Akira holds his sword, ready for a fight.

"It's futile to resist," a cloaked man laughs, "in the end we are all his pawns, and this world is only to make them look at mine. Destruction is my only option as an Author Slayer!"

"Joker!" Futaba exclaims, "he's a persona user! You have to run!"

Joker summons his persona, a metatron that uses mind charge.

"Akira," the cloaked man laughs, "your tale ends here!"

The cloaked man summons Red Rider, which uses a powerful fire spell that Akira avoids. The man summons a Pale Rider, that uses mind charge.

The cloaked man is smirking.

"He's planning something!" Futaba warns, "watch out!"

Akira casts a severe almighty attack, but the cloaked man avoids it.

"All tales end!" The man exclaims, summoning an odd looking Alice with brown hair and appears much older than the real Alice who uses Die For Me!

Akira dies.

"Joker!" Futaba yells, "Joker! Answer me!"

...

Ten months ago.

It's a rainy night, Yu and Yosuke sit, watching TV. It's about midnight.

"So," Yosuke asks, "you looking forward to the beach trip tomorrow?"

"Of course," Yu smiles, "but we should get some shut eye."

"Right," Yosuke turns the TV off, "goodnight."

"Thanks for letting me sleep here," Yu smiles.

"Why didn't you go to the inn anyways?" Yosuke inquires.

"Well," Yu sighs, "things are dicey between me and Rise right now and we both agreed to give each other some space."

"That's rough," Yosuke sighs, "sorry dude."

"Eh," Yu shrugs, "I'm sure we can talk it out tomorrow."

"Whelp, I'm getting some shut eye," Yosuke starts up the stairs, "night."

Yu lays on the folded out couch, the TV off in front of him, but then the clock strikes midnight.

The TV springs to life. Yu watches, shocked. How did-

There is a man in a black cloak on the screen. The image is clear. It appears to be some sort of horror movie setting, with torture devices lining the walls of the metal, blood stained room.

"Hello Yu," the cloaked man greets, "I am a shadow. You may call me Reaper."

Yu approaches the TV in utter bewilderment.

"Let's make this easy," Reaper explains, tapping his scythe against the metal floor, "I am a shadow, but I'm nobody's true self. I'm not you! You're not me! I have Rise. Best be ready before the fog rolls in, yes?"

"Why are you doing this?" Yu demands, "who are you? What are you?"

"I am a shadow," Reaper laughs, grabbing Yu by the throat through the TV, "and I am my true self!"

The Midnight Channel goes blank.

Yu knows he has to tell the others what he just saw...

Yu decides to go to sleep.

"And that's how I died," a man in a mask finishes telling a story to Rise in the Midnight Channel.

"What'd you say your name was?" Rise asks.

"Edgar," the man smiles under his mask, his eyes yellow, like that of a shadow.

"Are you a shadow or something?" Rise asks.

"Oh yes," Edgar explains taking out a notebook, "at least this me is. Tell me Rise, why did you have a shadow? So many facades."

"It was just work," Rise replies, "but I know the real me."

"At least you got pay off," Edgar continues, "but he was forced to wear a mask."

"If you're a shadow, why not attack?"

"I'm a bit like Teddie. I'll attack when I can. For now, Rise, you've done your job of bringing Yu here. I can set you free if you like."

"Why are you-"

"Because I can. You wanna leave?"

"I mean, I guess."

"Goodbye."

Rise wakes up in a café. The café is small, cozy. It's late out, and the café appears empty.

"Sojiro," a voice speaks from upstairs, "did Akira call?"

A man with a black beard exits from a back, kitchen area.

"Yeah," Sojiro replies, "said he would be here Saturday. Go ahead and let the-"

It's then he sees Rise.

"Who the hell are you? You breaking in here!?!"

To be continued...