A/N: Chapter 29 is here guys! Too bad this fic is about to end… I had fun writing this one, too.
***: Yeah, so you better not give us a crappy ending!
Empyrea: You don't have to tell me that, you know… Oh, well, let's get on with the fic!
Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3 FES and its characters, only the plot.
Chapter 29: The Answer
After arriving at the end of Empyrean, the door opened for Aigis and she was able to talk to Minato. Meanwhile, the others are anxiously awaiting her return outside; until they saw her body melt. They all thought they had lost a comrade and a friend when she suddenly spoke up, notifying them she was alive. They rejoiced all the more when they realized that Aigis became a real human being. Their celebration was cut short, though. Minato appeared before them, presenting them the World Arcana card, along with three choices, and for them to show him their answer to life…
Mitsuru: Our…answer…to life?
Yukari: Wait! What are these choices you're saying?
Minato: The first choice: Go back to March 31st.
Aigis: March 31st…
Yukari: March 31st? …! Are you going with us?!
Minato: *shakes his head* If you take the first choice, then, you will leave this place and return as if nothing had happened.
Mitsuru: Nothing? Does that mean-!
Minato: *looks at Mitsuru* Of course not, senpai. Don't worry… It won't rob you of your memories.
Akihiko: What about the others choices?
Junpei: Wait! Before that! What about Chidori?!
Minato: *turns to Junpei* Don't worry, Junpei… She'll be there.
Junpei: *sighs with relief* Okay… That's good…
Yukari: …
Minato: *looks at them* The Second choice: Remove the Great Seal.
Metis: Remove the seal?!
Minato: *nods* Yes.
Aigis: …
Minato: But, as you're all thinking, removing the Seal would mean having to avert "The Fall" once again.
Akihiko: Do you mean we have to fight Nyx?
Minato: *looks at Akihiko* Precisely.
Ken: Didn't you say that defeating Nyx is impossible?
Minato: *looks at Ken* That's why it's only an alternative.
Yukari: What's our last choice, then?
Minato: *lowers his head* The last choice…
Yukari: …What?
Minato: It's…
Yukari: Tell me!
Mitsuru: Takeba…
Minato: *closes his eyes* For one of you…to…create…a Seal that will prevent Nyx from being touched… *looks at them* It means replacing me.
Others: …!!!
Yukari: …
Minato: These are the choices I give you. You don't have that much time left, but…think about this carefully. I'll wait for you in the Desert of Doors.
Minato leaves and SEES is now faced with a situation that will ultimately affect their future…
Mitsuru: Yet again, we are facing a critical point in which we must decide, and there's only one choice we can take.
Everyone is speechless as they walk, all of them reflecting deeply on the choices that lie before them. SEES knows they won't get a second chance. And, as they reach the Desert of Doors…
Mitsuru: We're here…
Fuuka: Umm…
Mitsuru: *looks at Fuuka* What's wrong, Yamagishi?
Fuuka: Do we really have to choose?
Yukari: *sighs*
They walk a little further towards the center of the Desert of Doors, suddenly, Orpheus appears before them, and in his hands is the wild card…
Aigis: Orpheus?
Yukari: *looks at Aigis* That card… *turns to Orpheus* Aigis didn't summon you!
Orpheus: I do not need to heed thy words to act.
Junpei: *looks at the others* What? What did he say?
Orpheus: Show mine master thy resolve.
Junpei: Okay, I didn't get anything he said…
Yukari: He just said to choose, Stupei!
Junpei: Choose what?
Yukari: *snaps at Junpei* Weren't you even listening?!
Junpei: Oh! You mean the three choices, right?
Yukari: *sticks out her tongue to Junpei for a sec* Stupei!
Mitsuru: Wait…
Others: *looks at Mitsuru*
Mitsuru: How do we show our resolve?
Yukari: *turns to them* Before that… I want to know your answer.
Mitsuru: *turns to Yukari* Takeba…
Yukari: I have to know! Now! We've wasted enough time already! I just want you all to know my decision.
Others: *turns to Yukari*
Yukari: You see… I know that it's selfish, so, I don't want to ask all of you to remove the Great Seal and risk being defeated by Nyx and engaging with The Fall… So, I decided…that…I want to replace him.
Others: …!!!
Mitsuru: Takeba-!
Yukari: Nothing you say can change my mind!
Mitsuru: But-!
Yukari: This is my decision! And it's mine alone! I decided to do this…*puts her hand on her chest* because my heart tells me so.
Mitsuru: I see… *lowers her head* Then, my decision is… *raises her head* I wish to go back to our time! Back to March 31st!
Yukari: What? Senpai, you…
Mitsuru: I don't want to leave Arisato behind, but…I don't want to lose another friend, either- Not in front of my eyes! Never again will I let that happen! We cannot say for certain that it's going to work, and if it fails, we might lose both you and Arisato! I don't want that, Takeba!
Yukari: Very well, but, don't think this can change my resolve!
Akihiko: Yukari…
Yukari: *turns to Akihiko* Senpai?
Akihiko: I'm sorry, but…I'm with Mitsuru on this one.
Yukari: You, too?!
Akihiko: I agree with Mitsuru.
Yukari: You don't care about "him", too?
Akihiko: That's not it! I…
Yukari: There's no need to tell me… Whatever your reason may be… I'll respect it.
Akihiko: Yukari…
Junpei: *steps forward* Hey…Yuka-tan…
Yukari: *turns to Junpei* …
Junpei: I'm sorry, but, I-I'm, on senpai's side. I want to be with Chidori! This is my last chance!
Yukari: Chance?! What do you know about that?!
Others: …!!!
Yukari: You don't have the slightest idea what it means to sacrifice yourself for someone as no good as you!
Junpei: …!!!
Yukari: I know that you're only being true to yourself. And that's why…I'm being true to myself, as well.
Aigis: Then, I, too, shall fight for my resolve.
Mitsuru: *turns to Aigis* Aigis?
Aigis: I wish to eliminate the Great Seal and bring about an end to Nyx.
Junpei: *turns to Aigis* Are you crazy?!
Aigis: *shakes her head* It doesn't matter. This way no one will lose anyone anymore.
Mitsuru: *turns to Aigis* But, Aigis-
Aigis: *looks at Mitsuru* I have decided to do this, as well.
Mitsuru: Then, that means, we can't stop you.
Aigis: …Thanks. The least we can do now, after all we've been through, is to respect each other's decisions.
Yukari: *turns to Junpei* Sorry, Junpei… I know what I said was too much, but, I want you to know… I know how you feel, I mean, I am in your shoes right now.
Junpei: Yuka-tan…
Yukari: *turns to the others* So, how do you all want to settle this?
Aigis: *looks at them* Why don't we settle this in the most efficient and simplest way?
Mitsuru: *looks at Aigis* What are you suggesting?
Aigis: I suggest we fight for the wild card.
Others: …!!!
Yukari: *nods* I agree.
Mitsuru: *turns to Yukari* …!!! Takeba!
Yukari: I don't see any other way, so, maybe, that is the easiest way to settle this.
Fuuka: *lowers her head* Should we really fight?
Mitsuru: If that is what will settle this, then, I agree, as well.
Akihiko: If Mitsuru agreed, then, I have no more objections.
Mitsuru: *looks at Akihiko* Thank you, Akihiko.
Junpei: Then, count me in, too.
Minato and Orpheus are watching the scene, unnoticed by anyone…
Orpheus: Master. Is this what thou wish for?
Minato: *standing beside Orpheus* Watch them closely, Orpheus.
Orpheus: Yes, master.
Minato: …
Ken: *lowers his head* …"I don't know what to do anymore…but…maybe…" *looks at them* I'm joining Aigis-san's side.
Kormaru: *growls*
Ken: *turns to Koromaru* Are you joining my side, Koro-chan?
Koromaru: Arf! Arf!
Ken: *pats Koromaru's head* Thank you.
Fuuka: *looks at them* Please… Don't fight.
Metis: You should choose now.
Fuuka: *turns to Metis* But-
Metis: You're a part of this mess. You have to choose, for your sake and theirs.
Fuuka: What about you, Metis?
Metis: *shakes her head* I won't be joining. I have no part in this.
Fuuka: Then…
Metis: Have you decided?
Fuuka: *nods* I'll be joining Mitsuru-senpai.
Metis: Then, go. They're about to start.
Fuuka: Right. *runs off to Mitsuru's group*
Koromaru: *howls*
Aigis: With this… We will fight all who oppose our decision.
Mitsuru: We won't hold back! We made our decision, we shall hold firm to it!
Yukari: I won't back down! Not even from all of you! "I can't lose!"
END CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
A/N: And, I hereby end this fic.
***: *mashes Empyrea with a giant hammer* Screw you! What do you mean "this is the end"?!
Empyrea: Hey! I was just kidding! *turns to readers* Well, see you guys next time!