As they were exiting the van, a beep went off. For the first time, Akira noticed a bluetooth receiver in Seta's ear. As he watched, Seta reached up and tapped it.

"Yeah, Rise? Hm? Okay, sure. Great work." He tapped it again, then turned to Akira.

"Your navigator says there's something called a safe room up ahead? I assume you know what that is."

"Yes. We can rest there—now," he said distractedly, examining the earpiece, "technology doesn't work in the metaverse. How...?"

"The Kirijo group has been working for years to develop electronics that work in the Shadow world. They made it."

That would be...unbelievably useful, Akira noted. It was too bad they probably wouldn't be able to come back here after today. Or, rather, that they didn't learn about all of this months ago.

"Over here, Souji!" Amagi called, waving them to the safe room door.

"...this door," Takeba muttered as they approached. Akira nodded to himself. He hadn't noticed before, but it was different from the other doors on the floor. Instead of engraved stone, it was simple, wooden panelling, "it's..."

"Let's open it," Aigis said softly. "To be sure."

Takeba nodded, then pulled the double doors open, revealing the interior they'd all become used to from the previous two safe rooms. Akira watched closely as she let out a long, sad sigh.

"Yukari, is it...?" Ken asked.

"Yeah. It's the dorm," she said quietly.

"Fuck," Junpei muttered. "Never thought we'd be back here like this."

"So, what's the function of these...safe rooms?" Seta asked, arms folded.

Pulling his attention from the doorway, where more and more people were crowding, Akira replied, "They're a good place to rest. We also use them as meeting points, just in case we ever get split up. Shadows can't come inside."

"How d'they work?" Akira had forgotten that Yosuke was following them.

"Mona says they're a place where the palace's ruler's delusion is weakened. They usually more closely resemble the normal appearance of the room they're in than the rest of palace does. Then again, normally, a palace is in a...normal building..." Akira explained. He had no idea what this palace was supposed to be. Or where.

Seta nodded towards Takeba and Ken. "Strange, because from the pictures I've seen, that room is a perfect replica of the common room in the dorm they all once shared."

Akira frowned at that. "So...why is it a safe room, then? I really doubt we're inside their dormitory," he mused aloud.

Seta chuckled sadly. "Perhaps the...ruler simply wills it."

"Are we goin' in, partner?"

"I don't think we can afford to take the time," Seta said.

"We always take a break in the safe rooms," Akira said, sending Seta a pointed look. "My team looks forward to these."

"Normally I'd agree, but with your team resting on the back lines, and my team plenty big enough to handle constant rotations, I don't see the need. Maybe if we weren't so pressed for time, but it's getting late, too," Seta said patiently.

Akira felt a flash of annoyance. What, were the Phantom Thieves just a burden to this guy? They could handle their own combat.

"Fine, you go on ahead. We'll stay here, then catch up." There was some deep part of him that didn't want to acknowledge that his own stubbornness was unnecessary, and that Seta's words made sense. This was their mission, and this was what they did. He didn't want some other group coming and telling him what to do.

Especially not a group of adults.

Seta shook his head. "I can't agree with splitting up the group. Your people are too tired, and from here on out, it's only going to get worse. The shadows will be stronger and more plentiful, and—I just can't, in good conscious, leave you behind."

Can't agree with? "Who put you in charge, exactly?" Akira challenged calmly, keeping his gaze firmly set on the safe room door. Seta didn't know these palaces the way Akira and his group did.

"Yosuke," Akira could hear the frown in Seta's voice, "go check in with Yukari, please. This has to be hard on all of them."

"Right, partner," Yosuke said, hesitating only a moment before the sound of footfalls marked him walking away.

"Listen, Joker," Seta finally said, after a moment of tense silence between them, "I'm not here to usurp your authority, or to question the strength of your team. I am here to keep my team, and yours, alive and well, and to put an end to this as quickly as I can. Not only that, but those people, over there?" Akira's eyes followed him, to where S.E.E.S had bunched up, talking quietly with a few of the other people. His own team had even left the van, and were wandering over, concerned. "There are a lot of painful memories wrapped up inside that room, ones I'm not sure they're up to facing—at least, not today. Not on top of everything else that's going on. I can't, in good conscious, ask this of them. It's too much all at once."

For the first time, Akira really let himself see the distress on their faces, in their movements, and forced himself to acknowledge that Seta probably knew something he didn't. "You're...right," he admitted. "It's not fair to demand any of you stop here for our sake. So I stand by what I said: go on ahead. We'll catch up."

Seta was already shaking his head. "Joker, please understand. If this is really Minato's palace, I can't take any risks; I want everyone to stay together for safety reasons. Your team knows these palaces in a way my team doesn't, and your input is invaluable. Your team is also exhausted, Joker. So...I'm sorry, but for everyone's safety I just can't allow that."

"Allow? For someone who claims he didn't come to take charge, you're pretty free with the orders," Akira pointed out. He wasn't angry, exactly, but he still didn't fully trust these people. The Phantom Thieves had come this far on their own—without the aid of adults.

Seta sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. But for everyone's safety, I'd still prefer to stick together. So please, Joker, be reasonable," he asked calmly.

Akira took a deep breath...and a piece of his own advice: he calmed down. His team would follow him if he refused—Akira thought, at least, but if he really stepped back and thought about it critically, he knew Seta was right. He couldn't risk lives for the sake of stubborn pride. With reluctance, he nodded. "Fine, okay. Let's...keep going."

Seta nodded, speaking into his earpiece again. "Yosuke, we're moving on. Send the front line to advance."

Not a word passed between them as they walked together near the front, just behind the advance team. Akira hated that he had to admit that he was being sort of...petty. After all this time, doing what adults couldn't—or wouldn't—do, he had difficulty admitting that these adults, despite being new to the idea of palaces, were more experienced than he was.

"I meant it, you know," Seta finally said. "I want to work together. Our friendship will benefit our teams more than some petty rivalry. So, think we can be friends?"

Akira eyed the hand Seta had outstretched, clearly offering a handshake. He took it. "I agree. We need to work together. You'll have to give me time on that...friendship, thing, though. It's nothing personal, but...you're a cop, aren't you?"

"Detective," Seta offered.

Akria nodded. "Detective, then. Either way, you'll have to forgive us if this all just seems...off. It's nothing personal, we just—" He sighed. "I'll try, okay?" But he barely knew Seta and his friends, and some of them were cops and it was just...difficult, after so long alone.

Seta sighed. "Fine, I'll try to respect that."

"Thank you," Akira replied politely.

Souji led the way in silence after that. It was difficult, trying to convince this highly-suspicious young man that working together fully was in everyone's best interests. It was obvious that "Joker," as he called himself, wasn't likely to take advice or help from him willingly. Why that was, Souji didn't know, but he would just have to try and prove his goodwill through actions, not words.

...Joker. He wasn't hard to get a read on. An alpha male, with a bit of an exhibitionist in him, the teen also distrusted—adults? Strangers? Other persona users? Just him?—Souji wasn't totally certain. What he was certain about, however, was that while being willing to work with them, Joker was miles from trusting them fully.

Well, Souji had worked with worse. The kid at least had a good head on his shoulders, and a strong desire to protect his friends. That would have to do, at least for now. Souji had worked with worse.

He had joined his uncle on Inaba's police force two years before, and since then he had seen a few kids like Joker—kids who were smart, but scared. Wary. Patience and the right attitude—not to mention honesty—often brought them around. He figured Joker was much the same.

Too bad they didn't have time.

"Hey, partner?" Yosuke's voice crackled in his ear. Right. He'd sent his boyfriend away. Yosuke probably wanted to know what was up. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, it's fine," he replied. "Head to the front lines for now. I'll catch up soon."

"...right. Be careful."

Souji smiled to himself, glancing over at the silent figure walking easily beside him. That had given him an idea. Sometimes, actions spoke louder than words. Plus, if he was right about the kid's fondness for attention and acclamation, then just maybe...

"Hey, Joker?"

"Seta."

"Wanna kill some shadows?"

"Hell yeah! Nice shot, partner!"

"Joker, don't you dare let him one-up you, man! Come on!"

Yukari rolled her eyes at the spectacle. Stupid alpha males and their dumb ass competitiveness. Still, at least the two teams' leaders were getting along now. Sort of.

"Beat that, Joker," Souji taunted as he used Alice to annihilate five shadows single-handedly.

The one called Joker frowned. "Next fight, my turn," he challenged back.

"If you can handle it," Souji replied.

"I'll show you what I can and can't handle."

Despite the heckling, though, it was clear the two were enjoying themselves, and with their friendly competition, the exploration had proceeded with record speed. The past two floors had passed blindingly fast, and Rise said they were nearing the stairs on this floor.

The next fight was over just as quickly, the two wild cards tearing through the shadows with brutal force. The next few fights went as quickly, and before they knew it, they were standing before the door to another of those so-called safe rooms.

Pausing, she gazed at the door. It brought back so many memories.

"We gonna stop?" Oracle asked, pausing by Yukari's side to gaze up at the door.

Joker glanced at Souji, who sent Yukari a reassuring look and shook his head. "We'll keep going. Let's get another front line up first, though. I could use a break," Souji said.

"Guess not," Joker said. "Take a break if you need one, though. There's three of you, now."

"I know! Isn't it great, Joker? Rise and Fuuka really know their stuff. They've taught me a few tricks."

Joker smiled softly. "That's great, Oracle."

"Okay, enough time wasted. Move on," Souji said.

With one last glance at the doors, Yukari followed. She didn't need to go in there. Not even a little bit.

Ken, Aigis, Chie, and Kanji moved to the front lines, Joker, Yosuke, and Souji following immediately behind them. The navigators followed the leaders, their personas glowing faintly in the dimness. The rest of their teams came next, followed by the Phantom Thieves in their weird van.

Yukari made a point of sticking close to their leader, keeping half an ear on their conversation. It was because of that fact that she was right there when Souji stopped dead with a shout, "Halt!"

The group froze, waiting with baited breath while Souji listened intently on his bluetooth receiver. Much to Yukari's surprise, the exchange ended in Souji swearing. Loudly.

"Yukari, Rise come with me. Give Joker your receiver first. Joker, stay here and wait on my word to come. You're in charge while I'm gone."

Joker tried to protest, but Yukari had shoved her earpiece into his hands and bolted after Souji before he could get a word in.

They met the advance team at the end of the hallway, which opened into a massive room. In the centre of the room stood a lone figure, unmoving.

"Not a single trace?" Souji was asking Rise, who shook her head.

The figure was dark, too dark, but as Yukari squinted, something felt...familiar...

"Joker? Listen carefully," Souji was whispering. "I need to you send the others down, little by little, but be quiet. Send S.E.E.S first—no—no. Joker! Stop. Just do it. Okay, okay. Good. Yes. That's right."

Yukari squinted. Something...

Akira grumbled to himself as Seta cut the line. The man was infuriating. They had started getting along through the friendly competition and playful banter, but the minute trouble was spotted? He'd wasted no time in jumping back into control.

Begrudgingly, he followed Seta's instructions. Giving the orders to Kirijo's group first, he left them to sort themselves out while he went to inform his own team. Halfway to the van, the earpiece came back to life.

"Joker! Send me the navigators!"

Sighing, he turned back and waved Oracle and her little friend on. At the van, he quickly explained the situation, and led the remaining people towards Souji's position. As he pushed his way to the front, he caught sight of Souji, deep in discussion with all three navigators—Futaba was shaking her head.

Stepping up to the group, he frowned, tucking his hands into his pocket.

"Joker, good work," Seta said, nodding to him. "Oracle was just telling me that you've encountered a person without a reading before, near the entrance. Can you add anything?"

"We did," he agreed, squinting. "Yes, that's him. Ry—"

"Ryoji!" Takeba's yell cut across all pretence of stealth, as did the way she stormed out into the open. At her call, the rest of S.E.E.S jumped up also, drawing weapons.

"Ryoji? That's impossible," Kirijo said, racing off.

"I swear, if that's him—" Junpei growled.

Joker made to follow, only to be stopped by a tight grip on his jacket. Glancing over, he spotted an angry Seta.

"Anyone on your team immune to curse skills?" At his head shake, Seta sighed. "You can be, at least? Good. This is gonna be dangerous. I'm putting you on the front lines, if this comes to violence."

Akira frowned.

"No, Joker, not now. Just do it."

"Seta..."

"Do it, Joker," Seta snapped. "If they're right about this, and it comes to a fight, it's going to get ugly. Now come on."

Akira hadn't really been planning to argue, but Seta's insistence had him moving. Stepping up beside Takeba, he observed the blatant stare down that was occurring. Ryoji moved first.

"Yukari, Junpei, it's been a while."

"Yeah, about seven years since you tried to murder us," Junpei snapped.

"No hard feelings?" Ryoji asked.

"Very hard feelings, actually," Takeba said darkly. "Where is he?"

Ryoji ignored her, turning to Akira. "I warned you. Don't think numbers will save you."

"Ryoji!" Takeba yelled. "Don't ignore me. Where. Is. He?"

"You've come twelve floors now. Guess," Ryoji said.

"He's on the next floor," Takeba said, drawing her Evoker. "And here you are, in our path. Again."

Aigis stepped forward. "You are in our way."

Ryoji smiled then, and it was the most horrific sight Akira had ever seen. One minute, Ryoji was a person, and the next, he...changed. The form that ripped from his body was that of a massive demon, donned in a cloak of coffins. Its face was the bone-white of a skull, adorned with hollow, empty eyes.

"Thanatos!" Souji yelled. "Go back where you belong!"

The shadow laughed, speaking in a deep voice, "This is where I belong. Between life and death. Between you and the seal. Now die!"

Joker managed to hold his ground as the massive creature lunged for them. To his right, Souji fell in, his massive bastard sword held in a white-knuckled grip. To his left, Shirogane took up her stance, expression serious. Last was Takeba, looking utterly determined.

"Yukari, you need to handle the healing this time. Naoto, focus on damage. Joker, can you debuff it while remaining immune to curse?"

"I have Debilitate and Masukukaja on Satan."

"Perfect. Debilitate first. Let's go!"

Akira complied, summoning the persona and casting the spell. Thanatos' movements slowed noticeably, even as Akira felt his own speed up as Masukukaja settled over them.

To his right, Seta was barking orders. "Fuuka, give it a scan! I want its skills now! Rise, make sure no reinforcements try to join the fight. Oracle, I want you to see about leading a second group around and attacking from behind. Thanatos is too dangerous to fuck around with!

"Joker, you have Black Viper on that thing, right? See if you can get it off, but focus on debuffing it if you can. Naoto, it's weak to Blessing, so do what you can there—"

"Wait! I don't need to scan it to know it'll have Drain Blessing!" Fuuka's yell cut over them. "Minato built it, remember. He wouldn't have overlooked that."

"Right, good call Fuuka. Then let's focus on Almighty."

"It only resists slash!" Fukka called back. "You should be good if you avoid that, as well as Blessing and Curse!"

"Right!" Seta yelled back. "Lucifer!" Bufudyne hit Thanatos hard, exploding in a crash of ice.

"Shit, Souji!" Fuuka yelled. "Watch out, it has Door of Hades!"

"Door of Hades?" Akira asked into the earpiece.

"Right. It's an instant death spell," Kujikawa was the one to reply.

"That's why we have so many personas immune to curse, isn't it?"

"It's Almighty based."

Akira felt himself pale a little at that. Turning to Seta, he yelled, "We need to split up! If it gets us both...!"

"Right, I agree," Seta replied. "Get out and send me Mitsuru-san! Pick a few of your own and go around."

Akira nodded, breaking away from the group and racing away. He ran as fast as his legs would carry him, stopping only once he'd rejoined the back line, where Futaba was deep in heated discussion with several others.

"Joker! Finally!" Futaba muttered, running over to stand behind him. "You pick them! They're all being mean!"

Akira glanced at the assembled persona users, who were all clearly vying to be included. His first instinct was to bring his own teammates...but one look at the members of S.E.E.S, and he was pretty certain he would have a mutiny on his hands if he did so.

"Queen, with me. Sanada and Aigis, you too. Junpei, Mona, come as backup."

"But Joker—" Ken protested.

He raised a hand. "You're weak to Curse, and specialise in Blessing, right? That won't help here. I'm sorry. Stay on the back line. We'll call if we need you."

Akira really expected further protest, but he reluctantly nodded. Returning the nod, Akira motioned to his selected team and raced off at the head.

The battle wasn't too difficult to skirt the edge of, the other four doing a fantastic job of keeping the shadow's attention on them. Once Akira was satisfied with their position, he nodded.

"Aigis, take a moment to get off as many buffs as you can. Makoto, I want you to focus on healing if we need it. Sanada, we're going for damage!"

"Hell yeah! Caesar!" Sanada yelled, summoning his persona. Akira wasted no time in following suit.

"Don't forget to debuff it, Joker," Seta's voice crackled in his ear. "I still need you."

"Right, Seta," he agreed. Truthfully, a moment of adrenaline had gone to his head, but at Seta's reminder, he switched back to his task, knocking Thanatos back with a Debilitate.

"Good. I want your team to focus on keeping it crippled. Be careful."

"Watch out!" Futaba's cry drew Akira's attention. Prometheus shimmered, lights flaring as a green dome settled protectively over them. Before his eyes, the entire battlefield shimmered with a blinding light that quivered and winked out, leaving spots in his vision. Blinking several times, he rubbed his eyes frantically.

"What was that?" he asked into the earpiece.

"That was Door of Hades," Seta replied. "Oracle, great job blocking that. You saved our butts."

"Aw, you know I did."

"Joker, order your teams to go all-out! We can't let it do that again."

"Got it," he said, turning to his chosen team. "Change of plans. All out offensive. Smash its face! Junpei, Mona, you too!"

They went to it with a will. Out of the corner of his eye, Akira noted that Seta had the rest of the backup teammates fighting too. It should have been chaotic, but Seta guided and synchronised their movements perfectly, keeping them from hitting one another in the fray.

Under the incredible onslaught, Thanatos was staggering back. Aigis did what she could to help their accuracy, but otherwise, they just had to do their best to hit it, despite its incredible agility.

It was hard, though, and nearly half of their blows went wide.

"A big one's coming!"

Fuuka's shouted warning put Akira on the defensive. They hadn't been in time, and Futaba couldn't use her Final Guard very often...

"Watch out!" Futaba's shouted warning had Akira moving. Grabbing Makoto, he shoved her down and jumped over her. If he died here, fine, but she would be okay...!

"Joker—!"

"I love you," he said softly, as the light shimmered...

...

"Enough."

It was one word spoken, but as Akira slowly reopened eyes he didn't remember closing, he noted the absence of the light. And the absence of his own death. Slowly, he sat up, a disgruntled Makoto slapping him lightly on the shoulder.

"Joker, I swear...!"

He waved once, motioning her to silence. That was the word of the moment: silence. Nobody was speaking. Nobody was moving. Nobody even seemed to be breathing.

He followed Sanada's gaze to the far side of the room. A lone figure stood there, posture slouched and hands dug deep in his pocket. Even Thanatos had stopped to stare.

"...Leader?"

Sanada's whispered word made Akira frown. Tapping his earpiece, he asked, "Seta? Who's that?" His group was closer.

"Come here," came the soft reply. "And be careful."

Brow furrowing, Akira gestured the others to follow him as he led the way at a sprint. Stopping beside Seta, he allowed his gaze to wander to where Takeba was standing, stiff as a board.

"Be ready for anything. This may be a trap or a trick," Seta said.

Akira nodded. That explained the air of apprehension in the room.

"It...it can't be," Junpei finally said. "This whole thing was just a wild goose chase!"

The figure began walking towards them slowly, the sound of heels on stone echoing in the silence of the large chamber.

"I can't do this again. Not another fake," Ken muttered. "Never again."

The figure, a blue-haired, young man about Akira's age, stopped a few feet from them. "Enough, Thanatos. Leave them."

The shadow shifted, then...disappeared, returning to its humanoid form. Ryoji sank to the floor without a word.

"...it's...actually you this time," Takeba said softly, clutching her bow tightly. "Isn't it?"

"This time?" the teenager asked, voice still unnecessarily soft.

"There was...a fake. Right after you died. Metis said...she said he was the manifestation of our regrets," Ken said thickly.

The figure shook his head. "That wasn't me."

Takeba let out a soft sob. "Minato?"

"Yes, Yukari?"

"It's...really you."

"Arisato..." Kirijo said. "I...we...are so sorry."

"I did what I had to do, Mitsuru. Only I could do it. Just like now."

Takeba barrelled forward, catching the newcomer in a hug. "I missed you so much."

Arisato made no move to respond to her whatsoever, simply stared at the lot of them. Eventually, Takeba pulled back. "I—sorry."

"Souji, what are you doing here?" Arisato asked. "And who are all of these people?"

"We came to find you, Minato," Seta said carefully. "And Joker and his friends here are...well, they're the new us, tasked with saving people who don't really want saving."

"A waste of time," Arisato said flatly. "Only I can do that. You can all go home."

Akira frowned. Only he could? Why was that, exactly?

"Minato? What are you saying? We're a team," Junpei said.

"Were. Now it's just me. Go home, Junpei. Go home and enjoy your lives, all of you. The lives you get to live. I'll take care of this."

"Hey!" Ryuji finally snapped. "I don't know what your deal is, but we can so do this! We were doing just fine on our own!"

"Really? Which one of you is the Wild Card?" Arisato asked.

"I am," Akira said, stepping forward.

"If you want to even start to handle this, you need to uncover the lie right in front of your nose. You too, Souji. Do it—or better yet, go home. I'll handle this." With that, the teenager turned and walked away, as slowly and steadily as he had walked up to them.

"Wait, Minato!"

"Leader!"

"Arisato!"

The cries of his friends followed him out, but Arisato never faltered.

Ryoji scoffed. "You don't get it, do you? He doesn't trust anyone anymore. And if he doesn't, neither do I."

"Shut it, Ryoji!" Junpei finally snapped. "What the hell is your problem, you damn bastard? He's our friend, and we thought you were, too."

"I tried to be, but you refused my offer. It's too late, now. I will protect him."

"Why?" Kirijo asked. "He's not in any danger from us, even you must know that."

Ryoji shrugged. "I'm supposed to keep people out. If he hadn't ordered me to stop, I'd attack you again."

"Why? Shouldn't you want him gone?" Sanada demanded.

"Hardly. You know full well I support his goals. We've been partners a long time, and I can stick around a long time more." He sent a look to Aigis.

"So doesn't his current status conflict with that?" Kirijo demanded.

Ryoji shrugged. "He'll return."

"No!" Takeba yelled. "You got him for seven years. Give him back!"

"That's his choice, and right now his choice is to pick up after those failures over there." Akira tensed as Ryoji looked at him.

"Help us." Those two words, almost a plea, uttered by Seta, drew Akira's attention. "Orpheus is, and so can you. We want to protect him, that's all. He's not himself, even you must see that."

"...help you how?"

"With this! All of it! We just want to save society," Akira cut in.

"Really? But it's my goal to destroy it."

"You never wanted that, Ryoji!" Takeba challenged. "You know that."

"Perhaps, but you failed to kill me, so here I am."

"Helping Minato!" Junpei yelled. "Admit it, you want to help us!"

Ryoji seemed to hesitate at that. "You know what? Find the truth...and perhaps I will. Until then, I'll stay right here. Guarding this hallway."

Several members looked ready to pick a fight, but at a barked command from Seta, they reluctantly stepped away, back down the way they'd come.

"And ideas, Joker?"

Akira shrugged. "I really have no idea."

"...me either," Seta muttered.

Sorry about the long wait; I was having...trouble with this chapter.

Now, a lot of people have asked why I'm not referencing events from Arena/2. The simple answer is, I just haven't played them. This story will only be using the events of Personas 3, 4, and 5, with some events of Q mentioned, for convenience's sake (mainly, the characters all knowing one another).

I'm sorry if that's disappointing for anyone, but my own experiences aside, I feel that this makes the fic more accessible to a lot of the fandom, who won't feel like they have to have played half a dozen spinoffs just to enjoy the story. XD

I hope everyone can enjoy it despite that.