started up. It was a game that allowed up to eight people to play at once. Yukari, Junpei, Akihiko, Mitsuru, Ken, Aigis, Labrys, and Fuuka all took one of the controllers to start playing the game, while Koromaru happily watched, as an extremely over the top game of Super Smash… "Bash," Brothers began. It was a New Year's party that proved to be very smashing indeed, as all of them had a really good time.
A significant amount of years has passed. Time didn't stop as groups from humanity have risen up over time to stop the world from falling into some sort of ruin, time after time again, each for their own reasons. People like SEES, like the Investigation Team, and their successors like a certain group of thieves who allegedly stole hearts and so on, would rise up against whatever was causing problems for society. Of course, some things still remained constant throughout. People still wished and yearned for death. Because of that, Erebus and Nyx, while still kept away from each other, due to certain forces at work, still existed. The two entities still existed and wouldn't go away till humanity stopped yearning for such things.
We now see a certain Velvet Room attendant facing off against Erebus on the moon. Erebus being a huge two headed shadowy black monster with two pure red eyes that was the physical manifestation of humanities desire to kill itself. Elizabeth smirked and held her Le Grimoire with full confidence as Erebus roared at her.
"We have gone through this yearly, many times you creature of abominable origins," Elizabeth stated calmly as Erebus only roared in response from what it heard. "Yet you never comprehend that the result will always be the same no matter what, every time we meet,"
Erebus having heard enough, charged towards Elizabeth. Using her Le Grimoire book, she summoned the Persona Thanatos, and with one exceedingly powerful slash of his sword, sliced the beast directly in half, as it emitted an eldritch like scream of pain, as it soon dissipated and dissolved into nothing. Elizabeth's face was both content and bored after that had occurred. Content that Erebus was gone, but bored that she once again had to take care of it, as opposed to it not being formed at all.
"One day… a way to free my special guest… will come about hopefully. Till then, humanity will rise and always take the right paths. Whether it be facing death, facing the truth, the lack of free will one has for themselves, or whatever else comes along and manifests itself," Elizabeth said quietly.
"So you're here once again, aren't you?" said a familiar voice. Elizabeth turned toward the direction of the voice, and saw Margaret was present here.
"Of course. I will never falter and give up from this duty of freeing… them," Elizabeth said quietly. Margaret merely nodded to her in agreement, admiring her younger sister's persistence. The two then transported themselves to the location that barred Nyx and Erebus from meeting each other, that resembled. The two looked upon it, and saw the Great Seal that was of Minato's nude body as a statue, crucified and bound to the door between Nyx and humanity. However next to Minato was another nude statue that depicted a certain female individual. Both statues had a very small subtle smile that was upon them, as they both handled this task, unlike how Minato alone didn't smile before when he was just bearing this duty alone.
"Someone like her… to be devoted to her beloved, even in the afterlife is truly remarkable," Margaret calmly stated. Elizabeth nodded back to Margaret in agreement.
"That request she made so long ago… still surprises me," Elizabeth said, truly impressed by the Priestess's resolve. "That request to be with him, even in this state, after her physical body is long gone… to keep him company so he would not endure this duty alone… one day I will free both of them. I swear it,"
The two remained for a bit, looking at the sight before them, before the two of them eventually left, as to not to disturb the sight. The Wild Card Persona user and the Priestess Navigator were together, even after death, as they both worked together to keep Nyx and Erebus from meeting. Minato and Fuuka would keep each other company in this state, as they waited till humanity would no longer wish for death upon itself. But until then, they still had each other, even after all this time. Even if that didn't happen they were glad just to be with each other. It seemed that whether they were still together in high school, in SEES, even in another universe, or even after death, the two were still inseparable. They wouldn't have it any other way, as the love they had for each other would never go away, as time kept marching on. This tale of involving these two and their involvement in a universal fighting tournament, has come to a close, as it's tale has been told.
THE END
So what did you guys think? Notes as always before discussing future announcements.
1. Super "Bash," Brothers is a reference to Super Smash Bros made in Persona 5 by Futaba Sakura. If you examine a certain object in the 6th Palace in Persona 5, on one of the floors, she'll bring up Super "Bash," Brothers as a reference to Super Smash Bros.
2. Labrys is a character that made her debut in Persona 4 Arena and also appears in Persona 4 Arena Ultimax. She becomes a members of SEES after the events of Persona 4 Arena.
3. The group that allegedly steals hearts are of course the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, who are the playable cast of Persona 5.
So with those notes out of the way, time to get some important things out of the way as well. Some people in the past have asked me if I will be doing a story similar to this, but having it revolve around the Persona 4 cast instead crossing over with Super Smash Bros. With the Investigation Team as the main cast. It was definitely something I have considered in general while writing this. To answer that, it's something I'm definitely keeping in mind but as of right now, am not planning to write about. That doesn't mean it's off the table necessarily, but at the moment not planning to do so. The main reasons being that I feel burnt out writing about Persona and Smash Bros at the moment and kind of want to write stories for other things before returning to those series eventually.
So as for my next story, it has an extremely strong chance of being a story that isn't Super Smash Bros and/or Persona related, as I'm most likely considering writing a story for a series I haven't written a story for yet that I have in mind. What is the new series exactly? I don't plan to say what it is exactly, but I will say it is a videogame series of origin, and it's a story that will not be as family friendly in comparison and will most likely be Rated M. That doesn't mean I don't plan to keep writing more Smash and/or Persona related stories in the future (or any other series I have written in the past as well), as I definitely plan and want to, but for now my next story will be something from a new series most likely. Keep in mind these are all things that can change, as I can always change my mind. So to make this very clear, nothing is necessarily final till it happens.
Once again I want to say thanks to everyone for reading and supporting this story in general and I hope you all enjoyed this final chapter and this story in it's entirety. Thank you all and adieu for now. Till the next story!
