Ren: Hello. Welcome back to Persona V: Reversing the Wheels of Fate And we are coming up on our first major change in this new timeline so I hope you guys are prepared so sit back, relax and enjoy the show!

Ryuji: Showtime!

Persona V: Reversing the Wheel of Fate
Chapter Nine

"Ah man! I love Ichiran's!" Ryuji said as he slurped down his ramen quickly.

"I don't eat Ramen often but this place does have delicious ramen," Ann followed up as she ate a little more modestly than Ryuji.

"Itadakimasu," Both Ren and Shiho whispered quietly before they began to dig in.

The group of four found themselves at Ichiran Shibuya, a favorite restaurant of Ryuji's due to Shiho, Ann and Ren not having a clear idea of what they wanted to eat.

"I can't believe you broke that asshole's nose RenRen," Ryuji said with a grin on his face as he looked to Ren.

Ren looked at Ryuji with narrowed eyes and repeated "RenRen?"

"Damn right," Ryuji replied.

"Alright then Moto-chan," Ren replied with a smile before swallowing some noodles.

"Oh fuck you," Ryuji said with a laugh.

"Moto-chan," Ann added with a giggle.

"Awww I hate you for making that nickname," Ryuji said.

"Right back at you," Ren replied as he raised his bowl. Ryuji raised his as well and the two males shared a smile and tapped their bowls together before taking another slurp of their ramen, much to the sudden confusion of the two females.

"But back to the topic of him. I wasn't trying to break his nose. That was just an added bonus," Ren said after swallowing more noodles. "I was primarily trying to embarrass him by showing him he wasn't all that. Think I might have went overboard?"

"No way," Shiho exclaimed. "Kamoshida deserved that and more," She then lowered her head and whispered "I wish he could have gotten more…"

"I'm sure his life is going to get a whole lot worse," Ren said to her. "Just gotta have faith."

Shiho nodded and gave him a small smile.

"So Amamiya-san. Why don't you tell us about yourself?" Shiho asked.

"Ah, there's not much to tell really," Ren replied. "I was Captain of the Volleyball team and Student council president at my old school. I love cheesy westerns and I have a penchant for being a smartass at the worst moments. I also have a natural love for jazz and blues. What about you?"

"A-Ah," Shiho stammered, surprised at the sudden spotlight she felt on her. "W-Well I enjoy Volleyball of course. I like art but I really love to sing."

"You sing?" Ren asked.

"Y-Yes," Shiho said happily.

"I've always wanted to sing. What type of songs do you sing?" Ren questioned.

"I'm m-more into metal and pop," Shiho replied.

"Metal? That's pretty cool. I wasn't expecting that," Ren said with a grin.

Shiho flushed and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and said "Funny to say, I'm really enjoying Motörhead, Metallica and Babymetal right now. As well as Kurono Kiria and Oribe Tsubasa of Fortuna Entertainment."

"That is a diverse range of taste," Ren said, which caused Shiho to blush. "Although that is not a bad thing in my book. Makes you all the more interesting to me."

"I-I do try," Shiho replied, her blush deepening. She reached over and took a sip of her soda to try and cool herself off and once she did, she looked to Ren and asked "So, w-what was your old school like?"

"Hey Ann, why don't we go sit over there for a spell?" Ryuji suggested with a whisper.

Ann looked confused for a moment before he quickly looked to Ren and Shiho then back to her. Ann's eyes lit up in realization before she nodded and the two silently moved away, leaving Ren and Shiho alone.

"It was great honestly. The teachers really take an interest in your life and help you if you're struggling. The students are some of the brightest there are. Sure, you got your assholes here and there but since it's a small town, most of us had grown up together so we all knew each other."

"It sounds like a very warm and tightknit community," Shiho said.

"It is…I miss it truthfully," Ren said. "Things are so much different than here…I'm different here…" Ren replied, his voice taking on a solemn tone.

Shiho took a deep breath and leaned over and placed her hand on top of Ren's causing the teen to look at her in surprise.

"You're homesick," Shiho stated.

"I guess I am…" Ren replied before shaking his head with a smile and asked "Enough about me. What is your favorite food?"

Shiho narrowed her eyes at his clear deflect but decided to let it go and reply "As of today, this ramen."

"Right, this place as some delicious ramen," Ren replied.

After moving away from Shiho and Ren to two empty seats on the other end of the restaurant, Ann watched on as Shiho and Ren spoke and let a smile appear on her face when she noticed Shiho's wide smile. "It must be cool to see her so happy," Ryuji said to her with a small grin on his face.

"Yeah…" Ann replied. "It's really something. She's been so miserable for a long time. I have to cherish her smile whenever I get the chance."

"You must really care for her," Ryuji noted.

"I do…I can't explain it but it's like she's my soulmate. Not in the sense of being lovers or anything like that but…Ah it's stupid," Ann finished lamely.

"Nah, I don't think so," Ryuji said. "I kinda understand what you mean and that's pretty cool."

"You think so?" Ann asked.

Ryuji nodded as his sipped his soda.

"Heh, thanks for understanding Ryuji," Ann said with a smile on her face.

Ryuji gave a shrug and a smile.

"I've been meaning to ask, what do you think of all of this? I mean, that weird place, Ren's powers, Morgana, Kamoshida?" Ann asked him.

"Eh, Kamoshida sucks dick," Ryuji said bluntly. "At first, I thought it was all freaky but after getting Captain Kidd, it's kind of cool. It's like I have my own Stand."

"Wait, you have one too?" Ann asked in surprise.

"Yeah. Captain Kidd is his name. Electricity is his game," Ryuji replied cheekily. "It was pretty fucking weird too. I remember Kamoshida hitting me with some stone cold words. Then I was in some black void and a clone of myself hit me with some hard truths. I accepted them and when I came back, I had a Persona."

"Whoa…That's pretty neat. I wonder if I'll ever get one…" Ann murmured.

"Who knows? Maybe everyone has the ability to get one. They just have to have special trigger to get the ball rolling," Ryuji said. "If somehow you manage to do it then it'll confirm that theory."

"But that would mean dealing with that castle…I'm not sure if I would want one," Ann said with a sneer.

"Haha, right?" Ryuji replied. "That place is fucking creepy. And to finish your question off, Morgana is pretty cool cat. Pardon the pun. Truth be told, he thinks he's a human and despite the cat body, I'm kinda believing he is."

"You just say that because you adore cats," Ann teased.

"Shuddap," Ryuji replied with a small blush, making Ann giggle.

"Glad to see that hasn't changed…" Ann said softly.

"Yeah, I'm still the same Ryuji from back then," Ryuji said. "A little bitter than before but I'm still the same."

"No…Something has changed about you but it's a very positive change…" Ann replied softly.

Ryuji and Ann stared at each other for a moment before they both looked away with faint blushes on their faces. "I-I just remembered that I have to get to bed early," Ann said.

"Oh cool, cool. Want me to walk you home?" Ryuji asked.

"I'd like that," Ann answered

"Heh, cool," Ryuji replied.

The pair then smiled, despite still looking away from one another.

"Thanks so much for the dinner Shiho, it tasted great," Ryuji said with a smile.

The four friends were now outside the ramen restaurant, Ren and Shiho standing side by side and Ryuji and Ann standing across from them. "I'm glad you suggested the place. It has the best tasting ramen around," Shiho replied.

"So we'll see you guys tomorrow, alright?" Ann asked.

"Of course," Ren replied. "I'll make sure Shiho gets home safely."

Shiho squeaked in surprise and stammered out "You want t-to w-walk me h-home?"

"Of course. Unless yo-" Ren began.

"I'd like that!" Shiho interrupted before she blushed and looked down. "I-I mean…If you like…"

"I'd like that as well," Ren said softly before he looked to Ann and Ryuji and said "We'll see you guys tomorrow."

"Alright then. Later Shiho, RenRen," Ryuji said as he turned away and began to walk, slipping his hands into his pockets as Ann gave Shiho a brief but tight hug before jogging after Ryuji.

"He knew I was about to call him Moto-chan again," Ren whispered to Shiho, who giggled before they turned and began to walk away.

But had they been watching their surroundings, they would have seen familiar silver car with four figures in it begin to follow Ren and Shiho.

After a brief train ride, Ren and Shiho found themselves walking down an alleyway where her front door was, both of them laughing.

"And that is how my mom met my dad," Ren finished.

"I can't believe that was how they met, her destroying his car thinking it was her cheating ex's," Shiho followed up with a small giggle.

"Well, at least he knew to never cheat on her, less his car be ruined," Ren added.

Seeing Shiho stop in front of a door, Ren turned and looked at the door and then her and asked "So I guess this is your stop?"

"This is me," Shiho replied. "I-I had a great time tonight Amamiya-san…You were a perfect gentleman."

"Ah shucks, I'm glad you had fun. I did too. Maybe sometime we can do it again," Ren replied.

"I-I-I'd like that," Shiho said, her eyes brimming with happiness.

"Well then ma'am, I bid you goodnight," Ren said as he gave a sweeping bow, which made Shiho snort and then giggle.

Shiho walked up the stairs to her door and unlocked it before she turned around and said "Goodnight Ama…no…Goodnight Ren-kun," before she blushed and walked into her home, leaving a satisfied Ren staring after her.

"Wow, she seemed super happy," Morgana's voice rang out, causing Ren to jump in alarm before he swiveled around to face the amused cat, who was sitting on a balcony above him.

"Can you give me some sort of warning next time Morgana?" Ren asked.

"Yeah, Yeah. So enjoy your date?" Morgana asked.

Ren let a small blush appear on his face at the word "date" and replied "It wasn't a date. It was just two friends hanging out."

"Riiiiight and I'm a cat," Morgana replied before he leapt down and landed on Ren's shoulder and added "I know what you're going to say and shut up."

Ren smirked and gave Morgana's head a small rub, which caused Morgana to duck his head with an embarrassed whine but Ren could feel the slight purr against his shoulder. "Anything happen with Shiho before she came to school?" Ren asked.

"No idea. It's hard to spy on someone when I can't look into their window. However, she did get to school okay," Morgana replied.

"Alright. I want you to keep looking out for her. I have a feeling something terrible is going to occur and I don't want that to happen. Not to her," Ren told him with a concerned frown on his face.

"Sure, I can do that but you so owe me one," Morgana replied with a smile.

"Anything you want buddy," Ren retorted.

"Good. Back on my watch I go," Morgana said before he leapt off of Ren's shoulder and landed back on the balcony above him.

"Thanks!" Ren exclaimed before he walked down the alleyway to get back onto the street but without warning, a hand reached out from the shadows grabbed him from behind and covered his mouth.

Ren struggled as hard as he could as a teen stepped out in front him. From the clothes, he knew that the teen went to Shujin but there was a medical mask covering his lower face.

"We're so sorry man," The black haired student said. "He forced us to do this…"

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the glint of a knife being flicked out and panic immediately filled his veins. With a muffled shout, he lifted his legs off the ground and kicked the teen in front of him in the chest, sending him stumbling backwards, making him drop the knife.

Thanks to the force of the kick, the second teen that held Ren from behind stumbled backwards and collided against the wall hard enough to loosen his old on Ren's body.

Ren quickly tried to run but the first teen had made it to his feet and pulled Ren back by his jacket and slammed his fist into the back of Ren's head, sending Ren to the ground.

The second teen walked and picked Ren up into a full nelson and said "This'll be over quick. Just stop fighting it!"

"Easy for you to say!" Ren shouted before he adjusted his leg and reared it backwards sharply, nailing the second teen in the balls hard, causing the teen to loosen his hold and wail in agony.

Ren stumbled forward and was about to run again when the first teen's arm dart forward and it was then Ren felt a cold steel enter his right side, causing his eyes to widen in both terror and pain.

Ren staggered backwards and looked down at the knife and let a shaky gasp as he pulled the knife out of his side.

It was drenched with his blood…

"We're sorry man…" The teen repeated before he and his accomplice ran off, leaving Ren in the alleyway, clutching at his bleeding wound. He had to get help…he had to search as fast as he could.

Despite the immense pain, Ren pushed himself to his feet and stumbled out into the sidewalk, his vision blurring with each step he took.

He leaned against the building as his breathing became shallow. He was so exhausted. The energy he had been able to summon up was slowly slipping through his fingers like his blood. He could see people spare him a curious glance but no one bothered to help him.

'Damn it…Kamoshida was behind this. I know it,' Ren thought.

He had to warn Ryuji…

Pushing himself off the building, leaving a smear of blood on the building wall, Ren slowly walked until he found a bench and sat down on it, being too weak to even stand.

He pulled out his phone and saw his phone was on barely one bar of power and swore mentally. 'Shit…Gotta make this count…' Ren thought while he dialed Ryuji's number and held it to his ear.

'P-Please answer…I don't know how long I'll be able to hang on…'

"Thanks again for walking me home Ryuji. I really appreciate it," Ann said with a kind smile as she turned around and looked down at him from the stairs in front of her home.

Ryuji stood on the sidewalk with a small grin on his face and replied with "No problem Takamaki. We're friends after all. Besides, I was worried that Kamoshida might pull something on you."

"Still, its very sweet of you. So…I'll see you tomorrow?" Ann asked before she rolled her eyes and said "Duh, I'll see you tomorrow."

"Of course. You think I'm going to skip school when things have been interesting?" Ryuji joked before he grew silent.

"So…I'll see you tomorrow," Ann said before she turned around to her door.

"Wait!" Ryuji suddenly exclaimed, which caused Ann to look back at him curiously. "Would you…I dunno…mind if I meet you here tomorrow morning so we can go to school…together?" Ryuji asked her with a nervous tone in his voice.

Ann couldn't help but smile, her cheeks reddening very faintly as she replied "Sure…I'd like that."

"AWE-I mean…Awesome," Ryuji replied with a smile. "So uh…I'll see-"

"Oh oh oh - I just want to see you smile

Oh oh oh - If only for a little while!"

Ryuji dug into his pocket and pulled it out and said "It's Ren…"

"Ren? I wonder what he's calling about," Ann said as she walked down the steps to stand in front of Ryuji. "Answer it."

"Oh oh oh - Let the music put you in a trance

Oh oh oh - Come on and pump and do the Jamaican da-" "Yo RenRen, what's up?" Ryuji asked once he answered the phone.

"K-Kaa…" Ren's voice replied, sounding weak.

"Yo Ren, you alright man?" Ryuji asked.

"Hurt…Someone…sent by Kamoshida…be..care…." Ren replied before Ryuji heard the phone drop onto the ground and then it went dead.

"Shit…That didn't sound good," Ryuji said. "Ren was hurt."

"Ren was attacked? What about Shiho?!" Ann exclaimed.

"He didn't say. He sounded really weak but before the call went down," Ryuji explained. "Text Shiho and see if she's okay."

Ann nodded and quickly pulled out her phone and texted. After a few seconds, Ann said "Ren just dropped her off ten minutes ago. She's okay."

"That must mean he's nearby there still…Text me Shiho's address like yesterday. I need to go now," Ryuji said as he turned around and but Ann grabbed his arm.

"If Kamoshida did this…Wouldn't that mean you're in danger too?" Ann asked.

"Yeah…But I'll have to take that risk. He saved our lives. It would be bullshit to worry about myself when he's in potential danger," Ryuji said.

"I don't want to see another friend hurt…" Ann whispered.

"I know but that's a risk I'll have to take," Ryuji said before he gently removed his arm from her grasp and said "Don't forget to text me Shiho's address but after you get inside and lock yourself up."

Ann looked down at the ground for a moment before she shook her head and said "I'm not going to text you her address…because I'm going with you."

"What?!" Ryuji exclaimed.

"He saved my life too, didn't he?" Ann asked. Before Ryuji could reply, she said "It would be hypocritical for you to use that line to throw yourself into danger while I sit in the safety of my own home."

"Fine…But the minute shit starts to go down, you run," Ryuji said.

Ann nodded and together, the two ran down the sidewalk towards the direction of the nearest train station.

Makato was having a rough day.

Between the various reports the students had left fearing for their safety to those on the student council disapproving of her choice of bringing a newcomer, especially him into their fold had been a headache to her.

So much so that the student council was forcing her to either cut him loose or they would force her out of the council.

She just didn't get it. Why were they all against her for doing the right thing? He had the credentials and the knowledge due to being a student council president himself.

And besides, helping a criminal would look good on her record as she moved forward in her life and yet once again, she was met with scorn for her decisions.

Why did they despise her so much?

"You know why they despise you…" A dark voice cooed within her mind.

'Shut up!' Makoto exclaimed. She didn't know when it started but lately, this dark presence had been in the back of her mind. She tried to ignore it the best she could but then it began to speak to her, picking away at her insecurities and worries…Among speaking the truth when she didn't need that.

"All you care about are perfect marks. You don't care about those people and they know it," The voice continued. "Not to mention, they know you are shying away from investigating what Kamoshida truly is…"

'I'm not shying away! There is nothing that I can do. I am only a child!' Makoto argued but that sounded weak, even to her.

"And yet the supposed criminal cares enough to investigate…" The voice retorted.

Makoto stopped dead in her tracks at this.

The voice didn't have to tell her who she was referring to.

She was referring to the newly crowned "Bane of Shujin" Amamiya Ren.

'Of course he cares. He's trying to make himself look good,' Makoto thought, more to herself than to the voice but then she remembered his words.

"Back at Gorin, the academy I was in, the student council was looked up to by all the students that resided there. We were held by a certain standard. To help all of those in needs, which is my own personal creed. Any of my peers that went back on that was instantly expelled. No one was exempt…Not even me. I've been here a single day and noticed a lot of issues in this place. From how sad the students are to how everyone treats Kamoshida as a king. We would be fools to ignore it."

'We would be fools to ignore it…' Makoto repeated with narrowed eyes. 'Why do you care this much for people who hate you?' Makoto questioned with annoyance.

As she turned the corner to head to her apartment. She noticed something on her building wall. She leaned forward and took a sniff.

'Blood? Why is blood here?' She questioned. She then noticed that there were blood drops on the ground. She began to follow it until she saw something that stopped her heart cold. Sitting on a bench a few feet away was the object of her thoughts, with his head slumped down and his phone on the ground…

In a puddle of blood.

"Ren!"

Ann: Oh no…

Ryuji: Holy shit did that end darkly!

Morgana: What's going to happen next?!

Shiho:…Stop the show…Stop the damn show!