Disclaimer: I do not own the Persona Series or characters.

The Persona Compendium

AN: A look at how arena might have been if the romances of Persona 4 carried over.

A Different Confrontation

Chie

How had everything gotten so crazy? First she ends up separated from the others and now she found herself stuck in the hallways of this twisted version of Yasogami High thanks to these invisible walls. Even though she couldn't see any shadows, she did not like the idea of being trapped and alone in the TV world. She lashed out again at her unseen barrier with a few jabs and spinning back kicks but with little success, doing nothing except to garner the attention of her host.

"Now now Chie-chan," Teddie chided, "don't wear yourself out before your first fight. We want to give the people a good show."

"Dammit Teddie this isn't funny," Chie shouted stomping her foot. "You let me out of here before I get really mad!"

"Oh ho," Teddie said smirking, "you really are like a wild beast; no wonder sensei wanted you to be his girlfriend. It must make things interesting on those late nights after training."

"S-shut up Ted," Chie yelled, mortified that Teddie would have the nerve to make such an intimate insinuation about her relationship with Yu of all things.

"Well enough fun," Teddie said ignoring her outburst, "time to get on with the show. If you would Rise-chan."

"Rise-chan?"

Sure enough the image changed to show Rise with headsets and a mike as she began to greet the still unseen audience.

"And welcome everyone back to the action as the third round is set to begin," Rise squealed. "Has the Spunky Dragon discarded enough of her womanhood to meet the challenge? Let's find out!"

"I HAVE NOT DISCARDED MY WOMANHOOD," Chie screamed indignantly before jumping back as pyros and smoke exploded at one end of the hall. Chie coughed and wave her hand about trying to clear the air stopping as she saw a tall figure emerge from the haze. Immediately her face brightened as she rushed forward to greet the newcomer.

"Yu thank goodness," Chie said shooting her boyfriend a smile. "I've been suck here this entire time; did you manage to find the others?"

"Yeah," Yu said hefting his katana onto his shoulder, "I ran into Yosuke and Yukiko before."

"Where are they?"

"The loser of the fight has to stay behind. Don't worry, they're fine," Yu added noticing the concerned look on her face. "But if I'm going to stop this I need to make it to the Announcement Room."

"Right let stop this," Chie said pumping a fist in the air.

"Weren't you listening? Only the winner gets to move on."

"So what does that mean? Do we have to fight or am I just supposed to forfeit," Chie said frowning not very keen on either idea.

"I would suggest that you forfeit," Yu said smirking, "unless you think you've discarded enough of your womanhood to be able to beat me."

"I am getting sick and tired of that joke," Chie huffed, "it's absolutely ridiculous!"

"I don't know about that," Yu said shrugging, "when you think about it, it's actually pretty accurate."

"W-what are you talking about," Chie asked flabbergasted

"Well come on," Yu said gesturing towards her, "you're the biggest tomboy I've ever met."

"T-that's not true. What about Naoto?"

"Naoto was pretending to be a guy. If she pretended to be a chicken it wouldn't make her a chicken. You on the other hand are more of a guy than Yosuke sometimes…Kanji too for that matter."

"That's a hell of a thing to say to your GIRLFRIEND!"

"Tell me about it," Yu snorted, "makes me wonder what I was thinking."

"What…what are you saying," Chie asked in disbelief.

"You see how the others look at me. Yukiko, Rise, Ai, hell even Naoto, I could have any girl I want. Nice pretty girls who giggle and bat their eyelashes at me or at least someone who's smarter than a bag of Kanji's who doesn't obsess over stupid kung fu movies," Yu sighed. "Instead I pick the short haired loudmouth who thinks kung fu movies are training videos and that steak is the equivalent to gold."

"But…but I…"

"Let's face it," Yu sneered, "we both know I could have done a lot better."

Chie was shaking, if it was from anger or the losing fight against her tears she couldn't be certain. It was her worst nightmares coming to life. To see the day when Yu did realize that there were smarter, prettier and more feminine girls out there all of which would do anything for him. Even when she told herself that he loved her, that he chose her over the others…that doubt still festered like a cancer in the deepest and darkest parts of her heart.

She gathered her courage and rose her eyes to meet his, greeted not by the warmth and kindness she had grown accustomed to but a cold and apathetic bitterness that seem…wrong. Everything about this was wrong. Yu, her Yu would never say these things. He respected her and above all loved her. The TV world could and would play tricks on you, taking the darkest inner nightmares and making them flesh and blood. Yes she was afraid that he might change his mind. But that part was small, a tiny fear adrift in a sea of willpower and determination. She would have faith in Yu and in herself. Steeling her resolve, she fell into her stance, bouncing on the balls of her feet and swiping a thumb across her nose.

"I don't know who you think you are dirt bag," Chie said now smirking, "but I'm gonna kick you so hard Yosuke's gonna feel it."

Yukiko

"What a mess," Yukiko thought as she paced back and forth in the gym…or at least what she figured was the gym. Why of all weeks did this have to happen now? She had worked extra shifts just so she could have the week off for Yu's visit and now she was stuck in the TV world, alone and at a loss on how to get through the invisible walls around her.

All she wanted was to spend some time with her boyfriend. Was that too much to ask for from the universe and the midnight channel? It had been a long two months, but when he had called and told her he was coming back she had been ecstatic. The waitresses and cooks had all teased her over her mood swing after finding out the reason why. But none of that bothered her because he was coming back.

She had spent all last night preparing a boxed lunch and then that strange program had to show up on the midnight channel. It was a little odd and embarrassing, but she had seen worse and from Chie had told her, her own shadow had done far worse.

"Unconquerable Snow Black," Yukiko huffed, "that doesn't even make any sense. I have a boyfriend now," she told the stacks of chairs around her.

"No need to remind me of that Yuki-chan," Teddie said as his image flicker onto a nearby screen. "It leaves me bear-y heartbroken to know I've lost my chance to score with you," he said his eyes tearing, "ah well, at least there's still Chie-chan."

"Teddie what is going on here," Yukiko said glaring at her host. "Why are you doing this?"

"It's a fighting tournament Yuki-chan. To determine who is the manliest of men or the most femme of fatals," Teddie said proudly.

"That…didn't answer my question."

"Just give it your all and have fun Yuki-chan," Teddie said grinning, "I'm sure you'll love your first opponent."

"I don't want to play anymore of your games Teddie. Stop this right now!"

"Well I'm afraid you don't have much of a choice. Bye bye," Teddie waved before his image fizzled out.

"One of these days I'm going to hurt that bear," Yukiko muttered before a spotlight shining on the gym doors caught her attention.

She braced herself, unfolding her fan and waiting for whatever might step through that door. Her friends were one thing, but in the TV world she had learned that anything could happen. The doors opened and Yukiko let out a sigh of relief as she saw a familiar head of gray hair.

"Yu," she said running up to him, "I so glad to see you, I've been trapped in here this entire time."

"I know. This tournament only allows the winner to move forward," he said leaning on his katana like a cane, "I actually just got done dealing with Yosuke."

"He's not hurt is he?"

"He'll be fine," Yu said unconcerned. "Are you okay? We didn't really have a chance to talk since I got back."

"Oh…well…I would have liked to have met you at the station, but I've been working extra hours at the inn so I could have time off this week."

"Ah…the inn," Yu said scrunching his nose.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing really," he said shrugging his shoulders, "it's just…I've been thinking about the future."

"The future," Yukiko asked slightly confused

"I mean…I'm going to go to college and you'll keep working at the inn and after that we get married I guess."

"M-married? Don't you think that's a bit far off to start planning for," Yukiko asked somewhat flushed. "Not that it isn't something I'm not interested in," she added quickly.

"That's what I thought too, but after I mulled it over I couldn't help but wonder if that's what I really wanted. I mean you'll inherit the inn and I'll become what, the owner's husband? Kind of lame if you ask me."

"I would never think of it as that," Yukiko said quickly unsure how they even got into this conversation.

"I know you want to take over the family business and that's great and all," Yu assured her. "But I really don't see myself being stuck in Inaba my whole life. There's a whole world out there waiting for me," he explained spreading his arms wide. "Why should I tie myself down to a girl who will never leave her one lonely corner?"

"Are…are you asking me to choose," Yukiko asked her lip trembling.

"Of course not," Yu said smiling. "I know you would never choose the inn over me. I just think maybe it would be better off if I didn't get myself tied down with a girlfriend who will only end up being a dead weight around my neck later on."

Yukiko stepped back as if struck. In some ways perhaps that would have hurt less instead of his admission, words that spoke a haunting truth that prowled the inner depths of her mind. She would never choose could never choose him over those that depended on her. She had known him for a year, but those at the inn had been with her for much of her life. They were her family and she had taken it upon herself to protect that family no matter the cost.

Would he really want to come back to this small town and live his days as the managers husband? He was too great, too special to waste away in Inaba standing at her side. That's what her doubts had told her as she went about her days. Smiling and bowing to customers, newlyweds even, aware that this life might take her first love…her only love.

She became suddenly aware that he was looming in front of her, his shadow blocking out the light. She glanced up meeting his eyes that lacked the expression and limitless understanding she had grown accustom too. The patience and kindness she had seen in them as she went about running from the truth. The love she had seen in them when she asked why he had put up with her for so long. They were empty and cold eyes, the kind that would never belong to the man she loved.

"If you really knew anything about us," she said pushing him away and flipping open her fan, "you would know that he's seen what happens when people push me too far. I'm pretty scary."

Naoto

She had been hesitant to enter the television knowing that it could very well lead to anywhere within the TV world. True that world was much more pleasant these days, but still, the possibility that she and those from the Kirijo Group could end up trapped on the other side was high. In the end, curiosity and professional drive won out, although she did spare a moment to send a text to her friends letting them know of her intentions to go back inside.

It was odd what a half a year of time could change in one's life. Six months ago she had placed her fate in the hands of near complete strangers, gambling on the idea that this rag tag group of teenagers would be able to rescue her from a deranged killers grasp. Ironically if it had been that simple, then she probably would not be alive today. Thankfully the world had instead decided to take every preconceived notion she had about it and turned that on its ear, allowing herself to wake up face to face with a deranged manifestation of her own inner turmoil defeated by the acceptance of said turmoil as a part of you…and magic. What had started as strangers soon became colleagues and very soon after they had started to become friends. Friends that would lay down their lives for one another, that would fight at each other's sides without hesitation, friends who would defy a god to protect one another.

It was within the safety of that knowledge that she placed a hand on the screen, watching it ripple for a moment before taking a deep breath and plunging back down the rabbit hole, prepared for anything. Well, almost anything, knowing that her friends would be there for her if the worst was to happen.

The landing was much harder than she had expected, crashing onto concrete and asphalt rather than rolling hills of soft grass. She was on her feet quickly, hands drawing her revolver as her eyes scanned the area for threats. Instead, she found the familiar gates of Yasogami High and a milling crowd of students. She was confused by how many people were there, unsure if she was still in the TV or if perhaps the TV world has spilled out into the real one. The latter thought sent a chill of panic down her spine.

A nearby television turns on grabbing her attention as it plays a promo for some kind of fighting tournament. A fighting tournament featuring her friends it would seem, posing ridiculously for the camera as their unflattering titles flashed underneath. Before she could even blink at the absurdity of it all, there comes a shot of her posing like one of Charlie's Angels and offering up a challenge like some professional wrestler.

"Two thousand IQ killjoy detective," Naoto read aloud frowning. "What is that even supposed to mean?" Her rhetoric was interrupted by an all too familiar bubbly voice that welcomed one and all to the festivities.

"Rise-san? What is she doing here and why is she even a part of something like this," Naoto murmured to herself, her mind frantically racing for an explanation.

"So let's get the first round underway," Rise's cheerfully announced to the crowd, "Naoto Shirogane come on down."

"What?"

"You heard the lady Nao-chan," Teddie said as he appeared on the television screen, "time to show us what you've got."

"Teddie, what is the meaning of this?"

"It's a fighting tournament duh. Didn't you pay attention to the promotional video? I thought you were supposed to be a world class detective," Teddie snorted rolling his eyes.

"I understand the implication that this is a tournament, my question is to why we are fighting in the first place?"

"For guts, for glory, to prove who is the manliest of them all," Teddie shout quite happily.

"That still doesn't explain anything. You're not making any sense."

"You just need to get into the spirit of things Nao-chan and loosen up. I can't imagine why sensei would want such a stick in the mud for a girlfriend."

"W-what did you say?"

"It's not as much of a secret as you like to think Nao-chan," Teddie smugly teased. "But enough about your love life, we've got a show to run. Let the Grand Prix commence."

"Teddie? Teddie," Naoto shouted to little avail as the screen went dark again. "How did he know about our relationship," Naoto pondered to herself. "Was he just teasing? It didn't seem like he was taking a shot in the dark." Lost in thought, Naoto was barely aware of the approaching footsteps behind her before turning to be greeted by an unexpected but hardly unwelcomed sight.

"Senpai," Naoto said breathing a sigh of relief. "I'm glad you're here, maybe between the two of us we can figure out a way to end this nonsense."

"Hello Naoto," Yu said giving her an odd look, "funny meeting you here. The others told me you were busy with…work."

"The same could apply to you as well," she said with a small smile, "although it is actually my work that led me into this situation in the first place."

"You did remember that I was coming back for golden week right?"

"Of course I remembered senpai. If everything had gone well I would have been back tomorrow," she said somewhat defensively.

"Relax Naoto," Yu said chuckling, "I'm only teasing you."

"Oh…um…of course you are," Naoto said turning away in embarrassment.

"Is something wrong?"

"Ah…well, Teddie said something before that surprised me and I was wondering if you had said anything to him about…us."

"About us?"

"Did you tell him we were in a relationship?"

"No…no I didn't tell him anything," Yu said shaking his head. "Did he mention something?"

"Well it seem like he was aware and he insinuated that the others knew as well."

"I don't see why that's such a problem? I mean they're our friends. Unless that is…you're embarrassed to be with me."

"What…no of course not," Naoto said in disbelief.

"Could have fooled me," Yu snorted. "You don't want to hold my hand in public; you never sit next to me when around the others. You went to Kanji for skiing lessons instead of me. Hell you can't even call me by my name, it's always senpai this and senpai that."

"That…that isn't true," Naoto cried desperately, "I just need more time. I'm not comfortable being so open with our relationship."

"And here I thought you had moved on," Yu sighed, "that you were through running from yourself."

"I am!"

"You know there were plenty of others I could have dated. Girls who weren't afraid of what they were of who they were. Girls who wouldn't be embarrassed or afraid to let the world know that we were dating."

She was all too aware of this fact. Being a detective she had learned how to read others, the way they said things or their body language. The other girls of the Investigation Team whether they consciously knew it or not were drawn to him. The way they hovered around him, the placing of a hand on his arm or in Rise-sans case blatantly throwing herself at him. He had made it clear that they were all friends but someone as intelligent and aware as he was must have known that by merely asking they could be his.

"Even after all this time, you still need to be the image of the hardboiled detective. Always thinking and never feeling, always awkward and uncomfortable in your own skin. An brilliant investigator…and a useless girlfriend."

Her eyes snapped to his as rage overcame reason. Despite the logical side of her brain telling her that something was wrong and that this was not her boyfriend speaking, the baser side of her mind was screaming to teach the bastard a lesson. Blue eyes clashed with gray as she scrutinized those before her, staring back with a cold, heartless and foreign look. These were not the eyes that gazed upon her without judgment as she bore her insecurities and fears to him. They weren't the eyes that shone with concern when he threw himself in the path a blade consequences be damned. These weren't the eyes that stared into hers as they cuddled together, as he whispered into her ear how beautiful she was or how much he loved her. This was a fraud, a poorly conceived forgery and she would not submit to anymore of his lies. Yes she had her doubts, about herself and about how Yu felt keeping their relationship subtle. But he loved her, in a world of lies that was one truth that would never falter.

"If I have to fight you then so be," Naoto said adjusting her cap and brandishing her revolver. "And don't call me useless!"

Sorry to all the Rise people but I'll have something for her down the road. I'm working on a Teddie chapter right now and a few of those more nonsensical chapters as well. Once again if you have an idea or prompt you'd like to see leave a review and a suggestion and I'll see what I can do.