Chapter 15 – The Velvet Door...

I'm pretty sure with the look on Yosuke's face, I didn't want to even ask how Chie found out about this weapon place. Kana sensed the nervousness in my stomach, I guess, and in truth I didn't wanna die~

Though, when we got in there it wasn't so bad. It had armor here and there, and the room was really steamy from the light. A guy with a gray beard was looking at us with his arms crossed, but otherwise it didn't seem so bad after all..

"Well, here we are!" Chie grinned, her smile that flashed said: "See~?"

"Well, uh.." Yosuke looked around, blinking. "What kind of shop is this?"

"I'm thinking it's a metalworks.." She pondered for a bit, "They sell a bunch of crap here, like Katanas and other stuff.."

"Doesn't it seem weird, though?" He shook his head, "How do you even know about this place anyway?" He blinked again, his panic-stricken face turning into a wide grin. "Ooh~ I get it. You watched one too many kung-fu movies, and-"

"No, stupid." She groaned, "I heard some guys in class talking about this place selling weapons!" She walked over to a metal suit, feeling it. "This might be good, but.. Will it be heavy..?"

"I still don't know about all this," I could tell Yosuke had cared for Chie a lot. Considering the fact that he turned his back to her a little. "It'll be too dangerous.. At least that's what I think. I know how you feel, but.."

It was then that Chie snapped again. She whipped around in front of Yosuke's face and grit her teeth; The eyes she had looked like she was about to cry. "You don't!"

"C-Chie-!"

She interrupted me when I tried to calm her down, "You don't know shit about how I feel Yosuke! Yukiko might die from this, and I can't let her.. I won't let her..! I will be going with you guys, and you can't stop me!"

"B-But.." I sighed, shaking my head. "The road seems dangerous.. Are you sure you'll be okay? We can do all the fighting, and-"

"Psh! I'll be fine! My reflexes are second to none." Her smile seemed to come back, but it looked a little sad.. Poor Chie..

Though, when I thought it was all over Yosuke had to go and mess with Chie again. "Listen! I'm not kidding around.. If you aren't listening to our warnings, we're leaving you here!"

Of course, I couldn't stand for that now.. Chie seemed so hurt when we said she couldn't come along with because of her safety. Even Kana, one who didn't know much about Chie like I did, still felt kinda hesitant with going with Yosuke's decision.

"She's going to be persistent, you know." I looked back at Yosuke, "Just let her come! She wants to save Yukiko after all. Chie's about the same age as we are, Yosuke-san.."

"..." He bit his lip, groaning. "Fine.. But if she insists on coming, she needs something to protect herself."

"I will!" She sighed.

"But.. What should we get?" And that was a good question that stumped me, too. I mean, sure! I could've ran to get my Guitar (which wouldn't have worked as much as a golf club did) and walked out, but that might upset Nanako.. It might be best just to get a weapon and stick with it here.

"..Remi." Yosuke beckoned me to come closer while Chie was still looking around, and he called in a low whisper to. "..Are you sure about all this?"

"Of course!" I had a twinge of guilt in my heart, but I couldn't let the best of it get to me. Chie wanted Yukiko, and that was that. "We'll be fine.."

"Well, if you say so.." He shook his head and smiled some more, "Here. Since you're the main asset in battle.." It was then that he took my wrist and placed some money into my hand. Was he really..? "You pick something out, alright? So, choose what's the easiest for you to use!"

"..B-But, I- Heh. Alright.." I shook my head, looking back to Kana. "Kana, can you fight on your own?"

"I'll do my best." She bowed a little. "Did you want to get something in particular?"

"Ah! Well.." Damn. I forgot that Kana could read my mind, so I could tell I was blushing deeply. "M-My guitar.. It may be of some use.."

"You play the guitar, Remi?" Yosuke tilted his head. "Sweet! But.."

"Hm?" I tilted my head at him, looking at the face he suddenly made. "What's up?"

"Well, Police shouldn't find it suspicious to see you carrying a guitar case around, but.." Yosuke sighed, "If we walk out in public like this, people might find it awkward. Not to mention, we might get our weapons confiscated again.."

"True.." I looked around the store, grabbing something suitable for Yosuke and looking at them to make sure the blades weren't screwed up or anything like that. How were we supposed to get out of here now?

"I have an idea!" Chie grinned, "But it requires our uniforms..."

…

We all agreed on Chie's idea. Each one of us would go home and pick something up to wear: Our uniforms! This would make it easier, and I could pick up my Guitar due to this. However, instead of my trip home being a simple walk back with Kana..

BAM! All of a sudden this goddamn blue door pops up, and it's like really creepy! Not just because it popped up, but other people didn't seem to see it either!

"So.. It finally begins.." Oh shit. Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit! It sounded like a ghost wanted to appear before my eyes and scare the crap out of me before I could do anything about it! "Now.. If I could just have a moment of your time.."

All of a sudden I see the Velvet Key light up, and Kana's eyes turned.. kinda soulless. It was as if she was just a doll. I shook her a little bit, supporting her when I looked towards the wall..

My head... Goddammit my head!

But the next thing I knew, I ended up in that same Velvet Room again. Kana was just her little keychain again. What the hell? Could she not enter this place..?

And suddenly, there was big-nosed Igor. "We have been expecting you.. The catastrophe that is headed your way.. It has already taken human lives in it's approach towards you.." Wait a minute, what? My eyes widened, a little fearful from hearing all of this. How... How could all those lives be tossed away just for me?

"Do not look so fearful.. You already have the power to fight against it." Igor's grin stayed planted there. It was quite creepy the more I thought about it. "It seems that it's time for you to use Persona, along with your partner.."

His eerie chuckle made me shiver once more. What did he mean by partner..? Did he mean Kana? If so, then I can't really say I've "used" her yet. I want her to be as normal as I am. Me or not Me..

"You are different from say, your partner or comrades. It is of the Wild Card ability," Margaret spoke. What the hell? "The bonds that you strengthen can be used against you, or used for you. It is how you build your own power. Our role? It is to facilitate what goes on."

"So.. Wild Card, you say?" I scratched my cheek. I never realized I was this special to gain such a power like this. "I don't really understand it myself.. But if you can help me with what's going on, I think I'll be able to manage!"

Igor slowly nodded, giving another blink with his grin staying there. I hope he was actually happy to see me obtain this power.. "My contribution to your help, would to be support you with the birth of new Personae.." He moved his hand in a talkative gesture. "Because you are of the Wild Card Ability, you can hold more than one Persona. The cards you obtain from Shadows, can be transmuted into a new form. This would be called the Fusion of other Personae."

"Whoa! S-So.. I can use more than my friends can? Really? I can't wait to see that in action.." I couldn't help but smile myself. Actually, I wanted to scream and shout. However.. For some reason.. I couldn't do it in their presence.

"I'm sure you can't.." Igor closed his eyes, "Whenever you defeat an enemy, the seeds of possibility plant and, who knows? You may get a card, that looks like it could be handy in battle.." He shook his head, "At times, you may be able afraid, and may not be able to grab them at all. Rest assured, you will be able to grab them without a problem."

"Whenever you obtain new cards, do not hesitate to bring them here."

"..Yessir." I nodded, suddenly becoming serious. It was never fun and games from the start, and it sure as well won't be now!

"If you develop your Social Links, your Personae will grow alongside you as one. I expect you to take this to heart, yes? These are one of your chief sources of strength."

"Un.." It was then that I looked down. Yosuke had started a Social Link with me, right? Then.. Does that count for something, too? Maybe Kana as well.. Maybe everyone has a Social Link.. I could fuse Magician Arcana Personae could be fused and become stronger because of this as well..

"You're probably worrying about this tome, correct?" Margaret broke my train of thoughts, "This is the Persona Compendium. If you register the Personae you have here. You do not have to worry about them disappearing before you forever. Please see me when you wish to recall a Persona."

"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you." Was all I could say. Igor's laugh scared me once more..

"Do you recall the words I said to you the last time?" He continued to chuckle, "'The coming year is a turning point in your destiny.. If the mystery goes unsolved, your future may be forever lost..' I meant what I said, defeat in battle is not the only way you will fail to complete this journey. Please do not forget this.."

I think I was already gaining a headache from all that Igor has told me. It was tiresome, but I understood what he said. What if Yukiko really was murdered? Would that be what he meant by an unsolved mystery..?

"You will come here on your own will, and that shall be the next time we meet." He snapped his fingers, and that's when I suddenly gained a headache once more. Ah, dammit! All these headaches! "Until then..."

"Farewell.."

…

"Konagi-sama, Konagi-sama!"

I opened up my eyes, half-lidded of course, to find Kana looking at me with very concerned eyes. Wasn't she just not responsive a minute ago?

"Ergh.. My brain feels like it's been fried.." I held my head once more, "W-What happened? Why weren't y-"

I shut up quickly. I was going to say something about it, but the next thing I knew, a crowd of people were around us. Kana lifted me up by the arm, grabbing my wrist tightly.

"I-I'll explain once we get out of here. Until then, let's go..!" She whispered, dragging me off away from the crowd before I could say anything to get her attention..

I remembered I finished Yasogami Busters, then I was like "...Oh yeah. I didn't post it."

So here you go. I have no commentary on this D:.

Persona 4 (C) ATLUS

Remilia Konagi & Kana (C) Me~