Chapter 4: To know your enemy. By the one and only SlimeBoyo2
Chapter Summary:
Our first true entry into the hellscape of Mementos, our group of highly trained shadow operatives conduct tests of the certain properties of this shadow world, learning of a few handy tricks.
Author's Notes:
Welcome, welcome, I hope you enjoyed the chapters by NN010, I say he put a lot of heart into them. But it's now my turn to shine, and while these chapters could be considered a lot shorter than what my Partner does with his chapters, I will say that my writing style doesn't really facilitate longer texts. The only real chapter based thing I have to say is that my focus is purely Shadow Operatives and Investigation Team centered, and so any opinions on some characters are granted.
Chapter 4:
Ken made himself some breakfast, a bit more than usual, he already knew this day was going to be rough. He served enough food for the morning and left The Koro Gang enough food for lunch, if in case he took a while. Mitsuru had settled on arriving at 4:00.
He had a pretty lax schedule on Tuesdays. He left at 8:30 so that he could get to the library and study up some more. "Ahh, so calm" Ken loved the atmosphere, couldn't get enough of it. Opening a book on neuroscience, they would have a test on it in a few days, and he couldn't fail it. Before leaving, the app got him some curiosity, he had been pretty mesmerized by the possibilities of such an app. Ken wanted to test if Mementos worked on the school. Inputting mementos in the school bathroom was pretty safe, it was pretty empty. Pressing the Enter Navigation Button only gave an error message, meaning it probably only works in the train stations. He got to class at 10:00, studied up, and before he knew it, it was already 1:00. (Slimeboyo2:(please don't grill me, I haven't been to a medical school))
He got his lunch and went into the next class 30 minutes later. Not too much, just the basics he studied up for that night. He always wanted to have the upper hand on his studies, and so took the liberty to learn the subjects before the class started. He got his homework and was excused early after finishing the lecture. He ran a bit, got to the train station and saw that he was actually early. Ken had 10 minutes until the time came on the clock, so ken got himself a drink. He waited, put some tunes on his mp3 and took his time. ((Queue: Pale Machine - Bo En))
"So there's a new distortion?" Fuuka asked. "Yes, we need to test our machinery and anti-shadow weaponry first, and then we'll study it further" Mitsuru said. "Ok" Fuuka and Mitsuru carried around a few suitcases. They had gone to the subway by car, taking out a high amount of suitcases, some leather, some sealed. Ken spotted them immediately. Mitsuru didn't want any attention dragged to her, so she changed her outfit up. In a nice professional suit, her hair had been tied down to that of a ponytail, and she didn't seem to pop out too much at a fair view. Fuuka took her usual hoodies that she liked, a teal blue one with a few pins on it, she wore jeans underneath the hoodie. She was instantly recognizable. Ken walked up to the group, greeting Fuuka and Mitsuru with a hug. While they did still hang out on many occasions, He could recall most of the group going to Akihiko's barbecue and enjoying their time just a few months ago, It was rare that they'd get another time like this one.
"So, ken, tell me what this new distortions all about?" Mitsuru asked. "It's simple, through a phone app, we have gotten access to the new world. Kind of like the TV world with needing to enter a TV to access it" Ken showed the Metaverse to Mitsuru. "Ok, any other factors?" Mitsuru wanted to wring out as many answers as she could from Ken.
"From what I've seen, only people with potential can enter. There's a radius of about 3 meters that it takes into consideration, it only works in the subway, and personas do work" Ken explained all he knew.
"That's good to hear" Mitsuru said, "Well, since it only takes people with potential, it's safe to activate it here".
"Ok, one trip to mementos, coming right up." Ken said as he set mementos up. "Hey, wait" Fuuka said, "Can I… inspect this?". "Sure" ken said.
She stared at it for 2 minutes, noticing the actual boxes, "Name. Could be for the location, or for a person. But then location, Which means it's definitely for a person. And distortion, could mean shadow world, but it wouldn't make sense, it would mean that there's many or there's a few. Who knows?" Fuuka stopped scanning it. Though, she would review it upon adding it to her own Phone.
"Ok, we're ready" Ken said. And so, the lit and beautiful world that they once knew was thrown out for a world of dark and reds. They all felt fuzzy, something that only really happened in the TV world. They pulled out their suitcases and started getting weaponry. Mitsuru took off the pin that held up the hair. Out of them came the essentials, a generator designed for shadow or dark hour shortages, trimmed down to a sleek design. Trackers. A reactor core to see if the Aigis models and the Fuuka made, F-001 models ran in the Shadow world. Finally, a bomb, specifically made for shadow annihilation.
Fuuka and Mitsuru called up their persona, Artemisia and Juno. Artemisia tested her abilities out, Bufudyne, Mind boost, and after cutting a small wound, Diarahan. Juno had a complete scan of Mementos itself, finding its long hallways easy to understand, but found a deep chasm at the bottom.
"Mitsuru, the heart of this place is at the bottom" Fuuka said. "What do you mean by that?" Mitsuru said. "Well, it's a big place, but there seems to be… a heartbeat" Fuuka examined further. "So, this place is powered by that? Then we should stop it before those Phantom thieves advance further".
Fuuka pulled out the generators, one being hers and the other being the 1999 models. When starting up the 1999 model, there were no issues, since they were built with the ability to run in distortions in mind, it should have no failures. But Fuuka doubted her model, only for it to fail when started up. She looked at it, only to notice that one of the wires hadn't been connected yet. She pulled out a battery powered welder and started going at it.
"Wait, How is that running? It's not supposed to run" Ken looked at Fuuka. "Hey, that's right" Fuuka said. The machine turned off instantly. "So, if you believe that something works, it will work" Fuuka said. Her generator sprung to life instantly.
"This is the weirdest Shadow world we have ever encountered" Mitsuru exclaimed.
"Somehow… it's connected to our thoughts" Fuuka said.
"Maybe it is our thoughts. I mean, you've seen the other shadow world. It was made out of confusion and misinformation, so it was made on the TV" Ken said, "So, it would make sense that if the phone is where we speak all of our thoughts, it would encompass our thoughts".
"I guess it makes sense. So we should be cautious of our beliefs" Mitsuru said.
"Well, if we can just believe that our machines work in here, we might be able to traverse this easier" Fuuka said.
"Well, now's the perfect time for the big guns" Mitsuru had a reinforced suitcase in her hand. "Just… gotta put it on the floor, and press the button" Fuuka went through the motions, staying in the corner for protection.
A loud explosion occurred, no real damage was made to mementos, but it did rumble. "Well then, let's pack it back up then, we'll do our expedition in here in a few days" Mitsuru called it all off. They put their stuff back into the suitcases and left.
— — —
Yu had a long day too. That new concert that Rise, or as the fans call her, Risette was planning on would happen that day. Because of his wedded and reporter status, he was usually able to enter backstage.
She was beautiful, she had untied and somewhat fluffy hair, using the same design of clothing she had run with back in 2011. It was a concert to celebrate her new album, named "Back in 2011". She was to sing a few of her old songs from back in the day, as well as the new ones that she had been making. Yu had brought some hot tea, just like how Rise liked it. "5 years it's been, huh" Yu closed the door to her room. "And it feels just like yesterday" Rise sang. Yu giggled and handed the cup of tea to Rise. "No, but seriously, it's been 5 years since we first met" Yu said. "I mean, our anniversary hasn't happened yet, so it hasn't been 5 years" Rise retorted. "Touché" he said, "so… I came here to see how my shining star has been". "Never been better" She said.
"I actually have another reason for why I came here" Yu said, looking dearly at his beloved. "You do remember I have a concert, right?" Rise joked. "I'm not referring to that. I mean that I wanted to inform you of something" Yu said. "And what would that be?" Rise looked intently. "There's a new shadow world" Yu said as he took out his phone. "What?!" Rise was shocked. "Yeah, You know how Marie has been worried about a new distortion" Yu said. "Yes. You found it, didn't you?" Rise asked. "Yup, I'll send the news to the group once your concert is finished. Which I am going to make an article about, don't worry." Yu said. "Thanks, I need to get in the group's gossip more often".
The concert was amazing, but it might just be because of Yu's bias ((I mean, he's married to her, he'd like her music. I myself don't really like Idol Music)). He went backstage again. To his surprise, Rise was laying on the floor. Usually you see her slumped on her chair, but she was just there, laying on the floor. "Oh hi babe" she said. "Oh, uhm, hi honey. That was truly a show you put on" Yu said. "Yeah, anyways. Let's get the gossip started" Rise said as she pulled out her phone.
/
Kingpin: Inabagoddess get over here.
5 Minutes later.
Queenpin: I don't think she'll respond.
Another 5 Minutes later
InabaGoddess: Sorry guys, had stuff to do. What do you want?
Kingpin: Help me out explaining the gossip.
JunesKing: Gossip? What's this all about?
InnFire: Gossip? What's new?
Queenpin: She's been typing for a little while.
A Minute later
InabaGoddess: I found a way to get into the new distortion that just happened. Though it seems like only a small part of it, they use a phone to get in, just like the TV. So, I sent the file to Yu since he had been in Shibuya for a while, and then it's history. Have the File: MeTaVerSe. APK
Kingpin: Yeah, so I got in through it, she told me to write Mementos in all the boxes, and then I got flung into a dark corridor. I accidentally took in Ken from the Shadow Operatives, and now we have suspicion that the Phantom thieves have been using the app as a way in.
JunesKing: That wasn't gossip, that was an entire plot.
Kingpin: And it felt like one.
Shirogane: Ken? You brought in Ken?
Kingpin: Yeah.
Shirogane: Damn.
Kingpin: Anyways, How did you get that information?
InabaGoddess: It's a secret, can't tell you.
\\
— — —
(Just a few days ago)
It was just another day at the station, Chie had been a very passionate worker in the precinct. She had returned from apprehending a vile man from school. His name was Suguru Kamoshida. Now, usually, you'd take them to the funeral home in cases like these, since no one vile who's lasted a long time spits his information out.
This was different, though. The man had confessed his crime to the public, just like that. This slimy bastard accused himself of sexually harassing his students, just like that. She was in charge of taking him from the school and into jail for his crimes.
It was simple, just getting in, cuffing him, and taking him back to the precinct. Sounded like a hard job. Typically, these types of jobs would be dangerous, either the perpetrator is unstable and armed, or stable and able to fight back. She had received the memo on the radio. "We've got reports of an unstable teacher at Shujin Academy. Anyone close by?" The radio spat out. "This is 442. I'll pass by" Chie said into the radio.
The car drove fast, it was just a few blocks away. Officer Satonaka entered the premises, gun in hand, though it had the blank still loaded. She got to the Gymnasium, where the man was spotted. Kamoshida was kneeled on the floor, sobbing for what he had done. "Hands in the Air!" She shouted at the teacher. Surprisingly enough, the teacher followed through. He had his hands in the air. Officer Satonaka slowly strutted at him, waiting if the bastard would do anything against her. She got up to the stage and cuffed the man. If it wasn't for this being her job, she wouldn't touch this slimy bastard. She grabbed him by the handcuffs and pushed him a bit when he didn't walk. Her teammate was behind her, if in case anything happened. Shoving him into the car and taking him away.
They'd throw him in jail, start up a case, meet him in court for the months and then decide that because he fully regrets his actions, he'd get 5 years with parole. For what he did, that bastard should rot in jail. But that wasn't her job, her job was to intercept and take over.
"Captain, how's your day?" Chie said. "Pretty good, though the stack of paperwork hasn't decreased yet" The Captain said. "I just caught another criminal" Chie said, "Amazing work Officer" Captain said, "Wanna pass by the Beef Bowl at central street after the shift?" The captain asked. "Sure, Sanada-san" Chie said.
She had opened her phone after the arrest, it was the normal conversations between Investigation group. Nothing much to report. But since she was now in this case, she might need to go back. That was until Yu called Chie.
"Heyya Chie, how's it going? How's Akihiko" Yu asked. "Pretty good, just apprehended a guy at Shujin".
"Shujin? Like in the Phantom Thieves case" Yu said.
"Phantom… What?" Chie asked.
"Yeah, it's these guys who steal hearts from crooked people. You probably haven't heard of them, but my coworkers have been writing like fire about them".
"Huh" Chie was still trying to figure out the situation.
"While I could ask you to answer some questions for an article i am to write, I'd rather let you be for now" Yu said.
"I have time, don't worry Yu" Chie said. And as if instantly, Yu already had questions.
"How did he act during the entire thing?"
"He seemed unstable, but was very cooperative"
"Did he ever try to resist?"
"No"
"Did he say anything about the Phantom Thieves during the way out?"
"Nope, he seemed sorry about his actions and never really knew about the Phantom Thieves"
"Thank you Chie" Yu said.
"No problem, Yu.".
"Well, since you are involved with it, just be wary of any kids that seem like us" Yu said.
"And why would that be?" Chie said.
"People rise against adversity. The guy was rotten to the core, i think they'd use an ability like ours to change his mind. And since Marie has been worried about the Distortion, maybe they've used it." Yu said.
"Sounds about right? If i get the case, what should I look for?" Chie asked.
"Tightly knit groups at the start of the year, some people who've had a bad reputation with the "Authority"" Yu responded
"I'll take that in mind" Chie said.
"Chie, I'm going to hang up, work just got a bit complicated, call you later" Yu said as he started shuffling papers.
"Ok, Yu. Seems like work's caught up to me too. Good luck" Chie said.
Author's Notes:
Goodbye Folks, but before you go, may I say that this chapter was probably one of my most work shopped every, since many ideas were flung out the table, I may write something interesting. Now, I would like to thank you for your reading of these chapters. Both NN010 and I are very grateful for your reads, if you haven't dropped Kudos and like what we do, you should.
Now, onto our sponsoring section. "Do you like Spy X Family?", "Do you like Persona 5?". Well, I know just the thing to show you. A fic by one of our friends, Gamger. Now, if you are interested, the name of the fic is Telepathy X Thievery. Now, if you are interested in both of these pieces of art, I will 100% recommend. Anyway, Goodbye Folks, I Hope you have enjoyed this chapter of The War of The Wildcards.