Gamer4 in. If you read through the Yellow trailer, you may already have an idea of what's going on here- if not, let me fill you in. A while back, I wrote a story called Vale, detailing a tale told to me in the titular town by a resident named Glynda Goodwitch. Shortly after, I wrote a prequel, based on my own research into the case. Soon, I'll be writing a full sequel, Return to Vale, crossing the worlds of RWBY and Persona, but first, I decided to write some previews to usher people in. For now, know only that this is not the main world of Persona- it meets with the world of RWBY (and others) in several ways- and it is a world where something is fundamentally wrong, a world that has strayed far away from its original intentions. I hope that you may come to understand, as I have... until then, please enjoy.
Return to Vale
Black Trailer
At long last, Akira Kurusu had been caught. Of course, he'd always entertained the idea that he would be caught at some point, but he'd never thought it would be so early on in his career as a thief of justice.
He could still hear his song playing in his ears as he was led through a series of offices he didn't recognize-
From shadows, we'll descend upon the world!
Take back what you stole-
From shadows, we'll reclaim our destiny!
Set our future free!
And we'll rise...
And we'll rise...
Akira Kurusu, codenamed Joker, who had spent the past several years stealing evidence of corrupt politicians, shady business deals, and just about any other serious crime and sending it to the police with his calling card. It was illegal, of course- some would say vigilanteism was just as awful a crime as any he sought to stop- but he saw no way that things would get better otherwise.
Born with
No life
Into subjugation!
Treated
Like a
Worthless animal!
He didn't know where Futaba Sakura- his greatest partner in crime, codenamed Oracle- was now, but he hoped she'd had the good sense to make herself scarce. Knowing her, she'd come back with a rescue effort- looking around, realizing just where he was, he wasn't certain he really wanted her to. Sure, they'd invaded plenty of places before, but the headquarters of the Vytal Hunter's Guild was a whole new level.
Stripped of
All rights
Just a lesser being!
Crushed by
Cruel
Ruthless human rule!
Finally, he was forced into an office with nothing but a desk and two chairs- he was forced into a rickety wooden one near the door. Only one woman was left to watch over him- a tall, white-haired woman with icy blue eyes.
"So, what happens next? You feel like giving me a little hint?"
The woman remained steely silent, leaving him alone with his song.
When it started,
All we wanted was a chance to live our lives!
Now in darkness, taking anything we want,
And we will-
The music spluttered to a halt as another door opened, and a woman shambled out, lurching her way to the chair on the opposite side of the desk. She was remarkably old, her snow-white hair reaching near to the ground in a well-kept braid, her eyes concealed behind large goggles of some sort. When she moved, she leaned heavily on a large cane topped with a skull. Whoever he had expected to lead the interrogation, it wasn't someone like this.
"HOPE I'M NOT DISAPPOINTING YOU, BOY!" she greeted, as though reading his thoughts. "I KNOW NOT MANY PEOPLE THINK OF OLD MARIA CALAVERA WHEN THEY THINK OF THE HUNTER'S GUILD DIRECTOR- NOT THAT I CAN HEAR THEM. I CAN BARELY HEAR MYSELF. YOU GOT ANYTHING TO SAY, SPEAK UP, BOY, I'VE GOT MY HEARING AID TURNED UP ALL THE WAY, AND IT STILL DOESN'T HELP MUCH!"
Akira was truly taken aback- not something that happened easily. "You're Maria Calavera- the Maria Calavera?"
"AND YOU'RE JOKER!" she fired back. "THE JOKER! WE'VE HAD OUR EYES ON YOU FOR A WHILE, SONNY! A THIEF OF JUSTICE WHO WON'T LET RED TAPE STAND IN HIS WAY- I APPLAUD YOUR SKILL, BUT YOU ARE SOMETHING OF A LOOSE CANNON!"
Akira had expected this much- he remained silent.
"KEEPING QUIET TO PROTECT YOUR CONFIDANTS- I CAN RESPECT THAT! BUT HERE'S THE THING, SONNY- WE DON'T WANT TO ARREST YOU- WE WANT TO RECRUIT YOU!"
"Recruit... me?" Akira asked, smirking slightly.
"Y'SEE, THERE'S A PARTICULARLY BOTHERSOME CRIMINAL WE WANT BEHIND BARS ASAP," Maria explained. "SOMETHING OF A KINGPIN, I SUPPOSE YOU COULD SAY- THOUGH I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD. BUT WITH YOUR SKILLS, AND OUR RESOURCES, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYWHERE SHE CAN HIDE! AND, OF COURSE, WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, WE'LL BE HAPPY TO DROP ALL CHARGES AGAINST THE CRIMINAL KNOWN AS THE JOKER!"
"Joker," Akira found himself interrupting.
"YOU SAY SOMETHING, BOY?"
"Just Joker!" he repeated, louder. "No 'The,' just Joker!"
Maria smiled, reminding him more of an indulgent grandmother than hard-boiled Huntress. "AS YOU LIKE IT, SON- JOKER. SO, YOU JOIN UP, HELP US CATCH THIS KINGPIN, WE'LL GET YOU AND YOUR ACCOMPLICES OFF THE HOOK! SOUND LIKE A DEAL?"
Akira thought long and hard, but in the end, there was only really one choice...
From shadows, we'll descend upon the world...
Take back what you stole!
From shadows, we'll reclaim our destiny-
Set our future free,
And we'll rise!
And we'll rise!
And we'll rise!
"When do we start?" he asked with a smirk.
XXXX
To be continued
in
Return to Vale
Gamer4 out.