CHAPTER 32 - Advance

March 3rd, 2010

Dear Yukari,

Today gave me more hope than I feel I deserve. I could have sworn that for a moment you were remembering everything. Aigis had been following us, as she often does, but you noticed her this time but in the end you still couldn't remember. Just what is it that is capable of wiping those memories from all of you? Why are Aigis and I the only ones that remember? Is it because Nyx is sealed? Somehow does that block that knowledge from the world? If that is the case…then maybe it makes sense. I am still connected to Nyx…as it is my seal that keeps her at bay. Aigis, in the end, is still a machine. She is incapable of forgetting. However, seeing her depressed all the time hasn't helped things. And well…I guess I am no different.

I have been incredibly selfish lately. Spending what time I can with you…and hiding the truth. That I only have days left to live. This journal was all I could think to do…I'm a coward. Even despite all we faced…I had one selfish wish…to live my final days with smiles and laughter. So…I didn't tell you. I instead opted to write the journal. So that I can ensure you would know the truth of what happened. So that maybe Aigis wouldn't be left alone with her memories…and that you wouldn't have to wonder why I had to die…or how it happened. I doubt the doctors will be able to tell much of anything…like when I had awakened to my Persona and I had been unconscious for two weeks.

There is much about being Persona users that I'm sure that they just don't know…or are unable to determine with the technology they have now. It may not even be possible for many reasons. Persona is a reflection of who we are…and our strength. Because of that…it is also unpredictable…and hard to say definitively that it is one way or another. Even after all the time we have been Persona users…there is still a lot I don't understand, and probably never will. After all I was able to use my power to stop a Goddess. Just maybe…not in a way that is expected..

Love Always,
Arisato Minato

January 31st, 2010 / Evening

Minato had the weapons and equipment laid out on the table and was double and triple checking them to ensure they were battle ready. He had also gone to the Velvet Room earlier to fuse the last of his Ultimate Persona's and prepare for the final battle. The Persona's he had now were the most powerful he could create…and judging how Igor and Elizabeth had reacted to him…they were quite impressed by it. Elizabeth had said how surprised she was at how he had managed to max out every social link and create every Persona that had been possible along his journey. Perhaps it was because of how detail oriented and meticulous he had been along the way. He used every option…explored every possible power he could have so that he had the options he wanted. So the twelve Persona's that he had him gave him the maximum amount of versatility and power. He had covered every foreseeable angle that he could. And a few skills that were to be his last ditch efforts.

The rest of SEES was gathered around the lounge…all of them nervous in one way or another. There was no real correct way to prepare for tonight. After all…they had no real idea as to what exactly they would be facing. Mitsuru, however, tried to keep things in the usual order. Keeping it in the familiar was one way to at least keep their mind focused.

"This will probably be the last time we meet like this," Mitsuru didn't hide the fact how this affected her.

"There is something that I want to say," Yukari said as she pulled Minato away from the equipment so he was standing next to her as she faced the rest of SEES. "I know that we have to defeat Nyx. And this is an all or nothing endeavor. This also means getting rid of the Dark Hour…and that means we could lose our memories associated with the Dark Hour. But even if that happens, I want you all to know, I won't forget you. Even if it robs us of all our memories together…I will still remember you all."

"I guess I had been so focused on keeping us ready for the fight that I never considered what would happen after," Minato admitted as he pulled Yukari close to him. He knew that this was important to her…as it was for all of them. Forgetting how much they struggled and fought in the Dark Hour…A lot of his time spent here would make little sense. Everyone chimed in how they wouldn't forget either, and each time Yukari seemed to ease up a bit more. Still it was a possibility of happening. Ryoji was an avatar of Nyx…and by defeating him would men erasing the knowledge of the Dark Hour…that was how he had put it before. And also why he had urged Minato to kill him so that they would all live their final month without the knowledge of their impending death. Minato would argue that he had lived more fully in the last month because of that knowledge and not the opposite.

It was true that most people would be unable to accept it. And others who believed it might live in perpetual fear. The members of SEES may have stumbled at the beginning when they learned the truth…but each of them had their own reasons for fighting this battle. For Minato…it was a myriad of different things that pushed him forward. But it was because of everyone in this room…all the people that now filled his life…they were the purpose he would find a way to win. To ensure that the people he loved would be able to keep living. Any future…was better than the one that Nyx would bring.

"How about, after the battle, no matter what happens, let's promise to meet each other again," Junpei suggested.

"Good idea, but where should we meet?" Ken asked.

"I don't think it should be the dorm…We'll come back here anyways if all goes well. Hey, shouldn't we decide on when we'll meet?" Fuuka brought up a good point.

"What about Graduation Day? When the Dark Hour vanishes, our memories may not disappear right away. So we shouldn't plan to meet too soon after the battle. And there's no day that will have more significance to us all," Yukari had obviously been thinking about this for a while. He knew this was important to her.

"Wow…you're really smart, Yukari-san. Graduation Day…Yes, that will be easy to remember," Ken nodded his head.

"Yeah, that's probably our best bet…Graduation Day it is. Now, where should we meet?" Junpei brought up the last question to be answered.

"It should be somewhere where it's easy to recognize that peace has returned to the city. And when we meet again…we should remember what we are feeling right now. That no matter what may happen, we will never look back," Mitsuru said smiling but Minato could feel the sorrow that hid in her meaning. It was possible that when that time comes…not all of them would be standing with them.

"I agree," Yukari said but stayed next to Minato in his arms.

The roof of their High School…it was the only location that fit. Minato took a moment and kissed Yukari's forehead and then moved away from her as he went to the table and picked up his katana. He grabbed the hilt and pulled the blade slightly out of the sheath. He had recently cleaned and sharpened the blade. It shined now better than it ever had. This night would be the last time he picked up this weapon for this fight. Everything was on the line…there was no reason to hold back or save for the future. After all…the future would be determined by the outcome of this night. He sheathed the sword and turned around, seeing Koromaru down at his feet.

He knelt down and scratched Koromaru behind his ear, "We've done all we could to protect the people around us. Yet all of that effort before is nothing compared to the fight we have in front of us. The Apathy Syndrome…it was showcasing what will happen to the world." He stood up and looked at the rest of SEES. They were all looking at him as he spoke. "Nyx will bestow death through the Apathy Syndrome…meaning the world will just fade…humans all around the world just giving up and letting death take them. I can't understand the men who brought this upon us. However, this isn't a choice I choose to make, and neither is it one any of you would. Even if times get dark…and things seem better by leaving this world behind…it is only because we are alive that we even have the capacity to endure anything at all. That's why we have to protect it."

"Shinji would never forgive me if I let his death be in vain," Akihiko said as he moved to Minato. "People deserve to struggle and fight through this life. No one should be able to take that choice away."

"I want to see this to the end for my Father. He wanted to undo all the things my Grandfather had sent in motion…so that us…the children wouldn't have to pay for their mistakes," Mitsuru got to her feet as well and moved past Minato and picked up her rapier from the table. "We must safeguard their future."

"Chidori saved my life," Junpei said as he walked towards Minato. "I never understood love…hell I wasn't even sure why I wanted to be around Chidori so much. I knew I cared about her but…love was never something I understood. There isn't much of that back home with my old man. I was such an idiot…Chidori had to die in front of me just for me to understand what love was…and what it meant to be in love. Now that I have a second chance to spend time with her…and she can live without having to face her own death…I know that we have to win…or it all would have been worthless. And I am not about to let someone else say that Chidori's love for me and her sacrifice she made was pointless. We're going to win, and then I'm going to make sure Chidori smiles for the rest of her life."

"I never valued my own life after Mom died. I thought the best thing to do was avenge her and then follow after her into the afterlife. I never saw a reason to keep living. But Shinjiro-senpai didn't make that easy. I know that dying would have solved nothing…and that I have to move forward because that is what life is. Life is a series of trials and problems that will always test us. But I know from being with all of you that there is also happiness and good in life…that is what I want to protect," Ken added.

"I was never confident in my actions…and I was always embarrassed in what I was good at. I always tried to hide my interests…but my time with all of you has changed that. I'm not afraid of being who I am anymore. I was able to make such amazing friends. I want to protect the future because I want to see everyone grow…to see the what the future has in store for all of us," Fuuka was eager to contribute.

"I have decided to live. It was a decision that only came because of all of you," Aigis looked around to all of them and then specifically at Minato. "I want to protect all of you, so that we can all live…and continue to move forward."

"At first all I wanted to do was find out the truth behind my Father's death. It was the only reason I had initially agreed to join SEES. But things quickly changed…when Minato joined, he constantly questioned me and why I was here…and to be honest I only hid behind my Father's death…and it was my only motivation. Yet after finding out the truth I was faced with a lot of hard questions…and if it hadn't been for Minato…or the support from the rest of you…I might have never been able to move forward. But now I know what really happened…and I fell in love with Minato and made irreplaceable friendships with everyone in SEES. I wouldn't trade our time together for anything. That is why…above everything else I want to protect all of you and I want to ensure we have a future together. We don't have a choice…we have to win today," Yukari said as she put on her quiver and checked her bow.

"I'm sure if Shinji was here he would have felt the same way as all of us. Although he probably would have kept it to himself. Still we have all come a long way to get to this point. I'm sure he's proud of what we've done," Akihiko added as he did a couple stretches.

Minato bent down and petted Koromaru once more, "We aren't forgetting you either. We know your desire to protect this world is just as strong…we see it every time you fight. Your master must have been really important to you. I'm sure he's proud of what you've done since then. You have protected not only the shrine but the people that visit it." Koromaru barked and jumped up and licked the side of Minato's cheek. He grinned before standing back up again.

Minato put his katana at his belt and tied it on so the katana hung at his side. His holster and evoker were already on as well. "We don't know what we are going to see tonight, but you know damn well that Nyx is going to throw everything it can at us. No matter what happens tonight you all have to be focused on the goal. Nyx's defeat is our primary and only objective. There is no tomorrow for us. So no holding back. None of it will matter if we don't win this battle. This is the final push…and I am going to need everything you guys have to finish this."

"Don't worry; we'll be with you till the end. And all of us are going to make it out of this, I'm sure of it," Mitsuru said which held the same sentiments as everyone in the room.

"It's time…let's move out," Minato said as he headed to the door. Leaving the dormitory for the last mission…the last time they enter the Dark Hour…It was all or nothing.

January 31st, 2010 / Dark Hour

SEES stood at the base of the school as we watched it turn into the Tower of Demise, Tartarus. It never mattered to Minato how many times he had seen the transformation…it still all seemed surreal to him. Persona…the Dark Hour…Tartarus…Strega…SEES…all of it was something that any normal person would never believe. And one year ago…he would have never believed it himself. Yet it was all of these unbelievable things that would determine the fate of not just their lives but to people that would never have any knowledge of it.

As Minato opened the front door he was greeted by a familiar individual. The silver hair and golden eyes gave her away immediately. The mainly blue with black elevator attendant outfit was also there to give no room for doubt as to who awaited him.

"Elizabeth," Minato said as he walked forward.

"Minato," she smiled at him and held the Persona Compendium to her chest. "I know this will be forward of me…perhaps too much so. But as you are heading up to your final battle, it is the last time I can ask this of you. And I could not afford to let it past. My last request before you head to your final battle."

He looked behind himself after realizing that the rest of SEES wasn't there but then he realized that he was no longer on the lobby floor of Tartarus. No doubt she had used her powers to summon him, and more than likely in a way that would not alert the others, "Elizabeth…where are we?"

"This is a much different section of Tartarus. A place where time and space intersects…so it is a place that exists outside of your world or even that of the Velvet Room. Much like the Velvet Room…as long as we are here…time remains still. This was the only place that is suitable to what I would request of you. I know this is a selfish request but I must ask you to fight me," Elizabeth looked worried of being rejected rather than someone who had just challenged someone to a fight.

"A fight? But Elizabeth…what would any of this prove?" Minato was curious as to her reasons.

"The Velvet Room, is a curious place…do you not agree?" Elizabeth smiled when Minato nodded in agreement. "All guests that pass through the Velvet Room are destined to search for identity. I have watched you struggle since you first arrived in the Velvet Room. At first you were a cautious boy who only sought to move forward and survive. You did not care for your fellows or what would happen to them. You, who were marked and hurt by people in your past only wished to be left in peace. Yet there was always a part of you that cared for those around you…even though you tried to deny it. Slowly, over time, I watched as you grew to love and trust the other members…taking on more responsibility upon yourself to protect them. And most surprising of it was your dedication to your Social Links and achieving the pinnacle of each relationship…but not out of a search or need for power…but to protect and cherish what each of them has come to mean to you. There is much I don't understand. Perhaps because I have not lived as you have."

Minato looked at her for a moment as he stepped towards her, "Is that what this is really about?" Although she was denying it...he could see the sadness in her eyes. She was avoiding her own feelings. Even Minato had been somewhat conflicted...both Elizabeth and Igor had essentially said that tonight was going to be the end either way...succeed or fail. So did that mean he would never see them again?

Elizabeth's eyes grew big for a moment before she looked away, "Is it too strange? I want to believe that by facing you…I can see some form of the truth for myself. So maybe I can understand the kind of journey you had to take to become the person you are now."

"Elizabeth, will we see each other after all of this is over?" Minato asked straight out. Elizabeth tightened her grip on the Grimoire against her chest.

"Your fate will forever be tied to the Velvet Room. Once you are a guest…that room will forever be linked to your destiny…" Elizabeth spoke softly…which quietly turned to tears. "But I…where do I fit in?"

Minato wasn't sure what to say…she was a girl with an existence that couldn't easily be categorized. She was truly…one of a kind. The thought of this being the last time he would see her…it certainly didn't feel good. "I don't want to believe that this is the last time we'll meet. Regardless of what happens…if my fate is tied to the Velvet Room…then wouldn't it also be tied to the residents that are within it? My development as a Persona user is only because I had you here the whole time. And we certainly had some fun outside of the Velvet Room as well." Elizabeth had been a combination of innocent, naive and very curious about the world she knew little about. And then there were her powers...to which Minato wasn't sure he could possibly fathom.

Elizabeth looked up at him, "You surprise me every day, Minato. And that's why we must duel. I have to know if you have surpassed me. I am a being that rules over power. And I have seen many of its forms as I have existed. But you…you have continued to surprise me with your ability as a Persona user and that as a human being. There is a question I need answered, and it can only be answered through fighting. Please, do me the honor of a duel."

He said nothing for a moment as he gazed at Elizabeth's golden eyes. They told him just how serious she was…and the tears that silently fell told him of other emotions that were running through her. This was important for her. He wasn't sure he quite understood why but…he knew his answer. "Alright…a duel it is."

She smiled softly as she took a few steps back away from Minato and held up the Grimoire in front of her as the pages seem to flip on their own. "Please do not hold back. Give everything you have, because I will do the same."

"Alright," Minato said as he put his hand on his evoker and pulled it from his holster. "Then let's begin."

He knew that this was no simple fight. Minato had a sense that Elizabeth was incredibly powerful from the first moment he had met her. It was something about her aura…the way she composed herself…and maybe even her odd complete lack of knowledge of the real world that added to it. She was…indeed…a being that ruled over power. And she wielded the power of Persona like a master swordsman held a sword. It was an extension of herself…as it should be. After all…the power of Persona was supposed to be a mask…in order to fight outside sources. Yet…it was still a bit different when it came to Elizabeth. To her…Persona was simply a power to destroy ones enemies. And she had a far greater grasp of what the power of Persona truly was than Minato did. The fight wasn't just a one sided battle though...Minato was sure that he had come close to mastery himself.

Minato wasn't sure how long they had been fighting…but he had switched control of the battle between him and her as it went…but all it seemed to do was drag the fight on. Elizabeth was relentless in her assault on him, causing him to go on the defensive for long stretches of time before he could press his own attack. He had to constantly switch between his Persona to counter and attack Elizabeth. Trying to predict her actions so that he could accurately defend himself and go on the attack. After taking a rather hard hit, he stumbled back as he put his evoker to his head once more and healed himself.

Elizabeth smiled, "You are quite resourceful and quick to change your methods based on your opponent. And your selection of Persona is excellent. However, only a decisive strike will be good enough to defeat me. Come now…show me what you've got."

Minato stood calmly once more with a smile on his face, "I wasn't sure I ever wanted to use this ability. But I think I know what you want to see." He put the evoker back to his head. If she wanted to see just how decisive of a strike he could make...then there was really only one attack left to do. Minato calmly looked right at Elizabeth and into her eyes, "Armageddon!" He fired his evoker twice. This fusion raid summoned Lucifer and Helel…each powerful Persona's in their own right…but together they produced this attack...one that he had been hesitant to use. But he also knew it was exactly what Elizabeth was looking for. Minato stumbled back as the two Persona appeared and unleashed the attack. A large X emerged beneath Elizabeth…she looked confused for a moment before blue white energy erupted forth…The resulting explosion was like a volcano and ripped through Elizabeth causing her to scream as it bolted her up into the air and the light blinded them both causing Minato to cover his eyes with his arm. After a moment the energy dissipated and the light was gone. Minato found Elizabeth on the ground and rather beaten up from the attack having ripped up part of her clothing in the process…he quickly ran over to her. "Are you alright?"

Elizabeth looked over at Minato a smile on her face, "I will be fine. It seems you have won this battle." Despite the fact that she looked rather injured, and her dress was torn her expression was genuinely happy it seemed.

"Are you sure?" Minato frowned. Just for good measure he healed Elizabeth. It did seem to help her even though she had said she would be fine.

She sat up, although with Minato's help and then slowly got to her feet. He stayed next to her and good thing he did because as she got up she stumbled right into Minato's arms. "It seems I was not prepared for such a feat of strength. You have reached a level of power beyond even mine. You should be proud." Elizabeth seemed to take advantage of the situation and nuzzled her head onto his shoulder.

Minato said nothing as he could feel the hesitation in her words…and her tears that were now falling against his chest. "This isn't the end of our relationship, Elizabeth."

"I thought that I would understand more about myself if I fought you. But even in defeat…I suppose the real answer is that I have to find that answer for myself…just like you did. I didn't even know I wanted to answer this question until I met you. And yet…you will not be returning to the Velvet Room after this night. There is more I want to experience with you that…" Elizabeth cried…and maybe Minato couldn't help but feel the same. She had been with him all the while…ever an ally to him. Even when he was questioning the motives of everyone else around him. Or even when he felt he had lost Yukari. So much had happened in that time. Elizabeth was the silent ally...the others on SEES didn't even know of her existence and yet...despite everything she was just as affected by this as the others...only much differently.

"Even if is for only a while…I'm sure eventually we will be reunited. I don't think either of us can stop from being separated…so in the meantime…you should try to find answers to your questions on your own. Without me. I know you can do it, Elizabeth. You're strong…and I don't just mean with Persona's," Minato smiled as Elizabeth regained her composure a bit more and took stable footing in front of him. Even Elizabeth had grown since he had met her.

"Very well…" Elizabeth smiled. "It has been an absolute pleasure to assist you this year. You have shown me more in this limited time than I have known in my whole existence. And while I struggle to find out what my existence even is…it is you that helped me to my own road to discover my identity. I am sure we will see each other in the Velvet Room before this is over. And even still…I will meet you again in the future."

"To that I have no doubts, Elizabeth," Minato sheathed his sword and holstered his evoker.

"I wish you luck in tonight's endeavors…although I have confidence that you will find a solution to this un-killable foe you face. I have much to think about. For now I must return you to your time…I hope that you are ready," Elizabeth stepped towards him and without much regard to him she leaned in and kissed him…when she pulled back…Elizabeth was gone.

Tartarus Floor 258 / Dark Hour

To the others no time had passed, so after his duel with Elizabeth he had been returned to the exact moment SEES was stepping into the ground floor of Tartarus. Still Minato could hardly forget the fight or Elizabeth's obvious feelings for him. Elizabeth had feelings for him...that had been more than obvious the last time she had spent time with him outside of the Velvet Room, and they had gone to his room at the dormitory. Explaining to her what the appeal was of coming to a guys room was awkward...and the conversations about relationships was interesting. Elizabeth had no point of reference and also no real concept of monogamous relationships. So Minato ended up giving a lesson about a lot of things. And she had been obviously disappointed that he wouldn't kissed her and had blatantly asked him too. Still she understood and well...she was important to Minato for several reasons. He hoped that eventually she would be able to appropriately experience life and find love for herself.

Not long after we settled in...we all went into the tower this time. Minato had a feeling it would be a bad idea to leave anyone alone at the bottom of Tartarus tonight. So it would be split into Vanguard and rear support parties. Quickly the ascended Tartarus and eventually made their way to floor 258.

Minato was hardly surprised by who he saw when he came up to the floor. The rest of SEES stopped behind him and all taking cautionary stances as Jin regarded them in his usual manner. Jin then frowned as he turned fully towards them.

"So, you all came after all," Jin pulled up his briefcase and eyed Minato specifically.

"Where is your partner?" Akihiko asked.

Considering Jin had no reason to answer them…Minato found it showed his confidence when he did.

"Takaya went on ahead of me. He's destined for greater things. So, it looks like you're serious about fighting Nyx," Jin regarded them all for a moment.

Minato shook his head, "Let me guess…Ikutsuki?" It was the only way they could have found out anything about Nyx.

"I was able to piece it together with the information he left behind. But, not all of it made sense…He was a real nut job," Jin commented. On that point both Minato and Jin were in agreement.

"What was Ikutsuki to you guys?" Yukari asked.

"We really only knew his name. It was a surprise to us to find out he was your boss. Ikutsuki was one of the researchers that created us," Jin talked about it so casually that it was a little disconcerting to Minato.

"He 'created' you!?" Mitsuru was quick to speak up. And why wouldn't she? There were probably a lot of secrets of the Kirijo Group that she didn't know about yet. There was probably a lot of experiments that they didn't know about.

"Who are you!?" Fuuka added.

"There is no reason to tell you. This world won't be around much longer anyway," Jin shrugged. And more than likely Jin was tired of thinking about it, or had stopped caring about it a long time ago.

"We don't have time for this…Get out of our way," Mitsuru quickly changed the tone of the conversation.

"I can't do that, little lady. There's no way you'll stop Nyx…but above that, I can't let you interfere with Takaya's wish. That's why I'll stop you right here," Jin said as he pulled a grenade from the briefcase.

"So you're resolved to die then?" Minato pushed Yukari back before stepping forward. "All for a man's twisted wish?" Minato was going to meet his resolve with his own.

"I don't have to explain my motivations to the likes of you," Jin tensed up as he stared at Minato.

"If this is a battle of wills…I think you'll find yours to be sorely lacking," Minato pulled out his evoker as Jin tossed the grenade on the ground towards him. The persona Siegfried appeared and stabbed the ground causing a portion of it to distort up and block the explosion from the grenade. Before the dust from the explosion settled, Minato launched himself through it and at Jin, drawing his sword he slashed at Jin…being stopped only by Jin's evoker. "I don't care for your reasons…or justification you give yourself. I am not going to let this world die."

Jin swung his briefcase at Minato. He pushed Jin's evoker up in the air and then blocked the briefcase with his foot. Minato forced him back and knocked him off balance. Jin allowed himself to fall over and instead brought his evoker to his head and quickly summoned his Persona causing Minato to halt his attack and deflect the incoming fire attack with his Persona Surt.

"This world deserves to die. If it wasn't for Takaya I would have died long ago. He showed me the light when I was surrounded by darkness. And for that…I will do anything for him!" Jin quickly was back on his feet and launched an Ice attack that held off Minato enough for him to pull out another grenade and toss it.

Junpei was there to react and boosted Minato's defense before the explosion. It still hurt like hell but hadn't been that damaging. He felt a healing spell come over him as Yukari stepped up on his right. "Two people that have resigned themselves to die? Yet you say you owe him for not dying before? What you say doesn't make any sense!" Yukari yelled as she fired off an arrow.

"You don't have to understand it, you just have to die!" Jin launched attack after attack with no relenting against them. Minato could somewhat understand what Jin meant…and why he was okay with dying. It isn't something that the rest of SEES needed to understand. Although, Akihiko and Ken probably could relate to this as well. If not just a little bit differently. Who was to say if Strega had met Ken first…Takaya might have convinced him to go with him and join his cause if only for the chance to kill Shinjiro.

Most of the world had done nothing for Minato. When his parents died…no relative came for him. No one even deemed him worth having around. He had been shuffled around…and yet there always felt like he would never find a place to belong. Despite himself…he never stopped caring for others regardless if it was never returned. Maybe if Minato had been taught differently from his parents…then he would have been something horrible…maybe he would have stood against SEES instead of with them. How easy could it have been to blame the Kirijo Group for his parents death? Was he the lucky one? But he could still see images of his parents and although he couldn't really remember...he knew he was raised to be better than that...and because of that...even though he had separated himself from others...he always did what he could to help those that he could.

Frustrated, Minato, charged and slid under Jin's attack only to jump up into the air when a grenade landed on his feet. Using the reflexes he gained from his Persona he could feel the explosion from behind him but he merely came down on Jin harder. Jin couldn't hold him back and fell backwards. Minato, with the hardened battle skills he had gained in defeating hundreds…if not thousands or possibly tens of thousands of Shadows pinned him to the ground by stabbing his sword through Jin's shoulder, effectively pinning him to the ground. Jin screamed but looked up defiantly at Minato.

"You've lost," Minato said as he kicked Jin's suitcase and evoker away from him.

"What are you waiting for? Finish me off, I've already achieved in slowing you down. This is the last thing I can do for Takaya," Jin grinned satisfied with himself.

"You said Ikutsuki was one of the people that created you. Let me guess…some years ago, the Kirijo Group gathered a bunch of kids to do research. And considering you need those pills to control your Persona. That was there intention. They intended to give you the power and have you climb Tartarus," Minato eyed him and withdrew his sword from Jin's shoulder, and not caring to do more pain as he did so.

"That's right. The medication was there so it wouldn't kill us. That's what happens when your power doesn't emerge naturally. After all that only three of the original hundred survived, and after 6 months, the project was cancelled. Takaya was the one that took us away from there," Jin said through gritted teeth as he sat up and grabbed his shoulder and looked up at Minato. "Don't let the past control you, and don't look to the future; simply live in the moment. That was what Takaya said to me. Our lives were quickly counting down ever since then anyway. But what the Kirijo Group did to us doesn't mean anything to me."

"Only as long as Takaya gets his wish, huh?" Minato shook his head. The two had been victims...and just like any victim...you could go in two directions. The two of them blamed the world for what happened to them, even if they said they didn't. The two of them were just blinded by the ridiculous logic they gave to their actions. "You are both misguided."

"Say what you want," Jin said as he just stared at the ground.

"Hey guys! Lots of Shadows are headed this way!" Junpei yelled warning them. It was definitely a good thing Minato had brought them all up with him.

"Tch! We were here too long!" Akihiko added.

"We're running out of time! We need to…"

"Go!" Minato interrupted Mitsuru. "All of you head up the stairs, now!"

"But…Minato what are you going to…" Fuuka started to ask but Minato was quick to cut her off.

"I'll be right behind you," Minato said as the others headed past him and up the stairs…although hesitating for a moment. Yukari didn't move from his side. That was fine with him.

"I don't want your pity," Jin said looking at the approaching Shadows.

Minato kicked over his briefcase and evoker back to Jin. Jin looked up at Minato and was confused for a moment. "Takaya and you had a reason to hate the world. I can understand that. I did too, for the longest time. But I found something here with the friends I never had before. I even had a chance to fall in love and learn that this world isn't as bad as I thought it was. I was simply blinded by the bad and evil that had constantly blocked my vision. So for that reason, I do pity you Jin. Neither you nor Takaya had the chance to see what this world could have offered you," Minato said before turning to the stairs. "That's why I won't let Takaya's wish come true. Because I have my own wish and I'm willing to bet that I want mine to come true more than he does."

Minato took Yukari's hand and started up the stairs. Never looking back at him.

"Minato…why did you say all that to him?" Yukari asked softly as they went up the stairs.

"I really do feel sorry for both Takaya and Jin. If we had been those kids in that experiment…what would he have become? Would we have been part of the ones that died or maybe we would have been the ones to survive with a grudge against the world. Who is to say whether what happened to us in our past or there's, that there's was the more evil…Your Father died to protect us…my parents died as a result of the unleashing of those Shadows. What would happen if after I learned about it I had blamed you for it?" Minato side glanced at her. The smallest difference in details could change more than could ever be comprehended. Changes in her childhood could have also led to that route.

"Oh my God…I had never thought of that I…" Yukari suddenly looked devastated by that thought.

"Your Father did what was right. A sacrifice of a few people stopped the world from ending…it's hard to face but it is the truth. We were all victims of the decisions of a handful of people. Mitsuru's Grandfather…Your Father…and who knows, maybe my own parents had something to do with it as well. We won't ever know the full truth of what happened then and what led to the decision that you're Father had no choice in making. He knew he would die…he knew others would die as a result. It doesn't make him wrong. All I am trying to say is that all of us had the possibility of hating the world just like Takaya and Jin. We both could have made a choice that would have made us enemies. But because of their choices things ended like this…and now…they won't have a chance to know what I know…to be loved and cherished by someone," Minato and Yukari reached the top of the stairs and he quickly stepped forward and kissed her. "I love you, Yukari. And I want my future to be with you…that is why I am going to do everything in my power to ensure that happens."

"I love you too…and that is why we are going to win today," Yukari said in a whisper as they put their foreheads together for a moment.

The sound of a large explosion came from the bottom of the stairs. Minato and Yukari simply continued forward and didn't look back.

Tartarus Floor 262 / Dark Hour

Minato at one time had wanted to kill Takaya for him killing Shinjiro. An eye for an eye was definitely something he had one fervently believed in. Yet now after facing Jin and looking at Takaya now…he wondered if there was even a point in bothering with him. Still Minato felt there could be something to gain in confronting him.

"I take it that you have defeated Jin?" Takaya sighed as he got up from his seat to face us. "You are all quite troublesome. What is it that you seek? These are your final moments, the end is nigh."

"Sorry…but we aren't going to let that happen," Akihiko eagerly stood forward…if anyone had the motivation to kill Takaya…it would be Akihiko.

"You are merely wasting your energy…why not celebrate this wonderful moment? What better way could you spend your final moments together?" Takaya did smile, but it only looked twisted to Minato. This was an individual that had been experimented on and had gotten some strange idealistic views along the way. He was here…happy about the end of the world in a way that maybe only Mitsuru's Grandfather would have understood…or even Ikutsuki.

"These won't be our last moments. Your lack of conviction to fight to live your own is ridiculous," Minato said before Yukari could say anything…for the moment he wanted to keep things somewhat calm. Takaya regarded Minato for a moment.

"My life was stolen from me...And in its place, I was given a power I never asked for...And so, I learned that the future is only a delusion. Only by striving to live every moment to its fullest can the soul be truly satisfied. That is why we welcome this glorious revelation, to shine a light upon this darkened world!" Takaya raised his hands up into the night.

"You're so full of shit! I'm not dying so you can have a friggin' night-light," Junpei was quick to say.

Takaya merely looked over at Junpei, "This is not merely my desire. There are many who have also gathered to rejoice in her arrival."

"That's just because all these weird things have been happening..." Fuuka was trying to dismiss what Takaya was saying. Minato knew that there was some truth in what he said though.

"That is untrue... Who is responsible for reviving Nyx? Can a single person boast of this great accomplishment? You all worked tirelessly to prevent it, and yet in doing so, you unwittingly aided in her coming...So you see, this is not just my will; it is the will of all people. Man cannot face death without first finding meaning in life... But the world has realized that any meaning in life was lost long ago... Nyx has come because humanity has cried out for her salvation," Takaya was smiling again. Minato had hoped that something might have made sense to Takaya…but he was resolute in his convictions and belief.

"A part of me believes you," Minato said which resulted in shocked looks in the members of SEES. "Everyone has a day like that. 'I wish I was dead.' 'Things are so difficult; if I were dead I wouldn't have to deal with this.' When life gets difficult it is easy to have thoughts like this. I don't think anyone here can say to the otherwise. But it's when we overcome our problems despite that viewpoint…when we live to see those moments that make life worth going through those difficulties. And this is one aspect of life that you do not understand, Takaya."

"It isn't a matter of if it is possible or not. Overcoming the obstacles that are in front of us, all we need to do is believe in ourselves. That's what it means to live," Aigis added.

"The world isn't so simple that one person can decide whether we all live or die. So, even if there is no hope, we will not give up," Mitsuru proclaimed.

Takaya walks over, firmly blocking the steps up this time. "Hmph. What do you know of this world? No matter how long you search or how hard you pray, eventually you will realize that there is no truth. Just as death is eternal, a truth that has been lost can never be found again. Are you really so desperate to die that you will stand before the almighty Nyx!? Such foolishness is what I am trying to rid this world of." He makes his point further by pulling out his revolver and pointing it squarely at Minato. Minato had already assured that no one was directly behind him. With this trajectory no one but him would be in the path of the gun shot. "If you insist on asserting your way of living, then I shall do the same! The coming of Nyx is but moments away!"

"You're nothing but a selfish prick, Takaya. This time, it is for Aragaki-senpai," Minato allowed himself to fall backwards only a second before Takaya had fired, the shot from the revolver missing Minato completely. Minato's evoker was already to his head and he fired. "Siegfried!" His persona came forward with a wide arc attack but Takaya was still recovering from the recoil from the revolver and couldn't dodge. The giant sword his persona wielded struck the revolver directly and sent it flying away from Takaya. He sprung back and summoned his own persona to push Siegfried back. Minato used his left hand to stop his fall and continued his motion and sprung backwards and on to his feet, having done a full one handed back flip in the process.

Akihiko was the one who pressed the attack, coming against Takaya with just his fist. Takaya was a lot more limber than he appeared and managed to avoid most of it…but he was still nothing against the amateur boxer. Akihiko performed a perfect feint and Takaya fell for it…Akihiko came with a deadly left hook that had Takaya sprawling away. Without missing a beat Akihiko pulled out his evoker and summoned Caesar sending a powerful bolt of lightning on top of Takaya.

"I can feel it…the end of everything," Takaya gets back to his feet with a sadistic grin. "I pity those who cannot see this for what it really is…a blessing." He summoned his persona again.

"Watch out! It's a powerful attack!" Fuuka yelled out.

A white light suddenly erupted down and quickly blinded SEES and knocked them all to the ground. Minato had felt as if something had hit him. He recognized it a moment later. It was a Megidola skill. Still it was nothing compared to what they had gone through to get here, and certainly nothing as powerful as what Elizabeth had used against Minato in his previous fight. Minato used his katana to get back to his feet. "Death as salvation? Is that the crap you're spouting? You've become no different than the people that experimented on you…and you are fighting against us? You're delusional, if not a little pathetic. The truth is…you could never handle it…could you?"

Takaya's grin washed away and was replaced by one of anger. "You know nothing about it!"

"About what? Being abandoned? Used for other people's benefit? Being called worthless…or a failure? To feel like you had been thrown away like some kind of garbage? Is that what I don't understand? I understand it more than you ever could!" Minato yelled as he charged forward…Takaya, meeting his charge head on.

The two clashed and Takaya had stepped in to grab onto Minato's hand on the hilt of the sword. Now Minato's katana was held between them. Each trying to pull the blade away from the other.

"You are but a child, you have not lived long enough…"

"To what? Suffer? To know what you went through? I don't give a damn about you, but I know what my life was like before. But I'm not like you. I never blamed others for what happened to me. I never thought once of turning that despair and hatred on other people. But not only did you do that, you brought other people down with you. Jin and Chidori both trusted you…thought that you had been looking out for them. Had given them a reason to keep moving forward when they had none. And what did you do? You betrayed them! Jin said you told him to live in the present and enjoy the moment. But you never followed that! You were simply looking for a place to die!" Minato kicked Takaya on the arch of his foot causing him to relinquish his grip on the sword and stumble back. Minato pulled out the katana from its sheath and lunged forward stabbing through Takaya's shoulder and pinning him to the ground just as he had done to Jin before, but he had done it with more force than before. Takaya groaned from the pain and gripped the sword trying to remove it before giving up.

"I do not fear death," Takaya said looking defiantly up at Minato. "There is nothing more I can do…kill me."

"You don't fear death?" Minato shook his head. "You know nothing about life…that is why death holds no significance to you. Do you even care that Chidori and Jin are dead now?"

"We all die someday…the time it happens is of little importance," Takaya yelled as Minato twisted the blade in Takaya's shoulder. Not letting him continue is stupid speech.

"Chidori is alive," Minato suddenly found himself saying.

"What?" Takaya couldn't hide the surprise in his voice. "How is that possible?"

"Saved by her own powers…ones she had used to impress Junpei, ones that had at first let her predict her death. You see, Junpei showed her something you didn't...no, something that you were incapable of ever showing anyone. That someone could care for her…feel for her and want to protect her. That is why she fell in love with him. While it was hard for her, she never truly rejected him and because she didn't reject him…she has been given a second chance. And she'll keep on living…no longer shackled by her powers or the limited time given because of those experiments. And she will never remember you, the person who manipulated her hatred and apathetic attitude towards life," Minato pulled out his blade and stood back, the rest of SEES around him.

"I see. So fate has chosen a different path for her," Takaya muttered. "It matters not. The world will soon fall…and you cannot stop it."

"But I will," Minato said with confidence.

"We will," Yukari corrected from his side.

"So you can just sit there and watch," Akihiko said.

"There is no honor in taking a life of someone like you. You will live to see if what you wish for comes true or not," Mitsuru supplied.

Takaya laughed…this one not as menacing as it had been previously. "You are all so…odd." Takaya then closed his eyes and seemed to fall to unconsciousness.

SEES looked up the final staircase that led to the very top of Tartarus, "We're finally here. Up ahead is the top of Tartarus. The promised place that Ryoji spoke of. We should take a moment to regroup before heading up."

It wasn't like anyone on SEES could relax. Minato withdrew his blade from Takaya's shoulder and cleaned it off before sheathing it. This could be the last battle for him. No…something about what Takaya had said made it feel like this was the battle in which the real truth would come out. No single person was responsible for reviving Nyx. That resonated with Minato.

"Hey, you okay?" it was Yukari. She moved next to him and gently used her hand on his chin to guide his eyes to her. "You aren't fighting alone you know that."

Minato nodded. "I know but this is it. Everything we've struggled for…all of it comes up to this singular moment. One battle that determines our future. This is certainly not something I thought could ever happen. I liked it better when we didn't know what was going on to be honest." Minato sighed and looked up to the sky. The ominous moon all the more menacing than normal…as if it were going to fall from the sky. "Sorry, I don't mean to build up the pressure or anything."

Yukari shook her head, "No, but I don't think you could ever turn away from the truth. You were the one that never accepted things at face value. Even when we saw that video about my Father. Without knowing it had been altered you questioned it. That's why you have been the leader this whole time."

"Well I don't think that was the main reason I was one. I'm sure if Akihiko hadn't gotten injured when I first came here he would have been the one leading the charge," Minato shook his head. "Everything that has happened…it was all new to me. Becoming friends with everyone and falling in love with you." He looked at Yukari who was blushing. "It has truly been the best time in my life. So regardless of what happens…there is not a single thing I regret."

"Let's win this, Minato," Yukari leaned to him and the two kissed.

"One way or another. We will ensure that the world keeps going," Minato said as he broke from Yukari and looked to the stairs. The last he said to himself. "No matter what cost I have to pay."

March 18th, 2011 / Late Afternoon

Hamuko could tell just by looking at the others in the room. This was a memory that was close to all of them. As they stormed Tartarus with a single goal…to defeat Nyx and prevent the end of the world. But the price it would take for it to become a reality was higher than any of them had known. So how could she say anything to them? She couldn't offer comfort to something she didn't truly understand. All she knew was that her twin had also made up his mind before that last battle. Something that was intentionally left unsaid between all of them.

That the price they might have to pay was their own lives. How many of them were actually ready to pay that price? That wasn't an answer that Hamuko wanted to know but it was one that her brother had paid. And the truth on how…and why he paid that cost was what remained in the journal. But the memory had given them all perspective on some things. And who was this Elizabeth he kept mentioning? She must have been a resident of the velvet room. Much like Theodore is. She had been to the velvet room quite often to try and learn something from Igor…but his non-answers seem to just give her more to speculate on. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

Kana had been quiet next to her the whole time as they had listened. But she finally spoke, "Hamuko-chan, your brother was a brave leader…even now everyone here is still affected by his passing. And I'm sure Yukari's daughter will one day ask the same questions about him as you do…to know who her Father is."

"I think you're right," Hamuko said softly looking down at her hands. "Kokoro-chan will probably want to know and I'm sure Yukari-chan will tell her. But it is weird to not know about someone and then to find out how significant that person should have been in your life. Do you think…part of that is the reason Yoshimitsu wants to do something like that?"

"To turn back time and undo a moment in the past. This was what the original intention of the Kirijo Group's goal with all of its research. It probably would have been more than possible with an individual like your brother. That is probably what Yoshimitsu is thinking. So he pushed you, Hamuko-chan. So that you would awaken to your own power in hopes that you could reach that same plateau…he thinks you are the key to going through time," Kana golden eyes looked distant for a moment. It was an odd sensation for Hamuko to see someone that looked exactly like her…but she also remembered the Kana that had been her friend as a child…the one that was just a Shadow…and had taken her form in order to protect her. And continued to protect her. Even Kana had awakened to the power of Persona hers was named…Eurydice.

"Time travel…using Persona? I guess so…if the Dark Hour was a means of existing in a single moment in time…than who is to say that it couldn't be manipulated to move back to a different moment in time. But like the Dark Hour itself, it would probably be limited in some fashion…only capable of doing it a certain way," Hamuko shook her head once more and looked to Kana. "But if it changed…what would he do? Would it be for the better…or worse than the world we live in? If he wants to go back and save…my parents…"

"Who is to say if it would be better or worse," Yukari came over and sat next to Hamuko. "If it were possible I would want to go back and save my Father or Minato. But I did have that chance and that was when we learned the real purpose of Minato's sacrifice and the truth that would come to be if we were selfish enough to change it. We know Minato is gone…even if his body is being kept alive through the will of Yoshimitsu. Without him as the seal…our world would end. Nyx would come and destroy the world."

"Yukari…I didn't mean to…" Hamuko hadn't realized she had been speaking loud enough for the others to be listening. But it wasn't just Yukari but all of SEES had their attention on her.

"We know this is rough on you too, Takahashi," Mitsuru gave a smile.

"Regardless of what happens, we're going to be fighting with you the whole time. Just don't be like your brother and try to shoulder it on your own," Akihiko said offering a smile of his own.

"I am with you always, Hamuko-chan. No matter what Yoshimitsu wants, I will protect you," Kana eagerly took Hamuko's hand.

Hamuko smiled and looked down at her hand that Kana was holding, "Onii-chan…he must have been thinking about all of you in that last battle. You may have thought he went off on his own…but I think he was fighting with everyone at his back…that is how it must have felt for him."

"Only a little bit is left in the journal…I guess all there is to do is finish it…so that tomorrow night, we'll be ready. All of us. Perhaps we can all finally put the Dark Hour and it's affects behind us," Yukari said but Hamuko knew better. Moving on was one thing…but the fight with the Dark Hour and all those apart of SEES would never forget that battle they did…and this moment that they were about to read about was from the one viewpoint that many of them had never understood.

Minato…her twin brother had faced down death and come to a solution…one that meant the world would live to see another day…but the price and how he came to that conclusion…his thoughts in those moments…no one in this room knew them. As SEES settled in and Yukari flipped open the blue leather bound journal once more…Hamuko could hardly imagine what they were about to learn about her twin and what his final thoughts were and how he figured out exactly how he was going to save the world.

Author's Note

Next chapter will cover the end of Persona 3 before we move back to the main plot. Only 3 more chapters to go. I'll be going over my plans for future stories on probably next chapter.

Just a warning, tomorrow's chapter may be delayed because of responsibilities I have in my life. Anyway...

I'm going to greatly expand on Minato's fight with Nyx in the next chapter as well as shift towards the conclusion of the overall arc of the story. We're coming up to the end of this story and it has truly been a good experience for me if only for the fact that it helps ease my own dissatisfaction with the questions of Persona 3 that are never answered...and pave way for a different possible ending. Plus a set up for a sequel...but more on that later.

See you tomorrow with the next Chapter...just make sure you read, review and all that goodness. Thanks for your time, as always.