"Very well...it's a good deal."

"GET AWAY FROM ME!"

Hurried footsteps and desperate breathing echo in a winding corridor made of dirt. A man clutching a giant, glowing crumb of bread is running frantically away from something. He is dressed in royal mantles consisting of a long, elegant red gown, a black jumper with a golden sash and puffy pantalons. He is also wearing femine makeup and a long, blonde wig, none of which are on his mind as he runs and trips as the corridor starts to droop downwards into a harsh decline. He loses his footing and stumbles down, crashing into another similar corridor.

After losing his battle earlier, he doesn't have the energy to get back up. As he fails to get back to his feet, more footsteps are heard approaching him. They sound focused and immediate, like a hastened march, he cant get away.

Soon, figures start to drop down in front of him, strong and imposing, wearing peculiar outfits. He knows them well, he was building a case against them. He knows most of their identities in the real world already. He knows what they do, and what they will do to him. He just couldn't accept it.

"Please… please don't do this to me!" he begged.

"C'monnn give it up already!" whined one the figures, he seemed to have half a skull covering his face and a bright red tie. His name is Ryuji.

He continued "Just give us your treasure, and we'll be on our way, we've already beat you and your friends!"

Before he even finished his sentence, the figure in front began to walk to the sniveling royalty-clad man. He was dressed in a long black coat, crimson red gloves and a white and black pantomime mask. The man laying on the ground gripped the breadcrumb tighter as he approached. He knew who this was. The leader of the Phantom Thieves of Heart.

Ren Amamiya.

His curly hair was the main thing to give him away. His demeanor would suggest nothing of the fight that just took place, where he had battled around a hundred ant shadows as well as the queen himself. He continued until he was standing over the man, thought it felt he was standing on him, crushing him beneath his heel. He looked down, and with a grin, he simply said.

"It's over".

He swiped the radiant breadcrumb with a swift swipe and before the man knew what had happened, his hands were left clutching to nothing. It was over. He had been beaten. With one last desperate plea, he blurted out:

"Please, I just wanted to bring order after everythings that's happened, to control-"

"Control people like ants" Ren said. He then turned away, dismissing any future conversation. The rest of the Phantom Thieves gazed at him as he walked past, with difficult to read expressions, yet they all followed suit, walking away and leaving the man to sob as the corridor around him started to crumble.

A few days later…

"The police have officially withdrawn the arrest warrant on the Phantom Thieves, as well as apologised for those who lead the investigation, citing they were inadequate for the task."

"Due to a drastic change in policy, it is speculated that they had a change of heart as well…"

Ren watched the news report from the streets of Shibuya on a large screen showing to the public. People begin to gossip about the police and Phantom Thieves, generally showing support for the latter. The pride and satisfaction cause him to smirk to himself as he adjusts his glasses. With over 100 'changes of heart' under his belt, Ren practically swells with accomplishment. He begins to sway home after doing what he needed to for the evening, not noticing a familiar face watching him intently in the crowd.

Another notification beeps on a young woman's phone, her thoughts are racing but she can't divulge too much.

12/26

"how can u sound so miserable? its the day after christmas! i ate so much i think im gonna burst XD"

"I'm sorry Eiko, just got a lot on my mind right now"

"aww sorry 2 hear that, u can always talk 2 me! whats up?"

It takes her a little while to reply.

"I apologize for asking, but the whole thing with Tsukasa… what did it feel like? Did you have suspicions before?"

"huh? wdy mean?"

Another pause.

"Did you suspect he was a different person, that there was a side of him you didn't know? Did you have any sort of idea who he really was?"

"umm y u askin? lol"

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked"

"no its ok, 2bh I really didnt know, some ppl r just gud at that i guess, like hiding a side of themselves and stuff"

"I see…"

"something wrong? trouble with your bf maybe? ;)"

"He isn't really my...nevermind. I'm ok, just...overthinking most likely."

"aww, well always here if u wanna chat ok? and if your 'not bf' is cheating on you, ill punch him in his dumb face 4 u :P"

"Haha thanks, don't think that will be necessary but appreciate the offer."

"i mean it makato! love you girl 3"

"Same to you Eiko, speak soon"

The conversation didn't relieve Makatos doubts much, but Eiko did have a certain way of cheering her up, and it wasn't like she could discuss this with anyone else in the Phantom Thieves, they'd know what and who she was talking about. Makato thought of her sister Sae, and if she could confide her thoughts to her, but for now, it was late and she decided to go to bed.

All the Phantom thieves were in their homes sleeping soundly, relieved to hear about the withdrawal of their arrest warrant. Their leaders' plan had worked perfectly. As everyone drifted off peacefully, Ren opened his eyes suddenly, seeing nothing but piercing blue around him. He had returned to the Velvet room. A place that allowed him to grow his powers and also home to two residents.

"Welcome…" one of the residents said, she was a small girl with long hair and stared at the ground as she addressed him, far from optimistically. She hadn't met his gaze since the day they truly met.

"I hope my summoning of you isn't an inconvenience to you" said the other resident calmly. This resident was posing as a man called Igor, but had since revealed himself to Ren as the God of Control, Yaldabaoth.

He continued "...but just as our deal dictated, I spared the world from Ruin and have given you the fame you desired. I granted your wish. However, this deal was only in effect for as long as you amused me. Your actions have been practical yes, but dull. I wish to see humanity truly divert from the ruin it hurdled towards, but I grow impatient"

Those last words sent a shiver down Ren's spine. He knew what it would mean if Yaldabaoth decided to end their deal. It would mean ruin for humanity, Mementos and the real world becoming one, and humans losing their free will and hearts. Ren acknowledged the deal he made to be selfish, but he still couldn't let the world be taken over by apathy as Yaldabaoth originally planned.

"Is there something you want me to do?" Ren asked the false god plainly.

The god chuckled, his otherworldly voice ringing through the Velvet room, Ren caught a glimpse of Lavenza shuddering at the noise. He couldn't determine if the sight made him feel remorse...or contempt.

Yaldabaoth spoke: "Every game requires a victor. Your success' are merely tactics contributing to a stalemate…. I will say this once…" Yaldabaoth's eyes pierced through Ren's very being as he knew his next words would be vital for all of humanity.

"Change the world's heart".