From the hotel, they went to a tech company CEO's Palace before jumping into a member of congress. It was only after that when the group arrived on the familiar ground of Shido's ship. For the most part, everyone had retreated into their heads and the silence was thick within the group. Joker didn't blame them, he too took Crow's weighty words to heart. Were they doing enough as Thieves? How much more could they do? These questions were difficult and held many implications. As they stood upon the deck of Shido's ship, Joker was reminded of Naoto's words. Today was about Shido, tomorrow was the day they could ruminate on Crow's ideal justice.
"Are we ready?" Joker asked, his voice cutting through the silence.
The bleary-eyed looks he received didn't fill Joker with much confidence. Joker knew Crow's intentions were not to rattle the Thieves but to inspire them to greater deeds. That wasn't how it happened, however, as they were now questioning everything about their justice. Joker noticed however that Yu's group didn't look at him like that, they looked ready to fight. Their justice was already settled and Crow's words did nothing to move it an inch. The leader of the phantom thieves had to wonder if it was their maturity that brought things to this or if it was their bond. Internally Joker sighed to himself. This was the time in the movies where the protagonist normally gave a big speech to inspire everyone, but lengthy words were never really Joker or even Ren's thing. Yu seemed to notice his struggles and stepped forward, his friends silently followed suit, already understanding what needed to be done.
"It's not the Persona, or the skill, or even the weapons that gives someone the ability to stand against evil. It's the heart. It must be resolute, unbreakable, and strong in will. Someone that despairs in their powerlessness cannot change the whims of fate. Now if you want to stand here and question yourselves, that's your choice. The fact remains there is someone who needs a change of heart more than anyone in the city in front of us. I'll fight because my heart and determination are set. Joker, let's go and end this." Yu announced before he moved to stand behind Joker.
"I don't lack the heart!" Noir suddenly shouted. "Shido ordered my father's murder, I'll help change his heart!" Noir joined Joker.
"… Yer right man. Let's take things one at a time." Skull cracked his knuckles as he took his place next to Joker. "Let's show the biggest scum bag that even people he considers ants can topple him!"
"Ants? We are lions!" Mona puffed out his chest before he joined Joker. "Lions that hunt the corrupt."
"Justice is something we can't lose sight of, it's the fundamental base of everything we have done. If we are lacking we will just have to sharpen ourselves." Fox proclaimed taking his spot.
"This is Shido. We take him down, most people will fall… We need to take out the raid boss before we can focus on the trash mobs." Oracle announced before she stepped up to Joker.
"We have this power, we need to use it!" Ann stepped forward
"I can't afford to lose sight of the enemy before us." Queen nodded to Joker giving him a small smile meant just for him.
Joker looked towards Crow. Crow looked at the whole group but remained stationary, a look of apprehension reflecting behind his crimson tengu mask. Joker took a step towards him and held out his hand. An open invitation meaning that even if he disagreed with the Thieves, he was still one of them.
"As long as there are still Palaces, I will never lack the resolve to fight against corruption." Joker declared to Crow.
Crow shook his head as a smile played at his lips. "You are quite remarkable. Shall we face my father?"
"Together," Joker affirmed as he pulled at his bright red gloves.
Crow nodded before he joined everyone. Joker turned and looked among the large group. This was it, they were going to take down the head of all this. The road to get here had been one fought with many perils. Even today Shido had bared his will to try and keep them out, yet here they all stood ready to fight. Joker could say he was proud of everyone here. Now it was showtime and Joker wasn't going to stop until the curtains finally closed on the evil known as Masayoshi Shido.
"Let's go!" Joker call as he headed up the steps of the diet building.
There was a cheer behind him as everyone moved in sync to follow after him. Joker picked up his pace as he stepped through the main doors of the diet building. His entrance attracted the attention of several shadows. They moved to lurch forward and attack before Joker leveled his gaze at them, his determination to see an end to this game blazing in his eyes. The shadows seemed to pause to that and slowly back away. As they backed away they parted and just let him and his friends move unhindered towards the back of the ship.
After a long hallway and through the doors that required the letters of introductions the group burst into the assembly chamber. All the damage that had been done the day before during the fight with Loki and the hordes of shadows was gone. The place looked as pristine as it had been before the fight broke out. The only real difference between then and now was the fact Shido present, the treasure of a steering wheel manifested above him. He kept his back to the Thieves as they approached him not bothering to even glance in their direction. It was as if the very real threat of them being there wasn't enough to stir any feeling of fear within the man.
Pride was his weakness and by pride, he would fall.
"Hey douchebag, at least acknowledge that we're here, we ain't about to attack someone from behind… unlike you!" Kanji taunted.
Shido glanced behind him, the golden color of his eyes revealing who exactly they were talking too. He regarded the group with a sneer before he spoke. "Where did you lowlifes obtain that power? Huh… Not that it matters. If you have a complaint, I'm willing to listen." Slowly a smirk rose on his lips.
It was clear at that moment that even with 14 opponents staring him down. Shido just didn't flinch, he had a calm and arrogant attitude. As if he truly believed that he was going to come through this all just fine and still smirking. Ren hated that about him but could see a bit of Crow in that condescending look. Like father like son, the only difference was Crow was now humble and no longer drunk on power. Ren vaguely wondered how long Shido would keep that look before he realized it was over for him.
"Complaint? You dare ask us about complaints?" Crow chuckled, sounding more unstable with each laugh.
"I see my traps failed to ensnare you, no matter I'll deal with you myself in a second." Shido fully turned around.
"As if…" Crow growled and made a lunge forward but Joker quickly stopped him.
"He is your son? Why would you do this?" Naoto asked her gun sitting in low ready as her grip tightened around it.
"My son?" Shido stared, his eyes flicking to the barely contained man Joker was holding back. "I had a feeling that's who he was. He reminded me too much of that woman… I also have an idea as to why he approached me… Hoping to trap me, were you not? You're sharp, but in the end, you were just a kid. Someone I could control merely by offering praise. What an 'ace' detective. You were standing beside me all this time, yet you couldn't see through my plans."
"You…" Mona started.
Crow chuckled once again this time it rang with an even more maddening tone, something akin to someone who was slowly going mad. Then there was a flicker as his clothes changed from white to black. The change didn't last long as it snapped back to white. There was a slight struggle that ghosted over the face of the young man before Crow let out a long audible breath. Joker glanced back to his friend realizing that as Loki bucked against him, Crow just choosen calmness instead of anger. He wouldn't let Shido play with his emotions. Determination flashed behind his mask as he took a bold step forward.
"You call me the fool, yet here I stand before you right now. Everything in place to change your heart, even though we both know you're a villain that doesn't deserve a second chance. You manipulated people, you broke people, and you killed people!" Crow called out.
"Tsk.." Shido turned sliding his hands into his pockets. "Sacrifices are inevitable in the path of reform. I only require that the foolish entrust themselves to their superiors. I shall guide them."
"Sacrifices?! Is that what you call my father?" Noir sounded completely appalled.
"Ya know I'm getting really sick of this guy's mouth." Chie sneered bouncing on her feet.
"What the hell makes you think you're so much better than everyone else?!" Skull shouted.
"You never would have been able to make it this far without Crow's help!" Panther echoed behind Skull.
"He only appeared because of the expectation God held for me. Moreover.." His gaze once again settled on his son. "Do you think you would have been able to use that power properly without me? I always pointed you in the right direction, guiding your hand. Just like a father."
Out of the corner of his eye, Joker caught Yu turn and whisper something to Naoto. Whatever was said caused Naoto to nod. She shifted slightly, her shoulder squaring as Yu took his place next to her. Yu readied his sword. They knew something and were preparing for the inevitable battle on the horizon. Joker would have to ask them what it was but for now, they had Shido talking. A villain's monologue was always an important part of any hero story.
"Guiding me by using me as your pawn, might I reminded you it wasn't you who gave me these powers but another!" Crow calmly retorted before his voice sank to a low tone. "I learned nothing but madness from you."
"The 'changing of heart' that you have been doing... was nothing more than provoking the public." Shido tilted his head towards them.
"Really? He thinks we are the bad guys?" Rise didn't sound too impressed as she shook her head.
"This guy is so high off himself; I'm surprised he doesn't float away." Chie admonished.
"Yer tellin' me, don't worry we'll bring this asshole back to earth." Kanji sneered.
"How utterly selfish! You were unable to win by honest means, so you used foul tricks to ascend the political ladder." Fox's impassioned response came.
"A cruel person like you has no right to stand leading the citizens of this country. You're nothing but a criminal who rose above others by climbing a staircase of sin." Queen explained as she stepped up next to Joker.
"The life of the nation as opposed to those of a few sacrifices. There can be no comparison. The ignorant masses only care about their happiness. I am merely granting that for them. That is the social reform that only I, as the one chosen by God, can enact!" Shido turned to face them as if he was giving them some grand speech.
"God?" Yu stated his words sharp like his weapon. "The only God that answers your calls is the God of Ruin!"
"God of Ruin?" Shido chuckled as he moved up the podium to the spot the prime minster always stood. "We shall see. If it is Ruin then why was I chosen? Why are they surrendering the seat of the prime minister to me? Everyone denies the value of hard work these days. Instead, they seek to effortlessly gain wealth. Does this sound like a God of Ruin? No, this is a God of Salvation! That is why I must reestablish this mighty country. One that does not waver… One that others bow to!"
"Mighty, my ass! That's just a crooked country made by a crook!" Skull snorted.
"Yeah, I keep looking but I only see an asshole on a high horse!" Kanji called.
"We cannot let you do this. You are a disgrace to Japan! Hence, we will take your deranged heart!" Fox declared.
"Hmph. Those who disobey me must be eliminated. However… considering the betrayal of Akechi, it would be a waste to kill those who are capable. I will allow you all to choose between life or death one last time. As I see some of you aren't children, maybe an agreement could be reached. Devote your power to my social reform. I will give you anything you want, be it wealth or status."
"We decline!" Joker called out for everyone.
"You think after what you did to Crow we'd ever believe a speech like that?" Naoto shouted.
"There's no way we'd follow you!" Mona growled ears folded back.
"No matter how many times you ask, our answer's not gonna change!" Panther rallied to them all.
Shido leaned forward against the desk and shook his head. "It seems the ignorant masses are doomed to remain as such. I thought you were smarter than that. This is unfortunate, I have no choice but to eliminate all of you." He pushed up his glasses no longer looking towards those who stood to oppose him. "A small leak will sink a great ship. Great nations have fallen to such leniency. I will not make such incautious mistakes." Shido put his fist into the air, as a smirk played at the corners of his lips.
Suddenly the hall erupted into applause. The vivacious echo came from an assembly full of men with the same face on their feet clapping at Shido's words. There was even confetti tossed into the air. This was the ultimate show of someone patting themselves on the back. Just a room that was full of lifeless men appearing out of nowhere to praise a monster's ego. This was truly Masayoshi Shido refined down to its barest of essences. Pure pride.
"There are tons of them!" Mona called alarmed by the appearance of so many cognitions at once.
"Since when…!?" Queen sounded nervous, no doubt on edge from the shadow attack the day before.
"These are just cognitions, don't worry," Futaba called her voice shaky but seemed to understand something they didn't.
A chuckle rose from Shido as he put up his hands. That's when everything in the room started to shift. The ceiling opened up as the room seemed to start to close around them. Fox was the first to realize they need to jump up, with his revelation he paused to look down at the others; inspiring them to join him. With a leap closer to something supernatural, they all ascended upwards. As they reached the top, the platforms squeezed shut giving everyone ample room. This was a layout better suited for a large battle anyways.
"Let me make myself clear. Don't think of me as you might think of my foolish son, he thought betraying me will end well for him." Shido's voice called as he climbed atop a mass of golden bodies, his own body seemed to be alight in a frenzy of reddish-black fire.
"You think you can stop us?" Crow taunted as he flicked his saber.
"You little…" Skull growled
Shido spun around, his clothes completely morph into something with a far more military flare, complete with a cape. He wore a helmet of spikes that gave him a look that more honestly made him look like the penultimate villain of some shonen manga. Perhaps that was fitting seeing as how he could very well be considered their final boss, as he was the top of the tower of lies they had been fighting against. Joker felts his pulse quicken ever so slightly, this was it. The battle he had been waiting for…
"Die without further delay." Shido flipped his cape back in a dramatic show of flair as the bodies under him begun to move. They twisted and reformed to that of what appeared to be a lion.
"Some of our members have gone through some real shit 'cause of you. It's on!" Skull called pointing to Shido atop his mass of human sacrifice.
The lion gave a deafening roar before it raised its paw and slamming it on the ground. Joker threw up an arm as the shock wave from the attack caused a strong gust of wind. This thing wasn't something that was not going to be easy to take out. It was powerful and the worst thing was, it was standing between them and Shido himself. This was going to be a long grueling battle. Glancing back towards his companions, Joker felt all his apprehension melt away instantly. They had 14 strong Persona users, this was going to be hard but nothing they couldn't handle.
"There is no need for Thieves in my mighty country. Only myself and the ones who revere me are needed." Shido called from atop his mountain of bodies.
"Kingpin, Dragon, Boulder front line! Beat 'em back. Oracle buffs, Princess find a weakness. Everyone else, get into a firing line!" Joker ordered as now the battle had truly begun.
"Risking our lives to stop rotten adults. That's why we're the Phantom Thieves. This one! Defense up front line!" Futaba called, Prometheus hovering above the battlefield.
"I've been waiting for this all day." Chie grinned as she charged at the large lion.
The three adults stood square against the massive lion and unleashed hell. Personas appeared and the might Joker had felt the lion had was no match against the three monsters he had sent to the front lines. They were using just pure elemental attacks against it as the rest of the Thieves got into a straight line behind them, unhindered by the chaos happening in the front line. Lightning and ice attacks scorched the battlefield in front of them as everyone found their place, they all raised their firearms ready to blast the beast into nothing.
"Wait!" Rise's voice called leaving room for pause. "That kind of attack won't work!"
The beast let out a mighty roar far fiercer than the one he had let out at the beginning of the battle. The front line was blasted back by the sheer force of what could only be an almighty attack. They were staggered. Joker glanced at Yu as he rose to his feet, he had taken a good hit but he was far from finished. Kanji and Chie both mirrored him, no worse for wear. The smirk Kanji wore seemed to hint he was at the very least enjoying this more than anything.
"You lowlifes! I hope you understand what it means to turn your backs on me!" Shido folded his arms across his chest as he stared down at them.
"I don't wanna understand!" Oracle answered.
"… Then you all shall perish! You shall regret these foolish actions against me… in the afterlife." Shido's words had a deadly ring to them, but Joker didn't think anyone took him too seriously.
The lion leaned down low before jumping up in the air. Before the beast could land it was engulfed in a large ball of dark energy. Joker felt that wasn't a good sign. The ball dissipated as the beast unfurled a new set of golden wings, Joker's gut instinct had been indeed correct. The beast flapped its wings now out of range from the front line team, and as they shot off their elemental damage the beast just kind of shrugged it off. However, did it realize it just put itself in range for the firing line Joker had just set up?
"It changed?" Rise seemed confused as she called from behind them all.
"I will destroy you!" Shido snarled from atop his new flying beast.
"It's open to physical again! Joker!" Rise shouted.
"I got this, Haraedo-No-Okami. Dragon's fury!" Chie called out as her Persona ghosted into existence behind her.
As the Persona spun its blades, a Chinese dragon snaked its way around Joker before fading away. Joker could feel the power flow through him as everything about the world seemed a bit sharper and a bit clearer. The dragons touch affected not only him but everyone around him. Chie's multi buff spell was something Joker was pleased to have on his side.
"Get 'em!" Chie called as the lion geared up to attack the front line.
That was an order Joker was more than willing to obey. "Ready, aim, FIRE!" Joker commanded.
There was an explosion of firepower as the lion was lit up by the gunfire. Joker kept firing until his pistol slide locked back and it gave an empty click. The beast roared with agony before painfully crashing into the ground, its wings clipped in the spray of empowered bullets. It groaned but the torment wasn't over yet as now it was within the range of Yu and Kanji's physical attacks.
"Takeji Zaiten, Primal Force!" Kanji started as his Persona bared down upon the wounded totem with a powerful thrust of its sword.
"Izanagi-no-Okami, Cross Slash!" Yu finished as his Persona delivered the massive slash over the already reeling lion.
The beast collapsed into a heap upon the ground, but Shido didn't seem so impressed by its lack of will. "To think you'd manage this much! Why won't you stop resisting?! The nation I strive for… is the ultimate realization of the public's happiness!"
The lion struggled to return to its feet but instead, it was once again cloaked in dark energy. The energy shifted its mass until it took on a familiar shape. As the energy faded a pyramid replaced the lion with no Shido insight. He had completely shielded himself within this tomb of human sacrifice. This was fine, however, if Shido wanted to hide away in a tomb of his design then Joker and the rest of the Thieves were going to pillage it and send the whole thing toppling down on top of his head.
"It changed again?!" Rise sounded unsure about what their next move should be.
"The weak must be sacrificed for the sake of grand ideals! That is the natural order of this world!" Shido's voice boomed over the battlefield.
A slot opened up on the pyramid's face as a large gun barrel emerged. The hairs on the back of Joker's neck stood up as the white energy slowly begun to collect at the tip of the barrel. This wasn't going to be good. Joker took a step back, his mind reeling about the sudden clear and present danger, they needed to get out of the way of that attack.
"Oracle!" Joker called up to their eye in the sky.
"I'm on it!" Oracle's frantic voice came from the orb.
The cannon unleashed a shotgun spray of holy light directly at the whole party. Joker's eyes widened at the incoming attack before a bright neon shield appeared between them and the utter destruction the cannon wanted to bring forth. The attack was unrelenting as it blasted the shield, it cracked as a spider-like web appeared over the whole thing. But just as Shido's attack was unrelenting, Oracle's shield remained unyielding. As the attack faded, so did the shield, everyone safe thanks to Futaba's quick action.
"Got it…" Oracle panted, sounding exhausted.
Blocking an attack like that must have been taxing on Oracle's spiritual power. Joker knew they wouldn't stand a chance against another attack like that without taking heavy damage. He needed to think fast. He gazed around at his allies as they all waited for his orders before Crow collapsed to the ground holding his head with his good arm. His image flickered in and out between his normal Crow outfit and that of the black mask. Joker could only believe the battle was stirring Loki to action and Crow was fighting to keep the shadow contained. If they had to fight both Shido and Loki then the battle probably wasn't going to go the way Joker wanted. Shido was powerful and so was Loki, fighting both was going to spread them very thin. It was then Joker was stuck with a ray of inspiration.
"Oracle, return to normal duty and scan for weaknesses. Princess, you're with me! Front line, keep up the assault. Mona, move to the front line for support. The backline firing squad, protect our navigators as well as me and Crow." Joker ordered smoothly ready to put his new plan into motion.
"What are you doing Joker?" Queen questioned as Joker darted to close the gap between him and Crow.
"Princess I need a connection with Crow," Joker ordered as Rise stepped up to him and Crow.
"I'm fine," Crow growled as he staggered to his feet trying to manage the rising conflict within him.
Princess looked between Joker and Crow. "Are you sure? I don't know what will happen…" Rise cautioned.
"Do it," Joker commanded.
"Good luck!" Rise said to him before she reached out and pressed her hands to both boys.
A white light seared across Joker's vision as everything faded around him….
Ren came back to his senses in what appeared to be the velvet room jail cell, however, instead of the cobalt blue everything was drenched in a grey monochrome. Ren got up from his prison bed, robed in the standard black and white he always wore in the velvet room. As he got to the bars of his cage he noticed that aside from the pallet swap this place appeared as a vastly distorted version of the velvet room he was used to. There was no long nose man, no loli twins berating him, no desk. Instead, there was Akechi drabbed in garb similar to Ren's own on his knees standing before one of the jails cells. A powerful creature rampaged barely contained by the iron bars in front of Akechi.
Reaching out, the cell door before him swung open with a loud creaky squeak, particles of rust exploding from the moving joints of the door. Ren blinked surprised by the door opening like that. This wasn't the velvet room Ren had to silently remind himself, this was somewhere else. More importantly, he wasn't the thing this prison was meant to contain. The loud squeak drew Akechi's attention as Ren stepped out of the cell. The monster behind the bars also hesitated at his arrival. Red eyes illuminating against the dark backdrop of the cell it was contained in. Slowly a grin started to peel across the monster's face as Ren approached.
"I'd suggest staying back," Akechi warned.
"I came here to help." Ren stepped up to Akechi's, side gazing upon the beast within the cage.
"Help? What do you think you can do?" There was both trepidation and hope in Akechi's voice as he looked up to face Ren.
Ren stepped up to the cage locking eyes with the demon within. Loki reached out grabbing Ren's prison grab and pulling him uncomfortably against the bars. Ren remained unfazed as he stared the demon down, his own will on display. This shadow needed to be tamed and Ren had experience taming hundreds of Persona, now he just needed to teach Akechi how to get this unruly one in control. Loki snorted, releasing Ren shifting back into the darkest part of its cell; like a wild animal that just met its better.
"It backed off…" Akechi slowly got to his feet.
As soon as Akechi rose, Loki surged forward lashing out against the bars. It slammed at the cell with its blade, snarling like a feral beast seeing its prey. Meekly Akechi took a step back, eyes flashing with concern. Even though Ren was right next to the cell and within striking distance, Loki's sole focus was on Akechi. Ren glanced between the two realizing that Akechi's meekness was probably provoking Loki. A spark rippled against the sea of souls Ren held, as a familiar mask darted to the top of Ren's conscious.
"They are two opposites shackled together." Arsene's rich voice echoed behind Ren as he felt the Persona ghost to life behind him, accompanied by the soft rattle of chains. "Loki wants chaos, he wants destruction. Akechi's heart just wants peace."
"It spoke!" Akechi sounded flabbergasted by Arsene speaking.
"Of course they speak, they are part of us. You've never heard their words?" Ren asked as he glanced towards Arsene behind him.
"We speak but he never listens anymore." Came the sinister voice of Loki from the caged cell. His voice sounded like a double-layered recording, two different pitches synced in unnatural rhythm. "He won't bring us our promised chaos! Kill this man you soft-hearted fool, you almost did once! Finish the job!"
"What are you?" Ren asked the caged shadow.
"Us? Chaos? Order? A servant." Loki grinned as it slid its sword across the bars of the cage creating a chorus of clangs.
"A servant of who?" Ren pressed.
Loki just chuckled unwilling to answer. Akechi glared at the shadow contained in the cell. "You're a monster that's what you are. Why would I listen to you when all you want is for me to kill those around me?!"
Loki thrust his sword between the bars towards Akechi. Akechi stumbled back to get out the attack range of the sudden attack. The blade halted only an inch from his chest as Loki struggled to thrust it the remaining space it needed to pierce his user. Akechi stood there staring in the direction of the shadow clearly in a small state of shock. Loki gave a few more errant slashes in the air before he retracted the blade back into the cell. Once again Loki sank back into the darkness of the cell. Only it's red glowing eyes and the warm hot glow if it's sword giving away its exact location.
"Loki can't reveal his true nature, he is shackled to silence by another," Arsene informed Ren.
"Is there a way to free him from that?" Ren looked towards his most trusted Persona
"Perhaps, but you don't hold the power to do so." Arsene's words lingered as the masked figure turned its attention to Akechi.
That made sense. Akechi needed to be the one to tame Loki. This Akechi was far too meek to ever stand a chance against the deranged Persona, but Ren knew there was more to Goro Akechi than the meek man that stood before him. He had seen Akechi's confidence and fearlessness and his side still ached from meeting that side of Akechi. Come to think of it his side didn't ache here and Akechi was using his bad arm like it was nothing. This area must have transcended their physical bodies. It was a small thing, but one Ren was thankful for.
"Stop this Akechi," Ren commanded.
No response as Akechi stared into the darkness of the cell and his personal demon.
"Goro!" Ren barked using his given name instead of his surname.
That worked as Akechi's gaze snapped to Ren. "You called me Goro…" The surprise seemed to strike him almost as if Ren had physically hit him.
"That is your name," Ren replied.
"No one my age calls me by it…" Akechi was quick to respond.
"Everyone calls him Akechi, he is so upset only adults call him Goro. Boohoo, poor little murdering bastard." Loki echoed from the cell followed by a deep chuckle.
"Shut up!" Akechi snapped, a flicker of anger appearing in his eyes.
That sudden spark Akechi had, that's exactly what Ren was looking for. If he could bring out more of that then maybe taming Loki would be possible. The real question was how? He needed Akechi riled but not overcome with rage without making him hate Ren. Ren didn't want to test it but they were currently connected, getting Akechi mad at him could potentially disrupt that. If he lost the connection now that could mean everyone would be fighting both father and son.
"Do you want to be called Goro?" Ren offered.
"I..." Akechi opened his mouth but quickly closed it. "Yes, that would be nice."
Ren smiled at his friend and extended a hand. "Goro then."
Akechi took Ren's hand and pulled himself to his feet, a warm smile tugging at his lips. "Thanks…"
"Don't thank me yet," Ren turned to face the shadow contained as it started to pace back and forth within the cell. "You're going to tame this shadow and turn it into a Persona, and I'm going to help you."
"How?" There was an eagerness to Goro's voice, it was clear he was desperate for a solution to this demon he shared his heart with.
"I am here as well," Arsene commented as it swept its hand along its wing in a dramatic flourish akin to a blowing cape.
Ren turned and looked at the cage. Loki crept forward against his containment, non-sword hand coming up to curl around the bars. Just as before a grin split his face as sharp jagged red teeth suddenly became visible in the dim light of the jailhouse. The shadow seemed to realize at the very least understand something was going to change. Even Ren was hesitant about what he was about to do, but it needed to happen if he was going to truly save Goro from the darkest parts of his soul.
"You need to release him," Ren instructed.
"Are you mad?!" Goro asked taking a step back from Ren shocked.
"Yes release us… We yearn to tear at flesh… His flesh." Loki cackled.
"Goro, look I need you to channel some of that person you were before we changed your heart. I need that cocky, manipulative bastard back. I know he still lives in you." Ren explained.
Akechi pinned Ren with an uncertain stare, but behind it, Ren could see some gears turning in Goro's head. Goro narrowed his gaze all of a sudden as something seemed to bubble up inside him. Ren nodded to his friend with an encouraging nod. Akechi let out a long breath before slight changes in his demeanor showed he was reverting. He stood up straight and once again took up the mantle of charismatic confidence. That confidence that made the media take a liking to him. His eyes sharpened, no longer a window to the deep sorrow that filled his soul, but the look of a man that could read you just as easily as talking to you.
"Good, now remember Loki is your shadow, it's not the other way around. Have that confidence when facing him." Ren told his friend.
Ren had never met a shadow-like Loki before. He was an oddity by far. The thing was though, Ren understood Personas and the process of turning shadows into one. Negotiation was how he normally converted shadows into usable Persona but fear and intimidation also worked. Loki seemed the type that needed to learn its place before it bade itself back to Goro's service. It was a risky move, but Ren had a gut feeling that this all was going to work.
"Alright." Goro nodded his eyes settling on the animal locked in the cage.
"That's right. Arsene, let Loki out." Ren told his Persona
The Persona obliged as it stepped up to the cage. With what appeared to be an ungodly amount of strength, Arsene grabbed the bars and ripped them from the wall. This was a cognition, within another cognition, so maybe Ren shouldn't be so surprised but still, it was a bit startling to watch Arsene just casually toss the mangled pieces of jail aside as if it was nothing. At least it was effective Ren silent told himself, as his eyes shifted towards the now freed occupant of the cell.
Now freed, Loki strode forward standing up to his full height. The sound of Loki's hooved feet against the flat stone of the jail's stone floor was the only sound for several seconds as he stepped up to Goro. For his part, Akechi didn't move as the black and white Persona walked towards him. He held his ground if anything he looked rather unimpressed by the whole affair. Loki raised his sword to bring it down in a decapitating slice right at Goro's neck. Goro was quicker as he raised his arm and took the full brunt of the blow to it. He slid a bit but for the most part, remained firm in his place. Goro had a white glow to him as if Lancelot was stepping in to protect Akechi from the rogue shadow's assaults.
"You have forgotten who serves who here." Goro's voice took a dark turn.
Loki hesitated, taking a step back. "We don't serve you! We.."
The Persona's words were cut off as Goro's fist slammed into its chest. The Persona was slightly knocked back, a large crack appearing on the strange dazzle camouflage pattern across its chest. Retreating another step, Loki raised its blade. This time in a more defensive manner. It was spooked by Goro's confidence and wasn't sure how to act. Even Ren was surprised but had a feeling Goro was on the right track.
"Let's start again. Shall we?" Goro smoothly stated as he brushed off the sleeve of his outfit that had taken Loki's blow. "I am your master."
"We serve a higher…" Again Loki wasn't able to continue as it was forced to the ground as Goro swept its legs out from under it.
Loki fell over with all the grace of a downed giraffe, more cracks forming over its body. It fell hard upon the stone floor, it's sword lost in the assault. The blade slid across the ground coming to a stop at Ren's feet. With a smirk, Ren stepped over it placing himself between the weapon and the shadow. Watching the struggles of a Persona that had been tormenting Goro for so long suddenly getting a taste of his own medicine… There was something about that was strangely refreshing to Ren, and he had to wonder if the roles had been reversed how evil he could have easily become. Then again Arsene was Ren's personal Persona. A man that took to the wrong side of the law to go against men who were far more evil than himself. The truth was Ren had no problems when the ends justify the means. As long as those means created more good. This was probably the main difference that separated him from someone like Yu Narukami.
Goro reached down grabbing Loki's horns, forcing the Persona to look at him. "We can repeat this lesson as many times as we need to."
Loki growled, flashing its sharp red teeth as it did so. Akechi gave a long sigh at the shadow's inability to respond properly. Looking away, Akechi reached down and snapped off the horn. A howl of pain echoed from the shadow as it quickly moved to get away from Goro. It scuttled across the floor until it was against the wall, holding a hand over where the horn had been. Small fractures like the one across the shadow's chest appeared to spider-web across its face. Akechi threw aside the piece of horn, his eyes fixed upon Loki with an emotionless stare.
"I… We… Noo…" Loki struggled, his voice's two distant pitches no longer speaking in harmony.
Loki's hand turned to grip at his head as he howled with pain. As soon as he moved his hand from his broken horn, Ren caught something underneath. There was an eye there, not the dark glowing slit of an eye, but an actual eye. It was as if the black and white décor of the Persona was just a shell and hiding inside was something more, something different. Akechi was breaking off the casing and exposing something underneath.
"What's going on?" Goro directed his question towards Ren, believing the man who managed multiple Persona would have the answer.
"I dunno… but it seems to be working." Ren encouraged.
Akechi nodded returning his attention to the shadow that huddled against the wall. The shadow shifted, looking for a clear escape. Having locked up and executed multiple Persona by now, Ren wondered if he should feel something towards the frightened shadow. This was a beast that caused Akechi an untold amount of pain and trouble from what he understood, yet here it was looking more akin to a wounded animal than Goro's tormentor. Ren couldn't bring himself to feel anything and he didn't know if that was a good or a bad thing. Arsene had remained silent through this and Ren had to wonder what the Persona thought of the whole situation.
Ren switched his vision to watch Akechi with a passive glance. The detective prince stepped up to the shadow and proceeded to thrust his hands into the cracks that now covered most of its black and white body. A yelp of pain escaped the shadow, it was sharp like the sound a tiny dog might make if it was kicked. Akechi ripped back his arm pulling off a large piece of the black and white shell, tossing it aside just as he had done the horn. The Persona shook and shuttered as more cracks begun to appear along the outside of the shell. Akechi kept at it pulling things off until a new Persona emerged from the hull of the former one.
The shadow rose to its feet as the last remaining bits fell off it. It looked completely different as an ashen skinned human now stood before Akechi. It also felt different, the shadow before felt like chaos incarnate whereas this one felt more controlled. Long blonde hair draped from its head as it wore a purple outfit with various square accents. Two wings jutted out from its back at odd angles that it flexed slightly as it stood up.
"Free at last…" The shadow laughed, its voice no longer two-toned. It was then Ren noticed the strange red marking across the right side of its face. "I am Loki. The real Loki."
"The real one?" Goro took a step back, some of that cocky confidence fading but not all of it leaving.
"You have broken Loki free from the bonds of silence that held it," Arsene informed everyone.
"Speaking of which." Loki turned his attention to the discarded pieces of shell and held out his hands freezing them. As he did this the pieces burned away via dark flame. "That which held me holds me no more, nor will it ever again."
"What was holding you?" Goro asked.
"The lord of control." Loki scoffed.
"The who?" Akechi pressed trying to get more information.
"That is all I know, for my knowledge doesn't extend much beyond your own. I am you after all." Loki glanced towards Arsene and Ren then back at Goro. "We have a battle before us do we not? I shall lend you my power from now on. Please feel free to combine it with Arsene's."
"I have so many questions… but you are right. Ren, we have to get back." Goro turned to Ren.
"Yeah, Arsene will you combine your powers with this new Loki?" Ren asked.
"It's my duty. Together we shall grant you the power Hell's Frozen Rain. Now return both of you to the battlefield." Arsene said his voice fading with each word.
I decided to cut it here. Both chapters are finished but I'll post the second one tomorrow. Hopefully, you like this one. Please let me know if you liked it.