August 2014

Four months.

That's how long it's been since I claimed humanity.

I still haven't chosen my own identity, but the kids have taken to calling me Chad.

As in Shadow. Get it?

No. Still not funny. Never was in the first place, but it works for now.

I blame Junpei.

"How is Junpei lately?" Mitsuru asked, taking a sip out of her drink.

"Pretty good, Chidori's adapted to her memories returning." I told her, cutting into my steak. "We had a handful when we went there after Inaba back in April, since Medea wasn't exactly a happy camper."

(/')

April 2014

I stood behind Yukari as she knocked on the door. She picked me up from Inaba yesterday, but she hadn't been able to get a sustainable atmosphere so no trip to the moon today.

I glanced at Chie, who tried not to make eye contact. She only came because, being the Arcana after Yukari, we thought that I'd need to be chained up to her tomorrow.

Now that the whole chain business was out the window, she kinda felt like a third wheel.

"Thanks." Chie said eventually as Yukari kept nodding.

"Don't mention it." I told her. "Yukari's fixed me up from worse before."

Chie gave me one of those looks, so I tapped her on the forehead.

Nyx flexed its wings to full length to intimidate me, then raised its left hand into the air as a ball of dark red energy began to form. Night Queen.

Whatever it is, it cannot be good.

I summoned Vishnu and Atavaka to protect me with Infinity as Nyx rammed the ball of death into the ground. The barrier shattered under its force and I was knocked back, my armour getting blown apart and my ribcage blown right open.

I coughed up blood as Nyx approached me. "Damn…" I choked, hurriedly summoning a card.

It got half way there before disappearing. What the hell!?

~ You're panicking! Calm Down! ~

I CAN'T BLOODY CALM DOWN!

I rolled out of the sword swing and coughed as my lungs flopped against the cold floor. I huddled them with my arm and ran.

Nyx's sword followed me, and I ducked under one swing and jumped back from the next. I tripped up over my ankle and hit the ground, so I rolled to my knees and ran again.

I dived across the ground, screaming as my lungs were torn open by the friction, but grabbed the Bolter. I twisted around and fired at Nyx, its mighty Dakka doing half as much damage to me than it was to Nyx.

Then the holes in my lungs closed up. I glanced upwards to see Yukari healing me. "Come on, don't give up!" She shouted, healing me as fast as she could.

Chie staggered at the memory. "Yeah, things got pretty nuts back in the day." I whispered to her behind Yukari's back, since she was still hammering the door in.

"I see where she gets it from." Chie replied quietly. "The crazy I mean."

"JUNPEI IF YOU DON'T OPEN THIS DOOR THIS SECOND I SWEAR-"

"Hold yer horses, I'm coming..." Junpei's grotty voice replied through the intercom as I silently fist-bumped Chie. She probably didn't intend to do that, but I did it anyways with a wink.

Gotta love sharing secrets with your ex-girlfriend's stepsister.

(/')

Mitsuru snorted, but recovered quickly. "You know that her mentor at the hospital keeps threatening to prescribe her bipolar drugs." I continued, pressing the funny button until it started to hurt. "But he also keeps calling Keisuke girls names so I wouldn't put too much stock in his opinion."

She smiled again, wiping her lip. "How was Chidori-san?" She asked, changing the subject again.

"Fine, once I stuck my hand in her head and we had a heart-to-heartless." I told her with a smirk. "Once we got an axe in her hand and threw her to the Shadows, she was fantastic. In a supporting role, she can give Fuuka a run for her money any day, though she doesn't have the same absolute defense that Fuuka does to go with it. Strategically, her Persona is a lot like Penthesilea, but in composition, Medea has a lot more in common with Io."

Mitsuru raised an eyebrow. "How so?" She asked.

"Like Io, Medea is a life giver, albeit more extreme in that regard and better skilled at the sensing of it." I explained. "But another similarity to her now to Penthesilea is her need for redemption. Just like how the amazonian entered the battle of Troy to redeem herself for the death of her queen, Chidori has entered our battle for her redemption. It's not a complete resolution as we know it, but she's starting to drift from the archetype of Medea, betraying her father for her love of the enemy hero, I can see her resolution coming soon."

"Our resolutions began with Akihiko's death." Mitsuru pointed out. "Why would-"

"I can't see the future." I told her. "I don't know when and nor will I try to facilitate the conditions for Chidori to resolve. But sacrificing someone to cause emotional growth is not something I would ever choose to do."

She relaxed slightly, and I'll admit. It hurt to have my integrity questioned like that, but I don't blame her for wondering that about me.

Minato was a loose cannon and a volatile person at the best of times, and as his Shadow, who knows what I'm capable of?

"Gather the others." Mitsuru decided, standing from her chair. "I'll clear the deck for the briefing."

I nodded, looking out the window into the mediterranean.

The operation will be tonight.

=]+[=

I'M NOT DEAD

Just been preoccupied. Sorry for the delay, I've made several attempts at righting in the last few months and forcing it isn't getting anywhere.

But we have a pulse. I've started something.

SO! Sorry for the short chapter, but it's something. You will get something soon.

Also, I'm starting University in September. Believe it or not, I actually think my output will increase given the structure and brain stimulation. And access to my own computer, hopefully.

TIll then, Peace out, next chapter will come when it comes.