Chapter 42 / Hatred

November 20th, 1996 / Daytime
Yakushima Beach

LABRYS - PLAYBACK STARTING

"Oneesan, shouldn't we make a base first before we start making the walls of the sand castle?" I asked but still filled the bucket with wet sand as Setsuko had told me to do. I was sitting on the beach along with Setsuko and Kayane. Setsuko had declared we would be making a sand castle today. Kayane had simply sat next to me and using a small plastic shovel to move the sand around. I think he had an objective in mind but maybe he didn't understand how to best go about it.

"Nope, we're only going to build a wall. You see, I heard Dad is planning to start a water fight later, so we have to build our defenses," Setsuko said proudly as she took the bucket from me and flipped it around onto the ground. Maybe not the most graceful but it worked well enough.

This had become a sort of normal part of my week now. Every couple days I would be allowed out to visit with Setsuko and Kayane. They were my family. While I wasn't sure exactly what it meant to be a part of a family, I did know that I looked forward to my time with my would be siblings. Setsuko was ever the demanding one. She did her best to act like the oldest sibling but she was ever mindful of not just me but Kayane as well. She often went out of her way to make sure Kayane was comfortable. Kayane seemed like a nervous young boy. He rarely said anything and did whatever his sister asked of him. Often he would sit in silence while watching Setsuko or myself.

I filled another bucket of sand before handing off to Setsuko. This continued for quite some time until we had a sizable wall forming, with only a few of the portions falling apart along the way.

"With that we are prepared for Dad's attack," Setsuko moved next to me and next to her brother. "Kayane, you have to close to the wall okay? That way you can surprise Dad with our secret weapon." Setsuko then brought over a bucket to her brother. Within it held a number of water balloons. "As soon as he gets close you throw these at him, got it? Otouto?"

Kayane nodded, "Okay Nee-chan."

Setsuko stood proud of our defenses. As she stood ready for a water fight I could hear a conversation off in the distance.

"You have to go back to the lab?" it was Arisa who was talking to Renji.

"Yes, unfortunately. But I can delay it for a little bit to play with the kids. I did promise Setsuko a water fight," Renji gave a light chuckle.

"Renji, how many other units did they create?" Arisa pressed.

Renji didn't immediately reply. "Around thirty. They were made on my updated design to their original specifications. None of them are like Labrys but its obvious they are pushing for battle ready units. I'm sure there are other facilities that Kirijo Kouetsu is trying to get them to."

"Places that deal with Shadows," Arisa added.

"Yes. The last few suggested training schedules I've rejected due to possible psychiatric damage but their revisions make me believe they aren't listening to what I'm saying. So I have meetings I need to set in place to properly explain it and..." he sighed heavily. "Still I plan to introduce Labrys to her sister units later tonight."

"One thing at a time, Renji. Just do what you believe is right. For Labrys, and all of your creations," Arisa was clearly a very supporting wife to Renji. But this was the first I had heard of sister units. They had made more like me? But Renji also said that none of them were like me...I wonder what that meant.

"Thank you Arisa. I know this might be hard on you and the kids with me fighting them so hard on this. But if the Mechanical Maidens are going to be fighting Shadows, then they are meant to be more than just machines. I don't think they understand precisely what the acquisition of a Persona can do to an individual. I only know because we awakened to ours when we were growing up," Renji said it so casually, but what did he mean by Persona? There was a lot of terms I wasn't familiar with. Clearly there was more to the situation than what Renji was telling. It would probably be a good idea to listen more closely to the conversations inside the facility. Especially if Renji was having problems with the others that worked there.

After a few more exchanged words, Renji came rushing over, squirt gun in hand as he came to start the water fight. Setsuko ready with her own squirt gun shoved a different one in my hands. "Here, Imouto!"

"Be ready to get soaked Setsuko!" Renji called out.

"Get him now, Kay-chan!" Setsuko called out. Kayane stood and tossed a water balloon. The balloon hit the bottom of Renji's leg, and he could have easily dodged it but didn't. Kayane had a grin of satisfaction. Setsuko was smiling over her own planning being successful, although they didn't realize that Renji had simply allowed it to work.

I think I was understanding this. There was a happiness here, enjoyment from playing. This...all of this was something worth protecting. Protecting? Yes. If I could I wanted to protect these people. Protect this life that my family had. Maybe this was what Renji had been hoping to teach me? Then how could I best go about this? I would have to double my effort on my studies. That way I could protect them all.


November 22nd, 1996 / Daytime
Training Facility

LABRYS - PLAYBACK STARTING

They were my sister units. Thirty of them but all of them were slightly different in appearance. That was more than likely to help differentiate them. All of them were referred to by numbers one to thirty. Only I had an actual name. Renji had warned me ahead of time. Still they were still sisters, family. Renji was clear that family was important. Something to be treasured, protected. Now I would train with them.

My weapon should be predictable. A large double-bitted axe that was designed for combat. In particular meant to be used against Shadows and for my own personal use. I could compound the axe and attach it to my back while moving around. The axe also have variable thrusters I could employ to strengthen my swings or various other means that I could think of. None of my sister units had a weapon as intricate as my own. Renji told her that she was special, but she still was unsure how.

"Today's exercise will involve the destruction of dummy targets. You will have twenty minutes to destroy as many of these targets as fast as you can," a man's voice came over the speaker.

I picked up my axe as I turned to the others. What would these targets look like? I was distracted when I saw the wide variety of weapons being used by my sisters. Swords, some large, others small. Daggers, knives, spears, pole arms, hand axe, knuckles, greaves, every unit in here was using a different weapon. No doubt this was for comparison and data gathering purposes. So was this to see what was most effective then? I suppose that would make a logical sense if each of my sister units were made to identical specifications. Meaning the only variable to take into account would be the weapon.

I wonder if Renji was also watching this. Either way, I wasn't about to allow myself to be out done by my sister units in a simple exercise. With this thought in mind, the training exercise began. The dummy targets were simple wooden targets that I easily cut through. I selected a path that netted the most targets and set out as fast I could. I did my best to limit any potential wasted movements. Ten targets down, twenty targets down...thirty targets down. When I finally stopped I saw something happen.

I moved without thinking and tackled one of my sister units to the ground just before a different one nearly cut her, "Hey! Watch where you're swinging that thing." I called out but the other sister unit didn't even stop.

"I apologize you had to protect me," the sister unit I had tackled to the ground said and I finally got up.

"Don't think about it. We should be working together not nearly killing each other. We were all made for the same purpose," I helped her up and noticed the number 24 on her side.

"I agree," unit 24 nodded.

"Alright that is enough for today," the man who initially started the exercise was on the speakers once more. "Return to your stations and power down."

"Power down?" I had never heard that term before. I had gone to standby mode when Renji wasn't around at night but I had never powered down before.

"I thank you for your help, Labrys," unit 24 bowed before walking off.

"No problem," I called to her as her and the other units disappeared from the exercise area.

"Do you see the difference, Labrys?" It was Renji who entered the exercise area. I looked at the raven haired man as I was trying to process the events of the exercise.

"They have self-awareness right?" I asked unsure if I wanted to know the answer.

"The plume of dusk give all of you self-awareness. However, they are pre-programmed with knowledge, whereas you learned by reading and doing. You are able to make choices, such as finding a suitable route to take out the most targets while simultaneously ensuring you didn't get in the same path as your sisters. You wanted to get the most but you were also considerate to the others. Still you got three times as many as any of the others," Renji motioned for me to follow him and I did so as he led me out of the exercise room. "Given time and they'll be able to to be as effective as you, but in that same time you will continue to learn and adjust. You are special Labrys. But you are their older sister, so I expect you to treat them as family as well."

"Does that mean you created them too?" I asked.

He shook his head, "No, but they are based off of my design for you. At least what they were able to understand." His eyes looked away from me, and something about that motion bothered me.

"Are you alright?" I quickly followed up my suspicion.

He looked up at me for a moment and then gave me a smile. "Tell me Labrys, what would you do if you believed to be doing the right thing, but for people that had ill intentions?"

"I'm not sure I understand," I admitted.

"Let me phrase it another way. Could you ever imagine Kayane holding a weapon?" he posed a query.

"Oniisan?" I tried to imagine it but ultimately shook my head. "No, fighting isn't something that Oniisan should ever have to do because I..."

"Because you'll protect him?" Renji smiled and I for some reason knew he had been quite happy with my answer. "Labrys, the future is never certain. We never know if the work we do will be to the benefit to those that come after us or not. And there are those that want to use you and your sisters as nothing more than weapons. Remember, family is important. Above everything else."


December 26th, 1996 / Daytime
Yakushima Resort

LABRYS - PLAYBACK STARTING

"Ya think I give a bloody care about dem idiots?"

I blinked as I hear Arisa talking in a manner I have not heard her speak before. Renji and his wife Arisa were arguing. And quite loudly. While I was sitting with Setsuko and Kayane in the other room watching a movie with them. It was a peculiar speech pattern. It was an accent that seemed to be from a more specific area of Japan. I must have looked confused because Setsuko deemed that it merited explanation.

"Mom talks like that when she gets angry or frustrated," she said simply. "Her accent is pretty thick so she mostly tries to hide it."

Kayane took my hand and seemed keen on making me more focused on our movie. My thoughts were still occupied though. Ikakure Arisa was originally named Arisato Arisa, sister to Arisato Kayane. Whom she later would use to name her son because of her affection towards her brother. She and her family originated from the Kansai region in Japan. That's right, it was something that Renji had pointed out before when he had given me details about the whole family. I had records saved in my memory that was of the entire family, including medical and any related documents that I could reference. It appeared that Arisa's brother was under the employ of the Kirijo Group but worked at a different branch that was unrelated to this research. Or so that is what the record told me. But I had gained access to the Kirijo Database, when they hooked me up to a machine to download my combat logs.

Unknown to the other researchers, I was able to block general access to my files. So I kept most of what I had hidden, only allowing access to files they wanted. While I could simultaneously use that connection to hack into the Kirijo Database to look at correspondence and look for any alarming threats that could endanger my family. That was how I learned that Arisato Kayane was a head researcher to something related to the 'Dark Hour'. However, details on what it was seemed to be kept off Kirijo Database. Meaning it was all stored locally to prevent data mines like my own.

I took note to research the kansai dialect that Ikakure Arisa used. A families heritage was also important to understand. Important to represent. I could hear their argument in the other room settling down, but Arisa did not attempt to stop using her dialect. "I told ya, before, didn't I?"

"Yes, Arisa. I haven't forgotten. But we're..."

"Trapped? They don't plan to let ya go...and because the Nanjo Group is so passive about the situation..." Arisa shook her head as the pair were entering the room. "Our children love Labrys'. So do I, love. She's part of this family, and if we have to stay to protect her, to protect what you wanted her to be. Then we will stay. Until the end."

"And put everyone in..." Renji stopped noting that both Setsuko and Kayane had been watching. And no doubt he knew I was listening. Instead he shifted himself and smiled back at Arisa. "You shouldn't hide your accent, Arisa."

"Yeah, yeah. You just want to hear it because it reminds ya of home," Arisa crossed her arms and moved to the couch.

"Wherever you and the kids are is home to me," Renji replied back.

The movie kept playing and the conversation was dropped. But I knew exactly what Renji had not finished. That the family staying here was putting them in danger. The risk could only be coming from somewhere within the Kirijo Group. Exactly how, I would have to find out. But informing Renji of me investigating such could put him in further risk. For now I would keep it to myself and do what I could. This was my family, and I would protect them.


January 4th, 1997 / Evening
Yakushima Training Facility

LABRYS - PLAYBACK STARTING

My sister units had gotten much better with the different exercises that we had been forced to endure. And while I was given more freedom of movement due to Renji. Still I could adjust on situations when they attempted to confuse us, and I still managed to out preform the others. Which I was starting to get a sense really made the other researchers irritated. The main problem with this was although my sister units were based on Renji's designs, they had also modified it to try and 'improve' what Renji had done.

The main problem is that there was obvious resentment against Renji and the work he had done. And I knew this was a result of the mistrust that Renji had to the Kirijo Group because he did not come from them. He was a lead scientist from the Nanjo Group that was to temporarily take over until they got a replacement. It was an exchange that was to in the end be beneficial to both groups. But Renji was concerned that he now knew too much of Kirijo Groups operation. With no reliable way to contact the Nanjo Group without being monitored they were all but hostages but in name. It had made me more tense as a result, and had made me a bit more driven as a result.

"Labrys, good job today," my sister unit, number 24 came to speak to me.

There was another thing I had done recently, "Thanks a lot. You didn't do half bad yerself." I had started talking with the same accent as Arisa. And I really made it my own. I felt more connected to my family, and honestly it just felt and sounded natural to me. I had essentially acclimated it without even realizing it.

"Thank you," 24 gave me a slight bow. Which oddly didn't look too awkward despite the large broadsword she carried. Out of all the units she always took the time to talk to me. I figure it might have something to do with when I saved her in the first exercise we were in.

"Yeah, so..." for some reason I felt...awkward.

"I enjoy talking with you," 24 spoke suddenly. "Unlike the others."

"Whacha mean by dat?" my accent probably coming out thicker than I intended. Well I barely thought about it now, it just happened naturally. "Da other girls ain't that friendly or sumthin?"

She shook her head, "Nothing like that. I simply meant that you have a much different outlook. It must be what makes you special, and why you have a name."

Well I knew the answer as to what made us different on a technical level. However, Renji had said before that the others had the potential to be just developed as I was but their journey to that point would be much different than my own. "All ya can do is keep moving, ya know? I'm sure if ya keep at it, you'll have your own name soon."

However, I knew from the whispers and the emails exchanged between the researchers that they saw my sister units as disposable and likely would conduct some test that might end badly for all of us. But there had also been vague rumblings about Renji. That was my main concern. Not to mention it had been a few days since I got to see Setsuko and Kayane. Not seeing my siblings for extended length of time really got to me sometimes.

Soon 24 had to leave and head back to her station to power down. And I returned back to my room where Renji was waiting. I used my sensors to confirm that his stress levels were unusually high. "Renji-sama? Is everything alright? Is Oneesan and Oniisan okay?"

He looked up me, "Everything is fine for now. And knowing you, you know more about the situation than you are saying. Good you're acting on your own. Keep doing what you believe is right, Labrys." The way he spoke jumped out at me. This was not the usual Renji who typically had a purpose and reason for what he said. He had always been guiding me. Just like any father would. While I had never called him as such, I had wondered if he would be adverse to me doing so.

I couldn't help but do a scan on Renji's vital signs and noticed a few things out of place. "Renji-sama, you have an elevated heart rate and increasing stress levels above your usual state. Is there anything that I can..."

"Labrys," he quickly cut me off but then took a moment to take a deep breath. "All I can tell you is to stay observant, listen and decide for yourself the actions you want to take for the goals you create for yourself."

I understood that there was a greater message in his words. One, there were camera's and listening devices in every room of this facility. While it was likely originally intended for recording and review purposes for the Mechanical Maiden project, it was also capable of learning of dissent or spying on the other researchers. This meant that Renji was incapable of speaking freely within the walls of the facility. After all I had heard a lot of discontent from around the facility. Only because I had been hacking and reading correspondence going throughout the place when they did my maintenance check...as well as locking out those that were trying to access my deeper programming. Second, it was clear that Renji's time was coming to the end with the Kirijo Group and he would be returning to the Nanjo Group. That meant a number of things.

Inevitably I would be separated from Renji and my family. Arisa, Kayane and Setsuko. It was something that had been sitting in the back of my mind for quite some time when I put some information together. Renji was essentially on loan to the Kirijo Group from the Nanjo Group. And while Renji made the designs and was ultimately the one responsible for my creation, I was property of the Kirijo Group. So when Renji's work was considered done, he would be let go from the project, and return to the Nanjo Group. That was how it looked on paper at the very least.

Still, I was more curious as to why they had opted to use a scientist from a competitive company. Perhaps they felt that it was the only real option...or had no scientist that was familiar enough with the subject. The Plume of Dusk that was used to create me and the other Mechanical Maidens was definitely an intricate and complex object. One capable of simulating a soul. Something that was supposedly needed in order to develop a Persona. Renji obviously understood its complexities to a greater extend than what he was reporting. He also had a reason to hold on to that information. Likely it was staving off the inevitable. But just how willing was the Kirijo Group to let this information go back to the Nanjo Group? That was likely the heart of the matter. And likely what Renji was primarily concerned with.

My sensors suddenly picked up a pair of individuals before they entered the room. I looked over at the door and it quickly gave Renji a warning before they entered. He straightened himself up a bit as two individuals entered the room. Two men in suits came in. One a visibly older gentleman with a beard, a quick search through my database identified him as someone I had seen not long after my initial activation. He was Kirijo Kouetsu, current head of the Kirijo Group. The man at his side did not match any known profile in my data. "Ah, Ikakure-san! I'm glad to have caught you. How is our Labrys doing?"

Renji glanced at me. This was an indicator for me not to speak. So I took it as a moment for me to act more like I was not currently 'awake' while this discussion was happening. "I was just running some diagnostics after today's test, but she has been running at nominal conditions." Renji then walked over to me s if he was looking me over.

"That's good to hear," Kouetsu gave an approving grin. "Ah yes, let me introduce you. This is Ikutsuki Shuji. He is one of the people that might be taking over the project. Nothing is final of course, but your higher ups at the Nanjo Group have been pushing us to get a replacement so they can get you back."

So the Nanjo Group was pressuring them to let Renji go from the project. If that was the case then maybe it wasn't anything to worry about. Still Renji's vitals had not changed at all. This was likely not news to him, but the true intentions of the Kirijo Group were the unknown, even if the head of the Kirijo Group was here trying to convince him otherwise. Humans were deceptive by nature. That was how Renji had put it. To give an example he used Setsuko. She was the older sister but if ever she got hurt and Kayane asked about it, she would lie to him. She would say "Just a scratch, Kay-chan." Although Setsuko had wanted to cry she had waited until her little brother was satisfied and out of sight for her to cry about it. However the reason why someone would lie differed greatly

A businessman, for instance, might lie to manipulate an outcome to their advantage. Or get more work out of a employee that isn't really paid enough for the work they do. So what was the motivation of Kirijo Kouetsu, or this man Ikutsuki Shuji?

"Ah, yes. I heard about you from my brother-in-law. Nice to meet you, Ikutsuki-san," Renji shook his hand.

"Brother-in-law? Ah so your wife must be Arisato-san's sister," Ikutsuki only briefly shook his hand. "I believe he was quite surprised when he learned you were temporarily taking over the Mechanical Maiden project."

"Yes, Kayane is quite annoyed I didn't tell him. But this was only ever supposed to be temporary until Kirijo-san found a replacement," Renji said it casually enough. Though this did remind me that my older brother, Kayane was actually named after his uncle. Arisa apparently had been quite close to her brother growing up and named her son after him for that reason. Also Renji had been best friends with him had helped that cause. "So, Kirijo-san. I assume you had something you wanted to discuss here with Ikutsuki if he is indeed taking over."

"Yes, unfortunately we didn't show up fast enough to catch todays experiment. But he had a few questions as to what future experiments might be used to gather data," Kouetsu looked to Shuji.

"I'm curious as to why there is no data of the units fighting each other. It seems like that would provide a significant amount of useful data," It was a simple inquiry but the thought brought a sensation that I hadn't felt before.

"Because these units are developing minds, in essence. And developing a Persona is not something that just happens. They need to be nurtured and raised accordingly so they can awaken to their power naturally. And their effectiveness as protectors would be greater. Without morality or a sense of placement it could greatly diminish the potential..." Renji seemed to be holding back anger from the question. A question that seemed more curious than antagonistic. Yet I could read the vitals of the three men and it told a much different story. While Kouetsu's vitals told me that he was calm...Ikutsuki's seemed to be beating at a rate which was consistent with someone anticipating something.

The conversation flowed into the development of Persona and the correct method on which to spur its awakening. It seemed to be highly philosophical in nature. Renji was adamantly defending against my Sister units and I fighting each other. Saying that the cons outweighed any possible benefits. But it seemed Ikutsuki was in stark disagreement on this front. Saying that new units could be made more effectively and much faster than the pace Renji was at. Now I understood why Renji wanted me to pay close attention. This was the future they would force onto me. Force me to fight my sister units. Possibly force me to kill them.

I had to listen, learn all information I could. Anything could be useful in helping not just me but Renji as well. However I felt something foreign enter my thoughts as I continued to listen. The only word that could accurately be used for this feeling, was fear.


February 2nd, 1997 / Daytime
Yakushima Beach

LABRYS - PLAYBACK STARTING

"Why should I?" I felt as if I was hurting, like something held the very core of who I was in a vice. "I don't...I don't want to say goodbye."

"We don't either," Arisa said as she came up to me and then hugged me. "You will always be a part of this family."

"Labrys, you knew there wasn't anything we could have done," Renji said and I knew that this was hard for them. Yet I couldn't stop myself.

"I know dat but I..." I was being unreasonable and for some reason my accent was coming on stronger than usual. Setsuko was suddenly pulling on my hand. As Arisa pulled away I found myself kneeling down. "Oneesan."

"I'll miss you, Labrys," Setsuko said my name and it almost didn't register to me. It wasn't often that she said my name. Setsuko then engulfed me in a hug as well. Only a moment later that I notice that Kayane had moved to the other side and was trying to hug me as well.

"Labrys," Kayane spoke softly but I was able to pick it up. This was a lot harder than I could have ever imagined. Even running the scenario in my head a hundred times had not prepared me for this eventual fate.

"No, no, dis can't be goodbye. I promise I'll find a way. I'll see ya both again," I found myself saying it after a moment. Setsuko and Kayane looked up at me, their eyes told me one thing "You better not be lying" as Setsuko stepped back.

"Pinky swear," Setsuko demanded. Kayane imitated his sister. I didn't know what I could say, but I instead mimic their hands and extended my pinkies on both hands and hooked them with theirs.

"What does it mean?" I asked Setsuko.

"It means you can't break it. No matter what, or how long it takes. You got it?" Setsuko had tears running down her eyes, but she didn't cry. She was trying to stop herself from doing so. Trying to look fine for her brother. I think I finally understood this. Setsuko was seeking to protect Kayane. Not from something physical but in a emotional way. So I would do the same. I had to put on a brave face for them.

"You got it Oneesan, and to Oniisan too. I promise I will find my way back to you, and I'll do all I can to protect you," I was separated from them when Arisa urged them to come along as they got into the car. I looked at Renji and he let out a long sigh.

"Labrys, there is a lot of things I want to say to you. I wish that this wasn't the outcome. Although, from the beginning this was always how it was going to end up. I underestimated what you would be. Or what you would come to mean to this family. I love you as a daughter. And I can only hope that you can find a way to make it past the trials in front of you. But this is the road we both have to travel. For the safety of our whole family," Renji was holding back tears. And it hurt me too.

"I love ya too, Papa," I said without thinking. This was alarming to Renji and didn't help his self control. "I will do everything I can. I have a promise to keep to my siblings."

He nodded and stood a little straighter than before. "Protect them, should anything happen to me or Arisa."

I blinked for a moment. If something were to happen to him and Arisa? Mom and Dad? I stepped forward but Arisa came back and immediately pulled me into a hug. "No, wait. Wha does Papa mean by dat? If something should happen?"

"Don't worry about it," Arisa said slipping into her kansai accent. "Besides even if something does happen, ya know how to protect yourself. I love you, Labrys. You've been an absolute joy to have around. And Setsuko and Kayane both adore ya to no end. One day, I'm sure at the very least ya will see your brother and sister once more." She then pulled back and kissed my forehead. "No matter how dark things get, remember, you have family waiting for you."

Arisa finally pulled away from me and got into the car. The Ikakure family drove away. Setsuko and Kayane waving goodbye to me as they drove off. I numbly waved back as I felt as if a part of who I was leaving in that car as well. One way or another, I would make it back to them.

"It's time to head back to the facility," Ikutsuki Shuji stood impatiently a dozen or so feet away from her. "It's time to begin the real tests."


May 3rd, 2012 / Time Unknown
Yasogami High School Classroom?

KANA'S POINT OF VIEW

Yosuke was far more agile and proficient with those kunai than I had initially expected. Which my only frame of reference was that preview video that was obviously not the real students it was meant to represent. This place was like a den of lies and deceptions. Everything you saw was not meant to be accepted at a glance. No, much like in real life, you had to look deeper for the truth. It was rare that the truth was shown for all to see. There was always walls and barriers that people put up in order to serve to protect ourselves. As my short time living as a human, it was something I had begun to notice.

Some things about ourselves we cherish more than we care to admit out loud. Secrets about our past, our feelings towards others. So many things we always kept bottled up for so many reasons. So what was it that Labrys kept bottled up? Or was it the reason why she was sealed in the first place? We didn't know much about Labrys, other than the broad strokes.

Labrys had been created by Ikakure Renji. A man who had basically been on loan from the Nanjo Group after an incident of the previous Mechanical Maiden generation had resulted in the deaths of nearly the entire research team. Renji took the discovery of the Plume of Dusk into a new direction, by implementing it into the body of a Mechanical Maiden with a claim that was incredibly bold at that time. That the next generation of Mechanical Maidens would be capable of summoning a Persona. Labrys was that prototype, but encased in a mysterious black box that only Renji himself knew how it was created. However, things took a different turn.

Kirijo Kouetsu grew tired of Renji's insistence on not giving the details of the black box. However, they had learned enough that another man felt safe enough to continue moving forward without Ikakure Renji. Except what should have been a peaceful split of Renji, leaving the Kirijo Group to return to the proper employ of the Nanjo Group. Instead, his drive home was cut short. Before he even arrived at the port to head back to the mainland, he was cut off the road in a fatal accident. Only two survivors came from that crash. Ikakure Setsuko and Kayane. A six and three year old kid who were traumatized by the events.

What stood out to me was that despite everything, Kayane would be drawn here, not even knowing his own connection to what was happening. It was why I had to get to him. So I could protect him and I could tell him the truth. But considering how well his friends fight, it might be too presumptuous on my part to assume that he needs any protecting at all.

I jumped to my side as Yosuke threw a pair of kunai past me and I brought up my chain sword and managed to deflect a third. But he relentlessly charged forward and forced me to jump back. As he pressed his attack and somehow managed to retrieve his kunai. I didn't have quite an accurate number of how many kunai he actually had on him, but it was enough that he threw them without much regard on if he would be defenseless or not. Actually, he still had his Persona to cover him if that was the case so even without a weapon he wouldn't be defenseless.

Not using my chain and going full out against him would likely be a mistake on my part. That's right, I couldn't afford to let the fight continue to drag on. I needed to finish this.

I switched to a more aggressive stance and brought my chain sword across my body and shifted my feet. As soon as Yosuke turned I jumped forward towards him. A chain sword was dangerous for a lot of reasons. One, when countered as a chain, how it reacts is unpredictable. You have to be ready for the fact that you can also be as easily injured as your opponent. Two, a change in your momentum can make you lose control of the chain. So your footwork has to be perfect. A misstep can cause major injuries, possibly fatal. I, however, was good at being precise in battle.

Yosuke was unprepared for my change into a charge as he stepped back and brought up a kunai in a defensive measure. I lunged forward and let the chain go. It sprang forward and just over Yosuke's left shoulder he ducked down and turned as I brought the chain down hard forcing him to continue his evasive movement and jump off to his right. As my feet hit the ground I swung wide as the chain whip tangled onto the bottom of a desk. I flipped backwards and swung the desk towards Yosuke. I did it as fast as I could so he barely had enough time to get out of the way. The desk grazed him.

He stumbled and had no time to react as I was suddenly in front of him and kicking him to the ground as the chain reverted back to its sword form and I quickly followed up with a strike to Yosuke's head. With that, he was unconscious.

I sat back and let out a sigh. Fighting while trying to do as little damage as possible was hard. And knocking someone unconscious wasn't exactly the smartest thing to do with blunt force. It be safer to do so with a blood choke hold but Yosuke was too agile for me to be able to get in such a position. So limiting his movement and a swift strike was the best method.

"Winner of this match, Takahashi Kana! Hope to see you at the next round!" the fake Rise announced as I got back to my feet.

I looked down at Yosuke. I couldn't just take off without making sure he was okay. As much as I really needed to get to Kayane before the culprit did. If they knew about Kayane's connection, then all of this might have been a more targeted effort than we would have known. Maybe someone understood what happened then a lot better than they did. The past, everything seemed to connect to things that we had no way of knowing. Hamuko being stolen away from her family and away from her twin brother. Kayane's parents car accident being planned and separating him from his sister. Family that was connected, both connected to tragedies brought upon by the Kirijo Group. Led by Kirijo Kouetsu.

Why? Why did it seem that everything came back to that man? How could one man leave a wave of grief for decades after he was gone?

"Oh geesh, that hurt," Yosuke grumbled rubbing his head and sitting up. I turned ans smiled slightly and offered him a hand.

"I'm sorry about that. I tried to only knock you out...are you okay?" I asked as he took my hand and I pulled him up to his feet.

"No, its cool. We both have our reasons to need to more forward, right? I know its a bit off in how this should usually go. I'm Hanamura Yosuke," he shook my hand since he still had hold of my hand. But he let go after a moment and gave me a smile.

"Oh right. I'm Takahashi Kana. I'm here looking for..."

"Come in, come in Kana-san," it was Mitsuru and she was connecting to me via her Persona.

"Mitsuru-sama? You finally got through?" I felt relieved but Mitsuru quickly cut me off.

"You don't have time to wait, you need to get moving. I just got into contact with Kujikawa Rise. Ikakure-san will be arriving at the announcement room any second! If we can't catch up to him in time before running into Labrys we don't know what will happen. I will explain things to Hanamura but you need to get moving!" Her words were sending alarms off all through my body.

"Sorry Hanamura-san, Mitsuru-sama will explain everything to you but I have to catch up to Kayane!" I sprinted out of the room and down the hall. I had to be the closest to him. I had to be there soon. But what would happen if I didn't get there in time? How would Kayane deal with learning the truth? I pushed myself harder...I had to get to him.


March 5th, 1997 / Evening
Yakushima Facility

LABRYS - PLAYBACK STARTING

I managed to finally connect to the outside network when they last did the daily downloads and uploads. Although I controlled the flow of information they were unable to detect that. But now I could search outside databases for some kind of information. At least on the greater Kirijo Group network. Connection was limited though, and the speeds were agonizingly slow. But I could grab other documents and search for...wait that couldn't be right...

It was correspondence between Ikutski Shuji and some other employee, but the one that received it seemed to be blocked, but the message was loud and clear.

The Ikakure family will be traveling along the lone freeway at 2pm. Remember, you are to make it look like an accident. The Kirijo Group will not acknowledge nor recognize any involvement if you are caught on this act. The second half of your payment will only come after the confirmation of Ikakure Renji's death and that you have not been charged with any crimes. Meaning you must succeed and not be put into custody, failure in either of these aspects will result in a termination of our contract. After which the first payment will be seen as a promise that if either occurs you will not speak of your involvement with the Kirijo Group. I'm sure you know how hard an allegation would be believable in a court where most are pocketing money from the Kirijo Group.

The survival of the rest of the family is of no consequence. This is the last communication I will send to you.

I forcibly cut the connection. My eyes opened and sat up, the connections still in me.

"Labrys? How is it moving like that while it should be shut down?" a researcher stumbled back.

I ripped out the connections and stood up and left the room without paying attention to the others. I started running down the hall. Where was he? Where WAS HE? That bastard would pay, he would pay for every thing. No...Father, Mother, Brother and my Sister? Were they gone? Had they died? And for that long? Over a month ago, the bastard that took my Father's place had ordered for him to be killed.

I had noted the man's usual schedule but if that was true then he was at the training facility. I pushed more power to my legs and sped up and after moving down the halls I entered back into the training facility and slid to a stop. I knew he was in the observer level. "Ikutsuki Shuji! Ya bloody bastard! Get down here and answer for ya crimes! Ya murderer! Ya killed my Father!"

"Amusing, and what makes you say this?" His voice came over the intercom. I felt my anger rising even more. No...by me saying that he knew I was able to look through the network. But no, I didn't care anymore.

"It don't matter how I know, but I do so I'm gonna make ya pay ya fuckin' asshole! You took them from me, my family!" I cried out.

"Well, you're right on time for the final experiment," he ignored my words. "All Anti-Shadow Units, you will aim to destroy Labrys. Likewise, Labrys, if you want a chance you will have to fight through them to get to me. I wish you luck."

"What? My sisters? Ya no good son of a bitch! Ya think ya gonna get da best of me?" I turned to see my sisters coming at me, weapons armed. I detached my axe from my back and it landed in my hands. All I could feel was rage pinned up inside of me. "I will get out of here! And I will kill ya!"

All I felt was the anger and hatred for the man named Ikutsuki Shuji. My body became only a weapon for that single minded purpose. Even if it means going through my sisters...I would kill that man. The man who took my family away from me.

Renji...My Father
Arisa...My Mother
Setsuko...My Sister
Kayane...My Brother

I may have failed to protect you...but I was sure as hell going to avenge you. I'm sorry my sisters...but this way I can end it all...maybe in death I could stop my Father's legacy from being misused in the future.

That was likely the thoughts I should have had at the moment. But I was consumed by a blind fury and the recording of this event had stopped. I personally had deleted the rest of this record because with everything that I am, I didn't want to remember the feeling as I ripped apart my sisters...my own family. But even if the record was deleted...I will never forget each and every agonizing moment as my hatred turned into an uncontrollable wild fire.


A/N:

So sorry for the delay of getting this chapter up. Life has been somewhat unpredictable the last few days and seen my ego take quite a hit. And even though I had the chapter finished I honestly just couldn't get the energy to post it. Anyway enough about ramblings about my stupid life, lets talk about the chapter.

Obviously there is a lot here about Labrys and her experience up until the end. With some obvious changes as to what exactly is the cause for everything. Also having it all more connected just made a lot more sense to me. One thing I never cared about in Arena was it never felt like it really connected properly with things of the past. Labrys was essentially supposed to be the means and reason for the P3 and P4 crews to interact, but I felt it wasn't quite right. First of all the timeline is kinda screwy. For one Labrys is a 5th generation anti-shadow weapon. More so the incident where Labrys tries to escape and is forced to fight her sister units is in 1999 in the timeline...yet this is also close to the time that the incident at the moonlight bridge was supposed to happen. So I'm sure other people can question how two more generations are supposed to come into being within that same year after Labrys. It doesn't make a lot of sense. Aigis is supposed to be created within that same year, have a Persona and be moved to the Tatsumi Port Island facility within that time frame as well. No matter how quickly research manages to go it still seems like there isn't enough time for that much advancement to take place.

Not to mention how Aigis even learns how to seal a Shadow into someone...that seems like a big development in itself. Although I do have a few ideas on that front if I ever get a chance to explore it. Still because of that I've moved the timeline back so that it makes a bit more sense. Still Kayane is still in the dark behind all of this, and really the only one that knows everything about what happened is Labrys herself, who we haven't seen much other than the flashbacks but that will change real quick in this next chapter.

This chapter is pretty short compared to the last few, but I think the next one might be a big one. We're going to come up real quick on the climax of Arena. But even after that its still only the beginning with Ultimax coming right behind it. Either way what Kayane does when he learns the truth will be entertaining one way or another. Not to mention learning you still have a sister who also hasn't made an appearance. Well, all of it is going to be coming sometime soon. Where it goes from here, will largely have to do with what happens in the next chapter, so I hope you are looking forward to it!

As always let me know what you think of the chapter, or what you see happening in the future. All see you all at the next chapter!