Authors Note: hey everyone, Fire Slash here and welcome to my new story. After playing Persona 4 (I got the good ending on my first play through before looking up the bad ending), this story idea popped into my head. Just a heads up, this is an AU, where the first chapter explores additional consequences Yuu faces for his decision to throw Nanatame into the TV while the rest of the chapters deal with him attempting to make things right by traveling back in time. In addition, I want to do something in terms of shipping, but I cannot pick a couple. I love every girl (and character for that matter) equally. So let me know if you want Yu to pair up with a certain girl or if your interested, a harem. When I do decide to ship him, I'll do so with the girl who receives the most requests (or I'll do a harem if most people vote for that). Now, review and enjoy :-).

0000

"Listen. We can finish this, right here, right now. All we have to do is throw Namatame into the TV. No one will have any way of knowing what we have done." Yosuke told his friends, a sense of wickedness plastered all over his face. "We've risked so much chasing him down. This is the only way to ensure that he won't harm anyone else."

Heads down and with emotions that mimicked the gesture, the rest of the Investigation Team began to think about what Youske had said. Thinking the hardest was their group leader, Yuu Narukami. Honing onto the last sentence which came out of Yosuke, it was undeniable that everyone in the group made sacrifices to catch the man who killed three people and kidnapped four more. Ever since Yuu discovered the ability to enter the other world by the use of a television, the Investigation Team put their lives on the line to rescue those who fell victim to Namatame's deeds, while chasing down the man himself. Hell, Naoto even got herself kidnapped on purpose just to catch the maniac.

Though they finally caught him, it came at a price. Namatame's next victim, Yuu's younger cousin Nanako Dojima, was brought into the other world as Namatame attempted to evade them. Unfortunately, her body couldn't handle being in the other world, seeing as she was young and lacked a persona, causing her to pass away a few days after. Never had the investigation team seen more emotion pour out of their leader than when he lost his beloved baby cousin.

"…I agree. Let's throw him in," Yuu said, causing his friends to snap out of their rapid thinking. That was the last thing they expected their leader to say. The boy was a pacifist, always wanting to help anyone he sees. Even when they captured the copycat killer, Mitsuo Kubo, Yuu expressed no interest in ending his life or making him suffer. This was clearly out of character for him.

"Are you sure?" Chie asked, awkwardly avoiding eye contact with anyone. "I mean, can't we let the police handle it?"

"And what exactly can they achieve?" Yuu asked her, his voice rising above the level of calmness he normally used when he spoke. "There's hardly any evidence which points to him being the killer. The police don't even know about the other world, only we do. Without the knowledge of the other world, there's no way a trial can be held which proves his guilt. Because of this, not throwing him into the TV is the same as letting him off without punishment."

Hearing this, Yukiko glumly looked down at her feet, the current situation making her uncomfortable. "…You're unfortunately right. But is this really the best thing to do? This might sound strange, but what if he wasn't the killer?"

"He did mention something about 'saving' people," Naoto pointed out. "However, there's strong evidence his definition of 'saving' someone differs from the way we would normally use the word. It's highly possible he believes that by killing people, he was protecting them from the hardships which come with life."

"There's no doubt he did it," Kanji responded. "His freaking shadow even admitted it, and aren't shadows formed from the shit people try to hide?"

"Yeah," Rise answered glumly. "I guess that's all the proof we need to say for sure that he's the killer."

A long silence fell upon the group after Rise spoke, save for the mumbling coming from Namatame. The man was currently mentally broken, which didn't come as a surprise to the group, seeing as all he did was spout nonsense when they first met him in person. Clearing his throat, Yosuke chose to eventually break the silence. "So we've all made up our minds? Are we really going through with this?"

"Yes," Yuu answered. "Let's throw the bastard in and end this already."

Nodding, Yosuke turned to the rest of the group. "Remember, if any of you don't want any part in this, you can leave now."

"There's no way I'm leaving," Chie announced. "I need to see this through." The others stood in silence, none of them turning away from Yosuke. Taking that as an answer, Yuu and Yosuke took hold of the fallen politician and began moving him towards the TV located in his hospital room. It was then that Namatame chose to snap back into reality.

"N-no! Let go of me!" Namatame shouted as he attempted to struggle out of both of their grips. "Don't throw me back into that accursed place!"

"Should have thought about that before you threw Nanako in there, along with everyone else," Yuu retorted. Right now, all the boy could see was red. His emotions were in control now, it was too late for Namatame to attempt reasoning with him. However, that didn't stop him from trying.

"Don't do this! I didn't mean for the girl to die! I was trying to sav-" Despite his pleas, he was eventually thrown inside. Everyone stood around in silence, knowing that they sent Namatame to his death.

"…It's over," Yosuke said, taking the liberty of breaking the silence again. "Justice will be served over there. Let's leave before the police come back."

0000

Five days have passed since Namatame's death was announced. Police were currently looking for clues as to who killed the fallen politician, but were having no luck, believing his death to have been a suicide.

Spending those days alone, with nothing to do but calm down about Nanako's death, it was inevitable that Yuu would begin to think about what he did to Namatame.

"Did I really do the right thing?" Yuu mentally asked himself as he stared at his blank television. Now that his emotions have calmed down, he was beginning to regret his choice of practically executing Namatame. There were just so many unanswered questions about the case that Namatame may have been able to shed some light on.

First off, there was the issue of Namatame's motive for throwing people into the TV world. Did the discovery of his affair really mess him up that much? Yuu soon dismissed that theory, seeing as HE was the one to cheat on his ex-wife.

Next, there was the issue of how Namatame discovered the other world. Yuu highly doubted Namatame randomly discovered he was capable of such a feat. Perhaps Namatame was contacted by some outside party like he was? That certainly was a possibility. After all, Yuu did discover the TV world shortly after meeting Igor and Margaret. Perhaps the 'outside party' was using Namatame as a puppet?

Lastly, there was the issue of Namatame's obsession with 'saving people.' Was he actually trying to rescue those he kidnapped from some sort of danger? Granted, Yukiko, Kanji, Naoto, and Rise haven't been harmed since they were rescued, excluding when the investigation team fought against the shadows. Now that Yuu thought about it, Namatame's view of the other world before he was thrown into the TV contrasted with what he thought of it when Yuu first met him. In fact, it seemed that he's never been to that world before he abducted Nanako. Then again, who would even go to such a place willingly? Did he even know of a way to get out of there?

There was also the problem with the fog. After failing to rescue Nanako, the fog which prevented the shadows from going berserk back in their world started flooding into Inaba. Apparently it was causing some individuals to become hospitalized, no cure being available to help them recover. If Yuu's theory about an outside party having manipulated Namatame was correct, there was the possibility that the fog was their doing as well.

*Buzz-buzz. Buzz-buzz*

The vibrations coming from his phone snapped Yuu from his thoughts. Lazily picking up his phone, he noticed that it was Youske who was calling him.

"Hello?"

"Hey man! We've got a problem!" Youske shouted over the line. "Teddie's gone! He left me a note telling me he's went back to his world."

"Tell everyone to gather at Junes," Yuu instructed him. "We're going after that bear. He could get himself killed. Now that he has a Persona, the shadows will be gunning him down for sure."

"Alright. See you soon," Youske said before hanging up. Yuu knew exactly why Teddie would want to return to his world. He made Nanako a promise that he would save her, and now she's dead. The poor guy took her death the hardest, after her cousin of course. He probably felt as if he would no longer be of use to the Investigation Team, deciding to leave so they would no longer have to take care of him. However, what Teddie didn't understand is that Yuu knew her death wasn't his fault. The bear refused to give up until Nanako was found, pushing himself to continue the journey, not stopping while injured. What happened was inevitable, it all being Namatame's doing. Now, Teddie was all alone in the other world with no one to look after him. His death was highly likely, unless he was stopped. Setting out with a strong sense of determination, Yuu vowed to bring Teddie back. There was no way he was going to lose another person close to him…

0000

"Any luck Rise?" Chie asked as the idol used her Persona to scan various areas of the shadow world. Like Yuu, the rest of the Investigation Team shared his worry. While Teddie had a Persona and knew how to use it, like most other Persona, his had a weakness. Most shadows were not intelligent, but if they somehow found out Teddie was weak to electric attacks, they'll use it to their advantage, ending the bear's life without giving him a chance to fight back.

"I-I found him!" Rise said, clearly disturbed by something. "He's in the fake shopping district, but he's not alone! There's a large amount of shadows with him! He's barley alive!"

"Rise, please lead us to him," Yuu told her. Though he sounded calm, Yuu was actually terrified. It seemed his worst fears were coming true…

"Alright, he's this way! Follow me!"

0000

"I have so many bad memories here," Youske muttered under his breath as the Investigation Team made their way through the fake shopping district, desperate to find their friend. As he searched for Teddie, Yuu noticed the large amount of puddles around the district. After spending quite a lot of time in this world, Yuu knew the origins of the strange puddles, they were once shadows. It was obvious that someone managed to kill them, a fact Yuu wasn't the only one to discover…

"There appears to have been a battle around here" Naoto informed the group. "Judging by the rubble and the amount of dead shadows littered here, it can be inferred that the scuffle took place recently. Teddie most likely killed them, seeing as we have not encountered any other Persona users who have access to the TV world. While this could be the work of Namatame, his death was four days ago. This struggle looks to have happened after his death."

"It seems like there are more dead shadows further ahead," Yukiko informed the group. "Do you think if we follow the trail of dead shadows, it'll lead us to Teddie?"

"There's only one way to find out," Kanji said before moving ahead. "We've got no other leads. Might as well check it out." Agreeing with Kanji's conclusion, the rest of the investigation team began following the trail as well.

0000

It's amazing how quickly emotions can shift. One moment Yuu was feeling hopeful, believing that he could find Teddie and bring him back to the team. This hope kept him from thinking the worst and protected him from the expansion of fear he felt when he saw all those dead shadows. Sadly, it only took one second for his emotions to do a complete three-sixty.

Upon reaching the end of the trail made of dead shadows, the Investigation Team was greeted with the most horrific and devastating sight each member would ever see. In an alleyway, covered by shadow goop and his own blood, was Teddie, torn up and with limbs missing.

Teddie…he was the heart of the group. Since the day Yuu first met him in the TV world, the bear/human creature was always there to cheer up the group when they were feeling low. Despite being unable to fight in the beginning, he never ran away from battle, standing by as support to the group. Even when Rise took his place, he chose to fight using the Persona he obtained. Though he appeared timid, naive, and lazy, Teddie was reliable, strong, and hardworking. Well…he displayed the latter two qualities when the team ventured into his world. Surprisingly, it was his choice to attempt to find the killer throwing people into his world. He was a great friend, a good person…no one would be able to replace him.

It was exactly for those reasons Yuu allowed his emotions to take over, muffling the noise coming from his friends. He could barley hear the sobbing coming from Yukiko and Rise, the angry shouting from Chie and Yosuke, and the sound Kanji and Naoto made when they fell to their knees. Surrendering his entire body to his heart, he extended his arm, creating a card which appeared above his palm.

"Decarabia," Yuu whispered before crushing the card with his hand, a large Starfish shaped Persona taking form above him. The summoning of the Persona managed to attract the attention of the various shadows who decided to stick around Teddie's body for a little bit longer, savoring their victory. Not giving them any chance to move closer to the Investigation Team, Yuu pointed his finger at the shadows and muttered one word under his breath, allowing his anger to be shown to all.

"Maragidyne." Doing as its master ordered, Decarabia unleashed a devastating blast of fire towards the alleyway, its power magnified significantly by Yuu's rage. After the burst died down, the only two things left were Teddie's body and the now obliterated alleyway, the ruble in flames. One may look at such a scene and say it's a home worthy for the demon Yuu's Persona took after…

0000

Time passed by quickly for Yuu after his final adventure into the shadow world. A day after discovering Teddie's fate, the Investigation Team held a funeral inside the other world for him, burying his body near the area where they first met him. A few days later, Nanako's funeral was held. Never had Yuu seen his uncle, Ryotaro Dojima look more defeated and broken than that day. It was certainly a depressing week for Inaba.

Whenever the team had free time, they would always hang out with each other. Unfortunately, due to the deaths and the fog, a cloud of unease followed them around, preventing Yuu from making the most out of each hangout session.

Despite this, when March hit, there was not a single dry eye at the station as they all said their goodbyes, each of them making him promise to visit them again.

As the train made its way back to Tokyo, Yuu's home, the Investigation Team leader took this time to think for himself. The whole stunt he pulled when dealing with Namatame still bothered him. He constantly thought about it even after Nanako's funeral, and he felt he handled the situation poorly. Perhaps if he let Namatame speak, the man would have given him an idea as to why the fog suddenly came to Inaba. Perhaps the entire team could have learned more about the other world. So many questions were unanswered, and would not be answered since the only one who could give some sort of answer was now dead.

There was also the situation with Teddie. Yuu knew that the bear began acting strange after Nanako was hospitalized. He should have made sure to have kept someone with him while the rest of the team dealt with Namatame. It was his job as a leader to make sure that everyone was safe. Then again, it was also his job to find the answers to all the mysteries surrounding the other world and the fog.

"I'm a terrible leader," Yuu mumbled. Perhaps this is what Igor meant when he had Yuu sign the contract declaring he must take all responsibility for whatever happens in the future. While he didn't pay that part any mind at first, it was clear that it was now coming back to bite him. It really was his fault that everything ended up the way it did…

After spending some time thinking, Yuu decided to take some time and rest, seeing as the train ride to Tokyo would take awhile. With the feeling of dread flowing through his body, the young man closed his eyes, hoping nothing would disturb his nap.

0000

Upon waking up, the boy realized he was no longer on the train. Well, he was physically but not spiritually. Instead, he was greeted by the familiar sight of the limousine shaped velvet room. Throughout his adventures, Yuu came here to gain and fuse Personas. Sitting across from him were the velvet room's only residents, the elderly long nosed Igor and his assistant, the white haired Margaret. There used to be another resident to the velvet room, a girl named Marie, but she had left for unknown reasons. Margaret had attempted to track the girl down at Yuu's request, but she was unable to due to the fog. Apparently it was interfering with her abilities, having gained more power ever since it entered Inaba.

"Relax, you are currently asleep in the real world," Igor said as an attempt to calm Yuu down, despite the fact the boy already knew how being summoned there works. "We have summoned you from your dreams."

"I see the path you took produced undesirable consequences," Margaret said in her usual, professional voice. "Am I correct?"

"Yes," Yuu responded as he hung his head down in shame. "I'm the cause of two deaths and the one who officially blocked off any way of obtaining the truth."

"Is that so? Well, I'll bet you'll be glad to hear that there is another way of obtaining the truth behind the mystery of the fog," Igor said, prompting the boy to perk up. Maybe there was a way he could redeem himself for all the trouble he caused everybody in Inaba. Seeing the boy's reaction, Igor smiled.

"It's simple. All I have to do is move your presant mind and soul to your past body, a process you call 'time travel.'"

"N-no way…is that even possible?" Yuu asked, unable to believe what he was hearing. He knew Igor and Margaret were powerful, but to have the ability to time travel…what are they?

"Yes. Although it does strain our energy for a while," Margaret answered.

"If you really do have the power to do so, then why are you offering to me?" Yuu questioned. "I'm certainly not your first visitor, nor have I done anything special. And what about the contract?"

"That is true," Igor said. "You are not my first visitor, and you are the second individual I have told about our possession of such a feat. However, you have the ability to provide me with something I desperately need. I am unable to go alone seeing as I cannot stay in your world for a long period of time, which is why I need someone to else to get it for me. I will allow you to go a year back in time, but you must promise to get me what I desire."

"What do you desire?" Yuu asked the elderly man. Though creepy, Yuu knew Igor was someone he could trust. However, one must always be careful.

"Ah, that is something that I will reveal when the time comes. My apologies. As for the contract, do you accept responsibility for your actions?"

"I do," Yuu said rather quickly. Why else would he even consider time travel?

"Then you have fully honored the contract, and you will still be honoring it no matter which path you choose as long as you assume responsibility for whatever may happen. This deal will only be offered to you once. So, will you take up my offer?"

Glancing down at his lap, Yuu began thinking. If he did go back in time, there was a chance he could question Nanatame before he captured anyone. In addition, he could also attempt to prevent the deaths of Teddie, Nanako, and his senpai Saki. However, going back in time would also mean he would have to remake his friendship with the rest of the Investigation Team. Despite this, Yuu felt confident about being able to do so a second time. If he did so once, he could do so again. However, other than the 'thing' Igor wanted, there was something else which bothered him.

"If I do say yes, what would happen to me when I'm in the past?"

"You will retain your memories and your proficiency in combat," Margaret stated. "Unfortunately, traveling back in time does has its drawbacks. You will not maintain your current ability to summon powerful Persona, limiting you to a decreased level Izanagi and similar Persona. Thankfully, you can regain the ability to do so by training the same way you did when you first received a Persona. Attempting to summon a higher ranked Persona will result in you succeeding to do so, but with dire consequences. In addition, if another creature with the same power as us finds out you've traveled through time, they may attempt to hunt you down if they deem you a threat. However, you will not be alone. Igor and I will be traveling with you while continuously offering our services to you. The compendium where you store records of previously used Personas will be available as well, but as I mentioned before, summoning one out of your level can provide undesirable consequences."

With the new information given, Yuu made his decision. It would be dangerous, but if there was a way for him to prevent the deaths of innocent people and to find a way to end the fog, then he'll take the chance. It wasn't like the effects of time travel would affect anyone. As long as he doesn't mess with anything that doesn't have to do with the mystery of Nanatame and the fog, everything should be fine, right?

"Alright! I have made up my mind. I'll go," Yuu stated, causing a small smile to creep on the old man's face.

"Excellent. Once the spell has been completed, you will wake up on the same train which took you to Inaba. When you get settled, please be sure to visit us so we may confirm the spell worked without any complications. Very well then, until next time." Closing his eyes, Igor began a chant, causing a faint aura of energy to form around him. Soon, the energy turned into a bright light, temporarily blinding Yuu as his physical body began to regain consciousness…