Captain Blues: Ahoy-hoy! Captain Blues of the SS FleetingDream is here! Let's start the show!
Persona V: Reversing the Wheel of Fate
Chapter Forty-Five
[Opening Scene: Metaverse – Museum of Vanity (Courtyard Gate)
Theme of Palace: A Woman from Persona 5]
"What the hell is this?" Skull whined as the four stared at the large blue peacock-like door protected by thick infrared lasers, blocking their progress through the palace.
"This level of security only proves that there is something worth protecting up there," Mona said as he crossed his little arms.
"Hey, I see a sign," Mage said as he walked to the golden sign and readout, "All personnel; This door can only be opened via the security room that lies beyond it…."
"Oh, fuck off with this," Skull groaned.
"Please be cautious, as this door is impossible to open from the outside…." Mage finished before he sighed. "Even if we could fly over the lasers, the door is completely closed off."
"So, it's never going to open?" Skull questioned. "Then how are we supposed to get through this dumpster's palace?"
"Wait, this door…." Mona whispered with narrowed eyes. "I think I've seen this pattern somewhere before."
"I'm getting that same feeling," Joker muttered as he narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
Something in his gut told him that he'd seen this door before. For some odd reason, he felt as if he had encountered this door before and managed to get passed it.
The solution was on the tip of his tongue.
"The shack!" Mona cried, "I remember seeing this same door in the shack! There's no doubt about it; And if we can get this door unlocked in the real world…."
"We can bypass these security measures because the door will unlock for us here!" Joker exclaimed before turning to Mona and saying, "We'll stay here. Get back to the real world and tell the others!"
Mona nodded and ran off.
"Let's go back to the Central Garden Saferoom and relax," Mage suggested.
"Good idea," Skull said as he rustled Mage's head. "Seeing as we'll be here for a hot minute."
Joker nodded and said, "Let's keep quiet, though. I don't feel like getting into another fight."
Mage and Skull nodded, but as the two began to walk away, Joker heard, "Inmate. Get over here!"
Joker turned to see Caroline glaring at him beside the Velvet Room door. Joker looked around and hissed out, "Now is not a good time, firecracker."
Caroline scowled as her cheeks turned red. "Now. Inmate," Caroline growled out.
Joker rolled his eyes and walked to the door and opened it, only for Caroline to boot him in the ass, sending him stumbling into it.
[Scene Change: The Velvet Room
Theme of the Velvet Room– Velvet Room from Persona 2: Innocent Sin]
"Did you really have to kick my ass on the way in here?" Ren asked Caroline, who gave him a smug smirk in response.
"Yes, Inmate. Yes, I did," Caroline proudly replied while Justine shook her head slowly.
"Troublesome," Justine mumbled.
Igor chuckled and said to Ren, "It seems you've gotten used to coming here."
"It's pretty decent. My Cobalt Snow Lily is here. My little Midnight Firecracker is here. You're here, Long Nose. It's chill," Ren responded before taking a step back as a blushing Caroline and Justine smacked their batons against the cell door.
"I love you both too, kiddos," Ren chirped.
"Yes, very comfortable coming here," Igor hummed thoughtfully. "Have you grown accustomed to infiltrating Palaces?"
"Hm, if fighting for my life against otherworldly monsters is growing "accustomed" to infiltrating Palaces, then no," Ren answered. "It stresses me the fuck out."
"Regardless, you have yet to obtain a truly acceptable number of Personas," Igor said, visibly displeased. "This is not the full potential of the power5 of the Wild Card."
"I'm sorry that I haven't caught all the Pokemon yet due to fighting for my life. Maybe you should give me some more pokeballs then so I can fix that," Ren snarked.
"Hm," Igor hummed, a spark of annoyance filling the man's eyes. "Then I suppose this is a prime opportunity to help further your rehabilitation along."
"I guess the Pokemon reference was a step too far?" Ren asked.
"Do not fret," Igor began with a toothy grin. "This assignment is not mandatory. Think of it almost as a test of strength."
"What's the deal then, Long Nose?" Ren asked.
"We will have you bring us the mask we specify," Justine calmly answered for her master.
"Meaning, Dimwit, you just gotta show us the Persona we ask for!" Caroline barked out.
"I guess I can do that," Ren grumbled. "What's the Persona then, my Little Cobalt Beauties?"
"I despise you," Caroline muttered as she covered her face.
"First off, we would like you to bring us a Jack Frost," Justine told him.
"At least make it harder!" Caroline yelled at her sister before she turned to Ren and said, "Bring us a Jack Frost with Mabufu. You got that, my…Curly….Hared Inmate?!"
"Aww, you really tried it," Ren said with a genuine smile. "Just for that, I'll be happy to bring you one."
Caroline blinked at this and began to sputter out a response. Taking pity on her flabbergasted sister, Justine cut in with a swift, "Very well. We await your return with the Jack Frost."
[Scene Change: Shibuya – Madarame's Shack (Afternoon)
Theme of Madarame's Shack: Disquiet from Persona 5]
"I'm not ready for this," Ann muttered as she stood across the street from the shack, while Shiho, Makoto, Haru, and Hifumi stood by her side.
"I mean, you actually kind of are," Shiho sheepishly told her. "It took us three hours for you to gather the courage to come here."
"Besides, we'll be with you every step of the way," Haru tacked on as she gave Ann her most encouraging smile.
"Thanks," Ann told them. "Alright, let's get to it."
"Wait!" Morgana shouted.
Morgana fell into view from the tree behind them and landed in between Hifumi and Makoto, causing them to blink in surprise.
Where had he just come from?
"Don't go in there just yet," Morgana told the group.
"What's going on, Morgana?" Shiho asked the tuxedo cat.
"We encountered a problem," Morgana sighed. "We made good progress on the Palace, but we came across a door that we can't get passed due to the intense security in front of it. I'm sure that way will lead us to the Treasure, but there is no way to access it from the outside."
"He's saying a roadblock occurred with the others. There is a door that they can't get through," Haru translated to Hifumi and Makoto.
"Anyways, a door is blocking their way towards the treasure," Ann stated as she turned around to face Morgana. "I wonder how they're supposed to pass it."
"Maybe there is a switch somewhere?" Haru asked.
"Okay, but what does this door have to do with us?" Hifumi questioned.
Makoto crossed her arms in thought. "Well," she began. "In Ren's notebook, he went into quite a lot of detail about how cognition works. I don't have it on me right now, but I bet it has something to do with that."
"Wow, you're brilliant, Makoto-san," Morgana told her. "Because you are correct. It has everything to do with Madarame's cognition!"
"He says that you hit the nail right on the head," Shiho told Makoto, making Makoto smile.
"Well, I'm not one of the smartest in my class for nothing," Makoto uttered as she scratched her left cheek.
"Cute," Ann murmured with a slight displeased tone. "So, Morgana, what's so special about this door?'
"Well, while you guys were talking to Yusuke yesterday, I did some scouting and saw a padlocked door on the second floor," Morgana explained.
"Which means there is something he doesn't want anyone to see," Ann concluded.
"Bingo!" Morgana chirped. "And since this shack is the basis of Madarame's palace, we get through that door; they get access straight to the Treasure!"
Haru translated this to the two girls, who both nodded. "But, what concerns me is this. How can we get that door open?" Haru asked. "And shouldn't we be trying to open it in the palace?"
"Well, once we have it opened in front of Madarame's very own eyes, it will unlock the door in his Palace," Morgana told Haru, with Shiho translating for him.
"I get it," Makoto said. "Because he'll see the door open here, the unopenable door in his palace will become openable."
"She wins again!" Morgana exclaimed, with Haru resuming her translation role.
"It can't hurt to try," Hifumi said. "But what about the lock?"
"I can handle that," Makoto said. "I just need a hairpin and some time, depending on the lock used."
"Wow, Ms. Class President knows how to pick locks?" Shiho teased.
"Of course," Makoto replied, as if it were completely normal.
"Perfect!" Morgana said, relieved. "This way, I can be with the others instead of fiddling with it myself. Also, that would make it easier for us to sneak into the control room to make sure the door can't close anymore after we're finished."
Shiho translated what Morgana said, causing the other girls to nod.
"So we'll need some time," Hifumi murmured, a plan forming in her head. "But now that we have a game plan, I have an idea to buy the time we might need for Makoto-san to pick the lock. Haru-chan?"
Haru turned to Hifumi with a quick, "Yes, Hifumi-chan?"
"Tell Botan to return here immediately," Hifumi then looked to Ann and asked, "This might be uncomfortable for you, Ann-san, but if you agree to this, you won't have to bare yourself to Kitagawa-san. Are you willing to hear me out?"
"Whatever your plan is, I'm all for it!" Ann exclaimed. "As long as I don't have to get naked."
Hifumi smirked and said, "Good. I hope you're comfortable with the heat."
[Scene Change: Shibuya – Madarame's Shack (Late Afternoon)
Theme of Madarame's Shack: Disquiet from Persona 5]
"While I was expecting Amamiya-san to be with you, I'm glad that you showed up at least," Yusuke said with his back turned, sorting through the various paintbrushes and paints. "After our discussion yesterday, I assumed you were lying when you contacted me."
"I'm sorry it was so sudden," Yusuke heard Ann apologize behind him.
"Apologies won't be necessary," Yusuke told Ann with a grateful tone. "But, we must make haste. Sensei will be returning in about twenty or thirty minutes. I can at least get your half done today and Amamiya-san's done tomorrow."
Yusuke then frowned to himself as he said, "So, um….I apologize if that causes some anxiety on your part."
He heard Ann mumble something and turned around with an inquisitive, "Did you say something?"
"Oh, nothing at all," Ann sheepishly replied.
Yusuke nodded before he took a good, long look at Ann's rather…plump and multi-layered form, and slowly asked, "By the way….Forgive me for asking, but…have you gained some weight?"
Ann let out a nervous laugh and replied, "You think so? I-I weigh the same as always….Maybe I'm bloated today."
Yusuke blinked before acknowledging her comment with a hesitant nod. "So, then, can you, um….get ready here?"
"R-Right! To take my clothes off, right?" Ann questioned.
Yusuke acknowledged her with a confirming nod.
"I'm a little embarrassed," Ann admittedly as she began to tug at the first layer of clothing. "Could you look the other way, please?"
"Why of course," Yusuke replied as he looked away.
"I cannot believe this is actually working," Shiho commented with a hushed tone as she heard Ann talking upstairs. "Hifumi is a certified genius."
"Well, she has to be, considering her skills with Shogi," Makoto told her. "But we need to get moving, if we're caught at the wrong time, we're screwed, remember?" Makoto whispered to Shiho.
"Right," Shiho mumbled before she and Makoto immediately tip-toed away from the
What they were doing was extremely risky. When Yusuke let them in, Ann had unlocked the door to give them access to the shack, so the other teen was unaware that they were trespassing.
After carefully tip-toeing up the stairs and creeping down the hall, barely missing catching Ann's panicked eyes as they passed the room she and Yusuke were in, the two came across the door that Morgana described.
"Bingo," Shiho whispered.
"Very ornate," Makoto murmured before she looked to Shiho and asked, "You have a hairpin?"
Shiho nodded and pulled a hairpin from her hair and handed it to Makoto. Makoto thanked her with a smile and observed the padlock. "Looks simple enough," Makoto whispered as she bent the pin and entered it into the padlock's keyhole.
"I still can't believe you know how to do this," Shiho whispered. "How much did your father teach you?"
"Tons," Makoto answered, her tone soft as a fond smile formed on her face. "He taught Sae-nee and I how to fight, how to get out of any situation and to always look underneath the underneath when investigating. He made sure to prepare us for anything and everything that could happen."
"He sounds like a smart man," Shiho told her.
"He was…." Makoto whispered, her movements faltering for just a moment.
"D-Did I say something wrong?" Shiho whispered.
Makoto remained silent as she shook her head and got back to work. "No, it's just….I try not to talk about him too much anymore…." Makoto answered after two minutes of silence.
"Did you two have a falling out?" Shiho asked her.
"No….He….He's just not around anymore," Makoto answered with a shuddered breath as she closed her eyes.
Shiho took stock of how sad and deflated Makoto looked and immediately understood what she was trying to say. Slowly, Shiho walked to Makoto's side, knelt to her, and embraced her as hard as she could.
"I'm sorry," Shiho whispered.
She felt how tense Makoto was against her for a moment before the other girl relaxed and before Shiho knew it, Makoto's arms were around her, returning her tight embrace.
Shiho could feel Makoto's body trembling against hers as if she was holding back tears as Makoto mumbled, "Thank you," against her neck.
Shiho gingerly rubbed Makoto's back and whispered, "I'm here, I got you."
She felt Makoto nod before the class president removed herself from her, revealing the grief-stricken expression on her face. "I'm sorry," Makoto weakly told her. "I know this isn't the time…."
"Don't be," Shiho whispered. "You should never apologize for expressing your emotions, especially if it's about someone that is no longer with us."
"I should be over it," Makoto admitted. "It's been so long. I should be used to him being gone but—"
"Grieving can take time, Makoto-san," Shiho gently interrupted. "It can take a day, a month, or even years to get over it. You don't need to feel shame about that…."
Makoto looked down but Shiho immediately put her hand on Makoto's cheek, prompting the girl to look back at her. "You don't need to feel ashamed, Makoto," Shiho told her with conviction in her voice. "At least, not around me or the others. We're here for you. Got it?"
Makoto nodded and Shiho bought her into another hug, which Makoto returned in earnest. The minutes ticked away as Shiho consoled her until they heard Yusuke's very close voice say, "Please, can you just wait and—"
"What's past here?" Ann's voice followed up, her fake "ditzy blonde" voice on full display.
"That's…." Yusuke's hesitant voice began.
Alerted, Shiho and Makoto separated from one another with red cheeks as Makoto swiftly continued to work on the lock while Shiho leaned against the wall to hide.
How long had they been hugging like that?
"I keep telling you, you can't—" Yusuke's voice cut in as Ann came into view and caught notice of the pair.
"Holy smokes, this isn't unlocked yet?" Ann whispered harshly.
"We had a bit of trouble," Shiho immediately cut in before she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.
She pulled out her phone and saw a message from Haru.
Haru: Hifumi and I see Madarame! He's here!
"Shit," Shiho whispered as she flashed her screen at both Makoto and Ann, who both stared in horror.
"I'm almost done," Makoto whispered.
"Is something the matter?" Yusuke's voice asked, prompting Ann to quickly turn away.
As Ann and Yusuke kept talking, Shiho heard a *click* and felt her eyes widen as Makoto pumped her fist and then gave her a thumbs up.
Shiho sighed in relief and Makoto quickly opened the door and snuck inside, just as Madarame's voice yelled, "I'm home!"
"It's opened," Shiho whispered to Ann as she followed Makoto into the room, with Ann running after her into the storage area, where the trio saw dozens of paintings inside.
"Huh?" Yusuke's baffled voice said from behind them. The trio turned around as Yusuke asked, "What is going on? What are you two doing here?"
"What are you doing there?!" Madarame exclaimed, prompting Yusuke to turn around to face his teacher.
"I-It's not what it looks like!" Yusuke fearfully explained as the trio could see a menacing frown appear on Madarame's face.
"Madarame is still too far to see the door open," Shiho whispered to Ann.
"Not for long," Ann whispered back before she quickly walked forward, grabbed Yusuke's arm, and dragged him into the storage area and the darkness of the room.
"Not in there!" Madarame yelled as Ann pulled him deeper into the room beside Makoto and Shiho.
"This is so bad," Yusuke told Ann, his voice trembling with fear.
"Where are the lights?" Shiho asked,
"I found the light switch," Makoto answered before the lights came on in the room, revealing not only themselves but copies of the Sayuri and one easel covered in a purple tarp.
"W-What?" Yusuke whispered in shock.
"These are the Sayuri," Ann whispered. "But why are there so many of them?"
"Something foul is going on," Makoto whispered as she eyed the paintings before staring at the covered easel.
"I can feel that too," Shiho whispered.
"Get out!" Madarame demanded as he stepped foot into the room. "All of you! Get out now!"
"Sensei, I-I don't understand," Yusuke stammered out as his eyes look over all of the Sayuri paintings before turning back to his Sensei. "What is the meaning of all this?"
Ann, Shiho, and Makoto watched as the enraged look on Madarame's face immediately became one of shame, and it made them immediately wary.
"I suppose I can't keep quiet now that you've seen this," Madarame sighed out. Madarame bowed his head and said, "The truth is, I'm in severe debt. I handmade these copies and have been selling through a special connection of mine…."
Shiho watched as Makoto's eyes narrowed at this comment.
"But why?" Yusuke whispered.
"The real "Sayuri" was stolen by one of my pupils a long time ago," Madarame explained. "I assume they begrudged my strictness. That moment was quite a shock for me. Since then, I've been mired in a terrible artist's block…."
"Because of this distress, some of my pupils handed their ideas over to me from time to time," Madarame continued.
Shiho then watched Ann scowl.
"I knew I couldn't keep that up, so I attempted to recreate my prized creation several times," Madarame told the pupil. "But of course, nothing could be better than the original, so I stored them here. That was when someone came to buy these paintings, knowing they were not the real thing."
Madarame's shoulder slumped as he bowed his head and whispered, "It's all my fault. I couldn't pay the price of being famous, and as expectations for me rose, it reached a point where I had no choice but to keep recreating these paintings….I just needed the money to further your talents. I ask that you please forgive your cowardly teacher…."
"Hold it!" Makoto exclaimed as she pointed at the artist.
[Theme of Objection: Objection! From Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney]
"If the original painting got stolen, how did you make copies of it?" Makoto questioned.
Madarame seemed surprised by this question but swiftly recovered with, "I happened to find a finely detailed photograph of it in an art book."
"So, you managed to sell copies of a photo of the original?" Ann spoke up next. "I'm not sure how this works, but don't people who buy paintings generally have a keen eye for the fine arts?"
"Exactly, Ann," Makoto followed up. "Sounds like a lie to me."
"What would you two know?!" Madarame shouted.
"Simple," Makoto answered as she looked back at the easel covered with a purple tarp. "Because the real one is right here!" and with a pull of the tarp, the Sayuri was revealed, causing Yusuke to gasp.
"The Sayuri…." Yusuke whispered as he stared at the painting.
"Behold, the real Sayuri," Makoto announced. "In all of its splendor."
"How curious," Ann murmured as she looked at the photo. "Didn't you just say that the Sayuri was stolen long ago by your rogue pupil moments ago, Madarame?" Ann asked as she turned to the artist. "If that is the case, why is this here then?"
"T-That's a replica!" Madarame exclaimed.
"With a stammer like that?" Makoto questioned, a smirk forming on her face. "I don't think it is."
"She's right," Yusuke whispered as he stared at the painting. "It's nothing of the sort…." Yusuke turned to Madarame with a heartbroken expression on his face. "Sensei, this painting kept me going. It's the reason I made it this far, why I put up with so much…."
Madarame scowled.
"Please, I am begging you, Sensei. Please don't tell me…." Yusuke started.
"It's a fake!" Madarame exclaimed as he stomped his foot hard. "Yes! A counterfeit! I heard there was a knock-off spreading around, so I bought it!"
"Interesting," Shiho stepped in. "So you're telling us that the actual artist behind the painting bought a counterfeit? Especially after telling us that you've been purposely making copies of the Sayuri to sell just moments before?"
"Yeah, it sounds a bit fishy, don't you ladies agree?" Makoto asked Ann and Shiho, who both nodded.
"You know what I think, Madrarame?" Makoto questioned. "You told the truth one time, that you create the copies to sell, but not for that pitiful lie you just tried to feed us. No, you're selling it for your own gain. And many people would pay top dollar for what they perceived as the "True" Sayuri."
"And since you bought it up earlier, I think you were telling the truth about one other thing. Let's bring up what you said about your students," Ann cut in. "'Some of my pupils handed their ideas over to me from time to time.' Is that what you said? Because I know for a fact that you've stolen their artwork. That painting that you proudly bestowed at your exhibit? The one that we met in front of? I knew that was Yusuke's from the start."
Madarame flinched.
"Ann has always been very aware of the feelings behind the work of all types of artists," Shiho began. "Ever since we were younger."
"Now I said to myself, I said, "Self? Why is this man blatantly posing someone else's work as his own?" I didn't have an answer before but now I do. Seeing as you so easily lied about why there are copies of the Sayuri, I think you're lying about everything. I bet that you willingly take their works and pose them as your own."
"Your students didn't willingly give you those paintings, did they?" Shiho asked him. "You're lying on them, just as you were when you told Kitigawa-san that you were making these knock-offs for his benefit. In actuality, you're a fraud. You took your pupils' works, for the same reason you made the fake Sayuri paintings. All for your benefit."
"And what of the ones you willingly stole from?" Ann asked the now sweating and scowling man. "I bet I can answer that. You lied to them too. You fed them the lie that you're securing their livelihood by stealing their works when in actuality you're securing your fraudulent legacy! And when they're unable or unwilling to give you more art, you cut them loose and blacklist them from their very dream."
Ann then looked at the Sayuri and said, "In this painting, I can feel love, pride, and sorrow ebbing from it. Something someone like you could never replicate, no matter how good you are. And if what I say is true, then I bet you took this one as well."
Ann then turned to the now pale man and hissed out, "And if so, I wonder how you managed to take it from the true artist."
[Theme of Cornered: Desire from Persona 5]
"Sensei…." Yusuke whispered. "Please tell us the truth…."
The room was choked with tension as the four teens stared at the revealed counterfeiter. Finally, Madarame sighed and said, "Oh well, I guess it can't be helped…." He pulled out his cellphone and began to dial a number as he said, "I've reported you all to my private security company."
"You what?" Yusuke whispered.
"I had it set up to deal with some problematic paparazzi," Madarame explained with a blasé air. "But I never thought it would come in handy. Until now that is."
"How despicable," Shiho hissed out.
"Wait! Let's talk about this!" Yusuke pleaded as he took a step forward.
"You can talk all you want to the police….That includes you, Yusuke," Madarame responded.
"Shit, we need to go," Ann whispered before she grabbed Yusuke and fled, with Makoto and Shiho running after them.
"There's no point!" Madarame exclaimed after them. "They'll be here in two minutes!"
The group ran down the hall as Ann pulled out her phone, "Yusuke, Makoto! Steel yourselves!"
"Ann?!" Shiho shouted with alarm as Ann pressed a button.
"Beginning Navigation."
[Scene Change: Metaverse – Museum of Vanity (Courtyard Gate)
Theme of Palace: A Woman from Persona 5]
"Whew, we did it!" Skull said as the group panted. "The security is done for good and we've made some good headway."
"We did," Mage panted out. "We should get to the others and then go home, I am exhausted."
"As am I," Mona sighed out.
Joker nodded, wiped the sweat from his brow, and said, "Let's just hope the others got aw—"
Joker was cruelly interrupted as Panther, Lioness, Yusuke, and Makoto fell from a portal in the sky, all of them screaming.
"Mage!" Joker immediately screamed.
"Lady Eilistraee!" Mage exclaimed, causing Eilistraee to appear in ethereal blue flames. She lifted her blade as her hair glowed a bright white light, causing the falling group to float in mid-air as she said, "May the gentle light guide you: Magravkaja."
"Thank you!" Mage chirped as his persona nodded and vanished.
"W-What is this?!" Makoto yelled as she hovered in the air, while Yusuke covered his mouth, his face turning green and his eyes in the shape of spirals.
"This is so cool!" Panther chirped as Lioness clung to her and Makoto tightly, shivering in terror.
"Well, I can't wait to hear this one," Skull said to Joker with a wry grin.
Captain Blues: And with that, the curtain falls. The next chapter will have Yusuke's awakening, some news between Haru and Hifumi, and team bonding, and that will be coming up in like a few days. So see you then!