When Haruto followed Naruko and the others inside the TV, he expected to arrive at that studio-like place, the same one where he first regained consciousness in this world. Instead, he soon found himself trapped in complete darkness. The same darkness that used to binds him before his awakening.
Do you really wish to learn the truth?
A voice suddenly called out to him. He can't see anyone around him, but he can at least figure out the sound belongs to a female.
What you desire is never meant to be found… It should remain hidden within the fog…
What does it mean? Does this entity knows something about him too?
Seek it if you must, but tread your path carefully… For one wrong step will cost you what you hold dear the most…
Immediately after hearing those words, Haruto began to experience a vision flashing in his mind.
He sees himself kneeling while embracing Naruko's wounded body. The life that was once reflected in her eyes is now replaced by death. The spectacle around him is that of a ruined city covered in darkness, lit only by the green moon above the starless sky.
He can feel the cold of the night brushing sharply against his skin… He can hear the whistling sound of the wind dancing in the air… He can smell her blood dripping from her wounds…
And before he realized it, he finds himself back in reality, to the world inside the TV.
Haruto clutches his chest while gasping for air. The vision he just saw was no mere nightmare. It was very real, as if he was physically there in that dystopia.
At first, Haruto's goal was only to explore that world and find the clue to his memory. But after acknowledging his current situation, he decided to set aside that desire for the time being. He has realized something far more important.
He needs to find Naruko and protect her at all costs.
It wasn't that long since Naruko and the others began to fight Shadow Yukiko and the Charming Prince, and yet it is clear they're at a disadvantage.
Both Yu and Yosuke are struggling to keep Shadow Yukiko at bay while she and Chie are focusing their attacks at the smaller Shadow. The Charming Prince's attack isn't that dangerous in comparison to the other Shadows they fought earlier, but it has a frightening endurance which allows it to withstand their onslaught.
Chie's Persona, from what Naruko observed, is specialized in physical skills while also being able to use ice elemental skills albeit with limitations. However, she must have spent most of her stamina after fighting many Shadows on their way here, as her attack is less powerful than it was before. To make things worse, Shadow Yukiko keep on casting White Wall upon the Charming Prince, raising its resistance to Chie's ice attack even further.
Naruko herself is also limited in a way unique to her. The Katana she utilized is not an ordinary one, it is able to attack any Shadows regardless of their affinity and resistance. But unlike the other three Persona users, her attack doesn't pack much power. This is because the Katana is dependent of its wielder power. Naruko, being a girl, can only swing the blade with limited strength.
It took them some time, but they finally managed to strike the Charming Prince simultaneously, causing enough damage to make it disappear.
"That's one down!" Chie shouted.
"Good! Stay there and look for an opening! Strike as soon as you get the chance!" Yu ordered Chie while dodging an attack aimed at him.
However, losing the Charming Prince has made Shadow Yukiko berserk as it flies above before preparing for an attack.
"Narukami-san, protect Hanamura-san!"
Yu who was standing near Yosuke at the time immediately understood her intention, as he pulled Yosuke back by his uniform before changing his Persona to Berith.
Shadow Yukiko then unleashes a devastating fire breath which cover almost everything in the room.
"Chie! Uzumaki-san!"
"Don't move, Yosuke! Stay behind me!"
Because of his Persona natural immunity to fire, Yu had no problem protecting himself and Yosuke from the inferno. But Chie is exceptionally weak to fire, and Naruko cannot use her Persona. He can't help but worry for their safety.
The torrent of flame continued to last for a while until it dissipates completely, leaving the floor charred in the aftermath. Much to Yu and Yosuke's surprise, Chie and Naruko appeared to be relatively unscathed from the onslaught.
"Now, Satonaka-san!"
Chie summoned her Persona to send forth a hailstorm at Shadow Yukiko, bringing it down hard on the floor.
Not ignoring the opportunity, all of them relentlessly attack at the vulnerable Shadow. For each strikes of the blade, the thunder, the wind and the ice, Shadow Yukiko yelled in pain before finally succumbing to its wound and reverting back to its previous form.
"Did we do it?!" Yosuke asked.
"Yes, but… She still need to face herself first…" said Yu.
Teddie who had taken cover for the whole battle re-emerge from behind one of the pillar while supporting Yukiko with his body.
"Yukiko! Are you hurt?!"
Chie is the first to approach the weakened Yukiko, who looked at her own Shadow before averting her eyes from her friends.
"N-No… That's not me…"
"You'll have to accept it, Yuki-chan, or it'll go berserk again…" said Teddie.
Chie then suddenly embraces her childhood friends, holding her tight in her arms.
"Yukiko, I'm sorry… I'm not as strong as you might think, and there are lots of things I can't do without you…" She began to sob.
"Chie…"
"I was jealous of you… I thought you have the kind of strength I do not have… I never bothered to look beyond my weaknesses… I never even considered your true feeling…"
Yu, Yosuke, Naruko and Teddie all remained silent to give the two time to reconcile.
"But, if it's alright with you… If you still want me by your side… Can we start over as friends…?"
Yukiko who finally heard Chie's true feeling is moved to tear, as she finally returns the hug.
"I've always depended on you, without ever having confidence in myself… I only waited for you to rescue me, without doing anything on my own… But, I've always considered you as someone precious to me… And I would be honored to have you as my friend…"
Yukiko then turned to confront her own Shadow.
"I'm sorry I didn't acknowledge you before… You're right, I did want to leave and escape, but I was too afraid to deny the fate imposed on me. That's why I created you."
She gently holds her Shadow by its hands, enveloping them in her own.
"You are me… And I'm you"
Her Shadow nodded after hearing her words. It transfigured into a Persona, floating elegantly on the air before disappearing in a blue light.
If it weren't for Naruko catching her, Yukiko would have fallen on the floor as her fatigue is finally taking its toll.
"We should return for the time being. It's not safe here"
Yukiko who is barely conscious at the time still managed to recognize another one of her savior.
"Uzumaki-san…? Why are you here…?"
"It is nice to meet you again, Amagi-san," Naruko smiled. "It's a long story, but take it easy for now. We'll talk later."
"Uzumaki-san is right, it'll be bad if we have to fight another Shadow with our current condition," said Yu. "I'll take point. Yosuke, can I count on you to act as the rear guard? Meanwhile, Teddie will show us the safest way back to the entrance."
"Got it, partner."
"Leave it to me, Sensei!"
"Satonaka-san, can I trouble you to walk with Amagi-san? I'm afraid I'm in no condition to support her."
Naruko cringed in pain after saying that. The group finally realized it was because of the large burn scar on her right forearm.
"Uzumaki-san! Your arm—"
"Don't worry about it, it will eventually heal," Naruko assured the panicked Chie. "We better leave now, I have a bad feeling about this place…"