Jun 6

For Joker, it always felt satisfying when the route to the treasure was secured. Although he knew that one more fight would have to take place. Despite it not being guaranteed, it happened every time. He decided he would rest up a bit before they finished their heist. As he was thinking about how to relax, the wind blew right past him. The wind wasn't caused by nature itself, but one of his new close friends, whom rushed right back.

"Yo, Ren, I've been looking for you." Ren smiled. "Hello, Sonic." "You got any plans for today?" "Just trying to relax before something big." Sonic asked, "You mean the big reveal this Tuesday?" "Something like that." Sonic thought about ways to relax. He gave one of his signature cocky smirks. "Karaoke is big where you come from right?" "Yes." He and his friends would sometimes discuss things at a Karaoke place in Shibuya, but they never really sang. Sonic continued. "Invite your friends over. Futaba and Morgana I mean. I know a place in this city on South Island. Meet ya there." Sonic ran off as quickly as he appeared.

It was a private room, not that many there. Futaba was singing, though wearing a goofy mask.

I wanna fly hiiiigh! So I can reach the highest of all the heavens!

Somebody will beeeeee...waiting for me, so I've got to fly higher!

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Ren and Sonic were clapping for her. Morgana was looking though a song selection. He noted, "This band is really popular here." Sonic smiled. "There isn't a band in the multiverse that's better than Crush 40. Japanese guitarist, American vocalist. They're the best!"

Futaba beamed from under her mask. "Agreed! Mehehe. I bet my singing stat just increased by at least 6 points." Ren told Sonic, "She doesn't open up to a lot of people like this. She's usually quite nervous around others." Sonic smirked. "Glad to know she trusts me. Of course she does know which heroes to be a fan of." Pointing his thumb towards himself.

Morgana called out, "Okay Futaba, make way for me." Sonic looked at Ren. "Hey Ren, thanks again for that talk the other day. I'm not usually like that, but it felt better getting it off my chest. It's tough trying to go through praise, criticism, and plain hate. The first is great, the second is helpful sometimes, but the last is always the toughest to live with.." Ren smiled. "Not a problem." "If you ever got any problems, know that the world's most famous hedgehog has your back." "Thank you." Ren and Sonic's bond was definitely at its strongest.

I am thou, thou art I... Thou has turned a vow into a blood oath...

Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion and break the yoke of thy heart...

Thou has awakened to the ultimate secret of Chaos, granting thee infinite power...

Sonic told Ren, "One more piece of advice, Ren. Never underestimate the true super power of teamwork. If there's one thing I've learned all these years of fighting that Egghead, you'll always need your friends, and they'll always need you. Ren looked at Futaba and Morgana having fun, with Morgana singing...

We won...together...on this Green Light Riiiiide...Green Light Gooooooooo!

"Not bad, Mona." Futaba said. "Well, I do have the most charming voice here." "Nah, Ren's got a higher charm stat." "What!?" "Also, Johnny sung it MUCH better. His voice sings so well, like he's the son of an angel." "I was way better!" Watching those two argue like siblings made Ren chuckle. "Thanks, Sonic."

That evening, Ren continued his training with Link. Despite the respite, he didn't want to get sloppy. The two were in Hyrule Field. Ren was currently trying to learn how to use a lance. "I think I'm getting better." Ren cockily said. He noticed Link was lost in thought. "Something wrong, Link?" Link looked up. "Oh, Sorry. I was just thinking about that change of heart thing you guys do." "What about it?" "Can you change any heart?" Ren was busy with K. Rool for now, but perhaps he could take another request afterwards. "Who did you have in mind." "Ganondorf." "I would need to have a full name."

Ren was waiting outside of Gerudo Town. Link came out in a sexy women's garb. The two walked over to a wall where the other Gerudo couldn't see him. Link showed him a scroll. "Chief Riju let me see their archive. It was in a special section of their library. They said they despised the original Ganondorf, but felt that forgetting his crimes would be irresponsible." They read the scroll. "Ganondorf Dragmire." Candidate matched. Apparently that was it. Ren said, "Let's make this quick. I've already been in the desert in a black outfit, and that was one time too many."

After looking through, they discovered his palace was All of Hyrule. He apparently viewed it as a Sacred Realm. Joker felt it wouldn't hurt to perform reconnaissance. He tapped the app and they found themselves in a place resembling a distorted Hyrule. Some sort of Dark World. Suddenly the two were on their knees. Link knew this feeling anywhere. And the air smelled like it. "We...need to get... out of here..." Ren tapped his phone again and they were back in the real Hyrule. Ren asked, "Why did we grow so weak." "The air, it's composed of Malice." "What's Malice?" "It's basically Ganon's being, evil taken form. And it's poison to all creatures except his minions." "Does that mean his heart sees Hyrule covered in Malice." "The opposite, I think his heart was infected with it." "What do you mean?"

Link thought about it. "There's a legend that eons ago, before Hyrule existed, a hero defeated a demon king. With his dying breath, the demon king warned him that those with the courage of a hero and the blood of the goddess would have to deal with a future incarnation for all eternity, who wouldn't stop until they were dead and the Triforce was his. Princess Zelda told me about it, and every historian is sure that it was Ganon." "So Ganondorf is forced to be like this." Link nodded. "I think training done for the day." He pulled out a tablet and a motorcycle was summoned. "I'll see you around." Link got on and sped off. Ren could feel his bond getting stronger.

Jun 7

Ren was near Prism Tower. He was taking on Ness, Marth, and Cloud. "PK FLASH! Ness yelled, as an orb of energy came near Cloud and Marth. The two blasted away, but weren't out yet. Joker rammed Ness with a firebar, causing him to step back. Cloud, with a limit gauge full, got to Ness and performed a finishing touch, blasting Ness out of the game. Joker meanwhile was gracefully being cut by Marth's Dancing Blade. Marth charged his Shield Breaker, but Joker held on to his mask, filling his rebellious spirit. "Arsene!" Joker summoned his base persona. Marth brought out a super scope and aimed at Joker, but he responded with Makarakarn, reflecting the blast right back towards Marth, knocking him out.

Ren smirked. "It's only you and me. You sure you don't want to quit?" Cloud just said, "Not interested..." Joker snapped his fingers, launching Eigaon, but Cloud dodged. Joker jumped over him, shooting and launched another Eigaon, this time hitting him. While Cloud was stuck in place, Joker finished him off with a Smash Attack. "GAME!"

"Don't forget this feeling." Joker started running around in circles as Morgana jumped near him. Joker politely bowed to his opponents. "Good match." The match was indeed fun and it felt like it even improved his guts. Marth smiled, "It was an honor to fight against you on the battlefield." Ness smiled. "It was fun!" Cloud grunted. "You weren't half bad."

Ren walked back to the Smash plaza, when he saw Link. "Hey Link. Sorry about yesterday. Seems we can't change his heart." Link shook his head. "It's not your fault. I was just on my way to get some ingredients for dinner." Ren smiled. "Forget about that. Let me make you something. Think of it as thanks for teaching me those weapons."

Ren put out two bowls of delicious curry. Link drooled at the sight. "I hope it's as good as Goron Spice curry." Link started to dig in. "Delicious. Where did you learn to make it?" "The guy who taught me how to make coffee...his café also specializes ins curry." "It's delicious." Link was in deep thought.

"I've been thinking about what we saw in Ganon's heart. All this time, I've seen him as a monster, but now I see things a bit different. Hyrule isn't the one that's curse. He is. Even with the demon king's death, Ganon is merely his puppet. I won't ever forgive what he did to Hyrule, but I honestly feel bad for him." Ren nodded. "I could never allow someone who controls people like that to go on, but it seems this time there's nothing we can do." "I guess I'll just have to pray Hylia that future heroes will protect Hyrule."

Ren smiled. "They've got you, the Hero of Time, the Hero of Wind and more to inspire them. I believe people will continue to fight for others." Link smirked. "Courage will never die, because it's never forgotten." The bond between the two was definitely strong.

I am thou, thou art I... Thou has turned a vow into a blood oath...

Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion and break the yoke of thy heart...

Thou has awakened to the ultimate secret of Courage, granting thee infinite power...

Link told Joker, "You know, going into the hearts of corrupt people, that takes a lot of courage. I feel like the two of us are very similar." Joker felt honored by that. " Thanks. Got any advice for another courageous hero." "Don't get amnesia for one." Link chuckled. Ren couldn't help but join him.

Joker went to bed that night, tired. When he awoke, he found himself in a jail cell, with blue velvet covered walls. He noticed two little girls dressed as wardens and an old man with a long nose at a desk. "Trickster. Welcome back to my Velvet Room. How goes your rehabilitation?" Ren was surprised. It had been a while since he's seen Igor and the wardens. One of the girls slammed the cell door. "Hey, our master asked you a question. Hurry up and answer." She yelled in a furious voice. Joker said. "It's going well. While I'm here, can I see if any new Personas are available?" He noticed a pattern that strong friendships eventually led to powerful Personas. The other girl showed him a clipboard. Ren beamed happily and pointed at two. In a monotone voice, she said, "Very well. Let us begin the execution."