Fem-Souji/Yuu! When mysterious murders break out in the small town of Inaba, can Suzumi Seta the new transfer student from the City, solve the case? She can't do it alone, but will the many bonds she has made be enough to help her reach out to the truth?

Our beloved protagonist goes through something we like to call 'New Game Plus!' Except this time, he gets boobs. Fanfic will be based off the game, with minor changes and Anime references.

A/N: Procrastination is a bitch, and a whore. I'm bear-ry for the wait, you readers. But I've finally -dun dun dah!- updated! See, the battle scenes really slowed me down, because I'm really not used to writing battles like these. So. I went and did my very best. If it's crap, I apologize too. But worry not- I shall improve. . . one day. Give me critique please? Also, I felt that the Chapter was so long, that I had to cut it a bit at the end. . . Oh, but I promise to continue where I left off in the next chapter. I was a little eager to update, since it's been exactly a week since I've done so. And normally a single chapter takes me about 2 - 4 days to complete. My slowed pace this time around was disappointing, but I hope to pick it up again. Also, if I may add. . . Listening to the OST 'Speculation' really helps when I'm proof reading. . . XD Anyways. ENJOY!

DISCLAIMER!: I do not own Persona! Or Atlus by any chance either. If I did, Kanji would have this alternate hairstyle. . . Where part of his gelled back hair is pushed forward, and then he has sexy bangs. 8D Wouldn't you all want to see that? I know I would. . . I'd put him in a butler outfit too- make him run around the TV World with it on. . .

Chapter 6: Awakening. . .

Friday, April 15, 2011
- Rainy After School -

TV World - Twisted Shopping District. . .

Yosuke and I followed Teddie through the fog. He had told us that a new area had 'magically opened up' somewhere, and sensed someone's presence not too long ago before it vanished. I was glad since we could now be 100% positive that we'll be able to find something new. . . And speaking of 'finding', investigating this world was a cinch now that I could see past the fog with these glasses. Though. . . As we walked further into the darker area, the fog had become increasingly thicker. It wasn't too much my glasses couldn't handle, but something about this made the hairs on the back of my neck stick up. Before long, we came to an ominous looking district in the TV World. . . There was a long street stretched across the whole area, sidewalks were aligned with shops and. . . streetlights? Vending machines? The bleak brunette nudged me, asking; "What is this place. . . ? It looks just like the shopping district. . ." . . . Now that he mentioned it, he might've been correct. I too, observed closely. The only real difference was how dark the atmosphere felt, and that the sky's rippling red and black waves. We looked around confusedly. "What's going on here!"he yells.

"Some weird places have appeared here recently. Things are getting so tangled, so I dunno what to do. . . "Teddie was waddling slowly, calling over to us.

. . . We both noticed the 15-foot distance, however. "Uh. . . by the way, why are you standing so far from us?" Yosuke folds his arms. ". . . You better not be planning to high-tail it if something does come up."

"Of course not!" The bear awkwardly laughs, which makes it even more suspicious. I frown. "I mean. Uh. I can't stand too close, you know. I'd get in your way. . ."

"Hrrrm. . ." He stares at Teddie, but after a few seconds, chooses to brush him off and examine the surroundings once more. "Man, they really went all out on this. . . But of all the places in town, why'd they replicate this one?"

"How should I know? This is reality for the one who's here."

Yosuke sighs at his statement. "As usual, nothing you say makes any sense. . . But if this is the shopping district, we're not far from Saki-senpai's. . . !" Before he could even finish, the boy dashes up the street. I don't hesitate to follow, but he was a little too fast for the legs inside of my long skirt to catch up to. It was assuring though, that I was at faster than Teddie. . . . Before long, the Junes kid came to an abrupt stop in front of the 'Konishi Liquor' store. I remembered what it looked like upon briefly seeing in while riding in my Uncle's car, but the glass door entrance was replaced with a red vortex which was similar to the one we entered from the yesterday. Yosuke, who seemed to throw that factor aside, stood firm and confident. "I knew it. . . ! This is the liquor store that Senpai's parents run. Does this mean. . . Senpai disappeared here? What could've happened. . . ?"He starts walking forward almost subconsciously, his dark brown eyes are hungering for the answers. . . But immediately, Teddie protests with a,

"W-Wait a second. Th-They're here!"

Yosuke turns around just before placing a foot inside the store, quirking his eyebrows. "What?"In his tone, annoyance, anxiety, fear, and surprise could be heard.

". . . Shadows," Teddie holds his head. "I had a feeling they were going to attack. . . !"

We all heard something coming from the entrance. . . " . . . !" I stepped back cautiously, while clutching the kendo stick in hand. Something just told me this wasn't going to be pretty at all- and with those noises, definitely. This feeling- it wasn't as life threatening as what I experienced in my dream the other day, but danger was still danger, and it wasn't to be underestimated in the least bit. From the red portal was a slurring yet squishy sound that made me shiver. Two blue masks attached to shadowy blobs of black blood appeared, and dropped to the floor in front of Yosuke. "Wh-Whoaa!" He tried to get away by backing up, however tripped, falling backwards. He lost his posture completely, and in result, tried covering his face with his arms to protect himself. I needed to help him- They crept closer and closer to him- but I was so far away. . . ! I could never get there in time if I tried to. . .! N-No. . . at this rate, Yosuke will be. . . ! The shadowy blobs which stopped in front of him, ascended into the air to take the forms of two floating orbs with black and pink stripes on them, lips and large tongues were protruding from their fronts. It sent disturbing mental pictures through my head, but that wasn't too important right now- I had to do something, anything! Only me- Only I was the only one who could do-

I thought nothing could make this predicament even worse, but I was wrong. "NAAGH!" This whole entire volt of pain had pierced through my head. . . I-It almost felt like a single strike of lightning that was powerful enough to kill 1,500 people, was surging though me, and slowly- painfully, working to crack my skull open. The dizzy spell was far worse than it ever has been before, I was going to burst. . . ! With such much going on, I had barely noticed my free hand ripping at my silver hair, and it's just a feeling I got, but somewhere deep within, there was little to no chance of anyone surviving such tortuous pain, let alone myself. It was no use, I was definitely going to die from this. . . ! No. . . I couldn't-! "I AM THOU. AND THOU ART I." The voice. . . ! But why? What was it trying to tell me now! "THE TIME HAS COME. OPEN THY EYES, AND CALL FORTH WHAT IS WITHIN!" Within one blink, my heart felt as though it skipped five beats. A card appeared in the palms of my hands, face down. . . and colored in a deep velvet blue. . . I flipped it over staring at the empty space. There was nothing on it. It was blank. So why did it feel so. . . terrifying? The pain was gone, but- now. . . there wasn't one person who could call me sane. This power was intoxicating. . . even wonderful enough to lose my mind to. "Mhmhm. Hahaha. . ." Wh-Who was this girl? Maybe. . . Maybe the time has come. I clutched the card in hand, holding it up in front of my face. Who in the world. . . was I?

The answer. . .

"Per. . .

The truth. . .

so. . .

I will call them forth!

na."

As the card lit up in a blue flame, I crushed it with my hand, not giving it anytime to grow and lick at the sweet oxygen. This feeling- I was powerful. I smiled to myself menacingly as the flares consumed my entire body. It wasn't burning away at my flesh, but filling me with soul. "HAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"Fulfilling it was, to finally feel this for first time in my life! They were coming lose- my sanity, my innocence, my pigtails- all of them went flying astray. The two evil shadowy orbs, brushed off Yosuke that very instant and went for me. Hm, then so be it- just because I was a girl- didn't mean they couldn't have their asses handed back to them pitifully. This was it- the power was manifesting into something much greater!

I now face the enemies in front of me. Teddie ran by Yosuke's side and called out, "Stay calm and listen. Some Shadows have weaknesses. I can tell this one has a weakness too! If you can pinpoint the weakness and take advantage of it, the battle will be a lot easier! Try stuff out and see what works!" . . . Hm, perhaps what Teddie was saying, is that if I used a type of attack that the enemy is weak against, I could possibly knock it down. But I had to be careful however, the opposite could also be true if I got hit. Best bet would be to keep an eye on both our weaknesses. Part of my body remembered I held a kendo stick in hand, and told me to use it in combat. It was a fairly long piece of wood made of bamboo, which made it perfect to wield, being not too heavy and not too light. Though it wasn't as sharp as a real katana, it had to be the most well-balanced piece weaponry anyone could have in this situation. Yosuke said it was only for show, but one could seriously inflict damage with this if attempted to. The 'Shadow's', which Teddie called them, seemed to be ready to strike back after my first move. It all meant in short that I'd have to wrap this up quickly! I kick off from the ground with all my might, and make a dash towards one of them. The dragging my wooden weapon on the floor below was preparing to deal a massive strike- however, I assume the Shadow gets ready for a counter, judging by its wary position. My tactics change with the movement of my body, and I found myself yielding in my tracks before having sidestepped quickly enough to feint it, and get around it. Here goes! I slug the end of my kendo stick up into the air as powerfully as my current strength could handle. "Haa!" A bash uproared loudly with the coming down of my weapon on the hidden blue mask, indicating I struck the enemy critically- and I struck it good. The extra force I exerted by dragging the weapon up and charging at it, had definitely intensified the blow I dealt to my every pleasure. Yet, the Shadow does not go down entirely. On the bright side, its condition didn't look too great. Perhaps if I could deal more damage on that same spot, I could probably defeat it! . . . Though, as great as the idea sounded, I needed to regain my balance and distance by pulling back from the first attack, before planning the second. Right now I was way too close to- "Ngh!" It happened in almost a split second when I was violently bashed by the second enemy, the one I had completely forgot about. I was on my hands and knees by the time I came to the realization that they were now closing in. With my right side throbbing after just one hit, it was apparent that I was somehow taking an inexplicably large amount of damage too. It occurred to me that being outnumbered when I was down- wasn't going to help in the least bit. . . "Ch. . ."

"The power!" The bear yells at me. "Use your power!"

That's right- I had to try and use the power from earlier. . . But how? The Shadows were getting closer with each passing second from different locations. My only weapon had rolled away from me the moment I had fallen. Any normal person would be screwed- but I did have something else up my sleeve! All I had to do. . . was focus. . . and be strong. I leveled my hand in front of my chest. The power from earlier- I felt a new found radiance start to shimmer from the depths of my existence. ". . .PERSONA!" I crushed the glowing warmth in my palms, and it then, shattered into pieces of glass. The vibrant blue fades, and a figure had manifested itself in front of me- apparel was coated in a fearsome mix of silver and black. It floats in superiority facing the two Shadows, and I, who was on my knees, gradually regained the ability to stand with it. The opposing ones back away vigilantly. It was then the Summoned had turned to gaze at me with those golden and hazy eyes. That unmoving, yet generous expression spoke a thousand words. . . My soul felt as though it had readily come to cherish this being already, and hoped for the best regarding our brand new relationship. This kinship I felt with it. . . made me understand that it wasn't just some monster coming to help me out of coincidence. I knew who he was, and he knew who I was, because we were the same. A sincere smile broke out on my face. All right, let's do this. . . ! "Izanagi!"I roared my partner's name. In an instant, a lightning barrier had erupted from where we both stood. The sharp, vivid sparks did not cease dancing along the ground until it struck the two targets. With a loud boom, explosions erupted from the enemies, and the last thing I heard, was the Shadow's letting out disgruntled screeches of agony. When reddish smoke ebbed from the air, it gave us a good view of the ground that left only but a tiny remainder of black blood. . .

. . .

After the battle had ended, the magical being in front of me shimmered for a few moments with a spectacular light. And although I could not see the expression it hid behind that mask. . . I knew it was smiling. "Thank you. . ." I gave him gratitude before he, with a white glow, dissipated from the air and returned to card form. A blue light had adorned me with a light, and the power had set itself back within the sea of my soul. I had faced my other self, the facade used to overcome life's hardships, a Persona. . . "My other self. . . Izanagi." my lips murmured.

"Whoa. . . Wh-What was that!" Yosuke then rushed over to me, grabbing at my shoulders. "Did I hear you say 'Persona'! What was it- I mean, what did you do! Hey, you think I can do it too. . . ?" His sudden shock mixed enthusiasm slightly threw me off at that point. To be honest, I had almost forgotten he was here with me.

Teddie approaches the both of us, a wide smile on his face. "Calm down, Yosuke. You're troubling Ojou-sama!"

"O-Ojou-sama?"The boy quirks his eyebrows at me.

"Gosh almighty! You're amazing, Ojou-sama! I am one impressed bear! I can't believe you were hiding such an amazing power! No wonder the Shadows were scared of you!" The bear flails his paws up into the air. He was rather close, but seemed to be having fun, nonetheless. Yet, he then gasps. "Are you the one who's able to bring people into this world?" I nod. "Hah! That's what I thought! That is really something. Don't you think so, Yosuke?"

"Dude," he goes up to the bear and pushes him backwards. "you call her Ojou-sama and then don't show me any respect!"

"Sorry. . ."

I look at Yosuke, and poke his shoulder while showing him, the bear now covering his face. ". . . W-Well, your support wasn't bad, though. I gotta give you some credit for that."he manages to cough out. I giggled.

"Huh? R-Really. . . ? Hee hee."

"All right, you two keep it up, and I think we'll be fine from here on out! Now let's get back to the investigation!" The brunette winks and points to the red and black portal. We walk towards it. "Man. . . I wonder what could have happened to Senpai here."

. . . Suddenly, I began to hear voices, murmurs almost. At first, I expected to feel another unwanted jolt of pain, but as time went on, I realized that I wasn't the only who could hear this. Yosuke faced the sky in confusion and scanned around for people. Teddie, on the other hand, snarled at the open air. I hurry over to my dropped weapon and scooped it up within my arms to preparing for the worst. They continue to echo throughout the Twisted Shopping District.

"I wish Junes would go under. . ."

"It's all because of that store. . . "

We all listened to the voices of middle-aged woman, as their gossip continued. But where did they come from and how. . . ? Yosuke stepped back, and nearly choked out in shock. "Wh-What the. . . ?"

"Oh, I heard that Konishi-san's daughter is working there."

"Oh my. . . How could she, with her family's business suffering like it is. . . ?"

"I heard their sales have gone downhill because of Junes."

"S-Stop it. . ."He clenched his fists, almost as if he were in pain.

"That poor father. . . to have his own daughter working for the enemy."

"What a troublesome child. . ."

"Hey. . . Hey, Ted!" Yosuke stuttered. "You said that this place is reality for those that are here, right! So. . . does that mean this was Senpai's reality when she wandered in here. . . ?"

"I. . . only know about what's over here."He points to the vortex.

"Fine." The boy says. "Whatever's going on here. . . We'll have to find out ourselves!"We all rush in.

. . .

TV World - Twisted Shopping District, Konishi Liquor Store. . .

We three entered. I expected to find something a little more eerie- something similar to the noose and the chair. . . Yet, nothing seemed so much out of place. However, the air reeked a heavy scent of sake which was normal for a regular Japanese liquor store. Some barrels of alcohol were tipped over and spilled all over the floor, and the counter up ahead was filled with pieces of paper of all shapes and sizes, cut, shredded, and ripped. The fog seemed to also get increasingly thicker, to the point where it had blurred my glasses slightly. That. . . didn't really feel like a good sign. Yosuke examined the area, until the voices resumed their gossip. Only this time, a middle-aged man was yelling loudly. "Dammit, not again. . ."Yosuke groaned in frustration.

"Saki, how many time does I have to tell you! "

" ! I-Is this. . . Senpai's dad. . . ?"

"You know what the neighbors say about you, right! Aren't you ashamed of yourself? You're the eldest daughter of a family who's owned this store for generations! Is it the money? Or did you meet some guy there? Just tell me why you have to work THERE, of all places!"

"I. . . I can't believe this. . . She seemed like she had fun at work. . . She never said anything like this to me. . ." With a weak voice, the boy seemed to slump in depression. Now with a yell, he lashes out- "You're telling me THIS was how Senpai really saw things!" Yosuke doesn't give any more regards to me and Teddie. Instead, he walks up to the table that met the pupils of his eyes. "Th-These photos. . . Hey- is this. . .?" His mouth seems to drop. ". . . It's the photo we took the other day with the other part-time workers at Junes. . .Wh-Why's it cut up like this. . . ?"The scrap of the photo shows Saki Konishi smiling. . . Yosuke is standing next to her. . .

"I. . . never had the chance to say it. . ."

. . . We both heard a voice. It was too familiar to brush off as a random one. . . N-No doubt! This was Saki Konishi's voice! Similar to the other voices, she wasn't present. . . However, unlike them, Saki was dead. So how. . .

"Is that. . . Senpai's voice!" Yosuke yells.

"I always wanted to tell Hana-chan. . ." she says as faint as a whisper.

"Huh. . . ? Me. . . ?"

". . . that he was a real pain in the ASS. I was nice to him just because he was the store manager's son, that's all. . . ! But he takes it completely the wrong way and gets all enthusiastic. . . What a dip. "

"P-Pain in the ass. . . ?"

"Who cares about Junes, anyway?" The cold iciness is evident in her tone. "Because of that store, our business is ruined, my parents hate me, the neighbors talk behind my back. . . I wish everything would just disappear. . ."

"I-It's a lie. . . This can't be. . . Senpai's not like that. . . !" he cries out at her voice. Yosuke's face was pale, disoriented. . .

"It's. . . so sad. . . I feel sooo sorry for myself. . . Boo hoo. . . "

We suddenly freak out at the outbreak of another voice coming from behind us. It was staticy and auto-tuned sounding. But. . . it also wasn't as nearly as echoed as the others. . . It was. . . Too close to be real. Too familiar. . . The brunette and I turned around slowly. H-Huh! " ! "

"Actually, I'M the one who thinks everything's a pain in the ass. Hahahaha. . . "

"H-Huh? Two Yosukes. . . ?" Teddie gasps.

My eyes bugged out. There was TWO of him, to my horror. I rubbed my eyes attempting to pass it out as an illusion, but no how many times I did, the shadowy figure was still standing there in the darkness. I thought reality as we knew it broke in half, because all of the characteristics the dark figure had, was identical to Yosuke's in every way possible, save for the piercing yellow eyes. I wasn't delusional. He was there- they were both here, in the flesh. The dark figure folded his arms, but grinned while showing off his teeth in a terrifyingly sadistic manner. It would be no over exaggeration to call him 'Shadow Yosuke'. . . The boy next to me rushes over to his doppelganger. "Who are you! I-I wouldn't think that. . . !" The brunette shivers with fear, but doesn't fail to scream at his mirror image at full volume.

"Hahaha. . . Yeah, right. How long are you going to keep deluding yourself? Screw the shopping district, and Junes too! You're sick of everything, especially living out in the sticks!"

"What're you saying. . . ? That's not true, I-"

"You put on a good show of being carefree and happy-go-lucky 'cause you're so terrified of being alone. The more the merrier, right? You've gotta be surrounded by people to block out the pain of isolation. And what's this about checking out this world for Saki-senpai's sake? HAH! I know the REAL reason you came snooping. . . "

Yosuke shakes his head violently. "S-Stop it!" he yells.

"Hahaha!" The Shadow does not cease its maniacal laughter, as it holds it head in amusement. "Why so panicked? I thought I was just spouting bullshit! Or maybe. . . I DO know everything you're thinking! Why's that. . . ? Because I AM you! You just came because you thought it sounded like a good time! What else is there to do out in this shithole? A world inside the TV- now THAT'S exciting! You didn't have a single other reason for coming here, did you!"

"That's not true. . . Stop. . . Stop it. . ."

"You're just trying to act like a big shot. . . If all went well, HEY, maybe you could even be a hero! And that Senpai you were so sweet on? Her death was the perfect excuse!"Shadow Yosuke angrily leers at him.

"That's not true!" The real Yosuke slams his fist against the wall. "What are you! Who are you!"

He chuckles softly. "I already told ya. I'm you. . . Your shadow. . . There's nothing I don't know about you!"

"Screw that! I don't know you! YOU CAN'T BE ME, YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

. . . An eerie silence filled the room. ". . ." Oh boy. This didn't look good. . .

Shadow Yosuke broke out into an unstoppable laughter. "Mhmhahahahahaha! That's right! Say it again!"

"You're not me. . . Y-YOU'RE NOTHING LIKE ME!" Yosuke cried out at it.

"Hmph." With a smirk, the doppelganger held his hands up in the air superiorly. "Yeah. That's right. I am 'me' now. I'm not you anymore, see?"

A terrifying mass of black energy filled the room. Shadow Yosuke's malevolent laughter did not cease to stop even at its current booming volume, loud as it was. This mass of evil aura. . . Anyone could tell that what was taking place now- was going to be far from pleasant. Very far from pleasant. Blinding beams of light was spewing dark energy waves now, and Teddie, Yosuke, and I were backing away second by second. . . The exit was right there- if we could make a run for it. . . But my options were cut short when the Shadow morphed itself into a gigantic frog-like beast with a body sticking out from its torso. The size of the monster was unbelievable, and it took up all of the area's space, and even forced us to dash out of the way so we wouldn't get smashed upon its militarization. Before we knew it, we all picked our feet up from off the ground and ran to get out of here. With an enemy that big, the odds were against us- against me. "Ngh. . . " My head whipped back to the sound of a drowned-out cry for help. Yosuke was suddenly on the ground, knocked out. "Yosuke!" Pivoting a full 180 on my heel, I dashed back over to take the boy and throw his arm over my shoulder to get us both out of here. However, with his weight was dragging me down, the enemy could just as easily crush us at any second. "Yosuke! Yosuke! Wake up- you idiot! Don't black out now! W-Wake up!"

"I am a Shadow. . . The true self. . ." The beast bellowed using a gargled-up version of Yosuke's voice. "I'll crush everything that bores me. . . Starting with you!"

Crap- we have to get of here now! I picked up the pace of my running.

"C-C'mon, hurry up!"Teddie screeches.

I-I'm trying! But I can't run fast enough! I knew my efforts were to soon end in vain when I spotted a faint green glow getting increasingly brighter from behind me. "OUTTA THE WAY!" The Shadow slammed itself on the ground, making the floor tremor as vicious shock wave of wind mercilessly hit me. "Ugh!" Not only did I lose my balance, but I lost my grasp of the unconscious boy when my body was hurled, and then slammed into the wooden crates to the left corner of the liquor store. Already, my body, and especially my back, throbbed with sharp pains. At that same moment, a ripple of shock shot up my spine from the aftermath. Something was strange- That. . . green wind. . . how could I be so weak to it? The body from on top of the frog-like beast swayed back in forth and folded its hands together. A ripple of light formed around it. . . "How long can you survive this?" said the Shadow which sneered not to his real self, but at me directly. Oh, Yosuke. . .

To my surprise, Teddie was still here, and his voice, although worried and panicked, still found its way towards my earlobes. "This one's much stronger than the last type! Be careful!" I greatly appreciated his moral support and courage to stay, but it's not like I didn't know that. . . "Whenever you feel threatened, just defend yourself!" Gee, and thanks for telling me that now after I flew straight into rock solid crates. . . During battle, it would be good to chose to defend myself rather than attack the enemy all the time. I comprehended. But just how am I supposed to win a battle like this? "Nn. . ." I weakly stood up and attempted to shake off the pain from my current injuries. The only things I had were wooden sword and a Persona. . . "Teddie, take care of Yosuke!"I rushed up to the enemy to take a stand.

"PERSONA!"

I crushed the glowing tarot card in my hand, summoning Izanagi to help me fight again. The swordsman in turn acknowledged my plead for help, and immediately hurled itself towards the Shadow. A boom of lightning erupted from the stage lights and directly pierced the enemy from above. Despite the attack being such a weak bolt of thunder, it sent Shadow Yosuke sprawling on the ground. This is my chance! "One more!" I yelled. The god threw his sword directly at it, which stabbed through the base of the beast's torso. From behind, a thick black smoke bled from behind the wound and dispersed from the air. "GO!"My voice screeched, signaling Izanagi to do more. He punched Shadow Yosuke's dazed face with the steel claws had for hands, and quickly- powerfully, drew his sword out of the pulling out of the pierced body. Last, Izanagi kicked back at Shadow Yosuke and landed at my side, ready for more.

The bear notified me. "Amazing, Ojou-sama! Keep it up! Yosuke's Shadow is weak to electricity- zap him out of it!"Alright. I might just do that!

The enemy roared, sending vibrations throughout the building. "Urgh- PAIN IN THE ASS!" Somehow, he had recovered too quickly us to respond when it reared up on its hind legs, bellowing. "You bitch! You're seriously pissing me off! You're going down!"

"Ojou-sama! Defend yourself now!"Teddie cried.

The Shadow's raises its huge hands in response to the bear's outbreak, and I immediately raise my kendo stick in the air to guard.

"Ha! Nice try!"

He swept his hands across the ground, hitting the bottom of my legs and knocking me on my backside. Having now lost my balance, it was increasingly hard to stand back up, given the damage I had taken from earlier. "It's about time you get crushed!" Shadow Yosuke raised his right hand up into the air slowly. No- this is bad! And just when I thought it was over for me, I instead heard the attack slam to my right, and obliterating the ground beneath it, making a crater. "Aaaagh!" Yet, I could feel my ribcage closing in on me, my breath hitching, and my movement incapacitated. Why- I thought. . . He missed! The pain swelled up within, and I clenched at my clothing. Laying helplessly on the ground with some unknown force gradually compressing my body was completely humiliating. . . I hated the feeling of how limited I was, and threw my head back in frustration. It was then my eyes caught the sight of what had been slammed into the crater- Izanagi, who I shared every single inch of pain with.

"Hah! What's the matter? You still wanna fight?" I heard the scorned tone of voice it made, making me fume with extreme anger. "Let's end this!"

He had slammed yet another hand into Izanagi, intensifying the impact. No voice came out of my mouth as I opened it to scream. At this rate. . . I won't be able to. . . keep on going. . . But if I gave up now. . . Who would be there for Yosuke? Teddie?

I. . . I thought that I swore to myself long ago. . . that I'd never give in. . . despite hardships.

Because when I was all alone- that promise was the only thing I could cling on to, to keep living. . . If it ended here- I. . .

"IZANAGI!"I cried at the top of my lungs.

. . .

"H-Huh? The hell!" Shadow Yosuke murmured. "WHAT!" I witnessed a blade stabbing through from the bottom of both the monster's yellow hands. Izanagi got through! Literally! I was on my knees now, trying to lift myself up with the help of my wooden weapon. I was panting, yes. In terrible condition, yes. . . But I was alive, which was all that mattered until I drank in the current scene. The enemy screams in pain and recoils back, but instead, hits one of the metal pillars that the stage lights hung on. . . . Metal. . . Wait- that's it! "I-Izanagi. . . ! Zio- on the pillar!" He was weak, tired, injured, but still found a way to oblige. The weak bolt of lightning he commanded, zapped the metal, and immediately lit up the whole room with blinding white sparks which crawled about the bars. Electrical energy spread, and finally struck Shadow Yosuke who had been leaning on it for support. "DAMN YOU TO HELL!"A shriek echoed throughout the building as black and red smoke was disintegrating from his body and into the air. This was clearly all I needed to see and hear to tell that the battle was finally. . . over.

Izanagi returns to me in a faint blue. . . I thanked him mentally, from the deepest depths of my heart. Really, I hadn't done anything at all, and if it weren't for him, I could have possibly died. My stamina had reached his limit, and my strength was just about sapped out as well. Fighting- I've never done anything like this before- so my body would definitely react badly to all this. . . All I could ever wish for at this point was to fall back and rest. But no- I couldn't succumb to fatigue just yet, I was better than that. And besides- I still had plenty to deal with.

"I. . . I. . ."Yosuke's small voice murmurs, solemn, quiet. . . pained. It was just miraculous that he recovered right after the battle. . . My feelings of relief couldn't have been greater. I found my legs moving towards Yosuke, for the sole reason of assisting him so that he may collect himself. Closer and closer I walked, even if I was in no condition to do so. It was sad. . . The thought of keeping so much bottled emotions in for so long. . . Losing someone precious- and then having this happen. . .

"Yosuke, are you okay!"Teddie gasps.

"Y-Yeah. . . What. . . happened?"Groaning, he holds his head. The bear points at the ground, his doppelganger laying there. The golden eyes held mine for a few seconds, but that threatening stare was gone, replaced with orbs of loneliness. Isolation. . . With that look, Shadow Yosuke earns my sympathy. He momentarily turned his attention to his real self.

". . . . . . . ."

Yosuke shakes his head again and snarls at it. "You. . . You're. . . not me. . ."

"That thing came from you, Yosuke. . ." Teddie tugs at the edge of his uniform. "You have to admit it. . . or it'll go berserk again. . ."

. . . I watch as the boy looks down, sulking. He was reluctant to accept it. . . But- wasn't that okay? Wasn't it okay to be scared? I lightly touched his shoulder and gazed into his watery eyes. In any case, he had to be brave. And I knew he could do it. "You're still yourself." I assured him. "Go on. There's. . . no need to hold back anymore."

"Myself. . . " he returns my gaze with his widened disks but grits his teeth all the while. "Dammit. . . It hurts to face yourself. . . I knew it wasn't laying. . . But I was so ashamed that I didn't want to admit it. . ." Yosuke turns from me to limp over to his shadow, and kneeling so he could look at him straight in the face. "You're me. . . and I'm you. When you get down to it, all of this is me."

The defeated Shadow closes his eyes, and serenely smiles. He shines with a magnificent, warm light, which radiates within the building. . . The dark aura fades into a bright blue, and disintegrates into a new figure. . . The strength of Yosuke's own heart required to face oneself has been made manifest. . . He faces his other self- the facade used to overcome life's hardships, the Persona Jiraiya. . . "This is my Persona. . ." Yosuke mumbles right before collapsing to the ground. At first, I was just about ready to dash over, but he was. . . beaming genuinely. "When we heard Senpai's voice. . . I wonder if that was something Senpai had been keeping deep down inside. . ." a pause- "Haha. . . 'He was a real pain in the ass,' huh? What a way to find out. . . Geez, this is so embarrassing. . ."

I grinned, shaking my head. I said to him, "C'mon. Be a man, stand up straight. . ." My hand was extended towards he who grabbed it firmly, almost as if receiving a handshake. I finally noticed that Yosuke's eyes looked much clearer now, because all the doubt in it just seemed to completely wash away. He chuckles to himself. "Geez- I'm saved by a girl who I promised to protect. . . If you weren't here, I don't know what woulda happened. . . Thanks, Suzumi."

"You're welcome."

". . . Hey, Teddie." Yosuke gazes over to the mascot. "Could Senpai have been attacked by her other self here? Like how it just happened to me?"

He thinks about it for a second, and answers; "I think so. The Shadows here were originally born from humans. Sometimes the fog clears. Then they all go berserk. . . And you saw what happens next. A strong-willed Shadow draws others to it. And the big mass of Shadows kills the host."

"So that's why people die when it gets foggy in our world. . . " He happens to say. It was slightly inaudible, but I heard bits and pieces. ". . . . . ." He sighs.

". . . . . . ." I breathe in and close my eyes. . . Honestly, I felt too stiff for my liking.

"You're. . . both really worn out." Teddie frowns. "This world isn't made for humans. It's not comfortable for you here. I don't hear any more voices. I think we're done with this place. Let's go back."

". . . Y-Yeah. Let's."