And so everyone has gather to meet up.
"Alright, everyone's here", Chairman Precht spoke as Natsu and Gray arrived.
"Damn right", Gray looks pumped up. "So why don't we get right Into It?".
"Now then, I'd like your undivided attention", Chairman Precht gets everyone attention. "For a long time, Erza Scarlet, Gajeel Redfox, Mirajane Strauss and few others were the only Persona users we had. But that numbers has recently jumped even higher now".
Natsu didn't know that. 'There's more of them?, how come they're not here right now?'.
"Now here's the plan, starting tonight at 12 AM, I'd like us to finally begin exploring Tartarus", Chairman Precht says seriously.
"Uhh...I now Natsu asked this yesterday, but what It Tartar thing again?", Gray asked confusingly and saying It wrong like Natsu yesterday as well.
Gajeel just groaned and facepalm. ""Wow you're even worse than Salamander here", he complained.
"Who?", Natsu asked.
"He's talking about you dumbass", Gray answered coldly slapping his shoulder.
"At least I don't say Tartar!", Natsu growled as he slapped his hand's away.
"No you said Tarta sauce", Happy correctly reminding him
"It's Tartarus", Lisanna just simply corrected the terms. "And you seriously haven't seen It Gray?".
Everyone looks at Gray with a "Really man?, you don't know?" face that made him slightly a bit awkward. "I mean...No?, not really".
"And you called me the dumbass. Dumbass", Natsu grumble annoyedly.
"It's no surprise you haven't seen it. Tartarus only appears during the Dark Hour after all", Chairman Precht says reassuring.
"Only during the Dark Hour?", Gray stares.
"Just like the Shadows, Interesting huh?", Gajeel smirked.
"The goal of our club-", Chairman Precht said before getting cut off.
"S.E.E.S!", Happy said happily getting It right.
"You said It right", Panther Lily looks Impressed.
"Aye sir!", Happy raises his paws.
"As I said, Is to fight those Shadows", Chairman Precht continues. "However... Simply defeating the Shadows during the Dark Hour Isn't enough. We must get to the root of the problem. We must to destroy the Dark Hour Itself".
Natsu just groaned and looks confused. "Uh...I don't really get It".
Gray sighed. "He's saying If we run around Tartarus, we can somehow get rid of the Dark Hour".
But Natsu just scoff. "Show off, I wasn't asking you", he says coldly as he glared at him.
"We don't know for certain. Sorry I can't give you a better answer, but investigating the mystery of that tower Is part of our job", Chairman Precht says.
"The bottom line Is we need more Information", Erza continue speaking for him. "Everything we encounter there will be vital clue for us".
"The exploration of Tartarus Is of utmost Importance, consider It our top priority. Our society, while remaining blissfully unaware of the Shadows,Is slowly but surely succumbing to their Influence", Chairman Precht describe It awfully. "I would go as far as to say that the fate of the world rest on the shoulders of you Persona-users".
"That's one hell of a responsibility, but the heroes of justice will prevail", Gray tries to sound positive and optimistic about It.
"It's also the perfect spot for us to trained and Improve our skills", Partner Lily suggest.
"That place is like a nest of Shadows, you know?", Gajeel said It with a smirk.
"Whoa, their nest huh?", Gray looked Interested.
"But what about Gajeel'd and Lily's Injuries?", Lisanna asked concerning.
"They're still recovering from their wounds. They'll be accompany us, but neither will participate In the exploration", Mira speaks honestly which earned a heavy sigh from Gajeel.
"Yeah, yeah we get it", he said defeatedly.
"Relax, ol'Gray's got your backs", Gray says confidently slapping him through his back only for him to get growled at.
"I'm not so sure about that", Natsu facepalm before pointing at Gray's naked body yet again. "Pervert".
"GRAY!". Erza, Mira and Lisanna shouts embarrassedly as they blushed and covers their eyes.
"WHAT!?, when that happened!?", he panicked before starts looking for his clothes that he didn't even remember taking off.
Erza just glared and shook her head before turning to Chairman Precht. "What about you Mr.Chairman?", she asked.
"I'll stay here", he says before signed. "Not much point anyway, since I can't summon a Persona".
...
"Huh!?. Wait we're here!?", Gray blinked In confusion.
"What's going on here?", Natsu also looked confused. "Why are we back at the school?".
"Just wait and see", Gajeel says cockily as he raised his finger.
"It's almost midnight", Panther Lily looking at the hour In his watch.
And the seconds the arrow strikes 12 that's when the unexpected happend.
The ground began shaking like crazy as If It's almost an earthquake that got everyone dazzled as they watch In shock and disbelief as the school turns to a giant massive tall tower with ups and down obstacle that seems unbelievably unreal and majorly Insane.
That Is known as Tartarus.
"W-W-W-What!?", Gray shutters.
"This Is Tartarus, the labyrinth that reveals Itself during the Dark Hour", Erza Introduced calmly as If she's used to It.
"Labyrinth!?", Happy freaks out. "What are you talking about!?".
"Exactly what the cat says!", Gray agrees as he points up towards the tower. "Whatever happened to OUR SCHOOL!?".
"Once the Dark Hour passes, everything will return to normal", Erza answer honestly.
"This Is the "Nest" you were talking about!?. But why!?, why did our school turn Into a freaking tower!?", Gray just keeps asking again and again cause he's mostly just freaked out by this.
However Instead of answering this time Erza just look hesitant before looking away with thoughts In her mind.
"Erza?", Mira surprised to see her so quiet all of a sudden.
"You don't know either?", Gray asked wondering If that's It.
However Natsu can somehow sense something Erza Isn't saying and that's why she was quiet. 'No...She knows. I can smell It... She's hiding something', he thought suspiciously.
"N-No", Erza lied as she stammers a bit.
'Tck...Liar', Natsu just sighed and scoffed.
"I'm sure It's complicated", Mira getting the feeling she knows why.
"Well If we don't know then we'll just have to find out", Gajeel suggests confidently.
"We've only ever gone In to take a peek, so this Is technically our first time exploring too", Partner Lily points out.
"Pretty exciting huh?", Gajeel sounding excited. "There's gotta be something In there, hopefully some sort of clue about the Dark Hour".
But before Gajeel could even step forward Erza pulled him by the ear and glared. "Gajeel", she says strictly. "I respect your enthusiasm, but neither you or Lily will be joining In the exploration".
Oh, come on!. "Grrr...I know", Gajeel obviously wasn't too happy about It. "Geez, you don't have to keep reminding me".
"I'm sure when you two recover you can join In too", Mira tries to sound reasonable.
Natsu just stare at the tall tower of Tartarus like it's something that came out of a novel or horror flick's.
'So this Is Tartarus...', he thought as he gazed at It and felt a strange feeling about the place. 'Why does It look... Familiar to me?. Have I actually seen It before?'.
Happy noticed Natsu looks distracted. "What's wrong Natsu?".
"It's nothing buddy", Natsu tries not to worry him as he just shrugs It off.
In any case they decide to enter the tower.
While they were expecting for the Inside to be just the Inside of their school they were wrong. What changes on the outside apparently had the same effect on the Island.
Expect there's a huge massive stairs In front of them.
"Whoa, It's just as crazy on the Inside", Gray commented.
"Sure Is creepy though", Lisanna can't help feel a little scared.
"This Is only the entrance", Erza says. "The labyrinth lies beyond the doorway at the top of these stairs".
"First, we need to get a feel for this place", Panther Lily then turns to Natsu Gray and Lisanna. "Why don't the three of you go have a look around?".
"What!?, by ourselves?", Lisanna looks unsure about that.
"We're not asking you to go very far". Erza says reassuringly. "Mirajane will help navigate by feeding you Information from here, I'll be on stand by In case of a emergency".
Still that doesn't really sound comforting. "Couldn't you simply come with us?", she complains a bit.
Mira notice the nervous and fear In her little sister before giving her hand to hers. "It'll be alright Lisanna", she reassure her sister.
Lisanna looked at her older sister. "Big sis Mira...".
"We'll also need to appoint a leader to make any necessary decisions", Panther Lily suggest as Erza nodded In agreement.
"A leader?", Gray raise his eyebrows. "Like captain of the pirate ship?".
But just as Gray was about to volunteer Gajeel steps In "Then In that case I'm In!, pick me!. Pick me!", he begged as he keeps raising his fist higher.
"Gajeel!". But Erza notice this and glare at him preparing to pound him if he disobey.
"Oh come on", he could only protest. "I don't have to go but I can't still give the orders".
But obviously Erza was not going forth with that and decided to pick someone less expected. "Natsu, I'm leaving you In charge".
..
...
...
...
...
"WHAT!?, NATSU'S THE LEADER!?", Gray, Gajeel and even Happy are like WTF?.
"Eh?", Natsu not really paying attention.
"Are you serious!?, you're choosing Salamander over me!?. You've gotta me kidding me!", Gajeel complaining.
"W-Why Natsu!?, no offense but he doesn't even look like the leader or captain type!", Gray also complain.
"I'm right here you know...", Natsu points out but didn't feel offended. "Luckily I don't have the energy or emotions to care or feel offended or even Insulted".
"Natsu...", Happy should known he wasn't quite there just yet.
"Calm down you guys, he has fighting experience already", Lisanna doesn't seem to have any complains.
"So do I!, and I've been In this sh*t longer than he has!", Gajeel keeps on complaining and whining.
"That's enough Gajeel, Erza made her choice, what's done Is done", Panther Lily tries to calm his partner down.
Gajeel tries to think of something else to say but couldn't before groaning In defeat. "Ugh...Grr...I can't believe this".
"That's true too, but the main reason Is far more simpler", Erza points out strictly before pulling her Evoker. "Gray, and you too Lisanna...".
Then she pulled the Evoker straight at her forehead. "Can either of you summon your Persona without difficulty or a fear of death?. Like Natsu can?", she says sounding so stren and really scary with that tone.
"Is that really how I did It?. I wasn't scared of death?", Natsu asked Happy.
"Yeah Natsu", he answered. "It was quiet scary to see you like that, but you were also amazing out there when I saw you fight".
"I-I-I w-w-well...", Gray wasn't sure how to respond to that so he hesitate. "O-O-Of course I can!. I ain't some pussy".
"Hey!", Happy takes offensive to that apparently.
"Me too!", Lisanna tries to sound brave too. "If my big sister can do It then I won't fall behind".
Mira just smiled at her little sister as Erza frowned. "These are Shadows we're talking about here", she says sternly. "Without your Persona, you're screwed and dead".
Lisanna gulped completely aware of that as she...Seen It happened before. "I'm... Aware of that".
"Alright then, If you're ready then head Inside", Erza said seriously as she looks at Natsu. "Are you ready Natsu?".
"I guess?", he just shrugs. "Still don't know why you picked me though but... Whatever".
"Heh, that's the spirit", Erza smirk a bit expecting no less from him.
However before they could start moving suddenly the Velvet Key In Natsu's hand Is shinning.
"What's the matter Natsu?", Happy
Out of nowhere In nobody's eyes but him. Natsu saw a strange looking door just sitting on the corner of the lobby.
"Hey!", Gajeel shouts when he noticed Natsu starts walking a few feet away from them. "Where the hell are you going!?".
"I wonder what seems to be the problem?", Mira wonders noticing the hypnotizing look on Natsu's blank stare.
...
Inside of Natsu's Mind...
"I've been waiting for you. Natsu Dragneel", Igor speaks out of nowhere as Natsu found himself waking up In the Velvet Room of his own Imagine... Again.
"What the-you again!?", Natsu gasped even though he wasn't as surprised as he was before. "Ok this Is officially NOT a dream as far as I am aware".
"The time has come for you to wield your power Natsu", Mavis speaks calmly yet so serious. "The tower that you are about to venture Into...How did It come to be?, for what purpose does It exist?".
Natsu blinked. "Holly sh*t you've been spying on me?", he was starting to feel a little uncomfortable now.
"Regrettably, you are not yet capable pf answering these questions just yet. That Is why you must be made aware of something before you go any further", Igor says. "You must understand the nature of your power".
"The nature of my power?", he asked confusingly. "Can you just please get to the point".
"Your power Is unique. It Is like the number zero, empty. But at the same time, holding Infinite possibilities", Igor says.
"When I said get to the point I meant literally to the point like your pointy long nose!", Natsu groaned and facepalm. "This Is starting to get under my nerves".
"You, my boy... Are able to posses multiple Persona's and summon them at will", Igor stated.
Finally. Something that makes sense. "Now we're getting somewhere...Wait", Natsu blinked again. "Hold on. Multiple Persona's?, what do you mean?".
"It means you can summon more than just Ryu, you have the abilities to weild more than one", Mavis explained. "It Is called the Wild Card, and very rare for only few have able to possess It".
"And when you have defeated your enemies, you will see the faces of possibilities before you. There may be times when they are difficult to grasp, but do not fear", Igor explained as well. "Seize what you have earned, your power will grow accordingly, be sure to keep that In mind".
"Okay gotcha, I think I'm starting to understand little on what you just said", Natsu says seriously as he gets It. "Well kind of...".
"Now then, my spare time will soon be scarce. Next time, once again...May you open the door and come here of your own accord", Igor said his farewell for now again till next time.
"Sure...", Natsu just rolled his eyes sarcastically. " Cause that's what you just said last time and look how I ended up here".
"I'll tell you then about my true role, the manner of which I can be able to assist you", Igor spoke.
"Until we meet again Natsu, farewell", Mavis smiled.
"Later!", Natsu showing a peace sign before drifting back Into unconscious.
...
"Natsu?".
"Natsu??".
"NATSU!?".
"Huh!?", Natsu gasped before seeing himself back at the real world...Sort of.
"Hey, are you alright?", Lisanna asked concerningly.
"What's up with you Pinky?, you look like a zombie", Gray asked while glaring at him.
"What... Happy, don't tell me none of you saw that?", Natsu tried asking his exceed partner.
"Saw what?", Happy asked not really getting what he's talking about. "All we saw was you staring off at empty space and zoning out for almost a couple of minutes there".
"Don't tell me you were daydreaming, y-y-you're like the coach who fell asleep during the championship game", Gray facepalm before sighing heavily. "Come on man get your head together!, you're supposed to be our LEADER!".
'Weird...So I'm the only one who can see this?. They don't seem to able to see the door, yet I was able to...'., Natsu though to himself as he doesn't seem to be paying attention to what Gray's saying.
"Oh cut him some slack Gray, If nothing's wrong then let's just get going", Lisanna says reminding them.
"The entrance to the labyrinth Is at the top of the stairs. Whenever you feel ready to start just lead the way", Erza says.
Gazing at the Velvet door that seems only Natsu can see It while everyone else finds It Invisible he decided to just ignore It and focus on the task.
"Happy. You stay here okay. It's too dangerous If you come with me", Natsu suggest his buddy shouldn't be coming along.
Hearing that made Happy wonder fearing this Is a really bad Idea. "Are you sure you're going to okay without me?", Happy asked looking concerned about this.
"Hey I survived school without you always being there right?", Natsu says confidently as he smirks a bit.
'Expect this will be different', he then thought that to himself.
"Are you ready?", Erza asked
"Yes", Natsu, Gray and Lisanna said together In Unison.
"Then good luck", Erza wished them to be careful and safe as they made through the gateway that'll lead through the Labyrinth of the Tower Tartarus.
AN : Ugh my phone had battery problem lately and that's why It's so hard to keep updated on my story. But at least It's worth It...Hope you like it.
Next: Natsu, Gray and Lisanna explore the first floor of the Labyrinth of Tartarus and we get to revealed Gray's and Lisanna's Persona.