Persona 5: Tainted Soul
Chapter 5: Victory from the Jaws of Lust
"Wait, Amano? Who's she?" Ryuji asked as the group were surprised by the appearance of this woman who Cody seemed to know and Vice feared.
She looked around the same age as his older sister and Sae, maybe even closing in on their teacher, Kawakami to the group. But she looked disappointed by the young American as she walked over and pinched his ear tightly in harsh vice of a vice.
"Owowowowowowowowow!" Cody winced as the inner demon began to try and either sneak off or fall back into his host.
"You're not getting off easy, Vice." She said, reaching out and grasping his ear/horn and twisted it like a screw.
"OWOWOWOW! PLEASE MAYA-SAMA, HAVE MERCY!" he pleaded.
'Wait?! She can see Vice?!' the three Persona users thought.
"How many more headaches are you going to give to my Senpai of a sister of yours?" She questioned the two.
"We didn't do anything!" they cried out.
"I thought I made it clear…" She said, before twisting her hold on them as they wailed in pain, "No lying to me!"
"But we aren't!" Vice snapped.
"Uhh… Amano-s-san?" Ren asked fearfully, hoping he could defuse the situation.
"Oh you kids relax, I'll be dealing with these two trouble makers myself." She said sweetly to the trio before looking back at the duo in pain before placing them in a harsher hold.
"Yikes, this chick means business…" Ryuji shivered.
Opening: Like Flames - Tensura Slime Season 2 - Opening 2
/PRELUDE/
As Revi and Vice flies through the night sky, we see glimpses of Ichigo and Naoya before the title zips past the duo
/Fate repeats all over again, The voices of my heart say
Time is not enough, it's over/
It soon jumps to Cody standing alone in a hall of mirrors, Vice being on the other side of the mirror before he turns around to see Mementos and the various monsters wandering it's corridors.
/Belief that makes me who I am, light doesn't fade away
Made my mind up now, it's better/
Meanwhile, Ren is sitting alone in the jail cell of the Velvet Room, looking towards the camera as a ghostly visage of Arsene appears before him as he smiles wickedly.
/Yeah I know it's not an easy road, lured by your hands/
It then jumps into a montage of Ryuji jumping for a bit before running, Ann with her back towards the camera fixing her hoodie, an artist holding his paintbrush in front of himself with one eye closed, a cat wandering through an alleyway, Makoto practicing judo, a NEET looking over something on her screen, an heiress looking over her garden, a gymnast practicing her routine, and finally a detective looking over some notes
/Even if it rains don't be swayed, being same as always/
It then jumps to Ichigo watching over the streets of New York, Nigo standing in the middle of a ruined battlefield alone, V3 looking towards the Pyramids of Giza, the prone body of Riderman on a beach in Tahiti, X floating down into the depths of the Mediterranean Sea, Amazon roaring into the night sky causing birds to fly up from the trees of the jungle, and a pair of graves in the middle of a beach with the helmet of Stronger resting on the left grave while a bouquet of flowers was near the right grave.
/Want to feel my destiny, Open my eyes to be braver/
As the shadow of the villains of past Rider and Persona titles haunt Cody and Ren, they soon turn to see a light where they notice the chains holding them back. Luckily, they spot Touma turn towards him and reach out for them, allowing them to break out and transform.
/Get up now Get up now stronger I believe in myself
Stand up now Stand up now shouting
I'll never run away/
It then transitions into a battle scene where Revi and Vice team up as they battle alongside the Phantom Thieves, transforming into their different forms to help each team member. Meanwhile, Ren soon awakens Arsene as several silhouettes of other Personas appear behind the original Phantom Thief before he and Ren perform Eigon.
/I might lose control... It's a perfect world/
It then transitions into showing Cody lost in the devil's world before he sees the Deadmans standing in his way, as Aguilera summons the eight Palace holders behind themselves with her Vistamp.
/Destroy all of it, in the end it's for our good/
As he panics, he notices the spirit of Maria embracing him before he sees the past Riders from Ichigo until Saber appears by his side, their lights shining down enough to allow him to obtain the Rex Vistamp, summoning Vice in the process.
/Let me shout like flames/
Afterwards, he and Vice share a high-five before it jumps to an ending shot of the twelve heroes standing behind a spotlight in their Metaverse garbs.
A bit later back within the Aldrich residence, the young lady, Amano, was sipping some beer down to relax as she finally got to know the whole story.
"Geez, and here I thought these two were causing another commotion like in America? Guess I jumped the gun here!" She laughed out at her mistake.
"Yeah, you did you devil woman. I'm just glad that your inner demon didn't come out to play…" Vice groaned.
"What was that?" She asked, glaring at Vice.
"NOTHING!" he yelped in a high-pitched voice.
"So… how do you know her, Cody?" Morgana asked the teen.
"She's Maria's under classmate back when she was in school. Amano and her became good friends before Amano had to move back to Japan." Cody explained to them as he was placing a pack of ice on his ear.
"So she knew your sister?" Ann realized as he nodded his confirmation.
"She's also the only other person who could see me before all of this happened…" Vice added.
"And I had to keep these two trouble makers in line while I looked after them sometimes. I swear, Alice seemed to be the only good child among you two." Amano sighed out.
"Hey, that's a lie and you know it!" Vice shouted as he spoke blatant lies from his mouth.
"Oh? Still got some fight left in ya? I'm ready for another round." She grinned, cracking her knuckles.
"Eep!" Vice yelped before flying back into Cody.
"So, how exactly are you able to see Vice?" Ren asked since, as far as he knew, the only other people who could see Vice were Persona users.
"Oh because I can see Shadows and have fought against them in the past." She said, nonchalantly.
…
"EEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHH?!"
"Y-YOU'RE A PERSONA USER?!" Ryuji gasped.
"Yup. How else could I hear that cat of yours speaking normally without much shock?" She pointed out, making the cat surprised that she actually understood him.
"Since when did you have one?" Morgana asked, "Did you awaken in a Palace or something?"
"Palace?" she questioned before waving off. "Never been to such a place."
"Then how did you awaken your Persona then if you've never heard of one? Most of us awakened when we, as Morgana put it, found our inner rebel." Ann asked, curious as to how the now revealed veteran Persona user gained her Persona.
"Well, if you really think you're the first? I got a big surprise for you kids." She said, sipping a bit more of her beer. "There's been many other people and Persona users before you all. Hard to say how far back it's been going?"
"Yikes, so we're just newcomers?" the delinquent realized.
"Indeed. Heck, the only reason most of the world doesn't know about it, is because of the Kirijo family making sure to keep it under wraps. Otherwise it'd be a mass panic on a scale we can't comprehend." She informed them.
"Like… Daybreak levels?" Cody asked.
"So you did peak into that folder last time we were together…" Amano glared softly.
Cody yelped in fear, "I mostly know it because of Fenix." he confessed, "They filled me in on it."
"Relax kid, I was just teasing you." she snickered, "Of course they'd know, since they are in a contract with the Kirijo family."
This was a surprise to them. Ren, deciding to get some answers, wanted to ask her something, "So, what exactly is your Persona?"
"Artemis is one of my Personas." She said, snapping her fingers as it briefly appeared behind her for a short moment.
"Woah, she's pretty" Ann complimented her.
"Yeah, and she got her from the Greek pantheon." Vice observed.
"Wait… one of? You're like Joke-" Morgana gasped before Cody slapped his hand over the cat's mouth.
"Shh…" he whispered, "That name isn't exactly something Maya likes to hear…"
Maya was surprised, but she didn't hear Ren's codename as she nodded at the cat's question.
"Yeah, I have a few extras as well. So you kids are single use only, huh? That's gonna be tough while you fight against whatever you're facing." She noted, knowing that they were now too far in to be stopped.
They nodded as Ren began explaining their situation, taking care to avoid explaining the Phantom Thief deal to them or any mention of Tsukasa.
"What?!" Amano got out, angered enough to crush her beer can, "This bastard thinks he can toy with your lives like that? Why I outta-" Amano was ready to just storm off and deal with the situation before they stopped her.
"Join the club sister, we got plenty of shots at him, and tomorrow it's either we stop this guy or Cody and Ren are out of Shujin." Vice said.
The veteran Persona User looked at the group, knowing even if she did try something, they all are already going to do this mission as she soon sat down and sighed, "Just be careful, alright? I don't want Senpai to wake up knowing you died or something…" She pleaded to the boy.
"I promise…" he told her.
"Alright, time to kick some creeper ass tomorrow!" Vice cheered.
As the group dispersed, Ren couldn't help but stew on the thoughts that his group wasn't the first nor the last Persona users in the world.
'So we got a legacy just like Cody do. I wonder what other users are like? Are there others like me, and how did Maya awaken to Artemis?' he rambled in his head while trudging towards Leblanc.
He then had an idea, he could go to the Velvet Room for some answers, perhaps Igor would know about this new info?
As the teen reached Leblanc and went to bed, his answers were given as Ren slowly woke up into the Velvet Room, and seeing the trio of the odd realm once more.
"I see that you're up, inmate."
"Welcome back to the Velvet Room." Igor said, his grin forever remaining as he will answer what he can, "What brings you back here today?"
"It's something that I found out. Am I the first person who came here?" he asked.
"You are not. I have made many contracts with many people over the eras to come to this Velvet Room and offer my services. You are just… the 'current' one I am overseeing." Igor informed.
This confirmed a thought he had after meeting Maya.
"I am also obliged to tell you that, there is… 'more' to this than it seems… Alongside the trials your friends and that Rider will be facing. I shall offer my assistance as much as I can. Including giving them all the same App I bestowed upon you." Igor snickered.
'So he was the one who placed the MetaNav app on my phone.' he noted, "Well thank you for answering my question." the leader of the Phantom Thieves thanked the man.
He soon felt tired as he fell asleep in the cell and woke up back in his bed. Ren then turned towards his clock which was a few hours early from waking him up.
"Welp, the war clock has started…" he noted, "Time to get to work."
XXX
"Alright, who posted this?!" An angry Kamoshida demanded from the students.
"Wow, this is surprisingly colorful." Tsukasa noted before taking a picture at the sight.
What laid along the walls, boards and more within the school were several postcards. Each one with a cutout letter to spell out what looked to be a warning sign, directed fully to Kamoshida. It read as simple….
Sir Suguru Kamoshida, the utter bastard of lust.
We know how shitty you are, and that you put your twisted desires on students that can't fight back. That's why we have decided to steal away those desires and make you confess your sins. This will be done tomorrow, so we hope you will be ready.
From, the Phantom Thieves of Hearts
"Nice work on the phrasing, Ryuji." Vice complimented the delinquent.
"Well, its true! I would've added more, but Mona here thought it would've been too 'obvious' on it being us." Ryuji huffed.
"It's best we keep as much annomininity as possible. If they find out it's us, well… It's best if we don't reach that part." the cat said.
"Either way, this will most likely get him shaken up. Perfect for us to tackle his mental instability and strike him." Cody added on.
"Alright, let's get started!" Ren noted as he gave the nod to Tsukasa who smirked at the determination in the juniors' eyes.
BEGINNING NAVIGATION….
Soon, the group were outside the castle of Kamoshida. Red lights and sirens blaring off from its interiors, informing the Shadows of a possible attack. Of course, they knew this would happen as they rather take as much down as they need to.
"Looks like security is at an all time high!" Panther noted, "Exactly what we needed to see!"
"We got a few minutes thanks to Tsukasa-san's distraction, let's move!" Joker ordered as the group made their way towards the room they marked out on the map.
And thanks to the Megolodon Vistamp, upon pressing it against one of the entrance doors, it allowed them to go back to the area they scouted out last. It was a useful ability when they needed to head back and forth to it.
"Thank you~ Decade Copy Ability!" Vice chuckled.
"Alright, let's first head inside and see what was behind that door in the throne room? If my hunch is right, it'll lead us to what caused Kamoshida to turn out like this." Mona informed the group.
They nodded as the group made their way back into the throne room. What was more surprising was the fact that it was just as empty as it was yesterday. It was odd, since they thought it would be crowded with guards, yet it wasn't. Helped give them an easier time to the back door of the throne room. Joker opened the doors to finally see what was inside.
Inside of it were several golden coins, priceless jewels and more that could make anyone the richest being on the planet.
"Holy crap, look at all this treasure!" Vice cheered as he dove right in and began swimming through the treasure.
"Hey, thats not what we're looking for, idiot!" Mona frowned.
"See our target then, Mona?" the leader asked him.
"Yup… that." Mona said, pointing to a very large golden grown that was floating above them all.
"Alright, let's grab it and go!" Skull cheered.
"Wait, hold up. How are we even going to get that out of here? That must weigh a few tons!" Panther pointed out.
"The same way we teleported from the safe room to here. Decade's power." Revi pointed out.
"We'd still need to lift if, you dummy!" the car thief sighed out.
"Well, guess that's where having four muscle brains will help out." Vice stated as he cracked his knuckles and headed to the crown.
"Who are you calling, 'muscle brains'?" Revi and Skull said in unison.
Joker and Mona rolled their eyes, "Let's just get this over with." the former stated as he joined the demon, "We don't have that much time to spare."
The three men, and Vice soon got up as grabbed the Crown as they were able to get it down from its height as they all began to shimmy it out of the treasure room… despite it as Ann thought, weighing several tons.
"Easy does it!" Joker said.
"I… feel like…. My arm is… gonna snap!" Revi grunted, as it was tough on them all.
"Come on, we need to get this thing out of here, fast!" Skull added in.
"I think not… thieves…"
Soon, the crown reacted and glowed as it flew out of their grasp and towards Kamoshida, only for it to shrink into the size it needed.
"Crap! It's Kamoshida!" Skull gasped.
"Hmph, I knew that you'd be after my treasure. So thats why I made it this easy, so I can take you brats out for good." Kamoshida snarled out.
"Should've figured this was too easy." Mona noted.
"It's over Kamoshida. No matter what, we're taking that crown!" Revi pointed out.
"Very well then, if you want something done. You might as well do it yourself!" King Kamoshida declared as he let loose an inhuman roar.
"You brats don't realize who you're messing with! I'm the demon who rules this realm!"
"Boss battle inbound!" Vice called out as the thieves got into position.
Soon, they stared at the form King Kamoshida had taken. It was a magenta demon in the same attire as King Kamoshida wore, as the crown was now on his head. He even gained four arms, as two of them held silverware in gold, a whip, and a glass of wine that had an Ann doll inside it, as below him were the several members of the volleyball team as a long, drooling tongue was extended from his mouth.
"Wow, so that's what the bastard looks like on the inside…" Panther snarled.
"I am the one who rules over you all. I am Asmodeus!" The Shadow proclaimed.
"Well time for you to take your licks, full force full throttle!" Revi declared.
As the battle began, Revi and Vice charged in, with hands extended into claws as they slashed and clawed at its hide before jumping back as Skull charged in with a swing of his metal bat.
"How about we put some lead into this pervert!" Panther suggested to Joker and Mona.
"With pleasure!" the monster cat agreed with a wicked grin.
The trio soon pulled out their guns, firing several rounds into the Shadow before they dodged an incoming swipe of the whip in his hand and the knife stabs. From the indents of the floor, they may have either been impaled or lost a limb from it.
"That was a close one…" Joker sighed.
"This battle is getting boring. I could use a drink." Asmodeus groaned. He soon tilted his head back as he drank some of the wine, including the Ann doll before spitting the doll back into the glass.
Panther, understandably, was pissed at this sight.
"Looks like that wine is able to heal him. We need to make sure to keep that cup away from the Shadow!" Joker observed, "Panther, Mona, it's showtime!" he then called out to the pair.
"You got it!" the cat thief declared as she and the monster cat charged at the chalice.
Mona soon pulled out a large bouquet of roses for Panther. When they romantically jump towards each other, the cat-thief reached into the flowers and pulls out two SMGs that she started firing in all directions. After a brief pose by the duo, they jump high into the air, where Panther begins shooting the guns downward on Asmodeus while Mona pulls out a bomb and throws it. The two then pose in front of the explosion that follows.
That attack was enough for Asmodeus to drop his chalice as it shattered and disappeared.
"Woo hoo! No more annoying healing!" Skull cheered.
"Grr, looks like I'll need to use a spike… You! Bring me my ball!" Asmodeus demanded.
"Uh oh…" Revi gulped.
Soon coming out with a volleyball was none other than… Mishima?!
"What the?! What's he doing here?!" Skull gasped.
"Relax, it's not him." Mona informed, "Its just a cognitive illusion."
"That doesn't change how his illusion was manifested in the first place. What did Kamoshida do to this guy?" Vice asked.
"Remember, this is Kamoshida's mind. He can think of almost anything in here." Mona said, "And by judging how he's wearing a prisoner uniform, I suggest he sees him as another tool."
Suddenly, the Megalodon Deadman returned, now more sharklike as Asmodeus prepared for a volleyball spike.
"Guess those illusions include any Deadman we kill in the Metaverse!" Revi noted as he activated something.
REMIX!
"Vice! Let's show them a real shark!" Revi declared to his demon.
"Aye aye, captain!" the demon cheered.
Vice soon stood on his hands with his legs in the air as Revi grabbed them. Their emblems on their chests soon glowed before it combined for a brief moment. The two soon floated up as pieces of their armor twisted and change as the two somehow formed a magenta shark as it roared in response.
BUDDY~ U~P!
HISSATSU! NAN-TON! MEGADON! MEGALODO~N!
Mona couldn't help but do a double take at what he saw.
"Did… did Revi and Vice just… fuse?!" the monster cat gasped.
"Oh yeah, I forgot they could do that." Skull noted.
"You forgot?!"
"Hey, the first time he did it, he went berserk. So forgive me, for wanting to forget that part." Skull shrugged off.
The Megalodon Remix soon chased after the illusionary Deadman as it tore into it with its teeth. Meanwhile the rest guarded against the spiked ball as Asmodeus jumped up before striking it as it flew down and erupted into an explosion…. Luckily, it seemed to not have done much damage to the group other than a few scratches and burns.
"Whew, thanks for the save…" Joker noted to the Persona with him. It wasn't Arsene however, but Pixie.
"Just think of this as making us even for sparing me." the pixie said to the leader of the Phantom Thieves.
"Still… I don't think we'll survive another attack like that…" Ann gritted.
"Bah, missed. You lousy brat! Can't you do anything right?" Asmodeus snarled, slapping Mishima with his crop.
"I-I'm sorry King Kamoshida!" He whimpered out.
"Leave him alone!" The Megalodon Remix roared as it chomped on the arm holding the crop.
"Gahh! Get off of me, whelp!" Asmodeus growled, able to smack him off with one of the other hands as the Remixed Rider swam back to the others. "Thats it, you! Doll! Bring me, my best ball, would you?" He requested.
"Of course, King Kamoshida." A new voice called as from the doorway came… Shiho?!
"OH THAT'S IT!" Panther roared, "Revice, let's team up!" she called out to the Megalodon Remix.
"H-Huh? Oh! Sure!" Revice Remixed nodded as it swam next to the fellow blonde.
"Cover them!" Joker called out as the boys readied their guns.
Panther soon jumped onto the back of the Megalodon Remix as the boys opened fired. The three of them soon swiftly swam towards the false Shiho as they cut her down.
"Gah! Why you!" the demon roared again.
"Thats what you get for even thinking such things on my friend!" Panther scolded.
"Fine, Deadman, it's time for you to feast!" Asmodeus ordered.
The illusioned Deadman roared as it soon hopped up before its body began to shift, shape and change into what appeared to be a volley ball, but with teeth on the front. Seems this was going to be the new attack for the Shadow to use on them.
"Incoming!" Skull called out.
"We'll handle that spike. You guys figure something out quick!" Revice Remix said, as it flew towards the Shadow.
"Think of something? Like what?" Panther questioned.
"Any ideas, Joker?" Mona turned to him.
Joker began to think of something as the demon prepared another attack. He soon got an idea.
"Panther, Revice, wait for my signal!" he realized, "Arsene and I will try and reflect the ball back at him!" the leader thief declared before summoning his base Persona. "And once that's done, you two get the crown. Ryuji and Mona will then finish this."
"Roger!"
The demon soon spiked the ball at Joker as Arsene spread his wings and created a barrier that reflected the Deadman ball back at him, smacking the crown right off his head.
As it flew off, Revice Remix and Panther soon flew over together, with the cat-thief taking the crown as it reached the floor before swimming back up to avoid Kamoshida's swipe. This left the last attack to be dealt with by the two members left.
"I've been waiting for this!" Skull laughed as Captain Kidd let loose a flurry of cannonballs.
"This is for abusing Lady Ann's friend, you bastard!" Mona roared before Zorro started stabbing rapidly at the Shadow and the Deadman.
"Alright, time for an All Out Attack!" Joker finished before all of the thieves blitzed the demon.
The group of thieves soon began to swift past and attack Asmodeus, leaving trails of cuts and blood from their attacks. Slashes or blunt hit would form on its body before everyone landed a strong uppercut to his jaw as King Kamoshida began to wobble and sway from the onslaught of attacks.
"This show is over in...!"
3!
2!
1!
Panther soon landed on the ground behind Kamoshida, as she made a single spin before she winked off and posed as the attacks finally settled in and caused spurts of blood flew off from the Shadow's body before calling out...
OMG! WE ARE SO AWESOME!
The Shadow soon changed back to his human form as he fell to his knees before the thieves and Riders. He panted as he knew, this was his end. He whimpered before snatching the crown and ran off, only to realize the only thing he could escape would be the ledge of the castle…. And to his death.
Luckily, he was held inside the mouth of the Megalodon Remix when he tried to escape as the thieves smirked at him admitting defeat and giving them the crown.
"Alright, go ahead and eat me…" he said to the fused Riders.
"If anyone has the most to deserve from this? It'd be Ann." Skull said, looking to her as she said nothing and stepped forward.
"You have caused so much pain to everyone… you caused so much grief and most likely caused unknown deaths due to your warped desires… And you just rather die for it?!" She questioned in anger, summoning Carmen as flames erupted in her hands.
"Spit that out guys, you don't know where it's been…" Joker told the Remix.
The Remixed Rider soon did so, as Kamoshida began to whimper in fear, with Panter slowly approaching before she launched a fireball at the Shadow… yet she hit the pillar behind him.
"Killing you? Having you die? That would be more cowardly than anything else… I rather you admit your wrong doings to everyone. Atone for your sins and crimes… because then those who were wronged and lost because of you, can seek justice for everything that happened." Panther ordered as her Persona left her side.
"Y-Yes ma'am…" the shadow finally admitted before disappearing.
She sighed with relief before turning to the others.
"Gotta admit, Ann. That was really brave of you to do." Revi noted, "Most people would rather pull that trigger."
"And yet you didn't want to stoop to his level, that's definitely the Ann I remember." Skull said with a grin.
"You're so kind, Lady Ann." Mona smiled.
"You definitely made the right choice." Joker told her.
"Thanks… and trust me, those urges were there. But having him confess his crimes? Thats better to see than just him hitting the pavement. I rather give relief to those who were wronged instead of taking the easy way out." Panther nodded.
"Karmic retribution at it's finest!" Vice chuckled, "So… are we forgetting something, or is it just me?"
"Oh I have the crown, don't worry." Panther winked, as she held it up.
Suddenly, the castle began to shake violently around them.
"Mona? What's going on?" Skull asked as this worried everyone.
"Now that we got the treasure, the Palace has nothing to power it so…"
"Everyone into the ripple!" Revi shouted.
"Move those legs boys!" Joker ordered as they made their escape.
XXX
WELCOME BACK
Outside of the school, everyone was panting heavily from the run, as while the ripple helped get them to a lower floor, they still had to book out of the entire Palace until it was safe for them.
"Man, this is gonna be a thing if we ever do this again, isn't it?" Vice asked.
"A-And you couldn't tell us that would happen beforehand, cat?" Ryuji panted out.
"This was my first attempt! I didn't even think it would happen!" Morgana got out.
"Some expert you are…" Cody groaned. "Speaking of… how about that crown?"
As Ann checked to see if the crown was there, she found an olympic gold medal instead.
"A medal?" Ryuji questioned.
"Seems like that is what caused Kamoshida to form a palace, kids."
Soon, a clap sounded off as Tsukasa walked up to the group. "Congrats on beating the odds. Just right in time." He said before they all heard the school bell ring.
"Tsukasa-san!" they cheered only to realise the bell.
"We gotta go!" Ren said as they went to orientation, leaving Tsukasa alone as he sighed.
"You know that I can see you there, right?" he said.
Walking out from the corner was, of course, Maya Amano, arms crossed as she got closer, "Yeah, and I'm just making sure those kids are well. Now, what are you doing, Decade?"
"Just wanted to drop by and see what this alternate Cody can do. I've seen a few, but none like this kid…" he noted before walking off, "Be sure to hand him this for me, okay? I think he'll like it."
Maya took up what he gave to her as he went through his Dimensional Veil to leave this reality. In her hand was a photo of the four kids alongside Morgana. But what surprised her, was behind the kids were their Persona's alongside Vice posing for the photo. Seemed this was their new treasure they could cherish well.
XXX
"You think this worked?" Cody asked Ren nervously, "What if we're still getting expelled?"
"Well let's hope for the best and fear for the worst." the leader said with a shrug.
"We can only hope…" Ann nodded as they went onward to their classes for now.
Cody entered his, as the other students quickly turned to see him. Each one glaring or looking worried with fear.
"Great, it's the demon gaijin."
"What's he still doing here?"
"Likely planning something with that convict of a friend."
"They don't seem that bad… are they?"
"Shh, he'll hear us and use his demon to attack us!"
The American sighed out, knowing that the rumors and more remained. At least they're not jumping and attacking him for now.
"Hey Code, RenRen and the others got your back." Vice reassured him.
"I know… just hoping this doesn't somehow get to Alice's school and cause her troubles." Cody sighed softly.
"Is everything alright?" Makoto asked the blonde foreigner.
"Um… yeah… just worried about how this could affect my family is all." He nodded to her.
"I can tell, first your sister ends up in a coma, then you end up with well… that…" she didn't have the heart to mention Vice.
"Yeah… I.. understand if you want to stop helping me, Makoto-san." He noted.
"No no no! It's fine!" she reassured him, "I just wanted to make sure that you were okay. I just feel bad for not helping you when you were mobbed."
Cody turned to Makoto, surprised as he thought she'd be like the others and just abandon him. But she seems to remain and be fine with him as it brought a soft smile to his face.
"I couldn't just stand there and watch you get hurt for something that was out of your control." she said as she had no idea Cody knew and had tamed Vice, "You didn't deserve getting lumped in with the monsters that nearly took your sister away from you."
"Thank you, Makoto. I really appreciate that." He said, thankfully knowing he could still count on her.
The two briefly locked eyes before they heard the disapproving sighs and growls from their classmates.
"Yeesh, get a room you two…" Vice grumbled.
XXX
As school ended, the group soon were by the area they used to enter and exit the Palace. The app while remaining was showing no results or even history, as if the Palace was erased.
"Welp, looks like what Mona said was true. The Palace is gone." Ren confirmed.
"Even more so, we thought we'd be hearing something about the board meeting. But from what I heard, it got canceled at the last minute… Maybe it did work?" Ann questioned.
"If so, then what a relief…" Cody sighed as he slumped down.
"But nothing is for certain. Until we do hear something, let's expect that its still on our heads. Hopefully we'll get an answer soon." Ren noted.
"Yeah, so what should we do with Kamoshida's medal?" Ryuji asked the group, "Do we sell it or smash it?"
"Should see how much it is though." Cody pointed out as Ann nodded and began to look it up, only for her eyes widened as she showed them the price one could sell for.
"Holy cow that's a lot of zeroes!" Vice gasped.
"Wait, hold up. If we just started lugging this around and ask who could sell it, we'd be even more suspicious!" Morgana stated. "We should figure some way to sell it without getting too much attention."
"I know a pawn shop down the street that takes in anything and everything. Maybe that can work?" Ryuji asked.
"How many street connections do you have?" Vice asked.
"Hey, once you started becoming like me, you start seeing things a bit more than you realized." The blonde delinquent shrugged.
"Well, I guess we know the place." Ren noted.
"For now, let's part away for the time being. Once its sold off and we know we're in the clear? We can resume our usual shenanigans." Cody said with a smile, knowing that whatever happens, they'll all be beside one another.
They nodded and so, they went through their daily routines for the next few days. Things were surprisingly quiet at gym class as it became a pseudo-free period due to Kamoshida's absence. But soon, an assembly was announced as everyone in school gathered to see what was going on as the school principal was there to give the announcement.
"Wonder what all this is about?" Cody pondered.
"I wonder if its about us?" Ren questioned, as anxiety filled the group's minds.
"Who knows at this point…" Ryuji feared.
"Well, it's the moment of truth." Ann said before they all turned their attention towards the principal.
"So… um… as many of you have been aware, Mr. Kamoshida has been absent for the past few days. It seems his health has taken a turn. But fear not, we will continue onward as we have to inform you all about a prob-"
The door soon opened as Kamoshida stood before the school body.
"I have been reborn…"
"M-Mr. Kamoshida! I thought you said you were still too sick to come? I was just about to inform everyone on the paperwork you gave me." The principal said, holding up before the returned teacher walked over, only to grab the papers and tear them to pieces, shocking many people.
"I… have many things to confess…. Ones that I'm reminded of constantly… one of many sins…." Kamoshida said, taking the microphone stand.
"Dude, did it work?!" Ryuji gasped.
"I think we're in the clear!" Vice cheered.
"I've… not only sexual assaulted many female students, but physically assaulted every student in my eyes. I've lied, cheated and blackmailed so many people. Even made false statements on currents students and leaking sensitive information about them." Kamoshida said, his voice cracking and whimpering from his confessions. "I even took a Vistamp and played it off as if one of our students was a Deadmans supporter. I almost caused the lives of two students from this and I know I cannot be forgiven for such a ordeal…"
"I mean the Vistamp thing is true for one." Cody noted.
"I mean I look shark-like too" Vice added in.
"I have committed so many crimes and more that the only atonement… is for my death…" Kamoshida said, as this began to shock the students and staff more. Seems the overwhelming guilt was getting to him.
"Woah, he just confessed his sins, just like what those cards predicted!"
"So he was the one who spawned that Deadman, and not the gaijin?"
"What a scumbag! That's low even for him!"
"I always knew something was fishy about those special meetings with the cheerleaders!"
The school soon started throwing objects at Kamoshida while the staff tried to quell the mob.
"You idiot!" Ann shouted out, earning the attention of everyone, "Don't be like a coward and want death! You caused so much pain for everyone that you think that's how to atone? No! I won't let you get out easy like that! Man up and face what you sow!"
Kamoshida saw this as he sighed and nodded, turning to the principal, "Please, contact the police instead for this. They'll find everything they need in my office…" He requested as some of the staff helped him to his feet and walked off with him.
"A-Anyways! Um… I was just about to say all that for him, but seems he beat me to it! Heh, heh… Um… everyone dismissed, please go back to your classes." The Principal said, quickly heading off the stage as many staff members and students began to head off as well.
XXX
"Oh man, justice tasted great!" Ryuji cheered
"Way to smack him again to realize not to be like that, Ann." Ren said, patting her back.
"Well, its true. I rather see them confess and go with the punches than going that easy road out. Sides, I owe it to Shiho and you all too." Ann said.
"And seems most of the troubles are done…. Except some still think about what I did…" Cody sighed.
"Not everyone is gonna believe it, at least a majority of the others in school no longer suspect you but your class, kiddo." Vice noted.
"Yeah, they saw Vice come out of you." Morgana pointed out. "Can't win everything."
"True. But we can at least say we won this fight." Ann smiled, trying to cheer the blonde gaijin up.
"Sad we didn't get to tell Tsukasa that…" Cody sighed.
"Don't be sad, kid." Amano said, walking up to them as this got the group to stand at attention, "Relax. Only came by to drop this off." She said, handing Cody the photo as the group saw it.
"Woah, this looks great!" Ann cheered.
"And look at the back! It's signed too!" Ryuji pointed out.
This is a good victory for you kids. But don't forget that it can get rougher down the road.
Find those you trust, befriend those you care for, and make these bonds strong and last.
You kids can do this, so don't give up even when it's at its bleakest moments.
Be the hero you want to be.
Cody and Ren smilled at this message, the five feeling the sense of approval they had obtained from the photographer Rider.
"I'm gonna be hanging around this city for a while so if you need me, you know where to find me." She told the group before leaving.
"Well, how about we go someplace to celebrate?" Ann offered, "I've reserved a special place that me and Shiho were going to go to, but she insisted that I do this for you guys."
"Hey, I'm not going to refuse free food!" Vice chimed in.
"Spoken like a true freeloader." Morgana sighed.
"Says the simp living rent-free with Renren!" the demon snapped back.
"Easy you two, or we leave you both behind." Cody warned.
"Aye sir!" the two yelped.
XXXX
"Achoo!"
"Allergies again, Happy?"
"Why do I get the feeling someone out there is copying me?" The blue cat pouted.
XXX
"So, looks like we just completed our first big heist, eh?" Cody asked as Ren smiled.
"To quote one man… I love me a good plan, and I love it when a plan comes together!" the leader said with a smirk.
"Well, what are we waiting for! Let's celebrate!" Ryuji cheered.
As the group cheered, Ann lead the way as it was one of those very fancy hotels that allowed special service. Ann had reservations for this fancy place and it showed so much, that the food looked like it was an art piece.
"WOW! Look at all the food here!" Vice cheered as he was salivating at the table the thieves had set up.
"So much to decide! I can't even begin to think what to eat first?" Cody added on, as he got a bit of everything for his plate.
"Honestly, I'm kind of surprised they have this much here." Ren noted as he grabbed some food for himself.
"So many kinds of fish…." Morgana drooled.
"The desserts here are to die for. I'll make another reservation for Shiho and I another time." Ann smiled, showing this was fine for her to do.
This was news for the blonde as they quickly grabbed what they wanted and headed to the table the group had reserved.
"So, now that Kamoshida's out of the picture? Who's next, those Deadman cultists I heard about?" Morgana asked the group.
"Fenix has that, alongside my help so I rather not get you all involved in them." Cody stated, showing worry for his friends.
"Guess that means that team up was a one-off deal…" Vice said in a bummed out fashion.
Ryuji frowned before he slammed his hands on the table and stood up, "No way! We can't just let it end like this! Look at how many people we helped out!" He said, almost drawing a scene before Ann reeled him back down.
"Easy you idiot!" Ann sighed before nodding, "But I can honestly agree, Shiho would have nearly died had you guys not become heroes, and Mishima would still be under that bastard's heel if Cody didn't step in to save him from his own inner demon."
"Heroes, huh? I like the sound of that, Nekomata!" Vice chimed up.
"Well, we're a group of Phantom Thieves and superheroes so… I don't know how exactly this would work. And besides, I still want to find out who I used to be before ending up in Kamoshida's place." the cat realized.
Ren remained silent, taking in everyone's words as he pondered it. True, while them leaving was safer, who knows what other troubles could arise from the same situation. Plus with the Deadmans targeting Fenix and Cody, they would be the only ones who could assist them. Maybe it would be better if they stuck together and fought this out as a team.
"I think we just got our answer." he noted with a smile, "Looks like the Phantom Thieves of Heart are sticking around just a little bit longer." the leader announced to the group, much to their surprise.
"You sure?"
Ren nodded, "Positive. There could always be another person like Kamoshida out there, and worse could be involved with the Deadmans. I believe we have the power to change that fate of those in need, to save them from those with tainted souls. And I know you all don't want to see people at their lowest due to someone's sins."
"He's got you there, Code. Besides, we still have to find those stolen Vistamps." Vice pointed out.
Cody sighed out, as he nodded, "Then I guess we'll remain together as a team and watch each other's backs."
"Then that settles it." Ren noted before raising a glass, "How about we toast to this new combo of Riders and Thieves?"
"KANPAI!" They all said in unison, clinking their glasses together.
As they cheered, in another place, a strange blank ticket with a red side was fluttering through the wind. The ticket soon landed in front of Iwai as he picked it up.
"What's this?" he pondered as he held the ticket up to the sky. "Hmm… odd ticket…" He noted before shrugging it off as he pocketed the ticket and made his way off.
However, unbeknownst to him, the scene was being watched by Igor, who was using an old television to watch the world outside the Velvet Room. He couldn't help but grin as he watched these two scenes in tandem.
"Well then, I see that Decade has caused a slight revision of the world…" he observed, "Now traces of the different Rider worlds have awakened within this one. This is going to be quite the interesting power move… Let's just hope they aren't aware of my plans…."
XXX
Gained Confidants
The Fool - Joker
The Lover - Panther
The Magician - Mona
The Chariot - Skull
The Aeon - Revice
XXX
A/N:
HackerEX: No Revice next week? No prob here!
Striberx: Indeed, cause we got this chap done and out of the bag.
HackerEX: Yep, and it looks like Maya's gonna be sticking around this time.
Striberx: This of course, was one of the ideas we had. To allow past Persona Users into this story. Cause technically, they are still around, just as background detail some may have missed. But this time? Our choices will be fully added in, even if its just a one off chapter moment.
HackerEX: Yep, we're taking the Arena route this time. But next time? We're ready to take the train of time for our first Confidant story
Striberx: Now, for the Confidants and such? They all will remain and such. The only difference, is one new Confidant added. The Aeon for Revice. We dug into the tarot cards, persona traits and more to figure out one that not only could work, but not be OP.
HackerEX: Right, we couldn't give Revice something like "The World" since we already know thats always the last card to get in Persona. And most others were just variations of ones already existing, ones that were OP or just not befitting the character.
Striberx: Now, will this mean Ren will get certain Persona's unlocked due to The Aeon? Yes. Which ones? You'll have to wait and see. But don't worry, as its literally just a small edition we decided to add into this story. Next up will be some Confidant quests that we've established already. We have a routine and loop on what to do with all of that, so don't worry. Until next time, later minna!