Disclaimers: I do not own persona 4 or any thing owned by ATLUS But I Would Love To If They Were Selling It Cheap

Chapter 4: Going Public

Wednesday May 2nd 2012

Early Morning Inaba

Dojima Residence

Souji woke up early this morning because he didn't want a repeat of yesterday, he was nearly late to class and his new homeroom teacher Mr Yamazaki nearly gave him detention. Mr Yamazaki made King Moron look like a saint, Souji decided not to get on his bad side on only his third day back. As Souji entered the living room he noticed Nanako had to make breakfast again because Dojima didn't seem to be around.

''Good morning Big Bro, I made you breakfast'' said a cheerful Nanako

''Thank you Nanako, hey where's Uncle Dojima'' said Souji

''Ow...he had to leave early this morning, he said it was because of work''

''As something happened'' said Souji calmly, but hoping it wasn't another murder.

''No, he said it was because one of the other detectives were ill''

''Right'' said Souji relived that it wasn't another murder but wondered why the detectives were all way's calling in sick.

20 Minutes passed before Souji picked up his bag and his jacket and proceed to leave the house for school with Nanako.

Samegawa Flood Plain

By the he reached the flood plain Nanako had already left him because her school was in the opposite direction. On his way to school he happened to notice Yoskue who was running to catch up to him.

''Hey Souji wait up'' yelled Yosuke in the distance

Souji had stopped walking for Yosuke to catch up to him. About a few seconds later Yosuke and Souji were walking to school together.

''Hey, you here about that rumor about Yamazaki''

''No, what's it about'' said Souji curiously.

''See apparently before Yamazaki became a teacher he use to be a military general. But he was latter kicked out of army because he was to aggressive at his soldiers, why would they let a person like that become a teacher, why would he want to be a teacher anyway.

''I doubt that's true, rumors are never true anyway'' Souji reassuring Yosuke.

''What about the rumor about the midnight channel''

''…..Never mind'' said Souji in defeat.

''Hey speaking of the midnight channel, since the fog in the other world is back, you think someone will appear on it'' asked Yosuke.

''People were only appearing on the midnight channel because of the attention they were getting, even if the midnight channel was back and someone did appear on it nothing would happen because there's nobody to kidnap them any more'' said Souji, who was pointing out that since Namatame was now in prison on kidnapping charges there would be no one to do the kidnapping.

''Yeah your probably right. But hey, don't you think it's cool that we can use are persona's in this world now. I mean, to normal people who don't know anything about shadows and persona's don't you think that we would look like superheroes. I mean how many people can do what we do'' said Yosuke who had a point

''Well I suppose you have a point, but still we can't'' said Souji who agreed with Yosuke to a certain degree but dismissed his Idea.

''Come on, I wonder what over ability's are persona's have besides flying, well a guess well just have to see. Lets meet up with everyone at the Junes later and talk about what were doing tonight''.

After a few more minutes of walking and Yosuke continuing to talk about persona's and shadows, they final managed to make it to school.

Morning

Yasogami High (Class 3-1)

As Souji and Yosuke walk through there classroom door, both of them a met by a rather pissed of teacher, who by the look of it was about to insane.

''ALRIGHT YOU MAGGATS, SIT DOWN IN YOUR SEATS OR I'LL GIVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU A MONTHS WORTH OF DETENTION''. Shouted Mr Yamazaki.

''I don't know who your last home room teacher was but if you get on my bad side just once I'll make you pay for it'' ranted Yamazaki.

''This guy sucks, I'd rather have King Moron or Kashiwagi as a homeroom teacher'' whispered a student.

''DO I HEAR TALKING OVER THERE'' shouted Yamazaki

Mr Yamazaki didn't look like your average teacher or behave like one as well, the same could probably be said for king moron. By the end of the lesson nobody got any work done or learnt anything because Yamazaki kept ranting on about how much better teachers had it years ago when they could properly discipline there students.

Lunchtime

Yasogami High ()

''Hey Souji, what's up'' Souji looked around to see who the voice belonged to. He saw Kou and Daisuke walking up to him waving.

''Ow hey guy's'' said Souji

''So Souji, when are you going to rejoin the basketball team. I asked you the other day but you never gave me a answer'' said Kou.

''Sorry, I've just been busy lately with part-time jobs. I don't really have enough time at the moment to join any club'' said Souji who was trying to think of a good excuse.

''Really, and would that 'part-time job' have anything thing to do sitting with around at the Junes food court. We saw you a lot there last year and for the last few days. What do you guys even do there anyway that can be so time consuming'' said Kou who trying to find out why Souji and his friends spend a lot of time around Junes.

''You know, school related stuff'' said a not very impressive Souji.

''Riiiiiiight'' said Kou who didn't believe Souji

RIIIIIIIIING, RIIIIIIIIIIING

''Well looks like that's the bell, see you guys around'' said Souji and ran off back to his class, not noticing Kou starting to talk to Daisuke.

''He's hiding something'' said a curious Kou.

''Defiantly'' said an agreeing Daisuke.

''Lets follow him after school and see what he's up to'' said Kou. Kou and Daisuke wanted to know what Souji and his friends were always up to and decided to follow them after school.

After School

Junes (Food Court)

The team had decided earlier to meet at Junes and discus what they were going to do in the TV world tonight and what to do about about the fog tomorrow night.

''Hey, I hear you two have Yamazaki as a homeroom teacher now, sucks to be you two'' said Kanji

''Yeah, that guy makes King Moron look like a saint in comparison'' said Yoskue.

''I'm sorry to interrupt you two, but we are here to discuss the TV world not your homeroom teacher'' said a very angry Naoto

''Sorry'' said both Yosuke and Kanji

''Very well. It seems we only have one floor left before we make it to the top of the Pyramid, I would very much like to know what is at the top of it. Most of the dungeons In the TV world are created by the people who enter that world, but since no one has been thrown in that world I can safely assume that something else must have created it and I believe we will find the answer on the top floor. Since Golden Week starts tomorrow we will be fully rested to deal with any problem that will occur tomorrow night.

''Why, what's so special about tomorrow'' said Kanji to the surprise of the team.

''Tatsumi, Don't you ever pay attention. We have come to the conclusion that the only way for a shadow to leave to TV world would be on a foggy night. If it had happened last year we wouldn't be able to stop it because we couldn't use are persona's in this world last year, but know we can. The reason we use are persona's is to fight shadows, so the only logical conclusion is that we would have to use are persona's to fight shadows in this world. Do you understand now Tatsumi'' said a very frustrated Naoto

''I guess, but wouldn't people notice us fighting a shadow in the middle of town by summing over persona's'' said Kanji who had a point for once

'' I never really fought of it before. I'm sure even with all the fog in the town people will still notice us fighting a shadow'' said Yukiko who also had a point

''Teddie will be okay because I've got my bear suit, no one will every suspect me'' said Teddie who was now smiling victoriously.

''Your the only one who wears that suit around here, people are going to know it's you dumbass'' said Yosuke, who had a point.

''Wait I've got it, we dress up as sup,,,,,'' said Yosuke but was cut of by Souji, and by the look of it, was just about ready to pop a blood vessel.

''For the last time Yosuke, we are not dressing up or becoming superheroes, got it'' said I very annoyed Souji.

''Right right, sorry for brining it up'' said a sighing Yosuke

''Ow Senpai, your so cute when your annoyed'' said Rise teasing Souji, who was know receiving glares from the other girls.

''I have to admit that Issue has been causing me some worry. The fog can get get thick here but somebody could still make out something. We should discuss this some more tomorrow. I suggest tomorrow morning we meat up at my family estate to discuss are plan for tomorrow night''. Naoto had invited to Investigation Team to meat up at here family's estate just outside of town.

''Well I think it's time for us to get to the top of that Pyramid and find out what's waiting us, come on let's go'' Souji decided it was time for them to reach the top of the Pyramid dungeon. The team left the food court and headed off towards the Electronics Department. But unknown to the Investigation Team, Kou and Daisuke had been eavesdropping on the entire conservation.

''What the fuck is a persona'' said a confused Kou

''Dude, what the hell's a shadow'' said a confused Daisuke

''Did they say something about a 'TV world', come on lets follow them and see what else we can find'' said Kou. Both of them decided to keep on following the team and to see what they do next.

Junes (Electronics Department)

''Ok nobody is around so let's get in there fast before somebody comes'' said Yosuke rushing everybody to get into the TV. Yosuke checks again to see if anybody is watching them. Yosuke informs the Team that he can't see anyone, they head off into the TV world, with Yosuke going in first and then the rest.

But Kou and Daisuke had decided to follow them and saw the whole thing. Saying that they were shocked at what they saw is an understatement.

''What the fuck, did they just climb through a fucking TV, I wonder If I could do that'' said a rather confused and curious Kou. Kou walks up to the TV the Investigation Team always use and puts his hand against the screen, nothing happens.

''Why won't it work, how come they can do it but we can't'' said a rather angry Kou

''Move out the way, let me try'' said Daisuke who wanted to try it. Daisuke tried to enter the TV the same way he saw the others do, but still no luck.

''I don't get it, how come they can get through it but we can't'' said a frustrated Kou.

''They said something about summing persona's, maybe only people who have these persona things can get through'' said Daisuke

''You might be right, but what's a persona anyway and didn't Kanji say something about summoning monsters, arr...this makes no sense, maybe we should just ask them when we get the chance to'' said Kou who had given up trying to figure anything out about the TV's and persona's and decided to leave it for the moment

''Hey didn't Naoto say something about a shadow appearing in our world tomorrow night. Maybe we should see what happens tomorrow, then we might get our answers'' said Daisuke who remembered what Naoto said about shadows and a foggy night.

''Wait...I have a better Idea'' said Kou with a large grin on his face that could even rival Igors.

TV World

Once the team had entered had the TV world they began to equip there weapons and glasses. Once everyone was ready they headed of to the Pyramid. Once the team had reached the pyramid, Souji had Rise open a portal back to the Third floor. Rise noticed that there wasn't as many shadows on this floor, but they were still very powerful. The team had agreed to make it to the top of the dungeon today and find out what could be up there.

''I wonder what's going to be at the top, maybe another enemy'' said an a excited Teddie.

''Well were not going to find out by standing here our we, we should be able to get to the top before we leave'' said Yosuke.

''Rise were are the shadows on this floor'' asked Souji.

''There is a shadow just up a head, be careful guys'' said Rise worrying for everyone's safety.

The team moved on through the hallway, Souji slashed the shadows with his sword before the shadow felt his presence. Souji's attack had weakened the shadow, but not enough to kill it. The shadow morphed into one single shadow, a chariot with a man that looked like a mummy in the chariot and a skeleton of a horse in front.

''Look out, it's very powerful'' warned Rise.

After hearing Rises warning Souji summoned Trumpeter and used a Debilitate spell on the shadow, lowering it's attack, defence and agility for a while. Teddie summoned his persona Kamui and attacked the shadow with a Bufudyne spell. The shadow didn't appear to be weak or strong to ice spell and took some damage, but not enough to kill it, let alone injure it. The Shadow attacked the team with a large physical attack that affected everyone. No one was two badly hurt though, if Souji hadn't used Debilitate before the team would be in a far worse condition right now. While the shadow was busy attacking everyone else, Rise had managed to pinpoint the shadows weakness.

''Guys, It's weakness is dark spells'' Rise alerting the team to the shadows weakness.

Naoto summoned Yamato-Takeru and attacked the shadow with a Mudoon spell but the shadow dodged the spell. After Naoto's attack failed, Souji summoned Alice and launched a Die For Me spell on the shadow, the shadow had no chance of dodging that spell and was killed instantly dissolving into black goo that later sank into the floor.

''Ok, one down a few more to go'' said Kanji

''Hey, you know that persona you just summoned, don't you think it looked a lot like that costume Teddie was wearing for that cross dressing pageant last year'' said Yosuke remembering the costume Teddie had to wear.

''Don't bring that up again, I just want to forget that ever happened'' said Kanji who just wanted to forget that night.

''Same here'' said Souji trying to forget that night ever happened.

''You guys deserved it, that's what you got for making us enter that pageant'' stated Chie

''Couldn't you just have beaten us up, no guy deserves that'' said Yosuke who by the look of it was trying to repress that night.

After everybody calmed down over the events of that night the team decided to carry on forward instead of reminiscing about past events. The team ran into some more shadows, but strangely enough there weakness were also dark so defeating them wasn't to hard. After about 20 more minutes of fighting shadows the team had finely arrived at the stairs and decided to carry on upwards. At the top of the stairs appeared the hallway that was normally there before the final room. This dungeon seemed to be no different.

''Well, this is it, I wonder what's on the other side'' said a curios Yukiko.

''Well there's only one way to find out'' said Souji. Souji opened the door and the team entered a very large golden chamber with 4 pillars on each side of the chamber. At the the far end of the room there was a pair of stairs that led up to a large rectangular door. This wasn't like the door from the entrance, there was no writing on it or any way to open it. After another look around the room the team noticed that the pilers on each side of the room were made of glass, each pillar had a slot to insert something into it. Also there were symbols carved into the floor by each pillar. The first pillar had the symbol I, the second pillar had the symbol II and so on. Each pillar had the numbers 1-8 carved into the floor but in Roman numerals.

''There has to be something more here, Kujikawa can you sense anything'' asked a frustrated Naoto

''Nothing, there doesn't seem to be anything here, normally there would be a shadow or something for us to fight, but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore...Wait, I found something, but It isn't here''.

''What Is It, where is it'' said Kanji.

''It's that same presence I felt yesterday, but weaker. It's over by that Heaven dungeon, I think it's waiting for us'' said a frightened Rise.

''Come on, we don't have any time to lose, Rise, open up a portal and get us out of here'' said Souji who had Rise open a portal for them that took them back to the entrance, from there the Investigation Team ran to the Heaven Dungeon. Once they arrived there they were greeted by a single person wearing a dark black cloak.

''Hello what took you all so long, my word, what a magnificent place this is, what sad deranged person came up with this fantasy'' said the person in the cloak who was referring to Nanako.

''Who are you and what do you want'' Souji Demanded to know who the person was that was criticising his cousin.

''You know you don't get anything in life by demanding for it, why not just ask... a bit more... palatally'' said the cloaked person who most likely had a huge grin under that cloak.

''…..Please will you tell us what your name is and what are you doing'' said Souji who looked like he was about to lose it, but noticed the persons voice was that of a rather cheerful girl''.

''Hmmm... I don't think so. But I will tell you one thing Souji Seta, don't underestimate the forces at play here. I too was shocked to discover this world had returned to this state, Now just imagine how powerful something must be to achieve that. So Souji... wanna grab something to eat'' said the cloaked girl who was now receiving disgusting looks from just about everyone except Kanji, who by the looks of it wasn't paying any attenuation to what she was saying.

''Hand's off, Souji-Senpai's mine'' said Rise now clinging to Souji's arm, who at any moment would attack the clocked girl.

''Errrr...I think I'll pass... Wait, how do you know my name'' said a rather shocked Souji who just that second remembered the girl had called him by his name.

''That's not important, what Is important is tomorrow night, it's going to be a bloodbath I just know it'' said the cloaked girl excited for tomorrow night.

''Are you saying a shadow will appear outside of this world tomorrow night'' said a Naoto who was now giving the girl her full attenuation.

''Wow...You guys already figured it out didn't you, I only came here to warn you of it but I now see you already know. Well there's no point of me sticking around here any longer. So...See ya later'' The girl put her hand into her pocket and brought out an orb that began to glow the moment she touched it. Suddenly the area was blinded by a bright light forcing the Investigation team to shield there eyes. When they reopened them seconds later she was already gone.

''Who the hell was that, how the hell did she know about tomorrow night and how did she know Senpai's name'' said Kanji who wanted answers.

''Well were not going to find the answers by just standing around now are we. I suggest we leave, there isn't any thing else that were going to find in that pyramid and standing around here isn't going to solve anything. If that girl new about tomorrow night as well then it must mean that are assumptions were correct and that a shadow will appear in our world tomorrow night, we must be ready to face that shadow''. Naoto realised that a shadow would indeed appear in our world tomorrow night. The team headed of back to the entrance and exited the TV world and arrived back in Junes.

Junes(Electronics Department)

''As I said earlier, we should meet up at my family's estate tomorrow and go over our plans for tomorrow night. It is imperative that will pull of tomorrow night's mission without anyone knowing''. Naoto reminded the rest of the team that they will be meeting up at her family's estate tomorrow. Without anything else to discus everyone headed home.

Evening

Dojima Residence

''Welcome home Big Bro'' Nanako greeted Souji home as he walked through the front door. Souji couldn't help but notice seeing Nanako eating instant noodles and watching TV alone. Souji also noticed Nanako had prepared him some noodles for when he got back. Souji went other to the counter, picked up his food and sat down by the Table.

''So...Uncle Dojima not home yet'' said Souji who had noticed that Dojima has been late home for the last couple of days.

''He's probably dealing with all the reporters in town'' said Nanako, but Souji had no Idea what she was talking about.

''Why are there reporters in town?'' asked Souji. But Souji just remembered the day he came back to Inaba on the train. He had noticed there was a lot of people coming to the town but he had just shrugged It of.

''It's because of those strange people in town.'' said Nanako, but again Souji had no Idea what she was on about.

''Inaba's going to be on the news again tonight, it will be on any second''.

Souji began to wait for the news to come on, while he was waiting he tried to think of what Nanako meant by strange people. But then it just struck him, The people infected with that Apathy Syndrome.

''Good Evening...It seems that the not so quite town of Inaba is once again the centre of attenuation. Last year there had been a series of bizarre murders in the rather peaceful town calming the lives of New Announcer Miss Mayumi Yamano, High school student Saki Konishi and Teacher Kinshiro Morooka. But recently a strange Disease know only as Apathy Syndrome has begun to infect the small town. This Disease leaves it's patients in a comatose like state where they are unable to move, feed or care for themselves. Medical professionals classified this as a stress related disorder from working in a crowded environment, but that doesn't seem to imply to such I small town like Inaba. Last winter a similar Disease spread through the town, but this was most likely related to the large amounts of fog blanketing the area for just other a month. There seems to be no known cure for this strange Disease and anybody in the town is at risk of catching it. We will inform you of more Apathy Related events in the small town as it is made available to us''.

''Big Bro, are we going to catch that disease?'' said a scared and worried Nanako.

''Of course not'' said Souji who was trying to make his Cousin less scared. But in reality he didn't know much about the disease, only that it its related to the shadows in some way. Minutes later a stressful Dojima returned.

''Hey, I'm Back'' Dojima greeted Nanako and Souji as he walked through the front door.

''...Your back'' said a cheerful Nanako who ran up to great him.

''Sorry I'm late, The entire police force has been dealing with that apathy syndrome, not to mention all those dam reporters. To be honest, we haven't the slightest Idea about it. All we know is that it appeared in Tatsumi Port Island a few years ago and just up and vanished with out a moments notice. Were just a small town so we don't have the capacity and the man power to deal with something like this''.

''So what's going to happen about it?'' Souji asked Dojima.

''At the moment, nothing. We haven't even got an Idea about what causes it, let alone a way to treat it. For such a small town a lot of bizarre events happen''. Dojima didn't like not knowing about what was going on with the town and not knowing anything about Apathy Syndrome. ''But you shouldn't get to worked up about this, there's not really anything ether of us can do about it. The best we can right now is wait for it to just die down a bit''

Souji didn't like that nobody was doing anything about the Apathy Syndrome, but it's not like they knew what was causing it in the first place. Souji had an Idea of what could be causing the Apathy Syndrome but he couldn't just tell his uncle about shadows and persona's, he didn't believe him the last time he mentioned it to him. Souji tried to just forget about the Apathy Syndrome and just focus on what was on TV.

''…..We take you to the weather forecast...It looks like the rain will be continue on to tomorrow and will end somewhere around tomorrow night, and by the looks of it we will be receiving another batch of fog...''.

''More fog'' Said Dojima who had just sat down on the couch behind the table Nanako and Souji were sitting at . '' We haven't had that in a while, I hope we don't find another dead body hanging from an antenna again''. 'Those murders and the fog started just about the same time he moved here. And now the fog returns just about the same as he does. Now that I think about it he and his friends had found that Kubo kid and found out that Adachi was the killer, even I couldn't do that. What are you hiding Souji, how did you do it'. Dojima was now glaring at Souji's back, but it didn't go unnoticed.

''Dad, are you okay'?' said Nanako, who had made Souji look at Dojima.

''Ow...I'm fine Nanako, I was just thinking about something'' Dojima tried to find an excuse as to why he was staring at Souji's back all of a sudden.

''Ow, okay then'' said Nanako .

A few hours passed after that with Souji talking to Dojima about what he had been up to in Okina City last month, he was really trying to find out way Souji had come back to Inaba all of a sudden and with Nanako singing the Junes theme tune he really didn't get a good opportunity to do so.

Hanamura Residence

Later on that night at the Hanamura residence. Teddie had been staying at Yosuke's place every since he came into the real world. Yosuke had told his parents that Teddie was a friend from school, and that his parents recently died and needed a place to stay. Both Yosuke and Teddie were staying in Yosuke's room. Yosuke was alone in the living room watching TV while his parents were having Dinner and Teddie doing god knows what in there room. Everything was going peacefully until Yosuke received a strange call from Chie.

''Hey Chie''

''Yosuke are you at your computer'' said Chie, who by the sound of it was out of breath.

''No, why is something wrong?''.

''You could say that, Look just get to your computer and you'll see''.

''Why'' said Yosuke who seemed fed up

''A few minutes ago somebody sent me an email with two things attached to it, a message and a video, you just have to see it for your self, I'll send you a copy of the email now. Just get to your computer Yosuke'' Chie hanged up. Yosuke decided to just take a look at the email and see if it was worth his time

. While Yosuke was downstairs and talking to Chie on his Phone. Teddie somehow managed to get onto his computer and access a certain website.

''Uh…..Yosuke, is this what scoring is? It looks really painful'' said Teddie who was now watching a video on a certain website.''What are you talking about Teddie'' said Yosuke as he was walking towards his room. The moment Yosuke walked into the room he noticed that Teddie was on his computer, but was more surprised at what he was watching.

''AHHHH...Get the hell away from my computer Teddie, and turn that off'' yelled Yosuke who ran towards his computer and turned of the monitor as fast as he could.

''So that's what scoring is, no wonder the girls were so mad at me every time a brought it up. I also tried looking up 'scoring with bears' on that website google, but all it came up with was a rather hairy man''. Yosuke was fed up with Teddie and was about to attack him for looking up gay stuff on his computer.

''Teddie, am only going to say this once. If you EVER go on anything like that again on MY computer, I'll kill you '' said a rather menacing looking Yosuke who was emphasising some of his words. ''No you wouldn't, you would never hurt Teddie, you'd feel to bad about it'' said Teddie proudly. That look on Teddies face stayed that way until he noticed the floating Tarot card in Yosuke's hand.

SMASH!

The sound of glass shattering echoed through the room until Susano-o appeared behind Yosuke covered in a bright blue flame. ''Ow. That's the way you want to play ha, Okay, BEARSONA''. A tarot card appeared in Teddie's hand and he proceeded to crush it. Just like before, a loud shattering sound can be heard echoing around the room with Teddie's persona Kamui appearing behind him.

''HEY, what's with all that noise, me and your mother are trying to eat in peace'' Shouted Mr Hanamura who was standing by the stairs.

''S-Sorry Dad, I-I'll just turn the volume on my computer down'' said Yosuke who tried to come up with a decent reason as to why probably everyone in the house could he glass shattering.

''Okay then, but keep it down'' said Mr Hanamura who went back to eating.

Yosuke sighed in relief and began walking to his computer. As he turned on the monitor he noticed what Teddie was just one and tried to close the website as fast as he could without even looking. After that was done he began to access his email t and see what Chie was talking about.

''What are you even doing anyway Yosuke'' said Teddie who was pissed that Yosuke kicked him of the computer.

''Chie seemed surprised by some email, so she sent it to me to check out. It's probably nothing but Chie was freaked out by something'' said Yosuke who's attention now went back to his computer. Yosuke was now on the email Chie had sent him but it looked fine to him, until he read the message.

''Unless you don't want this video all other the internet, you and your friends will meet me on the hill overlooking the town at 3:00pm tomorrow afternoon. See you there''. Yosuke wasn't sure what video the message was talking about until he clicked on it.

It was a video of the Investigation Team climbing through the TV at Junes. You could clearly see the faces of the people in the video there was no denying who was in it . Only one thing was going through Yosuke's mind at this moment.

'Ow fuck'.

Next chapter I might bring in SEES from persona 3. They'll most likely be investigating the Apathy Syndrome in Inaba and seeing if it's related to the shadows in any way.