Memory 2: Reclaim What's Mine

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Darkness was all that could be seen, and all that could be heard was silence. Or at least, there was silence until a snore was made. Someone was sleeping at this very moment. But soon enough, the source of it slowly began to wake up, revealing itself to be Connor with his face on the desk. He slowly started sitting up while rubbing his eyes, showing he was wearing his Red oversized sweater and Tan pants. But yet...Lacked his Olive Green scarf for some bizarre reason. He slowly looked around to see he was sitting at a desk. But not any other desk. It was a small one meant for smaller children, and the seat he was on was as well. Seeing this made him quickly get off to stare at it...Confused.

"...Where...Am I? I was at the beach with her and then..." His Ice-colored eyes then begin to examine the area, seeing that around him was a classroom for an elementary school. But...The desk he was at was the only one. And the whole room was covered in a rather...Calming but daunting Blue Velvet color. All except for where the desk for the teacher would be, where it was covered in darkness. Nothing but confusion and question filled his mind. Where was he? And why was he here? But, the more he looked at the room around him, the more he glanced at the desk and the details on it. On it had a name written in. "Connor". "That's...My name. Why-" Something clicked in him, making him look around even more. The small cubbies to the left side of the room, the bookshelves behind him...He knew for certain where he was. "T-This...This is my old classroom from Elementary! I haven't been here in years! But...Why here...?"

But then, the door at the right of the room opened, making him watch and stare as someone began to walk inside. Before him was a woman holding what appeared to be a book with a Silver cover. An elegant yet beautiful woman with White long hair, Gold eyes, and wore a Blue Gothic dress that was of the Victorian era. With it was a Black Corset with matching gloves, Velvet Blue heels, and a large Blue sunhat with a Dark ribbon wrapped into a bow around it. All the young adult could do was just stare at her, confused by her appearance. But yet, entranced. Especially with what appeared to be...A bird on her shoulder. A Sulpher-Crested cockatoo with Rainbow-colored feathers, to be exact.

But despite his shock, she glances at him and gives the young one a smile with lipstick of Blue on her lips...As well as the bird. Although it was only staring. "...Hello." The woman spoke.

"U-Um...H-Hello..." He starts slowly, wary of her. Especially with how the bird was...Staring at him. As if...Observing him.

Seeing his nervousness only makes her giggle a bit. "It's alright...We're not here to hurt you, young one. In fact...We're here to help you. No...We're here because you called to us for help." His eyes then looked over to the avian creature, with yet another laugh leaving her. "No, no...Not just the bird, silly." His confusion was driven further by who else she meant. Then, the shadows then disappeared to reveal the desk in front of the classroom. Or rather, now having a Black one there that was accompanied by someone. Behind it was an old man that wore a Black suit with White hair on the side of his head, large bloodshot eyes, and White gloves. But the most prominent feature was his long nose. Seeing him there only made Connor back up, but the girl only smiled even more and walked over to him. "...Master?"

This only instilled that shock further. He continued to stare, with the man on the desk slowly doing the same with a devilish smirk on his face. "Hello, and welcome...To the Velvet Room." He said with a slightly high voice, his smile stuck in the way it was as he spoke. For Connor, it only creeped him out...Scared him, even. "My name...Is Igor. I am delighted to make your acquaintance."

The word "Velvet Room" stuck to the young man. And he was left with even more questions than answers. But one was the most important one to ask. "What...Is this place? Where am I?"

"This place exists between dream and reality. Mind and matter! Although, I'm rather intrigued with you. You're a VERY special guest. Very, very special indeed. You're a very different guest than any of the others." This only confused the young adult even more. "Only those that have signed a contract are able to enter this place. You, unlike our other guests of this room, never forged one. It would appear...It was you who summoned us instead. Not us summoning you like many of our guests." The old man slowly glanced around the room, observing it. "...Still, this very room fascinates me. This not only reflects your own heart...But also your memories. I never would have dreamed to see this very place stored in one's mind quite like this..."

"My...Memories...?" He thought about it for some time on what he meant. But then a sharp pain was made in his head, a light growl leaving his mouth. "I...I remember what that nurse did to me...Alena...My mind...My mind is messed up because of her...I..." He had to stop himself from going any further on what harsh things he wanted to say. What he wanted to do to her, but...He didn't. He didn't have the heart to. But then, he starts looking back at the master of the Velvet Room once the pain was gone. "I...I hardly remember much of what happened ever since a couple of days ago. All I remember is...My mother taking her own life, that day I ran, and...What Alena did...Everything else is just...A blur..."

"Your heart and mind were fractured that day. Split apart and rebuilt into something that was never yours to begin with." The attendant added, which forced Connor to look at her. "...Since it seems that your memories are still somewhat scattered, would you like me to explain what she did to you with her Persona? Unless...You remember?"

"Per...sona...?" He tilts his head, confused by the name. It did...Sound familiar.

"...Oh come on! Don't tell me you forgot what that was too!" A voice then spoke, taking the young man by surprise and making him look around in curiosity...Wondering where the source was. "...Uh, hello? You were looking at me just a bit ago!" Just then, it clicked with him, now looking at the bird with hesitancy...Wondering if that's who was talking. And just then, the bird and its feathers turned Red. "Yes, me, you dingus! It's me!" It took him by surprise. The bird...Was actually talking in complete sentences. And so it flew up to him to peck his head, making him hold where he was hit in pain. "I can't believe you'd forget that! She literally explained that shit to you! Did you forget THAT quickly?!"

"S-She...?" It was then that a memory popped into his brain while the bird then began to fly back onto the woman's shoulder. All while returning back to the Rainbow color it had prior. "...Oh yeah, that's right...It's that...Thing Haru told me about a while back. But...I didn't fully understand what she meant...What is that? What did...Alena do?"

"Well...Personas are essentially a..."Mask", if you could call it that. A mask that can help you in confronting hardships. They're a side of you that you never would have thought existed turned into power. A Shadow, so to speak. I'm sure you know what those look like from the very little you've seen. If you can recall that, of course..." He listened to what she was telling him, listening to every word. "Shadows are the other side of humans that run rampant in other worlds, born from humans and their emotions. The dark side of their emotions. Their hearts."

"The dark side...Of emotions..." It did make him look down. He knew what she spoke of. He saw that himself. "...R-Right I can sort of remember that. S-So then, what did she do to me...? I-I can hardly remember, let alone understand it..."

"...Well, Shadows are a part of the human heart. And with their hearts come their emotions. What their real self feels. But most importantly, remembers. Memories of the past and present, to be exact. From all that I can understand at this very moment based on what you're capable of remembering...Is that she took those Shadows, even if it was for just certain pieces of memories, and forced them into your own heart. To overwrite and craft your mind into what she wanted. That must be...What HER Persona is capable of." She started to look down, shaking her head. "To think that a woman like her would do that to a young man such as yourself...To attempt to do such a thing..."

After she was finished, he slowly moves his hand over to his chest, feeling his heart beating. Despite being able to remember bits of it, he knows full well how messed up it truly was. It was fractured and stitched up to match her image. But, slowly...He felt his real memories were rejoining with one another again, slowly but surely. Aching to become whole again. The way it was meant to be. "...Ah, my apologies." Igor then spoke, catching their attention. "I forgot to introduce my attendant to you. This is Anastasia. She will help you on your journey."

"Oh, yes!" The girl now known as Anastasia then bowed to the guest with a soft smile. "It's very nice to meet you. My name is Anastasia...And this little one is named Iris."

It was then the bird grew angry again, with the feathers going Crimson. "L-Little!? Do you really want to fight, Annie!? D-Don't make fun of me!" But, all Connor could do was just stare...Taking in the sight. To think a bird...Could talk like this.

"Yes, yes...Of course. My mistake." She spoke with a smile, before focusing back on the guest. "...Although...I wish I could help you a lot more with this...Unlike with our previous guests that once arrived here." She then slowly frowned a bit, showing him the book in her possession. "You're...Not supposed to be in this room. Only those who possess the power of the Wild Card are able to enter this very place."

That term...Confused the man. "Wild...Card...?"

"...The Wild Card. Those who are able to wield multiple Personas within them. You...Only just have the one, I'm afraid. It would seem that because of the many Shadows still within you, while awakening your own power, it brought us here rather than...The other way around. As if...You had awakened to the very power of the Wild Card." This made the nineteen-year-old look down as he rubbed the back of his fluffy Black and Blue head. But she then smiled and held his face by softly holding his cheeks. "But, at the very least we can help you lead the way to recover your broken heart."

"Are...A-Are you able to? " He looked to the side a bit before glancing right back. "I just...Wouldn't know where to start...Would asking for your help be asking for much?"

"Of course it wouldn't. We wouldn't do anything like this for any guest that lacks the Wild Card. But, with the state your heart is in and the circumstances surrounding it...We'll make an exception, just for you." She then let go of him, her Gold eyes looking at his Blue ones. "But the important question is...Are you willing to dive deep into yourself to reclaim your real memories? To undo what she did? There will be hardships and times of pain, not just emotional ones. This does mean...You'll be able to fully remember everything...Including the painful moments of your life."

He stood there, thinking of what to do. He could go back to the real world and embrace the bits of his memory he could truly remember, or...Become full again and embrace who he truly was. He made his choice before this very moment and knew he was too deep in now to go back. And so, he nods. "I...Want to remember everything...Remember the real me. If I turned away, I'd let her get away with what she did to me...I'll never forgive her for messing with my head. Never." And with that, Blue flames engulfed him to create his new outfit that was made from his awakening, making him observe his new looks. Including the new magnum, sword, and shield with him...But currently, he still lacked the Olive Green scarf. "M-My...My outfit changed again...Why is that...?"

"It's a symbol of rebellion in the world you reside in right now; The Metaverse. Or rather, in here, something similar to that. I would assume this very place within your mind is a...Space within the Metaverse. Here...Time is frozen, and we are still in the very moment when you awakened your Persona." Anastasia explained, making him look at her. "...But what you wear now...What you look like is what one who fights for freedom looks like to you. Your outfit...What you wear to rebel against the very world you're in."

"...I-I see...That...Explains it..." He glances at it again, smiling at the looks of it alone. "This...Almost looks like what my Mom looked like the last time I saw her..." He grips his hands tightly as he put his gun into the holster on his side and the sword on his back, looking at her once again. "...Show me the way...I want to be whole again."

Seeing his boldness and willingness, the master then let out a chuckle. "What an exciting series of events I'll see unfold! I hope you find what you're looking for. But, before you go..." He hovers his arm a bit and swipes it to have something appear in the young man's hand. Something that appeared to be a key. A key of the same Velvet Blue color. Perhaps one to help him return here? From then on, the door that Anastasia walked through then opened to reveal a portal of light. "Now...Go forth then. Reclaim what's yours and become whole. We'll be watching you!"

Both him, the bird, and the woman then looked over and slowly approached it. Although hesitancy still filled his mind. "There...There is where your journey will begin. In order to reclaim your real memories, you must slay the Twelve Shadows deep within you. And when you do, your mind and memories will fully be yours. Your real ones." Anastasia spoke, looking over to him as he then did the same. "From here, you will likely be put in places that were once...Places from the past. Your past. But..." She looks at him with a soft smile to try and comfort him. "...I know you'll be able to push through to your goal." Her hand slowly grabs his gloved one to lift it, observe, and rub it softly. Something that left him standing there and watching. She did this in a rather...Kind, supportive, and motherly way. "You have your Persona, Lancelot, after all. It might be weak right now, but...I know your heart and power will strengthen it and lead you to your goal. I have the utmost faith in you."

He only stared at her as she said that, making him nod and slowly pull his hand away. "...Then...I guess I can't waste much time. I want to go back to who I was...And get back to her. She needs me, more than ever now...Just as much as I need her."

"Oh, yes...The girl. She's...Very important to you, isn't she?"

"H-Haru? She..." He looks away before turning to the door. "...It's because of her...Being around her, even...I was able to realize who I was. To help me find my place in life. She...She woke me up. And..." He lets out a tiny laugh as he places his hand on his heart, gripping onto the vest. "...It's not much, and it's far from the family I envisioned. But...She's...My family. Someone I care about deeply. So...If I want to see her again...Then I HAVE to get the real me back. My real memories. She deserves that much, especially when she has..."

All she could do was smile and listen to what he had to say, with her giving him a nod. "...Say no more. I hope for the best in your journey, our newest guest. But...Before you go..." She looks over at the bird with a leer before looking back. "...Could you take Iris with you? I think she could benefit quite a bit from being around you."

Just then, the small cockatoo then looked over. "E-Excuse me!? You want me to be with THIS guy?! What for!? I've got no business with him!"

"Just in case he needs the help. Besides...I think this would be a good time to learn a little more about the human world since you've been around me for quite a long time. Who knows? Maybe you could relearn a bit more about yourself like he is."

"...Seriously? Sheesh...Alright, alright...Fine. If you think that's what's good for me."

While they conversed, it left him a bit confused. "Um...L-Listen, I don't know if I can handle taking care of a-" Just then, the small bird began to glow brightly, leaving him blinded until the light disappeared. When it died down, no longer was there a bird...But instead, a small girl by her side. A girl around his age, but was less than five feet tall and wore a White winter jacket with a Black skirt, Charcoal colored boots, and now had Rainbow colored hair with Gray eyes. The mere sight of her threw him completely off. Today...Was one of the many strange days he's had in the past week. "W-What the...?"

"...Now listen up, Glasses!" The now-human Iris then spoke with a rather aggressive tone, with her hair turning Yellow...As well as her eyes. "I'm...Gonna have to accompany you because Annie wants me to. Because whatever the hell it is she wants to show me, it's apparently super important! So...Let's just get it over with alright?! Y-You BETTER take care of me, okay?!" And just then, her hair and eyes turn Red while looking away with a blush. It seemed to be out of...Embarrassment? It was strange to have someone like her accompany him. But, it seemed like he didn't have a choice in the matter. And was unsure of what to say given what Iris said to him.

He was left unsure of what to say, with the attendant letting out a little laugh. "...Don't mind her. She's always like this with new people. I found her alone some time ago, but...She lacks the ability to remember who she is. Perhaps...You could help her with that during your journey? After all, both of you are going through your memories. Maybe...There will be something from there she could remember."

Someone like him...Who couldn't remember themselves either? She was almost like him. Now, he was left with no choice but to accept. "O-Okay...S-Sure..." He then offers her his hand. "...U-Um...My name's Connor..."

"...Whatever." She then said, turning away to not even face him. It seems they would be having a rather rocky start. For now, even if it was temporary. A partnership was made.

Seeing that he accepted, she gives him a light nod. "Good...Now...Your journey awaits. Go."

With that, Connor gives a nod back and glances back at the door. Anxiety was filling his body...Then lets it out with a deep breath. "Hang in there, Haru...I'm coming home." And with that, he quickly sprints his way to and through the door, ready to face what was in front of him.

With him gone, the tall woman then began to nudge the small girl over to the door. A growl then escaped her. "Alright, alright! I'm going! I'm going...Sheesh...Whatever this is, it better be good!" She then looked ahead, with her hair now turning back to its regular Rainbow color, and slowly walked through. Although doing so with stomps.

The journey...Has now begun.

Beginning Memories

And through the door Connor went, his feet then suddenly landing on concrete, seeing that he was somewhere new this time. However, what he saw surprised him. He was at the Scramble Crossing of Shibuya. One of the most well-known cities in Tokyo. But...He knew without a single doubt in his mind regarding where he was. But didn't recall that it was this empty or covered in a Dark Green hue. "I'm...In Shibuya...That's right. This is where it all began...When I learned the truth." His time of thinking was then cut off when he heard another pair of feet landing behind him, looking to see that it was Iris. "...O-Oh...There you are. Y-You're still around..."

From that, an angry pout formed on her face and her Rainbow hair turned Red. "Well, of course I did. I was FORCED to follow here because of you, Glasses." He was still unable to figure out on what to say to her, let alone with the name. "Glasses"...Not even his real name. She then started to walk toward him, looking around to see the area they were in. By the sight of how empty it was, it did make her feel a bit uneasy. Enough to make that set of hair and eyes of hers turn Yellow. "S-So, uh...This place is what the real world looks like? Looks...Pretty creepy here...I-I mean, doesn't look too bad here!" She corrected herself instantly.

He did take notice of what she said prior, but...His Blue eyes did absorb the sight of everything. "It's...Usually not like this...It's usually filled with people..."

"I-It's not?! O-Oh...That's good." A sigh of relief then left Iris, with her colors turning from Yellow to a rather calm Green and now standing with confidence. "W-Well...Yep! Nothing here, so I think that means we can...Go and move...Forward..." She then started to trail off, with all of the Shibuya Crossing catching her attention now. And somehow, those colors of her eyes and hair returned to Yellow. "...Huh...You know...Something about this place does...Seem a bit familiar..."

It made his head tilt a tiny bit. "Does it...? Then-" He was then interrupted when he heard and felt rumbling from the ground underneath him, making him stumble and having the concrete crack and snap. All while the sound of screaming filled the area. These particular screams were ones he remembered completely, and made him freeze. Meanwhile, Iris was looking around with her hair turning Red from being alarmed by both. "These...These screams...I remember them...They were...From when Alena messed with my mind!" His eyes widened even more. "This...This must be from all of those Shadows she put into me!"

His thoughts were put on pause when through the cracks, Black ooze then began to leak out and expand, having him jump back as the liquid began to grow into a shape. Before him were the beings Anastasia spoke of. The Shadows. The ones before him were rather humanoid-like, wearing a White full face mask that had Black markings on it. Ones that formed a painful expression with a teardrop. And wore a Black suit with a matching tie and a White button-up. But, as one formed, more began to as well. There was then two, then five, then twelve, then thirty. But what he didn't know was that more began to form behind him, circling around him, something which he quickly noticed. And just like that, he was found in the middle of what could be a hundred.

"H-Hey! Get away from me! Get away you creeps! G-Glasses!" Just then, she began to quickly run away while flashing to return to her bird form, quickly getting right onto his shoulder to observe what was around them. They were surrounded. "...Okay, Glasses. We're surrounded. So if you're gonna do something, now's the time!"

Born into a pack.
There's no choice but take orders to attack!
Locked up in chains, I get fed. But the hunger still remains!

His Ice colored eyes wandered to all that was around him. His heart was beating out of his chest. There were no more chances to run away now. Taking a deep breath, he tightens the strap that was attaching the shield and readies himself to fight by taking out his sword. He closed his eyes for just a few seconds before opening them, glaring at each and every one of them. "A-Alright then...L-Let's...Let's do this!" He then quickly moves his hand to his mask to then rip it off, summoning the Black Knight onto the battlefield. "...Let's go, Lancelot!" And with that, in unison through his command, they turn to the side and swing their right arm. His Persona uses the sword in its possession to slash and knock back the demons in that direction. And upon doing this, this makes any that were close by begin charging at the young adult.

Not content to live this way, being led by the blind!
Got to plan my dispersal. Time to leave them all behind!

Reacting and seeing the opening they both made, he quickly dashes and starts to make his way to the exit, with any that were knocked away immediately noticing and began to run toward him. However, any that were close as he ran were quickly slashed away with his sword as he ran. All while the bird on his shoulder gripped onto his outfit through her beak to make sure she didn't fall off. But eventually, he would break out of being surrounded and make some distance between himself and the group.

And with that space made, he takes out his magnum to start shooting them one by one while his summon lingered behind him. In response to him now being farther away from him, some of them began to start running after him while he did his best to keep them away through shooting. Despite the barrage of bullets he was delivering to them, it was starting to become too many for him to keep stopping with his gun. And they only got closer to him. To try and make some distance between himself and the group, he quickly ran to the side to escape them, with the shadows wasting no time in giving chase behind him. But, it didn't take long for him to start slowing down due to his inexperience in doing this, the world he was currently in, and putting plenty of energy into that sprint. And with that, they began to catch up. But, he had an idea to help.

Breaking out of my pain! Nothing ventured, nothing gained!
I'm my own master now!

And with the proper timing, he quickly skids to a stop and starts to charge toward them with his shield put in front of him, knocking the ones in the front suddenly. But in turn, it makes him fall onto his stomach from just how many there were, with Iris wasting no time in flapping her wings to quickly get off his shoulder. "Go, Lancelot! Cleave them!" And by his master's command, the Persona then quickly readies its sword and swings right through them, slashing and cleaving through the entire group with one swing.

With what was done, the bird then started jumping up and down happily while her feathers turned from Red to Blue. "That's it! Cut 'em up, Glasses!" But it didn't take long for her to then look over to see another group form behind them...With that Blue color quickly changing to Orange. "Um...Glasses!? Behind you!"

Just when she said that, his eyes took notice of them. And all with what appeared to be a Nucleur spell in their hands. Soon enough, the barrage of Frei's fire straight toward them, making him freeze in place. But just in time, Lancelot uses its large sword to quickly block the attack, leaving behind not only smoke...But also the Persona's sword glowing Blue from the heat created by the attack. And in reaction, it then swings its large blade at them, leaving behind a wave of Blue energy to destroy a good amount of the army of shadows.

Bear the mark of my scars! Shedding blood underneath the stars!
But I will survive somehow!

"Come on Glasses! Get up! Get up already!" Given the time he was given and with him hearing her, he quickly gets up and readies himself again to defend against it the very second he saw them preparing the attack once more. His shield was now ready. And all while Iris quickly flew back up to his shoulder. "Here they come!"

And once again, they fired the attack, hitting the buckler and causing a light explosion. His bronze shield was glowing from the very heat alone. Once it was over, he lowered his arm to see them ready to charge their attack once more. If he stepped forward, he would surely get hit. He wasn't sure of what his power consisted of since his awakening within the real world. But with another Blue colored attack about to come towards him again, all he would be able to do was guard and nothing else. But, he wondered if there was a way to counterattack. More in particular, in a way Lancelot did before. He had something to lose, and so now was the best time to learn what he was able to do.

Slowly, and did so naturally and without thought, he slowly lowered his shield and lifted his arm towards them, confusing the female bird on his shoulder. "W-Wait...What the hell are you doing?! You're going to-" And then she was silenced once he swiped his hand, crafting a barrier in front of him the moment the Nuclear-Type attack was shot and about to hit him. However, instead of doing what the attack intended, it remained stuck on the shield, confusing them but continued to attack.

Hear me howl!
Time to leave them all behind!

With each attack inflicted on the barrier, it remained stuck on it. But as they kept doing it, all he could do was smile as they kept piling up. And without a warning, he then snaps his fingers with a scream. No. A warcry. "Makarakarn!" And with that, all the Nuclear attacks that were attached to the shield then suddenly become absorbed into his sword, covered and glowing from the Blue colored heat. And like with Lancelot, he swings his blade to shoot out a large wave of that energy at them, hitting and slashing through them into many pieces. That very attack made all of those that were left slowly fade away. Their small battle was over.

I'm my own master now!

With all of them gone, his Persona then fades away and reforms his mask, with him staring and walking up to the mess. "They were here right when we came in...But...How did they get here? These...Weren't the Shadows I was told about..." It did make him wonder on where they came from, but...Maybe they lingered in here like normal? This WAS, in some essence, a part of the Metaverse still after all. Slowly, he looks over to Iris on his shoulder, who was now completely Black in color from what just happened. And it left him wondering if she was okay. "...U-Um, are you okay...?"

And just then, she turned Red. "...You idiot! You could have just told me you were gonna do that!" And just then, she started to peck at him, with him screaming as a result. "How about next time you tell me what you're going to do before-" But soon she stopped the moment they heard rumbling from nowhere, making them look around in confusion. It was rumbling, but...Not QUITE like how it was before. But with one came another, almost as if...It was footsteps of some sort. They inched closer and closer to the two, so that definitely was it. Soon enough, the stomping continued until...It stopped. But instead heard extremely loud growling close by. Slowly, the male looked to his side to see on top of one of the buildings to see something that made his eyes wide.

Before him...Was something much more sinister looking. It was something that very much looked like a werewolf with Black fur...However, it had multiple Shadow masks all over its body. Seven to be exact. And blood all over its body and fingers. The very same color that the moon in this area was in. From just seeing him, it let out a loud howl before jumping down close to him. The impact of the landing destroyed parts of the road before them and freaked both of them out. "ME...FOUND YOU! ME KNOW YOU! ME RECOGNIZE YOU!"

THE WOLF

Hearing that confused him, making him step back from the sight. This was VASTLY different from what he dealt with before. Especially when it was talking to him. "Y-You...Know me? H-How...Do you know me...?"

"YOU...WE PUT INTO YOU. WOMAN...FORCED US!" It continued to speak, slowly walking towards him with an angry growl escaping from its snout. "SHE...TOOK US! USED US! TO MAKE YOU TOY!"

He was still instilled with fear, slowly backing up still until the realization hit him. What he was looking at. One of the twelve Shadows he needed to dispose of to regain his memories fully. "Y-You're...One of the shadows she used, aren't you? W-What did she do to you...?"

"ME ALREADY SAID. YOU CAN'T HEAR?" Its growls only began to increase in volume, with steam escaping its mouth. "WE...DON'T WANT SUFFER NO MORE. WE...WANT TO LIVE! ME...WANT TO BE FREE!" And with that, a large howl escaped him. It filled the night sky before looking down at the young male, ready to spill blood. Ready to leap towards him. "ME...WILL KILL YOU IF THAT WHAT IT TAKE! ME KILL YOU...KILL...MOM KILLER!"

Hearing this made him freeze and made his eyes widen, listening to what it said as the mere name of "Mom Killer" stung him. "W-What...? N-No...That's not true! I-I couldn't have-" But before he could finish, he saw the large werewolf shadow leap towards him, making him jump away to dodge the attack. Just the mere sight of it and its words shook him. Shook him to his very core. He wasn't able to attack like he used to. But rather...Stared at it. The two were at a standstill.

I'm hanging on to the other side. I won't give up 'til the end of me!

Soon enough, the staring contest between them came to an end. And the large humanoid wolf then made its first move, with them now leaping towards Connor to try and knock him down to the ground. However, he didn't move whatsoever. "Glasses! MOVE!" Iris squawked out. Despite being struck with fear and by those words, he heard hers. And it was enough to make him quickly jump away and to the side. With quick speed, he quickly whips out his Silver magnum to try and gun him down. If not to kill, then to mask distance. But mostly, to stay away from him. However, each of those bullets didn't slow down the giant animal, and it continued to rush right at him on all fours. The young man's eyes were completely wide as he saw it had no effect and the clawed hand reaching over to him, to which he blocks immediately with the shield.

Welcome to the mind of a different kind, where we've been growing slowly!
Think I'm on eleven, but I'm on a nine. Guess you don't really know me!
Running from the past is a losing game! It never brings you glory!

The sound of its claws scratching the shield echoed through the currently empty Shibuya Crossing, with the growls of the shadow beast continuing to echo alongside the attack. The two of them now at a standstill once again. Connor, at this very moment... Was breathing heavily, and was full of panic. To have something this close to him, and able to easily close the gap between them. This thing was going to do much more than just singe him or whack him like the other shadows could. This one...Truly was after his blood. "NO MORE HIDING! ME KILL YOU...LIKE YOU KILL MOTHER!" The very sound of that threw him off just enough to suddenly force the arm that held the shield down. And soon enough, it used the other arm to quickly whack and hit him, sending him away and rolling on the ground. As well as knocking the bird away from him and off his shoulder.

Been down this road before, already know this story.
Face your fear!
FACE YOUR FEAR!

With her knocked away, she quickly flapped her wings to get back onto her feet, seeing Connor lying there and began to jump up and down. "Glasses! Get up! Get up, you idiot!"

However, all he could do was lie there and look over at the beast slowly walking toward him. A claw mark leaking blood on his cheek now. This...This was the start of his journey. This was what Anastasia meant. 'There will be hardships and times of pain.' And this was one of them...And it was going to get worse from here, surely. Be it the physical punishment or even just hearing those words. 'Like you kill mother.' As he lied there, he remembers what he said prior...And why he did it. He was doing it for himself and...For her. He couldn't let either destroy him...Or let fear get the best of him.

Shakily, he slowly gets up while taking out his sword, to which the large beast notices rather quickly and rushes right at him. "Glasses! Look out! GLASSES!" The female continued to scream out, now having their feathers turn Black and quickly began to turn back to her human form to start running. "GLASSES!"

Despite the fear, he had to stand. And just like that, right before he'd be hit with another claw, his eyes suddenly glowed Gold and formed another barrier before him to stop the attack. "...Tetrakarn!" He screamed out, quickly knocking the wolf back a bit. And with the time given to him, the remnants of the magical shield then became absorbed into the blade in his hand and quickly upper slashes, leaving behind a giant cut on its chest. And that alone made her stop.

It's time to face your fear!
Cause when your time has come and gone, I'll be the one to carry on!
And you can throw me to the wolves, 'cause I am undefeatable!

Being left with the large slash made the wolf screech and howl in pain and anger, but this didn't mean that Connor was finished with the assault. With the reactionary slash given, he continues to deliver many more quick slashes onto its chest at a quick speed. Much faster than he was able to do before, until he delivered the final one. Each and every single one of the slashes eventually caught up, leaving behind many cut marks on its chest and sending the beast away fully. All while Iris, in the distance, was in awe and their hair and eyes turning from Black to Red. But the pain only made the wolf angrier and it quickly got back onto all fours, with a roar escaping its mouth once more. With his eyes still of a Yellow color, Connor wastes no time in ripping his mask off to resummon Lancelot once more. "Per...sona!"

I'm hanging on to the other side! I won't give up 'til the end of me!
I'm what you get when the stars collide!
Now face it, you're just an enemy!

With his Persona out, the wolf then screeches once more and starts rushing right at him once before jumping to ready its claw for an attack on either one of them. But unlike before, where they countered with the shield, the Black knight then grabs its clawed hand with its own left hand, stopping it dead in its tracks. And with it in its grasp, the Persona then starts to hit and slam it onto the concrete as if it were a ragdoll. And all while letting out large and loud warcries with each one. And soon enough, it ends the attack by suddenly throwing and crashing the beast right into one of the large building screens attached to the towers of Shibuya Crossing. But what's more, by throwing it as it did, the wolf's arm was ripped off, leaving it with one arm short and bleeding out Black liquid to act as blood.

You're crossing the line!
Now we've run out of time!
I'll take what is mine!

From the impact, the shards of the screen fell onto the empty streets while the persona user stood there, staring with his Golden eyes before they returned back to his Ice Blue color. Although a bit confused by what made him like that, his attention was then all put on the werewolf as it howled and screamed in anger, pain, and rage before dropping off and out of the destroyed building screen. And that howling only grew much more rageful and mindless until sudden tendrils of darkness covered both its back and where its arm was. It was ready for the second round. Lancelot, with its ripped-off arm still in its palm, throws it to the side and readies its sword. Its user now does the same while Iris then quickly runs by his side to return to her previous form, now on his shoulder. He was ready as well. Now, it was the second round.

And when the story ends, it becomes a part of me!
I've given what it takes, I'll find another way!
I used to never know, but now it's crystal clear!
This feeling's just a ghost.

With the new replacement for its arm out, the beast then wastes no time in doing what it did best. Rushing towards the young man to kill him where he stood. "YOU...PAY FOR THAT! ME KILL YOU...LIKE YOU KILL MOTHER!" Like before, that very sentence threw him off guard for just a bit. But, he had to keep it up. Just as the monster wolf had finally gotten close enough, it swung its claw while the tendrils around its arm and back began to lash out right at him. With each whip it let out alongside a swing, they were countered by both Connor and Lancelot's swords, cutting right through and deflecting the taloned hand. But with each passing second, the attacks from both ends began to grow faster and faster. But soon enough, they countered the last attack by them forming a barrier to knock the animal back and cut the other arm right off, leaving the shadow wolf to howl in pain.

It's time to face your fear!
Cause when your time has come and gone, I'll be the one to carry on!
And you can throw me to the wolves, 'cause I am undefeatable!

With that very arm cut off, the young man quickly has his Persona disappear to reform the mask on his face. "Yeah, that's right! Show him and thing or three, Glasses! Put this mutt in his-" However, the tendrils then slipped right in to grab a hold of the boy's leg to quickly grab him, immediately silencing her and holding onto his clothes for dear life. And soon, it started slamming him onto the ground just like the Black Knight did beforehand before throwing him away.

Unlike with the large wolf prior, the young adult quickly lands on his feet and the ground after a spin. The first thing he had to look at was his companion for the time being to see if she was fine. But the next thing he saw took him by surprise. The killer animal not only had tendrils occupying where the arm was once more, but it then opens its mouth to suddenly have a ball of Dark Purple, Black, and White energy forming within before shooting it off. The closer it got, the larger it got in size. Needing to counter, Connor quickly puts his sword up and swipes his hand to the side to resummon another barrier. "Makarakarn!"

I'm hanging on to the other side! I won't give up 'til the end of me!
I'm what you get when the stars collide!
Now face it, you're just an enemy!

And just in time, the Almighty attack then collides with the shield. But it immediately breaks through without much effort, taking the young man by surprise. With no other choice, he quickly holds his hands out to try and stop it with his bare, gloved hands. The attack eventually hits his hands, with him trying his best to push it back. However, with each passing second, it became harder and harder for him to do that. That was, until his masquerade mask disappeared on its own to have his Persona reappear behind him. And together, both him and Lancelot began holding it to get rid of it somehow. Although both still struggled.

"Come on, Glasses! Come on Glasses!" Iris then spoke, staring as she held on tight. And the cheering alone made him push even harder. Through their efforts, they manage to not only get a hold of it, but also throw it away behind them. The damage from the attack charred and destroyed a bit of the gloves from his outfit as well as burned what skin was exposed.

With the attack no longer an issue, the two of them reequip their weapons. It was time to finish this fight. Together, as both user and persona, they rush towards the deadly wolf as it screams, quickly lashing and extending their tendrils to attack. But with both of their swords, the duo slashes and cuts through all that stand in their way until they finally get close to it. And with Connor and his weapon, he delivers many quick swipes to completely destroy the whips and leave many more cuts on its body.

I'm hanging on to the other side! I won't give up 'til the end of me!
I'm what you get when the stars collide!
Now face it, you're just an enemy!

And from the attacks alone, all the wolf was able to do was just stand there and try to keep its balance. "ME...CAN'T...DIE...ME...SCARED TO DIE! CAN'T DIE...LIKE MOTHER! CAN'T DIE...BY YOU!"

Those words...Continued to sting him. There was no possible way it was true. It must have been saying that to mess with him, surely. But, now was their chance. He slowly lowers his arm as if he were ready to unleash an uppercut. And, in sync, Lancelot does the same. "...I need to get through you to get my memories back...If you're suffering, the least I can do is put you out of your misery..."

"END...SUFFERING?" It asked, toying with the idea in this very moment. "...NO! ME CAN'T DIE HERE YET! ME CAN'T DIE LIKE MOTH-"

Welcome to the mind of a different kind. Where we've been growing slowly.
Think I'm on eleven, but I'm on a nine. Guess you don't really know me.
Running from the past is a losing game. It never brings you glory.

And that was enough to make a spark of anger finally unleashed from him. "S-STOP IT! YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!" And together, in sync, he and the persona unleashed the uppercut to launch it into the air. The very clawed fist that was used had an aura of Gold energy surrounding it. And together, once it was launched, they take out their swords and began waiting for the right moment. Soon, the beast began to fall. And once it was close, both he and Lancelot delivered their first slash, cutting through it in the middle before unleashing many, many more. And with the final one being delivered, they put up their swords up on their backs. And upon doing that, the wolf explodes into multiple pieces until those parts themselves blow up, leaving behind multiple dark sparkles to fill the air.

Been down this road before. Already know this story.

All he could do was just stand there, staring into the dark sky as it was filled with those sparkles. Those words, and what it said...It continued to linger in his brain. Could...Some form of that be true? No, it couldn't be. With the battle over, the bird then returned back to her human form and let out a sigh of relief once by his side. Her hair and eyes now turned from Red to Blue. "That...Was a close one...I honestly thought I was going to die." Then, looked over at him. "You...Handled that like a champ, Glasses." He looks over to her, giving her a little smile. However, his Blue eyes took notice of something that dropped down from the remains and onto the ground, with him and slowly kneeled down to grasp and look at it. "...The heck is that?"

He slowly took a hold of what it was. A book. Specifically a children's book. And "Knight" was the title of it. But something about this had clicked in him. "This...This is..." A memory of a time long ago. But while this happened, the whole area began to be consumed by light, taking them with it.

Taking them to a memory for them to see.

Thirteen Years Ago

"...But Mom! I saw an angel at the park! Really!" A small six-year-old Connor said within his mother's arms, who did struggle a bit to hold him due to what goes on in the house, but she only laughed at what he was saying before lying him right down and onto his bed in the dark room. Despite what happened much earlier, she held a rather life-filled look on her face. A far cry from what she was prior. But her chuckling only made him annoyed. "I mean it! She was so pretty!"

"I'm sure you did, Connor! But, enough of that. It's your bedtime, young man." Hearing this did make him cross his arms while wearing a set of Red pajamas.

Even back then, his sleeves were quite long. "Oh, don't give me that look. Tell you what...How about I read you a little bedtime story tonight? I think this will be one you'll love." She slowly sat down on the edge of the bed and reached down to grab something underneath it. A look of curiosity at his mother, wondering what it was. Eventually, she took out a small book from within. "It's a book about knights. You love those, don't you?"

Hearing the name made his little pout quickly change into a smile. "I do! I love them!"

"Alright then, we'll read just a little bit, okay?" He slowly snuggled up to his blanket as his mother began to open the book to read it out loud. "The Knights are heroic fighters. Warriors that defend the weak from the strong. To protect those who can't protect themselves, their King, but most importantly...Protect the ones they love. Their family, their children, and...The woman they love the most. They face evil with their sword in their right and a shield to their left...And fight to stop evil in its tracks!" Her eyes then glance over to him, who was in awe and engrossed in what she was saying. "...Connor?" He then stares at her, listening. "There...Will come a time when you will grow up and become older. Will...Will you become like a knight and protect those who can't protect themselves? And protect the woman you love?"

By those questions, he smiles rather wide and gives her a bit nod. "I will, Mom! You don't have to worry!"

This slowly brought a smile to her face. "Good. I'm happy to hear that." Just when she was about to continue, the sound of drunk mumbling could be heard in the distance, making her slowly stand up and put the book up. "I...I think that will be all for tonight. Your father...Probably needs me." But before she would walk off, she slowly leaned in to sweetly kiss his forehead. "Good night, Connor..." And with that, she slowly began to walk out and slowly closed the door, but not fully so there could be light for him. Soon, he would slowly fall asleep. And he began to dream of being a knight just soon after.

A knight like she wanted him to be.

Present Day

Within the White void, Connor and Iris stood there, staring at the book. She was left in wonder, but he had a small smile on his face. "That's right...This was the book Mom read to me every night when I was little...It's what made me into what I am..." He spoke, now looking up. "...Even though my memories were thrown around, deep down...I think it did stick with me."But his grin slowly began to fade away, with him gripping the book and slowly slid it into his coat. "Mom...I miss you. More than anything, I hope...Wherever you are, you're watching...I'll...Do everything I can to remember everything...And my memories of you. No...More than that...Do everything I can to protect Haru...To be there when she needs me..."

Soon, the light then consumed them and took them away. Something he embraced and readied for.

"...And become the knight you wanted me to be."

Songs and Lyrics Used; All owned by their respective artists:
I'm My Own Master Now - Jamie Christopherson/Metal Gear Rising
Undefeatable - Tomoya Ohtani/Sonic Frontiers