Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

King of Beasts Productions Presents:

Ultimax: Episode Minato: A Persona 4 Arena Ultimax Fanfiction

Chapter 4: My Resolve.

One Hour. One hour was all they were given to stop the world from being plunged into the Dark Hour and pretty much it's end as they knew it. As an organization that defended the various worlds, it was the Sentinels' job to make sure such apocalyptic events never come to pass. At least, not until that world's time, anyway.

Of course, that's was part of the reason why Minato was running through the fogged streets of Inaba towards Tartarus. However, it was also a personal mission; how can it not be, when this was the sort of end he and his friends from his SEES days fought to prevent? When three of those said friends are in the enemy's clutches?

"It's been three years. I wonder how they're doing?" The man wondered as he hastily brisk walked towards the towering monolith. "What have they done in that time? Did Junpei actually become a pro-baseball player? Has Aigis been doing well? Is Yukari-"

He stopped his trail of thought there; even though he was fondly remembering all the times he shared with his old SEES team, he also remembered why he had chosen not to show himself in the first place.

"I already revealed myself to Junpei, but I can trust him to keep his mouth shut if it came to it." Minato sighed inwardly. "They...they're better off without knowing I'm here."

He remembered watching the events that occurred in the Abyss of Time, as per his request to Mr. Azal to view them; he was horrified at how the wish regarding his fate very nearly tore the bonds they had built. Especially since he knew that at the time, there was no other way to save the world from the Fall.

After watching all that transpire, even if they were able to resolve their difference and defeat Erebus, he still ended up blaming himself. That was why even after all those times he could've visited, he couldn't. He believed that if he were to show up, they wouldn't be able to move on with their lives.

"Well, that's out the window now." Minato smiled ruefully as he recalled his reunion with Junpei; He had half-expected the man to yell at him for being away for so long, for not visiting and letting them know that he wasn't dead. He was quite surprised when all he did was ask him a few questions regarding the situation and remind him that his girlfriend still misses him, even if she had accepted his death.

"Damn, I can already feel that slap coming." He chuckled. Still, he was happy that Junpei had matured some over the years and, at the same time, that he was still the same best friend he left behind. Perhaps-

"You know." Minato spoke aloud as he drew his sword from his back. "It's going to do you no good if you keep hiding like that, so why don't you just come out?"

"Damn...and I was really trying SO hard to keep hidden, too."

Out of the blood-red fog came a slim man with a messy mop of red hair and clad in a red suit. The way he looked at him, the way he smiled, reminded Minato of a snake somewhat.

"And who're you supposed to be?" He asked as he tightened his hold on his sword, crouching into a battle stance at the sight of the obviously suspicious man.

"Me? Just some guy who happens to be passing through." The man chuckled as he pulled out his revolver. "But since I just know you're going to call BS on that, I'll just say the name's Tohru Adachi. Now, howabout we skip the rest of the talk and get to the part where we're trying to kill each other? PERSONA! MAGATSU IZANAGI!"

Out of the depths of the man's soul emerged a being clad in a mask and black overcoat, wielding an oversized spear in it's hands. Minato drew Evoker, gritting his teeth as he watched this display.

"I knew it..." He growled in response. "You're involved in this mess, aren't you?"

"Now, isn't that a hasty conclusion to draw." Adachi chuckled as his Persona floated behind him. "Still, it IS pretty strange that I'm still walking around all awake while the rest of this town's asleep. So, here's the deal: You beat me, and I'll tell you what I know."

"And if I lose?"

"You die and prove that you're not strong enough to end this. Simple, no?" The ex-cop grinned. "So, you accept the terms?

"Gladly." Minato grinned as he put his Evoker to his temple and pulled the trigger to unleashed his Persona Orpheus. "I'll make you tell me everything you know about this mess!"

"Don't make promises you can't keep." With that last statement, the two Persona wielders engaged in battle.


Meanwhile, at Tartarus...

"Have you seen Adachi anywhere?"

"Tohru Adachi? The man you promptly dragged out of prison against his will?" The woman in red raised her brow at the red-headed mastermind behind Inaba's current state, Sho Minazuki...the MINAZUKI part of him, anyway. "I believe he told me that he was going to go on 'patrol'. You do realize that he will turn on you after this is all over?"

"Perhaps, but we've already prepared for that." MINAZUKI's expression remained impassive as he walked towards her. "Anyway, you'll be pleased to know that we have prepared two more doppelgangers for the two troublemakers."

"Excellent." Her dainty lips curled into a sly smirk. "Their Personas will be perfect as additional fuel to the fire."

"If I may be so bold to ask, why are you helping us, Miss Cinder?" The personality from Plume of Dusk inquired. "Surely you have nothing to gain from doing so."

"Ah, but I do." Cinder smirked. "You see, the organization I work for has an invested interest in Personas and Shadows. Working with you will certainly increase our knowledge of both."

"I see..." MINAZUKI nodded as he turned to leave. "I shall begin preparations. Sho is quite eager to play his part, as I'm sure you are as well."

"I will do my best, MINAZUKI." The woman bowed with a knowing smirk as she watched the red-head take his leave.

"You enjoy having fun with him don'tcha, Cindy-chan~?"

The woman turned around to see the spitting image of the Investigation Team's mascot, otherwise known as General Teddie, walking towards her with his cane.

"Oh, drop the act." She smirked back. "You and I both know that I can see through that farce."

"...Very well." General Teddie instantly dropped his counterpart's goofball act and turned quite taciturn, much to Cinder's mild surprise. "I do echo the boy's sentiment; it's quite out of the blue you decided to help us."

"It is as I said, the organization I work for has an invested interest in Personas and Shadows." Cinder repeated.

"Yes, but that does leave unanswered questions, such as how you're able to move about freely in the Dark Hour without a Persona." He saw that he had her attention, so he continued. "I can sense something within you, Cinder Fall. Something as ancient as I. Something...sinister."

"Is that so?" Cinder's lips curled up into a teasing smirk. "I must say, I'm impressed, General Teddie...but we all know that that's not your true identity, is it?" Seeing as it was General Teddie's turn to remain silent, she continued. "I know what you are, and what you have planned. Frankly, I'm impressed with how deeply layered your plot is. Rest assured, I have no interest in stopping your P-1 Climax."

"Very well." The mascot nodded. "You can take your leave."

Cinder nodded, then turned to leave, but not before tilting her head to face him. "Before I go, I offer you this piece of advice: Do not underestimate the bonds you so despise. To do so would only bring peril." With that warning hanging in the air, she took her leave and walked out of the room.

"How irritating she is." General Teddie wondered aloud as he looked into the blood red horizon. "But no matter. Once my plan comes to fruition, she and this..."Blackest Knight" will be dealt with."


(Cue Persona 4: Golden Animation OST - Yin Yang)

"NGH!" Minato found himself surprised when his opponent leaped with a hard dropkick that forced him to raise his sword. While he was able to block it, he felt the impact as his arms shook from the strength behind the attack. He responded by pushing back just as Adachi used his sword as a springboard, creating distance between the two combatants. This gave Magatsu Izanagi the opening to bring it's weapon wreathed in lighting down on Minato.

"Shit!" The Wild Card cursed as he knew he couldn't dodge or bring a Persona out in time. So he raised his sword and braced himself for the attack. Again, he was able to block, but the force sent him flying into a wall, causing him to gasp in pain as he felt the lightning course through his body.

"Damn...he got me good..." He panted as he regained his bearings, holding his Sword of Galahad in front of him as Adachi slowly stalked after him.

"You know, when I heard there were outworlders here, I thought you'd put up a better fight." Adachi sighed as he scratched his head. "So far, you ain't living up to the hype, kid."

"Is that so?" Minato growled as he put his Evoker to his temple, summoning Orpheus again. "Sorry I disappointed you. How about I make it up to you here and now?!"

The Persona responded to it's master's command and threw a fireball at Adachi, who responded by having Magatsu Izanagi swat it aside with his weapon. Minato charged just as that happened, forcing the Persona wielder to bob and weave against his attacks.

"You're fast, I'll give ya that." Adachi grinned as he dodged strike after strike with effort before his foe overextended his thrust, allowing him to whip Minato in the face with the handle of his revolver. "However, you're not exactly fighting at your fullest, aren't ya?"

"Shut up!"

He was able to raise his broadsword and used the flat side to shield himself from the bullets. He then charged and unleashed a series of slashes once more. However, due to being distracted due to his frustration regarding his current situation, his attacks were erratic and sloppy, allowing Adachi to read his moves and react accordingly.

"If your head's not in the game, you're not gonna be able to fix this problem!" He responded as he ducked a thrust and responded with a kick that launched him into the air. Magatsu Izanagi was waiting and, upon coming in contact with the flying foe, slammed his spear to send him hurtling into the ground."If anything, you're just gonna be a part of it! You're not gonna save anyone that way. Not those sniveling kids, nor those guys trapped in the tower!"

"What..." Minato groaned as he staggered to his feet, grimacing. "Do you...know...?"

"Me? Not much." Adachi sighed as he walked over his opponent. "But what I do know is that if you wanna stop the ones behind this, you need to get your head out of your ass."

"Shut up!" Minato growled as he summoned Orpheus and had it hurl a massive fireball at Adachi, who in turn summoned Magatsu Izanagi and answered with lightning.

"Well now..." Adachi smirked. "That's more like it." With that, he called his Persona away and began walking the opposite direction.

"You're done already?" Minato raised a brow at his departing opponent. "Especially strange considering you have the upper hand."

"Please." Adachi chortled. "If you're anything like that kid, you'd have beaten me the moment you got your head back on. Make sure ya keep it that way, alright?" He took a few more steps before stopping, but not turning to face Minato. "Oh, one more thing; they already know you and that little girl have entered the board. Be prepared for when they try and stop you."

"Hey, wait!"

Before he could say anything, Adachi had already vanished into the mist.

"Tsk...Talk about embarrassing." Minato sighed as he sheathed his sword and holstered his Evoker. "But he's right; Whatever doubts I have must be set aside if I want to end this." He sighed as he looked around for the quickest route to the tower. "Alright, when this is over, I'll set the record straight and-!"

He found himself getting cut short when he saw that a TV that just happened to be nearby flickered to life, as did all the TVs all over Inaba. What was showing was yet another commercial for the P-1 Climax. It was as followed...


"Ladies and Gentlemen! Are you enjoying the P-1 Climax?!" The announcer's voice boomed to the arena shown "'Cause if you are, have we got some news for you!"

As smoke covered the entrance ramp, one could make out two figures stepping out into the path.

"We're pleased to announce two new competitors ready to take the crown! With burning hearts and cool demeanors, they are ready to take center stage!"

The first to step out was a blue haired girl clad in a white cape, blue dress with a mini-skirt, and held a saber in each gloved hand and posed for the camera with a grin.

"First up: our newest contender from parts unknown, she is The Justice Freak Magical Girl: Sayaka Miki!"

Then the next figure stepped forward, resembling Minato in everyway as he drew his sword and planted it on the ground with a small smile.

"And lastly, he's been away from the ring quite a while, but now's he's back for the crown! Ladies and Gentlemen, The Apathetic Doorman himself, Minato Arisato!"

Once the introduction were done, the announcer continued yet again.

"With these two new fighters in the mix, anything is possible in the P-1 Climax! Who will win?! Who will claim victory?! Stay tuned for moooooore!"


"So, that's how it is." Minato sighed. "Alright, let's see what the P-1 Climax has to offer."

With that, he continued his path to the tower.


Sayaka, who had been making her own path to the tower, watched this commercial and only had this to say:

"JUSTICE FREAK MAGICAL GIRL?! OH COME ON!"


Aigis, who was still bound to her cross, could only gape at what was being shown in the screen.

"Minato-san..."


And in yet another part of Inaba, Yukari Takeba was on her way to rendezvous with Junpei when she also saw this broadcast. At this, her eyes began to water and her frame began to tremble.

"You're...You're alive..."

End Chapter 4


A/N: We're back, Ladies and Gents! Episode Minato's still going strong!

To be honest, I don't really have much to say this chapter. Thanks to those who've read and liked this so far! Your support means a lot! As for what happened this chapter, our hero runs into Tohru Adachi, and we get to see who this outside force interfering is! And to clarify, yes, it's THAT Cinder Fall. For more info on why she's shown up and what "Blackest Knight" is, keep an eye on the "Zero Hour/verse" for more!

That being said, now they all know Minato's back in the game? How will our P3 mainstays react? How will things go with the Investigation Team? And why did Sayaka get a ridiculous title? All this and more will be revealed in time! Until then, please leave a review when you're done reading!

This is the King of Beasts, and I'll see you in the next chapter!

Next Time on Ultimax: Episode Minato: You're in My Way!