IdleManRPG: Thanks mate. I do miss it at times.
delubyo420: Since they are being more subtle with their dealings, Medjed was never sent at them. And Ren had Futaba dismantel it off screen just in case anyway.
nsilver: The thing is? With how the social link and confidant systems work in Persona? If you go about the harem route... you ARE cheating on the girls. Every relationship being kept a secret, and therefor... cheating. The difference between a real harem, and what is known as the 'harem route', is honesty with all those involved and CONSENT to such a relationship. So the harem endings in Persona, the beat downs on Valentines day as you break everyones hearts? In game, you deserve it. It is why we had the first two members involved be Ann and Shiho, because they'd talk about their feelings and gave us the opening for the relationship to work.
MementoMori115: To an extent it is an exageration. But it also a case of... give him a few hours with Mementos.
Xerzo LotCN: No investing because... he wasn't paying attention to that stuff? It wasn't like he was planning on going back in time.
UltimateCCC: Yeah, RIP.
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Yeah, Cat's are assholes... I miss my cat.
Power Taco: Because I missed that bit in editing. Thanks for the heads up!
GreatLight432: In all honesty? You are probably right... if it WAS the actual Johanna. My one counter argument to that is Persona are a persons Shadow, their inner self. Makoto's Persona has just taken on the name and visage of Johanna. But that is just how I see it.
Here are some reviews answered by Ghost:
IdleManRPG: Ah, thank you. But please know that it takes a lot of time to edit so some things slip through the cracks.
StevieBond: Well, yeah. Joker's doing his best to fix things.
Neo Infinity: Oh yeah. Ren's going to have a lot of choices in his love life.
UltimateCCC: Erica, Raphtalia, Filo, Clara, Iruma and the Jostar family are crying about the loss of their loved one. Goodbye, Billy.
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Oh Jesus, Ren wouldn't even let her even go!
Firem78910: Okay, who's giving you these insights into the future?
Disclaimer: We do not own Persona 5. That belongs to Atlus.
Co-written by GhostKaiser23
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Well, once more into the brink
Both in uploading and in the events of the story.
Here's your warning, we've got a rush into the Palace blade first! Hahaha!
Persona 5 New Game Plus, Joker's Second Chance
Chapter 37
Phantom Thieves Test Their Skills
...
"What the hell was that?" Ren mumbled as he arrived back at Yongen-Jaya
"I dunno. But I called it. Nya-ha-ha!" Morgana chuckled, acting... catty.
"You little brat!" Ren huffed
"Come on, you know I was just kidding; right? Besides, tomorrow's another day. You're going to be alright." Morgana responded
"True." He stretched "Ah~, home sweet home." He grinned
Mona leapt out of the bag into the cafe, stretching as he was getting ready for bed. "Night, Ren."
"Night buddy." Ren nodded as he opened his app and typed in a few keywords. Sae Nijimia. Courthouse. Casio.
...
Makoto's sister
He looked at the screen; Sae's palace. He knew that location well... he knew what might happen if he went there. It would be like last time, where he thought he could do it on his own. But... was it a good idea to do so again?
'Dude, why did you do that? Aren't we a team?' He heard Skull's voice in his head.
'It was foolish for you to go in on your own.' Fox followed up.
...
"They are right." He admitted. But at the same time, he wanted to help Makoto. To some point. He closed the app and slumped to his bed. How was he supposed to do this? Be a friend to Makoto, to save her sister... What else could there be?
"Trickster?" Lavenza's voice echoed in his mind
Ren smiled as he closed his eyes, entering the Velvet Room. Joker opened his eyes, finding himself in the clock tower Velvet Room He looked around and saw that Igor and Lavenza were awaiting him.
"Welcome back, I see that you have had a lot to process these past few months, Mr Amamiya." Igor spoke
"Yeah. A lot." He laughed
Lavenza walked over and hugged him. "I'm sorry."
"Huh? What do you mean?" He asked.
"About your money situation." She answered. "All of us have been expensive."
"It's fine." He nodded proudly
"Ren. You went from millions to about 150,000 yen in a few months." Lavenza frowned.
"It's. Fine." He repeated, rubbing her head as he didn't want to remember all that. Oh fuck, the amount of money he'd spent.
"I must admit, you are doing well in your relationships with your Confidants." Igor praised Ren. "I am impressed."
"Thanks." He nodded
"You have shown great promise as a Trickster and Wild Card." Igor continued
"Yes, also, there are some things we want to show you." Lavenza added.
"Show me?" Joker asked. Inside Joker's domain, it showed that he had collected quite a bit of treasure and even statues of Shadows that he had defeated. It was like an accumulation of his achievements over the past few months. "Wow."
"This is the cultivation of your journies." Lavenza informed with a smile. "You are filled with treasure."
"... I don't need my heart stolen, do I?" Ren joked.
"Of course not." Lavenza laughed. "You don't need it stolen."
"Besides, I do beleive that some women already own it." Igor joked
"Badum, tss." Ren rolled his eyes as he voiced a rimshot.
"It's going to be okay, Ren. Your future looks brighter than before." Lavenza reassured him.
"Glad another person thinks so." Ren admitted as he looked down at the blue dresses girl
Lavenza blushed happily, smiling as she leaned against her boyfriend. "So... where do I rank on your girlfriend group?"
"Oh, um... Huh. You're. You're high up. I think." He admitted, trying to think of a decent 'spot' for her.
"I know about Tae, Ann and Shiho being the 'top ones'." Lavenza responded.
"Yes, that." Ren muttered. 'Come on, Ren; you don't want to upset her, do you?' he thought to himself.
"Ehem." Igor coughed
"Sorry." Both Ren and Lavenza apologised.
"It seems that your choices have made certain waves among the people." Igor added.
"You mean with my confidants?" Ren asked
"Exactly, you have made more progress than you had before." Igor nodded.
"I guess." He smiled
"I am proud of the progress you have made. You might even become the next Wild Card to change the world." Igor responded. "But the changes you have made have created ripples and they haven't gone unnoticed."
"God damn it." Joker frowned. He knew that, obviously, but still.
"However I do have bad news to share." Igor informed
"What is it?" Ren asked with worry.
"Your actions have caused a butterfly effect." Igor explained. "It has caused more people to have palaces of their own."
"I guessed, with the principal and all." Joker commented
"He always had a Palace." Lavenza explained "However your groups presence scared several people, stopping them from reaching the final stages needed to form a Palace. Without your more open methods, more Palaces exist than before."
"Oh... fantastic." Ren sighed and facepalmed, realising this was a genuine threat. Not only to them, but also to the people themselves.
Suddenly a bright blue light filled the air.
"What's going on?" Ren asked.
"It's... my family," Lavenza responded
"'Your family'?" Ren double took, before covering his eyes.
Appearing before Igor, Lavenza and Ren was a woman wearing blue. She had blue heeled shoes, long black stockings, a blue coat with silver rings on the front with a blue belt and silver square buckle, long black sleeves with silver buttons, a black turtleneck, and a blue headband to hold back her neck-length wavy platinum-blonde hair, piercing golden eyes and a blue book with golden lettering which read 'Le Grimoire'. She was a beautiful woman with D-Cup breasts and had an aura of a woman who could command a room.
"Ah, Margaret." Igor smiled as he saw her... though with his natural smile, it was hard to tell.
"Master Igor, it's a pleasure." Margaret spoke respectfully.
"Margaret! It's good to see you." Lavenza spoke with joy as she went other, hand in hand with Ren.
"Lavenza my dear. I am happy to see you again, sister." Margret smiled, seemingly ignoring Ren. Her voice was elogant, professional and powerful but with a hint of merth within in "I came here because of feelings that have been troubling me recently. I have been feeling two more presences, two more who govern over power. Two presences I do not recognise. And I also sensed an impossibility, a second Velvet Room. And so I came to investigate. After meeting with Elizabeth and Theodore, to ensure neither of they knew the answer to this puzzle.""
"Yes... that has something to do with a false Igor and a corruptor." Lavenza explained. "As for the 'unknown beings'... they are me. But divided."
...
"I see." Margret nodded, as if there was NOTHING WEIRD about what was just said "I assume our Master's master is behind this? Time travel?"
"Yes." Lavenza responded simply.
"Sorry. 'Master's Master'?" Ren asked. "There's someone above Igor?"
"Yes, Master Philemon." Margaret answered calmly.
"But you do not need to know much more, Ren." Igor explained
"Okay...good to know." Ren held his head.
"This is the one who came back?" Margaret asked.
"This is him." Lavenza nodded.
"The one you guide?" Margret asked, looking at Ren judgingly. As if judging if he was good enough for her little sister
"Yes, he is." Lavenza defended him.
"Ren Amamiya, the current 'Wild Card'." Ren introduced himself. "I guess. Also known as Joker of the Phantom Thieves of Heart."
...
"You have my permission to date her." Margret nodded "I am Margret Narukami."
"Oh, thank you... Wait. 'Narukami'?" Ren sighed in relief before was puzzled by her last name.
"Something the matter?" Margaret asked.
"I didn't expect your family name was 'Narukami'." Ren admitted. "It sounds familiar."
"We do not have a family name." Lavenza explained "Big sister is married."
Margaret chuckled at Ren's 'innocence'. "Yes, my husband's last name is 'Narukami'."
"Oh." He blinked. Why did it sound SO fami- "Wait! Isn't Risette marrying some guy called Narukami?!"
"You've don't your research." Margaret smirked. "Yes, we are the shared wives of the same man. It's a... 'coincidence' that all Wild Cards have multiple partners." She crossed her arms, an amused smirk on her face "I share my husband with Rise as well as four other women. And my younger sister, Elizabeth, was with a young man who she had to share with seven women. Before he became a seal against death itself."
"... Oh my god." Ren held his head in shock. "I... Do NOT want to know."
"Very well." Margaret shrugged. "You seem to have the World Card in your soul."
"Yeah, that's right." He nodded. "I was given it from my journey back."
"I see. Time travel." She nodded with a small smirk "I am curious how this shall progress. As that card represents the end of a journey."
"To be honest, I may have 'ended my journey'... but I haven't 'completed' it." Ren admitted. "There's so much I didn't know the first time."
"I see." Margaret responded. "You refer to your friends and confidants. It's good to see that you still want to grow."
"Of course." He nodded
"You know... It might be beneficial to have you meet my husband." Margaret smiled.
"Um, Margaret; do you think that's wise? He's kind of...strong." Lavenza panicked a little.
"... Has he not... Come through the 'trial of strength'...?" Margret asked
"No. Not yet." Lavenza responded. "Kind of. Um. It's complicated."
...
"The what?" Joker asked
"The final task an assistant of the Velvet Room has." Margret explained "Where you face us in combat."
...
'Why did it just feel like my heart stopped?' Ren thought
"From my sister's response and your face, I take it you haven't." Margaret closed her eyes calmly.
"No... we have not." Lavenza admitted
"What have you two been doing?" Margaret sighed, shaking her head. "Have you been canoodling?"
"No, nothing like that." Ren admitted.
"Sister, Ren is a gentleman." Lavenza defended him.
...
"Master, may I have a moment?" Margaret asked politely
"Of course, Margaret." Igor nodded, snapping his fingers and teleported away to give them some privacy.
...
"Sister. Have you sinned?" Margaret asked seriously and Lavenza became a blushing mess in a second
"N-No. I haven't." Lavenza blushed tapping her fingers nervously.
"Liar." She smiled softly
"Okay, we've done head-pats." Lavenza pouted and mumbled.
Margaret's eyebrow rose gently as she looked at her little sister and then at Ren. They had certainly did more than that. "Lavenza." She repeated seriously
"Hmm... And we've kissed!" Lavenza answered.
"Hmm." Margaret nodded as she looked at Ren with 'strong, protective older sister' vibes.
"And... Shared the pleasure of flesh."
"Is that right?" Margaret's head got devilishly close to Ren, almost like her head was taking up all of his vision.
"Hmm-!" Ren gulped as he was being glared at by 'mama bear'.
"I suppose that it's only natural." Margaret pulled back and brushed her hair behind her shoulder.
...
"It is?" He coughed, trying to hide the fear he felt
"Yes. Even our brother Theodore fell in love and sinned with his guest."
"Okay... So... Are we good?" Ren asked nervously.
"Oh, my dear guest." Margaret chuckled before opening her golden eyes and glared right at him. "We're far from 'good'."
"Please don't scare him. He didn't know." Lavenza responded, defending her lover as she stood in front of him
"There shall be a battle." She said, her hair flowing menacingly "A test! To ensure you are worthy! It shall come, Wild Card! Just you wait!"
Ren gulped as he heard that. 'A test'? What sort of test? How can he prove himself worthy?
"My husband shall be your opponent! And I shall see you soon!" Margaret said confidently
Lavenza's jaw dropped as she heard that as Margaret vanished, leaving both of them alone. "H-her husband?"
"Lavenza... How strong is her husband?" Ren asked.
"He defeated the Goddess who birthed Japan and is the Queen of the Underworld." Lavenza answered.
"Oh. A literal Goddess. Cool." Ren gulped. "Well... I defeated a god. I can handle him." Ren coughed as he gathered his courage
"I suppose that's true." Lavenza nodded, nervously squeezing his hand in hers.
"Very well." Margaret smiles calmly and nodded
"Then I'll see you Mr 'Joker Amamiya'." She teased, mixing his codename and his real name.
"Is... that just a joke?" He asked nervously.
"We'll see." Margaret answered. "Lavenza, I hope you'll be able to fix this 'two of you' situation."
"We plan to." Lavenza nodded, reassuring her sister.
"See that you do. I'm not sure what Elizabeth would say or do if she knows about these two new ones." Margaret nodded. "She'll probably be excited."
"Maybe... maybe."
Joker rubbed his cheek as he felt the normal awkwardness you'd feel, being in the same room as a pair of siblings as they spoke about the 'in-the-know' information
"I am sorry, My Trickster. My Master and I shall call you another time." Lavenza saud as she turned to him shyly "It is probably best if you return home now."
"Right. Okay, I'll... see you all later." He nodded, before leaving the Velvet Room and back in his bed.
...
"What a day." he mumbled
*time skip*
Ren was sighing heavily, it was going to be a -long- day trying to get some normalcy back into his life with multiple girlfriends. He was heading off, towards a familiar arcade. Here, he hoped to meet up with Shinya, his teacher on how to take down that 'invincible cheater'. He pushed through a crowd who had gathered to see him play.
"Whoa! Look at the King go!" one random guy said
"Excuse me, excuse me, please." Ren asked as he pushed forward.
BOOM!
"Whoo!" The crowd cheered as Shinya finished his game with a new high score.
"Huh? Oh, it's you." Shinya saw Ren after turning around.
"Hey, been a while." Ren spoke.
"Yeah, it is." He nodded. "What do you want, another lesson?"
"Yes."
"... Okay, pick up a blaster and let's go."
Ren nodded and picked up the blaster and another game was happening. Seconds into the game, Shinya could see Ren's shooting skills and was honestly amazed. He was an amazing shot, not making many mistakes if any.
"That's it! You got it!" Shinya called out, seeing his Player Two making great progress in the game.
"The King's so awesome at this game!" A spectator cheered.
"That high-schooler is keeping up! Go, go!" Another Spectator called out.
Time passed on, both Shinya and Ren had stopped playing and left the main Arcade and were taking a breather.
"Phew! What a game!" Shinya rested, flexing his fingers with a smile.
"Yeah, I know." Ren nodded, his fingers feeling numb. "How're you feeling, Shinya?"
"Good. Good, thanks." He nodded.
Walking from the Arcade was a calm employee aiming towards them. "Excuse me, but it's time for elementary school kids to go home."
"Urgh...I-"
"We'll leave momentarily, we're just resting for a minute." Ren responded.
"Okay, thank you." The employee answered.
"Um, thanks for that." Shinya pulled his hat over his face, a little embarrassed that Ren saved his ass.
"No problem." Ren responded, seeing Shinya sigh heavily. "Want to talk?"
"I... I don't want to go home." He admitted.
"Hey, don't worry buddy." Ren smiled like a big brother
"You're lucky, you and adults get to do all sorts of fun stuff." Shinya spoke solemnly.
"It's not all fun and games when you get to my age." Ren responded. "There can be lots of drama and restrictions for us to."
"Like what?" Shinya asked.
"Harder homework, extra lessons, part-time jobs." Ren listed off.
"Seriously? But where's the fun?" Shinya groaned.
"We have fun in other ways. There's a bathhouse near where I live, that usually relaxes me." Ren explained.
"Jeez, I wish I could. There's nothing to do at my home." Shinya frowned.
"Look, I'm here. And I can help get rid of that boredom whenever I can; okay?" Ren reassured.
"You mean that?" Shinya asked, almost excitedly since this was an older person letting him have more fun than before.
"Yeah, as long as you do your best." Ren nodded.
"Well... I dunno." Shinya rubbed the back of his neck. "Do you think so?"
"I know so." Ren nodded as he felt his connection with Shinya grow closer.
"Alright. Yeah. Okay."
Tower: Rank 2
"Thanks for talking with me, Ren. Say hi to the Phantom Thieves for me." Shinya asked.
"I will." Ren nodded, seeing him leave.
"Nya, you're a good guy, Ren." Morgana spoke as he poked his head through the bag.
"You're figuring that now?" Ren chuckled, patting his head. "Let's head home."
"Yeah; Boss is probably wondering where you are." Morgana nodded as they left for home.
"We're fine." he sighed
"Hmm... I hope the team is okay." Morgana stretched in the bag.
*with Makoto*
Makoto was currently in an Aikido lesson, practising her form and training her body for her Phantom Thief training. She was prioritising her strikes for swift and harsh ends. She was wearing a simple white gi with a blackbelt, going through kata as her red eyes shone with a fire "Hmm!" She grunted, focused and strong. She was determined to fight against Kobayakawa's pervert palace. 'I'm going to get stronger.' She told herself. 'I'm going to fight for the team.'
'You're useless to me.'
Those words... they stung in her heart. Her own sister saying that to her, it hurt her more.
She stopped her practice, sweating and panting.
Sae never use to be like this.
...
It couldn't be! ... Could it?
She gulped as she slowly walked to her bag and pulled out her phone.
"Please... Please don't..." She muttered to herself as she pulled out her phone and entered a single name
'Sae Nijima'
"Please." She whispered
Ping!
...
There was a match.
Her sister... Her big sister had a Palace!
Makoto fell to her knees and cried.
*With Yusuke*
Yusuke was sketching in his pad, his room was covered by artistic sketches of men and women models from various artbooks, pencils and dried paintbrushes in cups and plates with crumbs in the side. And right now, Yusuke was making a sketch of a wooden model that he had stood up.
Art took constant practice after all. Especially for anatomy and how the body naturally moves.
"Hmm... There." He muttered to himself, finishing his sketch and was now going to save it for a future painting.
Finding friends like he had... He felt happy.
Knock
Knock
"Hello?" Yusuke asked, turning around to his dorm-room door.
"Yoh, Yusuke. You coming for dinner?" A fellow student asked.
"Oh, is that the time already?" Yusuke asked, carefully putting his tools down and covered his sketches.
"Yeah, it's already that time. Don't you have a clock in your room?" The student asked.
"No, I find it distracting." Yusuke answered.
"Have you been hanging around those friends of yours?" The student asked
"Yes, I have. They've been a great influence on me and I've been looking after myself." Yusuke nodded.
"I gotta say, you do look healthier than before." The student answered.
"Thank you." Yusuke nodded with a smile
*With Ryuji*
Ryuji was lying on his back, wearing his track-racing clothes and reading a manga. It was his cooldown time since he just came back from a run. "Pbtt! This is a great issue!" Ryuji laughed as he turned the pages.
"Ryuji-i-i! Time for dinner!" A woman's voice called up to his room.
"Okay, coming!" He answered, getting out of bed and dog-eared the page.
"Don't you talk back to-? I'm sorry?" Ryuji's mother double-took as she heard that.
"I'm coming down!" He called
Ryuji's mother was stunned, whatever happened to her son was absolutely positive. "I'm going to have to meet these friends of yours, Ryuji."
"Why? What did I do?" He asked.
"Because you're not being a hoodlum." She chuckled as she saw him come down.
"Hey, I've always been nice to you mum!" He huffed
"Yeah. But you're happier." She smiled
"I... Err... ha, ha." Ryuji chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head.
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about." She smiled, rubbing his forehead. "I've got to thank them."
"I'm, your embaressibg me." He smiled
*With Ann*
Ann was currently eating some sweets in her bedroom while watching TV, due to her lifestyle she was able to maintain her figure while enjoying herself. "Hmm~, these are great." She hummed gently to herself, before looking at her phone and saw the picture of Ren as Joker. She chuckled happily.
Happily...
If it wasn't for him, would she have ever FULLY felt this again?
She reached up and felt her heart thump within her, smiling as she thought about her boyfriend. How he changed so much about her, from being under the thumb of Kamoshida to being a Phantom Thief to change the hearts of sat up a bit, clapping calmly and humming, as she switched the TV channel to one showing a fashion show.
There, she saw various people walking on the catwalk, showing off their bodies draped with the latest fashions. She imagined herself walking down that boardwalk, wearing a red dress based on her Panther identity. She was gonna make it there one day!
Time to practice!
*With Futaba*
Futaba had finished setting up her new Neo Featherman figurines around her room. The thought of Ren giving her these gifts just put a big smile on her face. And the thoughts of being in this relationship made her face red from pervertedness.
"Oh~, Ren onii-chan." She teasingly whispered to herself as she recalled spying on Joker and Panther in Mementos. She could only imagine how good that must feel, since then she had been doing -'research'- into making love with a woman and a man. Or at the very least, trying to get them to three-way kiss.
For now though, there was a gaming tournament that needed dominating.
"Alright, you slur-spewing trouble makers." She flexed her fingers as she positioned them over her keyboard in a gamer's stance. "Let's see what you can do." As she donned her headphones on. "Game start!"
*With Shiho*
Shiho was doing some stretches in her bedroom, thinking about her experience with Ren... and how much of a gentleman he was. "Hmm... ah, that's better." She commented, feeling her joints pop and gave some small relief from her strained body. She felt limber, more relaxed... but then she thought about her friends, how lucky she was to have them in her life. How she was saved.
She thought back to that day, thinking about how she was trapped within a corner because of the monster of a PE teacher. She recalled the day almost vividly, the chilled air around her because of her nerves, the mental trappings she felt around her. But because Ann stood by her, stood with her through all of it.
She could only imagine the world if she had jumped from the school's roof. She shuddered as she thought of herself either in the ground... or worse, living in pain with a broken body. She felt the weight of that thought, a shudder going up her spine as she frowned and leaned against her bed.
"No, I can't think like that." She told herself. "I'm not alone anymore. I'm not that scared girl from months ago." She turned to herself in the mirror and put a pair of glasses on, imagining herself wearing her mask much like Joker. "That's right. I am Dove, I'm a Phantom Thief. I will not be a damsel anymore." She told herself. She punched her fists together, huffing
*back with Ren*
"Hmm... What a day." He stretched. "Oh, looks like Sojiro's still got the cafe open." As Ren walked inside, he saw that there was only an older woman drinking coffee in a booth with a content smile on her face.
"Ah, you're back. Perfect timing." Sojiro spoke as he saw Ren.
"Want me to work behind the bar?" Ren joked.
"If you're offering." The Boss chuckled as Ren went upstairs to get changed and to keep Mona up there.
"I'll be back later, Morgana." He patted the cat's head.
"Don't worry about it." Morgana answered, leaping out of the bag and went to his play-wheel.
Ren chuckled as he put his apron on and headed downstairs, seeing Sojiro waiting for him as the brewing station was filled with fresh coffee. After a few minutes of working, the customer took a sip of their coffee and sighed from enjoyment. "Don't you ever get lonely, Sojiro? You've been a bachelor for so long. Have you given up on marriage?"
"Heh. All I want in a relationship is spicy stimulation followed by some smooth, relaxing comfort." Sojiro chuckled. "And I get those from my curry and coffee. That's enough for me."
"You always dodge the question like that. You're a clever one." The customer remarked. "Young man, what are your thoughts on Sojiro's life of solitude?"
"Honestly? I admire it. It's his choice." Ren answered.
"You can admire me if you want, but you're certainly not following in my footsteps." Sojiro responded, rubbing the back of his head. "Besides, making my customers happy is enough for me. Come back any time."
"Thank you, I will." The customer answered, leaving a tip and left to let Ren and Sojiro clean up.
"She seemed especially aggressive today; right? It would've been bad if she pushed further." Sojiro commented.
"Hey, I'm just glad that she didn't press into my personal life." Ren laughed as Sojiro smiled, shaking his head weakly
Almost immediately the door's bell rang, someone was coming in. "Wel-. You just don't know when to quit do you?"
In walked in Futaba's uncle, walking in with a cocky and confident grin. "Hello, Sojiro. I've just learned something very interesting today. Futaba's been cut out of society and not going to school. That's some shocking parenting."
"And what have you done to care for her?" Ren's hand tightened into a fist, glaring at him.
"I've done more than Sojiro has, you hoodlum. Sojiro, it's about time you pay up." The uncle ordered.
"Are you out of your mind! Futaba's life was hell with you! I'm not sending her back there!" Sojiro responded. "I've given you most of the inheritance for custody! Isn't that enough?!"
"We can take this to court to see who's worthier. A blood relative or a mere legal guardian housing a known criminal." The uncle answered. "Hardly the fitting location for a growing girl."
Ren's fists were shaking. This bastard was milking this for all it was worth. Luckily...
"How long ago was she in your care, again?" Ren suddenly asked
"What are you talking about?" The uncle asked.
"How long were you Futaba's guardian? A year? Two years?" Ren asked. "During that time, she was malnourished. I bet you didn't even see the clinic that's just a minute down the road."
"So what?" The uncle asked.
"While Futaba's been here, she's slowly been getting better. True her diet is bad: sweets, ramen... Sojiro's curry. It's still slowed down the malnourishment to the point she can live again." Ren explained. "And the doctor here has this on record! So, go ahead...bring this to court. But when they see the evidence that you denied Futaba basic human rights and needs, I very much doubt you'd crawl your way back from it."
"I-you-! I'm not going-! This isn't over!" He slipped up and began to leave.
"Safe travels." Ren responded confidently.
"... What was that?" Sojiro asked, turning to Ren.
"I was defending my family." Ren answered calmly and truthfully.
Sojiro blinked in shock, Ren considered him and Futaba. "... Y-You still shouldn't have done that."
"But I did. And I don't regret saying it, Sojiro." Ren answered.
Hierophant: Rank 7
"Well. If that's how you feel." He responded. "Just... one thing." He smiled as he approached Ren. "You think my curry is unhealthy?"
"Gah-hck! O-Of course not!"
Ren laughed "It's just... Well... Balanced diet and all that? Hahah! Hahaha... Hahaha... You're... Not laughing..."
Sojiro got closer as his glasses shone at Ren. "Maybe you'll find it funny cleaning up the cafe and the dishes tonight?"
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
*with Kawakami*
The brunette teacher hummed as she prepared for bed. "Ah~, nothing like a fresh bed." She smiled to herself as she brushed her hair, since it was one of the few things that kept her mind clear after each her phone beeped
She grumbled as she grabbed it, having a quick look. It was a text from Ren.
Tomorrow, we are going in
She blinked in shock. This was it. She would go into the Principal's Palace along with her students. She typed on her phone's screen as she saw different texts coming through.
Ryuji: Got it, he won't know what hit him.
Yusuke: I'll be ready with my best face.
Shiho: We're counting on you Joker.
Ann: He's gonna pay for what he chose.
Makoto: Promise that I'll kick his Shadow's face in the hardest.
Futaba: Out for blood, Queen? ;P
Sadayo: Okay, but everyone needs their sleep. Otherwise, it'll be too distracting if we doze off.
Ryuji: Do you EVER switch off, Teach?
"Hmph. Ryuji, you're as rude out of school as in school." Ms Kawakami huffed and sent the text.
Futaba: Ooooh~! Burn!
Ann: Wow teach, that was awesome!
Makoto: Ms Kawakami, that is rather impressive.
Yusuke: A masterfully delivered counter attack!
Shiho: You're gonna be feeling that one tomorrow, Skull.
Ryuji: Damn, who knew Teach had THAT in her.
Futaba: Your guys' teacher is awesome!
Ren: Please Ms Kawakami, we need Ryuji alive tomorrow.
Ms Kawakami began to laugh. An honest, joyful and youthful laugh to herself. "Alright, I'll see you all tomorrow."
Seeing her students... And some others... That excited and including her so openly? It was heart warming. Everyone responded with their own version of 'goodnight' to each other, letting each other go off to bed.
Sadayo, however, stayed awake as she looked down at her phone. At the message sent by her favourite student.
These feelings she had... they where ridiculous! She had to do something about them!
"Darn it all to heck! What am I going to do?" She spoke out loud to herself, hoping that her neighbours didn't hear. Hopefully tomorrow would give her the answer...
*The next day*
The Thieves were all gathered at LeBlanc, it was the only place that made sense in context. They where having to be much more mobile right now. "Everyone ready?" Ren asked as he prepares the app
"You know it." Ryuji cracked his knuckles.
"I'm ready too." Yusuke added.
"Ready and waiting." Both Ann and Shino responded.
"Just try and stop me." Futaba chuckled, flexing her fingers.
"Let's bring that Palace down." Makoto added.
"I'll be counting on you." Ms Kawakami finished.
Ren nodded as the world around them warped into the Metaverse. And all of them were now once again in their thief clothing, ready for this excursion into Kobayakawa's Palace.
"Eep!" Fleur, Ms Kawakami, pushed down her dress to cover her hips and legs. Not that she minded before because of her job as 'Becky', but that was normally one on one
"Fleur? You okay?" Dove asked.
"Yes, yes. I'm fine. I just... forgot how short this skirt was." She admitted.
"You look fine." Panther answered as she patted the teachers shoulder "At least your outfit doesn't hug your ass like crazy." she added, a bit bitterly "I mean I'm use to it now. But the wedgies can be annoying."
Joker laughed a bit as he got a good look at everyone's outfits. Mainly Kawakami... Fleur's
It was a maid's uniform, black with white frills, long black boots and silk gloves, a garter to hold her silk stockings, a black full face mask with eyes and a few spiderweb markings on the cheeks and silvery lips.
"Are you ready, my lady?" Arsene asked as the Persona readied themsekves, the Phantom Thieves rebellious spirits flouting above them
"Of course I am, Arsene." Carmen responded.
"Must you ask, our thief?" Circe smirked.
"Flatterer." Arachne added, blushing past her mask.
"Yargh, Arsene's making moves already." Captain Kidd joked.
"I wonder if he will try with the elogant bike or the mysterious UFO." Goemon joked as well
"Something you want to say, Goemon?" Johanna asked, revving next to him.
"That's Joker's Charm in play." Mercurius joked.
BWOOOOM Necronomicon rumbled a little from above as it lowered down and... Nuzzled Arsene?!
"Wait... Seriously, Captain?! You and your first made got all the sea maidens?!" Captain Kidd asked in shock
...
"You are too lucky man?!" Skull groaned as Oracle was currently on Joker's back, hugging him from behind as she gave him a kiss on the cheek
Joker just chuckled nervously as he still had Oracle on his back, to which she rubbed his head. "Let's go boyfriend!" She cheered happily
"Can you not?" Skull groaned as he heard that, seeing Ren walk ahead with Oracle over his shoulders.
"Well to be fair, she won't weigh too much so Joker will not be slowed down." Fox hummed
"You're one to talk, Inari!" Oracle called out.
Joker looked up at the Palace, remembering it's Layout
Two three story tall buildings with Criss crossing connections. They originally tried to get to the student council office, but now with Kawakami they could go right into the Principals office. Once there they will either HAVE his treasure... Or the exact location
"I shudder to think what Mr Kobayakawa has in store for us." Fleur commented.
"Well, we won't know if we stand around!" Skull smirked, resting his club behind his head
"Oracle, do you see anything?" Panther asked their navigator.
"Yeah, enemies ahead." She nodded.
"Let's go guys!" Joker said as he rushed forth, ready for battle!
*time skip*
SHINK!
The group had taken down another group of Shadows, taking no prisoners and collected as much treasure as possible.
"EAT THIS!" Joker called as he came down in a dramatic slash, cutting the last shadow in half
"Is it me, or are these guys getting cagey?" Skull asked, panting a little since they had raced through here.
"Cagey?" Fleur asked, a bit exhausted "Sorry, I am not use to young person lingo."
"No, not 'cagey'. What's the fuckin' word...?" Skull groaned.
"Skull!" Fleur snapped.
"I think that Skull means they are being more 'defensive'; as we might be getting closer to the Treasure Room." Fox explained.
"Makes sense." Queen nodded as she adjusted her gloves, her right fingers gripping the material of the white glove around her left handwhile her hips where cocked to the side slightly
"Looking good, Queen." Joker flirted, before turning to Fleur "Fleur, be easy. We aren't in scho-okay, we ARE in a version of THE school but you know what I mean."
"Same difference, Joker." She responded.
"Hey, Listen!" Navi-Oracle called out, pointing to a direction down the hall. "Do you hear that?"
"Er..." Mona blinked, focusing his hearing
"I don't hear anything." Dove commented.
"You're not messing with us are you?" Panther asked
"No, I can hear something... like. Groaning?" Mona blinked a little.
"Groaning?" Queen asked
"Yeah. Like someone's being tortured." Mona answered.
"Lead the way, Oracle." Joker responded.
Oracle nodded and mapped out the way, leading the group to the sounds of the tortured groaning. And what Queen could only consider her false self.
"She's still around?" Queen growled "I thought we already killed her!"
"Maybe. But maybe it's just the echoes of last time." Mona answered as they turned the corner and saw a large group of students as prisoners shuffling around, whipped by guards while forced to study. "We haven't changed his perception of you so it makes sense it would reform."
"We did see Kamoshida's versions of us again." Panther flinched as she remembered THAT final battle
"Oof. There's a memory I don't want to relive." Skull admitted.
"Then it means we'll finish it here." Fox answered.
"You!" A distorted Makoto's voice called out, grabbing their attention.
...
"Ms Nijima?! What are you wearing?!" Fleur yelled, unable to help herself
"This uniform. It was gifted to me by our glorious leader, General Kobayakawa!" False Makoto responded, pointing at a poster with her whip. "And it seems you have been gifted the same as I have!"
...
"What?!" Fleur glared
'Uh-oh.' Skull thought as he had seen this side of Fleur before.
Panther and Dove were pulled away, as Joker brought them back, Oracle and Queen looked shocked at this.
"You think that I was given these clothes by that odious man?" Fleur glared as her mask vanished, blue flames rushing into the sky and forming her Persona "ARACHNE!" Erupting behind her, was her Persona, the origin of Spiders, resting on her spider-abdomen and her threads in her hand. The spider woman sneered down at the Fake Makoto, her fangs glistening "Arachne... Web Lash!" She called out as she cracked her riding crop to the floor.
SNAP!
Arachne's attack lashed down at the false Makoto, causing the ground to crack underneath, making her leap backwards while Shadows began to attack. "I am not a pet for that waste of space principal!"
The fake Makoto came crashing down, knocked down, from the well delivered attack
"Whoa!" Oracle gasped as she saw this.
'Ms Kawakami!' Queen thought to herself, shocked to see that *this* was inside her.
"Remind me not to piss her off." Skull whispered to Joker.
"Everyone! Let's take them down!" Joker called with a smirk as he span his knife, ready for an All-Out-Attack
"Let's go!" Dove called out as she wielded her broadsword.
"Lead the way, Fleur!" Mona cheered as the Phantom Thieves rushed forwards
Fleur rushed forwards, he riding crop slapping the false Makoto across the face and dealt little damage to her and the surrounding Shadows. Foe after for after foe, the Phantom Thieves fought as one in a blur of motion. Striking for after foe, the group a series of blurs as they ripped their foes apart. Eventually it ended, as Fleur landed. Her heels dug into the ground, catching herself with an elogance she never knew.
The False Makoto grunted as she tried to get up, only to feel the end of the riding crop under her chin to make her look up.
"That... Was your punishment!" She called, Fake Makoto explosioning to a torrent of blood before her. She stood tall, her arm lowered so the riding crop was pointed at the ground. One leg slightly extended, her other hand resting on the matching hip. And her head held high. Behind her the world warped and shattered, a black and white dungeon appearing for a moment with the words 'I bow to those I choose' written in a bright sunkissed orange. The effect lasted but a moment before the world returned to normal... Well, as normal as the Metaverse for
'... Holy shit.' Joker thought in shock as he saw her standing there.
"Joker." Queen urged quietly "Could I ... talk to you? While the others investigate?"
"Um, yeah. Yeah, of course." He nodded. "Guys, split up. We might not be alone here."
"You got it!" Skull gave a thumbs up as they went to check the room for any clues or items.
...
"What's up?" He asked
"The other night." Queen... Makoto sighed, flicking her mask up to her forehead "And... I found it. My sister has a Palace."
"Yeah. I know to." Joker frowned
...
"Wait, what?" She blinked
"I was worried so I checked. I even got all the keywords." He shrugged with a small smile. A quick, sly lie. Filled with truth. He did worry, care, for all of them.
"I. Joker, what do I do? What do we do?" She asked.
"Well... Nothing we can do." He sighed "Her Palace is a casino and there is no get around. We won't be able to make any progress unless she sees us as players."
"'Players'? Oh, god..." She groaned and felt ashamed.
"Yeah." He sighed... Before pulling his girlfriend into a hug
"Joker, I'm scared for her...How long has she been like this?" She asked, hugging back.
"I don't know." He admitted "I'll... Keep looking. I promise. We will help her."
"Thank you. I just...I needed to tell someone." She sighed in relief.
"It's alright. It's what I'm here for." He rubbed her back.
"I guess we should head back to the others and help out." Queen cleared her throat and backed off a little.
"If you want to." He nodded.
"Let's go." She nodded, gulping
SLAP!
Queen flinched as Joker slapped her ass like that. It was a shock to be sure... and she was sure to get back at him for that as he 'played innocent'. "Hmm!" She blushed as she pulled her mask over her face and rushed off. "Jerk boyfriend!" She snapped at him in embaressment
Ren chuckled gently since this was just his way of flirting with her. He flicked his mask down, and walked over to the others
"Whoo! How much d'ya think this is worth?" Skull cheered, holding up a large gold statuette of Kobayakawa.
"Possibly a good couple of grand at the minimum." Oracle chuckled.
"Knowing how stuff like this sells? A few hundred." Joker laughed "Outside gemstones."
"Argh! Even in the Metaverse, that damn principal is cheap." Skull groaned. "Still good to snag it."
"Joker! I found a chest! But it's locked!" Dove called
shine!
"Leave this to me." He spoke with a glint in his eye... and both his hands looked like a comic book character's with how many lockpicks he had on hand.
"Oh, my fucking god." Dove's jaw dropped.
click, clack, tchi-clunk
"Got it." He smirked as with a flick he had the chests lid flying open, Dove leaning over his shoulder as they looked into the glowing golden light it immited
"Gah, my eyes!" She rubbed them because of the light.
Joker gave a whistle as he pulled out the contents. "Nice."
"What is it?" Fox asked
"It's a medium sized gemstone." Ren answered as he showed a sapphire
"... That is beautiful." Fox commented, entranced by the shade of blue the sapphire shone with. "It's like an iridescent sky at sunset."
"Leave it to fox to find more beauty in things than normal." Panther commented.
"So where to now?" Fleur asked. "I mean, this is obviously the school."
"We move forward." He answered as he looked high.
CONFIDANT RECAP:
Fool: Rank 10
Magician: Rank 10
Lovers: Rank 10
Chariot: Rank 10
Sun: Rank 10
Lust: Rank 9
Strength: Rank 8
Hierophant: Rank 7
Death: Rank 7
Temperance: Rank 6
Hanged-Man: Rank 6
World: Rank 5
Emperor: Rank 5
Devil: Rank 5
High Priestess: Rank 4
Star: Rank 4
Fortune: Rank 4
Moon: Rank 3
Empress: Rank 3
Hermit: Rank 3
Tower: Rank 2
