Ten days of passing out didn't do me that well since I ended up in the Velvet Room.

"…Your power is channeled through your Social Links."

"Social Links?"

"Your emotional ties with others. The stronger your Social Links, the more powerful your Persona power."

"…So if I want to be stronger, then I have to communicate with others?"

"Basically."

"…I wanted to close myself off from others as far as I can though."

"It's your choice."

"…I'll talk to them before they find out who I am."

"…We, the residents of the Velvet Room, will be behind you with whatever choices that you chose. That is what the contract is for."

"…Thank you."

"No need to thank me. This is my job." Igor chuckled. "Time marches on in your world. You must get going."

"Then I'll be going now."

"Until we meet again."

Back to the present world. It feels nice to wake up again. One person on my right and a ghost on my left. Yukari on my right and Minato on my left. Minato didn't look that worried, in fact, he never shows his emotions. Yukari was looking more than worried though, that I have to help her.

"Oh, you're awake? Thank God…" Yukari sighed.

"You finally woke up." Thank you so much for your worry, Minato.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

Yukari sighed again. "Yes, but I should be the one that asks you that. I'm the one that was supposed to protect you, not the other way around." Yukari smiled wearily. "Yes, I'm okay."

"I'm okay as well, thanks." I said. "…What is it?"

"…Well…I just wanted to say, that I'm the same as you."

I saw her biography already, since she was living in the same dorm as me, so I let her continue.

"My father died in the explosion of '99, and my mother and me aren't exactly on good terms. So I know how you feel." Yukari said, looking down. "I guess I told you this since I knew about you and you didn't know about me, so I felt that I should tell you."

Oh, if you knew, Yukari.

I noticed Minato pointing at the door. There was some knocking on the door and Hiro came in.

"Ah! Little Minako! How you doin'?" Hiro shouted when he saw me. A nurse came over and shh'd him. "Ah, sorry. So how you doin'?"

"I'm fine, Hiro." I sighed. He never changed. One look at him, and you won't believe he's a genius. He's too much like Junpei, only smart. I wonder why Mitsuru would want to date a pervert like him. "Yukari, let me introduce you to Hiro. He's my cousin and Mitsuru-senpai's boyfriend."

"Oh, so Akihiko-senpai wasn't joking?" Yukari asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. "I'll leave you alone now. I need to get back to the dorm. Oh, Minako-chan, if you need to ask anymore questions, we'll answer it later, okay?"

Yukari left the room and closed the door. We waited until her footsteps were out of reach of our hearing.

"So where's the others?"

"They're out. They have jobs. We have more of these nowadays." Hiro sighed.

"So who's looking out for the branch?"

"We have a guard dog." Hiro told me. "Don't worry, he's loyal. C'mon, we have to go back to the branch. Your package's waiting for you at the branch."

"…Oh. So it's not going to the dorm?"

"What do you think others will think if they screen your packages?" Hiro asked, raising an eyebrow. "They still don't trust you well enough, even though you live at the dorm, doesn't mean that they have to trust you."

"Fair enough." I shrugged. "So are we going back to the branch now?"

"Yeah, you'll have to pick up the package and bring it back to the dorm yourself."

"…Mitsuru-senpai is living in the dorm."

Hiro jumped in his seat. "O-Oh, then I'll help you bring the package."

Gotcha.

After signing out from the hospital, we walked all the way back to the branch.

"Koromaru!"

A white shiba inu, in front of the branch, barked and stood up. He wagged his tail and scampered towards Hiro and licked his face.

"Koromaru?"

The white shiba inu, or Koromaru, took a step back and ran back to the front of the branch, looking at me with curiosity, probably thinking if I'm friend or foe.

"He was a priest's dog. We were friends with the priest before we died, so the intelligent shiba inu here, called Koromaru, took over for us for a day or so on days we have to leave." Hiro said as he walked towards Koromaru. I followed him. "Don't worry, Koromaru, Minako's a friend. My cousin, to be exact."

Koromaru barked and licked my hand. Yup, that is one intelligent dog.

"Come in, Koromaru, do you want some food?" Hiro asked, opening the door to the branch.

Koromaru barked excitedly and followed Hiro in. I went in as well. Hiro opened a can of dog food and dumped in on a plate, which Koromaru licked up happily. He barked again before he walked out the branch, walking to the shrine.

That dog is too intelligent.

"Oh, here's your package, Minako." Hiro gave me a box. "And Rekka made Yaku make a "good-luck" charm for you already. It's in the box you're holding now."

"I thought I have more boxes…"

"I'm carrying it." he said as he took two other boxes. He sighed. "You know, you made us worry. You said you'll be back in a couple of days, but you never did. Fortunately, Mitsuru told me that you were out cold in the hospital. We were about to make a search too!"

I laughed and the two of us went back to the dorm.

The first thing I shouted when I got back?

"HEY, MITSURU-SENPAI! YOUR BOYFRIEND'S HERE TO VISIT YOU!"

…

Oh. So freezing time really is possible.

I took Hiro's boxes and walked up to my room, leaving Hiro, Mitsuru, Akihiko and Yukari alone in the silence. Well it can't be that bad, since Yukari met Hiro already, but I'm just worried how Akihiko will take it, he does like Mitsuru or something, right? I'm not sure though, but I thought they were in the same dorm, alone and together, for one to two years. Well, if nothing happened, then I don't really care.

I unpacked my stuff and hid some that are not supposed to be seen by others. …Don't think about it, seriously. Got my "good-luck" charm and hid it inside my uniform's pocket. After I did, I went back down to see the staring contest still on. I was gone for what, ten to twenty minutes? Damn, they're good. I went to the kitchen, cooked up some popcorn, sat on the sofa and ate popcorn.

…

This is getting too long.

"Hey!" I shouted at them.

…

…Finally. At least I got a response. A small response, but still a response. They changed their stares at me. Okay fine, it is my fault that they were having a staring contest. Hey, wanna share my popcorn, Minato? Oh right, you're a ghost. Sorry for my sarcastic joke, can't resist.

…

"Hey, I was just shouting out the truth just now." I shook my head. "Seriously, Mitsuru-senpai, how come you hid the truth from us?"

"W-Well…"

"…Uh…"

…

"…Never mind then." I sighed. "Anyways, thanks Hiro. Good night!" I finished my popcorn and went back up to my room.

I was lied down on my bed, ready to sleep-

PLOP.

Ah, a dart with a suction cup on my window. Oh? There's a letter attached to the dart. I opened the window and grabbed the dart before it fell. I opened the letter.

It was blank.

Now I know this was from Hiro. I curled the paper up into a ball and threw it at the short, black haired person that was walking away from the dorm, whistling. I could hear a distant "Ow!" as it hit Hiro's head accurately.

…I get to keep the dart. That's my revenge.

…

The next school day I can summarize in two words:

Utter boredom.

Though the evening was interesting, makes me curious a little bit more. That's why I'm still living, my curiosity, or not I would have killed myself a few years back. Ironic, isn't it? If you've heard the saying, "Curiosity killed the cat." Well I guess I'm not a cat, that's probably why. No, that's not why. I learned to control my curiosity a few years back, that's probably why I'm still alive. A lot people are curious, but they just don't know when to ask it at the right time and place, that's the reason the saying came, not a lot of people know the right time and place. Just saying.

"Oh! There you are!" Yukari shouted when she saw me at the fourth floor. "Everybody's waiting for you already! Let's go in."

"Ah, there you are. I'm glad that you're okay." Ikutsuki said when he saw me enter the room. "The reason I asked you here is because I need to talk to you. Please, have a seat."

I looked beside me to see Minato glaring at the group with an analytical glare. "Yukari doesn't seem to want you to join, mostly because of guilt. The rest are expecting you to join."

I gave him a slight nod and sat down. "Um…what is this about?" I decided to play as the innocent little girl who knows nothing about the evil reality in the world. It worked though.

"Oh, and this is Akihiko." Ikutsuki told me. "He's a senior and is living in the dorm."

"…We met already."

"Well that makes it easier!" Ikutsuki exclaimed excitedly. "Okay, let me start you off by asking you this: Would you believe me if I said that a day consists of more than 24 hours?"

I gave out a dry laugh.

"Well, I can understand that it is unbelievable to almost anyone-"

"I never said that I didn't believe that." I said coldly, giving off a cold atmosphere. "I've been living in the Dark Hour for ten years, do you think I don't believe that?"

The group looked at me, surprised. "You know what it's called?"

"Yup." I took out a crumpled paper from my pocket. I smoothed it out and cleared my throat. "The Dark Hour. An hour 'hidden' or in between one day and the next. Most people do not experience the Dark Hour, but some people with the potential, or Persona, are able to." I read out loud. "A Persona is a 'mask' of a person. It is received by going through hard challenges in life. Only people with enough will are able to control it and master it. The people that have awaken to a Persona are able to explore the Dark Hour. Personas are evoked by a tool called an 'Evoker'." I hid a grin when I looked at their shocked faces. "Shadows are beings that feed on the negative energy. We do not know when it first exists, but we can suspect it first existed when the first human existed, since humans are beings that throw out negative energy the most than others." Minato gave me a grin. "Tartarus is the nest of all Shadows, also called the Tower of Demise. It appears only during the Dark Hour. But during the day, it is the Gekkoukan High School."

I'm finally finished. I don't like to read out loud that much, but it was worth it. I get to see faces that I might never see again for my whole lifetime. I wanted to laugh, but I thought it wasn't appropriate, and it'll break the cold atmosphere.

"…Just how do you know that much?" Mitsuru demanded.

I laughed again. My eyes flared up, like it always have, but with more flare. "You think I came here without preparing myself?"

"…"

"I am guessing that you want me to join your group?" I glared at the group. "Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad. …Or S.E.E.S?"

"…"

"…So?"

"…Yes, we want you to join our group." Mitsuru said and opened the briefcase on the table. "We've prepared an Evoker for you. We want you lend us your strength."

"…" I looked at the Evoker. A gun Evoker, the one that Yukari had, and probably the kind that all of the people here have. What's their purpose to ask me to join them? "Let me think for a while."

"Seriously?" Akihiko shouted at me, slamming his fists on the table. "You know that much and you're still thinking to join us?"

"Akihiko!"

I didn't flinch, physically or mentally. I'm used with that kind of voice from other people. I don't care at all. "I have my own rights. I need to think about my studies as well." I said icily back at him.

The group flinched at my tone. I was certainly someone that looked like an innocent little girl that can't shout back at other people. They weren't the only people that thought wrong though.

"I-I'm sorry." Akihiko said, looking away in guilt.

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, Mitsuru-senpai, but I will need to think about my studies for now."

"…No. I'm sorry for not thinking about your situation." Mitsuru apologized. "Tell me when you have reached a decision."

"When do you think you'll join?"

"Mitsuru-senpai."

"Yes?"

"May I see the files of S.E.E.S' operations?" I asked. "I want to read what S.E.E.S has accomplished up until now."

"…"

"Let her, Mitsuru." Ikutsuki said. "It might help her reach a decision anyways."

"…Fine. But promise us that you will not tell about S.E.E.S and the Dark Hour." Mitsuru said.

I promised. I don't have another choice anyway; I needed to see their files.

"It's over there." Mitsuru said, pointing to a cabinet. "Feel free to read it, but put it back into the order we have arranged."

I nodded and the group left me with saying, "Good night." Leaving me alone with Minato. I looked through the files and saw the one that I wanted to read.

"The Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad, or S.E.E.S, is a group dedicated to erase Shadows and the exploration of Tartarus. It is a school club, but the group functions during the Dark Hour. The group is founded by Takeharu Kirijo, the CEO of the Kirijo Group." I read. So it was Mitsuru's father. That explains the school club.

"The first club advisor is Shuji Ikutsuki, a former scientist in a group of researchers founded by the former CEO of the Kirijo Group in the year 1999." Oh really? That I didn't know. So Ikutsuki knows answers, and I intend to find out what those answers are. I set down the files and arranged them back to where they were before. Then I carefully closed the door and walked back to my room.

"So. When are you going to join?"

"…"

…

"Mitsuru-senpai, I will join S.E.E.S."

"Whoa! You have the potential too, Mina-tan?" Junpei, the new recruit, asked.

Yes, I did join S.E.E.S the next day. It's better to join them now and find out, since I doubt that they'll let me see their operations if I don't join.

"That's the reason that I'm living in the dorm, Junpei." I answered. "If I don't have the potential, then I won't be living in the dorm."

"Wait!" Yukari exclaimed. "So he's going to stay at the dorm?"

"Yes. Iori will be staying at the dorm from today on." Mitsuru said.

"WHAT? Why him?" Yukari whined.

"…So with enough members, we can now start to explore Tartarus!" Akihiko said excitedly.

"Unfortunately, you can't join them fight the Shadows, but you can follow us to the entrance of Tartarus." Mitsuru cut in.

"…I know. Don't remind me."

"What's Tartarus?" Junpei asked like a kid. "Sounds like toothpaste."

"Tartarus is the nest of all Shadows." Mitsuru said. "But for today, we should rest. We have to be prepared to enter Tartarus."

…

"Let's go, we'll explain on the way." Mitsuru said the next night.

Yes, as I have said before, Tartarus is Gekkoukan High in daytime. Imagine Yukari's and Junpei's surprised faces when they saw Gekkoukan turn into Tartarus.

Imagine Mitsuru's and Akihiko's surprised faces when I said, "I've been in there before."

I have. I'm not lying. It was ten years ago. A day after my parents died in the car crash. It was a little scary, but hey, I'm still alive, aren't I?

"…That we can leave you in charge." Akihiko said.

"What? Why her?" Junpei whined.

"Since she has been here before, and she has defeated a Shadow first-hand." Akihiko explained. "And she can summon her Persona fine. Can you both summon your Persona fine as well?"

Yukari and Junpei stared at me uncomfortably, and then stared at Akihiko with a look that clearly said, "No."

"We're talking about Shadows here. Without your Persona, you're dead." Akihiko said.

…Well, that's not true…almost.

"Then, let's start. The entrance is over there." Mitsuru said, pointing to something that might look like a door.

"So you're not coming, Mitsuru-senpai?" Yukari asked.

"…I will provide back-up. It is imperative that I do so." Mitsuru said, moving over to the motorcycle equipped with machines.

I looked around and saw a glowing Velvet Door. I walked over and unlocked it with the Velvet Key that I took out from my pocket. The door opened and gave out a blinding light, and I'm in the Velvet Room. I never accessed the Velvet Room from outside my dreams before, but this is clearly the same thing.

"Welcome back, Minako." Igor greeted.

"Hi Igor. And hello, Theodore." I greeted back.

"Please call me Theo, Master Minako."

"…So what's the Velvet Room for?"

"…Our service inside the Velvet Room is to fuse your Personas." Igor said. "You are different from the others, you wield the Wild Card."

"The Wild Card…oh, you told me that before, right?"

"Yes. You are a person like the number zero." Igor explained. "Filled with many possibilities. You are able to wield more than one Persona, unlike the others. During battles, you may have chances to gain a new Persona, and one way to strengthen your Persona abilities are to fuse those Personas into a new and powerful one."

"Oh."

"…You have encountered Orpheus, but you will still encounter more Personas." Igor said. "More than two hundred. You have many capabilities."

"I understand. I will come here later then."

"Yes…until we meet again." Igor said, and the door opened, and I was back at Tartarus.

"Hey, what is it, Mina-tan?" Junpei asked, still pissed off that I became the leader.

"Nothing." I shook my head. "I'm just thinking about Tartarus."

"Well, don't zone out again! We can't have a leader sleeping in Tartarus!"

"Yeah, let's go then." I said, climbing up the steps leading to the entrance of Tartarus.

"Wait! Do you plan on going there unarmed?" Mitsuru shouted worriedly. "Even if you're just going to have a feel of it, do you still plan on going unarmed?"

"Well…I have a Persona…" And will receive more.

"But you can't keep on calling out your Persona forever, that will make you tired." Mitsuru made a motion for me to come to her, and I did. "Here, take this naginata. You will need a weapon to fight the Shadows, you can't rely only on your Persona."

I have a naginata in my room, I'm just too lazy to bring it. The naginata in my room is a better quality one than this replica, but I don't want to go back to the dorm and wasting time. So I led the group into Tartarus with the replica naginata.

"Can you all hear me?" Mitsuru's voice asked through the transceiver. "I will be providing back-up from here. My Persona will be able to scan Tartarus, so it is important for me to stay here and guide you through Tartarus."

After the introduction, I found a Shadow who was trying to ambush me. I quickly slashed it open with my naginata. There was nothing inside the Shadow, not even a piece of brain, it was just black. I guess Mitsuru was right when she said that I needed a weapon to take care of the Shadow, I wouldn't be able to whip out my Evoker, shoot myself, and call out an attack in time. I noticed the Shadow's friend and shot myself with the Evoker, calling out Orpheus. This time though, Orpheus didn't speak, maybe it was because that I called out the thing inside Orpheus, but he was just as powerful as usual, so I didn't see that as a problem. And I killed the Shadow easily, just like the Shadow before.

After we separately defeated the Shadows, I gained two new Personas, Apsaras and Pixie, but I want to see what they can do. I guess that I'll just wait until I have more Personas, then I'll fuse. But seriously, these Shadows are too easy, I've fought off worse.

"Okay, that's far enough, we won't be needing to go up to the next floor." Mitsuru said. "We can do that later. For now, return back to the entrance, there should be a transporter near you, use it to return."

I found the transporter. It was…weird, but if I remembered correctly, that was the way that I used to get out of Tartarus. If I remembered correctly, all you have to do is to touch the green light coming out of the transporter. I touched it and was transported directly back at Tartarus. The others followed me as well.

"So how was it?" Mitsuru asked us.

"It was tiring." Junpei said. Whoa, Junpei the overactive kid, tired?

"That was because you were jumping around like a kid!" Nice one Yukari.

"Hey! You're tired as well, Yukari!" Junpei countered.

"Well actually, I'm still trying to catch my breath." Yukari confessed.

"That is one effect of the Dark Hour, you will become tired more easily." Mitsuru said. "But don't worry, you will get used to it."

"…I'm not that tired." I shrugged. "Probably because I'm used to it already."

"For how long have you been awake in the Dark Hour?"

"Ten years. First awakening to Persona? The same day." I said. "I'm going to go back to the dorm now, bye!"

"…"

"You have more experience than they do. That's an advantage for you. You have experienced more things than they do, that could be an excuse of why you know all about the Dark Hour."

"But not about Tartarus." I muttered softly as I turned my back to the group. I walked out of Tartarus and walked back to the dorm. "That, I can't explain since I was away ten years ago and I wouldn't be able to find out about Tartarus when I was only six years old."

"…True. But I feel that the your identity will be uncovered in the near future."

"You're not psychic right?" I asked. "I'll try to keep my identity for as long as I can. But if I need to use my identity, then I'll use it."

"I'm not psychic. But I do know you for a long time now."

"How long?"

"Your whole life."

"…"

"I didn't need to find you, but for you to find me. The only reason that you are only able to see me now is because of the Shadows."

"What? So if it's because of the Shadows, I can see any ghost now?"

"…Not exactly, I told you before, I'm not a true ghost. Only you can see me and hear me, for some time. "

"What do you mean?"

"…"

"…I'll find out soon, won't I?"

"…Yes. You will see for yourself."

"…Then I'm looking forward to it."

"…Eh, maybe not."

I threw a glare at Minato and opened the door to my room. I locked the door once I got inside and jumped on the bed, careful not to trip on anything. "…I'm going to sleep. …" I glared again at Minato and he left me so that I can change my clothes. I then slept until the next day.

…

School was quite boring, as usual, except for the interesting speech from Mitsuru. Quite interesting, and very intelligent, as expected by Hiro's girlfriend. …No, that just sounds wrong. I'll rewrite that: Quite interesting, and very intelligent, as expected by the heir of the Kirijo Group.

The afternoon was also quite interesting though. Junpei and me met with Akihiko, who was surrounded by his fan girls as usual. When Akihiko greeted Junpei and me, his fans were glaring daggers at me. I could counter it back with a greater force, but I can only do it with my contact lenses off, so I don't think I'll do that for a while. I shrugged them off with an incredible force and continued to listen to what Akihiko was saying.

"…I'll meet you two later at the police station."

…The police station? Oh, this is going to be good. I will have to make sure that my contacts are in their places and that it will not fall off.

…

After reaching the police station, we found Akihiko already talking with one of the officers in the station.

"…Thank you, sir. Oh, these are the ones that I was talking about." Akihiko introduced us. "This is Junpei Iori and Minako Arisato."

"A-Arisato!" the officer exclaimed when he heard my last name. Oh, so he does know. Well, he doesn't look like the officer who slacks off all day, so he should probably know already.

I acted as the innocent little girl again. If I have to keep this up, I will become an innocent little girl. …That might be good, but at least they won't know what's coming if they try to attack me. "Um…yes?"

The officer analyzed me, and finally sighed. "I'm sorry. I have mistaken you for another person."

Nah, he got the right person. But he doesn't know that…yet. "…"

"Well, my name is Kurosawa. Call me Officer Kurosawa." the officer introduced himself.

"Officer Kurosawa-san knows about the Dark Hour, even though Kurosawa-san cannot experience it." Akihiko explained. "He will provide the equipments for our group, but it will be for a price."

"Of course. Nothing is free in this world, after all." Kurosawa said.

"…"

"This is from Ikutsuki-san. Use it well." Akihiko said, giving both of us 5,000 yen.

"…Thank you." I replied and examined the equipment on sale.

"…"

I flipped open my phone and put it to my ear. "…What do you think?" I muttered softly.

"…It's not bad…for a beginner's weapon. Good for Junpei and Yukari, but for you-"

"I can use the ones I have now. It's easier that way."

"…"

"…So, did you come to a decision yet?" Kurosawa called.

"…I want to buy this bow and sword, please." I said. I gave out my hand in front of Junpei.

"What?"

"Your money, I need it."

"What? No way!"

"Do you want to die in Tartarus or do you want to lose 5,000 yen?"

Junpei thought about it. He actually thought about it! "Okay, never mind, I'll use my own money." I said and sighed, giving up. "Keep your 5,000 yen."

Junpei looked guilty but looked away. I took out a note of 5,000 yen, so in the surface, I have 10,000 yen. I used the money to pay for Yukari's new bow and Junpei's new sword. I hope Junpei feels grateful, the sword he uses now doesn't exactly fit with him.

"…"

"Then I'll be going now." I bowed to Kurosawa. "Excuse me." I walked out of the police station with Junpei tailing me behind.

"…Sorry, Mina-tan." Junpei apologized, still looking away from me. "I needed the money…I don't have any…"

"It's okay, I understand, Junpei."

"…"

"…I'll go back to the dorm first, okay?" I said, glancing a look at Junpei. "See you later."

I walked back to the dorm alone, leaving Junpei back at the Mall. I flipped open my phone and put it to my ear when I noticed Minato quiet for quite a while. "What is it?"

"I want to keep a pet."

"…"

"I want to have a dog as a pet."

"!" I glared at Minato. "Wait, are you saying-"

"That dog was too intelligent. But intelligent enough to have a Persona."

"…You're quite observant." I muttered. "Do you want to be my 'eyes'?"

"…Why not? You're too busy trying to hide your eyes anyways."

"…Deal." I nodded. "…So what are we going to do with Koromaru?"

"Depends. Leave him alone with his Persona? Take him into S.E.E.S? Or let them observe him?"

"…I'll tell them to observe him for a while."

Now to make a real phone call.

…

After I made the phone call and got back to then dorm, I gave the equipment that I have bought to Yukari and left Junpei's on the lounge table so he could pick it up when he gets back. Mitsuru told me that I can tell them to go to Tartarus whenever I want, but there has to be at least Mitsuru or Akihiko present. Then I told Mitsuru that we are going to go to Tartarus, which Mitsuru agreed to and called everyone to be present in front of the school before midnight. I went to my room and prepared the weapons that I would use in Tartarus.

Better naginata equipped, checked.

Worse naginata thrown away, checked.

Well, I didn't exactly throw it away; I simply sold it with a "dealer". They don't know the difference between the real thing and the fake, so I sold it for much more than I should have sold it for. I sold Yukari's and Junpei's old equipment the same way as well.

I know it's messed up.

But I have done it before. Many times.

The group met up at the front of the school and waited for the Dark Hour to come.

"How long?" Junpei whined. "I can't take this anymore!"

"Shut up, Stupei! We only waited for five minutes!" Yukari scolded him. "The Dark Hour is going to come in a minute!"

11:59:58

11:59:59

00:00:00

Dark Hour

"Oh, it's here already." I pointed out.

"Is the difference always this freaky for you?" Yukari asked, glancing at the coffins on the street.

"Once you get used to it for ten years, not really."

"…"

"…Now then, we can't waste anymore time." Mitsuru said and opened the door that led into Tartarus.

We followed Mitsuru into Tartarus and the usual group (Me, Junpei and Yukari) went into Tartarus. We easily went up to the fifth floor and defeated them easily. All that we have to do was wait for Yukari to strike their brains and attack them, easy enough. We went down to the entrance of Tartarus and went back to the dorm. We came back in a few days and continued what we started. The tenth floor was a little bit harder, but not that hard as well, as they went down easily.

The fourteenth floor was hell.

We rested for a few days when we reached the thirteenth floor, and continued to the fourteenth floor. That was where I met the final guardian of the Thebel block. The hell of the Thebel block.

"Mitsuru-senpai!" I called out to the transceiver. "Can you analyze this Shadows' weaknesses?"

After a moment of silence, Mitsuru answered. "No. This is like the Shadows before. I can't find their weaknesses. Try to use every kind of attack to find out the weaknesses yourselves!"

That was quite unhelpful. But nonetheless, I asked Yukari to do Garu on the Shadow, which worked well, but not a huge hit, and Junpei to do Agi on the Shadow, which didn't work that well. I tried to slash it with my naginata, but it didn't even leave a scratch. So no physical attacks then, and I'm guessing that magical attacks, especially Agi, only leave one to two scratches. …This is not going good.

Dodge attack! Woah! That was close! Didn't see that coming! I attacked the Shadow with a Bufu, but it didn't really do that much damage. Junpei, being useless, defended himself and let the Shadow take it's turn.

…Oh…now it's aiming for Yukari. …Oh! That must have hurt! Yukari's knocked down. That's not good, Yukari was our main healer. The Shadow got an extra turn and attacked Yukari again, now she's unconscious.

…Oh no. Now, it's aiming for Junpei.

Junpei dodged out of the way in time, but he was panting. I can see that the Dark Hour is taking is affecting Junpei, especially when he's running around, trying to avoid from getting hit by the Shadow. I can't let this go on, it'll kill the both of us.

"…Junpei!"

"What is it, Mina-tan?"

"…Take Yukari down to the entrance!" I shouted at him, loud enough so that Mitsuru and Akihiko could hear me. "And don't come back! Whatever the circumstances!"

"WHAT! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FREAKING MIND?" The three shouted at me, leaving the annoying feedback sound from the transceiver. Fortunately, I took the transceiver out of my ear before it could permanently damage my ear.

"NO, I AM NOT!" I shouted back. "JUNPEI! TAKE YUKARI BACK AND DON'T COME BACK!"

"What about you?" Junpei asked worriedly.

"I'll deal with the Shadow. Alone."

"WHAT! NO WAY AM I-"

"JUNPEI! DO YOU WANT TO LIVE OR TO DIE?" I shouted at him.

"…"

"…Then do as I say, or all three of us will die." I told him, my voice softening.

"Wait." Mitsuru's voice said from the transceiver. "Are you planning to sacrifice yourself?"

"…" I glared back at the Shadow who was glaring at me. "You can talk, can't you? Just like Orpheus."

"…It has been a long time since I encountered a human with a sharp mind before."

"!" the others exclaimed. I knew it. That Shadow seemed too intelligent to understand our conversation.

"…So there was a human who you have encountered before?" I asked. "Other than us?"

"Yes. And they are quite similar to you. They share a significance resemblance that you hide."

"…Do as I say, Junpei." I said quietly. "Do it now."

Junpei was confused of what had happened, but reluctantly nodded and carried Yukari back to the teleporter. Then, the two disappeared when they touched the teleporter's light. I could hear an argument through the transceiver, but I couldn't hear much since the volume was down. I put the transceiver back on my ear and focused on the Shadow, who was waiting for me to make a move.

I took out my contact lenses and safely put it away in the case. "Do you mean my eyes, Shadow?"

"You know it as well as I do." the Shadow answered. "But I guess your friends do not understand the significance behind it."

"…You said that you have encountered a person with my eyes." I said with a quiet voice. "Who?"

"…I do not remember their name, but they are quite strong." the Shadow said. "Very strong."

"So there is more than one? Do you remember what they look like?" I asked.

"…No. But all that I remember are the eyes. One of them has eyes like yours…" the Shadow informed me. "The other, I have forgotten."

"…Why are you telling me this?"

"…You could say that this is tribute to them." the Shadow said. "…Do you know, that Shadows do not truly die. They may have seemed to disappear into nothingness, but we are just waiting to revive back and regenerate."

"…So I'm guessing that they have defeated you once?"

"…It seems so. I have lost parts of my memories. I am sorry, human."

"…You still won't let me pass, won't you?"

"…Of course not." the Shadow said. "They have fought hard to defeat me. I was once also very strong, but I was defeated, and revived into a weakling."

"…"

"If you cannot defeat me now, then you will lose all of my admiration towards you." the Shadow said. "And to the ones that have defeated me previously."

"…Why me?"

"You have the same energy that that person had once brought. You have the same power…and you two are alike…very alike with each other…"

"…When were you defeated?"

"…Ten years ago."

"! …Could it be…mother…?"

"I do not know, human. But you two had shared a resemblance. Almost as if you two are the same person…"

"…Then I'll defeat you." I said with determination. "With my honor, and the honor of the person who had defeated you.

"You will?"

"I have to, it's the only way to go up." I muttered.

"Then I'll help you."

I threw away my naginata and took out my "good-luck" charm. "Now, all I have to do is to defeat this Shadow. I bet it won't be that easy."

"…But you did defeat that-"

I grinned. "Yeah, but a dummy is a dummy. This is the real thing."

"Don't forget that you're-"

"Of course. Nobody can forget."

"…Then good luck."

"Thank you." I said, observing the "good-luck" charm. "But I wonder if this really works…"

"…It's better than nothing, at least."

"True. Completely true." I said, throwing the "good-luck" charm up into the air back and forth, I then put it back into my pocket. "But it has been a while since I encountered an enemy that is resistant to physical attacks."

"Then let us fight, human." the Shadow said. "…That weapon…"

"What?"

The Shadow chuckled. "You remind me of a friend of mine. You might meet him later."

"Friend or foe?"

"That is his choice." the Shadow said. "Now, shall we fight?"

"Of course."

The Shadow tried to attack me. Dodge, kick. Back flip. Kick column, land on hands, front roll. …Where'd it go? How can that big Shadow hide? No…calm down. If it can't hide in the room, then it'll hide - dodge! That was close! How did it cling on the roof?

"Remember your fights before. It might be different, but it still uses the same principle."

The same principle? Which one? Oh. "You mean Persona?"

"Of course."

I took out my Evoker and triggered it. "Orpheus! Agi!" Orpheus appeared and melted the Shadow's legs. It became stunned, unable to move, so I attacked again. "Orpheus! Agi!" The fire appeared on the Shadow, but quickly went away.

"You are good." the Shadow said.

"…There's a catch, isn't there?"

The Shadow swung it's lance-like arms suddenly. Jump! Ow! I got slashed on my leg. It's a deep wound, I don't think I'll be able to walk normally, unless I can get it healed, fast. Damn it, why did I have to send Yukari down? "…Pixie! Dia!" I said, triggering the Evoker. It healed a layer of my wound, but it will need more than a Dia to fully heal this. I don't have much time, the blood is gushing out from my leg. I ripped off the sleeve from my uniform and tied it around my leg. It's not much, but I hope it'll hold until the end of the battle. "Orpheus! Agi!"

The fire hit the Shadow, who is has recovered it's senses in it's legs, unfortunately. I leaned against the wall and stood up, glaring at the Shadow.

"You're not going to give up, are you?" the Shadow asked.

"Of course not." I answered. "Once I promise something, I'll stick to the promise. I won't back down."

"Then show me what you have been training for." the Shadow said, regaining it's battle pose. "For the past ten years."

I nodded and got ready to fight, but put pressure on my good leg. "Orpheus! Agi!" I called out, striking fire on the Shadow.

"…What is your intention?" the Shadow asked.

"…You cannot feel your armor melting away?"

"So that is your intention?" the Shadow asked, amused. "And what do you plan on doing with your condition?"

I took out my "good-luck" charm. "As you have said before, I did not train for nothing. I have trained in worse conditions." I threw my "good-luck" charm at the Shadow, striking it right on it's chest. I leapt up towards the Shadow, took the hilt of the "good-luck" charm, and cut through the body of the Shadow, which made it cry in agony. "I'm sorry. Orpheus! Agi!" I took out my "good-luck" charm and the cut burned. I then cut off the Shadow's head, leaving it to roll on the ground. No blood came out, but I didn't dare to touch the head.

"…You have done well, for a person with a sharp mind." the Shadow's voice rang out in the room, I don't know where it came from. "Even though I am strong against fire, it is also my weakness at the same time. …I will keep my promise."

"…I have not yet defeated you, have I?" I asked. "You…were too easy…"

"…Yes. I have not regenerated fully, but even now, you were too strong for me." the Shadow's voice said. "…Why is it that you hide your power?"

"…"

"…I see." the Shadow's voice said. "Whatever the reason. I do not think that you will be able to keep the secret."

I sighed. "Why does everybody say that now?"

The Shadow chuckled. "But it is the truth, and I have to say, that I am amazed that you show both of your best traits: speed and power. Being in that group certainly has benefited you, has it not?"

"…Just how do you know so much about me?"

"…Someone told me about you. She said told me things about someone that had resembled her. I know that she had meant you." the Shadow said.

"…Mother…"

"…"

"…I have been defeated, but I will come back." the Shadow promised. "I will come back in a different form and name…and from now on, you will encounter many Shadows that are stronger than me, and they will not be as kind. So be careful."

"…Thank you."

"And I have a 'present' for you." the Shadow said and a card appeared in front of me. "This is Surt, he is a good friend of mine. He has acknowledged you as his master."

"What do you mean?"

"…He will come whenever you summon him as a Persona." the Shadow told me. "He has learned the most powerful fire spell, so he will be useful to you."

"…Thank you, Surt and…"

"Call me Rampage Drive for now." Rampage Drive said. "But next time, I will not come with this name."

"Thank you, Rampage Drive."

"…You cannot move in this state. You have worn out your leg." Rampage Drive said. "I will teleport you back to the entrance."

"…But-"

"That is the least that I can do for you…and the person who had defeated me before." Rampage Drive said.

"…What exactly did the person who had defeated you before do for you?"

"…Thank you, and goodbye."

"Wh- Wait!"

But it was too late, I was already teleported back to the entrance, where everyone was still arguing about whether to go back and help. Yukari, who had already woken up and was watching the argument, was the first one that noticed me, and my severed leg.

"Minako!" Yukari shouted, catching the attention of the rest of the group.

"Hi." I said. "I'm finished." It's harder for me to catch my breath now. Oh no. Have I lost too much blood? No, I don't think so. I sat down, stabilizing my leg so the blood won't gush out as much.

"Minako! You're injured!"

Thank you for the obvious statement.

"We have to get you to a hospital!"

"Where's the nearest hospital?"

When everyone was still panicked and confused, I was the only one that had a collected and calm enough mind to say, "It's the Dark Hour. There's no hospital open."

…

"…Okay, I know where to go." I said, ripping off my other sleeve, taking off the cloth covering my leg and using the fresh cloth to wrap it up. "Can you just make sure that I don't lose that much blood?"

Yukari took out her Evoker and used Dia on my wound, it's not much, but it did make a little bit of the blood go back in my leg.

"Thank you, Yukari." I said, standing back up. "But it's quite a long way, it's at Port Island Station. So if you can cast a small Dia here and there-"

"…You mean that building you went to?" Akihiko cut in.

"Yeah." I nodded. "I need to go there anyway."

Akihiko stared at me for a while and proceeded to pick me up, bridal-style.

"Hey! Wait! Put me back down! I can still walk!" I shouted in surprise.

"You're going to lose more blood that way, you'll lose blood at a minimum level this way." Akihiko said, completely confused why I'm fighting back. "And anyways, I know the place, so we can get there quicker."

"…" I don't have anything to back me up, and he's saying the truth, this is the only way to not lose blood that much and get there at the same time. "Fine. But can you get there before the Dark Hour ends?"

"…Okay, I'll try to." And Akihiko walked out of Tartarus quickly, making Mitsuru, Yukari and Junpei trying to catch up with us.

When we reached the place filled with many coffins behind Port Island Station, I made Akihiko put me down. "Don't follow me in, go back with the group to the dorm and come back tomorrow night." I told Akihiko. He was about to argue until I glared at him, which made him walk reluctantly back to the group. I hobbled over to the building and opened the door. "Yo!" I called out in between pants.

"…Little Minako! What happened?"

"No time to…explain, can I…stay here…to rest…for a while?"

"Of course! Sleep first and we can treat your leg. We can talk later, just sleep for now."

I hobbled over to the couch and lied down, sighing gratefully that I still have enough energy to hobble over to the couch. I then slept until the next day.

DLWolf: Hello again there! This isn't like my last story, right? About twenty chapters cover the whole year, but this story might need a couple more chapters to cover the whole year, so bear with me! And sorry if I didn't really give out that much detail in that battle scene, I'm still learning, so yeah, sorry!

Akihiko: Hey, DarknessLightWolf?

DLWolf: Yeah?

Akihiko: I don't understand why Minako didn't accept my offer to carry her back to that place.

DLWolf: …I did say to you to carry her, but it doesn't have to be bridal-style you know.

Akihiko: Bridal-style? O-Oh…now I understand.

DLWolf: *Sigh* Still the same clueless Akihiko.

Akihiko: Hey!

DLWolf: What? It's true. Ask any girl…or boy, and they'll tell you the same thing.

Akihiko: …Oh…

DLWolf: Anyways… Ryurieri, I hope this answers your question. LilLaoRyo704, thank you for reading, yes I liked that part too! BlazingFireAngelXXX, nah, Minato isn't the Great Seal, you'll find out later. Fan of Fanfics21, yes, the job of hacker out of the twins is Minato, and it is better so that he can pwn :). ledah13, it's a good thing it's not the same one, the story is not going to be overrun by OCs but there are some mentions of them. Soulswallows, I have the power of the author in this story, I will be able to put MinaYuka here, just read :) the family eye color is very important to the story, you will see later. Thanks everyone!

Akihiko: …

DLWolf: Don't worry, you'll get better at getting girls. Why not one of your fangirls?

Akihiko: …I don't like them.

DLWolf: Ooh, harsh. Well anyways, thank you all for the reviews, favorites and alerts! Please keep on R&R, but no insults please! Thank you! Until we meet again!