"So just to make sure I understand," Snow started. "You four and Hope are fighting eldritch abominations with the magical personifications of your inner self-called Personas and magic. And the reason you are fighting in the first place is to stop that serial murder case that sprung up, and anyone that was thrown in because of it. Did I get that all right?" The Investigation Team just nodded dumbly. Chie spoke up.

"You're taking this extremely well…"

The Emperor laughed, "Well when you've been what me and Hope have gone through, you get used to weird things." This raised a few eyebrows, but before anyone could speak up, Snow continued. "But if Hope hasn't remembered yet, I'll keep quiet about it until he does. It's not really my place to talk about it."

Yukiko and Yosuke looked disappointed but they all nodded and understood. "I see." Chimed the Priestess "Well - Snow you said?- Snow, I don't want to be too rude and assume too much, but would you like to join us? We could always use the help." It looked like Snow didn't need any more convincing from their leader as he nodded.

"As the Sentinel of the Weak, it would be wrong of me to not help protect them. Consider it my only Focus from now on." As he finished talking, he very quickly flashed a gold hue.

"W-what was that!?" Yosuke exclaimed. "I'm not the only one who saw that, right? Right!?"

"I saw that too, Yosuke. Snow? Does that glow have anything to do with what you said earlier?" The man winced as Yu questioned him.

"Probably should have expected that." Snow sheepishly said to mostly himself. "Yeah, it does. Sorry, but I refuse to say anything else until he remembers everything."

"Can you at least say if you're in any danger?" Came from Chie.

"Only a little bit, but not enough for it to concern anyone." Snow answered. "So all of you came in here to rescue me?"

"Not that you needed it, Mr 'I'm-gonna-punch-the-hell-out-of-my-Persona'." Yu snarked.

"So Shiva's my persona now? Good to have you back, girls." The man spoke as he flashed blue again, this time a Tarot card appearing in his hands. "Whoa, what's this? Am I getting my fortune read?"

Yukiko instructed him, "Crush it. Yosuke uses his wrenches and I use my fan." He pulled his fist back and slammed it into the floating card, shattering it to pieces. Two ethereal beings twirled into existence next to him, both similar to each other, yet different. One was darker than the other, with a giant wheel in her head, while the lighter one seemed to be levitating her wheel with her hand.

"Long time no see, Hero."

"It's been quite a while, Patron of Yusnaan."

"Nix! Stiria! Oh man, it's soooo good to see you guys again! How long has it been?!" Snow's entire being was radiating joy, as were both the Personas. The man jumped up and grabbed the two Shiva sisters in an embrace.

The Fool spoke up, "I take it you three knowing each other has something to do with what we were talking about earlier?"

"Indeed young squire of the Saviour."

"Is he?" The lighter one floated over to Yu and looked him over. "I don't know Stiria, besides the shield and sword?"

"I feel the bond between them." Came Stiria's response. Nix seemed to accept the answer and left it at that. Chie coughed into her hand slightly.

"Not that this isn't cool and all, you know, saving Kanji and getting a new member, but shouldn't we check up on Hope?"

The rest of the Investigation Team turned to look at Yu, who only put his hands up in surrender. "I can go in and check up on him, but I'm not sure about the rest of you. It's already getting crowded in there. You lot can leave the TV world, and get some rest. Teddie, can you make some glasses for Kanji? I mean, Snow? The tall blonde one. How will we meet up with you, Snow?"

His eyes widened. "Oh yeah, that might be important. I run the Orphanage on the far side of town, NORA House. We're open all day, every day!" Snow grinned a proud smile, which quickly faded. "Oh man, the kids! How long has it been!?" He didn't even wait for an answer before he booked it as fast as he could to the stack of TVs and dived through them, forcing Yosuke through as he was already half-way through.

Yu shook his head gently. "Would someone please go tell the police that Kanji has been saved? I got to think about something." Yukiko volunteered, and Chie decided to go with her, leaving only the Fool and the Star.

"Is… something wrong, Sensei?" came Teddie's voice.

"What makes you say that?" Yu returned.

"It's just… you seem… different."

"I'm sorry Teddie. I guess I'm just tired. I'll go visit Hope. Be safe okay?"

"Okay Sensei!"

As Yu entered the Velvet Room again, Hope was gone. Margaret's usual calm presence was different, in fact showing that she was frazzled in the most minuscule of ways. "Margaret? What's wrong?"

The Velvet Attendant's stare was unwavering. "He almost didn't make it."

"What!? But he didn't take any damage in the fight?"

"He didn't need to. Hope's psyche keeps taking more and more memories in, but it hasn't had a chance to fully process all of them. Should he take in too much more before his brain can absorb all the information, he may… perish."

The Fool stumbled and fell down on his knees. First Kanji isn't even Kanji anymore, and now Hope can die? Today hasn't pulled any punches, that's for sure. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"No," Margaret stated. "There is nothing you can do."

Tears filled up Yu's eyes. "I-I see…" With that, he got up and left the Velvet Room.

Standing in the TV world, surrounded by Fog, and all alone, The Fool openly wept. Kanji Tatsumi doesn't exist in this world. I hoped and wished strongly that he would be here too. With this revelation, what more could happen down the line? Rise could not be Rise, Naoto could not be Naoto, the fog could win again.

His tears ran until they couldn't anymore. Yu left the TV world, and without looking for anyone else, went home, ignored Nanako, and went to sleep.

AN:/This brings an end to the Kanji/Anger Arc. Life has not been kind to Yu, or myself.

I would like to deeply apologize for the long hiatus and the shortness of this chapter. I will strive to do better by you all.

However, I have returned, and I have a few surprises in store for you all.

Firstly: I have a Pat reo n! P a treon (.com) / Spes Aeterna (no spaces, I just have to put them so I can actually have the word there. There's nothing in the TOS about it, so it should be fine, but oh well.) Please become a so I can start improving my writing, my health, and my schedule! There's even some pretty cool perks for some too!

Secondly: By the end of the month, there's gonna be a new fic in town!

Thirdly: In case you can't tell, my name has changed. Spes Aeterna is latin for Eternal Hope, something we should all strive for.

See y'all shortly, and thank you all for being so patient with my health.

Spes Aeterna