4/21 18 days left until the Full Moon
Minako yawned as she headed to Gekkoukan High. Cruse those nightmares about that monstrous being killing us all. I blame creepy kid.
“Mornin'.”
“'lo Yukari...”
“Um...thanks about yesterday.”
“What?”
“Akihiko-senpai's injured too, and I was really uneasy working alone with Mitsuru-senpai...”
Get yourself out of sleepymode and be chipper. She sounds like she needs it.
“Leave it to me!”
“Yeah! Let's do our best together!”
Mission Completed.
“But I wonder when Senpai's injury is going to heal. He said it wan't a major injury...”
He would say that even if it was a major injury. He looks like Blood Knight incarnate.
“I thought I was going to fall asleep in there...” Yukari said later after class.
“I did. Amazing that they didn't notice.”
Minako stood straight up when she noticed Mitsuru stride into the room. Better not give the appearance of looking like a slacker.
“Can I talk to you?”
Minako curtly nodded back.
“Come to the lounge when you get back to the dorm. I have something to tell everyone. I'll save the details for later. See you then.” Mitsuru then promptly walked out.
“That was fast...”
“She's probably busy with things like Student Council. Unlike us.” Yukari said in a not too happy tone.
“Whoa, Yuka-tan! Do I sense some hostility?” Junpei butted in and said.
Words out of my mouth.
“It's not that I don't like her...she's just...never mind. Let's go Minako.”
“See you later, Junpei!”
...what's with that grin?
Yukari suddenly spoke up when they were at the strip mall near the dorm. “It's not that I don't like her or anything, y'know?”
“Mitsuru eh.” Minako was about to say something more when...
“Why does Junpei always have to talk about stuff that isn't any of his business huh?” She then went on a tirade against Junpei, detailing out what she thought was wrong with him.
Skirt lifting? Really? Well...maybe he's changed since then. I see nothing wrong with Junpei at all.
Yukari and Minako made their way up to the Command Room with Mitsuru welcoming them. Akihiko said he wanted to introduce the two the someone...
“Hey hurry up!”
“Hold your horses. This is freakin' heavy.”
No. That voice. That's-!
And in behind a whole car of luggage appeared Junpei!
How in the heck did he carry that all the way up here? And isn't the guys floor on the second floor?
“Junpei?! Why are you here?” Yukari asked.
Akihiko made the introduction of Junpei and that he would stay in the dorm now, much to Yukari's surprise. Turns out that Akihiko found Junpei at a convenience store and told him about the group.
So that's why he was so excited Monday.
“He found me crying at the floor of the convenience store surrounded by a bunch of coffins. I don't remember much but man, that was embarassing,” Junpei said. “He said that's, ya know, completely normal in the beginning. Like being confused and not remembering anything. Did ya guys know that?”
...my first time in the Dark Hour was staying up for New Years. I remember that very well. I freaked out and cried in my room but...that's not confusion.
“I was okay though.”
“Heeey, don't feel bad! It happens to all us Persona-users.”
Hmph.
Junpei admitted that he was shocked about this though. “I'm glad I'm not the only one. It could get kinda lonely, ya know.”
Oh tell me about it.
“I bet you're stoked too right?! Having me join?” Yukari was most certianly not stoked but...
Hey, this is great. The more the merrier!
“So anyway, glad to join the team Minako” He turned to her specificly.
“Heh. I think I should remind you that I'm counting on you.”
“Heheh, that's what I'm here for!” The two exchanged grins as Ikutsuki entered the room.
“Okay, everybody's here. I'd like your undivided attention.”
Ikutsuki explained that there were only Mitsuru and Akihiko for the longest time but with Minako, Yukari and Junpei around, they were going to start exploring Tartarus.
“Tartarus? What's that? Sounds like toothpaste,” Junpei said.
Words out of my mouth. Again. Though...I was thinking of something for fish to be dipped in.
“Where is this, Tartarus?” Minako said.
“That's right.” Yukari responded. “You haven't seen it yet.”
“It's no surprise, since it only appears in the Dark Hour.” Ikutsuki replied.
“Just like the Shadows. Interesting huh? And it's the perfect place for us to train.” Akihiko said.
I just thought of Level Grinding and I'm not even a gamer. Oh and if anyone is giving off pervert vibes, it's Akihiko when he gets serious about work outs.
When Yukari asked about his injury, Mitsuru told that he will only come as far as the enterence. He dejectedly acknowledged this. Junpei was enthused, Yukari was not.
And I am cautious but willing. Always a middle ground.
Ikutsuki said that he would remain behind since he can't summon a Persona.
Just...what does he do again?
So here we are, at the middle of the night, near the school, wearing red armbands and have gun-like objects attached to our belts. Not suspicious at all.
“This is it? THIS is the place? Why HERE?” Junpei said.
“Just wait a few moments. It's almost midnight.” Akihiko responded.
Dark Hour
And suddenly, as the world got green and bloody, the entire structure of the school shifted, turning into some twisted tower.
“This is Tartarus-the labyrinth that reveals itself during the Dark Hour.” Mitsuru said. Junpei was shocked but Mitsuru explained that everything will change back once the Dark Hour ends.
“But why?!? Why did our school turn into a giant tower!?”
Mitsuru simply said that she didn't know.
Oh goodie. Another anomaly in this world.
“Mitsuru and I have gone in to take a peak. But this will be our first time exlporing it. Sounds exciting don't you think?”
He could match creepy kid with his lustful grin.
Mitsuru once again chastised him and reminded him that he isn't going in to Akihiko's annoyance.
So...this is where we are to explore. A shadow's nest. A battling we will go~!
-linebreak-
“Whoa...it's just as cool on the inside...” Junpei said.
“But it sure is creepy.” Yukari responded.
“Okay then. It's decided. It's creeply cool.” Minako said. And indeed. A giantic clock-like door with steps lined with a blue is creeply cool.
Mitsuru and Akihiko said that the group would have a short look into the tower and that a leader would be appointed. Junpei Jumped at the Call for the opportunity but...
“Minako, you're in charge.” Akihiko announced
“Wha-? B-but she's a girl!” Junpei said.
“Well she has fought them before.” Yukari said.
“Seriously?” Junpei responded.
Akihiko then asked the two if they could summon their Personas without any trouble. Both of their responses were less than enthusing. Akihiko reminded them of the stakes of not being able to summon them.
“Alright. Let's head inside. You ready Minako?”
Chipper mode activate!
“You betcha!”
“Heh. That's the spirit.”
However...
Wait, what's that blue door over there?
“What's the matter?” Yukari asked.
Before Minako could respond, the Velvet Key shined in her hand and she felt herself enter the Velvet Room.
She found herself in that Velvet Room again. Igor waiting for her, as always.
“I've been waiting for you. The time has come for you to wield your power.” He mused on the tower but told her that she isn't able to answer it yet.
“That is why you must be made aware of the nature of your power.”
“Um...about that door..”
“It leads here, although no one but you can see it.”
Oh great. What do Yukari and Junpei...and Akihiko and Mitsuru think I am doing. Standing around off into space?
Igor then explained that her power is like the number zero. Empty and full of infinite possibilities.
...I do not want to think about what that means about my personality.
Igor went on to say that she can summon multiple Personas and that she can get the faces of possibilities after a battle.
Powerups? Sounds...videogame-ish. Was I not too far off with the level grinding statement?
Igor said that his time would be scare and that he would explain about the mannor he could best assist Minako then and then asked Minako a question about a resident in this room.
“Tell me. When you think of this person, what do you see?”
...a guy. Part of me wonders what woman would work with him.
“I see. Then let's bring him out of a proper introduction.”
A man with white hair and yellow eyes and in attire of a station attendant appeared. “My name is Theodore, but please call me Theo. It's a pleasure to meet you.”
Why am I so insanely attracted to that voice?!
“Until then, farewell.” Igor said.
Minako actually stood up and left the room this time...and found a concerned Yukari and Junpei.
“Hey are you alright?” she asked.
“Yeah, what's up? You look like a zombie.” Junpei said.
“Really? A zombie?”
“That's what you pick to dwell on!?”
One, don't like zombies. Two, seems more sane than asking if you see an invisible door and three it confirms that I do space out when I enter the Velvet Room.
“Come on, let's go.” Yukari said.
And so, up the stairs and in through the door of Tartarus they went! Inside, the group found a room that had checkered floors and tiled walls and was as green as the outside world at the moment.
“Can you all here me?” Mitsuru said into Minako's head.
“Whoa, is that you Senpai?” Junpei said.
“I'll be providing audio backup from here on out.”
“Wait, you mean you can see inside here?” Junpei asked.
“It's my Persona's ability.” She explained.
Handy.
She explained that she would join them but since Tartarus' structure changes everyday, they need someone pulling support below. She then informed that enemies where nearby and that the group should proceed with caution. “Right.” Junpei confirmed.
“Got it.” Yukari said.
“We're on it!” Minako responded.
“...why is she always like that...” Minako heard Yukari mutter.
No time for mutterings here. We need to get our minds set on battle.
Mitsuru guided them all of the way. First, when they saw their first shadow, she explained that they needed to attack it before it attacked them. While the Shadow spotted them, they were still fit for battle.
And I think I'll learn what happens when I'm not attentive.
During the battle, Mitsuru explained about attacks and invoking Personas. Minako knew this but she let Mitsuru tell it for Junpei and Yukari's sakes. Minako pulled off a simple hit while Junpei took to invoking and defeated the shadow with a simple Cleave. Minako took note of his statement when summoning his Persona for the first time.
“I can't lose to her.”
He...is fighting against me to look better in Mitsuru and Akihiko's eyes. In order to get some power. Hmm...
They ran by a staircase but Mitsuru told them to only take note of that it will lead them to the next level. They found another Shadow nearby and Mitsuru explained that they should take a hit without the Shadow noticing to get the advantage.
Sounds important. Like I'll-get-in-trouble-if-I-don't-remember-it important.
Minako waited...and managed to get a behind the back attack in. Mitsuru explained about attack affinities, swords and naginta's are slash, bows are pierce and different skills have different affinities like Bufu for Ice. She said that the group should use these abilites towards an enemy that's weak to them and that she can scan for them.
''Alright then. Please scan Mitsuru!”
“Rodger. I'll attempt to analyze the enemy.”
The Cowardly Maya's were revealed to have a weakness to Fire.
And Orpheus has Agi! YES!
Minako calmly summouned her Persona - “Orpheus!” and Agi'd the Shadow. Junpei and Yukari gathered behind her and Junpei said...
“Here's our chance...let's get 'em!”
Minako gave a nod, and the three attacked the down Shadow, deftly defeating it.
Next up, Mitsuru noted a Shadow around the corner and Minako sneaked around to get another advantage again. Mitsuru explained about additonal attacks if you exploit a weakness or get a critical hit. If you attack all the enemies with a weakness, the group would get an all out attack, what they did before with the lone shadow.
“Right! Thanks for the help!”
Three Cowardly Mayas...time for some more Agi! And with Yukari and Junpei cheering her on, Minako easily knocked down the enemies and intiated an all out attack.
“Get back here you son of a-!”
Another battle effortlessly won. Fighting Shadows was easier than Minako expected.
After the battle, she noticed the cards. One of a cup, one of a wand, and another of a Pixie.
Let's take the Pixie. And one small shuffle later, Pixie was welcomed into Minako's heart.
Mitsuru explained about health and healing before they took on the next shadow.
Mitsuru then explained the all-out-attack in depth, not that any of them needed it now. Knock down all Shadows and make sure the team is at least with two members. After explaining, she informed of the times when one can't retreat.
“This is one of those times. Good luck.”
Well it's only Mayas.
And several Agi's and an all-out-attack later, the Shadows were vanquished. Afterwards, another Persona appeared before Minako's eyes. She reached out and grabbed it and found...Apsaras.
“Well I certianlly feel stro-”
“Dadadada! Junpei has leveled up!”
“Nice one Junpei.” Minako said.
“Well, I feel pretty good as well.” Yukari said.
The trio was then informed that there were no Shadows left. Mitsuru recommended splitting the team up to search for the access point back to the enterence.
“Alright. Junpei, Yukari, spread out.” The two nodded and headed off.
A little while later Yukari found the access point and Minako gave the OK to go back. While they were headed over there, Junpei handed her some medicine he found.
The trio found themselves back at the start.
“Welcome back.” Mitsuru said. “So how was it?”
“No problem. The shadows we faced had a skill that I could exploit so, it was very easy.”
“I see. Well if you gained confidence, than that's the best thing you can achive.”
I have to admit, I can see what Akihiko finds thrilling about the fight now.
Both Yukari and Junpei noticed how tired they were. Mitsuru told them they would get more fatigued more easily but the group will adapt in time. But she was impressed at their work and remkared they would catch up with Akihiko easily.
“We'll see about that.”
''Is that a challenge?”
Minako grinned but she had to admit that she felt tired as well. But as SEES went back to the dorm...Minako felt another Fool card slip into place
Academics: Slacker
Charm: Plain
Courage: Timid
Personae
Orpheus – Fool - Level 2
Pixie – Lovers – Level 2
Apsaras – Priestess - Level 3
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