Take Me Away from Them: Chapter 3
(... means transition from real world to Mementos)
Chapter 3: A fight in the making
The Phantom Thieves made their final preparations for their trip into Mementos. They finally had the names for the group of bullies that have been attacking the students at the school, as well as Akira's now boyfriend Mishima. It was due or die time as the Thieves made their way into Mementos, leaving Mishima behind.
"Good luck guys!" whispered Mishima as the group vanished from his own eyes. He was amazed how they did it. Mishima decided to make his way back to the cafe and rest there. He knew he'd be safe there. As he walked back from the train station in Yongen-Jaya, he couldn't help but worry for Akira and his friends. "If only I could do more for them." thought Mishima. Then, an idea popped into his head. It wouldn't be much, but it would show his appreciation to the Thieves. Though he did need help from Sojiro of course...
Back in Mementos, the Thieves looked over their situation. Though they prepared for this mission, it felt as though it was going to be tougher than any Mementos fight. Not as bad as a Palace Ruler, but still nothing to scoff at.
"According to my map, the boy's are at the very end of what we can travel through Mementos." stated Futaba, checking out her laptop to map out the area. Everyone winced.
"UGH! This is gonna take forever!" shouted Ryuji with a loud sigh to follow. Morgana climbed up his outfit and flicked him on the nose.
"YOU THINK YOU HAVE IT BAD?! I'M THE ONE WHO HAS TO MOVE THROUGH ALL OF IT!" The pair of loud mouths started fighting with everyone else watching. While funny, it was getting them nowhere.
"Will you two shut up so we can get a move on?!" Ann interjected between the two boys, with Makoto laughing behind the girl.
"We can't take these two anywhere can we?" Everyone but Ryuji and Morgana laughed. After the laughing ended, Makoto got the group together for a prep talk. "Let's treat this like any other request alright? No need to let this get over our heads, we have been through worst after all." The thieves nodded and broke apart. Morgana finally transformed into his bus form and everyone got in, with Makoto taking the wheel. The group finally set off into the depths of Mementos...
Back in the real world, Mishima entered the cafe and was met with Sojiro. "Ah, Mishima was it?" Mishima nodded and sat at the stool. "Akira is out at the moment. So is everyone else. I'm sure they would have said it to you by now?" said Sojiro as he poured out the coffee for the boy.
"Yeah I knew that they were off somewhere. They asked me to come by here and wait for them." stated Mishima. He drank the coffee provided for him slowly, letting the warmth slowly course through his body. "Though I was wondering if you can help me with something." asked Mishima taking another sip of his drink.
"That depends, what is it?" asked the older male. Since there were other customers around, Mishima whispered his plan into Sojiro's ear. The man listened to every word carefully and smiled. "Well I guess it would only make sense, after all they did help you. Count me in. I'll be closing the place soon anyway so once that is done, we can make a start on it." The two started to talk about other things to pass the time. Finally, the last customer of the day left, leaving the two males alone. The two started to prepare what Mishima had in store for the group when they came back...
Back in Mementos, the thieves continued their long drive to their location. Along the way, they stopped for treasure, battling shadows and talking to pass the time. All the while, Akira was oddly quiet. Everyone thought it was just a slow day from him but it was far from the truth. What he had on his mind was Mishima. All throughout the day he couldn't stop thinking about him and it was driving him crazy. Wasn't until Yusake broke him out of his trance.
"Akira, what do you think of the artist Vincent Van Gogh? I'm thinking about doing a piece that is inspired by his work. Do you think it's a good idea?" asked the painter. Akira jolted at the sudden question and scrambled to collect his thoughts.
"Uh...y-yeah sure." answered back Akira not really paying attention. Everyone else started to stare at their leader. They chalked it up for being a slow day for him, but something was on his minded and he wasn't fooling the rest of them any longer.
"You okay Akira?" asked Ann. "You seem very quiet throughout this whole thing. More than you usually are I mean." Akira didn't say anything. "Come on tell us. Maybe it will at least get you in the game today, you've been very sluggish." stated Ann.
"I think I know why he's like this." said Futaba "You're thinking of Mishima aren't you?" Akira blushed madly, pretty much confirming Futaba's suspicions. "Kek, I ship it!"
"He's probably thinking about banging him tonight." blurted out Ryuji. Futaba, Ann and Makoto roared in anger at Ryuji's comment to the point Morgana was rocking back and forth on the tracks. Yusake meanwhile continued his sketching and Akira was as red as a tomato. Despite the brash comment, he really was thinking about having sex with his boyfriend. The idea alone put the 18 year old in a frenzy. Before anyone else could speak, Morgana came to a sudden stop.
"Guys, we're here. They are right in front of us." stated Morgana. Everyone quickly got out of him. Akira would have to wait about thinking those thoughts until they finished their business here. "Okay, they look pretty strong, but if we work together we can take them down. Joker, it's all up to you to make the grand entrance okay?" Akira nodded and everyone made sure they were ready. The thieves sorted themselves out and made their presence known.
"Hey! You three! Thought you could avoid us for so long eh?" shouted Akira in his best intimidating voice. "Wasn't going to last long you know, we have ways to find out those who think they can slip by us and cause trouble."
"WHO SPOKE?! Was it that wimp Mishima?!" shouted Junichi Hoga, the leader of the bullies. "If I find out that he squealed, he's dead tomorrow. You have my word!" Akira's anger was almost at boiling point, he couldn't take it any longer.
"Why are you even doing this? Attacking those who have nothing to do with you?" said Makoto before Akira could speak. As president of the student consul, of course she'd want to know.
"You don't get it. The weak are useless. We need to prove how strong we are." Junichi started to get angrier and angrier as he spoke. "Those who are weak, they are forgotten. Those who rise up, their names will be remembered forever!"
"I don't see how hurting those weaker than you makes you grow. Seems to me it makes you look weaker, since you only take on those you call weak." Yusake wasn't letting them get away with their speech, no matter how logical it sounded. It was still wrong.
"ENOUGH! WE WILL BREAK YOU ALL IN TWO! AND AFTER YOU ARE DEAD, WE'LL GO AFTER THAT WEAK PIECE OF SHIT MISHIMA AND KILL HIM TOO!" The three bullies transformed into deformed shadows full of rage. Everyone got into battle positions, ready for a fight.
"You will not lay a finger on Mishima! You are about to find out how small you are when I'm angry with you!" shouted Akira as the group started with an All Out Attack. The bullies took some heavy damage but they were standing firm. This was going to be a long battle...
Mishima's plan was to throw a thank you dinner for Akira and the rest for helping him recover. He told Sojiro it was also because they helped him with studying when really it was because they were out fighting the bullies in Mementos. Mishima was cleaning up the cafe while Sojiro made a big curry for everyone to enjoy. The two made light conversation as they worked. Suddenly, Sojiro asked Mishima a question he didn't know he would be asked. "What's the deal between you and Akira? I mean you two are very close for just being friends." Mishima was worried. He always thought that older people hated the idea of being gay, due to what he'd hear on the internet. But for the sake of having the chance to having the night end the best way possible for the two boy's, he had to tell the truth.
"Oh...um...Akira and I are...going out together." Mishima prepared himself to get thrown out of the cafe right there and then. To his surprise, he heard a chuckle come from Sojiro.
"So that's it huh? Well I don't swing that way myself but I can tell he picked someone good." Mishima was taken aback by that comment and blushed slightly. "Listen kid, don't tell him I said this but he really is a good kid. I mean he's been helping you and his other friends out a lot. I'm just busting his balls just a little longer. Still though, makes you wonder how something as simple as helping a woman out got him stuck here. I suppose it's not all bad, he wouldn't have met you for a start." Mishima smiled at that comment. It was true. Some great things can come out of darkness and he knew it more than any other. If it wasn't for that night of being beaten up by the bullies, the two of them wouldn't be together. Sojiro cleared his throat and got back to cooking. "Come on, they should be home soon."
"Yes sir!" Mishima went back to wiping the tables and chairs down clean, all the while thinking of Akira. Having that talk with Sojiro helped him relax on the subject and it made his job easier. He just hopped that things were going well for the group back in Mementos...
Things weren't going well for them. Both Ryuji and Ann were badly injured and the others weren't feeling so hot either. "It's times like this that I really wish I'd bring a bag full of soda cans." stated Akira, panting hard. The bullies, while weak, were still strong and cocky.
"You got guts Phantom Thieves, but you're still weak. I'll let Mishima know that his Phantom Thieves failed him once he's only his last breath." Junichi laughed right in front of Akira ready to strike down. Just then, Akira dodged out of the way. His eyes were like the fires of hell with the amount of rage burning inside of him.
"I WARNED YOU! YOU WILL NOT LAY A FINGER ON MISHIMA!" Everyone was stunned by this sudden out burst from Akira. The power inside of him came forth into his Persona Arsene. "RAVISH THEM ARSENE!" A powerful dark move attacked all three of the bullies, knocking them down. "NOW, EVERYONE GET WHATEVER STRENGTH YOU HAVE LEFT FOR AN ALL OUT ATTACK AND MAKE THIS COUNT!" Ryuji, Ann, Yusake, Morgana and Makoto rushed forward and commenced the attack. The bullies didn't see what hit them until finally they were knocked out. The battle was over, with the Phantom Thieves victorious. The bullies returned to their former forms and coward in fear.
"Please! Please don't do anything! We give! We give!" the bullies said in unison. Akira loomed over them. Silence. It took Makoto to speak on his behalf.
"Change your ways, otherwise we will come after you three again." Yusake followed up.
"Apologize to those you attack and pay back any damages you caused." Then Ann came followed him.
"And don't lay a finger on Mishima. Apologize and never come near him again." Futaba then interjected.
"We have your details. Make one wrong move and you're history." Morgana jumped on Akira's shoulder and spoke too.
"Our leader here will show you mercy...if he's feeling nice of course." The bullies felt a chill down their spin. Finally, it was Ryuji's turn.
"And if we find out you didn't change, you'd best say your prayers because you will be sorry!" The bullies nodded in unison and disappeared from thin air. Akira grabbed the treasure and they made their way out of area. Once Morgana changed back into his bus form, they made the slow trek to the entrance. Everyone was tired and hungry. Akira was so happy they were finally dealt with before more harm can be done to anyone. Mishima mainly.
"Thanks guys. I was just clouded by the words they said I couldn't speak. Thanks for doing it for me." Akira smiled at his friends. They all told them it was fine and not to worry.
"We understand what it was like. Those were some horrible things to say." stated Yusake. A worry came across Akira. Even though he wanted to have fun tonight with Mishima, he worried he'd hurt him. He felt delicate that one wrong move would harm him. He'd have to talk with him about it when they get home. After a very long drive, they made it to the entrance of Mementos. Wasting no more time, the group exited Mementos and into the real world...
Finally back into the real world, the group decided to get a meal back at the cafe. After the short train ride they got to Yongen-Jaya and walked to the cafe. When they entered, they were greeted by Mishima, Sojiro and the smell of curry filling their noses.
"You're back!" shouted Mishima, hugging Akira. Everyone else just chuckled at the site. "Sojiro and I helped make a feast for you all, as a thank you for helping me." Everyone looked at Mishima.
"You didn't need to do that you know." said Ann, even though her stomach said different.
"Hey I did most of the work!" shouted Sojiro. "Though if it wasn't for him I guess I wouldn't have thought of it. Anyway eat up, don't let it go to waste."
"You don't have to tell me twice!" stated Ryuji as he took a seat, followed by the others. What followed was plates upon plates of curry and talking among the crowed. Finally, it was getting late and everyone decided to make their way home for the night. Akira went to change the sign of the door to close and locked the door. He pulled Mishima into a deep kiss, with the taste of the curry still lingering, making it a really spicy kiss. When they broke for air, the two of them both ginned. Then Akira remembered what the bullies said in Mementos. Guilt ran through his body.
"Listen Mishima, we don't have to do this tonight. We can wait till you're ready you know?" Mishima simply smiled and gave a quick kiss on Akira's lips.
"But I do want it. I've wanted it for so long. Please, let my first time be tonight." Akira, still feeling a bit guilty, decided to grant his boyfriend's wish. Before they went upstairs into Akira's room, Morgana interrupted.
"If you two are going to be rocking the bed tonight, I'm going to sleep down here." Akira nodded. "Just don't be so loud please!" Akira chuckled and picked up Mishima bridle style as they made their way into Akira's bedroom. Tonight was going to be a night the two of them will never forget.
End of Chapter 3
PHEW! Saved myself by one chapter. Sorry if I got your hopes up for the smut action this chapter but rest assure, the next chapter is going to be smut and will be the final chapter. So sad. This may take a while as, again, first time writing smut. I don't want this to be nothing but moans and be only a few words long. I'm gonna try my best to make the wait worth while. Anyway that's if for this chapter. As always please review and tell me how I can improve on the writing. I feel like I'm getting better but I'm not sure just yet. Enough rambling, I'll see you in the final chapter! Until then, cheerio!