DJPlaysGames: Most likely no.

shootdamit: Glad you enjoy it.

Jackbro-fan: laughs evilly Just you wait and see!

Saito Daemon: Hope we can keep up with expectations.

Silent Master of Winds: Well, we are planning on finishing this.

Xerzo LotCN: No, Makoto did not record them.

kombatant88: I'd say so.

Neo Infinity: Good for toy mate.

Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Go ahead.

BigMasetheDon: Don't worry. Ren... is the final hope!

Here are some reviews answered by Ghost:

Sir Shark of The Acrylic: So glad to hear that. Good work on your own stories.

Darkchaser: Well. You'd be on the right lines.

PS1 Hagrid: Makoto won't be left behind.

GreatLight432: Yeah, sorry about the update length. But we have to make sure it's all good.

Vein Bloodborne: It will.

UltimateCCC: In Ren's voice You'll never take my lockpicks away from me! laughs

Time Knight Leo: Yeah, things are heating up now.

StevieBond: Please remember, they're not friends yet. This is based on their two years without Ren.

Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Sure you can. Grabs Akechi from P5 Alt World Here ya go.

AadenHelan: I think it's well established that Ryuji doesn't think hard on his insults or anything else whenever he opens his mouth.

kombatant88: Yes, Kobayakawa does look like he is a mix of those two.

Xerzo LotCN: Don't worry about Futaba, she'll be okay. And yeah, things are going to change soon.

Silent Master of Winds: Yeah, there's only 1 confirmed harem route in all of the Persona Franchise. Door-Kun.

DJPlaysGames: We're not doing Royal. When that game came out, we already made plans to use just the base Persona 5 game. As for Strikers? ... I don't think so. That game's VERY recent and we'd have to figure out how to make it work in the story. I know it takes place after Persona 5's ending, but this story will be brutally long as it is.

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

Co-written by GhostKaiser23


AUTHOR'S NOTE

And here is the newest chapter!

The story is going along nicely, isn't it?


Persona 5 New Game Plus, Joker's Second Chance
Chapter 18: Rush To The Centre Of Gluttony


The group had left school for the day. Ren felt bad about treating Makoto with such contempt, he knew that it cut deep into her... like he felt when everyone turned on him at his trial on that trumped up charge. But it didn't make it hurt any less. "Hey, You want to go somewhere?" Ryuji offered.

"We need to go somewhere for information, yeah." Ren nodded

"Great. Then I know just the place." Ryuji smirked, snapping his fingers. "Tokyo at night."

"Really? Are you sure you're not just suggesting to hang out at night." Morgana deadpanned.

"No, I'm totally serious." Ryuji answered

"You sure?" Ren smirked

"Dude, when have I steered you wrong?" Ryuji asked

"... I refuse to answer on the grounds that it may incriminate me." Ren responded, making Ryuji anime fall.

"DUDE!"

"He has a point." Morgana commented

"Shut up you damn Cat!" Ryuji snapped

"Oh! I am insulted!" Morgana remarked in a jovial posh manner, making Ren chuckle.

"Let's go, Ryuji. I need to get changed if we're going to Shinjuku." Ren responded

"Alright, alright." He groaned.

The two walked off, getting ready

"How're you feeling?" Morgana asked as they were alone.

"Honestly? A bit bad for treating Makoto the way I did." Ren explained as he got changed into his casual clothes. "It felt. It felt wrong treating her like my enemy."

"I take it you were close?" Morgan asked

"Yeah. We... we never got close. But... We were friends before." Ren explained, putting his shirt on and sighed heavily. "She's one of us." He looked up and frowned, remembering Queen "I hope that we can get her back on the team." He admitted

She was tough, strong in a fight and strong in resolve. Always putting the team before herself, something that she carried over from her 'job' as the Student Council President. A great driver, much better than Joker himself. Unwavering loyalty... a good friend.

...

Oh no, did he find HER attractive as well?!

'Oh crap.' He realised. "Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap." He muttered in shock.

"What? What's wrong?" Morgana asked

"I-I just thought... Damn it. Why do I have these feelings?" Ren asked, rubbing his eyes "Well we better head out, we need to meet up with Ryuji."

"Okay." Morgana answered, leaping into the bag and let Ren pick it up.

VRR!

"Your phone." Morgana commented, picking it up.

"Oh, it's that reporter." Ren commented as he looked at the message.

"She's agreed to meet us... At Crossroads? Ohya." Ren grinned


*time skip*

Ren and Ryuji soon arrived at Shinjuku for their meet-up and also where Ren needed to meet the reporter Ohya. "Alright. Let's get going." Ryuji smirked as they arrived.

"Don't 'let's get going' me, Ryuji! You're in your school uniform!" Morgana commented as they arrived in Shinjuku's streets. "Didn't you want to change beforehand?!"

"Eh, I thought 'Why bother?' and just left." Ryuji answered casually.

"You should've bothered." Ren rolled his eyes as they were walking through.

"So, with the Class Prez on our ass; who's our next target?" Ryuji asked

"I am 90% sure I know who it is. Been working the case myself for a month. A man called Kanashiro." Ren shrugged/commented

"W-wait; seriously?!" Ryuji asked in shock. "A month already?"

"Yeah, I know." He responded

"Well... Let's see if it works. Open the app. Kaneshiro." Ryuji commented and opened the Metaverse App.

PING!

"Hey, it worked!" Ryuji smiled as he saw it. "Once we get some more info it's Palace time." He smirked.

"Ryuji, don't be naive. We need to gather the team and go together." Morgana answered.

"... Yeah, I guess you're right. I'll call everyone to get to Shibuya." He responded, texting away. "This is a huge catch. I'm so pumped!"

"Ooh~ a 'huge catch' you say?" An effeminate voice spoke. "I'm getting pumped too."

"Huh?" Ryuji asked

'Oh no. Not again.' Ren thought in fear as two men approached them.

"What a cutie~! And so muscular too. I'd give you an 85/100." One of the men, spoke. He was dressed in a striped jumper, beige shorts and floral pink sneakers.

"GAH! Who're you guys?!" Ryuji panicked

"We're the Shinjuku Trolls." A man wearing a white jumper with red hearts, white jeans and black boots followed up.

"Ryuji. Scatter!" Ren whispered, trying to save his friend.

"S-Seeya!" Ryuji panicked and ran as Ren left as well, not wanting to get involved

However Ren was sprinting to a bar 'Sorry, Ryuji.' He thought.

"Jeez, Shinjuku's scary!" Morgana commented nervously from the bag.

"Yeah, I know." He nodded as he entered a bar called 'Crossroads'. Inside the neon-lit bar was a hefty person in a purple wig, smoking a cigarette and Ohya sitting at a barstool.

"Hmm?" Ohya mumbled, still 'drunk'.

"Is she wasted?" Morgana asked. "Maybe you can talk to her about writing, it'll affect the Metaverse."

"Lala, are you sure this isn't water? If you're trying to rip me off, I'll write such a bad review about this place." Ohya commented before she turned around. "OH! It's you!"

"Please. Have a seat." Lala asked politely.

"So... What's up?" Ohya leaned on the bar. "Any new leads on the Phantom Thieves? Or maybe... you're just falling in love with me, hmm?" She joked.

"That too." Ren responded, playing it cool.

"'That too'? So then, you do have news on the Phantom Thieves?" She inquired, leaning upright. "Thank god, my publisher has assigned me to be the beat reporter for them. Man. This'll really help me out."

"Are you seriously going to use a child as a source for information?" Lala asked

"Ah, don't be such a killjoy. Teens nowadays know way more than us adults know." She answered, though slightly slurred. "Besides, what's most important is that I have a reliable third-party source for my stories. So, what do you want from me this time? Information? Cold hard cash?"

"I'll let you know later." Ren answered

"Huh?" She gasped, before she laughed. "Looks like I've got my own golden goose. Maybe now I can take it easy. Get a vacation." Before she frowned. "What is it? Last time it was for Kaneshiro; right? The whole office is a buzz with it. I think it is Kaneshiro related. Something's fishy."

"The bad guys are bad." Ren answered.

"Huh, swayed by the Phantom Thieves. But I can tell... You're a fanboy for them." Ohya commented

"Hey, I'm not going to let you use this kid so you can take a vacation." Lala remarked, standing up for Ren.

"I was kidding about that. I'm conducting my own private investigation. No-one at work knows about it." Ohya answered

"Don't tell me you're-" Lala frowned.

"Hey, I've got an idea. How about you supply me info on the Phantom Thieves and I'll write articles based on what you tell me about them. Deal?" Ohya giggled drunkenly

Ren smirked. The plan had worked. "Sounds great." he smiled.

"Alright then. It's a deal." Ohya smiled back. "I'll create a LOT of positive PR for them; so give me some good scoops."

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

Ren felt a connection when he finalised that deal with Ohya, smiling as this new connection sprung forth from within his soul.

Devil: Rank 1

"Hey, don't tell anyone about this. I don't want people to know that I've got a high-schooler for a source." Ohya commented

"I won't tell a soul." Ren answered reassuringly.

"Great! This is a cause for celebration. Lala bring out my bottle and two glasses please!" Ohya cheered... only to be met by Lala's stern silence. "... Please?" She whined. "... Fine! I won't make the high-schooler drink... Urp! I-I gotta use the bathroom." She covered her mouth and left.

"... She's going to be a while, Kid. You better head home." Lala sighed as she saw Ren.

Ren nodded, feeling like his 'Charm' had increased since talking to her and piquing her interest "Stay safe." he nodded softly to the older woman before he left Ren nodded out leaving the bar and with Morgana.

"Wow. That was something." The cat commented

"I know, but it's a good thing." Ren smiled


*time skip*

It was the following day and the group were all together at the school. With Ryuji looking a little less shaken up than last night. "God, I did not want to do that." Ryuji commented, shuddering in fear.

"What happened?" Shiho asked

"N-Nothing!" Ryuji snapped out of fear.

"So, what are we going to do?" Ann asked, thinking about what they had to do to get Makoto off their backs.

"Kaneshiro... We should tell Yusuke, but since he doesn't go here-" Shiho followed up.

"I'll tell him about it later." Ren assured "We will head in tomorrow."

"Wait, 'tomorrow'?" Ann asked

"No way. Do we even have the time?" Ryuji asked, almost falling over from shock.

"We'd have to scout the Palace and then send the calling card-" Shiho listed off.

"Trust me." Ren assured "Tomorrow we reach the treasure and we will steal it the day after."

"Really? Holy crap!" Ryuji commented. "This'll be the fastest we've done one."

"Yeah... How?" Ann asked

"As I said to Ryuji, I've already been looking into this." Ren explained "I just needed confirmation from my contact that who I was dealing with is the same guy behind what Makoto was talking about."

"So... We've got a guy, a plan and a calling card to be made?" Ryuji asked

"Trust me, it'll be fine." Ren nodded, hands in his pockets

"Well. Here's hoping." Ann crossed her fingers.

"So what does Kaneshiro's palace look like?" Shiho asked

"A flying bank."

"... You're fucking with us." Ann double took.

"Nope, I'm not." Ren answered.

"... How the hell are we supposed to get up on a flying bank?" Ryuji asked

"I've got a way to do that." Ren answered before the bells rang

"Great. Class." Ryuji frowned.

"Tonight. Don't worry." Ren reasured. "It'll be alright."


*time skip*

Ren was walking through the train station, seeing Yusuke draw people, with his drawing equipment and a lunch by his side. "Ah, Ren. There you are."

"Hey, Yusuke. I see you're still drawing." Ren smiled, walking up to him.

"Yes. I wanted to ask you something." Yusuke responded, getting up from his position. "It's about my art piece."

"Oh, the one you're working on; what about it?" Ren asked

"Well, I want to show you. But obviously not here. Maybe at your house?" Yusuke answered

"Yeah, of course. Come on, I'll buy you a ticket." Ren answered as they headed to LeBlanc via the train and the long narrow streets of Yongen-Jaya.

The two headed upstairs to Ren's loft bedroom where both of them carried a large canvas, covered by a tarp. "Alright. Here it is." Yusuke stated and unveiled it to Ren.

"Phew. Thank goodness. I was worried I was going to knock it." Ren sighed in relief.

"This is my completed work based on the rough sketch I did. I would like your honest opinion if you would." Yusuke asked, removing the tarp.

Ren looked at the painting. It was awash of black, red and greys. Amidst the swirls within the corners and centre of canvas, it looked like looking into the whirlpools of twisted desires and bloody splatters of Mementos. He could see that Yusuke put a lot into the painting. "It's... enigmatic."

"Hmph." He smiled. "As it should be. I don't paint for the sake of others' comprehension. Regardless, this is how I interpret the idea of "desire". It's the foul charm held deep within the abyss of the heart... To be honest, I believe my ability to capture desire so elegantly is all due to our Mementos foray." Yusuke explained, looking at his own painting. "I've grown to understand the intricacies of the heart in a way I once thought impossible..." He soon turned to Ren, looking determined. "I intend on submitting this piece to an upcoming public art exhibition."

"A big step." Ren responded, folding his arms and nodded gently.

"Of course. Nobody has seen the abyss of the heart in such a raw manner before... The discourse will be fascinating." He answered. "More importantly, it shall revitalise the spark in my slumbering art career!"

Ren smiled as he heard that. "I can't wait."

"Indeed. I expect you to accompany me for the moment it is finally revealed to the general public." Yusuke answered, folding his arms and closed his eyes with a small amount of pride as an artist. "I'm sure this will be a most sensational experience for those who opt to undergo it. A raw unbridled look into the human psyche. And I was the one able to bring it to life, all thanks to your assistance, Ren." And he bowed to his friend. "You have my sincerest gratitude."

"Anything for a friend, Yusuke." Ren smiled as he felt his bond with his friend grow deeper.

Emperor: Rank 3

"By the way, we are going to the Palace tomorrow." Ren added

"Ah, I understand. Ryuji has told me that you were pulling extra weight." Yusuke nodded, remembering the text.

"I'll see you later." he nodded

"Yeah, see you later." Yusuke answered "Um... Is it okay if I leave my portrait here, where it's safe?"

"Yeah, no problem. It's closer to the gallery here than where you live." Ren reassured. The friends payed each other farewell, Ren heading towards a toy gun shop 'I wonder if he's got any new gear I can get? It's been a while since I last visited.' Ren thought to himself. He opened the door, hearing the familiar ding

"Hmm? Oh, it's you." Iwai, the owner, spoke as he looked up at him.

"Yeah, I was wondering if you wanted some help." Ren responded.

"Hmm. Alright, kid." He answered, folding his newspaper up. "I'm gonna meet with a guy at the diner after all this. I need you to sit close by. When I give you the signal, call me. The signal is when I cough; got it?"

"When you cough, I call you." Ren nodded. "But I need your number."

"Don't worry about that. Here." He answered, writing down his number for Ren.

"Ren, I'm gonna walk around. Let me know when you're ready to leave." Morgana whispered to his partner.

Iwai and Ren soon left the shop, heading to the diner down the street; since it was late at night, they knew that most of the patrons wouldn't be in or they were at home. Ren slipped into a booth one down from Iwai and Iwai sat behind him.

"Would you like anything, sirs?" A waitress asked.

"Coffee for me." Iwai asked.

"Same for me." Ren answered.

As the waitress left for the drinks a man wearing a snake-pattern jacket, black jeans and a mop of light brown hair strolled in and sat down in front of Iwai while completely ignoring Ren. "There you are." The thuggish man responded. "A diner? I thought only old farts came to places like this. You've changed Mune."

Iwai chuckled at that, acting like it was two old friends. "Don't knock this place. It's pretty decent and cheap too."

"Your coffee, Sir." The waitress spoke, passing a coffee to Iwai first, leaving the thuggish man's earshot and passed Ren his own cup.

The thuggish-man shook his head with a chortle. "This coming from a guy who beat the crap out of fifty rival gang members!"

"Don't exaggerate." Iwai responded.

"So, what'chu wanna talk about?" The thuggish-man asked

"Right; how's Tsuda doing?" Iwai asked

"Huh, Tsuda? Same as always. What's up?"

"Oh, nothing. I just saw him the other day, that's all." Iwai deflected.

"Hold up; didn't you two cut ties when you left the family?" The man asked "Why're you asking about him now?"

"I mean, we were both young. I just wanted to bury the hatchet, I can't just go up and talk to him now; can I?" Iwai explained

"Ah~, holding up the old code of honour." The man realised. "Don't worry, I tell him you wanna meet up!"

'How deep does this go?' Ren thought to himself, a little nerved by all this, but took his coffee to seem normal.

"No, you fool! I just wanna end up in the same place and time as him. It's gotta look like a coincidence." Iwai quietly snapped.

"Hmm... How about Shibaura? They're talking about redeveloping it." The man answered.

Iwai grumbled as he heard that name; he needed time to think...and gave a very convincing cough.

'There's the signal.' Ren thought, pressing 'call' on his phone that he dialed in before hand.

Ring!
Ring!

"Huh? You sick or somethin'?" The man asked

"Nah, just a cold." Iwai explained, before his phone rang. "Excuse me. Hello? What? Your order's all wrong? My bad, I'll get back and take care of it." Iwai spoke, giving a naturally rehearsed line. "Sorry, I gotta run. Work shit. Some other time; okay?"

"Yeah, no problem." The man answered, letting Iwai get up and leave the cafe, leaving Ren there, but not alone. Since Iwai left, the thug pulled out his own phone and began to call.

Ren remained on the phone, though Iwai had pocketed his own, the call was still going "Don't hang up, kid. Masa's still on the phone; right? Stay on the line and stay quiet so I can hear him."

Ren gulped a little, but did what he was asked. This guy was dangerous... but he shouldn't lose his nerve.

"Tsuda, it's Masa. Iwai was askin' about you. I did as you told me to though." Masa responded, before he caught Ren looking just slightly at him. "What'chu lookin' at?" He glared.

"I was daydreaming, sorry." Ren quickly lied, going back to his phone. 'Too close.'

"Huh? Nah, it was just some weird kid starin' at me. Anyways Iwai prolly heard about the deal of yours and now he's tryin' to squeeze some cash from you." Masa answered, listening to the other side, before he became timid. "O-oh sorry! No, it's... yes, sorry. Yes. I understand." He quickly hung up his phone, downing Iwai's coffee and bolted.

Iwai on the other side was pondered as Ren told him that he had left "A deal? Sounds like some weird stuff goin' down."

"What should I do now?" Ren asked.

"You're all good for today. I'll have to thank you in person later. At any rate, I honestly wasn't expecting much from you. But it looks like you're actually gonna be some use to me, kid. I'll be counting on you." He responded with a kind tone to his rough voice.

Ren felt the connection grow deeper within himself and from Iwai.

Hanged Man: Rank 2

"Good work today, go get yourself something as a reward. Float the bill to me." Iwai followed up

Ren sighed and smiled, feeling like his Proficiency had grown from doing this. And honestly... some cake might be good right now.


*Time Skip*

The group had gathered at their current hide out, the train station

"Alright, everyone's here." Shiho spoke up, glad to see Yusuke again.

"It's good to see you too." Yusuke responded

"So, we got Kaneshiro's Palace details?" Ryuji asked

"Yes." Ren answered, readying the Metaverse App. "Kaneshiro, Shibuya, Bank."

PING

"Holy crap. Well, let's go." Ann realised as they were all teleported into the Metaverse and right in Kaneshiro's Palace. Blood red and inky darkness washed around them, the group feeling their cloths shifting into their Phantom Thief outfits

The group looked confused. They were in Shibuya... but nothing about the city had changed. It looked like the normal... well, the normal place.

"Um, dumb question... but are those-?" Skull asked as he saw the 'people' walking the streets.

"Yeah." Joker answered calmly. "Kaneshiro's perception of humans." As hordes of walking ATMs with human limbs walked almost like zombies, losing money out of their slots as one by one, they began to fall and break. "Walking money banks."

"That is completely-" Dove frowned as she saw it, disgusted by the sight.

"I know. That's why we're going to stop him." Joker answered.

"You said that Kaneshiro's Palace is a flying bank. How far above is it?" Panther asked

Joker pointed up into the sky, showing a large poker-chip shaped Palace with a mansion tight in the centre, surrounded by neon lights.

"... How're we supposed to get up there? Fly?" Fox asked

"Exactly. And I've got someone who can help." Joker answered

"No offence dude. I doubt Arsene can carry all of us in one go. I don't even know if Captain Kid can make the trip." Skull commented.

"We're not using Arsene. Or Captain Kidd." Joker answered, taking a deep breath and grabbed his mask. "Come... LUCIFER!"

RRRRIP!

BOOM!

A burst of great energy came from within Joker's mask, shooting up into the sky, the clouds above Shibuya parted as a large six deep-red bat-winged humanoid floated down, dark-scorched-coal skin, a thin grey ribbon around one leg over to his shoulder, protrusions like over his body, deep golden hair with blood-red eyes, two twisted horns like an ibex. This Persona...was a giant among Persona. Large enough to carry all the Phantom Thieves.

The group froze and looked up in wonder at this being

The being looked down upon all of them, before kneeling down and extended his hand open to carry them. Awaiting calmly and quietly as the great beating of his wings came to a crawl and stopped.

"Magnificent." Fox muttered "You must let me paint him some time."

...

"Why is he naked?" Skull mumbled

SLAP!

"Ow!" He snapped

"Skull! Really?" Panther slapped the back of his head.

"It was a legitimate question!" Skull responded.

..

"Okay, true, sorry." Panther mumbled "I am just use to you doing the whole pervert joke."

"Have you ever seen the inside of the Sistine Chapel? Tons of naked people on the roof; artistic licence." Joker answered.

"That's very true. As crass as that answer is." Fox answered.

"... that slap hurt, Panther." Skull mumbled, rubbing the back of his head.

Panther shrugged, stepping up to get onto the giants hands. Her red latex suit squeaking as she did so

"Here you go." Joker offered, helping Dove up.

"Thank you." She smiled

"Alley oop!" Mona leapt into Lucifer's hands.

"Come on, Skull." Joker helped his friend up.

"Thanks." He responded as Fox helped him up.

"Last one." Joker smiled, getting into the fallen angel's hands. "Let's go!"

Lucifer's wings spread wide, the giant shooting into the air

"WHOA!" Mona cheered as they flew up.

"HOLY CRAP!" Skull shouted as they rocketed within seconds to the flying mansion.

'Don't worry Makoto... This douche won't hurt you.' Joker thought

THUD!

Lucifer landed gracefully on top of the large platform, leaving the group there. "Thanks, Lucifer!" Joker called out, all of them getting down and seeing his Persona disappear. The large figure vanished in flames of blue, merging into Joker calmly

"Okay, one question." Skull asked

"Shoot." Joker turned around.

"... Where or when did you get that?" Skull inquired, though Ren didn't have an answer.

...

"I have a life outside you, you know!" he huffed, making the others blink in a moment

...

"Dude!" Skull deadpanned

"I admit, there is stuff about me and my powers I haven't told you." he commented sadly as he pushed his mask up onto his forehead

The group looked at Joker in shock as he began to confess. But... to sound this sad about it. "H-hey, if it's too much right now-." Skull responded, not trying to bring up old wounds.

"... Caroline, Justine?" Joker called out while looking at the glowing blue prison door "Could you come over here?"

...

"Who are you talking to Jo-" Fox blinked before everyone shut up as they saw the two small prison wardens walking towards them

"What do you want, Inmate?" Caroline hissed "And where do you get off summoning us?"

"We were preforming some important jobs." Justine nodded

...

"OH MY GOD, THEY ARE SO CUTE!" Dove cheered/squealed, hugging Panther tightly

"Tiny girls! Tiny girls! How? What the hell?" Skull backed off more onto the platform in shock.

"And wearing warden uniforms?!" Panther squealed, finding the two girls looks very cute!

"Is this what you brought us for?" Caroline turned and pointed her baton to Joker.

"Yes." He answered honestly.

"Well, please be quick... This one is giving me an unnerving gaze." Justine asked, pointing to Fox, who was taking in their attire and stance. She actually seemed to be hiding behind her clipboard

...

The two where then hugged by Panther and Dove, the two nuzzling their cheeks against the Twin Wardens'

"Why... Are... these two... Hugging us?!" Caroline grumbled as they were being nuzzled like this.

"Cause you two are adorable!" Dove answered

"Heh." Joker laughed a bit, it almost looked like a pair of mothers hugging their daughters... oh god no, his mind was wandering now! 'No! Bad!' he thought, mentally slapping himself

"Hey, Inmate! Do not look down at us!" Caroline hissed while holding up her baton

"'Inmate'? Why's she calling you 'inmate'?" Skull asked as he got back to his feet, getting annoyed at them.

"Because that's who he is." Caroline answered seriously.

"He is a prisoner in the Velvet Room." Justine added

"Hey! He's no 'inmate'! So take that Kamoshida bullshit and-! YEOUCH!" Skull pointed at them, and was zapped by Caroline's baton "What the hell?!"

"Do not compare us to such twisted individual." Caroline glared.

"Forgive my sister. She is quite hot-tempered. Yet, you do not know the whole story involving our 'inmate'" Justine followed up, apologising to Skull.

"It is complicated." Joker admitted, putting his hands in his pockets "Look. These two adorable monsters are connected to a... higher power and are here to support me. They fuse my Persona and give me a lot of other little things."

"Wait, 'fusing Persona'? As in you have combined your weaker ones to summon 'Lucifer'?" Fox asked

"Yeah, exactly." Joker answered

"'Weak' nothing; the Inmate has-Will you let go of me?!" Caroline responded, before snapping at Dove and Panther for hugging her too long... she was getting flustered.

"Awww, she's even cuter when she's blushing!" Panther giggled, but let go

"No wonder he talks to us about you two." Justine admitted, blushing herself.

"He talks about us?" Dove blinked

"Yes, saying that 'You're both great and lovely'." Justine explained

"Girls." Joker chuckled

"Jeez, how many?" Skull muttered to himself.

"What do you mean?" Fox asked

"How many girlfriends." Skull pointed, whispering quietly.

"What?!" the twins shrieked with blushes

BZZZ!
THWACK!
BZZZ!
THWACL!
BZZZ!
SMACK!
BZZZZ!

"AH! AH! STOP! STOP!" Ryuji yelled as the twins assaulted him

"That's just too cruel." Mona frowned as Joker pulled them off of their teammate. Even he had to feel sorry for the troublemaker

"Ladies, stop. That's enough!" Joker asked, looping his arms around their waists and pulled He stood tall, holding the twins in his arms. And because of the height difference... Yeah, they were a few feet off the ground

"Inmate! Put us down! He must be punished!" Caroline snarled as she kicked in his arms, slashing with her baton as she looked like a little kid throwing a temper tantrum

"No. He's suffered enough already." Joker answered with a frown before he softly bonked the twins heads against each other

"Hmm." The two frowned, rubbing their heads, though it wasn't that hard.

"So... Are you two also interested in our boyfriend?" Dove asked Caroline and Justine; honestly curious on how angry/jealous she should be about all this.

"Dove, they are kids!" Panther waves off dismissively

"We are not children!" Justine huffed lightly

"We only appear young and small, but we are actually older than we appear." Caroline added before she slammed her baton behind her

BZZZ!

"Damn! Fine! There!" Joker huffed and let go of the two

"Thank you." The two answered, before turning to Panther and Dove. The twins blushing, blushing from the question Dove had asked

"It's... not that we're not interested. We just..." Justine mumbled.

"We have to maintain a professional." Caroline followed up, nervous and flustered.

"You like him; don't you?" Panther asked

"Wha-no! No! Of course not!" Caroline ranted, as Tsundere as ever

'Total Tsundere.' Both Dove and Panther deadpanned in response as they heard that.

"It-it's just that... We're. His wardens and..." Justine followed up, tapping her fingers together cutely.

'Kuudere.' Panther and Dove both frowned in slight jealousy and possessiveness... But at the same time they couldn't be mad at the two for some reason

"L-Let's get out of here, Justine!" Caroline snapped as she stormed off

"R-Right Caroline. Inmate... You will pay for embarrassing us!" Justine agreed. While she was not a tsundere like Caroline, she refused to be humiliated like that without retribution!

"Just you wait! There's going to be a trail for you!" Caroline pointed as they both left through the blue door. Although for the other Phantom Thieves they just saw the two vanish into thin air

"Wha-?!"

"So; shall we go?" Joker asked, pulling his mask in front of his face. The group nodded, turning to the Palace "Showtime." Joker smirked


*time skip*

The group had entered the Palace, Joker's various trips into the place had made him well versed in the location's layout, especially with the map and enemies he had encountered previously. Although currently they were middle of yet another battle

Joker was still up and ready to fight, however his team were getting exhausted. This was going too fast for them. "J-Joker. Isn't? Isn't this too-Argh!" Dove asked, before she was struck by a half-cat woman with a black face-mask with its claw.

"Dove!" Panther called out.

Dove fell to her knees and felt something affect her... something causing her to fall into fear. "N-No. No, no. Not-not you!" She panicked as she looked at the neko-woman like it was a being from a nightmare.

"Dove, what's wrong?" Skull panicked.

"It's him! How? He-He's here!" Dove pointed at the Shadow, thinking it was something else.

"What're you talking a-look out!" Skull asked, before he was caught on fire by an upright horse Shadow with human hands, with his costume still alight.

"Guys!" Joker gasped "Morgana, Ann, heal!" he ordered while rushing at their foes "Black Frost!"

SHINK!

A large black-ice snowman wearing a purple hat and boots with red eyes and mouth. It inhaled deeply before exhaling and froze the two Shadows in place, halting them from any more attacks.

"Hal!" Joker roared as he brought his blade down, slicing the cat woman in half

"AHHHH!" It screamed as it disappeared.

The fight was nearly over as Ann healed the others, while Mona slashed with his blade on the horse Shadow, slicing that in half.

"Goemon!" Fox called, launching the final ice attack to end their foe

SHATTER!

Dove panted as she came out of her fear, feeling it leave her as she came back to reality and Panther hugging her.

"It's okay, it's okay." Panther encouraged

"Are you alright?" Mona went to Skull and used Mercurius to heal him.

"Yeah. Thanks, Mona." Skull answered gratefully.

Joker looked at his friends... How was he this blind? He went into these fights on his own but... He didn't think about them. His team!

"Joker. Please. Can we take a break?" Mona asked as they were exhausted.

Joker was stood there, stunned about what he had done... and he nodded. "Yeah, we should... we should take a break." He responded, realising what he had done "There should be a Safe Room near here."

"Thank god." Skull sighed in relief as they all followed their leader, though still tired.

They walked together, slipping inside quickly

"Here, take this." Joker passed over a bottle of water that could soothe the burns that Skull had and also a drink for Dove to take to calm her nerves.

"Thanks!" Skull sighed happily

"Thank you." Dove whispered as she took the drink from Joker.

"Joker, what was that?" Fox inquired, looking at their leader.

"They were affected by despair and a burn." Ren admitted "Burn is a rare status effect, while despair is more frequent. Not 100%, but still present."

"Why didn't you tell us this beforehand?" Yusuke asked, removing his mask.

"Because..." Joker flinched as he did the same "I forgot you guys didn't know. As I said, I've been training here with Morgana for a month or two, and out of habit I just... Forgot you guys hadn't been here before."

"You could've told us beforehand." Panther frowned, but kind of understood with his 'speed-run' of this place. She knew she was repeating what Yusuke said but... she wasn't happy, seeing Shiho like that.

"I know. And I'm sorry." Ren admitted.

"Mona, why didn't you tell us?" Skull asked their mascot.

"Like Joker said. We just forgot. Remember, he's been working his keister off with micro-managing: three different jobs, school, his plant, working at LeBlanc-."

"Okay, okay. We get it." Ryuji stopped him "Seriously dude, how do you not pass out all the time?!"

"Coffee." Ren joked

"... Your blood caffeine levels must be one to fifty." Shiho commented

"Not that extreme." Ren responded. "I don't think Dr Takemi would be happy with that."

"Yeah. Her." Ann frowned

"What's wrong now?" Yusuke asked, turning to the blonde model

"Panther just doesn't get along with that doctor." Morgana reminded

"Ah, yes." He recalled and nodded.

"It's just... She's clingy around Ren. I don't like that." Ann explained while bright red in jealousy

'She's jealous.' Ryuji thought, rubbing his eyes "You are beyond lucky dude." He muttered to Joker

Ren didn't know how to respond to that... except give a shrug and nod.

"So... Since we are in a calm moment... Maybe we should go over this stuff?" Shiho commented

"That sounds like a great idea." Ren agreed, sitting down in a chair and began to explain the tricks and Shadows of this place.

"Wait... Charm?" Ryuji blinked "They can make us fall in love with them?"

"Something like that; yes." Ren nodded

"Urgh, who'd want to fall in love with a Shadow?" Ryuji groaned. "That 'Nekomata' we fought was not a good Neko girl... Although those Lilith's from Kamoshida's palace on the other hand..."

"And these drinks can take the affects away?" Shiho asked

"Yeah... or slapping some sense into ourselves with a comedy fan." Ren answered.

"... I did wonder where I got this." Yusuke pulled out a comedic sized fan out of...somewhere.

"I guess snapping people out of magic spells is a trope in all sort of stuff." Ann blinked "Makes sense it would physically work in a Palace."

"Is there anything else? I mean, food and drinks replenish our health and stuff right?" Ryuji asked. "Like an RPG?"

"Yeah, exactly." Ren agreed.

"We're going to be alright now; right?" Shiho asked, looking at her boyfriend.

"Yeah. I promise. And I won't go attacking everything like mad this time." He answered "And I'll be fighting my hardest."

"And make sure you've got us backing you up too. Right?" Ryuji added.

"Of course." He nodded

GULP!
GULP!
GULP!
GULP!

GULP!
GULP!

"AH! Let's go." Dove answered, downing the last of the drink's bottle as sweat dripped down her flesh, leaning against Panther as her body tensed and prepared to move once again

"Alright. Let's move." Joker answered, each of them getting to their feet and headed deeper into the palace. He had to try and tear his eyes off his lovers, he had to admit. He really WAS a lucky bastard


*time skip*

"HA!" Skull roared as he opened fire on a Shadow that Joker had told him was weak to gun-shots.

"Skull! Now!" Joker called as the two of them rushed at their foe

"Incoming!" Skull roared as he and his friend leapt in and the scenery changed around them, turning into a city with a deep wind blowing through it. He and Joker stood side by side as their foes exploded into blood.

The two pointed forwards with their guns and grinned, the wind blowing Skull's scarf, as the purple and green cityscape showed the words 'Count Up Your Wins' hanging from a large banner

Both stood there like heroes as they had defeated this Shadow... and GOD did that make them feel like a pair of badasses. They smirked and fist bumped lightly as they put their guns away

"Man these vaults are irritating!" Panther hissed

"Certainly." Fox nodded

"It's got to be the last one; right?" Dove asked as they had been on the fourth one.

"It's the last one, yes." Joker nodded, as they looked at a large door.

"Meaning the treasure is just beyond those doors!" Morna cheered, leaping into the air in victory.

"So... We good?" Panther asked "Do we keep going, send the calling card or..."

"I'd say we find the treasure first. Make sure it's actually there." Mona answered.

"Let's go then!" Skull urged

The group headed inside the final stretch of the palace, until they saw it. Floating like a cloud of light... Kaneshiro's treasure. "There it is." Fox commented as they saw it before them.

"So, Calling Card time." Skull answered.

"Yeah... But be we better be careful, I don't know if he'll pull a fast one like Madarame and switch it out." Joker answered.

"Then let's get out of here and make the video." Dove responded

"Video?" Skull blinked, confused, as they rushed out of the bank

"Yeah, a video. It'll send more of a message than just a calling card." Joker smiled as he explained. "Plus after the last one with Madarama... Better to be low key for a while. Especially considering how big of a leap 'up' this is."

"Jeez, I didn't think about that." Skull answered

"I agree. After this one, it would be good to take some time to ourselves." Fox agreed

"Yeah. We just make one calling card via a video. He sees it, and he will probably dispose of it." Joker explained "So no evidence of us."

"That's brilliant." Panther answered as they arrive at the beginning. "... But how're we going to film it?"

The group emerged outside the bank... Where they realised there was a black bag that Joker had brought with him on their way in

"I came prepared." He answered, pulling out what was inside. A whole camera recording set up. "Get ready, everyone."

"How are we going to do this?" Dove questioned

"I have an idea. We'll be the ones to pose in it, while Mona delivers it." Joker explained

"Make sure you get my good side." Panther joked


*time skip, ? ? ?*

We arrive at a dark neon-light lit bar/club. An overweight man with slicked back brown hair, a cheap purple suit and black button shirt with black trousers, a gold necklace and rings adorning his fingers was sitting on a curved couch with a beautiful 'moll' on his side, with a tough guard by his side. And right now, he was counting money in a suitcase. Hundreds of thousands of thousand yen dollars.

The man laughed, counting the money darkly

The doll on his side sat quietly as she looked at the money, while wearing an expensive and revealing dress and jewellery.

"This is it. All of it." He laughed. "All that matters."

Nya~

"Huh?" The man asked, hearing a cat. He looked down... and saw Morgana there, dropping a USB on the floor "Huh? A cat? How'd that scrawny-?" He snarled, getting his guard to chase it as he picked up the USB. "The fuck is this?"

Morgana ran as fast as he could, leading through the bathroom and nimbly leapt through the open window and escaped.

"Hey! You got that cat?" The man glared

"No, sir. Mr Kaneshiro." The guard apologised. "It escaped through the bathroom and out to the alley."

"Stupid cat... Here, search this on a blank laptop. I want to see if there's anything on it." Kaneshiro ordered passing the USB to him.

"Yes, Sir." The guard answered, taking it and went to a laptop. A few moments later... he came back. "Um, Sir. You should see this."

"What the hell is it?" Kaneshiro asked, as the laptop was brought over. He frowned and held the USB tightly, before inserting it into the laptop. As the USB was inserted, a video popped up. And on the first ten seconds of the video was the Phantom Thieves logo, spinning around "The hell is this?" Kaneshiro questioned

"Hey there, Sir Junya Kaneshiro." A cocky yet distorted voice spoke.

"You are the money devouring sinner of Gluttony." A female voice soon followed up.

"You indulge in scamming others with horrendous methods that target minors exclusively." A cool voice soon came next.

"Wh-what the hell is this?" Kaneshiro began to panic as he was being exposed.

"We have decided to make you confess all your crimes with your own mouth." A second different female voice followed up.

"We will take your distorted desires without fail!" A confident and stronger voice finished.

BWIP!

And the logo of the Phantom Thieves soon came back up. The logo shone brightly, revealing the team below the logo. They stood there, looking like they were posing a bit

"Isn't this bad, Sir?" The guard asked

"What of it?" Kaneshiro answered, dismissing it.

"If something happened to you. If the higher ups find out about this." the guard commented

"They won't. Don't waste time worrying about this useless shit. Keep quiet for now. It's just a USB. Get rid of it." He ordered. He ripped it from the laptop and snarled, glaring at the small item

"Yes, sir." The guard answered, taking the laptop and USB, getting ready to dispose of them, leaving Kaneshiro on his own.

'Phantom Thieves? Don't make me laugh.' He thought angrily... and his palace went onto full alert.


*in the Palace*

"You think that did it?" Skull asked as they were already inside.

"Definitely." Mona answered, as the whole palace's atmosphere felt heavier.

"Hehe." Joker chuckled and span his gun

"Then we're going in." Dove answered.

"Let's go." Panther agreed

The group turned around, and seemingly teleporting to their destination. Admittedly everyone was tired, but they were determined to do this. With this, it would be one less corrupt person the Phantom Thieves would have to worry about... and one pain involving Makoto to get off them backs. As one the group entered the vault, ready to steal the treasure

"Here we freaking go!" Skull cracked his knuckles.

"You!" A buzzing voice roared at them, zooming down like a large fly. It was Kaneshiro's Shadow. A purple skinned being wearing an expensive silver suit, slicked black hair, a pencil-lip moustache, large red fly-like eyes and black shoes. "You're in MY palace?" He snapped

"That's Kaneshiro?" Dove recoiled, seeing the man.

"You won't take it! I'm going to keep getting money until I'm the King of Shibuya!" He called out, buzzing loudly.

Bang!

"Gah!" he yelled and jumped back

"My last bullet." Ren shrugged as he out his gun away "Go away fly, or be swatted."

"No. You're not taking anything from me!" Kaneshiro's Shadow snarled as he flew down to the floor. As he did so, the Phantom Thieves leapt into action and began to strike, not giving him a chance to attack. "ARGH!"

They were a flurry of slashes, strikes and bashes

SLASH!
BASH!
THUNK!
CRACK!

The Phantom Thieves ambushed Kaneshiro quickly and with efficiency. All of them backing off as Kaneshiro fell to one knee in pain and exhaustion, overwhelmed and unable to get a decent hit in. "You. You damn brats. You can't... Not to me."

"It's over, bug-boy. Time to pay up." Skull pointed his shot-gun at him.

"'Pay up'? No... No, not gonna happen. Not till you see my Piggy friend!" He buzzed up.

"Huh? What're you talking about?" Dove asked before a loud and heavy metallic THUD! dropped behind Kaneshiro in a door as it opened up, revealing a large mechanical piggy-bank robot!

"Are... You serious?!" Fox gawker

"Come on! PIGGY-TRON!" Kaneshiro laughed maniacally. "ROLL OVER THEM! FLATTEN THEM!"

"Joker? Ideas?" Panther asked.

"Aim for the robot. Guard when he starts rolling!" Joker answered clearly as Kaneshiro took control of the robot. He reached up and ripped his mask off, letting the flames out

"Let's go!" Fox called out as their Persona were summoned.

"Come on, Circe!" Dove called out. "Let's start with some Holy light!" she cheered A blast of 'Holy' attack light struck Kaneshiro's robot, denting it slightly as the group continue to attack; they had to do this quickly.

"CAPTAIN KIDD!"

"Goemon!"

Blasts of lightning and ice shot down from the two persona, striking the metal body of Piggytron, not deflected but seemed to ricochet off of its durable frame.

"Keep it up!" Joker called out, running to the side to get ready for its rolling attack.

"Piggytron! Missile Barrage!" Kaneshiro proclaimed

"Missiles?!" The group asked, Joker's eyes widened as he realised that... he had forgotten this one.

"Watch out!" Joker roared

Rockets shot out of its snout, shooting down everywhere below as they were blasted. "'Snot rockets'?! That's gross!" Skull grunted as they had dodged most of them.

"Mona!" Panther gasped as the cat took the hit for her.

"NYAAAAA!" he yelled in pain and was sent flying

Joker's eyes widened as he saw his first friend getting hit and thrown away... and something inside him began to go primal. Mona whimpered on the ground, having taken that attack. All the while, Kaneshiro was laughing, ready to attack again. Joker grabbed his mask... and ripped it off. "Lucifer..."

"Huh? What're you-?" Kaneshiro asked, before he saw the illuminated shadow of Joker's Persona.

"MORNING STAR!" Joker proclaimed with a moment of pure seething rage as Lucifer appeared once again.

Lucifer raised his hand above his head, causing stars to turn within the sky... and shot down a great beam down against their enemy.

"AAAARGH!" Kaneshiro roared as he was struck, having taken a tremendous amount of damage from that single attack. The small bug man was ejected from his robot, crashing hard

"Gah!" Joker gasped and fell to his knees, panting in exhaustion "G-Guys. Go." he ordered as his body was shaking

"J-Joker." Mona whispered in shock, seeing his friend give up so much energy get so angry over him getting hurt.

"You got it!" Fox answered, running with Skull, Dove and Panther.

"No!" Joker yelled "I meant get out of here!" he gasped out

"Gun him!" Dove leapt into the air and slapped down a grenade on the yakuza man.

BOOM!

Kanashiro was thrown up into the air from the explosion, yelling, as the other four quickly took aim...

BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!

BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!

BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!

"EAT LEAD ASSHOLE!" Skull roared

Click
Click
Click
Click

Click
Click

"Crap, I'm out." he flinched

"Me to." Mona frowned

BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
Click
Click
Click

Click
Click

"Me as well." Fox frowned

"Same." Panther huffed

"And that was my last grenade." Dove added

Kaneshiro coughed as he was downed by all of them... and his Piggytron was immobile... but the impact of the guns and explosion was causing it to move... and roll towards them.

"Oh shit!" Skull called out.

"Dodge!" Fox followed up, each of them rolling out of the way as the rolling ball of metal flattened Kaneshiro. Not killing him, but cartoonishly flattening him.

"No... I won't... loose... to random kids!" the Shadow called, shocking everyone

'What... the hell? This... this didn't happen last time!' Joker thought in shock as his eyes widened, dropping his knife

Kaneshiro returned back to his normal self, before he buzzed up and flew to the top of his rolling Piggytron, gaining speed and aimed right at the Phantom Thieves. "I'll flatten you ALL!"

"Guys! Move! Move!" Skull yelled in panic as he started to run away

'Wh-He never met us. We didn't bombard him with the Calling Cards, actually making him nervous. He... He is angry, not scared. Damn... Damn it!' Joker was shaking slightly, snarling under his breath as he pulled himself up slowly only to fall down. He was so... so tired.
This... was his fault!

How did he fuck up so much?

This was KANASHIRO, god damn it!

He made it EASY for them... didn't he?
He... He'd worked so hard to try and do so, at least.

But he didn't prepare his team, he didn't bring them along with him. They were not as skilled nor as 'natural' as they had been the first time around. And they didn't have Queen.

Did he force everything too fast?

DAMN IT!

He wanted to spare everyone the danger of this asshole! Of this selfish pig in human clothing! He didn't want Makoto rushing in... he didn't want her to wake up to nightmares of what he'd do to her if they failed.
He didn't want to waste any more time on this than was necessary

Instead he forced them to go through the Palace as fast as possible, going for his heart the SAME DAMN DAY!

He thought the short cuts and his knowledge as well as him already having sorted out all the traps beforehand would have made it easier, but no! The others where under prepared and he had to over work to protect them so they could get the experience they needed!

They were all exhausted!

And then he used Morning Star!

He was still building up his strength back to what they were last time, he couldn't handle that attack! But seeing Morgana get hit had and everyone else worried and scared, he had lost control! He wasted his ammo, he brought himself to exhaustion and they didn't grab new gear.

This was all his fault!

He! Had fucked! Up!

...

He looked up weakly, seeing the robotic pig rushing at him, and his eyes went dull

He tried to make everything better, he tried to rush... and now look where he was. He was about to die again... and he was too tired to do anything. Well... Anything but this

"You guys... get out of here." he whispered as he lowered his head while getting to his feet

"What?" Fox blinked

"Joker, what are you talking about?!" Panther called

"I'll hold him off." Joker mumbled as he stood up, spreading his arms wide. Almost welcoming Kaneshiro to attack "Get out of here!"

"DIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!" Kaneshiro roared as he rolled his Piggytron forwards to kill Joker.

THUD!

"W-What?" Joker blinked weakly as he lay there, looking up at his best friend. Skull had moved fast, getting him out of the way.

"You damn idiot, what were you thinking just sitting there?!" Skull snapped as he stood up "And what was that BS just now? What, you expect us to just fucking leave you to die and run like cowards? No way bro, we ain't doin' that shit! Not now, not ever!"

Joker... No, Ren, froze as he looked up. It was...
He remembered last time around. Not this fight, no. Ryuji looking at him like that, his friend's eyes burning with determination and power. A first mate who stood by his captain's side no matter the cost

"You are our Leader, our friend! We shall not abandon you!" Fox called as he landed further back, gripping a metal pipe on the ceiling to catch himself before dropping back down "If we fall now, then we shall fall together!"

There it was, Yusuke's underlining confidence and loyalty. Like a loyal samurai who truly believed in the Lord he chose to follow

"Not that we are going to lose!" Panther called as she had used her whip to grip a pipe and swing away from the ball. She landed, her suit squeaking and heels clicking as she landed with the smoothness of a cat "Because we are all together! We are a team, and no matter what we do, what we set our sights on, when working together, there is no one standing in our way we can't knock flat on their greedy asses!"

Ann... always as bright as her flames. Her blue eyes surrounded by the edges of her red mask, showing her brilliant mind and her endless passionate resolve

"Come on Joker, let's get you somewhere safe before he gets too close again." Mona urged as he tried to push Joker to his knees

Morgana. If Joker had a little brother... he would have hopped it would have been someone even remotely close to the embodiment of hope helping him. The unending trust and support, the wisdom and the understanding.

"Joker, we won't leave you!" Dove urged "You are too special to all of us! We can do this!"

Shiho... she was admittedly the 'newest' to him but she had quickly become someone special. And seeing the joy in her eyes, that brilliant softness, made him feel more confidant

Kanashiro had come to a stop, glaring down at them as he jumped into the piggy bank robot... which began to turn into a LITERAL giant robot, turning into a more humanoid form

"Oh, that's a buncha bullshit." Skull commented.

"Why don't you brats just DIE?!" Kaneshiro roared. "You're nothing but annoyances!"

The robot was short and fat, having a round pig like body with the pig head on its chest. Coming out of the side where stumpy arms with built in guns and rocket launchers, the arms not even reaching their hips. And finally Shadow Kanashiro was sitting atop the robot, acting as it's head, inside a glass case

Skull punched his fists lightly, spitting "Well, looks like we have to show the dickhead what happens when you mess with the Phantom Thieves, you just sit back leader and let us-"

"Hahahahahahaha!" Joker began to laugh, making everyone stop

It's now or it's never, and I've got to
Make my decision!

"Guys... he's doing it again." Dove blinked

"He has done this before?" Fox asked as a chill went up his spine... and joy fill his heart

This time it could be my moment!
Is this a mirage or a chance to fulfil my mission?

"Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!"

"Hell yeah he has!" Mona grinned

'It is weirdly hot when he does that.' Panther thought

A river in a dry land!
The last ace in a lost hand!

"As if I'd let you leave me out of the fun." Joker said as he stopped laughing. He literally forced himself onto his feet, you could see his limbs quaking as if they'd give out any second, but he did so. He was wobbling slightly, taking a step forward with a grin.

A heartbeat for a tin man!
Oasis in a singed land!

How could have been so stupid?! He knew these guys better than that. How had he let himself fall into that destructive headspace again? They were all better than this.

I'm keeping the balance, but I'm standing!
On razor's edge now!

Did he rush them? Did the way he changed things make it harder for them? Probably. But the first times these weren't easy.

Far from easy.

Move quick or my life is over!
One strike, just a feint, then ...
I'm outa his field of vision!

But they never abandoned each other, they never ran away from their fights, they never backed down against these corrupt and vile adults. Now as long as they stood side by side. And the team may not be complete right now... but what was here would keep going, until their family was restored!

Don't ask why I'm ready but I'm ready to!
Strike him down now!

Joker punched Skull's arm lightly, taking his place front and centre among his friends "KANASHIRO!" he roared confidently, clicking his fingers "Here is your warning!"

A chance at a new start!
There's no time for indecision!

"We, the Phantom Thieves of Heart, are taking your treasure!" as he spoke he pointed at Kanashiro, his hands positioned like a gun "And you can't stop us. Guys, GO!"

A river in a dry land!
The last ace in a lost hand!

"Right!" they nodded, not asking questions. As always they trusted his orders and they all jumped forwards. All but Joker charged as if to perform an All-Out-Attack, only to split up and rush in different directions. The group almost looked like a star as they sprinted away, heading in every direction at once.

Kanashiro stumbled around and moved around, trying desperately to locate them. One by one the machine located them…

...

And Joker was nowhere to be seen

When the hope of new beginnings burned our feet
Now we need it!

"Where is he?!" Kanashiro's Shadow snapped as it looked around in fear

SLASH!

A heartbeat for a tin~ man~!

"Gah!" the fly-like being yelled as its robots right leg was cut off, Morgana and Fox rushing past with their weapons drawn "You little bastards! Where are you? What've you done?"

An oasis in a singed~ land~!

"We're cutting you down to size!" Dove answered, swinging her broadsword down.

"HA!" Panther called as she threw her whip. Her whip wrapped around the robots arm as she pulled, forcing it to be outstretched and giving Dove the perfect opening.

Remind us what we're here~ for!

Meanwhile Dove came dropping down and slammed her sword into the joint. Her blade pushed into the joint and twisted her arms as hard as she could, forcing the robots arm OUT OF ITS SOCKET!

CRASH!

"Eat shit!" Skull roared and swung his arms, smashing against the robot's chest

BOOM!

Skull's follow up attack and knocked the robot flat on its back, throwing Kanashiro's Shadow out of his chair

Crea~ting new life!

"AH! No! Nonono!" Shadow Kanashiro yelled as he tried to pull himself onto the chair

Tap
Tap
Tap

"Huh?" Shadow Kanashiro blinked and looked upwards

"Hi." Joker smirked as he was sitting on the glass dome, pointing his gun at the Shadow after using said gun to tap the glass

Creating! Rivers! In the! Desert~!

"Ha... Ha... Ha!" Shadow Kanashiro laughed "You said you used your last bullet! You're bluffing! You can't hurt me!"

"Yeah... but was I honest when I said that?" Joker smirked as he took aim, finger on the trigger "I'm a thief. Think I'm gonna tell the truth?"

Kaneshiro's eyes shrunk back and was shot, his robot disappearing as Kaneshiro dropped out of his robot and defeated. Beaten and on the ground as his Treasure floated down and formed a tonne of gold bars. At least six foot tall and two people wide.

"Who wants to grab it?" Joker asked, keeping his gun pointed at the Shadow

"I will!" Mona cheered, leaping at the gold and nuzzled it. "Treasure~." He purred, calming down.

"That darn cat." Skull shook his head as he approached it.

"I'll help, Skull." Dove added, walking over.

"W-wait. You. You don't understand. You don't know what it's like, having nothing and have that ripped away from you." Kaneshiro begged, trying to get a rise out of Joker or the others.

"Says the pathetic bug." Was all Joker said before the group began to walk away

Soon, the palace began to rumble. "Wait! Don't you want to know? That you can change people! You can change people if you can walk into this weird world!"

That grabbed their attention, except for Joker. He just kept going, ignoring the ganglord

"Joker, what's he talking about?" Fox asked, as they saw him leave. "Mona, let's grab one of these gold bricks."

"You got it." He nodded and turned into the car.

"We already know this." Joker commented as he got into the driving seat, glaring at Kanashiro "We just changed your heart."


*time skip*

"Wow... that was wild!" Ryuji laughed, slumped against the wall of Ren's attic bedroom

"Agreed." Ann nodded

"Incredible. Look... at all this money!" Yusuke gasped

"How much is there?" Morgana asked

"I think each stack is... one million Yen." Yusuke answered in shock

"Two, three... Th-there's thirty in here!" Ann realised as she counted it

"Meaning we split this evenly, that's five million each!" Shiho took a stack out and held it in her hand.

"It's gonna be Deluxe Pork Soup combo from now on!" Ryuji cheered, almost squeaking.

Shiho looked at the money and her smile began to frown as she looked closer. "Um... Guys. I-I don't want to put a damper on the celebrations but... Who's on the thousand Yen?" And she passed it to Yusuke.

"What're you talking about?" Ann asked

"... 'Children's Bank'?! It's Kaneshiro's mug on it!" Morgana asked, before he groaned, realising that the money was fake.

"For real? God!" Ryuji groaned into the ethos.

"I guess that means he did all that just to seem tough." Ren answered.

"The case is quite nice though." Yusuke commented. "It could sell for quite a pretty penny."

"Okay, let's do that." Ryuji answered

THUD!

"Ugh..." Ren grunted as he suddenly fell down against the bed

"Ren, are you okay?" Morgana leapt to his brother figure.

"Yeah. I'm. Just tired. That's all." He answered as Ann and Shiho where already next to him, helping him to sit down

"Well you can rest now." Ann muttered with a soft smile "We did great today... thank you so much."

"Thanks... I just hope my part time job will let me take it easy tomorrow." He joked lightly.

"You need to look after your health more." Yusuke frowned

Ren gave a small chuckle at Yusuke's remark. "Rich, coming from you."

"Exactly." Yusuke nodded seriously

"I'll sleep tonight, promise." Ren yawned, slowly closing his eyes.

"Good." Morgana said, his eyes sparking

Shiho smiled softly and kissed Ren's forehead softly "You did great." she assured again. As they did that, Ren snored gently as he fell unconscious.

"Jeez. He's really out." Ryuji commented, looked at the case and closed it.

"What're you doing?" Yusuke asked as Ryuji shoved the case down the side of his desk.

"Tryin' to. Hide it. Can't have him thinking. We took it without him knowing." Ryuji grunted, pushing it in the side.

"Good idea." Shiho answered. "Morgana, could you-?"

"Don't worry, Lady Shiho. I'll tell him." He responded "Thanks guys, you don't know how much this means to him."


*time skip*

It was the next day, Ren cracking open a can and taking a sip "Ah~!" He sighed gently as he enjoyed the drink. "I needed this."

"Hey, dude." Ryuji waved as they met up.

"Hey man, thanks for yesterday." Ren smiled

"No problem. It wouldn't feel right if... Y'know." Ryuji answered, keeping his mouth shut.

"Good, you're learning." Ren joked

"So... How're we gonn deal with the prez?" Ryuji asked

"Nothing. She's going to see on the news tomorrow." He answered as they approached their familiar vending machine corner

"See WHAT tomorrow?" Makoto asked from behind them

...

"AAAAHHHHHHHH!" Ryuji screamed, jumping into the air and landing in Ren's arms like they were in a cartoon

"Wh-DAMN IT RYUJI!" Ren yelled as he stumbled, trying his hardest to not drop his friend

"Well, you two are funny." Makoto snickered softly

"Hello Nijima-san." Ren sighed, hating he had to call her that, and dropped his friend

"AAAAAHHHHHHH!"

CRASH!

"Fucking asshole." Ryuji grumbled while rubbing his ass

"Payback for letting it slip bud." Was Ren's response

"Fuck you." he laughed childishly

"Are you two done?" Makoto deadpanned, but she was hiding a smile

"For now." Ren nodded "What's up?"

"I came to check on your progress on the 'job' I asked of you when I overhead how I would 'see on the news tomorrow'." Makoto commented seriously "And now I am curious about that as well."

"Oh, that?" Ryuji smirked "We've finished it already."

...

"What?!" Makoto gasped "You-What? But it's been TWO DAYS!"

"Exactly." Ren smiled and adjusted his glasses "We can be very efficient. Keep your ears out on your sister. I am guessing he is going to confess either today or tomorrow."

"I-I-I..." Makoto stuttered as she blinked

"So, are you going to keep your promise?" Ren asked "You will leave us alone and you'll stay quiet?"

"Now see he-" Makoto frowned

Bzz
Bzz

"Huh?" Ren blinked as he pulled out his phone. His eyes widened as he saw the message. While the message was 'anonymous', he knew it was her. It was a message from Futaba. And it was one sentence

"I want you to steal my Heart"


CONFIDANT RECAP:

Fool: Rank 10

Magician: Rank 10

Chariot: Rank 7

Lovers: Rank 7

Lust: Rank 6

Strength: Rank 5

World: Rank 5

Death: Rank 4

Sun: Rank 4

Hierophant: Rank 4

Temperance: Rank 4

Emperor: Rank 3

Moon: Rank 2

Hanged-Man: Rank 2

Devil: Rank 1