A/N: I've been excited to write this chapter for a while. It's one of the "Big Ones" I've had plotted out since I started writing this fic. From both the title to the general structure, I had most of this setup until it was time to put it on paper. I did a lot of revising as well and got opinions from my beta writer to make sure this comes out well. I hope you enjoy the Climax of the first half of this story! It's only going to escalate from here on.
Chapter 34
01/05
It's him.
The one responsible for the attack during the Summer break. He, the one who wants Mitsuru Kirijo and all who associate themselves with her dead.
"Sho Minazuki."
"It's Sho' Time, kids! But I gotta admit, what brings you all to my neighborhood? I was just about to call you all, but then I found out you're all Snooping as usual. I see you guys didn't feel like inviting me, so here I am!"
"Then this isn't your doing?" Souji asks bluntly.
"I've no idea what you shit stains are up to! Didn't you hear what I said?" And he's immediately agitated.
"Don't lie! You probably have something to do with this place and this bumper." Masato calls him out.
Aigis with stiff motions, places the bumper back on the ground and faces Sho with blue eyes locked in on her target.
"My apologies, Souji-san. But my capture of Sho Minazuki is of the highest priority."
Sho couldn't care that she was deadlocked against him. His gaze shifted to the newcomer to the gang.
"...Ehehehe, Ahaha! So you're Masato… in the flesh."
"Yeah? So what?"
"You're the one who ruined my fun last time. But that's alright. I've been wanting to meet ya for a while, Masato… if I can even call you that!"
Masato stiffens up, a tell Rise picked up on immediately, like she knew why that happened. As did Aigis.
"Hey, Masato-kun… What is he talking about?" Yukiko asks.
"Oh, what? Don't they know?"
"You shut your mouth!"
"Ah, quite defensive, are we?" A wide grin spreads across the mad man's face. "I'll tell you what… let's say I do know something about what's going on here. Whaddya gonna do about it?"
"To bring you in and discover your intentions!" Aigis's finger guns are locked and loaded.
"What a testy toaster! Just like your sister." He snaps back before focusing his gaze on the Impostor once more. "I'll remind you all. The guy in the back lets me know anything I want to know. And I already know everything I need to know about you. And lemme say… it seems you didn't tell them just how fucked you are."
"...What did you say?" His face got pale. Does he know?
"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I let that slip? You've been through quite a lot, haven't ya? But you don't want anyone to know… nor do you want to remember."
"Shut up!"
"Masato! Keep it together! What is he talking about?"
"Souji, you don't need to know!"
"More like you don't want to remember!"
"Masato-kun…. What is he…?" Even Rise doesn't seem to know. She too was kept in the dark.
"Rise, I…"
"Oh, this is great. See, you shouldn't be against me, dude. You and I… we can be on the same side."
"Are you nuts? Why would I-"
"Because I know exactly what happened! What that Man put you through. I know him too!"
"You-!" A sharp shiver shoots down his spine. "He… that bastard… how do you know him?"
"I already told you. I know everything I ever need to know. He also happens to be… my old man."
"...What?" Something is giving way in Masato's mind. "You lie… he never had a son."
"It's the truth, buddy. Pops was a fuckin' nutjob… but he helped me get strong enough to fight Shadows and Persona users on my own."
"So then you're just like him."
"Masato… he's playing you." Souji understands. Masato is being provoked to fall and give in to his negative feelings.
"...That fool ain't like me. But I learned enough. This world isn't meant for guys like us. So let's burn it… and kill everyone who is around. We don't need them. Only ourselves."
Snap.
"I'm going to kick your ass, Sho. You'll pay for what your Father did to me… to us."
"Oh? C'mon then! Show me you're worthy to stick around in my new world!"
His blood is boiling from this revelation. Sho and Masato are connected. But the question remains… how? Why? But that doesn't matter to the Impostor. All that matters is what he's kept secret for years. There's blood on Sho's hands. And he will pay for it!
"Amatsu Mikaboshi! Let's punish this bastard!"
"Masato, don't!" Souji's call goes ignored as Masato rushes forth with his Persona.
"Finally! You all can play with my friends!"
"Guys! Shadows incoming!" Rise warns, her radar going off.
"Damnit! Chie, Yosuke! Try to cover Masato. I'll follow up after."
"Right!" The two speak as they go after Masato.
"C'mon! You're no Souji! You can't keep up with me yet!"
"I don't care! You're going to pay for what he did!" Amatsu Mikaboshi's blade swings down, dodged by Sho.
"Sins of the father, much? I told you. He put me through that shit too! I don't give a damn about him."
"You liar!" Another swing, caught by both of Sho's blades.
"You're too slow! And too reckless!"
"Masato-kun! We're here to help!" Chie calls out to him.
"Dude! We'll worry about that stuff later, but stick together! We're a team!" Yosuke, with both his twin daggers positioned to strike, goes straight for Sho's side.
"This again!?" But now Chie was aiming to get him with a fierce kick from the front. With Yosuke on one end and Amatsu Mikaboshi on the other… he was in quite the jam!
"Well now… let's see you handle this!" His scar glows red and an aura even darker than that deathly glow covers him. Yosuke and Chie try to back off immediately. Their battle instincts are ringing alarms.
"...Persona."
The edgy looking Dual wielder had pulled out his trump card. An even edgier looking Persona. Designed with blacks and reds, with some occasional whites; the black black it held slashed forth to unleash some kind of dark type attack.
"Masato-kun! Get back!" With no way of dodging, Chie and her Persona try to block the Imposter from this attack.
"Susano-o!" Yosuke's Persona also appears, both getting launched by the up close attack, their figures all colliding into Masato's own Persona, causing the true self to be sent back too.
All three were on the floor instantly. Yosuke and Chie were out cold.
"Yosuke!"
"Chie!" Souji and Yukiko call their close friends. But no response was given…
"Masato-kun! Are you alright?" Rise calls out to her man, who is groaning against the floor.
"Souji! I am detecting a strong energy reading. There is a Plume of Dusk within that boy! I shall explain later, but he is on our level. Take him seriously, no matter what!" Aigis elaborates after laying down suppressive fire against oncoming Shadows.
"Such trouble you've caused. Now he has asked me to show myself…"
His composure is nothing like Sho's… despite being the same person. His calm ferocity and bare hostility are overbearing. Souji has to break off to face him. Masato is a sitting duck! Just like his downed friends.
"Ngh…. Who or what are you? They said Sho didn't have a Persona…"
"...I am Sho Minazuki… 'We' are Sho Minazuki."
Is this who Sho referred to as the "guy in the back"? That means…!
"You must have some split personality… two different selves." Masato groans, standing on his two feet once more.
"That is not quite true. Thanks to the twisted will of that man, I was awakened within this child and I exist to fulfill his wish." So Sho wasn't lying… He did do unspeakable evils against his will at some point in the past. "I shall wipe out all that live so I can see his wish come true."
"A life of isolation?"
"That is correct." His tone remains consistently calm. "He has offered it to you too. You would be wise to accept it. All will die. But there can be room for you."
"...What good would that do? Living life alone… it won't mean jack."
"And you claim to know more?"
"I don't need to claim. I can see in his eyes what he really wants. It seems he enjoys picking fights with anyone. Especially the strong. That whole tournament… starting huge conflicts… it's as if he was bred for it. Bred and trained for fighting. If everyone is dead… then where would those urges go?"
"It doesn't matter. What he wants I will see come true."
"Then you're a bigger fool than he is. If he can hear me now… He'll know I speak the truth."
"...And what do you know? You are not one to talk. That's right. I too have access to any information I need. And I know what you're hiding from." This again. "The only reason I've not killed you is because he does not wish it. But should that change… you would fall faster than you can react. Know your place and wait for the fall to begin. Once our plan begins… you will have to decide to join us or die. If you join us, then your past can die forever. No one will know. No one can know."
"But I don't want anyone to die! They don't deserve to go through that!"
"And neither did the two of you. Hatred has kept you alive, has it not? Just like the boy… It's a powerful source of strength and focus. You used it just now… it's exactly what we need."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'll tell you if you join us now. I'll even call off the Shadows and spare your friends for today. Otherwise, they will know your other secrets. You can't hide them anymore."
"Don't you dare say them!"
"Once the truth is known… it cannot be unknown." He scoffs to himself. "Like the fact you…"
From the other side, the replica TV starts acting up… something is emerging! A bulky figure charges through and a Persona immediately appears behind.
"Fuuka was right! That bastard is here! Senpai! We're here to help!" Kanji was the first to enter, Naoto following up behind him, and Teddie bringing up the rear!
"Shadows!? Fuuka-san couldn't reach you guys! There is interference worse than last time!" Naoto explains.
"Yikes! Chie-chan and Yosuke are down! I'll need to revive them!" Naoto and Teddie enter the battle.
The last to enter is Labrys!
"Shadows are here? I'll wipe'em all out! That's my duty!"
"Souji-kun! Our friends are here! Go help Masato-kun and the others!"
"Right!" Now he can move in with no more worries for Yukiko or Aigis. Speaking of…
"Your opponent is me, Sho Minazuki!" From the sky drops a literal blonde bombshell, cutting short the conversation between Minazuki and Masato, who looks shaken up. He knew.
"I need your help, Thor!"
A Persona change!? This caught even Minazuki off guard.
"Tsukuyomi…" His black blade, composed of the void, intercepts and collides with Mjolnir, creating a shockwave that echoes and rocks the battlefield. "So you have powers like their Leader… you are a bigger threat than I expected."
"You will answer for your crimes! For what you did to my sister! And my friends!"
"...Do you hate me?" With menace in his tone, his figure vanishes from sight, while his Persona was more than enough to match her at the moment. "I'm much more capable than the boy. I'll prove it to you…"
Sight is becoming an issue. The fog was gone, so no one had their glasses on like they usually do. But now… their vision is being challenged.
CLANG!
Souji's senses save him. Blocking an attack from the back.
"...Excellent. I want a real challenge." Minazuki mocks, having his blade blocked by Souji's own.
"You-! You're not the same as before."
"Indeed. I'll deal with you two and then I'll open that Impostor's eyes!"
"You won't harm him. Or anyone!"
"I'll make his wishes come true. You are not needed!" Now their fighting commences. His strikes are more broad, like a duelist. He's aiming to keep Souji off his game! Slashes coming from the outside to thin his line of defense to create an opening. Dual blades have more attack opportunities at the expense of hard attacks being difficult to pull off. Also repelling them is more challenging. Minazuki took all that into consideration when facing an excellent oppenent such as Souji.
"What's the matter? Your bonds can't help you here!"
"People need them! We cannot survive alone!"
"...That is all perspective; a matter he cares not for!" Souji is pushed back, only to see something coming up from behind Minazuki, who dodges before a blade connects.
"You're not getting away that easily!" It was Masato and his Persona!
"You fool. You are not my target to kill! Endangering yourself is pointless!" He weaves through attacks like it's rehearsed. Amatsu Mikaboshi is outclassed by a human!
"Masato! We need to attack together!" Izanagi appears behind the Leader. Minazuki scoffs at his sight.
"The fog grows the longer we fight. I'll only eliminate you all one by one…" Izanagi's blade slashes towards him, but the Schemer fades into the Bewildering Fog. "What-!?"
"Souji… where did he go?" Both Masato and Souji face opposing directions, a blonde figure also cuts in.
"Aigis-san!?"
"His Persona vanished, and I have returned to you two. His presence is unknown. I cannot scan through this fog. It's jamming my sensors."
"But there shouldn't be fog! We got rid of it last year!"
"Such arrogance… You should know your place…"
"I… I hear him, but he sounds like he's everywhere!" Masato looks up, but nothing. The cliches always indicate an above or below attack in this case, but where shall he strike?
"I see why the boy wants you to join… But you deceive everyone still…"
"Sho, you bastard…! How much do you know!?"
"We know everything we need. And I am Minazuki, not the boy you bark at."
"Guys! Something big is coming…" Rise warns through her Persona, with Aigis confirming.
"I sense oppressive energy. Casting Marukukaja!" Switching back to Athena, she buffs their defense to brace for what feels like an inevitable impact.
"We know the truth…. Your true past, what you buried… and who."
Muscles tighten and stiffen, a step back indicates one clear fact… they do know. "There's no way; I would have seen you back then."
"You still pretend what happened never did… and that is why…. We shall open your eyes… Or you die a false man."
"Guys, look out!" Rise's warning is too late. In between their trifecta view, Megidolaon erupts between them, the three have shot to avoid it.
"Get back!" Souji's Persona alongside Aigis' come forth to shield their owners from the blast as, with Athena trying to cover both the blonde and the unraveling Imposter. All are knocked back and fall on their backs or shoulders. The calls of their allies blend into the fog. But they are occupied with Shadows, as part of Sho's scheme was to isolate key members to pick them off one by one.
"Understand this. All of your powers combined… cannot beat us. We are a Triumvirate; our goal is the same. The self-inflicted wounds that collapse all of humanity. We shall create the echo that ushers the fall."
"Ngh…" Souji felt it, his right shoulder… is messed up. Maybe not severely, but he needs to change to Kohryu…
He and Aigis were far apart in opposite directions while the Imposter was perpendicularly launched, nearly colliding into one of the castle walls that form a perimeter around this area. Using it as support, he tried his damndest to stand again.
"Ugh… you bastard… stop hiding."
"...Very well." The Bewildering Fog. It starts to subside. Is this calculated? Or arrogance on Minazuki's part? Right now, it matters not, as he spins his swords, both tips clanging against the floor as Masato sees both his newfound nemesis as well as his distant allies.
"They shall see you… ousted for what you are. A Murderer."
"N-No! I…!" The Imposter is pale as a sheet! Were these words actually true!?
"W-What!?" Souji reacts instantly… while the rest of the team is dumbfounded.
"Souji-san. Do not…"
"Silence! It is the truth. A long time ago. An incident happened where many were rounded up and used, abused, and most paid the ultimate price.
"Shut up! ShutupShutup!"
"Some were accidental, others… were due to actions of their fellow victims."
"I SAID SHUT UP!" Amatsu Mikaboshi appears with the hardest swing it could muster, but Tsukuyomi… caught his strike with his blade… effortlessly.
"You joined the Shadow Operatives to bury that truth. And presume a new identity to try and do good. Yet there are those who live. Such as the boy. He is another survivor, just like you."
"You lie!"
"Believe what you wish. But the boy was groomed to live this life, killing strong opponents, bringing death to fall down upon the world… but alas, his function was cut short. Now, we can create our own purpose. You are like us. But you will not join. Not as yourself." The Possessor smirks, turning to face the others as the Shadows stop their attack; only keeping them where they stand. "Do any of them know? That your name is a lie? You're not Masato Yoshida."
"N-No… I planned to, but…"
"You planned to? Or are you simply afraid? Afraid the bonds you're so desperately trying to form will shatter? Your bond is so fragile, you fear them breaking from this simple truth? Your bond isn't genuine at all… fraudulent like you..."
"No… I'm not-"
"Then say your name!" Masato stays silent.
To those listening in due to the pause in fighting, their reactions only make things more complicated.
"H-Hey… what does he mean by his name?" Chie ponders openly.
"What more was he hiding from us…?"
"Guys, stop it! This is what Sho wants us to do… to doubt and loathe Masato-kun… he has not harmed us. He's always wanted to be our friend." Yukiko, like her beloved, refuses to doubt him anymore.
"The seeds of doubt are planted. It's over for you and them… you should join us…"
"Ugh… here's my answer then. Amatsu Mikaboshi…!" SLASH! The cracked blade swings across to break Tsukuyomi's guard.
"...Foolish. One-shot kill." Just when an opening was achieved… Tsukuyomi fired back. A single shot pierces through the lower half of Amatsu Mikaboshi's torso. Masato feels it, collapsing to his knees with a loud groan of agony.
"Huggh-!"
His hands keep him from collapsing to the ground completely. But now Sho holds the three in the palm of his hands.
"No… get up…!" Rise demands with a weakened tone… to the attention of no one.
"Everyone! We need to break through their line! Come on!" Yukiko realizes standing won't help… They need to rally right now!
"Do not be afraid… your life is in no danger. But you had to feel such pain to be pacified."
"I… won't let you harm them."
Minazuki sighs at his words and resolve; eyes closed and a subtle shake of his head. "Unfortunate. You leave me no choice but to render you unconscious; and then I can dispose of your allies. Maybe their screams will awaken you to the truth instead… that they mean nothing. Bonds are fleeting. But disdain, anger… hatred burns longer. It always remains. You will see first hand here why that is the truth of this world."
"You're wrong…"
"Yet you can't explain why." Closing steps lead to a stop in front of the defeated Imposter. Minazuki raises his blade, but his words remain true. This is not to kill. "I shall impart one last bit of advice. Listen well. Your Persona isn't strong not because you have no strength or have not enough training… it is because you still hide your true self. Personas are the strength of heart, not simply body. It is a power naturally gifted to those who face themselves, face adversities of certain extremes, but they all must be true to themselves… yet you are not. Your allies, for as much as we despise what they stand for; we can respect their resolve and experience. You limit your potential by stagnating. Evolution is how we all grow. Such is nature, after all. If you wish to grow stronger… stop holding your heart back. Face your Fears… Learn this before the fall. But until that day…
Rest now." Bringing the hilt of his blade down, he strikes Masato under his neck, the body of the Imposter quickly grows limp, collapsing quickly and harshly. "Now… to dispose of the rest."
"No…! Get up… please!" Rise cries out.
"Sho…! You underestimate us."
"The Leader… you are more talkative than I expected. The android is in even worse shape than you." Because she took the full brunt of the attack to save Masato. "You are all finished. Accept defeat and die with your honor intact."
"Our bonds are not as fragile as you think… we knew he was still hiding something from us… but we understood."
"That he is deceiving you still?"
"We understood whatever is keeping him from talking, it must have been tough to face! We chose to wait for him to tell us. I believe in him… we all do."
"Then you should believe that you are all doomed here… I'll let him take the pleasure of killing you." The scars brighten for a moment with shades of blue, an obnoxious demeanor is quickly made clear.
"Hahaha! You're already on death's door!? Guess this is Game, Seta, and Match! Ha! Get it..? Well, let's get on with it. The toaster is next, and then your friends after!" Sho gripped the hilt of his right blade tight. He was ready to end the Leader and cut the head of this body… the Investigation Team would collapse without him. Then the only threat would be Kirijo. Is this the end…?
Masato remained limp on the floor, unmoving but his mind was racing… an unknown voice called to him… no, two of them. He cannot make either of them out, but he does remember… he must get up. One of those voices gets clearer, breaking through the murk and haze…
"M….u…
"Nngh…" That voice… is it…?
"Get up…. Don't forget our promise…" Three voices now.
Masato….
"G.. up…"
No, this one is…
.
"Hiraku!"
Eyes open instantly upon hearing that name. It grabs everyone's attention.
"Whuzzat…? Who said that? Who the hell knows his name!?" Sho stopped his wind up, scanning the area to see who said that name.
"Hiraku! Please, get up!" It was Rise! Her loud voice echoes through the battlefield.
"How the hell do you know his name? I was told he hasn't told a soul except for the Shadow Op. guys!"
"That's his name? It isn't Masato-kun?" Chie is flabbergasted.
"But… Why hide his name…? And how does Rise-chan know it?"
"Naoto-kun, everyone! Worry about that later. We must push back while there's still a chance." Yukiko brings them back together on point once more.
On the other side, Masato's hands smack against the floor, trying to push back against it.
"Hiraku! You can save Senpai! You're strong! I believe in you…!"
"Rise…" She isn't calling him by that name anymore. She's calling him by the name he shared with her in secret… The words of Minazuki echo in his mind. And her calling out his name, proclaiming her indisputable faith…
Strength of Heart… he needs more strength in his beliefs and himself to face Sho Minazuki!
Get up! Get up, get up, get up! That twisted fool must go down! But is his resolve enough…?
"Have you finally accepted the truth?"
"Hu-Ughh!" His heart stops for a second, and his arm presses against the wall behind him to keep him upright. This voice has been calling to him… no, it always was. He just didn't want to listen for so long.
"Hiraku!" From a distance she sees it.. his eyes have turned yellow!
"You've run for years… away from yourself… away from the others… and away from those who unjustly became the fallen."
He heaves and groans in agony, like his body is being assaulted from all over.
"But now you finally face the truth at long last… are you ready to face the consequences…?"
Sho turns to see what's behind him, the candidate to be his ally is still standing.
"I…! Am… A-Aaaghh!" His right arm braced him up against the wall, moves forward and away from structure as the Impostor shouts in agony, smashing his fist against the bricks… forming a hole behind it where the bricks once stood!
"Are you prepared to face the truth and grant the innocent the peace and justice they deserve?"
"I… can't let their deaths be in vain…! I will not-!"
"Very well… then let us forge our blood pact. Discard your false self… destroy it, and I shall help you for this battle… Together, we shall claim our Victory and break our chains that bind us to the past! Afterwards, seek me out where it all began… and we shall ally ourselves for good."
"I… accept your terms!"
None can hear the voice in his head, but some can garner a guess as to what is going on.
"Hiraku… what is this power I'm sensing… it's just like-!" Rise moves her visor band to see what is unfolding with her own eyes.
The voice in his head gives a noise that implies he is in agreement.
"Our contract is sealed… I am thou… thou art I… Speak your true name!"
"M-Masato…"
"...I am not Masato!" The Impostor no longer chooses to keep his name erased. Nor will he let Souji or anyone believe in this alias of escape anymore! "My name… my true name… is Hiraku!"
"The Drums of war are beating! We shall ride into battle as one! Now… signal the charge, and call my name!"
A card descends from the sky, slowly its arcana is visible to the few nearby.
"I-Impossible! Not you too!" Sho grits his teeth. He's just like them.
"It can't be…" both Aigis and Souji exclaim at the same time. "...just like…"
His left hand reached forward, digits above where the card remains idle, ready to break its contents free.
"Together we Ride…. Masamune!"
The sound of glass breaking shatters through the field of battle, catching everyone and everything. Gusts of power surge further from Masato, no… from Hiraku's emerging self!
His original Persona Amatsu Mikaboshi appears first, but cracks form from where it was pierced by Minazuki. Longer and wider they grow, like a fissure in the earth.
A loud shatter signals the dismantling of the old, false self. And in its sacrifice… something new enters to take its place. Destruction comes before creation, after all.
Arms crossed, this Persona is garbed in blue armor for the torso and legs, while the outer portions had black, sleeves with streaks of silver. A Kabuto helmet adorned the top of its head, containing a crescent moon on the front. The face was covered with metal that looked akin to both Izanagis, but also that of popular mecha like a Gundam. The left eye, however, was covered with a bolted shut black eye patch. On its sides, a sheathed blade remained for a second before they were pulled out by the new Persona.
"What the hell!? This can't be right!"
"Sho Minazuki… you have caused far too much suffering to my friends…" Sho's glare shifts to the man standing tall behind the new Persona. "You're not getting away with this."
"You think some shiny new Persona is gonna change anything. I'm still stronger than you… We are still stronger than you!" Sho attempts to scoff, snapping back at Hiraku's newfound confidence.
"Even if I'm not strong enough. We can beat you." His eyes spot both the Android and Fool on the ground. "Souji; Aigis… patch yourselves up. I'll hold him off."
Such confidence… Souji cannot help but acknowledge him.
"You got it." A heavy breath signified his effort to stand back up.
"Hiraku-san…" How long has it been since she said his true name? "Be careful."
"Yes, Ma'am." A firm nod indicates his understanding and his battle readiness.
Rise almost let a swoon escape her lips. This confidence… it's a trait she adores. That's why she fell for her Senpai last year. Hiraku is finally trying to let his true self shine through.
"Alright…. Let's do this, Masamune!" His Persona responds quickly. It's fast! Way faster than the bulkier Amatsu Mikaboshi!
"Where did it-!?" Sho's instincts helped him sense a presence behind him.
His blades catch the Persona's lone sword that came down on him.
"Nngh!" This might be more of a challenge than Sho realized. He needs to switch over to his other self. Eyes close as the scars glow to symbolize the change.
"...at long last. A worthy opponent." Minazuki has a twisted smile forming. Such potential on display! This is what both he and the boy crave! "Tsukuyomi…"
Calmly calling his Persona, it tries to ambush Masamune from behind, but the Persona vanishes again, actually behind Tsukuyomi itself.
Speed is this new Persona's forte.
A clean swing knicks the Blackened Persona. And that was a first.
"Got'em!" Hiraku grins, impressed by the ability this new Persona displays.
"You've come out of hiding at last… Hiraku Arakawa."
"So you did know."
"We know all we need to. No secret can remain hidden from us. The truth is our tool; one we shall use to plunge the world into its doom."
"Like hell you will!"
Masamune and Tsukuyomi clash! The latter keeping its weapon changed to a sword form of pure contempt.
"Our power is too much for you, Arakawa. You cannot face me alone! Your friends are no match either."
"And yet you keep my allies occupied with Shadows! I can't help but doubt your words." Gritting his teeth, he's ready to try something else. "Zionga!"
A current of lightning struck Tsukuyomi immediately, Minazuki grinned in satisfaction from the pain.
"Your potential is as he expected." Minazuki was enjoying this. The boy's wishes were coming true. He shall make a great ally indeed. "Let's test out your might. Maeiga!"
"Zionga!" A surging bolt of lightning and a blackened void like bolt clashes, emanating from Masamune and Tsukuyomi's hands respectively.
Both attacks draw out and explode. Tsukuyomi charges through the black smoke to try and attack the other Persona, only for both tips of the blades to pierce through one another. Despite how dead even it looked, it's clear Sho can take punishment. Masato, not so much.
But before he can drive the blade through even further, another swings down to push Tsukuyomi back.
"Izanagi!?"
"Sorry about the wait, Hiraku." A cool voice called to him from behind.
"Souji!"
"Let's take him down and put an end to this."
Gunshots ring out from Minazuki's right, instinctively dodging while his Persona blocked any other shots aiming for his legs.
"Trying to bring me in? I'll never let you all catch me, Shadow Operatives."
"Defeat is inevitable, Sho Minazuki. The three of us can still take you down. Our allies will dispense with the Shadows you brought."
Minazuki could put the rest together. Dealing with the three, especially with Hiraku having a stronger Persona this time.
His eyes flash with an idea. He can accomplish many objectives with this.
"...Then I shall save you three for last."
"Wait, what are you–"
"Bewildering Fog!"
"No!" Hiraku calls out, not again! The fog surrounds them once more, and Tsukuyomi attempts to flank them, but Athena's rounded out shield denies any attack.
"He intends to pick us off, or try another Megidolaon. Be on your guard!" Aigis attempts to calculate his strategy.
"Right. Izanagi!" Souji has his Persona serve as another set of eyes. And right on time, too; Tsukuyomi launches a curse based spell towards Izanagi, who takes no damage to it.
"We can't just stand here. We need to flush him out of the fog."
"I could see through it naturally if it was proper fog…. But I don't see him around us anywhere. It is difficult to confirm" Aigis' eyes glow a piercing azure. "He is not above us or anywhere near us!"
"Then where is he?" Hiraku contemplates what his scheme is. Remember his words… save them for last. And his goal for being here is to defeat them and recruit Hiraku. To break him. How would he…?
…No. He wouldn't.
"Guys!" His tone sounds panicked, immediately alerting the other two wild cards. "Can you cover me? I know what he's doing! His Persona is just trying to keep us here!"
"His target is not to pick us off?"
"No, Aigis-san. He wants to target our allies!"
"That is more people to deal with than us."
"I think he's going to aim for the weakest Persona users first."
"...Aigis-san. I trust Hiraku. Let's hold Tsukuyomi off so Hiraku can break through. We'll follow behind him." Souji's faith can pierce through this fog.
"...Understood. Hiraku-san, turn fifteen degrees to your left and run straight. That will lead you to our allies."
"Thanks! I'll stop him!" Hikaru gives a firm nod in thanks before facing the direction Aigis instructed and books it. He cannot waver here. Not when the risk is so high.
As he charges forth, Tsukuyomi attempts to ambush him from behind.
"Masamune!" The new Persona blocks the blitzing Persona, blades clanging into one another. His hypothesis was correct; the Persona is trying to keep them here! "Stubborn bastard!" Masamune cannot back off, as using all his strength is forcing Hiraku to stand still and concentrate.
Like a freight train, Athena enters perpendicular to them, shield-first to smash into Tsukuyomi and get him off Hiraku's Persona.
"Keep going, Hiraku-san!"
"Right!"
"The fog is growing! I believe he is using this to even the odds against our friends!" She alerts the Imposter no more. This haze isn't ending anytime soon.
"Got it!"
"We'll catch up, Hiraku!" Souji exclaims, his other Persona, Yoshitsune, is on point to deal with Tsukuyomi.
He has no time to respond. Hiraku needs to make up for being delayed by Tsukuyomi. Sprinting, he moves on until the others behind him are no longer in sight. He has to trust they will follow behind him.
Estimating the distance between where Sho isolated them and where his allies were before the Fog was set up, he starts shifting his sight to spot someone; anyone. The fog was starting to ease up somewhat compared to when it first formed. He can see more than about… twenty to thirty yards. Perhaps Sho can't maintain so much around a wider area, but it still didn't change the fact they couldn't see very far compared to before.
"Hey! It's you, Hiraku guy!" An optimistic tone calls to him.
"T-Teddie?" Of all the people to find first…
"The fog is starting to thin out! Whatever you guys did, it's affecting it!"
"You can tell!?"
"Yessir! My eyes can see through it! But that Sho guy is quite the sneak! I can't sense him." Sho really must have an ability to conceal his presence.
"Then, tell me where Rise is! Or any of the back liners! I think he's planning to target them?"
"Lemme see!" Teddie shifts his gaze, twisting frequently to spot the others. "Yuki-chan and Nao-chan are together… Labby-chan is there too! Kanji is with Chie and Yosuke on the other side…" Then that leaves…!
"Rise! Where's Rise!? Point where she is, Teddie!" His tone grew frantic. The bear was taken aback for a moment.
"U-Uh, okay! Lemme see…" Turning, he finally notices her; and swallows his spit. "Over there! But I think someone is-!"
"Get everyone to come this way, Teddie! Hurry!"
"But what about–"
"DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME-! WORRY ABOUT YOUR FRIEND!" His tone reverberated in the void like area. Teddie flinched from his abrasive, yet afraid tone.
"Masamune!" His Persona emerges as they rush forward. "Rise!" He calls out to the Idol, but no response. Gritting his teeth in frustration, still unable to see much or at all! But as long as he continues in this direction, he will find her!
A tension is in the air, yet only he seems to know why. But that tension was more like a crushing block of dread, dropping downward to destroy what he values most.
And that imagery comes true, with the sight for sore eyes.
"Not again!" It was Tsukuyomi! Sho must have recalled him to stop Hiraku from reaching her.
"To hell with you! Masamune!" He pleads for his Persona to hold it back. He must stop Sho, alone.
Where is she? WHERE IS SHE!?
…There!
"Rise! Get behind me!"
"H-Hiraku-!?" This fog was messing with her vision. Like Sho was actively attempting to sabotage her.
A static noise rings in every Persona user's ears.
"Rise-chan! Watch out!" It was Fuuka! Sho's appearance had kept her out of the loop, but now she appeared; grabbing all their attention!
Sho, with one blade aiming straight for her, Hiraku running for her life's sake, and the idol completely caught unawares. The future was about to change, here and now. Fate was turning for everyone. The seeds of spite, misery, and sorrow are to be planted!
The sound of tearing flesh being pierced by the sharpest steel emanates. The only one who knows the outcome is the one who wields the blade that aimed for the life of an innocent for the sake of spreading despair and hatred. He struck true.
A/C: My friend insisted on leaving it as a cliffhanger. There were strengths to both keeping this going a little longer, but the strengths of keeping you all in suspense is much more worth it. Who got hurt? Do I have the balls to actually do something like this to a main character? You'll find out soon enough.
Today's Musical Reference is a big one for me. "The Pretender" by Foo Fighters is THE favorite song of all time for me. And I'm glad I got to use it here of all places. This chapter almost has the tempo or flow of pacing that matches the song itself in my own twisted mind. There is a chapter where the writing will be structured to follow the pacing of the song in question. I'll tell you when we get there.
I hope you all had a Merry Christmas, and have a Happy New Year. We'll enter the New Year with the answer to the end of this fight soon enough! Enjoy yourselves until then.