A/N: This one is another short chapter, I know. I'm actually at a loss on how to write the other chapters following the previous one (stupid writer's block).

***: She really likes to do this to me…Oh well…

Empyrea: *sweatdrops* Oh yeah! We'd like to give our heartfelt thanks to cncgamefan ^_^

***: Yeah. Thank you very much for adding our fic to your fav list. It really gave us a boost.

Empyrea: And now, let's get on with chapter 5!

Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3 FES and its characters, only the plot.

Chapter 5: The Will to protect

Just as SEES returned from the Abyss of Time, they decided that it would help if they can find out why Aigis, Yukari, and now, even Junpei, can all summon "his" Persona after entering a state seemingly similar to those of The Lost. But, in the end, all it added to the other members was confusion, as the stories told by Yukari and Junpei are nowhere near the same as Aigis', or each other for that matter. They then decided to rest and think about the topic later when Fuuka detected a Shadow at the Desert of Doors, and so, SEES prepared for battle, but…

Mitsuru: What's the Shadow's current location, Yamagishi?

Fuuka: It's still in the Desert of Doors. It doesn't seem to be moving…but…

Mitsuru: Then, what about its current activities?

Fuuka: It doesn't seem to be doing anything. It's almost as if it's waiting for us.

Mitsuru: Understood. *turns to the other members of SEES* Is it safe for us to assume that the enemy will not yet do any further actions?

Akihiko: *smirks* We won't know if we don't go there.

Mitsuru: *shoots Akihiko a death glare* This isn't a game, Akihiko! One wrong move and we can all die! Keep that in mind!

Junpei: Well, it is true that the Shadows lately are freakin' strong.

Yukari: Yeah, but, we can't just leave it alone, either.

Aigis: It may lead to the problem we encountered before.

Ken: Do you mean when the Shadow reached the dorm?

Mitsuru: That's also true.

Aigis: Then, let us proceed with caution.

Mitsuru: Yes, that would be wise.

Koromaru: Arf! Arf!

Mitsuru: Then, let's go!

Others: *nods*

Junpei: *grips his katana harder* Ok! Time to kick some ass!

Metis: Hope this one doesn't give us too much problems.

Fuuka: Please be careful.

Yukari: Will do.

And so, they went to the Desert of Doors and there they saw the Shadow in front of one of the doors…

Ken: Oh, crap! It's another big one!

Mitsuru: Yamagishi, please scan our opponent.

Fuuka: Give me a minute.

Akihiko: It's still not moving? Should we try attacking it?

Mitsuru: Let's wait for Yamagishi.

Fuuka: I see it. Its weakness is electricity.

Mitsuru: That's your cue, Akihiko!

Akihiko: Alright! *summons his Persona* Caesar! Ziodyne!

As opposed to what they were expecting, the Shadow simply shook off Akihiko's attack…

Fuuka: What?!

Yukari: What's wrong, Fuuka?

Fuuka: The Shadow isn't hurt at all!

Akihiko: …! What?! But I struck it with all I've got! The hell!

Junpei: Then, let's try mine! *summons his Persona* Surt! Agidyne!

*the Shadow absorbed the attack*

Fuuka: …! It absorbed your attack!

Junpei: Are you shittin' me?! That's freakin' crazy!

Yukari: My turn! *summons her Persona* Messiah! Megidolaon!

*the Shadow dodges the attack*

Fuuka: It moved to avoid the attack!

*the Shadow is about to attack and is charging up its strength*

Fuuka: Be careful! The enemy is charging up!

Mitsuru: I'll try! *summons her Persona* Artemesia! Bufula!

*The Shadow absorbed the attack*

Akihiko: *grits his teeth and clenches his fists* Dammit!

Fuuka: It also absorbed Mitsuru-senpai's attack!

Mitsuru: Is there really…no…chances of winning?

Yukari: *aims and shoots an arrow* You can't give up!

Akihiko: I'll try again! *summons his Persona* Caesar! Ziodyne!

*the Shadow still looks unaffected by their attacks*

Fuuka: What's going on?! I'm sure its weakness is electricity!

Ken:*pierces the Shadow but also failed* Try scanning again, senpai.

Fuuka: Give me a minute.

Koromaru: grrrrr…*runs to left and slashes the Shadow with his knife but still had no effect*

Aigis: I'll try attacking it! *fires at the Shadow* Don't miss!

*The bullets just bounce off the Shadow*

Aigis: *stops firing and lowers her hands* …No way.

Metis: *turns to Aigis* Get back, sister! It's about to attack!

Junpei: Oh, shit!

As their attacks had no effect on the Shadow, it was easily able to charge its attack without any disruptions. The power of the attack was so great; it brought tremors in the Abyss of Time…

Mitsuru: *tries to keep her balance* Everyone! Be careful!

Yukari: Whoa! *she loses her balance and falls* Ouch!

*the Shadow heads for Yukari*

Mitsuru: Takeba!

Everyone gave their all to try and stop the Shadow, but, it was in vain, none of their attacks work. Mitsuru, then, decided there's only one way. She ran towards Yukari, and was able to reach her before the Shadow did, and she pushed her out of the way, at the cost of her own safety. The others watched in terror as Yukari rolled along the ground and finally came to a stop near them, while Mitsuru is in the Shadow's grasp…

Mitsuru: Uhh…

Akihiko: Mitsuru!

Akihiko ran towards the Shadow with only one thing on his mind: to save Mitsuru. The others tried to stop him, but, it wasn't enough to hold him back. He continued his mad dash as soon as the others couldn't hold him any longer...

Akihiko: *still running towards the Shadow* "Damn it! Why-"

And then, IT happened. He abruptly stopped and stood there like he has become one of The Lost. Unbeknownst to the others, it was his turn…

Strange voice: "So, you're going to risk yourself, too?"

Akihiko: "I'll do anything to save her!"

Strange voice: "Even if you know it's impossible?"

Akihiko: "…"

Strange voice: "Oh… Are you going to cry?"

Akihiko: "Shut up!"

Strange voice: "That won't change the outcome of this battle."

Akihiko: "What are you talking about?"

Strange voice: "You know exactly what I mean."

Akihiko: "Shut up!"

Strange voice: "Oh? But, I'm only giving you possibilities, the possible outcomes due to your weakness."

Akihiko: "That's not true."

Strange voice: "Stubborn, aren't we? Well then, you can say goodbye to her."

Akihiko: "…! Mitsuru!"

Strange voice: "What do you value most? What do you want to protect? Shinjiro and Miki? No, you're over that already. Power? Hmmm…But, why would need it when no one's around you?"

Akihiko: "What are you trying to say?"

Strange voice: "I'm merely explaining to you your life. Don't worry. You're not yet dead."

Akihiko: "I don't have time for this! I have to help-"

Strange voice: "Mitsuru?"

Akihiko: "!!!"

Strange voice: "If SEES were to disappear, you wouldn't really care. After all, you only spent a year with them."

Akhiko: "I don't understand."

Strange voice: "Oh? But you do. You don't wish to obtain power to protect yourself or SEES, just Mitsuru. You like Mitsuru…no wait. Is she your significant other? Is that why? Only you know the answer."

Akihiko: "You're right."

Strange voice: "You know you can't die here. Well… Not like this, at least."

Akihiko: "But, what can I do?"

Strange voice: "There's always something you can do. This time, that something is to call me."

Akihiko: "Call you? But, who are you?"

Strange voice: "You."

Akihiko: "…?"

Strange voice: "A part of you."

While Akihiko was conversing with the Strange voice, the Shadow set its sights on him…

Fuuka: Senpai! Please move, senpai!

Akihiko: *remains unresponsive*

Junpei: Oh, shit! Not now! Hey, senpai!

Yukari: Why can't I strike him?! Stupid Shadow! *summons her Persona* Messiah! Megidolaon!

*the Shadow stopped for a while and dodged Yukari's attack*

Ken: Crap! *looks at Akihiko* Senpai! Hang in there! *summons his Persona* Kala-Nemi! Ziodyne!

*the Shadow just ignored Ken's attack*

Junpei: Dammit!

Koromaru: *growled then howled, summons his Persona, Cerberus and casts Agidyne*

Aigis: *crouches a bit and then straightens, head up* Orpheus! Agilao!

Metis: *straightens herself then waves her right hand to raise her mask* Psyche! Garudyne!

Their attacks, even when combined, still had no effect on the Shadow. Then, they heard the sound of an object that had fallen on the floor. It was Akihiko's evoker. He straightens himself, clenches his right fist then slams it onto the other fist, and now, he is surrounded by blue light along with scattered mirror shards…

Akihiko: Come forth! Odin!

Others: …!!! *stared at Akihiko*

Metis: Again…

Aigis: *turns to Metis* Again?

Junpei: Senpai… You…

Yukari: That's…

Fuuka: …! "His" Persona…!

Akihiko: Thunder Reign!

*the Shadow fazes and began to move from its position and drops Mitsuru*

Ken: Senpai! *tends to Mitsuru then, looks at Akihiko* Sanada-senpai…

Fuuka: What are these things I sense beneath the Shadow? *scans the area* …!!! Cables?!

Yukari: *goes to Mitsuru* Are you okay, Senpai?

Mitsuru: I'm…fine… Thank you.

Fuuka: The cables… I see! Strike the cables! If it breaks, you can penetrate the Shadow!

Akihiko: All right! *turns to Yukari and Junpei* Yukari! Junpei!

Junpei: We got your back!

Yukari: We'll back you up!

While Akihiko, Junpei and Yukari prepare to face off the Shadow, Ken stood there with Koromaru and can't help himself from feeling his uselessness…

Koromaru: *looks at Ken* Arf! Arf!

Ken: "I also want to help. I no longer want to be a burden. I want power. Like you-"

Strange voice: Hello, Ken Amada.

Ken: …!!!

END OF CHAPTER FIVE

A/N: Oh yeah! I so love ending in cliffhangers!

***: Yeah, sure…to torment me…*sulks in a corner*

Empyrea: Oh c'mon! In any case, don't mind her. We'll be working on chapter 6 so we can update soon. Thanks for reading and hope you like it!