Here's the next chapter for my Persona 5 story, and in this chapter, tears will be shed and their will be quite a few changes, that and well, yeah, you'll know what I mean by that when you read the chapter for yourselves.
Also, another notice, this chapter won't be as super long as the others, but, this does serve it's purpose.
So okay, with enough said, I'll let you enjoy the chapter.
Chapter 5
The Last Straw
The Next day...
4/April 15, Friday
Time Early Morning.
Current Objective: Expose Kamoshida
Location: Shujin Academy
As of right now Zach had just exited out of the train all while texting to Max who was still too sick to go school.
MT: You really should come by when you get the chance.
ZA: But wouldn't your aunt tell me no?
ZA: I mean technically I should be staying away from you.
MT: Eh, just wear one of those yellow hazmat suits. Everyone does.
ZA: By everyone, or are you talking about the guys in those zombie movies?
MT:...No comment.
ZA: Uh-huh...That's what I thought...:p
MT: Well, I better go get some more rest.
MT: So stay out of trouble..
ZA: Yeah, yeah...I hear that enough from my mom, and I don't need you on my case either.
After the texting was done the scarred teen exited out of the station and for some odd reason he walked right up to Ren who'd just purchased a drink from the vending machine and greeted him once he noticed him.
" Oh, good morning Zach. "
" Morning Ren. " Zach greeted back and the two slowly made their way to the entrance.
" You don't look so good...Are you alright? "
" Yeah, I just had a rough night trying to sleep. "
" Was it about what Morgana told us? " Ren asked and Zach half lied since it was a bit true, he was thinking over on what Morgana said about their was a way to change Kamoshida but the only thing preventing them from doing this was the very fact that the he could die. The lie was mostly about the strange dream he had last night and the weird figure that talked to him.
" A little bit. But I still think we should take the risk. But, two wrongs don't make it right if he does die. " Zach answered. " I mean have you made up your mind yet? "
Ren looked forward appearing to looked a bit conflicted with their choices. " You are right about us needing to take actions...But, I'm honestly still thinking about it... "
As Zach was gonna continue talking another voice caught their attention. " I can't believe Suzui-senpai missed such an important meeting yesterday. I wonder what happened. " A girl said talking to her friend up front making the two listen to their conversation.
" Mr. Kamoshida asked to see her... "
" You know, I've been hearing rumors about how Mr. Kamoshida and Suzui-senpai stay late. She always shows up to meetings though. It's weird she wasn't at the one yesterday. "
Hearing this made Ren and Zach exchange a quick glance at one another but kept looking forward with the scarred teen asking. " You think we should try and talk to her possibly after school? "
" Yes, and I have a bad feeling all the sudden. "
" You're not the only one... " Zach agreed. " Kamoshida's starting to get bolder...We have to make a decision. We have to stop him. "
" We will Zach, we will. " Ren reassured him.
TAKE YOUR TIME...
Location: Ren's Classroom
Time: Morning
Currently Ren and the rest of the class was listening to one of Mr. Ushimaru's lectures about government.
" So, I assume you all know about the separations of powers? There are three branches in our government. The National Diet is Legislative, the Cabinet is executive, and the Supreme Court is judiciary. This division of power provides checks and balances, which ensures no one branch becomes unstoppable. "
As he continued to listen Morgana suddenly popped his head right out from his desk taking him by surprise. " Have you made up your mind? No matter how much thinking you do, there's only one option. You'd be better off with just listening to me. "
" Why are you in there!? " Ren whispered and as he gonna get an answer his teacher began to look around.
" Hm? Did I hear a cat just now? "
Everyone looked around in confusion as well making Morgana tuck himself back inside Ren's desk so he wouldn't be spotted. " M-M-Meow! "
" Could that rumored cat be somewhere nearby? Settle down! Were in the middle of an important lecture! " The teacher then turned around to write on the chalk board all while continuing his said lecture. Good thing too, because Ren's phone just buzzed.
RS: It's no use... I can't think of any other way...
RA: Are you cutting class?
RS: I can't deal with that shit right now. I mean, what're we gonna do about Kamoshida?
ZA: Isn't obvious?
ZA: We take on Morgana's offer.
RS: Do we seriously have to go along with what the cat says?
ZA: Yes. Stop arguing already
RS" Urgh, that damn furball...
" If only he knew I was reading this too... " Morgana said. " But at least Zach is smarter then he is. "
As the lecture continued on a male student sitting near the exit stood up looking through the window. " Hey...What's that!? "
" Enough! " Their teacher snapped. " This is a classroom! "
" Wait...She's going to jump! " A female student gawked in shock immediately stirring the whole entire classroom.
" Suzui? " Mishima breathed in disbelief and immediately Takamaki stood up from her seat. " Shio? "
" For real!? "
" Who is!? " Students began to make their way out of the classroom much to their teachers disapproval.
" Hey! Stay in your seats! Do not set foot outside this room! "
" No way! "
" Huh!? Is she gonna commit suicide!? "
" It's Suzui! Shio Suzui! " Takamaki instantly got up from her seat and made a dash outside of the room with Ren right behind her. After pushing a single student aisde she looked through the window and couldn't believe what she was seeing.
A few minutes earlier the scarred teen had finished his call with nature exiting out of the bathroom and sighed in relief. " Phew...Well at least I feel better now...Hm? " He immediately noticed a whole bunch of students were looking through a window.
" Huh? What's the commotion? " Zach looked through the window and sure enough he saw something that'd make his heart drop. There was a girl standing at the edge of a rooftop and from the way she looked, the girl was without a doubt going to jump.
As if his body moved on it's own Zach dashed out of the building as fast he could into the courtyard and got into a sprinting position. As the poor girl jumped off the roof Zach ran with all of his might.
Back up at the windows a whole bunch of girls were screaming in shock while Takamaki gasped in horror covering her mouth slowly walking backwards on the verge of tears while Ren couldn't believe what he'd just witnessed.
" She fell! "
" She just jumped! "
" Clear out here! Back to your seats! " The teacher told his student's but they wouldn't listen.
" No...Why?... " The poor girl was on the verge of tears as she continued backing up. " Shiho! " She quickly ran past Ren and as he was gonna catch up more students began to speak up.
" Hey wait a minute! "
" Some one caught her! " Wait? Caught her? This grabbed his attention immediately.
" Oh my god! You're right! "
" Someone did! "
The probationer looked through the same window as Takamaki had did earlier and saw who it was. His own friend laying on the ground with the girl who try to commit suicide laying on top of him. " Zach... " The black frizzy haired teen made a run for it as well not long before running into Ryuji.
" H- Hey! What's goin' on!? " The blonde asked and immediately Ren answered,
" Suzui jumped! And I think Zach caught her! "
" Wait, what!? "
" Talk later! We have to get to the courtyard now! " Ren cutted him off making him nod as the duo sprinted off into the nearest direction of where they needed to go.
TAKE YOUR TIME...
" Get out of the way! " Ryuji said as he was pushing people aside with Ren right behind him.
" Let us through! " As they made their way through the large crowd of students who had their phones out either taking photo's or recording it on video. As they made their way closer to the courtyard, Ren noticed something through the crowd. It was Zach standing against an ambulance.
" Zach! " Ren called out to his friend. " Move out of the, way! Zach! " But once they made their way through, it was a very sad sight. Shido Suzui was on a stretcher while a paramedic was attending to a small open gash on the right side of Zach's head and noticed his left prosthetic arm was broken into two pieces, most likely from the force of the falling girl. " Zach... "
" Oh no... " Ryuji said under his breath upon seeing the condition their friend was in.
" C-Class is still session! " A panicked teacher said but the students wouldn't listen to him at all.
" Shiho... " Takamaki said utterly heart broken seeing her friend on the stretcher.
" What the hell's wrong with these people... " Ryuji growled in annoyance, anger and disbelief since their were two people injured with one of them being his friend as a paramedic came forward.
" We need someone to go with them! Are there any teachers here!? "
" I-I'm not in charge of her class though... " The panicking teacher from earlier said.
" We should leave this to Principal Kobayakawa... " Another teacher said sounding very hesitant.
" Fucking cowards... " Zach growled under his breath upon what he was hearing because no one was willing to go with her. He then flinched in pain slightly as the paramedic tending to his gash had finished his work.
" I'll go! " Takamaki volunteered stomping her foot in anger and fear.
" Please hurry! " The paramedic urged the girl who immediately kneeled down beside her doing her best not to cry. Seeing her best friend in the state she was in, it was heartbreaking, to see her this badly hurt.
" Shiho...Why? " The poor girl pleaded wanting to know what drove her to do such an act.
" Ann? " The girl had opened her eyes and looked to her friend who's eyes were filled with sadness and despair. This made her begin to cry at the sight. " I'm sorry. I...I can't take this...anymore... "
" Shiho? " Takamaki leaned in closer and her friend whispered something into her ear. She then shot her head up in shock and surprise. " Huh? Kamoshida!? "
" Ngh... " The girl soon went unconscious from the pain making her best friend panic. " No! Shiho!? " The paramedics grabbed the stretcher and moved it inside while Zach looked over to his friends and motioned them to come over to him which they did.
" Za- " Ryuji was about to speak but he was cut off.
" Worry about me later, you both know who did this, go get him. " He said as a paramedic helped guide him into the ambulance. The doors shut and the ambulance drove off.
" Return to your classrooms at once! " The panicking teacher told the students who still didn't pay attention to him. Both Ren and Ryuji had mixed emotions, in only just two days alone, their newest friend they'd gotten to know was hurt, and to make mattes worse, someone had just tried to commit suicide. But it was Zach's words that still echoed in their ears, he told them both to get 'him' they knew who he was talking about.
As they were in thought they heard someone run off from behind them getting their attention. " That guy... " Ryuji muttered. " Hey, wasn't Mishima acting weird? "
Ren looked over to Ryuji with a serious look and nodded. " He knows something. "
Hearing this answer was enough for the blonde. " We're gonna make him talk this time. " The duo then went off after them just as the principal came out.
" Teachers, return to your classrooms for the time being! Please do not let any students go home yet! "
TAKE YOUR TIME...
Back with Ren and Ryuji they'd caught up with Mishima who had ran away from the scene earlier after the ambulance had left. And currently the blonde was gripping his arm really hard making him winch in pain.
" That hurts! " He ignored him and pushed him into a corner right near some lockers not letting him have the opportunity to leave.
" Why'd you run like that? Huh!? " Ryuji got straight to the point while impatiently tapping his foot.
" I didn't run... " The boy answer and flinched upon Ryuji slamming his fist into the locker.
" She jumped and tried to kill herself! " He wasn't buying his answers, he wanted some answers and he was going to get them.
" L-Leave me alone! " Mishima begged.
" Just tell us the truth... " Ren said joining in being less aggressive then what Ryuji was doing. However he was merely holding back his anger. " Our friend got hurt trying to save her...You know something..."
" He's right. " Ryuji backed him up and calmed down a bit. " We ain't tryin' to get you busted. We won't say you talked either! "
" Suzui... " He began and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. " S-She was called out by Mr. Kamoshida! "
" Wait, what!? " Ryuji was confused but held back his questions and listened to what he had to say.
" I was called by him a number of times too... To the teacher's room." Mishima was now finally giving them the answers they've been lookin' for to confirm the rumors. " It wasn't just me or Suzui either. He'd nominate someone when he was in a bad mood...and hit them. "
" So the physical punishment thing was for real... "
" That's why the members of the volleyball team were injured. " Ren pipped in.
" But yesterday, he called Suzui out of the blue. She didn't make any mistakes or anything. Mr. Kamoshida seemed real irritated that day, so it must've been...worse then usual... "
" He didn't... " Ryuji was now putting the pieces together. The bastard, had raped her. " That son of a bitch! " The blonde roared out in rage.
" Ryuji! Wait! " Ren called out but he was ignored and went after his friend with Mishima in tow.
TAKE YOUR TIME...
Location: P.E Faculty Office.
As of the moment Ryuji came barging in through the door gaining Kamoshida's attention to see threee unwelcomed guests. " Huh? "
" You bastard! The hell did you do to that girl!? " Ryuji accused.
" What are you talking about? " Kamoshida asked waving them off.
" Don't play dumb with me! " Ryuji yelled as he kicked a chair aside getting his attention.
" That is enough! "
" What you did...wasn't coaching! " Mishima muttered.
" What did you say? " The P.E teacher asked glaring right at the boy's accusations.
" You.. You ordered me to call Suzui here..." Mishima finished finally letting out more truth. " I can only imagine what you did to her! "
" You're going on and on about things you have no proof of... " Kamoshida said as he stood up up from his chair and glared daggers at the three students with hate and annoyance while crossing his arms. " Basically, you're simply making these claims because you can't be a regular on the team right? "
" That's not what this is about! " Mishima argued.
" Even if it is exactly as you imagine it to be, hypothetically speaking... " Kamoshida leans his head closer. " What can you do? We just received a call from the hospital. Suzui's in a coma, and her chances of recovery are slim... How would someone like that make a statement? " Everyone was surprised to hear this news while Kamoshida was basking in victory. " There's no chance of her getting better, I hear...The poor girl. "
" No... That can't be... " Mishima breathed while Ryuji was shaking in anger.
" You goddamn! "
" This, again? " Kamoshida said as he looked over to the blonde. " Does this mean we need to have yet another case of 'self-defense?' "
" You shut your mouth, you son of a bitch! " Ryuji yelled out ready to throw a blow at the teacher if it wasn't for Ren grabbing his arm. " Why're you stoppin' me!? " Ryuji growled at his friend trying to get loose.
" Don't let him get to you...That's exactly what he wants... " Ren advised
" But still! " The blonde cried out getting out of his grip surprising Kamoshida.
" Oh? You're stopping him? What a surprise. " He then crossed his arms and smiled showing he already knew he'd won. " There's no need to hold back. Why not attack me? Ohhh...you can't. Hahahaha, but of course you can't! " He then sat back down into his chair. " Everyone present right now, will be expelled. I'm reporting all of you at the next board meeting. That includes your friend, Zach Aurico. "
" Wha- "
" You can't make a decision like that! " Mishima argued. " Especially when Aurico isn't even here! "
" So what? " Kamoshida asked looking back at the students with smugness and anger written right on his face. " That kid has been hanging out with the two since he got here...He obviously shares his point of views along with Sakamoto. Infact, he's the one who raped the poor in the first place and he told her to jump and he tried to make himself look like the hero to get away with it. "
" What!? That's bullshit! " Ryuji argued. " He saved her life! You're the one who did that Suzui you bastard! "
" Oh yeah? Who would seriously consider what scum like him or you say? " Kamoshida retorted. " You threatened me too Mishima, so you're just as responsible. "
" Huh? "
" To think you didn't know why I kept someone as talentless as you on the team. You act like you're a victim, but not only have you leaked Amayia's criminal records, you also released some of Aurcio's history didn't you? It's all over the internet, correct? How terrible. " This compelled to make both Ryuji and Ren look at the boy in shock holding his head down in shame.
Ryuji spoke first. " Mishima? "
" He told me to do it. " The boy said as he got onto the floor. " I had no choice... " Hearing this made the "King" laugh in amusement and waved them off
" Now, are we finished here? You're all expelled! You're done for: your futures are mine to take. Now get out of my sight. " Kamoshida commanded as if he'd given them a life sentence.
Ryuji straightened up and glared at Kamoshida from the corner of his eye. " I can't believe this asshole's gettin' away with this! "
" He'll eat his words. " Ren said with a serious look who was also glaring at Kamoshida.
" Huh? " Ryuji was confused but quickly figured it out. " Oh right. We have that! "
" Huh? " Kamoshida turned to face them and grew annoyed that they were still there. " Have you lost your minds? I don't understand what garbage like you are thinking, but go ahead and try. All you can do is wait for your disposal though... "
As they left the room with Mishima Ren had one thought in his mind. ' That's all the time we'll need...You're gonna get what's coming to you... '
TAKE YOUR TIME...
Location: Hospital (did the place even have a name?)
Time: Evening
The inside of Zach's hospital bed comes into view, hours ago his mother and siblings had come upon hearing what had happened. Naturally, his mother gave him a scolding for his reckless action, making her be worried sick, so fourth. But she was very proud knowing he tried to save the life Shio's life, even if he never met her. All in all, they were just very relieved to know that he was going to be okay.
Also, he received news that he didn't get any other serious injury aside from the gash on the right side of his head that was stitched and covered in bandages. He also got news that a new prosthetic will be coming in two days from now, so he'd have to be patient until then, but he was fine with it since he had to make do with one arm before he even got prosthetics.
Currently it was about 9:30 and Zach was anscious to know anything else happened or did they make progress with Kamoshida's Palace. " I wonder how they're doing? "
ZA: Hey, guys, it's me. "
RS: ZACH!? Is that you!?
ZA: Who else would be?
RA: How are you feeling?
ZA: I'm okay guys really, the only serious thing is that my 'fake' arm got busted up.
ZA: The doctors say I was very lucky I didn't get any other serious injury. Aside from the gash on my head. Nothing stiches can't fix.
ZA: But luckily for me, I got the clear to leave the hospital tomorrow.
RA: That's good to hear...
RS: Yeah man...
RS: Were just glad you're okay...
RS: Also we have a bit of news...
ZA: Oh? What kind? Is it good news or bad news?
RA: Both.
RA: Which one do you want to hear first?
ZA: Bad news...
RS: That asshole Kamoshida is having us and Mishima expelled!
ZA: Come again?
RS: It only gets worse!
RS: He's gonna put the blame on you for why Suzui tried to kill herself!
ZA:...
Zach paused upon what he was hearing and curled his good hand into a fist a hit the mattress of his bed a few times in frustration and anger. Once he calmed down he continued the chat.
ZA:...
RS: You okay?
ZA: No, I'm trying to absorb what you just told me.
ZA: Did anything else happen?
RA: Actually, this is where the good news comes in...
ZA: Well? What is it?
RA: Okay, you can talk now...
AT: Uh...surprise?
ZA: Who're you?
RA: Zach...It's Takamaki...
ZA: ...Give me the details...
RA: Apparently, Ann got dragged over when we were about to infiltrate Kamoshida's Palace, we pushed her back but she got back in.
ZA: Do you have that weird nav app by anychance?
AT: Yeah, I do. That's how I got back in before getting captured.
RS: But, we saved her life.
RS: Plus, she got one cool looking Persona too!
ZA: So not only did we agree on stealing Kamoshida's heart, but we also gained a new teammate?
ZA: Great to hear! Welcome aboard Ann!
ZA: It's fine if I call you by your first name, right?
AT: Sure.
AT: Also...Thank you for saving Shio's life...That's means a lot to me...
ZA: Well, I'm glad I was able to help...
ZA: Okay, guys, would you mind saving the rest of what transpired yesterday? I'm gonna get some sleep.
RS: Kay, night man.
AT: Goodnight Zach.
RA: See you tomorrow.
RA: Also Morganna wanted to say hope you get better.
After he was done chatting with his friends and their newest team member he drifted off to sleep ready to leave for the next day. Even though, he took a hit, Zach knew his friends will need his help, even though he didn't have a Persona 'yet' the scarred teen was determined to help make Kamoshida confess his crimes.
To be continued
So? How'd I do? Good bad? Don't be shy, but tone down on criticisim a bit, okay?
Now replying back to reviewers
ROCuevas
Thank you as usual friend :)
Guest Number 1
Nope. Just wait as the story progresses
Guest Number 2
Oh yes he will...For now just be patient.
BobbyJenkin's times x2
Doing a story on the Owl House? Eh, I haven't watched it, plus it even hasn't come out yet. As for the Loud House I already got a crossover of it with Digimon. Never heard of Infinity Train either, plus I'm not really so much into DC and Marvel comics much. I'm very happy to know you enjoy reading my stories, and I appreciate your continued loyalty as a reader.
Now, how's about a little game talk?
As of recently I've been playing The Sinking City for PS4, and I gotta say, it's pretty amazing.
The Sinking City is an open-world detective game with a third-person camera perspective that takes place in the fictional city of Oakmont, Massachusetts during the 1920s
. It features an investigation system in which the outcome of the player's quests will often be defined by how observant the players are when investigating different clues and pieces of evidence.
The town of Oakmont is made up of seven districts (Advent, Coverside, Grimhaven Bay, Oldgrove, Reed Heights, Salvation Harbor, and The Shells) which have all been affected by flooding to various degrees, and the player must use a boat to safely traverse the flooded streets to reach drier areas.
The player can swim if necessary, but the water is infested and can fatally damage the player's health and sanity, mainly massive Eels.
The player also assembles an arsenal of tools and weapons, and at times must use them to kill otherworldly creatures and dispel hallucinations. However, as Oakmont is an isolated place with dwindling resources and deteriorating social order, bullets have replaced money as the preferred currency; expending too many bullets can leave the player unable to barter for desired items.
Another major resource is sanity, which is spent on investigative powers used to reconstruct crime scenes and identify clues. Sanity slowly regenerates on its own, but can be replenished faster with antipsychotic drugs. Disturbing scenes and encounters can cause sudden, sharp drops in sanity, affecting the player's perception of the surrounding environment, and complete loss of sanity is fatal.
The controls are a bit tricky to understand, it takes time getting used to, such as combat and trying to put the pieces of the puzzle for a case together, but that's what makes it challenging. It has bunch of side cases too increase your characters perks. Not to mention, this is actually based off the horror stories of the well known H.P Lovecraft, who wrote The Call of Cthulu, so it's defiantly worth buying and playing.
Not to mention, it's given me a bit inspiration for something that will happen in the future...of the story itself...
I give the Sinking City, an 8.5 out of 10. Gotta go, just another case, and it ain't gonna solve itself.