A/N: Chapter 31 is here folks!
***: Took you long enough…
Empyrea: Whatever… Let's just begin.
Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3 FES and its characters, only the plot.
Chapter 31: The Final Turn
Yukari emerged victorious in her fight with Mitsuru's group, after a few moments, she once again stands on the center of the Desert of Doors, face-to-face with her new opponent, Aigis' group…
Aigis: *dashes forward to Yukari*
Yukari: *slides to her left* "I can't lose to Aigis! If I do, then- No! I won't lose! Not anymore!" *Yukari summons her Persona* Isis!
Yukari casted Garudyne, but, Aigis remained as agile as when she was still a robot, and completely dodged Yukari's attack, leaving her open to Ken and Koromaru's attack, which, she was able to avoid. Their battle continued, and watching them from the sides are Orpheus and Minato…
Minato: *standing beside Orpheus* …
Orpheus: *looks at Minato* Master?
Minato: Why do they fight, Orpheus?
Orpheus: Why, master?
Minato: Yes…why?
Orpheus: Is it not because they have chosen the path to the answer?
Minato: *lowers his head* This is not the answer, Orpheus… None of this is…
Orpheus: …
Minato: Why fight when only one answer remains… *looks at Yukari who is currently fighting* "Yukari…"
Orpheus: Master, thou have also done the same.
Minato: *looks at Orpheus* This isn't right… Not anymore… What if they die?
Orpheus: Master, they have chosen this fate of their own free will…
Minato: *looks at the battle* Maybe…you're right…
The fight between Aigis and Yukari continues…
Aigis: Take this! *dashes to Yukari's side and attempts a massive strike*
Yukari: *dodges then, runs to a distance and aims towards Aigis* It's not over, yet!
As Yukari and Aigis' group fight, meanwhile…
Mitsuru: *turns to Akihiko* Akihiko.
Akihiko: *looks at Mitsuru* Yeah?
Mitsuru: Do you think Takeba will win?
Akihiko: Yukari? Well, her decision was strong and true, but…
Mitsuru: So, is Aigis' right?
Akihiko: *shrugs* You got me.
Mitsuru: The feeling is mutual, then.
Akihiko: You think the same way, huh?
Mitsuru: I think Takeba has a great chance of winning, but, then again, so is Aigis.
Junpei: *walks towards Mitsuru and Akihiko from behind* I can't believe Aigis is human now, senpai.
Mitsuru: *turns to Junpei* Iori.
Akihiko: Me, either.
Mitsuru: Personally, I actually think she's still a machine. It just happened so fast. I'm afraid I'm still not used to the idea that Aigis is now human.
Fuuka: *walks towards Mitsuru and the others* Me, too.
Junpei: *turns to Fuuka* Oh! Hey there, Fuuka.
Fuuka: Sorry to suddenly ask, but, don't you think that Yukari and Aigis changed a lot? Or, is that just me?
Mitsuru: No, Yamagishi. I feel the same way.
Akihiko: Yeah. Yukari is so much more resolved and stronger now.
Junpei: She suddenly said all those things to us, but, personally, I'm not angry at her.
Fuuka: *looks at Junpei* Why is that, Junpei-kun?
Junpei: *scratches his head* Maybe, it's because I suddenly woke up. That maybe, she was right, and maybe, I was so shit wrong…
Fuuka: Junpei-kun…
Mitsuru: It's true. I felt as though I totally abandoned him.
Akihiko: You're not the only one feeling that way.
Junpei: *looks up and suddenly shouts with his hands partially around his mouth to emphasize the loudness* HEY!
Fuuka: Junpei-kun?!
Junpei: HEY! DUDE, WHEREVER YOU ARE, I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME!
Mitsuru: *looks at Junpei* Why are you shouting, Iori?
Junpei: *turns to Mitsuru* It's so he can hear me, no matter where he is.
Akihiko: What are you talking about?
Junpei: It's so I can apologize. He might not forgive me again if I don't do this now!
Fuuka: Junpei-kun-
Junpei: HEEY!!! I'M SORRY, MAN! I WANT YOU TO KNOW I'M HERE, TOO! I'LL WAIT FOR BOTH YOU AND CHIDORI!!! SO, YOU BETTER COME BACK!
Minato: …!!! Junpei… Stupid.
Junpei: *balancing himself by holding onto his knees while catching his breath* Phew. He heard me, right?
Mitsuru: Iori-
Junpei: He heard me right, senpai? *turns to Akihiko and Mitsuru*
Mitsuru: *smiles* I'm pretty sure he did, Iori.
Akihiko: *smiles* Yeah, I think he did.
Junpei: Yeah! *suddenly sits down from where he is standing*
Fuuka: What's wrong, Junpei-kun?
Junpei: I feel lighter now… *lies down* So much lighter. I feel like he understood… Even though it'll take some time for him to forgive me… Well, I'm still happy I got to tell him that.
Mitsuru: Iori…
Akihiko: Good for you, then.
Fuuka: *smiles* I'm happy for you, too, Junpei-kun.
Junpei: Thanks. *suddenly stands up*
Fuuka: Junpei-kun?
Junpei: *grins* It's not fair that I'm the only one that's happy, right?
The other's faces looks like they're not going to like whatever Junpei is trying to say…
Junpei: So, c'mon, don't be shy.
Fuuka: …Shy?
Junpei: You should all shout what you feel about him, too!
Mitsuru: W-What I feel about him…
Fuuka: That's-
Junpei: Don't be shy. You'll feel better, too. Just say it out loud. *turns to Mitsuru* Give it a try, senpai!
Mitsuru: I-I'll do my best, I suppose. *looks up* Arisato, I'm sorry…for having abandoned…you. *turns to Junpei* There… Was that satisfactory?
Junpei: Not like that! He won't hear you that way, senpai!
Mitsuru: B-But-
Akihiko: *snaps at Junpei* Don't force people to do what "YOU" want, Junpei!
Junpei: *turns to Akihiko* Oh, I get it! Then, you go on ahead, senpai!
Akihiko: Huh? Me?
Junpei: Who else, senpai? Duh.
Akihiko: Why me?
Junpei: Because, you wanted to do it, right?
Akihiko: Knock it off, Junpei!
Junpei: Fine, then. *looks at Fuuka* I'll just help Fuuka.
Fuuka: Me? Oh, but-
Junpei: C'mon, Fuuka! I'll even teach you!
Fuuka: But, I-
Akihiko: Knock it off! There's nothing Fuuka can learn from a guy like you!
Junpei: *staggers back* Ouch, senpai! What about you, huh?
Mitsuru: Wait.
Akihiko: *turns to Mitsuru* Mitsuru?
Mitsuru: Amada has fallen.
Others: …!!!
Junpei: Fallen?!
Their attention now shifts to the ongoing battle at the center of the Desert of Doors, the battle a while ago that seemed nothing more than an exchange of attacks between the two sides, now seems like a war…
Ken: *lying on the floor* I-I can't…be defeated, yet! *tries to stand up*
Koromaru: *howls and summons his Persona, Cerberus*
Ken: *summons his Persona* Kala-Nemi! Heal me!
Yukari: *shoots Ken* It's over, Ken-kun!
Ken gets hit by Yukari's arrow on his leg…
Ken: Ugh.
Koromaru: *growls*
Aigis: *runs towards Yukari* I'm your opponent!
Yukari: *aims at Aigis* I know that much!
The battle intensifies by the minute, and, Mitsuru and the others can that clearly see that…
Akihiko: Their fight has already intensified that much within such a short time…
Mitsuru: They are both truly determined. They're prepared to give away any price…for "him"…
Akihiko: I guess you're right…
Fuuka: I wish they didn't have to fight… Yukari-chan… Aigis…
Mitsuru: *looks at Fuuka* It's supposed to be this way, Yamagishi.
Fuuka: *turns to Mitsuru* Senpai?
Mitsuru: We decided this… That's why it's happening now.
Fuuka: *looks down at her feet* …
Junpei: That's true.
Mitsuru: *looks at Aigis and Yukari* We must accept that fact.
Minato and Orpheus are still watching, as well…
Orpheus: *looks at Minato* Are they going to succeed, Master?
Minato: Orpheus…
Orpheus: …
Minato: If I remain here…will you stay with me?
Orpheus: Of course, master. Thou art I and I am thou. I shall stay with thee until the stars disappear.
Minato: Thank you.
Orpheus: Does thou wish for no one to win?
Minato: Yes… You may be right. I want no one to win…
END OF CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
A/N: This chapter is awfully short, I know… Well, this just to clear the thoughts of the characters after the battle anyway, and for that scene with Junpei…
***: Yeah, him shouting like that and all, but still, it's awfully short.
Empyrea: Then, just wait for the next chapter! Ciao!