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The Amagi Obsession
Chapter 14: Obsession
A screech of terror sounded across the streets of the fake Inaba. From the crevices of the cracked concrete, shadows began to form and drag themselves into the fog filled streets. Deep down the rabbit hole of the TV world, the investigation team had found themselves backed into a corner. Lacking the full strength of all its members, the small squad of four was on the defensive.
"Hamaon!" Naoto shouted. In one swift motion her persona, Sukuna-Hikona, shot past her and placed light talismans on each shadow threatening to approach them. Naoto pointed her revolver at their enemies and shot six times. Each talisman shattered with ease, instantly killing each shadow with it.
Naoto let out a sigh of relief, her spells had only gotten stronger after their encounter with much tougher shadows. However, that feeling would be cut short. Behind her a Magical Magus appeared letting out an unearthly screech. Naoto spun around and gasped in disbelief. She hadn't heard its approach.
The detective prince pointed her revolver at the enemy only to hear the cylinder register an empty click. Naoto raised her arms and braced for the impact, but it never came. As the magus lunged to crush her, its approach was cut short. A gust of wind burst past Naoto and suddenly tattered the shadow to pieces.
Before her Yosuke's persona, Jiraiya, floated with a gust of green wind surrounding it. Yosuke let out a nervous laugh before going to check on his kouhai. "That was a close call. I swear, one always manages to slip through. You alright Naoto?"
Naoto gave him a grateful nod and began to reload her revolver's chamber. "Over at last, I thought they'd never let up. The shadows here are a lot more aggressive than what we're used to seeing in the dungeons."
"You think it might be connected to all the weird fog around town?" Yosuke asked.
"Possibly… I'm sure there are connections between the town and this place that we aren't aware of yet." Naoto answered, inspecting her weapon for any defects. Satisfied, she places it back in its holster. "Still, it won't do us any good to speculate now. We have more pressing matters to attend to."
"You both did well." Yu walked up, praising his friends. The leader had been in the rearguard watching the fight unfold with Izanagi by his side. He cast a glance back to make sure the person he had been guarding was still in one piece. Thankfully, Rise was still behind him unharmed.
Rise stood silently behind her three comrades and mumbled to herself. Each hand was clasped tightly together and pressed against her chest. A mysterious blue aura filled the air. This was the power of the persona that towered over her, Himiko. The idol silently chanted words neither of her friends could comprehend. Her level of focus was like nothing the investigation team had ever seen before.
The moment the team had infiltrated the TV world, Rise had gone right to work trying to track down and locate Yukiko Amagi. A lot was riding on her, and they had little time to waste.
"How's it going?" Naoto asked the idol in a concerned tone. The detective prince was anxious and rightfully so. The last time they had entered the TV world in search for Chie, their search had come up fruitless. Even with the power of both Rise and Teddie's personas, they were unable to locate Chie. This hadn't been an issue in the past, but Naoto was beginning to wonder if it was a power unique to Yukiko. The girl shook her head, remembering past failures wouldn't help them now.
"There's still no sign of Chie-senpai." Rise informed the group. "I can't seem to sense Yukiko-senpai either… its strange. There's like some sort of block."
"Nothing?" Yu asked, a hint of dejection in his voice. "That can't be true."
"Himiko?" Rise asked. "Maybe we can broaden our search…"
"Do you think Yukiko might have moved Chie out of the TV world already?" Yosuke asked. "She has been in here longer than us."
Naoto couldn't ignore the possibility. Yukiko had managed to get a full head start on the investigation team. Even moving as quickly as they did, the Amagi heiress had a whole 20-to-30-minute lead on them.
Still, she didn't want to entertain the idea. "I don't think that's the case. Jumping into her TV was a risk. One that I surmise, Amagi-san didn't want to take. If she made her way back to Inaba now, she would have the entire police force to deal with. That wouldn't bode well for her. I also doubt that she has any other exits outside of town, assuming one even exists in the first place."
"Hard to argue with that." Yosuke agreed, crossing his arms. "Still, Yukiko is brave to be entering the TV world alone. I wonder where she could have gone?"
"Wherever it is, she couldn't have gotten too far." Yu muttered. "I just feel it."
"Well, you aren't far off from the truth." Rise said, butting in. She touched Himiko on her side and gave her thanks. Then with the flick of the wrist, dismissed the persona. Rise stood triumphantly, placing her hands on her hips. The idol gave them her signature smile.
All three friends turned to the girl with hopeful eyes.
"Did you manage to find Yukiko?" Yosuke asked.
"Not her per se- but-" Rise answered.
"DID YOU FIND CHIE!?" Yu blurted out hurriedly.
Rise shook her head solemnly, but still her smile returned. "I didn't find either of them, but I managed to locate the next best thing. TEDDIE!" she declared. "His aura isn't strong, but I can still feel him. He's really close to where we are right now. But we need to hurry."
Naoto's heart almost did a 360 at the mention of the bear's name, it was hard not to form a relieved smile. Ever since Rise mentioned he went missing, she had been thinking about the worst possible outcome. What Yukiko did to Kanji was fresh in her mind, so she had no doubts she wouldn't field the idea of attacking Teddie.
"That means he's alive." The detective prince whispered. Then it dawned on her, that meant he had been stuck in the TV world for days. Naoto's eyes locked with Rise's. "Where is he right now?"
"About that…" Rise murmured in a quieter voice. She cast a worried glance at her friends and walked forward. "Follow me."
Naoto had a bad feeling about her change in tone.
Still, Yu was the first to follow, with zero hesitation.
Yosuke looked to Naoto and shrugged before following his two companions.
The feeling of anxiousness still gnawed at Naoto's heels. She had a bad feeling. Yet still, the detective prince wasted no time following behind to watch their rear. The threat of shadows was still present.
The idol led her friends through the shambled streets of the fake Inaba. Seeing the imitation town was always uncanny. They found themselves in a dystopian reality but pressed on regardless. Soon the fake Inaba slowly began to disappear with the fog around it. The decrepit buildings dissipated like rubble and the group found themselves on the outskirts of town.
There were no rice fields in sight. Only the barren wastes and metal structures tangling into a twisted production set. Bright streetlamps led the way to a soulless road. The roads eventually converged and led to the top of a large barren hill.
Rise was the first to reach its peak. She sprinted forward and pointed off in the distance at a large stone structure. Before lie the Amagi Castle.
"Himiko sensed traces of his aura coming from there." Rise said.
"Th- that can't be…" Yu stammered.
The group turned to Yu who was staring at the castle with horror in his eyes.
Naoto had never seen the teen so shaken before. Though today had turned out to be shell shocking for everyone in the investigation team. The detective prince took in a breath of air to calm herself before asking. "Does this place hold some sort of significance for you all?"
Rise shook her head and spoke. "I've never been here before, but I know for certain that's where Teddie is. At the very top."
"It's Yukiko's castle." Yosuke answered, catching both girls off guard. "Well, it belonged to her shadow to be more exact. When we first learned about our personas, Yukiko was one of the first people to pop up on the Midnight Channel. Not long after, Namatame kidnapped her. Me, Yu, Teddie, and Chie staged a crazy rescue mission to go get her back."
"So, this is kind of like…. Where it all started." Rise said with a solemn voice.
"It's where the investigation team formed." Yu muttered, looking down at the ground.
Naoto was speechless. She had been the team's most recent addition, so the castle didn't have the same level of significance it had for its founding members. However, this all but confirmed it for her. If there was any doubt on Yukiko's innocence before, it was all, but gone.
"Teddie wouldn't come here for no reason." Naoto said. "He can't be there alone."
Yosuke looked at Yu who was still shaken by what he heard and approached him. He was their leader's best friend and had stuck by his side, through thick and thin. "Hey partner, don't worry. Whatever happens in there, I have your back. You can count on me."
"And me too senpai!" Rise declared.
Yu casted a weary glance at Naoto.
The girl offered him a comforting smile and nodded. They weren't sure what they would find at the top of that castle, but one thing was clear. Whatever challenges lie ahead, the investigation team wouldn't be alone. They would do what they had always done. Banding together to fight a common enemy and facing it all together.
…
"How did I get here?"
"What caused everything to spiral out of control?" Were the thoughts that crossed the mind of Yukiko Amagi. The feelings of fear, anxiety, anger, and pain that had followed her the last two weeks were at the precipice of self-destruction. Emotions clawed at her heart with jagged edges and its walls struggled to maintain any semblance of order.
Yukiko Amagi had faced a great many things in life but being turned down wasn't one of them. Was it the rejection she faced at the hands of Yu Narukami? The boy she had spent the past year in love with. The person she shared an unrequited interest in had chosen her best friend instead. The pain she felt seared deep into her heart, but no.
Rejection was only the catalyst.
Or perhaps it was the malice she felt for Chie Satonaka? The girl she calls her best friend lied outright to her face. The trust they had both shared with one another, shattered in an instant. All through a romance that Yukiko failed to obtain herself. Chie had succeeded where she had not, and Yukiko hated her for it.
The happier Chie grew the more malice she felt.
Then came the confliction. Like a wave, utter fear and regret followed pushing Chie into the shadow world. Like Alice falling into Wonderland, Chie tumbled down a rabbit hole called the TV. Alone, into a world out to destroy her.
Yukiko knew she was responsible, yet she tried to look for someone else to blame.
Yukiko took advantage of the position she found herself in. Chie was gone and Narukami was alone. She would deceiveeveryone. The girl lied to the police, her mother, and her friends. Deception became second nature. And the art of deception came in handy for manipulating Teddie.
Yukiko used him for her own gain and managed to find a hurt Chie inside the TV. However, rescuing was the last thing on her mind. For Yukiko was trapped deep within the recesses of her own mind.
From there, her descent into deception only intensified. Blaming Chie for everything that happened was only an excuse. The easiest way she could put her heart at ease for what she had done. "Chie had it coming. She lied to me." Was the flimsy justification that kept her sanity in check.
Yukiko was jealous.
She had always been jealous.
Not only of Chie, but of any girl that had gotten close with Narukami. Whether it be Rise looking at him with an obvious affectionate gaze or Naoto looking up to her leader as a symbol of admiration. Yukiko hated it all. Narukami was the only person she wanted yet everyone would vie to steal his attention. Then the way he texted Chie made her sick. In love, jealousy came as naturally as the air she breathed.
That jealousy still couldn't outlive the feelings of apprehension in her heart. The misgivings behind the dirty deeds committed were beginning to catch up with her. The detective prince, Naoto Shirogane had entered the picture. With her arrival accompanied a new set of feelings. The fear of not getting caught. Her opponent was relentless, as she was thorough.
Yukiko made the choice to act.
Naoto was a thorn in her side that needed to be plucked.
However, that thorn continued to bury itself under her skin. Whenever she tried to pull it out, it would only burrow deeper. Penetrating the surface like a sharp knife. Deceit was the only tool Yukiko could use. She continued to lie to the police, only this time her family had become involved.
Naoto was tugging at the loosest of threads. Those same threads are what would get her closer to the truth. Yukiko couldn't allow that.
The Amagi heiress would do whatever it took to keep the truth hidden from her pursuers. Like a spider, she had become cold and calculating. A predator waiting to strike and inject venom into its targets. The threads that Yukiko left untouched, were slowly coming undone. She had to cut them off, starting with Teddie. Yukiko shoved him into the TV world and her betrayal was vicious.
For her second act of violence, she attempted to rid herself of the closest liability…
But there did Yukiko create another fatal error. Teddie managed to escape, and he had seen her true colors. With the bear missing, and Naoto hot on her trail the pressure was beginning to mount. To make matters worse the one piece of evidence she had left was the smoking gun, Chie's cellphone. She had to rid herself of it, but once again Naoto stuck another thorn in her side named Kanji Tatsumi.
Yukiko didn't want to hurt Kanji.
Hurting any of her friends was the last thing she ever wanted. Even still, "Kanji had seen things he wasn't meant to see." At least that's what Yukiko told herself. She had finally crossed the line of no return. Attacking him was a necessary evil. But that act led to the confrontation she had been hoping to avoid.
Compulsion was what got Yukiko here.
Everything that she had done was because deep at heart, she was a compulsive individual. Being the only child of the Amagi dynasty she had always done her best to hide her feelings. Though this year was different.
New things happened to her like making new friends, investigating a murder mystery, and falling in love. These happenings helped to reveal her true nature. She hated Inaba and her friends were the only thing that made it tolerable. Running the Inn was never what she had wanted.
Running away would have always been the outcome…
Now finally, the dread had won her over.
The trepidation of it all had come full circle. Yukiko Amagi couldn't face the truth, nor did she want to. This past year Yu Narukami had been there to help heal her wounds. Her prince in shining armor gave her hope for the future. A love she never knew existed. That future was torn away from her, and with it, wounds sundered anew.
There was no going back to the way things were, and Yukiko knew that.
Her friends would always want justice and seek the truth.
The only option she had was to create a new truth.
"A truth where I'm never lied to."
"A truth where a prince is by my side."
"A truth where no one will ever get in my way again."
Yukiko Amagi was a seeker of the truth. And her truth was an obsession.
…
"Yukiko, stop please!" Chie cried out to her desperately. The sandy blond was knelt over. She watched helplessly as Yukiko and Teddie waged war with one another in the middle of the throne room. The girl wished she had the power to summon Tomoe and force them to stop fighting, but she barely had the strength to stand.
"Stay out of this Chie-chan, I got this!" Teddie called out running at Yukiko with his claws extended.
"Oh no you don't!" Yukiko retorted. The Amagi heiress dodged gracefully like a ballerina. She cast fire spells between each movement to create distance between herself and the bear.
Chie could only bear witness as Kintoki-Douji avoided the endless barrages of Konohana-Sakuya's flames.
Yukiko had always been a graceful fighter whenever they entered the shadow world, but Chie had never seen her fight with such viciousness before. Her persona used its long pink feathers as blades, cutting Kintoki-Douji at every opportunity. Whenever the latter attempted to retreat to a safe distance Konohana-Sakuya would close it with the beat of its wings and roaring of the flames.
The persona was described as being a mask of one's true self. A malevolent manifestation of their inner desires. And Yukiko was putting her feelings into her attacks and overpowering Teddie at every turn.
"Kintoki-Douji, Bufula!" Teddie called out. However, the spell was in vain as the ice began to melt at the roaring heat of Yukiko's fire. "I can't stop her! She's too strong."
Chie coughed at the smoke filling the room. The heat was becoming too much to handle. She cast a glance at Yukiko. Her gray eyes were alive like she had never seen them before.
Yukiko's pupils were wide and locked on their target.
Almost crazed.
She swung her fan in a wild pattern and the fire began to wrap around Kintoki-Douji in a large tornado.
A large grin spread across Yukiko's lips, and she shouted. "I've been working on this new attack. Be grateful my little bear, you'll be the first to witness it. This time I'll finish you! MARALAGIDYNE, BURNING PETALS! TURN TO SCARLET!"
From the burning tornado the fire morphed into burning rose. Chie could hardly breathe, it felt as though all the oxygen was getting sucked from the room. The rose began to part into a full bloom and at its apex exploded. Chie and Teddie flew back slamming onto the hard marble floors.
Kintoki-Douji let out a pained screech of agony and shattered, its ethereal form leaving the shadow world.
Teddie had been defeated and Yukiko stood triumphantly where his persona had fallen, with Konohana Sakuya at her side. She stroked her persona's head lovingly.
Chie was shaken, even if she hadn't been hurt, she wasn't sure Tomoe would have had the power to stop her friend. She had never seen Yukiko wield such strength before.
The Amagi heiress had truly become one with her persona.
Wearily Chie cast a glance at Teddie who lay unmoving on the ground. She spotted Yukiko approaching him, her fan fully extending. The sandy blond knew what was coming but refused to let it happen. With what little strength she had left, Chie willed her legs up and limped over to Teddie.
Chie threw herself over the bear's unmoving body. He was moaning, but still alive. To comfort him, she stroked his burnt, crisp fur. "It'll be okay Teddie. I'll keep you safe." She whispered.
As Yukiko approached, Chie looked up with tear filled eyes. "Yu- Yukiko please stop, don't hurt him."
"Get out of the way Chie." Yukiko ordered. The sandy blond's begging had no effect on her. Yukiko's voice was cold and devoid of any pity. She lifted her fan in a threatening manner. "Teddie if only you had been a good bear and stayed where you belonged. You fought hard; I'll give you that. Though you just had to try and be a hero. But I think that's one of your best qualities."
"YUKIKO STOP!" Chie shouted. "Can't you see what you're doing? This is Teddie we're talking about. Our friend! And you're just talking about killing him!"
"Chie what are you talking about?" Yukiko asked. The Amagi heiress stared at Chie in confusion. She didn't understand why she was defending the bear to begin with. "If Teddie had just been an obedient little bear, we wouldn't have anything to worry about. All he had to do was keep his mouth shut, but now he's a loose end."
"You tried to kill him!" Chie shot back.
"I told you it was self-defense!" Yukiko retorted in an annoyed voice. "Besides, I think this is for the best. Now we're in for a change of plans. We're leaving Inaba, the both of us, together. This town has always been nothing, but trouble anyway."
"You're not making any sense at all Yukiko!"
"It wouldn't be hard to understand if you'd just listen to me!" Yukiko said curtly. "I am making perfect sense. If we can get him out of the way, we can be free. We can make a clean get away. I am willing to forgive and forget everything you said. Even though you LIED to me about dating Narukami-kun."
Chie stared with her mouth ajar. She was speechless.
Yukiko spoke deliriously. The Amagi heiress was tugging her hair. She stared at her friend with crazed eyes. Her patience was running thin. "Don't feel bad for him. I took Teddie out on a loving date, and he shoved me into the TV! Who treats a girl like that?"
"Can't you hear yourself." Chie looked in disbelief at Yukiko. The more she stared at Yukiko the more jarring her words became. The young Amagi's eyes were almost glazed over. "These things your saying, they're not true."
"Are you calling me a liar?"
"You're not being honest with yourself." Chie murmured. "Yukiko yo- you shoved me into the TV over dating Yu. But you also attacked Teddie… and you did it again just now… I saw it, Yukiko. I- I felt it too."
"I told you that I was sorry for that… but you lied abou-"
"Yukiko, everyone deserves to know the truth. You're right, I am sorry that I lied to you about dating Yu. But you have got to understand. This has gone way beyond the point of love. You're obsessed and if you don't stop, I don't know what will happen. I know you don't want to face it. The things that you've done but… you have to." Chie spoke with pure sincerity. She wanted to reach her friend. "Yukiko please… there's nothing I want more then to be with my best friend again. Sitting by the river, eating steak in Junes… we can go back."
"Ch- Chie…" Yukiko's voice began to crack as she stared at her friend. "There was a moment- there was a time that I really really thought that could be true. I want so badly for things to go back to the way things were. Bu- but I don't know if I can."
Chie sprung up and grabbed Yukiko's hand. Her eyes beamed with hope as she spoke with a comforting voice. "Yukiko, it's never too late to go back. We can fix this."
Yukiko felt Chie's warm hand against hers and felt comfort for the first time in weeks. Out the corner of her eye she spotted Teddie's limp body and frowned. Slowly she pulled her hand from her friend's grip and backed away. "No… no we can never go back. I've done too many things. I've wronged too many people. Teddie, Kanji-kun, you too Chie… there's only one way for this to end. Konohana-Sakuya!"
Konohana Sakuya began to materialize behind Yukiko, ready to serve. An ominous red aura emanated off it as Yukiko readied her fan.
"H- Huh?" Chie stammered. "Didn't you hear anything I said? Please don't do this, it's crazy!
"On the contrary Chie, I heard everything." Yukiko whispered. All emotion had left her voice. "You're right, I'm not making any sense. Ever since you fell into the TV, nothing has made any sense. I keep thinking that I can fix things, but no matter what I try everything around me breaks."
"But together we can-"
"No, we can't…" Yukiko cut her off. The teen began muttering with her hand to her forehead. "Today when Naoto-kun came for me, I ran. I ran into the TV world. Somehow if I magically found Chie everyone would forget the things that I did. What a foolish thought. I realize now how wrong I've been. You and Teddie made me see that… I'm sorry Chie, but it has to be this way."
Chie's lip quivered, she knew that as it stood now, convincing Yukiko seemed like an impossible task. The Amagi heiress was too far gone in her own thoughts to hear otherwise. Chie's body was still weak, but she couldn't live with herself if she just allowed Yukiko to kill Teddie. The girl willed her hands to ball into a fist and prepared herself. No matter how much her body ached, she would protect the unconscious bear.
"AGID-" Yukiko called out, but was cut off as Chie ran at her and attempted to tackle her. "What!?"
"Get ahold of yourself, you don't have to do this!" Chie cried out as she pulled Yukiko back with all of her strength.
Yukiko grunted as Chie dragged her back from Teddie.
Konohana-Sakuya let out an angry snarl. It flew forward without hesitation. The persona gripped Chie by the collar of her shirt and tossed her back onto the hard marble tiles.
Chie hit the ground with a thud and groaned. Despite her bones aching with every exertion of energy, she couldn't let up. The teen willed herself to her feet once more. "Ignore the pain." She muttered through grit teeth. "Its nothing don't let up!"
Once more Chie ran at her friend.
Konohana-Sakuya tried to intercept her again, but she managed to duck underneath the persona and sprint forward.
"What!" Yukiko said with shock.
Chie ran at her attempting to land a combination of kicks. The Amagi heiress attempted to duck and dodge, but each hit came faster until at last a hard kick managed land on Yukiko's right shoulder. The same shoulder that had been injured earlier.
Yukiko cried out in pain and stumbled back. She gripped her shoulder and stared daggers at Chie. "CHIE! Stop making this harder then this needs to be! Just get out of the way and let me finish Teddie!"
Chie was panting. Throwing out those attacks took nearly everything. Her feet staggered as she attempted to keep her balance. "I can't do that Yukiko; this is for your sake." She whispered.
"If I can land one really good attack on her, I can end this."
Chie closed her eyes and focused. "I think I can do this. Come to me… Tomoe."
The strands of Chie's hair began to lift, and a blue aura formed around her. The vague outline of the female samurai began to form at her rear. All the strength Chie had would go into summoning her final defense.
However, its form could not fully materialize.
The outline of Tomoe began to flicker in and out. Chie let out a gasp of air and collapsed under her knees, her persona fully dissipating behind her.
"Are you done?" Yukiko asked coolly.
"Yukiko… please." Chie begged helplessly.
"I asked if you were finished?" Yukiko asked, staring at Chie with cold eyes. "Because if you are, then we can just make this quick." Konohana-Sakuya had returned to her master's side ready to serve. The Amagi heiress turned her back on Chie and turned her attention back to her target, Teddie. Yukiko readied her fan.
Chie sat speechless. She knew what was coming, Yukiko was readying to unleash another blazing attack. She tried to will herself up once more, but her legs felt like stone.
Yukiko's eyes stared at Teddie's limp form sympathetically. She gave him a solemn apology. "I'm sorry it has to be this way, truly… Goodbye Teddie. KONOHANA-SAKUYA UNLEASH YOUR BURNIN-"
BANG!
Before Yukiko could finish her attack the sound of a gunshot cut through the air like the sound of thunder. A bullet whizzed past Yukiko's head and pierced through the throne. The Amagi heiress stared at the throne with shock. From the hole, smoke trailed into the air. That bullet was real.
"Yu!" Yukiko heard Chie's voice gasp in disbelief behind her.
The fear began to set in, slowly her eyes turned back in the direction the shot fired from.
To her horror standing at the entrance of the throne room stood Yu, Yosuke, Rise, and Naoto. The investigation team had made their fated entrance. All their eyes were locked squarely on her.
…
"This can't be!" Yukiko cursed through huffed breaths. Her eyes darted desperately from Chie to Yu then finally settled on Naoto. Just the sight of the detective prince caused her heart to palpitate. Nausea was beginning to set in, as the reality of the situation became apparent. There was no escape for Yukiko now. The rage began to set in. "You always show up when you're not wanted Naoto!"
Another bullet whizzed past Yukiko's head, just inches from piercing her eye.
"That's enough Amagi-san! Careful, you know how good my aim is." Naoto said calmly. "Those two shots were warnings. Depending on what you do, this next one won't miss."
Yukiko gritted her teeth at Naoto's words.
The detective prince was serious.
Yosuke went to stand by Naoto's side, Jiraiya at the ready in case Yukiko tried anything.
"Chie!" Yu called out. Before the two girls' confrontation could continue, their leader had ran to the side of his injured girlfriend. He bent down and stared at her with concerned eyes and disbelief. The girl's clothes had been tattered from the battle and her hair was a mess. "Chie- you're… I…" Yu could barely get the words out.
"Yu…" Chie murmured, tears welling in her eyes. She wrapped her arms around him, and the tears began to stream down her face. The feeling of relief washed over her. Chie had never been so happy to see anyone in her life. "You dummy, it took you long enough."
The leader of the investigation team could hardly believe Chie was real. He held her close, feeling the heat of her body against his. He never wanted to let go.
"Are you hurt?" Yu asked examining Chie up and down.
Chie shook her head, downplaying her injuries. "I'm fine really, just a few scratches, but nothing we aren't used to."
"Chie- I-"
"Alright you two." Rise said appearing next to Yu. She put a comforting hand on Chie's shoulder. The idol's eyes fluttered helplessly, struggling to not let her own tears flow. She couldn't let her friends see her turn into a blubbering mess. "I'm so glad you're safe senpai."
"Come here you!" Chie said pulled Rise into their hug with one arm.
"Chie-senpai, you smell terrible!" Rise cried hugging her friend despite her protests.
"Damn, they might make me tear up." Yosuke said, looking on at the sight. His voice cracked, fighting back the tears himself. He returned his attention to Yukiko who stared at the sight of the team reuniting with a look of horror. "Now then, what are we going to do with her? Wait a second, shit is that-?"
Naoto's eyes didn't dare let Yukiko escape from their sight. The sight of her pistol remained pointed at the target. From behind the silhouette of Yukiko, Naoto's eyes spotted the furry foot of a familiar friend. Naoto tilted her head to the side and then completely saw Teddie's unmoving body. Her heart sank.
"Rise!" Naoto called out. "Behind her, go check on Teddie now!"
"Teddie?" Rise whispered. She released Chie and looked behind Yukiko and spotted the injured bear. "Oh my gosh, Teddie!" Konohana-Sakuya remained threateningly floating at Yukiko's side, but Rise ignored it and sprinted to her friend's side.
"Stop he's-" Yukiko stepped toward Rise.
"Don't move!" Naoto ordered cocking her gun.
Yukiko stopped dead in her tracks. Konohana-Sakuya snarled behind her master. "You don't know what you're doing."
"We know exactly what we're doing. I ordered you to stay still, don't test me Amagi-san. I won't hesitate." Naoto's words were firm, and her eyes filled with a steely determination. Her finger was locked tightly around the revolver's trigger.
Rise checked on Teddie. His bear suit was covered in burning scorches and barely holding together. The fight that had taken place had left its toll on him. The idol put her hand on his chest. Thankfully, his chest was still rising up and down. His breathing was labored, but he was alive. "Come Himiko!" Rise summoned her persona and began to cast a Dia spell.
"How is he?" Yosuke called out concerned for their friend.
"He's taken a beating." Rise said casting a scornful glance in Yukiko's direction. "But he'll be okay."
A wave of relief washed over the group, Naoto especially. This entire time the image of Kanji's limp body was seared into the back of her mind. Finding Chie or Teddie like that would have crushed her. She was grateful they had been able to arrive before it was too late. Naoto felt wetness beginning to form in her own eyes, but she fought back the emotion. She couldn't let anything out until they had all returned home safely.
"Yukiko…" everyone's attention turned to Yu. He was standing up now with his eyes focused on the person who had caused them all so much turmoil. For the first time since he had entered the room his attention was fully on Yukiko Amagi. The woman standing in front of him looked so vastly different from the kind girl he once knew. His voice quivered as he spoke. "Yukiko… I can't believe it. So, it- it's all true?"
"Aghh… aghhh…. Narukami-kun." The girl stammered, barely able to get the words out. Yukiko felt everyone's eyes on her. Her hands grew clammy, and she wiped them against her dress. She ran her fingers through her hair, struggling to fix the long black locks.
Yukiko didn't know where to look. Her eyes shot around the room erratically, she tried to avoid eye contact with Yu. He was staring at her with such a solemn, disappointed expression on his face.
Yukiko couldn't stand it.
It hurt too much to look at him.
It was that same sad expression that he had given her all those weeks ago. The look when he had rejected her. His disapproval was like a knife stabbing her heart.
"I can't handle this. Not again! He's giving me that look again, that LOOK!" Yukiko screamed in her head.
"Naoto was right about everything. I just- I don't understand… why would you-"
"NOOOOOO!" Yukiko screamed, shocking everyone in the room. The Amagi heiress gripped her chest, her breath hyperventilating. She wobbled back and forth, barely able to keep her balance. The pressure of it all was crashing down on her. "Nar- Narukami-kun you don't understand. This isn't what it looks like… no! No, it wasn't supposed to be like this. You have to understand! I- I just wanted Chie to stop lying. I just wanted her to know that I- I love you. And th- that WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE TOGETHER! I just- I- I…"
Yukiko could hardly finish her sentence as it morphed into a sound of garbled prattle. She tried to calm herself down to speak, but the freaked out expressions of her former comrades were enough to make her want to vomit.
Their leader looked down in disappointment.
Yukiko continued to sprout whatever excuse came to mind. "Narukmai-kun jus- just look at me please! Everything that I did- I did it for you!"
Yu opened his mouth to speak, but could only stare at her with disbelief. After a long pause, he gave a deep sigh and looked at the shaking girl. He shook his head and spoke. "Yukiko… I don't know what you want me to say. Just look at what you did to Chie. How could you do this to your best friend? I- I don't even know who you are anymore."
"Aghhh… aghhhhh… wh- what… huh…? I- I don't understand- you don't understand Narukami-" Yukiko stuttered her words and gripped her head. The Amagi heiress couldn't handle what she was hearing, the words were cutting her heart to pieces. "No! It- its not… Narukami… if Chie didn't lie then-"
"Yukiko Amagi!" Naoto cut her off. The detective prince stood next to her leader and declared. "I am placing you under arrest for the kidnapping of Chie Satonaka and the attempted murder of Kanji Tatsumi. Amagi-san, what you've done here is a disgrace of everything that the investigation team has fought to achieve. You've endangered the lives of your friends! And for what? Petty. Love. You don't even know what the word stands for. Everything you've done, you've only done for yourself. You're selfish, you're vain, and you're incorrigible. Your attempts at deception were impressive, but you should have known as a former member of this team, we will always seek the truth."
"You never get off your high horse, do you Naoto." Yukiko muttered through grit teeth. The girl's aura began to shine red once more. "Truth… truth… the only truth that is real is mine!"
Naoto was taking no chances. She shot twice at Yukiko only for each bullet to be intercepted by Konohana-Sakuya. "Tch, so that's how its going to be." Sukuna-Hikona appeared at her side, ready to strike.
Witnessing the danger Jiraiya appeared at Yosuke's side.
Behind Yukiko's back even Rise stood ready with Himiko ready to fight.
"That's enough Yukiko!" Yu shouted, stopping everyone in the room. A tear fell down his face. Slowly the leader lifted up his right hand and a blue card floated above it. With one swift motion he crushed it and a lightning strike slammed behind him. The tall black persona appeared behind him, staring menacingly at the girl. Izanagi extended its arm and pointed its weapon, the long naginata pointed directly at her. "I'll only ask once. Stand down! Don't make me do something I'll regret."
Konohana-Sakuya shudders at the mere presence of the superior persona. Even Yukiko herself could hardly believe that Yu was raising his weapon against her.
"Wait, wait!" Chie screamed out. The sandy blond had used all the strength left that she could muster to position herself directly between Yu and Yukiko. She stood, with each arm outstretched in defense of the broken girl. "Please, everyone just stop!"
"Move out of the way Chie!" Yu commanded. "She's dangerous!"
"He's right!" Yosuke chimed in. "Yukiko-san has lost it Chie!"
"No, she hasn't! Please just listen to me." Chie pleaded. The sandy blond knew that her friends had gone through so much to find her. They had faced so many emotions that she couldn't possibly imagine. Even though they were fighting to protect her and Teddie, the thought of them raising their arms against Yukiko twisted her stomach. She turned around to face Yukiko, her friend had never looked so helpless as she did right now.
Yukiko stared at Chie with mixed emotions.
Konohana-Sakuya screeched out, but Chie ignored its cries and put her hands on Yukiko's face. "Yukiko, ignore them… please. Just look at me… focus on me. Please, I know you're still in there."
Yukiko's eyes darted from left to right. Her breathing was all over the place. "Chie- I- I…"
"Its going to be okay." Chie murmured, trying her best to comfort her friend. Her fingers trailed on her skin and slowly massaged the sides of her neck. Anything she could do to make her forget her present situation. "Hey, remember that one time that we accidentally filled our cups with sake at the Amagi Inn. I thought it was water and spat it all over your face. Your mom was so pissed, but you just bust out laughing."
The Amagi heiress still gripped at the seams of her dress uncomfortably, but her eyes seemed to settle on Chie's comforting brown orbs. Her eyes were calming.
"Or how about that one time we were trying to make pastries for the gang! So many of them came out bad. Then the one good batch we finally made, Muku legit flopped on the table and ate everything!" Chie said with a huge grin on her face.
Yukiko weakly smiled while listening to her friend. She finally began to relax. Slowly her fingers uncoiled, releasing the scrunched up seams of the dress.
"Speaking of Muku," Chie recalled. "That's how we met each other right? I was walking down the street and you were sitting by the river with a puppy looking all sad."
"Little Muku…" Yukiko whispered; tears began to stream down the sides of her face. Behind her, Konohana-Sakuya began to dissipate. The Amagi heiress dropped her fan and fell to her knees. The will to fight slowly began to drain way. "My mom wouldn't let me keep him because she didn't want any dogs in the Inn. Said it was bad for business, but then… you showed up."
"That's right! And then I said I would take him in." Chie said now beaming from ear to ear. "It sucked back then, but without that happening we would never have gone over to each other's place. We would never have met each other. It was all thanks to Muku."
"I wanted to name him I Chousokabe." Yukiko let out a weak giggle.
"You and those weird names." Chie laughed.
"Seriously… wha- what am I doing?" Yukiko choked on words. Staring at Chie now, she couldn't help, but remember all of the good times they had shared together. The world seemed to melt around them and all she could feel was the pain that she had wrought on her most precious friend. The tears trailed endlessly down her cheek and Yukiko began too sob uncontrollably.
"Chie… Chie…" She cried in between her words. "I'm sorry, I- I- so sorry for everything."
"Oh Yukiko…" Chie smiled weakly, massaging the top of her friend's head as she sobbed endlessly into her chest. "Don't you worry, everything's going to be okay now. I promise that I- huh? NAOTO WAIT-!"
Before Chie could finish her sentence the shadow of Naoto loomed from behind Yukiko.
The Amagi heiress had heard her friend shout, but as she turned her head around to look the swift strike from the back of Naoto's pistol hit her skull and everything went black.
…