A/N: Hi all its the anticipated finale. Sorry its late. This year has not been kind to me at all and just lately been down to not write anything given events in my country. But on a lighter note I want to take the time to thank everyone that has supported me and this story for a while. You guys continue to inspire me to write and complete something, thank you all for the kind reviews. I hope this journey through the wild west has been as enjoyable for you as its been for me. THis crazy idea I had a few years ago has finally reach completion.
So please enjoy the final chapter and feel free to review. I also like to dedicate in memory of Billy Kametz aka Dr. Maruki. Billy was such a bright individual when I had the small chance to meet him. Cancer sucks but may he finally know peace.
EPILOGUE
It was quiet in the halls that adorn their current hideout. Wee hours of the morning are indicated by the illumination of the moon.
"So, how is he now?" Akechi immediately questioned once he closed the door to Masayoshi Shido's holding place.
"Shouting the same old rhetoric as usual. Didn't even answer my question, but I think he's cracking,"
Ren nods his head, "Let's move this conversation elsewhere."
The two walk down to a further room, protected in Dr. Maruki's facility safe and exhausted. Everyone had bumps and bruises for Dr. Takemi to examine, that was a few days ago.
They were earning some well-needed rest until they learn how to break Shido down.
"How's your arm by the way?"
".…No changes. Dr. Takemi will give me another checkup tomorrow." Akechi's fight with Loki had caused significant damage to his left arm, and severely burned skin from the initial explosion. He was lucky to get out alive with just that. "She said I'll be lucky to get half mobility back due to nerve damages.
"I'm sorry—"
"Don't apologize. I don't need you here thinking this is your fault because I agreed to a 1 on 1 fight with Loki. Becoming a detective, I know part of the job would be coming in contact with danger." Akechi was accepting of his fate. The feeling in his hand was the same as it's always been since being bandaged.
"Occupational hazard," Ren slightly joked but Akechi didn't follow.
"I was hoping he would show more emotion when I told him I'm his son. He actually thought I was Loki for a moment. Though why would I expect anything different?"
"Because maybe you want answers. Ones he doesn't want to give."
"I won't dwell on it. The past is in the past. Outside of clearing our names, there's nothing left he can offer me," Akechi said confidently.
"Why don't you join the others in resting, I want a quick word with him if you don't mind."
"Sleep would be nice…." The former detective agreed to head off in the direction of the beds.
Retracing his steps, Ren walks back to Shido's holding room. It was still quite dark, with the only light being the lamp Akechi set earlier. Taking the seat the detective once occupied, he stares at their bound prisoner.
"We don't have much in food but I'm sure you're getting quite hungry. It's been a few days. At the very least have some more water."
The Phantom Thief leader was greeted with silence.
"For someone that makes a lot of speeches, you're awfully quiet." Ren comments. "You were talkative when the guns were drawn."
"Why'd you do it?"
"Mmh?"
"You had multiple chances to kill me but you didn't. Why the hesitation?"
"...Because that's not who I am. I only kill if I have to."
"Such weakness," Shido spitted out.
"You say weakness, I say compassion."
"I stand by what I said."
"So do I. You know I kept you alive because I believe you can still fix some of the damages you've caused or give some closure. Underneath all that corruption, blackmail, and bribery was once someone that wanted to make a difference in the world for good. It's why you became a politician, right? You've clearly lost your way, seeing the people you've interacted with, those you ordered like your former lapdog. But, I think that piece of you, the side that wanted to do good never went away. Just something to think about."
Ren waited a few moments hoping the man would come to his senses and say something. The dimmed silence between them was all there was.
"Since you're not in a talkative mood, I'll leave you to Akechi in the morning."
".…..He was ordered not to harm."
"Huh?"
"Loki….he wanted to kill Akechi when he first joined SIU. I ordered him that Akechi was not to be harmed at first," Shido confessed. "I had an inkling of who he was, he looks just like her. That woman. She was the only one….I saw more than once. I never wanted him to know who I truly was."
"Why are you telling me this?"
"I'm…not quite sure myself. But what does it matter? I'm either to be killed or start everything over." Shido put his head down dejectedly in his tied hands. "I admire your tenacity, thief. Not many stand up to me and live to tell the tale."
"I am that one flea you just couldn't get rid of, and I will continue to be a bother until you find the solution." The elder Amamiya makes his way to the door, hand on doorknob.
"Don't tell Akechi, about what was said. I rather he continues to look upon me with scorn in his eyes."
Ren nods acknowledging his request, "Very well," and leaves.
THE NEXT MORNING
The gang sat around the kitchen table, some slumped over, others more energetic.
"So…what now?" asked the young genius.
"Good question indeed. What do you all plan to do now? Some of you can't go back to your prior lives."This time Sae Nijima pointed out.
"We do whatever we want, go wherever we want, we accomplished our goal."
"Not quite Ryuji," Ren looked the most tired of them all, signs of bags under his eyes. "Without Shido's confession, we're still high targets."
"But anyone Shido could throw at us is either dead or abandon him. He has no one left up his sleeve. Rumors about his misdeeds were already spreading, now let the pieces drop." Akechi had offered his two cents about the situation. Taking the extra bowl of breakfast made, he leaves the others to attend to their "guest."
Ren felt comforting hands grab his own, the women he loved scooting closer, "Akechi's right, Shido has no ammo left. We won. We SURVIVED. Maybe once your shock wears off, you'll fear better." He squeezes back and leans over the rest his head on her shoulder.
How long has he held onto this purpose of his? How many nights he spent running, how many days fighting for another day. 1,947 days since his life changed for the worse or maybe for the better. After all, he never would've met Boss, Futaba, Takemi, and Mishima. Finding Ryuji, Ann, and Shiho in that town wouldn't have happened. Neither would his meetings of Yusuke, Akechi, and Haru by chance. The biggest takeaway was never meeting Makoto.
"To be honest, I'm not quite sure what comes next," he spoke honestly.
"We'll figure it out."
Hundreds were gathering in the park, journalists swarmed the stage, and photographers vying for the perfect shot. Local Government officials were present too. Everyone was aware of what took place a few days ago. The smoke from the sinking ship was spotted for miles. Survivors telling their stories.
"Direct Attack on Famed Politician," the papers say. Many pointed to outlaws infiltrating the ship with means to kill.
Some who oppose Shido and his views were secretly celebrating the fact he was knocked down a peg.
"Looks like the whole press community is here."
"You think he'll condemn the perpetrator?"
"This should boost his standing points for sure."
The crowd gathered around waiting for the man of the hour to take the stage.
Two hooded figures wandered into the crowd also curious about what would be said. The murmur around them continue until movement was spotted on stage.
The hairless middle age gentleman walked up to the podium to a mass of cheers. The crowd chants his name over and over. Perhaps before he would welcome it with open arms, but now…
Masayoshi Shido motions for the crowd to settle down as he pulls out a piece of paper. He typically had others write for him during his campaign, but this was different.
"Thank you, my fellow citizens, honor guests and colleagues. As many of you may know by now, I was attacked the other night on my personal ship, which left many injured. You are correct to assume these horrific acts were started by outlaws. A group of outlaws looking to exact revenge." He took a moment to pause as if hesitant to continue.
"It was during this attack that I've come to a new….understanding. The same outlaw that sought to seek revenge on me had every right to kill me many times over. Just as my vessel went down the individual spared my life," the crowd had an audible gasp. "I was admittedly stunned over this revelation. As this campaign has gone on, I've always presented myself as a proud individual to the masses, a persona that wanted to do good for everyone. However, this could not be further from the truth. "
The crowd had gone completely silent as they were not used to this powerful man speaking this way. This was a boastful man, their savior.
"I…I," the hooded figures in the crowd tense, was he truly going to do it? The taller of the two clench his jaw tightly as his partner took his hand in hers.
"I have a confession to make….an epiphany. I Masayoshi Shido have appreciated the support you all have given me but—" Shido clenched his speech cards, it was now or never. "I am not the man you believe me to be. I have bribed, blackmailed, and harassed anyone who has gotten in my way. I have let others take the fall for my crimes," Shido spills out. Members of his campaign tried to pry the man away from the podium but refused to budge.
"I've even broken my marriage vows by laying with a woman that weren't my wife, a woman that had my child. A child I had abandoned, left to suffer alone, even tried to frame him. This child is someone you know very well, former detective Goro Akechi is of my flesh and blood."
"No Way! Shido and Akechi related!"
"I can see the resemblance now."
"That detective does take after his old man."
Shido waited for the uproar to quiet down again before continuing, "Mr. Akechi was not a part of any scandals, nor bribes and blackmail. I am the mastermind. I…have accepted my fate after some reflection and will cooperate with the authorities on what I've done. Even the hit on Okum—"
"I think that's enough, Mr. Shido is having a stressful time at the moment and is not in the right state of mind. We do apologize, but we are ending this conference here," A campaign rep yelled to the crowd. They were trying to save face themselves after Shido refused to be moved the first time. His image was forever tarnished.
"What have you done Sir! You've ruined your career! Your ship is destroyed and you go missing for a few days, what happen?"
Shido sits down on a crate recalling the choices he made today, choices he was well aware of….
He was blindfolded before being escorted ways in a carriage. After what felt like an hour, he was set in an open field, cuffs removed, eyes freed. Shido actually gawked at the Phantom Thief leader in front of him. It was just the two of them.
"You're free to leave," he said.
"Is this some trick of yours?"
"No, city outskirts are about a few miles in that direction. But patrols should pick you up."
"You're not very bright giving up your only bargaining chip."
"So the others have also told me. Believe me, I've thought of so many ways of killing you these past 5 years. So many ways of making you feel the pain I felt. Killing you would just be the easy way out. It's better to let you live, live with your failure, your destroyed empire, with the thought of your favorite son dead on your orders. It will become unbearable in time. But I also hope sparing you provides reflection, it's never too late to provide closure."
"Reflection? Closure? You're speaking nonsense."
"To you perhaps. I am giving you something you refuse to give others….a second chance," Ren couldn't help a small twitch to his grin seeing the look of shock in Shido's eyes. "But I have one final bargain in exchange for your life."
Shido motions him to continue.
"You shall leave the Phantom Thieves, Nijima's, and Akechi alone. If you even try to send one guard, one bounty hunter to track us down, rest assured, we'll be waiting and we'll be ready."
Shido scoffs at the young man. He had everything to lose and nothing to gain. It was a tough pill to swallow but the outlaw was right. Who of influence is even left in his circle? To be outsmarted by some….KID.
Feeling defeat, he turns to face once Ren Amamiya, "That's not a bad head you got on your shoulders, I can't recall the last time I was talked to this way"
"I'm also known well for convincing others, glad to know it has some effect. Do not waste this opportunity this time Mr. Shido, I will not be so lenient again. Good luck."
Shido sees the notorious outlaw take his leave, living the bald politician stranded with a long trek ahead of him.
"Very well, I concede."
6 MONTHS LATER
"Ryuji, if you don't hold still!"
"I am holding still! You're the one chocking me."
"Because I'm trying to fix your tie!"
"They haven't even taken their vows and they're already bickering," said Shiho who was off to the side admiring the soon-to-be newlyweds. The Priest behind them looked more than ready to begin the show.
"What are they arguing about now?" The former Phantom Thief informant Mishima joined the rest of the group. A slightly taller Shinya followed closely behind.
"Nonsense I think. All packed?"
"Wedding, cake, then back on the road. Sure you don't wish to stay longer Shiho? You two are good friends."
She shakes her head no. She and Ann already spent a few days hanging out before the wedding. The others were all quite busy to attend, and the blonde lovers were understanding. They were all still staying low since Shido's confession.
"Sorry to interrupt, but can we continue with the ceremony?" The exasperated Priest asked.
"Oh my bad man, continue." Ryuji and Ann took their spots in from of the older man. Shiho stood beside Ann while Mishima was behind Ryuji, and the younger Shinya was holding the rings. With Witness presents the wedding started.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today….."
Miles away the blue hair artist Yusuke Kitagawa was left undecided.
"Hmm perhaps rotate it on its side," he order the assistants who rotated the heavy painting 90 degrees.
"Actually maybe it was better standing up." The former thief was preparing for a small art show he was putting together. Not under Yusuke Kitagawa, former apprentice of Madarame, but under the pseudonym Kitsune.
People would no doubt wonder what Madarame's former student was doing this whole time if he used his real name on his pieces. Thankfully all the transporting and transactions were being done by a kind gentleman who told the young artist, "Everything will be taken care of."
Said older man had walked in to check on the show's progress. "How is everything going?"
"Quite well Sir. Though I'm unsure how I want to frame this final painting."
"Ah," he looks to examine the one the assistants were currently holding, "This is the show stealer right here. What is it called?"
"Yūgure", means 'dusk' in my native tongue."
"I see. I think it's quite appropriate."
"That is good to know Sir. I only wish my friends had a chance to see this piece."
"They will one day Yusuke, they will."
A small press stand was set up by the track's starting train station. Reporters looking for the latest scoop arrived early waiting for the conference to start. Station workers were also congregating, hopeful, and curious about the new owner's vision.
The young Haru Okumura was helped on stage to the podium facing a curious crowd. It took her a few months to get her bearings regarding her Father's train company and bring it to order.
"Good Morning to you all. As you well know by now the past few months have been quite chaotic and difficult. I understand the quality and execution of this company were poorly managed during my father's reign. However, Mr. Takakura and I will do everything in our power to make this company a trusted business with our customers and employees. We will start by raising the wages of all workers and improve the working conditions within the coming weeks. Along with an in-company division that will deal with any future improvements that must be made. That is all."
Haru stepped away to let Mr. Takakura answer but one question shouted stood out from the rest.
"Miss Okumura! Any further details regarding your imprisonment at the hands of the Phantom Thieves? Were you hurt?"
"I was not harmed nor mistreated. The Phantom Thieves were the nicest people I've met while I was in their care. No further comment," Haru proudly said.
She would step away and let her advisor handle the Okumura Rail Company in hopes of restoring her family's name. The young heiress had other business ventures in mind for the future. The beginning plans for a cafe in the heart of town, a place of warmth for all who welcome
It was a beautiful day, the sky was clear and the sun was out. The weather was mild as the Sakura's visited the lone grave. It sat there peacefully for some years now. The location is only known to them.
A young girl with large round spectacle on her face placed a set of fresh flowers on the covered dirt.
"Wakaba would be so proud of how far you've gotten Futaba," Sojiro stood behind her with a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"You think so?"
"If she's as cool as you all describe her, she has to be?" said their added guest.
"You would've been her number 1 target to pick on Morgana," Boss joked.
"Mom would've chewed you on your height."
"Hey! I'm not….that short," the 3rd member of the group and younger Amamiya's brother decided to stick around with his adoptive family.
Morgana was considered an adult in the eyes of the law. On top of everything he experience the past few years with his brother, the two felt it was time for the younger sibling to get his wings. Being a frequent visitor of the family that raised him, he was a welcome fixture in that part of town.
"Regardless, we appreciate you coming out here with us Morgana. How many more days do you plan on staying?"
"Probably just a couple more. Then I'll head further West and offer my congrats to blondie and Lady Ann."
Futaba looked at the younger Amamiya with skepticism, "You say you want to offer congratulations, but you clearly look upset and mad. Is it because Ryuji got to her first?"
"No," Mona tried to lie, "I just didn't have enough time to properly whoo Lady Ann, you know with….everything going on."
"Don't worry Mona, I'm sure you'll find love somewhere out there," as Futaba pats him on the head.
"Hey! I don't need your help—" he grumbles before the two burst into a full bicker.
The older man sighs as he looks at the two young ones in his care, "Here we go again…"
The slight breeze blew through the crack in his window, knocking over a few papers. He didn't have a chance to catch them as his arm was preoccupied holding a cup of coffee. Akechi isn't sure why he leaves the window open on days like this. A knock on the door interrupted his thought, " Come in!"
Stepping through the door was the recently changed public defender Sae Nijima.
"Making a mess already?"As she notes the paper scattered.
"My circumstances hadn't allowed me to pick it up yet. A man can only do so much with one hand." Of course the arm in question, is the same heavily burned appendage caused by the fire that killed Loki.
Dr. Takemi did everything she could, but his hand stop responding and the flesh soon died. Akechi had to make the difficult decision, lose everything from the elbow below before it got worse.
But this change did not deter him. He still felt fit to continue duty once his wounds healed. Akechi still had decent aim on his left hand with a gun. Besides, there was some unfinished business with SUI.
"So how was your case this morning?"
"The man accused was released once his alibi checked out, no one even thought to ask around if his description matched the perpetrator. Has it always been this bad?" Sae questioned the process.
"You tell me, you've been on the other side before."
"I will admit….I've been negligent sometimes in those matters if it meant a win for me. Thankfully I no longer view those thoughts."
"We've both changed since leaving SIU and meeting those Phantom Thieves."
"Oh? Of course, I guess that will be coming up soon?" Sae mentions offhandedly.
"What is?"
"HE came down to visit me a few months ago to ask for permission. It was a little amusing to see what bumbling mess he was."
"Is that right? I guess I should send a telegram soon. And, you're okay with this? Even though things have calmed down, he'll always have a target on his back from someone. Though he'll have comfort knowing I won't be one of them," the former Detective said.
"No matter what I say or think, it won't change the outcome. She loves him. I don't want to do anything that causes a rift between us again. I'm still working on the one from the past."
"You won't. I think I've seen enough of those two to know how forgiving they can be"
"Quite the deduction Private Investigator Goro Akechi," The elder Nijima said jokingly.
"Stop that."
The house on the hill had been there since before he was born. The tree he spent many young summers under had lasted longer. It was under these branches, he knew true peace.
The crunch of secondary footsteps on the ground disturbed his half wake slumber.
"You're still out here? I've been calling you name for supper for the past 15 minutes."
"Have you? I'm sorry. I guess I dozed off."
"You always doze off here Ren."
"It is a good napping spot Mako." Ren scooted over to make space for her as the younger Nijima sister sat down.
6 months since they let Shido go. His talks with Ren affected him deeply then they thought. The papers were surprised over the sudden change of heart. Masayashi Shido career had forever been tarnished that day forward. He stayed in the shadow since as the general public has to wonder whats the truth and what was a lie?
Its been 4 months since they saw everything last, 3 months since Makoto and Sae had a talk face to face and 2 months since Morgana visited the lovers. The Phantom Thieves were staying low, trying to live honest lives for once.
"So when should we mail out the invites? We never finished the conversation this morning." Makoto asked.
"Because we choose to follow up on replicating events from last night," he said with a sly smirk gracing his face. "However, we have a problem as the others are spread all out, they will have to visit after. But I'm sure you want Sae at the wedding and I want Morgana, Boss, and Futaba as well. She'll never let it down if she wasn't invited," The elder Amamiya brother mentioned.
He changed his position, laying down on his side with his head on Makoto's lap. She gently comb through his hair in a calming manner.
"I think that will be fine. Anything else we should think of?"
"Make sure to bring yourself."
The two shared a soft chuckle between them, a peck by Makoto led to more hunger lips. Breaking for the need for air, the former outlaws look onto each other.
".…Ren, can I ask you a question?"
"Is it the same question you always ask?"
".…Yes" Makoto confirmed with a pause.
"Just ask again."
"Are you sure you don't regret this? No itch for the adrenaline, no need for countless adventures?"
Ren grabs her hands that were combing his hair into his, "This is what I want, you're what I want. I've had enough adventures and fights to last a lifetime. And maybe our peaceful life gets interrupted maybe it won't. But I made a promise to you I plan to keep. This is where I want to stay, under this tree, in your arms till I die. So no, I don't regret this. Do you?"
"No! Never. This life means putting yourself in less danger, but it just seems some days you gaze in the distant as if reminiscing."
"It's nothing bad, I assure you. Just the longer we live like this the more I think about the future. Kids, marriage, finding stability. The money from outlawing is finite, we can't live off of it forever."
"So we still agree on kids, plural?"
Her comment causes the former leader to blush, " Well I mean, you have a sibling, I have a sibling, it makes sense to have multiple."
"Sure, it's a plan," Makoto agreed. "Anyway, it's getting darker, and dinners going to get cold. She moved to get up but Ren kept her down with him. Head in her lap, eyes half lid.
"Stay, stay with me? Just until the sun sets."
"Okay, I will."
FIN.
A/N: WE DID IT. ITS FINISH. omg I can't believe I finally finished a story. I was so nervous in the beginning to write this as I hadn't written for awhile but thank you, thank you, THANK YOU everyone who has finish this ride with me. Thank you all for your patience during delays, breaks etc. But I'm not done writing yet. I have some story lines up planned in the coming future.
There will be a short companion side story to this called "Until the Sun Rises" which will talk about different things that took place before this story but may have been mentioned. Probably won't be longer than 4-5 chapters.
I also have another longer P5 story I'm planning. No confirmed title yet but it will be a present day, supernatural(the genre not the show) story I'm still cooking up the details but I hope you'll be excited. Thank you everyone again. Stay Safe!
DG
