4/17 - SUNDAY, SUNNY WEATHER
🏰YUKIKO'S CASTLE🏰

"'Chie is so kind,' huh? What a joke." A hollow, distorted voice rang throughout the hall.

"Wh-What!?"

Tsuyoi, Chie and Yosuke spun around, and there was another Chie.

Blue and purple aura, gold eyes, red rope in her hands.

"Oh man... is that...!?" Yosuke asked.

It's just like Yosuke! She lost control over her suppressed self! Now it's a Shadow! Teddie confirmed.

"Are we talking about THAT Yukiko? She says I'm protecting her!? She says she's worthless!" The other Chie paused to laugh. "That's how it should be, right?"

"Wh-What're you saying?"

"Yukiko's sooo good looking...sooo fair-skinned... sooo feminine. She's the one all the guys drool over." She paused to laugh. "When Yukiko looked at me with such jealousy? Man, did I get a charge out of that."

Chie went silent.

"Yukiko knows the score. She can't do anything if I'm not around..." The other Chie snapped. "I'm better than her... much, much better!"

"No! I have never thought that!" Chie snapped.

"What're we gonna do!?" Yosuke asked.

"We must protect Chie."

We need to protect Chie-chan right now!

Chie looked at the boys. "N-no, don't come near me!" She cried. "Don't look at me!"

"Chie, calm down!" Yosuke told her.

"No..." Chie mumbled. "No, this isn't me!"

"W-Wait, stupid! Don't say anything else like that!"

The other Chie laughed. "That's right. Ï'm thę øńē whø čåń't dø åńÿthïńg åłøńė..." She laughed. "I can't win as a girl, let alone as a person. I'm pathetic. But Yukiko, she depends on me."

Chie wronged the rope in her fists. "That's why she's my friend. I'll never loosen my grip on her... she's too important to me."

"No..." Chie cried. "That is not how I think of her..."

"So you're just gonna turn your back and deny me again?" She paused. "But things are different now. When the times comes, I'll be the one left standing. You won't mind, right! I'm still you!"

"Shut up..." Chie said, crossing her arms. "You're..."

"Chie, no!" Yosuke yelled loudly towards her.

"You're not me!"

"Heehee..." The shadow laughed hard. "Ahahahahahahahaha!"

The other Chie's dark aura swallowed her, her body silhouetted in darkness - and it was clear that the other Chie's body was morphing into a tall being (as big as a house), with long ebony hair (about twenty feat of hair) and a yellow dominatrix outfit. She sat upon three stone Yasogami girls.

Chie collapsed.

"Chie!" Tsuyoi called.

I-It's coming! You have to use your powers to save Chie-chan!

"I am the shadow..." The distorted Chie began. "The TRUE self..."

Tsuyoi gripped his bat and tarot card.

"What do you guys think you're doing?" It asked threateningly. "Trying to defend the 'real' me?"

Tsuyoi frowned. "That's the plan."

"Then you're gonna pay the price!"

Yosuke gritted his teeth. "Shut up! Stop being such a pain!" He shook his head. "Chie... just hang in there a little longer..."

"Hæh..." The shadow laughed. "Think you can stop me that easy!?"

Izanagi voice rang. Lower her defense!

How in the blue hell can I do that...?"

Tsuyoi gripped the tarot card. "PERSONA! IZANAGI!"

Izanagi appeared, and slashed his nagitana at Shadow Chie - the same swishing motions as Zio.

"RAKUNDA!" Izanagi yelled boldly.

Shadow Chie stumbled for a moment.
"What the hell?" She shook her head scornfully.

Yosuke slashed his tarot card upwards, his eye lighting up.

"Throwdown! Persona!"

Jiraiya came through, clasping his hands together and summon a gust of wind.

"Garu!"

Shadow Chie fell, making an audible gasp of pain.

"YOU DICKS!" Shadow Chie screamed.

"Now's our chance!" Yosuke blurted, readied his (well, dad's) wrenches. "You ready?"

Tsuyoi nodded.

Rushing forward, Tsuyoi gripped his spiked bat.

Beating things like this was a flurry of motion, with Tsuyoi and Yosuke being frantic but in sync.

Yosuke slashed his wrenches, Tsuyoi slammed his baseball bat.

They paused for second noticing Shadow Chie rising up.

She wasn't pleased at all.

"ZIO!" She screamed, flicking her nails as if they were whips.

It was aimed towards Yosuke and-

Tsuyoi sprinted towards the fellow persona user - nocking him out of the way.

"AAAAAGHFFG-" Tsuyoi hollowed in pain, shocks going up and down his body.

He laid there in pain, trying to curl into the fetal position.

Shadow Chie stopped to laugh. "Haha! You're stupider and weaker than I thought."

Yosuke shook, as if Jiraiya was telling him something.

Did his persona do that too?

Yosuke shatter the card. "JIRAIYA! DIA!" He yelled confidently.

Tsuyoi felt wave of calmness spread over him - he felt a lot better. Y'know, after getting shocked. He got up, and readied his bat.

"Looks like you won't understand without a little pain!" The shadow said gleefully. She glanced over at herself, who was unconscious.

Dammit! We should've brought Teddie!

"Bøttømłęšš Ėńvÿ¡" She yelled, snapping her whip like nails.

Yosuke dashed over, trying to shield her.

A column of air slammed against the two.

Tsuyoi glanced back, noticing Yosuke's back glittered with slashes that were oozing blood.

"Yosuke-!" Tsuyoi felt something silky wrap around his waist, then wrapping around his arms and lifting him up.

Shadow Chie, that hecken shadow caught him off guard!

Dammit!

She laughed, placing her hands on his cheeks and long yellow nails patterned gently against his spine.

"'She's quite cute'..." She repeats something he told Chie. "You like her too? Just like every other boy..." She pauses. "Please Tšúÿøï, bë mįńę..." She whimpers, almost pulling Tsuyoi in for a kiss, despite her head being nothing more than a yellow mask.

"I'm sorry-" Tsuyoi mumbled out. He pauses, feeling the hair tighten.

"Not a chance!" Yosuke yells, ripping Tsuyoi out of Shadow Chie's hair with his wrenches.

She screamed loudly, grabbing her torn lock of hair.

"Garu!" Yosuke yelled, a gust of wind knocking her of balance, hitting the ground.

"Stop I-" Shadow Chie mumbled. "Stop it!" She yelled.

"Wanna go again, partner?" Yosuke stated, obviously ignoring the cuts on his back.

Tsuyoi nodded.

For a minuet, Shadow Chie flinched and gasped as Tsuyoi and Yosuke beat the heck out of her.

She tried getting up, but fell back down. She turned into her human self, with ragged black hair and a forced smile.

Tsuyoi ran over to Chie, who was waking up.

"Ngh..." She gasped.

"Chie! Are you okay!?"

"What happened...?" Chie mumbled out, standing weakly.

Shadow Chie looked softly, tears obviously in her eyes. "......"

"What's the matter...?" Chie snapped. "Got nothing to say anymore?" She continued, walking up to the shadow, ready to beat her out.

"Stop it, Chie." Yosuke said calmly. He walked towards the shadow, and Tsuyoi followed suit. "It's alright." Yosuke said politely.

"B-but..."

Tsuyoi gave Chie a soft look. "You're more than that thing. "

"B-But I..." Chie whispered out, stepping back.

"He's right. I went through the same thing. So I can understand..." Yosuke agreed. "I mean, everyone has a side like this."

Chie shook her head. "Yeah... I kinda get it now." She whipped her face. "You are me." Chie admitted, grabbing the other Chie's hand.

Shadow Chie smiled.

"A side of me I couldn't forgive. That I tried to ignore..." She sniffles. "But you still exist. You're a part of me."

"The strength of heart required to face oneself has been made manifest. You've faced me, the other self..." Chie's shadow spook, specs of blue swirled around her and she warped into a slender being. She was in a gold jumpsuit and long ebony hair coming from a boomerang like helmet. She had knee-high white boots, and a white metal skirt. "She has obtained the facade used to overcome life's hardships, I am the female samurai and Carrus - Tomoe!"

Tomoe went away in a flash of light. Flickering into a small, tarot card.

The Charrus.

"I, um, it's true that part of me feels that way." Chie admits, frowning. "But I wasn't lying about being friends with Yukiko!"

Yosuke laughed. "Like we didn't know that already."

Chie falls to her knees, exhausted most likely.

"H-Hey! Chie!" Yosuke squawked, grabbing her.

"I'm okay..." She mumbles. "Just a little tired..."

"You don't look okay at all. And I bet..." Tsuyoi placed a hand under his chin. "You can use the same power we have now."

"Huh?" Chie asked, confused.

"Hey, what should we do?" Yosuke asked.

Tsuyoi smiled. "Let's go back."

"I agree. We need to let Chie rest-"

"I-I never said I needed a break! I..." Chie pushed Yosuke away. "Can still keep going..."

"Don't."

"It's not that we don't think you can. It's just, we have to save Yukiko-san, no matter what." Yosuke explained. "Now that you have the power, you can fight with us. It'd be much better for us all if you had your strength back. That's why we're saying we should go back and regroup."

"But Yukiko's still in here, isn't she!? I-I..." She stumbles. "If those were Yukiko's true feelings, then I have to tell her something."

Pause.

"I'm not as strong as she thinks! It's because she was with me..." She shakes her head. "Because we were always together, I was able to act that way. If we weren't, I'd..."

"Well, you need to get your strength back! Then you can tell her! Yuki-chan's normal. Teddie alerted. The Shadows don't attack normal people. They only attack when the fog lifts here.

"So Yukiko-san will be safe until then, right?" Chie asked.

"...I'm positive." Tsuyoi answered.

"Why? I don't get it..." Chie asked, slightly dazed.

"Teddie told us that the weather here is the opposite of our own world. The fog usually appears after it rains." Yosuke tells the brunette. "But it's been sunny lately. I don't think it's going to rain anytime soon."

"Don't worry so much." Tsuyoi told her. "We'll check the weather forecast first thing when we get back."

"But..." She pauses. "But I can't turn back now! We've come so far! Yukiko's still here! She's all alone..." She teared up. "She must be so scared!"

"Then you tell me how much further we gotta go to reach Yukiko-san!" She shakes her fist.

Th-That's...! Teddie squawked.

"You don't know what's up ahead!" Yosuke scolded. "The enemies might be even stronger. If we push ourselves too hard and get wiped out, who'll save Yukiko-san then!?" He said with a bitter tone. "We can't fail, no matter what. Am I wrong?"

"...Alright." Chie sighed. She grabbed her arm. "I'm sorry about before..." She apologized. "I shouldn't have rushed in like that by myself..."

"I know how you feel." Yosuke admitted.

"No h..." Tsuyoi pauses, glancing at Yosuke's back — red cuts covering his back, his jacket and shirts ripped. He shook his head, "We're definitely gonna save Yukiko-san. Right?"

"...Right." Chie smiles.

📺 TV WORLD ENTRANCE 📺

"I..." Chie mumbles. "I'm feeling even worse than the last time I came here..."

"My head feels like it's gonna split open..." she grabs her head. "How are you guys okay?"

Tsuyoi points to the gray glasses on him. "It's thanks to these."

Yosuke clapped his hands. "That's right, you're not wearing the glasses."

"Oh yeah..." Chie mumbles. "What's with those glasses? Did your eyesight go bad?"

"Man, you didn't notice until now?" Yosuke asked. "Just how panicked were you?"

Teddie laughed. "Tum de dummm! I got a pair ready for Chie-chan, too." He pulled out a pair of yellow glasses, shaped like diamonds. "Here you go!"

Chie took the glasses, and slipped them on. "Whoa! What the—!?" She stuttered. "This is awesome! It's like the fog doesn't exist!"

Yosuke sighed. "Why didn't you whip those out earlier if you had them?"

"I made them right now!" Teddie snapped. "You didn't tell me she was coming! It was all so sadden!" Teddie paused. "I mean, sudden!"

"Huh..." Chie said place her hands on her hips. "So that's the trick. I was wondering how you guys could see where you were going. Hey, is it alright if I keep these?"

"Fo' sho!" Teddie answered.

"We'll have to stop here today." Chie said in disappointment. "But I'll be back with these puppies!" She said confidently, but thoroughly exhausted.

She looked at Tsuyoi and Yosuke. "You guys better not come here without me, got it!?"

"Yeah, let's all promise each other: Nobody goes in alone." Tsuyoi spoke firmly. "It's too dangerous."

"And... If we don't work together, we won't be able to solve the case or save Yukiko-san, right?" Yosuke added.

"You're right." Tsuyoi agreed.

"Yeah, I agree. I promise too." Chie smiled at Tsuyoi.

"This'll be a breeze for us." Teddie smiled.

"Alright, so from tomorrow on, we'll try and come here as much as we can after school, and that includes days off." Yosuke confirmed. He turned and blushed at Tsuyoi. "Hey..."

Tsuyoi tilted his head.

"Would you mind being our leader? You were the first to get this power, and you're way better in a fight than either of us." Yosuke explained. "I think it's best for all of us if you set the pace of the investigation, and we follow your lead. I'm cool playing your second banana."

Tsuyoi blushed. He's never given this much power, never been put in a role like this. "L-Leave it to me."

Yosuke smirked. "I had a feeling you'd say that. I mean, I'm more the advisor type, you know?" He laughed. "An ideas man, not an executive."

"I'm with Yosuke." Chie agreed, blushing. "If you're the one calling the shots, I'd feel a lot more comfortable about this."

Teddie smiled brightly. "I'm with Yosuke too. If you're the one calling the shots, my pillow will be a lot more comfortable at night."

"Teddie, would you please stop talking?" Chie groaned. "I'm really on edge right now..."

I've been voted as the team leader. I guess my days of pursuing this case alongside my new friends have begun...

AM I THOU, AND THOU ART I
THOU HAST ESTABLISHED A NEW BOND
IT BRINGS ME CLOSER TO THE REAL ME
THOU HAST BEEN BLESSED TO PURSUE THE ARCANA OF THE FOOL - THE INVESTIGATION TEAM!

Yosuke stretched his body, blood bleeding through his white dress shirt. "Okay. Let's get some rest for today so we're ready for tomorrow." Yosuke yawned. "And don't forget to check the weather forecast. It gets foggy after a lot of rain, so let's keep an eye out."

Tsuyoi headed for the tower of tvs. "Also, let's make sure we gear up for next time."

The newly formed Investigation Team decided to return to Junes and go back home.

📺TV WORLD📺 -> JUNES -> DOJIMA HOUSEHOLD

The news is on TV, Tsuyoi notes. He's still exhausted, extremely so. His hair is still a little messy. His back is pain.

"That's all for world news tonight. Coming up next, the local news."

Dojima is quiet, with a stern expression on his face. "Hey, mind if I ask you something?"

Tsuyoi shrugs. "Sure, why not."

"You aren't getting involved with any strange business, are you? What happened at the station this afternoon..." Dojima trails off. "It's still bothering me. Is there anything you're not telling me?"

I hear the voice of my "true self", I have formed a team of two teenage emotional wrecks and a bear. We venture in a magical world beyond a TV screen.

"Of course not." Tsuyoi lies. He's doesn't say a thing, which he is very ashamed off.

Dojima sighed. "...I see. Well, it's just been nagging at me, that's all."

Nanako gave a sad look. "What's wrong? Are you fighting?"

"No..." Dojima said calmly, "We're not having a fight."

Nanako teared up. "This isn't the police station..."

This made Tsuyoi remember some unpleasant memories.

Please don't fight, you're making my mom and me sad!

Kirijo-san, this isn't work!

To say that Nanako pulled on his heartstrings would be and understatement.

"I agreed to look after you. So don't get yourself involved in anything that could get you into trouble." He sighed. "Got that?"

The TV continued on, "And now, our weather forecast. Due to high-pressure fronts from the west, that sunny spring-like weather will stay with us for a while longer."

"Is this lady the one who decides the weather?" Nanako asks. "'Cause when she says that it'll be sunny, it always is."

"Uh, she's not really deciding it..." Dojima pauses, seeing utter confusion in the little girls eyes. "Never mind."

The news continues, with an uneasy mood filling the air.

Once the news was done, Tsuyoi stood up, aching to watch the Midnight Channel and get some sleep.

And a shower. A shower would be good, to wash his cuts and bruises.

He headed towards his room.

Dojima sighed. "Sorry about that."

Nanako gave a sad whimper. "...Don't fight."

Tsuyoi lowered his head. Sorry.

He entered the bathroom, slipping of his jacket, revealing a blackened and bloodstained shirt.

"Tsuyoi!" He heard Nanako call him. "Phone!"

Tsuyoi groaned. Who could possibly be calling him at this hour?

He quickly put a clean shirt on, and went downstairs.

He noted how his arms were cut from Shadow Chie's hair, thin cuts darted on his fore arms.

Damn, it's as if he was impervious to be normal.

He grabbed the phone from Nanako's hands.

"Ahem. It's me, Morooka."

"Good evening, Morooka-sensei."

"I have something that I've prepared just for you. I was going to deliver it to your house, but the situation's changed. I need you to come pick it up." Morooka explained.

"Sensei, where are you?"

"Er, where am I? I was getting to that!" The teacher snapped.

Sheesh...

"I am in front of the gas station at the shopping district. You got that? Now hurry up and come pick it up!" Morooka snapped threateningly.

Morooka has summoned you... god, what did I do? Tsuyoi thought as he headed towards the door.

"Who called you just now?" Dojima asked sternly. "Don't tell me you're planning to go out at this hour..."

Tsuyoi sighed. "My homeroom teacher needs to see me."

"Your homeroom teacher wants to see you? You just transferred here, and you've already done something?" Dojima asked in a rapid fire. "Well, this is you we're talking about." He sighs.

Tsuyoi has met Dojima before - when he was seven.

Is this my hot-headed nephew, Tsuyoi? He shrugged.

"Well, I understand." Dojima said. "Go take care of business and hurry back home."

DOJIMA HOUSEHOLD -> SHOPPING DISTRICT

Tsuyoi walked towards the gas station, wearing his black school jacket for quick warmth.

He walked towards Morooka, who was standing near a lanky teen girl with messy blonde hair. "Oh, you're here! Sooner than expected." He said in a surprised tone. "Here is the school jersey I got for you! Go on, take it!" Morooka snaps, pushing small bag in Tsuyoi's hands.

> Obtained The Wild Cat Jersey. An outfit that'll make you get your head in the game.

"Now that you've got it, get the hell out of here! I need to see your classmate mate Elliot home!" He turned towards the blonde girl. "You know the way to your own house, don't you?"

"But it's not a lie! I really am on the way home from cram school! I can go home by myself!" She snaps. "I wasn't trying to stay out and party!"

It's time to go.

SHOPPING DISTRICT -> DOJIMA HOUSEHOLD

Tsuyoi sighed as he entered the small, two-story home. "I'm back." He called in a tired tone.

He noticed Nanako was most likely snoozing away in her room.

"So, what was it?" Dojima asked.

Tsuyoi held the bag firmly. "School jersey."

Dojima gave surprised look. "You were given a school jersey? That's it? He could've just given you that at school..." The P.I. have a sigh. "Well, I'm sure telling you that isn't helping. School's tough enough as it is. With these incidents going on, everyone's on edge."

Tsuyoi nodded. And I'm going to figure out what's happening.

TEDDIE'S FUN BATTLE CORNER ~KUMA~!

Tomoe
The Charrus
Lv. 4
Spells: Skewer (A pierce of Tomoe's Nagitana), Tarukaja (???)

Chie Satonaka
The Charrus
Lv. 4
Weapon(s): ???

- Social Links -

Tsuyoi Birodo (The Fool) - A seventeen year old boy from Tatsumi Port City. Is living in Yasoinaba because of his mother's work. Is The Fool arcana and wields the Persona Izanagi. Izanagi - Tsuyoi's persona and of The Fool arcana. The elder god and creator of Japan and his name means "He Who Invites".

Yosuke Hanamura (The Magus) - A sixteen year old in the same class as Tsuyoi. Works at the local Junes. Is The Magus arcana and wields the persona Jiraiya. Jiraiya - Yosuke's persona and of The Magus arcana. A fabled Ninja who can turn himself into a frog.
Rank 1:
>You and Yosuke want to solve the murders.

The Investigation Team - A team of "emotionally damaged teens and a bear". (TSUYOI B., YOSUKE H., CHIE S., AND TEDDIE K.)
Rank 1:
>We are pursuing the murderer

Chie Satonaka (The Charrus) - A seventeen year old girl in Tsuyoi's class. Loves to practice Kun Fu. Is The Charrus and wields the Persona Tomoe. Tomoe - Chie's persona and of  The Charrus arcana. A fabled female samurai of ancient Japan.

Yukiko Amagi - A seventeen year old girl in Tsuyoi's class. Is the future owner of the Amagi Inn. Is stranded in the distorted TV World.
Teddie Kuma - A strange bear from the TV World. Name means "Teddie Bear".
Ryotaro Dojima - Tsuyoi's uncle and police detective.
Tohru Adachi - A funny big boy and is a buddy in Tsuyoi's uncle Dojima.
Nanako Dojima - Tsuyoi's seven year old cousin.
Igor - A man helping Tsuyoi's destiny and runs the "Velvet Room".
Margaret - Igor's assistant. Seems to harbor a motherly love towards Tsuyoi and Marie.
Marie - Igor's other assistant. She has amnesia but seems to vaguely know Tsuyoi.

NEXT TIME ON PERSONA 4: THE WRITTEN

Next chapter, CHAPTER THIRTEEN! BREAKING THE BARRICADE Part three of Let's Help Chie & Yukiko, The Twin Dragons!

"Chie kills a shadow and it's cool"
-Tsuyoi & Yosuke & Teddie

>next time on persona 4: the written, we break the barricade