Chapter 8: Preparation for Reunion

Tatsuya Suou

? – 08/11/2012 – Sumaru City?

He blinked a few more times to confirm his vision. He was in a middle of a street, in a very familiar city. The dark sky was reddish and cloudy, fill with group of constellation circling the sky. He observed again his surrounding, and finally came to a conclusion. "Sumaru City…" Tatsuya whispered. "How did I get here?"

"This is not 'your' Sumaru City." A male voice said. This startled him from his observation. Tatsuya turned to see a young man wearing a school uniform not far from where he's standing. On first glance, Tatsuya recognized the uniform as Seven Sisters High, his former high school. But all Tatsuya's attention was now focus on his face, who's bearing the face of his own younger self and staring deeply at him with sorrowful expression.

"You…you're…me…" Tatsuya stuttered, taking a few step backward away from 'himself'.

"Half of it, I'm you from the 'other side'." the young Tatsuya weakly responded. "Don't be confused, this city is not 'yours', it was the original Sumaru City that being lift by 'Xibalba' of this 'side', 13 years ago."

There's no word coming out of Tatsuya's mouth, letting the young Tatsuya to continue his word. "'This side' has lost its balance. As yourself from 'this side', I'm begging you to protect your 'side'. Nyarlathotep is a formidable shadow, but the enemy we're about to face is far more powerful than Nyarlathotep currently is."

As he finished his explanation, the young Tatsuya changed his gaze to his left. Tatsuya turned to see that they're actually standing in front of Seven Sisters High entrance gate. All of a sudden, a bright red ray of light beamed from the middle of the school, straight to the cloudy sky. The cloud began to spiral outward to open the sky, revealing a bright red light to brighten the entire city.

But what horrified Tatsuya the most was what come after. From the emitting red light, an extremely large red silhouette emerged with its fierce yellow eye. It gazed upon the two Tatsuya as it slowly descended to the city with its gigantic body. Tatsuya's jaw-dropped after seeing its appearance, but his fear was washed away when the young Tatsuya started to speak.

"You and only you can stop him, the Nuclear Chaos. Failing to do so will permanently destroy not only your 'side', but 'this side' as well." The young Tatsuya finished his word as he drew closer to Tatsuya, "Philemon has gave me a second chance to return to your 'side', but only in a form of fainted memories…"

The young Tatsuya body slowly began to dissolve into red dust, disappearing in front of Tatsuya. Unconscious to him, he began to absorb every red dust into his body. His mind suddenly started to cause him agony, projecting series of white image of unknown memory to him. Everything around him began to become blurry and his head became heavier with every second.

"What…what happen…?" Tatsuya said his last word before he fainted.

In the rather weird dream, the white image began to return its color and brightness, allowing Tatsuya to see clearly the lost memory. It was the memory of his 'other side', fitted perfectly with his own from the very day he meet with Maya at Araya shrine, until his 'other side' was separated from him after the battle with Nyarlathotep. All the memory was there, in his mind…

After Midnight – 08/11/2012 – Motel, Inaba

Tatsuya open his watery eye, and lifted his body to sitting position. It's a dream, a bad dream. He's still sleeping at his motel room after hours of conversation with the Investigation Team regarding Minato and Tatsumi Port Island. Slowly, Tatsuya wiped his tear with his arm and looked at his watch. It was exactly few seconds after midnight.

Tatsuya stood from his bed and searched for something in his bag without having the lights on, finally took out his lighter. After he opened, lit and shut back the lighter, he closed his eye, while reminiscing his first meeting with Maya after his 'other side' left his body…

Morning - ?(Few month after Eternal Punishment epilogue) – Police Department, Konan, Sumaru City

Tatsuya stood quietly seeing his brother talking to someone, they seem to be chatting in his brother's office with smile on their face. Refused to wait any longer, he knocked on his glass door to gain both of their attention.

"Sorry to disturb you, brother." Tatsuya said as he walked in, "I just got my approval to become a police officer today. I'll be working with you from now." Tatsuya gave a smile toward his brother, which in return Katsuya smile back at him.

"Congratulations, Tatsuya. I'm proud of you." Katsuya said as he switched his eye to the girl beside him, "I'll see you tomorrow, Maya." Without looking at Tatsuya, Maya excused herself from the room and walked toward the door.

Tatsuya froze still as he watched Maya walk away, he turned to his brother. "Is that girl…" Tatsuya asked but left his question unfinished as Katsuya nodded. He quickly rushed to the door to catch up to her.

Maya, still waiting for a ride to her home, turned to her back to see Tatsuya catching up to her. Giving a small chuckle, Maya walked closer to him. "Do you need anything?"

"You…you're Maya Amano, right?" Tatsuya asked directly to her, "I'm Tatsuya Suou. My brother told me all about you and what happen. But of course, I'm not the Tatsuya that you know…" Tatsuya lowered his voice in the last sentence, but Maya simply grinned hearing his word.

"You don't have to be so modest. No matter who you are, you're still Tatsuya Suou that lived on this world." Maya voice her thought with wide smile, but deep inside, Tatsuya know that she missed the old Tatsuya, the Tatsuya that spend their journey together.

"Look, if you don't mind…" Tatsuya said unsurely, "…I may not be the Tatsuya that you knew, but still, we can be friend, right?" Maya was surprised by his words, and she slowly lowered her head, uncertain in what to reply.

"Okay." Maya said as she lifted back her head, "Let me introduce myself again. I'm Maya Amano, nice to meet you."She said with a grin. Tatsuya slowly widened his smile toward her.

"I'm Tatsuya Suou, it's nice to meet you, Maya-san…"

…..

He returned back to reality as he putted back the lighter on the small table next to his bed. How hurt was Maya, when she saw his 'other side' self that she care so much, left her? Even Tatsuya couldn't imagine that pain. Perhaps she managed to hold the pain by marrying him and live her life to the fullest with him. But now, Tatsuya has it, the memory of his 'other side', packed inside his brain with all his battle with Nyarlathotep.

"Oh right, I almost forgot." Tatsuya reached his arm for the 'Contact' card that Margaret gave him. He stood to the center of the rather big room, and held his hand high to the ceiling. 'Let's do it.'

Tatsuya held his breath and called his persona in a rather soft tone, "Apollo!"

The card suddenly emitted a blue light and mist, filling the entire room. Above Tatsuya, a red costume figure with beautifully decorated mask was staring deeply toward him. "Why thou have you call for me?" The red figure spoke with deep voice.

Tatsuya grinned happily, feeling the sensation of summoning his persona after all these years. But noting to him-self not to use the card for too long, Tatsuya asked directly the question.

"Do you have a son, Apollo?" Tatsuya was unsure if he's asking the right question, but Apollo responds.

"I have many sons, well educated with my blessing."

Apollo's answer didn't satisfy him. "Which one of your son had inherited your music and song?"

There was a pause after the question, this increase Tatsuya's worry, 'I mean, who the heck ask their persona about his son?' This was also because this was the only lead to the last man of prophecy. But the figure eventually spoke the name that brought hope to him, "Orpheus…"

Tatsuya gave a small smile to his respond, "Where is your son, Orpheus?"

"I have not seen him since ages." Apollo answered. 'Not surprising, being a persona and all.'

"Is there any way to contact him?" Tatsuya asked again, getting more and more curious. Apollo lowered his head, while thinking deeply to himself. He suddenly raised his head when he remembered something.

"I require an empty book." Apollo said, looking toward Tatsuya's eye. Hearing this, Tatsuya quickly opened his bag and search for any paper. He eventually showed Apollo an empty page for his document.

"Bring it closer." Apollo said as he slowly raised his hand and Tatsuya stretched his hand upward.

All of a sudden, the empty page float towards Apollo and he putted his finger on the page. Apollo lit a tiny fire from the tip of his finger and began to form a pattern on the page. After a moment of waiting, Apollo returned the page to Tatsuya, showing him a complete song of musical notes and lyrics written with burn marks. Apollo grinned, not like its visible or anything.

"Sing this song with musical sound of piano, play it in a place where the sound will echo, like a stage. If this song is played right, Orpheus will heed your call and come to you."

Apollo stated before he slowly disappeared into thin air. Tatsuya smile widened, finally fulfill Margaret request to contact his persona.

But he suddenly snapped out of his reverie as he remembered the most important thing, "Wait, how am I supposes to find someone to sing and play piano, a stage most of all?"

Yu Narukami

Morning – 08/11/2012 – Dojima Residence, Inaba

"Margaret, please wake up. I've made a breakfast for you." Yu knocked repeatedly on the door of Nanako's room where Margaret slept. As she opened the door, Margaret was already wide awake and Nanako was standing beside her in a sleepy condition.

"Hey big bro…" Nanako yawned.

"I cannot sleep, Yu, thinking of what happen to Elizabeth. I'm sorry if I'm disturbing your cousin's sleep." Margaret said as Nanako walked toward the bathroom to take a shower. Yu slowly putted his hand on Margaret shoulder.

"You could have told us earlier about your sister. That way, we can save her and this Minato Arisato. But I'm still glad you're safe though." Yu said with a charming smile, while remembering his conversation with Margaret and Tatsuya after a long discussion with the Investigation Team.

Instead of telling the entire team, Margaret decided only to tell Tatsuya and Yu about the incident at the Sea of Soul, along with the possibility for Minato to break free from the Great Seal.

"Thank you, Yu. I believe only you and Tatsuya can help me save Elizabeth. I finally can calm myself again." Margaret said with a faint blush on her cheeks. Yu then took her to the dining room for breakfast.

"I'm going to the hospital again to check on my uncle. Though I'm not sure if I can leave Nanako behind in order to go to Tatsumi Port Island, with my uncle still lay in his bed." Yu said to Margaret after finishing his breakfast.

After Nanako went to the kitchen to wash her hand Yu took a chance to talk, "If I may ask, will you help in taking care of Nanako here while I'm gone?" Yu asked politely.

"…I'm sorry, but I must follow you to the Island to help finding Minato's stolen body. Remaining here will give me no lead about the seal." Margaret answered, "Yet you can't bring Nanako to that Island as many dangers awaited you, probably risking Nanako's life. Please give me some time to think about this…" Margaret sighed.

Yu frown a bit seeing Margaret crestfallen face. He quickly changed the topic to ease Margaret's mind. "Speaking of Tatsuya, I wonder if you have any spare Contact card for me." Margaret lifted her head slightly to face Yu, "You said that the card can seek the knowledge of the user's persona. I want to use the card to find Marie, who also went missing a few days ago."

Margaret shook her head, while still looking sad. Yu, being the gentleman he was, quickly reassured her with a smile.

"Its fine, don't worry about it! I can ask for the card once Tatsuya finish using it." Yu said to her. Margaret stared at him and nodded her head, while finding herself blushing a bit. She flashed Yu a kind smile in return, before standing up and took her plate to the kitchen.

Evening – Junes, Inaba

"I'm sure Margaret asked you to ask your persona about finding his son, but you ask for a song instead? I didn't know you were into music that much. Let's see here…" Yu said as he held the paper and narrowed his eye to the musical notes and lyrics.

"No, it's not like that." Tatsuya tried to explain to the entire team who were now looking at him with raised brow, "My persona said that I need to sing and play the song on a piano on a place where the sound will echo, like a stage in order to summon Orpheus."

The entire team looked at each other while shrugging.

"I don't know how does this have to do with finding the missing body of this last man of prophecy, but if you need a singer, we have it right here." Yosuke said as everyone changed their attention to Rise.

"Of course I can! I'm the famous idol Risette!" she winked while waving her hand excitedly. "But then again, we still need a pianist and a stage…" Rise said dejectedly.

Tatsuya walked closer to Rise, finding himself amused, "You can sing? Then I'm glad. All we need now is a pianist and a stage…." Tatsuya said while observing carefully at everyone in the room.

'You don't need to repeat the same sentence.' the group sweat dropped.

"Any of you know how to play one? Or any suggestion where to find a stage?" he then asked.

"…Nanako can play a piano." Yu said in low voice, but still managed to catch everyone attention, Teddie agreed happily to his idea.

"You're right! Nana-chan can play piano very well!" Everybody nodded their head as they turned to Yu. "W-well, she just started recently. I doubt she can play the whole thing without causing a mistake…" Yu said unsurely.

Tatsuya walked toward him and patted his shoulder. "Do you believe in your cousin? Remember, she must play it perfectly, without a having a SINGLE MISTAKE. I trust that she can, she's our only option after all." Tatsuya said while giving a death stare at Yu, mumbling something about 'If you don't let her you're dead, kid'.

"Y-Yes! She's just an amateur, but I BELIEVE in her!" Yu said while sweating bullets. Not like he doubt her beloved cousin skills, of course. But at the same time, receiving a death stare from someone who likes to play with a lighter for no reason was quite worrying.

"Then we can do it today." Tatsuya said feeling satisfied, he then turned to Margaret who kept silent during the entire conversation and shoot a smile. "And we'll have the lead to Minato in no time." Margaret returned a small smile to him.

"We have everything, but what about a stage to play the song?" Yukiko asked suddenly, and everyone that started to have their little celebration stop as they forgot the most important thing.

"Any idea?" Chie asked.

"What's the big deal? Just go to a karaoke bar. Riiiight guys?" Yosuke said, while at the same time grinning.

"They're close due to the incident. And remember, we need a piano and a stage." Yukiko said. Yosuke stopped his daydream about being in a cramped room with beautiful girls.

"Just ask Rise's manager to set a stage with a piano, I'll make him if he refuse." Kanji said while cracking his knuckles.

"I've already make enough mess by running away from my schedule just to stay here. I don't want to make him angrier." Rise said disapprovingly.

"As long as we have piano and a place to play, we can play the song. Let's go to Nana-chan's piano school!" Teddie' turn to give his idea.

"I heard the piano school is close because Nanako's teacher has a relative that is involved in the explosion." Yu said while frowning. 'Why didn't uncle buy a piano anyways?' He sighed.

"What about… Tatsumi Port Island?" Tatsuya voiced his opinion.

"Huh? Why would we go there just to play a piano? Is there even a stage there?" Kanji asked.

"If I remember it right, there is a stage set for singing at… Paulownia Mall, we went there before." Rise said, remembering back their school trip to the Island last year.

Tatsuya opened his phone and looked at the date. Two more days until the meeting of Nanjo and Kirijo at Tatsumi Port Island, he sighed heavily before turning to the Investigation Team.

"I guess we all have to wait until Saturday to clear everything off." As Tatsuya said this, Yu turned to see a frown etching on Margaret face.

"Don't worry Margaret, all our problem will be solved on this Saturday." Yu said, while showing her his dashing smile, "But that would mean we have to bring Nanako with us to the Island, since none of us know how to play a piano. Who else are willing to play piano for us other than Nanako? Besides, we can ask Mitsuru to lend a piano for Nanako to play, I'm pretty sure she will have one. We can also have her approval to borrow a stage there, since her family was the one funded the Island."

After the speech from Yu, everyone decided to patiently wait for two more days. Tatsuya seemed to be calm, but deep inside he couldn't wait to tell Maya about his memory from the 'other side'. His smile widened, trying to imagine the reaction Maya will give upon hearing the story of his dream.

One by one, the Investigation Team excused themselves from the meeting, leaving once again Tatsuya, Yu and Margaret at the meeting table.

"I need to fetch Nanako from the hospital. Pray that I can persuade her to play this song. But then again, I'm sure she will agree, I'm her beloved big bro after all!" Yu said while grinning. He then slowly walked away with Margaret as he turned to Tatsuya, "The doctor said my uncle still need a few day rest. If we're lucky, he'll allow me to take Nanako with me, leaving him here to stay at the hospital."

"Then leave the conversation to the adult. I'm sure your uncle will listen to me." Tatsuya said as he adjusted his tie and began to catch up to them to the hospital.

Aigis

Evening – 08/11/2012 – Kirijo main facility, Tatsumi Port Island

Aigis was once again sitting alone in the office, finishing her document for the recent incident. She couldn't focus on her work however, after thinking about Kei Nanjo who asked about Minato. She knew for sure that this is not a coincidence, and waited patiently for the day where Nanjo will meet Kirijo to find out the truth.

"Aigis." Aigis was startled when she heard someone call out for her name, and finally noticed Yukari standing beside the door. "Yukari, I'm sorry I didn't notice you there." Aigis said slowly, but Yukari seemed to ignore her word.

"I want to talk to you alone, Aigis, about Minato." Yukari said as she walked in and sat at the chair opposite Aigis. Aigis started to feel uncomfortable by Yukari's word.

"…What happened, Aigis?" Yukari decided to be straight, "You asked me about what if Minato coming back yesterday. And the next thing that happens, some important man from distant city suddenly mentions his name. I know this isn't just some random coincidence, especially involving Minato."

Aigis shifted uncomfortably, while avoiding her gaze towards Yukari. Aigis lowered her head, refusing to make eye contact with Yukari who's still waiting for her answer.

"…Minato…"

Aigis mumbled in her thought, Yukari leaned closer to hear properly. "What is it? You can tell me."

"I'm sorry if I'm interrupting your conversation." They both startled by another voice, and turned to see Mitsuru standing by the door.

"Mitsuru! Were you listening to our conversation?" Yukari asked, but Mitsuru kept silent, hesitating to answer.

"…I have called Naoto Shirogane to investigate Mr. Nanjo yesterday. Hopefully she'll find something about how this man knows about Minato." Mitsuru informed them, ignoring Yukari's question.

"But just a few minutes ago, I call Naoto to ask about the investigation, but she said she had already solved the case and she even knew why I request her to investigate this man. She said she'll be coming to Tatsumi Port Island this Saturday to attend our meeting, along with all member of the Investigation Team to tell us the detail. Strangely, she also ask me to set a stage at the club where the meeting being held, and a piano. She didn't even tell me the reason."

Mitsuru news caused both Yukari and Aigis to raise their brows.

"She already solved it? That was too fast. I guess she wasn't called an ace detective for nothing. But why would they want a stage, in the middle of the meeting anyway?" Yukari said, slowly turning her attention to Aigis, "Oh well, I guess we'll find out this Saturday, right… Aigis?" Yukari left her seat and walked to the door without looking back at her, with slight harsh tone.

"Aigis, is it true?" Mitsuru asked after Yukari left the room, "You ask Yukari something about Minato coming back?" Aigis didn't say anything, finding it extremely difficult to tell Mitsuru.

Receiving no answer, Mitsuru quietly walked to the door and turned again to Aigis, "Very well, we can talk after the meeting on this Saturday." And she left, leaving Aigis once again alone in the room.

Naoya Toudou

Night – 08/11/2012 – Narumi, Sumaru City

"I'm going." Naoya quickly responded to Nanjo's question.

Nanjo sighed heavily before turning to the other, "Anyone else wants to follow me?" In the living room, only Hidehiko and Eriko raised their hand, leaving Maki and Reiji to refuse the offer.

"I got to take care of my family, Reiji too. Now if you excuse us." Maki and Reiji stood from their chair and walked to the exit door.

"Be careful out there, you might be targeted. I don't want to go all the way to your house and save you, shouldn't I?" Naoya gave a little warning to them as they stopped momentarily.

"No worries, we'll take care of ourselves." Reiji replied and they both left the room.

"I'll go and book a ticket tomorrow for our flight for 9 people, three of you, Yukino, Maya, Katsuya, Baofu and Ulala, including myself." Nanjo confirmed his calculation as he took out a calculator and began to count something. Naoya chuckled as he looked at the overly excited Hidehiko and Eriko.

"Well then, see you at the airport this Saturday. See ya." Naoya said before going straight for the door while waving his hand over his shoulder. They watched him in curiosity.

"That Naoya, he loves to disappear suddenly and come back to surprise us." Eriko said while smiling slightly.

"Yeah, after the reunion 12 years ago, he suddenly disappeared without a trace, not answering our call at all." Hidehiko said, agreeing at her statement.

"He said something about he had to leave us before he disappeared. Where could he possibly be going? Strangely, he can find his way back to my mansion, like he's been hiding somewhere and waiting for a perfect moment to meet us." Nanjo said while frowning.

"Are you saying that he already knew about the prophecy before anyone else?" Eriko began to become curious, gaining the attention of Hidehiko and Nanjo.

"Hmmm…it's possible." Hidehiko said, turning to Nanjo, "What about you? What do you think?"

"Ah, forget about him. Instead of Naoya, why don't we think how this Minato Arisato that supposedly dead, can be the last man of prophecy?" Nanjo said, causing them to think about it. As they found no clue about the boy, they began to excuse themselves and left the hotel.

? – 08/11/2012 - ?

In the completely white space where no habitat was seen, a glimpse of a young man was seen standing in the middle of the white space. As the time passed, he remained still without leaving his position, until…

"The time is drawing closer." The young man said in a soft tone, "I have seen your sacrifice, Elizabeth. And I'll promise you that you won't have to suffer for long…" He turned to his back to see a familiar figure was floating above him.

"My power is growing weaker, Orpheus. I will completely disconnect from the universe soon." The young man said to the figure, "I'll truly hope that Elizabeth will make it in time before new moon arrives to save me, before Yog-Sothoth rip my soul apart. Other than that, I know nothing more…" The young man slowly lowered his body into sitting position as Orpheus disappeared from his sight.

"This seal will eventually break on its own, exactly midnight on the new moon. All I can do is waits until that time arrive…"

A/N: In case you didn't know, the Tatsuya that appear in this story is actually Tatsuya from 'this side', while the Tatsuya that use persona from the beginning of Innocent Sin until the end of Eternal Punishment is the real Tatsuya that fight Nyarlathotep from the 'other side'. Since most of Orpheus song is sang in opera style, I decide that he can only be summons with opera like song. As for the last part… you can already guess who that is talking to Orpheus.