AN: Sorry y'all. Seems there was a bit of a snafu on my end. It's been taken care of.
Chapter 5
Ann and Jolyne stood at the window, stunned speechless as they watched Shiho fall. "No way…" Jolyne muttered out, while Ann began to shake.
"Shiho…no…" The blonde turned and ran down the hall. "Move!" She ordered, pushing students aside.
"Hey, wait up! Dammit…" Jolyne began to run after the blonde, passing Ryuji in the process.
"Hey, what's-"
"Courtyard! Now!" She barked, and he ran after her without a word. They quickly descended the stairs, right on Ann's heels as they arrived at the courtyard entrance. However, there was already a massive crowd in front of the door, but that didn't deter Ann, who began pushing her way through the crowd. Jolyne and Ryuji were right behind her, forcing their way through the throng.
"Hey, move it!" Ryuji shouted, and the pair finally made it to the courtyard. An ambulance had already arrived, the paramedics having placed Shiho on a stretcher. Ann looked like she was about to collapse.
"Shiho…no…"
"Everyone, please remain calm!" A panicking Kobayakawa yelled, and a Paramedic approached him.
"We need someone to go with her." He stated, and Kobayakawa swallowed nervously.
"M-me?! But I can't possibly abandon the school at a time like this! Someone else will have to go." Ann stepped forward at this.
"I'll go!" The paramedic nodded, gesturing for her to get in the ambulance as the two began to pick up Shiho. However, as Ann walked past her, Shiho began to stir, and Ann knelt down. "Shiho, why?"
"I…I'm sorry. I just…I can't take it anynore."
"Can't take what?" Shiho mumbled something once more, and Ann's eyes widened.
"Kamoshida…?!" She gasped out, and Jolyne's eyes widened. That was all Shiho managed to say before passing out, and the paramedics loaded her onto the ambulance and drove off, leaving a crowd full of students, including a dumbfounded Ryuji and Jolyne.
"I can't believe Suzui jumped. What the hell…" Ryuji muttered, when he noticed his companion was silent. Not only that, but she seemed to be shaking. "Jolyne? Hello?" She ignored him, instead turning towards something out of the corner of her eye. That 'something' was a rather nervous looking Mishima, who was currently sweating buckets.
"No way…" Mishima gasped out, but as soon as he saw Jolyne staring at him, he began backing away, before running into the school.
"Hey, get back here!" She called out, before turning back to Ryuji. "Let's go!"
"Right." He nodded, and the two chased after Mishima. Eventually, the manager to corner him in the empty boy's locker room.
"W-what do you two want now?" He nervously asked.
"Why'd you run, Mishima?" Jolyne demanded, and he looked away.
"I…I didn't run…"
"Cut the bullshit! She jumped and tried to kill herself!" Ryuji interjected, causing the volleyball player to flinch.
"Please, just leave me alone." Mishima pleaded, and Jolyne placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Mishima, please, just tell us. We're not going to rat you out. Kamoshida doesn't have to know you even spoke to us." Mishima looked away for a moment, before he began to speak.
"Suzui…was called up to the PE faculty office yesterday by Mr. Kamoshida after practice." Jolyne and Ryuji's eyes widened. "He does this every time he's in a bad mode. He calls people up to his office, and he…he beats them. I've been up there often"
"So the physical abuse rumors were all true." Jolyne said, and Mishima nodded.
"That's not all. Sometimes, when he's in a really bad mood, Kamoshida…I think he does something different to the female members." Mishima didn't elaborate on this, although the implication that hung in the air was more than crystal clear.
"That bastard…!" Ryuji growled, and stormed off while Jolyne clenched her fists.
"Sakamoto, wait!" Mishima called after him, and turned to Jolyne. "What is that idiot doing?!" Jolyne was silent, her head turned so that he couldn't clearly see her eyes. Without a word, she took off after Ryuji. "Wait, what are you doing?!" Mishima received no answer, instead sighing as he followed after her. The two entered the practice building, following Ryuji to right in front of the PE Faculty Office. Ryuji swung the door open as he barged into the room, where Kamoshida sat alone.
"You son of a bitch! What the hell did you do to her?!" Kamoshida looked up at the trio with an expression of annoyance on his face.
"You're like a bad rash, Sakamoto. What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb with me!" Ryuji yelled as he kicked a chair in his way, causing Kamoshida to get up.
"That's enough! I won't stand here and let you yell whatever you want!" He barked, and Ryuji was about to start another shouting match…
"What you did…wasn't coaching." Ryuji and Kamoshida both turned to Mishima, who had just spoken.
"What did you just say?" Kamoshida growled, and Mishima swallowed the lump in his throat.
"You…you ordered me to call Suzui up to your office here, and…and I can only imagine what you did to her!" Kamoshida sneered at the Boy.
"Be very careful now, Mishima. You're going on and on about things you have no proof about. You're making these claims because you can't quite cut it as a regular, aren't you?"
"That's not-"
"Even if what you said is true, hypothetically speaking, what can you do about it? We just got a call from the hospital. Poor Suzui's slipped into a coma, and her chances of recovery are slim at best. I'm afraid no one's around to corroborate your little story." Ryuji and Mishima's eyes widened, while Jolyne simply stared at the ground.
"No…Suzui…" Mishima whimpered out, while Ryuji was seething.
"You goddamn bastard! I'll make you pay!"
"Tch. This again? We need to have another case of 'self defense?'" His face, and the way he said those words, was the exact same as his shadow the other day. Ryuji clenched his fists, and was about to swing…
…when Jolyne grabbed his arm. "What're you doin'? Let me go!"
"Calm down, Ryuji. We should go." Jolyne's voice was flat and emotionless.
"Go?! What're you-?!" That's when Jolyne's grip on his arm tightened, and Ryuji whirled to look at her. However, it was the look in her face that gave him pause. Sheer anger, the likes of which Ryuji had only seen in his own face, burned within her chartreuse eyes.
"Because right now, it's taking everything I've got to keep from beating him into a bloody pulp." Jolyne's whole body was shaking with barely contained anger. Kamoshida simply laughed at this.
"Oh cmon, Cujoh, let him at me! There's no need for both of you to hold back! Why not just cut loose? Oh, that's right, you can't!" He turned back to his desk. "As of right now, everyone here is expelled. I'm reporting you all at the next board meeting." Everyone's eyes widened at this, and Ryuji shook himself from Jolyne's grasp.
"You can't just make a decision like that!" Jolyne shouted, and Kamoshida smirked.
"I can, and I will. Would hardly be the first time. Who would seriously believe what scum like you would have to say?" He taunted. "Don't think I've forgotten your role in all of this, Mishima. Far as I'm concerned, you're just as responsible."
"Huh?! B-but-" Mishima tried to protest.
"You've outlived your usefulness, you insignificant worm. Why do you think I kept someone as useless as you around? You act like you're a victim, but you're the one who leaked Cujoh's criminal records onto the internet, remember?" Jolyne's eyes widened, and she turned to Mishima, who tried to shirk away from her.
"Mishima, you were the one?" He began to shake.
"I-I'm sorry. He made me do it…" Kamoshida simply laughed, before turning back to his desk.
"You're done for! Your futures are mine to take. Now, get out of my sight, you pieces of garbage!"
"You asshole! You won't get away with this!" Ryuji shouted, when Jolyne leaned in close to his ear.
"We'll make him pay." She whispered, and his eyes widened as he realized what she was implying.
"Oh right!" He said this slightly louder than intended, causing Kamoshida to raise an eyebrow.
"You finally lost it, Sakamoto? Try whatever you want, it's no use. All trash like you can do is wait for your disposal." He barked out, and Ryuji and Jolyne exited the office, dragging Mishima with them.
After parting ways from Mishima, Jolyne and Ryuji had met up with Morgana back in the courtyard, as the roof had already been occupied by a third year.
"So, I take it you two have made up your minds?" Morgana asked, and the two nodded.
"I'm 100% certain now. We need to head to that other world and kick his ass." Ryuji answered, and Morgana sighed.
"I told you, we're not beating him up. We're just stealing his distorted desires."
"Eh, semantics." Jolyne shrugged.
"And you've considered the possibility that we could induce a mental shutdown?" Ryuji nodded.
"Someone almost died because of him. I don't give a rat's ass what happens to Kamoshida any more."
"And you?" The cat said to Jolyne.
"There's no other option. We've exhausted all our options out here, and we're running out of time." She answered. "So, where do we start?" Morgana just shrugged.
"I don't know. I'm thinking we make our through the-"
"Wait, you've never done this before?!"
"I never indicated otherwise, did ? I just know how to do it."
"For real?! You were just talkin' out your ass this whole time?!" Ryuji asked. Morgana was about to answer, when Ann appeared from around the corner.
"Hey…" Ann looked exhausted. Her eyes were still red and puffy from crying. "Is…is it true you guys are getting expelled? It's all people are talking about."
"Already? Good grief, it's barely been half an hour." Jolyne groaned out.
"Did you come all this way to tell us that?" Ryuji asked, and Ann looked at them, determination in her bright blue eyes.
"Of you two are going to take down Kamoshida, then I want in." Jolyne and Ryuji's eyes widened at this.
"This has got nothing to do with you, Ann." Ryuji stated, and Ann frowned.
"But it does! Shiho's my-!"
"Stay out of our way!" Ryuji shouted. Ann grimaced, but stormed out without another word.
"A bit harsh, don't you think?" Jolyne asked, and Ryuji shook his head.
"We can't take her somewhere like that. She'd slow us down."
"I hope she doesn't torture herself over this…" Morgana muttered, and Jolyne simply nodded in agreement with the cat.
"Cmon, we don't have any time to lose." Jolyne instructed, and soon the three were in the alley in front of the school. "You two ready?" Ryuji and Morgana nodded.
"Once we're over, we'll treat each other like the Phantom Thieves we truly are!" Morgana stated, and Ryuji was pumped.
"I like the sound of that. Let's go kick his ass!" With that, Jolyne activated the Meta-Nav. Unbeknownst to them, a certain blonde was spying on them.
"Let's see, she's getting out her phone…looks like some sort of app?" Ann said to herself as she watched them. "Kamoshida's name…and the school?" As soon as she said that, a crippling headache hit her as the world began to distort.
Jolyne, Ryuji, and Morgana all stood before the castle drawbridge, and Ryuji slammed his hand into his fist. "Alright! Let's break through!"
"W-what the hell?!" A familiar voice yelled, and the three thieves turned to see a dumbstruck Ann behind them. Her confusion only increased when she noticed the strangely dressed pair and the strange catlike creature beside them.
"Ann?! What are you doing here?" Jolyne asked, although Ann seemed just as confused.
"That voice…and that hair…is that you, Jolyne-chan? So that must mean…" she looked over at Ryuji, squinting at him as she mentally removed the skull mask ok his face. "Is that you, Ryuji?" Ann then looked around, noticing the castle. "What the hell?! What happened to the school?!"
Morgana, on the other hand, was simply dumbstruck by the appearance. Hearts clouded his vision as he took in Ann's beauty…before Jolyne shook him out of it. "Hey, Morgana, how'd she get here?"
"Hm? Oh! Let's see…my guess is she was in close enough proximity when we activated that app thing. If multiple people can enter with the user, then it stands to reason that it'll also pull in anyone close by." Morgana explained, and Jolyne groaned.
"Great, so now we have to be careful about who's around? Gimme a break…" While Morgana spoke, Ann looked around the castle entrance, taking it all in.
"Wait, so is all this related to Kamoshida?" Ryuji scratched the back of his head.
"It's a long story…anyways, you gotta leave!" Ryuji replied, and Ann scowled.
"No way! I've got just as much right to be here as you two!"
"If she makes too much of a commotion, the Shadows will be all over us." Morgana stated, and Ann's eyes widened as she realized who the third voice was coming from.
"A monster cat…that talks?! Ohmygodohmygid…" she panicked, and Morgana was taken aback.
"Hey, I'm not a monster!" He protested, and after a moment, Ann collected herself, and stared at Jolyne.
"You better explain what's going on! I'm not leaving until you do!" She demanded.
"Looks like we gotta force her out…" Ryuji groaned out, and Jolyne sighed.
"Looks like it. But the only question is how?" She mused.
"Why don't you just take her out the way we came in? That's how you left the other times." Morgana explained, and Ann scowled.
"No way! I'm not leaving until-hey!" She shouted as Ryuji grabbed her by the arm.
"Sorry, Takamaki, it's just how it's gotta be." He stated, but the mode wasn't having it, beginning to squirm and wriggle in his grip.
"Let go of me! This is my fight too!" Ann protested, beginning to try and squirm out of his grip, only for a red glove to place itself on her shoulder. She turned to see Jolyne, who'd raised her mask up to reveal her face.
"Ann, please listen. You're right, you have every right to be here as we do. But in there-" Jolyne pointed at the castle. "-there are things that make no sense. And you just don't have the power to take on those things like we do." Her grip on Ann's shoulder tightened, though instead of trying to be assertive, it was more comforting. "I promise you, on my mother's grave, I will personally make him pay for what he did to Shiho." Ann was about to protest some more, but there was something about Jolyne's presence that felt…reassuring to her.
"…fine." Ann said, though she wasn't happy about. Jolyne motioned to Ryuji, and he let go of her arm. Morgana and Ryuji watched as the green haired girl walked the blonde to the exit of the Metaverse, before she returned to them.
"Think she'll be alright?" Ryuji asked, and Jolyne thought for a moment.
"…I honestly don't know." She replied. "We're gonna have to be careful when we use that app from now on. We can't risk any more people hitching along for the ride."
"You should've checked the tools you use. How do I, who just watches, know more about this stuff than you two?!" Morgana scolded, and Ryuji just rolled his eyes.
"Whatever, we got bigger things to worry about. Takamaki found out about us right when we were getting started. What if she rats us out?" Ryuji asked.
"I…don't think we have to worry about that." Jolyne replied.
"That's girl's name is Ann Takamaki, right? Lady Ann…" Morgana said to himself, before turning to the castle. If they strained their ears, they could vaguely hear the sound of armored footsteps frantically moving about. "The shadows are bound to have noticed us by now. Brace yourselves!" He instructed, before turning to Jolyne. "Lead the way, Joker!" She raised an eyebrow at this, pointing at herself.
"You talking to me?" Morgana nodded. "That some sort of nickname?"
"Please, don't make it sound so lame. It's a code name." Both Ryuji and Jolyne raised an eyebrow at Morgana's answer. "Wait, were you two seriously about to use your real names?"
"Well…yeah." Ryuji replied, and Morgana scoffed.
"What kind of idiot Phantom thief would use their real names?! There's no telling what effect yelling out your real names in here will have!" Morgana scolded.
"Whats a 'Phantom Thief'?" Jolyne asked, drawing his attention. "You called us that before, back before we crossed over. I meant to ask, but then the whole thing with Ann happened."
"Phantom thieves are those who covertly sneak in and stylishly steal treasure…that is a what we must become." Morgana explained, and the two mulled it over in their heads.
"Phantom Thieves, huh? I kinda like the sound of that!" Ryuji stated, and Jolyne nodded in agreement. "So, whys Jolyne Joker?
"Because Jolyne's our trump card we can play whenever we're in a pinch. Remember the lock in the dungeon? We would've never gotten out of there if it wasn't for her and the strings." Morgana explained, and Jolyne thought over the name.
"Joker, huh? I kinda like it. Simple, easy, rolls off the tongue…" Joker said, and bob turned to Ryuji. "So I guess it's your turn. Any ideas?"
"Let's see, how about…Thug?" Morgana suggested, and Ryuji frowned.
"Seriously? No thanks. I'll choose it myself!" He said, and began to think. "Let's see, when it comes to me, it's gotta be this mask. Why not name me after this?" Ryuji suggested, and Morgana sighed.
"I guess if you want to do it like that…how about 'Skull'?" as soon as Morgana said that, Ryuji grinned.
"Oh man, that sounds awesome! From now on, call me Skull!" Skull declared, and looked at Morgana. "Got any ideas for him?" Joker tapped her chin, thinking for a moment.
"Hmmm…I got nothing." She stated, and Skull thought for a moment.
"How's 'Mona' sound?" He suggested, and Joker nodded.
"Yeah, that works."
"If Joker approves of it, then I think it's a good idea." Mona replied. "Alright, from here on out, we're Joker, Skull, and Mona! We need to be absolutely thorough in using these code names from now on." Joker and Skull both nodded.
"Alright, we're on a time table. Let's go!" Joker stated, and the trio ran to the castle, hopping through the window into the storage room as they began their infiltration. Sneaking into the central hall, they pushed a door open into a small room. Inside there were several wooden tables, a few chairs, and other door. Moving towards the door, Joker pushed it open into another long hall. The three walked down the hall, passing a doorway that was walled off by iron bars. Behind it, there was another hallway that had several suits of armor lining it, heading straight to a door that had dark purple light leaking out.
"What do you think's back there?" Skull asked, and Joker shrugged.
"No idea." Though just staring at the door made Joker feel sick to her stomach. "You got any idea, Mona?"
"None, unfortunately. I only ever made it as far as the main hall back there." The cat-like creature replied, and looked at the bars. "It doesn't look like we'll be able to go that way. Let's keep moving." Joker and Skull nodded, and continued moving to the door at the other end of the hallway. Pushing that door open, the Thieves were now on some sort of armory, the walls lined with all sorts of weapons, as well as three guards patrolling the room. The trio hid behind a pillar as the guards patrolled the room. Joker surveyed the room, taking in each Shadow's position.
They're too spread out. If we try and take them out one at a time, then the other two will see it and attack. We'd be surrounded. The only way I can think of… Joker thought as she looked over the room, before turning to her companions. "We'll need to take them out before they can transform. We'll have to each rush one and take it out before they can transform." Skull and Mona nodded.
"Just tel us when." Mona replied, and Joker pointed out each of their targets to them.
"Now…go!" Joker ordered, and the Phantom Thisves went after their targets. Joker went after the closest one. "Arsene!" The winged creature appeared behind her as she rushed her target. Before the guard could react, Arsene swiped her claw and cleaved them into pieces, which would disperse into ash.
Mona went after the one farthest from them, who had noticed the commotion. "Come forth, Zorro!" The mustaches persona sprung to life, and charged the guard. Zorro's rapier pierced the armored body, leaving a sizable hole where it's right arm had once been, the Shadow crying in pain as it died.
Skull rushed the second closest one, raising his pipe and bashing it against the armored head. It crumpled to the ground, and before it could get up, the former trap star jumped on its chest and bashed the armored shadow's head in with one last swing, the creature dispersing into ash.
"Good job, everyone. Let's move." The green haired leader said as she wiped sweat from her brow. Their enemies dispatched, the trio left the room, entering yet another hall.
"Jeez, who designed this place? It's starting to get a little repetitive…" Skull complained, and as they walked past a door, Mona stopped.
"Hm?" Mona looked at the door, squinting his eyes as he examined it. It almost appeared wavy the more he looked at it…
"Something wrong, Mona?" Joker asked, and Mona turned to his compatriots.
"See the distortions on that door?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"This indicates what's called a Safe Room. It's an area of the Palace where the distorted desires are exceptionally weak." Mona explained. "Because of this, the ruler's control of this area is weak, and Shadows won't patrol here."
"So we can use this to hide if we have to?" Joker asked, and Mona nodded.
"That's right. We can also regroup and discuss strategies here if we need to." Mona jumped up and pushed the door open. They entered, seeing a small room lined with a table and a couple of chairs. However, when Joker looked at it closely, the room almost seemed to become a classroom for a second, before changing back. Joker pulled up a chair, sitting at the table. "Alright, let's discuss…"
Meanwhile, outside the castle, a familiar figure approached the drawbridge, phone in hand. "This is that place from earlier…" Ann said, and looked at her phone, the screen of which was now occupied by the image of a certain red eyeball. "What's with this weird app? All I did was say the words that Jolyne said, and now I'm here…"
"Princess!" A voice called out, and when Ann looked up, she saw what looked like three men, all dressed in some sort of armor, running at her.
Back in the Safe Room, Ryuji had his ear pressed against the door, listening to the sound of armored footsteps outside. "Sounds like there's a lot more of them out there than last time." He said, and Morgana nodded from his perch on the table.
"What'd you expect? You two did provoke Kamoshida, after all. Still, this does seem excessive. He shouldn't be this on guard…" Jolyne turned to him from her chair.
"How are we going to go about stealing the Treasure?" She asked.
"First, well need to secure an infiltration route to the treasure, a path directly to it." Morgana explained, and looked between the two of them. "Honestly, I think we may need a little more manpower to accomplish this."
"How do you-"
"Shhh! Two of 'em are talking." Ryuji barked, and pressed his ear to the door.
"I swear we were pursuing readings of an intruder. What was she doing out there?"
"I don't know, but that doesn't matter. We have to take her to King Kamoshida at once."
"Let me go!" A familiar voice yelled out, one that caused everyone's eyes to widen.
"Was that…Ann?" Jolyne asked, and Mona leapt over to the door, cracking it open and peaking his head out.
"It can't be. We sent her home!" Ryuji protested, and Morgana reentered the room.
"It looks like Lady Ann found her way back somehow. The Shadows have her!" Morgana stated, causing their jaws to drop.
"Do you think that weird app showed up on her phone too?" Ryuji asked, and Jolyne bolted up out of her chair.
"Dammit! We need to rescue her, now!" She ordered, and turned to Mona. "Did you see which way they took her?"
"They went back the way we just came through." Mona reported, and Joker nodded as she pushed the door open. They made their way back through the armory, back into the hallway. As they ran through it, Skull noticed that the iron bars were now gone, and one of the suits of armor in the hallway behind it had been knocked over.
"Think they went through there?"
"Worth a shot." Joker made her way down the hallway, stopping at the door. A string emerged from her finger and slid under the door, and Joker closed her eyes as she 'listened' through the string.
"Look, I'm sorry! I'll apologize for touching that armor without position!" Ann's voice said from the other end, and Joker's eyes snapped open as the string returned to her finger.
"Through here!" She ordered, and kicked the door…only for it to not budge. "Dammit!" Joker looked around for a lock to pick, but she saw no sign of a lock.
"It must be held close from the other side, and I don't think we have time to find another route…" Mona cursed, and Skull began walking backwards.
"I've got an idea. Stand back, everyone…" he instructed, and blue sparks began to emanate from the corners of his mask…
Meanwhile, on the other side of the door, Ann had been shackled up to some sort of X shaped apparatus by her wrists and feet. "What the hell's going on?! If you don't let me go, I'll call the cops!" Ann protested, when a familiar voice filled the area.
"So, this is the intruder?" King Kamoshida said as he walked over to her, accompanied by a golden armored Guard.
"K-Kamoshida?! What're you doing here?" Ann asked, and that's when she saw who was accompanying him: an exact copy of herself, right down to her eyes, that had on nothing but a bikini and a headband with cat ears on her head. "Who…who is that? Why does she look like me?!" Kamoshida simply chuckled.
"I can't believe you mistook my Ann-chan for someone like her. Tell me, are you afraid?"
"More like confused. What is this place? Why are you dressed like that?"
"I can do whatever the hell I want here. This is my castle, after all." Ann's eyes widened at this.
"Castle?! W-what is this, some kind of red lightning district?!" She asked, and Kamoshida just laughed.
"Oh, you'll make a lovely slave!"
"Shut the hell up! I'm not making you anything!" Ann shouted, and Kamoshida turned to the Cognitive Ann next to her.
"It seems she's decided to tell me off. What do you think of that, dear?" Up until now, the duplicate Ann had simply remained silent and glassy eyes.
"Talking back is like, totally unforgivable." Kamoshida grinned at this.
"I agree. The price for defiance is death, after all." He turned back to Ann. "Now, how should I play with-" Kamoshida was cut off when the ethereal pirate ship of Captain Kidd smashed through the door on the other side of the room, reducing it to splinters.
"Jeez, Skull. Talk about an entrance." Joker said as Skull's mask rematerialized, and the three stepped through the hole. However, what rendered hem speechless wasn't the captive Ann, but rather the sight of serveral young women lying topless on the floor. "Good lord…"
"So this is how he views the volleyball team…this is eff'd up." Skull muttered, when Mona noticed the captive Ann.
"There she is!" He yelled, drawing their attention.
"Ann!" Joker called out, and the there began to approach the irritated Kamoshida.
"You three again?! You're like a bad rash I can never get rid off." Kamoshida spat, before he turned to Ann. "You're just like these pathetic thieves, aren't you? You only came here because you're pissed at me, right?" Kamoshida simply sighed. "You know, you've got no right to be made at me. It's your fault that…what's her name? Anyways, it's your fault she jumped." Ann's eyes widened at this.
"W-what?"
"You were so reluctant to throw yourself onto me, I had no choice. Someone had to take her place." The grinning king taunted, and tears began to well up in Ann's eyes.
"You bastard!" She yelled, and the gold Guard began to approach her. Joker clinched her fists and began to move, only for the ruling Shadow to turn to her.
"One more step and I'll kill her on the spot." He barked, stopping the Persona user in her tracks. "Just sit back and enjoy the dismemberment show, kids."
"Damn you!" Joker yelled, and Kamoshida simply laughed, turning back to the captive Ann.
"Maybe I'll start with her clothes…" he chuckled, and Ann's head was downturned as the Guard approached her. "Oooooh, that's more like it! You shoulda looked like this from the start!"
Maybe he's right…maybe it is my fault Shiho jumped. He only ever looked at her because of me. I deserve this… Tears began to streak down her face as images of Shiho in the ambulance and in the hospital filled her head. Tears streaked down her face, as Ann accepted her fate. Shiho…I'm sorry…
"Hey!" Jolyne's voice called out, causing Ann to look up at her. "You're just going to listen to what this asshole has to say? You did all you could for Shiho. The only person who's to blame for what happened is him, and him alone.
"Silence!" Kamoshida barked, but it was too late. Ann was already thinking over Jolyne's words.
She's right…She began to chuckle. Letting this price of shit play with me…what the hell was I thinking?
"It's no use. Slaves like you should-"
"Shut the hell up!" Ann yelled, cutting off the perverted King. "You think this school is your own playground?! You think I'm just a pet for you to play with?! Fuck that! I'm never letting you get your way ever again, you son of a bitch!"
"My, its taken far too long." A soft, seductive voice purred inside Ann's head, and a splitting headache hit her as he eyes turned yellow. "Tell me, if you're not going to avenge her, then who will? Forgiving him was never an option." Ann began squirming and writhing as the voice continued to speak. "Such is the scream of the other you that dwells within. I am thou, thou art I. We can finally form a contract." Ann quit squirming as the pain finally receded.
"I hear you…Carmen…" she looked up, and a red mask that was shaped like a cat appeared on her face in a flash of blue flame. "You're right! No more holding back! No more letting him do whatever he wants!" Kamoshida watched awestruck, as Ann managed to force her arm's out of their shackles.
"There you go! Nothing can be solved as long as you are chained!" Carmen purred inside of her, as Ann gripped he sides of her mask. Ann gave a uell as she ripped the mask off, and was soon consumed by a pillar of blue flame. When it cleared, Ann stood clad in a tight red catsuit that had zippers all over it, with dark red thigh high boots, pink gloves, a cutout for her cleavage, and a red tail clipped onto her back. Behind her stood a tall figure with pink skin, wearing a large, frilly dress that resembled a rose. Tethered to her with vines were two figures dressed in suits with heart shaped heads.
Before the guards could recover, Ann kicked a sword out of one's hand, caught it, and used it to chop of the head of the Cognitive Ann, who dispersed into ash. "I'm not some cheap girl you can toy with, you scumbag." Ann growled out, dropping the sword to the ground as a red whip materialized in her hand. "You stole everything from Shiho, and now? Now I'm going to rob everything from you!" All Kamoshida could do was watch as Jolyne, Morgana, and Ryuji walked up next to her.
"How dare you?! Your insolence shall not stand!" The gold guard captain growled, and he began to change, exploding into dark, shadowy ichor and reforming as a massive demon sitting on a toilet.
"You up for this?" Jolyne asked Ann, and she nodded.
"I've been looking forward to this. Let's make him pay!" Ann responded, and Joker smirked as she turned back to the demon. The demon made what looked like a straining motion, and a blast of ice flew at them, but Ann simply held out her hand. "Make them squeal…Carmen!" The persona twirled behind her, firing two fireballs out of the mouths of the heart shaped men. One blast struck the ice blast, cancelling it out, while the other hit the demon, knocking it to the ground. While it was knocked down, Zorro, Captain Kidd, and Arsene all materialized next to Carmen. They all rushed the toilet bound demon, blasting it with fire, lighting, wind, and demonic energy. At first, it looked like that it would survive, but a blast of flame finished it off, causing it to disperse into ash. The personas dispersed, with a red panther shaped mask appearing on Ann's face. Kamoshida simply watched this all unfold, an expression of sheer terror on his face.
"P-please…not again…" he whimpered out, and as soon as they all turned to him, Kamoshida turned tail and ran.
"Get back here you-!" Ann yelled at him, and made to chase after him, before she collapsed into her knee. "Not…letting you…run…" Joker kneeled down to Ann's level, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"You're probably exhausted. C'mon, let's go." Ann just shook her head.
"I'm fine. Just…a little winded." Ann panted out, and Morgana approached her.
"Lady Ann, don't push yourself. You're drained from the awakening."
"Lady Ann…?" Ann looked over at Morgana. "What…what is this thing? How can it talk? And…and where is this place? Oh my god, this isn't Hell, is it?!"
"Lady Ann, please calm down!" Morgana pleaded, and Ann placed a hand on his head as she stood up.
"I won't calm down until I figure out what the hell is going on!" She shouted as Jolyne stood up as well.
"Like I said out there, it's a long story. Well explain as soon as we-" Ryuji started to say, when Ann notified her outfit, causing her to blush.
"W-what the hell am I wearing?!" She hastily covered herself. "How did I-?"
"Calm down. I think it's a great look on you." Jolyne said, only for her to blush as she realized she had said that lady part out loud. Fortunately, none of them seemed to notice.
"How can you expect me to be calm like this?!" Ann yelled, and Morgana sighed.
"Well, I'm out of ideas. There's going to be a search party headed here soon. If we don't leave now, we'll be surrounded."
"Cmon, Ann. I promise, we'll explain later." Jolyne pleaded, but Ann was still unresponsive.
"We ain't got time for this! Let's just carry her out." Ryuji stated, and Jolyne was forced to agree, taking her right side as Ryuji grabbed the left.
Later
Jolyne and Ann were in the station, with Ann sitting on a bench and Morgana's head sticking out of Jolyne's bag, although he was far more cooperative this time. Ryuji returned, with two bottled drinks in his hand. "Which one you want?" He asked, and Ann looked between the bottles.
"Whichever ones not carbonated."
"Uh…I think they both are." Ann sighed, and took the one in his right hand, while Jolyne took the other one.
"Hey, what about me?" Morgana asked, and Ryuji shrugged.
"You're a cat, and I've only got two hands." He stated, and Ann chuckled.
"You alright now, Ann?" Jolyne asked, and the blonde nodded.
"Yeah, thanks. It's just…a lot to take in." True to their word, they had explained everything to Ann to the best of their ability.
"Trust me, we know. Hell, I don't even understand it all myself." Ryuji said, and Morgan's scoffed.
"Of course you wouldn't, you numbskull." Ryuji scowled.
"What'd you say, you damn furball?!"
"Hey, knock it off you two." Jolyne ordered, and Morgana turned to Ann.
"Your Persona's incredible, Lady Ann."
"Thanks. Um…Morgana, right?" The cat nodded its head. "Sorry, it still seems a little weird to be talking to a cat. Oh, my bad, you're not a cat."
"It's alright. It's understandable for you to be confused after all you went through." Morgana replied.
"Honestly, I still can't believe that all happened. It seemed like a dream, but it all felt so…real. And that power, my…what was it called? Persona?" Ann asked, and Morgana nodded.
"It's your will of rebellion, Lady Ann. With it, you'll be able to fight inside the Palace."
"You may feel weird at first, but you'll get used to it. Arsene just hangs out in the back of my head." Jolyne said, and Ryuji looked at her dumbstruck.
"Wait, your's just chills?! All Captain Kidd does is give me shit!" He groaned out, and Ann chuckled, before her face turned serious.
"So all that stuff, about how we can change Kamoshida's heart…is it all true? Is it really possible to make him confess his crimes?" The new persona user asked, and Ryuji nodded.
"The volleyball team's keeping quiet, and the school and parents ain't saying anything. We ain't got any other options." Ann nodded, eyes filled with determination.
"Then let me help too. I want to make him pay for what he did to Shiho. If I let him keep going like nothing happened, then I'll never forgive myself." Ann declared. "That is, if you're fine with that."
"Sounds good to me. More the merrier. What do you two think?" Ryuji asked the cat and the leader.
"I welcome your aid, Lady Ann. With you, I believe that we finally have the manpower we need to make it through the castle." Morgana replied, and they all turned to look at Jolyne.
"What, you honestly think I'd say no? You've got just as much right as we do. Welcome aboard. We'll be counting on you." Jolyne replied, and Ann nodded with a smile.
"Thanks. I won't let you down." Jolyne felt a strong fighting resolve coming from Ann. "Just let me know when we're heading back in. Oh! We should probably trade info." They all pulled out their phones, trading their contact information with Ann. "Let's see, and…there!"
"Awesome! I'll set up a group chat when I get home." Ryuji said, and Ann nodded, before yawning.
"Sorry about that. I'm exhausted. Guess I should head on home. See you guys tomorrow." Ann bid, before heading over to her train.
"What a kind girl. Such consideration for others, and her willingness to cast herself into the jaws of death for others…what a girl!" Morgana whimsfully purred out, and Jolyne subconsciously nodded.
"Yknow, since we're not a trio any more, itd be best if we could all get together quickly from now on." Ryuji said, and Morgana nodded.
"I agree. Our best option is to establish a secret hideout where we can meet."
"A hideout, huh? I like the sound of that." Jolyne mused. "Think the rooftop will work?"
"It should. That third year shouldn't be too much trouble." Ryuji replied.
"Now, onto the next matter. I can't contact you guys from inside the Palace, and it'd be dangerous to let me wander around like a stray. So, I'll need someone to take care of me." Ryuji held up his hands at this.
"Sorry, can't be me. Our landlord doesn't allow pets. Besides, me and you spending every minute together? We'd kill each other in a week." Jolyne sighed.
"And it's too late to ask Ann…I guess I'll take you. Never really had a pet before…" Jolyne said, and the station intercom belted out a message of an arriving train.
"Well, sounds like I gotta go. See ya at the hideout tomorrow." Ryuji waved goodbye, and they parted ways.
"I suppose we should go now. Come, let's go check out my new residence." Morgan's ordered, and Jolyne sighed as she headed towards their train.
"Hope you're not expecting much…"
Evening
The bell chimed as Jolyne entered Leblanc, drawing Sojiro's attention. "Oh, it's just you." He coldly greeted.
"Anyone ever tell you that you really know how to make someone feel welcome, Boss?" Jolyne shot back, and Sojiro just rolled his eyes.
"I've still got customers, so head upstairs." It was more like 'customer', singular, said customer being a young woman with blue hair dressed like some sort of punk rock doctor, complete with a choker and everything.
"It's fine, Boss. I was just leaving, anyway." The woman said, beginning to collect her things and get up.
"You sure, doctor? Got a fresh pot of coffee brewing. Got those Colombian beans you like, too." Sojiro said, and the Doctor simply politely shook her head.
"No thanks. I've got some business things to attend to. Thank you for the meal." Doctor said as she got out of her booth, and turned to Jolyne. "Haven't seen you around before."
"She just moved here. She's living with me for a bit." Sojiro explained, and Punk Rock Doctor simply raised an eyebrow, but didn't ask anything else. Instead, she squinted her eyes as she examined Jolyne.
"You remind me of someone, but I can't think of who…" Punk Rock Doctor mused, before she shrugged. "Oh well, it's not important." She bid farewell, before exiting the restaurant.
"Who was that?" Jolyne asked.
"Hm? Oh, that's Dr. Takemi. She runs the clinic down the street. Rumor has it she cooks up all sorts of weird, illegal medicines, but I've never seen anything like that over there." Sojiro explained, and Morgan's poked his head out of Jolyne's bag.
"Hey, are we there yet?" He asked, only for Jolyne to elbow him as Sojiro's ears perked up, before he shrugged.
"Need a hand?" Jolyne asked, and Sojiro shook his head.
"Nah, I've got it. Takemi-san's normally my last customer on Fridays. I've just gotta clean up, then I'll head home." Boss answered, and Jolyne nodded as she headed up the stairs. She set the bag on the bed and unzipped it, allowing Morgana to exit.
"Finally! I thought I would never-wait, what is this place?" Morgan's stated as he looked around the attic. "Are you living in some sorta abandoned house?"
"Eh, it's honestly starting to grow on me. Could be worse." Jolyne replied, when Sojiro's head appeared from the stairwell.
"I knew it! I thought I heard meowing!" He accused, walking over to the two. "What's the meaning of this?!"
"I found it outside the school. It looked abandoned, so I gave it some food." Jolyne 'explained', and Sojiro glared at her.
"Why'd you bring it here? This is a restaurant for crying out loud."
"He started following me, and I didn't have the heart to chase him off. I mean, look at that face." Jolyne gestured to Morgana, who took the hint and began putting on his cutest, most pathetic face. Sojiro crossed his arms, before he sighed.
"I…suppose having a pet to take care of might help you stay on good behavior. Fine, it can stay." Jolyne grinned and wrapped Sojiro in a hug.
"You're the best, Boss!"
"Yeah yeah. We're gonna have a few rules though." He stated as he wriggled out of her grip. "It stays up here at all times, especially during business. If I see that thing wandering around downstairs while I've got customers, I'm kicking it out. And I better not see any hair in my ingredients. Understood?" Jolyne nodded. "Good. Now, I'll kick a little extra into your allowance to let you afford food, but other than that, it's on you to keep it fed and watered."
"Sir yes sir." Jolyne replied, and Sojiro nodded, before heading back downstairs.
"Was that the ruler of this place?"
"Essentially."
"He seems pretty understanding, even though he keeps you locked up here in this dump." Jolyne just shrugged.
"Eh, he's not so bad. I can tell he's a big ol' softie." As soon as she said that, Sojiro reappeared, holding a saucer of milk.
"It just had to keep calling out in that cute little voice…" Sojiro muttered as he set it down in front of Morgan's, who eagerly lapped it up. "Make sure you wish that dish when he's done. So…have you decided on a name?"
"Morgana."
"Weird name for a cat. I was…hoping I'd get to name it." Sojiro said, and Jolyne smirked. He simply glared at her, and left before she could taunt him, and Morgana laughed.
"The chief likes me more than youuuu." He tainted in a singsong voice.
"That's only because he can't understand you." Jolyne replied, and Morgana looked…unsure about something. "What's on your mind?"
"Well, remember how you asked me what I am?"
"Yeah. What about it?"
"Well, I…honestly don't know what I am. I can't remember anything about my birth. I just woke up in this form one day."
"Nothing? Seriously?" Morgana nodded.
"I've come to the conclusion that the Metaverse's distortion may have taken away my memories and my true form." Jolyne's eyes widened.
"Wait, so the same thing might happen to us if we stay in there for too long?"
"No. At least, I don't think so. As far as I can tell, this was done to me somehow."
"You think someone did this to you?"
"I…I'm not sure. But what ever explanation can there be for why I can talk like this? I've gotta be human…" Morgana contemplated as he 'frowned', and Jolyne sat down next to him, scratching his head.
"There's an answer out there, I'm sure of it. I promise, we'll help you find whatever that is." He looked up at her, a gleam in his blue eyes.
"Really?" She smiled nodded, and he 'smiled.' "Thank you so much!"
"No problem." She replied, and her phone chimed. It was a message from Ann.
AT: Thanks for everything.
JC: Don't mention it.
AT: No seriously, I mean it.
AT: if you hadnt spoken up when you did…
AT: well, I'd probably be dead by now.
AT: sorry, I'd just realized that I hadn't properly thanked you or anything.
JC: just buy me dinner sometime to make up for yesterday
AT: it's a deal.
AT: see you tomorrow.
Jolyne just smiled, setting her phone down as Morgana finished his milk. She took the saucer downstairs, washed it out, and came back up. With nothing else to do, she changed into her pajamas, let her hair down, and went to bed. Although at some point in the night, Jolyne felt a heavy weight curled up on her chest…