A/N: The document manager went down for a while…What the heck?!
***: Yeah, it is a pain. Oh well, let's start with the fic!
Empyrea: Hey! Wait! *is dragged by *** * Ahhh!!!
Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3 FES and its characters, only the plot.
Chapter 17: I'll Find You
After getting out of Antenora, they all returned to the dorm and discussed the things they knew so far. They finally reached an answer to one of their questions: How come they are awakening to Minato's powers. The meeting was adjourned after a heated discussion with Mitsuru and Yukari, and then, they all headed to their rooms to rest. In Junpei's room, Junpei was just sitting on his bed, and then, he suddenly saw a woman's silhouette, one that's so familiar to him…
Junpei: *stands up* C-Chidori?
Woman: … Jun…pei… *begins to fade*
Junpei: Chidori! *runs towards the direction of the shadow*
The silhouette faded even before Junpei can even touch it. There was nothing else there but his things that were left untidy, yet again…
Junpei: *lowers his head* Chidori…
Strange voice: "Do you think she'll come back?"
Junpei: *looks around* …! Minato! That's you, right?
Minato: "Maybe. Why do you ask?"
Junpei: Where's Chidori?
Minato: "She went to a door below us."
Junpei: Which one?
Minato: "Why are you so eager to know?"
Junpei: Just tell me!
Minato: "Ptolomea."
Junpei: Ptolomea. Got it, I'll ask Fuuka which one, and- *he felt someone hold him by the shoulder and he turns to his back and sees Minato* What?
Minato: *lets go of Junpei* Are you sure?
Junpei: *faces Minato* What are you talking about this time?
Minato: *averts his gaze* What if you…?
Junpei: What?
Minato: *looks at Junpei* Do you really want Chidori back?
Junpei: Of course, I do!
Minato: Even if you have to pay?
Junpei: Whatever it is, I'll-
Minato: What if you have to choose?
Junpei: I'll choose Chidori! No matter what!
Minato: *points to Junpei* Even if the other choice is you?
Junpei: Me?
Minato: Please, think carefully before going there. We're giving you time.
Junpei: I can't!
Minato: …?
Junpei: Chidori's waiting and I have to go! *runs outside to head to the Desert of Doors*
Minato: *sits on Junpei's bed* Chidori… Do you think he made the wrong decision?
Junpei stormed to the Desert of Doors without anyone noticing him, which he really didn't notice himself. All that was in his mind at the time was Chidori…
Junpei: *opens The Door of Ptolomea and enters* Just wait for me, Chidori! Hang in there!
Meanwhile, back at the dorm, in Mitsuru's room…
Fuuka: *running towards Mitsuru's room* Senpai? Senpai? Are you there?
Mitsuru: *walks outside of her room* Yamagishi?
Fuuka: *turns to Mitsuru, while catching her breath* Senpai!
Mitsuru: What's wrong?
Fuuka: It's…Junpei-kun!
Mitsuru: Iori?
Fuuka: …Yes.
Mitsuru: What happened?
Fuuka: I can't…sense him…anywhere in the dorm!
Mitsuru: Calm down.
Fuuka: *breathes in, and then, out, then, looks at Mitsuru* What are we going to do?
Mitsuru: Can you sense where Iori is right now?
Fuuka: The Abyss of Time.
Mitsuru: I see. Call the others to the lounge. We'll talk there.
Fuuka: Okay.
Fuuka summons her Persona and contacts the other members of SEES to go to the lounge to discuss about what to do…
Mitsuru: Is everyone here?
Aigis: *looks around* Everyone seems to be here.
Fuuka: *looks at Mitsuru* Senpai.
Mitsuru: I know. Let's start. First of all, Iori is missing.
Akihiko: *shoots up from his seat* What?! Where is he?
Mitsuru: *looks at Akihiko* Calm down, Akihiko.
Akihiko: *sits down* Sorry.
Mitsuru: He went to the door with the name of Ptolomea.
Yukari: Why would he go there? Even if it is Junpei we're talking about.
Fuuka: I didn't see him go there, and…
Mitsuru: Yamagishi informed me that she felt that Iori was already there.
Fuuka: I'm sorry I didn't realize it sooner.
Yukari: *turns to Fuuka* That's okay, Fuuka.
Mitsuru: Our operation is to head to Ptolomea and rescue Iori.
Yukari: I want to go.
Mitsuru: *nods* Very well. I'll be going, as well.
Akihiko: I'll go.
Mitsuru: *turns to Akihiko* You should stay Akihiko, together with Amada and Metis.
Ken: But I want to go, too.
Mitsuru: You better stay. Stay here with Metis and guard her. Don't let her leave the dorm.
Metis: Hey! I can go!
Mitsuru: Aigis also suggest you stay. You were badly injured during our last operation.
Mets: *looks at Aigis* But…
Aigis: *looks at Metis* Please. I'll be fine. *smiles* Don't run away like last time.
Metis: Okay, then, I'll only run there if need be.
Mitsuru: Thank you. Then Amada, Metis and Akihiko remain here in the dorm.
Akihiko: *frowns* I still want to go.
Mitsuru: You can go next time. *points to Koromaru* We'll take Koromaru instead.
Akihiko: But-
Mitsuru: *interrupts Akihiko* You should all rest here. We'll bring Iori back.
Akihiko: Fine.
Mitsuru: I trust that you'll protect them, Akihiko.
Akihiko: *gives Mitsuru a thumbs up* You got it.
Mitsuru: Then, we'll be on our way.
Fuuka: I'll assist you all from here. Please, be careful.
Mitsuru: *nods* We will.
They made their preparations and met up a few moments later in the lounge, then proceeded to the Desert of Doors…
Mitsuru: *standing in front of a door* We're here. Did Iori go in this door?
Fuuka: Yes, I sense Junpei-kun in there. Be careful.
Aigis: Let's go.
Mitsuru: Yes. *opens the door to Ptolomea*
They entered the Door of Ptolomea, standing in a small room that only has a giant, long, spiral, rainbow-colored stairs…
Yukari: Wow. *looks around* I'm feeling kind of dizzy with these colored, spiral stairs.
Mitsuru: The feeling is mutual.
Aigis: Maybe we should have brought sunglasses with us.
Koromaru: *whimpers*
Mitsuru: This is kind of… I don't know how to describe it.
Yukari: Even Koro-chan's getting dizzy. Seriously…why did Junpei have to go here?
Mitsuru: There's only one way to find out. *looks at them* Let's go.
They start climbing the spiral staircase of Ptolomea…
Yukari: *walking* Hey. *looks at Mitsuru and Aigis*
Mitsuru: *looks at Yukari while climbing the stairs* Yes?
Aigis: *turns to Yukari* What is it, Yukari-san?
Yukari: Why do you think did Junpei go here?
Mitsuru: Even I don't know.
Aigis: He wasn't acting weird before he disappeared, either.
Yukari: So, if it's not the case about getting angry with us, then, maybe, it's a personal matter.
Mitsuru: What personal matter?
Yukari: Well… I guess that was weird.
Aigis: Something related to Junpei-san?
Mitsuru: Related, huh.
Yukari: The only thing related to Junpei that's also linked with the Dark Hour and Personas… Is there even one?
Mitsuru: *abruptly stops* …!!!
Aigis: *abruptly stops* …!!!
Yukari: *looks at both of them* There was one, huh.
Mitsuru: Yes.
Aigis: But, isn't she…
Yukari: She's inside Junpei, so…
Mitsuru: What does Chidori have to do with this? Why would Iori go here for that reason?
Yukari: Wait…
Mitsuru: *stops walking* What's the matter, Takeba?
Yukari: *talks to thin air* Are you there? Did you tell Junpei about Chidori? Is that why he's here? Answer me!
Aigis: …Yukari-san …!!!
Koromaru: Arf! Arf!
Yukari's hunch was right on. Minato, though quite transparent, appears before them…
Minato: I only told him that he needed to choose.
Yukari: Choose?
Minato: Between him and Chidori.
Yukari: What?! Why?
Minato: Chidori's inside him. They were always together, so…
Mitsuru: And? What did Iori say?
Minato: He said he'd choose Chidori…no matter what.
Yukari, Aigis & Mitsuru: …!!!
Mitsuru: We must stop him.
Minato: Chidori said the same thing.
Yukari: How is he even going to bring Chidori back?
Minato: Through a Persona.
Aigis: Persona?
Minato: Medea.
Yukari: Medea? Isn't that…
Mitsuru: Chidori's Persona.
Minato: You must hurry or he might really…
Yukari: Don't worry.
Minato: I don't have much time to talk with you, but please, tell him to believe.
Yukari: In what?
Minato: Both him and Chidori. That way the- *looks around* …!!!
Yukari: What's wrong?
Minato: I can't stay anymore. Please, take care.
Minato fades away…
Mitsuru: We must make haste.
Koromaru: Arf! Arf!
Aigis: We have to bring Junpei-san back.
Yukari: Of course!
They head further up the stairs of Ptolomea. Meanwhile, in another part of Ptolomea where Junpei ended up…
Junpei: Chidori… I'll find you.
Chidori, who is transparent, as well, appears before him…
Chidori: Stop it, Junpei.
Junpei: Chidori!
Chidori: I didn't ask for you to be here.
Junpei: But, I-
Chidori: I don't want you to die. That's why I chose to be with you.
Junpei: But, Chidori… I don't want you to die, either!
Chidori: I didn't.
Junpei: Chidori…
Chidori: *looks back* Please, turn back. I don't want you to choose death. Goodbye, Junpei.
Junpei: *holds out his hand* Don't go!
Chidori: *walks away* …
Junpei: Wait! Chidori!
END OF CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
A/N: Well, that's it. Usual stuff, still. So, see you guys next time.
***: She's getting pumped up, hehe. Anyway, updates might only be a few times a week as school has begun for the two of us. But, don't worry, we'll update as often as we can.