Disclaimer: All Persona related properteries belong to SEGA/Atlus. I do not own the rights to any of this.

AN: Hello anyone and everyone!

This is the first chapter of hopefully many more in an attempt to sharpen my writing skills. The intent behind this is to try and create a fun spin on the base story beats present in Persona 4: Golden (and maybe Arena Ultimax later). I will try to fairly portray each character respectfully to how they behave in the games.

Those being: Persona 4, Persona 4 Golden, Person 4: Arena Ultimax.

Generally, this version of the story will have a greater emphasis on character building, mystery, and eventually focus on a Yu x Naoto ship.

So, without further ado, here's the first three chapters that I've had finished.


The greatest lies are often told in truth. For there can be no greater deception than that.


?

Why does my head hurt?

That was the first thought that entered the young boy's mind as he tried to pull himself upright in his seat. The motion had been labored by whatever nauseous weight had taken root in his body. And yet the odd sensation did not stop there, as he felt his hand brush begin to push against a cushion seat of velvet. Muted panic arose in his head, growing worse and worse as he began to slowly gather his senses. He had been on a train, one with those ugly plastic leather cushions that every public transportation vehicle had! How did he suddenly end up in such luxury?

"It seems we have a guest with an intriguing destiny." A stranger's voice spoke in a calm tone, followed by a light chuckle.

The boy had trouble believing what he could be seeing. His vision had finally straightened itself out, allowing him to drink in the details of the ocean of images before him. For a start, he appeared to be in a limousine, with more of the cushioned seats he felt beneath him that lined from back to the right along with the front. To the left was a shelf holding an arrangement of multi-colored beverages with no discernable labels. At its center was a screen with a blue arrow going down a straight yellow line. A GPS system perhaps? Regardless, the entire cabin for the most part were varying shades of blue.

Though the boy could not stop his eyes from focusing on the strangers in the car with him.

First, a man sat at the driver's end of the limo, with one leg crossed over the other and had been idly tapping his fingertips together. Frankly, he looked downright weird. The stranger had bizarre features and a face frozen in an impossibly large grin. His nose was equally large, reminding the boy of a fairy tale regarding a doll whose nose would grow longer with each lie he told. Though the man's odd features did not end there. He dressed sharply, in a black suit reminiscent of a butler and white gloves to compliment it. His eyes were wide and bloodshot, with no discernable color in their irises. The cartoonish man also appeared to be balding with wild white hair. But the strangeness didn't stop there since it had even reached his ears: as they were pointed like an elf.

Looking to his right, there was the second person, a woman with a matured beauty. She sat proper with a large deep blue book resting on her lap. It's title barely legible beneath her arms as "Le Grimoire". Describing her appearance further: she had pale skin and long platinum blonde hair styled elegantly while a blue band rested atop her head. Her attire would have you believe her to be a hotel attendant, or something similar. Perhaps a secretary? As she wore an again dark blue coat and pair of matching heels. Her loudest feature however was her eyes which shone with a golden yellow glow. Despite her polite smile, it felt like she were piercing into his very soul with that gaze.

If there was one fact he could rationalize, it is that she was not the woman singing whatever hauntingly serene song that filled the ambient air.

"My name is Igor, and I am delighted to make your acquaintance." The odd man spoke once more with a slight bow of his head. "This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter… It is a room that only those who are bound by a 'contract' may enter. It may be that such a fate awaits you in the near future. Now then… Why don't you introduce yourself?"

Okay, this has to be a dream or something. The boy's mind was at odds with itself. For he couldn't begin to fathom the situation he now found himself in. Delaying from answering the question, he had begun to rub a hand against the seat once more, almost checking with himself to confirm that yes, the velvet cushion felt real. Worse yet, he had never seen either of these two people before. He doubted his imagination could make a man that creepy and a woman that pretty. Did he die in his sleep? He knew he had been dozing off on the train… but could something like that have happened? Or is it the less extreme: that he had simply eaten something bad and was now tripping out of mind?

"Am I dead?" He blurted out, having given up on thinking up an answer for himself.

That question earned an exasperated chuckle from Igor, having clearly not anticipated that reaction. Which further elicited a light giggle from the woman, who tried to stifle it quickly.

"No, not at all." He spoke. "The best explanation I can offer you at this time is that you are currently 'dreaming' so-to-speak." He then outstretched his right hand forward, "Now then, are you going to introduce yourself? I fear our time is limited."

"Yu Narukami…" He hesitantly replied after a short pause. "And sorry, but I'm kind of having trouble believing any of this is happening right now."

And why should he? He could not describe the otherworldly aura these two strangers possessed. Much less understood how his body felt asleep but his mind awake at the same time.

"Apologies, but I am afraid I will have to explain that to you at another point in time. As other things require our attention at this moment." Igor cryptically answered, "Now, it is a pleasure to meet you, Yu Narukami. Let's take a look at your future, shall we?"

"What for?" Yu asked, weary of the curious man's intentions.

"It's important for one to know of the journey that lies ahead." Igor then flicked his wrist, a deck of cards appeared in his hand from nowhere. He then set it down on the table. Holding his hand flat, parallel to the table's surface. "Do you believe in fortune telling?" He asked as he had not even tried to remove his bloodshot eyes from focusing on Yu. "Each reading is done with the same cards, yet the results are always different."

Well… Whatever "this" is, I might as well go along with it. Dream or no. Yu let out a deep breath trying to compose himself. "Not really, no. Haven't had much reason to believe in it before."

"Then let us educate you. Life follows the same principles, doesn't it?" Igor's smile seemed to beam at the prospect of teaching someone something new. His hand remained perfectly still over the deck, and much to Yu's surprise, the cards began to flick out onto the table without so much as a gentle touch from Igor. He then flipped one of the cards over, revealing a stylized medieval tower being blown apart by lightning. "The Tower in the upright position represents the intermediate future. It seems a terrible catastrophe is iminent."

Oh… that's not good.

Igor then turned over another card. Revealing a crescent moon with a face on it, in a similar artstyle to the first card. "The Moon, in the upright position. This card represents 'hesitation' and mystery'... Very interesting indeed." He hummed before making a waving gesture above the table. Causing all of its contents to disappear from view.

"I'm not sure I like my fortune very much…"

"Ah, an honest reply." Igor chortled, then his brow straightened and he leaned forward as if he were getting serious. "The coming year is a turning point in your destiny. If the mystery goes unsolved, your future may be forever lost. My duty is to provide assistance to our guests to ensure that does not happen."

"Lost…?" The word stammered out from Yu as a question.

"Yes, lost." Igor stated as if it were clear as day, offering no elaboration. "Ah! I have neglected to introduce my assistant to you." He then made a sweeping gesture towards the woman who patiently sat there the whole time. "This is Margaret. She is a resident of this place, like myself."

"My name is Margaret." She offered a slight bow of her head as an introduction, "I am here to accompany you through your journey."

"Ummm… pleasure meeting you, Margaret?" Yu replied, unsure how to interact with her.

"Likewise." She said.

Igor clapped his hands together, bringing attention back to himself. "It seems we'll have to attend to the details another time. Until then, farewell!"

"Hey wait -" Before Yu could finish, his vision began to cloud in darkness as everything began to fade from view.


April 11th

Afternoon, train station.

Yu exited the train station, his duffle bag slung over his shoulder, feeling unsettled by the atmosphere.

He couldn't help feeling hesitant to move forward as he started to survey his surroundings. Noticing how it was… well, empty, had been his first comment looking at it. This place appeared to be far different from the usual hurried bustle of city tram lines. There were no crowds through the terminal, no flashy advertisements, no grinding of train wheels on tracks. Just a quiet country road devoid of cars and a scenic view of rolling green hills. Hell, the only other soul he had seen walking through had been the station attendant.

Damnit, not again. Yu cursed in his own mind. Taking a sharp intake of breath as he pressed his right hand against his head. He could feel the light buzzing from his migraine flaring up again, having had it ever since he woke up from that "dream" he had on the train ride over. At least the fresh air of the countryside mixed in with the petrichor of a recent rainfall acted as a mild relaxant. Even if only a little.

Still, he couldn't help but wonder. Where is he? Wasn't he supposed to meet me on the platform?

"Hey! Over here!" A voice called out to him. Yu turned to see who it was, spotting a man that must have just rounded the corner, who was now waving him over.

"Uncle Dojima?" Yu called back.

"Yup! Welcome to Inaba" Dojima then outstretched a hand to shake as he approached, with Yu meeting the gesture in kind. Not at all surprised at how firm of grip the man had. "You know, you're more handsome in person than in your photo."

"Thanks...?" The complement caught him off guard. His appearance did set him apart from other people: being so young with silver hair, steel colored eyes and an above-average height tends to make you stick out. But he didn't think he was anything special to look at, much less be described as handsome.

"Anyways, as you already know, I'm Ryotaro Dojima. I'll be looking after you. Let's see… I'm also your mother's younger brother and that about sums it up." He kept his introduction short. Though the both of them knew they will have plenty of time to get to know each other over the course of the year.

This is the first time Yu had ever actually met his uncle in person. At least, according to his memory. He found it surprising how Dojima looked as if he jumped straight out of a modern detective show. He had the family's gray eyes, and unlike Yu, he shared the same shade of black color for his hair that his mother had. He had a stubble across his face, and wore a dark gray shirt with rolled up sleeves and a loose red necktie around the collar. The black dress pants he had on matches the jacket hung over his shoulder. Behind the gruff exterior and the strong features of his face, Yu could tell his uncle had an honest look behind the eyes.

"Yu Narukami," He said introducing himself. "But I guess you already knew that. So this is Inaba?"

"Well this is the train station, and sorry we weren't there to meet you on the platform. I didn't expect it to rain today." Dojima said with a wry grin.

"We?"

As if on cue, a head poked out from behind his uncle's leg. "Yea, this here is my daughter." He then looked down to the girl clinging to his knee. "Come on, Nanako, introduce yourself to your cousin."

She gave a shy "...'lo" at the behest of her dad.

Dojima could only give a lighthearted chuckle at her daughter's display. "What're you so shy for? OW!" Apparently Nanako didn't take well to being laughed at when she struck her dad in the back of the knee with a slap. It earned a muffled laugh from Yu which only caused her to retreat behind again, cheeks flushing in embarrassment.

Okay, that's adorable. Yu wouldn't deny it. The six… maybe seven year-old girl certainly had a different charm to her.

Yu did notice that Nanako didn't share any of her father's features. She had brown hair tied into pigtails, and the color matched her eyes. Clothes wise, she had on a white turtleneck with a dual-shaded dress of red and pink over the top. Yu couldn't get a good read on her though, the only thing he's noticed so far was how shy she was.

"Anyways, let's get going." Dojima shot a thumb over his shoulder, towards a four-seater parked a few paces away.

"Right behind you." Yu said as he followed behind him towards the car.


Evening, Dojima residence.

The trip back had been mostly uneventful, well Yu wanted to believe that. The bout of nausea that had set in between the gas station and now had been making it hard for him to keep his head straight. He vaguely recalled a rude girl that had stopped him at the train station to hand him something he dropped. Only for her to then again reappear in the shopping district with no recollection of their meeting.

So either he could add hallucinations to the symptoms he was experiencing or there were a pair of twins running around Inaba in the same clothes. He didn't care which, he just wanted to be rid of this damnable headache as soon as possible.

He tried distracting himself. Though in hindsight, maybe going through the tremendous task of unpacking all of his things in his new room had been a mistake. Because now not only did he have a migraine, but he was tired too.

Well… at least I got that done. So, this is going to be my room for the next year, huh? More furniture than I was expecting, but I think I made it work. Yu found himself surprised at being given such a well-furnished room. Sure, it was smaller than the rooms his parents would normally give him whenever he moved somewhere new. Having to move around a lot made it hard to carry a lot of personal belongings, so a smaller space made it seem like it was more lived in.

Admiring his handiwork from the door: there was a nice black couch, not to old, and hardly used. Beyond that, a desk and chair which he had already stacked what few books he had brought with him. Just a few books on studying French; he did see a bookstore in town, which meant he would have a chance to fill the desk shelf later. Then on the opposite side was his dresser already stuffed with his clothes, an entertainment center with an older TV resting atop. He had his futon folded up in the corner. Though he was disappointed that he had to leave the metal shelf next to his door empty.

I didn't see a model shop… I guess that's one hobby I will have to do without this year.

"Hey, dinner is ready!" He could hear his uncle's voice through the crack in the door, signaling him to come on down.

That was fast. Yu thought as he went down the steps. Then he figured out how his uncle had prepared dinner so quickly. Both his uncle and cousin were sitting at the table in the living area, and around it was one of those premade meals you could get at Junes. The store's branding was still on the side of packaging. He hid a light frown from view as he approached.

Didn't even realize they had a Junes out here. He didn't hate the department store chain per say. They actually carried a great selection of quality ingredients. Spices and the like that would not normally be able to get from any of the local supermarkets. Not to mention the wide variety of electronics and amenities they offered year round.

The problem was you could only tolerate premade meals and grab-n-go lunches for so long until you snapped and started cooking for yourself. Yu's parents were still surprised he had found the drive to educate himself in the culinary arts.

Still, he maintained a neutral expression as he sat down with Dojima and Nanako. He can tolerate a few Junes meals until he can find the time to stock the fridge. He'll repay them with a nice home-cooked meal.

"Let's have a toast." His uncle declared as Yu sat down at the table with them. All of them had their cups in hand and raised them together for a satisfying clink of their glasses before setting them back down. "So…" Dojima said after a few minutes of quiet eating. "Your mom and dad are busy as always. Working overseas, was it?"

Yu gave a curt nod, "Yeah, Dad is working on an important trade deal in California."

"Sheesh, I have no idea how my sister puts up with that kind of stuff. Look, I know it's only for a year, but getting stuck in a place like this because of your parents… It's rough being a kid." His uncle was trying to be sympathetic, but Yu wasn't getting it.

"Well other than the constant headache I've had from adjusting to the fresh air. I'm not sure that I follow, Inaba doesn't seem that bad of a place." It was certainly better than Tokyo, or Sapporo.

"It isn't - no that's not what I… ugh." Dojima hung his head in defeat, unable to find the words to form a response. "Sorry, look, what I'm trying to say it's just me and Nanako here. So it'll be nice having someone around. And as long as you are here, you're part of the family, so make yourself at home."

"Thanks. Though I'm used to moving from place to place, so I'll be fine." Yu was trying to ease his uncle's concerns but that only soured his expression. Oops.

"Well anyway… Let's-" He was about to reach for his chopsticks when a ring echoed out from his pants pocket. Dojima let out a grunt, annoyed that his meal was interrupted and retrieved his cellphone, flipping it open in one fluid motion. "Dojima speaking… Yeah?"

Yu noticed his uncle caught himself before he swore out loud, while his brows furrowed into a stern expression.

"I see… so where is it?" A few seconds passed as the person on the end answered. "Alright I'm on my way." Dojima let out another sigh as he quickly stood up and grabbed his suit jacket, stopping to turn around as he reached his shoes and slipped them on. "Sorry, I gota take care of some business. Go ahead and eat without me. I don't know how late I'll be. Nanako, you help him out, okay?"

"Okay…" She answered in a meek tone.

As he opened the door to leave, the sound of rain water hitting the pavement outside could be heard from where they were sitting. "Nanako! Did you bring the laundry in? It's raining!" Dojima yelled.

"I already brought it in!"

"Alright! I'm off!" The front door slid close, hearing the tumblrs on the lock turn. It was only a moment later that Yu heard the tires of his uncle's car rolling through the rainwater, heading off wherever he needed to be at this hour.

Nanako immediately turned on the TV, with the default channel landing on the local news. The weather report was on, detailing how the week was going to be filled with rainfall and fog. "Let's eat." She said, trying to dispel the awkward air that her father left them with.

Ugh, this first week is gonna be miserable. The idea of being sick while dealing with new-school-woes sounded exhausting. His nose already felt like someone went and punched it, an experience he wished he wasn't already familiar with. That feeling also translated to his head, the migraine from earlier still hadn't gone away. At least it hadn't gotten to the point where it was deliberating, but it was starting to get on his nerves.

Maybe he could try distracting himself by trying to get to know Nanako? He was going to spend the next year in her home, so it didn't make sense not to. Can't avoid someone you live with… "Hey Nanako," She looked up from her food, "What does your dad do?"

"He… investigates stuff. Like crime scenes." Her face had an expression that looked like she was trying to find the right words. Then it lit up as she found it. "Oh! My dad's a detective."

"A detective, huh?" Inwardly, he frowned. Geeze mom, could you let a detail like that slip?

"Yea, he's pretty great at it."

A different voice came from the TV, as the newscast had switched segments. "And now for the local news. City council secretary Taro Namatame is under fire for an alleged relationship with a female reporter. His wife, enka ballad sensation Misuzu Hiiragi, revealed to this station that she will likely pursue damages." Each name was accompanied by a portrait of the individual in question. Namatame's picture didn't inspire a great image, likely a deliberate choice from the station, as his posture was slouched and he didn't seem to carry himself like a politician should. His wife - or ex-wife as Yu guessed he should be referring to her as - had an air of haughty dignity about her that you'd expect from a celebrity. "In response, Eye Television has decided to cancel all of announcer Mayumi Yamano's televised appearances. Until allegations of an affair with Mr. Namatame are resolved, she'll remain off the air and out of the public eye." Yu couldn't really get a good read on her expression from the screen. It had a practiced smile, one many reporters would use whenever their face was in the camera light.

I suppose even a small town like this has its share of scandals. Something probably happened if uncle had to step out.

Before Yu could dwell on the thought further, Nanako announced the news was boring and flipped the channel with remote to a Junes commercial, singing along to the tune of the jingle. "Every day's great at your Junes!"

Yu grinned as he poked at his food. His head and stomach were still at odds with each other; not wishing to permit him any comfort.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Nanako was now staring at him.

"No… not really. Sorry, I think I am still adjusting."

"Oh… okay. You should get some rest then. Don't worry I'll clean up."

"Are you - No you're right." He stood up and closed the container that held his food. A sudden wave of dizziness struck him as he made it to the kitchen table, righting himself before finally depositing the meal into the fridge for later. With careful steps, he made his way to the stairs and turned back to his cousin. "Alright, good night Nanako."

"Good night!" She didn't even look away from the TV, absorbed in whatever show was on the air.


?

Deja vu was the first feeling that swept through Yu's mind as he pushed himself off the ground. He felt the cold stone beneath his hands, it felt impossibly smooth. As if it weren't even real. He shook his head, opening eyes with some difficulty as he began to see that white fog had surrounded him. As he stood up, he saw he had been standing atop a path made of inter-linking squares, red in the center and outlined with black. They continued forward until they vanished into the fog.

"Is this another dream?" Yu mumbled to himself out loud, with no one to greet him this time. His voice only echoed against the hollow void. "Where the hell am I this time?"

Silence was the first to answer, but it didn't take long for something else to follow. "Do you seek truth?" An otherworldly voice called out, it's words distorted by its tone. Offering no clues to their identity.

Alarm bells rang in the back of Yu's head. It felt almost instinctual. As if his fight-or-flight response had just kicked in at the mere idea that this presence was now here.

"If it's truth you desire," The disembodied voice continued, "come and find me."

All sense of logic and perception of what is and isn't had left his mind. Yu found it difficult to grasp on whether this was a reality similar to what Igor had described him, or merely a nightmare. He recalled how outside the limo's windows had a similar fog to this one. Is that a connection? Had they been driving down a path like this one? He knew one thing for sure, whereas Igor's domain possessed a sense of calm, this place radiated malice.

Yu shifted his gaze back behind him, he could see the path extended opposite of where the voice had originated from. He could just try and leave, forget any of this happened assuming nothing supernatural was going on. Oh what is he thinking? There's too much here to ignore it as mere coincidence. Something or someone was doing this, and he wasn't just going to let it walk all over him. Whoever they were, Yu didn't enjoy their talking down to him. Not as a person, but as if he were something akin to an ant or similar insect. Something beneath their notice.

"Alright, fine. Let's see if I can find you then." He straightened his posture, and began marching down the path laid before him that led to the mysterious voice. Mustering whatever feeling could be mistaken for courage that now sat in his heart. Yu was never one to believe in spiritual forces, but whatever sensation had been prickling him in the back of his brain told him to treat this as real. To treat whatever was happening as if it were a tangible threat to his well-being. He could feel whomever they were watching him.

Eventually, he had reached a wall - no a door of some kind. He could feel the presence on the other side. Maintaining his resolve, he began searching for a way to open the supposed door. Looking up, down, left, and right, until he figured he should try dumb luck. He outstretched a hand, placing it flat against the cool obsidian surface of the otherworldly material. It "opened", unfolding various layers and revealing an empty space. Yu stepped forward, noticing how the fog beneath him was as solid as the ground before, though he turned around to see that the door and path behind him had vanished from view.

Okay, that's not good…

Steeling himself, he slowly turned back around to see a featureless silhouette behind the curtain of fog. "So you are the one pursuing me… try all you like." It taunted.

In the moment, Yu felt his body react before his body did. With his right hand, he swung upward, not only slashing apart the veil that separated him from the stranger, but feeling it connect as well. He has no idea how or why he had suddenly done that, or why he now had a katana in his hand. He just knew the figure probably didn't like that, and when his mind had caught up, he immediately backstepped with a short hop to avoid whatever consequences were coming his way.

A tense pause had been ushered in by the action, Yu breathing heavily despite not physically exerting himself. In his head however, he felt a growing pressure within skill causing him undeniable pain.

The figure merely tilted its upper body, as if it were gesturing to show it's own curiosity had been piqued because of the defiant display. "It seems you can see a little, despite the fog." It spoke, with each word echoing the pain in Yu's own head. It then began to slowly pace around him in a circle. "I see… Indeed… That is very interesting information… but, you will not catch me so easily. If what you seek is 'truth', then your search will be even harder."

Yu's knees buckled, but the figure had gotten closer as it prattled on. Sensing an opportunity, Yu tried to swing his sword again, only with half as much force. It felt wrong, he knew all he had slashed at was the fog in front of him. Displacing the air in between. Out of frustration or desperation, he wasn't sure which, so he tried slashing again and again. Failing to make any strike connect like it had the first time. No change in motion offered success.

"Everyone sees what they want to, and the fog only deepens." It spoke once more, and the fog followed the will of its master. Growing thicker with each passing word. "Will we meet again? At a place other than here? Hmm… I look forward to it."

He didn't have time to give a retort. The pain that had been budding in his head had reached its apex, causing him to scream in agony before forcing him to go unconscious. Unable to bear it any more.