Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Persona 5: New Testament
Chapter 12
Monday, April 18
Haneda Airport
Early Morning
Akihiko and Inui had gotten off the plane with all their stuff. They saw Ryo, Ito, Narasaki, and Eiko waiting for them.
"Well, you guys were waiting, weren't you?" Akihiko said.
"What took you guys so long?" Ito asked, "We were wondering if you happened to die at some point."
"Well I'm not dead I'd that's what you're wondering." Akihiko said.
"I brought everything I could bring with me." Inui said.
"Good." Ryo said, "We have work to do."
"Right, Right." Akihiko said, "Just get me to my apartment first will ya? I got luggage to unpack there."
Shujin Academy
Early Morning
Kamoshida was just standing by the entrance, just saying good morning to the students that were passing by. The minute he spotted Ann with Ryuji, along with that transfer student, he could not help but scowl. He also noticed a glare coming from Ann as well. The trio said nothing as they passed him. He did not say anything either. He saw Shin with Shiho attached to his arm. He resisted the urge to spit at Shin. That brat was the reason he got taken off his job as coach for the volleyball team. A substitute was taking over for him until the Principal deemed that Kamoshida was 'fit' to coach the volleyball team.
'Fit my ass.' Kamoshida thought, 'I'll get rid of that little shit one way or the other and the Principal will have to put me back as the coach for the volleyball team.'
Shin noticed Kamoshida was glaring at him.
"Don't worry, teach, I'll take pretty good care of Suzui-san." Shin said, "I won't lay a single scratch if that's what this is about."
"Move along." Kamoshida said.
"Moving." Shin said.
He moved along. Shiho looked up at Shin.
"We're really going to do this." Shiho said.
"Yeah." Shin said.
Shin felt uneasy. It was like someone was watching him. He could not help wondering who was watching him. Was it that woman? Was she hiding in an alley, waiting for him to enter a palace? Or was it someone else?
Kumaki Kanasu had a very strange obsession over that Shin Kanzato. She found herself being attracted to Shin and she could not even find the explanation for it. She heard he was from Ayanagi. She was from Ayanagi as well and she was a first-year student at Shujin. No one was interested in her and she was not interested in anyone. She was always moody and cold to others. Her body was not all that interesting. She had B-cups sized breasts. She was as slim as any first-year high school girl should be. She did not possess any bombastic curves like some of the second- or third-year girls attending Shujin. Her breasts could never compete with those of the second or third years, or the luckier first years for that matter.
She had been a strange girl for most of her life. She had the most darkest thoughts out of all the first-year students in Shujin. She was always a loner. She did not like being around other people.
Her obsession over Shin made her even more strange. She had been watching him from the shadows, recording his every move before heading home. She did not know why she had this obsession over him. At first, she thought it was just the fact that she and Shin came from Ayanagi, but that was just coincidence. Maybe she and Shin lived in Ayanagi ten years ago during the incident. That too could just be a coincidence.
Maybe it had something to do with the power that awakened within her during her junior high school years.
Yes, the power she saw on full display.
Shujin Academy
Morning
Yumi Tasaka had been thinking about the offer that had been given to her by the man who once saved her life in Ayanagi. An offer that was almost strange in how simplistic it was while it sounded straightforward in its purpose.
Join him and a team of Persona users that he was organizing to combat the group that had attacked her or simply continue living an ordinary life as a high school girl.
Obviously, that officer, Ryo Kanzato, now that she finally got his name, wanted her help and he was willing to simply let her go back to her usual life if she said no. As much as she wanted to never get involved with that group, she felt like she had to accept. She saw Megumi and her Persona when that girl from the volleyball team tried to kill herself. She heard rumors that the girl was now seen with the boy who attempted to save her.
And that he had picked a fight with Kamoshida.
She knew then that she owed Ryo. She had to pay him back. If helping his brother and helping Ryo take down these guys was enough to pay him back, then maybe it was best that she took up that offer seriously and personally at best.
It is what Selene, her Persona, would have wanted.
She looked at Makoto. She could tell that she was still bitter about what happened on Friday. She knew the silence had to be broken. It was time to take that offer. She had to take up that offer. Someone must bring justice.
She needed to meet with Ryo Kanzato's brothers, Shin and Jun, who may have gotten some Persona users together. If Megumi is among them, then she must join up with the Kanzato brothers.
Police Department
Afternoon
Ryo took Akihiko to the police station. He showed him around the place. Akihiko seemed impressed. Akihiko was wearing a black suit with a light brown collar shirt, red tie, and black gloves.
"So, this is what the Tokyo PD looks like." Akihiko said.
"Yes, though unlike the Ayanagi PD, the station there is using more state-of-the-art technology." Ryo said.
Ryo saw Sae coming in. Akihiko turned around and froze up.
"Now who is this, Ryo? A friend of yours?" Sae asked.
"Niijima… great timing." Ryo said, "Akihiko, meet Sae Niijima. Niijima, this is Akihiko Sanada, a friend of mine who used to work with me back when I was in the Ayanagi Police Department."
"Huh…" Sae said, "So you worked with Ryo in the past, correct?"
"Uh… um… uh…"
"Forgive Akihiko, he's usually shy when it comes to talking to a girl aside from those that he can comfortably speak with." Ryo said.
"H-Hey!" Akihiko said, looking to Ryo, "Come on, Ryo, really?"
"Just think like you're talking to Mitsuru or Yukari and you'll do better with talking to women." Ryo said.
"Easy for you to say…" Akihiko said before looking to Sae, "Y-Yeah… we worked together at some point…"
"And?" Sae asked.
"And… he… he's still a robot." Akihiko said, "So are you his… girlfriend or something?"
"Well…"
"We're just friends." Ryo interjected.
Sae glanced at Ryo at that moment.
"Right…" Akihiko said, "So… I'm sure you prepared for that thing you had planned, right?"
"Are you two… going to celebrate something?" Sae asked.
"Uh…"
"It's nothing special." Ryo said, "Come with me, Akihiko."
"Right…" Akihiko said.
Ryo and Akihiko moved on. They went up the stairs and took a right. Ryo led him to the SIU Director's office.
Ryo knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Ryo opened the door.
"Director, this the man I spoke of earlier." Ryo said.
"Akihiko Sanada," Akihiko introduced himself.
"..."
The Director looked at Ryo.
"Are you sure he knows everything we spoke of?"
"Yes, he does sir." Ryo said, "He knows everything about the Marebito and the existence of Personas."
"And he'll help us gather the individuals we need?" The Director said.
"I got someone working on that right now." Akihiro said, "If you happen to have any questions, now is the time."
"Hm… very well then." The Director said, "Start by telling me who these Marebito are and what their motives are."
"Why of course, it's only natural that you would want to know who the enemy is." Akihiko said, "Ryo, could you—"
Ryo closed the door as soon as he left the office. He was standing guard outside. Akihiko sighed.
"Where do I begin?" Akihiko asked.
Shujin Academy
Rooftop
After School
"So… why are we on the roof from which I just tried to kill myself off of?" Shiho asked.
"Uh, cus no one comes up here?" Ryuji asked, "Better question, why are you dragging Mishima into this?"
Yes, that was an elephant on the roof in this case. Shiho did bring Mishima up here. He was confused by all of this as well. Why did Shiho bring him here in the first place?
"Well… I figured he'd want to get rid of Kamoshida using that method you guys talked about…" Shiho said.
"Uh… what method?" Mishima asked.
"Oh… it's nothing too concerning for you to worry about." Ann said.
"You will understand everything in good time." Ren said.
Morgana comes down.
"So, if we're going to pull this off, we'll have to investigate the castle even more until we find where the Treasure is hidden." Morgana said.
"Yeah, there's that part." Ryuji said.
"And then after we find the Treasure… what then?" Ann asked.
"Well… I'll tell you when we get there." Morgana said, "For now, we just need to find out where it is and secure a route to the treasure."
"Ok… I know I'm going to sound crazy for asking this, but how do you guys understand what that cat is saying?" Mishima asked, "And no, I wasn't going to ask if any of you guys are going crazy and no, I'm not imagining things."
"Oh yeah… you haven't been to that other world yet." Ryuji said, "For you, all you're hearing is a cat that's just constantly meowing. To anyone who has been in that other world, it's like he can actually talk."
Mishima was deeply confused by this. He could never understand any of this.
"I know it sounds crazy and everything, but you'll understand when we get there." Ann said, "Just come with us."
"I… I don't know, it seems like you guys are planning on doing something to Mr Kamoshida and—"
"Don't worry, we're not planning on killing him or anything." Ryuji said, "Basically, we're going to make him change his ways."
"H-Huh?!"
"You'll understand." Shiho said, "I promise."
Mishima groaned.
'What is going on in this school?' Mishima thought.
Shujin Academy
Front Entrance
After School
Shin got a soda out of a vending machine. He, Jun, Takuro, and Megumi gathered at the entrance.
"So, we're really doing this?" Takuro asked.
"Yeah." Megumi said, "After what happened on Friday, I don't want this all to be kept silent. People have to know what is going on in this school."
"I was just checking." Takuro said, "Good to know that we all agree that the Principal is a jerk who deserves to go to prison."
"You wouldn't mind if I tag along?" A voice spoke.
They all turned to look at a girl with long darkened brown hair and blue eyes. She had bangs and an asymmetrical cut to her left.
"Tasaka-senpai?!" Megumi asked, "What are you—?!"
"You know her?" Shin asked.
"W-Well—!"
"I'm the leader of the street dance club." The girl said, "Yumi Tasaka, Third Year Student."
"Well hi there, my name is—"
"Shin Kanzato, right?"
Shin stopped.
"Huh?"
"Yeah, I know you. Your brother and I met in Ayanagi and I owe him for saving my life once." Yumi said, "I saw you and Megumi using that power."
The group looked stunned.
"W-What are you talking about?" Shin asked.
Yumi's eyes glowed pink.
"Selene." Yumi said, "Introduce yourself."
A pink colored feminine humanoid appeared behind Yumi. The being held a torch in its hand. There was a veil behind the being. Orbiting the shoulders were three pink straps. The being had long and wavy hair. The being had a pair of eyes, but it had no mouth. It wore a dress. The being had a crescent moon on its forehead.
"I am thou. Thou art I. From the Sea of Souls, I cometh… the goddess of the moon, Selene." The Persona spoke.
"Selene…" Megumi said, "Senpai… you're a Persona user as well?"
"Why of course I am." Yumi said, "I saw you guys using your Personas to help that girl who tried to kill herself."
"You did?" Jun asked.
"Yeah, and I'm glad you guys took that risk, especially with what's been happening lately." Yumi said, "You guys we're definitely bold, I'll give you that."
Selene was withdrawn. Yumi went down the steps.
"So, where do we begin?" Yumi asked.
"Oh, just hang on to your butt." Takuro said.
Shin opened the MetaNav app and typed in the keywords.
"Kobayakawa… Shujin Academy… Town Hall… beginning navigation…"
The world around them began to warp. Soon enough, the school was replaced with a town hall. Yumi became surprised as everyone's clothes changed. All except for Megumi and Yumi. Shin, Jun, and Takuro lifted their masks. A mask formed on Megumi's face. A mask formed on Yumi's face as well.
"What just—?"
Yumi turned around and noticed the town hall.
"Wait, what happened to the school?" Yumi asked.
"Welcome to the inside of someone's head." Takuro said, "The Principal's head if we're being specific."
"Wait… is this some sort of inner world created by the Principal's consciousness?" Yumi asked.
"Well, it's more like unconsciousness since he isn't aware of what we're doing in his Palace." Jun said, "And in case you're wondering what that is, it's the thing that we're looking at."
"So… we're in his mind…" Yumi said, "So… anything we happen to see just so happens to be how he perceives the world around him. People, objects, everything."
"Kamoshida has one as well." Megumi said.
"I see…" Yumi said, "And these masks… are they our Personas?"
"Yeah, we gotta take off the masks in order to use our Personas." Takuro said.
"I see… so this world has its own set of rules." Yumi said, "So… what do we do now?"
"Well, we can't enter through the front door." Shin said, "There are Shadows in there?"
"Shadows?" Yumi asked.
"Just follow us, senpai." Megumi said.
The group looked all over the front entrance. Shin stopped to notice a grate. He tears it open.
"Alright, we can enter through here." Shin said.
Everyone gathered around Shin.
"So, is there a reason we can't enter through the front door?" Yumi asked.
"Simply put, the place is guarded by the Shadows and they know we're here, they just don't realize exactly where we are." Takuro said, "Going through the front door would just make it easier for them to notice us, so we gotta be all stealthy."
"Ah, like secret agents." Yumi said, "You still haven't told me what they are."
"Basically, they are what a person truly is." Jun said, "They act as security and maintain the Palace on a regular basis, constantly out on patrol."
"Then they turn into monsters if you mess with them." Takuro said, "Now let's just get in already."
"Wait, we haven't agreed on our secret identities yet." Jun said.
"Oh yeah… good idea, Jun." Shin said, "We probably should avoid having our identities discovered."
"But aren't we in the unconscious part of the Principal's mind?" Megumi asked, "How could our identities be discovered here?"
"Likely because of the fact that we're in his unconsciousness." Shin said, "I'd rather keep my true identity a secret."
"Right…" Megumi said, "So… what will our code names be?"
The group started to think about their code names. They put their heads together, trying to come up with names.
"Ok, I think I got one." Shin said, "Uh… I think I'll call myself… Saber. And Takuro can be called Lancer."
"WHOA! Hold on a minute! I am NOT going to be called Lancer!" Takuro said, "Have you seen how many times that guy gets himself screwed over?! It's like a curse!"
"But…"
"NO! IF I END UP DYING BECAUSE MY NAME IS LANCER, I'M HAUNTING YOU BEYOND THE GRAVE!"
"Alright… we're not going with those names." Shin said, "Let's see… seeing as how I'm dressed as a knight, I guess I'll call myself Lancelot."
"Lancelot? Hm… well, he is a knight in Arthurian legend." Megumi said, "Guess we can make Takuro Galahad then."
"Oh yeah, sure, Galahad." Takuro said sarcastically, "Like I didn't want to be called Arthur."
"Then I'll be Merlin!" Jun said, "And Megumi gets to be Viviane!"
"W-What?!" Megumi asked. "Y-You do know that in Arthurian legend, the Lady of the Lake raises Lancelot, right?!"
"It fits your motherly attitude." Jun said.
"Jun!" Megumi said, looking embarrassed.
"Hm… Guess I can Bedivere then." Yumi said.
"Aren't the knights mostly male, though?" Shin asked.
"Hey, it's better than nothing." Yumi said, "What should we call your older brother then, assuming he were with us?"
"I'd say Gawain." Megumi said, "I don't know if that has any significance."
"Wait… there's someone else here…" Jun said, "Over there!"
He pointed his staff to where they just came into this world. A girl with long black hair and a mask over her face was standing there, completely cold, and moody.
"That girl… I know her!" Jun said, "Shin, that girl's in my class!"
"She is?" Shin asked.
"Yeah, and she's been… stalking you." Jun said.
"A stalker?!" Takuro exclaimed.
"She must have been transported here when she was watching me put in the keywords…" Shin said, "And if she has a mask on…"
"Then she's a Persona user." Megumi said.
Shin ran over to the girl. Jun followed him. Shin stopped in front of the girl. She was a slim bodied girl with a pair of smaller breasts. She was not flat chested at the very least. Her breasts were probably the size of B cups at best. She had long dark hair that parted in bangs. Her eyes were black and looked incredibly bleak. Her uniform came with some gothic clothing. She had the skirt, the shoes, but she wore a strapless goth tunic top that was a mix between being a long sleeve t-shirt and a mini dress. She somewhat wore the jacket, but not completely as any student should wear them. She had a mask that had a goth vibe coming from it.
"Oh? You're just going to approach me like that?" The girl asked, "Like, don't you think you should be totally suspicious about me being here and all?"
"Well… it is odd that you got pulled into this place…" Shin said.
"Um… Kanasu-san? It's me, Jun, from 1-A." Jun said.
"Jun? Oh… I didn't see you there." The girl said without a care, "So… you're his big brother…"
She had a smile on his face.
"You're quite the big boy, aren't you?" She asked.
"Uh…" Shin rubbed the back of his head.
"I'm Kumaki Kanasu, but you can just call me Kumaki." The girl introduced herself, "I don't know what this place is, but you wouldn't mind if I like, tag along, yeah?"
"Um… this place is sorta dangerous and—"
The girl gave him a cold glare.
"No."
"H-Huh?!"
"I'm not leaving, so you're going to have to take me along with you." Kumaki said, "Besides, we're both wearing masks and I'm assuming it's got something to do with us having cool powers and whatnot."
"And?"
"Wouldn't you like to see my powers?" Kumaki asked, "They're pretty cool if you know what I mean~"
"Uh… you know what? Fine." Shin said, "We'll take you along, but you better be ready for what's about to happen."
"But Shin—"
"Don't worry. I can take care of myself." Kumaki said, "Besides, I overheard you talking about code names. How about I get to be called Morgan?"
'Yup, I know where this is going…' Shin thought, 'I hope Ren and the others are doing fine…'
Kamoshida's Palace
After School
"WHAT IS THAT THING?!" Mishima screamed as he pointed to Morgana.
"It's a cat, Mishima! Calm down!" Ryuji said.
"You'll get the Shadows all over us!" Morgana said, scowling with his ears down, "And I am not a cat!"
"OH GOD! IT TALKS!" Mishima said, "Shiho, what have you done?! Where am I?! How did I get here and—?!"
"Mishima, calm down." Ren said, "We'll explain everything only when you have calmed down."
Mishima began to calm down. He stopped panicking. He sat down, trying to take it all in.
"Ok… what is all of this?" Mishima asked.
"Basically, this is how Kamoshida sees everything around him." Morgana said, "Anything we happen to see in here is just how Kamoshida sees it, nothing more and nothing less."
"So… like… we're in his head?" Mishima asked.
"Basically." Ren said, "It's a manifestation of his distorted desires that we can destroy by taking his Treasure."
"His… Treasure?" Mishima asked, "Wait… let me guess, it's the core of this… cognitive world?"
"Ah, you get it." Ren said, "That's right, it's the core of Kamoshida's Palace. We take it out, it'll collapse."
"And… if it collapses?"
"Kamoshida will become a better person." Ann said, "That is after he confesses all of his crimes."
"Confesses?" Mishima asked.
"Yes." Shiho said, "The guilt built up will cause his mental stability to deteriorate to the point where he'll be pressured to confess all his wrongdoings."
"There's just these risks we have to consider." Ryuji said, "You know, like the guilt forcing him to commit suicide or his mind basically shutting itself down."
"Wait… what?" Mishima asked.
"In other words, he might die in real life." Morgana said.
Mishima tried to take it all in. Kamoshida… killing himself? He did not know why, but a small part of him wished for that to happen. A small part of him wants Kamoshida to die for the things he did. But why? Why did that small part of him feel like that? Why?
"Because that's how you feel about him." A voice spoke.
He saw a carbon copy of him standing in front of him. The whole group saw it. The copy had golden eyes.
"Is… is that me?" Mishima asked.
"It's… It's Mishima's Shadow…" Ryuji said.
"He's right. I am you. And you are me." The Other Mishima said, "I am the shadow. The true self that you never knew you had, or maybe you did and… you forgot about that."
"What… are you talking about?" Mishima asked.
The Other Mishima had a wicked smile on his face.
"It's like I said, I am you." The Other Mishima said, "People always picked on you because you were easy prey for them. They got away with whatever they wanted out of you because of how weak and pitiful you are."
"Damn… is this how Mishima really feels about himself?" Ryuji asked.
"Well… I… I mean… yeah, sure… I… I…"
"What? Spit it out already." The Other Mishima said, looking irritated, "I'm waiting and here you are, doing absolutely nothing."
"I… I…" Mishima stammered.
The Other Mishima vanished.
"Ok… I admit that I have my faults…" Mishima said, "But I…"
He roared.
"I just wish I could do something!" Mishima said.
Within that one singular instance, everyone saw his eyes turn golden for just a moment. Everyone looked surprised. Morgana turned to Shiho.
"Lady Suzui… you…" Morgana said, "Well, guess he's coming with us after all."
"H-Huh?" Mishima asked, "N-No… I'd only—"
"Slow us down? No way." Morgana said, "I can tell you got the potential."
"The… potential?" Mishima asked, "What potential?"
"Your eyes turned golden." Morgana said, "That means your rebellious spirit was suddenly roused within you."
"My… what?" Mishima asked.
"If you decide to rebel against the ones who wrong you, or you decide to rebel against your fate, your Shadow will merge with you." Morgana said, "And then, you'll form a contract with your Shadow in the form of a mask."
"A-And then what?" Mishima asked.
"And then you do this!" Ryuji said, taking his mask off.
A skeleton pirate captain on a galley emerged from a pillar of flame, surrounded by a ring of blue flame and chains. Mishima looked surprised, then frightened, then amazed in that specific order.
"Say hello to Captain Kidd!" Ryuji said, "Still, I never thought I saw myself as an effin' pirate!"
"Take off the mask and out comes your Persona, your other self." Ren said, "It's painful the first time, but once you take it off at first, you could summon your Persona without even feeling any pain."
"That's… that's so cool…" Mishima said, "I wonder what mine would look like…"
Ryuji's Persona faded and the mask came back on. Mishima's mind began to wander about aimlessly in his imagination.
"So, are you coming with us or not?" Ryuji asked.
"Wha—? Oh! Yeah… I'm coming." Mishima said, "Man… this is going to be so awesome… and… also scary at the same time…"
"Just try to keep up." Ren said.
The group began to approach the castle. Ren smiled as the group began approaching the castle.
'Mission start!' Ren thought, 'Alright Shin, l wish you good luck.'