A/N: Hey readers! This is basically me saying I am back to writing again, and have found time to continue it! This story will focus on mental health and drug abuse (THE AUTHOR DOES NOT CONDONE DRUG ABUSE, IN ANY FORM, NOR DOES HE ENCOURAGE SUCH BEHAVIOR) that goes without saying. Anyway, since the Game tackled on Apathy Syndrome, I decided to expand it to affect the Persona Summoners, who need their persona to combat their stress and whatnot. Such underdevelopment is shown to cause side effects (Chidori choked by Midea, her agitation from being separated from her) and due to the Destruction of Tartarus, this has a profound effect on those who are still dependent on their Persona (i.e. anyone without a maxed out S-Link)

Also, I have added several other Persona wielders, since it is illogical to assume that only Iwatodai has Persona Summoners.

Anyway, please read on!

Prologue...

Five years ago, the Shadows of Nyx had left an indelible mark on Japan, and possibly, the world. As Tartarus churned out Shadows to corrupt, decimate, debilitate and indoctrinate the population of Iwatodai, the Shadows' influence crept toward other parts of Japan, infecting the populace with Apathy Syndrome.

As our hero, Minato Arisato, and his ragtag team of Persona Summoners, defeated Nyx's Horde and sealed the rift in Tartarus, thus ending the outbreak of Shadows, it did not, however, stop the effects of the Apathy Syndrome. Those affected suffered from apathy, anxiety and, depression. The effects to Persona Summoners were much worse. It caused them to suffer from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), nightmares, severe depression, and even insanity. This often occurred several months, to a year since "The Fall" and was dubbed "Relapse Syndrome".

As it happened, "The Fall" had "awakened" more than a quarter of the population of Iwatodai, activating their latent ability to summon Personas. This had the unfortunate side effect of causing Relapse Syndrome to the fledgeling Persona Summoners, as their "Personas" were forcefully ripped from them within hours of their awakening. Without this emotional mask to help them cope with life's stress, they were increasingly exposed to the risks of mental breakdowns.

The Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad (SEES) were spared, as well as those who were close to Minato Arisato, who nurtured their friendship with him, and thus awakened their true selves, making them independent and immune from the "masks" they wore known as "Personas".

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Minato Arisato, the once renowned hero of Iwatodai, walked along the bridge to his school. The University of Iwatodai or UI is a college created by the Kirijo Group during the aftermath of "The Fall" as a public relations bid to placate the angry citizens of Iwatodai, once the fact that the Kirijo Family had a hand in the Fall, which led to the declining mental health of people suffering from Apathy Syndrome and Relapse Syndrome. And so, to that end, the Kirijo Group constructed a third artificial island directly northeast of Gekkoukan High.

Minato crossed over and passed the bridge. To his left was a Junes Mall branch. Several restaurants, onsens and other enterprises littered the western side of the island. On the east side, UI dominated most of the 3 hectare lot. It was massive, and grand, but otherwise a regular college, with regular teachers, and the usual students.

"Hey, buddy!" A voice cried out, "Arisato!"

Minato turned around and saw his friend, Junpei Iori, jogging toward him, with his backpack jostling at his side.

"Hey, Junpei." Minato greeted, "You overslept, didn't you?"

"Yeah." Junpei puffed, "Missed the train too, so I had to walk from Island Two..."

"I keep telling you to get a bike, dude." Minato said.

"I keep telling you it's too expensive!" Junpei said, "How is Yuka-tan? Her studies keep her busy?"

"Yukari is busy with work and her classes these days, but we see each other every day." Minato said.

"Well, I guess sharing the same apartment together does do that." Junpei said.

Then, a wild-eyed man lunged toward them. Junpei and Minato instinctively stepped back. The man smiled maniacally, and used an inhaler, before running off.

"Ugh..." Junpei said in disgust, "These Memo junkies are everywhere these days..."

Minato nodded in agreement. "Memo", short for "Memory" is a narcotic that a rogue Kirijo Group science team had synthesized in their lab that took form of a capsule of clear liquid, which is then smoked. It is a psychedelic drug that causes extreme euphoria, hallucinations and increases the power of the subconsciousness, allowing people with Relapse Syndrome to "connect" with their Persona, albeit on a weaker level, and restore some sanity they had. This has several ill effects, such as mania, amnesia and delirium, among other symptoms.

"Seems to be a growing problem these days." Minato said at length.

"Right." Junpei said, "You'd think it was bad before. Heh! Out the frying pan..."

"And into the fire-" Minato said, but felt something trickling down his boots. It was blood.

"Dude, your nose." Junpei said worriedly.

Wiping his nose with his handkerchief, Minato brushed him off, "Must be this weather."

"That's what you said last week. And the month before that." Junpei said, "I think you should see a doctor."

"And I think you should get a bike." Minato retorted.

As Junpei and Minato arrived at UI, the two separated upon entering the main lobby, since Junpei took up accounting.

At Chemistry class, Minato's favorite teacher, Professor Yagyu, gave an orientation about their curriculum, which was highly advanced chemistry.

Munemasa Yagyu, a former Scientist at the Kirijo Group, often favored Minato, who he often said was a prodigy at Chemistry. It also helped to have been close with Directress Kirijo, a trusted friend of Minato and his former paramour.

However, this particular day, Minato felt a sharp, acute pain on his head, throbbing with great intensity. He had experienced several recurring headaches, but not as severe as the one he had that day. It felt as if someone had collected a bucket filled with needles, hooks, razors and nails, placed it inside Minato's head and shook it violently.

"Ugh..." Minato grunted in pain.

"Minato? Something wrong?" Professor Yagyu said.

"N-Nothing, Sir." Minato managed.

Nodding, Yagyu continued with his lecture. Minato's eyes rolled behind his head due to the pain. On his right side, a classmate, who was not seated correctly, began to gossip about something to his girlfriend, seated on Minato's left.

"Have you heard about-" he whispered across from him.

"No, I-" the girl replied.

Minato could barely understand any words they were saying. Every word they said felt like a hammer banging on his brain.

"Tohru, Ami, have you anything to share there?" Professor Yagyu said.

The two immediately became quiet.

"Good." The Professor nodded and continued with his lecture.

"Anyway, did you hear 'bout that delinquent new student? She was in my political science class."

"Oh, yeah, heard about her."

"Waddya hear?"

"Memo Dealer. Figures. Stayed away from her the entire time."

"Fuck. IWI should do better background checks!"

"I agree. My Mom and Dad doesn't pay this place to put some criminal near me."

"Shit. Now I'm scared."

"What's her name, by the way?"

"It was-"

"WILL YOU TWO SHUT UP!?" Minato cried angrily.

Everyone became quiet and looked at Minato, who was also shocked at what he said.

"What's your problem?" Ami said angrily.

"Everyone's problem, apparently, Ami." Professor said, "If you don't want to listen to my class- GET OUT."

Ami and Tohru nodded nervously.

"Tohru, go back to your seat and stay there." Professor Yagyu said. Sullenly, Tohru complied.

After classes, Minato went to work as a cashier in one of the many restaurant chains in Island Three, Oda's Meat Hut.

The Manager came forward, "Arisato. Yuko called in sick. We're short-handed today. I'm going to run the register."

"Great. Can I go home?" Minato said.

"Uh, no, smart ass. You're on the floor, effective immediately."

"We talked about this." Minato said, "I'm a cashier, not a waiter."

"What do you want me to do? I'm short-handed. I've a business to run."

Minato sighed and grabbed a rag. As he wiped on the table, he noticed Tohru and Ami, snickering at him, and taking a photo.

"Hey, Teacher's Pet, you missed a spot!" Tohru jeered.

"Yeah! Wipe this!" Ami said, before spraying ketchup all over the table.

Minato, humiliatingly, was compelled to clean up the table.

After several takebacks, and insults (subtle), Tohru and Ami left, but not before writing "TEACHERS PET" and "BAD SERVICE" along with several obscene gestures and lewd suggestions using ketchup, mustard and several condiments, which took Minato some time to completely clean.

The Manager came forward, "Arisato." He said, "This table repeatedly complained about your services."

"Yeah, well, if they didn't complain every five minutes and drew dicks on the table with ketchup and mustard, I'd give a better service." Minato said, "Better yet! If I stick to my job as a cashier, maybe I can become better!"

"Trust me, Arisato, you have now peaked in life." The Manager said, "Piss off!" Arriving in the kitchen, Minato slumped in exhaustion.

"Bad day?" The Chef said.

Minato nodded. Lee worked there as a chef, having graduated a year ago. He was a blonde haired, blue eyed man, much like Bebe, only Lee was born and bred in Japan.

"Shoulda told me." Lee said, "Would've added some "secret sauce" if you catch my drift."

"Leave it out, Lee, don't want them getting sick." Minato said jokingly, "Anyway, I have to leave. Got a party to attend to." Minato said.

"Get me some cake. I do shit for you." Lee said.

Minato met up with Junpei outside.

"What took you so long?" Junpei asked.

"Some jerk spilled ketchup all over the table." Minato said.

"Bastards." Junpei said, "Where are we going again?"

"Forgot already? Akihiko-senpai was promoted to detective." Minato reminded, "We're going to his apartment to celebrate."

"Meh, so long as there's free food, a man can't complain."

"That's a first for you, then."

"Hey!"

Arriving at Akihiko's place, Minato and Junpei entered to a party in full swing. Several friends, as well as colleagues of Akihiko, were having fun, eating and drinking while mingling with each other.

"Minato!" A pretty girl with short brown hair and a distinctive choker waved at him, "Over here!"

Junpei scratched his chin, "Go to her, man. I'll catch up after I hit the buffet!"

Walking up to her, Minato greeted his girlfriend, Yukari Takeba, as well as Fuuka Yamagishi, a close friend.

"Minato!" Yukari hugged him, "You're very late." She whispered in his ear.

"Hi, Minato-kun." Fuuka said, blushing slightly.

"Hey Fuuka-chan." Minato said, "Where's Akihiko?"

"Over there, talking to his friends." Yukari said.

"I'll congratulate him first, then I'll get back to you." Minato said and walked toward Akihiko, who, along with his coworkers, were listening to an older man, evidently a senior officer, talking.

"So, I got to this guy, Namatame, the politician? He kidnapped my daughter, so I chased him around town with my cruiser-"

Akihiko noticed Minato and strode toward him, "Minato! Glad you could make it."

"Wouldn't miss this for the world, Senpai." Minato said, "What department are you at?"

"Narcotics." Akihiko sighed, "Memo use has been on the rise. Heard several detectives backed off, so they hired new ones, myself included.

"Oh? Who's that guy?"

Akihiko looked at the senior officer before looking back at Minato, "Him? He's my partner. Admin transferred him here all the way from Inaba. Ryotaro Dojima. Hard ass, from what I heard."

"Lucky you, I guess." Minato said.

"Unlucky for those Memo dealers peddling at UI." Akihiko said, "Brass has it in for them. Cracking down hard since the Azai Yakuza spread their influence here. Me, I'll only have to deal with those junkies. Them? They have to deal with Dojima." He juts his chin to Dojima, who was slightly buzzed from his drinks.

"-So, they gave me this Baretta, right? It's a great gun, unless you use 9 mil... I once saw a guy hooked on Memo shrug them off. Took me seven shots to take him out." Dojima said.

"Yeah, with your aim, that's no question." A senior officer jeered as Dojima laughed.

"So, when you do drug busts, how much cash do you get?" Minato asked.

"Well, recently, the department busted about 10 kilograms worth of Memo right off the docks. They were smuggling it inside fish. Fish, of all places!" Akihiko said, "These guys are getting smart."

"How much was it worth?"

"Hmmmm, probably ¥70,000. More, probably, but I can't make a good estimate since a few kilos were damaged." Akihiko said.

"Wow." Minato said, "I can probably work for a month wiping tables nonstop and still can't come close to that much." Minato said.

"Well, that's not the most the department usually gets. It's easy money, unless we catch you." Akihiko said, "Hey, are you okay? You got a bit of red on your shirt there." Akihiko said.

Minato looked at his shirt, then at his nose. It was bleeding.

"Heard you've been having those regularly." Akihiko said, "Once a month, from what Junpei says."

"Yeah, well, girls get this once a month too, but in a different place." Minato said with a deadpan expression.

As the party died down, Minato and Yukari left early after thanking and congratulating Akihiko. Resting in their shared apartment, Yukari was doing her homework, as Minato settled in.

"How was your day?" Minato yawned.

"Good." Yukari said, sipping on her tea, "Aced another test. Now doing some light writing."

"That's good." Minato said.

"What about you? Manager riding you?" Yukari said.

"Heh. That prickly old prune has it in for me. Forced me to wipe tables." Minato said.

"You're a cashier, not a busboy." Yukari said angrily, "I'll give that bastard a talking-to."

"Forget it. He won't listen anyway." Minato sighed, "I'll just have to accept my fate."

"He'll have to accept his." Yukari said dangerously.

"My nose bled again. Twice." Minato said.

"Still?" Yukari said, "Get to a doctor."

"You're probably the third person to say that." Minato yawned, and went to sleep.

The following day, Minato continued his usual route, taking a left into the Chemistry department, then another right, Minato entered his History class, where he was rather early. Greeting his usual classmates, Minato noticed a new student, a red headed girl, with pasty skin and auburn hair messily tied into a high ponytail, sleeping near the window. She had the exact same model of earphones he did, albeit it was crimson red.

"Hey, Minato-san." Hideyori, the class monitor, greeted, "Early, as per usual." He marked his attendance.

Minato gave a smile.

"Noticed our new classmate?" He said after Minato signed.

"Yeah. Who is she?" Minato asked silently.

"Don't know her name... Some transferee from the University of Tokyo." Hideyori said with a hushed voice, "I heard she got into a fistfight with her Headmaster."

"Oh! I heard she tried burning her school down." Another student piped.

"I'm liking her already." Hideyori said.

"That's nothing." Another classmate supplied, "I heard she was a Memo manufacturer back in Tokyo... She was kicked out when she got hooked into Memo and beat a classmate into a coma for not paying up for a capsule..."

"Oh shit..." Hideyori said, "Better stop talking about her, at least until we're about a mile off..."

Minato nodded. He took a look at his classmate sighed and tried not to look out the window, which was streaming intense light from the sun, disorienting him and worsening his migraine.

The Professor entered the room.

"Settle down, everyone." The Professor said, "As you all know, we have a new student. Please, introduce yourself, if you please."

The new student stood up and Minato silently marbelled at her beauty. Especially her striking red eyes, "I'm Minako Arisato, I'm from Tokyo. Pleased to meet you all, I guess." She piped bubbly.

"Ah, an Arisato, I see? Any relation to our star student, Minato Arisato?" The Professor asked.

Minako looked at Minato, then at the Professor, "Never heard 'o him."

"Why, might I ask, did you transfer here?"

"I slung Memo here and there. Made MAAAAD cash. School board didn't take too kindly to it, though, and tossed me here." Minako said.

Absolute silence. A rumor about her being a Memo dealer was one thing, actually admitting it, happily admitting it, was another thing entirely.

"Ahaha ha ha..." The Professor laughed nervously, "My, is that the time? Let's continue on to our lesson..." He said, avoiding eye contact with Minako the entire class.

Minako yawned and went back to sleep. Not one person dared to disturb her. She even went as far as to go to the toilets, without asking permission, to Hideyori's shock.

Minato, though somewhat shocked at Minako's uncouth ways, could see she was a good person inside. It was somewhat a second sense with Minato, but he had a strong, almost primal, need to help her.

"And so, Hannibal Barca swung his forces, and enveloped the Roman Forces-" the Professor began, but was stopped with a knock on the door. Two detectives in plainsclothes, the young one wearing his blazer neatly, the older one had it slung over his shoulder, while holding a cigarette in his mouth.

"Why, Akihiko Sanada!" The Professor cried, "It's good to see you!"

"Hello Sensei." Akihiko said, "Sorry to disturb your class. This is Detective Ryotaro Dojima, my Partner, and-"

"You're not allowed to smoke inside campus." A tiny girl squeaked.

"Who are you, the Class Rep...?" Dojima muttered.

"A-Actually, I am..."

"Eh?" Dojima said, "I'm not smoking."

"ANYWAY." Akihiko said, "The Precinct received some reports of Memo Dealers inside campus. We need everyone to open their bags, one by one. Don't worry, we have warrants, now, hop to it."

Everyone complied dutifully.

"No need, Minato." Akihiko winked.

"So, heard you have some delinquent named Minako Arisato in here?" Dojima asked the Professor.

"Y-Yes, Detective."

"Where is she now?" Dojima asked.

"I don't know."

"Well, don't underestimate her." Dojima said, "I've had a run in with her once, vicious wolverine, she was."

Knowing Minato had to help her, Minato raised his hands.

"You? What?" Dojima said.

"Can I go to the bathroom?" Minato asked.

"Not until we check everyone here." Dojima said.

"Don't worry, Dojima-san, he's good." Akihiko vouched.

"Eh? Well, go on then." Dojima said.

Minato hurriedly went out and searched for Minako. After several tries (and slaps) from the girls restroom, he found Minako inside the faculty restroom, about to smoke a pipe primed with Memo. Minato took it and smashed it to the ground, before scooping it it tissue paper and flushing it down the toilet.

"What the fuck, buddy? That pipe costed me ¥3,000!" Minako hissed, "Handblown glass from Nepal, asshole, you better shit one out right now before I-"

"You'll thank me later." Minato insisted, and grabbed her and went out, where Akihiko and Dojima was outside, waiting.

"Minato! Found her for us?" Akihiko said.

"Uh, yeah." Minato stammered, "She was lost and accidentally used the teacher's restroom."

"I'll be the judge of that. Turn out your pockets, Minako." Dojima said.

Minako's eyes widened, and she looked at Minato, then turned out her pockets. Other than lint and some coins, she was clean.

"Not even a pipe?" Akihiko said, eyebrows raised.

"Nope." Minako said cheerfully, "If I did, I'd probably get a handblown glass pipe from Nepal, which Buddhist Monks make every three years or so. Popular these days..."

Akihiko looked at her suspiciously,

"-From what I heard." Minako added.

Dojima looked at her, then at Akihiko, "Not even a little Memo?"

"Nothing. Checked her stuff too, nothing there." Akihiko said.

"Hey!"

"Relax, we have a warrant." Dojima said, "Tch, prank calls. On your first day, too."

"It's okay, Dojima-san, the day's still young. Besides, we have some informants to meet here at Island Three, so it's not a total loss."

"Always the optimist..." Dojima sighed, "Stay out of trouble, kids."

After they left, Minako breathed a sigh of relief, "Thanks for the save."

"Anytime," Minato said.

"So... Why'd you do it?" Minako said.

"Do what?"

"You know! Save me and shit. You barely know me, and you come around smashing my pipe and saving my ass." Minako said, "Most people would know to stay the hell away from me."

"I dunno. I just felt like it." Minato said.

"Who are you again?" Minako asked.

"Minato Arisato. You probably never heard 'o me." Minato joked.

"Oh, hardy har har." Minako said, "In any event, I owe you one, Arisato."

"I guess you do, Arisato." Minato said.

"Anything you need, copying homework, beating up bullies, slinging Memo, making Memo, distributing Memo, come see me." Minako said.

"Why do you do it? Sell Memo and stuff?" Minato said.

"Uh, uh, uh, hold it, Alladin, you only have one wish from the Mighty Minako, and I'm damn sure you don't want to spend it asking me why I do what I do."

"Right. I'll think of something," Minato said, and with that, the two went back to class, from strangers, to friends.

A/N: I'm really excited with this story and how it goes! Also, it goes without saying, since this IS , but this story is a work of fiction, blah blah blah.

Anyway, I'd really be happy and pleased if you review (seriously, REVIEW, that's basically the equivalent to giving tips at a restaurant) and please have a good day, I suppose!:)

Feel free to ask any questions!