Miss Violet: Time to start class!
Persona V: Reversing the Wheel of Fate
Chapter Sixty-Six
[Opening Scene: Shibuya – Okumura Residence (Living Room - Morning)
Theme of Tenderness: Brand New days -The Beginning- from Persona 3: FES]
"So, you unlocked your limits?" Ren asked with surprise in his voice.
Ryuji nodded with his cheeks still red from the group hug that he had been assaulted with when everyone realized he was awake. Ryuji was a slow learner, that much was true, but he still learned, so when he woke up, he didn't expect much.
He expected his friends to be happy that he was awake, not the cuddle puddle he wound up in the middle of. Even now, they all sat around him, with Ann to his right and Ren to his left. "Yeah, but it came with some heavy risks," Ryuji answered. "Until my body heals, I'm cut off from Captain Kidd and the Metaverse will practically destroy me if I enter it without the good Captain."
"Can any of us do it?" Hifumi asked from the floor, with Haru occupying the spot in front of Ren's legs and Ryuji's left leg.
"I don't know," Ryuji answered. He then slumped his shoulders and whined, "But I wouldn't risk it. I feel like shit."
"You took a big risk, Ryuji," Morgana stated as he lay on Shiho's stomach while the girl lay across the laps of Ren, Ann, and Ryuji. "I should have been here. Maybe I could have turned the tide…."
"It was pretty bad. Especially after Shiho went down," Mishima added from the floor, with Yusuke drawing in the notepad beside him in front of Ann's legs and Ryuji's right leg.
Ryuji noticed Haru and Shiho flinch in response to his comment and quirked his eyebrow in response.
Okay, something happened there….
"While things were bad," Shiho started. "We managed to save our friends and gain a new persona user."
"Yeah…." Haru murmured.
"It is amazing how many of us there are now," Ren grinned. "We have enough to split up and take on two palaces at the same time."
"Speaking of which, what are our plans for both palaces?" Shiho asked.
Ren narrowed his eyes and answered, "I've been thinking about this since our meeting last night. Ryuji has the right plan on attacking them at the same time."
"Ambitious but smart. Having two targets confess their sins at the same time will only bolster our reputation as the voice of the voiceless," Morgana agreed.
"And that's bound to make us a serious contender for others to reach out to us on the Phansite," Mishima added.
"Sounds like we have a plan," Ryuji said. "It's going to suck sitting on the sidelines though…."
"It's not too bad," Haru said, no doubt trying to cheer him up. "Besides, it's only temporary. You'll be back and better than ever."
"You better," Ren playfully threatened. "I need you back by my side as fast as possible, Moto-chan."
Ryuji snorted and punched Ren in the arm. "Yeah, yeah. I'll be back in tip-top shape just for you, Ren-Ren," Ryuji replied.
"So, a double assault," Yusuke thought out loud. "Risky but high risk equals high reward. Who shall go where, Ren?"
"Well," Ren muttered as he tucked his right hand beneath his chin in thought. "I figure Morgana, Mishima, Haru, and Hifumi will take on Mitsuyo's palace while Shiho, Ann, you, and I take on Madarame's palace."
"Sticking me with the new kids, huh?" Morgana grinned. "Alright. I'll whip you whippersnappers into shape."
Hifumi blinked.
"What's up?" Ryuji asked.
"Nothing, it's just that….. This is my life now," Hifumi stated.
"It doesn't have to be," Ren offered. "You have the power to use your persona, but you have a choice. You can turn away from this." Ren then turned to Haru and added, "Both of you."
[Theme of the New Allies: Synchronization fromTokyo Mirage Sessions FE]
Ryuji watched as Hifumi glanced at her hand. "The minute my shadow came into the world, it became my life," Hifumi murmured. "The time I had to turn away has long since passed. Especially with my mother…."
Hifumi paused and then clenched her hand into a fist. "I don't know why she has that place, but she was ready and willing to whore me out to anyone, all for profit. I have to stop her and everyone else like her," Hifumi told Ren. "And if joining the thieves officially will stop them all, then I'm in."
"Hell yeah!" Ryuji cheered. "And what about you, Haru? Down to officially clown with the Phantom Thieves now that you have a Persona?"
"It may have taken a while for me to wake up, but now that I've awoken to the truth of what my father has done and the cruelness of the adults that rule over us, I dare not slumber again," Haru replied.
Haru then giggled and for a moment, Ryuji felt a burst of somberness within his chest.
"It's time for me to be a heroine of justice for the voiceless. So, If no one has any objections, I'd love to throw my ax into the ring and become a full-fledge Phantom Thief," Haru announced.
"Well then, welcome aboard," Ren accepted.
Ryuji then watched a faint shimmer of pale violet light sparkle in Ren's eyes and for a moment, he thought he heard a faint voice whisper from Ren's direction:
"I am thou... Thou art I...
Thou hast deepened the vow within the hearts of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts.
Thou shalt have our blessings when thou chooseth to create a Persona of the Judgement Arcana."
What the hell was that about?
"So, you guys sticking to your old codenames?" Mishima asked. "Or will you both have new ones?"
"Pawn," Hifumi said without hesitation.
"That's a peculiar choice," Yusuke stated. "How come, Hifumi-san?"
"All this time, I've thought of myself as the Champ, when I was nothing more than my mother's piece. She rigged my games, she used my body, and she sold me off like a mere tool. Not only that, I've made countless, rookie mistakes that caused Ren, Yusuke, and myself to be captured, and put Ryuji, Haru, Shiho, Mishima, and Ann in danger. What I've come to realize is that I'm no Champ. I'm just a pawn. The lowliest piece in Shōgi. So until I find myself worthy, that will be my name codename."
Ryuji saw the concerned expressions on his friends' faces but Ren said, "Very well. But you are always free to change it when you think it's time."
"Thank you," Hifumi murmured.
"What about you, Haru?" Ann asked.
"I think I will change mine as well," Haru said. "And I have the perfect name in mind."
"Oh? What is it?" Yusuke questioned.
"Noir," Haru answered.
"Oh, that's French for "Black," right?" Mishima asked.
Haru nodded. "While we are justice, we are a darker shade of it. I might as well reflect that in my name. Besides, Beauty Thief is a mouthful."
"Perfect!" Morgana exclaimed, rolling his "Rs" like he was purring. "Well, welcome to the Phantom Thieves, Pawn, and Noir!"
Haru smiled and Hifumi nodded with a small grin.
"Well, since we have a game plan, we better get a move on," Morgana announced as he hopped off of Shiho's stomach and onto the table. "How far did you guys make it inside her palace?"
"The 56th floor," Haru answered.
"We had to pass by a lot of things. Hopefully, it'll be a short stint to her treasure," Mishima added.
"Alright, then Morgana, Haru, Mishima, Ann, and Shiho, you guys go explore the rest of Mitsuyo's palace. Ren, since you, Yusuke and Hifumi were missing, I think it's a safe bet for you guys to return home. You may want to scruff yourselves up quite a bit though. We did say you three were abducted," Ryuji told the group.
He then flushed at the impressed looks that Ren was giving him. "Sorry, I guess I haven't snapped out of leader mode yet," Ryuji sheepishly commented.
Ren only smiled and said, "You kidding me? You sounded like a perfect leader."
"Well, back when the track team was a thing, I was its captain," Ryuji said with a small smile. "But that was then, and you're the leader now."
"Well, that only means that you'll be my second in command," Ren told him.
Ryuji blinked in surprise.
"For real?" he asked.
"For real," Ren confirmed. "If something happens to me or if our teams are split, it would be good to have someone in that seat, and since you have experience, I can't think of no one better."
Ryuji smiled, feeling himself after that comment.
"Well, we have our orders," Morgana announced, his tone strange to Ryuji's ear. "Let's get going younglings! We have a palace to explore!"
[Scene Change: Present Time - TMS Arena (Morning)
Theme of TMS Arena: Class Change fromTokyo Mirage Sessions FE]
"The coast is clear," Ryuji announced as he walked back into the area where the portal to the entrance lay waiting. "You guys ready?"
The Phantom Thieves on duty nodded, their faces steeled with determination.
"You guys got this," Ren encouraged. "As long as you don't encounter any more devastatingly tough enemies."
"And if that happens, please don't hesitate in retrieving us," Yusuke implored.
"We got this," Morgana told the four teens. "Stop worrying."
"All the same, be safe," Hifumi told them while looking at Haru, who gave her a soft smile.
"We'll get us to the end, I promise," Haru replied.
"Yeah, safe and sound," Mishima followed.
"You all better," Ryuji warned. "Otherwise, I'll storm in there myself and kick all of your asses."
"You will not, you reckless idiot," Ann admonished. "You're lucky I even let you get out of the limo with how fragile you look."
"Ann-chan," Shiho chuckled. She then turned to Ren and said, "You guys be safe out here too. There is no telling what can happen…."
"No promises," Ren joked.
"Alright, goodbyes are done, let's jet!" Morgana exclaimed as he ran through the portal.
Haru smiled one more at Hifumi and then walked into the portal.
Mishima gave a wave as he walked into the portal, which Yusuke returned.
Shiho gave a hug to Ren and Ryuji and walked into the portal.
Ann wrapped her arms around both Ren and Ryuji in a tight hug. "You idiots stay safe, or else," Ann whispered with a lingering warning before she made her way into the portal after her group, sparing a wave to Hifumi and Yusuke as she did so.
The portal hovered for a few moments, visible to the outside world until it slowly turned ethereal, waiting to be used once again. "We should all get home," Ren announced. "I bet there will be hell to pay. Sojiro is going to be pissed."
"I doubt my mother cares, truthfully," Hifumi bitterly muttered. "I take that back, she'll care that her meal ticket is gone….."
"Aye, and I doubt Madarame has even noticed I've left as well," Yusuke sighed.
Ryuji and Ren exchanged a look.
"You know what? Let's go get a bite to eat," Ryuji offered.
"Eating sounds good," Yusuke murmured as his stomach growled.
"I could use a bite," Hifumi tacked on.
Ryuji turned to Ren, grinned, and asked, "Are you down?"
Ren grinned and answered, "Damn right I am. Let's go!"
"My man," Ryuji cheered. "Let's get some ramen!"
The group started their trek toward the nearest train station.
[Scene Change: Brothel of Fraud – 56th Floor
Theme of Brothel of Fraud: Club Zodiac from Persona 2: Eternal Punishment]
"Looks like the floor was fixed," Panther noticed as the group left the safe room. "That kind of blows, I kind of liked flying."
"Well, I for one, am glad that there will be no flying," Lioness dryly stated. She then looked around and asked, "Did you guys discover a way to go forward?"
"We didn't get a chance," Mage answered. "After Noir saved us, we quickly went back to the real world to get you and Ryuji out of here."
Noir crossed her arms in thought. "I do remember seeing a glass elevator chute that went up when I broke through the floor to save you guys."
"Really?" Panther asked. "Where?"
Noir walked to the glass window and pointed at the glass tunnel that went up to the ceiling from the stage. "How the hell did we miss that?" Panther asked Mage, who shrugged in confusion.
"Well, we have our way," Mona confirmed.
"Well, do we?" Lioness questioned. "I mean, last time, we had to distract guards and fight for the elevator key that led us here. It can't be that easy."
[Scene Change: Shibuya Central Street (Morning)
Theme of Central Street: Downtown from Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE]
"You didn't have to join me on my investigation, Takao-san," Makoto told her new acquaintance, Takao Eiko, as the duo walked down the central street of Shibuya.
Makoto didn't plan on seeing Eiko again but when she left Haru's penthouse, Eiko was just leaving her own to head to school.
After that, the girl decided to stick with her throughout the day. But Makoto was not going to hang out. She was going to prove to herself, to her shadow, and to everyone that has ever doubted her that she was not useless.
She was going to bring down her father's killer, Kaneshiro Junya.
"Nonsense," Eiko chirped with her hands behind her back. "I told you that I would repay you, Makoto-san, and I meant it."
"That much I see," Makoto said with a small smile.
"So, what's the plan?" Eiko asked.
"Well, I want to see if any of Shujin's students have been threatened by them," Makoto explained.
While she had seen some anonymous postings on the Phansite regarding some people on central street strongarming them, she wanted to see if she could talk to one of these people to find out more information.
But Makoto wanted to handle it as quickly and quietly on her own until she was able to get solid evidence.
"I bet they have," Eiko commented. "There have been rumors that those creeps often target teens like you and me."
"I wonder how they do it….." Makoto thoughtfully muttered, only for her to look up when she heard a girl scream.
"Leave me alone!"
Makoto grabbed Eiko and pulled her behind a parked car that sat in front of an alleyway.
"Look! It's happening…." Eiko whispered in concern and excitement from beside her.
Makoto looked up to see three slimy-looking men hassling a girl around her age.
The pretty young girl had mid-back length dark-blue hair that has bangs swept to the left where there are five hair clips clipped together with a hair tie on one of her hair strands and gray eyes.
She wore a beige sweater jacket with the Kosei High School emblem hanging off of it, a white collar shirt with a red ribbon with a blue trimmed, red and blue plaid mini skirt, black knee-length shocks, and dark brown loafers.
Makoto narrowed her eyes and whispered, "Stay here…."
Eiko nodded and Makoto quickly ran from behind the car and into the alleyway.
As Makoto ran closer, she could see the three men slowly turn around, and without hesitation, she leaped into the air and delivered a devastating roundhouse kick to the first man's face. She landed on the ground and landed two quick blows to the second man's stomach and when he doubled over, she sharply rose and performed an uppercut, taking the man off his feet and into the air.
"You bitch!" the third man yelled as he attempted to punch her, but Makoto grabbed the arm and forcefully bought the man to the ground in a kneeling position and landed a hard punch to the back of the head, sending the man crashing to the ground.
The three men groaned in pain as Makoto looked at the girl and asked, "Can you stand?"
The girl shakily nodded.
"Come on, let's get out of here," Makoto urged.
The girl nodded and quickly took off, but Makoto kneeled to one of the men and began to check his pockets. She managed to find a burner phone, some cash, and pictures of teens of all genders.
But what startled her was that they were all scantly dressed or even naked. Thankfully, she didn't see the girl she saved as one of the potential victims.
Makoto stood up and kicked the man in the stomach, causing him to groan. "Pig," she muttered with disgust and then walked out of the alleyway to where the girl and Eiko waited.
"Well, another girl saved. I'm starting to think it's a bad habit," Eiko joked as Makoto smiled at her.
"Must be," Makoto replied. Makoto knew that what she did was extremely dangerous, but what did it matter, when she was a dead girl walking? She then turned to the girl and asked, "Are you alright?"
The girl nodded with an awed look on her face. "Y-You saved me," she stammered. "I don't know how I can repay you…."
Makoto stared at her for a moment and then asked, "What's your name?"
"Oribe Tsubasa," The girl, Tsubasa, answered.
"If you want to repay me, you'll tell me everything those men tried to tell you," Makoto answered. "But not here."
"Bing Bang Burger?" Eiko questioned.
Makoto nodded.
"Big Bang Burger."
[Scene Change: Brothel of Fraud – 90th Floor (The Queen's Road)
Theme of Brothel of Fraud: Club Zodiac from Persona 2: Innocent Sin]
"I can't believe it was that easy," Lioness grumbled as the glass elevator opened to the top floor. While they had to battle a few shadows once they went down to the 55th floor, they were able to snag an elevator key from one of the defeated Twilight Prostitutes.
"Sometimes, Lady Luck shines down on—whoa….." Mona breathed as he got a good look around.
The elevator opened to reveal a hallway. The hallway looked as if it was solid gold. The walls, the tiles on the floor, and the chandeliers that dangled from a ceiling that wasn't visible were gold. And in the vast hallway were emerald columns with a gold base and gold flowers printed in random spots on each column.
And on the golden floor was a long emerald carpet that stretched from the elevator to the stairs that traveled to two tall emerald and gold doors in the distance.
The group then noticed that men in golden suits and emerald ties patrolled the area, with gold domino masks and a white silk scarf over the bottom halves of their mouths, that held the kanji for Hifumi's name on the front.
And in their hands were sheathed Ōdachi.
"Alright," Mona announced. "Let's get this done."
[Scene Change: Aoharu City (Morning)
Theme of Searching: Sad Memories from Tokyo Mirage Sessions FE]
How long had it been since she came here?
How long had it been since she delivered that terrible news?
How long had it been since she watched a small child shatter at her death?
She didn't know how long it had been, for since her death, she had been nothing more than a pale shadow of herself.
While she made peace with her death with the help of her sister, the memory of being in this city haunted her due to the devastation she had left behind it.
But now, she had come back.
Why?
"Ai…." A soft voice from her memory weakly murmured. "I-I need you to find my nephew. His name is Amamiya Ren….He lives in Aoharu city with my big sis….h-he won't understand why his I did what I did….w-watch over him….tell him that I-I love him and that I'll always be there…."
"I will," her past self's devastated voice promised.
"He'll be so lucky to have you in his life…." Her voice whispered. Despite how weak it was, she was at peace. "I sure am…."
She looked out over Aoharu City.
Back then, she wasn't strong enough to keep her promise.
But now….
She was ready.
'I'll find you, Amamiya Ren,' Aigis thought to herself.
'I promise….'
Miss Violet: And with that, class dismissed.