Zootopia x Persona 5

FURSONA 5

TALES OF THE BlUE THIEF

Chapter 10 -Boss battle and second awakening

August 29, 2017 School Roof HQ 9:00 am

Aoi opened the door leading to the school roof. He made sure to lock the door before turning around to see his team at work.

Carlos was packing some heavy stuff into his dimensional pocket utility bag (A.K.K. the Morgana bag ) Aoi could have sworn to see some toy explosives.

Emilia was rechecking her gear to make sure she had everything. Aoi saw she placed a photo of her and Cat together into her breast pocket. Probably to help motivate her through the mission.

Morgana was bringing lots of extra emergency supplies in her gear. Medicine to tactical weapons like smoke bombs, strange assortments of multicolored gem stones, a small cannon Aoi could guess as well and some extra weapons and items as well in case the team needed more physical power.

He saw his best friend currently looking through the security cameras of the school using her laptop. She hacked into the school security system to view how Aoi's calling card had affected everyone. It was then the Panther noticed our ferret standing by the door.

"Ah! Aoi-chan great job on the-eh!?" Maria panicked as she saw Aoi's torn collar shirt. She rushed straight to him as the illusion around his collar vanished. "Are you alright!? These are claw mark-"

Aoi held his friend's paw to reassure her. "Im okay Maria-chan. Like Morgana-sensei said this is all part of the plan."

Aoi's voice alerted everyone else of his presence. Especially their phantom sensei who instantly walked up to him and examined his neck."Hmm...good you dogged his claws at the last second to let him rip your collar shirt. Good job kiddo!" Morgana patted the ferret's head.

"Yo bro! Welcome back!" Carlos called out holding his bat already. "Guess you made that lion ass attack you on purpose?"

"You didn't get hit right?" Emilia said as she picked up the first aid kit next to her. "Everyone is essential to this mission Aoi!" The squirrel said smiling.

"It went according to plan so yep! Our little thief is fine! " Maria-chan teased getting a pout about his height.

"One im not that short Maria-chan. Were the same height!" Aoi pouted his reply to the laughing panther cub. "And yep all went according to plan."

"Cool!...what was the plan again?" Carlos asked honestly forgetting the plan and getting groans from the gang except Aoi who laughed nervously.

"Carlos we been through this yesterday!" Emilia complained. "You said you remembered the plan perfectly!?"

"Ehhh...sorry guys I just need a reminder." Carlos said apologetic while Morgana sighed and took a deep breath.

"Okay Carlos ill repeat it one more time so get it through your skull skunk brains!" Morgana teased getting a annoyed look from Carlos. "Okay the plan for the calling cards works like this. Part one of plan was for Aoi here to sneak through tight security of the school before the students arrive so he had to come to school very early. There Maria would hack Into the system security system and deactivate most of it allowing Aoi freedom for his mission."

"It wasn't easy though!" Maria raised her laptop to the group showing the chaos around the school. "I had to get up really early to hack into the tight security system of the school. First I shut off all the cameras that document everything coming through the halls and classrooms. The faculty offices were most difficult to hack. By Morgana's request I sent a dummy video of the empty areas all at once. A replaying video of pure nothing going on. This gave Aoi-chan a whole hour of free time to plant his calling cards Into every place that would shout out his warning. To ensure the staff wouldn't catch him or security I took the schedule of the work given to the staff from my mom and made a copy and carefully calculated where they would be around the hour Aoi was busy. I also routed all commands to the school's security computer to hide my tracks and make my mom believe someone hacked to her laptop from within the school."

"The rest of the plan involved my phantom skills now. I simply had to keep a low profile while posting my calling cards." Aoi commented remembering this morning. "Avoiding the staff was easy but the security guards seemed trained against Intruders so I used the pattern of their movement Maria-chan calculated then made me memorize to not encounter them."

"Great work on the calling cards though Aoi!" Emilia said holding a spare calling card. "The texture and design on this thing is amazing! You even have such neat handwriting! The picture you made was based of your flaming mask and Arsene top hat right? Nice match..." Emilia praised making Aoi smile.

"Yeah the warning you gave on the cards bro was sick! Talk about confidence!" Carlos commented looking at the card's warning.

"You should join the universal art club! It's for those students with great passion for drawing!" Aoi blushed now from compliments especially from his best friend. "Where did you learn to draw like this!?"

"It's nothing that great guys. I simple made one card and one poster and paid Finnick-san in advance to make copies for this day." Aoi explained looking at the same military camoflouge colored box placed next to the supply boxes Morgana brought."Besides ...Dad was -"

"Can we please move on?" Morgana asked politely but smirking getting a couple giggels from the phantom kiddos. "Yes these are well made Aoi you got a A+ from me. Back to the plan...to secure Aoi a alibi of not making or posting these cards. I placed a little of my persona energy onto them before Aoi left the cafe. Using this the cards all had the master disguise spell affect from me. So before the students arrived for classes I camoflouge them all so no one would notice them before time. To make sure none of them were taken just in case before Aoi left. Our little thief anchored them down onto the walls with his persona chains. By the way your getting better at your control kiddo im proud."

Aoi smiled and held out his paw as a steady stream of blue flames and his black persona chains emerged from the palm of his paw. "Im not sure how...but it feel natural for me to display this in reality..."

"I still cant do it...that sucks..." Carlos tried to Imitate Aoi but only his weapon vanished in blue flames before reappearing again in his paw. "That's all I can manage dudes."

"Same...my persona skill and weapons are the only things I can materialize. "Emilia whinned a little. "I can't even produce a chain in real life like Aoi could."

"Not sure maybe it just differs from mammal to mammal how much they could manipulate their persona power through conscious will." Maria said intrigues as she typed a little note about that in her laptop. "Aoi could even channel his personas into reality too so his potential must be different somehow..."

"Moving on..." Morgana sighed. "So I Aoi called home for a little rest before the time Rudolph usually wakes him. Giving him a solid alibi that he wasnt around school at the time of the posting of these calling cards since he was at the cafe with Sir Rudolph as our witness. Around 6:20 I deactivated my diguise spell on the cards making them visible too all the students who just arrived in class. This ghost like appearance was to get them shocked and scared so they would spread the rumor of the phantom thief coming to get pay back at Joshua putting classes today at a hault while teachers and staff along with Aoi's police guardians to come and keep them busy trying to solve the case moving attention towards Joshua who they already suspect and away from Aoi for the time being. Curious students are now keeping them stopping them from freely moving around campus to reach Joshua so that saves us time. The student panicking and moving around the school slows down the staff as well so Maria's mom and her fellow teachers have to focus on crowd control. So they are conveniently blocking path ways up to here or anywhere they cant keep a eye on them all giving us a perfect blind spot to work in. "

Morgana looked over the edge of the roof to see Joshua barricade himself in his newly decorated blue calling card office filled with Aoi's art work student council office as a bunch of curious or angry mammals crowded his only exit route stuck together with his council members still trying to get rid of the anchored cards... "The next part was easy. To stop Joshua from freely moving and disturbing us. To do that Aoi's little preformance was essential."

"Aoi's preformance?" Carlos and Emilia asked confused till Maria spoke up.

"Yes I calcuated where the staff that dont know about Aoi's collar would go and where the most students would be used as witnesses to this event. " Maria held out her laptop showing the videos of the event with Aoi and Joshua earlier. "First we make it seem Aoi look responsible for the cards by making him look after his cards in a calm manner. Calculating carefully where Joshua would arrive and see the cards I made Aoi move to the perfect spot to set the scene."

"Once there Aoi will try to make Joshua mad and make his tear open his collar shirt wich i disguised." Morgana smiled evily. "Seeing Aoi with a normal collar and Joshua's accusation in front of everyone made them think Joshua knew more than he lets out about the warning. This made mammals focus less on Aoi and more on Joshua being the true culprit to why the phantom thief was after him for a crime he committed. Also this will help get your so called clasmates to leave Aoi alone for a little while so call it a bonus. Last part of plan was to barricade Joshua in his own room with his entire student council and all he gifts we gave him to make students more curious about him and keep the affectiveness of the calling cards good."

Morgana smirked and picked up her sword letting it rest on her shoulder. "Now we have four major obstacles out of the way. Aoi's police guardians are over come with work, Irina Jelavic and her staff are unaware they are keeping us hidden by blocking pathways up here, Joshua is unable to cause us trouble and try to mess up our ferret and Aoi has a the perfect alibi when he is questioned later."

"Now I remember! Guess it's time to rock the palace!" Carlos said pounding his fist!

"That's right! Im going to get vengeance for what that lion did to us!" Emilia cracked her whip.

"Im just here for the adventure with my best friends! Final boss time!" Maria shouted excited anime style. She then reached into her bag full of some ear piece device and handed it to the group. "These are special transceivers I made! Use these so we can communicate as a team." Everyone took one for themselves and thanked the Panther.

"Im glad I met you kids at the palace. Your all a wonderful team so let's show them who the boss!" Morgana smirked wickedly.

Aoi smirked as his eyes glowed gold as he held his phone's metaverse navigation app. "Time for the show to start!"

Palace of Lust Treasure room

Our phantom group went through the same infiltration route as last time. Strangest things was there were no guards around to stop them along the way. The palace was deathly silent and this made Morgana command that her phantom kiddos stay on their guard. When they made it to the treasure room they were in for a big surprise.

The phantom kiddos eyes were wide open while Morgana's pupils changed into shining stars as she stared at the treasure drooling. Floating at the center of the room was giant English styled gold encrusted crown covered with various colored precious gem stones. The big problem was that...it was BIG! Huge even! It was as big as a king sized bed!

"The hell~!" Carlos gazed at the crown with hungry treasure hunter fever. Probably from his Gold Fever skill. "That thing Is freaking huge!"

"Such beauty! Oh how I waited for this day!" Morgana said eyes sparkling like a kid in a candy store.

"That is what pisses me of...why is it so pretty?" Emilia gazed at the treasure with displeasure in her mind. "This is how that jerk sees his desires?...typical."

Aoi was looking around the room a bit ignoring the crown as Maria spoke. "Well...he is a lion with a strange complex for feeling almighty...guess it's only natural his inner cognition would symbolize this..." Maria spoke disturbed by the crown as she noticed her best friend packing something away into his utility bag. "What are you doing Joker?"

"Just packing a few things for later." Aoi smiled as he looked back to the treasure. "Now time to move on with the heist...how are we-"

Aoi was cut of when they heard puuring from Morgana. They all look at their mascot sensei's direction to see her looking like she was grinning and drooling a waterfall while her eye showed sparkles almost...inappropriately as she spoke in a hoarse voice. "So shiny! So dazzling! I can't believe we finaly made it! Ahahahaha!"

Her almost...ecstasy like reaction caused great discomfort from the phantom kiddos. They all became pale white roughly drawn pencil looking pictures with various disturbed reactions. You could see purple lines underneath their eyes as they looked more like dots now. While sweat dropped their foreheads.

Something like this ( .~.)IIUuu

"M-Mona-sensei?..." Aoi asked carefully while keeping his distance. "A-Are you okay?..."

"Mreeeooowwww~!" Mona leaped up to rub her face against the treasure meowing pleasured by this...

This disturbed the kids on whole new levels as they took few steps back sensing some...adult content they should avoid seeing.

"O-okay...woah...that is a w-whole...a whole new level of wrong..." Carlos said disturbed scratching the back of his head. "S-should we give her some time alone?"

"I dont know what's going on...nor do I wanna know." Maria said disturbed. "Certain information from the world could scar your childhood forever..."

"Is...Is...this a cat thing?" Emilia looked to Aoi who was half cat and Maria who was a panther making them both blushed deep red.

"HELL NO!" The best friends shouted in unison. Before they all were all shivering in discomfort when Mona let out a small moan.

None of the kids faced their sensei fearing they might endager childhood. "Finally! The treasure!" Morgana screamed.

"MORGANA! THIS IS A NEW LOW FOR YOU! WAKE UP! YOUR HUMILLIATING YOURSELF IN FRONT FOF THE KIDS!" Zorro shouted from the depths of her soul. "WAKE UP BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING YOU WILL REGRET AND THE KIDS SEE SOMETHING THEY COULD NEVER UNSEE! DONT RUIN THEIR INNOCENCE!"

The kids faced their backs to their sensei while sweat dropping as they walked to the door of the treasure room. Aoi waved the back of his paw towards their ...'BUSY' sensei. "Bye Mona-san...have fun."

Aoi's voice seemed to snap their sensei back to reality before she blushed deep red from extreme embarrassment before jumping down making sure she looked decent (fortunately she was still) before calling out to her phantom kiddos. "W-w-wait! C-come on g-guys! It isnt what it looks like!"

The kids turned their heads to face their sensei with disbelief or disapproval eyes. Morgana felt a a arrow strike her heart seeing the looks on their faces.

"Is that true?...you don't just rub yourself on...any shiny treasure you see?" Emilia crossed her arms. Morgana jaw just dropped in fear she might have ruin her Image in her kids eyes.

"It's TRUE! TRUE! Im not like that!" Morgana tried to save herself from ruin now.

"Are you sure your not...some closet perv?" Maria's fearful expression on her face said it all to Morgana. "Dont worry i...wont judge you...tooo much."

"IM NOT A CLOSET PERV! PLEASE BELIEVE ME!" Morgana instantly replied.

"Are you sure you dont swing...treasure way?" Carlos commented with a smirk. "And you teased me because I swing male ways."

Carlos comment made Morgana's level of embarrassment sky rocket as she looked to Aoi her number one apprentice...to see him looking sideways avoiding eye contact.

"Dont tell me you think...of Rudolph-san that way?...do you?" Aoi asked In a flat tone that could break her heart into pieces. "Never mind...there are somethings...I do not wish to know..."

"No! Aoi please dont look at me that waaaayyy!" Morgana Cried a fountain of tears. "It's me! Normal Morgana-sensei! Please believe me!"

"J-just setting some boundaries..." Aoi said sweat dropping while giving a akward smile while raising his paws up to form a imaginary wall between them. "Your a adult with your own experiences so I wont judge you for it."

Aoi nailed the final nail in the coffin as Morgana felt the embarrassment kill her inside slowly. She sat in a corner while a cloud if depair rained down on her. "My image is ruined forever..."

Zorro sighed and tried to comfort her. "C-cheer up Lady Mona...we can work on your self control problems later."

The kids sweat dropped watching their sensei's depression.

"Yesh...girls sure have more furballs than men do." Carlos comment got a nod from Aoi. While the girls looked at the skunk crossed.

"For some girls that is true. Judy-san is a example." Aoi said tired like tone.

"This is just sad...can we move on getting the treasure already?" Carlos asked tired already.

"We should we only have a small time frame to work with!" Maria said rushing he group. "We only have a few hours open before the chaos we made in school ends."

Everyone (minus Morgana) nodded before they all rushed to the treasure.

"So how are we carrying this thing out?" Emilia looked to the smartest mammal in the group A.K.A. Maria.

Aoi mean while was trying to comfort Morgana. "Come on Mona-san! Let's just focus on the hiest for now we can talk about this later Kay?"

"Hmmm...maybe we should have brought a crane or something-" Maria touched the crown with a tiny poke and it instantly lost its ability to float and started to fall to the ground.

Carlos quickly caught the crown and tried to lift it by using his true strenght alone. "RAAAAAGGGHHHHHH! HERE...WE...GOOOOO!"

Carlos lifted the Crown surprisingly well displaying his Herculean strenght for all to see...for a about three seconds before his back started to give out on him. "Owowowowowoowooww...ugh! *whine* Its armegedon on the vertebrae! Its hell fire! It's Joshua world collection of bricks! It's the a backolypse!"

Crash! Everyone watched as the crown fell on Carlos. Luckily he was stuck at the angle when the crown fell. Leaving a small space for him to survive the fall unhurt but pinned down to the pile of gold beneath. "Gaaaahhhh! I want to get into the action already! Someone get me out of here!"

"Eh!? Carlos hold on! Um...how do we get this freaking crown off him!?" Emilia panicked trying to dig Carlos out of there.

"We need lever of some kind...something to lift it-" Maria was cut off by Aoi.

"Hey guys?" Aoi asked raising his paw.

"WHAT/What?" The other three mammals asked either shouting or not. Morgana looked up from her corner to see what her apprentice had in mind.

Aoi raised his paw to his mask getting confused looks from everyone till he ripped it off. Summoning Arsene into existence standing proud for everyone to see. "Why dont we make our personas carry it? They probably could carry it easier."

...

...

...

...

Silence was all Aoi got until her got OH's from his team making him sweat drop. "You didn't really think we would be able to carry this massive crown on our own did you guys?..."

"Well I ugh...huh? Actually that makes sense.." Emilia said giving it some thought

"Why didn't I think about that? Tehe~" Maria Said doing the same cutie apology pose from last time.

"Again...Tehe~ MY ASS! JUST GET ME OUT OF HERE! It's so heavy..." Carlos whinned being pinned down to the golden crown.

"As expected by my number one apprentice!" Morgana said calling forth Zorro into existence getting confused looks from the kids.

"Ill handle the heavy work. Zorro is more physically strong than Arsene." Morgana replied as she got a smile and nod from Aoi allowing Arsene to take a bow signaling his services are not needed and return as a mask on Ferret's face.

Zorro carefully lifted the crown with one hand releasing Carlos from his predicament allowing him to rub his sore back. As they all made their way to the door Maria was talking to Emilia about what they should do after while Carlos said he needed a nap after this. Morgana looked to Aoi who was walking beside her now. The distance between them still signaled she needed to fix her image of herself after her embarrassing display. Getting a nod from Zorro who was carrying the crown while following them she walked close to her ferret apprentice and tapped his shoulder to get his attention.

"Hey Aoi?" Morgana saw Aoi turn to her nodding he was listening. "Thanks for saving me that day we met...I have to admit the results from our meeting to the deal we made have sprouted results I never thought I could encounter or expected. I found three persona users, gain the chance to get the treasure and gain a new life outside the metaverse and into the real world zootopia. It's all thanks to you Aoi...again I wanna express my gratitude. Ill help you gain your freedom and protect you kids from any harm while out contract is still intact. Thats a promise Aoi!"

Aoi smiled feeling the trust between him and his phantom sensei grow stronger. He felt a surge of power rush into his body from the strengthening bond between them as he saw the magician card in front of him. Some chains broke away from the sealed card sending him the newfound energy making time around him slow down as his eyes glowed bright blue with a blue fire burning from within.

Once the affect of the new found trust they had became stronger Aoi closed his eyes and smiled to Morgana. "Im glad we met that day too Mona-sensei! Lets finish our job!"

"Yeah kiddo!" Morgana smirked happily as they exit the treasure room. Leading the group was Morgana holding the crown In Zorro's strong hand.

Aoi's natural animal senses told him danger was close. He ran up beside Morgana motioning with his paw for his team mates to surround Morgana since she was carrying the crown with her persona.

"Somethings coming..."Aoi said eyes glowing gold as he summoned his weapons for battle.

"I knew things were going to easy..." Carlos smirked holding his Bat as he kicked the ground. "Bad guys never let the thieves steal the treasure that easy."

"In these situations the final boss is always here to stop the protagonists themselves!" Maria said holding her tazer gun. "Final boss time!"

"Okay...for once Maria's anime logic makes sense-" suddenly there was a large cheer heard through the entire palace.

"GO! ALL HAIL LORD JOSHUA! ALL HAIL THE KING! LONG LIVE THE KING!" The sounds of cheers for the ruler of the palace nearly broke their ear drums from the super powerful sound waves ringing in their ears. They had to cove their ears to protect them from hearing damage.

"Dammit there so freaking loud!" Carlos called out getting annoyed hy the cheers of praise at Joshua.

"Dammit final boss time!" Emilia said annoyed by the sounds. "Ugh! Shut up whoever is shouting that freaking chant!"

"Ugh...my head feels like it's being split open..." Maria cried out In pain as she clutched her head from the sound waves giving her pain in the head.

"Maria! Hold on...ugh...where is the enemy!?" Aoi asked lavenza who was panicking In his mind.

"Aoi look out! Their target is Morgana!" Lavenza activated Third Eye and showed Aoi where a shadow knight was hidding on the second floor balcony. Throwing huge spear with little effort towards Morgana.

"Ugh...gah...can't...concentrate!" Morgana was slowly losing her focus to keep Zorro materialized.

"Mona-sensei! Look out!" Aoi pushed his sensei out of the way before the spear hit his sensei in the head. Instead the spear kicked the crown off Zorro hand as he faded back as persona energy. Aoi meanwhile threw three playing cards sinking deep into the shadows head killing it.

The cheers stopped as Aoi slowly got off his sensei who thanked him for the save. They heard paw steps as someone shrank the crown with one touch of their paw making it normal size and able to fit on top of their head.

"To think vermin like you would even dare steal my royal treasure!" Joshua's shadow said holding his crown before placing it on top of his head. "You fool! You really thought id let you walk out of here with my crown! It is the core of my world! It is my devine right to the throne!"

"All the more reason to take away from you venomous waste of space." Aoi spoke with venom In his words as his eyes glowed gold as his team got into battle position. "Give us the crown Joshua...or else we will take it by force."

Shadow joshua just laughed out mockingly at the group. "Please! I am a apex predator! Im on top of the food chain! Worthless vermin like you couldn't even dream of beating me! Now only if that Cat didn't see vermin as equals she would have become my queen and shared my spotlight at top of the school! She was a vermin lover! Im almost glad she tried to kill herself!"

"Dont you dare..." Emilia warned her anger increasing towards the beast before her as she clentched her whip tighter. Cat was my best friend! I swear to god Joshua! I will defeat you here get revenge for what you did to her! Ill never forgive you!"

"Same for my soccer team..." Carlos spoke back holding his bat with a tight grip. "We were orphans.. we didn't have a lot growing up unlike you...life was tough and we never always git what we want! But we worked hard for that soccer game! We had a dream and worked till our paws bleed! I wont allow some stuck up rich jerk think he can cut down our dreams just because of the way we live! Dosent make us worthless!"

"Vermin lover trash are not needed in MY school! She deserves to die like the trash she is!" Joshua mocked infuriating our group of thieves. "And that soccer team was a joke! Your kind worhtless and poor have no place in the spotlight you stains of society!"

"For that last time Joshua...this school isnt yours anymore! Nor Is it the same Zootopia as before! The past of Alcatraz with it's former principal is now history! Everyone is considered a equal now after Judy solved the case of the night howlers with her partner Nick who was a Fox! Zootopia is changing it's way towards unity of all races! Racist like you need to wake up and see the world as it is! Wake up from your own delusional world you worthless heir...we will defeat you and ill personally make sure you are expelled from the school for good!" Maria declared suprising the group with her sudden courage.

"I am sick and tired of hearing about how you rule the school and Zootopia! like you own it you egotistical moron! Doing everything you want with no fear of the consequences on how you hurt the students and the citizens of this city! You hurt my new friends In so many ways! You hurting my best friends chances for a future! I know I havent been exactly...the most social of mammals always hidding away in my room...but I know no one deserves the treatment your giving them! It's not your school! Or zootopia! It belongs to everyone! When my mom took over the school after defeating that worthless principal and his narrow veiws on the world around him...she promised to make this school great! As a stepping stone for the new generation of mammals! Mom is strong like that! After what you been doing she been in constant trouble and stress thanks to your actions! So im putting my foot down! Im gonna defeat you here with all my freinds!" Maria said with a anime hero like tone but with a predatory like stare matching her mom's.

Aoi sweated alot and took a step back as he blushed and thought. "That...that was kinda Hot...wait what!?" Morgana was snickering nearby seeing his reaction somehow reading his mind.

"Navi is right...now I know Im not a official citizen of Zootopia...but I know these actions your taking to keep a dead old traditional world view that leaves no room for acceptance of change is horrible...you justify it with your so called self love for your own successes and love of your own delusional rule thinking what your doing is best for the school and zootopia... is wrong...were taking action...and cutting you down!" Morgana smirked readying her sword for battle with her eyes on the prize. "Your not getting my guard down a second time this time..."

Joshua was not pleased by everyone's words. "As expected...you know what vermin lovers like you never fall too far from their source...im sick of this break in traditions...when the old principal was here Alcatraz was a scared place for true alpha's like us to live in peace! My achievements and money brought the school fame! What is wrong with asking for a reward!" Joshua declared again wearing his crown holding a shadow Catherine.. "But ever since that Rabbit cop broke the norm! Even vermin like you started to think they could do anything they want! That skunks soccer team winning the seasoned alphas! Big time jobs and fame taken by worthless mammals climbing up the ladders like you your worthless squirrel! Then your mother came! Irina Jelavic...such a shame...with her power and wealth she could have been a model principal of th school...but she kept changing things in the school for the better of unity! Such garbage! Only those on top can achieve that! You should all know your place! Heck even a criminal like that worthless weasel are given a chance he doesn't deserve! Never dare face us alphas who rule on top! Poor should stay worthless and poor while the wealthy and strong stay on top! Criminals should all be executed or remain In jail where they belong! Same with the food chain that was the old principal belief! And will not let any of you break that! I will rule as a new king of the school! Brig it back to Its glory days when I was on top! Doing whatever the heck I want! Pridelanders rule the world! Thus ad the future heir to our legacy so will I! Its the worlds fault for turning a blind eye on how truly great i am! How truly great we alphas are!" Joshua tried to act all high and mighty to intimidate the group but Aoi gave a scoff and a mocking laugh in return. His friend look to him with confusion along with Joshua. "What so funny vermin!?"

"You are..your waste of space." Aoi' glowed a steely blue. "You claim you achieved greatness but you realy didn't...all your so called achievements were handed to you on a golden spoon in your mouth. It was Your parents success...and their former family lineage as well...handed down to you...you were spoiled by your wealth and became rotten thus delusional to the core...you force others to change just to entertain and justify your actions yourself no matter how twisted the order you give...you cut down hard workers aiming for their dream like Maria...Carlos soccer team... Cat-san and Emilia own efforts. You just fear that reality Will come running to your door when their achievements...ones they earned our of their own effort outshines yours...get it through your skull...none of your own dark efforts cut them down will ever hold a candle to those who really try their best to reach for a dream and future they made with pure work and effort. Cut them down as many times you want...they will stand up again one day...man I seen enough of mammals like back at the facility...thinking they can do anything being born strong preds or former wealthy. To me your just another delusional fool who fears reality..."

Aoi's eyes glowed a eerie blue when he said this as a strange mask of the magician he faced was appearing like ghost in his shadow behind him..."At least they try to do what they can to achieve a dream...they are better than me honestly...I suffered silently for years at the facility not even taking action for my freedom I wanted till I got this power...it's pathetic I know" The Magician mask played back memories in Aoi's head...times when he was all alone after his cousin kept his distance from his family just waiting for his return at the same playground at tatsumi shrine alone. Times when he silently cried alone in the facility hoping for some miracle to save him after suffering another day without his loving parents. .. trapped in a hell hole made of white walls and filled to the brim with demons of nightmares in mammal form...fear consuming his every being not taking action to save himself. "...I only started grow strong once I had it like you i was handed this power... Im nieve and immature but I will start grow using my own efforts...everything starts here! I will take you down! And help my friends! Ill put my power to good use unlike you! I wont just fight for my dream sakes but ill fight for theirs too!"

Philemon domain

Philemon watched on his mirror T. his tea proudly holding the tarot card No. 1 Magician. "The Magician represents action and Initiative but also immaturity...first step on your journey is coming Aoi. Your starting learn how just receiving power dosent make you invincible or truly strong right away... its learning to make use of hard work and effort to using power given to you for the good that makes you stronger. You made mistakes and faced the consequences that came with your lack of experience. Your still need to put more effort into learning more about your new life and power to grow and make your real start."

Philemon played back Aoi's trials on how he almost lost to the first first group of shadows pathetically then showed how his efforts to improve him during his break would benefit him later on the master of shadows fight. Then he played all the actions he took after awakening to his power with the desire to help his friends and keep on his path for the true freedom he now seeks to his new blooming resolve to help his friend defeat a tryrant like Joshua. After getting involved with only a part of their lives with their new bonds.

"True you only grew confident enough to fight for your future when your power awoke. But meeting your friends and learning about their lives...connecting to a glimpse of their lives they trusted to you. Working hard together for a goal to beat right now in front of the perfect example of a mammal surrounded by his own self Love, Lust and so called achieved spoiled efforts. Let us see if your efforts and your teams efforts pay off during your first ever true shadow boss fight... make me proud ...my guest. Show your efforts were not in vain and carve away the first path to your freedom" Philemon said proud.

Palace of Lust Throne Room

Joshua was not pleased by any of their words...each of their words stung like dagger hitting every vital spot of his being.

"You..you are all worthless scum...I am choosen! Choosen by faith to succed! My efforts outshine anything you all can do! Ill show you all! I am a king! One that shall rule above you all! By the name of the Pridelanders! I shall achieve my goals no matter what the cost! He made me believe so! He told me so!" Joshua declared as a heavy stream of shadow like aura erupted around him causing our thieves to back off a bit due to the powerful wave of negative emotions he was emitting.

"Wait...did he say he told him so? He who believes In him!? Who!?" Aoi thought as he stood in front of Maria protectively with his weapons drawn.

The team watched as the lion burst out into a huge wave of black and blood red ooze surrounding him like whirlpools of negative energy as it slowly took form.

Joshua's new form was monstrous... as monstrous as his personality...it looked like something out of a horror movie. A humongous pink disfigured baby lion with four arms carrying different things in each paw. One was a glass filled with red wine and a mannequin of Catherine in it, another was a torture style whip used for horses, he also carried a a golden fork and knife respectively like he was at a formal dinner party. What was worse was the head of shadow Joshua...it was bigger than his body carrying his big crown on top with little effort. His eyes were buldging out of their sockets with visible red veins, his mouth was like a monsters with his lips shaped into dagger like teeth while his tongue was as long as a lustful serpent It Flicked out of his opened mouth dripping saliva all over the ground. He wore his red cape over his shoulder and a bit over his chest like a baby bib. While below his stomach was a golden thropy between his legs filled with the lower halves of grey moving corpses of the female mammals he sexually assulted. One could hear the pained moans and cries each lower half could voice out as they were all tightly squeezed together Into the thropy cup. Next to his sides were golden soccer balls acting like iron ball chains attached too four struggling little mammals with iron masks on trying in vain to escape their lunatic king.

"I am the King! The king of this palace and school! And all of zootopia! I am Joshua Prideland!" The shadows roared In joyous chorus as Joshua took his true form. Unknown to everyone there was a drone flying high above them sending a video feed everything.

Outside the palace throne room.

Ken was present behind the giant wooden doors leading to the throne room. His spear ready as he leaned against the entrance looking his phone showing the events inside the room the drone was recording.

"Dear gods!?" Ken said in disbelief looking at the shadows true form. "I faced a lot of horrible shadows but this one...is the most demonic I ever seen...Aoi...please be careful..." Thats when Ken noticed a whole army of shadows running towards the throne room entrance. Calling out Joshua's name in glory. Ken put his phone away in his pocket and pulled out a silver gun from his holster. Placing the other end to his head while he pointed his spear towards the shadows as a threat.

"None of you are passing beyond this point! I will not let any of you interfere! This is my little cousin's fight...not yours!" Ken pulled th trigger on the gun as a bang and smashing sound could be heard as a pillar of blue light and glass like shards surrounded him as massive figure formed by his side. "Persona! Lets go! Kala-kemi!"

The shadows stopped in their tracks feeling the mighty presence of our ferret and his persona. " Still Want to go over there? Over my dead body..."

Shadow Hunter Base Zootopia construction site.

The remaining shadow hunters being Mitsuru, Fuuka, Koromaru, Junpei, Yosuke, Chie and Yukiko were watching the fight with extreme shock from the big screen in the newly constructed underground base.

"Oh my god..." Mitsuru stared at the beast known as Joshua's true shadow form with disgust. "That's the true form...of shadows taken over by pure desires!?"

"HOLY FREAKING SHIT!" Yosuke screamed his fur becoming poofy from the scare of a life time. " THATS THE FREAKING LION'S TRUE SHADOW FORM!? THAT'S NOT A SHADOW! ITS SOME HORROR MOVIE DEMON BABY!"

"THE HELL!?" Junpei slammed his fist onto the table."THE KIDS ARE GONNA FIGHT THAT NIGHTMARE FUELED THING!? YOU CANT BE SERIOUS!?"

"True forms of twisted desire..." Koromaru growled fangs bared looking at the video feed but he stayed as calm as he could. "Truly a frightening appearance..."

"MISTURU-SAN!?" Chie called out to the black lynx diverting her attention away from the screen. "THIS IS TOO MUCH FOR THEM TO HANDLE! EVEN FROM HERE I CAN SENSE HOW POWERFUL THAT THING IS! WE GOTTA HELP THEM!"

Yukiko pulled out her traditional fan. Eyes showing blazing determination within. "That demon made of pure lust...is a threat to all...isnt it our job to eliminate these shadows before they hurt anyone!? Please let us go aid them!"

"No..." Fukka answered before Mitsuru could reply.

"Yamigishi!?" Mitsuru was suprised some one as shy like Fuuka spoke up for her against mammals much larger than a hamster like herself.

"Listen guys...we were the same when we faced shadows like these...young and in experienced...if what Igor said was right then we cant interfere with their fight...they need to grow on their own to succed at future battles like these...all we can do is hope they win and aid them from the shadows ourselves..." Fukka pulled out a small silver gun her size from her pocket. "Minato was the same...always ready to face his destiny like those kids...they choose this...so let's just watch and see what happens..."

Everyone looked to the small hamster with solem eyes...they went quite and looked to the screen in front of them...hoping for some miracle the new generation of persona user could pull out a victory against this demonic shadow.

"Even so...ill call for back up...Ken seems to be fighting off the shadows going to the throne room...Narukami! Aigis!" Mitsuru called out to them using her special phone. "Report to the palace of lust Right Now! Back up Amada! Fight off any shadows heading towards the main battle area the P5 group is fighting in!"

Somewhere in the metaverse

Our Husky Yu Narukami was accompanied by Aigis and both were headed to the palace lust this very instant. They both saw the video feed from their phones and wasting no time abandoned their former mission to rush back to the palace.

Yu was riding a silver motor bike at full speed. He wore a silver tuxedo with his katana sheathed and tied over his shoulder. Flying above him was Aigis without her dress showing her pearl white robotic body as she had sprouted jet packs on her back flying at the same speed as Yu's motor bike. From even outside the palace they could see signs of a fight happening within the palace as they saw mutiple lightning bolts sparks out of the palace walls and the roars of pain from the shadows could be heard.

"No need to tell us twice!" Yu shouted into his phone as he drove with one paw. "We can see that Ken has already taken action and Is now engaging in battle with the other shadows of the Palace of Lust! We Will be there to aid him shortly!"

"Were not that far off from our investigation site." Aigis calculated everything in her cybernetic brain Ai. "The boss shadows is truly a fearful enemy but we promised Igor not to Interfere with Aoi-kun's journey. So we must trust the main battle to them. We will just aid them like this for now. Keeping the other shadows at bay while they focus on the more important fight. Worry not Mitsuru-san! I believe in the power of the true potential Igor sees in Aoi-kun...it reminds me of his potential in a way..."

Yu saw the saddened look on the Robotic lionesses face. "Aigis-san...anyway Mitsuru-san please just call Naoto and Kanji! Get them to stall as long as they can for Aoi-kun's team! This first fight is not gonna be easy for them! It might take a while for them to end this!

The two continued their journey to the palace in silence as our Thieves got ready for the biggest fight they ever fought so far since becoming accustomed to this new life.

Palace of Lust Throne room

Out phantom thieves all had to jump back as Joshua's nightmarish form taking up a large portion of the room.

"At last! My true form!" Joshua called out. "Now you vermin will know the true meaning of my rule! Your are all my slaves! My order for you all now! Is to die by my hands!"

"Holy shit!?" Carlos screamed in fear. "Thats the jerk ass lions true form!?"

Emilia was disgusted by the shadows form. "Aoi was right...he is nothing but a giant sized spoiled child!"

"Do not back down! If we work together guys we can beat him!" Aoi called out in determination wielding his dagger ready for battle. "Just stay close! And don't let your guard down!"

"Alright kids! Formation!" Morgana called out as she, Aoi and Carlos took the front line In battle while Emilia and Maria jumped back to support the ream from behind. "Kids this is the biggest battle we had yet! Give it your all!"

Maria held her sniper ready for action and hid behind some of the one the large female shaped mammals torsos and took in the throne room where she took out her laptop. Aiming the camera at the shadow she began analyzing. She spoke Into the transceiver. "Ill try to find his weakness! Buy me some time to analyze him guys!"

"Alright!/you got it dudet!/Were counting on you Maria-chan!" Everyone cried out to their transceivers as they faced the shadow known as Joshua.

(Ost Persona 5: Blooming Villain)

"Let him have it! Arsene!" Aoi also known as Joker summoned forth his persona by ripping of his mask and in a burst of blue flames and chain the Phantom thief Arsene emerged.

"Vengeance Is a a dish best served dark..." Arsene created a ball of dark energy in his palms as he shot it towards Joshua. On contact the shadow ball burst into multiple thick spikes piercing the shadows main body.

"Gaaahhh! That freaking hurt vermin! But that wont stop me!" Shadow Joshua brought his whip down on the spikes shattering them like glass.

"Skull your up!" Joker called out as he took out his razor sharp playing cards at the Shadow. Joshua saw the incoming projectiles and raised his arm In defense but even so some of the card deeply embedded themselves on his bare pink skin body.

"You got it bro! Anchors away!" Carlos also known as Skull ripped of his mask summoning his undead pirate persona. "Catpain Kidd!"

Skull rode on his persona's ship as it raised it cannon like arm aiming at it's target. "Eat this you land lover! Fire in the hole!" Captain kidd shot cannon balls made of pure lightning at the defending shadow making it flinch back getting a heavy dose of electrocution. Shadow Joshua raised Its arms back as temporary paralysis took place.

"ALL ABOARD!" Skull was riding his personas ship as it made a direct crash landing on Shadow Joshua's face making him get pushed back against the stairs of his throne room. Carlos threw a bunch of toy grenades scattering them all around Joshua.

"YOU LITTLE PUNK! ILL GET YOU FOR THAT-HUH!?" Joshua tried to stand back up but saw Skull was already retreating back and he saw Emilia Jump off the back of the ship and into the air.

"Show him HELL FIRE! Panther!" Skull called out ridding his persona.

"With pleasure!" Emilia also known as Panther despite being a squirrel. Ripped of her mask to summon forth her sudductress persona and her little boy toy servant. "Dance in Hell Fire! Carmen!"

"Ill show no mercy towards this sorry excuse for a man!" Carmen did a mid air dance as she brought her foot down on her boy toys upon landing making them breath out fire from their masks. The flames completely were so powerful they consumed Joshua's shadow completely. The toy grenades all exploded with great force adding to the flames of destruction. Panther landed on her persona's shoulder as they quickly moved back to make room for Morgana.

"Mona! Im counting on you!" Panther called out as Morgana also known as they mascot sensei walked towards the burning flames with a confident smirk on her face.

"Better not disappoint the kids! Come on stage and blow them away!" Mona raised her paw into the air and summoned forth her masculine persona. "ZORRO!"

Zorro raised his rapier in a knight like fashion. "May the winds of change strike down your foe!" Zorro created multiple streams of wind towards the raging bonfire causing them to burn even brighter and stronger. "Remember Kids! Never play with fire! Adding oxygen filled air can surely cause a massive flame like this!" Mona spoke in a educational video like tone.

"NOT THE RIGHT TIME FOR A EDUCATIONAL MESSAGE OLD LADY!" Skull spoke out pissed off by Mona's timming for a education message.

"Your right...better Beat this guy up instead!" Mona commanded her persona to raise it's fist into the air. It glowed a shinning bright light before transforming into a giant boxing glove. "SMASH!"

Zorro slammed his fist down on the giant bonfire with such force it created a huge dust cloud of debree and flames shaking the palace walls.

Throne room entrance hall

Ken was currently fighting off a giant army of shadows with amazing efficiency. Twirling his spear which was longer than his body he skillfully cut down any shadow in his path. He even stuck the blade end to the ground to do a spinning pole kick against a group shadows trying to attack him as one team knocking them back.

"What up with this kid!?"

"He's all alone yet he took on almost half our entire forces!?"

"Geez! Those kids from that phantom group were worse enough but now we gotta deal with him!?"

Some of the shadows cried out their frustrations and disbelief as none of them made it past ken towards the entrance of the throne room behind him. He guarded it like a unstoppable guardian beast making any shadow who came front of him minced meat in seconds. Our ferret warrior slammed the bottom end of his spear towards the ground as he stood up strong and determined.

"I told you all before didn't I?" Ken said with a determined tone. "None of you shall pass! I will not let any of you interfere with my Little cousins fight against your king!"...None shall pass?...I cant believe I said that movie cliche haha..."

The shadows were infuriated seeing Ken amused by his own joke. It irritated them even more that such a small mammal or vermin in Joshua's words could stop a army of them from passing through one door. That when they felt the tremors from Mona's attack.

"What the heck!?" Ken grabbed his phone to see the destruction Aoi's team was creating. He smiled seeing how strong they were. "Looks like I was worried for nothing!"

Shadow Hunters Underground Base.

Yosuke, Junpei, Chie and Yukiko were all cheering in delight seeing the strenght the P5 group were displaying.

"HECK YEAH!" Yosuke screamed tossing his some not important documents around the floor. "THATS HOW YOU DO IT! SHOW THEM WHO THE BOSS IS KIDS!"

"THAT WAS FREAKING EPIC!" Junpei called out doing a rocker like pose. "TALK ABOUT OVER POWERED! THEY SHOWING THAT SHADOW JUST HOW STROG THEY ARE!"

"Go team!" Chie screamed in so much delight and excitement she kicked the air with a kung fu move. "That how It's done! Keep it up!"

"They are amazing Chie! Look how they took down the big bad baby!" Yukiko cheered raising her fan up in the air In celebration. "Go Team Zootopia haha!"

"I would celebrate too soon..." Fukka said with fearful eyes.

"What do you mean Fuuka-san!? That attack was on full power! They gave it their all!" Chie complained as she got a nodd of agreement from Yukiko.

"For real senpai! We faced big shadows before!" Junpei added his in put and experience. "No way they could survive such a devastating attack like that! Besides that shadow ain't nearly as strong as nyx was! Far below it!"

"The battle isn't over by a long shot...never under estimate your apponents until the battle is truly over." Koromaru spoke with great displeasure as everyone looked back to the screen.

"Is Igor's words true?...could the Shadow rulers of this generation out match ours?" Mitsuru questioned fearfull of whatever Igor's words were.

Palace Throne Room

Everyone watched the flames burn heavily against the throne room. No one let their guard down for a moment.

"Did we...kill him?" Skull asked getting down from his persona ship. As the team gathered around in formation once again.

"I hope so...buy bad guys never go down like that do they?" Panther commented sounding tired and expecting the worse.

"Well...at least we damage him...I hope so." Joker felt a sudden powerful and negative aura coming from within the flames.

Maria was working on her laptop still analyzing the enemy...that's when her laptop rang out a emergency signal. "Oh no...Guys! Get back!"

Maria's cry alerted everyone of the incoming danger. The flames were suddenly blow away by Shadow Joshua's sudden burst of dark energy flowing around him. "NOT ENOUGH! YOU WONT TAKE ME OUT WITH THAT PATHETIC LEVEL OF SKILL YOU VERMIN!"

"OH COME ON!" Skull shouted as they took a step back as the wave of negative energy spread out like a massive wave In the room.

"I hate it when im right! Kyaah!" Panther had to hold on to the ground to not be blow away from the force.

"Dammit! Seems we only chipped away a bit of his strenght! We need to regroup!" Mona called coming in front of her phantom kiddos protectively shielding them.

Thats when Joshua came running towards them flames surrounding it's body. "Dont underestimate me! I am the King of this world!" Shadow Joshua swung his whip slamming it into Mona knocking her with so much force she was thrown back Into the air.

"MONA-SAN!" Joker cried out seeing their sensei helplessly limp in the air. Thats when he realized Joshua's shadow was right in front of them. He tried to slash them with his golden knife. Joker quickly pushed his friends down onto the ground to avoid the attack.

"Run!" Joker cried getting his friend on their feet as they ran away from Joshua's attack range. Sadly they weren't fast enough and they got struck down like flies from another strike of Joshua whip. They all crash landed nearby Mona who was lying on the floor in pain.

"You guys okay!?" Maria quickly ran to their side abandoning her laptop which was still analyzing Joshua's shadow.

"Navi...cough!" Aoi coughed up a little blood feeling the pain in his chest as he saw his best friend run towards them. "Stay away! It's dangerous!"

"Moron!...dont get out of your hidding spot!" Skull said trying to get up but felt that strike they all received really broke something Inside him.

Mona was slowly regaining consciousness as she looked to her kiddos all laid down in the ground in pain. She bit her lip in frustration seeing their pained faces. "Dammit... I wasnt able to protect them!"

"Dont be ridiculous! Your all hurt!" Maria held out her bag filled with medical supplies as Joshua turned away from them.

"You vermin caused me a lot of trouble..." Joshua was pissed off...beyond pissed off that his face eas burning red with rage. "Killing you all wont be enough!"

Joshua's shadow walked back behind his thropy and took his fork into one of the grey lower halves of the female mammal corpses. Our thieves still recoiling from the damage watched in disgust and horror as he sliced up one of the corpses with the golden knife and actually began to eat it straight from the golden trophy cup. One could hear the pained screams and moans of the corpses become louder. "Im not letting any of you sleep tonight!"

A green energy shinned around Joshua's shadow and it began to heal his wounds miraculously like they were never there to begin with much to our teams displeasure.

Shadow Hunter Underground Base.

Everyone was watching with horror and disgust seeing the shadows unique way of healing itself.

Yosuke had to hold back his lunch as he almost barfed watching the scene. His face turned green a he quickly ran out of the room to the closest bathroom.

"UGH! THAT IS SICK! I CANT BELIEVE HE ATE IT!" Junpei felt queasy in the stomach watching Shadow Joshua ate a few more corpses before the cup refilled itself with new ones. His wounds completely healed.

Yukiko went pale and had fainted from the sight she just saw and Chie was trying to wake her up. "YUKIKO! WAKE UP! DONT GO INTO THE LIGHT!"

"My...what a disgusting way to heal one's self..." Koromaru held his paw to his mouth.

"This is bad...the shadow healed Itself completely after all the effort they put Into that attack it was all for nothing..."Mitsuru bit her lip in frustration being unable to aid them. "This shadow wont go down without a full fledge fight..."

"I hope Yu-kun and Aigis get there soon...I doubt they could handle any more shadows coming into battle." Fuuka looked at the screen on her laptop and began doing some notes on the shadow they faced.

Palace of Lust Throne Room

Aoi in his Joker form slowly got up on one knee trying his best to stand. Holding the side of his body feeling the almost unbearable throbbing pain from It. "Dammit...got a direct hit from that last attack...plus the guys look in worse shape than me!" Aoi looked back to see his best friend trying to help his friends up while applying some first aid.

"Dont you see It now vermin! How powerless you all are against me! I am a king! A demonic king of this world!" Cracking whip on the ground the small yellow mammals chains broke off. "Slaves! Bring the thing and make it snappy!"

"It's amusing seeing you all struggle to FIGHT a LOSING battle! But it's best if I got id of you all right here and now!" Joshua took a big gulp of wine from his cup suckling on the figure of Catherine before spitting it back into the cup. Everyone could sense a sudden surge of energy rush Into Joshua. Making his disfigured baby like form grow muscles disturbingly fast.

"But It's time for EXECUTION!" Thats when a large soccer ball fell down sky and landed at his feet. Standing up he kicked it up into the air and jumped to do a spinning kick aiming for them like a goal. "I love soccer! So feel my WINNING SHOT!"

The ball kicked such forced started to look like a giant Meteorite crashing down to earth. Blazing dangerously towards them. Aoi's eyes widened as he stared at The incoming attack with horror as he imagined his friends getting hit by it...disintegrating into ash within moments. "I wont let that happen...I wont let anyone die in front of me again!"

Aoi charged towards the meteorite ignoring the extreme pain his boy was feeling while also ignoring the cries of friends to come back. His eyes glowed a even brighter shade of blue showing his determination.

"I wont stand around in fear..." Aoi remembered how helpless he was before...the Magician's ghost like mask appearing behind him following his every move.

"I wont just let anyone I care about die a second time!" Aoi remembered how his parents were killed right in front of him.

Aoi was mere inches away from the meteorite his eyes glowed even brighter shinning like a small star. "Im not weak anymore!" He remembered how he was beaten up easily by the mystery killer. Causing his life to plunge into total darkness...til he came here...to Zootopia. "IM NOT WEAK ANYMORE!"

Aoi stood In front of the blazing meteorites path summoning forth all the persona energy he could call forth. He summoned as many persona chains as he could circling around the room and especially around his friends creating a thick chain barrier around them.

Aoi's Soul

Everyone of his persona watched as the meteorite came closer and closer to their summoner.

"WHAT IS THE YOUNG LORD DOING!?" Bereth called out in shock. "EVEN WITH THE BARIER HE MADE HE WONT BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE FORCE ON IMPACT!"

"HEEE-HO NOOO!" Jack frost was literally running around and jumping all over Aoi's soul in panic. "Boss is gonna die if hee gets hit!"

"Ill go! I can help him at least survive the attack by shielding him with my own body!" Arsene spoke but saw the Incoming impact of the attack.

"Too late!" Apsaras cried out in fear.

"We have to protect him!" The master of string looked towards the reaper like persona next to him.

"Ill do the best I can do!" The reaper glowed bright purple his coffins surrounding opening up and releasing a large amount of energy.

Unknown to them...the Shadow of Aoi who's was still bond by chains had a dangerous smile on his face as his eyes glowed bright gold. "It's time..."

Palace of Lust Throne Room

Everyone watched as Aoi created his barrier to protect them. Aoi's friends cried out to him telling him to run away...but his blue eyes showed he wasn't going to leave his spot any time soon. Even if it means It would kill him...second before Impact everyone held their breath as the meteorite came a mere inch before impact against Aoi's barrier...just one second before the attack hit black coffins suddenly sprouted from the ground in front of Aoi and his barrier.

Everyone watched a a massive explosion occurred pushing Aoi back into the light. The drone malfunctioned stopping the video feed from reaching the Shadow hunters base much to their displeasure. The whole palace shook violently and Ken fell down the ground along with the other shadows. As the castle began crumble a little from the force of the explosion. Yu and Aigis watched in horror as they witnessed the explosion from a far.

Shadow Hunter Underground Base

Yosuke came running back into the room panting hard from exhaustion. "Dude! Why is the bathroom so far away-" that when he noticed the static on the screen. Junpei and Chie were examining the large screen trying to get it to work. Mitsuru, Koromaru and Fukka were typing away on their laptops. While Yukiko now awake looked extremly worried as she sat on a chair her face In her hooves.

"What happened!? The kids!" Yosuke began questioning the group.

"We dont know! The freaking T.V. stopped working at the most crucial moment!" Chie said frustrated.

"Dammit! That last attack was massive! The kids are in serious danger now and we cant help them!" Junpei punched the wall in frustration.

"The explosion must have damaged the drone...im trying my best to reboot it!" Fuuka was getting multiple error signs on her computer.

"Seems we need to strengthen the drones next time...I hope their okay..." Mitsuru said worried as Koromaru got a usb and plugged it into his Laptop.

"We must try our best...and get this drone working so sorry Yosuke-kun but im busy..." Koromaru was in deep concentration trying to get the drone working with his program. "Alright...video feed is back!"

Palace of Lust Throne Room

The throne room was covered in a thick cloud of dust and degree...the room was in shambles. A large creator was in the middle of the room. Maria was the first one to wake up...she was inside what seems to be a coffin... Coughing she painfully kicked the cover off the coffin...her cosplay costume as a female assasination classroom student was all torn. She looked around searching for everyone.

"Guys!? Where are you!" Maria saw some of the dust clear to reveals Joshua's shadow asleep sitting on the ground. "Recharge time?...well I guess a powerful attack like that takes a lot of energy...we gotta escape!"

Maria landed on her knees for a moment as she felt her whole body ache. She forced herself back up and looked around for everyone. "Aoi!? Morgana! Emilia! Carlos!? Are you all okay!?"

Thats when she heard groaning nearby she quickly ran over to find some broken coffins holding her team/friends safely Inside. Their transformations wore off and they were unconscious. Carlos was to waking up groaning as he clutched his legs in pain. "Carlos!"

"M-Maria!? ...what happened?...why am I in a coffin!?" Carlos couldn't stand as he saw Maria came sliding down some steep debree slope. Landing on the ground she quickly ran towards them.

"Ugh...that final attack sucked..." Emilia woke up next holding herself in pain. "What happened to everyone!?"

"Cough! Cough! Is...is everyone alright!?" Morgana called out getting out of her coffin holding her chest in pain.

"Everyone dont move! Your all injured!" Maria quickly got her medical supplies ready. "Tae gave us some great medicine...this should help..."

While Morgana was sitting down trying to stay awake. She quickly realized someone was missing. "AOI!? WHERE IS AOI!?"

Now everyone remembered how Aoi tried to defend them with his life.

"Bro!? Where are ya blue bro!?"

"Aoi!? Please be alive! Dont you dare try to die like Catherine!"

"Aoi-chan!? Please answer Aoi-chan! Please!"

While the kids cried out to their missing friend Morgana however looked around carefully as the dust settled. She saw a mutiple destroyed coffins and chains lying around everywhere. Thats when she saw one Blue coffin standing firm and strong.

"Gah...I forgot how that attack drains me after using it!" Joshua said waking up doing a creepy strech before sitting back up straight proud. "HAHAHAHA! SEE I WON! IM THE ALPHA! I AM THE KING!-GEH!?"

Joshua saw the coffin standing close to him got kicked opened. Aoi was there...his mask covering his eyes still in his phantom form.

"Aoi-chan! Your okay!" Maria nearly cried happy to see her best friend was unhurt.

"Run bro! The shadow is right in front of you!" Carlos shouted his warning from the top of his lungs.

"Aoi! Run away! We have to regroup and try again later! Th-this shadow is too strong!-" Morgana was cut off when Aoi spoke in a manner she never expected him to speak at her.

"Shut up you old hag of a Bitch...your annoying rant is ringing in my ears..."Aoi spoke In a clearly bored tone. His eyes still covered by his shadowed mask.

Everyone was silent...akward silent...even Joshua's shadows processing this in his head. Aoi's team mates paled fearing the worse.

"D-did...he just call her a old hag of a bitch?..."Joshua's shadow was scratching his head confused. "I thought they were...vermin allies?"

"H-hey? Dude?...do you have a death wish or something?..."Carlos glanced to the side seeing Morgana tremble in rage...slow boiling rage.

"Aoi-chan!? How could you speak-" Maria was cut off when Morgana blew her fuse.

Morgana clentched her fist in fury mutiple vein anime marks around her face. "I WORRY ABOUT YOUR WELL BEING AND THIS IS THE THANKS I GET!? YOU DIDNT JUST CALL ME OLD BUT A OLD HAG OF A BITCH!? AOI! WHEN I GET MY PAWS ON YOUR IN FOR A SCOLDING OF A LIFE TIME! IM GONNA WASH THAT FILGHTLY MOUTH OF YOURS WITH SOAP IF WE SURVIVE THIS-"

"Didn't I clearly say that your should shut up lady?" Aoi was cleaning his ear with a pinky finger. "That explosion left a ringing in my ear and i dont need your whinning to add to the noise..."

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!? YOU LITTLE-" Morgana started coughing feeling the pain in her chest return. Maria was currently rubbing her back to help sooth the pain while Emilia spoke up to Aoi clearly mad.

"What the heck Aoi!? That's not how you should talk to someone we owe a great deal with!" Emilia shook her fist angrily at him to make her point visible. "Àpologize right now-"

Aoi smiled wickedly snickering while showing his fangs. "Sorry but Aoi isnt home right now..."

Aoi words shocked our team as Joshua growing Impatient stared down at the ferret in front of him. "Listen you little twerp...im going to make you suffer for all the trouble you caused me! Did you get all that vermin!? Im not letting any of your friends and especially you leave this place alive!"

Aoi simply shrugged off his warning cooly as he pointed at him. "Before that you should look to your right..." Aoi pointed to the right with his paw.

"Huh!? My right-GUgghh!?" Suddenly as Joshua looked to the right and giant slab on concrete debree came rocketing to the side of his face from the left side knocking him down to the floor clutching his face in pain. "Gah! That was playing dirty!"

"Oops...I meant to your left you Idiot. Cant believe you fell for that haha..." Aoi smirked pointing his thumb to the left side.

"YOUR GONNA SUFFER FOR ETERNITY FOR THAT! AOI KURUSU!" Shadow Joshua roared in fury as he got back up.

"Like I said... Aoi isnt home right now.."slowly moving his face up you could see a wicked smile on his face as he cried Black tears making the white around his eyes black while his eyes glowed shinning gold and cat like.

A sudden burst of shadow energy erupted around Aoi sending a very powerful blood lust towards everyone in the palace. They were being pushed down by the heavy Aura. Everyone struggled to stay standing being reduced to sit on their knees while holding their body up with their arms.

"T-this is the same...shadow energy I-I use!? What the hell are you VERMIN!? Answer me!" Joshua cried out in fury feeling suppressed by Aoi's own negative energy wave.

(Danganronpa 2 Ms. Monomi's practice class Theme ost)

Aoi smiled through the darkness surrounding him like a pillar of negative energy. "Im like you of course...I am a SHADOW...the TRUE self..."

Shadow Hunters Underground Base

Everyone somehow got the drone working...although there was some static they made it back in time to watch Aoi's shadow reveal himself.

"A-a shadow!? In a living body!? What happened to Aoi!?" Chie was in disbelief hearing the announcement made by this shadow.

"A shadow in a living being...not separate from the main body...what could this mean!?" Mitsuru demanded answers but no one had any information to give.

"Im not sure Mitsuru-san...but this Isnt good...for anyone..." Koromaru looked at the screen showing Shadow Aoi's symptoms..."Tears of black blood?.."

Palace of Lust entrance hall

Ken somehow was safe from the quake of Joshua's attack...his move caused half of the castle to fall onto the shadow army killing them under a mountain debree. He watched the video in disbelief hearing his baby cousin...become a shadow.

"NO!...THIS CANT BE TRUE!? Aoi...please wake up!" Ken called out to his cousin but his cries fell on deaf ears. Just then Yu and Aigis came running to him.

"Ken-kun! Are you okay!" Our husky Yu asked seeing ken was leaning against a unbroken pillar in the hallway.

"Let me administer emergency treatment. You are injured!" Aigis reached out her paw to ken but he smacked it away.

"Not Important! Aoi-" Ken went silent when Yu placed his paw on his shoulder.

"We cant be sure right now...no shadow has done this before..." Yu looked to the mountain of shadow corpses disintegrating right now. While Aigis rushed to give Ken some first aid."Go...go observe your cousin's actions for now...me and Aigis-san Will stand guard here and make sure no new shadows appear."

Ken was silent...when he heard Yu's suggestion he quickly nodded and use his spear to get himself up as he entered the palace throne room. Aigis and Yu stood on guard front of the door.

"Are you sure that was best choice?...this is the last relative Ken-kun had a true bond with before he left his old family for good...you know he can get emotional when It comes to protecting his family..." Aigis asked with a serious look on he face.

Yu smiled and nodded. "Seems that trait runs in the family...it will be fine...Aoi-kun and Ken-kun might need this...besides you know how shadows are...there must be something in his heart...he cant bring himself to accept...thats why even with his persona...his shadows still lives on inside him...it was the same as incident back in inaba...we xan only hope he dosent go berserk and hurt his allies."

Palace of Lust Throne Room

Everyone was in disbelief hearing Aoi's words. Maria seemed most affected by it as she literally started to cry.

"Thats a lie..." Maria cried more clutching her ears down. " Thats a freaking lie! My best friend isnt a shadow!"

Aoi's shadow groaned hearing another scream ring in his ears. He spoke in a shadow like tone having two voices...one with Aoi's and another sounding like deeper sounding voice."Well that is true...but at the same time not whoever you all are...Im not sorry who are you all? And who is mister big and ugly baby right here?"

Everyone got another shock that time...Aoi's shadow didn't seem...to know who they are.

"Wait...you dont know us!? Bro you gotta be kidding me!" Carlos shouted in fury.

"Aoi snap out of it! It's us! Your friends! Do I have to smack some sense back Into your skull!?" Emilia was pissed off but feared this Aoi's presence. Joshua seemed pissed of by Aoi's words.

"Im not lying...we split personalities dont share memories...well some deep rooted ones but not all...the only thing we do share is...just feelings...faint ones to be honest losers." Aoi insulting tone brought many dislikes to this personality. Shadow Aoi stuck out his tongue mockingly made it worse. "Like I said...I am a SHADOW...the TRUE self...Call me...Kage Kurusu!"

"I want to be free...free of that hell hole!" Kage spoke in a darker tone. "The hell hole that murderer put me into! Ill make him pay...pay for killing my parents!...make him pay for the seven years of pain I endured! As that facilities personal test subject!"

Kage's words shook everyone in a bad way...

"Test subject...What do you mean!?" Morgana called out desperate to bring the old Aoi they knee back. "Answer me! Aoi!"

(Ghost tricks Phantom Detective ost : the mystery deepens.)

"Like I said before...I am Kage...not Aoi...He is in a deep sleep right now using so much persona energy to protect you all...energy he should have used to suppress me! His second personality! Born from hate and suffering! Im tired of lending my power to that weak ass self of mine! Him constantly chaining me up deep down In his heart! Channeling my courage and confidence into him to make It his own! Seriously grow up! If we want freedom...and I want vengeance for that traitor did to us and our family!...I say we stop playing nice...even we become a criminal ourselves...I wont back down till I get what I truly want...what we truly want..." Kage ripped off his mask which turned blood red like his trench coat. Arsene came forth...chained like a crucified demon as the red chains coming from Kage pierced into his body turning it from Azure blue to Blood red...with black veins pulsing through his whole body. Arsene new form roared out in fury like a demonic beast on the hunt sending another negative energy wave everywhere. "Let us go...Villainous Arsene."

(Persona 4 ost : I'll face myself Rock version by little V)

Villainous Arsene roared and flew towards at great speed towards Joshua. He gave a heavy kick to Joshua's face knocking him back against the wall. V. Arsene (yep shortened name) looked at the thropy below him with a devious smile on his face.

"NO! STAY AWAY FROM THAT! YOU DON'T KNOW THE VALUE OF THAT PRECIOUS THROPY!" Joshua cried out im fury seeing Kage gave a evil looking smile.

"Huh!? Why should i care about what you think!? I rather ignore every little word that comes of that leaky shit of a brain you got..." Kage looked to V. Arsene giving him a nod. Arsene roared in anger as he brought his bladed heel down on the trophy repeatingly crushing it under his foot until it becomes pieces scattered around. The corpses Inside were turned into gray paste staining the floor.

"Hahaha! Ain't this fun! Your little thropy are in pieces now!" Kage commanded his persona to attack the shadow once more. V. Arsene grabbed Joshua by the neck and lifted him up with his amazing new strenght. Creating shadow spikes frim the ground to pin his arms to the wall. "Do it!"

V. Arsene grabbed the arm which held Joshua's whip and slowly started to rip it off without mercy. Everyone had to cover their ears as they heard Joshua scream in tremendous pain till V. Arsene completely ripped of pink arm from the shoulder making him bleed a fountain of black blood.

"GAAAAHHHHHH! HAHA MY ARM! YOU...YOU...YOU VERMIN!" Joshua's shadow couldn't continue till Arsene pierced his leg with his bladed heel slowly moving it in a attempt of slow torture.

The shadows cries of extreme pain made Kage laugh maniacally while his friends and all those witnessing his cruelty watch in horror. V. Arsene grabbed his other arm holding the knife and began to rip It off too as well slowly... he sank his claws Into he pink body of Joshua moving them around like a maniac doing a science experiment.

Alcatraz student council room

Joshua's real self began to cry Out in pain as he cried black tears. Falling to the ground holding his arms and legs in extreme pain. "GAAAHHH! IT HURTS! IT HURTS SO BAD!" Joshua was writhing in pain on the floor as his student council members rushed to his side.

"WRAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHGG!" Joshua was twitching in pain as Kage was torturing his shadow deep within his soul.

Aoi's soul

All his persona were currently unable to move. They were chained down by Kage's shadow chains they each struggled to reach their master who was crucified by chains as well. He was asleep crying tears of pain...feeling the small red colored static channel through his body. Draining his persona energy.

"Hee-hooo! Master please wake up! Your going berserk!" Jack Frost cried out struggling to break away.

"HoOw CcHains HoOolD SlIme!?" Slime couldn't burn away the chains or slip through them with his liquid body.

"T-this is not good..the harmony...is out of balance!" Saki mitama was being held down to the floor her once peaceful face becoming sour.

"DAMMIT! I will NOT! Let my young lord fall to darkness!" Berith was separated from his horse as she tried to break the chain using his spear.

"But how!? Arsene has gone mad! That shadow took over and now he is doing his dirty work!" Apsaras was tightly bound as was on her knees.

"We better do something! And quick! I can sense the real Joshua is feeling the pain ...from his shadow! At this rate he will collapse!" The mechanical puppet of musician tried his best to break away from the chains wrapping around him.

"Dammit! That ast attack took too much of the kids persona energy! He's other self broke free because of that!" The reaper persona was violently trying to break free of the chains. "Come on! Wake up you little twerp! You have got to chain down your other self before anything else happens! Something you will regret!"

Aoi was still asleep his eyes crying in pain like he s trapped in a nightmare.

Philemon's domain

Philemon shook his head in disappointment. " Dear me...seems Aoi needs more mental training." Setting down his tea cup and pilling his mask over his mouth he looked behind him like he was turning to the audience. "He still needs to grow...so for now he needs your help you two. "As philemon said that two butterflies flown to the mirror one was black and the other white. They combined into one being half a black one wing and half a white wing.

"We are always be by his side..." the butterfly said with two voices.

Palace of Lust Throne room.

Ken watched the fight with disapproval in his eyes. "This isn't the Aoi I know...this a monster! Aoi...where is the real you!" Ken thought as he was hidding on the terrace above the battle field. "There has gotta be something to wake him up!" Ken ran through the room keeping hidden in while he got close to the main battle.

Meanwhile with his team everyone was still frozen in fear watching Kage slowly torture his apponent.

Carlos slammed his fist onto the ground. "Dammit! Bro has gone mad! Is that really his second personality!?"

"Im not sure Carlos!? But what happens next is a problem...Morgana!? What would happen if Aoi-I mean...Kage keeps torturing that shadow like that!? He is a part of Joshua right!?" Emilia looked to Morgana who taught carefully.

"At this rate...if Aoi-Kage kills Joshua's shadow...he will fall into collapses permanently! His desires for life will be destroyed completely. And his reason for life will be eliminated at this rate!" Morgana's words weighed heavily on everyone's mind especially Maria.

"No...he can't do that!" Maria remembered how Aoi said he never wanted to become a true criminal. He wanted freedom but not at the price of becoming a true villain...especially a muderer.

Meanwhile Kage Kurusu was feeling quite bored already. "This is getting lame...better get Into fun perhaps!?" Kage took out his kyoketsu-shoge and wrapped at one of the chandeliers to swing over to his persona's shoulder. Running down his arm moving closer to Joshua's face his black fang blade ready.

"W-what are you-" Joshua cried out in pain as Kage thrusted his blade into Shadow Joshua eyes making it rain out a fountain of blood. What was worse Kage took out his kyoketsu-shoge and wrapped it around his eyes deep.

"V. Arsene!" Kage shouted as his person tossed him over towards of the pillar in the throne room. Kage quickly circled around the statue with his chain as he landed on the ground he jumped back and told Arsene to kick the pillar down. With Joshua still pinned to the wall he screeched in horror as the pillar came down his eye was forced out of it's socket.

Everyone went pale as Kage just laughed like this horrible thing he did was some joke to him. The eye of the shadow landed on the ground nearby and kage took out the dagger he left on it smiling liking the shadow blood off the blade.

"Hurry up and die already...I have things to do after your gone...hopefully my weak ass self stays asleep longer." Kage smiled as his berserk persona walked back to the infuriated shadow.

"I...I cant believe it...i! The choosen king of this world! Is being humiliated by vermin...a pest...a weak link in the food chain like you!" Shadow joshua's fury became his new found strength his wave of negative aura rose up made the room tremble. His pink skin turned red with fury. "IM GONNA MAKE YOU ALL PAY! YOU WILL ALL DIE HORRIBLE DEATHS! ILL BREAK EVERY BONE IN YOUR BODY! CUT YOU ALL UP INTO PIECES! AND FEED THOSE PIECES TO MY SHADOW ARMY!"

Shadow Joshua threw his golden knife towards the group. Kage just side stepped away from the attack with his persona. When he looked back to the trajectory of the knife...it was headed straight for Maria! He felt a sudden surge of emotions rush up through his body. His eyes widened as the magicians mask behind him shattered...he felt weak all of a sudden as a white ghost like paw touched his head between his ears gently rubing his head...time somehow slowed down around them.

"Time for you slumber once more..." The dual voice said gently into his ear...as Kage felt sleepy all of a suddenly because the calming voice.

"Dammit...no...I just woke...up...why does that...feel so ..fami-..."Kage's eyes closed making his persona vanish back as a mask.

Aoi's soul

The persona's were suddenly free from their imprisonment. Rejoicing a little before they looked back to their Master who glowed a gentle blue as the chains that bounded him were gone allowing to float gently into the a pair of white paws. "Time for you to protect your friend's Aoi...wakey wakey!" The dual voice said gently as it cradles Aoi in it's arms.

Aoi cutely rubbed his soft face with his paws as he tried to look up to whoever was talking to him. The light blocked his view though. "W-who are you?"

A bright light blinded Aoi. When he came too he saw the knife headed towards his best friend. He instantly panicked. As he raced back to her side. "MARIA!"

Aoi's Soul

Arsene came back to this world within his summoner returning to is original color and mentality. He was down on one knee he placed his sore head In the palm of his hand. "Ugh...I cant believe that...shadow took over ...me?"

Arsene saw the other personas stand guard against their mystery guest...it wore a Japanese black kimono with a white outline of dragons decorating the cloth. His species and the rest of the beings appearance was disguised by the bright light behind him.

"Who are you?..." the reaper said holding his sword for battle.

"We thank you for saving us but...we wont let our guard down this time for the young Lord...identify yourself!" Berith said ridding his steed holding his spear towards the mystery being.

The being smiled gently as it created a small but beautifully decorated white coffin below it's feet. Kage came floating down into it sleeping peacefully...the being kissed his forehead and closed the coffin as white chain sealed it shut. "Now is not right time...at a later date I shall explain it all...for now master of strings?" The being reached out his paw to the mechanical puppet like persona. The master of strings was hesitant but he reached out his hand to grasp the beings white paw...he suddenly felt a surge of power rush into him.

"W-what are you doing to me!?" The master of strings was panicking but felt the energy release a calming aura...that made him feel safe.

"Ill explain later master of strings...until then...go and protect him for us." The being spoke gently as a bright light shinned through the room.

Palace of Lust Throne Room

Aoi was rushing to his best friend seeing the knife inches away from her. His friends trying to rush over and protect the panther. Maria shielded herself with her paws bracing for impact.

"I wont make it in time...I have to protect her...she's...she's my best friend!" Aoi screamed to the top of his lungs. That's when Aoi heard another voice.

Time stopped around them the whole field turning all shades of blue. "I am thou...thou art I...do you wish for the power to protect those you hold dear?"

"Yes...I want it! I need it! Please! Let me protect those I care about! I dont want to see death ever again!" Aoi screamed out remembering the past with his parents murder.

"Very well...our contract is set...my power is lent. Just call my name...my new master." The voiced echoed out a musical chorus from hundreds of harps playing a mystic melody. His persona mask turned bright blue.

(Persona 5 ost Last Surprise)

"Come to me...ORPHEUS PICARO!" Aoi ripped of his mask as another powerful pillar of blue flames and chains erupted from his body.

A loud clang sound was heard like two metal blades crashing into one another. Maria looked to see what happened to and where that sound came from. That when she saw it right in front of her protecting them.

It was a red mechanical puppet. With a speaker for a stomach as it held a large black greek styled harp with bat wings. He held it with his black punky style spiked leather arms and legs. It wore a red scarf and had a black humanoid face with burning red eyes and silver hair. It also had a black loin cloth between its legs. Using it's harp was acting like a shield against the giant golden knife. The master of strings roared out his power using the speaker in it's stomach knocking away the blade with a powerful harp strike. It floated protectively in front of the group placing its black harp on his back.

"I am thou...thou art I...Come from the sea of souls and answer the calling of my new self will. I am...Opheus Picaro!" Orpheus announced himself to the group shock.

"A new persona!? Where did it come from!?" Carlos asked standing up while looking at the new persona above them.

"It...it protected Maria does this mean!?" Emilia shrieked a little when Aoi came jumping down at the center of their group. His head lowered as he landed.

"Stay back!...we can't be sure if-" Morgana stood in front of Maria protectively.

"A-Aoi?...is that you?" Maria asked carefully...she saw Aoi slowly raise his head to show his smiling face and clear blue sky eyes. He still had black tears staining his fur but he seemed happy to see them.

"Of course it's me Maria-chan! How many blue eyed albino ferrets have you ever seen!?" Aoi smile fell when he saw his injured team. "Woah!? You guys are all hurt! Hold on I got some-oh my God what happened to the throne room!?" Aoi saw the raging Joshua Injured and mad rushing towards them. "What the heck happened to him!? He looks even more worse than before! Orpheus!"

"As you wish my summoner!" Orpheus took out his black harp and started strumming it creating multiple large fire balls striking Joshua's shadow with his burning magic. "You shall not pass!...did I say...how do they say it? A movie cliche?"

Ken watching nearby fell anime style slidding face first on the floor hearing those exact words he said. "Seems that makes two of us...wait!? Orpheus!? Minato-sans persona!?" Ken stood instantly watching the master of strings fighting back Joshua's shadow. He grabbed his harp and whacked the head of the shadow with a powerful strike.

With Yu and Aigis Throne room entrance hall.

Aigis was watching in disbelief as she took the phone away from Yu. "Orpheus!? He can weild his persona!? How!?...it looks so different now..."

"Orpheus!? Isn't that Arisato's main persona!? How could Aoi wield...a new form of it!?" Yu quickly took his phone back and called Mitsuru.

Shadow Hunters Underground Base

"Misturu-san!? Are you there!? Please answer! We have a situation-Mitsuru-san!? Are you there!?" Yu voice could be heard from Mitsuru's phone which was on the floor now. Mitsuu herself was staring at the screen watching how Orpheus fought off the massive shadow with ease.

"Orpheus!?" Junpei marched up to the screen looking at the persona. "How did the kid manage to get my bro's persona!?"

"I-I dont know!? Aigis lost the ability to weild Orpheus and his other main personas after the event of the dorm!" Fuuka started typing away om her laptop looking for any files that could give some information to help her understand.

"Orpheus...isn't that Arisato-san persona?" Yosuke asked the group.

"Yes...but after our journey he was lost since minato was...gone...but somehow Aoi summon forth a new version of him. Could this be the new potential Igor talked about?" Koromaru studied the fight carefully.

Palace of Lust Throne Room

Carlos was currently shaking the taller ferret thief in fury. "What the hell man!? You nearly gave us a heart attack with that crazy side of yours!"

"I-I dont knoooow! What your talking about!?" Aoi screamed dizzy in between shakes.

"Wait!? You dont remember a single thing you did earlier!? Are you for real Aoi!?" Emilia screamed next to the shocked ferret.

"Honest! I dont know what your talking about!" Aoi raised his paws in defense against the angry squirrel.

"Oh...so you dont...remember calling me..a old hag of a bitch!?" Morgana called out ready to punch Aoi who stepped back in fear.

"W-w-what!? I would never call you that Morgana-san!" Aoi had to raise his paws up in defense seeing the clenched fist of his angry sensei. "Waahhh! Please dont be mad!"

Thats when Maria tackled hug Aoi yo the ground. "Aoi! Im so glad your back wahahahaha!" Maria cried like a baby crushing Aoi a little in her hug. Tear staining his black trench coat much to hid discomfort. Also the sounds of his bones making cracking sounds made it worse...

"Ugh...Maria stop...I beg you! My body hurts...everything hurts...! Pain!" Aoi begged making the panther let him go.

"Oops..sorry I forgot you got a direct hit earlier from that explosion..." Maria said apologizing while Aoi slowly sat up his body hurting a lot.

"Ahhh...thanks...and what do you mean im glad your back? Where did I go?...and why does my mouth taste so bad bleh!" Aoi asked while whipping his tongue with a handkerchief also spitting black shadow slime out of his maw. Aoi looked to his friends who were just as confused as he was. Maria looked to Aoi and took a deep breath.

"Okay...Aoi? What was the last thing you remember?" Aoi scratched his head as Maria's question echoed in his head.

"I remember...fighting Joshua's shadow with everyone...we got hit badly by a direct attack to our...main bodies...then we had that ...wait what happened after that?" Aoi scratched his head trying to remember. "All...I remember was...like I was sinking deep into the dark blue abyss of the sea where my soul became chained down by my own self weakness..."

Another awkward silence occured no one sure how to answer that somewhat...poetic description of Aoi's hazy memory.

"Then I woke up and saw Maria in trouble and summoned that guy to protect her." Aoi smiled while another explosion of fire occured in the background.

"Hm...so Kage was right they dont really share any memories..." Maria thought relieved that her best friend won't remember the horror he caused.

"Anyway we need to fight! Seems were countering Joshua's forces. Lets end this fight!" Aoi smirked his blue eyes not shinning gold this time. This suprised the group a little seeing Aoi confident without relying on his second personality. "But first we need to get you guys healed!"

He closed his eyes and gave it some deep thought. That when he remembered the knowledge Minato gave him to use. Snapping his fingers he looked to his active personam"I got it! Orpheus! Time for that combo move!"

Aoi's excited child like demeanour made Orpheus sigh as he knocked away Joshua's fork attack with his harp. "Aoi it is not called combo move but Fusion spell!"

"Let's just do thi!" Aoi said excited as another mask appeared on his face. "Come to me! Apsaras!" Aoi summoned forth his second persona. Apsaras the newest persona he gained from the trails. Everyone watched as a blue aura wrapped around Aoi as he resonated with his two personas unleashing a strog wave of energy. "Fusion spell...Candeza!"

A group healing energy spread throughout the team. Orpheus played his harp unleashing such beautiful melody while apsaras danced around elegantly to the music. Their wounds instantly healed to the melody being played and they gained new found energy rushing into them.

"Aawwwww yeah!" Carlos shouted as he took on his thief form renergized. "Skull in the house!"

"Fabulous! Im feeling beautiful again!" Emilia rejoiced feeling her Energy come rushing back into her. She took back her phantom thief form and cracked her whip. "Time to show this loser what happens when you mess with a girl!"

"A Fusion spell!? Summoning two personas at the same time!?" Morgana took on her mascot thief form. Ready for heavy battle. "What else will you surprise me with my number one apprentice!"

Maria's torn cosplay costume got repaired too along with her injuries all healed as well. "Oh yeah! It's the heroes come back time! Strike them down and the hero always comes back stronger!"

Maria heared a beeping sound and found her laptop survived everything. The screen was just cracked and it was covered in dust but it worked fine. "COOL! MY LAPTOP LIVES!"

While Maria ran to her laptop with her newfound energy. Joshua roared like a mad lion knocking Apsaras and Oprheus down. Aoi felt the pain transfer to him as his personas vanish again. "Okay...that hurt a lot!" Aoi endured the pain he felt In him.

"THAT IS IT! YOU DESTROYED MY CASTLE! UPSET MY RULE! AND HUMILIATED ME AND RIPPED ME A PART LIKE SOME PIG!" Shadow Joshua roared in fury as as massive amounts of shadow energy flooded the room making the castle more distorted castle throne room with all the torture devices of the palace decorating the room.

The team smirked as they faced the shadow with new confidence. "First boss battles are never easy...so let's make this battle count!" Aoi shouted with his blue eyes glowing bright as lavenza flew out of him.

"He can handle this for now." Lavenza giggled as she flew back into Philemon's domain.

(Persona 5 ost Wake up and Get out there instrumental)

"Everyone listen!" Maria used her transceiver to call out to everyone. "I figured out his weakness! It's the crown on his head! It gathers all his negative energy making him stronger and almost invincible."

"Is that freakin true Navi!? Skull asked getting pumped up for battle.

"That makes things easy but how do we get it off his head!?" Panther complained seeing the crown firmly planted on Shadow Joshua's head.

"Take out the crown and we can cut off his source of power simple...Navi-chan were counting on you!" Joker declared as the group charged at Joshua.

"Eeeeehhhh!? Me!? I have to do it!?" Maria sounded like her fur was standing up in shock. "What can I do!?"

"Listen up Navi!" Mona called out to her this time. "We cant do it. Joshua's focus is on us in this battle. So we will take on the job of distracting Joshua!"

Joker came first to attack he threw his playing cards into the air and like magic they floated in air for one moment before they all aimed downwards on Joshua like steel bladed rain. Joshua shielded himself using his arms enduring the assault from out ferret. Once distracted he ripped of his mask. "Go show them what you made off! Slime!"

Slime came crashing down on Joshua wrapping his acid body all over his open wounds burning them badly with his acid. Joshua roared in fury trying to shake off the persona. Slime slithered down and reformed beside Joker as he replaced his persona. "Berith! Time to slay this beast!"

"As you wish young Lord!" Berith charged toward his spear ready to strike. Once he was close enough he sliced off Joshua's long snake tongue In half. "Have at it beast!"

"GRAAAHHHH! YOU PIECE OF WORTHLESS METAL TRASH! THAT WAS MY TOUNGE!" Joshua tried to fork Berith but was retrained by a chain and blade wrapping around his fork. It was Jokers Kyoketsu-shoge. The ferret roared out In fury as he disarmed Joshua from using his fork.

"You Navi has the least known presence among us. I made sure to pack a rocket launcher in my bag! Ill send it to you!" Mona roared as she charged towards the falling utensil slicing it in half using her sword. The fork disintegrated into shadow dust after that. She summoned forth Zorro to create a Z shaped blade of wind to create mutiple cuts on the boss shadow.

"Listen Navi! You can climb up the terrace! We will keep this dumbass from noticing you!" Skull shouted as he pulled out his grenades and threw them into the shadow path. He called forth Captain kidd to shoot his electric cannon balls on the grenades as they exploded in brilliant fashion.

"Were really counting you! Please do this for everyone this guy has hurt! Do it for the future of the school!" Panther attacked next using her long whip to break Joshua's wine glass spilling it's contents all over the boss shadow. She summoned her Persona Carmen to ignite the alcohol in the wine making it burn into a large bon fire explosion.

"Navi-chan! Please! Aint this the part were all the heroes friends gather together and entrust the faith of the world to most unlikely of heroes!? Grab this moment with your paws!" Joker smirked knowing his best anime motivation speech would encourage his best friend.

"Alright...ill do it!" Maria was pumped up now! She ran to the stairs leading to the terrace making sure to keep out of sight. While her team mates fought the beserk shadow boss getting his undivided attention she got to the perfect spot closest to Joshua's shadow. "Perfect...now where is that rocket...ah! Found it!"

Maria found the rocket launcher. It was light being a model one but knowing how the metaverse worked she knew this will be a blast!

Joker who has been keeping a close eye on his best friend using his Third eye ability. Witnessed how she made it to the perfect spot to take aim at the crown. Knowing she wont be able to hit the target while is was moving berserk like. He quickly summoned his Jack Frost persona.

"Jack Frost! Give him a big freeze!" Joker commanded as his frost fairy persona floated towards his target.

"Aye Sir! HEE-HOO!" Jack Frost let out a giant blizzard of frost and snow at the rampaging shadow. Quickly freezing the shadow in place extinguishing the flames.

"GAAAHHHAA! THATS COLD!" Joshua was half frozen to the ground. Below his waist to his legs were encased in thick ice. "GAH! I have had ENOUGH of you vermin!- wait!? Weren't there more of you!?"

"Thats right!" Maria called out from hidding spot holding her rocket launcher. "Asta lavista...You big Baby!" Maria fired the rocket aimed at Joshua's crown. The force knocked her back onto her back though. But the rocket hit Its mark on Joshua's crown. Once it exploded it completely knocked the crown of his head and it began to shrink into a normal sized one. Morgana quickly caught the treasure in her paws before it landed.

"I got it!- GEH!?" Mona saw the Rampanging Joshua stare at Mona with horror filled eyes as it quickly tried to rush towards her like a beat on the hunt. "WAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"MY PRECIOUS! GIVE ME BACK MY PRECIOUS! THAT'S MY CROOOOWWWN!" Joshua began chasing Mona who ran for her life holding the crown above her head crying a waterfall of anime tears.

"Waaaahahahahahah! Get this guy away from me!" Mona kept running around the room like a mouse being chased by a cat. A little role reversal on her part in this case.

Joker wasn't paying any attention to his sensei as he was busy catching Maria In his paws since she jumped off the terrace into his waiting arms.

"I did it! Im a hero too!" Maria cheered while laughing in Joker's arms. Joker couldn't help but giggle a little too while blushing a little.

"Yeah you did it Maria-chan..."

Unknown to Aoi and the gang Ken watched the whole thing with proud eyes as he was relieved to have his old baby cousin back.

"Oh boy...Aoi you nearly gave me a heart attack..." Ken clutched his hard beating chest as he relaxed a little. "Lucky you suppressed your shadow in time or else...you would...?" Ken noticed the blush on his little cousins face as he held the Panther in his arms. He got a small smirk on his face as he chuckled and shook his head. "Really little cousin? Has puberty really taken over you haha..."

Back with our thieving gang they started to notice a change in Joshua. He was getting tired fast of chasing Morgana and his shadow body wa shrinking a little too. He was bleeding heavily from his wounds and his muscles started to fade away.

"St-stopm..hufff...running you...rat!" Joshua was so out of breath he landed on his knees breathing heavily.

Mona took some offense to that jab Joshua grab she picked up a rock and threw it right in his good eyes making the shadow cry in pain holding its good eye. "AAAAH MY EYE! MY ONE GOOD EYE!"

"TAKE THAT YOU JERK! I HAD ENOUGH INSULTS FOR ONE DAY!" Mona was pissed off beginning to rant how she was a cat not a mouse.

"Mona this is not the time for another argument..." Panther placed a paw on their sensei'shoulder trying to calm her down.

"We can scold Bro and the Idiot lion later! Focus!" Skull shouted pissed of as well.

"Oh come on!? What did I do!?" Joker cried out not wanting to get scolded again by his sensei. Not remembering anything from earlier.

Their attention was diverted back at heavily mutilated shadow Joshua. Was convulsing in pain bleeding heavily from his wounds and even coughing up black blood. "No...this can't be! Im..im a choosen apex predator from birth! Im supposed to succeed in everything I do! How could I be losing!?"

"That just means reality isnt what you think of it to be..." Joker walked towards the crippled shadow eyes glowing bright blue leaving streams of light by his path. "Even the weak can become strong..if they try and put their power into good use...guess it's time to end this now...JOSHUA!"

Everyone watched with anticipation as Joker raised his paws up like he held conductors stick. When he brought it done the sounds of a piano could he heard along with other orchestra music. His mask split Into two again forming Azure colored Arsene and Orpheus Picaro came forth.

Orchestra music filled the air as Orpheus harp became a Piano shapped just like it. He began playing on a beautiful yet mysterious melody transforming the entire field into a royal style blue colored orchestra stage. Our phantom gang were part of the audience sitting in velvet blue chairs. While watching Orpheus play his piano they saw the stage curtains open up with the crippled Joshua on one end and Arsene and Aoi standing on the other side. The background of the stage was a English style mansion at night by the royal garden. Aoi smirked under his mask holding his knife.

"The hell!? Where are we!?" Carlos asked looking around the concert hall.

"This...this is English concert hall!? Did Aoi do this!?" Emilia was feeling un easy watching the preformance on stage.

"He-he taken over the desires of the former palace ruler and made the area his own!? How much potential does Aoi posses!?" Morgana was definetly impressed.

Nearby at the far back Ken found himself sitting down there as well. He quickly ducked down so we wouldn't be seen by our gang. "Oh come one...what is happening now!?" Ken whispered loudly.

"Ken!" Ken looked to his right to find Yu and Aigis waiting nearby sitting down casually.

"Senpai!?" Ken rushed towards them. "What is happening!? Where did the palace go!?"

"I analyzed the area around us...the throne room has been turned into Aoi's zone. This is fusion spell between Arsene and Orpheus and it seems more powerful than the ones Minato used." Aigis replied in a curious tone.

"Definitely...it's even more powerful than the ones my team used...and i never got to use my own fusion spell before so to pull off a fusion spell like this is Impressive for his age...but how much mental energy is he taking up to use It?" Yu scratched his chin interested to watch what happens next.

"Oh falled mortal who has given into the depths of his desires! You have become a demonic tyrant that suppresses the weak and cuts off their future!" Aoi spoke in a opera like...but smart ass tone.

"Shakespeare?..." Everyone watching thought confused by what was going on.

"By the cries of the oppressed! I shall free them from your evil rule! Time to show them the money!" Aoi spoke confident finding his words awesome...but Arsene sweat dropped and sighed.

"Shakespeare would never say that...Summoner...your acting is horrible." Everyone dropped anime style sweat dropping as Aoi blushed red in embarrassment. "Have you been reviewing your English literature properly?"

Shadow Hunter Underground base

"I agree...Kurusu needs to study up on his literature." Mitsuru thought of a lesson plan to teach Aoi more in the great works of literature history. "Maybe I should have a word with his English teacher...I have a few suggestion I can recommend."

"Senpai...I dont think that matters right now in this situation." Junpei's words did not fall on deaf ears as everyone nodded at the same time.

Aoi's opera house

Shaking off the embarrassment Aoi took battle position. "S-so what!? I haven't studied much on English literature yet...im freaking Japanese! And proud of it!"

"Summoner let's just get this over with..." Arsene sighed as their lame act just infuriates Joshua's shadow even more.

"DONT TREAT ME LIKE SOME SIDE CHARACTER!" Shadow Joshua began trying to crush both Asene and Joker with his fist. But both parried elegantly moving with top grade preformance on stage.

Everyone watched with anticipation and excitement.

"Come on bro! Finish him!" Carlos roared cheering for his bro.

"Show that bastard a lesson! Make him pay!-" Emilia cheered till both the skunk and squirrel were shushed by their sensei.

"Quite! Behave you two we are not in some wrestling arena but a opera house!" Both embarrassed parties sat down apologizing till they heard a crunching sound. Looking to their right they saw Maria eating pop corn.

"Where did you get pop corn?..." Morgana asked bewildered like her other kids.

"Pop corn stand! You want some!" Maria held the bucket to them wanting to share.

Above them Yu and Ken sweat dropped seeing the pop corn bucket In Maria's paws. "Wait theres pop corn stand here?..." Both males said in unison. Thats when they saw Aigis return handing them two pretzels.

"Theres a snack stand near by although it's self service the food is edible and delicious." Aigis just added more confusion to the group. Both males accepted the snack hesitantly as the living robot took her seat to watch what was happening on stage.

Joshua was still trying (and failing) to hit both persona and persona user. His weakened state made it easy to red and dodge his attacks. "H-HOLD STILL! HUFFF YOU TWERP! ROAAAARRR!"

Joshua roared out his fury as Orpheus began changing the song into a more deeper piano solo. "Sorry Joshua! But it is time for the final act!"

Joker charged foward his persona seeming to vanish. Joshua rushed to smash the thief with the last of his strength...there was a moment of fear that they would lose the beloved ferret. But few second before Impact Joker smirked as his body vanished and Arsene appeared in his place. Arsene created a rapier made of his dark energy from eiha to block the Incoming attack with ease.

"Sorry master of lust...but you got attacked a fake Joker..." Arsene smirked evily enjoying Joshua's shocked expression as he felt a sudden wave of blood lust from behind. Peering over his shoulder he saw Aoi standing proud on a raised platform. He wanted to attack Aoi but his movements were sealed away by a stream of musical notes wrapping around his body coming from the master of strings performance. Orpheus smirked looking down at his new master's enemy.

"Check mate..." Joker smiled as he leapt foward and slashed Joshua creating a giant fatal wound on his back as the piano music came to end. "Fusion spell...PHANTHOM OF THE OPERA!"

A bright blue light erupted from the stage at end of Aoi's fusion spell as the whole palace returned to normal. Back to its undamaged former glory.

Ken, Yu and Aigis were hidden behind ine of the restored pillars. While out phantom thieves were standing close to one another.

"D-did we win? Aoi bro beat the guy right!?" Carlos asked looking around for any signs of the shadow.

"Aoi-chan!" Maria's call alerted them to the center of throne room. Aoi was standing In his phantom thief form his personas gone while he looked down to the floor with arms crossed. Below his feet was Joshua's shadow in his normal form. His friend rushed to his side in case of a battle. But seeing how pale and weak looking Joshua appeared they didn't attack right away.

"Its over Joshua... we won." Joker said in a serious tone removing his mask. He had serious look in his blue eyes. "Your rule over the school is over."

"I...I cant believ It...I lost?...to you all?..but I was...choosen...I am...what am I?" Joshua cried in frustration weak and frail.

"A criminal that is what you are..." Emilia spoke removing his mask. Summoning forth Carmen. She commanded her persona to shoot flames at the shadow making it run away in fear.

"Emilia!?" Maria wanted to stop her but Aoi held her close to his side. Maria looked up to see Aoi shake his head signalling not to interfere. She looked to Morgana who gave the crown to the ferret.

"Its their call...let them have it for piece of mind." Morgana said seriously.

"A wealthy ass who believes he is such a cut above the rest he cant allow mammals below him rise upon the same stage you bastard!" Carlos summoned captain Kidd and made his person shoot lightning balls almost hitting Joshua making him scurry back to a window showing a almost bottomless black abyss below. He shrieked in fear hearing Carlos slam his bat to the ground and Emilia pulled out her weapon.

"You feel it?...this the same fear I felt...along with my team...when you decided to beat us up..." Carlos said darkly patting his bat on his paw.

"See that drop...a dark abyss like Catherine had to face alone...she didn't have a choice but to jump..." Emilia's persona created flames in her hands while Carlos' s persona charged another ball of electricity in his arm cannon. Both looked darkly at the lion before them.

Maris was scared...scared her new friends might do something drastic but Aoi hed her paw reassuringly looking down smiling at her saying. "It will be fine...I trust them."

"PLEASE SPARE ME! DONT TAKE MY TREASURE! IL PAY YOU BACK! ANYTHING JUST-" Joshua's desperate pleas fell on deaf ears as both persona fired another elemental attack missing the shadow by a Inch.

"Begging? At this moment how pathetic...and this lame ass calls himself mighty... im sure my team asked the same thing...but you never listened...so why should we spare you any mercy?..."Carlos spoke with venom in his voice.

Emilia nodded pissed off as well. "You caused a lot of suffering...to many innocent mammals...killing you is pointless...hurry up and return to that damm lion and make him feel the guilt of his crimes...cause if you ever dare try do something like this again...we will kill you next time."

Aoi smiled as did Morgana and Maria. He took a step foward towards them. "The way you are born is irrelevant...it's what you do with your life that makes you who you are. Everyone is equal at death...so even if you succed in life we all go out the same way...Stop relying on your family and traditions of a broken past...you became a criminal...so take responsibility for your actions...some wont forgive you and thats okay...just make amends I guess...is all the matters."

Shadow Joshua's eyes widened before a sad smile came to his face as he gave the team a sorry look. "I get it now...im weak...and I'm not invincible...ill go back and change my real self for the better...thank you for opening...my eyes im sorry...farewell."

With those words Shadow Joshua vanished in golden light reaching the heavens above. Once he was gone Maria went and cheered happily. "Dear gods above! I thought you both might take it too far!"

"Nah I wouldn't...lik bro here I dont want to be a criminal. I wouldn't make my team proud if I did." Carlos shrugged off his worries relaxing.

"Same...Aoi's motto got me. So ill follow it too...besides Cat wont be happy to hear when she wakes I did some unspeakable crime now would she?" Emilia smiled as she looked to Aoi. "Fabulous finish you did there Aoi! That Phantom of the opera was outstanding!"

"Heck yeah bro! Where did you learn to use that fusion spell thing!? Can we do that too!?" Carlos said excited.

"It was awesome! Like some epic final finishing move! Aoi-chan is a real hero!" Maria cheered making our ferret blush.

Morgana smiled watching the scene...but couldn't help but remember Kage...and his violent personality. "I need to keep...a closer eye on the kid..." that's when the palace began to shake violently as crumbling sounds could be heard. "Oh!? Its already starting!"

"Aoi-chan!" Maria held onto her best friend as the quake occured.

"Oh come on what now!?" Carlos was pissed off not liking the shaking as the persona vanished.

"NOT AGAIN!? ANOTHER SHADOW!?" Emilia looked around for any enemies.

"Morgana-san!? What is happening!?" Aoi looked to the expert who scratched the back of her head shy.

"oh yeah...forgot to mention this..." Morgana twiddled with her fingers a bit. "When the ruler of the palace and the treasure are taken away...the Palace can no longer keep it's form and the entire palace...self destructs!...surprise!..."

Morgana got looks of disbelief and fear from her team of kids as they all shouted In unison. "IDIOT! YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD US EARLIER!"

Everyone was panicking as the palace shook more violently. Aoi quickly picked up Maria in his paws jumping back as a chunk of the ceiling almost fell on them. "We gotta go! Go! Go! Go!" Aoi commanded his team as they all ran out of the throne room as the doors vanished.

Ken looked to his Senpai's. "We should go to guys." Both the husky and robotic lioness nodded as they followed the group of thieves closely behind.

(Fairy tail Ost : Lucy's spirits )

Our team currently running their hardest down the palace as everything started to collapse behind them.

"Ahahahahaha! What's up with this cliche!? Bad guy gone! Makes his lair self destruct! Talk about corny!" Carlos complained heavily as they dogged rubble and various falling objects.

"Were gonna die! Were gonna die! Were so going to die!" Emilia literally cried while running as she ran like her life depended on it...for real.

"Well this was fun! We succeeded in our mission!" Morgana tried to lighten the mood but got glares from the skunk and squirrel.

"THIS IS NOT FUN! YOU MANIAC!" they screamed in unison.

Maria was pretty comfortable the entire ride as Aoi carried her bridal style the entire way. She looked up to see his determined face and his crystal blue eyes shinned with hope. She started...to see him a new light a little. Almost...handsome. Aoi noticed her staring and looked down at her. "Something wrong Maria?"

Maria blushed and looked away. " I-im fine!" Her little kitty whiskers straightened a little funny like with her shyness.

Along the way something crash down onto the floor making everyone step back...when the dust cleared they saw a clear path leading down to the entrance. "There it is! The exit! Everyone down! Down! Down!"

Soon enough everyone reached the exit of the palace of lust a white light enveloped them.

Alcatraz Roof HQ. 1:30pm

Everyone found themselves crash landing like always. They returned to their normal forms now. Emilia landed on on of the desks painful belly flop style. Carlos somehow landed sitting in a empty flower cup getting himself stuck. Morgana landed sitting nicely on her chair no problem. As for Aoi and Maria our ferret landed on one knee in his original form carrying Maria still in bridal style.

"Wow...a perfect landing! That's New!" Aoi smiled happy he didn't crash land this time.

"Um...Aoi-chan? Can you put me down now?" Maria asked blushing as her ferret blushed and put her down.

"Sorry!" Both ferret and panther were blushing awkwardly flushing and shuffling around a bit.

"If your done being akward friends can you help me now!?" Carlos still trying to get the pot of his butt unable to stand up.

"Ow...let me help..." Emilia still rubbing her sore belly helped pull of pot of Carlos butt. "There!"

"Ah! Thanks Emilia!" Carlos gave the squirrel a high five which she happily returned. "Man that last part sucked bad...self destruction seriously!?"

"I know right!?" Emilia glared at Morgana. "You should have told us earlier! I thought we were gonna die!"

"Hehe...sorry kids but hey we got some great exercise!" Morgana's joke didn't cheer any one up.

"I rather not risk my life for a jog Morgana-san..." Maria sighed tired. "Oh wait the treasure!? Where is it!?"

"Right here!" Everyone looked to Aoi as he pulled out a gold medal from his pocket suprising the gang.

"Eh!? Where did the crown go!?" Maria grabbed the medal and began to examine it..."Wait...this is the medal given by alcatraz for honors students who reached the top ten...wow this one is old...its from before me and mom came...seems Joshua got this in middle school."

"So the dude still hung up on his glory days took it out on everyone else because he couldn't accept the changes in the school and Zootopia we got that...so this was the source of his crimes?" Carlos examined the medal too.

"Are you sure...we didn't take the real one from Joshua's home?...we be stealing something quite valuable?" Emilia looked at the medal or more exactly the sash around it for the type of cloth used. "Wow this silk is pure and has no Impurities! Awesome!"

"Nah...this is just a copy we got from the palace. Like I said all crimes have a source on how they started a reason for why they do it. This medal represents his glory days where his old belief were carried till changes to his whole world came. Morgana took the medal and examined it in the sunlight. "To Joshua this medal meant his success and achievement...to him it has the same value as the crown we saw in the metaverse... Now time to sell it for some cold hard cash!"

Everyone stared at morgana with disbelief.

"After all the hard work! Fighting shadows! Beating bosses! Dealing with Kage kurusu!-" Carlos ranted hard.

"Wait?...kage what?" Aoi asked still looking flushed red strangely.

"Dealing with that demon baby you want to just sell our thropy after that!?" Carlos dared Morgana who smiled and tossed it into the ferrets paws.

"Yep! Best way to cover our tracks. You dont want others asking about where you got such a shiny prize medal. Besides treasures have no powers in reality and can be sold at a high price at Finnick's shop. He gives a honest appraisal of anything you give him to sell." Morgana smirked thinking of cash in her pocket.

"I dont care about what we do with the thing...I just dont want to see It ever again." Emilia said tired and pissed off. "Its the lions dark desires so I rather get rid of it."

Thats when everyone got a message on their phone from the navigation app.

[Deleting destination...Palace of Lust has been lost congratulations! Have a nice day!]

"So the palace really is gone...it's kinda sad despite the nightmares Ill get from that place." Maria sighed happily.

"Yeah...we all became friend because of that place...despite how bad it was..." Carlos smirked.

"Hey even without that place were still friends! It's like growing up we say good bye to the old to grow in the future." Emilia smiled. "Im sure once that lion has a change of heart I can face Cat no problem! I can proudly say I beat that guy!"

"Oh yeah! Let's use the cash from the treasure for a party! Hows about that!?" Morgana announced causing a uproar from the kids in agreement.

Aoi smiled as his friends were rejoicing their achievements. He was proud he was able to help them...and himself from a criminal aiming to ruin their lives..."Finally...all our hard work this time...paid off..." Aoi felt dizzy all of a sudden...his body felt hot...and his arm was feeling painful...he had a bad headache as he struggled to stand up straight..."Huh?...why is...everything...spinning..." our ferret began look pale as his face became a deeper and hotter shade of red.

Aoi saw his friends look to him with concern before...everything went black...all he heard was his friends calling out his name In panic.

Philemon Domain

(Velvet room theme)

Aoi woke up in Philemon's domain quite tired. He found himself sitting in front of Philemon on his tea table. He was currently drinking his tea and smiled when Aoi awoke.

"Good morning Aoi. How are you my young guest?" Philemon asked gently pouring Aoi some tea and handing him a slice of cake.

"Oh!? Philemon-san hello...thank you." Aoi took a sip of his tea and took a small bite of his cake. "Hmm...chocolate-wait what am I doing here!?"

"Relax Aoi...you are sleeping peacefully In the real world. I wanted to congratulate you for your achievement for stopping that lustful beast." Philemom chuckled making our ferret blush a little.

"Oh!? Wow...thank you philemon." Aoi stuttered a little. "But it was ...really thanks to the training and knowledge you both handed to me that helpt me pull through. My new techniques and my fusion spell ability...it's all thanks to you both Philemon-san and Minato-san!"

Philemon shook his head no gently. "We only gave you a challenge to face...your own effort won you the reward you deserved. You grown well...for a start my young guest."

Aoi smiled but them realized something..."Kage Kurusu..."

Philemon stopped his tea cup mid air as he heard that name..."So...you figured it out did you?"

"Yeah...my friends horror filled eyes...Shadow Joshua's damaged body...my...other self came to life did he?" Aoi asked serious his tone asking for a straight answer.

Philemon sighed setting down his cup. "Yes...when you guarded your friend's from that attack you used a lot of persona energy...your persona energy is what keeps the balance between you two personalities...your shadow...represents a part of yourself you denied or cannot accept...and Im pretty sure you realize what part of your heart your cant accept..."

Aoi kept silent...his ears down and he looked down to his paws. Philemon knew his answer all quite well..."Listen Aoi...mammals are nuetral beings...we are never just one side...we can be both chaotic and lawful...we just need to learn to accept we are both cause the pendulum swings both ways. It's the choices we make that determine which side our faith sways towards to more on the pendulum scale. You are a being that inhabits two souls...only you can decide the right path you should take to gain your true ending."

Aoi accepted philemon's words...he was mad...and sad..."I ...still dont know...Kage is so violent...and he has the capabilities to become a true criminal...something I dont ever want to become... accepting he is a part of me..born of pain and anguish...I just dont know if I should trust or even accept him..." Aoi groaned holding his head in frustration..."I cannot let him out again...until I know how to control him..."

Philemon stayed silent respecting Aoi's words. "It's up to you my young guest...whether you accept him...denie his existence...he takes over you or you over him...if such a time comes when you need to make this choice...ill always help you find the right path for you both." Philemon's kind supportive words gave Aoi hope...

Thats when a smashing sound could be heard...black chains wrapped around a golden card.

I am thou, thou art I...

Thou hast established a new vow

The wings of true Justice

That break thy chains of captivity

With the birth of the Aeon Arcana

I have obtained the wings of blessing that shall lead to the freedom and new power...

By learning to accept one self

Saying Aoi was suprised was a understatement. He formed a bond with Philemon who never personaly involves himself with his guest. Still it made him happy knowing he had a friend he count on as well here.

"Thank you Philemon-san..." Aoi bowed his head In respect getting a gentle laugh from the fox cat as he scratched his head making him puur a little and smile.

"Anytime...I give you my permission to come here and talk about it with me. Cause im sure your friends at the moment wont be able to explain things themselves to you...there still in shock and Kage... didn't exactly make the best first impression. Respect their silence for now until their ready to talk about it with you alright?" Philemon stood up and held the smaller mammals shoulders."They arent trying to keep secrets or betray your trust... they just don't know how to talk about it yet. Their silence means they want to protect you because they care about you."

Philemon smiled as Aoi nodded his head smiling. "I never doubted them even for a moment...when they are ready...I hope I am too."

Philemon was proud os the ferret's growing resolve. He snapped his fingers as a golden butterfly floated towards them.

"Lavenza!? What are you doing here?" Aoi asked his butterfly friend who landed on his nose.

"Im on break since you won a few days peace dont worry." Lavenza giggles as she rested on Aoi's nose making him look like he had a butterfly mask on his face like philemon.

Philemon giggled seeing this and began to gently push Aoi's back. "Okay Aoi you need rest...Lavenza please send him back to reality."

"As you wish master." The golden butterfly floated around Aoi.

"Bye Philemon-san! Ill see you soon! Tell Minato-senpai I said thanks!" Aoi became a red and blue winged butterfly as he was lead by lavenza back to reality.

As Aoi left philemon looked to his side at a shadowed figure wearing a school uniform. "You know It's not nice to eavesdrop on a private conversation... Minato..."

Minato had his arms crossed as he walked onto one of the empty chairs. "Any reason your personally involving yourself with Aoi?..."

Philemon sighed looking at the void surrounding his domain. "Let's just say...im keeping a promise."

September 1, 2017 friday 6:30 am

Aoi slowly woke groggily. The first this he saw was a familiar white clinic with gothic styled design's all over the room. "W-where am I?"

"Good your awake." The voice of alerted Aoi to look to his left the snow leopard wearing her usual clothing was currently injecting something into his right arm. Most likely medicine for his body. "Hold still im giving your body some much needed vaccines for the flu season. Dont worry its my own special blend...i was experimenting on some new drugs on you while you slept to help you recover faster...so far success it seems you didnt die from them either."

"Tae-san?" Aoi slowly sat up after she was done taking the needle out and trowing it away In a special trash can. He felt a pain in his left arm to find it was In a cast with a sling over his shoulder. He was wearing a hospital patient gown and a ice bag slipped of his head then onto his lap. "H-how long was I out? Where is everyone!? Wait?...did you...inject some of your home made medicine to help-wait a second time what do you mean I didnt die!?"

Tae sighed tired and slightly amused as she pushed the weakened ferret down gently with one finger. "Okay listen up alright? And dont interupt me when I speak." Tae asked and got a nodd from Aoi. "And two remember our agreement? Your my personal guinea pig too when your in my clinic. Thanks to you being unconscious for a few days and me being the only one here too look after you. I had time to test some new medicine I made and I got a lot of good data judging from your vitals your body is quite resistant to drugs...very interesting indeed..."

Tae curious predator like eyes made Aoi pale as his left eye twitches a little in fear. "Just what experiments has she done to me while I was out...?" Aoi questioned himself as he felt ...a little violated.

"By the way yes I did a full body check up...your a big male despite your species size...anyway back to main topic." Tae's casual non caring flat reply made Aoi blush so hard his face was red as he sat up again although forced. Feeling ten times more physically violated.

"WHAT DID YOU SEE!?" Aoi felt a weakness as his fatigue kicked in making him lie back down.

"Okay one relax your still recovering and two here is a quick summary of what happened to you. 5 days ago Morgana and all your friends came running into my clinic around 1:30 pm. I had just saw the news of that little prank you did to your school that day. Morgana explained everything to me about your latest mission while she carried you on her back. I began treating you the moment you came in since your body was a mess. You had a very high fever that made your whole body burn red. You had multiple bruised bones,ribs and skin. Your left arm had a hair line fracture thats why I had to put it into a cast your now seeing and your were in a deep sleep for the 5 days you were here"

Aoi stayed silent letting all the information sink in about him blacking out for 5 days. He didn't think his conversation with Philemon took so much time.

"Now your guardians all came by and I reassured them and your friends that you were fine and in good hands." Tae looked at her clip board. "For your non involved with your secret life guardians. I told them your fever was from over exhaustion and stress. Not far from the truth after watching the video of your fight with the boss shadow Maria gave me to examine. Your really stretched your body limits to gain that victory so congrats but I suggest you better take more care of your body." Tae gave the ferret the scolding eyes making him laugh nervously. " Your such a magnet for trouble sigh...anyway as for your injuries you got from the shadow I told them You and your friends got caught up in a stampede of students during that panic you made to hide the fact your were fighting in the metaverse. I made sure to cover up the truth of what happened to you and what caused your condition and injuries in the medical report i gave the ZPD. Ive been taking care of you for the past 5 days myself. Your guardians and friends come by often to see how your doing look." Tae pointed to the small desk filled with get well presents, balloons and cards he got from everyone...it made him smile as he looked at a anime styled get well card from Maria.

He remembered about Alcatraz Academy and the lion known as Joshua Prideland. "Oh yeah!? Any news from the school!? About.. our target?"

Tae was putting away her medical equipment when Aoi asked. When she was about to answer the door of the clinic opened. A familiar otter accompanied by a black and white cat came in.

"Excuse us Tae! Were here to visit-" Rudolph almost dropped the bag he was carrying when he saw the ferret awake.

"Hi Rudolph-san-aaah!" Aoi was tackled into a bear hug from Morgana who was cuddling up joyfully seeing her apprentice awake.

"Oh Aoi! Your finaly awake! Oh you had me so worried when you collapsed! Never do that again you cheeky little guy!" Morgana continued to baby her apprentice much to his displeasure.

"Morgana-san ~ " Aoi whinned embarrassed seeing the amused looks from Rudolph and Tae who excused her self to give the small family some space. "Everyone staring!~"

"Haha sorry blue eyes but you all had us worried!" Morgana scolded but with a smile.

"Indeed I never expected you would catch the flu on that hectic day of school...im just glad you came out fine." Rudolph placed the box bag he carried on a small table near Aoi's hospital bed. "Luckily for you lady Mona saw the news from the cafe. She skipped her day off just to check on you. Luckily for her since the school was in chaos she was able to get in no problem. She told me Maria and your friends were almost stampeded by the larger students. They say you protected Maria from the majority of it and you collapsed soon after when your flu got worse. You should have seen how worried your friends were Maria was literally crying when you wouldn't wake up."

Aoi felt bad for making his best friend cry. "Ill apologize to her later when I get the chance to talk to her!"

"You better young man!" Rudolph said proud as he took out a lunch box filled with various morning breakfast specials from the cafe. "Making a lady cry is a big no, no! Now have some breakfast! I made it just for you!"

Aoi's eyes became wide and anime sparky as he took out some chop sticks doing a little prayer. "Thanks for the meal Rudolph-san! Itadakimasu!" Aoi began eating the meal quite fast his stomach was empty for 5 days so who could blame him.

"Aoi!" Morgana scolded her apprentice again. "I told you before! Eat slowly! Your food is not going anywhere chew! Chew! Your getting crumbs all over yourself again..." Rudolph laughed a little seeing their little interaction. Seeing Morgana wipe away the crumbs from the whinning ferrets face.

Tae came back holding her clip board with a serious expression as she read through it..."Morgana? Can you come with me for a second?"

Morgana looked to Rudolph and he said he will look after him. Nodding she went to Tae's private office. Taking a seat Tae began collecting a few documents with her work.

"Okay...I did some research into what happened to Aoi's body...the results..are suprising." Tae said curious tone but worried as well. Morgana took a deep breath ready for the news. "Okay one...the obvious was the reason for collapse was mental exhaustion from using all that persona magic I think...persona energy is directly connected to mental energy. His fever was due to severe amount he used during that battle thats why he slept for 5 days to recharge and rest his mind. Now for the darker news..."

"Kage Kurusu...is he?" Morgana asked gulping fearing the worse.

"Yes..." Tae held her breath getting ready for a long talk.

Alcatraz Academy gymnasium 2:30 pm

Everyone at school was gathered here in the largest building at the academy the gymnasium. Maria, Emilia and Carlos were just outside on the side of the building having a little discussion.

"I wonder what this student council meeting is about?" Carlos asked concerned.

"Dont know...all I heard Joshua set the entire thing up for today. It's quite suprising to hear him do his own work for once..." Emilia was skeptical of this big event.

"Maybe the affects of his palace and treasure being taken away from him are taking full affect now..." Maria held one of Aoi's special playing cards in her paws. With a sigh she just stared at it. "I hope he is okay..."

Emilia went to cheer her friend up with a one arm hug. "Hey dont be sad Maria! Aoi is in good paws! Tae is looking after him."

"Yeah the blue dude always bounces back even after all we been through!" Carlos tried his best to cheer up Maria too. "Tae did text us that Aoi was feeling better today and he could wake up anytime today. So let's go visit him later! Report what happens today and give him the good news!"

Maria smiled and placed Aoi's playing card back in her pocket. "Yeah! Im sure he be back to his old self in no time! He is short but he has a lot of bite!"

"I dont like being called short though Maria ahaha..." Aoi voice made everyone turn around to see Aoi in his school uniform but with his left arm still in a cast. He wore his black overcoat over his shoulder letting it dangle in the Autumn wind.

"AOI!" Everyone shouted gathering around the ferret greeting him and asking about his condition.

"AOI YOU BACK!" Maria quickly gave Aoi a big panther style bear hug ignoring his pained face as she squeezed his left arm. "Im so glad your okay!"

"Gaaahhh! Maria! Arm! Pain!" Aoi's fur stood up feeling Maria squeeze his broken arm harder.

"Ooopsy...sorry..." Maria let go and just held his right paw im hers as Aoi relaxed blushing a little.

"More importantly shouldn't you be resting!? You were out cold for almost a entire week!" Emilia was concerned.

"Yeah dude you were a mess...well we all were but you had the worse of it." Carlos gave his brother figure a look of confidence. "You did great bro so why not get some rest at home."

"Nope...when Aoi heard about the meeting on the news he forced himself here." Morgana came running up to the group. She wore her usual black sweater and white hot pants."Aoi! I told you to wait for me! Your still not well enough to be on your own!"

Morgana scolded the ferret again who laughed nervously. "Sorry Morgana-san."

"Your lucky Tae gave me a doctors note to help me enter the school. But dont forget the deal we made with Rudolph. You can come to school for this meeting but im looking after you and im in charge got it?" Morgana sighed knowing how stubborn her apprentice can be.

"Yo bro did you get the news from the lady?" Carlos asked rubbing his tail.

"Yep...from how Joshua was sent to the hospital but got discharge later that day. From how my calling cards burn away safely after the job was done." Aoi smiled after being informed.

"Yeah it was so cool! I cant believe the cards and posters were made of shadow parts that burn away in a instant. Like magician paper!" Maria wagged her tail gently having fun.

"Luckily I noticed that Aoi's calling cards were all connected by his chain. Just sending my persona energy was enough to erase them before Nick and Judy could take one for investigation." Morgana said crossing her arms.

"Yeah I guess that means you also heard how he puy himself on self suspension for 4 days too huh bro?" Carlos poked Aoi making the ferret bounce back a little.

"Yep that means the palace gone really took affect that day...I hope this meeting shows our efforts didn't go to waste." Aoi said as the announcements were made for everyone to go inside the gym for the meeting.

"Lets go Aoi!" Maria pulled Aoi along gently since they were holding paws.

The kids all went inside and stood In the back row while Morgana stood nearby. On stage Joshua was on stage. What suprised Aoi was seeing Nick and Judy along with Naoto and Kanji were with them at the back row.

"Nick-san!? Judy-san!? What you doing here?" Aoi walked up to the ZPD officers who looked down suprised to see the ferret up and walking.

"Oh AOI!" Judy went to give the kid a hug around his face. "Im so glad your doing okay now! You really had us pulling fur out when you collapsed on that hectic day!"

"Seriously though blue im glad your okay but I prefer If you took better care of yourselves." Nick smirked with his signature smile. "We had enough to deal last monday...ugh now we got a call from Josh there asking us to come here today." Nick face pawed a bit. Aoi could see how tired looking both officers were seeing some black lines under their eyes.

"So this the famous Aoi Kurusu?" Naoto walked up to the group followed by her husband.

"W-who are you mam?" Aoi asked politely feeling a little shy ears down and paws letting go of Maria's.

Nick saw the ferrets shyness and decided to break the ice. "This little blue is the detective prince! Or in her case princess! Her name is Naoto tatsumi. She solves crimes with her amazing deductive skills and is currently helping us with our investigations. Accompanying her is the polar bear with a body as cold and hard as Ice but has soft spot for all things cute! Kanji Tatsumi!"

"Yo! Names Kanji- Hey! I do nit have a soft spot! For all things cute!" Everyone else looked at Kanji with relief thinking no strong looking bear would have a soft spo for- "I love anything freaking cute and pretty you got it!?"

"That dosent make it any different..." everyone else thought as Aoi held back a laugh. Nick smiled knowing his charms got this Introduction going In the right direction...that is when Aoi realized something.

"W-wait...Naoto-san is a...police detective?" Everyone saw where this was going badly...Aoi paled a bit before taking a few steps back away from Naoto sweating. The Russian blue cat tried to quickly save her first impression.

"Hello there Aoi. Nice to finally meet you." Noato said gently leaning over. "Like Nick said it is my job to solve crimes and bring justice to those falsely accused. Which is I came to Zootopia to help the innocent mammals of this land solve the mystery of this unatural disease spreading throughout the city...im also interested in your situation Aoi."

Aoi gulped even more nervous so Maria held his right paw again to support him. "Y-your Interested in me?..."

"Yes on your so called...criminal record. I agree with Judy and Nick here...something is a miss in your case...and I promise to solve it and prove your innocence." Aoi blushed a little in grattitude but still felt nervous as he looked a little side ways.

"Thank you...Noato-san I appreciate it..." Aoi was still scared when he said this.

Judy synced her self up knowing she had to take a chance and try her best to get rid of Aoi's fear of law enforcement. "Okay...Aoi still has issues trusting us all. Fear not ill just overcome the wall he has in his heart no problem!" Judy thought pumped up for this.

Nick saw the look in her eye and gave his signature smirk. "Yep carrorts got a plan in her head...sigh..I better get her some decaffee later just in case." Nick thought knowingly how energetic his partner can be.

"Wow the guys weren't kidding...

Aoi really us scared of law enforcement." Kanji gave this some thought.

"Hmm...not the best first expression I had in mind but at least he knows im not a threat to him." Noato thought satisfied. "Good enough for now but ill work on him later...maybe ask Ken-kun for some advice on how to talk to him later."

Everyone began introductions with our phantom gang as soon as they were done Irina along with some teachers came on stage or close by readying their announcement. Joshua...looking tired and beaten took center stage. His left eye had a medical eye patch over it.

"First off I would like to thank you all for coming today. Sparing time from your usual schedules for this meeting." Naturally not all were happy to see him...he knew that but he endured it for everyone's sake."The reason I called you all here today was...to announce my resignment from the student Council...also my self expulsion from the academy." This caused a uproar among the students and staff. The new crew came out of the shadows showing this on live T.V.

"I know you all have questions...but my decision is set...I am not worthy of my position in the school...nor my family wealth...for I...have become a true criminal..." Joshua sent a email to everyone using his phone. Everyone especially Nick, Judy, Naoto and Kanji were shocked to see the numerous crimes Joshua documented as evidence against himself. "I harmed many innocent mammals...broke so many dreams just because of my self love and ego...I held onto many crimes...physically abusing a team of small mammals aiming for a soccer dream..." Carlos just looked away pissed still. "Sexually assulted many innocent women...mainly students in this school..." Emilia didn't dare look away disgusted yes but determined. "And..."

Joshua looked directly at Aoi at the back row. He smiled sadly...with defeated eyes..."Worse of all I created a whole fake rumor about Aoi Kurusu...a transfer student from Japan...a innocent Ferret who wronged just because i hated how he took attention away from me...I am true the criminal not him...I used my power and wealth to create that rumor and I take It all back...im sorry..." Joshua gave the deepest bow of respect he could give. "I know I wont gain your forgiveness...but I just want you all to know im gonna make amends...I thank...the the phantom heart thieves for opening my eyes..." Joshua revealed his white blind eye under his patch. Aoi cringed a little knowing this was his other selfs fault here but stayed strong. "Yes...I done all I could to pay for my crimes for all those I harmed...all that is left...is to get myself arrested and placed in juvenile jail...my student council are not Innocent either...nor are some teachers...nor are a lot of students involved with me.."

With a nod from Joshua to our fav officer duo. Judy got her transceiver and called headquarters. "ZPD Officer Juddy L. Hopps I request back up! Take action now!" ZPD officers came running into the gymnasium and began arresting a couple teachers and the entire student council. Outside students Involved with the lions crimes were arrested as well the soccer team were all arrested. Joshua walked up to Nick his paws raised for for handcuffs to come onto them.

Soon enough ZPD arrested half the staff and teachers of the school along with the entire student council office. Before Joshua followed the rest he walked up to Aoi with Nick holding his arm tight just in case.

"I know...sorry wont cut it...for everything I done I deserve to be hated...I wish you luck with your stay in Zootopia Aoi Kurusu..." Joshua said sincerely bowing...

Aoi sighed remembering Cat's words on forgiveness..."I forgive you..." His words shocked everyone especially Joshua. "But dont get me wrong...i still hate you...you hurt my friends and threaten to hurt more innocent mammals...I hate you...but Ill trust you to make the right choices in life now."

Joshua smiled...almost crying hearing Aoi's words. "Thank you...I promise to be a better mammal now..." Joshua mouthed another thank you but with a added twist. "(Thank you...Blue Joker.)"

With that everyone watched Joshua and all those involved with his crimes get pushed Into ZPD police vehicles. All taken away from school.

"Well see ya later blue! We have a case to finally put to rest!" Nick said with renewed energy as he lead Joshua back to their police car.

"Keep out of trouble alright!? I got my eye on you!" Judy said energetic as always not so secretly glancing on her phone. Everyone saw the homing device was now active much to Aoi's displeasure.

"Okay...Judy-san time to go. It was nice meeting you Aoi-kun. " Naoto pushed Judy out of the gym knowing that look in the ferrets eye.

"Nice meeting you Aoi-kun. Stay safe now! Hoy! Nick wait up!? Where are we ridding If Josh is at the back!?" Kanji ran out following nick as the students were dispersing Irina came to the gang side.

"Well Aoi this solves one of your problems for now." She smiled knowing this school fiasco was finaly over. "Dont worry ill protect your student profile better now. Ill make sure to hire only trust worthy staff and...get that law in the school the old principal set."

"Joshua gave you the method to erase it mom?" Maria asked her mother who nodded. "Yep..surprisingly he did. It will take a while but the student council has no power over the school like before...I see some bad students from the were arrested too...makes my job easier I guess but ill have to recreate the soccer team and student council. I have alot of work to do so Maria keep out of trouble and Aoi? Congrats...your safe for now"

"Thank you...Irina-san." Aoi thanked as the adult panther as she went out to do her work restoring the school.

Morgana group hugged her kids. "I told ya! We can make a difference...now your school is freed and im sure Joshua will pay for his crimes to you all. The school is facing change now!"

"Hell yeah! We rock!" Carlos cheered but got a sudden phone call. "Huh? Sister what is wrong-...we got...HOW MUCH!? SORRY GUYS! GOTTA BOUNCE! SITUATION AT THE ORPHANAGE." Carlos ran out as best he could. Emilia got a call next.

"Yes?...of Catherine's mom and dad hi-WHAT!? SHE IS-ILL BE RIGHT THERE!" Emilia hanged up and hugged Aoi despite Maria's displeasure. "Cat is finally up! Thank you! Thank you! Gotta go see her! See ya guys!" Our squirrel ran out following carlos leaving Aoi, Maria and Morgana.

"Wow...a happy ending for this chapter. Wr solved a big mystery without anyone knowing it! Go team!" Maria cheered getting a nod from Aoi who held her paw.

"I know...plus with what Joshua said...the facility can take me away for now...I can continue my year long stay." Aoi cheered...but Maria seemed sad...

"One year...stay..." Morgana saw the way Maria spoke and Instantly tried to lighten the mood.

"Hey kids! Why dont we jump over to the Untouchable fox later. I heard he selling a lot of limited edition anime stuff you all might like." Morgana got a excited reaction from the two otakus easy. "We can sell that medal two while were at it then I can introduce Aoi to his first fast food cricket burger in Zootopia!"

"Oh yeah! Limited edition Anime merchandise!" Maria cheered happily. "I wanna eat at least ten victory jumbo burgers!" Maria's order suprised her two friends.

"Your only eating one! Your not to ruining your appetite for dinner Maria!" Irina called out from outside somehow hearing her daughter's order.

"Geh..." Maria shrinked back in fear making Aoi and Morgana laugh. "Is my mom psychic?..."

"No im not! I just known you since you were born!" Irina said In a matter of fact voice making the younger Panther cringe while her friends laughed much to he embarrassment.

"Well...we can share a burger Maria!" Aoi gave his cute happy smile making Maria blush a little.

"Y-yeah...lets have fun Aoi-chan!" Maria did her best to hide blush. Actually both best friends did.

Morgana just smirked thinking she could get these two together later with some work. Sensing some good chemistry she hatched her plans for later. "This will be fun...now only if that handsome otter could notice me it be even better!"

While Morgana day dreamed Aoi looked to his best friend. "She does know we can hear her right?"

"I dont think she realizes that when she is in la~la~ land hehe." Maria replied as both best friends giggled.

Aoi's room 8:45pm

Aoi was currently relaxing in his room after a wonderful afternoon spending his first time at a fast food restaurant. He scrolled through some picture of Him, Maria and Morgana eating burgers. In Aoi's case his first cricket burger in Zootopia. There was one pic of him and Maria that Morgana took of them eating burgers with such care free loving the flavor faces. It made him laugh as he made it his screen saver. "The weeks we spent were hectic but...im glad we did it."

Aoi was about to close his phone but he got a text. Looking up his contacts he found It was from Nick...gulping down his nervousness he opened his text.

[Sly Fox] : Yo blue! How you been? Morgana said you all went out for your first burger. I hope you enjoyed a little taste of Zootopia's finest fast food.

Listen I got some good news for ya. Joshua has been found guilty immediately after all the evidence he shared with the ZPD he stand no chance at trial...not that he even wanted to defend himself as he willingly came to jail himself. He even revealed the criminal dealings his family has been making so Prideland industry is going down the drain fast. This solves one of the biggest illegal technology dealings me and Judy have been looking Into so that's been a great weight off our work load. Also Carrots (Judy) had a very... inspiring conversation with the facility and they decided to back off with resending you back to japan meaning your safe to stay here for ya rehab.

Because of all of the work we got unloaded from Joshua's arrest and Naoto has asked the chief to give us time off and leave the investigation were working on to them. My main reason for texting you blue is to ask what your doing on sunday? If your free we can head over with carrots and all your friends plus Rudolph and Morgana to this place called WildeTimez. It is one of the biggest amusement park In Zootopia and im pretty sure you haven't experienced going to a amusement park with friends yet so if your free I hope you accept our invitation.

I know your first month of Zootopia wasn't easy but look at you! After all that your still standing proud and strong! So me and carrots think you deserve a day to cool off. Hope you reply soon blue see ya!

P.S. I know being with law enforcement scares ya so If you need a extra paw to push you to join us dont hesitate to call up another friend you made if we havent met yet. Keep out of trouble blue good night.

Aoi was feeling conflicted...on one paw yeah he didn't feel comfortable spending time with enforcement because...of his past...but on the other paw he really wanted to go out to a amusement park! He never got to go to one before his parents were killed...bless their souls. He knew his friend could be there to help him...but he needed a extra paw...so he decided to scroll down his contact list to call a certain other ferret he knew in Zootopia to join him.

He pressed the call button and sat on his bed hugging his knees close to his chest...and then.

"Hello? Aoi is that you? It's me Ken." Ken's voice made Aoi smile just from hearing his named called out by a distant blood relative.

"Hey Ken-nii I-" thats when Aoi realized his little slip up. (Nii-big brother)

"Did you just call me big brother Aoi? How cute..haha." Ken tease made our ferret blush red face In embarrassment.

"Alright,alright I did...call you Ken-nii...can you blame me? You were like Onii-chan (Big brother) to me while we were growing up. But that is besides the point of why i called...are you free this Sunday?" Aoi heard silence for a bit...and some sounds of other voices in the room. "Sorry are you at work? I can call back-"

"No! No Aoi I was on the bus going to my hotel. Actually I am free this sunday! It's my day off. Any plans you had In mind?" Ken asked gently making Aoi wag his tail.

"Actually..."

Shadow Hunter Underground base Zootopia division

Ken had his phone on a long table. It was on speaker phone as Aoi told him about his plans for this sunday.

"No problem! I can be there easy!" Ken spoke cheerfully ignoring the eyes of the P3 and P4 group.

"Great! Thanks I really appreciate it Ken-nii! We can hang out again like we used to! Well ill see you there! Good night!" Aoi called from Ken's phone.

"Sure! Ill be there Aoi dont worry little cousin...goodnight." Ken hung up as he looked at his phone...one more time.

It had a picture of him and Aoi as kids...Aoi was just 4 years old holding a soccer ball while ken held his tiny paw in his. They were at tastumi port island shrine. Playing soccer at the play ground in front of the shrine. Smillling he looked back to everyone.

"Naoto's plan has worked...Aoi did call me and asked me to come join him." Ken said with a serious expression now.

"Good we can begin our next mission now thanks to Naoto-kun's quick thinking." Yu held his katana gently.

"Indeed...the affects of eliminating the palace of lust has taken some affect to the metaverse." Aigis said in a matter of fact tone.

"Eh? What changed now that place is gone?" Junepi asked

"Please be some good news for once?...im tired of all the extra work..." Yosuke whinned placing his tired forehead on the table. "Being the manager of the June's zootopia branch head even temporarily isnt easy..."

"Oh grow a pair Yosuke...this Is important work for the worlds sake." Chie complained.

"Besides meeting with Aoi-kum is important too...we need more information." Yukiko said while fanning herself with her fan.

"Like we planned we got Nao-cakes to get Judy and Nick's work so we can do some editing on the delicate facts about the shadow world." Kanji spoke this time. "We even got the bunny and fox duo to hang out with Aoi-kun."

"Yes...we need to look into what happened to him...it gives me a bad feeling to see how...Kage Kurusu fights." Koromaru spoke in fear but remained calm.

"Dont worry I made the device needed to give Aoi a healthy scan for any signs of his shadow." Fuuka slid a small black box to Ken's side of the table.

Ken accepts the device in Its case and places it in his pocket. "Im still not liking the part where im using my own Little cousin to do some work..." Ken sounded displeased by his current task...scanning his little cousin for shadow Hunter stuff.

"I know this isn't easy for you Amada but your the closet thing Kurusu has to a family...he wont be so guarded against you so...it will give the information we need. Don't forget this is for his sake as well...we don't want this shadow wreaking havoc on his innocence." Mitsuru spoke in a business like tone but with sincerity in her voice. "We know how much you love him...and we all want to help him get free from the facility...but we cant do that if he is locked away again there...we dont even know location of the facility is...so helping Kurusu earn his keep here during his one year stay is vital... enjoy your day with him but dont forget your mission..."

Ken took a deep breath and looked at the picture on his phone again..."Dont worry...im willing to do anything to protect my little cousin...even if I have to cross some boundaries in our trust...I wont fail my family again...Shinjiro-san...watch over us... please give me the strength I need...for Aoi."

Chapter End

Next chapter 11 - Wilde Timez

Mavis : (currently sleeping face first on her bed snorring )

Rin : Yo Rin here guys! Sorry but my partner had a big crash after all the extra work we had... one thing I can say is that were finaly free as college graduates! Yay us! As mavis would say.

This chapter took a lot of work to make with the battles scenes and the events after the palace boss battle. Mavis and I had to work on it for a week to get it right that created a lot of sleepless nights so that why she passed out from exhaustion. So we hope you like It! The mystery behind Fursona grows deeper! Next chapter is another break for the gang! As they all go to WildeTimez for some chaotic amusement park fun!

Rin: oh we had a few new comments again so time for a shout out. From ZooFan were glad you like the comedy we add to the Fursona universe. Expect more in future chapters as Aoi socializes with his friends and goes through his journey as a persona user

Mavis : (now awake with her bowl cut messy hair) Interesting Fact everyone. It's Rin who writes the funny scenes. He may seem serious and a little cold but he has a great sense of anime style humor! Im great with romance fluff but battles and comedy I need his opinion.

Rin : waah!? Mavis!? Heeeeeeyyy! Dont tell them that baka!

Mavis : Relax will ya! (Smiley face) sorry he just a Tsundere Dragon furry.

Rin : Am not Baka neko!

Mavis : Anyway! Look out for next chapter! It may take a while longer since plan to release the poke movie one shot we made along with new fursona chapter!

Otaku mode out!