The Shadows corner Minako.

(chapter originally by Phantom Pen on writing.com)

With Shadows closing the distance behind her and more blocking off the street ahead, Minako was trapped. At least, that's what she thought until she spied an alleyway to her left! With a renewed burst of energy, Minako dashed off into the alleyway, the Shadows following shortly after. Sadly, Minako's hopes of escaping from her pursuers though this path were dashed as her progress was halted by a chain link fence.

"No! Come on, it can't end like this!" Minako wailed, turning to face the Shadows now advancing on her position. Just as the Shadows seemed within range to attack, and Minako prepared herself for the worst... they stopped. "Wh-what? What's going on? Why aren't they attacking?"

Little did Minako know, there was a unique Shadow among the swarm that night. This particular Shadow was stronger than most of its brethren, not on the tier of the great and powerful Arcana Shadows that manifested when the moon was full, but still strong. For whatever reason, the primordial darkness that had birthed the Shadows saw fit to grant this particular one with great intellect, and the Shadow used this gift to its advantage.

The Shadow had observed this human before, as it and its comrades scoured through the Great Tower. At the time, there were three others with it: one with a bow, one with some kind of sword, one that was "there" insofar as its presence could be felt, and one that was... different, human in appearance, but not quite right. Those four had proven dangerous, and the Shadows that dared stand in their way had been summarily destroyed. If left unchecked, these humans could prove dangerous to everything the Shadows existed for. This simply would not do, and the Shadow had contemplated ways to undermine the strength of these humans.

This night had been a blessing for the Shadow, as it had learned a great deal from watching this particular human. Normally so dangerous and confident, it was now cowering in fear without its garments. Perhaps, if its allies could be brought to a similar state, their ability in combat would vanish? It wouldn't necessarily have to be during the Dark Hour, so long as the effect was psychological (and considering the human's behavior, it was safe to assume that this was the case). So, emerging from the swarm, this unique Shadow made its move.

Minako watched in curious horror as a single Shadow emerged from the swarm before her. Rather than attack, however, it lifted up until it neared Minako's height. Once Minako and the Shadow were eye-level, a burst of pink light erupted from the Shadow and flew towards Minako, who covered her eyes in frightened anticipation. When she noticed that she was fine, however, Minako opened her eyes again. The Shadows were gone, and the night sky and moon had regained their proper hue. The Dark Hour was over!

Sighing in relief, Minako couldn't believe her luck. The Dark Hour had ended before the Shadows had been able to do her any real harm. Heck, the only one that attacked didn't even seem to do anything! Now she just had to figure out how to sneak back to the dorm...

Little did Minako know, however, that the Shadow's attack hadn't been harmless. Indeed, even now Minako was under its control. The attack was similar to the technique Marin Karin in that it influenced the victim's mind. This attack, however, was more hypnotic, coercing the victim to fulfill certain objectives without even realizing it. These objectives, Minako and her friends would soon learn, were quite diabolical indeed: Minako was to strip herself and her allies whenever the possibility arose! As Minako stealthily made her way back to the dorms, the mental suggestion was already deciding on her first target: