Ulrich362: The Great Seal somehow sent Minato and a human Nyx back to the start of their adventures... unfortunately for the Goddess of Night... that means doing a lot during the day.

bopdog111: Definitely since she's now a student.

Ulrich362: True, so let's see what happens now. Enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: We don't own the Persona Series.

(Cue Theme: Want To Be Close)

4/7 (Tuesday; Next Full Moon: 2)

Both Minato, and Nyx are sitting together in the gymnasium with Nyx looking really annoyed with crossed arms while they watched the assembly being carried out as the Principal gave out a speech to everyone. "As you begin the new school year, I'd like each of you to remember the proverb, "If a job's worth doing, it's worth doing well." When applied to student life, this means..."

Minato feels someone tapping his shoulder, and he instantly remembers what this moment is. "Psst, hey."

He looked over his shoulder to see a male student that he remembers before when he was in his original timeline as he whispered, "You, and your friend came to school with Yukari, and Mitsuru-senpai this morning, right?" Strange, he only mentioned Yukari, but then again Mitsuru was with them. "I saw you four walking together. Hey, I have a question. Do you know if Yukari has a boyfriend?"

Back then Minato answered, I don't know, cause he didn't know at first, and in his original timeline later he became Yukari's boyfriend himself but since this is the past again instead of the original timeline, he can't really answer that cause that'd be lying at that point so he just answered the only truth he has now: "She doesn't."

"I see." the student slowly nodded agreeing with a grin while several students turned over hearing them including Nyx, "So she really doesn't..." Looking back at Minato he then asked, "So how much do you, and your friend know about her?"

"Not much, we just met them the other day. They showed us to the school." Nyx answered bluntly. "Is this going to be much longer?"

"I hear talking." a stern male voice which belonged to, Mr. Ekoda, the same teacher of Class 2-E voiced over upon hearing them, "I believe it's someone in Ms. Toriumi's class..."

The student quickly pulled back just as Ms. Toriumi pressed a finger against her lips at her students. "Shh! Be quiet! You're going to get me in trouble!"

"Everyone is talking." Nyx muttered under her breath as several other students were talking to each other.

Minato had silently assured Nyx that it won't be longer.

Later...

The school day was over at last for Nyx's part who is in front of Minato's seat sitting beside Yukari in class as she stood up to get out of here with Minato who stood up about to walk to her only to hear a "'sup dude!"

Surprised but remembering this Minato looked over seeing Junpei had walked over to him with a grin, "How's it goin'?"

"Not much." Minato admitted with a shake of his head, "I'm Minato Arisato, but you probably already known that. What's your name?"

"Me?" Junpei asked before grinning. "I'm Junpei Iori. Nice to meet ya. I transferred here when I was in eighth grade. I know how tough it is being the new kid. So I just wanted to say, 'hey.' ... See what a nice guy I am?"

"What do you want?" Nyx asked him annoyed walking over wanting more then ever to get out of school.

"Hey, hey, I was just greeting you two." Junpei said kind of surprised from her attitude.

Minato sighed before apologizing, "Sorry, Naomi isn't really fond of this place. She'll behave better once she spends some time here just give her some time for her to come together."

"No problem, and hey if you two ever need anything just let me know and old Junpei will lend a helping hand." Junpei grinned only to notice Yukari walking over. "Hey it's Yuka-tan! I didn't think we'd be in the same class again."

She sighed at that. "At it again, huh? I swear, you'll talk to anyone who'll listen. Did you ever think you might be bothering someone?"

"Exactly." Nyx agreed with a nod.

"What?" Junpei balked while rubbing his head. He then defended himself, "But, I was just bein' friendly."

Yukari shrugged hearing that. "If you say so." Turning over to Minato, and Nyx with a smile. "Anyway, looks like we're in the same homeroom..."

"Maybe it's fate." Minato suggested.

"Fate? Yeah, right." Yukari chuckled. "Still, I'm a little surprised."

"Um, hello? Are you forgetting that I'M in this class too?" Junpei asked feeling left out from this conversation. He then grinned to them, "By the way, I heard you three along with Mitsuru-senpai came to school together this morning. What's up with that? C'mon, gimme the dirt!"

Nyx raised an eyebrow while Yukari looked stunned. "Wh-What are you talking about!? We all live in the same dorm. There's nothing going on, okay?" She then looked worried. "Why are people even talking about it!? Now you have me worried..." She then turned to Nyx, and Minato. "Hey... You two didn't say anything to anyone about... you know what, did you?"

"No." Minato answered.

"I haven't spoken with anyone other than you three so far." Nyx told her.

"Okay, good." Yukari smiled. "Seriously... don't say anything about last night, alright?"

Junpei's eyes widened hearing that causing Yukari to frown.

"Wh-what?" she questioned.

"L-Last night...?" Junpei asked in shock.

Panicked Yukari quickly told him, "W-Wait a minute! Don't get the wrong idea!" Growing irritated she told Junpei, "Listen! Me, and Mitsuru-senpai just met them yesterday, and there's absolutely nothing between us! Geez..." She then told them, "I've gotta go. I've got something to take care of for the archery team. But you better not start any rumors!"

Shaking her head she walked out to clear her mind while Junpei stared before shrugging. "Ah, who cares. No one takes rumors seriously, anyway. She's so paranoid..." Turning over to Minato he grinned, "But, hey! It's you, and Naomi's first day here, and people are already takin' about you two! Believe it or not she, and Mitsuru-senpai are pretty popular! You da man, and woman!" He then chuckled excited. "This is gonna be a fun year. I can feel it!"

"Your not the only one." Minato admitted with a smile nodding while Nyx rolled her eyes.

Together all three exited the school talking together while Minato sees Miss Toriumi talking with someone, a teenager he remembers as Kazushi one of his Social Links running with the Track Team, and Akihiko himself talking with a couple of love-struck girls we're in the School Gate as they bid him farewell going on the train to ride back.

"Welcome back." Mitsuru mentioned seeing the two of them walk into the dorm.

"Thanks." Minato nodded. "It was... an interesting first day."

"I can imagine, though you two shouldn't go out on your own at night." Mitsuru mentioned. "It's too dangerous. Plus I'm sure you both are tired after your long day, why don't you get a good night's rest?"

They nodded walking up the first floor which Minato pulled Nyx to chat. "Well the school day went by well today. But in the next two days one of Pharos' aspects, The Magician, will show up, and attack the dorm."

"Am I to assume that's when you obtained your power?" Nyx questioned.

"Yes. Well to put it simply Pharos appeared as Thanatos, and torn The Magician apart when I awakened to Orpheus." Minato answered before then saying, "I can't say when you will awaken to your own but if we're gonna be working together by the time I awaken, it should pretty soon. I'll be counting on you to make the choice."

Nyx just frowned before nodding as she went up to her room while Minato entered his own room.

Meanwhile...

Downstairs Akihiko walked over to Mitsuru down at the lobby looking at her, "I'm going out for a bit." She turned over to him curious hearing that. "Didn't you see the newspaper? There's a lot going on."

Mitsuru turned back to the book she's reading. "...I know." She then shrugged. "People who had no problems before are suddenly developing acute cases of Apathy Syndrome... I've seen it in the news quite often." She looked a bit troubled. "They say it's due to stress, but..."

"Yeah, right. It has to be THEM." Akihiko mentioned. "Otherwise, it's not worth my time..."

"You have a one track mind... Will you be ok on your own?" Mitsuru inquired. "The Chairman will be here for the next few days, but after that, I can..."

Akihiko only shook his head. "Don't worry. I'm just getting a little practice."

With that he walked over out of the dorm while Mitsuru stared at his form before sighing. "This isn't a game, Akihiko..."

The next day...

4/8 (Wednesday; Next Full Moon: 1)

It was now the afternoon after school where Nyx, and Minato had another boring day of class where Ms. Toriumi had began teaching about an author called Zenzou Kasai before then groaning saying she rather teach about Utsubo Kubota saying he became famous for being a signer but also produced fine literature wondering why he's not in the book before making a mental note to bring his book next time, and then gave a pop quiz to Junpei if he was paying attention about what she was talking about asking who was her favorite author which he whispered to Minato for help who answered Utsubo Kubota which pleases Ms. Toriumi on it while the class whispers about how Minato helped him raising his charm.

With classes over Minato, and Nyx walked back to the dorms together where while they talk they notice several people passing by which Minato remembers as Junpei, and Kenji his Magician Social Link walking into Wild-Duck Burger, Bunkichi, and Mitsuko his Hierophant Social Link in front of the Bookworms store, Nozomi his Moon Social Link on a bench in front of Wild-Duck Burger, and who ran passed them Mamoru Hayase his Star Social Link over the Iwatodai Station's mall.

In the Evening, Minato, and Nyx arrived back in the dorm where they walked in, and Minato closed the door feeling like he's forgetting about something, or rather someone.

"Oh, they're back." Yukari smiled as the looked over to see Yukari was sitting and talking to a man in a brown suit with glasses.

"So, these are our new guests..." the man noted as he and Yukari got up and walked over to them. "Good evening. My name is Shuji Ikutsuki. I'm the Chairman of the Board for your school."

Minato stared at him before Nyx notices Minato looks distrustful about the man in front of them before he then nodded, "Pleased to meet you... And sorry, what's your last name again?"

"'Ikutsuki'... hard to say isn't it?" the man, Ikutsuki, chuckled rubbing his head before admitting, "That's why I don't like introducing myself. Even I get tongue-tied sometimes..." He turned over to Nyx, "And pleased to meet you two, Miss... Naomi Yoru was it? Tatsumi Port Island, is nothing like your home but I hope you like it."

"It's still... growing on me." Nyx admitted. "We'll see what happens."

"I see, well why don't you two have a seat." Ikutsuki offered as the four of them sat down together. "I apologize about the confusion regarding your accommodations. However, it may take a while longer before you receive the proper room assignment. Is there anything you'd like to ask?"

"Well... the other night, we both saw some pretty strange shit." Minato admitted which alarmed Yukari, and Ikutsuki hearing that.

Ikutsuki stared before then smiling asking, "You two saw something strange? ...Like what?" From his grin it looked as though he found something really great. Yukari didn't add anything before Ikutsuki cleared his throat shaking his head, "You two were probably just tired. I wouldn't worry about it." Both Nyx, and Minato do feel something is odd in the air. "Do you two have another question?"

"I don't think so." Minato admitted.

"I see, well you two must be tired from all the excitement. You should head to bed early." Ikutsuki suggested. "As they say 'The early bird catches the bookworm!'"

Nyx visibly cringed hearing that which Minato and Yukari both noticed but Ikutsuki didn't.

"Please forgive the pun." Ikutsuki chuckled before walking off away.

Yukari soon sighed which they turned to her before she advised them, "You two will get used to his lame jokes." With that she walked off herself leaving Minato, and Nyx alone in the lobby. Alone Minato turned to her, "That meeting reminds me. That guy, Shuji Ikutsuki?"

Nyx frowned. "What about him?"

Minato leaned in close to make sure the camera in the room doesn't pick up, "Do NOT trust him. He's the reason why we believed the Dark Hour will be destroyed if we eliminated all of Pharos' Shadow Aspects. He played us all at the beginning for the Fall to be ready, and tried to sacrifice us for you. Whatever he says to us, do not trust him."

"I already don't." Nyx told him before walking to her own room only to pause and just shake her head before closing the door.

Late night...

Ikutsuki walked into a computer room at the top room in the dorm where Mitsuru, and Yukari are over some controls before asking the two, "Working hard? So, how are they doing?"

They both stand up where Mitsuru told him, "They went to bed a little while ago. There asleep now." Ikutsuki nodded walking, and sitting down on a chair where Mitsuru then asked him, "Mr. Chairman, do you think there...?"

Ikutsuki shrugged at that suggesting, "Well, let's wait and see for now. ...The Dark Hour is approaching." They all turned back to the cameras.

Tick... tick... tick... tock!

A blue clock transformed green, and broke apart.

Just then everything transformed around them but the three slightly shifted from feeling the effects of the Dark Hour.

"Hmm... They're still sleeping." Ikutsuki noted.

Yukari looked before widening her eyes, "Uh, Naomi isn't."

Hearing that they saw Nyx sitting at her desk looking at one of the books in annoyance.

"I didn't even notice." Mitsuru admitted cupping her chin, "She's awake, and didn't turn into a coffin, but she is experiencing the Dark Hour."

"Both of them are." Ikutsuki noted indicating Minato hadn't turned into a coffin either. "The Dark Hour occurs every day at 12 Midnight: You could say it's the "Hidden" hour. During this time an ordinary person Transmogrifies into a coffin, and is oblivious to all that occurs."

"Then they must be..." Yukari realized.

"They retained there human form, and the only question left is if they have the potential. They should as the Shadows haven't preyed on them by now." Ikutsuki said looking at them, "In any case, we should continue to monitor them for a few more days."

Mitsuru nodded agreeing, "Yes, sir."

"I feel kinda bad, though, spying on them like this..." Yukari admitted to them as they looked back.

On the monitor Nyx paused closing her book suddenly feeling tired as she put her head down for a moment.

(Cue Theme: Aria of the Soul)

That was before both she and Minato found themselves in a completely blue room that looked like an elevator along with a man in a suit with a very long nose.

"Welcome to the Velvet Room." the man mentioned calmly. "My name is Igor, I am delighted to make your acquaintance. Only those who have signed the contract can enter this place."

"Igor." Minato said with a nod, "Do you already know what's going on here?"

"Ah, I see you retained your memories. The backlash through time holds no effect here in the Velvet Room, so I'm immune to what had happened." Igor said to him with a grin before turning to Nyx, "And I see that the second guest is already here."

"I assume I'm a guest because I signed that contract then?" Nyx inquired.

"Indeed, and in fact this may be a blessing in disguise for you." Igor chuckled. "You see traveling back to the beginning of your journey was only one of the effects that came from your Great Seal. It had another consequence as well."

Minato notices something odd looking around before then asking Igor, "Where's Elizabeth?"

"She has preparations for the coming year, she will be here the next time you arrive." Igor answered.

Minato nodded hearing that before Igor turned to Nyx informing her, "This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter... Up until he came, it's been years since we've had a guest." He materialized the contract from before in front of them, "As I said before, only those who signed a contract may enter. You, and him are destined to hone your unique ability, and you will require my help to do so. In exchange for my services, you must take full responsibility for your actions."

"Hone my unique ability?" Nyx questioned.

"Well, in your case it would be more accurate to say unseal your powers." Igor clarified. "We will discuss more another time, until we meet again."

Turning over to Minato he asked, "Do you still have the key?" At his nod Igor turned to Nyx, "Well hold on to this." He materialized a blue key handing it to Nyx, "'Til we meet again..." He gave a wave as it grown dark in there vision.

(Cue Theme: Want To Be Close)

4/9 (Thursday; Next Full Moon: Today)

The next day Minato and Nyx were walking to Gekkoukan only for Junpei to walk over to them by the gate.

"What's up!? Man, today is the perfect day!" Junpei grinned. "The sky is blue... We're young... What more could we ask for?"

"For it to be night again?" Nyx asked in annoyance looking incredibly tired.

"Whoa man, you look bad. Don't worry though, I feel tired too. But in times like these, it's best to sleep during class! You ever notice how sometimes taking a nap in class makes you feel more refreshed than sleeping at home?" Junpei asked with a grin.

"You shouldn't sleep in class. Your Grades would drop." Minato told him simply with a shake of his head.

"Ah well, I'm not listening to the lecture anyway so I'm screwed later." Junpei shrugged at that before then sighing, "Then again we are stuck with classic literature by Mr. Nasty ol' Ekoda." He rubbed his head saying that.

The three of them walked in at that before going to their classroom where a male teacher was waiting which they recognized was the same one who mentioned Miss Toriumi's students were talking during the assembly.

"Ahem... I'm Mr. Ekoda. I'll be teaching you classic literature." the teacher noted. "I'll be teaching you about good old Japan all year. Some people say Classic Lit isn't relevant to everyday life, but oh how they're wrong! The students... the other teachers... wrong, wrong, wrong! Nobody really understand Classic Lit..."

Minato rolled his eyes hearing that not pleased for another year with this strict asshole who had a stick up his ass for the classics. How much more of this outdated mush must he gone through with him? Turning he notices Nyx is doing Junpei's advice sleeping in class which he sighed a bit while Mr. Ekoda called for them, "Hey... are you all listening to me? Wake up, children! Now open your textbooks."

He then talked about Ise Monogatari, Classic Japanese Lit's origin which Minato mostly ignores since he already knew about all of this from before while taking a mental note to help Nyx with this class as Mr. Ekoda is sometimes intolerable.

After school Minato, Nyx, and Junpei all walked together through a different part of the Island where Minato sees the Justice Social Link for him, Chihiro, the Student Council's Treasurer talking to a cat while noticing in the distance Ken Amada which he frowned at remembering all the times Ken had while in S.E.E.S. that also involved Shinjiro's death. He makes a second mental note to try going in to prevent that same tragedy from happening whatever it takes.

Later at night...

Tick... tick... tick... tock!

A blue clock transformed green, and broke apart.

Mitsuru and Yukari were both in the observation room again where they saw Nyx looked annoyed but was sitting at her desk going over some of the papers they had gotten that day from school while Minato was asleep in his bed.

"...How are they?" Ikutsuki inquired walking over to them.

"... The same as last night." Mitsuru answered.

Ikutsuki sat down hearing that, "Hmm... very interesting. Even those who have the potential tend to be unstable at first..." He raise some fingers while listing the effects, "Memory loss... disorientation..." The girls turned to him as he smiled, "But, these subjects are rather unique. They haven't exhibited any of the common symptoms."

"But... we're treating them like guinea pigs." Yukari looked down.

"I understand your concern, but it's imperative that we recruit new members." Ikutsuki assured her with a smile. "I heard there your classmates... Wouldn't you be more comfortable working with some people from the same grade?"

Yukari shrugged while turning to him. "Yeah, I guess. But, still..."

A sudden emergency ping got there attention which alarmed Mitsuru.

"Command room." Mitsuru mentioned. "... Is that you, Akihiko?"

"... You're not gonna believe this! This thing is huge!" Akihiko's voice mentioned into the room. "Unfortunately, I don't have time to talk... It's chasing me... I wanted to let you guys know. I'm almost there."

Hearing that Mitsuru, Yukari, and Ikutsuki looked shocked.

"Does that mean... He's bringing that thing here!?" Yukari questioned.

Standing up Mitsuru turned to Ikutsuki seriously, "Mr. Chairman! Let's suspend our operation for now. We'll prepare for battle!"

Nodding understanding he said, "...R-Right! Be careful!"

They all ran downstairs as the door opened where Akihiko holding his side walked in collapsing in pain while Mitsuru cried, "Akihiko!"

Yukari knelled down carefully examining which he flinched away, "Agh!"

"Senpai!?" Yukari cried worried from that.

While sweatdropping Akihiko said, "I'm alright..." He then grinned to them. "Get ready to be surprised... it'll be here any second."

"This is no time to joke around!" Mitsuru told him as Ikutsuki walked over nervously.

"It's one of them, Akihiko?" he asked nervously.

"Yes, but not an ordinary one-" Akihiko answered just before they heard a crash from outside as Yukari's eyes widened in shock.

"Ahh! What the...!? ...You've gotta be kidding me!" Yukari cried.

"Mr. Chairman, please head to the command room!" Mitsuru instructed before turning to Yukari. "Takeba, go upstairs and wake him up. Then get her and escape out the back."

"But, what about you two?" Yukari asked nervously.

"We'll stop it here." Mitsuru answered before turning to Akihiko, "You led it to us, Akihiko, so I'm afraid you'll have to fight."

Akihiko glared but has a big grin. "Like I had a choice!" Turning to Yukari he yelled, "What are you waiting for, Yukari!? Go!"

"I-I'm going!" Yukari nodded before running off with Ikutsuki following.

Meanwhile...

Minato was awoke by the crash, and upon realizing what's going on he ran to the door, and opened it just as Yukari was about to head to his room, and was startled seeing him awake which he told her, "No time to chat, let's get Naomi, and get going! Something dangerous is happening, and I'm not staying to find out what it is!"

"Right, come on." Yukari agreed. "The three of us can get out through the back door."

She suddenly paused.

"Wait, take this just in case."

Yukari revealed a sword which she quickly handed to Minato. Minato nodded talking it as they ran up going to Nyx's room, and he quickly knocked on the door, "Naomi, you awake!? Come on we need to go!"

She opened the door. "What's going on, I heard a loud crash and... why do you have a sword?"

"There's no time to explain, we need to get going!" Yukari told her before pausing, "Wait here! Take this just in case."

She hands Nyx a Naginata. Nyx took it before frowning as they ran down to the back door of the dorm.

"Alright, we should be safe now-" Yukari started before something beeped getting her attention.

"Takeba, do you read me!?" Mitsuru's voice asked.

"Y-Yes! I hear you!" Yukari answered.

"Be careful! There's more than one enemy!" Mitsuru warned her. "The one we're fighting isn't the one Akihiko saw!"

"What!?" Yukari questioned just as something banged on the door causing her to gasp. "L-Let's pull back!"

With that the three ran up the stairs reaching the forth floor just as they hear glass shattering, and something slimy moving which Minato told the girls, "Don't stop let's go!"

They nodded arriving at the roof which Yukari quickly closed, and locked the door as she sighed in relief, "I think we're okay for now..." Hearing a crash they looked around before Minato turned over remembering this scenario just as Yukari breathed heavily, and Nyx turned too just as several black hands rose above the roof with a blue mask being held by a hand, and the other hands pulled several blades as it climbed on the room showing it's a tangled mess of hands with one holding a mask, and some of the others wielding blades.

'The Magician...' Minato thought to himself recognizing this monster.

Ulrich362: And we'll be pausing here. Before you ask yes it seems like a strange time to end the chapter but there's a good reason to end things right here.

bopdog111: And that The Arcana Magician will be fought as a battle instead of being killed off by Pharos.

Ulrich362: Sounds like a plan to me, see you in the next chapter.

bopdog111: Be sure to review!