Persona: Rise of a New Wild Card

Chapter 9: First Strike pt 2

"Caesar!" The door blew open launching the doors at the shadow sending it flying into the far back wall. A loud crash was heard as everyone turned to see Akihiko standing in the doorway. As the shadow got back up from being launched yet another voice was heard. The shadow fired its heavy shell. "Zeus!" Zeus came down crashing on shadow which completely crushed the shadow into dust. From behind Akihiko was Junpei, the two of them stepped forward as they held out their hands to help everyone up. "Dude what the hell happened? Kirijo-senpai told us that you guys were in trouble with Strega. I thought we kicked their asses out of this world." Makoto took Junpei aside as he explained everything. The group gathered together and reestablished everything. Thankfully everyone was alright, except for Makoto who had a serious gash over the side of his head. Everyone rushed out of the base as they made their way to the Tatsumi hospital. Maki was severely worried about her father as the moment the Dark Hour vanished he passed out in front of the hospital.

Yukari and Junpei took Makoto into the hospital as Akihiko took the kids back to their homes. Maki and Kojiro were worried the whole time about Makoto. Kotone and Shinjiro heard about the incident only after Kojiro got back home. "Is Makoto alright? I knew I should have gone a long." Shinjiro hugged Kotone as she started to cry while feeling guilty about not being there to help Makoto take out the shadow. As Yukari and Junpei were sitting in the waiting room to get caught up on Makoto's condition they started to talk about what they've been up to the past several years. "So Yuka-tan... How've you two been? I saw you guys got a kid. I'm a bit worried about Chidori. She told me to come help you guys after I had a strange nightmare. I guess I'm glad I came but I'm still worried. She's due very soon." Yukari was stunned as she hadn't known Chidori was due with a child. "You guys sure are having one later than the rest of us." Yukari went silent as she started to remember just how harsh she'd been to Junpei their whole lives. "Yeah... But hey, I'm sure our daughter would love to spend time with her aunt Yukari when she gets old enough."

Junpei patted Yukari on the back as she started crying. "Junpei, I've been such a horrible friend to you for so long. I mean I've done nothing but berate you for almost the entire time we've known each other. Stupei Ace Defective, I've done nothing nice to you for so long... I-I'm sorry." Junpei didn't know what to do other than hug Yukari as she was crying. "Yuka-tan... I forgive you, you're not the worst person ever. Takaya earns that right. But hey, we're always gonna be friends. Plus we've got Makoto to worry about right now. Don't sweat it." Junpei smiled as Yukari looked up at him. She'd realized he finally grew up and was truly ready to be a father and a great friend. She smiled as she returned the hug. A doctor came out telling them that they could visit Makoto now that he was in stable condition. Upon entering the room he was hooked up to a lot of medical machinery which was feeding him medicine to help him not be in pain. "Junpei... You didn't have to come you know that. Chidori needs you right now." Makoto's voice seemed very tired. Junpei just scratched the back of his head as he laughed. "Don't sweat it man, you're my best friend. Plus Chidori was the one who told me to come help you guys." 

Yukari and Junpei sat next to Makoto as they pat him on his leg showing they were there for him and wouldn't be leaving his side until he recovered. Makoto smiled as he went to sleep. The rest of the night was strange for father and daughter. Maki and Makoto both had the same dream from their own perspective. They saw the two of the facing Takaya, the leader of Strega but it was just the two of them. For Makoto he saw Takaya aim his pistol and shot Maki in the chest. Makoto had to sit and watch as Maki fell to the floor with a bullet wound. Jin was holding him down with an evil Chidori as he had to watch his only child die. For Maki she was in the same position but reversed roles. Jin and Chidori were holding her down as she had to watch Takaya shoot Makoto in the chest as he fell to the floor dead. Neither of them had much in the way of good dreams since then. Makoto was soon discharged from the hospital as Yukari and Junpei helped him get back to their house. Junpei told the two. "I know Chidori would understand, but I'm staying with you guys until this shit is dealt with. Sanada-san told me he was gonna join back to."

Makoto and Yukari let Junpei sleep on the couch. Maki and Kojiro started to bond quite a bit with their uncle Junpei. "Hey uncle Junpei? From your point of view how did my parents fall in love?" Maki was very curious. Junpei looked very nervous as he didn't know what he could or couldn't reveal. "Uh... Well... When I joined SEES we started off as good friends but real quick I noticed your father and mother started to get really friendly together. I think when the original SEES group first visited Yakushima they truly made it official that they were dating. We also met your robot's sister Aigis while we were there. Those two have never been separated since. Except for that one time..." Junpei cut himself off but he was to late, Maki was now badgering him about the one time her parents weren't together. Yukari walked in as she heard Maki asking Junpei, "Come on uncle Junpei. What happened with my parents for them to be separated. It was right as the school year ended huh?" Yukari scared her daughter as she said, "You wish to know?" Maki screamed as Junpei started to laugh. "I could tell you plenty about what happened. But that's up to your father AND me to decide. If he want's to tell you then he can but until I know for certain he wishes to tell you I'm not going to say a word. I expect uncle Junpei to keep true to that promise as well." Maki crossed her arms as she pouted. She had even more questions now.