Authors Note:

Well shit. I didn't expect myself to gain that much support. In fact, I didn't expect anyone to care. I guess I sort of feel obliged to do this now. As for my upload schedule, I want to try to get a new chapter out every two weeks, but I still want to work things out before it's official.

That's all for this note for now. Again, read and review! Enjoy!

Chapter 2: Friends will be Friends,

Akechi, his legs crossed, took a slow sip of his coffee. A plate of what was once curry and rice in front of him. His eyes closed, he placed the mug down on the table and let out a happy sigh. "It has been a long time since I had myself a good cup. Your skills haven't diminished one bit." His eyes open, stared playfully at Jaune.

Jaune, filling Akechi's cup back up, gave a quick retort. "I wanted to keep my skills sharp. Someone had to make sure you didn't starve to death. I swear, if it wasn't for me, you would never have found time to eat."

"Oh really?" He placed his fingers on his chin, and tapped his fingers on his cheek. "I seem to remember someone coming in half dead, with barely any energy to stand. I had to bring you up to your room to make sure you didn't fall."

Jaune scowled. "That was one time."

"Are you sure?" Akechi faked a face of innocence. "I seem to remember it happening at least 6 times."

"Just drink your coffee."

The rest of the table sat in silence, unsure of what to do in the situation. Ruby gave a small whisper to Yang. "Who is that? Is he his friend?"

Yang gave a silent shrug. "I don't know, from the way they speak to each other, probably."

Ruby had a worrying expression on his face. "I guess. But you feel it, right?"

Yang nodded. She did. Despite the conversation sounding friendly, there was this feeling of tension between them. It felt like they were sizing each other up, seeing who would crack first. It was almost suffocating. But, through all of this, it still felt like they were holding back. Blake, with her animal features, felt it the worst. She was constantly on edge, almost fidgeting.

Weiss looked at them, bewilder in her eyes. "Do you guys seriously not know who he is?"

Ruby laughed nervously. Yang just shrugged again.

She sighed. "His name is Goro Akechi, the Detective Prince of Vale. He's our age, and he has already solved more cases than a lot of the detectives in the VPD. He was even in the SIU. He's practically a celebrity."

Ruby gaped. "Really!? I wonder if he worked against the Mafia? Or even the Yakuza?!" Her eyes glowed with childish curiosity.

"Calm down there, Sis" Yang shoved a spoonful of rice and curry into her mouth. "I doubt they would let him investigate some group like the Yakuza. He's a guy after all. They probably let a huntress do it." Her eyes widened. "Holy hell this is good." Shs started to devour it, almost shoving it down her throat.

Team JNPR, in contrast, stayed quiet. Joan looked at the two, with a mix of curiosity and worry in her eyes. She knew who Akechi was, almost everyone did. She remembered the time she walked past the library, finding a banner siding with him during the entire Phantom Thieves fiasco. It was taken down almost immediately, and the person who put it up was given two weeks worth of detentions.

It was also well known that Akechi disappeared from the face of the Remnant a couple of months ago. Some people suspected it was the mafia, others thought it was the Phantom Thieves, though that group was very small. The truth was, no one knew where he went. What was even stranger was that no one seemed to care. Sure, it was big news for a week, but after that no one mentioned him.

And what exactly was Jaune doing over the last year to have gotten involved with a Detective that disappeared?

Pyrrha was a little shocked, but hid it well. She had met him before, at a gathering she was forced to attend by her family. She didn't think he was much. He was just like everyone else there, a fake smile on his face, lies and false kindness spouting from his mouth. A vulture, trying to gain as much favours and connections as possible.

Rin didn't have an opinion on the matter. She did have a feeling that he was a danger though. She always had a good judge of character, to the point some people even called it supernatural. It was the reason she had trusted Joan and Pyrrha as quickly as she did.

And Nora? Well, she was just happy to be there.

"We need to talk." Akechi let his eyes wander to the eight. "Somewhere, more private."

Jaune nodded. "Wait outside, I'll get changed."

While he changed, he talked to Morganna. "Stay here, I want to talk to him alone."

The cat looked worried. "Joker, he tried to kill us. Are you sure you want to go in alone?"

"Something makes me feel like it won't go down like last time."

The cat appeared to hold his ground, until he sighed and sat down, seeing that Jaune wouldn't back down. "Fine, just make sure you come back intact."

Jaune gave his friend a thankful look. "I appreciate it, Mona."

"Yeah, yeah."

And like that, they were gone.

Yang yawned and stretched her hands behind her head. "I'm gonna go change. You guys want to go into the town later? I'm sure we could find something to do." Hell, maybe they had a good bar or two. They always proved to offer a good time. Like the time she fought her way out of one after she asked one too many questions. Good times.

Blake nodded. "I'll go. I need to get some new books anyway. I wonder if they have a book store around here?"

Joan turned to look at her friends. "Really? After all that, you're not the least bit curious about what happened?" She was shocked, knowing her friends, she thought they would have had a full blown investigation by now.

"I mean, I guess?" Yang scratched the back of her head. "But it's not like it's our problem, right? If he was in any danger, then yea I'd help. But it just seems they want to talk right?"

Ruby stood up from her seat. "I'm with Joan on this. We all felt the same thing! Something has to be wrong!" She turned to look at her other two teammates. "Right guys?"

Blake took a long sup of her coffee. "This is a really good blend. Don't you agree Weiss?"

"Truly. I did not expect him to be such a skilled barista. I must ask him to make me some more later. God knows it's much better than that trash served in the cafeteria."

Blake blinked. "Oh Weiss, is that some new foundation you're wearing?"

There was not a spec of make-up on her face.

"Yes, yes it is. Thank you for noticing" Her face of utmost seriousness was only ruined by a small smirk on her face. "Is that a new bow you're wearing? Much more fashionable than the other one."

Blake's cat ears twitched in the open air.

"You think so? I'd have to agree with you. I don't know what I was thinking about when I picked the old one up."

"FINE, fine, I get it." Ruby pouted and huffed. "You can stop now, geez. A simple 'no' would have worked."

Joan looked at her friends. "What do you guys think about it?"

"Joan." She turned to look at her best friend. "I understand how you feel. I do." Pyrrha sighed. "But don't you think it's a small bit early for this? We came here to relax, especially with what happened during the Vytal tournament."

Joan almost shivered. She had never been so afraid before in her life. Never felt more powerless then at that moment. The only reason they won the fight at the top of the tower was because her entire team was there. Even then, they would have died if Ruby and her aunt had not come up and finished the job.

Rin and Nora nodded in agreement. Rin spoke up. "We will do everything we can to help you with whatever you want to do. Just give us some time to charge back up."

Joan nodded in reluctant acceptance. "I understand." She looked at them with determination in her eyes. "That doesn't mean I won't investigate alone though." She turned to her red-headed partner in crime. "Let's follow them. We'll need to change quickly. We don't want to lose them."

She ate a spoonful of curry. She paused for a moment. "After I have some seconds."

"There's none left."

"Goddammit."

He moved one of his pieces on the board.

"A cafe, really?" Akechi crossed his arms. "Though, considering your last accommodation, I'm not surprised."

Jaune moved his pawn.

"Oh I'm sorry Mr. Detective. Not all of us could live in a high end apartment. Speaking of accommodation, how's your current one?"

Akechi moved his knight.

"You know what? I think I am living quite well for a dead man."

Jaune paused before he moved his next piece, a look of surprise on his face. "Akechi, what the hell? What if someone hears you?"

Akechi simply raised his hands. On it, a red crow mask appeared. Behind him, an all to familiar silhouette of a white and black persona appeared. "Having control over a god of trickery has its perks. Only people who wanted to hear us at the time of activation can. We might as well not be here to anyone else." Akechi had his rare smirk, almost angry in its appearance. A real one, not the fake one he showed before. He crushed his hand, the mask disappearing into mist.

Jaune looked almost shocked, then sighed in acceptance.

"What the heck was that." Ruby and Joan sat a couple of tables away, just far enough so that they would be out of direct eye-sight, but close enough to still hear. They stared, wide eyed. It was nothing like anything they've seen. Was that a semblance? But he's a guy? And he said a god of trickery? What was happening?

Jaune finally moved his piece. "Speaking of being alive, how the fuck are you still alive?"

Akechi placed his hand on his chest. "Why Jaune, quite frankly I'm offended you would think something like that could have kille-"

"Akechi." He stopped, and looked back at Jaune. His blue eyes stared right at him, piercing through his soul. His voice, soft and quiet.

"I heard your final words. We all heard the gunshot, the thud when you slumped down on the floor. Futaba even confirmed your death, and we both know how reliable she can be with that sort of thing." He took off his glasses, and placed them on the table. Jaune Kurusu, the highschool student, no longer stood in front of him. He was swapped out, changed so quickly no one could see when exactly it happened. His eye's sharpened, and Joker, the leader of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, leaned forward.

"How are you here right now? What happened?"

They sat there, not saying a word. The silence was almost suffocating. Joan sat there in shock. Akechi died? But he is sitting right there, it should be impossible. People don't just come back to life. And Jaune was there when he supposedly died. Why? Were they really involved with some sort of gang? Maybe that thing they saw was some sort of weapon, and they stole it from them.

"I don't know." Akechi admitted, picking up his cup of coffee and giving it a swirl. He stared into the cup as the liquid moved inside. "There is a space in my memory. I don't remember a thing. In fact, I woke up in an alleyway." His eyebrows scrunched up in an effort to remember. "There is one image that does come up though."

"What is it?"

"A woman in a black dress."

"That's it?" Jaune looked at him, unconvinced. "Are you sure you can't remember anything else?"

"I don't even know what skin colour she had. Not even the space we were in comes to mind." Akechi gave a bitter chuckle. "I'm actually only eighty percent sure the person was even a she."

He looked back up at Jaune. "It's why I came here looking for you. Strange things seem to follow you around, so I assume the best way to figure out why I'm here would be to be around you."

Jaune said nothing for a moment. "This entire thing seems too convenient." He finally let out.

"What do you mean?"

"I spoke with our long nosed friend last night."

"Igor?"

"The one and only." He paused. "Wait, does that even work here? I'll explain later."

Jaune recounted what was said to him to Akechi. From the new danger, to finding the other wild cards. "I see, maybe I'm that extra help he mentioned?"

Jaune shook his head. "No, that doesn't make sense. He spoke as if the person knew he or she was coming. And you can't even remember who you met. It wouldn't make sense for him to wipe the memory of someone meant to help me."

"I see." Akechi nodded his head in agreement. A cheshire smile grew on his face. "How about we make a deal?" He stood up, their chess game forgotten. "You help me figure out who brought me back, and I'll help you with your little problem." He put out his hand. "Doesn't sound like a bad deal, right?"

Jaune stood, and walked up to him. With a smirk on his face, he shook his hand. "Just like old times, huh?" His smirk grew devious. "Here's hoping it won't end up like last time."

"Keep talking like that, and who knows. It just might." Akechi's smile disappeared. "We need to start looking for the other wild cards. Our only example of wildcards are you and I, so we'll use us as a control."

Jaune thought for a moment. "Igor mentioned that wildcards only appeared when the world was in some sort of danger. We are looking for any sort of event that could have hurt a large number of people."

"Again, using ourselves as examples, the wild cards must have had teammates. They draw their power from 'the strength of their bonds after all'." Akechi added, taking notes of their conversation in a little notepad. "It probably happened when they were teennagers as well."

Jaune continued. "If they are going to help us in this fight, they probably have to be able to fight, so they can't be too old."

"Athletes start to see a decline in physical condition around the age of twenty six, so we will use that as a base. Meaning they are probably in the range of twenty to thirty." Akechi scribbled down the last of his notes. "So, in summary, we are looking for events that could have hurt a large number of people, involving a group of teenagers that would be in the age range of twenty to thirty today." Akechi snapped his book shut.

Jaune looked through his phone. "I'll get in touch with the people I know. If anyone can get us info on a large event, it would be the leading investigational reporter." Not to mention Futaba and Sae. He would have to make a lot of calls.

Akechi nodded. "I still have some contact from Shido. Sadly they only deal face to face, so I'll have to go meet them." He took out his notepad again and scribbled something down. He ripped it out and handed it to him. "Here, this is my new number. I'll call you if I find anything out. I expect you to do the same."

"Of course."

Akechi went back and pushed in his chair. "Well, I must be going. Do try not to kill yourself without me here. It would be a real shame if you didn't die by my hand."

Jaune snorted. "I'll have you know I can take care of myself."

"Of course, that's why you have a cat telling you to go to sleep."

"Get outta here, Golden Boy."

Akechi smiled and turned away. He got a couple paces away, before something made him stop.

"Akechi."

He couldn't even turn before his hand shot out and caught something. He looked at what he grabbed, and widened his eyes. It was a black glove, the same one he was wearing.

Time seemed to stop for a moment. "I hope you haven't forgotten our little arrangement." Jaune put on his glasses, pushing them back on his nose. The light flashed on the lenses, showing his yellow eyes. The air around him shimmered, and a silhouette of his own appeared. It was red and black, its wings like midnight. Its face burned with righteous anger. " I just hope you don't lose for a third time."

The air grew heavy, so much so that even people outside the spell's influence felt it. They stared wide eyed, looking for the sudden danger. One even ran out of the shop. Akechi had an animalistic grin on his face, his teeth baring like fangs. "I'll be sure not to disappoint."

And like that, it was gone. The patrons gave out a breath they didn't know they held in, and life resumed.

"Goodbye Jaune."

"I'll see you around Akechi."

Akechi disappeared into the crowd, leaving Jaune alone. Just then, the waiter came up to him. It appears that Akechi's spell wore out. "Sir, your check." He handed him the piece of paper.

Jaune blinked, realising something. "The bastard left me to pay."

Meanwhile, Joan and Ruby gaped at what they just saw. "What. The. Fuck."

The Arc fainted. "JOAN!"

And that's a wrap! Before I cause any confusion, this follows the vanilla p5 storyline. BUT, I love the way Royal handled his confidant. I never really got the sense of them being rivals in the base, and Royal just handled sooo much better.

To reiterate, Maruki and Kasumi do not exist here.

This chapter is a small bit smaller than the other, but I had so much fun writing this one. I do hope you enjoyed it!

Till I see you next time.