Welcome back everybody! Missed me?

First let me say that we are officially having a Tv Tropes page! Yes! You heard me! Not just a recommendation an actual page! :D

My thanks to everyone who contributes! I am pretty much forbidden form editing it myself (unspoken rule I think of the authors of a work not editing their own) but thanks a lot to everyone who works on it! Feel free to check it out its honestly a blast to read and I check it out pretty much daily myself :)

Now to the chapter. I am trying a new 'schedule' of sorts that's pretty much me trying to publish SOMETHING once a month. Whether that is a new chapter or a one shot. So I try to see how this goes.

Now this is another Round One Chapter: Why? Three reasons:

1: Because I wanted to. I like making Round One chapters. Sue me.

2: Because I was hitting a bit of a writers block with the continuation of the next 'proper' chapter

3: Because this is something I have been ITCHING to complete for a while now.

To elaborate on three… the Kaneshiro arc was something of a weakpoint in the game I think that's pretty commonly accepted. I also took some issues with Makoto's role in it. So with that in mind I decided I do it myself.

This chapter is also there to show off the past surrounding Makoto and Akira. The two had a bit of a different start in my story and it may affect how their relationship develops going forward. Besides I changed enough about Makoto's situation and the Kaneshiro arc that it deserved its own spotlight..

So with that in mind hope you enjoy!

Lastly guest reviews:

Anon92: aww thanks! Your welcome :)

ThouArtEye: good to hear. Don't worry things are working out on my end but thanks.

Guest: Sorry but cant promise that.

Guest: well I found that explanation boring and I like Akechi living up to the Detective name.

Yeah I tried to do some damage control with Femkechi. Im not sure if id call her an anti-hero yet though. She just happens to do bad things to pretty shitty people in the name of an asshole.

Though… yeah kinda agree on Makoto and Akechi.

PhantomDark: Well might as well make things interesting when they take so long right? xd

I do intend to include all Royal content so be on the look out for that in the future ;).

Guest: Funny you bring that up… considering this chapter is about Akira and Makoto.

Bossatron546: Thank you very much! Happy you like it :). Don't worry I do hope to see this through.

In chess, it stands without question that the Queen is the most formidable piece.

Its power on the field was remarkable, its versatility and usability unmatched. Every pawn wanted to be promoted to one and the King could rest easy with such a strong ally by his side.

Though… the acquiring of the Tricksters Queen had been a rocky journey, had she been nothing but a pawn to another King when they met, yet as dangerous as her namesake.

And yet, it had been worth it. A remarkable Phantom Thief joined his ranks upon the defeat of the one who embrace the sin of gluttony.

Funny how it came to be.

But a Fool's journey is anything but foreseeable.

"I get straight to the point. Mr. Kamoshida and Madarame. Wont you tell me the truth behind the Phantom Thieves incidents?"

Akira tensed up at hearing Niijima's accusation.

What else should he have expected? Not with how she had been tailing him these last weeks. Really he should have been surprised it only happened now.

He could practically feel how Morgana tensed up as well, hidden away in his bag.

Yet, he acted dumb. There was no reason to be nervous…

Even if his stomach seemed to disagree. For some reason a pressure had built up, an ominous gut feeling as if something severe was about to happen.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He replied, unflinching.

"Can't answer that? Ah, of course. There's no way you would ever admit to such things."

"You know Niijima your obsession with me is starting to become very weird." He snarked back, arms crossed with a sly smile on his lips.

She looked unfazed. "Still cracking jokes?"

"Well his Codename is Joker." Arsene commented, making Akira chuckle inwardly. He truly adored his Codename.

Not that Makoto knew. Yet, her gaze spoke of knowledge. No matter. Whatever she would try to throw at him he was prepared. He had shaken her off often enough.

"I believe that will change soon enough." She spoke neutrally, but with a certain… superiority that made Akira force down a snarl. He was really sick of people constantly looking down on him at this poor excuse of a school.

Makoto pulled out her phone, the gut feeling from before strengthened for some reason Akira wasn't sure about.

"Have a listen."

She said as she put the phone on the table, pressing a single button…

And Ryuji's voice came out.

"If someone else could help em, we wouldn't be doing stuff as the Phantom Thieves to start with!"

Oh…

…

…he wasn't prepared for this.

Makoto smiled, the inverse of her subject whose lip's fell down and silver eyes betrayed, albeit briefly, evident shock.

"Checkmate."

Akira Kurusu and his friends had messed up. They had all but given her the cheese to capture the mice with.

The delinquent in front of her had his qualities she wouldn't deny it. Charisma, intelligence (at least according to him ranking top of the class at the exams), decent looks. Likely he grew confident on those, his comment just now probably trying to play all this off like some schoolgirl having a crush. But now he was painfully aware of the situation he was in and no amount of either would help him worm out of this.

Now she had something in her hand against him. Now she could actually find out how much of these Phantom Thieves was genuine and how much was just a rebellious phase of a bunch of teenagers.

Now… she might be able to help the students of Shujin.

Either way, no matter what happens now… she would profit. Either he would disobey and Kobayakawa would finally leave her alone (so at least she wouldn't disappoint ONE adult in her life) or he would obey and take her up on the deal, which had the chance of helping the students. And if he failed… well that goes back to option 1.

Though honestly… she would prefer it if he wouldn't fail her.

Still that aside… it was oddly satisfying to finally have him in a position where he couldn't squirm his way out. The last weeks had been infuriating. She felt like she was played for a Fool.

But now it became obvious who the Fool was between them.

"The things I'd do to hear his thoughts."

Akira's mind raced the moment he heard his Chariot over the recording. His head jumped from one thought to the next, never resting, always trying to form some other way out.

There was only one thing that truly managed to captivate his mind in between all these fleeting moments.

"RYUJI I WILL KILL YOU!"

He wasn't the type to swear but… CRAP!

"So you think its true…?" Ann's voice joined Ryuji's from the recording, "We'll be OK if we keep doing this… right?"

"Now I have to kill the BOTH of you Ann!"

Makoto's gaze was unflinching, as if from an executioner about to swing her axe down on his head, "What could all this mean?"

CRAP! CRAP! CRAP!

Akira did his best to keep his Mask from falling off, to not have it be replaced with sheer PANIC he felt right now!

"ARSENE!?"

"…Oh we are so screwed…"

"NOT HELPING!"

Well… as before mentioned… CRAP!

"She… really got us bad."

Currently Akira was busy trying to force down the disappointment towards the two blondes on the team aside and focus on regaining control over this situation!

Not that he really turned out to HAVE the control here now did he?

"We screwed up." Morgana quietly meowed in regret next to him, thankfully the one Phantom Thief Makoto would have no chance of recording.

Though that was not helping him!

And HE didn't screw up. Neither did Akira or Yusuke…

He wasn't one for stereotypes but WHY did the two blondes on his team end up dropping the ball SO BADLY!?

"Uhm… Akira she wants an ANSWER!" Arsene told him in growing panic as well.

"I know that!"

Okay what to do, what to do, what to do…

…

Maybe just… wait and see what she does next? It's not like he had many options. Maybe if he told her it was about helping Mishima with the-?

"Also, spare us both the trouble and don't try to pretend like you're helping out with that Phansite that is going around. I happen to have taken a look into Sakamoto's and Takamaki's school history and I don't think I am being unreasonable when I say they don't possess the knowledge to create and edit a website."

-so much for that plan.

"Was it Blackmail? Hypnosis? How do you corner someone into making him confess?"

No. Kinda. Mental lobotomy of evil.

"Won't you tell me how you did it?"

No.

"Okay just… keep it cool we can still make it out of this."

"Are you telling this me or yourself?"

"… Yes."

At the top of his head, adrenaline and panic made some options came to his mind. Playing dumb, Intimidation, taking that phone and smashing it into tiny pieces, open Mementos and leave her there. Not looking all that promising. Makoto was (likely) not stupid and there is a good chance she will have done a backup of it somewhere. And maybe he should be worried about the literal death sentence that became part of his proposed plans.

"I frankly don't know what I could even tell you. What is this about?" he played dumb.

"…You want to say that this doesn't prove anything, don't you?"

"Prove what? All you HAVE is a recording of two outcast students screaming about a new trend."

It merely earned him a spiteful frown, "I've looked into your past as a student. Playing dumb doesn't suit a top of the class student you know? And here I believed you to be better than such… disappointing tactics."

He crossed his arms, "Well what DO you believe Niijima Senpai?" he spat the senpai out like rotten fish he accidentally ate.

Makoto was undeterred. "I believe that you three are the Phantom Thieves. Really I think that much is obvious… now."

She looked him straight in the eye, unafraid and resolved. In any other situation he might have admired this kind of attitude. "What would the Police think if they found this recording? I mean… even if we were to assume it's just a prank or delinquents acting out, a recently released criminal appears at the same school a new group came to get their next target from? And people he associates himself with have said to be involved with exactly said group? I'd wager at the very least there would be… appropriate measures." She said appropriate as if to imply he was going to be put into the electric chair. It made his blood boil. She was talking about his friends like they were some… insignificant casualty!

"It would be bad if we're put under Police surveillance." Morgana commented from his bag, voicing what he himself already thought.

"You know when charm fails, threats are your best friend."

"…Screw it I can't talk my way out of this anyway."

Lets see if that resolved look is an act or not.

"You know Makoto, I should warn you. I like to think of myself as a Gentleman but I am not afraid to hit a woman."

Her red eyes shimmered like freshly spilled blood. "I have a BLACK belt in Aikido. Your MORE than welcome to try."

…And the intimidation plan went down the drain.

"Not that it would matter either way." Makoto pulled out a photograph from the pocket of her skirt, slowly as if imitating a snake. Placing it on the table next to the phone showed, the phone itself, a USB Stick and a CD.

"I made appropriate measures in regard to this recording. There are three versions of it, existing. One on my phone. One on a USB stick, and one on a CD. If anything were to happen to this phone I still had a backup. Backups for which I arranged they show it to the police as evidence in the event that anything happened to me."

And the smash phone option got smashed instead.

But that she had to be so elaborate with it! PRINTING a photo of the blackmail? Oh she was enjoying this wasn't she!? She just LOVED watching the most terrifying thing in this school squirm.

Okay keep focused he still had… the Mementos plan.

…Maybe he could just pull her there for intimidation purposes? Threaten to leave her there if she doesn't keep this for herself? Make her belief she would die?

It was extreme he was aware and no sane man would even consider this but he didn't have the luxury to consider such things with his and his friends lives on the line here.

"Lots of preparation for something that would never hold up in court."

"I simply like to be prepared. Besides if you would truly think that you would have walked out of that door half a minute ago at latest."

He grit his teeth, trying to be discreet about it. He was running out of options. He was caught red-handed and frankly any thoughts he COULD form to try and form a plan… only led him back to one option.

He was going to hell. That much was obvious but he would earn himself a VIP Ticket with this stunt.

Slowly he pulled out his phone, finger wavering over the Navigato-

"If you confess the truth I don't mind leaving this just between the two of us."

…What?

"What?" did he just misheard her?

"I said, confess to me right now what you and your friends really were up to the last few months and no one will have to know a thing."

This was a trap. A gigantic trap. She just wanted a recording of himself as well. And why would she go through all that to than be silent about it?

"You'll tell me won't you?"

"Let me think about it."

Her reply was instant and scathing. "I believe that time would just be wasted."

He wanted to snap something back. Or muster up the nerve to press on the App. One of the two…

When his own phone rang loud enough to nearly burst his ears.

"Go Ahead." Makoto commented and he accepted the call with a frown.

And Ryuji's voice came out.

"Hey where you at? Taking a leak? Let's meet up at the usual spot to hold our Phantom Thieves meeting!"

…

It became VERY tempting to slam his face on the table.

Repeatedly.

And Ryuji's face with him.

"OH MY GOD!" Arsene screamed in rage and shame and exasperation.

He did not have his speaker on. His phones volume wasn't even that high.

"That idiot!" Came Morgana's voice from the side and for how much it tended to gnaw on him that the two didn't get along… he agreed one hundred percent.

"As loud as always… but his timings perfect." Makoto had a smirk now on her voice. So cocky and arrogant and just screaming off how much she was praising herself for getting the drop on them. Of how she knows she is in the right and how there was absolutely no way he could convince her of anything different.

Her lips were curled up as she addressed him. "I'd like everyone else to hear this as well. Wont you lead me to your friends?"

Open the Navigator Akira. Open the bloody App. Its literally one finger press away. Show her Mementos, then make her scared out of her mind so that she never approaches you again…

…

…Oh who are you kidding you don't have it in you do you, you idiot? Really great you can cheer about the mental breakdown of Kamoshida but some stuck up student isn't enough of a justification for you to scar her for life. Because THAT was where you drew the line and not with lobotomizing a criminal. Wow you were a picky kind of sadist weren't you Akira?

Well the least you can do is not to drag down your friend as well.

"No."

Her face wavered for a moment. "I'm sorry?"

"You heard me. I will drop dead before I let you put my friends behind bars." He snapped at her, no pretences needed. If he was going down than standing and not with some privy wannabe perfect student beating him into submission.

Makoto took a breath, her smirk now gone. "Listen Kuru-"

"No YOU listen you puppet," he interrupted, "I don't CARE what happens to me but over my dead body will you drag my friends down with me. I'll be damned if I let them get thrown into some cell if their only crime was doing more to stop a rapist than their principal and student council."

He felt like spitting in her face. Akira couldn't even take looking at her anymore, instead glancing to the side. "But none of you care about that don't you? 'Oh no they are criminals how horrible' while pitying the rapist who beat defenceless children into a bloody mess, broke their bones just because he COULD. Because he had a smidgen of power get to his head and started acting like some tyrannical King."

The ravens fists tightened. Arsene screamed. "Frankly, if you DO want me to be honest Niijima? I despise you. You and this whole school. You and EVERYONE who sits around while the scum of this world goes unpunished and pointing to the ones stopping it as trash. I hope the principals boot tastes good."

He looked back at her, deciding that there was one thing someone should say her to the face.

"You disgust me."

There was a long silence that seemed to stretch for years. Akira merely leaned back into his chair, waiting for her reaction. She was probably wondering who to call first the principal, the cops-

"…I know."

…Okay that was new.

"What?"

"You heard me. I know. The entire situation with Kamoshida was a disgrace to the school and everyone living in it."

Her expression was… different again. This time it lacked any of the steel or cockiness.

…Wait.

Something hit him and he was dumbfounded how he only noticed it now.

He was still in the room with Makoto, not already in police custody.

The principal didn't know. Nobody knew outside of this room.

For some reason, Makoto wanted to confront him personally with this. By now he was starting to think it wasn't just due to wanting to lord it over him how she could ruin his life and everything he had built up for himself.

She took a breath and the iron in her face returned. As if the Queen only briefly pretended to be a citizen.

"I want to make a deal with you. And I think it's for the best if everyone on your team hears what I have to say."

He raised an eyebrow as Arsene grew curious.

"What kind of deal?"

"The only one that matters to someone in… your profession. A change of Heart."

"Just to get it out of the way, both of you are going to be quiet and let ME do the talking. Understood?" Akira ranted as the group consisting of him, Morgana and two blondes walked up the stairs to the roof he had first met their current blackmailer on.

"…O-Okay." Ryuji meekly replied. Ann, looking as nervous as he was, playing with one of her sleeves. "At least I didn't call you and scream into the phone." She tried to talk her way out of her fault, making the other blonde snap at her "Hey you were on the recording just like I-".

"WHAT did I JUST say!?" Akira raised his voice and both of his teammates straightened up, merely cowering out of guilt. "Right sorry." They both said.

Akira sighed nearly as quickly as their moods shifted from approaching argument to remorse. "Look… I love you both. Really I do. Your two of my only friends but right now I am pissed at the both of you way more than I ever wanted too. And now the Evil Queen of Shujin has us by the metaphorical balls. I know you guys are just as pissed as I am about it but… you messed up. Big time. Which is why?"

"We let you do the talking." Both blondes said in near sync.

"Exactly."

"Hey am… I included in that agreement?" Morgana, uncharacteristically shy, asked from within his bag.

"No?" Akira told him while looking into these blue eyes. "You're the only one who CAN'T be recorded snitching so why should you?"

"Look you're being pretty scary ever since she blackmailed us. I'm not taking any chances."

Deciding to not focus on that statement too majorly for now, the glass wearing Thief opened the door to the rooftop that was once upon a time their 'Hideout' for the heist that started this whole mess. And there, standing merely a few meters away from where Shiho had jumped (why was it still so easy to get on here really?) stood Makoto Niijima. Her face was neutral, an iron mask that didn't betray any emotion.

And all that after pretending to approach them with kindness. Even deleting the recording on her phone after offering the deal to all of them assembled.

But she still had the CD, USB-Stick and whatever else back up she might have made. As if she really only did two. They only had her word for that nothing else.

"I was thinking you might not show." By God the ice in that tone of voice could have frozen Arsene solid. Was it this hard for the Queen to lower herself to her subjects?

Please she was barely a pawn.

"No Thief ever abandons those in need." Arsene complained in the back of his head, mirroring himself perfectly. The Demonic Thief was just as pissed as himself about everything.

"You should stop assuming things you know nothing about." Akira snapped back, enough to thaw his Persona back up.

"True, considering what is on the line-"

"You are misunderstanding the context here." Akira stopped whatever display of dominance that was supposed to be dead in its tracks, taking a step forward and glaring right into the Evil Queens eyes. She didn't cower a bit. Her red fought with his silver. "You asked US for help. Not the other way around. Blackmail or not you're not on the longer lever. You're a target provider. That's. IT."

"If THAT is what you need to make peace with yourself."

"Don't give me that look. We want a new target. You got one for us. Innocent people suffer if we don't do it. That's all that matters for this deal so spill it. Who do we stop this time the Police are too lazy to stop?"

Something in her hands seemed to twitch at the mention of police doing what they do best. Good to know.

That being said, she put aside the scorn on her face and the iron was bent into something resembling professionalism. He could take that.

"A mafia boss."

…Alright than.

"Mafia!?" Ann broke their silence agreement, but honestly, he didn't have it in him to reprimand her.

"The WHAT?" he demanded details because really what in the earth was a student council president having for business that required some MAFIA group to be disposed of?

"That's what they call themselves." Niijima explained, "A Yakuza clan gone off the book as far as I could tell. Or maybe they just are some group of crooks that banded together. Most I know for sure are rumours, but I don't need to lecture you on that."

Which ones? The one that had him in charge of a terrorist cell or the one where he dealt with elephant tusks? If she was trying to rile him up she needed to come up with something better.

"And what is this Mafia group doing?" he asked.

"They are the cause of the rise in phishing scams. What's worse once you're in their sights, they won't stop threatening you until they get what they want. They'll force you to take part in their scams, threaten your family, and ultimately destroy your life."

"Holy shit." Ryuji mirrored Ann in breaking their promise. But once again, he didn't have it in him to reprimand him.

Its naturally to be horrified at these claims…

…Then why wasn't he?

Oh sure this sounded absolutely atrocious… but his disgust wasn't anywhere close to his rage and eagerness.

All Akira could think about how satisfying it would be to tear their organisation apart and rip their leader from his throne.

"Why do you even know about them?"

"Their victims include some of our students." She elaborated. "Their primary targets seem to be juveniles. A part of me expected you to be in their sights honestly."

He forced down a frown, not willing to show any reaction to the pawn. Let's just get into business.

"What's the name of their boss?"

"Nobody knows."

Of course. Because why should it ever be THAT easy?

"The victims are being threatened not to testify, so even the police can't get a grasp of the situation."

"As they are prone to do."

"That's where you want us to start? You couldn't even give us something as simple as a name? God you're a failure of an information broker as well."

Her glare grew a little more intense. It wasn't as surprising as the way her lips curled up again.

"You should be able to pull it off… that is If you're really the righteous Phantom Thieves and your 'escapades' aren't just excuses to cause havoc like a hopeless criminal."

A growl came from his throat, he was too slow to prevent it in time and of course the wannabe Queen noticed it.

Great now she knew how to get to him.

"Or is Akechi-kun correct when he says you act without justice?" and that smirk made him genuinely consider a lot of things regarding gender equality.

The air could have been cut with a knife as Makoto all but lorded over them. A tiny voice came from his bag.

"Can't you say something witty back at her?"

Something witty.

Oh he would GIVE her something witty!

"Ah Justice. You know it's such a strange word. So hard to define too. Ask 10 different people and chances are they all give you different answers." He began, catching Niijima's curiosity. Enough for an opening.

"But we wouldn't be the first group to act without Justice in this school wouldn't we? I think a proof of THAT little fact jumped over this roof riiiiight over there." He said with an eerie calm, his hand pointing next to Niijima to a small location on the roof.

"There. Just 3 meters away at most."

The Queens Masks broke and her Iron was gone in an instant. Her mouth was slightly opened and she took a small step back.

From behind him Akira could feel Ryuji and Ann looking at them both. Ann was throwing daggers with her eyes while Ryuji looked in shock.

As entertaining as watching Niijima be taken off guard was, he looked behind him, confirming what he felt.

He threw a quick glance Ann's way, as if to ask for approval from her blue orbs. As if to ask if he didn't cross an invisible line. No such thing came, instead he could only see her agreeing with a low nod.

Ryuji wasn't as convinced, his stare uneasy as if he was double checking whether or not his leader actually said that. The not cat in his bag did the same.

"What?" he pretended to address his teammates, "I mean what I said would only be inappropriate if there is a person on this roof that did NOTHING AT ALL to prevent an innocent girl to nearly try to kill herself and was UTTERLY USELESS in putting the man who drove her so far too Justice."

He let the speech hang in the air before turning around, glaring so hard that if looks could kill he would break his 'no killing' rule ten times over.

"Oh wait."

"The ones who LACK Justice avenged her. Not you."

He didn't need to spell it out. The intention was clear.

Arsene was approving.

It took a few seconds and a deep breath for Niijima to get her bearings, rather pretending the last minute didn't happen than answer. "Their main hub of activity is in Shibuya. That's all the information I have. You have two weeks. If can't manage by then, I'll submit all the evidence I have to the police and to the school. Don't let me down. Or if it's so important for you, the 'innocents' your so worried about."

She marched away, not giving a glance to any of them.

Once he was sure she couldn't hear them, Akira kicked a chair into a table. He needed some way to vent his frustration and killing shadows only helped so much.

"Don't let me down… dammit she was just bossin us around." Ryuji told them, barely restraining himself from kicking something as well.

"It's like having a leash on my throat." Joker growled. If his worst fears would be confirmed that might ACTUALLY be the case. Them just becoming some stuck up Queens attack dogs because 'surprise' she had another back up. "Let's just get in touch with Yusuke and do our research."

"Right." Skull agreed before clearing his throat, "But dude seriously?"

"What?"

"You know what. Bringing up Shiho?"

"He's not wrong." Panther asked in his stead. "She's just as much to blame for everything Kamoshida has done. She doesn't get to have the moral high ground here."

They shared a glance and her blue eyes had a fire in them that mirrored her Persona. Approval, not scorn. Thankfully.

"But you're not to blame." He added quickly, trying to not make it sound like an afterthought.

The femme fatale didn't say anything, instead walking out of the door and the Thieves soon followed. None of them were comfortable on this roof anymore.

He deeply wished Niijima wouldn't be as well.

"What do you want?"

"Nothing in particular I just saw you all together here. You seem to be having quite a bit of trouble."

"So you're here to check up on us? You may be the student council president but when it comes to what we do, you're useless."

"Useless?"

"To be frank yes"

"Just stay on your high horse and watch. Or do you wanna eavesdrop since your so good at it?"

"…So you wish to get into contact with Kaneshiro?"

With something resembling a frustrated roar, Akira kicked over a trashcan on the street. The streets were empty, a small mercy. It was just him, the Thieves and the WANNABE QUEEN.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to drag you in like this." The phony Queen tried apologizing and by God if she continued to sound this pathetic…

"Oh really? Was this before or after the BLACKMAIL!?" he screamed her in the face. She cowered this time. Somehow this infuriated him more than the Iron Mask she wore the last times they met. So suddenly she grew tired of pretending to have a spine of her own?

After she like a MAD WOMAN ORDERED A MAFIA MEMBER AROUND!?

How utterly STUPID did you have to be!? Once again grades didn't prove knowledge.

So after calling him on the number she sneaked herself into getting like a stalker would do, all of them were suddenly in a mad dash to the nearest Taxi, leading Ryuji to nearly get driven over and then desperately follow the car she was stuck in while she SOMEHOW had the arrogance to command her kidnappers in all but name around.

Then they found her on the ground of some seedy club with a man who rivalled Kobayakawa in size. Junya Kaneshiro. The newest big Mafia Boss of Shibuya and probably beyond.

And they were now on HIS blackmail list.

3 Million Yen. 3 weeks or he would either mail the photos to everyone or do who knows what to them.

Akira might be able to make this much if he spent every waking hour fighting in the Metaverse and was lucky enough to get a few dozen Treasure Shadows, but frankly he didn't want to give this pig a single Yen.

And who knew if Kaneshiro would even KEEP his word and not find some way for them to 'owe' the pig even more money.

Every second speaking with him was more malice and arrogance filled than every conversation he had with the Queen combined. Trash of society treating them like bugs to be squashed.

But hey at least they saved their first blackmailer! Hurray! Truly a victory for the forces of Justice!

He wanted to destroy something.

He wanted to slaughter a pig.

As his thoughts filled with violent intention he only briefly overheard Niijima's speech. Something about how sorry she was, how stupid with Fox agreeing, how she wanted to be useful, how her father died and her sister being a much more remarkable person than her (as if that was difficult) and wanting to be useful.

"Yeah look how THAT worked out!"

"Akira!" Ann called him out. The other Thieves throwing a glance his way as well. He scoffed. "Oh please you can't actually feel sorry for her!" Why in the world was ANN trying to defend the phony Queen? She should be more pissed than even himself!

"Hey. Isn't it a bit extreme to say your useless for her?" Ryuji tried to be calming.

Yeah, no. He wasn't having that.

"Not just for her!"

"Akira could you PLEASE restrain yourself a little." Yusuke pleaded and fell on deaf ears.

Makoto only seemed to shrink into herself further. She looked over to his Panther. "I… I have to apologise for what happened to you and Suzui."

"Huh?" His Lovers called out in small shock.

"Now that I think on it, the truth about Kamoshida must have been covered up by the whole school. I… had suspicions but couldn't do anything… No I DIDN'T do anything. Had I cared enough I could've done something. People like me… must really be what others call scum of the earth."

"Hit the nail on the freaking-"

"DUDE CUT IT OUT!" Ryuji screamed at him.

"NO! HELL NO! I am NOT playing whatever game you're all playing! SHE!" he pointed at the scum of the earth, "is responsible for getting us indebted to the MAFIA AFTER Blackmailing us AFTER she stalked me for weeks AFTER not lifting a finger for students who ACTUALLY suffered and NOW were supposed to feel bad for her!? Oh BOO HOO Poor Makoto! Poor USELESS Mako-"

Someone tore violently at his arm, making Akira come face to face with Ann's glare, with the same vigour she had against Kamoshida. "It's enough Akira! Nobody is helped with blaming each other right now!"

He glared right back at her, breathing heavy as his glance went over too…

…A shaking Niijima, a few small droplets starting to descend down her cheeks.

…Oh great. Now he was automatically the bad guy in the situation wasn't he?

Under different circumstances he would have tried comforting a crying woman. He did so with Ann before their first heist.

But right now he could only hold rip his arm free from the femme fatale and walk away from the group, trying to not explode from rage.

He overheard the others continuing to talk. Ann tried to actually comfort her, saying how Kamoshida is the only one to blame. Yusuke how she didn't EITHER have a place to belong. EITHER!? As if she was anything like them. Ryuji offered a tissue and even Morgana jumped out of his bag.

Of course Makoto offered to take care of the money, trying to make them forget. And Ryuji…

"If only we could do something about that Bank."

He saw red.

HE AND HIS BIG MOUTH!

He marched over to Ryuji and grabbed him by his collar. "RYUJI SO HELP ME GOD IF YOU DON'T STOP RUNNING YOUR MOUTH I WILL-!"

"Bank-?"

"YOU WILL FORGET THAT!" he shouted at Makoto who now had a mix of worry and confusion on her face. He liked her better with the Iron.

"Wait… the BANK! She isn't useless at all! She may be our Key in!" Morgana shouted and all attention was on him. His, Ryuji's who had his own hand on Akira's chest now that he noticed, Ann and Yusuke who both were grabbing him at different places and Makoto who… just looked incredibly lost.

The rage was gone for a bit and Akira felt his mind clear. "What?"

"What… do you mean?" Ann asked as well. He still felt her nails in his back.

"Guys look just stop bashing each other's heads in and hear me out."

"A… cat? Are… you all okay?" The Queen asked, tears starting to fade away and replaced with some pretence of worry.

Morgana ignored the cat comment and addressed his fellow Thieves "We've become Kaneshiro's targets. That means we've become customers of Kaneshiro's bank! We should be able to reach it now! And considering this happened because of her…"

By now Akira was starting to see where Morgana was going and stopped him immediately. "Uh no. I am putting my foot down. We are NOT taking her there."

"Do you have a BETTER idea!?" Morgana snapped at his leader, almost sounding like hissing.

Akira glared at the cat, then looked around at his friends still holding onto him…

…Akira was used to people looking at him like he was insane.

He wasn't used to so similar stares coming from his friends…

He let Ryuji go.

The blonde grumbled. "The hell man!" and soon enough his teammates mirrored his own actions.

The air grew less tense but only ceased to be filled with static when Yusuke spoke up. "Don't you believe she should at least make amends for her mistake."

Akira took a deep breath, giving a glance to their Key in and trying to restrain Arsene from going wild in the depths of his mind. Fine, since he was overruled anyway. "Alright lead the way Morgana."

"Wait where are we going?"

"You'll see."

And with that they stepped into Kaneshiro's Palace.

"I've trained in aikido. Don't worry. I can defend myself."

"BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"W-What's so funny?"

"Oh you'll see."

…

"Why did the security guards turn into monsters!? And what were those supernatural powers!?"

"What not so confident in your AIKIDO all of a sudden?"

"Joker now is NOT the time! Retreat! Makoto don't get separated!"

Akira's nerves were hanging on a thread since the very start of this heist.

The constant frustration in tracking down an insect like Kaneshiro that just wouldn't be found. Like a mosquito that you hear buzzing around when sleep is calling for you but you just can't find and get rid of permanently. That was one thing.

But Niijima had been worse. Constantly watching over them like a Vulture as if she couldn't wait to pounce on them.

By sheer happenstance they ended up needing her to enter the Bank. It was LAUGHABLE how she was all cocky suddenly. She'd be dead meat if she were to try fighting a Shadow with her fists and no Persona.

But then she ended up awakening.

Because of course she was!

Usually Akira found them fascinating. A sight to behold.

Not with Makoto.

That had been an insult.

He and his friends had suffered through pain and torment to receive this power and some spoiled in over her head straight A's girl with a stick up her leather clad butt suddenly had one as well?! The same girl who just kept being blind on the evil in her own school, lunged at the ones who stopped a psychopath calling himself King just because her precious principal demanded it, who stalked him and somehow got her hands on his PHONE NUMBER and kept trying to lord over them like some Queen in her ivory tower.

THAT woman had a Persona. THAT woman had the strength of will required to have your soul manifest as a weapon.

And a frustratingly cool one as well.

A MOTORCYCLE!? How in the world can a Persona end up as a Motorcycle!?

So now she had Johanna and with her help, sneaked her way into their group, forced her way in. It was nauseating. His skin curled thinking about it. The Thieves were his friends. The people he trusted most in the World.

She WASN'T one of these people.

She didn't belong here. And the fact that she was pretending to be would never stop sending pulses of rage down his spine.

"Don't get cocky just because I normally behave myself! I am DONE playing nice!"

His eyes nearly rolled out of his skull.

Frankly he couldn't care about her apologies or promises or 'SUDDEN RESOLVE'… so what if she got a conscience. He wasn't having it.

Last night she called him in private once more.

"What do you want?"

"I'm… calling to apologize agai-"

"Not accepted."

And that was the end of that conversation.

Now they were standing here in front of the Bank with the leather clad Queen part of their Team.

"Now then, could you explain to me the strategy for this mission?"

"Strategy?" Ryuji asked as if not knowing how to answer.

"You… don't have one? Wait. The Phantom Thieves were acting without any plans!?"

"Of course we were!" Akira defended his team. "But it's not like we can HAVE a plan without any information. Mona." He proudly called for their Navigator…

Who looked like he was just drenched with water.

"Come on please don't let me down now."

"Uhh… we pretty much look around the area, I provide navigation when needed, and then…"

"If we run into Shadows we beat the shit outta 'em!" Skull proudly declared.

The Queen merely stared at both blankly, "Very well then. I feel like I'll be useful for sure. It seems my role is to be the brain of this team. I'll analyse Mona's information and give out orders-."

"I KNEW IT!"

Akira knew it. He KNEW this woman would try to somehow take control. She already started playing the Thieves against him of course she'd grasp for whatever power she could get!

"I am gonna stop you right there." He spoke up again, taking a few steps towards her and he thought she shrunk into herself briefly, that alone making his blood boil. Stop pretending to be some scared kitten he had SEEN what she was actually like! "First of, you are NOT part of this team. You are ONLY here to help us fix YOUR mess. After this is over I don't want you to even LOOK at anyone in this group ever again. Second: I am the Leader. ME. Not you. Which means I give out the orders and YOU follow them. This isn't the student council, you're NOT in charge here and the idea of the newbie ordering us around is so laughable my comic namesake would be telling me to calm down. You know nothing of what is waiting for us inside. This ISN'T a game. We are about to fight for our lives in there and could die at every corner so when I say Jump you Jump, when I say block you block, when I say don't use your Persona you DON'T use your Persona. We've been doing this longer than you so if anything you're going to listen to US not the other way around."

She looked at him and this fire in her red eyes was completely gone. "Of course. I understand." He felt like scoffing.

"I hope so. Cause your gonna be in the starting line-up. Skull and Panther you as well. Fox, Mona I want you covering our backs."

"That… reminds me." Mona chimed in, "We actually still need a codename for her." He pointed towards the pawn Queen now his pawn.

Frankly he couldn't care about the irony.

"Yeah. This time's a hard one… Maybe something like… 'Shoulder Pads'?" Ryuji offered as several groans came forth. "Why in the world did you focus on that?" Morgana complained.

Names weren't Ryuji's specialty.

Neither was shutting up.

He loved him anyway but wow could he be frustrating.

Though… he still cringed remembering lunging at his Chariot.

…he wasn't going to defend himself for that. But the muscle of their team needed to STOP shouting.

"I refuse to be called that." The Queen has decreed.

"What about Rider?" Fox offered. Honestly Akira could see it.

"Sounds too much like a smuggler. Next." And it was shot down. Stay professional Akira.

"Fixer?" came Ann's recommendation.

"I'm not a Mastermind though. Next."

Jesus was she picky!

"Useless." He blurted out.

All eyes were immediately on him in disbelief. Useless had her mouth slightly opened. Soon enough she ended up donning the Iron Mask again "I… will not accept that as-" she declared sternly but Joker had enough of Queen decrees.

"Well start picking one or I make the decision for you."

"Joker!"

Fox shouted and Joker looked back with wide eyes…

…Fox wasn't one to shout unprovoked.

Next to him Panther, Skull and Mona all threw him a nasty look.

…What was going on here?

Fox took him by the hand and asked him in a way that made it clear he won't accept a no. "May I speak a word with you?"

Analysing the tense area, and how all of his friends were standing closer to their former blackmailer than him, Akira groaned and led Yusuke lead him away.

Hiding behind a pig statue, Fox and Joker stood, with the Artist throwing a… look towards him Akira couldn't fully pinpoint. "What is the matter with you lately?"

"What's the matter with me? What's with all of you!? Have you completely forgotten who brought us into this mess? Who blackmailed us and was stupid enough to throw herself in front of the Mafia?"

"No we have not." He affirmed. "But you seem to have forgotten her remorse."

Now Joker did scoff. "Remorse. Don't make me laugh. Kamoshida showed remorse too. So did Madarame. Did them apologizing fix anything? No, no it didn't. Apologizing means nothing."

"Then what DOES matter?"

"Actions-" He wanted to add something but Yusuke was quicker.

"Like risking her life to aid us defeat the ruler of this Palace?"

Akira rolled his eyes "Oh PLEASE."

Yusuke crossed his arms. Akira groaned "Considering she has a Persona after Morgana insisted on taking her here with us, it's the least she can do it's not the same."

"I believe there is some deeper reason you are acting this way."

"And WHY Fox?"

"Please tell me how does her joining our Team differ from me?"

Akira raised an eyebrow. "What are you getting at?"

"I blackmailed you as well. I stalked one of you. All actions which were in hindsight reprehensible of course-"

"And I gave you a verbal beatdown didn't I?" Now Akira crossed his arms, referencing his tongue lashing towards the Artist when he tried to have Ann pose nude or he'd call the Police on them.

"That you did but you didn't hold your grudge when we all donned the Masks."

"Because the situations are completely different. Madarame abused you AND you were desperate for a new painting for him."

Yusuke shook his head as if Akira was just not getting something. "And Makoto?"

"Makoto simply followed Kobayakawa's orders!"

"Orders from her principal who she, like me, had as a person she admired and put her faith in."

"She didn't do anything to help Kamoshida's victims."

"Because she wasn't aware. If anything you should chastise me more for not helping my fellow pupils with Madarame."

"Enough of this you're not like Makoto!"

"But you are not behaving like Joker!"

…What?

"What… is THAT supposed to mean?" Akira asked genuinely wondering what in the HELL Yusuke was going on about, his tension suddenly gone.

The Artist sighed, closing his eyes and placing one of his hands on his chest.

"The Joker that guided us through the Museum of Vanity was a man I'd follow to the deepest corners of hell and back. Passionate and determent to see his justice through. Always the first to engage the enemy or take a hit for those following him and capable enough to see our strengths and utilize them the most. He is man who did not give up on me, on saving me from the clutches of a Fiend who I adored as a mentor. He saw the suffering I had hidden to myself and kept pushing until I saw the things I forced myself to be blind towards."

There was such a genuine admiration in his words that Akira found himself stunned. He had no idea Yusuke… thought like this of him. After merely one Palace and the occasional Mementos trip.

"Fox…"

"BUT-!"

Though the effect his admiration had on him had nothing on… the sorrow that tainted his speech when the Emperor opened his eyes and stared into his soul.

"The Joker I put my faith in is not one who sees the anguish of a girl and would trample on her guilt! He is not one to forsake someone in need of guidance. He is a man who makes them see what they couldn't. He wouldn't abuse a position of power, like someone's regret directed towards him or someone being his sudden soldier, just to vent his own rage! He enjoys the demise of his opponents, but his opponents are only those deserving of his wrath. Tyrants high on their power. Not girls haunted by their past failings. He is fair… not…"

He paused, as if the next words were going to hurt him. "Not like the one I thought my father."

Akira was frozen in place. Fox could have used one of his ice spells on him and Akira couldn't have been more still.

He looked back onto the others, Ryuji, Ann and Morgana were talking about something with Makoto who looked like she wanted to disappear.

"Please look at her." Fox addressed him from the side, realizing where his gaze had wandered, "Does she look like someone deserving of your wrath?"

…

It was easy to hate Kamoshida and Madarame and all the twisted souls he found in the depths of Mementos.

But… their remorse had only shown after they had beaten their rubbish mentality into submission, as Fox would say.

Akira had a rule for himself. He wouldn't stop until someone was defeated, but when they were he let them go and rot. There was no reason to further attack them. They were no danger to anyone anymore.

But… neither was Makoto now was she?

"No." Akira admitted. Fox speech had been like a rain of arrows directed at him. "Am I… really reminding you of Madarame?"

Yusuke looked away for a moment, seeming ashamed, before addressing him again, placing a hand on his shoulder. "As much as it wounds me to say this… yes. Please don't misunderstand you're a FAR CRY away from being the monster that he was and I KNOW you will never be him. It's just that the idea of you… in any way abusing your power… is more than I can bear to witness. It's not like you and… we worry for you. You're not yourself. Haven't been for a while."

Yusuke put his other hands on Akira's remaining shoulder, making the Fool look at him. "Please. Let me understand. I know you would not behave like this if there wasn't any reason."

The Fool contemplated how to best answer his Emperors question. "…She threatened to lock you all away. We were completely at her Mercy and she kept acting like… this high and mighty Queen. She was proud of having us under her thumb. And then she wanted to lecture us on Justice. That we… that Akechi was right. And then she puts herself in danger like an idiot and suddenly she behaves like… like this weak thing that acts like I'M the bad guy for pointing out her faults. And she… she doesn't deserve it."

"Doesn't deserve what?"

"A Persona okay? There I said it. You all were put through hell. What did she ever do? Refuse to speak up. That's it. And what, Kaneshiro threatening her sister suddenly got her a Persona? This… this feels incredibly unfair."

"…Are you angry on our behalf?"

Akira gave a weak laugh. "Not all of it. A part of it yeah but not all. I just don't like her Fox. She's the worst kind of person. Acting all high and mighty as long as they are in control but actually being a spineless coward underneath. And when she DOES see an opportunity she immediately takes it and tries to take everything for herself. She JUST tried to be our leader did you miss that?"

Yusuke seemed in thought, "All I have seen was her offering her own skills for our team. No one ever threatened your position. And in regards to gaining a Persona, I don't think it is fair to compare ones burdens to one another. I am sure there are more than enough souls more deserving of power if that was the only indicator."

The sheer calm with which he spoke made Akira uneasy. He felt restless, going with his gloves through his hair in frustration. "I KNOW. It's not like I disagree with that last part but its just… she…"

"She made a mistake." Yusuke finished for him, "She made a mistake and is now trying to give her all in atoning. And I do not see cowardness in anybody willing to face the horrors in distorted realms such as these. Let alone cowardness in facing you and not running for the hills."

The raven bit the insides of his cheek. "Was I… this difficult lately?"

"Akira you are a good man. But the way I see it your passion is both your greatest virtue and your greatest flaw. I am not telling you to discard your feelings towards her, if you do not like her. I instead implore you… please don't let the passion consume our leader underneath. Instead direct it to those truly deserving and not towards those who wish to amend for past grievances. Please allow Makoto a chance to prove herself, like I have gotten."

Yusuke removed his hands from him and the Trickster missed their presence. He took a deep breath.

"I… I understand."

For all his eccentricities… Akira tends to forget how wise his Fox can be.

He would make a great speech giver if he had never taken up the brush.

"I… won't let how I feel about Niijima risk our mission or the Team don't worry and I'm not going to keep pushing her for her mistakes. As long as she gives us the same courtesy and wont risk the mission."

And if their conversation had been a scathing blizzard, Yusuke's smile was a soothing cold breeze. "That's all I ask."

Morgana looked after his leader and the artist before turning to their newest member… or maybe temporary member.

"He… really doesn't like me." Makoto regretfully noted and broke a rather long silence.

Morgana felt a chill go through his fur. That was putting it mildly. "He's not usually like this we promise."

"I understand how he feels. I can't even blame him." Makoto hold her arm with her other hand, the gloves powerful enough to make her punch through a shadow in this realm seeming oddly out of place for someone with her posture. "I harassed him ever since Kamoshida was revealed because I deemed him the prime subject of all of you. I stalked him, ended up extorting him and all of you and finally made our situation so much worse. All that after never doing anything to help any of Kamoshida's victims."

"Look," Ryuji spoke instead of him, "You did some bad stuff. Yeah that was all shitty no doubt. But at least we didn't have to steal your heart for you to feel bad about it. It doesn't justify how he's acting."

"Yeah," Lady Ann took over, "What matters is that you're here now because you wanted to do the right thing. We will need all the help we can get for Kaneshiro. Neither of us were able to… help Shiho. But we CAN help Kaneshiro's victims now."

Truly, Lady Ann was as gorgeous as she was kind.

Makoto was surprised at all the talk of forgiveness and kindness thrown her way. "Why… are none of you still angry at me?"

Morgana scratched his head. "Well its not like it would help us. But honestly? Joker has been acting weird ever since you started the whole thing."

"We love the guy but he can be scary as hell. Should have seen his awakening. If it wouldn't have been for the fact he saved my ass I would have shit myself." The brash blonde added. Akira's awakening. Must have been a sight to behold. Morgana kinda would have liked to see it.

"He's not a bad person. But he tends to be pretty vicious against anyone he thinks is a threat." Panther semi defended, semi called out. "One time a Shadow in Kamoshida's Palace… well it was disgusting but let's just say it kept looking at me. When it tried to attack me after that Joker ended up castrating it. And I mean that literally it was shaped like a dick."

Morgana was pretty sure he could see how Makoto's cheeks became green and nobody could blame her. "A what?" she dumbfounded asked.

"A dick." Ryuji sweat dropped. "I thought we agreed to NEVER speak of that Shadow again? But honestly that castration doesn't even top the time a shadow took me hostage. I am pretty sure Arsene ATE it."

"…What?"

"All I know is that there was a lot of screaming and munching noises after that archangel was thrown out of a window."

"The point we are trying to make is." Morgana tried to finish their pep talk. "You two just started off on the wrong foot. But it's not okay for him to act like this when your part of the team. He has been acting like an-"

"Asshole?"

All four turned towards the newly come back voice of their leader. Joker and Fox stood side by side, Fox looking oddly proud and Joker… a small shade of remorseful.

His friend gave a sigh. "I had someone bring to my attention that I was… behaving very unlike how a leader should. I'd… like to apologize to everyone present for that if I was becoming 'difficult', for all its worth."

He turned directly to the newbie in the group, sighing even harder. "Look Niijima. I… don't like you. None of this is ideal, I honestly wished there would be another way and after this is over I still would prefer NOT seeing you. But… it is what it is and I am going to do my best to not let it come between us for the infiltration."

Makoto seemed frozen in place for a bit, before nodding. "I… understand. Don't worry I do not intend to be a burden. I will follow your orders but please, allow me to help as best as I can."

Akira nodded as well as a reply. "Alright. If you have any input or ideas feel free to tell me them whenever. Let's… make a truce alright? I try to be the best leader I can be for you and you in turn listen to me and after the heist is over… we go our separate ways. Is that okay?"

The brunette looked satisfied with the proposal. "Very well. Let's just be professional until this is over."

"Great. Now, have you come up with a code name yet?"

"Huh?" and just like that she looked flabbergasted again. "Well… no."

Joker raised an eyebrow, before appearing in thought and then looked like a glass bulb had gone of over his head. "Why don't I give you one then?"

"Joker," Morgana tried to stop his partner in crime, "Plea-"

"Queen."

Makoto blinked in surprise. "Huh? Queen?"

There was a new silence in the air… seeming more tolerable this time. The title went through their minds.

…Honestly it fits like a glove. "She really is a Queen."

"I can see it yeah."

"Sounds pretty cool."

"It does seem to blend well with her aesthetic."

Makoto herself stared at Joker with small shock before thinking the name over, giving them all a small smile. "Queen… It has a nice ring to it. I like it. Let's go with that."

"Good." Joker nodded at the newly christened Queen. "Now let's go. We don't have time to waste."

He threw a last glance at his allies. "Everybody in agreement?"

He was met with nods. Skull, himself, Ann, Fox…

But not Queen.

She met his gaze for a few seconds before eyes widened and she nodded as well.

And the infiltration began.

Kaneshiro's Palace was challenging Akira had to admit, definitely a step up from the Museum of Vanity. Everything about it screamed Yakuza territory. The various Oni standing guard for one. The camera's and guard dogs were either sniffing them out or threatened to record their every move if they weren't careful.

It was fortunate than that they were able to fight their way through.

And their newest member proved to be a… valuable addition.

Makoto seemed to have a knack for getting around the various puzzles and traps. Even in battle Johanna turned countless Shadows into Roadkill while her wielder seemed to have an eye for memorizing their weaknesses and could often give good advice for how to approach an enemy.

To his small frustration, he ended up listening to her advice more often than not, it being often what he himself thought of doing and occasionally better.

However he put that frustration aside. He had promised them a good leader and a good leader wouldn't be angry over a teammates helpfulness.

If he would be truthful, Makoto really did fit right in with them. At least on a combat basis. It was a sight to behold to see her Persona drive through hordes of shadows. And whenever she did smile… he didn't find himself disliking it.

But eventually they reached their limits and Joker had called the infiltration off. Everyone was exhausted and needed rest. SP items could only do so much.

There were no complaints… except one.

Queen hadn't wanted to leave.

Joker was prepared to argue but his teammates did the work for him and she relented.

But in his gut… he knew she was going to do something stupid.

Working their way through this Palace he had a feeling it was affecting her. He thought it was merely pressure and the Damocles Sword of Kaneshiro's warnings. As they separated… this look. It was the same she had when they met on the roof. Almost yearning for conflict.

Which is why he was here. In the last safe room they had cleared. He told Morgana he would take a walk for himself, which the Cat didn't feel like arguing with.

If Makoto would enter this Palace, this was where she would go. And a Makoto acting on raw emotions was a dangerous thing. For herself as they found out the hard way.

The way safe rooms worked really were a mysterious thing. The unstable cognition allowed them to rest, free from shadows and even push open holes between safe rooms, essentially allowing them to rapidly teleport between areas of the Palace they already cleared.

It was just a shame these things tended to be the first thing in a Palace to be erased, making it impossible to use the teleportation for a quick escape. And you could only teleport to already 'activated' safe rooms.

The strange rules of the dimension aside… he hoped he was wrong. That maybe this was just his paranoia. He thought they had reached an agreement.

Akira was going to walk out of this safe room in a few hours all by his lonesome, having had no reason to be distrustful. He would be able to affirm that maybe Queen really wasn't screwing with them.

He was disappointed when in one corner of the Sae room, a small red and black vortex opened up. The quick travel.

He sighed inwardly while gritting his teeth. A feeling of betrayal came through him, followed by an anger he had promised to let go.

Queen had just stepped foot into his safe room, eyes closed and seeming on edge.

"Yo."

She screamed, jumping back and nearly falling over a chair as she saw Joker sit on one of the many seats strewn around.

It was amazing how swiftly her face twisted from shock, to surprise to anger of all things.

"Wha-What are you doing here?!"

"Funny thing I could ask YOU the same question. But you see, by now I have a feeling when someone is going to do something stupid around me."

That was enough for her to cast her anger aside. She crossed her arms and took up a defensive posture, facing away from him. What was going through her head now, he wondered.

Akira stood up and walked up towards Makoto.

"You told me you'd obey my orders."

"…Yes."

"And I ordered a break from the Palace."

"Yes."

"And where ARE you right now?"

"Kuru-"

"JOKER. First bloody rule at least remember that." He hissed.

"Jok-" she tried to correct.

"Answer the question."

"…Inside Kaneshiro's Palace."

"Exactly. And did I order us to enter the Palace?"

"Please let me expl-"

"Answer. The. QUESTION." He had done his best to keep himself in check but her constant excuses weren't helping his nerves.

"…No."

"Exactly. I ordered us to leave. I ordered that because unlike YOU I actually know what I am doing and could see us all getting fatigued. I ordered us to leave because any decent leader would have done it instead of grinding the ones following him to the bone. Remember what I said about the whole 'we could die at every corner' thing?'"

"Joker-"

"But you're still here. Did you just decide you could clear the rest yourself?"

"No."

"Did you just decide not to give a shit about our truce?"

"No I-!"

"And yet here we are!"

She groaned with clenched fists that punched through many a shadow today. But no chance she could actually handle much more.

He rubbed his forehead. "I am TRYING my best to be the best leader I can be yes even towards YOU. I am TRYING to not let my judgement of you be false, but I am expecting a minimum of cooperation here."

Queens hands clutched tighter on her arms. She still refused to met his gaze.

Joker could FEEL how his eyes started to twitch.

"Why did you enter the Palace?"

"Its… a long stor-"

"Why did you enter the Palace?"

"I can expla-"

"No explanation. Just answers. Why did you enter the Pala-?"

"Please just listen to me-!"

"I DON'T want to hear excuses! Just ANSWERS! WHY did you enter the Palace!?"

"I-I can't just-I-!"

"ANSWER THE QUESTION!""

"BECAUSE I NEED TO KNOW IF KANESHIRO KILLED MY FATHER! THERE! ARE YOU HAPPY NOW!?"

And like an idiot he could only utter one thing, as all the rage in his face evaporated into nothing. "What?"

Which unsurprisingly, Makoto couldn't take. Tears streamed down her face, azure flames burning them away and he could only watch as Johanna carried Queen away into the Bank of Gluttony.

He stared at the open door of the safe room…

"What are you waiting for she will get herself killed!" Arsene chastised.

And every fibre of his body, spiritual and otherwise told him to run like hell after her.

"…QUEEN!"

With a small shriek, Akira and Makoto fell headfirst on the Tokyo asphalt, literally dropped from the Palace back to reality.

Goho-M's were a useful thing. But they weren't good at giving you comfortable landings. A forceful ejection from a different dimension was bound to be a bit… sudden.

Thankfully, a small look around confirmed that they were in an empty area of the city. A gift horse in which's mouth he definitely wouldn't see.

He forced himself on his knees, breathing heavily and the same mirrored by the girl still lying face first on the ground.

Catching up to a Motorcycle Persona wasn't an easy feat. Fortunately he remembered Arsene had WINGS, so using every agility buff he had he flew his way through corridors of the Bank, using his Third Eye to find where Makoto had driven off too.

Eventually he had found her… in an archive of sorts located in a side room that hadn't been useful for progressing. A room they had mostly ignored.

She had one file still in her hands, clinging to it with a desperation he had never thought her to be capable off when he had found her. From a locker containing 'business casualties'.

The file itself was labelled Tadashi Niijima.

Though rest wasn't an option because a few Shadows attracted to the commotion had found them. Whether they traced her mad racing or his impatient attempt to find her he wasn't sure. Maybe both.

Seconds after he tried talking to her half a dozen Oni stormed the room, Kaneshiro in tow with a vicious smirk as if he had expected her to come back alone.

Akira had seen sadism. He had it seen in the heart of Kamoshida and knew it was in his own. But he never saw as much sadistic intent than Kaneshiro had when he told them every detail the file held within, his subconscious aiding his memory as he was Kaneshiro's true self.

Tadashi had been on the trail of some high-ranking members of extreme criminal groups and gangs. The former bosses of Kaneshiro, once upon a time, before HE had become the head of the underground. He had the nose of a bloodhound and had become dangerously close to things that weren't meant to be known. So Kaneshiro decided measures needed to be taken.

Tadashi had been a bit of an idol figure in the Tokyo Police Department. For such a valuable member of their force, it had been laughably easy to arrange a truck to splatter his insides on the road.

He went on and on about how painful it must have been, to be obliterated in an instant. How he wondered what his last thoughts were as he knew he wouldn't come back to his daughters or if he even COULD think such a thing before he dropped dead like garbage on the sidewalk.

Kaneshiro than started thinking how funny it is. That the name Niijima was SOMEHOW familiar to him. In the same way one would talk about a drink they had many years ago and just now remembered what it was called. How funny it was that another Niijima would get on his tracks, and how he didn't think there would be a more delicious way of pissing on their fathers grave than to ensure the last remains of his life were ruined in the palm of his hands. How funny it was that some USELESS wannabe honour student would not only help him ruin the last of what remained of the Niijima name, but also drag her gorgeous sister down with her. How much of a failure of a useless daughter she must have been to Tadashi. That he must be rolling in his grave with shame.

But he kept saying his name wrong, acting like it didn't matter. What was the name of his first good organized kill? The death that got him such a reputation boost it paved the way for him reaching where he was today? Tabashi? Kadashi? Yamashi? Insignificant-worm-shi?

Makoto had exploded, pure hatred on her face as her whole body trembled like a Volcano close to eruption and she kept screeching that she would kill him. A whole Nuclear War broke out, but among the Shadows none of them have been weak to Nuclear this time around. As if Kaneshiro really had prepared for her arrival.

Thankfully he wasn't prepared for a royally pissed off Wildcard.

Kaneshiro had run off as they dealt with one wave after another and when Makoto was thrown into a wall with enough force that if it wouldn't have been the metaverse she would have been reduced to a red splat, Akira had only narrowly blocked a blast of psychic energy thrown her way before activating a Goho-M for them both.

Now… they were here. Barely having saved themselves.

He glanced at the girl whose world just came down on her. What could he even SAY now?

"D-D-" she stuttered into the concrete, hands balled into fists so hard Akira was worrying her palms might bleed. Everything within him screamed at him to comfort her, take her pain away or just hold her and never let go lest she shatter into a million pieces.

"D-Daddy. D-Dad. H-he…" her breathing was getting more and more rapid.

The Fool shook his head, trying to control himself.

"…Don't you think the lady needs some guidance now?" Arsene commented with empathy.

"Makoto…" he spoke, barely above a whisper, trying to sound as soothing as possible, offer some semblance of comfort.

He reached out his hand for her, barely touching her back…

And immediately she threw herself at him, holding him so tight one would embrace a lifesaving raft in the ocean, and screamed and cried and wept as her face was buried into his chest. The raven could do nothing but hug her in return, even as her shouts broke his heart…

It had taken a long while for Makoto to calm down enough to even SPEAK properly again. It really was a blessing they happened to have been thrown out in an area that wasn't full with people. And even if someone would have become awoken from her shouts it didn't seem like they cared enough to investigate. The one time he would be grateful for apathy.

They were in the same area where he had previously made the girl cry he noted downtrodden. And from where the group had re-entered the Palace.

The girl had been so exhausted from her crying she only sat on the ground for a while. She had been unresponsive for a bit after what could have been an hour of nonstop weeping, filled with her letting out emotions she must have had bottled up for years as he could only hold her. He, the absolutely least qualified person to help her… but he had to do something.

They merely sat there together for a few minutes, in the middle of the walkway, Makoto's face seeming dead before she began talking again. That same conversation they still had now.

"My father was going after a particularly notorious gang before he died. He never told me or Sis the details but it hadn't been the first time. He had been doing this for a while now, taken out entire gangs basically by himself." She looked up to the sky above, as if she hoped her words would reach the deceased in heaven.

"There was… no reason for us to think this time it would be any different. He was this… invincible superhero for me. Someone larger than life who just… couldn't be brought down. He left with a smile and still wore it when he came back. No matter the risk or the hardships of the job he would keep this hope and joy… everything I am today… I am because of him. He taught me that good always prevails over evil. He taught me and sis Aikido, having himself been a practitioner since childhood. He raised us all by himself after mom died when I was maybe 1 or 2 years old. He… also had this Motorcycle. Every Sunday one of us was on his seat clutching on his back while the other was in the sidecar. He would than drive out into the country and we'd just feel the wind in our hair. And I felt this… freedom. This happiness. I still remember every trip and I always hit a point where I just couldn't stop laughing."

Some other day he would have wondered why she was being so open to him about all these things. But Johanna's awakening was still fresh, horrific truths were only now still drilling themselves into her mind and he was the only one present when the cause of her fathers death was laid bare. Even someone as stubborn as Makoto would be made to reveal her soul after all of these events.

Her eyes turned into beautiful red crystals as she poured her heart out to him. Of joy he hoped, as she remembered these better times.

"He was a noble man." Akira said. No one in their right minds wouldn't pay their respect to such a man. Even if his opinion on the Police wasn't the best… there were exceptions. Maybe the Phantom Thieves wouldn't be needed nowadays if more people were like Tadashi.

"…Yes. He was." Makoto continued to look at the sky with a brief calm… that was torn away as her expression was filled with pain once more.

"Like I said… there was no reason for us to think it would be any different when he was investigating a new gang. No reason to think that… this would be the last time we'd see him. In the course of his investigation he was hit by an errand truck. The impact killed him instantly."

Her hands clung to her skirt, nearly teering it up. "Officially it was an accident. But I always had a feeling it wasn't. At his funeral I overheard my fathers superior speaking with my sister. He offered his condolences and his support… and told her my father had likely been assassinated. That the gang hired the driver. But the driver was pumped full of drugs and died as well. Can't get much information out of a corpse. Either way, that gang has been pushed back into the shadows thanks to the Shinjuku clean-up operation."

And there it was again, the crystals were replaced by sheer fire, with the force of a nuclear warhead. "OR SO WE THOUGHT!" Makoto screamed, starring at her fists as her body shook from her deep and rapid breaths.

"I always wanted to know who ordered his death. We were told the ones responsible were behind bars now or neutralized as a threat. They LIED. And…" she laughed than, weak chuckles of what might be a fractured mind as broken sounds came out… "Now here I am. Finding him after all these years and delivering myself to him on a silver platter. It was a pure gut feeling you know? Just something within me kept feeling this… this… I thought I might just be paranoid but before you all saved me Kaneshiro had told me he remembered Niijima as a name. I thought he only meant my sister, but I just wasn't convinced. And I thought just sneak back into the Palace and get out after a few minutes, no fighting just a small check-up. And I was right. This stupid gut feeling was right!"

She buried her face in her hands, fingers clinging on brown hair.

What kind of coincidence was that? "It really… does sound unbelievable."

A noise came from Queen that he deemed to be some sort of agreement. She released her face and stared up at the heavens above again.

"When father was killed we had to survive on our own. Sae, my sister, she had to support us. All the responsibilities fell to her. Working part time jobs, studying to be a prosecutor, basically raising me. She became one to begin with because of our father. She couldn't stand by and watch evil prevail over justice. She has that from him. No doubt."

Makoto sighed, "But… she acts like he doesn't mean anything to her anymore. 'Death is no different than surrender'. That's what she would always say. I think she is lying. I… still look up to him. Bringing Justice and Order wherever he went, from one case to the next. That's how he had chosen to live his life. For him that was the most important thing."

Then for the first time since she stopped drenching his shirt with her own tears, she looked to him. "…I think he would have liked you."

That caught him off guard. "Me?"

A broken laugh. "Yeah. Leader of The Phantom Thieves. Bringing those to Justice that he couldn't touch. He would have supported you all I think." Another weak laugh and she broke eye contact, now fixating on her own shoes. What kind of demons were tormenting her head now?

"You've done so much more than I did." That voice, that down beaten combination of dread and shame. It hurt him to hear. "What have I done with my life? I am just some… some useless doll dancing on strings. Acting like an idiot, letting injustice happen under my watch. He'd be ashamed of how much of a coward-"

"Stop."

A small 'Hmm?' sound and Makoto turned her face towards him again.

"Don't you EVER call yourself that again." He told her with silver fire in his eyes. He could see her be taken aback through it.

Akira couldn't bear to hear her think of herself this poorly anymore.

"Do NOT let Kaneshiro make you believe any of these things. He's wrong. So was I and so is anyone else who would call you useless or a coward or anything like that."

"How can you-"

"I can say it because I have seen you in action."

Akira reached to find the right words. He had to tell her something, he couldn't allow herself to get lost in her sadness now.

"Your one of the toughest people I know. You're stubborn, headstrong and when you set your mind on something you see it through. I THOUGHT you were all these things you call yourself, useless a coward, but I was wrong. I couldn't have been more so. I mean… you stepped foot into another dimension, fighting with Monsters with your BARE HANDS! NOBODY who would willingly do that, just to help someone else could ever be a coward. Hell you are the reason we could even ENTER the Bank. Without your stunt, which is another thing no coward would ever do by the way, we'd still be scratching our heads. And useless? I saw you in action you were born for the Metaverse. You're a natural. I mean…"

The Fool struggled to find the correct words… but two came to his mind. Two she deserved to have directed at herself alone, not as some part of a group like an afterthought.

"…I'm sorry."

"…What?"

"I'm sorry for everything. Even if it doesn't mean much."

"What… are you apologizing for?"

"I assumed things about you when I barely knew you. I was angry at you because I thought you were just some… weak wannabe Tyrant. I just kept clinging to my anger for you and… couldn't see when I was wrong. I was being immature. When someone wrongs me or wrongs someone in general… I just can't sit still till they are dealt with."

Makoto looked at him, with a blank expression as if she was struggling to comprehend his actions.

Now it was he who sighed. Honestly anything that would stop her from breaking apart again was fine for him. If admitting his own faults was the best thing now… hell if he knew. But it's all he got.

And after she opened herself up to him, the least he owed was some opening up himself.

That was how he had come to befriend Ryuji, Ann and Yusuke…

"I… am petty, sadistic and… not exactly forgiving. You think your father would like me? In the same breath you say he would be disappointed in you? You're a saint compared to me. I mean… someone breaks down crying after their heart is stolen and I don't feel even an OUNCE of pity after reducing them to that. You're not the scum of this world Makoto. You're looking at it."

…Maybe he would have deserved to stay in Juvie. But so would have countless more, as meagre of a defence it was to have him run free.

Before she could say something, staring at him as if he had grown a new head, he continued.

"I clung to this imagine I had of you in my head and ignored who you actually were. I was wrong and for that I am sorry. But PLEASE… don't make yourself belief any of these lies just because some fat pig or a petty teenager wanted to hurt you. Your so much more… your father would be proud of who you became."

Makoto's mouth was slightly opened and his speech hang in the air. "Do you mean all of that?"

"I do." He reaffirmed.

"…Thank you." Her eyes started watering again, but at the same time she looked… content? Was that the right word?

Akira wasn't even going to start trying to understand the whirlwind of emotions that must be going through her.

Another episode of silence before Makoto spoke again. "… You're not scum."

…That was what she had focused on?

Honestly he had mainly started self-deprecating so she would stop doing it herself. Not that he lied by any means… but why bring it up now?

"What makes you-"

"I thought you were that for a while. But I was wrong too. Scum are people like Kaneshiro. People who trample and destroy innocent lives just because of their own ego. Kaneshiro wouldn't have entered the Palace to prevent me from doing something stupid. He wouldn't have jumped in front of me to protect me. He would have just run away and leave me to die. He wouldn't have held me when I broke down or… trying to build me up right now. So… so what if you are sadistic? If your only like this towards such scum, maybe it just means that you enjoy Justice being served above all else?"

Stunned by her speech, Akira could only stare at her as he took in what she told him.

…Somehow that didn't even occur to him. A part of him always thought… there had to be something wrong with him. If even ANN and RYUJI were stunned at how the Monster that hurt them for so long was reduced to a weeping husk… what would it say for him to enjoy it while they didn't?

…And how come the girl that he had himself treated like garbage could say something like this to him?

Was she suddenly being naïve? No. That wasn't Makoto's type. She was a lot of things. But not naïve.

…Maybe she even had a point?

He felt like laughing. She broke down less than half an hour ago and now she was trying to comfort HIM? Akira REALLY had pegged her wrong.

Makoto's eyes betrayed a curiosity now. As if what she had just said raised a question mark in her mind. "…How DID you end up with a criminal record?"

He shrugged with his shoulders. "I happened to come across a drunk man harassing a woman one night. He tried to force her into his car so I stepped in between. He tripped on me and got a scratch on his forehead. Turns out he has some pull with the police so after threatening to sue me, the police arrive and he told them I had assaulted him. The woman I protected took his side out of fear. A few days and a kangaroo court in all but name later I am stuck for 3 Months in Juvie."

Briefly she looked horrified. Strangely she didn't doubt one word. Then again after all they had discovered about one another today. "That's awful." She stated with sympathy.

"It is what it is. We all have our baggage. Our own flavour of messed up we need to deal with."

Another period of silence and still he could practically feel the turmoil surrounding them.

He steeled his nerves. "Look… Makoto. I can't imagine what you're going through. Honestly if I were in your shoes I don't know what I'd do. But… I know nothing I can say could fix anything that happened to you. So how about we make a deal?"

"Deal?"

"Maybe more of a promise." Akira stood up and looked straight into red orbs. "… We can't bring back your dad. But we CAN make sure he gets the Justice he deserved. You and your whole family suffered because of this pig. I promise you… we are taking him down. Not because of some stupid debt but for you, for your father, your sister and all the other families he would ruin or has ruined. You will avenge your father and I promise we will be right there with you as you teach his shadow why he should have never messed with a Niijima."

Joker reached out his hand for her to take. "What do you say Queen?"

Her eyes widened with almost wonder before she too stood on her feet again. She briefly stared at the hand and Akira hoped she understood him. With her face red from all the emotions of the night, still dried tears being visible on her cheeks and just been put through hell… Queen proved what he had come to belief now.

Fury and steely resolve… but also appreciation was all in her eyes as she took his hand, smiling for the first time since Kaneshiro tried to break her.

And Joker and Queen finally reached an understanding.

People were weird. Something as simple as communication could go so horribly wrong, rifts were born that even continents might not close. But at the same time, even hatred might be overcome with the right words and experiences shared.

She took his hand with a firm grip and Akira knew that Kaneshiro's end was nigh. "It's a deal Joker."

I am thou, thou art I… Thou hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Priestess Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power…

The Tarot card of the High Priestess briefly flashed in front of Akira's mind, the face of Makoto imprinted on it.

Surprised he briefly blinked. Another confidant? "The High Priestess? Fitting I say for a Queen."

Makoto released his hand and released a breath, and with it a weight she must have kept with her for years. "…Thank you."

"What for?"

Queen shrugged. "Just… everything tonight? I… never spoke with anyone about my father. It felt… good to just be able to let it all out."

"Anytime." Akira offered with a smile, "I… know we didn't start on the best of terms but… I'm serious if you ever want to talk I listen. Promise."

She nodded and a sudden drowsiness seemed to overcome her. "I… should probably go home. It's getting late."

"Want me to come with you?"

"No need. I don't live far from here. Besides you should go home too. I kept you busy with my things long enough."

His Priestess turned around and left to go her way, but before she did she addressed him one last time. "I… hope its okay if we can… keep this to ourselves? I don't want the others to… you know."

"Oh? Of course! I won't say a thing." He reassured her. "This is your business. They don't need to know."

She smiled at that and nodded at him a last time before proudly declaring, as if she never had been reduced to a crying mess. "Tell me when it's time to head back leader. I'll be ready."

"I know you will."

And with that she left. Akira watched her go for a bit before heading home himself, content with himself for the first time since the start of the heist.

Who would have thought that the supposedly Evil Queen would become his Priestess?

A certain quote came to his mind as he walked through the night. One that he felt was fitting for the two of them.

"Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

The next time they entered the Palace they had been unstoppable. Every Puzzle and Code was solved within record time. Squads of Shadows were ambushed and perished like flies in a blizzard.

The whole atmosphere around the team was different. Not even the slightest bit of tension. Akira had also found himself looking after Queen a lot more protectively than last time. Same with her and the two even found themselves exchanging glances.

He was pretty sure the others had felt something was different as well, but none of them raised any questions. They were probably just happy there were no fights and that he himself had stopped acting like a rage fuelled idiot. Because really in hindsight that was how he felt. But just saying sorry solves nothing. Actions do and so he gave his all in being the leader they deserved. With a new second in command at that.

And eventually the day had come. The day of judgement upon Junya Kaneshiro.

In the end he had no real power. Just the means to influence the right people and the material riches to set himself apart. All of his power was coalesced into a robot. A piggy bank at that.

That… was a weird fight.

When Kaneshiro started talking about 'rolling out' he had thought of certain robots in disguise as a knee jerk reaction.

But he had thought of Optimus Prime not Optimus SWINE.

That whole fight was ridiculous honestly. You could forget that the man tore apart entire families with his greed.

For all the 'joke' factor one might expect the Piggytron was no less dangerous though. He had never expected to be fighting a robotic pig one day but in between dodging its missiles and avoiding being flattened, they had preserved.

Now the Piggytron was destroyed, its innards of gold bars torn open, with a filthy fly on top of them. Kaneshiro was out of breath and squirming on the robbed riches of countless of innocents.

It was a pathetic sight. And yet one that filled him with raw joy. But not as much as the knowledge of who else was able to witness the criminal be brought so low.

Kaneshiro wept and cried into his precious blood money, clinging to it like one would a lover. And of course, like his kind are used to, he started making excuses.

"Its all because of our society! Weak people can't lead a happy life, no matter what they do! I'm a victim too you know!? Yeah, none of this is my fault!"

"The more you talk the more pathetic you sound." Truly, Fox had a way with words.

"I just wanted a place where I could belo-!"

Queen's boot interrupted another pitiful plea for understanding. She had marched forward and kicked the bastard right in the face, teeth flying out of the shadows mouth as he groaned and coughed landing in another one of the bars.

Her eyes were full with righteous fury and to Joker it was right now the most beautiful thing in the world. "DON'T GIVE US ANOTHER WORD OF THAT BULLSHIT!"

He covered in front of her shouts. Even more so when she towered over him, taking him by his collar and screaming in his face. "You are the scum of this earth! A snivelling coward who does nothing but abuse everyone they can! Ruin lives like breathing air! A useless parasite that deserves to be stomped on!"

"N-NO PLEASE! Don't kill me!" Kaneshiro begged, seeing death and pain in Queens Iron Mask. Akira was pretty sure he just pissed himself. Hard to blame him. An angry Makoto is a dangerous Makoto.

She had an expression of pure wrath as she threw him back into his pile of treasures. "That depends on you."

Putting a foot on his fat stomach, Kaneshiro coughed followed by a gasp as he stared into the barrel of a Revolver. "What. Was. His. Name?"

"Wha-? I don't understa- EEK!" he whimpered when she shot into the air and the still smoking barrel shoved into his forehead.

"MY FATHER! THE MAN YOU KILLED! WHAT WAS HIS NAME!?"

"T-T-TADASHI! TADASHI NIIJIMA!" he desperately shouted.

Both ignored the comments coming from the shocked Thieves behind them.

"Wait for real!?"

"W-WHAT!?"

"Queen he killed your dad!?"

"How… how outrageous!"

Only one didn't shout in surprise.

Joker walked up to the two, putting a hand on his Queens shoulder in support. She looked at him, immediately her expression changing. "It's your call." He assured her.

Makoto growled putting away the Revolver and giving a last glare to the quivering shadow. "Remember that name well. Because Tadashi Niijima just saved your life. You are lucky my father didn't raise a killer. He was a better man than you'll ever be. I don't want your filthy blood on my hands. You don't GET to take the easy way out. Here is what you will do. You release ALL of your clients from debt. Then you will set everyone free who you have hurt and will report yourself to the police, taking everyone of your wannabe Yakuza clan with you. And then you will rot away in Prison, spending the rest of your life in guilt. And don't you DARE kill yourself to escape from it."

"I-I understand! I… I understand. I… I do as you say." Kaneshiro surrendered weakly, all of his power drained from him.

Makoto breathed heavily, and yet he couldn't miss the satisfaction in her face, as much as it was buried under unease.

He took her hand, trying to calm her. She gave a small gasp but when their eyes met, she smiled… as if she was reborn.

"Thank you."

"No. Thank YOU."

The two went back to the other Thieves, who had expressions of sheer bewilderment on their face.

"Queen…" Mona started, unsure on how to continue.

"We… had no idea. How did you-" Skull tried to follow up.

"It's a long story and… I explain later." Queen admitted. She breathed freely, as if sins from years ago were finally set free from her.

Panther wasn't having it but instead of offering words pulled the Priestess in a hug. Makoto was at first surprised but soon enough she hugged back… with one by one the other Thieves joining in.

This, this was what their group was about. About delivering Justice to the rotten criminals of society yes. Also about giving hope to the powerless. But at its core… the Phantom Thieves of Hearts… well they were there for each other.

How come Joker had forgotten it so briefly?

Well… not that it mattered anymore. He was just happy to have a new member in their misfit family.

The embrace was broken by Kaneshiro of all things. "You… your all idiots you know that?"

Queen IMMEDIATELY snapped around, cracking fists. So was Joker, taking out his knife. "What." They warned, promises of pain made clear with one word.

But now Kaneshiro was done with being afraid. Instead… he only looked powerless and weak, speaking as if all will was drained from him. "You all… go around thinking you are changing the world. Delivering Justice. You have no idea what you signed up for."

"Well what DID we sign up for you pig?"

Kaneshiro only gave a weak laugh. "You signed your death warrant that's what you did. You think they won't take notice?"

The hairs on Akira's neck started raising. Madarame's last words echoing in his mind.

"Wh-What about the other one though? The one with the black mask?"

"Who is THEY?"

"I let you in on a little secret. The Metaverse? You're not the only one using it. There are people out there who are already taking full advantage of what Palaces have to offer."

"What?" Makoto questioned, all anger gone and simply trying to make sense of what he was saying.

"There a criminals using other peoples Palaces to accomplish their goals. Accidents. Deaths. Psychotic Breakdowns. Mental shutdowns. Anything like that and so much more."

Akira marched back towards the Pig glaring into his very soul. "Do they wear a Black Mask?"

"Black Mask? Huh… yeah that's what I think they are called."

"How do you know them?"

"I don't know anything."

He pulled out his gun and aimed towards Kaneshiro's temple. "SPILL IT!"

"I REALLY don't know anything! I just was contacted one day by some middleman I don't even know the name off. If I wanted to have a Place on the Ark of Japans Future."

"You're not making any sense! What kind of Ark!?" Ryuji shouted from the back.

"Wait can one of you please explain what you're talking about?" Makoto called out.

"We explain later I promise." Akira told her before once again turning towards Kaneshiro. "Black Mask. Who are they? How did they contact you? Who are they working for?"

"Again I don't know anything about them! I was given a phone number to call. Hell even the NUMBER changes whenever I call it. I call a guy they than call a guy who MAYBE calls a guy and then I am usually connected to some number and told to wait. Then someone comes into my Bank and I tell them what I wanted. I got rid of some competition that way. Took over some gangs and killed my Bosses. That's all I know! But hell I am not the only one using them."

The Shadow was breathless before giving him a look of… was that pity? "You think I am bad? I am NOTHING compared to them. Both of us are. If you continue invading Palace's… they will come for you. They might as well be gods holding Japan in their hands. They are everywhere… you already lost. My advice… run."

And with these parting words a broken Kaneshiro returned to his other self in particles of light, bringing with him the guilt of countless sins.

It had been a long day.

Escaping the Palace, dragging Morgana away from the gold, dropping out from a flying bank and finally the crushing of his Magician underneath a golden suitcase.

They went back to Leblanc to nurse Morgana back up and open the suitcase. It was… a little crushing to find out that the Money Bills had Kaneshiro's face on them.

After that was dealt with they had cleared everyone up. Makoto regarding the Black Mask Madarame was talking about and who now actually exists. Akira honestly still thought it was just some pran of sorts. But it officially became something they needed to look into. Sadly they had no real clue so far how to investigate other than exploring more Palace's.

Then the others were cleared up regarding Makoto's father and how he died.

It was a long conversation with anger, worry and some tears shed again. But ultimately Makoto was relieved and just happy to have finally avenged her father.

It was a productive day. A satisfying one. A great first infiltration with Makoto. Which is why the words coming from Morgana at the end of it ended up causing a bit of a shock.

"Sooo… is Queen gonna stay with us?"

Surprise had filled his attic as all the Thieves, alongside Makoto wearing a look one would have when they had forgotten about homework, looked at him hopefully.

He was surprised as well.

…Oh yeah. He HAD said that was a onetime deal, right?

…

Welp! Time to fix that.

He cleared his throat, trying to not sound too awkward. "After… careful consideration I have come to the conclusion that I was being hasty."

Addressing Makoto directly he scratched the back of his head, before deciding "Oh screw it lets just admit it."

"Queen. I know I said I don't want you to look at any of us again but… well I was an idiot. I… was wrong about a lot of things lately but not when I say that… It would be an honour if you would want to stick with us."

Now all eyes were on Makoto, who weakly chuckled at having all the attention now, before answering him with a smile. She teased a little. "Well I suppose that if you need my assistance I can hardly say no."

"Oh cheeky now aren't we?"

"I like her."

"Same here Arsene."

His Queen turned serious once more… but with a new peace of mind, "It would be my honour as well."

Everyone not named Queen or Joker released a breath. "Oh thank god." Ann commented.

"It's comforting to have you both on good terms." Yusuke added.

"Welcome to the group Queen!" Ryuji greeted.

Makoto merely laughed.

The rest of the day was much easier going. Some plans of selling the suitcase were made, as were a celebration party (and a party to celebrate the new member alongside it). Morgana had also added that he felt like the two had somehow changed after the first infiltration. Something neither could deny.

And so it came to be that the sinner of gluttony was marched off to receive his rightful punishment…

And the Phantom Thieves received their Queen.

Caroline looked at the scene with a painful expression.

"It seems our Fool and Priestess are doomed to start off on bad terms." The attendant commented to her twin, sitting next to her on a seat of the 'Observatory'. The blue coloured cinema really was a fascinating thing, they wondered as the 'movie' they watched became a star once more and flew into Caroline's hands. She gave it a last mournful glance before throwing it upwards and making it join the sky above.

"Bonds can be formed through the strangest of circumstances." Their Master told them, sitting behind them on the Observatories seats.

The twins shared a moment of earnestness.

It hurt them to have their Trickster suffer. Last night they finally were able to come to terms with their own faults and wrongdoings towards him. Not only that but they were able to confess their deepest desires and partake in them. It was magical and neither of the twins had wanted to let him go.

Just like how they dreaded what he might be going through the next time he would met his Priestess.

Betrayal had always been the weapon that left the deepest wounds in their Fool. To be subjected to another one…

It can be frustrating to be a guide. "Is there nothing we can do to help?" Justine asked their father.

Master Igor only gave a solemn response. "You can help buy doing your duty as you are familiar with. I am well aware that your guests circumstances are unique but some rules shouldn't be broken, no matter how rebellious one feels."

"But… but it isn't fair!" Caroline stood up with a mixture of anger and sadness. "Shouldn't things be easier for him after the reset? I know we are forbidden from intruding too much in a Fool's Journey but there has to be something we can do! Help him with his bonds or, or…" she rung to find more but nothing came.

At the end of the day… both of the twins just wanted their guests happiness. It was in their nature.

It was the same with Elizabeth, Theodore, Margaret and would be the same with any other Attendant born from the Sea of Souls.

And they never stopped feeling like their guest in particular had been on the receiving end of a cosmic betrayal.

May that false God burn in the deepest pits of all hells the human mind has conceived.

"I truly understand your feelings." Igor spoke and neither of them doubted his words. To Igor every guest that entered this realm was like a child that filled him with paternal pride. And he suffered with them at every hurdle that threatened them.

But he never lost faith. Not in his guests and not in humanity. If there was one constant in the Universe than that neither Igor, nor Philemon, nor the Velvet Room as a whole would ever forsake them. No matter how many times they are at the edge of ruin.

"But I wanted to show you this vision for two reasons." He explained. "One: to have you get a feel for navigating the Observatory yourself. Two: To remind you of the greatest quality of a Trickster."

"…Which would be?" Justine asked hesitating, a part of her already knowing the answer.

Igor merely gave a gentle smile. "A Tricksters greatest gift is to connect with those around them, allow them to become the best they can be, no matter how deep they have fallen. The Fool and his Priestess have overcome hurdles before and will do so again. To interfere in a matter this personal…"

"Would be a sin… no matter how well intentioned." Lavenza finished in their minds, herself having a sombre tone. "In the end all we can do is try to support a guests decisions… and be there to offer guidance."

Both fragments of a whole, gave a sigh in silent agreement, leaving the cinema like room as they did.

Even if it might take time… they simply had to keep their faith.

And should their Fool ever ask for their help, guidance or merely comfort they would gave it with no doubt.

I honestly didn't expect this to get as long as it did. But I always felt like adding something new to make the development seem more natural and understandable. And suddenly BOOM 18K words. How the hell does that always happen to me?

Anyway lets get into the chapter:

Now the most obvious thing first. Yes I went the route of Kaneshiro being responsible for Daddy Niijimas death. I am well aware I am not the first to do so and not the last. I've seen plenty of other fanfics go that route. But I mean can you blame me?

Honestly I am very disappointed that its not canon. I can guarantee that nobody would call the Kaneshiro Arc filler if that had been included. It immediately adds a lot more personal stakes to the entire Palace and would give a nice conclusion to Makoto. Not to mention a great opportunity for her confidant to start.

In other news I felt like reworking the Kaneshiro arc for my story at a few places.

My main idea for this chapter was basically to have Makoto and Akira be both at their worst and best after they kick each others dogs. Makoto started as the aggressor to a pretty much helpless Akira so Akira snapped back till eventually Akira became the aggressor. Both very much acted shitty and I dare say Akira was actually WORSE than Makoto by the end of it.

On a narrative level the Kaneshiro arc was the point where Akira started to accept his negative qualities. My version of him is a but more sadistic than canon. A trait he actually has in common with Shido if you think about it. The only difference is that Akira would never harm an innocent. However even having it was something he had to accept.

Makoto gave an interesting opportunity for Akira to be confronted by this part of himself. She was never really a 'bad guy' but she was someone he would come to hate and antagonize to the point that her being a Persona user would be seen like a slap to his face.

I always took issue with how quickly Yusuke and Makoto were forgiven when they joined the Thieves. With Yusuke I could kinda see it, the Thieves knew he was being manipulated by Madarame and that he was suffering. He ultimately didn't have anything against them. I still included a part where Akira referenced that he too got his 'punishment' of sorts.

But Makoto? Makoto stalked you for weeks on end and starts treating you like garbage from the first interactions on with an attitude that really does scream pure arrogance.

So Akira wasn't willing to brush it off. The opposite. He made this picture of Makoto in his mind that he was absolutely unwilling to let go off. He had to learn to be forgiving in the first round of the game. And he couldn't really restrain himself from being petty now and than. A okay trait when dealing with villains… not so when someone tries to make amends.

As such Yusuke entered the picture. Their conversation was one of my favorite parts, not just because I was in need of some Fox. Fox is in a position where he is probably the only one who can lecture Akira on how wrong his actions are towards Makoto. He wasn't in the recording that started this but could see parallels between him and Makoto and was eventually able to get Akira to understand.

He doesn't ACTUALLY think Akira is like Madarame but seeing his friend treat someone who is already beating herself up this way was bound to be painful to see.

I wanna make this clear Akira acted like a complete dick this chapter, much like how Makoto acts in the 'current' timeline. But that was the point. The guy aint perfect and pretty much all of the Thieves were starting to see something was wrong. The best friends are those who knock you back to your senses when your losing it.

So Akira realizing 'okay I did act like an asshole'… he tried to start and at least not be petty towards her…

Followed by Makoto having another emotional moment which lead to Akira realizing he REALLY had the wrong idea about this girl. His entire image on Queen was torn away in an instant and seeing her have a complete breakdown… made him realize how stupid he had actually been. Which lead to another favorite of mine to write.

Makoto and Akira had a very deep connection. In fact Makoto had a bit of a special place in that she could pretty much force her way into Akira letting out some of his trauma *cough* interrogation *cough* if you all remember. She really did become his second in command and it started when he became the first person she could trust with her father.

On that note I decided to add some more context regarding why Makotos persona could be a motorcycle. I just didn't feel like it only being because Makoto can drive.

Eventually Akira and Makoto reconciled their differences. Makoto had another moment of raw emotion and the two got to share some of their feelings that actually helped both of them become better. Funny how these things go. Start hating each others guts and end on crying on each others shoulders.

Really the whole reason they even started hating each other was because they had a completely different image of the other for them in their head. That and they were likely projecting some of their issues on one another. Sometimes you gotta look beneath the Mask… especially if you're the one putting it on people.

On a smaller note I had Akira quote the bible again. There's actually a reason for it but that's for another time.

Also that Optimus Prime not Optimus Swine joke is not from me. As much as I would love to take credit for the best word play out there I cant. But its such a great word play I had to expose the world to it when I got the chance. Its by one of the best lets players Kagato the Final Boss. Watch him. Seriously he's great. Buttpunchers around here by any chance?

Lastly ending on the twins. That's pretty much how I intend for every Round One chapter to end. Some message on how it relates to the current plot. In this case it was the twins feeling awful for not being allowed to step in more directly for their Trickster.

Alright than. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and see ya next time!