Thieves in the Shadows

Chapter 15: The Alluring Dancer

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Shibuya, Tokyo

Underground Mall

"You should've seen the look on Mika's face," Ann giggled. "She looked as if I stole the spotlight from her!"

At the Body Chop Cosmetic store, Ann is hanging out with an old friend. A brown-haired girl was helping her browse through the wares. She wore a beige turtleneck sweater rolled up to her elbows. Instead of a skirt, she wore jeans.

"From the sound of it, you did," Shiho Suzui comments with a smile. Her brown hair, tied into a ponytail, shook as she laughed in amusement. She bent down and grabbed a crimson lipstick. "Is this the brand that you recommended?"

"Yep. I used that for a cover shot last month," Ann answered. "It went well with the red dress I wore."

Shiho Suzuki was her old classmate back in Shujin Academy. Due to being a quarter American and living abroad, she didn't have many friends there and was considered an outcast. Her parents were fashion designers and are always away from home. She only had caretakers for the company. She was lonely until she met her. She told Ann in her art class that her painting sucked during art class. As they were both outcasts, they became best friends.

Things took turn for the worse when she was targeted by volleyball coach Suguru Kamoshida. The freak had a sexual interest in her after he spotted her in a modeling magazine. He constantly harassed her, even going as far as to threaten to remove Shiho from his team.

Not wanting any harm to happen to her friend, she put up with appearances with him. Because of this, vicious rumors began to spread around that she was sleeping with him, further tarnishing her reputation around the school. She started to view Shujin as a sad excuse for a school.

What she didn't know was that Kamoshida had been taking out his anger on Shiho. He would call her for private training sessions just to vent his frustration out. When she refused to go to bed with him, it escalated into sexual abuse as revenge. Shiho tried to keep it secret out of fear of being expelled from the team. But when she couldn't take it anymore, she walked up to the school roof and jumped off.

It was a miracle that she was alive. Ann was horrified by what she saw. It was there she revealed Kamoshida's abuse as the motivation behind her attempted suicide. Due to Kamoshida's influence, nobody was willing to reveal his crimes. Not even the school would expose them for fear of losing face.

It was hopeless until she met Ren, Ryuji, and Morgana. She stumbled into the Metaverse when she overheard their plans to takedown Kamoshida. Fearing for her safety, they sent her back to the real world. Of course, she didn't know better and got back in. Some shadows mistook her for the cognitive copy of herself and took her to the castle. It was there she met Kamoshida's Shadow who revealed every horrid thing he did to her friend. That moment sparked her desire to get revenge on Kamoshida for what he had done. That was when she awoke her Persona, Carmen.

Together, they formed the Phantom Thieves of Hearts and stole Kamoshida's twisted desires. In front of the school, he owned up to his crimes, putting an end to his reign of tyranny. But not everything was fixed. After waking up from her coma, Shiho's mother decided to transfer her to another school in hopes of distancing her from the trauma and gaining a fresh start. Sadly, Ann accepted it as the rumors won't go away even after Kamoshida's confession. Eventually, she realized that Shiho will be okay as it would be the best for her.

Despite not attending Shuji anymore, they kept in touch for all these years. Eventually, she recovered from the ordeal she had been through. But the scars are still there. She's been following her success as a model.

"Hey, have you tried this?" Shiho asked as she picks up a bottle of perfume from a nearby shelf. The liquid inside is black as midnight and appeared to be the spray variation. The label read 'Black Ballet'.

"Black Ballet? No, I haven't," Ann said. Turning the nozzle away from her, she sprayed the air and took a whiff of the cloud of perfume. Her nose is a mixture of the scents such as jasmine, ylang-ylang, lily, magnolia, tuberose, hyacinth, lotus, and iris. There was a hint of sandalwood, musk, and amber taming them.

"You like it?" Shiho asked.

"An interesting fragrance. I like it," Ann said. Her answer brought a smile to her friend's face.

"Great. Then I'll buy it for you," Shiho said much to her surprise.

"What? No, you don't have to do that," Ann said. "I already have the money to purchase it."

Her words fell on death's ears as Shiho casually plucked the bottle of perfume out of her hand and approached the cashier. She had purchased it before she could persuade her to let her pay for it.

"There you go," Shiho said as she happily hands her the perfume bottle. "A gift from me to you, Ann."

"I guess I should say, thank you," Ann sighed in defeat. She puts the bottle into her purse. Deep down, she was proud that the usually quiet and reserved girl was taking the initiative. The two of them walked out of the shop together. They had just gotten a few feet from the shop when Ann's phone buzzed. Taking it out, she saw a message from one of her friends.

Yusuke: My apologies for being a bother. But it appears I'm short on cash for the fare to return home. Can anyone nearby spare some change?

"Oh boy."

"What's wrong?" Shiho asked.

"One of my friends is in trouble," Ann groaned. It appears that Yusuke's money issues haven't improved much. His devotion to art is so strong he forgets necessities. One time, he spent money meant for food on art equipment and lobsters. You can blame that on Madrame, being the horrible master that he is.

"Speaking of which, did they find Ren yet?" Shiho asked carefully.

Ann's thumb stopped before she sent her text. Bringing up Ren's name was a painful reminder that he's missing. He was the one who helped her come to terms with the aftermath of the incident with Kamoshida. Without him, she wouldn't have improved herself. Ren became one of her fans in the fashion world. She doesn't understand why he would just disappear like that.

"He hasn't turned up yet," Ann answered somberly. "Makoto would've informed us if the authorities found him."

Shiho looked down in shame. "I'm sorry. You're worried about him."

"Don't worry, you did nothing wrong," Ann assured her. "I'm sure that he will turn up…eventually."

She didn't sound convinced herself. But she can't give up hope that Ren is somewhere out there and that' he'll come home.

"I got to go help someone," Ann said. "See you tomorrow? We can play with a new deck of cards I bought."

"Okay," Shiho nodded. "I got to go help my mother with something anyway. See you later."

"Same to you," Ann said as she walked away. As she exited the Underground Mall, she began messaging Yusuke.

Ann: Where are you?

Yusuke: Do you remember Madrame's Shack?

Ann: Yeah? Why are you there? I thought you moved out of there.

Yusuke: Turns out, I forgot a brush I left there after all these years. Thankfully, it's still standing, and nobody has occupied it.

Ann: How did you remember it after all these years? Never mind. I have some extra yen to pay for the fare. Stay right there. I'm coming over.

Sending that last message, Ann pockets her phone. At that moment, she felt a drop of water hit her head. Stopping, she looked up to see the night sky is blocked by dark clouds. Holding out a hand, she felt drops of water land in her palm. Soon, it was raining.

"Of course, it had to rain," Ann muttered as she pulled out an umbrella from her purse. It unfurled over her head, keeping her dry from the rain. "Just hope it ends soon."

As she reached a corner, so did a scruffy long-haired man. He wore a black leather jacket over a white shirt and torn jeans. Water dripped from his stubble beard as the rain-drenched him. Both had just walked around the corner and bumped into each other.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Ann apologized before walking around him. She didn't notice his gaze focused on her face as she walks away. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a phone. Raindrops fell against the screen as he scrolled through a few pictures. He stopped when he found one that matched Ann's face.

A smile split his face as he licked his lips.

"Why didn't that guy have an umbrella?" Ann wondered as she continues walking. "From the look of it, he'll catch hypothermia if he doesn't get dry soon."

The platinum blonde kept walking for a few minutes before she realized that she was being followed. She can hear the footsteps of someone behind her. From the corner of her eye, she saw the same man she bumped into. At first, she thought that he was going in the wrong direction to his destination and began traveling the same route. But as time went by, it became apparent that the man is indeed following her.

Having enough of stalkers, Ann turned on her heel to face him.

"Okay, what's your deal?" Ann asked. "Why are you following me around?"

"Easy there, sunshine," the stranger said in English. "I don't speak Japanese."

"Well, I speak English too," Ann retorts, surprising him. "Surprised? Well, you should be when you hear the punishment for stalking. It ranges from a warning to prohibition orders. If you persist, you can be arrested. Oh, and if you flout THAT, you can get a prison sentence up to two years or a fine of two million yen."

"Come on, there's no need to go that far," the Stranger tried to calm her. "Why don't we settle this over a drink, huh?"

"Oh yeah?" Ann asked sarcastically as she puts her phone back in her pocket. "Well here's a tip. If you want to ask someone out, get to know them instead of acting like a creep. I'll let it slide this time. But if you keep stalking me, I will call the police. THAT is your warning."

With that, Ann turned on her heel and continued her way, eager to put some distance between her and the creep. Part of her felt like she was being too harsh on the guy. But it sounded like he's a foreigner. Better warn him now before he gets caught up in a misunderstanding. Behind her, the stranger's face contorted into a snarl.

"Fine. Have it your way…bitch."

Suddenly, he began to change. First, his face changed into a wolfish visage with pointy ears and a snout. Bare skin became brown fur as his muscles began to bulge with power. Fingertips grew into razor-sharp claws. His height grew to cast a shadow on the street. Shoes burst open at the soles as his growing feet became clawed as well. A guttural growl emanated from him.

Ann's hair stood on end at the bloodlust she was feeling. It was an instinct that she and her friends developed over fighting Shadows. She turned around just in time to see the beast lunge at a speed no human could follow. A furry hand grabbed her by the throat and pushed her back. The blonde felt her back hit the ground hard, her purse spilling its contents.

"I really hate to kill a hottie like you," the stranger growls out, putting his wolfish snout to her face. Ann could feel his hot breath as the air is being squeeze out of her. "When I read your file Ann Takamaki, I was enamored. If you weren't such a tease, I would've enjoyed your company for a while."

"W-what are you?" Ann struggled to breathe out. She feebly tried to move his hand. The pressure of his grip was like iron. Her other hand scrambled to find something, anything, to use as a weapon. She felt a cylindrical shape of glass…

"Don't worry, it will be over soon," the stranger continued. "My orders are to make it look like an accident. Like a maneater came into the city and sank its fangs into you. So, when you die, I'll be sure to admire your body while I—ARGH!"

The werewolf howled in pain when Ann sprayed the Black Ballet perfume Shiho bought for her in his eyes. Mace and pepper spray are illegal in japan unless for a valid reason such as self-defense. Hopefully, the same can be applied to an unorthodox use of perfume. His clawed hand released her throat, allowing her to breathe air back into her lungs. The moment she got her second wind, she scrambled backward from the in-pain wolfman. Grabbing her purse, she made a run for it.

"That's it! Now you die for sure!" the Stranger howled behind her. "Don't think I need my eyes to find you. I can still smell you!"

Ann never replied as she ran for her life. Her eyes are wide with terror as she questions wracked her brain. Who is that guy? What the hell is he? More importantly, how the hell did he know her name? One certain thing is that she needs to get away and find help.

She was just about to dial 101 when she spotted a policeman. She recognized the blue shirt, vest, and hat anywhere. He was riding a black bicycle with a light.

"Help!" Ann screamed to him as she stood in his path. "Officer! Help me!"

"Calm down! Are you alright, ma'am?" the officer asked immediately as he stopped in front of her. He must have seen the frantic look on her face judging by his actions.

"I'm not alright!" Ann nearly screamed. "A creep tried to kill me and he's still after me!"

"Alright ma'am," the officer got serious as he reaches for a New Nambu M60 in a holster. "Where did you—"

That was all he could get out when his head vanished from his body. Ann's eyes were wide as she stares at a headless torso as fell forward. As if registering that the head is gone, a stream of blood erupted from the neck, splattering Ann's clothing with speckles on her face. When the shock wore off, she screamed in horror.

"Did you really think the police would help you?" It was the stranger. The werewolf was only a meter away. One of his claws held the policeman's head that he casually tossed away.

"You killed him!" Ann shrieked.

"Yes, I did, Captain Obvious," the Stranger shrugged. The blonde took a step back as he advances menacingly on her. "Don't even try to run, blondie. I can catch up to you before you could even blink. So, unless you want to make your death even more painful, why don't you shut up and—"

As if karma was tempted, the werewolf was hit from behind by a bus. He shot forward from the force of the impact and hit a wall. Not wasting this chance, Ann took off running in the opposite direction. The werewolf lifted his snout off the ground and glared balefully at her retreating form.

"Oh no, you don't, bitch!" The werewolf snarled as he took off after her. The bus behind him vanished in a puff of smoke. In its place is Morgana in his bipedal form. The feline thief looked dazed from the crash.

"Ow…what did I hit?" Morgana moaned as he shook it off. The tiny anthropomorphic feline noticed the creature and a lock of familiar blonde hair. "What was that creature just now? Wait…was that Lady Ann? Is that creature after her? Lady Ann, wait!"

Ann's heart was pounding as she fled away from the beast chasing her. She could feel the adrenaline flowing in her veins. If he's so fast, then why didn't he catch up to her already? Was he toying with her? The guy's a creep and a sadist if that's the case.

Her thoughts trailed back to the police officer she went for help. What was she thinking? Of course, he wouldn't be able to go toe to toe with a guy who can turn into a wolfman. She got him killed! Tears gathered in her eyes at the realization that she's responsible for a man's death. But she couldn't stop running.

At that moment, she spotted a subway entrance. Filling with new vigor, she made a mad dash for it. She pushed aside a man, utter a quick apology, and ran down the stairs. To her relief, there's a crowd of people waiting for the next subway. She made her way to the nearest crowd and tried to blend in. Hopefully, her pursuer wouldn't dare attack her in the public eye, especially with the body count too much to be acceptable. She really felt guilty about using everyone else as a shield, but what else was she supposed to do? It's not like she could fight the beast off.

Her hopes were dashed when she heard the familiar wolf growl. She wasn't the only one who heard it. Every head in the station turned to see him walking down the steps, nails clicking against the ground. From behind him, something rolled down the steps and onto the station floor. To her despair, it was the same man that she bumped into. Yellow eyes glared at the frightened crowd before him.

"Scram!" the stranger howled. The crowd screamed in terror and ran away from him. Only Ann stayed where she was. Somehow, she knew that if she ran, he'll go after the innocent people running. His actions demonstrated that he had no problem with killing anyone to get to her. It didn't take long for the station to become deserted except for them. It was deathly silent.

"You're not running away this time," the werewolf pointed out. He took a step forward, and Ann slowly backed away.

"Why…why are you doing this?" Ann stammered. "First a policeman and now an innocent bystander? Why did you kill them?!"

"Not me. You," the stranger said as he continued advancing. "If you hadn't made my job so difficult, I wouldn't have to kill more than I must. But considering that my orders have changed, I don't need to worry about that. STAND STILL!"

Immediately, she stopped backing away as if on command. She had no problem facing Shadows in the Metaverse. She wasn't afraid to stand up to a false god. But that was when she had her Persona. Right now, in the real world, she is powerless against the beast advancing upon her.

"Good girl," the stranger said. That comment made her skin crawl, but she was too terrified to even retort. He crouched down on all fours. "Now stay just right there and this will be quick."

Ann could feel her heart beating so fast that it could burst. She was going to die, right here. If she stayed right here, she would die. But even if she could run, there is no doubt that he will kill her faster before she could even try. Nothing is going to change it.

Briefly, her life flashed in front of her. From her birth in Finland to her life in Japan. Meeting Shiho and the others. Ren. Ryuji. Morgana. Yusuke. Makoto. Futaba. Haru. She saw the faces of her friends that she won't be able to see again. All the good times that she won't be able to relieve or make. That thought brought tears streaming down.

"Everyone…" Ann croaked as the werewolf lunged at her. "Goodbye…"

"Do not despair. This is not the end."

Time seemed to slow down. Ann felt her despair fade as she recognized that voice. She heard it years ago when Kamoshida held her and blamed her for Shiho's suicide.

"Carmen?"

"The cards have already foretold your death, and this isn't it. Knowing this, will you allow it to happen at the will of another or by your own as a free person forevermore?"

Ann gritted her teeth as she realized the sheer stupidity of herself. Here she was crying like a little girl for her life to a guy who's sentenced her to die. Pathetic! She refused to give him that satisfaction! If she was going to die, she will die knowing she faced it with resolve.

"Of course not!" Ann growled. Carmen gave off an amused chuckle.

"I didn't think so. Well then…why don't we alter our contract?" Carmen asked before Ann's head began to throb with pain. It was the same pain she went through when she awoke her Persona for the first time. "I am thou, thou art I…Love can move even the mountains. Play with the hearts of others to your heart's content!"

Right as the werewolf was getting ready to spring, Ann felt her mask appear on her face. Her body moved by itself as her hands gripped the mask and began pulling it with all her strength. Just as the werewolf leaped towards her, fangs bared, Ann ripped it off with a cry of pain. The skin was ripped off her upper face, blood dripping down. Golden bloodshot eyes glared at the approaching wolf as she became engulfed in blue flames.

"What the—?" the stranger exclaimed as he was pushed back by a wave of force. He landed on all fours just in time to witness the pillar of blue flame that erupted from where Ann stood. When it faded, there was only smoke. Strangely, it had a pinkish hue.

Then, she stepped out of the smoke. It was like a model walking on the runway. Ann is dressed in the red latex outfit that she wore in the metaverse complete with her panther mask. She walked carefree as if there was never any danger. Behind it, her eyes still glowed gold. She stroked her chin as she gives him a charming grin.

"Why so serious little boy?" Ann asked seductively. Was this really the girl he was sent to kill? "Are you scared of little old me?"

She brought a hand to her lip and blew kissed him. From her lips shot a smokey projectile in the shape of her lips. It sped towards the stranger and dispersed when it hit his forehead. Briefly, his eyes flashed pink. Immediately, he felt an irresistible infatuation towards the girl he's trying to kill. To him, there was nobody he wanted to pay attention to but her. He wanted to hear every word she wanted. What she wanted him to do.

"Shall we dance?"

"Yes," he spoke like a puppy in love.

"Good," Ann grinned as she held out her hand. The smoke emanating behind her flowed into her hand. It compressed until it formed a pink whip. The red-clad girl gave it a flick, letting it crack against the floor. Embers sparked from the impact of her whip.

"Then let's get started!"

"Wolves have been extinct in japan for a hundred years!" Morgana cries out as he runs in the direction that he saw the beast pursue his love. "I bet that guy is one of the assassins! Lady Ann is in trouble!"

After defeating Threshold, the three thieves split up. Ren ran off to find Futaba, seeing as how the chief was his caretaker and they knew where he lived. Makoto hadn't been heard from this afternoon, so Ryuji went to go find her. Morgana went to Shibuya because he heard that Lady Ann had plans to go shopping with Shiho tonight.

When he didn't find Lady Ann at the mall, he panicked. Throwing caution to the wind, he transformed into his van form and drove down the streets in search of her. He caught a break when he crashed into the werewolf that was about to maul his lady. Now, he's hot on their trail.

He had just arrived at a subway station entrance. Transforming into his bipedal form, the feline grimaced at the bloodstains found on the walls. Morgana had seen the body of a policeman on his way here. It was painfully obvious who was the cause. His ears picked up the sound of battle below.

"I better hurry! Lady Ann could be in trouble," Morgana whispered as he hastily trotted down the stairs. "Lady Ann! I'm here to save…you…"

The feline phantom thief stopped when he reaches the bottom. His eyes were wide as he observes the scene before him. The werewolf that was chasing his lady was getting whipped.

Literally whipped.

"Come on!" Ann says playfully as she dodged another lunge from the werewolf. Turning her body, she whipped his back. "Move with feeling! This is getting good!"

Ann is engaged in battle with the werewolf in her metaverse outfit. Morgana knew that she must have gone through the reawakening as he began to coin the phenomena. The werewolf was so focused on her. Too focus if his gut is right. He is doing everything he could to attack her. Swipe at her with his claws, biting down with his fangs, or even pin her to the ground to do both.

Yet Ann continued to remain undamaged. Her movements were graceful and joyful. She would twist, turn, and spin in place to avoid his attempts on her life. For each movement, she would counterattack with her whip. Morgana could pick out the fact that instead of feeling pain, it was getting pleasure of being whipped by her.

To Morgana, the battle was like a dance of two lovers.

"Well, I'm bored," Ann finally said as she stopped moving. The werewolf stopped moving as well. "And you're not my type anyway, so SCRAM!"

Her voice cut into his heart like a steel blade. The werewolf gave a whining noise at her harsh words. With tears in his eyes, the werewolf turned around and began running. Morgana could pick out sounds that sounded like crying. He sounded like a guy who had a crush only to have his heartbroken. The feline didn't care. Lady Ann is HIS.

"Ugh…" Ann groaned as the golden glow in her eyes returned to their normal blue. She pressed a hand against her head.

"Lady Ann!" Morgana cried out as he approached her.

"Morgana?" Ann asked. The blonde then noticed her attire, causing a blush on her cheeks. "Wait…why am I dressed in this? And why are you like that? This isn't the metaverse!"

"Calm down, Lady Ann," Morgana said soothingly. "I'll explain everything later. First I need you to change out of your Phantom Thief attire."

"Change out? How?"

"Simple. Just listen to my instructions…first, clear your mind…" Morgana said. It took a while, but Ann was able to dismiss the red latex with a burst of blue flames.

"Ow…my head," Ann cried as she gripped it. "What's going on?"

"Your reawakening had taken a toll on your psyche," Morgana explained. "It's not used to manifesting your powers in the real world just yet. Give it time and the pain will go away."

"Reawakening?" Ann asked. "Morgana, what's going on?"

"I know I promise I'll explain, but there isn't any time," Morgana said quickly. "We need to find the others! They're in danger!"

"In danger? From what?"

"You're not the only one who had an assassin on their tail," Morgana said. "That guy you just fought is part of a team of assassins sent to kill the Phantom Thieves. We're under attack Lady Ann!"

"For real?" Ann exclaimed. That wolf was an assassin sent to kill her? This is absurd! Who did she tick off to warrant such a thing? She had a feeling that Morgana will tell her. Right now, she needs to get out of this subway station. The awareness of where she is right now suddenly made her remember her task before this whole mess.

"Yusuke!" Ann cried out. "He didn't have money for the fare home, so he called me! I had some spare change, so I was going to head over to give it to him before that creep attacked me!"

"He's in danger!" Morgana cried as he transforms back into cat form. "We better get to him fast! Do you know where he is?"

"He said that he's gone to Madrame's shack to get something he forgot back," Ann said as she picks him up, puts the cat into her purse, and runs out of the subway station. Already, she was sending a text to Yusuke.

"Morgana, aside from me, who else was attacked tonight?"

"So far, Ryuji was killed by an assassin named Bliss," Morgana said. Ann nearly stopped running at that. She would've started grieving if Morgana hadn't added. "But his reawakening revived him so he's okay. Then there was this guy named Threshold who broke into the Café. I got injured but Ren was able to fight him off."

"Ren? Wait! Did you say, Ren?" Ann asked in surprise. "Do you mean…?"

"Yes, he's back in Japan, my lady," Morgana answered, much to Ann's relief. "Not to mention right as rain. He showed that Threshold whose boss and left it to me to finish the job. Right now, we've split up to find the others. Hopefully, we can find them before any harm comes to them. Wait…is that smoke?"

Ann stopped running. Drifting up into the sky is a pillar of smoke. She could make out the light of fire from her position on the ground. Dread crawled up her spine as she realized that she was headed in the path where the source was. She knew because she and her friends had taken this path for their second heist as the Phantom Thieves.

"No…"

Ann broke into a run. She didn't stop running until she finally came to her destination. It was Madame's Shack. The place where Yusuke was raised when his mother died by a man who used him for his own ends.

It was in flames.

[~][~]

Greetings and Bienvenu readers! Hope you enjoyed the latest chapter of Thieves in the Shadows.

Ann had just undergone a reawakening of her own and defeated the assassin sent after her. But it looks like Yusuke is in trouble. What has happened to him and is he alright? You'll have to wait till the next chapter to find out.

I'm going, to be honest. Planning Ann's powers were difficult. Ann is a caster first and a fighter second. I wanted to live up to Carmen's legend. On one hand, I wanted to give her powers relating to cards to live up to Fate, the black ballerina, predicting Carmen's fate that she will be killed by a former lover. But I scrapped that because that wouldn't work. But after playing Hades and seeing Aphrodite's boons, I've thought of something relating to her beauty and wiles. Another thing that I added is the smoke. Trust me, it isn't just for show.

Now, here's some information about Ann's assassin:

Michael Heller/Evo:

Abilities

Therianthropy: Evo is a therianthrope and can alter his form to three different animals. In wolf form, he possesses the average abilities of a werewolf such as strength, speed, senses, claws, and fangs. The other two forms will be revealed later.

Thank you for reading.

Until Next Time.