Chapter 17
"Aigis, aren't you worried about what your world will be like?" Labrys asked. A moment before, everyone had been eating their lunch, maybe engaging in casual conversation. Now they all stopped. They had wanted to ask, but did not have the courage. They were afraid of upsetting Aigis unnecessarily and afraid of her answer. "You just seem so calm about it." Labrys noticed the sudden silence and felt the need to explain herself. "I'm sorry if the question bothers you, I just…"
"There is no need to apologize." Aigis said. "I wondered the same about you, even if your feelings were more obvious." She paused to think for a moment. "I have seen what you all have had to face. It was horrific and I am sure none of you will ever be the same; changed for the better I am sure. I look forward to the opportunity to face my inner demons. I know I will overcome them and be a better person for it."
"No offense, but you're so full of shit your eyes are turning brown." Kanji said. The stunned silence returned as all eyes turned to him. "Some people are good at hiding their emotions, but you aren't one of them. You've been moping around for days now. Something's obviously bothering you, and I'd bet it has to do with what you expect to face." He finally noticed the looks of shock on the others' faces. "Don't give me that look, you were all thinking it."
"He has a point." Weiss said. "Now, I haven't known you for that long, but I can tell that you haven't been the same for the last few days, and it's only getting worse."
Aigis never expected them to call her bluff. "As bad as it may be, worrying about it will not help." Aigis said. "Discussing it will not help either."
"Are you sure?" Pyrrha asked. "If you get it out in the open, it may lessen the impact. I'm sure Labrys felt better after she discussed her past with us." Labrys nodded in agreement. "From a tactical standpoint, knowing what we are likely to face could help us prepare as well."
"Prepare for more shadows." Aigis said. She was clearly annoyed. "There is nothing to be gained from a discussion of my past. You already know all you need to. I will say no more." With that the conversation died.
"This is it." Aigis said matter-of-factly. She pointed to a glowing door in front of one of the dorms. "I wish to get this over with as soon as possible." Team RWBY, Team JNPR and Labrys followed her in.
*Recommended Music: Iwatodai Dormitory (Persona 3 Soundtrack)*
They emerged into what appeared to be a somewhat fancy hotel lobby. To their left was what appeared to be a reception desk and on the right was a longue with a few couches and chairs, a small table and an old television. Beyond was what looked like a bar and dining area. Straight ahead was a large curved staircase.
"What is this place?" Ruby asked.
"It is the dormitory I lived in during the shadow incident several years ago." Aigis replied. "I was expecting worse."
"Do you have any idea where we should go in here?" Yang asked.
"I believe I know exactly where we are headed." Aigis answered.
"Do you guys think Aigis will be alright?" Yukiko asked after the Investigation Team had explored the tower for some time. "She seemed very troubled."
"She'll be fine." Chie said. "She's got more experience dealing with shadows than the rest of us combined."
"I wouldn't be so sure." Kanji said. "We all thought we were pretty tough, but when we first faced our shadows we got wrecked. Judging by the way she's been acting, the part of her past she's hiding is pretty damn bad."
"We shouldn't waste time worrying about things we can't control." Naoto suggested. "I'm sure that even if Aigis has difficulty, the others will be able to help her through. We should be focused on what we'll be facing. If the pattern holds up it'll be Teddie's shadow next."
"Yeah, I can't imagine what kind of bizarre monstrosity that bear's subconscious will produce." Yosuke said. "So Teddie, what do you think it'll be."
"I have no idea." Teddie said.
"Well, what's bothering you?" Yosuke asked. "What might your shadow say to you? Who might it be?"
"Nothing's bothering me really." Teddie replied. "Once I remembered that I was a shadow and accepted that, there really hasn't been anything serious on my mind."
"I guess we'll just have to wait and see." Rise said. "It isn't far off though, so we'll find out soon."
*Recommended Music: Iwatodai Dormitory (Persona 3 Soundtrack)*
Aigis led the group up the stairs to the second floor. There was another, smaller longue area with a few vending machines, and a hallway that extended off to the right. Aigis headed down the hallway; carefully examining all the doors they passed. She finally came to a stop in front of one. It was the last door on the right. "This is the only door that is real." Aigis said. "All the other doors lead nowhere."
"Where does it lead?" Jaune asked.
"This door in particular, I have no idea." Aigis replied. "In the real world it led somewhere special. I knew it would be this one."
"Aigis, are you sure you're going to be alright?" Pyrrha asked, putting an arm on her shoulder. Without answering, Aigis reached out and opened the door.
"This is it; the shadow is just at the top of the stairs." Rise said. "Something doesn't seem right though. I thought Teddie's shadow would feel…stranger."
"Maybe I'm just not as weird as you thought." Teddie suggested.
"That's definitely not it." Yosuke said. "You're a walking, talking bear mascot who used to be a monster from the human subconscious, and grew a human body inside what was an empty suit. I don't think it gets much weirder than that." They Investigation Team reached the top of the stairs to find another large and dark area.
"Alright, where is this grizzly?!" Teddie shouted. "I'll maul him!"
"I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I'm not here for you." A voice called from the darkness. They all recognized it.
"You can't be serious." Naoto sighed. "Alright, I know it's you, just turn on the lights." The lights turned on, revealing her shadow, the same shadow she had faced in the TV world. The shadow stood in a copy of the laboratory that had formed the final room of her shadow world.
"You didn't think you'd seen the last of me did you?" The shadow asked. "I mean, you accepted that I was you, but you really haven't changed all that much."
"How can you say I've not changed?" Naoto asked. "I no longer pretend to be a man. I've accepted that I'm not an adult. I'm happy with the person I am."
"Are you really?" The shadow pressed. "If I'm not mistaken, that's a boy's uniform. Even in a parallel universe you wear men's clothing. That haircut doesn't exactly scream girl either. You even still wear that industrial strength sports bra to flatten your chest. It must be painful."
"The way I dress makes me feel comfortable." Naoto said. "I don't see the need to change my whole wardrobe, and as for the uniform, I don't like skirts."
"Maybe it would be different if you thought of it as a kilt." The shadow laughed. "Come on and admit it. The only person you can be yourself around is him." The shadow pointed a finger at Yu. "With everyone else you still put on the same old mask."
"I am who I am, and I don't claim to be anything different." Naoto said.
"You're still just desperate for acceptance too." The shadow accused. "I hear you even made some less than truthful modifications to your report on the Shadow Operatives to the government, just so they would keep you around. Selling out your friends so people will like you, that's a new low."
"I said nothing untrue in that report." Naoto said. "The only reason I want them to keep me on the case it so I can protect my friends."
"You can justify it however you want." The shadow said. "The bottom line is, you're the same lonely little child you always were, and you still haven't accepted who you really are."
"I've had enough of this pointless conversation." Naoto said. "You've wasted more than enough of my time. Can we just get this over with?"
"I would be happy to finish this." The shadow said. "I should warn you, I have a Persona now too. Ousu!" A Persona appeared above the shadow. It had the form of a samurai in red armor wielding a katana.
"I will prevail." Naoto declared. "Yamato Sumeragi!" She summoned her Persona.
"This is bad; what are we going to do?" Jaune asked in a panic.
"We've got to get out of here now." Yang said. "Is the exit blocked?"
"No, it's clear." Labrys confirmed.
"What are we waiting for?!" Blake shouted. "We need to go now!"
*Recommended Music: Seeker of Truth (Persona 4 Arena Soundtrack)*
Yamato Sumeragi flew at Ousu, veering off and avoiding a slash from Ousu's sword at the last possible moment. Naoto's Persona turned around and stabbed at Ousu's back, landing several powerful strikes before it spun around and elbowed Yamato Sumeragi, sending Naoto's Persona tumbling away. It spun in the air and recovered as Ousu charged. Yamato Sumeragi dodged a vertical slash of Ousu's blade and attacked its side. Ousu swung its sword around and Yamato Sumeragi blocked it with its own sword. The force sent Naoto's Persona sailing through the air, but it stopped short of running into anything.
"Mudoon." The shadow said. A circle appeared below Naoto's Persona. It collapsed in a flash of light. Yamato Sumeragi remained unhurt. The same circle immediately appeared below Ousu, collapsing and having no effect. "Agidyne." The shadow said. Ousu reached out an arm and fire shot from it at Yamato Sumeragi. The fire engulfed the Persona but when the flames died away, Yamato Sumeragi was unhurt.
"For someone who claims to know my inner thoughts, you don't know much about my abilities." Naoto said.
"And for someone who claims to be a genius detective, you're not very smart." The shadow retorted. Ousu suddenly appeared directly behind Naoto, between Naoto and her shadow. She drew her blade and quickly raised it to block Ousu's strike. The power of the strike knocked her off her feet, and Yamato Sumeragi swept in to her defense. Ousu spun around and caught Naoto's Persona with her free hand. It slammed the Persona to the ground.
Yu grabbed his blade and prepared to intervene but Kanji stepped in front of him. "She can do this." Kanji said. "She doesn't need our help."
Ousu raised its sword to finish Yamato Sumeragi off. "Tetrakarn!" Naoto shouted. Ousu's blade slammed into Yamato Sumeragi but in a flash of light it bounced off flew out of Ousu's hand. While Yamato Sumeragi struggled to recover, Naoto changed her weapon to its rifle form and fired several shots. Ousu reacted as if it were being attacked by bees, swatting at the incoming bullets. As Naoto reloaded, Ousu recovered its blade and headed directly for her. It raised its sword high into the air and brought it down hard. Naoto side-stepped the attack and Yamato Sumeragi attacked Ousu from behind. Yamato Sumeragi's blade pierced Ousu's neck, and the Persona faded to static and disappeared.
"You bitch!" The shadow screamed, holding its neck as it felt its Persona's pain. It reached under its lab coat and retrieved a revolver. It aimed it straight at Naoto and pulled the trigger. Yamato Sumeragi swept in between them, taking all six shots. Naoto doubled over in pain as her Persona faded to static and disappeared. "Now I've got you." The shadow said, slowly reloading the revolver.
"I don't think so." Naoto said. She raised her rifle, took careful aim, exhaled and fired. The bullet struck the shadow's revolver, knocking it out of the shadow's hand. The shadow stood there stunned. "I'm done with you." Naoto said.
The shadow looked over its shoulder and spotted the revolver, just a few feet away. It turned and ran for its weapon. Naoto took another shot. The bullet slammed into the shadow's back and blasted out its chest, leaving a sizable hole that oozed black goo. The shadow stopped and looked down at the wound, a stunned look on its face. Naoto concentrated and fired another shot. The shot struck the shadow in the back of the head, blasting the top of its skull off in a shower of black liquid. The shadow dissolved and disappeared.
"That was unpleasant." Naoto said. "I really wasn't expecting to face my shadow tonight."
"Yeah, it should have been Teddie's this time." Chie said. "What gives?"
"I guess there just isn't anything that bothers me enough." Teddie said.
"You are a disturbingly carefree guy." Yosuke added.
"Somethings wrong!" Rise announced. "I agreed on a distress call with Yang, and her Persona is sending it. We need to help them now!"
Aigis woke up in a warm bed. She looked around in a panic, not knowing where she was. The morning light illuminated the room, throwing long shadows across the furniture. Wait, she was just in her dorm room. Why did she not recognize it at first? Then she remembered what day it was. A year ago today, she had met Minato. They had been dating pretty much ever since and tonight they were going on a date, having dinner at a fancy restaurant. Her confusion was probably just nerves.
She looked at the clock. It was later than she expected. If she did not hurry, she would be late for school. She took a quick shower, threw on her uniform and headed out. She just made it to class on time. It was a waste really; she could not concentrate at all. She could not stop thinking about Minato. She was surprised because she normally enjoyed her classes and did very well. Why was she unable to get him out of her mind?
After classes, Aigis rushed back to the dorm to get ready for her date. She put on her best dress. It was not that special, she was an orphan and did not have much money, and had little to spend on clothes. Minato was an orphan too, he would understand. They were both alone, but they had each other. She put on some makeup with a little help from her friend Yukari, and she was ready to go. Minato was late. He had a job, and he was leaving early just so they could go out, but he must have gotten tied up.
After what seemed like an eternity, Minato arrived, apologizing profusely. He rushed to his room to change out of his work clothes and was back in a flash. He wore a suit and had his blue hair brushed back. His normal look saw his hair covering most of his face. He never dressed this nicely either. Aigis felt underdressed but there was nothing she could do about that.
They left the dorm and walked to the restaurant. Now Aigis felt very underdressed. She had never been inside the place before, and it was even fancier on the inside than she had imagined. They were seated at a small table in the corner. She looked over the menu and could not get past the prices. She felt guilty. There was no way she could afford this and Minato worked very hard for his money. Still, he seemed happy. They had a delicious meal. The portions were small, but the food was excellent. Minato paid the bill without letting Aigis see how much it had cost, and she could not help but feel bad for not being able to help out.
Minato reached across the table and grabbed Aigis' hands. "You're so beautiful." He said.
Aigis was taken aback. Minato was quiet and reserved, and this was uncharacteristically bold for him. "Thank you." She said awkwardly. "You are quite handsome yourself." She laughed.
"I don't just mean your appearance." Minato said. He seemed nervous. "You're a wonderful person. You're so friendly and caring. I love you more than anything. I would give up anything for you." Aigis did not know how to respond. "I can't imagine life without you by my side." He continued. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. He opened it to reveal a beautiful diamond ring. "Aigis, will you marry me?"
Aigis nearly fell out of her chair. She was totally blindsided. She loved Minato but she never imagined he would want to spend his life with her. Surely he could do better. She was just a poor orphan with bad social skills. He was popular, smart and suave. "Of course I will!" Aigis blurted out, tears of joy running down her face. "Nothing would make me happier."
Walking home with him, Aigis felt like she was floating on a cloud. She had to pinch herself to make sure she was not dreaming. She could not be happier, but she still felt guilty. The dinner and the ring must have cost Minato a fortune, and she would have been happy with Wild Duck Burger and a rubber band. Besides that, what would life be like with her? She could not cook; she got good grades but had no particular prospects for a career. Surely she would drag him down. Minato seemed to notice her discomfort. "Come on now, this wasn't a rash decision." He assured her. "I've wanted to ask you for a long time. I feel like when we're together, there's nothing I can't do. I feel like you make me a better person. I could never love anyone else the way I love you."
"I feel the same way." Aigis said. "I just do not want to disappoint you."
"You could never disappoint me." Minato said. "In fact…" Out of the corner of Aigis' eye she saw a flash of movement. A figure leapt out of an alley and punched Minato in the jaw. He fell to the ground unconscious.
Aigis was terrified. She stared at the assailant unable to believe her eyes. The blue hair covering his face, his casual posture, his headphones hanging from his neck, there was no question. It was Minato.