GrandBlue203: Because she is caught in the mahem and you will see how things go.
Also in all honesty, Ghost and I are not the biggest fan of Makoto's awakening just because of how unconnected she and Kaneshiro are before then.

blood enraged: Earlier than you'd expect.

Jane: First, who said there wasn't? Second, not to be rude, but fuck you for saying any story sucks just because it does not have the pairing you prefer. A story can be good oir bad regardless of pairing. Although, again, this story WILL have Makoto in the harem, you where just assuming.

Mewtwo-TheLoneShadow: Yeah, but he is doing what he thinks is right.

James Savant: Adieu~!

KingMe121: Glad you've been enjoying, And hope we can chat more over reviews in the future. And about Kaneshiro? Well... SPEEEEEED RUUUUUN~!

Zeromaru Chaos Mode: Eh, she is very boring and almost mary-sue to me a lot of time. Especially with how shoved in she feels until the third semester.

R3qu13m0f50ul5: Yes.

Maloche: Yes.

Guest chapter 18 Apr 28: Normally this would be updated on the 28th like always. However this month is special because it is my birthday today.

Saito Daemon: The Queen shall ride again.

Guest chapter 18 Apr 28: We are building up to her awakening.

Xerzo LotCN: He did it in one day, and he is hoping to do the same with Futaba, so the group have plenty of time off. It is also why he went for a low key calling card with Kaneshiro.
And as for Queen, hoping to make it easier for her.

SpeedMaster642: Wait and see.

Darkmaster10000000: Yes, we have plans.

Power Taco: Good rules.

Neo Infinity: Yep. In the middle of my third playthrough and getting ready to start up Strikers. Thinking about getting Roiyal after I finish Strikers.

Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Just two?

UnsanMusho: Again, that is the plan. We are inspired by how Persona 4 handled Naoto.

GUIPA: Yeah. She and Ann where my team most of the time.

Firem78910: Something more... unique than that!

Here are some reviews answered by Ghost:

Firem78910: Thanks. And Makoto's awakening will happen soon.

GUIPA: Don't worry about Queen. She's coming.

Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Yeah, it does.

Neo Infinity: We're going Game Route, not the Anime Route.

Darkmaster10000000: Of course she is. What do you think we are? Crazy?

nickthecit: Yeah, we kinda went through this quick. We didn't want to do the bazillion puzzles he had in his bank vault.

Saito Daemon: She'll awaken.

R3qu13m0f50ul5: Of course we are.

Mewtwo-TheLoneShadow: We wanted to give Makoto an actual awakening and not the one we got in the game.

GrandBlue203: Oh, my sweet summer child. We've got plans.

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

Co-written by GhostKaiser23


AUTHOR'S NOTE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

HAHAHAHA!

...

Okay, yeah. Yeah. I'll be honest. I am updating this early. It is being publushed on the 19th of May instead of the 18th like always.

Why?

Well, you see, it is my birthday! ... As you can guess. Haha!

So this and James 2 are being updated as a birthday present to myself.

I hope you all enjoy this!

Next month, back to normal upload schedule.

Also to everyone about Makoto: Ghost and I are doing something more unique with her. Since the timeline is about to diverge a lot more than expecting.


Persona 5 New Game Plus, Joker's Second Chance
Chapter 19: Journey Into The Pyramid


Ren looked down at his phone, seeing Futaba's message.

"I want you to steal my Heart"

He was silent, he knew that this was going to be a hell of an expedition into the Metaverse.

"A text from someone you know?" Makoto asked

"Yes." He nodded "Someone who needs our help and wants us to do a job on themselves."

"What?!" Ryuji gasped

"You've gotten a text from someone who wants you to steal their heart?" Makoto asked in confusion.

"You've seen the Phan-Site; right?" Ren responded cooly "But even then... This is special case. This girl... She needs out help. Want to see our methods?"

"Are you serious?" Both Ryuji and Makoto responded in shock.

"Very serious." He nodded. "Besides, you need to know how we do things." He put his hands in his pockets, smiling "I know you where still debating on if you should uphold your side of the bargain, so how about we be fair?"

"I. I suppose that's fair." She answered "I'll think about it."

"Okay." Ren nodded, typing on his phone "Skull, we are going weapon shopping tonight. I've just messaged the others. This is something we need to do first." All doubts where washed from Ren's mind. Futaba... He would save her from her own demons

"Yeah, no problem." Ryuji answered

"Weapons?!" Makoto asked in shock.

"Fakes. But we'll explain." Ren responded, calmly as he pulled out his model gun and dropped it in front of her "Look, it's fake." he assured, before putting it back into its hiding place

"Okay. Okay, it's fake... God, how deep does this rabbit-hole go?" She asked in shock.

"Just follow us Alice, everything will be fine." Ren stated calmly

Both Ryuji and Makoto looked at Ren in shock as he made that joke while the leader walked away, hands in his pockets

"... Is he normally this funny?" Makoto asked

"... First for me." Ryuji shook his head and followed the leader.


*time skip*

"So... we're going after Futaba now?" Shiho questioned. "She hasn't done anything wrong."

"She asked for our help." Ren answered, showing the text."

"Who is Futaba?" Yusuke asked

"She's Sojiro's daughter." Ren explained.

"Ah, I see." Yusuke answered. "But why?"

"Yeah. Only bad guys have Palaces, right?" Ryuji asked

"Excause me. What is a Palace? And why are we in Shibuya?" Makoto asked with a frown

"And why is she here?" Ann frowned, she and Makoto sharing a short glaring match

"In order: Even good people have Palaces if their views on reality are warped enough." Ren began to explain. "A palace is a location inside a person where their desires and perceptions of reality are twisted. And Makoto's here because she wanted to see what we do."

"I am sorry, what?" Makoto blinked

"It'd be easier to show her." Morgana mewed up, swaying his tail next to Shiho.

"Wait... Did you sneak a CAT into the school?!" Makoto snapped/gasped

"It's impossible for me to leave him at home." Ren answered. "And as for 'Why we're in Shibuya?'. It's our gathering place." as he opened the door to the model shop

"Hmm? Whoa. Bringing your friends here, kid?" Iwai asked as he saw Ren and the group enter.

"Yes, I am." He answered. "We've got business to do." And brought up the gold suitcase to the counter.

Iwai gave a whistle. "Who'd you take this off?"

"Won it in a raffle." Ren lied "How much?" he asked, while setting more stuff down

Iwai hummed as he examined the case, tapping the shell, seeing that it was metal and very sturdy; soon seeing the various items that Ren had brought once again. And once again, he didn't bother questioning it; Makoto's jaw went slack in shock as she saw the case and various items that Ren was willing to sell. "Gimme a few minutes. Go check the merch."

"Sweet." Ryuji smirked as he and the others pushed against each other as they looked at some fake, but very well made weapons.

"This Katana is exquisite!" Yusuke smiled happily as picked up a new katana, which had a slightly red blade

"Heh, it looks like a fire sword dude. You're the ice guy." Ryuji joked "Stick to your theme!"

"Then this should be good for you." Ann joked, pulling out a green tinted bat.

"Oh, ha-ha." Ryuji remarked.

'How can they joke about this?' Makoto wondered in shock.

"Nya!" Morgana mewed, pointing to a bandana.

"We'll get that, Morgana." Shiho responded, looking down the blade of a broadsword "Hmm~." she hummed and took the blade, looking it over. The blade was black and slightly curved "Wow, this looks like it'd make baddies feel fear! Right?" she joked

"Definitely." Ren nodded.

"'Baddies feel fear'?" Makoto asked in confusion.

"You kids take your role-play seriously; don't you?" Iwai commented. "But be careful with those."

"Yes, sir." Ann responded, cracking a whip in her hand.

"So, how much is this worth?" Ren asked, turning the conversation back.

"Well... you've gotten a lot of stuff here." Iwai answered, totalling up the numbers and showed it to Ren. "This enough, kid?" he showed the full digits... and Ryuji's jaw dropped.

"Yeah, sure." Ren smiled and nodded casually, like this much money was pocket change

"Hey, Ren!" Ann called as she gripped her chain whip tightly and posed "What do you think? Badass?" she asked

"You lick it, you buy it." Iwai pointed at Ann, thinking she was going one step beyond what was a social norm.

"Definitely." Ren nodded, looking at her "Get that one... you can lick it if you want." he joked

"Didn't know kids your age where so kinky." Iwai scoffed making the two blush

"Not for that stuff!" Ren blushed

"Wow! This thing has more bullets than my old one!" Ryuji cheered

"I beg your pardon?" Makoto asked.

"Phrasing." Ren sighed.

"Um, these, please." Ryuji chuckled nervously.

"Alright." Iwai rubbed his eyes. "Anyone else?"

"These, if you will." Yusuke responded as he held up a new katana and his sub machine gun

"These grenades have better blast radiance so..." Shiho laughed nervously as she added hers to the pile

"And these please." Ren added as he put down a Kopis and a an Eliminator, at the same time putting a pair of knuckle dusters as well as a classic revolver.

"Alright. And you better not sell your older stuff." Iwai commented.

"Would we?" Ren joked.

"Any armoured clothes?" He asked, trying to get a bigger sale.

"Anyone want anything new?" Ren asked

"This looks pretty good." Shiho spoke, picking out a tough looking armour. "Seems sturdier than my last one."

"I'm good with mine." Ryuji shrugged

Makoto felt weird as she just... stood there as the group acted so casually

"What about her?" Iwai asked, pointing at Makoto.

"M-Me?" Makoto asked in shock.

"Yeah. Are you going to buy anything?" He inquired.

"I got it, don't worry." Ren reminded and pointed down at the knuckle dusters and revolver he had grabbed

Iwai saw the choices and whistled. "Damn. Bad-ass in disguise." He joked. "Alright, that's the total... and... looks like you have 4500 Yen remaining after selling and buying."

"Wha-" Yusuke and Ryuji gasped in shock

"Thanks. I appreciate it." Ren answered.

"After all that? We've barely got anything left?" Ryuji groaned "How did we spend so much?!"

"I have to agree. If I knew that-!" Yusuke followed up.

"Guys, calm down." Ren calmed them "We will be fine."

"W-wait. You're giving me... these?" Makoto asked nervously as she looked at her gear

"Yeah. I think you pull it off." Ren answered as he handed her the knuckle dusters and model revolver "You are going to need some way to protect yourself anyway."

"I. I've never." Makoto gulped nervously as she saw those 'weapons'.

"You're not seriously thinking about bringing her along." Ann asked

"Yes." was all Ren said "We will be going to see Futaba tomorrow. Everyone meet at Leblanc. I'll do the talking."

"The cafe?" Makoto asked in confusion. "Why there?"

"I live there." Ren answered calmly, dropping the mic and left with his friends. He had to hold back a smile, it was fun beating Makoto at this game.

Makoto blinked, just... standing there

'Damn.' Ryuji, Shiho and Ann thought in shock as they just saw this side of Ren. A side they had to admit... Was badass


*time skip*

The group were now in LeBlanc, haven gotten a hand on their new 'weapons' and got a feel for them. It was early in the day, Ren approaching Sojiro

"Ah, you're back. And you've brought your friends along?" Sojiro commented "Wow, your group just keeps growing."

Ren chuckled nervously as his response. "Yeah, we're just here to hang out." Ren 'lied' "Hey Shiho, didn't you want to ask him something?" he added

"Oh, yes." Shiho coughed gently to clear her throat. "Is it okay if we meet Futaba?"

"Huh?" Sojiro blinked

"Um, we've gotten to know Ren so well, we were wondering if we can meet her." Shiho responded "She was really nice during the small time I saw her and she seemed lonely..."

"Oh, is that right?" Sojiro asked. "Well... I guess you can come and see her. But not all at once. I don't know how she'll handle meeting all these new people." His body was stiff and... Untrusting. He had grown closer with Ren by now but but Futaba... he had to protect her.

"Sojiro. I promise, we'll be careful." Ren spoke up "We won't hurt her."

Sojiro looked at Ren, trusting him... then looked at the others. "Alright. But one chance. Understand?"

"Of course." he nodded

Sojiro sighed and lead the group, going to his his house. "Remember to wipe your feet." He commented "And only two of you can see her at a time if she wants to speak to you.

"Yes, Sir." Ann responded politely.

"Ann and Shiho first. Makoto and I can go second." Ren calmly ordered

"Um, yeah. No problem." Ryuji answered.

"Alright, I suppose that's fine." Makoto added as she looked around while feeling weird 'Is this honestly normal?' She thought to herself as Sojiro lead Ann and Shiho upstairs

The boys and Makoto remained downstairs, looking at the house. "This... Is a cozy place." Makoto commented

"Yeah, it seems like." Ren nodded with a smile as he couldn't help but look at her. Makoto... Queen... He needed her help to get through to Futaba

Makoto remained sitting on a chair, looking at the guys... and felt nervous.

Ryuji gently nudged Yusuke and subtly gestured to Ren and Makoto... and the two shook their heads and sighed.

Upstairs, Ann and Shiho gently knocked on the door, which was covered by stars.

"So... What is she like?" Ann asked

"She's... rabbity?" Shiho whispered. "I guess."

A voice responded gently from the other side of the door. "Wh-Who's there?"

"Hey Futaba, it's Shiho! Remember me?" the volleyball player asked as she knocked the door

Ping!

Shiho blinked and looked at her phone, seeing that there was a message on there for her. From an unknown number.

The girl from before? The one who was shocked to see me. The message read.

"Well... Yes, I was surprised. However, you DID scream and run away." Shiho said shyly

Ping

I'm not good with new people. It's hard for me to connect with people.

"I understand that." Shiho answered. "My friend, Ann is here too."

"Hello, Shoho's told me about you." Ann smiled before some music filled the air, a little pop number "Huh?" Ann blinked as she pulled out her phone, seeing they Futaba had texted her

You're Shiho's friend? You hang out with her?

"How did you-?" Ann asked in shock "How did you get my number?"

Ping

I. I'm good with computers. Finding your number was easy.

"That's... Incredible." she blinked

Ping.

Thank you.

"Futaba. We're here to help heal your heart. We know you want it stolen but... there has to be another way." Shiho responded

Ping

What?

"I... We may not know you. But you don't seem to be a bad person. Why do you want your heart stolen?" Ann asked

Yes

"Ann, I think this is something she really wants." Shiho whispered to her friend and girlfriend.

"I guess but... Does she even have a Palace?"

Ping

A Palace? The place that people with distorted desires within themselves?

"How do you know that?" Shiho whispered

Ping

I have bugs. In LeBlanc.

Both Ann and Shiho blinked in shock at the response. Honestly, they wanted to respond negatively... but that would shun her deeper into herself. "Well. That's...smart." Shiho whispered "And a bit scary."

Ping.

Don't tell Sojiro.

"We promise." Ann responded, trying to get on her good side.

"You must really care about him."

A few moments passed before the next message came.

Ping

Of course I do. He took me in.

"So he's like your dad?" Shiho blinked

Ping.

He... he took me in after my mother died. We're not related by blood. But he saved me.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry." Ann whispered.

Ping.

Please. Steal my heart. Can you bring Ren here?

"Ren?"

Ping.

Yes, I. I want to talk to him now. You're very nice, but I want to talk to someone a bit more familiar.

"I... Okay." Shiho blinked

Your boyfriend is nice.

Both Ann and Shiho paused at that, looking at the message. How did she know they were-? ... The bugs. She must've seen... or at least heard.

"Th-thank you." Shiho stated

...

"You haven't bugged his bed room, have you?" Ann blinked

Silence

Both Ann and Shiho looked at each other with a bright blush, before they turned to the stairs. "Well. It was... nice talking to you, Futaba."


*inside the bedroom*

Futaba was sitting in her gamer-chair. She was a flustered mess when they said that... She had the video recorded along with several hours of Ren making lockpicks... and him lifting on the support beam. She was hugging her legs as she looked at the computer, holding back tears but also blushing at the screen

'Ooh~! It-it hurts. It hurts!' She thought as she looked at the screen, feeling over stimulated as she saw not only Ann and Shiho on screen, with who she knew was behind the door... but also knew Ren was there downstairs.

'He's here. I know it. Oh god... He-he's so cool!' She thought to herself '... Can he help me? He... Says he cares about me. But... But why would he?'

MuRdErEr
jUsT dIe

Voices in her head could be heard only by her, Futaba grabbed her head to quieten them.

"Gah!" she yelled and held her head

yOu KiLlEd HeR

"Hnn!" She screamed to herself, hoping the door would be muffled enough to block her screams.

Knock
Knock

"Futaba? Are you there?" Ren's voice asked


*outside the room*

"Is she okay in there?" Makoto asked with concern.

"She's a... she's a shut in. She wants to come out of her shell, but we've got to do this right." Ren answered calmly, trying not to degrade Futaba because of her past as he prepared to knock again, however...

Ping

Hi, Ren.

"Hi, Futaba. I'm here. And I've brought a friend." Ren spoke.

Who did you bring?

"Her name's 'Makoto'." Ren responded

"Hi there." She introduced herself with a shy and yet motherly tone

Ping

She sounds nice. Is she a new member?

"Yeah, she's a new friend." Ren answered, trying not to be deceptive. He just had to be honest and heartfelt, he was sure Futaba would be able to feel it... he hoped so at least.

Ping

Can she help steal my heart too?

"She's here to help, yeah." Ren nodded.

"But I-" Makoto whispered, worried about what he was saying.

"You can do it." he smiled

Makoto gulped nervously and nodded. "Yes. I. I'm here to help too."

Ping

Thank you. How does this happen? Do you just... steal it?

"Futaba... I know about your mother. About... Everything." Ren made it clear, but saying it in a way that Makoto would not pick up on "How she died in front of you... What happened after that. So just know... You can trust me. Right? Okay? So... Please. Open the door."

Silence.

Ren and Makoto remained standing there before the door. Waiting for anything from inside.

Click.

Crea~k.

The door opened.

'Wait... She did it?' he thought in proper shock

"Should we go in?" Makoto asked in concern.

Ren didn't even answer, just walking within the small room. Inside, he struggled to get pass the piles of rubbish and tried to adjust his eyes to the dimly lit darkness.

...

"No one's in here." Makoto whispered

Ren sighed heavily. He knew it wouldn't be that easy. "Futaba." He whispered.

"Is she here?" Makoto asked.

"Futaba. We're going to help you. I promise." He spoke out calmly. He turned to the closet... And began to knock on it rapidly

"Ren, what're you-?" Makoto asked

"Futaba. Please. If you want our help, you need to come out." He spoke up "We need this. Trust me."

"Ren, aren't you scaring her?" Makoto asked in concern as she put a hand on his shoulder, stopping his knocking

"I... you are probably right." Ren sighed and nodded "But I know what we need to help her. We can't steal her heart like this. Please Futaba."

Futaba was in her hiding place, shaking in fear... But he was right. How long had he been talking to her, letting her confide in him. Would she be brave enough to take that first step? She reached out, her hand shaking. She was sweating, her hand inches from the handle... And then she began to pull her hand back

Click

"H-Huh?" Futaba blinked in shock

"Let's do it together. It will make it easier." Ren whispered in support

Futaba's face went red, her heart beating faster than ever before, as she gulped. With a tiny nod she held the other side of the doors handle

"Together, okay?" Ren encouraged softly

"Okay." she whispered

Ren was silent and looked over his shoulder at Makoto "Together?"

Makoto nodded, putting her hand on Ren's... while she was only thinking about the door handle. "Together."

One.

Two.

Three.

The door opened, Futaba showed herself to both Makoto and Ren, blushing red cheeks and all.

Makoto blinked in shock, looking at the... Tiny girl before her 'Oh my god. She's so thin.' She thought as she looked at the the girl

She had long red hair, a pair of black and red cushion headphones, a loose short sleeved white shirt with a red design over a black bra, black booty shorts and a loose belt, a pair of long black socks and finally a pair of large frame circular glasses. All of her body looked rail thin, almost a scary fashion. And she was short, barley reaching Makoto's chest height

"Hi, Futaba." Ren knelt down, looking into her frame-covered eyes and smiled. "Nice to meet you." he smiled, adjusting his glasses "I'm Joker. And I'm going to steal your heart."

Thump, Thump!

"H-Hi." She whispered as she saw his face in real life and not through a screen. And she looked like someone poured red paint over her face

'Huh? Is she okay?' Ren blinked

"H-Hello Futaba." Makoto smiled

"Eep!" Futaba blushed and hid in front of Ren. "H-Hi." She peaked over his shoulder.

"Whoa!" Ren blinked in shock

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." Makoto apologised.

"N-Not. Not your fault... Just... New people." She answered timidly while pushing her face into Ren's chest

"Oh-kay!" Ren blinked in shock, hugging Futaba gently. Since... seriously, he didn't know what to do. She was like his little sister but seeing her act like this... was weird and heart breaking. He barley remembered her being this bad. "You're-you're going to be okay, Futaba. I promise." Ren reassured.

"This is what we needed to do." he reached back... and gave her small headpatts

"Hmm~." She hummed happily, feeling his hand gently pat her on the head. 'Morgana's so lucky.'

"So... what now?" Makoto asked with a soft smile at the two, she couldn't help herself

"We've done what we need to do." Ren commented... "But we can talk if you want, Futaba?"

Futaba mumbled gently before she nodded her head. "O-Okay." she said as she looked away

Click

Suddenly the room was filled with light, Futaba yelling as she hid under the blankets on her bed. It was surprising how fast she moved, really.

"Hey, is everything alright in here?" Sojiro asked as he entered in shock, amazed to see the door open

"Yeah. Yeah, things are okay." Ren answered, on his ass as Futaba leapt under her bed quilt.

Makoto was silent, a bit close to Ren "Let me help you up." Makoto offered.

"Thanks." He answered, being pulled up.

"It was nice to meet you, Futaba." Makoto responded politely towards the bed.

"Mmmm~!" she whined

"I think it's time for us to go." Ren commented. "Thank you, Sojiro."

"Huh-Really?" the older man blinked "Already?"

"Well, I mean leave the room." Ren answered, showing the cramped space.

"Oh, right. Okay." He scratched the back of his head. "Futaba needs some rest anyway."

"Thanks for letting us meet her, Mr Sakura." Makoto spoke politely as they left for downstairs. She didn't understand what was going on, or how what they just did would help anything, but after meeting Futaba... A fire was light inside her heart. Something... to want to help her. Seeing her so recluse in herself and timid. She wanted to protect her. She was scared and hurt. She needed help

"Are you okay, Makoto?" Ren asked

"Yeah. I'm fine." She answered, sublty curling her hand into a fist, not from anger, but from determination.


*time skip*

The group where now in the streets of Yongen-Jia

"So. On a scale of one to ten... We're helping your guardian's daughter?" Ryuji asked, since he and Yusuke didn't meet her.

"Ten." Ren nodded simply

"Then it looks like we're going to steal her heart." Yusuke answered.

"How do you guys do that?" Makoto asked

"Do we have to show her?" Shiho followed up, looking at Makoto. Not with venom but... mistrust.

"We're in this together." Ren answered "But first... you all should probably know Futaba's story. Or at least as much as I know. Since it will help."

"Yeah." Morgana nodded, jumping down from a nearby wall "Knowing how her mind works will help you understand her Palace and get through it faster."

"How does she even have a Palace? Don't only bad guys have those?" Ryuji asked

"Not really." Ren commented and flinched, remembering his own Palace "Anyone who's world views or desires have been distorted can have a Palace."

"There's that word again." Makoto frowned "What is a Palace?"

"You will find out soon." Yusuke commented with a small frown

"Alright... Did you all just talk to your cat?" Makoto asked, pointing at Morgana.

"Again; you'll find out soon." Ann responded with a harsher tone

"Okay. So... Futaba's mother died." Ren started, unable to get it out any softer "Right in front of her."

The group went silent. Unable to process what Ren just said for a few moments. Just from the shock someone like Futaba had to go through that.

"Wh-what?" Ryuji asked, a frog in his throat.

"How?" Makoto asked, as Morgana leapt into Shiho's arms to comfort her.

"Not sure." Ren had to lie "It was apparently suicide but something was... wrong with it, from what I heard. She just... walked into the traffic. Futaba was bounced around a few relatives before she ended up at Sojiro's. And apparently those family members and some government types blamed Futaba for it."

"That's horrible." Yusuke whispered, covering his mouth; realising what happened.

"And they just... bounced her around?" Makoto asked "For what?"

"Money. Adults can be." Ren began to speak.

FLASH!

I'm sorry, we've made a mistake. It's actually this amount. A voice spoke in Ren's head, Ren thinking about a convenience store clerk.

"Very."

FLASH!

We're sorry, but we can't replace this. Not without this amount. A second voice followed up. A phone store's employee responded. Holding up a broken version of Ren's phone, the screen unusable with how shattered it was.

"Greedy." Ren's lip trembled in anger, his hands shaking gently.

It's today's rent, Ren. Do you have it? A voice of a memory spoke though Ren's head. The voice of his parents; demanding rent once again from their son.

Drip
Drip

"Er... Ren?" Ann blinked in worry and pointed down

A small pool of blood formed on the ground, Ren's hand clenched so tightly he was drawing blood "Oh. Sorry. I just. It's nothing." Ren apologised, lying to his friends.

'That is definitely not 'nothing'.' His friends thought in unison, worry filling their hearts

"Ren." Morgana mewed to his 'older brother' and tried to comfort him.

"Let me." Makoto said as she suddenly pulled bandages from her bag

"You have bandages on hand?" Yusuke asked in concern.

"I. I'm just prepared." She answered as she began to wrap it around Ren's hand "Just small basics."

"Thanks. I appreciate it." Ren answered, his hands still stinging from where he drew blood.

"We better get going." Ren sighed and puled out his phone

"Into the Metaverse?" Ryuji clarified.

"Yeah. Into her Palace." Ren nodded

"Metaverse? Palace?" Makoto blinked

"But we don't know..." Shiho blinked

"Futaba Sakurai. Her room, in Sojiro Sakurai's house. She sees it as a tomb." Ren announced calmly as the world began to warp. He refused to wait, he wasn't playing around with her of all people!

"Whoa, whoa. Wait a frigging-!" Ryuji panicked as they were transported.

Within seconds, the world changed around them. From a simple Japanese attic room... to a blazing hot desert, burning white-hot sand beating down on all the group. A cloudless sky above them as a small point in the horizon lay before them.

"-Second!" Ryuji finished.

"Bwah! What is this?" Morgana groaned as he was now transformed into his cat-human state and feeling the overwhelming heat!

"A desert?!" Shiho gasped

"Whoa! Talking cat! Magic cat!" Makoto panicked, pointing at Morgana.

"This again?" Morgana sighed.

"Wait, we're still in our normal clothes." Ann commented, looking at everyone.

"Urgh..." Yusuke groaned, almost falling.

"Whoa, easy dude. I gotcha." Ryuji caught him.

"You okay Yusuke?" Shiho asked

"Yes, I'm fine. I'm not used to intense heats." Yusuke explained.

"Okay, Ren; what the heck?" Morgana asked, feeling overheated. "I-I can't handle this heat like this. Henshin!" And leapt into his car form.

"Whoa! What the-? The cat turned into a bus?" Makoto double took

...

"Wait, why is Joker in his thief cloths?!" Ryuji yelled

"Wait, what?" Ren asked and looked down at his clothing... and was in his Phantom Thief garb "She sees me as a Phantom Thief." Joker answered calmly with a small grin 'It worked. It's going faster.' he thought proudly

"I... Those cloths..." Makoto blinked, her eyes flicking up and down his form 'He looks hot.' she thought in shock, seeing the stylish and clean look.

"A sign of rebellion." Joker explained. "It's how I feel on the inside." He walked towards Mona, reaching for the drivers side door...

"What do you think you're doing?" Makoto asked in her strict mother tone as she grabbed his wrist

...

"Driving?" he blinked

"So you have a licence?" she responded

"I've played video games." he shrugged

Ah, here we go. Nostalgia. These old driving arguments with Queen. One part he didn't miss about her.

"So you don't have a license?" Makoto responded.

"No." He shook his head.

"Move up, I'm driving. I've taken my tests." She ordered.

"Who made you the leader?" Ryuji snapped.

"I can legally drive." Makoto answered.

"But who is gonna arrest us? You see anyne around here?" Joker stated simply

"Can we just get inside Mona before we get heat-stroke? Yusuke looks like he's dying here!" Ryuji helped Yusuke inside.

"But we don't need a licence to drive in the Metaverse, there aren't any police or driving rules here!" Ann argued as well, getting into the argument and defending her boyfriend

"... Makoto. Drive." Joker sighed, not wanting Yusuke to faint. Joker jumped up, a hand touching Mona's roof to push himself a bit more. He did a flip and a spin in the air, landing softly amongst the sand with his friends as he opened the doors and handed Yusuke a waterbottle

"Thank you, Joker." Yusuke whispered, taking the drink and almost downed it in one go.

"Easy, Yusuke. I've got plenty of bottles." Joker responded

"Such a show off." Ann smiled, getting into the passager seat while the others got in the back. She gave her boyfriend a slight wink and poke, giggling to herself

"Aren't you bruning in that?" Ryuji asked.

"No, I feel fine." Joker answered, either lying to them or to himself as a he felt a bead of sweat down his cheek. He did, however, close his eyes and focus. There was a small spark of blue flames and he was suddenly in his normal garbMakoto double-took as she saw this. "You can-? How?"

"We'll explain on the way to the Palace." Shiho sighed "About everything."


*time skip*

Mona continued to drive through the desert, dust kicking up behind them. He had three layers of seating. The front, where Makoto and Ann where sitting as the driver and passager. A middle layer, where Shiho and Ren where sitting. And a back layer where Ryuji and Yusuke where slumped

"You guys doing okay back there?" Mona asked as they drove.

"I'm much better. Thank you." Yusuke answered, taking another drink of water.

"Okay, I understand." Makoto nodded pa's the others finished explaining

"Thank goodness." Shiho sighed in relief.

"Anyone else need a drink?" Ren asked, holding a bottle of pop; looking out for them.

"Okay, one last question. Where do you hide these? And how can you afford them?" Makoto asked.

"That's technically two." Ann responded.

"Long story short? Ren micro-manages his whole life. School work, three part time jobs, homework, housework, Phantom Thieving." Mona listen off.

"... I'll never complain about my free time again." Makoto stared at the 'road' as they kept driving


*time skip*

"I'm melting!" Ann groaned as she pulled at her shirt

None of them where looking too good. They where all sweating like mad, their white clothing looking almost see-through Shiho waved her hand to fan herself, feeling the heat almost melting her... before she noticed Ryuji peeping.

The reason?

Well the girls soaked shirts where see-through... showing their bra's

Ann's was a lacy red number with no shoulder straps, Shiho's was a light blue sports bra and Makoto's was a black which was a middle ground between the two of them

"Hmm...~!" Ryuji hummed in slight joy, seeing through their shirts.

"Huh? Ryuji!" Ann snapped as she span around, throwing a water bottle at him

CRASH!

"D'oh!" Ryuji fell into the chair behind.

"Hey! What's going on in there?" Morgana commented.

"It's nothing, Morgana." Ann answered, blushing and covered her chest before she blinked as she and Shiho noticed the same thing

Ren relaxing, but also looking at their bras

'Wow. Those are cute.' He thought, covering his nose 'So... sexy.'

"Ohh~" Shiho whined and covered her face

"Ren... don't stare so much." Ann whispered with a soft blush but not being overly angry. Knowing her boyfriend enjoyed the view was flattering but still embaressing.

"Oh, sorry." He apologised as he turned and looked outside to give the girls some privacy.

"Joker. When you leave. Can you-?" Mona asked the group

"Three bottles of water are ready for you, Mona." Joker responded. Shiho scooted closer, pushing her chest against his arm while looking away

"How long until we're there?" Yusuke asked, finishing his bottle.

"Two minutes, if that." Makoto answered as they drove "I think... This place almost seems endless."

"Trust me, it isn't." Ren responded as they slowly arrived. They could see it in the distance, the large triangular shape. It took some time, but the group were now at the front of the Palace. Or should we say 'pyramid'.

"Holy..." Ann gasped

"Crap." Ryuji finished

"It is magnificent!" Yusuke agreed

"Ladies and gentlemen... Futaba's Palace." Ren spoke as they arrived. "Everyone out." They all got out of the car, Mona crashing into the sand and began to pant

"Haa. Haa. Haa. Wa-water!" Mona panted, reaching out to Joker, who immediately gave him a large bottle of water for him to drink.

"Drink up, buddy." Joker reassured, patting his head as he entered his thief suit once more

"AH~! Thanks, Joker." Mona sighed happily, exhaling as he finished the drink "Ohh~, this is good! I needed it!"

"Wow, he can really drink." Makoto commented

"It's like sixty celsius here." Ryuji responded as he looked at his pyramid "Do you think there's A/C inside?"

"Ryuji, it's not going to be like that." Ann groaned.

"It's going to be like that." Ren answered as he found the hidden entrance to the Palace.

"Pyramids are actually fairly cool." Makoto commented

"And you know this how?" Yusuke asked the older girl in confusion

"I pay attention in history class." Makoto answered as they all entered.

"Here we go, Mona." Ren picked up his little brother who was still drinking.

"Hehe..." Mona laughed as they went towards the large doors

"Do you think Futaba will see us as threats?" Shiho asked as they entered... and all were transformed into their Phantom Thief costumes, besides Makoto.

"What the-" Makoto gasped

"Holy crap. I guess she does see us as a threat." Skull commented, seeing his costume. The pirate themed leather outfit making him feel badass once more

"Ah~, coolness. Thank goodness." Fox sighed in relief, feeling the breeze that this outfit gave him.

"And out of those sticky clothes too." Dove agreed as she stretched, feeling her leotard hugging her and glad she had the exposed flesh she did. At the same time as they entered the pyramid a green light shon before them

"Agreed. I never thought I'd be happy to be in this stuff." Panther admitted, feeling the tight red latex hugging her body but her breast window allowed enough air to slide across her flesh soothingly

"Ah! What's this?" Makoto asked in shock.

"Security measures, I think." Joker explained. "If you want, you can stay here. This is going to be dangerous."

The green light shimmered... and Futaba was now standing before them?!

"Wait, Futaba?" Makoto asked in shock.

Futaba was standing there, quiet and standing tall with a golden circlet crown with a snake protrusion, bandages around her chest like an Egyptian dress, golden necklace with triangle sapphires, precious gems encircling her neck, golden bands around her upper arm and her wrists, shimmering yellow eyes behind her large black-frame glasses, a golden belt holding a long cream-coloured dress that went down to her feet.

"Whoa. Err. Fitting the Egyptian Queen theme there." Skull commented.

Futaba's Shadow looked at the Thieves with her neutral look. "Welcome, Phantom Thieves." She spoke calmly.

"What is she wearing?" Panther blinked

"That's Futaba's Shadow." Joker explained

"I see that you are here to steal my heart." Shadow Futaba spoke calmly. as she put a hand on Joker's chest "You reached out to my Outer Self."

The Thieves looked on in shock as they realised what was happening right now. Especially Joker, to an extent.

"Hey... Isn't she a little kid?" Skull commented

"She's not little." Makoto frowned "She is only a year younger than you guys."

"-What-?! Really?!" Skull gasped dramatically

"You... Wish to venture in?" Shadow Futaba asked, still resting on Joker's chest gently.

"Yes?" Joker blinked

"She is fifteen." Dove said to Skull

"So... Not creepy. Got it." Skull thought, since they were all about the same age.

"She is not wearing a costume." Shadow Futaba pointed to Makoto. "Why?"

"Well... She hasn't got a Persona yet." Joker explained

"I see. She shall be safe at the beginning, here." Shadow Futaba responded.

"What?!" She gasped and frowned

"To be honest... I kind of get it?" Dove commented

"Shiho, you too?" Makoto asked

"You haven't got a Persona. It'll be dangerous in this place." Fox responded, thinking of her safety.

"A Persona?"

"Like this. Arsene!" Joker spoke up, ripping his mask off and revealed his main Persona.

"I am the Pillager of Twilight, the mighty Arsene!" the gentleman thief called as he emerged from the flames, his wings spread wide

Makoto's eyes widened as she saw the Persona. In shock as she saw this figure in spectral flames being summoned. Was this how the Phantom Thieves did things?

Arsene, meanwhile, looked at Makoto. He sensed her, the roaring road racer hidden away from society 'Hmm. Is that her, Partner?' Arsene thought to Joker. Joker simply nodded in response, making Arsene looked upon Makoto again. "Very well." and with that Arsene was gone, disappearing in a flash of blue flames and not leaving a trace. And within those few seconds, Joker's mask reappeared back on his face.

"Do you understand, Makoto? We can't protect you fully." he explained

"Well we could, but it would distract us." Panther shot back with a smirk of victory

Makoto tried to answer... she understood. But it stung. She was going to be left behind. "I. I understand." She frowned as she clenched her fists out of frustration.

"You wish to steal my treasure?" Shadow Futaba asked again

"Yeah, that's right." Joker answered. "You've already opened your heart to us. You can trust us."

Suddenly a wall raised, revealing the stairway inside

"Then try." Shadow Futaba commented and faded away

"Guess we're ready." Skull rolled his shoulder.

"It seems so." Fox agreed.

"Makoto, you've got to stay here." Joker followed up, before passing some drinks for her. "Just in case you get thirsty."

"Thanks." she grumbled

"Also, here." he added, passing her a phone "We'll need your strategic advice."

"Wait. Really?" Makoto asked with shock. "Is this yours?"

"It's a burner phone I got a while back." Joker explained.

"Where'd you get the-? No. Stupid question." Makoto asked before stopping herself.

"Yeah." he smirked

"Later, Class Prez." Panther remarked as they walked inside as she kicked her heels back a bit, holding Joker's arm

"Stay safe here." Fox followed up as they left.

Makoto remained at the seat in the beginning of the Palace, sitting in the A/C controlled location and away from the blistering heat.


*with the Phantom Thieves*

The group walked in, jumping across pillars in a rush

"Whoa. This is crazy. From a bank to Egypt. This is so awesome." Dove commented

"I'm not the only one!" Skull cheered.

"This way." Joker pointed, leading the charge.

"These hieroglyphs. Are they computer code?" Fox asked in confusion.

"Maybe, Futaba IS a computer genius." Joker nodded as he looked into the Palace 'Don't worry Futaba, we can save you.'


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