CHAPTER 6

I Art Thou

After school

The Mirror Dimension

Miura Residence

Kazuhiko stood there for a full minute, his mouth agape. Johei continued to talk.

"They were murderers, Kaz… They think that they're above the law? We'll show them..."

Johei put his hands on Kazuhiko's shoulders.

"They deserve to be put down… This is our duty… as human beings… To bring justice to the corrupt."

Kazuhiko could now feel the heavy and desperate breaths of air from Johei's lungs.

Dude, what have you been eating? Wait! Now's not the time for jokes!

"You're my best friend, Kaz. Will you help me-"

Kazuhiko threw Johei's hands off his shoulders and backed away.

"Johei… what happened to you?"

Johei stood very still, not saying anything.

"You're not in your right mind! There's no way we could do something like this!"

Kazuhiko panted. He suddenly felt more cautious around his friend, as if he were going to attack him. Johei sighed with a look of dismay in his eyes.

"I would have thought you of all people… would understand the situation we have..."

Kazuhiko took a few more steps behind him until he stepped in something. He looked down and found his foot on top of a reddish-black substance that he could have sworn wasn't there before.

"My best friend… is trying to stop me?"

Kazuhiko looked back at Johei until he noticed more of the goo around the house. They were all slowly moving.

"I didn't want to do this to you Kaz..."

The gunk then began to climb up the chains, covering Johei's arms and torso.

"If you make it out of here… I'll be sent to shit..."

The slime then covered his entire body, save for his face. Johei's frame then began to grow.

"This didn't have to end like this… "

The slime started to solidify, revealing a metal body that was pitch black. A robotic pair of mishapped wings that were chained together were attached to his back along with a crudely shaped sword. The body was clothed by a torn angelic robe and shackles formed on all of his limbs.

"I never wanted to do this… but I have to..."

The slime finally reached his head and covered his eyes.

"Johei! Please, stop!"

"Give up talking. I won't be listening..."

The substance finally covered his mouth and ears and formed a knight's helmet, blocking all of his hearing, but still able to talk. Kazuhiko finally took a hint and ran.

"You can't escape."

Kazuhiko couldn't recognize the voice; it didn't sound like Johei at all. He continued to think about this until he stopped in front of a wall.

"Only shadows control this realm."

Kazuhiko turned and saw corrupt angel walking towards him. It was rather slow, but it didn't need speed; Kazuhiko couldn't get out of the front lawn.

"This is what Johei needs to do. He is chained to his fate!"

The angel pulled out it's sword from it's sheath. Upon closer inspection, Kazuhiko could see multiple faces in the reflection of the blade all of them screaming and begging for help. The sound was enough to make anyone go insane.

"You shall never change his destiny!"

Kazuhiko fell back and looked up at the angel; it's sword held up, ready to strike him down in a second. Kazuhiko closed his eyes, waiting for the end. Years went back and he remembered the day he met Johei. Yoshimitsu held a knife, ready to kill him. The only difference now was that there was no savior present.

I'm sorry Mom and Dad, I couldn't stay out of trouble.

I'm sorry Johei, I can't protect you from your fate.

I'm sorry Nanako and Mika-senpai. I couldn't keep your promises.

Then, nothing happened. Kazuhiko opened his eyes and looked back up at the angel. It had stopped moving and made no sound. He stood up and looked around.

Did it just stop moving? What caused it? It couldn't have been the Miuras; It couldn't have been the atmosphere; It couldn't have been Alexandria… Wait, what?

Kazuhiko turned his gaze back and was dumbfounded to see Alexandria waiting outside a blue door. She beckoned him to follow as she walked into the door.

"Come on! Either walk in here, talk with us and live for a little while longer or die right here."

Kazuhiko grimly remembered Igor's words of how the next time he would be in the Velvet room would be of his own free will. Reluctantly, Kazuhiko walked to the door and opened it, taking his seat at the witness stand.

"Welcome back. I see you are in quite a predicament."

No shit, Sherlock Kazuhiko thought. What gave it away? The fact that my entire body was going to get split in half?

Alexandria spoke.

"The shadows in this world tend to act independently. However, when someone is being influenced by despair, shadows are bent to their will. You see, shadows are the manifestations of the true emotions of man."

Kazuhiko frowned slightly. The true emotions? Igor smiled.

"However, shadows only represent the negative emotions. The positive emotions take on the form of a Persona."

At the mention of the word, Kazuhiko suddenly felt warmer. It was as if he had heard it before, but he couldn't remember.

"Personas can also be defined as the strength of the heart. Usually, our guests don't have a Persona before they meet us, but that is where the similarities between you and prior guests end."

Kazuhiko slowly digested this information. So there were more people besides me that had these experiences? What differences are they talking about?

As if reading Kazuhiko's mind, Alexandria answered him.

"The most intriguing difference is how you awakened a Persona before you stepped foot into this room."

"WHAT?!"

Before deciding how to react, Kazuhiko had unintentionally shouted.

"Uh… I mean, what are you talking about?"

Igor chuckled.

"You shall find that out much later in your journey. For now, remember that Personas are the key to finding the truth you seek on your journey."

With that final statement, Igor waved his hand and Kazuhiko was back outside; This time, the he was right behind the angel.

"Where did you disappear to?!"

Kazuhiko couldn't believe his luck when he transported right behind the angel. It still couldn't find him so he decided to give it a heads-up.

"Hey, idiot! Over here!"

The angel turned around and found Kazuhiko shouting to it. Kazuhiko just realized the dumb mistake he just made and reminded him to face palm himself if he could get out of the dilemma he was in.

"This is the fate that Johei has chosen. He cannot break away from it. So why do you keep interfering?"

The angel swung it's sword in a wide arc, just narrowly missing Kazuhiko's head by an inch. Just then, a voice whispered into Kazuhiko's head.

He's right you know. Why do this? They deserve to be punished.

"What the hell?"

Chains had begun to form on Kazuhiko's wrists as well, but this time, they were forming to keep him from moving.

It's like what those kids from before said, right? If you don't let him do this, you're protecting the scum of humanity. You really are a devil child.

The chains had finally finished and they held Kazuhiko's hands and feet together. He tripped and couldn't do anything except watch the angel raise his sword again.

This is for the best. This is your only chance at redemption. Let them suffer.

"NO!"

Kazuhiko yelled as he pulled on the chains. The angel looked surprised, despite it's lack of facial features, and stepped back.

"It's true that I feel those emotions. That those bastards deserve punishment."

Okay, but why are you rejecting your fate? The voice asked him.

"Johei is my friend. I let him do this, he won't be any better than Suzuki's parents."

The chains started to crack. The voice asked him another question.

Yeah, but who else are you fighting for?

"I'm fighting for Suzuki. Even though I never knew her in life, this wouldn't be what she wanted. She never wanted Johei to be a murderer because of her."

More of the chain links began to crack. Pretty soon, even the shackles started to weigh less.

Don't forget the promise you made to Mika-senpai

"Of course, if Mika-senpai found out what happened, she'll break down at what here younger brother had become."

The chains holding Kazuhiko's feet together shattered. The ground started to quake and wind circled around him.

So, your resolve has solidified… There's no turning back now. You know what to do. Shatter your chains!

Kazuhiko looked down at his chains. Although cracked, they still looked sturdy. Nonetheless, Kazuhiko pulled on them. He thought of Johei when they were kids. After saving him from Yoshimitsu, Kazuhiko never got to repay him or even thank him. It was time to return the favor.

Now, summon me! Together we shall rid fear from every being!

Kazuhiko continued to pull on his chains. The angel, although shaken up, raised it's sword once again and prepare to swing. At that moment, Kazuhiko felt the chains give away. He settled his footing and yelled out.

"PER!"

The chains cracked.

"SO!"

The links finally shattered and the shackles along with them.

"NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

They began to catch fire at the ends and a large being formed before Kazuhiko, protecting him from the blow.

*clang*

The being caught the blade with it's left hand. It's completely white skinned body was clothed in chain mail, a flowing red cape and a pair of worn-out boots. It's flowing long hair appeared multi-colored but, on closer inspection, were a bunch of stray wires attached to his head. On his back was a sword that had glowing runes along the flat side of it's blade that Kazuhiko couldn't identify. A circular shield was also strapped to it's back. A viking-like helmet rested on it's head where Kazuhiko could see two yellow eyes that radiated courage. Everything was hard to take in, but the most interesting feature was the creature's right hand.

The right hand was metallic, with gears moving between the knuckles. The fingers were sharpened as if they were meant for tearing through the flesh of enemies. All-in-all, the thing looked badass.

Are you just going to stand there? Let's finish this shadow!

Kazuhiko paused for a moment, then a slow smile creeped onto his face.

"Right. Let's go!"

The angel freed it's sword from the figure's hand. It stepped back, ready to charge.

"This is Johei's decision! If nobody does this, Suzuki's death would have been for nothing!"

The angel thrusted his sword at the being, nearly impaling him. At the last second, the being sidestepped and drew it's sword.

Kazuhiko, your friend needs to hear us! It's the only way to stop the shadow!

"Alright then! Then let's just get that gunk off his face!"

The being nodded and sliced at the angel's face. Some of the shadows came off, but it wasn't enough to reveal Johei's frame.

"If you won't stand still, I'll make you! Sukunda!"

Immediately, Kazuhiko felt heavier; As if he had just put on a flak-jacket.

Kazuhiko, I can't keep dodging his attacks. Use a spell!

Chains began to reform on Kazuhiko's wrists and he instinctively knew what to do. Breakign them again, Kazuhiko yelled out,

"Zio!"

A bolt of lightning flashed and hit the angel, sending it back and burning the outer shadows that encased Johei's body. Kazuhiko could see the outline of Johei's body; It was part of the upper torso just above the waist.

"Aim a slice at the angel's waist! We can get rid of more shadows that way!"

Cleave!

The being's sword sliced the angel clean in half, making the torso fall onto the ground. Kazuhiko ran over to it's side and dug Johei's body from the shadow mess.

"Johei! Johei are you alright?"

Kazuhiko took out his pair of glasses that he got from Yu and pt it against Johei's nostrils. The lens didn't fog up.

"He's not breathing! What should I do?"

Hold him still. I can heal him. Dia!

Shining particles hovered over Johei and he immediately opened his eyes. Johei looked over to Kazuhiko.

"Dude… what the hell happened to me? I didn't feel like myself back there. And what the fuck is that thing behind you?"

Kazuhiko turned and looked at the being. It was calmly floating and acting like a well behaved 10-foot behemoth that could end the life of anyone that insulted it.

"Yeah… what are you anyways?"

*sigh* I save your ass from shadows and the first thing you say to me is "What are you?"? A little thank you would do.

"Uh, yeah. Thanks for your help, but back to the question at hand: WHAT THE FUCKING HELL ARE YOU?!"

The being sighed again as if it was used to this.

Remember what Sir Compass-nose said? Breaking the chains of despair? Strength of the heart? The word you yelled when summoning me?

Kazuhiko thought back and vaguely remembered screaming out his lungs yelling "Persona". Just thinking about that made his throat parch.

"Soo… you're my Persona?"

The being nodded while it stood there.

Yes, I am your Persona. My name is Tyr, the Norse God of Courage. Although you probably haven't heard of me; that upstart Thor is stealing all the glory. He never looked like Chris Hemsworth! He's either drunk, sleeping, eating or fighting for no good reason. At least I sacrificed something for the greater good. You see this hand? Tyr showed his right mechanical hand. This is when I agreed to sacrifice my hand to save the world, but do I get a Marvel movie? No!

Tyr continuously talking made Kazuhiko's head split. Until, at last, Tyr addressed Johei.

You should probably talk to your friend. He looks like he could use some helpful words.

Kazuhiko looked back at Johei. He was on his knees now; the chains on his arms were holding him down to the ground. He was hangin his head in shame, refusing to look at Kazuhiko

"You don't have to save me, Kaz. Just go; scum like me deserve to rot. Those shadows will probably finish me now."

Kazuhiko walked back to Johei and stopped right in front of him.

"Johei… I agree that Suzuki's parents are to blame for her death, but we can't just murder them. We'll just stoop down to their level."

Johei attempted to stand up, but was forced back to his knees by the chains.

"Then, what am I supposed to do?! I loved her, Kaz! Am I supposed to sit on my ass and watch them get off clean and without a fight?!"

Kazuhiko stood there, not moving. He waited for Johei to vent out his feelings.

"If I can't do anything about this, how am I supposed to honor her?! She was kind, sweet, and she hated her parents fighting all the damn time!"

"If she loved you, then would she want to see you fight her parents?"

Johei looked back up at Kazuhiko, his facial expression filled with shock.

"To me, it sounds like she hated her parents fighting; not her parents themselves."

Johei remembered when he first talked to her. Suzuki only left when her parents were fighting. Whenever he walked her home, she always seemed happy when she didn't hear her parents screaming at each other. He remembered when she saw a pair of students fighting, she looked saddened and walked away nearly bursting in tears.

"Why… did I not… see that?"

Kazuhiko looked down on his friend. He bent down so he and Johei could look at each other at the same level.

"Johei, she never wanted you to kill them; she wanted you to stop their fighting. She loved you because saw how caring you were. You never had ill feelings with anyone. Anything that tried to pull you down, you faced it with a smile on your face. Nothing stopped you from having a good time. Even if you were kind of a pervert..."

"I resent that word. Call me by my professional title: A civilized man"

Kazuhiko rolled his eyes.

"Sure, civilized men definitely sneak into the girl's locker room with a camera."

Johei chuckled.

"Hey, where did you learn that?"

"From Mika-senpai. She said she would have caved in your face, but the other girls were already doing just that."

Johei could still feel all the punches and kicks that were dealt upon him. Still, he did get a few pictures… and some good memories. He was on the ground, and the girls were wearing skirts…

"Yeah… good times."

Kazuhiko's face suddenly became serious again.

"We can still help her, but not while you're chained down like that. You need to stop making her death weigh you down. You need to stand and bear that weight on your shoulders. For Suzuki."

Johei nodded and pulled on his chains.

"You're right. For Suzuki."

Johei pulled on the chains and broke them with satisfaction. What Johei didn't notice was the figure floating behind him. Kazuhiko stepped back and pointed at it.

"What the hell is that?!"

Johei turned around but the figure had vanished. He looked back at Kazuhiko and Tyr with a confused look.

"What are you talking about? Let's get back to that mirror."

Johei casually walked back to the mall, passing Kazuhiko and Tyr like nothing happened. Kazuhiko still stared at the empty space where the figure disappeared.

Kazuhiko, let's go. This place is dangerous, we can't leave Johei unsupervised.

Kazuhiko nodded, and with a final glance at the spot, he ran to catch up to Johei.

Nuzoko Mall Center

7:34 PM

Kazuhiko and Johei bent down, breathing heavily. Once the walked back through the mirror, a wave of fatigue seemed to wash over them, instantly making them feel as if the had run 5 miles.

"Well, I'll call you later, dude."

Johei walked off into the distance and exiting the mall.

So, what do we do now? A voice asked Kazuhiko.

"I don't know, probably head ho-. WHAT THE SHITTING JESUS CHRIST?!"

Calmly standing next to him, was Tyr. He looked around with fascination at all the small stores and stands.

So this is your world, hm? It seems rather compact and small. And what's with all the women here? They all are wearing clothes that would make them look they want to be taken to bed.

Kazuhiko panicked, but still agreed to Tyr's remark (seriously, some shorts were not meant to be shorter).

"Crap, man. What if someone sees you? Nobody would think that a ten foot tall man dressed for battle is perfectly normal."

What are you talking about? The village people, where I come from, all looked like they were dressed for a raid all the time. Probably because they were vikings.

"That's not the point! Hurry up and find a place to hide before someone spo-"

"Kazuhiko-san, are you feeling okay?"

Kazuhiko felt himself jump a few feet in the air when he turned around a saw Mikan looking at him with a worried face.

"AH, uh Mika-senpai! Hey! What are you doing here? (Please don't see the giant viking behind me)"

Mikan sighed.

"You were talking to thin air. I mean, look; nobody's there."

Mikan pointed to Tyr who was standing still, not sure how to react. Kazuhiko looked confused and turned back to Mikan.

"You mean, you can't see him?"

Mikan now looked confused.

"See who? Are you sure you didn't eat or drink something weird?"

Kazuhiko then concluded that Mikan couldn't see Tyr. Probably would be best to change the topic

"Oh yeah, I just talked with Johei. He just needed to blow off some steam."

Mikan immediately went to angered (sorry, concerned) parenting mode and began to lecture Kazuhiko.

"You mean he skipped school because he was angry?! That does it! When I find him I am going to punch him so hard he'll regret even thinking about skipping a second of class!"

When Mikan had finished, she turned to see Kazuhiko shielding himself behind a potted plant, as if Mikan was a ticking bomb ready to explode. Mikan blushed slightly and turned.

"W-well… he did have a rough time yesterday… so I guess it's alright if he doesn't feel up to it..."

Mikan then decided to leave quickly. Kazuhiko waved goodbye as he made his way to the hotel. Tyr, being new to the world, instinctively asked Kazuhiko about everything.

Kazuhiko, what is this strange device that emits the rays of the sun yet doesn't hurt my skin?

"That's a street light."

Kazuhiko, that men is speaking to something in his hand yet nobody is there.

"That's a phone"

Kazuhiko, what is this strange rubbery thing on the ground? It's clear and filled with white liquid and-

"Don't touch that."

So, Kazuhiko has just summoned his Persona! Johei has too but just hasn't noticed it yet. Anyways, It'll take a little more time to make the next chapter. I'm also planning on seriously making a Highschool of the Dead fanfiction that's completely original; no characters from the anime or manga will appear in it. Expect the first chapter in a little while. As always, review, like, follow, favorite, etc this fanfiction. I've decided to use Norse mythology for the Personas and it will take a little while to come up with what I should use. Enjoy the next mini-story!

"So, Tyr, what's with all of those wires from your head?"

This is my hair, but , for some weird reason, they're wires that connect to my energy source. I guess this emphasizes my ability in lightning spells.

"I can see a bunch of wires here… Is that a micro-USB charger?"

I'm not sure what you're talking about.

"Oh wait, Johei's calling me. Hey man! What's up? Oh nothing with me. I haven't thought of joining any sports yet; my ribs are still healing."

Kazuhiko, what is that beeping sound?

"Oh crap, my phone's almost out of battery. Wait… I wonder..."

Kazuhiko, what's a battery? Wait, what are you doing to my hair? Ow! Stop pulling on it! What the heck?

"Alright, stand still. Yeah? Oh nothing, just needed to grab a charger for my phone"

You cruel human being...