A/N: All right, bad news guys…I might not be able to update as soon as I usually do *sulks in a corner*
***: That's what happens when school comes up… *pats Empyrea's back*
Empyrea: In any case, I'll try to update this after 2-5days, so let's begin chapter 11!
Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3 FES and its characters, only the plot.
Chapter 11: The Path You Chose
The members of SEES are now in the 4th floor Command Room. They have just finished listening to Junpei's so-not-believable-story, which is, unfortunately for him, true. They noticed a few moments later that Ken was not present, nor anywhere to be seen for that matter, and that he is in the Abyss of Time, thanks to Fuuka…
Akihiko: *panics* Are you sure?!
Fuuka: Yes.
Yukari: That can't be right! Try again, please! He must be just around here!
Junpei: Yeah, why would he even go there alone?
Fuuka: Sorry…but… I don't know why…
Mitsuru: Everyone! Stay calm. Trying to blame Yamagishi won't change Amada's situation.
Yukari: But…
Mitsuru: *looks at Yukari* We'll save Amada.
Akihiko: Mitsuru's right.
Yukari: *nods* …Okay.
Mitsuru: Thank you. *turns to Fuuka* Yamagishi.
Fuuka: What is it, senpai?
Mitsuru: Inform us of Amada's current location.
Fuuka: Give me a sec. *summons her Persona*
Junpei: I hope the kid's fine.
Fuuka: I found him.
Yukari: Is he safe?
Fuuka: I don't know.
Akihiko: *grits his teeth and clenches his teeth* Damn.
Fuuka: He's currently in a door that just opened. I'll inform you after you're there.
Mitsuru: Very well. *turns to the others* Everyone, prepare for battle.
They went to get their weapons and other battle gear and met up at the lounge a few moments later and then, went straight to the Desert of Doors, where they saw that a new door has indeed opened. According to Fuuka, it is the Door of Caina…
Mitsuru: Who will go on the operation this time?
Koromaru: Arf! Arf!
Mitsuru: *looks at Koromaru* I see Koromaru wants to come this time.
Aigis: Allow me to go, as well.
Mitsuru: *looks at Aigis* Of course. Please take the lead.
Aigis: *nods* Very well.
Junpei: I want to come this time, too!
Mitsuru: I see. *notices Akihiko* Akihiko.
Akihiko: Y-Yeah?
Mitsuru: You should probably stay.
Akihiko: What?!
Mitsuru: If you're that anxious, then, you'll only bring us down. Stay.
Akihiko: But-
Mitsuru: *interrupts Akihiko* Akihiko!
Akihiko: *averts his gaze* Ugh… Fine.
Mitsuru: *looks at Yukari* Takeba.
Yukari: *turns to Mitsuru* Yeah?
Mitsuru: Please remain here with Akihiko.
Yukari: Huh? Why?
Mitsuru: I want you to keep an eye on him. Please make sure he doesn't come after us.
Yukari: Huh? Well… *nods* Okay.
Mitsuru: Thank you.
Akihiko: *grits his teeth and clenches his fist*
Mitsuru: Who else will come?
Metis: I'll come.
Aigis: *smiles at Metis* Thank you, Metis.
Metis: Oh! *averts her gaze* Uhh… Don't mention it.
Mitsuru: It's decided, then. Akihiko and Takeba will remain here as our reinforcements. Me, Iori, Koromaru, Aigis and Metis will search for Amada. And Yamagishi will provide us support from here.
Aigis: Let's go.
Akihiko and Yukari retuns to the dorm while Mitsuru, Aigis, Metis, Junpei and Koromaru head for the Door of Caina. After a while of going forward and fighting as few stray Shadows as they can…
Mitsuru: Yamagishi, can you sense Amada now?
Fuuka: No. Not yet.
Mitsuru: I see.
Aigis: Let us proceed.
They head further in inside Caina…
Metis: *whispers to herself* Missing, huh…
Aigis: *looks at Metis* Did you say something?
Metis: *quickly turns to Aigis* Huh? No, not at all.
Aigis: …
Fuuka: I sense him! You're almost close to him! Please hurry!
They hurriedly head further in inside Caina as Fuuka suggested. Meanwhile, back at the dorm…
Akihiko: *pacing* Dammit! Why isn't there anything I can I do?
Yukari: *sitting in the couch in the lounge* Senpai. Please, calm down.
Akihiko: *snaps back at Yukari* I can't, dammit!
Yukari: Ken-kun's going to be okay.
Akihiko: B-But…
Yukari: Please, senpai. I'm doing this for both you and Ken-kun.
Akihiko: I'm sorry. I know you're all worried, too…but…
Yukari: That's okay, senpai.
Akihiko: Thanks.
Yukari: Anytime, senpai.
Back in Caina…
Mitsuru: I hope we find Amada soon.
Junpei: Yeah.
Fuuka: He's in the door in ahead. Just keep going.
Mitsuru: Roger.
They proceeded forward, relieved that Ken was only a few steps away. But, suddenly, after a Shadowless floor, Shadows now fall from the ceiling in between them and the door that will lead them to where Ken is…
Junpei: *grips his katana* These guys, again?
Mitsuru: No, wait. *readies her rapier* These aren't just ordinary Shadows. Be careful. Yamagishi.
Fuuka: Okay, senpai. Give me a second.
And with that, the fight proceeded as usual, each side dealing as much damage as it can to the other. Unfortunately, a Shadow was able to sneak past Koromaru and attacks him from behind. Luckily, he was able dodge just in time, but the Shadow ripped the strap of his collar, removing from him his evoker… Still, Koromaru positioned as how he would normally summon his Persona, and to their surprise, he summoned Kohryu, one of Minato's Persona, instead of Cerberus…
Koromaru: *howls*
Mitsuru: Even Koromaru?
Aigis: But, how?
*Kohryu defeats a shadow with his ability: Weary Thrust*
Junpei: Nice hit!
Fuuka: I see it. The enemies' weakness is Fire attacks.
Junpei: Woohoo! Okay! My time to shine!
Metis: Here we go, again. *kills off a Shadow then turns to Junpei* Make sure you hit this time!
Junpei: Of course! Okay, Surt-
As he is about to summon Surt, he heard another Persona's voice in his head and summoned that Persona instead…
Junpei: Huh?
Persona: "Thou art I and I am Thou. From the sea of thy soul I cometh. I am Susano-o."
Junpei: Sus-ano? Who the shit are you?
Susano-o: "I shall fight alongside you until my true master arises."
Junpei: Huh? What the bullshit did he say?
Mitsuru: Iori!
Junpei: *hurriedly looks at Mitsuru* …Huh?
Metis: More of them are coming! If you're only going to be a burden, then, don't just stand in the middle!
Junpei: …Huh? *realizes that he was standing defenseless in the middle of the fight*
Aigis: *aiming her gun at a Shadow* Please move, Junpei-san.
Junpei: Uhh… Right! *moves away from the middle of the battle field*
Aigis: *Shoots a Shadow* Take this!
Koromaru: *growls and then howls summoning Kohryu and uses Weary Thrust to attack the Shadow*
Mitsuru: Aigis.
Aigis: *walks back to confront Mitsuru* What is it?
Mitsuru: There are too many enemies. This seems endless. Go on ahead.
Aigis: But…
Mitsuru: Don't worry about us. We'll handle this. *slashes off a Shadow*
Aigis: *nods* Understood.
*Aigis passes through the Shadows as the others distract them*
Aigis: *sees Ken* Ken!
Ken: … *doesn't respond to Aigis*
Aigis: *runs towards Ken and approaches him* Ken!
Ken: *looks ahead* I have to go.
Aigis: Huh? Go where?
Ken: I must know why…
Aigis: Why? Why what?
Ken: I must know why this is happening…
Aigis: What are you talking about?
Ken: *passes through Aigis* I must go…
Aigis: Wait! Ken! *follows Ken*
Ken reaches his destination not too far away from the others, and suddenly, a door appears before him…
Ken: Huh? *comes back to his senses* What? ...??? A door? Here?
The door opens for Ken and Ken was left there blankly staring into space…
Aigis: …!!! Even Ken…
Meanwhile, on the other side where Ken's mind has traveled, he is seated on the same white chair Yukari and Junpei sat on, in a room that looks like an elevator perpetually moving up. The only difference this time is that Minato is already sitting in the blue couch…
Ken: *looks around* Huh? …Where am I?
Minato: Hello.
Ken: *turns to face the one who greeted him* …!!!
Minato: Why do you look so shocked?
Ken: …S-Senpai? I-Is that…r-really you?
Minato: Of course.
Ken: Why are you here?
Minato: To answer you, I suppose.
Ken: Answer me?
Minato: *nods*
Ken: You mean you can tell me why all of these are happening?
Minato: Maybe.
Ken: *snaps at Minato* "Maybe" isn't good enough! Answer me!
Minato: Very well.
Ken: *appears to be waiting for Minato's next words* …
Minato: Because you wished for this.
Ken: …!!!
Minato: It's not only you. All of you.
Ken: All of us?
Minato: Right.
Ken: What do you mean?
Minato: I can't tell you, yet. Besides, you should help them.
Ken: Help them?
Minato: The others you left behind.
Ken: What?
Minato: Farewell, for now.
Ken: Wait! You haven't-
Meanwhile, back to the other side where the others are fighting the Shadows…
Aigis: *looking at Ken* …
Ken: Answered yet! *looks around* …Huh?
Aigis: You're back.
Ken: Back? Where?
Mitsuru: *wards a Shadow away from her, then summons her Persona* Artemisia! Bufudyne! *exterminates a Shadow*
Junpei: Oh, shit! How many are they?
Fuuka: Only four more! I don't sense any other Shadows.
Junpei: Ok! *summons his persona* Susano-o! Vorpal Blade!
Koromaru: *howls and summons Kohryu and uses Weary Thrust*
Mitsuru: *summons her Persona* Artemisia! Bufudyne!
Metis: *summons her Persona* Come, Psyche! Garudyne!
The Shadows have been eliminated…
Fuuka: I no longer detect any other Shadows.
Junpei: *sighs* Finally, it's over.
Mitsuru: *turns to Ken* Are you alright, Amada?
Ken: *nods* Yes, thank you.
Junpei: Don't you run off like that again! Got it?
Ken: *lowers his head* I'm sorry.
Fuuka: I'm glad you're safe, Ken-kun!
Ken: Fuuka-senpai…
Metis: *looks at Aigis* Are you hurt, sister?
Aigis: No, I'm fine. *smiles at Metis* Thank you for your concern, Metis.
Metis: *smiles* No problem.
Fuuka: Something seems ahead. Don't worry. I don't think it's dangerous.
Mitsuru: All right. We'll check to see what's there.
They travel further in and encountered a fewer number of Shadows along the way, and finally, reached the end of Caina…
Ken: Another door?
Fuuka: I don't sense any danger.
Mitsuru: Very well. Let's try opening it.
Ken: *steps forward* I'll try. *tries to open the door*
The door opens…
Ken: …!!!
END OF CHAPTER ELEVEN
A/N: And that's it.
***: I wonder what'll be behind Ken's door…
Empyrea: As usual, next chapter. *turns to readers* Well you the drill… Hope you enjoyed this chapter.