"Labrys-san, can you drink?" Tsubaki, the Vice-President of Kuoh Academy's Student Council, asked the ponytailed girl who was sitting on the sofa. They were currently in the Student Council Room. The long-haired girl was about to pour the other girl a cup of tea when she gave her that question.

"Hmm? Well… I can safely drink water, so if you're worried 'bout me damaging my insides while drinking, don't be," Labrys said, smiling at Tsubaki.

"I see…" Tsubaki mused. "Here you go, then." She poured the mechanical maiden a cup of tea. "It's one of the finest blends in the Underworld, but it'll be a shame if you can't actually taste it."

"Actually, I can't taste stuff the same way as ya, but let's just say I can feel the texture and stuff whenever I eat or drink somethin'," Labrys informed. "Got the new program installed in me which lets me experience 'tastes', though it ain't the same like tasting foods with a real tongue," she said. "Sorry 'bout that, Tsubaki-san." She offered the long-haired bespectacled girl an apologetic smile.

"That's fine. Don't worry about it, Labrys-san. Even so, I find you to be very amazing," Tsubaki said, putting the cup of tea in front of Labrys. "I can't believe that a robot like you can be so lifelike."

"An Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon, to be exact," Labrys corrected. "We were built in order to combat Shadows and protect mankind."

"Shadows, huh? I think Kaichou did mention it to me once or twice," Tsubaki mused. "Still a bit strange, since even though I am a Devil, I've never encountered such creatures before."

"Actually, Shadows don't exist in the real world. They're in someplace called the 'collective unconscious', a place that connects all people's minds and unconscious thoughts," Labrys informed. "Though under certain circumstances, they can appear in the real world, though it's kinda rare to actually see one in daylight," she added.

"Hmm… fascinating," Tsubaki seemed curious and interested. "Both Kaichou and I did a few researches regarding you and your sister, Aigis-san, and we did stumble upon several things like Shadows and Personas."

The ponytailed mechanical maiden furrowed her brow. "Why did ya research me and my sis?"

"Ah, that's actually the thing that we are about to discuss with you shortly after this, Labrys-san," Tsubaki told her. "Kaichou will be here soon. It seems that the three of our members are in such a worrying state that Kaichou has to attend to them for a while." The bespectacled girl scowled. "It seemed that whatever that Freed Sellzen had done to them, it is not something to be treated lightly…"

"Freed Sellzen…" Labrys spat out that name in repugnance, recalling the thing that the excommunicated exorcist had done to many others. "Next time, I'll get him, and I'm gonna make him pay for what he did." She clenched her fists. "I swear I'm gonna catch him next time." Her ruby eyes were burning with anger, and such a thing did not go unnoticed by the Vice-President.

"Please don't worry, Labrys-san. We, as the members of the Student Council will make sure that there will be no future victims of that depraved monster," Tsubaki said. "We wish for the same thing as well, Labrys-san, though it is prudent to practice caution…"

"…Yeah, you're right," Labrys lowered her head. "I'm sorry I kinda lost it for a bit there. Still…" She looked at Tsubaki with concerned eyes. "Are those three okay?"

"Ah, are you perhaps referring to Genshirou Saji, Momo Hanakai and Ruruko Nimura? Saji and Hanakai are currently stable though a bit tired after that ordeal, but Nimura is having a bad fever. It seems that the arrow that pierced through her shoulder was cursed, and we need to bring her to the hospital in the Underworld in order to cure her," Tsubaki told Labrys about what happened to the three members of the Student Council that were affected by whatever Freed had unleashed back then. "She's expected to recover as soon as possible, so please don't worry about her."

"I see…" Labrys mused. "Thank goodness…" She sighed in relief.

Then, the door was opened, and Sona Sitri stepped into the room. She looked a little exhausted, but she regarded Labrys' presence in the room with a tip of her head and a small smile.

"I apologize for the inconvenience, Labrys-san," the President of the Student Council began as she took her seat on a sofa opposite to the one Labrys was sitting on. "I needed to arrange for Nimura's transfer into the hospital in the Underworld, and it took longer than I had anticipated," she said to Labrys apologetically.

"Nah, don't worry 'bout it, Kaichou," Labrys waved her off. "It's your job, after all."

Sona smiled before she clasped her hands together as she put them on her lap. "Let us go straight to business, then. I believe we have the same objective, Labrys-san."

Labrys nodded. "Yeah. Freed Sellzen needs to be taken down as soon as possible."

"Indeed," Sona agreed. "And we need all the help we can get, and considering that Rias is currently busy with her upcoming unofficial Rating Game, she is in no shape to provide assistance to us," she sighed. "By having you with us, I believe we can manage this. So, I'd like to give you an offer, Labrys-san."

"An offer?" Labrys raised one eyebrow.

Sona nodded. "Yes, an offer to join the Student Council, and by extension, an invitation of sort." She waved her left hand, and a few chess pieces appeared on the table in front of them. The chess pieces were a Rook, a Knight and three Pawns. Labrys recognized the pieces as Evil Pieces, the artifacts that could reincarnate someone into a Devil.

The High-Class Devil held out her hand to Labrys.

"Will you join my peerage?"

Heart of a Butterfly

Persona 3 and High School DxD Crossover

Chapter 21: Raging Bull

"Join your peerage?" Labrys frowned as she focused on the Evil Pieces arranged on the table before her. "Ya mean become a Devil like your whole gang and stuff like that?" She asked.

Sona nodded. "Yes." The President of the Student Council adjusted her glasses. "There were no previous instances of a robot, or in your case, an Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon, to be reincarnated into a Devil, but there were instances where artificial lifeforms such as a golem were able to become a Devil and be a part of a peerage." She studied Labrys' face as she continued, "Labrys-san, I believe that my Vice-President, or rather, my Queen, had informed you of the fact that I researched about you and your sister, and let's just say that I am very impressed by you, and I am interested to have you as a member of my peerage."

Carefully, Labrys worded her response, "Kaichou, I kinda appreciate it that you agreed to have me on board to catch this Freed guy, but did ya just say you've been monitoring me and my sis?"

Sona pushed her glasses up and said, "In a way, yes…" She admitted. "And for that, we sincerely apologize for the breach of privacy. But, after learning of the existence of the creatures such as Shadows, we can't help but be prepared."

Labrys mulled over it for a while before she spoke, "I dunno how to feel 'bout this, Kaichou, but I kinda understand the reasoning behind it." After learning of things like Shadows and Personas, gaining knowledge about them is the wisest choice one can make.

After all, knowledge is power.

"So, about my offer…" Sona said. "Will you accept? Or do you want some time to think about it?"

"I dunno…" Labrys admitted. "I mean… it ain't something I can decide on my own." Her red eyes focused on the bespectacled Devil in front of her. "And considering that ya did a bit of researches 'bout me and my sis, I bet you've been thinkin' a lot 'bout this, right?"

Slowly, Sona nodded. "Yes, you are correct," she admitted. "Asking you to join my peerage may bring unforeseen consequences." She had learned about the existence of Shadow Operatives, even though the ASWs themselves did not confirm nor deny their allegiance to the aforementioned organization. Complications might arise if Labrys were to join her peerage.

"And ya still gave me the offer even after knowing the risks?" Labrys asked.

"They are risks I'm willing to take…" Sona replied. "Still, I understand if you have some reservation about joining my peerage, but why don't you give it some thought?"

"I-I see… I'm gonna think 'bout it, then," Labrys said.

Sona smiled. "Thank you. And… I won't resent you if you don't accept my offer, Labrys-san…"

"That's good to know, Kaichou. Thanks," Labrys smiled at Sona who smiled back at her. "So, what should we do 'bout Freed?" She asked.

"All we can do now is to wait and see…" Sona sighed. "It's regrettable, but now that he knows that we are actively hunting him, he'll be more cautious in regards to his activities. From what we can gather, while that monster may be insane, he's not a fool."

"Yeah, I get ya, Kaichou…" Labrys nodded, her expression seemed grim.

"I'll inform you once we find any leads on his whereabouts, Labrys-san," Sona said. "I assure you that we won't leave you out of this regardless of your decision regarding my offer. All things considered, I find this particular trait of yours admirable." Then, she clarified, "About your desire to stop him, I mean…"

Labrys blushed a little after hearing that. "Aw shucks… it ain't no big deal, Kaichou. I mean, it's just the right thing to do, isn't it? There's no way stopping someone like him can be a bad thing, right?"

Sona smiled after looking at Labrys' bashful look upon being praised like that. "I suppose you are right, Labrys-san."

Soon after that, both Labrys and the Student Council parted ways on good terms. They would continue their collaboration in hunting down Freed Sellzen in order to stop his madness. Still, as Labrys headed back to her apartment, she mulled over the offer that the Student Council President had given her earlier about joining her peerage.

If she were her sister, she would decline the offer. But she was not her sister.

"Turning into a Devil, huh?" Labrys muttered as she looked on her illusion-covered palm. Even though it was cloaked under her illusion, her body was still made of metal bits and wires instead of flesh and blood. It was the truth that she had accepted long ago. Labrys, the Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapon, was never a human to begin with.

In case if someone like her could be converted into a Devil, there was nothing for her to lose.

But, why did she hesitate?

"Labrys-san?"

Labrys heard a familiar voice behind her. She turned around and saw the handsome face of Yuuto Kiba. He seemed to be holding a plastic bag.

"Kiba-kun?" Labrys said. She looked at the plastic bag he's holding. "What's that ya got with ya?"

"Well, I was on my way back from the convenience store, see?" Kiba said, holding up the plastic bag which contained some foods. "How about you?" He asked.

"I was just on my way back from school," Labrys informed the boy.

Kiba raised one eyebrow. "School? What are you doing there? It's already 10," he said, pointing out that it's already late at night.

"Stuff happened, and I ended up talking with Kaichou for a while," Labrys said before she sighed. Kiba curiously looked at the mechanical maiden as he walked alongside her. As they walked down the street, Labrys told the boy about what happened. She also told him about the offer the Student Council President had given her earlier.

"Ah, so… Kaichou offered you a place in her peerage? Did you decline her?" Kiba asked. Rias had already given Aigis a similar offer, an offer that she declined.

"Haven't decided yet…" Labrys said. "I dunno what to think 'bout it, Kiba-kun."

"So, Kaichou gave you some time to think about it, then," Kiba said. Labrys nodded. "Still, I thought both you and Aigis-san are pretty firm about your decision to not get turned into Devils."

"I'm not my sis…" Labrys said softly. Kiba frowned. "It's just… something occurred t'me a while ago, when Kaichou offered me that…" She stopped walking and looked up. "I got nothing to lose if I were to join her peerage since I was never a human to begin with. It should be logical, right?"

Kiba recalled Aigis telling him and the rest of the Occult Research Club that she would rather not distance herself from humanity to become something else despite not being a human to begin with, because it was something that she'd rather keep for herself no matter what. Both Aigis and Labrys had the same outlook, yet each of them reached a different conclusion regarding the offers given to them.

Kiba was amazed by how lifelike these mechanical maidens could be, and that's saying something, considering that he himself was a Devil, albeit a reincarnated one.

"Well… it's just something that only you can decide, Labrys-san," Kiba said to the mechanical maiden beside him. "I mean, you've got a choice given to you, unlike some of us…" There was a sad smile on the boy's face as he said that. "I don't know if Aigis-san already told you this, but… I didn't have a choice about me turning into a Devil, just like Issei and Asia…"

"You died?" Labrys asked.

Kiba chuckled by how blunt Labrys' tone was. "Yeah, I guess you can say that. I'm not quite sure, though." He ran his fingers through his blond hair and said, "Still, I'm glad that Buchou found me that night." He smiled wryly. "After all, I like living just like the next guy…" His tone was lighthearted when he said that to Labrys.

"Well, can't argue with ya there," Labrys said, smiling as well.

"Still…" Kiba's expression turned serious. "About tracking down this Freed Sellzen, it's dangerous. From the sound of it, he's not someone to be trifled with."

Labrys' expression mirrored Kiba's as she spoke, "I know. Still, if he's not stopped, there'll be more of his victims in the future…"

"Even so, be careful, Labrys-san," Kiba told her before he sighed. "If only we're not dealing with this upcoming Rating Game, Buchou may be able to help you to take down this Freed guy…"

"Huh," Labrys tilted her head after hearing that from Kiba.

And so, Labrys and Kiba ended up having small talks as they headed to Labrys' apartment. Kiba was gracious enough to accompany her, even though it was unnecessary, with Labrys being a super fighting robot who could use the manifestation of her other self to fight her enemies.

When they finally arrived at the apartment, Labrys turned to Kiba and said, "Well, thanks a bunch for accompanying me, Kiba-kun, even though it's not really necessary. I can handle stuff by myself just fine, y'know?" Labrys informed cheekily.

"It never hurts to be cautious, right?" Kiba said. "Plus, walking all by yourself isn't very fun, right?"

"Alright, fair point ya got there," Labrys smiled resignedly. Kiba was right. She'd prefer talking to someone on her way home instead of walking home alone. "Still, I'm hopin' I'm not botherin' ya, Kiba-kun."

"Nah, it's fine…" Kiba said, waving her off. "So, let's meet again tomorrow."

Labrys nodded, smiling happily. "Yup, see ya tomorrow, Kiba-kun."

So, Labrys watched Kiba walk away, heading back to his own place before she went to the apartment she shared with her sister, Aigis. When she reached the door, it was locked.

"Ah, she's probably sleepin' already," Labrys muttered to herself. ASWs like her wouldn't require sleeps, but they could go to 'sleep-mode'. The ponytailed mechanical maiden dug into her pocket before she took out the key of the apartment. After unlocking the door, she opened it and stepped into the apartment.

Inside, she could see that Aigis had already put herself in 'sleep-mode'. Her eyes were closed. Her earpieces seemed to be glowing, indicating that despite being in sleep-mode, she was still functional enough to be awakened in case of emergency. But Labrys didn't feel like disturbing her sister.

Labrys took off her uniform, which was already cleaned back then, thanks to Sona. But, there were two punctured holes on her dress shirt; one at the front and one at the back, courtesy to Freed who stabbed her with his sword. Being an ASW, such damage did not even inconvenience her, but some parts inside her were damaged. She needed to have Fuuka fix those for her the next day.

After taking off her uniform, she also prepared to put herself in 'sleep-mode' just like her sister. She could set the time to wake up the next day. It was something that a human couldn't do.

Closing her eyes, Labrys' vision dimmed as her consciousness faded.

She found herself at the seaside of Yakushima. She knew that this was a dream that she always had. In this dream, she was like a real human being, with real flesh rather than being made of metal bits and wires. In this dream, she could feel the sensation of the wind gently blowing on her skin. She enjoyed the feeling.

For Labrys, this place was her safe place. It was a place where she retreated to whenever she ever had a hard time in the real world.

"So, our little ditherer returns, huh?"

Labrys clicked her tongue when she heard the condescending voice of herself speaking to her behind her. She turned on her heel and saw her own doppelganger, grinning like a madwoman like she always was, being the manifestation of Labrys' negative emotions and thoughts. Her body was emanating a purple, sickly aura while her eyes were glowing golden. The glow in her eyes and the twisted grin on her face was enough to make the doppelganger to appear monstrous and grotesque.

One of her functions as an ASW was that the information of all Shadows she had fought and encountered before was recorded in her database. That would also include her own Shadow, despite the fact that her Shadow had already transformed into her Persona, Ariadne. While having the information of all the Shadows she had encountered before was convenient for the sake of her growth and improvement, the Shadow would take over her own body under certain circumstances. At that time when she fought Freed, her own Shadow resurfaced, taking over her own body.

"Whaddaya want?" Labrys asked in annoyance to her own Shadow. Her body was no longer made of flesh, but reverted back to its original machine shape. In her hand was her giant axe, the labrys, the weapon that was also her namesake.

"'Whaddaya want?' What's with that question? You already know why I'm here…" Shadow Labrys said as her grin grew wider. "After all, I am you…"

Labrys gritted her teeth before she spoke, "I know that…" She looked down.

Shadow Labrys snorted and then said, "You know that, and yet you're too afraid to make even a decision for yourself." The Shadow smiled cruelly and mockingly at Labrys. "I mean, what do you have to lose? You're not even a human being to begin with, for crying out loud!"

Labrys bit her lower lip. "I… I know that…" She clenched her fists. "Ya don't have to remind me…"

"Still… why do you hesitate?" Shadow Labrys asked, drawing herself closer to the original. Her eyes were looking straight into Labrys' as she went closer to her. "I bet there's nothing going to change inside you if you were to become a Devil!"

"W-we don't even know if ASWs like me can change into a Devil to begin with!" Labrys reasoned.

"A fair point, but who are you to decide that?" It should be impossible for someone to have such a face-splitting grin on their face, but Shadow Labrys managed it without even making a hassle. "Have you forgotten how many times you encountered miracles? All those things that should be impossible were made possible!" She drew her face even closer to Labrys', their noses were practically touching each other. "And you're telling me it's impossible for you to become a Devil?"

"S-still, Mitsuru-san not gonna allow it!" Labrys protested, pulling her face back.

"Her thoughts and opinions are irrelevant…" Shadow Labrys said, holding out her hand and stroked Labrys' cheek. "All that matters is that whether you want it… or not…"

"I…" Labrys was visibly trembling. "H-how about sis? W-will she be fine with this?"

"Why should you care about her opinions?" The doppelganger said, still smirking maliciously. "It's her own choice to decline the offer! Her choice is also irrelevant!"

"I… I…" Labrys was unable to come up with anything to counter her own doppelganger.

"Well then…" The doppelganger hefted her large battleaxe with one hand, twirling it a few times without difficulty before she assumed a fighting stance. "Now it's up to me to pick up the slack for you. What a troublesome bitch you are…"

Her malicious aura thickened before a large, humanoid creature with a bovine head emerged behind her. The creature let out a roar, and everything around them cracked. Their surroundings then changed from the seaside into an abandoned laboratory with body parts of broken Anti-Shadow Suppression Weapons could be seen scattered everywhere.

"I-I ain't got no time for this!" Labrys protested. She had already accepted her own flaws and shortcomings, and she didn't want to face her Shadow again, not after understanding herself.

"You are not forever the same, me. People change. Whatever the change may be, I'll make sure to beat it out of you so you can see it clearly…" Shadow Labrys said before she shouted, "Asterius, crush her!"

Labrys barely had time to react as she erected a barrier that was woven by the strings her Persona conjured. "A-Ariadne!" A giant fist slammed against the shield she created, and the impact from the fist hitting the shield was enough to generate a shockwave that almost blew Labrys off her feet.

Still, Labrys managed to steady herself before she tightened her grip on the handle of her great axe. With a cry, she immediately undid the shield and jumped towards the giant extended fist before her. She used Asterius' fist as a jumping board before she launched herself towards her doppelganger.

Their battleaxes clashed against each other, with each strike causing a ripple in the air. As both of them were in a dreamscape, the clashes of their weapons generated some kind of disturbance in the dreamscape. If they were to go all out, the dreamscape would eventually collapse, and her dream would end.

But neither of them seemed to have any intention of ending the dream as they continued swinging their weapons against each other, each strike hard and brutal. The huge bovine monster, Asterius, swung its giant fists wildly in order to take down Labrys' Persona, Ariadne, but the string-bearer evaded all its attack with such grace and fluidity before she launched dozens of blades created from the interwoven strings onto the monster. Asterius roared when Ariadne managed to land a few hits with her blades which then unraveled to create smaller blades. Ariadne then used the smaller blades to inflict more damages on the bovine monster.

As for both Labrys and her doppelganger, they continued trading blows and swings, with each attack ferocious and wild. Their movements seemed to create ripples and rifts within the dreamscape, and it would eventually collapse if they were to continue any further.

"I am a Shadow, the true self!" Shadow Labrys yelled, tearing a huge rift within the dreamscape with a swing of her greataxe. "I will continue beating the shit out of you until you see the truth! I will continue crushing you within your dream until you realize what you actually want!"

"Ngh!" Labrys grunted as she was forced to defend herself from her doppelganger's relentless attacks. She should be able to defeat this copy of herself with ease, considering that she had its information stored within her database, but she was unable to muster her strength to actually defeat it.

Could it be that she didn't want to actually find out what she actually wanted? Was she really that afraid of actually trying to learn what she truly wished for?

"Looks like you've got a gist of it…" Shadow Labrys sneered as Asterius emerged from behind her in its full size. The bovine behemoth was coated in a malevolent aura. Its glowing eyes were looking straight at Labrys. "But it's not enough. Now, descend to the abyss!" Asterius' fists were coated in black flames before it brought its flaming fists down onto Labrys.

And with that, the dreamscape collapsed, and Labrys could only see darkness before her.

Slowly, Labrys opened her eyes. She had set the timer for her to wake up. As she reactivated all her motor functions, she sighed as she picked herself up.

"That was one hella strange dream, innit?" Labrys muttered to herself. She was about to prepare herself to go to school when she saw her sister, Aigis. Instead of wearing her school uniform, Aigis was wearing her Chesterfield longcoat. "Sis, you're not going to school?" Labrys asked, confused.

"Ah…" Aigis looked at Labrys and smiled. "I forgot to mention this to you, but… I'll be joining Rias Gremory and her peerage for an intensive training session for their upcoming Rating Game. So, I will be skipping school for the time being."

Labrys frowned. "Skippin' school? Wait a minute! Sis, are ya turning into a delinquent now?"

Aigis gave her sister a confused look. "Delinquent? What are you talking about, sister? With Gremory-san's assistance, I am allowed to do so. There should be no problem for me to do that, shouldn't it?"

"Umm… still, this Rating Game?" Labrys inquired. "What's it all about?"

Aigis gave an abridged explanation about the things that happened to Rias, including her engagement as well as the upcoming unofficial Rating Game. Labrys nodded a few times as she absorbed and digested the new information.

"I see…" Labrys mused. "So, ya end up offering to help train 'em instead of joining 'em, huh?"

"Indeed," Aigis nodded. "That is the least I can do for help them without compromising my belief." Aigis smiled blandly. "I shall be going now, Labrys. Please take good care of yourself while I am gone," she told her sister.

"Umm… sis?" Labrys stopped Aigis before she walked out of the apartment.

"Yes?" Aigis looked at Labrys' face.

"Sis… can I ask ya something?"

"Ah, please do, sister."

"Well… umm…" Labrys looked down as she tried to word her question. Aigis looked at her sister in bewilderment.

"Something wrong, Labrys?" Aigis asked, seemingly concerned.

"It's… it's nothin'…" Labrys shook her head. "Sorry, sis. I didn't mean to bother ya or anything…"

"…I see," Aigis looked unconvinced, but she smiled and said, "Very well. Please take care, sister. I'll be back this weekend."

"Take care of yourself too, sis," Labrys told her sister. "Send my regards to Issei-kun and the others, alright?"

"I will,' Aigis replied, nodding her head.

After bidding her farewell, Aigis left the apartment, leaving Labrys alone. Now left alone, Labrys just stood there for a while before she looked at her metallic palm.

"Maybe my Shadow is right…" Labrys muttered to herself before she clenched her fist. "I really can't decide on anythin' when it truly matters. I really am a ditherer…"

TO BE CONTINUED

Author's Note: Hello, it's me, Prince Arjuna. It's been a year since the last time I updated this fic, right? I'm so, so sorry about that, guys. Well, I'm a teacher's now, by the way. I've been teaching for two months now. And I hope you guys like this chapter. For the next chapter, it will focus on the DxD side of the story, so don't worry about me forgetting that, because even though Aigis is the main character of this story, this story is still a crossover between Persona 3 and High School DxD.

Also, special thanks for Sorata Shioya for beta-reading this chapter. You're cool, man. So, I hope you like this chapter, dear readers. Reviews are highly welcomed, and a huge influx of reviews may help me to refuel my creativity juice and give me motivation to actually write the next chapter.

Stay tuned for the next update, Chapter 22: Training Montage. Until then, farewell.

Prince Arjuna (2016)