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Johnny, very carefully, helped Nathan walk with the group through Tartarus, Elizabeth in the lead. The otter could feel his consciousness slip in and out: it felt like he was trying to sleep yet can't seem to stay asleep; he felt so tired.

"Almost out, Nate....hang in there...." Johnny whispered, growling to himself in anger: he let Nathan down....big time....he had to make things right somehow....but not now.

Nate, actually, yawned from exhaustion "T-thanks.....J...." he muttered.

"No sweat, I'm always here for you." Johnny smiled, pulling Nate closer as they walked back to the Velvet Room.

...........................

After a few minutes everyone walked back into the Velvet Room with the others: Igor was talking to them casually and teaching them something....yet Johnny paid no attention to it.

"Ah, I see that the rest of our class has returned." He chuckled, Elizabeth briskly walking over and whispering something into his ear. He looked to her and chuckled again, whispering back and pointing to the otter. Johnny, a little nervous, tightened his grip on Nate. Elizabeth gave a gentle smile and turned to the rest of the class.

"Now then, I'd like to thank all of you for your cooperation today: it has been a pleasure to teach you all. We hope to see you again next class. Until then, get some rest and return whenever you like: the Velvet Room is always here." He giggled, smiling.

As others were starting to get ready to leave, a black cat walked up to Nate and Johnny; he a little shorter than the otter, had lime green eyes, and was wearing black tinted...similar to sunglasses. His fur was the color of charcoal, the edge of his fur being a brighter black to make it look like it was shining. His claws and teeth were a pure ivory, his paw pads being a jet black.

"I-Is he alright?" he asked Johnny, looking at Nathan with a worried expression. Nathan looked up weakly and put on a smile.

"Y-yeah....he's fine....just a little tired." The otter answered, chuckling. The cat seemed to relax a bit. He still had a worried expression...yet it much less severe than it was.

"I'm Nate..." Nathan said, offering his paw weakly. The cat, hesitantly, took his paw and shook it gently.

"I'm Tristen, Trey for short..." he trailed off. To Nate, he seemed a little shy.....he could tell he was kind.

"Nice to meet ya, Trey. I'm Johnny." The orca said as well, startling the cat; he looked away, not facing him.

"Everyone was worried about you, so I came over to see how you were doing....." he said then turned around "I should go." With that, he went for the door and exited.

'Huh, not very friendly....is he?' Johnny thought, huffing to himself as he shouldered Nate up a little more.

Everyone soon filed out with the cat, talking to each other about what happened on their side....everyone except Johnny and Nathan. The otter was hanging limply on the orca, still tired from all the energy he used.

Elizabeth, gently, took the otter from the orca and set him in a chair in front of Igor. She pulled out her book and flipped a few pages; she stopped and soon pulled out a card: Johnny noticed it was similar to the deck of cards on Igor tables in front of him.

Elizabeth raised the card high above her head and then lowered her hand in front of her face and swiped to the side quickly; she spoke something as she did this.

"Pixie!"

As soon as she swiped, the card shattered into pieces like glass and disappeared; a bluish mist swirled around her for a bit and soon a small creature with wings appeared. It raised its hands and soon a white veil spread over Nathan......after the figure disappeared, the otter stirred.

"Ngh.....mmm....." he groaned, his eyes fluttering open "w-where....am I?" he asked.

"Nate....how're you feelin'? You okay?" Johnny asked genuine concern in his eyes. Nate yawned and smiled softly.

"Y-yeah....I think so." He answered. Igor chuckled.

"Excellent, I am glad you are alright," he motioned to Elizabeth "Elizabeth has told me you have "awakened" to your Potential...."

"My....Potential?" Nate asked him.

"Yes, your Persona: Markolo." Elizabeth explained "You have managed to pass the trial of accepting your inner self, and you were given your Persona as a reward of it.....but, that is to say, we have not made this challenge for you: it was completely on your own accord." Elizabeth explained.

'My own....accord?' Nathan thought; his mind drifted to what the Headmaster said to him earlier......about his Shadow.....did he know he'd face it today....so soon?

"Now then," Igor smiled and gained the attention of both Nathan and Johnny "I am sure you two are confused and have some questions as to what has happened in Tartarus. You are free to ask."

"Yeah, I am at least...." Johnny spoke, his arms across his chest "just what exactly happened to Nate? And what's this about a "Persona"? I'm lost here."

"You see, like everyone, Nathan has kept his darkest feeling hidden deep inside his heart. A Shadow, or the creature you have seen in Tartarus, is a manifestation of those negative thoughts: anger, jealousy, envy; all of your vices. When you face your Shadow, or a Shadow that has manifested itself from your thoughts, you face your inner self and, in turn, given a Persona," Explained Elizabeth.

"Your Persona is like a mask you wear to face the hardships of life; each Persona is specifically designed for the user of that Persona...and each Persona is assigned an Arcana based from the 22 Major Arcana. Nathan," Igor continued on, motioning to the otter "is of the Fool Arcana, represented by the number 0....an interesting Arcana: alone, it is empty....yet it also holds great power and infinite possibilities."

"Wait, the Fool? Isn't that, like, with Tarot Card readings....like fortune telling?" Nathan asked: he knew this kind of thing because he went to a fortune-teller once and she used the 22 Arcana in Tarot Card readings.....the reason why he went was personal.

"Yes, but it is much more than just that: the 22 Arcana define a person ....yet, because you are of the Fool, I cannot seem to tell what you are characterized by...." Igor said a smile of interest on his face "most peculiar....perhaps you are more than meets the eye, my young otter...."

"Okay, but that still doesn't fully answer my question on what Personas are." Johnny said, scratching his head. Igor smiled and waved his hand over the table; the cards moved into a pattern, spreading out evenly over the table.

"Personas are divided into 22 different categories, each category representing one of the Major Arcana." He flipped over one of the cards, revealing the same card Nate had.

"The Fool Arcana, number 0." He flipped another, this one being of someone holding a flame in their hands.

"The Magician, number I." he flipped another, this one being of a tower that had been destroyed from the top and two figures jumping off to their doom.

"The Tower, number XVI." He flipped all three down.

"Each Arcana is characterized by a certain attribute or skill. For example, those of the Magician Arcana are very talented with Agi- or Fire, and those of the Empress are skilled with Bufu- or Ice and healing and support. The Fool is special: their skills are dependent ENTIRELY on the user." Elizabeth explained "You might have noticed, but your Persona uses Garu skills...those of Wind."

"Agi? Bufu? Garu? What're you talking about?" Nate asked.

"I see you are still flustered from all of this new information....and all will be discussed during class...so, if you have any other questions, please save them for next time....alright?" Elizabeth offered. Nate sighed and nodded, a little lost still: from what he understood, he was a rare child in Personas...he could use Wind....but that was about it.

"I DO have one question....how do I summon Markolo if I run into trouble?" he asked. Elizabeth, instead of saying something, took the same card she used from the book and repeated the process in front of the otter.

"You focus on a move you wish to use, bring forth your card with your mind, and then destroy it. The card, itself, can be referred to as a cage: you must open the cage to unleash your Persona's power."

"Ah, I see....can I try it out here?" asked the otter, standing up. Both nodded, but Johnny was hesitant.

"Nathan....are you sure? You don't know what'll happen....what if-"

"Relax, Orcy....I got this..." Nathan smiled and shrugged off the possible danger.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Immediately blue mist formed around him and swirled at his feet, the card of Markolo slowly appeared and spun around in front of him; Nathan raised his paw to touch the card...then he flung open his eyes and crushed the card in his paw.

Unintentionally, he yelled out "Persona!"

Behind him, Markolo appeared proudly and awaited his command. Nate turned around and smiled.

"Cool...." He said, now impressed with his new-found power.

"Now, Nathan...there are a few rules in which I would like to tell you," Igor said, Johnny walking over to his mate "you cannot use your Persona on those that cannot use one themselves, you are not allowed to use your Persona to cause physical harm purposely, and fighting with other Persona-users on school campus is prohibited.....any need to break one

of these rules would have to be in an emergency......if you break any of those rules it would risk your bond on your Persona and it could revert it back to a Shadow....only it will keep it experience as a Persona and can, most-likely, kill you."

Nathan nodded, but Johnny still seemed a little confused: Igor, after explaining the rules, shooed them away and both left through the Velvet Room back into the hall.

..........................................

****** (POV Change: Johnny) ******

I couldn't wrap my head around the idea that something happened to Nate for him to be able to summon that "thing", that "Persona". Looking over Nate's face, he seemed to be ecstatic about it, too. I felt like there was something I was missing throughout the entire thing....then I remember it: I never got a chance to ask Nathan what happened when I was out-cold.

"Nate," I asked, getting his attention "You never told me what happened when I was passed out.....what happened....?"

Nate didn't look my way, but spoke in an indifferent tone.

"That guy that was talking bad about me, that guy that called me a weak, pathetic leech......" he sighed, looking down a bit "......that was me.....that was how I felt deep down...."

I shook my head "No way, that COULDN'T be you....I know you, you're not like that...." I said, hugging him. Nate sighed and leaned into me.

"No, it's true: deep down, I felt like everyone liked me because they knew how much trouble I had in life....you knew too.....not only that, but that let me get away with latching onto others and doing whatever I wanted.....I hated it....I thought that if someone saw what I was doing they'd, at least, get mad at me or something.....but I never got in trouble....they felt too sad for me.....I wanted REAL attention, I wanted REAL love......but, to be honest, I was looking too far." I felt him turn around and hug back for real; my fingers instantly began running through his warm fur "I have YOU...and Logan...and Dave....that's all I really need.....you guys like me for me......and you loved me when we first met.....I'd never want that to go away....."

"Nathan....you know that, no matter what anyone says about you, I'll always love you....right?" I say to him, kissing his head.

"Yeah, I know....I shouldn't have questioned that faith....I'm sorry...." He apologized. I smirked, then kissed him sweetly; I heard a gentle moan come from him in the kiss as his arms went around my neck....he looked so cute. We broke the kiss after about a few seconds.

"It's alright....that doesn't matter anymore....what does matter is that nothing can ever tear us apart....I promise." I finished, smiling softly.

Nathan smiled that one smile I couldn't resist: it was when he was just a little embarrassed and had that cute blush in his cheeks and he looked like he's on the verge of crying out of happiness.

"I promise too.....you're the only one for me, Orcy.....I love you." He rested his head on my chest; my hand went around and rubbed the back of his head, my other hand wrapped around his waist.

"I love you too, Ottie." I whisper back.

We stayed this way for a few moments and we started to walk back.....only then did I remember something else: I had swim practice.

"Dammit..." I cursed under my breath. Nate looked over to me; I scratched the back of my head "I forgot: I had swim practice in the Gym after school.....and, since I was late signing you up when I found out you were coming, you won't be able to come until next week....I'm sorry, Nate." I felt really bad: we both loved the water.

Nate smiled and elbowed me gently.

"No sweat, I wanted to get home and get lunch ready for us.....that okay with ya?" he asked me. I smiled: I just GOTTA love my Ottie.

"Yeah, that'd be good....I really am sorry."

"No biggie, don't worry about it. Let me just find Logan and Dave and we'll wait for you at home." He said, then waved as he ran towards the other wing "Swim fast, babe! Love you!" he called back, making me blush a bit.

..........................................

"Come on, Thompson! Pick up the pace!" yelled the coach, blowing his whistle loudly. I dove underwater and began using my tail to full extent as I flew through the liquid like a torpedo.

Lucky for me, and a bunch of other furs, our swimming class wasn't in a wussy-sized pool: the damn thing is huge, 5 meters wide and 10 meters long; a nice space for being a fast swimmer/diver for Kenny.....that damn dolphin.

Our team of swimmers was co-ed, making it hard to predict our moves in the water. Kenny, a dolphin who likes to be sneaky around water, was one of the best on the team....besides me: having such flexible body made him the best diver on the team....and a guy that every other guy envies for his moves in the water.

Second was Tom, a water dragon who had a deep infatuation for water......one problem, though: he's lazier than a Snorlax....or, at least, that what his looks tell you at first: in reality, his methods of winning could blow your mind: he's prefers brains than brawn, his slim figure and smooth blue scales giving that idea of his away so generously.

Then there's our snarky shark, Kelly. She's one of a kind when it comes to any swimming contest that needs power: nice, lean body with the speed of a white shark....so underestimating her is like having a death wish since she's not so easy to deal with.....and doesn't know the meaning of "mercy".

Those students, as well as the rest of the team, were comprised of second or third year student. For new year's......well, we still have no clue if they're on the team or not; most of them are cocky....which I found disappointing. The coach liked a few of them, though one of them that really caught his eye was a young Pokémon: a Swampert....and a really cute one at that; from my memory from a few hours ago (about the time auditions were for Swim), his name is Jon I think: from my point of view, he seemed to be shy. His skill, for a rookie, were pretty impressive.....he's lucky since only a few can impress our coach to a limit where he invites them to join our team.

The coach is a rare white otter that is so tall for one of his species that he was close to the headmaster's height....but, still, that wasn't the reason he was coach: he was one of few furs who can defeat me in a swimming race.

I kept swimming at my usual fast pace, the only difference being that I dived in and didn't stop at all. I got a smile from the coach.

"Kelly, Kenny! Try to tackle your teammate and stop him!!"he shouts. I involuntarily some of my own air: I knew how those two were.

I reached the end of the pool and waited for them to come at me: both swam at a speed matching that of an Aqua Jet, a move Water-type Pokémon could do.

"Hey, new kid: watch them." he told the swampert. Jon nodded and looked to me as I pushed myself down at the exact second my two friends reached to get me; I use the wall to push myself forward right under them, going full speed and chuckling.

"I'm not losing to you guys!" I comment as they nod and began following me again.

I reached the middle of the swimming pool when I felt something and let out a yelp: Kelly caught up to me first and Kenny was right behind her by using her own speed to help him by putting him in her slipstream: now the shark was trying to hold me still and stop me.

"Go Kenny, win!" She shouts with a chuckle as Kenny nodded and swam past me with his swift movements around the water.

She smiled as I grunt, struggling to get her off of me.

"No use, babe: you lose this time." She bragged. I thought for a moment then smiled: I moved my tail back to the surface with high speed to push myself under the water....but not too much: Kelly just tilts her head as she moved with me.

"What are you planning?" she asked me before I dragged her underwater and then used the depth I'm in for increasing my speed. I swam back to the surface, jumping out of the water and shaking myself from her hands with a smile as i slip from her vice grip; I sigh in relief, then jump back underwater. I noticed my dolphin friend was about to reach the ending...which meant that I could still win...maybe.

'Be prepared, Kenny.......I'm coming!' I thought to myself before I take off again, using my tail and feet together to give myself extra speed.....swimming almost like a mermaid; Kelly wasn't done with me, though since she was right behind me yet again.

I smile confidently as I flattened myself and began using just my tail, taking off faster than a torpedo passing dolphin teammate just in time to press my hand on the end and winning. I got back up out of the pool, panting softly.

"Phew......that was really good guys. Nice workout." I say almost out of breath, the two get back up as well smiling: they WERE out of breath.

"You too, Johnny.......seems like.......your still......our torpedo in the team." Kelly commented me breathlessly. I couldn't resist blushing and giggling to myself. I shake my head.

"Your grip is like a rope or something, so I guess I got a little lucky." I reply trying to sound humble, but that makes Tom laugh and let out a yawn.

"Stop bragging, smart-ass!" he shouts from his side still relaxing with his legs in the water calmly like before.....I don't think he was in the water at ALL during practice.

"Shut up, Tom: you were barely in the water...heheh." I taunt him, smiling then look at the clock; the white otter blew his whistle when I looked at him, almost like I gave him a cue.

"OK, that's it for today. Jon, if you need extra information then the orca and dragon will answer it." he explains. Jon nodded with a slight gulp: that was his way of saying he might be on the team.

"Th-thank you, sir."

The otter nodded and moved to the locker room, but I quickly went after him before he got in to change...not that I haven't seen the sexy coach naked before.

"Sir, I wanted to talk to you about the new recruit....um, well......a couple of other first years will come by tomorrow to see if they can get on the team or be in normal swimming class with your colleague, okay?" He faced me, a little curious.

"Alright, any reason you're so interested in it? Or is it because you like seeing your coach in his uniform?" he teased. I couldn't help but blush as he said that: it's not very often he does that...he's usually professional.

"Um, well....by my mistake, I forgot to tell you about someone specific wanting to join the team AND in classes: my boyfriend, Nathan Osworth....he's an otter, like you.....and a really good swimmer....he's as fast as I am, maybe faster."

He looked at me curiously, the smiled.

"Alright then, I'll take care of it then." He waved and went inside to change. Sighing in relief, glad I was able to remember, I turned to face Kelly and Kenny getting out of the pool to dry off.

"Nice job, J: hope to see your sexy BF tomorrow. Later!"

I nod jump back into the pool: the water felt amazing. I felt Kelly toss something by my face and it splashed in front of me: when I grabbed it, it was the keys to the gym "The key to the pool is the blue one, lock up when you're done with the newbie, okay?" Before I answered, she winked and simply left.

That only left the three of us behind: me, Tom, and the swampert. Jon, after a bit, came out of the changing area with his swimming shorts. He smiled as jumped into the water, making me smile with Tom slowly sliding in as well from behind me. We start to have a long talk with Jon and began teaching him some things that he'd know if he were to be on the team.

.......................

After he left with Tom, I stayed in the water and simply just dived underwater. The feeling was really good, just relaxing underwater as I always did; I closed my eyes, my breathing slowing down.....almost like I was having a nap. I thanked myself that I was born an orca and could still breathe underwater.

Ten minutes later, or about that much time, I start to feel something strange.....like someone was in the pool with me. I opened my eyes and looked around, confusion wrapping around my head.

'Who could be here? And after school, too?' I thought for a moment; I felt a chill, like an ice cube was being run down my back, and shivered hard enough to have the water around me vibrate.....I gulped in slight fear.

Then I felt something breathe down my neck, which creeped me out even more since we were underwater and any air would be as bubbles. I turned around and looked behind me, only to see bloody red eyes and a body as pale as death. I yelped and immediately went to the surface. I placed my hand on my chest to test my heart rate: it was pounding. I took a deep breath and let it out, telling myself that I was just imagining it.

I dove back under again to relax again, but I saw the same thing again.....only he moved towards me. I swam backwards, terrified about the figure.

"W-who the hell are you?!" I tried to ask, the only noise being the sounds of bubbles. He chuckled, his voice so deep and yet so high.....it as almost like Nathan's Shadow back in Tartarus.

"I'm you....Johnny." I saw he was about to laugh and, in a depserate attmept to silence him, I leaned in and tried to punch him. He merely disappeared.......but then I felt something like an electric shock as soon as he faded away completely. I had to surface so I wouldn't suck in too much water and the paralyzing effect felt cold and painful.

I coughed out water as I rubbed my eyes and blinked a few times. I looked around, seeing no one else but myself; I looked through the water from the surface and saw only my feet and tail.

'I....must've been imagining things.....' I spoke to myself, swimming to the edge and pulling myself up onto the edge. I heard a ringing come from my bag as I reached over and reached in to see what was happening: it was my cell.....I got a text.

'Huh, wonder who it is....' I thought, flipping it open and seeing who the sender was. I gasped as I saw who it was.....then read what the message was.

'Hey, called to try and see when you'd be home....didn't pick up. Guess you were busy, that's okay. Hope you been home soon. Love ya! <3

* Nathan "Ottie" Osworth

"Aw, shit!" I cursed myself, drying my hand off completely with my tee and began dialing: my cell was waterproof so I brought with me into the pool so I could walk around a bit. He didn't pick up, so I left a message.

"Hey, Ottie: really sorry for not answering....I was late for a bit and I lost track of time. I told the coach about you and he said that he'd give you a shot tomorrow. I'll be home in a few."

Before I hung up I heard Nate pick up.

"Hello?"

"Nate! Oh, God: I'm glad you managed to pick up...I was about to leave a message." I heard him sigh in relief.

"Oh, Orcy....yeah, I am too. Why didn't you answer you cell? Busy?"

"Yeah, coach was training us hard for the meet in a few months. We also had a newbie we needed to run things through with.....oh yeah, I talked to him about you joining the team."

"Really?! Awesome! Can't wait to impress him!" I heard him almost jump inside.

"Hey, just to warn you....he's hard to impress....." I warned. He scoffed.

"Hey, I impressed you...didn't I?"

"True...."

"So no sweat! But, if you want, I'll be serious."

"Thanks, I want you in the class AND on the team." I said, getting out of the pool carefully as to not drop my phone. I stripped off my wet swim trunks and grabbed a towel: no one was around, so I could be naked in the pool area.

"Okay, so when will you be home?" he asked.

"Give me 5 minutes." I said as I finished drying myself off and grabbed my clothes.

"Alright, see ya then....Logan and Dave are still at school, for some reason.....best not to disturb them: might be something they need to do." The otter said, he sounded concerned.

"Got'cha. See ya soon, babe." I said.

"Okay, love ya." Said my ottie. I hung up and began getting dressed. As I got dressed my thoughts drifted to what I saw.

"Could that have been-?" I asked myself, then shook my head "Nah, probably just imagined it." I shrugged it off and went for the door with my bag.

I pulled the door closed and locked the door, pocketing the keys and starting to walk back home.

'But, still.....if it wasn't my Shadow.....what was it?' I thought lastly, shaking my head again and shoving the thought to the back of my head: there's no way I could have a Shadow....no way at all....I had nothing to hide......right?

.....................................