Memory 10: Stitches Undone
The Heart
Most of, if not all, the hostile Shadows that were within Connor's mind were taken care of. Every single one of the fail-safes that were created to stop him from reclaiming his memories was slain by his very hand. One by one, they all fell to him. However, only one had truly remained. One that remained within the very center of his heart. The very core of his memories...And in there was the very thing that kept his fake memories from all the prior Shadows stitched together. He knew little of what he would see once he would make it there. Let alone who or what the very last Shadow that held everything together would look like. But soon, he was going to find out.
Currently, he was slowly descending in what appeared to be pure Darkness since he had walked through the door that had been opened to him before. And slowly floated downward with Iris by his side, with her looking around in confusion until, in the distance, they saw a large ball of light. They knew what that was without a single doubt in either of their minds. It was the very center of his memories. His heart. "...There it is. I was wondering when we were finally going to see what it looked like...We've only seen nothing but this stupid darkness since we walked right through." Then, she looked over to Knight, who only stared at it the entire time. Staring without a thought crossing his mind. This...Was his heart. The very thing that made him who he was. What made him the person he is now. The lack of a response from him only made her raise an eyebrow. "...Hey, Glasses! Are you in there?"
He slowly looks back at her, his expression was now one filled with thought. "Y-Yeah...Sorry...I was just, thinking..." That only made her curious. "...I'm just...Thinking about the last Shadow. S-Something about that voice just sounded...Familiar, that's all..." He slowly starts looking back at the bright ball of light soon after, seeing that they were getting closer and closer to it. Each passing second only made it grow more and more in size the more they were near it. And the closer they got, the light only got a tiny bit brighter.
Just then, a transparent road of light was created beneath them, giving them something to land on. With them now having some form of ground, a content sigh escaped the short female and her Rainbow colored hair turned to Blue. "Finally...Sweet, sweet ground. I'm never taking YOU for granted ever again." With them now having something to walk on, the male could only stand there and stare at it for a while. The end was finally approaching. After this, he would finally return home. To finally return to Haru. And so, he began to walk forward to the light, catching her attention. "H-Hey, wait up!" She wastes no time following him.
With each step he made, it echoed through the dark void they were in. And with each step, they drew closer and closer to his very core. And with every step forward, he began to reflect. This whole journey had once started in the Velvet Room, and now here he was. This very place was where his journey of hardship and pain led him. And now, he was finally at the true end. The final destination of his adventure lies within his heart. Soon, they had finally gotten close to the large orb. And without thinking, Connor places his hand on it to make it shine brighter. And with that, they were washed in the light. Not only now entering, but also obtaining more memories. Memories of the near present.
Memories of the day when the stitches were finally undone.
March 18th, 20XX
Connor's Apartment/Early Morning
It had been a month since Connor and Haru's date on Valentine's Day. And while things didn't start on the best of notes thanks to Sugimura coming in from nowhere to ruin it for them, it ended in the best possible way for both of them. The two of them had made a promise to each other. And a promise he would keep for the next five years. But afterward, they were put right back to focusing on both college work and exams in February. And now, it was March, and their finals were completed for the entire year. One year was finished, and soon they would be restarting another next month. Another academic year to spend together. And now it was spring vacation. And one they will effectively use to make up for lost time...Even if most people nowadays know of the incident not too long ago.
He was lying in his bed, with those closed eyes of his slowly starting to open up due to the sunlight hitting him directly in the face. Today was a brand new day, as usual. He was slowly about to get up while wearing nothing but Black briefs, but something wrapped around his body to stop him from doing that. "...Must you get up already, Connor-Kun...? It's still so early..." A soft but sleepy voice asked, making those soft eyes of his slowly look over to see Haru lying there on his bed, wearing a short but Pink nightgown and with a half-asleep look on her face. It was very clear that she spent the night with him. "...We're not needed anywhere today...Besides, today's your birthday..."
It did click with him...Today was his nineteenth birthday. And that alone made a little chuckle escape him, his sleepy eyes staring at hers. "...B-But if I don't get up, how will either of us try that new breakfast idea I came up with last night...?"
After hearing that, she began to form a pouting expression on her face. It seems she didn't like that response. "But...You shouldn't be the one cooking breakfast on your birthday...Allow me to, at least for today..."
Yet another small laugh leaves him. It seems there was no possible way to change her mind. Once she was set on it, there was no way to stop her. "...Okay, alright...T-Then can I at least get some coffee ready...? Your blend, of course..."
Just hearing him try to negotiate with her could only make her own giggle escape. He was much more open and playful since they had met...Let alone entering a relationship. But at least she won the fight regarding breakfast. "...Fine, you win...I'll just stay here for a little while longer..." And with that, she slowly began to shut her eyes. It was clear that she was still tired.
"...Sounds good." He plants one final kiss on her forehead the moment her eyes fully closed before he slowly scoots out of her grasp, with her letting him go without a fight. Now sitting up, he rose from his bed and slowly made his way out of the bedroom to walk into the kitchen. It was quiet. Dark even. Today not only marked his birthday, but also the start of their vacation together. Things were going to be much more lively here now. Although this very apartment started to have more going on since he began making food. Ever since he had met Haru. To think that him trying to find his place on what to do would lead him here.
He slowly starts up the process of making the coffee with a small smile. Eventually, he would be pouring that warm beverage into two mugs. With the cups ready, he was about to make his way back to his room...But something suddenly stopped him. Pain suddenly began to fill his head. His eyes were now wincing from the feeling alone...And leaving him confused. Where did all of this start coming from? But then, he heard voices within his mind.
"Shut up! Shut the FUCK up!"
"It's YOUR FAULT Takeishi is dead! You got him killed!"
"You killed him! You killed him you stupid bitch!"
"It should have been you! YOU should have been the one that died! Not-"
"Sorry won't bring him back!"
"...Whatever this...USELESS little shit is, he isn't!"
"...You...Are nothing in this household!"
"...You'll NEVER be on his level! DO YOU HEAR ME!?"
"W-What's happening...?" He wondered out loud...With the pain slowly growing more and more with every passing moment. Enough to where he dropped the cups and held his head to try and dull it, making the mugs filled with the coffee crash and fall on the floor...The wooden floors were now covered with the beverage that was inside. The very sound of it rang through the apartment, as did his heavy breathing and light yelling. It was becoming unbearable. His eyes flashed Gold and then back to his Ice Blue ones, with the process continuing for some time. But then...One final sentence was enough to make it all stop. However, his eyes became dull and lifeless once he heard it.
"...You killed her."
And from that alone, he slowly started to fall onto the ground...The sounds of the bedroom door opening and running filled his ears. "C-Connor-Kun!" And soon, his body hit the floor. The world was Black. And all he could see was Black.
All he could feel...Darkness. Emptiness.
?/Morning
Emptiness. Darkness was all that could be seen and felt for Connor at this very moment. He felt as if...Something with him was being drained away. Stolen and taken away from him, slowly but surely. As if...Who he was as a person was slowly being stolen away. But, his eyes slowly began to open up...The first thing he saw was a ceiling. The White ceiling of a hospital. He was now currently wearing a hospital garb once again and lacked his glasses, but then he slowly looked to his side...Seeing Haru by his side and sitting on a chair close by. She was wearing her Purple turtle neck sweater, Black skirt and leggings, and her Brown shoes from the autumn season. By his awakening, the tears in her eyes grew. "H-Haru...?"
And just then, she suddenly embraced him, holding him as close as she could. Now he was much more confused than ever before. "Thank goodness you're okay! You suddenly collapsed, and I was so worried! I didn't know what happened, so I took you to the hospital as soon as I could!" All he could do was wonder what had happened...But he remembered in no time. Then, she slowly backs away to sit back down on the seat she was on. "S-Someone should be coming here to check on you soon..." However, he said nothing...And looked around. It was something he recognized, yet...Somehow didn't. "...What happened, Connor-Kun...? You were perfectly well this morning..."
"I-I...I don't know...All I remember is I was in the kitchen, and then..." Suddenly, blank. He couldn't remember. And a look of confusion was plastered on his face. "...What...Did happen...?" That moment of thought was then put to a halt when the door opened and a nurse walked in to check on him. But that nurse in question...Was Alena. Seeing her took him by surprise, and surprise was put on her. His false memories then took full effect the moment he saw her. "...Mom...?" The name alone threw his lover into a state of shock, and now she had a look of puzzlement on her face.
"Connor...? What are you doing here?" She asked now, walking up to him with concern. "...Don't tell me you got into another accident..."
He shook his head. "...N-No! No, of course not...I-I just accidentally hit my head on a sign..." And that response only piled even MORE confusion onto the remaining Okumura member. To her, this meant two things. Either everything he was saying, be it currently or before, was a lie, or he had memory problems from the fall. Little would she know what was done to him prior. Then he looked over to his "fiancee" with a warm smile. "O-Oh, yeah...Haru, this is my mom...I-I told you about her a while ago. How she was overseas? W-Well...Here she is!" Then he looks to his "mother". "...And Mom...This is Haru. S-She's...My girlfriend..." He said this with a light blush forming on his cheeks. At least he was still somewhat confident about it. Who didn't know at this rate?
Now, Haru was completely lost. She wasn't sure what was going on, nor did she understand what was happening. But...She didn't want to keep her hanging. So she stands up and bows politely. "I-It's...Nice to meet you..."
A smile then formed on the Blonde nurse, who nodded lightly to her. "...Ah, I recognize you now. You're Okumura, aren't you? Well, it's...Nice to meet you too, Haru. I'm glad my son has someone like you around. I do feel bad about leaving him alone all the time...So, I'm happy you're there to keep him company." Then, she observed the now nineteen-year-old...Seeing nothing was wrong. "...Though...I'm not sure taking him to the hospital was necessary. He doesn't seem to be having any problems, let alone having any physical trauma from whatever fall he took..." That alone, his lover knew, was untrue. Alena then backs away from Connor now. "...I think he's perfectly fine to leave right now. I'll be sure to send the bill to you sometime today."
The mere sound of that alone made the Black and Blue haired college student smile and slowly begin to sit up. "W-Wait, really? T-That's great! Haru and I were going to go see a movie in Shinjuku soon, so...I-I'd hate to have those plans canceled..." He slowly stood up now, with his fluffy-haired partner slowly approaching by his side. "Thanks, Mom...I-I'm sorry I worried you..."
She shook her head, now having a smirk on her face. And a happy one at that. "Don't worry too much about it Connor...I have to get back to work, unfortunately. I'll see you tonight. And, before I go..." She then rubs the top of his head, making his grin grow wider. "...Happy Birthday." And soon, she turned and began to walk out of the room, closing the door behind her...But not fully. It was still somewhat cracked open, but just a tiny bit.
With her gone, he now looks over at her with a light smile. "...W-Well...Shall we go...?" However, she wasn't able to give him the same gesture. What she witnessed not too long ago was starting to bother her. Very much so. And that caught his attention. "W-What's wrong...?"
"U-Um...Connor-Kun...?" Haru started, with him now fully listening to her and ready to hear what it was eating at her. "That was your mother, correct? But...I thought you said she passed away some time ago?"
With that question, his real memories then surfaced almost immediately...His own share of confusion was now on his face. "...W-What are you talking about...? S-She's been dead for a while..." Her eyes were completely wide. There was something wrong now. And not just with his mind. Something about him...Was strange. Inconsistent. Now there were two completely different stories he just told. His eyes then caught the sight of his clothes stacked nearby, so he walked over to grab them. "...A-Anyway...We shouldn't stay here...Or else we'll miss the movie...I-I'm going to go change..."
And with that, he walks toward the bathroom within the hospital room they were in and closes it, leaving her to be alone for now. She was now extremely worried for him...Worried about the relationship between them. Worried...If he was lying the entire time since they met...And that started setting in her own doubts. "H-He couldn't be lying, right...? N-No...He couldn't have...Could he...?" Her poor, Brown orbs then glanced at the door to the bathroom. Her anxiety and concern were starting to rise even more. "Connor-Kun..."
But, unknown to them, Alena was still around. On the other end of the room and the door, she was listening...Hearing what he said made her eyes want to pop out of her skull. But, she kept her composure as best as she could. "...It seems there are still traces of his real self left...Perhaps...I should go back one more time to get what I need to complete it. Complete...Him." She thought to herself...But then she began to walk away.
Clearly, she had a goal in mind.
Shinjuku/Afternoon
"...It's been a long time since I've gone to Shinjuku...My father used to take me here all the time..." Connor spoke as he and Haru began to walk through the busy streets of Shinjuku, his eyes wandering in amusement with a smile on his face from all of the different shops that were around. All while wearing his Green scarf, Red sweater, and Tan pants. While things this morning had certainly started in the worst way, it wasn't going to be ruined for him completely. They walked to make their way to one of the movie theaters to see something for his birthday. But during this time, all his lover could do was look down in thought...Clearly thinking about what happened prior. He slowly looks over with his Ice Blue eyes, seeing the expression on her face. That alone knocked off his current feelings. "A-Are you okay, Haru...?"
That question caught her attention and made her look up at him. "Well...Not, exactly...It's just..." He tilts his head in question, wondering what was wrong. "...Connor-Kun, you haven't been lying to me, have you...?"
Just hearing that made him quickly shake his head and have his eyes wide. That was something he didn't expect to hear from her. Especially when he was as honest as possible...At least, to him, he thought so. "O-Of course not! I'd never lie to you! I-I thought you'd know that..." He looked away a bit before glancing back once again, a hint of hurt in his eyes. Just seeing that alone told her that he was telling the truth. So it certainly wasn't him lying. "W-What makes you think that I'd lie to you...?"
"W-Well, it's...You said something completely different than what you had told me earlier..." It didn't take long for those orbs of his to shift from pained to confused. "...When we were in the hospital, you spoke to that nurse like you would with a mother. You had even called her that as well." That alone now made him look straight ahead and in front of him, now with a puzzled look. "...Connor-Kun, something happened with your memory...Maybe we should go to another doctor to have them-"
Then he shakes his head. "N-No! T-There's no need! My memory is perfectly fine, really! I-I remember she's overseas right now-" But then he stopped himself...Having to think. That didn't sound right. "N-No, wait...We just met her yesterday...N-No...She was...She was..." And now he was starting to trail off, slowly stopping himself completely in the middle of the street, staring down at the ground. His eyes were wide now. Nothing was now connecting within his mind. From all the times he said his family had passed to the times he thought they'd return, now...He was becoming much more self-aware of the contradictions in his mind. Those very threads that held the memories together were loosening more and more. "...D-Do I...Have a family...? W-Why...Can't I remember anything...?"
Now she was much more worried for him. Staying by his side, she began to hold his hand to try and comfort...Whatever this was. But he didn't even look...Something was wrong, without a doubt. Something regarding his memories was messed up. "Connor-Kun..."
"...Excuse me!" A voice then spoke, catching their attention and making them look at the source. In the corner was a woman sitting on a chair with a desk in front of it, all with tarot cards on them. But the woman in question was one with Blonde hair, Purple eyes, and she wore a Navy Blue headband with matching tights and shirt, and a Light Purple dress over it. The dress in question had many clock designs around it. At this moment, Connor was uneasy, but...He didn't feel that with her. Something about her...Was trustworthy to him. "Oh, good! You noticed me. I was wondering if either of you were interested in a fortune-telling! Only for 5,000 Yen!"
From the offer, all his lover does is shake her head and give her a smile. "Oh, no thank you! We were just on our way to-" As she spoke, something within his Blue eyes felt...Conflition. At this moment, he didn't know what to think. Or on who he was currently. His memories were scattered. Maybe he doesn't have a past at this moment, or perhaps no future if he doesn't know what's wrong at this very moment. Maybe...Something about it would help. At least to ease his worries, if possible. He then starts walking toward her, taking her by surprise. "Connor...Kun...?"
Then, he takes a seat, a worried look in his eyes. "I-I...I'm not entirely sure what's wrong with me right now...I just..." He grasps his hands together, looking at her as Haru now stands by him. "...I-I need to know...Where I'll be going if things keep going like this...O-Or if not that, just...Know what's wrong with me. C-Could you do that for me, Ms...?"
"...Oh, Chihaya! Chihaya Mifune! But you can just call me Chihiya." In time, she did take notice of the look of worry within those orbs of his. The couple themselves had that look as well. Something was eating at them. Extremely so. "...Actually, since you two look like you REALLY need it, I'll do this one for free, okay? But just this once!" She then begins to shuffle the tarot cards and then places some of them on the table...Having three on there. "Alright, ready?" She then lifts the first card. The Moon. "The Moon. Upright. It means...You're living in a time of delusion. Confusion. As if, you're trying to bury something deep inside your mind that you don't want to look at. Something...Painful that's still lingering, no matter how hard you try to ignore it..."
"A time...Of confusion...? Burying...Something deep inside me...?" Exactly where he was now...That was correct. But...What was he burying away? What part of himself did he not know about? He looked over to his Amber-haired partner, who only looked at him with the same amount of worry on her face.
"...But it could also mean you're on your way to moving past it! So...Don't think of it as being all bad!" Though, now it was only a question of what "it" was to him. Then, she turns the one right next to it. The second card was then revealed. The Devil. "The...Devil. You're trapped between the short-term pleasure of now...And the long-term pain you will be experiencing in the coming future. Accepting the instant gratification you now have in exchange for your well-being. You're...A slave trapped in the blissful present by your...Shadow. The Devil. In the context of the Moon, it's a Devil...That's creating your delusion..." The worry only began to increase...And even started to make Chihiya a bit concerned. "I...Don't think I've ever seen a reading quite like this before. Never in all my life..."
"I-It's okay...I-I, um..." He showed hesitancy now. He wasn't entirely sure if he wanted to know what the final card would present. But slowly, Haru grasps his shoulder in comfort, making him look up to see her being there for him. Being his support. He had to proceed. So, he looked back at Chihaya. "...S-Show me the last one..."
"...Well, okay...If you want to..." And thus, the fortune teller turned the final card. Death...Reversed. "...Death Reversed. Right now, while you're stuck between the short-term and the long-term, you're resisting a drastic change to escape from it. Whether you mean to or not. You're also...Having difficulty in closing one moment of your life to open the next. In the context of the Moon and Devil, the Devil...Is keeping you shackled. Preventing your change. Chained down by the delusions it created. If unable to move past it, then...The consequences could be dire...Not just to you, but to everyone around you..." Now it only made Connor even more confused...What part of his life was he finding difficulty in letting go? "...Actually...There might be more to this particular one. " She then turns the Death card to the Upright position. "...It could also mean that real death is near..."
"Real death...Being near?"
"...Soon, you will be given a choice...The choice to continue resisting this change and stay in the painless present made by the "Devil". Or...To embrace the change in your own way and move forward. To transform into the person you wish to become and break free from the "Devil". No longer to be held back from moving forward. To break free from the past, whatever that may be. But you won't be able to stop Death from approaching. It's inevitable...It will come to you in one way or another. Maybe sooner than you might think..." From this, the fortune teller could only sigh. "I-I'm so sorry...I didn't think this reading would end like this..."
Quickly, Connor shook his head and tried giving her a comforting smile. "I-It's fine, really! It's just a fortune-telling, right...? N-None of that is-"
"...No...This telling is real. There's never been one where I was wrong...If things keep going the way they are, this is your fate...Unless things change." Their eyes went wide immediately upon hearing that. Everything at this moment...Was set in stone. "...There was someone who once showed me that fate could change. Do you know why I said there could be more to that last reading? Well...I believe you can with this too, but...Whatever this change might be, there will be pain. Some part of you...Won't be the same again."
"Not the same...?" The Former Phantom Thief asked and began to wonder. Some part of him...Won't be the same ever again. She then though about what his fortune was. A time of delusion...A slave trapped in a blissful present by a "Devil". And something painful from his past that he's trying to bury away, whatever that could be. He seemed to not know what the Blonde meant either. The birthday boy could only look down, trying to process what was said. So much of himself that he didn't even know about until now. And the fact that the telling was real...That was hitting him hard. "...Connor-Kun..." She softly spoke, her grasp on his shoulder growing tighter. But he doesn't look up or at her...Only placing his hand on hers. Nothing was said by him.
He continued to be like this for some time...Until he suddenly began to hear whispers within his mind, making him look up in confusion. "What was...That...?" He thought to himself, but then...The pain in his head began to resurface, with him gripping his head. While it was light, it was noticeable. And soon, the whispers began to grow in volume. And began to grow louder and louder. "What's...?"
"...Left."
Just then, from just hearing that word, he looked in that very direction. His Blue eyes saw something in the distance on one of the streets. And was something that took him by surprise. Alena was watching him...Staring in the distance before she began to walk away. He was confused by the sight. But from that very sight alone, his eyes flashed to Gold...His true memories resurfaced.
"But...I can help you...We can help each other..." The voice of Alena echoed through his mind.
"You...You must have endured so much pain from being alone...The pain you must have withstood from your family...But...I can make you forget all about that..."
"...I can remove your pain of those memories. Give you the happy memories and the life you wanted. I could become your mother...And make you, in turn, my son as well. We can both start over...Be happy..."
"And I'll...Be your new family..."
"...Your new mother."
From just remembering this, his orbs returned to their Icy Blue color...And was now covered by anger. He was able to remember a part of himself. His real self. His true memories. "...Y-You..." He slowly began to get up and began chasing after her, running as fast as he could.
Just the mere act of him running caught them off guard...And took both them and everyone around them by surprise. "C-Connor-Kun? Where are you-" She needed to follow him. She quickly bowed to the teller in gratitude before running behind him. Something was wrong.
However, Chihiya could only watch and blink twice at what she had just witnessed. They were here, and now...They weren't. But, she glanced at the Death Tarot card once again to observe it. Death. A card that could mean metaphorical death. Change. He had a choice now. Either to accept it or to resist the change he would be undergoing Going through this very moment, perhaps. "...Death, huh?" She pondered to herself before looking back to where they had gone. She could only wonder what decision he would make regarding what he was undergoing. But, she wouldn't know the answer.
Only Connor would.
Connor continued to run. Running as quickly as he could to find Alena after he saw her moments ago. It was clear to him now...She did something to him. And he was going to find the answer as to what that was, and why she was following him and watching him. Despite not being as physically fit as he could be given his lack of exercise, he chased after her as his breathing from all the running grew heavy. But soon, after all the following and running, he made his way to the train station area of Shinjuku to start looking around for her. But despite the crowd, it didn't take long for him to finally find her, standing and waiting for the train. "I...Found you..."
And just behind him, however, was Haru eventually catching up to him, with her now catching her breath. However, he didn't notice that at this very moment. His Blue eyes were completely locked on the nurse. "C-Connor-Kun...What's wrong? Why did you run like-" He eventually looked over to her and then pointed to the woman he was following, catching her attention completely. "T-That's...The nurse from earlier...The one you called your mother...But...Why-"
"...S-She did something to me, Haru..." He spoke out, now having her listen to him. His voice was filled with confusion and anger. "...I-I remember...I didn't wake up from a coma two years ago...It was...April of last year. W-When I finally woke up...She did something to me..." His hands began to shake...Shake in fury. Shake in fear. Whatever it was that she did, it ruined some part of him. A train then came in and stopped to let anyone waiting walk right in, with the Blonde nurse going in. This train...It was leading to Shibuya. Wherever she was going, it was going to lead him to the truth. "...And I'm going to find out..."
Shibuya/Afternoon
Time had passed since they had boarded the train to Shibuya to follow Alena. Wherever she was going now, Connor knew it would lead to what she did to him. Soon enough, the train they were on would stop. And the blonde would walk out to make her way out of the station, with the couple following, but also keeping their distance so they wouldn't be noticed. Eventually, they'd approach and enter Hachiko-Mae Square just near the Shibuya Crossing. The whole place was filled with multiple people walking to and from the area. The nurse would soon stop at the stairs that would lead somewhere underground, with her looking around for a moment. This alone was confusing the male as they were now hiding behind one of the planted trees just close by. "...W-What is she doing here...? Why would a nurse be here of all places...?"
With that question, Haru only stayed quiet...Observing what she was doing. This place...This very spot, was familiar to her. The place she and the other Phantom Thieves would go to enter...That place before it disappeared. Mementos A wave of...Some sort of nostalgia washed over her. But at that moment, something clicked. A thought came to her mind. "W-Wait...Could she...?" That just made her lover even more confused.
And just then, the nurse suddenly raises her left hand into the air and snaps her finger, suddenly coating the area with a large blast of Red and Black energy. Which in turn, made what seemed like the whole world gain a Blood colored tint. The entire area was now devoid of people. Nobody was around...Except for the three of them, somehow. "...Now...To finish what I started..." She spoke to herself before now starting to climb down the stairs. It was clear she had a goal in mind.
The world in the way it was now...It terrified him. The sky was now dark...And of a sinister color. He had zero clue of what was going on at this very moment. It was all new to him. He looked over to the Amber-haired girl to see if she was fine, but was taken aback by a change with her. She was now wearing her Phantom Thief attire. "H-Haru...Your outfit..."
"H-Huh?" She then looked down to see her outfit, taking her by surprise. "W-Wait...My outfit! B-But...I thought the Metaverse and Mementos were gone for good!"
"Meta...Verse...? M-Mementos...?" He was left even more puzzled. All brand new terms to him.
"Yes...How...Do I explain it?" She now thinks about how to best explain it to him. This was far from what he was used to in his normal life, after all. "It's...A place where all of our other selves are in. Think of it as a place where all of our negative feelings reside in. All of ours. At least...I think that's how Mona-Chan explained it..." He was unsure of who this...Mona was. But he looked back at where the nurse once was, wondering what she could be doing in a place like this. But suddenly, the pain in his head had reappeared, making him wince and groan. That alone caused worry for her. "C-Connor-Kun...?"
"...T-The answer...It's in there, somehow..." He slowly looked over at her, his eyes flashing a Gold color once again. But this time, he retained that eye color. "...T-The answer to what she did to me...It's right there, somewhere...In the core of that place...We need...To go there..." She was left in wonder about how he would know that, with him shaking his head to make his fluffy Black and Blue swish a bit. "I-I can feel it...Feel everything in there. W-We have to go..."
She was hesitant to. It was only her that was going to be with him. Her, and her alone. Nobody was going to help her or navigate for her. She wanted the others by her side at this very moment...But she had to be brave. Brave for him. And a sigh escapes her. "...Okay. But, you must stay close." He nods slowly in agreement. "...And, there's something you must know. In the Metaverse, Mona-Chan required us to use a Codename to hide our identities. But just to be safe." Connor only stood there, listening. "...For now, call me Noir."
"N-Noir...?" He wasn't able to fully understand everything that she was saying...But, he was trying to. Everything was a lot to process at the moment. So, he nods. "O-Okay...Lead the way Ha...N-Noir..." That was something he was going to need to get used to, especially in here of all places. And so, she then takes the lead while pulling out what looked to be an axe, with him following her soon after. Whatever this place truly was, there lay the answer to his questions.
Somewhere, the truth was in that very place.
Mementos
Slowly, but still staying together, they both walked down the stairs that led to the first floor of Mementos. The area itself...Was dark and held the look of what seemed like a subway tunnel. And the rails all split and moved around in many directions. As if it were like a maze. Through these tunnels, a few Lesser Shadows were currently walking around. But, there was also something else here unlike last time. There were also many people walking around now. Or rather, a ton of people's Shadow Selves now since they had re-obtained freedom long ago. "There's...A lot of those things...W-Will we be okay...?"
"I...Believe so...At least, for now..." Haru's answer did make him sweat a tiny bit and leave him a little worried. He wondered just how dangerous this place truly was, or what it was full of. "...It could take a while before we arrive, but...We should be okay. And once we're done, I'll explain everything to you."
"I-I hope so...B-Because there's so much to process..." And so, they walked together...Hoping to find a way to descend. But by making one turn, their eyes caught sight of a certain someone walking through. Alena. "C-Careful...We can't let her see us..." And so, they watched her...Wondering what she was doing. Or what she had planned in this world.
The nurse continued to walk, looking around for a certain someone within the crowd of Shadows and Shadow Selves. But soon, her shoulder bumps into a lesser one, making her look at them. "...You'll do for now." With a snap of her fingers on her right hand, a Blue flame engulfs her. "...Come, Mnemor!" And from behind, the puppet-based Persona is then formed, leaving those watching in shock. And with its eight, long hands, it forms Red threads from its fingers to then wrap around the Lesser Shadow...Then slams it onto the wall to hold it in place. "...I'll come back to you when I'm finished on this floor. I promise." And with that, she continues her walk...A walk to search for more.
With that, all he does is just look at her in shock. He had no clue about what he had just witnessed. Little would he know that he would wield such a power in the future. "W-W-What was that!? What did she-"
"S-She used a Persona...It's...Our way of rebelling against this world..." Of course, there was much more to it than that...But things were already too much for him to process as they were. But...That only made her even more confused. Both by her power...And why Mementos was still here. "But...Why does she have one...? And...How can she come here? It was supposed to be gone...Nobody should be able to enter anymore."
He could only stand there and let wonder. He didn't know just as much as she didn't. Just then, that pain hit him once more...His now Gold eyes turned back to their Ice Blue color for just a moment before returning. "...We...Have to keep going...Something...Feels familiar..." Once he saw that she was no longer in sight, he nodded to her to let her take the lead once more, which she wasted no time doing. Truly, there was something in what was left of the depths.
The answer was slowly within his grasp now.
Their journey through the depths continued. It felt like hours upon hours of moving, especially without a navigator to help lead them. But they did somehow lose track of Alena on their way there. But, none of that mattered. What mattered most was where the truth about Connor lay dormant...What she had done to him. He could only feel that the truth was there, somehow. Soon enough, they would finally reach their destination, now standing on a large platform that hung over the depths. An area that was now filled with open jail cells attached to the walls...And the center...Was practically empty. "Is this...?"
With that question, she nods. "Yes. This is it...We're in the depths..." Noir confirmed, looking around now...Thinking of the memories that took place in this very spot. But something had caught her eyes. One was the area being slightly covered in what appeared to be small, Red threads. As if...Something was trying to keep hold of this very place. And the other was...Someone on their knees. Their hands were covered in chains and attached to the ground. "There's someone there!"
Connor did eventually see it too, with his eyes widening at who he saw there. "T-That's..." And without a second thought, he quickly looked around to find a way down. Eventually, he would see one just close by and quickly ran over to one side of the platform they were on to start climbing down blocks that were sticking out to descend downward. This was the moment he was waiting for. Here was where everything would be answered. Eventually, he lands on the floor that the person was on and quickly runs over to see them for himself. But when finally approaching, he saw who it really was that was wrapped in chains. Connor. Or rather, his Shadow Self. His head was down the whole time...And his clothes were covered in blood. Real, Red blood. "I-Is that...?"
It didn't take long for her to join him. But when she did, her eyes were wide from the sight. "T-That's...You...But, why are you so...Separated from the others?"
He didn't know the answer to her question. But if he was chained like this...Then it was for a reason. It was for whatever Alena was doing. "W-We have to cut him out! A-Alena locked him like this!" She nods and readies her axe, wasting no time in cutting through the chains, leaving his dark self to start his collapse by falling forward. Thankfully, his real self was able to catch him and hold him close. His eyes were all locked on him...Seeing just how beat up and blood-soaked his clothes were. As well as what appeared to be an Orange core-like object on his chest. Questions were all that were raised in his head. "W-What...Did she do to me...?"
"...What are you doing here?!" Another voice then came out and screamed, making the couple look to see that it was Alena approaching them. And in her hands, she was holding many of the Red threads from her Persona. And wrapped around them were Lesser Shadows, dragging them along with her. Their bodies were cut up...Decapitated of their limbs. But the moment she saw them, she dropped them...And took notice of who it was. "C-Connor...? H-Haru? What...What are you two doing here!? You shouldn't be here! Why are you here?!"
"...A-Alena...What is all of this?! W-What did you do!?" It was all that Connor could ask, confusion filling his eyes. He demanded answers. "...W-What did you do to me?!"
"...And most importantly, how are you able to enter the Metaverse?! How is Mementos still here!?" The Phantom Thief then explained, pointing at the nurse. "...It's time you tell us! How? And what did you do to Connor-Kun?!"
The questions hit her, but...It didn't phase her whatsoever. It was time to tell him the truth, now that it had been exposed. "...I know how it looks, but rest assured...I haven't been hurting you, Connor. In fact, I've been helping you. Helping you forget the pain from last year. Forget all your past life ever since you were a child." She began to pace, keeping her eyes on them. "...I saw you suffering, so I had to help you. To make you happy and forget your awful memories...And replace them with good ones. Ones filled with happiness. To make you happy...No, not just that. To finally have a second chance at motherhood...To finally make up for my failure as a mother." She looks up into the air, staring at the depths they were in. "And it's all thanks...To this world...To this power..."
"My...Memories...?" He asked, with him now staring at his other self, who could only stare back weakly.
"...Fourteen years ago, I lost my son; Kioku. Lost to this violent world. I...I lost my son...My reason to live. Until one day, I heard a voice. A voice called within me...Saying that there was a way to bring my son back in some form. While not perfect or exact, I could have him back. I had the power...To take the memories of people's Shadows and shift them around with others! To re-write what they could and couldn't remember! To merge them and their memories with other Shadows! By changing them, I could also change the real them. Alter their real memories!" She looks back at the young man now, a soft smile on her face. "I was told...That one day, I would find the perfect person to have them become my reborn son. And so, for thirteen of those fourteen years...I waited. All while I searched for the right Shadows to rebuild my son. My Persona's threads run deep within this place to let me return whenever I wished...Grabbing and ripping away Shadow after Shadow that suited best to revive my son. Until I found you, Connor. I wanted my son back...And you wanted a family back...We were perfect..."
All he could do was just stare at his other, listening to her. His mind...Changed. Altered because of her. "B-But...That's wrong!" Haru exclaimed, shaking her head. "You're stealing away their freedom! His freedom! You've hurt people! Hurting him and-"
"...I know what I did...And what I've caused. But...That doesn't matter. What they were before...Won't be in vain for what's best for this world. Best for me. And best for him. Besides, I would do as any other person would." Her eyes squint toward Noir. "...Don't tell me you wouldn't do what I did, especially when you could have a chance to bring your father back in some regard. Everything I did, I did for Kioku...And for Connor!" Then, she looks back to Connor. What she said about her father...Silenced her. "...However, as much as I wished to be by his side...My time was limited. Aside from my work as a nurse, there was also...Ensuring that the very thing holding those memories from other Shadows together remained strong. And to keep the ties that bound them powerful. Feeding the very core that kept them together with more of these...Shadows." Slowly, she starts to walk toward him. "...Now, Connor...Let go of your Shadow and let me finish my work. I only need to feed it these, and soon...Your transformation can be complete! You'll be reborn! Forget your horrible past for good!"
Just as she was walking, Haru knew what she had to do. And so, she ripped off her mask. "Come, Milady!" And with that, a wall of flames then blocked Alena, leaving behind a large woman wearing a Black and Pink rococo dress with Red and Pink puffs on the sleeves, while also having long Pink gloves. The bottom of the dress was Pink with a Golden lip in the middle, Black and Red drapes on the side, and a White blouse with a Blue choker around the neck. And while it lacked a head, it was holding a Pink mask handler in one hand, and a fan in the other. With her own Persona summoned, it makes the nurse step back quickly. "I won't let you do this to him! Let you hurt him anymore!" And from the front of the dress, it suddenly opens up to reveal a selection of guns from within and begins shooting toward her.
Seeing this makes Alena snap her right hand. "Come, Mnemor!" Then, Alena's own was brought out from behind her, creating a barrier to stop the attacks by lifting its clawed hands. They were left at a stalemate, with both of their other selves disappearing. "...No...I understand now. It's because of you that Connor is like this now! If it wasn't for your interference, he wouldn't be able to start remembering his real memories! The pain wouldn't be coming back to him like it is now and he wouldn't be here! You're just as much to blame! You're hurting him!"
"T-That's not true! I would never wish to hurt him! Never! If anyone has hurt him, it's you! You didn't give him a choice! Y-You forced this onto him!"
A lack of a choice...That did hit her. She gave Connor very little choice in the manner. Something about it was correct...Even if what she was doing currently, no matter how wrong it is, she still thought it was the right thing to do for him. As they fought, all the young man could do was just keep his eyes on his Shadow. How much pain it could have gone through...What pain many others might have gone through, according to what he heard...Although he didn't understand it fully. Not yet. But, regardless...Whatever it was that she was doing to him, he knew one thing for sure. He couldn't let her get a hold of him. And so, slowly, he grips his other self tightly to have a light now forming between them. That alone caught Alena's attention, and then his "fiancee's". Their eyes were wide. "Connor! Don't!"
And soon, the light faded away. The two had merged. But then, the pain quickly arrived in his mind, making him scream and slowly get up while gripping his head from the intensity of it. All of the memories, both real and fake from all the Shadows, began pouring into him. His eyes were glowing even brighter, and sparks of Blue flames began to surround him. His yells are filled with agony, echoing through the depths. "H-Haru...M-Mom...M-MOM! HARU!" It was all he could say, with his eyes flashing from the bright color back to his Ice Blue ones, tears coming down his face. Every single memory began to flash before his eyes. "I-I...I...I...!"
"...I'll always love you, Connor."
And then, he let out a final scream, letting every single ounce of his pain out. And from that, he quickly drops to the ground, landing on his side. His eyes were completely wide, and tears were coming out the sides. Seeing that made his lover quickly rush to his side and drop to his level. "C-Connor-Kun! A-Are you alright?!" However, all he could do was cry...Lying there in shock. "Connor-Kun!"
"...H-Haru...I-I didn't...M-My mom...M-My dad, they...T-They...I-I..." He was just speaking nonsense at this moment...He didn't know how to respond. He couldn't respond properly. He was shaking at this current moment.
From what she was seeing, the nurse took a step back. Her eyes were wide. Because of what transpired, rewriting his memory was now going to be much harder. Especially when his Shadow was now completely merged and the very stitches that held it together were destroyed. Perhaps...Only weakened. But, there was only one thing in mind now. Slowly, she turned around. "...Take him to a doctor. I'll let you two out of here. Clearly, his mental state is much more important...But, Connor? If you can hear me, know one thing..." His poor, Blue eyes slowly looked up at her...Staring. "...She was right about one thing...I didn't give you a choice when I did what I did. So here's what I'll do. In the coming days, I'll confront you again...And there...I'll give you a choice. But know one thing...I'll make sure you are happy..."
"H-Ha...ppy...?" It was all he could say until suddenly, his eyes closed.
Everything had become too much for him.
?/Evening
Darkness was all that could be seen for Connor at this very moment. All that he could see were dreams...Glimpses of his real memories. The painful memories of before. This...This was what Chihaya meant by a time of delusion, and this was the pain he was trying to bury and not look at was. What she meant by a change that will cause pain...That was it. It truly did hurt. But once again, his eyes began to flicker open, although a bit weakly. He...Wasn't in a hospital this time. He was...Lying on a bed somewhere? He was...Rather confused. "W-Where...?" He slowly sits up, rubbing his head.
"...I see you're awake." An unfamiliar voice spoke, making him look over to see someone sitting on a chair near him and a desk. It was a woman with Dark Blue hair in a bob-cut and wore a Green Dress with a Red belt, a White labcoat, Black heels with multiple necklace accessories, and a stubbed choker around her neck. "Good. I was wondering if you were even alive at all."
"Where...Am I...?" He softly asked, now adjusting to now sit on the side of the bed..And taking a look around with his weakened eyes. Something about this clinic looked...Sketchy. A bit dirty, actually. Nothing you'd see from an actual one. But, it was a clinic, nonetheless. "H-How...Did I get here...? W-Why am I here...? W-Who are you...?"
"...Well, I'm Dr. Takemi. And I'm guessing you don't remember." Takemi then responds, crossing her legs with her Red eyes piercing his Blue ones. "...You collapsed for the second time today, your friend brought you in here, and now...Here you are. Sound familiar?" It was then that the memories from before finally caught up to him...His real memories were revealed to him. And that alone made him look down. His eyes had sadness instilled in them. "...Look, I don't accept just anyone in here, especially new patients...But, we have connections. So I'm willing to let it slide. It's the least I can do." However, he doesn't even look up. Tears began to fill his eyes. The pain...Was becoming too much for him to handle. "...Your condition seems to be stable, so you can go. The girl that brought you in is waiting outside. But maybe next time, if you fainted once during the day, go home and rest, okay? Don't push your luck."
Slowly, he nods a bit. He didn't even have the strength or energy to look her in the eyes. "...Y-Yeah...Thanks..."
He slowly gets up and begins walking out, going through the door. All the while she looked at him. Amused, yet...Curious. "...Something's got him down in the dumps." Though she could only wonder, curious about what it could be. But, that was none of her business.
Only he would know how to handle what was happening.
Outside of the clinic, Haru was waiting...Her hands clasping in anticipation while now wearing her normal attire. She was hoping that he would be okay inside. Or at least wake up soon. But then, she'd hear the door open and have her eyes light up to see Connor slowly walking out, his head down. That immediately stopped whatever positivity and happiness she had within her. By the time he was only close enough, all he could do was slowly look up. His eyes filled with defeat. Filled with sadness. But most importantly, lack of life. "C-Connor-"
She would be interrupted by him suddenly embracing her, taking her by surprise from how sudden it was. But, she slowly melted into the hug...With him now starting to cry. "H-Haru...It was...All a lie...I-I never had a loving family...My Mom...S-She was abused...My Dad...M-My father always...H-He hit...I-I..." He wasn't able to finish or even make a full sentence...And so, he broke down even more than before, holding onto her even tighter. His voice was starting to crack. "I-I'm so sorry...I-I'm so sorry...I-I didn't mean to lie to you...I-I..."
Hearing him break down in front of her, and seeing him this vulnerable and emotionally and mentally destroyed...It hurt to witness him in this state. He once helped her in her time of need...And now, it was hers. No...It was her obligation as his partner. "...You didn't mean to...I know you didn't mean to...I'm here for you, Connor...Always..."
"I-I...I..." He was trying to speak again. "...C-Could I live with you for a l-little while...? I-I don't want to be in that apartment...I-I can't. Y-You're all...I..."
With a second thought, she nodded. "Of course, you can...You didn't even need to ask..." She softly spoke. And all he could answer with was him bawling his eyes out...His crying filled the lonely evening streets. But she didn't stop him whatsoever. In fact, all she did was rub his back in comfort. "...I'll be here, always...So, just let it all out...I'll be here..." And letting it out he did. He continued to cry and cry until he couldn't cry anymore. This was, without a doubt, not just one of his lowest points...But the worst birthday he could have imagined. But today also marked the day he broke through.
The day the fake Connor Mercer died. And the real one was revived.
Present Day
Soon, the memory would fade before their eyes. Just seeing the memory of that day only left Knight standing there. Standing within the void of light that he had entered not too long ago. From everything, Iris, who was by his side, slowly looked over at him. Her eyes were completely wide from all she witnessed. "...That woman...She was...T-That was..."
"...Alena. The one who made all of this possible..." He responds, his hands gripping into fists. Unlike in the memory where he was crying, he only had a serious look on his face. His grip...Was filled with anger. "...S-She knew what she was doing...Now that understand what she did...And remember that day fully again. W-What she said...S-She had no remorse for what she did. No remorse in her voice...S-She..." She could clearly tell from how much he was despising her. But eventually, he undoes his fists and looks at her. "...O-Once the core is taken care of...I'll be the one to stop her next. I-I can't let her keep doing this...Not when Haru is in danger as well. B-But I'll make sure to get a good hit-"
"...No, don't." She spoke suddenly, taking him by surprise. "...If you're going to stop her, then...Don't hurt her too much, okay? She's already suffering as it is..."
Now he was confused. "B-But...I don't understand...You wanted to punch her-"
"Yeah, I know I did. But, I learned something. From seeing that memory, it...Made me remember myself. Remember everything...About who I was, or what I am..." He stood there, listening to her. "...You know Kioku, her son, right? Well..." She now rubs her arm, with her hair and eyes turning Yellow. "I'm...His reincarnation...Her son from long ago."
Just hearing that had shock drive into his body. This whole time...He was around a reincarnation? No, more than that. A reincarnation of her deceased son. It truly was...A small world. "But...How...? How did you...Reincarnate?"
"...Well, there's something called the "Sea of Souls". It's where all of us come from. We're born from there, and when we die, we return there...And life restarts. Doesn't matter what we were before or what we become...It's a part of everyone's life. The only thing I could ever remember before was...When I met Annie." Now, she crosses her arms. "...I think I get why she wanted me to go with you. Deep down, she knew who I was before...And knew when she would meet you...Because, really, I'm the reason your life is ruined..." Her colors then turned Black. "...You're going through all of this because...I was killed. Maybe...This was her way of letting me redeem myself. So...Stupid...I'm so stupid..."
From everything he was hearing, Connor could only shake his head. "T-That's not true...You know it isn't-"
"But it is, Glasses! I'm the reason why my own mom is doing the shit she's doing! I'm the reason you're here right now! The REAL reason she went after those Shadows to try and remake me through you!" She shouts at him, silencing him immediately. "...I was in the wrong crowd and only stuck around just to stick it to my Mom just to spite her. Next thing I know? I get a gun pulled on me and someone kills me right on the spot! And you know EXACTLY what happened next! You and I BOTH know!" Then, that Black turned to Red. "So don't try and tell me that "it's not true" bullshit when it IS! I'M the reason everything's down the drain! Me! I ruined your fucking life!" Silence then fills the air once again, with her now looking away.
"...So...What will you do about it then?" He soon asks, making her look up. "...W-We...Can't undo or forget what we've done. No matter how much we want to...No matter how much we reflect on what we could have done instead...O-Or how much we blame ourselves. The most we can do is...To live. T-To do something now...Now...In the present. I-It's all we have..." Slowly, he puts his hand on the top of her head, making her Red eyes widen. "...I-I understand how you feel, Iris...But, we can't let the past or our mistakes consume us. The only thing we can do...Is to move forward..." His eyes...Grew much more serious. "...I-If we continue to dwell on them, we will never be able to move on...To take that first step...We would be stuck there. Stuck in the past...I learned that from being in this...World. A-And that's...What we need to tell your mom..." A soft smile then forms on his face. "...I-I'll ask again, okay? W-What will you do, Iris...?"
From hearing everything he had said...She now looks away. She would get onto him for touching her head like this, but...Somehow, she was willing to let this happen. A little laugh left her. "...You really are different...Aren't you, Glasses? You used to be scared even thinking about it, but now..." Slowly, she looks up at him...Her hair and eyes were now Purple. "I guess...Even if I put you in here, the least I can do is...Get you out of here, huh? Yeah...I think...That's what I'll do. Can't help you if I keep beating myself up over what I did, huh?" Then, something came to mind. "...Hey, Glasses...If I somehow don't end up with you on the other end, could I...Ask you to do something for me?" His head then tilts slightly, listening. "...Tell my mom that...Kioku is alright. And that no matter what, he'll always love her and be by her side. And the only thing he wants...Is for her to be happy. To move forward with her life. To embrace what life has now..."
Then, he shakes his head once more. "...You tell her that." That, too, confused her. Especially when he boldly said that. And that made him rub the back of his head now. "...I-If what you're saying is true about being a reincarnation, and if some people of the Velvet Room can leave, then...I think you can be there too. At least...I hope so..."
Just then, a laugh left her. "...I'll hold you to that, Glas-No...Connor." She rubs the back of her head now. "...I guess I shouldn't be calling you that anymore, huh?"
A shrug then forms, along with a laugh of his own. "I-I...Don't usually like those names...I used to be picked on at school for that, but...I think I like it when you call me that." That statement made a light blush form on her face, and she gave him a soft smile. A friendly one. Just then, the area began to grow brighter. And with that, he offers his hand to her. "...Let's fight in here one last time."
A nod then forms from her head, grabbing onto his. "...One last time." And soon, the light washed over them.
They were ready for the last fight in this place between dream and reality.