A/N: The 25th chapter already? Wow…It went by so fast…
***: We're really sorry. This chapter is so awfully short.
Empyrea: So, anyway, let's get on with chapter 25!
Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3 FES and its characters, only the plot.
Chapter 25: Nearly There
After quite some time of being lost and after viewing the events that happened during the battle with Nyx, Messiah appeared before Yukari, then, moved forward, further into the labyrinth of Empyrean. Yukari, surprised that who was running into the labyrinth wasn't Messiah anymore, but Minato, called the others and ran after Minato, believing that he is leading the way…
Mitsuru: *runs after Yukari and holds Yukari's arm* Wait! Takeba!
Yukari: *turns to Mitsuru* What?
Mitsuru: Are you sure?
Yukari: Of course! I believe in him!
Mitsuru: …Very well. *let's go of Yukari's arm* Let's go, then.
Yukari: *smiles* Thank you, senpai.
Mitsuru: I believe in him, as well, Takeba.
Yukari: Let's go.
After a while of going into whatever direction Yukari points to…
Junpei: *turns to Yukari* Okay? Uhhh… Which way now, Yuka-tan?
Yukari: *didn't hear Junpei, and is looking at Minato* … "He's not moving, yet."
Minato: *looks around* …
Yukari: "I wonder what he's looking at, or rather, what he's looking for…"
Junpei: Uhh…Yuka-tan? Yuka-tan, do you hear me?
Mitsuru: *looks at Junpei* Don't break her concentration, Iori.
Junpei: *looks at Mitsuru* Huh? Uhh…right. Sorry.
Akihiko: Do you think she's still following Minato?
Mitsuru: *turns to Akihiko* It's most likely that way.
Akihiko: *looks at Mitsuru* How come we can't see Minato?
Mitsuru: Well…
Akihiko: How come Yukari can see him?
Mitsuru: That's not what truly concerns me.
Akihiko: …???
Mitsuru: It's the fact that Takeba said something about Messiah before mentioning Minato.
Akihiko: So?
Mitsuru: Don't you get it? That may not be him.
Akihiko: …!!! What?! You sure about this?!
Mitsuru: No… Actually, it's just a theory.
Akihiko: *sighs* Well, that makes me relieved.
Mitsuru: Sorry to worry you, Akihiko.
Akihiko: Right… No problem.
Mitsuru: …
Yukari: We should go that way. *points to her right*
Mitsuru: Right.
Meanwhile, in Judecca…
Aigis: *sitting down while leaning on a wall* I'm sorry to keep you, Ken.
Ken: *sitting next to Aigis* It's no big deal.
Koromaru: Arf! Arf!
Aigis: You too, Koromaru. I…I'm afraid…
Ken: Me, too…
Aigis: I'm scared that we might learn another…
Ken: That we might learn something heartbreaking…about senpai, right?
Aigis: *nods* I could not protect him… *lowers her head* Even now… I was always the one being protected.
Ken: *stands up* Then…
Aigis: *looks at Ken* …?
Ken: *looks at Aigis* Isn't that another reason to protect him?
Aigis: …!!!
Ken: Something in my heart tells me that if I can't do this… Then, mom and Shinjiro-san would laugh at me…
Aigis: Ken…
Ken: Metis should still be nearby.
Aigis: *stands up* Let's go.
Ken: *nods* Yeah.
Koromaru: Arf! Arf!
Back in Empyrean…
Junpei: It's been a while since we've been following him.
Mitsuru: Have patience, Iori.
Akihiko: Hey, look. *points forward*
Mitsuru: What is it, Akihiko?
Akihiko: Is that a door?
Yukari: Looks like it. *walks towards the door*
Messiah: My master dictates that this door be the gate to salvation.
Yukari: Salvation?
Mitsuru: When did Messiah get there?
Akihiko: Well… We were following him.
Junpei: What's this about salvation? *looks at Yukari* Hey, Yuka-tan, do you know?
Yukari: *is looking at the door* No… I have no idea.
Junpei: I see.
Mitsuru: Do you think we should rest here for a while?
Yukari: *turns to them* I think so.
Akihiko: While we're at it, let's figure out this salvation thing.
Junpei: *sits* Phew. I wanted to rest.
Mitsuru: *sits down* Me, too.
Yukari: Well, I have to agree. That was quite a long walk we had there.
Akihiko: *sits down and leans on a wall* Who would have thought this place was that big?
Mitsuru: I wonder how the others are holding out.
Yukari: You think they already found Metis?
Mitsuru: Most likely.
Akihiko: Why don't we ask Fuuka? She's been really silent all this time.
Junpei: Okay. Hey, Fuuka-san.
Fuuka: H…e..llo?
Mitsuru: Yamagishi, can you hear us?
Fuuka: My power couldn't reach moments ago. Are you all okay?
Mitsuru: We're fine.
Fuuka: Thank goodness.
Yukari: *touches the door* Hey, Fuuka.
Fuuka: Yes?
Yukari: If it's not too much… Can you please scan this door?
Fuuka: Let me see if I can help.
Yukari: Thanks.
Mitsuru: Do you think this door is the same as the others?
Akihiko: Probably, but…
Yukari: Something gives me the feeling that it's quite different.
Junpei: Yeah… Something about it doesn't feel right.
Yukari: Actually, it feels familiar…
Mitsuru: Now that Takeba mentioned it…
Junpei: Really?
Akihiko: "He's out of the loop again?" *sighs*
Junpei: *looks at Akihiko* Hey!
Yukari: Stupei.
Meanwhile, back in Judecca…
Aigis: Fuuka-san?
Ken: Senpai? Can you hear us?
Koromaru: Arf! Arf!
Fuuka: Yes. I can finally hear you.
Aigis: This is a first for you, isn't it?
Fuuka: Huh?
Aigis: Trying to contact two parties at two distinct places. It is indeed a difficult task.
Fuuka: Don't worry, I'm okay. Thank you, Aigis.
Aigis: We would like to ask if you know where Metis is.
Ken: Do you sense her, senpai?
Fuuka: Give me a moment.
Aigis: … "This time, I won't turn back. I have to know…his answer."
Fuuka: I'm sensing a different, yet familiar kind of aura. Do you think that's her?
Aigis: We'll give it a try. Where do you sense that being?
Fuuka: Quite near you, actually.
Ken: Really? *looks around*
Fuuka: The aura is a few ways from your right, then, from there, go straight ahead.
Aigis: Thank you.
Fuuka: Be careful.
Ken: We will.
Koromaru: Arf! Arf!
The three dash towards the direction given to them by Fuuka…
Aigis: "Will I find the answer I seek this way?"
Aigis: *stops running and gasps* "A door…"
Ken: *stops running* Aigis-san?
Koromaru: *stops running* Arf! Arf!
Aigis tries to open the door…
Aigis: "To the Velvet Room…"
The door opens for Aigis, and she is sent to Velvet Room, seated at the guest's seat…
Aigis: You…
Minato: *sitting in the couch in front of her* It's been a while…Aigis.
Aigis: Why…Why only now?
Minato: Why, you ask?
Aigis: Answer me.
Minato: Because, you realized just now…
Aigis: …Then, tell me something.
Minato: What?
Aigis: The answer to life… Is it death?
Minato: Why do you ask me that?
Aigis: I…
Minato: Is it because… You think I'm dead…?
Aigis: What do mean? Are you not?
Minato: Well… I died… In our world, I died…
Aigis: What do you mean?
Minato: You still consider me dead? I'm right here, talking with you…
Aigis: But…
Minato: Listen, Aigis.
Aigis: …?
Minato: The answer to life… It is what you think it is… Not mine, not theirs, not anyone else's. The answer is yours.
Aigis: My answer…
Minato: …The answer's always there… It's just waiting to be discovered…to be realized.
Aigis: Realized?
Minato: You already know the answer, but, you have not yet realized what it truly is.
Aigis: What it truly is?
Minato: *nods* You'll find it… On this journey you started.
Aigis: I…
Minato: You can make it. I know you can.
Aigis: Even without you?
Minato: It'll be alright. *stands up*
Aigis: *looks down* I don't know…
Minato: *pats Aigis' head* I'm here.
Aigis: …!!!
Minato: You'll find the answer…
Aigis: *looks at Minato* I'm sorry… That's really what I wanted to say…
Minato: I already told you, didn't I? You don't have anything to apologize for. If anything else, I should be the one apologizing to all of you.
Aigis: *tears start falling from Aigis' eyes* …
Minato: You always cry at moments like this. *wipes her tears* Go on.
Aigis: *smiles* Thank you.
Minato: *smiles*
Aigis' mind returns to Judecca…
Ken: Are you okay? Aigis-san!
Aigis: Let's go.
Ken: …??? *turns to Koromaru*
Koromaru: *whimpers*
Aigis: Let's find Metis.
Ken: Uhh… Right.
They run towards their original destination, further into Judecca…
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
A/N: Okay, guys, for the last time, this is and will always be a MinatoxYukari fic. That scene with Aigis won't change anything.
***: Yeah, that scene is for the next chapter. *looks at Empyrea* Hey, what's that for?
Empyrea: *mashes *** with a hammer* Screw you! I won't let you spoil anything, any further!