SZ: *rushes into the studio*WE DIDN'T STOP THIS STORY!

Z0: *sitting at a poker table with the Lupinrangers* Hey SZ

SZ:...uh...ahem. Gomen...just...feel like we've put this on hold long enough…

Z0: They don't seem to mind...they've already Carmen Sandiego'ed the world out of treasure and riches…*points to all the priceless art stolen from around the world even the Statue of liberty* Yeah...we are probably going to jail for hiding them here for so long.

SZ: 0-0...ahem. Right...well...during the time away..gotten a LOT of faves for this story just for chapter 1 alone...and I bet the readers are wondering what we're gonna do for the Pato side of this story in terms of Persona.

Z0: Oh right. Well lets give them that, *opens secret passage* Later suckers! *jumps in as the sounds of police sirens and lights could be heard out the window*

SZ:...if it wasn't obvious with the thieving of 5...we got our town protecting mystery solving crew of P4...minus Yu. As much as we like him-especially since he's voiced by Johnny Yong Bosch…

Z0: Persona Leads are meant to be insert yourself characters. And while yes they have gotten anime...the leads are always portrayed in this weird way, like their actions are based off the general guideline of their character...and maybe even the weirder choices you could have picked in the games narrative.

SZ: True...and while it does make for some good comedic moments at times, it does tend to fall...flat at times...case in point…*points at the Persona 5 anime*need we say more?

Z0: Love the game...Meh on the anime. What a waste of amazing Voice actor talent. But anyway! Onto the next chapter and the other side of this VS sentai coin.

SZ: Eeyup. We don't own jack shit aside from original content. If we dd...Z0, list some things we would've done if we owned either series!

Z0: If I owned Super Sentai…*begins to happily dream of the insanity I'd come up with* eh… right story! *brings down the curtain just as the cops break down the door*

Inaba...a quaint little town just a small train ride away from the city. Home of the world famous Amagi Inn, and a branch of the world renowned Global Police force. This was primarily what news from the town stemmed from. The Global Police, the evolution of Interpol, a Global spanning police force of operatives and officers who work to keep the entire world safe. Inaba was chosen as the home for their Japanese branch due to its ability to connect to all Major cities and its general designation as a safe place to live. It was a prime tourist spot...if it weren't for the mysterious fog that rolls in every now and then. No one, not even the Global Police knew where this fog came from..just that it happens after a heavy rainy day. There's even a rumor where if you look into the TV during the night of such a day...you'll find your destined one. It's said people have tried tis...only to turn up missing the next day...and their dead bodies found in the oddest and most strangest places. Could the fog somehow hold a key to this, or is it something else entirely? Join as we delve into this mystery surrounding the town.

Speaking of…

"HALT!" a figure shouted running down the street. He was clad in a red and white suit, the red formed along his legs separated from his torso by white, which formed a jacket like pattern on it, a red belt tightly around his abdomen, Red along his torso forming the image of a 'vest' under the white 'jacket', and lapels and a red tie. His white sleeves had red shoulder armor pads and red rings around each forearms armored sleeve, his red helmet offset by a large visor in the shape of a Police officer's cap and silver mouthplate, a gold badge in the center of his visor and on his left pectoral.

What was this hero chasing, well currently it was a simple Gangler Grunt. It panicked as the Red hero chased him.

"OH!" he roared, picking up speed before he jumped and kicked the grunt across the back making him roll across the ground and to a stop, "In the name of the Global Police Japanese Branch, you are under arrest for assault."

The grunt spoke in some unintelligible language. Which only grunts seemed to speak as the normal monster Ganglers could still speak human languages. But safe bet it was a lot of cursing due to the lewd hand gestures.

"...tch. I don't know what you're saying, but your lucky no kids are around to hear or understand your curses. Otherwise...oh ho...you would not like me, nor my uncle…" the red hero chuckled a bit before shooting at the ground, making the Ganglar yelp just as it was about to crawl away, "Resistance is futile...surrender now or else."

The Ganglar just sat there, weighing its options as it looked at the red hero. Either it would flee to its boss, leading the red hero back to him...or just accept the consequences and face judgement….it was a lose-lose situation for it.

"I take your hesitation as refusal." he spoke, pulling out a VS changer. However it was twisted counterclockwise the White and red police car like vehicle becoming a new trigger for the new formation.

The Grunt blinked at that and panicked, trying to run...Only to be bladed by a red energy bullet causing it to explode.

"Hmph...guess it realized it was gonna lose either way…" Red muttered before spotting a nearby clock, "...Oh good. I can still make it to my first day at school…" he nodded running off.

Why would a Super Sentai Ranger and officer have to attend school you wonder? Well...why not show you to better explain.

"Mission accomplished!" The Red Ranger saluted to a man sitting behind a desk.

The chair spun around to reveal an African American man, dressed in a full three piece suit. He looked at the Ranger for a few moments before gesturing to said super powered suit still covering him.

"Oh...right." he nodded as it faded away in red light leaving a young man dressed in a blue uniform with red marks along his arm and chest. GSP written along the back of his jacket, "Sorry Commander Hilltop."

"Ah no worries if I could use a suit like that all day…" he replied, standing up, "Besides, that's not why I called you in."

"It isn't?"

"Keiichiro, tell me in detail how this set up came to be."

"Well I was a regular student at a school dedicated to teach people to become officers in the GSPO," Keiichiro began.

"And then you fell into a TV." Hilltop interrupted.

"I don't see how that pertains…"

"We found him." he pointed to a Red and blue Mascot bear sleeping in the corner.

"..."

"Hello! It's beary great to see you again, Sensei!" the bear beamed with a smile as he woke up.

"Now from what he told us you both had some strange shenanigans filled adventure…"

"I refuse to acknowledge that day…" Keiichiro denied.

"But it's important, because you are the only person who can now use the VS changer." Hilltop explained, "Which means despite your youth, you need to be a part of this very much adult filled life as an actual officer. I swear if not for Teddie, my superiors would call me insane...but...he's a sentient mascot suit." he pointed at Teddie.

"Yup!" the now mentioned Teddie smiled, "And me and Sensei have faced the rogue Shadows before...well, more he fought them while I hid and navigated him on the different types of Shadows."

"And because you awakened some power in this other realm...you can make the VS changer...also for some reason, it seems no one else has been able to get in the way you two have. So...here we are."

"Well when you say it like that...it seems like we missed out on a vital adventure." Teddie pointed out.

"We're not reliving it." Keiichiro argued.

"Ack!" Teddie nearly tripped over at that, "B-b-b-but Sensei, you promised me! You were gonna help me find out who's been tossing people into my world!"

"And I will! But I refuse to relive a day of something out of an RPG with dungeons and monsters and nonsense…" he argued, "I am a man who shall become a police officer and protector of the innocent, which includes you and whoever is sent into that world. But I'm not an RPG hero…"

"Your also 17…" Hilltop countered, making him freeze, "And while yes, you are as of now an actual officer...you sadly can't spend all day here in the office of the Anti-Gangler HQ, which we might need to rename given Teddie's stories...Teddie think of a cool new title for our section…"

"You got it, captain!" Teddie saluted.

"...Are we done here? I seriously need to head to school now...of which I…"

"Me and your Uncle Dojima have discussed it, and we both agree that you need to spend time around people your own age," Hilltop pointed out.

"...You mostly wanted to see my cousin Nanako, didn't you?" Keiichiro deadpanned.

"Teddie's idea." Hilltop quickly pointed, making said sentient suit gawk at how fast he was to get blamed.

"..."

"Ahem! But yes...you are correct. You do have class to attend now," Hilltop cleared his throat as he sat back down, "You are dismissed."

"...Yes sir…" Keiichiro saluted as he walked out.

"...Captain, why'd you put the blame on me~?!" Teddie hissed to Hilltop in a hurt tone, cartoonish tears dripping from his eyes.

"Because Teddie...it's easier." he admitted, making Teddie's eyes go white and wide in shock at the bluntness.

"But...no fair! You wanted to see Nanako-chan more than me~!" Teddie complained.

"..." Hilltop coughed into his balled up hand as he turned, "Not my fault that she's just so precious…and must be protected at all cost..."

"Captain…" Teddie sighed at that.

"..Inaba high school…" Keiichiro noted, looking at the large school building before him from in front of the gates, some students passing by him as he wore a similar attire to them, but with a slight few additions he made to it. "I don't even get why I need to attend regular school...I can just go back to the Academy." he then paused as he sighed, "'But then you'll draw attention as the youngest student ever to be given proper officer training and your specialty will draw too much attention. It'll be like coming back to brag'" he repeated what Hilltop told him, "...Well...might as w-"

"Woah! Gangway~!"

"Hmm?" Keiichiro blinked as he turned, time seemingly slowing down as a bike was heading right towards him, rode by a male student his age with unkempt fawn-colored hair and a hair of large red headphones hanging off his neck "?!"

"Dude seriously l-" the student exclaimed as Keiichiro stepped out of the way at the last second...letting him crash into a trashcan, "Gah ha!"

"Are you alright?" Keiichiro asked, crossing his arms and looking down at him.

"Ow…" the student groaned..his legs dangling out of the trash can as he tried to pull himself out, "...help."

"..." Keiichiro sighed as he grabbed him and lifted him up with a single arm, he set him down and proceeded to dust him off with a few slaps to his torso, after a moment he grabbed his bike but cringed at its condition, "You...may need a new tire…"

"..Ahh man...my bike…" the student slumped, "Ugh...guess I gotta save up to buy one at Junes...again...good thing I have an employee discount."

"How did you lose control like that...its like someone cut your breaks...or...you forgot you had any…" Keiichiro noticed.

"...I...went downhill too fast…" the student admitted, sheepishly rubbing the back of his head.

"You know it's safer to walk your bike up and down inclines…" Keiichiro noted.

"I know. Just...wanted to get to school in time before Mr. Morooka snaps at me for being late," the student answered with a groan, "Last time that happened, he gave me homework...for the entire summer break."

"...All for being late?"

"It was either that, or being held back for two years," The student sighed.

"That's...that's not how things work for the Japanese education system…" Keiichiro muttered.

"Try telling him that…" the student muttered before getting a chance to fully look at Keiichiro's outfit, "...wait. Are you a new student by any chance?"

"I'm Keiichiro Asaka." he introduced himself, "And yes I am a new student. It's a temporary change of settings but I still need to go to school. So here I am."

"Ahh...soka," the student nodded, "Name's Yosuke Hanamura. Nice to meet ya...oh hey. What class are ya gonna be in? Maybe we'll end up being classmates."

"...Let me check…" Keiichiro muttered as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper with teh school's schedule on it, "Let's see...I'm in...Mr Morooka's class."

"...I am very mixed," Yosuke admitted, making him blink, "For one I'm happy we're classmates, but...sad you're in the same class as Mr. Morooka...given he's much harsher on new students."

"...Okay seriously, he can't be that bad, can he?" Keiichiro asked.

"Alright, shut yer traps, you hormone driven brats!" a gangly looking man in a business suit, a sorta-bowlcut haircut...and an overbite snapped at the class before him, Keiichiro standing near the doorway, "As you all already know, I'm Kinshiro Morooka, your homeroom teacher for the school year!"

"..." Keiichiro blinked a few times, "On second thought I already have a career plan...maybe I can talk my guardian into homeschool…." he whispered reaching to close the door.

"Stay quiet until I call ya over!" Morooka snapped, making Keiichiro flinch, "Now then class...first things first! Just 'cause it's spring doesn't mean you can swoon over each other like love struck baboona! Long as I'm around, you students are gonna be as pure as the driven snow! Now..." he cleared his throat as he motioned Keiichiro to come over, "I hate wasting my time, but I'd better introduce this transfer student here."

"Am I allowed to talk now?" Keiichiro asked simply.

"Yes, so get talking before I boot you out of my class and have you expelled for wasting my time," Morooka threatened.

"You can't do that as that defies your authority as a regular homeroom teacher and I have done nothing to warrant such a offense." Keiichiro spoke quickly, "Furthermore, your personal threats are an abuse of authority and could get you fired for such threats against students. And maybe even arrested for verbal assault against Minors, Also your breath should be considered one. Ah sorry that was a personal note, but again you can't do that so...let's just move along before I report you to the police."

"?!" a majority of the students, including Yosuke looked at the scene in a mix of surprise, amazing, disbelief...and slight fear as Morooka's face began to redden in anger.

"...forget it. You officially just made my shitlist," the teacher growled before looking at the class, "No need to introduce him. This sad sack here is a transfer from the city, apparently having gone to a police academy of sorts...tch. Unless it was for something respectful, he most likely just trained to sit on his ass all day eating donuts and acting racist to anyone different."

"Actually I trained in SWAT and criminal investigation." Keiichiro countered, "I'm certain that sounds like your hobbies."

"...nobody better even think about talking to him, or even hitting on him!" Morooka snapped.

"Did you just threaten my classmates?" Keiichiro asked, a glare forming in his eyes, "I repeat...did you just threaten minors?"

"No. I'm trying to protect my students from big city threats," Morooka glared back, "If anything comes from the big city, it's nothing but thieves and perverts looking for an easy lay."

"Soka…" Keiichiro noted before pulling out a pair of handcuffs, "Sensei...I'm taking you to the principal."

"Huh?" he blinked at that before he was cuffed, "...wait what?!"

"SILENCE!" Keiichiro snapped, blowing his hair back, "You will be silent or so help me anything you say will be used against you! Now get to marching!" he snapped, pushing him down the hall.

"...did...that seriously just happen?" a girl with light-brown hair shaped into a bowlcut blinked in surprise.

"I...I think I found my new hero…" Yosuke whispered.

"Resisting!"

"OW! You're crazy!"

"No! I'm a cop and a member of the Global Police Force!"

"Bullshit!"

"Here's my badge."

"...that's fake!"

"Ah Morooka-sensei...I forgot to mention...your new...student...is..an actual...officer….oh you already know…" a third voice spoke up slowly, seeming to walk in on the scene.

"...what?"

"Principal Sir! I have many complaints about your employee! He is violating many laws which pertain to his treatment of students! Also he has very bad breath that's not important but I can't ignore it."

"I brushed my teeth this morning!" Morooka barked.

"With what?! Garlic flavored toothpaste!?" Keiichiro snapped.

"Ah...oh dear lord what have I allowed to happen?" the Principal sighed.

"I am sorry for that...Ahem! My name is Asaka Keiichiro." Keiichiro bowed to the class, their teacher bound to his chair by many...MANY handcuffs, "Not how I'd like to explain it...but yes I am also an actual officer of the GSPO...its a long story but even despite that I still need to attend high school according to my Captain...to help me...socialize with people my age."

The students just sat there, blinking for a few moments before a majority of them began to swarm him, especially the female students.

"Do you carry a taser or gun around with ya at all times?!"

"Is it true that cops get freshly made donuts first?"

"How much of a badass were you in the police academy?!"

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Uhm...in the order I could pick up; yes I am trained in firearms, no I'm not allowed to carry one during school hours, yes the GSPO has its own bakery...and yes donuts freshly made all day...despite the stereotypes...they are still donuts...who doesn't like them? Badass...well I was top of my class in SWAT, criminal science, and investigation, I'm a 2nd Dan Black Belt...and...no I am currently single." he listed, "Oh no wait...I am allowed a taser." he remembered, bringing it out before looking at their teacher, "You get lucky today…"

"Man they're all over the new guy," the bowlcut-haired girl whispered as she sat with a female student in a red and black school outfit, her raven-black hair reaching down to her back and held by a hairband, "Neh, Yukiko?"

"..."

"...Yukiko."

"Huh? Oh ano...hai, Chie-chan," she nodded.

"...Hey are you…" the now named Chie began before Yosuke held out a DVD case to her, "?"

"While we have the chance...here's your DVD back. The...action scenes are awesome," Yosuke stated...as he slowly began to creep away.

"..." Chie began to blink before she frowned, making Yosuke flinch as he began to run, "Hold it! What did you do to my DVD?!" she snapped as she gave chase.

"Nononononon-GAHHA! Why is it always the knee?!"

"I'd assume this as assault...but...something tells me he did this to himself." Keiichiro spoke up, having watched this scene.

"Hanamura I swear if you…" Chie began as she opened the case up, "?! AHH! It's completely cracked in two!"

"S-sorry! It must've happened wh-GAH!" Yosuke yelped when he got kicked hard.

"Shut you..you…" Chie began, sniffling before she fell to her knees and began to cry hysterically, "My Trial of the Dragon~~~!"

"Ah! Oh no she's crying!" Yosuke panicked before looking at Keiichiro.

"What…?" he blinked, "I'm not the good cop type…" he argued, "...and no. I'm not gonna check the evidence locker or lost and found for any copies of that movie. I'm not that kind of cop either."

"Oh come on man. Help a dude out."

"...I know someone who could help…" he sighed.

"Almost...almost…" Hilltop muttered as he and Teddie where building a giant house of cards, "Just a little more...yes...yes…" at that the phone went off, making Teddie panic and fall into the house of cards, "No!"

"AHH! We were so beary close too!" Teddie cried out in disbelief, "Sorry, captain~!"

"Ah…" he sighed before picking up the phone "Moshi-moshi…"

=Captain...I have to ask if you know a way to get a specific DVD=

"Keiichiro...DVD? Whatever for?"

=How do I explain this...Yosuke, what was that nonsense thing you said earlier?=

=To help heal a girls broken heart…=

=Yes...that obvious lie=

=Ah dude come on…=

=I call it as I see it=

"Wait...are you...making friends?" Hilltop asked with a smile.

=Am I?=

"Just say yes and let me have this…"

=Then yes, Yosuke...you are now my friend=

=Woohoo!=

=Try not to make me save you from the police…=

=Fair enough!=

=I can't save you from her=

=Ack! She's back to angry!=

"Keiichiro, did you arrest your teacher?" Hilltop asked, seeing an email from his principal.

=It was necessary…=

"...Necessary how?"

=He was verbally abusing his students and threatening them with asinine threats, such as being held back or homework during summer break just for being late=

"It sounds like I'm back at highschool in America…" Hilltop muttered at that, "Only I'm not a 17 year old officer of a global police force who's also a superhero...Okay yeah I get your point. I'll overlook it...Just try not to make a habit of this…"

=I don't think I can promise that=

"In that case, put the fear of god into him…"

"I don't think I'll understand humans and their hatred of this highschool thing…" Teddie whispered to himself.

"My Captain should be able to find a copy." Keiichiro told his classmates, "He's very good at finding these kind of things."

"How?" Yosuke asked.

Keiichiro paused for a second as he thought back to Hilltop's desk. How he had a Bonsai tree decorating it, a suit of Samurai armor behind his desk, a katana propped up above the window behind his desk, figures of famous anime icons such as Doraemon and Totoro.

"Just...just trust me on this…"

"...okay…" Yosuke slowly nodded before looking back at Chie, "Eh heh...well, guess we can…"

"You still owe me for destroying my DVD," Chie frowned, giving him an even glare.

"...It's not money is it? Because...I was gonna take Keiichiro to lunch at Junes a-"

"Then you're taking me too," Chie stated, making him stumble, "And you owe me meat...steak. Porterhouse."

"P-porterhouse?!" Yosuke gawked.

"At least she's not kicking you anymore." Keiichiro pointed out, "Besides, I can help pay for lunch."

"...Dude...thank you…" Yosuke sighed in pure relief.

"I'd feel bad to let you pay for it after...all that has come upon you today." he explained, "Besides, I'm fairly sure I have the better paying job…"

"Dude!"

"What? It's true."

"He is an actual cop after all." Chie argued, making Yosuke slump a bit, "...oh by the way. Yukiko, are you joining us?"

"..No thanks. I...need to go help at the family inn," Yukiko answered with a sigh.

"She looks like she could use a day off…" Keiichiro noted bluntly.

"...N-no I don't," Yukiko denied, trying to hide one of the bags underneath one of her eyes.

"It really looks like you could." Keiichiro argued.

"Do you ever take a day off?" Yosuke asked.

"Don't be crazy. I'm a police officer. I'm always on the job." he quickly countered.

"...not even for holidays?"

"Always…." Keiichiro argued as he pointed at their teacher, whom he also gagged to shut up.

"..." Yosuke and Chie slowly blinked before they looked at eachother, "...Wow."

"Now let's go." Keiichiro said.

"Wait what about...him?" Yosuke asked, point at their teacher.

"What about him?" Keiichiro argued simply.

"No yeah good point." both classmates quickly agreed to and followed him.

"MMM?!" Morooka growled at that, trying to get out of his seat..only to fall over in it, "..."

"...you had it coming, sensei," a student deadpanned.

"So this is the place." Keiichiro spoke, arriving at the destination Yosuke was taking them.

"Yup. Kei...welcome to Junes," Yosuke smiled, motioning to the fairly large store before them...well, it was hard to say if it was a store..or if it was a mini-mall of sorts from all the different stuff Keiichiro could see inside it.

"Amazing...it's like a shopping center from the city…" Keiichiro noted.

"Yup, and my dad is the manager," Yosuke grinned...before slumping "Though I have to do most of the work for the other employees when they decide to take a break."

"That seems ironic given your standing as their boss' kid." Keiichiro pointed out.

"I know…" Yosuke slumped further.

"But it shows your a hard worker Yosuke…" Keiichiro spoke patting his shoulder, "Be proud of that-despite your position-you do your work and even those of others in their place."

"...huh...never thought of it like that…" Yosuke blinked before smiling a bit as he shot back up, "Thanks man."

"Yeah yeah. Yosuke's not that lazy let's eat." Chie complained, pushing Yosuke towards the food court.

"H-hey!"

"...Well. Those two are interesting," Keiichiro whispered as he walked after the two...swearing he was hearing Chie chant 'meat meat meat~' in a sing-songy tone.

After a while they were all seated and enjoying their meal. It was nice and relaxing. It felt almost...normal in the comforting sense.

"Mmm~ umashi~!" Chie beamed..currently munching on a 48-ounce Porterhouse steak..

"Chie...you are a one of a kind woman…" Keiichiro spoke in a shocked deadpan tone.

"Just be careful around her. She's really dangerous and crazy about the kung-fu," Yosuke whispered to him.

"I heard that," Chie said in between bites.

"Gh?!" Yosuke tensed, nearly falling over in his seat.

"Your voice carries more than you think." Keiichiro added, pulling him back into his seat proper, "If she's into martial arts then I guess her appetite makes sense. Martial arts requires muscles and stamina, the protein heavy diet helps the body build the muscle to be strong enough to perform the moves."

Chie gave a thumbs up at that, as if she was saying 'exactly'.

"Well you're also a martial arts expert too, right?" Yosuke pointed out.

"Karate, but also a bit of Judo and Jujitsu." he explained.

"What's the difference?"

"Ones for hitting you and knocking your teeth out...the other two are for swinging you around like a ragdoll and pinning you."

"Exactly…" Chie added after swallowing a bite.

"Have to admit...it's weird hanging out with a guy our age...who is also a cop." Yosuke admitted, "Like...you have an actual adult job…"

"There are certain circumstances that lead to my spot...unique...and bizarre ones." he muttered, "But I just see this as my dream coming true sooner."

"You've always wanted to be a police officer?" Chie asked.

"Hai…" he smiled, "I've always wanted to be a police officer that can protect people. Now...I can be that."

"Wow."

"...what about you two? Any dreams you two are aspiring to achieve?" Keiichiro asked.

"..." the two blinked before sharing looks with one another for a moment, "...Not really no."

"Eh?" he blinked at that, "But shouldn't you by now...Highschool won't last forever…" he pointed out.

"I know. But...well…" Yosuke began before the sounds of sirens went off, "Eh?"

"...oh geez…" Chie whispered, shooting up out of her seat and ran up to the railing, "Did they find another body?"

"Hey where'd Keiichiro go?" Yosuke asked.

"Oh!" he roared, running out as a blur.

"Where did that come from!?" Chie shouted running after him.

"Does he do this a lot?!" Yosuke asked mostly to himself as he grabbed their things and followed.

"Most likely!" Chie guessed.

"...ugh...another one…" a man with short ruffled hair sighed, looking up at a blanket covering a dead body, "This is the third one this month…"

"Bleaugh!"

"...ugh...damn it, Adachi…" the man groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose as a lanky man with a loose tie groaned, leaning against a trash can.

"I can't help it…."

"Keiichiro is literally half the age of most of us...and he can handle this...he's right behind me isn't he?" he asked with a sigh.

"Yes…"

"...of course he is…" the man groaned as he turned, "Keiichiro, what are you doing? Shouldn't you be at school?"

"Complications lead to our taking an early day, Uncle Dojima…"

"...You arrested your teacher?"

"I arrested my teacher." he nodded.

"Oh boy…" he groaned, "Wait. How did you change into your officer uniform if you came from school?" he asked.

"Dude, did you strip while running down the street!?" Yosuke shouted as he and Chie caught up.

"Of course not...I was wearing underclothing. Layers...the key to staying warm." Keiichiro spoke.

"Dude just...OH MY GOD!" he panicked finally noticing the scene, "Gang way!" he shouted rushing for the trash can.

"...Not again…" Chie whispered.

"...what's going on?" Keiichiro asked.

"Lately bodies have been appearing after fog-filled days…" Dojima answered with a sigh, "This is the third one...and we found her hanging from the power lines."

"How did no one see this happen?" Keiichiro muttered.

"BLARG!"

"Yes Yosuke...something is wrong." Keiichiro nodded.

"Blah…"

"No...no I don't think it was that simple." Dojima answered, "But from what I can tell...there's a pattern. A person seems to go missing just before the day it rains, a fog rolls in the day after it rains...and the next…"

"A body is found…" Keiichiro finished, earning a nod from Dojima, '...is this related to what Teddie said about people being thrown into his world?'

"Got something Keiichiro?"

"Potentially...but its not substantial. I'll have to investigate the connection to a case being investigated in my division." Keiichiro explained, "But...I can just feel a connection. I'd rather be wrong though…"

"Fair enough...but let's work on it from our sides and see if we meet up in the middle." he offered.

"I should get to it myself." Keiichiro nodded.

"Bwarg!" both weak stomached individuales groaned in unison.

"Yes...this is a tragedy." both steel nerved officers replied.

"Oh brother…" Chie shook her head before Keiichiro walked of, "...oi! Wait up!"

"Oh man...I…" Yosuke weakly began before Chie dragged him off, "Woah!"

'...People disappearing, then being found dead a few days later...those Ganglar things that have been sighted recently…' Dojima thought, pulling out a cigarette as he lit it and took a quick puff, "Ugh...what's happening in our town…?"

"I thought...you didn't smoke...s-" Adachi weakly began before expelling his lunch once more into the trash can.

"I think I'm afforded one on days like this…" he replied, "Also, was it the crime scene or the smell of my smoke?"

"Blag…."

"...I'll take that as both."

"This is possibly a bad thing…" Keiichiro muttered to himself as his classmates caught up to him, "I can't believe I'm about to even consider this...but I need to ask for help from...Teddie…"

"Teddie?" Chie and Yosuke repeated.

"Hmm…." He muttered, "Okay. Since you two are here, you might as well tag along...but...just...don't freak out when you meet him."

"...You say that like he's some freaky robot or something...or Chie after she attempts the Mega Beef Bowl challenge," Yosuke noted before coughing when Chie elbowed him in the gut.

"Like I said...don't freak out…" he repeated.

One silent and awkward walk to Keiichiro's place of employment the Global police precinct.

"I….I am freaking out…" both of them spoke upon meeting Teddie.

"I tried to tell you." Keiichiro sighed.

"Hello!" Teddie greeted, sitting in a chair similar to the chief.

"Dude...that's a freaking talking mascot suit!" Yosuke gawked.

"Yes...he's empty...Teddie prove it." Keiichiro said as Teddie unzipped his head, "Try not to stare too long...chief swore something stared back."

"AHH!" Chie and Yosuke freaked at that.

"Only Sensei has been able to stare and make it blink." Teddie laughed, putting his head back on, "Just joking!"

"Teddie, focus," Keiichiro ordered, "I may have found something out about your case."

"?!" Teddie tensed at that, zipping his head back up, "YOU DID?! WHO WAS TH-"

"Easy...It's not much, but I see a pattern," Keiichiro answered, "Recall how your world seems to get clearer after it rains out here?"

"Yes….OH!"

"Wait...world?" Yosuke asked.

"Teddie is technically a being from a different dimension." Keiichiro bluntly explained.

"...eh?" Chie and Yosuke owlishly blinked at that.

"Hello again!"

"And I'm thinking his world is connected to the people turning up missing and being found dead," Keiichiro added

"Seriously?!" Chie gawked.

"Yup."

"..." Yosuke's eyes widened at that, a cold feeling growing in his stomach, "...Saki Konishi."

"Hmm?"

"She was a girl that went to my school and…" Yosuke paused as he held back a twinge of sadness, "...she was found dead last week…"

"...oh I remember that…" Chie whispered, "...Mr. Morooka said something really nasty about it the next day."

"...which w-" Keiichiro began.

"'Whatever she did to get killed the way she did...she deserved it'," Yosuke quoted with a scowl.

"...Teddie...I'll be right back." Keiichiro stated simply as he went over to a locker.

"Sensei wait...that's a bazooka!" Teddie panicked.

"So?"

"So?! Y...ah wait! Duty! Remember your duty!" Teddie freaked as he quickly grabbed him.

"Drat...your right. I'll have to blow up his home another day." Keiichiro frowned, turning the safety back on.

"...man Kei-chan is hardcore…" Chie whispered.

"No one speaks ill of the dead like that…" Keiichiro stated, "No one dares say such horrible thing of people who had their lives taken like that."

"...I agree," Yosuke spoke as he stepped up to him, "Listen...I don't know how dangerous this could be...but if you know who or what is behind Saki's death, along with the other people who had their lives taken...I want to help take them down."

"I can't guarantee it'll be that easy, or safe for you to get too involved." Keiichiro warned, "If worse comes to worse then this actually is my jurisdiction."

"Wait. Why is that worse?" they asked.

"Sensei...MMF!" Teddie panicked when Keiichiro tossed a pillow into his open mouth.

"Top secret." Keiichiro added, "If he told you...I'd have to detain you."

"...ulp. Noted…" Yosuke nervously gulped a bit.

"What could be so bad you can't tell us?" Chie asked honestly interested.

"Monsters….GAH!" Teddie cried when a computer monitor was tossed into his mouth this time.

"Monsters?" they repeated.

"Let's just say...I deal with very specific and VERY weird cases." Keiichiro spoke, "Some I'm sure you wouldn't believe if I didn't show you proof."

"And the living mascot suit isn't proof enough?" Yosuke asked.

"Not even scratching the tip of the iceberg."

"Ptoi…" Teddie spat the monitor out, "We got monsters in the basement." he smiled before Keiichiro lifted an entire desk over his head and prepared to swing it at him.

"...Monsters?" the two repeated.

"...you mean the monsters like the Super Sentai fight?"

"Y…" Keiichiro began before blinking, "...how do you know that name?"

"We get news from the rest of the world," Yosuke answered.

"We even at times see that livestream of that girl cosplaying as a humanoid Hedgefox," Chie answered.

"Curious…" he muttered.

"I know that show!" Teddie cheered before crying as the desk slammed on him.

"Quiet you," Keiichiro stated before looking back at the two, "But yes...we have monsters locked up. Ganglar."

"Ganglar?"

"Monsters from another dimension who like coming to Earth and….well committing crimes." he sighed out explaining them as simply as possible.

"...oh! So like Space gangsters!" Chie gasped.

"Wait. Another dimension?" Yosuke repeated as he looked at Teddie, "..."

"I'm not one of them!" Teddie quickly answered, holding his hands up in defense.

"Yes...Ganglars can take a human form. But they are also hollow…" Keiichiro rambled, "Wait. Teddie, are you sure that you're sure, you're just not a good one?"

"I'm positive!" Teddie argued, "I'm not a Ganglar…..at least...I hope not...am I a Shadow, or a Ganglar?"

"Speak clearer, damn it!" Yosuke snapped as he began to shake Teddie.

"Ahh! Sensei help! I'm being bearsaultted!"

"Oh that was b-GAH!" Yosuke screamed as he was jabbed in the neck by a taser and shocked.

"Sorry...force of habit." Keiichiro realized what he did.

"Wait...your force of habit is detaining anyone when you hear they are committing a crime?" Chie blinked.

"I said sorry…" he shrugged.

"You knew he'd do that, didn't you?" Yosuke groaned at Teddie, who just shrugged with an adorable smile, "...Ugh…"

"Look. It's been a rather long-ish day, so how's about you two head home?" Keiichiro suggested, "Tomorrow we can investigate. And by that I mean mostly me...no offense Yosuke."

"Hey…."

"You know what you do!" Chie complained.

"Oh for...name one t-!"

"My DVD!"

"I said sorry!"

"Like I said...Mostly me." Keiichiro repeated, "Also just so we can settle this...Chie...I shall hand you the taser...but only if you promise to put an end to this bit."

"Wait what?" Yosuke blinked at that.

*BZZZT!*

"...why~?" Yosuke groaned, coughing up a bit of smoke before falling into unconsciousness.

"Cause this will end the bit and we can move on." Keiichiro spoke, "Ah...you only get one!" he stopped Chie from using it again.

"Aw man…" Chie pouted.

"I'm still twitching from the other day…" Yosuke groaned as he met up with Keiichiro at school the next day.

"Did she bring it up anymore?" he argued as they walked towards class, "Don't get too comfy...he isn't even gonna make it in today." he explained simply.

"Oh my god...what did you do?" Yosuke asked.

"I booted his tire." Keiichiro explained, "All of them…."

-Elsewhere-

"Even the spare?!" Mr. Morooka shouted, walking out of his home that day and finding his car had been booted and somehow whoever did it opened the door...and put one on the steering wheel….as if just for the kicks, "Ugh...what else can go wrong?!"

"Ahh watch out! That monkey escaped from the zoo again!"

"...oh f-" Mr. Morooka began before a Capuchin monkey pounced him on the face, "GAH!"

-Back with our hero and his friends-

"Dude all of them?" Yosuke repeated.

"Even the steering wheel...to be sure." Keiichiro nodded, "Then for some reason Teddie sprayed the inside with some kind of ape attracting pheromone."

"...damn," Yosuke blinked.

"Hey. He had it coming," Keiichiro argued, "Now let's just focus on getting to class a-"

"Mmm...where is she?"

"Hmm?" the two blinked as they looked ahead, seeing Chie standing outside the classroom door, looking at her phone in worry.

"Come on Yukiko...answer…" Chie whispered.

"What's up Chie?" Yosuke asked.

"Hmm?" Chie looked up and saw the two, "...Please tell me either of you saw Yukiko this morning."

"Can't say I have…" Keiichiro shook his head.

"Nuh-uh." Yosuke added with a shake of his head.

"...Please don't tell me…" Chie whispered as she went to her contacts, "Please answer…"

=We're sorry. The number you are trying to reach is no longer in service=

"...Yosuke…." Keiichiro began.

"Checking…" Yosuke answered, his phone already out as he checked the weather for the week, "...Another rainstorm tomorrow...followed by a foggy day…"

"...I'm gonna get yelled at then grounded for this." Keiichiro said simply as he walked off, "Wait for me outside, then we'll go look for her."

"Wait. What are you gonna do?" Yosuke asked.

"Get school closed for the day." he explained, "I'm all for hurrying...but I'd like this to be excused."

"...huh?"

"Ugh….damn monkey…" Mr. Morooka muttered, his clothes torn up and in shambles as he staggered towards the school, "..least I made it in time...just hope those kids didn't decide to have an orgy in my classroom f-"

"FIRE!" Keiichiro's voice shouted as everyone rushed out and trampled over Mr. Morooka.

"...damn...k-" Mr. Morooka began before he was ran over by Keiichiro...followed by Yosuke and Chie, "..."

"Did we step in something?" Chie asked.

"Might have just been some garbage." Keiichiro spoke as they kept running before coming to a stop around the corner as he pulled out a set of keys and clicked them to open up a police car which was parked there, "We'll take my car."

"Shotgun!" Chie shouted just before Yosuke.

"Sh-damn it," Yosuke slumped.

"Should've been faster," Chie smirked as she hopped into the front seat, "Ohh~ comfy."

"This isn't a car with a back for arresting people is it?" Yosuke cautiously asked.

"No. This is just a transportation cruiser. It is bullet proof, fireproof, rocket proof and in a real emergency...can withstand the blast of a large scale explosion." Keiichiro listed.

"...so this is the safest car ever…?" Yosuke blinked.

"More or less."

"How so exactly?" Chie asked.

"It won't be totaled when I crash through things." Keiichiro explained, shifting the gear.

"Wait...crash through whOA!" Yosuke screamed as the car zoomed off.

"WHOO!" Chie laughed.

"You're crazy! Both of you!"

"I've been tested." Keiichiro argued.

"Hahahaha...that shut you up!" Chie laughed at the look on Yosuke's face.

"Wah…"

"Hmm?" Teddie blinked, the door slidding open as Keiichiro walked in, carrying a passed out Yosuke.

"Teddie, emergency!" he declared.

"Oh my god! What happened to him?"

"Huh...oh right Yosuke. Nothing he's fine." he spoke, dropping him just as Chie walked in, "A real emergency!"

"What he said!" Chie agreed.

"Love you guys too...blarg…" Yosuke groaned.

"Alright...this is going to sound odd…" Keiichiro spoke before pressing a button as a giant flat screen TV slid down from a port in the ceiling, "Get in the TV…"

"...How exactly?" Yosuke groaned as he stood up.

"Teddie do the thing." Keiichiro ordered as Teddy gasped happily.

"YES!" Teddie beamed as he literally jumped into the TV screen, a black and white 'portal' of sorts forming on the screen.

"Woah!...That's freaky," Chie admitted.

"How did he do that?!" Yosuke gawked.

"Well I could explain it but I'd have to begin with the basics of quantum mechanics, string theory, multiverse theory...and then move on to some physics that I still am struggling with so...we just say…" Keiichiro listed as Yosuke's face paled in intimidation of what could be said.

"Magic?" Chie asked.

"Yes Magic." Keiichiro nodded.

"...Good enough for me," Chie shrugged before jogging back, "Don't worry, Yukiko! I'm coming!"

"Chie wait! Y…!" Yosuke began before Chie ran and jumped into the 'portal,' "...There's some sort of negative effect in that place, isn't there?"

"Yes, but I doubt she'll succumb to it on her first trip given her energy." Keiichiro explained, "Be warned...negativity is what powers this effect...just don't be negative and you'll be fine!"

"Dude...dude…" Yosuke spoke as Keiichiro jumped in, "Oh this is insane…" he groaned as he jumped in after them, only for a hand to stop him, "Eh?"

"Whoo!" Chie yelled as she landed on a metal floor, "Landed it! Now where is Yu...ki..ko…" she trailed off as she noticed she was in a large, fog-filled area, "...Man it's foggy in here…"

"Yeah that's how it works." Teddie explained, rolling over and jumping back to his feet.

"Hup!" Keiichiro huffed landing on one knee as if anticipating the landing, "Stick close. This place can trick you."

"AH!" Yosuke cried, falling on his rear, "Your boss sent me with these…" he held up two copies of the white gun Keiichiro had.

"..."

"...what's with the silence, Keiichiro?" Chie asked before Teddie held up some glasses to her.

"Here. These will help make things easier to see," Teddie stated before tossing a pair at Yosuke's face.

"Ow!" Yosuke yelped as he shot up, the glasses now over his eyes, "What was that f….hey. I can see easier now."

"Huh…" Chie blinked as she put the glasses on, "Hey. Same here...wait. Is this a movie studio?"

"This is...odd." Keiichiro spoke, pulling his own pair out.

"Why?" Yosuke asked.

"This realm runs off what many call a sort of psychological projection to keep us from exploring to far into the deeper parts of this realm...almost like a dungeon your stuck in…" he went on, "Now see I've done this already. Teddie is from here...so either this is one of you two...I'm inclined to think maybe Chie...but alternatively...this could be your friend's world."

"I...understood none of that…"

"We might be trapped in Yukiko's mind…" he sighed.

"Oh!"

"Maybe h...wait. What are we doing?!" Chie exclaimed before grabbing Teddie and began to shake him, "Where's Yukiko?! Tell me!"

"Ahh~! I'll tell I'll tell! Please stop shaking me!" Teddie begged as Chie let him go, "Oh~...I'm getting Beary nauseous…"

"Teddie, focus," Keiichiro ordered, "This is important. We might have a chance to save her before anything bad happens."

"Right, sensei!" Teddie quickly saluted before he began to sniff the air, "Hmm...it smells like...her scent…" he spun a bit before pointing to a path with some fog covering it, "Is coming from there!"

"Can we trust him about this?" Yosuke asked.

"He knows a lot about this one thing." Keiichiro answered.

"Good! Then ikuze!" Chie saluted as she ran ahead.

"Hm...this weird feeling must be how Hilltop feels about me…" Keiichiro muttered.

"I suddenly feel proud…" Hilltop muttered.

The group continued to run as the fog began to lighten up a bit, revealing what was at the end of the path. It was a large faded gold castle with barred up windows while the gates leading to inside were a darker gold color. On both sides of the path leading up to the castle were brick walls with shrubbery and statues of horses that were a bit chipped up.

"Well that's new…" Yosuke was the first to speak.

"Hmm...I think if I finished my psychology course, I could explain this…" Keiichiro spoke.

"But where's Y-" Chie began before some spotlights shone on the balcony above the entrance, "?!"

"Good evening!" the group looked up to see Yukiko standing there, dressed in a pink princess-like attire as some Ganglar thugs held a camera up to her, "Tonight, Princess Yukiko has a big surprise!"

"On second thought, I don't think I'll need that psychology course…" Keiichiro muttered, "I don't think I want to understand…"

"Tonight...I'm gonna score myself a hot stud!" Yukiko continued, ignoring the trio as the thugs focused the camera on her, "Welcome to Not a Dream, Not a Hoax! Princess Yukiko's hunt for her Prince Charming! And guess what? I came prepared!"

"..." Keiichiro lifted his hand and blocked Yosuke's eyes at that.

"Dude...really?" Yosuke deadpanned.

"You're a teenager..I know how teenagers act when a girl says that," Keiichiro countered with his own deadpan.

"So are you!"

"I am mentally more mature!" he declared.

"Oh bullshit!"

"Silence!" he barked, making him fall over, "Also language…"

"Hmm?" Yukiko blinked as she looked down, "Hmm...the police officer looks too serious, and the other one seems too plain…not exactly harem material."

"As your friend, I shall only be slightly offended…" Yosuke sighed.

"Seems she's already subcombing to this world's effects…" Keiichiro spoke as he stopped Chie from rushing in, "Careful, this world will prevent us from interfering. It will do anything to keep her here until it's too late."

"Wait...what's that supposed t-" Chie began in worry at that.

"Well...here I go!" Yukiko beamed as she ran into the castle, the thugs following after her, "Princess' Yukiko's perfect harem hunt begins now!"

"...Yukiko…" Chie whispered, her hands ballign up as she prepared to run in.

"...Um, sensei? What did she mean by 'hot stud'?" Teddie asked.

"Not it!" Keiichiro declared, jogging after Yukiko.

"N-ah dang it," Yosuke muttered as the others ran after Keiichiro.

Keiichiro ran into the castle only to blink, they had somehow already lost her, seemingly teleporting to wherever she wanted to within already. He held his arm up stopping the others cold. He looked around carefully as he stepped forward.

Keiichiro took out his gun as he looked around and kept moving forward slowly. He stopped and turned to his right and suddenly began shooting, making one of the grunts fall over. He lifted his gun up as he motioned the others to follow him slowly. They began a slow and careful trek through the castle

"...Was that really Yukiko?" Chie quietly asked, "I've never heard or say any of those things before...and we're supposed to be best friends."

"Keep in mind, this world takes the darkest innermost thoughts of someone and twist them into something...well I was going to say perverse...but given the situation…" Keiichiro coughed, "Anyway, that is and isn't your friend. It is her in the sense. This is her life that's in danger, but it isn't in the sense, this is the part of her she never shares, the part she'd never say out loud, the part she hides from everyone. The Shadow to her Persona."

"Persona?" Yosuke and Chie repeated.

"The part of us we present to others," he explained, "Rather here, it's taken to a sort of extreme. Her Shadow is her literal dark thoughts and parts she shuns away to keep face around those she cares about. Chie, what you are seeing are her innermost dark thoughts...the things she hides from even you out of shame, embarrassment or fear. Literally in a sense it both is and isn't her."

"Oh this is confusing…" Yosuke muttered.

"It's philosophy...and psychology...and magic…" Keiichiro listed.

"Oh…"

"...I just hope we get to Yukiko in time.." Chie whispered as they entered a large room, "I…"

"She said red looks good on me…" Yukiko's voice echoed within the room, making the group jump a bit as they looked around, "I hated my name...Yukiko…'snow'...Snow is cold and it melts quickly...it's transient...worthless...But it's perfect for me... Apart from inheriting the inn, I'm worthless…Still, Chie told me that red looks good on me..."

"Are these...Yukiko-san's inner thoughts?" Yosuke asked, 'If that's true...did...did Saki-senpai...was she...no...she was…'

"This is what I meant." Keiichiro answered, "This world hurts the weakness inside everyone."

"Everyone?" they asked.

"People aren't perfect, that's a fact of life. Everyone has flaws, and dark thoughts deep down in them. Things they don't want to admit to others…" he went on, "Dark things they can't overcome. But that's to say alone." he added as he gripped his weapon, "This world prays on those thoughts we all have, making us hate ourselves and hurt ourselves, or even others. But that doesn't mean one can let it, Chie, Yosuke...right now you are also thinking to yourselves things you'd rather not say out loud. That's fine, but don't let those dark things build up...you both have each other as friends to rely on, and when I get Yukiko out of here, she'll have both of you to rely on. So I ask you to both rely on me to protect you, for that is my mission, to protect others. It is why I dreamed of being a police officer, and now that I have a chance to defend people from a threat only I can fight...I will become their shield!"

"Keiichiro…" Yosuke and Chie whispered.

"So...cool~" Teddie whispered in awe.

"Chie was the only one who gave my life meaning," Yukiko's voice continued, "She's bright, strong, and she can do anything...she has everything I don't. Compared to Chie, I'm...I'm...Chie protects me...she looks after me..my worthless life...and I...I don't deserve any of it..Chie is so kind...she...she doesn't deserve me as a friend."

"...That's not true…" Chie whispered, unaware of a figure appearing behind her, "She's not worthless...in fact. There are times I'm a bit jealous of her. She's so good looking and nice...compared to me…I can't win as a girl, let alone a person...I'm pathetic..."

"Save those words for when we save her." Keiichiro spoke, patting her shoulder, "They'll mean more to her then me or Yosuke."

"It's true." Yosuke nodded, "I...get how you feel right now...trying to avoid a certain part of yourself…to be honest, I act like I'm happy and carefree most of the time, but...inside I'm terrified of being alone...and after hearing about this world...it..it started to make some sense...what happened to Saki-senpai a few weeks back...someone must've thrown her in here, and...I thought 'if I explored this place...then maybe I could find out who killed her'...but deep down, I guess I wanted to try and find an exciting thrill out of it...of trying to be a hero..."

"...I guess...if Kei-chan wasn't here, we...we'd be dealing with our own Shadows right now, huh?" Chie asked..

"Most likely...still…" Yosuke paused as he sighed a bit, "Admitting to the side of yourself...and the part of facing yourself sucks...but I guess that what makes us human."

"We are a mess of a species…" Keiichiro admitted, "But it's why we survive better together than alone."

"...Yeah. You're right. We…" Yosuke began before tensing as some Ganglar grunts came out from behind some curtains, "?!"

"Ahh! Ganglars!" Teddie freaked, about to run before he bumped into what looked like white and black balls with mouths and long tongues, "Ahh! Feral Shadows!"

"Right, monsters!" Yosuke panicked.

"Hm!" Keiichiro grunted as he aimed and began shooting, each shot taking out Podermen and Shadows with his great aim.

"Hya!" Chie shouted as she kicked back a Poderman that tried to get close to her and Yosuke, "Oh no! You're not keeping me from Yuki…!"

"Look out!" Yosuke shouted as he quickly pushed out of the way, making a Shadow that tried to strike them with their tongue miss, "There's too many of these guys…and neither of us have a weapon aside from those g...the guns!" he realized as he quickly pulled out one of the gunes he was given before giving it to Chie, "Here!"

"Eh?! But I'm more of a close range fighter!" Chie argued.

"True, but we need something to defend ourselves!" Yosuke argued back, "Also given how Keiichiro reacted earlier when I pulled these out, they gotta be special."

"They are…" he grunted grabbing a Poderman, who tackled his torso as he used it like a shield as he aimed and shot several shadows, "But...there's some...potential backlash for...that…" he grunted, slamming his hands on the grunt making him fall over.

"Backlash?" they asked.

"This...will be your daily lives." Teddie smiled.

"That!" Keiichiro grunted, tilting his gun to the side as he held it with both hands and began shooting the monsters as they got close. He kicked his leg out, knocking a Poderman over before swinging and slamming his elbow into the face of another before he grabbed and knocked him down on the first he tripped. He stomped the two before aiming and shooting two Shadows, making them vanish. He then aimed down and blasted the back of the Podermen he pined making them go limp before fading into dark mist like all the others.

"Get 'em, S-ahh!" Teddie freaked when a Poderman and Shadow tried to attack him, "Ahh! I almost got Bearsaultted!"

"...Yosuke's right...there's too many in here…" Keiichiro whispered as he stood still, lowering one of his arms as he held his hand out, "May need a bit of backup while I change."

"Change?" Chie and Yosuke repeated as what looked like a blue tarot card appeared in Keiichiro's hand, a faint aura surrounding it.

"Koi...Izanagi!" Keiichiro declared as he gripped his hand closed, causing the card to shatter as a figure began to form behind him.

The figure was a tall man-like figure. He was clad in mostly black with black pants as his legs turned into a flatter shape with grey over his shins, his shoes ending in short blades, which resembles geta. His torso covered in a long black jacket zipped up along the front with long coat tails, the tails looking as though meant to be closed via small claps, the coat tails flapped around revealing a red interior. A white ascot could be seen around his neck and stopping his coat's zipper from closing all the way, they raised a hand up revealing the black glove and metal claw tipped fingers. It's head was hidden in a black helmet with a grey mask with two horns atop his head, wrapped around his helmet was a white headband with two long straps flapping around behind his head band, matching white bands under each arm. It swung out a long spear, with a blade that resembled a long combat knife, the handle near the guard was hollowed, while white wrappings covered the majority of the length before stopping towards the bottom which formed a club like counterweight that looked like a war fan.

"...Did...did he…" Yosuke began in disbelief, looking at the figure behind Keiichiro, "Dude! Did...did you just summon a Stand?!"

"...You read too much manga…" Chie deadpanned as she looked at Yosuke.

"Oh hey pot, meet kettle," Yosuke countered.

"Strike them down!" Keiichiro ordered as Izanagi swung his spear and slashed down several Shadows. It then thrust the blade upward as thunder rained from the roof above and struck the Podermen, making them all fall back. Several Shadows began to converge and rush towards the Persona, only to be zapped by a large flash of lightning, "Zio!"

"Oh that is so cool~!" Chie awed upon seeing the Persona in action, "...Wait. Can we do that?"

"Chie Th-" Yosuke began before blinking, "...Actually can we?"

"Until you can confront yourselves, then no," Teddie answered, "...Though you're kinda halfway there."

"Um, that's totally cryptic!" Yosuke snapped.

"He means facing your own Shadows!" Keiichiro stated.

"You've done that?!" Yosuke asked.

"It was not pleasant!"

"It's true! I saw it happen and it was breathtaking!" Teddie added, "But never mind that now! Face your Shadows and get your Personas so you can change like Sensei!"

"How?! Chie asked as she punched back a Poderman, "How can we get our Shadows to ap-"

"Did you mean what you said?"

"?!" the two tensed as they turned and looked behind them, seeing what looked like...well them, but with yellow eyes and a dark aura around them.

"...Are...are these…" Yosuke began.

"Yep." Teddie nodded before jumping on his side and rolling away, "Good luck!"

"..."

"I'm sorry to say...you do need to confront yourself...embrace every aspect of yourself...and face your own secrets!" Keiichiro grunted, holding back a large Shadow resembling a knight.

"...ugh...well, here goes nothing…" Ysouke sighed as he and Chie looked at themselves.

"Did you really mean what you said?" Shadow Yosuke asked, "Because I'm not afraid to go wild if you're lying…"

"Agreed. I mean, recall when Yukiko shot us that look of Jealousy?" Shadow Chie asked with a cruel grin.

"..I do…" Chie sighed, making her shadow raise a brow, "But that's not important. You and I both know Yukiko needs help, otherwise ...no. I don't wanna finish that…otherwise it'll show how weak I really am."

"..."

"And me?...Yeah. This sucks, but...I'll admit, my life was a bit...boring. But once Saki-senpai died...it..started sparking something in me. Something...that wants to do what's right, but also break loose."

"..."

"But you would know that because…" Yosuke began.

"You're me after all…" Chie finished.

The two Shadows looked down a bit, a bit of a smile forming on their lips as they began to fade, becoming different figures for a moment before a pair of tarot cards floated down before Yosuke and Chie.

"Woah...this feels...warm," Yosuke whispered as he held his card, "...The Magician."

"Mine says the Chariot…" Chie noted as she looked at hers, "...what does yours say, Kei-chan?"

"I don't wanna talk about it...my card is...insulting…" he grunted, kicking a Podermen across the face.

"It's The Fool." Teddie spoke, only to be bonked on the top of his head, making his hollowed head cave into itself.

"See?"

"...Wow," Yosuke blinked.

"Yes I know, but let's just focus on rescuing your friend!" Keiichiro snapped before Izanagi pushed back the large Shadow holding him down, "Thanks."

"How do we do that!?" they both asked.

"Concentration...also break the card when it begins glowing…" he grunted.

"Break..break…" Yosuke whispered, a name starting to appear in his head as his card began to glow, "Oh..I think I got something."

"Then break it!"

"Um...uh…" Yosuke muttered before looking down at the gun he was given ,"...Well, here goes nothing. Blow them away, Jaraiya!" he declared, doing a side flip as he used his weapon to break his tarot card, causing a flash of wind to appear behind him as a figure formed.

The figure was tall with a very long body. They were clad in a white jumpsuit, which the leggings flared out like bell bottom pants, with camouflage patterns around the ankles. The arms had the same pattern as the camouflage pattern formed around the wrists and formed into gloves as a metal circular plate formed on the back of the hand, and another smaller in the palm as golden shuriken latched onto each palm plate. The chest was covered in a red harness vest, with a golden boomerang made of triangles forming a jaw pattern slapped onto the harness as chest armor. A red scarf billowed around behind it as its face was covered in a large spherical mask with shuriken for 'eyes' and two rounded 'ears' at the top of the head that had red lines across them making them look like a mix of mouse ears and frog eyes.

"Woah! I have a ninja!" Yosuke gawked.

"A weird looking one…" Chie added, making both Yosuke and his Persona nearly trip.

"Oh like your's is gonna be cool?!"

"Maybe…" Chie countered before kicking her tarot card, causing the sound of ice shattering to echo, "Smash 'em up, Tomoe!"

Fittingly, Chie's figure was a female. She was clad in an all yellow bodysuit with black stripes along the sides and arms. Her hands clad in white gloves with black armor padding on her knuckles, and white boots. Around her waist was an armored belt with multiple flaps of armor resembling samurai armor crossed with shin guards, forming a battle skirt. Her face was hidden in a white helmet which spiked upward sharply like a fin with an all black yin-yang symbol along the sides, lip stick formed a lip like marking on the front of the helmet where the visor would open, as yellow eyes peered out of the tinted glass, and long black hair flowed out from the back of the helmet. The figure spun around a golden staff that resembled bamboo as two energy blades shaped like naginata's formed at the ends.

"Okay...that is pretty cool…" Yosuke admitted.

"Heh heh…" Chie smirked at that while her Persona swung her weapon, unleashing a wave of ice that froze a few Podermen, "Woah...I can control ice~"

"Be amazed later." Keiichiro stated as he shot down another Poderman.

"Ahh! Right!" Yosuke and Chie nodded before they began fighting off some of the remaining Podermen.

Just as a group of Shadows began to converge, Jiraiya summoned a pair of shuriken before tossing them into the swarm, doing a quick hand sign as a large gust of wind blew them apart. Tomoe leapt out at the scattering pile, swinging its bladed staff as most of the Shadows were sliced in two. Izanagi raised his spear before slamming the bottom down calling down lightning which blasted the remaining Shadows as they all faded into dust.

The remaining Podermen all panicked looking at one another before huddling together in a panic. Keiichiro aimed as Izanagi followed his lead, the two fired blasts from their weapons which combined becoming a giant crimson bolt of lightning, which blasted them all back. Several of them twitched while sparking electricity before just falling over and joining the Shadows with fading away. Save for the one that thought it could get away with playing dead in the corner of the room.

"...Yosuke, Chie, last one's all yours," Keiichiro spoke

"?!" the Poderman panicked as it tried to run away from them, only for a wall of icy wind to block its path.

"Before we do though, I think we need to question it at least," Yosuke suggested, carefully aiming his weapon at the Poderman as Chie stomped up to it.

"Oh I'll get it to talk…" Chie growled, cracking her knuckles as she grabbed it by its neck, "Where is she?!"

"Poder!"

"That's how they talk…" Keiichiro sighed.

"Seriously...they speak...pokemon!?" Yosuke gawked.

"We just call it grunt speak." Keiichiro added.

"Well it can point right?" Chie argued before shaking the Poderman, "Now point to where Yukiko is, or else!"

"I'd do it if I were you," Yosuke spoke, getting over the initial shock, "She's pretty scary when mad, especially when lied too."

"He's probably talking from experience!" Teddie added, making Yosuke tumble a it.

"Regardless...what she doesn't have the stomach to do...I will." Keiichiro added, "Now tell us where to go to avoid all your friends."

The Poderman looked between the three for a moment, gulping a bit at the glare Chie gave it as Tomoe floated menacingly behind her. It meekly pointed up while holding two fingers with its other hand.

"She must be two floors above us," Yosuke noted, earning a rapid nod form the Poderman.

"Thank you very much. Now Chie, keep him from warning his friends." Keiichiro ordered.

"Can do," Chie saluted before whispering to the Poderman, "If Yukiko is hurt in any way, shape, or form, I'll use you as a club."

"Poder…."

"Mmm...my head…" Yukiko muttered as she began to wake up, wearing a light pink yukata as she began to sit up. As she did, she noticed two things. One: she was in a large throne room or sorts covered in red and gold carpeting and draps. Second..were the strange gangster-like creatures looking at her, "?! Y...Yakuza monsters?!"

"Poder? PODER!?" one panicked, only for a second to slap him upside the head.

"Poder Poder!"

"Stand down, gentlemen," a voice spoke, making Yukiko tense as it sounded like...well her, "I was wondering when...well, when I woke up."

"N-nani?" Yukiko blinked as the Poderman parted, letting her see 'herself' in a pink princess outfit, "?! Wh...who are you?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm you...well, the part that you…" 'Yukiko' began before the doors to the throne room were kicked open "Oh?"

"Normally I shout the typical police stuff...but I don't think it counts here…" Keiichiro spoke walking forward.

"Oh..ooh~ Three princes are here to see me. My my..." 'Yukiko' noted, "Are you the surprise guest who came in late? Aw...I wish I'd gotten a better look at you…" she admitted as she looked at Keiichiro, "My it's getting crowded here…why don't you...and I...go somewhere else~? A land far...far away where no one knows me. If you're my prince..you'd take me there...won't you?"

"...wow," Yosuke slowly blinked at that.

"Oh...is this…'scoring a hot stud?'" Teddy asked.

"Three princes?" Chie repeated before blinking, "Wait...does that include me, too?"

"Duh! The third one's gotta be me!" Teddy declared in pride.

"If I had a say in this, I'm sure I'm more of a knight…" Keiichiro muttered.

"Does that make Teddy the squire?" Yosuke asked.

"I was gonna say steed…" Keiichiro replied, "But that's probably more apt…"

"...Chie…" 'Yukiko' spoke as she looked at Chie with a giggle, "Yes...she is my prince. She always leads the way...Chie is a strong prince...or at least she was."

"Was…?" Chie repeated in slight confusion and hurt.

"When it comes down to it, Chie's not good enough," 'Yukiko' huffed, "She can't take me away from here! She can't save me!"

"Yukiko…" Chie whispered.

"S...stop…" Yukiko begged.

"Historic inn? Manager training?! I'm sick of all these things chaining me down!" 'Yukiko' snapped, a dark aura flaring off her as her eyes became a menacing yellow, "I never asked to be born here! Everything's decided for me! How I live to where I die! I'm so sick of it! To hell with it all!"

"..." Keiichiro held his hand out as he stepped forward, "That type of thinking is rather childish, isn't it?" he asked getting both Yukiko's attention, "The Now and Tomorrow are two different things. No one gets to control the hand life deals them, but you can dream of a tomorrow you want and strive to reach it on your own."

"...is that true?" Yukiko asked.

"Who cares if it is?" 'Yukiko' scoffed, "I just want to go somewhere far away...anywhere but here. Someone please take me away...I can't leave here on my own...I'm completely useless."

"...sto...please stop…" Yukiko begged as she began to tremble.

"I have no hope if I stay, and no courage to leave…" 'Yukiko' continued as she stared at Yukiko with a cruel grin, "So I sit on my ass hoping that someday my Prince will come. I don't care where we go! Anywhere's fine! As long as it's not here, I don't give a damn! Historical tradition? Pride of the town? What a bunch of bullshit."

"?!" Yukiko tensed at that, "...How dare you…"

"Gh?!" Teddy tensed up, "Oh not good."

"What?" Yosuke asked.

"She's gonna try and deny here Shadow," Teddy explained as he began to freak.

"?!"

"How dare I? Why shouldn't I? That's how I feel," 'Yukiko' argued with herself as she smirked, "Isn't that right...me?"

"No…"

"Stop! Don't say it!" Yosuke called out.

"NO! You…!"

"Don't say those words!" Keiichiro panicked.

"YOU'RE NOT ME!" Yukiko shouted, her voice echoing throughout the room as the Podermen began to cheer out.

'Yukiko' began to chuckle darkly at that as she began to hold herself, "Ahh...this feels wonderful! It's building...more and more. If this keeps up, I'll...I'll…!" she continued as her chuckles began to grow into full blown insane laughter just as she was engulfed in darkness and shadows.

"?!" Yukiko tensed as she suddenly fainted just as the darkness scattered about.

After a moment, a loud noise that sounded like chains clattering filled the room as a large chandelier fell from the ceiling, a cage on the top of it as what looked like a large, female-bird like creature burst from the cage, spreading its wings as its red feathers fell into the room. Though what caught the group's attention..was that it's faced looked like a distorted version of Yukiko's.

"Ahh! I knew this was gonna happen!" Teddy freaked, "Her Shadow's gone bearserk!"

"What!?" Yosuke asked.

"Why you don't want to argue with yourself…" Keiichiro spoke, "Its not easy for everyone to own up to the bad thoughts they have. But rejecting that truth is exceptionally worse."

"Hmm~? Why not? It's clear...well myself doesn't want to accept that truth," Shadow Yukiko argued, "But enough of that. I am a Shadow...the true self. Now my prince...why don't we dance and make merry together~?"

"..Hang in there, Yukiko...I'm right here for you!" Chie shouted as she got into a defensive stance.

"Oh really~? Then I'll make sure to give you plenty to deal with!" Shadow Yukiko laughed, "Oh servants~!"

"Poder!" the Podermen shouted as they jumped before Shadow Yukiko.

"Sensei Attack!" Teddy countered.

"I'm not a pocket monster!" Keiichiro shouted as he kicked Teddy like a soccer ball, letting him crash into the Podermen and knock most of them down, "No choice. We'll need to be nosy and meddle with Yukiko-san's problems." he looked at the others, "That's what friends do right? Get involved to an annoying degree for their friends own good?"

"...Hai. That's what friends do," Yosuke nodded, quickly dodged a Poderman that tried to attack him.

"And no way am I gonna let Yukiko suffer like this!" Chie added as she kicked back a Poderman into another.

"Then I guess we have to meddle." Keiichiro spoke as he swung his hand and aimed as he began shooting the Podermen taking them by surprise, "Yukiko-san, take cover. I can't promise you these two won't miss."

"Oi/HEY!" they both complained.

"N...nani?" Yukiko whispered as she woke up..and saw her Shadow self, "?!"

"I GOT HER!" Teddy shouted, picking Yukiko up and fled just as Shadow Yukiko flapped her wings, sending out flames at him, "GAH! SENSEI HENSHIN!"

"Henshin?" the other two blinked.

"Another ability these guns have, they can be loaded with a special item and turn that item into a suit which protects the user and enhances their combat abilities." Keiichiro explained quickly, "But probably best you leave that much to me. I don't have time to explain how it works and how to fight in it." he grabbed his VS Changer by the back handle as he held it up, he then reached into a pocket on the back of his belt as he produced a toy car-esque item, it looked modeled after a police car if it was some kind of six wheeled futuristic car. He slotted it into the track on his gun as it lit up, "Keisatsu Change!"

=1GOU! PATRISE!=

With that he twisted the barrel down so the car formed a new bottom section and trigger for his gun. He aimed up and shot into the air as a Badge projection formed and slid down over him. A flash of red left him in the same armored suit as before as his helmet formed. The tie like decoration was the last to form as the light faded.

=KEISATSU CHANGE! PATRANGER!=

"...S...Sentai senshi da?!" Yosuke and Chie exclaimed in surprise.

"Patren 1Gou!" 1Gou declared as the Podermen jumped back in shock.

"Told you he was great!"

"Teddy, get her to safety while I deal with this!" 1Gou ordered as he charged and began shooting at the Podermen in his path.

"Got it, sensei!"

"C-can we do that?" Yosuke asked.

"Maybe…" 1Gou replied as he grabbed a punch from a Podermen and flipped it over just to shoot it, "But there are rules...if you do...this is your life from now on." he shot another Podermen, "This is what my life is from accepting this. So I won't back down from it, with this suit...I can do what a police officer is meant to. Protect everyone!"

"...I'll do it," Yosuke spoke in a serious tone.

"Yosuke?" Chie blinke at that in surprise.

"Whoever tossed Saki-sempai in here...was most likely the same person who tossed Yukiko-san in here," Yosuke stated, "Meaning they might be out there still, hiding in our town. I..I don't want to see anymore people die and no one being able to do a thing about it!"

"Soka…" 1Gou stopped as he snapped his fingers "Teddy, the Green one!" he ordered.

"Got it!" Teddy saluted, putting Yukiko down gently before reaching behind his back and pulled out a green 'toy car' and tossed it at Yosuke, "Yosuke!"

"Got it!" Yosuke shouted as he caught it, "Chie?"

"...If there is a murderer out there, and is doing this to people in our town…" Chie spoke as she gripped her fist, "Then I'll do it too...for Yukiko, and everyone in Inaba!"

"In that case…" Teddy began as he pulled out a pink 'toy car' and tossed it at her, "HERE, CHIE-CHAN!"

"Yes...wait Pink?"

"It's all we have." Teddy shrugged.

"We don't have time to argue gender roles and how harmful they are to the modern woman's image." 1Gou complained.

"...Right," Chie nodded as she and Yosuke stood in position, pulling out the VsChangers Teddy gave them earlier and slotted the 'toy cars' into them.

"Keisatsu Change!" the two declared.

=2GOU! 3GOU! PATRIZE!=

The two twisted the changers the same way Keiichiro did as they aimed up. They fired as badges lowered down over them. Green and Pink flashes went off as they changed into suits just like 1Gou's however Green and Pink respectively with Pink having a skirt.

=KEISATSU CHANGE! PATORANGER!=

"It's here! The full team!" Teddy awed, "Keisatsu Sentai...Patoranger!"

"Whoa…" 2Gou awed looking over his suit.

"Next time I get to be green." 3Gou spoke.

"What!? No way! I'm not being a dude Pink!" 2Gou complained.

"Green's more my color!"

"Can you two stop arguing and fight?!" 1Gou snapped as he pulled out a megaphone, he flicked it as an extending rod shot out forming into a baton like weapon.

1Gou charged as he swung his weapon and bashed Podermen around, each strike shocking them and making them fall over. 2Gou ducked under a Poderman's swing before tackling it over, sending it into a group of them as he began to fire on the group.

"Hwatcha!" 3Gou shouted as she jump-kicked a Poderman before driving her elbow into another just as it tried to sneak up on her. She then backflipped from a Poderman's swing, her feet hitting it right in the chin just as she backflipped from it before she drove her fist hard into its stomach, sending it flying and into the wall.

"Hmm...perhaps this will be worth my time…" Shadow Yukiko noted as she took off into the air, "Time to enjoy my red hot love~!"

"Why did that sound so suggesti-WOAH!" 2Gou yelped as he barely avoided a fireball from above.

"It was a Double meaning...and Double Entendre…" 1Gou spoke, picking 2Gou up.

"Oh...well now we have to try and deal with a giant firebird monster fighting us," 2Gou pointed out.

"You have a gun." 1Gou reminded as he aimed and began shooting fireballs to disperse them before they could hit any of them, "That's not the real Yukiko in the sense your are used to. It's a manifestation made by this space. You can't hesitate or it will kill you and the Yukiko you all know and care about. If you hesitate then lives...innocent lives could be lost!"

"I know that, but I doubt she'd make it easy for us!" 2Gou argued before blinking behind his helmet, "...wait. I got an idea!"

"Hmm?"

"Jiraiya!" 2Gou shouted, shattering the card with his VsChanger just as his Persona appeared.

"...what are you planning?" 1Gou asked as 3Gou stopped in her fighting the Podermen to watch.

"Watch. Just a little enhancement…" 2Gou began, holding his weapon up between Jiraiya's hands as wind began to form around it, "Aim…" he began as he aimed at Shadow Yukiko, ho was prepared to fire off another fireball, "Blow 'em away!" he shouted as he pulled the trigger, sending out a blast of air as it hit the Shadow in the chest, causing her to stagger as she lost focus for a moment, "Yes! It worked!"

"We can do that?" 1Gou and 3Gou blinked.

"They can do that?" Teddy blinked.

"Wait...you never tried to do that with your Persona before, Keiichiro?" 2Gouasked the Red senshi.

"I've always been the type that relies on his own muscles…" he admitted as he raised his arm and blocked a fireball with ease.

"Wah...Macho…" 2Gou muttered.

"But this is a good realization. I'll be borrowing your idea! Koi, Izanagi!" he shouted as his Persona formed behind him. He then held up his Baton as Izanagi called down a bolt of electricity, which struck the baton and charged it with energy making it glow with red electricity. He held his weapon back before swinging with Izanagi as both launched a slashing wave of red energy, the two crossing into a large X shape that struck Shadow Yukiko knocking her back a good distance, "Like that?"

"Eh?"

"He's a natural at combat!" Teddy shouted, "He's borderline a super soldier with how dedicated he is."

"I'm pretty sure nothing is abnormal about my body…" 1Gou took offense to that.

"Yes...cause normal people let fireballs wash over their body…" 3Gou snarked.

"The suits are armored...you two are just being babies about getting hit." 1Gou argued.

"Ow…" the two winced at that.

"Anyway, we got her down. Now l-" 1Gou began as he turned...to see a faint green light coming off Shadow Yukiko for a moment as she took back off into the air, "...She can heal, too...That's gonna be a pain."

"Well...that was shocking..but I rather disliked that. Gentlemen?" Shadow Yukiko spoke as more Podermen appeared from the shadows.

"And she can summon more grunts...even more of a pain," 1Gou groaned.

"We just got through the first group…" 2Gou added.

"...wait. I think I got something! Tomoe!" 3Gou shouted as she summoned her Persona, "Let's freeze this spicy turkey!"

"F...Chie, this thing can cast fire magic!" 2Gou argued.

"So? Water works on Fire Types in Pokemon."

"Yes! WATER! NOT ICE!"

"All we have are Lightning, Wind and Ice at our disposal…" 1Gou pointed out, "I'm sure I could give it a try, but it just be two powerful and destructive elements clashing...and I'm not a firefighter."

"Which is why my wind should be able to put it out. If anything, Chie's just gonna…"

"FREEZE!" 3Gou shouted as she fired a few icy shots at Shadow Yukiko, causing her to cry out in pain as she crashed into the ground.

"...HOW?!"

"If I had to explain...as Shadow Yukiko is fire the opposite extreme must induce temperature shock like pain." 1Gou explained, "The concept that going from one temp to another rapidly can cause damage and shock. However...this concept mostly applies to machines...but its all I can think of."

"Heh heh…" 3Gou gave a 'V' for victory at that.

"Grr...how dare you…!" Shadow Yukiko snarled as the Podermen tried to help her up..only for her to flap her wings and send them flying, "GET OFF OF ME!"

"Quick! Jump it before it can recover!" Teddy shouted to the Patorangers.

"Wh...?"

"I won't let you recover again!" 1Gou roared as he charged and tackled Shadow Yukiko. He wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up, "HA!" he roared spinning around and throwing her towards the others.

"Super Macho!" 2Gou gawked.

"Shoot!" 1Gou ordered aiming and shooting at Shadow Yukiko as she was still flying against her will.

"Oh right! Jiraiya!"

"Tomoe!" 3Go shouted, her and 2Gou's weapons powered by their Persona's elemental powers as they fired at the Shadow, causing her to cry out as she was hit from both sides, especially from the ice shots 3Gou fired.

Shadow Yukiko fell to the ground with a grunt of pain as she felt the power of their enhanced shots. She was about to cast her healing ability again, only to grunt as she felt a shock to her body locking her up for a moment. She looked back to see 1Gou and Izanagi as they took similar thrusting poses with their weapons. The two stabbed their weapons forward as they unleashed twin bolts of lightning that struck Shadow Yukiko, sending her flying back. Just as she tried to flap her wings, a pair of wind-powered shurikens flew past her and sliced them up, causing her to cry out as feathers began to litter the ground.

"We're doing good...keep going!" 1Gou ordered, 'Even with the finishing strikes I've come up with, against an enemy with these abilities we'd need something big and powerful. Something to end it in one amazing strike…'

Unknown to those fighting and viewing a spectator clad in black robes peeked from behind a corner. They smirked seeing the fight go on. They walked forward before whistling lightly getting Teddy's attention.

"Teddy…" they spoke in a male voice that just sounded of kindness and joy, "Come on…"

"Oh...it's you!" Teddy ran over to the figure.

"You chose well...you found amazing Patrangers for me," he smiled, patting his head, "I have one more selfish request." he produced a briefcase from his robes with the Patrangers badge insignia on the top, "This is a special tool that will boost their power and teamwork to Fantastique levels~"

"Oh!" Teddy awed taking the case, "Leave it to me, Mr. Lu…"

"Ah...that's not my name anymore...from now on, it's Noël," he smirked, cutting him off, "Keep them together for me, Teddy. This is a job only you can do. Au revoir my friend, till we meet again when the time is right." he smiled, walking away.

"...so cool…" Teddy quietly awed while Yukiko blinked a bit in confusion.

"AHHH!" Shadow Yukiko's cries snapped him out of his awe as he turned to see the shadow being his with a flurry of ice shots.

"No good...it's like she can passively heal over time…" 2Gou groaned.

"It can't be helped...This is a tricky power to overcome. We'd need an attack too big to block or heal from." 1Gou spoke, "We'd need a new Trigger machine…"

"Trigger Machine?" the other two asked, only to blink as he pointed to the cars they plugged into the VS Changer, "Oh…."

"Sensei!" Teddy shouted, holding up the case, "I forgot you got a delivery from HQ in France~!"

"Why wait 'till now!?" 1Gou snapped, tossing his baton weapon at Teddy's direction.

"I just remembered!" he cried as it bounced off his head and sent the Briefcase in their direction.

2Gou panicked as he fumbled to catch it, after it landed in his arms he sighed and brought it over to the others. He opened it as they blinked seeing a much larger Trigger Machine compared to the ones they used. 1Gou took it out as 3Gou took out a little pamphlet stuck to the top section. The device looked like a Black Police car...but it was odd in that it had wings folded up against the side and it had what looked like a fighter plane painted face thick was obscured by a section that was folded back. It also had a series of small wheels more akin to landing gear.

"Good Striker?" 3Gou read, "'A rare machine with amazing power that can make the Patrangers power into one to strike the enemy with a single attack that can never be blocked'...Wow!"

"Talk about helpful!" 2Gou cheered.

"Good Striker…" 1Gou spoke as he removed his Trigger Machine from the VS changer. He raised it up before sliding it down.

=GOODSTRIKER!=

1Gou twisted it as he began glowing. 2Gou and 3Gou blinked as they too began glowing.

"Wait...Power into one?" 2Gou asked slowly, "Does...does that mean what I think?"

1Gou pulled the trigger as 2Gou and 3Gou became transparent.

=ICHIDANKETSU!=

2Gou and 3Gou floated up and layered over 1Gou as his suit flashed. The armor on 1Gou's right side changed pink as that half of his Jacket pattern also turned pink. The left side of his body flashed as his armor turned green and that half of his torso's jacket patterned likewise turned green. The two sides of 1Gou's helmet matched the new colored sides as a silver slit formed in his visor.

=1GOU! 2GOU! 3GOU! ICHIDAKI PATREN UGOU!=

"Eh?" three voices came from the new Ugou as he looked around. "EH!?" the three voices panicked.

"What happened...why do I feel ripped!?" 2Gou's voice came out.

"AH! What happened...this doesn't feel like a girls body!" 3Gou screamed.

"MY BODY WAS NOT READY!" 1Gou roared in panic.

"Wah...Yosuke was right. Kei's buff…" 3Gou awed, making Ugou tap his chest.

"Oi...That's still my body…" 1Gou complained as Ugou turned to the right as if to face 3Gou, "That could be considered sexual harassment…"

"HA! Oh, there is something so funny about that!" 2Gou laughed, making Ugou lean back and laugh.

"Says the guy who finally knows what it's like to have muscles…"

"What you say!?"

"AH! Stop fighting in my body!" 1Gou snapped.

"Are you just going to insult me now with this clown act!?"

"Ah...right…" Ugou nodded before flinching as a larger than normal blast of fire struck the Fused warrior.

"Patorangers!?" Teddy panicked, "Oh no wait...you're fine!" he cheered.

"We're fine?" Ugou asked as they patted themselves, "It didn't even feel all that hot either...that's it...three people three times the power and ability!"

"...The power of three...no..the power...of teamwork…" Yukiko whispered as she watched on.

"In that case, let's end this with one strong blast!" 1Gou's voice ordered,

"No...no! This...this is not how it ends!" Shadow yukiko snapped as flames began to grow around her, "I will not be denied my fantasy!"

"Fantasy or reality!" 1Gou's voice roared, "All you need to do is wait! Then I'll come and save you! Of that, I swear!" Ugou raised his gun as it began glowing and forming a golden ring in front of him, "Me...Yosuke...Chie...All three of us will come and save you! That's what friends do right!?"

"...Friends…." Yukiko whispered, a hand raising up to where her heart was.

"Just wait...this power...is meant to protect and save the innocent!" Ugou spoke aiming, "Ichigeki...STRIKE!"

=ICHIGEKI STRIKE!=

Ugou pulled the trigger as more golden rings formed. All the barrels of his new gun configuration lit up brightly. A powerful gun shot was heard as a massive blast of golden energy shot forward with enough force to clear all the flames in its path.

"?!" Shadow Yukiko tensed as the Podermen jumped out to protect her...only to be vaporized by the beam as it slammed hard into her, sending her flying back as she crashed into the chandelier/cage she was in, destroying it in the process as she exploded in a mix of shadows and flames. After a moment of silence, the dust began to settle..revealing Shadow Yukiko in her normal state.

"Phew...it's calmed down…" Teddy sighed in relief.

"Demo sa…" 1Gou spoke as Ugou defused, letting his fellow Patrangers stagger around, "I can't save someone...who doesn't want to be saved." he looked at the real Yukiko as he held his hand out, "To be saved, you need to reach out as well!"

"...Reach..out?" Yukiko repeated.

"Basically you need to accept your own Shadow," Teddy explained, "Otherwise...it'll go bearserk again."

"...but…" Yukiko began, a scared tone in her voice.

"Everyone has something they can't show to other people, or don't want to admit to themselves…" 2Gou spoke.

"Yukiko...I'm so sorry," 3Gou spoke as she tried to be calm, "I was acting so self-centered that...I never understood what you were going through. I'm your friends, and I still...I'm so sorry."

"Chie…" Yukiko whispered as she heard 3Gou began to sob from behind her helmet.

"I was always jealous of you, Yukiko…" 3Gou continued, "You had everything that I didn't...that jealousy was like a wall, and I was so lonely...! I wanted you to need me, but...it was me who needed you. I..." she paused as she held her head down, "I can't do anything right on my own..if you weren't by my side, I...I wouldn't know what to do."

"...Chie," Yukiko spoke, making 3Gou look up at her, "I never saw the real you either. I was to busy trying to find an easy way out…" she said before walking over to her Shadow, "'I want to run away'...'I want someone to save me'...you're right. Those feelings are part of me, too...I understand now...you're me."

Upon hearing those words, Shadow Yukiko's dark aura began to disappear, a soft smile forming on her lips as a faint light began to engulf her. As it died down, it revealed a new figure. Something..elegant and beautiful looking. Like the other Persona it was human in shape, but far from it as well. Its body was covered all over in a suit of sorts, its shoulders and upper torso where red with a beige heart symbol in the center of its chest, with the same color forming at its stomach and its arms from triceps down. A Golden V shaped belt decorated its waist and connected to a white pleated skirt. The legs were brown before reaching just past the knee where they turned into long red legs that lacked feet adding further to its inhuman qualities. Its face hidden behind a red mask that was faintly bird like, two red sakura flowers acting as ornaments on both sides of the mask. Similar large flowers connected to each hand as metallic Sakura petals of the same red color formed into feathered wings.

"It worked!" Teddy cheered, only for 1Gou to bonk his literally empty head making it cave in once more.

"Shh…" he replied simply.

"...Beautiful…" Yukiko whispered in awe before the Persona faded away, a familiar card in its place, "...The High Priestess...Konohana Sakuya..." she read before she fell to her knees.

"?!" Yukiko!" 3Gou gasped as she and the others ran over.

"Are you okay?" 2Gou asked.

"Hau...I'm just a little tired…" Yukiko admitted before looking up at the others, "You all...came to rescue me?"

"Of course!" 3Gou nodded as she removed her helmet.

"...arigatou," Yukiko smiled.

"...Heh. D-dont even mention it…" Chie smiled, the tears flowing from her eyes a bit, "I'm just so glad you're safe…"

"Heh...right on…" 2Gou added as he removed his own helmet.

"Mission complete…" 1Gou sighed crossing his arms as Teddy fixed his head, "Teddy."

"Hm?"

"Let's go home. Yukiko-san needs to rest." 1Gou ordered simply.

"HAi...oh! But there is one thing I wanna ask," Teddy began as he moved over to Yukiko, "Who threw you in here?"

"Hmm?" Yukiko blinked as she looked up, "Wait..you picked me up earlier...who...or rather what are you?"

"I'm Teddy!" Teddy beamed, "But seriously who threw you in here?"

"...Honestly I don't know. They just yelled my name and then a bunch of those mafia-looking things tackled me into...something and I ended up here…" Yukiko answered.

"So Ganglers have those kinds of tricks…" 1Gou noted, "But what does this set up give them?"

"We'll have to investigate!" Teddy offered.

"Good idea Teddy, you and me will look into that. But later…" he added, "This has been...a real long day."

"Boy I'll say...huh...wait. Where did the GoodStriker go?" he pointed at 1Gou's gun.

"..." he looked at it for a long while, "NANI!?" he snapped.

"Man you kids these days are so serious…" a higher pitched male voice got their attention as they turned to see it on the ground and unfolding into a plane form, "Well I helped ya out so I'll see ya when ya need me."

"IT TALKS!" everyone even Teddy panicked.

"Of course I talk!" he complained.

"Ah wait! You can't just leave!" 1Gou complained as he looked around before grabbing Teddy, "Teddy, capture him in your body!" he shouted tossing him.

"Why do I feel desensitized to this?" Yosuke asked.

"It's like Kei-chan said...this is our life now," Chie argued as she helped Yukiko up.

"Hey let go!"

"I got him!"

"Good now store him in your body!"

"How?"

"I don't know...eat him?"

"Hmm...makes sense to me!" Teddy beamed.

"THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE! Wait no...no! NO!" GoodStriker complained.

"Hang on Teddy!" 1Gou spoke patting his elbow as he jumped on him.

"So let me get this right...you gave these two the last to changers and Trigger Machines?" Hilltop asked.

"Yes Sir!" Keiichiro nodded.

"And you have a sentient one...but Teddy ate it so it wouldn't run off…" he repeated slowly.

"He's a fighter, Sir!" Teddy argued bouncing around as GoodStriker's muffled complaints could be heard.

"...I see…." Hilltop noted, "And this person who's tossing people into...I wanna say the TV world?"

"That's what we're calling it, sir," Chie answered.

"Well this information is already baffling our tech team." Hilltop sighed, "And getting a bunch of civilians will upset some of our superiors…" he mumbled making two of them flinch.

"But they also haven't been able to make new potential users for fear of failing the part involving the Shadow." Keiichiro spoke.

"Yes!" Hilltop cheered, "If we sell that point then instead they'll be ecstatic! You'll be making recruits for the GPD!"

"That's...actually clever…" Yosuke spoke.

"It's actually simple." Keiichiro spoke, "But this means you are essentially drafted to this program with me."

"Drafted?!" Yosuke shouted.

"Wait really!?" Chie gawked.

"Hai, you'll be part of this special GPD division, and expected to begin police training, and will be looked at harshly for any actions you take that could harm our standing." Keiichiro added, "Naturally not just you two. Since Yukiko-san was also able to unlock her Persona...she will need to be brought in so as to keep her safe."

"Wait...Yukiko's been drafted too?!" Chie gawked.

"Well if certain folks learn she is a Persona user…" Hilltop began, "Ehem...we are testing names for that, but yes if certain groups learn she is a...Free agent so to speak, she won't exactly get a chance to live in peace."

"I get sent to lots of places all over the world…" Keiichiro spoke, "Some people say if I was normal, I'd find that fun."

"Oh..still...I…" Chei began before the door opened.

"Yukiko Amagi, reporting for duty, sir," Yukiko spoke as she saluted, wearing a female variant of Keiichiro's uniform with the red replaced with a rosy-magenta color.

"Hah?!" Yosuke and Chie gawked.

"I already told her before bringing you guys here." Keiichiro spoke, making them gawk and fall over, "Well it pertained to her, so I figured it would be more important to tell her first. All that mattered was telling you guys you'd have to join."

"Hai! Oh and here's your uniforms!" Teddy spoke producing the same uniforms with green and pink accents.

"Is...is this really happening?" Yosuke blinked, more shocked at how out of the loop he suddenly felt.

"I...I don't know…" Chie sighed.

"Any more kids and I feel I'll have to change my title from Captain to Teacher…" Hilltop sighed.

"Honestly it would be better than dealing with captain lockjaw at school," Keiichiro deadpanned.

"...Lockjaw…" Yukiko repeated, pondering that for a moment before recalling their teacher's teeth, "...Heh...tee hee…"

"Hmm?"

"PFFFT! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Yukiko laughed loudly as she held her stomach, "I...I JUST-AHAHAHA! JUST GOT IT! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"I figured it be obvious...have you seen those things?" Keiichiro added, making her laugh more.

"Have you ever heard Yukiko laugh like that?" Yosuke asked.

"Yeah. I...almost forgot how easy it is to get her to laugh," Chie admitted.

"Hm…" Hilltop smiled, "Maybe this will do some good."

"Hey wait. What ever happened with Mr. Morooka's car and…" Yosuke began.

"I had it impounded…" Keiichiro spoke bluntly, "Then I personally saw to its vehicular strip search and dismantling."

"...That so-"

"I also found torn up kung-fu comics in the glove compartment."

"HAH?! That's where they were?!" Chei gawked, "...Wait. He tore up my comics after he confiscated them?!"

"It's Mr. Morooka, Chie...what do you expect?" Yosuke sighed.

"So did you give him the car back?" Hilltop asked with a sigh.

"Yes...the last piece should be delivered to his home now." Keiichiro explained.

"You didn't put it back together?!" Yosuke and Hilltop shouted.

"I'm sure an adult like him can handle that." Keiichiro responded.

"Ah…" they sighed before looking at one another, "We understand one another so much…" they put their hands on one another's shoulders before sobbing at the fact that the people around them were like this.

"Aw….so sweet," Yukiko smiled.

"Beary sweet!" Teddie added...before Keiichiro bonked him on the head, "Ow!"

"That was bad and you know it…"

"Hahaha...neat. Its like some kinda weird after school club, where we hunt down bad guys and monsters as Cops." Chie spoke.

"Hm...we could use that as an excuse for us to get free from class and explain all the time we'll spend together." Keiichiro spoke, "A cover story of sorts."

"...Actually that sounds pretty legit," Yosuke noted.

"What should we call it?" Yukiko asked.

"Why not something like a Detective club...so folks think its just a way to get the benefits of a club while leaving school early?" Hilltop offered.

"...I like it," Chie smiled with Yukiko nodding in agreement.

"It does work based on people assuming things…" Yosuke nodded, "Works for me." he turned to Keiichiro, "Now what are you doing?"

"Seeing if its possible to get a restraining order out on a teacher for being incompetent…" he muttered, "So far looks like no…"

"...Mr. Morooka?"

"Yup."

"...Let me see if I can help," Yosuke offered.

"Nah. I got it...besides, my uncle's gonna be busy tonight so I have to watch after Nanako."

"Nanako?" Yukiko asked.

"My little cousin." Keiichiro elaborated, "While my Uncle is busy, I keep her here in the special division office till he finishes. That and…"

"You just can't say no to that face of hers when she wants something," Hilltop added with Teddie nodding in agreement.

"Ah…"

"Sensei is weak when it comes to kids." Teddie explained, "Especially Nanako-chan."

"Eh?" the girls teased.

"I'd like you to remember that attitude...because she's on her way...right…" he paused as the door opened, "Now,"

"Onii-chan, are you free?" a young girl in a white turtleneck under a sleeveless pink dress with two shades of red asked as she poked her head in, her brown hair tied into short pigtails as she looked at Keiichiro with her innocent brown eyes.

"I am." he said with a smile, "I was just getting my friends to cover some work for me." he replied, handing Chie and Yosuke some paperwork, "Thanks to them, I'm able to take you anywhere you want tonight!"

"Yay!" she beamed, "Can we go to Junes?"

"Of course!"

"Oh me to!" Yukiko smiled, she turned to her friends, "Sorry...she's just so adorable!" she argued walking out with them.

"...Mmm…" Hilltop muttered, tapping his foot on the floor.

"Oh! Can I also get a present for Hill-Ojisan?"

"HNG!" Hilltop tensed as he held a hand over his heart.

"Ah Captain! Hang on! Don't go for the light!" Teddie shouted.

"Teddie is that you? I saw the light…" he spoke, "What happened?"

"Weaponized cuteness…" Yosuke sighed.

"Darn...she got me again."

"...that happens a lot?" Chie asked Teddie.

"Yup...she gets him every time with the 'Hill-Ojisan'," Teddie nodded.

"It's unfair...no one can say no to that girl! I mean as an adult one should worry she's being spoiled...but I can't say no!" Hilltop went on, "She's just...too...precious!"

"AGREED~!" Teddie exclaimed as he fell over.

"Why do I feel like I'm gonna be the only mature one around here?" Yosuke questioned himself.

"Uh-huh...yeah...right…" Chie added with a heavy sarcastic tone, earning an annoyed look from Yosuke.

Z0: *kicks skeleton out of the writers chair* Okay...I know what your gonna say...but hear us out...life is a cold mistress…

SZ: Aye...a VERY cold mistress….

Z0: Look we'll try and get back to it more, starting with the new year. Plus I mean you guys are reading all the other stuff we put out so...don't judge us! Next week is back to the Lupin team!

SZ: Hai! Time to get back to the Phantom Thieves! Speaking of whom...preview time!

Jikai Lupinranger's!

Kairi: Eh...so our next target is an art dealer...how classic.

Ryuji: I heard he has an apprentice...think you can butter him up, Ann?

Ann: I'm not being a honey trap...why don't you do it!?

Kairi: Alright we'll do this a simpler way...make friends with him.

Morgana: You know how to make friends?

Kairi: Very funny, cat…

?-?-?: Hmm...interesting posture…

?-?-?: Yusuke...do not trust them. They might ruin your artistic vision.

Lupin Half: Artistic Delusions!

LupinRed: We're here to take back the treasure you took, Prepare yourself!