Chapter 2: Tattered/Reformed

She really doesn't understand what's going on, Saten had been walking home when she had suddenly been hit with a piercing headache. Now she found herself "here". well wherever "here" is the land around her seemed to distort she recognized a few places. Her home, her school, the school of her friends, and streets she researches rumors on. But it all mixed up, jumbled as if someone decided to build them right next to each other. Besides that day and night seemed to switch on a coin flip well a constant coin-flip.

"How's my girl doing, having fun at school" without warning her vision was obstructed by a couple. The two of them had wide smiles across their faces. "I knew you could develop powers, Ruiko." the Smiling Father said. " But to think she'd be a level 5 at that." the mother cut-inThey both nodded to each other. "How Wonderful/How Wonderful"

"Wh-?" Was all their daughter could say. Saten had no memory of ever telling she had developed esper powers. Especially not telling them that she had reached level-5. Although the very thought of her being able to level up felt…Natural. "Wait, mom dad i'm not a level-5" She let out a sigh "i'm just a level-0"

The adults let out a hearty laugh.

"Why of course you are Saten dear." The father said. 'If you weren't you just have been wasting your time in academy city '' he spoke in a matter of fact tone.

"Wha?" Was all their daughter could say.

"Oh thats right" the mother clapped her hands" A total waste." The woman closed her eyes and let out a sigh. "I mean what would your brother think?" Tears suddenly started to form as the woman balled her eyes out. "That would devastate him"

"Sis" Saten heard a voice. She couldn't tell where it was coming from, but she could tell who it was. "You're a level-5 right?"

"Huh" was all She could say.

"I can be like you, right?" Her brother's voice said. " it's not a sham right!?"

"N…ye.." was all Saten could say was she a level 5 had her efforts actually paid off. If she wasn't than she would have been a level 0 everything she did would have been a waste.."Everything" she looked at the family in front of her "of course I…" she stopped herself.

And she ran, she ran from them. Her family. Also she could avoid facing them facing her.

"So your still not ready" she looked at the girl who wore her face and ran. She continued to run and run..and run..run run everything she saw turned black. "To bad I had high hopes for you." Letting out a sigh the other Saten looked back at The fantasy "Ruiko Saten a level-5 huh?..ain't that a fantasy"

The double could only watch her run. "Honestly I'd settle for just an ability"

Just an ability, just an ability, just an ability

It was all Ruiko Saten could hear. No matter how far she ran she still heard them.

"I'm fine as a level zero. I'm fine" she kept repeating those words.

Location: Waking world

"Keeping telling you self that me."

"!" The level 0 shot up from her bed, she was alone. She was confused wasn't she..

"A dream! That was just a dream." She told herself. "Still…"

She sat up from her bed her two roommates nowhere in site. She was alone, just alone.

"Level-5 Ruiko Saten." Letting out a sigh..she was about to move..when she noticed "wait 3:09..did I sleep the entire school day?!"


Location: Judgement Branch 177

"Shirai!" Uiharu called out to her judgment comrade. Shirai in response half yawned

"I'm up, I was having this weird dream." I was chasing Onee-sama and *yawn*

"Um aren't you normally dreaming about her." Her friend asked. Kuroko was going to protest but shut her lip. Sighing as she put paper on her desk. "This is no time to be napping we've got work to do."

"Sorry..sorry..this dream I had involved Onee-sama acting strangely. She was acting like Shokouhou for some reason. She had a This whole Oujo-attitude and acted like all snooty…it was disturbing.

"Huh Misaka-Misaki?" Uiharu commented, now working on her computer.

Kuroko Shirai shivered. "Please don't put that image in my head."

"Hey Shirai if would a fusion of them look like Misaka with blond hair or a brunette Shokuhou?" Uiharu teased.

"Stop" Kuroko groaned.

With a tiny giggle. "Okay okay" she said relenting.

"Hey did you see that, light show coming from one of those labs?" Kuroko asked. She looked at her fellow officer. "It was from some experiment going on."

"Thats normal here though right."

"Yeah I guess, but weirdest thing about it all the tech stopped functioning properly."

"…hmm should I look into."

"Maybe" Kuroko Shirai sat up from the chair. Adjusted her. Judgement badge and walked out the door " I'm going on patrol."

The two just gave each other waves as Shirai

"K."

Her phone rang

"hello...huh!" Kuroko was confused for a second but, said confusion turned into absolute shock "what happend to Tokiwadai!?"


Ruiko Saten was tired but now the feeling she had was completely different. Another voice echoed on her cranium. Reminding her of that dream.

'Man I thought I got over this.' She though to herself. The girl tried to forget her dream but the voice never left. "Maybe some telepaths messing with me?" She said aloud.

She looked around her. While there were people around her none of seemed to be paying her any mind or mind reading. So maybe she was just going mad.

"Excuse me but this area needs to be gated off." Saten looked to see a skill out member gating off a..a school. " remember no one in or out." The officer commanded. He looked over his shoulder something Ruiko couldn't see. She naturally started to walk in closer. She was able to make out a school? Still unsure she closed the distance even more. "Hey!"

"What?" Was all She could mutter

"Didn't you hear me shouting kid beat it! It's dangerous over here." The officer commanded.

"Um sir..what happened to Tokiwadai" She said with a nervous tone not sure what she was looking at. Ruiko was finally able to see what behined the man. And to her shock a castle with an frightful design yet joyfully bright colors stood before her.

"Researchers called it an anomaly." "We were told to keep civilians away..but..they..comining." Saten body moved closer she didn't seem to be aware of the steps she took it was like her body no her consciousness was attracted to this place.

'*You must to go, must move now. Or let your own dreams be torn asunder.*'

"Listen I could tell by that look in your eye you have friends here will do whatever ." And like that the dazed girl was gone. The man could only say "oh shit. All units look out for a girl in a Sakugawa Uniform she" he said into his communicator.


"Um my queen, is are you perhaps pulling a prank on my senses?" One of her clique asked letting out a nervous chuckle . The phenomenon they found themselves in didn't seem real. But..

"I'm afraid not this doesn't seem to be the work of an illusion or hallucinations esper ability." Misaki Shokuhou had found herself in the weirdest situation.

"My Queen" a male voice called out.

"Huh?" Was all She could muster sure she expected her clique to call her that but, "Um..yes?" She gave them a confused look..yes them. "Sir?"

"Shu, Ma'am" The boy bowed as if showing respect to royalty. the school had been warped into what could only be described a twisted wonderland. The walls were a dark yellow students outside her clique and even some in her clique had become butlers and maids.

"It seems this man, wishes to join our clique" The the ringlet girl said with a smile. Shokuhou let out sigh.

"That would be one thing" Misaki said annoyed. After all it wasn;t out of the question for that to happen. "But there are several, problems." Holding out her remote pointing to her target. "First he's acting like he's already apart of the clique and two" With one finger she pressed a button.

"My queen what are you ta-…." The Boy stopped his eyes glazed with stars.

"He shouldn't even be in Tokiwadai" The Tokiwadai queens had a face of concern. "Although you did have dreams of going." She sighed. "Sorry but you should return to you own school." After another click the he regained his mind.

"My queen how may I help you?" He said cheerfully. "Huh!" With another panicked click the boy started leaving.

"Sorry sorry but, it's best if you leave." The level five said going over her surroundings.

"Huh that's strange. My body started moving on its own." The two watched as the he as the he headed toward the exit. "Why?" He than started to panicked. "I belong here!..I belong!" The two girls looked at his figure as it began to distort.

"This power wasn't mentioned in his mind!?" She gritted

"Oh you'd know all about that wouldn't you Shokuhou!" Jealous spite came from the students mouth. The boys han- no claw? Had slashed at the the esper. "Hahaha!" He let out a maniacal cackle. To his disappointment. It seems she was already saved by friends.

"My Queen! Are you alright!?" She said in a panic voice

"Yes yes i'm quite alright, nice save ability there Hokaze" Her leader complimented. Junko Hokaze let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you but.." she turned to the "student" in front of them, "it seems were still in a bit of danger." She could. Her majesty had a sardonic smile on her face

"Yes it would seem so, whatever this ability is it seems to block mental-out" Shokuhou said. "Excuse me sir, i'm not unwilling to let you join my clique but" She said jokingly

"Huh!? Really?" The monster questioned excitement building. Both Junko and Shokuhou had a look of surprise on their faces. His own voice no longer sounded distorted. "That's greaAARRRH."

" ︎■︎□︎◆︎ ︎ ︎ □︎ ︎ ⧫︎ ︎ ︎⬧︎? ᄌホ ⧫︎ ︎?¬ルマ︎ ︎ ︎❒︎ □︎◆︎⧫︎? ᄌホ" Something else could be heard from the man.

"NO I finally got what I want?" He said struggling. Misaki looked at the situation. "I caca! Can't let this be ruined!"

"✌︎■︎ ︎ ✋︎ ︎ ︎■︎? ᄌホ⧫︎? ᄌホ ⍓︎□︎◆︎ ⬧︎⧫︎□︎◻︎ ❍︎ ︎? ᄌホ"

"I see no wonder mental out didn't work theres something in his mind already. Shokuohou raised her remote to the wannabe clique member. With a press of a button.

"!?"

"You seem to have a resistance to this so i'll lend you a hand." With a click of her remote. The man was now incapacitated. "It's best if we get this done quickly, we wouldn't want willing pawn to be endanger."

"Yes queen my Queen." Hokaze charged at the student and punched him in the face. "Appologies sir..it pains me to harm a potential clique member."

"Gyaah" the student let out. Junko than dug her hand into a black mass and began to pull out the student. "RRaaahhhh!" The creature cried out as it was yanked and So did the student attached to it.

—-"? ᄌホ⍓︎ /My ? ᄌホ□︎ you intend to kill this boy. Who knew the cliques of Tokiwadai were so ruthless." Hahaahaha!" The being controlling let out a strange giggle through the teen. "Let you in on a little secret this thing is apart of him" Junko had a skeptical look on his face. " ︎ ︎ you ◻︎◆︎●︎●︎ them ✌︎◻︎ ︎❒︎⧫︎ he will die." The ethereal voice spoke. It was hard to make out what it was saying. But she did here…

""? ᄌホ ︎ ❍︎⍓︎ ︎◆︎ ︎⬧︎⬧︎ ⧫︎ ︎□︎◆︎ ︎ ︎? ᄌホ ✋︎ ︎□︎■︎? ᄌホ⧫︎ ︎ ︎❒︎ ︎ ︎ ︎⧫︎ ︎ ︎❒︎ ⬥︎ ︎⍓︎." Once again the voice was unintelligible. Using it's free hands to slash at the level 4.

"Darn it" was all Junko Hokaze could mutter." This monster essentially had a hostage. What could she…Her focus was gone from the opponent an on to a, another student. "Misaka's friend?" Saten Ruiko was in a daze as if she didn't know where she was. "You have to get out of here it's not safe!"

"Dreams..Dreams..Dream." The girl mumbled to her self. Both Shoukuhou and Junko looked at this with worry. The monster however was also confused by this.

With a nonchalant shrug the monster went about its business. This time slashing at the blonde girl. With a shriek and luck she was miraculously able to get out of the way in time.

"!"

The is how ever was only a blessing for her. As it turned out the attack was strong enough to send a shock wave one that flew closer a closer toward.

"Saten!" Hokaze Junko called out. Electricity enveloped her body as she took off like a bullet. Toward the Zeros direction.

*Crash*

Her bodies enhanced speed was enough to save the girl. "Saten are you alright!" she asked concerned for the girls wellbeing.

"Dream dream" Was her answer.

"Saten?" Junko could only watch as the girl in her arms leaked tears. "h..hey your safe now." she tried to reassure her.

"my dre..I'm sorry" Ruiko Satens tears turned black.


Location: ? ?

"I have to find it, my dream" She wondered these halls. No one else near her, no one else near her." I have to find it." she mumbled to herself over an over again. Dream, dream, dream. This place felt so familiar to her. She knew it well

"Sis!" "Sis" "Ruiko Saten" "Saten..Saten." calls could be heard from.

"Dream..dream..my..drea-" before she could finished her mad mantra. She was interrupted by them. Her family? "Dream?"

"Your a super cool esper right?"

"Were so proud of you."

"We love you."

"Dream" Tears welled in her eyes. "I'm sorry I never make made it come true." She held her head down as she said this. Something boiling inside her. "it was just a waste..!"

Her family looked her. "So?" Her family said casually.

"H..huh" Ruiko Saten was taken aback by their answer

"Ruiko Saten?" Her ""Double called out to her. "Do you truly believe your family would be mad at you?" The being asked her. She looked away from her something felt weird. "Be honest.."

"I..don't they'd be fine if I told them that." She answered the strange feeling still there. "Still even if they're fine with it, telling..telling them. It's a whole other story." Her double looked her saying not a word. Saten held tears in her eyes. "I'm fine being a level zero." " But telling my family I wasted their time make me"

"Feel guilty right?" She looked at the fantasy before them. "So what your going to cow down because of guilt?" The other Saten smiled at her. A smile that mocked the girls plight. "If you can't face you family because of some measly guilt..Than how about letting me take over?" She let out a cheerful cackle.

"But I still want to be here." She said not losing her nerve. "Even if I end up wasting my time here" She stood in front of her double. "I want to support my friends!" Giving her answer she bowed. "So i'm sorry but, I can't let you take over." Her double sighe.

"So your willing to stay so you can support your friends here?" The being gave her a bright smile. "Alright if your willing I can help." Holding out her hand she looked at the girl. "But first tell me..tell me my name."

Saten held a confused look on her face before answering. "That's obvious your me, Ruiko Saten." She said this with a smile. A smile her other self had as well.

"!?" she felt something like a command or something

"Seems someone sending you a wake up call." Stretching her arms she gave the girl a smile. "If staying close those you cherish is your desire, be ready to face catastrophe."

Saten only nodded at this


"Misaka's friend Ruiko Saten" Shokuhou called out to the frozen girl wavng her remote front of her face. "Let's try this one," with a click of her remote…with a sudden upward jolt of her body. Saten Ruiko's eyes opened.

"Whoa!" She shouted. "Huh!?" Looking at her surroundings she looked in awe and confusion. "Is this this the inside of Tokiwadai?"

"Yes Yes welcome to our prestigious school" the blonde said blandly. "Now it's best if you.." with not even a second dove at her pushing her to he ground. "Wha?" Looking above her the level-5 saw her right go flying like a rag doll. "Hokaze!?"

"That's on you Shokuhou, I have no problem with Junko Hokaze." The monster said. Looking at mental out. Shokuhou stared at it with cold fury.

"Her fault!" Saten Ruiko yelled. "your the one the one who threw her into a wall." She finished Grabbing a piece of small debris she chucked it at the monster. The creature rolled it's..eyes? Clearly not taking the attack seriously. However…

*Shing!*

Half of the black mess that covered the young student was wiped away. Misaki Shokuhou stared at the display of strength. "Garu?" She muttered…'So then..'

"Yikes I didn't know someone was in there!" Saten surprised that did damaged and the fact she there was a person inside it. "That's one weird esper power?" Misaki lifted herself up with a grunt.

"It's not his ability a shadows controlling him." the girl said "Or at least I think it is." she said nervously. "It seems a bit different then the ones i've encountered."

"Shadows?" the level zero was confused by this.

"Damn, never expected that, hmph lucky shot for a level 2." the monster complimented her. Shacking its body as the boys unconscious body was again covered. Shacking her head she glared at the monster.

"No..i'm a level zero." taking a deep breath "Icarus!" within 2 seconds a burst of wind came from the girl. It moved as if if were alive. Slowly but surly solidifying.

"An A.I.M being?" she looked over the creature its turqoise body had the texture of skin, four clawed hands with skinny arms with intesctoid wing fibers, while its own head has a halo in the form of a queen chess piece. 'A persona?' she looked at the girl the level 0.

"Get off him!" Saten launched another wind projectile at creature. Though it was weaker then the last.

"Gyhaa!" the monster was knocked back. Tumbling to the left. "Please you think that would be enough" mocking the newly empowered girl it it charged at her. Panicked Launched another "Garu" at it.

"Hmph" another click from that remote, and Saten Ruiko moved her hands now toward it's legs. Misaki did the same with her remote. Posing it like a gun.

"Garu"/"Garu" a small tornado formed in front of its feet. Triping it up. This time around the shadow faded freeing the student.

"We need to leave." Misaki walked over to the body of Hokaze. She's was still alive. "Help me with her." Saten not questioning a thing helped the level five

"What about." She looked to that student. And with a click of the remote. The boy moved again.

"Seems you did the trick. He free now." The Boy than put Junko over her shoulders. And proceeded to walk.

"Hey!"


Location: Tokiwadai Entrance

Now away from the anomaly. The two looked at the site before them. Saten looked at the blonde, "So…glad your safe, but I kinda thought you'd erase my memories or something." Misaki looked at the girl. "N..Not that I want you to." She chuckled.

Letting out a sigh "Memories erasure doesn't work on persona-users." She pulled out her phone.

"Hey could you tell me what a persona-user is?"

*Ring*

*Ring*


Author: So i'm back, it took 200 years but I was finally able to pull myself out of the cocoon of procrastination and laziness!

4 things. 1) Hope the characters weren't written too OOC, 2) This ain't a spoiler Saten as well as other Esper persona users. "Personas" will look similar to AIM beings like "A.I.M Burst" creature.". And 3) Yes Misaki Shoukuhou knows of persona users, I will not lie that was a last minute idea. But hopefully the explanation that I come up with doesn't sound like garbage.

Extra: This was something I wasn't sure about putting in and I might go back and change it. thing anyone who has had no experience with persona stuff. To them shadow speak in wingdings..again not sure I should use that.

That being said hoped you enjoyed reading, see you in another century..hopefully I'm kidding.