Key:
Menma Narrating
Sae Narrating
"Shadows/Persona Talking."
"Humans Talkings."
'Humans thinking.'
"Telepathy/Radios."
...Makoto decided to play hero and use herself as bait, it ended poorly and put us in a position where we had to pay Kaneshiro 3 Million Yen. Now, I don't care how much money we got together over our careers, no one extorts and Uzumaki.
And no one, lays a finger on my Makoto.
Smoke. Alcohol. Thick scent in the air. Lungs feel tight. Arms heavy.
Man. Man touching her. No one touches her.
Before any of the other Phantoms could move, Menma had seemingly shot forward and drove his knee into the side of a man in a black jumpsuit with a golden dragon motif. He was holding down a struggling Makoto Niijima, currently they were all within Junya Kaneshiro's personal club.
The man in question sat in the corner of a booth, some floozy on his arm, another man sat at the end of the booth, picking at his nails with a knife, finally a man sat with one hand in his pocket and a glass of what smelt like whiskey.
None of that mattered.
"Don't you touch my Makoto!" Roared Menma-no. Menma wasn't there at the moment.
Only Jack.
Philemon's first chosen few did not have to deal with the Metaverse, neither did his second. Nor their descendants. The power of Persona dwelt within one's heart, not their mind.
And when one's heart experiences rage so black it blots out the sun? A profound darkness spawns within.
Master… do you hear me? Can you feel me Master?
How I yearn for your touch, how I yearn to quench your undying anger!
Unleash me Master, call me from within the Sea of Souls!
I am…!
"Purge them, Setesh!" From behind the Aeon Personification rose a tall figure, his head that of a bloodthirsty jackal, its body was rippling with muscle and burnt onto each shoulder was an ankh, held in one hand was a long, slim staff with a simple pointed head and a two-pronged pommel.
Setesh covered his modesty with a long flowing skirt, completely white in colour with a golden sash around his waist, in place of shoes Setesh wore a pair of golden bangles. The gangsters all recoiled in horror as their potential victim's knee sent one of their peers into a wall, a sickening cracking noise was heard a pool of blood formed around his head as he slid to the ground.
Setesh barked loudly startling them all, he lunged forward and stabbed his staff into the man with the knife, instead of causing bodily harm the man seemingly passed out, Menma leapt over Makoto and axe kicked the sitting man into the table, glass shattered violently and another loud snapping noise was heard.
"W-w-waa…?" Junya tried to back away but being that he sat in the corner he really didn't have anywhere to go.
"Yes my Master, yyyeeess! We shall torment him, body and soul…" Setesh purred loudly, easily heard by some of the other patrons who quickly evacuated. Setesh leant down around his Master, his large head resting on the teens shoulder, "...hmm this woman's flesh pleases mine eye, Master."
The woman went dreadfully pale before blacking out, and landing face first onto the unconscious man with the knife, "Junya Kaneshiro, you've threatened my love. You've threatened my fellow students, you've threatened Shibuya."
"Dude… I-I-I can't move." Ryuji whimpered as he tried to grab onto someone.
"Neither can I." Yusuke said, his unfalteringly calm voice a few octaves higher than usual.
"Is Senpai gonna-he wouldn't would he?" Ann questioned quietly.
"Jack!" Morgana shouted garnering the attention of the Egyptian Persona and its Master, "Think about what you're doing! You have to calm down! Makoto is scared to death!"
"M-Makoto!" Menma suddenly snapped out of whatever rage filled haze he was in, Setesh rolling his eyes and bonking Kaneshiro on the head with his staff before seeping back into his Master.
Menma picked her up and dusted her off before pulling her in close, "Oh Makoto, you're okay!"
All of the others were able to move once more, but all of them remained silent, somehow all of them but Menma managed to notice the horrified look on his girlfriends face.
"Menma w-what was all that? D-Did you kill those people!" Makoto pushed him away making him squawk in shock and trip over a table that was loaded with booze, cigarettes and drugs, a bottle of wine smashed into his head making him groan and he lay on the floor for a moment writhing.
"Whoa Senpai!" Ryuji and Akira moved to help only for Makoto to call them off.
"Do not help him yet!" Ordered the girl, somehow this made their spines turn to ice, those furious red eyes pinning them.
"Did you kill them! There's blood all over the wall, this man seems to have more glass than skin on his back, let's not begin with whatever demon you managed to conjure up and attack those other people with!" Makoto was caught between furious, terrified, and thoroughly disappointed.
Menma's vision swam for a moment but thankfully Persona Users are generally hardier folks, along with Setesh's whispers and healing words he managed to get up, ignoring the several cuts on his palms as he did so.
"They aren't dead… just injured." Blood dripped down Menma's face, right between his eyes and down the left side of his nose, he grimaced as he got up and swayed on his feet slightly, "As for the other two? Unconscious." Menma placed one hand on his hip, and slipped the thumb of his other hand through a belt loop, "Your angry."
"Of course I am, you assaulted four people! For what? Just so that we could leave faster?" Menma's nostrils flared as he shot back.
"I did it to protect you! You just ran off without me to get into some fuckin' car with actual mobsters! Do you have any idea how worried I was about you Makoto, you're my-"
"Shut up! Stop calling me 'yours'!" Exploded the girl, making him take a physical step back, "I'm not yours! I'm not some accessory for you to drag around to show off to your friends! I'm not some lonely charity case you need to shower with attention and gifts!" Makoto continued.
"Dude…" Ryuji mouthed to Akira who's eyes were filled with worry.
"And I'm not your 'sun and stars' or your 'reason to get up in the morning'! You just like to fuck me! Well guess what, I like to fuck you too but that's not what this is about anymore! You're a flirty, self-centered, self-aggrandizing jackass! You think you're always right and I hate it! I'm not your goddamn doll that you can dress up and have your way with just because I'm new to all this!" Makoto's eyes were wet, her cheeks were flushed and she clenched her fists so tight dark red spots filled her palms.
"But I-I jus- Makoto please…" The heartbreak in his eyes made all the Phantoms wince.
"No. No more Menma. I don't know what kind of power trip you're on right now, but it's over between us. I'll always care about you, but I can never love you."
I can never love you.
I can never love you.
I can never love you.
Menma's world took a spiral at that, deep within his subconscious he heard a bloodcurdling scream he steadied himself against the wall for a moment, "This isn't just about today is it. Obviously it isn't." Menma corrected himself, his voice hoarse.
"No, it's not. I noticed a change in you after we… had our first time, you got pushier, more controlling. It wasn't the boy I cared for." Makoto said, looking down.
"So why didn't you say anything to me, Makoto? The last thing I want is for you to be unhappy!" Menma demanded, a fire in his gaze.
"Because you changing to suit me isn't a relationship." Makoto said firmly, "These weeks have shown me how you really are, when you think no one else is noticing." At his raised brows she pressed on, "You're always on guard, you never really let me in you just let me think that. It took me telling you secrets about myself that I told no one else to get even pieces about you."
"So what, because I'm slow to share you want nothing to do with me?" Menma demanded.
"No. I'd never cut you out of my life, you've been a precious friend these past years and I couldn't picture who I am now without you, but I can't keep just letting you play with me. I'm sorry Menma, really I am. But I just don't want to live a lie. Not anymore."
I can never love you.
I don't want to live a lie.
Lie…
Our Love was a lie.
I never loved you.
Menma's brain was betraying him something ferocious as he bit his tongue, "Fine… that's fine. I'm gonna… call an ambulance and… go for a walk, I'll talk to you guys later. She'll help you crack Kaneshiro… I'm no use to anyone right now." Menma pulled out his phone and left the bar.
"I'm sorry you all had to see that…" Makoto apologised.
That was the last I heard of the conversation, I was already wrapped up in my own little world, I don't think I've ever cried so much over something so… trivial.
Love is never trivial.
... You're right. I just-I wish she'd spoken to me sooner, so I could fix it.
I think the end result here is that, no matter your feelings relationships may just die, for one reason or another. I'm sure my sister cares about you, just not romantically. I'm of course not going anywhere near the sexual aspect of your relationship because franky it's none of my business.
I think I want to stop talking about this all now… Here's my phone. We've run out the clock.
Menma looked up at Sae and nodded, she unlocked his phone and slipped it into her breast pocket, "Good luck." Menma wished, frowning despite himself.
"I'd say the same to you… for what it's worth, Menma. I think you're a good young man. You'll find the right girl." Sae said with a small smile.
"Thanks Sae." Menma said with a nod.
Things were quite awkward over at the Phantom Thieves hideaway so let's just leave that be for the moment.
Menma waited for a moment before he felt the familiar hum of transferring into the Metaverse, he summoned Setesh for a moment and ordered a Diarahan to be cast upon himself, since Setesh seemed to function in a slightly different manner than his fellow Persona it seemed to do the trick, at least for the moment.
Fishing his mask from seemingly nowhere Menma fastened it to his face, sitting back down and placing his head against the metal table he played possum, he heard faint voices for a moment before the guard re-opened the door.
"...You aren't supposed to be here." Akechi said sharply, quickly slipping his hand over to the Guard's belt, plundering his gun and shooting him in the back.
"It was supposed to be Joker… not you… why did you get caught? You were faster than him, stronger than him!" Akechi ordered, kicking a chair away and pressing his gun into Menma's head.
"Sit up, sit up and look at me!" Ordered the brown haired detective.
"Why?" Menma's voice filled the room, making Akechi pause, "So you can look me in the eye when you shoot me? Or so you can see your friend's face for the last time?" He remained motionless.
"Because I said so! I'm in control of the situation here! Not you, so get up Uzumaki! Get up and meet your end with something more than false gravitas." Ordered the detective with venom.
"You could have made a family, you know." Menma said idly, as though talking about the paint on the walls, "Me and you, we were great friends. I thought at least, brothers in arms for… what is it, coming on four years at this point? We've grown a lot Akechi, but you never seemed to get over your own demons."
"My mother committed suicide because my father was trash! Those aren't exactly things I can lock away!" Akechi spat with hatred.
"True." Menma admitted, "But at the same time, if you allow them to dominate your life it's all you'll ever have. They'll be no more room left for Goro Akechi. Only the man in the black mask." Menma lifted his head and revealed his own masked face to his would-be killer.
"Why do you have that mask…" Muttered Akechi before his brain caught back up, "What do you mean black mask-How do you know about that?!"
"Your other self, that dwells within the cognitive world. It's never approached you has it?"
"No, it certainly hasn't." Negative Jack appeared from behind the sitting real version, arms crossed.
"I'm far too afraid to do that… without the validation of others I have nothing." Another shadow appeared, this being Akechi, though several years younger, his eyes were a bright yellow and he wore tattered pyjamas.
Akechi recoiled as though struck, "What the hell is this..?"
"Your inner self, the manifestation of all the negative shit in your head." Menma explained as he rose from his seat, standing beside his own mirror, "The things we don't want anyone else seeing."
"Existence is pain." Shakechi said with a whimper, "Every day I have to look myself in the mirror and act as a tool for that man that ruined everything… I just want a place to call home I-" Akechi shot the shadow in the head, making it disappear into vapors.
"That's not how it works, Akechi." Menma said simply, leaning against the wall beside his copy. "You accept it or you don't, but it'll always be there. It's apart of you."
"Shut up! I don't need this after school special bullshit! I control my life! No one else!" Akechi pointed his gun at Menma who remained unfaltering.
"Put the gun down, Akechi. We both know you wouldn't shoot your brother." Menma said with a narrow stare behind his mask, he noticed how Akechi tensed at that, "If you control your life, why are you here? Why, if not for the whims of Masayoshi Shido?"
"How do you know all of this!" Akechi demanded once more, this time desperation began to spark in his eyes.
"My Shadow, spoke to your Shadow. And relayed the information to me, you're lonely Akechi. So lonely your Shadow told mine everything it wanted to hear just so it could have some company." Menma shook his head for a moment, "I'd pity you if you didn't put on such a strong front."
"I don't need your pity." Akechi hissed.
"You don't. You're strong enough without me, but you'll always have to go home to the same lonely apartment. I'll give you one last chance Akechi, you and I work together to take down Shido, end this charade and puppet show. C'mon bud, this is a personal thing, don't let the country get involved." Menma pulled his mask off and looked at Akechi, his face forlorn.
"I-It's too late for shit like redemption." Akechi said, lifting his gun once more.
"Redemption is long past us. I was thinking more the along the line of repentance." Menma shrugged and put his mask back on, "Whatever, we do as we must. We guard dogs."
"Indeed… for what it's worth Menma, I valued our time together." Akechi said, swallowing his doubts, Menma nodded and gestured him on.
Bang!
A deafening shot rang out, Akechi's vision swam at the sudden noise only for him to suddenly feel weightless, a deep blackness overtaking him.
"I-dddd r-r-rather ki-llll myself than ever h-hurt him." The Shadow appeared once more, this time as Akechi was gun in hand, his form slowly melting away into the darkness, "Ppppplease rrrreee-mmmember me." He looked to Menma before succumbing to the death of his other half.
Shadow Jack slipped Menma's gun back into the holster on his leg, having prepared for the worst.
Sorrowful purple eyes stared down at the corpse of his dear friend, "Rest well Akechi. You were a piece of shit, but crazy is as crazy does, and I still loved you for you…" Menma took a moment to realise he never told Akechi he valued him so highly, that he genuinely did think of him as a brother.
A wave of guilt stung the teens heart but he closed his friends eyes, careful not to damage the skin with his clawed gloves, and kissed his forehead, "Rest well, little brother."
Menma walked out and brushed himself off, coughing into his fist to regain his composure.
Pulling out his phone he sent one more look to his Shadow before leaving the cognitive world and making his way to the elevator, just as a familiar face came down it.
Sae looked into the emotionless mask of Jack and felt a bubble of dread rise in her stomach, Menma pulled it off, along with his hood, and walked into the elevator with her. Ebony and Ivory melted away, along with his armour as he allowed the power to fully retreat.
He was still battered, but it was hidden away by his casual/fancy dress, the same dark red shirt, black pinstripe vest and trousers, along with simple black sneakers.
Menma felt all of his exhaustion hit him at once and steadied himself against the elevator, "Please take me home."
"Shouldn't you get back to your team?" Sae questioned, taking his arm into her own to steady him, the young man gathered himself and stood up straight, looking like he belonged wherever he damn well pleased.
"Fuck the team, I need to sleep off these drugs and get a check over. Home." The silver haired woman sighed, she almost argued with him that she was the one taking the risk here, not him but at the moment she just wanted to get back and have a shower.
They strode out of the facility, only once were they questioned about Menma's presence, that was diffused by saying he was here with Sae to see how prosecutors performed their duty, as a personal favour to a benefactor.
The idea of money seemed to fix everything.
As they got to the parking lot Menma slid into the car put on his seatbelt, and then proceeded to have a complete and utter breakdown, "Oh sweet lord it's over…" He whispered, Sae started the car and left, she reached out to Menma and offered him her hand, he accepted it and held it to his head.
"Thank you." He kept muttering, Sae felt her heart lurch and just accepted his feeling for the moment.
21/11/20XX Morning
Menma leant into the wall as hot water ran down his body, he held himself close. Trying to find comfort in the physicality of the action, his shoulders kept shaking, his heart kept pounding, no matter what happened he kept seeing himself trapped in that room whenever he closed his eyes.
He kept feeling the jab of the needles they stuck in him.
He kept feeling their shoes crushing his flesh.
He kept seeing Akechi's face as he collapsed against the ground.
It all started to get too much, he had to get out. He shut off the shower and quickly dried and clothed himself, looking out the window of his apartment he picked up his phone and called some of his handler.
"Uzumaki-sama, how can I assist?" The female voice came from the other side of the phone, respectful and professional.
"I'd like to set up a meeting with my father, is that possible today?" Menma requested as he buttoned his white vest.
"Of course sir, shall they pick you up at your apartment?" Questioned the woman, understanding in her voice.
"Yes please, thank you for your work." Menma said softly.
"Not a problem sir, the meeting will be… at 3pm. We'll see you then sir." The two shared a quick, cordial farewell before Menma pocketed his phone.
Heavy bags under his eyes from lack of sleep, he was clean but he felt dirty. His clothes were perfectly presented and he was dressed as a young man of his standing should be, it all just felt so… synthetic.
White shirt, white vest, white pants, white shoes, silver ring. White was clean, pure, unspoiled. If he wore enough it might help his current mental state.
He pulled up his sleeves and rolled them to his elbows, revealing the bruises on his person, he fixed his collar so that it hid the dark blotches on his collarbone. It seemed that even Setesh couldn't fix all of his troubles.
A knock at the door alerted him, Menma looked through the peephole and saw several familiar faces, he opened it a crack, the several chains locking it allowing it to go only so far.
From the perspective of the Phantom Thieves, their human shaped nuke was a scared young man now. "What?" He asked roughly.
"We came to check on you dude-" Ryuji said, shouldering himself forward, Akira nodding directly beside him, "-Can we come in?"
Menma slammed the door and seriously considered leaving them outside, his fingers started undoing the half-dozen latches he'd put in place the night before, he barely noticed how his hands were shaking, he opened the door and stepped away from it.
He was quickly pulled into an embrace from the black haired Kurusu and the blond Sakamoto, the younger boys unable to fully express their concern with words alone.
Menma's expression softened as he accepted the gesture, sinking into the embrace and allowing the presence of his two dear friends wash away the black images within his mind, then they pulled back, allowing the others their moment.
Ann almost leapt into his arms, the scent of her shampoo filling his nostrils, once more he leant into the embrace and smiled droplets of moisture wetting his white dress shirt.
"I was so worried." Ann said, Menma mouthed a thank you as Yusuke offered his hand.
The two exchanged a firm shake and Menma saw into Yusuke's eyes, "Thank you, Yusuke."
"I am… at a loss to express the disquiet within my heart." Admitted the artist.
"Words are nice, but you're a painter. I understand, nevertheless." Yusuke nodded and smiled.
Makoto actually jumped into his arms and almost toppled him before he managed to right himself. "I'm sorry." Whispered the Niijima sister into his ear, "I know it's too late now, but I'm so sorry for how I treated you and what I said-And for everything that happened and-" Menma set her down and placed his hands on her shoulders.
"Thank you, Makoto but I've… dealt with it. Life moves on, thank you though." He kissed her forehead and hugged her once more.
Haru was the final cuddle he got, there was a definitive warmth to Haru that other people seemed unable to match, it was either her sweet soul, her kind heart, or a combination of the two, regardless Haru did more with a single hug than any amount of sleep could do for him.
"Ahh, Haru. Sweetest little cupcake in the world." Menma said fondly, getting soft smile from the Okumura Heiress.
"Shall we?" Menma offered as he moved into the living room, sitting in the corner of the right angle shaped couch, Morgana trotting out of Akira's bag and sitting at his feet.
"So… Futaba still with Sojiro?" Menma questioned, noting the absence of the orange haired hacker.
"She's making great progress." Akira assured with a smile, "I took her to the electronics store a few days ago."
"Good for her." Menma said with a nod, wetting his lips for a moment he bowed his head, "Akechi is dead." The room went completely silent, "When he came to kill me… I worked with Sae to drag myself into the Metaverse, when Akechi came in he took the guard's gun and shot him."
"Jesus…" Ryuji muttered with wide eyes.
"My Shadow appeared, as he is want to do, but so did Akechi's." They all leant back at that revelation, "Yeah, he had a shadow. So, Akechi and I go back and forth, talkin' and he shoots his shadow when it says something he doesn't want to hear. Shame for him it doesn't work like that. Finally he turns to shoot met after we talk some more, his Shadow appears one more time and shoots him in the head. Before asking me to not forget him."
"But that doesn't make any sense, how can a Shadow kill its creator?" Morgana questioned aloud.
"Because unlike other people I can admit my flaws, and embrace them. I know my head's a little screwy, Akechi on the other hand was so hell-bent on making his false self appear real that he refused to even hear anything to the contrary."
"How sad." Haru said, though a dark acceptance flashed in her eyes, perhaps she felt his death justified given all the pain Akechi had caused.
"That being said our path doesn't stop here." Menma stood up and pulled out his phone, turning on his television at the same time, he cast the images from his phone onto his T.V and turned to his peers, "This man-" He pulled up an image of Shido, the bald man with typically orange tinted glasses in a black suit with a white dress shirt.
"Is running for prime minister. He's the one who was pulling Akechi's strings, he's also the poor bastards father, and the reason his mother committed suicide, but beyond personal damage he's also responsible for each death Akechi performed. Since the prince isn't around to pay for his crimes, the King has to answer." Menma slipped his phone into his breast pocket and paced.
"My suggestion, the Phantom Thieves grasp the world by the horns and make it so that this monster cannot get elected, and cannot ever harm another person in his life." Menma said, his dark purple eyes filled with a fierce fire.
"What do you propose?" Akira questioned, crossing one leg over the other. "A change of heart… or something more?"
"Akira surely-" Makoto scolded only to see the look in her ex's eyes, "Menma we don't kill people!" Snapped the Queen.
"No. We don't. But that doesn't mean I can't hurt this man in ways that no one else can. My plan is not to merely rip the rug out from under him, he has supporters, vocal and silent. Mementos is a prime place for us to purge the upper echelons of our society. To actually make a meaningful and permanent difference." Menma spoke, passion and fervor exploding from him.
"Every day, our peers and those younger than us, become part of a broken and corrupt system. I don't merely plan to change one heart, I'm going to change every that supports this vile fucking man!" A fire lit in Menma's belly, "All of us together can make it so that no one else suffers the same way that Goro Akechi suffered, that no one like Suguru Kamoshida can get into power, that no one like Ichiryusai Madarame can tamper with the lives of those around him, that no one like Junya fucking Kaneshiro can plague the streets of japan!"
There was a very real weight in the room as Menma spoke, everyone seemed to notice it for a moment, sparks and cinders actually rising from him, "It is our solemn duty as Phantom Thieves to rip out these tumours before everyone who suffers under the current regime! We were given power for a reason and it is to strike out against those who would do harm the harmless, to defend the defenceless, and for god's sake make a fucking difference!"
Thou hast found the key.
Through thine own fervorous determination for change, the true power of the Aeon is yours.
I am thou, thou art I…
From the flames of the soul, a new shape is born, Seeker of Truth, elevate thine own mind and the mysteries shall press you ever forward.
Thine servant Cerberus returns to their slumber, from the ashes rises…
Hades, Master of the Underworld
A towering pair of doors manifested behind the redhead, from out of the doors walked a figure clad in jagged black armour, his skin pale as ash, eyes burning like coals, hair so white it was almost translucent, the features of this being were almost elfin in nature, a sharp jawline and pointed ears, high set cheekbones and thin lips.
Hades was wrapped in a ragged black cape and held a jagged bident in his right hand, under his left was a helmet with curled horns and a macabre facsimile of a hounds face as the main feature of the helm.
Hades bowed for a moment before melting into Menma's back, a rush of power coursed through his veins, his bruises burning away and his muscles knitting back any damage they'd suffered, he let out a deep breath, expelling a heavy cloud of steam.
The Phantom Thieves looked at one another for a moment before Akira stood up and walked towards the redhead, "You realise this is a huge undertaking right? We may have a lot of sleepless nights."
"I'm not saying we burn through this all like a tidal wave, but Mementos is the perfect vetting tool for politicians and those in high states of power, if we start with Shido and his group it sets a precedent that, whilst our actions are somewhat chaotic, we're on the side of righteousness." Menma crossed his arms and peered down at his friend, as though awaiting rejection of the idea.
"Well I think it's a good idea." Akira said, "Though we have to be constantly vigilant, we only do this for the betterment of others, whilst we may gain as a placebo we as a unit agree, no exploiting the Metaverse, no controlling people, no going over the top, and of course, no killing. So long as we can all agree with that, pulling the darkness out of people isn't anything new. We just have higher goals now."
"I don't need convincin', Phantom Thieves take bad guys hearts, all the same to me." Ryuji said as he stood as well, grinning.
"This is the way to prove ourselves not only to the public, but the world at large. We Phantom Thieves shall show all our Justice." Yusuke stood next, smirking in that self-assured way he was want to do.
"I'll stand with you, if only to make sure you don't deviate." Makoto said with a smirk of her own, though this one held a distinct fondness to it.
"Of course, Phantoms flock together!" Ann said, grinning.
"I was worried we'd finished our work, I'm glad we can keep going." Haru said, a relieved sigh passing her lips.
"Hehe, glad to know that our star continues to rise, even after meeting resistance." Morgana grinned impishly and nodded.
"Good to hear!" Futaba's voice rang out from their phones, each of them pulled them out, "Already got some info on Shido, sketchy dude. And some of his backers. Give me some more time and we'll really get into cleaning house."
"Did you seriously listen into the entire conversation?" Ryuji asked flatly.
"Of course I did!" Shot back the orange haired girl, "How else am I gonna be involved?"
"By actually coming with us." Yusuke said simply.
"Be silent Inari! Futaba is speaking!" Demanded the Hacker.
"How rude…" Muttered the artist with a drawl.
20/11/20XX Afternoon
Menma stood with his hands in his pockets as he looked out of a window, down at the bustling city beneath the high-rise office, the Apex office was a well oiled machine that demanded each hour spent in the office was productive. It worked on the western idea of 9-5 in place of the traditional Eastern approach that the longer you spent in the office the more productive you would be.
In practice there could not be anything further from the truth. Middle men that meandered around offices, executives that worked into the wee hours of the morning at abysmally slow paces.
The stricter office hours made it so that every person who worked under the company was expected to perform optimally, efficiently and thoroughly. Anyone who couldn't cope was fired.
By the same token it meant that those working in Apex actually had lives, they could mix social and work together, and they weren't required to drop everything to go drinking with their bosses in some vain hope to foster relations.
Menma's honed ears caught the sound of the door opening to the office, a glass wall separated the occupants within from those without, another method to control the productivity of those inside the company.
Minato Uzumaki strode into the room, dressed in a black suit with a dark blue dress shirt and black tie, a single yellow lightning bolt pin on his collar, something stupid Menma had made for his father in his youth that had somehow made it all these years.
His shaggy golden hair and bright blue eyes made him seem european in appearance, that gave him both advantages and grievances over his years in business.
"Menma." Minato greeted with a smile as he closed the door behind him, the duo shared an embrace before taking seats, "What can I do for my favourite son today?"
"I'm your only son." Menma countered with a raised brow.
"Just means I like you so much I didn't want another." Minato said with a chuckle, Menma rolled his eyes but grinned.
"Well I've got a few things to tell you, first though how secure is this office?" Minato raised his brow, "Does it have bugs?"
"No, no listening devices. My laptop is off… here I'll even turn my phone off. What's this about?" Minato had a look of concern on his face.
"I'm a Phantom Thief." Menma said bluntly, "The social crusaders that you see in the news."
"A Phantom… Thief. Right, and how exactly did you come upon… that?" Minato questioned, struggling to voice it properly.
"The catalyst was when Suguru Kamoshida raped one of my student peers, she attempted suicide but I stopped her. From there I and a few other students teamed up to form the initial Phantom Thieves. Since then it has grown. I just wanted to tell you, as I've been hiding it from your for several months now." Menma said, his calm, level tone surprising Minato.
"This seems pretty rehearsed, have you told anyone else about this?" The Father questioned, leaning back into his chair.
"No, I just repeated it over and over in my head on the way over here." Minato made an 'ah' noise as a short pause fell over them.
"So… what exactly does a Phantom Thief do? How does one change a heart?" The man questioned.
"Long version or short version?" Menma asked, tilting his head slightly, Minato glanced at his watch.
"I've got two hours until closing time, and a meeting at 4. So if it takes an hour to tell me that we can talk during dinner tonight." Minato said simply.
"Essentially, we can only take the hearts of those people that have been twisted by their base desires…" Menma went onto explain the process he and his team went through in order to do what they do best.
It took roughly ten or so minutes, as the question was relatively basic, but Menma did cover the concept of Persona, Cognition, and the Metaverse with a reasonable amount of detail.
"..." Minato was quiet for a moment as he considered what his child had told him, "So. What is the plan, for the future of the Phantom Thieves?"
"I'm going to stop the mental shutdowns, once and for all. And that starts with the man behind them, Masayoshi Shido. Then I'm going to go into Mementos, the 'Palace of the People' as it were, and see if any of his constituents are in there."
"You're planning a mass social reform." Minato guessed with a knowing look, "That's quite the undertaking."
"I am aware." Menma said, knitting his fingers together, the strength of Hades soothing his nerves, "I've had a rollercoaster of a few days Dad, but I believe this is the best for everyone."
"Where does that leave your future? If you're running around performing noble deeds, where's the time for Menma?" Minato asked, his tone becoming quite serious.
"I won't neglect the outside world just because of the Metaverse, but this is something I have to do. Or the situation will just get worse." Menma thought of all the people within the company that he'd altered through Mementos, a secret that only Sae Niijima knew. Thankfully it had only been a handful of bad eggs.
"Well… I can't say I fully support it, but I'll not stand in your way. And I appreciate what it took to tell me this, I'd like the full story over dinner though, if you don't mind." Minato requested, Menma nodded.
"Looking forward to it." Menma pressed the intercom connected to his office.
"Kiryo, can you please send up a few people to take my son home, thank you." Minato removed his finger and turned his phone back on, "I'm feeling sushi tonight, you?"
"Honestly anything is good. I'll see you at home." The two shared a nod as a duo of burly men came and escorted the company heir home,.
"I'm going to have to watch my boy closer, god only knows what trouble he'll get himself into." Minato muttered, rubbing his forehead.
[End]
If you liked it, lemme know. If you didn't also lemme know. I'm pumping these out pretty fast but that's because I'm having a lot of fun.
Raxychaz!