Persona 4 FYL

"Whew! Finally!" Yosuke dropped his bundle of firewood to the cave floor, coughing as dust was kicked up from the impact. "Agh, sorry..."

Souji peered around at the bare walls and domed ceiling of the very spacious cavern as Chie berated Yosuke for his poor judgment. It was a very deep cave that showed signs of continuous formation, although the withering of the land had affected even this veiled haven. No water could be heard from within, and the only sound came from outside as the wind howled past the cave's narrow entrance.

"Well, at least it's roomy," said Chie with a smile as she laid her firewood on top of Yosuke's pile. "And sheltered, too."

"That's what I said when I first found it!" smiled Teddie. "But it was a lot prettier then... At least my newest projects should still be okay..."

"Oh! Are you still making glasses, Teddie?" Yukiko said in curiosity.

"Nope! I moved on to something else! Maybe I'll show you later once we fix everything." The bear jumped up and clapped his paws together. "Hey, I have some extra food further in! They're just some more animal cracker boxes, but at least it's something! I'll go get them!"

"Thanks, Teddie," said Rise with a smile. Souji noticed how fake that one was, too.

"Okay, that should be all of the firewood." Kanji brushed his hands off and nodded to Yukiko, who summoned Amaterasu to light the fire. The blaze crackled to life and warmth flooded the cave, and the group gave a collective sigh of relief as they were granted a respite from the biting cold.

Souji looked at everyone as they huddled in a circle around the fire. His eyes fell upon Naoto sitting at his left and staring absentmindedly into the crackling flames, her own silver-blue orbs reflecting the dancing oranges and yellows. He moved closer to her and leaned forward to look into her pale face. "What's wrong, Naoto?"

"Huh?" Naoto blinked as she stared dully at Souji as though noticing his presence for the first time. "Oh... I'm fine. The stress is affecting me, that's all."

"Aw, come on, Naoto-kun!" Rise grinned as she nudged Naoto on her opposite side. "You just gotta think positive!"

"...Like you?" Naoto's eyes became colder as she glared at Rise. I don't need her mollycoddling. I've got too much to think about right now.

"Uh..." Rise's false composure crumbled, her eyes filled with hurt. "...Y-yeah... like me..."

"That's enough." Souji spoke firmly, surprising both Rise and Naoto from their tense conversation. "I don't want us to fight. We have other things to take care of right-"

"...You're taking her side again?" Rise's face turned red, her eyes narrowing in anger as her voice became as icy as Naoto's.

Souji blinked, stunned. "I didn't say that I-"

"Don't give me that! It's always the same with you!" Rise stood up, glaring down at Souji with rage.

"What?" Chie looked between Souji and Rise in perplexed confusion. "Souji-kun doesn't-"

"Oh, get real, Chie! Souji-kun always takes Naoto-kun's side! I mean, why wouldn't he?!"

Naoto blushed slightly, looking stricken and guilty. "No, he doesn't always-"

No one except Souji noticed the flash of red and the thunderous boom that echoed as clearly within the cave as it had when they were outside. Not even Rise, whose temper towered too much to even care about the change in color or the flames frozen in time.

"Yes, he does always take her side! It's not fair! Why does she get Souji-kun?! Why do I have to be the one who's alone and miserable?!"

Yukiko winced helplessly. "Rise-chan--"

"Shut up, shut up, shut up!!" Rise shrieked, stomping her foot on the ground three times for emphasis. "What do you guys know about me?! You never even called! Not once! None of you! Ever!!"

"Look," said Kanji, trying to stay calm in spite of his discomfort, "we know you've been hurtin', and we know how you feel, but-"

"'Know how I feel?! You don't know anything at all!" Rise's eyes were wide, almost hysterical.

Yosuke stood up and approached, reaching his hand out toward Rise to try and calm her down. "Then.. why don't you just sit down and tell us about-"

Rise slapped the hand aside. "No! Just leave me alone! And you!" She rounded on Souji, who blinked in astonishment at the suddenness of being addressed. "Don't worry about me! Just... go back to Naoto-kun and get all coz--"

"...I can see..."

"Oh, crap on a stick." Yosuke moved back, as did everyone else, their eyes widening as the shadowed wraith materialized behind Rise.

"See?! S-see what?!" An unexplainable chill pierced Rise's burning rage, turning this way and that to locate the source of the rasping whisper.

"...I can see your--"

"Hey, guys!" Teddie bounded up behind the group, holding multiple boxes of animal crackers in his arms. "I found the food! Time to dig i--... Huh? What--"

"...fear..."

The wraith suddenly split in half, but it possessed two heads instead of one. A loud rip sounded throughout the cave, and the cloaked horror had become two, one of them diving into the cave floor as the other remained near Rise, who had turned at the sound of the tearing cloth.

Her eyes widened once again, but the hysteria had become pure terror as the apparition grew pigtails that seemed to hover in the air. The face became, as usual, gaunt and withered, empty sockets obtaining the blood-red pinpricks for eyes.

Unable to stop herself, Rise let out a high-pitched scream and fell to her knees, hiding her face in her hands.

"Boohoo! Poor little you, huh?!" The dark Rise cackled, its sharp teeth bared in a vicious grin. "Service with a big smile, even though you haven't seen everybody in two years! Still hiding behind Risette, I see!"

"Huh?!" Rise was taken aback by the doppelganger's words. "I... I'm not--"

"You are, stupid!" It bent forward, the narrow red pinpricks piercing Rise's vision. "You're so good at that, you know. Putting on an act, playing a role, being someone you're not! Welcome to the big time, baby! You're in deep shit, and it's as hot as you are! ...But it still can’t attract the fly you want."

"Wh- no! That's-"

"'Oooh, I love you, Souji-kun! I adore you, Souji-kun!' Blah, blah, blah! It was all in one ear and out the other, and he chose the plain girl, the normal girl! But you still wore the big smile, didn't you? The ‘mask of Risette’, your safety net!"

"No, no, NO!!" Rise quaked on the ground, her eyes filled with tears that she could no longer hold back.

The doppelganger strode around Rise in a circle, prancing like a kid in a candy store. "Just accept it, Risette! You haven't changed!"

"I... I have! No, I did change! I really did!!"

"H-hey!" squeaked Teddie from behind the group, his entire suit shivering. "L-leave Rise-chan alone, you big bul--"

"Why bother saying anything?" spoke a deep voice behind Teddie, a rasping undertone hidden within. "You're the same as she is, after all."

"Wha? S-same?!" Teddie turned around and fell backward as a second pair of fiery red irises stared unblinkingly at him from the shadows of the cave. Their owner walked forward into the light, revealing a ragged and broken version of the bear suit, yet deformed into a ferocious, feral state with wild hair and sharp teeth gnashing in its maw.

"Of course," said the dark Teddie, and Souji couldn't help but feel reminded of Teddie's 'shadow' self from five years ago. "Your entire body conceals your pain. It is your armor for blocking out that which hurts you to know, to feel, to understand."

"N-no... T-that isn't... I..." Teddie whined as he stumbled over his words, unable to think clearly.

"You smile, you joke, you laugh. But you know that it must all end sometime. And then it's back to the playpen for you. No longer wanted, no longer needed, no longer accepted. An outcast among those whom you once believed truly cared about you, your feelings, your welfare. No matter what happens, you'll always be nothing more than a Shadow, doomed to be different."

"No!" Teddie whimpered as he raised his laden arms to his large head, inadvertently dropping all of the boxes. "They do accept- They, I--"

"You have not changed," the wraith Teddie persisted coldly. "You're still just a weak, defenseless, pitiful little cub."

"Weak!" echoed the dark Rise with a shrill laugh. "Weak and stupid! Nothing but a weak, stupid little kid!"

"Enough."

Souji spoke loudly and firmly, causing both of the evil clones to turn to face him. Yosuke and Chie moved to defend Teddie, and Yukiko and Kanji followed Souji as he strode between the two Rises.

"No one's allowed to tease Teddie but me!" said Yosuke angrily. "And not the hurt-feelings kind of teasing, either!"

Teddie's overlarge lenses glistened vibrantly. "S-senseiii... Yyyyooosukeee!!"

"You're not alone either, Rise-chan!" said Yukiko, putting a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder. "We all wore masks, too."

"Ev... everyone..!" Rise choked on her sobs, unable to speak further.

"Oh, please!" cackled the wraith Rise snidely. "You think you guys can really save them from themselves?!"

"Your efforts are foolish and useless." The darker Teddie shook it's mangy head. "There is nothing you can do to stop the events that have been set in motion."

"...But Sensei will keep fighting anyway." Teddie said quietly as he got to his feet, staring unblinkingly at his freakish double. "Sensei has hope... So...so don't you even try to put him down!"

"He will be destroyed. There is no place for him in--"

"No place? No place?!" Teddie shook with fury, gripping his claw in his paw. "Oh, that does it! It's bear time now!"

"...And what do you hope to accomplish on your own? As I said... your efforts are useless." The black-colored, feral Teddie melted into the ground, appearing to fade into the shadows of the cave.

"Oh yeah?! He's not alone!!!" Chie snarled, her fists clenched in anger as she started forward. However, she gasped as her path was blocked by Rise's cackling clone.

"You should be worrying more about yourself, creampuff!" The withered Rise sneered as it produced two wicked and jagged chakrams, holding one in each hand. It sprinted forward at Chie as the cave floor rose and rippled beneath them, a much larger version of the Teddie doppelganger rising from the dusty earth... and yet it was the dusty earth, its hollow eye sockets shining with the pinpricks of blood-red light like dying stars. It's size paled in comparison even to that of Teddie's Shadow from so long ago, the top of its head barely brushing against the ceiling.

Yosuke glared at the massive enemy as he summoned Susano-O into being, sending a Garudyne attack at it with the rotary blades. He gawked as the cutting winds were deflected easily by the earthen bear, causing him to retreat backward in panic.

Chie raged as she tried her hardest to kick at Rise's dark clone, but none of her strikes seemed fast enough to connect. "C-creampuff?! CREAMPUFF?! Urgh, stop moving, dammit!"

"It's not my fault you're so slow!" the doppelganger taunted, pushing Chie backward as it caught her heel with the inner edge of one of its chakrams. "...Slow in the head!"

Chie stumbled backwards, but was quickly replaced by Yukiko before the apparition could capitalize. Yet in spite of her own efforts, the dark-haired beauty couldn’t land a strike from her fan. When she attempted to use Agidyne, her opponent leaped into the air to avoid it, kicking off from the ceiling and slicing at Yukiko with both weapons. Yukiko only barely managed to dive to the side before she was hit, tumbling across the dusty floor.

"Th-the hell?!" Kanji snarled as one of his own blows hit the massive Teddie, and yet didn't seem to connect, the blow stopping mere inches from the earthen surface. "It's like this bastard's shielded or something!" He dove aside to avoid a particularly heavy swipe of a clay claw, cursing under his breath.

"Comin' through!" yelled Teddie as he charged at his much larger double, his claw thrusting forward and striking at the invisible shield, generating a sound similar to rending metal.

"Just roll over and die already!" The dark Rise knocked Yukiko back as it tumbled swiftly aside to dodge a strike from Suzuka Gongen's laser blades. "We keep telling you guys it's useless!"

Rise shivered where she sat, watching the battle with a pained expression. "Why.. I... I feel so useless! I wanna help! I wanna fight too! But... I can't! What can I do?!" She looked around frantically, trying to see if there was some way, any way she could help her friends. As she turned, her eyes caught a glimmer of shining steel near her right leg, and she gave an audible gasp as she realized what it was.

"You're sooo boring, Souji-kun!" The dark Rise sneered as one of its blows was deftly blocked by the silverette. He had taken over for Yukiko and managed to hold his own, but he was stuck in total defense, for to summon Izanagi to his aid would render him vulnerable.

"Yeah," nodded the doppelganger to itself. "I think I'll just save us all some heartache and kill you now!" It lunged forward, its fearsome weapons moving to strike, but it stumbled backward as someone moved in front of Souji, blocking the slash with a pair of shining, silver chakrams. "H-huh?! Wait, you're not supposed to-"

"You just crossed the line, you bitch!!" Rise yelled at her twin in outrage, her weapons held tight in her hands as she unleashed a flurry of slashes. Caught completely off-guard, the wraith stumbled backward to avoid the lightning-quick slashes of her new adversary.

"Wow, I think that Rise-thing is what's keeping the shield up!" Teddie said as he, Yosuke, and Kanji dodged a particularly vicious swipe of the earthen doppelganger's massive claw, causing the ground to shake violently beneath everyone's feet. "Keep it up, Rise-chan!"

"Why do you continue to struggle?" The clay Teddie boomed, glaring pitilessly at the group. "No matter how much you fight against it, you cannot alter destiny."

"Well, we're just stubborn people, I guess," remarked Yukiko with a smile. "And besides, we have this bad habit of choosing our own destinies."

"Like right now! Mrrawr!!" Teddie reared back again and slammed his claw into the shield. This time, it shattered with a deafening crash, and the bear's heavy weapon collided hard with the dusty clay nose of the feral clone. It leaned forward with a loud roar, stunned by the unexpected breach in its defenses.

"What do guys think about giving the Teddie wannabe an old-school beatdown?!" grinned Yosuke, catching everyone's attention.

Souji nodded firmly as he raised his sword into an attack stance. "Let's do it."

"All right!" bellowed Kanji, lifting the plate above his arms. "Let's kick some ass!"

"Here we go!" cried Chie as she and Yukiko charged at the dazed clay bear, and the combined assault kicked up a dense cloud of clay dust. The massive Teddie clone's roar of fury caught the dark Rise's attention, forcing it to turn to its partner with a horror-struck gaze.

"No! You stupid- YAAH!!" It squealed as Rise grabbed its hair from behind and pulled, causing it to stumble backward and flail its arms out to keep its balance. But before it could correct itself, Rise's fist slammed hard into the doppelganger's hollow left cheek. Caught off-guard by the sudden punch, the wraith could do nothing as the idol spun around on the spot, keeping hold of her copy's black pigtails as she built momentum like a discus thrower.

Rise yelled loudly with the exertion of the spin as she let the other Rise go, hurling it directly at the head of the huge clay Teddie just as it regained its senses. A shrill scream and a roar of indignation sounded in unison as the two apparitions collided with a loud crash, kicking up another cloud of dust as the rest of the party moved away from what was now a messy amalgam of black sludge and cracked, dry clay. The two separate voices had vanished entirely, replaced with the ferocious, rasping whisper that, in spite of the weakened state of their fallen opponents, seemed much stronger than before.

"....fff...f....feeeearr...."

The earth and sludge collapsed in upon itself. The dust mixed with billowing clouds of shadowy fog, forcing the party to cover their eyes to keep from becoming blinded. But the debris settled quickly, and within moments a light mist was all that remained of their foes. All was quiet and still.

A loud clatter broke the silence, and Rise felt herself fall forward as tiredness overtook her. She expected to feel herself hit the cold clay, but a pair of warm arms caught her instead, keeping her upright as much as possible.

"S.Sou..." The idol shivered, and clung to Souji as he lowered her gently to the ground. "..I'm... so sorry, Souji-kun..."

"Don't be silly, Rise," said Souji with a gentle smile. Rise returned it with a sniffle, but her eyes shimmered with joy.

"You... you're always so cool, Souji-kun." Rise shook her head as she giggled softly. "That's... one of the reasons I admire you so much..."

"You okay, kid?" Kanji knelt down at Rise's other side.

"I am now... Thanks, Kanji-kun." The idol smiled as she gave her other friend a gentle hug. Kanji returned it awkwardly, a pink flush creeping into his cheeks.

"Good job, Ted." Yosuke grinned broadly as he patted Teddie on his blue head. "You made us proud."

The bear sniffled much more loudly than Rise did. "Th-thanks, Yosuke... Can... can I call you "big bro?""

"Wha?" Yosuke was taken aback by the unexpected request. "I, uh... Aw, heck. Why not? You're practically a brother to me anyway!"

"Aww, that's sweet!" Chie grinned as she looked between the pair, causing Yosuke to blush slightly.

"What about "Big Bear-osuke"?" asked Teddie innocently.

"Err.. don't push your luck, "little bro"." Yosuke shook his head, but smiled all the same. Chie and Yukiko both snorted as they struggled to hold in their laughter.

"Um..." Everyone turned as Rise's voice rose over everyone else's. "Is.. is it okay if.. I talk to you guys? I think I need to figure some things out, and.. I can't do it on my own."

"Of course." Yukiko smiled as she walked over to them, giving Rise a gentle hug. "We're friends, aren't we?"

"We... yeah, we are." Rise's smile broadened, her eyes shimmering with tears as everyone gathered around her. "Teddie, you should talk too. You.. we have the same problem, so maybe..."

"O-okay, Rise-chan." The fuzzy bear sat down with the rest of the group. "It's so weird when I think about it. I was really, really happy at first. I mean, nothing really seemed wrong! I was protecting my home, I found a new hobby, and my job was important! I was helping everyone. And then..."

"It was the same for me," sighed Rise. "I don't get it. I really don't. When I went back to being an idol, it was hard work, like I expected. But it was more fulfilling than before, because of what I learned five years ago. I studied in my spare time, I travelled back to Inaba for vacation, and I eventually got my first movie contract! And then I graduated! It was awesome, and I was so happy!"

"Until two years ago." Souji's eyes looked between the group, and everyone nodded.

"It can't be coincidence," said Yukiko thoughtfully. "Something serious must have happened to make us so... depressed, so withdrawn."

"But why?" Rise shook her head as she reached up to rub at her temple. "What happened to me? What happened to Teddie? Why did this happen to us?"

"That," said a familiar voice, "is the real question, isn't it?"

Everyone turned and smiled broadly as Hotei approached, but no one expected Rise to leap to her feet and gasp aloud.

"H-hotei-kun?! Wha-what are you doing here?!"

"Huh?!" Yosuke looked bewildered. "You know him?"

"I do! ...At least, I think I do." Rise stared at Hotei worriedly. "Shouldn't I?"

"Indeed you should," smiled Hotei, his eyes twinkling behind his spectacles. "But your minds remain clouded. Your thoughts will clear when the time is right, but I'm here to provide you with further assistance, Kujikawa-san."

"Further?" Rise blinked, her eyes involuntarily darting toward the silver chakrams at her side. "...Wait! Did you give me those?"

"I did," chuckled Hotei, "when you asked for help."

"...Thanks, Hotei-kun!" Rise gave the elderly gentleman a hug. "They really did help a lot."

"And for that, I am glad," replied Hotei. "But there is still much to do before you and Teddie can move forward."

"Y-you know me too?!" Teddie gazed at Hotei in awe.

"That is correct. However, how well do you know yourselves?"

Rise blinked at the question, and looked down at the cave floor as she considered her answer. "...I don't think I know myself well at all."

"And I've been trying to figure myself out since the beginning," interjected Teddie. "But... that other Teddie talked about my suit being my 'armor' or something. What does that mean?"

Hotei hummed thoughtfully as he stroked his beard. "You are a very young soul, my friend. Have you ever had the impulse to hide when you see danger approaching?"

Teddie nodded. "All the time. I-- Yosuke, why are you laughing?!"

"S-sorry, Ted." Yosuke stifled his glee into a chuckle. "Couldn't help myself."

"Well," said Hotei, his eyes twinkling, "sometimes people hide behind masks to numb pain they might be experiencing. It is quite human to do so, but sadly, it does not allow someone to fix the problems they face."

"Well, I didn't have any real problems other than the fact that I was really lonely." Teddie sighed deeply as his thoughts drifted into his memories. "Even though I was doing important things, I was still really sad because I didn't see my friends anymore. I thought that I was a Teddie that was only needed here... only as a Shadow, and not as a friend."

"You silly bear!" Yukiko embraced Teddie, who let out a soft murr of approval. "You are our friend. Haven't we told you that before?"

"Well, yeah. But..." Teddie sighed again. "I keep going back to thinking I'm just a Shadow, even though I know I have you guys as frie--" The bear stopped, looking down at his suit in shock. "...a Shadow. My suit... Maybe if I..."

Hotei's eyes twinkled as he grinned at Teddie, and then he turned to Rise. "And what of you, Kujikawa-san?"

"I... felt the same way." The idol shivered again, sadness flooding her eyes. "I didn't think you guys needed me anymore. I couldn't help at all, I always seemed to get in the way and act like a kid... I mean, come on! I made a super-spicy cake, for crying out loud! But I didn't want you to worry about me, either, so..."

Hotei coughed. "Forgive my bluntness, Kuji--"

"Hotei-kun," interrupted Rise with a soft giggle, "I may not remember you, but I do know I told you to call me Rise-chan."

"Ah, yes. Forgive me, Rise-chan." Hotei grinned broadly, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Have you always worn your hair like that?"

"Huh?" Rise reached up her hand and felt at her left pigtail. "I... No, not until I began working as an idol. My old manager thought it would appeal more to fans."

"Much like your smile, as well, I suspect." Hotei smiled kindly at Rise as she appeared confused. "Not everyone has a physical mask behind which they hide, like young Teddie here. It can be much more abstract, such as work, or a hobby, or even an expression."

"An... expression?" Rise blinked as comprehension dawned upon her. "Like.. a smile?"

"Precisely."

"Hiding behind a smile..." Rise bowed her head in shame. "I didn't change. I never got rid of that fake smile like I said I would."

"You did change, Rise." Souji smiled as Rise jerked her head up to stare at him. "You made the choice to step forward and make a difference, just like before. And remember, you haven't been yourself, either."

"Souji-kun..." Rise looked down again, unable to look Souji in the eye. "I.. never stopped loving you, and I'm still very jealous of Naoto-kun. But that's a part of my fake smile right now... I need to let you go and walk my own path." Her gaze lifted, and she smiled genuinely. "Just don't think I'm letting you go as a friend, too! You've always been there for me, so I need to make sure I'm around to return the favor to you!"

"Teddie's here for you too, Sensei!"

Everyone blinked as the blond-haired, sparkling Teddie emerged from the bear costume dressed in his expensive Junes-brand clothing. "I'm not gonna feel bad for myself anymore, because then I won't be any help to Sensei and my friends!" He picked up his claw and brandished it high in the air. "No more hiding in the suit for me! As of this moment, I'm going to be a brave Teddie!"

"I'll be brave too!" grinned Rise. "For Souji-kun, for my friends... and for myself, too!"

Both Teddie and Rise gasped in amazement as two cards emerged into existence, one in front of each person. They were both transfixed by the soft, bluish glow as they reached out to touch them, and both cards shattered in a rush of blue flame. The fire rose into the air and formed into two Personas.

"Ka... Kanzeon..." Rise whispered in disbelief.

"Kamui!" Teddie squealed with glee. "My Bear-sona!"

"The chains have been severed," said the Personas softly in unison. "Your hearts have once more been opened to the truth."

The pair of Personas faded into the bluish flame, leaving the group in awed silence.

"So... that's everybody?" asked Rise, glancing around.

"No..." said Souji, looking sadly over at the gray-colored, frozen Naoto. "Not everybody."

"So Naoto's the only one left, huh?" Kanji looked toward her in concern. "I wonder what she's been keeping inside all this time."

"That's a good question," said Souji, turning toward Hotei. "Perhaps you can explain? I doubt she'll tell me on her own at this point."

"Yeah," agreed Yosuke. "I keep hearing Souji ask her about her problems, but she keeps deflecting him."

"I cannot explain," said Hotei sadly. "I'm afraid it is up to all of you to bridge the gap on your own."

"Bridge the gap?" repeated Chie in confusion. "What does that mean?"

"It means we have another Aspect to face."

Everyone turned to Souji when he spoke, his face remaining stoic as he watched Hotei's startled reaction.

"You... have an astounding intuitive mind, Seta-san. May I inquire as to what else you might have guessed?"

Souji leaned forward, his face grim. "...That Naoto summons these Aspects herself."

"Huh?!" Chie gasped at Souji's words. "Wait, wait! Naoto?! Naoto-kun's the most stable one out of all of us, except maybe Souji-kun! How can she... I mean, why would she..."

"That's what we need to figure out," said Yukiko thoughtfully. "And we need to do it ourselves... after we face this "Aspect", whatever it might be. We need to bridge the gap, like Hotei-kun said."

"Probably something like that Anger thing," said Kanji in annoyance. "Man, that thing was a pain in the ass."

"But what are we gonna be fighting this time, exactly?" said Rise concernedly. "I mean, the last one had us almost kill each other..."

"This time, you shall face the Aspect of Ruin," said Hotei firmly. "Such a foe is as massive as the destruction it generates. However, not only are such enemies indiscriminate regarding their tendencies, but such pursuits always leave one hollow. Do you not agree?"

"Massive doesn't help us at all, Hotei-san." Yosuke sighed deeply, running a hand through his orange hair.

"No, indeed it doesn't. But one must use all resources available to them to conquer the challenges they face." Hotei's eyes twinkled as he turned to Teddie. "Is that not so, my young friend?"

"Huh? Resour..." Teddie's blue eyes blinked for a moment before gaining their usual sparkle. "...AH! You mean.. we can use them?! Really?! Will they help??"

"Oh, I think they'll be more help to you all than you expect." Hotei's eyes twinkled brighter than ever.

"You mean they can help bridge the gap?" said Souji with a slight smirk.

"Now, Seta-san," grinned Hotei, "why would you ever think that?"

Souji returned the grin. "Because sometimes what one seeks lies just over the hill."

"You're learning, Seta-san." Hotei chuckled, turning to the rest of the group. "Now, I do believe it's time for you young people to continue your journey."

"Yeah, I think it's time to--" Yosuke began, but stopped as he noticed something missing. "Ted, where's your suit?"

"I got rid of it." Teddie smiled innocently. "I don't need it anymore, do I?"

"Wow, that was fast." Chie shook her head in surprise. "I guess that just leaves Rise, huh?"

"Me?" Rise blinked, her hand unconsciously rising to touch one of her pigtails. "...What do I have to do?"

"You just have to throw away the part of you that limits your growth as a human being," said Yukiko gently, "the part of you related to your wall."

"Really?" Rise moved her fingers up to the base of the pigtail, looking pained at the idea of letting her hair down. "...I'm so used to wearing my hair like this... Will it really matter, Hotei-kun?"

"Perhaps," replied the older gentleman. "This is a choice you must make on your own, just like any other. But you must consider this: Do you wish to remain tied to your past, or do you wish to let it go and forge the future on your own terms?"

Rise paused to consider the question. After a few moments, she smiled as she reached up with her other hand and removed both of the thin hairbands from her pigtails. She shook her hair out, allowing her silky red waves to cascade down her back and onto her shoulders as she tossed the hairbands aside.

"We will meet again, dear friends," said Hotei with a smile. "I have complete confidence in you. Good luck."

The grayness faded away, and color returned to the cave. The fire once again crackled to life, and all eyes were on Naoto as she turned to where they sat huddled together, her expression stony.

"...I believe this means I am the only one left to undergo a 'trial', then?"

Souji winced as he stood up and moved toward the detective. "Naoto, we--"

"No, you don't have to say anything, Souji-kun." Naoto turned away to stare blankly into the flames. "I understand."

"Naoto, would you please just--"

A loud crash echoed from outside the cave, and the ground shook heavily beneath them. Dust drifted ominously down from the ceiling of the cave, but it didn't collapse.

"Wh-what was that?!" Chie moved closer to Yosuke, her eyes wide in terror.

"Probably our uninvited guest," said Yosuke calmly. "Teddie, I think it's time you showed us this 'project' you've been working on."

"Gladly," grinned Teddie, his blue eyes sparkling with pride as he led the way deeper into the cave. "You're really gonna be surprised!"

Souji extended his hand to Naoto as everyone ran after Teddie. "Come on, Naoto."

Naoto shook her head as she gently pushed Souji's hand aside and stood up on her own. "Your assistance is unnecessary, Souji-kun. Thank you, but I'll be just fine on my--" She didn't finish as she pushed past Souji and rushed after the others, pulling the brim of her hat over her eyes to avoid seeing his hurt expression. It has to be this way, Souji-kun... I'm sorry. Maybe you'll understand someday.

Souji watched Naoto walk away, but his look was not one of hurt. It was one of understanding.

Bridge the gap... Hopefully this battle might do just that.