Chapter 4: New Bonds Leads to New Power.
Kotone and Makoto makes their way to Theodore. "There is something we need to discuss. The New bonds you formed have risen into new power. But it seems your bond isn't strong enough to use the power of the bonds you previously formed. Or maybe some force has sealed up your bonds for an unknown reason." Theodore says with his hand on his chin. "What about the card we just got?" Both Kotone and Makoto holds up the Universe Arcana which mysteriously appeared in front of them after a vision. The Universe Arcana would be faint as they held it in their hands. "The Universe Arcana seems to be in a weakened state for now. Everything seems to be getting stranger and stranger the more the journey continues, but we both know that you two will find the answers you both seek." Theodore bows. The two wild cards proceed to go back to the group and head back home for the time being. The next day after school, Junpei would be enjoying a nice meal with Mitsuru. Mitsuru is trying to convince Junpei to begin his studies for the midterms tomorrow. "Iori, you should at least attempt to work on your studies. You know what happens when you fail again." "Yeah yeah. I know already. I said I was gonna start studying tonight." Junpei says letting out an annoyed sigh for being reminded of his current failing streak. "Iori, You said that last time as well, and you always forget till the week before the test and you beg Takeba or Yamagishi to help you study." Junpei froze up, knowing he couldn't exactly deny that. Then Akihiko came in, agreeing with Mitsuru's statement. "You should listen to her Junpei. Though Mitsuru can be strict, she'll be stricter if you fail this." "What was that?" "Nothing." Akihiko coughs when he sees Mitsuru's terrifying glare. "Yeah yeah I know." Junpei sighs again. All that was on his mind was what happened last night during the Dark Hour. He couldn't move. He just stood there terrified at what he saw. He didn't want to become what he was before. Someone who can't do anything. Someone with no purpose in life. "Junpei?" Akihiko didn't know what to say to Junpei. All he could say was his name. Junpei looks at Akihiko in the eyes. His eyes showing a strong determination that Akihiko knew well. "Akihiko-senpai. I want to become stronger." Junpei said with a strong voice. This makes Akihiko look at him with a smirk. "Are you sure about that? My training isn't going to be easy. What do you say?" Junpei nods to Akihiko's proposal. Akihiko smirks and takes Junpei away to another place. In the Iwatodai strip mall, Ken was walking with Makoto. They were at a restaurant. Ready to order their food. "So let me guess. Will it be a kids meal?" After hearing the words kids meal, Ken lets out a sigh, and about to correct the man behind the table, Makoto says something to the man. "Actually we'll have two specials please." Ken looks at Makoto who had corrected the man. "I just realized. You're the only one that doesn't treat me like some kid. You treat me like someone who deserves respect." "It's because you do deserve it. You're a member of S-E-E-S after all." Makoto says looking at Ken with respect. "I've been thinking. Ever since my mother died; you guys were the only ones that I can actually call my family, I'll keep on growing stronger till everyone will see me as a full grown adult and not some kid that always needs to be looked after. Then I'll be able to help you." Ken smiles as he feels a power deep within him grow. Makoto also heard the voice ringing once more. "I am thou, thou art I. Thou hath remembered a past vow. With the fully awakened Justice Arcana, thou hath obtained an unimaginable future." Ken feels that he has gained a surge of power. Closing his eyes, he holds his hands to his chest. "I'll hold this power close, mom." Ken thinks to himself. The food was served up to them and they both looked at it. "Well? Lets eat!" Ken says followed by Makoto smiling and both of them eating. The next day at school Kotone is talking to Makoto. "I have been thinking about what our next move should be. And that shadow we fought. That normally doesn't happen, right?" Kotone asks, getting a nod back from Makoto "We have to find a way to beat it for good." Soon enough they would get an email from Elizabeth. "I have called to inform you that another human has wandered into Tartarus." The two wild cards look and nod at each other. "Before we go I need to ask. What do we do with these?" Kotone holds up the Lovers, Empress, Fool, and Death Arcana. Makoto takes out Magician. "I have a feeling we could use these in some ways. But we'll find out soon." After a while it would be night. S-E-E-S would start to put on their equipment when it ticks to 12 o clock. The team heading into the entrance of Tartarus would be waiting for their next move. "Have we decided who's gonna be leading the way this time?" Makoto raised his hand and Kotone nodded as she still needed to think about other things at the moment. "I'm ready to go, Leader." Junpei says to Makoto, who saw his eyes blazing. Everyone there would be to cover their eyes from the passion that was radiating from Junpei. Almost as if he was a miniature sun. "Alright Junpei. Ok, I'll be taking Junpei, Ken, and Akihiko." Everyone nods and Makoto and his three team members go to the 101st floor. They explored up to 10 floors and opened 5 chests. Obtaining 3 goho-m and 2 firecrackers. On the 111th floor there was a group of boss shadows. "Everyone, be careful. There's something wrong with these shadows compared to the other boss shadows." Makoto would nod at his team members who nodded back; the only one who talked was Junpei. "Don't worry Fuuka, we got this." Ken says smiling. They all went up to the 4 enemies and got ready. The shadow went first. The shadow looked like a dog but it was dark red, with no eyes, half bitten ear that was both bleeding, and it was laying down. It howls at Junpei and lowers his defense. Next the shadow next to it would move. Using Its claw it uses Brave Blade as three large cuts were left on the floor. Junpei dodges it though. "I'm not gonna give up. I'll just keep on getting better." Junpei declares to the shadow, when this made the card in Makoto's pocket glow as he took it out and remembered something that Theodore said before they left that one time. "Never forget the bonds you made along your journey. They would shine the way when you're lost, and show you a new you." Makoto would then put the Magician Arcana to his heart and shout "PERSONA!!" The card flies ahead of him and changes into a Persona that he never expected to see. "Jiraiya?!" Makoto says. Confused that he even knows this persona. "Leader, what is that? I suddenly sense a strong presence in front of you." Ken looked at Jiraiya with amazement, but they were still in a battle as another shadow attacked with a small tornado at Makoto, who points out his hand and shouted "GO! Jiraiya!" Jiraiya takes the hit full on and launches its own attack back. Knocking that one shadow on the floor he then tries something out as he summons another persona on the field. "2 personas at once!?!? Was that even possible?!" Akihiko says flabbergasted at what he saw with his eyes. "Jiraiya! Orpheus!" They'd both do an attack. Jiraiya using Magarudyne and Orpheus using Agi which combined the two attacks. Finally to wrap it up Makoto waved his hand down which cued Jiraiya to use Tentarafoo which was a huge gas that confused two of the shadows. Though all the other two shadows did was cure it. Makoto looks at the shadows not expecting them to do that. "Damn it!" Akihiko said. "Going to the enemy and hitting them with a strong 5 hit punch which knocks them down. Taking another turn he looked at Junpei who got ready to follow up. "I've been training for this!" Junpei says as he uses his new Theurgy. Junpei rushes at the opponent saying "You aren't ready for my Ultimate Attack!" He does one diagonal slash, jump above the enemy doing an overhead slash, landing behind the enemy he bumps into the enemy with his elbow then he uses his persona to put the enemy on fire. "Now there are 3 more enemies left, good job Junpei" Fuuka said with glee. "I can't let Junpei-san outdo me" Ken summons his new persona and uses Samsara. Summoning a magic circle beneath the 3 enemies. Only taking down 2 of them. Finally Makoto nodded at Akihiko. Makoto uses heat riser on Akihiko who smirked and said "Let's get this started." Using his theurgy he attacks the last enemy fast as lightning, ending it with one last punch that sends a lightning strike down on the enemy on impact. The force was strong enough to blow the other members away a little. "Didn't I tell you? There's no way I'm letting someone else die. Not again." This brought out a new light within Akihiko as Makoto hears the voice again. "I am thou, thou art I. Thou hath rebirth a new vow. With the reawakened Star arcana thou shall lead to new possibilities and new power." Makoto looks at the Star arcana unreverse. "So this is what he me-" Makoto would get interrupted when a blinding light covers Tartarus and Teleports them somewhere. Makoto would wake up looking around him. It would look like they were in a castle of some sort. The walls would be gray and almost smooth. There would be a red long carpet that didn't cover the entire floor but it did have gold lines on the outside. There'd also be pillars and windows with the same gold outline as the carpet. Makoto would also release that his other 3 friends that were previously with him have seemed to vanish without a trace. Makoto wondered to himself where he could be as sees a finger that strangely brought a tear to his eyes when he saw it.