December 25, Christmas.
It had been a great day.
Rise had hosted a Christmas party for everyone and they had spent the day in merriment; partying, dancing, and overall just enjoying everyone's company. Currently, the Phantom Thieves were playing card games in the living room using cookies and Christmas candy as betting chips in their surgery game of poker. While Yu's baking game wasn't on par with those famous chefs on TV, that didn't mean he couldn't bake a mean sugar cookie. As far as decorating went, that was something Rise was allowed to do in the kitchen. No doubt the sugar rush was going to last another hour or two before everyone crashed and burned. That was okay though. There was enough space for all the teenagers to sleep over for the night. Extra futons and sleeping bags had been brought. This was a party, after all, it was meant to go on way past the time the last trains stopped.
Ren stepped away from the large table of cards. The former leader of the Phantom Thieves was many things. Sadly card games were not one of those things. Sure he had a good poker face, but that was all he had going for him. Wild card or not, cards were just not his game. Shogi was more his speed. Futaba was currently sitting on a mound of candy as Ren had a feeling she was somehow counting cards and Makoto wasn't doing so badly either. The rest of the Thieves were at various levels of slowly losing.
Leaving the table, Ren grabbed his coat from the back of a chair and moved towards the large glass door that sat at the back of the living room. The ruckus of his friends echoed behind him as he stepped onto the condo's balcony and closed the door behind him. Light snow had fallen yesterday and now it was accompanied by more snow. It was blanketing Tokyo in whiteness but would probably be gone in a few days. At least it was a white Christmas.
Ren pulled his coat on to keep the chill of the cold winter air at bay. The sun had set an hour ago as the lights of Tokyo illuminated the snowy night into a beautiful scene. Since the setting of the sun, the air had taken on a biting cold that could nip deeply at you without the protection of a coat. Pulling out his scarf and buttoning up his coat insured Ren wouldn't need to worry about the dropping temperature and could remain comfortable despite the chilly conditions. Ren leaned against the rail of the balcony glancing at the other occupant.
Yu was staring out into the Tokyo night, his eyes seemed to hold an almost empty look. As if he was simply starting off, but in reality, he had retreated into his own mind some time ago. As Ren moved to his side the older man seemed to be pulled from his pondering and turned to his younger companion. Yu acknowledged his younger companion with a curt nod before his eyes seemed to travel back out into the vastness of the Tokyo cityscape
Ren didn't feel the need to sully the moment with empty words. He turned his attention towards the landscape that was drawing Yu's gaze. The city now blanketed in the snow had been transformed into a beautiful snowy wonderland and from the balcony, you could see fairly far. The sounds of the city below were dulled. It would seem because of the holiday the normal city noise had been reduced to almost silence, as most people were with people they cared about. No wonder why Yu had come out here, this place was the perfect place to stop and reflect in the near silence.
Ren figured he'd follow his mentor's idea. These last few days had been extremely normal as far as his life had been concerned. He had gone to school just like a normal high school student. Went to bed at a normal time. Hung out with his friends like a typical high school student. There was no longer any impending doom lingering over his head or another heart that needed to be stolen. Everything was just... normal.
In the aftermath of the fight, life had gone on as if nothing had happened. Aigis stuck around for a few days to help Naoto and Yu with reports before she left. Her duty complete, she was going to meet up with Labrys, and the two of them were going to check on some things. Now that the world had been confirmed to be remade there were still somethings that needed to be investigated. The exact details were kind of vague, but that was okay. Ren wasn't a shadow operative, he didn't need to know the details.
Ken was allowed to return to Tatsumi Port Island and Gekkoukan High School. He, however, declined and decided to stay in Tokyo. He was currently living in a small apartment not too far from Shujin. Mitsuru was curious about his change of heart to stay in Tokyo, but it was clear he had become quite smitten with a certain beauty thief. Young love… It was adorable. Now that he was staying here in Tokyo he had been welcomed into the group and was just another member when they all hung out. His adoption into the group meant Koromaru also came with. Which was something Morgana seemed to enjoy.
Morgana had been found a few days after the fight. He was apparently a bit embarrassed after making his grand good-bye just to reappear so soon once the fight was over. The thing was, he didn't like being a stray cat in Tokyo. He preferred the finer things, like a warm bed to sleep in. He was quickly accepted back into the fold of the Thieves and was currently sitting in the front room with the rest of the Thieves on Futaba's lap. After it had been confirmed that he was alive; Mitsuru extended him an invite into the Shadow Operatives, giving him a new purpose. Morgana was hesitant at first since joining meant he would have to leave behind his teenage companions but eventually accepted. Mitsuru had the location of Elizabeth (the errant velvet room attendant) and Morgana was planned to head to her location to meet her in a few days. As a fellow creation of Igor, it was hoped the two would get along well.
As for Yosuke and Kanji; both had already departed back to Inaba after the events of the battle. With the holiday season in full swing, Yosuke was happily welcomed back to his job at Junes. He seemed to have different plans for his future, never the less he accepted his old job back only to train in a replacement. From then on, every weekend he started to work at the Amagi Inn. Yukiko's dad wanted to retire in a few years and seemed to think Yukiko's boyfriend was going to be his perfect replacement. Yosuke with his hard-working attitude would no doubt be helping Yukiko run the Inn by themselves by then. There was going to be a third marriage in the future, however, Yosuke was probably a year or so from proposing.
As for Kanji, his mom had bravely managed the Textile shop without him, but working 7 days a week wasn't something a woman her age should manage all on her own. Kanji returned to Inaba to give his mom a much-needed break and also to work on a new line of small knitted animals for the shop. When he wasn't working, he was also staying at Naoto's estate to make sure everything was running smoothly there. A week ago a pipe had burst and if Kanji hadn't been there it would have been bad. Luckily Kanji, in his manliness, got it cleaned up and fixed. Something that took some stress off Naoto's shoulders for sure.
Goro had turned himself in to the police and Shido's organization was making international news. Every day they managed to flush out another rat from the organization as the news gleefully reported every arrest in detail. So far Goro's name had been kept out of the news. No doubt to give him a bit of protection but it was more than likely those in Shido's organization already knew he was the one dismantling everything Shido had built. The arrest stretched far and wide as the net closed in around those who supported Shido since even those in power weren't safe. Rats will flee a sinking ship, but Sae Niijima seemed determined to rid the world of rats. Her ruthlessness in pursuing this case was earning her idol status in the news. A call to promote her to the new leader of the SIU was going around the police circles and would probably happen within the following year.
As for the adults. Yu and Naoto decided to extend their stay in Tokyo until the end of the year. The fact that they were both staying at Rise's condo wasn't that big of a deal. They had been helping Sae Niijima behind the scenes whenever possible, as their affiliation with the shadow operatives demanded a bit of secrecy in their actions and behavior. Sae was happy for the dependable help and kept their names and affiliation quiet whenever possible. Now that the case had been going for two weeks there were only a few people left to apprehend and the workload of helping Sae was starting to ease. Good timing because in a few days they would be heading off to meet up with Aigis and Labrys for another mission.
Rise had been busy finishing up her Christmas and newest single. Her touring schedule was due to start a few days after Naoto and Yu were to head off. Her newest single still needed a bit of polish before it was going to be fully released but the Idol had plans to perform it at her next concert which was going to be January 6th over in Kyoto. The tour was set to last for the next six months as Rise wasn't just performing in Japan, but also Korea and some parts of China. It looked to be a busy next few months, but she was going to use the time on the road to figure out what she wanted to do with her newly acquired tofu shop. Rise's grandmother had offered to run it for a little while longer until Rise had come to a conclusion what she wanted to do with it. Rise had told the old woman to just retire and that she'll figure it out after the tour, but her Grandmother's stubbornness had won out so Yu and his friends offered to help the old woman when possible.
As for the Phantom Thieves themselves. They were truly back to being ordinary high school students just in time for their exams and had been busy the last two weeks preparing for them. Makoto was quite serious about everyone passing the exams and had been a serious task master towards her younger classman. Because Ren had missed almost a month of school, he had the most to make up. The effort appeared to pay off as even Ryuji seemed to do well on the tests. Or so they thought. The results wouldn't be out until everyone returned back to school.
Among the group, a new dynamic had started. Ren was able to take a step back from being their leader allowing him to just be another member. If anything that made his relationship with all of them even better. Along with this change, other things were shifting. Ryuji had asked Ann out that night after the fight. They had been dating ever since. With Haru and Ken also dating you'd think it would become a bit awkward for Yusuke and Futaba but if it was no one ever seemed to see it. The group was far more bonded than that.
Ren reached up to run his hand through his hair before glancing back through the glass doors and at his friends surrounding the table. They were mostly smiling as it looked as if the game had started to heat up in his absence. Futaba was missing a considerable pile of her sweets and Ann was standing over the table with a triumphant smirk on her face. He didn't need to be in the room to understand what was happening. His friend's body language told the whole story out to him. Ann apparently pulled one against Futaba and everyone was pleased to see the former navigator get handed for once in the game. Futaba only had an easy smirk on her face as if she believed it was no big deal she had lost and was already planning on how to earn everything back.
Ren couldn't keep the smirk off his face as he looked at them through the window. The whole moment could be summed up as the reason why Ren had fought in the first place. He fought so everyone could have wholesome moments like this. Not just him and his friends, but the world as a whole. The world was a better place because they chose to fight; no matter what the Holy Grail believed. Ren could only hope it would stay this way forever. But if he ever needed to fight again, he knew this world was worth the struggle.
"So…" Yu's voice broke Ren out of his pondering.
Ren glanced towards Yu. The older man had a pensive look on his face as his arms sat folded across his chest. The deepness of his gaze spoke to the volumes that seemed to be on his mind. Ren could tell just how much Yu had on his mind. He had been working hard to end Shido's reign of corruption, but Ren got the feeling that wasn't at all what was on the other man's mind.
"Are you gonna stop calling me Senpai now?" Yu asked.
"Why do you hate being called Senpai so much?" Ren countered with a slight tilt of his head.
"I like being on even ground with people. Senpai infers we aren't on equal ground, and Ren we are definitely on equal ground. You did it… You stopped ruin and beat down a god. As far as I'm concerned you and me we are equals." Yu explained before sighing. "Plus only Rise gets to call me that."
Ren gave a light chuckle. "It's that simple?"
"Don't be a wise ass. Of course, it's that simple." Yu rolled his eyes.
"Alright then… Yu…" Ren tested out the word, putting emphasis on it.
"See it's not hard," Yu commented dully.
Ren leaned back against the railing and glanced out at Tokyo. "So this is how it ends? A bang then everyone forgets."
Yu also looked out across the cityscape again. "To those who know, you are a hero. To those that don't, you're nobody. So few actually know. There is no doubt your actions affected the outcome though. The proof is right before you." Yu motioned out across the world in front of them before he rolled his shoulders and stretched. "So do you want to join the Shadow Operatives?"
Ren glanced at Yu out of the corner of his eyes. "Not yet. I feel I earned myself some time to just be a normal high school student. Ask me again in two years…"
Yu nodded. "I'll hold you to that. Speaking of which, come with me."
Yu turned and headed back into the condo. Curious, Ren followed a few stepped behind. There was silence from the poker table, as everyone held their cards. A tense moment more as who had been the dealer that night asked the table what they wanted to do. Ren didn't get to see the conclusion of the hands before he followed Yu through the living room and into the office. Naoto was sitting behind the desk, the sound of her fingers striking the keys filled the office.
"You know Shirogane, it's a holiday. You should take the night off. The work will still be here in the morning," Yu commented to his partner as he moved to one of the file cabinets in the office.
Naoto commented towards Yu without looking away from her computer screen. "I did the party thing Narukami!"
"Holiday Shirogane, no work," Yu commented.
Ren watched as Yu pulled away from the file cabinet and leaned over Naoto to look and type something on the laptop she was currently working on. Naoto gave a huff of seeming indignation as Yu paused to read the screen. Yu shook his head before closing the laptop and picking it up. Naoto quickly seemed to realize what her partner was doing and scrambled to try and retrieve the laptop. However, Yu was quicker and held the laptop out of her reach. As Yu held the electronic device above his head it made the almost foot height difference between the two almost comically exaggerated.
"I'm taking this!" Yu dryly stated.
"No you're not Narukami," Naoto glared up at him.
"Ren, do me a favor and keep Naoto here. I gotta go hide this." Yu stated as he stared Naoto in the eyes.
"What makes you think he can keep me here?" Naoto smugly asked.
Ren gave Naoto a classic Joker smirk, "Is that a challenge?"
Yu scooted past Ren leaving him alone with the irate detective. Ren stepped fully in the doorway to block Naoto's chance of following Yu. Naoto seemed to be weighing her options as she stood by her desk. Ren leaned against the door frame to the office and just watched her with a smirk firmly in place. After a few tense moments, the Shadow Operative seemed to give up and move to sit in her computer chair.
"Are you amenable to bribes?" Naoto asked as she leaned forward over the desk and folded her hands.
"You'd actually bribe someone to continue to work?" Ren raised a brow. "You do realize how that sounds?"
Naoto sighed. "Yes…" Naoto looked forlorn for a moment before she shook her head. "May I ask you a question?"
"I think I'm more amenable to that," Ren replied.
Naoto nodded, "Why did you want to save Goro-kun? By all accounts, he wanted you dead and I wouldn't have blamed you for holding a grudge against him. He tried to assassinate you after all."
Ren paused at the question. He should have expected it sooner or later. The truth was that he had honestly expected Goro to ask, not Naoto. Taking a second to think of a proper answer, Ren stepped deeper into the room.
Taking a seat across the desk from Naoto, Ren simply shrugged. "I never really put much thought into it, to be honest. Something just told me that he was a better ally than an enemy so when you said you planned on trying to save him I decided then to just go with it."
Naoto just nodded as if she was expecting that answer. Ren wouldn't have been surprised if she had been, Naoto was sharp like that. It was at that moment that Yu stepped back into the room. He was minus one laptop but had a firm smug look on his face. Clearly, he was confident that where ever he hid the electronic device was a good enough hiding spot to keep his partner from finding it. Naoto looked up at Yu, her gaze darkening.
"Where is it Narukami," Naoto stated darkly and dryly.
Yu only grinned at his partner, "If you can find it you can have it back, but I ain't gonna tell you. Rise is gonna put on a Christmas movie soon, go be social and relax."
Naoto's look softened as she sighed and got up from the desk, "Fine…" She sounded a bit defeated. "By the way…" Naoto paused. "You know what? It can wait until tomorrow."
Naoto moved past Yu and out the door. Yu watched her go seemingly content in the fact he had stopped her from working again. Once Naoto disappeared, Yu turned his attention back to the file cabinet in the corner. Ren watched his friend from his location sitting behind the desk. After a moment or two of rummaging, Yu pulled back and handed something to Ren. A fuzzy animal that appeared to be one of Kanji's creations was a keychain to a set of keys. Three keys. All different colors were attached to the key chain.
"Rise and I weren't lying when we said the condo was always open to you. As long as you don't make any big messes you're welcome for as long as you want. But you're a good kid so I doubt that'll ever be a problem. My house key is also there. If you ever find yourself in Inaba give me a heads up. My house is the green one, the condo is key is pink, and the black one will get you in the door downstairs should the guard not be stationed outside." Yu explained pointing to the keys.
Ren looked down at the set of keys he was just given. "You're serious about this?"
Yu nodded. "Why wouldn't I be? You are one of the people I trust. Also if you plan on trying to get back here to Tokyo as many times as you can you're gonna need a place to stay. Plus you'll need a place to stay for college… We don't even mind if you bring your girlfriend or any of your friends. Like I said just pick up after yourself and the door will always be open."
Ren stared down at the keys in his hand before closing his hand around them, gripping them tightly. These were a far more valuable gift than they would appear to anyone else for this was the answer he had been seeking to stay close to his friends. His mind starting spinning with the sudden possibilities this gift brought him. He could be free from his parents and live here in Tokyo. The world had once again opened for him as opportunities now seemed within reach. There was still work to do, but this was a step in the right direction.
"Th-thank you." Ren stuttered, smiling with a tear running down his cheek.
"My pleasure," Yu nodded. "Now come on. Let's go have a Merry Christmas."
July 25
6 months later….
Goro stared up at the incandescent lights that illuminated his tiny jail cell. For the past three months, this was his view and it was one he would probably have for the rest of his life. Not that he didn't deserve it. He had done some horrible things and this was him making amends for it. Most of Shido's men were locked up because of his actions whereas the man himself sat in a grave no one would ever visit. The ire of the public once his crimes came to light would see to that. The verdict was still up in the air since the criminal justice system was notorious for being slow. Goro just wanted it to be done and over with even though his lawyer was always looking for a plea deal. Guilt for his crimes weighed heavily on his mind, but the chance to breathe free air again made him let his lawyer continue to fight for him. Whether he deserved that second chance at freedom or not was up to the courts to decide.
"Get up," A curt voice said.
Goro looked to his left to see Officer Kuronagi standing at the door to his cell. While he had been in prison, Goro had gotten to know the old warden. He was a hard gruff man, constantly dealing with people who wanted to use him to cheat the system. However, Goro had been nothing short of a model prisoner since he arrived. Because of that, he had warmed up to the young man.
Getting up, Goro glanced towards the clock just outside of his cell door. As far as Goro knew he wasn't scheduled for anything for another few hours. Something different was happening from the overbearingly strict prison schedule. The former detective prince didn't know what to make of that as Officer Kuronagi opened up his cell door and tossed a canvas bag at him.
"Pack up Akechi. You're getting out," Kuronagi announced.
"Getting out? Did something happen with my case?" Goro asked as he got to his feet.
"Nah, you've been pardoned and absolved of all crimes," Kuronagi informed him. "Now grab your stuff so we can finish your discharge papers and get you out of here."
Goro didn't know what to make of this change of events, still, he did as he was instructed and got ready to go. After some paperwork and being given back the set of clothes he had been brought in with. After changing into his clothes, which were a looser fit than when he had first arrived, Akechi was a free man once again. Officer Kuronagi escorted him out of the building where he savored his first breath of free air in a long while.
A large black limo was parked at the front of the building where, as soon as he stepped onto the curb, the door opened. For a second Goro had to pause as doubt started to creep into his gut. An idea that this was all just an elaborate plot for one of Shido's remaining crones to get him came to mind, causing Goro to take a defensive stance. However, a familiar face stepped out.
"Goro Akechi?" Aigis asked.
"Aigis?" Goro's shock was clear as day in his voice.
"Get in. My employer has matters they wish to discuss with you," Aigis informed Goro. "Forgive Naoto-san. She wanted to be here to pick you up, but was unable because of current circumstances."
"Is something going on?" Goro suddenly felt a whole new kind of dread.
"I assure you she is perfectly healthy. She is currently attending to a matter at Tatsumi Port Island with the rest of my team and her partner. You'll be able to see her soon. Now... please get in," Aigis said curtly.
"…..Sure," Goro nodded.
The inside of the limo was nowhere near what Goro was expecting. The whole inside looked more like a command center than a luxury vehicle. A large screen in the middle was displaying some information about a location he had no clue about. Besides himself and Aigis, who got in after him, there was one other occupant in the limo. A woman with an aura of respect and command about her. Goro took a seat next to the door as this woman's fierce eyes fixed upon him, sizing him up in some way.
She brushed back a lock of dark red hair before she spoke. "Good day Goro Akechi," Her voice had a professional tone to it. "This would be the first time we have met in person, but I am Mitsuru Kirijo."
Mitsuru Kirijo. Now his current situation started to make sense. She was the leader of the shadow operatives as well as Naoto and Yu's boss. He had been around when Naoto had fielded calls from her and always got the impression she was an all work no play kind of person. Now seeing her in person those words seemed to ring true. But there were still so many questions. Like why was she here picking him up and did she have something do to with his release. Mitsuru seemed to recognize the look in Goro's eyes as she reached forward to pull something from the command console. The limo slowly started to move forward signaling there, and more importantly Goro's, departure from the prison.
"You seem confused and you have every right to be. I am the one that arranged for your pardon. I feel the justice system cannot adequately either punish or absolve you of your alleged crimes. You are in a complicated situation that falls on someone who can fully understand all factors to render judgment. I will admit that I am not the best person for it, but I alone am the only one who can. Now if you truly wish to repent then you will consider my offer." Mitsuru explained.
"And that is?" Goro asked, a brow slightly cocked upwards.
"You become a Shadow Operative and work for me. You not only possess the power of Persona, but also that of a wild card. Not to mention you have a keen intellect, apparently ungodly willpower, and above-average combat skills. All traits that I can respect. Your abilities could be better served to help keep the world safe from shadows. I want your life sentence to be that of an unknown thankless guard, a sentinel serving to keep both this world and the cognitive world safe. To stop gods that wish to use them for the ill of man." Mitsuru intensely gazed at Goro.
Goro paused. His whole idea of recompense had been to be locked away for a very long time, now a powerful woman was giving him a chance to redeem himself in another way. This way he could use the powers that false god had given him for good. Goro really didn't need to think too much about it, this was a golden opportunity and one he would gladly dedicate himself too.
"Very well. I shall become this shadow sentinel," Goro nodded, ready to commit everything he was, and everything he was going to be to this new mission.
Mitsuru smiled and reached out to hand him a leather wallet. "From now on your sentence will be to safeguard the human world. Welcome to the Shadow Operatives, Goro Akech- wait no, that's not correct. Goro Shirogane. Now for your first mission, you will need to be briefed on the entity called Erebus…"
The end.
I honestly should have gotten this out to you sooner. I hope you like it. I had an idea for a sequel but scrapped it as life got busy. I might dust it off. Involves Erebrus and P3 hero and Heroine. Yep, both those two... And everyone from p4 and p5 Let me know if you are interested in such a story. Until then please review, it means my final push to publish all this and not let it sit in a void was worth it.