"I heard that the daughter of the company that built this island is running for president!"

"Daughter of the…? Oh, you mean the Takeba Group."

Fates have been switched, stories have changed, and shadows have emerged. Welcome to the alternate world of Persona 3.

April 6, 2009

Under the moonlight of Iwatodai, it was quite busy. A blue-haired boy walked down the street, looking at a map to hopefully find the dorm he was supposed to stay at. He continued walking, avoiding people who were not watching where they were going. He was wearing a pair of clip-on headphones and had an mp3 player so he could drown out all the noise. He was also wearing a grey pea coat and dark jeans.

It wasn't long until midnight came around, and that's when everything changed. The world, as if it got a new paint job, turned green. Blood was splattered everywhere and every single electronic device stopped functioning, including stop lights, trains, anything that requires electricity. Then there was the people; all of them disappeared with coffins in their place. Every single person, except for the blue-haired boy.

"…This town is so noisy, it's amazing that it can become this silent," the boy said aloud to himself. He then looked up at the moon that seemed to have increased in size. "Huh, the moon is even bigger here than in Shizuoka..."

The boy continued walking until he heard an odd sound. He turned his head towards where he heard the sound, which was in a nearby alley. The boy raised his shirt slightly and underneath was a knife attached to his pants. He took it out of its holder and quietly walked into the alley. There he saw a man in front of an open coffin and he was cornered by a black-sludge thing with a mask. The black-sludge thing jumped on the man who let out a scream. The boy just watched as the black-sludge thing seemingly devoured the man before jumping off. The man was no longer functioning and was simply staring, devoid of life.

"Another person to join the Lost," The boy said to himself, aloud again. Finished with the man, the black-sludge thing directed its attention to him and charged. The boy simply sidestepped and kicked it to the wall. Wasting no time he dashed and stabbed the black-sludge thing's mask, making it dissolve into ichor. The boy put his knife back into its holder under his shirt and continued on his way to the dorm.

After walking and noting possible shortcuts, he at last arrived at the dorm which for some reason the lights were on despite the strange hour still in effect. The boy entered quietly and cautiously, hoping he wouldn't wake anyone up and at the same time on guard for any sudden surprises. But not even he was ready to see a ghostly white young boy in striped pajamas behind the dorm counter to the left.

"You're late," the young boy said, smiling creepily. Before the boy could respond, the pale boy continued. "Oh well. It doesn't matter. Now if you would, just sign this." The boy approached the counter and looked at the sheet of paper. A contract. That was written in English, old English to be precise.

I chooseth this fate of mine own free will.

"There is nothing to worry about, it simply means that you will take responsibility for your actions," the young boy said. The boy just took the quill pen and wrote his name in English, since the contract was in English.

Arisato Minato

"Hehehe," the young boy giggled as he clutched the piece of paper closely to his chest, making the boy, Minato, afraid that he just signed his soul to the devil and perhaps he shouldn't ever sign a contract at midnight ever again. He should have at least checked for fine print. "Take as much time as you want, time will never wait for anyone. After all, we will all be delivered to the same end." And with that the boy disappeared and darkness enveloped the room.

Minato just stared at where the boy once was. He was gone and so was any proof that he existed.

The only explanation for everything that happened was delayed trains and tired.

"Excuse me," Minato's head turned ever so slightly in the direction of the sudden voice.

12 Hours prior…

Mitsuru Kirijo was a very busy woman. She was the captain of the fencing team and was preparing for the elections for the Student Council. This was her first time going for president, and she truly hoped she would be able to get elected. Especially since she was going against Yukari Takeba, who was also running for President. Despite being her underclassman, she held a fair amount of respect towards Takeba. She was the daughter of Eichiro Takeba, the head of the Takeba Group who were the ones who built Tatsumi Port Island for a reason unknown to the skeptics.

Yukari Takeba was extremely busy and popular. She was never a member of the Student Council in prior years, unlike Mitsuru herself who was a previous Vice President. Mitsuru wouldn't deny that she was also a bit envious of Takeba. Takeba had everything she didn't. She was very popular, so popular that Mitsuru had a feeling she would win the elections just by introducing herself.

Takeba also had both her father and her mother. Both of Mitsuru's parents were currently deceased, and she had been living in school dorms all her life. But she knew that Takeba had a lot of work to do for the Takeba Group even though she was only a junior. Just not nearly enough as an independent woman like Mitsuru herself. Of course, judging someone on such basis was not an admirable trait. Something she knew thanks to her deceased father.

Takeba was also a bit-no a lot, more social than Mitsuru and had a lot of friends. How many of those friends were genuine, Mitsuru did not know. Mitsuru knew she was more academically intelligent than Takeba, but that was it. Part-time jobs was her method of gaining income and she was saving up for a motorcycle, but that was quite difficult since she had to pay for a lot of other necessities. Why did she want a motorcycle? A personal thing. Mitsuru was aware she was popular, but not a single person could compare to Takeba.

Right now however, she was currently on her way back to the dorm she lived in, which was accompanied by four other people. Two being fellow seniors and a first year she's known for many years and the other being none other than Yukari Takeba. However, at the moment she was also working for Takeba.

"Mitsuru," the voice snapped Mitsuru out of her thoughts as she was currently in her room. She looked up towards the door and saw Takeba standing there.

"Takeba, what can I do for you?" Mitsuru asked, standing up from her bed. She knew Takeba was particularly busy this week, though she did not know why. So this must be important.

"Dad told me about a last minute transfer. I just thought you should know," Takeba explained. She seemed to be waiting for Mitsuru to respond.

And respond she did. "A transfer? To this dorm? Does that mean…?"

Takeba nodded. "My dad said he's a special case and Ikutsuki will be coming to monitor him." Takeba walked over to her and handed her a file. "These are his files, please read them when you have the time." Takeba turned around and left quickly, in a rush it seemed. It almost looked like she was fleeing.

Mitsuru retained her neutral expression. The two weren't close by any means, but they didn't hate each other. They were considered to be rivals by the schools' perspective but they weren't. They just both happened to be popular and running for president.

Mitsuru opened the file folder and pulled out a couple of papers. The papers were ordered from present to past and in there was a photo of him pinned to the paper. His name was Minato Arisato and he had long blue-hair and silver eyes. If any regular person saw how he looked, they would most likely assume he was emo, but she knew all too well that looks can be very deceiving.

She quickly scanned the papers, looking for anything unusual. He was tossed around from relative to relative, living in different parts of Japan, living overseas a few times. Whether or not the relatives just didn't want him or if it was because of an event, it wasn't classified in the papers. She blinked when she read the 1999 part.

Biological parents died in a car crash on the Moonlight Bridge in Iwatodai.

Mitsuru frowned as she recognized that date. That was the day after her father died, except he died in an explosion on the island. 1999. And even if it was technically day after, the time was midnight. It was hard to believe that this was a coincidence. Her father's death, his parents' death, and now he was returning to the very city this occurred in, and herself joining Takeba's Club. This wasn't a coincidence, but at the moment, Mitsuru had no way of obtaining answers.

Mitsuru put the files back into the folder and placed them on top of her books and looked back at her room. Her room wasn't anything special but that was fine with her. She's seen Takeba's room and it was a room fitted for an Empress. It had couches, a large flat screen TV, and other luxuries. Mitsuru didn't really see the need for all that extra stuff but she understood the want for such a luxury. She however was just fine with a mini fridge, a small TV, a bed, and a desk. Mitsuru was also aware of the secret camera hidden in each room, after all she was the one who was in charge of the monitors in the command room. As for why she didn't get rid of the camera in her room, was still a mystery to her. It just always seemed to slip her mind.

Mitsuru now had to figure out where the new transfer student should stay. All the available rooms were completely disorganized at the moment.

Or so she thought. When she opened the door to the room at the end of the hall on the second floor, there were plenty of cardboard boxes, which would most likely belong to the transfer student. Mitsuru wondered when the movers even arrived without her noticing. Now she just needed to wait for the transfer student, who would be arriving around 10:00pm. Just before that time struck, giving them time to observe him.

It was almost midnight and the transfer student still had not arrived. Mitsuru was sitting in the lounge, waiting for the transfer student. "Maybe his train was delayed?" Mitsuru whispered to herself. That was a logical explanation, after all, no one could be lost for almost two hours. Especially since he should have a map on him.

When midnight struck, all the lights turned off and darkness enveloped the world. Mitsuru looked towards the door, wondering if she should leave and search for him. After all, if he does have the potential, then he will be completely unstable and may get attacked. She reached for something on her waist; a gun with the letters SEES. She heard the sound of shuffling and looked towards the door but saw nothing unusual. She raised the gun to her head before hearing a childlike voce.

"I wouldn't do that…"

Mitsuru spun in the direction of the counter where the sign-in sheet was. She saw nothing however and wondered if she was becoming paranoid due to lack of sleep.

She heard another sound and this time it was the door closing. Mitsuru looked back at the door and saw no one. Another sound echoed the room, this time the sound of paper. Looking back at the counter again, she nearly jumped as she saw a boy with long blue-hair suddenly standing there. Mitsuru briefly wondered when he entered but decided she was simply tired. Or perhaps the Dark Hour had more secrets. She took a step towards him, placing the gun back in its holster.

"Excuse me," the boy turned around surprisingly fast and seemed surprised at her appearance. "Are you perchance Arisato Minato?"

As soon as she asked that, the lights turned on, surprising her of how long she had been waiting. Of course, she didn't show any surprise and stared evenly at the boy. The boy glanced up at the lights before looking at her with a similar stare.

"Yeah, I was told this was the dorm I would be staying in. I wasn't aware that it was a girl's dorm however," Minato tilted his head. Mitsuru noted he was subtly asking if it was indeed a girl's dorm. She'd have to be careful around him.

"This is a co-ed dorm. There are currently only five residents, six counting you."

Minato raised a brow. "So few? In a huge dorm like this?"

"This dorm was recently built and is for special students," Mitsuru explained.

"Special? How-" Minato stopped himself from asking the question, as it seemed he had realized the answer. Mitsuru would have to be very careful around him. He shook his head. "Anyways, can I go to my room? I'm a bit tired."

Mitsuru nodded but then realized a sudden problem. It appeared Takeba had made a slight oversight when assigning her to greet the transfer student. "Your room is on the second floor, at the end of the hall but I do not have your key. Allow me to…" As soon as Mitsuru said that, footsteps were heard behind her and the sound of keys jingling echoed. The two turned towards the staircase and saw Takeba, who was spinning the key on her fingers, since it was on a keychain with her other keys.

"I have your key right here transfer student," Takeba said. "I'll show you where your room is."

Minato nodded and walked towards Takeba who started walking back up the stairs. Minato paused and turned around suddenly making Mitsuru raise a brow. "What's your name?"

Mitsuru was surprised at the sudden question but quickly recomposed herself. An error, she realized. She had forgotten to introduce herself. Whenever you meet someone and plan to hold a conversation, you always introduce herself. Another basic form of manners taught by her father. "Mitsuru Kirijo, your senior."

Minato nodded. "Goodnight Miss Kirijo," and with that Minato followed Yukari. When they were out of earshot, Mitsuru let out a tired sigh as she started to process what had happened this night.

Minato was extremely tired. He was surprised, sure, when he saw a woman in the dorm he was supposed to be staying in, but was still tired. He also usually had good manners and would always be polite, but he was so tired that he forgot his manners, since he forgot to ask the woman's name during their introduction. Or would it really be called an introduction, since she seemed to already know who he was and he didn't even introduce himself. And now he was following another girl to his assigned room.

"Alright, this is your room, at the end of the hall. Pretty easy to remember huh?" The girl said. Minato simply nodded. "By the way, I'm Yukari Takeba. I'm a junior, like you."

Not bothering to ask how she knew he was a junior just like with the senior downstairs, Minato decided to introduce himself. "Minato Arisato."

Yukari took the key out of her key ring and held it out. When Minato reached for it, she quickly retracted her hand, making Minato do everything he could to not growl in annoyance. "Hey, on your way here, was there anything, y'know, unusual?"

Minato blinked and replayed all the events that happened in his mind. After replaying the events that occurred twice, there was only one thing that stood out. But he knew better than to just ask the question straight out, since it would make him seem delusional.

"Nothing that I can think of," Minato answered. There really wasn't anything unusual. Well, except for the fact that the two girls had guns. "Actually, why do you have a gun?"

Yukari seemed surprised by the question." Huh? Uh, well, er…how do I explain it? Uh, it's for self defense. Lots of crimes have been occurring lately. These aren't real though but they would give us the advantage of any situation, get what I mean?" Minato simply nodded, doubting the given explanation. "Any other questions?"

"Who else lives in this dorm? Miss Kirijo told me that there were five other residents. So you and her would make two, who are the other three?" If one of the people were who Minato thought it was, this was one messed up dorm.

"Oh, well two are seniors like Mitsuru and the third is a girl a year younger than us. You'll run into them soon enough. One of them is a bit scary though so be careful," Yukari answered, looking at a room down the hall.

Minato frowned at the response. That didn't sound anything like the kid with the English contract. And that contract itself was a bad sign, and now there was a ghost who appeared only in that time it seemed. At least the dorm wasn't as messed up at it probably will reveal itself to be.

"You must be getting tired," Yukari held out her hand again and Minato snatched the key quickly this time. "Well, goodnight." Yukari walked down the hall while Minato entered his room, ready to fall on his bed to get some much-deserved sleep. Who needs to unpack?

The next morning Mitsuru took a sip of her morning tea in the lounge reading a French book. She always thought it worthwhile to expand her knowledge to different languages. That way she could enjoy modern literature in different languages.

It was still fairly early, so when she heard a certain, low groan from the stairs she looked up in surprise. "Tch, can't believe she set my alarm so early…"

Mitsuru placed her book down and greeted the tall teenager. "Shinjiro, good morning."

"Wouldn't call it 'good' exactly." Shinjiro ran a head through his long hair as he sat in the couch opposite of Mitsuru after grabbing a cup of plain water.

Mitsuru smiled in amusement. "I'm glad to see you won't be late today."

"Hmph. I'm guessing Aki's left already?" Mitsuru nodded. "Anyone else?"

Mitsuru shook her head. "No one else. The transfer student and Takeba are still in their rooms."

"Transfer? When was I going to hear about this?"

"I was only informed yesterday. I can go grab his files if you wish."

Shinjiro put a hand up as Mitsuru was about to stand. "Don't. His business. As long as he doesn't get in my way." Shinjiro paused. "Anyways, that's two. What about her? She gone yet?"

"Still here. Akihiko was counting on us to take her to school."

Shinjiro let out a 'tch' though Mitsuru knew he wasn't actually bothered. After all, they all grew up together in the same orphanage. "She changed my alarm only for her to sleep in?"

"Like brother, like sister, hm?" Mitsuru chuckled.

"No kidding. But this is a new low, even for her." Mitsuru watched as Shinjiro pulled out a pocket watch from his maroon pea coat pocket before returning it carefully.

"Hm, perhaps I should ask her to make this a habit." Mitsuru resisted smirking at the death glare Shinjiro was giving her. After all, neither were much for jokes. Threats are very real between them.

"Um, good morning." The two seniors broke their staring contest and turned towards the stairs to see Takeba adjusting her ribbon with her hand bag while walking to the door.

"Good morning Takeba." Mitsuru responded while Shinjiro simply grunted. Takeba shifted awkwardly before preparing to open the door to leave. "Takeba, what about the transfer student?" Mitsuru was under the impression that Takeba would take him to school.

"I have to do some things for the preparations for my campaign. Can you show him the way?"

"I also have to prepare for my campaign," Mitsuru pointed out.

She watched as Takeba looked away and let out a quiet mutter. "Oh, right…"

Takeba left the dorm without saying another word, leaving Mitsuru and Shinjiro alone in silence. Mitsuru stood up and grabbed her own hand bag. "Can I entrust you to take care of the transfer student?"

"Me? If you don't want him to be scared shitless on his first day, then he's better off on his own." Shinjiro mumbled, taking a large gulp of his water.

Mitsuru sighed and looked towards the stairs. "Can you ask Sanada?"

"…Ask her yourself."

"Thank you." Mitsuru ignored Shinjiro's response and stepped out the dorm, leaving him alone in the lounge.

The moment she stepped out the pleasant spring breeze greeted her, allowing her hair to blow in the wind. She took a deep breath and prepared herself for the upcoming year.

She had a feeling things weren't going to be normal anymore.

"Man, what an interesting take on the Persona 3 novelisation!"

Yeah too bad it ended up being me who thought of this idea. I wrote the first 3/4 of this chapter on February 7, 2015 and never ended up being able to do much. Which is a shame because this might be my favourite idea for the Persona Series. So instead of letting it collect even more digital dust, I decided to publish it. So yeah, don't get any hopes up or anything. If anything I'll be adding bits here and there whenever I can but definitely not a frequent update story because, well I've become so busy that the free time I do have is spent sleeping :P And if I do update, it won't be long, detailed chapters on levels with EternalCombOver or Solid Shark but more short, 3-4k words. If anything it'd be like my Reborn Links story where I just write events that I personally would like to see with this idea.

I would say excuse the poor grammar mistakes and whatnot...but there's no such thing as an excuse for poor grammar.

I hope at the very least you enjoyed what you read here. After all, who doesn't like a good Mitsuru story? Even if it's one chapter of pure nothingness.

Mitsuru artwork on cover art: MITSURU KIRIJO-Persona 3 by TRANS1ST0R on DeviantART