A/N: Here's the next chapter! Before I talk about it, I'd like to give you all a heads up that future updates may be a bit slower than usual because college is starting for me again. So if a long period of time passes between chapters, I apologize in advance.
Anyway, this chapter roughly marks the halfway point of the summer arc and is basically a mashup of all the different scenes you see with each SEES member just before Yakushima.
Except for a certain conflict. I don't know about you but I felt that Junpei's jealously wasn't explored enough in the game and could have been a topic for a potential Social Link. Much like Yosuke in Persona 4. So what happens here is basically my interpretation of let's say, a Social Link 6-9 scene. It's a little extreme but I hope you enjoy it.
The sun glared through the multihued afternoon sky, its rays a net of heat giving birth to long shadows of the several apartment complexes scattered around Iwatodai. For a summer day, it was actually quite cool, to the point where you could walk on the streets and not drown from a downpour of sweat. Thanks to the cooperative weather, Minato opted to make his way back to the dorm from Tatsumi Memorial Hospital with Akihiko on foot, instead of taking Mitsuru's limousine. After being locked up in a sterile environment having the arrow removed, as well as spending one hell of a night in a hotel that smelled of sex and alcohol, he needed the fresh air.
Refreshing as it was though, it was not enough to lift his spirits. Given Mitsuru's quick actions, he was lucky enough to get away with only spending three days there but not so lucky to come out unscarred. The arrow had done a fair amount of damage and while it did not render his left arm completely immobile, there was a limitation to its movement. Raising his Evoker was now impossible to do for the foreseeable future. Minato had expected as much from an injury like that but what worried him more was the consequences his disability had on the team.
How would he fight, now that he had to use his right arm for both blade and Evoker?
How would he keep their morale up, looking tired and in pain half the time?
How would he lead them, now that they had seen how reckless he could be?
The questions continued to jump around and among them, were the words he had spoken to Yukari: Better for it to hit me than kill Mitsuru-senpai. The words circled in his head as they came to a pedestrian crossing and thinking about it now, he wondered if he could have done something different to prevent this outcome. No I couldn't have. The arrow was too fast. Taking the hit for her was the only thing I could've done. There's no other way she could still be alive now. He shook his head and then noticed Akihiko was smiling.
"Speaking your thoughts aloud huh?" he asked as they waited for the lights to change. Before Minato could say something, he continued, "I remember I used to do that a lot."
"Really?" Minato said.
"Yeah. Back in the days when Mitsuru first asked me to join S.E.E.S. and taught me how to take out Shadows, sometimes I'd just say the first thing that popped into my head." Akihiko chuckled. "Most of it was just plain old teasing but she took it so seriously you couldn't help but laugh."
The lights then turned green.
"It doesn't sound like she's changed much since then," Minato said as they walked.
"She hasn't changed at all," Akihiko said, still smiling. "The way she's gotten all of you into joining S.E.E.S. is more or less the same way as how she got me into it. To tell you the truth, I was a skeptic just like Junpei. I thought she was crazy, what with handing me something that looked like a gun five minutes after meeting me."
"You didn't actually speak that thought aloud did you?"
"As a matter of fact, I did. But she was expecting it so it wasn't really a big deal. It turned out for the better anyway as she gave me a reason to fight. To keep getting stronger." He paused for a moment, thinking of how to go on without leading Minato to suspect that he was hiding something. It wasn't that he felt Minato should be kept in the dark but Mitsuru herself had instructed him to say nothing until she felt she was ready. And he intended to keep that promise. "The main thing is, don't be so worried. If anything, what you did back there just shows why you're leader. It's not about who can fight the best or who's the most well liked but, who can adapt accordingly to different situations and put others before themselves. I can't say I know what you're feeling but don't let your doubts consume you. I don't want another friend falling prey to that."
Minato let his words sink in and slowly nodded. "You're right. Thanks. I needed to hear that."
"No problem," Akihiko replied. His cell phone then rang. Reaching into his pocket, he took it out and flipped it open. "It's a text from Mitsuru. Apparently Ikutsuki has some big news he wants to tell us and we're to meet him in the control room later tonight."
Big news? What more is there to know about those Shadows? The Chairman had already told them there were twelve and each was aligned with the first twelve Major Arcana of a standard tarot deck. His Personas also said the same thing.
"Must be that he learned more about those Shadows," Minato said.
"Hmm. Your Personas haven't been saying anything have they?" Akihiko asked, folding his arms.
"Not anything new that I know of. But I've been thinking. We're killing these Shadows to prevent more people from becoming the Lost. So what happens when we kill all of them? Does that mean it's over? And why twelve Shadows? A standard tarot deck has twenty-two Major Arcana. I mean, I'm not saying I want to fight more Shadows but isn't it strange that there aren't more?" He looked at Akihiko, who could only shrug. "I'm sorry for all the questions. Resting in the hospital has given me way too much time to think about things."
"It's alright. You have some valid points and I do agree that it's been something on my mind. Probably Mitsuru's too. I'm sure Ikutsuki will have some answers though, so make sure to fire away at him when you get the chance."
As they continued to walk, discussing how they would have to modify their jogging and boxing sessions, Minato could not keep his mind off the matter he had raised. Would everything return to normal once all the Shadows were eliminated? The Dark Hour, all the Shadows that lingered in Tartarus, and the tower itself. Would it all disappear? And what about their Personas? It seemed that they were only able to be summoned during the Dark Hour. So if the Dark Hour vanished, would the same happen to them too? He replayed the words of his Personas again in his mind.
Moon. Shadow. Twelve. Fall. Death.
The words were as helpful as a broken air conditioner on a scorching day. Twelve. Why twelve? He left the word for now and focused on the last two words. Fall meant nothing to him but Death? If memory served, Death was the thirteenth Major Arcana. Perhaps when all twelve Shadows were defeated, somebody would die? There would be another Shadow representing the Death Arcana? Minato frowned. It was just too vague and as much trust both Mitsuru and Akihiko had in his theory, he knew that even they would find these current thoughts outrageous. He sighed and rounding a corner, saw Yukari and Fuuka outside the dorm playing with a...dog? As they approached, Minato saw that it really was a dog. A white Shiba Inu with crimson eyes.
"Koro-chan, give me your paw," Fuuka said, outstretching her hand. The dog raised its arm and placed its paw on Fuuka's palm.
"Oh good dog," Yukari said, before turning to see Minato and Akihiko nearing them. She inclined her head in greeting but avoided looking at Minato.
"This dog isn't a stray is it?" Minato asked, glancing from Yukari to the dog, and then to Fuuka.
Fuuka gestured for the dog to greet the two boys. As the dog scampered towards them, she said, "No he isn't. His name's Koromaru. He used to belong to the priest at Naganaki Shrine. Every afternoon, the two of them went this way for a walk."
"I remember seeing that priest some time ago," Akihiko said, squatting to stroke Koromaru's fur. "He passed away didn't he?"
"Yeah, in a car accident. Ever since then, Koro-chan's been going on a walk every day on the route that his owner used to take him."
"That's very loyal of him," Minato said. He then proceeded to inform Yukari and Fuuka that they were to gather in the control room in a few hours.
Yukari sighed. "More news huh? Is there really anything more to know about those Shadows anyway?"
Minato exchanged a glance with Akihiko. As much as he knew she deserved to know what his current theory was, Minato decided to let the question slide. Raising the possibility of even more Shadows appearing after defeating the twelve would just freak them all out. Put them into a situation where they would think this ordeal was unending.
"Guess we'll find out soon enough," Minato said, shrugging.
Bidding farewell to Koromaru, they then entered the dorm. Upon climbing the stairs to their respective rooms, Minato wondered how long Yukari would continue to hold her guilt. The way she avoided his gaze. Spoke very little with him. Acted with a demeanor that was completely unlike her whenever he was around. He did not long for her usual self to be back (because that would lead to more bickering with Junpei), but he thought that by now, she would have attempted to get over it. Closing the door to his room, he lay on his bed and waited for the Chairman to arrive; his thoughts circulating between the issues of his classmates, full moon Shadows and Mitsuru's feelings.
Disclosing all the information regarding the operation in the love hotel to the Chairman was something Mitsuru refrained from doing. She wasn't reluctant to do so (she was, in fact, happy to elaborate on everything) but too many things had happened and there were some details that were definitely not for the Chairman's ears. Being dressed in intimate apparel. Lying on top of Minato like a lover. Seeing their clothes tossed everywhere. All of that she made sure not to speak of. Oh she did mention something about how the Shadow had mentally harassed them but that was it. Nothing about the visions she, and likely everyone else bar Junpei, saw.
Why? Because even she did not know what to make of it. Feeling Minato's intense emotions for her had clouded her mind like an impenetrable fog in the days following the operation, obscuring her thoughts and distracting her from matters she normally had complete focus on. While she knew that was only a vision the Shadow had conjured, it raised, not reduced, the amount of queries on her mind. Did Minato see the same thing she did? Would he really feel that way? What would her father think if he knew? They were all questions that for now, she could not answer with any confidence. And that bothered her.
"It was a difficult operation," Mitsuru concluded. She and the others had all once again gathered in the control room for Ikutsuki's breaking news.
"It seems the Shadows are getting tougher," Ikutsuki said. "But the important thing is that you persevered." He then directed his gaze to Minato. "I'm sorry to hear about your incident. How is your injury progressing?"
"To quote the doctors, 'quite well' apparently," Minato answered. "I was lucky in that the arrow didn't do too much damage. The only thing is, I can't raise my left arm higher than my shoulder. They can't say for certain if it's going to be permanent but I think it's safer to assume it is."
Ikutsuki smiled. "Always planning for the worst case scenario. Looks like we'll need to redesign your Evoker."
"I don't think that's necessary," Minato said, pulling out one of the spare Evokers Akihiko had passed him earlier. "I'll just use one of the spares for now. Until I know if my left arm can be used again."
"Well alright then. Anyway, I called today's meeting because–"
"Wait!" Yukari interrupted. Everyone turned to look at her and she stood up. "I'm sorry but, before we go on, I'd like to ask Mitsuru-senpai something."
Me? Mitsuru thought. What could she possibly ask?
With no objections, Yukari continued, "Since I joined, so many things have happened. I went along with it without really understanding what was going on but now, I need to know." She focused her intense gaze on Mitsuru. "You've been hiding something from us, haven't you senpai? You act like you don't know anything about the Dark Hour and Tartarus but in fact, they're related to that accident ten years ago, aren't they?"
"Accident?" Junpei asked, raising an eyebrow. "What accident?"
"There was an explosion near our school, and a lot of people died," Yukari said, keeping her eyes on Mitsuru. "It must've been big news back then. You know about it, don't you?"
Mitsuru's expression darkened. She knows. "Yes."
"Luckily, no students were injured, " Yukari said. "However, around the same time, a large number of students were recorded as absent. It seems like more than just a coincidence."
"What do you mean?"
"I dug up some old school records, and found something interesting. Those students who were absent? They all had to be hospitalized. Like the girls who bullied Fuuka."
Mitsuru remained silent and shifted her eyes away from Yukari's stare. She knew where this was going.
"There has to be an explanation," Yukari demanded. "What really happened on the day of that accident? The Kirijo Group built our school so you must know something. Tell me the truth!"
"I wasn't trying to hide anything from you," Mitsuru said after a few moments. "Or anyone else here. It just never seemed relevant."
Like the visions. She pushed aside those thoughts and glanced at Ikutsuki, whose reassuring look said: 'Might as well let them know about everything now'. She nodded and then met Yukari's eyes. Taking a deep breath, she said, "The Shadows have many mysterious abilities, with some research claiming that they can even affect time and space. There is no doubt that they are our enemies but, what if we could somehow take control of their powers? Use them for the greater good? We could certainly change the world now wouldn't we?"
She paused, allowing Yukari and the others to grasp the ideas she was putting forth. "Anyway, fourteen years ago, one man pursued that line of thinking. He was the former leader of the Group and my grandfather. Kirijo Kouetsu. Due to his obsession with Shadows and his desire to create something extraordinary, he assembled a team of scientists that over several years, collected a significant amount of Shadows. It was a rather smooth undertaking at first but in the fourth year of their experiment, they lost control of the Shadow's power. Consequently, the nature of the world was altered. By their account, the mass of Shadows they had collected split into several larger ones that then dispersed."
She glanced at Minato for a moment, the memory of that fateful day on the bridge flying past her eyes before transforming into a poor reconstruction of the Shadow's illusions. Then looked back to Yukari. "I have to admit, it's the first time I've thought about this in a while but, I think it's fair to make the connection that the Shadows we've been encountering on nights when the moon is full, are those very same Shadows."
"Hang on a second," Yukari said. "If what you said is true, then why did our school turn into Tartarus?" When Mitsuru grimaced, Yukari gasped. "Don't tell me..."
"It's as you think. Port Island must have been an ideal location for them. It was a highly populated area, and the Kirijo Group had influence there. They could easily do as they pleased."
"Then that means, all we've been doing is cleaning up their mess!? You lied to us?" Seeing Mitsuru say nothing, she turned her furious gaze to Akihiko. "You knew too, didn't you senpai? They've...no...she's just been using us! Or, do you not care as long as you get to fight?"
"That's not true," Akihiko said, meeting her gaze with a firm stare of his own. "I have my reasons for helping Mitsuru."
Yukari scoffed and then turned her attention to Minato; the traces of guilt she had for injuring him retreating into its slumbering cave. "And how about you?"
"What about me?" Minato replied, folding his arms.
"Don't play dumb with me. How are you okay with all this? Aren't you at all bothered that you're just being used?"
Mitsuru tilted her head. Why was Minato helping her? The question had surprisingly never come across her mind. She remembered he'd said something about finding the answer to his questions. But what were the questions? Could it be that he remembers something from back then? About us? The possibility that that was the case sparked a warm flame in her heart and she awaited his answer with much anticipation.
Minato pursed his lips, eyeing everyone whilst keeping a poker face. "Ten years ago my parents died. I've always been told it was a car accident involving some drunk driver but from what I've been able to piece together over the years, I know it can't be. What kind of accident causes an explosion when there's only one car on the road? What kind of accident has the smell of blood everywhere?" He turned to Yukari. "I've been seeking an answer for quite a while so when I was invited here by Mitsuru-senpai and consequently learned of Shadows and the Dark Hour, I thought maybe, this might be it. So to answer your question, no, I'm not bothered. If helping her allows me to find out what really happened, then by all means. I have nothing to lose anyway."
Silence filled the room; everyone speechless. So that's what he wanted to know. The truth of his parents' death. Upon learning this, Mitsuru was now unsure of whether to feel relieved or worried. She knew he was on her side but that could change the moment she told him what her father had told her all those years ago. And she didn't want that. Not with the team so divided.
"In any case Takeba," Mitsuru said, "you're free to think what you'd like. It was my decision not to share that information . And I'm sorry. I never intended to deceive you. Convincing you to join S.E.E.S. was my highest priority because only those with Personas can fight the Shadows." She looked off to the side. "Besides, some of us were never given a choice. I..."
"Mitsuru, don't," Akihiko said.
Mitsuru shot him a look that said 'They deserve to know' but seeing as Yukari had lost her vigor, she kept quiet.
"I think what everyone needs to understand is that those in the past are the ones to blame," Ikutsuki said. "They were too power hungry and careless and as a result, they lost their lives. It's true that none of us deserve the burden that's been thrust upon us but at the very least, we can find and destroy these Shadows. Do you know what this means?"
Everyone looked at him expectantly.
"What if I told you that those twelve Shadows are the cause of everything?" Ikutsuki continued. "What if by destroying all those Shadows, Tartarus and the Dark Hour will disappear?"
"Is that true?" Fuuka asked, leaning forward in her seat.
"Indeed it is. That's what I was going to tell you all earlier before we got sidetracked."
As the Chairman further elaborated on his findings and justifications, Mitsuru let her gaze drift towards Akihiko and Minato. There was something peculiar about the look they shared when Ikutsuki had said there was a way to be rid of Tartarus and the Dark Hour. As if the two of them knew what she was thinking, they then both gave her that same look. Something's up. Maybe his Personas have said some more things? She nodded lightly, signalling that she got the message, and was about to excuse them from the meeting when Junpei stood and asked Minato if he could have a quick word. Not wanting to spark another argument, she let Minato go with him and soon, they left the room.
She then glanced at Yukari, wondering how the brunette had attained such information. She knew Yukari was not the type of person to exert herself into researching, but, she also knew that there was someone here who did.
Yamagishi Fuuka.
Minato followed Junpei down the stairs. He was surprised that Junpei had the courage to single him out but satisfied that they would finally settle this matter. And although it was at a rather inconvenient time, since he wanted to let Mitsuru know about what he thought about Ikutsuki's claim, he supposed there was no rush to tell her. In fact, using the time to make amends with his classmates was probably better. He'd have a stronger case with more people convinced that Ikutsuki may have left out something. Because erasing the Tartarus and Dark Hour after defeating those twelve Shadows? It was too simple.
Once they arrived at the foyer, passing the dining table and over towards the arrangement of sofas, Junpei stopped. He faced the entrance door, and Minato waited several moments for him to do whatever it was he needed to do. Turn around. Speak. Apologize. Everything Minato was expecting however, didn't happen. What is he waiting for?
"Is there something you need to discuss with me?" Minato asked.
A few seconds passed. Nothing.
A minute passed. Again nothing.
Minato crossed his arms and prepared to head back to the control room. This was a waste of time. "If you have nothing to say to me, then I need to get–"
"How do you do it?" Junpei interrupted. His voice was soft but it held a tone that made Minato flinch.
"Do what?"
Junpei spun and faced him. "Do I have to spell it out for ya?" When Minato raised an eyebrow, Junpei sighed. "Come on man, tell me your secrets. How do you accept everythin' without any problems? How do you get everyone's attention? How do you get to be the hero all the time? If a somebody like you doesn't mind a nobody like me asking, I'd like to hear it."
Jealousy huh? Doesn't look like this is going to end peacefully. Minato held Junpei's gaze, feeling as if he were walking on extremely thin ice, and one mishap could send him tumbling into the freezing water.
"I don't try to do anything," Minato said slowly. "Things happen, and I react accordingly. That's all there is to it. No fancy tricks or anything."
"Yeah right," Junpei replied, sneering. "Things 'happen'? Please. Don't lie to me."
"I'm not lying."
"Oh really? Then if things happen, why is that they always seem to benefit you?"
"What do you mean benefit me?"
"I mean this. We go to Tartarus and need a leader. Guess who it is? You! We get to use Personas to fight? That's pretty cool. But guess who gets to have more than one? That's right, you! Do you get it yet?"
Minato sighed. Was Junpei really this immature? "I get it. But you should know, having more than one Persona isn't as good as you think it is. You don't know what it's like."
"And you don't know what it's like to have only one Persona," Junpei retorted. "Face it, you think all of us are a liability and you know what? You might be right. Our power is shit compared to yours anyway. Don't you think so too? I know mine is."
"You're wrong. Nobody here is a liability. We all have our own weak points but we make up for it by fighting as a team. That fight back in the hotel? It was a team effort."
"Not really. You're the one who damaged the Shadow the most. You're the one who saved Mitsuru-senpai. You're the one who got Yuka-tan back to her senses. Yeah, some team effort that is."
Minato felt his Personas stir. They writhed and protested against the mental cage that trapped them, waiting to seize the moment he let his guard down and break free. He resisted the urge to let them loose. He could not afford to lose control. Doing so would be losing the battle. His Personas whirled again, making his head throb.
It was tempting. It was so tempting. But Junpei was not an enemy. He was an ally, a comrade who was just going through some issues. Junpei's words were just that. Words. Words that, in the grand scheme of things, held little significance. Succumbing to the wishes of his Personas and attacking Junpei was something, as a leader, Minato would not do. No matter how tempting it was. Besides, what would the others think? What would his senpai think?
Minato let out another long sigh. "Look, I didn't ask for all this to happen. The transfer here? It was an arrangement made outside my influence. My Persona abilities? It just awakened the same way it did for you. And everything that has happened up till now? Nothing more than pure coincidence."
"So you say," Junpei replied. "But then I ask, why the hell does all this crap with full moon Shadows only happen the moment you arrive here?"
"I don't know. I really don't. But does it even matter? We're all here for the same reason aren't we? Helping the Chairman and Mitsuru-senpai to get rid of the Dark Hour?"
"Are we really? For all I know, you, her and Akihiko-senpai could be plannin' something else." Junpei held up a hand before Minato could interject. "Yeah, think I haven't seen you spend a ridiculous amount of time with them? You better think again. What the hell is up with you always being around those two anyway? It's like you're afraid Yuka-tan and I can't handle whatever it is you're hiding."
Minato bit his lip, the cries of his Personas crescendoing. He ignored them again and focused. Speaking of how his Personas spoke to him and had eerily predicted the full moon Shadow phenomenon was something he swore to keep a secret from his classmates because it would scare them. Make them think that he was mentally insane. But as he faced Junpei's unrelenting glare, there was no other choice.
"Fine. You want to know so badly do you?" Minato said, taking a step forward. "Then here it is. I've told senpai that my Personas have been speaking to me. And not in the normal way. They keep on repeating these five words: Moon, Shadow, Twelve, Fall, Death, in the same order. Every. Single. Time. I thought it wouldn't mean anything but with everything that's happened so far, it has to have some meaning. Not only that, I've been regularly updating them on how I'm feeling. Why? Because they're afraid I might lose control over my Persona like what happened that night on the rooftop. So there. Satisfied now?"
Junpei eyed him for a few seconds. Then he burst into laughter. "Oh that's some pretty good bullshit man. Personas speakin' to you?" He snickered. "Come on dude. You don't have to be shy. Just admit the fact that you're interested in Mitsuru-senpai. And you're using Akihiko-senpai to get closer to her."
"That's not true. You–"
"Yes it is. It's what you want. It's what every guy in the school wants. Of course, since it's you, you just get her attention without doing shit."
His mind churned violently, distorting Junpei's words. He felt the pillars of his mental cage crumble, the cracks on them forming an intricate network of rivers that expanded with every word that escaped Junpei's mouth. His control over them slipped away by the second and he knew his Personas were just waiting. Waiting for the moment that would ignite the blaze and send them into a frenzy. I can't lose it. Not here. Not now.
"Fighting may be my duty but it's all I'm good for," Junpei continued, speaking louder. "All this crap with Personas? It makes me feel special. If it weren't for this, I'd be worthless."
"Junpei, you're not–" Minato started but was cut off again.
"BUT OF COURSE, you have to come along and make everything I do look like a joke. I can't kill Shadows for shit, I can't be the hero and save our girls for shit, and I can't even end up with anyone in that god damned love hotel! Compared to you, nothing I do is good enough! So Minato, if it's no big fucking deal, TELL ME HOW YOU DO IT!"
The Dark Hour arrived, splashing the room with tinges of green.
His grasp on them faded.
And then the cages holding them back broke, the sound mimicking that of a Persona summoning. It was done. Glaring at Junpei with the eyes of a madman, Minato let go, and his Personas were free.
Friends were unusual.
One minute they would get along with each other, cracking jokes and whatnot. The next minute, they would be at each other's throats. Fuuka had seen this happen numerous times as an outsider but never when she was part of a group. Now that she had experienced both sides, she could not decide which she preferred. Her parents had always schooled her to take the easier route, the one where you let others say what they want instead of arguing. Because according to them, less conflict was better for everybody. Fuuka knew the idea had some merit (she'd been living by it her whole life), but upon witnessing the heated argument, she wondered: was it always the better choice? If Yukari hadn't voiced her issue, would they all still be following Mitsuru and the Chairman blindly? If Minato hadn't spoken in such a manner, would the argument have escalated even further? The answer to both, which she knew of course, was definitely. She found it hard to believe her way of thinking had changed, let alone the fact that her life had flipped upside down, but she knew it was for the better. All those years of shying away from ridicule or scorn? It was a mask her parents had created to protect her. Here though, there was no need for that because she was with her friends.
As she followed Mitsuru to the door with numerous locks in the corner of the command room though, Fuuka was anxious. Partly because her senpai had a serious look but also because everything that had happened tonight was, in some way, her fault. Yukari had been adamant in wanting to know the details of the accident ten years ago and while Fuuka thought she was doing the right thing by assisting her, she did not stop to consider it was something Mitsuru never wanted to share.
Entering the armory and closing the door behind her, she turned to face Mitsuru, only to have her gaze captured by the weapons in the room. It was not the first time Fuuka had visited the armory but with the way all the weapons were displayed, it was hard not to admire them.
Mitsuru gave her a thoughtful stare. "Yamagishi, not only do you excel at providing support during battle, but also at obtaining information."
"Oh, I-I'm sorry for doing that without your permission," Fuuka said, casting her eyes down. "I'm not in trouble am I?"
"Don't worry, you're not," Mitsuru said, her tone softening. "And as to why we're in here, it's because the special favor I'd like to ask of you requires some discretion."
Fuuka looked up, surprised. "A favour?"
"Yes. I want you to find out as much as you can about that incident ten years ago," Mitsuru said.
"But, very little was made public."
"That's why I want you to access the Kirijo Group's database."
Fuuka blinked. Me? Access the Kirijo Group's database? "You mean, hack into their system? Mitsuru-senpai, I know I'm good with computers but I think that's beyond me. And besides, it's illegal isn't it?"
"It won't be. Because I'll give you my ID and password," Mitsuru replied. "You'll be free from accountability." She sighed. "To tell you the truth, I don't know any more about the incident than what I've already told you. If you can find out what really happened, then perhaps she'll be less suspicious of me. And of everyone here. Now that we know how to eliminate the Dark Hour and Tartarus, having everyone on the same side is essential if we're to defeat the remaining Shadows. Of course, I'll understand if you refuse."
Fuuka mulled over her words. There was no doubt of the tension surrounding her classmates. It lingered in the air like an invisible gas, waiting for the spark that would ignite the flame. And with each subsequent Shadow appearing to be stronger than the last, they would stand no chance in defeating them all with the way they were fighting now. If this is going to help my friends, then so be it. She looked at Mitsuru and nodded. "Okay. I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you. I really appreciate it," Mitsuru said, smiling as she moved to the exit. "I'll give my details to you tomorrow or the day after." She paused and cast her gaze onto a nearby axe. "By the way Yamagishi, aren't you resentful? After all, I did drag you into this without telling you why. Certainly you must be a little angry with me."
"I'm not angry at all Mitsuru-senpai," Fuuka said, shaking her head. "If it weren't for you, I would still be with my parents. Since all my relatives are doctors, their inferiority complex makes it really hard to live at home. But here, I feel important. Being able to help you and the others is the best thing that's happened to me. I'm actually grateful that I was trapped in Tartarus."
Mitsuru nodded, her sullen look disappearing. She then checked her watch. Two minutes till the Dark Hour struck once again. "Come on, let's head back."
They then exited the armory and stepped back into the control room to find Yukari speaking with the Chairman by the computer monitor, and Akihiko sitting on the sofas deep in thought. He looked up at them as they approached and Fuuka noticed Mitsuru was frowning.
"Are Iori and Arisato still downstairs?" Mitsuru asked.
"Well, neither one of them has returned since they left earlier," Akihiko replied. He folded his arms. "I wouldn't worry about it too much. If they're sorting out their problems, then that's good. Besides, there'll be time later for–
Fuuka gasped as the Dark Hour struck.
While everyone gave her an anxious look and asked what was wrong, their words faded as the consciousness of Lucia, her Persona, rose from within. And in the split second their minds connected, Fuuka saw it. A radiating surge of power emanating from the foyer so strong that it severed her connection to Lucia instantly and sent a sharp pain through her mind. She swayed but Mitsuru placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Yamagishi, are you alright?" Mitsuru asked. 'What's wrong?"
Fuuka steadied herself, analyzing what she had was stronger than the two Shadows that had ambushed Mitsuru and Yukari. It was stronger than the dark energy the Shadow in the love hotel gave off. This power... Why do I feel that I've seen it somewhere before?
A realization hit her.
Without another word, she brushed off Mitsuru's hand and ran towards the door.
Junpei remembered the last time fear had him in its clutches. Walking into the convenience store and finding everyone had been transmogrified into a coffin. Almost becoming a late night snack for a Shadow. Just avoiding a collision with the monorail. It seemed like an age had passed since those days, and as Junpei stood facing Minato, watching Persona after Persona being summoned without the use of an Evoker, fear embraced him like an old friend.
Junpei was unsure if Minato had control over these Personas (it was hard to tell since Minato had his right arm outstretched and looked as if he could send one of them charging forward at anytime) and as much as he wanted to scream and let the others know what was happening, he could not. The sight of numerous Personas hovering in the air had him paralyzed with both awe and anxiety. He slowly averted his gaze from the Personas and upon meeting Minato's, whose grey eyes showed no remorse, Junpei began to understand.
The pressure of being leader.
The risks and consequences of having more than one Persona.
The reason why Minato spent all that time with his senpai.
And above all else, Junpei understood that there really was nothing to be jealous of. A sense of regret washed over him and he felt ashamed of being so immature and stupid to not have realized this sooner.
Junpei grimaced at his idiocy before flinching at another flash of blue. Great. Now there's three of them. He shook himself out of the paralysis. As magnificent as it looked, he knew that the only thing that mattered was to not do anything that might tempt Minato in attacking. He backed up a few paces, attempting to remain calm. If all hell breaks loose, I can at least defend myself. I have my Persona too. He reached for his Evoker–
–only to find it was not there.
Junpei swore. Ever since the chaotic excursion to Shirakawa Boulevard, visiting Tartarus was prohibited because Minato was in surgery. Without the field leader, they'd all said, it wouldn't be wise to go. So following their instructions, Junpei decided to keep his Evoker back in the armory. And look how that turned out. Why does this always happen to me?
Minato suddenly yelled something incomprehensible and one of his Personas, a two-headed dog, lunged at Junpei. Surprised and shocked, Junpei let himself take the hit. After being such a jerk, he supposed he deserved it. He fell onto his backside from the Persona's tackle, feeling the air knocked out of his lungs. He grunted as he placed a hand to where the Persona hit him and clenched his teeth, watching the Persona dart back to Minato's side.
"Alright," Junpei said, using the sofa to help him stand. "I deserved that. But Minato, you gotta–"
He stopped short as he was bashed to the ground by the shield of another Persona. Dazed by the blow, he didn't try to get back on his feet. He coughed, and winced as his chest rippled with pain. Or was it his ribs? He could feel them creaking. Perhaps one of them was broken. Junpei cursed once more as Minato readied the third Persona – which resembled a samurai – to attack. This is it. This is how it's gonna end.
Junpei braced himself for the inevitable but the Persona never came. In its place, was a cry of anguish. He lowered his arms and saw that Minato was holding his head; his three Personas convulsing vehemently until they imploded to reveal a black robed being with a katana and eight chain linked coffins. He froze. It was that Persona from the recording he had seen. The one which had ripped Orpheus apart.
The tempo of Junpei's heart increased tenfold. If he remembered right, this Persona was able to take out a full moon Shadow on its own. And if a powerful Shadow like that could be tossed aside, what threat did he pose? As he prepared to scramble to his feet and escape, the Persona caught sight of him. It glided over, its chains rattling ominously, and pointed its katana at his chest. Then it slashed. A shrill metallic clang pierced his ears and Junpei wondered if this was some symbolic sound of heaven. Opening his eyes (he had reflexively closed them and raised his arms to protect his face), he saw a familiar figure standing over him, her dagger in blade lock with the Persona's katana.
Penthesilea.
Minato losing control.
Since informing her of how his Personas spoke to him, the thought had occurred to Mitsuru once or twice, though she never believed it would actually happen. Because how could it? She made sure to keep a close eye on him most of the week, have him report how he was feeling, even went as far as forbidding him from mentioning this to his classmates in case it sparked anything. The barriers were all set into place.
So when Fuuka had dashed out of the control room, shouting about a massive energy surge downstairs, Mitsuru thought another Shadow had breached the dorm. It was the only possibility that crossed her mind and once she arrived at the foyer alongside Yukari, Akihiko and the Chairman, she was expecting to see something black and hideous and masked. Upon seeing Minato, who was holding his head and screaming in pain, a bruised and frightened Junpei, and the being with eight chain-linked coffins, she understood at once what Fuuka meant.
Mitsuru seized her Evoker (she kept it on her at all times), and summoned Penthesilea. Her Persona materialized seconds before the katana of Minato's unknown Persona came down onto Junpei, and parried the slash with her dagger. The clang of steel on steel reverberated throughout the foyer and caught by surprise, Minato's Persona was pushed back.
Penthesilea took this opening and lunged with her rapier. Her strike was too obvious however, and Minato's Persona easily responded with a riposte that landed a direct hit. Mitsuru stiffened as her Persona was struck by the katana but ignored the pain and channeled her remaining energy into keeping Penthesilea active. She then turned to the others, who were stunned beyond belief.
"Takeba, Yamagishi, go help Iori now!" Mitsuru shouted. Yukari and Fuuka nodded hesitantly, and rushed to Junpei's side. Just as Mitsuru was about to pass orders to Akihiko and the Chairman, an invisible wave of pain slammed into her. She bit her lip to keep herself from crying out and looking up, she saw traces of Penthesilea dissipate into the air. No! I need you here! Penthesilea!
Minato's Persona pivoted and glided towards where she stood. Nothing stopped its advance. Not Polydeuces, who had only managed to get one hit in before being slashed apart. Not Io, whose wind attacks were shrugged off and countered by beams of white light. Nothing. Mitsuru tried to raise her Evoker again but couldn't. Focusing all her mental strength to keep her Persona alive had exhausted her. She fell to her knees, and feeling the shadow of the unknown Persona enveloping her, looked at Minato and prayed.
He felt it all.
The other part of him swelling in the deepest part of his psyche.
The other part of him rising from those depths and breaking through his defenses.
The other part of him pushing him aside and taking control with a lust to kill.
He saw it all.
The implosion of his Personas giving birth to the other part of him.
The unrelenting rampage of his other self.
The looks of despair in all of his friends' faces.
He heard it all.
The shrill clash of blades.
The shouts telling him to stop the madness.
The pleading voice of Mitsuru.
Unable to withstand the danger he posed to his friends any longer, Minato came forward and wrestled his other self for control over his body and mind. The struggle was like trying to withstand the vicious winds of a typhoon. And although his other self continued to repel his assault, refusing to yield, Minato did not back down either. He saw what the Persona had done to the dorm. He saw what it had done to Junpei. He saw what it was about to do to Mitsuru and Akihiko, who were on their knees, completely powerless. Empowered by his resolve to save his dignity and his friends, he fought back; his mental strength flowing with such power that had been a physical manifestation, it would have destroyed the dorm.
Stupefied by the sudden surge, his other self was overwhelmed and driven back to the darkest corner of his psyche. Its retreat severed its connection to the Persona and the effect was immediate. The Persona halted its downwards slash aimed at Mitsuru and Akihiko, fizzled, then dissolved into sparkling shards of blue dust.
Minato felt his consciousness dissolving too. His vision foggy, his thoughts vaporized, his energy spent. Absolute burnout. There was no stopping his collapse and he was gone before he hit the floor.