Chapter 2: The Bet

"You have a secret lair!" Teddie exclaimed gleefully.

Naoto looked embarrassed. "I admit…I did used to refer to this place as such when I was younger. Nobody really uses it, though, except for storage."

The three of them were seated on a few scattered, sealed boxes, in a small room deep inside the mansion's cellar.

Elizabeth furrowed her brow. "A secret lair, you say? Are you a superhero? Or perhaps a scientist?"

"Funny you should mention a mad scientist," Teddie giggled.

"If you're really being kidnapped, why hasn't anyone stuck you in a closet somewhere?" Naoto asked acidly.

"You're much too cruel sometimes, Nao-chan!" Teddie whined.

"Elizabeth, was it?" Naoto asked, ignoring Teddie, "How did you come to find yourself in the Midnight Channel of all places?"

"Like your friend Teddie, I'm also equipped with the means to travel between the conscious realm, and the subconscious," Elizabeth answered, "Teddie has also told me a bit about his 'sensei'. By any chance, did this 'sensei' tell you about the Velvet Room?"

Naoto scowled. "Come to think of it, he had, but none of us had ever seen it. Occasionally, he would mysteriously disappear while we were in the Midnight Channel, or even in the shopping district of downtown Inaba."

"Had he told you about a man named Igor? Or my sister Margaret?"

"The man with the really long nose?" Teddie piped up, "I met Sensei once in that man's limo, but he wasn't there. It was just me and Sensei."

"The master does tend to come and go as he pleases," said Elizabeth, "It has been a while though, since I have been employed in his services."

"Margaret did speak of a wayward sister," Naoto recalled, "I met her briefly once. So that was you she spoke of?"

"Indeed. The master has been around since anyone can remember. He helps out humanity on behalf of his own master."

"…God?" Naoto asked.

Elizabeth chuckled. "No, we don't work for YHWH or for Lucifer for that matter. We are strictly on humanity's side. We don't wish to enslave nor exploit humankind. The master of my former master is a being named Philemon. He is on your side as well, though he is rather lazy, in my opinion."

"So you're a part of all of this?" Naoto asked.

"I have reason to want to take things further than they've been up until now," said Elizabeth, "You see, not long before Izanami began wreaking havoc in Inaba, another being known as Nyx nearly ended the world. Have you not noticed that there have been several…what is the term…? Ah- yes! Have you not noticed several 'doomsday' panics occurred in Japan recently?"

"The fog, yes…" Naoto suddenly realized: "You said 'Nyx'…as in, that cult that occurred in Port Island?"

"And I'm sure you're aware of the 'Joker' murders from the turn of this past century?" Elizabeth prompted.

"You're telling me that they're all related?" Naoto asked.

"All related to one being," Elizabeth answered, "A hostile, immature creature known as Nyarlathotep. He is responsible for the manipulating the serial killer 'JOKER' in Sumaru City, among other antics...the first one being in Mikage-Cho."

"It had never occurred to me," Naoto mused, "But I suppose it makes sense that these urban legends were true. That's why I began investigating. I was shocked when I found out that they all involved Persona-users."

"Has this 'Nyah-Nyah' jerk done anything else?" Teddie asked.

"There was an incident in New York that Margaret is currently investigating," said Elizabeth, "I plan to meet with her there, soon. There are other Persona-users of interest from there. But…I believe that part of the solution is sitting right here. Teddie…you are unique as a Shadow…you appear to be born, not out of humanity's darkest thoughts, but of the exact opposite. Nyarlathotep tapped into the negative thoughts of others by giving the Shadows strength. If there is a way to tap into the positive thoughts…would mankind not have more of a fighting chance?"

"This Philemon being might be able to do that?" Naoto asked hopefully.

"No," Elizabeth said flatly, "He stuck to the rules of the bet, which ended some time ago. It was obvious that he won, but Nyarlathotep refused to accept defeat. even at something he and Philemon originally regarded as trivial."

"Bet?" Naoto looked puzzled.

"Yes, a bet," Elizabeth looked sad, "You might understand why I do not look upon the former master's master favorably,"

"What's the bet?" Teddie asked.

"To see if humanity can attain enlightenment, or if they will destroy themselves," Elizabeth answered, "The idea was that they would watch and see. Nyarlathotep, however, decided to cheat and interfere."

"That's…!" Naoto exclaimed as her fists tightened, "That's unforgivable! To treat the entire human race like pawns in a game...and to call it 'trivial of all things?!"

"Exactly," said Elizabeth, "And now…it's time to cheat back."

"But…where do we even start?" Naoto asked.

"Nyx," Elizabeth answered, "And I believe that Teddie is the key to defeating her."

Teddie gulped.

"Nyarlathotep manipulates the many sides to a person, allowing their darker side to emerge and cause destruction around them. You could say that at the root of it all, this is a purely psychological battle."

"Yet it involves almighty spells cast by a being that I control," Naoto said dryly.

Elizabeth looked at the ground thoughtfully. "Perhaps this is a lot for you to…digest. Shall we leave and allow you to sleep it off?"

"Let me stay, please!" Teddie begged.

"I'm surprised at you, Teddie," Naoto teased, "I thought being alone with a lady was exactly what you wanted."

"She dragged me out of the Midnight Channel against my will!" Teddie squealed, "She's also incredibly strong!"

"Then you should feel safe with her," said Naoto.

"Teddie, I apologize if my forward manner has frightened you," said Elizabeth, "I assure you I have no desire to harm you. In fact, I have every reason to want to keep you safe."

"Remember everything that Elizabeth has said up until now," said Naoto, "I agree that she should have no reason to harm you. In any case, you are both welcome to spend the night in the guest rooms. I can show you to them now, if you wish."

Elizabeth stood up. "Thank you."

"I'm curious about one thing, though," Naoto said as she and Teddie stood up as well. "Margaret told us of your quest…the boy trapped in an endless sleep, I believe it was. Did you find a way to save him?"

Elizabeth looked at Teddie and smiled. "I believe I have. If I succeed, we would have an incredibly powerful ally."

"Oh!" Naoto remembered, "This…demon….what does it look like?"

"He can look like anything he wants to," said Elizabeth, "But his typical form is of a winged creature. He's charcoal-colored, has two claws on each hand instead of fingers…Miss Naoto- are you alright? The flesh on your face has whitened considerably…!"


Naoto opened her eyes the next morning, seeing the sun rising through her bedroom window. Twice during the night she had awoken after seeing Nyarlathotep's gray, featureless face. She had to wonder what was going on. Was the demon targeting her now? What about Teddie, and this woman Elizabeth? Were they also going to be targeted? Yukiko and Chie hadn't been targeted, and she was fairly sure none of her other friends had either. But how much did Nyarlathotep know about Elizabeth's plan?

She yawned and got out of bed. Today would certainly be interesting.


"I believe we should join up with Margaret today," said Elizabeth, "We- oh my!"

She looked down at the many breakfast choices on the table.

"Is that…breakfast cereal I see?" she picked up a box labeled "Fruitee Poofeez".

"I didn't know you ate sugary cereal, Nao-chan!" Teddie exclaimed, "Six years and I still learn new things about you!"

Naoto looked uncomfortable. "I've enjoyed it since I was six years old. I suppose old habits die hard."

"May I…?" Elizabeth asked, "I've never eaten cereal before."

"Help yourself," Naoto invited her.

"Thank you." Elizabeth poured herself a bowl, and promptly poured orange juice into the cereal.

Teddie stared in horror.

Elizabeth quickly ate, until a plastic-wrapped object showed up on her spoon.

"Oh my…" Elizabeth peered curiously at it. "It seems there is something in my breakfast that isn't edible…should I inform the waiter?"

"That's the prize!" Teddie exclaimed, "Sheesh! Even I know that!"

"I've…won a prize…just for eating my breakfast?" Elizabeth mused, "How fascinating! So one is rewarded for maintaining a balanced diet…as breakfast is the most important meal of the day!"

Naoto and Teddie both stared at their own breakfast uncomfortably, not knowing what to say.

Finally, Naoto broke the silence. "I thought you said Margaret was in America," she said.

"That's right," Elizabeth answered.

"While it wouldn't be hard to procure a plane ticket for ourselves," Naoto stated, "I'm sure Teddie doesn't have a passport, or you?"

"An airplane would take much too long," said Elizabeth, "We can simply take a shortcut through the other side."

"Ah, so we go to America through the Midnight Channel!" Teddie said happily, "That's fine! We can take my secret path and get to Montana in less than an hour."

"That won't do," said Naoto, "Not if Margaret is actually in New York. Montana is quite a ways away from there. Could either of you find a different path?"

"Certainly," said Elizabeth, "I can take us anywhere in the world. I've had years to learn how to do so."

Just then, the phone she wore at her waste rang.

"This is unexpected," she remarked as she picked up her phone, "Hello? …Little brother! It's been a long time…! …Did you, now? So you too wish to contribute to this? Very well, then. I've found the people I needed to find. Shall we all meet up and find Margaret together…? Very well, then. There is a large store in Inaba called 'Junes'. Meet us there, at a large pile of television sets…yes…alright, Theo…goodbye…"

She hung up. "This is a surprise. My brother Theodore has stepped in, and left the master as well. He claims that three friends of the boy I had mentioned, may be able to assist us. They will be waiting for us at the television portal at Junes,"

"Oh, then I should go on ahead," said Teddie, "You said three people, right? I need to make preparations so they don't get sick in the Midnight Channel,"

"Ah, that's right," said Naoto, "The glasses. I still have mine stored safely. I'll be sure to bring them. Should…I call the others that know of the Midnight Channel?"

"Not quite yet," answered Elizabeth, "There's no sense informing them about this while they all have other obligations. It would only worry them. In due time, though.


"I…don't understand…" said Naoto as she and the others stood inside Junes' electronics department later that morning.

A blond young man who resembled Elizabeth stood, smiling pleasantly. Standing next to him was another young man with ash-colored hair. Next to him was a teenaged boy wearing sunglasses, and leading a Shiba Inu.

"I made three pairs of glasses, and I only get one person who can use them?" Teddie complained.

"Two," said the "blind" boy softly, "Only service dogs are allowed inside Junes. It was his idea," he said as he pointed to the ashen-haired man.

Naoto looked impressed, "Clever."

"This is my brother Theo," Elizabeth announced to Teddie and Naoto. Then to the two other young men: "My name is Elizabeth. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. "

"I'm Akihiko Sanada," said the ashen-haired man, "The 'blind' guy is Ken Amada, and the dog is Koromaru."

"Detective Naoto Shirogane," Naoto introduced herself.

"My name's Teddie…is he going to bite this…Gnarly-toe-tap demon or something?" Teddie asked dubiously.

"There's more to Koromaru than meets the eye," said Ken, "He's been blessed, I suppose you could say. He's over ten years old, but he doesn't have any gray on his snout. He's still got a lot of energy, don't you, boy?"

Koromaru barked happily, and then jumped on Teddie.

"WAUGH!" Teddie squealed as he jumped straight into the large-screen TV behind him.

Naoto's eyes went wide as she looked around, making sure no one else had seen.

"He had the glasses, didn't he?" Elizabeth sounded disappointed.

"That wasn't necessary," said Theo as he pulled out two pairs of glasses and handed them to Ken and Akihiko.

"Oh, good for you for thinking ahead!" Elizabeth, "But what about Koromaru?"

Theo reached into his other pocket and pulled out a dog-shaped mask with two lenses in the eye sockets.

"Get ready," Naoto said to everyone, "The second the cost is clear, we're all going inside."


A/N: While Theodore is in the story, Minako(the female protagonist from Persona 3), is not. Sorry to disappoint.