Chapter 4: A world inside a TV? Cool.

Date: April 14 Thursday, 2011

Weather: Raining

Lightning decided to take her silver coloured umbrella instead of her coat today as it wasn't that cold. But she made sure Nanako was bundled up. On her way, she heard someone running up to her. Turning, saw it was Chie "Perfect timing! Sorry, move over!" she said going under Lightning's umbrella "I did have my own, but I saw this kung-fu move where they used an umbrella to pull off some sweet moves. And I accidentally broke mine trying to mimic the movie." Chie laughed nervously then remembered something."By the way, did you see it?!"

"Yeah, I did." Lightning said plainly.

"Aha, do tell. But the person it showed…" she trialled off and shakes her head "Never mind. I'll save it for when Yosuke's around." she looked at her watch "We're gonna be late for school." they walk for a bit then Chie stops suddenly "Oh...uhhh. I-I's kind awkward to only bring this up now, but we're pretty close here. Um, I'm gonna just go ahead and run the rest of the way!"

"What's the problem? We're both girls."

"You're right, I'm worrying too much." Chie said rubbing the back of her head, then goes under the umbrella again "Alright, let's go." with Lightning so close she realised something "Has anyone told you smelled like roses."

"Plenty of times. The odd thing is, it's my natural scent."

One boring History Class later

Yosuke came up to Lightning. Who's currently look at her phone. "Y-Yo. Um. It's, uh, it's not really that important, but. Well, yesterday on TV, I..." Yosuke shook his head "Oh, uhh never mind. Look, I'll tell you later." he laughed nervously.

"Yoskue, did you hear the rumour?" Chie asked him as she walked up to them "Saki-senpai's supposedly the one who discovered that body."

"I wonder if that's why she looked so down. She doesn't seem to be at school today either."

Chie saw her long time friend get up from her desk. "Huh? Hey Yukiko, are you helping out at the inn today too?"

"Things are really out of hand right now. I'm sorry." Yukiko responded with both tiredness and edge to her voice. During lunch, Lightning gave her an energy drink that she just started drinking. Saying she'll need more than her. Yukiko is grateful for that. When the black-haired girl drank it, Lightning remarked they had an indirect kiss. This made Yukiko's face as red as her shirt.

"Is it just me, or does Yukiko-san seem way stressed out today?" he asked as Yukiko walked out of the classroom.

"I guess they're running her ragged." Chie said worried for Yukiko, but can't think of anything to help her "By the way, did you see it last night?"

"Huh? Uh, well. What about you?"

"I did! I seriously saw a girl! But my soulmate's a girl? What's that supposed to mean? I couldn't quite tell who it was, but it was a girl for sure. Her hair was brown, about shoulder length. She was wearing our school uniform, and..."

Yosuke cuts her off "Hey I think that's the same person I saw. I couldn't make out that much detail, though. The image I saw much blurrier."

"Wait, so you it too!? And we saw the same girl? Does that mean we have the same soulmate?

"How should I know? How 'bout you? Did you see it?" Yosuke asked Lightning. She just nodded, still looking at her phone. "It sounds like we all saw the same person."

The two notice Lightning in deep thought. Because she closed her phone and eyes. Probably think about what the saw last night. It was currently odd that all three of them saw the same thing. Or so Yosuke and Chie thought. "I plan to take my little cousin to Junes one day. Know any good places for me to take her?" they don't know what to say to that.

"Sure. I'm surprised she wants to go to Junes."

"You kidding? She loves it. Has the theme song memorised too. She sings it every time it comes up on TV." Lightning left out the part where she has a recording of Nanako's singing on her cell.

"Ohhh, that reminds me. Our family's been talking about buying a bigger TV."

"Oh yeah? Well, flatscreen TVs are definitely in these days. Wanna go check 'em out the way back? We're beefing up our electronics department this month."

"Oh, definitely! my parents don't know anything about electronics, and I've just gotta see my kung-fu movies on the big screen!" Chie said taking a fighting stance. She put her leg down when Lightning was looking under her skirt.

Junes, Electronics department

"Wow, this is huge! And holy crap, it's expensive! Who buys something like this?"

Yosuke shrugs "I dunno, rich folks? Honestly, not many people shop for TVs here. That's why we don't have clerks around." Lightning looked at the price tag and didn't see the problem. She can buy the TV but didn't enough space in her room.

"Huh. Not worth trying then, I guess. Well, at least looking is free."

"So, Chie. What kind of TV are you guys in the market for?"

"They said they wanted one that's cheap. You got any suggestions?"

Yosuke cleared his throat and began to speak like a salesman "Well, Miss might I suggest this one over here? it's the newest model, just released this spring."

"Wha-that's not cheap at all! There's way too many zeroes!"

Yosuke sighed "I should've asked what you meant by cheap right off the bat."

"You've got connections, right? C'mon hook me up!"

"You know I can't do that. Hey, how about this one over here? It's a display unit. It's a little old but..."

Lightning stood in front of a huge TV, wondering if she can go inside with this one. She didn't tell Yosuke and Chie what happened to her last night. Who would believe her? She herself didn't. But the bump on the back of her head, and this feeling she's having told her it was real. With no fear, she sticks her hand in and it went in just like last night.

"Oh yeah, Narukami, what kind of TV do you-" Yosuke froze and his face went white as a sheet.

"Huh? Something wrong, Yosuke?" Chie asked him, but he just pointed with a quivering finger. She turned her head and saw why he was so freaked out.

"I-Is her arm...in the TV?" he stammered.

"Whoa. Uhh...is that some kind...new model? L-Like with a new function?"

"Hell no!"

"You gotta be kidding me... Did you really stick your hand through the screen?"

"Oh man. This is for real. That's some magic trick, man! So how's it work, huh!? What's the magician's secret!?"

Lightning ignored them completely and with no second thought, sticks her head in the TV.

"H-hey, don't do that! What're you doing!?" Yosuke said with panic in his voice.

"Oh my god!"

"There's empty space in here. I didn't know I was in your head Yosuke."

"Hey!?"

"Wh-What do you mean, empty space!?" Chie asked laughing.

"I can't believe how spacious it is in here."

Her comment reminds them of the situation. "Wh-What do you mean, spacious!?"

"I mean, what's going on!?"

"Holy crap...I-I think this is all too much for my bladder." Yosuke shouted, holding his crotch.

"What the-? Are you gonna pee your pants!?"

"I've been holding it in all day! I-I haven't had a chance to go." he grunts "Can't...hold it...anymore!" he made a break for it to the bathroom. But came right back "Shit! Customers! They're coming!"

"What!? But we've got a girl half stuck in the TV here!"

Lightning's not stuck. She's just fascinated by what she's seeing. White, everywhere.

"Wh-What're we gonna do!?" they run around and trip, falling and pushing Lightning into the TV. As the feel, the white void turned to a dark yellow fog. It was very thick that the high school students couldn't see where they're falling. Yosuke and Chie screamed on the way down, but Lightning remained calm. What felt like forever, finally hit the hard ground,

"Ow, I landed right on my wallet." Yosuke groaned.

Chie felt someone poking her thigh. Looking down, saw she was sitting on Lightning's face. Who's waving at her.

Chie's face lit up and quickly got up "Man...Where the heck are we?" Chie said looking around. "What is this place? Somewhere inside Junes?"

"Hell no, it isn't! I mean, we fell through a TV! Actually, uh...what is going on here?"

"So...uh...we're still alive right?"

"Everyone alright?" Lightning asked and felt her understanding increased at a bit.

"I think my butt's cracked now."

"Of course it is!" Chie sighed.

"Whoa!"

"Wh-What now!? Did you wet your pants!?"

"No, stupid! Look around!" Yosuke snapped.

Peaking out of the fog was studio lights that were placed above and in front of the students. They stood on a square platform with a blue and purple checkered pattern. In the centre is a black and white bullseye with outlines of people, laying like they've been killed. Small metal bridges connected to the platform, but disappear into the fog. "Is this...a studio? All this fog. Or is it smoke? There's no place like this in Inaba, is there?"

"Hell no. But man..this place is huge."

"What're we gonna do?" Chie asked panicking.

"We have to look around. Staying here won't do us any good."

"Huh? B-But. Look, we need to get home and-! Huh? Wait a minute...which way did we come in from? I don't see a way in...or out!"

"What? That can't be right! H-How could that be!?"

"I don't know! Don't ask me! I can't take this anymore! I wanna go home!"

"Okay..so how!?"

"Calm down you two! All this panicking is not helping the situation. So get it together you two!"

"Y-You're right. Okay...okay." Yosuke took a deep breath "Let's calm down and think about this. All right, so we need to find a way out."

"Is there really a way outta here?"

"We got in so we must be able to get out somehow."

"That's true, but."

"If there's no exit, we're trapped, so let's cross our fingers and look around."

Before they went of their way Lightning grabs Chie's hand. Surprising her.

"Huh?! Why are you-" Chie was quickly cut off by Lightning.

"So you won't run off if something pops out. And out of the three of us, you are freaking out the most."

"Thanks." Chie was a bit ashamed by the statement. Due to it being true.

The three teens made their way to what appears to be a hallway of an apartment. Everything was dead quiet. No birds chirping. No people talking. No distant sounds of cars. Nothing. Chie and Yosuke were very creeped out by the silents. Keeping close to Lightning because she remained perfectly calm. They walked for hours and didn't come across anyone.

"What is this place? It feels different from where we were before."

"It looks like we're in some kind build, but. Damn, this fog's so thick, I can hardly see."

"Are you sure we're not wandering farther away?"

"I can't be positive, but we've gotta trust our instinct a little."

"I know but."

"Our only option is to keep going forward and hope we find a way out."

The three teens entered an unnerving bedroom. Posters of a person were plastered all over the red smeared walls with the face ripped out. Hanging from the roof is a glowing red cloth tied in a noose with an old chair right underneath.

"Hey, is it me or is the fog lighter here? Yosuke checked his phone but groan in annoyance. "No service. What a surprise."

"This is a dead end. Let's look somewhere else."

"Where too?"

"The roof so we can get a good view of the whole place."

Yosuke nodded "Sounds good. Let's hope the fog is light up there."

"You have a pretty tight grip on my arm there Chie"

"Well, I don't want to me separated from you guys." Chie used the scent of roses that came off of Lightning to keep herself calm. Also the large muscles in Lightning's arm. If they get out of here, she'll ask Lightning for her secret. Is what she would ask because she felt the muscles shrink. Chie thought it was the stress of being in this place playing tricks on her.

"It keeps getting creepier and creepier the further we go. Aargh! I can't hold it any longer. My bladder's gonna explode!" Yosuke shouted grabbing his crotch then ran to a wall. Unzipping his pants.

"Yosuke!? What're you doing!?"

"I gotta let it out before I piss my pants!"

"You're going here!? oh, you have got to be kidding."

T-Turn around! I can't go with you girls watching!" Try as he might to relieve himself, he can't drain the snake. So zipped up his pants "I can't do it! It's all your fault if my bladder bursts!"

"Like I care. Anyways what's with this room? Check out these posters. Their faces are all cut out. Someone must really hate this person."

Yosuke noticed the noose and chair. He saw it when entering the room, but tried his best to ignore it. "Dude...this chair and rope. That kind of arrangement is never good. It's tied in a noose. Is this a scarf?"

"C'mon...let's go back to where we came from and look somewhere else for an exit." Chie said while pulling Lightning out of the room. Who's tried to pull back but to her shock, couldn't.

Walking past a poster Yosuke saw something peculiar about it. "Hey...I think I've seen that poster before."

"Who CARES!? Let's go! I am sick of this place! And I'm not feeling so good."

Yosuke held his head "Now that you mention it, me too."

Lightning felt her body getting heavy and weaker. "Is this atmosphere affecting us?"

"Alright, let's go back. I'm seriously starting to feel sick."

"I think we should head back where we started. We're are in no condition to keep exploring." both Yosuke and Chie nodes in agreement. They noticed Lightning getting a bit anxious. Has this strange place finally getting to her?

Chie let out a sigh of relief once they returned to where they landed. Still having a tight grip on Lightning's arm. "Whew...we finally made it back here. Wait...what's that?"

The teens heard what sounds like squeaking. And it sounds like it's coming closer.

"Th-There's something over there!"

Out of the fog came short bear mascot. Its costume had a pair of big round cartoon eyes, a large zipper around the neck. It had blue fur and wore a red and white jumpsuit that three red buttons. Lightning can sense nothing threatening about it.

"That's not the one I'm sensing." Lightning thought.

"What is this thing? A monkey? A bear?"

"What in the world?"

"Th-That's what I wanna know! Who are guys?" the bear asked meekly.

Chie gasps "It talked! W-What are you!? Y-You wanna fight!?"

Chie's shouts caused the bear quiver in fear "Don't yell at me like that."

Lightning walked right up to the bear and holds out her hand "Lightning Narukami."

The bear shook her hand. Taken back by the pink-haired girl's offer. "Nice to meet you."

"Where are we?" Lightning asked.

"This place is what it is. It doesn't have a name. It's where I live."

"You...live here?" Yosuke wondered.

"If I was you guys, I'd hurry back to the other side. Someone's been throwing people in here. It's a big headache."

"Huh? Throwing people in? What're you talking about?"

The bear stomps his stubby foot in frustration "I dunno who's doing it! I just want them to think before they go doing this like that!"

"Hey, what's your problem? What gives YOU the right to yell at us like that!? What ARE you!? Where are we!? What the heck's going on here!?" Chie shouted at the bears face. Who ran and hid behind Lightning. Who just sighed.

"I already told you. A-Anyways, you should hurry back."

"What it comes down to is, you want us to get outta here, right? Well, so do we! We just don't know how, dammit!"

"That's what I'm saying I'll let you out!"

"Like I keep saying, we don't know where the frickin' exit-Wait...what?"

Walking out of his hiding spot the Bear taps his foot and a three stacked TV appeared in a cloud of smoke "What the hell!?

"Wh-Where did those TVs come from!?"

Both Chie and Yosuke checked out the TVs but not Lightning as she knows what's coming next.

"Okay, now go, go, get outta here! I'm a busy bear!" the bear said as he shoved both in.

"What's going on now!? Whoa! Hey, what're you doing!?"

"S-Stop pushing!"

"Leaving so soon?" Every turned to Lightning as that was her voice.

"That wasn't me." Lightning said shaking her head. Foot steps were heard behind Lightning. "I knew someone was fallowing use."

"Wait you knew!?" Yosuke said shocked.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Chie asked.

"Because you two will freak out even more if I did. And that's the last thing I need."

Before Yosuke can say anything, a figure came out of the fog. And to their shock, it was Lightning. But this one had a dark blue and black aura and glowing yellow eyes. She had a sadistic grin on her face.

"What the hell is going on? Why is there two of her?" Yosuke wondered out load. The Bear knew, but the too shaken in fear of Lightning's double to say anything.

"It's been while, as in it?" the doppelganger's voice was a demonic twist on Lightning's.

"You know her?" Chie asked.

Lightning nodded, remembering who or what she is. "I-I thought I was-" Lightning was cut off by her double's insane laughter. It was so terrifying it scared everyone including Lightning.

"Sorry other me, but we're still crazy. Our real mother and father messed us up pretty bad. They wanted a doll. But made a demon. Well, was until we got separated."

"We did?"

"When we feel in here. Something split us into two. Under normal circumstances making us whole again, is a good idea. But we are not like normal people. Making use one will spell out the end for everyone. Now, I'm stuck while you can leave. Which I suggest you do before the monster and I go wild." the dark version of Lightning said as her eyes flashed brighter.

"Th-They're monsters here?!" Chie stammered.

"Yeah, I've been keeping them off your backs for a while. They seemed more fun than killing you three. Better leave right before I change my mind." the teens rushed the TVs and jumped in. Once gone, turned her attention to the frightened little bear "Run along now little Shadow. The big Shadows a coming out to play." with no second thought the bear ran far away.

Back to the real world. Lightning, Yosuke, and Chie popped out of the large TV.

"Huh? Is this?" Chie wondered.

"Did we...make it back?"

Just then the store announcer came up. "Attention, shoppers. Our daily limited-time sale will now being at the side dish area on this first floor. Why not try the delicious, fresh produce Junes picked for you this morning as your side dish for dinner tonight? All ages are invited to take advantage of this incredible bargain!"

"Crap, it's already that late!?" Yosuke said surprised.

"Looks like we were in there for quite a while." she helped Lightning who's still shaken up. She didn't blame her for meeting a twisted version of yourself.

Making their way for the exit and Yosuke saw familiar poster "That's right. Now I remember where I saw that poster before. Look over there! That's the poster we saw!"

"What's up now?" Chie said annoyed then sees the poster. "Hey, you're right, they're the same. I couldn't tell before without the face, but it was Misuzu Hiiragi. She's been all over the news lately. Something about her husband having an affair with that announcer lady who died the other day."

"Hey, so does that mean? That weird room we saw. Could it be related to that Yamano lady's death? Now that I think about it...there was that creepy noose hanging from the ceiling." he cuts himself off with a groan. "Stop! No more! We gotta stop talking about this. I'm gonna wipe what happened today from my brain. I don't think my poor heart can take anymore."

"I'm feeling a chill too. Let's go home...I wanna lie down and rest."

The three teens parted ways and made their way to their respect homes. Lightning was on edge the entire way there. Jumping at the slightest sounds. A figure in blue flames manifested in front of her. "Is that all that takes to unnerve you?" the figure said developing a grinning face made out of red flames "The spark out once had may be gone, but a flame still burns within you. Courage can never be stripped from you." Lightning was going to ask that it means when suddenly it disappears. The words it said calmed her down a bit. With some renewed confidants entered the Dojima household.

Dojima home

"Hey, welcome home." Dojima said. Which surprised her a bit. Thought he was a work. Maybe he got some time off? Lightning sits down with her uncle and cousin. She was feeling very sluggish. It was like the strength she had before was drained out of her. "Uh-Hmm...well, I doubt you'd know. But have you heard anything about a student named Saki Konishi?"

"I heard she wasn't at school."

"Oh. I see. To be honest...we got a call from her family. She's disappeared. We've got people looking for her, but she hasn't been found yet." the detective sighs "Working just keeps piling up."

While he drank his beer, the announcer on the TV began his report "And now, more on the case still casting a shadow over the foggy town of Inaba. Not long ago, television announcer Mayumi Yamano was found dead in the small town. Up until now, her whereabouts prior to her death had been unknown. But the police investigation has found that she had been staying in the region's famous Amagi Inn. She had apparently been staying there alone. Perhaps is she talking a vacation to recover from her ordeal?"

"Oh yes, the Amagi Inn! Their hot springs are first-rate. The manager's teenage daughter also works there, and it's rumoured that she'll take over the inn this spring. If that happens, she'll be one of the youngest managers on record! I should book another trip there!" the commentator said with a bit too much enthusiasm. He more or less looked like a pervert. Lightning often wondered why men these days

always go after girls much younger than them.

The announcer noticed the look in the commentator's face. It was very unprofessional but kept going with the report. "Uhh...I-I see. Moving along, it's time for the weather report. The rain has begun to subside. From now until morning, heavy fog warnings will be in effect in the Inaba region. Visibility will be severely reduced, so please be careful if you plan on driving in the area."

"Is the ramen ready now?" Nanako asked her father impatiently.

"Give it some time."

Lightning let out a sneezed and rubbed her arms feeling a bit chilly. That felt a bit thin.

"Are you sick? You're probably still adjusting to the new environment. Nanako, could you get her some cold medicine?"

Nanako nods and rushed to retrieve it.

"You should get to bed after you take it."

"Yeah, that sounds good." after taking the medicine took a much needed warm bath. As the took off her uniform. Her eyes widen because all the muscles her gained over the years was gone. She had a body of a normal teenage girl.

A/N: I wonder how meany of you will figure out who was the one in flames.