Haven't written anything in a while but I really want to write this more than anything.

You don't need any knowledge of the Persona series or any of the characters I will be using in this fic since this fic is very much of a crossover and I plan to use every contingency to introduce these characters without needing readers to go to respective anime just to see these characters. I plan to tell what Persona is so you don't really need to go out of your way to watch or play extensive hours of video games to understand the concept.

I hope you enjoy the stories and the things I have planned for dear Tai.

Memento Mori

Chapter 1: Beginning

Tai placed his duffel bags on the train's luggage rack as he sighed. He collapsed onto his seat with a deep sigh and buried his face in his hands

Earning a scholarship, he managed to transfer to the very prestigious Ohtori Academy. Joe and Izzy teased him about just how he managed to get into such a great school. His sister, Kari, congratulated him but she wasn't able to see him off. Nor was anyone else too…

Tai clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to relax. Neither his friends nor his family were able to see him off at the train station because of their busy schedule. Joe had previously worked as an intern in a local hospital traveled to Honou City to work in Honou Memorial Hospital. Not a word had been heard from him either. Try not to think too much on this… They respect your decision to transfer even though they don't know the true reasons…

As the train comes to a stop and the intercom drone on, Tai picked up his bags and left the station.

The sunset shone through a building's window, a girl panting for breath, holding her head, a pistol on her other hand.

Tai strolled obliviously, asking people en route to Platform Station.

The pink-haired girl gulped, staring at the gun in her hands.

Tai nodded in thanks and walked away.

The girl placed the barrel of the gun to her forehead, both of her hands holding onto the grip. A droplet of water from the faucet fell against the marble.

Tai closed his eyes as he waited for his next train, enjoying the jingles of laughter in air.

She kept breathing, the gun barrel still in place.

He stood up as the train flew past and stopped in its tracks. He grabbed his bags and hurried inside.

The pink-haired girl's finger was on the trigger.

Tai watched as the city passed by wistfully. A blue butterfly fluttered gently against the breeze.

The gun fell from her grasp as the girl buried herself in her arms.

Night dawned soon after. Tai sighed, glancing at his wristwatch. 23:59 already?

"Honou Platform Station. Honou Platform Station." The intercom announced as Tai adjusted his duffel bags and walked out of the subway and onto the platform.

23:59…24:00

Vroooom...

Tai froze instantly as he took in the sight laying before him.

Coffins replaced the people around him, motionless as if frozen in time. Fear was his constant companion as he stood outside the train station. Complete darkness was shrouded the city of Honou.

The darkness almost felt ominous as if something was lurking... Tai shook his head. Impossible. No way had they come back.

The sheer apathy taking over betrayed by shaking hands, he proceeded to walk towards his destination, not caring the least the lights are out or puddles of blood.

The darkness had never looked so grim. The bright moon shone on the bloodstained asphalt, giving it a morbid gleam. Coffins remained still and stagnant on what could be called hell on earth. The sheer wrongness of the atmosphere was palpable.

Clutching the school map in his hands, Tai made quickly to Ohtori Academy. Despite the darkness and blood, he found his dorm without trouble. Partially apathetic, he took the handle and pulled it open.

"You're late. I have been waiting for you."

Tai jerked and turned to the counter. A boy wearing a black and white striped jumpsuit smiled from across him and snapped his fingers.

"If you want to proceed," the boy gestured to a portfolio in front of him, opening quietly. "Please sign your name on this contract. Don't worry; all it says that you would accept full responsibilities for your actions. You know, the usual."

Tai stared at the words on the contract as the boy urged her to go on.

I, Taichi Yagami, give my word that I will accept and take full responsibilities and consequences of my actions.

It was rather simple document, only a letter of agreement. Speaking of which, didn't his mother already took care of the official documents for his dormitory? Just what this is for? In any case, he still signed it and passed the booklet to him.

"No one can escape time." The boy smiled as he held the portfolio to his chest. "It delivers us all to the same end." He held the booklet up, covering up half of his face from Tai's view. "You can't plug your ears and cover your eyes." He turned the book sideways, the book disappearing into the darkness with ease.

He outstretched a hand towards him as darkness began to envelop the room. As the darkness tread closer, lights dimmed and eventually faded. The boy melted with the darkness, disappearing completely.

"And so… it begins…"

The darkness abruptly came just as the boy left. For unsettlingly long seconds, Tai stared where the boy had gone.

"Who's there!?"

Startled, Tai turned and saw a pink-haired girl just a few meters away from him on the landing of the staircase. He quickly accessed the girl.

The pinkette wore an altered version of the school uniform, a plaited black skirt with a untucked buttoned up shirt, a black belt clasped, a red tie hanging loosely, her black jacket outlined in red open and slack. A particular armband clipped to her right arm. Tai could barely made out the letters S and E. Her right hand reached for something on her thigh.

His eyes widened when he realized just what she is reaching for. Strapped to her thigh was a gun holster. She pulled the gun from her thigh so quickly Tai stepped backward in shock. The pickette pointed the gun downwards, cautiously and clumsily.

She was shaking.

She looked terrified.

Everything about her screamed she doesn't know how to use the gun properly.

The standstill couldn't have lasted for more than just a few seconds when another voice broke out, steps running from the stairs.

"Hinamori, stop!"

Lights turned on, showing a stunning girl with long golden hair, stern blue eyes gazing into brown and pink eyes.

Tai took a look at the new girl who just saved his life. The girl wore, like 'Hinamori', the black and red Ohtori uniform but unaltered surprisingly, nonetheless accentuated her body. She struck Tai as a mother.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Tai nodded. "Thank you."

"I have to say, I wasn't expecting you to come so late." Mischief danced in her eyes, a cat-like smile worthy of Myotismon twisted her pink lips. "I'm Milly Ashford, one of the students living in this dorm."

"Who's he?" The pinkette finally muttered warily.

"He's a transfer student – a last minute decision to assign him here." Milly sized her up, her arms crossing. "He'll be eventually moved to another dorm soon."

"Is it okay to let him stay here?"

Tai looked back and forth between the two girls, frowning slightly. Why are they pretending nothing had happened?

"I guess we'll see…" Milly shrugged and gestured to her companion. "This is Amu Hinamori. She'll be a junior this spring like you."

Amu bowed politely. "…Hi…"

"I'm Taichi Yagami, please just call me Tai." He bowed back politely, his frown still plastered.

"Um…is everything alright?" Amu blinked.

"Why do you have a gun? I'm pretty sure guns are banned in Japan." Tai blurted out. He stopped and quickly shook his head.

"Uh..." Amu giggled nervously, her pink eyes slanted towards Milly frantically. "A hobby! Yes, a hobby!"

Tai raised an eyebrow elegantly.

"It's not exactly a hobby… but…" Amu mumbled, glancing sideways to Milly for support.

The blonde obliged. "It's for self-defense." Tai's expression remained skeptical. She paused before adding, "Not a real gun, of course." She glanced at the clock, still midnight for some strange reason. "It's getting late. You should go rest up for tomorrow. Your room is on the second floor at the end of the hallway. The rest of your things should be there as well."

"Alright." Tai nodded, knelting to pick up his duffel bags.

"I'll show you the way…" Amu joined in, her voice quiet and eyes apologetic. "…to make up for…that…"

Tai shuffled behind Amu quietly, making their way up the staircase. The uncomfortable tension was more than enough for them to not talk. Briefly, Tai wondered what life would be like here.

"So… this is it…" Amu said abruptly spinning on her heel to meet his eyes. Her pink eyes flitted to the door awkwardly. "Easy to remember, huh? It's on the right and it's the only door on the end." She laughed slightly at the little joke before continuing, "So any questions?"

"What's the contract for?" Tai finally asked. "I thought my mom already signed all the documents."

Amu blinked, genuinely oblivious. "Contract? What about a contract?"

Tai shook his head. "Never mind." He shrugged his shoulders. "I just have a lot in my mind right now."

"If you say so," the pinkette said, eyeing the boy uncertainly. "Can I ask you a question?" Again, she didn't meet his eyes. "On the way from the station, was everything okay?"

"What do you mean?" Tai put every bit of cluelessness to what he's saying.

Her eyes snapped towards him as if she couldn't believe what she's hearing. Her mouth opened and closed motionlessly. "…Never mind." As Amu walked away, she gave Tai a glance, "I'm sure you have many questions but for now save them for later. Good night."

The brunet murmured in response as he opened his door. "Alright. Good night."

Tai stared at the room that would be his home for a year. His things were packed in boxes and labeled. He collapsed onto his bed. Plenty of time after school to unpack…

As he drifted off to sleep, he briefly wondered what sort of life he's going to have.

And so here is the first chapter! I hope you enjoy it. I hope to see what you think about this intro.

Author Notes

Amu Hinamori and Milly Ashford - Again you don't need to watch Shugo Chara! or Code Geass just to see these characters. All you need to know is their names and design if you really want to see how they look like.

Persona - Everything would be explained in-story and you don't to go out of your way just to watch or play endless hours of video games to understand it. It's quite easy to understand as things goes on.