A/N: This chapter is gonna be great! Well, this is where I diverge from my original plan since I thought up something better. At least, I think.
***: Nevermind that. Let's get the show on the road!
Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3 FES and its characters, only the plot.
Chapter 16: The Morning Star
Everything seemed hopeless for the members of SEES. They thought Mitsuru was dead, Akihiko just met up with his past, Ken was remembering his own, as well, Aigis and Yukari aren't able to summon their Personas, Fuuka lost connection with them, Junpei feels the wait is killing him and Metis is worried for those who went in Antenora. Minato made his move and asked Metis for help, which worked. The encouragement from the others helped Minato, who was together with Mitsuru at the time, regain his strength. When more Shadows got near them, he offered to give her one of his Personas…
Minato: *hand extended to Mitsuru* A part of me.
Mitsuru: A part of you? Then… *holds his extended hand*
The Shadows around them continue to decrease…
Minato: *lowers his head a bit* You might also forget…but…
Mitsuru: What is it?
Minato: *smiles* Tell the others I said hi. Okay?
Mitsuru: *nods* Very well…
Minato: Also, tell Junpei to believe. And… *whispers something to Mitsuru* Well… Farewell, for now… *waves at Mitsuru*
Mitsuru: Wai-
The place begins to fade around her; she knows she is on her way back to them. And the others, gaining a newfound strength, are now ready to fight of the Shadows they are currently facing…
Aigis: Maybe this time…
Yukari: We can do it! I know we can!
*the giant Shadow is charging up for a massive blow*
Fuuka: Please be careful. The enemy is going to hit you with a full charged attack!
Akihiko: Well, then, let's get to it!
Ken: I can't lose! Not anymore!
Mitsuru: *rises from the chasm while sitting, arms crossed and legs crossed, on Helel's left arm* Took you long enough to recover, Akihiko.
Akihiko: *turns around, shock evident on his face* Mitsuru!
Mitsuru: *turns to the Shadow* You have wasted too much of our time! Helel! *extends out one of her arms, pointing to the direction of the Shadow* Morning Star!
The Shadow gets hit by Mitsuru's attack and is paralyzed for a moment…
Aigis: I must fight to live! *summons her Persona* Asura! Megidolaon!
The Shadow flinched more, showing it was hurt…
Fuuka: The Shadow's hurt! Keep it up!
Akihiko: For Miki! *summons his Persona* Satan! Maragidyne!
Ken: We won't lose! *summons his Persona* Metatron! God's Hand!
The Shadow is reaching its limit as they bombard him with their attacks…
Metis: For my sister! *summons her Persona* Psyche! Garudyne!
Yukari: *attempts to summon her Persona* Mess…i… *clasped her hands harder* I can't…
Aigis: Yukari-san? *turns to Yukari*
Yukari: *her hands fall to her side* What if I can't call Messiah? Then… That would mean… *shakes her head* No…
Minato: "It's okay."
Yukari: *felt that someone is holding her hand* …! *looks at her side* …!!!
Yukari couldn't believe what she at that moment. She saw Minato beside her, and that he is the one holding her hand …
Yukari: Minato?
Minato: *holds her hand with both of his hands* "Don't be afraid."
Yukari: But-
Minato: *smiles* "I'm here for you."
Yukari: *staring at Minato* …
Minato: "I won't leave your side… Now, call me…"
Yukari: *nods* Messiah!
Messiah appears and releases a blinding light that eliminates all the remaining shadows in Antenora…
Yukari: *slowly smiles* I did it… The Shadows…they're gone… *looks at her side*
Minato: *smiles* "See?"
Yukari: I know… I… Minato?
Minato just smiled at her as he disappears…
Yukari: Minato?
Mitsuru: *goes in front of Yukari* Takeba?
Yukari: *looks at Mitsuru* Senpai?
Akihiko: *runs towards Mitsuru* Hey! Mitsuru!
Mitsuru: *turns to Akihiko* What seems to be the problem, Akihiko?
Akihiko: What do you mean, "What's the problem"?! Don't give me that!
Mitsuru: My, my. Then, let's discuss this back at the dorm.
The rest of the walk back to the dorm was quite uneventful since no Shadows remain in the area. Upon their arrival, Junpei, Koromaru and Fuuka warmly welcomed them back…
Junpei: *runs towards them, grinning* Boy, am I glad to see you guys!
Koromaru: *wags his tail* Arf! Arf!
Fuuka: I'm so glad your all safe! *falls down to her knees*
Yukari: *kneels down next to Fuuka* Fuuka…
Fuuka: I'm so sorry… I…I couldn't help you…and…I-I…
Mitsuru: It's alright, Yamagishi.
Fuuka: *looks at Mitsuru* Senpai…
Mitsuru: *smiles* None of us can do anything alone.
Fuuka: Senpai…
Mitsuru: We don't blame you, Yamagishi.
Fuuka: *stands up* Thank you, Senpai.
Junpei: *gives Fuuka a thumbs up* See? Told you it's gonna turn out fine.
Yukari: *stands up and smiles at Fuuka* Don't worry about it, Fuuka.
Akihiko: You were actually a big help.
Ken: Yeah. Thanks a lot, Senpai.
Fuuka: *looks at all of them one by one* Everyone…
Metis: Oh! Uh… Fuuka…
Fuuka: Yes?
Metis: Sorry about the tea.
Fuuka: *smiles* It's okay.
Metis: Really? *smiles* Thanks.
Mitsuru: I'm sorry to interrupt…but…everyone.
Yukari: What the matter, senpai?
Mitsuru: Please gather at the 4th floor. I'd like to discuss something with all of you.
Junpei: What's it about, senpai?
Mitsuru: I'll tell you there. I'll go on ahead.
Yukari: I wonder if it's about that.
Akihiko: Most probably.
Junpei: That?
Yukari: Don't butt in, Stupei!
They all went up to the Command Room and sat on their usual seats, ready to begin another meeting. But this time, hoping that they come up with answers rather than more questions…
Mitsuru: *sitting at her usual seat* Is everyone here?
Yukari: Yup, all here.
Mitsuru: Then, let's begin. I'd like to ask what happened to all of you before reaching a state like you were one of the Lost.
Junpei: Before?
Mitsuru: Yes.
Junpei: *scratches his head* Well, I…kind of…just stood there.
Mitsuru: I didn't mean it literally. What I meant was; what did you think about?
Junpei: Oh, yeah!
Yukari: Well…
Akihiko: Now that you mention it…
Ken: I did think about something…
Koromaru: Arf! Arf!
Mitsuru: Did you all think about "him"?
Junpei: Hey… I did!
Yukari: I did, too.
Akihiko: I think he did cross my mind.
Ken: I did, too.
Mitsuru: I see. Then, it's settled. We all remembered "him" or something related to him. What else happened after you thought about him?
Akihiko: Didn't we all hear a strange voice?
Yukari: …! Wait… Don't tell me…
Mitsuru: *looks at Yukari* It seems Takeba's getting my point.
Junpei: What point?
Mitsuru: That we all heard "his" voice.
Junpei: Are you shittin me?!
Akihiko: Now that I think about it… It does resemble "his" voice.
Junpei: That was "HIM"?
Mitsuru: Then, all of you heard "his" voice, as well.
Yukari: Why do you look so surprised, Junpei?
Junpei: I thought I heard a Persona! Wait, wait, wait! I thought I saw a Persona that looked like him.
Yukari: Are you an idiot?! You thought "he" was a Persona?! Ugh! Why did I even ask?! *sticks out her tongue at Junpei for a second* Stupei!
Mitsuru: Then you all saw him, as well…even if it was only vague.
Yukari: *turns to Mitsuru* Wait a moment, senpai.
Mitsuru: What is it, Takeba?
Yukari: How did you know all this?
Mitsuru: Well, I confronted Minato, and-
Yukari: …!!! Wait a second, senpai! "Minato"?
Mitsuru: Yes, well, he-
Yukari: I didn't mean that! I meant, why not "Arisato"?
Mitsuru: Takeba?
Yukari: Answer me!
Mitsuru: A-Are you okay?
Yukari: Tell me!
Mitsuru: Well, he told me to call him by name, and-
Yukari: *suddenly stands up* By name?!
Akihiko: H-Hey… Uhh… Calm down.
Yukari: *talking to midair* Hey! Answer me, Minato! What else did you do with senpai?! Huh?! I bet you had a lot of fun!
Mitsuru: T-Takeba… W-We just…
Yukari: *turns to Mitsuru, glaring at her* What?!
Mitsuru: Well, I saw him lying unconscious and helped him up, and-
Yukari: *interrupts Mitsuru* Wait a moment! Where?!
Mitsuru: Where? In a place that's surrounded by white light.
Yukari: And?
Mitsuru: Well…we talked when he woke up…
Yukari: *crosses her arms and steps closer to Mitsuru* Uh-huh.
Mitsuru: Then, he held my hand, and asked-
Yukari: WHAT?!
Mitsuru: T-Takeba? I-Is something wrong?
Yukari: *talks to space again* Why were you holding senpai's hand?! So, this is what you're doing when I'm not looking, huh!
Mitsuru: Takeba, wait, I-
Yukari: *turns to Mitsuru, giving her a death glare this time* What?!
Mitsuru: Well, you see, he held out his hand and gave me his-
Yukari: And then?
Mitsuru: He gave me his Persona, and, he-
Yukari: And?
Mitsuru: He left a message for all of you.
Yukari: *stops glaring* Message?
Mitsuru: He wanted me to give all of you his regards. *looks at Junpei* And to Iori…
Junpei: *points to himself* Me?
Mitsuru: He said to believe.
Junpei: Believe?
Mitsuru: I don't what it was about, but… I think you should do as he says.
Junpei: *gets fired up* I will!
Mitsuru: That's all. Thank you all for listening. You should all retire for the time being while we decide on what to do next.
Akihiko: Okay. *stands up*
The others, except Yukari and Mitsuru, leave the Command Room to rest in their respective rooms…
Yukari: *frowns* "He had a message for Stupei and nothing for me? Well, that's just great!" *stands up*
Mitsuru: …!!! Wait, Takeba.
Yukari: *turns to Mitsuru* Yeah?
Mitsuru: He also said to tell you, that…he can't wait to be with you.
Yukari: *beams with happiness * Really?
Mitsuru: Yes. I'm sorry for the delay. It seems you and Minato are really in good terms.
Yukari: Thanks anyway, senpai.
Mitsuru: You're welcome.
Meanwhile in Junpei's room…
Junpei: *sees a woman's silhouette* Huh? …!!! Chidori?
END OF CHAPTER SIXTEEN
A/N: Nothing much to say, except… I totally loved this chapter!
***: Flash news to readers: this fic is now an official MinatoxYukari fic!
Empyrea: Seriously? Since when? *is thrown with stone by readers* Hey! I was just kidding! *everyone stops throwing* Oh well, only usual things left to say. So, see you guys in the next chapter!