A/N: All right here is chapter 28! Made a mistake last time, I said 28 though it was the 27th chapter.
***: My fault too. I didn't notice it.
Empyrea: Yeah, yeah. Btw, Ryoji is the Harbinger, in other words, Death, in the Journey. He resided within Minato, after he was sealed in him by Aigis during their battle 10 years ago. Well, let's just get the show on the road…
Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3 FES and its characters, only the plot.
Chapter 28: Human
After defeating Erebus, the accumulated malice of humans, SEES now faces another problem, getting rid of the Abyss of Time. Metis informed them that they need to do something quick or the Abyss of Time will swallow them up together with the dorm. Their current location is the door leading to salvation, according to Minato, the Door of Empyrean…
Junpei: A lot has happened, huh.
Akihiko: *smirks* Well… I guess so.
Fuuka: *looks at them* But, were all going home, right?
Mitsuru: *turns to Fuuka* Of course, Yamagishi.
Fuuka: *smiles* That's a relief.
Yukari: So… What do think will happen after this?
Mitsuru: No one can say for sure.
Yukari: I guess so.
While Junpei and the others continue talking, Fuuks turns to Aigis…
Fuuka: By the way, Aigis-san.
Aigis: *turns to Fuuka* Hm? What's wrong, Fuuka-san?
Fuuka takes something out from a bag she has been carrying since they entered Empyrean…
Fuuka: *takes out a set of Aigis' winter uniform* Here.
Aigis: What for?
Fuuka: I figured it's kind of cold in here, so, I thought that maybe, since you're a robot you can't quite adapt to the temperature.
Aigis: *smiles* Thank you. I was quite cold. I'll be wearing this, then.
Aigis takes the set of clothes from Fuuka and wears it, suddenly, Junpei brings up an out of the blue question…
Junpei: *turns to Yukari* Oh! Hey, Yuka-tan!
Yukari: *turns to Junpei* Yeah?
Junpei: This place resembles Tartarus, doesn't it?
Yukari: Tartarus? Well…
Akihiko: Hey, now that you mention it… This place is packed with Shadows, just like Tartarus.
Ken: Hey, that's right.
Yukari: Yeah… I totally forgot because of everything's that happened.
Ken: Me, too.
Fuuka: Umm…
Yukari: *turns to Fuuka* What's wrong, Fuuka?
Mitsuru: *looks at Fuuka* This is the time to tell them, Yamagishi.
Fuuka: *looks at Mitsuru and nods* Okay.
Junpei: Tell us what?
Mitsuru: We never found an opportunity to tell you all, but…I believe that now is the chance we have left.
Akihiko: Chance? To what?
Fuuka: To tell you all what the Abyss of Time really is.
Others: *looks at Fuuka*
Yukari: What the Abyss of Time really is…
Junpei: *scratches his head* We never really asked, huh…
Akihiko: What is this place?
Fuuka: You see, according to the research we made…the Abyss of Time is the byproduct of Tartarus.
Junpei: Huh? Okay… Uhhh… You lost me.
Yukari: Ugh, Stupei!
Junpei: Hey! Why?! Did you get what Fuuka said?
Yukari: Well, a part of it at least.
Junpei: Like what?!
Yukari: That the Abyss of Time was created when Tartarus was created.
Junpei: What?
Yukari: *shrugs* I knew it. There's no use explaining to a Stupei.
Junpei: I resent that!
Mitsuru: *turns to Junpei and Yukari* Enough. The two of you, stop.
Yukari: *sweatdrops* Sorry.
Junpei: Fine.
Mitsuru: *looks at Fuuka* Allow Yamagishi to continue with the rest of the explanation.
Fuuka: Right. Well, you see, Junpei-kun…
Junpei: …Okay.
Fuuka: The Abyss of Time was created the very moment Tartarus existed. You could say that the Abyss of Time was what was beneath Tartarus.
Junpei: …!!! Seriously?!
Fuuka: I'm glad you understand.
Junpei: Well…my bad, then.
Yukari: See?
Junpei: Shit.
Everyone: *laughs*
After a while, everyone stopped laughing, and it was followed by complete silence, until Mitsuru broke the ice…
Mitsuru: But, why is it beneath our dorm now? The Abyss of Time, I mean.
Others: …
Akihiko: You got me.
Junpei: I want to know that, too.
Metis: Then, allow me to explain that.
Aigis: *looks at Metis* Metis?
Metis: The reason it appeared beneath your dorm…was because you all wanted one thing.
Aigis: One thing?
Yukari: What we wanted?
Mitsuru: And, that is?
Metis: You all wanted to see "him" again.
Others: …!!!
Metis: That's why…
Mitsuru: Is this why you tried to eliminate all of us…back then?
Metis: Yes… The Abyss of Time would disappear and everything would go back to normal if you all died… I tried to kill you all, because, I knew it was the easy way out.
Aigis: Metis…
Mitsuru: But, now is different. You helped us reach this point, and for that, I am grateful.
Metis: …
Mitsuru: You helped us. That's all that matters now.
Yukari: Yeah. I mean, that's already in the past, right?
Junpei: Yup. No use thinking about it now.
Akihiko: I don't mind, either. I don't really care about your reasons as long as you're here right now.
Ken: I agree.
Koromaru: Arf! Arf!
Aigis: *smiles at Metis*
Metis: *smiles* Thank you…
Aigis: I'm happy for you.
Metis: Thank you, sister. *turns to the others* Thank you all, very much.
Junpei: *gives Metis a thumbs up* Of course!
Yukari: *smiles* Right.
Metis: We should all go. Let's all see what this salvation is.
Others: *nods*
They finally reach the end of Empyrean…
Junpei: *pants* Phew. That is one hell of a maze.
Mitsuru: *sighs* It's a labyrinth, Iori.
Akihiko: *shrugs* You never learn.
Junpei: *looks at Akihiko and Mitsuru* What?
As the others continue to talk, Aigis notices the door…
Aigis: *walks towards the door* …
Metis: Sister?
Aigis: *touches the door* I feel…hope…behind this door…at the same time…confusion. I don't get it.
Metis: Sister…
Suddenly, the door opens for Aigis…
Aigis: …!!!
Others: *turns to Aigis* …!!!
Yukari: Aigis?!
The others run for the door to reach Aigis…
Metis: *blocks the door* No, wait!
Yukari: Get out of our way, Metis.
Metis: Wait! This door is safe. "He" said, it'll be salvation.
Yukari: …Okay, then. We'll wait.
Inside the world wherein Aigis was taken by the door she entered…
Aigis: *looks around* Where am I?
All that Aigis sees is the white light surrounding the place…
Aigis: What is this place?
Suddenly, Minato appears before Aigis…
Minato: Don't worry, Aigis. This isn't the after life.
Aigis: Minato?
Minato: Thank you. *holds Aigis' hands*
Aigis: Why? Where are we?
Minato: You're all nearly there.
Aigis: Nearly there?
Minato: You're all about to reach it.
Aigis: Reach what?
Minato: The answer to life.
Aigis: …!!!
Minato: Tell me, Aigis…
Aigis: What?
Minato: What is it that you want the most?
Aigis: What I want the most?
Minato: Yes. Something that no matter what you do… You'll never obtain it.
Aigis: Why are you asking me so suddenly?
Minato: I just want to know.
Aigis: Then…
Minato: …
Aigis: I want to know the answer to life.
Minato: But, you already have that.
Aigis: …??? …What?
Minato: You all have realized the answer to life when each one of you returned a part of me.
Aigis: Do you mean…when we summoned your Personas?
Minato: *nods*
Aigis: Then…
Minato: *smiles* C'mon, be true to yourself.
Aigis: I want to… *whispers in Minato's ear*
Minato: I see… *let's go of Aigis' hands* Maybe, it'll happen, then.
Aigis: What?! That's-
Minato: It'll be okay. Trust me.
Aigis: I trust you.
Minato: We'll see each other again.
Aigis: When?!
Minato: Real soon…and it…may be the last time…we meet.
Aigis: …!!! NO!!!
Aigis' mind returns to Empyrean…
Aigis: …
Metis: She's still not moving…
Yukari: … *walks towards Metis* Hey…
Metis: *looks at Yukari* What?
Yukari: Is Aigis…going to be okay?
Metis: *averts her gaze* O-Of course…
Mitsuru: You sound unsure. Tell us… Will Aigis be alright?
Metis: *looks at Mitsuru* Honestly… I don't know, either… But, I believe in both of them…
Akihiko: Dammit.
Junpei: Shit…
Fuuka: … *looks at Aigis* "Aigis…" *gasps*
Mitsuru: …? *looks at Fuuka* What's wrong, Yamagishi?
Fuuka: *points to Aigis* Look!
Mitsuru: *turns to Aigis* …!!! Aigis!
Others: …!!! *turns to Aigis*
Akihiko: What happened?!
Junpei: *runs towards Aigis* Hey! Are you okay?!*touches Aigis' right hand* ACK!
Yukari: *looks at Junpei* What happened to you, Junpei?
Junpei: *blowing the hot hand* S-She's burning up!
Yukari: *walks closer towards Aigis* Hey…Junpei-
Yukari notices that the Aigis' body is starting to slowly melt…
Yukari: Aigis?! Her body- It's-
Metis: Sister?!
Mitsuru: What is happening?
Fuuka: What do we do?
Mitsuru: I-I don't know.
Akihiko: We should repair her, right?! *looks at Mitsuru*
Mitsuru: R-Right. Let's do that. *turns to Fuuka* Think you can fix her, Yamagishi?
Fuuka: But… We don't have enough materials here.
Junpei: If I run, maybe, I'll make it in time!
Mitsuru: *looks at Junpei* Iori…
Junpei: Should I go?!
Yukari: Junpei…
Junpei: *turns to Yukari* What?!
Yukari: *shakes her head* It's too late, Junpei…
Junpei: *snaps at Yukari* Too late? Too late?! What the hell are you talking about?!
Yukari: Junpei!
Junpei: That's not fair…!
Fuuka: *crying* Aigis…
Mitsuru: This wasn't supposed to happen… I…I was careless… *looks away*
Akihiko: *slams his fist onto the floor* Damn!
Ken: Aigis-san…
Koromaru: *whimpers*
Metis: Sister's… My sister's… No…
Aigis: I do not wish to see you all cry.
Mitsuru: We know that, we're sorry, Aigis. …!!! *quickly looks at Aigis* Aigis?!
Aigis: I am fine. I will not leave you all.
Others: *smiles*
Yukari: Oh, Aigis…
Metis: *hugs Aigis* I was so worried, sister!
Aigis: Don't be. I know he was there.
Mitsuru: Thank goodness.
Fuuka: I'm glad you're safe.
Yukari: Wait! Aigis, your skin!
Aigis: What? *looks at herself*
Yukari: You're- *touches Aigis' hands* You're human now, Aigis!
Aigis: *looks at her self and gasps* Thank you…
Mitsuru: He was there, huh… Is this salvation? The door he opened for us…
Suddenly, they hear footsteps…
Yukari: What's that?
Akihiko: Is it a Shadow?!
The footsteps are becoming clearer, until, they finally see before them the cause of this…
Minato: Hello there.
Others: …!!!
Yukari: Minato?
Minato: I'll make this quick, so, listen carefully.
Junpei: What are you talking about?
Minato: Salvation.
Others: …!!!
Minato: Just as Ryoji has presented you with a choice back in New Year's Eve, I'll now give you three choices.
Mitsuru: Three choices?
Minato: *removes his right hand from his pocket with his fist closed* What I hold here is all the parts that you have returned to me. It is now complete. So, I want for all of you to decide.
Akihiko: On what?
Minato: Don't worry, though. I'll give you all an easy way out. *opens his hand*
Mitsuru: What is that light?
Junpei: Wait, that's- …! The light I saw when I brought Chidori back!
Minato: *looks at Junpei* Precisely, Junpei. Now, I wish to know your resolve. *looks at all of them* Show it to me… Show me your answer to life.
END OF CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
A/N: We're almost done guys!
***: Hmmm, what's the World Arcana tarot doing in Minato's pocket? *turns to Empyrea* Yo, what's that for?
Empyrea: *squashes *** with a giant hammer* Don't mind her, guys. Anyway, after Aigis melted, she came back wearing her winter uniform, it didn't melt along with her, okay? So, don't go thinking she wasn't wearing anything!