Life will Change

Original Concept: Persona 5

Chapter 8

..

Created by: Atlus/Sega

Written by: wrathie

Consultation: DiLost

Cover art by: Aiwa


Author's Notes: Enjoy the release, and I apologize for the many hints but no definite answers about Shiho.


Ichigaya Station (Tokyo Metro)

...

"We got two weeks to save Shiho before Kamoshida ruins her life."

The news from Masumi stunned the other two that were with her, but instead of exclaiming out in outrage, they just stared at the extremely unhappy but resolved Kurusu Masumi.

Throughout the conversation she had over the phone with the student council president, they had seen her expression change from recognition, unease, mortification, disbelief, resignation and finally this.

Masumi had made her mind up, and her words was simply a declaration of facts that she had to overcome.

"... That's a good expression to have, Lady Masumi. You're ready to do whatever it takes to save your friend?" Morgana finally spoke up after contemplating on her sudden decision.

Between the two of them, Morgana had higher hopes for Lady Masumi, the lingering concerns about the way she fought aside, Lady Masumi was intelligent and picked up things quickly.

Compared to Ryuuji who was prone to having emotions clouding his thought process, Lady Masumi was more rational and calm.

So for her to have that determined look made Morgana satisfied, she would see this through no matter what. But what concerned Morgana was what she'll put on the line to accomplish this.

The way she had gone all out to help save her friend Shiho was admirable, but she had put too much into it. She had placed herself in harm's way deliberately to accomplish her goals.

If it was a calculated move, Morgana would have accepted the end result grudgingly. However he felt that was not the case, she had acted on impulse just as Ryuuji who had, only she had been willing to put her body on the line, disregarding her own safety.

It was dangerous, no matter how much it might turn the tides for her as she snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. Morgana made a vow to watch out for her as the days goes by, she would be needing eyes to cover her back.

"Yes, I know it's dangerous for us. Not to mention the dangers posed by Kamoshida himself, but I won't let my friend be sacrificed and him be unpunished."

"Oi… I'm not saying he doesn't deserve it… but are you really going to risk it… Kamoshida, we might be the ones who end up killing him." Ryuuji asked uncertainty, a rare show of concern but Morgana supposed someone would have to ask that question.

"So be it… I'll take the risk, if you don't want to, it's okay. I want to save Shiho from Kamoshida… I'm willing to take that risk."

...

"It's not personal for you, Lady Masumi, why would you be willing to do this for your friend, alone at that. You might die if you fail." Despite him being the one who gave that suggestion to her, Masumi was still surprised at Morgana's question and warning to her. Morgana was still enthusiastic, this she could tell still. The warning was a surprise, but Masumi had seen first hand how dangerous it might be, she and Ryuuji had almost died the first time if she had not managed to call upon Medea.

"It is personal for me… I'm helping Shiho, Ann and myself. I… I can't forgive him, not after knowing what he could, already did and how he might get away with it. I, and Medea agrees… If there's something I can do, then I'll do it. But…" Masumi smiled viciously at the thought of bringing Kamoshida down. Of payback, of revenge, of getting even. She hated the fear and self-loathing that he had made her feel.

"I'm looking forward to taking him down myself."


"We're still going to meet Shiho and Ann, right? Or was that just a ruse…" Masumi asked, a little unsure on their plan of action. They might have agreed that they would act to save Ann and Shiho, but that doesn't mean they had a concrete plan to do so.

Having a goal of: Stealing the 'treasure' from Kamoshida's Castle is so vague and unclear. They needed to have concrete steps that they would be taking.

"Well first of all we need to find a foolproof way to enter the Castle instead of stumbling upon it." Morgana said so uncertainty. He had his own way of entering and leaving the meta-verse after all, he didn't really know how Lady Masumi and Ryuuji did it. But he wasn't confident enough that he could bring them with him. He wasn't really sure how he himself managed it even.

"We should still drop by and see how they are before we go though, she needs cheering up." Masumi insisted and Ryuuji agreed, causing Morgana to sigh.

"It would provide an alibi for us at least. Let's do that then.

...

"You are Shiho's friends… ah, you're…" Shiho's mother, who sported the same black hair and high ponytail as Shiho looked out of her depth as she tried to place the three, no, two of them at their door. Morgana had slipped away, deciding to infiltrate the place in his own way while Ryuuji and Masumi had gone through the front door.

"I'm Sakamoto, I was in the same class in middle school… er, you know… the one who won the 200m sprints race competition at Middle two in Suzui's class…" Ryuuji's dyed hair gave him no favors here but apparently the event meant something to her as she clapped her hands in recognition.

"Ah, yes. Yes. I remember now, Sakamoto… I believe Shiho had a crush on you for a while for winning the competition so quickly." Shiho's mother giggled while Masumi covered her mouth to veil her amusement. Ryuuji just looked gobsmacked before pulling his jaw off the floor.

"Errrr… I didn't know, well… I mean…" With the mood now definitely more relaxed than before, as Shiho's mother added on.

"It's so nice of you to visit Shiho, no one else has been here besides Ann but unfortunately Shiho isn't in right now. She had to pay a visit to the school to pick up some of her materials. Niijima… the student president called her over to aid her with her leave of absence."

Masumi's crestfallen expression was easily picked up by her and Shiho's mother beamed at her, recognizing her as well.

"And you, must be Kurusu Masumi-chan." Seeing Masumi bewildered just like Ryuuji made her giggle again and she reached out to clasp Masumi's hands.

"You must be the one who helped save our Shiho. We are endlessly grateful for what you did. Only, as a parent I must let you know that what you did is too dangerous." She scowled lightly at Masumi, causing her to look away uncomfortably.

"That's too reckless for you. I know you must have heard it, but… as much as I am thankful, I must tell you to never do that again. If you fell over because you tried to save Shiho, she won't forgive herself for making you take that risk too. Please promise us that. No more heroic stunts." Shiho's mother smiled brightly at the end as Masumi agreed softly.

"Good, you wouldn't want another girl to start crushing on you for putting your all to save her." Her wink towards Masumi made her blush like a tomato while Ryuuji just looked very confused.

"I-It's not like that, I mean, really…" Masumi waved her hands in front of her in objection as Shiho's mother took a step back from her and apologized again.

"Well I'm sorry to tell you that she won't be back for a while. Niijima-san said that there'll be plenty of homework for Shiho to work on as she takes leave from school. Ann-chan too might be staying away from school to accompany our Shiho. Our Shiho really has found good friends, none of her teammates have even came to see her." Shiho's mother frowned before clapping her hands together.

"That's right, I baked some cookies for Ann, but I'll give you two some for making the trip. She'll be home tomorrow, so please come and visit her tomorrow, alright dears?"


Ichigaya Station (Tokyo Metro)

...

"Well that was a bust and a success." Morgana commented as they made their way back to the metro. All of them had enjoyed the cookies, Morgana enjoying his taste of his first ever cookie as his head popped out of the bag.

"Both as we got an alibi for where we went, and we couldn't get to meet Shiho as well." Masumi explained to Ryuuji who nodded thoughtfully.

"So we're going to school now right? As it's where we entered Kamoshida's Castle in the first place. Did Morgana come out from there too?" Ryuuji's question made Morgana nod and Masumi wondered out loud if the other world was the same as theirs.

"Both exists in a way, the metaverse is people's perception of it. One can say that Kamoshida's Castle is special as his own ego, or how he is viewed by the school, was able to transform the metaverse equivalent of your school to his own personal Castle. There are enough people aware of his reputation to give him that power to alter the place according to his own will. That's why it is located only physically at your school. Imagine if he was well known throughout the entire city, the city would be his plaything." Morgana grumbled unhappily while the two students looked at each other in shock.

"So it's a perception thing… So all of the students and maybe the teachers feel that way… Would the teachers themselves be there too? The… girls would be there, right?" Ryuuji's fist clenched while Masumi's rage grew at the memory of her own "self" being in Kamoshida's arms.

"That pervert." She growled angrily while Morgana sighed.

"Let's just hope that Lady Shiho is the one and only victim, I fear to know how many had fallen prey to Kamoshida…"

Morgana paused before nodding to the other two. "Well, the moment we cross over, we'll treat each other like Phantom Thieves, so I hope you're ready. Remember, only code names, and no unnecessary noises!'

"Wait, phantom thieves? What's that?" Ryuuji asked as they got on the train.

"Those who covertly sneak in and stylishly steal treasure - that's what we'll become!"

"That sounds kinda cool, I'm definitely in." Ryuuji grinned while Masumi sighed. Her normal school life has turned out this way, but the urgings of Medea as well as Igor's cryptic hints already told her that her life was going to be anything but ordinary. Still, Masumi resisted against that path feebly.

"As long as we accomplish our mission…"


Shujin Academy

...

"Well here we are… let's see what that app does, huh?" Ryuuji commented while the three of them watched him tap the app that he had found in the night after his awakening.

Masumi had her suspicions about Igor, but at least he came through in delivering the app. With this Masumi could safely confirm that Ryuuji was one of those who would lend his talents with her. The same goes for Sojiro and even Takemi sensei. It was a relief to know that they were people around her that she could trust to aid her in this quest that she was on.

She watched on dutifully as Ryuuji punched in Kamoshida's name and the key word: "Palace' into the navigation app.


"What are those two up too…" Ann muttered unhappily as she followed behind Ryuuji and Masumi-chan as they walked down an alley together. She and Shiho had just gotten dismissed by a very attentive and supportive Niijima senpai. Ann hadn't had much interaction with the student council president, but she deeply appreciated what she had done to help Shiho during their moment of need by letting them talk to her privately instead of getting the teachers to do so.

The news that she had delivered was devastating, Shiho had gone all pale as Niijima-senpai had explained all the possible repercussions of the newly formed task force.

She had alluded that Masumi-chan was once again the individual that had managed to persuade her to take this further step to help keep the two of them informed, and she was forever indebted to their transfer student friend.

They had thanked Niijima-senpai for all that she had covertly done for them, and Ann herself was both delighted and surprised to see the honest surprise and appreciation from the student council president for their thanks.

Does it mean that she didn't get thanked often? That could be true as Ann knew about the rumors and bad names that some students had for Niijima senpai. They called her the principal's pet after all, rumor has it that she had won by a landslide as the entire faculty had been pressured to vote her over any potential challenger. She had in turn been doing everything that the principal had asked her off.

But in this instance, Ann was glad that she was at their side.

Right now however, they were hurriedly chasing after Ryuuji and Masumi-chan who they had glanced entering into an alleyway after coming from the direction of the train station.

They seem to be following a trail or some sort, or were they just avoiding people?

Ann was curious, and so she had dragged Shiho along for the ride although her friend was protesting the whole way.

"We shouldn't be doing this…"

"It's not like Ryuuji and Masumi-chan are dating right? Don't you think they are being suspicious though?"

Her joking demeanor made Shiho sigh and smile, but it was worth the trouble just to get her smile at any rate. Shiho hadn't smiled much ever since they had rescued her. The pressure of the situation was certainly getting to her.

"Finally…" Ann and Shiho waited patiently as they finally saw Ryuuji and Masumi stand and wait in a particularly empty pathway between buildings.

From their conversation, they are going to activate some kind of app?

"They really are going to do something… huh?" Ann asked her friend quietly as they hid behind the wall, waiting to surprise them.

"Huh?!"

A weird sensation hit Ann, and she clutched onto Shiho in support while her friend shrieked loudly in fear. What was going on?!


Palace: Kamoshida's Castle

...

"Woah!" The same awkward feeling of the world shifting around them was difficult to get used to, but in a heartbeat it was all over and they stood in front of the Castle that they were going to infiltrate.

"Well… here we are. Man does that mean I can go here anytime I want? I'm not sure if that's a good thing though…" Ryuuji's comment at the end made both Masumi and Morgana snicker as they made their way to the front of the castle. The moment they had entered the so-called metaverse, their attire changed, even Ryuuji and Morgana nodded in appreciation.

"The basics of all basics, we must locate the treasure and secure an entrypoint to it. I'll teach you about what we'll do next after locating the treasure. The treasure should be located in the most secure location, or perhaps the throne room. That's where the King is."

"As long as it's not the royal bedchambers… canwe destroy that?" Masumi muttered darkly while Morgana shuddered at the viciousness of the high school girl.

"We can't, well.. We can? It's complicated. We should head in now if we want to make some progress without it being dark though! Let's go, let's go!"

...

"What is this!?" "Ann!" The two voices made the Phantom Thieves turn around and they stared in shock at the two other students that had arrived in the place with them.

"Ann!?" Ryuuji found his tongue while Masumi just slapped a hand against her face. Oh boy, this was going to be difficult.

"A-Are you Ryuuji? And, you're Masumi-chan?" Ann pointed a finger between them, unsure who was more surprising, the skull masked punk that was Ryuuji or the kinda cool captain that was Masumi-chan.

"A-Ah… is this… where are we?" Shiho seems to be calmer, but still afraid as she clung onto Ann as they looked around their surroundings.

"Why are you here? Did you follow us?" Ryuuji asked, sounding both angry and afraid as he turned to Masumi for help

"How should I know!? What's going on? Where are we…!? Isn't this the school?" Ann started hyperventilating while Masumi stepped up, offering a placating hand to both her friends.

"Calm down you two… it's complicated, but you need to stay quiet." Masumi took off her captain's hat to address them, making Shiho gasp as she couldn't believe how Masumi looked liked with long white hair.

"Is that really you Masumi-chan? You look so different… but Ann's right, where are we?"

"I see, perhaps she was dragged in because of that app thing." Morgana's voice made all of them turn to him and he bowed to the two girls promptly when attention was on him.

"If multiple individuals can enter with the person who uses it, it stands to reason it'll pull anyone nearby."

"So… what are you guys doing here?" Shiho's question made the situation even more complex as everyone started looking at Masumi for answers.

The white haired transfer student could only sigh again as she scratched her cheeks. She just knew it would come to this.

"Can we explain later? It's dangerous here… I don't, we don't want you to get involved if we can help it." Masumi tried to evade the actual topic, she could explain it to them later, but now wasn't the time.

"Dangerous? What do you mean dangerous… it looks creepy and all that, but, it shouldn-" The sounds of a student crying out in pain silenced Ann and the two girls clung to each other in fear.

"Well… I did say it was going to be dangerous… I'll fill the two of you later then?" Masumi said so cheerfully as she coaxed the two girls back towards the 'entrance' where they had entered.

"Although I would offer my services to Ladies, I fear that this is too dangerous for such a delicate flower like the two of you." Morgana crossed her arms as he leaped to stand besides Ann. Ryuuji just rolled his eyes at his comment, he saw how Morgana had lost focus and was all but drooling when he saw Ann.

"No way! It talked!? Oh my god - it's a monster cat…!" Ann was close to fainting while Shiho just looked more flabbergasted but curious at the same time.

"Oh my, that's certainly interesting. A talking cat?" She smiled tentatively at the heartbroken Morgana who was down to one knee in despair.

"... Please do explain what's going to us, Masumi-chan? This is just too weird…" Shiho smiled encouragingly at Masumi who nodded to her in understanding. Shiho at least understood the importance of a time and place for everything.

"But wait- I'm not going until you explain everything! This is about Kamoshida isn't it!?"


Masumi sighed after finally getting Ann and Shiho out of the metaverse, and she turned around to see Ryuuji smirking at a angry Morgana who was clearly in denial at him spacing out for a moment earlier on.

"She's totally out of your league man, I mean this is Ann, she's a model and you're… well, at least she can hear you speak... But you don't look like a human."

"But I am a human! I'm just stuck in this form!"

"Appearances matter, dude. I mean look at her, you like her cause she's hot right? She's got lot of people going after her you know?" Ryuuji gulped when he noticed Masumi's raised eyebrow and he held out a hand to stop the impending chewing out.

"Sorry! Won't happen again! I know girls hate this!"

Masumi sighed and let it slide, boys will be boys, although she expected more out of Morgana. It was surprising he could develop such a deep crush on her though.

"I have not behaved proper as a Phantom Thief, for that I apologize Lady Masumi. Shall we be off? We are on a time limit here, I hope we can make some headway today before escorting you back home tonight."

Morgana averted his gaze slightly before bowing to Masumi. The Phantom Thief then took off towards the grill that they entered the Castle with, the other two in tow..


"Why did you let them go like that, Shiho? They were going to do something about Kamoshida, right?"

Ann asked in frustration as she refused to let her best friend drag her out of the alleyway.

"We shouldn't get involved any more then we already did, Ann. They were trying to hide what they were doing, didn't they? We would only have been a burden…" Shiho bit her lip as Ann's gaze dropped, she hadn't wanted to remind her friend of that. Ann hadn't persuaded her to stop jumping, it had been Masumi who had shocked her out of her suicidal thoughts.

Ann had been inconsolable the first night that she spent over her house, guilty at her inability and blaming herself for not knowing her better. Shiho was too worried for her to feel bad about herself and her circumstances, but perhaps that's why Ann was her best friend and why it hurt so much to see her like that.

"I… I hope they're okay. But what's up with their outfits anyway? I didn't know Masumi-chan was into cosplay…" Ann wondered out loud while Shiho sighed at Ann's attempts to rationalize and the situation seem normal.

It was anything but normal to her, the vertigo that they felt together? Visiting the castle, a castle at that as if they had teleported? No, there was nothing 'normal' about that situation.

But Shiho supposed she can't fault Ann for trying to do that, it was hard enough trying to cope with the current situation.

Ann had to beg her parents to allow her to take an absence of leave from school to accompany her, and it has strained their relationship for Ann didn't want to reveal to her parents why she wanted to do that.

Ann might have thought she had hid it from her, but Shiho knew.

"Well.. let's just head back and ask them about it when they return. She promised after all." Shiho tried to change the topic as she pulled on her friend's sleeves to get out of the alleyway. Shiho didn't want anything to do with that weird phenomenon. It was odd enough as it was after all.

"Wait a minute." Ann stopped her and Shiho looked back to see she was checking her phone and frowning at it.

"This wasn't here before? Did I get hit by a malware?"


"We should have been more careful, I apologize…" Masumi lowered her head in apology to Morgana but her friend just shook his head.

"Accidents happen, now that we know it's possible, we have to be more careful. We don't want to get others involved if we can help it. The same goes to you Ryuuji, just be careful." Morgana huffed even as Ryuuji scratched his head sheepishly.

"Still, I was being complacent as well. My apologies for slipping up. Now, as we are here now, and seeing all of you know what's at stake, shall we decide on our code names?"

"Code names?" Ryuuji's question made Morgana smirk but she turned to Masumi who nodded in agreement.

"We can't just use our names when what we are doing is technically illegal and wrong, even if it's the right thing. So we use code names to identify ourselves."

"Well said, now for myself, you can refer to me as Mona. Let's make it simple so we can remember them and use them." Morgana beamed as Ryuuji repeated it a few times.

"Morgana is Mona, Mona… right then, Mona… What about Masumi?"

"Uhm…" Masumi wasn't sure what to go with but Morgana had been thinking about it as he beamed.

"Maybe Ace? Or Joker? I like the latter. You're the ace in our hand, the wild card, Joker." Morgana's explanation made her a little uncomfortable though as she considered.

Medea didn't seem to mind the name either but it felt a bit odd to her… it just didn't really feel right to be called that.

"I'm not really the Ace, am I? I'm just…" She didn't finish the statement as Morgana shook his head in disagreement.

"Nonsense, Lady Masumi. You made it here so far haven't you? If you aren't someone special, we wouldn't be here in mutual agreement, we might not even be alive here. Take the compliment, and be the Ace you are supposed to be, Joker." Morgana winked while Ryuuji chuckled at seeing his friend so hesitant about accepting praise.

"You don't need to be modest, we all know who's calling the shots here. I'll be in your care, Joker." Ryuuji gave her a mock salute which she returned numbly.

She was going to be the leader? But…

"Ryuuji's right. Normally I'll argue as your senior, I'll be taking the role. But you've impressed me so far. You pulled us out of many tricky situations, captain. That's what your inner rebellious self decided you should be portrayed us. The captain's coat and cap signifies that. You will lead us, Joker. Though if you decide to be call Captain, we can go with that too."

"I-I'll… think about it. I'll stick with Joker for now." Masumi pulled her cap below her hair line a little to hide her blush but she quickly diverted the topic.

"So, what about Ryuuji?"

"Huh… Well, I got some ideas!"


"Careful there, Skull." Morgana warned as Ryuuji landed heavily, him apologizing as he still couldn't get the landing down right.

"Sorry, I'll get it the next time." Ryuuji apologized sheepishly while Masumi tried the door to the room. It remained unlock and unguarded as always. Their getaway route was still unknown then.

"No worries, we're still clear for now. We have to make sure they don't know this is our getaway route, Lady- er, I mean Joker." Morgana coughed to avoid his embarrassment but from Ryuuji's sly grin, he failed.

"Well, let's get to it, Mona, Joker." He drawled before following after Masumi, who just rolled her eyes as she moved towards the next room, and following that, down the corridor.

...

"Those intruders the other day were quite entertaining. However, I can't allow trash like that to ransack my castle."

The sounds of Kamoshida bellowing from the top of the huge room made Masumi want to throw caution to the wind but she held herself. The last time they had tried to throw down here, they had almost died. She wasn't going to make the same mistake twice.

"Strengthen the security! Kill them on sight! I'll reward whoever brings me their head. Oh… but if you get the girl here alive you'll get double the reward." Masumi shuddered at the lustful tone at the end while Ryuuji made an annoyed sound. Morgana remained calm as he always was, but his twitching tail showed he wasn't happy either.

"The nerve of that man…" Morgana scowled while the guards cheered.

"Praise to be King Kamoshida! Death to the intruders!"

...

"Hey Morgana, can we just beat the crap out of him and call it a day?"

"Look at all these soldiers, it'll be suicide, you don't want a repeat of what happened do you? Besides, you need him to confess. There's no point in beating him up, we have to locate his materialized wishes. We have to steal his treasure.":

"So, where is this treasure?" Ryuuji's question made Morgana hesitate but he still puffed his chest once again.

"It has to be somewhere in the depths of this castle. Let's infiltrate further in while he's out here." Morgana gestured at them to follow his lead, backtracking to take another route that would bypass the large hall.


As the group entered the room, they were fortunate enough to catch a guard alone and Masumi slid forward feet first, lashing out at it's legs before firing a shot with her gun straight between its eyes, knocking its knight-like form into its original.

The fairy like Shadow groaned dizzily as Morgana gave a thumbs-up to Masumi as he smirked.

"Nice work, Lady Masumi. Remember how I taught you how to do "Hold-Ups" and "All-Out Attacks? I'll teach you their practical uses now. It's not just useful for defeating enemies, there's another use for them."

Morgana barked out orders to surround the fairy before elaborating.

"Shadows are beings born from people's hearts, they can talk as you can remember. If you talk to them when they're cornered, you can bargain with them for either money or items. Naturally, you'll be letting them off after that. Negotiating a bargain has a better chance of scoring something great, you'll get more returns as they might drop less stuff when defeated."

"Won't the Shadows attack us after we let them go?" Masumi's concern was well-founded, they might have had defeated the Golden Knight but if they came to heads again, who knows what the outcome would be.

"Perhaps, but if you can perform a Hold-Up in the first place, you'll be able to beat them again. If they're spoiling for another fight, we can handle it, right?" Masumi conceded Morgana's point as she nodded.

...

With multiple guns(and slingshots) aimed at the helpless foe, the fairy monster groaned as it laid on the ground.

"You guys are the intruders that King Kamoshida was talking about…? It can't get worse than this… he'll execute me for failing him. So… what are you going to do with me!?"

Looks like there were only bad and worse things awaiting the fairy since she was taken down like this. Then again, if they were fighting against them it was a foregone conclusion. Masumi and her friends would win, no matter the cost.

"So cough up the goods!" Ryuuji smirked while Masumi looked on firmly while feeling a little bad, they were extorting after all. Then again, she could have just killed it…

"Huh? So you'll let me live if I just give you money?"

"That's right, whether it's items of money, hand it over and we'll let you go." Morgana chimed in but the fairy monster lowered her head.

"But, this happened so suddenly… I actually don't have anything on me now. Oh, I usually do though!"

"W-Wait, what? Oh… this isn't how I was planning this to go." Morgana looked both stumped and shocked while Ryuuji chuckled at this failure. Masumi felt even worse now, it was one thing being in the heat of combat, but to kill in cold blood was…

"I guess it can't be helped. It'll set a bad precedent if we just let you go. I will gladly take the kill for burdening Lady Masumi." Morgana raised his slingshot in response and the fairy monster panicked, waving her hands in front of her in surrender.

"I surrendered! W-Wait up! Can't we work something out? Don't kill me, please! Won't you let me go?"

The fairy targeted the weakest link in the group, Masumi as it bowed it's head repeatedly to her.

...

She hesitated upon seeing the sight of the monster begging for mercy in front of her. Although she had relished defeating or killing the Incubus monsters (they deserved every single thing they got in his opinion), perhaps a little too much in her opinion.

But killing the fairy monsters made her feel a little bad, especially when they didn't really attack her, despite it being their job. They preferred to heal the other monsters, and it was a pity they were on other sides of this battlefield.

"Please spare me!"

"Morgana's right though, we can't just let it go like this… It'll snitch to the rest!" Morgana agreed with Ryuuji, happy that the blonde was getting the hang of things but then things took a turn for the weird.

"Please, please?" Perhaps it was how the fairy monster looked pitiful and kind of cute, but Masumi found herself sighing in exasperation.

"You're the type that can't just say no, aren't you? I totally know what you feel. I'm the same!" The demeanor of the monster changed suddenly as it exclaimed. "Whoa! I feel different, something's happening!"

A faint red glow surrounded the monster even as Morgana exclaimed in shock, brandishing his sabre in worry.

"What the-! What's happening!"

...

"Oh yes, I remember now. I don't just belong with King Kamoshida, I'm an existence that drifts about in the sea of humanity's souls. My real name is, Pixie of the Lovers Arcana! From now on, I'll live on inside your heart!" Without any further warning, the fairy changed into an mask-shape, exactly the same shape as she was wearing and flew straight towards her face.

Masumi tried dodging, she really did, but she couldn't quite manage it as it homed in onto her face, or to be more specific, her mask.

"Ehh…" Her confused whine was cut off as she did feel the presence of something, or someone else share space in her mind, the void that she was used to accommodate only Medea. Or perhaps… something expanded, giving her room for Pixie, the name of the Shadow that she could now call upon.

Medea was disgruntled by the notion, but settled down soon after, feeling the uncertainty in Masumi at accepting help from an enemy.

But more allies were never a bad thing, and Pixie didn't seem hostile from what she felt. There was this certainty that she could call upon the little sprite if she wanted to that wasn't as pronounced before.

"What was that just now? What happened!" Morgana's shocked cries and how he was now jumping up in front of her up and down to gather her attention.

"I'm honestly…"

"W-What the hell was that about? The enemy just got sucked into Joker's mask!" Although Masumi was glad that her friend was able to remember to stick to their code names, he was still loud and she was still trying to put the pieces together on what happened herself.

"I wasn't expecting that either! Lady Masumi has done the impossible!" Morgana was barely suppressing his voice as Masumi shook off the cobwebs in her mind to clear her thoughts.

"I think I got a new mask, or ally? Her name is Pixie." Masumi explained but was cut off when an armored guard walked past the open doorway.

"Intruders!? Halt!" It groaned out at them before charging forward, dispersing into it's composite forms to face the Phantom Thieves.

...

"They found us! And we're fighting goats? Seriously?" Ryuuji asked incredulously while taking a swing at the monsters trampling the room in their bid to attack them.

"Goats from hell, Ryuuji! They are still Shadows, take them seriously!" Morgana yelled while Masumi engaged in a dance between horn and her dagger as she engaged with one of the demon goats head on.

Still, the voice of Pixie inside her called to be released, for her to be useful and she accepted the call for release of Pixie, feeling her body change in response as she took over the spot that Medea would usually occupy.

The discontent rumbling from Medea continued even as Pixie offered a new avenue of attack that wasn't there previously.

"Zio!" At the cry of the command, Pixie's form materialized before her just like Medea would and fired off a bolt of lightning that stunned the demon goat in its tracks.

"Is that the Shadow from earlier!? Don't tell me, Lady Masumi you took in itsappearance and powers as a Persona? I thought that's not possible!"

Despite Morgana's denial, Masumi changed her target and shot off another bolt towards the other goat from hell, stunning them.

"Alright, let's see if it was just a fluke…"


"I'm no Shadow from this place, I used to be livin' in the sea of the human soul! From now on, call me Bicorn. I am of the Hermit Arcana." As the enemy turned into a mask and was accepted into Masumi, Morgana couldn't deny it further.

"Holy… does that mean you can wield multiple Personas?"

Despite Ryuuji's shock, he waited patiently for Morgana to explain the unexpected situation as Masumi stayed quiet, her eyes furrowed as she tried to block out the voices of Pixie and Unicorn. It was starting to be a crowd.

"She sealed the enemy's appearance and powers into his mask, and made it his new Persona. I've never seen anyone do that before… didn't even know it was possible!" Morgana looked at Masumi with new light, impressed and wary while she smiled awkwardly.

"Is this a good thing?"

"Of course it is. Only one heart exists in a person, so normally a person can only have one Persona!" He lectured Masumi sternly but his features lit up soon after. "But this, this is incredible! That ability will give us a huge advantage in battle!"

Masumi understood, and so did Ryuuji as he scratched his chin in contemplation.

"This is like those RPG games we play, Masumi can use lightning now together with whatever Medea can use right? That's really cool." Morgana nodded as he cheered her on.

"Alright, try to do that even more if the opportunity arises. It's never a bad thing to have more options. Let's all give Lady Masumi more opportunities to do so."

Although Masumi felt Medea got a little ticked off at how Ryuuji described her attacks, she settled down soon after. Medea's temper was as good or bad as her own. But then again, she was her after all.

"Lady Masumi, my sincere apologies for underestimating your worth. You really are something special." Morgana bowed deeply to Masumi before gesturing her towards the now open door to continue their infiltration.


Kamoshida's Castle

...

As the group advanced through Kamoshida's castle, what became quickly apparent was the quality of the guards that he has was… disappointing to say the least.

Besides that armored knight on horse that had defeated them (Masumi wasn't going to let that happen again), all they met were the same monsters, with one or two notable exception.

...

"Get this plant offf me-!" Morgana cried out in frustration as a Mandrake adamantly refused to let go of Morgana when it landed a flying kick to his cheek. The Mandrake had then decided to latch on for safety while it's brethren was defeated around it.

It had taken some serious concentration as she was too amused by him flailing about to get a clear shot, a bullet between its eyes took care of the Mandrake.

Though Morgana's pride did take a serious hit as he scowled at Ryuuji for laughing his ass off during the entire time.

...

"Wow why is a mascot character doing here?" Ryuuji asked in confusion as they spotted a Pyro Jack, a relatively well known mascot of a gaming company, as one of their enemies.

"It's weak to ice, right? Or- HEY!" Ryuuji sputtered angrily as Morgana despatched it easily with Zorro, the burst of green wind below it scattering it to the four winds.

"Why did you do that!?"

"It's an enemy, duh!"

...

Well, at least the boys were having fun? Even Masumi felt more liberated and carefree, even if she knew it was incredibly dangerous. Morgana's healing spell had aided them more then a few times when Ryuuji expanded his energy while putting his body on the line. But she couldn't let the fear of failure distract her and she put in her all to end the enemies quickly, but viciously.

Medea's encouragement only made it easier for her to indulge in the high of battle, and Masumi wondered if this was who she was? Someone who got excited at the possibility of violence.

She really didn't want to know the answer to that.

...

"This is a safe room isn't it?" Ryuuji asked as he recognized the haze surrounding the door that they had just encountered. Masumi nodded in agreement as Morgana concurred.

"We can discuss our strategy on how to proceed inside. There's lot of places even I don't know about in there. We can take stock of your new allies too, Lady Masumi."

Around half an hour in and it felt like a lifetime, but Masumi agreed with taking a small break.

"Let's take a breather then, I know I need it. How big is this castle anyway?"


Kamoshida's Castle: Entrance

...

"This is that place from earlier!" Ann cried out loud in both surprise and glee while Shiho paled, this was not going to end well. She could just sense it.

"... what's up with this app anyway? I just said the words Sakamoto said, and I ended up here. At least we got here now, right?" Ann beamed at Shiho while her friend just wanted to scream at her for doing such a reckless thing. Taking a deep breath, Shiho tried to persuade her to leave by tugging on her sleeve.

"This is a bad idea, Ann… let Masumi-chan and Sakamoto-kun do it by themselves? They… we're not prepared like them."

"Nonsense, how dangerous could it be?" Shiho couldn't believe it, Ann just jinxed it all and before she could even groan in exasperation, and further proof that the world hated her, the sounds of approaching footsteps greeted them.

"Princess!?


"Aren't there even more Shadows here than before? Just getting here has been difficult…" Ryuuji sighed in exasperation while Morgana looked at Masumi expectantly.

"Even if that's true, we have to do this. That's just the way it is. You want to get back at Kamoshida too don't you?" Masumi's words didn't disappoint Morgana and he smirked as Ryuuji nodded in acceptance.

"I guess, I'm sorry for being a wet blanket. I should be happy I can do this again, running I mean. But it's also been a while."

"Well partly it's because we provoked Kamoshida. Still, he seems to be awfully on guard this time." Morgana replied while scratching his head.

"Anyway, how are we supposed to steal that treasure, Mona?"

"We would have to first locate where the treasure is located, then we secure an infiltration route." Ryuuji's qestion made Morgana smirk before explaining, leaving the simplification to Masumi.

"Basically a route that allows us to get to the treasure without them finding out."

"Exactly. But we might need a little more manpower to accomplish this. But beggars can't be choosers, it'll be great if we have one more person." Morgana sighed but Masumi shook her head.

Her words were still valid, they had to get this done, one less person or not.

"Just don't tire yourself out too much, Koker. Having one more person would be ideal, but we'll make do."

"You sure are confident in this, Mona. You don't have your memories, but why do you remember this?" Ryuuji teased while Morgana smirked back at him.

"Well, it all goes to show that sometimes talent and experience trumps all. I just hope that I can return to being a human when this is all over."

"I'm sure you will." Masumi's words cheered Morgana up while Ryuuji flashed a thumbs up at him as well.

...

"Still, why was the princess in such an odd place? And for the play thing to be with her too." The sounds of guards walking by passed by the door, but it was what they said that made Masumi stiffen.

"I could have sworn we were pursuing the readings of an intruder. It doesn't matter now, we must take her back to King Kamoshida."

"Princess… don't tell me… ugh." Ryuuji caught on quickly this time while Morgana groaned, him spotting Masumi's hands clenching together in anger. He knew she was beyond pissed again. He would have to mitigate the fallout quickly.

"C'mon, let's follow her and get Lady Ann and Lady Shiho out. It seems likely that they did get the same app as the two of you."

"We let her out for her own safety, and she came back in by herself…" Ryuuji groaned while Masumi shook her head.

"She's frustrated, and we were definitely doing something to get at Kamoshida… I think, I understand why she's here. We didn't exactly explain much to her." Masumi sighed. "But knowing Ann and what we were probably going to do, I can't say that it would have mattered. She'll have came back eventually. And Shiho was probably brought along by accident while trying to stop her."

"I guess…" Ryuuji agreed in the end, but then he smirked. "Well, now we got the last member at least. Let's get the two of them before they gets into more trouble."

"Aye aye, you got the right idea. We got to get to her before both of them gets taken to Kamoshida."

...

"Is this some kind of filming!? Who's in charge here!" Ann's voice in the room made it easy to know where she was, and Masumi sighed in relief. At least she sounded fine still.

The guards that were patrolling the way towards the dining room was despatched without mercy, although Masumi did manage to recruit a Pyro Jack into their midst, much to Ryuuji's delight. Even so, the name difference came as somewhat of a shock.

"Jack o' Lantern? Well, you can't expect it to be the same all the time." Masumi remarked before charging towards another guard, ignoring the spluttering and confused Ryuuji as she launched herself at another guard.

"W-Wait up, it's dangerous like this!"

"It will be if we don't move quickly, were in a hurry here!" Morgana chided as he followed Masumi's lead. "Speed is the key! We can't let them figure out that we're taking down the guards one by one!"

Morgana grinned as he saw what Masumi did, switching Personas to take out the enemy by taking advantage of the enemy's weakness.

...

"Look, I'll apologize for touching the armor without permission!"

"I don't think that's really the problem, Ann… oh my god..."

The voices of her two friends was audible behind the next door, and it was only Morgana standing on her shoulder that stopped her from kicking the door in and bursting into the scene.

"Shiho shouldn't even be here! Shit." Ryuuji swore while Masumi looked at Morgana, who nodded his head.

"Well, we're done patching up. We're good as we can be. We have to get Lady Ann and Lady Shiho out of here." Morgana then winked at Masumi. "A quick snatch and grab would do. It doesn't sound too crowded there."

"If only it'll be that easy. I'll be prepared for a fight." Ryuuji deadpanned while Masumi chuckled, switching to Medea's powers even as her true self practically vibrated with anticipation.


Kamoshidas Castle: Dining Hall

...

"What's all this about!? Seriously, I'm going to call the cops!" Ann threatened while being strung up by chains in a Saint Andrew's Cross.

"Ann… please…" Shiho begged beside her, being held in the same manner. She wasn't struggling, she had given up after seeing all the possibilities to escape disappear with the wind when they were chained up like this.

"So… this is the intruder."

A familiar voice made the two of them look up, and they both recoiled in disgust.

"Kamoshida!?" Their PE teacher walked towards them casually, dressed only in a red robe topped with a crown on top of his head. The girls didn't want to know what Kamoshida was wearing below as it was thankfully covered.

The long and hairy leg hairs were disgusting enough.

"!? Wh-" Ann wa speechless at the next arrival, herself, only dressed in a skimpy red bikini while wearing cat ears. It made her face flush in embarrassment even as Shiho gaped at the sight as well.

"Y-You, what is this place, why's the school turned into something like this!? And what's that?" Ann couldn't help but ask about her doppelganger while Shiho's just stayed quiet, swallowing in fear.

Ann was brave but clueless, or was that just an act? For Shiho however she was just praying instead of resisting, there was nothing she could do that could help after all.

"I can't believe you worthless fools mistook my Ann for someone like her. She's so uncouth, noisy… and besides. I prefer a more… docile, pet." Kamoshida licked his lips as one hand came up to tickle the doppelganger's chin, making it giggle.

"Disgusting…" Ann recoiled but Kamoshida's attention wasn't on Ann, rather it was on Shiho.

"Oh, but it seems one of you got the right attitude. I guess my plaything will always be my plaything. Having two of you instead of one at my feet would be a nice change." Kamoshida leered at Shiho even as she closed her eyes in resignation, causing Ann to snap as she snarled at Kamoshida.

"Leave her alone, you creep! Haven't you done enough! Shiho isn't your play thing!"

"Oh but she is, she knows what to do to stay alive, don't you, play thing? Unlike you… you disgust me with your words. Girls should be obedient little things waiting for my favor." Kamoshida sneered before nodding to one of the knights, who pulled out a sword immediately.

"Are you afraid?"

"Have you lost your mind?" Ann cried out in horror while Shiho's eyes widened in shock.

"No, please… don't hurt Ann… And Ann, stop it, stop it!" Shiho whimpered while Ann continued the loud and verbal lashing at Kamoshida.

"You piece of shit- don't think you can get away with this!" Ann ignored Shiho's pleas for her to stop provoking Kamoshida but the two stopped speaking when Kamoshida roared in laughter, slamming his hands against his lap even as the Ann doppelganger wrapped her hands around his waist.

...

"I do as I please here. After all, this is my castle, the world of my desires." He leered as he kissed the doppelganger before grinning at the flabbergasted Ann. "And I do whatever I want with them." A hand reached out to slap at the doppelganger's ass before reaching between the bikini bottom.

"What the-!? Wait, is this some red-light district!? What are you doing in the open! Stop using my face for your sick fantasies!" Ann's indignation was matched with horror as the doppelganger moaned quite loudly, enjoying the treatment.

"N-No!" Shiho's outburst made Ann turn to her, and she bit her lip had as she saw Shiho clenching her eyes tight while crying out in denial.

It was triggering bad memories in Shiho and Ann can't have that!

"Enough, stop this!" She cried again as Kamoshida frowned at her, stopping his fondling of his "Princess" as he scowled.

"What a noisy slave."

"This isn't funny! Enough of this bullshit! Let us go, Kamoshida! Who do you think you are! You can't do this to us! We don't belong to you!" Ann was thrashing about now, kicking as well as swinging her arms as hard as she could to get free.

"This girl decided to tell me off. What do you think of that?" Kamoshida's question was directed at the doppelganger who was now on her knees beside Kamoshida, her hands caressing his legs.

"Talking back, is like totally unforgivable you know?" The doppelganger Ann sounded nothing like Ann, but more thrashy and accent-ed. It was obvious that Kamoshida's preferred woman with no personality but with bodies instead.

"Hah, well said. In that case… she should executed. I like the play thing's screams. Maybe we should do that in front of her." Kamoshida considered even as another Knight, this time one that's twice the size of the others marched forward at his unspoken command.

"Now then, how should I play with you? Shall I tear you into little pieces?"

"Are you se- no, no…" Ann finally realized the seriousness when the knight produced a heavy broadsword that was almost as thick as her waist, brandishing it menacingly at her.


"This is fucked up." Ryuuji, Captain Obvious and Captain Kidd muttered as they entered the dining room. Or perhaps a den of sin as the three of them were greeted by hazy figures of faceless woman in swimsuits scattered all around the place.

"Is this what he thinks of the girls on the volleyball team…!?"

"Or the entire school." Masumi muttered darkly, the rage she felt igniting again while Morgana snarled something as well.

"Focus, Joker, Skull, we got them dead in our sights!" Morgana pointed to their 3 o'clock, a gathering of knights and Kamoshida. Right in the center of the gathering were Ann and Shiho.

"Ann, Shiho!" Masumi cried out as she charged forward, guns ablazing together with Ryuuji. They had to gather their attention while Morgana attempted to get the two girls out.

"Just when I was about to start enjoying myself- you dare!" Kamoshida growled in frustration and outrage when Masumi shot the doppelganger of Ann right between her eyes again, causing her to fade away even as Ann and Shiho shrieked at the sound of the gun.

"Masumi-chan!?" Their cries of shock were drowned out by the knights mobilizing to place themselves between them and Kamoshida.

"How many times are you going to return!? You are like rats! I bet you're just like those thieves. You came because you're pissed at me, huh?"

"You bet I am! You're not going to get away with all this! Hurting Shiho, and hurting Ann like this!" Ryuuji cried out while Masumi restrained herself. She could lash out at him verbally as well, but Kamoshida had always hated Ryuuji. His distraction would be more effective. No, she had to rein it in so she could keep a careful look out in case they meeded to make a hasty retreat.

"Hmph, I get to do what I want to her, or to anyone else in school. Perhaps she should have jumped. That way her sacrifice won't be in vain, would it?" Kamoshida chuckled before turning to Ann.

"You were so reluctant to throw yourself onto me that I had to take her in your place. Pity… she wasn't as good as I thought you'll be. But I suppose she'll do, she's okay, and she didn't fight back in the end."

Kamoshida chuckled in amusement as Ann looked to Shiho in guilt, to see her friend crying inconsolably at the revelation in this way. Shiho had given up in the end, but it was all for Ann.

"You-" Ryuuji was about to charge forward when the golden knight from before raised his broadsword up in the air.

"Take one more step and I'll kill her on the spot." Ryuuji hesitated but Kamoshida leered when he did as he was told, looking anxiously at Ann.

"Just sit back and enjoy the dismemberment show."

"You're going to kill her anyway!" Ryuuji howled in anger but Kamoshida's features change to one that could be described as lusty, causing another standoff in the situation. Ryuuji was getting frustrated at how Kamoshida was going off tangent at the most oddest of all times. But he was stalling for time, so-

"Maybe I'll start with her clothes."

As Ryuuji blanched and Masumi fumed, clenching her fist in anger, she too looked subtly at Morgana. The latter was taking position stealthily to get to the back of the cross like structure that was holding Ann and Shiho down. They had a plan, and they had to stick to it. But their distraction wasn't exactly working out now! Masumi had to believe that Ann had the spirit she knew her friend had.

...

"Is, this my punishment for what happened to you, Shiho? I… I didn't even… I couldn't even protect you even though I wanted to. You must hate me. I'm such a worthless friend." As the broadsword was raised on top of her, Ann couldn't help but feel despair over the fear.

Shiho wasn't responding, she was still crying but at her words, Shiho looked up at Ann before her eyes widened in realization.

"N-No, that's not it, I, I never hated you for this, i-it's not your fault."

"That's more like it, you should have given up yourself to me first. That way, no one would have gotten hurt." Kamoshida leered even as the rest could only watch with gritted teeth.

"Are you going to let him get away like this?"

At least, that's what Kamoshida thought as Masumi strode forward, a gun pointed straight at the paling Kamoshida.

"I'm not going to give up. And you two shouldn't too." Masumi loudly, stunning all of them as Kamoshida sweated. He had thought his threats would get them to stop.

"Make a move, and I'll blow your king's brains out. You're going to kill her anyway, so let's see who kills faster." Masumi's confident smirk made Ann gape before she nodded slowly.

Masumi's not giving up, and so, she shouldn't either. She shouldn't be pulling them back, and she was here to get back at Kamoshida wasn't she? So what was she doing like this!?

"You're right. Letting this piece of shit toy with me… What was I even thinking!"

"Shut up you slave! Kill-" The bullet struck Kamoshida's crown, toppling it even as Masumi's fingers rested on the trigger.

"Make my day, give me an excuse again, Kamoshida."

"SHUT UP!" Ann's defiant cry stunned the knights, Kamoshida included while Ryuuji grinned in anticipation as well. Masumi had called their bluff and Kamoshida that coward was giving them a chance to end this here and then.

"I've had enough of this. I'm going to get back at you for what you did to Shiho, and make sure no one will end up like her again! I'll protect her no matter what!"

...

"My… it's taken far too long."

A woman's voice pierced Ann's consciousness despite her entire body being wrecked with pain. She cried out in agony, but although it hurt, it felt right somehow. The moment she made that declaration, it was as if her entire body was engulfed in flames, but those flames were liberating her as well..

"Tell me… who is going to avenge her if you don't?"

The woman, which sounded like a woman in her thirties, whispered into her ears.

"Forgiving him was never the option."

Ann agreed, she had never planned to. She wanted him to suffer.

"Such is the scream of the other you that dwells within…"

She hadn't wanted to tell anyone, less of all Shiho but she wanted to, so desperately. Shiho had given up, but she hadn't.

"I am thou, thou art I…"

That voice, was it hers after all?

"We can finally forge a contract…"

"I hear you, Carmen." Her name, the woman's name that promised her the power to enact vengeance made Ann smile.

"You're right, no more holding back!" Something formed around her face but Ann felt power surging in her, she felt strong and powerful all of a sudden.

"A Persona user! As I suspected!" Another voice just behind her made Ann turn around and she saw a black cat thing brandishing a sabre that sliced her free.

"Nothing can be resolved by restraining yourself. Understood? I'll gladly lend you my strength."

The voice chuckled as Ann stood proudly once again in front of her captors, gripping the mask that she wore and ripped it off of her to release the pent up power like Carmen instructed.

...

Similar to Ryuuji, Ann was surrounded by power the moment she ripped off her mask. Power was leaking, surging and blowing all about the place, scattering the knights as a female figure dressed in a long pink gown manifested behind Ann. The figure hovered in place, content to stay there smugly even as two other smaller, but unmistakably collared male figures hung around her helplessly.

"Now get him."

At the corner of her eyes, she saw her feline ally release Shiho and Ann dashed forward, kicking the sword of a knight free, grabbing it in mid air and tossing it straight at Kamoshida. Masumi-chan had reacted as well, landing several shots into the confused knights before charging in, a dagger at hand. Even Ryuuji was attacking, slamming what appeared to be a pipe that twisted the head of a knight with his brute force alone.

The sword that Ann threw was only stopped by that golden knight just in the nick of time while Ann glared at him. He had escaped death but not for long.

"You know what? I'm not some cheap girl you can just toy with me. I won't let you do that, not me nor my friends." Ann was aware that she was wearing something completely different, but she didn't care as knights fell around her, courtesy of Masumi and Sakamoto as she straightened her back once again. Instead, her hands clenched around something more appropriate, gathering her strength to will it into being like Carmen told her to.

"You hurt Shiho, you wanted to steal everything from her. You won't get away for this…. I'm going to do that to you back!"

Ann slammed her whip down in front of her as she exclaimed, no, asserted as a fact.

"I will rob you of everything."

...

"How dare you! Enough of your insolence!" Kamoshida's order was loud, but he was nervous as he sweated buckets, taking steps back while her group advanced.

The golden knight guarding him manifested into another Shadow, one that was sitting on a toilet bowl of all things. Fitting that a disgusting man would have a disgusting monster as his ally. Together with Masumi-chan and Sakamoto who had her back, Ann felt like she could take on the world. Nothing was going to stop her now!

"No, I'm the one that had enough of you! Let's go, Carmen!"