Okay everyone I'm pretty sure that you all have seen Persona 4 but I do know some of you have said that you came into this without seeing Persona 4 so here's a warning, there's a huge Persona 4 spoiler at the end of this chapter so you have been warned.

…

Aiya Restaurant was crowed that night as the entire Investigation Team plus their companions had taken up most of the restaurant. As it was raining, their Rainy Day Mega Beef Bowl Challenge was on the menu. Said dish was ordered by both Yu and Yuma.

"What's the novelty of the Mega Beef Bowl anyway?" Shark asked.

"You don't have to pay for it if you finish it in forty minutes." Chie said, "I eat a lot but I can't finish it myself."

"I'm going to finish it this time." Yu grinned as Aika brought their food over.

"Remember, 3,000 yen if you don't finish." She reminded them.

Shark dropped his chopsticks, "3,000 yen?" Those bowls were enormous and the beef was stacked well above the bowl's lip. People can finish that in forty minutes?

"I'm going to try! Kattobingu!" Yuma declared as he dug in.

"Go big bro! Go Yuma!" Nanako cheered for both of them.

Shark just shook his head and returned to his ramen. Why was he wasting time here? He really should be back at the hospital with Rio. But that whole adventure inside the TV, it intrigued him. Seeing someone's true emotions being displayed for everyone to see, it was a scary thought. Shark shuddered about the what-ifs. Right now he was counting his blessings that nothing formed based off of him. He was too confused over himself especially the fact that he may have had a past life. And when Vector's Shadow had appeared taking on the appearance from the vision, Shark had started to panic internally. If another him showed up dressed like he was in that vision, who knew what would have been said.

If I really am a Barian….why have I been living on Earth all this time? I've got memories from my childhood. Times with Rio, the incident with the falling suit of armor, the car accident…..Shark suppressed tears. He may not remember much about his parents but he still missed them. Life was lonely once they were gone even with Rio around. I still have the scars from those times…..so those memories can't be fake. They happened for real, there was no denying that. But the possibility of him being Barian…still possible enough to bother him.

"Sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo…." Yosuke slid into the seat next to him and dropped his voice to a whisper, "You are thinking of that aren't you."

"Yeah….can we not talk about it here?"

"I don't think we'll be over heard…..they're really getting into it." Yosuke motioned to where everyone was cheering Yu and Yuma on in their goal to finish the over sized bowls. Shark could even see Astral joining in on the support. "So…what's bothering you exactly?" Yosuke asked.

Shark put down his chopsticks, "Remember how Astral said that the Barians had past lives as humans? If I was that king in those visions…that could mean….."

"That you could be one of them?" Yosuke finished for him, "So what?"

"So what? Do you realize what that could mean? I could be part of the group we are trying to stop!"

"But you are not right now. And if you are, would that change your goal? You want to stop them." Yosuke pointed out. "What you are doesn't make you who you are."

Shark mused over that last comment. Being a Barian won't automatically make him Yuma's enemy? But that…kind of went against everything he knew. But…things changed right. Even Astral declared that he won't persue his mission until he gotten more information as to why.

"Don't let it hang on your mind for too much longer." Yosuke gave him a friendly pat on the shoulder, "Unwind a bit and have some fun."

Shark just went back to his food. Yu had called it quits on his bowl but Yuma was still going. Feeling a pair of eyes looking at him, Shark turned and found Nanako staring at him. "You need something?"

The girl shifted a bit, maybe she was uncomfortable with strangers. "You look pale….are you alright?"

Shark was surprised at her concern, "Just a lot on my mind."

"Have you been eating well? Daddy always looks sick when he works too hard."

Normally, this kind of questioning would have irritated Shark but for some reason he didn't mind her, "Not really….Rio's strong but she just went down so suddenly."

Nanako looked a little uncomfortable. "But it doesn't mean that she's going to stay like that…" Shark tried to back pedal, "She should wake up soon."

Nanako did brighten with that, "I hope so too."

"Me too…..me too…." He couldn't resist giving her head a pat.

….

It was quite at the hospital. The sounds of footsteps and the beeping of the machines echoed down the hall. In the case of the room where Rio Kamishiro rested, it was different story. She was having a fit but not the point that it would alert a doctor to her side. Sweat ran down her face as she rocked side to side.

That was the scene when Durbe slipped into the room unnoticed and looked over Rio's unconscious form. Could she really be Merga? Durbe had shared his suspicions with Mizeal but he expressed doubts but his body language implied that it was bothering him. As much as he would like to ask Alit and Gilag for their input, they had been acting odd since their revival and hovering around Vector a lot so he dared not risk the psycho from getting involved. Vector had celebrated when Nasch and Merga disappeared so the chance that he was involved somehow was very likely. But now he had to confirm what he suspected about Rio. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a modified version of the Barian emblem. He had found it and another when searching the underwater ruins for clues. Merga had worn this one before so if Rio and Merga were one and the same, it would react.

Now or never…..Durbe reached out to place the emblem on Rio's chest.

Unexpectedly, Rio's eye snapped open and she caught his arm. "There's no need for that Durbe." She said.

Durbe was caught off guard as he tried to pull his arm free, "What do you mean?"

"We were friends weren't we?"

"Friends?" Durbe was confused for a moment, "It can't be….you…."

"I remember everything…." Rio sat up in her bed, "My true identity….my past life….all of it."

"Past life? So…..those legends….those were about us."

Rio nodded, "That's right….though human or Barian you were still friends with my brother."

"I suppose you're right Merga."

Rio chuckled, "It's been a long time since I've been called that name."

"So then Ryoga is Nasch…our true leader."

"That's right…." Rio's face fell, "But he still doesn't remember."

"I'm sure in time his memories will return and he will join us again." Durbe reassured her.

"That's the problem….I don't think he will."

This surprised Durbe. Nasch was always loyal and dedicated to protecting his people, why would he abandon them now? "What do you mean?"

"I'm worried that my brother will value his bonds he made in the present more than those he made in the past." Rio started to tremble, "I've accepted myself and I know that I'll have to face everyone as their enemy again but…why won't he make the same sacrifice?"

"Then we just need to remind him why he is our king." Durbe said, "We just need a method."

Rio than gave him a look, "Are you aware of an odd phenomenon that happens in this town?"

…..

The music that played in the Velvet Room was soothing, something that Yu was grateful for after the events of the previous day. Igor was absent for this meeting but Margaret was more than happy to speak with him.

"Welcome," She gave him a warm smile, "I apologize for my master's absence."

"It's alright," Yu made himself comfortable. "Though I do have a lot of questions."

"Of course you would…" Margaret opened the tome in her lap to a new page, the illustration of the tarot card showed a winged human and next to that was an image of Astral, "A new and a unique bond has formed. The bond of the Emissary opens up a new world for you."

"Are you referring to the Numbers?" Yu asked.

Margaret nodded, "Numbers have existed for much longer than you think my dear guest. They and Personas….are almost one and the same."

Yu couldn't believe it, "What?"

"I mean what I say. Personas are the reflection of one's true self but they originated from the person themselves. The Numbers were originally part of one source before becoming separated and adapted to others seeking power."

"That source….do you mean Astral?"

Margaret nodded.

"But Astral didn't come to earth until he met Yuma…..how were Numbers in the past?"

"I can't answer that for you. It is something that Astral will have to discover for himself." Margaret closed the book. "Our time has run out for now, but until next time, take care.

…

Yu rolled out of bed. Half questions half answers as usual from the residents of the Velvet Room. Looking over he could tell that Yuma was still asleep so Yu might have to poke him awake if he didn't wake up soon. Stepping into the bathroom he quickly washed his face to get more alert. Hopefully things would be calm in the next few days. Heading back into his room, he saw Astral hovering close by.

"Good morning Astral."

"Good morning Yu." Astral responded then paused, "Yu? Are you wearing your glasses?"

Yu's hand went to his face. He wasn't wearing the frames, how was he seeing Astral?

"It seems that you can see me unaided now."

"I guess so….this is weird. Do know how?" Yu asked.

"A variety of factors….though I surmised it is connected to the events from last night." Astral mused. "Do you mind waking Yuma? It's rather difficult for me due to the fact I am incorporeal."

"Sure thing…." Yu gave the younger boy a good shake, "Time to wake up."

"Mmmm….five more minutes….." Yuma just rolled over.

"There's a Duel going on outside." Yu said.

Yuma sat straight up, "Where!?...That was mean…" He pouted.

"Astral did ask for help for waking you up. Do you want the bathroom first?" Yu asked gathering his school things.

"I'm good…" Yuma rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "How did Astral ask you for help?"

"It seems that Yu can see me unassisted like Shark and Kotori." The spirit explained.

"Really?! Aw man….all of your friends are going to be jealous!" Yuma said with glee.

"Maybe….though now both Yu and myself will get on your case about doing your homework." Astral said.

Yuma froze, "You wouldn't dare."

"Now that would be interesting…who would learn the material first….you or Astral?" Yu wondered.

"Myself most likely….it takes Yuma the third or fourth time to understand." Astral said.

"No I don't!" Yuma protested.

Astral cleared his throat and spoke in perfect English, "It seems that the student needs a repeat of the lesson teacher. Can you repeat it again?" Then he switched back to Japanese, "What did I just say?"

"….fine you win."

….

Tohru Adachi began drive to work as usual. It was same boring drag day after day after day in this bottom pit backwater town. Only the murder case spiced things up a bit. Adachi had to chuckle to himself a bit. The police had no clue as to who could it be the murder. Only if Dojima knew that his partner and close friend was the monster he was chasing this entire time. And that deliveryman Naratame was so easily to manipulate. Just with a few choice words he had that man kidnapping people left and right. Adachi had to admit, the Naratame was effective with his method of kidnapping disposing his victims in the matter of minutes. Just as long as this pattern continued, there would be no suspicion on him and there would be entertainment for months to come. Though there was one issue that caught his attention, the new office worker Kagari. There was something off about that dark hair glasses wearing man. True he was helpful with his desk but Adachi felt like he was searching for something as well, and his bizarre habit of yelling Heart Burning. He'll have to keep an eye on him from now on.

Pulling into the parking lot, Adachi got out and locked his car. Time to face the daily strain.

"I never thought I would meet another dark soul out here….."

Adachi whipped around at hearing the suspicious voice hand on his gun ready to draw. Who could it be? There wasn't anyone else at the office this early. "Who's there?"

"No need to act on edge…I'm coming to you as a friend."

Adachi didn't movie his hand, "How so? Start talking or I'm going to start shooting."

"Down here."

Adachi looked down and nearly jumped in alarm. In his shadow was a set of gold eyes. They rose from the ground forming a body that Adachi could only describe as a black devil.

"Boo."

Adachi couldn't help but chuckle, "I am torn between shooting you or getting to know you better."

The devil grinned, "Good…I like you too. Now….I propose a partnership."

"A partnership?" Adachi released his grip on his gun, "How so?"

"Why don't we go somewhere more private? You do have to keep an image don't you?"

"Certainly…..I didn't catch your name by the way."

"You can call me….Black Mist."

….

Did you guys see that coming? Well…some of you might. I don't want to underestimate the minds of my readers. And don't forget about the fan art contest I have going on. Details are in my profile.