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****** (POV Change: Nathan) ******

"I'd like to see you try!" yelled Ryland's shadow, stomping a huge foot in front of me; I raised the rapier in my paw to the side of my hip pointed down, getting into position to strike: I had to be careful, I didn't need to be told that this would be harder than just fighting normal Shadows...this was someone's Shadow....so they have, at least, a brain.

'Just gotta stay calm and focused....' I thought, taking a deep breath. I waited for a bit so the monster would make its move....but what I didn't except was what it was going to do.

It growled and then raised his two front hands and slammed them to the ground; a frigid wind came rushing in quickly and I felt like I was going to be flash-frozen.....I growled and tried to stay standing...but it pushed me onto my back.

I looked up and saw it gather energy again, but this time a pinkish aura formed around it.

"Heh, see if you can stop this!" he called. I growled as I got up, grunting as I stood.

"Nathan, be careful! Markolo is weak again Bufu skills.....and Ryland's Shadow used that just now! If you're hit with one, it'll hurt you more than it would someone else!" Elizabeth warned me; I rolled my eyes: NOW you tell me.

"Alright, if you wanna make things cold in here..." I started, raising my paw above my head; Markolo's card appeared in my palm and I crushed it, summoning him "I'll just heat it back up!"

My Persona raised his hand and used Agi like I wanted him to....his reaction: he crumpled like the Mayas I faced.

"Ha! Not so great with fire, huh!" I taunted, about to summon him again when I realized that there was still the matter of the pinkish aura.

I decided not to use Markolo again and, instead, raised my sword in a block: at least then if he hit me I'd be defending.

He rose back up and cursed at me, saying "such a pain in the ass" and then swatting at me; I braced myself.

His giant hand pushed against me hard, nearly knocking me over again, but I managed to stay strong and push back. I heard Elizabeth call back to me.

"Good job, Nathan! He used Power Charge to increase his strength for the attack! Now's your chance to counter with your Persona!"

I obligated and summoned him again, using Agi once; he fell like a pile of sticks....then twice; he surged through and crumpled again.

I laughed right at him: this was, actually, fun! He grunted and growled at me.

"Alright, you're starting to be a nuisance! That's it, no more Mister Nice Guy!" he yelled, putting his arms up to defend; I felt like he wanted me to attack, like he wanted to put me in a difficult place.

Behind me, I could barely notice Johnny in my vision; form what I could tell, he seemed to have a sad, almost pained, expression on his face....but, then again, I have something a little more important to deal with than what my boyfriend is thinking.....as mean and cruel as that sounded: I have to ignore anything else except for the fight if I want to survive it.

'Well, only one way to find out...' I thought, summoning Markolo; I redid the command I wanted to do and chose to use Rakukaja: at once I saw a purple aura engulf me for a moment.......then a surge of energy filled my body and pushed itself outward, like a shield.

I waited for him to move: sure enough, he attacked.....using that same freezing move as before; he raised his arms and slammed them down again, bring forth that frigid cold.....as much as I struggled, I felt onto my back; at least this time I didn't feel as much pain as before.

"Grr..." I growled, seeing him use Power Charge yet again as to increase his force; I got up and summoned Markolo quickly, using Agi: he crumpled easily.

'Alright, I think I have his pattern down' I thought, gathering my thoughts before I acted again 'He, right off the back, had the upper hand when using that move to knock me back....and, once I was down, he took the liberty of increasing his strength; he's weak again Agi, meaning I can come back at him with it. I doubt I can knock him down when he's defending.....so I'll have to do the same as to when he uses that move again I won't fall back.' I nodded and at once began to put those thoughts into a plan

1) His first action is to use Frigid Blast (at least, that's what I think it's called), so I have to defend before that

2) His next move is to use Power Charge, so I have can attack at least once with Agi then I have to defend after that again

3) He then attacks, and since I'm guarding that damage won't be very high; that'll leave me open to use Agi twice

4) He'll then presume to defend himself, meaning I'll need to defend since he'll then use Frigid Blast to repeat the cycle

I nodded and began to put that plan in action: since I used Agi, I pulled my sword up to block. Sure enough, he attacked me....leaving him wide open.

'Now's my chance!' I thought, raising my paw up and crushing my card; a burst of flames appeared and the Shadow crumbled.....but something was noticeable about it this time: the body was beginning to leak out black ooze, the ooze disappearing once it was outside of the body.

'It's.....disintegrating.....!' I felt a smile break across my face 'If I can hit him hard enough...I can finish him off in one blow....'

I raised my paw again, concentrating as hard as I could: maybe my Persona can help me. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Markolo...." With that, I crushed the card: the figure appeared behind me, offering his hand; I took it and he spun me around a bit and threw me up into the air......where I came crashing down onto the Shadow's head with the sword, jabbing straight through him.

He let out a pained yell, trying to swat me off as I let go of the rapier and jumped off; I landed on my hands and knees, turning around to hear him let out one final sentence before flopping onto the ground and dispersing into black ooze and mist:

"Damn you all to hell!"

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

****** (POV Change: Normal) ******

"Nathan!" called Ryland, running towards the otter; everyone else followed, hoping that he was alright: Nathan was breathing heavily and had a few bruises covering his body......but, strangely, he was just fine.

"I'm okay, bang up....but okay." He answer turning around and walking over to pick up his weapon and returning to the group; he stood next to Johnny, and the orca was happy to have his boyfriend back next to him...still alive.

"That was very well done, Mr. Osworth: in all the years I have helped Persona-users...I have never seen one that was able to interact with their Persona directly....how could you do it?" Elizabeth asked the otter; Nathan smiled and chuckled a bit, his cheeks burning with blush.

"I just, sorta.....did: I had the idea in my head....and Markolo seemed to understand it....like he has a mind of his own...." He explained; everyone, including the person who said it, seemed confused by Nathan's reasoning....yet no one pondered further than that.

Ryland looked over to where his Shadow disappeared, seeing it just standing there: his face was solemn; the fox took a few steps forward and faced him.

"Why're you still here? Nate finished you off already.....you're not needed anymore....." he said sternly, trying to keep from shaking: throughout the entire event, he felt terrible that his friend had to fight for him.

"Rye, stop...." Nate said, walking over to him and lacing a paw on his shoulder; Ryland's paw reached for it as well.

"But-" the fox started.

"Does it really matter?" asked a voice; the owner walked next to the fox and faced him, eye-to-eye: the owner was Jacob.

"What do you mean?"

"Remember what I said, back in the Velvet Room? You said that you would never be strong enough to face your Shadow.....yet, you kept all of that bottled inside......what happened in the past is in the past...and that can't be changed.....and living with that fact is hard: it's THAT kind of strength that you have that no one else has....Rye, you ARE strong." Jacob said, smiling a bit "It's that kind of strength that is required to accept yourself fully and be able to live without any fear or regret."

"Do you.....really think so?" Ryland asked, looking at both the otter and husky; Nate nodded.

"Yeah....and it's not just that: you have friends that you can lean on to help you, to lend you their strength......they-no," Nate corrected himself, smiling "we won't let you go through it alone.....we'll be with you, every step of the way.....I was only able to accept myself when I realized that.....and you can too...."

Slowly and gently, the otter nudged the fox forward to his Shadow, nodding when Rye looked back and giving an "are you sure?" look. Both Jacob and Nathan nodded, smiling; Jacob even went as far as walking up with Jacob and standing next to him.

Taking a deep breath and letting it out, Ryland walked up to his Shadow and began talking.

"As long as I could remember, I wanted to be my own person: I came from a rich family......yet the money, much like others, never gave me any real happiness. I knew that money could buy me whatever I wanted, yet it never gave me what I truly desired; acceptance, friendship, a chance to be normal.....My parents, when they asked me what I wanted to do with my life, I told them 'I want to be like a normal kid....' They believed in me.

"I chose to go to public schools, so I could learn how to be normal: I had, and have, a job so I can pay for my own food and clothing and such, I never asked my parents for anything that I knew that I could get myself....I wanted to work hard to make a living, not grow up with money to spend whenever I want some.....yet, the one thing I couldn't do was make friends.

"During the second grade, I met a wolf by the name of Michael.....and I instantly fell in love with him. We talked and, on accident, I said I liked him; at first I thought he'd hate me and say "go away"....but he only smiled and said he liked me too....we instantly became friends. As the years went by, we got closer and closer until one day he asked me out.....I couldn't say yes fast enough......." Ryland confided, chuckling at the memory "We became a couple after only one date....but, our relationship was short-lived: about only one year......

"On our anniversary, in high school, Michael told me to meet him at a restaurant: I said okay and, after school, I got into my car. I was so excited I.....I didn't pay attention to who was behind me.......and I hit someone.......when I got out and saw who it was, I nearly passed out myself: it was my wolf. I don't remember who specifically called 911, but all I remember was that an ambulance came and they took him away.

"When I got to the hospital, I asked him how he was.....they said that he fractured some rips and one of his lungs were punctured from the impact......they didn't need to tell me that he wasn't going to survive: I, literally, felt my heart just shatter, I refused to register that fact and I even started yelling at the doctor to try and do whatever they could to save him.....I even offered to take some money from my family's account to pay for the operation.....yet they told me there was nothing they could do....

"When I went into his room, he only smiled and welcomed me as warmly as he would before: I felt horrible. I tried to act happy to see he was looking okay...but I knew the fact that he'd die by the end of the day, just like the doctors said. He said that he didn't blame me or was angry at me for hitting him, even when I said that I couldn't forgive myself. He said that he knew he'd die....and I couldn't help but just cry on his chest.

"About ten minutes before he died, he apologized for not being able to be there for me anymore. I told him that he shouldn't feel bad for me: he was the one that was dying, not me. As we talked for the last time, he pulled out a little present from his pocket and told me it was for our anniversary. When I opened it, it was a home-made bracelet...the same one I'm wearing now: it was the same color as the earing I usually wear, sky blue, and was made out of glass beads.....I've never taken it off. As a dying wish, he asked me to "find someone that loves me more than he could...." As impossible as that sounded, I agreed.....then, he took one last breath and said he loved me before closing his eyes for good....." Ryland's fist began to clench up, his eyes closing as he felt a tear stream down his face.

"I never wanted him to die; I wanted to be with Michael for our entire lives.....I made a promise to myself that I'd never love anyone else other than Michael, even though it contradicts his promise I made to him.....I loved him with all my heart, and he's gone now......" he looked up and wiped his eyes with his paw from behind his glasses.

"That pain stayed with me throughout the rest of my life......it made me want to not trust my heart again: I thought that if I fell in love again, then they'd only get hurt by my carelessness again....I don't want to hurt anyone else.....I don't want to hurt anyone period......but, denying that would be the same as going against Michael.....and I could never do that....I wasn't running away from the pain, I was only making it worse on myself......" he smiled softly, chuckling.

"You know, I think I know what you were actually doing: you knew I was suffering because I refused to acknowledge the pain of losing my first love......I thought that if I just forgot it, then the pain would go away...but it made it worse instead of better; when you tried to remind me of the pain, you thought that if I remembered it, then I'd remember my promise to Michael and keep going......you hoped that I'd convert my pain into strength."

The fox soon smiled genuinely "I'm sorry I ignored you, tried to think you were wrong.....but, in reality, I was wrong: you and I.....we're the same...."

Ryland's Shadow nodded, smiling softly as he soon began to fade away into a blue mist: as the shadow faded, a new figure appeared in replace; he was wearing a white jumpsuit, yet it didn't take away the fact that he looked very much like a ninja, and had a head that resembled the toad's when he was a Shadow; the scarf was still there like before, the color being the same: an icy blue....yet there was something off with him a little: he had blue cameo gloves with huge white throwing stars in his palms, his shoes were pointed, like a disco dancer's, and the ankles of his pants were the same as his gloves.....not to mention that the eyes of the toad also became his ears. The last thing that was distinctive about him was the 'V' on his chest, resembling the mouth of the toad's.

"Whoa....." Ryland said, outstretching his paw and letting the figure transform into a card just like Markolo did; the Tarot Card hovered and turned in his paw, the picture of the Persona soon changing to that of a person folding fire with both hands.....the number on the bottom this time, unlike Nathan's being "0", was an "I".

Elizabeth walked over and looked at the card, smiling.

"Well done, Ryland.....you have your own Persona now." She explained. Nate walked over and rested his paw on the fox's shoulder.

"You're Arcana is the Magician, since it's "I"......congratulations." He said.

"What's your Persona's name?" Elizabeth asked. Ryland, quickly, thought of one.

"Would Belumith be okay?" he asked; both of them nodded, and Elizabeth quickly recorded his Persona in the Compendium she was carrying.

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

As soon as Ryland had his Persona, the fox crumbled to a knee; everyone rushed to him.

"Hey, you okay?" Nate asked, pulling Rye to his feet quickly and draping an arm over his shoulder; the fox nodded as he struggled to his feet: at least he could walk.....when the otter had his Persona, Johnny had to carry him out.

"I'm okay.....just....a little tired...." He muttered, his body swaying uneasily from side-to-side; Jacob moved to him quickly and caught him right as we was about to fall.

"Whoa there, come on......let's get you home......" he said, pulling him back up and carrying him by an arm as to help keep his balance; everyone agreed that they've been in Tartarus long enough, so they started walking to the control device so Igor could bring them back.

As they walked, Nathan stayed back with Johnny so they could talk: the orca didn't say a word after the fight.

"Johnny, are you okay?" Nate asked a little worried for the orca; at once Johnny wrapped his arms around the otter and pulled him into a bear hug.

"Don't you EVER scare me like that again, okay?!" he whispered harshly into the otter's ear, pulling away and showing him his red eyes: he was so worried for Nathan during the fight that he nearly cried himself dry.

"J-Johnny....." slowly, Nathan rested his head on the orca's shoulder and nuzzled into him ".....I'm sorry....I didn't mean to scare you by fighting.....I promise, I won't do _ANYTHING_dangerous again....." the otter raised a paw in solemn oath: he would keep his word, no matter what.

The orca, knowing the otter meant well, still sniffled a bit and hugged him tightly: he rested his head on Nate's, kissing his head lovingly.

"I hope so....'cause if you DO something dangerous....the Shadows are gonna be the least of your worries, got it Ottie?"

Nathan nodded quickly, pushing his face into Johnny arms again: he felt really bad for doing that to him, scaring his Orcy that badly to make him cry.

'I should make it up to him somehow, that'd only be fair.....' he thought, happy now that they get to leave Tartarus: he was tired, moreso after that battle with Ryland's Shadow.....he had to admit, fighting Shadows was fun...so he had to come back soon....but, maybe when Johnny felt better about letting him fight.

'He's so protective....' he thought, chuckling in his head 'and that's what I love about him....'

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

After a while, the group made its way to the device and Elizabeth requested for Igor to bring them back to the Velvet Room; Jacob was holding up Ryland by his arm and helping him walk and Nathan staying close to Johnny. In a flash, they all appear inside the Velvet Room again, Igor waiting patiently with his usual smile.

At lightning speed, Elizabeth moved to him and whispered to Igor what happened in Tartarus, almost word-for-word; he nodded and chuckled.

"Another one accepted has found his inner self, I see?" He cleared his throat, the smile on his face widening as he spoke again.

"Mr. Lawrence, Mr. Osworth, I would like to talk to you before you leave.......as for the rest of you, I thank you for coming on Elizabeth's request.....I look forward to seeing you next class," he merely chuckles afterward and says no more. Both nodded as Nate helped Rye to his feet and off of the husky; Jake, surprisingly, seemed a little worried about him.....but, nonetheless, shrugged him off and moved out of the door. Jacob could almost see the dark hue around the orca's head, so he could tell he was in a bad mood.

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

Once the two were outside, alone, Johnny immediately let out a yell; his fist immediately went for the wall, making a soft "thud."

"Dammit! I'm so.......frickin'.......useless!" the husky cringed at the yell, yet he could relate how he felt.....he felt that way at one point in his life; he put his paw on Johnny's shoulder.

"Hey, calm down J; I know how you're feeling....." Jacob said reassuringly.....the attempt was completely blown off by the orca, though; he shook his head, walking over to a nearby open-air garden space and sitting in grass; his body flopped onto the cool ground and his eyes wandered to the sky......he let out a deep sigh.

"I just......I want to protect him, show him I'm always there for him; but, now, I feel like....." His eyes flashed along the sky "......like its Nate that's protecting me instead....."

Jacob walked over and sat himself next to the orca: he could see how Johnny would feel, seeing that Nate (and now Ryland) had a Persona and letting him fight for his mate.....but, at the same time, he failed to see the problem as to why that it WOULD be a problem.

"So? What's wrong with that? I mean, I overheard Elizabeth say you and your otter were unique.....so maybe you're gain your Persona soon too...that way you can protect him....." he said. Johnny leaned up and smiled.

"I guess you're right......maybe I just need to wait......wait and hope that I'll be able to protect him soon too....maybe even fight by his side," He looked down a bit, a little sheepish now "I'm sorry for ignoring you, dude.....but you HAVE to admit: Nate sure knows how to fight, right?"

Jacob cocked his head to the side a bit, looking to the ground as Johnny said that.

'Is he trying to ignore the pain? Ignore it and hide it?' He thought...but he shook his head and smiled "Yeah, that was something......."

After a bit of time scrounging his brain for a topic, he managed to get a tid-bit of info Nate told him this afternoon: Johnny was gonna somehow get him on the swimming team since he was late in handing in his application.

"So," he dragged out, a little unsure on how to talk to Johnny when alone "Are you gonna try and get Nate on the Swim Team tomorrow? He told me you would...." He trailed off, not wanting to sound like he's snooping into other people's business. The orca never suspected a thing, merely laughing and rolling onto his stomach casually.

"Well, yeah! Duh! We both LOVE the water....and I already knew he'd want to join, even before he asked to join."

Jacob nodded in acknowledgement, now trying to think of another topic: he settled on one pretty quickly.

"I have another question: why are you almost always shirtless? Is it, like, a "thing" with your species or something?"

Johnny merely laughs and smiled, standing up and shaking his head.

"Now many shirts fit me.....so I don't wear any that often...."

Jacob chuckled and took the orca's outstretched hand, being pulled to his feet; the orca couldn't help but let out a giggle...making both of them laugh more.

"Well then, let's go back to our houses for now once Rye and Nate are done with talking to Igor and Elizabeth." Johnny said as the two walked out to wait in front of the door; as soon as they got there, the door opened up with the two furs waving goodbye for Igor. Surprisingly, Nathan was holding Ryland up.....who looked like he was about to pass out on his shoulder; everyone could hear his slow, relaxed breathing.

'How did he......?!' Both J and Jake thought; Nate understood and chuckled sheepishly, motioning Jacob to take the fox. He nodded and moved to him quickly.

"Let's get you home, Rye: you need a nap." Rye smiled a little back and try to wiggle free of the husky's grip.

"I can walk home on my own.....oof!" He let out tripping over his own feet; luckily the orca was close and he managed to catch the fox easily, smiling as the fox fumbled to his feet again.

"C'mon, let him help: that wasn't exactly "child's play" what you faced....so, for now, let us help you. Don't forget what Nate-" He cut himself off, smiling as he corrected himself "I mean, what Ottie said: we're always here for you, just like any good friend would."

Slowly, he moved him into Jacob's arms: the husky nodded and almost had to bear hug him to keep him from falling over again, but they all managed to get Rye with Jake and on their way home. In a way, J didn't think the fox trusted him....at least, not enough to say anything to him; to be completely honest with himself, though, he couldn't blame him: he did seem a little intimidating when hovering around Nathan.......but he didn't care: he wants to keep an eye on his mate at ALL times.

Smiling, the orca wrapped his arms around the otter and pulled him close to his chest; they began moving through the silent school to the door....and soon through the almost eerie-looking neighborhood. Along the way, the orca managed to whip out his cell and send a quick text to someone.

"Who'd you text in the middle of the night?" Nate asked blushing sheepishly at the hug he was getting as the two walked.

"No one, really: just Dave, reminding him of something I guess." He replied back calmly, chuckling a bit and wearing a goofy-looking smile. Nate pondered no further than that.

He merely nodded and shrugged, pushing back into the orca and murmuring in the embrace; his mind was still thinking about how to make it up to the orca for scaring him....maybe he should volunteer in making dinner one day.

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

The two arrived back at home after some time; Nate got so tired, and enjoyed the hug so much, he dozed off and the orca had to carry him the rest of the way......yet Johnny didn't mind: it was cute how Nathan slept. J pushed the door open with his foot, the text to Dave being to leave the door open a bit, and closes it again with his foot. Sighing, he moved upstairs and gently laid Nate on the bed; he carefully stripped away the bulky clothing he wore and he, in turn, stripped down to what he usually slept in (i.e. nothing). He pulled the covers up and wrapped his arm around his mate and pulled him closer to his chest......he kissed the otter's forehead gently and chuckled to himself.

** "Good night, my love......sleep well, you earned it." He whispered, resisting himself from doing anything else: Nate was asleep...and he needed that sleep for tomorrow. He merely shrugged and slowly relaxed himself so he could join his boyfriend.**

'Tomorrow will certainly be interesting.........' he thought as he smiled and soon drifted into pleasant sleep.

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

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