Before I begin, thank you again for the support. Unfortunately, to UltimateCCC and Walter Hitchcock, Lucario and Kirby will not be part of the story. I only wanted to focus on about three confidants other than the Phantom Thieves.

I believe I would have written Lucario's confidant as at first helping the tensed up Ren focus his aura using meditating techniques, bond over feelings of mistrust with other people (humans in Lucario's case) but also how certain people helped them remember the good in people (The Phantom Thieves and confidants for Joker, Ash, May, Max, and Brock for Lucario) It would be hard to write bonding with Kirby though due to how he doesn't talk.

I believe I'll have 2 or 3 more chapters, depending how I handle the epilouge. Thanks to those who have stayed since the beginning. Now, let's continue the game.

Jun 5

The Phantom Thieves were once again inside the military base. Morgana was the first to speak. "Okay everyone. Our deadline is closing in fast. We need to secure the route to the treasure as soon as possible. We only have four more days." Futaba was typing on her laptop. "I don't think we have a lot left. We might be able to find the location today if we try hard enough." Makoto reminded them, "Don't forget, we've got that Wario person following us as well. So everyone stay alert." The team headed in. As the tactician of the team guessed, Wario was following them.

"Heh heh, I've got you guys n..." He started sniffing the air. Sniff, sniff. "I-a know that smell anywhere!" He started following the scent like a bloodhound. He found himself in front of a box labeled ammo. He whacked the box, breaking it open. He pulled out a beautiful amethyst gem. "I knew it! I know a treasure when I-a smell it! Okay. Hunt for treasure now, then stop Phantom Losers."

The Thieves made their way from the last safe room. They were closing in on a watch tower shaped like K. Rool's head. Giant spotlights of multiple colors were shining. Yusuke proclaimed, "Such bright lights protecting such evil. It is so poetic, I am filled with inspiration." Futaba just groaned. "Shut up and focus, Inari. We need to get to that tower without the spotlights finding us." Ryuji asked, "How are we supposed to do that? There are about a dozen of those things."

Futaba scanned the area. "The lights seem to have power focusing on that direction." Haru understood. "So we head there and cut off the power." The group sneaked by, trying to avoid the gaze of any spotlights and guards. As the snuck about, they heard alarms going off. K. Rool was more aware of the thieves as they noticed a guard had spotted them. It was a Giant Klaptrap wearing a mask. Ann yelled, "We need to shut them up quickly." The guard attacked them, transforming into three giant white lions and two birds each with a lion head.

Joker recognized the dogs from his research with Simon. "Those things are Cerberuses." Ann asked, "How are you so sure? Isn't he a dog with three heads?" Futaba, from within her Persona said, "Not in this series of books I read." Joker continued, "He's a Fire type beast, so he would probably be weak to Ice attacks." The beasts started attacking them with combinations of Fire and Wind spells. Futaba started typing within her Persona. "Here we go! Power Up!" The entire party's Attack Power went up.

Makoto called out to Yusuke, "You've got an opening, Fox!" He pulled out his mask and yelled, "Goemon, Strike!" Releasing Ice spells at everyone, knocking down the Cerberus. Yusuke high fived Makoto, who pulled off her mask, and she was now riding a female Pope motorcycle. She called out, "Charge, Johanna!" And the persona launched a nuclear blast at one of the winged creatures, making him fall. She high fived Joker.

Joker called out, "Nice Queen. Now leave it to me." Joker pulled out his gun and hit all five, knocking down the last Shadow. The group jumped into the air and started rushing at the shadows quicker than on could see, as Futaba yelled, "Time for an All-Out Attack!" Joker landed on the ground, cockily poses by adjusting his gloves, and the shadow's blood spewed out.

Ryuji asked, "Why do you always do that pose? Can't you do something more action like?" Haru said, "I don't know? That pose just gives a feeling of cockiness and handsomeness." They heard agreements from Ann, Makoto, and Yusuke. With the shadows gone, the thieves continued to the generator. Yusuke, Morgana, and Joker took out their bladed weapons, cutting the wires. The spotlights near the watch tower went out. Morgana said, "Okay, let's get in there while they're distracted. The team ran to the tower and climbed up. In the watch room, instead of guards, they found some glowing orb. Haru asked, "Is this the treasure?" Morgana nodded. "Definitely. Now that we've secured a route, we just need to send out the calling card." Makoto looked at Joker. "All right. We'll leave the timing of that to you." The Thieves left back to the entrance.

Wario was still breaking crates. "Ha! Sheets of gold! I'm-a gonna be rich!" He then heard the footsteps of the Phantom Thieves. "Err, guess my ride out of here is back." He followed them stealthily, being close enough that when Joker rapped the app on his phone, he joined them in leaving the cognitive world.

Joker arrived back at the smash plaza, extremely tired. "Err, my back is soar." He then noticed a weird rock creature giving free massages on a rock bed. He had just given one to Shulk, who seemed to feel great. "That's the goron's signature Goron-Style Massage! Come to the inn on Death Mountain if you ever need another! Free Massages!" It was some sort of publicity stunt. Made sense since the Smashers were always fighting for fun. Joker shrugged. Why not.

Joker lied on the rock bed and felt a fist come down. "OW!" The Goron was just bashing Joker over and over. "You're like one big knot!" Joker was in excruciating pain. "How does that make me feel better?" He yelled. "I'm not done yet." He gave him a gentle flick on the middle of his back, and it was like all the pain fled from his body. He felt so much better. The goron handed him a pamphlet made of carved rock. "Come by to the inn if you ever want another!"

Joker found Link walking up to him. "Fair warning though. Bring some fire proof clothes if you go." Joker replied. "Hello Link." He asked, "Ready to start training with how to use more weapons?" Joker nodded.

They found themselves in Hyrule Field. Link had set up some targets and laid weapons on the floor. "Okay, we've got a wood cutting axe, a Gerudo Scimitar, and an eight fold blade. Which do you want to try first?" Joker picked up the axe and started to swing it towards the target. "You have to remember. The axe is a LOT heavier than the knives you usually use. You need to put in force AND concentration." Joker nodded and continued.

After training, Link judged his work. "Not bad for a first time." Suddenly, Link got a headache. Joker asked, "Are you all right." "Yeah, just remembered something from 100 years ago." Joker smirked, "You've aged well." Link chuckled. "I was put in suspended animation for 100 years. Lost all my memories for a while, but they came back eventually. I was just remembering...training to use weapons with the knights of Hyrule...and then I would train my little sister." "I didn't know you had a sister." Link frowned. "I did...she's long gone now. I just wish I could have told her a final goodbye."

Link shook his head. "Let's not get distracted. Continue." Joker could feel his bond with Link getting stronger. The two continued to train for the rest of the evening.