Novelization of Persona 4- Chapter 27
I own nothing of Persona, SMT, or anything of the sort. Atlus/Atlus USA does. I do own... your attention, for a short while.
Well… here we are… Magatsu Inaba. Enjoy the show. It's been too long between chapters... my fault, I know.
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It hadn't hit Souji just how dire the situation was until the next morning when he woke up in his empty house. "The town… no, the whole world could turn into Shadows," he said, "All because of a jackass defective who thinks it's a game. Doesn't he understand the consequences of what's going to happen to us all?"
Souji left the house to walk down the floodplains to get to school, hoping not to kill himself walking there. He eventually put his glasses on, and only nearly died instead.
During lunch, Souji was surprised to hear that same annoying girl say, "They've posted the test scores!"
"I've been so busy, I've completely forgotten," Souji thought, "Nanako, Namatame, and Adachi."
As Souji walked down to the first floor, he almost didn't care that he had received the top score in the 2nd year. He had more important things to worry about right now. "We can worry about test scores once the town isn't under the threat of being turned into the TV world," he thought.
He got some support from Yukiko, "Good job…"
"Thanks…," Souji responded. He saw that Yukiko had gotten second, "You did well too."
Yukiko smiled at Souji. She knew they had more important things to worry about, too.
They walked towards Junes together. Adachi was playing a game… a game! This was the possible end of Inaba, and he was joking around with them. Souji was going to kill him.
They entered the TV world as each of them got there.
"Alright guys," Souji said, "We're here." They were in the plaza of the TV world now. "We have a defective to catch."
"We'll catch him this time," Yukiko responded.
"There's plenty of time," Yosuke told Souji.
"Let's not be careless," Rion warned, "Let's not get hurt."
When they walked into a twisted-looking Inaba, they were automatically taunted by Adachi.
"You guys actually came? Do you really have this much time on your hands? Don't you have studying to do?" Adachi asked as he taunted, "Let's go to the secret headquarters, guys! How old are you, anyways!?"
"I'm going to kick his ass," Souji said to the others.
"Wait in line," Naoto responded.
So, the first floor of "Magatsu", as they called it, began.
They walked down the first corridor to see some of the Shadows with the large tongues. It fired large electric blasts at the Persona-users. The "Mazionga!" attacks struck the party, and made all but Rion and Kanji recoil in pain. In Teddie's case, he was knocked over and turned into a fuzz ball.
"Guys…," Souji said, "Come on! I hold them off, somebody else kill it!" "Tam Lin!" "Diarahan!"
The healing magic enveloped Teddie, while Rise told Yukiko, "Ummm… I think fire is the weakness."
"Really?" Yukiko looked at Rise, while throwing her fan at the Shadows, "That's hot!"
"Hear me, Amaterasu!" "Maragion!"
The flames that burst from the fiery sun goddess knocked down the Shadows. The Persona-users charged the large-tongued monstrosities. Rion's staff struck down one with a horizontal blow. Another was cut down with Souji's long sword. Yosuke's kunai pierced a third, while Chie's kicks pounded the final one.
Yukiko fanned herself. She was already sweating. This wasn't a good sign for the group. Souji knew this was going to be the hardest place ever.
They walked through an arch before Souji felt sick. He felt himself getting weaker.
"I don't feel good," He said as he put his head down.
"You're poisoned!" Yukiko responded.
She started to treat him as Teddie looked at the end of the tunnel, "What's that?" he asked.
Rion answered, "They're Shadows…" He calmly walked towards the Shadows, "Yosuke!"
"What!?" he answered.
"We will be needing you shortly…," Rion told him.
As Souji staggered to his feet, he saw the Shadows. They had fly-like things around them, and kept trying to poison the rest of them.
"So, what did you want me to do?" Yosuke asked as he watched Naoto shoot one of them.
"They're weak to wind," Rion explained, "So… Do you need more explanation?"
"Nope…," Yosuke said as he cut through his card, "Susano-O!" "Magarula!" As the Shadows fell down, he asked the leader, "Souji, are you okay? Are you ready to go?"
"Let's do this," Souji answered, picking up his sword.
God help those Shadows.
They had only turned one more corner when floating Shadows, colored white, and shooting ice all over the place. It was turning Yukiko into a Popsicle. This pissed Souji off and he equipped a Persona by the name of "Jinn".
"Maragidyne!" The idol-ish Shadows caught on fire and started melting.
As another came up from behind to try and ambush Souji, Naoto yelled, "Yamato Takeru!" "Mudoon!" The Shadow disappeared under the black darkness.
"Okay… let's move on," Souji said afterwards.
"All right," Chie responded.
They reached the "portal" thingy, and went through. It would produce another problem.
"Umm… I can't find the stairs," Rise told them when they got there, "Umm… I don't know where we are."
Adachi started talking, "Ha! You're still here! Go home! Start studying! Go marry a cute girl, get a good job!"
"Oh, shut the hell up, will you!?" Souji yelled.
Only twenty steps after walking away from berating Adachi; they were bombarded by eagles. The Shadows were relentless in trying to rip into the group. They would be successful, except for the skill of the fighters on the edge. Yosuke's knives, Rion's swords, Kanji's chair, Naoto's gun, and Yukiko's fan defended the group against the eagles.
"It's weak against electricity!" Rise yelled.
Rise screamed as an eagle swooped down at her. Naoto covered her with a few shots to deter the Shadow.
Since Kanji's skills with electricity were lacking, Souji switched to "Thor!" "Maziodyne!"
Most of the eagles were burned to a crisp by thousands of volts of electricity. When two more came forward, Kanji came forth, "Rokuten Maoh!" "Vile Assault!"
Chie took on the other as she attacked, "Suzuka Gongen!" "Black Spot!" (She's not level 67 yet)
The only other Shadow they encountered while they were trying to find someway into the next area was one of those sand Shadows that tried to make you really tired.
"Thor!" "Ziodyne!" Souji exclaimed to turn the Shadows into glass with the extreme heat the lightning produced.
As they walked along, they reached a bunch of police tape. When they tried to go through it like the rest of it, Adachi stopped them.
"You found me!" Adachi said, "But, you didn't think I'd let you through that easily, did you?"
"We can't get through," Rise told them, "We'll have to find another way."
"Well…," Souji had repositioned his sword over his back, "Let's just figure out what to do and then take a break."
He could see that they would need it. They hadn't faced a lot of enemies, but the group had been frozen, shocked, and poisoned multiple times. They had a few days, but if it was going to take a while; Souji wasn't sure how long this would take.
Souji's team fought for a while until they found a hole. He suggested to them, "I think this is the only way to advance."
"It's a plausible solution," Rion agreed with him. He pushed up his glasses. He hadn't seen any enemies in the immediate area.
"But, before we continue…," Souji continued, "Let's go back. We're tired."
Teddie nodded, and the others agreed with the bear. They were heading out of TV world and goho-m.
Souji never knew he could be so tired after only two floors. He motioned over to his second-in-command as he was about to leave. Rion walked over, leaning on his walking stick.
"We're not going back tomorrow," Souji told him, "I've never seen us so exhausted only after a few floors."
Rion nodded, "I understand. I will take that into consideration when I rest up for our next visit."
Souji shook his head, and Rion smiled.
As Souji headed back alone, he wondered, "If it was going to take this long… will we get this done in time?"
Souji entered his lonely adobe, cutting through the thick fog. It was still so… empty here. If Souji didn't do anything, it would be permanently empty.
December 9th-
The group made their way to school, only to hear everyone worry about the fog, and the end of the world. It seemed like a common occurrence to Souji. Even the teachers were getting gas masks now and were worried about the fog. The students in 2-2 were causing havoc again and disrupting class. He still answered Kashiwagi's question on "What are the most of in the world, species-wise?" in a general sense. Souji had forgotten the exact wording on the question when he talked to the others. But, he answered, "Insects"
Souji ended up baby-sitting… actually, working at a day-care after school. The kids got lost in the fog and kept running into each other. Souji tried not to laugh as he brought a jerky kid to his mom who was rather late.
December 10th-
Again, they weren't going into the TV.
That Saturday, Souji had to waste time listening people whine about the fog again. "These people don't know when to quit," he thought, "We're working on it!"
He played basketball with Kou and roped Daisuke into playing a pickup game with them. So, Daisuke sucked and Souji's team, with Kou on his, kicked his ass; it was still fun regardless.
Walking down the flowing floodplains, Souji decided that they would have to go back to the TV tomorrow. He needed to see what was below that hole, and hopefully not die down there.
He called Rion. He was meaning to earlier, but he needed to.
"Hey," he said.
"Yeah," Rion responded, "Are we going back tomorrow?"
Rion was a psychic; Souji decided as he said, "We are. Rion… What happened between you and Naoto?"
Rion sighed over the phone, "Her grandfather made us break up. It pisses me off, but I don't know… I would be targeted otherwise."
"And here I thought they wanted her to change," Souji said, "Oh well… I'll see you tomorrow."
As Souji hung up the phone, he said to himself, "He had a hit put on him? Heh… he could deal with it."
December 11th-
School went by quickly for Souji on the 11th. He headed straight for Junes after school where he was joined by Yukiko and the others.
"Let's go everyone," Souji told them as they all entered the TV.
As they jumped into the whole, they were immediately accosted by Adachi.
"Hey, you found your way down," Adachi told them, "I'm impressed. Still… Go home…"
The first area down the hole wasn't going to be easy, and the place would prove it to them very quickly.
The first Shadow they ran into was one of those little onion king Shadows that looked like a reject from Final Fantasy in Souji's minds.
At first, Yosuke came up to it, and started whacking on it with his kunai. Then he, it spun his sword.
"What the hell is it doing!?" Yosuke asked.
One of those plant Shadows came out, and ran into Yosuke. It knocked him over.
"Damn it!" Yosuke yelled.
"Yosuke!" Souji yelled, "You deal with the king things! Rion and Chie! You deal with all of the plant-things that are forming!"
"As you command," Rion nodded, dodging one of the plants' attacks.
Yosuke attacked the king Shadow first, "Go! Susano-O!" "Garudyne!" The Shadow was blown into the air, and then disappeared into the vortex.
"Suzuka Gongen!" "Heat Drive!" Chie yelled.
"Is that all you have?" Rion smirked as two remained. "Ameno-waka-hiko!" "Hassou Tobi!"
The Shadows were shredded into little pieces.
They ran into both a one of those Shadows with the multi-colored wing on its back and the spinning tower Shadows.
The unmoving wing Shadow started casting "Bufudyne!" on Yukiko. Souji dove in front of Yukiko.
"Thanks," Yukiko said to him as she picked him up off the ground.
"Thanks. I have a plan," Souji said, "Mother Harlot!" "Ziodyne!"
The Shadow burned from the volts that ran through it, and drooped in pain. Souji finished it off with a slash with his sword.
"Do the same with the other Shadow," Rise said, "Give it a shock!"
"Okay, okay!" Souji said as he yelled, "Maziodyne!" to send lightning into the other Shadows.
They ran into a snake Shadow that just like one of the other Shadows, poisoned Souji right as they met them.
"Damn it!" Souji yelled.
"I'll take care of it," Naoto said as she pulled out her gun and shot her card, "All yours! Yamato Takeru!" "Mamudoon!"
"Was that really necessary?" Rion asked, "It was also weak against icicles."
"Shut it you…," Naoto said jokingly, watching the snakes disappear into the darkness. She had punched him lightly.
As they were about to enter the 2nd area as they were climbing the place in the hole, they were attacked. They were large grey Shadows with spires and all sorts of undulations.
They were making the Persona-users lives' hell, but they escaped without much harm. Escaping without much harm means leaving it for Rion and waiting for him to kill them and come out.
It wouldn't get any easier for them on the 2nd level.
They ran into one of those lion Shadows almost immediately. They knew from previous experiences with these kinds of Shadows that it had no weaknesses, so it was an interesting struggle.
"What do we do guys?" Teddie asked as he was blown over by the Shadow's ball-and-chain.
"Leave it to Kanji and Chie," Souji said.
So, they did…
"Suzuka Gongen!" "Rokuten Maoh!"
Plus, the fact that kunai, swords, fans, greaves, staff, and chairs followed the Personas helped their destruction.
As they turned around, a floating pot with ladies sticking out tried to choke Yukiko, which caused Souji to wildly swing his sword at them.
"Souji! Help!" Yukiko called out.
"Die, bastards!" Souji yelled at the Shadows.
Naoto came up to Souji, "I'll deal with it." "Yamato Takeru!" "Mahamaon!" Mantras rose up and the white light engulfed the demons.
"T… Thanks," Yukiko said, as she could breathe again without the Shadows' hands around her neck.
"No problem," Naoto replied.
No reprieve for the weary they would find, as two more kinds of Shadows would attack them before the portal.
The first would be a box-like Shadow that was similar to the others that would have all the silverware around it. This one, however, seemed to be asleep.
"Heh…," Souji said with his sword diagonally across his chest. He was blocking an attack from the other kind of Shadow attacking them. It was one of those large wheels with a lion's head on it. It would roll into them.
"This hurts," Yosuke said, as he spit out something that suspiciously like his tooth.
"Rise, Rion…? Any ideas?" Souji asked, "We kind of need some help here." It was true. They were being knocked around pretty badly, and only those who were strong and fast were still in good shape.
Rise focused her Persona at the table and finally said, "It's weak against fire!"
Rion's Persona's arrows had been piercing the wheels before he told the group, "Darkness is the key."
Souji confirmed Rion's answer through his attack, "Lilith!" "Mamudoon!"
"Hear me Amaterasu!" "Agidyne!" Yukiko attacked the other Shadow with searing flames. Burning cardboard could be seen throughout "Magatsu".
"Are we through?" As the group went through the portal, Souji asked. This would be the last floor for a while. The group was in bad shape. Souji had cuts all over his arms and Yosuke had a nice gash near his shoulder blade. Naoto was sporting a bruise near her temple and Teddie's fur was all ruffled. Kanji's leg was kind of sliced open, and Chie had bite marks from the lion Shadows on her left thigh. Rion had a small cut over his own right eye.
Of course, they just had to be taunted by Adachi when they went through the portal.
Adachi mocked them, "I'm bored in here. Let's play a game, okay?"
"A game!?" Rion exclaimed, "I don't want to play a game with you, you sick bastard!"
"How about… You can't touch any of the Shadows," Adachi explained, "All right… Play!"
"What kind of game is this?" Souji asked.
"This guy pisses me off!" Rise exclaimed.
"Tell me about it," Naoto agreed with the idol.
Unfortunately, they ran straight into one right away. Some plant Shadow with those swinging branches.
"Schiesse," Rion had gotten hit by one of its branches, "I'm getting careless. Dance with me," Rion said as he ducked under its swinging branches and stabbed it with his sword in a thrusting motion. As he removed it from the bark, he said, "Someone please freeze the trees."
"Byakko!" "Mabufudyne!" Souji yelled.
"Kamui!" "Mabufudyne!" Teddie followed.
"Is that good enough?" Souji asked.
"Works for me," Rion answered.
When they finished fighting, they were somehow transported to the beginning of the area.
"What the fuck!?" Souji yelled.
"I don't know!" Yukiko responded. She was about to chide him for his language, but she was pissed in her own right.
"We just have to be sure to not run into any Shadows," Naoto said.
"Shouldn't be too hard," Kanji nodded.
"Okay," Chie, "Let's do it!"
Rion was designated as the guy to direct and lead them to safety. Of course, he had to wait for them numerous times… even with a bum leg.
After dodging all of the Shadows, they reached a bunch of yellow tape, where Adachi's voice cut in again.
"Wow, you guys did it!" Adachi said it, "Since you did so well, I'll fight you!" This perked up everyone, until he said, "Nah… All you get to do is fight Shadows!"
"Oh great," Souji said as they stumbled on one those Shadows who had a key in a large circular hole while holding a gun and a handcuff in either hand.
Right away, the Shadow summoned another one.
"What the hell!?" Yosuke yelled, "Susano-O!" "Magarudyne!"
It damaged the Shadows a little, as the other Shadow summoned another one.
"More of them… Gee!" Rise exclaimed.
"Bearsona! Mabufudyne!" Teddie yelled.
As soon as you killed one, another one would come.
"Amaterasu! "Maragidyne!" Yukiko attacked.
"Mother Harlot!" "Maziodyne!" Souji tried to kill them off.
Naoto shot her gun at them, "Yamato Takeru!" "Megidola!"
It wasn't like they weren't trying either. Their swords, chairs, knives, kicks, fans, and bullets were doing damage as well.
Souji finally relented, "Rion, can you take care of this?"
"I thought you would never ask," Rion said with a smirk. He pushed up his glasses as the gunfire flashed around him.
"Hurry up already!" Naoto yelled.
"Keep your pants on!" Rion yelled back.
"Don't tell me what to do!" She exclaimed.
"Both of you shut up!" Souji chided, "And Rion! You kill it!"
"You aren't any fun," Rion as he drew his smallest blade and pierced his card over his chest, "Rise and resurrect Ameno-waka-hiko!" "It just is not your lucky day… Hassou Tobi!"
The arrows came flying towards the four Shadows flew straight and true. It pierced each of them in the head and killed them instantly.
"See, that wasn't so bad," Rion smiled as his Persona disappeared.
"Says you with no injuries at all," Chie remarked.
"Take a look at Rise," Rion told her, "I have a cut over my eye."
"Oh… whoop tee do," Souji said. But, he in reality, Rion was hiding the fact using his Persona tires him out a lot.
Adachi interrupted their tirade, "I guess you guys are better than I expected. But how long will you last?"
"Until we kick your ass!" Souji said to no one in particular.
They crashed right after finishing that floor. That battle drained the group of all of their energy. Souji almost fell to his knees. Chie did, in fact, fall to her knees after fighting the fuzzy Shadow. Yosuke helped her up, and they stumbled their way up and out of the TV world.
"So much for finishing this quickly," Souji thought as he walked back slowly with Yukiko to the bus stop.
If nothing less, her hand was warm until she reached the bus stop. Then Souji made sure her lips were warm for a few seconds.
Souji walked back solemnly to Dojima's house after letting Yukiko go. Were they going to finish this in time? I mean… this would take more time for the others to recover than probably ever before. Rion's injuries in Nanako's area caused him to miss only a few days because of repeated healing spells, but maybe overusing it here could be damaging for Souji and the others. And this… would not be something they could afford.
Souji filled up an ice pack when he got back, and placed it on his left shoulder. It felt good to have the pain numbed, but it didn't remove the nagging feeling of the overwhelming fog awaiting them.
December 12th-
Souji walked into school unsure of what he was going to do besides clutching an icepack to his shoulder. Luckily, the cuts on his arms were all cleaned up by now. After hearing everyone in the classroom whine about the fog, Souji had to figure what to do after school.
He finally decided to practice his acting skills of all things. For once, he was about as depressing as his acting partner.
December 13th-
Again, after a healthy breakfast, Souji had to listen to worried people about the fog. "I know the fog is going to kill us all!" Souji thought, "Deal with it!"
He just kicked ass on the basketball court after school to work off his anger. "I should challenge the others to a game," Souji thought as he hit an eighteen-footer.
December 14th-
Souji had checked up on the others yesterday, and most of them were still fatigued. So, they were spending another day away from the TV.
As Souji walked to the school he heard girls talking…
"You know, I'm getting kind of use to the idea of the end of the world."
"It actually sounds kind of cool. Seeing the end of the world, and all."
"Yeah, I know."
"These people are nuts," Souji shook his head.
As he walked Yukiko back after school, hand-in-hand… He had some happy thoughts, "If we make it through this… We'll be together… I promise."
December 15th-
They met at the TV world after school. How far they would go today, Souji didn't know how far they would get, but they were slowly running out of days.
So, they made their way to "Magatsu" unsure of themselves, and getting nervous.
"Let's get moving," Souji said.
"I'm ready when you are," Yosuke responded.
The fourth area would only be a bigger pain and only cause more injuries. Something that was very unsettling for Yukiko and Teddie, their healers.
Souji was very unsettled when a large sword tried to slice Yukiko in half.
"Souji!" she yelled for help.
"You need to retaliate against it!" Souji responded.
"Oh…," Yukiko said, "Amaterasu! Agidyne!" as the Shadow burned.
Souji finished it a sword strike.
"Good teamwork," Chie congratulated them.
"Umm guys…," Souji said, "Those dancing swords-lady Shadows are back."
Souji swore he saw Rion smile. He saw Yosuke and Chie fighting them, kunai and kicks flashing. They were diving under sword blows and flames were being spitted out.
He saw Rion dive into battle with his swords, and Souji joined him with his own.
Naoto drew her gun and fired at one of them as she said, "Teddie, Yukiko… heal them."
Kanji stood in front of the healers and made sure no one came near them, lest one of them strike of them with a sword.
It seemed like the amount of dancing Shadows were endless, and they were being close to overrun. Rion was still moving in and out of their blades, while jumping over of the open flames. He slit one of the Shadows' throats, while seeing Chie punt another into the sky.
"We need to get out of here…," Souji told them, wiping his chin of blood.
"Fine…," Rion said, as he finished off one more Shadow by parrying it and lifting it off the ground with his sword thrust.
They all ran from the Shadows and some minimal healing began. But before it could be finished, another Shadow attacked. A wavy type of Shadow that looked like strands of DNA attacked them.
"Shit…," Kanji muttered as his chair did minimal damage.
"Rise... What's it weak against?" Souji asked.
"Darkness… and light," Rise explained. She was out of breath from running.
"Mother Harlot!" "Mamudoon!" Souji crushed his card.
His darkness missed one as the Shadow came over and hit him.
"Souji!" Yukiko called out to him.
"Yamato Takeru!" "Hamaon!" Naoto came to his rescue.
"Thanks…," Souji expressed as the white light covered the Shadow.
Teddie told the group, "Let's get out of here."
They got out of the TV world after going through the portal to the next area. Goho-m never felt so good.
Souji threw up from exhaustion. One floor… they only made it through one floor. Imagine that… they were in trouble, serious trouble.
December 16th-
Hot showers were supposed to be relaxing for sore muscles…except, Souji ran out of hot water before he could feel any change in his condition.
"Damn…," Souji muttered, "How can we deal with this when we struggled so much?"
If this one floor was so difficult… if the areas above them were even harder… they could die before the fog covered the world. That thought scared Souji.
The constant murmurs and worrying about fog was not the biggest concern today. It was the sight of stress and exhaustion on the various faces of the Persona users' faces.
Souji didn't do anything after school and just headed back home to ice himself down. He went to the freezer and filled his ice bag. Souji did not know where to put it first. It would be painful to sleep that night.
December 17th-
To see the group's faces as they went to school. They still weren't any better. Pained looks were on their faces. The one with the least amount of pain was obviously Rise, and she obviously felt sorry for the rest of them. Souji wondered if Rion's look of pain was for his previous injuries, running on it all the time. Souji couldn't worry about it. Still, Rion gestured Yosuke and Souji over after school.
"Yeah, what is it?" Yosuke asked.
"We need to go back tomorrow," Rion told them.
Souji thought about it. He was probably right. It was getting close to the deadline.
"Are you crazy!?" Yosuke exclaimed, "We're still beaten up. We can't handle this."
"If we do not finish this, and catch Adachi… will it matter what happens to us?" Souji asked. He said what Rion was thinking.
Yosuke relented, "I understand. I'll tell them."
Souji nodded. He now had to try to rest himself as best he could to get ready for a fight he was not prepared for.
So, Souji went to bed early and heat and ice was his friend.
December 18th-
Even with some resistance, Chie was still against going back after what happened a few days ago, they went into the TV. They were becoming a ragged bunch, and Souji had to have gone through four jackets by now. The only good news is that Souji visited Margaret and made a new and special Persona while he was there.
The fifth area of "Magatsu" after dropping in the hole was a dash to get through this place as fast as possible. That was Souji's idea. It seemed like a good idea because the swords-lady Shadows had returned and Rion was taking care of them as they ran.
They reached the sixth area, and were very sorry. It could only produce stronger Shadows.
How could it be that they ran into three different types of Minotaur Shadows as soon as they turned the first corner?
"You have got to be kidding me!" Souji exclaimed as he swung at one and he bounced off.
"Oh, that sucks," Rion muttered. He had struck one of the others, doing a small amount of damage.
"Ziodyne!" rang out from one of the Minotaur, making Teddie's hair stand on end.
"Teddie, are you okay!?" Rise asked.
"I'm not doing b-eary well...," he answered.
"Strike that one," Rion pointed at the one that knocked Souji over, "With electricity."
"It's time…," Souji said, "Trumpeter!" "Ziodyne!"
"Nice…," Yosuke said, watching the Minotaur Shadow being shocked. "Woah!" he said suddenly as he barely dodged being run over by one of the others.
Rise said, "I think… use fire on that one!" she pointed at the black and purple one.
"Okay," Yukiko said as she struck the card with her fan, "Amaterasu!" "Agidyne!" "Burn!" She was chuckling as it went up in flames, which scared Souji.
"Umm… a little help here?" Naoto shot at the third one and Teddie was trying to claw at it after he healed himself.
"Leave it to me," Yosuke said, "Go, Susano-O!" "Garudyne!" He watched the Minotaur Shadow be blown away.
"Now that they're all on the ground… let's blow them away!" Souji commanded.
"All right!" Kanji yelled as they rushed the group. The amount of weapons that met the three Shadows almost made Souji feel sorry for them, almost.
Souji stopped feeling sorry for them when he was run into by a Shadow when he turned around.
"What the fuck!?" he yelled.
It was basically a tank with turrets… if the Shadow tank was a big circular machine with guns on it.
"What do we do!?" Yukiko exclaimed as it rained more blasted on the group.
She was the weakest, defense-wise, and big blasts from cannon-like turrets were not good for her.
"I'll do it," Naoto said, "Mudoon!"
The tank responded by shooting Naoto… luckily Rion and Kanji were there to catch her.
"Thanks," she said.
"Bearsona!" "Bufudyne!" Teddie yelled. The turrets were frozen, and the bullet was frozen in mid-shot.
Souji went up and shattered the tank with his sword. "About time," he said.
They were going in left turns, over and over. What was scary was encountering a Shadow that looked like teddy bears.
"Ooh, I have a key chain that looks like these," Chie said.
"Do these key chains use Megidoloan?" Rion asked as he was knocked over by the blast.
She answered, "Uh… no."
Being blasted by powerful "Megidoloan!" attacks was very detrimental for something that Souji treasured. That was his jacket."
"Yamato Takeru!" "Mahamaon!" Naoto called out. They disappeared.
"I was about to go postal on them," Souji explained to her.
"Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?" Yosuke asked.
Souji shook his head, "Let's just move on."
Rion pushed up his glasses.
There was another bunch of yellow tape when they reached the end of those left turns. Of course, that meant there was another Shadow in the way before they could open it.
A real-looking tank Shadow that kept shooting at Teddie to try and turn him into fuzz was what they stumbled upon.
They saw Souji crush his card, "Trumpter!" "Ziodyne!"
"That was too easy," Yukiko said, "I wonder what's on the other side of the tape?"
"It won't be Adachi," Kanji added.
He was right. It was a large humanoid-wire Shadow with a sword in one hand, and a balance in the other.
Rion sighed as he pushed up his glasses, "The fun never ends."
"This guy is tough, be careful!" Rise warned.
Rise was not lying.
"Megidoloan!" was the attack the Shadow it lead off with, knocking down Yukiko, Teddie, Chie, and Naoto.
"Oh, come on!" Yosuke yelled, "Susano-O! Brave Blade!"
Yosuke followed up by picking Chie up off the ground, who would then kicked her card, "Suzuka Gongen!" "Power Charge!"
"Rokuten Maoh!" "Primal Force!" Kanji exclaimed to damage the Shadow.
"Rion, quit fooling around!" Souji yelled, who was stabbing the Shadow with his staff that was now a naginata.
"You're no fun!" Rion said, "Ameno-waka-hiko!" "Debilitate!" "Power Charge!"
"Yamato Takeru!" "Deathbound!" Naoto had shot her card.
"Mediarahan!" Yukiko was healing the group, who needed it.
"Megidoloan!" the Shadow attack again, to great effect.
"Dammit!" Souji yelled, "Ishtar!" "Mediarahan!"
Chie finished her attack, "God's Hand!"
Rion finished his attack, "Heat Riser!" His Persona encircled the Shadow, "Dance with me, Hassou Tobi!"
Souji laughed at the damage it caused. It was a pincushion.
As it prepared to use "Megidoloan!" again, it was interrupted by someone else's attack.
Naoto attacked, "Megidoloan!" "Impersonator…," She muttered.
"Brave Blade!" Yosuke called out.
"God's Hand!" Chie yelled.
"Hassou Tobi!" Rion again disrupted the Shadow's attack.
Kanji stopped the Shadow, "Primal Force!"
"Mediarahan!" Yukiko called out to heal after one of the attacks did get through.
One more "Brave Blade!" finally made the Shadow fall, which made Souji quite happy.
"At last," Souji said, with his head down. He had a headache after being blasted. Maybe he had a concussion?
Rise told them, "I can feel his power weakening. Maybe we can get through that barrier that we could not get through earlier."
"Where was that?" Kanji asked. He looked confused and woozy, for that matter.
"The place where the hole was," Rion answered.
"Oh…," Kanji replied.
"Let's just get out of here," Souji said, "We're in no shape to get Adachi." But, he was still worried about the time crunch they were under.
Dec 21st-
Souji wondered where the time went. Where did it go? It seemed to have flown out the window as they recovered from all of the various injuries from their past visits. As he returned home, he got a call.
It was Rion, and it couldn't be good news.
"What are you doing?"
"What do you mean?" Souji responded with a question.
"We have very little time left," Rion responded, "Three days at the most."
"You're right," Souji said.
"Everyone is getting worried."
"Tomorrow," Souji told him, "We catch Adachi. If he's actually behind that barrier… We're taking his ass down."
"Understood…," Rion responded, "I'll call them."
Souji sighed. He knew that time would fly on them, but it really did go quickly. Souji just could not account for how tough this place would be. As he went to bed, he had a nagging feeling that this battle would be one of the longest he had ever faced.
December 22nd-
They had met at Junes beforehand.
"So, this is it," Naoto said, "There is nothing standing in our way now."
"Positive," Souji said, "This is the day."
"All right!" Chie exclaimed, "Let's do it!"
"I wish I had your enthusiasm," Rion said, pushing up his glasses.
"The day your excited about something is the day Teddie dates one of the girls here," Souji said with a smirk.
"Well… I can't say I wasn't excited when Naoto came and…," Rion was saying when Naoto covered his mouth.
"I think that's all that needs to be said," she said, "Let's just go and catch Adachi."
Souji chuckled as they went into the TV world.
As they walked to the scary room, Rion said quietly to her, "I wasn't going to say anything that bad."
"Sure you weren't," Naoto responded, "I know you."
They made their way to the barrier, beating up weak Shadows along the way.
"Are you guys ready?" Rise asked.
Souji nodded, "Let's get him." He was thinking, "Oh, I'm going to kick his ass."
They ran up to a circular platform after running down a path covered in twisted stop signs and traffic signs. The police tape was strewn across the ground. And standing in the center of this circular platform was… Tohru Adachi. He was no longer the Defective in Souji's mind… just a sick bastard. Souji was in the front of the group, flanked by Chie and Naoto. He was standing just in front of Rion, who's hands were only inches away from his swords.
Adachi turned around at hearing the footfalls of the Persona-users and began clapping. It made Souji sick to his stomach as Adachi said to them, "Wow, I'm surprised you made it this far."
Naoto interrogated him to the right of Souji, "Allow me confirm the crimes you've committed thus far. You had suspicions that this world was dangerous, yet you threw Mayumi Yamano into the TV. Knowing full well that Ms. Yamano died here, you did the same to Saki Konishi."
Adachi sighed in annoyance as he put his hand to his head.
Naoto continued, "Not only that, but you duped Namatame into taking over your murder attempts, while you watched like a spectator at a game. When the disappeared stopped dying, you sent a warning letter to ensure more victims. Even when a copycat killer arose, you had the gall as a detective to eliminate a suspect under investigation." Naoto was pissed like no one had ever seen as she continued, "Two people died in the last six months, and a young girl is in critical condition… But that's not all. If it any turn, something had gone wrong, many more would have succumbed…" She yelled at Adachi, "All for some foolish "excitement", like a criminal reveling in the chaos he creates!"
Adachi seemed unfazed by her diatribe, "Yeah? So what's your point? All I did was put people in here. It's the world that really kills them, isn't it? This world reflects people's thoughts." He said with a smirk, "Which… Oh dear… Does that mean the real culprits are everyone on the outside, including you?"
As that thought went through their heads, "What a messed up guy this is," Souji thought.
"To hell with that!" Yosuke responded vehemently, "You did that stuff knowing full well that those people were going to die! If that's not murder, then what is!?"
Adachi laughed at the headphone-wearing boy, "You're so self-righteous."
"How can you say that!? Aren't you a police officer!?" Chie asked him, "Out of everything you could've been, didn't you specifically choose to join the police!?"
Rion sighed, "He obviously didn't give a damn about protecting people. So, he is not planning to uphold the honor of the country."
Adachi obviously agreed with Rion's statement as he sneered, "Don't make me laugh… Just because someone joins the police doesn't make them some "agent of justice". Do you know why I applied? So I could legally care a gun… That's all." He pointed at Naoto's side arm. "You'd be surprised at how many are like that."
"You sicken me," Souji told Adachi.
"I thought it would be fun, too, but to tell the truth that was a wash. Everyone around me was such an idiot," Adachi explained as he walked forward, "I made one tiny mistake and they all got on my case and sent me out here to Nowheresville as my punishment." His voice rose in anger as he continued, "I was bored shitless and wondering what to do next… when I discovered this power."
Kanji yelled at Adachi, "For crying out loud… why a bastard like you!?"
Adachi responded, "A gift for having to put up with this lame job in Nowheresville, I guess. I did this stuff, 'cause I could. And it got interesting, so I watched."
"That's your reason!? You can't be serious!?" Yukiko exclaimed.
"You are a sick bastard," Souji told him.
"You really don't care what happens to our world, do you!?" Yukiko asked with anger.
Adachi elucidated, "Let's be honest. There's nothing great about the real world, is there? It's just dull and annoying as hell. No one accepts that's the way things are… They're just stuck with it because they can't deny it either. Those who actually succeed in life… They're just born with that magical ticket called "talent". If you don't have it, you can either accept or deny that fact until the day you die. That's your only choice."
It was making Souji sick and wanting to kill Adachi simultaneously.
Adachi continued, "Once you realize that, all you have left in life is despair. The ultimate game over." He asked, "Wouldn't it be better if that kind of reality was wiped away?"
Rise responded, "That's complete BS!"
Adachi answered her, "Brats like you are so damned naïve… You piss me off! Listen… You might have hopes and dreams right now, but that's only because you know nothing about reality. One day you'll see… You'll be faced with the boring reality that boxes you in, no matter where you go."
Kanji yelled at him, "You're the only boring thing here! If you wanna disappear, go ahead! Stop dragging us into it!"
Adachi sighed as he rebuked Kanji, "Stop yelling, punk. I understand you're all afraid and gotta act tough to cover up your fear, but geez. I'm telling you all this based on my own experience in life." He told them, "Think about it for a second. Once everyone turns into Shadows… they'll still keep on living, oblivious to everything around them. So how's that different to the way things are now? No, this'll make things much easier for everyone."
Yosuke was confused, "Easier? What the hell are you talking about!?"
Souji wasn't sure either as he thought, "Is he saying we're already oblivious to the events of the world?"
Adachi started pacing as he explained, "C'mon! How many people out there actually think about what's real, or what's right and wrong? Next to none, I bet. It's useless to think about those things in the first place. You don't get anything out of facing reality, and there's no way to change it either. I mean, what could be more boring than brooding over things you can't change? It's better than to just ignore them and believe only what you want to believe in life. Doesn't that sound a lot easier? It would be awesome if life everyone's life were that easy. No matter who you are, your lifespan is about 80 years or so, right? Then it'd be easier if we all just became Shadows."
Rion muttered, "I guess you've never heard of the phrase, "Live life to the fullest.""
Adachi continued, "No need to hold back anything… No more pretending we don't see things." Adachi turned to them, "Honestly, we don't need our world anymore. Better to let it be swallowed up, and let mankind become Shadows. That's what all those people who're scared to death really want… So it's my duty to see that they get it."
Chie was the first to respond, "Nobody wants anything like that! It's just you, dumbass!"
Adachi responded with a smirk, "Geez… Don't you remember what it was like when your Shadow came out? It must have been enjoying life far more than you!"
"I wouldn't know," Souji told him.
Adachi suddenly started changing. Purple flames started enveloping him as Teddie said, "Be careful! I dunno what's happening!"
Adachi had turned… into a Shadow.
"You all saw Shadows as mere monsters, didn't you!?" Shadow Adachi asked with vengeance, "These things move on pure instinct! They go wild because you defy them! You annoying little brats are the ones not wanted in the new world!"
Yukiko's voice cut into the Shadow, "Speak for yourself! Living is too painful for you, but you don't want to die… Of course no one would understand! It makes no sense! You're just throwing a tantrum like a kid who can't have his way!"
Naoto spoke next, "People can't live alone. If you give in and sever your ties to human society, it will naturally become hard to live in it. Yet you refuse to face life and admit your fault, running from your own humanity like a coward. And though you claim to find life troublesome, you caused nothing but trouble for others! Your twisted logic is nothing but that of an immature, egoistical brat!"
"You say people can not change," Rion spoke as he pushed up his glasse, "We all have changed based on the very Shadows that came from us. If we did not change, we would not be standing before you. The only person that would dare ignore reality is someone who thinks everyone has the same experiences as you!"
Souji went after Adachi, "You say those with talent are the ones who succeed. I see those around us with talent, brilliant people." He looked at Rise, Rion, Naoto, and everyone else, "Yet, they suffered all the same. Talent isn't everything, and there is no such thing as a magic ticket. If you want to change the world, do it without harming others!"
Adachi was mad, "Sh… Shut up! Stop trying to act all tough! You guys can't even stand on your own two feet unless you deny everything I said!" He clutched his head, "S… Stupid teenagers! You have no idea what kinda shit I've been through!"
Yosuke would be the final attacker, "Favored by the world, my ass! I'm just gonna say it flat out… You're just a worthless criminal!"
Adachi groaned in pain as the flames covered him, "Ngh…!"
As he was covered by the darkness, Rise told him, "Here he comes. This will probably be our last battle… Let's him with everything we've got!"
They ran towards the darkness that contained Adachi. Adachi had walked forward to meet them carrying a pistol, similar to the one Naoto carried.
The Shadow Adachi resounded, "The world is about to change… Your existence won't belong there! I thought I could just leave you be, but you're like a plague… I'll have to get rid of all of you!"
"You're the plague!" Chie responded.
Yosuke exclaimed, "I wish we could get rid of you, but we'll just make sure you'll pay for what you've done!"
"Shut up! Get lost! Get the hell out of my sight!" Shadow Adachi yelled.
"I can't believe he's the one!" Rise told them, "That bastard! We can't lose, no matter what!"
"I'm taking him down!" Yosuke yelled, "Go, Susano-O!" "Brave Blade!"
Souji, seeing Adachi about to attack, jumped in front of Yosuke and summoned a Persona just in time, "Izanagi!" He was lucky. Because the Persona that was summoned from Adachi had casted "Mudoon!" and that would taken down both "Susano-O" and maybe even Yosuke as well.
Yosuke picked himself off the ground… realizing how close he was to not making it out of there he said, "Thanks partner."
"Hahaha!" Adachi laughed, "I told you! Get lost!"
"What!? A Persona!? But that can't be!" Rise yelled.
Adachi attacked with his Persona. His Persona looked just like Souji's original Persona. "Izanagi", except… it was red, green, and black. It used "Vorpal Blade!" and sent everyone flying except Souji. He held his ground.
The others couldn't come to help because when they tried, "Vorpal Blade!" followed.
"Damn it!" Yukiko used a rare curse, "We can't help him."
"It may be up to him," Naoto said woefully.
Souji cursed his luck as he raised his sword against Adachi… only to have it shot out of his hands.
"Hahaha!" Adachi laughed, "Don't feel so tough now!"
"Izanagi!" Souji had been fusing like crazy and created his old Persona, except he went "bear crazy" with it.
"Just don't get hit by the wind…," Souji told his Persona as it locked blades with the "Matgasu Izanagi".
Every time Souji tried to pick up his sword, however, he was shot at by Adachi. He wasn't exactly making progress.
"Damn brat! Just let me finish you off!" Adachi yelled at Souji as the high school student's "Izanagi" finally made contact on the other.
Unfortunately, he was hit by "Garudyne!" almost immediately afterwards, and Souji was knocked to the ground by "Vorpal Blade!" after that.
"He needs help!" Yukiko exclaimed.
"If I can't fight him, and Izanagi can't duel him…," Souji thought, as he picked himself and wiped the blood off his chin.
He stopped for a second as he heard someone speak from the side, "Souji taught me I don't have to always worry about others like Yukiko. I can depend on others too!"
It was Chie. As she spoke, "Suzuka Gongen" joined the fight against Adachi's Persona and immediately took over the fight against "Magatsu Izanagi"
As Adachi readied to shoot Souji, Souji made use of those training session where he was sure he probably sterilized by the outcome of those spars by landing a blow with his right leg into Adachi's gut.
"Dammit!" Adachi yelled as he started firing randomly as his Persona started taking command of the battle again.
"You helped me get over my troubles, and become best friends. Even when I was jealous of you, we stayed friends," it was Yosuke.
"Susano-O" was now pounding on Adachi's Persona and Yosuke had thrown his kunai to Souji, who barely caught them.
Souji deftly threw them at Adachi, who barely got out of the way.
"Nice use of my weapons," Yosuke said.
Souji heard another voice.
"Even when people misunderstood me, you helped 'em understand, y'know?" it obviously was Kanji as "Rokuten Maoh" slammed into "Magatsu Izanagi".
Though what Souji was going to do with a large shield-like object against Adachi, he wasn't sure.
He found a good use for it after all. Adachi had started firing on Souji, and Souji was blocking bullets with it.
"Even if I still don't know who I am… even if I'm a Shadow, you're still helping me figure out where I fit in!" Teddie was about crying.
Teddie didn't throw his weapon into the fray, but freezing Adachi's Persona with "Bufudyne!" was good enough.
Adachi was getting pissed, "Dammit! I'll kill you! Just like I killed the other ones!"
"Like hell you will kill Souji," It was Rion speaking with a knowing smirk and glasses pushed up, "I know no matter how much of a jackass I am, I have a bigger one at my side. I don't have to fight alone because we've already won."
Souji finally drew blood on Adachi's Shadow when he finally figured out how to make Rion's staff a naginata, and then stabbed him.
He heard Naoto's voice. It was unnaturally high, "You helped me face myself. If it wasn't for you…"
Discarding Rion's weapon, he picked up Naoto's pistol and began a shootout with Adachi's Shadow. Running in a circle, across from Adachi as he ran parallel from him, exchanging shots… trying to hit each other, the pair was trying to deliver the finishing blow. Eventually, Souji ran out of bullets… and the firefight ended up fruitless.
Shadow Adachi walked up to Souji, and prepared to fire his last bullet into Souji's head, fulfilling his promise. Yet, Souji heard the one voice he wanted to hear most.
"You… you taught me that I didn't have to run away from my problems. That I could cherish those I care about. Most of all, you made me fall in love."
Souji caught the fan in midstride, and struck Adachi's Shadow over the forehead as he flourished it. The Shadow clutched his chest, and fell to his knees.
It was over. Adachi… was over. He said to him, Shadow gone, "D… Damn… This is lame… Ngh… Oh well… Our world's gonna disappear soon no matter what… I didn't have anywhere to go back to anyways. Everyone's gonna become Shadows!" He chuckled as he cried out in pain.
Rion pushed up his glasses, "Why don't you show us your real form…" as the other looked at him inquisitively.
The rest of them would be shocked as black fire ascended from Adachi and he rose from the ground. He was now floating and was the color black… only his eyes were yellow.
"What the…!?" Chie exclaimed.
In a droning, monotonic voice, this new Shadow said, "All humans… will become Shadow... And I shall descent upon this world as the master of orders."
Yosuke was confused, "Descend…? Order…? What's with this guy all of a sudden?"
It seemed Kanji was confused as well, "What's happening!?"
Rise said, "Guys… This isn't Adachi! This is someone completely different!"
"Both this world and yours will soon be enveloped in a fog that never lifts," The new guy, Shadow said, "It will be the peaceful world that mankind yearns for."
"Who are you!?" Naoto asked.
"I am Ameno-sagiri," It told her.
"It seems… we have found that which has possessed Adachi, and the Lord of the Fog or mist," Rion explained.
"I rule the fog, and one awakened by man's desires," Ameno-sagiri said, confirming Rion's explanation, "Do what you will, but your world's erosion cannot be stopped. It is an inevitability. You played your part well, stirring up the will of the masses into madness. But that will soon come to an end… Mankind will soon become Shadows, and live on in the darkness of the fog, oblivious of their reality."
Yosuke wasn't taking this, "What the hell are you!? Why are you doing this!?"
Ameno-sagiri answered, "I am the one who shepherds humans to their true desires."
"How could this be humankind's true desire?" Souji asked, "I wouldn't want this."
Ameno-sagiri explained, "Though their hearts longed for peace, it could never be attained. So they tore down the wall between image and reality. Indeed, this is the outcome that mankind desires. And mankind's desires are my desires. That is why I decided to expand this world."
Kanji asked, incredulous, "Y… You're saying that you're the one that created this nasty-ass world!?"
"This is the part of the sea of unconsciousness that exists within human hearts," Ameno-sagiri told Kanji, "A hollow forest born from bloated desire and false imagery. Humans view things as they see fit. They wish not for the truth, but rather prefer the undesirables be hidden within the fog. Still, humans fear what they cannot see. That brief yearning for truth becomes a ray of light which becomes a ray of light which breaks the fog and torments the Shadows."
Yukiko put her head down as she said, "That's why they attack and kill whoever is nearby at the time. A hollow forest… Then this place isn't just affected by people's hearts… It actually exists inside them?"
"Mankind abandoned its pursuit of the truth, placing itself in the depths of chaos and falsehood. Thus, my strength has grown, and the fog will not lift," The Lord of the Fog explained, "Your world will be engulfed by the hollow forest."
Chie yelled at him, "Will you shut up already!? We'll just use our power to beat the shit out of you, and it'll be all over!"
Ameno-sagiri made a shocking revelation, "It was I who made it possible for you to bring about this destiny. I bestowed power upon those who could brave the hollow forest. That was what allowed you to come in contact with this world. And you have done very well since."
"Bestowed power? Contact with this world?" Yukiko was thinking out loud before she said to the Lord of the Fog, "You mean the power to enter the TV!?"
"Was the Midnight Channel also your doing!?" Souji asked. "I want answers," Souji thought.
"Humans fail to see things as they are. They choose to see them only as they want them to be. I acted only in support of this. A world filled with desires… Viewed through a window, from which one sees what they want to see. Humans departed from reality of their own volition, creating more false images," Ameno-sagiri said.
"A window that shows people what they want to see," Naoto said.
"So that's why people who suddenly got famous suddenly appeared on the Midnight Channel, one after another," Rise added, "It was all in people's minds."
"If he's using that angle," Rion pushed up his glasses, "Then the image of Yukiko wanting to find a prince to take her away happened because she supposedly never had a boyfriend… Kanji being… because of what people say about him. It was easy to picture Rise as a sex object because she was an idol. Why not picture a suspect as someone who no one could find as someone taunting everyone? And the mysterious Naoto that even she had her own doubts on… why not give her the idea of wanting to be a boy? Even me… With someone with anger issues that hides emotions and cannot accept what he thinks, why not have an inner struggle?"
"Damn…," Souji muttered. He said, "So, the fact that people were scared of the fog, decided to show them the world was ending. So, now it is."
"I have to say, it must be true…," Naoto replied to everything that was said, "The Midnight Channel we saw in Namatame's room… That kept bothering me. What we saw there wasn't Namatame's true intentions at all."
Yukiko replied, "So, it came on because we were all thinking, "This person must be the killer, he can't be forgiven"?"
Rion muttered, "Most of us…"
Naoto shook her head, "Ngh… We let ourselves be deluded."
Ameno-sagiri began speaking again in the same monotone voice that was similar to Rion, "Exactly… The more false images that one yearns for, the more one stops yearning for reality. And so the forest grows on… That is the expansion of this world."
Kanji yelled at it, "Enough talk already! Long story short, you're the one behind all this!"
"Yeah, I dunno who you are, but you're going down!" Yosuke proclaimed, "People want to become Shadows!? Their desire is your desire!? To hell with that! When did we ever wish for that crap anyways!? We kept fighting and fighting like morons to get to where we're standing!"
"Yes… That I did not foresee," Ameno-sagiri told Yosuke, "The ability to master your own Shadow once it emerged to kill you, and use its power. A new and uncertain facet of mankind… Is it worthy for me to put my trust in, or not? It must be tested."
Flames rose from Ameno-sagiri… and Shadows started flying into Adachi. Not just a few Shadows, but numerous amounts. A staggering amount, much more that flew into Namatame when he turned into Kunino-sagiri. The power that was emanating from the transformation was shocking. Suddenly, the creature disappeared into the ground of black bubbles. It was like acid.
"Oh…," Rise suddenly said as the ground shook and from the acidic ground ascended a giant sphere with a giant eye. It was black with rainbow lines encircling it. She said, "And this… Is the cause of all the fog?"
Rion said to her, "This is… Ameno-sagiri."
"Be warned… I have come to put you all to the test," It told them.
Yosuke exclaimed, "Like we give a damn what you came for!"
Kanji yelled, "You've done what you've wanted so far, but that'll end when we crush you!"
"Precisely," Naoto agreed.
"And we know what we've got to do now," Chie said.
"I don't want people to turn into Shadows," Teddie told it.
"We'll defeat it for sure," Yukiko proclaimed.
"You don't stand a chance," Rion said.
"I'll back you up with everything I've got," Rise told the group.
Souji thought of everything they've done together, and how hard this was going to be. He was still sore and beat up from beating up the real Adachi, but this was the real thing. He said to the Lord of the Fog, "You have no right to exist! Death awaits you!"
So, it began… the fight to rid the fog from their world.
Ameno-sagiri spoke to them, "To defy me is a senseless act which goes against your world's wishes. Now… let everything vanish into the sweet fog of illusion."
"This is the end! This time, it's all over!" Yukiko exclaimed.
"Take it down!" Souji told them.
"It's huge!" Teddie said in amazement.
"Let us begin…," Ameno-sagiri said.
"Time to kill it!" Souji yelled, "Trumpeter!" "Mind Charge!"
Rion drew the smallest blade and said calmly, "Ameno-waka-hiko!" "Debilitate!" He casted "Heat Riser!" on himself after that. The weakened enemy would make it slightly easier to kill.
Chie broke her card, "Suzuka Gongen!" "Power Charge!"
"Go, Susano-O!" "Brave Blade!" Yosuke cut through his card.
"Here now!" "Primal Force!" Kanji's "Rokuten Maoh" attacked the massive foe.
"Kamui!" "Matarukaja!" Teddie strengthened the group except for Rion, which couldn't be strengthened anymore.
"Yamato Takeru!" "Vorpal Blade!" Naoto's miniature Persona struck the monster with multiple slashes.
Unfortunately for Yukiko, it followed with "Mabufudyne!" and then "God's Judgement!" on her. She was frozen and then axes of light slammed into her.
Icicles abound scattered upon the group. Even Souji was not immune to try and thaw out his arm. He yelled at Teddie, "Heal Yukiko!"
"Okay! Diarahan!" Teddie responded to Souji.
Rion was still prepping for his first attack, "Heat Riser!" This defense and agility-raiser went to Chie, while he used "Power Charge!" on himself.
The first major attack came from Chie when "Suzuka Gongen" attacked with "God's Hand!"
The massive power that struck Ameno-sagiri staggered it for only a moment… enough for Souji to get in an attack on Ameno-sagiri, at least.
"Trumpeter!" "Ziodyne!" he yelled to strike the monster.
It was a shock to its system, but it responded with "God's Judgement!" which didn't really work too well. Then it followed with "Ageneyastra!"
That was painful to everyone. It knocked over Chie, Yosuke, and Naoto. So, it followed up "Maziodyne!" Sure, it reflected back because of Souji, but it fried Teddie.
"Teddie!" Yukiko yelled, "Amaterasu!" "Diarahan!"
"Rokuten Maoh!" "Primal Force!" Kanji blasted it again.
"Susano-O!" "Garudyne!" Yosuke attacked.
The large eye known as Ameno-sagiri attacked them, weakening their defense, "Marakunda!" It was about to cast a spell on them when someone interfered.
"Makarakarn!" Rion cut in.
"Mabufudyne!" Ameno-sagiri sent more ice towards everyone.
Souji realized… that attack might have killed Yukiko, and seriously hurt the others. Instead, it hit the Lord of the fog.
"Guys, your defense is down!" Rise proclaimed.
"Dekunda!" Souji called out by releasing "Trumpeter!"
"Debilitate!" Rion weakened Ameno-sagiri again and was finally ready for an attack, "Hassou Tobi!" The arrows flew straight and true.
"God's Judgement!" again hit Naoto and knocked her down, and the Lord of the Fog weakened their defense again with "Marakunda!" It fired "Bufudyne!" to freeze Yukiko, and attacked Kanji to knock him over.
It spoke to them, "No one wishes for the fog to lift. Why act against the wishes of your fellow man? Consider… is that truly just?"
It unleashed a new attack, "Nebula Occulus!" which fired a laser across all of them. It burned the skin of everyone. Souji could feel the pain on his arms and legs, and the screams of the others.
"Someone heal Naoto-kun!" Rise yelled.
"Yukiko, Teddie… please… heal them," Souji said in pain.
"Mediarahan!" Yukiko finally was able to say by summoning her Persona.
"Keep it up! Don't let it up!" Souji yelled.
Through all of the attacks, they continued fighting.
"Primal Force!" "Ziodyne!" "Agidyne!" "Garudyne!" "Bufudyne!" "Debilitate!" "Matarukaja!" "Vorpal Blade!" "Megidoloan!" "Heat Riser!" "Power Charge!" "Mind Charge!" and "Hassou Tobi!" were all cast.
Unfortunately, they were all hit by "God's Judgement!" "Agneyastra!" "Bufudyne!" "Garudyne!" "Ziodyne!" "Agidyne!" "Ma-of the same!" "Matarunda!" "Masukunda!" "Marakunda!" and straight attacks.
So, they had to cast, "Diarahan!" "Mediarahan!" and "Salvation!"
Souji's team had suffered being pierced by ice, burns from flames, electrocution, and being blown into the air… Not to mention being cut by axes and bombarded by meteors…
Finally, Ameno-sagiri began speaking again, "How foolish… Your actions will bring many back into suffering and strife. Why will you not understand this!?"
"Don't give up now!" Souji exclaimed.
The lord cast something new. "Bewildering Fog!" covered him in dense fog and when Yosuke used "Susano-O!" for "Garudyne!" it proved useless.
"What the hell!?" he yelled.
Ameno-sagiri cast his own "Mind Charge!" then "Tarukaja!" and then "Sukukaja!"
Rion yelled out, "Defend! It's going to be messy otherwise!"
"Do it!" Souji agreed, and they all covered themselves with their weapons.
When the fog cleared, Ameno-sagiri used "Nebula Occulus!"
That attack, even with the defensive position ravaged the group. It was like a laser cutting through the skin. Yukiko was on the ground and wasn't moving, neither was Teddie.
"Dammit!" Souji yelled. "Ishtar!" "Samarecarm!" He tried to revive Yukiko first, and then used it on Teddie.
While he was using it on Teddie, Ameno-sagiri attacked Souji with "God's Judgement!" slamming him to the ground.
"Senpai!" Rise yelled, "No!"
"Hassou Tobi!" Rion had jumped in front of Souji and had his Persona attack with the multiple arrows while he charged headlong with his swords, completely uncaring about what happened to him.
"God's Hand!" Chie yelled, oblivious to her limp arm and dislocated shoulder.
"I'm gonna fuck you up!" Kanji yelled as he threw his chair into Ameno-sagiri.
Souji felt himself be healed of the large gouges in his side. It was Yukiko, healing him with "Salvation!"
The monster, meanwhile, had used "Bewildering Fog!" and hid from the group. It charged up, and was waiting to use "Nebula Occulus!" again.
As Teddie healed the group after Ameno-sagiri's attack, Yosuke used "Dekaja!"
"Trumpeter!" "Ziodyne!" Souji yelled.
"Susano-O!" "Brave Blade!"
"Bufudyne!" Teddie fired his own ice at the cause of the fog.
Ameno-sagiri spoke again, "You fools… I have no choice. I will bring about the deaths of those who would keep the true peace from this world."
"What an ass wipe," Souji thought. "Trumpeter!" "Mind Charge!" "Ziodyne!"
The lord unleashed a new attack that knocked everyone down, "Quake!"
"Shit…," Souji muttered, as he tried to pick himself up with his sword. He was almost successful except for the fact that Ameno-sagiri followed up with "Agneyastra!"
"Guys! You need to watch your health!" Rise warned the group.
She was right. They were really hurt. Souji thought his left arm was broken, and blood was running down Kanji's left leg. There were countless injuries on the rest of the group. Not to mention that Naoto's hat was in shambles.
"Megidoloan!" Naoto yelled. It seemed Naoto was pissed. She didn't even notice that the fog was up.
So, they just healed with "Salvation!" instead.
It was weakening however and Souji asked, "When the fog goes down, Rion… can you intercept it with Hassou Tobi?"
"Only if you hit simultaneously with a Ziodyne," Rion added, "And as many other attacks you can throw at it at once."
"You heard him!" Souji yelled.
Rion threw his visor down, and Souji readied himself. Souji knew Rion wanted him to finish Ameno-sagiri, so he was going to do it.
When the fog cleared, Rion summoned Ameno-sagiri and started pestering it with arrows, and Rion charged it with his swords. The others fired their gun, kicked it, cut it, hit it, threw their fan, and such.
Souji crushed his card and yelled, "Trumpeter! "Ziodyne!"
Ameno-sagiri began to sink back into the ooze.
The fallen lord said to the group, "I see…Your powers are strong. Power comes from the heart."
"Of course it does," Souji said.
Ameno-sagiri continued, "You have proven to me human potential. Very well. I will lift the fog from the place where you will return. Mankind's desires are my desires. If mankind so wishes, I will return at anytime… I am always watching."
Teddie told him, "Well don't wait up! We'll keep that from happening no matter what!"
Ameno-sagiri looked at him, "Time will show the path humanity takes… Children of the new potential."
They watched Ameno-sagiri slowly disappear and Adachi reappear. He fell to the floor. The fog was much lighter than before.
"You think Rion was right, and it was controlling Adachi-san?" Chie asked.
Naoto responded, "Who can say? I think it was partially his own intentions as well."
They walked over to the defective. They might as well call him that again. He was breathing heavily as he sighed, "So that's it, huh?"
Naoto shook her head.
"Fine… Live however you want," Adachi told them, "If you think you have the power to change the future… then go right ahead."
Souji said, "Everyone has the power to do that."
Adachi painfully said, "Get out of here… The Shadows will finish me off. Just leave me be… You came here to kill me, right?"
"No, dumbass," Kanji responded.
"If we leave you here dying, and a dead body eventually appears, then what?" Yosuke explained, "What's that accomplish for anyone? Your stupid game's over! We're taking you back. Live and face your punishment. That's how it works in our world."
"Right…,"Adachi said with a sigh.
Naoto said, "I'm sure that's the outcome Dojima-san wishes for as well."
Rion wiped the small amount of blood from his shoulder and picked up Adachi and supported him out. They were a bloody mess. Souji still thought he had a broken arm, and Chie needed to pop her shoulder back into socket. Naoto was still pissed about the tear in her hat more than the cuts on her face.
Naoto met a police officer outside of the Electronics Department, while Adachi was sitting in a heap near their TV.
"Greetings, Shirogane-san. We got word from Detective Dojima. He's wanted on suspicion of murdering Mayumi Yamano and Saki Konishi, right?"
"Correct," Naoto responded.
"Understood," the officer said, "We have an ambulance waiting downstairs. Should we have them bring the stretcher up here?"
"An ambulance…," Naoto looked slightly confused.
"Detective Dojima assumed one would be necessary. He wanted the suspect to be carefully taken into protective custody. It… Well, it was a personal favor to him."
"They were partners, remember?" Souji explained.
Adachi just sighed.
Naoto nodded, "Then yes, please have them bring the stretcher here."
"Understood," the officer said.
After Adachi was sent away, they walked down the shopping district in various amount of bandages. The town was… fogless. Souji reveled in that fact.
As Souji lead the group down the Northern Shopping District, a small boy ran by them and a mother chased after him.
"See, Mom!? It's all sunny! I can play outside like you promised, right!?"
"Oh, Makoto! Don't run like that!"
The people were starting to come out and view the fogless sky. They were amazed that it seemed to be safe to be outside again.
Chie said in amazement, "It's for real… The fog's really gone!"
"We did it! This time, it's for real!" Yukiko said with a smile.
Rion looked at Rise, who seemed to be crying. She turned to them, "W…What's up, Senpai? Did you think I was crying? It's just so bright. It's been so long since the sky was so blue."
Rion just pushed up his glasses with a knowing smirk.
"It's finally over," Yosuke said to Souji.
"Thanks to all of you," Souji responded.
"Don't get all sappy," Yosuke told him, "We did this together. But well, this means. We've won."
Yosuke walked over to Souji and placed his hand over Souji's. They all came into a circle and placed their hands over each other.
"Huh? What're we doing!?" Kanji asked, confused.
"Ooh, what's this?" Teddie looked excited.
Chie started it, "Everyone ready!? Here goes… We did it! Woohooo!"
Everyone rolled his eyes, and Rion pushed up his glasses with his free hand.
Chie asked, annoyed, "Why didn't you guys say it!?"
"I think that was a little hard to get on the spot," Rise answered.
"Which part did you mean for us to say?" Naoto asked.
"The "woohoo!" part!" Chie told her.
"Can't we just do it over?" Kanji asked.
Yosuke sighed, "Man, having to redo something like this kinda kills the fun of it all. Alright Chie, do that weird call again."
Chie chided him, "Well, not if you're gonna call it "weird!" Hmph!"
Naoto cut in, "U… Um, people are beginning to stare… I don't think we should stay like this much longer."
Rise complained, "My hand is getting kind of sweaty."
"This is uncomfortable," Rion said.
Teddie said, "Sheesh, fine then. It's all yours, Sensei!"
"We did our best!" Souji said.
"Woohoo!" everyone said.
As they released their hands, Yosuke asked, "Dude, aren't you supposed to do this before you start something? Not after it's over?"
"Huh? Who cares?" Chie responded.
Yukiko burst out laughing, "Snrk!"
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I'm so sorry this took so long. I've been studying Asian Ethnography and its really hard. Tis Amazing. Christmas is the next chapter.