Author's notes: Naoto will be referred to as a guy until Aigis finds out she is not a guy.

Chapter 2: Rise of Hades

Sunday 4/22/2012

It was early in the morning after the battle in the Midnight Channel. I am still feeling tired from yesterday. Naoto and everyone else will be coming to ask questions about me. I think I should sneak out for awhile.

As I leave my room, I noticed Yukiko in the lobby. "Are you going somewhere?" she asked politely.

Sneaking out was a failure. "I am going for a walk. I'll talk to everyone in the evening." I said to Yukiko. She understood and nodded.

Judging from the calendar, the next full moon will be next month on the 21st again. I must find out more about the Midnight Channel so I decided to visit Adachi.

At the prison, Adachi seemed happy to see me. "Yo, I'd never think I'd see you again. By the way, I never got your name the last time you came." said Adachi happily. It seems he doesn't get many visitors.

"My name is Aigis, just Aigis." I told him my name and he smiled. "That's a rather interesting name. Now are you here to talk about the Midnight Channel or are you just bored and wanted to visit a poor, broken man in prison?" said Adachi.

"Well I want to know more about the Midnight Channel and those brats you refer to." I said.

Adachi leaned toward the glass, "Fine, I'll tell you more, but you listen to me first." he talks about his past and rambles on.

I told him about the return of the Midnight Channel, but I'm not sure whether I should disclose information about the Fall.

"That's not a good sign. It means the world is going to end one way or another. Humanity shall be judged once more." Adachi chuckled. Apparently I don't have to tell Adachi about Pharos or the Fall.

My understanding of him is increasing. I feel our relationship growing.

Rank up! Devil 2

Is this what they call a social link? I could never notice relations like this before. Could it be the power of the wild card?

The visiting hours came to an end as I head back to the inn.

Along the way back, I noticed velvet, blue door. A door I've entered too many times to not know where it leads. A blue butterfly floats by and I hold out my hand.

It landed in my palm and turned into the Velvet Key. I inserted the key into the doorknob and it opened.

I was transported to a familiar room. Some things changed however as it is now the interior of a limousine.

"Welcome to the Velvet Room. Oh, it's you Aigis." Igor did his usual greeting. "Do you know this person?" a woman with light blonde hair asked. She was similar to Elizabeth, but was someone else.

"Yes, she's a previous guest. However, I do not see why you have returned. You have already found your Answer." said Igor.

"I do not know myself why I returned here, but there is an impending crisis." I replied to the sage-like Igor.

Igor chuckled, "Of course, I know all about it. I'll lend you my services once again, however it now comes with a slight fee."

"A fee?" I asked. "It's not much. You need only pay money to access the compendium or you may serve part time as my assistant." Igor explained.

"Do you have any thoughts Margaret?" Igor asked his assistant. "No, an assistant that is familiar with the outside world would benefit us." replied Margaret.

"Then there you have it. Come again if you require our services." Igor clapped his hands and bade my farewell.

I returned to the inn with no interruptions. The Investigation Team was expecting my return.

"Welcome back Ai-chan." Teddie greeted happily. "Well, care to tell us your reasons for coming here?" Naoto asked in a serious tone.

"Naoto, lighten up, why are you being so hard on her. She's just visiting." scolded Yosuke. "This is very important if it concerns the shadows and the Midnight Channel." Naoto rebutted.

" I came to Inaba because I was called my a mysterious voice from my dreams. Then I discovered that the end of the world shall occur once again."

"Wait, what? The end of the world, you've got to be shitting me." cried Yosuke. "Yeah, I thought we took care of Izanami." Kanji followed. Chie and Yukiko made worried faces.

"Once again? We never told you about Izanami so why did you say once again?" asked Naoto.

"Because this isn't the first time the world was in danger from a supernatural force." I answered. "This is the third. One occurred two years ago, Adachi told me about Izanami, and this is the third."

Naoto had a shocked expression. The normally unfazed detective was surprised. "Wait, if the end of the world occurred two years ago then why are we still here?" he asked.

Bringing back those memories was painful. I remained silent.

"Well it must have been stopped. Otherwise we wouldn't even be around to fight Izanami." said Yukiko.

"The members of SEES including myself fought desperately to prevent the Fall. It was a difficult battle." I told them about Nyx.

"We must stop the Fall from happening then." shouted Yosuke. "We don't exactly know what the cause is yet. We should investigate when we have time." suggested Naoto.

I left the Investigation team to their debate. They remind me too much of SEES.

It was midnight and I did not feel tired yet. From the darkness of the room, Pharos appears.

How's it going? He asked.

I remained silent. There was no appropriate response I could give him.

Aw, and I just wanted to talk. I'm here to tell you that strange things will begin happening to this town.

Pharos disappears into the darkness.

After that, I began to wonder why I never noticed Pharos every time I snuck into his room.

Either way, I can't run away from this. I will protect the world. The world you cherished.

A tear ran along my face. I wiped it off and went to sleep.

Monday 4/23/2012

The first semester at Okina U. begins today. I went to the city and registered to stay at the college dorms. They said I could move in tomorrow.

There were many interesting things here and so many different people. I major in electrical engineering as it would benefit me to know such things. Computer programming and design was my second subject.

What was different for me was that attending classes was no longer mandatory on all occasions. I could skip class except on days where teachers give special assignments and exams. However I believe it is in my best interests to attend class and improve my academics.

Today the professor gave a lecture to the class. Everyone was busy taking notes. I learned new things today.

"There will be a test at the end of the week so be prepared." the professor said that and ends the lecture.

After class, I saw someone who appeared distressed. I ask her if there was a problem.

"No, you don't need to worry about me. I just lost my notes from the lecture." she said. I felt sorry for her and gave her my notes.

"Really, are you sure? I mean I'm not worth helping." she appears to have very little self esteem. "It's ok." I assured her. I had already scanned and memorized the contents anyways.

"Thank you so much! I'm Shiki Misaki. If there's anything I can do to return the favor, just ask." she seems to appreciate my kindness. That voice in my head returns.

You have formed a new social link: Strength rank 1

"Well I'm going to go study now. Thanks again." she gained some confidence as she left.

It was getting late and I returned to the inn. "Welcome back." Yukiko greeted. "Is that mandatory?" I asked.

"Yes, but I always greet people. It's become customary for me." she replied. "I'm going to check out tomorrow. Today is my last night here. I'll be moving to the Okina U. dorms." I told her. She seemed down after that.

I packed my things tonight and went to sleep.

Tuesday 4/24/2012

There was class today. I attended today as well. Afterwards Shiki and I started hanging out after class was over.

Rank up! Strength 2

The week passed by and it was Saturday.

The test was actually quite simple once I figured out how to do wave functions. I'm confident that I got a good score.

Next week is Golden Week so I doubt there will be any school. "Hey Aigis, do you think we can go hang out?" Shiki invited me to go spend time with her.

I had nothing better to do so I accepted her offer. We went to the shopping district in Inaba because Shiki is living there with her relatives.

"How well did you think you do on the test?" she asked. "Fine." I answered.

She looked saddened, "Oh, even with those notes you gave me, I don't really think I did well, sorry."

I should encourage her. "Don't be so hard on yourself." I tried to cheer her up. "Thanks." she seemed happier. She seems to appreciate me more.

Rank up! Strength 3

We are still casual acquaintances and it was getting dark so I returned to the dorms. I spent some time studying then I went to sleep.

Sunday 4/29/2012

Today is the start of Golden Week. It's Showa Day. There was a knock on my door. "Aigis are you there?" a familiar voice called. "It's me Naoto. May I come in?" he asked.

I unlocked the door and he entered. He seemed to have something to say.

"I couldn't get your number so I had to come here." he said. After that I gave him my cell phone number.

Naoto continued, "Tonight we're going to investigate the Midnight Channel for anything suspicious. If you would like to join us then come talk to anyone on the team." Naoto left after telling me that.

That night I went to Junes where the Investigation Team was waiting. "Yo Aigis, glad to see you can make it." Yosuke greeted.

I greeted them and we entered the Midnight Channel. Fog enveloped the world as it obscured my vision. I reached for my glasses and put them on.

A ominous voice calls out.

From the Land of the Dead, Hades grows ever closer to your world. Soon it shall consume it and this world shall be a netherworld.

"Wait, that can't be. Izanami?" Yosuke cried out. "Wait, I thought you weren't going to interfere anymore with our lives." shouted Chie.

I am not the driving force responsible to Hade's expansion. Go explore its depths and find the truth for yourself.

A large gate appeared from the ground. The door had satanic skull designs and chains around it. Two dark torches lit the sides.

"Whoa that's insane." exclaimed Kanji.

A large shadow in the form of Cerberus appeared. "It must be the guardian." I said.

The Cerberus roared and prepared to attack.

"Counting on ya." a card floats above Yosuke and he smashes it with his kunai. Susuno-o appeared although it was different from when I last saw him.

He attacked with a powerful Garudyne skill. Cerberus took damage but not a lot.

The Cerberus began charging up. It became focused. "Persona!" Yukiki summoned her persona and attacked with an Agidyne.

It had no effect. "Fire doesn't work." she shouted. Teddie and Kanji followed up with a Bufudyne and a Ziodyne.

Cerberus took damage, but it seems to be ready to attack. It roared and unleashed a powerful Maragidyne.

The attack hit everyone and left them injured, but I managed to evade it. "Persona!" Naoto called out his persona and it rushed Cerberus doing several consecutive slashes.

The beast then swiped the persona away and Naoto took damage. "Dammit." he cursed.

I was the only one left. There was no need for me to hold back. "Systems check, fire control armed, weapons loaded." I checked everything one last time.

I pointed my fingers at the shadow and fired everything I had. It seemed weak. I continued to whittle down its health while evading the attacks from its lumbering body.

The Cerberus made a desperate lunge towards me, but I leapt back and caused him to stumble. This was my chance to finish him. "Athena!" I called out.

My persona dropped from the sky and delivered a fatal blow to the shadow. It dissolved into the darkness.

I had never told them about my mechanical form and after the battle, they were all shocked to see me.

"What the… Aigis you're." Yosuke paused.

"Yes, I am a robot." I said bluntly.

"But you're so…human. How is that possible?" Yukiko asked.

"She's right, there's no difference." followed Kanji.

"Cool! Ai-chan is a robot." Teddie was taking this well.

"But…" Chie was surprised.

"Even I couldn't tell the difference." said Naoto.

"I'm more or less like Teddie over there." I pointed. "We're not truly human, but we've developed human emotions, and feelings."

Teddie jumped back, "You knew I was a shadow?"

"Of course, I was originally designed as an anti-shadow weapon." I replied.

Teddie withdrew to the back of the group after hearing that. I guess that is to be expected. The group was still in shock when we decided to leave.

I left for my dorm as I hear them talk about me.

"But she's so cute though."

"Is that all you think about?"

"I'm a guy."

I didn't look back and continued back. There will be a new place to explore and I must be prepared.

Chapter 2: End

Author's notes: Ok, I answer to my reviewers and improve based on their comments.

To Everyone expecting updates: It's here and I'm working on it. Leave a review, but really comment on some holes on the plot or some corrections I should make.

To: DemonRaily: Aigis is more or less independent. She is completely human in terms of heart and soul. Her body is still the original except with some changes by a divine miracle from the Answer. It's an open ended debate. The SMT series are all about strange events and miracles.

Thank you for reading. I answer my reviewers so don't hesitate to leave a review. Maybe your review will be answered.