Fool's Gambit
A Persona 3 Fanfiction
Chapter 6: The Full Moon Beckons
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[3/6 - Evening]
The dorm was alive with tension.
The usual comfortable silence was replaced by an anxious energy—everyone knew what tonight meant. The first Full Moon battle.
Minato sat on the couch, arms crossed, his mind already moving ahead to the battle that awaited them.
"Alright, let's go over the plan one last time," Mitsuru said, her tone sharp as ever. She stood before the group, the glow from the television casting a cold light on her features. "Tonight's Shadow is expected to attack the monorail. Its abilities are unknown, but its location makes the battlefield highly dangerous."
Yukari sighed, gripping her Evoker. "Great. Fighting inside a moving train. That's not terrifying at all."
Junpei stretched, forcing a grin. "Hey, at least we're not fighting on top of the train… right?"
Akihiko chuckled. "Don't jinx it."
Mitsuru adjusted her glasses, ignoring the banter. "Minato, as our leader, I'll trust your judgment in battle. But remember—we cannot afford to lose."
Minato met her gaze. "We won't."
Mitsuru studied him for a moment before nodding. "Then let's move out."
[Full Moon Operation Commencing…]
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[3/6 - Midnight - The Dark Hour]
As the world shifted, the sickly green hue of the Dark Hour settled over the city. The distant hum of Shadows echoed through the air.
Minato and his team stood near the Iwatodai monorail station, the train still operational even in this twisted reality.
"There it is," Akihiko muttered.
A few train cars ahead, a mass of dark energy pulsed violently. Shadows oozed from the train, their distorted masks twitching as they sensed intruders.
"That must be where the Priestess is hiding," Mitsuru said over the communicator. "You need to reach the front before the train reaches its final stop—or else…"
She didn't need to finish.
If they failed, the train would crash, and innocent lives would be lost.
"We move," Minato ordered.
They ran forward, boarding the train as the doors hissed shut behind them.
The moment they stepped inside, the Shadows reacted.
"Here we go!" Junpei swung his sword as a group of Dancing Hands lunged at them.
"Persona!" Yukari fired her Evoker, summoning Io. A flurry of wind blades tore through the air, knocking back the Shadows.
Minato stayed calm. He could feel the Fool's power stirring.
But he wasn't here for small fights.
He was here for the real battle.
"Don't waste time," he ordered. "Keep moving!"
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[3/6 - Monorail Front Car]
They burst into the front car, and there it was.
Priestess.
The massive Shadow floated above them, draped in flowing white robes, her expression blank beneath an ornate mask. Multiple arms extended from her form, each one crackling with ice magic.
A chilling voice echoed through the train.
"Unworthy... Unfit... Unclean..."
The temperature dropped instantly. Frost formed along the walls, and Minato exhaled a misty breath.
"Shit, it's already using ice attacks?!" Junpei shivered, gripping his sword tighter.
Mitsuru's voice came through the communicator. "Priestess is an ice-based Shadow. Avoid using ice attacks, and be cautious of her Bufula spells!"
Minato didn't hesitate.
"Messiah."
The world trembled.
A pillar of divine light erupted as Messiah descended, his radiant chains rattling in the frozen air.
The Priestess hesitated, sensing the overwhelming power before her.
Minato's eyes narrowed. "Crush her."
Messiah raised a hand.
"Megidolaon."
Reality warped.
An explosion of pure, undiluted force ripped through the train car.
The entire structure groaned as light consumed everything.
When the energy faded, the Priestess staggered. Her once-pristine robes were scorched, her mask cracked.
But she was still standing.
"She's tough," Akihiko muttered. "We'll have to wear her down."
Minato smirked. "Then let's end this quick."
---
[Boss Fight - Priestess]
The battle was relentless.
The Priestess countered their attacks with brutal efficiency—blasting them with Bufula spells, summoning lesser Shadows to slow them down.
Yukari gritted her teeth as another wave of frost shot toward her.
"Garudyne!"
A howling windstorm erupted from Io, slamming into the Priestess and forcing her back.
"She's weakening!" Mitsuru reported. "Press the attack!"
Junpei lunged, sword flashing. "Eat this!"
His blade cut deep, but the Priestess retaliated with a wave of ice.
Junpei cried out as Bufula slammed into him, sending him skidding back.
Minato moved instantly.
"Salvation."
Messiah's chains glowed, and in an instant, the injuries across Junpei's body vanished.
Junpei groaned, pushing himself up. "Man, I'll never get used to that…"
Minato turned back to the Priestess.
Time to finish it.
"Messiah."
A second Megidolaon.
This time, the force was absolute.
The Priestess shrieked as the explosion consumed her.
Her mask shattered. Her body disintegrated into nothingness.
The battle was over.
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[Post-Battle Aftermath]
The moment the Shadow vanished, the train screeched, coming to a sudden halt just before the last station.
The group stood in silence, catching their breath.
Mitsuru's voice finally came through the communicator. "Well done, all of you. The mission was a success."
Yukari leaned against the wall, still breathing heavily. "Holy crap… that was insane."
Junpei grinned. "We actually pulled it off!"
Akihiko crossed his arms, nodding. "We're getting stronger. But we can't let our guard down."
Minato looked at his hands, feeling the lingering power of the Fool Arcana.
This was just the beginning.
The road ahead was long. The battles would only get harder.
But he was ready.
He had rewritten fate once tonight.
And he would do it again.
No matter what.
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[End of Chapter 6]