HOT DAMN TWO IN A ROW!

Tuesday 17th

Mid-day

Shujin Academy

Whilst the PTs are currently going over their next plan of action, Kawakami, true to her word, provided some aid to the group in the form of a so called "review day" which left the group to their own devices. Opting to stay silent during the class, the group formed a group chat for the current conversation:

Ryu: This is bullshit! If what Arata and Morgana said were true then..

RenRen: They were quite adamant about their claims, Ryuji.

Floof: but what about Yusuke? He may hate his fellow pupils, but it sounds like he really adores Madarame.

Ryu: yeah, that's gonna be a pain to deal with.

Yuuki: or… hear me out: we expose Madarame to him.

Ann: how? Last time we checked, we don't really have much evidence in our hands at the moment.

Shiho: What about that reporter lady we met?

Yuuki: I don't know, she does seem like she has something, but until we get a better read on her, I'd say we hold on that for now.

~tell them about the painting room dude.~ Arata whispered in his ear.

RenRen: Arata says there might be something in that locked room. Something about a hidden piece

Ryu: well, that might work, but how are we gonna get past that lock?

Floof:...

Yuuki:...

Shiho:... um… it got real quiet all of a sudden.

Ryu: …...Ann?

Ann: what?

Ann: guys? You're scaring me here.

Ann: WHAT!?

Several hours later…

"I am NOT doing this!" Ann screamed out, the group once again meeting outside the art shack of horrors.

"C'mon, Ann, it's the only way we can get close to the lock!" Ryuji countered.

"Don't worry, you'll have me to protect you!" Morgana said.

"That's still technically me though!"

Sighing heavily, gaining the group's attention, Akira steeled himself for what he was going to say next.

"I'll go too." was the only thing he said before hell broke loose.

"Hell. No!" Ryuji yelled.

"W-What!? Why are you saying that!?" Ann shouts out.

"If you don't want to do it, then I'll do it. I might be able to get ritsuka's attention." Akira explained, a subtle hint of doubt laced his voice. "All I have to do is stall long enough for Arata or Morgana to pick the lock, then lure Yusuke there."

"That's crazy!" most of the group shouts back.

"Crazy enough to work."

~Sorry, I'm back, what's going on?~ Arata spoke out returning to the group after he left a short while ago.

"Akira's trying to be a sacrificial lamb here in that slaughterhouse!"

~...so you told them the plan? Just in time too, I just finished these lockpicks.~

"... YOU WERE IN ON THIS!?"

~Hey, this is just as bad for us too, ya know!~ Arata shouts back. ~we had to get a pep talk from Philemon of all people just to get hyped enough to suggest the idea!~

"Trust me… I really don't want to, but if Ann's uncomfortable with it, then we'll just settle for the next best thin-"

"OKAY FINE!" Ann, shouts out. "I'll go in! Just…"

"It's fine, Ann. we've got this. You guys get ready to warp to the palace."

"... we'll go together." Ann said, Akira sighed as he thought that she won't back down from this sudden decision.

"Fine, You stall and lure Yusuke, I'll distract Chado and Ristuka. Morgana and Arata will pick the lock. The rest will stakeout our last checkpoint and find a new safe room when we get it open. Sounds good?" after several thinking moments, the group all agreed to this, albeit reluctantly.

~alright, into the hellscape we go!~ Arata shouts out.

Shit hit the fan..

SHIT HIT THE FAN!

It was going perfectly at first, with Ann having a backup plan in the form of multiple clothing, and Akira practically competing against Chado in a "Flex off" (Akira gagged and promised to drown in mouthwash after he said it) with Ristuka undressing him with her eyes as they were going at it. Meanwhile, Arata and Morgana tried, and fails a few times mind you, to open the damn lock, they almost got it open too, and judging by the sound of things, both Akira and Ann were luring their targets closer to the place.

Then Madarame showed up..

Panicking, Akira took Ann's job of stalling yusuke as Ann saw the two entities still attempting to pick the lock… then Madarame found all of them (except the non-humans) in the hallways, demanding an explanation. A sudden click and a hefty thud was his answer as Akira and Ann, practically dragged Yusuke into the now open room, the rest of the residents followed suit.

Several shouts, insults, excuses and a threat to call police later, Ann, Arata, Akira, Morgana, and Yusuke, who were chasing them closely, were running to the door, a groaning Chado holding his now bruised nut-sack stopping the old man from advancing.

"And finally, before the could leave the house, and just before Yusuke had caught them, Arata had the bright idea to open Akira's Meta-nav…

"ARATA!?" Ann, Akira, and Morgana shouts out as they all warped out the door to the familiar palace.

~I PANICKED!~

"OH SHIIIIIIIT!"

What they didn't realize was that they didn't warp to the entrance of the palace… they warped to where the rest of the group were, outside the now open roadblock that they were stuck in earlier.

~Look out below!~

"Quick Monkey, get in the way!" Mona screamed.

"Da Hell did you call, me- what the shit!?" Skull yelped, several figures falling to their exact spot.

A clash of limbs and dust kicked up, blinding the group momentarily, when they managed to see though… they found a rather… odd appearance.. Or should I say addition.

"Uhh, guys?" Skull addressed, pointing to the second half of the group. "Why is HE here!?"

In their attempt to escape, they've fallen into the palace, unknowingly snatching up Yusuke in the process due to his close proximity. Now here he was, Carrying Panther in his arms, bridal style… before Mona crashed into him head first.

"OW!" the cat yelled.

"AGH!" Yusuke hissed in pain, still holding onto panther, who immediately regained her senses at what is happening right now.

"H-HEY! Will you let go already!?" Panther screeched, pushing Yusuke to the ground. "Ah, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to push that hard!"

"What the hell happened up there!?" Akuma shouts out.

~Shit hit the fan! We gotta finish this ASAP!~ Reaper replied, helping Joker and Mona to their feet.

"Ugh…" Yusuke groaned, slowly sitting up from the ground where he landed. "Where… where am i?" looking around, he spotted several suspicious looking people. Eyes widening, he attempted to stand. "Who are you people!?"

"Hey, Hey! Calm down! It's me Takamaki!" Panther said.

~the hell are you doing!?~

"He saw us jump in, hell he's here right now, might as well come clean!"

"T-Takamaki?" Yusuke stammered. "Then these are…"

"Yeah, it's us." Joker nodded. Yusuke then turned to Reaper and Mona. "... I don't recall seeing a cat costume or a poltergeist though…

~again with the goddamn ghost!~

"What is this place?" yusuke asked, shaking his head at everything he was seeing.

"We're inside Madarame's heart." Panther answered, shocking the Blunette.

~and not just his either, Ristuka and Chado's hearts are in here too: this is all of them put together~

"Inside… their hearts? I'm sorry, Takamaki, but are you sure you're feeling okay?"

~we should be asking you that!~

"She ain't lying." Skull replied. "This is what those bastards truly feels."

~yeah, they're nothing but a greedy nosedigger, douchebag, and megathot!~

"That's enough!" Yusuke shouts out. "While I might agree on the douche and this… "thot" word describing my roomates, I will not abide with you all belittling my sensei!"

"Kitagawa, didn't it cross your mind that something wasn't right with them!?" Shinobi shouts back, making the bluenette pause.

"T-that's…"

"Believe it or not, this is another reality that they view with their own eyes." Noir continued. "This is their true nature."

Silence befell the group as yusuke took time to absorb what this meant, looking around the distorted world he was in, yusuke spoke out. "This repulsive world? If it were just Chado's or Ritsuka's then I wouldn't have been surprised, but s-sensei's as well?"

~yeah.~

"Just… who are all of you!?"

"I guess you could say… we're a group who changes the hearts of rotten crooks." Skull shrugged.

"If what you say is true.. Then… the Sensei i knew of doesn't exist…"

~uh… dude are you… okay? Do you need a moment?~

"But… he's kept me safe in the past ten years...my gratitude for that won't just disappear."

"You're gonna forgive them!? At this rate you'll-" Skull yelled out.

"NGH...Ngggggh!" Yusuke crumbled down to one knee, clutching his head as he struggled mentally over what was said.

"Hey, are you ok?" Noir asked, Panther and Shinobi helping the teen up.

"I'm trying to be rational about this, but my emotions are overwhelming me…" he replied, groaning at the massive headache he was getting.

"There's no time for that!" Mona yelled out. "The security level's through the roof! We gotta get out of here NOW!"

"Come on, I'll help you out." Joker said, helping Yusuke up and carried him in the direction of the exit.

Several minutes of dodging the alarmingly ape-shit guards, the group managed to retreat back to one of the more… disturbing exhibits, revolving around various young Yusukes in various sizes and ages, all naked and posing in ways one shouldn't be posing.

Yusuke projectile vomiting on one of the statues was a rather amusing plus though…

After more sneaking, and avoiding the smoky drugstore of an exhibit, the group finally made it to the last part before the entrance, rooms of several portraits were everywhere… some of them which yusuke immediately recognize.

"Ah, this painting…" Yusuke started, hobbling over to one of them.

"Do you recognize it? We think that they were past pupils or something…" Panther asked.

"But… why are there paintings of them here?"

"Technically, those aren't paintings…" Mona clarified, horrifying the teen with his next words. "They're the pupil's themselves."

~Madarame saw them as nothing but objects. That's why they're on display here.~

"Oh… um, we found yours too…"

"W-what…?"

"We'll talk more later. For now let's keep rolling!"

After that awkward scene, the group almost made it to the last room, home free… until several dozen guards appeared out of nowhere.

~Oh what the fuck!?~

"NO! We were right there!" Mona roared in anger.

Maniacal laughter flooded the room as several more guards entered,three new figures appeared. The first one was an uglier version of madarame wearing a gold kimono and lipstick, a bulky as hell Chado wearing a speedo (~WHYYYYYYYYYY!?~) and a Ristuka in one of the skimpiest looking outfits ever scene.

"The hell are you supposed to be, a shogun?" Akuma sneered at the golden clad shadow.

"Welcome to the Museum of the master artist Madarame!" shadow madarame shouts out.

"And Chao's Temple of Baddassery!" Chado roared out, flexing heftly at the group.

"And Ritsuka's Love market!" Shadow Ristuka purred out in a sultry tone.

"Huh? Sensei? ...is that you?" Yusuke asked out astonished at what he was seeing.

"Aww. so the Blue Balled Baby finally sees how amazing I am? About damn time."

"Oh, my sweet innocent Yusuke. There's so much I want to show you… all my hard work.. My experiences….. My LOVE for you.."

~Okay this is even more fucked up than speedoman.~

"This… this is all one big lie… isn't it?"

"My usual, ragged attire is nothing but an act. Besides, a master of arts like myself living in that… Shack? I have another home, under a mistress's name of course."

"Oooh, Teach, you gotta let me swing by there. I might get some… inspiration." Shadow Chado cackled.

"Some setup you've got." Joker quipped back, making the old man scowl.

"If the "Sayuri" painting was stolen, then why was it in the storage room, and if that was the real one, why make copies!?" Yusuke practically screamed. "If it's really you, sensei… please tell me!"

"Aww.. such doubt, such pure uncertainty… it looks just as perfect as your embarrassment." Shadow Ritsuka said.

"Foolish child, you still don't see?" shadow Madarame spoke, shaking his head. "The painting that was stolen was just a false rumor I spread! It was all a perfectly calculated staging!"

"W-what!? What do you mean!?" Yusuke yelled back.

"Let's see. How does this sound…" Shadow Chado said. "Does "I found the real painting, but it can't go public. You can have it for a special price though…" ring any bells Blue balls!?"

"Hahaha! How's THAT for Preferential treatment!? Art snobs will eat it up, and pay good money for it too!"

"No…!" Yusuke stammered, voice cracking as the truth echoed through his mind.

"You're whole world's crashing down on you. Yusuke. You're fear, the shattering hope spilling forth! Ah, I can't take any more, Come to me my beautiful darling! I'll hold you tight and keep you afloat in the sea of your despair!" Ristuka yelled out, stepping forward to the teen, making everyone step back.

~you stay the fuck away from him THOT!~

"The worth of art is purely subjective… it is nothing more than a business transaction!" Shadow Madarame states. "They also eat up charismatic artists like Chado, and even the forbidden pleasures from Ritsuka. There are people of all kinds who'll adore my art, and pay big bills to get it! Though I doubt a brat like you will come up with a brilliant scheme."

"You keep goin' on and on about money this and money that… no wonder you ended up with this shit show of a museum!" Skull shouts.

"You're supposed to be an artist, right!? Aren't you ashamed about using other people's work!?" Panther added.

"Art is nothing but a tool… a tool to gain fame and fortune!" Shadow madarame cackled maliciously. "You've helped me greatly as well, Yusuke."

"Yusuke, that's your teacher right there. He told you in your face his true intentions" Joker said to the teen.

"B-but what about the people who believe in you… who thinks you're a master Artist!?" Yusuke retorted desperately.

"I'll tell you this yusuke… if you want to make it in this world as an artist, then i'd advise you don't rise against me. I'll even give you privileges, like your fellow artists!"

"P-privileges?" Yusuke stuttered.

~Privileges?~

"Yep! All the drugs, booze and chicks i could ask for, and all I have to do is make some fancy smancy doodles!" Shado Chado continued.

"While I do like my other clients, you're the only one I want Yusuke… all of you. As long as I provide madarame with a slice of my profits, then he'll give me freedom to do whatever I want with you." Shadow Ritsuka added. "You're lucky Madarame respects you enough to prohibit my… passion project."

"Do you believe anyone could find success with my objection holding them down!?"

A low growling was the only thing the Phantom thieves could hear as Yusuke slowly rose to his feet. "To think that i was under the care of such a wretched man…"

"You think I took you in out of the goodness of my heart? Plucking out promising yet troubled artists allowed me to find promising pupils and take their ideas." Shadow madarame continued. "After all, it's much easier to steal the futures of children who can't fight back."

"I can't believe this…"

"This chat is starting to bore me, so I'll just let Chado and Ritsuka have their fun with-"

"ENOUGH!" yusuke roared, startling everyone in the room, even the shadows, who stepped back at the intensity of the voice. "You're unforgivable… all of you are! You hurt me, beat me, humiliate me, insult me… I clouded my view from the truth for so long...and I held hope to you as the man who saved my life… but now… NOW… I won't let you GET AWAY WITH THIS!"

*have you finally come to your senses?* a deep bold voice echoed through yusuke's mind as he held his head in pain, a familiar blue flame sparked around his body. *how foolishly you have averted your eyes from the truth… a deplorable imitation indeed. Best you part from that aspect of yourself…. Let us now form a contract. I am thou, thou art I… the world is filled with both beauty and vice… it is time you teach people which is which!* a sudden flare of azure flames emerged a fox mask in front of him.

~Aw shit, here we go again!~

"What is happening!?" all three shadow rulers scream out.

"Very well…" with a single move, with surprising strength coming from the teen, Yusuke rips of the mask as he's encased in a blue inferno. "Come. GOEMON!"

A blinding flash of light and a powerful force knocked back most of the shadows around them, leaving the PTs and the Shadow rulers to gawk at the new appearance. Replacing his original attire, yusuke now wore a black high-collared puff-sleeved jumpsuit with a striped sash worn across his hips, white motorcycle boots and bright blue gloves,with a white fox tail attached to the waist. A giant kabuki like spirit wielding a smoking pipe hovered over him intimidatingly.

"A breathtaking sight…" Yusuke spoke out. "Imitations they may be, but together, they make a fine spectacle… though the flowers of evil blossom, let it be known… abominations are fated to perish!" with a wave of his hand, most of the shadows were wiped out with few being encased in ice.

"Whoa! This is impressive!" Mona shouts out.

"Come on, then, together, we can take them!" Akuma shouts back, causing the rest of the PTs to meet up with the new persona user.

"Guards! Kill them all NOW!" Shadow Madarame screeched.

"Yusuke, even with your icy tone and defiant betrayal, I still love you!" Shadow ritsuka yelled out, retreating alongside Madarame. Shadow Chado however…

"HAH!, it's gonna take more than a Yakuza Popsicle to put down Chado FUCKING Chadomaru!" he shouts, flexing his muscles. "Come on you Pussies! Kneel before the sexy awesomeness of a GOD!"

"But what is a god… to a Non believer!" Yusuke quipped back, joining the group as they faced off against the lone palace ruler and guards.

Meanwhile…

"I can't believe it! We're finally going to the big city!" a 17 year old brunette beauty cheered.

"Calm down, Nan." a tall man said, grabbing her shoulder. "We're just here on business right now."

"Yeah." another man, black hair with traces of pale yellow agreed. Plus, we were asked to help settle in to help out her next gig. No polyfoxing until the show's over."

"Aww."

"Aw, don't be like that Nanako!" a blonde fancy attired boy said. "It won't be too long before we could see Kira again!"

"I know Ted, but with dad, Naoto and Kanji helping the police force, Big Bro and the others helping Rise, and Margie and Marie doing god knows what somewhere…"

"Hey Nan?" the bee haired man asked. "Why don't you and Teddie take Rise with you?"

"Huh?"

"What do you mean, Kanji? Doesn't Rise need help with Yu, Yosuke, Chie and Yukiko?"

"Nah, it's fine, you two. We can handle it. "A taller brown haired male said. "Besides Rise's been even more depressed than usual, and since you're going to meet your old friend, maybe her joining you will ease her mind.

"Hmm… true…" Nanako sighed. "Hey Rise, do you wanna-"

"I already heard. I'll come with you." the red haired idol stated.

"Yay!"

"Well, let's get close to the exit, we're almost there." the silver haired male finished. Most of the group heading towards there.

"I'll be right with you! Just a sec!" Nanako said, sighing as she looked over to the side.

"It's gonna be a bit longer, but we'll finally see them again. Aren't you excited?"

~yes, I am… now shut up and go to your little posse before we're stranded, you idiot!~ an elegant, british female voice said, a pale white skinned female dressed in a gothic dress answered back.

"maybe i could let you and Arata alone for some-"

~finish that sentence and I'll make you vomit your ovaries out.~

"Alright, geez, prissy from the ride huh?"

~you're so lucky there are so many people here right now.~

"I'm the only one that can see you through…"

~BITE ME!~

WRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

Bet you didn't expect THIS huh!?1?

Much like last arc, this'll be a multi part set of chapters. Here's hoping that the next chapter will be delivered by Halloween, aka P5R official release!

TBC