This story is a work of fiction.

Any relation to persons, living or dead, as well as events, are purely coincidental.

The author owns none of the characters, or events, that take place here.

The world is not as it should be.

It's filled with distortion, and "ruin" will soon descend.

However...there are those who would challenge fate, in desire for change.

Since time immemorial...they were known as,

"Tricksters."

Persona 5: Hoshi to Bokura to

11th Heist: Rebellious Once More

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"The hell do you mean they ain't real?!"

After Morgana's appearance, the cat-like creature had dragged them away, taking refuge in a room that appeared to be some sort of warehouse of some kind, given the crates and barrels scattered about. The individual in question was sitting atop one of the barrels with his arms folded, leveling his large blue eyes in a heated glare at Ryuji, who looked positively miffed by what he was just told. "Pipe down, will you?!" Morgana hissed. "You want the Shadows to figure out we're here or something?!"

"Not until you explain what the eff you mean about those guys!" Ryuji snarled, marching up to the cat-like creature, tempted to grab it by the neck. "How, exactly, are they not real?!"

Makoto walked up to the former athlete, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Calm down." she told him sternly, eyes narrowing. "I'm sure Morgana has a good explanation." She turned to Morgana, who smiled back in appreciation, nodding before he cleared his throat.

"Alright, first things first. I'm sure you're wondering about this place, right?" he asked. The three students gave a collective nod. "This place - or rather, world I should say - is called the Metaverse. A reality created by the thoughts and feelings of the people in the real world. A giant world made up of people's inner thoughts and desires. In other words, one giant dream land. This castle we're in?" He gestured to the room, or rather the entirety of the castle that they were inside of. "This place is a Palace. Think of it as a secluded island in the Metaverse, created by twisted desires."

Ryuji stared at the cat, face flat before he cocked his head. "...what?!" he said, understanding none of this. "W-what the hell does that mean? Can't you, I dunno, give us a dumbed down version?!"

Morgana groaned. "You really are an idiot, aren't you?" he said in exasperation, causing Ryuji to bristle in anger. "Okay, fine. Let me simplify it for you. The Metaverse is a world made up of people's mental perceptions in real life. For example, let's say someone in real life envisioned his workplace to be a sanctuary from the hardships he has to face outside of it. In the Metaverse, his workplace would be like a church or warehouse."

"Mental perception?" Makoto repeated, closing her eyes in thought as she put a hand to her chin. After a moment, her eyes widened and looked at the cat-like creature. "You mean...cognition?"

Morgana grinned. "Ooh, you catch on fast."

"What?" Ryuji growled, scratching the back of his head. "Hey, prez, if you get it, can't you explain it?"

Akira sighed, shaking his head as he palmed his forehead. As much as he hated to admit it, the blonde really was mostly muscle and hardly any brain. "Cognition is the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses. This castle of Kamoshida's is pretty much the best example possible."

"How do you mean?"

"Ryuji, think back to yesterday. What did you think Kamoshida was and how he treated the school?"

"Uh..." Ryuji frowned, thinking back to when he first met the frizzy-haired teen. It was hard to forget that meeting, considering he got thrown headfirst with him and Makoto into this weird-ass place. He found Takamaki talking with Kamoshida, though she was obviously not wanting to be near him whatsoever. He didn't blame her, though he wished he knew why she even continued to hang around him if she didn't like 'em. They had lost touch ever since middle school came to an end, and they each focused on their respective goals. Thinking back to his first meeting, he remembered how he called the man a perverted teacher, which wasn't far off the mark in his opinion, and-

...oh. OH!

"W-wait a sec." Ryuji held up his hands, eyes wide. "Y-you're sayin'...this whole castle...THIS is how Kamoshida sees the school?!"

Morgana nodded grimly. "That's right." he said. "This castle was born from his twisted desires. To him, your school is his castle...and he is its king."

Ryuji scowled heavily, anger rising in his chest as he turned away from the group and slammed his foot into one of the nearby barrels, knocking it over. "Dammit!" he roared, face showing naught by livid fury. "That fucking bastard!"

"Ryuji..." Makoto whispered, eyes narrowed in concern.

Morgana and Akira watched as the blonde radiate in anger. Neither understood why he seemed to hate Kamoshida so much, but the latter had a good idea. He remembered their first visit to the 'Training Hall of Love.' The Track Team...had Kamoshida done something? And was what he was doing to the Volleyball team just as bad? Just what on Earth happened to Ryuji back then? The more he thought about it, the more confused he grew. He soon gave a heavy sigh, shaking his head. If the blonde wanted to talk about it, it would be of his own volition. Pushing the thoughts aside for now, he turned to Morgana.

"So, those students back at the Training Hall." he said, earning the two's attention. "Were they also apart of the Metaverse?"

"Yup. You catch on quick." Morgana nodded, hopping down from the barrel. Landing on the ground, he looked up at Akira with a smile. "They're most likely cognitions of how Kamoshida views his students." He paused briefly before his eyes darkened. "At least, the male ones anyway."

Male ones? Akira noticed, frowning. He felt a cold dread wrapping around his heart. Immediately, he pushed those dark thoughts out of his mind. He gave an annoyed sigh as he crossed his arms. "Then how do we prove Kamoshida's abusing his team?" he asked, irritated. The reason they came to this castle was to find proof that Kamoshida was physically abusing members of the volleyball team. If these were just mental perceptions, that meant they were apart of this world, unable to leave it. Not only that, but the idea of a world based on cognition being used as 'evidence' was laughable. "There has to be a way."

There was a curious glimmer in Morgana's eyes, hearing this. "Proof...?" he whispered, tilting his head. If they came here looking for proof, then he had just the way to make Kamoshida fall for his crimes. That said, though, he wasn't quite sure about these people yet. He could tell that the frizzy-haired one, Akira, certainly had potential. There was a spark in those eyes, along with determination and will. The red-eyed girl would probably be the first to voice her opposition to the idea, and as for the blonde monkey...yeah, he was still unsure, but he at least looked like he wanted to get some payback. After giving the matter more thought, he gave a nod and addressed the group of students. "Well, I do have one idea as to how to get your proof."

They rounded on him instantly, eyes wide. "You do?" Makoto whispered in surprise. "H-how?"

"First things first. We need to get out of here." Morgana said as he walked past Ryuji, pushing open the wooden door. His eyes narrowed as he peeked out, looking for any Shadows. "If we stay here any longer, we run the risk of being caught by guards." He huffed his chest as he pounded a paw against it. "Phantom Thief Rule #3! You must never be caught by security!"

"P-phantom thief?" Makoto sweatdropped. She had no idea what on Earth the cat was thinking, but she wasn't about to look a gift horse in the mouth. They followed Morgana out, trailing behind him as they made their way through the passageway while keeping an eye out for any Shadows roaming about. She looked back at Akira, who seemed to have regained more strength now that he had more time to rest. Even still, she couldn't help but feel worried. It was definitely apparent that he and Morgana were the only ones capable of fighting against the Shadows.

Once more, she felt so useless. Here she was, standing with them, and she couldn't do anything. Even Ryuji, in spite of his liability with his injured leg, had done so much more by standing up to the Shadow that had threatened Akira's life only moments ago, whereas all she could do was hover over him like some kind of worried mother. She hated this stupid feeling. She could have done something - anything - to try and help them, but the options seemed so far out of reach or was just hidden out of plain sight. No matter how hard she looked, she couldn't find the answer. Frustration rose up her throat alongside anger and self-loathing.

Just what good was she...?

TakeYourTime

The group eventually reached the main hall, exiting the passageway in a rush. Unfortunately, however, a familiar scene from yesterday played out all over again as black knights emerged from the surroundings, barring their escape route. "Aw shit, this crap again?!" Ryuji said in anger as he and Makoto stood back while Morgana and Akira readied themselves to break on through. As the frizzy-haired teen held a hand over his face, ready to call on his Persona while Morgana's eyes shined brilliantly, wind picking up around him, a few guards stepped away, allowing a familiar figure to step forward in view.

"Honestly, what a nuisance." Kamoshida remarked as he stopped a few meters away from the group, a vicious smirk clear on his face while his golden eyes danced with delight. "Breaking into my castle again? Hmph. You knaves must have a death wish." His eyes then settled on Morgana, and his face twisted into a cruel leer. "And the little foolish creature who dared to take my Treasure. You have a lot of nerve, showing your face here!"

Morgana huffed. "Don't be so surprised." he said, narrowing his large eyes at the distorted teacher. "Taking the hearts of corrupt people like you is my job!"

"Hah!" the lecher reared his head back, releasing a laugh before a sickening grin formed on his lips, showing off his pearly whites. "And you couldn't do it by yourself. What a weakling." He then zeroed in on Ryuji, who suddenly took a step back when he felt Kamoshida's gaze bearing into him, yet tried to stand his ground by leveling a glare at the object of his hatred. "Still, what a surprise to see you here, Sakamoto. Come for more training?"

Ryuji's nostrils flared as rage bubbled in his heart. "Cut the bullshit!" he snarled, throwing an arm and stomping his foot in anger. "We know what you've been doing to the Volleyball team! We're gonna make you pay for everything you've been doing, you sick bastard!"

"Oh really?" Kamoshida laughed, shaking his head in amusement. "And what could you possibly do?" His smile suddenly turned vicious as his eyes burned with a cold malice, enough to make a shiver run down the spines of those in attendance. "You, the Track Traitor, who betrayed his own comrades?"

Akira frowned. "Track Traitor?" he repeated, confused by the name. Kamoshida referred to him by that name before. He looked at the former athlete, who seemed to be struggling to find some sort of retort while his body shook uncontrollably in anger. Makoto seemed to know the significance behind the name as she bit her lip, unable to meet Akira's gaze. Morgana didn't seem to be concerned with the name, as he kept a weary out on the guards in case they moved.

Kamoshida seemed to notice his confusion, and chuckled as he palmed his face. "Oh? He didn't tell you?" he asked, voice filled with glee before he waved a hand around, taking great joy in watching the former athlete squirm. "That fool betrayed the trust of his teammates and cost them a shot at the nationals. It also cost him his own career when he dared to oppose me!"

"Because you goaded him!" Makoto got out, finding the strength to let her own anger out as her eyes glared deep into the teacher with great intensity. "I always thought it was strange that you had the case of self-defense when you didn't have so much as a single wound on you. Not even a bruise. Now I know why." A snarl escaped her, and her eyes burned even greater. "You wanted him to hit you!"

His smirk grew. "Ah, she speaks." he said, finding amusement in her claim. "How long did you intend to stand by the sidelines, Niijima-san?" Makoto flinched, his scathing words hitting home for her, but remained defiant as she glared back at him. "Hah...not that it matters. I suppose I can humor you." Kamoshida chuckled as he gave a sneering look at Ryuji, who couldn't meet the gaze of his friends. "That team was such an eyesore. The only team that deserves recognition should be the one who devoted his life to the sport, not a bunch of brats who run around for the thrill of it!" A cold, menacing look burned in those golden eyes as he slammed his foot down, glaring at the teens and Morgana with so much force that one might mistake for them to combust. "Had that foolish coach not tried to defend his team with a sound argument, I wouldn't have had to force him to resign. Instead, he tries to protect you brats...how completely pathetic!"

"W-what?" Ryuji's eyes widened, his heart dropping at the words. "Y-you...!"

Makoto's eyes burned with anger. "You're despicable...!"

"And you're little more than a goody-two-shoes pushover who can't do anything." Kamoshida retorted as he turned his back to them, waving a hand. Upon his order, three knights stepped forward, black and red fluid spilling out from their bodies as they spasmed, soon erupting and destroying their armor and forming into familiar black horses with green horns. "Execute these eyesores!"

"Makoto! Ryuji!" Akira shouted at the two. "Get back!" His mask burned into flames, and Arsene emerged behind him, spreading his black wings in full glory. "Arsene! Take them down!"

At the same time, Morgana's eyes burned brilliant blue as the wind around him picked up. Forming from azure flames that burned around him was Zorro, swishing his sword and leveling a glare at the Shadows that stood before them. "Zorro, show your might!" he bellowed.

The two Personas then took to the action. Zorro charged in straight forward, wind gathering his tiny rapier as he swung it at the Bicorns. Two dodged it easily by prancing off to the sides while the other was struck dead on, flung back. However, it was quick to get back on the ground and let out an aggressive whine, slamming its hoof down and charging forward. Just as it rejoined its comrades for a frontal assault, Arsene came down from above, ramming his heels straight down on one of them. The force of the dive bomb was enough to throw two of the Bicorns down while the other was pinned beneath its feet. Using this opportunity, Arsene reared its head back to gather an Eiha in its palm and end the Shadows life. However, before it could, a sword rammed straight through its chest, ceasing its action.

"AAGH!" Akira cried, grasping his chest in pain as the damage Arsene received transferred over to him. Though no blade could be found in his own chest, he felt bone and flesh being cut through. Gritting his teeth, he looked up to find a golden knight with a black mask holding a sword, which was embedded up to the hilt in Arsene's chest. "Nrgh! A-another one of them?!"

With a grunt, the golden knight kicked Arsene off of its sword, throwing it to the ground. "Pitiful fools who fail to see King Kamoshida's magnificence!" the knight bellowed in its warped tone, dragging its sword along its shield as black and red fluid began to flow out of the openings in its armor. Seconds later, it exploded and reformed into a new, more menacing shape. The first to form was a black stallion, whining and ramming its hooves against the floor, however an occupant was soon found riding its back. It was a knight wearing bloody red armor, horns poking out from its helmet while wild silver hair flowed from behind it, bearing menacing golden eyes. In its hand was a spear. "These halls shall be your gallows!"

"Tch." Morgana huffed. "So they called in the big guns." A pulse echoed through him, his bond with Zorro becoming all the more fierce. With a swing, winds gathered and ripped around its rapier. Rearing its arm back, Zorro thrusted its weapon forward, creating a funnel of wind. The knights caught in it were blown away, their bodies smashing up against the walls in dissolving into the black and red goop they were commonly forming into while the Bicorns stood their ground, struggling to remain on their feet. The red knight, however, remained where he was, utterly unaffected by the impressive winds. As the shredding gales ceased, Morgana was left shocked by the fact that the Shadow remained standing. "W-what?!"

With a snort, the red knight pulled the reigns. Its steed charged forward, dragging its spear along the ground as sparks were flying about. Morgana, panicking, tried to throw the rider off of its stead by sending out crescent waves of razor-sharp wind. However, the red knight was agile as his steed evaded each attempt, dashing to the sides without losing speed nor losing focus of its target. To the cat-like creature's horror, the red knight was now within range. Pulling his lance back, power seemed to gather around the shaft of the weapon, cloaked in a red haze, and swung with fervor. The strike struck Zorro dead center in the chest, tearing straight through it and reducing the Persona to blue flames as it was sent flying.

Only moments later did Morgana scream out in pain, fur standing up as if having been electrocuted and falling to all fours. "Khrgh-!" he gritted his teeth, trying to power through the pain. As Zorro tried to get back up, form covered in blue flames, it looked up to find a Bicorn charging ta it. Unfortunately, by the time it brought up its rapier to defend itself, it was too late. The Bicorn struck it dead on in the chest, horns ramming straight into it and dispersing it into mere blue embers. The force of the impact went straight to Morgana as he was thrown back, eliciting a cry as he smacked up against one of the busts in the main hall.

"M-Morgana!" Akira cried in concern. As Ryuji and Makoto quickly went over to try and help him, the frizzy-haired teen turned his attention to the Shadows before him. Snarling as a familiar sensation came over him, Arsene rose back up to its feet. The burning flames that represented its eyes and smirk burned fiercely, as if responding to its other self's rage. "Damn you!" Gathering Eiha into its claws, Arsene slammed them into the ground, sending them straight to the Bicorns that now set their sights on him. As the writhing mass of black-and-red energy ripped the ground apart, they soon reached their targets and engulfed them. One had been obliterated into smitherings, torn to shreds by the mass of power and reduced to mere goop while the other was knocked back, sliding across the floor. Weakly, it tried to get back up, albeit standing on shaky legs.

Just as Arsene was about to move in and finish it, the red knight from earlier intervened, slamming the back hooves of its steed into the Persona and knocking it back. It slammed up against the wall, creating discomfort for Akira who was still trying to recover from the stab wound his Persona received before he howled in pain, grasping his chest and falling to his knees. Arsene let out a cry of pain of its own as the red knight impaled it into the wall, lance going straight through its chest and leaving it there. It struggled to remove the spear, but the red knight refused to allow it. Releasing its grip over the spear, it turned its attention back to the teens, slowly approaching them.

"Shit, shit!" Ryuji cursed. He quickly looked around, trying to find a weapon. Finding a discarded sword nearby, left behind by one of the fallen knights. Quickly, he grabbed the sword and and rushed at the red knight. "Get away from my friend, you son of a bitch! Hyaaaah!"

Makoto's eyes widened in horror, realizing what the blonde was trying to do. "Ryuji, wait! Don't-!"

Sadly, it happened too late. Just as Ryuji tried to swing the blade at the red knight, the Shadow grabbed the tip of the sword with its armored hand. Ryuji's eyes widened and tried to pry his makeshift weapon out of the Shadow's grasp, only to find himself being thrown aside like trash. His body harshly hit the ground, smacking on his side. Cringing in pain, he got up on one knee, powering through the pain in his body as he looked at the Shadow in anger. However, his baneful gaze was soon redirected to the primary object of his ire as he soon made a reappearance from up atop the large staircase, where the giant portrait laid proudly before all who entered the main hall.

"Pathetic." Kamoshida huffed, shaking his head. "These aren't even my best warriors, and here you are, struggling to fight back. I would have expected a bit more from you all."

"Y-you bastard...!" Ryuji growled, trying to stand up as he grasped his side, trying to suppress the pain. "Stop this right now, or so help me, I'll-!"

Kamoshida narrowed his eyes, a cold smile spreading across his mug. "Or you'll what? Betray your friends again?" The words seemed to infuriate Ryuji even more as his glare intensified. "Can't you understand already? The deaths of these two are on your hands, after all."

"You leave him alone Kamoshida!" Makoto yelled in Ryuji's defense, making the injured teen look at her in wide-eyed surprise as she rushed over to him. "You have been abusing him and every student that has even looked at you funny since you've arrived and it's time for you to stop! Do you even care about the safety and wellbeing of your students?! How can you call yourself a teacher after everything you've done?"

"Hah! What I've done? What about everything that you've done during your tenure in this school? Or should I say everything that you haven't done…?" The self-righteous Shadow stated, causing her to look back at her with a stunned expression.

"…What?" She whispered.

"You claim to be looking out for the student body, stating that everything that you've done so far is in their best interest, but really, all you've been doing was looking out for yourself, just as I have…" Kamoshida stated with a shit-eating grin, his words shaking the poor girl to the core.

"W-What…? N-No, that's not-"

"Not true? The hell it isn't true!" The Shadow interrupted tauntingly. "You didn't lift a finger to help the track team after I was done with them. Every student you aid was only for your benefit. You do anything a teacher says, just so you will have a good chance at high-end college. And if things don't go your way, you go straight to Kobayakawa and beg him to fix things so that you'll look good. All for your own self benefit. Face it, you're no different than me, so I suggest you abandon these pathetic commoners and join my side as my mistress. Trust me, I will make it worth your while…"

"Your… Your…" Makoto repeated in fear, knowing full well the implications of Kamoshida's request, and feeling her world crashing down around her, not sure what to do. She never felt so afraid. So useless. So…

So…

"Haha… Maybe you can convince your elder sister to join in on the fun as well? She was always quite the looker…" Kamoshida suggested, rubbing his chin as if in thought, making Makoto pale and her eyes shrink considerably at his request.

"…Sis? You want…"

"You stay the hell away from them you good for nothing bastard!" A roar of pure and utter fury echoed in the room, making everyone shiver in fear for a brief moment, and all turned to see Akira glaring at Kamoshida with so much hate that it was practically radiating from him. His fury seemed to be affecting his Persona as well, for Arsène had manage to brake the spear that had trapped him with sudden ease before firing a powerful Eiha right at the crimson knight, which caused it and its steed to go flying towards the large picture of Kamoshida, much to everyone's surprise.

"What the hell?! Where did all this power come from?!" Kamoshida exclaimed, stepping back slightly in mild terror.

"You have no right…Absolutely No Right…To abuse Ryuji the way you did! No right to make such demands to Makoto! Those two have been nothing but helpful and supportive to me ever since I came to this god forsaken city and now its my turn to help them. If you think I'm gonna stand by and let you harm two of the few people in my life to give a damn about me, you got another thing coming!" Akira howled, his fury reaching its peak, and even Arsene reacting to his summoner's anger, letting out a furious roar that seemed to shake the entire room, terrifying the remaining Shadows, including Kamoshida slightly, before it zoomed right towards the Shadow 'king', before the crimson knight regained its bearings and rushed over to protect its lord.

"You stay away from Kamoshida, you wretched beast!" The crimson knight exclaimed to the Persona, materializing another spear in its hand and jabbed it right into the winged thief once more, causing it to cry out again once more before dispersing in azure flames. The force of the assault caused Akira to let out a cry of his own as he held his own chest, his sudden rush of power fading as he glared at both Kamoshida and his knight in rage and defiance.

"You…" He growled, wanting nothing more than to call out Arsene to rip Kamoshida's head right off, but before he could do so, he felt something pulling his pant leg, and looked down to see Morgana shaking his head.

"Take it easy with your Persona. You're burning up all your energy. If you keep recklessly calling your power out like that, you'll end up passing out or worse," He stated, panting heavily as the wounds of the fights began to take its toll on the odd cat creature.

"Aww… Ran out of steam? And here I thought you were going to actually do something worth while. I guess I was just setting myself up for disappointment…" Kamoshida scoffed tauntingly as he snapped his finger, causing the crimson knight to straighten up while the weakened Bicorn from earlier rushed to his comrade's side, while another Bicorn appeared from the stairs and galloped over towards the others. "Fun's over, boys. Finish them."

Akira gritted his teeth, feeling frustrated. The burst had lasted no longer than a mere minute. Dammit...at this rate...I! A hand curled into a fist, anger rushing through his body. If only he had more power...power strong enough to...! He tried to call for Arsene again, but the pain racking his body wouldn't allow it. His mind felt to hazy, clouded by exhaustion. By now, he was just running on pure fumes. Power...I need...more power...!

...so you seek strength? For what purpose?

Suddenly, the world seemed to freeze, as if locked into place. Akira's eyes widened as he looked around. Makoto and Ryuji looked on with their expressions glued to their faces. Morgana's body was frozen solid. The red knight remained where he was, standing imposingly towards his foes. Kamoshida looked on condescendingly. This feeling...it felt like the world had slowed down. However, a presence had flowed through him. It was...strange. A foreign warmth wrapped around him, and the haze over his mind seemed to lose shape. Then, entering his field of vision, was a blue butterfly.

What...is that?

Tell me, the voice whispered. Why do you seek power?

Why...? Akira thought as his eyes trailed over to Makoto and Ryuji. The words he spoke so fervently before fueled his heart, and the same feeling took hold of him once more. I want...to protect them!

With that response, the butterfly glowed. For a moment, it's form shimmered.

Then we have reached an accord.

As a flood of power, calming yet overwhelming as when Akira first called upon his Persona, erupted inside of his own being, the world resumed. The bloody red knight let out a roar as he raised his spear, power racing through it. As it threw it, Akira, in response, raised a hand to his mask. As soon as the flames erupted over his face, a new sound could be heard.

The sound of glass shattering.

Meeting the spear head on, much to the surprise of everyone, was not a pair of claws laced with black and red power...but a white harp.

Rather than Arsene, a new figure appeared above Akira. It was far more human than the gentleman thief, yet its body was more mechanical in nature. White cylinders took the place of its feet, bearing no toes or ankles whatsoever. Replacing its knees and connecting it to the white round orbs on its torso were silver joints. The same could be said for what could be called the elbows, though the arms were far more human like compared to the lower limbs, bearing five slender digits. The torso was a light shade of blue, though strangely there was a silver speaker placed atop its stomach. Its face was male, black with soft red eyes and white hair with the bangs sweeping over the right eye. Wrapped around its neck was a vivid red scarf. A pair of headphones could be found strapped to its ears with a strap over its head. In its hand was a large, human-sized white harp.

Morgana's blue eyes widened to the point where they would pop out. "N-no way...a second Persona?!"

Hahaha...so, you're the Trickster? a new voice called from inside Akira's head. The frizzy-haired teen looked up, startled by the new being's presence. Alright. I'll become your Mask. If you have the determination to protect your precious bonds, I'll gladly string the song of despair for your enemies!

His mask vanished into blue embers, encroaching and enveloping the Persona completely. As the flames faded away, it had changed considerably. The white legs and arms had turned jet black, with a unique design printed on its legs, bearing a set of circles on its legs with white stripes and red strips along the sides. Silver spikes encircled the wrist of it's left hand while the scarf developed a plaid pattern, similar to his school's pants uniform. The harp had also turned crimson red with a pair of tiny bat wings at the top.

I am Orpheus, the Instrumentalist of Mysteries. the Persona bellowed. Now then, Trickster...let me see your soul's symphony!

Orpheus shrugged off the attack, knocking the spear away while the bloody knight caught in its hand. The Bicorns backed off, surprised and terrified by the flow of power. Meanwhile, Akira developed a toothy grin. This power...hahahaha! It felt wonderful! If he didn't know any better, it felt like he had summoned Arsene for the first time again! Emboldened by the increased power, Akira then leveled a red-eyed glare at Kamoshida, who was taken off guard by the sudden appearance of the new Persona.

"My turn."

Once again, the teen and the red knight engaged in battle.

Makoto and Ryuji, watched the clash between the two powerful beings in silence, Akira's words still echoing in their minds as they processed the meaning behind them.

Akira… They thought, utterly stunned by how much the transfer student had cared for them, despite not knowing them for very long.

For Ryuji, hardly anybody was willing to be at his side ever since the track incident, viewing him as a loose cannon who would lash out at anyone, friend and foe, if they looked at him funny. Akira, however, wasn't like that. The guy gave him, a total lost cause, a chance, something that he was never given since the end of the Track Team. Akira was willing to help Ryuji out in scoping out the stupid castle they were in, nearly getting the transfer student killed in the process, and still considered the former athlete someone to rely on. Ryuji honestly had no idea what to say about something like that, but he was sure as hell grateful to have met the guy.

For Makoto, she was stunned that someone so strong and self-sufficient admitted that she was one of his pillars of support, one of the few he had left if his words were truly accurate. All throughout their misadventure, she was feeling completely and utterly useless, unable to help out in any way and it was eating away at her. Even back at school, she was struggling to both strive for the top and helping out those in need, and was not doing so well in either front if the words of Kamoshida were to be believed. But that didn't matter now, though. Akira, the guy who went and got himself arrested for trying to do the right thing, the guy who was being ostracized for a crime he didn't commit, and the guy risking his life to ensure the safety of both her and Ryuji, said that she, they, were the best thing that has happened to him since arriving. Those words had truly touched her, and Ryuji as well, no doubt, and like him, she was truly grateful to have met him.

Now…it was time to repay the favor.

As Orpheus and the red knights did battle, Kamoshida gritted his teeth, veins bulging across his face and slamming a fist down on the railing. "What are you fools doing?!" he shouted at the Bicorns in outrage. "Execute this fool! NOW!"

"Hold it!" A pair of voices called out, and everyone turned to see Makoto and Ryuji giving Kamoshida each a scalding glare, the latter having to lean on the former slightly for support.

"What…? You're still trying to defy me? What's the point? You two are powerless to stop me. You always have been, and you always will…" Kamoshida taunted, using the same words that had nearly broken the pair's spirit in hopes of seeing their sorrowful faces once again.

His words got a reaction from the pair, however, it wasn't one he was expecting.

"You shut your damn mouth, you bastard!" Ryuji countered, letting go of Makoto and took a small, but strong step forward.

"You have been going on and on about how useless we are and how little of a difference we make, and we have had enough of it!" Makoto added, also stepping forward slowly alongside the raging blonde.

"You abused the hell out of me, ruined my chance to give my mom an easy life and made my own life a living nightmare and I'm effin' sick of it!"

"You have been covering your abuse with your false words and reputation for far too long! I will not stand for it any longer, Kamoshida!"

"You think you're hot shit, but you're not! You're just some two-bit has been who gets off making other people suffer!"

"Your crimes will never be forgiven! So long as I stand, I will never forgive you for the atrocities you've brought on to others! To me! To Akira and Ryuji!"

Then, with eyes blazing of pure fury, then stomped and aimed an accusing finger at Kamoshida, who recoiled from the mere shout.

"WE'RE KICKING YOUR ASS, YOU POWER HUNGRY ASSHOLE!" The two shouted as one, their words echoing throughout the entire room and making everyone stunned by their triad.

However, as those words continue to echo in the minds of the others, in their minds, another set of words were being heard. Words that no one other than themselves could hear, Makoto hearing one and Ryuji hearing another. What was strange about the words, however, were the voices that were making them.

They sounded familiar…as if the voices were their own.

Have you decided to walk the path of strife…?

A gentle, strong voice came from within Makoto, the voice sounding similar to her own, and asking a question that she already knew the answer of.

"Yes… Come to me!" She demanded, her crimson eyes filled with resolve, determination, and most importantly, rebellion.

The same emotions that were on Ryuji's eyes as he continued to glare at Kamoshida.

Very well. Let us proceed with the contract at once.

*babum*

"Gah!" "Argh!"

The two cried in pain simultaneously, gripping their heads as if they were about to explode as something powerful began to fill their minds and bodies, something that, despite the pain, felt like it was meant for them.

You made me wait for quite a while…

A smooth voice stated from within Ryuji, who, despite the head splitting pain, was able to hear it clearly.

You seek power, correct? Then let us form a pact.

He let out a howl of pain as he was thrown down to his knees, clutching his head. It felt as if there were several thousand nails scratching away at the inside of his skull, ripping through bone and flesh as if trying to free itself.

Since your name has been disgraced already, why not hoist the flag and raise havoc? The 'other you' that exist within desire it, thus…

As he rolled on the floor in pain, he began to feel something flowing through him. A surge of power that threatened to break the chains he found wrapping around him. Gritting his teeth and powering through the torment that he was being subjected to, he rammed a fist down on the floor and stood.

I am thou, thou art I… There is no turning back! The Skull of Rebellion will be your mask hence forth!

With those words ringing in his ears, a blast of sapphire embers formed over Ryuji's face, encompassing it briefly before vanishing, leaving behind a skull-shaped mask in its wake and Ryuji himself letting loose a menacing, golden eyed glare. As this was happening, Makoto was panting heavily, the pain overbearing but was still managing it somehow. She was glaring at Kamoshida heatedly, her eyes as gold as Ryuji's as she stomped on the ground hard enough to create a small, but deep indent in it.

I am thou, thou art I… You have finally found your own justice. Please. Never lose sight of it again.

Like Ryuji, she too saw the chains that bound her. Emboldened by the rush of power, however, these chains threatened to break apart as Makoto continued to trudge forward, eyes blazing in defiance.

This memorable day marks the graduation of your false self.

The words of her other self stated clearly within her, and with those words, a burst of fire formed over her face as well, dispersing just as quickly to reveal a sleek iron mask with two slits on the side for eyeholes.

It was at that moment that the pair of them reached for their masks, practically clawing at them in order to get them off. The pain was excruciating, even more so than the pain that they were dealing with before, but they knew they had to endure it. In order to help their friend and escape from this hellhole of a castle, they need to do it. They had to fight. They had to win.

They had to awaken.

And thus, with a resounding cry, they shouted to the heavens: "PERSONA!"

The masks came off, the pair screaming the coveted word simultaneously, and it was at that moment that two massive pillars of azure fire engulfed the two of them, their full potential finally unlocked, and their inner selves released into the open.

"No… Dammit, not again!" Kamoshida cried, a hint of fear in his voice as he stepped back a bit, the power the pair were releasing overwhelming him a bit. It was then that the flames began to die down, and what was left behind had him nearly shaking beneath his robe.

Ryuji and Makoto's clothes had changed during the awakening, similar to Akira. Their school uniforms were gone, replaced with what looked like a pirate ensemble with a black jacket with matching pants and knee pads, a red ascot, combat boots, and a pair of yellow gloves, while Makoto was sporting a black and blue skintight suit with a long black scarf, a dark gray corset-style leather breastplate, shoulder and knee pads with spikes, and white gloves, giving her a look similar to that of a biker. The two of them actually looked quite similar in terms of their new outfits, but when it came to their Personas, they were vastly different.

Ryuji's Persona took the form of a skeleton pirate, complete with a golden hand cannon and riding a pirate ship as if it was a hoverboard. Makoto's Persona, however, didn't have a humanoid shape like the others, but instead was in the form of a sleek, powerful, state-of-the-art motorcycle with the image of a woman's face at the front of it. Ryuji was letting loose a manic grin as the power of his newly awakened Persona filled his entire body while Makoto simply stared at her enemies defiantly, revving the engine of her other self as if it were a real motorcycle.

The blonde delinquent looked at his hands, feeling the rush of power. His grin grew wider as he felt a wondrous euphoria rush through his heart, showing off a shark-like set of teeth. "Right on..." he whispered excitedly. "Wassup, Persona?!"

"You can say that again, Ryuji…" Makoto agreed, allowing herself a small smile at his direction before closing her eyes in concentration. "…I can feel it. My 'self'. 'Me'…!" It was then that she opened her eyes, a determined glint in them and turned to Ryuji, who gave her a quick nod.

"GUN IT!"

"GET WRECKED!"

With those words, the two sprung into action, Makoto driving her Persona right towards the Shadows while Ryuji hopped onto his Persona's boat and sailed right behind her. A moment later, Ryuji's Persona speed right past Makoto, ramming right into the crimson knight and sending it crashing to a wall while Makoto drifted right in front of the remaining Shadows, letting lose a wave of electric blue energy from the back tires of the Persona and blasting the horse-like monsters with it, sending them flying right towards their superior.

"Grrrr… Don't you dare mock us, you brats!" The crimson knight exclaimed as he pull himself and his steed up, the two Bicorns following his lead, but with much more strained effort.

Akira huffed as he tugged at his sleeves. "They're stating a fact, moron." he mocked, causing the Shadow to bristle with rage. Meanwhile, the frizzy-haired teen smiled in gratitude towards the two. "Thanks, you two."

"Just repayin' the favor, dude. You saved our asses plenty of times already. Now it's our turn." Ryuji assured with a thumb's up while Makoto nodded in agreement.

"He's right, Akira. You and Morgana don't have to do this alone anymore. Whatever challenges we face now, we'll do this together. I promise you, and myself, that I will not lose heart again. Ever. I will go forward at full speed nonstop. Right to the very end!" Makoto declared, her pledge touching Akira and making him give her the biggest smile he has ever seen on his face.

"Alright then, I'll hold you to it." He said after a moment before looking down to Morgana, who had been staring at the newly awakened pair with a wide smile of his own. "Looks like things are looking up for us now. You ready to give this another go?"

"You bet I am. This time we're taking these guys down for sure!" Morgana announced, his voice full of confidence and prompting Akira to let lose a small chuckle before turning back to the Shadows with a fierce look. He gave a vicious smirk as Orpheus danced behind him, readying its harp once more as Morgana, now back in the fight, called upon his own Persona. With the four of them now active, there was only one thing left to do:

Beat the hell out of the Shadows.

"It's showtime, Orpheus!"

"Zorro, show your might!"

"Johanna, full throttle!"

"Blast 'em away, Captain Kidd!"

TO BE CONTINUED...

A/N: Hoooooooly craaaaaap! This chapter clocked in at 8k words!

Special thanks go to Black Fuego, the author of Persona 5: Trials of the Trickster, for helping me with the awakening scene!

"Hmhmhm...so, that is Lavenza's guest?"

Unknown to any of the Persona-users facing the Shadows, a figure could be found watching the battle from afar, hidden in the shadows. The figure was a young woman, bearing platinum blonde hair that fell close to the chin and wondrous pools of gold, much brighter and sharper than that of the eyes of Kamoshida's Shadow self. Her attire, however, was bizarre. She wore a blue dress that resembled a stewardess' outfit with five black-lined circles outside small yellow circle, blue gloves, a blue attendant-like hat, black leggings and blue knee-length boots. In hand was a large tome, resembling the one Lavenza was in possession of. On her lips was a bright smile.

"I must say, I never would have dreamed that his Persona would resonate with him." the unknown woman said in slight wonder. "Perhaps Master is correct about this one."

She had never expected a Persona from the Compendium, much less Orpheus in particular, to be called upon by the newest guest of the Velvet Room. For a Persona from another soul to join the subconscious of another Persona-user...that was a rare feat. It brought forth many wondrous possibilities. One of which brought forth hope in her heart. For the time being, however, she would wait for him to grow. Wait for his soul to become even brighter. Wait for him to complete his contract.

Wait for him to win this foolish game.

"Please," she whispered to Akira Kurusu, knowing full well that he would not hear her. "Take good care of him. He's chosen to bequeath his power to you, after all."

With that, the mysterious woman walked away, vanishing into the blue door that she entered from. Passing through the doorway, the door swung close, breaking apart into motes of light and vanishing without a trace.

Persona Compendium:

Orpheus - Fool Arcana: [A poet of Greek mythology skilled with the lyre. He tried to retrieve his wife, Eurydice, from Hades, but she vanished when he looked back before reaching the surface.]

Captain Kidd - Chariot Arcana: [A famous privateer turned pirate. Before his unjust execution, he claimed to have buried his immense wealth somewhere across the vast ocean.]

Johanna - Priestess Arcana: [The mysterious female pope of the Middle Ages. She posed as a man and eventually made it up all the way to pop due to her unrivaled intellect. Her existence shook the history of the Catholic Church.]

Eligor - Emperor Arcana: [On of the 72 demons of the Goetia. He looks like a knight and has the power to see things to come. He also knows much about war.]