A/N: 26th chapter folks! We're almost done! At least, I think…
***: Actually, we think this'll exceed 30 chapters. She moved it a bit again.
Empyrea: This is my fic, so back off!
***: Yeah, sure. I really think it's because I almost spoiled something important last chapter, right?
Empyrea: *squashes *** with a hammer* Don't mind her. Let's just get on with the fic!
Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3 FES and its characters, only the plot.
Chapter 26: I'll Choose You
With a little help from Ken, Aigis gathered the courage to go after Metis and learn the truth, the Answer to Life. Just as they were chasing her, the door to the Velvet Room appeared before Aigis and, finally, she got to see Minato. After their conversation, her mind returned to Judecca and they continued their chase for Metis. After a while, they finally caught up with her…
Aigis: *stops running* Metis…
Metis: *turns around* …!!! Sister?! Why?!
Aigis: I wish to know something from you.
Metis: What?
Aigis: How do you know…who "he" is?
Metis: That's…
Aigis: Please, answer me.
Metis: Well…
Aigis: I have to know. What is your relationship to Minato? And…where is he?
Metis: *averts her gaze* But… I promised him…I wouldn't tell… *looks at them* Especially to you guys.
Aigis: That no longer matters. I… *shakes her head* No, we must know.
Metis: … *nods* Very well, but, it'll be difficult to explain.
Aigis: *smiles* Thank you.
Metis: I won't tell you, though.
Aigis: …???
Ken: But, you just said-
Metis: *turns to Ken* It's easier if I just show you.
Aigis & Ken: …??? *looks at one another*
Metis: It's time. *turns around and opens the door in front of her*
The door opens for Metis and they are transported to an unfamiliar place. It's pretty much empty aside from the four of them that are standing there…
Aigis: *looks around* Where are we?
Ken: *looks around* There's nothing here…
Metis: This…was when I met him…
Aigis & Ken: …???
Metis: Watch.
True enough, two figures appear before them, and it turned out that the two figures were Minato and Metis, of the past…
Past Metis: *turns around* Hmm? Who are you?
Minato: That was my question.
Past Metis: Shut up.
Minato: Are you…a Shadow?
Past Metis: Shadow?
Minato: So, you're not…
Past Metis: Do you mean the creatures that live here?
Minato: *shrugs* Most likely.
Past Metis: Stop messing with me! *attacks Minato*
Minato gracefully dodged the past Metis' incoming attack, and then, stood like he normally does, hands in his pockets, covered by blue light and scattered mirror shards, he then called out a Persona's name…
Minato: Messiah!
Past Metis: What the-?!
Minato: *smirks*
Minato knows who his target is, Metis, on the other hand was panicking, but then, she realized that she is not the one Messiah is targeting, it was something behind her. She quickly turned around and saw a Shadow, which Messiah quickly defeated. Messiah vanished and Metis faced Minato again…
Minato: I'm not going to hurt you.
Past Metis: Why?
Minato: …??? What do you mean, "Why"?
Past Metis: Why did you do that?!
Minato: Because it was after the two of us.
Past Metis: Hmph.
Minato: *looks around* Do you live here?
Past Metis: You could say that.
Minato: *looks at Metis* And, you're all alone?
Past Metis: Yup, me and those Shadows.
Minato: That's so sad, but…
Past Metis: But, what?
Minato: *shrugs* I'll be staying here now, too.
Past Metis: WHY?!
Minato: *laughs* Don't give me that face.
Past Metis: Shut up.
Minato: *looks up* I gave up my life…to save the guys back at my old home…
Past Metis: You don't regret it?
Minato: *looks at Metis* Regret what?
Past Metis: That you lost your life?
Minato: Nah. *looks up* When you lose something… Then, that's life's way of telling you to let it go, because you're meant to open a door... *turns to Metis* One that'll lead to a much more important thing. *looks away* Besides, I made it that day… That's all that matters…
Past Metis: … *stares at Minato*
Minato: *looks at Metis and removes his right hand from his pocket, extending it to Metis* So… Nice to meet you, I guess.
Past Metis: Metis.
Minato: *stares at Metis* Huh?
Past Metis: My name.
Minato: Oh! Right! *smiles* I'm Arisato.
Past Metis: Arisato?
Minato: Yup! Minato Arisato.
Past Metis: Nice to meet you, too. *shakes his hand* And…
Minato: …???
Metis: *smiles* Welcome to your new home.
Minato: *stares at Metis* You smile just like Aigis…
Metis: Aigis?
Minato: *nods* Yeah, a friend from back home. Oh! Uhh…I meant my previous home.
Metis: *giggles*
Minato: Umm… Can you let go now?
Metis: Let go?
Minato: Umm… I meant my hand.
Metis: …!!! *lets go of Minato's hand and blushes* Sorry!
Minato: *laughs* You're funny.
Metis: Huh?
Minato: I like you.
Metis: HUH?!
Minato: I didn't mean it like that. I meant I like your personality. *smiles* I think we're going to be good friends.
Metis: *nods* Yeah!
Those who are in Empyrean viewed the same scene, and Mitsuru, Akihiko and Junpei found themselves wishing they hadn't seen it at all…
Yukari: *fuming* METIS!
Mitsuru: *trying to restrain Yukari* Calm down, Takeba! Please!
Yukari: I'm going to get you when we meet, and grind you, and-!
As Yukari continues on with her babbles and Mitsuru keeps restraining her, Akihiko and Junpei have their own thoughts…
Akihiko: "Yet again…" …
Junpei: *taps Akihiko's shoulder* Uhhh, senpai… Is Yuka-tan…okay?
Akihiko: *shrugs* Well… There's no stopping her now.
Junpei: You got me.
Akihiko: *sighs* …Sympathy here.
Junpei: *sighs* That's Yuka-tan for us.
Fuuka: Everyone!
Others: …!!!
Yukari: Fuuka?
Mitsuru: Yamagishi, what's wrong?
Fuuka: HELP!
Others: …!!!
Yukari: Fuuka…? Fuuka! What's happening?!
Fuuka: *the other sound sounds like static* A…big…Sh…dow…Ma…ce…
Yukari: Fuuka? Fuuka!
Mitsuru: Yamagishi! Yamagishi, answer us!
Akihiko: *looks at them* We gotta hurry!
Junpei: Right!
Mitsuru: *looks at them* Then, let's head for the Desert of Doors!
Others: *nods*
Mitsuru: *looks at Yukari* Takeba, do you know the way out?
Yukari: *looks around* Hmm… *nods* I can still tell.
Junpei: *looks at Yukari* Really?
Yukari: *looks at Junpei* With Messiah's traces…yeah. Let's go!
They run towards the exit of Empyrean, meanwhile, on the side of Aigis' party…
Aigis: Fuuka-san?!
Ken: What happened to senpai?!
Metis: Only one way to find out.
Aigis and Ken look at Metis and nods…
Metis: Let's make haste!
Ken: Okay!
Koromaru: Arf! Arf!
Aigis' party runs for the exit of Judecca, and, back to Empyrean, while Yukari's party is running as fast as they can towards the exit…
Yukari: Fuuka… Please be safe…
Mitsuru: We're almost there!
Junpei: C'mon, feet! Don't fail me now!
Akihiko: *looks at Junpei* That's why I told you train!
Junpei: *looks at Akihiko* I will next time!
Mitsuru: Enough talk!
Akihiko: Uhh…right.
Junpei: Sorry.
Yukari: We're almost there, Fuuka! Hang in there!
As they are running towards the exit, the surroundings suddenly changes, and Yukari knows something's out of place…
Yukari: …!!! *looks around* "Huh?! Why am I running here?"
Mitsuru: We're almost there.
Junpei: We're going to keep our promise this time! *turns to Akihiko* Right, senpai?
Akihiko: *smirks* You don't have to tell me that.
Yukari: "Wait! We're running in Gekkoukan?! And-"
Fuuka: At last.
Yukari: "This isn't right! I was at Empyrean! And now- Why am I running towards the rooftop of Gekkoukan?!"
Suddenly, Fuuka disappears, but, only Yukari notices…
Yukari: *turns to Fuuka* "Fuuka's gone?!"
Then, Akihiko disappears, as well…
Yukari: *turns to Akihiko* "No way! Even senpai?! Is this a dream? I want to stop running! But- My legs won't listen!"
Mitsuru disappears…
Yukari: *tuns to Mitsuru* "Mitsuru-senpai?! Hey, wait!"
Junpei disappears…
Yukari: *turns to where Junpei was before* "Huh?! Even Junpei! No! Don't leave me!"
Yukari reaches the door to the rooftop and finally, she stops running…
Yukari: Huh? I stopped?
Yukari is speechless and at the same time, she's confused on what to do…
Yukari: *looks at the door* If I open this… Then, I'll see you again… Dead… No longer there… And, I'll see Aigis with you… And I'm alone all over again. I-I don't want that…but…
Yukari opens the door to the rooftop…
Yukari: "I know I have to do this! Even if I go back…nothing will happen! And nothing will change! I promised you and myself… That I will no longer turn back…"
Yukari crosses the door and steps into the rooftop…
Yukari: *shields her eyes* Whoa. It's bright. *moves her arms from her face*
Minato: *sitting on one of the benches in the rooftop while looking at the scenery below* …
Yukari: …!!! *stares at Minato*
Minato: …
Yukari: M-Minato?
Minato: *turns to Yukari* …Yukari?
Yukari: I… *she looks like she's about to cry*
Minato: Why are you there?
Yukari: Huh? I- Uhh…I uhh… *averts her gaze*
Minato: *smiles* I didn't mean that I want you to leave…
Yukari: …! What? *looks at Minato*
Minato: *giggles* What I wanted to say was: Why are you still standing there?
Yukari: Huh?
Minato: Why don't you sit here?
Yukari: *walks towards Minato* Is it okay if I sit…next to you?
Minato: *nods*
Yukari: Okay… *sits next to Minato* Umm… *looks away*
Minato: You must be tired, huh… *looks at the scenery*
Yukari: Tired? Of what?
Minato: … *looks away* Of always trying so hard for me…
Yukari: …!!! What?! *stands up* That's not true! You know that's not true! I-
Minato: *stands up and suddenly embraces Yukari tightly* …
Yukari: …!!! Minato?!
Minato: It's okay… I…
Yukari: What?
Minato: If you were given a choice… If you could go back to the way things are…back to March 31st… Would you still…choose me?
Yukari: …Why are you asking this? It's-
Minato: Answer me.
Yukari: Well… I…
Minato: …
Yukari: In my mind, I know it's selfish, but... *returns Minato's hug* In my heart, I know… I'll choose you.
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
A/N: Told you guys. I had fun making that little scene. One of my favs, so far.
***: Yeah, yeah. Well, I did like it.
Empyrea: Don't worry you guys, we'll update as soon as we can, so, we'll just see you at the next chapter!