Chapter 6
„Abductions"
[ August 11th – Iwatodai Dormitory – Early morning]
Persona 4 the Golden OST - Like a Dream Come True
Futaba smiled as she rushed down the stairs. She was holding the open laptop in her hands. Guessing that Ren was cooking again, she went straight to the kitchen. Smiling, she noticed that Ren was cooking with Shinjiro and Sojiro.
' I knew that I wasn't imagining things. It's Sojiro's curry!' -Futaba thought with a small drool. She was practically in love with Sojiro's curry.
Sensing someone's presence, Ren and Shinjiro turned away and saw Futaba peaking into the kitchen.
„Good morning, Futaba." -Ren greeted with a kind smile.
„Mornin'…" -Shinjiro nodded. Sojiro turned away and smiled at Futaba.
„Morning. I didn't expect you to get up so soon." -Sojiro said surprised.
„Mwehehehe! It's good to be a morning person, right?" -Futaba said with a grin. She then looked at Ren."Um… Well… Do you have time, Ren?"
„Oh…" -Ren glanced at Sojiro. He was actually teaching him and Shinjiro how to make his curry."I mean…"
„It's alright." -Sojiro nodded.
„Go ahead. I'll show you the rest of the recipe later." -Shinjiro said to Ren.
„Can he? Alright, come on! It's almost on!" -Futaba said with a big smile.
Ren nodded and took his apron off. He followed her to the lounge and looked at the laptop in her hands.
„What's up? You want to watch something?" -Ren asked, and she nodded.
„Not just anything! It's a new episode of Phoenix Ranger Featherman R!" -She said all giddy."It's almost time, so let's sit down and watch." -They sat down on a couch and Futaba put the laptop on the table. Then, they heard footsteps and saw Aigis, Koromaru, and Morgana walking toward them.
Woof! Arf!
„Morning." -Morgana said with a yawn.
„Good morning." Aigis said with a kind smile."What are you up to?"
„We're going to watch the newest episode, Phoenix Ranger Featherman R." -Ren explained."Want to join us?" -Aigis nodded and sat down next to them.
„I'm not really into kids' shows." -Morgana shrugged."I'll go on a stroll. I've barely missed Wakaba-san's interrogation again." -With those words, Morgana left them. Koromaru shook himself and lied down next to the couch.
„By the way, Ren… What's your favorite episode?" -Futaba asked.
„Well… It's not like I've watched it before. I know it from the commercials in the city." -Ren admitted with a wry smile.
„Wha?! You've never watched it before? How come?" -Futaba asked surprised.
„There was no TV in the orphanage that I lived." -Ren's eyes cast down.
„I'm sorry… I didn't mean to…" -Futaba felt bad for asking. Seeing that, Ren shrugs it.
„It's alright. I'm not mad or anything." -Ren reassured with a smile.
'So those are normal human interactions… I understand.' -Aigis thought to herself."You don't need to worry. Ren-san is with us now…" -She gave them her best smile.
„I see… I'm glad that you're with good people." -Futaba said, fixing her glasses."I'll rewatch the first episodes with you. How does that sound?"
„Okay." -Ren said with a smile."Sounds like fun."
"Thou art I... And I am thou...
Thou hast established a new bond...
Thou shalt be blessed when creating
Personas of the Hermit Arcana..."
„The show is about to start." -Aigis informed.
„Ah! You're right!" -Futaba readjusted herself and glued her eyes to the screen."This will be awesome!"
Letting out a sigh, Mitsuru went down the stairs. Despite having summer vacations, She still had responsibilities as the student council president. There's a lot of different projects that needed her attention. So, she decided to go early and be done with it as soon as possible.
When she reached the lounge, she was met with a very unusual scene. Ren, Aigis, and Futaba were striking strange poses before a laptop that was playing a video. While Futaba and Aigis seemed to be striking poses with confidence, Ren seemed to be a little clumsy. Futaba noticed that and quickly readjusted his arms and legs. Mitsuru wanted to giggle, but she stopped herself.
Picking a familiar signature on her radar, Aigis turned her head toward Mitsuru. She dropped her pose and looked at Mitsuru.
„Good morning, Mitsuru-san." -She greeted with a small bow.
When Ren and Futaba realized that they're not alone, they too dropped their poses. Futaba turned bright red, while Ren blushed a little.
„Good morning. Don't mind me." -Mitsuru said with a smile."I have some errands to attend to. I won't be able to join you for breakfast."
„It's okay." -Ren said while scratching his cheek.
„Anyway, I have to go. See you later." -Mitsuru said and left the dormitory.
„That was embarrassing… I feel like I'm gonna die." -Futaba said, while shaking her head.
„Yeah…" -Ren agreed with a sigh.
„Are you two okay?" -Aigis asked.
„Yeah, let's just forget that." -Futaba said, and looked at her laptop."The show's over, so how about We eat something? I bet Sojiro's curry is done by now." -She turned to Aigis."Thank you for watching with us, Aigis-san."
„You're welcome." -Aigis replied.
[ Later – Daytime - Paulownia Mall ]
Sightseeing - Persona 3 The Movie
With a giggle, Futaba looked at all the shops within Paulownia Mall. She was accompanied by Ren, Aigis, and Minato. After watching many episodes of Futaba's favorite show, Wakaba told her to go and get familiar with the area. Obviously, Ren was to go with her since he knows Tatsumi Port Island very well. Aigis asked if she could go with them and since she was still not used to dealing with people, Mitsuru told Minato to go as well.
„Man, this place ain't half bad!" -Futaba said while looking at the arcade."Woah! Aigis, look! They have all sort of retro games in here!"
„Indeed. They all seem to be dating back to '90s and '80s." -Aigis said with a nod. She was surprised when Futaba grabbed her hand.
„We'll hang around here for a bit! Wait for us, okay?!" -Futaba said before dragging Aigis into the arcade.
„You sure it's a good idea to leave Aigis out of sight?" -Ren asked with worry.
„It'll be okay. She knows that she needs to be careful." -Minato shrugged. He glanced at Ren."Anyway… This is an as good a chance as any to talk."
„You want to talk, Senpai?" -Ren asked.
„Don't call me that. Minato is fine." -Minato sighed."Anyway, I wanted to talk about our powers… I said I wanted to talk earlier, but… Um… I'm not good at talking with people."
' We all know that…' -Ren thought as he smiled."It's alright. Don't worry about it."
„Well, it seems like We have the same power." -Minato started."Ability to change Persona at any moment. I wanted to ask you something; have you met a bizarre man with a long nose?" -Ren was surprised by that.
„You mean… Igor?" -Ren asked, and Minato was stunned.
„So… You've met him too." -He let out a sigh of relief. Minato thought that he was perhaps crazy, which is why he never told anyone about it."It's funny… I feel somehow relieved after hearing you say his name."
„Does that mean you also have a Velvet Room?" -Ren asked, and Minato nodded."What's it like? Mine is… Um… a boat."
„You can hardly call it a room." -Minato deadpanned."Mine's an elevator."
„Well… It's closer to a room." -Ren agreed.
„So… Where is your entry to Velvet Room?" -Minato asked, and Ren tilted his head.
„Entry? I don't know." -Ren shrugged.
„You don't? Then how do you go there?" -Minato asked surprised.
„I'm usually summoned there." -Ren explained.
„I see… Well, do you want to see my Velvet Room?" -Minato offered.
„Huh? Can I even go there?" -Ren asked.
„Since you have one of your own, then I guess you technically could enter mine." -Minato reasoned."Come on, the entry is here actually."
„Really? Is it okay to leave the girls alone?" -Ren asked while glancing at the arcade.
„I'm sure they'll be fine. It's only for a bit." -Minato said with a shrug. Without another word, Ren followed Minato. After a few moments, they went into a corner and Ren was surprised to see a familiar blue door."That's the spot."
„It's the same blue door from Tartarus." -Ren said, and Minato looked at him.
„Wait, you saw it before?" -Minato said, and Ren nodded."Why didn't you say anything?"
„Well… I thought that everyone was seeing it. Since nobody said anything about it, I thought that it wasn't important." -Ren explained.
„I see… Well, let's go." -Minato shrugged, and they both went inside.
[ Minato's Velvet Room ]
Persona 3 OST - The Poem for Everyone's Souls
Ren was momentarily blinded by a bright light. Once he was able to see again, Ren found himself in a completely different place. He saw Minato sitting next to him, then he saw an unfamiliar woman in a blue dress with a massive book. After that, Ren saw a familiar face. It was Igor, with his usual smile.
„Welcome… to the Velvet Room." -Igor said with a chuckle. Just like Minato describe it, his Velvet Room was like a moving elevator.
„Welcome! My name is Elizabeth." -The attended introduced herself."My, this quite unusual, isn't it?"
„Indeed! This is the first time another guest has visited someone else's Velvet Room." -Igor chuckled.
„So… What do you think?" -Minato asked as he got up.
„It's interesting." -Ren admitted while looking around."Is this room moving up?"
„Well, it is an elevator." -Minato deadpanned."I don't know where it's going actually. But, I don't really care."
„Um… Since I'm here… May I ask a question?" -Ren raised his hand.
„Of course." -Igor nodded.
„Minato-san has his entries to his Velvet Room, but what about mine's?" -Ren asked, and Igor chuckled.
„In order to find them, you must look around." -Igor explained."How about places that mean a lot to you?"
„Oh… I think I get it." -Ren nodded.'Places that mean a lot to me…? There might be a few.'
„Before they depart, may I ask the Young Guest a question?" -Elizabeth said, and Ren glanced at her. Ren nodded, making Elizabeth smile."How's my little sister doing?"
„You mean Lavenza? She's doing fine. Quite a helpful person." -Ren replied with a kind smile.
„Thank you for indulging my curiosity." -Elizabeth said with a smile. With that, Minato and Ren left the Velvet Room."Their destinies are intertwined…"
„Indeed. Nothing happens for no reason, after all." -Igor chuckled.
[ Paulownia Mall ]
Persona 5 Strikers OST 5 Home
„That was something." -Ren said."I guess there is still a lot that I don't know."
„Don't worry about it." -Minato said with a small smile."I'll help you out. I've been in the same spot at the start."
„Thanks, Minato-san." -Ren said with a nod.
"Thou art I... And I am thou...
Thou hast established a new bond...
Thou shalt be blessed when creating
Personas of the Fool Arcana..."
„Hey!" -They heard Futaba's voice. She and Aigis rushed toward them."Where have you been? We've been waiting for you."
„Oh, sorry. We wanted to check something out." -Ren apologized with a sheepish smile.
„Hm? In that corner? But there is nothing there." -Aigis said while tilting her head.
„Ah, never mind. How about We go somewhere else?" -Minato quickly changed the subject. If it was just Aigis, then there wouldn't be an issue.
„How about Port Island Station?" -Ren offered."There's a Cinema there."
„Oh! Maybe they're playing this new movie called; Cake Knight!" -Futaba chirped."Let's go and check it out."
„Sounds good." -Aigis agreed, curious about the movie.
Sometime later, the group reached the station. To their surprise, they saw Junpei chatting with some girl. The said girl looked like a life-sized doll of some kind. She was sketching something in her sketchbook, while Junpei was talking to her. She didn't seem to be bothered by him constantly talking.
It didn't take Junpei long to notice them.
„Oh, hey guys! What'cha up to?" -Junpei asked as they walked toward him and the girl.
„Just going around the town." -Minato shrugged. He glanced at the girl."Who's that?"
„Oh, that's Chidorita." -Junpei said, earning an irritated sigh from the girl.
„I told you not call me that." -She said, glancing at the boy. Then her eyes glued themselves back to the sketchbook.
„Sorry, Chidori." -Junpei shot her an apologetic smile. Brushing the strand of her hair, Chidori ignored Junpei completely."Oh, well…"
„She seems like fun." -Minato said bluntly. Ren couldn't help but agree with him.
„Junpei-san, do you want to go with us to the Cinema?" -Futaba asked.
„Um…" -He glanced at Chidori.
„Don't mind me… really." -She said without sparing him a glance.
„Well… Alright, then." -Junpei gave a sad sigh. Giving her a goodbye wave, Junpei joined the group."So, what do you want to watch?"
„Cake Knight!" -Futaba said with a big smile.
„Oh! I wanted to see it actually. Now I'm pumped!" -Junpei grinned."Alright! Let's go and see it!"
[ Later – Dark Hour – Tartarus ]
Persona 3 OST - Troubled
„It's unbelievable to think that a school could turn into something like that." -Wakaba said in awe.
„Yeah…" -Ren agreed while glancing around. He's been to Tartarus a few times already, but it still was still strange.
„We've managed to upgrade most of your equipment with Kijiro Tech, so it should function just fine." -Mitsuru informed.
„Thank you for that. Also, I have something for those who will go tonight." -She picked up the box and showed it to everyone."I want to you to put this on." -Inside the box were circled-shaped tiara-like objects.
„Um… You want us to wear tiaras?" -Junpei asked with a disappointed tone. Yukari elbowed him, causing Junpei to wince."What the hell, Yuka-tan?"
„Let her finish, jeez." -Yukari let out a sigh.
„As Iori-kun called them, these tiara's will monitor your brain patterns as well as record what is happening when you're exploring." -Wakaba explained."I'd love to join you myself, but since I don't have a Persona I can't go."
„We understand. Very well, Arisato-kun, if you will…" -Mitsuru said, and Minato nodded.
„Alrighty then." -He said in a bored tone. Looking at the SEES, he picked the team."Ren, Aigis, and Yukari."
„You sure that Ren-kun should go?" -Wakaba asked unsurely. She noticed that Futaba took a liking to the boy. Not wanting something bad to happen, she voiced her opinion."He's a kid, and I get that he has a Persona, but…"
„I was the same a while back." -Yukari said with a small smile."But, Ren-kun proved that he can fight beside us as equals. Don't worry, Isshiki-san."
„Just be careful, okay?" -Wakaba said, and Ren nodded with a smile. To be fair, after putting those tiaras, the team couldn't help but feel a little silly."Alright, everything seems to be working." -She tapped on few keys on her laptop and saw herself from the point of view of the Team.
„Very well, Yagamishi your turn." -Mitsuru said, and Fuuka nodded. She summoned her Persona and said that she was ready."Good luck out there."
[ Tartarus - Tziah Block – Floor 151]
[… I have the visual. Do you hear me?...]
„Yes, We do." -Ren replied with a nod.
[… Good. Woah, would you look at that. I didn't expect something like this…]
„Should We head out?" -Ren asked.
„Well… Business as usual." -Minato replied, and Yukari rolled her eyes.
„You always say that." -She retorted."Anyway, let's go."
Glancing at his surroundings, Ren thought that this place looked like a palace from some fairy tale. Its golden corridors were often painful to look at because of their shininess. Everyone was hoping to get to the end of the block. Dealing with Shadows was rather easy as the number was surprisingly low.
[ With the others.]
„Interesting…" -Wakaba said.
„Did you find anything unusual?" -Mitsuru asked.
„Amazing…" -Her question was ignored which surprised Mitsuru.
„Um, Isshiki-san?" -Mitsuru called, but it was as if Wakaba wasn't listening to her.
„It doesn't seem like she's listening to you, Senpai." -Junpei said with a chuckle. Mitsuru gave him a look, and Junpei looked away.
„Judging by her reaction, I guess she found something." -Akihiko said."Right, Shinji?"
„Why do you ask me?" -Shinjiro asked with a tired sigh."As long as it can help us end the Dark Hour, then I don't really care."
Woof! Arf!
„Wakaba-san, did you find anything?" -Morgana decided to ask.
„Oh… Well, it's hard to tell for sure since I just started." -Wakaba replied."But it is interesting. According to what you told me, every block is different. I wonder why do they represent."
„True. Whenever I look the Tartarus, I can't help but think of Mementos." -Morgana admitted."Though my memory is hazy at best, I can tell that there is something familiar about it."
„What if the Tartarus is the Mementos?" -Wakaba offered."You said that humans have a collective palace, right? So what if We're inside of the said palace? What if what We see around us are distorted desires of humanity?"
„But… what the hell would they turn into something like this?" -Junpei said out loud.
„I'm not sure." -Morgana looked down."But there is something that bothers me."
„What is it?" -Mitsuru asked.
„When We met the Strega, that Takaya guy called Tartarus the 'Tower of Demise'." -Morgana explained."Ever since then, I've been thinking about it."
„Takaya's insane." -Shinjiro snorted."Don't be bother by what he's saying."
„But what if Strega knows something that We don't?" -Akihiko said."Besides, it's not like We can leave them be. If We manage to catch them, We need to interrogate them thoroughly."
„Agreed." -Mitsuru nodded.
„Tower of Demise, huh?" -Wakaba said quietly.' Tartarus and Tower of Demise…' -She glanced at everyone, and then back at the monitor. She watched as the exploration team was moving from one floor to another.' Those kids are truly amazing…'
Persona 3 OST – Crisis
„Oh no!" -Fuuk suddenly cried out.
„Yamigashi, what's going on?!" -Mitsuru demanded.
„I don't know how, but I've sense three signatures. They're not shadows." -Fuuka informed.
„Is it Strega?" -Akihiko asked, and Fuuka shook her head.
„No! They're normal humans!" -Everyone gasped at that.
„What?! But how did they got here?!" -Junpei was shocked.
„How come We didn't pick anything before?" -Morgana said quietly.
„That doesn't matter! Inform everyone else about!" -Mitsuru ordered.
[ With the team.]
„What?! What do you mean there are people in here?!" Yukari asked in disbelief.
[… I don't know how they got there! But I know that they're in danger. One person is above you, while the rest are two floors above. Please, you have to hurry! The rest of SEES will be joining you shortly…]
„Should We split up?" -Aigis offered.
„No, it's hard to tell what Shadows We might run into." -Minato protested."For now, let's go and save the person above us." -Everyone nodded, and with a mad dash, they climbed to the next floor.
After a few moments, the team saw a group of Shadows cornering an Old Man who was cowering in fear. Minato recognized the man as Bunkichi, co-owner of „Bookworms". What was he doing here? How did he even get here?
Ren was first to react and pointed the evoker to his head.
„Persona! Naga!" -Ren exclaimed as half-human half-serpent being appeared behind him.
Naga swiftly slipped between Shadows who were ready to attack Bunkichi. Using his shield, Naga blocked Shadow's attack. Next was Yukari and Aigis, who used their respective weapons to dispatch the Shadows in front of them.
„Come, Shiisaa!" -Minato shouted as a lion-dog-like being manifested behind him.
Shiisa roared, summoning lightning strike on the remaining Shadows. When there was no sign of Shadows, the team rushed to Bunkichi's side. He seemed to be confused and scared.
„Now what? Shouldn't We take him back?" -Yukari asked.
„Ren, stay with Bunkichi-san." -Minato ordered. Ren nodded firmly."Alright. Let's go!"
Ren watched Minato, Yukari, and Aigis left for the next floor. He glanced at the old man and felt bad for him. He was shaking and barely aware of what's going. How did he end up here?
Hearing footsteps, Ren quickly drew his dagger. Perhaps it was Strega that kidnapped the old man?
„Oh… it's only them." -Ren said with relief. It was the rest of SEES, except Morgana.
„Ren-kun, where are the others?" -Mitsuru asked.
„They went after two other victims." -Ren replied shortly.
„Très bien… Akihiko, Shinjiro, and Koromaru, go and join them." -Mitsuru ordered."It's possible that Strega is involved, so be careful." -Without another word, the group went to the next floor. She kneeled in front of Bunkichi to check on him."Other than shock and confusion, he seems fine. Alright, Ren-kun, help me carry him to the lobby."
[ Tartarus – lobby]
Persona 5 OST - Restlessness
Sometime later, the SEES manager to bring every victim down to the lobby. All of them passed out on their way down. But, surprisingly, no one turned into the coffin. Wakaba performer a few small tests, but was unable to find anything unusual.
„All of them are fine. Nothing out of ordinary." -Wakaba informed.
„It's hard to believe that they ended up there all on their own." -Yukari said sadly. She glanced at Fuuka who looked down. She was in the same spot, but thanks to her power, she was able to avoid any Shadow.
„It must be Strega, right? No one ever went to Tartarus on their own." -Junpei said firmly.
„Well, there is the case with those students that bullied Fuuka-san." -Minato reminded.
„Still, wasn't that different?" -Mitsuru asked."All of them didn't even make it to the lobby. They all passed out in front of the school."
„Can't argue there." -Akihiko agreed."It has to be Strega, right? There is no other reason. This never happens before."
„More reason to find them and stop them." -Shinjiro said seriously."But, let's leave it for now. We have to focus on getting these people to help."
„Senpai's right." -Junpei nodded. He glanced at Bunkichi."We don't know how Dark Hour might affect people, right?"
„You're right. Let's get to the hospital." -Mitsuru said, and looked at Morgana."Morgana, could you…?"
„No problem." -Morgana said with a small smile.
„Good. Let's have a meeting tomorrow." -Mitsuru said, and everyone agreed."We have a lot to discuss."
End of Chapter
