A/N – This is it. The final chapter of Memories of you. It was a pleasure to write this story and I greatly appreciate everyone that stuck around to see the conclusion.
Reviews:
- Ghost21 - Yeah sorry about that, Uni life got in the way of things though I'm glad you liked the chapter.
- Winter Arctica - I wanted everyone to have something to look forward to if they survived against Nyx. Minako has Yukari, Minato has Mitsuru, Fuuka has Natsuki, Junpei has Chidori, Ken made a promise to Shinjiro to live on and Akihiko just put forward his true feelings.
- therandompers - Thanks for the heads up, I've corrected it now.
Minako's POV
31/1/2010
"This is it then." I declared.
"Yes, it is. Shall I go over the plan again?" Mitsuru asked.
"No, it's fine senpai." I shook my head.
"Are you sure you want to do this, Minako?" Yukari asked.
"Yeah, you don't have to do this Minako-san?" Ken-kun agreed.
"No, we have to do this. This is the best plan, Mitsuru, Sanada-senpai and I could come up with. Onii-chan agreed with it. It's the only way." I said to everyone.
"But it puts a lot of pressure on the strike team!" Yukari fired back.
"I know Yukari, but it's the only plan we've got."
"Fine!" Yukari gritted her teeth.
"Still are you, Minato and Aigis up for this? You're gonna be facing the brunt of Nyx." Junpei asked.
"We'll have to be. Besides we won't be alone for long." I said.
"That's where the two diversion teams come in. I will lead one, as will Akihiko. Yukari and Iori will come with me, while Amada and Koromaru will go with Akihiko. If Strega or anything similar show up, then one of the diversion teams will cut them off. Leaving the strike team and the other diversion team. If Strega are working individually, then the other diversion team will be required. This should lead the strike team with a clear shot with Nyx. If any of the diversion teams complete their targets, join the other diversion team and help with theirs. Once the two targets have been dealt with, regroup with the strike team for the battle against Nyx. If all goes well, the strike team won't have to face Nyx alone for long."
"That's the plan. Hopefully, it'll work out." Onii-chan.
"It has to. We don't get a do over for this." Ken-kun said.
"In that case. I want to thank all of you. This year has been amazing. I wouldn't have imagined getting so many friends." Fuuka cheerfully said barely holding back tears. I was barely holding them back myself.
"Same here, Fuuka-chan. I know if I could trust anyone, because of what happened to my Mom, but after being with you all over time, I started to trust you guys. Then I got to know each of you, and while you'll never replace what I had with my Mom, you all come pretty damn close." Ken-kun said as he patted Koro-chan's head.
"I can say the same. When I moved here, I was fine looking after number 1. As long as I had my persona, I didn't care about any of you. Then I got to spend more time with you, getting to know you all was the best thing I did all year. And thanks to Mina-tan pushing me, I found the girl I love." Junpei said as he sweetly smiled at me.
"It wasn't just me, you did most of the work Junpei. I'm just glad you and Chidori are finally together. For me I'm glad I got to meet you all. When I got her in April last year, I just wanted to get through the two years Junior high and get back to Grandfather. I never thought I would enjoy my time with you all. I was surprised that I started to make a friend. Then I started to make more and more, and I joined clubs. Then when Fuuka went missing, I wanted to find her no matter what. I think that was when I started to break out of my shell. It might have been a slow start, but over time the walls I had put up over the years started to break down. Then as more of us joined I broke down more of those walls until I also found the girl I love." I said as I glanced at Yukari.
"Minako..." Yukari mumbled
"And we all will after today. After today, we can go back to our loved ones. And I'm sure wherever Shinjiro-senpai is, Akihiko-senpai he would be proud of you." Onii-chan said as Sanada-senpai smiled happily.
"I know for certain, I would be an empty shell if I didn't have you all when Father died. I probably would be married to that monster, fulfilling his every. Now, I'm free and can do whatever I want, and spend it with whomever I want." Mitsuru said that the last part, glancing at Onii-chan.
"I'm just thankful that I was activated when you all visited Yakushima. At first, I was fine just being with Minako-san and Minato-san. I wanted to protect them at all cost, without knowing the reason. Now I know why, and I want to make up for my decision to seal away Nyx inside of you both. We'll face Nyx together." Aigis said with fire in her eyes.
"Whatever happens, I won't forget any of you. You've all made my life so much better and I can't imagine you all without me." Yukari said to all of us.
We all smiled at her. "I can't imagine being without you Yuka-tan. I've got no one else to nag me to death otherwise." Junpei said as Fuuka, Ken-kun and I chuckled.
"Well stop being such a perv. Besides you've got someone else to nag you to death, don't ya." Yukari fired back.
"Guess that's true." Junpei smiled.
We all then settled into our final preparations before Mitsuru spoke again. "We should go."
"You all know your roles?" I asked. Everybody nodded their heads.
"Yukari, Koromaru. You're with me." Mitsuru ordered.
Koromaru barked in affirmation.
"Okay, senpai." Yukari said.
"Ken, Junpei. You're stuck with me." Sanada-senpai said.
"Got it." Junpei nodded his head.
"Wouldn't have it any other way, Akihiko-san." Ken-kun said.
"If that's everything, we better go." Mitsuru said. One by one everyone left. Well most of my friends left. Only Yukari, Onii-chan, Mitsuru and I remained.
Immediately, Yukari pulled me into her as Mitsuru did the same for Onii-chan. "Promise me, you'll come back." I looked into her eyes as tears threatened to fall down her face.
"I will." I said as I smiled.
"No! Say it." Yukari barked back.
"I promise, Yukari Takeba. I'll come back." I said as my lips collided softly, with hers.
We stayed together, for a couple of minutes. Neither of us wanting to split apart for what possibly could be our last time together. But we both knew, only we can stop Nyx from destroying the world and turning everyone into the Lost. When our mouths disconnected from each other, I rested my head on her chest as she wrapped her arms around me.
"I love you Yukari Takeba."
"I love you too, Minako Arisato."
I smiled as Yukari let go of me. I opened my eyes to see that Mitsuru and Yukari had split apart as well. "You better look after each other. I don't want to lose anyone." Mitsuru cried out.
"We will." I smiled at her. I then saw tears fall down her face. " We all be fine." I said as I pulled her into a comforting embrace. It only lasted a couple of seconds as she pulled away first.
"Good. I will execute you all myself if any of you don't make it back." Mitsuru said as she wiped away her tears. Onii-chan, Yukari and I giggled.
"We better go, senpai." Yukari said she kissed my forehead.
"Of course, Yukari." Mitsuru said as the two headed off towards the others. That just left Onii-chan and I.
Immediately, he patted my shoulder. "You're amazing you know that."
"I couldn't have done it without you. Everyone helped of course, but you never abandoned me when so many have."
Onii-chan poked my forehead. "Well I couldn't abandon my only sister, can I? Besides, I need you to keep my exam results high."
I chuckled. "Someone has to keep you focused on studying."
Onii-chan laughed, but then grew more serious. "If anything happens, take care of Mitsuru and Naoto and Grandfather."
"You're NOT going anywhere. Not if I can help it."
"Mina... listen! We don't know what will happen. Just promise me that you'll take are of everyone." He looked more serious this time.
"I promise, Minato. You promise me the same though. If anything happens to me, you'll take care of Yukari and everyone." I said with the same seriousness as he had only moments ago.
"I promise, though I don't think it'll come to this. Just ya know, making sure." He smirked.
I sighed. "You better be." I pouted at him.
He ruffled my hair as he spoke. "You ready?"
I nodded my head. "Time to go and face Mother and Father."
We had made a lot of progress, climbing up Tartarus. Whenever a Shadow appeared, the two subversion teams quickly dispatched it, leaving Aigis, Onii-chan and I completely fresh, though as we ascended the numerous floors, I was beginning to see the wear that Tartarus was putting on the others. Thankfully, as we started to get higher up the tower, there were less Shadows. The downside of course meant that Fuuka was pushing herself, trying to identify any surprises or how far away we were from the top.
As we got to the next floor, there wasn't any corridors trying to find the next set of stairs, nor any Shadows that stood in our way. Just a set of stairs leading to the next floor. Everyone apart from Aigis, Onii-chan and I were exhausted.
"If you guys need to take a break, we'll scout on ahead. We'll be fine."
"No, Minako. We-We'll be fine. Just... Just give us a minute." Mitsuru said.
They're pushing themselves we too hard, trying to keep us fresh and prepared for Nyx.
I glanced worryingly at Onii-chan. He too looked conflicted about what they were doing. "Are you sure, Mitsuru? We can take a break."
"No. We all have a job to do. This is ours, soon you'll start yours." Mitsuru managed to pant out.
"Senpai's right. We have a job to do. Let's keep going." Yukari panted out as she used her bow to help her stand.
"Yukari!" I ran over towards her as her legs started to shake.
"I'm... I'm fine. J-Just give me a minute." Yukari mumbled as I patted her back. I looked over everyone. They all were exhausted, yet they all wore determined expressions.
"I'm not going to get you all to change your minds, am I?"
"N-Not on your life... M-Mina-tan." Junpei managed to say.
"Alright everyone... L-Let's go." Mitsuru managed to push herself to stand others trudged on as we all ascended the staircase revealing someone we expected.
"Jin."
"So, you came after all..." Jin said as he clenched tightly to his briefcase.
"Where's your partner?" Sanada-senpai asked.
"Takaya went on ahead of me. He's destined for greater things." Jin pointed towards the staircase behind him.
"So, it looks like you're serious about fighting Nyx." Jin asked.
"What!?" I gasped.
He knows about Nyx.
"How do you know about Nyx...?"Fuuka asked.
"I pieced together the information Ikutsuki let behind. But, not all of it made sense... He was a real nut job."
"Do you know Ikutsuki?" Yukari asked.
"We were surprised to find out he was your boss. We only knew his name... He was just one of the researchers who created us."
He created them?
"He 'created' you!?" Mitsuru asked.
"Who are you!?" Onii-chan asked.
Jin strangely chuckled. "Heh... There's no use in telling you... The end is near."
Mitsuru sighed. "We don't have time to deal with this... Get out of our way." Mitsuru growled out as she gripped tightly to her Rapier.
"Can't do that, little lady... There's no way you'll be able to stop Nyx. But, I can't let you interfere with Takaya's wish."
"Do you even understand what you're saying!?" Yukari shouted.
"If Nyx isn't stopped, all life will be destroyed! Don't you care about yourself. If Nyx isn't stopped, you'll die." I shouted to him, grabbing tightly to my bow and grabbing an arrow from my quiver.
"Exactly, we won't live much longer... and we want to see the end before we die. That is Takaya's wish... so I'm not backing down."
"But..." Fuuka mumbled.
"Enough talk. Let's do this." Jin growled out.
"Not this time. Koromaru now!" Mitsuru shouted as Koro-chan barked. Koro-chan, Yukari and Mitsuru ran forward towards Jin. Koro-cha then summoned Cerberus and enveloped the four in a wall of fire.
Yukari, Mitsuru, Koro-chan please make it out of this.
I breathed in and back out. "Come on everyone. We've got to move on." I called out to the others. The rest of us ran towards the staircase leaving Yukari, Mitsuru and Koro-chan to their battle.
I looked back to the raging wall of fire as I got to the top of the staircase.
Yukari... Please make it. I need you.
As we bypassed Shadows and made it up a few more floors, lingering thoughts of Yukari, Mitsuru and Koro-chan etched into my head.
They'll be fine. I believe in them. Won't they. No! I need to stop doubting the ability of my friends. They've got this.
Soon we managed to reach another floor, where we faced someone else.
I clenched my hand as I felt anger bubble away. Sanada-senpai, Ken-kun and Junpei especially looked furious with our next opponent. Though the tension from Sanada-senpai slightly eased.
"Is the top of Tartarus past here?" He asked.
"Indeed." Takaya simply stated.
"Then, let us through." Sanada-senpai said as we got ready for anything Takaya had planned.
"I am not standing in your way." Takaya said. "Going from your usual numbers, I take it your friends are dealing with Jin. You are quite troublesome." Takaya sighed. " What is it you seek? These are your final moments... The end is nigh."
"Sorry... But, we're not gonna let that happen!" Junpei said. "Not with what you put Chidori through!" I'll never forgive you!"
"You are merely wasting your energy... Why not celebrate this wonderful moment? What better way could you spend your final moments together?" Takaya said as he beckoned us to move closer.
"Will you shut up already!?" Ken-kun screamed.
Takaya glared at Ken-kun and chuckled after his outburst. "My life was stolen from me... And in its place, I was given a power I never asked for... And so, I learned that the future is only a delusion. Only by striving to live every moment to its fullest can the soul truly be satisfied. That is why we welcome this glorious revelation, to shine a light upon this darkened world!"
"You're so full of shit!" Junpei snarled.
"I'm not dying so you can have a fucking night-light!" Onii-chan growled out.
"That is not merely my desire. There are many who have also gathered to rejoice in her arrival." Takaya spoke.
"That's just because all these weird things have been happening...!" Fuuka said.
"You prayed on of people and stroked on their worst fears." I shouted.
"That is untrue. Who is responsible for reviving Nyx? Can a single person boast of this great accomplishment?" Takaya spoke proudly.
Everyone glanced at Onii-chan and I. Takaya burst out in hysterics as he noticed the glances we got. "I see. No matter... You all worked tirelessly to prevent it, and yet in doing so, you unwittingly aided in her coming... So, you see, this is not just my will; it is the will of all people. Man cannot face death without first finding meaning in life... But the world has realised that any meaning in life was lost long ago... Nyx has come because humanity has cried out for her salvation!"
Fuuka gasped. "That can't be!"
"I-I don't believe you! Who would ever wish for Nyx to come!?" Ken-kun shouted.
"And yet, there is truth in what he says..." Aigis said. "To live a still life, never searching for one's purpose, going into a still death... to avoid pain above all... I don't know if this can be called right or wrong. But as for myself, I wouldn't want to live that way... I want to live for a reason, and to live for others... That's why I came all this way. That, for me, is what it is to live."
I sighed heavily. "Aigis is right. There may have been a time, where I wanted to die. To be truthful, that's all I ever wanted. But as I came here and spent time with everyone, I learned that spending time with those I treasure is the greatest feeling I've had in a long time. I learned to enjoy my time with others and grew to look forward to things in the future. For the first time in my life, I've got friends I cherish, and I found love... I would never throw that away. I'm tired of running away from my problems. I take them head on and into the future. Nothing is going to stop me from living. Not Nyx and especially not you."
"We are not alone. What is impossible for one becomes feasible with the help of one's friends." Onii-chan muttered. "You lack such things; thus, th coming Demise appears as Salvation to you. In choosing solitude over bonds with others, you are limited by your own abilities. We have no such limits."
Takaya was silent, unmoving. but eventually his shoulders started to shake violently. "What utter foolishness...! Those who rush into battle where death is certain are denying the Demise! Very well then... If you insist on proving the superiority of your way, I shall do the same! But whatever the outcome, your actions are pointless... Nyx's advert is but moments away!" Takaya started to then laugh maniacally.
Takaya drew his gun. Sanada-senpai, Junpei and Ken-kun immediately charged forward at him. Aigis, Fuuka, Onii-chan and I took that chance and ran towards the staircase.
Good luck Senpai, Junpei and Ken-kun show him the power of our bonds. Aragaki-senpai's watching over us, cheering us on. Let's not fail him.
"I see... You both have arrived." A deep booming voice spoke. I looked up and followed the voice. What I saw surprised me.
"Onii-chan, Aigis, Fuuka Look up. Up There." I nudged Onii-chan and Aigis and pointed up to the sky... To the warped Moon.
"The Moon... it's warped." Onii-chan mumbled.
"Huh...! Something's coming, Minako-san!" Fuuka nudged me.
"Is it Nyx!?" Onii-chan asked.
"I can sense it even without my Persona. This is the first time that's ever happened..." Fuuka said as she pointed to something in the sky. Slowly but surely a figure came into view...
It's enormous. So, this is Nyx?
Nyx was a large figure that had two black wings coming out of its body. On top of its head was a black crown as its face was a merged together. They both had Mother's and Father's face. One side of its face was Mother's, while the other half was Father's. Clutching in Nyx's hand was a large sword that was pointed directly at us. Covering its body was a kind of gothic black dress.
Mother... Father... I see this is what you've become
I breathed in and then breathed back out.
This is it. I'm sorry, Mother and Father, but we have to fight.
"Mother... Father..." Onii-chan mumbled.
"Minato... Minako... I see you've finally reached us." Nyx spoke.
"I see this is what you've become." I said.
"We are merely a harbinger of the Fall... Through it would be more correct to say this is what we once were. There is no longer a distinction to be made between Nyx and myself." Nyx said.
"We made our decision Mother and Father and we stand by it." Onii-chan shouted.
"We may be small in number now, but we are all fighting together as one." I shouted.
"I see... Then, you must already know. Wha people fear most... What they try to ignore... That is what I am." Nyx spoke.
"We know that already..." Aigis said.
"We all know." Fuuka said.
"It's the one certainty for all living things." I nodded my head.
"Then you must also understand that it is futile to resist. Will you still face us? There must be trembling in your hearts..." Nyx spoke.
"Of course, we're scared. This is our final battle and we're fighting you Mother and Father, but after spending the past year with my friends finding love... I would fight for them and everyone that I love. If that means I have to fight my Mother and Father... then so be it. Even if I die or we all die, then the fight was still worth it." I said.
"Minako-san's right. I will stop you, even if I must sacrifice myself to do so. I do this of my own choice!" Aigis shouted.
"I'm not going to live in fear anymore! Being alive means not turning away from death... So, I won't turn and cower, not even to you!" Fuuka shouted.
"I'm sorry Mother and Father, but this is where we part ways! We may have missed you, dearly but on this we have to stand and fight. I hope you forgive us." Onii-chan shouted.
"Very well! Come to me and receive your end." Nyx spoke as it flapped its wings as its feathers landed onto the ground.
"Get ready, everyone! Nyx... It's coming! I'm also sensing that the others are still in trouble. Takaya and Jin are at their full strength and are giving the others a hard time. I also detect several Shadows slowly approaching them." Fuuka said.
I have to believe in them. They'll get through a beat them. We just have to believe in them.
I shook my worries aside and concentrated on Mother and Father. "Alright, Onii-chan, Aigis. This is it!" I shouted.
Immediately, Onii-chan launched himself at Nyx, slashing its wings. The attack hit, but it Nyx didn't even flinch. I looked to Aigis and she nodded her head. I notched an arrow and fired it at Nyx's body as Aigis ran towards Nyx and raised her hands and opened fire. That looked like it did damage, but yet again Nyx was unmoved.
Aigis, Onii-chan and I then combined our attacks and this time we managed to hurt Nyx.
Nyx then took the air. "The moment man devoured the front of knowledge, he sealed his fate... Entrusting his future to the cards, man clings to a dim hope. Yes, the Arcana is the means by which all is revealed... Attaining one's dreams requires a stern will and unfailing determination."
A card appeared in front of its face and the quickly changed into a different card.
"What's this? Nyx's attributes have changed... Nyx's strength is now... Fire? Everyone be careful! Something's that right." Fuuka said through her persona.
"Got it!"
"I've got this. Come Lucifer!" Onii-chan said as he summoned a persona. His persona launched at Nyx and stood in front of it. Without moving anything, sword appeared from behind Lucifer and embedded them into Nyx, stabbing into its body. Nyx flinched slightly but otherwise didn't sound harmed.
"Urgh!" Onii-chan groaned as he collapsed to his knees.
"Minato-san hold on. Athena!" Aigis shouted as her persona appeared, bathing Onii-chan with a green light. Shortly he pushed himself to stand up.
"Thanks, just pushed myself a little too far." He mumbled out.
"It's fine, just stay focused and don't take risks." I ordered as I grabbed an arrow and notched it. "Onii-chan, Aigis listen! You take it from the left, I take it from the right and Onii-chan you get it from the back and wait for my signal."
"Got it." They both simultaneously said.
I fired an arrow, drawing Nyx's attention while they moved into position. Nyx on the other hand bought it as it swung its sword at me. I leaped out of the way, but I accidentally let go of my bow. It flew out if my reach and clattered onto the hard ground below me.
Great! Onto plan 2.
I scrambled to my feet and grabbed my evoker and point it at my head. "Phanes!"
I summoned my Persona as a figure dressed in thin white cloth that covered her chest area and that was cut off at her stomach. Hugging her waist was a piece of cloth similar to the cloth covering her chest. In her left hand was a bow and an arrow in her right. Surrounding her were small glimmers of lights, just like the lights that Chidori-san used to give off. Her face looked a lot friendlier than Thanatos's mask with red hair flowing down to her chest. Each strand of hair was interwoven together. Overall, she was a lot more friendly
Phanes moved her arms and notched the arrow, the arrowhead then glowed with lights. Phanes then fired it at Nyx. As soon as the light arrow hit Nyx, the being cried out and angrily removed the arrow from its chest. Nyx then moved its hand in front of its face as a card appeared again, changing again.
"The Arcana is the means by which all is revealed. The silent voice within one's heart whispers the most profound wisdom."
"Again!? How many times are they going to change?" Onii-chan mumbled as him and Aigis regrouped to me.
"It doesn't matter. Everyone is depending on us to finish this." I said.
"That's right. Everyone below us is urging us to keep on fighting. We need to keep up the fight to not disappoint them. Isn't that right, Minako-san." Aigis said as Nyx lowered her hands.
"Nyx's attributes have changed again. This time her primary attributes have changed to ice attacks." Fuuka said.
"Got it Fuuka. Okay everyone, focus." I said to Aigis and Onii-chan.
Yukari's POV
The battle between Mitsuru-senpai, Koromaru and I against Jin was starting to heat up as he kept on throwing grenades at us. Mitsuru-senpai was wearing herself ragged covering the grenades with blocks of ice. This has to stop soon.
"Come Isis." I summoned my persona as Koromaru barked and summoned his.
His persona launched a fireball at Jin, catching him of guard, then I struck. "Let's go!" I shouted as I fired my Evoker. Isis then launched herself at Jin, before he could recover, with a torrent of wind. The effect, leaving him in a bloody mess, cuts and blood spraying out of his body. Soon he collapsed to the floor.
Immediately, I checked on Senpai. "Senpai!" As she managed to crawl to her feet, I saw that beads of sweat were dripping down her forehead, her hair was dishevelled and out of place and she was panting heavily.
"I-I'm fine Yukari... J-Just give me... give me a second... to catch my breath." Mitsuru tried to walk forward but stumbled, I caught her, before she fell to the floor.
"Just rest a little, Koromaru and I will take over for now." I said to her.
"NO ONE IS GOING ANYWHERE!" We all turned and saw that Jin had managed to stand up. He clutched his head as his Persona forced itself through.
Koromaru leaped at Jin and tackled him to the ground, his Persona disappeared instantly. He struggled against Koromaru, but Koromaru grabbed his combat knife into his mouth and growled at Jin.
Behind us Mitsuru and I both heard the rumblings as Shadows were approaching us. "We have to move. We've wasted enough time here already." Mitsuru spoke as she moved from my arms and managed to stand up.
"Yes! I need to check on Minako!"
Mitsuru chuckled. "I knew you could tear your thoughts away from her."
"Well it's not like Minato's isn't stuck in your head." Mitsuru blushed.
Koromaru's growl then snapped our attention away. Behind us the Shadows were on the same floor as us.
"Let's move out." Mitsuru said as I nodded my head and Koromaru barked in affirmation. Immediately the three of us left the floor leaving Jin behind with the Shadows.
"No... No... No... You're not going anywhere." Jin stumbled out as he somehow managed to say as Shadows surrounded him. Then one of the many Shadows leaped at Jin's back, forcing him to the ground.
"Senpai... We've got to do something!" I said to her. She looked at the position Jin was in and then back at me.
"We don't have the time to rescue him, though you could do something more humane, than he deserves." Mitsuru turned back around and head back up the staircase.
Does she mean? Can I do that? What would Minako do?
"Y-You see, t-this is how w-we live. At the edge of death at every minute." Jin shouted as a Shadow started to eat away at his legs. He squealed in pain. "Ah... Ah... Ah! GO! Let's see if your bonds can stop- AHHH! Can Stop the law of nature-" He spoke nothing more as an arrow left my bow and impacted his head, killing him instantly. Tears trickling down my face.
I looked at the body of Jin, he looked peaceful as the Shadows slowly consumed his body. Well apart from the arrow sticking out the top of his head and his haunting cold dead eyes.
I'm sorry, but we've got no choice. I hope you find peace in the next life.
Bile slowly raising to my throat as what I just did dawned on me.
Oh god. Urgh! I felt my stomach empty as I threw up at the top of the staircase.
I-I-I just killed someone. I hope Minako and Mom can forgive me.
I steadied myself as I retched again and threw up some more. After a couple of minutes of throwing up, I steadied myself and joined the others.
As the three of us ascended the floors up to the top of Tartarus, we finally met up with Akihiko-senpai, Junpei and Ken-kun. Lying on the floor in a crumpled mess was Takaya. "Mitsuru, Yukari you're fine!" Akihiko-senpai said as we ran over towards the three.
"A bit exhausted but otherwise we're fine." Mitsuru answered.
We then looked down towards Takaya. He was covered in bruises, cuts and a large gash on his shoulder and stomach. He was a mess.
"He's breathing, don't worry about it." Junpei said.
Though I wasn't convinced. After what Takaya and Jin did to Chidori-san and for murdering Aragaki-senpai the three look a bit too calm with just beating him. Something that Mitsuru caught as well as she gazed at the three curiously.
"Where's Jin?" Junpei asked. Immediately I darted my eyes to the floor.
I can't get the images of his cold dead eyes out of my head. Every time I close my eyes, I see his face.
"He's been taken care of." Mitsuru said.
"I see..." Akihiko-senpai mumbled.
"We should head off. Besides, she dropped something." Junpei said as he picked up a familiar bow. I took it from Junpei.
It's Mina's bow. Immediately, worry started to sink in. Though before it really kicked in, Mitsuru and Ken-kun grabbed one of my hands. Alleviating some of my worry. Before I could question how it got here, Ken-kun answered.
"It fell from the top of Tartarus. Minako-san and the others must be running into trouble. We need to hurry."
"You're right. Come on, everyone let's go." Mitsuru-senpai said as we all ran towards the staircase.
Please be okay, Mina.
As soon as we got to the top of Tartarus, I was shocked by what I saw, a huge figure standing over a collapsed, Minako with its sword pointing directly at her. Minato and Aigis were both out of it too. Fuuka was the only one standing, but her legs were starting to waver as well.
"Mina!" I called out to her, yet she didn't move. I ran forwards towards the huge figure and fired an arrow at its head, making it recoil. "You are not taking her from me!" I growled out as Nyx continued to recoil.
"Mina? Mina! Come on, say something." I said shaking her. Finally, after a couple of tense moments, she winced and moved her shoulder.
"Ah! H-Hey... Y-Yukari... You made it... I'm glad." Minako managed to mumble out before she passed out again. I checked her pulse and found out she was just exhausted, thankfully. That still didn't stop me from checking everywhere, just in case. Apart from a few small cuts on her mouth and a dislocated left shoulder, she was fine.
You've done amazing. Just leave this to the rest of us.
I propped up Mina on a barricade, so she was sitting up and left her bow and evoker with her. I looked over towards Mitsuru and she had managed to rouse both Minato and Aigis.
Minato glanced over towards Minako worryingly. "She's fine, just worn out. Her left shoulder will need to be seen to though."
"On it." Ken-kun answered running to her side, Junpei joining them. However, as I tried to concentrate on Nyx, I unknowingly kept on glancing back to Mina.
"Yukari, I need you to concentrate. Minako has completely worn herself out and Aigis and Minato aren't fairing any better. I'm starting to feel the strain as well. So, we need every able person confronting Nyx. Iori, Amada, Koromaru and yourself are the only ones that are fully energised. We'll need you four the most."
"You can count on us Senpai." I declared as Nyx had finally pulled the arrow out of its head.
"The moment man devoured the fruit of knowledge he sealed his fate Entrusting his future to the cards, man clings to a dim hope. Yet, the Arcana is the means by which all is revealed. Beyond the beaten path lies the absolute end. It matters not who you are... Death awaits you." Nyx said as it raised its hand and a card appeared, then it changed into a different card.
"Fuuka, what are we dealing with?" I shouted.
"Nyx changes attributes and attacks whenever it does that, so far that's its 14th form."
"And if I'm right, this'll be it's last. It has changed through all of the Shadows we have faced. All accept one." Minato stated as he finally stood up with Aigis.
"I sense... Death! Nyx's true Arcana is Death!" Fuuka said through Juno.
"Guess I was right then." Minato mumbled.
"This is it everyone. One final push." Mitsuru shouted to everyone as she pointed her rapier at Nyx.
"Whoa, Mina-tan! You shouldn't be moving!" I heard Junpei say.
No way.
I turned back around, and there she was standing on her own, well with help from her bow I handed to her. She tried to shuffle forward a bit but fell. I managed to get to her before she fell to the floor. Mina though pushed herself out of my arms and managed to stand up again.
"You amaze me, ya know that."
"I try." Mina chuckled but coughed violently. "We need to finish this together."
"Right." I turned back around and readied myself, as I notched an arrow.
I turned to face Mina who had popped her shoulder back into place as she stifled a moan. Once her shoulder was put back into place she grabbed an arrow and notched it. Together we fired our arrows impacting Nyx. Once in the chest and another on its face. It staggered it as everyone launched their attacks. Minato and Mitsuru slashed at Nyx's legs as Junpei and Ken swiped at its chest. Nyx then fell to the floor, leaving itself wide open for Akihiko-senpai and Koromaru. Koromaru leaped onto of Akihiko-senpai's shoulders and leaped at Nyx, slashing at Nyx's head with his knife. As Koromaru landed on the ground next to Akihiko-senpai, he readied his fists as he launched himself at Nyx's facing beating the hell out of it. Shortly, Nyx threw Akihiko-senpai off of itself and next to us.
"You cannot avoid death. To live us to die; they are one in the same..." Nyx spoke as it wrapped its wings around itself. Then Nyx flapped its wings away from itself.
"W-Wait! Something's strange about Nyx... I have a bad feeling about this... It's definitely up to something!" Fuuka shouted to us all.
"Come forth, Phanes! Brave Blade" I heard Minako say as she summoned her Persona. As it materialised, it was completely different than her regular one.
"Helel and Satan! Armageddon!"
"Isis! Garudyne!"
"Trismegistus! Vorpal Blade!"
"Artemisia! Bufudyne!"
"Caesar! Ziodyne!"
"Activating Orgia Mode! Athena! God's Hand!"
"Kala-Nemi! Primal Force!"
Koromaru barked as his Persona appeared.
We all attacked Nyx, but it looked like nothing worked.
"Nothing happened?" Junpei asked.
"What happened, Yamagishi?" Mitsuru asked.
"I don't know, everyone's attack should have hurt Nyx... Wait something's coming. Brace yourselves." Fuuka warned.
"Let us finish this. It is the path of your choosing." Nyx spoke as it moved its hands in front of it.
Then five beams of light started to appear. Then a beam started to materialise one was starting to appear directly on top of... Mina.
"MINA!" I yelled out, as I ran towards her. I leaped as the beam of light started to grow more physical.
I need to save her.
Minako's POV
Urgh... Why can't I move? I can't feel my body. What happened? Wait... This intense feeling that's pushing me down, it's from back then. On the Moonlight Bridge.
I slowly opened my eyes and saw everyone struggling to stand up. They were all on their hands and knees not able to move.
Where's Nyx? Wait, is that Nyx in the sky? If so, then what's that thing in the sky.
"This is your final moments alive, farewell Minako Minato. You both made the wrong decision." I heard Nyx say above us all. Then another wave of this intense force pushed my body down further.
I felt my eyes forcefully close as I drifted unconscious.
As I felt my subconscious drift away, I saw a blue door. I looked down and saw my whole body. It was strange, I couldn't feel any pain from our battle with Nyx. Curiously, I walked towards the blue door and opened it. As I opened the door a bright light engulfed me.
I then opened my eyes and I was in a blue room. It looked like an elevator going up. I looked around and saw two people in front of me. One was standing, while holding an open book, in a blue stewardess' outfit with five black-lined circles outside small yellow circles, blue gloves, a blue attendant-like hat, black leggings and blue, knee-length boots. Sitting down on a sofa behind the blue-coloured felt table was a bizarre old man with a long nose, pointed ears and bulging, bloodshot eyes. He wears a black suit with white gloves.
"Where am I?"
"M-Mina? What are you doing here?" I heard coming from my left.
"O-Onii-chan? How did you get here?" I asked. I'm sure when I looked around I didn't see him.
"I summoned her here. She is important to the completion of your contract." The long-nosed man said to Onii-chan. He then turned to face me.
"It is an honour to meet your acquaintance, I am Igor." Igor said.
"And I am Elizabeth. I have been assisting Master Minato in his journey to fulfil his contract."
"Contract?" I asked as I looked at Onii-chan.
"I entered myself when we first got here last year. As I get to know people, I grow stronger and create stronger Persona's."
"Is that why you seem to know everyone? Why you have so many friends? It's so you can use them to get stronger." I glared at Onii-chan. "Was everyone at the dorm used to get you stronger? W-Was I one of them?"
Onii-chan just glance at me, without saying a word.
I can't believe it! I-It's true... I know that face. When he's disgusted by something he's done. Like with the bullies in middle school.
I sighed and avoided his eyesight. "I can't believe it. You used everyone... You used me! Your own family! Why? Just so you could what, get stronger?" I cried out, tears falling down my face.
He sighed. "At first, I just did it because I wanted an edge when we faced Shadows, then I got addicted to the power. Then Shinjiro-senpai died. As he was gasping to breath, he said that lusting for power would lead to turn into Jin and Takaya. When he died those words opened my eyes. I didn't want to turn into them. Struggling to keep in control of their power. That's when I told Mitsuru about everything. About my ability to change Personas, about increasing my power for my Persona's. At first, she reacted like you did. Completely, understandable. She wouldn't talk to me for a couple of days. It took her awhile to fully trust me and I'll ask you the same. I don't deserve it Mina, but will you trust me."
I stared at him, I saw in his eyes that everything he said was true. Still he lied to me for so long. Since we started our Junior year at Gekkoukan. Should I still trust him. He might be my older brother, but he still betrayed my trust... Should I really trust him?
"Fine, but you better make it up to me!" I pouted as I wiped away the tears.
"Thank you, Mina. I promise, I'll make it up to you." Onii-chan said as he grabbed and squeezed my hands.
"I know. You still should have told me about your powers and how they work though." I said as I squeezed his hand back.
He chuckled and let go of my hand. "Now since that it out of the way. It is the time to draw on the true strength of the bonds you have forged!" The Igor person turned to Onii-chan. "With the help of your sister this can be achieved." Igor then turned to face me. "If you may, please close your eyes and let the power of your Persona flow through you."
I did as Igor instructed as I felt some sort of aura course through me. I opened my eyes as a bright light shone brightly above us. "Woah..." Soon the light disappeared, and it turned into a card.
"I never dreamed of seeing that card with my own eyes... This is indeed a surprise... Behold the last power you and I shall unveil... It is the power to bring about a new beginning, or the ultimate end. It may be possible now, with this newfound power... You may be able to defeat the one who cannot be defeated." Igor said as the card drifted towards Onii-chan and stopped atop his hands. "What you have in your hands is the power of the Universe... Nothing is outside the realm of possibility for you now."
"Does this mean... We can stop Nyx? With this Universe power?" I asked as the card shattered into pieces and flew into Onii-chan. "Onii-chan... Are you okay?"
"Hmm... Yes, I'm fine. Better than that. We're going to win this Mina! Trust me."
"We will soon reach your destination." Elizabeth said as she closed her book.
"Indeed." Igor smiled as he turned to face me. "We will require to speak to our guest, one last time. Please close your eyes and you will return back to your business."
I did as he instructed. Not wanting to anger the strange man, so I waved goodbye to Elizabeth. She was a bit confused by it, but after being told by Onii-chan the meaning she waved back.
I immediately felt the wave if pain and anguish that I thought was forgotten. I slowly opened my eyes and could barely make out a large figure floating high in the sky with something like a giant red eye slowly approaching us behind the figure.
"W-What's happening?" I managed to sputter out.
"Mina... You're still... alive!? Thank god. I thought you died." I heard Yukari say.
"Is that you Yukari? Where are you?" I shouted out, trying to look around but everything I saw was a blurry mess.
Why can't I see properly? Did Nyx mess me up that bad? But I was just fine a moment ago in that room with Igor and Elizabeth. What's going on?
"We're... over... here!" Mitsuru yelled.
I could barely make out a couple of figures lying down on the floor, struggling to stand up. I gritted my teeth and somehow managed to make my way over towards the others, battling through the pain attacking my body.
"M-Mina... How're you... Moving?" Yukari mumbled out.
"I don't know. Where's Onii-chan?"
"I'm here!" Onii-chan shouted. I could barely make out that he struggling to stay up.
"How are... you guys... moving?" I heard Junpei mumble out.
"I don't know." I mumbled out as I stumbled my way over towards Onii-chan.
"Are you... guys serious...?" Ken-kun said.
I saw that Onii-chan started to glow a bright yellow light. The light then started to consume him and he then he started to levitate. "Onii...Onii-chan... What's happening? You-You're floating."
"I know... I have to end this!" Onii-chan said as he floated higher in the air.
"NO!" Mitsuru screamed out. Struggling to stand up yet failing. "Not alone... We'll do this... Together."
"Listen! This battle is ours to lose, so as long as someone survives we won. You guys are in no position to fight, just leave this to us." Onii-chan spoke.
"What... NO!" Yukari shouted as she tried but failed to stand up.
"Yukari, it's fine. Minato is right, this is our fight." I said reaching out to her and cupping her cheek, as tears fell down my face.
"Minako! Don't... you dare!" Yukari scream out, tears trailing down her face.
"I'm sorry. I love you." I kissed her lips and turned away from her.
"Minako-san! Don't... Go." Aigis pleaded.
"I'm sorry Aigis." I turned back to her. "Please. Take care of everyone." I said to her as I ruffled her hair.
Soon I saw that the same lights that enveloped Onii-chan had enveloped me and I had started to levitate as well. I moved over towards Onii-chan as we floated higher into the sky and towards the giant eye-shaped thing in the sky. Below us we could hear everyone shouting us to come back.
Sorry everyone. Please take care of each other. I'm glad I got to spend a year with you all. It truly has been my best year of my life.
Minato's POV
When we finally landed on a platform at the centre of Nyx, we came across something unexpected. Up in the air was the core of Nyx. "I guess, this is what Mother, and Father were trying to defend." I said.
"I wonder where they are?" Mina asked.
"Yeah, they just disappeared as soon as that eye-thing appeared." I said as I could kind of make out two figures escaping from the egg.
They didn't look like they had physical bodies, but something like two transparent bodies. As they descended to the platform we were on, they moved towards us. As they got closer they started to look familiar.
"M-Mother... Father...? Is that you?" Mina asked as she curious stepped forward.
"Yes." I heard Mother say as her ethereal hand touched Mina's cheek.
"M-Mother..." Mina tried to touch her hand, but her just phased through Mothers. "You're not real."
"We are. We're just what's left of our spirits after fusing with Nyx." Father explained as I heard him in front of me.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"We wanted to make sure you're both prepared for this. This is where you'll die. Though I'm surprised you guys and your friends made it this far." Father said as he patted my shoulder.
"What can I say, we aim to disprove what others think impossible." I chuckled.
"Still, this is where it ends." Father spoke. "It's already began. Look." Father pointed to the egg.
We both saw that some sort of red energy was floating towards the core. With each passing second, I could feel the powerful energy travel into the core.
"Be ready... Here it comes." Mother warned as both Mother and Father disappeared.
Out of the core appeared a red ball of extremely powerful raw energy. As soon as the red ball collided with the floor, it blew Mina and I away far from each other.
T-That was too much.
I tried to stand up... but the pain was too much. Pain spiked all the way through my body. God knows how Mina feels. As I tried to make it to my feet, I looked over and saw that Mina had yet to move.
"M-M-Mina!? Please... Please be okay." I pleaded to her.
I turned away and looked towards the core and I was about to launch an attack, but I was too late. As soon as I grabbed my evoker, another ball of raw energy collided with the floor, sending me far away from Nyx's core. Mina got hit by it the worst. Her unconscious body collided with, since she was closer to the impact zone than I was, she took more of it and she had yet to move from the earlier attack.
"N-No... MI-MINA!" I roared out as I struggled to crawl my way over towards Mina's motionless body. When I finally got over towards her, thankfully her chest was moving. It might be a slight movement, but it was better than nothing.
"Thank god." I sighed happily. Then I saw the apparitions of Mother and Father appear again.
"We warned you this would happen. You cannot defeat Death." Father said.
"We didn't want to see you both get hurt. We love you so much." Mother said as she cupped my cheek.
I pushed myself to stand up, struggling through the pain striking my entire body. "We won't just lie down and take our fate line it was put in stone. This past year has opened my eyes to a lot of things. The meaning of friendship and the power it welds."
"Even if it's a pointless endeavour. Death cannot be beaten. If there is life there will always be death. It is eternal. It is an inevitability." Father spoke.
"I-I thought you both... Taught us nothing... Nothing is certain." I heard a voice say next to me.
I chuckled. You'll not stay down will you, huh Mina.
I turned and sure enough, I saw Mina was pushing herself to stand up next to me. Ut didn't last long though as she stumbled to her knees. Blood was pouring out of her head and her mouth.
I have to end this. She's had enough, and I don't know how much she can take.
"If you truly want to end this. You know what you need to do." Father said as he patted my shoulder.
"I knew it would come to it... But I really wanted to spend my life with Mitsuru." I felt stray tears form in my eyes.
"She'll die along with everyone, unless you do something about it." Mother said as she touched my hand.
"Minato... What's... What's Mother and Father... Talking about?" Mina mumbled out.
"It's something I didn't think I would need to do."
"I'm sorry Mina. Please take care of everyone." I turned to her and put my hands on her temples. "ORPHEUS TELOS! TAKE CARE OF HER!" I pleaded.
I saw Orpheus Telos materialise as she broke apart and flew into Mina.
You'll put her to better use than I could, Mina. Besides looks exactly like you.
"M-M-Min-a-ato... W-What a-a-are y-you d-d-doi-ng?" Mina mumbled out as she began to lose conscious. Her eyelids barely staying open.
"Ending this. Please take care of Mitsuru, Grandfather, Naoto and yourself. And please remember, I did this with my own free will! Tell Mitsuru I'm sorry." I pleaded as Mina finally lost consciousness. I laid her down softly on the ground.
I just have to find the strength to end this.
"There's nothing we can do!?" Ken shouted.
"Don't give up! We have to believe in them!" Akihiko-senpai shouted.
That's right, this our fight.
"Give them strength! Take my life if you must!" Mitsuru pleaded.
"Yeah! I'm willing to risk mine, too!" Yukari shouted.
"They're going to face it all by themselves!" Fuuka shouted.
"No! They're not alone! I won't let them die!
Koromaru barked.
Thanks buddy.
"I won't allow this world to be destroyed!" Aigis shouted.
I then heard a voice I haven't heard in a long time. "All right... Let's do this!"
Aragaki-senpai!? I guess I'm never alone. Even in death.
I felt the energy from everyone flow into me.
Thank you everyone. This last year has been the best.
I breathed in and out softly.
Okay time to go.
I raised my hand in the air, pointing to the sky.
Everyone... Good luck. I just wish I could join you.
I looked over towards the apparitions of Mother and Father, they both stood over Mina, smiling at her. They then turned towards me. "You did the right thing." Father said.
I nodded my head. "I know. It's all down to the others now." I smiled.
"They'll be fine. Minako will be there to lead them." Mother said.
I nodded my head. "She's a natural leader. I'm proud of her."
"As are we." Father said. "We'll be going. Enjoy your time that you have left." Father then disappear, followed by Mother.
Minako's POV
5/3/2010
Today's the big day. Today is the day, Onii-chan and I graduate from Juniors. Soon we'll be Senior's and then we'll back with Grandfather and Nao-chan. Though they've be annoyed with me that I didn't make any friends. Who would want to be friends with me though. I'm a disaster just waiting to explode. It was a miracle i of itself that I managed to survive this year, thought it was probably thanks to Onii-chan. I'm glad he came with me to this dorm. Not to say that everyone here are nasty people and bullies, but they just scare me. Especially, Kirijo-senpai, Sanada-senpai, Takeba-san and Iori-kun. Yamagishi-san and Amada-kun seemed nice people, I just don't want to bother them. I remember though Koro-chan being really friendly, but a bit cautious of me. Everyone else looked a bit too scary, so I avoided them. I just stuck with Onii-chan, though sometimes I could tell I was annoying him, but he wouldn't bring it up.
Though there was something strange in my room. Two things in fact. There was a really nice necklace that had my name inscribed in it and a locket that when I opened it had everyone's faces from the dorm, smiling happily. What was strange is that I don't remember taking that photo and that there was someone else in the photo. He was wearing a large trench coat and a beanie. What was stranger, was that someone's arms were wrapped tightly around my stomach and her chin resting on my shoulder.
Takeba-san... Why are you doing that? Do we know each other? No! That's impossible, I've spent a year here and I don't remember taking that photo.
I had just finished changing into the Gekkoukan uniform when I heard a knock at my door. Cautiously, I opened my door and saw it was Onii-chan. I audibly sighed happily. "Hey, what's up?"
"Just thought we should hurry up and go." Onii-chan ruffled my hair. "Oh, I brought a friend. Aigis go and say hello."
Walking into my room, he let someone else in. In walked a girl that had bright blue eyes and blonde hair. Immediately, i hid behind Onii-chan. "Woah, Mina. It's fine, she's friendly. I promise."
If he's sure.
I moved from behind Onii-chan and nervously stepped forward. "H-Hello. M-My name i-is M-M-Minako A-A-Arisato. It is a p-p-pleasure to meet you." I nervously bowed.
"Same to you too, Minako-san."
Immediately, I felt my face heat up and I hid behind Onii-chan again.
She just called me Minako-san!? I've just met her and already she acts like we've been friends for a long time. Why did Onii-chan think bringing her to me would be a good idea?
"I thought she would be like this, sorry Aigis."
"No, it's quite alright Minato-san. The others are the same. They don't remember what happened either."
The others? What is she talking about? What don't we remember?
"It doesn't matter. We should go. Everyone will be leaving soon anyway." Onii-chan said as he left, so I quickly followed him, hurrying to not lose sight of him. The Aigis girl followed behind me shortly after.
Seriously, she's starting to freak me out. Why is she watching me? And how does Onii-chan know her? This is the first time meeting her, yet I've stuck to Onii-chan the entirety of our Junior year and I don't remember seeing her anywhere.
Well as long as she keeps being nice and not bully me, then I'll be fine with letting my guard down... But only a little.
When we got to Gekkoukan and entered the school gates, I couldn't help but glace towards a group of students. One of them was from a different class, class 2-E I think. Fuuka Yamagishi, I think that's her name. She lives at the dorm with Onii-chan and I, along with those she's with. She seems... friendly. I just didn't want to disturb her, I'm sure she's busy. From what I heard, she has a girlfriend that sometimes comes to the dorm.
I wish I could be more open with who I like. I just don't want people to hate me. I... I like it here. Next to Yamagishi-san was Iori-kun. Him and Onii-chan get on so well together. So soon that after shortly starting our junior year, they became friends. Iori-kun tried to be friendly to me, but I would always hide behind Onii-chan. I know it frustrated him, yet he kept on trying to talk to me.
Sometimes I hate my insecurities. Iori-kun seemed like a nice guy, a bit too overwhelming though. But still nice. The last person out of the three was Takeba-san. She is... beautiful. Everything she does has a certain flair that makes my heart race. Onii-chan knew I had a crush on her, so he kept on teasing me and always pushed me to try and talk to her. Though whenever I did I would always come out with a stuttering mess and immediately hide behind Onii-chan when I got too embarrassed.
I have to tell her about my feelings, though I'm scared she would start bullying me, just like the others. She is the most popular person at Gekkoukan after all.
As I turned back around to enter the double doors, I saw that Onii-chan wasn't going towards the assembly hall, instead opting for the second floor and soon the third and then weirdly the roof. Even though I found it curious why he was going towards the roof, I kept on following him.
I can't... Deal with everyone in the assembly hall. Too many people. I can't handle it...
When we finally got onto the roof I heard the school bell's chime.
The graduation ceremony has started.
I looked away and gazed at our surroundings. The trees blowing in the wind and the bright red sun engulfing us all with its blistering heat.
I turned around and saw that Onii-chan laid down on one of the tables, closing his eyes.
Honestly, he's been tired the past month. I'm sure he just stays up late and play games with Iori-kun.
Shortly the Aigis girl walked over towards Onii-chan. He moved slightly and rested his head on her lap.
I... I see. T-That's how they know each other. They're together.
My face warned up as soon as I saw them.
I better leave them alone. I didn't realise they were that close. Surely, Onii-chan should have said something.
Then small flashes of series of giant black blob's in my head. Then a giant creature with a sword in one hand with a warped face. Images of Yukari and I together holding hands, kissing each other, doing... Things to each other. Finally, I briefly saw Mother and Father in the dorm.
But that's not possible, Mother and Father died 10 years ago, and Yukari and I barely know each other. Why did those images flash into my head of us alone together in my room?
Before I realised the door to the roof flew open and in ran everyone living at the dorm. Takeba-san was the first one, then Kirijo-senpai, then everyone else. Takeba-san ran towards me as Kirijo-senpai ran towards Onii-chan with tears falling down her face.
That's right. We fought Nyx, Mother and Father. We nearly didn't make it. Better yet, I remember everything Yukari and I did together. Our gifts to each other, when I met her Mother and our private time alone. I remember everything. Playing tennis in a competition at Inaba, being a part of the student Council and finally sending Mitsuo and his Father to jail. I remember it all.
"MINA!" Yukari ran straight towards me. I opened my arms as she leaped into them. Immediately, our lips fell collided with each other.
"Mina I'm... So... Sorry." Yukari said as she took breaks between speaking and kissing my forehead, but soon broke apart, her arms wrapped around me, pulling me into her chest. "I forgot about you. After all these months of forgetting everything we fought for."
I pulled away and kissed her forehead, tears trickling down our faces. "I should apologise, I left you guys alone while Onii-chan and I fought Nyx. I'm sorry Yukari."
Yukari giggled. "Let's just say we're both sorry."
"Yeah." I nodded my head as I wrapped arms around Yukari's waist.
"We're alive. We did it!" Yukari murmured into my shoulder.
"Yes, we are." I sighed happily against her.
We both moved our heads up and our lips collided lightly with each other. When we took time to breath, we both held each other's hands and resting our foreheads against each other.
We stayed like that for a few minutes. Just happy being in contact of Yukari.
Though I wish the good times could stay. "Toto? Toto!? Come on open your eyes. Stop playing around."
I curiously walked over to Mitsuru and Minato. "Come on! Wake up!" Mitsuru jiggled Minato.
Please no...
"NO!?" I screeched out as I ran over towards Mitsuru.
"Minako... He's not waking up! He's stopped breathing!"
"No..."
"Damn it!
Fuuka and Junpei sobbed
"Don't be the only one who..."
"Please... Don't!"
Yukari and Akihiko-senpai cried out.
Please... Don't take him from me... I... I need him. I checked his chest and his heart was not beating.
Please... No... I don't want to be the only one to live. Mitsuru openly cried out.
I don't want to be the only one from our family to live. I felt hands wrap around me.
"Don't worry guys... He'll wake up... He always does... R-Right!?"
"Mina..."
"No, I know he'll wake up. He'll wake up and go back to scolding me for studying too hard, or for not taking care of myself... Just you wait."
"Mina..."
I felt arms try to pull me away from Minato.
"NO! I CAN FIX THIS! HE CAN COME BACK! JUST LET ME DO IT!"
I pleaded as I felt someone pull me into their chests. I cried out into their chest.
"Shhhhh... Come on... Mina... Let's go..." I snapped out of it and I heard Yukari's quivering voice. We stayed together for around 45 minutes before I heard footsteps approach Mitsuru.
"Mitsuru..." I looked at Mitsuru who had tears falling down her face.
I knew something was wrong when were up there fighting Nyx... Fighting mother and father. Did he do something, so we could live on? Did he purposely sacrifice himself, so everyone could live on? Didn't he give me one of his Persona's too? I do feel different. I feel Phanes there with me, but also something else. Something stronger. Orpheus Telos.
I just wish I could have done something, so he was with us. Be here with Mitsuru. Be here with me, Naoto and Grandfather.
One year later
5/3/2011
"Next a word from your Valedictorian. From class D, Minako Arisato."
"Thank you." I breathed in and breathed out.
"This last year, it has been tough on me. Last year today, my brother passed away. Though I pushed onwards with the help of my friends. I then accepted an important responsibility as the Student Council President, from my predecessor Kirijo-senpai who has been a good friend to me when I transferred here two years ago. When I first addressed you all from this podium, I spoke to you all about always think about your futures and seizing any opportunities you can. A friend taught me that I could never replicate the success Mitsuru-senpai had, I had to forge my own path, my own goals."
"It took me a while to realise that, but when I did. Everything was so much easier. For that I have my friends, my peers in the Student Council and all of you. Without your support no one would have achieved their goals."
"I'll leave you with this lesson I learned. Never doubt yourself, you can achieve so much if you just take a second to calm yourself. It'll make all the difference between achieving your dreams and failure."
"It has been a pleasure as your Student Council President." I bowed as I heard everyone applaud.
Being back at the cemetery really, brings back memories. Some of them bad, but overall it has been great. Being back at Tatsumi Port Island was the really the best thing to happen to me. Yeah, Minato sacrificed himself to hold back Erebus from Nyx for everyone, but without everyone I wouldn't have been able to move forward. I just hope he's not doing too much up there. I worry about him, I know that Mitsuru does as well. I'm just happy he's with Mother and Father. At least he's not alone, and neither am I. I know they're with me, watching me. I just hope they're proud of me.
At that point, I heard footsteps walk closer to me. "So, this is where you've been hiding."
I turned around and saw Yukari. "Just thinking about some things."
"Thinking about anything in particular?" Yukari said stand by side me holding my hand.
"Just thinking about what Minato did for us when we were trapped in the Abyss of Time. I'm fine though. Mitsuru wasn't kidding when she said saying goodbye to Gekkoukan isn't easy."
"When you did an amazing job. Thanks to you Junpei can graduate. That means you're amazing."
I giggle. "Well I did have a beautiful and wonderful girlfriend with me, to back me up when I mess up."
"Well my incredibly sexy and smart girlfriend didn't have anything to worry about." Yukari said as she kissed my lips.
"Well I'm not the only one." I said as I kissed her back.
I rested against her chest listening to her heartbeat.
"We should go, Mitsuru wanted to speak to you about something. Something about an agent."
Yukari started to walk away, leaving me behind.
I better go. I shouldn't keep Mitsuru waiting. She likes her punctuality. I hope you're all enjoying yourselves. Mother... Father... Minato... Don't worry about everyone, I'll protect them. With my powers, I won't let anything happen to Grandfather, Naoto or anyone I love. I'll protect them so don't worry.
"Hey, are you coming?" Yukari called out.
"Yeah, just give me a second."
Sorry about that. Yukari can be a bit impatient sometimes. But that's why I love her. I'll be going now but I hope you all will watch over me.
Goodbye, I'll be back soon. I promise.