Round Two

by Rouge Ebony

Joker defeated the false god... but at what price? His friends lay dead around him as he pulled the Trigger to drive Yaldabaoth out of existence. But Fate is kind to the Trickster for once and grants him a Second try to make things right and save those closest to him. Will he succeed? what else has changed in this new game? Akira Kurusu x Harem. lots of genderbent characters.

15. Alibaba and the 4 Thieves

Alright people I gotta announce something!

THIS STORY IS ON TV TROPES! :D

HOLY SHIT THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!

Seriously which one of you put it there?! The recommended by says 'Mitis' but that's all I know. I never seen that name before so whoever it is of you beautiful readers thank you! :)

Not gonna lie being on Tv Tropes was a pretty big goal of mine, ever since I found out you could put recommendations for fanfics there. I am baffled that I actually managed to get put there. Like… wow!

I don't know how my chances stand on getting an actual Tropes Page for the story there like some of my favourite fics, guess that's all up to anyone who feels like it. Still being mentioned there alone is already a huge surprise to me.:)

Okay I just needed to let this one of my chest real quick because I was giggling like crazy when I saw my own fic there for the first time.

Alright than… I know I gotta address the elephant in the room. Why did it take me so long to update this time?

Well… honestly I don't know how to put it. Its been way to bloody long and just a whole mix of things. I was not feeling really able to write. My head was just blank when I looked at a page. Than came time issues, a lot of personal business, studies, family stuff, a fucking Pandemic (calling bets now the next persona game will be based on this fucking global mess. Persona 5 became what it is due to an earthquake if I remember right so I think I am on an accurate track here)…

I'm… also currently trying to figure out some things you could say, not going to get into it on too much detail. Than again aren't we all? I don't think anyone is ever 100 % knowledgeable of who they are and we always try to find out more about how we tick. That's part of why I love Persona so much. Finding yourself in between the craziness of live. I still don't got all the answers, neither do all of you I assume. And that's okay. That's what life is about. Trying to work out who the hell you are.

But enough about me attempting to be philosophical. Either way, thank you all for showing so much patience.

I hope this chapter will make up for all that time.

And as always… guest reviews…

Also a lot of you use the name Guest only… kinda make sit confusing to know which Guest I am replying to lol

Guest: Not sure what you mean but I assume the problem is fixed now.

Guest: They'll get better eventually.

Guest: To start with, you're mistaken if you think Makotos actions are going to be forgiven so easily. I always disliked how in the Kaneshiro arc she got of so 'easily' and I don't intend on making that same mistake. She will work for it. And if you cant see her like this fine understandable but with how the context in this story developed I felt that it was fitting considering her character flaws before meeting the Thieves.

Regarding Sumire I would LOVE to explain things in more detail but that's spoiler territory.

Well yeah I am using parts of canon but… well this is still a fanfic so I am not throwing it completely out of the window. I have my own twists to insert though.

And I really don't get how Akira can be seen as passive right now or why 'friendship' in a PERSONA fanfic is a bad thing but alright. I mean I'm not going fairy tale levels of it but bonds are kind of what this series is build on?

Well who knows how this chapter will go with you. Hope you enjoy it either way.

Oz: Thanks a lot Happy to hear you like it.

Guest: good answer. No underage here. Harem still in works though.

Guest: Because I forgot but believe me she is in ;)

Ld5: I am happy I managed to sweeten your time in between studies :)

Also not sure how to do the striker stuff. Well see. Maybe a side story after this one?

Guest: Yup. Royal is a thing, with all its quirks and challenges. Akira has got his work cut out for him.

Shitabrick: well in regards to that scene yes I wanted to portray it as Akira being caught off guard and how different the two are during the 'clash' makoto was in overaggressive attack mode whereas Akira was both surprised and didn't even WANT to fight Makoto. The idea of her actually fighting him hasn't really registered in his head yet. That all combined led to… well Akira not having a good time.

S.A.R.C.A.S.M: my release pattern is pretty much… whenever I can write so yeah. Interesting theory. Not going to confirm anything though.

Guest 2: No need to apologize. I think your all familiar with my non existent update schedule by now after all xd

Thanks. Trying to make things feel natural is always something I try to do :)

Guest: Did now ;)

Phanboy: Hmm… not sure about strikers characters. Sorry about that but I'm gonna say no. I do like Alice though.

MEEEEEEP: That was the intention ;) happy to hear you liked it.

Your welcome. Inspiration comes and goes but its back for now at least ;)

Real vs Fake: Worrying thought but that whole Arc isn't part of the story… yet.

Guest: Request acknowledged.

---

The bell of Leblanc ringed as Akira entered the Café. No matter how many times he heard it, it never failed to send a smidgen of comfort down on him.

Sojiro send him a look while drying the last of the plates. Not one that betrayed any emotion of some sort but more… simple acknowledgement of his presence. "Your back." He stated the fact. Kinder than before but still… colder than he liked.

"I am. How was business today?" Akira tried to open up a conversation.

"Nothing unusual." Sojiro said, putting a swift end to that topic. Akira almost shuddered at the cold shoulder. "He is not exactly being talkative. Then again…"

"Hey uhm…" Akira started, "Sorry about this morn-."

"Don't be kid. Nothing to be sorry about. Your friend was trying to look out for you that's all." Yet another topic of conversation swiftly shot down. Sojiro, finally satisfied with the result, put the plate away and went for the door.

"I'll be closing the store and go home. If there is anything else you need-."

"Actually there is something I need to ask you." Akira interrupted him.

Sojiro perked up, as if he didn't anticipate being taken up on the offer. "Oh? And that is?"

"Are you allergic to Cats?"

"What?"

Before the Barista could continue, Akira had already placed his bag on the nearest table. As if he rubbed the lamp of a Jinn, Morgana jumped out, with unrivalled elegance, sitting pristine on the ground in front of them. "A wonderful evening kindest of Gentlemans Sojiro. May I request to stay in your care for the foreseeable future?"

…Akira wasn't sure if Morgana was screwing with him or Boss.

Though considering that Boss could only hear a continuous string of 'Meow!' It was probably the former.

Did he dislike conveyer belt this much?

Sojiro only continued staring at the cat on the ground, before showing his possession of deduction skills. "You have a Cat? When did you get it?"

"Remember why I was late on my first day? Well it just so happens to be connected to this little fella." He reached down with an arm and, like they had trained, Morgana climbed upwards on his shoulder, sitting on it as if he was a yellow mouse and his element Zio instead of Garu.

"I… see." Boss's gaze was still fixated on the feline. "So you just decided to take him with you?"

"If it would be up to me he'd never be somewhere else."

"My luck has run dry looking for his owner. He looked abandoned and just started to follow me around. Is it okay if I keep him?"

It didn't matter if Akira already knew the answer. There was something inside of him that just wanted his approval on that matter first and foremost. "It's… a shame if he has nowhere to go. But this IS a restaurant you know? Animals are a no-go…"

"I promise I look after him myself and he won't show himself during business hours." Akira laid out as an offer before turning to the cat on his shoulder, "Right Morgana?"

"You have my word!"

"See? He agrees."

The Barista only scratched his chin. "You already named him? Why Morgana? Isn't that a woman's name?"

"Well he kinda named himself."

"Doesn't sound weird at all." remarked Orpheus.

"It worked last time."

Fortunately, Sojiro wasn't as privy as the Greek musician. "How am I supposed to understand THAT?... Actually, you know what? Don't bother… I GUESS you might stay on good behaviour if you've got a pet to take care of…"

Morgana did the best cat equivalent to kicked puppy eyes with these bright blue orbs of his while cutely meowing, the only remnants of what he actually said: "Come on Boss, you have a thing for adopting strays."

…Not inaccurate really. Morgana would just be the first non-human stray. And the first to not need saving from a messed-up family life.

…Though than again was Yaldabaoth something akin to an abusive stepfather for Morgana?

Going off topic.

Sojiro seemed to be fighting with himself now. Akira could guess what was going on in him. On the one hand potentially a lot of trouble for his restaurant. On the other hand 'the Delinquent' would be busy…

And Morgana WAS cute.

It's just a shame he tends to open his mouth.

"Hey!" Futsunushi complained through the Magician Arcana.

"Don't take it personally please."

Eventually Sojiro feel like the Mice for the trap and ended up scratching Morgana's chin, causing a deep purr from the Magician. The Trickster could tell he already decided on letting him stay. Soon enough, his mouth mirrored his body, "Alright fine. You can keep him but keep it quiet when we're open for business and-"

"Don't let it roam downstairs or you'll toss it out? Not gonna happen, Thief's honour."

Sojiro blinked, "Good and I am NOT-"

"Going to take care of it that's all on me no problem." He said before the Hierophant could, making a thumbs up while Morgana did his best to imitate it… with no thumbs.

Sojiro blinked again, "Don't get sassy with me."

That took Morgana as a cue to speak up. "Don't take it personally boss. He's just weird like that." In response, Akira had shaken his shoulder, nearly making Morgana fall off. A bit of a shot in the own foot because Morgana had dug his, surprisingly sharp claws, in the Tricksters shoulder to keep himself steady, making the raven wince.

Sojiro looked at the odd pair again… and sighed with exasperation. "Wait a moment."

He turned around, grabbed into the fridge, placing what looked like Tuna on the very plate he had just dried and set it on the ground. Morgana's eyes were positively glowing at that, something that did not go by unnoticed. "Why do you constantly have to call out in that cute little voice huh?"

"Meow." Morgana merely replied. Not even an actual word just the typical cat loud.

Sojiro looked down on the, unknown to him, Phantom thief and turned towards Akira "Make sure you-"

"Wash that dish? Will do."

Finishing someone else's sentences was an underrated perk of time travel.

Sojiro glared at him, making Akira weakly chuckle. "Sorry. Try to keep the sass to a minimum." He lied.

The Barista only sighed, before wishing them both good night and going back to Futaba.

Now it was just the two of them again. Three if you consider Futaba listening in. Fortunately these bugs of hers were only on the ground level, he had checked for it with his third eye. Well to be fair it's not like she ever had reason to think anyone would go and live in that attic.

"Still likes me more than you." Morgana pulled him out of that train of thoughts.

Akira only shrugged in acceptance before changing the topic. "Where does all this stuff you eat even go? Isn't your stomach the size of a ping pong ball?"

"That's coming from the guy who wanted to get deserts at the post-Kamoshida's Palace celebration?"

"I'm a growing boy what's your excuse?"

"By all accounts, I am not from the same dimension as you."

"…Touché." He knew better than to question Velvetian biology.

The Trickster decided to sit down in a both next to Mona and wait for a while. Though he already pulled out his phone and readied the Navigator. A part of him was tempted to already enter Futaba's keywords, fully knowing she would listen in. In a different time perhaps she would appreciate that little act of 'trolling'.

Akira smiled to himself. His little Hermit was something else, even among their circle of Thieves. The way her eyes would always shine when tinkering with codes and numbers that were so numerous his head was starting to spin even looking at them. These little quirks that made one feel so alive after getting to know her. And of course her happiness.

Akira would do just about anything to ensure Futaba would smile. After all the misery and self-loathing, her smile was akin to a sunrise after a bloody hurricane.

He wasn't one to directly compare suffering, but it was safe to say that she had been put through the wringer the most, which was saying something with their collection of victims.

Really if he could he would do anything to make sure no one breaks these smiles again. They had clawed their way out of the pits and deserved a happy end at the end of everything.

He would ensure that happens, starting with ensuring a certain Pharaoh-

1 New Message

His pupils widened when out of nowhere a notification about a new message went off.

Even more so when he realized who it was.

?: Nice to meet you.

?: I am the one they call Alibaba.

No way.

…Speak of the devil. Or Oracle in this case.

But why in the world NOW? They haven't even started the whole Medjed mess. What reason would Futaba have too-

"Wait. The whole thing with Sojiro this morning."

…Goddammit Akechi.

This could be… interesting was probably the best way to put it.

On one hand, Futaba way sooner in the Thieves could only be a plus. On the other hand… how in the FUCK was he supposed to handle this right now?

Well… he needed to reply something.

He might actually have to thank Daiji now, for delivering the perfect excuse.

Akira: Wow you're REALLY trying hard with this whole mystery angle.

?: …

?: I'm sorry?

Akira: Let's see a number I can't even read on my phone, mysteriously 'hacks' themselves to get my number, giving themselves a code name…

Akira: I would appreciate the dedication if it wouldn't be obvious your just some Troll.

Akira: Let me guess someone at Shujin put you up to this? You're using some burner phone or something? Or is this the 'Infamous Daiji revenge' in which case clever but disappointing.

Akira: Let me guess the death threats about how I am human scum are going to pile in and that I will be killed in my sleep if I don't piss off and waste away in some ditch.

There was a long silence.

?: …Are you okay dude?

Akira: …

Akira: It's kind of a long story.

Akira: Making it short… You have no idea what kind of stressful week I had.

?: Well I have no clue who that Daiji is.

Akira: In that case, sorry. I shouldn't have blown you off like that.

?: Don't worry about it. He's been giving you trouble?

Akira nearly burst out laughing.

Akira: Nah. Just an annoyance that's all.

And nothing compared to a certain Queen-

No. Bad Akira. Put that thought away you do NOT need to pull on that knife to the heart now.

?: You know I can know just about all there is to know about him in a few minutes. Want some blackmail material?

This made Akira read twice to ensure he hadn't misread anything. Was Futaba actually offering her help? This was a FAR CRY from threatening to get them thrown in prison.

Akira: Tempting but no… for now.

Akira: More importantly…

Akira: I assume you ARE a hacker if you casually talk about digging up blackmail?

?: I am not A Hacker.

?: I am THE Hacker.

?: I don't expect you to know but the name 'Alibaba' makes people shiver all over the Web.

?: In the right circles.

Akira: Are you part of Medjed then? That's kinda their whole gig. Even if they have been quiet for a while.

?: I guess you could say that.

Akira: Well in that case why is one of the best hackers in the world writing with me?

?: Simple really.

What followed next was an image file labelled 'Kurusu Akira'. He opened it only to be met with an article about his trial. He vaguely remembered his home towns local newspaper making a quick news story about it.

Akira grimaced. This article had come up a few days after the incident. His name was already broadcasted while Shido enjoyed complete anonymity. He had talked about Ohya with this once and she called it a 'disgrace to journalistic honour'. Something about preserving the anonymity of participants in such cases in an effort to not judge or sway the opinions of the masses with their own bias.

Oh how quickly these believes can be thrown away by cash and influence.

Alibaba continued.

?: I found your case to be pretty interesting. I did some research on you. Before you ask why or how I know about you don't bother.

Akira: You wouldn't be the first to do that.

Akira: Really trying hard for the mystery man angle, aren't you?

?: LET ME HAVE THAT.

Akira: Alright, alright geez take a joke will ya :P

?: You are being surprisingly casual about all this.

Akira: Sadly this isn't the weirdest thing that happened to me soooo…

?: Well your surely colourful life story aside I have done some 'research'.

Akira: So? Your Judgement on me?

?: I don't think you are guilty.

He released a breath he didn't know he was holding. There was something absolutely relieving in hearing this come from his Oracle.

?: There is way too much that doesn't align. For starters I can't find ANYTHING about the guy you 'attacked'. Your previous history also doesn't match up. Sure there were a few cases of violent behaviour but they never had you in the role of aggressor.

?: So I think your innocent.

Akira: …thank you.

Akira: Its… nice to hear someone believe you.

He would be caught dead admitting it but… it really rested his nerves to know another Thief heard his tale, before they got to know each other and believed in his side. Other than-

Nope. What did he just decide on regarding knifes to the heart?

?: Don't thank me.

?: Frankly I can't do shit too help you.

?: I thought there was some hole I could expose in your case but nothing.

?: Sorry about that.

Akira reread the last three messages two times to ensure he hadn't missed anything. She really did want to help him.

Was this because he stood up for Sojiro this morning?

Whatever her intention was… he appreciated it.

Akira: I'm… honestly just shocked you even tried. Thanks but… seriously why did you do that?

?: I… simply think you're a good person. That's all…

?: I thought I message you about what I found… or well lack of it. Wish I could have done something.

Akira: Well I appreciate the attempt Alibaba. If you want to do something… please don't hack my phone again.

?: Why? Scared I find out any weird kinks you have?

No but of her finding some of the pictures he still had on his phone with the collective Thieves of which she was a part of? Yes. Oh YES.

But its not like he could say that now was it?

Though to be fair it was unlikely she would manage. He couldn't quite remember what the specifics were but Futaba had a hard time hacking into Akechi's phone. Something about the Nav? She needed to install a whole program manually first to have a shot of accessing it.

Akira: …no comment.

?: Learn to take a joke will ya :P

?: But relax I won't. Thief's honour.

Akira: Best kind of honour!

?: You know it!

?: Sooo… bye I guess?

Akira: Wait

Akira: You don't have too permanently sign off.

?: You wanna keep talking to me?

"Well, I am not about to have you go crawl into your Tomb again. Especially not if you actually reach out to me."

This was an opportunity he was not going to let pass by.

"Opportunistic. A good trait too have." Orpheus praised though he paid not much mind to it.

?: I could be a catfish you know?

Akira: Well I have a Cat who eats fish right now.

He followed that up by taking a quick picture of Morgana with his face in his meal.

The reply came nearly instantly.

?: OHMYGOSHHEISADORABLE!

Akira: I know right? Don't tell anybody though. Especially not him.

Akira: I love him but he is guilty of pride.

Akira: Anyway I just thought, if I already have someone who believes my story… why not stay in touch?

Akira: And…

Akira: Well to be honest the people at my school pretty much believe I am the Anti-Christ.

Akira: Which, from a certain standpoint, might not be inaccurate…

Akira: But I like talking with someone who doesn't think I am a public disgrace. And the people who think that can be counted on one hand right about now, give or take a few fingers.

Akira: Mind giving me your contacts?

Akira: I put regular Cat pictures on it to sweeten the deal.

There was another long silence, which left Akira tense. Had he pushed too hard? Sure over the internet there was always a different take on social interaction. A screen and code between you and someone else could do wonders for how much your willing to say. But Futaba's trauma was incredibly severe, her distortion stronger than a MAFIA BOSS for crying out loud. There was no guarantee she would…

These fears were put to rest as a new notification popped up on his phone, making him smile.

Alibaba entered the Chatroom

Alibaba: How about this instead?

Akira: Works for me.

Alibaba: …You got a Laptop?

Akira: Yes?

Alibaba: … You wanna game something?

Akira: Sounds good but not today. Gonna be busy for a while.

Akira: Studies and so on.

And a trip to Egypt.

Alibaba: Kay. Hit me up when you're up to it.

Akira: Will do.

And like that the conversation was over.

"Who you're writing with?" Akira looked up from his phone to see Morgana staring up at him, with an empty plate in front of himself. "Is it Skull or the Traitor?"

If it wouldn't be for him being in WAY too good of a mood, he might have said something about that. "THAT my feline friend was a certain Thief who robs 40 Man in one night."

Morgana grimaced a bit at that extensive introduction, but once the pieces connected his eyes were almost as wide as the plate he just emptied. "F-FUTABA!? She is already contacting you!?"

"I am as surprised as you are." Akira commented before picking up the plate. "So lets not waste anymore time alright?"

The Cat was stunned for one more second before enthusiastically nodding. They cleaned the plate and soon after went upstairs…

Right into the scathing Deserts of Wrath.

---

"Hmmm." Futaba mussed, slurping on an energy drink, as she reread the Chat she just had with the supposed delinquent.

Futaba was… aware she wasn't that great of a person. She was a gigantic weight for other people, burying them with her own problems and holding them back. But one thing Futaba wasn't, was careless.

Sojiro… did so much for her. He pulled her away from… HIM… and let her stay in his own house. He gave her food, clothes, an actual bed and left her alone. That was more than most people did.

More than people should be expected to do for a murderer.

So… because of that, the hacker was a bit overprotective of her guardian.

When she had heard he took up another kid, a delinquent by the name of Akira Kurusu, she had been a bit alarmed. A quick background check eased her nerves somewhat, with the knowledge she could always threaten to reveal his record if he should do something bad to Sojiro.

Then however… she was proven wrong.

Akira had turned out to be a better person than she expected to be. He may be a bit snarky but he didn't mistreat Sojiro or harass him in any way. And then he actual STOOD UP for him against someone who, appeared to be, his friend with how violently she reacted. Maybe girlfriend? There might be potential for it.

Futaba's verdict for Akira was harmless since then. A part of her had the feeling to… 'reward' him in some strange way. Unfortunately, nothing in her search gave her anything to work with. Really there was a lot weird about it. No mention of who he attacked, the ridiculously swift way he was put in prison, the immediate stance against him in pretty much every way you could find, ranging from public opinion and media to law enforcement…

Something seemed off. Futaba simply couldn't put a finger on why.

Oh well… If she couldn't do anything to help him, she might at least give him some encouraging words at least.

He may be a bit weird for speaking with his cat like that, but he looked like a good person overall.

And his Cat WAS cute.

His FRIEND on the other hand was a different story. The second she started to threaten Sojiro, Futaba had already gone hunting for stuff to use against her.

Admittedly, Futaba had stopped 'Predator Mode' when Akechi had apologized to Sojiro. She even could… kinda understand why she had acted this way. Though this didn't mean that the Detective was going to get off so easily. Futaba had decided she would be keeping an eye on her, for now at least.

However after trying to find anything out about her, Futaba was left even further confused.

Sure there were a BUNCH of stuff about Goro Akechi. Interviews, a blog she made…

But it was a bunch of NOTHING. No past, no family, nothing incriminating. It was as if her whole online history was scrubbed clean. No trail, no fingerprints, no nothing.

Something was off. There was no way someone was THIS perfect.

The next thing she did was try and hack Akechi's phone… which proved to be a lot more difficult than expected. For the first time in her career as a hacker, Futaba had no way of getting past a digital defence.

It kinda freaked her out.

None of the tricks she had up her sleeves were of any use in cracking, or even ENTERING Akechi's phone. To her great confusion Akira's phone was the same. It was as if something was pushing her out. It already took a humongous effort to open a mere chat room and even that wouldn't be able to lead her anywhere else.

Did the two have some new Firewall or something? Seriously this was weird.

Well in any case… now that she took care of Akira, let's go to Akechi next.

Futaba cracked her knuckles before going back to typing.

The hacker had already decided to let Akechi off the hook. She had after all apologized very deeply.

But just because she was off the hook, didn't mean Futaba wasn't going to screw around with her a little.

Futaba smirked.

Someone needed to be taught manners.

---

Akira was never a fan of the cold. If he were to have the choice between heat and frost, he would ALWAYS choose heat. The only exception being maybe things like Ice Cream. But that didn't mean he enjoyed the Desert Sun trying to burn him alive.

The moment he and Morgana had entered, the cognitive sun of Futaba's Palace made its presence known. Stepping from the mild Tokyo into a scathing desert heat was not something he enjoyed feeling. When he and the Thieves tackled the Tomb it had at least been Summer, so they were all accustomed to warmer temperatures in some way. Not so much during the middle of April. The difference was there and much wider and made itself known.

Was it just him or was it even hotter than the last time he had been here?

He made a quick check to himself, Morgana and their surroundings. The cat was in his bipedal Metaverse form, while he was still in his normal clothes. Around them were sand and dunes as far as the eye could see, however there was one pleasant surprise.

Close to them, merely a mile in distance at most, was the Pyramid of Futaba's Heart.

"Oh thank God. We won't have to drive for an hour." Morgana commented. He had always complained after every time they entered this Palace about the sand in his tires. Or them bringing sand into him. Akira thought he was joking but then Morgana ended up coughing sand up.

Shapeshifting into a Car probably wasn't the greatest thing ever.

"Why is it already so close to us though?" Akira had to ask. The feline was quick to answer "When we entered for the first time originally, Futaba was expecting us to do something. As such she likely subconsciously guarded herself against any intruders. Today? Futaba has no reason to assume someone was entering her mind."

"That's fair I guess." Akira admitted, taking another look at his clothes. They were only detected as threats once they entered the Pyramid and he had no reason to expect anything would be different this time. Though their outfits did a good job of keeping the heat at bay so it's for the best to get dressed.

It wasn't all that difficult to make your Phantom Thief attire manifest. It was as easy as breathing once you awakened to a Persona. Akira snapped with his fingers and blue flames started to appear on his feet, slowly growing over his body to disappear and reveal…

…His Shujin uniform?

"Huh?" he gasped in small shock. Okay… maybe small malfunction. This happens.

He snapped his fingers again, the blue flames came and went again…

And again he was left in his uniform.

"What in the-?"

"Are you okay Joker?" Morgana eyed him with suspicion.

"I'm fine. This just-! Third times the charm!"

Once more he let the flames appear, this time making a conscious effort to make them STAY for as long as needed. For almost 10 seconds he was engulfed in raw willpower. When the flames extinguished this time, he mercifully WAS in his Gentleman's outfit. But even than small parts of his coat flickered like black candles before manifesting fully.

"Finally! What was that about?"

"Well remember when you first awakened? It was difficult to keep your Outfit materialized than."

"That was because I had no idea what I was doing. Why now though?"

"Have you already forgotten what has happened today?" Arsene spoke. As if on command, Akira summoned the Thief from Leblanc's works to explain. "You have used up all your power in the real-world mon élève. There are consequences to invoking such might that transcends the boundaries of dimensions. Your reserves are severely drained, at most a quarter of what you usually have I assume."

"Oh right. I… did feel the drain after I used Satanael and his powers." The Trickster admitted. He still hadn't expected it to be so severe as to make it harder for even his OUTFIT to appear.

"So you already tried them out?" Morgana interrupted, "I've overheard you talking about it with the girls but still… how did it feel?" the Magician asked curious.

"It sucked before and after but during usage? Fantastic. Like I had awakened to him again." Akira admitted, while pointing to Arsene. He would have to get used to the pain and exhaustion.

"Flattering. But do not let your new power forget that you need to use all resources sparingly. It would not do to be caught unprepared and weak."

The Fool sighed, "I know mon prof de vol. But its not like I am here to fight anybody."

"What are you here for then?" Morgana raised another question, "You didn't tell me anything about your plan."

"Well its simple," he turned back to the Cat, explaining his plan, "a change of Heart is done by taking something OUT of the Metaverse right?"

"Yes?" Morgana hesitatingly confirmed.

"So I've been thinking, Futaba's biggest issue was her guilt over her mom. She thinks she killed her. We both saw the murals."

"Unfortunately." Morgana confirmed again and the two shared the disgust felt when they solved these puzzles.

"A Palace Rulers feelings and, in Futabas case, trauma can manifest in the shape of decorations in the Palace. They can represent something relating to the Palace Ruler, like Kamoshida and his golden statue and Madarame hanging pictures of his pupils in his museum."

"Yes, that's pretty much Palace infiltration 101 what are you getting at?"

"What if we INSERTED something into a Palace?"

For a moment, Morgana's eyes seemed to shine. He thought it over before saying "Go on."

"Let's make a mural, or a statue or something that represents the truth between Futaba and her mother. Where instead of being pushed away the two hug each other, to give one example. It's not as if it isn't the truth. Futaba's real emotions and memories ARE there. If we make some sort of representation of them and insert them into the Palace, maybe this would end up helping her mental state."

Morgana thought the idea over. "Its… an ambitious plan. I can see where you're coming from but there is no guarantee it'll work. Palaces are rather resistant to changes, to the point anything without incredible severe cognitive consequences like a change of Heart would just be gone soon after and the Palace as good as new. And there is no saying the Palace will even accept having a thought infused into it. What if it rejects it or it can't even take hold? Futaba is in severe denial about everything that went down after all."

"I know it's a long shot," Akira admitted, "But it's all I got and I rather grasp at straws than do nothing."

"You and me both." Morgana admitted with a downtrodden expression. Akira wondered… was he feeling guilt over Futaba as well? Sure he and Skull hadn't started off on that great footing but neither was the case with him and Futaba, considering it pretty much started the whole 'leaving the Phantom Thieves' mess. If that's the case, Morgana made a great effort of not showing it. Instead he pulled out his Scimitar. "Alright, I'm in. It's better than nothing."

Akira smiled, readying his Knife, "Happy you say that. Arsene?" He turned to his inner self, "Let's look for a boulder. Something huge we can work with."

The demon Gentleman nodded and taking both Thieves into his clawed hands, flew away, his wings causing the sand beneath them to be swept away into small clouds. From above it didn't take to long to find a stray rock close to the nearby village where grave robbers resided. Readying their blades, Fool and Magician went to work.

How difficult can it be to make a mural anyway?

---

It was a sad fact of life that people could come to distance themselves from one another. No matter how much you may happen to enjoy each others company, sooner or later you could end up losing them. Be it due to a fall out, or simply the distance growing from a small rift to a gigantic gorge.

But why of all things did it have to be so soon, with the one person Makoto didn't want to depart with under any circumstances?

"Where are you going Bitchkoto!? Did someone hurt you? Do you wanna TALK ABOUT IT with LOGIC and COMMON SENSE!?"

Rude as ever.

These words still didn't escape her skull after they entered her ears, constantly repeating.

"I was the LAST friend you ever have because NO ONE wants to deal with a brainless, stick up her ass, FUCKING BITCH like you."

Something within Makoto snapped as she heard these things. A desire to just RUN came forth. She left Shujin, went straight to her room and threw herself into her pillow to scream and cry all the frustrations of the past year out.

Now she was only lying here, looking at pictures from better days she saved on her phone. She was never really the selfie type but Ryuko always wanted someone with her on a picture so she obliged. In hindsight she should have made more. It was perhaps a monument of a better time, before everything turned into ruins.

For the last hour, she spend her time scrolling through a folder of pictures in her phone that consisted solely of what remained of their relationship. It started with a picture of them on Ryuko's 14th birthday. It ended with an image of Ryuko in her Shujin uniform, freshly introduced as a first year. In between were pictures of her and Ryuko, screenshots of their chatrooms, or other pictures depicting the back than brunette.

When Makoto had heard the news of them going to the same school she was overjoyed at first. Her first year had been so lonely. It was difficult to connect with anyone in her grade. Though admittedly… she hadn't made that many attempts either. It didn't matter at the time! Not when she… kinda had her own circle outside of school.

Ironically that same circle fell apart once they entered Shujin. The twins, always the ones to disappear into the background, were the first to just… leave. To a point where none of them exchanged any words anymore. And then… Ryuko left, at a time where Ann and Shiho had also started to get withdrawn.

How quickly things can fall apart.

She skipped to the next picture. This one was made during a sleepover. Makoto weakly laughed remembering that bit. It was Summer break and Sae had told her to not slack just because of it. Still she allowed her to go to the Sakamato's house. It was just the two of them this time. No Ann, no Shiho, no Mishima's. Just having fun, messing around… kids stuff. Things she already did way too little and which Ryuko more or less forced on her.

That image was made once Ryuko had eventually fallen asleep. Before Makoto at that.

Makoto felt a knot in her stomach.

Ryuko looked so peaceful. Her hair was long and framing her head, brown back than not a bleached blonde. She still remembered how soft it felt. They were in the same sleeping bag because Ryuko didn't want to sleep on the bed alone. Something about it being unfair to her was given as a reasoning. She always was so considerate. Probably more than was good for her. Her thought process was that her best friend shouldn't have it worse than the track runner. Her brown locks tickled a little against her neck as the two settled in.

Makoto swallowed deeply.

They smelled so good as well. Strawberry Shampoo. Makoto had grown to associate the smell with her. She even purchased the same bottle afterwards, using the brand to this day.

Her eyes started to burn again.

Everything about her was so soft. Her skin, her hair…

…She always wanted to know if the same was true for her lips.

Makoto put the phone away, finally letting go tears again into her hands.

Disgusting. How could she think that? Ryuko wasn't… she wasn't like that.

Even if… why would she want her?

What could Makoto really offer Ryuko? She wasn't even sure what she saw in her as a friend.

And regarding that…

"I AM TRYING TO LOOK OUT FOR YOU!"

"LOOK OUT!? By sucking up to the Principal and Kamoshida!?"

"I am not SUCKING UP to anyone! I am TRYING to keep you at this school and out of trouble! They are THIS CLOSE to kicking you out."

"Because I defended myself?!"

"You assaulted a teacher!"

"ASSAULTED!? Was HE left in the hospital!?"

"It was an accident. He already apologized about it."

"AND YOU BELIEVE HIM!?"

"Listen… I get you have some 'troublesome emotions'-"

"'Troublesome emotions'? So WHAT I am just some idiot who cant keep herself under control!?"

"YES!"

"…"

"Wait…"

"…"

"Ryuko please I didn't mean it like that-"

"Fuck you Makoto."

"Ryu-"

"STOP! DON'T talk to me! You don't care one bit about me!"

"O-OF COURSE I DO! I just want to help you! You mean so much to me. Come back! Please I L-"

Ryuko had already stormed out before she could finish her sentence.

They were never the same since. It was officially the moment where their friendship died. And Makoto had pulled the trigger.

Shame filled her. Makoto was fully willing to admit… she wasn't exactly at her best behaviour that day. She hadn't meant it like that! All these things…

Yes Ryuko wasn't the brightest… but she didn't mind that! Academically speaking Ryuko may not be an Ace like her but she was a genius in other fields! Ask the girl one thing about sports or athletic techniques and she could answer it immediately. She even offered to give massages to members of the track team when it still existed.

She may not have her emotions under control but that was what made her so honest. So wild. So... fun to be with.

Makoto adored the girl. Flaws included. That's what…

…What made her fall in love with her.

Just the thought made her eyes burn again. It had come out of nowhere. Slowly like a snake circling into her heart. She couldn't even pinpoint when. Just… that it was the truth. She loved Ryuko.

More than the other girl could ever guess.

All Makoto wanted was to see her save. Happy. At this point she didn't care if it was with her, just that she somehow made it through her school years and would afterwards find some way to keep herself and her mother afloat.

Ryuko may despise her, but she would always watch out for her. For any threats. The blonde had no idea how many things she did behind her back for her. How many people she had to threaten to get people to stop trying to photoshop her face on some… barely clad girls to name only one offense. As if Hideki was the only bad stain in the school.

She nearly broke his hand once. Since than he had been… farther away from Ryuko.

It was just unfortunate one threat managed to slip through her vision.

And with that image, Makoto forced the tears away. Ryuko didn't need a crybaby. She needed a protector. Someone who was going to put a rabid dog down when it decided to bite her.

Akira Kurusu was a TIME BOMB. A time bomb of a feral beast who would drag her down with him if Makoto wouldn't intervene.

She needed to focus. Ryuko had made it clear where her loyalties lay. Right now she wanted to be with the delinquent. If Makoto were to play her cards right…

It shouldn't be too difficult to dig up his number or residence. At the slightest hint of a hole in his illusion of a good person she needed to tear at. The slightest bit of distrust between Ryuko and him needed to be nurtured. He was afraid of her. She could see it.

…Maybe this way, if she could save Ryuko from him, she would forgive her and they could start over.

"Makoto I'm back!"

Makoto perked up, hearing her sisters voice from the door. "Oh Hello sis! Welcome back!" she shouted through her closed door and into the hallway.

"How was school?" Sae asked, probably throwing her phone on a shelf right now.

"Good." Makoto lied. She was going to need some makeup to hide the small bruises. Maybe she would find some tutorial online? Steal some away from Saes own. "I am currently still working through some school things. History."

"That's good, but don't learn for too long. You need your sleep or otherwise nothing of it is going to stick. Have you eaten? I brought some takeout."

"I have but thank you. Can you please leave it for me in the fridge?"

"Alright. I still have some work to do so don't interrupt me okay?"

"Okay. Good night sis."

"Good Night."

…And that would be it for communication with her sister for the day.

Makoto sighed a little. As if losing touch with one person dear to you wasn't difficult enough.

She wasn't quite sure how to describe the relationship between her and her sister. It wasn't… well it wasn't perfect but it wasn't particularly bad.

Ever since they lost their parents, it was just her and Sae. Their mother died so early, Makoto couldn't even remember her face except for looking at it from photos. After her father died as well, Sae took everything upon herself. She more or less raised Makoto, all while struggling to put dinner on the table and studying to become someone in such a male dominated, cutthroat line of work.

And yet, Sae did it. Despite all the pressure and challenges, she somehow managed to provide for them both. Just for the fact that she hadn't broken down somehow on the way Makoto couldn't help but admire her. In many ways, Sae was the person Makoto wanted to be when she was older. Woman admired her. Man wanted her. Enemies feared her and allies knew she would get the job done eventually.

It was… difficult growing up with this kind of big sister. Makoto couldn't help but feel like a burden. What else does she do after all than take up time and money? Makoto had offered once to try and take up a part time job but Sae insisted that she focuses on her studies. So the least Makoto could do instead was to try and make it easier for Sae in other ways. Not disturbing her during work for example or cleaning their apartment when she was away.

…Crap she wanted to vacuum this afternoon. She forgot it in her tearful breakdown.

She would have liked to blame Akira for that one but this was just her emotions getting the better of her.

At the end of the day, they might not be the closest pair of siblings but they still cared for one another. And one day Makoto would find a way to show how much she cared and make up for all the problems she caused.

Speaking of how much you care for someone…

Makoto put the phone away and went to her bathroom. She was feeling exhausted for crying for so long and could really use a shower. Beneath running water was a good place to think. She needed to come up with something.

It was as her father always told her. There WERE heroes in real life. And if they aren't present, you have to be that hero.

When it comes to it… she would be Ryuko's.

Justice always wins.

That was something she was sure of.

---

Akechi sat down on the dinner table, papers regarding a recent case already opened. She honestly couldn't bring herself to pay much attention to it, at least not on an empty stomach. In between the Kobayakawa infiltration and talking cats, she had nearly forgotten to eat at all. Her body hadn't however and so when Sae had called her and asked to meet up again, she had demanded something to eat if she was going to make her work late already.

Conveyer belt Sushi.

Again.

…Ugh.

She remembered the pity she felt for that cat monster.

What was it with Sae always insisting on such cheap dishes? Akechi had offered to pay for both of them but the prosecutor insisted that she pays. It was probably a mixture of not wanting to be indebted to someone younger than her and still save some money. Though, the brunette really couldn't care to analyse Sae's behaviour today. Always a fun way to pass the time but right now she was happy to eat anything at all.

Grabbing a pair of chopping sticks, she grasped a sushi piece as Sae herself sat down, just finished with her 'conversation'.

"Lovely as always to see sisters interact."

Sae frowned, taking out her own pair of chopping sticks "I'm not in the mood Akechi. Just eat and focus on the case."

"Alright, alright." Akechi let her have that victory, chewing on some tuna and giving a glance to the files.

In some way this meeting was a blessing. Some way for her to finally clear her head from everything that clouded it. And yet as she chatted with the silver haired woman, her thoughts began to wander.

She still wasn't sure what to make of everything. A change of Heart. Taking away someone's desires and reforming them? She didn't even know that was possible! SHIDO didn't know this was possible! NOTHING in the research he had available, and she had taken a peek at it a few times, suggested this!

And yet this Cat knew. This so called 'Embodiment of Hope'. What an odd notion. As if there was enough hope in this world to create sentience.

That little abomination aside, Treasures were another thing of curiosity. What was a treasure? One would think she'd have encountered one by now. Was their arrival something that needed to be triggered? Were they always there but she had never seen them because she didn't bother? She vaguely remembered that glowing orb in Kobayakawas Palace. It looked so out of place. Could that have been a Treasure? Thinking back, that wasn't the first time she came across such a sphere. She never could do anything with them, not touch them or affect them in anyway as her hand would always go through, so she didn't bother. It's not like they were required for her mission.

Still, to think they were the key to the permanent erasure of a Palace without death. After she was done with a Palace they could still be accessed, though were largely left in ruins and completely unrecognizable, their Shadows beaten into submission by Call of Chaos. Death was as far as they were concerned the only way to erase a Palace.

Getting rid of them without casualties? Akechi couldn't deny it, the concept was fascinating. As was the discussion she had this afternoon with Akira. Free will as both right and privilege. Everyday she learned something new about the boy and not always was it something completely earth shaking. Just interesting views on life as well.

But taking away someone's free will… honestly she has done worse. She only wanted to make sure Akira and Ryuko weren't in over their heads when she confronted them. Forcing someone to feel so much regret… she could see how it would solve their Kamoshida problem.

But was it enough? Was it truly enough punishment? She knew in her heart it wouldn't be for Shido. That scum deserves nothing but death. Every second he breathes is a stain on this World, it didn't matter if he spend that time feeling bad for himself or not. His reputation going down the drain, his last moments spend knowing who she is and what she has done, the whole WORLD knowing, THAT was the only way she would allow him to go out.

Akechi guessed she would only know for sure once she saw it in action. From a purely logical view, it would be for the best to help these guys steal Kamoshidas heart.

However… she felt uncomfortable at the thought of either going back into the Metaverse. It wasn't a merciful place. Alas she couldn't come up with something that would work as well as the Cats idea. She only bought herself some time with her 2 days request. Without conclusive proof of his crimes no jury would convict him. She could ask Sae to look into this but if she does that and anything happened to Kamoshida that would make HER a suspect. Not to mention that if she used the Metaverse Ryuko and Akira would have questions for the one other person who they knew could access that realm.

Akechi has been in this game for too long to lose via such a simple mistake.

The brunette came to the sinking conclusion that all she could really do was help these Fools in their mission. Afterwards… well that remains to be seen.

And yet… there was something that wouldn't let her go.

"The way I see it freedom is both a right and a privilege. It is a right every human should have and the most precious privilege we could possibly have. But the freedom of one human ends where the freedom of another begins. If someone were to abuse their own right for freedom to take away someone else's right… they don't deserve it to begin with. Kamoshida has taken away the freedom of the students. He is holding their future in his hands, denies them the freedom of NOT being in fear, of NOT being bruised and beaten, of NOT having a good education and youth. Those that don't value free will, merely see it as a tool to abuse its power… should be stripped of it."

"Say Sae."

"Yes?" the woman perked up.

"What do you think about freedom?"

Truth be told, Akechi really did have genuine respect for the prosecutor. It was fun to tease her and she could have a pretty huge stick up her backside but Akechi couldn't deny that she clawed her way up from nothing. Many lesser man and woman would have broken someway down the line. Sae didn't and for that she deserved at minimum acknowledgement.

Her sister… well Akechi didn't had any strong opinion on her. She only met her a few times in passing. She doubted Makoto was of any importance in the grand scheme of things.

Still Sae's thoughts on the matter might be interesting.

The older Niijima only scoffed "What kind of question is that supposed to be?"

"A philosophical one I assume. So?"

Sae only rolled her eyes, "I think we have better things to do than talk about philosophy."

"Most likely. It is after all more a way to pass time and not particularly constructive. Still, I'd like to hear your opinion on it."

"If I humour you, can we get back to the case?" Sae asked to which Akechi nodded with an ever-pleasant fake smile.

The woman sighed, thinking for a bit, "I guess its fine but a myth."

That made Akechi perk up, "A myth?"

"A fantasy you can indulge in. Its childish." Sae stated as if it was law.

"That's… quite extreme don't you think? Do you mind elaborating?"

Frustration began to seep into Sae's voice. "I don't know what there is to elaborate on, freedom is a myth. Freedom is to be able to do whatever you want. Does anyone have that right? No. No they don't. There is either the next bill to pay, the next meal to get on the table, the next meeting with a boss or some other thing like who you are being a restraint. We are born with restraints, life with restraints and die with restraints and those who think they are 'free' to do as they please are the ones we have to throw behind bars so they aren't a menace to society."

…Sae wasn't particularly wrong. Freedom tends to get you in trouble with the law at some point and if anyone really were free… well than she wouldn't be an assassin now and instead life in a nice cottage with her mother. "An… interesting viewpoint."

"Do you disagree?" the frustration in her voice changed back to neutrality.

"Not really." Akechi admitted, till she found herself adding a "but…"

"But?"

"But even if we are never truly free or have some form of obligation or hurdle, it doesn't mean we are only in restraints. If you can express yourself in some way doesn't that make you free?"

Sae studied her face for a few precious seconds, her red eyes boring into her own, before eventually sighing. "I guess so. As long as you don't 'express' yourself in a way that breaks the law."

Valid point. There was a huge difference between expressing yourself through art and expressing yourself through… molesting schoolgirls. The later obviously being something that should be stopped with extreme prejudice.

But what about self-expression via stopping exactly those who do it in sch destructive ways? Was that freedom? Was it just?

"I mean, " Sae started up again to Akechi's surprise, "When was the last time you felt free?" The question seemed like a throwaway but yet, it couldn't help but scratch an itch inside Akechi.

When did she feel free? Detective work? No. Television? Hell no. The Metaverse? At the start maybe but with Shido being the one to pull the strings in anything regarding that…

So… when did she feel free?

Akechi thought. Raven hair came to her mind. Silver eyes. Slaughtering Shadows with someone to watch your bac-.

"Are you alright?"

"Hm?" Akechi questioned with a single tone.

Sae again gave her a face of pure neutrality, albeit tainted with a smidgen of worry. "You are bright red in the face."

"…Excuse me?"

Akechi took out her phone to look at herself. Sae was right! There was, quite evident shades of red all over her face. Somehow it only worsened with her actually acknowledging it. Since when did she-!?

"By God it hurts." Loki joked out of nowhere, nearly causing her to jump after he had remained quite for so long.

"Fancy to hear you are back."

"We thought it would be for the best to leave you some space. Some time to cool off with everything that happened today. Right Archer?"

"Indeed."

"How considerate." Akechi half mocked, "But what exactly is so painful?"

"The fact that you don't know it, is what is so painful."

…

Such is life when your Persona is a Trickster. Sometimes you cannot expect to get a clear answer.

"If you are tired," Sae began to take the word once more, "I can try and finish this on my own. You've been here for a while."

Akechi hesitated for a bit but eventually she found herself complying. "Alright than if you're sure."

"Well you always do complain that I make a student work so late."

The Persona user gave a weak laugh. "Very well than. But be so good, adhere to your own advice. You need your sleep as well."

Sae gave a mixture of a laugh and a scoff, "I will. Now hush. I don't need to be lectured by a student."

With those words exchanged, both considered the conversation to be over. She worked with Sae often enough by now, she knew when the prosecutor reached her limit. She took her things and went out of the door. Getting to her own apartment wouldn't be too difficult.

Just as Akechi closed the door to door to the Niijimas apartment, she received a message on her phone.

"If that is Shido requesting another late night job-" she started in her mind…

Before her eyes went wide and the thought was dropped, as she read the notification.

?: Greetings.

?: I am the one they call Alibaba.

?: It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Princess.

Alibaba?

Who the hell was THAT!?

Akechi: Who are you?

Akechi: How do you have this number?

?: Wouldn't you like to know?

Yes she would like to know how the flying FUCK her phone got hacked!

Her phone does NOT get hacked. The App was supposed to prevent that!

"That's… new." Robin commented on this turn.

"NO SHIT HERLOCK!"

Shido had tinkered with the Navigator in every way imaginable from every expert imaginable. The Nav had some secondary uses other than allowing access to the Metaverse. The history was the most visible but far from the only one. In the metaverse battery life doesn't get depleted, which was good because getting stuck inside would otherwise be a much bigger problem. However the most notable was that it seemed to shield the phone itself from cyber-attacks. A hacker of his tried every trick he had to brute force his way into her phone and didn't even find a crack!

So how did this random ALIBABA guy suddenly make HIS OWN CHATROOM ON HER PHONE!?

Okay, calm down. Do NOT overreact now. She needed to think. Maybe this was Shido's way of saying he found a way to bypass the Nav's security. On the other hand she could NOT take that as a guarantee.

This guy needed to be dealt with now. But first she needed more info. How far inside could he get into her phone?

Fortunately Alibaba was messaging again.

?: First of let me say WOW your firewall is impressive. I barely managed to get this chat open.

?: What is your secret?

Okay that's… good. It seemed in the range of plausibility and immediately managed to calm her nerves. It would at least imply the Nav's security was still WORKING. Maybe this Alibaba was some hacking prodigy. The alternative would be lying. However if Alibaba could actually GET into her phone… well let's just say he would have already started blackmailing or reporting her to the cops and she would get a message from Shido angrily ranting at her.

So… only a scratch. That's good. Not ideal but maybe more manageable.

Akechi: Why in the World would I tell my HACKER what my phones security is?

?: I guess it would be an irrational move. What else I expected though from the famous Detective Princess.

"So it's a fame thing?" Loki suggested. "You got another fanboy?"

That… would actually be a good option. From her own experience… chances are at least 80:20 they crush on her and would be easy to manipulate with some 'sweet flattery'.

Akechi: What do you want?

?: Wow getting right to the point are we?

?: Well its simple. I am curious.

Akechi: About what?

?: Is Akira Kurusu your boyfriend?

Akechi nearly chocked on her own air.

In a furry she made her fingers dance over the screen, having to frantically retype what she actually wanted to message this Alibaba.

Loki's mad giggling didn't help matters.

Akechi: WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU ON ABOUT YOU

[DELETE]

Akechi: LISTEN HERE YOU LITTLE

[DELETE]

Akechi: I'm sorry?

…she could not afford to lose her patience right now. This wasn't the Metaverse and she wasn't facing some blob monster inside its Palace.

?: Akira Kurusu.

?: Pretty boy, black hair, silver eyes, has a cat in its bag.

?: I've noticed you two hang out a lot.

?: You must be close.

THIS GUY KNEW WHO AKIRA WAS?

Worse, he knows that she knows him!?

And… and BOYFRIEND!? That was-!

She wasn't going to elaborate on that.

?: See I've been thinking.

?: I am naturally curious.

?: Tell you what.

?: You tell me honestly what's up with you two and in return, I won't post it to the next magazine so they can make their 'SCANDAL REPORT: TEEN DETECTIVE IN LOVE'.

?: So?

She waited.

Akechi: What proof do you have that I even know him?

?: I happen to have a few recordings.

?: Besides do I honestly NEED proof?

?: I am sure there has got to be at least ONE Magazine is bound to get curious and may ask questions.

?: Do you really want to risk that?

…

"BWAHAHAHAHA! THIS IS TOO BLOODY GREAT!" Loki's mad laughter continued.

…

"Okay everyone needs to calm down now, LOKI THIS IS A PROBLEM!"

"I KNOW Archer its just… this is pure GOLD! BWAHAHA!"

…

"I am envious of your nerve to laugh in THIS situation! Miss Akechi has a STALKER!"

"So? This ain't the first time. I just think it's crazy that he starts to talk about 'your root' and… wait…"

…

"…Loki its back."

"I… feel it too. Uhm… kid?"

The feeling from back in the Palace was back.

?: So… what will it be?

Akechi: Does Sojiro know his ward is spying on him?

Akechi smirked. Vicious and sadistic.

She was going to sleep well tonight. Just needed to put a little overconfident lamb to sleep with her.

---

Futaba's heart nearly stopped. "What?"

How… HOW did she?

Akechi: Are you aware you have stopped messaging for a full minute?

Akechi: Very unlike a blackmailer to do so. But thank you for confirming my theory.

The redhead simply stared at the words appearing on her screen, a cold shudder going through her with every letter and her mind going blank.

Akechi: Say are you still curious? Cause I have some time to explain how I reached this deduction.

Akechi: There is a reason I am the DETECTIVE Princess you know?

Akechi: Oh well I take you having ANOTHER minute of silence as a yes.

Akechi: See… Akira did not have that Cat until today. He just happened to be reunited with it and just this afternoon took it with him home. Meaning you must have some means of spying on him which allowed you to observe him right now. I have it on good authority he only wanted to go home.

Akechi: Furthermore I happen to have excellent awareness. I've been tailed by Magazine reporters before. They never found me when I didn't want to be found. So that means your 'recording' needed to be done from a stationary place.

Akechi: I have only ever interacted with Akira either while walking or in a Dinner. The former would be difficult to get recordings of and the later… well I would have noticed it if someone would film me, I assure you.

Akechi: That leaves hidden cameras or bugs as the second most likely way of recording you could have done to me. Having either in a Dinner would make little sense.

Akechi: However I happen to have also talked with Akira inside Leblanc. The small little Coffee and Curry Shop that definitely became my new favourite place to get myself a drink.

Akechi: A while ago Sae told me that she did an investigation into Sojiro Sakura. She mentioned something of a 'child' he took in? She didn't mention anything further.

Akechi: Actually I am right in front of her door. I can ask her right away what your name was.

Akechi: But… well that would just be boring and I don't think I need more hints than I need to.

Akechi: Tell me… how does it feel to realize you're not so invisible behind that screen?

Akechi: Now… please allow me to make a hypothesis.

Akechi: You, Sojiro Sakura's charge, placed bugs in his restaurant to spy on him. How naughty. Did no one ever tell you how a child is supposed to behave around their guardians?

Akechi: Than you heard recordings of a media star and a delinquent and thought "I can surely blackmail her into telling me anything I want."

Akechi: Was it because I snapped at your caregiver this morning? Is this a revenge plot?

Akechi: I have to say its ambitious and well thought out… but very, very sloppy.

Akechi: Now I will tell you this…

Akechi: I am sorry for snapping at your guardian. I overreacted and I already apologized to him with complete honesty. In fact, part of my decision to be a regular guest at Leblanc might be to make up to him in some way.

Akechi: However…

Akechi: I

Akechi: HATE

Akechi: Someone trying to make a Fool out of me.

Akechi: So… I make you an offer.

Akechi: You get rid of ANY bugs you placed in Leblanc. NOW. Trust me I WILL know if you got rid of them or not.

Akechi: And in return we can chalk this whole meeting up as a… 'misunderstanding'.

Akechi: I won't tell Sojiro about his Restaurant being bugged, or that his ward tried to blackmail me.

Akechi: That would just be mean to him wouldn't it?

Akechi: You must care a great deal for him.

Akechi: Do you really want to be a burden on him?

Akechi: I heard Sae thought about getting family court involved. She made it clear that was a last resort if she can't find any other clues.

Akechi: She also values my input to a degree so chances are that if she SHOULD get desperate enough… I could end up convincing her to not be so rough on my new favourite Barista.

Akechi: But should it come to that, I think the information that under his care you became a hacker and blackmailer…

Akechi: …well… I wouldn't want to do that to Boss.

Akechi: I think I like him. And I wouldn't want to get this incident blown out of proportions.

Akechi: So… delete this chat, forget this number, get rid of the bugs and we both move on with our life's. Alternatively… well I already laid it out.

Akechi: So… what will it be Alibaba?

No. No. Nonononono. Not Sojiro.

"Your fault!"

"Worthless child!"

"Nothing but a burden!"

"You killed her!"

Futaba had trouble controlling her breathing.

?: OK.

She deleted the chatroom. The entry, the everything. It was the last bit of willpower she could muster up before the voices became too much.

---

Both Joker and Mona stared at the result of their work.

Turns out… making murals was a lot harder than expected.

He and Morgana had split the boulder in the middle, with him doing the right and him doing the left. They've been at it for at least an hour, Akira had yawned multiple times during it.

"Morgana no offense but…" Akira started, "WHAT did you actually make?"

"It's a hug. You know what hugs look like right?" Morgana defended.

Akira nodded, "Yes I know what hugs look like. And that's not a hug that's a spider."

"What? NO! That's Futaba hugging Wakaba!" Morgana defended.

"Then explain the legs."

"Those aren't legs those are their arms hugging each other… and some legs. Well… what about yours!?"

"I made their smiling faces what else?"

"…That are supposed to be faces?"

"What did you THINK they were?"

"BEATS ME! But I know what a face looks like. I have one and see one in front of me. Those aren't it. Freddy Krueger looks good in comparison."

After some more… humbling exchanges regarding the other artists skills, the two came to the same conclusion, sighing as they did.

"I miss Fox." both of the Thieves said.

This would have been so much easier with her. Fox battle style involves making ICE SCULPTURES for crying out loud! Unfortunately, they were in the Dessert without their Ice user, forced to rely on their own skills.

Their lacking skills.

…Okay that was being flattering they were next to non-existent.

"I still think the idea had merit." Akira tried defending at least that part of their plan.

Morgana merely shrugged, feeling disappointed in himself, "Merit? Maybe. But the execution?"

"You summoned us?"

Both Thieves jumped, Morgana literally in the arms of Akira, while turning around.

There, as if appearing out of thin air, stood Caroline and Justine in between the sandy dunes. Footprints going from the Velvet Room entrance to the Thieves were behind them.

Akira sighed, oh good just them. He sat Morgana down before addressing the velvet twins. "Didn't expect to see you two."

"You meant us appearing here in general or us appearing in this form without Lavenza?" Caroline asked.

"…Yes." Akira replied. It was mildly surprising to see them again, after he spend the last few days with… Lavenza.

Moving on from those pleasant memories, paying attention to the two girls was more important. They seemed rather upbeat, smiling at him just like when he first reunited with them as he stepped foot into the Velvet Train.

Justine took the word again, "We have decided to check up on you. Afterall, you didn't even speak with our other self-regarding your plan for the Hermit."

"We were a bit curious." Caroline noted, "And no offense to either of you but… your so called 'mural' is a disgrace to artists all over the world."

The two Thieves cringed. "Not taking any prisoners at all are you?" Morgana replied, unable to give any other argument of value.

Justine smirked, "Those days are long past us. You should know."

Caroline mirrored her sisters expression "Props for the idea though. Creative. Unfortunately, it wouldn't have worked anyway, if it makes you feel better."

The raven perked up, "It WOULDN'T?"

"Palaces embody the Rulers psyche and actively resist any alteration inside of them that doesn't occur from the users own cognition." Caroline explained. "That's why any damage done inside the Palace regenerates eventually. There is a status quo for every Palace that can only be broken by a change of heart. Anything that left inside or destroyed would grow back or be destroyed or require more power than its worth. I mean look behind you it's happening right now."

The two did and truthfully, the 'mural' had steadily returned back to its original state. A few new rocks appeared in the carved remains. It was at a slow pace, almost unnoticeable, but undeniably happening all the same.

"As a rule," Justine went on, "It is much easier to erase something in a Palace than inserting it. And even erasing it without outside influence is difficult. Why do you believe you require access in the real world for some Palaces?"

That did make sense in a way. To be fair how the Metaverse worked could be so loose and out of the realm of logic, there was very little indication this wouldn't have worked.

"So basically," Morgana summarized, "even if we wouldn't have the art talent of a blind toddler we couldn't change Futaba's mind?" his tone became more regretful towards the end, probably inwardly thinking how he hadn't thought of all this himself.

"Colourful description but… yes." Caroline said, albeit there was a hint of sadness in her voice.

The Fool sighed as did the Magician. Akira could hear a faint 'Should have known that' from the feline. "So I wasted our time getting here." The Wildcard spoke, putting his knife away with a downtrodden expression.

Something took him by the hand. It was… comforting in a way. He looked down and saw that Justine had walked up, her hand taking his own. "You tried what you could. More can't be demanded." She tried to sound comforting. It did little to ease his nerves.

"There has to be SOMETHING we can do." Akira asked again. "Everyday that goes by Futaba just hates herself more, for something that isn't even true. There is no way I can take her Heart already without causing all sorts of ripples, but I CAN'T let her suffer for any longer."

"Trickster." Carline walked towards him, placing a hand of her own on his shoulder in her own manner of comfort… unexpectedly gentle. Both twins shared a sombre, but also understanding look.

"She is right Akira." Arsene spoke up, "As much as it pains me to admit it, it doesn't seem possible to help the Oracle ahead of shedule."

Prometheus shattered as the Final Guard failed in the face of another valley of violent energy, send out by the false god.

Akira marched off, ignoring the knot in his stomach, ignoring the three Velvetian creatures.

Mona called out to him, "Where are you going?"

"Into the Pyramid."

An impact to the back of his head, made Akira keel over, almost tripping headfirst into the hot sand. He turned around just as quick, to see Morgana glare at him with those big blue eyes. A second piece of the failed mural was in his paw, "What happened to were not here to fight!?"

"That changed the minute this mural thing didn't work out." Akira clarified, standing back up and hoping his voice alone would make the situation clear.

It didn't. "Oh yeah GREAT idea, go into a Palace with no preparation AND after having used your OP Persona in the real world."

"I can take some mummy Shado-."

Morgana interrupted him before he could finish "MERCURIUS!"

A razor saw made of pure wind launched at Akira. It graced his side as he jumped out of its way, back into the sand. "MONA WHAT THE FU-!"

A spike adorned boxing glove manifested in front of him. This time Akira couldn't evade and felt himself hit with a haymaker to the abdomen. He collapsed on the ground, wheezing from the impact, than a second time when Morgana jumped down on him, onto his stomach and pointing Claiomh Solais at Akira's neck.

No one dared to make a sound, not even the twins who looked on at their 'brother' attacking their guest. Caroline had already started charging a ball of Zio in her palm, before Morgana broke the silence. "You would be dead right now."

This caused Caroline to stop charging and Akira to let out a small gasp. "What?"

"We ALL know how I fair against the rest of the Thieves ability wise. My Magic is mediocre at best, my strength is laughable and I can barely take a hit. 1 vs 1 I'd lose to nearly every member of our Team except maybe Skull and that's only because her magic sucks and she's weak to my element. You and Akechi? No doubt you can take us all combined on and win. And yet…" Morgana put away his blade, instead stretching his arms as if to point around them, or more accurately at him standing over the strongest of the Phantom Thieves. "I just took you out without ANY issue. ME. YOU. Using Satanael drains you more than you realize isn't it?"

Akira tried to push Morgana off, to his embarrassment failing to do so. Instead he glared at him, "You fought in the Heart of Mementos. You are way stronger than the Shadows in that Tomb. AND you caught me off guard."

Mercurius was summoned behind the Cat as he spoke. "And some Shadow wouldn't be able to pull it off as well? Did you think I didn't notice your yawning while we worked?" Green sparks of Dia descended into Akira, making him feel rejuvenated immediately and healing what Miracle Punch did.

"If you cover my back-"

"Then what? Your last plan didn't work out either. What do you want to do inside?"

"Maybe look at the Puzzles."

"Because the Puzzles actually did more than open us a wa-?"

"I'M NOT FAILING HER!" Akira screamed into Morganas face. For a bit, the both of them stared at each other, Akira glaring while Morgana's widened for a bit before settling again. The cat sighed, getting of the fallen gentleman and giving him a look of what was supposed to be empathy but just came of as pity.

"Joker-"

"I am not leaving this Palace without having done SOMETHING to help Futaba." He declared while rising once more and dusting himself of. "You can either help me or leave it."

He wasn't budging on this. Joker wasn't one to back down when he set his mind on something and Morgana should know that better than everyone.

Morgana, to his credit, changed his tone from being angry at his boldness to something more understanding. "I understand how you feel."

Did he? Last time he checked Morgana was already a corpse when he saw Futaba be literally PULVERIZED.

"Futaba is my friend too." He reminded the Wildcard, "But there is simply nothing we can do here anymore. Maybe we can try and figure out how to put her Palace before Madarame's but for today we've done all we could. You want to help her. So do I, but no one is helped in any way if you bring yourself to exhaustion."

Akira wanted to argue. He wanted to give some reasoning or way out or anything to the table to change Morgana's mind or prove him wrong...

But there was nothing. Deep down… he knew Morgana was right. Futaba would have to wait a little longer.

Doesn't mean it made him feel any better. "I'm sorry Futaba."

"I… I understand." He relented. He would get some sleep and try something different tomorrow.

"Good." Morgana smiled at him, before rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "I'm… sorry for attacking you. In my defence it's difficult to get through to your skull sometimes."

God knows that was true. Don't let it be said he didn't have some degree of self-awareness.

"Its fine. I'm sorry for button mashing your head."

"That? Oh its fine that's months ago."

"I wasn't talking about back then."

"Hmm? What do you mea- NYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

After Akira had counted to 50 mashes on the cats head, he let go, leaving Morgana with dizzy eyes, shaking from place to place before falling backwards on the ground.

"Now were even." Akira joked.

"Screw… you…" Morgana wheezed out in between trying to keep Sojiro's meal inside of his stomach.

He gave a weak laugh before helping Morgana up.

"We might have an idea." Justine spoke out of nowhere.

Both Thieves turned around to the two girls. "Hm?"

"Yep still here." Caroline noted while mockingly waving. "Forgot about us during… that?"

"No." Morgana defended.

Caroline merely gave him a knowing look.

"Kinda yes." He admitted.

"ANYWAY," Akira interrupted, "You girls know how we can help her?"

Justine shrugged, "It's a hunch but considering how determent you are its only fair to mention it."

"BUT," Caroline intervened before her sister could continue, "First you have to promise you won't act on it until tomorrow okay? You won't seek it out today."

"Alright, alright I promise." Akira hastily confirmed, motioning for them to continue. They gave each other a look before continuing on. "You know what cognitions are right? Or more precisely cognitive selves?"

"Yes? They are what the Palace Rulers sees the person in real life. Kaneshiro saw his 'clients' as little more than walking ATM's so that what they appeared as in his Palace."

"Exactly. However Cognitions are special compared to most other things in a Palace. They have the potential to be much more powerful than Shadows. They are connected to the Palace in every way the rest of it also is, meaning they eventually regenerate. However…" Caroline stopped to let Justine take over.

"A Cognition is more intricately linked to the Palace than nearly every other facete of a Palace except the Treasure. They embody the person, what the Palace Ruler feels for this person and their connection to them. Killing them is bound to leave more of an impact than trying to alter the Palace itself in some way. Killing a shadow or blowing up a wall does nothing. Killing a cognition does little but compared to the alternative much more."

Akira didn't quite get what they were getting at. "We already killed cognitions and they had no impact whatsoever on the Palace Ruler. Princess Ann, Princess Shiho, Sphinx Wakaba…"

"And how many times DID you kill them?"

He blinked. "I don't know… twice at most with Princess Ann?"

"This is why there was no greater impact." Caroline went on, "Killing a cognition DOES affect the Palace Ruler in some way. They might for a moment forget what that cognitive selves real versions name was. However if you would kill a cognitive self-multiple times in the span of consecutive days?"

Morgana appeared to have an epiphany, "…than the Palace Ruler in the real world would feel the effects more and more?" A gust of wind blew through Jokers coat.

"Jupp!" Caroline smirked, "It would take some time though. As in kill the cognition once a day over a period of multiple days at least for there to be noticeable changes. It wouldn't be anything as severe as forgetting who the cognitive self was though."

Akira was still unimpressed. "That's interesting and all but how does that help us?"

"The nature of the Hermits Palace is… different than most others," Justine reminded the raven. "It's a dimension made nearly entirely out of grief and self-loathing. This also affects the cognitions. They not only represent real people, but are imbued with her trauma and despair."

That would explain why Sphinx Wakaba was so fond of trying to give them Despair ailments. That is where something hit Akira, "Wait so you're saying that if we were to kill Wakaba once a day Futaba's trauma might lessen?"

"Right idea, wrong target."

"Huh?"

"Me and Justine did a small check up on the Palace. We found a second source of great trauma far away from the Pyramid. A second cognition. The Sphinx is made out of your Oracles denial and lies that were feed to her. The other cognition however is an embodiment of someone she knew in life and raw negativity." Caroline elaborated, putting some strands of her hair back in place that another stray wind blew away, "Kill that cognition. Kill it repeatedly, consecutively, and maybe your Oracle will heal at a little faster rate."

The raven let this information sink in. A second cognition of Wakaba's level? How did they never meet it?

But more importantly, they actually had a lead now! Just kill some cognition? Nothing easier than that! Small price to pay for Futaba getting some peace of mind, however small it may be. "That's… amazing!" Akira said overjoyed. "Remind me to come directly to you in the future when I want to know something Palace related."

"…okay ouch. That doesn't hurt at all." Morgana pretended to be insulted, before smiling himself, "Than again I had no idea that would even be a possibility. Thanks a lot!" For a third time now the wind had grown stronger… was he imagining it?

"We are merely doing our duty." Justine replied cool as ever, albeit with a small smile herself. Caroline was no different, sporting a grin of her own. She went serious once more upon summoning her baton and pointing with it to the horizon opposite of the Pyramid, deep into the dessert. "The second cognition has to be somewhere in that direction. It's a strong one and incredibly remote from the rest of the Palace. Whatever it is, its got to be a major point of trauma for her."

A major point of trauma.

Akira thought about everything Futaba had been through. All the things she suffered. All the people who hurt her. Wakaba was a being of lies in this realm but Futaba still had fond memories of her. She didn't know who Shido was yet so there were two options. The Man who read Wakaba's 'suicide note' or…

Akira had to supress a flair of rage.

"Him." Arsene said with disdain into his mind. Akira could only agree. Momentarily he considered promise and rest be damned he would kill that beast. Alas… it would be for the best to be at 100 % if he was right.

"Alright… me and Morgana prepare for a fight tomorrow, right after school is over."

"Sounds like a plan." Morgana approved, as did the twins who merely nodded.

His gaze shifted towards the dunes, towards the red sky. Akira was certain… he knew what was waiting for them in the horizon.

A fourth time the wind blew into the group, seeming more powerful this time arou-…

Wait… red sky?

As soon as he made that discovery, the wind blew again, with much more force, just shy of a Garu spell.

An ear rupturing scream echoed through the entirety of the Palace, so loud Akira and Morgana alike were forced to shield their ears and the rulers of power were surprised as well.

It was the scream to announce the apocalypse.

Instantly the wind went from strong to intense, having taken its time to build up force to than slam into all four with all its might. A complete Desert storm swept over them, every tiny sand corn feeling like a needle. Out of instinct, Akira summoned Arsene, his Wings shielding the four but giving himself a bigger body to get attacked by the deserts wrath.

"What is this now?!" Akira cursed, trying to shield all of them but also needing to hold his hands before his eyes.

"Something must be happening to Futaba in the real world!" Morgana shouted right next to him, but barely audible over the whipping winds.

"She is a shut in! What could happen to-!" Akira started before stopping himself.

They were in Futaba's Palace. A dimension literally manifested from her mind. And it was going apocalyptic right now.

Futaba was having a panic attack.

The twins seemed overall more annoyed than genuinely bothered. Justine raised her hand and…

The storm began to subside…

Questions must have been written all over Akira's face before he had already seen what they had done.

The group was inside a pillar of Garu magic, a cyclone upon which they stood in the eye off. The air around them was dominated by the ruler of power, twisting and fighting back against the sudden desert storm. Sand which could bury cities were shoved aside by the tornado and the violent winds met their match.

Morgana seemed enthralled, "I have to remember this one."

"You should leave." Caroline said, firmly almost as if he was back in his prisoner attire. "Now!"

Another shriek echoed through the realm, so violent and filled with dread that Akira thought his ears burst for a moment. The dying scream of the sun, for as he looked up all that was in its place was a shattered black orb, as if someone had blighted the life giving star and replaced it with pure darkness as night fell over the Palace.

And yet despite that, the heat in the desert only continued to grow, as if whatever being responsible for this drastic change wanted to burn them alive.

Through the sandstorm he could make out lights. Red gleaming orbs of countless shadow mummies, monsters arisen from the depths of the desert.

But above the small lights… was another shape. Long and tall, circling the cyclone that protected them from the threats. It was impossible to see in full except for its crimson glare staring at them through the veil like it was eyeing prey.

A sinister laughter made itself known. Dark and distorted but Akira could hear the human inside of it. Or at least the scum that pretended to have humanity after what he did.

"Let me guess…" Akira said, "This is the cognition you warned us about?"

"Yes now make that you get out of here!" Caroline demanded.

Next to him Morgana readied a Goho-M, seconds away from taking them. "Wait." Akira stopped him.

"Are you serious? You can't possibly want to fight this thing!" Morgana complained.

"This monster is running amok whenever Futaba has a panic attack isn't it? So if we killed it now-"

"You JUST promised you wouldn't seek it out!" Caroline reminded him. The Trickster was quick to retort. "I didn't. It appeared by itself." He reminded her. They were unimpressed. "You damn well know this wasn't how we meant it!"

He grit his teeth, "I know I promised you but how am I supposed to ignore her panic RIGHT NOW?"

Their argument was interrupted by the beast stopping its movement.

Everything stopped, all the mummies around the cyclone, the ones within being protected by Justine's spell…

All except for the beast itself whose glare was laser focused on Akira.

"Joker." Morgana prepared to chastise him.

"Every night I shall return. Every night to torment and devour. Just once I have to be the victor."

It mocked the only ones who were present to hear him.

"Let… let me make something sure."

"Sure of WHAT?"

"The blood of Ra will be spilled, finding its eternal resting place within my stomach. Its only a matter of time till the sun dies and all life dwindles to nothing. Destruction and Chaos shall be the only constant."

The distortion in its voice should have made it impossible to tell what it belonged to. But not for Akira.

He pulled out Nataraja, aiming it at the two orbs and meeting the beasts gaze. It seemed amused by the gesture of defiance.

"Trickster!" Justine demanded as well.

"Never shall I stop with my greed. Not until the last rays of light are consumed, the last piles of riches melted and all happiness gone forevermore."

It started to move again its impossibly long figure twisting upwards, higher and higher, far above the desert storm…

Right above the eye of the storm they were in.

It was a serpent, this much was obvious now, with scales as dark as night. But its face was human, much like the Sphinx was.

Now that he could clearly see it, he knew this things name. The Palace itself whispered it with sinister tongue.

But that face? He knew what this monsters name truly was. He had met it in the Metaverse before. Fought it in the shape of a Girimehkala. Torn it into pieces with his bare hands for daring to hurt his Hermit and threaten his Hierophant.

"There is no light. There is no sun. There is only darkness and despair!"

"Life is one big gamble! Now give me your money!"

Apophis. The devourer of the Sun.

Futaba's cognition of Youji Isshiki. The greedy uncle who made her life hell before Sojiro rescued her.

The man who put a suffering girl through so much anguish that he had become the manifestation of despair in her heart.

He aimed right at the serpent's head with his gun, ready to tear of its Mask and let Satanael unleash hell-

He clutched his heart before he could, gun nearly falling out of his hand. Right when he thought about using his Godslayer, something pierced his insides like a rusty dagger.

Maybe he really was too exhausted.

Youji descended, its neck stretching impossibly fast down onto the group to devour them.

Akira was to slow to raise the gun, Morgana was right about to summon Mercurius…

But Caroline was faster.

A bolt of Almighty energy shot upwards, hitting the serpent right between its eyes, making it scream and shout in pain.

Akira twisted around, to meet the face of both girls. They seemed… oddly content. "You will not let this go, are you?" Justine asked, already knowing the answer.

"I am sorry. I really didn't want to seek it out but its here now and Futaba is suffering RIGHT NOW-"

"Don't…" Caroline interrupted before he could go further. She gave a small smile, "You Guests are all the same you know that? How many times did our sisters complain about their 'stupid altruism obsessed charges'. I didn't see the big deal back then." She looked to her Justine, still upholding the tornado. Both smirked with a… viciousness he had last seen during their first duel after Akira and his friends discovered Mementos.

"Usually,… it's against the unwritten rules to help a guest this directly. Alas…" Justine spoke and with every word the tornado only strengthened. "We are already here and this can be seen as a 'exceptional case'."

"What… are you two on about?" Morgana asked hesitating, still clutching the Goho-M in his paws just in case.

Caroline sighed, "What we are on about is…" she cracked her knuckles, "We will make ourselves a pair of snake boots."

"YOU WILL ALL BE DEVOURED IN THE DEEPEST PITS OF TORMENT AND CHAOS!" Apophis roared above them, having recovered enough from the small blast.

The twins didn't pay anymore attention to the embodiment of darkness and instead danced in front of his very eyes. The garu spell was lifted but what happened next was so quickly it didn't matter. As Justine rolled over Caroline's back and both struck a pose, no other than Ardha, the fusion of Shiva and Parvati, appeared behind them.

Once Akira and Morgana figured out what was going to happen next, they couldn't stop themself from laughing into the snakes face. "You are SO screwed now!" Akira had been at the mercy of THAT move enough times.

Apophis tried to lunge at them.

Only to be blasted into nothingness with one wave of raw energy.

---

It was nice to blow off some steam now and then. Even if a mere cognition was sorely lacking in challenge.

And its constant speeches of darkness? That was just eye rolling.

Justine entered the Velvet Room last, after her guest, her little brother and her twin.

One would think Lavenza's sadistic side was fully within Caroline after the split. Justine found herself disagreeing, having enjoyed seeing the cognition be blasted to smithereens much more than expected. Closing the gate behind her, she listened over the conversation between the Fool and the Magician.

"I can't believe you were seriously thinking about using Satanael again. What do you think would have happened to you this time?" The two had started arguing again after the desert had been tamed by their Strength. The hope of man personified wasn't all too pleased regarding his leader's willingness to use his greatest weapon.

The twins agreed, but had already expected him to do that.

It would be very unlike a Guest to just run away knowing someone else was suffering.

"I guess I would be even more exhausted than I already am?"

"Best case maybe. I am starting to think you didn't pay attention at all when you were warned about its strengths and risks."

"I did but I decided to ignore it."

"Extreme pain, fatigue, weakening immune system, vomiting, exhaustion-" Morgana started to list possible side effects

"Dizziness and even death I am aware. But I haven't vomited yet and I still got an Ace up my sleeve."

"Minako's gift can't protect you forever."

"It wouldn't have to just enough for ONE more bullet."

"One more can make the difference between victory and defeat." Someone else interjected.

Igor had appeared again, standing behind the counter to greet his guest.

Justine immediately straightened up. A quick glance revealed Caroline did the same. "Master Igor."

The Trickster himself released a small breath. "Hello again Igor."

"You are starting to get accustomed to your potentials power?" the true ruler of the Velvet Room questioned.

"Steadily yeah," Akira confirmed, "It's a little bit painful but I manage."

"To use ones Trump Card can turn the tide of a challenging battle. But you would do well not to overextend yourself." Master Igor warned, "A Wildcards power is great but their bodies may yet fail them if not given opportunity to rest."

"I understand. I honestly wouldn't have tried to if-"

"If your Hermit wouldn't have been in pain otherwise. I know." Master Igor took the answer already away, "The Velvet Rooms guests are various in countless ways but some traits are the same no matter who enters. At least you didn't need to."

Justine perked up, "Master we apologiz-" she was about to speak for both herself and Caroline only to be stopped by the closest they had to a father. "At ease you two. You made yourself guilty of no crime. Just ensure to keep such matters at a minimum. No guest grows if their troubles are given to another." He turned his gaze towards said guest again, "Much like how they don't grow with constant pressure."

"I understand Igor." Akira relented once more. Somehow Justine knew this lesson didn't stick as much as it should. If necessary Akira would throw himself into a whole den of such cataclysmic Serpents to help someone else.

It was one of the many reasons that endeared him to them so much.

"But more importantly," Akira continued with a hopeful expression, "did it work?"

Master Igor nodded, "I can feel that the Palace of your Hermit was put at ease. At least for now she should not be in too great of pain."

The Trickster visibly relaxed at these news. Good. Maybe now he would take a step back. She doubted it though.

"Anyway…" Morgana took the word, stretching his petite frame, "now that that is taken care off, I think I will take a nap. See you in Leblanc Akira." The feline made a bow to both their Master and themselves, before turning around just as he reached the gate, "And no Palace exploration anymore for today you got that?"

"Alright I give I give." Akira 'surrendered' to the Cats demands. "But tomorrow we go snake hunting."

Morgana gave a small glare but it was visible he didn't mean it too much and he departed from this realm between realms.

Her father followed soon, disappearing in blue sparks, seemingly willing to give them some privacy.

And so… it was only them and their Trickster now.

"You've been looking forward to this haven't you?"

Justine forced down a blush as the traitorous voice from their true self came forth. "Not now you minx."

"Than what does that make you? Calm now. Its not like I wouldn't approve. Neither would he you both know."

She wasn't wrong Justine assumed… still.

These thoughts were pushed aside as Akira addressed both her and her other half. "I have to thank you both again. You helped a lot today. If it wouldn't…"

"Enough Trickster." Caroline intervened his thanks with a cocky smirk. Justine could see right through it. On the inside her sister was probably on cloud nine, only wanting to preserve her pride and downplaying their feat as a result. "We merely did what we had to. We happened to be there so might as well stomp an overgrown worm."

"Indeed." She agreed with her sister.

Akira wasn't so easily silenced however. "Still, I wanted to thank you." He said before studying both with his eyes. "Something the matter?" Justine asked him.

"Nothing just…" he seemed to hesitate, "It's a little odd to see you both like this."

…Oh.

Justine didn't let the small tinge of pain show. "I… I see."

Unfortunately Caroline was not as good at hiding. Her voice was steady but her face showed how what they feared came to pass. "Oh… I get it. You'd… rather have 'her' here right?"

This made the Trickster pause… before his eyes widened in realization. "What? No that's not how I-!"

"Oh no. You don't have to justify yourself." Caroline continued for the both of them. "I mean… we are just two lesser halves of a better person. We are… quite literally knock offs." She didn't miss the small way her voice broke at the end.

"Yes. Its only logical you would prefer her presence." Justine took over, otherwise her sister might actually choke on her words. "Lavenza is… much prettier than either of us. She is much more compatible with you. And she didn't…"

Justine became sick before she could finish that sentence.

"Nearly kill you."

This was something on both girls mind that has haunted them ever since they refused into Lavenza.

They didn't expect to still… exist honestly. Both girls were surprised to find that their consciousness was still present, next to the 'main' one that was Lavenza.

Coming to that realization was a surprise to be sure. Even more so when Lavenza turned out to be better than either of them. A Velvet Room Attendant was essentially born to be what their guest needs. As such how could you not think that Caroline and Justine were only half as good at best? Lavenza was more powerful as a whole attendant, more beautiful, more charming, more… of everything they could hope to be.

And after they blindly followed the usurper like obedient puppets… it was amazing he could even so much as look at them without hatred. After they had come this close to trample on everything a Guide of the Velvet Room was supposed to stand for. A part of Justine hoped to be fused could be penance for such a crime.

But sometimes you survive your penance and then your just left with the guilt.

Someone's hand took hold of her chin. Justine found her view being guided upwards. Right into Akira's awaiting gaze.

Her single golden eye meet his silver iris, twinkling like two silver coins. Not betraying a single hint of anger, disappointment or even disapproval.

The silver coins came closer. Justine froze in place.

And her lips touched his.

"MMH!" she yelped into his mouth in shock. Her eye flew wide open in sheer disbelief. Butterflies flew around wildly in her stomach at the feeling of his firm but gentle kiss. Eventually her shock faded away and Justine let herself lose in the moment, eye blissfully closing and her arms finding their way around her Tricksters neck, while his own went to her waste.

He broke the kiss and her eye fluttered again. Her mouth was still open in wonder, she could feel how her face turned red and she couldn't help but let her lips curl upwards.

Akira looked at her gentle and let her go before turning to her sister. She followed his eyes to Caroline, who stood still like a statue. It seems she was still trying to comprehend what she saw. Justine couldn't blame her, for her the realization of what just passed was just sinking in as well.

Caroline stuttered out a forced reaction. "Oh… I-I see… just them right? Just Lavenza and the things you like most about-" she stopped speaking as Akira marched forward to her twin and cupped her face with his own, also giving her a kiss.

"HMMM!" Caroline cried out, her own eye opened wide. Unlike Justine, she couldn't relax into the embrace. It seemed as if her very being was overwhelmed and her eye became glazed over like in a trance, while simultaneously being too shocked to move a muscle.

Akira pulled away and Caroline was still not moving. Instead her face became deep crimson and a very tiny squeal like sound escaped her.

Their Trickster looked between the two, approached a table and asked them. "Can you… sit down please?"

Both girls obeyed the question, Justine sitting to his right while Caroline was to his left on one of the banks with him in the middle.

There was a somehow simultaneously tense and comfortable silence before their Trickster took a deep breath, trying to think deeply about how to say what he wants surely.

"I… I am not good at saying how I feel… or trying to figure out how I feel." Akira confessed to the both of them. "But what I CAN do is admit when I care for someone. You both were there for me at every step of the way in the craziest year of my life. Sure there were some… rough parts but I don't hold any of it against either of you. Yaldabaoth held all of us prisoner. I was simply the only one with chains to show for it."

Caroline turned her face away from him, looking down on her feet. It was odd to see her so bold other half reduced to this. "We… nearly killed-"

"YOU did nothing. "Akira stopped her. "YALDABAOTH nearly killed me. He brainwashed the hell out of both of you to make you his enforcers. He treated you as nothing but tools for his sick game, like he did me, Akechi, Morgana and the entire World. Even if you acted on his behalf, you were terrified. You were scared. I could see it. You only tried to obey him because you thought it was your duty, what you were literally born for."

Caroline turned towards him again after such a declaration. Somehow that speech must have made her feel more disbelief than the kiss. Justine was no different, only able to force out one question. "Do you… really mean that?"

"I am." He turned to her and there was no trace of a lie. "You are no executioners. In the end you turned against Yaldabaoth just like I did to protect me. And you are not 'second best' to Lavenza either. You are…" he stopped to consider what words best described them, "Enigmas. There was something enthralling about both of you that made me want to know who you really were from the first moment onwards."

"And what are we?" both of them asked at the same time.

Akira simply smiled, "Two amazing girls who I love from the bottom of my heart."

There were no words Justine could have used to accurately describe how she feels. They simply failed her as this sudden wave of happiness coursed through her. To not only be forgiven… but be told that he loved her? Imperfections and all?

Caroline on the other hand seemed to finally snap out of her trance. "ILOVEYOUTOO!" she screamed as she jumped on his lap and tightly clung to him, face burying into his chest to hide happy tears. Justine, not one to be left out, mirrored her, leaping on what of his left wasn't occupied and taking what parts of him weren't already claimed for herself. "I love you Trickster."

"Told you." Lavenza teased from some realm in their minds, addressing both of her halves at once. "He wouldn't turn either of you away for faults you think you may have."

Lavenza was right, because of course she was. It was in a Tricksters nature to surprise someone, even the ones supposed to guide them.

The three enjoyed this moment, the closeness to one another. After what must have been minutes but felt like a pleasant forever, Akira placed a kiss on both of their heads, gaining a giggle from her and a squeak from Caroline.

After recovering, Caroline took the word again. "Wait so uhh…" Caroline began talking again, flustered and red, "Can we… I mean… will you… make love to us… like you did with Lavenza?"

"Your adorable when you're shy you know that?" Akira teased her. Caroline somehow became even redder as a result, face resembling a tomato. "…Is that a, yes?"

He chuckled, "What kind of idiot would turn either of you down?"

…Okay this was actually happening.

Justine started to become a little lightheaded, jumping away from his lap and so did Caroline. "GREAT!" Justine shrieked out, becoming a bit overwhelmed herself over how… real this all suddenly became. "Then… will you…"

"G-Give us a few minutes please!" Caroline pleaded. "We… we kinda thought about how… WHEN… IF this would happen how we want it to happen. M-Meet us in 15 minutes in the bedroom?"

Their Trickster, now boyfriend, nodded. He was about to say something else but frankly… at this point excitement took over and the velvet twins stormed off to get ready for what could be the best night of their life.

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Alright now we are starting to get into the lemon stuff. If you happen to read this on AO3 you will read it here. If not… you can find the missing scene in a side story on my profile. For all those who want to avoid it, feel free to skip this section. With that said enjoy…)

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Eventually, all good things must come to an end. For as much fun they had, eventually exhaustion overcame all participants as they collapsed next to each other.

Akira lay in bed, on each side one attendant, happily nuzzling into his chest, their own chests pressing into his side. They sounded almost sleepy. Their wings had disappeared as well, sometime in between the fun. Did it require effort to keep them? Topic for a later time.

His arms were around either, playing with their platinum locks. "Was it as good as you hoped for?"

"Better. WAY better." Caroline muttered dreamy.

"You… continue… to exceed our expectations." Justine agreed nuzzling into his skin.

He let himself smile, mirroring the faces of both Strengths, as some small weeps from his right caught his attention. Caroline, the usual brash twin, had actually started to softly sob.

"Caroline?" Justine asked worried all of a sudden, "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing just…" she stopped shedding her small tears to reply, shyly and so unlike her "I'm happy."

That was something you didn't need more words for.

Akira placed a kiss on her eyepatch making Caroline startled for a second before closing her remaining one, relaxing into the embrace. Justine meanwhile merely watched on, content to close her eye as well, but not before her eyepatch was kissed as well.

As both rulers of power allowed themselves to rest, Akira remembered Lavenza's words not too long ago.

"But I simply want you to understand that this is nothing unusual for someone in your position. It is a logical result. Powers grow through bonds. Love is the strongest form of bonds. Its not an intentional development but… well it just happens. Fortunately, people are willing to share."

Honestly… he still wasn't sure what to make of this.

Did this already count? Caroline and Justine might be Lavenza but they weren't ONLY her.

But… maybe this whole thing could work out? Against all expectations he had?

Akira felt sore himself, the exhaustion of everything finally catching up to him.

He would think of these things another time. For now, he just allowed himself to rest.

---

The human mind was a weird thing sometimes. One minute you were freaking out and then… boom… gone it was.

Somehow this was the second weirdest thing to happen to Futaba today.

She would have mussed about this longer but after the shortest panic attack in her life, she remembered what she had promised the detective.

Futaba had underestimated how dangerous that chick was. She shuddered a little at how quickly their chat turned around. The redhead just wanted to screw with her a little! She just wanted her to be a bit embarrassed.

And then Akechi came inches away from finding out her name.

Credit where credit is due the Detective Princess was good.

So… here she was. In Leblanc in the middle of the night, hunting down the last of her twelve bugs she placed once in a bravado filled night. The hacker wasn't sure what had propelled her to place them here, likely worry for Sojiro winning out over her usual hesitation to leave the safe confines of her room.

Frankly Futaba wasn't sure if Akechi COULD tell where the bugs where but at this point Futaba was NOT risking getting on this girls shit list.

Oddly enough, the sudden burst of fear and the sudden appearance of a 'goal' like in a Videogame, seemed to clear her mind. After her freak out was over, she could think better than in months.

Rationally speaking… she got lucky. Akechi could have just gone to her police friends.

And if its true that she does like Sojiro, that she is in touch with that woman Sae AND that Sae seems to be becoming a problem for Sojiro… well than it might be for the best to stay in her good graces. Even while threatening her she did apologize for her behaviour and pretty much offered to look out for her guardian.

How the actually hell did Akechi manage to be equal parts apologetic and threatening?

This was the last time she was going to underestimate a media darling. So much about them just being fake smiles and pleasantries.

"Ha. There it is." Futaba's inner monologue was interrupted by the last easter egg being unveiled. Behind a lose wooden board was the final bug. "12 out of 12. Fetch quest complete."

The redhead cheered inwardly as she ensured the last traces of her arrival disappeared, ready to rush back to her room, put the key she stole from Sojiro back where it came from and lock herself in for the night. Even if she was thinking a bit clearer now… it was starting to wear of and she would prefer being in her bed now.

"Meow?" an almost questioning cat loud came to her right.

Futaba snapped around, starring at the black cat standing on the staircase to Akira's room.

The feline looked at her with wide blue eyes, crystal clear like water.

Shit she was seen!

For a minute girl and cat simply stared at each other. Before the cat tried to approach her, causing Futaba to run away into the night.

---

And another chapter down for the count!

…I just noticed I made three chapters for ONE in game day…

…I HAVE to pick up some speed.

I promise the next day wont become multiple chapters. We are finishing the Kamoshida arc before I get gray hair.

Now lets talk about everything that went down. I'm afraid not much happened. The most notable events would be the fall out of Akechi and Sojiro, Makoto, Akira infiltrating Futabas Palace and the lemon.

Starting with Futaba, I imagine she is very protective of Sojiro even before he became her official dad so that would translate to how she interacts with people. I've hinted at her appearing sooner two chapters ago already and it was fun to write her out.

By the way this chapters title is mainly because Alibaba and 4 of the Phantom Thieves (Akira, Morgana, Akechi and Makoto) are the main characters of this chapter. I like some wordplay.

Than Makoto which was another case of me doing some much needed damage control. Yes Makoto fucked up. She fucked up big time…

And turns out she knows it. She really is desperate to fix their relationship, but has no idea how and now she believes that 'saving' Ryuko from Akira is the best way to do so…

And we found out some more about the actual complications regarding her and Ryuko.

I always thought Ryuji and Makoto in canon could have been a neat couple. Makotos confidant (at least before the whole mess with Aiko) made it clear she has no idea how to actually unwind. Ryuji and here Ryuko meanwhile is the best friend you could ask for, willing to bite someones head off for you. I thought that Makoto way earlier than canon making meaningful contact with her would be a bit of… how should I say it 'fresh air' and that Makoto would enjoy spending time with her. This enjoyment than developed into attraction.

Wonder how many saw this coming. Like I said Makoto and Ryukos relationship is… complicated.

Next room we have Akechi, who would have literally torn Makotos head off if she had known what she did, always fun to write. She starts to get very interested in everything she doesn't know about the Metaverse. A small philosophical talk with Sae later (who I also finally managed to introduce somewhat) and she is confronted by Alibaba.

That was actually a scene I really loved writing. I love showing off how smart Akechi was but I could see why some may call bullshit on her figuring out who Alibaba was so quickly. I have my explanation.

First of Akechi isn't detective princess for nothing. Second Futaba felt confident and let WAY too many information slip. Akechi then went tunnel vision 'eliminate threat', focused on everything surrounding her, Akira and where they could have gotten recorded, combined it with some information Futaba couldn't have known and from there on she had all the cards. I tried to explain her thought process over the messages. Cat + recording of both + Sojiro has a charge + what happened this morning = Futaba caught red handed.

I tried to make it easy to see how she came to this conclusion. The most fun part about smart characters is when everything falls into place and we come to understand their thought process. This is what drew me to Death Note.

I am also very curious if Akechi gets the same treatment as Makoto now. Let me make something clear what Akechi did she DIDN'T do expecting to give Futaba a panic attack. She thought she was dealing with some little cocky punk and she wanted to scare them a little.

This also had a more practical reason. She demanded to get rid of the bugs so the existence of the metaverse wouldn't become knowledge to some hacker because if Akira would talk with her about it in Leblanc with someone listening in… that would open a can of worms she wants to keep closed.

At the same time Akechi IS aware she overreacted this morning so her messages can be summarized with a mix of 'I apologize', 'Don't fuck with me or Akira', 'Stay on my good side' 'I don't have anything against your guardian' and an actual warning because Futabas actions could actually be bad for sojiro. She just threatened law enforcement after all.

Can you tell I like writing Akechi? This type of convoluted scenes can only really be done with her.

Also just to clarify… Akechi has NO IDEA who she was writing to. She had no clue that it was Futaba or more accurately Wakabas daughter. If she HAD known she would have probably reacted WAY differently.

So now the bugs are gone, with Morgana knowing and the best chance Futaba has to get in contact with the Thieves now is Akira.

Speaking of Futaba and Akechi directly lead into Akira and co inside of her Palace. Akira had an idea… but it didn't work out. And his stubbornness of 'help everyone asap' needed to be beaten out by Morgana. Also a neat way to show of some more side effects of using Satanaels powers.

Then we get into the twins and their idea for helping Futaba. I like playing with how the Metaverse works and decided to add some lore myself regarding cognitions to get Futaba some much needed help without messing up the whole timeline.

And we get her asshole uncle as a cognition. I headcanon that Futaba and Wakaba are both huge Egyptian Mythology geeks and that is why Futabas palace was Egyptian themed. The cognition of despair personified would than be the most horrific beast in the entire mythology. And just like that we have her uncle who has NO redeeming traits whatsoever and who Futaba has no good memories of.

Akira knows who he is. Morgana doesn't however. Might be a point of contention when they tackle it 'tomorrow'.

Also it does mirror the actual Egyptian myth of Apophis having to be defeated once every night. I actually wanted to keep the reveal of WHO Apophis cognition is a secret but decided to spill it sooner.

And twins are being badass.

And twins are being sad.

Seriously you cant tell me that after nearly killing their charge there wasn't some trauma done to these two. Lavenza hinted at it and now we see how bad it actually is. They see themselves as second best to Lavenza and are deeply ashamed over it. Fortunately they are working on it.

And with that we got the second lemon. I decided to be a bit more 'out there' this time. I already established Velvet Attendants can change their body… why not use it for some cosplay?

In other words I had an idea and against all logic just decided to run with it.

Okay I think that's about everything. Now I know I REALLY need to pick up the pace but at the same time I do feel like every scene in this chapter was necessary and I didn't had it in me to cut anything. Makoto got some time to shine, setting up Futaba and twins getting a relationship upgrade.

Next chapter will be more stuff though. At least I try too not make it seem 'fillery'.

Well with that said, see ya next time. Stay safe!