To help distinguish who's talking, Kanji calls Yu Yu-Senpai, Rise calls him Senpai, Naoto calls him Yu-san, Yosuke and Chie both call him Yu, but Yosuke also says partner, Yukiko calls him Yu-kun, and Teddie calls him Sensei.

September. 03 Junes Rooftop Daytime.

Yu's POV

"Yu-Senpai?!"

I swear Kanji looks as if his eyes will pop out of his head.

"What are you doing back here?"

"I came when Naoto contacted me about Chie. Any luck?"

"Well, we know where she is, but I wouldn't call it luck. She's in the TV world…"

"That's great! Then let's go talk to her!"

"No Kanji, not great. Horrible."

"R-right. Horrible."

"You don't have any ideas why it's bad, do you Kanji? Yosuke-Senpai, please explain to him and anyone else who doesn't know why it so bad."

"H-hey Rise you don't know either do you?!"

"That's not important right now!"

"Guys, now's not the time to be messing around. It's understandable that neither of you would know why you're upset. Chie's shadow is their too,"

"!"

"I don't get it either. According to that Evil Shadow guy, Chie would have had to either deny her shadow again, or a bond would have had to been completely broken."

I looked away from everyone. Could Chie hate me because…

"Got something on your mind Yu?"

"Huh? I'm sorry. I zoned out there for a second."

"Keep your head in the game partner."

"Why would she run away in the first place?" Yukiko pondered.

"She couldn't have known her shadow would come back. Something probably happened and she went in to clear her head. But what? " Rise responded.

"I highly doubt her shadow returned due to a shattered bond. Yosuke-Senpai, if you don't mind me asking, have you seen any signs of her rejecting her shadow?"

"No. I don't want to say exactly what her shadow talked about, but I can guarantee she hasn't gone back on her word."

"Maybe there are other ways to lose a persona that we don't know about."

"Could be Yukiko. We didn't even know you could lose personas until we met the evil shadow guy."

"If her shadow has appeared, then a "reality" has probably appeared too, since Chie's shadow originally appeared at Yukiko's castle."

"That's right Sensei! Chie-chan and Yosuke!"

"We should hurry then. Theoretically, we have infinite time to save her since the fog is gone, but we shouldn't delay. I'm going to make some preparations, and meet you in the electronics department. Is that ok with everyone?"

I smile to find everyone respond positively. We will save you Chie.

September. 03 TV World Daytime.

"Yu-San. You seem troubled. What's on your mind?"

"…"

"It's best you don't go into battle with something weighing you down so much. It's very obvious you're worried about Chie- Senpai, but maybe talking about it would clear your mind."

Oh Naoto. You really have grown since then. I remember the day you didn't want anything to do with us.

"You know about how Chie could be pregnant, right?"

"Of course. I was the one who informed you after all."

"I had my suspicions as well. Between when I left and now, Chie had been asking if I really love her. A lot."

"How did you respond?"

"I said I did. Asking so much won't change my answer. I wouldn't have done…what I did… if I didn't."

"I see. Was there anything else that tipped you off?"

"She said she had been feeling sick recently. And she's had some fatigue. She insisted that she's just tired, and she missed me, but I was suspicious."

"I'm sorry, I got a little off topic. I'm worried about how a bond could have been broken. If she is pregnant, I'm scared that… maybe she hates me now…"

"Yu-san… You should have seen the look on her face when she found out you were coming back. We were all excited, but Chie-Senpai, *chuckle* she looked like she was about to cry she was so happy. Chie-Senpai isn't that petty. She'd be upset and confused, but to hate you for it, of course not. Honestly, you both share the blame, to be blunt. You've told me about how you were there for her when she beat those hooligans who threatened that child and Yukiko-Senpai. You two spent Christmas and Valentine's Day together, and I'm sure there are other events I'm unaware of. I'm sure the bond between you two hasn't faltered in the slightest."

"…Thank you, Naoto."

Naoto is very articulate. She always knows just what to say.

"I found her!" Rise pointed in the direction Chie was. "She's that way!"

I guess it's time.

September. 03 Chie's Nursery Daytime.

"Wow. This looks like some sort of messed up nursery."

Kanji was right. This was the reality Chie created. But what does this have to do with Yukiko?

"What would Chie be hiding from us that has to do with a nursery?"

Yukiko basically just confirmed what I was thinking. It seems everyone is catching on now…

"Hey Yu, do you know anything this?"

Before I could answer, we heard a voice.

"Did you come to pick up your baby?"

"!"

"You'd better hurry; I think she's getting restless!" Chie's voiced mocked.

"Yosuke, Teddie, Yukiko, come with me. Kanji and Naoto, form an independent team."

"Got it Yu-Senpai!"

"Leave it to us."

Last year, three of my friends and me would try to get to the top of a dungeon, and the remaining investigation team members would form another team which explored the dungeon mainly. Occasionally we would run into each other, but oddly enough, it didn't happen as often as you think it would.

"I'll back you up as always Senpai!"

"Alright, let's go guys!"

With that, we entered the nursery.

Hello. Are you here for…Satonaka? Pickup is on the top floor.

"Of course it is."

I don't need to waste time. I need to head straight for the stairs. Ok, I just need to run past this shadow, and I'll be there.

Well that didn't work out well at all…

"Yukiko, didn't you say something about your personas reverting back to third tier after golden week?"

"Yes, all of ours did."

"Then go for burning petals!"

"Turn to scarlet!"

On command, Yukiko used her persona's signature move, burning petals. Damn, all of them survived.

"The enemies are weak against wind!"

"Got it Rise!"

Now, it's time strike them all.

"Should we show 'em who's boss?!"

"Of course"

"All right!"

Really? After all that they still survived?

"One more we can do this!"

Wait? What's that shadow doing? Is it, oh shoot.

"Yukiko!"

Oh wow. Yosuke's on top of his game after so long. He took that God's Hand like a champ.

"Yosuke-kun! Diarahan!"

"Whew, thanks Yukiko. Garudyne!"

Sweet, that finished off the shadow.

"Yosuke-kun, are you sure you're okay?"

"I wouldn't be without that diarahan. Thanks."

"You wouldn't have needed it if it wasn't for me. I'm sorry."

"Ah you worry too much. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again for any of you."

"…Yes. Thank you."

? Yukiko looks a little, disappointed. I shouldn't worry about it.

"Yuki-chan! Are you embearessed?"

"What?! No?!"

"Come on guys. Let's press on."

Ok. Second floor.

Hey girls, let's get out of here. It's everybody's favorite whore!

"?! Did someone say that to Chie-Senpai! Ugh people like that make me so angry!"

"No one makes fun of Chie-Chan like that! RRRRAAAAWWWWRRRRRRR!"

"...Nursery...whore…Chie ran away. I think I'm starting to get what's going on…"

Ok, nothing interesting on this floor, I guess I'll progress now.

I don't ever want to see you near him again! Or any of those kids you hang out with! They've obviously been a bad influence to you!

"Hey Sensei? Is that her Mama? Why wouldn't she want us around her? Is it because of me…? I didn't protect her like I promised I would. You kept your promise, and I didn't keep mine… Are you mad Sensei?"

"Teddie, don't worry about it. You protected her as much as you could. How could you know she'd enter the TV? Even if you did, how would you know her shadow would reemerge? I'm very proud of you Teddie. I'm sure Chie is too."

"Thank you Sensei. You're so beary kind."

Fourth floor

Chie. I… I can't be friends with someone like you, who would throw your life away.

That was Yukiko's voice!

"I never said that! I would never abandon her!"

"Of course you didn't Yukiko. You're too kind for that."

"…Yosuke…"

Fifth Floor. That taunting voice returned.

"Oh, you're making good progress. Your little baby is getting restless."

There must be a mini-boss on this floor. On the plus side, we're about halfway done.

"Hey Yu! Let's try this door!"

"…Senpai! There's a powerful foe beyond this door! Are you ready?"

"Ready. Brace yourselves!"

Is that… a baby?

Momentary Child

…Hey I remember this thing.

"Teddie, go for a bufudyne!"

"Alrighty Sensei! Bearsona!"

As I thought, it's weak to ice.

"It's time to get wild!"

"Let's go for it."

"Alrighty! RRRAAAWWRRR"

The enemy survived, as expected.

"Agidyne!"

That did nice damage, but the momentary child still seems strong.

Is that, damn!

"Partner! Diarahan!"

"Thanks, Yosuke."

"That thing doesn't play (by) bear the rules! It didn't have primal force last time!"

I need a persona good against physical…

"Siegfried! God's hand!"

"Excellent Yu-kun! Mind Charge!"

That next spells gonna hit like a truck. Yukiko's our best mage looking solely at numbers.

"Bearfudyne!"

"Teddie, bufudyne again, I have an idea!"

"As you command Sensei! Bearfudyne!"

"Everyone, attack while it's down!"

"Brave Blade!"

"God's Hand!"

"The scent of flowers wafts."

"It's getting weaker! Keep it up!"

I heard a quiet whisper. "Primal force."

"Gah!"

"Yosuke-kun!"

"God's hand."

Yukiko?!

"Yukiko!"

Damn, Yukiko's down.

"Teddie, Sameracarn!"

"With pleasure sensei!"

"Ow… thank you Teddie!"

We need to finish this now!

"Brave Blade!"

Go Yosuke, finishing the enemy with a critical no less!

"Phew, don't scare me like that, I would have been fine."

"But now we're even Yosuke-kun!" Yukiko said with a smile. Yosuke smiled back at her.

"Yay we won!"

"No need to stay here; let's get the key and go."

Sixth Floor

Great, just what our school needs, another whore.

"Hey look who it is."

"Hey Yu-Senpai, have you been hearing those voices too?"

"Yes, I have."

"I wonder what it means. Regardless, we need to hurry, Chie-Senpai seems really upset."

"Indeed."

"Yu-san. This isn't right. We'd best be prepared for the worst."

Seventh Floor

Chie… I thought you were better than this. I respected you.

"Hey, it's Akky!"

"There's no way Akihiko-san would know about this. So that means no one said any of this to Chie. This must be how she'll think we'll react."

"Last year, I think the voices we'd hear was either the victims insecurities, or what others have said. I wonder why it's different now." Yosuke said.

"Something weird is really going on. Only a few more floors!" As Yukiko says, it's only a little more.

Eighth floor

No. Please don't leave me. I don't want to be alone! I can't do this by myself! I'm sorry! Please!

"Senpai! Chie-Senpai is on the next floor!"

"Rise, make sure to inform Kanji and Naoto! We'll get together on the next floor!"

"Got it!"

Ninth Floor

"Chie!"

"Yu-kun! Everyone! When did you get here?!"

Besides Chie, the only things in this small room are the white walls, the stairs to the previous floor, and small steps onto a door.

"We came to rescue you."

"How'd you know I'd be here?"

"The nose knows Chie-chan!"

"…So you guys know huh. I'm assuming you guys heard a lot on your way up here."

"We will discuss that later Chie-Senpai. Can you explain how you got here?"

"I entered the TV world to clear my head, and I saw the studio again. I wandered around until I was surrounded by this weird place. I've been climbing this place until I reached this room, which I can't enter for some reason. I'm assuming this is my reality huh. I guess you can all guess why…"

"Chie, I take it you can't use your persona?"

"What made you think that Yu-kun? I still have her."

"You do?!"

"Yeah. Wait, has my shadow appeared?!"

"I smelt her Chie-chan! And we heard her on the way up!"

"I can promise you I still have her."

It's Chie's tarot card! It looks like she's telling the truth.

"…Do you want to enter?"

"!"

"Satonaka. Amagi. Come to the door."

"What do we have to lose I guess."

"Alright, Chie."

Hey the door opened!

"Brace yourselves everyone! We're probably going to have to fight!"

"…What?! My…My…"

?! It's Chie's shadow, and Yukiko's! Chie and Yukiko's shadows are staring at each other. This is new.

"You slut! Whore! I won't defile my Inn's name by continuing to be friends with a pregnant teenager!"

…Yukiko wouldn't say that. Even if she was angry, she wouldn't go that far…

"I'm sorry Yukiko! Don't go!"

"Don't talk to me ever again! Leave my sight. I no longer wish to associate with you. Not only did you get impregnated, but by the crush I allowed you to date! You betrayed me!"

Shadow Yukiko ran off after that, being followed by shadow Chie.

"What the hell was that?!"

"I promise, I never said that!"

Hey, the Shadows are back!

"Of course Yukiko! And thank you."

*Shadow Chie vanishes*

"Oh, this is when Yu-kun and Chie started dating!"

"(To herself) I'm happy for her, but at the same time, I'm upset. Is there something wrong with me? Did I say something to upset him? Does he hate how I laugh? I'm annoying, aren't I…? Why would he choose me? I run an Inn, yet I can't even cook… I pushed him and Yosuke-kun into that lake; I'm surprised they even talked to me after that. They're such good people. I'm glad he didn't try to date Chie and myself at the same time. *Shadow Yukiko started to cry*Who would want me?! Why do I try?! Yu-kun…

Yukiko… I know she was upset, but I didn't know I made her doubt herself…

"Yukiko. I…I…"

"Sorry you had to hear that Chie. Sorry Yu-kun."

Chie's shadow is back. Oh no, they're facing us. I know what's gonna happen…

"You're scared. You're scared how your friends, parents, and peers will react to you getting knocked up!"

"You're jealous. You thought you managed to get over him, but deep down you're still bitter about what happened. There's a hole in your heart, and it will never leave because of him."

Neither of them are saying anything. They're just accepting the verbal beating from their shadows.

"You can't hide it forever. Soon everyone will know. And they will all leave you. Who wants to be friends with the class whore?"

"You try your best to forget. He chose Chie. Chie is a good person. That's what you tell yourself."

"You love your precious boyfriend. But does he love you enough to stay with a pregnant dumbass?"

"Are you even good enough for anyone? Do you deserve anyone? Probably not. Who'd wanna go for a bitch like you?"

"Even if by some off chance your friends don't abandon you, what about your parents? They'll probably make it so you'll never see your precious Yu-kun again."

"Just give up. Be a loner for the rest of your life. It's not like you have any other options."

"Chie! Yukiko! You guys know what to…"

"AHAHAHAAHAHAHA!"

"Chie! Yukiko!"

They didn't even get a chance to respond! Their shadows went berserk! But, they look different. Chie's was similar, but colored like Haredo-no-Okami, and she had a childlike appearance this time. Yukiko's was similar to a Red Hyena. I think I read somewhere that it symbolizes jealousy. How fiting.

"I'm not sure what's going on, but we'll just do what we always do! Ready?!"

Looks like everyone's prepared. Just hold on Chie and Yukiko!

I am a shadow! Shadow Chie announced.

The darkness inside your hearts, and the breaker of bonds. But what Shadow Yukiko said was new.

If you're so scared to face life, why don't I end it for you?!

I'll end your suffering right here, right now!

"We'll ask question later, right now we gotta take these guys down!" Yelled Yosuke.

"Right. Rise, scan!"

"Your weakness is… Huh?!"

"What is it Rise?!"

"It blocks everything but physical, use that or use break spells! They also seem to have moves we've never seen before, watch out!"

"Can do! Kanji, power charge! Teddie! Ice break! Naoto, Mind Charge! Yosuke, Masukukaja! I'll power charge!"

Everyone is perfectly coordinated as usual.

"Malympha!"

Malympha? Hey! Is this place flooding?!

"Are you guys alright?!"

"Yes, we're fine. Thank you Rise."

"Mafloria!"

Mafloria? Are those flower petals?!

"Damn. Teddie, we need healing!"

"Mediarahan!"

Those skills hit kinda hard! "Floria" kinda reminds me of that skill Yukiko used back during that tournament. Although I've never seen "lymphia".

"Now it's our turn! Go all out guys! Kanji, we're going for Shadow Chie! Everyone else, go for Shadow Yukiko!"

"God's Hand!"

"Primal Force!"

"Alright, we'll power charge again!"

"Got it Yu-Senpai!"

"Brave Blade!"

"Ready Teddie!"

"Of course Nao-chan!"

"Bufudyne!"

Alright, not bad!

"Dragon Charge!"

"Floria!"

Shit, both are coming for me!

"Not so fast! Brave Blade!"

"Nice save Yosuke!"

"You're not so bad yourself Partner!"

"Change! Izanagi! Kanji, you and me!"

"Primal Force!"

Izanagi's pretty strong, but Kanji just tears through enemies like nothing!

"Bearsona! Matarukaja!"

"Good thinking Teddie! Bufudyne!"

"Wind Break!"

"Dragon Charge!"

"Teddie move!"

Thanks to that Masukukaja, Teddie was faster than usual.

"Marakukaja!"

"Naoto! Let's go for a double Garudyne!"

"Yes Senpai! Garudyne!"

"That all you got, I'm just getting started!"

"HAHAHAHA! You're so powerful! But not as strong as us!"

Oh no! They're going for "themselves"!

"Chie!"

"…Huh? Whoa!"

Chie… I won't let you get hurt. I won't let you go! Damn, it stings! But at least Chie's alright.

'Yukiko!"

"Yosuke-kun?"

"Ugh, dammit! Don't worry, we've got this!"

"A-are you ok?"

"What do you expect?" Yosuke smirked.

"Megidoloan!"

While not very strong, that did catch the shadows off guard.

"Elec Break! Go to town Yu-senpai!"

"Thanks Kanji! Ziodyne!"

"Dammit you asshole! Dragon charge!"

"Sensei! "

Damn that hurt! Must have been a critical.

"Malympha!"

"I can't bear this! Mediarahan!"

"Thanks Teddie!"

"Not a problem Sensei."

"Diarahan!"

"Oh hell no! Primal Force!"

"Gah! You moron!"

"Mind Charge!"

They're both charged up!

"Malympha!" "Mafloria!"

"Justice is with me!"

"Good call Naoto!"

"Yu-kun…"

"Chie!"

"Let me help…"

"No! Stay back! AHH!"

Damn that shadow chie. She hits so damn hard!

"Yu-kun…"

"Come on; is the "kun" really necessary anymore?"

"No… it isn't. Yu..." Aw she's blushing.

"Now stay here!"

"…ok Yu."

"Wind break!"

"Ice Break!"

"Izanagi! Ziodyne!"

"All yours! Bufudyne!"

"Don't act like you really care! I know you're going to leave me, and never come back!"

"Magarudyne!"

"Kanji! Senpai!"

"Yu-kun, you're the only one for me!"

"Maziodyne!"

"Teddie! Yosuke-Senpai!"

"Chie… I can't just sit and let them get hurt!"

"Neither can I! Sorry Yu…"

"Persona!"

Naoto is still up and fighting her hardest. Wait… Chie? Yukiko?

"Taste my Fist!"

"Agidyne!"

"Chie! Yukiko! Get back!"

"I won't let you lose Yu!"

"We'll protect you guys!"

"You…!"

"Stay back!"

"Mediarahan!"

I shot Chie an angry look. But then, I smiled at her. When she makes up her mind, there's nothing I can do.

"Yukiko. Don't push yourself too hard! Same goes for you Chie!"

We all got up, we refuse to lose here.

Yosuke is running up to shadow Yukiko. Whoa, he scored a critical hit! I'll follow up!

"Should we show 'em who's boss?!"

"Damn straight."

"OK!"

"Everyone ready? Get set!"

"Don't fall behind!"

"Yeah, go go go!"

"Primal Force!"

"Gigantic fist!"

"Megidoloan!"

"Damn. I won't lose here!"

"You continue to hurt us Yu-kun! I hate you!"

"I am thou. There!"

Nice heal Yukiko!

"Yukiko!"

"On my way!"

Looks like there going for twin dragons! A flower bloomed while a dragon surrounded it. In a flash, the shadows took a lot of damage!

"Garudyne!"

"Ziodyne!"

"Quick! Finish 'em off!"

"Turn to Scarlet!"

"God's Hand!"

"NOOOOOOO!"

"Yay! We're the bearst around!"

"Chie. Yukiko. You know the drill."

"I was scared. Scared of how everyone would judge me. How I would handle being pregnant. But. I won't run away. I'm gonna face this head on."

"Yu-kun, will always hold a special place in my heart. He's important to me. And I was upset when they started going out. But they have a special bond. A bond that cannot be broken. I would be a horrible person to try and break that bond. And I think… I think I've moved on…"

"You're me. And I'm you."

Both shadows nodded as they turned into Personas. Chie's was a humanoid, who had dragon like features. She called herself "Otohime". Yukiko's is wearing a dress tha covers her whole body. She looked surprisingly human for someone who was a hyena not long ago. She called herself, "Chujo-Hime". Both disappeared into their owners hands.

"Chie!"

"Yukiko!"

"We're fine… just tired."

"Thank you guys.

"No problem."

"So… will you all stay with me… as I go through this?"

"Is that even a question? Of course Chie!"

"I'm with you all the way Chie-Senpai!"

"Yay! Chie-chan's gonna have a baby!"

"I'll help as much as I can!"

"While I can't say I approve of what you and Yu-san did. I'll always stand by your side."

"Chie. You're my best friend. Nothing will drive us apart."

"Chie… I will never leave you. I promise. We're in this together."

I don't want to let go of you… Hm? Chie is shaking…

"*sniff* I…I…I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!"

"Let's get out of here. Tomorrow, hopefully this place will have reverted to its green landscape."

Many months earlier…

"*sniff* *sniff*"

"Yukiko?"

"Yosuke-kun? I'm sorry; I didn't mean to cry… it just happened."

"Forget that! Why are you crying in the first place?!"

"This… boy I liked. He… he chose someone else."

"Oh… you're heartbroken…"

"Yo-Yosuke-kun? What are you doing?"

"What do you think I'm doing? I'm hugging you because you're sad. I know how hard heartbreak is. Believe me. But I believe there is a guy out there who would love to have you."

"Really?"

"Why would I lie about this? So what if you're not perfect. No one is. I'm sure as hell not. You're a beautiful girl anyone would die to have. Please don't cry. Here, let me get that for you."

"…Yosuke-kun."

"Now, let me see that beautiful smile."

"…*smiles*"

"Good! Don't wanna scare off all those suitors! …Hey why are you crying again?"

"It's… It's for something else. Thank you Yosuke-kun. You're very sweet."

"H-hey! Where'd that come from? And s-stop blushing!"

"You first!"

"Huh, I'm blushing?!"

"You didn't notice? Snk…PSHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"*sigh* At least you're laughing. Don't worry Yukiko. It's only a matter of time before that knight of yours comes for you!"

Present day

"Yosuke-kun… how did I not see him before…?"

That night

"Igor! Margaret!"

"Hello Yu-san. It is a pleasure to see you again. It seems you cannot stay out of trouble, *chuckle*."

"You sure have your hands full."

"Oh, you know about that."

"Of course we do. However, there are more pressing matters. We did not summon you here, but it was this boy next to Igor."

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't see you there. What's your name?"

The boy dressed in velvet room clothing looked at me and said.

"…Minato Arisato. It's a pleasure."

And that's all for chapter 3! God that took a long time to write, but it was worth it! I hope you all enjoy this almost 4000 word chapter! So, Chie and Yukiko have new personas, what will happen next? And about the obvious plot holes in this chapter, hopefully they will all be answered in time. In addition, that little flashback between Yosuke and Yukiko hopefully may have made the "Yoskiko" less forced, if it was anyway. You may notice I switched between present and past tense a few times, but present tense is hard, so I hope you understand. I'll try to keep a consistent tense in future chapters. As always, criticism is appreciated!