Persona 5 Strikers – From Light and Dark
By Tayla Drago
Episode #16 - Confession and Witnessing
From beating Alice Shadow to give up her Medallion 'having two now' to also have a change of heart too thanks to the Phantom Thieves...her Jail was gone of power only to still be there, the people's Shadows are now free, with their Desires back, no longer Gegasites, other ones killed, the big gem energy goes away, and all was clear in Shibuya Castle Jail to be ruined. Still—the area of the Metaverse didn't go away to be far different to stop other energy cores than just one. As Kaguya and Picaro were getting their memories back little at a time. Having friends to be humans on what they look like once; they were happy to hang out with two other girls, one boy, and two older women. With more to find, the same with Loki on his end. With the others returning back in the real world to hopefully see the people back to normal and not buying any of Alice's things to confess on TV tomorrow; Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, and Haru go home for today; with Keiko, Akechi, Morgana, and Sophia back at Leblanc getting ready for bed. Lying on the bed for the two couples and Morgana on his cat bed, Sophia talks to Keiko again through her cell phone about what she has learned today.
Sophia: [Hey, Keiko.]
Keiko: What's up, Sophia?
Sophia: [Ann was very with Shadow Alice earlier. By the end though, she appeared happy. Why is that? Wasn't she angry at Alice?]
How does Keiko explain this to Sophia? An AI to learn about human feelings.
Keiko: They understood each other, they love modeling. Ann finally shared Alice's feelings.
Sophia: [Okay...Anger is not just for hurting people. It is also able to save people.]
Akechi: It depends too. Sometimes in life, it's not enough. It can be very difficult.
Keiko: It's true. I hope that can be true all the time though.
Some things can happen, while others sadly can't change too much.
Sophia: [If someone is in the wrong, anger can be used to show them the error of their ways. The human heart is such a mystery...But thanks to you, I've gained valuable experience. Thank you, Keiko. I hope to learn more from you.]
Keiko: You're welcome, Sophia. Come on, let's get some sleep.
Time for bed then.
Akechi: Good night.
Sophia: [Night.]
Morgana: Good night, everyone.
Sleeping well for the three and Sophia on sleep mode from Keiko's cell phone...During the night, Akechi was sweating, tossing, and turning a lot to be dreaming about something far more than getting threatened by him and Keiko a year ago. It was something to be about the kids of five and two other adult women who helped them out. From Kaguya and Picaro? And what about the other twins Ellen and Hans? This was getting weird...From looking happy and such to then something goes dark to end it all, even in murder.
Akechi: No...! Stop! Stay away from them! Leave them alone...! STOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!
*gasp* (What? A dream...? No, it felt real. It was like someone who wanted me to see everything. But who did it and why? This past of children and murder, I don't like any of this.)
Freaky dream, huh? Still, this could be important in a case from Akechi and Zen once worked on to also be an unsolved case somehow. So it does have something to do with the Kaguya twins after all. As for the other three are unknown who they were, just not yet.
7 – July/30th/Sunday
The next morning, Keiko felt something from Akechi waking up late last night. For them to be in the bedroom trying to wake up a little since Morgana does first and Sophia to be surfing on her cell phone, those have a lot to talk about and do before the others show up to watch the news of Alice's confession to happen live on TV in a few hours.
Keiko: Akechi-Cun?
Akechi: Huh? Yes, Princess?
Keiko: Well...I heard you scream last night, did you have a bad dream? I know it's not like what Loki and Lilith use to do to the two of us.
Akechi: Not this one...It was like...it wanted me to see it. It was like something that happened from the past.
A dream for Akechi to feel out only and Keiko to sense some of it as well from her boyfriend.
Keiko: From the past...? Please describe it to be the best way you can make up for it.
Yeah, what was the dream?
Akechi: It was a murder case of some factory lab to have five children to lose their lives and some end up missing. It's hard to tell what was happening. From four girls and a boy. Two girls were true sisters, same with the brother staying by his little sister's side, and another girl with some long red hair; two women adults were always there for them with gifts of powers to be studied on to live normal and happy lives. But one day, the girl with the long red hair fell ill because her friends were sad. From happiness to sadness, a woman in white had a way to save her with her friends to do anything to make it happen; then the next thing for everything else went completely red in blood with one man who was insane, and was also dead. A murder case my Master and I worked on with no leads, clues, witnesses...But it might be one now. I'm hoping it will.
A murder case like this to remain unsolved and open still for Akechi and Zen to solve it in between. So this might have something to do with this whole mess.
Keiko: Wow, Akechi...I didn't know this case was big for you and Zenny.
Akechi: Sorry, this is all I can recall. I have to solve the rest on my own. Even with some images to see to try putting all of the pieces together. If the kids are still alive, it might have something to do with the four kids we might know of. The Kaguyas.
Keiko: Those two were human once...Yeah, they told me! Okay, so those two were the five kids. And the other three? Sorry for asking you this.
Akechi: No, it's fine. For you, Keiko, I don't mind. For those two girls are like the ones from my past, the red hair one feels familiar to me...but I don't know much after that. And the other two children- the brother and sister. I think they're alive. Weird...Kaguya and Picaro are twin sisters to learn about who they once were, they knew they were human to get killed and reborn as Personas.
So it was true, some special human beings when they die do become Personas in the other world after death.
Keiko: Then whatever happened to their human selves, they must've been the ones who were killed. So they need to find the other three...Whoever they are or were once.
That won't be so easy to do at first...
Akechi: I hope so too, Keiko. I better keep my Master posted. If he believes in me from the Metaverse and how we do things as the Phantom Thieves. Should we tell him?
Keiko: Well, if it comes to it...we have to tell the others about it first. Come on, they'll be here soon.
Getting cleaned up to eat, shower, and dress to hold the dream solving mystery in a bit. Akechi knows for him and Zen will solve the case somehow 'as they always do together'.
Akechi: Right. I can solve a murder case like this one later, and talk to Master more. We stop a lot to be done. Come along, Princess.
Holding hands, for having each other will still make them stronger.
Keiko: Okay, Akechi-Cun. One thing at a time, like we've always been doing. (I better keep this dream mystery in mind.)
Hours went by for everyone gathered a few hours later for the news with Alice Hiiragi was about to start live on TV. And now, for the results to happen for Alice since the fans are not buying her crap anymore to not be brainwashed either.
A certain TV Studio
Filming location
Female Newscaster: And now, for the "Hottest Meet-and Greet"...Alice Hiiragi has returned as our special guest. Miss Alice, thank you so much for coming on today despite the last visit's conclusion. From what I hear, there's something you wish to share?
She then admits to her crimes for everyone to see and hear the rest to be watching this right now.
Alice: Yes, I need to confess something. The incident that occurred with the previous hosts...That was...all my fault. I forced him to proclaim his love for me during a live broadcast. When I heard he was engaged to his co-host, I just wanted to ruin their relationship...
Admitting it all to shock even the host of the show.
Female Newscaster: Wha-Miss Alice?!
Alice: And they're not the only ones...Anytime I see a happy woman, I just get so jealous...I do whatever it takes to ruin their lives. Some I make the girls into my play things, and the guys to love only me.
Female Newscaster: Uh...Ummm...Is this-Is this a prank or something?
Nope, she was admitting it all because of Alice's change of heart to really work.
Alice: All of my past managers tried so hard to stop me. But then I'd lash out at them too, and...and I'd assault them until they'd back down...The only reason I've changed managers is because my last one had a total breakdown.
Female Newscaster: Wait, are you...Is this real?
Alice: Everything I've said here is the truth. I'm sure all of it is easy enough to prove now...I've lied, and I've...I've hurt so many people...And I'm just so sorry for it all!
And right away, the lady newscaster knew how Alice changed and was doing a terrible thing to have her heart changed like this.
Female Newscaster: Is this...the Phantom Thieves?!
Alice: I'M the one who did it all! No one but me did these horrible things! I'm sorry...I'm so sorry...
Now someone sets in to end the show short for Alice was really crying.
AD Man: CUT! CUT, RIGHT NOW! DUMP TO STANDBY!
And the show stops going to commercials now. While back at Leblanc...with Keiko, Akechi, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, and Sophia heard and saw the whole thing. It worked, for Alice's fate to be in jail to serve time and make a new start later on in the future.
Ann: Alice...
Ryuji: Ann, it's sucks. I know. We all know. But I'm sure Alice will kick things up again.
Ann: I know, Ryuji, thank you.
All was good now, but it'll be huge news all over after seeing all of this go down.
Futaba: This is gonna blow waaay up. That news lady even name-checked the Phantom Thieves.
Keiko: And of Alice's fate?
Akechi: I took her in after the show ended. She said she was sorry for hurting you, Keiko. I understood and she smiled. I think she'll be fine now.
A lot of work to take some time and still be a very good thing.
Morgana: Well whatever may come, at least our job's done.
Keiko: Yeah...You're right, Akechi, Alice will be fine.
Makoto: Right. We may have gone through something quite different from a Palace, but there's no mistaking Alice had a change of heart.
A big one to still look into because this was only the beginning.
Ryuji: The people with the stolen Desires and becoming mindless Gegasites in the other world seem to be normal again, too. It's all over the internet.
Looking at their phones, it was good for one else to remember and stop buying tons of things about Alice Hiiragi anymore from being controlled and/or hearing the news today.
Yusuke: "My son was about to blow our savings on Alice merch, but the Phantom Thieves rescued him. Thank you, Phantom Thieves..."
Futaba: I'm just seeing a lot of "I want my money back." Welp, we sure can't help 'em there.
Those are their problems on their own. From money losses to still falling for all of it from the very beginning.
Ann: I'm not sure everyone is actually a victim here.
Sophia: [Nevertheless-Mission Complete.]
All that's left for Alice is to serve time in jail with some work to be out in a few months, and then starting on her work all over again.
Haru: I wonder what'll happen to Alice next...
Ann: It's probably next to impossible for her to make it in the industry now...Her scandal is big news.
Morgana: No matter why she did it, there are still consequences for her actions.
Ann: But if Alice really can find that feeling she had when she first discovered fashion, I think she'll be okay. She can still be a ray of light for others, even if she has to find another way to shine.
A new start, for a new person to make up for what she or he has done. There is such a thing for second chances.
Makoto: That reminds me, we should try to press her for info. She might know something that we still don't.
A little problem there to get in, even for Akechi to try might be harder to do.
Haru: But do we actually have a chance of meeting her now? I imagine her day-to-day life's become quite the mess...
Akechi: Also talking to her about it might be a bit harder to do. I don't want to pressure her a lot. I just wish she can give us a little hint or a lead for any clues.
Ann: Oh geez, that's a good point. Her agency isn't going to want anything to do with her either...
Now what can any of them do?
Keiko: If anyone has anything else in mind, please say something...
Soon, someone comes into the cafe. None other than Zen himself.
Zen: An enlightening conversation as always here.
Akechi: Master?
Keiko: Zenny?
Weird timing though, huh? Maybe he can help them and might see how they do their work too. It might be their only shot to have another adult to believe in them.
Zen: Sup? How's it hangin', folks?
Futaba: Aw, you again, Gramps?!
He's in his late twenties! Zen's not that old at all!
Zen: Hey, I won't deny I'm older than you guys, but that still stings, y'know?
Akechi: He's right. (Why would any of them call him 'Gramps' in the first place?)
Zen: But more importantly, you guys really hope to work when your minds are set, don'tcha?
Makoto: To what are you referring?
Getting to the point at hand...
Zen: Don't play stupid. I gave you solid intel, yeah?
Ann: Yes, but that's...
Zen: Well that's good news! Looks like I'll be getting my own in return.
Makoto: Your own what?
A favor from one end to another...?
Zen: I came today for your response to my offer. You know, the deal?
Akechi: And surprisingly you remember it well, Master...
Zen: I never forget.
For the others to still have trouble trusting in him completely yet.
Ryuji: We already told you, we don't work with cops but Akechi-
Keiko: I think Ryuji meant to say this, Zenny. We don't work for the ops but my Akechi-Cun because he's one of us with powers like mine. With you, we need to understand a bit more about one another.
Zen: Oh, now I get it. And what if I tossed in a lil' bonus? Such as...running some questions by Alice for you?
He was willing to aid Akechi and do it for the rest of them? For Keiko to explain it better than through Ryuji's words, this gets them to change their minds a little.
Akechi: You can do that?
Zen: Goro, I think you meant we can do it together. I mean you guys were just saying you wanted info from her, right?
Akechi: We do then!
Yusuke: That's...accurate...
There are things they needed to know if Alice knows of something, a perfect lead a little.
Ann: But Alice already confessed to messing with people on live TV! Our names have even cleared!
Ryuji: Yeah, what she said! We don't need you for shit!
Maybe it was far from over yet.
Zen: If only that were true!
Makoto: What do you mean by that? How is this case not closed?
Akechi: It's more than just Alice's case? I should've known...
Zen: See? You're catching on too, Goro. So no, it is far from closed. This Change of Heart epidemic is happening aaaall over the country.
Not good to hear that-to be more than Shibuya, Japan then in all of the area of it to other cities and towns.
Keiko: How's this happening to us?
Zen: Somehow, Keiko, it still is. And we know they can't all be Alice's victims. Therefore, you still have plenty to get pinned on you, don'tcha? Not only that, you already know how badly you've stirred the pot. That little calling card stunt's fired up the public more than ever. "These Change of Heart cases have to be the Phantom Thieves!" It's the only thing I hear down at the station now. Do you really not realize how dangerous a position you're in right now?
Another thing to be blamed on nothing for them, again.
Ryuji: What bullshit! What the hell did WE do?!
Zen: Calm down! Why do you think I offered you that deal? Amamiya, if I wanted to, I could cuff you and take you in right now.
Akechi: You wouldn't...!
Zen: Not really, Goro, chill out. The reason I'm not is because I believe you are not the culprit. To catch the true perpetrator, I need your help.
Keiko: True perpetrator? What makes you think that, Zenny?
Was he getting somewhere with all of this or what?
Zen As in, the person controlling Alice behind the scenes. The M.O. in this recent epidemic doesn't mesh with the Phantom Thieves' ideology. The motives also appear very different. These are two separate cases. At least, that's what I believe.
Makoto: ...
Akechi: Then there's more to form all of this. (Still, could this also be connected from the dream I've been having?)
Still for Makoto, Keiko, and Akechi to know first...it was time to have a group talk real quick to let Zen know by today.
Makoto: May we have a moment to ourselves? We'd like to discuss it first.
Zen: Sure, I'll be right outside. Just holler when you're ready for me. Goro, you know you can trust me. I'm your teacher, remember?
With Zen waiting outside of the cafe, the others think of this very carefully on what their next move with him is going to be.
Keiko: Well, this is a big turn of events for us.
Akechi: My Master's too good, it scares me.
From a student to learn a lot from his teacher like this.
Yusuke: Now this is unexpected. We assumed Alice's confession would clear our names...
Futaba: Dammit...So they really weren't just trolling...
Ann: What is it?
Not good news on what Futaba was finding out on her cell phone website.
Futaba: When I was searching the web, I noticed some people saying weird stuff was happening here and there, similar to what we've seen so far... Almost none of them made the news, and it seems like everyone's just trying to ignore it, but...
Then it must be all true.
Ryuji: What Gramps is sayin' prolly not bullshit after all.
Keiko: I knew he wasn't lying, and still...All of this is still going on. And for me to go to jail again...!
Akechi: Princess, I won't let it happen to you anymore on the crime you didn't do. I swear.
They have to clear their names in any other way.
Haru: What should we do? If they decide to scapegoat us, we'll never be able to clear our names.
Futaba: They're not even changing hearts for the same reasons as us!
Morgana: If there really are other brainwashing incidents out there, that would mean there are more Jails...Do you think there could be more Monarchs out there too?
From all over Japan to be more than Alice, so much for the twins and Loki to complete their missions.
Keiko: Probably, yes.
Yusuke: Then what would we do? Considering what we're gathered, going along with that man as Akechi's master could be a viable option.
Ryuji: Are we seriously gonna trust that dude?! Akechi was one thing, but at least he was doing his job for us to double make sure.
Yeah, that was something else to be big from a year ago.
Akechi: Sometimes working with Master can be something else. Still...I'll take you guys trusting in me more than some people. Some of them.
Ann: So what other choice do we have? At the very least, his intel about Alice was useful...
With Zen telling them about Shujin where Alice used to go to, they can at least try.
Morgana: What do you say, Madame Keiko?
Keiko: For me...Not much of a choice here...Akechi trusts him to keep his teacher in line if he has to, so let's make the deal.
Akechi: Thank you, Keiko. If he does something wrong, I'll handle him.
A hard choice to make, but it's the only way out.
Haru: You're right, Keiko-Chan. All we can do now is accept his deal.
Hold that thought...!
Morgana: No, wait-even if we DO level with him, how would we explain it? If he's going to understand what we've been doing, he'll have to learn about the Metaverse. Do you think he'll even believe us?
Thinking hard here, some of them want to show Zen everything to be all true.
Akechi: I've been wanting to show Master. I have something in mind that might have something to do with the case and what we want to solve together.
Keiko: Same here. Without Zenny's help, what else can we do?
A lot to talk about later on from Akechi's dream...
Yusuke: I guess we have no choice but to make him believe. Otherwise, it's Ms. Keiko on the line.
Ryuji: But-But the Metaverse! The Jail! The twin Personas girls! Loki! Gegasite bugs! How do ya think we're gonna get some thickheaded cop to buy that?!
Yusuke: Ngh...
Good point there.
Keiko and Akechi: They're all such very good points...
Makoto: It seems our only choice is to take him to the Jail.
They might well do it for Zen to believe and everyone to help out one another.
Ann: Wait, really?!
Haru: Mako-chan...
Akechi: ...! It sure took the words out of my mouth. I agree.
Keiko: Me too, Akechi.
And having no choice to lead up to here.
Makoto: Can you think of any other way for Keiko-Chan to avoid getting arrested?! We have one playable card in our hand and Akechi-san's right. Any case they need to do and this to all be connected, will do wonders. We just have to go along with it for the time being.
Keiko: The more we have other help, the better. We'll get Zenny to trust in us more. (It'll be dangerous still in the Jail itself, but we should be able to protect one man from any danger...So there doesn't seem to be another option. It may be in our best interest to accept the deal...With Akechi knowing of it and helping us, then we'll be fine.)
Then everything's all set to go now.
Morgana: All right, we'll do it. It's not like we have any alternative.
Akechi: Thank you, everyone. I'll watch my Master if I have to like a hawk.
Yusuke: And let's hope it's not our undoing...
Ryuji: Shit! We gotta start prepared for the worst case and for Akechi to back us up if so...
And with that, they'll get Zen to come back inside the cafe.
Makoto: I'll call him back in.
Keiko: Everyone, we can do this. Zenny should be fine to handle just in case.
Calling out to the cop to let him know they were done talking.
Makoto: Come on back! We're ready for you.
Coming back inside, Zen waits to hear their answer now and for them to show him how they do their job 'in person'.
Zen: Huh, that was quicker than I expected. So, what say you all? Goro? We're all good here?
Makoto: There's a place we need to show you. Follow us.
Akechi: I'll explain everything to you on the way there.
And he does for Zen to learn about people's Shadows for the Metaverse has Jails in them besides Shibuya. One of them at least and how they do their jobs, besides old ones too. And where at but at their second old hideout.
Zen: I see...A Jail of Shadows...With a Monarch seizing Desires, was it? And some people's Shadows becoming slaves and Gegasite things? All right...What say we go get you tested for drugs now?
Akechi: Seriously, Master?
Zen: Sorry, Goro, but if you're gonna cook up some fantasy to sell me, maybe try a little less spice next time.
Keiko: But none of us don't do drugs.
Well, he isn't leaving them unlike some people to be normal and wouldn't understand this.
Makoto: Just save it for now. We're about to take you into the cognitive world.
Zen: "Cognitive" world?
This was confusing Zen to hear the whole thing to sound real.
Akechi: It's the one I told you about. (What am I to you, Master, a parrot?)
They walk to the location to open the portal there.
Keiko: It'll make sense once we show you, Zenny, trust us.
Makoto: Follow us.
Zen: Huh? Where to, exactly?
Following them, using the EMMA app on Keiko's phone to go into Shibuya Castle Jail 'of the ruins now' for the others are already transformed but Zen. For them to show what they do, what they look like, as well as Sophia and Morgana's true form to see next.
Akechi: Master, please look.
Zen: So, are you gonna answer me, orrr...?
Seeing it before his very eyes, something awakes from within for Loki to notice from up above. Some powers besides seeing and hearing things like them?
Loki: This human looks very important.
Zen: Wha...What?! What is...
Akechi: This is what we Phantom Thieves do and go to. Also, my other Shadow self is here to aid who's a ghost to try to rest in peace.
Not a warm welcome here for Akechi did try telling his master since they came back on what he has been doing.
Zen: Other Shadow self...? This...isn't real...
He was really freaking out, even more to gasp a bit too much on the twins.
Keiko: Please don't mind Kaguya and Picaro, they were once humans to become Personas. They're on our side.
Bowing and waving to the man as they were working hard on their ends.
Picaro: Yo.
Kaguya: Hello.
Makoto: Everything here is real. Every last bit you can see.
Then turning around to see them wearing the Phantom Thief outfits.
Zen: Other self as a ghost now and two undead girls...? Whoa! What happened?! What're those outfits for?!
Akechi: *sigh* I knew this would happen.
Ryuji: Yep, just about what I expected too.
Ann: This is our phantom thief attire.
This guy wasn't taking in this all too well.
Zen: Ha! Hahaha, what even IS this?! Where AM I!?
Seeing Sophia walk up to Zen to answer his question.
Sophia: Questions! This is a Jail. You are currently located within a Jail.
Zen: Wait, who're YOU?!
Sophia: I am Sophie, humanity's companion. Nice to meet you.
Zen: Nice to-What? Ah, Amamiya! That look, you're way hot-!
Oh boy, this has Akechi using his fan to knock some sense into his master.
Akechi: Master, please! We'll be married soon!
Zen: Ouch...!
And then Morgana walks up to Zen to try talking to him next.
Morgana: Chill out, Zenkichi. You've gotta keep yourself together. And sorry, but Joker's off limits.
Zen: Yeah, yeah...Right. I can't be losin' my shit and falling for a teenager like-MONSTER CAT!
Keiko: No, not our friend.
Again with that, huh? Ha!
Morgana: I am NOT a monster cat! I am Morgana!
Makoto: Do you finally believe we've been telling you the truth?
Well, he was trying to get his head together on all of this.
Zen: The hell? How much did I drink last night...? This just has to be a dream! I'm still passed out!
Pinching his cheeks next.
Akechi: Master, you're not dreaming...
Ryuji: You holdin' up there, Gramps?
Sophia: No need to worry. He is merely having a meltdown.
Not a good thing there on poor Zen, he can't believe in this mess.
Haru: That still sounds rather worrisome...
Futaba: Mweheheh, looks like we blew his mind!
And for Akechi to stop pinching Zen's cheeks since he almost hit Keiko'.
Akechi: Better now...?
Makoto: Oh, brother...I suppose we may as well head back now.
And they do from the Metaverse and back into the real world again. With Loki to see it all and the same for Kaguya and Picaro as well.
Picaro: This other cop human seems...nice.
Kaguya: I say the more friends, the better. I wouldn't worry about him, Sister.
Picaro: Seeing a cop and the detective Black Crow...Yeah, they can help us solve this case yet.
So for them to solve their past and what happened, with some back up too.
Kaguya: Of course, and like his Shadow self needs to stop something like we are and Joker helping us out, we can do this yet.
All of this and to keep on trying.
Picaro and Kaguya: We can do this yet.
Looks like the three Personas did...Keiko, Akechi, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, and Sophia 'back in Keiko's phone' showed Zen everything. And for the first time on someone too with some powers to have.
Zen: How did this...What's happened to me? Hey, Goro, quick it with the pinching cheeks.
Now letting go of him.
Akechi: Sorry... (He should know better not to hit on my Keiko.)
Keiko: Trust me, Zenny, what we did show you was all real.
Zen: Serious...! What's going on?! Did I drive myself crazy trying to crack this case?
It was kind of funny to watch all of this.
Ryuji: Haha, it's pretty funny watchin' him lose it.
Futaba: Mm, his brain is probably overloaded and he can't catch up.
Ann: Why'd we even bother explaining it all beforehand?
Heck, they were the same thing when they started out, remember?
Yusuke: We all reacted similarly during our first time...Such innocence.
Sophia: [Get a hold of yourself, Gramps.]
Morgana: Sheesh...How long do you need to get it together? C'mon, Earth to Zenkichi...
He was trying to, or so he thinks so, to hear Morgana talking to awaken to some powers in the Metaverse.
Zen: Huh? Oh, right. Get it together-This cat said my name! Wait, are you that monster cat from that place?! It's the monster cat!
Morgana: I'm not a monster OR a cat! I told you, I am Morgana!
Someone explain to him please.
Keiko: It appears you've awakened to some power in that world to have within you still.
Makoto: Keiko-Chan's right. Since you're cognizant of Morgana speaking in the Metaverse, you can understand him here now too.
Zen: Cats can talk if I'm cognizant of it? Haha...That's really something...Hahaha!
Now Akechi uses a fan again to his Zen at the head.
Akechi: Calm down please, you're embarrassing yourself.
Haru: I think he's going to need a little more time to process all of this.
Taking a big breather, I think Zen was going to be fine now to process all of it.
Akechi: Well? Do you feel any better now?
Zen: I think so, Goro, sorry...First off, sorry also for losing my cool like that. I think I get what's going on, though. Actually, none of it makes any sense to me...But I'm going to strive to understand.
I think that means he'll get used to this. And not hitting on Keiko again, Zen learned a very painful lesson.
Makoto: If we're going to make a deal, then that will make us conspirators. Conspirators have to vow never to betray one another's trust.
Keiko: Please understand, Zenny. Help us out, and we'll help you.
Zen: ...So, you already know how all this works. All right, all right. You trust is repaid with mine. Help me figure out this nationwide change of heart business and I'll make sure you're all protected. And Goro, make a deal no with your master being me...then the other case of the children to be dead has something to do with this too?
Akechi: It does.
Zen: Well, now I'm interested more than ever. So help me out on this and the other a little, and I'll make sure you're all protected for sure. As long as you cooperate, I won't allow the police to lay a finger on you. That's my vow.
For Akechi had something on his mind about Zen, he knows some good will come around it soon.
Akechi: ...Very well. Keiko, my Master's trustworthy in any way like this.
Keiko: Then it's a deal, Zenny. Please keep your word and be a little nicer to Morgana for me.
They shake on it.
Zen: Good, deal. We're good now. Oh man...So this Morgana's really real, huh?
Morgana: Hmph!
Keiko: Now you two, get along.
It'll be fine.
Zen: In that case, I'm gonna cut right down to it and ask for your help with a similar incident. PubSec has their eyes on Sapporo right now because of all the Change of Heart cases there. I need you in Sapporo Central City by August 8th.
Akechi: Sapporo Central City? This coming month on the 8th?
A center day to be ready to go out on the 8th of August so soon, huh?
Makoto: Why does it need to be the 8th?
Zen: Our suspect's out of the country on a business trip until then. We're kicking off the investigation within the hour of their arrival back home.
Another suspect in mind...? In Sapporo to get there on August the 8th.
Makoto: I see...Very well.
Yusuke: So it's likely this suspect in Sapporo is another Monarch, like Alice.
Keiko: More Jails in different areas of Japan to go through the Metaverse to do the same thing like in Shibuya...The more we stop these things, the better we can stop the mastermind, get the other four medallions, save people's desires, stop the Gegasites, and find the missing kids from long ago.
Yeah, whatever did happen back then for Akechi and Zen is known about so far.
Zen: Another Monarch then, that could be. If so, then I'd have to ask you guys to handle it.
Morgana: So we're heading to Sapporo Central in Hokkaido, huh? This'll be quite the little trip for us.
To finally take their vacation at long last and still work.
Zen: Uh, word of caution...?
Keiko: What do you mean?
Zen: You'll definitely want to avoid any sort of public transportation. You're gonna want to either drive or hoof it.
Makoto: Why is that?
To avoid any suspicion maybe? It was better than any of them not to get caught.
Zen: You guys and Goro revived the Phantom Thieves to deal with Alice! Any potential Monarch will have heard about it.
Keiko: For the mastermind has two people working for him...or her...
Zen: Which has something to do with the five kids in the lab with two women...So the way they see it, you're a real problem. Especially if you go after their own Desires.
From Ellen and Hans' doing on the other people like Alice...Well, who knows who is the one to be famous with a Jail and is a Monarch to do the same thing.
Futaba: They're definitely all on high alert now. They may even try to get rid of us.
Akechi: Not to mention what the mastermind wants with Loki's family...Also, the twins of th Kaguya girls might be one of those kids.
Zen: Are you sure?
Akechi: I'm begging to get it so far.
But they still have a long way to go to figure out the rest.
Zen: I see...so the Persona girls are one of the kids, we need to get to the bottom of this. There's no way to still know who's brainwashed until after they act, those villains are up their game now for their boss. Also, what if one of 'em was the pilot of your plane?
Taking a plane to get anywhere will be very hard to do, even if they could do it.
Ann: But! If we can't fly, how do we get to Sapporo?
Planes, trains, and automobiles.
Zen: Find a car you can use. That'd be safest.
Ryuji: You're not gonna set us up with one?
Akechi: I wish I could drive if I was a little bit older.
Sadly, they were on their own on this one.
Zen: Sorry, but I've got a keep this investigation top secret. Any aid would just leave a trail back to this dead of ours. Goro, I know both you and Amamiya can figure something out. Oh, and one more thing-don't worry about the Alice thing. I'll fill you in once I'm done grilling her.
Akechi: Then I can help you out too.
Zen: That's fine with me. Well, here's to a solved case.
Sounds like a plan to do before heading out next.
Morgana: Same here, Zenkichi.
Zen: Ah! Right...Sorry I called you a monster cat, Kitty.
Morgana: Oh, you'll BE sorry!
Keiko: We'll see you later then, Zenny. Welcome to the group.
Taking off now and trying to say to himself 'it's all real' over and over again.
Zen: Okay...You didn't go crazy...This is real, Zenkichi...
Keiko: I hope he'll not freak out too much.
Akechi: Nope, he just doesn't know what is what until he sees it for himself in person. Come now, let's head back and talk some more. I have to talk to Alice with my Master in a while to be back a little late. Let's relax for a bit.
It was fine to do for the time being, so off they went. For the ten Phantom Thieves needed to figure out how to get to Sapporo next and to be around the 8th of the month, the other targets are out there to stop Ellen, Hans, and the mastermind's doing? Who could it be? Who were the other three kids with Kaguya and Picaro when they were human from long ago for Akechi and Zen to solve this time? Lots to do before going on their vacation and a job to do, lots to talk about and getting a vehicle next.