April 17th 2011

The sun's rays snuck it's way through the blinds of King's window. The light directly on the boy's eyes, quickly stirring him from his slumber. King slowly rose with a groan, rubbing the crust from his eyes, taking the time to remember what today is.

Ugh what a waste of a Sunday. King thinks as he starts stretching. Usually his Sundays consist of jogging, playing video games and preparing a huge dinner. A certain hostess has unfortunately changed all that not that it was her fault of course. King decided not to think any harder on it for now, throwing on a black t-shirt with a Jack Frost on it, white jeans(which he admitted looked weird at first but throughout his first year grew on him), a black baseball cap and white sneakers with a purple tint on the side.

He made his way outside, watching as a few people were roaming around the district. He caught Chie running around, asking people if they had seen Yukiko yesterday. Guilty quickly building into his consciousness, King walked towards the gas station hoping to find the answers he needed himself. As he got closer, a frown formed as he caught sight of her gas attendant form; she (or he, honestly was the attendant form male or female?) was having a conversation with one of the customers, giving a friendly wave as they drove away.

How could she be so calm? King thought as he got closer. She has to know that things didn't go as expected right?

"Have a good day!" He could hear her say, giving a smile that still unnerved him. She noticed his presence as he got closer. Her expression changing to a small smile, unnerving King even more. "Good morning! Nice day isn't it?" Izanami asked in a slightly mocking tone, somewhat enjoying the irritation rising on his face.

"Why didn't anything show up?" King asked in annoyance which got worst as Izanami tilted her head in confusion. "Stop messing with me! I did what I had to do!" King yelled before pulling the cap over his head, knowing that the next words couldn't be heard. "I threw her in so why did it turn out like this?! I know you know how it should happen so don't try to lie! Why wasn't there a clear picture? What was that place on the other side? It felt like the other world but not at the same time. What is that?"

She chuckled stopping his surge of questioning. "Shimi-san, you truly are an interesting variable. As irritating as your existence is, you provided me a different outlook to my experiment." King's frown only increasing her amused feeling. " Quite simply, everything that has happened so far is due to your interference."

"I-I know that!" He weakly retorted. "That doesn't explain that place at all though!" To which Izanami responded by giving him a friendly smile.

"I suppose that means you should go find out for yourself." Izanami could see the twitch in King's brow and grinding of his teeth.

"Y-You!..." King started before a car driving up caught their attention.

"Have a good day Shimi-san." She half sang, turning away from King as she went to go greet the man.

King could only clench his hands before putting them through his hair, growling in frustration and walked away, knowing he wasn't going to gain anything from talking to her.

King growled as he walked towards the northern part of the district, hands in his pockets and shoulders slumped, gritting teeth as Izanami's smile invaded his memory. What once made him uncomfortable, only served to piss him off now. He shook off the thought, knowing that getting mad wasn't going to do anything right now. The only thing he could do is go explore the strange version of the Inn. Before all that though.

I really need a weapon. King hummed. As much as that place felt a bit different from the TV world, his gamer senses told him there would be shadows in that Inn. There's no way he can only rely on Zetsubo if that's the case. Just something simple, enough to defend himself if Zetsubo was too far away to protect him.

Daidara's workshop was filled to the brim of different weaponry. Swords, Daggers, Spears, even Axes. Of course all fake, models if you will. Daidara prided himself for every single project he worked on. Ranging from swords that samurais once wielded to the more interesting designs that kids who liked to wears costumes asked for. Although not many people within Inaba themselves came in here themselves, he never let that deter him from continuing his lifelong career.

So he was a bit surprised when he saw a fellow Inaba citizen walk him. No harm intended but there weren't many who looked like him here, so he was easily recognized. "Welcome! How may I help you?" he boomed somewhat startling the boy.

"Oh- Uh just looking around." King said with a sheepish smile. Daidara simply nodded as he started to do maintenance on a few of his weapons. King looked around taking in the many weapons on the wall. " Is it ok if I hold some of them?

"Of course! Just don't go swinging them around now!" Daidara laughed.

King struggled not to roll his eyes as he grabbed a simple spear; a wooden handle with a metal tip. He closed his eyes, trying to envision himself fighting a shadow with it. While he could see the advantage in range, he also saw himself spinning around in a circle as the shadows dodged and attacked him from above. Grimacing, he put the spear back.

How about a bow? He reached for the wooden bow ad closed his eyes again. This time he saw Zetsubo knock a shadow down and saw an opportunity to finish it off. Sadly King hurt himself trying to release the arrow, the bow retracting back into his face instead as he sees the shadow running away. A dry laugh escapes him followed by a sigh as he puts the bow back.

King would prefer keeping a fair distance but knowing himself, he would pretty bad at almost any long range weapon.

Maybe I could go Goofy and just get a shield. King thought when he caught sight of a sword in a barrel. He walked towards the barrel, pulling out what looked like wooden sword in the shape of a Kampilan. Without thinking, he put the sword behind him, by his waist, legs spaced, left leg in front while his left arm was put in front of his body, hands facing down. He blinked as he realized what he just did, his cheeks heating up as he notices Daidara looking at him, eyebrows raised.

Daidara laughed, it wasn't the first time someone has done something like this, usually it was from people who had made a custom order. "You look like you really fancy that weapon."

"I-It seems I do." King muttered in embarrassment.

Making a purchase he left the store, grimacing a bit coming to the realization he barely has any yen left.

Odd, you never said it but you originally seemed intent on not getting a sword. Zetsubo said a bit curiously. King looked at the wooden blade, spinning it very slowly as headed home.

Well that was the plan. I guess I didn't want to be to unoriginal, but it just screamed me. This sword was hella expensive though, let's just hope I don't have to use this too much. King replied. He continued to think about other things he needed, unbeknownst that someone from an alleyway was watching him.

King returned to the caged Inn, still the same as last night. Strange patches of static all over the place. Yep. Still as creepy as a remember. He carefully walk towards the Inn, threading around any patch of static on the floor. Even the front door had a small patch of static as he opened it. As soon as he opened it, he came face to face with someone. Or something.

"Jesus! What the hell?!" King shrieked as he jumped back, nearing falling on his backside. From a distance he got a better look at the person(?). A woman in a purple kimono and pink sash. The problem was the woman's(?) face who also had a patch static. He would've stared longer but the woman seemed to be looking through him.

Slowly turning around, he came across a man in a gray business suit and red tie, face also with a patch of static. He slowly backed away as the man kept walking. King, in a slight panic, gripped his sword prepared to attack but the man simply walked through him, literally. The man phased through King, completely ignorant of King's presence.

"H-huh?" King gasped as he looked at himself, completely confused.

"W—lcome to -he A-ag- I-n." she said, in strange broken words and static, just as ignorant of King's presence. "-le-se en—y y-ur st-." She bowed after gesturing the man inside. King still worried tried to shake it off, follwed the man, cautiously walking by the woman, never taking his eyes of her until she closed the front door. He stared at the door for a few seconds, still unsure what the hell that was, eventually turning, seeing something that almost gave him a heart attack.

People walking around, all of them having patches of static on their faces. They odd part of it all was that they were acting as they would in any normal situation; adults lounging around, kids running about and the employees serving them. If not for the static, this place wouldn't be different from a normal Inn or hotel.

W-what the hell is all this?! I never seen anything like this before! King gaped as people walked by and around him, going by their own business as I'd nothing was wrong. He stood frozen as people passed, unsure what to do now. He expected the inside to be some kind of random generated dungeon crawling not this.

We won't get anywhere just standing around, thou should look around. King nodded at that. Only problem was where to start. The Inn wasn't necessarily a small place. He pondered until he noticed a decent amount of people heading towards the back side of the Inn. Curiosity got the better of him as he tried to casually blend in with them, still feeling uncomfortable standing near the static faces.

The path led them towards the Garden, hedges also filled with patches of static. Even the pond and the fishes that occasionally jumped out had them. King cringed as he then saw people staring at the patio. There were three hostesses standing there, each holding a yellow ceremonial fan. King's eyes widen as he stared at them. All like everyone else so far having a static face, the one in the middle was shorter then the others, with long flowing black hair and the same pink kimono there was no denying it.

Yukiko…

King wasn't sure what to think as they began to dance; every movement, every slide, every stroke of the fan done in full elegance and grace. The broken cheers and increase in white noise continued as they danced more and more, his eyes never leaving this blank face version of a classmate. They finished with a curtsey and a bow, people begging an encore as the three stepping off the patio.

"We h-ped -ou e-j-ye- the d-nce fro- our -tu— heiress!" One of the announcers applauded as the crowd cheered on. King noticed the Yukiko look alike freeze for a second, he could feel a sinister aura being emitted from her. But just as quickly, it disappeared as she moved, going back to the Inn, seemingly making no eye contact(King believed) with no one. King sighed as he heard the various people talking about her. This place just kept giving the despair bearer more questions rather then answers.

I didn't ask for this crap.

His ears perked up as every broken voice got more and more silent. He looked around not sure where it came from. It sounded distorted but without a doubt it sounded like…

Who the hell wants to do this for the rest of their lives? Yet they just assume I want to? What a joke.

King hummed in surprise. Fully aware that until she was saved, Yukiko had always had disliked being forced into a fate she didn't ask for. That aside…

It sounds so filled with hatred. I'm sure it's exaggerated but… He crossed his arms, pondering how much different this was from the "princess". Well I still don't understand this place at all, but maybe following her is a good start.

Walking back inside the Inn he caught the blank Yukiko heading upstairs. Following her, she stopped at a door and with what looked like a sigh opened it.

"Yo-r're la-e!" came a broken feminine voice. King leaned to the right of Yukiko, seeing a woman wearing a white collared shirt, black skirt, thick black tights, and black flats. Her arms were crossed and see was tapping her foot clearly irritated.

"I'm s-rry. I w-s-"

"I do-'t -anna hea- it!" the woman scowled at least King figured. She turned away for them scratching her head. "W-at a s #\y Inn." She said more to herself then to Yukiko but still loud enough for them to cringe. "F-rst y-ur mo-he- an- n- t-is. Listen! N-xt tim- I call -ou, y-u answ- g-t it?!

King froze at the intensity this woman gave to Yukiko. It wasn't even directed at him and even he felt angry for how she was treating Yukiko. He saw Yukiko bowing but he could easily sense the sinister aura coming from her.

"Yes… I understand. I'm sorry." Yukiko said calmly, clearly but very distorted. She excused herself from the room. King only watched as the door closed. He scratched his hair, annoyed with this woman's attitude, curious about this Yukiko's aura and more confused with this place.

Stupid bitch!

The words surprised King as he looked towards the ceiling, a bit shocked to hear a curse from Yukiko's lips.

She thinks she's all that! All she's done was bring nothing but trouble!

And when that was all said and done just up and died!

Couldn't even die right… All she did was make more people decide my fate.

Y-yo!... King never thought he would hear something like that, especially from Yukiko of all people. He knew she had dark moments but this was something entirely different.

"What do you think?" The woman said catching King's attention. He slowly backed away as he saw that half her face was clear of static, her right eye looking like a black hole. "Do you think she's right?" she asked, left part of her mouth curling into a smile.

"U-uh?..." King silently mouthed. No one could see me before. So what the hell is this?! He gripped his blade, mentally preparing himself for what was sure to be a battle.

"Brats like you, never understanding the pressure adults face!" She scoffed as the static began covering her body. A loud electrical sound was made as she burst, crackling lines of static surrounding the room. King looked around, brows furrowed at the the over abundance of static surrounding the two. When he looked back, he saw a Tranquil Idol; a woman in black wearing a long flowing maroon cape, sitting on a pyramid in a meditation pose. This one however seemed to be holding a microphone in her lap.

"Hello?! Can I get some service here?!' She yelled into the microphone, causing two shadows to claw through a patch of static near her. They looked like hands, one white, the other black, both wearing blue mask. They both laid flat in front of her, as if they were bowing before getting up and turning towards King. "Good luck you brat!" She said before her body disappeared within the patch of static by a wall.

Well… here we go. King muttered as he got into his stance, white tarot card forming in front.

(Jabberloop – Lowbit Funk)

"Let's do it Zetsubo!" King yelled, taking his left hand and reversing it crushing the card as he swings diagonally away from his body. "Let's start with the white glove first!" he commanded as Zetsubo formed from the light and charged at it, blowing a quick breath of an icy mist. The glove froze up before breaking out of it, jumping to slap Zetsubo. He quickly blocked it with the hilt of the blade, and quickly swung, the white glove somehow midair dodging it, flipping over him.

"Zetsubo look out!" King cried as he turned towards the black glove snapped his fingers, sending a fireball towards him. He had no time to dodge as the the ball hit him dead in the chest. "Urk!..." King grunted as he felt a burst of heat explode on his chest. He clutched his chest, one eye closed. Ok… that didn't hurt nearly as much but still-ah crap look out! While Zetsubo was slowly recovering from the burn the white glove came back and jumped again. Zetsubo was a bit more prepared this time, blocking the slap that was aimed for his face. He backhanded the white glove before retreating back to King.

Ice doesn't seem that effective on that white glove. Try the black one! Zetsubo nodded quickly, taking another deep breath and blasting the most at the black glove. The black seemed shocked, curling into a fist. Ah bingo! King fist pumped before the white glove charged in front of the black one, freezing up again before breaking out. The black fist gave the white one a high-five before shooting another fireball at the two. They quickly got out of the way, King struggling not to pinch his nose in annoyance. Ok!... Guess we have to separate them. He felt himself grip the wooden sword, sweat rolling down his jaw. It's fine. I can do this!...

Looking at Zetsubo, his persona dashed after the white glove; clearly the faster one of the two, leaving King with the black glove. Taking a deep breath, King charged at it, quickly catching it's attention. It wasted no time snapping multiple times, fireballs albeit smaller, intent on burning him down. King awkwardly dodged, jumping left and right and pulling a matrix on one of them. Meanwhile Zetsubo kept swinging his blade, vertical, horizontal, diagonal, the hand was dodging each slash with relative ease. Out of the corner of it's eye, it saw King slowly inching closer their comrade, the hand slowly backing into the corner. With grace, it jumped over Zetsubo's head and dove straight for King.

Look out! Zetsubo's warning snapped King's head to the right, the hand dive bombing him, fingers Fuller extended lay the smackdown on the boy. King dove out the way as the hand landed, leaving an imprint on the floor. King's lips went thin at the revelation that he could've became a pancake if he didn't dodge.

Freaking!... Are you kidding me?! He groaned. This was his first normal shadow battle(not counting his Awakening), why was this so hard! He stared as the two hands fist bumped each other before the white hand went back to attack Zetsubo. Alright… I'm gonna turn that strength into a weakness. He declared. He ran towards the black glove again. It quickly started to shoot fireballs again, King once again awkwardly dodging. Once he got closer, he shifted himself closer to Zetsubo's back. "Hey! Come on you bastard! Right here!" King taunted as he awkwardly danced. The glove seemed to take the bait as it held it's finger tips a lot longer than usual.

Zetsubo started to relax his guard as he pointed his chest with his free arm, the white glove now annoyed at his sudden confidence. He jumped towards a wall and bounced off it, fingers fully out, aiming straight for his chest

As soon as the black glove released the fireball, much bigger then anything it's released so far, King dove towards the center of the room, quickly recalling Zetsubo. The white hand went right past the dispersed Zetsubo, flying straight into the giant fireball, almost instantaneously blowing up, remains of black mixed in with the flames. The black had backpedaled stunned at what it just did, that it didn't noticing King running at it, blade in hand. With a frustrated yell, King swung his entire body diagonally left, cutting through the mask. It froze before laying on the floor and becoming a black puddle. King stared for a few seconds before sighing in relief.

My God! That was a lot harder than I thought! King cried in more relief, backing up and sitting on the bed. He covered his face with his free hand and groaned. If every battle was like this, he wasn't sure if he could do it. After a few moments he noticed someone within himself. Without thinking, Zetsubo appeared casting a blue light on him. The burning sensation he felt a bit back completely gone. Did I just level up? He said a bit in disbelief.

It seems that we gained a bunch of experience. Quite useful if I say so myself. Zetsubo lightly cheered, a bit excited he gotten stronger. King sighed with a smile.

Well that's pretty cool, I won't have to heavily rely of medical supplies. That aside, this room. King glanced around as he got up. The entire room had lost all the patches of static, it looked normal now. I'm still not sure, but If I'm right, I think we need to keep clearing out more of this static. Returning the blade back to his hilt, King smacked his cheeks. Alright let's find Yukiko! I think we can clear out more of it if we follow her.

Izanami was on her break, casually watching people walk around the district. One girl in particular seemed to running around asking people if they heard anything about her friend. She smirked at the amount despair her despair bearer was causing. Speaking of which, she began to wonder how he was doing. She closed her eyes, sensing as the boy was cautiously walking around the Inn. She saw him looking around noticing that there was just a bit less static then before. She felt a smug grin appear on her face.

I could only imagine how he'd feel if he knew I changed the rules.

King shuddered as he quickly shifted around, he felt that he was being watched it shook it off thinking it was just his nerves coming back. He crossed his arms as he phased through people, wondering where Yukiko could've run off too now. He stood over the railing trying to find a pink kimono when an interesting flash of yellow caught his eye.

It looked like a monkey, or rather a stuff animal version of one; dirty blonde fur with a light brown chest. The weirdest thing about it was that it was wearing red jeans. It was currently sniffing at the people walking by it, clearly confused as they phased though it. It started to sniff all around the Inn before running off (on all fours) towards the dining hall. King just blinks before he tilts his head.

…Strange, I thought Teddie was the only, ya know, unique shadow. King simply comments.

Thou seems oddly calm about all this. King only shrugs.

At this point, this whole world is just weird. Far as I'm concerned, I'm treading on new territory. He messed with his locks. He catches a pink kimono heading towards another room downstairs. Let's worry about that thing later, I don't wanna lose Yukiko again.

He catches up to her just as she's opening the door. Inside laid a woman; with black hair just around her shoulders on a futon with a rag on her head. King mouth opens in acknowledgment, instantly figuring out this must be her mother. Yukiko replaces the rag with another one, quietly looking at her mother. King squats next to them. Despite the blank faces, he could sense the amount of sadness in the both of them.

I wish this Inn wasn't around.

I wish this Inn wasn't apart of our legacy.

She quickly gets up, rushing out the door leaving King to just stare at the woman. He only sighs, scratching his cheek. This is getting pretty depressing. I almost wish I got the princess part of her feelings.

"Yukiko my dear…" King quickly glanced down noticing that the woman's mouth cleared up. It was a hoarse whisper but he heard it clearly. "This Inn will never fall, you'll be stuck here forever!..." Finishing her words, the static took over the entire futon. Just like last time, room gained a crackle of streaking static as she fell through a patch underneath her. King jumped back, watching as another woman rose out of the static. Wearing a fur coat, she sat on heart shaped chair.

It screeched, sending a loud gust of wind at King. King, despite having his ears covered from the yell, jumped out of the way, the blast cutting through the wall behind him. King frowned, wasting no time summoning Zetsubo, quickly raising his blade to slash the shadow in two. Of course it's never easy as the shadow snapped her fingers, a small dark green orb hitting Zetsubo right in the chest. It didn't hurt but the two instantly felt that something was wrong. He felt slower, the slash coming down at almost a turtle pace. The woman casually moved around him, raising her palm as a small gust of wind started to form out of it. Luckily before she released it, King recalled Zetsubo as the blast shatter the window.

Sukunda… King sighed. While not damaging, his body felt as if he gouged on junk food(Ah… Saturday Nights). He looked at the woman, who looked upset, well for a shadow, screech once again. King called out Zetsubo, who raised his arms to block the blast, grunting but luckily didn't hurt as much. Unfortunately she felt the need to keep screaming, the wind pushing the two back. All they could do was just hold out until Sukunda wore off. After about two more burst of wind, they felt themselves losing the sluggish feeling. Blocking one more blast, the two split up, King getting behind her while Zetsubo taking the front.

Zetsubo forced her to react when he breathed an icy wind towards her, screaming to counter it. King wasted no time stabbing her in the back. It yelled as it shot straight into the ceiling. Zetsubo followed up, slashing upwards splitting the shadow in half. A black pudding formed before disappearing. All the damage to room took returned to normal, the static gone as well. King sighed before fist pumping.

Nice! That was a lot easier! He grinned at Zetsubo. I guess you could say, it was over cause the fat lady sang, huh? Zetsubo simply stared, but King could telling he was holding back a groan. He tapped his chin before punching his palm. How about, she really blew us away! Huh?

Please… Zetsubo finally groaned as he dispersed.

I thought you were suppose to be me? Your not fun… King pouted. Leaving the room, he crossed his arms, noticing that some of the walls lost it's static. Ah! Seems I was right. If I keep up the static will disappear. If that happens, then maybe her show will come on!

King ran off, feeling more determined to indirectly save her. After searching high and low, even checking the dining hall where he sadly didn't find that monkey, he decided to check the hot springs. Walking towards the hot springs, he noticed that the hallway leading up to it was heavily filled with static. Deciding this was right direction, he kept going, right on the money noticing the same pink kimono by the door, another woman in a purple kimono bowing to her. King followed after her, only to be pushed back by the woman in purple.

"My apologies, but the spring is currently under maintenance." The woman said, her mouth clearing up. The mouth curled into a smile as King stared.

But I didn't get any negative thoughts. How can she see me? King thought as he backed away from the lady.

"Oh dear are you getting rowdy? I'm sorry but we reserve the right not to serve if you cause such a ruckus." She said, seemingly feeling bad as she puts a hand on her cheek. " I'm sorry but I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Just like that, her body became filled with static. This time however, the static began to grow, taking the shape becoming more bird like. The crackling of white noise louder as it's wings spread out. The static finally cleared revealing a black avian. It had traces or purple feathers around it's neck. The biggest problem though was it's wings.

King felt himself begin to sweat. Unlike the rest of the other shadows, none of them had what this one had. It's wings was surging with electricity, each feather crackling prepared to be sent at him. He wasn't trying to joke but couldn't help but think of a certain phrase from a certain echidna.

Oh no.

A/N: I didn't think it would take so long to come back to writing. Between New year's and my friend coming down to visit, I never a much time to get around to it. Luckily when he left this only took me about 4 hours? (Not counting when I was goofing off) Well let's start this new years strong.

After all is said and done I appreciate the ones who made it this far. I truly do. My new years revolution is to start posting at least 3-4 chapters a month and actually start that persona 3 story but baby steps. Anyway till next time