Persona 5: Shots Through the Heart

Shot 16: Temper Struggle

As the election day for prime minister draws closer, the Phantom Thieves are clawing through the biggest individual Palace they've ever encountered. Narrow labyrinthine hallways that provide little to no cover, literal mouse traps, and powerhouse Shadows swarming all over the place. All of that is challenging enough as it is.

However, the thieves face a more critical problem: Their leader's rad temper. Ever since he found out that Shido is the one who ruined his future, Akira/Joker has been losing his ability to keep his anger in check. Sure, it helps when he's fighting the Shadows, but he has been making more reckless decisions than usual to the point that it comprises everyone's safety. On their first day, they even had to flee a Palace for the first time ever because he went berserk destroying all the megaphones that were playing recordings of Shido's speeches, which caused a huge commotion.

It will be difficult, but Ann and the others knew that they had to help Akira regain control of himself. If he faces the big man while still in this state of mind, he might do something that he'll regret forever.

xxx

The team has ventured into Shido's Cruiser Ship Palace once again. They've already obtained the first of five letters of introduction that will serve as key cards to the assembly hall, where Shido's Treasure is. Today's main mission will be to claim the second one.

The team arrives at the ship's pool deck.

"Whoaaa, this pool's gigantic!" Oracle exclaims. "It's hard to believe this is even on a ship!" Everyone starts walking down the stairs and looking around the area.

"Our target's here, right?" Panther asks. "Some sort of former noble guy?" Mona nods.

"Yeah. Let's find him and get a hold of his letter of introduction." Joker points to his right.

"Already found him," he says in a cold tone. "He's lying on a lounge chair near the umbrellas on the right side of the pool." Everyone looks to where their leader is pointing and see a thinning, hairy, chubby man with glasses sitting on a lounge chair.

"How can you tell?" Skull asks.

"Use your damn eyes. There's his personal butler on his right." Everyone follows Joker as he walks towards the former noble. As they get close to him, Skull notices Joker getting ready to summon a Persona.

"Whoa, hey! What're you doin'?!" he shouts as he grabs his shoulder.

"Getting the letter. What's it look like?"

"Not like that, you're not!" Mona exclaims. "You'll cause another scene if you just waltz up and pick a fight with him!" Joker glares at Mona.

"We had to beat the shit outta the last guy to get one, didn't we?!"

"That might not be the case this time," Queen says. "Let's just try asking him first." Joker shoves his hands in pocket in frustration.

"Tch! Fine…!" It's hard for the team to not worry about Joker's state of mind, but right now they need to focus on getting the letter.

Everyone gathers around the former noble. Skull stupidly steps up to him.

"Hey dude, ya got a sec?" The man ignores him.

"Uh… nice day today, huh? … Actually, maybe not." More silence.

"I, uhhh… I wanna go swimming in the pool! Yeah!" Even more silence. Skull scratches his head and turns to Panther.

"Your turn, Panther," he sighs.

"Me?!" The red spandex clad thief walks up to the man.

"U-Uh, h-hello there. We really would like to speak with you…"

"We won't take much of your time," Queen chimes in. "Will you listen?"

"Please, sir?" Noir asks. The noble finally gives the group his attention.

"Sorry, but please leave me be," he says with a snob tone. "I don't have time for you rowdy children." Skull glares at the man and Joker puts his hand on his mask again.

"Hey, you little…!"

"Come, Ars-" Queen pulls both of them back.

"No, we apologize for our lack of manners," she says. "Come on, you two."

xxx

The group gathers a distance away from their target.

"Queen, why the hell did you stop me?!" Joker barks. "The ass said no!"

"That's understandable, considering how Skull tactlessly walked up to him and said Hey, dude," Queen explains. "Starting the conversation with a quarrel won't get us anywhere."

"Our approach doesn't matter if he won't listen to us though," Mona points out. Joker stomps his foot.

"That's why I'm saying we should just trash the conversation all together and just take it from him!" Panther glares at her boyfriend.

"Hey! You're going to get us in trouble again if you keep thinking like that!" Joker glares back at her.

"Or I could make things go a whole lot faster! We have our most important deadline coming, but apparently all of you are choosing to be dumbasses while I'm the only one who gives a-" Oracle stomps her foot.

"Joker, stop it!" she shouts. "Of course we care, but if you keep messing things up, we can't do anything anyway!" Joker growls, turns his head, and crosses his arms.

"To each their own, even though it's fucking ridiculous!" Noir steps in between everybody to play peacemaker.

"Let's all just calm down, okay?" she says. "Why don't we ask around to see if anyone can give us details about his temperament? The less fighting we do, the more energy we'll have when we really need it." Everyone stares at Joker.

"You heard her, right?" Panther snarls. Joker rubs his neck and sighs.

"... Whatever… I guess we can start over there…" As Joker starts walking to the other side of the pool, everyone trails behind for a quick conversation.

"We need to find a way to help him keep his anger under control," Fox says. "His irrational thinking is becoming a problem."

"I know how he feels and all," Oracle says. "But acting like this won't help anyone. Just talking to him isn't working though."

"Getting his mind off it for a little bit it might help," Queen says. "The question is how."

"Hey!" Everyone stops talking when their irritable leader marches back to them.

"I thought we were gonna talk to people! Do I have to do everything?!"

"S-Sorry," Mona says. "Did you at least get started?" Joker rolls his eyes.

"This lady back there went on and on about how marvelous her swimsuit is and how bar's renting some out," he groans. "You sure we can't just kick his ass?" Skull's eyes pop as he slams his fist in his hand.

"Swimsuits? … Oh… Ohhhhhh-ho-ho-ho!" Everyone looks at him with skepticism as he fist pumps with a smile.

"I've got the perfect plan!"

"That laugh was scary," Mona says. Skull starts jogging towards the bar.

"Forget about that! Onward to the bar, you guys!" Everyone follows their below average intelligence hooligan teammate to the bar counter.

The bartender waves at Skull as he strolls up to the counter.

"Hello, sir. How may I help you?"

"Hey, you guys rent out swimsuits, yeah? Give us some, ASAP!" Queen panics.

"Wait! Skull! We need-" The bartender nods.

"Ah, but of course. Just show me your boarding pass and we'll have you sorted out right away." Apparently, Skull forgot that the bartenders here need to see boarding passes in order to comply.

"S-Sorry, sir! Don't mind him! He's mentally challenged!" Panther says as she quickly marches up drags Skull away. She and Joker smack him upside his head.

"Bonehead! We're not here to swim!" Joker barks.

"I know! That's not what I was trying to do! I just needed to make sure they had swimsuits."

"Because...?" Panther leads. Skull points to the door beside the bar.

"It's all part of my plan! Over there's the fitting room. Joker, I need you to help me find a way in." Mona gives Joker a worried look.

"Skull coming up with ideas? I don't really like the sound of-" Joker starts walking towards the stairs where they came in.

"Who the hell cares? C'mon. I think I saw a vent under the stairs."

xxx

The thieves squeeze into the vent Joker mentioned and sure enough, it led straight to the fitting room.

"You did it, Joker!" Skull exclaims with a smile.

"We do seem to be inside the door from earlier," Noir says. "But why? And more importantly, isn't this a fitting room?" Skull snickers with a mischievous smile as he jogs into the other separate room.

"Just trust me! Joker, I need your help! The rest of you wait here and we'll be right back!" Panther bites her lip as Joker follows his friend into the room to help him search for whatever he needs for his plan.

"What's he up to…? I have a bad feeling about this…" Everyone can hear the two talking in the other room.

"It's perfect… Hehehe! This'll totally work!"

"Wait… are those…? Ohhh, I think I see where this is going…"

"You think so too, right?! This works on all guys every time!"

"Well… it makes sense. Whether or not it works on him is another story though."

After a few minutes, the two come back, Skull smirking so much that his face looks like an actual skull.

"Alright, everything's set… Hehehehehe!"

"Skull… you have quite a scary look on your face…" Queen says with worry.

"Actually, it's creepy," Oracle adds. Panther turns to her leader.

"Sooo… what is the plan?" Joker sighs and rubs the back of his neck.

"One thing's for sure… you girls aren't gonna like it."

xxx

Back outside on the pool deck, the guys are standing a great distance away from the nobleman.

"He's still just lying there," Joker says. "If we're doing this, it has to be now. Go ahead and call 'em." Skull nods and turns around.

"Hey, it's you girls' time to shine~!" he calls with a sing song voice. The girls, who have switched from their Phantom Thief suits into beach attire, reluctantly walk up to the guys.

Joker puts his hand on his chin and nods.

"As much as I hate to say, and I really hate to say it… thank goodness Shido's Palace is so accurate on swimsuits sizes."

"Otherwise, this plan would be impossible," Fox says.

"I didn't think we were really going for such a simple plan," Makoto sighs.

"Well, there's no way guys lounging by the the pool would not check out girls in swimsuits," Mona says, seeing the logic in the plan (But not liking it).

"I wanna go home," Futaba whines. Joker walks over to his shy "baby sister" and pats her head.

"There, there." Joker turns to Ann and covers his mouth before he smiles at the sight of her red two piece swimsuit.

"Uh, y'know Ann… as plain as it is… I kinda like this one better than your floral pattern one." Ann glares at Joker.

"I don't need your opinion right now!" she shouts. Makoto turns to her leader.

"Are we really going to do this?" Joker turns to his best bro, feeling mischievous.

"Hell yeah, c'mon. You guys gotta do this. Ryuji'll looove it."

"HUH?!" The girls glares at their perverted comrade with the intensity of a thousand suns while Fox and Mona look at him with disappointment. Skull shakes his head and waves his hands in a panic.

"N-NO! NO! IT'S FOR OUR PLAN!"

"Yep. All according to plan, right?" Skull shoves Joker hard.

"WILL YOU STOP SAYIN' SHIT LIKE THAT WITH A STRAIGHT FACE?!" The mischievous leader laughs and Skull points the girls to their target.

"And you get going! If you guys don't hurry, he's gonna go off somewhere!" Joker stops laughing and nods.

"Yeah. In all seriousness, he has a point. We're counting on you. If anything happens, yell." The girls nod and walk towards their target and the guys rush for cover close enough for them to eavesdrop on the conversation.

Only thirty seconds in and it's already going down south.

"Well, the swimsuits got his attention," Mona sighs. "But he's still stubborn about lineage."

"Ten more seconds," Joker declares. "Then I'm kicking his-" Before he could finish his sentence, a melodious voice reaches his ears.

"It's nice to meet you. My name is Ann Windsor."

The frizzy haired troublemaker's heart skips a beat at the sound of his lover's English-speaking voice. He's known for a while that Ann's best school subject is English and he's heard her speak, but it never fails put a smile on his face.

Another surprise came in the form of her acting, which was actually spot on for once. Her performance didn't sound forced and there weren't any signs of hesitation as she played the part of an heiress to British royalty. Her confidence sharpened her skill and the reward was one letter of introduction.

… I love this girl!

"Alright! She got it!" Mona cheers. "Two down, three to go!" Skull breathes a sigh of relief.

"Phew! Thank God! I was startin' to worry for a-" Joker's foot stomping on the floor cuts him off and the guys notice his menacing angry face.

"Whoa. Dude, what wrong?" He slowly points to the source of the problem.

"Question: … What the fuck is that asshole doing?" The guys look to where he's pointing to see the nobleman getting a little handsy with the blonde.

"Did you make sure… to put on sunscreen?" the nobleman asks in a deep, sleazy tone as he takes her arm and moves his hand across it. Ann obviously isn't enjoying it as she tries to pull away.

"Um, hey…" Apparently, the high-class man can't show any. Evident by what he says next.

"As members of prestigious family lines, why don't we… get on more intimate terms?"

"Excuse me?"

Meanwhile, Joker's mask glows red and starts pouring out smoke as his blood starts to boil.

"What. The. Hell! Did! He! SAAAAAAAAAY?!"

"Joker, careful!" Mona panics. "Your Persona's about to pop!"

Meanwhile, the sleazy nobleman is shooing the other girls off.

"Come now. You peasant servants should run off. You're making her embarrassed." Ann tries to free her hand again.

"Will you kindly stop this?" The nobleman ignores her requests and rubs her hand.

"Want to try on some other swimsuits in my room?" Finally fed with his advances, Ann breaks character and snatches her hand away.

"UGH! DON'T TOUCH ME, YOU PERV!" The nobleman is shocked by her sudden change in demeanor and mannerisms as she points at him.

"Now that I'm done using you, get away, you creep!" She turns to the guys to give them the signal.

"THIS GUY'S A MOLESTER!" As if on cue, the girls revert back into their thief attire, which angers the nobleman.

"How dare you set me up like this!" Skull, Mona, and Fox arrive at the scene.

"Uh, it's your fault for falling for such bad acting," Skull sighs.

"Shut up!" Panther barks. "We're doing this!" The nobleman cognition transforms into a huge Forneus Shadow and soars high above them.

"Filthy commoners! I shall erase your foul existence from-" A huge fist slams into the Shadow, sending crashing into the ground, much to everyone's surprise.

"O-kay? What the heck was that?" Oracle asks. A crazed laugh echoes through the air.

"... AHAHAHAHAHAHA! … Y'know... As if I wasn't pissed off enough already…" Joker drops down in front of everyone with a loud thud, making a crater in the ground, and his lightning Persona, Odin, hovers behind him as he slowly marches up to the Shadow.

"But now…" With an explosive blast of lightning, Joker charges at Forneus like a mad bull, ready to utterly mutilate him.

"... NOW YOU'VE FUCKING DONE IIIIIIIIT!"

(Author's note: The following massacre that takes place is so gruesome, the MA rating doesn't even compare. Therefore, I am unable to write what exactly happens to the poor fool. Please wait a few seconds for the story to continue.

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Okay, that should long enough. Back to the story.)

The nobleman, soundly beat to a gorey pulp, is forced on his knees in front of the group by their livid leader. Joker, with letter in hand, stomps on his head to force him into bowing position.

"NOW YOU KNOW YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR FILTHY FUCKING HANDS TO YOURSELF!" he roars. "GO ON! HURRY THE HELL UP AND APOLOGIZE!"

"Ugh! I-I, I-I'm sorry!" Joker starts kicking him hard in the stomach.

"HUH?! WHAT WAS THAT?! I CAN'T HEAR YOU! SPEAK UP!"

"I'M SORRY!" He stops for a moment, gets behind him to kick his in his testicles, and walks back to the group, who is still shocked by the slaughter that took place, as he's groaning in pain.

"Goddamn sleazy shitbag...! Thinks he can get handsy with any girl just cuz he was some fucking nobleman…! Ugh... You alright, Panther?" Panther, both shocked and extremely flattered by her boyfriend's protective nature towards her, wryly smiles and laughs.

"Uhhh… yeah. T-Thanks, Joker."

"Alright, let's… Hold on." Joker pulls out his gun and shoots the nobleman in his testies, which makes Skull cover his in empathy. Even if the guy is a disgusting human being, you deserve some pity for that blow.

"AWW! That hurt just watchin' it!" Joker puts away his gun and walks away.

"Now let's go."

"Dude, was that really necessary?!"

"For sooo many reasons… yes. Yes, it was." Everyone follows Joker as he exits the pool deck, leaving the nobleman to groan in agony.

xxx

After what happened at the pool, today's infiltration went along much smoother than other days lately. The goal was to just get the second letter, but today they got the third and fourth letter as well, leaving only one more to find and Joker already knows where to look.

Speaking of whom, the infiltration was such a huge success because Joker finally got a handle on his anger troubles. His sense of judgement, his cockiness, and his consideration for his team have returned, bringing back the compassionate leader that he was before. Although, like with all the criminals whose hearts he's changed, his change didn't come without regret for his previous actions.

xxx

The team is gathered inside the Side Deck cabin Safe Room ready to call it a day. Skull waves around the four letters of introduction they've collected with pride.

"Phantom Thieves rule!" he shouts. "Four letters down, one more to go! Then we sink this shitty ass tugboat!"

"We accomplished a great deal today, didn't we?" Noir asks with a smile. "A lot more than we originally planned." Panther plops down on a chair.

"Yeah… but God, I'm so tired!" she gasps.

"I think this is a good stopping point for today," Mona says.

"I agree. My stomach is starting to rumble," Fox says as he rubs his stomach.

"I guess we can stop somewhere before we all head home," Queen says. "We'll have to figure what to do about Akira-kun though." As everyone is conversing, Oracle notices her big bro sitting alone on the cabin bed next to the window.

"Akira?" Everyone else follows her as she jogs over to the unmasked Akira, who stares at his mask with a pained look on his face. They take of their masks, revealing the worry on their faces, as they gather around him.

"Akira-kun, what's wrong?" Haru asks. Akira, aware of their presence, continues to stare at his mask.

"Oh. I, uhhh… U-Um… well…" He lets out a deep sigh before continuing.

"W-We uh… had a pretty good day, didn't we? Went from barely starting to getting almost everything done. Our infiltration route to Shido's Treasure will be secure after our next dive."

"Your point being?" Mona asks. There's a pause before the false criminal goes on.

"Today was only this big of a success… because I got a grip… That's what I'm so glum about… I've finally realized that I've been nothing but a burden to everyone recently…" Ann shakes her head and giggles.

"C'mon. That's not-" Akira jumps from his seat and glares at her.

"Don't lie! I've been hearing you guys talking about me this whole time! And I…" Akira hangs his head and sighs.

"Ugh… I knew you guys were right, but… I-I was just too focused on how angry I am at Bastard Shido to admit it… I completely forgot I'm supposed to be the leader and I was… only thinking about what I wanted…" He stares at Ann's upper arm, remembering how she got hurt during a Shadow attack. Instead of protecting her, he just went straight for the kill.

"And Ann got hurt because of it… If Ryuji and Mona hadn't been there when I ignored her… it would've been a lot worse…" Akira walks over to a wall and leans back on it before sliding down to the floor to sit.

"I… I don't blame you guys for being mad at me or not trusting me anymore… I was selfish… I messed up… And on the small chance it means anything… I'm sorry… for everything…" Ryuji walks up and kneels down to his best bud.

"Dude, chill out," he says. "None of us hold any of that shit against you. Remember when I was out of control trying to deal with Kamoshida? You understood why I was pissed, but you kept me in check. And not just with him, but so many other times too." Akira looks up at Ryuji.

"What I'm trying to say is, I totally get what you're goin' through. And I ain't mad at you for actin' how you've been lately." Ann and Futaba kneel down next to Ryuji and puts their hands on Akira's.

"Exactly. We're not mad at you all," Ann says. "We were just really worried about you."

"And we're just as mad at Shido for what he did to you too," Futaba says. "That's why all of us have been fighting so hard lately. Harder than normal, actually." That catches Akira's attention.

"Wait… you have?"

"Yeah! You saved me and helped me, Ryuji, and Lady Ann get back at Kamoshida," Mona says. "And you helped Futaba mend the wounds of her heart."

"I never would have accepted the truth about Madarame if you hadn't forced me to see the light," Yusuke says.

"I may not have been able to speak to him before he was murdered," Haru says. "But I'm positive that you gave me the chance to make peace with my father."

"My sister was able to come to her senses and find her justice," Makoto says. "And that's all because of you. Also, even if we didn't steal her Treasure, you were able to change her heart without the use of any powers." Ryuji nods and punches Akira's shoulder.

"Ya see where we're goin' with this? You helped all of us here deal with our problems. Now, it's our turn to help you deal with yours. It's alright for you to be pissed. Just remember: You ain't alone in this." Akira stares at his friends, chuckles, and gets to his feet.

"Yeah… Yeah, you're right. Sorry guys… and thanks." Everyone nods at him and he stretches out in exhaustion.

"Alright! Let's bail for today. I could eat a horse right now." Ryuji smiles with pride as he cracks his neck.

"Same here! In fact, I think I deserve to eat one after the awesome plan I came up with!" Mona frowns at Ryuji.

"Okay. Yeah, it did work in the end," he sighs. "But I'd hardly call it awesome or be so proud of it."

"I would! We got the letter and got Akira out of his pissy mood. Killed two birds with one stone, like its was supposed!" Everyone's eyes widen.

"Wait… are you saying you made that ridiculous plan with Akira-kun's temper in mind?!" Makoto gasps. Ryuji shoots a mischievous grin at his leader as he walks over and hangs his arm on his shoulders.

"Hell yeah! After we've been to the beach two times already, I've learned this much: He loooves seein' Ann in a swimsuit. Don't matter what he's pissed at. One good look and he forgets all about it. Ain't that right, bro?" Akira blushes and nervously scratches his head.

"Huh?! Uh, I… W-Well, that… um…" Ryuji lightly punches his ribs.

"Hm? Hm?" Akira smiles and sighs, as if admitting defeat.

"All right!" He starts shaking his shoulders.

"Hm?! Hm hm?!" Akira pushes him off and glares at him while he just laughs.

"Alright, alright! I said it worked, okay?! Can we please just go?!"

xxx

After leaving the Palace, the team decide to order take-out at Big Bang Burger and head home.

Ann walks Akira, Futaba, and Morgana to the Yongen Train, having convinced everyone else to let her. They stop in front of the ticket gate.

"Hey, Annie?" Akira says.

"Hm?" Akira takes her hand and looks at her with a serious look.

"Again… Sorry I've been so angry lately. I promise though. Starting tomorrow, things are gonna change." Ann smiles and pulls him in for a bear hug and a kiss on his cheek.

"Hey, don't worry about it!" she says in a cutesy tone. "I'm just glad my baby's feeling better." Akira chuckles and hugs her back.

"Y'know, you've been calling me "baby" a lot more often lately."

"Well, I'm getting more used to being your girl, so yeah." Akira presses his forehead on hers.

"Hey. Speaking of tomorrow, how about hanging at my place? It's a Sunday, so…"

"I'll be over first thing in the morning." Mona groans from inside the bag.

"Ugggghhhh! I feel like hacking up a hairball listening to this… So I guess I'm gonna be all by myself tomorrow, huh?" Akira lightly shakes his bag.

"You don't gotta leave. We won't do anything too mushy."

"Yeah! Hang out with us for a while," Ann suggests.

"Well… I guess that would be okay. But I am gone if you guys get in the mood to make out." Futaba tugs at her bro's arm.

"A-kiss-a, train's here." Akira nods.

"Right. Love you, Ann-pan."

"Love you too!" The couple share a quick kiss before Akira runs onto the train home with his little sister.

As they are riding back to Yongen-Jaya, Futaba tugs at her bro's arm.

"Hey, you feeling okay?" she asks.

"Yeah. Why?" Futuba frowns.

"Did ya think I wouldn't notice? Those new Personas you've been using in Shido's Palace. They've been draining you a lot, haven't they?" Ever since Akira's been using those overpowered Personas in Shido's Palace, the pint-sized ginger hacker has noticed him feeling more exhausted than usual after the group exits the Metaverse. His skin has been growing paler too. She didn't confront because of his anger at the time.

"Oh yeah," Akira sighs. "I got those in a fit of rage."

"I know we gotta beat Shido, but that doesn't mean you have to push yourself beyond your limit to do it. Look, I don't mind if you use them, but promise me you won't use 'em too much, kay? That's obviously bad for your health meter." Akira smiles and pats her head.

"For my baby sis? Anything." He suddenly recalls something Futaba said before and shoots a narrowed eyed look at her.

"By the by… A-kiss-a? Seriously?" Futaba grins at him.

"I know you guys suck face all the time in your room!" she says. "All, mwah mwah mwah mwah mwah mwah MWAH!" The two thick as thieves pseudo siblings continue messing around with each other, as if Akira's fits of anger never happened.

Target: Hit