Missed me? 'Cause I sure missed all of you! My excuse this time is that I've been having some issues with my PC and needed to get it repaired, so I had to wait a little before getting it back. Plus, I am suuuuper busy! However, a lot happens in this chapter which is also why it has so many short paragraphs. Eeeenjoy!

Another week had passed and Goro Akechi found himself walking nervously toward Tamiko's apartment once again only to stop outside her door, sigh in defeat and return home. He would do the exact same thing every day right after school and before meeting up with Akira and the others at their hideout at LeBlanc.

He knew he couldn't do much to convince her to forgive him, and he still hadn't mustered the courage to knock on her door or leave her a message in the post box. She had seemed fed up with him, however he was very thankful for the fact she hadn't kicked poor Okumura out yet. For he hadn't yet found a new place for him to stay at, and his own apartment was out of discussion.

At least he could say the Phantom Thieves were making good progress in Sae-san's Palace, and Mona had announced he could sense the Treasure was very close last time they had been in the Metaverse.

However, the fact their deadline was approaching fast and they were still busy with Sae-san's Shadow, as well as his worries about Tamiko-chan's behavior and his life as a model student, was affecting his already limited free time. As he finished his homework for the following day, struggling to keep his eyes open as he flipped the pages of his textbook to find what he was looking for, he thought how wonderful it would be to be able to have a break –even the shortest one- to spend time with his friends and, particularly, with Makoto. It was funny to think how he couldn't categorize her as a "friend" no matter how hard he tried. Whenever he was in a Palace with her he never really gave much thought to it, but every minute he spent alone in his room his thoughts kept running to the dark-haired girl with bottomless red eyes…

Even in that exact moment, as he tried his best to focus on his homework, he couldn't help but think of her. He missed her. Her voice. Her smile. That pout of hers when she was annoyed. And dammit, that was not a good time to spend time and energies on a girl…

Yes, Goro Akechi had bigger problems like making sure he could save his best friends and the girl he fancied from his father who was blackmailing him. And the damn Social Study essay due tomorrow.

His eyes kept glancing at his phone, lying undisturbed on his desk just beside his left hand and oh- how he wished it would start buzzing with a new message! A message from the Phantom Thieves to lighten up his spirits. Or from Makoto starting a small talk. Or a message from Tamiko to make up with her.

He sighed as he finally finished the essay and closed the book with a loud thud. He then stared blankly at the window beside his bed, and thought that sometimes one needed to take the initiative in order to set things in motion. And to make things better, he needed to apologize to Tamiko.

Right, that was exactly what he was going to do.

Everything was done as usual: his hoodie was on, hands in his jeans pockets; no one suspicious seemed to be following him; the GPS signal on his phone was turned off; he was walking an alternative route to Tamiko's apartment. The only thing that differed from the other times was a small paper bag he was carrying…

This time, despite feeling as nervous as all the other days before, he would not turn back. He stared at the door determinately, then he shut his eyes closed and rang the bell.

He heard the sound of shuffling feet getting steadily closer, almost lazily until the one of a door opening could be heard next.

Tamiko-chan looked like she hadn't been sleeping for ages, with dark bags under her eyes and as pale as a ghost but she still gasped with surprise and embarrassment when she saw who was waiting outside.

"A-Akechi-kun?!"

He didn't have the chance to say anything for the girl gestured for him to step inside as she hurried to the bathroom, most likely to make herself more presentable. While he waited, the boy placed the bag on the coffee table and took a look around: the place was pretty much the same as always if only messier. He guessed poor Tamiko was very stressed with the high workload as well as taking care of Okumura and going to work. She had been right: he had been a jerk to her all along for letting her handle all this by herself as well as putting a new weight on her shoulders…

When she emerged from the bathroom, she gave him a shy smile and apologized for the wait. "S-so, ehm…"

"Listen, Tamiko-chan. I… I am sorry, I really am. I should have been more considerate towards you…" Akechi sighed, his eyes fixed on a random spot on the floor. He couldn't know what her expression was, but after a short pause she spoke softly.

"Akechi-kun, I knew from the very moment you stepped into my apartment for the first time you were bringing troubles. And I accepted to help you, didn't I? I mean yes, you have been a complete idiot but you never forced me, did you? It was my choice from the beginning, and even if I know this is wrong and unhealthy for me, I just can't turn you down…"

Akechi finally looked up surprised as she smiled at him. "And I can see you truly are sorry. Like all the other times before."

Akechi frowned at her and she giggled. "I have seen you walking back and forth from the window, you know…"

"So, ehm…" he rubbed the back of his head and smiled shyly. "Friends?"

"Friends."

There was a moment in which Akechi felt a huge weight being lifted off his shoulders as the girl in front of him smiled at him, though a bit sadly. He then pointed at the paper bag on the coffee table. "Got you some dorayaki, by the way."

"Oh!" the girl gasped in surprise as she rushed to open the bag and peeked inside. "The ones with anzu?"

Akechi nodded with a smile and she bit her lips with sparkling eyes. "I'll go make some tea, then!"

As the girl fumbled with the tea pot, Akechi leaned against the kitchen wall just beside Okumura's cot and crossed his arms, observing Tamiko. "I can take him to my apartment tonight, so you won't need to look after him any longer."

Tamiko stopped mid-action and turned to glance at him confused. "What? Oh… Forget about it. I was angry when I said that… he can stay."

"Are you sure? You look so busy already…"

"No, really. Besides, I've always wanted to put a plant there" she giggled amused and he chuckled too.

"Well" he said, feeling suddenly extremely happy. "Why don't we celebrate tonight? We can go eat somewhere!"

"Oh?" her face lit up instantly. "Where would that be?"

"I dunno, maybe sushi? It's on me."

"Sushi it is!"

"No, wait…" he replied flatly. "We can't, can we? They may recognize me and you'll be in danger."

"I'll take the risk, Goro Akechi. Just… I dunno, brush your hair or something…"

"Yeah, tried many times. Won't work."

"Whatever, we are going out. And your dear father's not going to stop us!"

He knew his large smile would fade once the bill arrived but he would not let Tamiko-chan down. The girl had spent an hour or so locked up in the bathroom getting ready for something- he knew- she had been dreaming of for a lifetime. He couldn't look as stunning as she did because he was still afraid to be recognized and put her even more in danger, but at least they were sitting in a nice restaurant around Akihabara, eating delicious sushi. And he was also fully aware that people kept staring at them, a beautiful young lady sitting in front of a shabby-looking guy with a hoodie partly covering his face, but he didn't care. And neither did she, judging by the bright smile she was wearing.

"…and her hair looked like it'd been through hell! Speaking of which, why don't you try flattening yours with your hands next time?" she was saying.

"Uhm, that's a good suggestion. Because you know, I've been using my feet so far…"

She blinked a couple of times before bursting into an uncontrollable fit of laughter which made everyone turn their heads. "I- ahah, I meant your hands and gel or wax, you silly!"

"Nah, ruins my beautiful hair" he replied mockingly, and she giggled again.

"You know" she then said when she had calmed down, lowering her voice until it was almost a whisper. "Sometimes it's really hard to believe you are behind all those mental shutdowns and accidents… I mean, you are… so…"

"You mean I am nothing but a fool, Tamiko-chan" he shook his head. "Don't you see what I have become? I swore to make my father pay for what he has done to me and my mom, and yet I have turned into a copy of him, if not a worse one. And trust me, the time when I have to pay for my crimes will come."

Tamiko looked at him worried and bit her lips. "But that is not fair! He forced you to!"

"No one forced me" he smiled bitterly. "I decided of my own accord to kill those Shadows and, consequently, those people. I am a murderer, Tamiko-chan."

"But I know you!" she pressed, almost desperately. "I know that what you did to Ikeda-sensei was to avenge me and all the other students! And yes, maybe it is wrong to kill but your intentions were good!"

Akechi didn't know what to say: he wanted to tell her how he had chosen willingly to kill, over and over again. He wanted to tell her how deeply terrified he was when he had seen Ikeda's body lying in the grass when he realized he was the culprit. He wanted to tell her that, despite being pressed by his own father, he had chosen to use his skills to help Shido gain power until the fear and the terror he had felt the first time in Ikeda's Palace were no longer there, replaced by nothingness. No emotions. No feelings. No regrets. Merely habit. Up until that day when, unbeknownst to him, he had grown fond of the people he was now trying to save. The people who had changed his heart even without him having a Palace in the first place.

"I can barely recognize you anymore" she continued tenderly. "The first time I met you, you were… every girl's dream in school! You were perfect: handsome, intelligent, with excellent grades and kind. You were too good to be true, really. And when Ikeda-sensei died, I knew… I knew you couldn't be the prince charming all the girls dreamt of. That a dark aura surrounded you all the time. But I can see now how much you're changing. You changed when you first knocked on my door carrying Okumura-san, and you have changed even more since then. She… she must be really special…"

"What?" Akechi frowned once more at her words, and the girl lowered her head with a sad smile.

"Yes" she said softly. "The "special one" you never told me about. But I know she exists, and that it's not me."

"Tamiko-chan…"

"It is alright" she shook her head and smiled. "That won't change anything. I will still help you."

"But… why? I have nothing to offer you…"

"I don't know" she shrugged. "Maybe because… Deep down, I still have hope?"

They stared at each other with a sorrowed expression, the broken boy and the courageous girl who desperately needed each other but could never be whole. And Goro Akechi was once more at a loss for words because that girl was so genuine she would always leave him defenceless.

"…so much fatty tuna, and Morgana will get so fat he won't fit in your bag anymore."

The familiar voice made his heart accelerate crazily as his eyes widened with shock and surprise, and he automatically turned to look at the people who had just entered the locale. Akira, Ann and Makoto were walking to the counter and were currently waiting for some sushi to take away. As if his stare was a magnet, the dark-haired girl returned the look and opened her mouth in a large O.

"Akechi-kun?!"

Ann and Akira turned too upon hearing the name and glanced at his table. "Hey there, Goro. Fancied some sushi tonight?"

"Excuse me a sec" Akechi told Tamiko, who looked as confused as the others, and then stood up to approach them.

"Hi guys" he greeted. "What are you doing here?"

"Morgana wants sushi. Really badly" Akira shrugged. "You? Got company?" Akira nodded at the pretty girl sat at the table by the window.

"Y-yeah, she…" Akechi stuttered as he locked eyes with a very fuming-looking Makoto. "She is my…"

"The fatty tuna is ready, Akira. God bless the online orders" Makoto said sharply, and then picked up the bag and stormed out of the restaurant, with Ann following her suit.

"Damn, this is going to be tough to explain…"

"Makoto, wait!"

"I'm fine, Ann! FINE!"

"No, you're not!"

Makoto was walking furiously towards the nearest subway station to head back home, the sushi she was mindlessly carrying completely forgotten. "Seriously Ann, I am not angry or anything. I kinda expected this, to be honest."

The blond girl stopped too when Makoto did, looking concerned for her obviously hurt friend. Ann took her hand and gently led her to a small park near the station –Makoto letting the other girl guide her-, where they sat on an empty bench.

"I mean" Makoto continued bitterly, trying to fight the tears that were stubbornly trying to escape her eyes. "What was I thinking? Just because he's been kind to me and we've been exchanging friendly conversations, it doesn't mean he has deeper feelings for me, right?"

"But Mako-chan, this must be a misunderstanding! Maybe that girl is just a friend, how can you be so sure?" Ann insisted.

"Right, a girl friend who dresses all fancy in an expensive restaurant in Akihabara. And why has he never mentioned her before? Besides, have you seen how nervous he looked when he saw us? Someone who has nothing to hide would never react that way…"

"Maybe… it was simply unexpected" Ann continued, though she looked doubtful herself.

"Ann, really. It's fine. I just wanna go home. Akechi-kun and I are not together anyway, and he never promised me anything, after all. Which means he is free to do whatever he damn pleases." And with that, Makoto stood up and headed to the subway, with Ann staring at her back with a sad look.

The mood after their last visit in Sae-san's Palace that day was not the best, and even a fool could tell. Despite being extremely close to the Treasure, most members of the Phantom Thieves could notice something was off: Morgana refused to speak with Akira and kept muttering something about him losing his fatty tuna for the third time in a row; Ann looked extremely concerned and Makoto seemed to be unable to stand in the proximity of Akechi who, in return, kept eying the girl, his expression unreadable.

"Ehm so, since we completed the last room we might as well send the calling card, right?" Ryuji suggested nervously, receiving no answer. "What the hell is wrong with you guys?!"

"True. You seem oddly suspicious today" Yusuke nodded.

"Eh? Oh sorry, I wasn't paying attention. But yes, we can send the calling card. Queen, feel up to it?" Akira turned to the dark-haired girl in their party and she nodded in silence.

Akechi seemed to be taking a step closer to Makoto, but the girl instantly moved to the opposite side. "Actually, I think I will do it right away. I'll send a message later tonight to update you. Have a pleasant evening."

Everyone watched as she walked away without a second thought, and then Akechi did something funny: one of his legs shot forward, while the other stubbornly rooted itself to the floor and he nearly stumbled.

"Bro, you got injured in the Palace?" Ryuji approached him worried, but Ann shot him a hard look and the boy stepped back.

"No matter" Akechi shook his head and looked at each one of them. "We are in perfect time, and once the calling card is sent, we can proceed to the second part of our plan. However, I cannot risk coming to the hideout after talking to Sae-san's Shadow, so you will hear from me again via letter."

"Meh, that's so outdated!" Ryuji pouted.

"I know, but it's proving to be quite effective, right? You're all very much alive so far."

"Yup. So far…"

"Calling card sent."

Akechi was awoken by the sound of his phone buzzing in the middle of the night, and he narrowed his eyes as the bright light coming from his screen blinded him in the darkness of his room.

"Alright Queen!"

"Tomorrow's going to be a decisive day! Make sure to rest up, everyone."

"Niiight!"

"Good luck, people!"

He stared at his phone as he bit his lower lip and thought: part of him wanted to send a text to Makoto and clarify the unpleasant situation with Tamiko, but the more rational part of him told him it was a bad idea: he wasn't supposed to reveal Tamiko's name in a message in case Shido could read what he was writing. One thing was taking her out to eat something after making very well sure no one suspicious was around, the other was explaining to Makoto who she was and why she was with him in the first place.

He resolved to put the phone on his bedtable and close his eyes to return to sleep. Akira was right: the following day would be the most important one of their lives, and they couldn't afford to mess up. Not even if that meant having Makoto suffer for a day or two. Because, even if it hurt him more than anything to see her upset, he knew he would fix this. He would explain everything once the time came.

But for now, their safety was more important.

Every single member of the Phantom Thieves was focused and ready for the challenge ahead. There was no room for error or hesitation, and this required perfect team work.

Since there was no way for him to approach Makoto and get her to talk to him, Akechi decided to discuss with Futaba about the last details of their plan in the safe room they found just before Sae-san's Shadow's hideout, and particularly about when exactly to activate the app for Akechi to be transported to the Metaverse where he would eliminate Akira's cognitive copy.

"…and ONLY when she shows me the phone, alright?"

"I GOT IIIIIT! Jeez…"

Makoto was leaning against a wall, her arms crossed as she observed her teammates. Morgana and Akira were apparently speaking to each other again, or maybe it was only because Yusuke and Haru had joined their conversation. Ryuji was sitting on a couch with Ann, for once talking civilly.

"Then we're good to go" Akechi finally announced, as everyone exchanged one last nervous look.

"I'll be fine" Akira smiled to everyone encouragingly. "Let's do this!"

They found Sae's Shadow waiting for them in the middle of a large room resembling a roulette, smiling mockingly as the nine teenagers approached her.

"You finally made it, huh?" the elder girl said. "I have to admit, you're much tougher than I thought, lil' sis."

Makoto gave her sister a reproachful look, then automatically glanced sideways at Akechi and her eyes hardened. "I'll show you how tough I've become. I'll show you all."

The battle was a fierce one, made even more difficult by the fact that Sae's Shadow had started the fight challenging them to a game of roulette while cheating. Once Akechi had spotted the trick she used to make the ball land on her side of the board, the Phantom Thieves finally got the upper hand and turned the tables to their advantage. Sae's Shadow was a tough opponent, but without her dirty tricks the nine friends managed to defeat her until the Treasure appeared.

"N-no… please…" the Shadow was pleading as she fell on her knees.

Akira took a few steps forward and picked up the suitcase that came out of nowhere. "We will not be taking this."

"Huh? But…" Sae's Shadow looked up at him and frowned.

"We need a little favor from you, instead…"

His plan was working perfectly so far. Right after talking to Sae-san's Shadow, Akechi had sent the signal from his phone to the police officers waiting just outside the casino. He had previously made sure to bring them in when they activated the app, told them to stand by until further notice and then ordered them to infiltrate the Palace to arrest Akira. Just like he had planned with Shido.

Akira was now at the police station being interrogated by Sae-san, and Akechi was waiting upstairs for Shido to give him the clearance to proceed. The man would be using one of his trustworthy prosecutors to alert him Sae Niijima was done with the interrogation, so that he could head downstairs and complete the job. Or not.

When the man in a black suit came to see him and told him with a sly smile Sae-san's time was almost up, he descended the stairs leading to the interrogation rooms and stood in the hallway. As soon as the door opened, he walked forward until he crossed path with Sae-san herself.

He could sense her fear to be in his presence- Akira hadn't told her about their whole plan in order not to put her in danger, after all- but that part went well too as she showed him Akira's phone right when Futaba remotely activated the app. He knew immediately it had worked when he sensed the distortion all around him but put a smile on his face as he nodded at her, and they walked their own ways.

Akechi turned the knob on the door and entered, his eyes instantly locking with Akira's scared ones.

"What are you doing here?" an officer guarding the prisoner asked him, but Akechi quickly took out his gun and pointed it at him, firing without hesitation. Akira's cognitive self was possibly even more scared now as he watched helplessly at the young murderer in front of him.

"Well, see you soon I guess" Akechi said, his hand shaking slightly even though he knew the boy in front of him was not his real best friend. As he aimed at the dark-haired student, Akechi lowered the gun and pursed his lips.

"Loki."

His Persona of Darkness materialized in front of him, and Akechi knew it was safe to proceed. "My apologies, I am just making sure I'm not killing the real you."

His index finger lingered a bit longer than necessary on the trigger before pulling it entirely, the cracking sound of a bullet being fired echoing throughout the room. Akira's eyes were still wide open with fear and shock as the boy looked blankly ahead, and then crashed onto the table in front of him in a pool of sticky, red liquid coming out of the hole in his head.

It was still an odd feeling to be staring at the corpse of his best friend, despite being fully aware of the fact it was not the real Akira. Akechi didn't even bother to clean the gun he was holding of his fingerprints, for he was wearing gloves anyway. He simply placed it in Akira's right hand and left the room without turning to look.

All he could do now was stand by, as he waited for Tamiko's return at her apartment to confirm she had delivered the last letter to Akira. In order to kill time, he decided to turn on the TV as every single TV channel in Japan was talking about the sensational suicide of the leader of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts after being arrested by the police.

He was extremely bored when he picked up his phone which was buzzing on the coffee table, and sighed when he saw Shido's name on the screen. The damn guy probably just wanted to congratulate him for his "excellent work". Usual stuff.

"Akechi here."

"Please, come to my office."

Shido ended the call right after, as Akechi stared confused at the phone he was holding. Something was definitely off, for Shido normally used texts only. And definitely not the word "please". The tone he used had sounded calm and controlled, which was never a good sign either.

He scribbled a message on a piece of paper which he put on the table for Tamiko to read, and left the building to head to Shido's office.

It wasn't even a good sign the fact he was allowed inside straight away, as Shido simply loved to keep him waiting. The man was sitting at his desk with his fingers intertwined as he studied him quietly, then he gestured for Akechi to take a seat.

"I see you have successfully completed your task. Congratulations" Shido said once the boy had sat down.

"Why did you want to see me?" Akechi asked. "You don't normally do this…"

"It's true. I don't" Shido interrupted him. "It is because I wanted to talk to you personally about something that has been on my mind lately."

When Akechi gave him a quizzical look, the man stood up and went to position himself by the large window where he loved to stare at the breathtaking view of the city. "My dear boy, you are still young –too young- to fool someone as experienced as me. However, I must admit it is extremely fun to watch you try and even believe you succeeded in deceiving me. Which is probably why I let you, but I suppose this is a good time to end this little game of yours. After all, I cannot allow you to proceed any further…"

"W-what are you talking about?" Akechi asked as a terrible suspicion crossed his mind, but Shido simply laughed.

"Did you really believe that the great Masayoshi Shido would be taken down by a kid like you? You might have access to the Metaverse, but you forget I have got full control over every single action of yours. I can see everything and I know everything, because my spies are everywhere, and not even an expert eye like yours could ever spot them. But then again, you are not a real detective, are you now?"

Shido chuckled as he turned to glance at the petrified boy in front of him. The terror he saw in his eyes made him feel powerful, invincible even if that kid used to scare him because of the skills he possessed. But now he had control!

"I am quite confident I told you one false move and your friends would all be dead. I suppose I can start from that pretty girl you asked for help to. What was her name again…? Ah yes, Tamiko Fujikawa."

"What're you babbling about? I did as you said! I killed Akira Kurusu!" Akechi didn't even realize he had stood too, his body shaking with fear.

"Killed him? That is not what you wrote in that last letter your friend has just delivered. I am pretty sure you were talking about a meeting with Akira Kurusu and the other Phantom Thieves, if I remember correctly? Tomorrow at 6 PM?" Shido was speaking to him amiably, as if he wasn't discussing about his plan to murder an innocent person at all. "Never underestimate sending people go drink a nice cup of coffee accompanied by delicious curry… But I digress."

Shido stopped to look at his wristwatch and then smiled at the brown-haired boy. "Maybe you can still say goodbye to her if you run."

Akechi didn't need to be told twice: he turned and rushed outside Shido's office and downstairs until he was running through the streets of Tokyo as a light rain started to come down from the night sky. He didn't care that people were staring at him dashing madly in the direction of Yongen-Jaya, or that they were gasping whenever he ran past them or even hit them accidentally. All he cared about was finding Tamiko before Shido's hitmen did.

When he finally reached the nearest subway station, he hopped onto the first train and grabbed his phone as he tried to catch his breath. He was panting so loudly he was sure he wouldn't be able to talk, but he punched in Tamiko's phone number anyway and waited for her to pick up. He felt people's curious eyes on him but he couldn't care less at the moment. He muttered a curse under his breath when the girl didn't answer and silently prayed it wasn't too late.

Damn, had it always been that far from Shibuya to Yongen-Jaya? Or did it feel longer because he was so stressed?

His phone buzzed and he instantly unlocked the screen to read the message he had received. His heart sank possibly even more when he saw it was Shido again. "Tic toc, tic toc. Running out of time, my boy"

When the jolly voice from the speakers announced his station, Akechi made his way through the crowd, not even bothering to apologize as he pushed people away from him, and onto the platform. He was the only one who cut through the dark alleyway which led to LeBlanc and, as he sped up to reach the café, he heard something like low sobs nearby.

As he turned a corner, someone bumped hard into him and then pulled away. "I didn't do it, man! I swear I didn't!"

The horrified-looking man then ran the opposite way and disappeared in the dark. Akechi didn't even bother to go after him for he was quite sure he knew what he would find, though he was trying his best not to think about it.

His heart sank when his eyes fell on the body of a girl around his age lying flat on the ground in a narrow alley not too far from LeBlanc. As he approached her slowly, he noticed with relief Tamiko was still breathing and her eyes were open. He could sense her fear as she weakly scanned her surroundings with her eyes only, her chest lifting and lowering at a frantic pace. He knelt beside her and she turned her head to one side to look at him, giving him a weak smile. "Y-you c-came…"

"Shhh, hey don't… talk" he whispered trying to sound normal. He placed a hand behind her head and tried lifting her up but she wrapped a hand around his arm and hissed in pain. "No, d-don't… please…"

When he removed his hand, he noticed with horror it was covered in red…

"My God…" he said desperately. "I'm calling an ambulance!"

"Akechi-kun, there's no time…" she begged. "Just… s-stay with me, w-will you?"

"I am not letting you die!" he exclaimed determinately. "I-"

"I just wanted to… impress you… make you look at me the same way you look at her" the girl confessed out of the blue as tears wet her cheeks. "A kiss was all I wanted. But now I want you to save it for her…"

He listened as his heart shattered completely, but the determination to do something to save her was helping him think straight. He took out his phone and remained immobile for a brief moment as he thought. "I can fix this."

He tapped his finger on the creepy-looking eyeball staring back at him from the screen and waited until he was sure they both were in the Metaverse, then he called Robin. His Persona materialized right in front of his eyes, as well as her incredulous ones, and waited for his master to give him further instructions. "Robin, can you… can you help her?"

The creature quickly glanced at Tamiko, then at him and then back at the girl still lying down in a pool of blood. Akechi didn't know what it was thinking about, but simply hoped it could do anything. At least stop the bleeding. "I think she has been shot, Robin…" he said, knowing full well the explanation was utterly irrelevant.

Robin's expression was unreadable but it nodded anyway and prepared to cast a healing spell on the girl. It was taking a huge amount of time but Akechi stayed right where he was and observed as the Persona tried its best to save Tamiko, whose eyes were obstinately fixed on him.

"Not making much progress, are we?"

He was so startled by someone speaking so suddenly he was sure his already hammering heart would burst entirely. He quickly turned and furrowed his brows as he stared right back at none other than Igor himself.

The crooked man was slowly walking towards them, his hands clutched behind his back and still wearing that unsettling smile of his.

"Igor! Please, can you tell me what to do?" Akechi decided it was no time to question him why or how he was there in the first place when he had never left the Velvet Room before. He just knew the man had answers he needed.

"I can" the man replied amiably. "But I am not so sure I want to. At least not without a little bargain."

"What?" Akechi was seriously confused now as frustration assailed him even more. He had no time to waste, dammit!

"How about this?" Igor started pacing fast in circles around the strange group, his eyes moving from Akechi to his Persona and finally to the pained-looking girl. "As Robin keeps her alive, you and I can play a game!"

"Have you lost your mind?" Akechi asked in disbelief. "I do not have time for playing stupid games with you!"

"Too bad" Igor put on a saddened expression. "Your reward could be saving this girl's life…"

Igor was turning to leave when Akechi stopped him. "Wait! Tell me more…"

The man wasn't looking at him as he spoke softly, but Akechi was pretty sure he was smirking judging by the tone. "Oh it is quite simple, really. You and I are going to have a little duel."

There was a short pause during which everything was dead silent, then Igor spoke again. "You can use as many Personas as you wish, though I am afraid Robin is going to be out of this fight since he needs to make your friend live a little longer. And I won't be using any of my Personas. Easy win, right?"

Akechi could only think that something was very fishy: why would Igor suddenly show up in a moment like that and ask to fight? And why would he let him use a Persona as he fought without one?

"If you win…" the man continued as he finally turned to look at him. "…your friend survives. I can summon Caroline and Justine and tell them to use their most powerful Persona on her."

"And what if I lose?" Akechi asked suspiciously, but Igor laughed it off. "Oh, how do you think I am going to win this? There's no way you are losing, Trickster."

Akechi knew he didn't have any other choice but comply, even though he didn't like the plan one bit.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Oh" Igor rolled his eyes. "Because I'm bored!"

"Oh, really?" Akechi lifted a brow at the man. "Then let me entertain you… Come, Loki."

A new creature appeared right before them, its bright red eyes glancing at a very satisfied Igor. Both Loki and Akechi were just standing there, waiting. "What's the matter?" Igor mocked. "Afraid to attack your benefactor?"

"Huh?" Akechi frowned as he felt he had just blacked out for a second, his head throbbing suddenly. "Show him a lesson, Loki!"

The Persona shot forward and hit Igor square in the face but the man simply chuckled and touched the spot where the creature had punched him.

"How are you holding up, Trickster?" Igor smirked again, doing absolutely nothing other than talking with a broad smile.

Akechi barely realized his legs were buckling automatically until he was left on one knee with gritted teeth. "W-what's… happening?"

"Oh, I guess I never really explained this part, have I?" Igor smacked his forehead with a sorrowed expression. "A Trickster using two or more Personas at the same time will completely drain their energies, since they are lending their stamina to multiple creatures at the same time…"

Akechi couldn't even summon the energy to say anything, so he decided to listen instead. "But I can fix this too, because I am merciful."

With his large, creepy smile, Igor stepped forward and extended an arm. "Swapping sides!"

Akechi watched in horror as his faithful Loki floated to the other side until it was standing behind Igor. There didn't seem to be any trace of regret or apology in those red eyes of it, now entirely fixed on him, and only then did Akechi realize how terrifying those same eyes were, and knew what all of his victims must have felt like.

Akechi could feel stronger now that Loki had left him, but he didn't have the will to fight a friend. And even if he did, he couldn't for Robin was busy keeping Tamiko alive, and if he decided to use it she would most likely die in a matter of few minutes.

"So, this was your plan from the very beginning, huh?" the boy chuckled bitterly. "Get Robin out of the game and Loki by your side so that I would be the one left without a Persona to use…"

"Genius, isn't it?" Igor snickered. "I mean, who needs a Persona when you can borrow your opponents'? After all, I am the one who gave you this power in the first place and I may as well take it back."

"I- I can still fight!" Akechi exclaimed determinately as he drew his sword and pointed it at Igor, who just laughed in return.

"Oh please!" The man chuckled before glaring sideways at Loki and then nodded. The Persona executed the order by striking his ex master with a curse attack, hitting him so hard the boy was instantly knocked down. As Igor's laughter rang through his ears and he felt the blood boiling in his veins, Akechi tried his best to get back up on his feet, but he knew it would be useless. He couldn't use Robin, his melee attacks would not even scratch his unexpected opponents. But Tamiko-chan needed him so badly! He would not let her down again after all she had done for him.

With shaking legs, he began rising but fell backwards after being hit by an immense power he hadn't seen coming. And then again. And again.

"D-dammit…" he muttered angrily as he lied down a few feet away from where Tamiko was, her face paler than a ghost and her eyes barely open. She only managed to move a few fingers of her hands in what he could guess was an attempt to reach out for him. The girl smiled sadly as she looked at him intensely. "G-Goro…"

He was too stunned to process what happened after, because it went too fast for him. The fact another person other than Akira had called him by first name; Robin being sent flying backwards until it disappeared from his line of sight; the sound of something metallic and that of approaching footsteps; then he was met with bright red eyes and could only see Igor's silhouette out of the corner of his eye before hearing his voice. Akechi's eyes ran from the sharp dagger in Igor's right hand to the ones of his once favorite Persona staring back at him hungrily.

He couldn't hear his own screams when Igor pierced Tamiko's chest with the dagger- the girl making a terrible gargling sound-, or when Loki's eyes flashed and its mouth cracked open into a horrifying smile. All he could hear were two simple words. "You lost."

Your thoughts? :D This is probably one of the saddest chapters I've written, but this is how it needs to be done :( Hope you won't hate me x(
Just wanted to thank you for your patience, really :) However, I must say that, due to the high season, my job keeps me from dedicating a lot of time to this work, or at least not as much as before. I will continue this and finish it eventully, but I cannot promise I will be able to update regularly :/ I will try my best though! See you all soon!