~~***Disclaimer***~~ I do not own Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 or My Candy Love in anyway, shape, or form. All I own is this story and the idea of it.

Author's Note: I am so sorry that it took so long to post the first chapter. How long has it been? Three months? Either way I do apologize. I've been so busy, what with work and everything. And I got married last month on Feb. 9th. Well, I do hope that those of you who read it will like it. Please let me know what you guys think of it!

Everywhere throughout the halls, all you could see or smell was smoke. All of the students ran to the nearest fire exits. Castiel covered his nose and mouth with the crook of his elbow as he desperately searched for a certain silver haired vocalist. The many students pushed Castiel with them to the outside despite the redhead's efforts. Castiel fought against the crowds.

"Lysander! Lysander, where are you?"

"Castiel! Hurry and go with the others!" Nathaniel, also covering his face, grabbed Castiel by his arm. This proved a challenge due to the clipboard and paperwork in his opposite hand.

"The hell you say, Prez! I'm not leaving without Lysander!"

Nathaniel dragged Castiel along to join the rest of the student body. Through Castiel's fighting, Nathaniel ended up having to pull the rebel by his neck. Nathaniel could only sigh when Castiel ran for the burning school as soon as he had let go.

"Castiel, don't get yourself killed, my friend."

At the sound of the familiar voice, the redhead whipped around. Seeing his friend, Castiel's shoulders visibly relaxed. Castiel marched over to his friend, Lysander. He smiled before proceeding to slap the silver haired boy right on the side of his head.

"Why the hell didn't you text me, or even call, to tell me you were already outside?"

Lysander shrugged off the smack that he'd just received. "We both know that you would have been too frantic to check, or even pick up, your phone. Iris did text you. As predicted, you didn't respond."

Castiel checked his phone's messages and lo-and-behold, there was the message from Iris. The redhead only sighed and put away his mobile device. "Well, that's that."

The roaring fire burning Sweet Amoris High

School crackled and popped. All that the students could do was stand and watch as their school went down in flames.

"Well, I guess we won't be going to school for a while." Castiel smiled at his own ingenious statement. Nathaniel's ears twitched slightly as his expression began to oppose Castiel's.

The principal emerged from the other side of the building. Her hair was a frizzled mess. She coughed a few times before raising her hand to silence the students. "Students, I have just gotten off the phone. Despite this tragic event, it will not be permitted for you all to get behind on your studies; nor to stop them completely." Her gaze rested on Castiel specifically.

"As a solution to our dilemma, the principal of Gekkoukan High School on Iwatodai Island has agreed to allow us to attend their school. Some may reside with relatives or friends in the area. For others, dormitories will be provided. Do not fret, students. Tonight, go home and - DO YOU MIND?!" The firefighters, who'd finally arrived, roughly pushed the principal aside to get their job done.

The principal straightened her hair (as best as she could, anyway) and cleared her throat before continuing. "Anyway, I want you all to go home and get some rest. In the morning, I expect you all to be packed and ready to leave for Iwatodai Island."

"What the hell happened, anyway?"

The principal's eyes narrowed. "Who dared to speak such profanity?!"

"I did." Castiel stepped out of the crowd.

"Ah, I should have expected as much from you, Castiel. Anywho, to answer your question, a fire from the cooking class had gotten out of hand."

Castiel scoffed as he crossed his arms. "Cooking? Cooking doesn't burn a school down!"

"Uh-um... actually, Amber caught some oil on fire..." Violette stepped up to join Castiel outside of the crowd. She ignored Amber's horrifying glares as she continued. "Even though the teacher told her not to, she poured water on it to try and put it out."

It was Nathaniel's turn to cross his arms. Amber fidgetted from her nervousness. All eyes were on Amber. "How was I supposed to know oil fires spread when you put water on them?"

Nathaniel threw his hands in the air. "It's common knowledge! If you had done your own work at the start of the term instead of intimidation, or blackmailing, someone else into doing it, you would already know this!"

Castiel could only shake his head. "Well... the blond has struck again. This time she's made us all a victim." Lysander innocently shrugged before turning his attention back to his notepad.

Chatter filled the auditorium as a rather plump man with graying hair and glasses stepped up to the podium. Behind him, a member of the seniors' class with long red hair and knee-high boots stood to the side. She was a respectable distance; enough to be noticed, but enough to be out of the way.

"Good morning students of Gekkoukan High School. Due to a very heartbreaking tragedy, we have gathered here this morning..."

"He makes this sound like a funeral." The surrounding students glanced at a female junior with medium length black hair. With head phones on her ears, it's a wonder that she heard anything at all. The fellow classmate by her side, wearing a pink variation of the Gekkoukan uniform, roughly nudged her.

"Ow! Yukari!"

"Shh! Mitsuru-senpai is about to speak."

"Thank you. As student body president of Gekkoukan High School, I would also like to give my condolences for the loss of Sweet Amoris High. As it is only the start of our term and the middle of yours, it is a great tragedy indeed. I hope that the differences in our curriculum won't be so challenging as to disrupt your studies. Nonetheless, I hope that you find your temporary stay here enjoyable. And now, a few words from the principal of Sweet Amoris High School."

The crowd courteously clapped as Mitsuru stepped to the side once again. The (female) principal jogged up waving to the crowd in all of her usual pink dress suit glory. "HELLOOO GEKKOUKAN!"

"So why are we here again?" The headphone wearing junior asked Yukari.

"Ugh, weren't you paying attention? Okay, Sweet Amoris High burned down in smokes so the students had to come here."

"There weren't any schools that were closer?"

"I... don't think that there were any other schools *big* enough..."

"Eh." The black haired junior merely shrugged and turned her volume up to her music.

Yukari sighed and shook her head. She didn't really care about anything, did she? Oh well, Yukari figured; it was her future she was throwing away.

Castiel and Lysander stood outside of the Gekkoukan co-ed dorms. No one had arrived yet, so the two were left stranded; holding their luggage.

Castiel set his guitar case down, leaned against the wall, and lit up a cigarette. "Pretty lame. We don't even get a key to this place. Such a warm welcome. 'Hey, how are ya? Stand outside and wait for us until God-knows-when!"

"It isn't so bad. There's a perfectly stable step we can sit on while we wait."

"Probably cold as ice." Castiel flicked away the extra ashes left by the cherry. "Besides, we don't even know what anybody who lives here looks like. It could be her for all we know!"

Castiel pointed to a young woman who happened to be walking by carrying grocery bags. She nodded in the boys' direction before smiling nervously and quickening her pace. Lysander merely shrugged once the lady had passed.

"Oh, you two don't have anyone to stay with either?" Nathaniel dropped his bags to the ground with an audible thump. "Well, Castiel is understandable. I would have at least thought that you'd have somewhere to go, Lysander."

Lysander shook his head. "No, all of my relatives live in the country."

"Oh. Well, that's a shame."

Smoke freed itself out of Castiel's nostrils with his exhale. "What about you, Prez? I suspected you and the arson would surely know someone around."

Nathaniel sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Of course, Amber was able to persuade a friend to have her stay. You know how we have the power of the Internet. One is able to make many friends internationally. And before you ask, Castiel, no I am not staying with her. As you know, my sister is rather..."

"Annoying?" Castiel finished.

"Yes... That."

"Well, this just adds another pain to my list." Castiel flicked the cigarette butt into the street as he crossed his arms behind his head. "Not being able to see my dog, having to go to a school where attendance isn't avoidable, and now: living with you."

Nathaniel said nothing. The only response that the blond could muster was the shaking of his head. "Oh, may He give me strength."

The sound of clicking heels caught the boys' attention. The student council president from the assembly this morning was headed toward them. "Oh, salutations. I am sorry to have kept you waiting. I hadn't had thought you would have come straight to the dorms."

"Nah, no worries! We enjoy carrying around heavy luggage to go sightseeing." Seeing the flash of keys, Castiel straightened as he started to pick up his bag.

"I apologize. My name is Mitsuru Kirijou."

"I am Nathaniel and these two are Castiel and Lysander."

Castiel sarcastically waved at the introduction. Lysander was too caught up in his notebook to notice.

"Right... well, let's get ourselves inside so that you can make yourselves comfortable."

"Other than what I've shown you downstairs, I'm certain you're all eager to see your rooms."

"Oh, you must be psychic!"

Mitsuru expertly ignored Castiel's sarcasm. Nathaniel secretly wished that he had such coolheadedness.

"On the second floor is the boys' dorms. The third floor is the girls' dormitory, but it is off limits to males. Unfortunately, two of you are going to have to share a room. The only ones available are the first room on the left, and the last on the right. I hope that you don't have any trouble settling yourselves." Mitsuru gave a bow and walked downstairs.

Nathaniel set down one of the larger bags on its side. He used its height to support his weight on his hands as he leaned against it. "Well, what's it going to be?"

"Should be obvious to ya, Prez. Lysander and I'll be bunk-buddies while you're all on your lonesome."

Nathaniel shook his head as he spoke. "How very considerate of you, Castiel."

"Eh," the redhead shrugged. "It's just to make out co-inhabitance a lot easier - and to keep you outta my way."

The blond held out his arms in defeat. "Whatever you wish, Lord Castiel."

"Ha ha, you know, you keep addressing me that way, it might make this whole nightmare a helluvalot more tolerable." Grabbing the handle on his roll-away luggage, the guitarist unlocked and entered the first room on the left. Lysander was close behind. Before entering the threshold, however, Lysander gave an apology Nathaniel needed no words to understand.

Aside from Castiel's attitude, Nathaniel smiled while he hoisted his bag over his shoulder. It could be worse, he thought to himself. At least no one was killed in the fire. Injured, however, he wasn't too sure about.

"Kamiki, Sanada? May I ask where you two are going?" Mitsuru laid her book down onto the table in front of her.

"Shiemi and I were going to train some. You can never be too prepared!" Akihiko Sanada smiled at his classmate. Akihiko was a tall, lean young man with silver hair. He wore a red knitted vest over his Gekkoukan uniform. Like Mitsuru, Akihiko was a senior.

Mitsuru chuckled and crossed her arms. "Akihiko, I respect your enthusiasm, but..."

"Don't you get it, Mitsuru?" Akihiko stomped his foot. "The more we wipe these things out, the faster we'll get rid of them. We'll never have to worry about Apathy Syndrome again!"

"This isn't a game, Akihiko!" Her nostrils flared as Mitsuru and Akihiko glared at one another.

"What the hell was that?" Shiemi ran to the center of the lobby where the others were.

"What was what Kami-" Mitsuru gasped as the building began to shake. Personally, the banging grew more and more violent. The security system's shrill cry bleeted throughout the dorms. Yukari Takeba ran down the stairs followed by the three Sweet Amoris High boys and Shuji Ikutsuki.

The Sweet Amoris boys arrived just in time to see a silvered haired teen run out the front door. Then Mitsuru frantically trying to open a display case of rapiers. "Mr. Chairman, take them to safety!"

Chairman Shuji Ikutsuki nervously studied his surroundings. "Right... to the rooftops, children! The back door is no use."

"Who the hell are you?"

"No time; please just follow me!"

The girl named Shiemi Kamiki (apparently) also followed. However, a creature with a mask and many faces met them on the roof. They had no where to go, and couldn't go back.

"The hell is going on here? The hell is that thing?"

Shiemi smiled. She caressed Castiel's cheek as she kissed his forehead. "Don't worry, sweeties. You're all just having a nightmare."

Over the girl's shoulder, Castiel could see the thing running over to them bearing many swords. Shiemi turned to face the creature. She calmly pulled out a silver pistol and aimed it under her chin. Castiel swore... Castiel swore that before she pulled the trigger, he heard her whisper the word, "persona." Then... she pulled it.

An unknown voice was heard. It was more like the voice was inside all of their heads. A giant red serpent like dragon seemed to emerge from the girls body.

"Thou art I, and I art thou... I am Samael; general of the second division of Hell. For what purpose hast thou summoned me?"

What the girl replied, Castiel could not recall. He could feel his head starting to dull, and his eyes starting to grow heavy. Gusts flew about the girl. Black disembodied arms littered the roof. A mask falling into vision was the last thing Castiel saw before slipping out of consciousness.