Disclaimer: I do not own Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 4, Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3, or Devil Summoner as most of the characters within this story as they belong to Atlus.

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Veluti In Speculum

Chapter 18: Molding

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"Up, up, Cerberus!"

"Naoto, be careful. Cerberus is really big."

Naoto didn't seem to care, holding onto Cerberus tightly as he raised his head. She giggled, delighted while Minato watched on, shifting nervously. Mom and dad had told them to go outside and play while they talk to grampa. One of those adult chats where the kids had to busy themselves so they don't eavesdrop. Why should it really matter? Naoto just started speaking about a year ago and half the words they said, Minato didn't understand.

He felt the wind get knocked out of him and stumbled, looking down. Naoto had stumbled into him, hugging him tightly as she stared at him. She looked upset, clutching his shirt tightly, and Minato tilted his head, "Naoto, what's wrong?"

She didn't say a word, not because she didn't mean to, but because she didn't know how. Cerberus was growling, stepping closer to them and staring at the Estate. The window wasn't open, but the argument heating up in the dining room was audible. Minato could hear his father's voice booming and mother's screaming while grampa roared, furious. Minato shook his head and hugged his sister close, "It's okay. They'll stop fighting in a while… let's go play in the garden."

"Mommy's garden," Naoto whispered and Minato nodded, smiling.

"That's right. Mom worked hard on that garden," he replied. She let go and he took hold of her hand before walking. Cerberus growled and followed after them, shaking his mane out, but his ear twitched. He just ignored the argument.

…

"G-Grampa… a-are they going to be home soon?" Naoto asked, coughing weakly. She curled up on the couch, staring at the flames in the fireplace as they snapped and sparked. She knew he was in the room, yet he didn't say a word, staring outside at the full moon. "G-Grampa? When's brother coming home? A-And mom and dad…" she asked again, her eyelids drifting. Still, there was no response from the aging man.

Naoto wanted to get up and find him so she wasn't just lying here with a blanket around her shoulders. She wanted brother to be there, comforting her like always. Mom too; she wanted her to be there singing her lullaby and dad would be listening to mom, closing his eyes and humming along. Grampa was being so distant that him being home right now, in this room with her, was rare.

Her chest started aching and she coughed again before calling hoarsely, "Grampa…?"

Suddenly, a firm hand touched her head and tousled her hair gently, but she didn't have the strength to look up. Her eyes were closing faster, black on the edge of her vision as she stared at the flames. The twisted metal of the grate and the fire burning in the pit… she blinked, swearing she saw Minato standing in front of the blaze. Her fearless brother, petrified with his eyes staring blankly ahead.

"… Mina… to," she murmured, eyes closing finally. Fire, twisted wreckage with glass strewn on the street, and chains rattling in the background; the only real noise in the bleak night she dreamed about. The sound faded away and her brother collapsed to the ground.

"… to…"

Just two freshly turned graves, not three. Toshihiro and Maria Shirogane. She stood, silent and staring at the headstones while her grampa and Yakushiji stood nearby. Where was the final? Was it always meant to be two? Who was this third one suppose to be?

"… Naoto…"

"I thought they had a daughter. Was it a son?"

"Don't ask me; they were never close to anyone outside of the department. I didn't even know they had a kid."

Naoto just walked with her grampa, helping him with a case. It was her very first. She didn't say a word, but for a moment, her eyes briefly followed a bluebell butterfly. It faded away; never there. Everything faded away.

Nobody was ever there…

The truth soon followed…

"Wake up, Naoto!"

Naoto raised her head quickly and looked around, startled into the conscious world. They were in the shopping district, near the weapon shop and Marukyu Tofu, but they were on the ground. She's on her knees, resting against Cerberus's side, confused, "W-What happened? Weren't we going to find Adachi-san and Namatame…?"

"We were, but you suddenly fell while we were talking," Minato said, standing on Cerberus's spine. She furrowed her eyebrows and turned her eyes on Gouto. The cat nodded slowly.

"You were almost trance-like the first few blocks, but you collapsed to your knees here. Minato caught you before you fell and laid you down on Cerberus."

"Strange. I don't remember feeling fatigued," she sighed, removing her cap for a moment to run a hand through her hair. Gouto frowned.

"This isn't good. Your body is shutting down at random intervals like a narcoleptic. Maybe we should turn back."

"No. This world is too dangerous to leave a idiotic detective and the suspect for the TV murders," Naoto said, rising to her feet. She placed her hat on her head, stretching slightly as Cerberus rose to his paws. "… Something leads me to deduce foul play anyway. Dojima-san and Adachi-san are partners, but we only found Dojima-san and he had been shot. Namatame could've had a gun, but driving a truck around a town like Inaba, there seems no need," she muttered, "This might actually be the answer to both the TV murders and why everyone was dragged here."

"Hm... I sense someone, but they're running past here. They're heading towards the train station I think," Minato said, his antennae twitching. He opened his wings and flew up to scout, but then dodged a scout blade before it sliced through his head.

"Heh, fast little bug, aren't you?"

There was a bang as someone, or something, landed on the ground behind the small party. Naoto frowned, turning slowly and scowled. Sure, she was surprised, but for some reason, she figured this would happen. His body was covered in red and black, almost reminding her of Izanagi, but a darker version with glowing amber eyes. The mask was open, a smirk on his face as he lowered the naginata in his clawed left hand, gun already residing in his right hand next to his side.

"A fine fall from grace, Adachi-san…" Naoto hissed, glaring at the yellow-eyed former detective. Minato floated next to her shoulder, his blade in hand while Cerberus bared his fangs.

Adachi just laughed, "Ahaha! Well, well, Shirogane. How's it going? Enjoying the world? Adapting to it, or dying from it? Like I give a damn… you've always been a pain in the ass."

"You've lost your mind," she replied.

He laughed again, "I haven't lost anything. I've gained everything! Shadow world, this world, it doesn't matter, I rule over everything now! Getting dragged here is one of the best things that ever happened to me and look… it seems my persona wants to aid me."

"… P-Persona!? It was you then!" Naoto exclaimed.

"What? Was I too much of a fool to be considered as a suspect? What's the saying.... Oh, yes. Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. Heh, I think you're all close enough… puppets in my own show," Adachi sneered, "Tell me, did you enjoy finding out the truth about yourself again? Being reminded you're another useless bitch in society?"

"You'll take those words back, demon!"

"Hm? A talking cat? … wonder if I could slice it to bits and figure out how it can speak," Adachi snorted.

"A demon, Gouto?" Naoto asked quietly. The black cat nodded; an angry growl in the back of his throat.

"Some humans that come into the Dark Realm can become demons, but they must have corruption inside them already. Taken from his form, someone must've given him a persona in your world and his and its dark influence has changed his entire body."

"I wonder… if I can drag more people into this town. This one is more exciting than the backwash one everyone lives in right now," Adachi said, chuckling, "Humans are food for the demons here, but I guess I should return to make sure the fog comes too. Our shit-tastic world deserves no less than to be consumed. Decisions, decisions… Hmph, I suppose no matter what I choose though, you'll stand in the way."

"Of course I'll stand in the way. Your logic is moronic and a danger to people trying to live normal lives. You think our world is terrible… you probably didn't even try fixing your life to make it better. That world is my home; my friends home… It's my job to make sure we all return there and it remains safe," Naoto stated, keeping her eyes focused on Adachi, "You're acting like a spoiled child."

"Shut up you bitch!"

Cerberus pulled Naoto out of the way of the bullet barely in time, keeping a firm hold of her jacket in his teeth. He let go after a moment as Gouto hissed.

"This isn't an adequate space to fight! Naoto, let's go!"

"Right!"

Cerberus crouched low and Naoto jumped onto his back quickly, Gouto hopping on as well. The large lion bolted, scaled tail almost getting hit by a second shot as he dashed forward. "WHERE SHOULD I RUN TO?" he asked, turning sharply to dodge another shot. Adachi was dashing after them, his black and red gun raised before him.

Naoto clutched tightly to Cerberus's mane, mapping out the town in her head. She ducked on reflex as Adachi's gun cracked again, "Get out of town! To the fields!"

"Naoto! The other demon might be out there! You're not equipped to handle both if it comes to that!"

"Gouto… I'm sorry, but it's the only place. We have to try," she replied under her breath. Cerberus's claws scrapped against the pavement as he turned sharply and suddenly, her head felt light and her vision brightened. "My hat…!"

She reached back to snag it, but the top was pierced by a fifth bullet, quickly making her retract. She tightened her grip on Cerberus's mane, frowning. That was a gift from her mom, but she couldn't go back for it now. Paws crossed pavement to dirt and gravel, dead grass and decaying leaves following shortly after. The field started to expand, trees disappearing, grass growing tall and wild like wheat.

They were far enough that Cerberus wheeled sharply around, sparks flying from between his fangs. He opened his mouth, breathing flames at Adachi as he charged forward. The fire caught him, but he leapt aside before too much damage could be dealt. Naoto slipped off his back, raising her revolver the moment her feet touched the ground. Minato was flying around quickly, Adachi swinging his naginata only when the bug boy drew close.

Three rounds burst from Naoto's revolver as she fired. One hit Adachi, but then he leapt out of the pathway, "You annoying…! Take this!"

He twirled his naginata, lashing forward and Naoto was taken off guard at a burst of wind under her feet. Cerberus roared, casting his own fire spell back at Adachi, but he dodged completely this time.

"Naoto!"

"I'm fine, Gouto," Naoto said, shaking her head and getting back to her feet. She raised her gun, firing at Adachi as he moved, knowing full well she would miss. Minato flew in, swinging at the gun. The beam sword cut through the thick metal, hindering it useless before darting away. He wasn't as fortunate this time, yelling as one of his wings was clipped by the naginata. His tiny form fell and Naoto dashed forward, her eyes wide. Adachi raised his naginata again, ready to lunge forward at her, but Cerberus rammed into him, fangs clamping down on the handle.

"Minato!" she exclaimed, catching Minato before he hit the ground. He flapped his wings, frowning as he stood up. There was a decent chunck missing from the left one.

"My wing… oh geez. Gouto! Let me right on your back," he said, looking down at Gouto.

"Are you mad!?"

Cerberus roared as Adachi shoved him off finally, both covered in claw marks and, in Adachi's case, a few bite marks. "Damn bitch… damn demons… Y-You're no better than me for aligning with them…!" Adachi growled, hunched over. Naoto held Minato close with one hand, the other raising her gun again.

"There's a difference between you and me… I work with demons as an ally; I don't let them corrupt me," she said firmly.

"Tch! I haven't let anythi—Ggh…!"

Naoto blinked, eyes widening and she leapt back. Something rose from the ground, seizing Adachi in its hold and pulling him down sharply. In mid-leap, her ankle was grabbed as well, a forceful yank bringing her down. Adachi wasn't there anymore and she couldn't see Cerberus or Gouto. It felt like something was crushing her and she hugged Minato closer, lowering her gun to her side in fear of losing both as she disappeared.

"This world, the shadow world, and the human world… they seek to be one; to join together. Lose yourself… come to me Naoto Shirogane, or should I say… Raidou Kuzunoha the 19th?"

Naoto's eyes snapped opened into the foggy gray void. The demon that brought them to the Dark Realm… t-this was it!?

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Me: Next chapter, you'll find out. Stay tuned and review please.