Hey everyone! I finally managed to update this! I know it's taking a little while, but I do have a lot of school work to do. This is a creative pastime, and I've got too many plot bunnies. But Frozen Fortune has been stalled, as I'm having a few issues with how I want to present my next few chapters. But I did manage to get this out.

I know that some people took issue with my last chapter. Mainly, Minako getting the crap kicked out of her. This is Persona 3. Not Persona 4. Siegfried is only immune to Slash physical, not Strike or Pierce. I know in his legend, he only has one weak spot on his shoulder, but this isn't about him. Minako thought she was a god-mode. After being knocked down six or seven pegs, she knows that she can't afford to play around.

Oh, and I do moderate guest reviews, so if you're going to bother me about updates, at least sign in. Also understand that I have an actual life outside of Fanfiction. This is a fun little hobby I enjoy. I update when I feel like writing and have a chapter finished. Not when you want.

Fool Void Judgement Chapter 6

Minako opened her eyes to a familiar blue room. She was sitting in her normal chair and Igor was sitting across from her. Theo was dutifully standing to the right, but the biggest change was that Elizabeth was back, standing off to the left. "Welcome back Master Minako." Theodore said.

She nodded, to acknowledge him as she turned to Elizabeth. "So? What about my brother? Is he alright?"

Elizabeth kept a straight face, though a note of sadness was in her voice. "In order to stop Nyx, he had to use all of his life force to stop her. He's still able to keep his ties to your world through sheer force of will and by borrowing power from the bonds formed."

Minako felt the light bulb go off in her mind. "The promise we made! To meet on the roof…" She suddenly took a melancholy look. "And what happened to me? Do I not exist anymore officially?"

Elizabeth gave a half-hearted chuckle. "You died of an unexplained illness that night. I'm not sure how your brother wrote off the missing body, but somehow he did." Elizabeth then picked up a bag she had sitting on the ground. "Minato found me and told me to give these to you." The first was the Persona Compendium, which was drawn toward the one in Theodore's hands, and the two combined into one, giving Minako all the Personas her brother had that she did not.

Elizabeth began to dump out the bag onto the table. "He also collected these for you." Inside the bag were all fused weapons. One the table were two lances, a glittering bow, and two swords. The first sword had a pure white blade and gave off a benevolent aura, while the other blade, while just as grand, radiated malice. These were Deus Xiphos and Lucifer's Blade, the swords of Michael and Lucifer respectively. The spears were Gungnir, the magical spear that Odin used, and a similar weapon, Gae Bolg, used by the Irish hero Cu Chulainn. Minako remembered that they had created all these weapons by combining Personas with void weapons they had found.

Minako stared at the pile, picking each weapon up one at a time. Each time, her runes, reacted with them, with the strongest reaction being with the spears, since she already had an affinity for weapons with long reach. She looked back at Elizabeth. "Why did he give these to me?"

Elizabeth gave her a small smile. "He knew that we could contact you, and seemed to think you'd need a bit of extra firepower." The conversation over, Igor fused all the weapons into weapon cards which then went inside of Minako's soul.

"This has surely been an enlightening discussion, but I'm afraid we cannot keep you here. Time marches on in your world, and I believe it's time for you to wake up."

Minako woke up, finding she was in the school's infirmary. She did a quick examination of herself, and found that her ribs were bandaged. While they were healed, they were still bruised. Next to her, she saw Siesta sleeping soundly on the next bed over. She looked to the other side and saw Louise asleep in a chair next to her. "Louise? Hey Louise?" No response. "Little Master!" She shouted to wake up the pinkette.

Louise woke up with a start. "Minako! You're awake!" She said with happiness before glaring. "What the hell were you thinking back there? You almost died!"

Minako flicked Louise on her forehead. "But I didn't die, did I?"

"You would have, if the maid didn't summon a Persona of her own!"

Minako whipped her head back to Siesta before meeting Louise's gaze. "Wait... She has a Persona?"

Louise nodded. "She used your Evoker when you almost died. You're lucky to be alive!"

Minako sat up fully, doing her jacket back up to hide the bandages around her chest. "So how long was I out?"

Louise thought for a moment, doing a quick mental count. "Two days. I was worried, but your wounds were healing unusually quickly." Minako checked her soul. She still had Siegfried equipped, who had Regenerate 3 as a passive skill. Louise continued, "Our healers looked at her as well, but they couldn't find anything wrong with her."

Minako filled her in. "She's just exhausted. I was out for nine days when I first summoned mine. I think we should find out what's going on."

As Minako hopped up, Louise stopped her. "You're not healed yet! You have to stay here!

The Fool pushed her Master aside. "I'm fine. I'm healing as we speak. If I have to, I can always cast a healing spell on myself."

Louise sighed, knowing Minako would go as soon as soon as she was able. "By the way, the Headmaster wanted to ask you about your encounter fighting that golem."

"Why?"

"Because the maid's still out cold and Kirche and I still have no idea what you did." Minako was about to open her mouth, "I mean, I get what a Persona is, but that thing you did, with two of them…"

Minako smiled down at her Master. "That is called a Fusion Raid. It has a really high cost to use, since even maintaining two Personas is a lot of mental stress all at once. Ordering them to combine their strength into a new attack outside their usual repertoire is even more difficult. My brother and I used to share the cost, but it still wasn't easy." Minako felt her eyes get misty but quickly pushed it away. "Come on. If the headmaster wants to meet me, it'd be rude to keep him waiting."

Louise just sighed and shook her head. What a strange Familiar she had with her.

As Minako sized up the Headmaster, she quickly decided that this man was related to Dumbledore from the Harry Potter books. He had the old wizened look and he had a long white beard that honestly impresses Minako with how long it was. He seemed to also radiate an aura around him, similar to Mitsuru and her father, but his felt kinder and more relaxed. It was then that she saw a small white mouse dart out from his robes and ran to peep up the green-haired secretary's skirt. Minako quickly looked down, and quickly pressed her legs together, seeing as she was wearing her skirt from her uniform. She really needed to talk to Louise about new clothes. She also needed to talk to Theodore about getting a new set of her casual summer and winter clothes. With them was all the staff, including Professor Colbert, along with two familiar figures, one of which sent chills of dread down Minako's spine. The other one seemed to draw Louise's ire. "Zerbst? Why are you here?"

She gave Louise a sly smile. "Well, I did help you try and fight that golem. And Tabitha here watched the whole fight."

The headmaster then got everyone's attention by clearing his throat, getting the two girls to quiet down. "First of all," he directed his look at Minako. "Do you know what is wrong with the maid, Siesta? The water mages looked her over, but found nothing wrong."

Minako swelled with pride as she was the expert for a brief moment. "Last night, from what I've been told, Siesta managed to manifest a Persona of her own. I was unconscious, so I don't know anything about it." With a quick motion, Minako scooped up the mouse coming close to her and handed him back to the Headmaster. As she did this, his eyes widened and the green-haired secretary gave Minako a quick smirk. "She's just exhausted from the mental stress of summoning for the first time. Give her a few more days. I was in a similar state for nine days when it first happened to me." She made a mental note to talk to the staff about training her later. Siesta was already her friend, and she'd make a fine apprentice.

With her bit done, she was brushed aside for the main topic at hand. The Headmaster returned to the main topic. "With that out of the way, the person who attacked the Academy was the thief Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt. She broke into the vault and made off with the Staff of Destruction. Over the last few days, Ms. Loungeville has managed to acquire information about the thief as well as locate their hideout." Minako glanced back over to the secretary, and as they made eye contact, Minako gave her own little smirk of admiration at the woman's detective skills. Especially since Minako had no detective skills to speak of.

"Well then," The Headmaster looked like he was ready to conclude his speech "Do we have any volunteers to go hunt down and apprehend this thief?" After no one moved, Minako felt her heart sink. She had hoped that some teachers would have at least made an effort. With the unnatural silence settling in, she very quietly stomped on Louise's foot.

As she cried out in pain, everyone's eyes drifted to the one who had broken the silence, many of them holding hopeful looks. Louise, in order to save face, quickly raised her wand. "I volunteer to go!"

Everyone's reaction was either shocked or relieved. Quickly, mostly because of their family rivalry, Kirche jumped in. "I volunteer as well!" Tabitha raised her staff as well to offer her consent.

The Headmaster smiled. "Ah. We have our volunteers. Miss Tabitha, who has achieved the rank of Chevalier despite her young age." Louise and Kirche looked over at her in shock, though the only reaction she gave was turning a page in her book. "And Miss Zerbst, whose family is noted for their skill and power, and who casts powerful fire magic in her own right." Kirche, on the other hand, was preening to the audience of teachers, Louise, and Minako.

"And last but certainly not least, Miss Vallaire. Whose family has produced some remarkable mages and who has summoned one of the most unique and powerful Familiars ever seen." Professor Colbert looked like he was going to say something, but caught himself and stopped.

"I would like to guide them to the location," The secretary, Ms. Loungeville said. The headmaster gave consent to this, and everyone was dismissed to meet outside soon. Minako quickly left and ran to the entrance to the Velvet Room, making sure to pick the Personas she wanted for the upcoming trip.

The four of them were in a carriage, Ms. Loungeville up front driving. "So Minako?" Kirche asked, "What were you busy preparing?"

The red-eyed girl's hand lazily rested on her Evoker. "I needed some new Personas. I'm not going to play around like last time. One set of broken ribs is enough." The talking sword strapped to her back, Derflinger, added his two cents.

"I'm dying to see some action partner! So far all we've done is spar with your Death God Persona."

She casually replied, "That's because I don't fight with swords. I use lances and naginatas as my primary weapon. My runes give me increased ability with all weapons, but I still need to practice. Otherwise I'd be clumsy and slow compared to real swordsmen. You never become a master overnight."

Tabitha turned a page in her book. "Practice makes perfect."

Minako nodded. "Right." She was more relaxed around Tabitha, but still kept her as far away as physically possible in the carriage. All four members of the party inside the carriage knew why she wanted to keep distance, and Tabitha really didn't care at the moment. Minako didn't exactly like being so close to her, but her only other option was outside, with the girl's Familiar, and the dragon's thoughts had to be just as nefarious as her Master's.

Right?

As they disembarked, Ms. Loungeville got off and offered to scout the area. This was a sound tactical plan, leaving Minako and Tabitha to check out the shack in front of them, while Kirche and Louise… stood and looked pretty?

The bluenette waved her staff, before muttering, "No traps." Minako nodded. "And now physical traps. Orpheus!" She fired her Evoker, making the golden and white Persona appear. "Swift Strike!"

Unlike most physicals which were shockwaves, Swift Strike involved her Persona darting around like a kid high on sugar. After activating nothing, (And giving Minako a minor concussion from the trees), the area was declared trap-free as nothing was set off. The two headed to the shack, Minako quickly running in and retrieving a case containing the Staff of Destruction. Kirche spoke from where she stood. "Could that have gone any easier?"

The earth began to shake as a golem began to form. "Yes. Yes it could have." She threw the case to Louise. "You three, get back safely! I need to have my rematch!" She drew Derflinger as her Evoker was raised. "Loki!"

She stored her Evoker, a card appearing in front of her. She shattered it, and the blood-red Gae Bolg sat in her hand. This weapon powered up Wind-element spells, and Loki already had Wind Amp. "Panta Rhei!"

The cyclone consumed the golem, the gale-force winds ripping it to pieces and launching debris. Minako kept an eye out for any heading toward her and drew Derflinger, her runes glowing. As the boulders were tossed at her, she was able to cut through them. She dismissed her lance and placed her Evoker back at her temple. "Ragnarok!" A large fire began to form in the middle of the tornado. Minako smiled, as the wind fed the fire and ripped apart the golem. Still, she didn't count on the adverse effect of this: Flaming debris.

From above, the rocks started exploding and became ice balls as Louise and Tabitha rained down spells, but even then, some rocks passed through. When Minako cut the flaming rock, the heat didn't hurt her because of Null Fire, but the fire seemed to get sucked into her sword. "Oh yeah!" The sword spoke, "I can drink magic!"

Minako sighed as her spells finally ran their course, leaving the golem mostly gone, but slowly reforming. "Why didn't you say this earlier?"

"I just remembered!" As irritated as she was, she did feel her Justice Social Link increase.

The stone golem was rebuilding itself faster as Louise called, "Minako! Use this!" The brunette took the weapon case back from Louise. "Thanks! But why are you here? Get back with the others!"

Louise stood proudly. "We're not just going to leave you!" Minako nodded and opened the case. "Really? This is it?" She was staring at a portable anti-tank rocket launcher. She also knew how to put it together since Aigis had given her a lecture on every piece of technology they saw when hunting the Arcana Chariot and Arcana Justice Shadows.

An explosive weapon like this was perfect. She was hesitant to use her Almighty spells because they always gave out large explosions, and they were her trump card. She propped it against her shoulder, closed one eye to aim better, and squeezed the trigger. The explosion ripped through the golem, destroying it for the final time. As Minako sighed and relaxed, Kirche and Tabitha came from where they were on Sylphid's back. Tabitha gave a fleeting smile while Kirche was much more touchy-feely. As she hugged Minako to congratulate her, the poor girl found herself smothered in the redhead's chest by mistake.

Minako quickly removed herself from the redhead's chest in time to see Ms. Loungeville return. She picked up the Staff of Destruction and looked it over. "Did you find the thief?" Louise asked her.

She pulled off her glasses as she laughed. "Oh yes. I found her." She aimed the Staff like she had seen Minako do, except with the desired angle, she didn't have to take a knee. "Drop your wands and kneel! And you!" She pointed at Minako, "Drop your sword, spear, and Evoker!"

Minako put down her sword, as well as making Gae Bolg appear before dropping it. "Kneel with the other girls." The green-haired thief ordered. With a sigh, she summoned two more cards, Deus Xiphos and Lucifer's Blade appearing in her hands, runes shining brightly.

"Now who holds the advantage?" She asked with a smirk.

In anger, Fouquet squeezed the trigger on the rocket launcher. The three girls cowered, while Minako didn't move.

There was no explosion. After a few seconds, Louise, Tabitha, and Kircke looked too see what had happened.

Minako stood with two swords facing an equally surprised Fouquet. The Familiar had a smirk on her face. "Oh yeah. I forgot to mention. It only had one shot, and I already used it. Sorry." Before the thief could respond, she rushed forward, and kicked her feet out from under her. The weight of the now-useless rocket launcher caused her to fall and drop the weapon. When she looked up from her downed position, she saw Minako's glittering gold sword point p against her neck. She dismissed the other sword and held out her hand. "Wand."

She quickly handed over her wand, as Minako dismissed the sword and spear she had and picked up Derflinger and her Evoker. "Now stealing is very bad. And bad girls need to be punished." Minako said, a little too cheerfully. Fouquet quickly got to her feet and turned to run. "Black Frost, execute her!"

Now she really needed to run.

Minako and the others returned to the school on Sylphid's back, quickly followed by a large golden bird. This Persona, Horus, was holding a large block of ice in its talons. In the block was Fouquet, properly executed. This appeared to be great therapy for Minako, as she was able to sit next to Tabitha on the way back. She also felt good, Ranking up with Louise, Kirche, and Tabitha all at once. Normally, she'd get a Fool or Judgement rank up, but she didn't have a Social Link with a group, so she figured this would suffice.

The four returned to the Headmaster's office, staff in hand. There they had given their report, and Louise and Kirche received the title of Chevalier. Tabitha was awarded the Elven Medallion, though Minako wasn't really interested. What she wanted was her reward, a private conversation with the Headmaster. Mr. Colbert was present, as he knew the most about Minako's questions: Namely, her runes. Once they were ready, she began her questions.

"First off, the Staff is a weapon from my world. How did it appear here?"

The Headmaster answered after clearing his throat. "This may sound hard to believe, but ten years ago, a close acquaintance of mine was out leading a survey team when they were set upon by a dragon. The beast devoured the team and would have devoured him too if, in his words, 'A maiden descended from the sky and fired a blast that killed it in one blow.' She supposedly died right after, and we have her body housed here as well as her weapon. When we examined her, she appeared to be some sort of mechanical maiden. Not human, but much more complex than a golem."

Minako froze. She knew that term. She remembered how Aigis had called herself when they had first met. "Second off, my runes. What do they mean?"

Professor Colbert answered this one. "Those runes are those of the Gandalfr." As Minako tilted her head in confusion, he amended what he said. "It translates into the Left Hand of God. Its abilities grant you skill with any weapon."

"I understand. I'll experiment with that later. Do you mind if I see the body of the mechanical maiden?"

Professor Colbert perked up. "Of course! Please follow me!" He led Minako through a series of halls until they were in one of the lower levels of the school. The balding professor pushed a door open and then waved his wand, lighting all the lamps hanging from the walls. Lying on a wooden table was what looked like a girl with short blonde hair. Her eyes were closed, and that was there the similarities with a normal human ended. Her metal coverings were stripped off her arms, most of her chest and part of her legs. A fair amount of the hydraulics and inner wiring were damaged.

The most experience Minako had with this kind of stuff was watching during Aigis' regular maintenance checkups and helping her install new equipment they bought her, and she doubted Ryoji knew anything about Anti-Shadow Weapons operated. After all, he just broke them.

Even so, she smiled at the balding man. "It'll take a lot of work, but I think we could put her back together. I'm no expert, but I'll do my best."

He beamed at her like a kid who found out Christmas was coming early. "I'd be so grateful for your help! I've experimented a little, but I didn't want to damage her beyond repair."

Minako felt the familiar Social Link forming, this time of the Hermit Arcana.

"Anyway, shouldn't you be getting ready for the ball tonight?"

Minako nodded. "Yeah, I know what I'm wearing. I should go get ready."

Minako first went to Kirche, who was able to get her a pair of pants. She wore her cream-coloured blouse from her summer uniform to go along with it. She left the top button undone as she looked over herself in the mirror.

"Wow, Minako, you look good." Kirche said, smiling, as she reached for Minako's hair clips. "If you were a guy, I would totally date you."

She ducked away from her, her hands flying to her hair. "Leave my hair alone! I like it this way." The two things she refused to change were her hairstyle and the S.E.E.S. armband she wore.

Kirche wasn't giving up that easily. "Have you ever thought about changing your hair?*

Minako nodded. "Yeah I have. Then I decided it was a bad idea. Maybe another time, okay."

"I'll hold you to that"

Minako stood outside the ballroom, the talking sword Derflinger strapped to her back. "So, partner, why aren't you in there having a good time."

She sighed, a smile on her face. "Oh, I'm just reflecting on life. I've been for two weeks, and it's been quite a whirlwind. Sometimes it's good to have a little time to yourself. "

"Yeah, but on the night of a party? You could reflect tonight, or tomorrow."

"I don't feel like dancing. Meeting other people is not a priority to me. When it comes to friends, I only make the ones I feel will form an everlasting connection with. Quality over quantity."

"You can be a real buzz-kill sometimes, Partner."

"Keep that up and I'll figure out how to fit you into one of my weapon cards."

This shut the sword up, leaving Minako alone with her thoughts, until a certain pinkette came to join her. "Not having fun?" She asked her Familiar.

Minako kept watching the stars. "Just having some "me" time."

Louise walked up next to her. "You know that you're the real hero, they just don't know it."

"Yeah, I know. You'd all be hopeless without my dashing good looks and unmatched skill in both martial and mystical arts." She looked to Louise as she said this, a cheeky grin on her face.

"Don't forget your saintly humility." Louise added, making them both laugh. She then grabbed Minako's hand. "Come inside, for at least one dance."

Minako seemed to think, before nodding to Louise. "Well then, may I have this dance?"

Louise took her hand in her own. "I'd love to." She then gave a skeptical look. "You can dance, right?"

"Not at all."

"I'm leading then." She said, as she brought Minako inside with her.

Minako bopped her on the head. "Only for this next dance." As the two rejoined the celebration to enjoy their evening.

Social Links:

Fool (S.E.E.S) - Rank 10

Priestess (Tabitha) - Rank 2

Empress (Kirche) - Rank 3

Hierophant (Louise) - Rank 5

Justice (Derflinger) - Rank 2

Hermit (Colbert) - Rank 1

Fortune (Ryoji) - Rank 10

Hanged Man (Siesta) - Rank 4

Death (Pharos) - Rank 10

Star (Mearteau) -Rank 1

Judgement (Nyx Annihilation Team) - Rank 10