Oh~ I'm so glad that I've gotten so much positive feedback with such equally positive and down-right amazing characters! All of them look very cool and I'm very impressed with how everyone created their OCs! I'm just surprised that a lot of you guys out there went out for the Death Arcana (You know who you people are, LOL) And also, I may have had to change a few Arcana due to some having more than one. But no worries, every character submitted earned a spot! But either way, thanks so much! All of you have helped me so much! Now, to start this off, let me feature who will be in this fic~!

Shiro Takeba (Aragaki)- Owned by myself! Arcana: Fool

Taiga Sagara- Owned by der kapitan. Arcana: Moon

Rai Shinguji- Owned by Mzr90. Arcana: Emperor

Takato Akatsuki- Owned by Chaoslord680. Arcana: Chariot

T.C Goto- Owned by a-Goto. Arcana: Sword (Better known as King of Swords)

Jecht Meguro- Owned by GoldenandSilver. Arcana: Sun

Miranda Amell- Owned by Izanagi. Arcana: Priestess

Kaguya Hiroka- Owned by KO. Arcana: Pierrot

Cecilia D'Entropie- Owned by BlackenedOrchid. Arcana: Empress

Yume Shirayuki- Owned by Sennin. Arcana: Lovers

Kanbei Tokugawa- Owned by Phil The Persona Guy. Arcana: Death

Sebastian Lawson (Chernov)- Owned by AstraFlare. Arcana: Hanged Man

Sarah Cousland- Owned by King of hearts. Arcana: Strength

Ryuuji Luricaso- Owned by Darkhaso90. Arcana: Devil

Seymour Laurent- Owned by Torataro. Arcana: Fortune

Sora Dunois- Owned by DeathOverLord. Arcana: Hierophant

Shuma Inoue- Owned by LilSweetMocha. Arcana: Hermit

Lukarya Andrews- Owned by Windraider. Arcana: Aeon

Sakaki Leonhardt- Owned by BladeoftheEclipse. Arcana: Judgment

Kurai Matsuda- Owned by Atomic Slayer Ver.2.0 Omega. Arcana: Magician

Yukino "Yuki" Hime- Owned by ViperMT. Arcana: Star

And, done! Whew, what a list, ne? I have the World, Temperance, and Omen Arcana reserved, so that completes the whole OC list. Please, do not send any more. We have enough already. Thanks again! All of these characters are super and simply amazing!

I've got a drawing of Shiro, Zero, and Osiris done, too! If you guys wanna see it, head over to my FanFiction profile page and use the link to my DeviantART. Shiro's pic should be the newest in the gallery and the pic also happens to be the cover of the story~!

And also, just like my original Persona 4 fic, I will show you all the opening that goes along with it, just like Persona 4: The Animation. The song is titled "Hikari no Yukue" (The Light's Whereabouts) by Savage Genius, which I own nothing of. Please, do enjoy.

*As a small chorus sings, a white full moon and night sky is hidden behind Gekkoukan High School. The tune of a violin is heard with a Spanish-guitar appeal and a figure is shown, playing the violin with skill. The sky and moon suddenly turn an eerie green and the school is suddenly turned into Tartarus. Doves by the thousands wipe over the screen and the opening title is presented*

~Yaketsuku hizashi no moto,

Kimi wa nani omou?

Urei no hitomi wa ima,

Nani o utsusu?~

*Shiro stands in a empty black space with Zero sitting by his feet. As his glasses slip to the bump of his nose, Zero places Shiro's evoker he has in his mouth in his hand and Shiro pats his head. He fingers the barrel of the gun before he sighs and points it to his head. His glasses slip off*

~Umareta yorokobi sae,

Kumoridasu sekai de,

Deaeta kiseki dake wa,

Wasurenaide~

*A close-up on his glasses are shown, and in the reflection is a six-year-old Shiro. He looks in his hand and he holds his hourglass pendant. As it spins, a distraught and regretful-looking Shinjiro stands next to him, ruffling his hair before walking away. The younger Shiro widens his eyes, turning and chasing, after the man. Just as he touches the man's hand, the latter turns into a crystalline-figure before breaking and turning into many shards. As they blow on his face, little Shiro begins to silently cry*

~Mayowazu ni irareru no nara,

Step by step tayasui darou,

Kaze no you ni~

*An older Shiro is now walking in along the streets of Tatsumi Port-Island, Zero attached to a harness with the both of them laughing. A light shines on Shiro's eyes and he's in the dark space again, the Velvet Key held in his hand. He spots the door to the Velvet Room and the doors open before him*

~Ikusen no namida o koe akatsuki no kouya o yuku,

Itsuka kizu wa ieru kara. . .Saa. . .

Trust myself~

~Don't be afraid,

Kawaru koto wa osoreru koto ja nai,

Kimi ga kimi de aru naraba.

Will be with you.~

*A mighty wind blows and his eyes squint as Igor and two male twins with blonde hair and gold eyes appear. The twins smile and bow politely while Igor grins and tosses several tarot cards. The cards sweep around Shiro like a typhoon and they all blow off and form a blue orb, one tarot card remaining in Shiro's hand. With a determined look, Shiro tosses the card at the typhoon and it forms into Osiris. Red eyes meet mismatched eyes and the two nod as Shiro pulls out his evoker, holding it up with both pointer fingers on the trigger. He looks up with a fiery glare as the ground begins to shake. Tartarus appears and with the shadow of the tower looming over him, Shiro runs forward with Zero on one side and Osiris on the other*

~Odayaka na hi o yumemite. . .

Michinaki tabiji wa tsuzuku~

*As he takes a leap, Shiro whips out his scythe and he lashes out at an unknown enemy, the screen wiping back to the violin player, who is revealed to be Sebastian. Looking once, he turns his back with a curled lip and continues to play his violin as millions of doves fly into the air, Shiro looking from below with white feathers raining upon him, tears rolling down his cheeks*

~Kawaita daichi wo keri netsu wo tokihanate,

Sadame wa kirisakeba ii kokoro no mama~

*Shiro sits on the steps to the dorm, writing some down. Sarah, Cecilia, and Taiga look over his shoulders and hug him from behind, Shiro jumping and laughing with the three as he stumbles back. He trips over a sleeping T. C, who glares at him before rolling his eyes and going back to sleep, Kanbei standing by and pinching the bridge of his nose with his eyes rolling, too. As Shiro regains he balance, both Rai and Jecht run pass him laughing, Shiro watching them with a smile*

~Harewataru sora ga konna ni mo,

Day by day utsukushii no wa,

Yami wo shiru kara~

*Takato is show having a game of bloody knuckles against Sora, the both of them refusing to lose. Seymour and Yume watch them, Yume shaking her head and crossing her arms with Seymour laughing yet still worrying about the two. The scene wipes over to Kaguya on the fourth floor of the dorm, writing down something while Miranda, Yuki, and Lukarya watching him curiously. It then draws to Zero sleeping with a white kitten on his head, the smaller animal trying to wake up the sleeping pooch*

~Ikusen no namida wo koe,

Soukyuu no kouya wo yuku, Samayou kinou ni shuumaku wo sou. . .

Ray of light.

Subete wo aisuru ni wa,

Amari ni mikanseisugite, Mogaku koto mo naku tachitsukusu,

'Sometimes wanna cry. . .~

*The Dark Hour strikes and Shuma gazes off from the top window, Kurai walking to the control panel of the room before powering the Shadow alarm. From down below, Sakaki cocks his brow at a shroud of Shadows surrounding him before he whips out his evoker and shoots himself, summoning his Persona. Rai, Sarah, and Kanbei come from behind and they shoot themselves, summoning their own Personas. As everyone else is following them in suit, the original members of SEES appear from atop of the dorm roof with their own Personas. As everyone rages in battle, Shinjiro is seen in the shadows, his eyes narrowing as the screen focuses on his pocket watch with a reflection on Shiro, the latter staring at him with curious eyes. When Shiro makes a step to get closer to him, Shinjiro turns and bats one hand behind him, disappearing in a flash of light. Shiro's wrist is suddenly captured by the tail of a whip and he pulled back*

~Itoshiki hikari no yukue~

*Grabbed by the waist, Shiro looks and meets Ryuuji's mixed-colored eyes. With hooded eyes and his hand on Shiro's chin, Ryuuji closes in on Shiro's face with his eyes closing, Shiro looking shocked yet dolce. Sweeping black feathers surround them before their lips meet and black ravens wipe across the screen.*

*As the chorus sings again, Shiro is now seen falling down in the black, empty void, watching with sad eyes as he the rest of team fall off with him. One by one, everyone else is turned into white feathers and they all twirl around Shiro, the boy gathering them in his hands and closing his eyes as his pendant spins and bright light shines*

~Yorokobi no shirabe arasoi no nageki,

Kanashiki kana futatsu de hitotsu,

Sore demo aa. . .

Inochi wa tsuzuku no~

*As the second team of SEES move ito a new area, Shiro spots something and he walks into a room glowing a bright blue. In two, large caskets, he can see two bodies dressed in white. He looks to the woman of the two, touches his face, and jumps when a hand touches his own. He looks to his side and catches his father's hard gaze. Before he could speak, Shinjiro disappears and Shiro is suddenly chained by the ankles and he's now in a church that has the interior of the Velvet Room*

~Ikusen no namida wo koe omoi wa kouya wo yuku,

Itsuka kizu wa ieru kara saa. . .

Trust myself~

*Shiro now sits at the alter of the church, ankles chained and himself dressed in a white robe with his hair undone, smiling sadly as he watches his younger-self run off with his father, Zero as a puppy, and a red-brown-haired woman. The moon shines light through the window and Shiro holds out his hands and forms a dove made out of the blue moonlight. He pets it before it flies off and Shiro stands just as his shadow is replaced by Shinjio's, the shadow ready to pull the trigger on his evoker. A close-up is done on Shiro's eyes as they both glow blue*

~Subete wo aisuru ni wa amari ni mikansei dakedo,

Kimi ga kimi de aru naraba,

Will be with you.

Itoshiki hikari yume mite harukana tabiji wa tsuzuku ~

*As Tartarus appears, Taiga, Rai, Jecht, Takato, Kaguya, Cecilia, Yume, Kanbei, Miranda, and Sebastian are seen running to it on one side, while Ryuuji, Sarah, Yuki, Sora, Kurai, Sakaki, Shuma, Seymour, and Lukarya coming from the other side, all of them reaching the gates. At the top of Tartarus, Shiro is seen being led by Heru, the younger with his sadden grin just as two apparitions of Shinjiro and the unknown woman walk past him. Shiro tries to reach to them but Heru leads him on into a light. At the last moments, a close up is done on Shiro's lips, the two turning into a sadden smile with tears rolling down. As the violin music plays, various wipes of everyone's faces are shown before white feathers swoop in and Shiro's pendant spins on it's on before dropping and creating a small spark of light, the screen fading into black*

Whew! That was long! Now on with the story, I say! Lets get this chapter rolling!

Disclaimer: Anything from Persona does not belong to me, sadly enough.

~Chapter One: Time to Wake Up!~

(Day One. April 1st. 3:00 PM. Moon phase: Full)

~ Shiro's Status~

Intelligence: Average

Charm: Adequate

Bravery: Timid

Understanding: Minimum

*I am thou. . .*

Gasping and wheezing, the sixteen-year-old with dull-hazel-colored hair clutched his head suddenly, gritting his teeth as his head began to throb.

"Shiro?"

Thou art I. . .*

"Shiro! Shiro, what's wrong?"

Snapping his heterochromatic eyes open, Shiro Takeba took a few deep breaths before he felt a hand shaking his shoulder.

"Shiro, are you alright?" Looking to his side, he stared at Yukari Takeba, his caretaker, and he gave a sheepish smile.

"Y-Yes. I guess I just had a little, er. . . Train lag?" he reasoned, laughing at his own weak joke. Yukari looked over the long-haired, well-dressed young man before smiling herself.

"Well, as long as you're OK." She agreed. Nodding, Shiro picked up the book he dropped on the floor, and he flipped it to the cover, the book being, 'Oliver Twist.' Even if it was a rather difficult book, he still liked to read it. Reading about a young boy who never knew his parents, going through a difficult life, yet at the end, he finds ultimate happiness.

Sighing and smiling, Shiro's eyes caught sight of a man-made island just past the many buildings of Iwatodai City. Besides the giant buildings with many stories, he could also see crowning sakura trees that were coming into full-bloom, the sky creating the perfect real-life painting.

"Okaasan, is that Gekkoukan High?" he asked, pointing out the window. Yukari nodded, smiling fondly.

"Yes, it really looks nice during the day time." she commented.

"What, it doesn't look nice during nighttime?" Joked Shiro, watching as the train passed by and moved onto more taller buildings. His caretaker went quiet, and the young man looked at her, noticing that she was biting her lip, "Okaasan?"

Yukari shook her head and forced a smile on her lips, "Ah, what? Sorry, I was just thinking about. . . Something else. Oh look, we're at the station already." she said, just as the train pulled into a dark tunnel and came out into a busy station.

*Now arriving at the last stop. Iwatodai, Tatsumi Port Island. This will be the final stop. To all you new comers, hello, and welcome to Tatsumi Port Island.*

Once the train pulled to a stop, the two picked up their carry-ons and they walked off the train, now searching for the rest of their luggage.

"H-Hey, get back here! Look out! This crazy mutt's off it's leash!"

Several people yelled and let out curses as something big tore past them, wild snuffs and barks being let out by the being. Stopping, Shiro let out a laugh and he crouched slightly, slapping both his thighs.

"Zero! Come here, boy!" he called, placing both his pinkies in his mouth and creating a loud whistle. There was a loud yip and a blur of black, brown, and white tackled the high school student.

"Someone, help that boy! He's being mauled by a bear!"

"Call 9-1-1!"

"Call animal control!"

"Ha-ha-ha! Please, ev-everyone- st-stop, Zero, I-m gl-gla-ha-ha-ha! -Glad to see you, b-buddy!" Laughing as the bear of a dog licked at his face, Shiro managed to have the gaint Bernese Mountain dog sit on his lap, patting his head with his glasses hanging off his nose awkwardly, "It's alright, everyone. It's only my dog. Please, go back to your everyday lives."

Either relived or bored that the commotion was nothing serious, people went back to walking and Yukari came out of the crowd with their luggage and a few luggage men along with her.

"I-I'm sorry, young man. Your dog bounded out of his cage before we could slip on a leash." apologized one of the men. Fixing his glasses to balance on the bridge of his nose, Shiro sat on his knees and wrapped his arms around Zero's neck, pressing his cheek against his dog's neck.

"It's fine. Zero just hates it when we're separated for too long. We just came from Inuba and the ride was very long. Guess he wanted to see me really quick. That, and this guy hates regular leashes. Ain't that right, Zero?" he asked, scratching the dog behind the ears. Zero nuzzled into his master's hand and he gave a small whine. Chuckling, Shiro pulled off his duffle bag and unzipped it, pulling out a red dog harness and leash. Zero snuffled happily as he helped Shiro slip the harness on him and attach the leash.

"A-Ah, I see," stuttered the luggage man, though still looking very afraid of the large dog, "Well, your cab is waiting for you two. Madam, we'll take your belongings." he said to Yukari, he and the other men already at work. Once all of them were ready, Shiro, Zero, and Yukari, followed the men out of the station and to their waiting taxi. Once all packed and seated, the yellow car was off.

"Alright, Shiro. Once we drop you off at the dorm, be sure to call me as soon as you can, presumably after dinner. Are you sure you have everything?" asked Yukari. Shiro nodded as Zero rested his furry head on his lap.

"Yes, Okaasan, "He took a small look outside the window, "This place really is different from Inuba. And it's the first time I've ever been away from home, too." he said. Yukari smiled and she patted the young student's head.

"Just. . . Oh, Shiro, I'm just being worried now. I'm still not sure about this." She said. The gray-brunette chuckled and smiled kindly.

"It's fine, Okaasan. The dorms' only a half-hour train ride from your apartment. And besides, you went to Gekkoukan yourself and you said it was an amazing school. I really do want to get my grades ready for college. Please, don't worry, I'll be fine." he assured. Sighing herself, Yukari nodded.

"Alright. Just be sure to be careful and be good, alright?" she asked. Shiro nodded and Zero suddenly let out a bark, pawing at the window. The two looked and they saw that they were already in front of the dorms, the same that Yukari had lived in her high school days.

The building was towering with four floors, counting the roof as well. It gave a homely appeal that only a few buildings had. Yukari pulled Shiro into a hug and kissed the top of his head.

"I'll see you during Golden Week, alright?" she asked.

"Of course, Okaasan. I'll see you then, Come on, Zero." said Shiro, he and his dog stepping out of the cab and unloading Shiro's wheeled suitcase and duffle bag. He waved to his guardian as the cab drove off and he looked up at the dorms, taking in a breath.

"Well," He gripped Zero's leash tighter, "lets get through this, Zero."

Giving a bark, Zero led his owner up the steps and the mixed-eye-colored teen knocked on the wooden double doors. Blinking when no one answered, Shiro reached into his pocket and pulled out the spare key he was sent when his acceptance latter of Gekkoukan High came in the mail. He pushed the doors open and he and his dog stepped in.

"D-Dog? NOOOO! K-Keep it away!"

Shiro jumped at the abrupt scream and he only managed to catch sight of slightly orange hair and a small stature before the person ran up the stairs with the sound of a shutting door. Zero let out a yip and Shiro tilted his head.

"Huh, what was-oh, it's was your dog."

Looking up, Shiro saw that now coming down the stairs was a girl his age with peach-tone skin. Her eyes were a deep color of forest-green and her and slight curly black hair was complimented with sky-blue highlights and she was dressed in the Gekkoukan High uniform, but with a scarf around her neck, her ears pierced with pearl earrings, and various bracelets on her wrists.

"Sorry about that. Yuki-san has a little dislike for dogs," she said before smiling, "Hi, you must be another of our newest students. My name's Taiga Sagara, nice to meet you." she said.

"I'm Shiro Takeba, and this is Zero. It's nice to meet you, Sagara-san." said Shiro politely.

"No need to be formal, we're all- OK, I'd be lying if I said we're all friends around here- But, I can tell you that you'll be making friends around here, at least a few, I guess. Anyway, just call me Taiga, alright, Shiro-san?" asked the highlighted-haired girl. Once he nodded in return, the girl smiled at his dog, "Can I pet him? I don't see why Yuki was afraid of this one. He's big, but he acts so calm." she said.

"When he's on his harness, he is. Oh, and yes, you may," said Shiro, Taiga already at work with petting the tri-colored dog, "By the way, how many otherstudents are here, and where are they, Taiga-san? This place seems so quiet."

"Oh, well I know for sure that most of them are either probably getting food since it's a weekend and some others are just settling their things upstairs. And there's six of us, seven counting myself, living here at the moment. Come on, I'll give you a quick tour, and show you your room." said Taiga, standing up. Quite easily, she showed him the lounge, kitchen, the reception desk, the downstairs restroom, and she was soon leading him up the stairs.

"Now, here's something you should know. Kirijo-san- she's the one who watches over the dorm and she happens to be the head of the board of administration to Gekkoukan- has strict rules about the rooms around here. Due to space issues and lack of spare dorms, everyone living under this roof will be grouped into rooms with four people. Girls are the third floor, boys on the second. Both are allowed on either floor as long as they do not stay after ten o'clock. Eleven on weekends. No alcohol or smoking is permitted in the rooms and all pets, like Zero here, are not allowed unless they are permitted by Kirijo-san," explained Taiga as they made it to the second floor, "Now, your room should be three doors down. You'll be roomed with Akatsuki-san and Inoue-san."

"Wait, I thought you said there was no need to be formal with everyone?" asked Shiro.

"I also said I'd be lying if I said we were all friends around here. I'm not saying they're bad or anything but Akatsuki-san doesn't really socialize with anyone, and Inoue-san is just a very quite person. I'm guessing he's just shy," Taiga shrugged, "Either way, dinner's gonna be at seven-thirty and curfew is eleven." she said, already leading Shiro to his room.

"Well, thank-GAH!"

The both of them jumped when the cracking tail of a black whip snapped at Shiro's boot-clad feet, Zero giving a startled bark and Shiro nearly stumbling over the canine.

"Heh, I knew that would happen."

Because his glasses were knocked off him, Shiro couldn't tell who was standing in front of him.

"Luricaso-san! Would you put that away! You'll hurt someone with that!"

"That's the whole point in having it, Taiga-tan~"

Shiro felt Zero nudge his glasses into his hand and he thanked the dog before slipping his lenses on, looking up at the towering silverette before him.

Looking as old as Taiga and himself, the new boy had his silver-colored hair falling near his shoulders, his long and parted bangs nearly covering his crimson-red right eye. His other eye was a silver-blue. His silver hair brushed close to the dark blue scarf around his neck. The male smirked from above him, his eyes proudly looking over him.

"Like my whip, pip-squeak?"

Face coloring and cheeks puffing out annoyingly, Shiro stood up, his irritation only rising when he realized that the other male was a few inches taller then him. Curse his shortness.

"No, I certainly did not. And my name his Shiro, not pip-squeak. So please," he gritted his teeth, "Do not call me that."

The unknown teen's smirk only widen, and he chuckled darkly, "Would you believe it, Taiga-tan? The little dog-shit here has bark." he crackled. Shiro bit back the growl in his throat while Taiga narrowed her eyes at the other mismatched-eyed teen.

"Why don't you just leave the newbies alone, Ryuuji?" she snapped. Smirk still on and only chuckles coming from mouth, Ryuuji went walking back into a room that was two doors up.

"Nah, this one's too fun to mess with. Catch you at dinner, Taiga-tan and dog-shit." he laughed, closing the door behind him.

"Ohhhh! Just what's his problem!" snapped Shiro, his bangs astray and his eyes filled with anger.

"Don't let him get to you. Ryuuji's a weird guy, and he just likes to scare and creep everyone out. In fact, just stay away from him. I'm telling you this as a friend," said Taiga honestly. Shiro nodded, though he still looked angered, "Anyway, I'll see you at dinner. I suggest you get your things ready and get ready for dinner."

"I will. Thanks for helping me out, Taiga-san." said the lighter-brunette as he grabbed the doorknob.

"Anytime!" called Taiga, already up the stairs to the third floor. Smiling, Shiro pulled the door open and walked in.

"Oh, so you're our roommate."

Shiro now found himself in his room shared with two other boys already occupying the room. On the left side of the room was a poster-bed with black sheets and a few books and random boxes yet to be packed. There were also a few tools on the desk, along with other books. One the opposite side of the room was another bed with light blue sheets, a few posters of the planets along the wall, with books and papers stacked on the desk. On the bed to his right was a young man that looked a year younger than him with swept, pale-blonde that nearly covered his ice-blue eyes. He was looking at Shiro with a tilted head, a rather bored look on his face, a book of crossword puzzles on his lap with red and white headphones around his neck.

"Oh, yes I am," said Shiro, smiling, "My name's Shiro Takeba, and this is Zero. Nice to meet you."

The blonde nodded, placing down the crossword puzzle he was working on.

"I'm Shuma Inoue. And that, "He pointed to the other side of the room, "Is Takato Akatsuki."

Looking to his side, Shiro noticed that on the bed with black sheets was a Third-Year student that looked just as intimidating as Ryuuji.

Though he was sitting, he looked like he could be a foot taller than Shiro. His black hair was spiky and set at a few different angles and his red eyes held brutality. He also had a strong build with slight tan skin and a light stubble on his chin. The elder looked at him, then Zero before yawning and lying back on his bed.

"Um, nice to meet you as well. Akatsuki-san, yes?" asked the male Takeba, only having one red eye opened to him.

"Yeah, I'm Takato. Keep it down. I'm trying to," He yawned again at this point, though he could still muster up a glare, "I'm trying to get some shut-eye." Turning to his side, Takato went back to sleep.

"He says he's done but he still needs pack some things," sighed Shuma, placing his headphones back on his ears and returning to his crossword.

Shiro wanted to talk to them both, since he really did want to make friends as Taiga said, but his own yawn bubbled into his mouth. Blinking tiredly and deciding to take the third poster bed of the room, Shiro placed his things down and he un-strapped Zero from his harness. Pulling off and folding his glasses, the teen patted his lap and Zero hopped on, circling a few times before lying down at the head of the bed. Shiro pulled out the tie on his hair and he laid his head on his dog's shoulder and laughing softly when Zero's fluffed and wispy tail covered his stomach. In no time at all, he was already nodding off, Zero following.

Shuma looked at him for a while, making sure he was fast asleep, before looking at Takato.

"He's the new member, right? Just like the Chairman said?" he asked. Takato opened his eyes and nodded sleepily.

"Yeah. But I'm kinda doubting it. He looks like he's scared of his own shadow, no pun intended." he said with a yawn.

"Yet the Chairman say's he's very strong. You think he might have the potential?"

"It's possible. But then again, he is their son." Takato added seriously, "I still have my doubts, though. We won't know till tonight's meeting on what we're gonna do with him," Batting his hand, the black-haired roommate turned to his stomach, "Just don't worry about it now. Sheesh."

Sighing, Shuma returned to his puzzle, Shiro and Zero oblivious to what just occurred.

"Aigis, is everything ready?"

"Yes. Everything is in order and our companions should have a easy adjust since the graduation ceremony."

In one of the most busy and tallest skyscrapers of Iwatodai, a woman with long and slightly waved, rose petal-red hair and rouge-red eyes nodded with a slight smile on her crimson-red painted lips. The woman she had called Aigis, a young lady with crystal-blue eyes and pale-blonde cropped hair, was walking around her tremendous office, her feet making like pats while the red-haired woman looked at her with a cocked brow.

"Aigis, I'm starting to wonder if I should be the one worried here. Please, calm down or you'll make a dent in the floor." Observed the woman.

"I apologize, Mitsuru-san. It has just been a long time since we have seen anyone since graduation. And now with this sudden turn of events." spoke Aigis in her robotic-feminine tone, almost worriedly.

"I know. In fact, I'm still surprised that everyone I called is coming," Mitsuru looked out the window, her eyes half-closed in concern, "I just hope we'll all get along like we did before. People change, but I just hope too much hasn't changed." she said, her hands threading once through her red hair. There was a sudden ring on the PA speaker of Mitsuru's desk.

*Miss. Kirijo, your four 'o clock attendants are here.*

Mitsuru walked over to the PA box and she answered it.

"Send them in." she said. In only a matter of minutes did four familiar adults, one college student, and a old yet still perky, white Shiba Inu came in.

"Hey, been awhile huh?" asked the silver-haired man of the group, smiling and already pulling Mitsuru into a hug.

"Good to see you as well, Akihiko." laughed Mitsuru, hugging the man back.

"Hey, don't I get any love, Mitsuru-san? Don't leave me hanging!" whined the man wearing an American baseball-cap with his brown hair done in a buzz-cut and dark eyes that held humor. Mitsuru merely laughed light before shaking her friend's raised hand.

"Junpie, humorous as always." she laughed.

"Hey, I can only be me. Aigis!" chimed Junpie, running over to hug the robotic female, only to fall on his own face when Aigis made a side-step.

"He's been trying to get that from us as well, Mitsuru-san. And it's certainly good to see you in good health." giggled the aquamarine-green-haired woman with his long hair braided. She and Mitsuru shook hands.

"You as well, Fuuka-san. Ken-kun, how's college?" asked Mitsuru to the young male of the group, his brown hair almost the same as it was when he was child. The old dog by his side nuzzled her leg and she petted him as she welcomed the college student.

"I've been good. I've majored in Mathematics. Oh, and thank you for allowing me to teach eleventh grade Math, Mitsuru-san. It'll be good to see Gekkoukan again." replied Ken.

"Actually, come to think of it, you've hired all of us as teachers, Mitsuru-san. Why's that?" asked Yukari, the last of them.

"I'll explain more as soon as our last guest arrives. Until then, lets all catch up. I can understand that all of you must be tired after returning here." said Mitsuru, leading everyone to sit on the red leather couches of her office. Everyone conversed and talked, having a good time catching up, before Mitsuru's PA box rang again.

*Miss. Kirijo, a Mr. Shinji Hanshou is here to see you. He is scheduled for four 'o clock as well.*

"Shinji!" exclaimed Akihiko, everyone else too shocked to speak and Koromaru letting out a surprised bark. Mitsuru answered the PA once again.

"Send him up." she said calmly, as if not effected.

"Y-You got a hold of Shinjiro?" stuttered Yukari, brown eyes wide and fearful. Mitsuru nodded from her spot by her desk.

"He's needed in this as much as the rest of us. Believe me," Mitsuru bit the inside of her lip, her secretive worriedly look hidden, "He has a lot to do with this."

The second she said that, the door was pulled open and a man dressed in a red-brown coat, black T-shirt, grey jeans, and black boots came walking in, his eyes sunken and sulking.

"Tch, what is this, a welcome party?" he asked sarcastically.

"Somewhat. Thank you for coming, Aragaki-san." said Mitsuru, taking her seat in her swivel chair. Shinjiro narrowed his eyes at her before crossing his arms.

"It's Hanshou now, thanks. So what did you need me for this time? I'm tired of being some sort of St. Bernard for you, Kirijo." he muttered. The red-haired leader of the Kirijo group gestured to a seat between Yukari and Akihiko.

"Take a seat, and I explain." she said. Sighing tiredly, Shinjiro walked over and took a seat.

"Taking care of yourself, Shinji?" asked Akihiko, grinning at his childhood friend. Shinjiro shrugged.

"If you mean by knocking off the suppressants, then yeah, I'm fine, Aki." he chide.

"M-My, you've grown out your hair." observed Fuuka, noticing that the man's dark hair now reached to his shoulder blades, his bangs now framing his face, yet still not doing a thing to help his pale cheeks and tired look. Shinjiro simply gave one nod, leaning back on the couch and still looking like he didn't want to be there. Both he and Yukari looked at different directions of the room, anywhere but the other.

"Alright, if I can now have all of your attention, "The room quieted down and Mitsuru stood before all of them, her hands clasped behind her back, "Now, we are here to discuss the return of," the red-head took another breath before sighing, "The Dark Hour and Tartarus."

Already the whole room bombarded with questions, Koromaru barking at the whole scene as if he were asking his own questions.

"Please, everyone calm down!" called Mitsuru, everyone silencing and allowing her to continue, "I know it has been twenty-six years since we eliminated the Dark Hour but for some reason, a few weeks ago to be precise, Aigis had a few abnormalities go on with her system, so we went to Gekkoukan at midnight just to make sure. Sure enough, there was Tartarus, as if we had never gotten rid of it in the first place. There is also something upsetting I should mention. When Aigis and I tried to summon our Personas. . . They did not come."

A silence went out through the room, all of them holding a lost look on their face. Finally, Fuuka spoke.

"They. . . They did not?" she asked, looking to her hand with her fingers curling slightly, her senses almost feeling the cool metal of her evoker and the warm glow of Lucia.

"Yes," Mitsuru sighed again, her skin looking pale as if her mentioning took a lot out of her, "We're afraid to say that our connection, as in all of us in this room, was broken after Minato and Minako. . ." he voice trailed off for a second, Koromaru's whimpers only lapping the dead and cold silence before she continued, "A-Anyhow, I regret to say that for whatever being or supernatural force that is uprising the Dark, we are not able to intercept or defeat it." she muttered.

"W-Wait here, Mitsuru-san! So you're saying that-that there's no way we can stop this!" exclaimed Junpie, eyes bugged out. Mitsuru nodded her head gravely.

"What! So that means all our work. . . It-it was for nothing?" stuttered Ken, the white dog on his lap shaking and whimpering.

"Not necessarily," said Mitsuru, pulling out a remote control and pressing a few buttons that lowered a giant screen from the ceiling. On the black screen was the seal of the Kirijo Group. Another slide flipped to different files of seven high school students.

"Hey, why do you have Ryuuji up there?" asked Junpie, leaning forward.

"And Kaguya as well? Mitsuru-san, what's going on?" asked Fuuka, her eyes on the file of a young boy with brown hair with reddish-coloring around his bangs with heterochromic eyes of red and blue-green.

"The files you see here are those currently living in our old dorm. They are Taiga Sagara, Kaguya Hiroka, Yukino Hime, Ryuuji Luricaso, Takato Akatsuki, Shuma Inoue, Cecilia D'Entropie, and Shiro Takeba," She did caught the painful recognition in Shinjiro's eyes but she only enhanced on every file but Shiro's, "All seven of these students displayed unique qualities of obtaining the potential. With all seven of them willfully committing to the situation, Aigis and I escorted them to Tartarus. What we found was astounding," the next slide she slipped to displayed seven evokers that were designed and modeled as different guns.

"When entering Tartarus, each of these students had discovered their evokers in their pockets. How they obtained them is something we have yet to figure out. However, after exploring only the second floor of Tartarus, we've seen that these evokers function the same as our own. At one single pull of the trigger, each of these students entered a state of terror that had give them a 'mindless' state, allowing their Personas to take their forms. And at the precise end of the battle, all seven were subdued in a two-week comatose before waking up. I've explained to them the situation, and they have agreed to assit in whatever way they can."

A silence swept the room again, and then Akihiko spoke.

"Alright, just one thing, Mitsuru. Actually, a lot of things but I'll make them short. For one thing, if all of these kids living in our dorm can use Personas, then what about that last one? Yukari, isn't he your kid?" asked the silver-haired cop.

"W-Well-" Yukari started.

"He has yet to awaken his. And he is not Yukari's child," interrupted Mitsuru, her screen now slipping to full-view of Shiro's profile, "But before I go any further, let me introduce you all more about Shiro Takeba. As you can see, Yukari here is only his guardian, since she had custody over him when he barely turned six. He is a young man with a promising future, since he excels in his classes. However, he is rather abnormal. While growing up, he has suffered having panic attacks and rashes due to unknown allergens. Takeba, have you found out what these allergens are?" asked the red-eyed heiress. Everyone had their eyes on Yukari, the latter looking at her lap and shaking her head.

"No. I've taken him to a lot of doctors and therapists but they said they have no idea either. B-But still! It hasn't effected Shiro in anyway! He's such a sweet boy, and I know that I'm not his mother but. . . But I treat him as if I were! I love Shiro with all my heart, and-and. . ." Yukari was so lost at breath, and she looked ready to cry.

"I understand. I wasn't accusing you of being a bad mother, Takeba, you know that," stated Mitsuru with one hand raised, "I would just like to point out the actual cause to these symptoms for these causes. As all of you may or may not know, infants can be affected with congenital diseases due to their mothers affecting their lifestyles during pregnancy. Alcohol, uses of drugs in any forms, smoking, and others of such cases cause these effects. However, Shiro's case is far more different," Mitsuru turned her gaze to Shinjiro, "Aragaki- Forgive me, Hanshou, you obviously have taken suppressants when you were younger, yes?" she asked.

"What of it? I stopped taking those after graduation, remember? What do I have to do with this?" growled the brown-haired man.

"It has a lot to do with you, considering that you are his biological father." muttered Mitsuru, eyes narrowed and not even flinching when everyone stood up. Shinjiro's face twisted with pain for a quick second before he looked at the ground, eyes angry and frown set firmly.

"H-He isn't mine! I'm not even married and I've never gotten with some whore!" he snapped, silvery eyes flashing.

"Shinji. . . He looks like you. I mean, just look at the photo." pointed out Akihiko unsettlingly. All eyes went to the photo, and even though the boy was smiling, everyone could see that the boy's eyes were oval-shaped and his left eye was the same color of steel-grey. His face was the same shape as Shinjiro's, and his hair color held a touch of grey in it's light brown mix, a color lighter than Shinjiro. If he was glaring, had shorter and slightly messy hair, and both eyes grey, he and Shinjiro could have been twins.

"So. . . What? The kid looks a little like me, big deal! Don't go pointing fingers at me!" he snapped.

"But then. . . That means you lied."

Everyone looked back to Yukari, head bowed and her shoulders shaking.

"What-"

"You lied to Shiro!" Tears ran down her cheeks as Yukari said this, her eyes boring furiously into the tall man's, "You promised him you would come back to him! He was little then, but he understood! He believed that you would come back for him!"

"Yukari-"

"No, DON'T "Yukari," me! Do you even know how hard it was for me and him! Whenever we went out walking and saw other families, he would always stare at the fathers the hardest! He would throw fits and cry whenever Father's Day came around and on every birthday he had, including his last one, he would tell me what he would want for his birthday. And do you know what it was?" Yukari didn't even get the chance to answer, ""I want to see my father walk through the door, hug me, and tell me that he's proud to be my father, as proud as I am to be his son." That's what he always wanted Shinjiro!"

"Please, calm down Yukari-san." objected Fuuka, placing a hand on the brunette's shoulder. Yukari, however, shook it off.

"No, Fuuka! He needs to listen to this! Mitsuru may have invited him, but he still could have brushed it off! He never listened to us, anyhow, so that only means that he does care for Shiro, and he wants to see him! Don't you even tell me I'm wrong, you bastard!" Everyone was shocked, surprised that Yukari had even cursed, ""After all this time, you finally decided to show your face again! I thought you said your lives weren't crossed anymore!"

His breaking point hit it's limit, and because of that, Shinjiro snapped.

"Well you didn't get me the chance to say that I would come back for him!"

He panted heavily, his breath only seething past his teeth and the quiet room only echoed the sound more.

"So, you were lying when you said he wasn't your son." said Ken quietly. Shinjiro closed his mouth, hiding his gritting teeth and nodding once.

"Yeah," his sunken eyes drew over to Shiro's smiling picture, "That's my son."

"Hey, guys?" everyone now looked at Junpie, "Not that I don't want to know how this kid was born but, does everyone know what time it is?"

"Around ten now, why?" asked Akihiko.

"Alright, I know I'm not the sharpest of the group here, I'll admit that. But have we all forgotten what happens in the Dark hour on a full-moon?" he asked.

"No. . . Oh, my god." breathed Mitsuru, everyone else quick to catch on.

"We have to get to the dorm! Fast!"

Someone had shouted that, but yet no one has paid mind since they already raced out the door.

Before anyone knew it, it was already eleven, and the residents of the dorm were doing their last minute things before getting ready to tuck in.

"So. . . He won't bite me?"

"No, he won't Yuki-san. I promise."

Yukino looked at the brown-haired boy's kind smile, before looking at the panting Zero. She took a small step back, her bright green eyes looking at the black-furred hound.

"It's going to take a while to get use to him, so I'm just going to keep my distance. But other than that, "she smiled cheerily at Shiro, "It's nice to meet you, Shiro-san."

"You as well." replied Shiro, walking his way into the lounge and deciding to see what else everyone was doing. Taiga looked engrossed with whatever late-night show was playing. Shuma was on the floor with a book in his hand and his headphones present on his ears. He knew that Takato had left outside to take a smoke (He thanked everything above him that the older respected the dorm rules). He didn't know what Ryuuji was up to but he was very sure that he didn't want to know, since who knew what went through his new tormentor's mind.

He was glad to have met the two other occupants at dinner. One was a Third-Year girl with lightly-curled blonde hair tied in a ponytail with emerald-green eyes. She was taller than him (Of course he was the shortest in the dorm) with slightly tan skin and a beauty mark on the left corner of her mouth. The other was a male, but he was rather quiet. Before he could even talk to one of them, they both left dinner rather abruptly.

"Don't be offended," said Taiga moments ago as she and Shiro placed the dishes from dinner away in cupboards of the kitchen, "Cecilia-san doesn't hang around much. And Kaguya-san is shy like Shuma-san, so you don't have to worry. My guess is that we'll all warm up and get use to each other or we'll all just ignore each other by the time we graduate." she said with a shrug.

Shiro was at least glad to know the type of people he would be living with. Alright, glad wouldn't be his first word exactly, since all of them wouldn't seem to get along with each other. But he was somewhat glad that he was making friend's with Taiga, Yukino, and Shuma was warming up to him a bit.

Sighing and feeling a little drained, Shiro motioned Zero to follow him up the steps.

"Goodnight!" he called out, getting only a few responses before he headed up the stairs with Zero leading the way.

*I am thou. . .*

The wind was knocked-out him, shattering glass ringing through his ears. Shiro clutched his stomach, and he fell back.

*Thou art I. . .*

His glasses dangled off his nose, and someone had caught his arms with his feet scrambled under him. He could hear wind blowing in his ears, and he could have sworn he heard that shattering glass sound.

"Heh, can't even stand on your two feet, shrimp?"

Mismatched eyes widen before turning angry, and Shiro sprang to his feet and took big steps back, fixing his glasses and glaring at Ryuuji's smirking face.

"Quit calling me that!" he yelled, stomping his foot.

"Temper, temper, Shiro Takebaka." teased the silverette, laughing at the nickname he came up with. Shiro let out a harsh breath and he turned his back, Zero by his side and looking at Ryuuji with his sharp canines bared at him.

"Whatever." muttered Shiro, hustling to his room and slamming the door once he and Zero were in the room. Groaning at his newly-found headache, the high school student pulled out the tie in his hair and he pushed his long hair behind his shoulders, the grey-brown tendrils reaching his hips.

"Aw man. I forgot that I had to buy Zero's food. You only ate scraps, huh, buddy?" he asked his dog, the huge dog barking in reply. Nodding to himself, Shiro walked over to th bed and he pulled Zero's harness, leash, Shiro's light green windbreaker, and flashlight from under his wheeled bag. Once Zero was set and with his windbreaker slipped on, he walked his dog out of his room and he made it down the steps.

"Huh, everyone must've gone to bed. Well, might as well leave a note." Walking over to the sign-in sheet at the reception desk, he wrote down a quick note before walking out the door and turning on his flashlight.

"Come on, Zero. Lets see if a convenience store or something is open this late." he said to his dog, walking down the street with a whistling tune on his lips. He didn't even notice that the sky had turned a toxic-green and the moon became a pale-yellow.

"Taiga, how are you, Takato, Yukino, and Kaguya functioning so far?"

*So far, so good, Cecilia-san. We've come with a few Cowardly Maya but other than that, everything's all right. Though, there's something that's bugging me.*

Green eyes curious, Cecilia leaned back in the leather couch she sat in the Command Room, her eyebrow raised.

"What do you mean?"

*These Shadows are functioning outside of Tartarus, and they seem more stronger than the others from the last time we've been though there. I dunno, I just feel like we're missing something here.*

"Just don't worry about it right now. Take out every Shadow you see." said Cecilia sternly.

*OK.* Ending the transmission, the French student placed down the radio headset and turned to the two other occupants of the room.

"How's the exchange student?" she asked Shuma and Ryuuji.

"Asleep." stated Shuma, sitting down on one of the couches and fiddling with his headphones.

"So the squirt really has potential? You're shitting me here, right?" asked Ryuuji, leaning on a wall with his head tilted.

"According to the Chairmen, he should be very strong. She looked over his file and she's determined to bring out his potential. Though it could take some time." said Cecilia, working over the mainframe of the computer with a map of Iwatodai on it.

"Seriously? Nuh-uh, I'm seriously doubting it. The little dog-shit's got nothing on him." sneered the silver-haired teen.

"Even I have to admit that he seems rather weak." stated Shuma bluntly.

"Whether he is or he isn't, that is not our concern. Either way, we are only to observe him for the next few days." drawled the blonde female, closing the map and bringing up the video cameras of the dorm. She blinked when she saw the empty room that was Shuma, Takato, and Shiro's room.

"Shuma, if he's asleep, then why is he not in his bed?" she asked, looking at Shuma from the corner of her eye.

"He went to bed when I saw him left. He called 'Goodnight!' and everything." countered the male blonde.

"Even I saw the shorty go to bed." supplied Ryuuji. Cecilia bit her lip and she typed in a few more keys before she caught sigh of a note on the receptionist desk on camera. She zoomed-up on it and she read it over.

"Went to go get some dog food for Zero. Be back in twenty minutes- Shiro. No, he can't be out!" she exclaimed.

"What's the big deal?" Ryuuji pashed himself off the wall and he crossed his arms, "He has the potential. The worst he'll get out of this is a sprained bone or whatever."

"May I remind you that he has yet to discover his potential!" snapped Cecilia, pushing past the silver-haired teen and pulling out a walkie-talkie from her pocket, "Taiga, come in, quickly! Shiro Takeba is out and we need to get him back here before the Shadows find him! Look through every area close to the dorms. Do you read me?"

*Cecilia-san, we have bigger problems on our hands! One of the Shadows we're going against! It-It's different from the others! You need to get to 3008 SunsetPath quickly! Please, we need back-up!*

Static cut through Yukino's SOS and Cecilia cursed colorfully under her native tongue.

"We need to get to SunsetPath, right now!" he braked, the other two males only managing to stare at her with confusion before running after her.

"Hello?" Shiro knocked on the glass door to the closest store he could find, frowning that he could see that the lights were on, yet the doors were locked. Huffing, he placed his hands on his hips.

"Huh. . . Maybe we should come tomorrow?" he questioned, watching Zero scratch at the door, "I know, I know. But I don't think we can do much at this point." said Shiro, sighing before knocking again and making an irritated noise.

"Guess we have to buy some tomorrow, boy." he huffed, tugging on the red leash and he and Zero walking down the street. He blinked and looked to the sky, nearly loosing his footing when he saw the whole area around him was in a different color scheme, "Wh-What the-?"

"This is the Dark Hour."

Spinning around. Shiro looked and stared down at the little boy shorter than him. His hair was a silvery-blonde that twisted and wildly covered his head with his long bangs nearly covering his baby-blue eyes. He was dressed in a white coat that dragged along the floor, a black turtle neck, red jeans, and white sandals. Held in his arms was a stuffed-falcon with emerald-green, crimson-red, sapphire-blue, and snow-white feathers with obsidian-black buttons for eyes. Staining over and around the skin of the boy's left eye was red skin, Shiro guessing that the child had a port-wine stain.

"Ex-Excuse me?"

"Is father pleased?" asked the child, tilting his head with his eyes shinning brightly.

"Huh?" asked Shiro. He flinched when the child stepped up and wrapped his arms around his legs, looking up at him and smiling.

"Is father pleased?" he asked again, "I only wish to make father happy. It is said that once he knows that the Dark Hour is back, then father will be pleased. So, is father pleased?" His blue eyes were shinning with hope, and his smile was bright enough to light the dark and eerie streets.

"U-Uh, I'm sorry to say, but I'm not your 'father'. I think you might be mistaken." said Shiro, crouching down to the child's level. The nameless child giggled, holding his plush toy with a smile.

"I know you're not father. You're too young to be father. And father is very tall. And he is very powerful. Father would tell me that he is happy to see the Dark Hour, too." he giggled. Shiro tilted his head.

"The Dark Hour? You mean, what's happening right now?" asked the bleach-brunette. The boy smiled mysteriously with a nod.

"Yes. Father likes the Dark Hour. It's where he gets to fight. He's always loved fighting. And he sometimes takes me to fight with him. But," The child looked around, smile fading, "I lost father somewhere. He just left suddenly, even when he said he'd come back for me. I miss father." he whispered, holding his toy close. Shiro smiled kindly.

"Hey, no need to be sad. I'll help you find him," He felt something tug his wrist and he raised his brow at Zero, who was tugging at his leash with urgency, "Zero? Buddy, I know you want food but just hold on, OK? Lets see if we can find- oh sorry, I didn't even ask your name." he now looked at the boy.

"It. . . It's Heru." mumbled the little boy, his eyes on the ground. Zero continued tugging at his leash, whining and barking.

"Zero, hold on. Please, lets help Heru out," His dog kept pulling, "What's the matter with you?"

"It-It's coming!" Heru suddenly hid behind Shiro, shaking with his eyes watering, "It's g-gonna come and eat us!"

Shiro stared at the little boy oddly before he gasped when a sudden tremor shook the street. Tremor after tremor, the teen's red eye and silver eye looked up and widen as the sudden dust cloud poured over them. Taking Heru under him, Shiro placed one arm around Zero and ducked all three of them to the ground, holding his breath and shutting his eyes as small rocks rained on them. Opening his eyes, he cough as small bits of dust blew along and something big and heavy came their way.

Thinking of no other choice, Shiro picked up Heru and he grabbed Zero's leash with his free hand.

"Zero, come on!" he yelled, leading his dog over to an abandon apartment that could suffice. Looking around, he and his dog ran up the steps of the old apartment as thundering tremors almost made him lose his balance.

"Whaaaa! I want father! Father should be here to save me! Whaaaaaa!" cried Heru, sobbing on the boy's shoulder.

"We'll be fine! Just calm down, Heru, please!" called Shiro, running as fast as his legs could carry him. Swinging the door on the top of the stairs open, Zero ran first before he ran in himself, closing the door behind him. Leaning against the door, Shiro held the bleach-blonded boy close.

"Shh, shh, there, there, Heru. We'll be safe." whispered the teen, holding the crying child close. A cold wind blew over him and Shiro only managed to hold Heru tighter as something flew over them. Opening his eyes, Shiro could only make incoherent noises as some sort of creature hovered over he, the boy, and his dog.

It was something that looked like it could be made from black ink, it's essence dripping forth and creating disgusting squishing noises. It's face was masked by a blue mask and it's fangs lapped over the edge's of said mask. It was dressed in red and blue robes with scorch marks and it's long and gangly arms were twisting and turning with the many in wands in its hands. It's skeleton-wings creaked and moaned as the creture hovered in the air.

"What is that . . ." whispered Shiro, all air escaping his lungs as he fell on his backside.

"Father. . . I want father. . ." sobbed Heru, shaking and clinging to Shiro like a lifeline. The creature gave a banshee's screech and it threw it wands at the three like shiriken, ready to pierce the three.

At the last second, Zero leapt forward and caught the wands in his mouth, landing heavily because of the high jump. He whimpered and begged in pain.

"Zero. . . No. . ." whispered Shiro, his eyes widening with tears, praying to any god he knew that his best friend was OK. The creature hissed at the fallen dog, wands ready to strike at the animal.

"No, please, don't hurt Zero!" cried Shiro, standing up with tears running down his cheeks.

"Do want to save him?"

"What?" Shiro looked at Heru.

"Do you want to save him? The dog?" asked Heru, looking up at Shiro with his blue eyes blank.

"More. . . More than anything." he breathed, his eyes worriedly on his wounded canine.

"Would you sign a contract to save him?"

". . . Yes."

"Then agree to these words," whispered Heru, gripping his toy as it suddenly glowed, "'I, Shiro Aragaki, give my word that I will take full responsibility for the consequences of my decisions.' Swear to these words, and the dog shall be saved."

Shiro looked down at the boy, his own eyes turning desolate when the barrel of a silver and white IOF .32 Revolver pointed at his forehead.

*I am thou. . .*

"I. . ."

*Thou art I. . .*

"Shiro Aragaki. . ."

*I am awakened. I, who rules thee till death doth taketh thou. Open thou's mind. . . Release thy heart. . .*

"Give my word. . ."

Shattering glass strained his ears, yet he could still hear his own voice.

"That I will take full responsibility. . ."

The monster was closing in on Zero.

"For the consequences of my decisions! Please! I-I have to do this! I want it all to end! Right now!"

A breath of fresh air escaped his lips as something shot through his forehead. It wasn't a bullet, but the pressure still drew his mind to a blank. Something drove into his heart, and with his skin feeling set on fire, and something tearing at his mind and soul. Shiro let out a hideous cry of agony, releasing Heru and collapsing to the ground as he cried in pain. Some sort of mist surrounded him, and he screamed and screamed again as something floated above him.

'What-What is. . . This feeling?'

He fell forward, grunting as pain surged at every nerve of his body. His eyes opened weakly, and he could only stare as something cloaked in a green trench coat slaughtered the creature with a scepter of a green and yellow jackal's head. He heard the finall screech of the creature before it obliterated into nothing but smoky droplettes. The figure tuned to him, and Shiro watched as the figure kneeled before him.

It was a man, his entire body wrapped in gauze and bandages with a green trench coat blowing around his grey boots. Said boots tucked in the cuffs of light grey pants wrapped with black leather straps implanted with rusty chains. His hair was the color of the sky, as messy and unkempt as Shiro's, on top of his hair with a crown donned with orange phoenix fathers on the sides, bright and fire-like. Implanted on his chest was a golden ankh and in his other hand was a golden shield. His blood-red eyes looked coolly into Shiro's before he sprang into the air and turned into a blue tarot card.

Panting and rising to his hands and knees, Shiro crawled over to Zero and looked him over, giving a sobbing sign of relief when he saw that his dog wasn't that hurt.

"Z-Zero. . . Thank god." he whispered, holding his dog and sobbing with happiness. He let out a few more sobs before his head fell on the mountain dog's flank, slipping to an unconscious-state.

"What? It's gone?" Cecilia and the group of six stopped when they made it to their destination, the two groups meeting not too long ago and now no longer locating the Shadow.

"I-I don't get it. Where'd it go?" asked Yukino, looking around with everyone else.

"Everyone, are you alright?"

The whole group turned and they saw the original team of SEES come over to them in a large limousine, Mitsuru as the driver.

"Miss. Chairman? When did you get here? And, how is this limousine working? I thought you said electrical items didn't work during-"

"It's special," interrupted Mitsuru, only stumping the lot of them further, "I see that the Shadow has been already taken care of. Who established the finishing blow?" asked the red-haired woman. No one spoke, since all of them were clueless, "I see. Well then, may I ask where your new dorm mate is?"

"We. . . Really don't know." said Kaguya, scratching his head. There was a sudden howl, and all of them looked around for the cause of the noise.

"What the- there's something on the roof! It's-wait, it's a person! With a gun! Wait, it's- Shiro, NO!" exclaimed Yukari, everyone noticing that something was eveloping the boy from the roofs in a thick shadow. No time was wasted as all of them ran to save the boy.

Zero ran and barked, growling and snarling as the blue-haire, green coat-clad fighter from the tarot card swiped his staff through the hazy shadows, drawing them away from the comatose Shiro. A final swipe of the staff was let out before the shadows dispersed, the figure flashing away once again.

From the side, Heru walked over and placed the revolver down next to Shiro's hand, smiling sadly at the sleeping teen.

"I'll leave this gun to you, aniki. Please, have sweet dreams. You're going to need a lot of sleep now that you're going to help me find my father." he whispered. At the sound of clattering steps, Heru let out a giggle before hugging his falcon toy and disappearing in a red fog.

"Shiro!" Yukari ran ahead of the whole group, dropping to her knees and pulling the teen close with hushed crying, "Shiro, oh Shiro." she whispered, happy to see that he wasn't injured.

"We should get him to a hospital and get him a place to rest. Kid must've had a long day." muttered Akihiko.

"Yes," said Mitsuru. She looked at Zero and smiled the slightest, "You protected him, didn't you?"

The tri-colored dog barked happily, despite limping on one of his forepaws.

"We should get him a vet as well." stated Fuuka. Koromaru braked in agreement, already at Zero's side to keep him on his feet.

"So. . . He actually does have the potential." said Takato, looking a little impressed.

"Yeah, and the kid seems really strong. I'm mean, look, he's as knocked out as Minato and Mina-chan." said Junpie, chuckling a bit.

"Heh, lets see if he can just catch up with the rest of us." snickered Ryuuji.

"It could take a while, but he just might." mumbled Shuma, fixing his headphones.

"And he'll have us to help him." said Taiga with a smile. The rest of her comrades nodded in agreement. Shinjiro walked closer to Shiro, staring at his blissful face transcended in sleep.

"Hey, carry him, Shinji. I think only you can." said Akihiko, a rare smile on his lips. Glaring at his old friend from the corner of his eyes, the brunette took the teen and effortlessly lugged him over his shoulder, looking at him once more.

"You've really grown up. . . Shiro."

T0 B3 C0NT1NUD3D

And of course, I end this long chapter! Whew! Lot of info already! No worries, more characters are to come! Just be patient, please! Also, make sure to review! I would love to hear your feedback!

Now, it's time to find out what's gonna go on next!

Shiro: Next time, on Live Today, Die Forever:

"Just. . . Ouch, why dose my head hurt?"

"Trust me, Gekkoukan might seem like a big place, but you'll make a lot of good friends here, promise."

"We're gonna tell you more about this. Trust me, there's a lot to explain."

"What we do is eliminate Shadows and recruit members with those who have the potential."

"Get ready Shiro, you're about to make a new friend and head on your first trip to Tartarus!"

Shiro: Coming up, Episode Two: To that of Which Cannot be Seen!

"Welcome, to the Velvet Room."

Make sure to read and review, and I'll get to you all real soon!

This is me saying, Peace!