"Well, this is surprisingly convenient..." Jacob said, as Joker lead him through a door connected to Skull's room. Skull opened another door, revealing Panther's room. Fox, Queen, Oracle and Noir were gathered in Fox's room, while Mona was cooped in with Panther.

"Alright team..." Mona began. "Let's begin the discussion." He then turned his attention to Jacob. "This discussion makes you guest member of the Phantom Thieves."

Going full fan-boy for a moment, Jacob saluted at Mona. "I am honoured to be a guest of you guys!"

Skull threw his arm around Jacob's shoulder. "No need to worry about all that professionalism." Skull said. "We're all about casual vibes here!"

"Noted." Jacob replied, a little embarrassed. "Apologies for throwing that out."

"Not an issue, Sholmes-Sama." Fox replied, before turning his attention to the other thieves. "So what specifically does everyone have to share about our recent predicament?"

"Not a lot." Oracle said. "All we know so far is that we've been granted access to our weapons, guns and all."

"I've heard nothing about the situation at hand." Queen began. "But, I've noticed that our doors aren't locked."

"Doors aren't locked?" Jacob questioned. "Wouldn't that be priority number goddamn one?"

"Obviously!" Skull said. "But during the Sephiroth attack, literally every damn door in this place was locked."

Jacob jokingly chuckled. "Did Sephiroth just so happen to invade the mansion or something?"

Noir pouted slightly. "Don't joke about this!" She said. "He's scarier than you think!"

"She's got a good point." Queen said.

"I'm pretty sure the guy knows, Noir." Oracle cut in. "Yet at the same time, he might have forgotten who he was dealing with back when Sora first arrived."

"Ah yes." Skull chimed in. "That was the day that this guy decked Seph in the 'effin' stomach."

"Jacob Sholmes... Puncher of gods..." Fox chuckled.

Queen sighed. "Can we get back to the topic at hand?"

Joker gave Queen a slightly snarky look. "I mean... if you had any more information of value to add."

Queen sighed again. "Well no..." she said.

Joker went serious again. "If only..." He said with a sigh.

Jacob quickly spoke up. "So, your visit to the Velvet Room isn't important?" He asked.

The thieves instantly looked at Joker. "T...The Velvet Room again?!" Mona exclaimed.

"Yeah." Joker said. "Even Igor was there this time."

Mona was shocked. "Master Igor returned?!"

Joker replied with a simple nod of his head.

"Man..." Skull sighed. "Maybe we are meant to investigate this."

Joker looked towards the thieves with determination upon his face. "Then we shall proceed with the mission!" Joker said. "It's time for the Phantom Thieves to rise up, once again!"

"Gotta admit, I wasn't expecting you to know so much..." Yosuke said in amazement.

Hazel chuckled. "Pretty much everything from the TV world saga, up until Narukami-Kun summoned No-Okami to play a band solo on his double bladed sword to defeat a god after dancing with all of you together has been documented in games, manga, anime and even stage play adaptations."

Naoto smiled. "I never thought I'd be saying that I've befriended someone from another universe. Let alone finding out our stories are different media products for said friend."

"Still doesn't change the fact that Hazel-Senpai's great." Kanji said. "Someone new we meet, who actually understands us on the Persona and Shadow World level."

"It certainly makes things easier." Chie said, before laughing. "She knows about Marie-Chan and even Labrys!"

Hazel lent back in her chair as the rest of the table began to talk. Hazel had been talking to the Investigation Team, telling them what she knew about them. The team was impressed with how much she knew, so they had been discussing it amongst themselves. As the others began to talk, Hazel turned her attention to Yu. The leader currently on the phone with his Uncle, Ryotaro Dojiima.

"Ok, I'll let her know." Yu finished. "Thanks Dojiima-san, I'll see you and Nanako in a bit." Yu hung up the phone, and returned to the group.

"Ok, so update for Hazel-Chan." Yu began. "We are able to accommodate you, Unfortunately though, we can only do tonight."

Hazel smiled. "The fact you're helping to tonight is enough, Narukami-kun." She said, a bright smile present. "Thank you for tonight."

"So then!" Yukiko cut in. "From tomorrow onwards, you'll be staying in The Amagi Inn." she said. "No if's and's or but's." She added, before amending her point. "Actually... The only if is if we can get you back home."

"Thank you, Yukiko." Hazel said. "Just make sure you don't work yourself too hard ok?"

"Gotcha, Hazel-Chan." Yukiko replied.

"Speaking of which." Teddie suddenly interjected. "Have you tried calling your friends?"

"No..." Hazel said, pulling out her phone. "Hadn't crossed my mind now that I think about it, cause I don't know if it'd work."

"If you're calling someone who's in the mansion, then it'll go through no issue." Yu said.

"Wait really?" Hazel questioned.

"Yep." Yosuke replied. "It's some kinda tech bullshit that even Futaba-Chan hasn't cracked yet, but it does the job."

Hazel took a deep breath, as she brought up Jacob's number. "Alright, here goes..." she said, as the phone began to call Jacob.

Jacob followed Joker and Queen through the quiet halls of the mansion. Skull lent Jacob a nail covered baseball bat as a tool for defense, while Joker and Queen were armed with their main weapons and guns. The trio reached a room that had three faint voices from behind the double doors. Joker recognised this as the computer room that Futaba would tend to frequent.

Queen smiled, cracking her knuckles. "Allow me." She said, before charging into the doors.

The doors burst open. Queen quickly grabbed her gun, Joker doing the same.

"Free-" Queen exclaimed, before cutting herself off realising who she just held up at gunpoint.

Sonic turned around, arms folded and unimpressed. "What are you doing out of your rooms?" He asked.

"Phantom Thievery..." Jacob replied. "What does it look like we're doing?"

Mario turned around upon hearing Jacob's voice. "Wah?!" He exclaimed. "What are you doing here still?!"

"I requested to Mega Man that the visitors be sent into our rooms if need be." Joker said. "But it seems he's the only one who made it to our team."

"...Welp, first I've heard." Sonic said, with a shrug.

"Same here." Mario replied. "Anyway, it doesn't change the fact that you shouldn't be outside during a lockdown."

"About that." Jacob began. "Their doors were left unlocked."

"What?" Sonic. "All doors are supposed to be locked unless..."

"Unless the assistance of the person or people in said rooms are required." Mario said. "If Joker and co are here, then Igor may have something to do with this."

"Long nose guy?" Sonic questioned.

"Yeah him." Joker replied. "If you need more proof, I was summoned to The Velvet Room a few hours ago."

Mario and Sonic looked at each other, and nodded. "I'll have to check with Igor myself, as per the rules Master Hand provides us in the Retro Renegade, but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't lie about this."

"In that case..." Sonic began. "The thieves can help us." Sonic turned his attention to the computer that he was standing it before the thieves arrived. "I'll send Futaba the footage that we're going through, and then you can take a look at it yourself."

"And just to be safe," Mario said. "Stay in your rooms until you find a breakthrough. If you need to fight, then Sonic and I will join."

"Oh, and if he's still here..." Sonic said, pointing at Jacob. "Keep him and any other visitors safe until we can get them home."

"Understood." Joker replied. "He'll be with us, until we get him back."

Mario nodded. "Good luck you guys. Here's hoping we can save the mansion."

Joker replied with a cocky smirk. "Let's do it." He said.

"It was that easy?" Skull asked.

"Yep." Jacob replied. "I guess he had his charm stats to the highest rank."

Oracle giggled at Jacob's quip. "Finally, someone else sees it." She said, refreshing her laptop. "Can the guys hurry up please!"

"Be patient." Queen said. "They're examining all the footage themselves too."

"So, we're playin' the waiting game, huh?" Skull sighed. "Anyone got anything of interest to discuss."

"Unfortunately not." Yusuke replied.

"I have a question, rather than a topic." Noir said, a little nervous. "Has there been any updates about Hazel-Chan?"

Jacob sighed. "No, nothing."

Noir sighed, and concern filled her face. Jacob felt everything that Noir felt. Even though he wasn't showing it, he was scared for Hazel's safety.

"Have you tried calling her?" Oracle asked.

"I doubt it would even work." Jacob replied.

"You'd be surprised." Oracle replied. "So long as someone in the call is in this mansion, then the call will go through with absolutely zero issues."

Jacob looked at Oracle. "How?" He asked.

"I dunno." Oracle replied. "I've not even managed to figure it out yet!"

Jacob pulled out his phone. "Alright then, I'll give her a call."

As if on cue, the chorus of the 60's Spider-Man theme rang out from Jacob's phone.

"The Spider-Man theme is your ringtone?" Skull questioned.

"Are you really surprised? I'm a geek." Jacob retorted, before looking back at his phone.

Suddenly, he jolted forward in his seat. "Holy shit! She's safe!"

Noir cut in almost instantly. "Answer! We need to know where she is!"

"No need to tell me!" Jacob said, accepting the call.

Hazel's voice could be heard through the phone, as she gave an impressed chuckle. "I knew you'd be fine." She said.

Jacob sighed in relief. "Oh, thank god. You're fine!"

"You thought I wouldn't be?" Hazel asked. "I thought you were the hopeless optimist."

Skull sighed. "You sound miiiighty relaxed considering your situation right now."

"Oh that." Hazel said. "You honestly don't have to worry about me. I'm in Inaba with the Investigation Team."

"Wait really?!" Jacob said in surprise. "How'd you get there."

"Long story short, I was way to close to Narukami-Kun when he and the others were sent back to Inaba." Hazel said. "And now I'm in their care for the foreseeable future."

"Looks like we both lucked today." Jacob chuckled. "'Cause I'm with the Phantom Thieves."

"I noticed." Hazel said. "Ryuji's voice isn't the easiest thing to miss." Inciting a laugh from the other thieves.

"Shuddup!" Skull retorted.

Hazel was heard speaking away from the phone, before speaking back into it. "I'm staying with Narukami tonight, so I need to sort things out with him and the others."

"That's ok." Noir said. "We're just happy to hear you'll be safe."

"Thanks, Okumura-Senpai." Hazel replied.

"If we don't get to speak later, sleep well, Hazel-Chan." Noir added.

"Thanks." She said. "Sweet dreams to you and the others. And Jacob?"

"Yes?" Jacob replied.

"Don't do anything reckless, ok?" Hazel said. "Help them in whatever way you can, but don't feel like you need to come home covered in scars."

"Oddly specific request, but duly noted." Jacob said. "Take care of yourself, we'll be fine."

"I'll call again, ok?" Hazel said. "See you later!" She added.

The Phantom Thieves all said goodbye over the speaker phone, before Hazel hung up.

Jacob sighed in relief. "Oh man, I needed to hear that."

"Agreed" Noir said.

"Well then..." Mona began. "Now we can tick off Hazel's safety."

"Don't brush it under the rug, Mona-Chan!" Noir said, a little annoyed. "We know she's safe, but we still can't reach her right now!"

"You're right." Mona replied.

"As much as you worry, I don't think we've got anything to worry about." Jacob said. "She's responsible under pressure."

"Everything's come through!" Oracle exclaimed. "We can finally start the investigation!"

"About time." Skull said.

"Speaking of time..." Mona began. "I'd recommend we get some sleep before starting."

"Oh great..." Jacob muttered. "Right when we get all the resources we need, the cat is all like "MaYbE wE sHoUlD gO tO bEd?!"

"Hey! I'm only trying to look out for the team!" Mona complained. "Also, what does me being a cat have anything to do with this?!"

Joker sighed. "Mona may be right. If we wanna truly crack this case, we'll need to rest up as much as we can."

Everyone sighed, but understood. "It stings more that everything literally just came through." Oracle said.

"Yeah, but that's just how things go..." Skull said, before turning his attention to Jacob. "You're rooming with me, my room has enough space for two."

"Appreciated. Thanks man." Jacob replied.

"And so with that..." Joker began. "We shall disband for tonight. Please sleep as best as you can, and get up as early as possible."

Everyone nodded.

"Good night, Phantom Thieves." Joker said, as everyone began to walk into their rooms.

Queen stopped by Joker's side. "I'll be up as early as I can. I'll also let sis know that we're caught up in something... again."

Joker chuckled. "Boss isn't gonna be too happy that we're caught up in another situation." Joker sighed. "It's been two years since the Jail raids... Will we even be strong enough for this?"

Queen smiled at Joker. "We've fought our way through palaces and jails for a while. We've stolen nine hearts, and we've returned the desires of countless people." She then held both of Joker's hands. "We're gonna get through this, Joker."

"Good night, Queen." Joker said.

As Queen began to walk into her room, she looked back to Joker. "Take care of yourself, ok?" She said sweetly.

Joker replied with a simple nod.

From behind Joker, Skull loudly sighed. "If you're done watching this, then I'll let you make yourself comfortable in my room." He said, addressing Jacob.

"Right..." Jacob awkwardly said. "Night guys." He added with a brief wave, as he followed Skull into his room.

"Welcome home, Big Bro!"

Yu smiled at the voice that greeted him from the living room of his uncles house. His cousin Nanako was sat watching an episode of the Detective Loveline series.

"Welcome back." The starkly contrasting, gruff voice of Ryotaro Dojiima said shortly after Nanako's greeting.

Yu nodded. "Hey Nanako." He said with a smile, greeting Nanako with a hug.

"Ah, you must be Hazel." Dojima said, walking over to Hazel.

"Yep. Pleased to meet you, Dojima-san." Hazel replied, with a light bow.

"Pleased to meet you too." Dojima replied. "I'm sorry that we can only host you for tonight, but I hope your stay with us is pleasant. Dinner will be ordered in tonight, so please make yourself at home in the meantime."

"Thank you." Hazel replied, before bowing again. "Thank you very much for your hospitality."

"You're very polite." Dojima said. "I don't mean to sound rude, but where did you learn these customs?"

"One of my friends is Japanese. She and her family moved to L.A when she was around fourteen." Hazel began. "We became friends during our junior year, and so I've seen how she interacts around her friends and family. I've just picked up specific customs and phrases from there."

Dojima smiled. "That makes sense." Dojima turned to face Yu and Nanako. "Just leave your shoes by the door, Hazel." Dojima added.

Hazel obliged, as she untied her laces, before slipping off her sandals and leaving them by the door.

As Hazel moved towards Yu and Nanako, a jolt of pain surged through her head. "Ah!" She cried out.

Yu and Nanako rushed to her aide. "Are you ok?" Nanako asked. "You don't look so good..."

"I'm fine." Hazel said, slightly weak. "Just a little tired."

Dojima moved from his spot on the couch. "Please, lay on the couch." He said. "Sleep as long as you need, I'll wake you up at dinner to see how you feel."

"Thank you." Hazel said, taking her Keyblade earrings out before laying down. "Am I fine to leave my jewellery on the table?"

Dojima walked towards Hazel, who passed him her Kingdom Hearts jewellery. "Not an issue." he said, leaving them on the kitchen table.

"Thanks." Hazel said, lifting her legs onto the couch. Before pulling her knees towards her chest, and closing her eyes.

"Sleep well." Nanako said with a smile.

"Thank you." Hazel replied with a slight yawn. "I'll see you in a bit."

Sooner than expected, Hazel drifted off to sleep.

"...So yeah, if there's anything else you need, then let me know." Ryuji said, now out of his Skull attire.

"Thanks." Jacob said. "I'll try to make sure that I don't wake you in the process."

"Nah, it's cool." Ryuji said. "Whatever you need, give me a shout."

"Thanks." Jacob replied. "What do you say we turn in for the night?"

"Yeah. That's probably the best idea." Ryuji said. "G'night man."

"Night, Ryuji." Jacob responded, as Ryuji turned off the lights in his room.

As Jacob felt his head hit the spare pillow Ryuji had given him, he looked towards the blinds in Ryuji's room, he could make out a small velvet blue light float past the blind. Almost instantly, Jacob felt himself become incredibly tired, drifting off to sleep in record time.

To Be Continued...