AN: Due to the creative block I experienced with "The Darkest Bond" I decided to move onto another story. I want to clarify that I will not abandon the other, rather it will take me longer to complete. I ask you to bear with me on this. Now, this story is for the Persona 4 game, but it's set in an alternate universe with no personas. It's an adventure crime story featuring most of the P4 original cast plus some P3 cameos. The characters are different from the originals in order to fit a role in the story, but I'll try to keep some traits of their original personalities intact. So, after this long note and with no further ado, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing of the Persona series; all rights go to Atlus.
Summary: Okina city is a place filled with splendor, but within its lively streets, shadows run deep into its core, eroding the fragile surface by the day. In this place, two friends live a rather easy life working for a local crime lord, but the encounter with a mysterious girl is the catalyst to a quest for vengeance, survival and freedom.
Flow of Darkness
Chapter 1- An Ordinary long Night
The shroud of night had spread across Okina city. Streets were flashing with hundreds of vehicles crossing the paved roads at high speed, flowing like a river of light and crystal. In a lone apartment building, a small device began to disturb the silence of one of the topmost rooms. A shadowy figure began to move, annoyed by the device´s constant noise. He stretched his hand and tried to focus his eyesight on the lit LCD screen. It was a phone call. He pressed the "call" button and said in dry whisper:
"Yeah?"
"Yu, it's me. I'm about to get to your place, The King wants this done tonight."
The young man identified as Yu rubbed his eyes in order to wake up from his slumber.
"We don't have enough intel on this man, we need more data."
"Yeah, well, the boss said that if we don't do this, it's our heads on a spike; if we do, it's a juicy bonus!"
"And you seriously believe that?"
"And why not? Look, I now you're sick of this, but you have to consider that this is better than Inaba."
At the mention of his hometown, Yu straightened up on his chair, his mind racing back to the peaceful rural town, bathed in the twilight's summer light while the cicadas filled the air with their song.
Yu's friend continued:
"Besides, don't you want to help Nanako-chan?"
The sound of that name made something inside Yu stir up wildly, a bitter taste filling his mouth.
"Look, what I want to do with…" Yu was cut off by the sound of his friend yelling, followed by the shriek of sirens passing close by.
Police…
"What was that?" said Yu hoping his ears were deceiving him.
"I uh… think I'm bringing a party along"
"Can't you lose them?"
"Not enough time, I'll be at your place in ninety seconds."
Yu could say that his friend was your typical class clown, but if there was one thing he was ever serious about were his driving skills; if he said it would take him one minute to get from A to B, he was dead serious about it. Therefore, Yu had ninety seconds and counting to get ready.
"Not enough time." replied Yu with a tired sigh.
"Sorry man, but you're gonna have to hurry." said his friend, ending the call right after.
Yu turned on the lamp on his nightstand and did his best to wake up fully; rising up from the chair he had been sleeping in. He then reacted and grabbed a bag containing his gear and headed for a drawer in which he kept his gun, a perfectly kept AMT Hardballer. While he was placing the clips in his bag, he noticed something. It was a family photo. Yu remembered the day that was taken, a hot summer day under a pristine azure sky, surrounded by an eternal shade of green. He looked at the people beside him; his uncle Ryotarou Dojima and his little cousin, Nanako.
He then looked at his own image in the photo. He was smiling carefree, experiencing true happiness. He then realized that was a long time ago. Then, further inside the drawer, there was a small shining object buried beneath several pieces of clothing. Yu took it in his hands and a wave of sadness took over him. It was a badge, given to him long ago, when he had a clear view of what was right. He felt like throwing it away then and there, but decided to bury it back in the drawer and hurry up outside. Before closing the door, he grabbed his coat and as soon as he knew the door was closed, he ran to the elevator, bashing on the call button. Moments later, the elevator arrived and Yu pressed the lobby button.
Few seconds later, he was there, strolling outside in order not to look suspicious. As soon as he stepped outside, a black car parked by apartment building; the driver was a young brunet with reddish brown hair.
"C'mon!" he said as he honked twice. Yu just ignored him and got inside the car, which drove off right away.
"Sure took your time." commented the driver.
"Just lose them while I check the target's background."
Yu opened his bag, concealed his gun and set up a laptop while his friend drove around, taking tight corners and dodging traffic and passers-by.
"Hey, Yu, you ok?" said the driver while taking a corner with ease. "You seem to be off"
"It's nothing, Yosuke."
"You sure? Cause if you wanna talk about it, I'm right here."
Yu kept silent, looking -staring- at his computer. Yosuke looked out of the corner of his eye and saw a golden emblem of a fox on his partner's computer screen. He could tell what Yu was thinking of. Yu quickly changed the screen in order to show the details on the man they were meant to pay a visit.
"Is it about Sanada?" asked Yosuke while looking at his friend.
"Let's leave him out of this." replied Yu in a cold tone.
"You know? You really should put all this behind…"
"Look out!"
Yosuke turned and stepped on the breaks with full force, causing the car to jump forward as it stopped inches away from hitting a passer-by.
Yosuke honked furiously as the passer-by walked away. Yu had a chance to look at the person in the eye, freezing at the sight of two deep blue orbs that shun like sapphires.
"Damn it!" cursed Yosuke under his breath.
"It was also your fault." commented Yu, still following the stranger with his eyes.
"Huh?"
"Go, it's changed to green."
Yosuke stepped on the gas and the car drove off, still watching for any patrol car that might have been following them. After a few more blocks, the two of them made sure that they weren´t being followed and parked the across the street from the target building. Yosuke loaded his gun; Yu followed him suit, also making sure the equipment was in order. Seconds later, Yosuke's cellphone rang. It was their employer.
"Yes, boss. Yeah, we're all set here." said Yosuke in a low voice. Then, the brunet placed the phone in a special slot and pressed a button to activate the car's internal speakers. The voice of an elderly man took over the quiet hum of the vehicle's interior.
"Ok, you grunts, stay sharp and do your job right. I'm patching you through to Mitsuo.
"How long will it take you to clear a path for us?" asked Yu. The line stood silent, so Yu called Mitsuo's name again. Nothing…
"Damn kid! Pay attention!" said the employer with an upset tone.
Mitsuo seemed to react, as the sound of something crashing filled the inside of the car.
"Sorry, boss! I was just… double-checking."
The employer sighed heavily, cursing under his breath. Yu decided to redirect the conversation in order to clear the tension.
"How long will it take us to get to the target?"
"Considering the guards stationed around his office and all the security systems, about twenty minutes."
"How are you going to help us?" asked Yosuke.
"I have created an algorithm that will give you clearance to all areas."
"Doesn´t that kind of stuff leave any traces?"
"All you have to do is upload it into the main computer and I´ll take over from there, making sure no alarms are triggered and you can work quietly."
"Good" said the employer. "Now get to work! We need this done tonight. And remember you two…" he added as Yu and Yosuke were getting out of the car. "Don't kill him."
With that, communication ended and the two mercenaries headed out to do their job.
"Say" commented Yosuke as he walked to the door. "Is it me or is Mitsuo getting pretty jumpy these days?"
"Now that you mention it, he is. And so is The King."
"Yeah, it's as if he constantly had a stick up his…"
"Heads up." said Yu, cutting Yosuke off. The two mercenaries entered a luxurious skyscraper that served as a corporate HQ. The glass automated door opened as if a wall of water was split into two by an invisible blade. As soon as the mercenaries crossed the threshold, the air seemed to change into a bad imitation of breathable oxygen. Yu had to fight the burning in his eyes and nose. Yosuke felt as if he could throw up any minute.
"Damn, the AC gets wore by the day!" cursed the brunet under his breath.
"Tell me about it."
The pair then was approached by a security guard, who asked for some ID. Yosuke didn't have the sharpest tongue, but he was good playing along. Yu quickly invented an excuse, which seemed to work on the sleepy guard. When he was pleased, he returned to his post, laying back on the chair and falling asleep shortly afterwards.
The pair then worked their way to the security systems area, knocking the guards out cold. Once all the gear was set, Mitsuo appeared in one of the screens.
"Good, you made it. Now, all I need to do is… there. You have access to all areas. Also, once you´re done, I´ll delete all footage that can be used against us. The target is on the top floor, so use the employee elevator and from floor 25, use the executive elevator that will take you to the upper level. Watch out for sentries."
"Thanks for the heads-up, Mitsuo." Said Yu as he loaded his gun and put it in his jacket.
"Let's do this, partner." said Yosuke in a rather child-like fashion.
Yosuke pushed the button that would take them to the top floor once they had reached the executive area.
"Nervous?" asked the brunet.
"No."
Yosuke wasn't expecting such an answer. Yu's gaze was cold, distant. Below, the city's glow was getting further away, turning into a cloud of glittering dust. Yu's mind raced back to a time he thought long forgotten.
Are you nervous? Don't worry… It happens to all of us… You have to hold yourself together… I'm counting on you… Yu…
"Yu!" Yosuke's call made the silver-haired mercenary to turn. Before him, there was a group of armed sentries, pointing their assault rifles, ready to shoot at any sudden move.
Well… looks like it'll be another ordinary long night. Right, Yu?
AN: Thank you for reading this! Please be sure to comment and tell me what you think. How will the two mercenaries get out of this one? How could they have been expecting them? Stay tuned for more!
Shin-Izanagi