AN: Another chapter. Hope you like it! It's another long-ish one, but I've enjoyed working on it. Please read, review, favourite, follow, etc! As an aside, I'm mostly following Persona 5's status system, but added Charm as well.
Chapter 19: Memories of the Sea
|April 19th, Wednesday|Kansei High School, Class 2-1 – English Class|14:24 pm|
"You know, it still confuses me a little." The English teacher, Natalie MacKenzie, said. "In my old school in Edinburgh, it was the students that went to different classrooms each period, not the teachers. Course, the students here don't graffiti swear words all over the toilets, so it's not all bad..."
Shintaro smirked, writing down his notes at a fast pace. Being an avid reader, he had already become very fluent in English, so this subject was almost easy for him. The brunette Natalie was a young teacher with bleary blue eyes, nearly always dressed in a blue shirt and black skirt. She had taught at Kansei for two years now, and enjoyed crossing the cultural barrier between her beloved Scotland and Japan. Edinburgh was one of the sister cities of Shinshuto, the others being Gothenburg, Vienna, and Yokohama. As such, foreign tourists tended to come from those regions of the world.
As she carried on with the lesson, Shintaro looked over, and saw Akari writing down as fast as he could. She wasn't quite as adept with foreign languages as him, and often asked for his study notes on the subject – to the point where he felt like he should charge for being a tutor.
"Let's see if you're all paying attention," Natalie said. "How about - no, not Shintaro again, you always know the answer. How about you, Akari? Let's try this one, the difference between less and fewer. Which would you say? There are 'less' fish in the river, or 'fewer'?"
Akari, perplexed, looked to Kohaku, who shrugged. English wasn't one of her best subjects, and she was just relieved not to have been asked the question. However, before Shintaro could speak up, Kei looked over, and incredibly quietly said a word. Akari, relieved, spoke out her answer.
"Less, MacKenzie-sensei!" Akari said, smiling.
"Yes, that's right. We use less for things we can't count, and 'fewer' for things we can. Another example is, 'I drink fewer than three coffees a day'. Although until we fix the coffee machine in the teacher's lounge, it's going to be no coffees a day. What's a lass like me to do, eh?" Natalie said, grinning. "Never mind, at least I've still got my Irn Bru."
"Iron Brew...?" Akari asked, confused. "Is she a bodybuilder?"
"...Not quite." Kohaku said, amused.
The class continued, as the school day reached its end. As they left the school building, they saw Noburo and Teruko walking down the road, loved up as always, yet she caught a glimpse of Kohaku – and gave a hateful stare, while Noburo politely smiled. Akari seemed strangely happy, though. She kept grinning, trying to stop snickering, and eventually left for 'something top secret'. With her gone, however, the team were free to go to Ginumi, for another meeting with Shigeru.
I wonder how things are going with him at home? I didn't think he was only Noburo's step-dad. But he probably doesn't see it that way. He's been a far better father to him than Toki ever was, at least, that's the impression I get. I hope Noburo never finds out what his real dad is up to...I better make sure he doesn't get involved.
|Grand Laguna Hotel|16:04 pm|
The suite was as grand as ever, and it was far more pleasing to the eyes, not to mention the other senses, as that dingy storage room at Chiho. Relieved to be here again, the ace student and friends walked over to the luxurious seats.
"Good to have you all back. You're looking well, Shintaro-san." Novalie said, kindly.
"Thanks. I never thanked you all properly for what you did for me back at Chiho." Shintaro said. "...I won't be so stupid ever again."
"Good to here. We'll all be more cautious as well." Shigeru said. "Now, the reason I invited you all here today is that I wanted to introduce you to two new faces. Well, one of which is new. Come in, Netuno."
Kohaku gasped. As if by magic, Netuno Fonseca of Electric Sea came through the door, and waved at the team, hand on his hip. Shintaro didn't know him as well as his audiophile friend, but he did know she found both his band and his aesthetics rather alluring. He could see her cheeks turning red, and he giggled – yet Kei frowned at him, so he stopped.
"Boa tarde!" The new guest said, smiling. "Sorry, I'll stick to one language. Name's Netuno Fonseca. I'm one of the old guard. Well, younger than those two old guys, by about two or three decades? Or are we talkin' centuries?"
"Must you bring up your youth every meeting? I'm only just in my fifties..." Hiroyuki said, exasperated. Shigeru simply let out a laugh and gestured for the confident guitarist to take a seat.
"Youthful, maybe...but he keeps missing out on all the action. Leaving the 'old guys' to do all the hard work." Reia said, as the blue-haired rocker sat right next to her. "And he's still not taken me to that sushi place..."
"Sorry, Rei-Rei. It's been a busy couple of months for this guy. Rehearsing for our gigs in Tarumi takes a lot of time." Netuno said. "Doesn't running that little stall take its toll on you too?"
"I could sew you into a body bag if you aren't careful," Reia said, icily.
"Such a lovely pair," Hiroyuki said. "Ahem. As we were saying, we have two guests today. The other is still outside, and probably getting impatient."
"Well, what are you waiting for? Let them in!" Kohaku said.
"I wonder who this is gonna be?" Shintaro asked. Oh, if only it were Celestine...
"Introducing..." Shigeru began. The door suddenly burst open, and the person running into the suite was someone the crew from Kansei knew very well. After all, she had been sitting in most of their classes since the start of term.
"Hi everyone!" Akari said, making the peace sign with her fingers.
"Akari Ito, everyone," Shigeru said.
There was a moment of silence. All their efforts to hide this world from her, and yet here she was in the Theio Kosmos, without a care in the world.
"Akari-chan?!" Kohaku said, finally. "How - How did you get here?"
She proudly held out a black smartphone, which had already been adorned with stickers of puppies and pink stars.
"With one of these, just like you!"
"Um...how long have you had one of those?" Shintaro finally asked.
"Since Sunday! I wanted to tell you sooner, but then I thought I'd rather just surprise you all at the next team meeting!" Akari said. She turned to the two twins, and waved. "You two are Natsumi and Masato, right? It's good to finally meet you! Love the red hair!"
"Thanks! It's a Yoshinaga thing. Love yours too. Good to meet you!" Natsumi said, shaking Akari's hand. Masato did the same, yet seemed confused.
"How did you get a Gnosis? I mean, did yours have EX-NIHILO?"
"Uh...no. Let me tell you the whole deal." The animal lover said. "Sunday...was crazy. Let me tell you all about it. It's pretty important information, actually. It all started when I overhead Kaii from work talking on the phone. Not just any phone, you see. It was a Gnosis, like yours and mine."
Shintaro, stunned, looked at her with shock. "That must mean..."
"Yeah. He's one of the nine Aeon Administrators. The most recent one they recruited, he said."
And so, Akari regaled the team with her ordeal on Sunday. During which she learned of Kaii's involvement with Bythos, how Toki captured Shintaro, and of a plot to steal important data from Inoue Bank's main building in Totsuka. A fierce battle between Netuno and Kaii had broken out, and the guitarist was in a bad way – until she awakened to her Persona.
"Say hello to Epona!" Akari said. Out of her came the goddess riding upon her horse. "Isn't she pretty?"
"Y-Yeah..." Kohaku said. "...I'm just glad you picked our side. Having to fight you would have been horrible."
"I know. I just wish Kaii would have done the same..." Akari said. "I wonder if he'll still come to work. But that's not important. What matters is that I'm finally part of the group. And I'm going to make myself useful. Novalie already took me to get some weapons. Check these out!"
She summoned a pair of weapons in her hands – what appeared to be batons, or tonfa. Shintaro had seen them plenty in various works, but not up close.
"Those suit you," Kei said. "How are you getting used to the Theio Kosmos?"
"Pretty well. I've fought a few Shadows already. Weak ones, though." Akari said. "Everyone's been so nice. Now that I know what you were involved with, I get why you've been so secretive. But...I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to fight Shadows with you whenever you want."
"I'm glad you're all on board," Novalie said, happily. "So we should celebrate. Rather than venture out of this hotel for this evening...let's make sure of its many facilities."
"What do you mean?" Masato asked. "You mean we actually get to try the restaurant food?!"
"Alright! Hideki-kun was talking about having his wedding reception here!" Natsumi said. "But wait, how are we going to afford that? I mean, there's so many of us here."
"No need to worry about that. We grown-ups are quite well off, as it happens." Netuno said. "I mean, we have our own private studio we use to produce albums and even music videos. Novalie's family own a lot of real estate in Norway. Not to mention Reia makes a surprising amount of money for the stuff she makes from those doodles."
"I'd stitch your mouth up for a million yen," Reia said, not even looking at him.
"Ouch," Netuno said. "I don't think even Tam Kung would survive that."
"We've had practice battles between ourselves in the past, as I was telling Akari-san," Hiroyuki said, grinning. "Netuno, kid, tell me. What's your record of wins to losses against Reia?"
"...0 – 25," Netuno said, sheepishly.
"If you had a better weapon than that guitar, you'd probably have a better chance," Reia said, checking her painted nails in the light. Natsumi looked in awe, admiring the dark purple finish. "That, and if you bothered to change up your attack pattern. Most people would realise that if it wasn't working the first time, to try something different the next time. Not you, though. No wonder your album sounds like the same track on repeat fifteen times."
"Yeah, well, your clothes all look the same. Like, do you get a kick out of drawing the same dress thirty times and calling each one a Rimando Original?" Netuno said, sticking his tongue out.
"Hey, back off!" Natsumi said. "Reia works hard, for your information!"
"Calm down. This is just how we roll." Reia said, with a very slight smile. "Speaking of rolls, Netuno, I hear the sushi place does some great ones you just can't get anywhere else..."
"Yeah, I know. I'll try and find an opening soon." Netuno said. Masato snickered, while Natsumi blinked, confused. "Ahem...In my schedule. Nothing untoward."
"Obviously," Reia said. "Let's get to the restaurant, then. We've booked a special room for ourselves. Plus, with the power of the Cognition Core, no one here will ask any awkward questions about we adults are hanging out with a group of students we aren't related to. Which is good, because I can't be arsed thinking up answers for them."
"Isn't that kinda brainwashing...?" Akari asked.
"We're not exactly forcing them to give us free food or any particularly special treatment. Everything about tonight's dinner is above board." Shigeru assured. "I don't intend to abuse this core's power. Even if this one only affects the hotel, we must not give in to evil temptations."
"Does that mean we don't get any cake?" Natsumi asked.
"Well...maybe some temptations," Shigeru said, breaking into a small laugh. "Let's go. I'll take us all to the real world."
And thus, Shintaro and the others prepared themselves for a feast. Now that Akari was part of their team, they could fight with even greater than before. Yet what of Kaii Murayama, of the Aeon Administrators? Would either he or Toki come after them again? And Keiya and Asami remained a threat as well, even if both had been quiet...
|April 21st Friday|Kansei High School – Rooftop|15:45 pm|
Another day of school was over, and Shintaro had done well in Maths with Mr Horiguchi. It was a subject he and Kohaku excelled at, having helped each other countless times throughout their schooling. Yet he preferred studying words, rather than numbers, so Kohaku had a slight edge. Now they had gone to the roof, to enjoy the spring afternoon sunshine. It was empty this afternoon, much to their relief.
"Wow! It's great up here." Akari said, feeling a slight breeze. "Not as nice as Inoue's big roof area, though. How come they can't make high school roofs better places to sit and relax?"
"What, you wanting a big pool and a minibar?" Shintaro asked.
"Yeah! That'd be the coolest thing ever!" Akari said. "Last night was great. I never thought I'd eat so much! And no one even gave us any funny looks!"
"I know. I feel a bit weird about manipulating their minds, though..." Kohaku said. "But it's not as if we plan to do anything more extreme."
Shintaro nodded. "Shigeru was adamant that no one uses the Cores for selfish purposes. What we did last night was to protect ourselves from suspicion, nothing more. Although the power of the cores makes me uneasy."
"I'll say. They were used to kill a human being at the hospital. Two humans, actually..." Kohaku said, sadly. "I'm worried about the next big core. I mean, where will it be? Do you think Hiyashi? Tarumi? Ginumi? Asakita? Totsuka?"
"No one seems to know. But when it was Mizuho, people there showed strange symptoms. They were suddenly huge supporters of Bythos, and seemed...like they were possessed." Shintaro mused to himself. "Yet the core hadn't fully appeared. It must show up first in a primordial state, one that can't be harnessed."
"Yes...then we must keep our eyes out for where it might be. If we locate it first, we must do what we can to defend it from Bythos. If we locate it last...then, as we did with Mizuho, we will invade and steal it. That's our only choice." Kei said. "Akari, do you understand what this could mean?"
"Fighting Kaii, right?" Akari said. "I...I'm fine with that! Y-Yeah, honestly! Toki's the one we have to watch out for, anyway! That creep needs some serious payback for what he did to Shintaro-kun! Right, Kohaku-chan?"
She nodded. "Absolutely. I won't let him get away with what he's done. Toki Hayashi, that bastard...how dare he kidnap Taro-kun like that!" Kohaku said, angry. "Yeah, next time I see him, I'll kill – huh?"
They heard the door open, and Noburo came up, looking a little confused.
"Oh, it's the star actor! Handsome as ever!" Akari said, smiling. The boy just blinked at her, while the others cringed. "What brings you here? Aren't we the ones supposed to come after you for autographs?"
"Huh? Um...no, I'm meaning Teruko-chan up here today. I wasn't expecting to see you guys, though." Noburo said. "By the way...I thought I heard you shouting, Kohaku-senpai. Is something wrong?"
"N-Nothing's wrong! It's fine, honestly. Just...nothing!" Kohaku said, laughing nervously.
The young thespian looked at her, raising his eyebrow, but simply shrugged. "Well, if you say so. Sorry, I don't want to inconvenience you, but if Teruko-chan catches you here with me...you remember last time, right? I don't want her yelling at you again..."
"Ah, I see. Never mind, we're going now, anyway." Shintaro said. "See you tomorrow, Noburo. And good luck with the show!"
"Thanks, senpai! Maybe I'll see you in the audience. Trust me, you'll enjoy it." Noburo said, smiling. The four second-years quickly left, eager to avoid another Terukotastrophe, as Kohaku called it. As they did, Noburo quickly ceased his smiling, and was troubled.
"'How dare Toki Hayashi kidnap Shintaro'? Is...that what she said earlier?" Noburo said, befuddled. "Toki?! What the hell? He's...not still around, is he? Should I ask Dad...?"
He shook his head, trying to dismiss this thought. Whatever Kohaku was talking about, he probably got it wrong. After all, what would his biological father be doing kidnapping his senpai?
|Theio Kosmos – Hiyashi – Keyaki Hills|16:27 pm|
The group had made their way to Hiyashi, and the twins had joined them shortly after. They sent a message to Shigeru and the others telling them they were exploring Hiyashi, but only the area around the hills, and would call if they ran into trouble.
"It's been a while since we got a chance to just hang out without the adults," Kei said. "It's almost like old times."
"Old times? It wasn't that long ago!" Kohaku said. "A lot has changed, though. And really quickly."
"I'll say. Shintaro, are you really okay? What Toki did to you must have been horrifying. I can't believe Kaii would be friends with someone like that." Akari said.
"I'm fine now, honestly. After all, I've made plans to have dinner with Celestine Courtois!" He practically shouted this out loud, much to the bewilderment of the others.
"Wait. She's that author that's really hot, right?" Masato asked. "How the heck did you get her to have dinner with you?"
"Obviously, I used the Imperius Curse." Shintaro said, rolling his eyes. The baseball star quickly looked away, regretting what he said already.
"...Sorry. I mean, nothing against you, but her having dinner with a fan she met at a book signing? Is that something she does all the time?"
"Not exactly. Turns out she has a copy of Silver's Pain." Shintaro said. Masato looked up in surprise. "Yeah, I know. I couldn't believe it either. But my grandfather's book helped her write Leanne Rogue, one of the best new series I've ever read."
"It does sound quite fascinating when you talk about it. Rather surreal at times, I might add." Kohaku said.
"So, when are you meeting the lucky lady?" Masato asked, now curious. "And where?"
Shintaro, flustered, went red in the face. "Relax, it's not a date or anything like that. Honest. No, it's just a chance for us to talk about books. And maybe she'll give me advice on writing one of my own. I don't know when just yet, but she wants to go to the Golden Dragon!"
Akari practically screamed. Natsumi, too, looked shocked. "Golden Dragon?!"
"Yes, ladies. I'm finally getting to go to the most expensive restaurant Tarumi has to offer!" Shintaro said, excitedly. "I'm going to have to wear my best clothes, or I'll stick out like a sore thumb. Must try to make myself look older, too. I don't want anyone giving her a hard time if they see her hanging out with a high school student."
"Are you sure this isn't a date? Because it's sounding suspiciously like one." Kohaku said, folding her arms. "Well, as long as you two have a good time, it's all good. Especially if you get to have their legendary dim sum."
"You're so lucky, Shintaro-kun...I wish I could go! I love Chinese..." Natsumi said, almost whining. "Why can't a famous fashion designer invite me there?"
"Well, if Reia gets really famous, maybe she'll employ you, and you'll become wealthy." Akari said. "Wouldn't that be amazing?"
"...I can't draw clothes as good as hers." Natsumi said.
"First of all, don't talk shit. Your stuff is the best ever. Yoshinagas aren't second best to anyone." Masato said, sincerely. Natsumi smiled, but she didn't seem to quite believe her brother's hype. Kei, however, seemed rather annoyed by all of this. She was the least amused out of all the group. She didn't smile often, but it almost felt like she would never grin again.
"Kei, what's wrong?" Shintaro asked.
"Oh...?" Kei said. "I'm sorry. I was just lost in thought." She looked up at the Hills building, in awe at its hexagonal design. She then frowned, and actually seemed incensed. "I'm sure Shintaro's date will go just well. I mean, he's finally met someone that knows more about books than he does. It'll be a match made in heaven."
Shintaro, somewhat taken aback, just stared at her. Astonished, he finally spoke. "But...it's not a date, Kei. Yes, I know she's pretty, way prettier than most authors I've seen. And she's like 27. There's no way she'd date a kid like me."
"What makes you so sure?" Kei asked, cuttingly. "How well do you really know her, Shintaro? If you keep being so naïve, you could be deceived..."
"Do you know something about her that I don't?" Shintaro asked, now angry, as he crossed his arms. This wasn't like Kei at all. Wouldn't she be happy that he was doing so well? He was simply trying to get his life on track, after being stuck in that dreadful basement by a washed-up TV actor.
"No. I just...I worry about you sometimes. After Toki kidnapped you, you're not being careful. Barely a week after you meet a celebrity like Celestine Courtois, and you're planning dinner at a place people would kill to get a reservation at." Kei said. "All I really want to say is...be more careful."
"Hey, he's the smartest boy in school. If Celestine was some kind of sex-craved man-eater, he'd know." Akari said, rather casually.
"Exactly. You're worrying about nothing." Kohaku said.
"...I hope you're right." Kei said. "Please, let's drop this topic. We should go inside."
As they went inside the hills to do some shopping, Akari quickly started chatting excitedly with Natsumi. Already, the two of them seemed to be developing quite the rapport.
"Hey, Natsumi-chan, do you design clothes for pets?" Akari asked. "That'd be so cool if you did! Don't you think? C'mon, give it a try?"
"I'm not sure if I could design something that wasn't meant for a human..." Natsumi said, wondering. "Tell you what. Send me a pic of Akiko some time, and I'll experiment with a few designs. Perhaps she'll have a nice warm coat for the winter after all!"
"Oh, thank you! You're the best!" Akari said. "By the way, does Dorothy have any pets?"
"A snake. He's pretty awesome. He's called Banana." Masato said, grinning. "He's huge, but gentle."
"I'm not a reptile person, exactly, but show me sometime! Wow, I love coming here. So many huge stores..."
"Hold on. What's that one there? 'Card Temple'? Kohaku asked. "Let's check it out."
The group made their way up to the second floor, via the escalator. Seeing the place completely empty was almost surreal. Shintaro did find the scale of this building impressive, yet their book stores weren't quite as good as Page Turner or Book Wyrm in his opinion. However, the Card Temple – ordinary a generic greetings card store called Best Wishes – was something else entirely.
|Card Temple|16:35 pm|
The walls and floors were elegant white marble, with Grecian columns throughout the store. Various stands made out of smooth stone were on display, each with strange glowing cards around. There was a giant Tarot card on the ground...and it rose up, revealing a glass elevator.
"Wow!" Shintaro said, amazed.
Emerging from this elevator was a middle-aged man with a head of black curly hair, with a pair of glasses that had peculiar frames – of miniature tarot cards. His clothes were strange as well, with a suit jacket that was half white, and half black, and his trousers were in the reverse order.
"Welcome, children! My name is Card Curator. Well, it's not my legal name, that's Noriyuki Hirakata, but when you're given a strange magical phone and have the ability to sell extraordinary merchandise, why not go the extra nautical mile?"
"...Why nautical?" Natsumi asked.
"Those are longer than regular miles," Shintaro said.
"Correct! You're a smart lad. I imagine you've met at least one other of the Merchant Gnosis users, right?" The Curator said.
"Yes. Two of them, to be precise." Kohaku explained. "Both Titan Tyrant and Master Raine were rather eccentric."
"Oh, did you design that get up yourself?" Akari asked, eyeing the man up and down. "Maybe Natsumi can help make a better outfit!"
"Akari!" Kei scolded, putting her hands on her hips. "If you keep saying stuff like that, he'll double his prices!"
"Now now, settle down, ladies." The Curator said. He pointed his finger in the air, and a card came flying down. It had a picture of a fireball on it, with text on the bottom reading 'Agi'. I haven't even begun to explain how I can help you. Tell me, Miss Moriya...you're the only one with a Wild Card in your team, is that correct? The Gnosis told me about your power before you came. You'll gain the most from my services, I imagine."
"Yo, dude, what's with the card?" Masato asked. "Is it the Agi spell my sis can use?"
"Correct, my uncouth friend!" The Curator replied, almost gleefully. "With this, you can use a new app on your phone – which should be installed shortly – that will give you the ability to teach your Personas one new spell. Miss Moriya, I entrust this with you. Teach whichever Persona you wish that spell. Except for poor Jack Frost. He can't really handle the hee-t, ho."
"Aww, but he's so cute," Akari said.
"Hmm. Sarutahiko's more about brute force. I'm going with...Angel." Kei said. A new app appeared on her phone, the Card Dealer. With it, she selected both the heavenly messenger and the new Agi card. With it, the card vanished into thin air, and there was a flash. Then, it displayed Angel's new set of skills – with one of them highlighted in white, specifically, 'Agi'.
"Well done." The Curator said. "I sell many other cards of that type. But I must warn you. Each Persona – that goes to your friends as well – can only have one Card Skill learned at a time. If you want to change it, you'll need to delete it first. That is a service I can do, of course, whether you come here in person or avail of my services via your shopping app. I will, of course, be back periodically once I've created new cards to be purchased, ones stronger than you can currently handle. As you grow, you'll be considered 'worthy' by them."
"Thank you very much," Kei said, gratefully, as she bowed.
"The pleasure is all mine. You're nice and polite, too. Like those three in blue uniforms that I just met."
"Hold up. Blue uniforms?" Masato asked, apprehensively. "...You're not talking about Aoi Mirai, are you?"
"Nope, these uniforms weren't even close to being as tacky. And their phones had a light blue colour. Two young girls and a boy, about your age. I'm not sure what they were up to, but they were pleasant to talk to. Perhaps you know them? Their uniforms are strange - coats, scarves, gloves..."
"I see...I don't think we've met the three you saw tonight." Shintaro said. Judging by the uniforms, these were a squad much like the one they had faced not so long ago. Thinking about the Claret Squad sent a shiver down his spine. After all, they would never be together again. And their leader was still in the hospital, with no family or friends coming to see her. It was a cruel end to the team, no matter how vile their actions had been.
"Oh. Well, never mind. Browse, everyone, and let me know what you'd like. I can only give one free card to a group, of course. That means beyond the Agi card I just granted you, all others you must pay for. But I hope you find my prices reasonable." The Curator said.
After picking out some cards of various forms, the team left the store, and started to head out of the Hills. As they did, however, they saw an alert appear on their phone, with a huge black and yellow warning sign.
SHADOW ALERT!
An Anomaly Shadow has escaped from Regency Tower in Totsuka.
It has now taken up residence in Ginumi's Seabreeze Garden, a location still to produce a Core.
It is ranked as Threat Level 3, above the two previously observed Anomalies in Bella Donna and Hanashima. Please be cautious if you choose to fight it – it can assault the mind as well as the flesh.
Sending Aeon Pathway codes to all who receive this message.
"Holy cow, another of these weird things? I never did get to see the first one..." Masato asked. "What's this new one like?"
"I dunno. Let's go fight it!" Akari said, leaping into action. "C'mon, it'll be fun!"
"Doesn't this seem dangerous to you at all?" Kohaku asked, worriedly. "It says right there, please be cautious!"
"It'll be fine! Epona and I are itching for a real fight, anyway! And I want to fight alongside you all now. C'mon, let's go and kick this Shadow's butt!" Akari said.
"I suppose it's best to eliminate these things before they can do any major damage. We should go." Shintaro said.
The group left for Ginumi, prepared for their next opponent.
|Ginumi Shore|17:01 pm|
Annoyingly, the new code didn't put the team directly in the gardens, but ten minutes away on the shore. It was a nice bright day, even in this world, but Shintaro and the gang didn't exactly have the opportunity to relax here.
"I feel something..." Akari said. "It's...so powerful. That way." She pointed to the north-east.
"Wow, is that something else Epona can do?" Masato asked.
"Yeah. It lets me sense Shadows, even before they appear on the Gnosis's map screen." Akari said. "C'mon!"
"Wait, is it really wise for all of us to charge into battle?" Kei asked. "There's six of us now. One of us should go back to the hotel and let Shigeru and the others know what's happening, in case we need a Plan B."
"Good plan," Kohaku said. "...I'll go. Akari, you're in charge of healing everybody!"
"Okay! You're not gonna regret this, I promise!" Akari said, giving her friend a salute. The brunette smiled, and ran off towards the hotel.
The rest of the team ran nearer and nearer the huge Seabreeze Gardens, a big place filled with flowers, trees, and a large play park. The entrance to the place was an archway, adorned with various brightly coloured seashells and the name of the place proudly displayed in golden kanji letters.
Yet in the farthest part of the park, something bizarre was looming over three young people dressed in blue uniforms. No doubt, the same three who had previously been at Keyaki Hills. Kei and the team ran into the gardens, and neared the scene of battle.
"Aritomo, are you sure about this?" One of the girls, the shortest of the two with spiky blue hair, said. She stared up at their nemesis in fear. He tightly gripped her sword, albeit uneasy.
"Yes, Fumika. We're going to destroy this Shadow. Me and Konomi aren't scared, so please, try to be brave. It'll be okay as long as you're with me." Aritomo, a tall young man with somewhat messy black hair, said. He had two short swords, one held in a reverse grip. "We fight!"
"I'm going to put an end to its maddening cries." 'Konomi', a girl with puffy and curly lilac hair, said, twirling her glaive.
"Absurd. Your power is falsified! Can you not see that without someone stronger to cling to, you're doomed? I'll see you all drown in despair tonight."
The person speaking soon turned out to be a rather peculiar feminine form. Her skin was an immensely dark blue, with strange teal lines all over her body, as well as a 'rain' like effect. She didn't seem to have hair, but rather blue wisps of smoke roughly in the shape of huge mane going down to her waist. One of her eyes was green, and the other red. She was inside a large round pool of vivid sapphire water, and could only be seen from the waist up.
"...The heck is that thing?" Masato asked.
"According to this, she's called 'Mnemosyne'," Shintaro said. "The Greek Goddess of memory, and also where the word mnemonic comes from."
"Nice! We can always count on your brain, Shintaro-kun." Akari said. "The alert said she got here from Totsuka -"
"Huh?!" Fumika said, turning around. She gasped, even timider. "Oh no! They got the alert too..."
"Great. Are we supposed to fight them too?" Konomi said, annoyed. She brandished her glaive, pointing it menacingly at her new enemies. "Bring it."
"Let's not be too hasty. Our primary objective is to slay Mnemosyne. She may be named after a goddess, but she's not immortal. We can defeat her!" Aritomo said, valiantly raising his swords. "Give it everything you have. I'll do the same!"
He's pretty impressive sounding. Too bad he's just a footsoldier in Bythos.
"It doesn't matter how determined you are! You can't defeat me! So please, leave! I don't want to have to kill you!" The Shadow wailed, distraught. "You people won't leave me alone! He said he'd help me, but even with my new power, people are still trying to kill me! It's not fair! IT'S NOT FAIR!"
"What do you mean by that?" Kei asked. "Who's 'he'?"
"Like I would tell you! I...I won't let myself be killed by children like you! You other three lack their sheer potential. Here, why don't you take a drink? It'll relax you. Memoria Falsum!"
"W-What?! No, DON'T!" Fumika said. Mnemosyne, with an evil smile, splashed her with the malevolent water, which drenched the Bythos soldier. The girl screamed, and a blue flame flicked above her head. Konomi and Aritomo were subjected to this too. When it was over, the three of them had faint purple flickering flames above their heads.
"Yes, I remember now." Aritomo said, with a disturbing dark tone to his voice. "We're Mnemosyne's loyal soldiers. Her guardians."
"That's right..." Konomi said, laughing eerily. "These nasty people have come to murder her! We can't allow that, now can we?"
"No way!" Fumika said, now enraged, and full of confidence. "You're in our way! Hurry up and disappear, all of you!"
"Such wonderful guardians! Show me your power, even if it is as artificial as the memories I've given you. Wild Card, and all your friends, witness my wrath! Forever, I shall be free from my mortal hell, and you shall never stop me!"
"You Anomalies all have such egos," Kei said. "But you don't stand a chance against me. Neither do your peons. Angel! Burn!"
The messenger of God appeared, blindfolded as ever, and summoned her newly gained power over fire. An Agi flashed, burning Fumika quite fiercely.
"Ow! That hurt!" Fumika whined. "Take THIS! Yuki Jyorou!"
An ice woman appeared one that Shintaro vaguely recalled hearing about from Shigeru. Clumps of ice, aka Bufu, hit Kei, and as they did, the blue-haired soldier ran forward, only for her sword to clash with her foe.
"You're stronger than the Claret Squad guys, that's for sure," Kei said.
"Duh! No wonder the Memory Mother chose us over them!" Fumika said.
Just how badly affected are her memories?
Shintaro didn't have much time to ponder this, however, as he saw Aritomo rushing at him. He was nimble, skilled with both swords, and they were far too fast for the book-lover to evade. Reading about combat was one thing, but actually taking part in it was still a challenge. He had to get past his anxiety and be brave like Kei.
"You're not exactly built for battle..." Aritomo said, shaking his head.
"The pen is mightier than the sword. Even two swords!" Shintaro shouted. "Jet Flash!"
The soldier gasped, as he was buffeted by sharp winds that Ogma had borne – and soon after, struck from behind by Shintaro.
"Argh! What a cowardly trick..." Aritomo chided, grinding his teeth.
"Call it whatever you want. I just don't like seeing you being controlled...by Bythos or this freak of a goddess."
"DON'T INSULT OUR GODDESS!" Konomi shrilled, swinging her glaive – only to be blocked by Natsumi. The two girls attacked each other ferociously, with Konomi's powerful strikes and Natsumi's flurry of kicks and swings clashing loudly.
"I'm good on my feet, you see," Natsumi said, panting for breath. "I just apply my dance skills to fighting! Cool, don't you think?"
"You've developed an interesting fighting style. Not exactly a competent one, is it?" Konomi said, smirking.
"Oh, go to hell!" Natsumi said. "I almost felt like complimenting you, but you're such a meanie. Brigid! Agi!"
The fiery goddess sent her blazing flames at Konomi, but they didn't seem particularly strong.
"I'm not as flammable as Fumika..." Konomi said, laughing. "Show them, Pele!"
A dark-skinned Hawaiian volcano goddess, clashing with Brigid's skin tone, appeared. Her dark metal headdress was burning with bright flames, which she grasped with both hands, and sent flying into the air – creating a strong Maragi.
"Oww..." Akari said, feeling the heat. "This girl is pissing me off..."
"Why not show her how you feel? Put your mind to it - so to speak." Kei said, giving her a sideways glance.
"I think I'll do just that. Come, Epona!"
A psychokinetic blast, Psi, struck Konomi with lurid colours, giving her quite a headache, and making her stumble. In the confusion, Aritomo looked over – only to be clubbed on the head by Masato.
"Ha! You ought to watch your back more..." Masato said.
"Damn you! I'll kill you for this. Raijuu!"
The Persona, at least from the front, was a yellow feline charged with electricity, yet the entire lower half of its body seemed to be pure thunder and lightning itself, befitting its name – 'Thunder Beast'. It cast down the bolt of Zio, but it struck harder than Masato expected.
"What the hell? Is he using some kind of energy drink or something?" Masato asked.
"Not quite..." Akari said. "He's learned some kind of skill that boosts Electric damage!"
"Well of course I did. Electricity is a passion of mine." Aritomo said, smug. "Are you scared you'll lose?"
"Not really. It just puts you up to my level, rather than being drastically behind!" Masato said. "I deal with punks like you all the time whenever our school has a baseball game. You don't have what it takes to go all the way."
"Oh?" Aritomo asked. "I won't lose. Not until I defeat all of Mnemosyne's enemies! She's the only one we can trust!"
I wonder what Nisa Liat would say if she heard that. Actually, she'd probably kill him, the two girls, and then that Shadow. If only we could do something about their fake memories...
"Akari. The spell she's cast over these three. Is there any way we can remove it?" Kei asked.
"Um..." The animal lover mumbled. "I'm not sure. We might have to just knock them out."
"I had a feeling it'd come to this..." Shintaro said, sighing.
"Hey, it'll be fine. Watch this! Shock Point!"
Camulus created a ball of lightning out of nowhere, and sent it high in the sky with his club. He watched with a wicked grin, while Aritomo and the girls watched in confusion. Then, it hit the entire group, including Mnemosyne, creating a field of electricity – one that both electrocuted and inhibited agility.
"Nice move!" Shintaro said, happily. "I knew I could count on you!"
"...Thanks, Shintaro-kun, that means a lot." Masato said.
"I better get to work..." Shintaro said. "Ogma! Garu!"
A burst of wind hit Konomi, dizzying her more than she expected, spinning her into a jungle gym. She hit the bars painfully, and fell down, dazed.
"What the hell?!" Aritomo shouted.
"You started it!" Natsumi said. "Or...your stupid goddess did!"
"How dare you insult her..." Fumika said, angrily. "We won't stand for this kind of blasphemy. Nor will our Memory Mother!"
"This is turning out beautifully. These memories I've given them have completely isolated their 'true' ones. And you won't be bringing them back. From now and forever, these three will be my army. No, not just them! All of the army of this so-called Bythos group!"
"What are you saying?" Kei asked. "...Isn't it Bythos who turned you into a Shadow?"
"Huh? No! Don't be stupid! They're not even...huh?! What's wrong with me? Why...why can't I remember?!" She let out an ear-piercing scream, clutching her head. "WHY?! All I ever did was live as an honest woman...why do people want to kill me for it?! How do I get rid of them?!"
Shintaro, befuddled, glanced at Kei. "What's going on now?"
"Her own memories have been distorted by her transformation," Kei said. "Ironic, isn't it?"
"Did someone other than Bythos do this to you?" Natsumi asked, confused. "She's not making much sense."
"Shut up! I don't care who it was that turned me from a human to a goddess. I will be free in this new world. That is all I want...!"
Unable to contain her rage, she attacked with a fierce Aques, soaking Masato. Fumika followed up with her sword attacks and struck him with a cursed Eiha.
"You're pretty tough," Masato said, trying to weave out of harm's way.
"Thanks, I guess. You're hard to hit..." Fumika bemoaned. "No wonder the Claret Squad had such trouble fighting you..."
"We've only gotten stronger since then. Watch!" Masato said. "Zio!"
A bolt of lightning fell down on Fumika, shocking her fiercely. By this point, however, Konomi had recovered and set her sights on Natsumi.
"You're tougher than you look..." She said, sinisterly. "You should see the light and support our Goddess." Natsumi shook her head in disgust, and ran up at her with her staff. "No? Fine. Kouha!"
A blast of blessed light hit Natsumi, sending her up in the air – and she hit the ground before Kei could reach her.
"Owwie..." Natsumi moaned. "That smarts...I think I landed on my purse, too!"
"Hold on!" Akari said. She blocked Aritomi's swords with her own tonfa, then kicked him back, and ran nearer her friend. "Epona, hurry! Leigheas Fórsa!"
The horse goddess chanted mysteriously, her fingertips on her head, and her horse concentrated deeply as well. A pale pink spiral of energy encircled Natsumi, restoring her vitality. Not only that, it seemed to have given her an offensive edge.
"Thanks, Akari-chan!" Natsumi said, saluting her new friend.
"Anytime!" Akari said, happily.
"Take THIS, you mean jerk!" Natsumi said, pointing at Aritomo. Brigid threw her Steel Wheel at him, carving deep into his body. Had he not had a Persona to protect his flesh, it would have been a gory sight.
"Urgh! I'm sick of dealing with you already!" Aritomo said, turning his attention to Kei. "Haven't you realised yet? We can't survive without someone to cling to!"
"You're a fool," Kei said, crossing her arms. "Whether it's Mnemosyne or Nisa Liat, all you're doing is giving up your free will and future to someone who doesn't care about you."
"...That's not true!" Konomi shouted, almost desperate.
"The Memory Mother has been kind to us!" Fumika said, emotionally. "Without her support, I'd just be the shy girl that everyone tries to push around..."
Kei, aghast, simply summoned Sarutahiko, the Prince of the Monkey Fields and husband of Ame-no-Uzume. The angry-looking god unleashed his Rampage with his sword, striking all foes with equal force.
"That power...you're just like that girl!" Mnemosyne cried, pointing at Kei – somewhat accusingly. The 'Wild Card' power seemed to be offensive to her. "Are you in league with her and her allies as well?!"
"No!" Kei shouted. "I'm not siding with Nisa Liat or her stupid Administrators!"
"Nisa Liat? Who on earth is that? I never met anyone called that...did I? What's going on...?!"
"This Memory Mother still is making no motherfucking sense," Natsumi said, shaking her head.
"...I didn't expect to hear that from you, sis." Masato said, astonished.
"Really? I heard Hideki saying a lot worse when he was studying for college exams..." Natsumi said, amused. She dodged Aritomo's swords, and hit back as strongly as she could.
"Mnemosyne, who are you really? Do you even know your old name?" Kei asked.
"...No. But it's not like my life as a mortal was a happy one, anyway. That much, I do remember. I blew the whistle, out of the kindness of my heart, and danger lurked around every corner. I couldn't even leave my own home. Then it happened. The chance of a new life I had been dreaming of. I never expected to be reborn quite like this, but now I'm the goddess of a new world. These other beings called Shadows can become my subjects. And soon enough, I'll be able to get rid of the ones who made my life hell!"
"...Was Ryosuke like this?" Shintaro asked, perplexed.
"He could remember his former identity more clearly. Then again, he'd only been an Anomaly for less than an hour." Kei said. "This woman, whoever she is, has clearly been in this state for quite some time."
"If we kill her..." Akari said, disturbed. "Do we become murderers?"
"It may be the only way to save the Azure Squad," Kei said. "And the only way to free her from this fate. Her humanity is all but gone."
"She's a goddess, not a human! And I won't let you hurt her!" Aritomo said, darkly. "Eat THIS! Raijuu!"
The thunderous beast sank its Double Fangs into Kei, hitting her with twice the pain.
"Ugh..." Kei groaned, doubling over in pain.
"Well done, Aritomo-kun. You're such a good boy, just like that thing you have stuck in your phone. I'll have to promote you after this."
"Save your gratitude until after victory, Mnemosyne-sama." Aritomo said, almost in a daze.
Does he even know what he's saying? This Shadow is crazy. We have to stop her from doing this to any more people. And I know just what to do!
"Ogma! Whirling Blade!"
The cloaked swordsman took his blade, and began spinning around, getting exponentially faster with each revolution, until he seemed to resemble a whirlwind himself. Then, he threw his sword, and it spun right through each of the four enemies, cutting through them viciously.
"Alright, Shintaro-kun!" Akari said, cheerily. "You're awesome at this! I've got to keep up with you!"
"Thanks, Akari-chan. You're doing just fine yourself!"
Konomi, aggravated, set her sights on Shintaro. Using the sensual shape of Pele, she used a strange alluring charm – Marin Karin. With it, Shintaro's own thoughts changed completely. He gazed at her, and found her strangely attractive. As if he couldn't bear to harm her.
Wait. This isn't like me?! Help...someone! I can't...
"What are you looking at her like that for? Now's not the time to fall in love!" Masato said. Shintaro, completely out of his control, started to aim his sword at the red-haired boy. "Hey! Stop it!"
"What the hell did you do to him, you bitch?!" Natsumi shouted.
"It's called ruining your team completely. It's such a shame to see an educated man lose his mind over me..." Konomi said, laughing out loud, as she mockingly blew her victim a kiss.
"Shintaro...!" Akari pleaded. She tried stopping his bedevilled sword with her tonfa, but to no avail. "Stop attacking us! Snap out of it!"
The young man, almost on the verge, tried to regain control of his sword, but failed. His instincts had changed completely. Protect Konomi, the lovely young lady with the large hair and blue eyes, and fight in her honour. Those weren't his wishes, but they had overtaken all his rational thought.
"This isn't good," Kei said, dryly. Fumika quickly used this chance to cast Dia on Aritomo, healing him slightly. He crossed swords with Kei, who did her best to halt his blades.
"Oh, you think?!" Masato shouted. "Someone, DO SOMETHING!"
"Stop shouting! I'm on it!" Akari said, calling Epona down. "I have just the thing. Energy Drop!"
A strange droplet of white power absorbed the lurid mist from Shintaro's body, and immediately dispelled it. To his relief, he felt in control again. Guilt sank in as well, however, as he had given Masato some trouble.
Konomi was dismayed, and even more offended when Akari gave her a mischievous grin.
"Thanks..." Shintaro said. He slashed wildly at Konomi, who retaliated with her glaive. "You're definitely not my type after all..."
"Nor are you mine. I do whatever I must to win." Konomi said. "I wasn't lucky enough to become an Aeon...neither of us was. It's sad, but I can't change it. All I can do is excel with the power I'm given, as weak as it is."
"That's all very eloquent, miss..." Masato said. "But you'll never win. Not until you clear your head. Camulus, go!"
With a strong Iron Impact, Konomi was struck down. Crying in pain, she fell next to a pair of swings, and dropped her weapon. Her Gnosis remained intact, however.
"No! You were fighting so admirably, too..." Mnemosyne wailed. "You won't get away with this. Ever since I found out who killed that girl, people have been hunting me down, even after he went to jail! Injustice...must be punished!"
"Girl?" Shintaro asked. "WHOA!"
A torrent of dark water, Lethe, fell upon Shintaro's head. As he did, he felt his brain hurt momentarily. Panicking, he checked his hands and his feet. He could move properly, still, but something felt off. He tried calling Ogma, but something stopped him. It was as if he had forgotten how to use a Persona.
How can this be? I've...I've gotten used to Ogma's power! How can I just forget how to summon him that quickly?!
"That's what you deserve for what you did to poor Konomi-san!" Fumika shouted, angry.
"Get a clue! You're being used. I mean, you already were, but this is even worse! Mnemosyne has altered your memories. Try to remember. Have you even met this goddess before? When did you pledge your allegiance to her?" Shintaro challenged.
"I..." Fumika said, uneasy. "That's stupid. I've known the Goddess since...um...huh?!"
"Fumika-san! What's the matter?" Aritomo said, as he fended off Masato.
"I...I don't know! My head's all foggy. Do you remember when we first became Mnemosyne's soldiers?" Fumika asked.
"Sure I do. It was...huh? When...when was it?"
The Azure Squad leader began confidently, but trailed off, his mind coming to blank. The memories in his head didn't seem as strong as Shintaro expected. With any luck, they would recall who they were actually meant to serve.
"No! Don't lose yourself to their deceit. All you have to do is follow my every beck and call, and you'll survive. Fight!"
"R-Right..." Fumika said. She struck Natsumi with her sword, but her staff hit back harder. With a burning Agi, the blue-haired girl was sent spinning backwards. She was caught by her leader, however, who prevented her from falling into Mnemosyne's pool.
"Now! Koppa Tengu!"
The small Persona cast Magaru, expelling wind at the remaining opponents. All of them groaned in pain, and Aritomo was furious. Stomping the ground, he called down Raijuu once more.
"Get them! NOW!"
The beastly Persona took one look at Natsumi, and bashed her hard with his head. Crying out in pain, she fell backwards, almost hitting a tree.
"You alright sis?!" Masato shouted, running to her aid.
"I think so..." Natsumi said.
"Shintaro-kun, what's going on?" Akari asked. "Your Persona..."
"I...I can't summon it..." Shintaro said. "Why can't..."
It was going to be a long battle, he could tell. Even with one of the Azure Squad down.
|Akartharto Kosmos – Tarumi Promenade|18:01 pm|
Along the beautiful promenade, two young people were walking by the seaside, still dressed in their school uniforms. The sun was starting to set, adding to the romance of the scene. The boy looked at his girlfriend, and smiled, his cheeks turning red. They chatted about school, even if their year had been rather uneventful so far – aside from Teruko taking issue with the senpai her boyfriend had dared to chat with. She hadn't quite apologised for that, but for now, he planned to just leave it be, and enjoy their evening together.
The budding actor Noburo had fallen for Teruko Yoshikawa ever since they met during middle school. Everything about her was enchanting. The way her eyes looked at him, so intense. Her tough attitude, one that just didn't give up no matter who stood in her way. She only ever became soft around him, the only boy she had ever had eyes for – which she had made other rivals for his affections aware of.
"Noburo-kun..." Teruko said. They stopped for a moment, reaching the stone steps that lead to the sandy shore. "Let's walk along the beach. C'mon, it'll be fun."
"Okay!" Noburo said. They giggled, placing their shoes at a safe spot, and ran down onto the soft sand. It wasn't quite the weather yet for fooling around in the sea, but the beach was their favourite place in the city to go. Especially at this time of night, where they could be by themselves.
Teruko, much like Noburo, had a fondness for film and theatre. In fact, when they first met, she was auditioning for her first-ever television commercial, and having heard of his various appearances, she asked him for help conquering her nerves.
What was it I said to her? Oh yeah. 'Don't let anyone mess you around. Don't let anyone tell you this is just a small role. Because this is just one small step towards your dream. Our dream'.
"I still can't believe it. You're going to be in the best play ever written." Teruko said.
"I'm not sure about it being the best," Noburo said. "...The best I've ever auditioned for, perhaps."
"That's why it's the best!" Teruko said, giggling. "I'm going up for the role of Yuriko in Gaia's Devil. I hope I can get it...it'll be my biggest role ever."
Noburo smiled, happily. "Don't worry so much. You were great when we were in that play together last year. It doesn't matter if hardly anyone came to see us. It gave us a chance to explore our talents. Acting has always been my dream. Even if it's what he used to do..."
His smile faded at the thought of the man who had been his biological father. The man who he only had terrifying recollections of. Angry, alcohol-fueled shouting. Images of a man hitting his wife – Noburo's own mother – across the face, while the boy cried his eyes out. Even at fifteen, he still shuddered at these memories. Especially one of being trapped in a locked car, sinking deeper and deeper into the water...
"...Stop it." Teruko said, strongly, as she clung to him again. "Don't go down this route again. You aren't like him, at all."
"Teru-chan..."
"When you told me about him last year...you were crying so much," Teruko said, sadly. "No one can change what happened back then. But your father is Shigeru. Not Toki! I might not understand how it feels, having his blood in your veins. But believe me. Shigeru's the man who made you who you are today. The man I love more than anyone else! The man that convinced me I could be an actress!"
Noburo looked at her, tearfully, and smiled. She reached towards his face, and wiped away those tears. Then she brought him in closer for a long, passionate kiss, holding him as close to her as she could.
"...Thank you, Teru-chan." Noburo finally said. "I need to forget about Toki...whatever his name is."
The young girl, although hostile to most, laughed warmly. "You're the only one I can count on. No one but you understands just how much I care about my...no, our dream. On opening night, everyone's finally going to see how talented you are. I already know that for myself, of course..."
"You're pretty amazing too, Teru-chan." Noburo said, hands on her shoulders. "I'm going to remember tonight for a long time, I think."
"C'mon, let's wander for a bit. You'll be busy with rehearsals right after the Electric Sea gig. I want to enjoy as much time with you as I can."
The two loved-up teenagers continued their walk, casting aside their worries and doubts. All that mattered to them was each other. Perhaps others at Kansei found their love sickening, but it was earnest.
|Theio Kosmos – Seabreeze Gardens|18:12 pm|
"Giving up yet?" Aritomo said, his swords clashing with Shintaro's rapier. "C'mon! Where's your Persona?"
"Obviously, I've been hit by Obliviate." Shintaro said, icily.
"How many times have you read that series now?" Kei asked.
"Forty-seven, at last count," Shintaro replied. Kei raised an eyebrow, but returned to the fight.
"Behold! Mermaid!"
Indeed, the Persona she summoned was none other than one Hisaya had once used. Setting her sights on Fumika, she hit her with Aqua.
"Oww!"
Ducking under Masato's club, she leapt towards Kei, and struck with her own blade. Her attacks were flashy, almost theatrical, but they were still strong. Shintaro sighed. As long as he was under this ailment, he couldn't do anything useful, other than swing his own rapier around. With the Gnosis, he looked upon his items, and choose a green liquorice candy. He pressed the icon, and it appeared in his palm.
Quickly, he swallowed it, and it finally came back to him. Forgetting how to use such a power was a major embarrassment – and he was about to get revenge. Looking at Akari, however, he felt she needed a boost.
"Sukukaja!"
Ogma's flash of green light aided her immensely. She was running circles around Aritomo, whacking him mercilessly with her tonfa – somewhat happily, too.
"Yay! Thanks, Shintaro! Whack-An-Aritomo ought to be a new game at Asakita!"
"Ugh..." Aritomo groaned. "Enough! Fumika, NOW!"
"Right..." Fumika said. She just barely avoided the flurry of Natsumi's attacks, as well as Masato's clubs, and found a safe spot – by jumping on top of the jungle gym. Yuki Jyorou set her eyes upon her fallen ally, and cast a Recarm, reviving her.
"Ugh...Fumika?" Konomi asked, still weary. "What happened?"
"These jerks knocked you out cold!" Fumika said. "Let's show them not to mess with us!"
"Exactly. But first..." Aritomo said. Raijuu emerged, and roared – creating a strange shield around Mnemosyne. This, as per the Gnosis' information on the battle, was called a 'Tetrakarn'. But Shintaro didn't know what that did at all.
"...What are they trying to do?" Natsumi asked. Suddenly, she was given a Tarukaja, a gift from her brother. "Hey, cool!"
"Show them the might of the Yoshinagas!" Masato cheered.
The red-haired sister grinned, her eyes as fiery as her Persona. She clicked her fingers, calling down Brigid, who span around for a few seconds – sending her Bladed Circuit at all four enemies. It hurt the Azure Squad plenty, but to her shock, it didn't seem to hurt the Goddess at all – rather, all the pain got sent back at Natsumi, and she collapsed from the pain.
"No..." She said, crying out in pain. A Diarama, however, came just in time to restore her. "Huh?"
"Thanks, Epona." Akari said, gently. "C'mon. We need to focus all our attacks on that ugly old goddess. And I think I know how. Let's experiment!"
"Okay, but I'm terrible at chemistry at school..." Natsumi said, sadly.
"Really? Me too!" Akari said happily. "But this test ought to work out great!"
Brigid and Epona appeared high in the sky, and the former sent out a massive bombardment of fireballs, radiating fierce heat. The latter goddess, using her power over the mind, guided the balls with telekinesis, charging them with a pink hue. With her manipulation, they rained down one by one on Mnemosyne, severely scalding her.
"Pyrokinesis!"
The severe burns inflicted seemed to have stunned her, as she fell forward, clinging to the ground to keep from falling. Her eyes seemed to be weeping, and her skin had been completely charred. Now, it was time for the boys to follow up, with nothing held back.
"Garu!" Shintaro shouted. His fierce wind hit the goddess, causing another scream.
"Zio!" Masato cheered, shocking Mnemosyne with high voltage.
"Bufula!"
Kei summoned Jack Frost, who hee-helpfully called down rather thick ice to strike the goddess.
"ARGH!"
Screaming in absolute agony, the goddess, no longer possessing any of the grace she had earlier, started convulsing, her body struggling to contain itself.
"How do you like that?" Kei said, triumphantly.
The Azure Squad stared at this sorry sight, and as she cried, little by little, purple embers flew from their heads, fading. As they did, they made a startling realization.
"No..." Fumika said, in horror, gazing at her hands. "Those memories weren't real...we've been fooled! Just like they kept saying..."
"That's right. We were sent to destroy this disgusting abomination, not serve it!" Konomi said, disgusted with herself.
"We shouldn't have let ourselves be deceived." Aritomo bemoaned. "Now's the time to finish her off. Everyone, on my mark! We'll act as one!"
"Right!" Fumika and Konomi said, summoning their Personas. Aritomo's appeared as well, and cast the powers of fire, ice and electricity into a single point, which emitted a strange gust of multicoloured air at Mnemosyne, charged with the three elements.
"What?! No! No! I demand that you cease what you're doing at once -"
"Arcane Breath!"
The bizarre air completely smothered the Memory Goddess, blasting her with a blend of fierce elements. Mnemosyne, in deep shock, became rigid. The flames of her wig coated her entire body, and she started to 'melt' back into the pond, shrieking.
"NO! Why?! I was supposed to be free...That man, he tricked me! They paid him more than I did...didn't they?! I'll...I'll never forgive you, Akemi...!"
Her body finally reverted to just a bizarre liquid, and the pool it fell into evaporated into nothingness. Akari almost vomited from the sight, but kept her composure. Concerned, she went over to the Azure Squad.
"Hey...you okay?" She asked their leader.
"Yeah. Thanks." Aritomo said. "How about you two?"
"We're okay now..." Fumika said, looking at Masato. "...Senpai."
"What?! You're in Chieki too?" Masato said. "I don't remember you..." Fumika looked away, red in the face, and looked to the others.
"I'm sure you've figured it out. We're the Azure Squad. Rivals of Hisaya and the boys. Until recently..." Konomi said. "What happened to them was..."
"Let's retreat for now. You helped us break free of Mnemosyne's mind control. To fight you after that would be to repay kindness with dishonour." Aritomo said, yet he was ill at ease. "Even if you aren't on our side, we could have died without you. This doesn't mean we can avoid fighting in future, however."
"...I know." Shintaro said, calmly. "We'll be prepared."
"Then let's go, you two," Aritomo said. "...We'll report to our commanders later."
"Got it. Let's hurry back." Konomi said. She and Aritomi walked off without another word, while Fumika stayed behind. She smiled slightly at Masato, waved, and ran off after her friends.
"So she's at school with us?" Masato said. "What about the other two, are they at Chieki?"
"Who knows...or cares?" Natsumi said. "They're like the opposite of the Claret Squad in every way."
"I know. That was why I didn't want to fight them." Kei said, wistfully. "Maybe, just maybe, they'll realise they're on the wrong team. If we can change their minds, without using these cores or our Personas, then we can beat Bythos easily."
Just then, Kohaku ran onto the scene, accompanied by Novalie.
"Everyone! Are you alright?" Novalie asked, inspecting everyone carefully. "It looks like you're all unharmed."
"Not this time...it was a tough fight, though," Shintaro said, feeling exhausted.
"Then let's go back and heal you all up," Kohaku said. "Akari, how are you feeling?"
Akari smiled, giving her a thumbs up. "Great! It was a little scary, but we showed it whose boss!"
"Well done! Looks like we did the right thing in recruiting you." Novalie said, happily. "Let's go back to the hotel. I made some gorgeous eclairs last night. You'll love them, trust me!"
The group started to walk to the hotel, but as they did, Shintaro ponded on what Mnemosyne had said to him.
Who is 'Akemi'? One of the Aeon Administrators? He's probably one of them, but 'they paid you more than I did'? What does that mean? What does any of this mean? Every time we fight these kinds of Shadows, I get even more confused. I'll ask everyone what they think later. For now, I'm just going to eat some of Novalie's baking, and relax.
|Akartharto Kosmos -Tarumi Promenade|19:00 pm|
Having walked along the promenade's stone path, Kaii Murayama had taken a seat on one of the newly installed wooden benches, each one perfectly arranged. The sun was starting to set, casting its orange colour upon the sea. It normally was soothing to watch, but this young man's heart was swelling with shame, fear, and dread.
Everything on Sunday had gone catastrophically wrong, and most of the Aeon Admins and Pleroma Princess had no sympathy. He had not only failed to gather the required data from Inoue Bank Monolith, but he had also lost against Netuno. In the process, he had also lost Akari, both as a potential ally, and as a friend. What he would do next, he had no clue.
How could I let this happen? I thought my Persona was really strong. I should have beaten Netuno easily. If Akari hadn't shown up, I'd have stolen that data and gone before that blue-haired asshole showed up. Dammit! And now everyone in Bythos thinks I'm a total flake. Still, did the Princess didn't have to grill me in front of everybody. I mean, it's not like the star athlete needs any more ammo to make fun of me. Is there anyway I can earn their trust? I need this group, more than anything.
"Yo. You're looking thoughtful tonight."
Kaii looked to his right and saw Toki standing there, with a sympathetic smile. Rather than don his Theio Kosmos outfit, he simply had a grey and black layered t-shirt and jeans on.
"Funny. I thought I didn't put any thought into my actions." Kaii said, sadly. "Maybe Keiya was right -"
"Oh, screw Keiya. All he knows how to do is make flinging around cards seem less boring." Toki said, shaking his head, as he sat next to his friend. "I had your corner the whole time, now. You gave it your all out there, didn't you?"
"Yeah...of course I did. Thanks, man. Hey, you know why I'm in Bythos, don't you?" Kaii asked. "There's no way I'll ever find what I'm looking for if I keep failing missions like this. The Azure Squad must hate following a total loser like me."
"Okay, put a sock in it," Toki said. "They call me a loser all the time. Not that I can blame them. Everything that went down's all over the internet if you know how to find it. All you can do is bear it...shoulder the responsibility, and go on."
Kaii turned back to the sea, and watched as he saw some birds fly by. He didn't know what kind they were, but there was something beautiful about them. The way they flapped their wings, so free.
"Hey. You're going quiet on me. Normally, I can't shut you up." Toki said, smirking. "Is yesterday getting you down that much? You gotta have a thicker skin. Believe me, I've heard a lot worse. Especially when Kaiyo left me, with Noburo. She screamed louder than I even thought a woman could."
"That must have hurt you a lot." Kaii said.
"...It still does, kid. More than anything you know." Toki said. "If I had just stayed away that night...if I hadn't put Noburo in the car, and drove off way over the speed limit...then..."
The two of them were quiet again, staring idly at the shore. Various people were walking past, happily engaging in chit chat, some loved up young couples sharing kisses, and some older couples still enjoying each other's company after many decades of married bliss.
"...I wonder if my mother was like that with my dad?" Kaii said to himself. "Sorry. You're probably sick of hearing about -"
"Nope. Not one bit." Toki said. "Besides, you could use a friend right about now. Even if it is this loser."
"Okay. Well..." Kaii said. "I never actually told you my mother's name, did I? I mean, she did live here once, before she ran off to Nagoya. That's where I was born, and where my aunt and uncle raised me."
"Oh really? I don't remember meeting anyone called Murayama before you -"
"That wasn't my mother's surname, though. Murayama comes from her sister and her husband, the people who raised me. They thought it'd be easier if I had their family name." Kaii said.
"Alright, so c'mon, hit me. What's your mom called? Maybe I met her back when I was still Black Mask."
"Reiko Hasegawa."
Toki was silent. He looked at Kaii, frozen.
"Reiko, huh...?"
"What? You know her?" Kaii asked.
"The name rings a bell..." Toki said, yet he seemed uncertain.
"It does?!" Kaii asked, excitedly. "C'mon, think! Did you actually meet her?"
"...Yeah, I did." Toki said, after a moment of thought. "Did she have really dark hair?"
"Yes!" Kaii said, beaming. "I don't remember her that well...she died from lung cancer when I was five. But...finally, someone that knows her!"
"I didn't know her that well..." Toki said, not quite able to look Kaii in the eye. "Sorry. I don't know if she had a man. I used to see her around my old neighbourhood, before it got turned into Chiho...but we weren't that close. I wish I could tell you more, but..."
"Oh..." Kaii said, dejected. Toki put his arm around his shoulder, rather tightly, and sighed.
"Kid. You might think you've all alone in this city, and that no one cares. But I'm with ya now, and don't forget that." The older of the pair said, ruffling the junior's hair. "C'mon, let's go grab some ramen or something. My treat."
"Awesome. Thanks, man." They stood up, and as they did, they saw two high school students walking down on the beach, their shoes off. It was just then that the young Aeon Admin noticed two pairs of shoes by the steps, one of them quite larger than the other. "Oh, look! Two young lovebirds! Cute, huh? I never had a romantic walk on the beach with any of my girlfriends..."
Toki simply stared at them, somewhat in a daze, but as soon as the two teenagers glanced in their direction, he quickly walked away, and hurriedly beckoned Kaii to follow. Unsure what to do, he joined him.
He's acting weird tonight. Does he know those kids? Wait.
"That wasn't Noburo, was it?" Kaii asked. "Your son? With that girl?"
"...Yeah. That's him." Toki said, stopping. He turned and faced Kaii, with a stony expression. "He's so much bigger than I thought he'd be at this age. Fifteen, huh..."
"Let's go back and talk to him. He's not seen you since...oh..."
"Since I nearly got us both killed? No way he'll want to talk to me again. You understand, don't you?! If he sees me and tells that asshole Shigeru, that's just going to make things worse for all of them. And us. Don't go near him either. Promise me!"
"Okay...whatever you want, man."
They left the area in silence, but Kaii couldn't help but wonder. Perhaps there was something he could do to bring the estranged father and son together. Could a Cognition Core do the trick? Even if it was only a small one? He would dwell on this later – for now, he just had to keep his friend and ally happy.
One of these days, I'll figure out something that will help you. After all, you're one of the only friends I've got left.