Disclaimer : I don't own Persona
Encounter
A smooth engine noise roared through his mind as Seta Souji tried to open his eyes. The gray haired Fool was greeted by the familiar blue interior, finding himself inside of a limousine however. Instead of the long-nosed old man with a wide grin who's usually sat across him, a stranger wearing a simple white shirt with rolled up sleeves and unbuttoned collar was sitting on long-nose's place. The stranger's dark hair displayed a shade of blue, illumined by the lights around the room. A small yet visible smile crept on the stranger's face as he used his fingers to playfully rub his pale cheek. The piercing on his ear added a sinister aura around the stranger as Seta Souji was staring up to his calm brown eyes.
"Naoya Toudou," the stranger began, leaning his back against the cushion, "glad we finally met."
Souji was silent, furrowing his brows.
"Igor is away on a business in case you are wondering," Toudou paused, "but I am sure you are more interested in knowing why you are here."
The gray haired teen only nodded. What Naoya Toudou said was true. He was sitting inside a train car before being summoned back here into the velvet room. He was on his way back to his hometown after spending a quite memorable year in Inaba. And as far as he figured, he had completed the contract so yes, he was unsure of why he's here.
"Very well, to put it short, I sort of working directly under Igor's superior and would like to use your assistance." Toudou picked out a sheet of handkerchief and a pen from his pocket and began to write on it, "so here's the situation, I am going to bring about a horde of demons, or shadows if you prefer, into this word, including your precious Inaba and before you start doubting if I'm capable of doing so I am going to show you a little peek of the problem I am facing."
With a snap of Toudou's fingers, Souji's mind is filled with a series of vivid images which appeared to be Naoya Toudou's memories. The dark haired man was standing on a barren ground. In front of him was an endless red line that divided him with a countless of agitated shadows and. He was not alone.
On his right was a brown haired man wearing a red motorcycle outfit with a hood and the suit's jacket that had a black, rotated cross on it. He was standing readily, face undaunted at the peril he's facing. On the left side was a blue haired boy wearing Gekkoukan high uniform, if Souji recalled correctly, with an addition of an MP3 player hanging around his neck. He aloofly stood with both hands buried deep inside his pants' pocket.
First, one by one the shadow was trying to get past the line, only to be swiftly exterminated by a white being Souji figured as Toudou's persona. Then they were trying to go in groups and Toudou, combining his strength with the other two was able to calmly eradicate every last of them. Finally they were trying to march altogether and that was the last image flashed in Souji's mind.
"I am sure you figured what happened if those demons crossed the red line." Toudou added, again rubbing his cheek in a very calm demeanor despite the problem he's currently facing.
"Where's that?" Souji finally voiced his question.
"Somewhere that is not of our world yet holds a great connection to ours." the dark haired man tossed the handkerchief he had wrote on before to Souji, "sign the contact if you agree. But you must know one thing; you'll never coming back ever once you sign."
Souji was about to take the pen Naoya Touduo had offered, trying to sign the contract but. Toudou's last words stopped his hand. The gray haired teen winced as he noticed Toudou's faint smile.
"I see," Toudou continued, "let me tell you about the two people you saw earlier. The one with the brown hair. His name is Suou Tatsuya. Before he joined, he had to live in a world where no one but him remembers his deeds and the friendships he had forged as the cost he paid for saving that very world. And the kid who looks as if he has no soul inside him, Arisato Minato. He could confidently sacrifice his soul to prevent the Apocalypse, leaving those who he holds dear. So let me ask you a question before you sign anything,
Do you understand the weight of their decisions?"
Souji's eyes softened. Living inside a world where nobody remembers who you are. Sacrificing yourself to protect those you love. The gray haired teen then blinked. He had witnessing the demise of his friends in the last battle. Each and every one of them went hell-bent on saving his pathetic skin who's petrified by Izanami's prowess. If not for their bravery, he would never knew the depth of his bonds. If not for them, he would never drew out the power of The World. If not for them, he would be still the anti-social boy who distanced himself with every people around him.
So, "yes, I do." Souji simply replied, taking the pen off Toudou's hand. "I might do the same thing if I were on their shoes." the gray haired teen signed his name on the handkerchief. "It's heavy but," he handed back the handkerchief, "I could tell they have no regrets."
"Good call."
"Yup…"
Much to Souji's surprise, Suou Tatsuya and Arisato Minato snuck inside the limousine, seating themselves besides Naoya Toudou. The dark haired man smiled as he kept the handkerchief inside his pocket. "A good call indeed. Evidently, you acted the way we perceived you would be."
"Eh?" Souji clearly was unable to hide his bewilderment.
Tatsuya grinned, "Those visions he shown you isn't real. We just want to know if you are really worthy of as The Fourth. And we've found our answer."
Souji glanced at Minato, who gave him a quiet thumbs up, face unanimated.
"I'm not sure if Igor ever mentioned us during your journey." Toudou added, "As you've figured already, we're your predecessors. Greetings, Seta Souji. Let us introduce ourselves once again. I am Naoya Toudou, The First."
"The Second's me, Suou Tatsuya." Tatsuya claimed.
"Arisato Minato. Third. Nice to meet you." Minato finished.
Souji was unable to find his voice.
"Regardless, we have one request for you, Fourth. Live your life to the fullest."
"Don't you dare worrying about us."
"'cuz we're awesome…"
"Remember, Fourth, we are you, you are us. We are inside you always. Treasure your live, treasure your bonds, and live with no regrets."
Seta Souji gradually regained his consciousness. The train was still moving steadily and he could see tall buildings were coming to view. He stared at his own reflection at the window, silently remembering his encounter with his predecessors. Their warm smiles in the end were recorded in his memory as his lips formed a gentle smile.
"I will."
A/N : I used wiki as my reference and I consider this story AU. Regardless, thanks for reading.
If only I ever finished Persona 2 IS...