I landed safely back on the ground, and just in time, the Shadow's moving again!
"I am a Shadow, the True Self! What do you guys think you're doing? Trying to defend the "real" me? Then you're gonna pay the price!"
"Shut up! Quit being such a pain! Chie, just hang in there a little longer!" Yosuke said.
"Time to test out this new power!" I said as a cyan armour appeared on me. I've got wings and a bow and arrow now. "Oh I can work with this."
I fired arrows at the monster, pinning down its tendrils and getting some pot shots in on the body. Yosuke trapped it in a mini cyclone and Yu blasted it with lightning. It screamed in pain, then shot several icicles at us. I flew out of the way easily, then fired several more arrows at it, and eventually taking it down with one to the head.
Chie got back up.
"Chie! Are you ok?" Yosuke asked
"What happened?" Chie asked, she then saw her shadow. "What's the matter? Got nothing to say anymore?"
"Stop it Chie, it's all right." Yosuke said
"B-but-"
"You are more than that figure that has a similar appearance to you over there." Yu said
"B-but I-"
"He's right, I went through the same thing. So I can understand, I mean, everyone has a side like this." Yosuke said
"Yeah, I kinda get it now. You are me." Chie said. "A side of me I couldn't forgive, that I tried to ignore. But you still exist, you're a part of me."
The strength of heart required to face oneself has been made manifest. Chie has faced her other self. She has obtained the facade used to overcome life's hardships, the Persona Tomoe!
"I, um, it's true that part of me feels that way. But I wasn't lying about being friends with Yukiko!" Chie said
"Like we didn't know that already." Yosuke said
Chie collapsed from exhaustion.
"Hey! Chie!" Yosuke said
"I'm ok, just a little tired." Chie said
"You don't look ok at all, and I bet, you can use the same power we have now." Yosuke said
"Huh!?" Chie asked
"Hey, what should we do?" Yosuke asked.
"Let us take time to partake in relaxing activities." Yu said
"Alright, let's get back to the entrance though. It's dangerous around here." Yosuke said
"I never said I needed a break! I can still keep going!" Chie said as she struggled to get up.
"Don't overdo it." Teddie said
"It's not that we don't think you can, it's just that we need to save Yukiko no matter what. Now that you have the power, you can fight with us. It'd be much better for us all if you had your strength back. That's why we're saying we should go back and regroup." Yosuke said
"But Yukiko's still in here isn't she!? I- I, if those were Yukiko's true feelings, then I have to tell her something! I'm not as strong as she thinks! It's because she was with me. Because we were always together, I was able to act that way. If we weren't, I'd-"
"Well, you need to get your strength back! So that you can tell her!" Teddie said. "Yukiko's normal, the shadow's don't attack normal people. They only attack when the fog lifts here."
"So Yukiko will be safe until then, right!?" Yosuke asked
"I'm positive." Teddie said
"Why? I don't get it." Chie said
"Teddie told us that the weather here is opposite of our own world. When it fogs over in our world, that's the day it lefts here, and that's when the Shadows attack their victim. So even if we leave for a while, Yukiko won't be in danger until the fog starts to cover Inaba. I'm sure of it, it was the same way for that announcer and Senpai. Don't you remember how it was foggy in town on the days they died?" Yosuke said
"You mean, they were killed by their other selves?" Chie asked
"The fog usually appears after it rains. But it's been sunny lately, I don't think it's going to rain again any time soon. Don't worry so much, we'll check the weather forecast first thing when we get back." Yosuke said
"But, I can't turn back now! We've come so far! Yukiko's still here! She's all alone, she must be so scared." Chie said
"Then you tell me how much further we have to go to reach Yukiko!" Yosuke said
"T-that's-"
"You don't know what's up ahead, the enemies might be even stronger!" Yosuke said. "If we push ourselves too hard, and get wiped out, who'll save Yukiko then!? We can't fail no matter what, am I wrong?"
"*sigh. Alright." Chie said as she used Teddie to help stand back up. "I'm sorry about before. I shouldn't have rushed in like that by myself."
"Let's go together next time." I said
"No worries, we're definitely gonna save Yukiko, right?" Yosuke said
"Right." Chie said
The five of us headed back to the entrance.
"I'm feeling even worse than the last time I came in here." Chie said. "My head feels like it's gonna split open, are you guys ok?"
"It's thanks to these." I said while pointing to the glasses.
"That's right you're not wearing the glasses." Yosuke said
"Oh yeah, what's with those glasses? Did your eyesight go bad?" Chie asked
"Man you didn't notice until now? How panicked were you?" Yosuke asked
"Ta da! I got a pair ready for Chie too! Here you go!" Teddie said as he handed a pair of glasses to her.
"Wh-What the? Whoa! This is awesome It's like the fog doesn't even exist!" She said
"Why didn't you whip those out earlier if you had them?" Yosuke asked Teddie
"I made them right now! You didn't tell me she was coming! It was all so sadden. I mean, sudden!" Teddie said
"Huh, so that's the trick. I was wondering how you guys could see where your going." Chie said. "Hey is it alright if I keep these?"
"Fo' sho!" Teddie said
"We'll have to stop here today, but I'll be back with these puppies! You guys better not come here without me, got it!?" Chie asked
"Yeah. Let's all promise each other no one goes in alone. It's way too dangerous." Yosuke said. "If we don't work together, we won't be able to solve this case, or save Yukiko, right?"
"You are correct." Yu said
"Yeah I agree, I promise too!" Chie said
"Let's save Yukiko." I said
"Alright, from tomorrow on, we'll try to come here as much as we can after school, and that includes days off. Hey, would you two mind being the leaders?"Yosuke asked. "The both of you were first to get this power, and your way better in a fight than either of us. I think it's best for all of us if you set the pace of the investigation, and we follow your lead. I'm cool playing second banana."
"Leave it to us." I said
"Ok, we're counting on you. I mean I'm more of an advisor type, y'know? An ideas man, not an executive." Yosuke said
"I'm with Yosuke. If you guys are the ones calling the shots, I'd feel a lot more comfortable about this." Chie said
"I'm with Yosuke too. If you're the ones calling the shots, my pillow will be a lot more comfortable at night." Teddie said
"Teddie, would you please stop talking? I'm really on edge right now." Chie said
Well, the investigation has begun. Time to get some payback.
"Ok, let's rest for today so we're ready for tomorrow on." Yosuke said. "And don't forget to check the weather forecast. It gets foggy after a lot of rain, so let's keep an eye out. Also let's make sure we gear up for next time."
Yu and I headed back to the Dojima house.
The four of us are having dinner. The news is on TV.
"That's all for world news tonight. Coming up, the local news."
Dojima's pretty quiet, with a stern look on his face.
"Hey, mind if I ask something?" He asked. "You aren't getting involved with any strange business, are you? What happened at the station this afternoon, it's still bothering me. Is there, anything you're not telling me?"
"Of course not." Yu said
"Yosuke has a collection of fake knives and swords, and he wanted to show us his favourites, unfortunately he did chose to do it at Junes, and, well, you know what happened. I'm just glad I decided to take a detour." I said
"I see. Well, it's just been nagging at me, that's all." Dojima said
"What's wrong? Are you fighting?" Nanako said
"No, we're not having a fight." Dojima said
"This isn't the police station." Nanako said
"I agreed to take both of you in, so don't get yourselves involved in anything that could get you into trouble. Got that?" He said
We both nodded.
"And now, our weather forecast. Due to high pressure fronts from the west, the sunny, spring like weather will stay with us for a while longer."
"Is this lady the one who decides the weather?" Nanako asked. "Cause when she says it'll be sunny, it always is."
"Uh, she's not really deciding it." Dojima said. "Never mind. Oh, that reminds me. I've spoken with your Phys Ed Teacher, he says your exempted from participation in some sports, provided that your write an essay on them. Obviously not one for every class, but you get the idea. How's it holding up anyways?"
"A little sore today, but other than that it's fine." I said
"Good, he also mentioned that if you wanted some extra credit, the soccer and basketball teams need an assistant manager." He said
Author's Note: that is how I'll be covering the Strength Social Link.
"I'll think about it." I said
I headed back upstairs, and Nanako called me down.
"What's up?" I asked
"The phone."
I picked it up.
"*ahem*, it's me, Morooka. I have something for you and your buddy that I've prepared for you. I was going to deliver it to your house, but the situation's changed. I need you to come pick it up." He said
It's my homeroom teacher, GREAT. He's being kinda nice for once.
"Ok, so, where are you?" I asked
"I was getting to that! I am in front of the gas station in the shopping district. You got that!? Now hurry up and come pick it up!" He said
Well so much for that, crap. It's across town!
"Who was that? Don't tell me your planning on going out at this hour!" Dojima asked
"My homeroom teacher needs to see me." I said
"Your homeroom teacher wants to see you? You've just transferred here and you've already done something?" He asked. "Joking, it's you we're talking about. Well, I understand, go take care of business and hurry back home."
I headed over to the gas station, please for the love of god, make him watch his mouth.
"Oh, you're here, sooner than expected! This is a couple of school Jerseys I got for you two. Here, take them! Now that you've got it, get the hell out of here! I need to see this girl home! You know the way back your own house don't you?" He asked
I headed back on home for the night.