Akira was dragged out from his bed by a pair of men in body armor. They were screaming at him to put his hands behind his back before one of the officers smacked him in the back of the head with the butt of their rifle.
Even though his ears were ringing, and his stomach was turning, he could still hear a scuffle downstairs. Another officer across the room threw Morgana into a burlap sack. Downstairs, Sojiro was calling out to him, telling him to run. Then he remembered who was sleeping on the couch. One officer scooped his girlfriend off the couch and threw her to the ground.
She managed to get to her feet and run over to him to try and pull the police officers off him, but she was quickly thrown to the ground and cuffed by another pair. One keeping his knee firmly in her back. She cried out his several times, each time a little louder. He struggled against the officers that kept him pinned to the ground and snarled at the ones who had just thrown Futaba to the ground.
"Leave her alone! She has nothing to do with this!"
"Oh, I beg to differ old friend." A familiar voice told him, cutting through the chaos.
Akira's blood ran cold.
"No."
He looked up to see a guy his age looming over him a tan suit, gun drawn and pointed at his head.
"Don't hurt him!" Futaba snapped, still trying to break free.
"Aketchi..." The Phantom Thief hissed. "You'll never get away with this."
Aketchi chuckled, seemingly reading his mind.
"What makes you think I came here to kill you?"
The Ace Detective then spun around, bringing his pistol to bear on Futaba. Before the scream could even escape Akira's throat, the hammer on the gun fell.
...
Akira screamed as he sat up, finding himself upright in his bed. His forehead was beaded with sweat, yet his entire body was shivering. His breathing was shaky for several minutes and when he finally got his brain to accept the frightening events as nothing more than a nightmare he started to calm down.
Instinctively he called out, the coarseness of his own voice startling him.
"Sorry Morgana I-
He stopped.
Morgana was gone, he reminded himself. Grabbing his phone and checking the time, he noticed it was 7 AM. He raised an eyebrow and listened hard but herd no sign of Sojiro's presence downstairs. Perhaps it was for the best he thought as he dialed the number he had been given the night before. Much to his surprise, he got an answer almost right away.
"Hello?"
"Hey Sae-San, I'm ready."
She sighed dejectedly
"Ok, I'll be there in half an hour."
Akira felt bad calling her this early.
"I didn't wake you, did I?"
"No, I've been up for a few hours. I'm just not looking forward to the rest of today. Makoto deserves a better Christmas than this...and so do you."
"If this is what I have to do to make things right, then so be it."
"You're a good kid Akira Kurusu."
"Thanks, Sae... I'll make us some coffee for the drive."
"Sounds good, see you in a bit." She replied before hanging up leaving Akira alone with his thoughts.
"Merry Christmas to me." He muttered before getting out of bed.
...
Makoto was the first to find out, she knew her sister too well. She never stayed up all night unless something was bugging her and the signature on the side of her coffee cup confirmed her suspicions. There was only one guy she knew with handwriting that sloppy.
"Where's Akira?" She asked coldly.
"Merry Christmas to you too." Sae replied, trying not to meet her sister's eyes.
Makoto's voice cracked, and she took a step forward, daring her to keep up the act. Her sister wasn't even facing her.
"Sis, w-where is he..."
"The police station...he turned himself in."
Makoto took a step back as the room span around her, she felt sick.
"...why?"
"He acted on my recommendation. I warned him what could happen to all of you if he didn't take the fall. He and I agreed. We both wanted to keep you all safe."
Makoto's tears still flowed, but now she was angry. She surged forward forcing her sister to look at her.
"We would have kept him safe! WE would have kept each-other safe!"
Now Sae faced her sister, she knew she was upset but she had to make her understand.
"Maybe in the Metaverse but out here things are different. Shido had connections and if they were smart enough to infect all of Tokyo with their lies then they could find you all in a heartbeat."
"So, you think he's better off with the police? Who he's had under his thumb for who knows how long? If they have someone on the inside- "
Makoto choked back a sob and tried to finish, but when her thoughts drifted towards her friends, her heart sank. She started sobbing and her sister instinctively wrapped her in a hug.
"It's going to be ok. Nothing will happen to him. I swear it."
"I-I'm scared sis..." Makoto managed.
Sae could only rub her back and offering some comforting words but her next question surprised her.
"Is Futaba ok?"
Sae looked quizzically at her sister and that made her breakaway from her embrace and dart into her room.
"Makoto, I know you're upset with me but- "
When she emerged, she was wearing her coat, the tears had stopped, and she emanated a steely calm.
"I need to go to Leblanc."
"Do you need me to go with you?" Sae asked as her sister brushed past her, heading straight for the front door.
Makoto looked back at her with a tired expression, her walls were down.
"You should get some rest, you look exhausted. We can open presents tonight after dinner..."
Sae nodded.
"Ok."
Makoto sighed.
"Sorry I yelled at you. You didn't deserve that..."
"It's ok...part of me thinks I did." Sae replied, remembering she once had a palace.
Makoto quickly walked over and gave her a big hug.
"No, you didn't, trust me."
Sae hugged her back, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.
"I love you sis." Makoto affirmed before letting go and heading out the front door, leaving Sae alone with her thoughts and half a cup of coffee.
...
Futaba strolled into Leblanc with classic Santa hat on her head and a small messily wrapped present in her arms. She had managed to convince a reluctant Sojiro to put on some reindeer ear antlers before he had grabbed both of their stockings from his closet. His was bright red with silver snowflakes dotting the surface and the Joker was stitched in white cursive. While Futaba's was green with red polka dots across the surface. Her codename, Oracle, was in white cursive across the top as well.
As the door opened, Futaba wiggled past Sojiro and shouted at the top of her lungs: Hoho! Merry Christmas!
Silence.
The smile that she wore quickly changed to a grumpy frown as she turned to Sojiro.
"You didn't keep him up all night cleaning, did you?"
Sojiro put his hands up defensively.
"No no, we cleaned up together. It didn't take us long at all."
Now her attention was turned back to the stairs, still expecting her boyfriend to come trotting down the stairs. Instead, she felt her heart slowly start to sink. Was he upset with her after last night?
More silence.
She rolled her eyes and set her present on the counter before heading asking Sojiro to get a pot of coffee going before disappearing as she entered the loft. What she expected to find was Akira still fast asleep with Morgana cuddled up next to face. His arm hanging off the bed and a bit drool on his pillow and his hair a bit of tangled mess. Mona notes to her on many occasions that Akira was quite the active sleeper when stressed.
Instead, she was faced with reality. Mona was gone, and so was he. His bed was neatly made, and his room was tidy as always. Not that there had ever been much to make a mess with anyway.
The only thing that was out of place was present, white wrapping paper and a thick gold ribbon. As she walked over to examine it, she noticed it had a tag with her name on it. She picked it up and looked around worryingly before heading back downstairs, where even Sojiro seemed concerned.
"He's not up there?"
"No... maybe he went out for a walk?"
"Maybe...but the front door was locked, unless he locked it when he left..."
The sound of the door opening made them both turn around, instead of seeing their favorite frizzy haired Tokyo boy, they saw Makoto Nijima who wore a grim expression.
"Sorry to intrude, but I need to discuss something with you both. It's about Akira."
Futaba sat down on the nearest barstool, her heart was pounding now, and her hands trembled.
"What happened?" She asked trying to hide her fear.
"My sister told me..." Makoto took a shaky breath. "...Akira turned himself in to the police this morning."
Futaba gasped, putting a hand to her mouth. Tears fell onto the pristine white wrapping paper in her lap which slowly slid from her grip and fell to the floor with a soft thud.
"...N-no..." She whispered before repeating herself several more times, her voice getting louder each time. Sojiro was stunned but Makoto managed to summon the will to move towards her friend, wrapping her in a protective embrace.
"I'm so sorry Futaba..."
The younger girl clinged to her as she cried, her whimpers muffled by Makoto's coat, but the older girl was able to make out what she was saying.
"W-why didn't he tell me? He t-tells me everything." She asked, looking up to closest thing she had as a big sister for an answer, but Makoto could only shake her head.
"I-I don't know..." She replied, shaking her head before holding Futaba as tight as she could. The pair cried together for the rest of the morning.
...
As he entered the Juvenile Hall Cafeteria Akira recalled the poignant words of a famous American newsman:
I immediately regret this decision.
These words came to mind as he went to sit down only to confronted by a kid who looked to be two or three years his senior and would have been just a bit taller than him and Futaba stacked on top of each other. Then again, he wasn't too good at eye balling things like distance or height so that could have been an adrenaline-fueled exaggeration.
"What you in for man?" He boomed.
Akira decided to be honest, well as honest as he could be without sounding like a lunatic.
"I fought back against the establishment, but in the end even though we won, someone had to take the fall for picking a fight with the guys in charge. So, I turned myself in to keep my friends safe."
The Giant was silent for a solid minute before he spoke again.
"Rock the fuck on dude."
The young(?) man extended a fist.
"Pound it."
Akira compiled about as enthusiastically as he could.
"They call me Tiny Tim. Stick with me, since it's your first day, someone will need to show you around."
Tim instructed before motioning for him to follow. Akira wasn't dumb enough to say no.
...
Futaba had her head on the counter, staring blankly at unopened presents on the floor as Sojiro and Makoto explained what happened earlier that morning.
She reached down and picked up her present, sitting up and putting it in her lap. The conversation went quiet as all eyes fell on her. She sniffled a few times before flipping the tag with her name on it. She was the only one who could read his crappy handwriting.
To my best friend, my navigator in life and in the Metaverse, my beautiful better half who is no doubt rolling her eyes at this note, stop that! I'm trying to be a good boyfriend! XP
a small smirk appeared on her lips, but her heart still had a hole in it and the next line threatened to start the waterworks all over again.
-I love you more than anything. This next chapter in our story will be hard on us but I know we can make it through. Don't ever let yourself think for one minute that I will give up on us while I'm away.
Love you Taba
Merry Christmas
From Akira
A single tear fell down her cheek as she looked up at her friends who had now surrounded her, offering their support.
"Should I open it?"
Ryuji nodded in confirmation, he was doing his best to keeps his spirits up for everyone's sake.
"He'd want you to open it."
Haru nodded.
"It's true! He worked really hard on this."
Futaba raised an eyebrow before looking down at the present at opening it with as much enthusiasm as she could muster, when she opened the box, she smiled sadly.
"Akira..." she murmured pulling out a hardcover book with a gorgeous sleeve. The cover depicted a steampunk city laid out before a mighty pyramid and showed a dashing airship captain back to back with a beautiful archeologist.
"My mom and I loved the first book...I didn't know there was a second one."
She opened the book to thumb through the pages, hoping to see one or two of beautiful illustrations the author was known for, only to spot something that took her breath away. The author had signed the title page and left a little note for her.
Dear Futaba Sakura,
Your boyfriend told me how much you and your mother loved my series. I'm happy to report my little side project became a huge success thanks to passionate readers like you and your mother. Hope you like the rest of this series! Book three is on the way!
Merry Christmas!
Sincerely
Kon Kimitada
There was one more thing she found in the book. A beautiful gold necklace that resembled the Phantom Thief logo with an Egyptian flair. The goggles replaced with a single eye of Horus and signature top hat looked more like crown of the Pharaoh, complete with a cat crest. The entire head piece was engulfed with a crimson flame.
"Oh my..."
"We all helped a little." Ann began. "Yusuke helped with the design. Haru found a jeweler to make the pendant."
"He owed me a favor." She added quickly.
"I helped pick out the necklace itself while Ryuji and Morgana helped find real gold in mementos." Ann finished.
"I must say I'm quite pleased with the final product. That jeweler did an excellent job on bringing my design to life."
"I helped him get the book signed, that author had a parking ticket that Sae was able to take care of." Makoto explained.
Futaba ran a finger over the face of the pendant.
"It's beautiful..."
"Turn it over." Makoto told her.
She slowly turned the pendant over in her hand to see the inscription.
Even after we're dead and gone, I'll always be your key item.
-Joker
That did it.
All her fears and all her hopes came flooding into her mind, she sobbed and hunched over, holding the necklace close to her heart, both hands wrapped around the pendant. Her friends all did their best to hold her in a protective embrace.
"I-I'm scared guys...w-w-what if I lose him too."
Her whole body was shaking, and her breathing was becoming more erratic. Makoto instinctively sprang into action, having helped other students at school with their panic attacks.
"Hey Futaba, listen to my voice ok?"
Futaba shut her eyes tightly.
"I'm gonna be alone again!"
Makoto felt her heart sink, but she gently took Futaba's hands into her own.
"Futaba look at me."
The girl slowly met her eyes.
"You will always be Oracle. I will always be Queen. You became one of us after we stole your heart and because of that you will never ever be alone ever again."
Futaba choked back a sob and threw her arms around Makoto, hugging her tightly. In response the others hugged the pair tightly.
"I love you guys so much." She murmured.
"We love you too." Makoto replied.
"These next few months are going to be hard on all of us, so don't hesitate to call any of us if you need anything ok?" Ann instructed.
Futaba nodded.
"Same to you guys, don't hesitate to lean on me ok?"
They clung to each other for several minutes, Futaba felt her weary heart shatter when even Ryuji started sniffling. She reached up to put her hand on his, in response he grabbed her hand while Yusuke put a comforting arm around his friend.
"What are we gonna do?" Haru asked.
Makoto and Futaba looked to each other and the group broke away from each other.
"We're going to bring him home." Makoto told them.
They all nodded solemnly, their sadness turning into resolve.
"Let's started our war council." Futaba told them all as they each took a seat.
…
That night, Futaba's nightmares returned for the first time in months.
Somehow, she was back in her tomb and Shido had figured out she was daughter of a famous scientist who discovered the Metaverse. Now Aketchi was coming for her.
Unfortunately for him, The Phantom Thieves had something to say about that. Akira stood in front of her, while the black dragon Seth loomed over them both, snarling and hissing, his sulfur breath filling the stale air of the tomb. Across from Akira stood Aketchi, his persona Loki floated behind him, a blazing red sword aimed right at the pair.
"You've got nowhere to run Joker."
Akira clutched his dagger tighter and Seth roared in defiance.
"Let's finish this." He snarled as the two charged each other.
Aketchi snarled, stepping forward and slashing diagonally at Akira's chest, only for him to slide under the strike and stabbed Aketchi in the back of the knew before popping up into a crouch and rolling away, but Aketchi whipped around and slashed at his opponent, the tip of hid blade raking Akira's spine. The Phantom Thief tumbled out of the roll but quickly got to his feet.
Meanwhile Set crashed into Loki, snapping at his head with his jaws in an attempt to end the battle quickly. The massive humanoid grabbed Set by the jaws and pushed him away before reaching out to his sword which had been sent flying during their initial collision. As Loki caught the weapon and prepared to strike a disorientated Akira, Set took to the air and sunk his talons into Loki's chest. Black blood flowed from the wound as Set hefted the persona into the air before slamming him down, leaving the trickster god dazed. Set hissed seizing the Loki's head with his jaws and biting down hard before lifting him up and throwing him through the air away from the battling Persona users.
Akira sidestepped a thrust from Aketchi's sword, stepping inside his guard and driving his dagger into the inside of his elbow. Aketchi grimaced and wrapped his other arm around Akira, pulling him in close and kneeing him twice in the gut before Akira kicked him away. Aketchi put his sword in his other hand and leapt towards Akira striking his face with his elbow before ducking under a retaliatory slash and swinging at Akira with his blade, it's steel tip ripping open his skin and leaving a bloody wound.
As the battle started to turn, Futaba tried to scream, she tried to call Prometheus but her voice failed her. All she could do was watch.
Loki threw an overhanded punch that knocked Seth to the ground, leaving him stunned. The persona strolled over sword in hand and drove it's weapon through the dragon's skull. The beast disappeared, and Akira clutched his chest and staggered, unable to dodge two quick slashes to his chest. The leader of the Phantom thieves crumpled to the ground and Futaba felt a pit form in her stomach. Her eyes threatened to well up with tears but instead of crying, she summoned all her might and took a step forward.
She ran to shield her boyfriend from the next attack, scooping up his sidearm and putting herself between him and Aketchi.
"DO NOT FUCKING TOUCH HIM." She snarled, aiming to put a bullet right between Aketchi's eyes. Their old foe didn't even break stride, winding up to strike her down without any hesitation. He barely started his swing when she pulled the trigger.
...
Futaba awoke with a gasp, looking around to make sure she was in her room and not back in her tomb. Once she was sure of her surroundings, she picked up her necklace and held it close to her heart. She was sure of one thing, she was going to fight for him. Just like he fought for her. No one was taking him away from her, but for now she laid back down and started drifting off back to sleep. Tomorrow the real work would begin, the Phantom Thieves weren't done. Not yet.