Semper Ad Meliora
Disclaimer: We don't own Mass Effect or the Persona series, they belong to Bioware and Atlus respectively.
Nomad-117: So, I recently started playing Persona 5… a lot, like an addict in fact. I mean it just mesmerised me, pulled me in and before I knew it I just wanted to know what would happen next. So I hope you can forgive me for this new story. I'll sincerely try to limit them, or at least reduce them to short one and/or two shots.
Vergil1989: And no thanks to Nomad here, I got sucked into the fandom right along with him, except I started watching a bunch of Persona 5 stuff instead of playing it. It still had the same effect of sucking me into their new story right from the get go, although with an awesome opening like that, it'd be hard not to be drawn in hehe. At any rate, we'll try our best to finish this before moving onto something else as has been our unfortunate modus operandi in the past. For now though, enjoy the ride folks, enjoy the ride!
Cross posted on Nomad-117 on Fanfiction Net and on my profile for AO3 under Vergil1989.
Chapter 1
It's Show Time!
Location: Tokyo, Japan: Yungen-Jaya, Leblanc Cafe
Date: April 4th, 2018, Late Afternoon
It was just another day at the small cafe known simply as Leblanc's, located in a back alley in the Yungen-Jaya district of Tokyo, Japan. "I hunger! Curry time!" Futaba declared cheerfully and sat down at the counter in Leblanc, her eyes locked with Sojiro's, demanding to be fed.
"Coming right up." Her father promised her with an exasperated smile. "Can I get anything for the rest of you?" He asked as he glanced towards the rest of the cafe's current occupants. While some people would have found it slightly unusual that a group of college and high school kids were situated at two of his tables and at the front counter respectively, Sojiro didn't think anything of it himself, having long grown used to their presence at his shop.
"A coffee for me, please." Yusuke, an incredibly talented artist for his age, requested from beside his daughter, infinitely more polite than Futaba was by far. Dressed in a white suit with soft blue highlights, Yusuke appeared the picture of artful elegance, half of his face obscured by blue bangs that fell down over his left eye.
"We're good." Ann promised with a wide smile while eating from the large portion of curry still in front of her. Long, ash blonde locks fell across Ann's shoulders in waves, spilling across her red and white hoodie and the open necked, black button up shirt beneath, along with long, loose blue jeans rolled up to her knees, her legs casually tucked beneath her rear end. She was currently nestled between a young blonde man in a black leather jacket and a smartly dressed, dark brown haired young woman that was busy digging out a pile of papers from a dark brown messenger bag that she went about organizing in front of her. Despite having already gone through half of what was on her plate, Ann showed no signs of slowing down anytime soon. "Mmmm! You always make the best curry in town Sojiro!"
The older man chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. "It helps you and the rest of the gang allow me to change up the recipe every now and again using Wakaba's formula. She was the real genius, not me."
"You give yourself too little credit Sojiro-san." Haru stated proudly from across Ann as she gingerly sipped at a cup of tea, a pile of paperwork stacked neatly in front of her as well. Like the dark haired woman across from her, Haru was well dressed in a light pink top and a black dress skirt that went down to her knees. Unlike the woman sitting across from her, Haru's hair was done up in bouncy curls of light brown waves that only enhanced the girl's soft, feminine charms. Those that knew her though were well aware of the incredibly strong will behind her otherwise angelic face.
"Besides, was it not your own genius that kept her recipe alive?" Makoto asked rhetorically and graced the cafe owner with a small smile as she looked over her stack of college transcripts and information booklets.
"This certainly brings back memories." Akira sighed contently as he took a sip of his own cup of coffee. Unlike the rest of them, he wasn't looking over homework for school or information brochures for college. He'd already taken care of all that before coming back to the big city yesterday evening, leaving his old life with his parents behind. Of course, he wasn't missing out on much in that department considering the mess with Masayoshi Shido and how easy it'd been for the former politician turned very short term prime minister to ruin his life while at the same time driving a wedge between himself and his parents. But Akira didn't regret his decision to try and protect the woman Shido had been harassing upon their first, fateful meeting. He was far happier now than he'd ever been as he looked towards everyone in the cafe. They were more his family than his blood relatives could ever be. "At least now we're not running around chasing down Shido and his followers. We can just relax and go about our lives."
"For real man." Ryuji cheered as he pumped a fist into the air. "Two years, can't believe how fast time's flown by. Seems like yesterday we were stumbling into Kamashido's Palace and gettin' our asses kicked until we got our Personas."
"True, sometimes I really miss the old days." Akira mused as he put a hand against his face, remembering the feel of the mask he'd worn during their grand heists into the Metaverse. With a sigh, he reached up instead to adjust his glasses before taking another sip of his coffee.
"You miss being chased around by Shadows and fighting your way through the hearts of deranged people?" Asked a genuinely curious Makoto as she looked up from the work in front of her.
"Are you telling me you don't?" Akira asked with a knowing smirk. "Hell, I even considered becoming a thief for real, just like Arsene. A gentleman thief that also helps people… but that might be a bit extreme for a college student."
"I convinced him to wait." Morgana smugly declared from his seat on the table.
"They didn't need to know that." Akira chuckled despite being called out on his rebellious inclinations while the rest of his group of close friends shared in the light hearted banter.
"Well I'm glad you were able to talk him down Morgana." When everyone snapped their gaze towards Sojiro, the older man merely grinned knowingly before pushing his glasses further up his nose. "I've been around long enough that my own cognition has finally caught up to the fact Morgana can talk."
"You leveled up Sojiro! Awesome!" Cheered Futaba before she paled just as quickly. "Uh….so you know-"
"That you were trying to hack that one corporation's website again? Yes, I do. Funny what listening to a cat can reveal at odd hours of the night." Sojiro muttered darkly, his tone making it clear he wasn't happy about Futaba's late night shenanigans as he glared at a sheepish looking Morgana just as quickly. "I appreciate what you've all done for this world, but I'd prefer if you'd kept yourselves out of trouble."
"S-sorry Sojiro-san." Morgana muttered as his big, black ears drooped visibly. "But there's something weird going on behind that group I asked Futaba to look into. For one, I sensed something….familiar when I had Ryuji drive past their office building in downtown Tokyo."
"What's all this about?" Yusuke asked as he looked up and towards the pair in question. "And why weren't the rest of us informed?"
"Because there wasn't anything to inform you about." Morgana snapped back moodily. "It was just a feeling. Whatever it was felt familiar, but I can't figure out from where I know this feeling. I just know it might be important."
"Well, you were right the last time Morgana." Ann stated as she cocked her head to the side, "so if you say it's something we should look into, then we'll follow your lead."
"Sounds like a plan to me." Akira replied with a nod of his head. "Besides, while I don't like the idea of facing something like Yaldabaoth and his Holy Grail again, I'm not comfortable with the idea of letting this sit either and finding out we could have done something. We'll look into this, together."
"Hell yeah!" Ryuji cheered before his stomach gave a very loud rumble. "Uh….but first, how bout some more of that awesome curry? Yo Sojiro!"
"Yeah yeah I'm on it." Sojiro sighed but smiled despite his worry for the group's well being. "I know I can't talk you out of this, but I still want you all to be careful."
"When are we not?" Akira asked innocently and received a glare from the one man who had been more of a father to him then his biological one ever was.
"We will be Sojiro-san." Haru promised while none too subtly stepping on Akira's foot beneath the table.
"The last time you got up to your shenanigans you faked your own death and had to battle a god." Sojiro growled back and shook his head as Akira subtly grimaced from Haru stepping on his foot. "I can't believe that you'd go back for more."
"As strange as this might sound," Yusuke began as he leaned back in the seat in front of the counter, "but I for one have to applaud our leader's enthusiasm. While I too have been immensely glad for a chance to relax and take it easy these last few years, I've also missed that part of my life a great deal. Helping people, protecting everyone, it was quite possibly the greatest if most harrowing time of my life, and not simply because they saved me from my former master. My eyes were opened to so much that I could never be content to settle back into old habits forever."
"Damn… you still sound like a poet." Ryuji muttered quietly scratching the back of his head. "But I totally agree, we're Phantom Thieves right? Let's do this!"
"Just remember to be quiet this time." Ann told him sternly, glaring at her blonde friend. "It's because of your shouting that Makoto found out, and while that was actually a good thing, next time we might not be so lucky."
"I'd have found out eventually." Makoto stated as she peered over the rim of a cup of coffee, her eyes narrowing to slits as she looked towards Ann. "Ryuji isn't the only loudmouth in the group after all."
"Hey! Why're you looking at me when you say that?" Protested a shocked Ann as she put a hand against her chest.
Makoto softly chuckled and smiled as she set her glass down before her. "My point exactly. But don't take it hard Ann, my family are deeply involved with the police after all."
"Speaking of," Haru began as she looked up and towards Makoto," how is Sae-san doing?"
Makoto smiled brightly as she set her papers aside for the moment. "She's actually doing well. We just got back from a trip to Mt. Fuji this weekend. The scenery up there was breathtaking. Remind me and I'll show you all the pictures we took while we were out of town."
"Oh, so that's where you guys went. I'm glad you had a good time Makoto." Intoned Sojiro as he set Ryuji's fresh order of curry in front of the former track star. "I called to go over some legal stuff involving the shop but you two weren't home. Guess that answered that question."
"Everything okay Sojiro-san?" Haru asked just as the rest of the group perked up.
"Hmm? Oh yeah it's fine. Just getting some things in order is all, it's nothing." He assured them, and while Akira wanted to ask for more information, he let it go since he knew Sojiro. If it was truly serious, he'd tell them when he was ready, but he sounded so sure and calm about it that Akira didn't feel the need to question the older man further.
Just as he was beginning to relax though, Akira's eyes snapped towards a luminescent blue butterfly as it flew past the cafe's large front window. Lavenza. He thought, and as if answering to her name, the butterfly, leaving a trail of sparkling white dust behind with every flap of its translucent wings, flared brightly with pale blue light before growing dim just as quickly before it flew out of sight. Only Ann seemed to notice he was no longer paying them any attention, but she didn't say anything as their eyes met. Not that they needed any words as he only nodded his head the tiniest bit.
The rest of that afternoon was uneventful as Akira went upstairs to unpack the rest of his belongings. Morgana, the black 'tabby cat', followed just behind Ann, and Ryuji while the rest of the group dispersed for the evening. Yawning mightily, Ryuji flopped onto the comfortable couch that was against one side of the attic space that served as Akira's room above the cafe. "Man, just looking at all these boxes is makin' me tired. That part time delivery job I have these days is hard enough."
"It's not that bad." Akira retorted with a careless shrug. "It was worse when I first got here." Nodding his head towards the remaining boxes scattered about the attic, he went to the closest of them and opened it up, revealing a stack of books inside. "I was able to get most of this stuff sorted out last night."
"Show off." Ryuji grumbled but smirked as he wiped his fist across the bottom of his mouth. "But that's why you're the boss."
"Quit whining Ryuji and lend a hand already." Morganna grumbled as he dipped his head into the box and snatched one of the lighter books between his jaws. "Mmmmpphh." He groaned, the taste of old paper and dust filling his nose as he nimbly jumped down from the box and walked over to the shelf.
"Well, there's something I never thought I'd see." Ann mused before turning towards Ryuji just as he got off the couch. "I have to ask, but what were you even doing out that far Morganna?"
"Ryuji had a delivery out to the center of town and as we were heading back, that's when I picked up that weird feeling. I asked Futaba to look into it and she hit a firewall, and according to her, it was pretty airtight."
"Even Futaba can't hack it?" Ryuji stammered out.
"If you ask her she could." Morgana admitted and swished his tail impatiently. "But I don't think she could do it fast and undetected. We've had enough run ins with the law already."
"It… it didn't feel like Yaldabaoth, right?" Ann asked worriedly glancing at her friends uncertainly.
Morganna was quick to assure them all as he hopped onto the arm of the couch. "Mementos hasn't returned, which means the Metaverse is still gone, but if it ever does, I'd be the first to know. Yaldabaoth isn't coming back in a hurry anyway since Joker blew his brains out all over the city."
"He deserved it." Akira said, feeling the need to defend his decision. "No one has the right to try and force their will upon anyone, especially a god that doesn't play by his own rules."
"No need to convince us Akira, but if it's not the Metaverse, then what could it be?" Ann asked before she looked towards Morganna, a thought having occurred to her. "Say Morganna, has this kind of thing happened before?"
"Igor and Lavenza might know, but I was only born a couple of years ago, so anything that happened before I'd only be able to guess at. But…." He trailed off as he idly licked at one paw, his eyes closed as he cocked his head to the side in thought. "I...think there have been other Persona users before us now that you bring it up. I think there have also been other Tricksters, although they didn't go by that name."
"Regarding that…" Akira began uncomfortably and pushed his glasses further up his nose to gain some time. "I believe Lavenza is trying to contact me, at least… I think she is. I saw another ghostly butterfly earlier that flew by the front window to the cafe. The only other times that happened was when she tried to contact me when I first got here, and again when I was in that interrogation room."
"I thought I saw you looking at something earlier." Ann stated before letting out a heavy sigh. Sitting down on one of the edge of his small table, she pulled her arms close across her stomach. "So there is a connection. Man...and I thought we'd be done with all this."
"But didn't you say that this… Igor guy, right? That Igor said your contract was finished?" Ryuji asked with a confused expression on his face. "How does that even work?"
"Ryuji you moron." Morgana sighed and shook his head. "Yes, the contract was fulfilled, but what is to stop Joker or Igor from forming a new one with each other? Or from another enemy like Yaldabaoth from rearing its ugly head?"
"Oh, yeah. Didn't think about that." The blonde haired man admitted with a sigh. "Damn it, this sucks!" Ryuji yelled before kicking at an emptied box, sending it flying across the room before flopping himself down on the couch once more and letting his head fall. "We barely got through that last fight, now there might be something else on the way?"
"Easy, Skull." Akira told his friend and put a hand on his shoulder. "We don't know anything yet, so it's too early to worry. Besides, we battled through the unconscious desires of humanity before, we can do it again."
"Yeah, you're right." Ryuji replied as he looked up, an all too familiar grin forming on his face once more. "We showed a god what for, this shit'll be easy by comparison if it does turn out to be something big like last time."
"That's the spirit." The leader of the Phantom Thieves confirmed, a smirk on his face that was all Joker. "Besides we aren't in this alone, we got the others at our back and we know what we're doing this time. Having said that, it'll still be smart to prepare as much as we're able, whatever ends up happening." The two eldest members of the Phantom Thieves nodded in agreement as Akira turned to the last of the boxes. On his unspoken lead, they helped unpack the rest of his belongings, making idle chitchat the whole time until Ryuji decided he'd been there too long. His mother was likely worried about him despite he was old enough to watch over himself.
"Sorry dude, but I better go. Ya comin' Ann?" Ryuji asked as he slung his black leather jacket onto his right shoulder.
"Uh...not just yet. I'll be right behind you."
"Hmm? Alright. See ya soon then." Ryuji said before he yawned into his right fist as he started down the stairs to the main floor of the cafe. "Nice seein' ya Joker!" He called up as he wandered down out of sight.
Akira wasn't entirely sure why Ann had decided to stay behind, but he didn't rush her as he sat down on the couch once more before patting the spot next to him. Ann smiled and sat down next to him, but whatever good mood she'd been in began to fade away as her eyes fell to the floor between them. "I've been worried about you, Akira."
"What? Why? I called you, didn't I? I would have told you if something was happening."
"It's what you didn't say." Ann replied sadly and lowered her gaze. "You never mentioned your parents, not even once… You know that my own parents aren't around much either. You were lonely, weren't you?"
Damn female intuition. Akira thought with an inaudible sigh. He hadn't wanted to worry anyone, and Ann had still noticed. He really shouldn't have been surprised though, after all she often knew how people were feeling, sometimes better than the person themselves did. "I guess it wouldn't do me any good to try to deny it, would it?" In response he received an unamused glare that made it pretty clear that Ann wasn't interested in his attempt at humor, or his evasion tactics. "Yeah, didn't think so… Yes, I was lonely." He admitted with a humorless chuckle. "I mean, I had Morgana… he was probably the only thing keeping me sane, but the thing is… you guys are my family. Just calling you every once in awhile just didn't cut it."
"Akira…" Ann whispered, stunned by his admission, but she just as quickly smiled before wrapping her arms around him, her head falling against his shoulder. Her waves of blonde hair fell across his neck and shoulders, her pleasant, sweet smelling soap and shampoo filling his nose as he took comfort from her embrace. "You… you moron, why didn't you say anything?"
"I-"
"And don't you dare say 'I didn't want to worry you'."
"Uh… In that case I remain silent." Akira chuckled softly as Ann leaned up and playfully shoved him back.
"Idiot. You big, loveable dork." She mock grumbled even as she wiped at one large blue eye.
"I'll take that as a compliment." He told her playfully and softly fist bumped her shoulder. "You know, I think we should continue this tomorrow when we aren't as tired as we are now… you can scream at me as much as you want."
"You just don't want to see me cry." Ann countered and crossed her arms over her chest.
"I'm not denying that." Akira chuckled again before scooting closer to her side of the couch despite the glare she threw his way. He ignored it and smiled softly, warmly, and said, "I'm more worried about you having to explain to Shiho why your eyes are all red and puffy."
"Right. Because you're not trying to delay the inevitable." Ann pouted, but try as she might, she couldn't keep up her facade of being angry with him as she eventually sighed and leaned back against Akira's shoulder. "Seriously though Akira, don't hold out on m- on us. We've come too far to keep secrets from each other now."
"You… You're right." He admitted and lowered his head in defeat. "I should have told you. You, all of you deserved to know. I- I don't know I think it was more than just me trying to keep you from worrying, I think I was just dumb… thinking you'd think less of me if you knew."
"That is dumb." She muttered into his shoulder.
"Aren't you supposed to tell me that it wasn't dumb but a normal reaction that could have happened to anyone?"
"Doesn't make it any less dumb."
"I can't argue with that." Akira admitted and smiled despite the insult before he looked down towards Ann. He raised an eyebrow when he saw that she had started to doze off. Looking towards Morganna, the cat could only do his best impression of a shrug. "Heh, guess I'll take the couch." He muttered quietly and gently lifted Ann up, careful not to wake her he carried her towards his modest, but comfortable bed and laid her down before pulling the blankets up to her chin. "See you tomorrow Ann."
"You better….stupid dork." Ann murmured in her sleep before turning on her side. Akira just smiled and shook his head before plopping himself down on the couch. Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day.
Quietly arranging a few things to his liking once he was sure Ann was fast asleep, Akira turned in not much later. As was typical in their sleeping arrangements, Morganna plopped himself down on top of his chest once he'd pulled the blankets up to his neck. Despite the cramped quarters, he didn't mind as he got as comfortable as he could. "Good night Morgana."
"G'night Joker." The cat replied, having already curled up into a small ball on his chest, his furry head tucked against his side. "Meow….it's good to be home."
A grin formed on Akira's face at that as tears of joy began to well up in his eyes. For the first time in two years he felt right, like he was finally where he was supposed to be. "Yeah, it's the best."
Location: Tokyo, Japan: Yongen-Jaya, Leblanc Cafe
Date: April 5th, 2018, Early Morning
The sound of someone's cellphone going off was what woke Akira up early that morning. Blinking his eyes, he was momentarily confused as to where he was until he looked towards the nearby bed pressed against the far corner of the attic. Seeing Ann still peacefully asleep, he relaxed as he remembered that he'd finally returned to Sojiro's second home, the first being a small house just a little walk away from the cafe itself. Stretching as Morgana began to stir, Akira sat up and let the cat hop down before swinging his legs over the side of the couch before glancing towards the source of the incessant ringtone. Realizing it was coming from Ann's pocket, Akira let it go since it was likely her modeling agent or Shiho wondering where she was.
Besides, he wasn't about to wake Ann up and risk getting hit by her. He had seen what she did when Yusuke caught her those two times, the girl packed a punch. He didn't have to worry about it though as Ann soon began to stir and blink blurry blue eyes before she turned towards him. He smiled softly and nodded his head before heading downstairs to get some coffee while she got herself put together.
"Good morning Lady Ann." He heard Morgana call over one black, fur covered shoulder before the cat landed on Akira's back.
"Morning, Morgana." Ann replied sleepily obviously not quite awake yet and yawned loudly. "I'll come down… soon."
Despite having some doubts that she would actually get up Akira merely nodded in reply and continued on downstairs where he could already smell the tempting scent of freshly made coffee. Unsurprisingly, Sojiro was already up and about, preparing for another day behind the counter. "Hey there. Gotta get used to seeing you in the shop again." Sojiro chuckled as he put the fresh pot of coffee on the countertop along with three clean glasses for himself, Akira, and Ann as she came down a few moments later.
"I gotta get used to being here again." Akira replied cheerfully and grinned mischievously. "Not that that's gonna take long."
"Heh, I bet. Ann. Order's on the left."
"Huh? Oh thanks Sojiro-senpai." Ann replied as she looked up from the cellphone in her hands as she sat down at the counter. Taking the offered cup, she smiled and nodded her thanks before taking a sip. A contented, satisfied noise of approval escaped her as the comfortably warm coffee went down her throat. "Ahhh….that hit the spot."
"Glad to hear that." Sojiro smirked and turned towards Akira, a teasing glint in his eyes. "So you just got here and already a girl stays the night, huh?"
I knew it. Akira thought as he shook his head in amusement. The moment it became evident that Ann would stay the night, he had prepared for the teasing he would receive, not just from Sojiro, but from the rest of the Phantom Thieves as well once they got wind of it. Still, he waved Sojiro off as he got comfortable next to Ann who was looking much more aware now that she had gotten a little coffee in her system. "Don't make it sound so dirty." Akira muttered and sent a mock glare at the older man. "We just got to talking and she ended up falling asleep on my shoulder."
"Hahahaha, I figured something like that happened." Sojiro reassured them both as Ann, finally catching on, about sprayed what was in her mouth all over the countertop. "You and the rest of the group might be enormous risk takers when it comes to that other place, but you're some of the most responsible kids I've ever met. I trust you not to do anything you'd regret later."
"Gee thanks Sojiro." Ann muttered but smiled despite how red her cheeks were from the not so subtle insinuation that had been left between them.
"He really shouldn't embarrass Lady Ann like that." Morgana grumbled and narrowed his eyes at the confused Sojiro. "Still, he's got a point, don't do anything too stupid, alright? I can't save you all the time."
"Duly noted." Akira retorted with a playful roll of his eyes. "I take it Futaba has classes until later today?" He asked as he looked towards Sojiro next, who's smile faded at the seemingly innocent question.
"Yes, and you don't need to act so coy Akira." Sighing heavily, Sojiro picked up a couple paper napkins and handed them over to Ann before leveling his gaze fully upon Akira. Leaning forward on the counter, Sojiro said, "If you're really determined to see this through, I'd like to be kept in the loop this time around, especially since you're dragging Futaba into it. I know she'll do her own thing regardless of what I might tell her, but she-"
"I know, Sojiro." Akira replied softly, his gaze unwavering even as he nodded his head in understanding. "If there was another option, I'd gladly pursue it, but she's the only hacker we know and that I'd trust to do this right. I'll keep her safe, I promise."
"We all will." Ann added as she set her glass down.
"I know you will." Sojiro sighed tiredly and leaned heavily against the counter. "Or at least you'll try, but I don't want any of you to get hurt either."
"We'll do our best to avoid that. Right now, we're only gathering information if things become more serious we'll tell you." Akira promised, which set Sojiro at ease, if only slightly as he went back to preparing for the morning rush.
"If it's any consolation, all of our previous heists took at least a week to prepare for before we even went to a Palace." Ann added in an effort to further placate the understandably worried Sojiro.
"That doesn't exactly make me feel better." Sojiro shot back tiredly and shook his head. "Seriously, you kids have a really skewed sense of what's normal and what's not."
"Comes with the territory." Akira told him with a small smirk. "I mean how would we get anything done otherwise?"
"Heh, guess I can't argue with that." Despite how worried he was for Futaba's safety, let alone the rest of them, Sojiro turned back to the counter with a small, pleased little smile on his face once more. "Guess I better get used to being worried about you crazy kids all over again. And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to this in my own weird little way. Probably the most excitement I've had in a long time."
"Oh don't worry… it will be quite the show." How Akira knew that, he couldn't have said, only that he felt certain that whatever ended up happening, it would be a show to remember. For the moment though, he and Ann lent what help Sojiro needed to prepare for the rest of the day's customers before leaving the man to his cafe. Once the chores were taken care of and the sign out front had been flipped over to show the cafe was open for business again, Akira led the way to an all too familiar back alley deeper in Yongen-Jaya.
He was disappointed though when he didn't see the familiar, somewhat translucent, free standing door at the end of the alley. Walking to the end, he sighed and shook his head when there was no bright flash of light, no luminescent butterflies fluttering about his head, or hair of Lavenza or the twins, Caroline or Justine. Looking towards Ann and Morgana, the former giving him a slightly confused glance, Akira merely shrugged as he started back.
The bright flash of light at his back had him, Ann, and Morgana turning right back around as the Velvet Room door appeared before it opened on its own. "Guess that answers that question." Akira muttered aloud as he beckoned the two to follow him. The moment they stepped through the threshold, Akira's clothes changed in a blaze of blue spectral flames along with Ann and Morgana.
"Whoa...it's good to be back but then this means you were right." Ann, now dressed in the red, skintight latex outfit of her Panther alter ego, groaned as he too realized that things were about to get far more interesting in the foreseeable future.
"I'm not complaining, at least I can walk upright again." Morgana said as he crossed his arms over his small chest as he took the lead. "I haven't been able to walk on two legs since the last time we were in the Metaverse."
Adjusting his red leather gloves as well as the long, black trench coat that hung off of his slender frame, Akira, now dressed as his own alter ego, Joker, followed after Morgana with Ann just behind him in turn. "Then let's see what this is all about, shall we?" Joker asked the two of them with a smug grin and continued on ahead, practically feeling them falling in line behind him. It was just like old times, with everyone naturally following his lead even before he'd been named their leader. Looking over his shoulder, he nodded his head towards the spectral monstrosity that appeared in a blaze of blue fire. Large, red jagged feathery wings unfurled as the gentleman thief, Arsene, appeared, tipping a large, black top hat in acknowledgement to Joker. "Good to see you again Arsene."
"I never left your side, Trickster. You simply did not need my aid any longer." Arsene replied, his voice different than his own, yet similar as it echoed from both the bird like thief's mouth, and from within the depths of Akira's soul. "Now we are united once more, and you're right in what you've deduced already. This will be quite the show indeed!"
"Then let's give the people an encore they won't soon forget." Stopping at the end of the hallway, before a set of two white, heavily gold embossed doors, Joker pushed them aside and went right for the front desk where an impossibly long nosed, black suited gentleman sat. At his right, a platinum blonde girl in a blue dress, a pair of multicolored butterfly clips tucked behind her ears, and a blue and white headband resting upon her head, stood silent vigil, her gold eyes falling upon them both. "Lavenza, Igor, it's been a while."
"It has indeed, Akira Kurusu, and welcome back, to the Velvet Room."
"Indeed, it has been some time since your last visit." Lavenza said in turn with a respectful nod of her head.
"It's good to be back, though I fear reunions are gonna have to wait a bit." Akira said and cocked his head to the side. "Since you're not Yaldabaoth, I hope that you're gonna give me a clear answer. How bad is it?"
Igor's grin widened even further at that. "Trickster, I have no doubt that the ruin you are about to face surpasses even the threat of Yaldabaoth. Provided, of course, you accept this path."
"Why wouldn't we accept?" He questioned slowly and narrowed his eyes.
"Because the coming ruin will occur in a time not your own." Lavenza answered, and allowed the trio to process just what she'd dropped on their lap.
"Wait, what?" Ann stammered out while Morgana could only gape, his mouth hanging open as his large blue eyes dilated to pinpricks.
"To answer your question, my young friends, it was proven that Shadows, when properly harnessed for their unique abilities, could control the very fabric of time itself. While it is not something I've done often, it is within my power to assist you in reaching your next target, but what you do from there will be up to you and those you have gathered to your side."
"Would we be able to come back once it's over?" Asked Ann as she looked between Lavenza and Igor, the desperate note in her voice unable to be ignored.
The certain, assured nod Igor gave them helped to lay some of their fears to rest. "Of course, Panther. Those that are under a contract with us in this place, are looked after to the best of our ability. It is our due and our responsibility to take care of our charges, to ensure that their chances of success are at their highest.
"Alright, as I understand it you want to send us through time, my guess is the future since the past would mean some weird time-loop paradox or something like that, correct?" Akira asked for clarification and received nods from both Igor and Lavenza. "Alright, we'll have to explain that to the others before we can commit ourselves to anything."
"Of course, Trickster." Igor was quick to agree. "After all, their strength will be sorely needed in this new adventure."
"Before you come back to this place however," Lavenza began as she walked towards them, "you would be wise to investigate this lead one of your own has already begun to uncover. The sins of the past will lead you to much needed answers, and perhaps more, in the future that you will bear witness to in due time."
"Alright." Akira stated with a determined nod of his head.
"We'll return once we have more to go on, Master." Morgana agreed as his gaze settled on Igor's face.
"Just one more question." Akira began and put a hand to his chin in thought. "What about Satanael?"
"That power is yours to command as you see fit, Trickster. However, I must caution you against using it recklessly. Such power could easily destroy far more than you might intend it to."
"Alright. I'll not use it lightly." Akira promised as he started for the door, but Lavenza suddenly appearing in front of him stopped him dead in his tracks.
Cocking his head to the side, he wasn't sure what Lavenza wanted to say, although that wasn't surprising since she had surprised him several times in the same day, and that wasn't counting the fact he had had to fuse the twins together just to restore the 'young girl' to her present state. He didn't have to wait long for her to answer his unspoken question however. "What I said before, during our last meeting, was premature on my part, Joker. Just know that if you continue down this path, the next time we meet, I shall be a very different person, but I will always remember those brief moments we shared quite fondly."
"Uh….right." He said slowly, rather unsure how to respond to that before he decided to just go with his gut and lightly patted her head. "No matter what I choose, it was good to see you again Lavenza. I've missed you." The small girl beamed at the simple admission, and graced him with another smile before stepping out of the way. Glancing towards Ann, Akira chuckled at the strange glare she was sending his way. "I'll tell you later." He promised, remembering that the last time he'd talked to Lavenza and the twins, he and the group had been forced into a confrontation with Caroline and Justine, a fight only he remembered. After they'd won, barely, Caroline and Justine had admitted they felt quite strongly for him, feelings that had passed onto Lavenza when he had restored her to her rightful form. While he hadn't been anymore sure how to respond to their admissions of love then as he'd been now, Akira hadn't outright refused the sentiment either.
But that didn't change the fact Ann was now giving him the stink eye as he led the way back outside. No sooner had they crossed the threshold did Ann's face soften despite the worry that he could still see behind her blue eyes, and she sighed heavily before saying, "I guess we have to wait on Futaba then."
Thank you Lavenza. Akira said nothing as he nodded his head, having a feeling the resident of the Velvet Room had done another slight memory alteration to both Ann and Morgana since both seemed oblivious to that particular part of their conversation. "Seems that way." He agreed before heading for the end of the alleyway with both trailing just behind him. "Let's see if we can't at least prepare for whatever's on the horizon."
End Notes: Nomad-117: Tada, first chapter done. Hope you all enjoyed it. And to all those who are patiently waiting for the next update for one of my older stories I would like to thank you all for being far better readers than I deserve.