Author's Note: Ok, another new chapter it took awhile, but I kept reading other fan fictions instead of uploading this chapter. There is a lot of entertaining tales to be retold out there. I hope this chapter makes for a good read, regardless. Now, in this chapter it will alternate between Maya's POV and Runa's POV. Also Runa will be confronted with an unpleasant experience which will cause her to question the actions she has taken and Maya will find out there is more to club Zodiac than she previously thought.
Also... Warning, some scenes in this chapter might be upsetting, so I'm sorry if anyone is upset by the scenes, that is not my intent, my only intent is tell the story of my fan fiction. Again I apologise if anyone is upset by the scenes in this chapter.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, all rights go to their respective owners.
Persona 2 EP - Chapter 6 - Noriko Katayama
POV Change
Maya's point of view
Inside the Velvet Room, Ulala was laid down on the floor in front of Igor, and Maya had knelt down near Ulala's head. Igor gestured for Maya to move away, so she rose to her feet, and step back as Igor acquired from thin air, a phone. The phone was made up what appeared to bone. The next moment the room flooded with light. When Maya regained her sight, she could see a ghostly creature rising from Ulala's body. The creature was the Joker, as it rose a pillar of shifting red light rose with it until the apparition disintegrated. The red light suddenly filled with white transparent masks there chuckled and sneered with their unchanging smiles as they spun around in the red light. A burst of white filled Maya's vision once again, and when her sight had returned once more, she noticed the red light coming from Ulala had weaken. The red light gradually dimmed until it disappeared entirely. Maya, Baofu and Katsuya stepped closer Ulala.
Maya turned to Igor and asked. "Is she cured?"
"A Joker is the heart's shadow… The heart exists only when there is light and dark. You can't just make it disappear," Igor answered.
"Oh…" Maya said her voice hollow.
Igor noticed this and added. "Don't misunderstand what I say, for now it retreats to sea of unconsciousness, but it will rise whether it can. Whether does or not, is up to Serizawa-chan."
Maya felt a weight lift off her shoulders and suddenly found that she could breath more easily than before. "Thank you…"
"Ugh… Ma… ya…?" Ulala murmured as she awoke and pulled herself in a seated position.
"I'm here," Maya said as she hastily lowered herself to floor.
"You've come around… You can rest easy, Serizawa-chan. But…" Katsuya started.
"'The rest is up to me,' right? I heard…" Ulala said cutting his sentence short. She turned to Maya and promised. "I'm really sorry… Ma-ya… I know I can't change what I've done, but I promise I'll be there when you need me."
"…" Maya cocked her head at her words.
Ulala tensed with nerves and fiddled with the hem of her skirt. "Uh… My grandmother always said to repay your debts…"
"Ok, I had already forgiven you, but since you offered… I'll be counting on you," Maya nodded before standing up. She reached out her hand to Ulala and after a moment Ulala clasped it.
Maya helped Ulala to her feet and then Ulala said. "Thank you… Ma-ya…"
Before anyone could say a word, Maya's phone began to ring. Maya quickly got her phone out, the number wasn't one she recognised, but she answered it.
The voice greeted her. "Hello… Amano-san?"
"Yes, I'm Amano. Who am I speaking to? Do I know you? You sound familiar, but can't seem to recall your name," Maya replied and inquired.
The voice introduced herself, it was the girl from Sevens who had been there during what had happened at the school's clock tower. "We've met. It's me Anna Yoshizaka… I got your number from a Mayuzumi at Kismet…"
"Oh, it's nice to hear from you. Just so you know that man will never trouble you again," Maya assured her.
"I didn't call you to speak about that… Noriko suddenly became a Joker… And someone kidnapped her… She must have used the Joker curse on someone… Everyone who's been kidnapped is being held at Club Zodiac. I'm going there right now…"
"You should't go alone, it might be dangerous. Wait for me at club, and…" Maya started.
"I've told the same thing to Runa Suou, yet she knocked me out with her Persona, and went alone to Club Zodiac," Anna interrupted.
"Wait… S-She what?!" Maya exclaimed.
"Yes, she's going straight to the people who have kidnapped Noriko alone. You and anyone else you know that has a Persona must go help them," Anna ordered.
"We'll be there, don't go after her by yourself… We'll handle it," Maya told Anna.
"I won't wait long. Bye," Anna responded before hanging up the phone.
"Suou-kun's not going to happy about this," Maya sighed as she put away her phone.
"What am I not going to be happy about?" Katsuya raised an eyebrow and asked.
"Do you remember Noriko Katayama?" Maya questioned in return. Katsuya nodded before Maya explained. "I just spoke to Yoshizaka-chan, it appears Noriko Katayama has turned into a Joker and has been kidnapped. Apparently it's been happening to other people who have used the JOKER curse as well."
"So Katayama-san was the one behind the murders of the principal and the hit-and-run suspect… But why would anyone start kidnapping people who've used the Joker curse…?" Katsuya asked.
"I'm sure we'll in out when we get down to that club… I've got a bad feeling about this…" Baofu concluded.
"There's also one other thing, Yoshizaka told me," Maya added. She paused before she revealed that Runa had gone to rescue Noriko on her own.
"But she was…" Katsuya blinked at news with astonishment. Katsuya frowned and rubbed his temples as he said. "I told her to stay out of this and this what she does… Argh, let's go help her out of this, and then I'm going to have a long chat with her."
"Though, you might have trouble with that, Sudou. Your sister doesn't really seem like the listening type," Baofu commented.
"I've noticed, thank you for that insight," Katsuya snarked before trudging out of the Velvet Room.
The others went out of the room soon afterwards, Maya was about to leave, but she paused when Igor spoke up. "Maya Amano."
"Yes, Igor?" Maya replied.
"Runa-chan, is a someone who is quite lost in far more than one respect, the ramifications for her reclaiming what she has lost are a circumstance that she should not regard thoughtlessly. Please, recall this in the events to come," Igor told her.
"What does that mean? How much do you know about what is going on?" Maya questioned.
"I have knowledge of what I am required to possess. Nothing more, nothing less. And as for your first question… If you find what it is that you have lost, then perhaps you'll come to understand why I told you to take caution. Although, I would advise caution regardless given what dangers may lie ahead," Igor replied.
"…" Maya nodded simply, then went out the blue door. She stepped into the central avenue of Yumezaki district in Sumaru City and went with her fellow Persona-users to Club Zodiac.
They entered Club Zodiac, and located Anna Yoshizaka beside a couch near the back door of the club. Anna noticed them and said. "You made it… Thanks again for saving me at the clock tower…"
"There's no need to thank us. Tatsuya-kun was actually the one responsible for saving you," Maya shook her head and disagreed.
"Eh…? Tatsuya-kun's…? Where is he now?" Anna asked her eyes wide with concern.
"I don't know where he is. I guess you know Tatsuya-kun through Runa, but he's also your friend, isn't he?" Maya answered and reasoned.
"You're right… Tatsuya-kun and I hung out here a lot… He can be really bad, but he's so kind… But lately, he's been acting up, and not been around…" Anna explained.
"What did Tatsuya say before he disappeared?" Katsuya inquired.
"'Atone for my sins.' …was what he said. Whatever that means. I've told Runa-chan about days ago, but she couldn't figure it out either…" Anna answered before she paused with surprise as asked Katsuya. "She didn't tell you?"
"No, she didn't… I wonder he meant by, 'atone for his sins,'? What sins… Tatsuya what have you gotten yourself into?" Katsuya muttered deep in thought.
"So where are these people that've been supposedly kidnapped?" Baofu questioned Anna.
Anna glanced toward the back door of the club. "In the back… This club was brought by the Taiwanese mafia. The kidnappers spoke Chinese…"
"…" Baofu was silent for a moment before he muttered a reply. "I see… They made a place like this their hideout…"
"I don't see Runa-chan here so I guess she has gone in already," Anna reasoned.
"Now then leave Noriko-chan, Runa-chan and Tatsuya-kun to us…" Ulala decided.
Anna nodded. "Take care of those three. They're the only people who can carry on a decent conversation with me… That is when Runa's not knocking out with her Persona."
"… …She did what…?" Katsua blinked with surprise and shook his head muttering to himself.
"Let's just worry about that later. We'll be able to ask her about it soon enough," Maya assured him before they moved toward the back of the club.
Maya, Katsuya, Baofu and Ulala were searching the third floor of the red tiled floors of Club Zodiac when they entered a staff room which had dried blood smeared in front of it and down the hall outside of it. Inside there were two men. The men had dark hair and pale skin. One of them wore a red Chinese suit, a Tang Zhuang and the other wore a blue one. There were also boxes of objects that looked suspiciously illegal. Maya examined the room, one of walls had bullet lodged into it, there two bullet shells on table, and the room smelt of bleach.
I wondered what sort crimes have happened in this very room, Maya wondered.
"Hurry and leave! Casino be back more!" The man in blue shouted in broken Japanese.
The Taiwanese Mafia actually took over the club, wow… I heard it was true, but it was hard to belief it until now, Maya realised silently before she asked the man. "Do either of you know a way to get into the casino?"
"You no can go in… Here no soliciting. So the cop can go home. Have legitimate business, " the man in red noticing Katsuya's badge in his jacket.
"Perhaps, you should hide that," Baofu coughed and muttered under his breath loud enough for Katsuya to hear.
"…" Katsuya frowned and placed his badge in a least obvious location. He then suggested. "We should leave before they force us too."
Everyone agreed and went out of the staff room to explore the hallways of Zodiac's back section for the secret casino. Some time later, when they were on the second floor again, as they walked along Ulala turned to Maya, and said. "We only knew a small part of the world, huh?"
"Yes, we did. Before, I could never imagine the things we've learnt," Maya agreed.
"We lived here in Sumaru City like normal… There's a lot of scary things going on over in the dark side…" Ulala reflected with a nod before adding. "It's weird we never noticed all this before."
"I think it's weird too, but I wonder if it was for the better, or for the worse?" Maya wondered. Ulala grimaced and shivered again in response.
Ulala rubbed her upper arms for some warmth as Baofu said. "The ordinaries don't need to know about places like these… There wouldn't be anything better than never finding out."
"City by day, city by night, front and back streets… the city has many faces… Hmm… Cities also have… 'Personas,'" Katsuya reasoned.
"There are many hidden parts to the city that we're finding more about, that's for sure," Maya said half to herself.
"Hey, Ma-ya, let's try these stairs!" Ulala suggested gesturing to the newest set of stairs in the maze they were in.
"Sure, why not?" Maya nodded and followed her friend up the stairs.
The four Persona-users found themselves on the 3rd floor again where they caught sight of a golden coloured door with a Dragon shaped design mounted upon it. Maya knocked on the door and from the outside a man's voice said. "You need password to enter here. You know password?"
"Er… No,I don't. Is this the casino?" Maya inquired.
"This place, no one enter besides people concerned! If you no want to die, then leave!" The man's voice warned.
"Hmm…" Maya paused before she looked to the others. "Any ideas to where we might found the password?"
"None, we could try asking some of the people we've seen in the staff rooms. Although, I find it worrying as Runa could of faced the same problem, and still be stuck wondering around," Katsuya suggested and worried.
"Then the chances are that we'll run into to her," Maya reassured him with a smile.
"Let's head back to that staff room, then!" Ulala determined leading the way with others who followed soon after.
POV Change
Runa's point of view
Runa entered Club Zodiac, there were disco balls on the ceiling and people were dancing to the music the DJ was putting on for them. Runa mentally reached out to her new Persona, it feels odd to have a Persona that isn't Angelos.
{ I am the silver wheel, Arianrhod.. the one who destroys evil with the rainbow.. I shall be with thee in thine destiny! } Her newly equipped Persona, Arianrhod announced in Runa's mind causing her to wince.
I know… I know, you've said that before… It's like a broken record, Runa told Arianrhod before she mentally retreated from it.
Runa turned her attention to the people in the club. Maybe if I ask around I can find out more about the kidnappers? I should probably call Tamaki-san and asked her about it, too.
Runa approached the guy at the counter. "Hello, I was wondering if you know anything about the owners of this place?"
"Eh? I do, but aren't you a little young?" The guy at the counter pointed out.
THIS AGAIN! Runa felt a muscle near her jaw twitch. She took a deep breathe and said. "I'm part of the idol group MUSES, we had our debut recently. I'm here scouting out some locations to do performances at. I'm trying to do my part for the group. So can you tell who owns this place?"
"Oh… You're her!? Huh, I thought I seen you somewhere before… Um… You look shorter, and younger than I expected and…" the guy at the counter commented with his face heating up a bit.
"Can you please answer my question?" Runa requested as she felt a bead of sweat tickle down her forehead.
"Yeah, sure. The owner, it changed to Chinese or Taiwanese. It doesn't matter to us, though… Which means the MUSES should totally do a performance here. It's not dangerous nor shady at all… Also I would more than happy to…" the guy at the counter attempted to assure her.
"I'll keep that in mind. Thank you," Runa nodded, and went toward the club's patrons for more information. She was able to gather enough information to determine the people who own the club were the Taiwanese Mafia, thus were likely the ones who kidnapped Noriko. Surprisingly most of the clubs patrons didn't seem to care about the mafia connection the club had. They weren't even the least bit concerned about it at all. Runa also found out that in the back area of the club there is a casino. Apparently there was also some kind special requirement for the entry into the casino.
Runa concluded that the best place to search for Noriko would be the casino, it has controlled point of entry thus it would make sense as it's likely it was difficult to leave as well.
There also a rumour that the back part of the club was like a maze, Runa had called Kuzunoha Detective Agency to ask around about it to see if there was any truth to it. However given what Tamaki had told her, most people didn't have a club so there was a good chance the rumour hadn't been truth, prior to Tamaki asking them about it.
Next, Runa explored the back area of Club Zodiac, it had red columns between white panels of walls that had sporadically placed murals of dragons. It had disgusting patches on yellow acid on the floor which were not fun to avoid when demons chased her. Runa run down the hall of the 2nd floor before she quickly ducked into a room. She firmly shut the door behind herself and she slid down to the floor with a sigh. "That was close…"
"I don't think you're allow in here, little girl," a man's voice with a Chinese accent announced from the left of where she sat.
Runa shot to her feet. "Look, I'm just searching for my friend. I'm not going until I find her. I know she was kidnapped and taken here. I'm guessing the secret casino."
"Oh, really?" The man challenged with a smirk as he straighter the cuffs of his suit.
"Y-Yes," Runa nodded as her eyes searched the room. There are a lot of illegal goods in here. And since this man is in here, I can hazard a guess that he's likely part of the Taiwanese Mafia that owns this place and might know something about Noriko's kidnapping… I better be careful around this guy. I mustn't show any weakness. Though if things get bad, I have my Personas.
"Little girl, you leave now," the man suggested in broken Japanese, and he pointed at the door.
"I think not. Tell me where the secret casino is and how to get in," Runa demanded, her hands on her hips.
"You think you can order me? Ha-ha," the man laughed clutching his abdomen before he muttered something in Chinese. "#&%$?*%!?"
"…" It was a dialect that Runa couldn't understand, so she grimaced and tried to keep her face neutral. After the man had finished Runa demanded, again. "Take me to the casino, now. Or I'll…"
"Or you'll want?" The man interrupted her before she could finish. He slammed her back against the door and spat at her. "Do not threaten me, girly! You get hurt! GOT THAT!?"
Runa winced as the man's spit fell on her check and the man pulled her bags off her shoulders and they hit the floor. She attempted twisted herself out of the man's grip as the man's grip went to her jaw. This resulted in the man grabbing her arm and twisting it around her back as he turned her around. He removed his hand from her jaw before he harshly pushed Runa's head into the door as he placed more pressure on Runa's arm.
Runa yelped in pain as she felt her the bones in her arm protesting. "Ow…! Ugh! Stop!"
"What!? Thought you were tough… Aw… Poor dumb girl. You gonna suffer, alright," the man mocked her before he twisted her arm further and moved his hand to cover her mouth. She briefly wondered why he would do that until…
There was a crack and Runa cried out, but she was muffled by the man's hand. Jolts of pain ran up her arm, it was her good hand's arm, too. Runa's knees wanted to buckle but the man forced her to stay upright. The man whispered into her ear. "We take walk? Now…"
"Nn-Nn!" Runa shook her head. I don't want to go wherever this man wants to take me… Don't make me! Can't anyone hear what's going on? … Let go of me! I don't want this…
"Like if you have a choice," the man scoffed dragging her around the corner of a wall that stood opposite the door.
Someone help me! HELP! Someone! Anyone! Her mind screamed before realised. Can't anyone hear… No… I can alone… No one else here, only me…
Runa kicked out her legs back at the man wincing as the movement did not agree with her arm and she stopped the motion. She instead bit down.
"Augh! You, stupid girl," The man merely lifted her off the ground and threw her to the ground in front of him. She hit the ground with her shoulder ending spikes of pain up her twisted arm. It was bent in such unnatural way, that it made her feel dizzy when she saw it.
"Ah…ugh… P-Plea.. s-st…op," Spots danced across her vision as she backed away from the man with her good arm. The man reached for her with a wicked grin.
The world seemed to freeze and the image of the man in front of her was replaced by another. This image was of young man in his early twenties or late teens. He had a wicked grin, one that said she was powerless to stop him. The man opened his mouth and said. "Ru~na! Ru~na! Hey~! Can you hear me, Ru~na! Runa, it's your fault they had to die… More will die… Even more…! ~And guess why that is!?~"
He was smiling, why was he smiling? Why does he like do this…? Why does it have to be my fault? Thoughts filtered into her mind, it was her thoughts but she had no idea why she had thought them. It was it came from her, but yet it didn't came from her.
"It's your punishment understand. You know the drill, of course… I want you to keep your eyes open this time, m'kay~?"
"NO! Leave me alone! STOP!"Runa shouted and reached out for her Persona.
"AAAAaaaah!" A surprise gasp brought Runa back to reality as she stared up at the figure looming above, she gazed at the Arianrhod's blade that was tipped with red. The Persona dissipated and drops of red fell on the floor. The man stumbled forward clutching his throat, it had been slashed open. The man fell on Runa, still bleeding, gasping for awhile until he just stopped.
"…" Runa sat there staring at the wall across from her as the blood soaked into her clothes. Her eyes flickered down to the man's throat. It had been slashed open by…
My Persona, she realised. She waited, but nothing happen. It was quiet, she could hear her heart beating steadily and her own slow breaths. Her arm still hurt, just as much as before, but she couldn't make a sound. She couldn't speak. Ain't I meant to feel something right now? I ki… He's dead. I, I did that…I…
Runa whimpered and tried to push the man off her, he was too heavy for just one of her arms to push him off her. So she called forth Angelos and casted a healing spell on her arm. It was still sore but usable and healed.
She was able to push him over and off her with both her arms' strength. She crawled away from his body into the corner of the room, and thought. I don't even know his name… It's my fault….
Bile rose from her throat and she covered her mouth with her hand as she swallowed it. She glanced down at her clothes, there was blood splattered all over them and the blood soaked into the lower half of her shirt making it stick to her. She gagged and turned her head away before she involuntarily gagged again and this time she vomited. She coughed and spat out the remained of the vomit out of her mouth. She edged herself away from the mess and grimaced at the putrid taste in her mouth. "Ack…"
Runa wiped her mouth with her hand and began examining her shirt with hesitation. There is no way I can wear this… I don't want to look at it. I can't.
She slowly pulled her shirt off, she wiped the blood of her stomach with the upper half of it before she dumped it on the ground. The shirt remained there, taunting her.
Runa called forth Angelos and said with an uncertain voice. "B-Butterfly S-Storm."
Spirit butterflies materialised and set upon the shirt until nothing of it remained. Runa then wrapped her arms around herself as she brought her knees to her tank top covered chest. The top was a little damp at the edge, but wasn't as long as the shirt she had on over it. Her eyes kept looking back at the body. Was it still there… Yes… Even if I look away it doesn't disappear. He's not a demon… Of course his body wouldn't disappear but… Is this really real? Did I…? It is… This is real… I…
Runa's hand went to her mouth as she felt bile rise in her throat once again, but the sound of footsteps distracted her. A masculine voice said. "Tch… The boss isn't going to be all too happy about this. Hey, girl you did this?"
"…" Runa buried her head into her knees with a whimper. I did it… I did it… me… I-I-I…
"You come with me. Lucky you not dead," the voice ordered before he added with a bemused smile. "Well… Yet."
The owner of the voice touched her shoulder and his fingers began to lightly wrap around her shoulder in it's grip. Runa swallowed, stood up and summoned the Persona, Arianrhod. "S-Stand back. I-I will f-fight."
"Huh… You are one of those people…!? That's how…" The man in a brown suit of Chinese design backed away from her.
"Uh-huh, you better tell me where they're hiding my friend. Where is the secret casino? T-Tell me, now," Runa ordered her hands shaking by her sides.
"You scared girl… Why listen?" The man asked with dismissive gesture.
"I'm the one with Persona with a sword… You listen to me, before… I don't want to… hurt you… Please… I'm begging you, just tell me what I want to know. I don't want anyone one else to get… hurt, but I will attack… If, if I have to…" Runa argued with her voice shaky and uncertain.
"The little girl with sword spirit win. I take you," the man nodded as one of his hands reached behind him. He quickly returns the hand, now with a gun and points it at her.
Arianrhod charges forward and the man drops the gun. It goes off, a bullet goes though her leg and lodges itself in the wall.
"Ah…!" Runa yelped as a burning sensation in her leg forced her to drop her to knees. She winced as the Persona's sword slid out of the man and the Persona disappears again. Runa closed her damp eyes and got herself to her feet. She limped toward the exit of the room dragging her injured leg behind her. She fumbled opened the door and saw a demon, a Faust. She swore and ordered Arianrhod to attack as she ducked around the corner until Faust's counterattack struck her and sent her spiralling across the floor.
When Runa opened her eyes again, she found herself within a battle realm. "Dammit."
"Heh, tell me… Did you really think you could run from me?" The demon, Faust grinned.
"Kinda… I was hoping, I would," Runa shrugged as pulled her head up to face it.
"Well, guess who proved you wrong. You're in a lot of trouble," Faust replied.
"Aren't you Faust? The scholar who called on the devil and made a deal with his servant Mehpistopheles in exchanged for your soul. From my perspective, your scattered tormented soul or what's left of it is in trouble Faust. Before you speak, I have to say that I think Gretchen would be very unpleased to see hurt me… Don't you agree?" Runa told it.
"…" Faust froze and it's eyes remained fixed upon her. "You know her name… How?"
"There have many stories about you… So I wonder which is true? Did Gretchen, the girl whose life you destroy, did she plead for your soul or did devil carry you off to hell?" Runa asked.
"Both… You figure out it, and I'll let you live," Faust offered.
"Simple the devil carried you off to hell, you suffered because of your deal, and of wrongs you committed with the power Mephistopheles' gave you. Your soul twisted and wrapped until you became a demon, which is what you are now. Gretchen by have prayed for you, her innocence affording her the desire to see you redeemed, but majority of your soul was already too far gone. So only a part was saved by heaven's grace whereas the rest shattered into many pieces and one of those pieces is you. Faust, I believe it's time for you to live up to your side of the bargain," Runa answered him as she held herself up by her elbows.
Faust countered. "The last deal I made didn't work out so well, so please forgive for not…"
"Hama!" Runa commanded before she lowered her head to shield her eyes. Paper charms gathered around Faust glowing softly with golden light before bursting into a flash of light.
When Runa raised her head she found, Faust was gone and she had returned from the battle realm. She hissed in pain as she got up and stumbled into the nearest wall. She dragged herself further away from area, until she felt her legs buckle underneath took several deep breathes as she looked down at her leg, there were two holes and a lot of blood.
Two…? I thought it only went off once… I need to get it out, before it does more damage… This won't be pleasant. Runa's eyes widen as she realised what she had to cringed, the pain in her leg, it felt like someone had stabbed her and twisted the knife. Her hand went to one of the holes, the skin around the area was tender so she flinched as her fingers brushed against it. She reached into one of holes and yelled. She removed her hand and sobbed, It's the wrong one…
POV Change
Maya's point of view
It took some navigating of the maze, but they soon made their way back to the room where they waited on the other side of the wall that blocked the mafia members view of the door.
They stood about to go around the corner when Baofu held a hand out and quietly told them. "You guys just wait here…"
They silently obeyed the command as Baofu rounded the corner, and approached the Taiwanese mafia members. Maya listened to Baofu's voice as he spoke in fluent Taiwanese Hokkien. "Give the password… Or die."
Maya then heard one of mafia members scoff. "Hmph! What makes you think, that I'd give you the password."
Then Maya jumped slightly when she heard Baofu start beating up the two men. For a moment she was frozen, and from what she could hear the mafia members were losing. After a flash of light from what could only be Baofu's Persona, she, Ulala and Katsuya went around the corner.
On the ground in front of Baofu laid two men in what appeared to be a lot of pain.
Katsuya stepped shocked. "…"
Baofu glanced at the men and said. "Just be glad I didn't kill ya…" He then glanced back at Maya, Ulala and Katsuya. "The password is 'Panther…'"
"Hey! What do you think you're doing!?" Katsuya demanded of him.
"You gonna bust me then? Then they'll know you're working alone… Go ahead if you like, I don't care…" Baofu challenged with a casual shrug of his shoulders.
Katsuya narrowed his eyes at Baofu. "…"
"Don't you two ever quit!? We got the password, right? Let's get outta here!" Ulala scolded before she started pushing Baofu and Katsuya out the door. Ulala then sighed and muttered under her breath to herself. "What got into Baofu? He scares me sometimes…"
Ulala then remembered Maya was there and prompted her to get moving before the men woke up. She went out the door with Ulala and they met up with Baofu and Katsuya. The four of them began walking back towards the door that led to the casino.
Katsuya followed, but once they got to the third floor he lagged behind slightly out of earshot.
Maya noticed this and slowed herself to match his pace. "What's on your mind? Is it about what Baofu did?"
"Yes, in a way," Katsuya nodded before he added. "There's more to Baofu's relationship with the Mafia than what he's letting on…"
"Perhaps, he seems not to be very fond of them," Maya considered the possibility, it wasn't the first time the idea had crossed her mind, but before she could dwelt on it for any longer… She took a stepped forward and slipped falling back. "Whoa…"
"Amano-san, are you alright?" Katsuya said gently catching her before she could fall.
"I'm fine, thank you. I just slipped on…" Maya paused as realised what she had slipped on. Blood.
Ulala glanced back at her friend. "You okay?"
"Er… Yes, I am… But someone else isn't," Maya nodded slowly as she glanced toward the supply closet where the source of the blood covering the floor come from.
"Hm? Oh, I see," Katsuya said as he saw the floor before he added. "This wasn't here before. This blood is recent and source… Well…"
He reached out to the door handle and began to turn when a noise from down the hall distracted him. He let go of the handle and turned immediately. It was a demon. Katsuya gestured for the others to follow as they abandoned the supply closet and rushed away from the demon.
The four Persona-users hurried toward the casino's entrance, there, the man behind the door asked for the password again. This time Maya was able to give him the password, Panther. I
n response, the men behind the door said. "Come in."
The locks on the other side opened and the door soon did the same in time. In the secret casino, the room was full of many tables with many people gambling in various games. There was a bar and a decorative set of panels lining the wall of a upper level in the casino.
The four of them searched the casino with eyes, and Maya sensed a familiar resonance echoed in the area. This is…! It's faint, but… It's her.
Maya glanced at Katsuya, who crossed his arms and told her. "I know, I sense her, too… She's in way over her head here."
"We'll find Runa-chan and Noriko-chan," Maya reassured him before she noticed that Baofu seemed distracted by something on the upper level.
She followed his gaze to see a man wearing blacks pants under white clothing of a traditional Chinese design with red detailing. Although the man's most distinguishing feature was the scar upon his cheek. "…"
"He's…" Katsuya was taken aback as he turned his gaze to the upper level, also.
"You've seen that man before?" Maya questioned him.
"He was at station… I…" Katsuya slowly answered with confusion seeping into his voice.
"…" Baofu glared at the man with scar on his face he was mid-step when he paused suddenly. "I found that reckless sister of yours, Suou…"
"What? Where?" Katsuya asked immediately.
"Up there," Baofu gestured with a nod of his head to the top of stairs. At the top of the stairs there was a short female figure wearing a white and teal tank top and blue skirt. The figure was in a middle of an argument with two mafia members wearing red. "I want to speak to your boss, I will not take no for an answer and I willing…"
The voice was undoubtedly Runa's. The figure gasped and turned around. It's no mistake, that's definitely Runa.
The first year Sevens student stared at Ulala, Katsuya, Maya and Baofu. Runa paled, her eyes uncertain and her voice detached. "You… That feeling… That strange resonance must have buried yours… You're all here… now…"
The girl's voice seemed to crack near the end, and her eyes widen. Maya blinked confused, she's horrified. But, why?
"Runa, you better have a really good explanation for not contacting us," Katsuya told her.
"Did you see them…?" Runa asked barely paying attention to her brother's words.
"See what?" Katsuya paused in confusion.
"Oh… It… I guess it doesn't matter then," Runa casted her gaze to the steps under her feet.
"We don't have time for this," Baofu ascended the stairs, and moved past Runa as he glared at the man with scar on his face.
Ulala, Maya and Katsuya followed to say something to Baofu when they were cut off by one of the mafia members who demanded in Taiwanese Hokkien. "What? Identify yourself!"
"Let him pass…" The man with the scar on his cheek ordered the mafia members.
The mafia members stepped aside, they allowed Baofu and the others to approach the man. Runa lagged behind, some but follow nonetheless. A portly gentlemen in a suit who was sitting in an armchair next the couch the man with scar was sitting on gulped. The portly gentleman then hurried off to the right as they neared the man. Maya casted her eyes away from that man and onto the one who sat upon the couch behind the low laying table in front of her.
The secret casino is very ornate in general, but this area in particular is full of very expensive items. The vases, the gong… Most appear to antiques. This man with a scar on his cheek must be considered an important figure here by that information alone, and then that is without including the immediate obedience the mafia members demonstrated to this man. Without a doubt he was the group's leader or at least a very high ranking member, Maya concluded as Baofu greeted the man.
"Long time, no see…" Baofu said in fluent Taiwanese Hokkien.
As if to accommodate for the those who could not understand Taiwanese Hokkien the man with the scar on his cheek switched to Japanese. "So it WAS you at the sanitarium…"
"Who is he…?" Katsuya asked Baofu.
"Yung Pao… a lowlife assassin…" Baofu answered calmly with a hint of bitterness in his voice.
"Assassin…!? What… Why was a guy like that… at the police station!?" Katsuya questioned.
"You're in same business as we. If you're gonna arrest me, get him first," Yung Pao suggested gesturing to Baofu.
"What makes you suggest that? And what is your connection to Baofu?" Maya questioned the assassin from the Taiwanese mafia group which could be, the Tien Tao Lien.
"He kill 25 of my men in Taiwan. I only kill one Japanese. It unfair," Yung Pao answered with a gentle smile.
"…" Maya stepped back and her eyes widen at the news.
Runa paled and swayed slightly looking ill. "H-He… k-killed…"
"Aw, you play such an innocent flower… Don't you? Although, I know that this man and y…" Yung Pao began to say before he was interrupted.
"Shut your face, Yung Pao! Tell me what you know before you die… What is Tatsuzou planning…? Come clean and I'll kill you painlessly…" Baofu demanded.
"Hah-aha! Come now, Baofu… You know I'd never agree to those terms… But… I'll tell you this… I work with the police and new Japanese government. Joker hunting is good for 'our relations," Yung Pao countered.
Katsuya moved around the table and stood closer to Yung Pao. "I'm tired of playing your games, Yung Pao! Where are the people who have been abducted!?"
Yung Pao stood and crossed his arms as he got out a red fun which covered the lower half of his face. "No one else here beside the kitten we just hunted… If you want, I give cat back."
"Just let Noriko go safely! If you have harmed my friend, I will not hesitate to…!" Runa shouted, she paused glancing back at Katsuya before she glanced back at Yung Pao. "Please, if you have her, just give her safely to me. I made a promise to my Senpai."
"…" Yung Pao snapped the fan in his hands close with a twist of his wrist and nodded to someone on his right. Two men came from the door on the right, in-between them was Noriko.
Runa stared at her friend. Maya felt uneasy. I have bad feeling with how Yung Pao worded that, but getting those girls to safety is my top priority at the moment… I'll had to keep a careful eye on the both of them.
Katsuya, Maya, Baofu and Ulala moved toward the girl. She was dressed in her sports uniform and her skin was as pale as a china doll. The men marched Noriko to them and then stepped away from her. Relief monetarily washed over the men's faces before they smiled knowingly.
"That's very suspicious," Maya muttered as Runa rushed past her.
POV Change
Runa's point of view
"No, Noriko-chan…!?" Ulala gasped.
Something is wrong with her, something terrible… That strange resonance was her, Runa stopped right in front of her classmate. Noriko's eyes were replaced by the white skin of a porcelain white mask that had replaced her face with a unmoving wicked smile upon it. Noriko barely reacted to Runa, so she cleared her throat. "Noriko-chan… I'm going to get you home, Anna-senpai told me what happened. Don't worry, I'll fix this… I will, I promise."
"…" Noriko barely budged.
"Wha… Th-This is wrong…" Runa stammered before examined Noriko using the abilities her Persona-user status gave her. The presence of the JOKER was twisting her, but Runa soon discovered that it was weaken somehow. A moment later she couldn't found out that the source of the thing that was suppressing the violent energy of the JOKER was. However she could tell whatever it was, it was man-made in nature. "Yung Pao… What did you give her?"
"Give her… You drugged her!" Maya sharply accused Yung Pao.
"You should thank us. The drug working…" Yung Pao argued.
"Thank you…!?" Maya echoed.
"She just calm kitten now. Before that… a tiger. We had trouble capturing her," Yung Pao said before he added. "You target, too, weren't you, little miss…?"
"The Joker was after me, how do you know that?" Maya questioned.
"Ah…!" A malevolent and angry wave of energy lashed out at Runa, she clutched her head as she cut her connection to Noriko. The energy was of a Persona resonance. The strange resonance, she has felt before, only now she could remember where. "But that doesn't make sense… He's dead… I saw him die."
"Runa-chan?" Ulala called out.
"It about time for milk," Yung Pao glanced at Noriko.
"…! Ulala, Maya, Runa! Get away from that brat!" Baofu shouted.
"Don't call her that!" Runa turned to Baofu, but she didn't get a reply when Noriko summoned a Persona. The Persona was none other than Joker, Sudou's Persona albeit it was larger than she had remembered it being. "…Sudou's… Is this truly what the Joker curse does?"
"Get back," Maya pulled Runa away from her classmate.
"Whoa…!? I-It's getting bigger!" Ulala examined when she tripped backwards.
Runa faced Noriko and stared above her at the bug-like Persona. "How did this happen? Why… I don't understand… Do rumours really have this much power?"
"Eh-heh!" Noriko let out a high pitched screech and pulled Maya, Ulala, Baofu, Runa, Kattsuya and the two mafia members that brought her out into a battle realm.
Katsuya, Maya and the mafia members brought out their guns. Ulala and Baofu readied themselves for battle while Runa stood incomprehensibly at Noriko.
"Noriko-chan, calm down. We are here to help you. Let me take you home, Anna-senpai are bound to very worry about you," Runa shook herself and approached her friend attempting to soothe her.
"I can't… Because I'm the Joker " Noriko responded in a carefree, sing-song voice.
"There has to be cure, if it's a Persona…. maybe this man I know, Igor… Noriko-chan he can heal you, if not I will figure some other way. You don't have to…" Runa tried to get through to her friend, but she heard a clicking sound from her left.
Runa stepped back and swung her practice naginata at one of the mafia members' hand. The movement managed to throw off the man's aim. The shot failed and went off target.
The mafia member angrily pointed his gun at her. "Hey you! What do you think doing?!"
"Stopping you from shooting Ulala-san," Runa replied as checked where the man would of fired. Then she whipped her naginata back so it collided with the man's face before she returned her weapon to her side.
"Thanks, Runa-chan," Ulala smiled at her.
"No problem… Ow!" Runa began to say prior to getting hit in the ribs from a kick delivered by the Joker infected Noriko. "You… You…"
Runa fell back winded and tried to catch her breath as Noriko mocked her. "I'm sorry Heh-aha! You can't escape this battle ~"
"Ulala, get Runa back!" Katsuya ordered as he, Baofu and Maya began to surround the mafia members and Noriko.
Ulala grabbed Runa and dragged her away as Katsuya commanded his Persona. "Go! Fereal, Maha Garula. Baofu, Amano-san, hold them down!"
"Odysseus, Garu," Baofu added.
Followed by Maya with her current Persona Matsuo-sama. "Maha Aqua!"
The Fusion Spell Maximum Tempest created a flurry of light around Noriko and the mafia members. Both of the men staggered and grunted as they got back o their feet.
"Pixie, heal me," Runa switched her Persona and casted a spell on herself.
Meanwhile Ulala left her side and was about to attack and Noriko casted Old Maid. "Joker ~"
A ring of cards surround them before bursts of purple energy collided with the Persona-users.
Maya's eyes flashed unnaturally with purple light prior to the Joker Persona appearing above her head. Ulala's eyes met Runa's and she said. "Stay down, she'll…"
A rippling pulsing wave of twisted dark bubbles tinted with red struck Ulala and then Katsuya sending them both to their knees. The mafia members aimed their guns at Katsuya and Baofu fired. Runa swiftly switched Persona called forth Angelos. "Tetrakarn."
The bullets collided with a opaque walls that appeared a hair's breath in front of Katsuya's and Baofu's noses. Katsuya then aimed his own gun and fired twice at the attempted assailant.
"Eyah!" the man clutched his shoulder and then fell back as the second bullet ripped into his other shoulder. He fell back and disappeared from the battle realm.
Katsuya fixed up his glasses as he remarked. "Don't underestimate the an officer of the law!"
The other assailant aimed his gun and shot at Maya who had just returned from the effects of the Joker's Old Maid spell. The bullet hit an opaque wall and fell to the ground. Maya stood and glanced around. "I've missed a few things haven't I?"
"Yes, I suppose you can say that," Baofu verified as he sent coins flying at the mafia member who had shot her. The man fell and disappeared.
"Mind effect spells are not fun when used on you," Maya commented as narrowly avoided Noriko's foot as the Joker infected girl had attempted to kick her.
"Mediarahan, Angelos!" Runa summoned her Persona.
"Hydro-Boost!" Maya, Baofu and Ulala combined together to cast the Fusion Spell. An explosion of water struck Joker infected Noriko.
"Ciao! Maha Aques!" Joker Noriko shouted sending giant drops of magical water above of the heads which slammed into them.
"Let's avoid waters spells from now on," Ulala decided.
"Let's get this over with!" Baofu told Katsuya as he called forth Odysseus.
Katsuya nodded and they casted. "Ryuhi Tensho."
A pillar of lightning erupted from the ground at Joker Noriko's feet. Ulala ordered Iris. "Magnus!"
Earthen rocks appeared out of thin air and slammed into Joker Noriko. The infected victim of the JOKER curse casted a spell on Runa. "Voices, voices ~ Marin Karin."
Hearts filled her vision and she stared awestruck at the sweet beautiful Joker Noriko for moment. Wait… what am I thinking? Runa asked herself before she shook her head and switched her Persona. "Arianrhod, Wind Slash!"
Her current Persona charged forth with a burst of air and it's blade sliced at Joker Noriko, who growled at her before spinning and using the momentum to power her heel kick. Joker Noriko's heel connected with Baofu's ribs with a crack.
Joker Noriko giggled. "I got it ~ Heh-eh-aha-hah-aha!"
"It's over! Tackle!" Katsuya sent Fearal to knock the Joker infected Noriko to the her knees.
Joker Noriko growled furiously at them and said as jumped to her feet and kicked at Runa. "I want to see blood ~!"
"Well, too bad!" Runa used her naginata to block the blow and then sent the naginata's blades tip into the ground on the other side of Noriko's leg before using it to vault over Noriko. Runa then was elbowed by Noriko under the ribs and Runa winced her grip on her naginata tightening.
"I got you~" Joker Noriko sang to her.
"Wake up, already! This isn't you!" Runa shouted as she swung her naginata at Joker Noriko.
Noriko shrugged off the attack like nothing and used palm strike to knock Runa back.
"Please die…! Absolute Zero," Joker Noriko requested as the overgrown Joker Persona appeared above her. Large crystals of ice erupted from the ground and a chill rippled throughout the air, They all shivered as the cold seeped into their bones.
Ulala fought though her frozen state and began throwing a volley of punches at Joker Noriko until eventually the girl fell back and disappeared. "Oh… no…!"
When they had returned from the battle realm, Noriko laid on the ground pale and exhausted. She sat down by her classmate's side, Runa held the girl's hand and smoothed her other hand over Noriko's hair. "It'll be okay. You'll be okay."
"Is she alright?" Katsuya questioned.
Ulala knelt down beside Runa and glanced at Noriko. "Looks like she's just unconscious… Poor thing… Maybe I went too hard on her."
"No, you didn't, she would of killed you if you hadn't… Noriko-chan wouldn't want to kill any of us if she had the choice. She would been devastated if you hadn't stopped her," Runa disagreed.
"Damn, he got away…" Katsuya said as he noticed Yung Pao and his men had left.
"Dammit…!" Baofu yelled as he punched his fist into the table in front of the couch. Ulala stood up as Katsuya and Maya turned to him.
"Baofu… Is what he said true?" Katsuya asked him.
"So what if it is…? They're hunted in Taiwan for being impure. No matter how many are killed, people should be grateful," Baofu countered as he turned around.
"S-So does it mean… that it's okay to… kill them or…?" Runa wondered aloud as she thought back and glanced at the specks of blood that stained her clothing. Much to her surprise she found that the water spells Noriko had casted had washed out the stains to some degree… It's hard to tell that there was even blood… It's like it never happened. But I remember it, so clearly…
"Huh? Runa-chan…?" Maya was taken aback her question and gave her a long hard look.
"Of course it doesn't mean it's okay to…" Katsuya informed Runa.
"This is out of your jurisdiction! You don't have what it takes to handle this! Back off, Suou!" Baofu shouted at him.
Katsuya calmly adjusted his sunglasses and noted. "You're well versed on inside information regarding the Police and Mafia… Who are you…?"
"What the hell is the matter with you two!?" Ulala demanded joining the conversation and she gestured to Noriko. "We have to get her to the Velvet Room…"
"Then Igor can help her?" Runa guessed.
"He cured Ulala, I'm sure he can do the same for your friend," Maya assured her.
"Er… Ulala-san was a Joker…? When did that happen!?" Runa head jerked up at the information.
"We'll tell you on the way. Let's get her out of here," Maya told her.
Runa nodded and helped Ulala lift Noriko off the floor.
On their way out of Club Zodiac, they met Anna at the entrance to back section. Anna shouted a lot at Runa before Runa pointed out they had to get the Joker curse out of Noriko. She quickly agreed, but promise she and Runa would have words later. At the Velvet Room, Igor performed a ceremony on Noriko that exorcised the Joker from Noriko and return the girl to her usual self. When Noriko awakened, Anna and Runa helped Noriko to her feet. Noriko glanced around the room and spoke. "Err.. My head… Huh? Eh! Where am I? Anna-senpai, Runa-chan get away from me… It's not safe to…"
"Don't worry… You're no longer a Joker… These people saved you. Runa-chan tried in her own way to help, but don't thank her for it as she stupidly tried to save you alone," Anna explained calming Noriko down.
"I'm sorry… I was… very stupid… I promise never to knock you out with magic again…" Runa vowed before a thought occurred to her. "Oh! And it's not that I would ever knock you out any other way in order to go off to dangerous places on my own. Though, it's like I would do it if I were going to non-dangerous places either and…Uck… I'm sorry."
"Err…" Anna shook her head at her and placed a hand to her temple.
"Ha-aha!" Noriko smiled at Runa and Anna. "Runa-chan, you really need think things though more, especially speaking."
"Yeah… I've noticed that," Runa grimaced.
"Ha-aha!" Noriko laughed at her before she saddened and stared at Anna. She sniffed and sobbed as she moved closer to Anna. "I… I'm sorry… I'm, I'm sorry, Senpai… I let you down."
"…" Anna reassured her as she hugged Noriko close for moment before she released her and approached Katsuya with controlled look.
Noriko swallowed as tried wipe away the tears on her face. and Maya went to her told her. "It's okay to cry, someone… I think someone important to said that to me once, so cry if you want to."
"O-Ok," Noriko nodded as tears ran down her face as she buried her face in Maya's shoulder as the woman held her.
"Are… you going to arrest Noriko?" Anna spoke up and asked Katsuya. Noriko stopped and drew away from Maya as she bit her lips and paled.
"Oh… I forgot," Runa muttered to herself as her brown eyes looked at Noriko. She did the Joker Curse… Which means…
"Everyone is innocent until proven guilty… We'll keep her under protective custody for the time being…" Katsuya responded after what seemed to be a long pause.
"Thank you…" Anna said wiping a tear from her eye as relief and gratitude flooded her voice.
"Well, well… It seems that our by-the-books policeman is a softie after all…" Ulala remarked amused and pleased at the development.
"Hmph! All that means is that the law can't adjudicate in this situation… You've got your hands tied, Suou…" Baofu scoffed.
"There are many who need to be judged before her… Tatsuzou, the Mafia, and the traitors within the police… I'll find the cancer…" Katsuya shook his head and determined.
"In the end, it seems like Katsuya-kun is a big softie with strict adherence to Justice, rather suitably I must say," Maya concluded.
"Of course he is, although my brother can be a bit over-protective at times," Runa commented.
"Given your behaviour, Herald, he has good reason to be," Igor added as he shuffled a deck of tarot cards in his hands.
"Hey! Come on, you too!" Runa complained.
"He has a point," Katsuya argued.
"Obviously you'd agree with him," Runa crossed her arms with a huff, but lowered them when Katsuya's phone started ringing. Runa stepped closer to her brother.
Katsuya reached into his jacket and pulled out his phone which he then answered. The voice of a male on the other end said. "Katsuya Suou, right?"
"Yes, that is correct," Katsuya confirmed.
"I'm someone who wants to offer you information on your case… Meet me at Aoba Park…"
"What…!? Who are you!?" Katsuya demanded. Maya hearing Katsuya's reaction moved closer.
"…Sneak. Remember that," the man on the other end replied prior to hanging up.
Katsuya put away his phone and Katsuya shared the contents of the call with everyone.
Afterwards Baofu commented. "'Sneak,' you say…? As in 'sneaky,' huh? …Sounds suspicions… What do you plan to do?"
"It might be an informant close-by to Tatsuzou… I want to try to meet him," Katsuya decided and he added as he turned to Maya. "Are you alright with that, Amano-san?"
"Yes, of course. We need all the information we can get," Maya nodded.
"Runa, come with us, for now. I'd rather know where you are than leave on your own again. Especially since it didn't work in the slightest," Katsuya decided.
"I'm… coming… Huh," Runa mumbled as her eyes glanced downwards.
"…" Runa remained silent as everyone else talked to the Velvet Room residents and got ready to leave. Anna went over to Noriko and began talking to her about what happened. Runa couldn't hear the specifics, other thoughts weighed on her mind. She closed her eyes. Images of Club Zodiac filled her mind. Faces that were pale and cold to the touch, the smell of gunfire and the choking gasps of someone's last breath.
She quickly opened her eyes and looked around. I'm still here…? Of course, I am. I'm in the Velvet Room… It's over now. But their faces, those… people… they didn't look when…
"Runa-chan, Runa-chan? Hey, Suou wake up!" Anna snapped her fingers in front of her face.
"Er, huh? Senpai?" Runa responded.
"Argh… Don't space out, we're going to Aoba Park with the others, they left to get some supplies. Who knows what to expect when they there. Ugh, why am I telling you this? You should of been listening… Maybe Baofu was right. Why can't just think before you act, Runa!? You knocked out Yoshizaka-san with your Persona! Do you know how irresponsible that is!? And your reasons for it don't justified your actions either… You knocked her out because it was too risky for her but it was was dangerous for you as well! You're being a hypocrite and…!" Katsuya lectured, he sighed seeing that Runa hadn't spoken. "…You okay? You've been really quiet…"
"I'm fine, nothing's wrong… Can we just go now?" Runa asked while she avoided eye contact.
"Yes, stay close. Don't wander outside my sight, okay?" Katsuya requested touching her shoulder.
Runa tensed and pulled her shoulder away before she tried to cover the movement by started to head to the door. She stopped and forced a smile. "Oh, I forgot to say yes, of course, I won't get in your way, and I won't wander."
"…" Katsuya stared at her in the eye, she turned to avoid meet his eyes and she said with as much cheeriness as she could muster. "We can't keep them waiting… C'mon, Katsuya!"
Katsuya sighed and told her. "Alright, alight… I'm coming. You do know our father will ground you for weeks because what you did, don't you?"
"What I did… Oh, that! … Aha-ha-ha… That sucks… Though, I do deserve it," Runa frowned as she opened the blue door and stepped through it's threshold. It's time to keep moving and head to where the next clue to this crazy mess might lead us… I don't go home, yet… I don't want to be alone… Yet I don't want to go… Heck, I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing right now…
Thanks of reading this latest chapter. I hope I hadn't gone too dark.
In the next chapter the five Persona-users will met a mystery man in Aoba Park only for them to be on the hunt for more mystery people in order to gain aid in discovering what Tatsuzou is up to.