When Makoto opens his eyes, He finds himself back in the Velvet Room sitting in front of Igor and Elizabeth once again "It's so nice to see you again." Igor said as Makoto sighs.
"What happened?" Makoto asks.
"You became unconscious after awakening to your "power." ...It's nothing to worry about, though. So, just relax." Igor chuckles as Makoto takes a deep breath and lets it out "By the way… I see that it was Orpheus that heeded your calling. That power is called a Persona… It is a manifestation of your psyche." Igor explained.
"My Persona?" Makoto asks.
"It may take some time to fully comprehend. A Persona is a facet of your personality that surfaces as you react to external stimuli… You can think of it as a mask that protects you as you brave many hardships." Igor explained "That being said, your power is still weak…"
"What do you mean weak?" Makoto asks.
"When you use your Persona ability, you must channel your inner strength. The ability evolves as you develop your Social Links-your emotional ties with others. The stronger your Social Links, the more powerful your Persona ability." Igor explained more to Makoto "Please remember that." Makoto nods.
"Now, then… Time marches on in your world. I shouldn't keep you here any longer. Next time we meet, you will come here of your own accord." Makoto felt very sleepy as Igor said these words "Until then… farewell." Igor said as Makoto's vision fades to black.
4/17/2009
After school…
Makoto begins to wake up and sees a white wall and then turns his head to see Yukari on his left side "Takeba-san…?" Makoto called out, making Yukari gasp in surprise.
"You're awake…! Um, how do you feel?" Yukari asks.
"I'm feeling fine." Makoto asks.
"Thank goodness. You finally came to…" Yukari then sighs "How much sleep do you need!? It's been a whole week!" Yukari then sighs again in relief "...I was so worried about you…" Yukari said.
"I'm glad… but where am i?" Makoto asks.
"...Oh yeah, this is Tatsumi Memorial Hospital. It's just a short walk from the station. The doctor couldn't find anything wrong with you. He said you were exhausted… But, you kept sleeping and sleeping. You know how worried I was?" Yukari asks.
"Sorry for worrying you." Makoto said.
"Um… I'm sorry I couldn't do anything… Even though I was supposed to be protecting you, i…" Yukari then shook her head and smiled "But, your power… it was amazing." Yukari complimented.
"But what were those things?" Makoto asks.
"...You mean the Shadows? They're what we're fighting against. And the power you used… We call it "Persona". We'll explain everything later. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before…" Yukari said, closing her eyes in shame.
"It's okay… it probably would've been difficult to talk about." Makoto said as Yukari got up from her seat and looked out the window.
"Thanks… But I, uh… I wanted to tell you that… I'm sorta like you." Yukari said.
"What do you mean?" Makoto asks as Yukari turns to him.
"My dad died in an accident when I was little… and my mom and I aren't on good terms… you're all alone too, right?" Yukari asks.
"Hmph…" Makoto smiles a bit "You're pretty nosey, Takeba-san." Makoto then frowns and looks at the ceiling "Yeah... but how did you know that?" Makoto turns to her to see a guilty look on her face.
"To be honest, I already know about your past… But, it didn't seem fair, so I wanted you to know mine…" Yukari sat back down next to Makoto's bed "It was back in '99… There was a big explosion in the area. Supposedly, my dad died in the blast, but nobody really knows what happened…" Yukari explained.
"But… How did he die in the explosion?" Makoto asks.
"Don't know… All I know is that he was working in a lab run by the Kirijo Group. So, I'm hoping that if I stick around long enough, I'll find out something. That's why I'm going to Gekkoukan High, and why I was there when this happened to you." Yukari explained as she continued.
"...Of course, I panicked and wasn't much help… It was my first time fighting them, too. I'm sorry… you wouldn't have to go through all this if I wasn't such a coward." Yukari said, with her hands clenching into fits but then Makoto reaches out and touches her hands.
"You don't have to blame yourself for what happened. None of us knew that was going to happen." Makoto said.
"Really…? But still…" Yukari then shakes her head and stands up from the chair "And here i am telling you this the minute you wake up." Yukari fell silent for a second before speaking again.
"While I was waiting, I thought to myself, "I've been hiding so many things from him… As soon as he wakes up, I'll tell him the truth". So, thanks for listening. I've been wanting to share that story with someone for a long time." Yukari smiled before speaking again.
"...Alright, I'm gonna get going. I'll let the others know you woke up." Yukari said, now walking towards the door to the room "Take it easy, okay? Be a good patient! And don't hesitate to call the nurse. I'm sure she'll take care of you. Bye." Yukari said as she left the room.
4/18/2009
Early Morning
Makoto was walking to school when Yukari noticed him and called him "Mornin'. You seem to be doing pretty well." Yukari said.
"Yeah, I'm alright." Makoto said to her, making her smile.
"That's good. Hey, sorry to hit you with this first thing in the morning… but Ikutsuki-san wants to talk to you today." Yukari said.
"Why?" Makoto asks.
"You'll know when you talk to him. Come to the 4th floor of the dorm after school, okay? Don't forget." Yukari said as Makoto nodded and the two continued to walk to their classroom.
Gekkoukan High; Morning…
In the classroom, Makoto and the other students were in the middle of history with Mr. Ono "That's rough about mammoths… I don't see the big deal. They're just huge elephants. And that wraps it up for the Stone Age." Mr. Ono then sighs tirelessly before going on a rant "...I'm tired of lessons about stones. I'd rather talk about the Sengoku era! Japanese history isn't that exciting until then. Though I'm paid to do this, so I've gotta… it's tough being an adult." Mr. Ono sighs and gets on with the class.
"Next is… the Jomon period? When do the samurai get their day in the sun!? I'll just ask a question and call it a day. Hmm… hey, Junpei!" Junpei snaps to Mr. Ono's direction "What was the style of houses in the Jomon period called?"
"Uhh… How am I supposed to know something way back then?" Junpei then turns to Makoto "Quick, Makoto! What the heck is he talking about!?" Junpei asks.
"He's talking about mud huts." Makoto whispers to him without turning from his text book.
Junpei gave out the answer, which makes Mr. Ono sing with delight "That's correct. Mud huts were built by digging a hole in the ground and supporting the roof." Mr. Ono then sighs again "...It's no use. I can't get interested. Ugh… I wanna get to the age of katanas. Everything else is so dull..." Mr. Ono complained.
"Hey…! I answered right, and I don't get any credit?" Junpei said.
Gekkoukan High; After school
Makoto remembers to go to the dorms and talk to Ikutsuki about something important, so Makoto decided to go home early.
On his way home through the mall, he saw a few of the shop clerks talking to each other, two Gekkoukan High students playing a crane machine and a businessman talking to his assistant.
Dorms; Evening…
Once back at the dorm, Makoto made his way up the stairs and walked up to the fourth floor when he saw Yukari waiting for him at the front of two large doors.
"Oh! There you are!" Yukari said as she took Makoto through the big doors and walked into the command room, where Mitsuru was sitting on the sofa with Riku and Kaede, Akihiko sitting on a cushion, and Ikutsuki sitting on the recliner.
"Ah, there you are. I'm glad that you're okay. The reason I asked you here is because I needed to talk to you. Please, have a seat." Ikutsuki said as Yukari sits next to Riku and Makoto sits on the chair apart from Akihiko.
"So, what's this about?" Makoto asks.
"Oh, before that. I believe I mentioned him earlier, but this is Akihiko." Ikutsuki said when Akihiko waves to Makoto with a small smile.
"How ya doin'?" Akihiko greeted him.
"Okay, let me start off by asking you this… would you believe me if I said that a day consists of more than 24 hours?" Ikutsuki asks.
"I would say that would be insane… so, no." Makoto said.
"Do you remember the night you came here?" Riku asks.
"Yeah?" Makoto asks.
"Then you had to have noticed the signs…" Riku said.
"Yeah… The street lights went out… Nothing was working… There were coffins everywhere…" Kaede said.
"Didn't it feel like you were in a different time…?" Mitsuru asks.
"Yeah… but I thought I was seeing things since I was little. What is it exactly?" Makoto asks.
"We call it the Dark Hour- a time period hidden between one day and the next." Mitsuru explains.
"How is it hidden? It's an hour in a day, right…?" Makoto .
"I guess it's more like something people aren't aware of. But the Dark Hour does exist. It occurs each night at midnight. It'll happen tonight, and every night to come." Ikutsuki explained.
"Normal people don't realize it, since they're all sleeping in their coffins. But, that's not what makes the Dark Hour so interesting." Akihiko then gets up from his seat with a cocky smile on his face "... you saw those creatures. We call them "Shadows". They only appear during the Dark Hour, and attack anyone not in a coffin. It's our job to defeat them… sounds exciting, huh?"
Mitsuru just looks at Akihiko with an annoyed glare "Akihiko! Why are you always like that? Because of you, you and Riku got hurt the other day!" Mitsuru and Akihiko exchange glances, making Ikutsuki look at both of them nervously before speaking to Mitsuru.
"Now, now. He does his work well." With that in mind, Mitsuru and Akihiko sat back down before Ikutsuki spoke up to Makoto "Long story short, we're the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad-SEES for short."
"On paper, we're classified as a school club. But in reality, this group is dedicated to defeating the Shadows." Riku explained before Ikutsuki spoke up again.
"That's right. Mitsuru is the leader. I'm the club advisor." Ikutsuki said.
"A Shadow feeds on the mind of its prey; the victim becomes a living corpse. They're responsible for most of the incidents on the news, if not all of them." Mitsuru explains.
"How exactly can people fight them?" Makoto asks.
"Although rare, there are those who can function during the Dark Hour. Some may even awaken to a power that enables them to fight the Shadows." Ikutsuki explained.
"We call that power Persona. The power you used the other night." Riku said before sipping on a cup of tea he had on the table.
"The Shadows can only be defeated by Persona-users, like us. Which means, it's all up to us." Kaede said.
"I see. I think I get it." Makoto said, making Ikutsuki smile.
"I'm glad you're quick to understand." Ikutsuki said as Mitsuru opened up a silver case, containing the same silver gun and red arm band that has the word "SEES" on it.
"What he's trying to say is, we want you to join us. We've prepared an Evoker for you. We'd like you to lend us your strength." Mitsuru said.
"I don't know if i should…" Makoto said.
"Don't think too much. Just hang out with us for a while." Akihiko said.
"Please, Senpai? We could use all the help we can get." Kaede said.
"Wait, you can't ask him like that! Who could say no…?" Yukari balked before turning to Makoto. "I mean, it'd be nice if he joined, but…"
"I don't mind." Makoto said.
"Does that mean you accept?" Riku asks.
"If you guys are asking, then I can't complain. Besides… I want to help people in any way I can." Makoto said, making Kaede sigh in relief and smile at Makoto.
"I was afraid you'd say no…" Kaede said.
"Same. I feel so much better now." Yukari said as Riku smiled triumphantly.
"I really appreciate it. If you have any questions, feel free to ask." Mitsuru said with a smile.
"Thank you so much, Makoto-kun. I'm really glad. Oh, I almost forgot… about your room assignment… Why don't you just stay here, in your current room? I don't know what the holdup is, but i guess it worked out in the end." Ikutsuki chuckles a bit, leaving Yukari confused.
"Holdup? But, wasn't that-" Yukari then stops herself, thinking it was no longer important "Oh, never mind… it doesn't matter anymore…" Yukari said as a mysterious voice rings in Makoto's head.
Thou art i… and i am thou.
Thou shalt have our blessing
When thou choosest to create a Persona of the Fools Arcana…
Fools: Rank 1
Makoto can feel his inner power growing as he recalls what Igor said to him about the power of social links before returning to his room for the night.
Makoto's Room; Dark Hour
"Hi, how are you?" Makoto hears a voice and opens his eyes to see the same boy from his first night at the dorms.
The boy looks at Makoto's shocked face and chuckles "How the hell did you get in here?" Makoto asks.
"I'm always with you…" The boy answered.
"Yeah, this isn't creepy at all…" Makoto thought before the boy spoke again.
"Soon, the end will come. I remembered, so I thought I should tell you." The boy said, confusing Makoto.
"The end of what?"
"The end of everything… but to be honest, i don't really know what it is." The boy said as he vanished and reappeared at the edge of Makoto's bed "Oh, it looks like you've awakened to your power…" The boy smiles as Makoto looks at him "...And an unusual power it is. A power that takes many forms, yet is bound by none…"
Makoto gets up from his bed and stares at the boy curiously "It may prove to be your salvation, depending where you end up." The boy then disappears again and appears before Makoto.
"Do you remember when we first met? I expect you to honor your commitment." The boy then turns around before speaking again.
"I'll be watching you, even if you forget about me… Okay then, see you later." After that, the mysterious boy disappears for the final time, leaving Makoto confused.
"Okay… that was weird. Then again… my life has always been weird." Makoto then lies back down on his bed and falls back to sleep.
4/19/2009
Dorms; Evening
Makoto was at his desk, catching up on a week of homework that he's missed when he heard a knock at his door "Hey, it's me." Yukair called out.
Makoto gets up and opens the door and gives Yukari a blank stare "What's up?"
"Can you come down for a bit?" Yukari asks as Makoto decides to go downstairs with Yukari to the lounge.
At the Lounge, Makoto stands with Yukari, Riku, and Kaede, with Akihiko standing next to the doors "...Okay, they're here now. So, what's this all about?" Keade asks.
"There's someone I wanna introduce." Akihiko said as he turned to the door "...Hey, hurry up."
"Hold your horses… this is freakin' heavy." A familiar voice rings out as the door opens to reveal Junpei, rolling in a lot of luggage, much to Yukari's shock.
"J-Junpei!? ...Why is he here!? Wait, don't tell me-"
"This is Junpei Iori from class 2-F. He'll be staying here starting today." Akihiko said as Junpei chuckled.
"Wazzup?" Junpei greeted the four Persona-users, rubbing the back of his neck.
"He's staying here!? You've got to be kidding me!" Yukari was in disbelief. Junpei Iori, the most annoying person that Yukari had known for the past two years, was staying with her and the others at the dorms?
Riku then picks up Junpei's purple backpack and puts it on the large suitcase "Me and Akihiko-senpai ran into him the other night. He has the potential, but he just awoke to it recently…"
"We told him about us, and he agreed to help." When those worlds left Akihiko's mouth, Yukari was now completely in shock.
"You have the potential!? For real!?" Yukari asks in disbelief.
"They found me crying like a baby at the convenience store, surrounded by a bunch of coffins. I don't remember much, but… man, that's embarrassing!" Junpei said as he used his finger to rub his cheek slightly with a small embarrassed smile.
"We told him that it was a completely normal reaction in the beginning." Riku added.
"Yeah, like bein' confused and not remembering anything. Did ya guys know that?" Junpei asks.
"Not really. I didn't go through anything like that when I got here." Makoto said nonchalantly.
"Big deal. It happens to everyone else." Junpei said before dropping his smile for a bit "...But man, I was shocked when I found out about you guys. I had no idea."
Junpei laughs and smiles "I'm glad i'm not the only one. It could get kinda lonely, ya know."
"Yeah, I get it. For a while, it's only been me, Sis, Akihiko-senpai, Yukari-senpai, Makoto-senpai, and Riku-kun." Kaede said with a smile, happy that they're finally getting new members.
Junpei then turns to Yukari and smiles at her "I bet you're stoked too, right!? Havin' me join…"
Riku looks at his sister, who is completely lost in thought at the moment "Sister?"
"Huh? Uh, y-yeah…" Yukari said unenthusiastically before Akihiko stepped into the conversation.
"Well, enough of the introductions. I think we're about ready…" When Akihiko said that, Junpei was already getting excited.
"Ooh, we're gonna go do somethin'? Sweetness!" Junpei said with his usual smile.
"With this many people, we can start exploring that place." Akihiko said.
"You mean… Tartarus…?" Kaede asks with some uneasiness in her voice.
"Tartarus…? What's that? Sounds like toothpaste." Junpei commented.
"We believe we can find the reason for the Dark Hour there." Riku explained.
"I hope so…" Yukari said, uneasiness also settling in her voice.
"The Chairman will give us the details tomorrow night, so be ready." Akihiko said with everyone giving him a firm nod before Junpei pushed his luggage towards the stairs.
4/20/2009
Early Morning; Gekkoukan High's front gate
Makoto was walking towards the school when he overheard two female students talking "Good morning. I'm always so drowsy on Monday mornings…"
"Yeah me too. The only thing you can do is to sleep through the first period. Wait… tomorrow is when we have a morning assembly!"
"Ughhh… I'm too lazy for that. I'll just pretend I didn't hear that…" The two students' conversation ends there as the first bell rings, causing Makoto and the two students to hurry up to their classes.
Gekkoukan High; Lunchtime
Junpei and Makoto were eating their lunches and talking as Yukari stood up from her seat, yawning which captured the attention of Junpei and Makoto "I thought I was gonna fall asleep in there…" Yukari says as Mitsuru enters their classroom and walks towards the trio of Persona-users.
"Can I have a minute?" The trio nods "Come to the lounge when you get back to the dorm. I have something I would like to tell everyone." This causes Yukari to sigh tiredly and Junpei to smile excitedly.
"Oh, are we having that talk?" Junpei asks.
"I'll save the details for later. See you there." Having said that, Mitsuru leaves the classroom.
"Wow, she didn't waste any time leaving…" Junpei said, making Yukari shrug and then scoff.
"She's probably busy with things like Student Council, unlike us." Yukari said, with a small hint of venomous hostility in her voice that even Junpei and Makoto can pick up on it.
"Whoa, Yuka-tan! Do I sense some hostility?" Junpei asks.
"Well, it's not that I don't like her… She's just…" Yukari stays silent before Makoto decides to change the subject.
"Hey, if you guys don't finish eating, you'll be going without any food in your stomach for the rest of the day." Makoto said as Junpei nodded.
"Yeah! We're gonna need the energy for tonight." Junpei says as grabs his bento box and continues to eat.
Dorms; Evening
In the command room, Mitsuru and the others were discussing details as Junpei and Makoto had just arrived and took their seats "Okay, everybody's here. I'd like your undivided attention." The members of SEES then turn to Ikutsuki.
"For a long time, Mitsuru and Akihiko were the only Persona-users we had. But that number recently jumped to seven. Therefore…" Ikutsuki looks around the room before speaking again.
"Starting tonight at 12:00 AM, I'd like to commence the exploration of Tartarus." Ikutsuki said, Junpei clearly still confused about this Tartarus place.
"Sorry… I asked this yesterday, but what's this Tartarus thing again?" Junpei asks.
"Have you not seen it, Junpei-san?" Riku asks.
"Hm…?" Junpei tilted his head, still confused by what everyone was talking about.
"It's no surprise… since it only appears during the Dark Hour." Ikutsuki said, now confusing Makoto too.
"The Dark Hour…?" Junpei repeats.
"Just like the Shadows… Interesting, huh? And it's the perfect place for us to train. You can think of it as a Shadow nest." Akihiko explains.
"Whoa… their nest, huh…?" Junpei looked a little shocked before Kaede looked at Riku.
"But, Riku-kun… What about your and Senpai's injuries?" Kaede asks.
"I'll be staying here at the dorm. I don't want to slow any of you down inside Tartarus." Riku explains.
"As for Akihiko, since he hasn't fully recovered yet, he'll only come as far as the entrance." Mitsuru explains, causing Akihiko to scowl.
"...Yeah, I know." Akihiko simply said with a disappointed tone.
"Well, I'm sure he won't complain, as long as you don't go too far in. Since we're dealing with Shadows, Tartarus isn't something we can avoid." Ikutsuki said.
"Make sense. But we'll we really be okay out there?" Makoto asks with Junpei smiling at him.
"Relax, I've got your backs." Junpei said as Yukari worries about the plan so far.
"I'm not so sure about this…" Yukari said.
"What about you, Mr. Chairman?" Mitsuru asks.
"I'll stay here with Riku. As you know, I can't summon a Persona…" Ikutsuki said as the members of SEES got up from their seats and left to get to their new location.
Late Night; Gekkoukan High's front gate
Junpei was honestly confused when they arrived at the school gates of all places as Akihiko pulled out his cellphone "This is it? This is the place?" He then turns to Akihiko "Why here?"
"Just wait a few minutes… it's almost midnight." Akihiko said.
As soon as the clock on his phone strikes midnight, the phone goes blank, the sky and the moon turns a sickly shade of green, and Makoto and Junpei look in shock as their school begins forming into a grotesque tower… they now see it with their own eyes… The place they see before them is Tartarus.
"This is Tartarus- the labyrinth that reveals itself during the Dark Hour." Mitsuru said, as Mokoto and Junpei look at the giant tower before them.
"Labyrinth…?" Makoto repeated confusedly.
"What are you talking about!?" Junpei yells "What happened to our school!?"
"Once the Dark Hour passes, everything returns to normal." Mitsuru explains but Junpei was clearly still in shock.
"This is the "nest" your were talking about!?" Junpei then turns to Mitsuru "But, why!? ...Why'd our school turn into a giant tower!?" Mitsuru doesn't answer Junpei's question and stays silent for a bit.
"...You don't know, either?" Junpei asks.
"...No." Mitsuru simply said, making Kaede worry for her.
"I'm sure it's complicated. Who cares anyways? It's not like it would change our minds about fighting." Yukari points out.
"She's got a point. This doesn't change my decision to fight." Makoto said as Akihiko turned to him and Yukari.
"Well, maybe now we'll find out. Mitsuru and I have only gone in to take a peek; this will be our first time exploring it. Exciting, isn't it?" Akihiko asks, making Mitsuru sigh and Makoto to look at the tower.
"There has to be some sort of clue in here about the Dark Hour…" Akihiko concluded with a cocky smile.
"Akihiko. I respect your enthusiasm, but you won't be accompanying us today." Mitsuru said as Akihiko sighs disappointedly.
"I know… you don't have to remind me." Akihiko said as the seven members of SEES entered Tartarus.
Tartarus; Dark Hour
Makoto and the others saw the lobby of the tower, and saw a stairway to a strange looking door… thing "Whoa… it's just as cool on the inside…" Junpei said in awe.
"But, it sure is creepy…" Yukari said.
"You said it, Yukari-senpai…" Kaede added.
"This is only the entrance. The labyrinth lies beyond the doorway at the top of the stairs." Mitsuru said.
"First, we'll have you four get a feel for this place. Why don't you go have a look around?" Akihiko asks, shocking Kaede and Yukari.
"What!? By ourselves!?" Kaede exclaimed.
"We're not asking you to go very far, and I'll be feeding you information from here." Mitsuru explains to the four.
"So, you two didn't plan on coming in the first place?" Junpei asks.
"That's right." Akihiko nodded in confirmation for the four "We're also going to appoint a leader to make any necessary decisions."
When those words came out of Akihiko's mouth, Junpei felt excited "For real? One of us…?" Junpei lets it sink in and smiles from ear to ear "Oh! Oh! Me me me! Pick me!" Junpei was practically raising his hand in order to get picked.
Akihiko stays silent for a bit however and turns to Makoto "...You're in charge, Yuki."
Makoto looks as shocked as Junpei, confused as to why he's appointed leader "W-Wait! Why him! He doesn't look like a leader!" Junpei yells.
"But he has fought them before…" Yukari pointed out.
"Seriously?" Junpei exclaimed.
"That's true, but there's another reason. You three…" Akihiko turns to Kaede, Junpei and Yukari as he pulls out his Evoker and points it at his head "Can you summon your Persona without any difficulties, like Makoto can?"
"Um… yeah, I got it!" Kaede answered nervously.
"Y-yeah, of course I can!" Junpei answers with his usual cocky smile.
"I think so." Yukari was the last to answer as Akihiko puts his Evoker away.
"These are Shadows we're talking about here. Without your Persona, you're screwed." Akihiko pointed out.
"I'm aware of that." Yukari said but as she and the others walk toward the entrance of Tartarus, Makoto feels a presence and looks over to his left.
"Is that…?" Makoto mumbled as he saw a blue door and the Velvet key glowing "Igor…" Makoto walks towards the door and uses the Velvet key and enters the Velvet Room.
Once in the Velvet Room, Makoto stands in front of his seat and sits down "I've been waiting for you. The time has come for you to wield your power." Makoto was confused about what Igor was saying but allowed him to continue speaking.
"The tower that you are about to venture into… How did it come to be? For what purpose does it exist? Regrettably, you are not yet capable of answering these questions. That is why you must be aware of the nature of your power." Igor said.
"You mentioned that earlier. What do you mean by that?" Makoto asks.
"Your power is unique. It's like the number zero… it's empty, but at the same time holds infinite possibilities." Igor said in his own cryptic way, in which Makoto was starting to get it.
"Wait… are you saying…"
"Indeed. You, my boy, are able to possess multiple Personas, and summon them as needed. And when you have defeated your enemies, you will see the faces of possibility before you. There may be times when they are hard to grasp… but, do not fear. Seize what you have earned." Igor explains as Makoto nods in understanding.
"Your power will continue to grow accordingly… Be sure to keep that in mind." Igor said.
"I will. Trust me." Makoto said, in which Igor nods in understanding as well.
"My spare time will soon be scarce. But, please come again of your own accord. I'll tell you about my true role… the manner in which I can best assist you. Until then… farewell." The Velvet Room was then engulfed by a bright white light, causing Makoto to close his eyes from the brightness.
When Makoto opened his eyes again, he was standing right outside the door to the Velvet Room as Yukari, Junpei and Kaede walked up to him "Hey, are you alright?" Yukari asks, causing Makoto to turn around to them.
"Yeah, what's up? You look like a zombie." Junpei pointed out.
"I was standing in front of that door and… well…" Makoto drifts off from his sentence, confusing his three fellow Persona-users.
"Door? What door? I don't see a door, Senpai." Kaede said.
"Man, are you loco?" Makoto turns back to the door and then back to his teammates, realizing that he's the only one who can see the door to the Velvet Room.
"Have you been nodding off? You seem kinda out of it." Yukari said.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Sorry for worrying you guys." Makoto said, brushing it off.
"Dude, you're s'posed to be our leader. Get your head in the game!" Junpei said.
"You're right. Sorry." Makoto said.
"It's okay, Senpai. You don't have to apologize." Kaede said with a smile.
"Come on, let's go." Yukari said as Makoto and the three other Persona-users went up the stairs and entered the first floor of Tartarus.
Once on the first floor of Tartarus, Makoto and the others quickly pull out their weapons. Makoto's a short sword, Yukari's weapon is a bow, Junpei's is a long blade katana, and Kaede's is a halberd.
The four Persona-users look around and scan the area they're in at the moment "So, this is it, huh…?" Junpei said.
"Yeah. Looks like it." Kaede said.
"I hope i don't get lost…" Yukari said with uneasiness.
"Don't worry, i'll make sure that doesn't happen." Makoto said.
"Can you all hear me?" Mitsuru asks, despite not being there physically.
"Whoa! Is that you, Senpai?" Junpei asks back, confused on how Mitsuru is able to talk to them in their heads.
"I'll be providing audio back up from here on out." Mitsuru said.
"Wait… You mean, you can see inside here?" Makoto asks.
"It's my Persona's ability. I'd like to join, but the structure of Tartarus changes from day to day. That's why outside support is imperative." Mitsuru explains.
"Well, that makes me feel a whole lot better…" Yukari said sarcastically.
"Now, based on your current location, you can expect to encounter enemies at any minute. They shouldn't be too tough, but proceed with caution. Practice makes perfect." Mitsuru said.
"Right!" Junpei said with enthusiasm.
"Understood." Makoto said.
"Got it." Kaede said as Yukari looked to her side.
"Why is she always like that…?" Yukari mumbled.
"Everyone! I can sense enemies approaching your position. Be ready to fight!" As the group nods at Mitsuru's advice, the Shadows are quickly crawling towards the teens.
"Let's make this quick. Orpheus!" Makoto said as he pulled out his Evoker and pointed at his head and pulled the trigger, summoning Orpheus.
Orpheus proceeded to use his lyre and strum the strings like a guitar, setting two of the Shadows ablaze.
"Alright! Let me back you up, Senpai!" Kaede said as she pointed her Evoker at the side of her head "Come to me, Medusa!" Kaede pulls the trigger and summons her Persona.
The Persona has dark grey skin, glowing yellow eyes, green mechanical snake hair and wears silver armor, covering her stomach and breasts, gold armbands, an open gold skirt and golden shoes. This was Medusa, the cursed priestess.
"Now! Use Psi!" As Kaede ordered, Medusa's eyes glowed brightly, summoning small colorful orbs and launching them at the Shadows, killing another two.
"Yes!" But then, another set of the same Shadows with blue masks appear "Oh, come on!"
"Leave this one to me, Kae-chan!" Junpei points his Evoker to the side of his head and smiles cockliy before pulling the trigger "Hermes!"
Hermes was a black feathered armor with metal shoes that had giant golden wings attached to its heels and metal arms, an orange collar with an H as its buckle, and a golden helmet with a beak and two metal wings on each side.
Hermes proceeds to use its giant metal wings to slice the Shadows by lunging itself at the two Shadows "Yeah! Junpei's on a roll!" Junpei shouted as another Shadow came from behind him but he's saved at the last second by Makoto.
"Focus on the mission, Junpei!" Makoto shouted but then he and Junpei were thrown back by a Shadow.
"Makoto! Junpei! That's it!" Yukari then pulls out her Evoker and points it at her forehead "No more useless Yukari! Come, Io!" Yukari pulls the trigger and summons her Persona.
Io takes the form of a black skinned female figure in a pink dress and dark blonde hair, wrapped in chains and sitting on a horned cow object.
"Use Garu!" Io summons a small burst of wind to knock the Shadows away.
"Wait…" Makoto then saw a small blue being in his mind and smiles for a bit and point the Evoker at his head again "Pixie!" Makoto pulls the trigger and summons a fair skinned woman who wears a blue leotard, blue stockings and sprouts wings from her back.
"Zio!" Pixie then summons a bolt of lighting and shoots it at the Shadows "Junpei!"
"Got it! Hermes!" At Junpei's command, it lunges at the remaining Shadows, finally finishing the battle.
"I don't believe it… Yuki can use more than one Persona?" Mitsuru said in shock.
"Surprised?" Makoto then falls to his knees.
"Makoto!" Yukari then rushes to Makoto's side and helps him up "Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Don't worry." Yukari helps Makoto up as Junpei and Kaede look at Makoto in shock.
"No way…" Junpei was at a loss for words.
Kaede then looks around and sees a strange green pad on the ground next to her and Junpei "Guys! I found an access point!" Yukari helps Makoto walk, looking exhausted after summoning Pixie for the first time.
"I can walk now. Thanks, Yukari." Makoto stands on his own and walks to the access point, teleporting him and the others back to the entrance.
Back at the entrance of Tartarus, Mitsuru and Akihiko saw Makoto and the others return and run towards them "Welcome back. So, how was it?"
"It was no problem. A little tiring, but it was no problem." Makoto said.
"I see. Well if you gained confidence, that's the best thing you could have achieved." Mitsuru said with a small smile on her face.
"Wow… I never knew I had that kind of power! We kicked some ass!" Junpei said, despite seeing Makoto's secondary Persona, he was satisfied with himself.
"But you know, now that Makoto-senpai mentioned it… I feel kinda tired." Kaede pointed out.
"Yeah, you're right. I'm beat…" Junpei said.
"That's cuz you were bouncing around like a little kid." Yukari said, but was clearly tired herself.
"You look pretty tired yourself, Yuka-tan." Junpei pointed out.
"I'm still trying to catch my breath, actually…" Yukari said, wiping a bit of sweat from her forehead.
"That's the effect of the Dark Hour; You'll become more fatigued more easily. Don't worry, though, you'll adapt. But, I'm surprised… you all did much better than i expected." Mitsuru said as she turned to Akihiko "At this rate, they'll catch up to you in no time, Akihiko."
"Heh, we'll see about that." Akihiko said with a smirk.
Fools Arcana: Rank 2
"Anyways, is it alright if we head back?" Makoto asks.
"Of course. Let's head back for now." Mitsuru said as she and the others began to make their way back to the dorms.
Back at the dorm, the group made it back in one piece as the Dark Hour ends as soon as Makoto closes the door and locks it "Oh. Welcome back." Riku said as he put his book down and stood up from his seat.
"We're back…" Kaede said as she collapsed on the sofa in the lounge.
"Was it that tiring?" Riku asks.
"For them, yeah." Akihiko said with a small cocky smile.
"Yeah, i think i speak for all of us that we just want to go to bed." Makoto said as everyone nodded.
"Kaede?" Mitsuru said as she shook Kaede gently but then heard snores coming from her.
"She just passed out?" Junpei asks himself as Riku carries Kaede on his back, making sure her arms are around his neck.
"It seems the fatigue had caught up to her. I'll take her back to her room, Mitsuru-senpai. Good night." Riku said as he walked up the stairs.
"Kaede made the call. Let's get some sleep." Makoto said as they all went up the stairs and went back to their rooms.