7/7 Tuesday Full Moon
“Good morning, Minako-chan. How are you feeling today?” Fuuka asked Minako at the gate.
“Better than ever!”
We are over prepared. This fight should be a breeze.
“Now that's our Minako-chan! We're going to have a quick meeting tonight about the operation. So, please return to the dorm immediately after school.”
Better get home and get myself ready for tonight's mission.
Dark Hour
The group gathered in the command room that night. Fuuka, as soon as the shift appeared, summoned Lucia and began searching for Shadows.
“Any luck Fuuka?” Akihiko asked.
“...just a moment...I found it! I sense a strong presence!”
“Hey, we were right!” Junpei exclaimed.
“Or so it would seem.” Ikutsuki added.
“It's located in Iwatodai, inside a building on Shirakawa Boulevard.” Fuuka informed.
“Hmm, Shirakawa Boulevard...they've been finding the lost in pairs lately. Now I understand why.”
“In pairs...” Mitsuru paused for a bit but then. “Oh, I get it.”
Yep. It's THAT district.
Fuuka dismissed Lucia and asked the group what was on Shirakawa. Junpei explained it's where THOSE hotels are. “You've heard about 'em, right Fuuka? Where people go to...ya know...” Fuuka was surprised and Yukari slightly disgusted but Ikutsuki explained they are not much different than ordinary hotels. Only nicer rooms.
“I don't know about this. Maybe I shouldn't go.” Yukari said.
“You're just like a little kid Yuka-tan.” Junpei taunted.
“Wh-whatever! Fine. Let's go but this time, I want a piece of the action!”
What? What?
“Y-you do?”
“So, who's gonna take the lead?” Yukari asked.
“Amano.” Mitsuru said. “I don't see any reason to change leaders now and Yamagishi, I want you to handle support during the operation.”
“I'll do my best,” Fuuka said.
“Okay then. Um...” Minako eyed Yukari. “You do realize that I hadn't planned for you coming along. You sure about this?”
“I'm going, no matter what!”
“Right then.” Minako calmed her panicking self. “Okay, Mitsuru, Junpei, you two are with me.”
The two nodded in agreement. “Don't let your surroundings interfere with your concentration. Focus on defeating the Shadow.” Mitsuru advised.
“Right then. Let's get ready.”
“I'll prepare to back you up. Go and get ready.” Fuuka said.
“Um, Minako, why are you wearing that?” Junpei pointed to the barely there outfit that passed as armor.
“What? I think it's appropriate.”
The team of four entered into the Champs de Fleurs. “I sense a Shadow on the third floor!” Fuuka said. “The guests are alright but please hurry.”
When ascending the floors and slipping past the few Shadows there, Minako noticed something off about Junpei.
He's not distracted by me at least but...he seems to be mad. Why is that?
The entered the largest bedroom in the building. Inside, the Shadow awaited for them. A rotund priest like figure getting stroked lovingly by a woman-like figure with a six barred cross for a head. Beside the two are two shaking crosses.
“This is the boss? Huh. It's more normal looking than I expected.” Yukari said.
“Well, still creepy. In it's own way.”
“Get ready everyone! It's coming!”
“Take-Minakata!” Minako summonded the persona to lower the Shadow's defense and Yukari, Mitsuru and Junpei attacked it. The Shadow swiftly retailated, using Zio on the electricity weak Yukari and then attacking her, dizzing her and leaving her weak.
“Yukari-chan's in trouble! Please heal her.”
“On it!” Minako said back administering a Medical Powder on her. Mitsuru and Junpei, once again attacking the Shadow and the Shadow attacking Mitsuru with Zionaga.
Another Medicine for Yukari won't hurt.
And finally, Yukari stood back up, joining Mitsuru and Junpei on their attacks. The Shadow seemed to smile at the team and laughed at them.
All will perish!
Huh?
The end of the world is near! Can't you feel it? Don't you know that this can not be stopped.
“T-that's-”
Wait. What did Pharos say to me?
The end is coming soon. Don't you sense it? The end of everything.
Is- is that true!?
Everyone shall sleep peacefully as the end comes. This can not change! Everyone shall sleep when the Fall comes!
Everyone...is going to become The Lost. Everyone... Minako could just envision the sight. The world decaying under the masses of brain dead people. All civilization halted. Everyone and everything dying a slow and painful death of malnourishment. The world, to never more live. Just a planet of rocks and stones and storms. This was their future. It couldn't be stopped.
Minako suddenly felt felt pain. Someone was striking her. But who? I...I gotta stand up. But...why? Still she stood but nothing could will her to fight no more.
The end is near! Soon the world will have it's wish and sleep for all eternity! Nothing can stop this! It's the end you all wish for.
I...who am I to...why? I can't. I can't stop it. I can't stop it. I can't-
Minako eyed at the doomsaying Shadow. Mitsuru and Yukari were still attacking at it and defeated it. The shadow disintegrated before her eyes. Shivering, Minako slowly came to her senses. Okay. Get ahold of yourself Minako. It's gone. It's defeated. No reason to be so frightened.
“You okay Minako?” Yukari asked. “That thing tried to distract us. First it was you, and then it was Junpei.”
“I- I think I'll be okay.” So it wasn't just me that heard it. And...Junpei got frightened by it? “You alright, Junpei?”
“Tch. I'm fine.”
Junpei...
“Amano. The mission is over.” Mitsuru said. “You did well. We would have made as much progress as we did without you lowering the defense of the enemy.”
“Right. Thanks. Okay then it's time to wr-” Minako tried to open the door. “Huh?” She tried again but the door wouldn't budge at all. “Something seems to be keeping the door shut!”
“...huh? I still sense a Shadow in that room!” Fuuka said to the group. “It's not the same one as you defeated! But where is it hiding?”
“Alright then. Everyone spread out a search the room.” Minako took a look at the bed, while Junpei took a look at the bathroom and Mitsuru checked the other door. Yukari took a look at the mirror.
“Hey guys!” She motioned for the group to head on over. “There's something strange about this mirror. I just can't-” As soon as everyone gathered, a bright light appeared, blinding everyone.
''Mmm...I'm in a hotel room? Wh-what was I doing? I was doing...something and...wait, is that a shower? Was I-”
Embrace your desire.
Huh?
I am the voice of your inner self. Enjoy the moment. That which cannot be felt is merely a dream. The present is all we have.
Th-that's...untrue.
The future is but a fantasy, memory a fabrication. Let your desire free you from your shackles, such is my wish.
I- I can't give in.
Pleasure is what you truly want. You stand before the doorway to bliss. You cannot deny your instincts. Embrace your desire.
Mmm. No! Not now!
Minako felt her mind get clearer as she remembered what she was doing. Oh god. Now I'm sick of Shadows control my mind. Total. Payback. Time.
Minako heard the shower turning off and someone stepping out of the bathroom.
“U-um I...”
“Oh god! Junpei! Snap out of it!”
“Huh!? W-wait, what's going on? Why am I half-naked!?”
“I believe this was some sort of trap.”
“A trap? Man, they really caught us off guard. This could have been bad. Then again this IS a pretty sweet...” He backed off into the bathroom to change saying he shouldn't push his luck when he noticed the death glare Minako gave him.
...oh dang it. Now he's got me thinking it.
“Oh. I can finally reach you!” Fuuka said “Can you two hear me?”
“I hear you.”
“I'm sorry I couldn't contact with you sooner. The Shadow was interfering with your thoughts and you all got separated. The enemy is still in the same room. Please regroup and hurry there. Junpei-kun, can you hear me?”
“Y-yeah, I hear ya!” He shouted back.
“Um, did something happen?”
Finally, Junpei stepped out of the bathroom, nervously laughing. “Well, maybe we could try this again some other time?” He nervously laughed some more. “Just joking. Let's go.”
“I'm sorry. I never expected there to be another Shadow.” Fuuka informed the two. “It's power is blanketing the whole building. I'm pretty sure it's in that one room you where in before but it somehow sealed the door, so I don't think you'll be able to get in. I'll try to find out if there's a way to break the seal. Please join the others. They're on the floor above you.”
“Alright. You still okay Junpei?”
“Yeah. I'm good.” The two quickly surmounted the stairs and found Yukari and Mitsuru waiting for them.
“Oh there you are!” Yukari said. “I can't believe there was another one. That was the worst! Hey, Minako...were you guys okay?”
Wait...Mitsuru and Yukari...
“Fine. How about you guys?”
“W-we're fine! Nothing happened!” Mitsuru said a little bit too loudly.
“I got it! It's the mirrors!” Fuuka said. “They're giving off the same energy as the Shadow! Maybe the seal will vanish if you break the mirrors.”
“I remember this one mirror we saw on the 3 rd floor was different from the others. When I stood in front of it, I felt kinda strange.”
So search for mirrors that give off funky feels. Right then. Minako ducked into Room 205 first. First thing she noticed about the mirror was that it had no reflection. But more importantly, a sense of arousal was what the mirror gave off.
Not good. Smashy-smashy!
“You weakened the seal but there seems to be another mirror on the floor above you. Please find it.” Fukka informed. Minako began searching in the multiple rooms of the third floor but it wasn't until she found Room 304 that she found the mirror.
“You've broken the seal on the door! You should be able to fight the shadow now.” Fuuka informed.
“Right then. Let's do this.”
The Shadow awaited them. It was a heart shaped being, with the symbols of a man and woman inside and it floated in air with some gel-like wings.
“Man, I'm never gonna live down what you put me through! I'm takin' you out, right now!” Junpei shouted at the enemy.
“In full agreement Junpei. Let's finish this.”
The group full on attacked the Shadow, Minako switching to Ares once she realized that she was doing more damage with her physical attacks. The Shadow tried attackng with Marin Karin and Pulpina on Mitsuru but by the time it used Maragilo on the group, it was way too late. Junpei laughed happily as the Shadow disintegrated after his last slash.
“I'm glad you're all safe,” Fuuka said to the group as they exited the building.
“Thanks for your help.” Mitsuru said to Fuuka. “The enemy was sly but you did well.”
“I did what I could.”
“And you too, Amano, for withstanding the enemy's mental assault.”
Yeah that was a tough fight. Well first half anyway. Nice to see that it didn't take that long. Overtraining, for the win.
Minako spotted another Fool card sliding into place.
“Alright. Let's call it a night.” Akihiko said. The two seniors left for the dorm.
“Oh Yukari. About that thing you mentioned the other day...”
“You found out something?”
“Y-yeah.”
“Cool. Tell me later.”
Hmm...
“Alright! We should head back too. Fuuka played a big role again in this one, so score another for the second-years! Come on, Junpei. What are you doing?”
Junpei however, was glaring at Minako. “Hey, Minako. What're you trying so hard for?” he said sullingly.
Huh? Why is he so mad at me?
“Worried about me?”
“I wouldn't say that but meh, like it really matters.”
Junpei...
“Dude, what's the matter with you?” Yukari asked him. “Are you gonna keep sulking because a girl got to be the leader this time too?”
“Shut up!” And Junpei stormed off.
Yukari...I don't think me being a girl has any standing on his jealousy right now.
“What's up HIS butt?”
Mmm...I'm so sleepy. I sure hope I don't get any nightmares tonight because I already have enough.
Academics: Above Average
Charm: Queen Bee
Courage: Tough
Personae
Take-Minakata – Hanged – Level 23
Narcissus – Lovers – Level 22
Hua Po – Magician – Level 25
High Pixie – Priestess – Level 23
Pyro Jack – Magician – Level 14
Zouchouten – Chariot – Level 14
Mokoi – Devil – Level 18
Ares – Chariot – Level 22
Oberon – Emperor – Level 15
Social Links:
Fool Rank 4
Magician MAXED
Priestess Rank 5
Emperor Rank 5
Hiero. Rank 9
Lovers Rank 4
Chariot Rank 6
Hermit Rank 2
Hanged Rank 3
Death Rank 1
Temper. Rank 5
Star Rank 1
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