A/N: Hello all, been awhile since last update. A lot has happen in my life that's keep me very busy. AFter the November update, was feeling unwell here and there (non covid). Also started to have bad case of carpal tunnel again so I had to rest. And just when I thought things were getting better for me after the new year, I had lost both my grandparents within weeks of each. So its been quite the rough time in my life and just didn't feel like working on the story. But I didn't want to leave I unfinished either.

I do apologize for the long delay between chapters and no note and thank you all who checked in wondering where I went. I truly appreciate it. I hope you all enjoy the chapter, the story is winding down and will be uploading the final chapter in the coming weeks.

Feel free to review

Chapter 54

Present Day 1885

Out of all the people they factored in, how could they overlook the right-hand man to Shido himself, Loki? Ren knows how dangerous of a man he is outside of the law.

"Where would we even begin to find him, he could be anywhere on this ship!? Not to mention we haven't been very quiet when it comes to being stealthy. People are getting suspicious," Makoto pointed out.

"For all we know, he could be hiding behind the door we need to unlock," the blonde thief complained."

"No, that would be impossible as he needs the other 4 to open it. He has to be somewhere far away from the public, but still accessible to employees. The top floor was practically empty. What about the other areas?"

"He wasn't in the gambling hall."

"No mysterious figure in the living quarters."

"Mona?"

"No black cloak brother, sorry."

The former detective sat down thinking, "We know he won't be waiting at this door, that's practically inviting us in. Best to keep lock and key away, which means he would be closer to the bottom of the ship. And the lowest point of a ship is the boiler room. This hunk of metal may be top-of-the-line quality, but it still runs on coal."

"You think he's hiding in the boiler room?" Ren asked looking for confirmation.

"That or he's constantly on the moved, shifting away if we get to close. But that's not his style. From the time I knew him, he likes to play cat and mouse with his victims. It's a game to him, he wants to be found."

"So we take a small party and investigate while the others wait here for the final key." The only group Ren would allow to confront Loki would be Akechi and himself. The man was a menace and he didn't want any of the others to deal with him. "Akechi and I will go after him for the final key, the rest of you should proceed forward and find that door. The two of us will catch up."

"And what if I don't agree to this?"

"Makoto…." the elder Amamiya pulled her aside.

"No! I'm coming with you. I won't let what happened last time happen again."

"And I will get distracted worrying about what he could do to you. Listen, the rest of the gang will need you to lead them up here. I know you can as I trust you. Trust me to return from this as well." He braces his hand softly on her cheeks kissing her forehead.

Makoto hated this, but he was right. They both would be constantly distracted by each other facing Loki. He can't use Ren against her and vice versa.

"Very well." She sighs.

The group would split once more to reach their objections. Finding Shido and finding Loki.

The Phantom Thieves leader and former Detective briskly walked down the ship, ignoring fellow guests. Missing guards were also a concern, they searched almost the whole ship from top to bottom and it was a skeleton crew. Either Makoto and they were going to run into a trap or they are.

"A boiler room would be at the bottom near the ship's rear. Easiest access would be a staff entrance only," Akechi explained.

"And you're positive Loki would hide there first?"

"No, but I've learned to trust my gut. He'll be there, and he won't give up quietly."

"Wasn't expecting him to. Though he still could cause a panic among the guest, and frighten them. It would be a perfect opportunity to slip away in the chaos," Ren reminded the Detective. They already let Loki slip once, not again.

The two men reached the bottom floor. Service doors that lead to narrow hallways put the distance between them and the noise. Oblivious people, still sipping cocktails, smoking cigars, and mingling without care.

"This corridor is a bit too quiet for my liking. Where's the rest of the staff?" The Detective questioned.

"Could've been ordered to stay away? Shido and his cohorts come off as intimidating, Loki even more so given his….appearance."

"Burns. Captain told me the wounds ruined his vocal cords, and said he was mute because of it. All of it was just a lie. I begin to wonder how many more were told to me…."

"Worry about that another time Akechi. I think I found a ladder going down. I feel the heat coming from it." Ren pointed to an exit in the corner, heat emitted from the pathway. "We're in the right place, it's toasty down here. Beats the outside weather."

Ren landed on the ground first followed by Akechi. Guns drawn startled the few workers tending to the coal pile "Don't mind us, gentlemen, just passing through."

The boiler room was large and winding with pipes leading to certain areas. Large machinery greeted them, straining to meet the demands of keeping the ship afloat. It was almost deafening at times.

At the next turn, sparks hit the edge wall, the shot missing Akechi's head by inches.

"How unfortunate, it appears we have rats on board. Big. Filthy. Rats." Coming out of the shadows was a man who brought fear to people's eyes. His face distorted, voice hoarse from the scarring, "Why don't you come out?"

"Give me the key Loki, it doesn't have to be this way."

"I'm not going to give it up so easily Detective, you have to work for it," Loki croaked out.

"You think I'm fool enough to believe that? The moment I move you'll shoot me dead," Akechi shouted back. Unbeknownst to Loki, the new thief had motioned Ren around to get the drop on the assassin. The only ace in their pocket. For all Loki knows, Joker is dead.

"Akechi, Akechi, Akechi. I've waited too long for this moment to end it quickly. I got plans for you."

Ren had tiptoed his way behind the machinery and pipes to get a good angle on Shido's right hand. He cocks the hammer back, aiming for the head, and fires. The reverberation of the room allowed Loki to react just a second faster, the bullet catching his ear.

Loki shoots back at Ren's last position, clutching the bleeding remnant of his hearing. His shots hitting the pipes, and bursting air filled the room.

Ren fires two more shots of his own but misses. Akechi seeing the distraction tries to off Loki on his blind side.

"Not so fast," as Loki pulls out another gun aimed at his former partner. Ren stood to the left of Loki, gunned drawn at the disfigured man. Akechi stood to Loki's right, mimicking his fellow thief. Loki had both of his guns pointed at the two men ready for so much as a flinch.

"So there were two of you. A disgraced Detective," nodding his weapon in Akechi's direction. "And a dead man walking, you shouldn't be alive."

"I've been getting that reaction lately. But I assure you, you won't get me twice. Now the key, we know you have it. Shido wouldn't entrust the final piece to anyone else."

"I'll be glad to give you the key in exchange for the Detective's blood over there. Killing Shido would only be a secondary satisfaction."

"What do you want from me!? What did I ever do to you?"

"YOU RUINED MY LIFE! You and your goddamn whore of a mother."

"My mother may have not been perfect, but leave her out of this," Akechi threatened.

"Hehehehe, you don't get what's going on here do you? She has EVERYTHING to do with this. My life was perfect, everything was perfect. While my father had a habit of dipping his toes in other lakes, my own mother didn't care as long as he was still bringing in money and preserving his image discreetly. Being in politics is a tricky business, paying off others to keep them hushed, bribing to advance your position. Father was climbing the ladder, but then she showed up."

Ren could see Loki was itching to pull the trigger on Akechi.

"The wench couldn't keep her legs close, she confessed she was with child shortly after her dalliance with my father. He did the one thing he knew how, but she wanted more. She DEMANDED more money or else she go to the papers confessing the adultery. He was on the cusp of greatness and that woman was trying to ruin it."

The wheels in Akechi's head were turning fast.

"He paid her and paid her, soon my mother and I couldn't even afford to eat, nor afford the clothes and finer things in life. She was sick of it, sick of everything she endure up till then. An unfaithful marriage, financial trouble, and more. So she decided to do something about it. She brought us to the parlor room and lit the fireplace. Closing all the doors…and the windows, letting the fireplace rage un-check. Imagine if you will a young boy, clawing through the room, blisters on his skin from the flames licking his flesh. His mother not even attempting to flee as the smoke gets thicker, suffocating you."

"This still isn't Akechi's mother's—"

"How miserable it was to feel melting flesh as your own skin! For a brief moment of time I thought I drew the short stick in life. But I saw you that day, the day the Captain brought you in from the orphanage. I knew who you were, you were a match to Father and that woman. Imagine my surprise when we were assigned as partners years later. I wanted so badly to put a bullet in your head then. But now, I want you to suffer Detective. Or should I say, brother?"

"YOU'RE NOT MY BROTHER!"

"Accept it. Masayoshi Shido blood flows through our veins. You're just as much of a son as I am. But only one of us will survive," Loki proclaimed.

Akechi felt sick to his stomach, Loki his brother? All along working together and he wanted him dead too. Not for a lack of trying. Shido being his father was another factor to deal with. His mother when alive never mentions the man just a benefactor that keeps him fed and clothed. He won't deny the few times he met Shido there were some similarities he couldn't shake.

"Does Shido know himself?"

Ren wasn't immune either to the revelation. Shido was Akechi's father? Is Loki his half-brother? Everything was becoming topsy turvy.

"You cannot continue to spout nonsense Loki, but I will get that key. You outnumber 2 to 1, but the gun down and we might spare you." Ren tried to bluff his way around the scarred man.

"2 to 1 you say….I like those odds." the disfigured man fires first causing Ren and Akechi to duck.

The elder Amamiya feels hot burning on his right arm, a bullet most likely skimming through. He blindly fired back a shot as he jumped to cover.

Akechi had to force his legs to move to avoid getting shot. He needed to focus or else it will be costly for him. His breathing was slowing down but it felt like his heart was racing.

"Loki! Give him the key and you and I can settle it just as you like!" It was quiet between the three men. "I'm the one you wanted dead remember?"

It was a tempting offer to the scarred man, the Phantom Thieves would never survive to the final room anyhow. 1 on 1 would work to his advantage.

"I'll admit your offer is tempting," he croaked out. Loki disarms his weapon and pulled out the funny-looking key they needed. He tosses it a few feet in front of him for the taken.

"How do I know you won't try to shoot me if I go to retrieve it?" Ren shouted from his hiding spot.

"Because I have my gun on him. He's not going to ruin his own fun," Akechi reassures Ren.

Ren trusting Akechi's word goes for the key, his revolver also carefully trained on Shido's right-hand man. The Phantom Thief leader picks up the key tucking it in his pocket. "Sure you can handle him Akechi?"

"Go! I'll be right behind you." Ren pauses for a moment before nodding, he needs to get back to the others. But he was worried about leaving Akechi behind to handle the scarred man by himself.

"How brave of you," Loki taunts once the elder Amamiya leaves the room.

"I don't plan on dying today, but before you do, I have some questions. All these chances, all the opportunities you could've killed me. Why didn't you?"

"I have thought of them plenty. Killing you in your sleep, shot in the back, choking you to death when you least expected it. But none of that was fulfilling enough. No, I needed you to be broken, to beg for death."

He wanted to torture Akechi just for the fact of being alive. Akechi had no control over his birth even his father, "I understand you're upset and angry over what Shido did, but your anger and hate should be directed at him!"

The former Detective knew nothing would convince Loki to quell his revenge. The look in his eyes was that of a mad man.

"We've had enough of talking, let's settle this like men," he places his guns in the holster and unbuckles his belt. Akechi will honor the same, but if things went south he still had a one bullet ace on his ankle.

Rolling up his sleeves, Akechi prepares himself. "You have much to answer for Loki! The death of Kunikazu Okumura, attempted murder of Ren Amamiya, conspiring to commit murder to me, and —"

The former Detective was cut off with a fist to his mouth, "I thought I said enough talking."

Loki goes for another left hook but was blocked by Akechi's right arm. Attempting to swing a punch of his own, he missed the first outright with the second being blocked. How much skill was Loki truly hiding? Akechi was getting overrun like their last fight. This location is just as narrow as the pipping.

The former Detective ducked under a wide swing followed up by wrapping his arms around Loki, tackling him into the pipes. Akechi landed three solid blows to his half-brother's ribs. The disfigured man retaliated with a hard-hitting headbutt, dazing the younger man.

"You still got some fight in you, I'll give you that," he croaks out, "But now the real fun begins." The older man swiftly spin-kicks Akechi in the gut, knocking the air out of him. Before he could stand, another check to the gut caused his aching ribs to scream.

There was a reason Loki was an enforcer for the SIU. He made men quiver in fear, make the toughest criminals spill their hearts out just to make the torture stop. He was a hard hitter that tended to hold his punches during interrogation. Can't get an answer if you beat your captive to death.

"You seem to be having trouble breathing brother, imagine how I felt as smoke was the only thing I could breathe. How my lungs…SCREAM!" Loki shouts kicking Akechi in the gut again.

Akechi was in pain. It hurt just to inhale, something was broken for sure.

"Get up! I haven't finished the warmup," Loki cracks. Akechi needs to get the advantage. Physically he didn't hold a candle to Loki's strength. He needed to outsmart him.

Taking slow even breaths, Goro Akechi stood back up on his own two feet," Does all this make you feel better Loki? Beating me down? Do you think that's going to restore your old life!? No, all you do is sink low, lower than the scum of society. Revenge has blinded you, that will be your downfall." The Detective hoped the insults would rile him up, after all this fight was personal.

The elder half brother chuckled over what Akechi said, "You believe I'm the lowest scum of society, I'll take that honor. I know I cannot change what has already happened fool. But knowing spilling your blood equates to hers is enough compensation," he says pulling out a hidden knife attempting to stab him.

Akechi dodges the attempt, ducking to sweep Loki's legs from underneath him. He stomps on the wrist holding the knife and kicks it away. Now it was Akechi's turn to retaliate. Climbing on top of his newly discovered half-brother, Akechi delivers left and right punches as hard as he could grunting on each impact. Through the bloody face, Loki laughs.

Overpowering him, Loki flips the two over, trying to get the advantage back. Reaching for the discarded knife, the scarred man goes to thrust it down.

Whatever remaining strength Akechi's arm had left keep the knife from slicing his throat. Akechi needed to find a way to reach the one bullet pistol hidden in his socks. Using the strength in his legs, he manages to push Loki over rolling away for space.

Hurriedly grabbing the small gun from his ankle, he aims at his former partner who aims back. In the escape shuffle, Loki was tossed near his discarded gun belt. Unfortunate positioning.

"So we're back to where we started," Akechi said. He was on the ground pointing up as Loki stared down. Shido's right man had the better angle but Akechi had the better draw.

"So we are," Loki cocks the hammer back.

Akechi's mind was whirling, one bullet that needed to count, "Listen…. I know it's not much. But I'm sorry you had to suffer, that you were scarred from the incident. Your fate is already sealed from your prior actions, but its not to late to help stop Shido."

"Save your false apologies, you die NOW!"

"Think again…."

Two shots rang out, echoing around the engine pipes. The loud noise of machinery mask the sound of a painful grunt. But who's?

The hallway leading to the door for the keys was eerie. Hardly any guards in sight, where were they?

"What's the plan?" Ann asked combing her fingers through her hair anxiously.

"We continue holding. Ren and Akechi aren't back yet. We can't get through till the final key has been obtained."

"We're also sitting ducks here. The hallway doesn't have much in the way of protection," the younger Amamiya pointed out.

"We need to stay calm and wait Morgana. Give them a few minutes." Makoto was saying this more for her benefit than for the gang. Every moment going by without anything happening was driving her crazy. Waiting on a possible ambush, waiting on Ren to pop right around the corner, key in hand.

Makoto counted the minutes in her head, on the 16th go round, they heard the sounds of hurry footsteps coming their way. Alerted, the Phantom Thieves had their hands on their weapons ready at a moment's notice.

A hand was slowly revealed from around the corner, a gun hanging off disarmed, " It's just me," said a familiar voice of their beloved leader. Ren Amamiya walked out, bloody sleeve and a bit disheveled.

"Where's Akechi?"

"He stayed behind to take care of business. But we have all the needed keys now." He lifted up the final key Loki had on him. Ren couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty with Akechi. Loki was a formidable foe, having a 2-1 advantage was in their favor. He just hoped the former Detective could hold his own with smarts than muscle.

"Brother, you're hurt!?"

"It's just a graze, I'll be fine. Is everyone ready?"

"We are, but I'm a little concerned with the lack of security. This seems too easy,"

"This could very well be a trap on the other side," Yusuke added.

"Most likely. The man has been paranoid for a while now."

The door they needed was large, metal and sturdy. 5 slots adorn it for each key.

One by one, Ren puts them in and turns the key till they lock into place. When the final and 5th key clicks into place, the metal door makes a popping noise. Not barely a moment of getting his head around to check the other side where they were met with a hail of gunfire.

"I think we just found where all the guards been all evening. Gotta be almost 30 something in there," Ren explained staying safely behind the metal door, the only thing that keeps him from turning into swiss cheese.

"Not a good angle with the door cracked like this gotta find a way in safely. Mona, you have your shaving mirror on you?"

"What!?"

"Pass me your mirror!" Ren shouted.

The younger brother toss the pocket mirror he hardly used but keep anyway to Ren. Grabbing the object, he took some string and his hunting knife tying the mirror up. Carefully poking the mirror around the door he had a better look at what they were dealing with on the other side.

He could see Shido employed over two dozen guards, separated into waves. The first wave was just behind a stack of boxes. If they could catch them by surprise they could use the boxes to their own benefit.

"Well we're dealing with a small army it seems but not impossible. Ryuji, Morgana you'll be with me on the first wave, we need to move hard and fast to get to the boxes for cover." Ren motions them closer so they could see the angle from the mirror.

"The boxes would be helpful, but they won't hold long if we're bogged down by heavy gunfire," the blonde gunslinger pointed out wisely.

"We don't need forever, just enough to clear the distance to the next wave." Using the last of Futaba's smoke bombs, he throws it around the door letting the smoke infect their lungs.

Ren goes in first firing off 4 quick shots in succession before sliding to the boxes. Ryuji behind him cleaned up the remaining 1st wave with 2 shotgun blasts of his own. The younger Amamiya was providing cover fire for the other two before dropping behind cover.

Many guards still stood firing through the smoke hoping to hit the intruders. Their own mistakes cause confusion among their own members. The friendly fire cost them two guards that got turned around and confused for the thieves.

The Phantom Thief leader empties his first revolver applying more bullets before the smoke clears. The sting in his arm from Loki's shot was affecting his aim slightly. The loss of blood was also making him a bit dizzy but he learn how to fight against that.

Checking the mirror again, he can faintly see a silhouette they missed, "Ryuji, 4 O'clock!"

Reloading, the blonde gunslinger was waiting for an open to peak over. The young Morgana provided more cover fire for the man, who was taking aim. He goes to pull the trigger….but nothing comes out.

"Guns jammed!" Ryuji shouted over the barrage of gunfire clipping the cover boxes.

"Damnit. Ryuji stay down, Mona cover me." Daring to jump over, the elder Amamiya fired back 6 rounds in the open. The sounds of yelps and painful grunts let him know his targets were hit. The smoke was starting to clear up giving a clear sight line to the guards further down the hall in the back.

Moving to clear the second wave, Ren tackles a man fumbling with his reloading as a few look to take advantage.

Morgana picked off the two in front of his brother and another running head first. By the time Ryuji un-jammed his gun, they were moving up to the 3rd wave of guards. The hallway was slowly thinning out the more men they took down.

Ren gets the upper hand on the guard he was wrestling pulling him up in front of him, an empty revolver pointed at his head.

"There are two choices here gentlemen. I hope you pick the right one," The guard furthest left tries to draw his iron but was shot in the hand by Morgana." That wasn't a wise choice, what about you?" He asked the man he's taken hostage.

"Please….I have a family. Don't kill me."

"Then move away from that door and evacuate," Ren passed along the signal to let him pass without further harm. "Tell the others it's clear."

Ren tried to still his racing heart. Everything he has been through, endure facing Shido once more. One door left. He heard the others behind him approach, walking around the dead guards.

The warmth from Makoto had even his breathing.

"You're not facing him alone Ren," he gives her hand a tight squeeze before letting go. Inhale, exhale. He reaches for the door and opens it.

He knew something was wrong, the commotion in the hallway was loud as the sond of gunfire ripped through the air. Was it those blasted thieves or someone else? Either way, he had the best guns money could buy. He was confident.

The gunfire ceased to a close, then he couldn't hear anything anymore. Did his guards succeed? He waited patiently by his desk.

The door clicked open to reveal not his guards but outlaws. The man leading them was of a familiar face but not for the right reason. A face he ordered killed because he was an outlaw.

"Masayashi Shido, do you remember me?"

Here he was face to face with the man that ordered his death twice. Ren didn't see recognition on Shido's face, it remained unchanged from neutral.

"The Phantom Thieves I presume. You've done well to make it this far. I'm almost impressed."

"You'll be surprised when a man's will goes the distance in search of revenge."

"You? Does an outlaw want revenge for putting a price on his head? Seems quite insignificant," Shido replies back.

Ren was trying to have a calmer head. This was just a game to Shido. Always toying with people's lives.

"5 years ago, a young man stopped you from assaulting a woman late at night. Intoxicated, you retrieved an injury to the head. And proceeded to lie about your testimony, causing the said young man to face the noose. Luckily the young man escaped only to be hunted down by bounty hunters. The boy had to die, after all we can't let your imperfect behavior ruin your political image."

"Perhaps the boy should learn to mind his own business."

The elder Amamiya aimed his gun at him, right where he wanted at the heart but didn't pull the trigger, "You have nowhere to run Masayoshi Shido, and don't think of trying to call your pet dog. He's a bit preoccupied last check."

Shido will admit he was impressed with the bravado front. The only way in and out was through the door the thieves were clearly blocking. But he is Shido, he won' come down that easily. There was a gun left in a hidden compartment for situations like this, not that it had previously happened.

"If it's money you want, I can offer you pay on my personal payroll."

"We're not here for the money," Ren said moving closer to the desk and Shido. All he needed to do was pull the trigger and it will all be over. All the pain and misery over the years condense in front. But Ren was remembering Dr. Maruki's words. Would killing Shido be satisfying? Would the pain ever go away?

Disabling the hammer of the revolver, Ren collected himself before speaking up, "We're here to make you confess your crimes. All the back alley dealings, the murder hits, blackmail, I could go on. But….if you surrender now, no harm will come to you."

"Hahahahaha, you're either gullible or the worst outlaw I ever meet. This country abides by certain structures, one I will lead to prosperity. A future that doesn't need peasants like you," Whipping out the hidden gun, Shido fires at the first target in the room, the Phantom Thief leader.

He could feel a burning sensation by his hip where he tried to dodge. At this rate, the elder Amamiya brother would be lucky not to bleed out before escaping.

Using his own quick draw, he gets the better of Shido disarming him. The fellow thieves behind him in support all aimed at the bald-headed politician in warning. This was Ren's fight, and he came a long way to finish it.

"Are you ready to talk now, or should I shoot for a finger again?"

Shido chuckles again, holding his bleeding hand, "Even if I confessed, another me will fill the void. You'll never win. So why keep wasting your breath!"

"Because we're not like you," Makoto added herself, "You believe in a future where the weak will be trampled."

"We believe in a world that can be fairer without your corruption," the younger brother said.

"Your options are limited Shido, what will it be. Confessions or the end of the line." It was a no-win offer Ren gave. But before the corrupted politician can give an answer, a heavy blast rocked the boat.

"What the hell!?" The explosion came from the bottom of the ship most likely the boiler room.

Shido in the distraction tried to go back for his gun on the floor, only to be stopped. Ren dives after him wrestling for control on the ground. The weapon was knocked around before Ren kicked it out of reach for Shido.

"You have interfered for the last time outlaw scum," Shido yells elbowing Ren in the face. Now back to his feet, the man formally known as Samuel lifts Ren up by the collar in a surprise show of strength and slams him down on the desk.

"Brother!"

"Go! I got this, get to the escape boat. I'll catch up," the elder brother instructed kicking Shido to create space," Besides I got a few lessons to teach this old man."

Shido rolls up his sleeves preparing for the final confrontation, "You really are becoming a thorn in my side."

"Good," Ren goes with a wide right missing by inches before blocking a rib shot. The graze gunshot wound was starting to take its toll, but Ren willed his mind to ignore the pain.

A strong punch to the gut stun the Phantom Thief leader for a second allowing Shido to land consecutive hooks to his face. Where was Shido's strength coming from?

"I've come too far to have little shits like you ruin everything. You're not worthy enough to be an ant under my shoe," Shido taunts.

He goes for another punch when Ren dodges, tackling the bald politician in the midsection and pushing him back to the large window mirror. Ren had no idea the mirror would give way leading to the casino hall as broken glass fell around them.

Landing roughly on a card table, Shido took most of the brunt force. The elder Amamiya had clipped the edge of the table breaking some of his fall but still painful to the floor. He could faintly hear the people screaming as they evacuated the ship. The smell of smoke came from a fire slowly climbing decorated curtains.

"End of the line Shido, what's it gonna be?" Ren had the upper hand against Shido who was slow to get up from the cracked table. "If you confess your lies, this will all be over."

"You want me to believe in an outlaw's word? That's a waste of time you fool."

"I'm giving you a chance here, clear your—"

Another blast rocked the boat angrily from the boiler room, thus causing Ren to lose his balance and the upper hand.

Shido makes an attempt to escape but the main exit was blocked by the burning damage to his ship's interior.

Ren himself was trying to stay low to avoid the ever-increasing smoke. Debris was crashing around them, embers flying. latching on to more pieces to burn. The ceiling was weakening, crack buried deep tore a patch off above the two men.

"AUGH!" The corrupted politician yelled, stuck on the ground leg caught under a support beam.

The Phantom Thief leader looked on at the situation across the room. He doesn't have to do anything, Shido will perish in the flames, and he'll be a distant memory. BUT, his name will never have a chance to be clear.

Let him burn to ashes.

...No that makes him no better than Shido.

The flames were almost a welcome from the blistering cold outside. Using whatever energy he had left, Ren pushed the bean crushing Shido off of him slightly burning his own hands in the process.

The mangle leg was in no condition to finish the fight. The lungs were working overtime to breathe oxygen in and out.

"You're….you're gonna regret….not…letting me…die."

"Because I have a better use for you, for now—" Ren kicks Shido in the face knocking him out cold. Picking him up over the shoulder, the elder Amamiya races against the clock searching for any window or escape.

The remaining Phantom Thieves were trying to retrace their steps in the panic, hoping their boat wasn't taken in the chaos. They would wait for Ren and Akechi to return before departing.

"We can't leave them behind! The ship is sinking and it's already hard enough walking uphill," Ann complained.

"We need to get back to the boat if we wanna get off this ship. Ren and Akechi will find a way. They have to." The interim leader Makoto Nijima said with confidence. She had to be.

Most guests were starting the evacuation themselves feeling the back-to-back explosions and sinking of the grand ship. Mayhem ensues in the hallway with people struggling to stay on their feet. One of them was struggling the most, leaning heavily on the wall right arm burnt, clutching the side tightly.

Morgana eyed the man coming towards them, "Is that?"

"It's Akechi!" Haru shouted in surprise. The blond gunslinger offered his shoulder to the injured man who was heavily breathing.

"The hell happen to you?"

He hacks a few coughs, "Loki…is a tough bastard to take down. Luckily for us….he's a bit toast to chase… As for me…I shouldn't shoot flammable objects….so close."

"We got you now, just hang in there," Ryuji reassures him adjusting the grip.

"Guys! I've secured our boat," Morgana proclaimed.

"Everyone get in and hunker down."

"My brother is still in there!"

"We won't take off until we have a visual of Ren," Makoto hoped they get a visual of their leader.

"We might not have time, the ship is taking on too much water and the fire is spreading faster," the artist points out.

"No we stay the course, he'll be here."

"What if he doesn't!?"

"Give my brother 5 minutes…..he'll be here."

His arms and legs were burning and he was exhausted to no end. His breathing labored with each step he took. He can't go back the way he came as most of the path was destroyed. Ren was trying to survive with an older man on his back refusing to compromise.

"Just one step in front of the other," he mutters to himself.

Ren was almost walking on the corner where the ceiling and side wall meet. The whole place was lopsided and non bolted down items were tumbling his way as he works to walk uphill and out. The smoke was clearing up quickly and the temperature was dropping, A cold crisp? There must be a hole outside nearby, a ticket out.

"It's been 5 minutes, we have to leave pipsqueak our own boat is tilting badly."

"Just one more minute we can—"

"Enough Morgana, Ryuji….lower the boat down." The two thieves couldn't see the tears welling up in her eyes. They all would've perished if their boat continue to tip over dropping them in the icy water below.

The small life raft splashed down on the chilling lake. Ryuji and Yusuke take an oar and row away with heavy hearts.

"WAIT!" Makoto couldn't believe her very eyes.

"Stop rowing!" the younger Amamiya ordered. They could see his older brother carrying someone over the railing before jumping into the water. They could spot him in the dark choppy water thanks to the light provided by the burning ship.

Each stroke through the water felt heavier as he was pulling an unconscious Shido. The water numbed his body in the freezing weather.

"We got you, Ren."Makoto happily expressed pilling him up. Morgana and Yusuke pulled Shido into their ever-crowded raft.

The younger Nijima huddle closed to her lover to calm his shivering. The rest of the gang row away from what remains of Shido's empire.

He woke in a dark room, hands bound behind his back on a chair. His leg aching in dull pain. He could sense someone else presence with him but couldn't see. A match disturbed the surrounding darkness, moving to a nearby lamp that brighten the room. The bound man could barely make out the burned fingertips near the lamp handle.

"Loki? Is that you?"

".…..Wrong son," the voice speaking raised the light to his face revealing Goro Akechi.," You were out for quite a while Shido, Joker must've really kicked you hard."

"Release me this instant Akechi and maybe I'll put in a good word for you to restore your status."

"I cannot do that Shido. You're not in any position to make demands."

"So you truly joined those Phantom Thief dogs, you have fallen so low. You can't kill me either unless yo want more bounties on your head.

"Killing you would be the easy way out I was told. No, there's something else," Akechi sets the lamp down and takes a seat across from his newly discovered father. "You obtain your connections through fear, I've obtained them through loyalty. There are enough people that can ban together that will stop you than fear you. Imagine this gets in the papers? It won't be hard to convince people that Masayoshi Shido, a prominent political figure the people believed could do no wrong is honestly an adulterer, murdering, con artist. Someone that doesn't care about others' interests but his own. You'll lose everything."

".….Now I see the similarities with that…. that woman. Even similar threat tactics," Shido sneered at his newly discovered son. A mix of anger, betrayal, and was that a hint of sadness?

"Now, you can save us the trouble and come clean to the public, or we could do it the hard way. Decisions up to you. What will it be?"

A/N: The final chapter will be next as we conclude the shido arc. Obviously with no magic in this world, we're not getting the depths of mementos etc. Once again thank you all who have been with this story or have recently starting an have enjoyed the story. Getting back to writing has help me during these difficult times but I'm working through it day by day. I started back up my other projects I plan to release once this one is done.

I hope you all enjoyed and please feel free to review.