A/N: And here is chapter 23! Just a little more, this fic is about to reach it's end.
***: Yeah, about 10 chapters at most. Well, we aren't even at the climax yet! So…You! Don't even think about leaving us hanging!
Empyrea: Of course not! And on that note, let's get on with chapter 23!
Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3 FES and its characters, only the plot.
Chapter 23: Divided
Fuuka was finally able to summon one of Minato's Personas. Everyone was happy for her, even Yukari who had THAT fit for the third time. Well, that is, until Aigis finally mentioned to them Metis' absence…
Fuuka: Now that you mention it, I don't feel her anywhere in the dorm.
Aigis: She couldn't have gotten out of the dorm, so, she's still here. *looks at them* Let's looks for her.
Others: *nods*
They decided to split up to hasten the search, so, they divided themselves into groups and searched the dorm. We begin with Ken and Koromaru who are in the 4th Command Room…
Ken: *turns to Koromaru who is standing beside him* Smell anything, Koro-chan?
Koromaru: *whimpers*
Ken: *pats Kormaru's head* It's okay, boy. Let's just look somewhere else.
Koromaru: Arf! Arf!
With that the two left the room, meanwhile, in the 2nd floor hallway…
Yukari: *looks around* Metis? Metis, are you here? Hmm… I wonder where she would go… Without Aigis, or any of us, too…
Akihiko, meanwhile, was looking for Metis in the rooms of the dorm, he had now opened the door of the last room in the 3rd floor…
Akihiko: *closes the door* Metis… Damn! *slams his fist on the door* Where is she?!
Fuuka and Mitsuru are together in the lounge. Fuuka summoned her Persona, Norn, to search the area for Metis…
Mitsuru: *standing in front of Fuuka* Any luck?
Fuuka: *stops concentrating* No… Nothing at all…
Mitsuru: I see… Thank you for your hard work, Yamagishi.
Fuuka: I'm glad I could help, senpai.
Mitsuru: *averts her gaze* But… Where would Metis go?
Fuuka: I'm worried.
Mitsuru: *looks at Fuuka* We don't know what happened yet. Don't worry… She'll be fine, we'll find her.
Fuuka: *nods* Yes. I'll scan the dorm again.
Mitsuru: That would be best.
Junpei is conducting his search on the top floor, near the door to the rooftop…
Junpei: *trying to open the door to the rooftop* "Maybe she went here. No luck… Not even her can go outside, huh… My bad, I'll look someplace else, then." *goes down the stairs*
And finally, we find Aigis at the Desert of Doors…
Aigis: *standing in the middle of the desert of doors* "Metis… Where are you?" Metis are you here? If you are, then, please, respond to my voice!
No one answers Aigis…
Aigis: *looks around* Met- …!!!
Aigis sees Metis standing in front of the door to the Velvet Room…
Aigis: *walks towards Metis* Metis, as well?
Metis: … *remains unresponsive*
Aigis: Metis…
Meanwhile, where Metis' mind has traveled upon entering the Velvet Room…
Metis: Why did you call me here?
Minato: *sighs* I didn't call you. Seriously, how did this become a misconception?
Metis: Huh?
Minato: *points to Metis* You're the one who summoned me here, *shrugs* besides, did you know that Igor has been reprimanding me for bringing too many visitors here. Geez.
Metis: I see… My doubts, huh.
Minato: Maybe… So, what brings you here?
Metis: Nothing, I guess…
Minato: Let me ask you something, then.
Metis: What?
Minato: How's everything at the dorm? Are you blending in?
Metis: I still think they don't trust me, or rather, they all hate me.
Minato: I see… Does Aigis hate you, too?
Metis: Not hate, I guess…
Minato: What? She doesn't trust you?
Metis: *averts her gaze* I think she does…not wholeheartedly, though.
Minato: And, the others?
Metis: *looks at Minato* The rest hates me.
Minato: What if it's the other way around?
Metis: Let's stop talking about this, okay?
Minato: Fine.
Metis: Now, I have a question for you.
Minato: What is it?
Metis: Why did you give them your Personas?
Minato: …
Metis: *glares at Minato* Tell me!
Minato: *averts his gaze* I don't want to.
Metis: Hey!
Minato: *looks at Metis* Sorry… It's just that…
Metis: *crosses her arms and looks away from Minato* Fine. You don't have to answer if you don't want to.
Minato: It's not that. It's just that… I…
Metis: *looks at Minato*…Yes?
Minato: *lowers his head* Even I'm…not sure about the reason…
Metis: What?
Minato: At first, the purpose was to watch over them, to protect them despite my current situation…and…and…
Metis: And?
Minato: *looks at Metis* I wanted to help them…to help them…find the answer to life…but, now…I…
Metis: You're not sure?
Minato: Not anymore, I suppose…
Metis: Why?
Minato: After the incidents recently, I… I suddenly had an urge to go back… But, I know that this is where I belong now. I can no longer go back.
Metis: …That's not what you told me before.
Minato: Huh?
Metis: I'll find the answer! I'll find it! *stands up*
Minato: …! Hey.
Metis: I can't stay anymore! *walks towards the door* Bye…
Minato: *shrugs* I forgot even you had a key.
Metis: Farewell…right?
Minato: *smiles* Maybe.
Metis: *turns to Minato* I see.
Metis leaves the Velvet Room and her mind returns to the Desert of Doors…
Metis: "I'm back, huh." *looks around and sees Aigis* Sister?
Aigis: Are you back?
Metis: *nods* Yeah.
Aigis: Why did you go there, or rather, how?
Metis: …
Aigis: Please answer me, Metis.
Metis: *averts her gaze* I can't…
Aigis: …!
Metis: For now. *runs away towards a door*
Aigis: Oh, no. Metis! *attempts to run after Metis, but then, ran towards the dorm* "I should tell the others first."
Everyone was surprised when Aigis suddenly burst out from the Abyss of Time. Aigis explained what happened as short as possible…
Fuuka: Metis…
Yukari: She also went…to the Velvet Room?
Mitsuru: But how? She isn't a resident of this dorm.
Yukari: …!!! Wait!
Others: …??? *looks at Yukari*
Yukari: If we all succeeded in calling his Personas by remembering him, then… Isn't he supposed to be back by now? Like Chidori.
Others: …!!!
Mitsuru: That's right. I completely forgot about it.
Akihiko: What's going on, then?
Junpei: We didn't hear anything about him or anything from him…
Ken: *lowers his head* Why? Senpai's supposed to be here now…
Aigis: Could it be that we are still missing a piece?
Yukari: *looks at them* I want to ask him…
Mitsuru: *looks at Yukari* What about Metis, then?
Fuuka: That's right. We should go after her first. Something bad might happen to her.
Mitsuru: I agree.
Yukari: We can't do that! This is way more important!
Mitsuru: Takeba…
Yukari: I don't know about you guys, but, I'm going to the door that just opened!
Fuuka: Do you mean Judecca? That's where Metis ran off to, and-
Yukari: No! I meant Empyrean!
Others: …!!!
Mitsuru: You can't go alone, Takeba!
Yukari: I'm going, no matter what! I may find the answers there! I have to know!
Mitsuru: …
Yukari: Nothing you say can change my mind. I'm leaving. *about to walk away*
Mitsuru: Wait! Takeba!
Yukari: *turns to Mitsuru* What?
Mitsuru: Everyone.
Others (besides Yukari): *looks at Mitsuru*
Mitsuru: Takeba's right. This matter is important. But, that doesn't mean we should just leave Metis alone, either.
Fuuka: What are you trying to say, senpai?
Mitsuru: *looks at Fuuka* That we split up. One group will go to Judecca and search for Metis, and another will go to Empyrean and investigate there.
Junpei: What?
Akihiko: Hmm… If it helps hasten things up, *smirks* count me in! I want to know the answer, too!
Yukari: *looks at Akihiko* Senpai…
Junpei: Well, then, me, too! It's not fair that only Chidori gets to live again! And, even that was thanks to him, too!
Yukari: *turns to Junpei* Junpei…
Junpei: Hey, c'mon! He's my buddy, too!
Yukari: *smiles*
Ken: I'll go, too. I kinda like the idea.
Koromaru: Arf! Arf!
Akihiko: True. This is hitting two birds with one stone.
Aigis: All right, then.
Yukari: *looks at them* Everyone.
Fuuka: *holds Yukari's hand* It'll be okay. I'll help, too.
Yukari: *smiles* Fuuka… Everyone… Thank you!
Junpei: *gives Yukari a thumbs up* Hey, don't sweat it!
Mitsuru: Well, then, let's group ourselves. *looks at them* Who wants to go to Judecca and rescue Metis?
Aigis: I'll go. I wish to know something from her.
Mitsuru: Anyone else?
Ken: Aigis-chan might need some help. I'll go with her.
Mitsuru: Very well.
Yukari: No need to ask me. I'm looking for "him".
Mitsuru: Yes… Who wish to go with Takeba?
Akihiko: I'll go.
Mitsuru: Who else?
Ken: I guess I'll be taking Koromaru with us. We might need his help.
Mitsuru: I understand.
Koromaru: Arf! Arf!
Junpei: I'm going with Yuka-tan.
Mitsuru: I'm going with Takeba, as well.
Fuuka: I'll stay here and support you all from here.
Mitsuru: Thank you, Yamagishi. We'll contact you if anything happens.
Fuuka: I understand.
Mitsuru: We'll be going then, we can't afford to waste anymore time.
Others: *nods*
They all head for their assigned doors and Fuuka remained in the Desert of Doors to support both parties that left for their mission…
Aigis: "Metis…" *opens the Door of Judecca*
Yukari: "I'm coming, Minato!" *opens the Door of Empyrean*
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
A/N: All right, only one thing I want to clear. Fuuka might've changed the Persona she used, but, even so, she retained her scanning abilities (even if it was Norn who she summoned). The Persona has nothing to do with it.
***: This is getting exciting. This fic always had its chapters' story flow straight, but the next two will be happening on the same time. Well, this is her idea, not mine. So, ciao! *waves hand*