This idea has been in the corner of my mind for months, and I finally found enough motivation (or spite, because I was starting to think about it when trying to write my other stories) to properly write it. It won't be a very long story: a chapter per Confidant Rank, a prologue and epilogue, and perhaps one or two interludes.
Keep in mind, this is a Ritsuka Fujimaru that only did part 1. Additionally, her journey did not end as happily as it did in game. The story shall reveal it all in time. I hope you enjoy it.
The Aeon, Rank 0: Prologue
"Hey, Amamiya-kun. Can we talk?"
Ren turned around to look at the orange haired girl that had just taken a turn from the school exit to meet his path. To be frank, he was curious as to why the third-year girl wanted to speak to him about, as Makoto had told him she had shown interest about their group. However, he had a meeting with the team to prepare for a Memento excursion and he prided himself on being on time as the leader.
"Shouldn't you be in volleyball practice?"
"Nah, the session has been called off. It's fine, we can talk on the way to the Shibuya. Wouldn't want to be late with everyone, right?"
Alarm bells ringed off in the mind of Ren. It was far too precise to be a coincidence. No one was supposed to know he was going to meet others near the subway; they always took different paths at one point or another to avoid appearing together near school.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to interfere. I just want to talk a bit, is that alright?"
Her playful tone clashed with the seriousness of the situation. She definitively either suspected or was aware of their activities. On the other hand, she could have turned them to the principal if she wished so, the man was still determined to find lead about the Phantom Thieves even after Makoto told him she dropped the case.
"I don't think we can weasel ourselves out of this easily. Let's play along and maybe get her to talk on the way." Whispered Morgana from his bag. He nodded, both to Morgana and to the senior who smiled cheekily at him.
"Don't think you'll get my secrets that easily, Amamiya-kun." She said as they started to walk, and the words almost made him stop in shock.
"Did she just answer me?" Panicked the cat from his bag.
This time, there was no other possibility. The girl definitively answered to Morgana. She had been to the Metaverse before. Thousand possibilities raced through Joker's mind, but he kept walking the same assured yet hunched way, as they moved toward the train that would take them to the entrance of the subway in Shibuya. They couldn't manage to find a free seat and simply stood in the crowded metro, allowing Akira the time to better examine the girl who was apparently very comfortable with the situation. There was no mistake in saying she was older than Makoto. In fact, one could think she had already finished her high-school years. Her orange hair and amber eyes were her most striking features, complemented by her surprisingly muscular frame. According to the rumors that had, to his gratitude, replaced the ones about him if only in part, she had been studying abroad for almost two years with a scholarship from the United Nations, coming back recently (a bit after the start of the Madarame incident, if his memory served him right) to finish her school year at Shujin. The return of such an elite student had been the delight of the school staff, in pressing need of another topic than Kamoshida to be the subject of talk about Shujin. The journey to the building accessway passed in a blur, the girl merely exchanging small talk.
"Fujimaru-san?" Asked Makoto, to which the girl simply made a friendly wave of hand.
"Oh man, how did you get to have such a hottie with you on the way?" Lamented Ryuji, missing the implications of her presence entirely.
"What am I, chopped liver?" Asked Ann with indignation, who had certainly made the way here with him today.
Before they could bicker further, Morgana jumped from Akira's bag and stood on the barrier, shutting it down with two words.
"She knows."
Instantly the mood soured, all gazes falling on Fujimaru who just shrugged under the pressure of the shocked, defiant, analytic, calculating, and wary looks.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to tell." She said, taking a relaxed posture on the barrier. "It's not like I'm against what you're doing."
"How long have you been spying on us?" Interrogated Makoto suspiciously.
"I didn't spy." Protested Fujimaru. "You pulled me in when I was about to meet you in Shibuya a week ago."
Joker's mind jumped on the memories of that day. They did enter Kaneshiro's Palace that day. Was she that close and they didn't notice? They had been particularly pressed that day and immediately rushed to the flying bank to finish preparing the escape route. A look into the other's expression told him they arrived at the same conclusion.
"That was surprising, but when I realized it wasn't dangerous, I just waited for you to come back. Sure enough, you did and a few minutes later the whole space returned to normal."
"You must have an impressive mental fortitude to react like this under the circumstances. But why didn't you approach us at the time?" Pointed out Yusuke.
"I thought to, but then that app installed itself on my phone. I wanted to be sure before doing something rash. I followed you three days ago when you went under the subway to check if there was a link, and sure enough, I went after you." Explained Fujimaru, showing her phone where, as expected, the red eye of the navigator was brightly visible.
"That sound… plausible." Admitted Morgana, his tail flicking left and right. "Now what? You can't have cornered us like this without something in mind."
"Of course not. I'm going to help you."
That was not what Joker had been expecting to hear. And neither the others, as the loud "For real?" from Ryuji attested before the blond developed his thoughts.
"I mean, it's nice of you but…"
"You must realize we cannot bring you along. I'm sorry, Fujimaru-san, but it's far too risky." Insisted Makoto.
"It's dangerous. Like, seriously dangerous." Completed Ann.
"I know. That's why I want to help you."
Fujimaru had crossed her legs and arms, for the first time seeming entirely serious. His skillful Proficiency led him to recognize at her posture that she wasn't just blowing hot air, that her suggestion was much more serious than he had thought at first. It reminded him of Makoto's attitude, but… more mature.
"Let's try it once, alright? One time, and if I don't convince you, I won't bother you again." She proposed, looking at Akira right in the eyes.
Against his own thoughts, Joker's instinct was telling him she may be more of an asset than any of them realized. His dauntless Guts gave him the necessary energy to face down his doubts and reassure his teammates, arguing that they would surely be able to cover her while she showed if she had what it took or not.
"Are you sure? This is not something we can easily cover if something happens." Pointed Makoto, still unconvinced.
"I guess all of us more or less stumbled into it, right? She might be able to help us." Admitted Ann.
"Yeah, true. I mean, I would also want to help in her place. It wouldn't be right to just deny her." Supplied Ryuji, evidently sympathizing.
"In any case, it would be wiser to keep her at arm's length rather than just push her away." Provided Yusuke. "I vote for leaving her a chance."
"Even if I would prefer to not have her involved, we can't really let her arpent Memento by herself." Pointed out Morgana. "Since we were already going in, it's the perfect opportunity."
Makoto thought about it for a moment, before finally casting her vote in favor, making the decision unanimous. Joker nodded before turning to Fujimaru, who had been waiting patiently on the side.
"So?"
"You've got your chance."
"Thank you."
Shifting, swirling and expanding, the Metaverse encroached upon reality. The Phantom Thieves stood ready, each one of them wearing their determined spirit as mask and clothes, the cognitive texture overwriting their false arms into weapons. Joker pocketed his phone, the mysterious navigation software having once more fulfilled its function. However, the tension inhabiting the group was different than usual as they descended the stairs toward Mementos.
"I'm jealous, those outfit rocks even more up close." Whistled Fujimaru, her clothes still the same.
"I know, right?" Grinned Skull. "Who do you think got the best?"
"Heh, I'd say Makoto. She got that biker gang aesthetic juuuust right."
"Oh." Slumped the blonde. "By the way, we use code names in the Metaverse, since we aren't sure if using our real names is safe. Mine's Skull."
"I'm Panther."
"Queen."
"I have chosen Fox."
"I'm Mona here. And Ren is Joker."
"As in, the ace of the deck? Got it." Commented Fujimaru, looking around with cautious curiosity. "I guess I'd have to find one too."
"Let's not be hasty. First, we need to know what you will bring to the table." Tempered Mona, jumping above the turnstile at the bottom of the stairs. "Since you don't have a Persona, you won't be able to fight back against the Shadows."
"I'm not really cut for the frontlines anyway."
"Really? What do you do then?" Asked Skull, kicking the turnstile open.
"I'm very good at organizing people, especially in dangerous situations."
"A manager, huh? That sounds useful, but are you sure it will apply against Shadows? I really don't want to see you hurt." Questioned Panther, obviously worried.
"There is only one way to find out." Said Fox. "Mona, if you would."
"Here I go! Morgana, transforms!" With a theatrical yell, Mona jumped in the air and in a poof of smoke became a large meowing van, making a turn on the rails.
"Huh. Neat." Commented Fujimaru, deadpan.
"Neat?" Yelled the Mona car, almost choking in outrage. "Who react to a cat transforming into a van with ''Neat?''"
"I mean, that's pretty old news by now…" Snidely commented Skull.
Joker smirked inwardly as Skull and Mona started bickering, but the look he exchanged with the rest was telling. Either Fujimaru had nerves of steel, or she spied on them more than she admitted. Stopping the fruitless squabble, he took the conductor seat as usual before driving into the darkness. The plan was simple. Jump on some of the weak Shadows to let Fujimaru see them operate, then let her take the reins for one battle. If she proved her worth, they would proceed as planned to their target for today's expedition, Kazuya Makigami. Otherwise, she agreed to be left at the entrance of the subway until they came back.
"I wonder how deep this place is." Mused the orange-haired girl as they descended into the next floor.
"Beat me. I feel like it could go on forever." Commented Skull, lazily watching the side of the road.
"Quiet, Shadows spotted!" Interjected Mona before Joker pressed the accelerator.
Ramming at full speed in the towering mass of blackened tar in humanoid form, the Phantom Thieves instantly jumped off the car to get into position. The Shadows barely reformed into their individual forms when Joker called upon Arsene and sent a mass of darkness at them, instantly destroying one and knocking another on the ground. In a short time, all the enemies were destroyed by the group, leaving tenebrous red tendrils to disperse in the void. The next few groups of enemies were annihilated all the same but unexpectedly, they found the stairs before finding the test group of enemies they wanted for Fujimaru.
"Do we go on the next path now, Joker?"
"Let's proceed."
The enemies of the next path were still too weak to endanger the group, especially if they were vigilant. A quick round of vote confirmed his decision, and they took the path deeper into Mementos. Before long, they found a mass of wandering Shadows in the distance.
"Alright, Joker will let you give the orders. Since you don't have a Persona, the backline will keep you safe. If anything happens, we'll resume our usual tactics. Are you ready?" Asked Mona, his engine ready to burst to life.
"Let's go." Confirmed Fujimaru.
With a burst of speed, the cat van took the Shadows by surprise and rammed it violently, stunning its component entities. The Phantom Thieves and Fujimaru jumped out of the car and Mona transformed back into his cat form. Joker, Panther, Fox and Skull rushed forward as the frontline, leaving Queen and Mona to watch their surroundings and protect Fujimaru. Right as they all took place the Shadows materialized completely, taking the form of two knightly angels and three menacing owlmen, still stunned by the impact.
"Skull, thunder the angel near you! Panther, sleep the other and move to the right! Yusuke, circle clockwise and peppers the owls! Joker, gun ready!"
The sharp and shockingly quick commands took the thieves by surprise for an instant before they acted on them. Captain Kidd surged behind Skull and shot lightning, paralyzing a winged knight while the other dozed off under the influence of Carmen's spell. The owlmen couldn't move around, their wings pierced by the hail of bullets unleashed by Fox, one of them already disappearing. One of the owlmen broke through it using his comrades as living shield and rushed madly toward the closest Phantom Thief, Panther, claws ready.
"Shoot!"
Joker's bullet nailed his bullet right through the skull of the Shadow at Fujimaru's order, killing it instantly before it could get closer to Panther. Without even acknowledging the result the girl kept going.
"Panther, burn the other! Skull and Fox, finish your knights!"
Panther angrily summoned her Persona to incinerate the owlman used as a living shield right as Fox ditched his assault rifle to summon Goemon, his circling having positioned him right near the sleeping angel. The spectral figure executed a powerful rising slash on the sleeping angel at the same time Skull summoned Captain Kidd to crush the still paralyzed knight. As the red volutes left of the Shadows dissipated harmlessly in the air, all the Phantom Thieves could hear was the sound of their own breathing.
"That was... something." Said Queen, at a loss for words. The battle barely lasted a dozen seconds.
"Where did she learn to lead like that?" Whispered Mona incredulously.
"Does it mean I made a good impression?" Asked Fujimaru with fake innocence, hands on her hips and tilting her head.
"Your acting sucks ass…" Sweatdropped Skull.
"That aside, it was a brilliantly conducted battle. I daresay this was an enlightening experience." Said Fox approvingly.
"No kidding. I'd swear she literally predicted what would happen." Threw Panther, still remembering how quickly the Shadow that targeted her had been stopped in its tracks.
"What do you say, Joker?" Asked Mona, everyone turning to him.
The leader of the team examined the girl watching him with quiet resolve. She was good. Too good. As much as it stung to admit, a lot of the group's acrobatics and abilities came with the enhancements their Persona gave them. Yet without one, she planned and reacted at a speed that impressed even him. Whether or not he approved, she was too suspicious to not keep a tab on.
"We'll decide later. She could be a great addition to the team."
"Thank you, Joker. For considering it." Smiled Fujimaru.
Finishing their tour of Mementos by completing the request, they drove back through the shifting corridors, taking care as to not get the attention of Shadows.
"Hey, anyone has an idea for codename yet?"
"Skull, we haven't decided if she will join the team yet." Reminded Fox.
"Come on, with good how she did? Anyone doubting it?" Insisted the blond, with no one voicing objections.
"Do you have something in mind?" Asked Mona.
"How about Master?" Proposed Fujimaru.
"Not happening." Instantly shot down Panther.
"Alright, alright, I was joking. What about Senpai?"
"Bit too obvious, no?" Pointed out Ryuji.
"Maybe Control?" Advanced Makoto, but Fujimaru shook her head.
They exchanged more for a bit but couldn't find a nickname they all agreed on, so they decided to report the choice for later. But as often, Mementos did not heed their wishes for a peaceful return and they found themselves cornered in a narrow corridor, jumping into an easy but frustrating battle.
"Alright, my turn!" Yelled Ryuji after a handshake from Joker who just zipped by and shot down a flying red fairy. "Take that!"
His persona shot lightning at the red armored and horned knight, shocking it into submission. The frontline instantly surrounded the still surviving Shadow, gun pointed in a holdup.
"I lost. Here I lay, at your feet, at your mercy. Just what do you want from me?" Grumbled the Shadow, his spear laying low.
"Give me something." Said Joker, pistol ready. If his hunch was correct, this Shadow was the missing piece to fulfill the request of the Twins.
"Ah, greed. I suppose it is a valid reason not to kill." Assessed the knight slowly and almost bitterly. "What it your desire, then?"
"Lend me your power."
"So that is your move… Let us talk first. I need to see if you are worthy of me."
Joker barely noticed as Fujimaru approached carefully and slowly, curious. The situation was under control, so he kept his attention on the Shadow.
"… When you have hurt someone, their heart might be clouded by anger. Don't you think expecting your would-be victim to be receptive to your words is unreasonable?"
"I don't." Snapped Joker back, earning an approving hum from the red knight.
"Good. It is the loser's responsibility to listen and learn from their victor…"
The Shadow fell silent for a few seconds before speaking again.
"I am curious. If you are here, in a place you do not belong to, this so-called real world you come from must be fairly boring."
Joker hesitated, unsure as to how better garner approval from the Shadow.
"It's better than here." He finally replied. The contemptuous grunt he got in answer quickly told him he chose wrong.
"A gray place full of mindless automatons, better than this vivid world of thoughts and desires?"
"It is still our world. It may not be the best, but we push on all the same."
The knight suddenly turned his head aside. Joker instantly cocked his gun threateningly before realizing it was only looking intently at Fujimaru, who had just spoken and was sending back a focused stare at the Shadow.
"You feel… familiar. I wonder if us speaking together like this means that we are somehow connected…"
"It could be. I've met a lot of people in the last years."
The trailing, longing voice of the orange haired girl roused the curiosity of Joker, who nonetheless kept his weapon squarely toward the Shadow. The being was now entirely focused on his upperclassmen,
"You, who lack the power of your comrades, cannot fight. And if that is the case, why do you not stop this futile endeavor? It is meaningless..."
"I can't stop. Someone has to do it."
Joker had expected the answer to be bravado, yet he could only hear cold resolution. Something in his gut told him Fujimaru meant every word.
"Fate must have you shackled too, if… Wait. I remember now."
The red knight and his horse suddenly stood up, and Joker recognized the sudden change in attitude. The Shadow was breaking its mental chains, reclaiming its identity as a creature born of the collective unconscious. Usually, it would mean joining him as a new mask, but given his failure to keep it wholly interested, it could also mean relinquishing money or a useful item.
"I remember. I am not a Shadow of this place… I am a Demon born from human wishes, who obtained a Designation as one of the seventy-two!"
That… was not what he was expecting to hear. Even more surprisingly, Fujimaru seemed to react to it and her entire body shifted into tense anticipation, as if she expected to either run or fight.
"I am Eligor, fifteenth of the Goetia. From now on I will fight for you, my Master."
The horned knight and his steed bowed down, before dissolving into red tendrils that converged toward Fujimaru. Before anyone could react, they plunged onto her right hand and disappeared, leaving only what looked like an ornamental red tattoo upon her flesh. She looked at it. And thena single word escape in bewildered confusion from five mouths.
"WHAT?"
The group quickly fell into disorganized chatter.
"Dude, what the eff?"
"Could she be like Joker?"
"How? She doesn't even have a Persona!"
"It is true she has no mask still…"
"Hey Mona, care to explain?"
"I have no idea!"
"Aren't you supposed to know those things?"
"Oh, shut up, numbskull!"
"What did you call me?"
"Stop it! Now is not the time!"
Joker's exclamation silenced everyone, reminding them exactly where they were and what the consequences of staying too long in the same place could bring. Fujimaru said nothing, looking at the red tattoo upon her closed fist as if it was about to catch on fire.
"Let's go. We did what we came to do." Said Queen, while Mona changed back to a minibus.
Without further words they all climbed into it and drove back the entrance, an uncomfortable silence permeating the whole journey. Only when they were before the stairs leading back to the surface it was broken by Mona.
"Alright, I think now is the time to spill the beans. Do you have anything to say?"
The Phantom Thief's voice was heavy with suspicion, one shared by the rest of the team. They have seen many things over the past months, and perhaps in other circumstances they would have written it off. Right now, they were remembering the person they brought in admitted spying on them, and displayed abnormal behavior and ease in battle, their previous trust they were starting to put in her turning into greater defiance. Fujimaru's face was stone-like, her marked fist still clenched with her other hand. The Phantom Thieves instinctively took defensive postures, arms ready as a familiar swirl of black and red gave birth to the horseman. The Shadow looked upon them with palpable defiance as the horse moved between them and its… master? The lance was down, with no threat beyond an implicit promise of protection to the orange-haired girl, yet all of Joker's instinct told him the Shadow was a lot more dangerous than before.
"It really isn't a Persona." Whispered Panther, a hand on her hip and close to her gun.
"No, it's not, but I'm not sure it's still a Shadow… something feels different. I can't get a proper read on it." Said Mona, looking at the Shadow up and down.
"If I may ask, Fujimaru-san, are you certain to have control over this creature?" Brought up Fox, a pertinent point that rung alarms in Joker's mind.
"Fear not, young rebels. As many figments of thoughts surrendered themselves to your leader, I have sworn fealty to my Master."
"It freaking talks?" Blurted Skull.
"Mere Shadow I am no more. I have reclaimed my true nature as a Demon, a being born of human wishes."
"I can't believe what I'm hearing. A demon? An honest to god demon?" Asked Panther with total disbelief.
Joker kept his thoughts to himself, looking at Fujimaru.
"Thank you. But please, leave." She whispered, and for an instant Joker thought she was talking to them. However, the red knight and his mount bowed and disappeared, once again seemingly returning to the tattoo on the girl's hand.
She was leaning on the wall, head down, eyes hidden under her bangs. The tension was still there, but a creeping feeling of unease was slowly replacing it, as the Phantom Thieves were realizing where they were standing. Surrounding their classmate back to the wall with arms ready, six against one, like...
"This is so wrong." Muttered Panther, lowering her gun. "Guys…"
Joker moved aside to break the encirclement, purposely showing his empty hands in evidence, and the same realization slowly made its way through the rest of the Phantom Thieves. One by one they lowered their weapons, shame written all over their posture.
"I'm…"
"It's alright." Dismissed Fujimaru, cutting Panther in her tracks. "I get it. It's not like I expected that to happen either. Anyone would be jumpy."
Despite trying, and somewhat succeeding, to put cheer and insouciance into her voice, tt was pathetically obvious to Joker that she was putting up a brave front, and a single look at his team showed him they were arriving at the exact same conclusion, even Ryuji. When she spoke again, all traces of nonchalance were gone.
"I don't know why it happened. I know it looks suspicious… but I only want to help you. I can't stand by when I know you risk your lives in here. But if you can't trust me… I'll understand."
Joker saw his comrades look at him expectantly, waiting for his input, for his decision.
"Let's think this through later, with a clear head." Declared Joker, and everyone nodded, Fujimaru included.
They left the Metaverse. Fujimaru exchanged number with Joker at his request but declined the clumsy proposition of Ryuji to help getting her home. A bit of her playfulness returning as she asked the blond if he always played the gentleman with ladies, embarrassing him just enough before thanking him and taking her leave. The group separated soon after, the sun setting nearly at the exact same time he reached Leblanc, but his instinct told him the calm wouldn't last long, something confirmed when his phone started to vibrate irregularly. After moving up and laying down on his bed, Ren scrolled the team conversation.
Ryuji – Man, I feel like an asshole.
R – Can't believe we almost mobbed her.
Ann – I feel so bad too.
Makoto – Even if she is suspicious, we went too far.
Yusuke – Even if we don't take her in the team, apologizing is the least we can do.
Y – I believe the sooner is it done, the better it will be.
"Looks like everyone is still thinking about it." Observed Morgana, ears down. "I don't feel proud of what happened either. This isn't how the Phantom Thieves should be acting…"
A – Makoto, don't you spend time with her?
A – At school.
M – Not really.
M – I was tasked to have her integrate smoothly by the principal.
M – Beyond answering her questions, we barely spoke together.
A – I see…
A – Maybe we can see her after school?
M – She should be free after practice.
M – Not at the usual place though.
Y – Why not meet at Leblanc?
Y – It is private enough.
"Yup, I think this would be the best place as well." Commented Morgana, yawning. " You have her number, right?"
Ren – I will call her.
R – Thanks, dude.
The adolescent scrolled to the recently added number and called. It rang once, twice, before the call was answered.
"Hello, Amamiya-kun. What do you want?"
"Are you free tomorrow afternoon?"
"I don't have anything after pratice." Said Fujimaru, neutral. "Did you reach a decision?"
"First, we want to apologize. All of us."
The line went silent for a moment, before a soft, relieved sigh reached his ears.
"I see." Her tone became more natural, more free. "I appreciate it. Where are we going to meet?"
"Cafe Leblanc. Have you heard of it?"
"Nope. Give me the address." He promptly did. "Alright. We'll see each other there then. Good night."
"Good night."
She hung up, and Ren quickly sent a message to the team to announce the new.
"I feared she would want nothing to do with us after that." Admitted Morgana, rolling on the side of the bed. "Let's go to sleep."
Following the cat's advice, Ren soon pulled the sheets above him, and fell into a thankfully dreamless sleep…