Hello! How have you've been? It's been a while since my last story.
Well, the date is finally here and I present you this one-shot crossover!
For this special side story og the saga, you don't need to read my previous ones, but it's still recomended to read them in order to be preapred for what will happen next.
I kindly invite you to check out my other stories.
Warning: This covers a lot of Persona 5 Royal spoilers, please avoid reading this story until you've reached these part of the game if you want to aovid them.
Without further delay, let's get into the story
BOOM!
Laserblast barely dodged the explosion from the atoms.
His hurry to cover his tracks backfired and now not only his research was destroyed, his powers were lost to the explosion.
As he processed everything that just happened, a second vial of atoms began to glow and the hero knew it was time to get out. Laserblast spotted a sewer and closed his eyes to make it out of there.
That action cost him big time, he crashed against a wall and the second explosion set off.
The donut shop where he ran his investigation floated into the air and got itself wrapped inside a black hole, which quickly shrank until disappearing into nothingness.
At the crate where the building was, two of Laserblast's loved ones went to investigate but didn't find anything. One of the heroes called for his lover but she got no response.
It was no use, Laserblast is gone…
At the place Laserblast ended up
11/25
After he regained consciousness, Laserblast got up and checked upon the damage of the lab. "In the end, I couldn't get new powers and now I'm Cob knows where, powerless and alone".
The powerless hero took a look at the damaged laboratory and decided to get out to figure out where he is. And his answer was answered rather harshly, as Laserblast left the donut shop to find himself in what looked like a subway station from a horror movie.
Rails made of bones, blood-like splatters scattered through the walls and ghoulish cries are heard as the wind goes. "Where in Cob's name I ended up?! he yells, attracting the attention of creatures who heard him.
"Ok, don't panic Laserblast, just go back to the shop and try to repair… the… map…?" the hero didn't notice a Valkyrie and a Jatayu surrounded him. Laserblast's first instinct was to use his powers to drain the energy off the attackers, but he got a cruel reminder of what happened.
The creatures grin and prepare to attack.
"Look at yourself. Powerless and hopeless against these weaklings! So pathetic! So you!" a disembodied voice mocks Laserblast.
"Huh?! Who's there? Show yourself!" the hero demands. "Don't bother, you won't find me because you're useless!
Look at yourself. You went countless days and nights to gain new powers but you only achieved in losing the one you had! And for what? Fame, Fortune, Respect?! You're a nothing but a shallow man!"
Laserblast clenches his teeth and answers to the voice "No, that's wrong! I didn't go through hell to obtain new powers for only those feeble things!
I wanted to get new powers for only one thing only: PROTECT THE INNOCENT!
Silverspark, El-bow, Rippy Roo, Dr. Greyman and Foxtail! I always feared what could happen if my former powers weren't enough to save them from danger!" Laserblast snapped at the voice before taking a deep breath and giving a final yell.
"BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT HERO DOES!"
"Oh, so you DO remember why you did all those crazy experiments. Very well, if that's the case then allow me to help the one who needs protection the most at this moment: YOU!"
Laserblast's pupils became yellow as a mysterious wind blew the creatures away. The hero grabs his head in pain while trying to hold a blood-curdling scream.
"I am thou. Thou art I
Your motives were always selfless but got lost in frustration and self-doubt. Now that you remember what it means to be a hero, don't let hardships cloud your judgement again"
Laserblast couldn't hold it anymore and let out a loud scream that everyone in the Path of Sheriruth, including a certain group heard and made their way towards the source.
The hero turns to his would-be-attackers with boiling anger. On his face, dark lab goggles appeared. Laserblast struggled to take them off but he finally tears the mask, with some skin and blood on it.
"VENOMOUS!" Laserblast yells.
From the mask, a humanoid creature with purple skin, dark, long and messy hair, a worn out hoodie appeared.
Laserblast's outfit changed; From his usual hero attire to a lab coat that got its sleeves ripped off, high-heeled boots and no shirt, which exposed Laserblast's well-defined torso, biceps and abs.
From his back, two hook swords latched magically onto him. Laserblast took each with a hand and got ready to rumble.
"You two! You wanted to attack me while I was defenseless? Now that I got these new powers, let's see you try that again!"
"Megido!" the hunk roars and his Persona unleashed a powerful attack that made the two shadows fall to the ground.
The hero seizes this and performs an All-Out Attack.
He beats the shadows mercilessly until he knew it was enough. He landed in front of them and shouted "Evil never wins!" as the shadows begin to gush high-pressured blood.
From the shadows, money was dropped.
The hero cautiously picked it up and stashed to analyze later. "That was a whole new level of incredible!" he whistles. Laserblast then feels someone is watching him and prepares his hook swords.
"Not bad!" a teen dressed as a stylish magician approached Laserblast with a smirk. "Who are you? And what is going... Ugh!" the hero suddenly fell to his knees; "What is this sudden fatigue?" he groaned.
"It's the aftermath of your awakening. Always happens when your rebellious spirit has been awakened for the first time" a cat-like creature said. "Let's get out of here! We have to get this guy out of danger!" a girl dressed as a biker said.
"Let's get to the donut shop, I can tell you everything there" Laserblast said and the group of eight helped him get up and headed to the place. As they arrive, the group is awed to see the donut shop is actually a laboratory.
As they explored the place, the hero asked them to explain everything that happened. "That makes sense in most parts except for one: How was it possible for not only you but a whole place to warp into Mementos?" a boy with a traditional japanese mask wondered after Laserblast told them how exactly he got to Mementos..
"We can figure that later, right now we need to take this man to the real world; Let's return" a girl dressed as a musketeer declared. "Beats being here with those creatures. Okay, I'll come with you" Laserblast said and the nine left that mysterious place.
At Leblanc
"Thank you for helping me…" Laserblast said as he rested on the couch at the attic, his outfit changed back into his superhero clothes. "Now that you're safe, can please tell us how did you end up in Mementos?" a certain hacker asked.
"Well, that's where the whole reason for me being here comes into play. Please, allow me to tell you everything from the beginning.
1 hour later
"Holy shit! You came from a dimension of superheroes and supervillains?! And you were part of a hero organization along with" a former track athlete shouted. "Yes, and then I had to blow everything, all for my stupid insecurities" the adult groaned.
"But why were you even doing those experiments?" a model questions him with curiosity. "To be honest, all this mess began because of my low self-esteem; The thought of my powers not being enough to protect the innocent and the ones I care for always kept me up at night. And even when my girlfriend told me my powers were good enough since it made me who I aml, I always dismissed her because her powers were always mightier compared to my former ones.
I always dreaded the day my powers won't be enough to protect Carol and she may have gotten hurt. And not only her, El-bow, Rippy Roo and the others… always afraid at the thought of losing them.
But now that I'm here, I think their message finally hit me. Carol must be devastated, and knowing what happened months ago that night…" Laserblast teared up a bit.
The teens looked at the hero with compassion before the boy with glasses spoke. "So what will you do now?" he asked. "What?" Laserblast replied quickly. "Your actions were questionable yes, but you did what you did to help others. And even when the outcome was nothing you expected, you kept your sense of justice high and desired to stand up"
The hunk stared at the teen completely astonished. "I never thought it that way, the idea got clouded with inferiority complex when fighting alongside my comrades.
And now that I got this Persona, I will find a way to get back to my dimension. But until I do that-" Laserblast is interrupted by the hacker.
"Until you do that, you'll join us" the girl said, "WHAT?!" the other teens and Laserblast yelled. "He has a Persona, and we really could use some help to take down the enemy we're facing given the recent backstabbing of the former ninth member.
Everyone but Laser fell silent for a few moments before the hero took the floor, "I will. Maybe you can help me find a way back home, but you have to tell me what exactly your team does"
"Very well, we'll tell you everything from the beginning" the boy with glasses said.
One explanation of the story up to this point later
Laserblast was speechless to say the least. "You guys have been through a lot, especially you, Ren" he said to the leader of the team. After learning everything of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, their names, each of their backstories and powers, his mind was more than set.
"As a pro-hero, your methods are questionable, but you do what you can to protect the innocent, that is what it means to be an antihero" Laserblast said to the group. The teens look at him with hope.
"So now that you're in, you need to tell us your name and what codename you want to go by in the Metaverse" Futaba smirked.
"My name is… Trevor Daniels and my codename would be… Viper! I will catch my prey with my cunning and make them suffer with my attacks that are agonizing as poison" the hero said.
"Very well, Viper welcome to the team" Ren said with confidence. "Now that we've got a new member. I say we can finally investigate Shido's Palace tomorrow! Is everyone in favor?" Morgana asked, and everyone said yes.
After the other thieves left, Ren spoke with Sojiro to let Trevor stay in exchange for helping out at the store.
Evening
Just as they got to prepare for tomorrow, Trevor turned to Ren, "You are a noble soul, my friend. Sticking to your morals and never letting anyone hurt the innocent and even when you only receive punishment for it you never change your mind"
Morgana smiles with relief as Ren softens his stance a bit more and the teen approaches the hunk to give him a fist bump.
"I feel this is the start of a new friendship" Ren thought.
I am thou, thou art I…
Thou has acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion
that breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Aeon Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing that
shall lead to freedom and new power.
Confidant: Trevor Daniels: Aeon Arcana
Rank 1: Baton Pass
The three went to sleep after that.
Ren woke up in the familiar prison in his dream with his prisoner outfit to boot. "Listen, inmate! Master wants to have a word with you!" said Justine, the harsher one of the Twin Wardens.
Igor greeted Ren with a grin "Well, well, well. You never cease to surprise me. Just after being betrayed, you find a man who comes from another world and quickly recruit him into your ranks. Astounding indeed"
"You've received words of praise from our Master, you better be thankful for it" Caroline calmly said. "And you better keep the gratitude AND the hard work on the high gear, because the Master will give you something special!" Justine snarled.
Igor conjured a tarot card and gave it to Ren, "This is the Aeon Arcana. This one represents one's desire to fully understand themselves, as well as the world around them"
"But why…?" Ren wonders, "Your newest recruit comes from a world of super heroes and super villains, it won't be easy for him to adapt to this new way of life. But more importantly, his morals will be compromised as thieving will conflict with his heroic code.
But I believe you can help the only adult of your team to get his feet on the ground and help him protect the innocent with his rebellious spirit" Igor explained.
Ren can only stare speechless at the explanation. "It seems our time is up. We will meet again, for now, strengthen the new bond and your rehabilitation will be closer to you" Caroline said.
The teen could only get back to his sleep and prepare to finally explore that politician's palace tomorrow.
11/26
The nine members stand before the Diet Building, "Let's do this!" Ann said as Joker activated the Metaverse nav and entered the keywords.
Masayoshi Shido. Diet Building. Ship.
Trevor was a bit nervous as the app took them to the Metaverse. When the warping process was done, the crew stared at the seemingly unchanged building.
The gang split up and the guys sans Mona and Viper went near the entrance. "How's it look over there? See anything?" Panther asked. "Nah, it's totally normal," Joker replied.
Oracle and Viper sat down to gather intel when the hunk looked to the horizon, "Oracle, look…"
The hacker saw and quickly gasped, making the other thieves come to her. Oracle and Viper showed the others that they were in a giant ship while the entire city was sunken.
"Even though his country may sink, he alone will survive..." Noir softly muttered. "This is bullshit…! A country that children can be proud of, my ass! It's completely sunken in his head! If a guy like this stands above everyone else, we're seriously done for!" Skull angrily spat.
"This is beyond ridiculous!" Panther adds, "This is just plain horrifying…" Viper felt chills on his spine. "The same goes for Akechi. He should've seen this scenery as well… yet he aided Shido" Fox commented.
"What in the world is he thinking?" Queen asked with fear, "Whether it be for glory or simply a reward… My father died because of someone like this!" Noir said with slight fury.
"We gotta sink Shido instead of this country!" Oracle said, "Be careful, especially you Viper! This will be completely different from past Palaces!" Mona declared.
"Let's do this!" Joker said, "We must put an end to this by December 17th, the day before the election!" Queen points out. "Let the infiltration begin! Time to pay him back for setting us into a trap!" Mona said and the nine entered the Diet Building.
As soon as they entered, their outfits changed into their Phantom Thieves ones. Viper felt chills as soon as that happened, "Whoa, I forgot this image of my rebellious spirit exposes my muscles" he said.
The gang explored the ship for a bit until they reached the representative chamber. "The treasure is right behind these doors!" Mona exclaims, "Now the question is to open them" Viper said. Oracle examined the gates and discovered five slots for it.
"Those voices… It sounds like they're approving some law propositions and they're all getting approved unanimously" Queen noted. "If we want to enter, we have to prove we're loyal or toadies to Shido" Joker said.
"Then we should ask around, maybe the guests know something" Fox suggested, "Good idea. Given that this is Shido's cognition, his cognitive allies must have vital information. This ship is most likely an ark loaded with those that Shido believes are worth keeping alive" Mona points out. "Then it's better if we split up and ask" Oracle said, the rest agrees and Joker takes Viper with him.
30 minutes later
The thieves managed to get information on the five VIPs and Mona found a Safe Room for the gang to rest a bit. They discussed the top five VIPs in this palace.
1- Ooe, a politician.
2- A former Noble-
3- The IT Company President.
4-The TV station president.
5- A cleaner.
"The last one feels like the most dangerous, we should talk to him last. Trust me" Viper said. "Well, what do we do now, leader?" Noir wondered. "We head back, tomorrow we'll be able to take on all them" Joker replied.
The gang agreed and headed to the palace's entrance and went back to their world.
Leblanc
Evening
Ren and Trevor prepared for tomorrow as the adult worked out in the ceiling. "These are pretty sturdy, Ren" he whistled. Trevor then flexed his muscles to feel the burn for a bit more. "So, what do you think of our work so far?" Ren wonders, "This feels a lot like my cover operations I used to do for P.O.I.N.T., so far so good" Trevor grins.
The new member of the group then remembered everyone in his world and his mood switched from eager to gloomy. "I wonder how everyone is doing there… Have they forgotten about me…?" the former hero sniffed. Ren quickly handed him a glass with water and told him "I'm sure your friends are tirelessly searching for you, I know they are"
Trevor smiled at the comfort he felt and nodded, "Alright. If they're searching for me and with the technology we've got, I guess it's only a matter of time until they find me. But until then, I will stay by the thieves' side to protect the innocent of this world!" he stood proud.
"And we'll get your back all the time" Ren grins and the two fist bump.
Confidant: Trevor Daniels: Aeon Arcana
Rank 2: Hero Talk
The two then went to sleep as Morgana observed the whole scene. "I know this guy is strong, he's definitely one worthy addition to the team!" he thought and slept as well.
11/27
The gang returned to the Diet Building to infiltrate the ship and proceeded to find the five VIPs.
3 hours later
It wasn't easy, each of the VIPs turned out to be the real shadow selves of Shido's allies and they battled the gang. But with Viper's Hyakka Ryouran and Joker's agility thanks to his training with the gymnast girl, the thieves managed to obtain all five letters of recommendation.
After dealing with the cleaner who turned out to be a Yakuza, the nine reached the engine room. Just as they finally reached the last part…
A young man jumps from the ceiling, the thieves sans Viper are left speechless.
"Long time no see" he calmly said, yet his voice seemed like he barely contained his fury. "You?!" Skull snarled.
"I see you added a new teammate. Am I that replaceable?" Crow calmly asks, no one says anything.
"Under different circumstances, we could have been great rivals… Or perhaps even friends" the detective said. "It's not too late…" Joker wholeheartedly said. "How wonderful. You don't allow yourself to be enslaved by such things such as human relations or past selves. And so, your heart is so free. The exact opposite of mine. To be honest, I'm envious" Crow sadly whispered the last part.
"It seems Goro truly regrets this turn of events, I feel as though I understand him better now"
Confidant: Goro Akechi: Justice Arcana
Rank 9
"Akechi…" Panther muttered. "But... it's not use to talk in hypotheticals" Crow's voice turned harsh. "Akechi! Why are you cooperating with someone like Shido?! Don't you see what this Palace looks like?! His true nature is- " Queen gets interrupted by the red-masked boy.
"What are you talking about? I don't care for Shido or this country. All this is to make Masayoshi Shido… my father… acknowledge me. Then exact revenge on him. Remember I said before, how my mother had been in a relationship with a good-for-nothing man?
My very existence is nothing but a scandal… My mother's life turned for the worse after she had me...and died. I was a cursed child for her, too"
"That's horrible…" Panther sighs. "I resented him, but he was already a high-ranking official by then. A kid like me could do nothing.
But that's when it happened! That's when I learned of the cognitive world! Someone, be it god or demon, gave me a chance! I couldn't contain my laughter!
"So, Joker… rest easy and die!" Crow let out a slasher smile that frightened the team.
Everyone got ready to battle.
"Akechi, I don't know you, but please reconsider what you're doing! Helping a villain like him would only-" Viper's plea is interrupted by Crow.
"TO HELL WITH THAT! PERSONA!" the boy yelled and a different Persona from Robin Hood came out, making him go berserk. "That wasn't Robin Hood!" Oracle.
The battle raged on, Panther, Mona, Fox and Noir have been beaten to a pulp. But the remaining thieves weren't done yet as Crow was their most formidable opponent yet. "Time to show you my true form!" he yelled and his outfit changed.
The new outfit looked like a black armor with Crow covered by a helmet. Crow summoned another Persona: Loki. "DIE!"
"Now way…" Mona muttered, "He can use multiple Personas too?" Queen gasped. "If he can, then Joker and Viper are gonna need our help!" Skull tried to rush but Crow intercepted him and hit him with a Negative Pile, making the athlete to fall in defeat.
Queen tried to use her martial arts but Crow blocked one of her punches by grabbing her arm and hammered her to the ground.
"Here come the buffs!" Oracle yelled, making Joker and Viper stronger but Crow voided her support with Dekaja.
"Crow! JUST STOP!" Joker yells and unleashes Yoshitune on him, dealing massive damage. "Let me smack some sense into him," Viper said as Venomous came out to cast Megido on the boy, followed by Kougaon from Joker.
Crow shrieked in pain as he collapsed to the ground.
"Please… stop…" Joker pleaded, almost collapsing but Viper helped him keep standing.
"Yes, I had enough… You're so lucky… Lucky to be surrounded…. by teammates who acknowledge you…
And once Shido confesses his crimes, you'll all be heroes. As for me, people will find out my past deductions were just charades. My fame and trust will vanish. In the end… I couldn't be special..." Crow said in defeat.
"Dude, you're more than special…" Skull said. "It pains me to admit, but your strength and wit far exceeds ours. You even managed to take most of us out. We only defeated you by teaming up. I was honestly… envious of your natural ability. It was frustrating to see how much my sister trusted you" Queen admits.
"I have no intention of forgiving you for what you did to my father, but… I sympathize with you. I wholeheartedly understand wanting to get back at the adults who took from you…" Noir says.
"But when you gained the power to fulfill that desire, you only used it for your own self-benefit" Fox pointed out. "If you got more than one Persona, maybe you have the same kinda power as Joker's. But you trusted no one, so you only got two Personas: One for your lies and one for your hate. Still, you thought that was enough, right? That part I totally get" Oracle said.
"You excelled at everything over us… Yet that was the one thing you lacked" Fox adds. "All right! Let's go back and get that calling card ready!" Skull said and then turned to Crow, "We are gonna take down Shido, what are you gonna do?"
"It'd be a problem if you keep getting in the way. Wanna come along and help us settle things?" Panther offers. "You have the power set right what once went wrong. If you really want to pursue true justice, then use the power of your Personas for good and help us stop that criminal!" Viper yells.
"...Are you all idiots? You should get rid of me… if you don't want me getting in the way.
… You all are truly beyond my comprehension" Crow gave a weak smile as someone approaches them.
From nowhere, another Goro Akechi shows up and points a gun at Crow. "Another one!? Wait, is he…" Fox gasped. "That's Shido's cognitive version of Akechi!" Mona deduces.
"I'll deal with the rest of you later" the cognitive teen coldly said. The cognitive Akechi wastes no time in berating Crow's failure and making him aware that Shido already knows he's his child, much to the horror of the thieves and Crow himself.
"I'll give you one last chance, shoot them" Cognitive Akechi said and summoned two berserk shadows, "Haha… I was such a fool" Crow says as he points his gun at Joker. "Yes… That's the one your captain wishes to see" Cognitive Akechi chuckled.
"Don't misunderstand… You're the one who's going to disappear!" Crow yelled and turned around to shoot at his fake.
Crow seized the moment to also shoot at a pillar behind the thieves. ""The watertight bulkhead door has closed. All personnel within the partition wall, evacuate at once" a voice suddenly announced.
Viper acted quickly and rushed to pull Crow to the team as a wall emerged from the ground and separated the thieves from Cognitive Akechi.
"Akechi!" Skull yelled and the gang approached him after Viper put him on the ground. The detective lost consciousness. "Let's take him back to our base, so we can figure out what to do with him," Joker said.
Despite receiving some disagreeing looks from his team, they agreed and Viper lifted Crow onto his arms and the gang returned to the real world.
Leblanc
Evening
After explaining everything to Sojiro and Sae (her by message), Trevor carefully placed Goro on Ren's couch. The detective gradually recovered his senses and woke up, seeing a lot of unsure looks as his first thing to watch.
"Why did you do that, Viper?" the teen asks with no spirits. "As a member of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts and former member of P.O.I.N.T. I can't let anyone die under my watch, not even villains" Trevor said.
"Besides, you saved us from a dangerous situation with your boldness against your cognitive self" Morgana commented. "To think I hoped to receive recognition from that man… I am truly pathetic" Goro dejectedly said.
"Even though what you did was horrible, Shido is the one to blame here. His manipulation led you to commit those horrible deeds, despite you being aware they were crimes" Futaba said.
"Besides, you said it, you wanted to be recognized by someone, your father being the most prime example. I can understand and relate to that" Haru adds. "And Shido only thinks of you as an assassin at the beck and call, it's just sickening," Yusuke says.
"... All of you are really something. And that's why I would like to make a deal with you" Goro said. "At a time like this, what could be meaning with a deal?!" Ryuji inquired. "Let me rejoin you and help you in changing Shido's heart. After that is done and he turns himself in, I will do the same and confess everything I did" the detective said.
Ren looked at the glove he still held ever since Akechi gave it to him after the duel in Mementos. He recalled everything that happened ever since he met him at the TV Station. All leading to his betrayal and eventual battle against Goro. Even though he tried to murder him, Ren couldn't stop considering Goro one of his friends.
"Deal" It's all that Ren says, garnering the attention of his teammates. "Well, given that he uses two Personas, his strength is going to be a valuable asset in confronting Shido" Makoto suggests.
The rest of the team stare at each other with uncertain looks but ultimately agree with Ren's choice.
"Thank you… All of you... " Goro said.
I am thou, thou art I…
Thou has turned a vow into a blood oath.
Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion and break the yoke of thy heart.
Thou hast awakened to the Ultimate secret of Justice, granting thee infinite power…
Confidant: Goro Akechi: Justice Arcana
Rank 10: Wild Card Will
Eventually, Goro felt he was in good enough condition to walk home and he along the other thieves returned to their houses. "Ren, you're definitely one wild card. I've never expected you could easily accept him back into your life, even after what he did" Trevor pondered. "When he told me, Morgana and Futaba about his past, I could see for a brief moment through his polite demeanor. I could see his pained and broken soul. He truly suffered as a child, being unwanted by everyone around him.
And then that scumbag corrupted his mind into a puppet. His sick control turned someone who could have a truly ace detective into a ruthless assassin. I swear Shido will GET HIS COMEUPPANCE ONCE WE'VE STOLEN HIS HEART!" Ren suddenly shouted.
Morgana and Trevor stared in awe as Ren never lost his cool once.
"All I can say is that today was extreme. Never expected things to go this way. But we can ponder on this tomorrow, let's get some sleep and get ready to return to the palace" Morgana said.
Ren and Trevor agreed and went to get some rest.
11/28
The gang welcomed Crow back to the team and then headed back to Shido's Palace and secured the route to the Treasure once and for all. Upon arriving, the shadows showed a little restless but at the sight of Crow, they quickly simmered down and let the thieves go unharmed.
"They still must think I'm in league with them. Well, whatever that helps us reach the treasure faster is fine" Crow said. The group reached the Central Passageway and reached the Assembly Hall.
"After you've finished talking about the Darumas, look" Crow said, pointing at a glowing orb at the podium. "The treasure!" Mona exclaimed. "All right, now all that's left is sending the calling card and then we can finally teach that bastard a lesson!" Skull chirps.
"A bit of credit to you Crow, having you here makes dealing with the shadows easier" Oracle commented. "Let's go back and get ready. The day we come is the day we steal the treasure! And that day will be… 12/11!" Joker determined.
Evening
The gang returned to the real and began their preparations, like telling Sojiro and Sae about their moves so they could be on guard too.
After planning how will everything will go down, the teens returned to their home
"You know Ren, I still feel a bit out of place, being the only adult in the Phantom Thieves. Don't get me wrong, I'm starting to enjoy this life but to be the only one over 20 feels a little bit awkward"
"Don't worry, Trevor. I know how it feels to be the odd one out. I felt the same way when I transfered to Shujin. Everyone staring at me and even fearing me due to being labeled as a criminal" Ren sighed.
"You adapted quite easily and steadily won several people as friends. You have a group of persons who will do anything to back you up since you helped them in everything you could ever since you met them" Trevor said.
"And to be honest, that's how I feel right now. Not only you invited me to your team, you offered me a place to live while I figure out a way to come back. You truly have the heart of a hero, Ren" the adult adds.
"Even if we have met a few days ago, I can feel my bond deepening quickly with each passing day" Ren thinks.
Confidant: Trevor Daniels: Aeon Arcana
Rank 3: Follow Up
The teen smiles and the two prepare for tomorrow. The following day prior to December 11th will be crucial for preparations.
11/30
Evening
Ren sighed as he returned to Leblanc, given that Trevor's mask was also his gun, he had to spend most of his day searching for different types of lens with Iwai. Definitely not of his best days.
Trevor offered him a cup of coffee to relax a bit, he has been learning the ways of this art from Ren and Sojiro, who has begun to appreciate the extra help at Leblanc and another person to keep Futaba safe during their escapades at the Metaverse.
"For the looks of it, I can tell you had a bad day there," Trevor said as he picks up some dishes left by the last clients. Since all of his clothes were in the laundry, Trevor had to work using only a tank top and his jeans. Strangely, that attracted a lot of clients.
"Bad is an understatement. Upgrading and customizing Goro's ray gun was easy. The tough part came with finding the right type of lens to make your laser beams more powerful.
Iwai almost turned Tokio upside-down to find some who had the lens I wanted since he doesn't have those at hand" Ren exhaled.
"I'm sorry for causing you trouble" Trevor apologized, "Let me return the favor. I'll take care of all duties at Leblanc this week and you go and relax at the bathhouse" he offered. Ren quickly took him by his word and rushed out of the cafe.
"You're a good man, Trevor. We're definitely happy to have you in our team. Your strength and experience has made our escapades go smoother. And judging by Ren's face, I'd say that your bond with him just deepened more" Morgana comments to the hunk.
Trevor only smiled and got back to work.
Confidant: Trevor Daniels: Aeon Arcana
Rank 4: Hunky Looks
After Ren returned, Trevor closed Leblanc for the day and prepared a new day.
12/1
Evening
Today the thieves went to the Metaverse to deal with some people. It was a bit awkward having Crow back at first during their entering of the place, but things managed to go smooth thanks to Joker and Vipers' mediation.
After beating more shadows, the team decided to return to Leblanc. However, things were starting to get complicated when Ryuji and Haru couldn't stop passively glaring at Goro, who noticed this and returned the glare to the blonde.
Ever since he rejoined, Goro has been showing his true face: A guy who doesn't give a shit about what others think of him and is cold and straight to the point.
"If looks could kill, Skull and Crow might have been turned to dust a while ago" Futaba whistled. Trevor only sensed doom if he let this continue and stepped up. "Look, I know it's a bit hard to work together again. But listen, we need to join forces if we want to stop Shido once and for all. So please drop that and be nice" he said with a calm but firm tone.
"Tch" Reyuji groaned and he and Goro calmed down. "Whoa you sure can control situations like this, Trevor" Yusuke inquired. "Back at my home world, the rookies got a bit too distracted or argued a lot. So I had to talk some sense into them since we were part of the same team. And one of the key for any to beat us is to divide and conquer"
"That's a valid point, Trevor. That's why we have to stick together" Makoto remarked as a way to help calm down the environment. A bit later, everyone ate and went home as Trevor closed the shop and headed upstairs, he began to get nostalgic about his team and Carol.
Were they doing great? He really hopes everything's the same when he gets back. "I will find a way home, I promise" he said to himself before going up. Unbeknownst to him, Ren and Morgana heard what he said.
"Sounds like he misses his home world" the creature says, "After we're done with Shido, we'll help him find a way to go back to his world" Ren replied.
"I can understand why he wants to go home. Maybe I can ask Igor some advice to help Trevor find his way home. After what he said, it feels as if I can understand him a bit more"
Confidant: Trevor Daniels: Aeon Arcana
Rank 5: Team Dad
With that, the three prepared to sleep and braced themselves for a new day.
12/3
Evening
Today Ren, Morgana and Trevor by Sadayo Kawakami, who was dressed in a maid outfit. She originally came to only deliver some material for Ren. But the moment she entered, the teacher saw Trevor on tank top again and she passed out at the sight of a hunk.
After taking her to Ren's room, Trevor immediately checked her pulse. "Didn't know you could do that," Morgana says. "Being on a superhero team requires you to have first aid knowledge; Back in my world, battles used to get extreme and sometimes it would take forever to get treatment. That's why everyone was trained with the basics of first aid, sometimes it made the difference between life and death.
"Impressive" Ren whistled. As soon as Kawakami regained her consciousness, Ren explained the situation to her. With all that cleared, she gave the boys the material and left, but she had a faint blush after bidding Trevor farewell.
"I'm telling you this right now, I'm not into her" Trevor said to Ren and Morgana. "Don't worry, I'll handle with her that topic of her crush on you" the teen replied.
"Looks like Trevor will stay loyal to Carol until the end. It feels as if I can understand him more" Ren thought.
Confidant: Trevor Daniels: Aeon Arcana
Rank 6: Harisen Recovery
Ren then dedicated the rest of the night to craft more infiltration tools, with Trevor taking notes.
12/7
With only four days before they take Shido's heart, Ren has been visited by his gymnast friend: Kasumi Yoshizawa. After she and Trevor introduced themselves, Ren told her what was their next move.
Kasumi offered her assistance with this heist but was turned down by Ren and Morgana. They feared Shido was extremely dangerous and didn't want to risk Kasumi. Despite her disagreeing, she relented.
After Ren promised they would come back to her safe and sound, she bid them farewell and left.
"Ren, we'll get this done. Shido will pay for what he did to you and Goro" Trevor assures him. "I know you made the choice of declining her help based on what we've been through. And let me tell you, that you may just have made your first adult choice.
Being an adult sometimes means making the right choice, but won't always be the ones that'll make you happy"
The teen deflected his look as he knew Trevor was right. he just agreed and went to his room to prepare for the heist.
"You're quite wise, Trevor" Morgana whistles.
"Being an adult isn't easy, as every decision you make is your own and will have nobody but yourself as the one made at the end of the day. And you mustn't let emotion guide your decisions, that would only lead to disaster.
Believe me, I know firsthand what can dumb decissions lead to" the adult sighed.
Unknown to them, Ren heard the conversation and that made him reflect.
"Looks like Trevor regrets his choices. I can feel the pain in his face. He's right, choices are only made by one and they must always be ready to face the consequences of their actions, be good or bad.
I feel like I understand Trevor even more"
Confidant: Trevor Daniels: Aeon Arcana
Rank 7: Adult Life
Trevor finishes closing Leblanc for the day and prepares to call it day. Everyone went to sleep smoothly as they had already planned how to deliver Shido's Calling Card.
12/10
Evening
Everything in Tokyo is going smoothly when suddenly, the giant screens interrupt anything they were showing and a special broadcast begins.
"Yo! What's UP, everybody!". "We are the ones you know as the Phantom Thieves": "And all of us are alive and kickin'. But those shitty guys in power? They've been manipulating information to try and hide the truth":
"So, before we appropriate our next target… We would like to first borrow your time!". "The recent scandals of public figures, the accidents caused by psychotic breakdowns and mental shutdowns. These weren't caused by unknown reasons.
One man is behind every single instance… simply to satiate his own greed". "That man was afraid his crimes would be exposed and shifted the blame to us. He even manipulated the police for that".
"We only steal the hearts of criminals. But this asshole tried to dump what he did on us. That just shows he doesn't care about the victims at all".
"The man behind it all is a current member of the cabinet, of all things. The Minister of State for Special Missions…
Masayoshi Shido".
"Everything that guy says is a lie. And to prove that…"
The screens showed the ten Phantom Thieves in silhouette, with Crow donning his prince outfit.
"Look! As you can see, all of us are alive and kickin'!". "I'm sure the people investigating us can tell if this is a lie or not".
"Shido will confess all of his crimes that he's committed".
"We're not going to sit back and let this crook wreck this country just 'cause of his goddamn ego. Ain't that right, Leader?"
Joker emerged from the shadows and got close to the camera. "Yes. Before that happens, we will take this country!"
Everyone in Tokyo began to cheer for the ten.
With Shido
The man's assistants are trying to calm down the situation as he was trying to contact Akechi.
He eventually ordered his toadies to bring him. Shido accepted the challenge.
Security Level: 100%
12/11
Daytime
The day has arrived, the ten thieves have infiltrated Shido's Palace to steal his heart once and for all.
Everyone has been bracing for this moment and now they're heading to the Assembly Hall.
Upon arriving, Shadow Shido is already waiting for them.
"Where you got-
...AKECHI?! WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH THEM!?" Shadow Shido snarled. "The thing that I should have done all along… PUTTING YOU IN YOUR FUCKING PLACE" Crow roars.
"You turned him against me!" Shadow Shido glares at Joker.
"And it's your fault that so many lives have been ruined!" Viper spat.
"But more importantly…
OUR LEADER AND CROW HAVE GONE THROUGH SHIT BECAUSE OF YOU.
IT 'S ON!" Skull let out his loudest roar yet.
The ten thieves braced themselves for their biggest battle.
Shadow Shido summoned a chariot made of humans.
Everyone charged at the corrupt politician.
3 hours later
The battle rages on, time passes and the thieves are wounded. Shido tried to grab Joker by the neck and slam him into the ground, but Crow shielded Joker each time that happened.
Shido had enough of the thieves at this point and hit the ground with much force that only Joker and Crow withstood the attack.
"I had enough of this piece of shit! Joker, let's finish him!" Crow declares.
The two have activated their Showtime Attack: Bladed Runners.
In a dark, stormy city, on top of a building, Cros uses his Berserk ability on himself before he proceeds to charge straight at the enemy. Meanwhile, Joker uses his grappling hook to jump across a bunch of vents and strike from above using his knife. After he does a single slash, he jumps out of Crow's way, who maniacally slashes Shido continuously. Afterwards, Joker fires a single shot from his gun to finish the job while Crow walks off, expressing disgust and disappointment at Shido.
The man fell to the ground, defeated.
"How could I… lose?" Shadow Shido asks. "For using Akechi to cause countless mental shutdowns in others, you will atone… with your life" Queen dryly says. "Dont'cha have something to say to our leader and your son before you go passing out?" Skull demands.
"Yes…
I acknowledge… that I incriminated you on false charges. I did it to protect myself…
As for you Akechi, I always knew you were my son when you first approached me. And when you showed me the Metaverse, I only thought of you as a puppet to launch my career" Shido said.
Meanwhile with Shido at the Real World
Shido began to have his change of heart, he clearly knew the Phantom Thieves have succeeded in stealing his treasure.
He ordered his cronies to give him a pill that will kill him temporarily. Despite their warnings, Shido swallowed the pill and collapsed to the floor.
Back at the Metaverse
As soon as Joker got a hold of the treasure, Shadow Shido disappeared. The palace began to crumble.
The team knew it was time to bail.
They dashed through the palace with all their might but the main road has flooded partially. A determined Skull makes a run to get one of the boats while the ship continues to sink. He is successful and a boat falls for the rest of the thieves.
But for Skull, he remained in the boat with a grin, being glad to help his team.
The ship exploded…
At the Real World
The team emerges in front of the Diet Building as they discover the treasure is a legislator's pin. But they weren't in a mood for celebrating, Ann began to cry for Ryuji's demise.
Not long after that, Futaba and Haru followed. Until Ryuji came out of nowhere, with a grin on his face. A bit mad but relieved their friend was fine, the team called it for the night and returned to their homes.
With Shido
The moment the politician woke up, he began mumbling about atoning. This was a huge setback for his toadies as they didn't know what to do.
At Leblanc
Ren, Morgana, Futaba and Trevor returned just to find the place in a messy state. They began to worry that Sojiro was kidnapped. But soon after that, the man entered the store and explained to them that he got taken to Shido's place but was suddenly told to go.
The four sighed in relief and prepared to rest for the night.
12/14
Evening
While the rest of the team went to school, the four of Leblanc decided to keep a low profile for the time being since a change of heart takes some time.
Everyone seemed fine, except for Trevor. he had a shaken expression, as if he saw a ghost.
"All right, what's with you, Trevor. You've been all day like this. What 's wrong?" Futaba asks as the hunk finishes his tasks at the cafe.
"I had a strange dream last night.
I dreamed that I managed to escape from the donut shop in time and hid in the sewers. But as soon as Caroll got to the crater where the Donut Shop was she said I wasn't strong enough to survive that.
My heart sank and decided to fake my death. After all, who would be worried about a weak hero?
Then in the following years, I tried to regain my powers, but only ended up looking like my Persona. As time passed, my nightmare came to pass: I became a Villain, selling my research to other villains to fund my experiments.
But the worst part of it was that I found out, Carol really was pregnant before that incident. She had an incredible young boy nicknamed K.O..
This wasn't as bad, at least in my dream Carol and Eugene, a.k.a. El-bow got together. I always knew I wasn't good enough for her, so I was happy for them.
That just makes me wonder… I am missed in my home world? How many things have changed. Is Carol still in P.O.I.N.T.? Did everyone forget about me…?" Trevor's gloomy questions led him to shed some tears.
Futaba barely held her own. Morgana quickly got to the man's side to comfort him. "Don't worry. As soon as Shido's ordeal is over, we'll make our goal of finding a way back home for you. Besides, I'm sure once you're back, your teammates will welcome you back with open arms"
Trevor looked at Morgana with a soft smile. "Thanks Morgana. You always have your way with words. Very well, I just have to be patient and be strong for them! Thanks for listening to me, Ren, Morgana and Futaba.
"Carol, Eugene and everyone back home… I'll be back!" Trevor chirps, full of hope.
"Trevor looks fully determined to find a way more than ever. He has endured the pain of being stranded in another world, and yet he never gives up.
It feels as if my bond with him just became stronger" Ren thinks.
Confidant: Trevor Daniels: Aeon Arcana
Rank 8: Endure
After that, Sojiro told them it was time to close so Futaba headed home as the rest prepared for 12/18, the day the ballot counting will take place.
12/17
Evening
The four of Leblanc decided to spend the day before the ballot count together. "The anticipation is killing me…" Futaba groans. "You got me there as well," Ren admits. "C'mon guys. We know that Shido will confess and Akechi's gonna do the same" Morgana tries to calm down the teens.
Trevor finished cooking the curry and served them for dinner. As they enjoyed the meal, the man noticed a bit of worry in Ren's eyes. "Everything will be fine, Ren. You gotta relax. I can tell that you fear Shido will somehow reverse everything and retaliate with your probation" Trevor tells him.
Ren stiffed a bit, how could he have been read so easily? But Trevor quelled his nerves with his reply.
"No matter what happens, I will always protect all of you. It's a promise from a hero" the man declared. "And we'll do the same for you, Trevor. A team always sticks together until the end" Futaba chirps.
Everyone nodded at this promise and they resumed to eat the curry. Meanwhile on the counter, Sojiro hummed as he beams with pride that his kids have grown a lot.
Confidant: Trevor Daniels: Aeon Arcana
Rank 9: Protect
After finishing the meal, Futaba sent a message to the thieves, summoning them to watch the event together after school.
Everyone prepared for the big day tomorrow and decided to get some sleep.
12/18
After School
Everyone, even Akechi got to Leblanc and watched the ballot results be announced. As soon as Shido was declared the winner, he thanked the public but rejected the position as he proceeded to confess his crimes.
All of the team, Sojiro and Sae celebrate the success of the heist. As they kept on cheering, Goro promised to turn himself in very soon. Surprisingly, the team thanked him for his assistance and doing the right thing, especially Futaba and Haru, who teared up a bit since they avenged their mother and father respectively.
Trevor held the toast as he delivered a speech of how justice has finally arrived. The thieves partied until they couldn't anymore as Sae left the cafe to begin the process against Shido.
But they were not the only ones who made a move. Elsewhere, Shido's cronies are carrying out damage control and how to prevent all they've done to be for nothing.
Trouble arises as days come and go…
12/23
Daytime
The ten decided to rendezvous at their former meeting spot to check on the public. Things were not looking good.
The people were either worried that Shido would be unable to assume the position of prime minister and didn't seem to care for the confession.
Worst of all, they discovered that the public thought the Phantom Thieves never existed at all. Despite their anxiety getting the best of them, Morgana suggested to keep a low profile and see how things go for the time being.
Leblanc
Evening
If things weren't good before, what Sae told them totally sent the team's humor to the dumps.
The older sister of Makoto Niijima was relieved from the case and sent on vacation. Despite her best efforts, all attempts to prosecute Shido ended up in failure. To add insult to injury, the woman told them they will be used as scapegoats and could be arrested any minute now.
Ren felt his fortitude fall a little since it feels someone is rigging everything as a "screw you" to them.
Everyone is in such a gloomy mode… Until Morgana said Mementos, catching everyone's attention. He explained that there may be something in the depths of everyone's palace, so discovering what it is might tip everything in their favor.
All of them accept eagerly, until Morgana tells them that if by stealing Memento's treasure and collapsing it will render them unable to enter the Metaverse again, they will lose their powers. The nine pondered for a bit, they'll have to discard this way of life and wouldn't change the hearts of future criminals they'd encounter.
But they're willing to say goodbye to their powers if that means they save this country. Trevor looked quite hesitant as that also apparently meant losing the way back to his home world. However, if that meant fulfilling his duties as a hero, he is willing to sacrifice his ticket back home.
With a unanimous vote, the team decided to explore Mementos tomorrow.
Everyone went to their home and began their preparations.
While Trevor already fell asleep, Morgana and Ren are pondering about how far they've come now.
They've reminisced of how they've met at Kamoshida's Palace and all that happened ever since. Morgana admitted that at first he only saw Ren as a tool to regain his humanity, but now thinks he's awesome.
Now that they're going to have to collapse Mementos, Morgana is more resolved to pull out the job.
"I can sense Morgana's strong trust in me"
I am thou, thou art I…
Thou has turned a vow into a blood oath.
Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion and break the yoke of thy heart.
Thou hast awakened to the Ultimate secret of the Magician, granting thee infinite power…
Confidant: Morgana: Magician Arcana
Rank 10: Second Awakening
From inside Morgana, his persona, Zorro, transformed into Mercurius.
"...We should rest in preparation for tomorrow," Morgana said. Ren agrees and the two fall asleep. A great battle, not only for the Phantom Thieves, but for the whole public awaits tomorrow.
12/24
After School
The teams gaze upon the entrance of Mementos, when Fox checks out his phone, "Hey, check out the Nav" he says. The nine pull out their phones, "It's displaying an unfamiliar message" Viper commented.
"The door to the depths of Mementos has been opened. Wait, does that mean-"
"We're going to erase Mementos," Crow coldly said. "He's right, so don't freak out and bail," Morgana asserted. The team nods and heads down to explore the Palace for the last time.
However, Panther and Noir agreed that Mona's behaviour was a bit odd, but nonetheless followed the rest.
2 hours later
The team finally arrived at the new area that recently opened, and it was… nightmarish. The team saw lots of people's shadows boarding a subway train and departed. "Are they gonna be okay? I mean who knows where they're going" Viper says.
Wait, are you saying that the people who go there are choosing a life of imprisonment?" Noir wonders. "If that's the case, they'll just need a wakeup call to remember their freedom" Crow said.
The ten shook off those thoughts and kept pressing onward until they found shadow imprisoned in cells. But most shocking of all, the shadow selves of their previous targets are imprisoned in unique cells for each.
Shadow Shido took his time to explain everything that's happening to the palace. The thieves decided to keep this information in mind and press onward. While on the road, Mona reflected upon being there before and wanting to turn into a human until he got trapped in Kamoshida's Palace.
The thieves explored even more, took down shadows and talked with more imprisoned shadow selves before finally arriving at the deepest part of Mementos. They gazed upon a strange giant thing in the middle.
"The hell is that?!" Skull yells. "It appears this is our final destination… the depths of Mementos" Fox commented. "True. There are no other passages leading out of this room" Viper adds.
"This must be the treasure" Crow said, "If we get rid of it, the public should come to its senses!" Mona deduces. "Once we do that, the entire Metaverse is going to disappear, right?" Panther asks.
"Leave it for later! We don't time to worry about that now!" Skull exclaims. "Let's hurry up and destroy that thing! Everyone… give it your all!" Mona rallies them up.
The team throws their most powerful moves at the treasure of Mementos.
Joker strikes with Eigaon, Mona with Panta Rhei, Skull with Thunder Reign, Panther with Blazing Hell, Fox with Diamond Dust, Queen with Atomic Flare, Noir with Psycho Force, Crow with Laevateinn and Viper with Meigdolaon.
But those and everything they threw at it were in vain, as it simply healed itself. It didn't help that inmates at the cells kept begging to the thieves to stop attacking it.
"As long as humanity yearns for me, I will never perish" the voice ominously said before firing a giant laser at the thieves. In that moment, Mona remembered everything…
Shibuya
The team finds themselves back at the city. Ren tells them not to give up and go back to Shibuya.
Not before they could carry out their mission again, something makes them freeze in shock.
Mementos is fusing with the real world. However, only the thieves and the confidants are able to see this madness.
And as if that wasn't enough, one by one, the team disappears in pain and agony.
Morgana's last words, "The mission's a failure…" hit Ren hard as the teen disappears last…
Joker woke up in the Velvet Room.
Igor proceeded to tell him his rehabilitation was a failure and that he overestimated Ren. Following that, he gave a speech of how humanity is condemned to ruin and sentenced the Trickster to death.
Caroline and Justine berated Joker for failing and proceeded to execute him. But Joker, who feared for his teammates wasn't going to give that easily. Summoning all of his strength, he turns into his thief form.
Mad at him for still showing his rebellious spirit in spite of everything that happened, the twins unleashed all sorts of powerful attacks, which were withstood by Joker nevertheless.
This made the twins wonder if their real mission was to execute. With Joker's help, they recalled the truth: They were originally one being separated into them by an evil entity. Caroline and Justine asked Joker one last favor… Fuse them with the Guillotines.
Despite the nature of the procedure and the teen's surprise, he agreed and the girls prepared to return to their original form.
The Guillotines fall as from the result of the executions, a girl in blue dress appears.
That girl's name… is Lavenza.
After introducing herself to Joker, she confronted the Igor who's now floating before them. She called the false Igor a scoundrel whose lies will no longer have effect on anyone; Fact that was proved instantly since Joker immediately pointed his knife at the fake Igor, but the entity recognized Joker never bored him all this time.
I am thou, thou art I…
Thou has turned a vow into a blood oath.
Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion and break the yoke of thy heart.
Thou hast awakened to the Ultimate secret of the Fool, granting thee infinite power…
Confidant: Prison Master: Fool Arcana
Rank 10: Max Arcana Burst
The false Igor revealed himself as the Holy Grail that the thieves fought in the depths of Mementos and sought to make a deal with Joker. His offer was met with hostility and rejection.
The Holy Grail chuckled, mocking Joker's foolishness and challenged him and the thieves to a final battle. After it disappeared, a bright light shone in the middle of the room and the real Igor appeared.
He introduced himself to Joker and explained how the Velvet Room really worked. Lavenza encouraged Joker to find his teammates and release them, especially Goro and Trevor.
Joker nods and wastes no time in exploring the Velvet Room in his entirety.
He reaches Goro's cell and the imprisoned teen is sitting on the floor.
"I guess this is what I truly deserve…" Goro sighed, "Crow, I know you have committed crimes and I know you want to atone. But do you really want that thing to decide what and how you should do? That's not the Crow I know!" Joker yells.
Crow felt as if he just got slapped and stood up, his outfit turning into his black mask one. "You're right. I do what I want and not a shitty entity like that will define my destiny! I will fight for that even if i have to TEAR THAT FUCKING GRAIL APART!" he roars and shatters his cell's door with a kick.
"Just to be clear, you and I are still rivals, but I appreciate that we have the same goals for now" Crow adds. Joker smirks and the two proceed to find and free the rest of thieves.
After freeing the others with a rousing speech from Joker and a taunting motivation from Crow, the teens find their resolve and leave their cells, with only Viper remaining.
As soon as they reach him, the man is finished wiping some tears from his eyes. "Viper…" Joker approached him, "What's the point of anything anymore. I'm dead and probably forgotten in my world and non-existent in this one. No matter what I do, I'm always ending up causing suffering to everyone around me…" Viper sniffs.
"Are you listening to yourself?! Are you the same man who risked his life to take me out of danger in Shido's Palace?! For you to come from another world, became a member of this team and give up the moment a stupid grail locks you up in a cell only says that you have no conviction!" Crow spits at him.
Joker sighed at the rant and took the floor, "Viper, you have gone through a lot of dangerous things in this world and your home world with being a hero and a thief. I know you can get up back again, no matter how unjust life is with you. Falling is ok, giving up because of a fall is not"
Viper felt as if a cold bucket of water fell on top of him and decided to get up. His outfit turned into his phantom thief one. "You're right. No matter how dire things get, giving up will never be the answer. Whether it's here or back home, I won't give up without a fight!" Viper exclaims and leaves his cell.
"Joker… Thank you for everything. You are a hero" Viper smiled.
I am thou, thou art I…
Thou has turned a vow into a blood oath.
Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion and break the yoke of thy heart.
Thou hast awakened to the Ultimate secret of the Aeon, granting thee infinite power…
Confidant: Trevor Daniels: Aeon Arcana
Rank 10: Second Awakening
From inside Trevor, his Persona, Venomous, transformed into Shadowy Venomous. "My resolve and my power have turned into a new strength!" the man thinks.
"All right, let's go with Lavenza and Igor. They'll tell us everything" Joker said. The ten head to the true Velvet Room's attendants.
After they arrived with them, the girl began explaining how the Holy Grail was a malevolent god who wanted to send humanity into ruin. And for that purpose, he pitted two young men against each other. One was Goro Akechi, who started the distortions, and Ren Amamiya, who stood as the Trickster. But now that the two players have united, the malevolent god decided to rig the game and make his outcome the only one possible.
Crow was less than happy to learn he had been played for a fool again, and proceeded to ask the way out to kick this god's ass. Lavenza and Igor told them they were strong enough now to challenge them.
With Mona's guidance, the ten headed out of the Velvet Room and reached the city again. To their surprise, the people are beginning to recognize them again. Mona then tells them to climb the roads made of bones to head to the temple.
1 hour later
After defeating the four archangels, the thieves finally reached the Holy Grail again. They challenged him to a battle again, but this time they took into consideration the veins that keep healing him. Crow volunteered to cut the lines.
The battle rages on, everyone throws everything they've got at the grail and when it tries to heal itself again, the surprise of having the veins cut hit him worse than anything he's been hit before.
The grail boasts as being wished by the humans to be controlled. What it does next, left the team in utter shock, it transformed into a huge being known as Yaldabaoth: God of Control.
"Not in all my years of battles have I ever since something so… fucked up" Viper said.
The god attacks them with bullets made of the Seven Deadly Sins, leaving everyone on their knees. Joker refuses to give up, which the god mocks and prepares to fire the final bullet at them.
A voice is heard.
"Take it down, Phantom Thieves!" Yuuki Mishima yells at the top of his lungs. He encourages the people of the city to stop panicking and start cheering for the team, which to his surprise they immediately do.
This is followed by all of the confidants, who cheer to no end for the ten. Eventually, all of Tokio is supporting the thieves to win against Yaldabaoth.
With all of their support, Joker and Crow summon their first Persona, Arsene and Loki and turn them into behemoths of Personas.
From the skies descended a giant demon-like figure. It was so much power that all of the thieves stared in awe.
"Pillage him… Satanael!" Joker yells, "Pillage him… Metatron!" Crow yells as well.
Both of them take their guns and point at the god's head.
They fire Sinful Shell. Both bullets merge en route to their target and obliterate Yaldabaoth's head.
Recognizing defeat, the god praised Joker for being strong-willed and Crow for rebelling by his own accord.
With that, Yaldabaoth turns into a small grail which Mona touches.
The thieves find themselves back in Shibuya as Mementos disintegrates and the worlds unmerged. To the melancholy of the team, Mona begins to disappear as well. But before he was gone, he bid them farewell and asked them to stick together.
And thus, the Metaverse is gone…
Haru confirms this by checking her phone and not finding the Meta-nav.
The nine mourn for Morgana but decide to keep their head high and celebrate that they kicked ass big-time.
All of them formed hand-stacks and launched them into the air as everything has come to an end.
In the end everyone but Ren, Goro and Trevor headed to their homes and prepared for Christmas.
"Goro, thank you for everything" Ren smiled. "I don't need your thanks, but I do recognize your cooperation was satisfactory" the other teen gruffed. "You know, after all that's happened, I wonder what I'm gonna do after this. I mean, the Metaverse is gone and with it the only way to find a way back to my home"
Ren was caught off-guard by this, they never considered this. And now, maybe Trevor is stuck forever in this world. The teen felt a little guilty for this, "Don't worry Ren. I'm sure I'll know how to get around this world on my own. But for now, let me stay in Leblanc for the holidays" the man chirps.
Goro sighed at this sickeningly sweet friendship bond when he spotted Sae coming their way.
The prosecutor explained to the three how everything is back to normal and Shido is being accountable for his crimes. That's when she dropped the bomb: she requested Goro to turn himself in and confess everything that he did in order to prosecute Shido with certainty.
Ren objected and almost offered to turn himself in, by now his actions have shown that he considers Goro one of his best friends even after everything that's happened between them.
The other teen quickly stopped him and told Ren that this is the chance for him at redemption. Goro accepted Sae's request and the two leave while promising Ren that they'll see each other again.
After a long sigh, Ren and Trevor head back to Leblanc and prepare for tomorrow.
12/25
It's Christmas, and everyone got together to celebrate. Makoto kicks off the reunion with the news of Goro turning himself in to the police and confessing everything. The gang is surprised to hear this but Ren assures them this is the best for him to redeem and close this chapter in life.
All of them brought food to celebrate Christmas and suddenly… They remember Morgana, who disappeared yesterday. As they begin to mourn him again, Sojiro arrives with more food and… Morgana.
The gang is surprised but nonetheless happy to see him. He explained to them that after he disappeared, he woke up in Kichijoji and getting back on foot took him a while.
With the gang reunited, they proceeded to celebrate Christmas. Trevor took his time to think about his back home.
"Merry Christmas, Carol… and all of you back there" he whispered before joining the teens in the celebration.
The adventures of the Phantom Thieves have finally come to an end, right?
Wrong!
12/31
Evening
After having one of the best end of year parties ever (partly because his criminal record would be overturned after Shido's confession and the victim's testimony), Ren went to sleep and found himself in his prison outfit but this time he was in the former therapy room of Shujin.
What is even stranger is that as soon as he left the room, he bumped into Trevor who was shirtless but had pants with the same design as his prison outfit.
Despite trying to speak, word couldn't get out of both's mouths, so they agreed on leaving the school for now. Just as they found the exit, a voice in the intercom asked them why they're leaving. The voice recognized as they still didn't accept whatever the voice was providing, but it was willing to wait for them.
This dream could only have been a weird one and it would have ended there. But this was only the beginning of a whole new bunch of troubles for the thieves and the confidants.
1/1
Daytime
It's a brand new year! And for now, Ren and Trevor prepared to begin their day, but Morgana is nowhere to be found. The teen was invited by his gymnast friend to a shrine. Trevor offered to help out at the store.
Time passes and all customers leave, except for one boy, who reminded Trevor of Morgana.
Evening
Ren arrives at Leblanc with a confused look on his face, "What's up?" the man asks. "All of the team, they said a lot of nonsense.
Ryuji was going to hit the tracks again.
Ann was going to hang out with Shiho.
Yusuke said he was going to learn some techniques with Madarame.
Makoto was going to reunite with her sister and father.
Futaba was going to hit the new year's sales with her mom.
Haru was going to see her father.
And Morgana is nowhere to be seen.
This is kind of freaking me out" the teen was getting nervous.
Trevor served him up a cup of coffee to calm down.
"Thank you, I needed that," Ren said after taking a sip of coffee. "For now let's get you some rest. Overthinking it will only lead to trouble" Trevor said.
The teen agrees and goes to sleep while the man helps Sojiro to close for the day.
"I knew since that dream yesterday that this isn't over; We need to brace ourselves for anything" Trevor thinks as he prepares to go to sleep.
1/2
Early Morning
To say that Ren and Trevor were in for surprise was an understatement. The same guy who was a Leblanc yesterday was asleep next to Ren, who got off the bed and confronted him.
Then the bomb was dropped: That guy was Morgana turned into a human. And the day has only just begun.
Upon being summoned downstairs, they found Wakaba Isshiki, Futaba's mother, sitting alongside her. That made the teen to go officially to alert mode. To his weird relief, Goro arrived at Leblanc and asked to talk to Ren for a second, with Trevor tagging along.
When they got to the laundry, Goro proceeded to tell them how everything went down when turned himself in. But the strange thing comes to play when was acquitted of all charges and released this morning.
With all the gathered information, they decided to team-up again and get to the bottom of this. As if things couldn't get any weirder, Ren got a call from his friend Yoshizawa. She reported a palace being visible in Odaiba.
The three resolved to get there since it was more than certain that it's related to all the weirdness going on.
Odaiba
Daytime
The trio arrived and Yoshizawa greeted them. After explaining everything to her, she also stated ever since they entered the Palace in October, she felt bothered by it. The four decided to check it out.
The four venture through, defeating shadows and getting a bit creeped out by Goro's newfound joy in killing enemies.
As they continue to press forward. They encounter a video of Kasumi's father crying over a body covered in recalled this by stating that she lost her sister, Sumire, back before the new year started.
However, this made Goro suspicious and chose to keep an eye on the girl. Eventually, the four make it to an area where the ruler is waiting for them.
That ruler is none other than… Takuto Makuri, Shujin's former therapist
He reveals he is behind the altering of reality. But he did it to make everyone happy. "You must be Trevor Daniels, a.k.a., Viper, right?" the palace ruler asked the only adult of the team.
"Not making a good first impression there, Dr. Maruki" Viper readied his hook swords. "I mean you no harm, but please you must leave and accept this reality at once…" the doctor pleaded.
Despite his plea, the four refused, so he had no other choice to show something that left them speechless.
A video began to play and it showed a girl who looked exactly like Kasumi, except for the fact that she was Kasumi…
It showed how a girl ran into the traffic, only to be saved by her sister, the latter dying as a result of being hit by a car.
The video ends, and "Kasumi" is so shocked that her outfit reverts back to her civilian one. She then falls down to her knees and breaks, confessing she is actually Sumire Yoshizawa, Kasumi's younger sister.
Sumire kept blaming herself for her sister's death. Maruki took it from there and explained Sumire started attending therapy with him after Kasumi's death. Seeing how guilty the girl felt, he somehow managed to change her cognition and made her think she was Kasumi.
Though with some exceptions, everyone around the girl still addressed her as Sumire. Ren then remembers he first met the girl when he picked up her Student ID with the name Kasumi written on it.
Takuto proceeds to make his intentos clear: help everyone to end their suffering by overwriting reality. Despite his good intentions and his plan almost sounding too good, no one, especially Goro, was having any of it.
"Your intentions may be noble. Helping others to not suffer pain anymore. But what's the point of that? Giving up on freedom?
Look, life can be tough; And sometimes it will hit you hard that will make you beg for mercy. Believe me, I know that firsthand. I come from another dimension after all. But even if things look they will finish you, you gotta stand up, plant your feet to the ground and move onward.
Pain is not good, but it's one of the key masters in life to grow as a person" Viper calmly said.
Ren and Goro agreed with his speech, but Sumire just couldn't accept the harsh reality. Takuto summoned a tender drill to grab Sumire and bring her to him.
"I see you reject my reality… A shame that it had to come to force" the doctor sighs before summoning shadows to fight the trio.
"You think you can beat us with such weaklings? Wow, you really are a moron! Joker, let me and Viper handle these ones, I've got an idea" Crow smirks.
Joker accepts and Crow whispers something to Viper's ear, which he was a bit hesitant but agrees to do.
For the first time, the two activate their Showtime Attack: Allies of Justice.
The shadows are seen running through the streets when two firing shots make them look upwards. From the top of a tall building, Crow and Viper leap to their enemies with their weapons slashing them.
Viper catches the shadows with his hook swords and yells at Crow to do it. Crow nods and proceeds to go berserk on the shadows as he slashes and stabs the enemies continuously.
Viper shoots the shadows with his lasers and stomps on them as they are defeated.
"Nice" Joker whistles.
Upon seeing this, Takuto requested them to watch the reality he created and to check with their friends and return on January 9th to make their choice and then he disappeared along with Sumire.
With no other option, the trio returned to reality. They discuss having to prepare to fight him and save Sumire, but they need more intel. Goro offered himself to investigate more abnormalities while Ren and Trevor would check on the rest of the thieves and confirm Takuto's reality.
With these missions at hand, Ren and Trevor part ways from Goro and get ready to carry out their investigation.
The days passed so quickly, they couldn't believe the results of their efforts.
1/9
Daytime
Ren, Goro and Trevor rendezvoused at the Palace's entrance to finally confront Maruki.
The three get quickly to where they last encountered the doctor, who was already waiting for them there.
Upon rejecting his reality once more, Sumire woke up and begged them to not make her live again as Kasumi's killer.
With no other choice, the trio fought her. It was a one-sided battle. Between Viper's Heat Riser to power up Joker and Crow. Eventually, the fight came to an end as Sumire was too exhausted to continue.
Takuto seized this chance to grab Sumire with tender trills and make her Persona go berserk. The Persona launches a devastating attack on the trio…
Only to be blocked by someone the trio knew too well.
Skull and the rest of the thieves have arrived.
"You came!" Joker is happy to see his teammates snapped out of their hypnosis. "Is that Dr. Maruki?" Panther asks. "Ask later, fight now!" Crow yelled. They agreed and focused on Sumire.
Eventually, the Berserker Cendrillon is defeated and Sumire passes out. The thieves confront Maruki and ask him why he distorted reality. To their shock, the doctor answers them with the fact that they wished for this and he is disappointed that they rejected their wishes.
He makes his intentions clear: He won't stop with his alteration of reality and if it comes to be, he'll fight. But gives them until February 3rd to reconsider and he vanishes.
With nothing more left than to take Sumire back, the gang returns to the Real World.
Odaiba
Daytime
The eleven emerged from the Palace, where Ren proceeded to tell them what happened there.
The teens are speechless, what happened to Sumire really blew off their minds. Not wanting the conversation to drag on for too long, Goro told them they have to stop Maruki, but they need to make a good plan.
For now, everyone goes their separate ways and get ready for the new semester. Ren, Morgana, Futaba and Trevor return to Leblanc.
Leblanc
Evening
Upon arriving, Futaba asked Sojiro if he had seen her mom. His answer leaves them pained as it confirms Wakaba is no longer among the living once more.
With all that happened today, the team calls it a day and prepares for Ren to go to school tomorrow while Trevor will work at the cafe.
1/10
After School
The ten reunited in the base to discuss what they know about Maruki:
He's an adult with distorted desires. But unlike their previous targets, his desires revolve around making everyone happy with what he thinks it's the best for them.
They're struck with conflict, until Goro reminds them that accepting his reality would just mean living under his thumb, which he won't stand.
Ryuji agrees, stating even if this is what's making them happy, accepting just felt wrong so they most likely have to fight the doctor.
As if on cue, Ren's phone received a call. It was from Lavenza. She requested everyone to meet with her tomorrow on Shujin.
"Wait, how are Yusuke, Futaba, Goro and I will be able to get into the school without getting in trouble?" Trevor wonders. "Don't worry about that, I can handle that," Makoto replied calmly.
With that, the team is ready for tomorrow.
Midnight
Morgana couldn't have any sleep, it was so much that Ren and Trevor woke up.
"Are you alright, Morgana?" Ren asks, "What I did was just so lame…
I can't believe I was off having a blast while you were so busy to help us." Morgana sighs. "No worries, we understand why" Trevor assures him.
"That's why I'm going to promise you something: I'm going to stand proud on my own four feet. And I'm going to be the one to protect you, I will!" Morgana stirs determination.
With this new resolve, Morgana's Persona, Mercurius, transforms into Diego.
"Tomorrow things will become hectic so let's call it a night. Sorry for the hassle" Morgana apologizes.
"No problem" Ren and Trevor say in unison.
The three went to sleep for the rest of the night.
1/11
Lunchtime
Ren gets out to buy some food when a blue butterfly catches his and Morgana's attention. They chase it until the former therapy room. The butterfly turns into Lavenza.
"Thank you for coming," she said. "Lady Lavenza, what are you doing here?" Morgana wonders. "I can only tell you what is happening once all of your teammates get here" the girl replied.
In the meantime, she fell asleep, much to the duo's confusion.
The Shujin thieves got the room quickly, with Yusuke, Futaba, Goro and Trevor arriving later. "These clothes are a bit tight on me…" the man said as his sport uniform latched onto his muscles.
Lavenza woke up and noted everyone is here. So she proceeded with her talk.
She tells them how Maruki managed to alter reality as they know it. Lavenza explains that Maruki has altered the cognition of the masses; Which would be the result of him meddling with Mementos.
Makoto and Trevor quickly realize this kind of power is a form of "actualization" and it can only mean one thing.
Takuto Maruki is a Persona-user, just like them. When he awoke to this power is unknown but by the time Ren and others met him he already was using it although subconsciously. Haru deduced this was how he made Sumire think she was Kasumi.
And if the surprise weren't enough this is when it went downhill: Lavenza tells them that Maruki took the place of Yaldabaoth after he was defeated.
But even after that, Ryuji found it impossible for this to happen. But then Ren realized how it happened: They wished for this reality. Even when they didn't explicitly make the wish, Ann tells them Maruki knew of their wishes via his counseling.
"As much as his intentions are for us to be happy, we must put an end to this" Trevor says. "You're right! We were the ones who screwed up, so we gotta fix this!" Futaba beams.
Lavenza then continues her explanation. When the god of Control was defeated, the two worlds slowly began to undo their merging. But now that Maruki is controlling the fusion,they are returning to merge again. Should Takuto complete the merge, the worlds will become once again and no one, not even the thieves will be able to defy him.
With this in mind, the Phantom Thieves agree to infiltrate the palace, secure a route to the treasure by February 2nd. Then, on the 3rd, they will have to fight Maruki. With this plan, Lavenza wishes them the best and turns into a butterfly to leave.
But what she failed to notice is that Sumire eavesdropped the whole conversation, having deep conflicts on it. She decided to pay a visit to Leblanc that day,
After School
Trevor is done with washing the cups when the door opens. Sumire greets them as she orders a cup of coffee.
Ren takes care of it and she takes a sip. She explains the two that her memories are coming back are still a bit fuzzy. She admits that she ran away from the truth and let Maruki take care of her problem.
"Now that I returned to being Sumire, what should I do?" she asks. "You have to choose this for yourself" Ren replied a bit firm.
"You can be quite stern, senpai" Sumire chuckled. "Thank you for listening to me, senpai. You too Trevor" she adds. "You're welcome" the man smiles.
Sumire pays for her coffee and leaves.
Evening
Trevor finished working out on the ceiling. This new life as a Phantom Thief made his body even more ripped.
"Hey, Ren." he turns to the teen. "Yes?" The other asks. "If you would have fallen for this reality too, what could your wish have been?" Trevor wonders.
"...To make our access to the Metaverse last forever. I want to protect the innocent who are always preyed on by the scum of society" Ren quietly answers.
"Ren…" Morgana quips. "If you were in my world, you'd make a top-notch hero. And I'd be honored to help you achieve your dream there" Trevor chirps.
"I know that I've been wanting you guys to help me find a way back home. But after everything that happened until now, I think once I get back home I can still support you with the heists!" Trevor said.
"But until that happens, I will stay by your side… little brother" Trevor adds. Ren dropped his jaw a bit but smiled.
From inside Trevor, his Persona, Shadowy Venomous, transformed into Perfect Venomous.
"We'll infiltrate the Palace tomorrow, so let's get some sleep" Morgana comments.
The two agree and prepare for tomorrow.
1/12
After School
Leblanc
The gang discuss their moves before heading out. With their strategy complete, they head into Maruki's Palace. All arrived at the entrance and they encountered someone.
Sumire greets them and asks them to let her join. She states that she's done running away. The thieves quickly accept her into their ranks under the codename Violet and thus, Sumire has joined the battle.
They explore the Palace, beat shadows and get deeper into the place. When they're running upstairs, Oracle warns them of an ambush. All but Violet evaded them as she got surrounded by the foes.
"Violet!" Fox and Viper yell.
"Cendrillon!" Violet summons her Persona but she doesn't come out. "Her Persona!" Mona shouts, "Not on my watch!" Skull roars.
"Please, stay back!
I appreciate it, but allow me. It's time to stop being helpless! I hung my head low and took your hand… Pretending to be Kasumi was not the right way.
The weak, insecure Sumire dies today! You were the only one… the only one who stayed true to yourself! If you don't answer my call now… How else can we make our dream come true?!" Violet teared off her mask.
From a shining light, she could see Kasumi smiling at her. Then, Cendrillon appeared and accepted her call. With her reawakened Persona, she casted Makougaon on the enemies and they fell to the ground.
The gang All-out attacked them. Violet landed in front of the enemies and yelled "Game and Set!" as the foes gushed out blood.
With the enemies defeated, Violet apologized to the team for causing trouble and assures them she'll give everything she's got to stop Maruki.
"I sense a renewed resolve from Sumire…" Joker thinks.
I am thou, thou art I…
My vow stand renewed in pursuit of the truth.
In breaking free of doubt, the chain that impedes thee, is thy strength of heart made manifest.
With the rebirth of the Faith Persona, thou hast obtained the wings of blessing that shall guide to the furthest depths.
Confidant: Sumire Yoshizawa: Faith Arcana
Renewed Confidant
With this, the Phantom Thieves continue their infiltration.
3 hours later
The team finally reached a control room. After beating shadows, Oracle analized the device and the eleven caught glimpses of what appeared to be Mementos connected to this Palace, which also meant that taking them down would let them continue further since the path was blocked by thick tendrils.
They decided to call it a day for now and explore Mementos later…
And so, the days pass, the gang dives into a new area of Mementos where they find a control room that allows Maruki to study the masses' cognition and "save" them. Oracle took them down and that let them continue their infiltration.
After exhausting days in which:
Joker grew closer to Sumire (which made her Persona transform into Vanadis) but had to decline her feelings since he isn't ready for a relationship, the rest of the thief's Personas had a new awakening.
Skull's turned into William.
Panther's turned into Celestine.
Fox's turned into Gorokichi.
Queen's turned into Agnes.
Oracle's turned into Al Azif.
Noir's turned into Lucy.
Violet 's turned into Ella.
And Crow… gained a new Persona: Hereward.
The team finally secured a route to the treasure.
2/2
Evening
Trevor almost lets a dish fall to the ground when the cafe is visited by Takuto, which he reaffirms that he doesn't plan to change his stance, and reveals that Rumi is living happily in the reality he is in.
This plea makes no effect in the team's efforts to stop him. With this in mind, Ren gives him the Calling Card and Takuto leaves.
With this, the four of Leblanc nod, agreeing to give it their all tomorrow.
2/3
Daytime.
The day has come… The eleven head to the Garden of Eden of Maruki's Palace to fight him.
The battle goes on, and Maruki tries to plead once again with the eleven.
"Ren, I've seen how much you suffered with all that happened to you, to your friends and to everyone you've met. Don't you want them to be happy as well?!"
Joker just shakes his head. "I want them to be happy, yes. But with all the pain we may face in the way. Running from it won't solve it!"
"Morgana! I know how you truly feel.. and there's no need to fear your differences anymore! Don't worry… You don't have to explain anything to me. All I have to do to help you is merely imagine it!"
Mona fired back. "I don't care what Inlook like anymore! I'm always going to be myself!"
"Sakamoto! Your dream of running… Running would make life so much easier for your mother!"
"Yeah? Well, too bad for you! I'm done running away from my problems!" Skull yells.
"Takamaki! Didn't you always want to protect your friend? Don't abandon such a pure dream when it's in front of you!"
Panther tightens the grip on her whip, "We're… we're ging to keep living our lives with our own strength!"
"Kitagawa! I know you don't really want your approval to be earned through force! You want a world guided by beauty… and I can give you such a world!"
Fox glares, "I have my friends by my side in this world! I don't need another world forced upon me!"
"Niijima! Everyone has the right to wish for a happy family! You don't need to keep holding back your desires!"
Queen just sighs, "I'll fulfill my desire for a happy family… with my own power!"
"Sakura! I know you still wish for a world where you can live with your mother… My powers can help make that wish come true!"
Oracle snarks at him, "No dice! Giving into temptation with the final boss is never a good idea!"
"Okumura! Stop tormenting yourself over your father's sins! I swear, I'll give you a world you'll have every chance to succeed on your own right!"
Noir huffs, "I'm going to do that with my life, pain and all!"
"Akechi! Don't throw away your life! If you're with Amamiya and his friends, you could begin to atone for what you've done!"
Crow grits his teeth, "Enough of this high-and-mighty bullshit! You're pissing me off!"
"Yoshizawa! That pain you're suffering… It must be impossible to move on! I want to save you from that awful life!"
Violet determinedly said "I am myself! I'll never forget that again!"
"Trevor! I know you come from another dimension… And I can help you get back there before you made that experiment! Please, let me help you!"
Viper pointed his hook swords, "Preventing pain won't do any good in the long run. Getting here made me set my priorities straight. Even if I suffered several nights being away from home, I will move forward with the experience of my mistakes!"
Eventually, they defeated Azathoth and obtained Maruki's treasure, which was a golden torch.
The Palace collapses, the Metaverse is going to disappear again. With all their wishes, Mona turns into a helicopter (much to Crow's annoyance) and they escape from the Palace.
But something latches onto Mona. Maruki wasn't done yet and took the treasure. He evolved his Persona into Adam Kadmon.
With this behemoth of Persona, the thieves fight him again. None of their attacks work and he only keeps dealing devastating attacks. Everything seems lost… Until Oracle discovered his weak point.
After blocking a punch between all, Joker runs towards Adam Kadmon's head and points his gun at him. "Checkmate!" he yells before shooting.
Maruki's Persona is defeated for good, but the doctor isn't willing to give up yet. With his last strengths, he challenges Joker to a fist fight.
Dealing blows into each other, Takuto begins to break down as all of his work will be undone. He finally passes out on a collapsing bridge, only for Joker to save him as the others come in the Morgana-copter…
The Metaverse has now officially come to an end.
Odaiba
Evening
Everyone appeared back at the stadium. Well everyone except Morgana, Goro and Trevor.
"Don't tell me…" Futaba feared the worst. "Let's get to Leblanc and sort this out" Ren sighs. The rest nod and they head back.
Leblanc
The teens are greeted by Sojiro and Sae. Upon asking them for Goro, Sae reveals he's been in juvenile hall all this time after confessing and testifying against Shido. Despite their complicated relationship with Goro, this felt like a kick to the jaw.
Things were supposed to be as they were before, including Morgana's departure.
As for Trevor, Ren will find soon enough what happened to him.
The gang decides to split for now and rest.
Midnight
Ren finds himself in the Velvet Room, but this time he's no longer in his prison garb and the door of his cell is gone.
Igor calls for him. He and Lavenza proceed to tell him that everything that happened after Yaldabaoth was defeated will return to normal, including Goro's imprisonment.
"And I must assume your adult friend, Trevor, didn't return with you, correct?" Lavenza asks. Ren nods. "That is because he is here…" the girl answered and made a sign, which the man understood and emerged from the hallways.
"Hey" Trevor said softly. "Why are you here?" the teen wonders. "Well, it's kind of a long story…
After we defeated Takuto and the Metaverse disappeared, I've found myself here. Igor and Lavenza told me how things went back to normal. Igor praised me for being by your side until the very end and offered me something:
A way to go back.
Igor, who told me he had special permission to do this, opened a rift leading back to my dimension. But when I tried to cross it, it felt as if I bumped into a wall. Lavenza analyzed me and came to the conclusion that somehow the atoms present in the explosion where I lost my original powers also barred me from going back there.
Even after everything that's happened, it seems fate won't simply allow me to return home...".
Ren gives him a sympathy look, "You can always come with us…" the teen offers. "Thank you, but I have to decline this time. Ever since I got to your world I've been relying on you too many times. I wholeheartedly thank you for all the help you gave, be it being a Phantom Thief or a citizen of this world. You and your friends taught me a lot.
That's why I decided to take Igor's alternative offer… and go to another world. One that needs constant protection and my Persona will be usable at any time" Trevor finished explaining.
Ren felt a bit sunken by this declaration, but Trevor quickly gave him a goodbye hug. "I've considered you my little brother ever since the fight with Shido. And now it's time to go our separate ways. But remember, we'll always be brothers".
The teen nods and the two break the hug.
Lavenza spoke " I will give you something to you both" she said as two tarot cards descended into each's hands.
"This final arcana you both have acquired is "The World". It is the power for an individual to stand on their own two feet. Swayed by none. That power shall fuel the hope shared amongst yourself and your friends, to strive towards the bright future" Lavenza explains.
"...You were truly a remarkable guest" Igor chuckled.
"Goodbye, Ren" Trevor offers his hand. "Take care" Ren smiled and with that, the teen vanished from the Velvet Room.
Igor and Lavenza turn to Trevor. "Are you ready to face another world? This time on your own?" Igor asks. "Yes. I am ready to help that world!" Trevor shouts. "Very well" Igor chuckles and opens a rift for Trevor.
The man bids the two farewell as Igor, Lavenza and the Velvet Room begin to disappear.
And thus, Ren explained everything that happened in his dream to the other thieves, who have found Morgana roaming around Sojiro's house.
As days pass and the semester finishes, everyone decides to walk their own path and stand on their own feet.
Ren will go back to his hometown, with Morgana alongside him.
Ryuji is moving to go to a rehab facility.
Ann will study abroad.
Yusuke will stay until he finishes his painting.
Makoto and Haru will be going to college.
Futaba will attend highschool.
Sumire will keep training.
And Goro… according to Sae, he's gonna serve 2 years of probation after Shido admitted he manipulated the teen into becoming a hitman.
With these new goals, everyone is ready to face the future.
The Metaverse, the Personas and the Phantom Thieves of Hearts are officially gone for good.
At the new world Trevor is now
The man crosses the rift and enters what seems to be a meeting room. "Welcome. I was told of your arrival to this world". a person with the chair turned against the table said.
The chair turns and reveals to be a black-haired man with a calm demeanor.
"I am the personification of the country Japan, you can call me Kiku Honda as well" the man said. "I will tell you about the personification of countries later, right now we must address what we managed to deal with Igor.
It's a long story, but I've known that man for quite some time. He told us of your situation and we offered him this solution should your return to your home dimension didn't have success," Japan said.
Trevor sighed at being unable to go home but nods. "So I will be living here from now on. And what do you want me to do in return?" Trevor asks. "Since you're a Persona-user, you'll be placed in our team of defenders. This is a group composed of mostly teens who have something special called Smash Powers.
What we would like you to do is to fight alongside them and protect this world from any threats. In return, you'll be allowed to choose any nationality you want and live legally in this world and receive the payment of 5,000 Canadian Dollars or its currency equivalent to help you sustain yourself
What do you say?" Japan asks.
Trevor considered this, being a hero with his Persona skills and helping these personified countries protect this world. With the hope of still being able to return home, he accepts and signs a contract Japan gave him.
"Excellent, I'm glad to have you on our team. Let's get you started with this" Japan proceeds to give him a necklace with the Smash logo on it. "When this shines, it will mean you're needed for a mission. Always be ready for this call" the nation requests.
Trevor nods and puts on the necklace. "I believe we can start by introducing you to the other nations and your teammates, so let's get going. We have a new chapter of our lives to look forward" Japan smiles and gets up from his chair.
He suddenly stops, "One last thing. All the heroes have a country as their mentor. In your case, I'll be serving as yours, and to make you aware, I'm already mentor of two teens. I would like you to bond with them first".
Trevor is a bit confused but agrees and the two head out of the room.
With his life as Phantom Thief behind and the small hope of returning to his home world, Trevor follows Japan to meet the others in the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
But soon enough, this world, another one ridden by Despair and ten heroes from a colorful, mushroomy world, are in for the adventure of their lives, their homes and their future.
FIN
This has been the biggest one-shot I've written so far. What do you think of Laserblast's development in this story?
Trying to cover the events from Persona 5 Royal wasn't easy, but I feel good with this result.
And yes, the final words of this story are right.
The biggest advenutre for the previous heroes I've written is coming this way.
Mario X Total HetaRonpa: Dimensions of Light is happening!
A MASSIVE crossover story featuring lots of heroes, old and new!
Seven protagonists, more than one hundred heroes and one advenutre that will define the future of two worlds!
I will take a break and will be back with this last core story of the saga on March 20, but in the meantime I will reply to PM if you want to have a chat.
I hope you have a great day. Young Smasher wishes the best and will see you on spring!