Begin
~Normal POV
8/22 - Tuesday
The following morning was nothing short of miserable. It was hard not to be bitter about the situation. They were basically trapped in this basement bar until something happened. Akira didn't want to even think about what would happen if they ran out of food. (And online purchases would only get this place unwanted attention.) All they could do was wait for now. Occasionally, they'd send Morgana outside to scope the area but nothing changed. The Kyoto police had really gone all-out for them. Squad cars patrolled the streets rigorously, and foot patrols were on every corner.
"You think Zenkichi will talk…?" Ryuji asked, at one point.
Akira shook his head. "Nah… He doesn't seem the type to crack under interrogation…" He didn't know this for certain, but it felt that way to him. Plus, for the moment, it was peace of mind.
After all, they'd know immediately if Zenkichi broke since he's the only person who knows where they would be hiding at the moment.
The tv was going on about his arrest too. It mentioned he was "harboring fugitives." But for whatever reason, they chose not to mention exactly who these fugitives were. Akira almost found that funny. Once again their enemies had a way of leaving things open for their convenience that they were able to use later. By not saying that he was protecting the Phantom Thieves, that meant Akane wouldn't find out their identities. She was a sweet girl, and they truly cherished all their fans, but she had no business knowing who they really were. At least with Mishima he remained anonymous constantly online. (They had no idea if Akane ever revealed her name to her viewers.)
There was only one viable solution to their current dilemma: Calling Sae Niijima.
~...
Zenkichi was sitting quietly in an interrogation room in the Kyoto Police Department. He gently rubbed his aching ribs. Thankfully, the interrogators had stepped out for the moment so he was alone. He recalled back in Shibuya, when he heard the gang talking about Alice's school, that Akira said something along the lines of, "None of you will ever have to see the other side of an interrogation room while I'm around." He now understood the heavy weight of that promise…
Akira had every right to fear this place. And the other kids? Most of them wouldn't survive in here. The kid might be the leader for a reason; Zenkichi wondered, he truly was tougher than he looked.
He sighed to himself. "Damn it… Bastard interrogator… It's like he enjoyed getting those shots in… Ah, hell- he probably did… Guess it's what I deserve."
He could have just left the Phantom Thieves alone and this wouldn't have happened. But no, he had to care about them. He just had to see that there was more to them than just vigilante fugitives. But then… Alice would have continued terrorizing Shibuya. Natsume would have kept stealing to inflate his ego. Hyodo would have ruled Sapporo with an iron fist and done irreparable harm to her own coworkers. They'd have never found out about Madicce's research lab, or found Ubukata's body… And Akane… She really liked those kids… They made her so happy.
"I couldn't even protect the ones I care about most…" He continued softly. "God damn it… Wonder if they made it out alright… As if it even matters anymore. Akane… Aoi… I'm sorry… I couldn't save anyone in the end."
~...
Akane was standing alone in her home. A gang of detectives had just left after nearly cleaning the place out looking for evidence. Thankfully they left her room untouched. She couldn't bear to be without her merch she worked so hard to collect.
She was reading the news on her phone. "'Inspector Zenkichi Hasegawa of the Kyoto Police held under suspicion… arrested for harboring fugitives… The Phantom Thieves found responsible for murder and… hacking EMMA?!' That's impossible!"
The Phantom Thieves would never do such a thing! They never kill their targets! The same thing happened last year with a target getting killed to frame them! They even said so in the calling card to Masayoshi Shido, the man who framed them! These were her heroes, damn it! She trusted them with all her heart. And if they say they didn't do it, then they didn't do it!
A few tears ran down her cheeks. Her dad was arrested… her heroes were being framed again… If only she could do something… Or if someone else could do something for her?
"What am I gonna do?" She sobbed, clutching her phone in a strained manner. "Somebody… help me!"
"Sure. How can I help you?"
Akane blinked and looked down at her EMMA app before feeling her brain go fuzzy.
~...
"Have the Phantom Thieves been caught?" Konoe asked. He was on a call with Owada in his office.
"No, not yet. I've seen three-legged dogs work faster than the boys in Public Security," Owada answered.
"Heh, they sure are tenacious." Konoe said, "I guess that's how they made it this far. You think the police could turn up the heat on their hot pursuit?"
"If you're asking, I'll see what I can do." Owada said, slyly. "But in return, make sure you don't forget to set up a Jail of mine as well."
"Oh, that's a given. Please look forward to what I have in store." Konoe hung up the phone and called out. "Ahem. EMMA?"
"Yes, Akira? How may I help you?" EMMA chimed, obediently.
"You think the cops can actually catch the Phantom Thieves?" He asked. (Some might have called him strange asking for an A.I's opinion but she usually had the right idea, that was part of her algorithm.)
"Considering the Phantom Thieves' unknown power, it may take a considerable amount of time."
Konoe sighed. "I was hoping to get you back online once we captured them."
"If it takes any longer, it may negatively impact our public image."
Konoe stroked his goatee thoughtfully. "Hm… Maybe what I said on tv wasn't exactly reassuring… Alright, EMMA, what's our best option?"
"The fact that the Phantom Thieves can access Jails poses a threat to our plans. Since we can't afford to wait for the police, we could always trap them in a Jail and force a change of heart."
"Ahh…" Konoe said, smiling. "Now there's an idea! After all, we wouldn't want to waste their precious talent. Good plan. How do we make it work?"
"It would be best to make the Phantom Thieves come to us instead of chasing them. Perhaps we can use someone they are close with as bait to lure them into a Jail?"
"Oh? And did you have someone in mind?"
"Yes."
Konoe grinned at the idea, even without hearing or seeing anything about the person's identity. "Perfect. Make them a Monarch and have them capture the Phantom Thieves."
"Understood."
"Once they're in our grasp," Konoe added, "We change their hearts to our liking. And if that proves impossible: They die."
"Should we notify Mr. Owada?"
"No- no, let him be." Konoe said, leaning back in his chair confidently. "In order to cleanse this world of evil, nothing will get in my way. And you, Phantom Thieves… You will be the sacrifice to bring about my new world order…"
~End of Chapter
