Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Persona 5: New Testament

Chapter 7

April 12

Inokashira Park

After School

Megumi, Kanaru, and Jun got to the park. Jun suspected his brother was up to something, so he texted Megumi and Kanaru to go to the park after school hours. They followed the young men to an empty spot in the park. What they found there were the two boys doing what looked like Kagenuki. Before Megumi could even do anything, she saw an aura coming from Takuro. Then the whole group saw a spirit come out of Takuro and another spirit coming out of Shin.

No…

Those were not spirits.

Megumi knew what those things were.

'Persona…' Megumi thought, 'J-Just like me… they… they have it too…'

"Are those ghosts?" Kanaru asked.

"Shin… Takuro…" Jun said, "So that's why…"

"Persona…" Megumi said.

"Megumi?" Kanaru asked.

"Wait, you know about Personas?" Jun asked.

Megumi looked to Jun and Kanaru. She looked at the two boys.

"I… I'll explain whenever I get the chance." Megumi said, 'Shin… Takuro… you have the same gift I have…'

"Now then, have at you!" Spartacus said.

Spartacus charged forward. The claws began coming in a barrage of blows coming from the left and right. Abel began to evade the attacks. The teeth cut at Abel's body, causing Shin to feel the attacks. He began to block the attacks with his sword. Spartacus pulls his claws back and puts them together in an 'X' formation. The claws are thrust forward and land a solid blow against Abel's midsection, making Shin feel himself getting pushed back. The claws separate and flank Spartacus's sides. They form a pair of 'guns' with the ends facing each other, the teeth of the claws facing each other as well. Electricity began to run along the teeth. A pair of bolts made of lightning fired from the gap between the two ends. Abel dodged to the side. Shin looked to the ground. It was charred by the lightning bolts.

'Those lightning bolts… the claws must be generating electricity.' Shin thought, 'The output must be strong…'

"Oh man! I can shoot lightning! Cool!" Takuro said.

"Hey! Takuro! Put your Persona away! You could hurt somebody!" Shin said.

"Aw come on! It's only just us!" Takuro said.

"Both of you! That is enough!" A voice said.

"Eh?" The boys said.

They looked in the direction of the voice to see Jun, Megumi, and Kanaru.

"What the hell do you two think you're doing?!" Megumi asked, "Put them away! Now!"

"Wait, you can see them?!" Takuro asked, "H-How?!"

"I'll tell you that AFTER you put them away before someone gets hurt!" Megumi said.

"Alright! Alright! Yeesh! Get off our backs!" Takuro said.

Spartacus and Abel faded out. The boys looked at Kanaru.

"Did you see them?" Takuro asked.

"Um… I… I did." Kanaru said, "I… I don't know how to explain it, I… I just do…"

"Ok… at least we got that out of the way." Takuro said, "Now what's this about you being able to see our Persona's Megumi?"

Megumi looked down. She held her arm. Jun stepped forward.

"I can explain for her." Jun said, "She… She awakened her Persona during a car accident."

Megumi looked surprised. The boys looked just as surprised. Kanaru looked saddened and sympathetic.

"H-How did you know?" Megumi asked.

"My little bro has psychic levels of perception." Shin said, "It's practically impossible to hide anything from him unless you know how to manipulate your own thoughts accordingly."

"R-Right…" Megumi said, "Go on, Jun…"

"Are you sure?" Jun asked out of consideration.

"I… I don't feel comfortable telling them." Megumi said.

Jun sighed.

"She was just a little girl back then, so she didn't have proper control of her powers at the time." Jun said, "When she awakened her Persona, she managed to save her parents… but her little brother… he died in the accident."

Shin and Takuro looked down.

"Megumi…" Takuro said.

"Ever since that incident… I… I wasn't sure if it was because my Persona wasn't strong enough to save my brother or if it was my resentment over him that led to my failure." Megumi said, "I… I was born a daughter from an affair my father had with my mother. She… she was too glued over my brother. Ever since the incident, my mom and I… we never got along after the incident."

"Megumi…" Takuro said.

"Kayano…" Shin said, "Do… do you…"

"Yeah… I have a complex over Personas." Megumi said, "I… I sometimes wonder why I was even born with that power to begin with…"

"Megumi…" Takuro said, "Look, I don't know how Personas work, but if I can awaken to my Persona, then anyone can awaken their Persona."

"The power exists within everyone; they just don't know they have that power." Shin said, "You shouldn't blame yourself for what happened, I'm sure your Persona did the best it could. Just give it a chance and you'll see that there's nothing wrong with having those special powers."

Megumi was speechless.

"Shin… I… I don't know." Megumi said, "I don't know if I can…"

"Look, Megumi, there's gonna be a point where you may have to use your Persona." Takuro said, "When that time comes, you're going to have to use it."

"I… I… I'm just not sure if I can do it…" Megumi said, "I'm not sure if I'll…"

Shin puts a hand on Megumi's shoulder.

"Don't worry Megumi, I'm sure you'll be able to summon your Persona again. I know it." Shin said, "Come on Takuro, I think it's time we jump inside the Principal's head and see what's going on in there."

"Right now?" Takuro asked.

The girls looked confused.

"Wait… what was that part about jumping inside a person's head?" Megumi asked.

"Yeah… I didn't catch that part." Kanaru said.

"Come on Jun, you got the words?" Shin asked.

"You know it." Jun said.

"Wait, what's going on?" Megumi asked.

"Long story short, Shin's got an app that allows us to go into people's minds." Takuro said, "Now that I think about it, I just got that app too. Not that it matters."

"Let's go, Takuro." Shin said.

"Wait, shouldn't we get your older brother?" Takuro asked.

"Older brother?"

"Yeah, works in the police department." Shin said, "He's got a Persona as well."

"Even your brother has one?" Megumi asked, "When were you—"

"Never mind, we have to go now." Shin said, "Later, Kayano."

Shujin Academy

After School

Shin saw Ren and Ryuji standing by the entrance. He went over to the two. Takuro and Jun followed him.

"Hey! Ren! Ryuji!" Shin said.

"Huh? Wait is that Shin?" Ryuji asked.

"Maybe he can help us." Ren said, "Can I see your phone?"

Shin got over to the pair.

"Yeah, sure, why?" Shin asked.

He held out his phone. Ren took it.

"I knew it… you have the app as well." Ren said, "Have you used it before?"

"Uh… accidentally? Yes." Shin said, "It's pretty simple, just type in three keywords. A person's name, location, and how that person sees it."

"Oh, so like Kamoshida, Shujin Academy, and Castle, right?"

Starting navigation…

"CANCEL!" Takuro exclaimed.

Shin pressed the cancel button. So too did Ren.

"Damnit, man! What the hell! We weren't even going inside Kamoshida's head!" Takuro exclaimed.

Ryuji looked to Takuro.

"And who's he?" Ryuji asked.

"Takuro Sakakiba. He's with me in 2-A." Shin said, "Me, him, and my younger brother are going inside the Principal's head."

The boys looked confused.

"The Principal?" Ren asked.

"Wait, you said you were going inside his head." Ryuji said, "The eff does that mean?"

"It's a world of a person's cognition. Anything you see in there is just how their mind reflects upon the world around them." Shin said, "And it applies to everything. People, objects, locations, everything that the person can think of."

"So… those voices we heard…" Ryuji paused, "Dude… you gotta be effing kidding me."

"What's wrong?"

"We saw members from the volleyball team in the dungeon of Kamoshida's Palace." Ren said, "If what you're saying is true, then we almost went on a wild goose chase trying to rescue them."

"Eff me, man… the eff are we gonna do?" Ryuji asked.

"We'll think about it when we get there." Ren said, "Shin, you said you were going into the Principal's Palace. Why?"

"Ren… you… you haven't figured it out yet?" Shin asked, "The Principal is the reason Kamoshida is messed up."

Ryuji looked at Shin in disbelief. Ren looked more interested in what Shin had to say.

"What do you mean?" Ren asked.

"To make a long story short, the Principal told Kamoshida he could do anything, and the Principal intimidated everyone to keep quiet about everything and anything Kamoshida did." Takuro said, "That's why no one has done anything about Kamoshida."

Ryuji looked shocked.

"No way…" Ryuji said.

He looked angered.

"What the fuck is wrong with this school?!" Ryuji asked, "That fucking fat ass is defending that selfish bastard!"

"He's been obsessed with building the school's reputation." Shin said, "That's all that ever mattered to him."

"Shin…" Ren said, "How did you figure this out?"

Shin was silent.

"Thank Kamoshida's Shadow."

Ryuji looked surprised. Ren looked calm.

"His Shadow?" Ryuji asked.

"He called me the Principal's little Boy Scout." Shin said, "I think he has a grudge on me. Mostly because I think the Principal is favoring me instead of him."

"Favoring you?"

"The real Kamoshida confronted me." Shin said, "Turns out, the Principal doesn't want Kamoshida to do basically anything to me. No threats, no abuse, nothing. Kamoshida can't do what he wants as long as I'm around and nearby or he'll think I might get suspicious enough to call my brother who might get the police down here."

"Well that's ironic." Ren said.

"It's effing poetic is what it is." Ryuji said, "Must suck for a man who was told he could do whatever he wanted to do. He'd have to not do anything that might get you to call your brother who might get the police."

"I'll step back and let you guys handle Kamoshida. Leave the Principal to me." Shin said.

Shin, Takuro, and Jun stepped back. Ren and Ryuji activate the app and the two just vanished. Ryo's car stops by. Ryo steps out.

"I'm assuming you want to deal with Kobayakawa himself." Ryo said, "And why did you—wait…"

He looked at Takuro. Takuro froze.

"He's a Persona user?" Ryo asked.

"How did you know?" Takuro asked.

"You look exhausted."

Ryo was right. Takuro looked exhausted. He needed about a minute or two of rest.

"Rest up before we go any further." Shin said.

"Sure… whatever you say…" Takuro said.

Takuro sat down for a moment.

"Do it." Ryo said.

Kobayakawa… Shujin Academy… Town Hall… beginning navigation…

The world began to warp around them. The school turned into a town hall. Takuro had a mask over his face shaped like Spartacus's face. Jun had a mask over his face as well. Shin and Ryo's clothes changed. On Ryo's back was a greatsword.

"So, this is Kobayakawa's Palace…" Ryo said, "We should avoid the front door and—"

The doors opened and what looked like police officers came out. They must be Shadows as they have masks as well.

"Halt! This is Mayor Kobayakawa's Town Hall! You're not allowed in!"

Shin took off his mask gently. The Shadows looked surprised.

"W-Why you're…" One of the Shadows said, "Tell the Mayor that Mr Kanzato is here to see him!"

"Shin, what are you doing?" Takuro asked.

"Confirming my brother's theory." Shin said, "Besides… I must know if Kamoshida became the way he is because of the Principal. I have to be certain."

"Now now my boy, there's no need to be so… cautious."

Out came Kobayakawa's Shadow. He certainly looked like a professional mayor. He tipped his hat off to Shin.

"Principal… no, Mr Mayor." Shin said.

"Uh… Shin? What are you doing?" Jun asked.

"Mother always did say he wanted to do drama." Ryo said.

"It's rather odd that I'd find you outside my Town Hall." Shadow Kobayakawa said, "I don't wish to harm you, but I will order my guards to toss you out if you cause any trouble."

"I want to talk to you about Kamoshida." Shin said.

"Oh? You mean you wanted to talk to me about that good-for-nothing animal?" Shadow Kobayakawa asked.

"He thinks he's king." Shin said.

"Does he now?" Shadow Kobayakawa asked, "Hmph. I knew I should have put a leash on him. Such a wild dog he is… so uncouth. So vulgar that it's absolutely disgusting."

Shin frowned upon hearing those comments.

'So that's how he thinks of him… just an animal…' Shin thought, 'That's just…'

He took a step forward. The Shadows raised their guns, but Kobayakawa motioned them to be down.

"Let him pass, I wish to speak with the boy on this matter alone." Kobayakawa said, "Leave the rest outside though. Call me if they stir up trouble."

Shin kept approaching him.

"Come with me to my office." Shadow Kobayakawa said.

Shin went inside with Kobayakawa.

"So, what did he do? Did he threaten you?" Shadow Kobayakawa asked.

"No. He didn't." Shin said, "Tell me Mr Mayor, what am I to you?"

"What are you to me?" Shadow Kobayakawa asked, "You are like an absolute gem to me. I could never let that animal have his way with you."

"A gem?" Shin asked, "At least I know you hold value in me."

"Well… I've used my connections to learn more about you." Shadow Kobayakawa said, "A child who lost his parents in a tragic car accident amid a terrorist attack, left to live with his younger brother for ten years. Your brother went to Kyoto to attend a college and became a fine police officer in Ayanagi before going to Tokyo."

"So, you know everything about my past, Huh?" Shin asked.

"I just heard you joined the Art Club. That's good, my boy, very good." Shadow Kobayakawa said, "Your artistic talent would make Ichiryusai Madarame look… so… past tense."

He did not like being compared to famous people. It makes him feel like there was too much faith being put into him.

"I… don't think that's a valid argument to make there, Mr Mayor…" Shin said.

"Oh, don't be like that, my boy." Shadow Kobayakawa said, "You were born with great talent. Talent that would improve my approval ratings. Improve the school's reputation. You would be a famous alumnus for Shujin Academy. Your name would be etched in the annals of history."

"I… Uh…"

"It's ok to feel flustered." Shadow Kobayakawa said.

The two made it to the office. There were pictures of men.

"Who… are they?" Shin asked.

"They are my… associates." Shadow Kobayakawa said, "They're the reason I'm the Mayor."

'In other words… they are the reason he became the Principal…' Shin thought, "Are one of your associates my brother's superior?"

"Why of course my boy. One of them happens to be your older brother's boss." Shadow Kobayakawa said, "Though I don't know about the rest of my associates, I can assume that some of them are in the Yakuza and some of them are politicians."

Of course. It would make sense. All the money they have… they would most certainly use it to give the Principal as much as he wants. In the case that everything about Kamoshida gets out, they will want to tie up a loose end. They would want Kobayakawa killed off to eliminate someone they deem incompetent.

"So that's why you put a gag order on everything that Kamoshida does." Shin said, "If you were implicated in this scandal, they would consider you a loose end and get rid of you."

"Ah… such deductive reasoning… that is why I can't let Kamoshida just do away with you as he pleases." Shadow Kobayakawa said, "It would be a waste of good potential. You're right. They wouldn't want a loose end. They would want to tie it up quickly."

The Shadow smiled.

"How about we make a deal?" Shadow Kobayakawa asked, "You get rid of Kamoshida, and I'll let you have everything you could ever want. Women? Fame? Wealth? I can give them all to you."

Shin knew the forces of temptation well. Sometimes, his brother Jun would try to bribe him with a cookie so that he could forget he saw Jun touching the cookie jar when they were kids. He tried that with Ryo, but Ryo would never fall for it.

"Think about it," the Shadow said, "Shujin Academy has had some lovely girls that must have caught your eye. Of course, I'd prefer my women to be in their thirties or forties. Not too old and not too young."

He made a point. That Takamaki girl was certainly beautiful. Makoto was also beautiful as well. Then there was Shiho. He figured all the girls on the volleyball club were hot chicks. There were also some girls in his class that seemed attractive, though the only two he could think of is Kanaru and Megumi.

"And besides, I could make you incredibly rich. I could make you into a celebrity." Shadow Kobayakawa said, "You can't say that my terms are far too generous."

"You're going to spoil me that hard?" Shin asked.

"I have vast riches. I don't need to worry about being wasteful." Shadow Kobayakawa said, "So… what is your answer?"

Shin thought about it. Shin took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry Mr Mayor, but I can't accept your offer." Shin said, "I'm afraid I have to decline."

He pulled out a pistol. The Shadow did not move.

"And you stick by your morals… oh the press will definitely love you." Shadow Kobayakawa said, "If you survive that is."

The Shadows rushed in. They all had their guns pointed at him.

"I won't kill you. I'll simply have you thrown out—"

BOOM!

The building was rocked by the sound.

"What the hell?!" Shadow Kobayakawa exclaimed, "What is going on out there?!"

"Well, I'm out." Shin said.

He jumped over a Shadow's head and ran out the office.

"Stop him, but do not injure him! I wish to negotiate with him a little more!" Shadow Kobayakawa ordered.

"Sir! It is the other intruders! They took off their masks and engaged us!"

"Then fight back! Don't let them rendezvous with Kanzato!" Shadow Kobayakawa ordered, "You are authorized to engage!"

Takuro was wearing an outfit like Spartacus's appearance. He was wearing a chest plate that was like Spartacus's chest plate over a shirt that had armor on it. On his right arm was a shield. Jun was wearing a priest's uniform. In his hand was a staff that had a catholic cross on it. Two of Spartacus's claws came together and fired a blast of electricity at the door, blasting it clean off. The Shadows broke down into puddles of liquid. The liquid rearranged itself into a soldier with a spear.

"Jun, step back." Ryo said, "Afro, keep up."

"Right!" Takuro said, "Wait, did you just call me afro?!"

"Cain, deploy." Ryo said, taking his mask off.

"Hey!" Takuro said.

Cain emerged. He pointed his gun at the warriors. Takuro charges forward. Spartacus rushed in for the Shadow in the back. Takuro was pulled towards the Shadow.

"H-Hey! What the hell—?!"

'Idiot!' Ryo thought.

He ran to where Takuro was going. Takuro bashed his shield into the warrior. Ryo slashed the warrior behind Takuro, cleaving it into two.

"You don't have complete control over your Persona." Ryo said, "Is there something in your subconscious that's causing this?"

"How am I supposed to know?!" Takuro asked.

Ryo looked to see a giant dog with a lion's mane coming at him. Cain smacks the creature with his right arm gauntlet. Cain aimed his gun at the animal.

"Bufu." Ryo said.

A dark blue beam shot out and the creature had ice growing over its body before it shattered. The creature fell.

"Megido."

A powerful beam shot out and vaporized the beast. Takuro looked amazed.

"Dude…" Takuro said, "You have way more experience than we do."

"I've been using my Persona a lot." Ryo said, "I trained it to become stronger. You should train your Persona while you still can."

They saw Shin rushing towards them.

"Alright guys, we're leaving!" Shin said, "Move it!"

They all began to take their leave. They kept running until they vanished from the Palace's reality. Shadow Kobayakawa stood outside.

"That boy… I'll make him realize that I can grant him anything he wants." Shadow Kobayakawa said.

Shujin Academy

After School

Shin, Ryo, Jun, and Takuro made it back to the real world. They were exhausted from all the fighting. They saw Ren and Ryuji come out. Shin got over to Ren.

"Well? How did everything go on your end?" Shin asked.

"Ryuji has all the members memorized." Ren said, "Oh, and he has a Persona now."

"Really?!" Shin said.

"Yup… and he's a badass pirate…" Ryuji said before he slumped, "Eff me… I'm beat…"

"What about you, Shin?" Ren asked.

"Well… I can confirm that Kobayakawa cares little about Kamoshida." Shin said, "He thinks Kamoshida is just some wild animal… less than human… and it's like he's treating the people in this school like they're just objects."

"That can't be everything." Ren said, "What else?"

"Well… he has connections to politicians, the police, and even connections with the Yakuza." Shin said, "As crazy as that sounds, they seem to be the reason as to how Kobayakawa got his job."

"Alright, Shin, you head on home. Give me your number and chat ID." Ren said, "I'll want to stay in contact with you."

"Sure," Shin said, "Just give me your number and chat ID."

The two exchanged numbers and chat ID. Shin and Jun got in the car while Takuro began to make his way to the train station. Shin watched as Ren and Ryuji went into the alley leading to the school. The car began to drive off.

'Ren…' Shin thought.

Kanzato Household

Evening

Shin was in his room, making a model of Arsene. It was a profound Persona in appearance. It looked very threatening to behold. He applied the finishing touches. Shin heard his phone ring and held it up.

Ren: Tomorrow is the volleyball rally.

Shin: A volleyball rally?

Ren: Yeah, after school ends. We will use that opportunity to get all the evidence we need on Kamoshida and the physical abuse.

Shin: Ren, I don't think that will work.

Ren: Is it because of the gag order?

Shin: Yeah…

Ren: We still have to try. They might just tell us something we can use.

Shin: Ren…

Shin: I understand…

Ren: Don't forget about Kobayakawa. Let me and Ryuji handle Kamoshida.

Shin: Right…

He puts his phone away.

'Shiho…' Shin thought, 'If you're his victim, then…'

Akechi's Apartment

Evening

Ayane was meditating. She always liked to meditate. Meditation gave her a moment of peace. It allowed her to be one with Aditi in mind and body. Ayane thought back on that day on the beach when she and Shin met.

When she came to kill his parents.

That day was etched in her mind. She could never forget about it. As long as she could remember that day, she will never forget the blade that stabbed Aditi in the chest. She thought about the pain and suffering she bore specifically onto him that day and wondered to herself about her fate as well as his fate.

'If our positions were switched that day, would your fate become mine and would my fate become yours?' Ayane asked, 'I still wonder…'

"Ayane, are you done with the chair yet?" Akechi asked.

Her concentration broke. She opened her eyes and looked at Akechi.

"If you want it, then you'll have to come and take it." Ayane said, "But you already knew that didn't you, Akechi?"

"Ayane, I am not in the mood for this." Akechi said.

She heard Akechi coming closer. She got off the chair and, in a surprise, lunged at him and pressed her lips against his lips. She forced him onto the bed and continued to kiss him. She pulled away from him, leaving a trail of saliva between her lips and his lips.

"What—you—what? Why? Why the hell—?"

"Oh, Akechi, you cannot deny that felt good." Ayane said.

"But why put me on the bed?!" Akechi asked, "I am not going along with whatever it is that you—!"

She took off her dress, exposing some of her lovely skin. She was wearing a shirt which she then took off to reveal a corset. She looked at him with those eyes. Those eyes that pierce his soul like a spear piercing through flesh. She took off his gloves. Her skin touched his. He felt as though he were being bewitched.

"Damned witch… are you trying to seduce me?" Akechi asked.

"Admit it, you want to feel me." Ayane said.

Akechi looked away and then looked at her. He scowled a bit before sighing.

"You are a witch." Akechi said, "But you are at least you're the kind of witch that knows how to use her spells."

He grabbed her shoulder and pulled her down, pressing his lips against hers. As the two made out with each other, he began to wonder why he had begun to feel this way towards her. It was like he was falling for her, but could not find the reason or the cause, but believes that she has the answer.