Tuesday, November 22: Evening

Café Leblanc

"Thank you for coming, everyone." Makoto sat down at the bar, facing the others. "Sorry I called this meeting on such short notice."

Haru settled into the booth next to Kasumi. "No problem, Mako-chan. If the Phantom Thieves need to meet up, I'll be there whenever I'm needed."

"Same here, Makoto," Morgana said. "Wherever Lady Ann chooses to go, you can find me by her side."

Ryuji looked around the room curiously. "Say, where's Akira? He's always the first one who gets here."

Makoto bit her lower lip. Akira never responded to the group chat message about meeting up. She'd also tried calling him personally about it. Neither attempt successfully drew the attention of the Phantom Thieves' leader. Her beloved's absence escalated the growing chill in her back.

"To be honest with you… I'm not sure why he's gone right now."

Ann brushed one of her pigtails aside. "Maybe he got caught up doing something for Iwai-san."

"He could also be looking for games in Akihabara!" Futaba shouted. "I've heard the port of Gun About is awfully nice."

Yusuke brought a hand to his chin. "Another possibility is that he's simply running late."

Makoto stood up, clasping her hands together. "You all have some very valid points. At any rate, Iet's call the meeting to order. We can always fill in Akira on what we discussed."

She took a quick swig of coffee and stood up from her seat.

"I know this question might sound unusual, but have any of you noticed that things are out of the ordinary today?"

Ryuji shrugged his shoulders. "Not that I could tell."

"Nope," Futaba said, briefly glancing up from her laptop.

Morgana slipped his hand around Ann. "Why do you think that? Is something up?"

Makoto's fears grew with each passing denial. Her friends' lack of suspicion made it clear: the calling card's creator exerted enormous power. She inwardly hoped the calling card would provide her the proof she needed.

"Well, you see…" She set the calling card on the table in front of her. "I found this on the door to Leblanc."

Ann raised her eyebrows. "Hold on, is that…?"

Makoto's expression intensified. "Yes. It appears someone sent us a calling card."

"You think it's like last time, when someone forged one for Kobyakawa?" Ryuji asked.

"Not exactly. I have reason to suspect that this card is legitimate."

Morgana turned to Makoto in interest. "You really think so? Why's that?"

"For one, the author claims they stole away our pain. That suggests they know about parts of our lives that aren't public knowledge."

Haru's mouth opened in surprise. "Pain? I don't recall any of us experiencing pain—physical or otherwise."

Yusuke ran a hand through his hair. "That's true. But in that case, why send the calling card at all? It wouldn't make any sense."

"Exactly." Makoto straightened her posture. "In addition, the card says we should go to Odaiba. We can meet the person who wrote it there."

Kasumi glanced to the side of the cafe. Her behavior immediately drew the others' attention.

"Yoshizawa-san? What's up?" Morgana asked.

"I was thinking… remember the time we went to Odaiba with Kurusu-senpai? When we found that Palace?"

Futaba sprung up from her computer. "Hold on, you guys came across a Palace there? How'd you do that?"

"The Nav took us there all by itself," Morgana said, a determined look in his eyes. "We had no info on a Palace Ruler. No code words or anything like that. All we knew was we had to get out of there. Yoshizawa-san awakened her Persona and helped us to escape."

Haru folded her hands on the table. "That's unusual. We've never had the Nav act in this way."

Makoto turned to face Kasumi. "More importantly, you've never been back to that Palace, right?"

Kasumi pulled her arms closer to her body. "No. We never got around to it."

Makoto's eyes lit up with passion. "I think the Ruler of that Palace is behind all the weird things I've noticed today. It's also likely they're the ones who made the calling card."

Morgana nodded in agreement. "You're right. Something isn't adding up about all this. I suppose we'll need to look at it ourselves."

"Absolutely," Makoto said. "I take it everyone else is on board as well?"

One by one, the Phantom Thieves signaled their agreement. Makoto retrieved the calling card and held it firmly between her fingers.

"It's settled, then. We'll meet in Odaiba after school tomorrow. I'll see you all there."

Wednesday, November 23: After School

Odaiba - Construction Site

"Remind me, Yoshizawa-san," Makoto said. "What's that new building for?"

Kasumi pointed to a sign on the right. "It's going to be a new sports stadium. They should have it finished by the end of next year."

Ryuji rolled out his shoulders. "Kinda ironic. This place has a Palace, but that building ain't even done yet."

Futaba pushed her glasses up. "More importantly, where were you guys when the Nav took you inside?"

"Senpai and I were by the spot where the entrance will be." Kasumi's mouth drew up into a smile. "Want to try going in from there?"

"Sounds thoughtful," Yusuke said. "Let us be on our way."

The team walked up to the entrance, forming a rough semicircle in front of the construction fence.

Makoto beckoned to Kasumi. "Care to do the honors?"

"Sure thing, Niijima-senpai."

A garish eye symbol flooded Kasumi's phone in an instant. The Nav's characteristic voice played over the speakers as the surroundings smeared into a blurry mess of red and black.

"Beginning navigation…"

Wednesday, November 23: After School

? ? ?

An enormous building greeted the Phantom Thieves as they spawned into the Metaverse. Its pearly architecture and corkscrew elevator immediately stood out within the muted landscape of the cognitive world. While most of the team analyzed its breathtaking exterior, Kasumi averted her eyes in confusion.

"Um… Niijima-senpai? Why are we in our normal outfits?"

"It seems the Palace Ruler doesn't see us as a threat," Makoto explained. "Until that changes, we're stuck in our street clothes."

"That's strange." Kasumi frowned. "I was in my thief outfit the last time I was here."

Yusuke grinned inquisitively. "Intriguing. Perhaps the Palace Ruler doesn't see us as capable without Joker."

Haru brought her hands together. "Or, maybe the Palace Ruler has been expecting us."

"We won't know for sure unless we go inside." Morgana adjusted his necklace. "You guys ready?"

"Ready if you are," Ann said.

Kasumi tightened the bow in her hair. "Me too."

Makoto balled her hand into a fist. "It's settled, then. On we go."

A short elevator ride brought the Phantom Thieves into the Palace's enormous atrium. Off-white paint covered every surface and every panel, reflecting the spotless layout of a research laboratory. Human cognitions discussed esoteric concepts while they sprawled around enormous posters. Large banners hung from elevated walkways above, featuring the names of world-famous Japanese scientists.

"Yo, uh… what is this place?" Ryuji asked.

Futaba looked around the room with widened eyes. "Reminds me of conferences Mom went to. Tons of people, posters galore, and enough coffee to make your heart flutter."

"They appear to be presenting results from an experiment," Haru said, stepping near a nearby presentation. "It's a little over my head, though. Psychology isn't my forte."

Makoto stepped closer, looking at the poster in greater detail.

"The Persistence of Memory: Impact of Cognitive Psience on Conscious Perception."

Futaba tucked her arms behind her back apprehensively. "Maybe this Palace belongs to someone involved in my mom's research."

Ryuji brought a hand to his neck. "Seems like it."

Kasumi slid her hands together. "Say, where do you guys think the Palace Ruler's at? This place looks really big, by the looks of it."

Futaba snatched a map off a nearby information counter. "According to this pamphlet, a big speech is going on in the ballroom soon."

"Might as well check it out," Morgana said. "Who knows? Maybe the Palace Ruler is the keynote speaker."

As the team steadily approached their destination, Makoto steeled herself. Whatever lay beyond the double doors held the key to their situation—and their future. However, it was who she saw standing in front of them that instantly made her throat dry.

"Glad to see you're all doing well."

Kasumi raised a hand to her chin in shock. "Dr. Maruki?!"

"Yes. It's me." He slid a hand into his blazer. "Truth be told, this isn't how I was hoping we would meet again."

Futaba stood frozen in surprise. "Wait, you're the Ruler of this Palace?"

"Palace?"

"A place where distorted desires manifest," Makoto explained. "We're asking if you're the source of the desires here."

Dr. Maruki smirked. "Ah. I see. Well, to use your own words: yes. I am this Palace's Ruler. But in my case, it's a tad different from the other ones you've seen. That said, there is an important question to ask. Do you like the reality I created for you?"

Morgana's jaw dropped wide open. "You… created it?"

"That's right. I have gained the ability to alter reality through the power of cognitive psience." Maruki gestured towards the team. "In other words, I can make it whatever the public desires."

Makoto clutched the corner of her vest. "To be clear, Dr. Maruki… everything new we've seen in reality is something you did for us?"

"Yes."

Makoto's stomach dropped. She saw Dr. Maruki as a trusted ally—a way to process the troubling emotions of Akira's death. But grandiosity had clearly overtaken his empathy. An unshakable sense of betrayal surged through her veins. She inwardly hoped the same feelings would take root in her friends.

"But why?" Ann asked. "Why pull us into an alternate reality to begin with?"

Maruki's expression became somber. "You have all experienced great hardship in your lives. I can only imagine how much worse that's been since Kurusu-kun's death. That's what inspired me to create a new reality for you. Now, you may enjoy your lives as they were truly meant to be lived."

The Phantom Thieves paused to slowly mull over the information. They turned to each other, eyes and faces captured in the throes of shock.

"I do not agree with your assessment, Dr. Maruki." Yusuke returned a stony glare. "The reality you created is a walled garden. Your decisions override the capacity for free will. Even though you mean well, your actions are seriously misjudged."

"I'd be careful before being so tough on my creation. Not everyone in the Phantom Thieves wants society back to its original state."

Kasumi weaved her hands together anxiously. "If we leave, I'll never be able to see Senpai. He won't be there for me when I perform my routines, or be able to make me smile, or—"

"Don't let Doc get under your skin, Kasumi." Ryuji frowned in disgust. "Let's face it: Akira's gone. Maruki just put him here to try and make you stay."

"It's the same thing he did with my father," Haru muttered. "He's no better than Sugimura: using people while keeping them from making their own choices."

Dr. Maruki grimaced. "I understand how my benevolence may be hard to grasp. I want to show you what you'll face if you decide to turn away from me. Once you have, you'll need to choose between the two realities: the merciless one, or the one I've formed. Your decision, whatever it may be, is irreversible."

Maruki's increasingly arrogant language accelerated the growing fire in Makoto's soul. Haru rested a hand on Makoto's shoulder, hoping this would temper the growing scowl on her face.

"The cruel and unforgiving reality I saved you from is even worse than you remember. Yoshizawa-san knows this all too well."

Kasumi shuddered in fear. "Dr. Maruki, what do you mean? What's happened to me?"

"I had honestly hoped that all those warnings you were given would change your minds… but I'm left with no choice." Maruki's ferocious glare deepened as he adjusted his glasses. "I want you to recall who you really are, Kasumi. And I want the rest of you to learn as well."

Dr. Maruki snapped his fingers. Within seconds, the entire ballroom descended into darkness. A large monitor above the team kicked on to display a rolling countdown. The Phantom Thieves glued their eyes to screen, the whirring of unspooling film reels filling up the room. The team waited with bated breath for what the film held in store.

Raindrops softly fell from the ashen sky, dotting the matte-gray pavement of the street below. A teenage girl paused in the alleyway, ensuring her umbrella closely covered her dark brown hair. Satisfied, she joined the growing crowd in the city's narrow walkways. The brunette then tilted her head to meet the eyes of her red-haired companion.

"Today was brutal, huh?"

"Yeah," the redhead replied dismissively.

The brown-haired girl flashed a smile. "Feeling okay?"

"I don't understand. Why am I doing so bad? We practice the same amount, but I keep messing up my routine. You're the one who always gets first place. No matter what I do, I can't catch up to you, Kasumi."

Kasumi placed her hands on her hips. "You know why? Because it's my right as the elder sister."

"We're in the same grade, though."

"Aww, don't be so down." Kasumi pointed to the horizon. "We'll reach the top of the world together, Sumire. That's our dream, right?"

Sumire sighed, narrowing her garnet eyes. "You don't get it. You'll never understand how I feel."

A gray-haired man in a red coat gently laid his hand on Kasumi's shoulder. She turned around, her expression warming as she noticed the plastic bag slung over his arm.

"There you are. I just got back from the Underground Mall."

Sumire brushed her arm against her damp glasses. "Hey, Dad."

Kasumi popped up on her tip-toes. "Find anything good for Mom's birthday?"

"I stopped by Rafflesia on the way out." He displayed the bag's signature logo to his daughters. "She'll love it. I'm sure of it."

The crosswalk lights turned green, granting the three Yoshizawas passage to the other side. On this Sunday morning, the typically vibrant traffic was sparse. The city center appeared frozen, its trademark commotion seemingly locked away in time. Tranquil and graceful, like the work of an elegant dancer.

"Which flowers did you get this time?" Kasumi asked, stepping into the intersection.

"I settled on three: a Scarlet Rose, Adoration Orchid, and a Care-Nation."

Sumire slid a hand in her jacket. "Mom's favorites, right?"

"Not only that, but they're also bright and colorful," her father said. "Just the thing to light up her day."

From the distance, spine-chilling sounds spread through the air. Tires screeched desperately against the damp asphalt. Dissonant horns clashed with one another. Panicked shouts erupted from the side streets. Kasumi instinctually turned towards the dirge. Her eyes widened in disbelief.

It was a truck. A truck heading straight for her. Her and her family.

"Dad! Watch out!"

Kasumi sprung forwards. She willed every drop of strength into her arms and pushed. Sumire and her father surged ahead. They tumbled to their knees, centimeters separating them and the path of destruction. A flash of red flew past the spot where their feet once stood. An ear-splitting thump rang in their ears. They turned around.

Kasumi was gone.

"Oh my god!"

"What just happened?!"

"Someone call an ambulance!"

Sumire's hazy vision sharpened. On her left, an enormous truck lay paralyzed in the road—its driver beyond help. On her right, Kasumi—lifeless.

Sumire's legs shot her forwards. The rain pounded furiously against her glasses. Her heart raced out of control. Hours slipped by in the time it took to reach Kasumi. Sumire kneeled over her, settling into a growing pool of water and blood.

"Kasumi…"

Her hands shakily turned the brunette over. Kasumi's once-vibrant eyes gazed back in a half-lidded stare. The puddle beneath her deepened its reddening glow. Her body steadily drew cold. It was then that Sumire realized the inescapable truth.

Her sister, Kasumi Yoshizawa, was dead.

Ryuji's mouth remained wide open as the lights returned. "Holy shit…"

Makoto screwed her eyes shut. "I'm so sorry, Yoshizawa-san…"

Morgana and Ann frowned, their grave faces laden with sadness. The other team members remained silent, moved in ways words could never dream to express. They all turned to "Kasumi" apprehensively as she pulled the bow out of her hair. She sniffled, her voice wavering and eyes sullied with tears.

"I'm… I'm not Kasumi. I'm her younger sister, Sumire Yoshizawa."

"It seems you've remembered," Dr. Maruki said. "The girl named 'Kasumi Yoshizawa' died eight months ago in a freak accident."

"It happened just as you saw in the video." Sumire dropped to her knees, clutching her head in her hands. "My father and I were saved by Kasumi. She was robbed of her dreams… and even her life!"

Sumire trembled, painful sobs ringing throughout the room. Dr. Maruki kneeled down at her side, his tender expression facing her reddened eyes. He gently squeezed her hand, inspiring enough courage for her to continue her story.

"After Kasumi died, but before I started at Shujin, I received counseling from Dr. Maruki." She sniffled while she wiped her eyes dry. "That was when I told him… if Kasumi is gone and can't make her dream come true, then I want to become Kasumi so I can turn her dreams into reality for her."

Dr. Maruki returned to his feet and faced the team. "Limited as it was, I already had the power at the time to actualize her wish. Put yourselves in her shoes for a moment. Sumire-san's older sister died from protecting her. Who would be able to cope with that survivor's guilt, let alone heal from the emotional trauma that she's suffered? If Sumire-san can live a healthy, positive life by becoming Kasumi-san, then I believe that reality is what would make her happy."

Futaba narrowed her eyes. "In other words, you took cognitive psience and used it to steal Sumire's heart."

"Well said, Sakura-san." Maruki straightened out his blazer. "For months now, Sumire has only seen herself as being her deceased elder sister. Of course, it was only her cognition that changed, so to the people around her, she was still Sumire-san. For some reason, though, there were a few rare exceptions to this. Did something happen to make you believe she was Kasumi-san?"

"When Akira first met Yoshizawa-san, she introduced herself to him as Kasumi," Makoto said. "The same happened to me when I first encountered her as well. As far as we knew, that was her identity. We never suspected she wasn't being truthful to us."

"This… Palace, you called it? It's a place where its Ruler's desires take physical form, yes? I wish to utilize my research to save humanity—I suppose that would be the 'desire' I hold dearest." Dr. Maruki's voice swelled adamantly. "In fact, it's my responsibility to do so. You can see how this world's bestowed the duty upon me. My work will convert the wishes of people into reality. Just as Sumire-san was saved by becoming Kasumi, I'll save every other person in the world currently suffering. In my reality, no one will ever have to suffer under the yoke of an unfair world."

Haru averted her eyes. "Dr. Maruki, if we choose to accept your reality, then what would happen to the old one?"

"I don't know for certain. It'll most likely be treated as if it never existed. The cruel reality will cease to be, while the reality I generated will be the sole world recognized by society. Now comes the time for me to ask you for your decision. Won't you accept my reality for your own happiness?"

Sumire faced the floor, turning away from the others. "Dr. Maruki… it's impossible. I'm sorry, Niijima-senpai. I can't go back to being Sumire. I can't be the one who let Kasumi's dreams crumble to dust! I can't live in a world without Senpai!"

A gentle smile returned to Maruki's face. "Please don't judge her. This is just evidence of how painful life is for Sumire-san. Some of you sensed doubts in the reality I manifested—that's why I brought you here. But please remember this as well: the Phantom Thieves aren't excluded from the people that I wish to save. Should you choose to accept me, I will welcome you home with open arms."

Makoto scrunched her face dismissively. Any concern she had of leaving Akira behind evaporated before her eyes. The only thing that mattered now was the truth. No matter how destructive it might become, she needed to uphold her namesake.

"Dr. Maruki, planting us in a false reality isn't helping us. As long as Goro Akechi remains at large, other people risk the same fate that Akira did. We need to return to reality and avenge his death."

"I concur," Yusuke said. "This new 'reality' is a mirage—a splotch of paint concealing the errors beneath."

Futaba's eyes lit up in determination. "Same here, Inari!"

Morgana slumped his shoulders. "Me too. As much as I enjoy being human right now, I can't stand being some man's puppet."

"It saddens me when you speak that way," Dr. Maruki murmured. "Don't you understand? You deny Sumire's wishes when you say such things. I honestly do want to come to terms with you. We should talk. Think about it—you all have dreams, no? I have the power to make them come true. My reality can become just the way you like."

Ryuji slipped a hand into his pocket. "No thanks, Doc. My mom needs me more than I need some fake track medals."

Ann nodded in agreement. "I need to be there for Shiho every step of the way. I can't let Kamoshida's wrath define us."

"I want to live in a true reality." Haru furrowed her eyebrows. "Nothing you've said can convince me otherwise."

Dr. Maruki returned a stern look. "Hmm. Still no deal, huh?"

He clapped his hands, summoning three Shadows around himself. Two immediately combined to form a slithering tentacle. It extended across the room and enveloped Sumire in its slimy grasp. The Phantom Thieves looked on in astonishment as it dumped her into Maruki's waiting arms.

"It's in her best interest that you turn back. You've made it clear that you reject the reality Sumire desires—the reality where she lives as Kasumi Yoshizawa."

"I should've known, Dr. Maruki." Makoto's words ignited in fury, embodying the hair-raising tone of her older sister. "Deep on the inside, you aren't a counselor. All you are is a self-righteous monster!"

Wisps of energy surrounded the Phantom Thieves, transforming them into their Palace outfits. Maruki's anger surged ever higher.

"If you wish to escape my reality, you'll have to go through me."

Queen tightened her gloved hand into a ball. "Make no mistake about it, Dr. Maruki. We will save Sumire and return to our reality."

"I'm right with you, Queen!" Oracle shouted.

"All right!" Skull tapped his bat against his palm. "Let's kick some ass!"

Maruki slicked back his hair. "I don't normally condone the use of violence. However, my hand has been forced."

He snapped his fingers, disappearing with Sumire in a burst of light. His voice now echoed over the loudspeakers inside the room.

"You want to steal my heart? Prove you have what it takes to fight."

The Shadow that once stood behind Maruki sickeningly morphed into Hastur, its true form. It confronted the team head-on.

"Stubborn imbeciles, rejecting our lord. Know your weakness and submit."

Noir stepped forward, ax in hand. "What's our plan, Queen?"

"Personas are our best bet," she said, taking a seat on Johanna. "It'll help us find a weakness."

Zorro discharged a potent vortex. Hastur flapped its mess of tentacles, drinking in the dizzying whirlwind with ease. The Shadow reeled up its strength and fired. Mona stumbled, crying out as a red-and-black aura encircled him.

Noir sent Milady forward with Mapsio. "I've got your back, Mona-chan!"

Hastur scavenged the attack instantly. Its body eerily fluoresced with each cackle erupting from its form. Oracle desperately crunched away on Necronomicon's computer. Tense seconds passed before new calculations streamed across the monitor.

"Mona, Noir! Move back and lay some cover fire. The rest of us, start the counterattack!"

Queen punched the gas. Across the field, Mona readied his slingshot, timing the volleys in perfect tandem with Noir's grenades. Johanna unleashed a torrent of Nuke energy, striking Hastur with deadly efficiency.

"I got a hit in!" Queen exclaimed.

"No… such pathetic attempts won't be enough!" Hastur's eyes flashed repeatedly. "Accept his mercy. Give yourselves over to him!"

Panther straightened out her whip. "No chance! Get on your knees!"

Skull commanded a lightning strike from Captain Kidd. Pulses of light quickly encircled Hastur's limbs, shocking it on the spot. Oracle grinned in delight, noticing a marked change in the Shadow's demeanor.

"Ooh! Now's your chance, Inari! Go get 'em!"

Fox drew out his katana. "Engaging."

He surged forwards, slashing twice across Hastur's midsection. It fell backwards, tentacles whipping in the air aimlessly.

Queen waved the team forward. "It's time to end this."

"Hell yeah!" Skull grinned mischievously. "Let's tear them apart!"

The Phantom Thieves sprung ahead, weapons drawn. They hacked and slashed, furiously shredding Hastur's form to a pile of ash. Cinders coated the team's shoes as they bathed in a newfound silence—a silence that quickly gave way to raucous celebration. Queen sighed in relief, adjusting a mask that had skewed in the heat of battle.

"Great work, everyone!" she shouted.

Oracle smirked in adoration. "You took out that Shadow like a tier-one mob, Inari."

Fox stowed his katana away. "Thank you. My time as a phantom thief has greatly improved my swordsmanship."

Without warning, Dr. Maruki's voice creaked out through the loudspeakers above the team. What began as frustration had now magnified into palpable annoyance.

"So, you still haven't accepted it…"

"Accepted what?" Mona gripped his scimitar fiercely. "That your Shadows aren't enough to hold us back?"

"You still haven't accepted the truth: you will never break Sumire's faith in my reality." Maruki's voice became more determined. "Your efforts, although understandable, are inevitably in vain. If we shall meet again, I am confident I will be the victor."

The loudspeakers drew silent once more.

Skull pumped his fists. "We'll show you, Doc! Next time we come around, we're gonna bust right through your Palace! After we find our way through, we'll—"

Queen nudged him with her elbow, bringing his speech to an abrupt conclusion.

"Hey! What was that for?" Skull leered back in annoyance. "I needed him to have a piece of my mind!"

Queen dropped her shoulders. "I… don't know how much your words are helping us at this point."

Mona flashed a playful grin. "Can't fault him too much, though. Skull is truly a bonehead at heart."

Skull frowned as the others delighted in Mona's joke.

Noir turned to the others in consternation. "Since we've dealt with that Shadow, what are we going to do next?"

Queen parted her bangs. "It appears Dr. Maruki has retreated deeper inside the Palace. We should exit the Metaverse and prepare for the fight ahead of us. To say a lot has happened just now would be an understatement."

"Not a bad idea," Oracle said. "After all, we don't want to charge in here without enough mana."

Fox straightened out his uniform. "Everyone, be sure to rest up once you're home. That includes you, Oracle."

"Yeah, yeah." She lifted up her goggles to reveal her eyes. "I'll only play War Lightning for an hour this time."

Noir brought a hand to her mouth, hiding an innocent laugh while Queen activated the Meta-Nav.

"You are now leaving Maruki's Palace. Thank you for your hard work."