The Hysterical Midnight Show Chapter 1: Episode 1: The Introduction, a persona series fanfic

Hello everybody! And welcome to my fanfiction! If you're here you must be interested in my story...so I hope you enjoy it! Some things to point out before you begin...1. The Characters might be OOC-ish...but there's a reason for it, which will be explained as the story progresses. 2. If in some of the scenes you are confused, they will be explained later in the story.

Summery: Teddie's Midnight Trivia Miracle Quiz ended up a failure and so to avenge himself, he decided to go the next level...One nice day in Inaba "Ted Teddyson" summons the gang yet again to the TV world to engage into what the calls "The Hysterical Midnight Show" where the participants must do a couple of quirky and strange and even serious things...What will happen to our heroes?

Genre: Mystery, Humor, Romance.

Episode 1: The Introduction!

Act 1: Before the Madness.

Yu's POV

May 2nd, 2012

Where am I? Is this a dream?

I was surrounded by bright lights and monitors and saw some of my friends...Yosuke, Chie, Yukiko standing right next to me...and I also saw Teddie with a white suit, white top hat and a red bow tie right in front of me.

Teddie chuckled mischievously. "Heheheheheh...Alright, the time has come for you to get your lovely prize! And the prize is...a steamy smooch from Teddie!"

What!? What was going on? I was so confused at the time, but then I felt like I've already seen this somewhere before. If this is a dream, please someone wake me from it!

"What!?" My friends said, clearly in shock. If I remember correctly the next thing Teddie will say is. "Here I come..." And then he should jump on me and as I predicted, Teddie jumped and was getting closer and closer to my face until I heard a train...

When I opened my eyes, the light was so blinding that I had squint. For a moment, I couldn't figure out where I was, so I look around.

"Right...I was on my way back." I muttered to myself and look out the window. It seems that I fell asleep on the train headed to the countryside, where I spent the last year...in Inaba. I thought to myself, what was that dream about just now.

"What was it?" I muttered to myself again, and then I realized, that was Teddie's...uhhh...well...what did he call it? Midnight Trivia Miracle Quiz? Yes, something like that...I wondered why I dreamed about that...

But I decided to shrug it off...and I looked outside again...recalling myself why I decided to go back here in the first place and that is to spent the Golden Week holiday with my friends...

"Now pulling into Yaso-Inaba. This will be the last stop. Yaso-Inaba." The conductor said in a monotone.

"Oh!" End of the line already. Looks I've been asleep for a lot longer that I thought. Just as that thought came to me...I certain worry crossed my mind. Why did I dream about Teddie's Quiz of all things?

No, I shouldn't question myself such irrelevant things. It was probably the just excitement.

The train begins to slow, and I take that as my cue to gather my belongings from the luggage rack above me. When the train comes into a complete stop and the doors open, even the smell of the wind evokes a sense of nostalgia. I step out the platform with a wry smile.

I'm standing in front of the train station, but this town is as quite as it always been. I realize the sun started to set, the orange sky envelops the world.

Today's May 2nd. I'd told Dojima that I will arrive today, but it seems he's to busy with work to come get me.

I was really thirsty, so I decided to go to the vending machine and buy myself something to drink. Then I heard a familiar voice calling out my name. I knew it could be only my friend...Yosuke.

"Yu!" I turned around to see Yosuke running up to me. He pretty much looked the same as I remember him.

"Hey, Yosuke! Long time no see." I greeted him with a smile.

Yosuke smiled back at me and replied jokingly. "Dude, it's been only two months!"

I then realized he's was tho only one to greet me and so I ask him. "Yosuke, where are the others?"

Yosuke was oddly hesitant at first but then replied. "Oh, well...they said they were all busy, so I decided to pick you up alone."

Yosuke was clearly hiding something. I wondered why Teddie wasn't with him, because knowing him, he would mostly slack off on his job or stick around with Yosuke or both. I decided not to ask him about it.

"Anyway, you said you were to pick me up?" I asked him.

"Not quite. I came here by bus." Yosuke said mournfully, then looked down. "Damn, I wish I had a motorcycle."

"Well, let's go. Nanako must be waiting for me." I said, smiling.

"Yeah!" Yosuke looked up again at me, smiling. I got my drink that I bought at the vending machine and so went on to the bus stop.

We made it to the bus stop, and as we waited for the bus to arrive. There was an awkward silence between us. So I looked down at my souvenir bag and remembered something. It's was about Yosuke's gift. Dammit! It just occurred to me that I forgot to buy his special gift.

I actually received a call from Teddie this morning, telling me about it. I was bit confused about his request.

Flashback

"Hellooooooo! Is this Sensei?" Teddie asked me on the phone.

"Yeah, what's up?" I replied happily.

"I'm really sorry to bring this up, but I forgot to tell you something bear-y important." Teddie said in an apologetic tone.

"No, it's okay, what is it that you wanted to tell me?" I asked him as I wondered what it was.

"I have a spacial request for the souvenirs I'm sure you'll be bringing for your bear-est friends!" Teddie proclaimed.

I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to tell people what you want them to bring you as souvenirs...I already have some souvenirs for everybody...but, oh well. Teddie was only asking for snacks that aren't sold in Inaba, so it wasn't much trouble. But...there was one problem...

"Oh, and one more thing! Can I ask you to pick up something for Yosuke, too?" Teddie pleaded.

"I was planing on bringing something for everyone, but...go ahead." I reassured Teddie. I was a little nervous what was he going to say.

"Cool! Well, Yosuke's been down in the dumps lately after his mommy burned down his favorite nurse." Teddie said with somewhat sad tone.

What? I stayed silent and let Teddie finish.

"She was what I called scorching hot, heehee! Just kidding!" He said jokingly. Now, I was confused and decided to ask about this nurse.

"A...a nurse...?" I asked him. It didn't occur to me at the time...but I think he was talking about some adult magazines and Teddie was going to confirm it to me.

"Aww, c'mon, Sensei. You know what I'm talking about! His nurse magazine, with a chest examinations and the bear behinds!" Teddie said probably embarrassing himself that he said that.

"I...see..." I said and then groaned at his awkward request. I wasn't sure how to take this and so I asked him. "And...you expect me to buy him a replacement?"

"Hrm? Of course, silly! People coming to visit are supposed to bring presents!" Teddie said matter-of-factly.

"Mmm-hmm...Alright." That much is true, I guess.

"Aha! The sexy nurses will be arriving, after all!" Teddie said in excitement, and it kinda sounds like he wants this magazine for himself.

"Yosuke will be so happy! Alright then, we'll be waiting for you!" Teddie said as he hang up.

"Nurses, huh?" I mused. I didn't know he liked nurses.

And so in the end I wasn't able to pick up one for him. How can I put it? I'd feel bad for Yosuke if I gave him that magazine, and every time he opened it, his friend's face kept pooping up in his head. And I'd have to think Yosuke has his pride, too...He doesn't need me buying him this stuff.

Then again, this is Yosuke we're talking about. I'm sure he'll understand if I explain my reasoning. Probably...

We were still waiting for the bus, so I decided to strike up a conversation.

"Ummm...I'm sorry..." I decided to start of with the apology about his souvinir.

"Hm? What are you sorry for?" Yosuke said with a confused look on his face. I don't blame him, that was a little sudden.

"Well, you see, I wanted to buy everyone a special souvenir and well I forgot to buy yours." I said with an apologetic face on. He wasn't fazed by it.

"Dude, don't worry! Having you here is awesome enough!" Yosuke said not being sad about the souvenir. I smiled at that response. It always reminds me what friends are for.

I hesitated at whether to bring up about his magazine up or not, so I decided to be honest.

"Well, actully Teddie called, tell-" I was talking casually until I got interrupted by Yosuke who for some reason, got agitated.

"Teddie called you!?" Yosuke literally jumped up from his seat as he said that. That was a strange reaction and by that reaction I could see that something was not right...it's probably has something to do with Teddie.

"Oh, sorry if I startled you..." Yosuke calmed down and looked down o the ground.

"Yosuke, is there something you're not telling?" I asked straight out. I couldn't just ignore his sudden reaction just now.

"No, no there's noth-aw...what the hell...there's no point in hiding it anymore..." Yosuke started of denying it, but then decided to be honest with me since he understood there would be no point.

"It's about Teddie, isn't it? I wondered why he wasn't with you when you came to the station to greet me." I stated.

"Yeah. The reason I got surprised, is because he's...well...he's been missing this past month and so when you said "Teddie called"...I freaked out...me and the rest of the gang haven't heard of him in a while.

I see. So I was right. First of all, I'd bet he tried to keep that a secret from me, so that I couldn't worry about it. There's no need for him to be concerned about me, really. Second, if what Yosuke says is true, then why did Teddie called me this morning? This was defiantly strange.

"A month? Have you checked if he was inside the TV world?" I asked him, curious.

"Yeah. We checked and checked, but couldn't find him anywhere, even Rise couldn't locate him with her Persona. We also looked in the outskirts of Inaba and even searched the Okina City...Nothing..." Yosuke said with annoyance in his voice, but then he looked up again and continued with a serious face and tone. "So, when Teddie called you, what did you two talk about."

"Nothing much, really...He just said to buy that special souvenir I mentioned before...and he did not even sound suspicious in any way either...not in his tone that is." I said with pensiveness. This was really starting to get more and more complicated. I needed to think this through tomorrow...with everyone.

"Say, Yosuke...I think we should discuss this tomorrow with everyone." I suggested. I really didn't want to do this now of all times. Nanako is probably still waiting for me and the sun is almost set.

"I agree. We gonna meet at our usual spot, like always." Yosuke agreed with me. And the usual place he is talking about is Junes Food Court.

As we finished talking, the bus we've been waiting for, has finally arrived.

And so, after 15 minutes or so, I have finally arrived to the Dojima residence. The place on the outside looked exactly the same as I remember it.

And so I stood in front of the front door, ringing the doorbell, expecting Nanako to greet me.

The sliding front door opens...and as expected, I see Nanako standing in front of me, smiling and then saying happily. "Welcome back, Big bro!". By the sound of her cheerful voice, I could defiantly say that she's been anxiously awaiting for me.

And so I step inside, take off my shoes and go inside the living room where I see Dojima lying back on the sofa. It appears he came back home not too long before I did. He tilts his head towards me and said the same thing Nanako did with a smile on his face. And as I look into the table that was in the living room too, I saw some expensive looking food. Dojima must have brought this.

I put the souvenir bag down on the floor and wash my hands. I, Nanako and Dojima all sat at the table and began to eat the food. Dojima also apologized about the sudden increase workload. But that didn't really bother me...as long as the family was here, that what counts.

Being here like this makes me feel like the two months I was gone, never happened at all. There's a warm atmosphere, as if I've always been a part of this family and have lived with them for my entire life. I thank both of them from the depths of my heart, and after I give them the souvenirs I'd bought for them, we enjoy chatting with each other...as a family.

Nanako feel asleep from all the excitement. After carrying her to her own room, I told my uncle that I'd be going to bed early as well, sense I have plans and I was really tired. I finished the meal and gone upstairs to my room. It's another familiar room which brings back more memories.

I sit down on my sofa and sigh from the exhaustion of the long journey. I'll be able to see my friends tomorrow. As much as I wanted to hang out with my friends this holiday, I needed to know what had happened to Teddie. Whole month gone, huh? I wonder if he's okay. He must be. I then heard droplets of water coming down from the outside.

"It's raining." I blurted out without thinking. I look at the time and the time is just before midnight. In mere moments it will be a new day. Whenever it rains at night, I keep checking the time. While I spent the last year in Inaba, I was always checking for the "Midnight Channel", which was a popular urban legend here in Inaba. It's a bad habit of mine, is what it is.

"If you look at a turned-off TV at midnight on rainy night, you will see your soul mate." Discovering that this rumor was actually true was the first reason why I became involved in the murder investigation last year. But the person who actually appears on the Midnight Channel isn't your soul mate...

It's the next victim.

After discovering this, we all nervously sat before our TVs on rainy nights like this one in order to solve the case.

"Ha...That brings back memories. Nothing will show anymore, though." I said with glad-fullness.

Will nothing really appear, though? I'm starting to have doubts...because Teddie hadn't shown his face to his friends in a month and that he mysteriously called me this morning. But then again, we did solve the case, we all confirmed that the Midnight Channel wasn't appearing again. Should I stay awake to see if the Midnight Channel will come up? Or should I go to sleep now?I figured...

"Just in case...for old times sake." I said with a serious face on.

I peer into the TV screen, as if something drawing me into it. But all I see is my reflection in the dark glass of the CRT television.

...Or so I thought...

Suddenly, out of the blue, the television started to emit static and then showing something. I couldn't believe it with my eyes. The Midnight Channel...is back!?

But I decided to think about it later and see what it was showing. What I saw, was really odd, to say the least. The TV...errr...the Midnight Channel was showing all of my friends attached to strings and being pulled and the one who was pulling their strings was a silhouette of...Teddie!?

As I watched more...there was a little indication of a message coming closer and closer to full view. The message stopped and it read..."Come to the TV world, Yu Narukami."...

Wait...Me? Yu Narukami...that's my full name...I was getting more and more confused each second. What was going on? The screen stayed like that for a minute before it shut of.

"Wha...? "Come to the TV world, Yu Narukami""? I said and stood there in shock.

I hurry to make sure that the TV isn't plugged in. That was, most certainly….the Midnight Channel. What it was actually showing was rather ridiculous and/or something to be possibly afraid of. But, thinking back, everything the Midnight Channel showed last year didn't make any sense, either.

It doesn't make any sense. Why did the Midnight Channel air again? I have to find out why. I immediately thought of calling Yosuke and so I did, I wondered if he saw it too.

"Let's see,...H...Hanamura, Yosuke." I quickly hit the call button and he picked up.

"Did you see it!?" Yosuke said right away. By the sound of his voice, I knew he was panicking.

"Yes. I assume you did too." I said. I wonder if he had the same bad habit as me. I mean how could he possibly knew the Midnight Channel would come back today.

"Yeah, This is really bad. First Teddie and now this!?" Yosuke said in an angry tone. He was definitely confused and annoyed by this just as I was. Teddie's disappearance and the return of the Midnight Channel, must be connected somehow.

"Alright. We should get together tomorrow like we planned." I said with confidence. Whatever is happening, we are going get to the bottom of this.

"Yeah, at the Junes food court. Also...I forgot to say something...welcome back...Partner." Yosuke said before hanging up.

I made sure I was ready for tomorrow. I feel asleep on my futon...praying, that this was only a joke of some sort.

May 3rd, 2012

I woke up early today like I planned and gone to Junes right away.

This place is lively as always. I look across the food court on Junes' roof for the first time in awhile. Even though there aren't that many people in Inaba, this is exceptionally crowded.

I happen to run into Yosuke at the elevators. We briefly greet each other. It was a little awkward.

The closer we are, the more simple our interactions when we meet each other face-to-face. The two of us step out to the food court. We immediately find Yukiko, Chie, Kanji, Rise and Naoto. All of them wave back at us from the bench they're sitting on.

"Good to see you guys again." I said with cheerful smile.

"Welcome back! We missed you!" My friends said in unison, then Chie continued. "The guest of honor's finally here! You're looking well." Chie greeted me with a wide smile. Suddenly someone grabbed my arm and I look around to Rise was the one. "How have you been, Senpai?" Rise winked at me as she said that. She didn't change in appearance and personality. Then Kanji walked up to me and crossed his arm and smiled. "Hey, welcome back, Senpai! Man, have I missed you!" I'm sure you did Kanji. Naoto then followed suit and greeted me formally as well.

"Welcome back. Um, should we...?" Yukiko questioned Yosuke about something.

"Hm...? Oh, he already know about Disappearance of Teddie and the Midnight Channel thing. He's actually the one who called me up about it." Yosuke explained.

"Oh, I see. This has turned into a pretty thrown-together reunion, hasn't it? Well except Teddie's not here." Yukiko said with a joy but then a little sad when she mentioned Teddie.

We chat some more for a little bit while we all sit down. Then Yosuke stands up and clears his throat loudly. He's probably been waiting for the right moment to say something. He hasn't mentioned anything to me, but I can easily guess what he's about to say. We all look towards him...

"Well, it sucks that we can't hang out more before jumping into another mystery, but to celebrate our partner's return...I hereby reinstate the Investigation Team in response to the Midnight Channel going back on air last night!" Yosuke declared.

"Alright!" Everyone cheered. "Ah...the team is back!" Yukiko was getting really excited about this and then shortly afterward the enthusiastic Chie said. "Just hearing that name again gets me all fired up! Yeah! Let's DO this!"

Everyone, including me and even Kanji, began now to applaud. Yosuke got unhappy about it for some reason.

"I don't think the applause is necessary." Yosuke groaned in annoyance.

Why not? It's been two months sense we last saw each other, after all...The girls start chuckling when I shrug...and though Yosuke seems saddened at that, he still ends up laughing along as well. I was relieved to see that they're the same as always...And because of that, it makes me more worried about Teddie...so we can't start slacking off. We began to sort through the information that we know about already.

Yosuke got his serious face on again and started. "Well, let's get cracking. I mean, this is no laughing matter."

"So, no one's heard from Teddie for about a month, until now...when he called Yu yesterday morning." Yosuke started.

"Yeah, and we couldn't find him in the TV world, either." Rise said, worryingly.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yes, I'm sure. I couldn't find a trace of him anywhere...though I had this felling of being blocked by something." Rise clarified.

"I see." She had a felling of being blocked? I think, I'll ask that question to myself later on. For now, we don't know if she was blocked or not.

Also, the relation of Teddie's disappearance and the reappearance of the Midnight Channel last night disturbs me.

"There was something peculiar to me about the Midnight Channel. The picture on the TV was very clear last night. Because, if were going by the pattern from last year, it wouldn't be that clear until after the "victim" entered the TV." Naoto inquired.

"Hey, isn't this the first time a big group of people are shown together? Plus, we're still here." Chie wondered and then got a little pissed off. "Why us, anyway?" Chie seems really angry about it.

"What bothers me most is Teddie. He looked like he was pulling your guys' strings." I implied. What it did show the Midnight Channel was odd and confusing.

"This smells fishy...then again, I doubt he would play a prank like this for no reason." Chie said in suspicion. It would make sense, he disappeared about a month without a trace, and then he suddenly called me on the day when I was arriving to Inaba. It wasn't even special or anything. It was just about Yosuke's special gift.

"Well, I guess we'll just have to go inside the TV and find out what's going on for ourselves, I mean he must be in there, where else he could be?" Yosuke said with determination.

That's right..."go inside the TV". Out of everything, that was the element that shook our common sense the most out of everything we experienced last year.

"Yeah, there's no doubt that something's going on in there. Is everyone ready?" I asked with determination.

"We all good to go. To tell you the truth, I had a hunch that this was going to happen." Yosuke smiled.

We all share a look to confirm our intentions. And all of them nod back...I can see the seriousness in their eyes. Even though there was a two month gap since I last saw them, they still continue to put their trust in me. I feel a slight sense of pride as I stand from the bench. The large-screen TV in the electronics department is directly below the food court...and off we go...

And so, all 7 of us, made it to the "entrance" to the TV world. But there was a little problem. The store's was full of people...probably because of the holiday.

"Heh...I feel like things are picking around town." I said. It been awhile sense I was in the TV world and without thinking I touched the screen...and I've got to say, the felling was the same.

Chie was a little surprised. "Hey, w-wait, there's still people on this side!" Chie whispered loudly. Yosuke then turned around. "Hey, get ready! The costumers are going away!"

"Alright, I'm gonna ask this just to be sure, are you all ready?" I said and then tilted my head to the guys and they just respond with a nod and a"uh-huh" and then I tilt my head to the girls who did the same thing.

I dug my hand deeper into the TV...and looked at it for a second and said. "Let's go!"

It was like I remember it...we floated trough the black and white rectangle-like lines. Until...

Suddenly the colors became inverted and it looked like we were falling into a black hole.

"Isn't this different from usual?" Kanji pointed out. It was the first time this ever happened.

"Oh no! What do we do?" Chie said in a panicked voice.

"What can we do!? We can't stop now!?" Yosuke cried out. Then the bottom started to show bright lights in which I had to squint.

Everyone screamed in terror while I braced myself for the worst. After that...I pass out.

October 29, 2009

Ugh...

Hmmmm...Where am I?

As I open my eyes...I see nothing but darkness...I was lying on, what I think is a bed. I was shivering and so I realized, wherever I was...was really cold, to the point of freezing.

I immediately tried to get up, but I couldn't, because it felt like I was tied to something. It felt like a rope, I tried to yank it off, but I was tied in tightly.

A sudden realization stroke me. Just where am I? It sure doesn't feel like my room and why am I tied up in a bed?

Then without any warning, the lights got turned on in the room, blinding me. After a few seconds, I regained my vision. The room I was in, was completely unfamiliar to me. As far I could see, the room looked run down, and I had was wearing nothing but my boxers, which is why it's so cold.

This was obviously not the dorm, and so the question was, just where am I? And why am I in position like this, being tied up in a bed. My heart started to beat faster out of fear.

I just hoped that this was all a dream. It must be.

"Heeeeeeeey!" I yelled. Maybe calling for help wasn't the best thing, considering the place I'm in, but it was worth a shot.

A few minutes passed, I couldn't feel my body, because of the cold. And then I heard something. It sounded faint, but it was defiantly someone's footsteps.

Did someone come to my rescue, I thought. No, I was being too optimistic. It was most possibly the person who tied me up.

My heart started beating faster and faster and faster. Anxiety hit me, hard. I then tried to yank off the ropes, and kept trying and trying, but it just kept hurting me instead, because if I keep this up, I'm sure I'll get rope burns. Whoever tied me up, tied me up real good, as if he or she didn't want me to move an inch, at all.

The footsteps were getting closer and closer and then they stopped. My body was shaking furiously. Just what he or she want with me? As the door opened, I saw a...girl, because of her physique, but I wasn't completely sure, because she was covering her face with a weird looking mask and she was wearing a black coat. She went in a then closed the door behind her and then locking it. I wonder why she locked the door.

But that wasn't the issue right now. "Who are you? Where am I? Is it you who tied me up?" I asked multiple questions at ones. But she replied with a simple...chuckle?

I didn't notice it before, but there was table with some things. And so she walked up to it. I couldn't see, but it kinda looked like, as if she was preparing something.

I decided to ask her again, but with a stern tone this time. "I asked you a question...Who are you and where a-!?" As I was talking, she suddenly took some duck tape and covered my mouth with it.

"Mhmnhmhmhmhhm!?" I couldn't speak properly. But I clearly wanted to say, "What the hell!?". Just who the hell IS this?

"Shhhh..." She shushed me. By the sound of her voice, I can defiantly tell that was a girl.

I don't understand any of this! I was desperate need of answers. She returned to what she was doing. I decided to look at her again and as I far as I could tell, her physique looked like of a high schooler.

My mind was jumbled, I didn't know what to think anymore. All I wanted is to get out of here and come back to my friends.

I tried yank off the ropes, again...but this time I didn't care if I got rope burns, I just wanted to move my body, because the position I was in was getting tiring and uncomfortable.

The girl finished whatever she was doing and then turned to face me. I was shocked at what she was holding in her left hand. It was multiple sharp objects like scissors, ice picks, knifes you name it, into one big stabber of a weapon.

I wondered just what is she going to do with that. It was stupid of me to wonder that. She was obviously going to kill me...wait...kill...me?

"MMHHHMHHMHH!?" I screamed as loud as could. From fear to anxiety, from anxiety to terror.

The girl simply laughed a little. What the hell so funny!? I tried yet again to yank of the ropes, but I couldn't even do that anymore, because I was terrified and I was freezing to death.

As she raised her hands with her mega-stabber, as I would call it, and she strikes me with it.

I tried let out a scream, but it was too late, I was stabbed in the heart and with it lost my consciousness.

Minato's POV

"Ahhhhhh!?" I screamed and the shock made me get up in a sitting position. Huh? I'm alive!? I touched my body everywhere to check, if it was real. And it was.

"Phew. So it was just dream, or rather a nightmare. It sure felt as if I was there. I need to stop watching horror movies, that must have caused this nightmare." I said to myself. By the time I realized, I was sweating like hell. That nightmare really scared the wits out of me. But I decided to ignore that, and checked the time. It was morning. I needed to get ready for school.

And so I did my morning routine, put on my clothes and tried heading to the first floor lounge, but something stopped me. I saw something on the floor near the door. That "something" I'm talking about, were 3 envelopes. Looks like someone slipped these. And they were not just some plain envelopes, each of them looked different in their own way.

I picked them up to take a closer look. The first one was pink, bright pink. I could only think of Yukari for some reason. Then, the second one. It was red. Red. The edges of the envelope was covered in gold paint. For some reason, to me, it resembled elegance in which Mitsuru could have slipped this. And the last one was just a green-ish color. The color pretty much resembled Fuuka's hair color.

"What is this?" I asked myself. I can defiantly tell that Yukari, Mitsuru and Fuuka slipped these in my room. So why? I wanted to open them and see what inside, but I then realized that I was going to be late for school, if I didn't hurry. I shoved all three envelopes in my pocket and headed down to the first floor.

There was nobody there, probably already headed out to the school.

I finally arrived at the school. I straight away headed to my classroom. While I was going there, I felt like as if someone was watching me. I shrugged the felling off. I was just being paranoid.

As I opened the door, I bummed into someone. It was a girl. A girl, I didn't recognize. She had long, wavy and ginger hair. Before I inspect her any further, she quickly stood up and ran off, saying in a high-pitched voice. "I'm sorry!"

I ignored it and stood up as well, and came into the classroom. I sat at my spot and took out the 3 letters from my pocket.

I placed on my table and looked at them carefully. I didn't know what to do.

As I was deep in thought, someone's voice interrupted, a voice I know to well.

"Good Morning!" Junpei said excitedly. He was full of energy today.

I didn't say anything back to him. I simply continued looking at envelopes. Junpei noticed and said with surprised expression. "Whoa, is that a love letter I see!" I quickly hid the envelopes as everyone in the classroom looked at me and Junpei.

Grrr! Damn you, Junpei! I stomped on his foot, really hard. "Owwww, ow ow ow! H-hey! What was that for?" Junpei said, holding his foot in pain.

"When you notice something interesting, do you always scream "Whoa!" like an idiot?" I asked, still frustrated. Why I'm frustrated? It's because, I don't want any rumors spreading throughout the school.

"Sorry, I'm just really excited today!" Junpei said, full of energy, as he ran off the classroom for some reason. I don't know why is he excited, and I don't want to know.

I, once again, placed the three envelopes on the table and looking at them. I still haven't opened them. I don't know what's inside, but I'm pretty sure they are something special. I'll open them all and see what's inside first.

Alright, I'll go with the pink one first. I opened the envelope, to see there was letter. The handwriting of the letter, I knew all to well. It was Yukari's. And now on to the contents.

Meet me at the archery club entrance, after school. I have something to tell you.

That's it? Really now, I was expecting more than just a few words saying where to go and when to go.

I decided to open what could possibly be Mitsuru's envelope. As I open the envelope, I saw the same thing. A letter. The handwriting is without a doubt is Mitsuru's. The contents though...

Meet me in the Student Council, after school. There's something special I have to tell you...alone.

I didn't expect this. I always thought Mitsuru is a one of those who writes detailed letters. Well, then again if I to write a letter about something simple, I'd probably keep it short.

And moving on to the last green one. I opened it up to see something...another letter. I had a hard time recognizing whose handwriting because it was a little off, and then it hit me that was Fuuka's handwriting.

Please, meet me at the school gate, after school. There's something special I want to tell you in private.

And that's it. Weird, for such a short letter, they sure went out on the envelopes. Oh well, not that it matters. As I assumed, all of them wrote about the "special" thing. What bothered me is why did they send letters. I'm pretty sure they have my number, so that they could send me an e-mail. Nah, I'm thinking to much.

Now comes the hard part...3 girls probably want to hang out with me. All 3 of them are beautiful in their own way. I can't really hang out with all three of at once. So I have to choose.

Yukari...Mitsuru...Fuuka...

I know...There's only one solution to this problem and that is...

I'll just have to Eeny, meeny, miny, moe it...That always works...I mean, this one time I had a hard time choosing between two delicious candies...and the one that ended up winning was really tasty and really I had no regrets...Alright so, on the left is going to be Yukari's letter, then Mitsuru's in the middle and last one is Fuuka's on the right. Ok...I'm going to go from left to right.

Eeny, meeny, miny, moe

Catch a tiger by the toe.

If he hollers, let him go,

Eeny, meeny...

Before I finished...I gave up the idea. I shouldn't choose a girl out of pure counting rhyme. If only something or someone would give me an advice of some sort.

As I slept though the boring lectures, I finally heard the final school bell ringing.

After School

I didn't go in any designated places I should have been, so I went straight to the dorm. When I got to the school gate I saw Fuuka. I guess she is serious about that "special" thing she wants to say to me.

I'm sorry, Fuuka, but if I choose you for my lover, over the other two girls,before giving a second thought. I know I will regret it!

And so, I sneaked past her, somehow. She didn't notice me, and that was good. I continued walking back to the dorm, and on the way, I ran into Junpei, who seemed to be...sad...?

"Hey, man..." Junpei said, sighing depressingly. What's happened to him I wondered. This morning I saw him all excited over something and now I see him like he'd been rejected in something, which possibly, might and may be the case.

I decided to ask him what happened. "Umm, did something happen, Junpei?" I asked him in concern. But to be honest, I didn't. I'm still mad at him for blabbing out the letters.

Brief Flashback

Junpei noticed I was looking at the envelopes. and said with surprised expression. "Whoa, is that a love letter I see!" I quickly hid the envelopes as everyone in the classroom looked at me and Junpei.

Grrr! Damn you, Junpei! I stomped on his foot, really hard. "Owwww, ow ow ow! H-hey! What was that for?" Junpei said, holding his foot in pain.

Just remembering it, makes me mad. I mean what if someone heard that and started spouting rumors. The girls would probably...no, DEFINATLY wouldn't like that. I pretty sure they wanted me to keep those letters a secret only to myself. Well, now that I think about it, it my fault for putting them out for anyone to see. Nice job, dumbass. You dun goofed. I knew I should have gone to the restroom. Well what's done is done.

"Hey, Minato! Are you listening?" Junpei proclaimed, snapping his fingers in front of my face.

Huh? Man, I was so deep in thought, that I didn't even hear Junpei's story. Whoops, my bad.

"I'm sorry, Junpei. Could you repeat that?" I said, as I scratched my head, feeling embarrassed for no reason.

"Ugh, You're still mad about that, like I said, I'm sorry, dude, but something far worse happened to me than to you." Junpei said with an apologetic and then terrified tone. Well, I'm glad he realized what he done and apologized, I feel a little bit happier. Anyway, when he said that "far worse" his face looked like as if he'd seen a ghost. By the look on that face, I can say that something DID happen to him.

"So what happened to you?" I asked, my curiosity being picked. But I felt like the story he's about to tell me will be just about some girl rejecting him.

"Well, this morning when I was heading out to school. I noticed something by the door and decided to pick it up. It was an envelope, a love letter." Junpei said, sighing. Now that's a surprise. A love letter, to Junpei? Now that's what you don't see everyday. Wait...there's something strange here...

"And so, I opened the envelope to see there was a letter. And it read this..." Junpei said taking out something out of his pocket, and then handed it to me. It seems he doesn't want read it, rather he wants me to read it. Ok...The contents on the letter was surprising and almost shocking.

Please, meet me at the school pool entrance, after school. There's something special I want to tell you in private.

Huh!? The letter is really identical to the others I got! Could this be coincidence or...No, it couldn't be. Something weird is going on, I can tell that much.

"I see...so, what then?" I asked him nervously. For some reason, whatever is he going to tell me, I got the feeling, I won't like it.

"Well, when I got to the place we should meet...well I didn't see anyone...really..." Junpei said, closing his eyes, scratching his head. He lied, I can tell that by the terrified look he gave me before. I mean how could you get scared of something he haven't seen. I would understand if he gave me the sad look. But then again, I feel like he was lying for the sake of not saying it. But I need to know.

"What really happened, Junpei?" I asked him, crossing my arms.

Junpei was a bit surprised at my question. Oh come on, an amateur can spot that you were lying.

"Are you sure?" Junpei warned me. He really doesn't want to talk about it. But I needed to know. Just for the sake of knowing it.

"Yes." I said. Whatever he saw, just what scared him so? The tension has grown and after a deep breath, Junpei said something I didn't expect.

"A chick with school swimsuit..." Junpei whispered to my ear.

…

….

…...

…...Wha?...

WHAAAAAAAAAT!? That's it!?

"Are you serious!? What's so scary about a girl school swimsuit!?" I exclaimed. And here I thought, something horrible happened to him...But it appears it was Junpei being Junpei.

"Whoa...chill, dude! Scary? Did I looked scared to you? It was shock that I'd seen a one-of-a-kind chick with a swimsuit on...Hey do want to know how she looked like?" Junpei reassured and then asked. One-of-a-kind?

"No! I don't care how she looked like!" I refused his perverted offer, but there's was no point to it anyway.

"Well, since you were disappointed at that...I might as well tell how this one-of-a-kind girl looked like. She had a nice body and her most beautiful feature was her long, wavy and ginger hair." Junpei said with disgusting and perverted look on his eyes.

Looking away from him, I remembered something. I wondered if he was talking about the same girl I bummed into when I tried to enter my classroom. I didn't give it much thought, but I now wonder what she was doing in my classroom. As far I could remember, during lectures, I haven't seen her, sitting in any school desk. That was the last time I have seen her in classes. So she wasn't my classmate. The question is...what was she doing in my classroom at the time when i bumped into her? Maybe she's got lost and ended up in my classroom. I mean it looked like as if she was rather in a hurry.

"Heeeeey! Earth to Minato!" Junpei once again woke me from my deep thinking.

"Hmmm, what were you saying?" I asked Junpei. I did it again apparently.

"I was telling the rest of the story...that I don't bring up again..." Junpei said with a sad tone. So there was more? I knew it...and I think I know what's he going to say...

"Ugh, dude...well, when I was looking at the girl, someone saw me and well...knocked me out..." Junpei said, holing his head. I assume he was hit in the head. Why though? Also I did not expect him getting hit in the head.

"And then, the weird part is that I found myself lying on a school desk in my classroom. I was tired and didn't want to do anything else and so I decided to go back to the dorm." Junpei finished. It is kinda weird, why would someone hit a guy and then carry him to his classroom.

I wonder if he had forgotten about the letter and the date when he saw his proclaimed "one-of-a-kind" girl. Ugh, just thinking about it makes me feel perverted. I wonder if someone played a prank on him or something, because it doesn't look like he has seen the girl he was supposed to meet with. I mean, I'm sure he would have told me about her. I wonder if that would've happened to me too. I mean the contents of the Junpei's letter and mine are far from being just a coincidence. Then again, I did see Fuuka standing near the school gate...

Ugh, I need to stop over thinking this. It was just a prank someone pulled and that's it.

"Anyway, have you heard this weird rumor going on about?" Junpei asked.

"What weird rumor?" I asked back. I have no idea what he was talking about.

"You never heard it!? Dude, how could not have heard about it. Practically everyone in our school talking about it." Junpei said in amazement.

"Well that's because I have no idea what you're talking about. Also, I care less for such things. Rumors are just rumors." I responded bitterly.

"No, no...this is a special one." Junpei interpreted and then continued explaining. "They call it the Midnight Channel...It is said that if one would stare at the screen of a closed television, alone, at midnight during a heavy rain, one could see their soul mate." Junpei said in a spooky tone.

"First of all, it sound more like an urban legend than a rumor, second, it doesn't make sense. I mean just how a closed television would work?" I questioned Junpei, but he simply gave me a confused look as if saying "I don't know".

The rumor sounded stupid enough, so why are people talking about? Junpei also said that you would see your soul mate, but I have no idea who thought of that.

"I just thought we try it, see if it's true or not." Junpei suggested. I shook my head and responded.

"Oh come on, you and I both know that it won't work. Plus, there's the Dark Hour and there's the shadows we have to worry about."

"Man, come on, just this one midnight. Look, today is gonna rain, and for some reason this rumor bugs the hell out of me. I really need to know if this rumor is true or not." Junpei said with conviction. For something so stupid, he sure is serious.

"Alright, fine! But if it going to turn out to be a hoax, you own me lunch. Got it?" I agreed and so did he. We had nothing else to talk about so we went straight to the dorm.

Evening

I went to the boys restroom and then to my room. I still had to wait some hours until midnight so I thought I would use that time to study. For the future exams. While I was studying, like Junpei said, it started raining. I then wondered if this Midnight Channel is really going to work. Junpei said, I could see my soul mate. It was something I was looking for, I mean I didn't know what girl should I choose, but...

I decided to stop studying, with all these thoughts flying around my head, I wouldn't concentrate properly.

Midnight/Dark Hour

It was almost midnight, and the rain was still falling down. According to Junpei, I just needed to stare at the screen until something pops up. Hmmm...Looks like the dark hour set on...I only just realized...No electronics should work in the dark hour, so there was no way this "Midnight Channel" would show up, but still I waited.

I waited and waited...and nothing was popping up...I sighed..."I knew Junpei was playing tricks on me, I can't belie-" I said to myself until...

...Suddenly something unthinkable happened...The TV turned itself on and it was emitting static.

"What?" I mouthed the word and stared at the screen in awe. Hundred of questions attacked me all at once.

How did it turn itself on? How was it working in the dark hour? Is someone broadcasting this? If so, why?

I stared at it, until it showed me a couple of silhouettes and a mysterious figure on top which looked like a teddy bear, perhaps?

For some unknown reason I wanted to put my hand on the screen. I don't know why, I just wanted to do that. And so as my hand was drawing closer and closer to the screen, something even peculiar happened.

I don't know how to describe it, the only way I could describe it is that someone's hand "came out" of the TV and then forcefully grabbed my hand and tried to pull me in into the TV...Did I just say that?

I was shocked, confused and startled all in the same time. I couldn't make sense of what was going on and it didn't occur to me to scream for help. I tried resisting this mysterious hand but I couldn't...it was too strong, and before I knew it, I blacked out, not knowing what happened next.

Act 2: The Start of the Madness.

Yu's POV

Time: ?

…...

Hmmmm...

Ughh...

"Huh? Wh-where am I?" I questioned nothingness. What happened?

As I look around, I was in some sort of classroom. What was I doing in a classroom? I remember entering the TV and then...

Wait...I did enter the TV with the rest of the Investigation Team...I looked around the classroom again. It was just me.

Why is it a school though? When we entered "that one TV" we always ended up in the same spot, the studio-like place. And we came with everybody. But now, we landed into a school and separated.

Maybe, I was just fast asleep and then dreamed about this? No. The air in this place smells like the TV world. And this classroom, I don't recognize it at all.

I decided to look around the classroom that would confirm this is the TV world. As I looked around, I found a...pamphlet-looking thing.

It read: Meet me at the school hall. Let's get this thing started, everyone!

School Hall? And let what started? I wonder if this is Teddie's doing. No, it must be him. It's the whole point we went here, and that is to find Teddie. Just what is he up to.

Anyway, before I went out the classroom, I decided to look outside the window. I saw nothing weird, surprisingly. The outside looked beautiful, and I'm saying that because of the falling cherry blossoms. Apparently, it was spring. I wonder what school this is. The classroom and the outside looked really different. It wasn't Yasogami High that's for sure. Hmmm...

Well, I needed to head out the classroom and so I did. The moment I went out the classroom, I saw a long hallway. I didn't know where the school hall was, because I'm not familiar with this school at all.

As I walked and walked through the hallway and stumbled across other rooms, such as...another classroom that read 2-2, an infirmary, and a faculty office. I tried all the doors, but they were all locked. No surprise there. I also saw a clock and it showed past 1 p.m.

After, probably 10 minutes or so...I finally found the school hall. As I opened the door, I saw everyone.

They turned around to see who was opening the door. When they saw me, Yosuke yelled out my name in surprise and relief.

"Yu!"

Everyone ran up to me, smiles in their faces. I was glad they were okay. And so we stopped the re-reunion. I asked them a question that I had in mind.

"Guys, have you find Teddie?" All of them shook their heads. No surprise there either.

"Hey, Senpai. Where do you think we are?" Kanji asked me. That was rather a peculiar question. We were in the TV world. And we were in the school. I look around the school hall.

"It's a school by the looks of it. I think you meant to ask why we are here?" I responded.

"Yes, I'm pretty sure this wasn't here and never was when we last checked the place." Chie said.

"Rise, could you determine where we are, right now." I asked Rise. She seems disappointed.

"I can't...I can't use my persona..." She said gloomily. I was concerned.

"Why can't you?" I curiously asked. But the answer is probably going to be...

"I don't know." Rise said simply. I wonder...I walked away from everyone a few steps.

"Izanagi!" I called out my persona's name and nothing came out. Just as I suspected.

I turned around to see everyone's shocked faces except Naoto who was calm.

"We can't use our personas. Interesting..." I mused. I put my thumb and my index finger on my chin.

"Are we really in the TV world? I mean if we can't summon our persons then-" Chie started before Naoto cut her off.

"Yes, we are. Someone must have changed things around here. Remember what we saw when we entering the TV world? Well, if anything else, that must have caused this." Naoto said with certainty. As I was about to say something...

"Hee hee hee...You all here now." Someone declared. I was a voice we all knew to well. It came out from the podium. And so we all turned around to the podium and we all glared at the podium. It was him. It was Teddie.

For one thing, I was glad that we found Teddie safe and sound. He was wearing a white top hat, a white suit with a big red bow tie. I feel like I've seen him wearing that before.

"Well then! I'm proud to announce the opening of our bear-y own Hysterical Midnight Show!" Teddie declared on the microphone.

What? Hysterical Midnight Show? The midnight channel did show a silhouette of Teddie...so is Teddie is really the one behind this? No one spoke, so I decided to say something.

"Teddie, what's going on here? We came to look for you, and-" I said of concern. But Teddie just interrupted me.

"Ugh, Always with the talking, Sensei! It's a big waste of time!" Teddie complained. Why was he acting like this, it wasn't like him at all.

"Let ME talk! I'm gonna explain the show's rules to you guys!" Teddie said excitedly.

"Rules? Show? Cut the crap, Ted! You know, we've been worried about you! Where have yo-" Yosuke exclaimed but then got interrupted by Teddie.

"Ugh, not you too, Yosuke! Anyway, that doesn't matter now! What matters is the game that you will play." Teddie said in a menacing tone as he somehow snapped his fingers.

Suddenly 7 envelopes came dropping from above and landed on the floor. Then Teddie spoke again.

"In each envelope, bear-s each of your names. And in those envelopes, you will find two sheet of papers, one containing the rules and the other one containing a schedule." Teddie explained. I looked at the envelopes.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa...whoever said we're gonna participate in this!" Chie stopped Teddie.

"Yeah, Chie's right! The last time we played your quiz thing...it resulted in horrible end and remember what we said at the end "We're not gonna play anymore of your stupid games!"" Yosuke yelled. I stopped looking for my envelope and faced Teddie.

"I knew you were going to say that, so I prepared something that will change your mind." Teddie said again in a menacing tone. What did he mean by that?

"Oh, yeah? And what's that? Well, whatever it is, it sure won't change any of our mind." Kanji said, almost not believing Teddie's words and when he said that, another 7 envelopes came falling from above.

"Hehehe...See those envelopes?" Teddie laughed evilly and continued. "In each envelope, bear-s each of your names like the one with the rules. And in that envelope contains each of your own...guess what...deep, dark secrets and shameful memories." Teddie said and smiled evilly. Everyone looked in disbelief and so did I. How could he possibly know our secrets and shameful memories.

"Don't believe me? Well open up the envelope and see if I'm telling the truth or not." Teddie said. I looked at everyone beside me and they all nodded. For some reason I was nervous. I keep telling myself Teddie is lying, but the sound of his voice, it felt like he was telling the truth.

As I open the envelope with my name on it, I see a note. I looked at the note and I was instantaneously shocked. The contents of this note did contain my secret that I didn't share with anyone else. It says...

Yu Narukami is a man whore. He's dating multiple girls in secret in his home town. He also likes smashing cards. Wonder what will the girls think of you, if this were to release to public.

It also contained pictures of our dates. The big question that flowed into my mind is how did he could've know all this. I remember never speaking about this with anyone. I quickly hid the pictures and the note inside the envelope and put into my pocket.

I looked at the others. Yosuke and Kanji looked surprised, Yukiko and Chie looked a little angry, and Naoto and Rise looked somewhat embarrassed.

"I-is this some kind of joke?" Chie said, trying not believe this.

"Nope, it not! And if any of you disagree to play the game in the next 20 minutes, you can expect these notes and photographic proof be released in the school for everyone to see." Teddie said with sound of threat and to add insult to injury, he continued.

"Also for the record, I won't let you guys out, until you finish the game." Teddie said yet again in a menacing tone.

What was the point of this? Yosuke mentioned something about a quiz...quiz...Wait a second. Was he talking about the Midnight Trivia Miracle Quiz? I now remember that Yosuke DID say that to Teddie, when we were about to go home. Could that be Teddie's reason for doing this...? No, the Teddie I know would never go as far to threaten us to play his game. Something's not right here, THAT I can defiantly tell. From the point when we entered the TV world and this school. Why are we in a school? There a lot of questions that needed answers, but for now we need to bend into this fake Teddie''s will. Plus I don't want to anyone know my secret.

"Guys, we must play his game." I said as calmly as I could. I couldn't believe that someone would grab me by the neck, metaphorically speaking.

My comment surprised everyone as Teddie continued. "Well, looks like Sensei understands. I know I wouldn't want anyone to know my secret too, you know."

"Well, I'm off. I'll come back in about 20 minutes, and if I see all of you or even 1 person resisting, expect these pictures be released in school for anyone's eyes to see. Heeheeheeheehee..." Teddie said evilly and then went off with a devious laugh.

For about a minute everyone stood there, unable to speak. I went to look for the envelope with the rules. I found it and looked at it, it read "Rules and Schedule". "Let's see here..." I murmured to myself. I opened the envelope to see there was two sheet of papers. One containing the rules and the other one containing the schedule, just like the fake Teddie said. To break the silence I decided to speak the rules out loud.

"Rules: You must abide by these rules listed below. If you don't, then expect those secrets and shameful memories released to the public." I started. For a few seconds, I looked at everyone and it looked like they were paying close attention, except for Yosuke, who was looking at the floor. I continued reading the rules out loud for everyone.

"Rule 1: You mustn't break anything in here. Rule 2: You can't attack the host. Rule 3: When all the participants are ready, the show will begin immediately. And there will be no turning 4: After one episode is completed, the participants will be given a 30 minute break. Rule 5: You won't able to use your personas. Only in a designated time and place you will able too. Rule 6: You won't able to leave the TV world until all "episodes" are completed. And that's it for the rules." I finished.

I then put the rules page under the schedule page and then began to read it out loud just like I did with rules page.

"The Schedule: Episode 1: The Introduction. Episode 2: The Murder Mystery. Episode 3: The Rescue of the Beautiful Aimi from her Shadow!" I stopped for a second.

There's someone else here? This Aimi...could she be the one who created this school? Teddie once said that the Midnight Channel contains dungeons that materializes the dreams and desires of those trapped inside. So could she be the one who created this school? Then what this fake Teddie has to do with this? Could he have thrown this Aimi girl into the TV for the purposes of this Show? This "puppet master", who's posing as Teddie, is really cruel is what I can say. That's going to be another mystery to solve. But anyway, I continued reading the rest of the schedule out loud.

"Episode 4: King Hunt, Nurse Time, Maid Time and Swimsuit Time!" I stopped again. The crazy name aside, I wonder what it meant. I continued reading again.

"Episode 5: The NEW King's Game! Episode 6: Golden Chef of Inaba. Episode 7: Will be announced after the 6th Episode. And that's it." I said. I wasn't looking forward to any of these "episodes", because just reading the titles of the episodes are giving me the horrible images that are coming to mind. Everyone took their envelopes probably to keep it as a memo. Except Yosuke though, who was just standing there, not moving an inch.

"Hey, why isn't no one protesting! I mean why should we listen to whatever Ted says!" Yosuke finally said something.

"For this one time, I don't want to get on "Teddie's" bad side." Kanji said surprising Yosuke and everyone, he even surprised me. Usually, he would yell and protest if something stupid comes up. He sometimes even goes to the point of violence. Is it because, he had a deep dark secret that he doesn't want anyone to know? That must be it. Also, the way he said Teddie...maybe he thought of the same possibility...about the someone posing as Teddie.

"Kanji? Dude, how can to accept this? Why are you believe the crap he says? He's just bluffing and these pics must be fake." Yosuke further protested.

"What makes you say that, Yosuke-Senpai?" Naoto spoke. Yosuke wanted to say something but then just looked at the floor, defeated.

"These, envelopes with secrets and pictures are very real, because I remember clearly this happening to me once in the past." Naoto said with a slight angry tone. I wonder what had happened to her.

"Naoto, even if this is real, he couldn't release this to the public. I know he was just joking." Yosuke said.

"No, he was serious, because why would he go though all that trouble to get these secrets and then waste them on nothing? I assume so...that is. But anyway, it's like buying a very high priced toy and then not playing with it. Makes sense, no?" Rise stated. She has a good point.

"Yosuke, someone else must be behind this and whoever it is must be in control of this world, I mean doesn't it bother why we can't summon our personas? And the Teddie we all know, couldn't have possibly have done this. He's our friend. I'm sure he wouldn't threaten us by blackmailing into playing his game." I pointed out to Yosuke. Yosuke then nodded and then took the remaining envelope with rules and the schedule.

After a few more minutes, the fake Teddie comes back again, just like he said he would. I noticed he was holding some sort of devise on his hand.

"Well? Have you made up your minds? Will you keep resisting or you would play the game?" The fake Teddie said and then continued. "Not that you had a choice to begin with. Muahahaha!" He laughed evilly.

"Fine, we will play by your rules, but you have to answer me this...why are you doing this?" Yosuke said, looking at "Teddie" with disgust.

"Why?" Teddie repeated the question and then got angry. "I can't tell you that! Nope!"

He calmed down and then continued. "Well it looks like you're all ready. It's time to raise the curtain." He finished and then pressed something on the devise he was holding on to.

Suddenly, without any warning, a large amount of gas came flowing from everywhere around the room. It was so sudden, that I inhaled some of it. Whatever in this gas, it instantly made me weak and sleepy and so I couldn't do anything but to fall on the floor. I don't know what happened to everyone else, but I'm pretty sure the same thing happened to them as well. As I lie on the floor, before passing out, I could hear the fake Teddie say something but I couldn't clearly tell what it was. And so I pass out...

Minato's POV

Time: ?

…...

"Huh? Wha? Where am I?" I murmured to myself, still half asleep. I cleared my eyes to get a better view. It was a classroom. My classroom in fact! What was I doing here? Maybe I was sleeping in class and everybody already left? Was I fast asleep or something, that I didn't even hear the school bell? Whatever...I looked to the side my school table to find nothing.

"Huh? Where's my school bag?" I said, confused. What's going on? I looked around the classroom and I didn't find anything. Anything but this weird looking pamphlet. It read...

"Meet me at the school hall. Let's get this thing started, everyone!"

What is this? I was confused. First, someone took my school bag and now this weird pamphlet telling me to go the school hall. Is this Junpei's doing? And let get what started?

I was still half-asleep and I couldn't see very well, so I decided to go the sink to wash my face. There was also a mirror and as I looked at the mirror, the only thing I could see is myself. I noticed something weird. I face was looking rather pale, as if I was sucked out of energy. And then it hit me. I remember now.

"Someone grabbed me and pulled me in, that's how passed out." I said with full of anger. That son of a bitch is gonna pay. But wait a second, didn't that hand came out of a TV? Was I...hallucinating? That must be it! The Dark Hour is sure getting to me. Didn't think I would start hallucinating...

I wonder, is what Junpei said, happened to me too...

Brief Flashback

"I was telling the rest of the story...that I don't want too bring up again..." Junpei said with a sad tone. So there was more? I knew it...and I think I know what's he going to say...

I wonder...if it was the same guy...Just who is this guy...hitting us until we pass out and then carries us to our classrooms. That was really weird.

I looked again at the weird looking pamphlet and read it contents.

"Meet me at the school hall. Let's get this thing started, everyone!" I crumpled up the pamphlet and thrown it into the trash.

I headed out my classroom and headed straight to the exit, forgetting about my school bag. I reached the exit and as I was getting closer and closer to the door.

With a smile on my face I reached out the handle and pulled it. Nothing. Not even a budge. I tried again and again...but the result was the same.

"What the hell?" I questioned the door. What was going on? Why was the main door locked? Ugh...Don't tell me...I looked at the time...it was 7 p.m...Huh? What was i doing in school so late?

"Meet me at the school hall. Let's get this thing started, everyone!"

Do I really have to go to the school hall? Dammit...it doesn't look like I have choice, but whoever this is, he better let me out of here. And so, I gone straight to the school hall.

As I was heading there, I took some of my time to take a look out the window. It was rather peaceful outside, but I had a weird felling of confinement. It felt like I was in a completely different world. I don't know why I felt that way. I shrugged of the feeling and continued walking to the school hall.

I finally reached the school hall and as I opened the door to the school hall, I saw it. I saw everyone and by everyone, I meant my friends, lying on the floor. I saw, Junpei, Yukari, Mitsuru, Akihiko, Fuuka, Aigis and even Ken.

"Wake up, everyone!" I shouted as loud as I could. As I did that, it looks like everyone began to yawn and putting themselves into a sitting position.

"Huh? Where am I?" Junpei yawns and said sleepily. And then after Yukari started freaking out. "Huh!? What am I doing here sleeping on a floor!?"

"Calm down, guys!" I yelled at everyone so that they could calm down. Everyone looked at me and Mitsuru then stood up and spoke to me. "What is the meaning of this, Minato?" She said in stern voice and then looked around the school hall.

"That's what I would like to know myself..." I said, not knowing how to answer her. Then Akihiko stood up and so did everyone else.

"This looks like our school..." Akihiko pointed out.

"Guys, what are you doing here, passed out on floor?" I asked them, probably rhetorical question. They all just shook their heads. It seems they don't remember. I told them what happened to me. I also told them the main door is locked and that I should go here for some reason. Everyone looked at me in disbelief for some reason.

As they all stood there, trying to get their bearings until suddenly someone's voice ringed out in the school hall.

"Hee hee hee...You all here now!"

Huh? It sounded like it was from the podium and so I came to face it as so did the others. It looked like teddy bear, with a white suit, a white top hat and a red bow tie, that much I can say.

"Who the hell are you?" Junpei right away asked the teddy bear-looking thing.

"My name is Ted Teddieson and I'm the host of this show of what I call "The Hysterical Midnight Show!" The bear pridefully said.

"Show? Who are you and what we were doing sleeping on our school's floor?" Akihiko impatiently said.

The bear suddenly got mad. "I already told you, I'm Ted Teddieson!" He made a short pause and continued. "And to answer to why you here, well, isn't it obvious, you're the participants!" The bear said nonchalantly.

That came to me as shock. Participants, what is he talking about? Why is he doing this to us?

I reached out to my breast pocket to find nothing. I then tried the other pockets and ahh...I found it. My phone, I can use this to call for help. Obviously.

"What are you doing with that?" Ted said. It looks like he noticed me holding my phone and dialing a number.

"What's it looks like? I'm calling for help!" I said. I dialed the local police number and...nothing...I then only noticed that my cell phone had no service at all. What? How could this be? Did someone cut out a telephone pole or something? I looked at the bear, who was smiling wickedly and so I ask him.

"Hey, why is there no service on the phone?" I asked him, almost yelling.

"Hee hee hee...Would you believe me, If I were to tell you are in a completely different world?" The bear laughed and then completely said unbelievable words.

"Every person with a right mind, would never believe that crap!" Yukari pointed out angrily.

"Oh yeah? Then how do you explain the Dark Hour's existence?" Ted rebutted.

His words came to me as a complete shock...How? Just how did he know of the Dark Hour's existence? The only ones knew me, Ikutski, the rest of the S.E.E.S and some from the Kirijo group. Whoever this is, he must know somethings about us too, because the only people I see here are from SEES.

"How do you know about the Dark Hour? I demand an answer." Mitsuru immediately asked and was really demanding of an answer. We all did anyway.

"Long Story, and it really doesn't matter now. What matters now is that you read the rules of the show." As he said that, 8 envelopes suddenly came falling down from above.

"Hey don't ignore our question and plus I can't speak for everybody here, but do not intend to play your game show or whatever?" I yelled at the bear.

"Ooooh, is that sooooo?" The bear said in a mischievous and menacing tone. He then laughed evilly and suddenly again 8 envelopes came falling for above. It fell right to my feet, and without thinking, I picked it up to check what's inside.

The envelope read "Minato's Deep Dark Secrets and Shameful Memories"...What the hell? I opened the envelope rashly to see if what it said was true. I noticed that everyone was looking at me. I continued tearing down the envelope until I saw something truly horrifying. There was note and a few pictures. One of them, it shows me in middle of sleeping.

"Minato Arisato's true name is Makoto Yuki. He drools when he sleeps. He likes putting a gun on the side of his own head just for fun. Wonder what will people think of you, if this were to release to public."

What does he mean by "if this were to release to public". I looked at the pictures which were zero to impossible to get. The question "how did he get these"? Keeps popping up in my mind. One showed me sleeping peacefully and admittedly drooling and the other was when I was in the middle of summoning my persona. And this envelope also contained a printed out copy of my birth certificate, showing my real name as Makoto Yuki.

That said, I looked at everyone who was confused at my possibly very horrified look. And then Junpei asked me. "Hey, is everything okay, dude?" He said with a concerned voice.

I simply pointed at the envelopes with my index finger that just fallen to the floor a few minutes ago and said in a nerve wracking tone. "Open these up, everyone."

Everyone listened to me and looked at the envelopes, first a look of disbelief, but then when they opened the envelope and saw what's inside, their face instantly went from disbelief to shock. Only Aigis remained unemotional.

"H-how did you acquire these!?" Akihiko immediately asked the bear.

"You can be surprised what you can find out on the human world, boxer." Ted giggled evilly.

"Whatever, I'm sure someone will come looking for us!" Yukari said. For some reason, I think that highly unlikely.

"Didn't you hear me earlier? I said, we are in completely different world! I mean haven't you all noticed the air in this place is different from your world and the "outside" didn't change a bit?" Ted pointed out. Now that I think about it, when I did feel it when I was looking out the window, and even now, it feels the same.

"So you mean, the hand that came out the TV wasn't a hallucination and in actuality that was your hand, who pulled me inside the TV?" I had to ask. Everyone looked at me like I was a psycho. I know, it sounds crazy.

"Bingo, blue boy!" Ted congratulated me and continued. "Yep. I pulled you in inside the TV, so yeah...you're in...the TV world!" Ted declared and then laughed.

I wasn't about to believe it, but he really just proved it to me. The school hall began to shake and than began to transform. A few moments later and the school hall was no more and now it was studio-like room full of old TV's. It was like I'd seen our school transform into Tartarus. How could this Ted person had so much power that he could completely change the rooms, and do it really fast no less? After a few seconds of showing us that studio-like room full of TV's, he quickly changed it back to the school hall.

"So, believe me now?" Ted said smiling somewhat arrogantly. Everyone was in shock. How could you not be? After seeing something unbelievable. Then again, why am I shocked? This Ted guy continued, laughing. "Hahahah...the look on your faces is just priceless! Anyway, I'll take that as a yes."

A few moments passed by, everyone was still in shock, including me and Ted spoke again.

"Anyway, back on track. In the next 30 minutes, if everyone still going to resist, I'm afraid, I will post these to the public and everyone will know you secrets...hehehe..." The bear said menacingly and went off, laughing.

Everyone still stood there, and Junpei decided to speak. "H-hey, w-what are going t-to do?" Junpei was clearly stuttering.

"Well, we have 2 options. Number 1 is that we play along our kidnappers rules until we find out a way out of here and 2 is that we keep resisting to play his game and see if he was serious about showing the Tatsumi Port Island our secrets." I said. I wished that we more options.

"Dude, why don't we just...burn these..." Junpei suggested, looking at his envelope.

"Then there would be no point to it, Junpei, because he obviously made copies. I mean, why would he just give these envelopes to us?" I said, rejecting his offer.

"Yeah, I guess you have a point." Junpei looked at the floor.

"What I'm most interested in is how our kidnapper know so much about us and the Dark Hour?" Fuuka asked.

"I'm sure will found out, Fuuka. He apparently doesn't want to answer our questions. He also said, that we are in a "different world". For now though, we have to play his game, because I don't think any of you want your secrets reveled to the public?" I responded. I looked at everyone and they nodded. Ken looked a little troubled.

"What's wrong, Ken?" I asked him out of concern. I few moments passed and he then looked everyone and finally spoke.

"Umm, I assume this is gonna take a day or so, and I was wondering what are we going to about Tartarus and the shadows, because it was October 29th when we got abducted, and I mean, I heard the next full moon is going to be on November 3 in which means another big shadow." Ken pointed out.

That was a big problem. Today is probably the 30th of October, so that means we have 3 days left including this one. We needed to hurry.

"We just have to hurry then and complete the kidnapper's game." Akihiko said, taking the words out of mouth.

"Whoa, Senpai! We don't even know what to do!" Junpei indicated. After hearing that, I quickly looked for the rules with my name...ah...I found it...everyone did the same.

I opened up the envelope and saw two sheets of paper. I looked at both of them and saw the first one being the rules page and the other being the schedule page. I started out with the rules page. It read...

Rules: You must abide by these rules listed below. If you break the rules, then expect those secrets and shameful memories released to the public.

Rule 1: You mustn't break anything in here.

Rule 2: You can't attack the host. Ted Teddieson.

Rule 3: When all the participants are ready, the show will begin immediately. And there will be no turning back.

Rule 4: After one episode is completed, the participants will be given a 30 minute break.

Rule 5: You won't able to use your personas. Only in a designated time and place you will be able too.

Rule 6: You won't able to leave the TV world until all "episodes" are completed.

Special Rule for Minato Arisato: At some point, you will be given a hard decision, and when that happens, you will be forced to choose.

Okay, what does this special rule mean? Hard decision? I have a bad feeling about it...

And now looked at the schedule page and it read...

Episode 1: The Introduction.

Episode 2: The Murder Mystery.

Episode 3: "The Rescue of the Beautiful Aimi from her Shadow!"

Episode 4: "King Hunt, Nurse Time, Maid Time and Swimsuit Time!"

Episode 5: The NEW King's Game!

Episode 6: Golden Chef of Inaba.

Episode 7: Will be announced after the 6th Episode...

Hmmmm...All I got to say it is that only episode 2 sounded legit...the rest was rather odd...

That said, I wasn't looking forward to any of this...we discussed about some things about who could be the kidnapper...but with no clues, we couldn't think of anyone who might fit the profile...We accounted the possibility of this kidnapper working with Strega...but that was highly unlikely, to me anyway. After a few minutes passed Ted Teddieson came back to the school hall like he said he would.

"Well, have you made your decision?" Ted mocked us. He knows better than everyone that we had no choice.

"Yeah..." I said bitterly. I noticed that he was holding something, something like a device with buttons.

"Weeeeeelll...if all of you are ready, then I will see in the next couple of minutes..." He said and then pressed a button on his device.

Suddenly without any warning I passed out...a large amount of gas flowed down from everywhere and I passed out. I felt tired and sleepy...And I...passed out...I hope when I wake up...this will come to be just a dream...but that was definitely highly unlikely...

Episode 1: The Introduction [End]

[Next] Episode 2: The Murder Mystery

Damn, over 9000 words. A loooooong first chapter...to be perfectly honest I did not expect to write this much into the 1st chapter...So I hope you guys can show me your thoughts about this chapter by reviewing it. Please? I would be most happy...

If you are interested what will happen next...well the second chapter might or might not take longer...sooooo...yeah...but I will work on it soon enough...What I mean is, I will take a 1 day break and after that I shall continue this story...Farewell everyone!