Hyrulian Hero Akai: Yes I did not upload in March because I took that month off.

Travek: Yes, we know. We got a bit ahead of ourselves there.

UnsanMusho: Well... a bit more than that

Here are some reviews answered by Ghost:

Shooting Star Dragon 3000: I know. They're getting the band back together.

UnsanMusho: Oh, you sweet summer child. You haven't seen anything yet.

warrior of six blades: Trust me, Kamoshida will suffer. And yeah, things are going to get hyped soon

Cooperjordan: Dream come true; isn't it? *Smiles*

blackflamealvitr: You mean there's more? Oh jeez.

edboy4926: Sorry, doesn't work like that.

Rouge Ebony: Trust us, Ren's hometown did that to him. The stigma and label of being called 'a criminal' *NEVER* goes away, especially in Japan. But this time around...Ren will 'steal' what he's owed.

Guest chapter 2 Feb 12: 'Wolf' and 'Violet'? There are -more- Phantom Thieves? Man, I'm out of date.

Vein Bloodborne: Chapters take time. Grey and I are busy with this and other stories. Plus, life.

rwby ladybug enabler whiterose: Glad to see you're hooked onto this story.

Disclaimer: We do not own Persona 5. That belongs to Atlus.

Co-written by GhostKaiser23


AUTHOR'S NOTE

Sorry for the long wait, I hope you guys all enjoy!

The reason for no upload last month was... well... I took some time off and then I got really busy with work and so on

But... hey, Quarantine! So lots of time off! One plus side, right?


Persona 5 New Game Plus, Joker's Second Chance
Chapter 3: Captain Kid, The Evil King Attacks


Ren was now back at school in the morning, properly this time and sitting in class with Mr Ushimaru a teacher with a bit of a sour disposition... and Ren was just brought up a question. "What are the three parts of the human soul, according to Plato? Appetite, Spirit and what else? Guts, Logic or Love?"

Ren's hand covered his mouth trying to think about it, it had been a while since he had to do this...But since this was multiple-choice, he had a 1/3 chance to get it right. 'Plato's a philosopher...so 'Guts' isn't it and 'Love' is 'illogical'.' "Is it 'Logic'?"

"Correct. So you knew that huh?" Mr Ushimaru responded, clapping gently.

The class began to mumble as they heard that, not believing the rumours that were floating around. 'Is he meant to be a delinquent?' And other such gossip whispered. 'Oh shit, Ushimaru's looking this way!'

Ren smirked as he felt more confident, thinking about it he may have gotten it wrong last time since he was still thinking about the first Metaverse visit. But he defiantly felt prouder about his smarts right now.

"Good work, Ren." Morgana quietly mewed in his desk.

"... Was that a cat?" Mr Ushimaru asked as he could just about hear it in the silence.

Vrr, vrr!

'My phone? Oh, Ryuji!' Ren thought while his pocket vibrated, luckily Mr Ushimaru had his back turned and continued to give his lecture. On his phone was a message from Ryuji, about how they needed to meet up and soon. Ren put his phone away, sitting back and relaxing slightly 'Guess we're going back today.' Ren thought as the class continued to tick away. Though, it did make him recall these good memories.

After Class, Ryuji was waiting outside of Ren's class. It looked like he was staring intensely at the wall or like he was going to pick a fight. "Sakomoto. What're you doing outside my class?" Ms Kawakami asked, stepping out of the classroom.

"Waiting for this guy, we need to chat." Ryuji said gruffly

"I'm not sure that's such a good-" Ms Kawakami began to speak before Ren interrupted gently.

"Ms Kawakami, I'm sure it's going to be fine." Ren spoke up respectfully "I can protect myself if needed." Ren said with a smile "But thank you for worrying about me."

"I. Very well." Ms Kawakami frowned and left, trusting Ren... as much as she could.

"Ren, let's get to the roof." Ryuji spoke as he and Ren were alone now.

"Sure." He nodded and the two headed upstairs and onto the roof.

Ryuji stood outside and looked at the piled-up building parts. "... Yesterday was real, right?"

"Huh?" Ren asked

"That castle. Kamoshida. All that was real, right?" Ryuji clarified

"Yes. That was real." Ren nodded as Morgana poked his head out of Ren's bag.

"So we didn't go crazy." Ryuji answered

"Not yet, blondie." Mona smirked

"Huh? Who's-Gah! Demon cat!" Ryuji questioned and then saw Mona leap out of Ren's bag.

"I'm not a 'Demon Cat'!" Mona responded, almost hissing at him.

"It's Mo-Morgana." Ren said, almost using the code name

"Morgana? Wait, it's not that cat from the castle?" Ryuji asked

"Places like that are called 'Palaces'." Morgana answered

"'Palaces'? So, that place is 'Kamoshida's Palace'?" Ryuji continued

"Basically yes." Morgana nodded

"So... What can we do? Can we go back?" Ryuji asked, hoping to get revenge on him.

"I think so." Ren answered. "If we knew how we got there the first time."

"Argh, damn it." Ryuji groaned.

"I think my phone make a weird noise." Ren commented

"My phone?" Ryuji asked

"Yeah, it did. It came from this app I tried to delete earlier." Ren answered, though slightly lying. "Here." He showed his phone to Ryuki and showed the strange app. It was a red round-cornered square with a red eye, a black spiked background with a black star for the pupil.

"Whoa! Wait a minute!" Ryuji realised and pulled out his own phone, revealing the same app! "How did it get on my phone?!"

"It was the same with me. It just appeared on my phone." Ren answered

"Can we delete it?" Ryuji asked

"No. I tried it already and it just keeps coming back." Ren answered "But I think this is how we got there yesterday."

"Damn, this is freakin' crazy." Ryuji whispered. "Well, I guess we can go back now."

"You sure?" Ren asked

"Dude, we've got to go back. Kamoshida's treating people like shit." Ryuji answered

"Do you have a plan when you get there?" Morgana asked

"A... plan?" Ryuji gulped... "Yeah! I totally have one! Trust me!"

"Okay then." Ren answered casually. "We should probably do this in the alley though."

"Why?" Ryuji asked. "It's not like anyone's here."

"Remember when we came out the first time?" Ren rebutted. "We were in the alley since we were on the streets. If we're in the castle while the school locks up, we might be caught all night in a locked school."

"Right." he nodded

The two students headed downstairs and outside of the school, going to the alley outside. "Okay, ready?" Ren asked

"Yeah. I'm ready." Ryuji nodded as they pressed the App and began to teleport into the strange world.

They entered the Metaverse, Ren feeling his thief cloths taking the place of his normal one's

"Huh? What's with your clothes? They appeared on you!" Ryuji gasped as he saw Ren's clothes.

"What? You jealous?" Ren smirked jokingly.

"What-? No, I'm not jealous." Ryuji responded

"You sure?" he smirked and adjusted his coat

"Of course not!" Ryuji answered. "Where's that mo-Morgana?"

"I'm right here. And I'm glad you didn't call me a 'monster cat'." Morgana added as he appeared "I would have cut you if you had."

"Yeah." Ren laughed

"So where do we go? The front-?" Ryuji asked

"Not the front door. We go through the window." Morgana pointed and facepalmed.

"Oh, right. The window." Ryuji chuckled awkwardly and went to the window.

"Come on, we better make sure he doesn't get himself caught." Morgana sighed

"Come on." Ren nodded and jumped inside

"... How'd you get up there?" Ryuji blinked in shock as he saw Ren's athletic prowess.

"Come on, we've got to get moving." Ren helped him up and into the room. He knew what today was, where Ryuji would gather the info about the Volleyball team

"Okay, which way can we go?" Ryuji wondered as they were kneeling and hidden in the room they were in.

"We can go to the main hall. That way can get us where we need to go." Morgana spoke

"And from there, most likely down to the dungeon." Ren finished, regrettably

"Okay, then we can beat up Kamoshida." Ryuji punched his own hand with determination.

"That's not... Sigh. Just... come on." Morgana sighed and lead them.

Ren nodded, punching Ryuji's arm lightly

"Sorry, just... new place. Y'know?" Ryuji answered as he followed them.

"Yeah, I know. Try and keep-." Ren began to speak, but held his tongue.

"Keep what?"

"Keep up. Sorry." Ren stopped as they entered the stairwell of the dungeon's path. "I didn't mean that."

"I can keep up fine." Ryuji grumbled

"Come on guys. This way." Morgana called out as he went down the stairs.

"We're coming." Ren answered. "Ryuji, I-"

"It's fine. C'mon, let's go find Kamoshida." Ryuji interrupted and walked down ahead.

Ren sighed and rubbed his neck, forgetting he and Ryuji weren't close yet. Heck he technically didn't know about Ryuji and Kamoshida's backstory. And it was still a sore subject about Ryuji's... 'accident'. He didn't mean to let on about that either.

"Here we are, guys. The cells." Morgana spoke up

"What the eff?" Ryuji gasped as he saw the place, gut-punched as he saw it all. Knights were torturing students! Whips, chains, forced running on a running machine with a large spiked bulldozer's wheel, cannon-shot volleyballs into the gut...it was a nightmare "This isn't training!" Ryuji snarled and punched the wall

"It's torture." Ren whispered as he knew what Kamoshida was like.

"This is how he sees his students. Just things for him to abuse." Morgana frowned.

"Damn it, we need to-what the hell? What's wrong with the camera? It won't open!" Ryuji tried to get photographic evidence to this.

"Things like that don't work here, Ryuji." Morgana followed up.

"Fine! Then I'll just remember their faces!" Ryuji stared at the students' faces as much as he could, memorising as much detail as he could. "Okay, I've got these guys. Let's go to the next ones." He reached into his jacket, holding something out to Ren. It was a small model gun "Here." he nodded "I think this could help, somehow."

"A model gun?" Both Ren and Morgana asked.

"Yeah. Just... Scare the crap outta someone when you pull it out." Ryuji answered

In Ren's hand, he saw the detail of the handgun, it was sleek moderately detailed. Like something out of a hobby shop, but the craftmanship was inspiring. It had a good weight about it, almost like it was real. "Ryuji. Thanks. I think this might come in handy soon." Ren commented, remembering his first one the first time round. Exactly the same as this, weak but... Good. "If this is a world of the mind, if the bad guys THINK this is real then it will work."

"Huh?" Ryuji asked as his head tilted. "Wait. 'World of the Mind'?"

"Exactly, this is how Kamoshida sees things in his head. His distorted desires." Morgana answered

"Okay, you ever imagine yourself doing something awesome? Like being a superhero." Ren asked

"Daydreaming? Yeah." Ryuji answered

"It's like that. Only much more warped." Ren simplified it.

"Oh. Okay, I think I get it." He answered

"Come on, let's go. We can't wait around too long." Morgana interrupted them.

"Yeah." Ren nodded and smiled, glad he was able to explain it in a way Ryuji finally understood

"So where's that bastard Kamoshida? We haven't seen him yet." Ryuji asked

"Patience, we don't want to go looking for trouble." Morgana answered "For now we should try and get out."

"But, didn't we just get in?" Ryuji asked

"It's called 'investigating', we scope the place out and then we can attempt to fight Kamoshida." Morgana answered

"'Investigate'? Like detectives?" Ryuji asked

"More like 'thieves'." Ren smirked as they managed to get out back to the main hall... where an ambush was awaiting them "We need to work out the entire place."

"Think they're dumb enough to let us slip by?" Ryuji asked.

"Only if we ambush them." Morgana answered

"Got it!" Ren nodded as he rushed forward, jumping from dark spot to dark spot as he quickly made up the distance and jumped at the Shadow "Show me your true form!" he called, ripping the mask from the Shadow's face

"RARGH!" The Knight screamed as it reformed from shadows, turning into a Pixie, a small humanoid with butterfly wings and a 'Tinkerbell' dress. "Damn you! You dare attack a Knight of King Kamoshida?"

"... That was in the knight?" Ryuji deadpanned.

CLICK!

"Yep." Ren smirked and took a shot with the gun Ryuji gave him.

"Huh?" Both Ryuji and the Pixie gasped

BANG!

"GAH!" The Pixie fell to the ground and was stunned.

Ren stood there, gun at the ready. With only seven shots left he had to be careful. But he had this Shadow at Hold-Up

"Y-you. Vile thieves!" Pixie glared, pointing at them.

"Mona. Let's go this." Ren spoke confidently.

"On it!" Mona smirked as the two leapt into the air and pummeled the Pixie.

The two where just streaks of darkness, slashing at the Shadow from every direction with precision and power. An All-Out Attack at its finest.

Joker landed and smirked, adjusting his gloves as Pixie exploded into blood in every direction

"Hurp!" Ryuji covered his mouth in shock and almost threw up. "Bleh! I almost barfed!"

"Good thing you haven't lost your touch." Mona smiled and looked up at him.

"Good thing too." Ren nodded

"What was that?" Ryuji asked

"An 'All-Out Attack'. When a Shadow is down for the count by exploiting its weakness, we can take it down." Morgana explained.

"But isn't that ganging up on someone?" Ryuji asked

"Yes, but if someone has a ridiculously high defense, sometimes you need to play a little dirty." Ren answered.

"Besides, thieves don't always play fair. Our enemies won't, at least." Mona finished

"'Thieves'? Is that what we are now?" Ryuji asked.

"In a manner of speaking, yeah." Ren nodded.

"Holy crap. That sounds... friggin' awesome!" Ryuji cheered making Ren laugh.

"I guess it is." Ren nodded, breaking a volleyball on a shelf and grabbing a small chunk of gold that had been inside

"Huh? What's that? Why did you just-?" Ryuji asked

"Well, we wouldn't be thieves if we didn't steal something valuable from this guy and line our pockets." Ren answered with a smirk, making Ryuji freeze slightly before Ryuji grinned and laughed again, the desire to screw over Kamoshida as much as possible filling him and boiling over

"Ren. I'm. Getting excited!" Ryuji smirked with a toothy grin. "Let's screw this bastard over!"

"Don't get your panties in a twist, we can't just rush around and steal everything!" Mona warned

"Huh? Why not?" Ryuji asked

"Not everything can be stolen. Somethings are just empty." Mona answered. "Besides, if we go around and not know where we are, we'll be going around in circles or caught!"

"That...That's a very good point." Ryuji admitted a sound defeat.

"Don't worry, we'll take everything Kamoshida cares about." Ren reassured him.

'Spoken like a true Phantom Thief.' Mona thought to himself proudly

"Now for our escape route." Ren nodded. As they rushed to the main hall... They realised they where surrounded

"Oh. No." Ren groaned as he saw this, recalling this event as Kamoshida walked down the stairs, laughing

"Well, well, well. Look who we've got. Rats. Thieves. Scum and trash." Kamoshida remarked as he looked at Morgana, Ren and Ryuji respectively.

"What was that?" Morgana snapped angrily.

"If anyone's a scum, it's you!" Ryuji hissed

"I had a feeling you'd come back. So I decided to increase my security." Kamoshida responded

'That means he feels threatened.' Ren thought with an internal smirk.

"Really?" Kamoshida scoffed as he looked down at them. "Knights, show this trash how worthless they are!"

"At once, King Kamoshida!" The knights responded as they all turned into their real states

All of them turned into black coated horses with red eyes and emerald horns on their heads. Whinnying and stomping as they lunged at the trio.

"Ryuji, move!" Ren ordered and tried to get his friend out of the way.

"Mreow!" Mona hissed as he got his cutlass ready along with Ren's dagger.

"Arsene!" Ren called, pulling his mask off

"HRARH! Hello, fools!" Arsene smirked as he saw the Bicorns.

"Mercurius!" Mona called out as he summoned his Persona.

The two stood back to back, their Persona flouting above them

"For King Kamoshida!" The Bicorns lunged at both Ren and Mona, while their Personas guarded them.

"Ren!" Ryuji called out as he saw them fight.

"D-Damn it!" Ren hissed. 'Even with my knowledge. I'm not strong enough yet! I should be stronger than this! Why are these guys so barley taking any damage?'

"Oh-ho-ho. Not so tough, are you? Execute them." Kamoshida ordered with a slice motion of his neck

"No!" Ryuji called out as he saw his friend getting trampled on by the Shadows.

"ARGH!" Both Mona and Ren were laid flat onto the floor, pinned by their emerald hooves.

Kamoshida laughed, walking towards the group "Look at you. Weak. Pathetic. Worthless trash. And all because of you, 'Track Field Traitor'." Kamoshida turned his head with a shit-eating grin towards Ryuji.

"... Track field trator?" Ren asked

"That-that was-!" Ruji choked back his anger and frustration at Kamoshida.

"Oh, didn't he tell you? He got his Track Team disbanded, for daring to strike me! His King! All because he couldn't handle a little extra practice." Kamoshida answered

"That wasn't 'practice'! That was physical abuse! You hated our team!" Ryuji called out

"The former coach was weak. Weak of mind, weak of will, weak of body." Kamoshida continued "Hell, if it wasn't for him...I would've given his 'star' just a broken leg."

"You... You what?" Ryuji whispered and fell to his knees

"Ryuji." Morgana whispered in shock, although Ren had heard this before.

"That's what happens when you go against me. Toe the line, you'll rise up; step over it and get punished. That's what happens when you mess with the King of this School!" Kamoshida answered. "And this is all your fault!"

"D... Damn it!" Ryuji hissed, falling forward and punching the ground angrily as tears fall from his face

"Are you going to take that?!" Ren called, glaring

Ryuji and Kamoshida turned to Ren who called that out. "R-Ren."

"I've had enough of this. Execute him. Slowly!" Kamoshida ordered

"No." Ryuji gritted his teeth and pushed himself up.

"What was that?" Kamoshida turned

"I said, NO! You're a vicious, cruel, sadistic effin' bastard! I'm not gonna let you keep doing this!" Ryuji called out, a flame began to burn within Ryuji's soul. He gasped, his eyes widening as agonising pain filled his mind and body "ARGH-HAAAAARGH! HNN!"

"You made me wait quite a while. You seek power; correct? Then let us form a pact."

Ryuji fell to his knees and grabbed his hair and head, trying to scream the pain away, all the while the voice spoke within him.

"Since your name has been disgraced already; why not hoist the flag and wreak havoc? The 'Other You' who exists within desires it thus. I am thou. Thou art I."

Kamoshida couldn't believe what was going on, everyone froze by Ryuji's writhing pain and forcing them to watch. However, Ren knew who was coming. He knew what was going to happen.

"There is no turning back. The Skull of rebellion... IS YOUR FLAG HENCEFORTH!"

Blue flames briefly appeared on Ryuji's face, forming a dark grey skull mask that covered his forehead down fully cover his lips, piercing yellow eyes shone through the mask as Ryuji's gaze was turned solely to revenge and payback. And with one rebellious RIP off his face, blood splattered onto the floor as he roared in a primal scream as blue flames erupted from his body; winds that whipped the tempests of the sea spewed forth and pushed back the knights who pinned Ren and Morgana as Ryuji was reborn.

His costume had a matching black jacket and pants with knee pads, a red ascot, combat boots, a pair of yellow gloves, and a skull mask. And on his back was a spine-like back-guard, like overlapped plate-mail. Ryuji pulled upwards and gave a rebellious smirk, glaring right at Kamoshida... who seemed to piss his little pink speedos.

But that wasn't all, floating behind Ryuji was a black boat riding Pirate. The ship itself was black wood with a mad toothy grinning face on the front, a golden figurehead of an angel, free-floating climbing nets on the side and several cannons pointing outwards. Riding the ship itself was a tall imposing skeletal figure. White boots with black 'X' straps, black pants, a light blue button shirt with golden straps, two cutlasses strapped to his chest by crossed belts, a golden cannon right hand, a golden left glove with spike fingers and a flowing red cape. On top of this fierce pirate's head was a Jolly Roger crest captain's hat on an actual skull. Ryuji's Persona, a skeleton, had come.

"Urgh! This one as well?" Kamoshida gasped and grunted as he tried to stand tall.

"Right on. Wassup Persona?" Ryuji smirked as he looked at himself. "This effin' rocks! Now that I got this power...It's time for payback! Yo, I'm ready... BRING IT!"

Morgana and Ren got back up and stood with Ryuji, smirking at the Skull of his rebellion. "Do not mock me, you insolent brat!" A knight raised his sword and pointed at them, before turning into his true Shadow form. A horse riding, red armoured knight.

"Blast him away! Captain Kidd!" Ryuji pointed as he, Ren and Morgana got back into the fight. Ren and Morgana smirked, pulling themselves to their feet as their Persona readied themselves

"Damn you all!" The Shadow responded, summoning two more of the Bicorns from earlier.

"I got this!" Ryuji smirked as his mask reformed.

"Ryuji." Morgana whispered.

"We've got your back!" Ren reassured him.

"Let's do this Persona! ZIO!" Ryuji called out, summoning a bolt of lightning down and hit the Bicorn, causing it to fall!

'Good old electric power.' Ren thought

"Impossible!" The red armoured knight proclaimed.

"Oh yeah. If Kamoshida sees me as a nuisance, then I'll go all out! Like the trouble maker I am!" Ryuji proclaimed as he sent down another bolt of lightning, striking the second Bicorn down to the ground.

"That's two!" Morgana smiled

"I can do this all day!" Ryuji called out, getting pumped up from this onslaught, but pulled from his back, a large iron pipe! "Bring it on you effin' bastards! HRAAARGH!" He ran at the knocked down Bicorn and slammed its head in, causing it to disappear when the Iron Pipe connected.

"Nice work!" Ren called out

"That's one down!" Morgana cheered

"Alright!" Ren grinned as he clicked his fingers, pulling his mask off as he and Arsene prepared to throw their own attack

"Eiha!"

Arsene's wings extended as he shot down a Curse based attack destroying the second knocked down Bicorn, causing it to disappear.

"Here we go!" Morgana called, pulling out his slingshot and quickly launching a barrage of metal balls at the Shadows

"Ow, ow, ow, OW!" The knight grunted and the horse began to buckle.

"A giant slingshot? Really?" Ryuji asked

"It's what I'm comfortable with." Morgana answered as the Shadow fell to the ground

"I see an opening!" Ren smirked

"Time for an All-Out Attack!" Morgana called

"Oh, hell yeah!" Ryuji called out and lead the charge, with Ren and Morgana following suit.

The three rushed forward, racing right at the Shadows. Three streaks of darkness, throwing the Shadows around as they viciously attacked. Ryuji landed on his face, but he leapt back to his feet and gave the 'devil's horns' hand gesture as the Shadow's body exploded with its blood spurting out. "Friggin' Awesome!"

Ren and Morgana landed right next to him, the three standing there confidently as they all felt confidence fill them

Kamoshida looked on in shock and anger, seeing the Phantom Thieves besting his knights. "Damn you. You damn Thieves!"

"Had. Enough. Bastar-Shida?" Ryuji panted, feeling the effects of his new transformation to catch up. He fell to the floor, coughing

"Ryuji!" Ren grabbed him and helped him up.

"He's exhausted himself. We've got to get out of here!" Morgana called out

"Run!" Ren called

"After them!" Kamoshida ordered

'I wish we had some smoke bombs right now!' Ren thought as he carried Ren through the castle and through the escape route.


*time skip*

'That was crazy. Ryuji summoning Captain Kidd, running away from those Shadows...What a day.' Ren thought back to when he and Ryuji left the Palace.

"That... Was insane..." Ryuji panted, falling against the wall

"You're telling me." Morgana admitted as he was in Ren's bag.

"Wh-what're we gonna do?" Ryuji asked

"Huh?" Ren asked

"Going back. I mean, we barely got outta there that time again." Ryuji answered

"We'll get better and stronger. That's how." Ren responded "Once you've calmed down... We can do it. You just need to clear your heard and get your strength back. Then we can do it. We can get right to the treasure, steal it and change that asshles heart." Ren assured "Morgana told me all about this. If we steal his treasure, Kamoshida will loose his darker desires. He will admit his crimes and the guilt will make him hand himself in."

"So we steal his treasure... And this asshole is done for?" Ryuji blinked

"Basically, yeah." Morgana nodded

"Quick question." Ryuji asked

"What is it?" Morgana responded

"What's a 'Treasure'? And I know it's like a 'valuable object'." Ryuji answered

Morgana sighed heavily as he heard that. How dense could he be? "Okay. A 'Treasure' in this context is the source of the twisted desire."

"Oh, okay." Ryuji tried to think of an example. "Err...Like. An otaku obsessing over a figurine and his Palace is some creepy hobby shop?"

"Yes." Ren nodded "The treasure would probably be the most valuable figure in the hobby shop."

"And in Kamoshida's case, that castle. Though we don't know what he values most above all." Morgana added.

"Okay, I got it." Ryuji answered. "Think we can do it with just the three of us?"

"Maybe, but those Shadows were tough." Morgana answered

"So we just have to be smart and careful." Ren instructed "We can do this."

"Yeah. You bet the hell we are." Ryuji grinned

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 Chariot Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power...

"So... Guess that gun helped quite a bit." Ryuji added

"Yeah, it definitely did. Ah! The time, I've got to get back home." Ren spoke as he looked at his watch "Sorry man."

Ryuji apologised "Tomorrow then."

"Yeah." Ren nodded and opened his bag. "C'mon Morgana."

"Hup!" Mona smiled and entered the bag.

'Why? Why was I so... weak then?' Ren thought as he began to head back to Cafe LeBlanc 'I should be stronger than that.'

"I am afraid that is my fault. While you have kept your strength Ren, I am afraid mine has been sapped when I was 'reawakened'." Arsene explained in his head"I did not tell you as victory was easily in our hands until then... I am sorry."

"It's fine Arsene." Ren sighed, looked to the sky and grinning "It just looks like I have to train to get back to where I was... awesome. The game wouldn't be fun if it was too easy."


*time skip*

It was the next day and it was Gym class. Meaning it was the weekly/daily rounds of pain and Olympic level spikes from a volleyball going at least 50 MPH. 'Mishima. He's getting thrashed out there.' Ren thought as he saw how much Kamoshida was picking on him. It was the volleyball meet up, AKA Kamoshida's chance to show off to everyone

It was a match between the battered and bruised students...vs adults. Yes, actual adults. With Kamoshida being the lead and 'star'. "Nice work, Kamoshida. That was great." A team-mate high-fived him

"Thanks." He responded with a kind smile

"Urgh..." Mishima, a dark blue-haired student wearing the school's PE issue uniform, he was covered in bruises and had a bandage over his nose.

"Mishima's getting killed out there." Ryuji frowned

"Yeah." he nodded and sighed "So... We doing your plan?"

"Yes." Ryuji nodded "Let's go! We need to get the info from those guys!"

"Okay, but don't come on too strong." Ren answered "No idea why you mean."

"Won't you cover more ground by splitting up?" Morgana said from Ren's bag

"Yeah, good thinking. I'll take these guys, you head to the main building." Ryuji answered as he and Ren slipped out.

"Right." Ren sighed

Ren split up with Ryuji, knowing what was going to happen within the next few hours... Something terrible. He had to stop it this time. He couldn't let it happen. He walked through the school, looking for two of them. Two special girls

Ann Takamaki. The blonde-haired beauty of the school.

And standing next to her was her best friend, Shiho Suzui. Black hair tied into a ponytail, brown eyes, wearing her issued PE uniform, slightly bruised and beaten by the intense volleyball practice... but Ren knew better. He still remembered seeing her falling...

He closed his eyes and gently shook his head. He would change her fate. "Excuse me." He spoke calmly to them.

"Huh?" the two blinked

"Oh. It's you." Ann blinked

"Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to ask you something." Ren asked politely.

"What is it?" Shiho asked nervously, having heard the rumours about him. But she wasn't the kind to believe or trust rumours

"I wanted to ask if you were alright. Cause... I've heard that Kamoshida-" Ren asked calmly and kindly, only to be stopped by Ann.

"Why do you want to know?" Ann asked harshly

"Rumours." Ren answered. "I know Kamoshida spread them about me just to keep me underfoot. I want to get to the main source and help dispel them."

"Really?" Ann asked, shocked. She thought that he was going to attack her or something, expecting those rumours to bother her again

"Yes. I don't care for the ones about me, the damage is done. But I'm worried about you both." Ren answered which shocked both women "The reason... I'm in this position is because I saved a woman from being raped by a guy with too much power. It may have fucked me over... But I'm still not gonna let this guy do that with other women. So I want to make sure you're okay."

"A-Amamiya." Ann whispered as she heard that.

"I-I'm." Shiho whispered, worried about what Ann would do. She hugged herself, looking away

"Shiho? Are you okay?" Ann asked in worry,

"I-I'm fine." She whispered making Ann narrow her eyes, she knew her friend too well

Ren sighed and looked at her, knowing what would happen "... Do you want to talk in private?"

"Anything you want to ask Shiho, you say in front of me." Ann interrupted

"I'm asking because she looks uncomfortable." Ren said, looking around the halls where they'd gathered a slight audience

"Please. Let's go." Shiho asked timidly as she began to walk off.

"I think there's a classroom empty." Ren offered as the three walked away. They headed to one of the empty classrooms, one that was in the gym right now "Here we go." Ren said as he closed the door, turning to the girls

"You better not do anything funny." Ann commented

"I promise, I'll just ask questions." Ren answered "I promise."

"O-okay." Shiho answered nervously.

"Shiho, what happened to get those bruises?" Ren asked carefully and respectfully. "Cause those look like they came from something hard." He pointed to them softly, going into detail "Volleyball's wouldn't cause something like that, unless they where thrown with Olympic level strength. And their size... Those are too big to be from a volley ball even with that level of strength, those bruises are from a fist."

Shiho covered her arms from flinching, Ren was right on the money with the markings.

"Shiho. I-I didn't know. Is this true?" Ann asked, panicking for her best friend "I don't know much about injuries.. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because. Because I was told. N-not to." She answered, forcing herself to speak. "If you knew... then-then you'd be brought into this too."

"What do you mean?" Ann asked in panic "Shiho! What's going on?!"

"It-it's. Nothing. It's no-one." Shiho lied.

"Shiho, trust me. Whatever's said, doesn't leave this room." Ren reassured her "These bruises... It's to do with something big. Isn't it?"

Shiho shuddered and nervously nodded.

"Shiho. Who did this to you. Please. Tell me." Ann pleaded, wanting to protect her.

"He... Does it to everyone." she whispered

"Every-?" Ann asked before looking at Ren, shocked to hear this... and slowly began to piece the clues.

Ren just nodded, looking with sympathetic eyes at Shiho. Ann knew who was doing this. Shiho knew who did this. And so did he. It was the man who views the school as his Castle.

"He... He let's his anger out on us when we under preform or when someone pisses him off." Shiho further explained

"Why? Why doesn't anyone stop him?" Ann asked in shock as she heard that.

"Because he's the coach. We can't do anything, so what's the point?" she mumbled "And even then... We'll be throwing our dreams away if we make him mad."

"Kamoshida? He-He's doing-!" Ann growled as she formed a fist in anger. "He can't-!"

"He can, Ann. 'As long as he gets results, the school will overlook everything he does'." Ren paraphrased what Kamoshida told him the first time. "It's why the track team was disbanded, why the previous coach quit. Why Ryuji's leg was broken."

"Hey Ann. It's already. It's not... It's not too bad." Shiho smiled nervously "B-Besides. It-It's not like he's forcing himself on me or anything, okay?"

Ren knew that was a lie. Or at the very least... it hasn't happened yet. He had to intervene. He had to prevent tomorrow from happening!
"Shiho. I want you to promise something." Ren said seriously

"Wh-what is it?" Shiho asked as she saw Ren's face and gulped at his serious tone.

"If you even think he is going to touch you, you get out of there. You are more important than him, as is your safety. Nothing is worth letting him touch you like that if you don't want it. You will only hate yourself and hurt yourself. If he tries to get you, get out. Promise your best friend that." he said seriously, while clearly pushing himself out of the conversation and aiming it at Ann

Shiho felt a little better, looking at Ann and then nodded gently. "I-I p-promise."

Ann immediately hugged her best friend and felt a great wave of relief "Shiho..."

"Th-thank you." Shiho whispered to both Ann and to Ren.

VRR, VRR!

"Excuse me, I've got to take this." Ren apologised as he looked at his phone. It was from Ryuji.

Damn it! Nothing on my end.
Everyone's too tight-lipped.
How're things for you?
Anyone talkin'?

No. Ren lied, he had to be careful

Ah, man, this sucks!
No-one's talkin'!
Ryuji groaned in his response.
The hell are we gonna do?

We'll prepare to go in soon. Ren reassured him.
Yeah. I'll go grab some stuff. I hear there's some good stuff on the weekend shopping channel. Maybe there's something we can get.

Hey. I know this place we could get weapons. Ryuji texted back

Like the one you lent me yesterday? Ren texted quickly and played the 'dumb friend'

Yeah, they're realistic enough to work. Ryuji answered. What do you think?

Sounds a plan. Ren nodded
Let's go tomorrow.

Awesome! See you then! Ryuji ended the texts.

"Enjoy the texts?" Ann asked as she was waiting beside him.

"Ah!" Ren jumped, spinning in shock

"You were standing there for a few minutes." Ann answered

"Sorry, just... caught up in something important." Ren responded

"Amamiya... Thank you." Shiho spoke

"It's fine." he nodded with a smile "And if either of you need someone to talk to, I'm here." The two nodded and left, leaving Ren alone. 'There. I've sown the seeds to help.' He thought as he looked at them. He just hoped it was enough. He walked out of the room and tried to find an abused student, knowing that Ryuji didn't have much to go on, he went off to find maybe one of his other classmates.


*the next day*

Ren met with Ryuji at Shibuya Station Square, heading towards Central Street "Hey! You made it." Ryuji smiled as he saw his friend and fellow Phantom Thief.

"How's it going, Ryuji?" Ren responded, walking

"Good, thanks. C'mon, let's go." Ryuji spoke

Going through Shibuya's Central Street, there was a small gathering around a balding black-haired man, wearing a black suit with a red tie and a politician's sash. Talking up about some good points... but he wasn't getting anywhere.

Ren was silent, looking at the man sadly. He knew this guy from his previous timeline. He was 'Toranosuke Yoshida', a failed politician, but a good person with good and meaningful ideas. He just had bad luck from early in his career. Unfortunately he couldn't help much at the moment

"I don't get politics. It just goes over my head." Ryuji admitted. "C'mon, we've got to get going."

"Right." Ren nodded

The two managed to push through the crowds until they got to the main shopping area. "Okay, it's around this way." Ryuji spoke, pointing to an alleyway.

"What is?" Ren asked

"The store I told you about." Ryuji answered.

"Wow." Ren nodded and followed

"It's called 'Airsoft'. And... it's kinda hardcore." Ryuji admitted as he lead him to a back alley to where a model gun shop was. "Well. Were we are." As he stood outside.

"...Err. Are you going to go in?" Ren asked as he pretended to have beer been here before

"I know, I know. It's just... the guy who runs this place. He's scary." Ryuji answered nervously.

"We're not going to get anywhere unless we get in." Morgana poked his head out of the bag.

"Let's go." Ren nodded

Ryuji grumbled nervously as he followed too, entering the cramped and dark-lit room. Inside it was a model gun enthusiast's dream. Locked behind protective glass, various see-through boxes, out of reach grips and hooks were guns of varying styles and makes. Handguns, Shot Guns, Tommy Guns. A plethora of expertly made model work and designs. There was even a dispenser that gave military grade rations by the front door.

Sitting in a chair, was the owner. A stern, gruff-looking man wearing a grey cadet hat, greying stubble, yellow ear defenders on the rim of the cap, a black turtleneck sweater, a long grey coat with a red peace symbol on it; grey sideburns and a black gecko on his neck. He was leaning in his chair, resting his feet on the counter as he read the newspaper.

'Here we go.' Ren thought. As they entered, Morgana tucked back into the bag once again, hiding out from the shop's owner... He didn't know if there was a 'no pets' policy, so he had to play it safe. "Ahem." Ren spoke up respectfully, getting the attention of the owner.

"Yeah? Watcha want?" the gruff owner huffed

"We wanna look at your selections." Ryuji interrupted before Ren had a chance to get a word in.

"... Who are ya? Ya look like a coupla rookies." The owner answered

"Actually I'm an enthusiast. I had to leave my collection at home when I moved though." Ren countered

"Huh. I that so?" The owner asked as he folded his paper and turned to a more dignified posture. He hummed as he looked at Ren, seeing a sort of 'enthusiastic gaze' about him. "Alright then. What sort of model do you want?"

"Err-" Ryuji tried to think.

"Something that looks real." Ren immediately answered

The owner looked at Ren, seeing his unflinching gaze. "You're not gonna try and rob any banks are ya?"

"What? No! We just like the way they look." Ryuji defended. with Ren quickly kicking his leg "Ow!" He grunted as he was kicked.

"Hmph." The owner glared at the two. "Well. Since you're so adamant. I'll let you see what I've got in stock. But! You're to keep them safe and out of sight. I don't want you kids gettin' into trouble, no wavin' 'em around like a pair of idiots."

"Understood." Ren nodded

"Alright then." The owner answered. "Here's what I got." As he showed off different 'weapons'. All detailed and realistic, dull and blocked. Daggers that worked better as butter knives than actual weapons. Clubs that looked like they would bend like cardboard. Handguns and shotguns that only had sound mechanisms and not actual working components for bullets.

"Holy crap!" Ryuji's eyes widened in shock.

"These are what's on sale for the 'weapons' department. I got some more stuff as well." The owner added

"Such as?" Ren asked

"These." The owner followed up, showing reinforced clothing and different accessories. Trinkets and the like that clipped onto the clothing.

Ren whistled in impress, acting calm by the sight of it all. Trying to pretend that he'd never seen this before

"Anything here catch your eyes?" The owner asked

"Yeah." Ren nodded and pointed to some items, not for him, but for Ryuji. "These."

"Huh?" Ryuji blinked

"Huh. Not sure that it's for you." The Owner spoke.

"As I said, I'm an 'enthusiast'." Ren countered

"Well, if that's your choice." He answered and packed them away.

"You sure you've got enough?" Ryuji gulped

"The total comes to 14,000 Yen." The Owner spoke.

"Gah-ck!" Ryuji flinched as he heard that. He only brought five!

"Here's fourteen thousand." Ren spoke, passing over the money.

"Huh?!" Ryuji gasped

"Thanks for the purchase." The Owner answered and put the items in a black sealed bag. "Now don't mess around with these."

"Can't promise anything, but we will try." Ren smirked. The owner saw Ren's smile and heard that remark, something about him caused something to almost crack a smile. Almost "Let's go." Ren commented

"Right. Err, see ya." Ryuji answered and left with Ren, almost like he was being glared at. "Fourteen thousand? I thought the gun was expensive. I'm gonna pay you back, man."

"Don't worry about it, Ryuji. We'll make more back from Kamoshida's Palace." Ren reassured him "Trust me."

"Dude, I hope so. Shall I take these?" Ryuji asked

"Of course, they're yours after all." Ren nodded and handed them over.

"Really? Oh, sick!" Ryuji smiled. "We gotta get going."

"Yeah, see you later." Ren nodded as he held out his hand, clasping it with Ryuji's

"Later." Ryuji nodded and left

"Hmm!" Morgana growled in anger. "There was stuff in there for me too, you know. Slingshots, enhancing collars, cutlasses. And you spent it on-"

"Don't worry, Mona. I've got something of yours back home." Ren reassured him.

"Really?!" he gasped

"Yeah, I have." Ren nodded as he walked off back to Cafe LeBlanc. He arrived at Shibuya Station... And overheard it again. Ann answering the phone

"But-but that's her-!" Ann almost screamed into the phone, unintentionally catching Ren's attention "I said I can't do it today! My agency... No! No I..."

Ren frowned as he heard that, he knew Kamoshida was on the other end of the line. Ann soon fell to her knees as the phone conversation ended, crying in worry "No... Shiho..." she cried

Shiho. The person Ren and Ann tried to protect. "Ann." Ren spoke tenderly and reassuringly.

"What?" she blinked and looked up at him, quickly narrowing her eyes "How much did you hear?"

"You were yelling at someone about Shiho." Ren answered honestly

"It... Its nothing..."

"It was Kamoshida, wasn't it?" he asked

"It's nothing to do with you!" She frowned and ran off.

"Ann, Wait!" Ren called out and chased after her 'Darn it, not again!' he thought as he sprinted after her. He chased after her, running that same patch, down two flights of stairs, going towards the Aojiru stand, but he saw her, standing with her face against the large supporting pillar "Ann?" he asked, reaching for her shoulder

"Why're you following me?" She sniffed, wiping her eyes

"Cause I want to help." Ren answered honestly "Please... let me."

Ann sniffed sadly and nodded. "Thank you." She whispered and followed him, not obediently, but in a kind guided manner.

"Let's... Go somewhere else." he offered, not wanting to make a scene

Ann nodded and followed Ren, his hand gently on her arm as he knew where to go: Big Bang Burger. It was somewhere people often visted and didn't mind who was there. He followed her, remembering all the time he spent with her. His heart was already beating hard, he had to hold off the urge to act too friendly with her. To fit into his natural spot at her side

"Welcome to Big Bang Burger; what would you like?" A waitress asked

"Just drinks please." Ren asked as the two sat down "A strawberry and chocote cookie galaxy milkshake and a Eispep Ultra." Ren ordered, instinctuelly going for their usual and flinching

"I've got that down. It'll be five minutes for the milkshake." The waitress answered

"'Strawberry and chocolate cookie'?" Ann asked as she heard that. "That's my favourite."

"Really? I... You just looked like you needed something sweet." Ren struggled to lie

Ann looked down and rubbed her eyes. "I. I'm sorry. You're probably thinking that I'm pathetic right now."

"No. Far from it." he shook his head

"You... You've heard those rumours; right?" She asked sadly as she began to confess.

"I'm not sure which one you mean." Ren admitted

"The ones about me. How I'm with... Kamoshida." She frowned.

"Honestly, no. And if they're just rumours, chances are they're just lies." Ren answered "After all, you hear the ones about me? Huh? About how I'd kill anyone who talks to me? Or other such stuff? Ha! I mean, come on! You think they'd let someone like that out of juvey?"

"...I. I don't think so. You're right. And... you went to help Shiho and I." Ann added

"So... These rumours about you and Kamoshida?" Ren asked, inquieting what these rumours whre about and why she was bringing them up

"Yeah, people are saying that we're getting it on but, they're all fake. I've been putting him off for the longest time... I don't even know how he got my number." Ann explained. "And now, he's telling me that if I don't come to his office... he'll take Shiho off the volleyball team. Her life will be ruined." Ann was clawing at a napkin with one hand, gritting her teeth "He's been after me for ages... For a while I outright refused but then Shiho started having trouble at Volleyball... I... I had to agree. It was small things at first. Sending him pictures of me. Letting him rub my shoulders or knees... Getting in the car with him... And then he asked to see my underwear. I didn't want to... But... He threatened to kick Shiho off the team... I... No couldn't bare the thought that I was the one who took her dream away, so I did it. But I knew next time he'd want more... So I've been avoiding him as much as possible.. And then just now, that phone call? He wants me to meet him at his house. You can guess what he's implying."

"Fucking bastard." Ren growled, not even hiding his contempt for that scum of the Earth as he gripped his hands under the table.

"What do I do?" Ann asked as she clenched the napkin in her hand, tears beginning to well in her eyes "I can't stop him... But if I don't go to him then Shiho will loose her dream. It'll be my fault. But if I go to him... I'll never be able to escape. Please... Please... TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" she screamed/pleaded at the end, her face falling into her hands as she weapt

People began to look at the two, to which Ren quickly dismissed them, trying to break up their rubbernecking. "Ann. Trust me. It'll stop soon." He promised. He brushed her hair back "I... Don't know what you should do. But I do know what you shouldn't. You shouldn't give yourself to him. Not only does he not deserve you but you are more precious than that. And he won't kick Shiho off the team. If she is as good as I think she is, then just kicking her off would raise too many questions as well as hurt the team performance wise. It would make him look bad. And even if he does have the balls to kick her off, Shiho wouldn't blame you. Heck I bet if she knew this was going on she'd *beg* you to ignore him, to not hurt yourself for her sake. Neither of you would want you in Kamoshida's arms. It's fine. "

Ann sniffed gently as she looked at him. "When did you get so good with this?" She asked

"At what?" he wondered, his head tilting to the side lightly

"Talking to people, helping them." She admitted. "You seem to know how to make them feel better."

"I have some practise... And I just want to help." he smiled, their drinks finally arriving

"Please enjoy." The waitress answered and left.

"Thanks. I needed this." Ann responded, taking the milkshake and sucked it down... And squealed/moaned as the sweet flavours hit her tongue, a signature sound Ren was use to thanks to her sweet binges, and it made him chuckle softly

"That good, huh?" He asked kindly

"Hmm~!" She nodded

Ren smiled, relaxing


*with Shiho*

The girl was rubbing her arm, bitting her lip as she neared Kamoshida's office. She had been summoned 'Re-Remember... Remember what Ren said.' She thought as she nervously approached the door of the office.

Mishima had said she was summoned by the man after practice, and she had to admit... She was scared. Her slot on the volleyball team... It was all that kept her at the school, to excel at something. Anything.

It was all she was good at.

She took a deep breath and opened the door, walking inside... And instantly was met with a punch to the face, the world seemingly freezing as she felt the impact. She fell to the ground, it almost seemed like the world was spinning. She felt like she couldn't see through that side of her face, so strong that punch was that knocked her down like a doll.

She yelped as she felt someone grab her shirt, pulling her to her feet

The figure in her sight was blurred, before she was knocked down again with an equally strong hit to the face "That bitch! Turning ME down!?" Kamoshida snarled, grabbing Shiho and forcing her to her feet once more

"M-Mr? Kamoshida?" Shiho wept as she was being almost strangled by her teacher

"... Looks like you need to take her place." Kamoshida smirked, looking her up and down

Shiho was shaking in fear, terrified what he was going to do. "N-no. Don't."

"Shut the fuck up slut!" Kamoshida responded immediately and slammed her against the wall

"Your friend didn't come as I ordered. Now you have to do it in her place!" Kamoshida snarled, pulling her pants down

Shiho's eyes widened as much as they could, almost like a deer in the headlights. But then, she remembered Ren's words. 'If you even think he is going to touch you, you get out of there. You are more important than him, as is your safety. Nothing is worth letting him touch you like that if you don't want it. You will only hate yourself and hurt yourself. If he tries to get you, get out.' She mustered whatever courage she could and shook in his grip.

"Stop, shaking you little bi-GACK!" Kamoshida snarled... Before Shiho kicked him right in the balls and hit in the sternum. The wind was taken from his bastard's sails as Shiho pulled her shorts up and ran. She just ran right out of that office and ran out of the school. "F-Fuckin'. B-bitch!" He wheezed, trying to get back up. But his balls were black and blue, with his breath shortened.

Shiho ran out of the hall, running down the stairs and grabbed her phone, calling someone to pick her up. The police, Ann, her parents. Just anyone to get her out of there and out of the school's area.


*with Ann and Ren*

"Thanks for talking to me, Ren." Ann spoke as they walked back to the station.

"Any time." Ren smiled

VRRR!

"Oh, excuse me." Ann apologised as she answered her phone.

"Of course, no problem." Ren answered reassuringly as he saw her open it, pulling it to her ear

"Hello? Shiho? Shiho, what's wrong?" Ann asked in a panic as she heard her friend "Why are you crying? Ah-Shiho! Shiho! Calm down! Talk to me-calm down! Calm down! What's going on?"

Ren had a strong feeling what just happened... and prayed it didn't go anywhere that Shiho couldn't come back from. 'Please, please let her be safe.'

"O-Okay. I'm right at the train station, we'll be right there!" Ann reassured her.

"What's wrong?" he asked

"Shiho's at the station by the Academy. She was assaulted by Kamoshida!" Ann responded.

"WHAT?" Ren snapped as he feared for the worst

"She-We've got to get to Shunjin, she's not safe!" Ann panicked

"Let's go!" Ren answered as the two boarded


*time skip*

Ann and Ren were finally with Shiho; she was shaken and understandably mute, but Ren knew where to bring her... albeit he'd get an earful from Sojiro, but he couldn't leave her like this. She was at the train station, Ann jumping at her best friend and hugging her tightly

"Shiho!" Ann called out, garnering attention from the onlookers.

"A-Ah-ah-ah-Ann!" Shiho cried, hugging her.

Morgana heard all this, saddened and worried to hear Ann crying and even her friend. "Ren, we need to stop him."

"Hmm." Ren nodded. "Ann, Shiho; I know where we can go. Somewhere safe."

"Ren!" Shiho cried, hugging Ann tighter "You where right!"

Ren sighed and knelt down. "We're going to LeBlanc. You'll be safe there."

"Are you sure?" The two asked

"Absolutely. I'd never forgive myself if you were hurt." Ren answered which shocked and confused the girls

"Quick, say something, Ren!" Morgana whispered to him, which sounded like mewing to the girls.

"Do you remember what I said? Those rumours about me?" Ren asked as he wanted to help the twp up.

"About you saving that woman from a rapist?" Ann responded

"Exactly. I didn't stand by then, and I'm not standing aside now." Ren reassured them. "I'll explain to my guardian what's happened, so don't worry about me."

"Thank you." Shiho cried