"Hmm"

'Anything wrong?'

"It's just the title. Is she an actual princess?"

'Well...'

She isn't

'Not quite'

"Hmm"

The author doesn't own Persona 4, which belongs to it's creators. The author only owns the original ideas and original characters

Chapter 8:Princess Yukiko

Souji

He looked at the screen in shock. What was on the screen was not the staticy image before, but something that looked like a TV show. With Yukiko dressed up in a pink ballgown, decorated with roses. She wore pink arm-length gloves and a golden tiara. While coming to terms with what he was looking at, Yukiko twirled around, holding a microphone to her mouth.

"Good evening!", she said cheerfully.

He blinked in surprise. This Yukiko seemed far more peppy than the reserved Yukiko he knew.

"Welcome to Not a Dream, Not a Hoax: Princess Yukiko's hunt for her Prince Charming!".

He raised an eyebrow. What?

"And I came prepared~!", Yukiko chirped sweetly, before doing something that she showed no embarrassment or hesitation in doing. She put a hand over her groin, before the camera panned up to her cleavage.

His other eyebrow immediately joined the first.

"I've got my lacy unmentionables stacked from top to bottom! And my heart is ready to go!," she cried out, forming her hands in a heart shape over her chest as the camera zoomed out.

"I'm out to catch a whole harem, and the best of the lot is going to be all mine!", she said, before turning around.

"Well, gotta go!", she called out, before running towards the castle in the background. The TV screen went black immediately after, and the room was silent.

PI PI PI PI PI PI!

He calmly lifted his phone.

"Yes?"

"H-Hey, did you see that!?", Yosuke asked from the other end.

He was silent for a moment, before answering.

"Yeah. It was Amagi-san for sure"

"Well, yeah it looked like her. But the things she said...Yukiko-san would never say things like that"

"Lacy unmentionables...", he muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Focus!"

"It was different this time"

"Yeah, it looked like some low budget TV show. It wasn't like this before"

"So, have you tried to contact Amagi-san?"

"Oh, uh, I don't have her number"

"...Have you tried contacting Chie?"

"Oh, good idea. She can contact Yukiko-san. Tomorrow's Sunday, so let's meet up in the Junes Food Court" "Got it"

Crystal

The living room was silent for a moment as the TV screen went black.

"Was it like this before?", Florence asked, an eyebrow raised.

"No. It wasn't", she said slowly. "Which begs the question, what in the world was that?", she asked, looking at her brother.

Her brother sighed, closing his eyes.

"I could tell you, but you're too young"

"I'm your older sister!"

"And I am three years older than you", Florence said calmly, getting up and walking away.

She frowned before laying down on the ground. What in heavens did she mean by harem?

Souji

He closed the door, still feeling guilty about leaving Nanako home alone, before walking to Junes. On the way, he saw two familiar faces.

"Well, where do we go?"

"Junes seems a good a bet as any"

. He walked up to Crystal and Florence, who were too busy in their conversation to notice him.

"Hey".

They turned to him in surprise.

"Oh, hey Souji".

Crystal was wearing a green pinafore over a black shirt, and a short green skirt. She had bandages wrapped around her fists. Florence on the other hand was wearing a black suit with a green tie, looking crisp and prim. With the suit on, he seemed to look a bit older.

"You're right about Junes. Yosuke told us to meet at the food court".

Florence glanced at Crystal.

"See?"

"Whatever. Let's get to Junes".

They started to walk, Florence walking ahead. Crystal walked behind him.

"So...You saw last night's Midnight Channel, right?", Crystal asked.

He nodded.

"You mind telling me what in the world Yukiko was talking about? Florence wouldn't tell me".

He glanced at Crystal, thinking she was joking, only to see a genuinely curious expression on her face. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I don't think I should tell you..."

Yosuke walked into the Junes food court a few minutes after they had sat down at the table. His hands were behind his back, and he was grinning.

"Sorry for the hold up", Yosuke said.

"What took you?", he asked.

Yosuke's smile got wider.

"Well, I found some stuff in the closet at home we could use", Yosuke said, before showing what was behind his back.

A katana and a nata.

"Our Persona's are good, but a golf club is hardly a good weapon. So, which one do you want?"

"I'd prefer the katana, but that's not the point. You can't carry weapons out in public!", he hissed.

Crystal was looking at Yosuke in surprise, while Florence was giving him a bland look.

"Don't worry, the blades are fake. As for me...perhaps both?".

Yosuke then started to swing the blades around, ignoring the looks they were giving him.

Florence apparently had enough.

"Enough! Stop swinging those around", Florence said, before grabbing the blades away.

"Hey! Why'd you do that?"

"Because you shouldn't swing swords around like a lunatic, or else you'll attract-", Crystal stopped as a police officer suddenly walked towards them. Florence hid the blades behind his back.

"Alright, you there! Stop what you're doing and put you're hands up!", the cop said.

Yosuke immediately started waving his hands.

"We weren't doing anything"

"A-Are you resisting an officer of the law? Put you're hands up now!", the cop ordered.

He nudged Yosuke before he could dig them in deeper, before putting his hands up, looking at Florence.

He could see them being dragged to the police station. He hoped Dojima wasn't there. Yosuke and Crystal followed suit. The cop looked at Florence, who sighed before putting his arms up...sans the blades.

He and Yosuke looked at him in surprise.

"As you can see, we were doing nothing suspicious", Florence said calmly. The cop seemed to be at a loss for words, and another, older cop walked up to them.

"Are you bothering people again?", the older cop asked. The younger one scratched the back of his head sheepishly. The older cop sighed, before turning to them.

"Sorry about my partner. He can get jittery sometimes. You kids should be careful. Haven't you heard about the recent deaths? Tensions are running", the cop said, before walking away, followed by the younger cop. They only relaxed when the cops were out of sight.

"...That was close. Sorry about that", Yosuke said nervously. He sighed.

"It's fine".

Yosuke nodded before turning to Florence.

"What in the world did you do?"

"A sleight of hand". He looked at Florence in surprise.

"A sleight of hand? How?", Yosuke asked.

Florence just smiled. "A magician never reveals their secrets".

Florence then took out a coin from his pocket, before holding it in front of them. He rolled it around his fingers, and opening his hands. No coin.

"Check your pocket", Florence told him.

He raised an eyebrow, before putting his hand in his pocket...and finding a coin.

He looked at the coin in shock for a moment, before looking at Florence. Florence had a small smile.

"Whoa...", Yosuke said.

Crystal punched her brother's shoulder.

"Stop showing off".

"There you guys are!".

They turned to see Chie running up to them.

"Chie? What's wrong?", Yosuke asked.

"I went to Yukiko's house, and she isn't there!", she yelled.

"Then she really is in the TV", he said.

"You guys have to let me go with you!", Chie pleaded.

"What?"

"I see no reason for her not to join", Florence said.

"...Fine. But you have to stay behind us and listen. I'm serious, that place is dangerous", Yosuke warned.

Chie just nodded.

"You think you can give us back our weapons?", Yosuke asked.

"...", Florence was silent, before taking out something from behind his back. Said something was revealed to be a broken katana.

"I had to do it quickly. It's hard to hid something that large", Florence defended himself.

Yosuke groaned.

"Great. Now where are we gonna get weapons?".

Chie perked up. "Weapons? I know just the place!"

"Here we are!", Chie announced.

They were standing in front of a shop in the shopping district, called Daidara's Metalworks. He could hear the sound of hammering from the inside.

"A metalworks?", Crystal said.

Yosuke turned to Chie.

"How in the world do you know about this place? Oh, I get it. You watched one too many kung-fu movies, and-"

"That's not it! I just overheard two guys talking about it at school!", Chie said.

"Well, let's not just stand in front of the store", he said, before entering the store.

They walked up to the counter.

"Is anyone here?", he asked.

There was a pause in the hammering, before someone grunted.

"Be right there".

A man suddenly stepped from the back, and stood behind the counter. He was an old man, with orange hair and a large X-shaped scar across his face. He was wearing a large thick apron, and had a piece of scrap metal in his hands. The man regarded them.

"The name's Daidara. I'm the master of this metalworks, dedicated to making works of art. Why are you here?".

They glanced at each other. Just telling him that they wanted to buy weapons seemed like a bad idea.

"W-Well-"

"We were just going to train. Spar you know", Crystal said.

Daidara glanced at her, before staring at him, cupping his chin.

"You taken kendo before?", Daidara asked.

He nodded. Daidara grunted.

"I see. So you want to continue. Let me see...This should do it".

Daidara handed him a sheathed katana.

"It's just an imitation keep in mind, so the blade is dulled. Now then, you with the headphones"

"Me?", Yosuke asked.

Daidara just nodded.

Yosuke stepped up nervously. Daidara scanned him, before grunting and taking something from beneath the counter.

"Here", Daidara said, tossing Yosuke a pair of monkey wrenches.

"Wrenches?", Yosuke asked.

"I wouldn't trust you with anything sharp yet", Daidara said. Yosuke made a face, but said nothing.

Chie stepped up.

"Anything for me?".

Daidara stared at her, before giving her some steel-toed boots.

"You're a martial artist. Think you can use these?".

Chie just smiled and nodded.

"And what about you two?, Daidara said, looking at Florence and Crystal.

Crystal shook her head, cracking her knuckles.

"I use my fists. I don't need anything"

"Neither do I".

Daidara just shrugged. "Suit yourself. Now then, as for the price...Just because I feel good today, I'll give you a discount. 6,000 yen total". He just nodded and paid for the items, ignoring his now empty wallet.

"We'll head to the electronics department. You try to carry that thing around town without getting in trouble", Yosuke said, still looking at his monkey wrenches, while Chie bounced around in her boots. Everybody left, leaving him with Daidara.

"Here", Daidara said, handing him a case," that should hold it. Free of cost".

He thanked Daidara and walked to the door.

"Hey kid! If you find any rare materials, go ahead and sell them to me. I'm always looking for new things to make art with, so if you find something you think I've never seen before, I'll make something special out of it", Daidara smiled.

He nodded, before walking out the door.

As he walked out the door, he suddenly felt something in his pocket. He pulled it out, and found a familiarly blue colored key. That wasn't there before...He shielded his eyes as a flash of light suddenly blinded him. He blinked away spots, before looking at the odd blue colored door on the wall that was most definitely not there before. He looked around. Nobody seemed to notice it.

"So it finally begins...", a voice echoed in his head, "Now if you'll give me a moment of your time".

The key started to glow, and he heard the sound of a doorknob turning before white filled his eyes.

When the light waned, he found himself in the Velvet Room. Margaret and Igor were there as always, but somebody else was here to. Somebody he recognized. Asides from the blue hat and handbag, she was wearing the exact same outfit, and she looked at him with an unfriendly face. It was definitely the girl from the train station. Why was she here?

"We have been expecting you", Igor started, still grinning with that mad glint in his eye.

"The catastrophe that is headed your way...It has already taken human lives in its approach towards you. But you have nothing to fear. You already have the power to fight against it. It seems the time for you to use your Persona has come"

"Your Persona ability is that of the Wild Card. If you strengthen your bonds properly, their power will help you overcome any ordeal. Our role is to facilitate that", Margaret stated.

"My contribution is to give birth to new Personas. By mixing together multiple Persona cards, I can transmute them into new form. In other words, it is the fusion of Personas. You have the power to hold multiple Persona, and to use them accordingly", Igor said.

He remained silent, trying to take it all in.

"When you defeat an enemy, the seeds of possibility you attain will appear before you as cards. At times, they may be hard to grasp, but you must master your fear and reach out to them. When you obtain new cards, please do not hesitate to bring them here. If you have been developing your Social Links, then your Personas will accordingly grow".

It would seem these Social Links were very important.

"They will be your chief sources of strength. You would do well to take this to heart".

...Could Igor read minds? Igor glanced at Margaret, who cleared her throat before opening the tome she always held.

"The tome you see in my hand is the Persona Compendium. You may register Persona within it to recall them at any time. For a price of course", Margaret stated.

"Oh, and one more thing. I would like to introduce the newest resident of the Velvet Room, who will be helping you on your journey", Margaret said, turning to the girl.

The girl just gave an unfriendly 'hmph'.

Margaret frowned. "...Marie?".

So that was her name.

"Yeah, I can hear", Marie snapped at Margaret.

"Nice to meet you", Marie told him.

He ignored the rudeness, and just stared at her.

"...Do you remember me?", he asked.

"Huh?" "We've met before", he stated.

"Hmm Ohhh...Maybe. That would explain why you're so familiar", Marie said, making a face.

Margaret sighed.

"Please excuse Marie. Her soul is very young, and-"

"Shut up! Don't tell him anymore about me than you need to!"

"As you can see", Margaret continued, pursing her lips, "She can be brusque at times. Please understand that she is only an apprentice and forgive her impoliteness".

He nodded. He didn't mind. It was a refreshing change from Igor and Margaret.

"Marie will be dealing with 'Skill Cards'", Margaret explained, "Using these cards will allow you to provide you're Personas with new powers. I'm sure she will also help you form a bind between yourself and the 'outside world'. Marie will contact you at a later date. Please feel free to speak with her when you wish to use her services".

Marie just huffed and looked at the floor.

"Do you recall my words to you before?", Igor asked.

"Which ones?"

"'The coming year is a turning point in your destiny'. If the mystery goes unsolved, you future may be forever lost. I meant precisely what I said. Defeat in battle is not only way your journey may come to an end...Please do not forget this", Igor said warningly.

"I won't".

Igor's grin widened. "When we meet again, you will come here of you're own free will. Until then...".

Florence

He watched as Souji walked towards them.

"Dude, what took you so long?", Yosuke asked.

"Something came up", Souji said, before walking up to the TV.

"Ready?".

Everyone nodded, and Souji quickly stuck his hand in the TV, before entering, followed by everyone else.

His second landing into the TV world was far more graceful than the first. And Yosuke managed not to land flat on his face.

He watched as the bear from before walked out of the fog.

"Hey Teddie", Yosuke said, putting on a pair of glasses.

"What's going on?"

"Can't you tell? I'm thinking. About stuff. I've been deli-bear-ating over it for a long time now", Teddie said with a frown. Then he started to chuckle. "Oh, that was a good one". He internally sighed. Chie interrupted.

"This is no time for jokes! Where's Yukiko!?. Has a girl been in here since yesterday?"

"Wow, a girl with a better nose than me? What's your name?"

"Oh, uh, Chie. But never mind that! Tell me, has anybody been here?"

"Yeah. After you guys left, somebody was tossed in here"

"Is it Yukiko!?"

"I don't know. I didn't try to find them. Who's Yukiko?"

"Just tell me where they are!".

Teddie nervously pointed in a direction, and Chie ran off.

"Damn it Chie! Get back here!", Yosuke yelled. They quickly followed her before she could get too far ahead.

He looked at where they ended up. A large castle. Chie was similarly surprised.

"What!? A castle?"

"It was in the background of Yukiko's Midnight Channel", Souji noted.

Crystal had closed her eyes, but was grinning like a maniac. Woe betide anything that tried to attack her sister.

"Hey, Teddie? Is this place like before? With Senpai?"

"Yeah. This is reality for those who are here"

"So, was someone filming here for the Midnight Channel?".

"I don't think that's it", Souji said.

Teddie confirmed his statement.

"What's this filming thing?".

Yosuke sighed.

"Okay, well if it isn't being filmed, then what's causing it?"

"Maybe we're just seeing what's happening. Like a window", he mused.

Souji and Yosuke looked at him.

"That sounds plausible", Souji said.

"I mean, a TV screen's basically glass, right?", Crystal said.

"But the first time Yukiko appeared, she was still in our world", Souji noted.

"I can't explain that", he said, shaking his head.

He looked back at the castle. If he concentrated enough, he could feel shadows moving inside the castle. Whether they were shadows or Shadows remained to be seen.

"That wasn't Yukiko".

They looked at Chie.

"Yukiko would never say things like that. I mean, 'score myself a hot stud'? She'd never say that!"

"Yeah, I couldn't believe it either. Yukiko-san would never say stuff like that. I wonder...Is this like what happened to me?", Yosuke mused.

"I don't know what you guys are talking about, but I think this 'channel' you're talking about is created because of the person who appears on it", Teddie suggested.

"So you're saying Yukiko made it?", Souji asked.

Teddie nodded.

"What's this 'scoring with a hot stud thing'?", Teddie asked.

"Yukiko's inside this castle, right?", Chie asked, ignoring Teddie.

They probably should of seen it coming, but before they could do anything, Chie ran inside.

"Not again! Get back here Chie!".

Author: And we enter Yukiko's Castle. Those who played Persona 4 know what's about to happen. Remember to review and give constructive criticism. No flames. Just in case though, I need to get that asbestos...