Legomasterlord: Yeah. The Kaneshiro Palace awakening for Makoto was a bit underwhelming in both Ghost and my opinion. It was cool, but the context and who it was in response to was the weakest. It seemed natural to have her 'opponent' be the Principal.
Grimrepa: We have already said again and again, no.
StevieBond: It wasn't because of Morgana. It was because they used the same 'two person' thing they did with Ann and Ryuji in the first Palace. But they didn't have the right pacing.
Frosty Wolf: Exactly.
Time Knight Leo: Exactly.
Xerzo LotCN: Yeah. But he didn't have his journalon him AFTER he left Tokyo, and this is a year AFTER that. Trying to remember a year from two years ago, without any form of constant reminder LIKE a journal?
Also wait and see for all that.
Slackboy101: He knows, but he does not see them as any level of a threat. It's like a rumour.
chimchar14: Okay, that is a funny idea.
Here are some reviews answered by Ghost:
Dragon and Sword Master: Thanks, we've got plans for Queen to kick ass.
chimchar14: Yeah, Ren's [Charm] is maxed out at this point. laughs
Guest, chapter 22, Aug 28: I haven't read much P5 FanFiction but I'm guessing it's bad.
Slackboy101: Yeah, we've had to plan this one out properly, going back months in advance.
Time Knight Leo: Yeah, there's a lot going on now.
Firem78910: Yeah, this is the consequence of speedrunning through the game.
Frosty Wolf: Ren wants things to go better than before. He doesn't want to make the same mistakes as before.
Legomasterlord: Oh jeez, you don't know half of it.
Disclaimer: We do not own Persona 5. That belongs to Atlus.
Co-written by GhostKaiser23
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Yo guys, here we go!
Time for us to really go into the new Palace!
You guys have NO IDEA how fun it was for Ghost and I to come up with all of this.
Persona 5 New Game Plus, Joker's Second Chance
Chapter 23:
The Prison School Investigation
Joker stood there, looking up at the Palace. He, Mona, Oracle and Makoto where in the Metaverse. They where at the Palace of the principal of their school, Principal Kobayakawa
They where looking up at the Palace... and they could not see much, a massive chainlink fence. A fence that went hundreds of miles into the sky, inside being a three tier building that almost looked like a prison.
"Should we heading in?" Oracle asked
"Yeah. Mona and I will be at the front, Oracle... you're on support." Joker answered.
"And what about me? I'm coming to." Makoto answered
"You... Queen, stay near Oracle. Stay in Necronomicron in battle." Joker sighed
"Oh, okay." Makoto answered. "That doesn't sound too bad."
"Wait till you get in. Hee-hee." Oracle tittered as she knew how she would have to get in the Persona.
"I... I'm sorry?" Makoto gulped.
"Oracle's technically right, but she's messing with you." Joker answered while giving the red head a disapproving big brother frown that had her snickering harder
"Well, should we head in?" Mona asked. "Looks like there might be a way in through that section there."
Joker followed where Mona was pointing, taking in the palace before him 'I never thought this place would become a second Palace.' He thought sadly. 'Though to be fair... it makes total sense.' as he took in how the school had morphed
What was once the open school's plain white wall barricades and the simple black gate, was now a chainlink fence with razor-sharp barbed wire with empty guard-towers at the front. The white bricked walls of the building had transformed into dark-grey stone with large lights scanning the grounds, barred windows with more razor-wire, the clock that was on the side of the building was replaced with a propaganda poster depicting a warped version of the iconic 'Uncle Sam' point with a featureless mask covered Shadow's face, wearing a black prisoner warden's hat and wearing a dark blue uniform and black tie with what looked to be a Shujin Academy logo on the left arm sleeve.
On the roof were chainlink fences with razor-wire on the top to prevent any who thought they could escape that way. It looked to be the only way in... was the front door. But that looked like a death-sentence.
He saw what Morgana was pointing to though, a small hole in the wall big enough for a human to fit through "That's like an escape route." Mona commented.
"Yeah, looks like it." Joker answered. "Oracle, Queen. Do you see the hole?"
"Yeah, I saw it when I was doing my scans." Oracle answered "Perfect way in."
"Okay, remember we're only going in there for a recon mission. No theatrics." Mona added
"Yeah." Joker nodded
"Right, then... how does 'Necronomicon' work? How can we sneak in?" Makoto asked
...
Futaba began to chuckle as she wanted to summon her Persona.
"Just wait until a fight starts, if it comes to that." Joker urged
"Okay." Futaba pouted as she wanted to 'express herself'.
"You got a rope?" Mona asked
"Should do." He nodded, getting his gear with him. It took a few moments, the rope thrown up and looping around some loose bricks. A secure route towards the hole "Okay, I think that's got it." Joker whispered, tugging the rope to make sure it was strong and stable enough. He was the first to climb, however, to test it
As he entered through the hole, he was inside a 'tight' ventilation system, which led to an unused room that had discarded uniforms inside. It was a small, tiny room. Barley enough room for four people to stand in, dirty and empty with discarded and burnt clothing all over the place
"Urgh. God, this smells like the boy's locker room." Joker groaned.
"My Trickster!" a familiar voice called within his mind
"Huh? Lavenza?" He whispered as he heard her voice. "What's going on?"
"This place. It shouldn't exist, Trickster." she responded
"I know... It's not like last time." He admitted. "I messed up."
"No, you didn't 'mess up', you've just changed things. You've changed the destinies of others to take charge." Lavenza answered "This power is... Different. This Palace is an Anomaly. He warned, there may be things within this place you have never seen before."
"Thanks for the heads up" Joker answered. "I hope that we can do this." He whispered in worry as he took a deep breath, looking at the door in front of them "Showtime." He whispered and opened it
Outside of the room, was the corridor to the large complex. Flat grey brick walls with dips inside for the metal doors with just numbers labelling them. Spotlights moving slowly as it was scanning the area. This was going to be difficult.
"Holy crap." Oracle whispered as they had followed.
"Oh my god, this isn't right." Makoto added
"Stay close." Joker instructed as he stuck to the walls before going to a corner and saw a Shadow wearing a prison warden's uniform and holding a baton. "There." He whispered as he lunged and grabbed the Shadow from behind. "Show me your true form!"
RIP!
The Shadow bent backwards, looking like its back was snapped in half as it erupted into a spurt of ink and then reformed into untamed Persona
"Show Me Your True Form!" he roared. The darkness swirled and formed, rushing up and beginning to take shape. A roughly humanoid one
It looked like a black skeletal creature with exposed ribs and jutting hips, clawed hands and a skeletal horse head and blind eyes, wearing a large rimmed red hood-hat with a long red cape and dangling black hooks along the edge of the hat and a large sharp horse-shoe.
"What is that?" Oracle asked
"A Persona, Oracle. And an annoying one." Joker answered, grabbing his mask to summon his own. "BLACK FROST! BUFUDYNE!"
Summoned to Joker's aid was a large black-ice snowman, wearing a purple devil-styled hat, purple pointed shoes and purple scarf; a pair of deep red eyes and a wide smile. The Phantom Thief slashed his arms, the black demon unleashing his a large colossal cold wave. The Shadow was immediately frozen and knocked down stuck upon the floor as Mona and Joker readied their ranged weapons at him.
"Wh-what just happened?" Makoto asked in shock.
"W-wait. What? What do you want?" The Shadow panted, being knocked down and having weapons trained on him.
"How about an item?" Joker reasoned after a moment of thought, this place was new. Who knew what it had.
"H-Here! Take it!" The Shadow called, throwing something at them
Joker as he caught the item and smiled. "Thanks. Get out of here." And let the Shadow disappear from the fight
"Wow." Makoto blinked
"Why didn't you beat that thing down?" Oracle asked.
Joker turned around and looked at her. "Simple, you get more things from Shadows if you reason with them first. Plus, that was a 'Kumbhanda', fighting it would've just been a waste of time. It only knows how to enrage people."
"Ah, so it's an annoying punk." Oracle nodded "Trash mob, got it."
"... I only understood half of that." Makoto responded.
"Which part? My part or Oracle's, Queen." Joker asked
"The 'trash mob' part." She answered.
"Oh." Oracle pondered.
"We'll be alright. We've got more to go through." Joker answered. "Stick to the walls and we should be okay."
"O-Okay." Makoto nodded as they continued to follow Ren.
'Okay, we need a map. Something to check this place.' Joker thought as he continued to sneak around the palace. He felt... worry. He had to protect Oracle and Queen. They weren't used to this yet.
His fist clenched within his red gloves, his eyes glowing yellow in the darkness
The small group reached an unlocked door, this had to be a safe zone or something; if not, it would give them a better view of this Palace... and maybe some new items to sell.
"Any bad signals?" Joker asked his navigator
"Hmm. Yeah. Two Shadows inside, both standing guard." Oracle responded.
"Good." Joker answered.
"Mreow~! I sense something!" Mona purred as he could 'smell' some treasure close.
"Wait, what do you mean?" Makoto asked
"There!" Joker pointed and saw a floating gem guarded by two Shadows. He jumped high, rushing at one of the shadows
"Huh? ARGH!" The Shadow looked up before it had its mask ripped off.
Appearing before Joker were a trio of Shadows. Two of them were the same while one was different. The identical ones sandwiched the different on either side.
The two similar Shadows were sickly green-skinned humanoid creatures with pale orange skin wings, bent bird-like legs with two claws, yellow bent spines on their backs that reached their gaunt heads, lizard-like eyes and three teeth two pointing down and one pointing up.
The one in the middle was a green-robed woman with a covered face, flowing grey hair and holding a tablet in their left hand and a ball of thread in the other.
"The hell?" Makoto asked in shock.
Joker looked at the two Shadows, confused at what they were. The small ones looked like goblins to him, and he had no clue about this robed lady. ''Bent Legged Goblin'? 'Robed Thread Bearer'?' He thought and held his knife ready, trying to work out what this situation. He had NEVER seen these before!
"Joker, what do we do?" Mona asked
"O-Oracle. Scan the enemies for weaknesses." Joker stammered slightly
"Scanning enemies!" She nodded, doing her 'hacker' thing and scanned the enemies before them. "Okay, they're 'Chupacabra' and 'Verdandi'! That's all I've got right now."
"Really? That's all?" Joker flinched and took a deep breath. He jumped, dodging a blast of light from Verdandi 'Okay, okay. Just like old times. Work it out, be smart.' he reached up and gripped his mask
"Come on, ISIS! ZIONGA!" Joker called out as he summoned his Persona
Appearing behind Joker was an Egyptian woman wearing a white dress with blue lines, royal blue trim and chest, golden feathers covering her chest and shoulders that went down to her wrists; an Egyptian crown resting upon her head with white, blue and silver stripes in an arc with a small silver eagle head poking from the front and a golden throne on top of the crown. She extended her wings and summoned lightning as she struck Verdandi, though it hurt it. It didn't look like it did much damage.
"Damn, not good enough." He frowned.
"Joker, my turn. MERCURIUS! MAGARULA!" Mona called out, summoning his Persona and caused great winds around the three Shadows.
The winds and lightning combined, causing dramatic and violent technical damage
The two Chupacabra were sliced like cheese and vanished, while Verdandi was knocked down onto the ground.
CLICK!
Both Joker and Mona got their weapons ready as Verdandi was on the floor.
"It's... all the same. You kids are all trouble makers." Verdandi spoke out.
"Not all of us are trouble makers. We're trying to help." Joker answered.
"Really? Then what have you done to help someone?" Verdandi asked
Makoto looked at Joker and wondered what his answer would be.
"I've helped someone stand up for themselves." Joker answered
"Really? Then why do you get out of it?" Verdandi responded
"Experience. And making a difference in people's lives." Joker answered.
"That... that is amazing for someone like you. Wait... I am no guard for Kobayakawa... I am 'Verdandi'. I am Thou, Thou Art I." She responded, beginning to glow and turned into a copy of Joker's mask and shot into his face.
Flames washed over Ren for a moment as he accepted the mask... and was shocked 'New...Persona.' He thought to himself. 'I can't believe this.'
"Joker? What's wrong?" Makoto asked
"Huh? Oh. Um, nothing. Nothing's wrong." He shook his head weakly
"We've got a problem now!" Makoto pointed as a second Shadow came over and began to swing at them.
"Oracle!" Joker ordered
"Right!" she nodded and ripped her mask off, summoning Nechronomicon. The world began to slow down for Oracle as she 'merged' with her Persona and changed the battle phase. "Heh-ha, let's make things a little interesting." She smirked.
What would have been an ambush from the Shadow had now turned into an ambush for the Phantom Thieves.
Mona and Joker were now on the offensive; they saw a group of five now. Four of them were the Chupacabra, hissing and ready to lunge at them but they had to wait.
And the fifth of the group was a hefty humanoid with a face-covering helmet, a long beard, wearing a red chain-link shirt and black trousers, thick red boots and holding a pickaxe.
"Wait, is that a dwarf?" Makoto asked in confusion.
"Looks like it." Joker answered, readying his gun this time.
"GAAAAAHHHHH!" Makoto shirked as she was dragged into the UFO by tentacles
"Um... Joker-"
"I know, Mona. I know." He sighed heavily. at the dramatic sight "Why Futaba... Why?"
Oracle just chuckled as she kept Makoto inside of Necronomicon and did her hacker thing to change the battlefield.
"Have we worked out the Capibara's weakness?" Mona asked
"'Chupacabra' and yeah. I have. They're small fries that are weak to Guns and Wind." Oracle answered. "The 'Dwarf' is weak to Curse and resists... 'Psy' and 'Nuclear'? The heck are those things?"
"Anything else?" Joker asked, ignoring the red head's confusion
"Yeah, don't slash with it with your knife, Ice or Fire. It repels and absorbs it!" She answered.
"Wow, the Dwarf is tough." Mona blinked
Joker frowned, quickly opening fire on the four Chupacabra's
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
One by one the Chupacabras fell, stunned down and unable to fight back. The Dwarf, however, leapt in and began to make a swing with his heavy axe.
"Arsene!" Joker called as he ripped his mask off, his Persona's claws grabbing the axe and holding it back
CLANG!
The Dwarf's eyes widened in shock as he saw Arsene, struggling to push through the natural weakness.
"I've got the little guys!" Mona called out. "MERCURIUS!"
With a whip of his swift winds, Mona blew away the downed Shadows, leaving the Dwarf on his own.
"Arsene. EIGA!" Joker called out, causing a burst of Curse attack right in the Dwarf's face.
"GAH!" The Dwarf slammed down into the floor. "D-Damn. Off to... steal from me. Again?"
Joker took a step forwards, nodding at Arsene. Arsene smirked and nodded, vanishing "No, I'm not here to steal from you." Joker answered.
"Heh. That's a crock... there're always people wanting to steal other people's property." The Dwarf answered.
"But I'm not one of them. I'm taking back what belongs to the right people." Joker continued.
"You say that... But what can you do to change someone like General Kobayakawa?" The Dwarf asked
"We're going to change his heart," Joker answered.
"... Heh. You sound confident kid. I'll trust ya, I am Dwarf. I am Thou, Thou Art I." Dwarf spoke as he began to glow and shoot into Joker's mask.
"Another new Persona." Mona blinked
"Looks like it." Joker nodded. "Are you two okay?" He asked Queen and Oracle.
"Yeah. We're good." Oracle answered.
"Why are there so many tentacles?!" Queen called out mailing Joker and Mona sweat drop
"Ahem. Do you mind bringing Queen out?" Joker coughed a little to clear his throat, but also to make it clear.
"Fine~!" Oraclewhined
Carefully lowered by the tentacles, Makoto stood out with her hands shaking close to her; like someone had covered her in cold water and she was shivering. But she wasn't covered in anything, he was just freaked out. She quickly hugged Ren's legs, as she fell to her knees
"Whoa, whoa. Easy. I've got you." Joker reassured her.
"Why? Why does it have tentacles?" Makoto shakily asked
"I don't know." he admitted
"Oh come on, Queen. It's not that bad." Oracle answered as she was hovering downwards with a pair of tentacles wrapped around her waist, lowering her to the ground
"Speak for yourself." Mona deadpanned.
Joker sighed and looked at the large gem in the centre of the room... why were they protecting? As he reached out and grabbed it, it shattered in his hands, giving him an item. "Damn, not a large treasure." He commented. "But still something." In his hand was a small arrival of wealth, a school trophy that was slightly bent
"Looks like that represents Kobayakawa's distortion of winning." Mona commented.
"Seems like it. Are you okay, Queen?" Joker asked, pocketing the item. She took a few calming breaths and sighed, giving a nod as she looked at him. He had to admit, she did look cute like this. And from the smile of Oracle's face, she liked it too. "Are you okay to keep going?" He asked them both.
"Yeah, I think so." Oracle nodded
"I should... I'll be fine." Queen added as she gulped
"Alright." He nodded. This was only the second hallway, he was kinda nervous.
Mona looked up at him and saw him hesitate, if only for a second. Of course, he remembered this from before... but this whole ordeal was now troubling.
The group continued, going to the next room. It looked to be a monitor room in replace of the broadcasting room that the school often used. "Look at all this... he must have the entire school covered." Mona said while his eyes flicked from camera screen to camera screen
"I can make a map with this place!" Oracle grinned
"Brilliant!" Joker smiled as he sighed in relief and joy.
"No problem. Give me like... five minutes?" She responded, beginning her work. She began to type away at the computers,her goggles glowing "Hmm... Interesting. Really interesting." She whispered to herself.
"I can't believe what's happening here." Queen commented.
"What do you mean?" Joker asked as he passed her and Oracle some water.
"This Palace... it feels... wrong. I know it's a distortion of the school but... It's just wrong that he sees us as his prisoners." Makoto answered while crossing her arms around herself
"We don't know that for sure-" Joker tried to assure, only to be interupted instantly
"This place is a prison!" She frowned.
"We'll change his heart, Queen. Promise." Mona responded, patting her arm gently with a grin
"I... Guess." She sighed
"I guess your second Palace excursion isn't all it's cracked up to be." Joker added "Especially when you compare this place to Futaba's."
"Yeah, that place was chilled... this place is chilling." Makoto joked to get rid of her fear. Trying to focus on ANYTHING else.
"We'll be out of here soon. As soon as Oracle makes a map of this place." Joker answered
"Urgh, stupid... I could only get a third of the map. Just the first floor." Oracle groaned.
"The first floor?" Everyone asked
"It looks like we have two other floors. Kinda like the school." Oracle frowned. "I've got the full schematics for this first floor though."
"Three floors? That's not that big, is it?" Makoto asked
"Considering I've had to deal with five floored Palaces, no it isn't." He answered. "But it'll be tricky with all these cameras... wait. Where's that?" He pointed to a screen.
"Oh, there? Down the halls, to the left. It looks like it's outside." Oracle answered. "Why?"
"A Safe Zone." He answered simply. "A place where we can relax for a moment and a place that makes return visits easier."
"I didn't know that." Oracle responded in shock.
"So that's how you got around so fast." Makoto whispered
"Safe rooms are like... Gaps in cognition." Ren tried to explain "Areas where the person knows they have no or little control over their palace, at least subconsciously. Like Kamoshida, the gym coach, had no real power in other teachers classrooms."
"And outside is where he doesn't have as much control." Makoto caught up.
"Exactly." He nodded "This one looks like it is in the area between the two buildings."
"Well, looks like we'll have to get through those security cameras and spotlights. We'll be able to do that." Mona responded
"Will be tough." Joker hummed
"When has that stopped us?" Mona smirked.
"Don't worry, I've changed it." Oracle answered.
"What do you mean?" Makoto asked
"Well, these spotlights were constant. I've changed them to fritz out after a minute or so." She explained
...
"You are a mad genius." Joker smirked
"Thank you, thank you. I accept various forms of payment." Oracle chuckled. "New games, computer parts, action figures and more."
"... I'll keep that in mind." He deadpanned, feeling his wallet lighten from what she said. But he couldn't say no to that grin "I'll see what I can do." He responded with a wink
"Is this normal for you guys?" Makoto asked Mona
"Eh, recent development." Mona shrugged as he jumped onto Joker's shoulder "Let's head to the safe room and call it a day."
"Couldn't agree more." Joker answered. "Ladies, let's go."
"Gotcha." The two nodded.
The four rushed from the security room, into the darkness
Makoto and Oracle were doing well to keep up, running alongside with the boys who had this experience in this high-speed running. "My thighs. Are burning." Oracle panted making the others stop
"Queen, are you okay?" Joker asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." She answered.
"Okay." He nodded as he picked up Oracle onto his back. "Hold on and don't let go." And lifted her effortlessly.
"Wow!" Oracle blushed as she was lifted, but gripped onto Joker as tight as possible as he continued running.
"This way, we're almost there!" Mona pointed.
"I see it!" Queen smiled.
The group could feel the steps of the Shadows running behind them, almost biting their heels. But they managed to get to the safe zone, landing right at the benches and were safe, disappearing away from the inside of the Palace.
... And then they noticed something, in the distance
It seemed to be a bunch of 'prisoners' or students wearing tattered and worn prisoner clothing; heavy chains binding their wrists, ankles and around their necks as they toiled in a group in an area labelled 'classroom'.
And in front of them, from what they could only see, was a person wearing a pair of black leather high-heeled boots, long black stockings clipped onto a garter that was under a mostly black tartan skirt with red and white lines to make squares with the crest of Shujin Academy stitched into it, an exposed midriff that had a pair of black bracers clipped onto the skirt and was in an 'X' that seemed to also cross over the person's chest, which looked to be a woman considering the chest was a DD-Cup size and finally long black fingerless gloves holding a whip or riding crop in their hands. Their face was covered, but it seemed to be either a woman or at least a senior student... god, they hoped it was a woman.
"Is that how he sees the teachers?" Mona asked what they where all thinking
"God, that's just... urgh." Makoto groaned, wincing away as she saw it.
'... God, that's so kinky.' Oracle giggled with a perverse tone and a blush under her mask.
"You pathetic worms!" the woman snapped
Makoto, Mona and Joker froze as they heard that voice... no. No! It couldn't be! It couldn't be her!
They turned around, focusing more on the woman
"You have disobeyed our amazing principal's rules and it is time for you to face the punishment for such sins!" the woman continued, backhanding one of the students
"AH! S-Sorry, M-M-Miss-."
SLAP!
"Did I order you to speak?!" The woman backhanded the student
SLAP!
This second strike made the woman's hand blow wildly in the wind
"Ah~, forgive me, Warden. This worthless guard is sorry for not training these idiotic prisoners!" The female responded, almost moaning perversely as the womans face was revealed.
It was Makoto!
It wasn't just the voice, it was Kobayakawa had a twisted and perverse sight of Makoto as his 'sexy warden' to fight against the students, to hurt and break them! And to enjoy the act the entire time!
Makoto froze as her blood ran cold, she began to shake her head as if denying what she saw "I-I think I'm gonna be sick!" Makoto covered her mouth
'Holy crap.' Oracle thought to herself, true this looked sexy as hell to her... but as she turned her head to Makoto, she saw how frustrated she was.
...
And then Makoto ran!
"Oh no!" Mona panicked.
"Queen, wait!" Joker called out.
"I'll stay here." Oracle commented.
Joker nodded, hurrying after Makoto "She should be safe, right?" Joker asked as he and Mona ran together after Makoto. "Of course. It's the 'Safe Zone'." He answered confidently as he knew she needed his help
Makoto had continued to run through the palace, unaware that she was tripping alarms. 'I can't. No. This can't be how he sees me!' She thought sadly and angrily, the Principal of her school...thinking of her as some perverted prison warden. 'It can't!'
"Queen!" Joker called out, trying to grab her attention as he grabbed her wrist, stopping her... and getting thrown over her shoulder
WHOOSH!
SLAM!
"Oof! Hnn!" Joker grunted as he landed on the floor in pain.
"The heck?!" Mona gasped as he saw that. It was like a professional martial artist's move.
"I'm so sorry!" She said, kneeling next to him and putting his head on her lap "Are you okay?"
Joker blinked and looked up from her lap and caught the sight of her uniform... and was blushing under his mask. "Yeah. I'm fine. You've got a hell of a throw."
"Yeah... I am trained in Aikido." She nodded
"Wow. I didn't know that." Joker admittedly forgot that part about her... he knew she kicked ass, but to be trained in Aikido? She was just... Amazing
"I-I'm sorry. I just...I couldn't handle-" Makoto apologised. "That wasn't me"
"Yeah. I know. Panther and Dove felt the same way. With Kamoshida's Palace." Joker groaned as he looked up into her eyes
"They did?" She asked.
"Yeah. It was hard for them too. But... They broke through that distorted perceptions of themselves. I'm sure you'll be able to do the same." He reassured her.
Neither noticed of worried about the fact Joker's head was resting on her thighs, nor how her skirt and pantyhose pressed against the back of his head or neck.
...
"... That... I'm not really like that... Am I?" She muttered "Because honestly I feel... Useless."
"You're far from useless, Queen. I think. I think you just need to break out of the perception that Kobayakawa sees you as." He answered.
...
"It's not just him." She admitted as she began to cry "It is the other students at school because I couldn't protect them... And my own sister."
Joker frowned... he knew Sae. And he knew what she was hiding under the surface. But this was something... something he never understood. What he never knew.
"A few nights ago... We got into a fight." Makoto explained sadly "About the Phantom Thieves. I was trying to tell her how the Principal was forcing me to do illegal investigations on my classmates but..."
"What happened?"
"But she... she told me I was too naive." She continued. "She said I was a burden... a failure... that I was useless to her."
Joker frowned and flashed back to when he was called a 'burden' by his parents. He was shocked... he had never known that about Makoto and Sae "I'm so sorry, Queen." He apologised. "We'll figure something out to fix this." as he sat up and hugged her
Makoto sniffed sadly and nodded in the crook of his neck.
Mona panted as he saw this, having been fighting a Shadow for the past minute. 'Thank goodness.' He thought
Ren felt it as he held Makoto, as Lavenza's voice echoed in his mind
"I am thou, thou art I.
Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Priestess Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to new freedom and power."
Ren slowly breathed as he heard that. Happy to hear that...but wanted it in less... discouraging circumstances.
"It'll be okay..." he urged "It will all be okay."
Makoto sniffed gently as she was unsure what else to say and nodded.
"Guys, I hate to break this us, but we need to get out of here!" Mona called out.
"Huh?" They blinked
Boom!
"GAH!" Futaba yelled, crashing before them
"Oracle/Futaba!" Both Joker and Makoto called out in worry, before Oracle landed on top of them "OOF!"
"I'm sorry guys." she flinched
"So... intruders have infiltrated our perfect school?" the cognitive Makoto scoffed
Joker broke the hug from Makoto and got between the cognitive version and the real Makoto. "This place is hardly perfect." He answered as he got between them
"Oh? Someone goes against our glorious principal?" Cognition Makoto scoffed, looking Joker up and down while crossing her arms "Hmm. You could have been a productive member of our glorious school." the strange being reached up, clicking her fingers "Get them!"
A large group of Shadows rushed the area, more than Joker or Mona could handle without the others. This was going to be difficult to get out of...and with a large amount of attention they had gotten because of Makoto, they couldn't just waltz out of here.
... Or could they?
Joker smirked to himself as he took a step back and grabbed something from behind his back pocket. The Shadow's all rushed forwards, weapons drawn
"Later." Joker pulled out a smoke-bomb and slammed it into the ground, the large plumes of smoke covered the area and the four could make their escape.
Fwoosh
...
"What?!"
"Damn it! Find them!" Cognitive Makoto demanded.
SNAP!
"Find them! Now!"
"Yes!" They yelled
The four had managed to escape, getting to the safe-room and teleported away back to the front of the school, almost collapsing as they felt their hearts in their ears.
"Gah!" Makoto gasped, falling to her knees
"Oof!" Oracle groaned
"Is everyone alright?" Joker asked, he and Mona getting up first.
"Yeah... I'm fine. No-one said there'd be a crap-tonne of running though." Oracle groaned as she was in her normal cloths once more "I thought we where done for..." she added in worry
"Yeah, same here." Mona agreed as Joker helped up Makoto and Futaba.
"Come on, let's get out of here." Ren spoke as he leaned down, helping the two up. He pulled Futaba onto his back, his arm around Makoto and unconsciously holding her close
Both girls hummed gently as Ren helped them up, leading them out of the Palace and followed closely by Mona.
*Back in LeBlanc*
"Sojiro! Curry!" Futaba whined from the table the four Phantom Thieves where sat at... Well, three where sat with one within a bag
"Coming." Her father figure grumbled "Seriously, what did you lot do to get her like this?" He grumbled
"Sorry. She for really excited about Makoto teaching her Aikido." Ren lied
"Wait, what?" Both Makoto and Futaba double-took.
"Really? I didn't think you'd be into that sort of stuff, Futaba." Sojiro answered
"W-Well it just looked so cool! You know I love Featherman!" Futaba laughed nervously "Got too excited! Turns out it's not for me... Er... Curry! Now! Please?"
"I need to go to the house quick." He commented "Watch the store for me."
"No problem." Ren answered as he saw Futaba tuck into the curry.
"Hm..." Makoto hummed as she was eating slowly, not really savouring the taste.
Ding~
And now the four where alone
"Mrow. Is the coast clear?" Mona asked as he hopped onto the table and smelled the curry.
"Yeah, the coast is clear." Ren nodded. "Makoto? Are you alright?"
"No." She muttered
Ren frowned and put his hand on her shoulder. "Is it the cognitive version of you?"
"Yes... And how little I could help." She flinched
"Anything, you can tell me." Ren responded
"We could have died!" She snapped softly "We... We could have died. And I... I couldn't do... I couldn't do anything!"
"No-one's good at this the first time around." Joker answered. "Heck I wasn't either."
"But you have the Persona! I'm..." Makoto's comments trailed off, looking down
"You'll get yours, I promise." He answered. "You just... have to find that fire inside of yourself."
"Fire?"
"In my case, it was dealing with betrayal. Fighting against those who abuse their power for their own gain." Ren answered "You can't force it. You can't push yourself to do it. And WE won't let you do anything stupid. It needs to be... You, letting go. As you accept your rebellious spirit."
Makoto dropped her spoon down to the plate and gently nodded. "Okay, I won't...I won't do anything rash."
"That's good." He smiled
Ding~
Walking in LeBlanc were two people. Both of whom Ren and Makoto knew well. Well, one more so than the other.
One was a young man with shaggy neck-length brown hair with bangs, reddish-brown eyes; he was wearing a tan peacoat with black buttons, a striped black and white tie, black pants, black gloves and black loafers. He looked to be a little older than Ren...but Ren knew where he saw him from. That time when his class went to the TV station.
The second was a beautiful woman a tall and beautiful woman with upper-back length ashen brown hair that is asymmetrically parted on the left-right side and brown eyes that had a hint of mauve-red. She was wearing a black business suit with a black turtleneck, her blazer's cuffs and the lower part have clamshell-like designs. She wore a necklace, a pair of earrings and a few dark hair clips can be seen above her right ear. She had violet fingernails and wears black or dark grey high heels. Makoto knew who this was, her older sister, Sae.
"Hello, is this place still open?" Akechi, the young man, asked.
"Yes." Ren nodded as he quickly stood up, putting an apron on "How can I help?"
"We were just wondering if we can get some coffee." Akechi asked. "... I remember you."
"Makoto? Why're you here?" Sae asked
"Oh, he's one of my friends from school." Makoto commented "He... Wanted some help with school work."
"Is that right?" Sae responded as she saw the curry on the table... and the red-haired girl almost shovelling two plates in her mouth.
"We're just taking a break." Makoto responded.
"Oh, I see." Sae answered, looking away from Futaba.
"Hmm." Futaba grumbled a little.
"What would you like?" Ren asked, putting on an apron for the sale.
"A dark coffee for me." Sae asked
"I'll take a milky coffee with a touch of sugar." Akechi asked.
"No problem." Ren answered as he got the coffee's brew station going.
"Hey." Futaba asked before she gulped down her curry remnants. "Aren't you that 'Charismatic Detective'?"
"Oh, yes I am." Akechi nodded. "Goro Akechi, you must've heard of me."
"You were on the TV a while ago." Futaba added before she froze and went red, rushing up to Ren's room again
"... Shy girl; isn't she?" Akechi blinked, thinking nothing more of it.
"Yeah. She doesn't get out much." Ren half-lied with a frown. This man... this monster... What he did to Futaba!
Unforgivable.
"Hmm, that smells good." Sae commented, smelling the grounds of the coffee.
"Thanks." Ren nodded, pouring the drinks calmly
Mona looked at Akechi, keeping his mouth quiet. He knew that he could hear him... it was proven back in the first timeline and the time back at the TV station. He'd have to play the 'innocent cat' for a little while, while they were there. He just had to... "Meow!"
"You have a cat?" Akechi asked
"... He's quite cute." Sae commented seeing it there. "Though it's probably unhygienic to keep it in the cafe." she added with slight distain, frowning at the cat... even as she reached out to give Morgana a small scratch under the chin
'Ooooh~! That feels good~!' Morgana thought as his leg shuddered a bit while his tail wagged a little bit
"He usually sleeps upstairs and is well behaved." Ren answered, giving Morgana the go-ahead to leave "We lock the place off and have him in my room, but we are nearly closing."
"Oh?" Sae asked, pulling her finger back
Suddenly Mona let out a blood curtailing meow and rushed upstairs in a rush, like an average cat who just decided to run around wildly for no reason
"We where closing up soon and Futaba loves him." Ren continued "So we let him down here for a bit. Gonna be an hour cleaning up."
"You're a part timer here then?" Sae asked "Surprised this place can afford it."
"It's a special situation." Ren answered with a slight eye twitch. Was Sae always like this? So cold and powerful and demanding. No nonsense.
"I should get going." Makoto coughed, patting her skirt down "I'll see you tomorrow Re-Akamiya. Tell Futaba farewell for me."
"Okay." he nodded calmly
"I'll see you at home, sis." Makoto muttered, her head lowered
"I said I wouldn't be home for a few days." Sae responded firmly and coldly
"R-Right. I'm sorry." Makoto apologised and left the cafe.
"Oh dear; wasn't that a bit harsh?" Akechi asked, taking a sip of his coffee. "Hmm. Delicious."
"You know... you and Makoto both seem overly stressed." Ren said carefully "You are clearly over worked and the principal is treating her like she is the schools police officer. Maybe a nice night at the opera would be good for you?"
...
"The opera?" Sae asked suspiciously, how did this random school kid know about her love of the opera?
"Yeah, I heard that there's a special one coming up soon." Ren answered equally casually
"You seem quite knowledgeable about some things." Akechi inquired since this piqued his interest
"I have a lot of friends with a lot of different hobbies. I try to have a general knowledge so I can enjoy these things with them." he shrugged
"I see." Akechi answered, drinking his coffee.
Sae looked at her cup and frowned, before downing it in one.
...
"Tch! Hot!" she flinched and hissed in pain at the hot drink
"Are you okay?" Ren asked
"Just. How did you know about opera coming to the city?" She asked, trying to cool her tongue.
"Saw some posters." he shrugged "And one of my friends like musicals, so they where curious about them." he lied casually
"Oh... I see." She nodded, recalling that there were some posters up. But she was still suspicious... before she sighed. What was she thinking, he was just some random kid.
"How's the coffee?" He asked casually.
"Hmm, delicious, thank you." Akechi answered. "Who taught you?"
"Oh, Mr Sakuraba. I have to pay to be here." Ren answered, being respectful to Sojiro. "I do my best as his apprentice."
"Then he's training you well." Akechi answered. "Here. This is on me." And pulled out his wallet.
"Huh?" Ren blinked
Akechi pulled out some Yen notes and paid for both his and Sae's drinks.
"Oh, right." Ren answered. "Thank you."
Ding~
"I'm back." Sojiro commented
"Oh, Mr Sakura." Akechi spoke as he saw him.
"I see that you're dealing with customers. Any problems?" Sojiro asked
"None at all." Sae commenced
"Good to know. Where's Futaba?" Sojiro asked
"She went upstairs. She's a bit overwhelmed." Ren 'lied'.
"Oh, go check on her." He asked
"Okay." He nodded. "Thank you for paying." He turned to Akechi, before going upstairs. Oh, if ONLY he had his chance right now. As Ren went upstairs, he saw Futaba shaking angrily on his bed and Morgana looking at her in worry.
What had happened? With Futaba being Futaba, it made sense for her to run up all scared. But she looked angry! Why?
"Futaba?" he asked in concern
Futaba was gripping the quilt of the bed and gritted her teeth. "He. He's. Here. Drinking coffee. He killed my mother."
"You told her?!" Ren snapped at Morgana
"You told me and she deserved to know!" He responded
"But... She's not ready! This is cruel!"
"She deserves to know, Joker!"
"Mona..." Ren growled and sighed angrily, knowing that Morgana was right, but he could've worded it better. "Futaba... I'm-"
"I'm going... to break him." She hissed. "He stole everything from me!"
Ren was silent... And pulled her into a hug "No." He muttered
"He. He took." Futaba grieved in Ren's shoulders, crying as she knew the truth... and how she had to pretend not to know him.
"I know." He urged softly
Morgana looked at the pair and frowned. This was the hard choice... but it was the right choice.
*Time SKip*
Ren was at school once again, adjusting his bag "You okay?" He asked in the bag.
"Yeah, I'm good." Morgana answered. "Are you gonna meet up with Makoto?"
"Not today." He shook his head "She needs to relax. I'm actually going in a date with Ann and Shiho."
"Ooh, nice." Mona chuckled. "You better treat them well."
"I will." He nodded as he neared the schooled front gate "Hey, girls." Ren spoke as he saw them.
"Hi, Ren." The two answered, seeing them.
"Sorry for the wait, I had to make sure Mona was comfy." Ren apologised as he kissed their cheeks
"Of course you'd look after him." Shiho joked.
"What's wrong with that?" Mona asked
"Nothing." Ann giggled as the group turned to head for the train station
'This is great.' Ren through with a smile '... So why do I feel like I'm forgetting to tell the girls about something?'
As soon as he thought that, a car pulled up in front of their school which drew everyone's attention
"Err, what?" Ann blinked in confusion, with most of who was left at school confused as well.
Thud.
And now they were even more confused when they saw a hot punk-rock woman walk out of the driver's seat.
It was Tae, in her more casual attire, leaning against the dark green convertible. The car wasn't anything super stylish or expensive but it was still shocking to see
"Dr Takemi? What're you doing here?" Shiho asked in confusion
"Oh, I had a day off so I decided to pick you up." She winked
It was in that moment that Ren's blood went cold as he realised what he had forgotten
"Oh fuck." He whispered
CONFIDANT RECAP:
Fool: Rank 10
Magician: Rank 10
Strength: Rank 8
Chariot: Rank 7
Lovers: Rank 7
Lust: Rank 6
World: Rank 5
Death: Rank 5
Sun: Rank 4
Hierophant: Rank 4
Temperance: Rank 4
Devil: Rank 4
Emperor: Rank 3
Moon: Rank 2
Hanged-Man: Rank 2
Fortune: Rank 2
High Priestess: Rank 1
Star: Rank 1
Empress: Rank 1
