Shinji's Room
4/12
Early Morning
Clear

I woke up early and got out of bed. Quickly scurrying up to my room, I found Twilight sitting up. I stood up and knocked on the door.

"Come in" said the lavender Alicorn.

I walked in and started talking. "Good morning, Princess. Did you sleep well?"

"Y-Yeah. Say..."

"You saw an odd creature in your dreams? A... human, perhaps? In a purplish train car?"

"How'd you..."

"All of those of the Wild Card are able to see him. For now, it's you, Narukami, and me."

"What's the... Wild Card?"

"I can explain that." Pico Orphie appears on my shoulder. Twilight panicked.

"Hey, Pico Orphie."

"P-Pico Orphie?"

"Short for Orpheus Picaro. Personal preference. So, Orphie, explain."

"Never call me that again. Anyways, let's start today's history lesson. Get your pad and pen, 'cause this is a lot of info to take in. So, the wild card is the ability to form a contract allowing one to access and summon multiple Personas and switch between them in battle, and the ability to change bonds into strength. The wild card is most closely related to the Fool Arcana, with its Tarot numeral being zero. The term is also associated with the capabilities of Fusion Spells, where multiple Personas are summoned at the same time in order to execute a powerful attack.1

"A Persona is a manifestation of a Persona User's personality, referred to as a "mask" for an individual to use to face hardship. A Persona is similar to a Shadow. Shadows are malevolent manifestations of one's inner thoughts, while a Persona is a manifestation of the same feelings but tamed and trained. If an individual takes up a resolution in their heart, the Persona will undergo a metamorphosis into a stronger form.2

"The Velvet Room is a room located between consciousness and subconsciousness.3 This is where Igor resides. Igor has the appearance of a bizarre old man with a long nose, pointed ears and bulging, bloodshot eyes. He wears a black suit with white gloves. Igor plays the role of Proprietor of the Velvet Room, a space which transcends both dream and reality. As the proprietor, Igor provides insight to the Wild Cards regarding their powers, emotional bonds, and possible dangers that await them in their journey. Igor also provides the vital services of Persona fusion, which allows the creation of vastly more powerful Personas from preexisting ones; and the use of the Persona Compendium, which allows previously created and/or acquired Personas to be recalled at a later time.4

"The current assistant of Igor is a woman named Lavenza. She is a young girl with long platinum hair and golden eyes. We don't really know her well, as we are used to another two, named Elizabeth and Theodore.

"Hope you enjoyed this history lesson. If you wanna learn more about Shadows and Personas, may I suggest Jungian Psychology? Welp, see ya!" And with that, Pico Orphie fades away. I was lost when he said "Tarot numeral."

"Yeah, that makes some sense in this. I think I get it. Also, what is Orpheus Picaro?"

"Well... He's my Persona, but male and of a different color scheme. Narukami's Persona, Izanagi, also has a miniature Picaro version."

"I wonder if I have one... Wha-?" After muttering to herself Twilight was startled. Twilight's Persona, Isabella Bird, appears on her shoulder, but things have changed. Her skin is more green (like this), her hair has a green-silver tint (like this), and the dress is turquoise (like this).

"I am Isabella Lucy Bird Bishop, the Widowed Traveler of the World. You may call me Isabella Delta. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Twilight Sparkle." I am at awe. A quite posh Canterlot accent, holding herself in a confident manor, and wielding the sword with elegance (like Mitsuru). Delta Issy shall be her nickname. "And am I wrong to presume this fine lady-" she points to me "-is the one who beat that horrendous version of myself?" Twilight just nods, starstruck. "Miss..."

"Mikata. Mikata Yuki." I respond.

"Miss Mikata. Thank you for helping my other self here. And, just as a side note, I love the country of which you hale from. Japan must be beautiful at this time of year, is it not? Well, I shall be off. Goodbye." And with that, she fades away.

...

This is kinda awkward.

"Kimi ha ne tashika ni ano toki watashi no soba ni ita
Itsudatte itsudatte itsudatte sugu yoko de waratte ita
Nakushitemo torimodosu kimi wo I will never leave you"

My phone buzzes. "Oh. I'll take this. Will you be coming down for breakfast?"

"Y-Yeah."

SPOILER BARRIER FOR PERSONA 4. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Town Hall
4/12
Afternoon
Clear

Wearing my bright-orange sweater and scarf (it was cold today) and with Narukami in his grey jacket, we went to work with fixing stuff around the grounds. Decorations, systems, lighting, stuff like that.

"Say, why are both of you so accustomed with all this weird stuff?" There's the million yen... I mean million bit question. "I mean, I did some weird shit, but this takes the cake." Didn't know that the Princess'll use such vulgar tones. But if Kirijo curses, anypony can, I guess.

"I'm not accustomed to jumping into the fucking TV, but Naru-kun here is more used to it, since it ended for him back in 2012. Naru, take it away."

"Why are you calling me Naru? Not that I have anything wrong with that, it's just I'm confused as to where the nickname came from. Anyways, me and my friends in Inaba had to deal with a similar incident. It was said that when you look at a TV when it's off while it's raining outside at midnight, you'll see your soulmate. In reality, these ponies shown are what the public want to see of these ponies. They are ponies that have been shown on the news. Yamano Mayumi and Konishi Saki were the two murdered by their Shadows, the thing we fought yesterday.

"On my first few days in Inaba, I met three of my closest friends. Satonaka, Ama- Wait. You all say names first then last, correct?" Twilight nods. "Okay, so I met Chie, Yukiko and Yosuke in school. Yukiko was filly-napped, and we had to chase her down. I learned that I had the ability to enter the TV when Chie suggested that we'd stay up til Midnight to see if the rumors were true. Long story there.

"Our first entry was when I awoken to Izanagi. Our second was when I beat Yosuke's Shadow and he got his Persona, Jiraiya. Our third expedition was after Yukiko was filly-napped. Chie awoken to Tomoe. Everypony else, minus Teddie, was filly-napped and thrown into the TV. We beat their Shadow, they accept it, and they obtain their Persona.

"The last filly-napped pony was my niece and 'Lil Sis', Nanako Dojima. My uncle, Ryotaro Dojima, was in an accident. Nanako... died after we saved her and got the guy who brought her in there out.

"Later on, we learned that the pony that we thought was the murderer, some creep who wanted to rape Yukiko or something, wasn't. And then again to the pony who brought my Lil Sis in there. My suggestion was that Tohru Adachi, an officer, was the murderer. He fit the criteria of being able to move around and meet the murdered without raising suspicion. He was also a pony who my family knows, since he himself must've delivered some letters with no returning address. Turns out he was. And Nanako somehow returned to the living after she died. Don't ask. I learned that Teddie was originally a Shadow, but has now become a dragon with the ability of Persona.

"Tohru was caught, and thrown into the slammer. But it's not over yet. On a skiing trip, I learned that one of my friends, Marie, locked herself away somewhere in the TV world. We rescued her the next day. Then, on the day before I had to leave back to the Capital, I confronted the God of Desires, who shown herself as Izanami, the dead wife of Izanagi. Using a magical ball of energy, I shone through and saw her true self, Izanami-no-Okami. A disgusting version of her fake self. With the powers of my friends, I summoned Izanagi-no-Okami, Izanagi's ultimate form. Defeating her saved Inaba."

"Wow. Pretty long journey you had there" I responded. "Mine is more filled with death."

"You two seem to have quite the journey experience with the weird." Twilight commented.

"Don't get me started on that love hotel. Oh sweet God, if I have to deal with that again, I'll-"

"Wait. Love hotel? What's that?" Ah, Twilight. Blissful ignorance.

Naru and I just sat there, working, not speaking. "Oh. Touchy subject?" We nod. I'll ask Naru for his experience, and I'll tell him mine.

"L-Let's get back to work. I heard that the other Princesses may be arriving soon."

"Wait, how soon?"

"Before the end of the Festival, which is on the 16th. I think, from the sound of it yesterday, it will be today. I thought they told you about that."

"N-no. They haven't. Say, Mister Narukami. Can you ask Risette if she can do a special performance for the Princesses?"

"Well, it's kinda out of the blue, but we have been working on a special routine. I'll ask her tonight at the motel."

"Thank you, Mi-"

"Just Narukami's fine. Or Naru, as Yuki here calls me." I give a playful smirk to Naru-kun.

Entrance to the Everfree
4/12
Evening
Clear

I adventured around town before the evening festival began. I'm starting to like being in a smaller town. All the shops are unique, and I know where to go. I found the weapons salespony, a jail (if there's a murderer or something), a clinic, schoolhouse, arcade, bowling alley, restaurant, general store, and a gym. Perfect. A place to get weapons, medicine, general items, and to upgrade my Persona stats. Also a place to do challenges and stuff. I might also get a part-time job or something.

I heard something in the distance. I look up and see a chariot coming down. Looking down, I see a lot of wheel marks and hooves here, so this must be a landing area of sorts. I move about 20 meters away and hide in a bush. As I thought, the Princess of the Sun and Moon have landed. I heard a loud screech, meaning a train arrived at the station. The timetables say that a train shouldn't be arriving for another 2 hours or so, so that must be the Princess of Love. I get out of my hiding place and try to sneak away, but my phone buzzed.

"I stole the moon
I drove through that bleak December
Baby, baby, just for you."

I quickly muted my phone, cursing at myself. I then hear somepony ask "Who's there?" I then feel eyes on my back. I quickly turn around to see them face to face. Apart by 20 meters.

It's as the stories say. Celestia, the older of the two, looks more professional for the job. Luna, the younger, looks inexperienced. Both have this immense beauty with a suffocating aura around them. Their eyes shine confusion.

"K-Konbanwa. Watashinonamaeha Yuki. Yuki Mikata. Anata no shiriai o tsukuru yorokobi." I bow. They looked at me with confusion. Oh. Right. Ponish. "Good evening. My name is Mikata. Mikata Yuki. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." I'm panicking. I'm letting some Neighponese slip in.

"A pleasure. I am Princess Luna. Am I to presume that you are the new pony who moved into this town?"

"H-Hai. I have moved here from Neighpon and have assisted Ojo Twilight Sparkle with some odd jobs." I'm dying on the inside.

"You know Twilight?" Celestia asks. I can see a hint of happiness. She must be glad I'm making friends with the townsfolk so quickly.

"Yes." I'm actually talking to them.

"Does she know that we are here?" Luna questions.

"Īe. She does not."

"Thank you, Miss Yuki. May we meet again."

"Anzen'na ryokō. Safe travels." Aaaaaaaand they're gone. I feel like they might be some helpful friends in the future. I shake my head and head back into the sleepy town.

Except it's not so sleepy anymore, with the festival and all.

As everypony's having fun, I trot up to Naru-kun, who's talking to Twilight. "The Princesses're here. I panicked when talking to the Sun and Moon, and let some Neighponese slip in."

"The Princesses are here? Already?" Twilight says, panicking. Naru just shakes his head on the Neighponese slip-ups I did.

"Yeah. The three of them're right behind you." And there they are. The Princess of Love, her husband, and their child are there as well. I whisper into Naru-kun "Shall we leave them be?" He nods, and we slip out. Before we could, however, the leaders of the Crystal Empire stop us.

"We heard there was something going on here in this town. A... filly-napping, if you may." Shining Armour stated in his somewhat scratchy voice. "And I heard you helped out with that filly-napped pony, am I right?" We nod and he smiles. "I know we should normally leave this to the Royal Guards, but you two seem to have experience with this, so, on behalf of the Crystal Empire, I, Shining Armour, shall help you whenever I can." With the assistance of a former Royal Guard Captain and a Prince, I feel like this may assist us in fighting the Good Fight. His friendship is nice and comforting, somehow making friends with royalty and her family.

[GLASS BREAKING SFX]

I am thou, Thou art I
Thou has forged a new bond

It shall guide thee closer to the Truth
And shall assist in dispelling Falsehood and Death

We grant thee the power of the Emperer
Use this power wisely

I bow, along with Naru. "Say, didn't Ojo Twilight say something about a performance?"

"Oh, shit! I-I gotta tell Rise. Sayonara!" Naru runs off with that.

"Rise? Like Risette?" Cadence asks. The alicorn in her hooves (Is that the 5th alicorn I've heard of?) is just suckling on her hoof.

"Yeah. Are you a fan, Princess Cadence?"

"I very much am! Oh, the sweet melody of Kimi no Kioku, the amazing jazz of Signs of Love, and the Shadow World!" Shining just smiled at her. I can tell, even though she's supposed to be a Princess and hides her true nature, she's just a youthful filly at heart.

[GLASS BREAKING SFX]

I am thou, Thou art I
Thou has forged a new bond

It shall guide thee closer to the Truth
And shall assist in dispelling Falsehood and Death

We grant thee the power of the Emperer
Use this power wisely

"Well, we should be going. It's been a long ride, and I think Flurry Heart needs some rest." As Cadence says this, Flurry yawns somewhat adorably.

I wave then goodbye, then head off to my house. I need sleep too.

This feeling...

"Welcome to the Velvet Room."

"Hi, Igor. Lavenza." I nod in both of their directions.

"You are quite interesting. Even though you have bonds already forged with all of the Arcana, you are still able to forge them again with new people. Interesting." She opens the Compendium and out comes three cards I'm not exactly used to. "Ah, the designs of the Arcana have changed. This is the Fool-" she shows me the card from the previous chapter "-the Emperor-" she shows me the corresponding card "-and the Lovers." She shows me the corresponding card from this chapter. "With these new friends, you should be able to fuse even more powerful Personas.

"The Personas of the Fool Arcana can have any skill, from healing and status effects to the instant killing Light and Dark skills. The Emperor can hold physical skills and Zio skills. The Lovers may have healing and status effects. They may also have Garu skills."

Igor now resumes talking. "Now, to find us, simply go to Town Hall or the Other World. The blue doors you're accustomed to will appear to you, Yu Narukami, and Twilight Sparkle. You three are the only ones that can access this realm. The next time we meet, it will be when you unlock another of the Arcana's Secrets."

With unison, the state: "Until we meet again."

Author's Note

Exposition Center here!

1 Taken from the Megami Tensei Wiki for the Wild Card
2 Taken from the Megami Tensei Wiki for Persona (concept)
3 Taken from the Megami Tensei Wiki for the Velvet Room
4 Taken from the Megami Tensei Wiki for Igor

Romaji (Japanese):
Kimi ha ne tashika ni ano toki watashi no soba ni ita
Itsudatte itsudatte itsudatte sugu yoko de waratte ita
Nakushitemo torimodosu kimi wo I will never leave you
English:
I know for a fact, you were there by my side
You were always always always there, smiling
If ever I lose you, I will find you, I will never leave you