5/9 Full Moon
“Hey there Minako.” Akihiko said. “How's it going? Have you been training in Tartarus?”
“Of course!”
And we completed the block as well and the shadows were easy.
“Great, keep it up. It never hurts to train while you have the chance. My wounds will heal in no time, and then I'll be able to join you in the front line. But, don't just rely on me.”
“I do not believe you'll have to worry about that.”
Full Moon tonight. Now that kid warned that some ordeal was to happen today. Shouldn't risk being out too late. So...I'll just walk home today
Dark Hour
Minako on her bed, dressed and waiting for something to happen. She even had her naginata nearby, ready if anything was to attack the dorm again.
Okay. Don't worry Minako. You've beaten Shadows. Lots of them. Easily. So why are you so nervous?
Simple. THAT guy.
Oh so death you aren't afraid of but THAT guy is what makes you nervous.
I lost control of my power! How's that? And...it was so painful I thought I was dying.
An alarm sounded, frightening the tensed up leader.
Alright. This means report to the command room. Minako took up her weapon and headed up. She was the first to enter the room, Yukari and Junpei trailing not too far behind.
“We're here!” Yukari said.
“Where is it? I'll rip it a new one!” Junpei exclamed.
Mitsuru reported that there was a Shadow outside of Tartarus and that it was a big one. Since people don't know about the Dark Hour, if the Shadow was to cause destruction, there would be panic and that needs to be avoided.
“In other words, we need to kick some ass right?! Well count me in!” Junpei said.
Yukari and Minako sighed a little at that.
Going a little bit overboard there Junpei.
Mitsuru told Akihiko to stay and wait for the Chairman, much to his dismay. Mitsuru pointed out that he still needs to recover and to have faith in the juniors.
“I guess I've got no choice. Minako, you're in charge.” Akihiko said.
“Her again?” Junpei said unhappily.
“We're counting on you.” Mitsuru said to Minako.
Right. I've got to stay calm and be steady. And make sure Junpei does do anything crazy.
“Leave it to me!”
“I know you can do this.” Akihiko said.
Thanks.
“Guess it's pretty much decided that you're our leader huh? Even when I'm the only guy in the group.”
...Junpei. I like you and all but that deserves a slap in the back of the head.
Mitsuru swiftly responded to this. “Whether one is a man or a woman doesn't factor into it. The responsibility falls to those who have the gift. And let me add, if you ever say or do anything to condescend to her because she's a woman...”
Junpei quickly backtracked. “Oh no, no, no, no, no! It's not like I look down on her or anything.”
...Mitsuru, I think you've earned my respect here. And yeah, I figured it isn't sexist reasons why Junpei resents me, it's leader reasons.
Akihiko told the trio to go on ahead, as Mitsuru needed to prepare some things. They were to meet up in front of the station.
“Okay, let's go Yukari, Junpei.”
“Where is she?” Yukari asked after several minutes of waitng.
“She'll be here soon.” Junpei replied.
Minako sighed softly, slowly sipping the Fountain Dew she had.
“There's a full moon tonight. But it looks even creepier in the Dark Hour.” Yukari noted.
Don't I know it. Minako took another sip of her soda. Off in the distance, an engine rumbled. Junpei was quite surprised to see the same motorcycle that Mitsuru had in Tartarus riding up to the station.
“Tonight, I'll be providing support from here. Everything else is the same.” Mitsuru informed. “The Shadow is currently located inside a monorail, not far from the station. To get there, you'll have to walk on the tracks.”
“Are you serious? Isn't that dangerous?” Junpei asked.
“Don't worry, no electronic equipment is operable during the Dark Hour, including the monorails.” She said.
“But your bike...”
“It's special.”
And you didn't notice it until now? It was in Tartarus all of this time.
“Now if circumstances change, I'll notifiy everyone immediately. Let's get started.” Mitsuru said.
“Everyone, let's roll out!”
“Huh!? O-okay!” Yukari said haltingly.
“Is this how we're gonna do this?” Junpei asked.
What? I thought it was good.
Wow, these tracks are high up. Nice view of Tartarus.
Eventually, the trio found the train. “This is it...right?” Yukari asked.
Mitsuru called out informing the group that the Shadow was in the monorail and telling the group to be careful and stick together. As Yukari stepped onto the train, she reminded Junpei not to look up her skirt.
There is a reason I'm going last.
A coffin greeted the group into the train. “This poor stiff must be a passenger.” Junpei noted. And suddenly a door slam.
“What's wrong? What happened?!” Mitsuru asked.
“It looks like we're trapped inside.” Yukari reported.
“It must be the Shadow. It knows you're there. Be ready for anything proceed with extreme caution.”
“R-Rodger.”
“Stick close you too.” Minako led the way through the cart to find the next one with no Shadows in it. But just as they neared the exit, a Shadow appeared.
“There it is!” Junpei said. But just as soon as it appeared...it headed off into the next car. “Hey! Get back here!”
“Wait!” Mitsuru cautioned. “Something's not right...the enemy is acting strangely.”
“But if we don't go after it, we are going to lose it!”
“Ameno, you are in command there. What do you think?”
“We need to be cautious!”
This is a powerful shadow we are dealing with. We have to stay together!
“I agree. It would be foolish to blindly chase after it.” Mitsuru said.
“Fine, I'll go in myself. You guys just stay back and watch me beat it all by myself!” Junpei said as he ran off.
Oh no...I know you desire attention Junpei but this puts you in danger!
“Watch out! Behind you!”
And before Minako and Yukari could turn around, two Spurnious Books attacked them.
“Analyze them real quick Mitsuru!” The two quickly attacked one of the Shadows when the report of the Books being weak to Agi came in. Minako switch Jack Frost out for Orpheus and quickly took the remaining Shadow out.
“This is just what the enemy wanted.” Yukari sighed in excasperation.
“We have no choice. You have to go after him, or you'll be picked off one by one.” Mitsuru informed. And just then...more of the Books and a Heat Balance attacked. The two took out the Books and received the info that the Balance was weak to Garu. Yukari used Garu to take it out swiftly and the girls moved on.
The next car was deserted. No sign of Junpei or shadows. “Don't you think he's acting weird? Did you say something to upset him Minako?”
“No. Not that I know of.”
But I do know what's bugging him...why won't he talk to me about it?
The girls found him in the next car, surrounded by Shadows. “Junpei!” The girls cried out.
“I've got it under control! Take this you freak of nature!”
“No way! You need back up!” Minako said as she and Yukari rushed in.
The enemies were a Book, a Balance and...
“A DANCING HAND?!” Minako said.
“It's sigificantly weaker than the one you faced before.” Mitsuru said. “Indeed, it's weak to fire.”
“Watch me in action!” Junpei said as he summoned Hermes to use Agi.
Minako took a deep breath. “Glad you're okay, Junpei.”
“See! That's what happens when you don't listen!” Yukari reprimanded Junpei. “So are you alright?”
“O-of course I am. I was doin' just fine.” He replied angerly.
“Excuse me!?”
“Alright you two break it up!” Minako stepped in between the two.
“Be careful you three. I don't detect any movement but stay alert!” Mitsuru said.
And then...the group felt the train move from beneath them. “Whoa! What the-! Why are we moving?!” Junpei asked.
“It seems the monorail is under the enemy's control.” Mitsuru reported.
“Whaddya mean it seems?!” Yukari asked.
The train sped up even faster. “If we don't stop this, it'll crash into another train!” Mitsuru said.
“W-WHAT?!” Minako asked.
“Oh god! What are we going to do?!” Yukari asked.
“Calm down and listen. I sense a strong presence in the front car. That must be the one we are after. You'll have to defeat it to stop the train.” Mitsuru reported.
And suddenly, more Shadows appeared.
“We have no time for this!” Minako and the group rushed through the entire fight. “Let's run!” Minako, Yukari and Junpei ran through the train, stopping only to slash and attack at the weaker Shadows.
“Your primary target is up ahead. Are you ready?”
“Yeah! Let's go!”
Inside they found...a woman shaped Shadow with her legs spread out and her breasts visable.
That's uncomfortable.
“What the hell? Is this the freakin' boss?!”
“We're in the front car, it's gotta be!” Yukari said.
“Hurry!” Mitsuru said.
“Analyze real quick! Jack Frost! Sonic Punch!” Minako shouted.
“Hee-hoo!” The Frost said as the attack landed. Yukari followed up with Garu and Junpei with Cleave. The Shadow summoned two Muttering Tiara's.
“Tch. Bufu-weak.” Minako attacked the Tiara and took them out easily and Sonic Punched the Priestess. Yukari once again, Garu'd as the report came in that it was resistant to Ice. However the Shadow was nearly wiped out. Junpei attacked the Shadow and it fell and dissolved.
“Did we make it in time?” He asked. Despite that the train moved on and on. “Heey! Why're we still moving?!”
“We're going to fast! We have to put on the breaks or else!” Yukari shouted.
“What are you waiting for!? There's a train up ahead!”
“Dammit! I don't know how to stop this thing!” Junpei shouted.
“Someone hit the breaks!” Minako shouted out.
Yukari and Junpei aren't- then...no! Come on work! Minako pressed the red button and closed her eyes...
...and the train slowed to a halt.
“Oh...my...” Minako said.
“Is everybody alright!?” Mitsuru said.
“Uh, y-yeah, we're okay.” Yukari said. “Haha. My knees are shaking.”
“Dude, I'm like drenched in sweat. Hey, are you okay, Mina-tan?” Junpei asked.
Minako took a deep breath. Okay. Gotta put on the brave face. She turned around and faced her teammates with a grin.
“That was a breeze!”
“Seriously? Yeesh, you're a real tomboy.”
“As if you don't already know that.”
Mitsuru sighed in relief. “I'm so glad you're safe. I'm sorry I couldn't do more on my end.”
“Hey, you did good Mitsuru!” Minako said.
“I don't detect any more Shadows. You guys did a great job so come on home.”
“But...” Yukari turned to Minako. “How did you know which one was the break?”
“It was a pure guess.”
“Seriously!?” Junpei exclaimed. “Ah. Whatever. Wanna grab a bite to eat? I'm freakin' hungry.”
“Uhh, I hate to break it to you Junpei but girls don't usually get hungry in the middle of the night.” Yukari replied.
“What the heck are you talking about Yukari?” Minako said with a grin on her face.
Well. This was...dangerous and thrilling. But, Minako, remember to take Tartarus with as much seriousness as I do this.
But she saw another Fool card slip into place.
The team is getting stronger. Minako smiled. Just what we need to face whatever will come our way.
On the way home, Junpei and Yukari talked with Minako over a new strategy. “You tend to knock down lots of Shadows,” Yukari said. “So...I'm thinking that we could team up and take down another with the opening that's presented.”
“Hey! That goes for me as well you know!” Junpei said. “So just go on and be the best attacker you can be Minako.”
So, that kid was correct. What does that mean? How would he know of that. Ugh...feeling too tired. Need sleep now.
Academics: Slacker
Charm: Plain
Courage: Ordinary
Personae
Orpheus – Fool - Level 3
Jack Frost – Magician – Level 10
Apsaras – Priestess – Level 2
Pixie – Lovers – Level 2
Angel - Justice - Level 4
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