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

17th Heist: Blazing Revolt

.

.

.

.

.

"H-hey, what the eff' is this?!" Ryuji cried, looking back and forth between Ann and her doppelganger. Akira didn't blame him. The sight was surreal as it was disturbing, especially when the doppelganger in question was dressed so...casually, for a lack of better words. Ann herself looked between a mix of disbelief and horror, staring at the woman who bore the same face as her as she continued to rub herself against Shadow Kamoshida.

There had been one thing that Akira noticed strange about the cognition of the blonde girl. Her eyes were glassy, as if she wasn't fully there.

No, that isn't right. He amended. She doesn't see us at all. She's not even looking at us.

"W-what...?" Ann whispered, taking a step back. "T-that's...that's me?!"

"What's the matter, Ann-chan?" the Shadow of Suguru Kamoshida inquired with a sickening leer, drawing pleasure from her face. "Come on. Don't tell me you haven't dreamed of this happening."

"N-no way!" came the hot refusal. "In your dreams, you sicko!"

"We may as well be in his dreams..." Makoto muttered in distaste as she raised her fists, noticing the Shadows slowly inching around them. "Looks like we're surrounded. Joker, any ideas?"

Akira didn't answer at first. He was racking his brain. Makoto had the best range with Johanna, and Morgana could certainly knock a few of them back, but he and Ryuji were close-line fighters. They wouldn't be able to support Makoto and Morgana and protect Ann at the same time. Would divide and conquer work?

"Take the girl and kill the rest." Kamoshida ordered. "Don't leave a single one of them alive!"

He scowled. They had to act now. "Ann, stick close! Ryuji, back me up!"

Makoto and Morgana already had an idea as to what to do. In seconds, the beefy Persona emerged from azure flames and sent out large crescent waves of wind that destroyed quite a few knights. Makoto was on top of her glowing motorcycle, charging straight into the line of fire. Kamoshida was well-guarded, so attacking him was out of the question. They needed to thin the numbers first.

"Frei!" Bluish-white energy began to soak into the Persona's wheels. From there, Makoto proceeded to spin around, thrashing about like a madman and continuously performing donuts, releasing waves at her targets. One Shadow creeped up behind her, sword raised, before it promptly found itself smashed in the face, courtesy of Makoto slamming a wheel into its face and slamming it into the ground.

It was then reduced to black-and-red paste when the wheel ripped into its body, crushing the head.

However, not all of the Shadows were weaklings. Some had shed their armor, revealing their true forms. Some resembled dark-skinned red imps with long claws, tiny wings and something that Akira was not willing to go into detail about. Others had adopted the form of winged humanoid creatures with owl-like heads.

"Get the fake Princess!" a Shadow bellowed.

Ryuji promptly put his foot down on the matter as his Skull-themed mask burst into flames. The Shadow who said that found itself impaled on Captain Kidd's ship and its head blown clean off in a volley of thunder.. "Not a chance, asshole!" he roared. A knight came rushing up to him, swinging its sword. Though slow, Ryuji dodged with ease and rammed himself into its side, knocking it to the floor. "Joker!"

Orpheus brought down its enormous harp on the helpless Shadow, reducing it to goo. The white-masked teen turned his attention to the incoming owl-like Shadows. "Maragi!" Orpheus turned its attention to the Shadows and strummed its harp, creating miniature balls of flame that went straight for the Shadows. Some were destroyed and reduced to cinders. Others managed to survive, albeit wounded. In retaliation, one sent its own crescent waves of wind at Akira. The Persona took the hit and recoiled back, which transferred to the frizzy-haired teen.

At least I'm not being strangled or run through this time around. Akira thought whimsically, feeling pain erupt across his chest.

Two more knights came at him from either side. Even stunned with pain, he was still able to move. Deftly, he side-stepped and avoided one of the knights' swings, lowering down and sweeping at its legs. The result was it falling on to its back. The other immediately went in and managed to score a hit, dragging its blade across his shoulder. Blood didn't spill. Instead, flames burned across his clothes.

Didn't mean it hadn't hurt like hell.

"Joker!" Makoto cried out. "Are you okay?!"

Akira scowled, hissing in pain as he clenched his teeth together before he jumped at the Shadow, grabbing its helmet and ramming his knee into its mask. The strike disoriented it and threw it to the floor, allowing him to grab the sword and drive the sword into its face, killing it instantly. Orpheus, meanwhile, grabbed the fallen knight as it tried to pick itself up and threw it to its allies before strumming its harp again, creating more balls of flame that promptly exploded in the Shadows' face.

Ann watched in amazement as they fought. She had seen them fight before, but seeing them fight like this was something else. Ryuji standing in front of her protectively while the ship-riding pirate charged recklessly into its foes and blew them away with bolts of lightning. Morgana darting around, scimitar in hand while Zorro kept the enemy at bay. Makoto riding on her Persona, practically demolishing any that came in her way. Akira, who was moving smoothly between any Shadows that got too close before sending them flying with his Persona.

It made her feel envious. How in the world did they manage to obtain that kind of power? Could she have that kind of strength? That bizarre ability? If she had it, then maybe she wouldn't have to feel so helpless like she did right now.

If she had that kind of strength, then maybe... Then maybe Shiho wouldn't have...!

"Look at you all, fighting so hard just to protect one little girl!" Kamoshida laughed, throwing his head back as his gold eyes danced with amusement. "I bet Ann-chan must feel so special! Like a princess right about now!"

Ann scowled. "Shut up, you bastard!" she hissed. She wanted nothing more than to smack that arrogant look off of his face. It was because of him that Shiho was...!

Kamoshida laughed again, this time with scorn. "What's the matter? That anger doesn't suit you at all! You should be more relaxed, like she is!" To Ann's immediate shock and disgust, Kamoshida pulled the Cognitive version of her closer, one hand coming up to fondle her breasts while the other hand slid down her stomach, reaching towards forbidden territory. The sight was enough to fill everyone present with disgust and fury. The Cognition moaned, which was little more than disgusting noise to Ann's ears. "See? At least she's obedient, like that Suzui girl was. Well, before she decided to do something stupid."

"Y-you...!" It was bad enough what he was doing was more or less what he thought of her. But to hear him badmouth Shiho? It nearly sent her flying into white-hot rage. "You fucker! I swear, I'll-!"

"You'll what?"

Something in Kamoshida's voice had changed. Enough so that Ann suddenly found herself stopping.

Ryuji cursed as a Shadow rammed its shield into him, knocking him onto his back. He let out a cry of pain when the Shadow pinned him down with its foot, sword raised. "Captain!" he cried hurriedly. Before the Shadow could bring down its sword to end him, the Persona slammed straight into it at full speed, sending it flying right into Orpheus' path, where it was promptly reduced to a stain on the wall with a well-timed strike from its harp. Akira then offered the blonde delinquent a hand, pulling him up to his feet. "Thanks..."

"No prob." Akira smiled back before he turned his attention to the group of Shadows. "We've thinned them out. Somewhat..."

"Yeah." Ryuji nodded before he looked over at Ann. "Hey, Ann! You doin' fine?!"

"That's a stupid question to ask, don't you think, Sakamoto?" the Shadow of Suguru Kamoshida snickered. "How can she be fine? Especially when she did absolutely nothing to save her friend."

"You shut your mouth!" Makoto howled over the roaring engine of her Persona. The Shadows started to crowd around Akira, Ryuji and Ann. Morgana was too far away to reach them in time. Scowling, she revved up the engine. "Mona, hop on!" The not-cat creature threw the Shadows crowding him away with Zorro before bouncing over to the brunette, landing on her shoulder. Power began to swell on Johanna's wheels. "GUN IT!"

The ground beneath Makoto was ripped apart as she sped right through the gathering numbers, some unfortunate enough to be run over. She slid to a stop next to her friends, standing beside Ann protectively. "Is everyone okay?!"

"We're fine..." Ryuji replied. However, Makoto knew better. They were getting exhausted. These kinds of numbers were way beyond them. Akira in particular looked tired, as he had been switching back and forth between Orpheus and Arsene when one suited his needs the most. She glanced at the Shadows and grimaced, noting that, despite having greatly reduced in number, the majority of Shadows were those that had casted off their armor. Some looked far stronger than others, evident by the fierce red glow that surrounded them.

"There's too many..." Morgana whispered with an edge in his voice, hopping off. "Bah, if we only had one more, we could clench this...!"

"As if you thieves can stand against me!" Kamoshida snorted, still feeling up the Cognition of Ann Takamaki, which was now moaning loudly like a whore. Any other time, the males present would have found it arousing. After all, Ann was quite the beauty. However, present circumstances and the one causing her to moan only made them feel uncomfortable and sickened. "What could you possibly do? Face it, you're all just running on fumes at this point! Did you really think I wouldn't have prepared for the next time you idiots came crawling about my castle?! These are my best soldiers!"

"My God, do you ever shut up?" Akira rolled his eyes as Arsene floated next to him, claws brandished wickedly.

"Face it, you pieces of trash. You're already doomed." the Shadow gloated before it paused, stopping its lewd actions to his "mistress" as he rubbed his chin before a nasty gleam ran through his eyes, matched by his toothy grin. "But, if you give up Ann-chan, I might be persuaded to let you go..."

Ryuji bared his fangs. "Fuck you!"

"But isn't she a burden?" Ann winced at that, especially when she realized that Kamoshida wasn't looking at any of them anymore. He was looking only at her. "She pretended not to notice how her friend was suffering. I mean, honestly, was I even remotely subtle about the injuries I gave Suzui? You would have to be an idiot not to notice!"

"T-that's...!"

Ann's shoulders shook as she shook her head. "Y-you're wrong..." she muttered in denial. "I...!"

"Face facts, Ann-chan. You're just like me! You only use others to get what you need in life!" Kamoshida told her, waving his arm about in a grandoise manner. "The faculty knows damn well what I'm like, but they all look the other way! Do you know why? Because they profit what I bring! It's why that fool Kobayakawa lets me do whatever I want. Because of me, Shujin Academy started to bring in more and more students. More volleyball stars began popping right out the floodgates! And the teachers all share the credit for creating fresh new bloods with wonderful futures ahead of them! All of that is made possible because of me!"

Makoto's fingers curled into fists, trembling as her nails broke through the screen. Blood dripped to the floor as it crawled down her knuckles. If looks could kill, Kamoshida would be dead a hundred times over. "You scum..."

"The whole school knows who your parents are." he continued, unhindered. "Satsuki Takamaki is one of the most well-known models in Japan, with her husband being of equal reknown as a former novelist! Suzui had talent, that much was certain. Everyone on my team practically looked up to her. Even I saw how good she was. She would have gone far. Maybe even to nationals and earn a medal herself." Kamoshida then developed a smirk, leaning off of the Cognition while leveling a leer at her. "Isn't that why you hanged around her? Because you wanted to mooch off of what she could be in the future?"

"You're wrong!" Ann cried, clamping her hands over her ears. "I'm not like that! I'm...!"

"Ann, don't listen to this bastard!" Ryuji shouted at her. He then looked at Kamoshida, pointing a finger at him. "And you! Quit messing around with my friend! She is nothing like you! If anything, she's a thousand times better than you!"

"Are you so sure about that, Sakamoto? The way I see it, Ann and I are quite alike! Of course, the only difference is that she doesn't know the difference between fight and flight. Suzui would've been just fine, if she had learned to listen..."

"What?" Akira blinked. "What're you talking about?"

Then it dawned on him, as it had on the others. Ryuji's face went pale. Makoto looked like she was going to be sick. Morgana looked positively livid. Ann had ceased to listen, as her hands had been clasped over her ears. Kamoshida could only smirk, showing off his pearly white molars, which resembled fangs more than anything. The image that was now in Akira's head was enough to incite a bubbling fury in his heart. If the gathering dark energy that suddenly began to writhe around Arsene's hands was of any indication, the Persona felt his feelings and more.

Is, is what he said true? Ann thought, tears stinging at her eyes. Was I...just using Shiho?

Ever since she came to Shujin, people looked at her differently. Partially because of her parents' reputation, but most of it seemed to just come from her appearance. At first, everyone thought she was a yankee. Somehow, people found out that she was of some mixed blood, and suddenly, the treatment turned worse. She didn't know what to do. She could only just block out the whispers and looks people gave her way.

And then Shiho Suzui came into her life, and suddenly things became brighter. The girl was so much more talented Ann ever was. She could also be very blunt when she wanted to be. Hell, the first thing Shiho had ever said to her was, "You're painting sucks." Normally, Ann would have felt offended, but those words were the most beautiful thing she had ever heard since the day she came to Shujin. She brought newfound light into her life. Things suddenly seemed more enjoyable. A few people even saw her for whos he was, not the quarter-American foreign girl.

But, ever since Kamoshida came...

The worst part about what he said was true. She knew that Shiho had to be getting those bruises from someplace other than practice. They were just way too severe. Yet she just turned her head, as if pretending to ignore it was happening. It was hypocritical of her, she knew. After all, she refused to accept Kamoshida's constant offers to go back to his place, all because she wouldn't stoop to that level.

But...was it because of that that Shiho was pushed into a corner? That she couldn't see any other way out?

Is it...all my fault?

Come now, is that really something you should be pondering?

Ann blinked. 'W-what the? Is that...my voice?'

Even if you and that worthless man are the same, what difference does it make? Does your heart not feel regret for being at that young girl's side?

Ann thought back to Shiho. The sight of her as she was put on a stretcher, carried off into the ambulance before it drove away and vanishing into the distance. The memory of it made her heart ache with grief and anger, knowing that it was Kamoshida who was responsible. Kamoshida had no remorse for what he did. He didn't seek forgiveness, not in the least. Ann didn't wish to associate herself with someone so heartless. Not with someone who treated his own students like they were just disposable pawns.

Even if they were the same, by even the smallest degree...

Shiho Suzui was irreplacable! She was everything to Ann!

How DARE this bastard even think she was trying to take advantage of her friend like that?!

There you go. That's the spirit. Now, let me ask you this. Will you forgive this man?

"Like hell..."

"Hm?" Kamoshida tilted his head, noticing the fury in Ann's eyes. "What's the matter, Ann-chan? Have something to say? Perhaps begging for-"

"Shut the fuck up!" Akira and the others jumped at the fiery passion that burned in Ann's voice. Turning around, he found her eyes blazing with newfound resolve. An unyielding fire was lit inside those eyes. An anger that could not – would not quell, not even if Kamoshida got on his knees and begged for mercy. "I don't want to hear another goddamn word out of your mouth! I will never...ever...forgive you for what you've done! I am not some toy you can play with!"

"And I'm going to make you pay for what you did to Shiho you pompous bastard!"

Ah, there it is... The fiery spirit I've been waiting for!

*ba-bump*

Ann suddenly found herself clutching her head began to ache. It felt like something was trying to break free from inside. Her blue eyes were swallowed by a golden color. Something that immediately made Kamoshida fearful as his eyes went wide and the color drain from his face. "Not again!" he cried, stumbling back and pushing the Cognitive Ann Takamaki to the floor in his haste.

"No way..." Ryuji stared at Ann as she kneeled on the floor, watching while she thrashed around and holding her head, groaning and whining in pain. "Her too?!"

"Kill her! Kill them now!"

"Don't think so!" Morgana huffed as he immediately put himself and Ann, blue flames dancing around him. Zorro rose from behind him, its small rapier in hand. "Zorro! Blow them away!"

The others followed suit. Makoto defended her friends when they were left vulnerable, intercepting Shadows with Johanna. Ryuji and Morgana were tired and exhausted, their heads hurting from all the mental energy they were putting into maintaing their Personas. Even so, they percevered as their Personas laid waste to the enemy, winds hacking them apart and thunder bolts obliterating them to pieces. Akira was the most exhausted, sweat trailing down his face while Arsene cackled with glee, both at the prospect of a new Persona emerging to join the fray and the anger that was blossoming in Akira's heart. With each poised strike, a Shadow was torn asunder by its claws.

It's taken far too long. Tell me... Who is going to avenge her if you don't? Forgiving him was never the option... Such is the scream of the other you that dwells within...

Ann hissed as the pain continued. Shakily, she stood back up on her feet, a hand still on her head. With unfocused eyes, she glared at what was ahead of her. Faintly, she could make out chains circling around her. Wrapping around her body, as if trying to restrain her. "Yeah..." she said after a moment, feeling something swell up inside of her. It was warm, like a fire. Pleasant, but chaotic. "I hear you, Carmen."

I am thou, thou art I...

Blue flames lapped at Ann's face, encroaching the sides before slowly converging to the center of her forehead, all the while leaving behind what appeared to be a red mask with pointed cat-like ears.

There is nothing to be gained from restraining yourself. Now, let your burning passion run wild to your heart's content, until every boorish thing in your path is reduced to cinders!

The mask fully formed. Thin fingers grabbed hold of the edge, and with a swift tug, it was torn from her face. Ann cried, feeling a burning pain erupt across her face as blood caked the upper half of her face. Then everything around her exploded into azure flames, releasing a shockwave that sent any and all nearby Shadows flying.

"God dammit!"Kamoshida whimpered, backpedaling away in fear. "Not again!"

The flames receded. There, in the midst of the inferno, Ann stood in a tight-fitting red leather suit, exposing a fair amount of her cleavage. It bore a cat-like motif, evident by sharp claws at the ends of her fingertips, covered by dark pink gloves. A small tail was attached to the part where her tailbone shoud be. Marked across the suit were silver zippers. Her eyes were closed for only a brief moment before they opened, revealing her blue eyes. Behind Ann stood a tall, imposing figure – a woman with pink skin and wearing a more detailed, decorative panther mask, golden eyes dancing with mischief and mirth while a lit cigar hanged in its mouth. Its hair was in the same style as its summoner, only much larger and with a ringlet style. Like Ann, its attire exposed an ample amount of its bust, perhaps even more so. Despite its much barer presentation, the outer half of the body part was covered in some kind of black material. It was hard to tell what it actually was since it over was around its shoulders and provided a collar before disappearing along the arms and body of a red and black dress with a few designs all over the body.

The arm and stomach were nearly blended in with the rest of the body. Black was the main color that took over the two areas. But within such a dark area, the only color to be provided as well were red hearts littering the dark color while there would be a strip of light-pink adjacent of the color vertically. The same could be said for its heeled boots except around the bottom, the actual heel and tip of the footwear being crimson red. The rest of the dress had one layer of cloth overlapping another layer about five times. Red was once again the main color, but then bright pink (that looked like orange or peach) and black highlights helped make the dress look more appealing. Around its waist were several large and small roses with a long thorny vine wrapped around her body.

Where such vines led to was a bit of a surprise.

The first vine led to some kind of male figure in a suit being used as a footstool for the lady. The male didn't seem to be bothered or love the treatment. He wore a formal suit with a red-bowtie and the vines were wrapped around his neck. The most peculiar thing was that his head was a metal box in the shape of a heart as his eyes were also that shape but his mouth was round and had bars like a jail cell.

The second vine was the same, leading to a male that looked identical to the first. But the secondary object floated in the air, dangling yet looking mesmerized by the thing that had captivated him.

"Whoa..." Ryuji's jaw hanged opened, kissing the floor as he stared at the sight. Akira shared his sentiments. The Persona looked beautiful – easily matching that of a femme fatale. Especially when he saw that it looked quite enticed by the idea of bringing pain to Kamoshida. "That's her Persona?"

Ann took a step forward. In response, Kamoshida took three steps back. "I'm going to make you pay a hundred times over." she swore to him as she swung her arm in anger. "I don't give a damn who you are! I won't let you stomp over my feelings for Shiho, or my own feelings! Now burn!"

Carmen's eyes twinkled as it brought a gloved hand to its lips. Sparks danced across its fingers before it promptly blew a kiss at the Shadows, even winking.

In the next second, two knights were burned to cinders or utterly annihilated in a fiery blast, kicking up smoke all over the place.

Morgana leaped back to avoid the flames from touching his fur. Ryuji immediately backed away as far as possible. "Jesus!"

And the flames didn't stop from there. Spheres of fire danced around Carmen for only a moment before a flick of a hand sent them flying, straight at the gathered Shadows. Some managed to escape, only singed but others were burned to a crisp. One Shadow, an owl-headed humanoid, attempted to retaliate by gathering wind around its hands, preparing to send it flying at her. Before it could, however, Carmen narrowed its eyes and threw its arm forward, palm aimed right at the shadow. The vine in its hand twitched before it suddenly moved, snapping forward like a snake aiming towards its prey. It wrapped itself around the Shadow, capturing it in its grasp. The humanoid figure even latched itself to the Shadow, as if to prevent it from escaping. Carmen tugged and swung it around, sending it flying into a group of knights before promptly throwing an Agi their way, destroying them completely.

Ann didn't stop. Even when she felt a haze wrap around her mind, as if strangling her, she didn't stop for a moment. Fire after fire, more flames erupted into her field of vision. Shadows were being destroyed left and right. The others watched in awe, unable to tear their eyes away from the sight.

"Man... Look at her go." Ryuji whispered in awe. "She's practically beating them by herself! And she just got that thing!"

It is impressive... Akira admitted silently before casting a worried glance at Ann, noticing how with each spell cast, she looked more and more tired. But how much gas does she have left in the tank?

His answer came shortly after another fireball, this one seemingly bigger than all the others. Carmen held it above its head with both arms, Ann mimicking the action before she threw it straight at the remaining group of Shadows. They didn't even stand a chance as the resulting explosion of flame consumed them whole, leaving behind only a trail of scorch marks and smoke. When the smoke settled, Kamoshida stood there by himself, lying on the floor and looking at Ann fearfully, tears brimming.

"You're next..." Ann promised menacingly.

The Shadow cried out in panic. "Guards! GUARDS!" Scrambling to his feet, Kamoshida ran far away from the area as possible, vanishing down the corridor.

The sight made the blonde-haired girl bristle with rage. "Get back here you..." She tried to take another step, but suddenly, all the energy and adrenaline that filled her body suddenly went out. Her eyes rolled to the back of her head and fell forward.

Makoto quickly stepped forward, grabbing Ann before she could hit the ground. Carmen immediately vanished into a flicker of blue flames, flowing into Ann's face and forming back into the red cat mask. "T-Takamki-san!"

"She's fine!" Morgana assured her. "She just fainted is all. She must've used up all of her strength, taking out all those Shadows."

"I'll say!" Ryuji chimed with a wide grin. "That was freakin' amazing! D-did you see the way she just blew them all up?! Man, she's like a walking stick of TNT!"

"Nevermind that!" Makoto snapped at him, causing him to yelp in fright. "We need to get her out of here! It isn't safe! And after the commotion we caused, Shadows will definitely be running over here!"

Akira looked over his shoulder. Already, he could hear the hurried sounds of footsteps and clanking metal. "Agreed. Let's move." Walking over, he pulled Ann's other side over his shoulder, helping Makoto move her along as they fled the scene.

TakeYourTime

An hour later, Ann had finally stirred from her short slumber, tired and exhausted. The group had chosen to convene at Central Street, grabbing a bite to eat at the local Big Bang Burger in order to alleviate some of the lingering tension.

"So, that was Kamoshida's Palace..." Ann muttered, steeling reeling from the crazy series of events. "It's still so crazy to believe. I don't think I would have believed it if I hadn't seen it for myself."

"Yeah, tell me about it." Ryuji quipped, tossing a fry into his mouth. "It's way freaky. We practically shit our pants first time we were there. Didn't help we ended up getting lost in the dungeon of all places." He shook his head, sighing. Even now, he still felt overwhelmed by that moment. "Anyway, how you feelin'?"

"Better. Still kind of exhausted, but I'm fine." Ann told him.

Morgana poked his head out from Akira's bag, looking at Ann with worry. "Are you sure, Ann-dono?"

"Ann-dono?" the girl blinked before she recovered. "Um, yeah. Really, I'm fine. Also... Is this really Morgana?"

Makoto giggled. "Quite the sight, no?" she asked in amusement. "Even I didn't believe it at first, but it really is him. Still, moving back on topic, we really had a touch-and-go moment there."

Akira nodded in agreement. That had been far too close for comfort to his liking. They couldn't just rush in blindly without a plan anymore. Especially when their lives were on the line here. He rubbed his shoulder, still feeling the pain of when the Shadow slashed him across the shoulder. He was thankful that there was no cut, which he no doubt owed to his Persona, but even still, he needed to be more careful.

"The Shadows really are no joke." Ryuji muttered worriedly. "We really gotta be careful from now on. Still, using our Personas is pretty freaking tiring. I can keep mine out for, like, maybe six minutes tops just for ramming crap before I start to feel tired."

"Same here." Makoto took a sip from her drink, eyes narrowed. "Obviously, using our Personas takes away mental strength. We'll have to find some other way to deal with the Shadows and try to conserve our fighting strength. Especially if we're going after Kamoshida's Treasure."

Morgana let out a pleased sound, flicking his tail. "Indeed. And now that there's five of us, our odds of success are quite high!"

"Five of us...?" Ryuji cocked his head. He looked at the group gathered at the table before he realized who the cat was talking about. "W-wait, Ann?!"

"Who else? She awakened to her Persona, yes? And she has more than enough reason to take down Kamoshida like we do?"

"Wait just a-"

"It's fine, Ryuji." Ann cut him off, her smile gone and her eyes sharp. "I know the risks involved. To be perfectly honest... Kamoshida did have a point. Deep down, I knew I what was happening to Shiho. But I was just like everybody else, looking away and pretending I wasn't seeing a problem." She sucked in a breath, her hands gripping the edge of the seat tightly. Her knuckles turned white. "I don't want to be like that anymore. I know I'm a hypocrite, now, and I don't want to go back to being like that." She raised her head, meeting everyone's eyes. "I want to make Kamoshida pay."

There was nothing to say. What could they say to such devotion and angry passion? The others looked at each other, but made no arguments against Ann. Instead, they simply nodded in unison. Ann smiled widely when they offered her one as well.

"Alright, then." Ryuji chuckled, leaning forward. "With the five of us, that shitty pervert doesn't stand a chance in hell!"

"Damn right." Akira smirked, adjusting his glasses.

Makoto smiled in confidence and Ann pumped a fist, clearly eager for the next journey into the Palace.

Not a single one of them noticed the azure blue butterfly sitting outside the fast food restaurant, situated on the windowsill next to the group's seat before it flew away.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Persona Compendium

Andras - Devil Arcana: [One of the 72 demons of the Goetia. The great Marquis of Hell, he appears where there is battle to stoke the hatred within soldiers.]

A/N: *stares at [Updated: Jan 8]*

...okay. I have no excuses to offer this time. What I can offer you, however, is assurance that this story isn't dead. And the Kamoshida Arc is about three or four chapters away from completion, which means we'll be able to get into some proper breather territory. Someone complained about how the tension was completely cut away when I followed Chapter 17 with two light-hearted chapters. I'm sorry if you didn't like it, so how about taking this chapter as an apology?

The next update, or updates I should say, should be coming sometime soon. I can't say when, as my college semester started early this month, so I won't have much time to work. Plus, I have other real life stuff to tend to. That being said, I am determined to finish the Kamoshida Arc at least this month, or before Halloween! MARK MY WORDS!

By the way, which one of you beautiful sons of bitches made the TV Tropes page?!

No, I'm serious. Someone went out of their way to make a TV tropes page for this story! Seriously, I'm starting to feel a bit spoiled that somebody's gone out of their way to make pages for mine and my bud's stories. If you want to add in anything new, check out Persona 5: Hoshi to Bokura to's TVTropes Page.

Speaking of stories, I'm working on a new one. I know I shouldn't, but damn plot bunnies won't leave me alone. It demands that I write it. Before you ask, its a Persona 5 story, but with a twist: it has everybody's favorite Rule-Smashing Pun Machine! Look forward to Persona 5: Black Moonlight everyone!

Before I finis this chappy off, please check out mine and Daemon of Wrath's newest story: unORDINARY Thieves! I'd make us both really happy if you told us what you think!

As always, please review and tell me what you thought of this chapter! Later tricksters, and I'll see you all in the next update!

EDIT: Forgot to mention this, but certain chapters have been given a minor fix. I won't say which ones, but I did a little bit of clean up when I noticed some errors.