Chapter 46 / Strive
May 5th, 2012 / Time Unknown
The Velvet Room
RISE'S POINT OF VIEW
I found myself back in the Velvet Room. The playground and the solitary tree nearby still was familiar to me, although why it did was not high on my list of things I wanted answered. Igor held an amused look, while Miyuki seemed concerned.
"Welcome back to the Velvet Room, my dear," Igor's tone was halfway between soothing and ambiguous. It was hard to tell exactly what he was thinking. "I see that it was Inahime that heeded your call."
"Only your resolve in the decision you've made could have called her. You have awakened to your new power. However, you still retain your old power as well," Miyuki offered a initial explanation.
I pause and closed my eyes for a moment as I focused on myself. This was a lot different. I re-opened my eyes as I realized it, "Kouzeon is still with me...and so is Inahime. I have, two persona's?"
Igor nodded, "Indeed. You have awakened another affinity within yourself. A different arcana. While Kouzeon remains of the Lovers Arcana, Inahime is that of the Temperance Arcana. The reason for this should be clear to you, as is the contract you have bound yourself to. And shall remain so as long as your feelings remain for Ikakure Kayane. An outside force affects his life, so to combat that and protect him you will need our service."
"So I have two different Arcana's?" I shook my head. It was my decision to protect Kayane that had led to my new power. More troubling was that he mentioned an outside force that was affecting Kayane. No doubt it was the same one that had caused him to be in that coma back in December. There likely wasn't much they could tell me on that front. Whoever it was seemed to be good at hiding. And because of him, Kayane had become increasingly distant with me. It was likely going to get much worse. "So this trial for Kayane and I has to do with him?"
"Yes, but Kay-chan has all he needs to fight. What he needs more is your support. To do that you'll need our help," Miyuki said after a moment.
"You see, Inahime is unique. Plus you already have the ability to tell if an attack is effective or not, and as such Inahime has adapted to best use the weaknesses you find. For that reason Inahime can hold more abilities than a normal Persona. But there is a limit. That limitation is determined by your connection to Ikakure Kayane. The closer your relationship, the greater your power. So preparation will be key to your success. I am here to help you put those abilities onto Inahime," Igor was likely trying to keep the explanation simple.
My power was tied to my relationship with Kayane? That wasn't really important to me but...I was more surprised that much like Yu-senpai, the unique power was tied to the relationship with someone else. Though, if Persona is a link to our subconscious and exposes who we really are, then Inahime was likely representative of my emotions to Kayane. Still, I wasn't sure exactly what that meant then.
"However, in order to acquire news skills, you need to encounter them. When you do, a skill card will be created. After which I will gather them here," Miyuki held up a thick book...no it was a grimoire. "You can also use these skill cards you have on you to overwrite any of your skills. Keep in mind a skill card will only be created the first time you encounter a power. After which you will have to come to me and buy the skill cards you need." Miyuki seemed a bit different today, but maybe I was just imagining that. I mean our interactions were limited to things related to Kayane. Maybe that was it, she was worried about Kayane too.
"Eventually, I will have other services available to you when it is needed. For now, let's establish the skills that Inahime now holds," Igor then went on to show me the current skills of my Persona. Inahime was well balanced, holding an attack from each element and a heal spell as well. There was one other skill on there that caught my attention.
"Igor-sama, what is this skill? It's called Attunement," I said pointing to the listed skills that Igor was showing me.
"That is a skill that denotes a special affinity to your Persona, and allows you to pull in battle experience from everything you've observed when watching the others fight. Surely you felt that when you were fighting just how natural it felt to move your body, although you have never picked up a weapon," Igor had an amused grin as he shifted his hands.
"So...when I'm fighting with Inahime, I'm pulling in the knowledge from watching Kayane, and the others fight? So everything I've observed from acting as support?" I blinked but everything about it felt right. I could feel Inahime giving me a confirmation. "So in a way Kouzen is helping Inahime?"
"And why wouldn't she? After all, they are all a part of you. And as much as you love Kayane, they share that love with you," Miyuki spoke softly, easing her earlier tension she had. "I was selected to be your guide and supporter for this reason. Not the only reason, but it was a deciding factor I am told. What you will face in the future will be hard. It will drive you to the breaking point. But regardless of what happens, you must never forget your oath and purpose. To do so means you will lose this power, you'll lose yourself. You'll lose Kayane. Please, don't fail to protect him like I did."
My heart tightened hearing those words. Miyuki was aware of what had happened after she died. Aware of the continued pain Kayane had been through. Self-imposed or not...it was a fact that Kayane had gone through a lot of pain and heartache. And it wasn't over yet. Who was to say it would ever be over? A childhood of mistreatment and also learning that there was a family he had forgotten and never really thought of finding. It was one thing after another for Kayane, but now that he knew everything, it was different. On that night he learned everything, he broke down multiple times. More than that, he cried most of that night. I had stayed with him, slept next to him and held him. Even though he was in my arms that night, I had never felt more powerless.
I nodded, "It means protecting more than just his body or mind. The hardest thing there is to protect is his heart. But I want to, I want to find a way to make him smile, more and more. Even if he hurts or stumbles because of his past, I want to be the one that is there to pull him out of the darkness." I felt my resolve strengthen again. Imagining the tears from Kayane's eyes...the sound of him crying. I hated it. How a young man like him could create such beautiful music and sing with such an amazing voice to be haunted by things that were never his fault, things he should have never had to carry with him. He deserves to be happy and enjoy his life. And I would do just that.
"For now, hold onto this," Igor held out his hand as a golden key appeared and floated over his palm. "Use this key on any door and you will find yourself able to return here. We wish you luck in your endeavors. And we shall be here whenever you need."
"Farewell, for now. Kujikawa-san," Miyuki bowed.
Igor then snapped his fingers and then I was back on the bank of the flood plains. I blinked for a moment as I looked up to the ominous moon and surrounded by the red fog. Off in the distance, the tower resided...where our school was. Kayane's shadow was gone but not defeated. And now with all of this going on, no doubt that the others were somewhere in town. Kouzeon still couldn't sense anything. As a matter of fact every time I try to find the others I feel like my head is in a vice. It was like something was consciously blocking my power. That had to be the red fogs influence. Now that I thought about it, I was outside of the TV world but was able to summon my Persona easily. More than likely the red fog was serving more than one purpose.
I didn't know how long the town had been under the red fog. Even if Kayane was taken, that didn't tell me anything about what the culprit behind all of it wanted. And using Shadows to accomplish it. How was that even possible? Nothing we had faced so far had done anything like that. Then again, recently our view on the power of Persona and Shadows had been greatly expanded. One had the ability to prevent the end of the world, but he had been what was called a Wild Card user and had to develop a number of what they called Social Links in order to have the capacity to do so. And as many questions I had about that, I could read that any conversation about him was going to be hard to approach.
Either way just standing and contemplating wasn't going to help me. There was no telling what kind of time table I had to deal with. And likely I had already started running out of time. If finding the others was impossible then the only logical thing to do was to instead head to the tower, and find Kayane. Still something about all of it felt wrong. Or maybe it was just because of my encounter with Shadow Kayane. I could still feel him grabbing at me, and just how immensely wrong it felt. Kayane doesn't want to hurt anyone, that's just who he is. After all he spent most of his life trying to go unnoticed. To simply live his life. Although his motivation for that was simply to live for his adopted Mother. I hoped that in some way our career as musicians would give him something more meaningful than that.
This path would had into town, then from there I should be able to navigate the maze to navigate to the Tower. As I turned into town I saw a couple of people up ahead. Exactly what was going on? I think I recognized one of them, but...no wait I knew them! I rush forward and call out. "Takeba-san!" She turned towards me and I realized this was the wrong thing for me to do. The other was in the shape of Kirijo Mitsuru, however I knew that feeling. That was not the real Mitsuru. "Watch out! Kirijo-san is a Shadow!"
To my surprise, Yukari reacted instantly and nimbly moved as Shadow Mitsuru charged towards her. Yukari held up a bow and...now that I take a moment I realize she is in a costume. That was definitely Feather Pink from the newest Featherman show...oh right! I had heard that Yukari had landed that roll. I'm not sure that explains why she is in the costume though. Still I moved to Yukari's side and pulled out the two baton like remnants of Kayane's weapon.
"No point in delaying. Now bring on the ring," the Shadow Mitsuru called out. Unlike when I faced Shadow Kayane when she says this, four large red posts fall from the sky and surround us in with her.
"So you really are a Shadow of Mitsuru," Yukari then brought her bow up and then pulled the string back. For a moment I was questioning her actions, but then seemingly from nowhere an arrow materialized, as if it had been there the whole time. Then I realized that it was as if her Persona Isis was next to her, crafting Yukari what she would need for the fight. Was this the strength of someone who had a Persona for years? Or was this also a strange benefit to the red fog? Even I noticed that my Persona was easier to summon here than in the TV world. "My husband once told me something. That the fight against Shadows never really ends. I thought I knew what he meant then. That it is like our Persona's, once we awaken to them, we can no longer turn away from the truth. The real meaning is that its a fight that we can't walk away from, not if we want to be true to ourselves. So I continued to keep myself fit and trained for whenever I would be needed to fight. Kujikawa-san, allow me to take care of this alone."
I hesitated, for a moment, but I feel like I needed to yield. "Alright, I'll back you up this time," I say and step back as Yukari took aim.
"Hmph, such a foolish woman," Shadow Mitsuru scoffed. "You think you could ever best me? Fake or not, I will end you."
Yukari released her arrow, flying straight at the Shadow, but the Shadow easily deflected it off. However in that same instant Yukari had jumped in the air and summoned her Persona. The Persona Isis appeared sending out gust of wind, with part of it moving under Yukari and allowing her to change directions in midair. This put her on the opposite side of the Shadow before it had time to react. Once more Yukari drew back the bow, and this time three arrows appeared. She released the arrows, but what I hadn't seen was that Isis had created another gust of wind that Yukari shot her arrows into. The arrows actually changed directions, instead bouncing off other gust of wind and changing directions twice before heading straight at the Shadow with even more velocity than they had upon being released from the bow. The Shadow leaped back, but two of the shots managed to graze the side of the Shadow.
"My name is Arisato Yukari. And you will regret taking the form of my best friend, you bitch," Yukari definitely looked as pissed as she sounded. I had only heard last night that she was a Persona user, but it had been hard for me to tell how powerful any of them from the Shadow Operatives were as I hadn't actually seen any of them fight because I hadn't been able to use my Persona. But the way Yukari moved was the grace of a gymnast and yet I realized the bow she used was not just some show prop, it was a fully functional and customized for Yukari's form of combat. It was likely sturdy enough to block attacks if needed and she also had the help of her Persona Isis to help her maneuver to quickly create distance and also manipulate her arrows in such a way that the opponent could not predict the trajectory of the arrows she fired. Meaning the very first arrow she shot in the fight had only been a feint for her actual opening attack.
The bow in her hand changed slightly as the Shadow did a rush towards Yukari. I thought that Yukari might jump to avoid the attack but instead she stepped forward towards the attack. As the distance narrowed I had to concentrate to actually see what happened. Yukari stepped in and turned her shoulder to avoid the thrust attack but before the Shadow could react to the dodge Yukari had spun around quickly drew back the string on her bow and released. A sudden burst of energy came from the bow sending the Shadow away as it took the attack straight on its back. Yukari spun again as I heard her bow change and she drew it back as another arrow appeared. "Now! Isis! Garudyne!" She fired and released what had to be the fastest arrow I had ever seen. I lost complete track of it and if it had hit the Shadow or not. But the damage on the Shadow was immense. Still the Shadow attempted to stand.
Yukari was unrelenting and showed no mercy as she was now releasing a volley of arrows at the Shadow. She wasn't hitting the Shadow only grazing it. It took me a moment that she wasn't missing, it was all intentional. Each arrow tore through the clothes of the Shadow and also made a cut causing the Shadow to bleed from more and more places. Then the arrows began to hit more vital locations. The Shadow collapsed to the ground, on its knees looking defiantly at Yukari.
"Go to hell," Yukari released her final arrow going straight through the head of the Shadow. And then the Shadow melted into nothing. Then something that looked golden in color seemed to fly up into the sky and then towards the tower.
"What was that?" I mutter before turning back to Yukari.
"It really was a Shadow. That pisses me off," Yukari put her bow behind her and it seemed to attach to the belt at her waist. "Kujikawa Rise? I heard you were a Persona user more like Fuuka. I'm surprised your rushing into combat. Well I'm more surprised that an idol like you is a Persona user to begin with."
"You said your name was Arisato Yukari, but I thought your last name was Takeba...and you mentioned having a husband..." I had only heard a little bit about her. I imagine that Kayane knew more about her as he was good friends with Kana at this point. That and Hamuko was his cousin and she had talked to him a few times.
"I had it changed. Actually, more accurately I was able to marry Minato post-humorously thanks to his Aunt. We did have to omit details and change things a bit, like saying we were engaged and that his Aunt had witnessed it but in the end it was all changed and even submitted the changes to the Arisato and Takeba family registries. This way Kokoro won't have to worry so much when she starts going to school. Although I'll still be using Takeba as a stage name for my work as a model and whatnot. I did this more for me and Kokoro anyway," Yukari smiles a bit as she walks up to me and offers me her hand. "I think you heard partly about my husband the other night."
I shook her hand, "Yes, how he sacrificed himself for all of us. To prevent something called The Fall."
"It was just over a month after his death when I found out I was pregnant with Kokoro. I had found out what he had done. Yet it wasn't until after Kokoro was born and I read the journal he left for me that I truly remembered everything. As well as why I loved him so much," Yukari smiled but I knew that it hurt her just as much as it comforted her. Yet, she no doubt had to be incredibly happy to have married Minato, even if it was after his death. "I only got a little bit of information of what happened last time, but it seems they are using Shadows this time and not just forcing us to fight each other by changing our perception." Yeah it was probably best to focus back to the moment. "I probably went a little overboard though."
"That was impressive power. I can't imagine what you had to deal with to get that good with your weapon and Persona," I can't help but compliment her.
"Most of it is just hard work and training," she smiled again, though the sadness in it was more apparent now than before. "Anyway I was actually on my way on meeting up with another Shadow Operative, he should have been coming from the Yasoinaba station, but he likely went to a convenience store and..."
A nearby TV came to life and its static interrupted us. Then General Teddie made his appearance, "Oooh, no wonder you're a hero of justice, Featherman Victory! Even the cold, female boss Mitchan didn't stand a chance against you!"
"You mean Mitsuru? If you think some weak imitation of her was going to be enough to take me down then you have another thing coming. You better let Mitsuru go before I get to you," Yukari was quick to let her anger rise up.
"Oh? Then I guess you better hurry because the real Mitchan's execution show is gonna start soon, y'know?" The General laughed.
"You had better not harm her in any way if you want to live to see another day," Yukari's threat came out as a growl.
General Teddie ignored her, "Heehee! You can't miss this event! The Execution Queen is going to be executed herself! If you don't want that to happen, maybe you should stop dallying around like this and hurry to the tower where I am, Yuka-chan. Oh but don't worry Rise-chan, I'll have an extra special concert featuring Kay-chan happen afterwards. So you two should really hurry up..." The General laughed as he quickly disappeared from the screen.
Yukari turned to me as I felt myself unable to focus. "Kujikawa, we have to hurry. You can help guide us to the tower right?"
She was trying to get me focused, I took a deep breath and focused a bit, "Yes, although this red fog is making it incredibly hard, I can probably navigate us through the maze to the tower at the very least. Even if I can't connect us to the others."
"That will have to be enough for now. I wanted to meet up with Junpei but I'm sure he'll figure out to head to the tower. It's a pretty big landmark and it looks too much like Tartarus for any of us to ignore," Yukari said as we started moving at a brisk pace. I kept myself connected with Kouzeon as we went as I could see glimpses of the layout as we were going but there wasn't much more than that.
Still as we went I wanted to break up the silence between us. "So I guess that makes you step-cousins with Kayane. If that is the right term," I giggle a bit.
She lets out a small giggle as well, "Yeah it does. I'm glad that Minato actually does have family. I just wished he could have found out while he was still alive."
"Sorry, that might have been insensitive of me to bring up," I hadn't realized it when I said it, I had just wanted to talk about something.
She shook her head, "No, its fine. Besides its also a big deal for Ikakure right? I'm sure its been a relief for you to learn about it too. Also I should be the one that apologizes, I actually learned quite a bit about Ikakure from both Hamuko and Kana. They found out about his past and had mostly pieced together his involvement from whatever Shadow activity that had been happening here in Inaba during the serial murders. Obviously we don't know everything but I don't particularly like learning about someone's past without them knowing."
"Yeah, I get that. I learned about Kayane's past too before I met him face to face for the first time. You know how the TV World works?" I asked her, she shook her head. "Well, when someone without a Persona is thrown into the TV a location is created around that person. The theme and layout of the place is related to their secrets, the thing that they don't want anyone to know. When we figured out it was him that had been kidnapped and thrown into the TV, Shirogane Naoto managed to get case files related to Kayane when he was a child. Something that anyone could really find out with a simple Internet search. Kayane's Uncle was his legal guardian but physically and mentally abused him. His Uncle was put in prison for child abuse and neglect and a few other charges but that wasn't what really bothered Kayane. His real trauma came from his connection to an older girl named Fujikara Miyuki. It was because of her that the abuse against him was found out, but she died in a struggle against her Father. As she was actually a victim of sexual assault from her own Father. We found out in the TV world that things were hardly what we thought. Kayane felt like he was responsible for Miyuki's death, that he should have been able to do something. Despite his adopted Mother getting him therapy and trying everything to help him as he grew up, he never really moved past it. I like to think at the very least he has accepted it now. But that was how I knew him first. A victim, in more ways than I could possibly imagine."
"That couldn't have been easy. It was somewhat the same for me when I met Minato. I learned about his parents being dead and that he had been shuffled from family to family as he didn't seem to be wanted by anyone. My own Father had died as a child so I thought he would understand me, but I found out eventually that it was me that didn't understand him. He never had a choice and I had turned my back on my Mother of my own volition. Minato never knew what it was like to have family and yet he was the one that taught me the importance of the family I had left. It's why it breaks my heart that he could never meet his sister, or now his cousin. I know it would have made him happy," Yukari and I were navigating the streets as we talked, and thankfully we hadn't encountered anything so far.
"Yeah, I think Kayane has been something like that for me too. I always thought I had to be a certain was as an Idol. And I though I had worked through my problems already before I had met him, but that was just wishful thinking on my part. Thanks to him I realized it wasn't good enough to just accept that my Idol self and everything else was all apart of me. I didn't need to assume a roll and pretend to be something to be popular or get fans. He made me realize that I just needed to be true to myself and not care about who does or doesn't accept me. After all I didn't become an Idol to be popular. I just wanted to have friends. And now I have that. No, I have more than that because I have Kayane. And I don't want to lose him," I said as we were now making another turn. A few more and we would be getting close to the gate of Yasogami High School. Or what should be the High School but was now a twisted tower.
"All you can do is your best. Either way, I want to help you, Kujikawa. I couldn't help Minato when he really needed me. Even though I'm sure he would say otherwise. But I don't want you to have to go through what I did," It was an honest confession. I could feel it in my heart that Yukari truly meant these words.
"Please, call me Rise," I said after a moment.
"Then call me Yukari, Rise-chan," Yukari smiled and I returned it as well as we turned the final corner and up the hill that led to the school. We came to a stop in front of the tower. "This is really bad. I haven't seen anything like this since three years ago..."
"You mean that tower they talked about before at that meeting? It was called Tartarus I believe," I asked.
"Yeah, and just like this it was what our school turned to during the Dark Hour. Wait, are those a bunch of posters up there? What does that say? The Sister-Complex Kingpin of Steel?" Yukari was pointing out and I saw the posters.
"Right I heard about that from the others. Everyone that participated in the P-1 Grand Prix had some sort of title attached to them. Looks like they have a lot of posters up there and...wait is that me?" I stepped forward and as I got closer it was a lot clearer. There was no mistake. "It is me...hold on. The Overly-Possessive Superstar Concubine..." I blinked, how was I supposed to react to that? It was an exaggeration right? And what did it mean by concubine? Oh, so it was a reference to my relationship to Kayane and my Idol status. I could see what Yu-senpai had meant when he said they were insulting but also accurate in a way. My change in resolve and wanting to protect Kayane...maybe that was being Overly-Possessive. Either way I guess the name could be a lot worse.
Kayane's poster was next to mine. The Cold Thorned Composer of Desolation. Yeah, I couldn't stand that name. It didn't matter if it might be accurate or not. There was so much more to him than all of that. His Mom had warned me before we had even started dating how it could get painful to get close to Kayane. And it really was. For every two steps forward I made with him, it always seemed like there were steps that went back. But I wasn't about to give up on him any time soon.
"The Widowed Courtesan Sniper," Yukari seemed to laugh a bit from next to me. "If you wanted to condense the major facts about me I guess that is how you would say it. My husband is dead, who I had a child with only because I convinced him to do so before we went against Nyx. And yet he turned out to be highly important to us living."
Insulting and yet accurate, I guess Yu-senpai had been right. Courtesan was a reference to a prostitute that had either wealthy or men of high status of customers. I guess savior of the world would definitely qualify as someone with high status.
"Hmm, they even have one for Hamuko and Kana. Hamuko is The Rejecting Princess of Death," Yukari paused. "So she still hasn't accepted it huh?"
"Everything okay, Yukari?" I asked.
Yukari shook it off and nodded, "Yeah. It's kinda complicated. Hmm, Kana's is The Indecisive Dark Guardian Replica..."
"I guess it is referencing her being a Shadow, but also her desire to be a protector..." I comment.
"Yeah, she's a lot stronger than she gives herself credit for," Yukari smiled a bit. "I'm guessing all these others are the other Persona users from Inaba. Your friends, no doubt."
I nodded, "They are. After all this is over, I'll introduce you."
"They probably have Mitsuru and Ikakure up towards the top of the tower," Yukari was looking up. "We should probably hurry. There is no telling what they have in there to try and slow us down."
"Ooh, lucky me! I've found Yuka-tan!" a voice calls out and both Yukari and I turn towards the source. Running up the hill to join us was a guy in blue with a baseball cap on backwards.
"Junpei!?" Yukari seems surprised. I notice that Yukari eyes Junpei with suspicion. Well I don't blame her, likely there were definitely other Shadows wandering about. Yukari even quickly brought her bow out and an arrow appeared. "Hold it right there! I told Junpei to wait for me at the convenience store. What are you doing here?"
"Whoa-whoa! Wait a second! That's no way to greet your old friend! You're supposed to get emotional! Oh, waaaait... Are you another monster Yukari?" Junpei called out and gripping a baseball bat at his side.
"Hm? A monster me? Wait, so are you the real Junpei?" Yukari eased only a little.
I took the moment to call on Kouzeon and scanned him, "Don't worry Yukari-chan. It's the real him."
"That's a relief," Yukari eased.
"Hold on, aren't you...Risette! Yeah definitely! I'd know you anywhere. But wait, why are you with Risette, Yuka-tan?" Junpei looked over to Yukari.
"What am I not cool enough to be around Risette? Did you read anything that I sent you Junpei?" Yukari put her bow away and crossed her arms...and began tapping her foot.
"Well kinda. I skimmed it, but I was hungry so after I got some food I guess I forgot to check it out," Junpei let out a nervous laugh.
"So you mean you have been around here all this time and you haven't even bothered to check the information that might have helped you in this situation?" While it was obvious that Yukari was irritated, I can also tell by her sigh that this was likely a normal thing for Junpei. "If you had then you would know that Kujikawa Rise is a Persona user and a navigator like Fuuka."
"Whoa, seriously? I guess I should have read it after all," he was impressed I guess.
"Junpei!" Yukari's irritation was growing higher it seems.
"Sorry, sorry!" Junpei put his hands up. "Still its a little surprising that an idol is a Persona user."
"Well Yukari-chan is only partly right. I'm a navigator but I also have the ability to fight," I didn't want them to immediately count me out as a member of the fight if it came up. "Its a power that is relatively new to me." That hardly was all the information. I had two Persona's now, but I wasn't what they had referred to as a Wild Card. Not like Yu-senpai. And both of mine were completely different in function.
Yukari sighed a bit, "Well, I'm glad you're safe, Junpei. And, sorry. I told you to wait at the convenience store but when I heard Mitsuru was in danger I ran ahead with Rise-chan."
"Nah, it's cool. I was kinda wandering around, too. But, wait, they've been captured?" Junpei didn't seem like it was possible.
"Yeah, it was planned. From what we can tell they were forced off the road, likely similar to the strange mind control that was on those guys during the hi-jacking of the airplane a few days ago. And that had been a distraction for them to be able to take Labrys. Looks like they lured them back to Inaba using a Shadow reading that the Shadow Operatives equipment picked up. The crash must have been enough for whoever it was to overpower them and take them captive. As far as we know they are in this tower. But Labrys and Hamuko should already be inside. Unless they are caught up in the maze of town," Yukari was giving probably the best explanation she could.
"And Ken? Didn't you say he was here?" Junpei asked.
"Yeah, the thing was, he saw someone who looked like Ikutsuki from the helicopter. Well, we all did," Yukari said it and was obviously unsure of how she felt about it.
"Ikutsuki? No way, Minato shot that dude dead off the observatory of Tartarus," Junpei shook his head.
"Yeah, I know. Either way, Ken and Koromaru are looking into it," Yukari said.
"Last thing we need is a bastard like him somehow finding a way to come back from the dead," Junpei clearly didn't like the guy, but after hearing he was the man who had arranged for Kayane's parents to be killed, I could understand the sentiment.
I focused on the tower and summoned Kouzeon. She fully materialized this time as I did my best to scan the tower.
"Any luck, Rise-chan?" Yukari asks.
"Its hard to tell, all this red fog is like static. I can't really see anything clearly, and it hurts my head if I do this for too long. Wait, hold on I sense a couple people close by, on the bottom floor. But I also sense Shadows," I quickly dismiss Kouzeon and start running off. "This way, hurry!"
I lead them on a side path that goes around the school building and towards the gymnasium. I don't even think twice and open the door and run inside. Junpei and Yukari run in behind me and we come to a stop as we notice Labrys and Hamuko stopped with three individuals in front of them. It only took a moment to realize they were Shadows. Shadows of Labrys, Hamuko and Kana. I readied the remnants of Kayane's weapon and move in between Hamuko and Labrys.
"Heh heh heh..."Another individual cloaked in darkness is behind the Shadows. He steps forward but stops just short of the light that would allow us to see him. "I've been waiting for you, Yukari. This wouldn't be quite right if you weren't here."
"No! They didn't!" Yukari was shaking her head.
"Yeah, they did," Hamuko muttered.
The Shadow figure stepped forward revealing a young man with blue hair, and the golden glowing eyes that went with a Shadow...but he was wearing a school uniform. Hamuko answered my question after only a moment.
"They made a Shadow of Minato."
May 5th, 2012 / Time Unknown
The Tower
I could feel my head pulsing in pain. That wasn't a new feeling as pain had often been a source of comfort to me over the years. I didn't really care for a sad reminder of this fact though. I open my eyes but it is welcomed only by darkness. It is only a moment later that I realize that I'm blindfolded. I try to move my arms, but they are tied down, my arms extended to my sides but I was clearly sitting down. I guess it was easier to keep watch on me if they could see both my hands rather than behind my back where they are hidden from view. Seemed like whoever had taken me had been smart about it. Then again, who was it that I had fought against?
I remember red hair and...twin swords...I think? It had happened so quickly. If he had wanted to kill me then it likely would have been easy. Then again he had attacked me by surprise. Who was to say how it would turn out in a real fight. At least I believe it was a surprise attack. My memories felt a little scrambled...I must have been hit pretty hard on the head. I did feel immensely disoriented, but that could also be because of the fact that I am tied up. For an effort for my sanity I try to move my legs, but even they are restrained to the ground. Well this position wasn't the worst it could be. The restraints also weren't too tight, so as long as I didn't really struggle it should keep me mostly comfortable. Like there would be much of a reason to try and escape on my own anyway.
Maybe this some weird backlash for me not going to rehearsal today. Even having over twenty-four hours to think about my new situation I still wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I had a sister, and a cousin. And I guess a Step-Aunt? I wasn't sure how all that worked. I never had a family after all. That I remembered anyway. Labrys had been created by my Father...but I had been too young, and the accident that killed my parents had likely all served to ensure I wouldn't remember them. That accident might also be the reason why my sister never sought me out later in life. Either she didn't remember me or she did and choose not to contact me. I figure if that was the case then she had a good reason for it. So I was unsure of exactly what I wanted to do in that regard. This is hardly something I should be thinking about in my predicament.
After a moment something is sitting on my lap, it startles me so I naturally react to it, "Yoo hoo! Kayane, my love. Are you awake now?" The blindfold is swiftly removed and light fills my vision. I blink a few times and keep my eyes closed, unable to get my eyes to adjust. "Ah, you are awake. Although I was kind of looking forward to using other means of stimulation to wake you up, if you know what I mean."
"Leave him alone," another voice, but I couldn't see them. But I know I had heard it before. "He has nothing to do with any of this."
"Is that right?" There was another voice? I try to open my eyes again but it was still too bright for me to handle. "From what I heard...his Daddy dearest was the one the one that created Labrys...but shortly after that, bang boom crash and his parents were dead. He survived though. He is very much apart of all of this. Like it or not."
"It wasn't his choice," she the other voice spoke up.
Then there was laughing for a very long moment, "Oh your funny. When I don't think a single person here had a choice."
My vision started to clear up and it wasn't so hard to keep my eyes open. The first thing I saw was on my lap was Rise. No it was her Shadow...a fake. Then I saw a man with red hair standing not too far away. Then a individual strapped to...a cross? Well it wasn't really a complete cross but the effect was much the same. She was Kirijo Mitsuru.
"Oh Kayane, my dear, I'm so happy that your up. And just in time too. The main event is about to start, and I would hate it if you didn't get to witness it," Shadow Rise looked into my eyes and I tried to look away but yet I couldn't. Her smile was much like Rise's but I could feel that something was just wrong with it at the same time. "You know...I wonder, would your body react to me the same way it reacts to the real Rise?" She ran her hands down my chest and towards my waist. There was nothing I could do.
"Don't touch him!" Mitsuru yelled out.
Shadow Rise stopped and frowned in a way that looks like a pout. "You are such a buzz kill. I mean can't you let me attend to my lover in piece? Or maybe you want a piece of him too?" The Shadow turned back to me and put her hand on my cheek. "I can't blame you though. It's best to get a taste now before he becomes a big idol in his own way. Do you know, Kayane?" She leaned in to my side and then she whispered, "How badly I crave to have you inside me? Your touch ignites my senses and brings color to the world. Oh just the thought of being one with you drives me insane." She leaned back and grinned.
"We could always show him what he's missing," that voice was a Shadow. My Shadow. I watched as my would be double stepped out from the Shadows and moved behind Shadow Rise. He leaned in next to her, resting his head on her right shoulder but his hands reached around and pulled up the Shadows Yasoinaba uniform shirt...not that I expected Shadows to keep proper wardrobe, but the Shadow had no bra on, and my Shadow immediately started caressing her breasts. "You see, its just that easy."
Shadow Rise moaned and put her own hand over my Shadow's hand, "Mm, give me more."
"Stop it both of you. The last thing we need is for you two to have sex in here. God I don't think I've ever seen people with so much pent up sexual tension. Then again I don't really know many people," the young man with red hair laughed. "Well whatever. I'm going to see if I can't get these chumps to move faster." He walked off.
Surprisingly my Shadow did stop and moved away from Shadow Rise. "Oh come on, you don't have to listen to Sho, do you?" She pouted.
My Shadow chuckled, "As amusing as it would be to watch the real me react to the sight, I have more pressing matters to attend to. It seems the real Rise has gotten to the tower."
I tried to keep a neutral look, but I found it alarming. Rise was here? Was she trying to get to me? Yes, of course she was. Someone had to be with her though. Actually, I didn't understand a damn thing about the situation I was in.
"Ooo! I wanna go. Let me go with you," Shadow Rise jumped up from me and clutched to my Shadow's arm.
"Well of course, it wouldn't be fun without you," My Shadow kissed Shadow Rise but then they were gone. I felt myself relax a bit and let out a big sigh.
"Ikakure, are you okay?" Mitsuru asked as I looked over at her.
"I'm about the same as you I imagine. Though you are probably more uncomfortable than I am," I noted, as she was done up as if on a crucifix. That was something that would eventually kill you if you were left that way for too long. But if Rise had arrived here...then more than likely they would get to us soon enough.
"But you're bleeding," Mitsuru called out. I looked to my left arm and sure enough I was bleeding. I looked to my right arm and saw blood coming from it as well.
I shook my head, "No its fine. I did those. Looks like they took off my bandages."
"You did that?" Mitsuru seemed like she didn't understand.
"Yeah and Rise is going to be pissed when she sees it," I mutter as I hang my head. "It's comforting...when there is too much for me to take in I have to have a release...look its not easy to explain. I'm not trying to say what I did was right, or justify it. I'm not proud of it, but at the time, it felt good."
"I've read about that...in your case file," Mitsuru admitted.
"You mean my psych evaluation on my suicide attempt, right?" I didn't look back at her.
"Yes, and I apologize. I came across your records when I learned about Labrys, and your Father. I should have stopped but before I had realized it I had read your whole file," Mitsuru sounded like she meant it. "I also have all the information about your sister as well. I am willing to share it with you."
"Maybe to help us connect together, but I'd rather hear it all from her," I still don't look back at her.
"Yes..." I can hear the guilt in her voice but Mitsuru still presses on. "Of course. I didn't mean to pry into you or your sisters life. I simply want to try and correct what my Grandfather's actions caused to you and your sister. Please, allow me to do all I can to help you."
"Your Father, he meant a lot to you, right?" I ask her after a long pause.
"Yes, and it pains me that you lost both of your parents due to the Kirijo Group. I don't think I can ever properly express in words the frustration and anger I feel when I learn about all that my Grandfather did. My Father spent his life trying to do what he could with the power he had. But for me, I need to learn all the secrets my Grandfather had, and I need to do everything I can to correct it. Even if it is one small thing at a time. Or one person at a time," Mitsuru had a definite resolution in her words. But I could also feel the frustration she felt. I looked up to see her looking at me. Helpless to help me, or herself.
"To be honest, I don't know what I want. I spent most of my life thinking I was all alone. My Uncle made it his personal mission to make me feel like the lowest form of scum there was. Even after I was adopted I didn't really change. And she spent a lot of money on therapists, child psychologists and then even more on trying to find a hobby for me to get into. All those years, she wasted away trying to help someone that didn't even know he wanted help. It wasn't until I met Rise...no it wasn't just her but Yu, Yosuke, Kanji, Teddie, Chie, Naoto and Yukiko. Even Yu's little cousin Nanako had a big effect on me. They were helped me to move forward, to want to dare to wish for something. Yet look at me. I'm bleeding not because of the culprit of the Shadows that hold us here, but because of what I did to myself. No matter how much I move forward, I take so many steps back. And I'm so afraid of losing Rise that in the end I'm a coward and can't even admit to her the truth. And then all of this happens, and I learn that I have an older sister...that Hamuko-san is my cousin...how am I supposed to even begin to know what I should do?" These were words I had kept pent up for so long. "After you all left that night I just cried. I cried because I was frustrated, I cried because I was confused. I cried because I was afraid that maybe I didn't care. I just don't know what I want to think about it anymore."
"As strange as it might be to hear it from someone you barely know. I understand that feeling, albeit a much different situation. I used to run away from my own problems. I owned a motorcycle that I would use to drive away whenever I couldn't handle the world. It was my one freedom where I felt like it was me. But in the end I was just running away. My Father died and I thought I had lost everything. I believed there was nothing left to live for, that I had lost my reason to fight. I was going to accept that I would die and Nyx would end the world with The Fall. It was Yukari who made me realize that it was far from true. I had sooo much around me. Yukari, Fuuka, Aigis, Akihiko, Junpei, Ken, Koromaru and Minato. They were my family, my comrades, people I laughed and cried with. I loved them. If I could not protect my Father, then I was going to protect them," Mitsuru was smiling but I could see a tear or two escape from her eyes. The amount of emotions that went through her had to be immense. I guess that was why she said it.
"I get it," I sighed. "Always moving forward, but also not being afraid to look back and remember how you got there. Something like that, right?"
"Yes, precisely. And so whatever you decide I want to help," Mitsuru said.
"I'll think about it," I said.
"Move forward but not afraid to look back," a voice repeated my words as she entered. It was Shadow Rise once more. "Oh my love, don't you know that its your past that is holding you back? When you look back you never look forward again. No wonder you've left the real Rise in such frustrated states time and again." She was in front of me and cradled onto my lap as she had earlier. "Its so bad that I think one touch from you could cause her to climax. Oooh, maybe that's why this whole thing is called the P-1 Climax? You think? I mean I can just pull your pants off and there isn't much you could do about it."
"Whatever it is you do, I wouldn't enjoy it," I say as I feel my whole body tense up as Shadow Rise put her hands on my chest.
"Oh really? But you know, I look so much like your real Rise that maybe if she ever tried to do anything you wouldn't be able to. Think about how traumatic an experience like this could be! Ha! You'd never be able to have sex with her, or even touch her. Do you really think she'll stick around if you would never be able to satiate her body?" Shadow Rise's voice had an edge to it that chilled me to the bone.
"No! Get away from him this instance!" Mitsuru cried out. Shadow Rise got to her feet and something like a subsonic wave connected with Mitsuru causing her to scream out in pain.
"You will shut the fuck up. How about you just be a good girl and realize that everything that happened to my Kayane is your damn fault! Kirijo whore," Shadow Rise spit at the base of where Mitsuru was tied. She turned to me and was frowning, "And now you ruined my damn mood you bitch." Shadow Rise then stormed off.
Despite everything the Shadows words lingered in my mind, Don't you know that its your past that is holding you back?
May 5th, 2012 / Time Unknown
In Front of Yasoinaba High School
YU'S POINT OF VIEW
"Chie! Are you alright?" Yosuke immediately was running up towards Chie.
"Yosuke, don't rush it," I called out to him, but Chie had already jumped back away from him.
"Oh no you don't," Chie settles into her fighting stance which immediately has Yosuke throwing his hands up.
"Whoa, hold it! Calm down," Yosuke called out.
"Don't worry, Chie-san. We're the real ones," I quickly try to diffuse the situation.
"Is it really you two?" Chie does relax her guard a bit.
"What happened? You look really shaken up, Chie. We saw you fighting, who was it?" Yosuke quickly followed up.
"It was Yukiko...a fake. And then she like melted and some weird gold stuff went up into the air...But why did it have to be Yukiko? I don't feel right now," Chie really was shaken up. I hadn't noticed it right away but Yosuke had. Yosuke boldly stepped forward and put his arms around Chie.
"Don't worry, its over now," Yosuke said quietly.
"Yosuke! It really is you! Thank God! I was so worried," Chie said while her head was buried against his chest.
"Glad to see you safe, Chie-san. Don't worry. Both Yosuke and I have taken care of our Shadows up to this point, but there is no telling if there are more or not," I tried to be a bit calming. Although I was hoping we would have run into Yukiko by now.
"Huh? So you guys ran into them too?" Chie managed to calm herself a bit but stayed close to Yosuke.
"Yeah, and if you defeated Yukiko then that means at the very least the fake Yosuke and I are also defeated," I bet others had to have been defeated by now. Who knew what was going on at this point though. Without Rise we wouldn't be able to get in contact with the others.
"Actually, what's going on? Is this really the real world?" Chie was definitely more shaken up that I thought she would be. I think combined with all we learned about Kayane-senpai's family and the little we learned about the Shadow Operatives we all had a lot of information to take in. The world and Shadows was much more grand than any of us had first suspected. Even if I was a wild card, I felt so insignificant. We had stopped a world ending event as well, but our fight didn't end in a sacrifice. But the Shadow Operatives had one of their own...a wild card himself, give his life to protect all of humanity. It was definitely a lot of information to swallow.
"Looks like it. Even though Shadows are running around and we can use or Personas," Yosuke said as Chie seemed to calm down enough to step away from him.
"But that might as well be in the TV. What in the world's going on?" Chie shook her head.
"Calm down, will ya? We don't know either," Yosuke sighed.
"Well we do know that the Midnight Channel came on and General Teddie suddenly declared war on us. Afterwards, the town got swallowed up in that red fog and all the electronics went out," I quickly surmised the bare minimum of what we knew.
"The Midnight Channel? Then is what happened with Labrys really not over?" Chie looked confused. I shared a glance with Yosuke for a moment.
"Don't tell me...Did you not see the Midnight Channel?" Yosuke eyed here.
"Uhh, ahahahaha," Chie looked away.
"Seriously? I can't believe this. It came up so many times! Why didn't you check?" Yosuke shook his head.
"N-No one said specifically to watch for it! All this happened suddenly while I was out walking Muku, so I don't know whats going on either!" Chie is starting to get into a usual argument with Yosuke.
"What are you doing walking Muku so late at night? Didn't I tell you if you were going to do that you should at least take someone with you? Especially when the culprit from Labrys' case is still at large," Yosuke looked frustrated.
"Look I was feeling restless and so I...and since when do I need to let someone know when I'm doing something? I can do whatever I want you know," Chie quickly retorted.
"I only say it because I'm worried about you damn it!" Yosuke angrily replies. That immediately made Chie go quiet.
"Sorry," Chie says softly. Despite how much they butt heads the two of them really do fit well together. Actually I think the fact that they argue so openly is one of their strengths in their relationship. It definitely took me time before I could really be fully honest with Yukiko. Thanks to Kayane-senpai. After a long pause Chie looks to me. "That reminds me, General Teddie said something earlier about the world ending."
I nodded, "Right. General Teddie says that if we don't win this tournament within the hour, the world will end. That's not all, he has Kirijo-san and her friends in that tower...along with Kayane-senpai."
"What! Kayane-senpai is up there?" Chie looked up at the tower. I did as well. It was creepy as hell to see our school mutated and stretching so far up into the sky. It was similar to what Kirijo-san and the other Shadow Operatives had explained about something called Tartarus. I wonder if there was a connection here. "Actually, hold on. Where's Yukiko? And is Kanji-kun okay?"
"Teddie was headed over to Yukiko. He managed to figure it out despite how the fog seems to be messing with his senses. And I doubt Kanji will go down that easily," I shook my head. "We don't have any time right now. Let's leave those two to the others-we need to go rescue Kayane-senpai and everyone in Kirijo-san's group as soon as possible." I could see doubt cross Chie's face for a moment. "Chie-san, believe in your friends."
She took a moment and took a deep breath, "Alright. Yosuke and Yu-kun, Let's go."
Someone is now clapping their hands, we look over to teh school entrance and a guy with vibrant red hair is sitting there. He jumps down and starts walking towards us, "Yeah, yeah, you're gonna believe in your friends and be the winners of the P-1 Climax, right? Playing 'friends' here? Frickin' lame. My name's Sho Minazuki. And you guys are in my world now." He stops with a grin. "C'mon, no need to get all nervous. I came all this way to say hello."
Then as if the flip of a switch his eyes start to show a red gleam. Just what exactly is going on here with this guy? And how did I not notice him? Had he been sitting there the whole time? I was pretty sure I had taken a good look around.
"Gah...! What is this?" Yosuke is trying to move but he can't. It takes me only half a second to realize that I can't move either. It felt as if there was a massive pressure on me, making it impossible for me to move.
"My legs...I can't move," Chie certainly looked like she was trying...but it was useless.
"Hmmm? You look like you're in pain. Ahahahahahha! The look on your faces is just epic. Ah yeah, that's the stuff!" Sho looks pretty proud of himself. "Man, this power's useful. Oh right, good evening. I'm Sho. Sho Minazuki, the culprit behind these shenanigans."
"You are?" I didn't think someone his age would be responsible for something like this. Maybe I was wrong but he looked around our age.
"That's right. I'm the one that invited you here, and I'm showing myself right now. Now that I've shown you the way here, it's time for a showdown with Sho! Ahahahaha, get it?" Sho laughs.
"Bull...shit... That ain't...funny," Yosuke manages to say.
"Hm? What's the matter? Laugh. Wasn't it funny? C'mon, laugh!" Sho is laughing but then suddenly his whole demeanor changes and he pulls out a sword and puts it up to Yosuke's neck. "I guess I'll dismantle one of them. I doubt that'll matter much..."
I can see Chie's eyes go big, but she doesn't say anything. If I can just get some control in my foot long enough to kick, I could get the sword away from him. But Sho stops.
He closes his eyes and starts talking. Was he talking to someone? "Oh... C'mon, why right now? Mmhm. Mmhm..." Wait could he have someone like Rise on his side? But after a moment he opens his eyes back open and puts his sword down. "Sorry, we got more guests of honor. You guys are just the ginger on the side of the sushi, so all you get to do is look for your friends in the tower. But we have plenty of fun in store for the Investigation Team-you'll sher lock forward to it! Ahahahahahah!" Sho moves past us and is gone within an instant, disappeared into the red fog as if he had never been there.
After he is gone, we can finally move again.
"Wheeew! Dammit...What's with that guy? Is he really the culprit?"Yosuke lets out a sigh of relief and at the moment now has Chie next to him and checking his neck.
"Are you okay, he didn't cut you or anything right?" Chie then completely changes her direction when she realized that Yosuke is okay. "We have to hurry and go after him! He's way too dangerous to leave him be!"
"No. Teddie, Yukiko and Kanji are still in town. If Teddie's nose is working they may have met up already," I say after a moment.
"So we're gonna leave that guy to just Teddie and Kanji? I mean, Naoto and Rise might find their way here, but..." Yosuke seemed doubtful but I pressed on.
"No. That Sho guy said they have more guests of honor now. At the very least, he's not after us for the time being," I quickly point out.
"Ohh!" Yosuke nods.
"Wait, but what's that supposed to mean? Who're these guests of honor?" Chie asked.
"When we watched the Midnight Channel, Labrys wasn't one of the captives it showed. The Shadow Operatives are Kirijo-san's team, and they also had Kayane-senpai. But no one said the ones we met are the only members. If their leader is in danger, it's only natural they'd send a rescue squad," I explained.
"Oh...Right! And from what we know about Labrys she'll definitely come rushing back to save Kayane," Chie added.
"Yes, and during the debriefing at Kayane's House Kirijo indicated that they might have some idea of who the culprit might have been. If that culprit is the Sho we met, it wouldn't be strange if he already knew Kirijo-san and her team from before he met us," I thought it was a pretty logical conclusion. We didn't have much to go on even after everything they had told us. But most of that had been for Kayane-senpai's benefit, not ours.
"So, the guests of honor he mentioned could be the other Shadow Operatives, come to rescue Kirijo-san and the rest of her team," Yosuke nodded. "And what was her name, Takahashi I think? She's Kayane-senpai's cousin so she is probably apart of the rescue group too."
"That's right. Sho is underestimating us. If Yukiko and the others meet up with the Shadow Operative backup, they won't lose easily, not even to Sho," It was what I needed to believe was happening.
"Wow...You really are smart," Chie probably meant it as a compliment, but it was a logical explanation that helped my own concerns about Yukiko. As much as I knew that Chie wanted to run off to find Yukiko...I had been trying to fight off that very same impulse.
"Well if that is the case then we should head up this tower," Yosuke said as he turned and headed towards the tower.
"Yeah, lets move," I said as I follow after him. And Chie quickly following behind me. I had no way of knowing what was ahead of us, or if my thoughts just now were the correct one. But I had to believe I was making the right choice. For now we had to save Kayane-senpai and the others of Mitsuru's group if we could. Whatever we were facing, I needed to keep faith in my friends, that we would all make it through this. And I sure as hell wasn't going to let Kayane-senpai have to go through anything else if I could help it.
A/N:
Oh boy...where do I really start here? I think from this point onward is where you'll start to see the bigger departures from the original story line. And for the first chapter in a while we get to actually see how Kayane is doing. Plus the groups have been divided differently for the most part than how it was in the game. As people that have played it will no doubt see I'm pulling from both the P4 and P3 sides of the story. But there is another force at work that isn't exactly letting things go as it was planned.
Rise, wants to just rush off towards Kayane. I think that is one of her biggest instincts, and maybe her biggest flaw, is that she is very single minded when it comes to what is in front of her. All though that can also be her strength as she can put all of her energy into one activity that she is working on in front of her. Not many people can do that. She is very much in the mentality of doing all she can for the people within her reach. Well I guess I could explain Rise's situation a bit more.
She now holds two Arcana. The Lovers and The Temperance, and each one is representative of the different resolves. Her original desire to be seen and accepted for who she is is still there. That part of her doesn't ever go away...but the presence of Kayane has caused a change in her and she realizes that it isn't just enough to have Kayane see her and accept her for who she is...but that she wants to protect him and be a support for him. Even the two different wishes she has are different in terms of her involvement. Her desire for people to see her true self is a pretty passive wish. I mean she can't really do much to affect the perception of the people around her. All she can do is ensure she is always her real self and doesn't try to hide who she really is from anyone. But her desire to protect Kayane and be his support is a very active wish. This can also be translated to their abilities and why one is oriented as a navigator, and the other is a fighter.
Expect to see a lot more fighting coming in the next couple chapters as we basically start pushing away from most of the original plot. Well most of the general events might be the same...but the outcome...well I hope you look forward to see exactly what is going to change.
As always, I appreciate the time you take to read my fan fic. Let me know what you think. It fuels my creative side and gets me to pump out more into these chapters! Thanks a lot and see you in the next Chapter!
Also this chapter breaks the 500k word mark...and I'm not sure how I feel about that, lol.
