A/N: A new world has been found in the ever-expanding land of desolation that is Limbo. And the ruler of this world is a very familiar individual. Just how will our young hero deal with this predicament?

Disclaimer: I do not own Persona.


Chapter XXVIII: Harbingers


Friday, 4/18 20XX, After School

A few moments later, the crowd loosened up and the Reaper duo were able to catch a glimpse of the famous Queen of Yousha. She was indeed a very familiar individual. She was wearing a blank white mask with no features on it, save for two slits for her eyes, which were now a cloudy golden color, to peek out of. But other than that, she was exactly the same from her long orange hair to her ladybug barrette and red friendship bracelet. There was no doubt about it. The Queen of Yousha was in fact Michiko Endou. "Aww, you're all too kind. I'm just happy you're all enjoying your school lives so much. Now please stop with the praises. You're embarrassing me," she said. Then she let out a giggle.

"Is that…Endou-senpai's Shadow?!" Ryuta exclaimed.

Takuya took a good look at the Queen and something in him just told him that she was something entirely different than what he had experienced so far. He shook his head. "No, I don't think so. If I had to guess, I'd say she's what happens when a Shadow devours its host and takes their soul. I think…that she's a Shadow Spirit. A Shadow with a soul."

"That's a Shadow Spirit? How can you tell? It doesn't look that different from an ordinary Shadow," Ryuta replied.

"It's just a…" Takuya was about to answer but was cut off by Ryuta.

"Feeling. Right. Should've guessed," Ryuta replied sarcastically.

"Shut up. Just take a second and concentrate on her, and you'll see what I mean," Takuya replied.

Ryuta sighed, but did as instructed none the less. "…! Wait. I do feel something. Yeah, you're right. She's letting off a different kind of aura then the other Shadows we've fought. I can sense the light buried deep within the darkness. Is that her soul?"

"Shadows represent the negative emotions that we have inside. And Personas are supposed to represent the positive ones. But what if the negative overpowers the positive, or even vice-versa?" Takuya replied.

"So she's some kind of fusion of a Shadow and Persona then," Ryuta surmised.

"It's just a theory, but I can't think of a better way to describe it," Takuya replied.

"It looks like she's the only one here that has a face too," said Ryuta as he looked over the crowd and compared their features. "But what's the deal with that mask?" The two Reapers stared at the Shadow Spirit's odd mask.

"I have no idea, but it must mean something," Takuya replied. He continued to stare at the so-called Queen of Yousha in perplexion. 'She's definitely unsettling. Something is really off about her. It's not just that mask.'

Shadow Spirit Michiko continued to beam at the praise of her many fans, before her eyes spied the Reaper duo. "Oh! What do we have here?" she asked herself. She then approached the two boys, her fan club moving out of her way as she did so. "Are you two new students? I didn't hear anything from the faculty about this."

The Reaper duo exchanged a quick look and then proceeded to answer her questions. "Uh, yeah we're new here. Just transferred in. Kind of a last minute thing, that's probably why you didn't hear about it," Ryuta replied.

"Yeah, we haven't gotten our school uniforms yet, that's why we're dressed like this," Takuya added.

"Ah, I see. Well then, I'm your new Student Council President. Allow me to welcome you to Yousha Academy, the most perfect school in the world," Shadow Spirit Michiko replied as she outstretched her arms for emphasis.

"Yeah, we've heard this place is great," Ryuta replied. "But there are still a few questions that we have. You're the Student Council President, huh? Do you think you can help us out?"

Immediately, the crowd became enraged, startling the boys. "How dare you ask the Queen for a favor right out of the blue!" "Have you no shame?!" "You haven't even begun to worship her yet, you have no right!" "You two are new here, know your place!"

Shadow Spirit Michiko immediately calmed them down. "Now, now. Everyone calm down. This is a school, every student should feel safe and loved. Our friends here are new, there's no harm in helping them understand how things go on here. Please apologize."

Immediately, the crowd did a complete 180. "You're right, Your Majesty. We're sorry you two." "So sorry. Forgive me, My Queen." "We meant no disrespect." "We'd be honored to help you greet our new friends."

Ryuta whispered in Takuya's ear. "This is so unsettling. They're hanging off of her every word. It's like she's a real queen."

"We need to choose our words carefully, who knows what will happen if we set them off again," Takuya replied, also in a whisper.

"Sorry about that. Everybody's a little overprotective of me. It's kind of embarrassing actually," Shadow Spirit Michiko apologized to the two Reapers while giggling in an embarrassed tone. "Go ahead. Feel free to ask me questions about anything you're confused about."

'She's kind and gentle, just like the real Endou-senpai was,' Takuya thought to himself. "Umm, right. Where to start?" he asked aloud. 'It's probably best to first find out if this version of Endou-senpai knows anything about the real one's movements.'


Make A Decision


What happened to the journal?

Were there any problems going on in the orchestra club?

Do you remember anything strange happening last night?


Last Choice.

'Let's dive right in to start with,' Takuya thought to himself. "Well actually we have some questions about you…My Queen."

"About me? Well that's certainly peculiar, but I'm happy to answer them. Go on, ask away," Shadow Spirt Michiko replied.

"Okay then, well to start off, we heard some rumors that you might have been involved in an incident last night. And we were afraid that you had gotten hurt. Can you tell us anything about that?" Takuya asked.

Shadow Spirit Michiko seemed confused. "An incident last night? No, I can't say I recall getting hurt at all. I think you're mistaken."

"It would've been in the arts and clubs building, the orchestra club room to be exact," Takuya replied.

"No, I don't…" Shadow Spirit Michiko was about to reply before she cut herself off. "Wait…what did happen last night? I can't remember. I can't remember at all."

"…" Takuya and Ryuta shared a strange look.

"Well forget about it, we can come back to that question later when you're thinking a little more clearly," Takuya replied.

"Okay then, sorry about that. I don't really know what came over me. Go ahead and ask your next question," Shadow Spirit Michiko replied.

"Okay, will do," Takuya replied.


Make A Decision


What happened to the journal?

Were there any problems going on in the orchestra club?


First Choice.

"We were also looking for a journal. It's small, leather-bound, and lavender-colored. Have you seen it by any chance?" Takuya asked.

"Hmm, let me think. A journal. A lavender-colored journal. Have I seen anything like…" Shadow Spirit Michiko paused again. "Huh? That sounds a lot like my journal. Wait, do I even have a journal? What? What's going on?"

"It sounds like she's having trouble remembering anything from when she was alive," Ryuta whispered to Takuya.

"Yeah, I don't think we'll be able to get any new information out of her. But let me ask one more thing just to be sure," Takuya whispered back.

I'm sorry, I don't know where my head's at today. Is there anything else I can try and answer?" Shadow Spirit Michiko asked.

"Yeah, actually there is one thing," Takuya replied.


Make A Decision


Were there any problems going on in the orchestra club?


Only Choice.

"To your knowledge, were there any problems going on within the orchestra club?" Takuya asked.

"The orchestra club? Why are you asking me that?" Shadow Spirit Michiko asked.

"Because, you're the president of that club too, right?" Takuya replied.

"Me, the president? No, I…" Shadow Spirit Michiko paused again, and then she held her head as she screamed in pain. "No. No. You can't. You can't. Please. Please don't do this," she mumbled to herself.

The crowd became lively once again. "My Queen, are you okay?!" "Do you need to lie down?!" "Don't strain yourself!" "What are you two doing?! Why are you asking the Queen these questions?! Can't you see you're hurting her?!"

Then a moment later, Shadow Spirit Michiko came back to her senses. "It's okay everyone. I'm fine now," she said after taking some deep breaths. Then she looked back at Takuya and Ryuta. "I'm sorry, I don't think I can talk to you anymore. You're right, I'm the president of the orchestra club too, but no I don't know of any problems going on within the club. Nothing bad has happened to me personally and I haven't seen any journal. I can't help you. So please, can you leave me alone right now. I feel very tired. I need to go get some rest."

'Her reactions to these questions are really weird, especially that last one. What could it mean?' Takuya thought to himself. Then he looked at Shadow Spirit Michiko again and a curious thought crept into his head. "Wait, please. I just have one more question. This one's really easy."

"I don't know if I should…" Shadow Spirit Michiko started to decline, but Takuya cut her off.

"Please, it will just take a second, and then you can go and rest," Takuya replied.

Shadow Spirit Michiko sighed in defeat. "Okay, but just one more. Please, make it quick."


Make A Decision


What's your name?


Only Choice.

"What's your name?" Takuya asked.

"My name?" Shadow Spirit Michiko repeated.

"Yeah, your name. I mean it can't just be the Queen of Yousha, right? So what's your real name?" Takuya asked.

"My name?" Shadow Spirit Michiko repeated again. "Okay, if that's all you want to know, then I'll tell you. It's…" There was a long pause before her eyes went wide and she started screaming in intense pain and holding her head very tightly. "My name is... My name is…. What…is…my…name?" she mumbled to herself. "Who am I?!" she screamed at the top of her lungs before collapsing to the ground.

The crowd panicked. "My Queen!" "Your Majesty!" "Someone help her!" "Someone do something!"

Takuya reached out to Shadow Spirit Michiko. "Are you okay?" he asked.

She swatted his hand away. "Don't touch me! Don't talk to me! Just leave me alone!" She struggled in getting up the ground, and when she finally did, she ran past the crowd and out into the distance.

The crowd then turned their attention to Takuya and Ryuta. "You hurt our Queen!" "How dare you?!" "To hurt the Queen is to hurt the academy!" "Where do you two get off?!" "No one hurts our Queen and gets away with it!"

The two Reapers could feel the blood lust in the air. The crowd encircled them and cut off any means of escape. "I don't like the looks of this," Ryuta replied in a worried tone. "They're getting ready to lynch us."

"I think there's only one way out of here," Takuya replied. Then he summoned his scythe, Original Sin, and brandished it threateningly.

Ryuta sighed. "Dammit. Why does it always have to end in a fight?" Then he summoned his naginata, Bloody Naginata, and did the same as his teammate.

"We'll make you pay!" the crowd of students shouted altogether. Then in a surprising turn of events, the crowd separated into three groups and the groups began to merge into three familiar dark, mask-wearing blobs.

"Shadows! They're all Shadows!" Ryuta exclaimed.

"Which means they're not planning on holding back! Stay on guard!" Takuya exclaimed.

The three Shadows then began to morph and change shape until they unleashed their true forms. Two of the Shadows morphed into a pair of gray knights that brandished tridents and were riding on wild brown horses. And the final Shadow morphed into a large demonic-looking knight with blood red armor a set of horns, and a cape. The knight brandished a large lance and rode on a demonic-looking black horse. These Shadows were called Berith and Eligor. Knight Shadows appropriate for protecting the Queen of Yousha.

"This doesn't look good," said Ryuta, sizing up the Shadows.

"There's three of them and only two of us. Plus, we don't have Shinichi so we can't analyze them and find their weaknesses. We have to fight smart and watch each other's backs," Takuya replied.

"R-Right. Then I'll follow your lead," Ryuta replied in a worried tone.

"You insolent whelps! You dare harm our Queen! You shall pay for your sin with your lives!" the Eligor Shadow shouted. Then he swung his lance around and quickly thrusted it at Takuya, who just barely managed to block it with the blade of his scythe.

Takuya pushed the lance back with all his might and then wasted no time in summoning his Persona. "Come forth, Zenbyou!" Answering his master's call, the mischievous Shinigami appeared behind Takuya and brandished his scythe threateningly.

Then the two Berith Shadows attacked in unison and lunged their tridents at Ryuta, who dodged their thrusts with ease. Then following Takuya's lead, he summoned his own Persona. "Let the fear take hold of them, Kuebiko!" Answering his own master's call, the demonic-looking scarecrow on wheels appeared behind Ryuta.

"Let's not waste any time! Go, Soul Collector!" Takuya shouted. In response, Zenbyou cackled menacingly and the blade of his scythe grew to five times its' original size and became cloaked in a fiery blue aura. "Hyaaaaaaaaa!" Takuya exclaimed as he rushed towards the Eligor Shadow and swung his scythe around in a circle, aiming for the Shadow's horse's legs. Takuya drew first blood and his Persona followed behind and did the same with his own scythe, cutting up the horse's legs and making them spurt dark ooze from the deep gashes. The horse whinnied in pain and bucked its riding knight with fervor.

"Right behind you! And I've got a new move to help out! Festival of Knives!" Ryuta shouted. In response, Kuebiko quickly raised and lowered his right arm and summoned a large arsenal of knives of varying shapes and designs. The knives turned in the air and aimed themselves at the Berith Shadows before raining down upon them stabbing both the knights and their horses relentlessly, making them wail in agony. When the knife rain finally ended, Ryuta followed up with an attack of his own. "My turn!" He jumped in between the two Berith Shadows and stabbed the knights in their sides with either end of his naginata before raising it up and creating a huge gash in both of them. Then he leaped out of the way before they could counter using his almost double-jointed flexibility.

"Nice, keep it up!" Takuya shouted before leaping into the air and throwing his scythe at the Eligor Shadow. "Garu, now!" In response to his master's command, Zenbyou used his own scythe to kick up a series of green whirlwinds and then shot them into the air. But instead of hitting the Eligor Shadow, they hit Original Sin and cloaked the scythe in a windy green aura, making it fly with an even greater speed. The Garu-infused scythe flew at the Eligor Shadow and then connected with its target, piercing the demonic knight's armor and leaving a large crescent-shaped gash on his body. The Eligor shadow screamed in pain.

Takuya caught his scythe as it boomeranged back around towards him and then retreated. He and Ryuta stood back to back. "Let's finish these guys off in style," he said to Ryuta.

Ryuta gave Takuya a knowing look. "I think I'm getting what you're putting down. I'm with you all the way."

"Alright. On my count. 1, 2, 3, switch!" Then Takuya and Ryuta switched places and targets. Takuya rushed towards the Berith Shadows and swung back his scythe as he did so. "Garu!" he shouted again, causing Zenbyou to create another set of whirlwinds which he shot at the Shadows, hitting them and causing more damage.

"We can't let them show us up, buddy," Ryuta said to Kuebiko. "Murder Mayhem!" In response to his master's command, Kuebiko quickly raised and lowered his left arm and summoned a large murder of crows which proceeded to peck and claw at the Eligor Shadow. Then Ryuta leaped up into the air and zoomed through the flock of black demonic birds, preparing to throw his naginata like a javelin.

"Hyaaaaaaaaa!" the Reaper duo exclaimed as they prepared to unleash finishing blows on the Shadows. Takuya swooped in and beheaded the two Berith knights in one swift motion and Ryuta threw his naginata with all his might at the Eligor Shadow, making it pierce the demonic knight's head. Then the Reapers dropped to the ground as the three Shadows burst into darkness, and the Reapers' Personas disappeared.

"Oh yeah, baby! That was so epic! We kick ass!" Ryuta shouted in victory.

Takuya chuckled at his friend's behavior. "I have to admit, we were definitely on top of that fight. I don't think the Shadows even got a single hit in."

"Nope, not a one. We beat them down in style. Man, we are so getting the hang of this. It's only been a few days since we got these powers and they're already like second-nature to us," Ryuta replied. After a few moments, Ryuta got serious again. "Anyway, it looks like Endou-senpai's spirit doesn't remember anything about her death or the events surrounding it."

"Not necessarily. The way she was acting, it seemed more like she was trying to keep herself from remembering those things," Takuya replied.

"What? You think her spirit's blocking all that stuff out or something?" Ryuta replied.

"Maybe. But that last thing especially concerns me. She couldn't even tell us her name, and when she tried to remember it she got a splitting headache," Takuya explained. "Even if she's trying to block out her death, why would she block out her own name?"

"Well I think that question can be left for another day," Ryuta replied. "You were right before. That was too close a call. We scoped things out and met the other her; I say we quit while we're ahead and come back when we're better prepared."

"Sounds good to me. Now we just need to find a way to…" Takuya was cut off by the sound of a loud intercom system turning on, and a familiar voice talking over the airwaves.

"I see how it is now. You two are troublemakers. All you want to do is start fights and hurt others. Well unfortunately, this school does not allow your sort to be here. You are here by expelled."

"Endou-senpai?" Takuya replied in confusion.

"She must be on the academy's PA system. I wonder if she can hear us," Ryuta replied. Takuya shrugged his shoulders in reply. Then Ryuta decided to test out his theory and started shouting. "That's fine with us! Just show us the exit and we'll be happy to leave on our own!"

"Oh no, you misunderstand me. You're not going anywhere. Students who bring shame to this school and go out of their way to deliberately hurt others must be punished appropriately. Yousha Academy may be a school of second chances, but I think you've already wasted that second chance. And for misbehaving students like you, I believe the strictest punishment possible is necessary," Shadow Spirit Michiko replied.

"Punishment?! Your fan club is the one who started it! We were just defending ourselves!" Ryuta shouted.

"Be that as it may, my subjects did not deserve to be slaughtered so mercilessly. This school is a safe haven for the dregs of society, a place free from the malice and cruelty of the outside world. You are bad influences, perverting this sacred institution with your relentless blood lust. That is why you shall stay here, isolated from the innocent masses, and receive just punishments. You will become examples to others who try and tarnish this school's good name. Just like her," Shadow Spirit Michiko replied.

"Her?! Who's her?! Who are you talking about?!" Takuya shouted.

"Don't worry, you will soon be able to meet her yourself and satisfy your curiosities. Now then, my loyal subjects. Seize them, in the name of our precious academy!" Shadow Spirit Michiko exclaimed.

Then all of a sudden several more Shadows appeared around Takuya and Ryuta, quickly encircling them. There were ten in total, eight Berith Shadows and two Eligor Shadows. "Yes, Your Majesty!" the Shadows exclaimed in unison.

"Shit!" Ryuta exclaimed. Then Takuya and Ryuta were forced down to the ground, the Shadows using the butts of their weapons to press down on their backs and keep them in place. "Ugh!" Ryuta yelped in pain as he was forced down onto his stomach. He and Takuya struggled to get free. "Dammit! It can't end like this!"

"Don't give up! There has to be a way out of this!" Takuya shouted. "We can't stop fighting! No matter how many Shadows she throws at us! Come forth, Zen…! Ugh!" Takuya was cut off when one of the Shadows' horses pressed their hoof down on his back.

"Stop struggling, you're only delaying the inevitable. Now, my subjects. Take the accused to Detention immediately, I will deal with them myself when the time is right," said Shadow Spirit Michiko.

"Detention?!" Takuya repeated.

Ryuta continued to struggle. "Damn you! You bastards better let us go if you know what's good for you!"

"Pfft, tough talk coming from someone in your position," a snarky voice replied.

"Huh?!" Takuya looked around but couldn't see anyone or anything besides the Shadows encircling him and Ryuta. "Wh-Who said that?!"

"That would be me," the snarky voice replied. "You two really are newbies, huh? This many Shadows should be no problem for anyone at a decent level. You just bit off way more than you can chew."

"Whoever you are, get us out of here!" Ryuta shouted.

"Now why should I do that? You two idiots were the ones who wandered in here without knowing what you were getting into. You were the ones who got captured. You can get yourselves out of this jam. It's not my problem," the snarky voice replied.

"Please, we're begging you! Whoever you are, help us!" Takuya shouted.

The owner of the snarky voice sighed loudly. "I should say no and let the Shadows take you prisoner just to teach you a lesson, but since you caught me in a good mood, I guess I can spare a few moments of my time." Suddenly, a figure looking down at the scene from the rooftop of a nearby school building, jumped off the rooftop and landed down on the ground below with style in the middle of the Shadows' circle. Takuya and Ryuta looked up and got a good look at their savior. And to their surprise, their savior was none other than another Grim Reaper. He appeared to be their age and height, and he had the signature red Reaper eyes and dyed black hair. He wore a tattered black hoodie with the hood up over his head; the hoodie had the number 13 stitched onto the front of it in creepy red stitching and a blood red fuzz outline on the hoodie's collar, sleeves, and bottom. He also wore a pair of dark blue denim jeans that were torn and tattered in several places, a pair of black hunting boots, and a pair of black gloves with skeleton hand designs on them. And finally he wore a scratched up hockey mask with a blood red-colored tear drop decal under the left eye hole. "Now then…" The Reaper immediately summoned his weapon, a blood red chainsaw with silver teeth and hockey mask-shaped keychain attached to it. The chainsaw's teeth appeared to be stained with dry blood. "…time to tear these bastards limb from limb!" he shouted, before starting up his chainsaw and making it roar ferociously to life. Then many small tubes popped out of the chainsaw's motor and dug themselves into the right arm of the Reaper wielding it.

"What is this? Another violent troublemaker? Very well, then you shall join the others in Detention as well. Seize him, my loyal subjects!" Shadow Spirit Michiko exclaimed over the intercom.

A few of the Shadows not pinning Takuya and Ryuta down, thrusted their weapons at the new Reaper. But he simply blocked them using his chainsaw. Then using sheer force, he pushed the weapons back, making the Shadows lose their footing in the process. "My turn!" the Reaper exclaimed as he made his chainsaw roar viciously once again. Then the Reaper leaped into the air and swung his chainsaw around, chopping the Shadows' weapons in two and making them burst into darkness. The Shadows backed up as the Reaper landed on the ground. "Now then, who's first?" he asked in a threatening manner.

One of the Berith Shadows made his horse buck and whinny in a blood curdling tone, before charging at the Reaper, trident ready to thrust into him. The Reaper simply stood his ground and just as the Shadow was about to trample and stab him, he used his chainsaw to sever the horse in two, making the knight fall to the ground. Then the Reaper forcefully stuck his chainsaw through the knight's chest. The Berith Shadow, both knight and horse, burst into darkness. The dark ooze splattered the Reaper's outfit and mask, and dripped off the teeth of his chainsaw.

"Holy shit!" Ryuta exclaimed in surprise.

"…!" Takuya was brought speechless at the sight he just witnessed.

Then a strange thing happened. The black ooze which was most likely Shadow blood, disappeared from the teeth of the chainsaw. An odd sucking sound was heard and that's when Takuya and Ryuta saw the Shadow blood go up the chainsaw tubes that were connected to the Reaper's right arm. A few moments later, the Shadow blood entered the Reaper's arm and the Reaper convulsed in ecstasy. He chuckled maniacally. "Nothing like a little pick-me-up to make you feel like a new man. Alright then you bastards, who wants to die next?"

"This one is too dangerous! Focus all your efforts on stopping him!" Shadow Spirit Michiko exclaimed.

Several of the Shadows pinning Takuya and Ryuta to the ground, released their grip and charged at the new Reaper. But one by one, they were simply destroyed and absorbed like the first Shadow to challenge the Reaper. Soon there were only five Shadows left, three Berith Shadows and two Eligor Shadows. And with each Shadow that the Reaper killed and absorbed, his motions became more frantic and his tone grew more maniacal. "More! More! This isn't even close to satisfying me! More blood! More death! I need more!" he cackled.

"T-Takuya, this guy is on our side, right?" Ryuta asked in a scared tone.

"I…I honestly have no clue at this point," Takuya replied.

The two boys just watched in horror at the monstrous actions their new ally took to save them. The Reaper's eyes became bloodshot as he continued to laugh maniacally. And then all of a sudden he stopped laughing immediately and looked up to the sky, and then he began conversing with himself. "What's that? Uh-huh. Oh, I see? You're hungry too? Well then, who am I to deny my guardian their fair share?" The Reaper raised his left arm and then a crimson tattoo began to shine through the fabric of his hoodie. It was a Persona Summoning Tattoo that had a design that consisted of pair of sharp fangs that were dripping in blood. "Feed, Count Drac!" the Reaper shouted as he summoned his Persona. And then it appeared behind him, the Persona called Count Drac. He was a tall, looming figure with pale white skin, pointed ears, long claw-like fingers, long, white flowing hair, haunting yellow eyes, and large white fangs. He was shrouded by a red and black cloak which draped around his whole body. Count Drac let out a booming laugh straight out of a horror movie and then he undraped himself with a flourish and revealed what lied underneath his cloak. He was clad from head to toe in a black tuxedo and wore a dull golden medallion around his neck. His cloak hung behind him and billowed in the wind like a long cape.

"Count Drac? Wait, as in…" Ryuta started to speak before Takuya cut him off.

"Count Dracula," said Takuya, finishing his friend's thought.

"Let's kill them all! Go, Dark Harvest!" the Reaper shouted. In response to his master's command, Count Drac let out another horrific chuckle and then stuck out his arms at his sides, forming a T pose. Then a black aura enveloped both of the Persona's hands and a few moments later, the aura grew tube-like appendages, which flew down to the Shadows surrounding the Reaper and injected themselves into them. Then the Shadows started to shrink in size and their vicious looks softened and became looks of weariness; they appeared to be getting weaker with each passing moment. Soon the knights dropped their weapons to the ground and their horses collapsed underneath their weight.

Takuya and Ryuta were no longer pinned down. "Now's our chance! Move!" Takuya exclaimed. And he and Ryuta quickly retreated to watch the rest of the fight from a safe distance.

The Reaper chuckled maniacally. "How does that feel, Count?! Are you ready for the finishing blow?!" Count Drac chuckled in reply. "Alright then! Send them to hell! Chaos Rain!" In response to the command, Count Drac flew up high into the air and then held his right hand above his head. Then all of a sudden, a huge number of black fire balls appeared behind him. Count Drac lowered his arm and pointed at the weakened Shadows on the ground below, and the next moment, all of the black fire balls fell down to the ground. Within mere moments, the entire battle field was consumed by a sea of unrelenting black flames. The Shadows were slowly destroyed while they wailed in agony. And soon the only Shadow that remained was a single Eligor Shadow, who had just barely gotten out of the target range.

The Shadow seemed very angry. The demonic knight whipped the reins of his horse, causing it to buck and whinny intensely. And then the horse started charging at breakneck speed towards the Reaper while the knight prepared to thrust his lance at him. "Pathetic! Count, finish him off! Blood Lust!" the Reaper commanded. A few moments later, Count Drac's eyes glazed over and his claw-like fingers and fangs appeared to grow in size. Then Count Drac rushed towards the Shadow, thrusting out one of his clawed hands as he did so. And in a swift, fluid motion, Count Drac drove his clawed hand clean through the knight's chest plate and out of his back, while digging his fangs into the neck of the horse. In a matter of moments, the Eligor Shadow was ripped apart and consumed by the Persona in a manic feeding frenzy. The Eligor Shadow unleashed so many blood-curdling screams in that quick interval before being permanently silenced. And Takuya and Ryuta simply looked on in horror at the actions of this monstrous Persona.

It was finally over. All of the Shadows were destroyed, albeit in very gruesome manners. Count Drac soon disappeared as the violent Reaper who summoned him struggled to calm down and catch his breath. Takuya and Ryuta hesitantly approached the Reaper, unsure of whether or not they could truly consider him an ally. Another minute passed, and the violent Reaper finally calmed down. The mania that consumed him disappeared along with his chainsaw.

"…" Takuya and Ryuta silently watched their new ally, wondering what he might do next.

The Reaper looked up at them and then said, "I believe the words you're looking for are thank you. I didn't have to go out of my way to save you two. You should show some damn gratitude."

"Um…" Takuya was about to speak but he was cut off by another message from Shadow Spirit Michiko.

"You…you monster! You killed all of my subjects, all of my precious friends, like it was nothing! You will pay for this! You will all pay! Expulsion isn't a harsh enough punishment! Not by a long shot! You will pay with your lives for disrupting the peace of my beloved school!" Shadow Spirit Michiko shouted.

"She'll be sending a lot more reinforcements soon. We should leave now," said the Reaper. He ran off in the direction of a nearby campus building. Then he turned back when he noticed that Takuya and Ryuta weren't following after him. "You're free to stay if you want, but I'm not going to bail your asses out again if you get recaptured!"

"…" Takuya and Ryuta silently nodded at each other and then reluctantly followed after the violent Reaper.

Soon the three Reapers approached the building and its set of double doors. "Where are we going exactly?" Takuya asked.

"Back to the Blank World," the Reaper replied as he extended his right arm and made his Skeleton Key Tattoo appear.

"Blank World? What the hell are you talking about?" Ryuta replied.

"Outer Limbo! You know, the Limbo that's not here?!" the Reaper exclaimed in an annoyed tone.

"You mean that weird reverse version of the world of the living?" Takuya replied.

"Yes, we'll talk more there. Now please, shut up so I can concentrate," the Reaper replied before angling his Skeleton Key towards the double doors' lock.

"Wait, won't this just take us back to the world of living?" Ryuta asked.

"I said shut up," the Reaper replied before successfully unlocking the door. "Now come on." He pulled open the double doors and the word went white around the three Reapers.


Friday, 4/18 20XX, After School

When the world came into view once again, the Reapers found themselves outside of Shadow Spirit Michiko's Yousha Academy and back in the reverse version of Tokyo. "What the hell? We're back here? How? I thought the Skeleton Keys could only take us to the part of Limbo that mirrored the world of the living. Shouldn't we be in that building in the real Yousha Academy?" Ryuta asked.

"The Skeleton Keys can be used for other things besides just coming to Limbo, you idiots haven't realized that yet?" the Reaper replied.

"Well I did know you could use them to unlock those black gates, but I didn't know they can be used for transporting us to different parts of Limbo," Takuya replied.

"Black gates? Oh, you mean the Gates of Death?" the Reaper replied. "So you know about those too then? Well I guess you two aren't completely useless."

"Gates of Death? That's what they're called?" Ryuta asked. Then he got angry. "And hey! Where the hell do you get off belittling us like that asshole?!"

"Rabbit's idiotic terminology is actually quite useful for explaining things, though I'd rather die before I tell that waste of life that," the Reaper replied, mainly to himself.

"Hey, I'm talking to you asshole!" Ryuta shouted.

"Still though, it's kind of hard to believe that Endou-senpai of all people would create one. What is that pocket watch bastard up to? I wonder, if I find him and take care of him first will that prove I'm Prospero's superior?" the Reaper snickered. "At the very least it will shut that rhyming clown up." It appeared that he was simply done talking to Ryuta.

"Don't ignore me!" Ryuta shouted.

"I only bother to waste my precious time on people that I consider worthy. An imbecile like you is the furthest thing from worthy," the Reaper replied, not even deigning to look Ryuta in the eye.

Ryuta growled in frustration. "Goddamn bastard! I ought to…!"

"Before you finish that thought, I would keep in mind the sight you bore witness to when I slaughtered those Shadows. You're weaker than them. Just imagine what I could do to you, if I tried," the Reaper replied in a cold tone.

"…!" Ryuta was caught off guard.

The Reaper clicked his tongue. "Rescuing you two clods was a mistake. You obviously have no idea what you're doing. You're going to get yourselves killed in no time. I was just delaying the inevitable."

Ryuta growled again. "I don't know where you get off asshole, but you don't know who we are or what we've been through. Trust me, if we tried we could wipe the floor with your crazy ass."

"Crazy, am I?" the Reaper replied. He scoffed. "You have no idea what true power is. That craziness you speak of is what make me so powerful. I devour the Shadows and the negative emotions they harbor. The power it gives me is more than worth a minute or two of mental clarity."

"That wasn't power…that was just dark," Ryuta replied as he shook his head. "Twisted and dark."

"Oh what? You'd prefer if I killed them more humanely? Because that is the only way to stop them you know. Kill them," the Reaper replied in a condescending tone. "Don't feel sorry for those monsters. They're just cognitive beings who are made up of negative emotions. That's all. To even think of them as living creatures is just moronic."

"Be that as it may, I agree with my friend on this one," Takuya replied. "That whole sight was just plain disturbing. It looked like you were enjoying killing them in such gruesome ways, like it was some kind of game to you."

"Pfft, it's not a game. It's practice," the Reaper replied.

"Practice? Practice for what?" Ryuta asked.

"It's really simple. All I've ever wanted is power, and now thanks to this world, and thanks to my Persona, I have that power. And now that I have it, all I want to do is enhance it. I want to be the strongest. That's all. Unfortunately though, there are some people in my way from making that dream into a reality," the Reaper replied. He looked up at the sky. "Prospero is my ultimate goal. I won't be satisfied until I crush that peon beneath my feet. That rhyming clown Raven is another thorn in my side. When I get stronger the first thing I'll do is pluck his feathers out one by one." Then he scoffed. "Truth be told, I want to kill them all. None of them are worthy of this power. No one except for me is worthy." Then he looked at Takuya and Ryuta. "That includes you two."

"Prospero. You keep saying that name. And I'm pretty sure I heard you say Rabbit before too. I wonder, are you with that Reaper group that the White Rabbit and Revenant are part of?" Takuya asked.

The Reaper's eyes widened for a moment and then he scoffed. "So you're the one those idiots talked about. Sin Eater, the Reaper prodigy. Rabbit said you were a newbie but you might be just as strong, if not stronger than Prospero."

"Wait, so you're one of the other Reapers in that group?" Ryuta asked.

"Our group is referred to as the Harbingers of Death. I can't believe Rabbit and Revenant neglected to tell you that. And yes, I am a member. Allow me to grace you with my name. I am Blackened, the Sixth Harbinger, and the strongest of them all," Blackened explained.

"Blackened? What does that mean?" Takuya asked.

"I corrupt everything and everyone I come into contact with. I blacken them. Dirty them with my wicked thoughts and ideals. It's been that way for a few years now. It's a fitting name," Blackened replied.

"Well, I'm…ugh!" Ryuta was about to reply, but Blackened cut him off by punching him hard in the stomach and making him collapse to his knees.

"I don't really care who you are. You are worthless to me," Blackened replied, looking down at Ryuta. Then he looked at Takuya. "You on the other hand, Sin Eater. I find very interesting. That strength that Rabbit saw in you. The strength that rivals that of Prospero. I would very much like to see that." Then Blackened summoned his chainsaw out of the blue and brandished it at Takuya. "Won't you show it to me? Show me that bright power of yours, so that I might blacken it." And then with no warning, Blackened revved up his chainsaw and tried to slice Takuya up. But Takuya summoned his scythe at the last minute and used it as a brace to hold back Blackened's chainsaw. Red sparks flew as the two weapons fought for dominance, one which Takuya managed to win by using all his strength to push Blackened back.

Blackened staggered before chuckling in an entertained manner. "Excellent. Excellent. No one's ever been able to outmatch me in a display of broad strength before. And that scythe of yours is truly a sight to behold. It's called Original Sin, is it not?"

"…" Takuya didn't reply and simply glared at Blackened.

"Well allow me to introduce my weapon, though I'd say you're acquainted with how deadly it is. It's called Sanguine Devourer. It feeds on its victims' blood and uses it as fuel. And then I can take that fuel and use it to increase my own strength. In other words, my chainsaw is an eternal glutton for blood and carnage. Never satisfied. Always wanting. A thirst that can never be quenched. Just like a vampire," Blackened explained. Then he chuckled again. "I must sound like a raving lunatic, acting like my weapon has desires. Like I know what it wants."

"Actually, that's the first sane thing that's come out of your mouth so far. I feel it too. This scythe is not only my connection to my Persona, it's a living thing just like us. Whenever I wield it, I can hear its thoughts and its desires. It wants to destroy evil and save the innocent," Takuya explained.

"Takuya, kick…this guy's…ass," Ryuta said through labored breaths. Then he got up and retreated to a safe distance.

"I don't care that you helped us back there, or that you're friends with the White Rabbit and Revenant. Anybody who hurts me or my friends is an enemy to me. So I'm going to take my scythe and strike you down," said Takuya.

Blackened chuckled. "Oh, this is going to be fun. Don't hold back on me now. Because you know I won't." Then he rushed towards Takuya, revving up his chainsaw and preparing for another attack. Takuya rushed in as well, preparing to swing his scythe back.


A/N: A twisted individual with a heart as black as night. Can a person with such a nature really be considered an ally? Or will our young hero be forced to destroy one of his own kind in the name of self-preservation. Stay tuned.