I thought I will never be able to escape that endless nightmare, that I would always be alone in that dark place.
But then... you came. You saved me from myself when I was losing it. You still gave me your trust and friendships even when you found out about my true nature. You gave me another chance to experience what's it like to live, to have friends - a family.
You gave me so much that I'm not sure anymore what I should do... All I can give you is my friendship and support...
But is that really enough... I'm not really doing a good job, am I?
"It changed its arcana again!" Rise urgently informed them.
It was the eighth time the shadow shifted arcanas. All of them were exhausted, especially the group who fought the Pristess - they are already at their limit. Yukari's and Naoto's aim is getting worse. Yosuke's and Teddie's breathing were becoming harder by the second. And Yu was struggling to be on his feet.
"Its arcana is Justice," Fuuka said. "Please avoid using Zio, Hama, and Mudo skills."
"I hope that Arisato is alright," Mitsuru said anxiously. This made Akihiko look at the scowling Shinjiro. Even if they haven't said a word to each other, he knew that his friend was worried. Even Akihiko himself was worried - afraid even - of what happened to the girl. His desire to save the girl could match Ryoji's and Shinjiro's.
"No matter what we'll save her," Ken encouraged them. "Minako-san is strong. I'm sure she fighting with is from inside." This earned a mocking laugh from the shadow.
"You think you know so much about her," the shadow said smugly. "How funny! To me you know nothing about her. I am the only one who knows who she is. I'm the only one who can see through her façade. Don't you dare say anything about her if you can't even see the broken child deep inside her?"
"Broken child?" Yukari repeated. She felt a dull pain in her head. She looked around and noticed she wasn't the only one.
Chie came to her aid immediately when she noticed Yukari clutching her head. "Are you alright, Yukari-san?"
"Yeah."
"I'm the only one who understands her!" The shadow continued. "Not any of you or him. Only me!"
"He makes me sound like I'm some insane, obsessive admirer of Minako," Ryoji muttered as he adjusted his grip on his pipe.
"Everyone, look out!" Rise warned. "It's going to attack."
Minako wandered aimlessly in the dark room. She kept on thinking of what Ryoji's shadow said. No matter how much it hurt she could never hate her raven-haired friend. She couldn't blame him if that's what he truly felt because deep in her heart she knew that she's to blame for everything.
Even when I always knew that Ryoji felt that way, I still chose to ignore it for my own selfish desires. I never considered his feelings...The same goes for Shinjiro... I'm the worst friend ever...
"Minako," a familiar voice called out. The female wild card looked around but she saw nothing but the blackness of the room "You shouldn't let his shadow's words get to you." The cool voice was laced with kindness, sincerity and something else.
"But it's true... I 've hurt my friends so much already." Minako could only whisper beacuse she didn't have enough energy - she used it all to prevent herself from crying. Nevertheless, the voice heard her.
"Being depressed won't change anything and you know that. If you really feel bad about it then go and make it up to them." The voice's encouragement gave her warmth - a warmth she believes she doesn't deserve. As if reading her heart like an open book the voice said, "And stop this. You've sacrificed so much already. You deserve everything that you have. Always remember that, alright? ...They need you now so wake up."
Minako opened her eyes slowly. She was in a small room. One of its walls is translucent allowing her with some light. "She's awake," she heard a distorted voice say. Many answered back but Minako didn't understand because the wall muffled their voice.
Minako stepped closer to the wall. She tried summoning her persona but it did not come out. The place did not allow her persona to come out. The she began to hit the wall as hard as she can with her fist but it did not break. The same happened when she tried kicking it. "Ryoji! Shinji!" she called out. She received another muffled response. What's happening out there?
"Ryoji! Shinji!" They all heard it loud and clear. The girl's call was followed by simultaneous "Minako" and "Arisato" from their group. It was already the shadow's twelfth change - as indicated by the XII on its mask - and everyone was growing anxious of what happened to the girl. Agitation was eating Yu whenever he thought how his constant use of almighty attacks affected the girl inside the shadow. Hearing the girl gave him relief and freed him from the guilt that was growing inside him.
"Let her go you obsessed, pervert!" Chie yelled. Not long after that Labrys did the same, saying, "What she said, ya luantic!" They were both pissed. Ryoji couldn't help but to feel hurt. Beside them Aigis was glaring at the shadow. She was preparing to use her Orgia mode when Mitsuru stopped her.
"If that shadow is like the Nyx Avatar, then the last one would be its last arcana shift. Just hold on for a little more." Aigis nodded.
The shadow was charging for its next attack. They all used this as an opportunity to heal each other and to raise their attack, defense, and evasion skills. After that a series of almighty attacks was launched at their opponent.
"It's about to attack," Rise said. "Look for a place to shield yourself from the attack." They did as said and ran to find cover.
When the shadow attacked they heard someone scream in pain. "Minako!" Shinjiro stopped Ryoji before he got out. "Shinji let me go!" He tried shrug Shinjiro's hand causing Shinjiro to tighten his grip.
"If you go out there and got yourself hurt, what do you think would she feel?"
"Then who's going to save her?!"
"Would ya calm down! We'll all save her!"
"Silence!" They both shut their mouths when they realized that it was Mitsuru. They decided to stand back and wait for the blast of power to stop. Ken noted that without Minako, the two were a wreck.
"Okay, now move." They did everything that they can to attack the shadow. After Yukiko's attack on the shadow, its arcana changed again. Death.
The translucent wall became transparent. Minako saw her everyone, barely even able to sit. It was as if a powerful force was pushing them down. She tried hitting the wall harder but nothing happened. She tried calling her persona again but nothing happened.
I guess I have no choice but to it use now.
A bright light came from the shadow's chest. The light was so bright that closing their eyes wasn't enough to block it.
Yukari was the first to open her eyes. There was still some light but it was not as bright as it was before. She saw a glowing Minako - who's back was facing her - standing in front of Ryoji's shadow - who was back to his former form.
Ryoji slowly opened his eyes and stood. "Minako?" When Minako turned, the light disappeared. She smiled at him and pointed at his shadow. "Do what you have to do know." Minako stepped aside.
Ryoji stared at his shadow with shame. "You're right... Everything you said was true. But you failed to say one thing." Ryoji looked back at everyone behind him. "And that is how happy I am to that she gave me a chance to be like a normal person and to be whoever I want to be... And also to have a chance to treasure others as well." He looked back at his shadow who was smiling at him kindly. "You're always the part of me that I couldn't accept, that I want to change. But I guess before I do that I have to learn to accept you first..." The shadow turned to Minako then to Shinjiro before Ryoji finally said it. "You are me."
"You know..." his shadow began. "I was supposed to say that but you suddenly stopped me. Shinji is right, you really are an idiot." Then he disappeared.
"Doesn't that make you an idiot as well?" Ryoji remembered what his shadow said before. He turned to apologized to Minako, only to see her unconscious in Aigis' arms.
"We should go back," Aigis said.
Thanks to all of those reading this and to Yorukokubo no Mai and to Paloma Junco for favoriting/following. Also to Rosalinda Lancaster Leonhart and MimiZ for commenting. I was thinking how I would write this during my exams (I think I'll fail). I'd like to Know what you guys know, so please leave a comment. I would really appreciate it.
MimiZ: Thanks for the compliment. Good luck on what you have to do!