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****** (Flashback end) ******

"Nate! You here yet?!" called Johnny, opening the door to his house and peering in.

"Yeah, I'm in!" called a voice, then a chuckle "I'm upstairs: there's someone I want you to meet!"

Curious, the orca closed the door behind him and went upstairs. He looked in the first few rooms and then in their own room, smiling when he saw the otter.

"Hey, babe." He said casually, walking over and hugging the otter; Nate hugged back happily.

"Hey, J. There's someone I want you to meet: he was in our class, I ran into him when leaving the school." Nate explained, whistling. A voice called back from the bathroom.

"Give me a sec! Jeez, I may be a dog, but not a Feral...." Complained the voice; the door opened to reveal a husky male: he was wearing a white tee and light grey tee jacket, brown khaki shorts, and greyish high top sneakers. The husky, himself, had burgundy-colored fur and reddish-orange hair that was obviously dyed; he had a stud in each ear, the colors being from red-to-yellow-to-green from top to bottom. His frame, in Johnny's opinion, was rather normal: slim, yet toned.

He raised his paw in welcome.

"Name's Jacob, call me Jake though." He said simply, half-smiling....almost like a smirk.

"I met him outside the big double-doors; said he saw what I did in class and was impressed....so, after some talking, we -I guess- became friends." Nate explained, chuckling nervously and scratching the back of his head "Jake, this is my boyfriend Johnny Thompson."

"'Sup?" Johnny said coolly; the two shook hands, a smirk on the husky's face.

"So you're Johnny? The one that Nate's Shadow mentioned?" he grinned, almost slyly "Nathan was right....you're certainly a looker."

Johnny meeped and blushed, looking away a bit.

"Th-thanks...I guess...." He muttered.

"Don't worry," Jacob laughed "I'm straight dude, I'm not taking your little otter....though he is a cutie."

Jacob's paw left Johnny's, his right arm wrapping around Nate's shoulder like a buddy would: Nate chuckled.

"Yep, besides: Jake's a little.....much for me." Nate said truthfully "he fights a lot with the other guys.....I'd die from worry if I was with him."

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

After a while the three of them started talking about class today.

"So, what necessarily happened today in class? What was that thing?" Jacob asked.

"From what Elizabeth and Igor said to us," started Nate "it was my shadow: all the negative emotions I was hiding inside...." Nate tailed off; both Jake and J could understand that: it was hard for him to accept himself.

"Yeah, but everyone has a side they don't want to admit to....maybe a side they didn't even think they had....." Jacob added in "I mean, not everyone has the strength to accept themselves so fully like you did......besides, no one can judge you for having such a hard time......what was it that people pitied you for?"

Nate stopped dead cold, his eyes wide as he looked at both Johnny and Jacob.....then sighed and hung his head low.

"I.....I got into a fight with my parents 2 years ago....." Nate started, biting his lip; Johnny scooted closer to the otter, both him and the husky sitting on the couch next to him.

"About a year after Johnny moved here, I felt the depression finally hit me....it only took a week for me to fully feel alone in the world. It was obvious, both in my expression and actions; my parents asked me what happened or if I was feeling okay and I said I was fine....they didn't believe me, they're so nosy."

"When I confessed that I missed you, J.....they thought that it was in a friendly way: they never knew we were together....and I had no intention of letting them know. They offered I try and video chat you or give you a call....but I said that it would only make it harder for me to deal with the depression. They asked why I missed you so much and......I said it.....I said that I loved you."

"They went ballistic, saying I shouldn't say that I loved you to you....but I said that you knew and that we were, actually, together......they got even madder after that....they asked for how long, and I said since 8th grade.....they were fuming. Soon my dad just put his foot down and started yelling at me, saying 'you are NOT to feel such a way to guys! You are a guy, meaning you are supposed to be friends with them! I will not tolerate any homosexual acts in this house! If you are to live here, than you will follow this rule!' It felt like he was ripping out my heart and shattering it to pieces....." Nate sniffled, wiping his eyes as he felt tears starting to stream from his face.

"They said that I could never see you again if I stayed with them..........so I left.......I've been living with Logan since then.....I felt like they only let me stay with them because I had such trouble with my parents....I know I can't make up with them now."

Johnny gasped.

"What?! Why didn't you tell me?! I would've come back as soon as I could!" Nate stood up, looking at Johnny.

"That was what I was afraid of doing! I didn't want to take you out of Goldenia Academy....it was our dream school....and you got in before me.....besides.....I doubt your father would let me stay with you....or even agree to let me see you since our families are so close....."

Johnny growled loudly, banging his fist on the arm of the couch.

"Dammit!.....Guess they're really isn't much we can do now.....my dad didn't know either....if your parents won't let you stay at home because you love me....then my dad will be the same....." he sighed, leaning his head back. Jacob shook his head, unable to fully understand everything.

"Nate....I'm so sorry for you....truly.....I never knew someone could have that much weight on their shoulders....."

"Yeah, living with parents that hate who you are......trying to pretend something you're not....." Nate muttered, folding his arms across his chest and keeping his head low; very quickly but quietly, Jacob stood up and wrapped his arms around Nathan tigthly, completely taking the otter off-guard.

"W-whoa, Jake!" he exclaimed, a little taken aback. Jacob only hugged tighter.

"I'm here for you, okay? I know we just met, like, a few hours ago....but I want you to know that you're not alone.....me and Johnny are here for you when you need us, okay?" he said, pulling away a bit and smiling softly.

Nate couldn't help but smile back; to him, Jacob almost felt like a father to him....someone he can look up to.

He could also feel that the friendship he made with Jacob was a strong one, even when they just met an hour ago.....then he started hearing something echo in his head; he grunted and had his hand to his head, the sudden rush being so surprising to him that it gave him a headache. He shut his eyes as he took a step back "Argh!"

'I am thou......and thou art I.....' said the voice.

"N-Nate!" Johnny called, standing up and going to the otter's side.

'Thou hast establish a true unfeighing friendship......it hast given thee thy power of the Emperor.....' echoed the voice, soon disappearing.

"Ottie! Are you okay?!" called Johnny; Nate opened his eyes and looked around: everything seemed normal. He saw Jacob and Johnny looking nervously at him.

"D-did you hear that?" he asked; the nervous looks turned into confused ones.

"Hear what? All we heard was you in pain....are you alright?" Jake asked a paw on the otter's shoulder. Nate nodded his head, his paw still rubbing his temple.

"Y-yeah....I'm fine....I think I was hit by a head rush or something....I'm okay now...." But, to be honest, he wasn't sure.

'What was that about? 'Hast given thee thy power of the Emperor'? What the hell does that mean?' he wondered. The two seemed more-or-less convinced, yet decided not to pester the otter further.

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

After about an hour Jacob decided to head back to his own apartment and the couple decided to talk about what happened during their free time away from one another: Nate and his interaction with other furs and Johnny with his swim practice and it looked as if he is hiding something.

After a little bit of time, Logan and Dave returned home with smiles on their face....though Logan seemed a little.....different. When he was asked if something was up or what was on his mind, he answered them vaguely, saying it was "nothing to worry about". That drew some suspicion...yet no one pondered further.

Tonight, as Nathan's idea, everyone thought it'd be fun to try and cook dinner together.

The outcome: total hysterical disaster! Everyone kept bumping into one another and interrupting the other on what they were doing. It got so bad that soon they nominated Logan and Dave as the official cooks....not that the two minded: they liked cooking....of course, Nate and J would cook every now and then to mix things up.

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

After about two hours of messing around, dinner was cooked and eaten quickly....yet it was still pretty early: about 6:30.

"So, you guys.........got any idea on what you want to do tonight?" Nate asked, filling in the dead silence. The four pondered for a moment what they could do...yet everyone gave up when Johnny thought of something.

"I got some movies....why don't we watch some?" he offered; immediately everyone agreed.

"What kind do you have?" Nate asked.

"I have some Action, a few Horror, a lot of Romantic Comedy....oh, and some Sci-Fi." Johnny said; Nate "yuck"-ed at the Horror: he hated gore of any kind; Logan seemed a little questionable on the Horror as well, to that topic was taken out.

"I say Romantic Comedy: we're all couples, aren't we?" Dave pointed out; everyone agreed, Johnny smiling at a new idea.

"Perfect, I have JUST the movie.....Nate; do you remember the first comedy we saw as a couple?" The otter almost scoffed.

"How could I forget-wait, you mean you still have it?!"

"Yep, brought it with me: figured we'd watch it when you got here since I knew you'd come sooner or later: never thought it'd be 3 years, though; was starting to get worried." Johnny said, chuckling.

"Yeah, totally." The two stood up and went into the living room, Logan and Dave following behind awkwardly.

"What are you two talking about? Come on; fill us in on the plan!" Logan complained, folding his arms over his chest. Johnny simply took a DVD from a cupboard under the TV and lightly tossed it to Nate; he caught it easily, showing the other two the cover.

"Liar Liar, a movie me and Johnny saw when we first became a couple: we were cracking up the whole time. It's about a lawyer who can't lie for 24 hours after his son makes a wish that he couldn't....so whenever he says a lie, the truth comes out instead.....it stars Jim Carrey, a hilarious guy." Nate explained, giving the DVD back to Johnny; he popped open the DVD player and grabbed the remote for it, ushering the three to the couch so they could watch. Then he hit play and sat right next to his otter.

Logan and Dave scooted close to each other, Logan's head resting on Dave's shoulder...yet, as the four watched the movie, Logan's mind drifted to more "important" thoughts.

'Dave has been through so much, making my little drama mere child's play......he obviously doesn't deserve someone like me......I have to show him how much I love and care about him.....but, is going right into sex the right thing? I mean, I don't know a thing about having sex with a guy.....' Logan sighed quietly; he was able to disguise it as a dreamy sigh, rewarding him with Dave pulling him closer.

'Maybe I should talk to Johnny or Nathan about it? They might be able to help me out.....you know, "enlighten" me on the subject....won't they?' he shook his head violently in his mind 'No, I can't think like that: I'll have to hope for the better.'

"Hey, uh, Nathan?" Logan started cautiously; the otter looked over: he was busy sitting in Johnny lap.

"What's up?"

"Can I talk to you for a moment, in the kitchen?" the flamedramon asked again. Nate, a little unsure, nodded and whispered something to Johnny. Then both of them got up and walked into the other room: the movie was audible from there, yet was much quieter than before.

"What's on your mind?" The otter asked, leaning against the counter; Logan was standing in the middle of the kitchen, trying to gather his words.

"Um....w-well.....I was....thinking...." he started, his breathing slow and shallow: it felt like being on stage for the first time, nerve-racking

"I....heard Dave talk about himself.....and, after hearing it, I found that I haven't.......really been doing that much......you know, in our relationship....."

Nate nodded, understand what he meant: Logan feels like he's not doing enough for Dave "Go on...."

At once, Logan took a deep breath and just let it out, forcing himself to say it "I want to have sex with Dave." Nate blinked, shaking his head: did he hear that right?

"Wait, you're telling me you and Dave want to fuck? Didn't you guys just hook up, like, yesterday: that's, roughly, about 24 hours ago....why so suddenly?"

"Because...I feel like I haven't done enough for Dave.....we haven't even gone far in our relationship yet: only kissing and hugging and cuddling.....I want to do more....I want to show Dave how much I love him....how much he means to me...." Logan explained, facing Nate with pleading eyes "Please, tell me: I came to you because you and Johnny have already had sex...so you guys know what to do...."

Nate's cheeks began to heat up as he started blushing 'Oh boy, can't believe I have to have "the talk" with Logan....I thought Dad was gonna do that....my old Dad did it with me, and GOD was I embarrassed.' He took a deep breath and said the same thing that he and Logan's dad said to them when they were with someone.

"Just do what you think is natural....go with the flow, not by a plan......that's what I do with Johnny....of course, that always leads me to being bottomed a lot....not that I mind it." Nate said, whispering the last part to himself. Logan blinked, a little stunned by how frank and, in a way, simple the method was.

"So......you just go with the mood?" he asked, earning a nod from the otter and a smile. Logan smiled and hugged the otter tightly.

"Thank you, Nathan." He said softly, breaking the hug and hurrying into the living room again; the otter rolled his eyes playfully and walked back in, sitting on the orca's lap again.

"What was that about?" Johnny whispered.

"Logan felt like he wasn't doing enough for Dave, so I gave him some advice...." He replied, snickering to himself.

"What was it?" Nate giggled and kissed Johnny's nose.

"Nothing you need to worry about, don't worry."

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

About 2 hours later and the four were tired; even when the time was only 8:30, they decided to turn in so they could wake up early tomorrow: school was definitely tiring....especially for Johnny and Nathan.

As everyone was walking upstairs, the otter felt his cell vibrate......along with play a weird ringtone (it being this:

"Huh?" Nate wondered as he took out his cell; the name was in question marks, the number being only dashed: unknown?

Curiously, he pressed the "Accept Call" button and pulled his cell to his face.

"Hello?" he asked.

"Hello? Is this Nathanial Osworth?" asked the voice: it belonged to a female, a picture flashing in Nathan's mind....he also thought 'Nathanial? When did someone call me by that name...and who, other than my own grandmother?'

"Um....yes, this is Nathan Osworth. Who is this?"

"Oh, thank goodness I dialed the right number: it has taken me so very long to reach you!" said the voice; at once the pictured cleared in the otter's mind as to who the perky voice belonged to.

"Oh, Elizabeth! How are you? I never would have thought you'd call me....how'd you get my number?" Nate asked, walking back downstairs to talk a little more privately. Johnny noticed Nate wasn't upstairs, so he came downstairs to see he was talking to someone; the otter noticed him come and mouthed the name "Elizabeth" to him: he nodded and went back upstairs.

"I continued to dial numbers from 000-000-0000 until I reached your number......of course, when the first voice answered, they said they were called 'Operator'.....I do not know anyone by that name, so I hung up on them and continued on." She explained: her voice and tone sounded totally out of place for the event.

"Er....um....alright then....well, now that you have me, what's up?"

"I am calling to see if you would be so kind as to come to the Velvet Room tonight.....around midnight." She questioned.

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

I felt shock and curiosity wash over me instantaneously as I heard Elizabeth ask for me to meet her in Tartarus at midnight: I remembered that midnight was when the Dark Hour took place, the same time that Tartarus appears outside of the school.

"T-tonight? Why, is there something wrong?" I asked; my nerves got the better of me, making my voice sound shaky and uneasy. She giggled, which lightened my mood a bit.

"Of course not; I have a few other students with me that are very curious about Tartarus....and I would feel much safer if another Persona-user accompanied us...." She trailed off to a stop, waiting for my answer.

I thought over it carefully.

'On one point, that would mean I'd have to leave Johnny all alone: he'd be upset if I just left him......but, on the other hand, I'll be able to see what's above.....on the 2nd floor....maybe even higher....plus, I'll be with Elizabeth: she'll help out if something goes wrong.'

"Well then, Mr. Osworth?" she asked; it was almost like a bet. I grinned.

"Call me Nate....and yeah, I'm in: I'll be over shortly." I said.

"Glad to hear it, then I shall await your arrival. See you then." With that, she hung up. Once she ended the call, I went over my cell and named the "number" that Elizabeth used as "Velvet Room" that way I'd be able to get ahold of her if something went up.

'Alright, now to tell Johnny....he's gonna be pissed....I can tell....

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

"What?! Are you serious?!" Johnny yelled, as I gathered up my clothes: I stripped off my tee and pulled on a white long sleeve similar to the tee shirt I was wearing since, luckily, I changed once I got back into something a little more "comfortable" than something for Tartarus.

"Yes, I told Elizabeth I'd do it." I said calmly, grabbing green tee I had and pulling it over my head and onto my body; I started pulling out of my shorts when Johnny growled at me: it kinda scared me a bit.

"There's no way I'm letting you go there! You could get hurt! Remember your shadow?!"

"Yes, I do.....and I remember what it said to: I'm weak, I know I am.....but, if I go to Tartarus more often, maybe I can get stronger so I won't be burden on anyone." I argued back as I pulled on some black stonewashed jeans; I began to slip on the same boots I wore before until I heard the door close. I looked to see Johnny in front of it, a hurt expression on his face.

"Nate....please.....I don't want you getting hurt......I don't want to lose you......" he pleaded to me; as I finished tying my shoes, I stood up and walked over to him; I wrapped my arms around his neck tightly, sealing my lips to Johnny's in a passionate kiss.

He wrapped his arms around my waist tightly, as if to never want to let me go; I broke the kiss and rested my head on his chest.

"I'm never gonna leave you, J....you won't lose me.....I promise you, I'll be fine: I'll be with Elizabeth...we're just going to show a student around Tartarus....this'll be a great way for me to see the inside of the tower....to know what it looks like.....I promise, I'll be back before you know it....it's during the Dark Hour...." I reassured him; he shook his head and we kissed again.

"No...I can't.....I can't risk losing you!" he muttered, keeping me close: this was the most emotional I've ever seen my Orcy act. I shook my head, my paw caressing his cheek.

"Then come with me, that way we can protect each other......and you'll know that I'll be alright." I offered; he bit his lip....but then he nodded.

"Alright then, I'll go with you....I want to stay with you, no matter where we go." He said, pulling my head close as he hugged me tightly; I smiled as I hugged back tightly, my paws unable to resist by run along the orca's bare upper body. I whispered to him when we pulled away a bit.

"How about, after school tomorrow, we have some fun?" J's face went bright red, but lit up instantly: that was a yes.

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

After about five minutes, both the otter and orca were ready to go to Tartarus; quickly, Nate called Elizabeth back.

"Hello?" she asked joyfully.

"Hi, Elizabeth? This is Nate."

"Oh, hello Nathan! Are you on your way?" she asked.

"Yep, I'm heading out now: I'm also bringing Johnny, if that's okay with you; he's a little worried about me, so I'm bringing him along to ease his mind. Would that be okay with you?" I asked.

"Oh, of course! The more the merrier!" she said.

"Alright, see you in about 10 minutes." I said, she said "okay" and then I hung up, looking to Johnny.

"Alright, let's go." I said. Johnny nodded and soon we were downstairs and out the door.

The air was cool, slightly colder than I would expect it, but still nice: I breathed in the smell, the scent of the ocean hitting my nostrils....it smelled like home.

"Mmm.....I missed this scent at night...." I muttered, looking over to the orca; he smiled softly and nodded.

"Why else did I choose a house near the ocean? I wanted to be reminded of home whenever I went out at night.....home and you....but, you're here now...and I'm glad." Johnny said softly, wrapping his arms around me; I leaned in to him, smiling happily as well.

"Yeah, I'm not going anywhere.....I'm always gonna be with you......" as corny as that sounded, it was true: I was never gonna leave Johnny's side, no matter what....we've been through too much already, had too much history....maybe that's why he freaked out when I was going to Tartarus alone before......

We broke the hug and nodded.

"Let's get going: Elizabeth's waiting for us in the Velvet Room." I said.

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

About 10 minutes later, and having a hard time climbing through the window of the locked school, we were inside and walking towards the Velvet Room. We were both silent, which made our echoing footsteps that much more creepy-sounding.

"To be honest, Nate," Johnny started; I looked over to him "I haven't been inside the school at night....I'm kinda creeped out."

"Yeah, it reminds me like Tartarus....." I said, shivering a bit; I shook my head and smiled "but we'll be fine! We're tough...and I have my Persona." I raised my paw to show my floating card of Markolo; Johnny shook his head, a little unsure.

"I still wouldn't put so much faith on something like that.......I mean, really...." He folded his arms across his chest; I made a face.

"Why? It's incredible to have this kind of power!" I said, smiling wide.

"I'm not saying it's not...I'm just saying you should be careful with it....I mean Igor himself said that a Persona can lose control and revert into a Shadow again......so all I'm saying is that you should be cautious when using Markolo...okay?"

"Okay, if it'll make you feel better...." I trailed off, looking over to see Elizabeth waiting in front of the door; she was holding her book like before, wearing the same outfit as before; a smile was across her face, her golden eyes lit up with happiness.

"Hello, Nathan. I am glad you could make it." She extended her hand; I met is quickly, shaking it enthusiastically.

"I'm glad you invited me," I motioned to Johnny once we stopped shaking hands "This is Johnny, he's the one I said would be coming with us into the tower."

"Ah, very nice to meet you Johnny: I hear you and Nathan are quite close." She smiled, almost, mischievously; both of us blushed and "um..."ed at the same time, making her giggle "Well then, shall we enter?"

"Yeah, let's go in and meet with Igor and the other students....what're their names by the way?" I asked as we walked in.

"One of them goes by Ryland Lawerence. He seems to have adequate potential, so I would like to introduce him to more of the tower....." she trailed off, smiling.

I nodded as I looked around, soon spotting Ryland.

He was a, by my guess, a fennec fox: he seemed a bit older than I was, with light brown fur....like brown sugar.

He was wearing a white beater, long dark-colored cargo shorts, and white high tops. He also had rounded light blue-tinted glasses: guess he was there when I got my Persona.

He waved at me like Dave did when we first met, though I could tell that he was a little shy...maybe nervous. I looked around to look for the other student.

"Where's the other one?" I asked; I heard a knock and then the door open from behind us, a familiar voice penetrating my ears.

"Hey, I'm back. Sorry for the wait: had to change really quick," I turned around and saw Jacob standing in front of me: this time he was wearing, instead of what he wore before, a dark grey beater and long cameo-colored cargo shorts with black biker-like boots; he also had the same kind of glasses as the fox though his were notably yellow....seemed a little weird but I discarded that thought.

"Jake?! You're here?!" I asked him, a little surprised; he chuckled, nodding.

"Yeah, ever since I saw you get your Persona I've been wanting to explore more of Tartarus....who knows what's in that huge-ass tower!" he said confidently, chuckling. I heard some footsteps and I turned around to see Ryland come up to me: he seemed confident, yet his voice was a little shaky.

"H-hey...I'm Ryland, Rye for short....I heard about you, Nathan...I'm really impressed." He smiled softly "I'd love it if you were here with us in case we meet a Shadow or anything." Elizabeth giggled.

"Only on the floors above us: the first floor has been modified by us so it is a place where you won't find anything except the stairs to the next floor...." Both me and Johnny turned to her.

"Why did you do that? Afraid student my wander in and get attacked?" Johnny asked.

"Yes, that and Tartarus changes constantly from the inside: there is no definite pattern as to how it changes.....so usually someone would stay here to help monitor progress.....my Master has kindly offered to do so as so we do not get lost inside." She explained.

"Alright then! Why don't we get started?" I asked, now totally pumped to go in; Elizabeth nodded, then walked over to pick something up and hand it to me: I looked at it carefully and it took me a moment to realize it was a rapier....a sharp one at that: I nearly cut myself holding the blade when she gave it to me.

"What the-?!" I yelped, almost afraid to hold something like this.

"You should have something you can use for defense, correct?" she said, her face still holding that smile; I, sort of, panicked a bit.

"Y-you mean....I'm not using my Persona the whole time like you?!"

"Of course you can....but it requires an immense amount of concentration....I would imagine you would need something else you could use to fight with." Elizabeth explained, motioning us the follow her; I gulped as I placed the rapier in my right paw: I took fencing for a while when Johnny left for Goldenia Academy....district champion, actually....but, frankly, would that be enough?

None-the-less, we all followed her through the door into Tartarus....

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