Chapter 9
They went all went to the TV world to see Teddie in a corner doing...something. "Whoa, it's really is that bear from last time..." Chie said.
"What're you doing?" Yosuke asked to Teddie.
"Can't you tell? I'm thinking about stuff. I've been deli-bear-ating over it for a long time now. Hey, that wasn't a bad joke. Heehee...!" Teddie said.
Ellen walked over to Teddie and petted his head saying "Ok, first off no pun is funny and second, did you figure out anything?"
"Eh, probably not. It's probably useless to think about it too much, Teddie. I've seen the inside of your skull, and it was empty." Yosuke said.
Teddie ran up to Yosuke and said "How rude! You're right, though. I try and try but, nothing comes out of my head"
"Will you guys shut up!? Now's not the time for stupid jokes! Listen...Someone came here yesterday, right?" Chie said.
"Wow! There's a girl with a better nose than me!? What's your name, Miss?" Teddie asked.
"M-Miss? Uh...I'm Chie. But never mind that! Tell me more about that "someone"!" Chie said.
"I think it happened a little after I talked with you guys. After that, it felt like someone was here." Teddie said.
"Oh! That reminds me." Ellen said.
Then she pushes Teddie and said angrily "That's for biting me. I'd do worse but, you already apologized."
"Then why push him now?" Yosuke asked.
Ellen reveled that she was wearing gloves and she removed her bitten hand to show an ugly bruise. She then said "I had to put ice on it for an hour."
"Ouch...ok, I get it now..." Yosuke said.
She put the glove back on and Yosuke said "So anyway, was it Yukiko-san, Teddie?"
"I don't know. I haven't looked..." Teddie said getting back up.
Then he said "The presence is over that way. That's probably where they are."
"Over there, huh...Is everyone ready?" Chie said looking at the direction Teddie was pointing at.
"Y-Yeah!" Yosuke said.
Ellen nodded and they headed off to see a strange castle straight out of fantasy. "What the...? A castle!? Y'think this is the place they showed on TV last time?" Chie said.
"No doubt." Ellen answered.
"You're positive that no one's behind a camera for that bizarre midnight program?" Yosuke asked Teddie.
"Program...? I don't know. Maybe people on your side can see stuff in this world. It must be that. And I told you before! There's only me and Shadows here! There's no "camera" stuff going on. This world has been like this from the beginning." Teddie said.
"From the beginning"...? That's what we don't understand!" Yosuke said.
"I dunno...Can you guys explain everything about your world?" Teddie asked.
"Good point..." Ellen said.
"I've never seen tis "program" thingy before. So I don't know." Teddie said.
"Well...is that really what's happening? Are we really looking into this world? Because the fist time Yukiko showed up on that channel was before she disappeared. Doesn't that seem off? I mean, Yukiko saying stuff like "score myself a hot stud"? That's not like her at all!" Chie said.
"Score"? "Stub"...?" Teddie asked confused.
"Yeah, I couldn't believe it either...Yukiko-san would never say anything like that...?! I wonder...Is this kinda like what happened to me last time...?" Yosuke asked.
"There's a lot of stuff I still don't get. But after hearing your story...I think that "program" happens because of the person who appears on it or something like that..."Teddie said.
"So...Yukiko is producing that show herself? Ugh, I don't get this at all!...Hey...Do you feel Yukiko's presence from inside?" Chie asked.
Teddie nodded and said "I'm pretty sure. So, um, what's this "scoring with a hot stud" thing"...?"
"Nothing, Teddie..." Ellen said.
"Yukiko's here...I'm going on ahead!" Chie said.
Then she ran off. "Hey, wait! Don't go alone!" Yosuke yelled.
"Come back!" Ellen yelled.
"Geez! We better follow her!" Yosuke said.
They went to the entrance of the castle as Yosuke said "Tch...She ran off on her own..."
"Urk...! There's are lots of Shadows in the castle. It'll be dangerous inside for a girl by herself..." Teddie said.
"You didn't tell us this before why?" Ellen said getting really annoyed.
"Yeah, seriously! Ugh, whatever. C'mon, let's find Chie!" Yosuke said.
Ellen nodded and they all ran inside. After a floor of fighting Shadows, they made it to a room on the second floor where they found Chie standing in the middle. "Chie! Are you all right?!...Chie?" Yosuke asked.
She didn't answer. She instead heard Yukiko's voice say "She said that red looks good on me..."
"Yukiko-san!?" Yosuke asked.
Her voice continued saying "I hated my name...Yukiko..."Snow"...Snow is cold and it melts quickly...It's transient...worthless...But it's perfect for me...Apart from inheriting the inn, I'm worthless...Still...Chie told me that red looks good on me."
"Are these...Yukiko-san's inner thoughts? I remember hearing Saki-senpai's too..." Yosuke asked.
"Yeah. This castle is probably here because of this Yukiko person." Teddie said.
"Yukiko..." Chie muttered.
"Chie was the only one who gave my life meaning...She's bright and strong, and she can do anything...She has everything that I don't...Compared to Chie, I'm...I'm...Chie protects me...She looks after my worthless life...And I...I don't deserve any of it...Chie is so kind..." Yukiko's voice said.
Then it was gone and Chie said "Yukiko, I-I..."
"Chie is so kind," huh? What a joke." Chie? said.
"Wh-What...!?" Chie said.
Suddenly Chie's Shadow appeared. "Oh man...Is that...!?" Yosuke asked.
"It's just like Yosuke! She lost control over her suppressed self! Now it's a Shadow!" Teddie yelled.
"Son of bitch..." Ellen thought to herself.
Meanwhile the Shadow Chie said "Are we talking about THAT Yukiko!? She says she's worthless! *chuckle* That's how it should be, right?"
"Wh-What're you saying!?" Chie yelled.
"Yukiko's sooo good looking...sooo fair-skinned...sooo feminine...She's the one all the guys drool over. When Yukiko looked at me with such jealousy...Man, did I get a charge out that. Yukiko knows the score. She can't do anything if I'm not around...I'm better than her...Much, much better!" Shadow Chie said.
"No! I have never thought that!" Chie yelled.
"Wh-What're we gonna do?" Yosuke asked.
"We're going stop playing with our thumbs and prepare ourselves." Ellen said readying to summon her Persona.
"Sensei's right! We need to protect Chie-chan right now!" Teddie yelled.
They went closer but, Chie yelled out "N-No, don't come near me! Don't look at me!"
"Chie, calm down!" Yosuke yelled out.
"No...No, this isn't me!" Chie yelled out.
"W-Wait, stupid! Don't say anything else like that!" Yosuke yelled.
"*chuckle* That's right. I'm the one who can't do anything alone...I can't win as a girl, let alone as a person...I'm pathetic. But Yukiko...She depends on me...*chuckle* That's why she's my friend...I'll never loosen my grip on her...She's too important to me." Shadow Chie said.
"No...That is not how I think of her..." Chie said.
"*chuckle* So, you're just gonna turn your back and deny me again? But things are different now. When the time comes...I'll be the one left standing. You won't mind, right? I'm still you!" Shadow Chie said.
"Shut up! You're..." Chie said.
"Chie, no!" Yosuke yelled.
"You're not me!" Chie yelled.
The Shadow laughed and then transformed into a monster that looked like some villain from a fighter movie with long, moving, black hair being held by mannequin like school girls. "Chie!" Yosuke yelled as Chie fell to the ground.
Ellen yelled breaking the Persona card "Teresa! Let's go!"
Teresa appeared and readied her sword. Yosuke did the same yelling "Y-Yeah, let's go Jiraiya!"
Both Personas looked ready to fight as the monster said "I am a shadow...The true self...What do you guys think you're doing? Trying to defend the "real" me?"
"I am Teresa, defender of the lost. Now be gone, creature!" Teresa said.
"Yeah, beat it!" Jiraiya said showing off a cool kick.
"Then you're gonna pay the price!" the monster yelled.
"Shut up! Quitting being such a pain! Chie...just hang in there a little longer..." Yosuke said.
"Hah...Think you can stop me that easy!?" the monster said.
The Personas began to fight. The monster used it's whip and the long hair and extended and reached out to the Personas. Besides the fact this is the first time the two Persona have fought together, they fought as well together like your right and left hand. However the fight seemed to at a thin stalemate. Ellen wondered why and then turned to see Chie muttering "No...this isn't me..."
Ellen runs to Chie yelling "Chie, snap out of it!"
However Chie didn't see to hear her and Ellen felt like that was the last straw and she raises her hand saying "Snap out of it!"
Then she smacked Chie in the face. "Oww...what was that for?" Chie said rubbing her cheek.
Ellen grabs her shoulders and says "That was for getting you back to reality! Listen you got to accept it. People are people. We are not a perfect species, we-Look out!"
She pushed Chie out of the way of an attack from the monster. She ran out of the way also before the attack hit and she continued saying "But, that doesn't mean your a bad person and if you accept that than so will Yukiko-san. Now will you please get a freaking grip until we finish this thing!?"
"Y-Yeah...ok." Chie said nodding.
Ellen went back to the fight. They were still at a lost on how to beat it. "Ugh...What are we doing wrong...? Wait...Yosuke! Use your Persona's special attack! It may throw it off balance!"
Yosuke nodded and yelled "Got it! Ok, let's go Jiraiya!"
With that, Jiraiya used a powerful wind attack and threw the monster off balance. "Alright! Ok, Teresa it's your turn!"
Teresa used her lighting attack and with that, the monster was defeated. It change back to it's normal form while Ellen and Yosuke went to Chie's side with Yosuke asking "Chie! Are you okay!?"
"Y-Yeah...I think so." Chie said.
She saw her Shadow standing there silent and said "What's the matter...? Got nothing to say anymore?"
"Stop it, Chie. It's all right." Yosuke said.
Chie turned around and said "B-But..."
"Chie, it's like I said before. No one is perfect. We all have flaws. Mine is...well making friends." Ellen said.
"She's right...I went through the same thing. So I can understand...I mean...Everyone has a side like this..." Yosuke said.
"Yes, to where I found out Yosuke's flaw is him not using his brain sometimes." Ellen said.
"Would you cut that out?!...*sigh* But you see what we're saying. It's ok..." Yosuke said.
Chie walked to the Shadow after a moment and said "Yeah...I kinda get it now. You are me...A side of me I couldn't forgive...That I tired to ignore...But you still exist. You're a part of me..."
The Shadow nodded and transformed into a yellow fighter wielding a two bladed weapon. Then it turned into a card and vanished. Then Chie said "I...Um, it's true that part of me feels that way...But I wasn't lying about being friends with Yukiko...!"
"Like we didn't know that already." Yosuke said.
"Yeah, you have to be a pretty good friend to come in here running head first into danger like that." Ellen said crossing her arms smiling a little.
"Uh..." Chie said surprised to see this whole new side of Ellen.
"*sigh* Get used to it..." Yosuke said getting her confusion.
Chie laughed a little and then suddenly fell on her knees. "H-Hey! Chie!" Yosuke yelled.
"I'm okay...Just a little tired..." Chie said.
"You don't look okay at all...And I bet...You can use the same power we have now." Yosuke said.
"Huh...?" Chie said confused.
"Hey, what should we do?" Yosuke asked Ellen.
"Let's head back. This place isn't good for her right now." Ellen said.
"I agree. We need to let Chie rest." Yosuke said.
"I-I never said I needed a break! I...can still keep going..." Chie said.
"...And I personally do not care. You are unwell and you need to rest before you fall dead." Ellen said.
"Sensei's right, you shouldn't overdo it." Teddie said.
"It's not that we don't think you can. It's just, we have to save Yukiko-san, no matter what. Now that you have the power, you can fight with us. I'd be much better for us all if you had your strength back. That's why we're saying we should go back and regroup." Yosuke said.
"But Yukiko's still in here, isn't she!? I-I...If those were Yukiko's true feelings...then I have to tell her something. I'm not as strong as she thinks! It's because she was with me...Because we were always together, I was able to act that way. If we weren't, I'd..." Chie said.
"Well, you need at get your strength back! Then you can tell her! Yuki-chan's normal. The Shadows don't attack normal people. They only attack when the fog lifts here." Teddie said.
"So Yukiko-san will be safe until then, right?" Yosuke asked.
"I'm positive." Teddie said.
"Why...? I don't get it..." Chie asked.
"Teddie told us that the weather here is the opposite of our own world. When it fogs over in our world...That's the day it lifts here, and that's when the Shadows attack their victim. So even if we leave for a while, Yukiko-san won't be in danger until the fog starts to cover Inaba. I'm sure of it. It was the same way for that announcer and Senpai...Don't you remember how it was foggy in town on the days they died?" Yosuke said.
"You mean...they were killed by their other selves?" Chie asked.
"The fog usually appears after it rains. But it's been sunny lately. I don't think it's going to rain anytime soon. Don't worry so much. We'll check the weather forecast first thing when we get back." Yosuke said.
"That's good. We can head back, rest, then regroup tomorrow at the earliest." Ellen said.
"But...But I can't turn back now! We've come so far! Yukiko's still here! She's all alone...She must be so scared!" Chie said.
"Then you tell me how much further we gotta go to reach Yukiko-san!" Yosuke yelled.
"Th-That's...!" Chie tired to say.
"You don't know what's up ahead. The enemies might be even stronger. If we push ourselves too hard and get wiped out, who'll save Yukiko-san then!? We can't fail, no matter what...Am I wrong?" Yosuke said.
"...I couldn't say it any better myself." Ellen said.
"...Alright." Chie said in defeated.
They help Chie get up and they all soon walked back as Chie said "I'm sorry about before...I shouldn't have rushed in like that by myself..."
"No worries. Your alive and that's all that matters." Ellen said.
"Yeah, no worries. We're definitely gonna save Yukiko-san...Right?" Yosuke asked.
"...Right!" Chie said with a smile.
They made it back to entrance and Chie soon said "I...I'm feeling even worse than the last time I came in here...My head feels like it's gonna split open...Are you guys okay?"
"Wait, why only...Oh, the glasses!" Ellen said.
"That's right, you're not wearing the glasses." Yosuke said.
"Oh yeah...What's with those glasses? I know that Ellen wears them but, Yosuke, did your eyesight go bad?" Chie asked.
"Man...You didn't notice until now? How panicked were you...?" Yosuke asked.
"Panicked enough..." Ellen said.
"Tum de dummm! I got a pair ready for Chie-chan, too." Teddie said handing her yellow glasses.
She puts them on and says in surprise "Whoa! What the-!? This is awesome! It's like the fog doesn't exist!"
"Why didn't you whip those out earlier if you had them?" Yosuke asked.
"I made them right now! You didn't tell me she coming! It was all so sadden! I mean, sudden!" Teddie yelled.
"Huh...so that's the trick. I was wondering how you guys could see where you were going. Hey, is it alright if I keep these?" Chie asked.
"Fo' sho!" Teddie said with a smile.
"We'll have to stop here today...But I'll be back with these puppies! You guys better not come here without me, got it!?" Chie said.
"Yeah, let's all promise each other...Nobody goes in alone. It's way too dangerous. If we don't work together, we won't be able to solve this case or save Yukiko-san...right?" Yosuke said.
"Right..." Ellen said.
"Yeah, I agree. I promise too." Chie said.
"Let's solve this case." Ellen said.
"Alright, so from tomorrow on, we'll try and come here as much as we can after school...And that includes days off." Yosuke said.
They all agreed and Yosuke asked Ellen "Hey...Would you mind being our leader?"
"Wh-What...?" Ellen asked.
"You were the first to get this power, and you're way better in a fight than either of us. I think it's best for all of us if you set the pace of the investigation, and we follow your lead. I'm cool playing second banana." Yosuke said.
"Ehh...sure, why not." Ellen said shrugging her shoulders.
"Okay. We're counting on you. I mean, I'm more the advisor type, y'know? An ideas man, not an executive." Yosuke said.
"You mean when you do use your brain?" Ellen asked.
"Ugh, yes when I using my brain! Are you doing this because of what happen today?!" Yosuke asked.
"Yes...it was stupid but, it's like I said to Teddie, you apologized so I can do no worse." Ellen said.
"What do you mean by "worse?" Yosuke asked getting a little scared now.
"You don't want to know." Ellen simply said.
Well anyway, I'm with Yosuke. If you're the one calling the shots, I'd feel a lot more comfortable about this." Chie said.
"I'm with Yosuke too. If you're the one calling the shots, my pillow will be a lot more comfortable at night." Teddie said.
"Teddie, would you please stop talking? I'm really on edge right now..." Chie said.
Teddie looked down but, Ellen petted his head and said "You did good and you too...Yosuke besides what happened earlier."
"Oh um...um thanks." Yosuke said smiling, happy to hear something nice from her for once.
And with that the Investigation Team was truly born, growing more determined to solve the case. They all went home for a good night's rest.
