Persona 4 Golden: Yu and Yukiko's Full and Happy Life Part 8

His stubby legs failing him again, Teddie fell backwards down the stairs, but not before grabbing onto Akihiko’s cape and taking him along for the ride. Chie and Yukari were able to avoid the two coming at them like a boulder rolling down a mountainside, but Yosuke wasn’t so lucky.

“Oh Yosuke. Don’t you remember what Yuka-chan said earlier? You’d sound much cooler if you didn’t whine so much.” Yosuke was about to rip Teddie out of his costume and put him in a headlock, but before he could, the wall in front of them magically started to open up, revealing a set of doors. With a *ding* like you would hear from the elevators at Junes, the doors slide open and out stepped some familiar faces.

“YUKIKO!” Chie shouted, almost pushing her two quarreling friends to the floor. “CHIE!” Yukiko answered back as she held out her arms to embrace her best friend. While not as giddy as Chie was, Yosuke was relieved, and confused, to see his partner step out of the elevator. “Great! You guys made it here. Are you all alright?” Yu asked. “Yeah, were fine…mostly, but a better question is what the heck that is!” Yu looked over his shoulder, “Oh that? It’s a secret elevator. Good thing too or it would have taken us ages to get up here.”

“WHAAAAAAAA!?!?!” Teddie shouted. “There was an elevator the whole time? Why did you have us climb all those stairs then Yosuke? Oooohhh, my poor feet! I guess it just shows how much better a leader senpai is.”

“He said it was a secret elevator! How was I supposed to know? And since when was I the leader of this group? It isn’t like you guys listen to a word I say anyway.” Yosuke snarled. “Maybe if your nose worked we could have found it!”

“Hey! Koromaru! How you doing boy?” Akihiko said as he leaned down to pet the ecstatic canine. “Nice to see you’re safe Akihiko-san.” Ken said, relieved. “Woah! What’s with that scar? Did something happen?” Akihiko looked down at his chest, “Oh this? It’s nothing. Just the result of some training I did recently. Looks like you have done some growing yourself!” Akihiko said, sizing up the young boy. Have you been working out yourself?”

Out of nowhere, Chie slide between the two boys. “Who is this? You know Akihiko? Are you his pupil too? If it’s competition you want, just know I won’t hold back!” Ken was taken aback by the overactive girl. “What? Pupil?”

Naoto and Yukari talked, exchanging stories on what happened after they had separated. They had saved their friend, Akihiko, but they hadn’t run into Aigis, Fuuka, or Mitsuru and Labrys and a man named Junpei were unaccounted for. They had to hope either they were being held up ahead or that either the latter or the rest of the investigation team had run into the rest of the captured operatives.

Naoto noticed that Yukari suddenly seemed distracted during their conversation. Turning around, she saw Yu, Yosuke, and Yukiko making their way over. “You must be Yukari Takeba. Ken told me all about you. I wanted to thank you for looking after my friends. I’m Yu Amagi.” Yu held out his hand for a handshake, but Yukari looked reluctant. She stared at his hand for a few seconds before slowly extending hers. “You’re welcome, I’ve been told about you as well. Nice to meet you…” Yu tried his best to ignore the awkwardness that hung in the air. “Uhh. This is my wife, Yukiko.”

This was a first for the Yukari. She had seen pregnant women before, but it was the first time she met one that was younger than her, still in high school. It made her feel old which she didn’t like in the slightest. Getting a chance to see the girl up close, Yukari could hardly believe a girl her size could have made it this far. It was clear she had put on a few more pounds than what was necessary for her pregnancy. She didn’t let it bother her at all though. She came off as immensely cheery. She had to commend her for her apparent willingness to pack on the pounds. Her encounter with her husband’s shadow was still fresh in her mind and given what he said, she couldn’t dismiss that maybe all the excess chub was an effort made by her to please her man. Not many women could do that.

That wasn’t to say she wasn’t cute. Even though she was a little round, her skin was flawless. She had an aura of elegance to her much like her friend Mitsuru and possessed that traditional, “dark-haired and pale beauty” look. Her eyes however were a lot like her friend Fuuka. They were caring and warm. That aspect of her was displayed by her when the first thing she did getting off the elevator was run to her friend and bring her into a suffocating embrace.

“Nice to me you. I love your costume! Are you one of those cosplayers that go to those 'conventions'?” Her question may have been a little blunt, but even Yukari couldn’t help herself from being drawn in by the girl’s infectious smile. “No actually. You see, I got the call about all this at work and…” As Yukari explained what had happened, Yu leaned over to Yosuke, “Hey, did that seem weird to you at all? I have the feeling she got the wrong impression of me. Was it something I said?” Yosuke laughed nervously, “What? Nooooo. Well, I mean, kind of. It’s a long story. I’ll tell you about it later.”

“Oh dear!” Yukiko said placing one hand on her chubby cheek. “You’re an actual featherman ranger? That’s amazing!” she said in astonishment. Yukiko cheeks grew red and she started to push her two index fingers together nervously, “I know you probably get asked this a lot and I know by friend Rise that it can get annoying, but do you think I could get an autograph or two?” She was trying to be polite, but Yukari could tell the girl was holding herself back from bursting in excitement. “You want my autograph? Really, I’m nothing special. I’m just a girl who puts on a suit…” Yukiko cut her off, “Don’t be modest. You’re much more than that! You’re a fighter of evil and a hero for children everywhere!” Yukari was taken aback by the girl’s passion. To be honest, at first this was nothing more than a job to her. She’d put on a silly costume and prance around on camera while spouting cheesy dialogue about how evil would never win the day. But after a while, she started to truly enjoy it and the way children who looked up to her as a role model. It may not be as important as Yukiko cracked it up to be, but she appreciated her words.

Before she could respond, Naoto spoke up, “Is now really the time to be talking about this?” Yukiko apologized and told Naoto she was right, but she couldn’t help but look disappointed. Yukari assured her she would sign whatever she wanted later, and her face lit back up in an instant.

After all the catching up and introductions, the large group of investigation Team Members and Shadow Operatives pushed forward. Before opening the large, ornate door in front of them, Naoto spoke. “Remember, we don’t know exactly what Adachi and Minazuki are summoning and what the actual goal is. Plus, we still don’t know all the information about this Sho character or their connection to Minazuki. Stick together and be on your guard.” Once everyone nodded, and she slowly opened the door and peaked inside.

The room was eerily abandoned. As everyone filed in, they began to poke around. The room looked like the inside of a temple more than it did any room at their school. Stone columns extended to the ceiling while red and gold banners extended downward from it. Littered around the room were numerous black coffins, all chained shut. In the center of the room was a staircase that lead up to a giant golden clockface. The investigation team had never seen anything like it, but it was obvious that the Shadow Operatives had by their reaction upon laying eyes on it. A few feet away was another highly decorated door that was slightly ajar. Just a frame sitting near the stairway, the door seemingly led nowhere. However, the light that shown through the crack told them that the door had to lead somewhere. Without a second to lose, the team walked through. The door led to another stairway that went on forever. After climbing for a time, they finally came to the door they believed to lead to the roof.

“Is that the moonlight bridge!?!” Akihiko said upon walking through. They found themselves outside now with a full moon giving off a red glow and taking up a significant portion of the night sky. The aforementioned bridge could be seen in the distance along with various other strange and twisted monuments in the hellish landscape. Whatever this place was, it wasn’t Yasogami High.

“EVERYONE LOOK!” Yukiko shouted. On one of the many crosses that were scattered around was the Shadow Operatives’ leader, Mitsuru. In front of her, the group could see a fight that was reaching its climax. Watching the battle on the sidelines were Adachi and Labrys. The ones actually fighting was Labrys’s sister, Aigis, and Minazuki. “Hey! Over here!” Labrys called out when she saw the large group that entered the room.

While Labrys was happy to see everyone, Minazuki was livid. “What the hell!?! Adachi, explain! I knew that stupid looking bear and his group were nearby. But how did that detective, the mutt, the snot nosed kid, and that guy and his fat cow’s get up here so fast?” Adachi feigned ignorance, “Huh? How am I supposed to know? Did you miscalculate? Or maybe they caught a second wind and were able to run up here all fast like? Either way it is a problem.”

A true professional, Aigis wasn’t distracted at all by the new arrivals in the slightest. She kept her crosshairs firmly on Minazuki. “I think you have more pressing matters at hand. Like how you will dodge this next attack.” Aigis fired another volley of shots from her fingers at Minazuki. Naoto was puzzled by the way Minazuki spoke. He didn’t sound anything like the calm and collected foe that had wounded her earlier. He sounded more frenzied and maniacal. His fighting style was also different. This Minazuki’s style was more wild and feverish.

Compared to the well-placed strikes of the one she had an encounter with earlier, this one was doing little more than swinging his sword wildly. From what Naoto had told him, Yu also felt something was off about this Minazuki, but while Naoto may have described him as unhinged, Yu saw it differently. To him he just came off as sounding immature.

Aigis’s suppressing fire meant that Minazuki couldn’t get close. She was expertly able to get him to move to where she wanted him. When he was in optimal position, she fired a shot from the cannon that she pulled out of her back. The shot landed right in front of Minazuki’s feet, exploding and sending him flying into one of the many crosses in the area.

“DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT!” the wounded man screamed while smashing his fist into the ground. He directed his attention to Adachi. “HEY! We brought you here for a reason, right? Why don’t you get of your ass and do something for a change!” Adachi’s face contorted into a cruel smile. “Oh? Are you asking for my help? Weren’t you the one who was complaining all night about how you wanted to slice up a few of "those lame asses"? What’s the matter? Can’t hack it? You were so confident in your abilities too. I told you it wouldn’t be wise to underestimate these brats, but you have a severe problem about listening to your elders. You're a lot like them on that front actually.” Minazuki grinded his teeth as Adachi spoke. “Don’t lecture me you pissant! You really rub me the wrong way. Don’t you want revenge on some of these people?”

Adachi’s smile slowly faded. “Man, we’ve been together all night and you still don’t get me at all do you? Sorry, but I think I’ll pass. Sound’s like too much work. Besides, if I tried to jump in now they would all just swarm me. These idiots move together like a pack of rats.” Minazuki’s eyes became even more feral. “I’ve had enough of your shit. Once I’m done here I’m going to eviscerate you, and laugh while doing it too!” It looked like he wouldn’t get the chance to however. Minazuki heard a clicking noise and turned back to see Aigis pointing every weapon she had at his forehead. “I believe this is what you’d call a checkmate.” Completely ignoring the danger he was in, Minazuki tried one last ditch attack and swung his sword at Aigis’s neck, but she was able to react quickly enough and instead knocked him out with an elbow to his jaw.

With the threat of Minazuki neutralized the Shadow Operatives moved to rescue their leader while the Investigation team moved to apprehend Adachi. Surprisingly Adachi did put up any fight whatsoever or attempt to flee.

“It’s over you creep! Don’t try anything funny.” Chie snarled. “We have foiled whatever plan you and your accomplice have cooked up. You’ll be going right back to jail.” Naoto said calmly with her revolver trained on the fugitive. Yosuke was a bit more emotional then the other two, “Don’t think you can escape your punishment that easy! We will always be here to make sure you pay for your crimes. What you did to all of us. To Nanako! To Saki!”

Of course, hearing Yosuke’s voice waver when he said the last name only tipped Adachi off to a chance to have some more fun. “Saki?” He said while scratching his chin. “Saki? Saki? Nope, doesn’t ring a bell. Are you sure that was something I did?”

“You son of a…“ Yu had to move fast to hold Yosuke back from clocking the chuckling former detective, no matter how much he may have been asking for it. Adachi raised his hands in a defensive position. “Hey now. Do you really think you should be starting a fight when you haven’t even finished the first one yet?” The team had no idea what Adachi was talking about, but when he gestured behind them, what he meant became clear. Stumbling back to his feet was Minazuki. He wasn’t done just yet.

“ha…haha…HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” Minazuki’s crazed laughter got the attention of the Shadow operatives who had gotten Mitsuru down from her cross. “You pests are all so irritating! Why can’t you just go away! I’m getting sick to my stomach just by looking at you all. We already got all the fragments we need and when he gets here I’ll get my wish and you will all go bye-bye!”

Yu raised his sword, “What do you mean? What are you planning Minazuki?” Minazuki let out another uproarious laugh. “Didn’t you hear what I just said? I want all the shitty people and this shitty world to disappear, and when that happens I’ll finally be able to live comfortably! It will be just me!”

“What? That’s crazy! That so selfish. That serves absolutely no one but you!” Chie spat. “Well Duuuuh! Why should I care what happens to anyone else? The only thing that matters is what I want and what I want is for all you lame asses to get destroyed along with everyone and everything.”

Yu knew better than to try and reason with a child throwing a tantrum, but he tried to anyway. “Minazuki, humans aren’t meant to live like that, all alone, I don’t know what happened to make you want to erase everything but...“ Minazuki wasn’t going to here it. “ARGH! SHUT UP SHUT! SHUT UP! I don’t want to hear any of your stupid ass lectures about bonds or friendship. It’s all just noise! You’re giving me a headache. And also, STOP CALLING ME THAT! The name is Sho, got it? HUH? DO YOU?”

“Sho?” Yu pondered to himself. He wanted to follow up on that, but Yukari stepped forward. “Okay, that’s enough. I’ve had it up to here with you and your complaining. We’re taking you down now!”

Suddenly, Minazuki or “Sho’s” expression turned blank and his body went limp, almost like his brain had been turned off. Not knowing what to expect, Yukari stopped her advance. After a few tense moments, a calm voice rang out.

“Persona…”

A red energy exploded outward and swirled all around the red-haired boy. A dark, shadow-like persona took shape behind him. It’s power seemed immense. “I think I’ll take over for the time being.” The cool and collected voice was a stark contrast to the raving lunatic from just a few moments earlier. It was a voice that Naoto instantly recognized as the Minazuki she had contact with earlier. “What are you?” She asked while trying to keep her hat from blowing away by all the energy the boy was releasing. “I told you before, I am Minazuki. WE are Sho Minazuki.”

“So, there isn’t another accomplice at all? The Sho we heard about is you! You have a split personality!” Yu claimed. “So this guy really is nuts!” Yosuke added. Minazuki smirked, “That isn’t entirely the case. I awakened in this boy one day and I only exist to bring about his one wish. For all he has suffered at the hands of man, I will use that “thing,” to eradicate the world and bring him the peace he desires.”

The “thing” he was talking about must be what Adachi said the persona fragments were being used to summon. Yu tried to reason with this more level-headed personality. “But Minazuki, living all alone is not living at all. We grow by interacting with one another. It’s what makes us stronger.” Minazuki was unfazed. “Ah yes, those “bonds” you like to prattle on about. Sho has no use for things like that. He is strong enough by himself. He is a lot like you actually, very capable. The only thing is he knows bonds for what they are, a hinderance.”

Minazuki’s eyes and scar started to glow red. Yu felt like his body seize up. He was completely paralyzed! Shifting his eyes around the room, he saw that it wasn’t only just him that was affected. Everyone else was struggling to move. Even someone as strong as Akihiko couldn’t manage a single step.

His gaze turned to Yukiko who was clutching her belly and looking back at him. This was the first time all night that her face had shown any worry. “Where is all that strength you claimed your bonds gave you now? You all have been a thorn in our side all night. I think it be best if I were to thin your numbers a little.”
That’s when a protest came from an unlikely source. “Come on. You don’t have to do that right? I mean, it’s like you said, you have all the fragments you need. Why waste the energy with these brats when everything is going to be destroyed anyway?” Said Adachi. Minazuki turned to the man, “Don’t think you haven’t been a nuisance as well. I’ll deal with you later. This will take no energy at all. Think of it as a taste of what is to come.
Minazuki raised his sword and pointed it at the group, scanning to find his first target. His sword stopped when it reached a certain blue haired detective. “Hello again. You probably caused the most trouble for us tonight by figuring out our plan. I thought for sure you would have perished with that wound I left you with, but it seems like you were able to heal it up. I’ll just have to give you a new one you can’t possibly recover from.”

Minazuki crouched down and took off with a speed so great it would have been hard to intercept him even if the rest of them could move. "Narukami, it's time I showed you just how fragile a bond really is!" All Naoto could do was stand there and accept the strike that was about to come while her friends and comrades all watched helplessly. She closed her eyes once Minazuki was in an arm’s reach of her, but that is when she sensed something large fly over her head.
Minazuki was in full stride and had no time to stop as his face collided with a folding chair. Already in rough shape as is, the chair exploded from the impact. Minazuki was sent skidding across the floor, completely stunned with his nose pouring blood.

The large man with bleached hair shot his fist in the air and slapped his bicep. The Shadow Sluggers had arrived just in time.

“YOU LIKE THAT? KEEP YOUR PAWS OFF MY…uh…my…my… my girlfriend!” Kanji said, his voice getting quieter and shyer the farter he got into his sentence. “OH YEAH! Your saviors have arrived!” Junpei boasted. Both men looked like they had taken a cycle or two inside a washing machine filled with razor blades. Their clothes were in complete disarray, covered in dirt, and covered in various rips and tears. While Kanji’s weapon was in pieces all over, Junpei’s bat had turned into a twisted, half-melted wreck. It was more like a giant hunk of rare metal then sporting equipment. “How? How did you get here so fast? You were the furthest away than anyone else.” Minazuki said while gripping his nose.

Minazuki looked toward Adachi but he just turned away, “Well, it looks like you got everything under control here. I’m going to go head up top and check up on all those fragments we have gathered. It would be a real shame if something were to happen to them now.” Adachi basked in the heated stare Minazuki gave him as he ascended the stairs. Before disappearing from view, Adachi shot one final smirk at Yu. He wanted to go after him, but something inside Yu told him to sit tight. Contrary to everything that had happened with the murder case, he and Adachi had come to some form of understanding and that created a bond. Adachi had been more helpful than not and he couldn’t help but think he had something up his sleeve. Yu decided to trust Adachi, as crazy as that sounded.

A young girl with messy red hair stepped out from behind the two men and assumed a battle ready stance, drawing Minazuki’s attention back to the group, “Getting here was a piece of cake once we rescued Fuuka! I may not have been able to see anything in this fog alone, but with the two of use working together we were able to get a complete layout of your whole base!” Standing even further behind the group was a persona that had the shape of a woman in a dress, except in place of a lower body was a giant glass sphere. Tucked inside that glass sphere was the Shadow Operative’s expert navigator. “Rise is right. Not only were we able to find the optimal path through your maze, we even found things you didn’t expect us to. Like your secret elevator!”
Teddie could be heard groaning in the background at the fact that he was in the only group that had taken the stairs all the way to the top. Minazuki looked down at his palm to check to see if his nose had stopped bleeding. “I see. I’ll admit I didn’t think even with the two of you that you would be able to pierce the red fog but no matter.”

“Look out! He is about to attack!” Sho reached behind his waistband behind his back and tossed a small knife toward Kanji, but Fuuka’s quick warning allowed Rise to put up a barrier and intercept the attack. After the knife fell harmlessly to the side, she sent the barrier right back at Minazuki, crashing into him and sending him careening to the floor. “Sneak attacks won’t work on us!” Rise said triumphantly. Junpei adjusted his baseball cap which sported a giant hole in the center of it. “Fuuka also saw that you have no shadows left. We crushed everything you sent at us and the Shadow Sluggers will crush you too! You’re through!”

The sound of everyone else in the room simultaneously slapping their foreheads echoed throughout the room as Minazuki got to his feet. He let out a chilling laugh. “I knew your little “team” was a slow bunch, but you really haven’t figure it out yet?” This wasn’t the reaction the Shadow Sluggers were expecting when they told him all his minions had been dealt with. Junpei slowly lowered his twisted club of a bat, “What do you mean?”

“What do I mean? We WANTED you to fight the shadows. It was never about beating you. We wanted your persona’s but when we failed the first time we settled on obtaining fragments of them. Every battle you fought gave us more fragments and helped further our plan.” Rise brought her hands to her mouth and let out a gasp at the revelation that all their hard work had actually aided their enemy. Kanji was at a complete loss of words, only being able to quietly stammer out a “no way.” Junpei squinted his eye at the scarred boy, “Your bluffing.”

Minazuki shook his head. “Ask the detective over there. She was able to figure it out in no time at all and let everyone else know. That’s why we tried to send most of that shadows at our disposal after you all. You were all just to wrapped up in what you were doing. Surely you saw some of the signs that something wasn’t “right?” But no, you wanted to be heroes."

“Junpei, I’m going to kill you! You absolute idiot!” Minazuki’s words and hearing Yukari’s voice yelling at him from behind drove the point home for the young baseball coach that he had screwed up. “Funny, your attempts to save the day have only brought about its ruination.” Junpei tried to snap out himself and his team out of their little funk. “Th-that doesn’t matter! We can still fix this! All we have to do is knock you lights out and everything will be fine!”

Minazuki got down into a crouched position and held his two swords in front him, “Your welcome to try.” Before either could pounce, the tower shook once again, the source being from the roof. Minazuki looked toward the ceiling a scowled. “What the hell is he doing!?!” Minazuki took a quick glance back at the large gathering of friends before turning his back and making a full-on sprint to the stairs. “Hey! Wait a minute!” Junpei attempted to run after him but he was grabbed by the shoulder by a silver haired boy he had never met. “Wait a minute. It wouldn’t be wise to go after him just yet. Before that, we need to find out a little bit more of what we are up against.” Before Junpei could ask who the boy was and who put him in charge, Ken came running up. “Listen to him Junpei. Hey, it looks like Mitsuru is coming to. Maybe she knows something that could help us.”

Mitsuru was still in a daze when Yu walked over. Once her head started to clear up, everyone began to explain all the events that had happened since her and her team’s capture. When she was asked about Sho Minazuki, it was clear it was a name she was familiar with. “The Kirijo group under my grandfather did many heinous things and preformed many inhumane experiments in order to learn about and eventually harness the power of the shadows. My father before me and now I have done everything in our power to try and atone for our company’s past mistakes.” Yu could tell it was very tough for her to talk about all this, and the mention of her father caused her to wince in pain. “The experiments that were carried out were things like the creation of shadow suppression weapons like Aigis and Labrys, and many human experiments like creating artificial persona users. Sho Minazuki was the youngest of all the human test subjects.”

“Test subjects? How could they do that to human beings!?” Chie shouted in anger. Mitsuru continued, “Like I said, it is a black spot on the history of the Kirijo group. The head researcher in charge of Sho was a man named Shuji Ikutsuki.” The mere mention of Ikutsuki’s name caused the every member of the Shadow Operatives to bunch their faces up in anger. Whoever he was, it was apparent he was someone that the Shadow Operatives truly hated. Yu wanted to ask more about him, but he knew it wasn’t his place nor the time to. “Sho was Ikutsuki’s favorite. He kept him in complete isolation from the outside world. One day, there was an accident in the Kirijo labs that caused an explosion. Ikutsuki was able to save some of the research, including Sho.”

“So, Sho must have formed that other personality to coup with all the trauma he went through as a test subject, right?” Yukiko chimed in. Suddenly, Labrys spoke up.

“I don’t think that’s the case. When me and Aigis were fighting with Sho, I sensed something inside of him. Mitsuru-san, he has a plume of dusk, doesn’t he?”

“Affirmative, my sensors picked up on it as well.” Her sister added. Mitsuru nodded and explained to everyone else that a plume of dusk was an object used in the making of Aigis, Labrys, and all their siblings. It acted as their core to their personality modules. One could even say it was the source of their “souls.”

“Ikutsuki implanted a plume of dusk into Sho in an attempt to give him a persona. But instead that other personality awakened inside of him and gain a persona instead.” As Mitsuru spoke, Yu gained a better understanding of Sho and his plan. Isolation and solitude were all he knew. He just needed to show him there was much more to life than being alone. “Thank you, Mitsuru. I’ve heard enough. I think we are ready to proceed.”

“I must apologize to you all again. It was never my intention for you all to get roped up in this mess again.” Yosuke through his arms out, “Hey, don’t sweat it! Dealing with stuff like has come to be our specialty.” Yosuke jabbed his delinquent friend jokingly, “Right Kanji?”

“Huh? Yeah. Sure…” Yu could tell Kanji felt terrible about what he and his group had done and made a note to talk to him once this was all over. The group began their last minute check before they made their way to the roof when suddenly the tower started to shake again. Like an oil well, A black mass spewed up from the floor completely cutting off Yu from the rest of the group. From the black goop, shadows started to form. The final battle had begun. Mitsuru quickly took command.

“Everyone, battle stations! Akihiko! You and Kujikawa protect Fuuka while she scans the area. Aigis! Take out as many as you can with your artillery before they get into range. Yukari, Teddie, and Miss Amagi will be support. Everyone else form up and take out any shadow that gets past Aigis’s attacks!”

Mitsuru turned to Yu. “Go now and stop Sho. We can handle ourselves here. Once we are though we will be right behind you.” Mitsuru started to waver when she saw Yu head upstairs and she was even tempted to call him back. Seeing the young boy turn his back and ascend to face a world-ending threat alone gave her visions of another time in her past where it had happened and she was unable to follow.

“Go and teach that Sho a lesson Hubby! I believe in you!” Yukiko blew a kiss at her husband who pretended to snatch it out of the air and pressed it against his cheek which caused the girl to swoon. Seeing the sickly-sweet display gave Mitsuru her confidence back. Despite the danger, neither expectant parent was worried in the slightest. She just had to be like more like Yukiko and believe in her husband. He had far too much on his plate to fail now. Mitsuru gripped her rapier and pointed it to the coming horde of shadows, “Mrs. Amagi, if you’d please. I want you to stay as close to me as possible.” This time, there was, in fact, something she could do.

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Yu could hear the sounds of the battle commencing behind him as he sprinted up the last set of stairs to the roof. He climbed for a while until he was no longer able to hear the struggle going on downstairs. Finally he saw the end in sight. The door looked just like the one to the school roof, but an ominous red light shown through it’s cracks. Yu was about to burst through and put an end to this as fast as possible, but he stopped. On the other side of the door he could hear what sounded like voices, but they were to faint to tell who they were. He instead quietly opened the door and poked his head out.

The door might have been the same, but this was not the school roof he was accustom to. Yu discovered the source of the red light was from an otherworldly vortex that had taken residence in the sky. It was pulling in the countless shadows that had gathered. The floor was covered in a bizarre pattern and placed around the roof were at set intervals were sinister looking pillars. It was clear that they were purposely arranged this way. In the very center of the roof and directly under the vortex was a giant crystal, defying gravity and floating in midair. At the foot of the crystal was Adachi, who was on his knees, and Minazuki who was standing over him.

“Do you realize what you almost did! You know how important that thing is! Are you trying to ruin everything?!?” Sho grabbed Adachi by his shoulders and thrust his knee into his chest. Yu could tell from the manic tone in the boy’s voice that Minazuki had reverted back to Sho. He could also tell that Adachi looked to be in bad shape. He was breathing heavily, and his face was all bruised and cut up.

“I know exactly what I was doing…while you were occupied with those brats…I tried to destroy all those persona fragments you painstakingly collected…hahaha…”

On closer inspection, he could see Adachi’s revolver one the ground with spent shell casings lying next to it. Not only that, he could see the crystal was cracked, thought the damage only looked superficial. Yu let out a small sigh of relief. Adachi was never on Sho’s side to begin with. He had just been biding his time to strike when Sho least expected it. He had kept his promise he made to abide by the "rules" of the world.

“You said I was free to do whatever I wanted…to relieve my boredom…and what better way to do that then to throw a wrench in some snot nosed kid’s plan when he thinks he has won? It didn’t turn out quiet like I had hoped it would however…” Even with being in the shape he was in, Adachi never dropped his smug smile. That just pissed of Sho even more. He gave Adachi a solid hit on the jaw, laying him out.

“You ungrateful piece of shit! You just signed your death warrant! Don’t get me wrong, once everything was all said and done and I hacked all those shitty high-schoolers and that shitty red-head’s shitty group were hacked to pieces I was going to dice you up nice and slow as well. But, I at least I was going to give you the chance to see then end of the world, the thing you never accomplished!” Sho kicked Adachi while he was down, forcing out another pained gasp from the man. “Don’t think…we’re the same…you brat…” Adachi said as he wiped the blood from his mouth. “A few people didn’t treat you nice and now you think the whole world hates you. I really despise this world…I’m not just some screaming child throwing a tantrum…okay?

Yu could tell that although he tried to deny it, Adachi knew he and Sho were a little more similar than he was comfortable with. “I mean just look at you…you talk big but…do you even know what it is like to take a life?...have you actually ever killed anyone?” Adach could tell by Sho’s eyes and his sinking smile that he hadn’t.

Adachi could tell by Sho’s eyes and his sinking smile that he hadn’t. “Haha…and you say you want to destroy the world?...You really are half-assed… but you know…those other guys aren’t…you best be on your toes…”

Sho snapped. “ARGH! JUST SHUT UP! Don’t talk like you know me!” Sho clamored on top of Adachi, grabbed his collar, and unleashed a flurry of punches to his face. “I don’t care if they come! All erase this town, this world, I’ll erase all of them!” Sho’s continued to punch Adachi’s face until he was throwing one after ever word. “But…first…I’ll…erase…YOU!”

When Sho brought his fist back for one last crushing blow, Yu finally decided to intervene. “That’s enough Sho! Don’t! You’ll kill him!” He shouted as he tackled Sho off of Adachi. In a daze, Adachi slowly turned his head to the silver-haired boy, “Aww…you’re early…can’t you see I have everything under control?” Yu told Adachi to stop joking around and to save his strength. “Don’t think for a second…I did this for any of you…I just wanted to fix things…for my own sake…” Yu smiled gently, “Of course, That wouldn’t be the Adachi I know.”

Adachi smirked, “How that cow of yours can put up with a smart-ass like you…I’ll never know…” Adachi let out one last groan before slipping into unconsciousness. He was badly injured, but Yu was certain he would be alright.

Yu turned his attention to Sho who was beginning to stand back up after being pushed away. As he rose, he entered another one of his fits of maniacal laughter. “You really are too much! Why do you care what happens to trash like him? Don’t you remember what he did?”

Yu stood up from Adachi, “Yeah, I remember. He has done awful things, things that may never be forgiven. But Adachi has really been trying to atone for all that he has done, and that means you can too. I know what you have been through. You don’t have to do this, you don’t have to be alone anymore.” Yu extended his hand,” Please, let us help you.”

Sho hesitated for a moment before the craziness in his eyes returned. “Don’t you dare act like you know me at all. I hate it goody two-shoes like you. It makes me gag. Every time I see your face it makes me want to smash it into a million pieces. I’m going to cut you to pieces but leave you alive just so I can relish in the moment when you see everything you worked so hard to protect goes up in smoke. YOU HERE ME!? I’M GOING TP DESTROY EVERYTHING! EVERY-“

Sho grew quiet mid-rant and slumped down. Yu knew exactly what to expect. A few moments later, the boy stood back up and the crazed Sho was gone, leaving the calm Minazuki in his place. “I apologize.” Minazuki glanced over to the beaten body of Adachi, “I thought I would allow the boy to let off some of his frustration, but maybe I let him get a too worked up.”

Minazuki gaze turned back to Yu, “I’m glad you are here. There is one last thing I have to deal with before putting or plan into motion, you.” Yu interrupted Minazuki before he could explain what he meant. “Minazuki, you have to understand. Destroying the world isn’t what Sho needs. It isn’t what he really wants!”

Minazuki held up his hand to silence Yu, he already knew what he was going to say. “Let me guess. You want his to be more like you. That if he had the chance to form those bonds you like to talk about incessantly that everything would work out. I know the boy and I know how deep his hatred runs. It won’t be satiated by something so insignificant as bonds.”

Sho raised his right sword, “Once I kill you and show him how weak those who cling to bonds really are I will erase any lingering doubts about the path he has chosen and then he can enjoy his wish.” A thought clicked in Yu’s mind, “That’s why you separated me from the others.”

“Precisely.” Minazuki answered. “You tout the strength of bonds but now you find yourself all alone. I wonder how long you will survive?” Yu raised his own sword, “I'm not alone. I will defeat you, not just for me, my friends, the world, or my wife and child, but for Sho as well.”

Sparks flew as the two young men clashed swords. The fight was a true one on one sword bout. No personas, no magic, no interruptions, just the sound of steel colliding with steel. Minazuki was confident at the beginning. His second sword gave Yu one more thing to think about and it obvious he held the speed advantage. Yu had no other recourse than to hold his ground and defend. He was force to block, dodge and parry blow after blow from Minazuki,. With one slip of the hand Minazuki was able to snake his sword through Yu’s guard and graze his cheek. Once he was able to land a blow on the boy, Minazuki assumed it was all over at that point, but that would be the only hit he would land. That scratch was like a wake up call for Yu. Minazuki continued his assault but he found that unlike before, he wasn’t gaining any more ground. After every sword clash, Yu’s sword would be pushed back just a little bit less, until his sword wouldn’t budge at all. Soon after that, Yu started to hit back.

Minazuki had went all in in order to crush his opponent, but the fight had gone on a lot longer than he thought it would and as a result he had completely tired himself out. Now he was the one unable to counterattack. “Where is he getting all this power!?” He said to himself as he struggled to raise his blades to meet Yu’s sword.

Every blow forced him to take another step back until Minazuki was close to the crystal. At that point Yu was knocking Minazuki’s swords away like they were nothing. With one strong swing, Yu knocked one of Minazuki’s swords out of his hands, sending it flying and forcing the boy onto one knee. Yu reeled back for one final strike, but before he made contact he was stopped. It wasn’t by Minazuki’s last sword, it was because his body refused to move!

Minazuki stumbled to his feet, clutching his head with his free hand. His scar and eyes glowed red from using his borrowed power. “I can’t believe…I was forced to use this…” He really didn’t think he would have to use the power granted to him to snuff out his opponent, but he had no choice. He had a duty to grant the wish of the boy whose body he was inhabiting. He could not afford to lose now.

When he looked back at Yu, he expected to see him wracked with fear, maybe even hear him claim that he had somehow cheat by using the power granted to him in their duel, words of a loser. But instead Yu was as completely calm. He completely understood why Minazuki was so desprate to win. Although he was being paralyzed. Yu found the strength to speak. “I understand now…I was wrong to say Sho didn’t have to be alone anymore…he was never alone…” Minazuki readied his sword and pressed it’s point against Yu’s chest. “Don’t you see? He had you…you supported and protected him…that is why you went to such great lengths to win…”

“What are you getting at?” Minazuki asked. All he had to do was plunge his sword into Yu’s chest to silence him for good “You’re right…Sho is strong…but his strength doesn’t stem from his solitude…his strength…YOUR strength…comes from the bond you two share!”

Minazuki’s eyes widened from the sudden revelation. Even though the power he was using was borrowed it still put a strain on him and he was tired as is. That along with the shock from Yu’s words was enough to make him break his concentration and release his spell. Minazuki recovered just in time to catch sight of a fist rocketing toward his face.

Yu’s entire arm tingled from the impact. Minazuki stumbled backwards, but even after suffering such a clean and powerful hit on an area that was still feeling the effects of Kanji’s chair shot form earlier, he planted his left foot firmly and caught himself, refusing to fall. Yu was Impressed by Minazuki’s refusal to quit.
“You see? Even now your struggling for Sho’s sake. The power that lets you keep going, to stand up for others, it comes from bonds!” Minazuki slowly lowered his hand from his face “Impossible…you mean I’m this boy’s…”

Yu thought he had finally gotten through to Minazuki. The two could throw down their weapons and talk things out together and he could convince Minazuki to abandon his aims to destroy the world. Unfortunately, it would not be that simple.

“How disappointing! I came to see a fight, not a mushy soap opera!” Yu instantly recognized the voice as Teddie’s but he knew with him battling the shadows downstairs that it couldn’t be him. It could only mean one thing. “General Teddie!” He said as he whipped his head around. Sure enough, standing nearby was the general himself, chomping on his cigar and his cape flowing in the wind. Minazuki whispered the name Kagutsuchi, a name that sounded familiar to Yu. It was a name that had definitely come up during one of his lectures at school, but he couldn’t remember the details. All he knew was the entity gave him the same feelings as when he stood before Ameno-sagiri and Izanami, and that couldn’t be good.

Minazuki knew the trouble they were both in and wasted no time acting. He charged the bear and ran him straight through with his blade. General Teddie or “Kagutsuchi” didn’t react in the slightest to his wound and instead berated the boy. “You must be Sho’s Minazuki. After everything I’ve done for you, and you're trying to betray me?”

Minazuki gasped. “That’s right. I’ve always know about you little scheme to combine that washed up detective’s persona, and the power still inside it, with the persona fragments in order to weaken me so I could be controlled!” Yu deduced that Kagutsuchi was talking about the remnants of Ameno-sagiri that still must be lying dormant inside Adachi.

Minazuki attempted to withdraw his sword but the entity, grabbed the boy by the head and lifted him into the air. “Don’t worry. Even if you are a traitor I will still grant that boys wish for a world of solitude. However, the only one left in this world when it is all over will be me!” The entity’s eyes turned yellow, and as he spoke his voice changed from the shrill Teddie’s to a deeper and more haunting one. “With this boy’s body and the shadows acting as a base I can absorb all the persona fragments you have collected for me and obtain a new corporal form!” Kagutsuchi’s eyes glanced over to Yu, “I congratulate you on your victory and bestow upon you the title of “Champion,” of the P-1 Climax.” His gaze turned back to Minazuki who was trying to shake free from his grasp, “You on the other hand have lost, and you know what the punishment is for those who lose right? The loser must disappear! It is time for you to make you permanent exit, Minazuki!” An aura of red fog swirled around Kagutsuchi which began to flow into Sho’s body through his ears, eyes, and mouth. Minazuki screamed in pain as his eyes and his x-shaped scar glowed brighter and brighter as more fog flowed into him.

Kagutsuchi voice appeared to come from every direction, “I am the one born from the collective will of those who have abandoned all others and think only of themselves. I am this world’s reckoning! I will burn away all who live and reduce everything to cinders! I AM HI-NO-KAGUTSUCHI!” Yu wanted to do something, but there wasn’t anything he could do. The body that belonged to General Teddie fell into a heap on the floor and dissolved away while the being that was Minazuki disappeared completely.

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Down below, the others continued to fight against the waves of shadows that had risen up the tower. It was still hard and arduous work, but after the shadow’s initial push, the had found their routine. For the time being, and with out anymore surprise, they were out of danger of being overrun. Because of this, Mitsuru was able to start worrying about backing Yu up. From the sounds and tremors coming from upstairs, something big was going down. “Labrys! We have the situation under control here! I order you to take the fight upstairs and assist Mr. Amagi however you can!” Labrys finished cleaving five shadows in two with a single swing of her axe and nodded to her commander. “UNDERSTOOD!” The was still a wall of shadow’s blocking the way to the stairs and most of the other members wouldn’t be able to make it past. But, like a jet-powered linebacker, Labrys took off at breakneck speed and blasted through the barrier without even slowing down. She took one last look at her friends still battling the shadows and caught a glimpse of Yukiko casting a healing spell on Kanji who had to resort to using his fists since losing his chair. A determined look and a quick thumbs up from her gravid friend boosted Labrys’s confidence even more and spurred her on. Using her axe as another source of thrust, Labrys shot to the top in record time.

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What now stood in front of you may have had Sho’s appearance, but the entity was neither him nor Minazuki. All that seemed to be left now was the demon, Hi-no-Kagutsuchi. Kagutsuchi slowly rose to his feet, paying no mind to Yu at all. The demon started to inspect his stolen body, patting it down and looking at it from all angles like he was trying on a new suit. After staring at his palms and flexing his fingers a few times, he smirked. “Yes, you have made an adequate vessel...” Yu tried to pull of a sneak attack while the demon was distracted by his new body, but his blade stopped just short of connecting with the entity’s head.

“GUH!” Yu felt all the air being squeezed from his lungs as his body seized up. It was the same feeling he had gotten when Minazuki had paralyzed him before, but this was much worse. While before it felt like someone had tied a couple of weights to each his limbs that made it hard to move, now it felt like a someone had parked a bulldozer on top of his whole body. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t breathe, and he was struggling to even think.

Finally acknowledging his presence, Kagutsuchi slowly turned toward Yu. His eyes and scar glowed even more intensely then when Minazuki had done it. “As you know, I had allowed this boy to use some of my powers as he saw fit, but its full magnificence is on a completely different level, isn’t it?” Yu’s sword fell to the floor with a clang. “Once again, I congratulate you on your victory in the P-1 Climax. And like every champion, you deserve a reward.” Kagutsuchi’s eyes narrowed, “And that reward is your execution.” The demon got a kick out of Yu’s continued attempts to move.

He peered to the vortex in the sky and threw his hands up like he was trying to reach up to grab it, “It’s hopeless! Your battles have left you tired and weak. There is no possible way for you to resist me now! You will serve as the first sacrifice to my power.”

Kagutsuchi lowered his hands back to his side, “Your allies are probably being swallowed up by the swarm of Shadows downstairs as we speak. You’ll all get to taste oblivion together!” Kagutsuchi howled with laughter until something caught his eye. For one moment, he swore he had seen Yu bend one of his fingers. “Your…wrong…” Yu stated defiantly. Kagutsuchi stood in amazement. It should have been impossible for the boy to speak. “If you think…that my friends will lose that easily…you’re even dumber than I thought…” Kagutsuchi was even more dumbfounded when, despite all odds, Yu slowly raised his arm. “Where are you drawing this strength from!” the demon demanded. “Weren’t you paying attention…this isn’t just my strength…it’s all of their strength as well…we believe in each other…and that gives us the power to overcome any…obstacle in our way…” Images flashed in Yu’s mind of Yukiko, the Amagis, Dojima, Nanako, his parents, his friends, and finally his son safety nestled in the belly of his mother. “We all have those we…want to protect…and for that reason we cannot lose here…” Yu extended his slowly index finger and pointed to the demon, his voice no long shaky and his breath no longer staggered. “I know you’re in there Sho. Let this be another lesson on what the power of bonds can do!”

“SUCH DRIVEL!” The demon shouted, fed up with Yu’s ramblings. As if on cue, the doorway to roof exploded into splinters. Kagutsuchi had no time to react as Labrys slammed into him, shoulder first, with the force of a rocket. He flew across the roof, bouncing off the crystal floating in the center and crashing to the ground. The hold Kagutsuchi had on Yu dissipated, and Yu fell to his knees.

“Yu! Are you alright?” Yu assured Labrys that he was fine. Their attention turned back toward the crystal as Kagutsuchi got back to his feet, “You!??” Labrys slung her axe off her shoulders and gripped it with two hands. “Yeah, we got your shadows pretty much under control downstairs, so they thought Yu could use some backup!” Kagutsuchi grimaced as he tried to shake off the hit he just received. He was not used to the pain associated with his stolen body. “How laughable, they sent you a puppet?”

Labrys didn’t fall for Kagutsuchi’s words, “Yeah, I may have been your puppet. But I ain’t yours anymore.” Kagutsuchi chuckled, “So you decided to become the Kirijo’s puppet instead?” Again, Labrys didn’t take the bait. “No! I am my own person. My friends helped me realize that. They are the reason I’m here. I want to protect them. I’ve only known them for a few days but for the first time I feel like I know what it is truly like to be “alive,” and I plan to keep on living with them. That is why you can’t win, you stand only for yourself and that makes you weak!”

Kagutsuchi placed his hand on the crystal to brace himself and that’s when he noticed that the crack in it had gotten bigger. He couldn’t afford to play around any longer. “We will see about that! The time is nigh! Behold, the form of your destructor! The form that you all have given to me!”

The crystal started to spin as Kagutsuchi began to laugh. The faster it spun the brighter it got. The strange patterns on the floor began to glow as well. Like electricity moving through a wire, pulses of energy traveled along the ground and converged in the center or the pattern where Kagutsuchi stood. The energy exploded into a pillar of light that shot into the swirling vortex above.

“AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!” Kagutsuchi cackled as he rose into the sky. Suddenly the head of a massive single horned, flame draped, shadow emerged from the vortex and swallowed the possessed boy. The shadow’s eyes lit up like a machine roaring to life and it began to spew out more fire and a putrid liquid that looked like blood. The Shadow emerged father out of the vortex revealing the monster’s torso and arms with hands equipped with spear like fingers that were longer than Yu was tall. This was the body that Kagutsuchi had worked so hard to create. Hi-no-Kagutsuchi let out a feral scream.

“YYYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGG!!! TREMBLE AND DESPAIR BEFORE YOUR ANNIHILATION!”

Labrys took a few steps back from the massive being, but Yu was unafraid. It was nothing he hadn’t seen before. “Labrys, how about we send this thing back to where it came from and go home?” Labrys looked back up at the monster before them before steeling her resolve and giving Yu a quick nod. While he may not have seen it escalating to something like this, Yu had a feeling the mastermind behind all their troubles the past few days would be someone not to take lightly. For that reason, when the P-1 Climax took off, he took certain precautions in the even they were able to face the mastermind. During all the encounters during the night, he had been purposely holding back in order to conserve his energy. But now, at the end, he could let it all out. Kagutsuchi should have remembered this, it was no secret he could use more than one persona.

“VISHNU!”

A humanoid, four-armed, persona appeared behind Yu before taking off toward the demon in the sky. Kagutsuchi thought himself invincible at this point and let the persona get right in his face. He soon realized his mistake when he was struck by a fist glowing with white hot, divine fury. The “hand of god,” had him cover his face in pain. That was another big mistake because that meant he didn’t see the next attack coming either.

“LOKI!”

An icy chill surrounded the trickster persona before a massive pillar of ice shot forth and impacted with the still reeling Kagutsuchi. After the second attack, Kagutsuchi got the hint and attempted to swipe Yu up with one of his massive claws, only to be stopped by Labrys. “Your going to have to get through me to get to him!” Like the hammer throw at the Olympics, she spun around a number of times before slamming her thruster axe into the hand of the demon. Kagatsuchi tried to yelp from having one of his fingers pulverized, but a thunder strike from a viking looking persona wielding a hammer silenced even that.

That is how the rest of the fight went. Labrys’s mechanical body allowed for here to take Kagutsuchi more or less head on. She would bear the brunt of his attacks and keep Yu safe while he unleashed the full force of the compendium of persona’s he had collected. A giant fly holding a scepter, a young girl with pale skin in a blue dress, a man covered in bandages whose limbs weren’t attached to his body, even a cat who fancies himself a shogun. Yu called forth one after another. Finally, he held his hand out to summon one final persona.

“HELEL!”

A radiant, six-winged angel appeared behind the summoner. Labrys hit the demon one last time with a powerful uppercut smash before backing off, knowing she did not want to be where she was standing. With a gentle smile, the angel raised one hand.

Through the tempest created by Hi-no-Kagutsuchi, a single break appeared in the storm. In that one spot of clear sky was a single gleaming star. Yu could see the fear in Hi-no-Kagutsuchi’s eyes when the luminous celestial body grew brighter before flashing. The constant attacks by Labrys had made Kagutsuchi’s arms feel slow and heavy, but even if he was able to cover his head in time it would not have helped. Descending from the star was a beam of light that cut through the demon, hit the ground, and exploded into a dome of searing, almighty glory. When the dust settled, Hi-no-Kagustsuchi was revealed to still be alive, but badly damaged. His flames had died down significantly and he was panting heavily.

“Impossible! This cannot be! This isn’t fair! How can I lose to the likes of one puny human and his doll? I am above you! I am a god! I am Hi-no-Kagutsuchi!”

Yu shook his head, “No. You’re nothing. You only care about yourself with no regards to others. You don’t have anything or anyone that you cherish and in turn, no one to care you. That’s what holds you back, why you can never understand the power we wield. That makes you nothing, and I pity YOU.”

Kagutsuchi snapped after being talk down to by someone he perceived as beneath him. His flames exploded with new life and using the last of his strength he raised both his arms high in the air. “Pity me? PITY ME? YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A NUISENSE! I AM THE STRONGEST AND I REFUSE TO LOSE! BEGONE!”

Kagutsuchi hands started to come down like a hammer. He wasn’t trying to hit Yu, he was going to demolish the whole tower to defeat him and Labrys along with everyone in it! Labrys had retreated across the roof in order to avoid Yu’s last attack and couldn’t make it in time to try and stop Kagutsuchi’s final act of desperation.

“PERSONA!”

Before Kagutsuchi could strike the tower with his remaining might, Izanagi flew up and slashed his arms away, except the Izanagi that deflected the demon’s attack wasn’t Yu’s persona. The crimson version of Yu’s own persona looked down on him as the persona’s owner stepped forth. “Give me a break, I handed this eyesore off to you and you still couldn’t finish it before I woke up from my nap? Maybe that girl isn’t the only person who has gotten soft…”

“Adachi?!” Yu said out loud. It was a strange feeling to have Adachi, who had been their enemy only a few months earlier, swoop in and make a save like he did. It was also strange to have him helping in such a hands-on way after having him only dropping hints all night, but it was help Yu would welcome with open arms.
Adachi did not appreciate the dumb smile he was given by Yu. “Hey! Earth to dumb-ass! What are you doing? Let’s finish this thing before I collapse again. My injuries don’t just look bad you know?”

“STOOOOOPPPP!!!!” Kagutsuchi attempted to swipe at the duo but a robotic hand shot forth attached to a chain, wrapping around the entity and binding him. “I got him! Hit him with your best shot!” Try as he might, Kagutsuchi could not break free from Labrys. After Yu summoned his own persona, the two Izanagi’s started to resonate and glow. It was like nothing the two persona owners had ever seen. The two Izanagi’s melded together, their energies combining and forming a massive blade, aimed directly at Hi-no-Kagutsuchi’s forehead.

“IZANAGI!”

“MAGETSU-IZANAGI!”

The blade launches itself toward the bound Kagutsuchi who saw the blade as it approached and tried his best to push himself away. The demon let out a blood curdling scream as the blade pierced his skull.

“WRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOH!” Immediately, his body started to crumble away. He tried to reach out and grab Yu one last time before his arm turned to dust with the fragments being sucked into the vortex. “WHAT IS THIS FARCE? I CAN'T DISAPPEAR! YOU ALL WIL-“ Kagutsuchi’s glowing eyes grew dim before flickering out completely. As his head dissolved, the last thing to disappear was his mouth still hung open in shock and horror before it to crumbled away into nothing. After sucking up the last remnants of Hi-no-Kagutsuchi, the blood red vortex itself began to disappear. When it finally faded away, Yu was left staring at the calm and familiar night sky of Inaba, not a single star out of place. They had won.

Yu took in the cool night air. With the red fog gone, he could gaze out from the top of the tower and see the whole town. The fact that he could see things like the street lights being on tip him off that everything had returned to normal. That meant it wouldn’t be long before the tower itself would disappear and change back into his school as well but when he went to collect Adachi and Labrys to return to the others, they were nowhere to be found. His frantic search for the two quickly came to a halt when he spotted two figures standing nearby.

The first person he instantly recognized as Margaret, but the other was someone he had never seen before. She wore an outfit that made her look like a stewardess that was the same dark blue color as Margaret’s outfit. The similarities didn’t stop there, her short hair was also the same color as Margaret’s, she had the same golden eyes, and she also carried around a very heavy looking book. The only explanation was that she was another velvet room attendant, maybe even the sister that Margaret had mention a few times offhand. Yu began to consider the possibility the strange girl could be the attendant for one of the Shadow Operatives. He never thought to ask Mitsuru or any of her friends if they had ever been a guest of the mysterious velvet room.

“You’ve certainly been busy. Yet again, a calamity that had threatened the world has been defeated by your hands. Well done,” The mature and professional Margaret stated. Yu was quick to correct her, “It wasn’t just me, it was a team effort. Speaking of which…”
Margaret smiled, “Of course. Don’t worry, both for their safety and for what is to come next, everyone has already been transported to a safe place I’m sure you’re familiar with.”

Before he could ask what, she meant by “what was to come next,” the second attendant grabbed on of Yu’s arms and held it out straight like he was being measured for a new suit. “Splendid! That fight was truly meritorious. I’m Elizabeth by the way!” Yu was taking aback by the woman’s energy, strange manner of speaking, and total lack of care for personal space. While Yu learned that Margaret hide most of her “quirky” traits, Elizabeth had them out on full display. “Your strength is a wonder! My sister has outdone herself with you. I’ve have borne witness to the heights a persona’s user such as yourself can reach and under my tutelage I think you can reach those heights as well. For you see, I am on a quest of sorts and yours is a strength that I would find most useful to accompany me!” Yu saw what looked like a hint of annoyance on Margaret’s face from her sister’s behavior, “Sorry, thanks for the offer but I will have to decline. I have responsibilities here.”

Elizabeth gave a small pout before going back to a cheery smile, “Oh well, I guess I’ll need some of those “fiddling sticks” you people always talk about whenever they are disappointed. However, like my sister. The true reason for me being here is to see this next outcome firsthand.”

Yu heard a rustling noise behind him. When he turned around, rising out of the rubble left behind from the battle with Hi-no-Kagutsuchi was a boy. “SHO!” Yu shouted. He wanted to kick himself for forgetting something so important. Without even thinking he ran toward the dazed high-schooler who was still getting his bearings. With a smile on his face, Yu stopped in front of the boy and offered him his hand, “I’m glad to see your alright.”

Sho had a dumbfounded expression. Yu’s attitude was completely bizarre to him. They were enemies’ mere minutes before, and yet he still cared for his well-being. Even if all that fighting didn’t happen before, having someone care was not something Sho was used to from anyone, anyone except…

“Where is he?” There was only one person Sho could have been talking about, the other personality that resided in Sho’s body, Minazuki. Yu shook his head, “I don’t know. He was trying to protect you from Kagutsuchi, before…”

Sho felt a twinge of sadness that Yu was able to pick up on, “I see…” Sho was no longer the raving lunatic that wanted nothing more than to slice up his enemies into ribbons and eradicate the world. Sho’s aura of threating intimidation had disappeared as well and Yu could no longer sense the anger that had burned so intensely within him before. When he spoke, he sounded like any other high school student albeit one with a horrible past.

“When I woke up in the hospital, I didn’t know where I was or how long I had been there. My care had already been paid for enough for me to stay their basically forever. I don’t know why he did it, maybe I was too valuable a specimen to lose on the off chance I woke up.” Yu knew the person he was talking about was the researcher that oversaw and carried out all the experiments done to Sho, Shuji Ikutsuki.

His next words hit Yu hard. “I grew up in that lab, and every time I saw that piece of shit there was nothing I wanted to do more than to please him, to get his approval, to make him smile. How lame is that?” Sho smiled at the look on Yu's face, "looks like we're both pretty lame, huh?" When Yu said nothing in response, Sho continued his tale.

“After being discharged from the hospital with nothing but a shit ton of money from “pops” and nowhere to go, I wandered into this town. It was awful, I thought I was going to waste away. But that’s when those murderers started occurring.”

Yu was in shock, “You don’t mean?” Sho’s restrained expression grew livelier on recalling the events, “Yeah, I was watching you guys. All your running around, all your battles, how you solved the case. It was fun. I loved every second of it, and for a time I thought you were just like me. That’s when that thing came and asked me if I wanted to destroy the world. Minazuki came up with the plan and I went along with it, now here we are…”

Yu rubbed the back of his head and wondered how someone with such obvious facial features and such striking red hair could have avoid their detection for over a year. “Don’t you see. You’re just like Labrys! She was created only to fight too, and now she is one of our good friends. You can do the same. Our group always has room for one more.”

Sho was taken off guard, and after a moment of contemplating let out a small chuckle that was sadder than anything else. “The tin can? Sorry, she might just be able to flip a few switches and come out fine, but it’s not that easy for me. The only way I know how to connect to people is by fighting.”

Sho found himself distracted by a glare hitting him in the eyes. The source of the glare was from the moonlight reflecting of the blade of Yu’s sword that he had pointed at him. “Alright then. If fighting is the only way you know how to bond with people, then you’ll always find an opponent in me. Just keep everyone else out of it.” Sho didn’t know how to react at first. Time and time again, Yu would do something that sent him for a loop. A large grin slowly crept onto the boy’s face.

“You sure you can keep up after all that’s happened? You look like you’re ready to collapse from exhaustion! Whatever, I’m not going to turn down a challenge!” Now it was Sho’s turn to leave Yu speechless again. After drawing his swords, Sho’s eyes and scar flashed a cool blue color and a persona appeared behind him, the same persona that Minazuki had used earlier. “I shouldn’t have any problems. It’s been a long night for you as well! Are you sure you can keep up with me?” Yu taunted playfully. His own persona, Izanagi appeared behind him as well.

By all accounts, the two should have trouble standing let alone being able to summon their persona’s, but Yu’s challenge had awakened something inside Sho. He wanted nothing more now than to beat the silver-hair before him. Reaching deep inside, he tapped into reserves of powers he didn’t even know he had to accomplish his new goal while Yu did the same, spurred on to rise and meet Sho’s growing power.

“IZANAGI!”

“TSUKIYOMI!”

Sho’s grin grew wider and wider with every clash of their swords or their persona’s, but unlike the sick and twisted smile he displayed before, this smile was much more genuine. For the first time in a long time, Sho was truly enjoying himself. Even when the two ran at each other for one final attack and at the end of it Sho was the one who was lying on his back, he didn’t care. While the old Sho would have thrown a tantrum after losing, this Sho took it in stride. “Geez! So, this is what a beatdown by someone with bonds feels like.” The fight was a lot closer than Sho made it sound. He had to come at Sho with all the might he could muster, anything less and he would have been the one on the ground. “You’re free to challenge me how many times and whenever you want.”

Sho got back to his feet, “Well, if that’s the case how about round two? Right here and now?” Sho laughed at Yu’s reaction, “Ha! Don’t worry. I’m only joking. I’m feel like I’m going to sleep for a week. I don’t think I’ll be challenging you again for a while.”

“What are you going to do until then Sho? I promise, the others would be sure to…” Sho cut Yu off, “No thanks. I’ve had enough of you all and your talks.” Yu didn’t protest. What Sho planned to do from here was something he needed to decide for himself. Before disappearing, Sho declared one more thing, “Next time we meet, I’ll kill you for sure. So get ready, and say your prayers.” As Sho left, leaping far away, Yu could only smile. He didn’t take Sho’s last comment as a legitimate threat on his life. Instead, he took it as Sho’s way of saying, “I’m going to keep getting stronger, so you better do the same. I want our next meeting to be as enjoyable as this one was.”

After a short conversation, Elizabeth took off and Margaret approached Yu. “I remarkable battle to cap off the night. It’s a shame that girl had to miss it. She wanted to be here, but keeping all the townspeople safe from Hi-no-Kagutsuchi’s insidious intentions took a lot out of her. Then again, I guess it may have saved us from having to listen to her questionable poetry.” Yu had wondered where Marie was this whole time, but it seemed like she had her own battle to deal with, “I better thank her for all she has done the next time I see her.” Margaret gazed off into the direction that Sho had disappeared to. “Your battle here will mark a new beginning for that boy. And one day, your encounter will give root to something irreplaceable.” Yu too looked off to where Margaret was and answered with, “I hope so.”

The tower began to shake as it started to disappear. Margaret began to send Yu to where his friends were waiting for him in a blinding white light. As this occurred, Yu caught a glimpse of what looked like another person dressed in the garb of a velvet room attendant. Before his vision was enveloped by the white light completely, he heard the man speak, “Oh dear. Don’t tell me I missed everything!”

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When the bright light faded, Yu found that he had been transported to the familiar studio that was the entrance to the TV world with all of the others. Margaret must have worked some of her magic, because despite staying behind to have his last encounter with Sho, Yu seemed to arrive at the same time as everyone else. Both teams must have still been in the midst of their fight with the shadows when they were teleported to safety because of the confusion they had on their faces. The Investigation Team soon realized where they were and seeing the return of Yu and Labrys could only mean one thing. “We did it!” Chie shouted while leaping into the air. Some of the Shadow Operatives still had no idea where they were but seeing the investigation team members celebrating soon had them doing the same. “It’s finally over!” Teddie exclaimed. The Junes bear heard a clicking sound behind him and turned to find Aigis pointing her finger guns at him. “Not quiet, my sensor still indicate one shadow is left.” She said in a robotic, monotone voice. “No! Don’t shoot! You remember me, right? I’m the sweet and loveable Teddie!” Aigis lowered her hand and her stern face became softer. “Sorry, that was a joke.”

“Aw sis, you shouldn’t do that! You almost gave him a heart attack...” Labrys scolded as she went to join her sister unit. Yu hadn’t taken a single step from where he had appeared before he was blindsided by his wife and brought into her soft embrace. “Welcome back,” was all she said. Yukiko cooed when her hubby reciprocated and wrapped his arms around her. After a long night of being battered in bruised, being pressed against the warm and pillowy body of his lovely wife was a welcomed change of pace.

He felt like he could just sink in and take a nap. To his surprise, Yukiko seemed to have the same idea. His body provided no where near the cushion his gravid wife’s did, but even so, Yukiko had placed her head on his shoulder and was ready to dozed off. Being in his arms was all the comfort she needed.

Before the two collapsed into each other, Yukiko felt a stirring in her belly that made her let out a tiny gasp. Both parents broke contact and exchanging smiles at each other before Yu placed and hand on her swollen middle. “Yes, Yes. Don’t worry. Daddy didn’t forget about you.” Yukiko placed a hand on top of Yu’s, “It’s been a taxing night for all of us, but he’s strong, like his father.” Yukiko blushed when Yu bent down and gave her stomach a kiss and blushed even more when he stood up and gave her lips an even longer one.

Everyone else tried to ignore the two and let them have their moment for the time being. Chie was pestering Ken and Akihiko about how many Shadows they had defeated, Yosuke watched in disbelief with Labrys and Aigis as Teddie tried to make conversation with Koromaru, and Mitsuru and Naoto talk more in detail about what had transpired. Not everyone was in a cheery mood following their victory however. Kanji and Rise both stood of to the side in silence while Junpei got chewed out by an irate Phoenix Ranger.

“Really Junpei, do you have any sense at all? I told you to stay at the station! This could have all been avoided if you’d have listen to me and stayed put! And what was this about your phone not being charged? Do you try and go out of your way to be a moron? It’s situations like this where we may need to contact you! Really, have you changed at all since high school?” Junpei just nodded his head while uttering the occasional “yeah,” or “uh-huh.” He was clearly used to all the verbal abuse Yukari was throwing his way.

"Really, how does that girl put up with you? How is she by the way..." Junpei blinked a few times before smiling. "Oh! She is doing fine. I keep telling her that she should apply to an art school. You really should come and visit sometime..."

Finally, after ample time had passed, Yu and Yukikko heard the clicking of heels as Mitsuru strutted over. “Umm, sorry to interrupt but I wanted to talk about what just occurred.” The two lovers broke apart, “No need to apologize, we can talk.” Yu explained to Mitsuru everything that had happened with Minazuki, Hi-no-Kagutsuchi, and his final confrontation with Sho. “I see, so that boy survived,” she said once Yu was finished. “Believe me, I feel terrible of what that boy was put through because of grandfather and the Kirijo group. But still, he did cause a major incident that threatened the world, so he isn’t someone I can allow to be left to his own devices.” Yu nodded, “I understand.” He didn’t think Sho would try anything like tonight again, but he knew where Mitsuru was coming from. Although, he had a feeling that tracking him down now would be a hard task, even for someone as connected as Mitsuru was. “That is why I would like to ask for you and your team’s cooperation and help in capturing him as you go about your daily lives.” Yu was astounded by Mitsuru’s change of heart. After the P-1 Grand Prix, she was adamant that they didn’t get involved. She must have known his feelings on Sho and wanted to include him in on the search. “We’ll help however we can,” Yu answered with enthusiasm.

With that out of the way, there was something else on Mitsuru’s mind. “I feel nothing but shame for getting everyone roped up in my family’s past. Really, I don’t know how I can adequately thank you for all you have done.” After thinking for a few more moments, Mitsuru’s face lit up, “I know. It isn’t much. But how about we have a party of sorts?"

"I will provide everything of course. Plus, we haven’t gotten the chance to officially welcome Labrys into our group. That is cause for celebration, is it not?”

Yu didn’t even have a chance to answer the red-head before Junpei jumped up from his seated position. “Party? We are having a party? You mean like the ones we had back at the dorm?!?” Junpei started to run around the room like he had just hit a game winning home run, stopping to grab a confused looking Yosuke. Any bad feelings he had about his screw ups were now gone after the mention of free food. “Oh man! You guys don’t know what your missing! My mouth is watering just thinking about it! This is gonna rock!”

Yukari pulled Junpei back by the collar of his shirt, “Would you settle down? Your scaring everybody!” Yukari loosened her grip on Junpei and tried to hide her own smile. “Although, I could use a breather from work. And Mitsuru’s servants did know where to get the best desserts…” Junpei threw his arm around his friend, “See! That’s the spirit Yuka-tan!” The other Shadow Operatives displayed similar sentiments to Junpei and Yukari and that got the Investigation team’s blood pumping as well. “Just make sure it has plenty of meat!” Chie declared. “Maybe we should have it at the beach…” Teddie suggested, his mind filled with images of the girls in skimpy swimsuits. Yosuke was quick to shoot Teddie’s dreams down. “No way, I’m not going to babysit you in case you try something funny. Besides, I’m not sure if Aigis and Labrys are waterproof…” Yu caught his wife rubbing tiny circles on her belly’s doughy exterior. She only gave Yu another smile, but he could tell on the inside she was licking her lips after Junpei and the others had talked up Mitsuru’s catering.

Not everyone seemed to be in a celebratory mood. The events of the night still effect the two members of Junpei’s group. Yukiko was the first to notice that Rise wasn’t acting her usual happy go lucky self. Instead, she stood near the exit to the real world and hadn’t said a single word. Yukiko could see Rise grow uncomfortable as she walked toward her. After turning her back and quickly collecting her thoughts, Rise tried to greet Yukiko as upbeat as she could muster. “Hey Yukiko, what’s up?” Yukiko wasn’t buying it. “Hey, are you okay? You’re looking a little down in the dumps.” Rise’s continued to try and look carefree, but her façade had already begun to crack. “Who me? Of course I am. I mean, we won, didn’t we?” Rise began to sweat under Yukiko’s continued gaze, “Okay! So maybe I’m feeling just a little bit down about the whole shadow thing. Pretty boneheaded of us to get manipulated like that, huh?”

“You shouldn’t blame yourself for that. It was a very crafty plan. There is no way you could have known...” Rise pouted, “Naoto knew.” As Rise continued to speak, her voice got a little shakier. “If only I was strong enough to contact you guys through the red fog. All of this could have been avoided. I tried, I really did. But, it was no use. That’s why when my persona got stronger and I could go toe to toe with the Shadows like you guys I thought I could actually contribute. I wouldn’t have to stay behind, safe and sound, while you all went out and risked your lives. But, in the end, I just helped put everyone’s lives in danger. I really made a mess of things.” Rise was on the verge of tears after her outburst. Her problems went a lot deeper than Yukiko realized.

“You poor thing,” Yukiko said as she brought Rise into her increasingly signature comforting hugs. “You know, it was only by chance we ran into Naoto. If we hadn’t we would have been in the same position as you all.” Yukiko kept her hands on Rise’s shoulders after pushing her away. “And Naoto only figured out that plan because that is what she is good at, it’s her job. Everyone has their role, something they are good at. Especially you.” Rise tried to look away, but Yukiko gently grabbed her by the chin and turned her head back toward her. “Without you we never would have been able to defeat Shadow Teddie, and ever since then you have been a valuable asset to the team. No one else could do what you could. You never let us down once!” Rise tried to remind her about this time, but Yukiko was having none of it. “The red fog seems like it was almost specifically made to counter your abilities. Being able to communicate with everyone would have certainly made the enemy’s job harder. And even still, you and Fuuka working together were able to beat it and come to our rescue. Fuuka wouldn’t have been able to do it without you.”

Yukiko lowered her hand from Rise’s chin. “You were able to unlock a plethora of new abilities in order to help all your friends! And, you do that every day outside of the TV World. I think you make everyone's lives just a little bit brighter just by being yourself. So don't focus so much on the things you did wrong...because there are so many things you do right!"

Yukiko’s kind and helpful words had opened the floodgates. Rise’s watery eyes turned to full on bawling. Yukiko patted Rise on the back as she cried into her shoulder, letting her get it all out. Rise wiped her eyes once she was through, “Thanks, Yukiko.” The pregnant high-school gave her a thumbs up in response, “No problem.”

Thinking about just now, Rise realized something. The reassuring talk she had gotten from Yukiko reminded her a lot of the talks she had last year with Yu when she was unsure about continuing her idol career. They really were quite a lot alike, at least when it came to supporting their friends. "Role..." Rise mused to herself, she certainly had a lot of roles, the team navigator, a pop idol, a friend, and no one else on the team could quite take her place. But by that same token, she'd never be able to take their place as well, as a wife or as a mother no matter how much she might have wanted to. For a moment, she had to laugh at just how foolish she had been. Yu had chosen Yukiko for a reason, and that reason being she made him happy. She could never be a better wife to Yu, but that was alright because she was never meant to be.

Any lingering, deep thoughts of jealousy faded from Rise’s mind. For now, she’ll do what she is good at and continue to focus on her idol career, then, who knows? Wiping away the last of her tears, Rise grinned from ear to ear, “You and Sen-I mean Yu sound more like parents by the day!” Yukiko took that as a compliment.
Leaning in, Yukiko whispered, “So tell me, what was it like getting up close and personal with the shadows?” Rise was quick to raise her fists back into a fighting stance, “It was amazing! Why didn’t you tell me it was so much fun!”

Yu smiled broadly at the two girls, marvelling at just how far they all had come as a group. Yu hadn’t forgotten about the funk Kanji was in and was going to follow up on his promise to talk to him. But as he approached, he saw that his wisdom might not be needed. Someone else had stepped up in his place.

“Damn it! I really thought I was making a difference this time.” Kanji slammed his fist on the old TV he was seated on. Sitting next to him was the detective prince. “You did make a difference. Unfortunately, the difference you made worked into our enemy’s favor,” the bluenette said calmly. Kanji lowered his head even more. “No-I mean-I didn’t mean it like that!” Naoto still wasn’t the best at talking to people and it showed.

“It’s just, Fighting is one of the few talents I got, you know? I thought if I could put that talent to good use I could solve everything before you guys had to get involved.” Naoto knew Kanji meant well, he just had a problem with thinking things out sometimes. And considering who he was with, she could see why he may have gone a little overboard. “I uh…appreciate you trying to make things easier for us, even if it caused more problems.” Naoto wanted to kick herself when she saw by Kanji’s reaction she had misspoke again. Naoto didn’t want to strike out a third time and thought really hard on what to say next. “You can be a lot of things Kanji, and I’ll admit, when I first met you, one of those things sometimes was frustrating. But lately, it hasn’t bothered me as much.” Naoto saw she still wasn’t coming across like she would have liked and started to speak a little faster in her higher pitched voice. “Umm…If anything I was more worried. Not that you were getting into trouble mind you. Well, I mean, yes that you were getting into trouble, but not because you might be causing trouble for everyone else, but trouble for yourself. AH! Not that I wasn’t confident that you could keep care of yourself, I just…”

Naoto started to blush. “I was just relieved that you were alright. And it’s not like my group was any better at avoiding fights with shadows, and you had most of them gunning for you! Also, if you didn’t show up when you did, Minazuki would have…I mean, you saved me! I’m rambling, aren’t I?” Naoto’s fidgeting with her jacket got more intense at what she was about to do, “So, what I really want to say is, CHEER UP, OKAY?” Naoto’s inability to control the volume of her voice caught Kanji off guard almost as much as the tiny peck on the cheek she gave him.

It was so fast and so brief that you would have needed a high speed camera in order to catch it, but for the new couple, it was more than enough. Naoto covered her face with her hat and took off into the crowd of her friends, leaving Kanji with a body temperature a few degrees hotter and his heart pumping up a storm.

From Kanji’s dumb smile, Yu knew he would be fine. As long as Naoto was around, it looked like Kanji was going to start relying on him a little less. It reminded him of his own early days with Yukiko, and who knows, maybe on day the two will have what they have.

There was one more person Yu wanted to speak to. Far away from everyone else, licking his wounds, was Adachi. Yukiko saw her hubby making a beeline toward the former detective and decided to join him. “Oh hey. So, you guys are going to be throwing a party huh? I know it must hurt to know I won’t be able to attend but I’m going to be very busy that day. Adachi shot Yu a smug smile, but he could tell that Adachi was still hurting after his beat down by Sho. Adachi could tell what Yu was thinking and his nonchalant smile quickly faded, “Don’t give me that pitiful look you brat…” Yu gave a sideways glance Yukiko and gestured her toward Adachi. At first she didn’t want to do it, this man had caused so much pain and misery. She almost became a victim herself because of Adachi. But, at the same time, she thought about her son, and what kind of person she thought he would want his mother to be. Taking a deep breath, her Persona appeared behind her and cast a spell that healed Adachi of his wounds.

“What did you go and do that for?” Adachi complained. “Think of it as a thank you for your help, and besides, we can’t have you going back to your cell looking like that,” Yu explained. “Awww, and I would have loved to see a certain “hands on” detective try to explain to his superiors how an inmate in his custody had gotten so injured, but I guess the ringing in my ears being gone is a plus.” That was about as close to a thank you that either were going to get from Adachi. He turned his attention to the girl’s whose bloated stomach cast a large shadow over him, “I’d give you a snack, but wouldn’t you know it, I left my bag of oats in my other pants.” Adachi was less then pleased when his joke didn’t get the response he wanted from the girl. His fat jokes didn’t seem to affect her in the slightest. Growing a sly smile, he tried something else. “You know, before Yu came along, Nanako only had me and Dojima to look after her, so I’m great with kids…” Adachi extended his arm, his hand getting dangerously close to touching Yukiko’s belly before she took a giant step backwards. The nasty look she gave Adachi and the way she clutched her middle, reminded Adachi of a mam bear protecting her cub. Not wanting to press his luck Adachi, just adjusted his tie and smirked. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll be going back to my cell now. And believe me when I say this, I NEVER want to see any of you brats again.”

Adachi walked toward the exit but was stopped by Yu calling out his name. “Adachi. I don’t have to remind you, do I? About the strength of bonds? Everything I told Sho still applies to you as well.” Adachi glanced over his shoulder at Yu. “Dojima told me he is coming to visit you soon.”

Yu could only see Adachi’s left eye, but that was all he needed to see. Hearing Dojima’s named cause Adachi to wince. For the first and only time all night, Adachi dropped his conceited and cold attitude. In that half a second, Adachi’s expression grew more somber. It was a short moment of weakness, and Adachi quickly recovered from it. The former detective shook his head, “You really are his nephew. Both you dumb-asses don’t know when to quit, do you?”