Midnight. The rain poured down on the window as Yu faced the TV. If he watched the midnight channel, would he be able to see who was next and possibly, as Yosuke and him had agreed, save them before they met the same fate as Saki and Miss Yamano?

He switched off the TV and stared intently at the screen. It began to glow faintly, the sound of static piercing through the silence. There was someone there. A girl maybe? It looked like she was wearing a kimono.

Yu only knew of one person he'd seen in a kimono. Yukiko had been on the news that night, but the figure on the TV was so hard to make out he couldn't be sure it was her.

"It's not her. It can't be her." he reassured himself. "Just go to bed. We'll tell the others in the morning."

That night, as Yu was tossing in his sleep, he heard a voice.

"Come, open your eyes." a smooth, calm voice told him.

He did so, but he noticed he was not in his bedroom. He seemed to be in…a limousine? Staring at him was a short, balding man with an abnormally long nose and a very sophisticated-looking woman wearing a blue dress.

Honestly, with everything he'd seen today he didn't bat an eye.

The man spoke. "Welcome to the Velvet Room. My name is Igor and this is my assistant, Margaret. Do not fear, you are asleep in the real world. I have simply called you here to speak with you."

"It seems you have awakened to a great power." Margaret said. "This is the power of Persona, the strength within your heart." Yu nodded.

"Think of a Persona as a facade you take on to face life's hardships. Yours is special, in that you have the power of the wild card, the power to manifest multiple Personas at once." Igor said. "In order to raise the power of these Personas, you must form bonds with those around you, but these bonds can do more than just power your Personas. They may be able to be a light to the truth and help you on your journey."

Margret nodded. "You will be requiring our help to solve the mystery that spans before you. All we ask is that you accept full responsibility for your actions. Do we have your word?"

"Uh, yeah." Yu only understood the basic gist of it, but he figured it was doable.

"Excellent." Igor said, handing Yu some sort of key. "Then you will need this. It will allow you to come back here when needed. Now, until we meet again."

Yu could feel himself waking up. The image of the Velvet Room slowly faded from his sight.

On the way to school the next day, Yosuke came up behind Yu.

"Hey, did you see the TV last night? There was definitely someone there, I couldn't make out who though."

"It…kinda looked like Yukiko, didn't it?" Yu asked.

"Did it? I couldn't make it out. If Yukiko's in trouble then we'll save her, right? I mean, we can go in and…" Yosuke trailed off. "Look, if someone's throwing people into the TV to kill them, I can't forgive that. We can't just stand here and let this happen. We need to catch whoever is doing this because we sure as hell can't rely on the police to do it."

"Yeah, you're right. We'll catch the killer."

"Yeah, we're in this together. We're partners in crime I guess."

"Sounds good, partner."

"Yeah, partner…I like the sound of that."

Yu could feel a faint bond forming between him and Yosuke. This seemed to be the start of a budding friendship. He heard a voice in his ear.

Thou art I… And I am thou… Thou shalt be blessed when creating Personas of the Magician Arcana…

Yu looked around. No one was there but him and Yosuke and he didn't recognize the voice.

"What's the matter?" Yosuke asked, looking in the same direction as Yu.

"Uh, nothing. Let's just head to school."

Chie came running into the classroom looking flustered.

"Oh, Chie!" Yosuke called. "About yesterday. Sorry we worried you, we were just- Hey, are you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay! Is all that stuff we were talking about true? People show up on the TV, they're in the other world?"

"Well, yeah. We were just-"

"Oh god, oh god! This isn't good!"

"Chie," Yu said calmly. "Take a deep breath."

She took a shaky breath, though she looked like she was on the verge of tears.

"Now tell us what happened."

"I-I watched the Midnight Channel last night and…I recognized who was on there!"

Yosuke looked shocked. "What, who?"

Chie looked like she was about to panic again. "It was Yukiko! And I've been calling her and calling her and she's not picking up! Did she come into school today?"

"It was…! No, I haven't seen her. Did you try calling the inn? Maybe she had to fill in for her mom?"

"Oh, yeah! She wouldn't be able to answer her cell if that happened. I'll give the inn a call." Chie dialed the number into her cell phone and walked to the end of the room.

"I guess you were right." Yosuke said to Yu. "We better be prepared for a rescue mission or-"

Chie came back looking relieved. "She had to help at the inn and she'll be busy the next couple days. She's fine."

"Thank god." Yosuke said.

"Yeah…anyway, what happened yesterday?"

Yu started to explain the events of the past day.

"So what you're saying is that when someone shows up on the TV, they're already in the other world? But I just talked to Yukiko!"

"Hmm," Yosuke grumbled. "Somethings definitely amiss here."

"Maybe we can ask the bear to confirm." Yu said.

They both stared at him.

"That's…actually not too bad of an idea." Yosuke said. "How about we meet up at Junes after school and ask him?"

The Junes electronics department was more crowded then expected.

"How are we supposed to go in when there's so many people around?" Yosuke said, annoyed.

"I could try to get him to come over, I guess." Yu shot back.

"Hey, that's a good idea. Chie, stand on the other side of him and block people's view."

Yu stuck his hand into the TV and made a gesture to get Teddie's attention. The next thing he knew a sharp pain shot through his hand.

"Son of a-" He pulled his hand away and clutched it, biting his tongue so as to not yell out.

"Is that a bite mark? Are you okay?" Chie asked, concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Hey, bear! We know you're in there!" Chie growled.

"Are we playing hide and seek?" Teddie's voice came from the TV.

"What? No! Look, is there anyone in there? Did anyone get thrown in?"

"Not as far as I'm aware." Teddie said.

"And you're sure?"

"Of course, my nose is in tip top shape. I can't be wrong!"

The three looked at each other. If Teddie was telling the truth, then there was no way Yukiko could be in there. Still, better safe than sorry.

"I'll warn Yukiko and walk her to school on Monday, just to be safe." Chie said.

"Yeah," Yosuke agreed. "We should still watch the Midnight Channel tonight, too. Give me your numbers so we can call and keep in touch."

The clock struck midnight as Yu stood in front of the TV. He had to be ready for anything.

The TV glowed its familiar static-y glow as the image grew clearer until Yu could make out who it was. Yukiko stood in front of a castle in a pink dress.

"Good evening, everybody!" she cooed. "Princess Yukiko's here to score a hot stud. Welcome to 'Not a Dream, Not a Hoax, Princess Yukiko's Search for her Prince Charming!' I've got my lacy unmentionables stacked top to bottom and I'm out to catch a whole harem." She turned on her heel and ran into the castle. "Well, here I go!"

"What the fu-" Yu barely got the words out when he realized his phone was ringing. He couldn't even mutter a "Hello" before pulling the phone away from his ear.

"DUUUUUUUUUDE!" Yosuke's voice screamed from the other end. "DID YOU SEE THAT!?"

"Yes, I have eyes." Yu said.

"That was definitely Yukiko-san wasn't it? I mean, she said her name and everything!"

"Uh-huh."

"But she looked like she was on some low-budget TV show. You don't think…?"

"Call Yukiko and see if she picks up." Yu suggested.

"I don't have her number! Oh wait, I'll get Chie to get in touch with her."

"Sounds good."

"Yeah. Look, we'll meet at Junes tomorrow and figure this out. I'm counting on you."

"See ya."

The next morning, Yu got up bright and early. It was Sunday and there wasn't any school, so he figured he could get to Junes before many people were there.

"Hey," Yosuke said to him as he sat in the food court. "Check out what I got." He pulled out a couple of fake swords from behind his back.

"They look real, huh? I figure we need better weapons then a golf club so I thought these might do."

"Are you sure it's okay for you to be showing those off in a food court?" Yu asked.

"What? Why not?"

As if on cue they heard a forceful voice yell "Freeze!" behind them. A police officer ran up to them and leaned into his walkie.

"Two suspicious males, one armed, requesting backup."

"Way to go, samurai." Yu deadpanned.

Yosuke began to panic. "W-wait! This is just a big misunderstanding!"

"Are you resisting arrest?" the officer bellowed as more officers began to show up.

"Well, shit." Yu once again deadpanned as they began to place him and Yosuke in handcuffs.

Over at the police station they were getting an earful from Dojima.

"You're lucky I was here or else this would've gone on both your permanent records! Honestly, I thought you were smarter then this."

"Sorry, Dojima-san…" Yu said. "It won't happen again."

"I should hope not. And just so you know, we'll be keeping those weapons. Now, just stay out of trouble." He walked away.

"Right…I guess I messed that one up." Yosuke said dejectedly. "Back to square one I guess…"

He began to leave, then crashed into someone with a muffled "Oof!"

"Oh my god!" the girl exclaimed. "I'm so sorry! Are you hurt?"

"Uh, no I'm fine. I-" Yosuke paused. "Do I know you from somewhere?"

The girl smiled. "Not personally, but we go to the same school. I'm Kotone Shiomi. I'm a first year."

"I remember you." Yu said. "You were in the shopping district on my first day here."

"Oh yeah, I guess I was. Sorry, I see so many people they just blur together."

Yu looked down at what she was holding. "What's in the box?"

"Oh, this? It's just some lunch for a friend of mine. Sunday's usually the day I cook him dinner, but I'm gonna be busy tonight so I brought him lunch instead."

"And…who-"

"Kotone-chan!" They turned to see the young detective Yu remembered from the crime scene on the first day of school.

"Hey Adachi." Kotone said, handing him the box. "Sorry about not being able to come over tonight, but…you know what today is."

"You still brought me food." He seemed to remember something. "Oh, not that that's what matters! I mean-"

Kotone was trying to hide her smile. "Well, I've gotta get going. Don't work yourself too hard." And with that she left.

Adachi turned to Yu. "You're the kid staying at Dojima-san's place, right?"

Yu was surprised. "Uh…yeah?"

"I thought so. Tough luck getting brought in like that, but we're definitely on our toes. Especially after that Amagi girl went missing."

"What did you say?" Yosuke said.

"Oh, um, I mean-"

"Yukiko-san's gone missing?"

"Keep your voice down! Look, you didn't hear this from me but, yeah, nobody's seen her since yesterday and her parents reported her missing. Just…don't go telling that to everyone."

"Uh…we won't." Yosuke said slowly.

"Great, I've got to go." He walked off.

As they walked to the front they saw Chie looking furious.

"Jeez guys, I've been looking everywhere for you!" she said.

"Sorry." Yosuke said. "But we've got confirmation that Yukiko's gone missing"

"So, you heard, huh?"

Yu stepped in. "We have to rescue her. The police took all our weapons though…"

"Weapons?" Chie said. "Oh! If you need weapons, I know just the place! Follow me."

She had taken them to the metal works shop in the shopping district.

"Here we are!" Chie said. "They sell weapons and armor here. Ooh, this one looks good." She began looking over some of the armors.

Yosuke and Yu simply looked at each other before Yosuke spoke up.

"Look Chie, I know you really want to save Yukiko but-"

"I know what you're going to say. I'm not changing my mind about going."

"Chie-"

"Look, Yukiko's life is on the line. I'm not just going to stand here while my best friend is in danger. I'm going and that's that!"

"You don't know what it's like in there-"

"I'm going, Yosuke!"

"Fine, just make sure you have something to defend yourself."

"She'll be fine." Yu said. "If she can kick guys in the nuts with that much force, she can handle shadows."

Yosuke shuddered. "R-right…"

After getting some weapons they headed outside.

"Okay," Yosuke said. "It'll be crowded until the afternoon sale ends, so we'll meet at the food court in a few hours."

Chie nodded. "We shouldn't go walking around together. I'll see you guys then."

They went their separate ways as they exited the shop before Yu stopped halfway down the road. Had that gleaming blue door always been there? No, he didn't think so.

Yu could feel something resonating in his pocket. He pulled out the key Igor had given him, which was now glowing, and placed it into the lock on the door. Strangely, no one seemed to notice what was going on or even see the door. Yu stepped inside.

He was back in the limousine he had seen in his dream. Igor and Margaret were sitting in the back, along with some young, unfriendly looking girl.

Igor chuckled. "It seems the coming storm has already claimed human lives. You will be fighting it very soon. Do not fear, you have the power within you, the power of the wild card."

"Your persona is special in that it holds the power of the wild card." Margaret said. "You have the power to summon multiple personas."

"My role is to give birth to new personas through fusion." Igor said. "When you gain a new persona, come see me and I will show you."

Margaret nodded. "You can also register your personas here in the compendium tome for future use. Now then,"

Margaret turned to the other girl. "This is Marie, an apprentice here in the Velvet Room. She may be brusque at times so you'll have to forgive her impoliteness."

"It's nice to meet you." Yu said to Marie. "Hey, have we…met before?"

There was a slight moment of shock on Marie's face, only for her to turn away a moment later.

"No, you're imagining things." she said.

Margaret went on. "Marie will be contacting you at a later date."

Igor chuckled again. "Well, I believe you have some important business to attend to. Farewell."