Spoilers for Persona 5. You have been warned*
"AAA-"
"RYUJI"
IS THIS REALLY IT?"
"Morgana...where did we...go wrong?!"
"Ah...ah"
"I'm sorry, the missions a failure."
"Joker!"
"Joker, help us!"
"JOKER!"
……………
Ren woke up, gasping for air.
Oh great, he thought. I had another one. He looked around the room at his surroundings, and found Ann, the woman he loved laying next to him. She didn't appear to be awake at all, which was good, since Ren didn't want to startle his wife. He sighed in relief, knowing that his wife and his friends from before were all still alive. It had been 10 years since they had destroyed Mementos, and Ren couldn't be happier. He had a beautiful wife and an amazing daughter, but he also hadn't talked to his old friends in forever, as they had all moved on with their lives too, just like he had. He sighed, and put on a shirt before heading down the stairs to where his daughters room. He peeked through the cracked door, and saw her laying down, holding Morgana as she slept. He chuckled, remembering how mad Morgana was when Ann and Ren got married, but at the same time, the cat couldn't be happier for his friend. He walked down the hallway to the kitchen and opened the fridge, grabbing the milk carton and a glass, and he poured himself some. He heard light footsteps and he glanced around the room quickly. He then saw a piece of the night walk from his daughters room, and immediately knew it was Morgana.
"Ren? What are you doing?"
"Hey. I'm just pouring some milk, want some?" Ren asked.
"Yeah, sure. Why are you up so late?" Morgana asked. Ren didn't answer immediately, and instead focused on the milk. Morgana then knew.
"The dreams again, huh?" Morgana asked. Ren gave a silent nod.
"I'm sorry. But at least we're alive now. At least we won the fight." Morgana said.
"Yeah, you're right. It just doesn't change how scared I was." Ren responded, sighing. He grabbed Morgana's bowl and poured some milk into it. Morgana meowed happily.
"It sure ain't treasure, but it tastes like it!" Morgana said as he happily lapped up the bowl. Ren chuckled, and took a sip at his glass. It wasn't long before both of them returned to bed, and the evening quickly turned into morning.
"Good morning, Ren." Ann said as he walked down the stairs.
"Morning. Something smells good." Ren smiled as he kissed his wife.
"Mhm! I'm making pancakes for the crew." Ann said as she flipped on in the pan.
"Awesome. Are Morgana and Saki awake?" Ren asked, looking down the hall.
"Yep! Saki is just getting ready for school. You'll take her today, right?"
"Yep, will do. What time are you coming to the Café today?" Ren asked, grabbing items he would need for work.
"Probably an hour after you open. Honestly we might as well all go together, since it'll save time and gas."
"Yeah! It's been a while since we all drove together." Ren said. Just then, their daughter came running out of the bathroom.
"Good morning daddy!" Saki giggled, running into her father's arms. Ren laughed and scooped her up, planting kisses on her face.
"Good morning sunshine! Oh, what's this on your arm?" Ren asked, turning her arm over to get a better look. There appeared to be a scratch on her arm, and it looked somewhat fresh.
"Morgana scratched me." She said, her voice soft.
"Well now, that's not very nice. Why don't we tell Morgana that's not nice." Ren said, as Morgana came waltzing out the bedroom.
"That's not nice!" Saki said in the smallest but cutest voice Ren had ever heard.
"Good. Now that you've told Morgana your feelings, he won't hurt you again. Right Morgana?" Ren said, looking at the cat.
"No! This child kept grabbing my tail last night!" Morgana argued.
"Good. Now, can you say sorry?" Ren asked Morgana as he picked him up and held him near his ear, pretending to listen to Morgana.
"I'M NOT SORRY!" Morgana yelled as loud as he could. Ren was drawn back for a bit, but quickly recovered and put the cat down.
"He said he's sorry." Ren told Saki, and she giggled. Ann laughed in the background, as she could hear everything that Morgana said, unlike her daughter.
"Hey, you three. Pancakes are done!" Ann exclaimed, holding plates in her hands.
"Ooh, let's eat some pancakes, how about that!" Ren scooped Saki up again and threw her on his shoulder, Saki laughing and cheering as Ren pretended to be a giant carrying her over to the table. He carefully let her down, and Ann helped break up her pancakes while Ren sat down and looked at the news on his tablet.
"Look at you, old man! Reading the 'newspaper' at the table." Ann chuckled, pouring syrup on Saki's pancakes while she cheered for more. Ren laughed, and Saki started chanting "old man, old man!" Ren's laugh quickly faded though, as he saw the first headline, which stated Subway Accident Takes Place Near Shibuya Station.
"Hey Ann, look at this would ya?" Ren asked as he passed her the tablet. Her brows furrowed as she read the article.
"If you think it has to do with 10 years ago, then you're wrong." Ann said. "We destroyed mementos, remember?"
"I-I do. I'm sorry." Ren said, as he bowed his head. "I can't get it outta my head, no matter what I do. I thought I would lose you guys and-" Ann silenced him by kissing him on the cheek.
"I know it's been hard for you, but I promise you, I'm here for you. Everything will be ok. Mementos is destroyed, and we are all safe." Ann whispered. Ren looked up and into his wife's eyes, those eyes he fell in love with time and time again and smiled.
"You're right, as always." Ren chuckled to himself.
"I know I am!" Ann stated with a smile. She glanced over to the clock, and back at Ren and Saki.
"Right, I think it's time for us to leave!" Ann concluded, as she picked up plates and put them in the sink. Ren helped and got Saki cleaned up and ready for kindergarten.
"Stay and watch the house for us, would ya Morgana?" Ann asked.
"Of course, Lady Ann!" Morgana responded, putting his paw on his head like a salute. The couple and their daughter then walked out the door and got into the car parked outside. Ren drove Saki to her school, and the couple walked her into her classroom, giving hugs and kisses before they left her at the school for the day.
"Right, to the café." Ren said as he started up the car. Both buckled their seatbelts and headed out to Rene workplace. Ren and Ann both owned a café just like Sojiro, Rens caretaker during the criminal record incident, had. Ren actually learned quite a few good things working for Sojiro, and he knew he didn't want to work in an office space, so he decided to open shop. The place was small but nice, just like Leblanc, but it seemed to be picking up more traction nowadays. Sojiro even came and looked at the shop himself, and chuckled after saying "So I see you've copied me." Ren smiled a that memory as he unlocked and opened the door to Café Heiwa. Ren went to the back and got his apron on, while Ann went to change into her uniform. They had waitresses at the café, but unlike some places their outfits were modest, as Ren and Ann wanted to run a family establishment. They often see kids with their parents, and everyday it warms their hearts a little more to know that their kid would soon grow older like those kids as well. Ren flipped the open sign, and a few of the waitresses walked in to get ready for their shift. The first few customers walked in and sat down in chairs or booths and begin to order their coffee. Ren was busy at work in the back, making coffees and cooking food. Before he knew it, it was 3:00 PM, and Saki would soon be out of school.
"Hey, Ren, do you want me to go get Saki?" Ann asked.
"No, I can get her. I think the baristas in training can handle it for now. I'll be back before rush hour." Ren explained, and he pulled off his apron. He headed out the café, the bell atop the door jingling behind him. He got into his car, parked next to dozens of other cars visiting his café and headed to Saki's school to pick her up. He parked his car and looked over to the children rushing out and scanned the crowd for his daughter. Immediately he found her, as not many people in Japan had blond hair, so she stuck out like a rose among daisies.
"Daddy!" She cried as she immediately saw her father.
"Saki! How was school today?" He asked, picking her up and holding her backpack.
"I got all the way across the monkey bars today!" Saki exclaimed excitedly.
"All the way across? That's insane!" Ren exaggerated carrying her to the car. Saki giggled, and they headed off to the café. Ren got back and more people had parked their cars in the lot. He smiled, as he saw business beginning to boom. He walked back in and assumed his role as owner, while Saki sat down at a both where Ann got her a lemonade and helped her with her homework. Ren worked busily until eventually the afternoon turned into the evening, and their last few customers were finishing up their food and coffee. Ren sighed as he wiped down tables, and he heard the bell ring as the door opened.
"Welcome to Café Heiw-." Ren started before taking a glance at the customers. He recognized their faces immediately.
"Ryuji? Makoto?"
"Heya buddy! It's been a while!" Ryuji said, throwing his arms around Ren.
"Yeah! It's been like, a year or so?" Ren wondered allowed, going from hugging a Ryuji to hugging Makoto.
"Auntie Makoto!" Saki yelled.
"Saki! Wow, you've grown so big!" Makoto said, embracing her.
"Please, take a seat! Anywhere you like!" Ren smiled.
"I'm gonna head to your booth, ok?" Makoto asked Saki, and she giggled and lead her over to the booth. Ren and Ann soon joined them, with Ryuji and Makoto sitting on one side and Ann and Ren on the other.
"So, what brings you all the way out from Shibuya?" Ann asked.
"Well, we have some big news." Makoto started. Ryuji nodded.
"Maki and I,"
"Don't call me Maki."
Makoto and I are getting married!" Ryuji exclaimed. Just as he said that Ann choked on the coffee she was drinking and Ren about fell out of his seat.
"Y-you and Ryuji?" Ann stuttered, trying as hard as she could to hide her shock.
"Yeah! Turns out he can actually be kinda mature when he wants to be, and he's a bit of a charmer." Makoto said, blushing. Ren and Ann looked at each other and the laughed.
"That's the Ryuji we know!" Ann perked up, laughing.
"Hey, don't talk about me like I'm not here!" Ryuji pouted. They all started laughing and continued with their lively conversation until it had turned to nightfall. The group broke up with lively chatter and hugs and kisses before Makoto and Ryuji had gotten into their car and driven away.
"See you at the wedding!" Ann called after them.
"Ok, let's go home." Ren said, as he flipped the open sign to "closed" and started their car before leaving Café Heiwa. Ann and Ren both tucked in Saki before heading to bed themselves. It wasn't long till both Ann and Ren fell fast asleep.
……………
"Joker. You took everything from me."
"Why did you consider it?"
"How could I ever be friends with you?"
"You almost let the world die."
"Joker."
"Joker."
"Joker."
"Join me in hell."
……………
Ren woke up gasping for breath, and immediately looked around at his surroundings. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't his room. Ren was stuck in a jail cell in a circle room that he knew all too well.
"Welcome to the Velvet Room. My name is Igor, but I think you know that. This world exists between dream and reality, mind and matter."
"Wha- why am I back here?" Ren asked sitting up. "Where's Lavenza?"
"Lavenza is currently not here. But do not worry. I just want to warn you." Igor said.
"Warm me of what? Mementos is destroyed! I- we've grown up. I'm married now, I have a kid." Ren argued.
"There was an unexpected problem with Mementos. It has been rumored that it may come back."
"Wait, rumored? So you don't even know? And you're wasting my time, Igor?"
"I understand you are upset, trickster, but please hear me out. Be aware that events will take place soon. I would tell you more, but it appears our time has run short. I will inform you of more as everything plays out. And please, be on the lookout for Lavenza."
"Be on the lookout? Wait Igo-." Was all Ren was able to get out before he woke up. He looked around at his surroundings, and this time it was his bedroom. He gasped for air, his back wet with sweat. He looked next to him where Ann lay to she if she woke up at all. Luckily, she was still asleep, her face revealed her to be at peace, dreaming in some far away place. Ren smiled and kissed her on the cheek, causing Ann to let out a small smile. Ren then went back to sleep, and wasn't visited by any more dreams. The next day soon rose, and the three (four counting Morgana) went about their daily schedule, with Saki heading to school, and Ren and Ann heading to work. Morgana even decided to go with, and Ren did the old trick of stuffing him in his bag. The day had started out completely normal, just as it had been for the past few years, until around Noon when someone came bursting in through the Café door.
"Ren! We have a problem!" A voice yelled. Ren peeked his head out to confirm who it was, and sure enough, it was Makoto and Ryuji.
"What? What's wrong? What's the problem?" Ren asked. Makoto looked at Ryuji and he nodded. Both stepped aside to reveal a girl who looked about 16. It took Ren a minute, but he knew exactly who it was. The blonde hair that he would know anywhere.
"S-Saki?"
Chapter 1: Ashes from the Fire