Professor Violet: Hello Class. Today, we get more insight into things, such as recarm and the personas themselves. I hope you all enjoy!

Persona V: Reversing the Wheel of Fate
Chapter Seventy-Three

[Opening Scene: Shibuya – Okumura Residence (Nighttime)
Theme of Okumura Residence: Have a Short Rest from Persona 5]

"I cannot believe we pulled that off," Ren tiredly told Ryuji as the thieves walked into Haru's living room. "Two palaces in one go. This might be one for the books."

"Hopefully not another notebook," Ann teased, which caused Ren to laugh. "I really wasn't expecting to walk away from that alive."

"Yeah, we all really took a beating," Morgana said. "Especially Haru."

"Yeah, what exactly happened there?" Shiho asked.

Haru, who clung to Hifumi's side, shook her head. "Not yet, okay?" Haru softly pleaded. "I just want to sleep."

"And we should let her," Hifumi said as she tightened her hold around her girlfriend. "Come on, Haru-chan." Haru nodded and the two limped back to Haru's room, leaving the rest of the thieves in the living room.

"I believe that is our cue to rest as well," Yusuke said. He turned to Mishima and asked, "Will you be my roommate again?"

Mishima flushed and said, "Sure. We can swamp notes on what happened in our respective missions."

Yusuke gave a smile as he and Mishima walked off, with Yusuke holding the true Sayuri under his left arm, leaving the original Phantom Thieves alone.

"Man, it sounds like you guys really went through hell," Ryuji commented as the group made their way to the couch to sit down.

"We really did," Morgana confirmed as he hopped on Shiho's lap once she sat down. "Mitsuyo's shadow was….Was way out of our league. If Hifumi hadn't gotten enraged, I'm not sure if we could have won. Especially without Haru."

Shiho rested her head on Ren's shoulder and said, "So was Madarame's shadow. He was making these super-powerful clones that had he not started making counterfeits, we would have died."

"I wonder why they are so much tougher this time," Ren muttered to himself.

"Perhaps it's due to the new thieves," Arsène spoke within Ren's head.

[Theme of Soul to Soul: Persona's Door from Persona (PSP)]

The world darkened around Ren as Arsène, who wore Ren's visage except in his Persona uniform, sat behind him, with his back pressing against Ren's and the rim of his top hat hiding his eyes.

"The new thieves? You mean Haru, Yusuke, Hifumi and Mishima?" Ren asked.

Arsène shook his head and chuckled. "Not Haru and Yusuke. But Shiho, Hifumi and Mishima. I think it's because of them, along with a few others, that's causing such a difficulty spike," Arsène explained.

Ren frowned at this.

"I wish I could explain, admittedly," Arsène told him. "But things were not supposed to happen in the way that they have. And while most of it is familiar, like Madarame and Kamoshida, Mitsuyo was not…."

"I don't understand it…." Ren asked. "My gut feelings. They were working fine up until Mitsuyo's palace. And while it still works some with Madarame, I….I feel blind compared to Kamoshida."

Arsène sighed and said, "If I know, I could tell you. I'm sorry. But that is my theory."

"A theory is better than nothing," Ren told his Persona. "At least I have something to go on. Just tell me. Will things get any easier? And will I find out who these "others" are?"

"While I don't know who the others are, I do know this. Things are going to get harder, Ren. And we have to be ready for it," Arsène truthfully answered. "Be careful out there, Ren. We can't afford you dying….Not again…."

Ren's eyes widened. "Again?" Ren asked.

Arsène chuckled and whispered, "Keep your head on a swivel. And if you get caught unaware, don't worry. I will always remain by your side…."

And the world snapped back to normal.

[Theme of Okumura Residence: Have a Short Rest from Persona 5]

"Yo, Ren, you alright?" Ryuji asked with his hand waving in Ren's face.

Ran snapped out of it and looked around to see his friends staring at him with concern. "S-Sorry," Ren apologized with a stammer. "I zoned out."

"Okay. We need to get some shut-eye," Ryuji chuckled. Let's get some rest."

"That, we can agree with," Ann yawned.

"You guys go ahead," Morgana told them. "I have to get going."

"Going?" Shiho asked. "Where?"

"Back to my mission. To stake out the cop, Zenkichi," Morgana explained. "Don't tell me you all forgot."

"Truthfully, with all of the chaos, we did," Ren admitted. "But speaking of that, did you find anything?"

"Yeah, I did. But I need to confirm it," Morgana told them as he struggled to hop off of Shiho's lap, only to let out a big yawn, which caused Shiho to giggle at the adorable act. "Is not funny," Morgana softly slurred.

"Alright," Shiho yawned."You're staying here to rest, Morgana. You can hardly move."

"We should in fact," Ann grumbled, her eyes struggling to stay open. "I don't know why, but I feel way more exhausted than normal…."

"Yeah," Ren yawned. "I wonder what the hell is going on? We weren't this bad off after Kamoshida."

Ryuji let out a loud yawn and stretched out his limbs. "Yeah. From the minute that full moon came up, It's like a sledgehammer hit me…." Ryuji agreed. "Let's get some shut-eye, yeah?"

The group nodded and together, they all walked down the hallway and into the guest room. Without thinking about it, Shiho and Ren, with Morgana in Shiho's arms, walked into one room while Ann and Ryuji walked into another.

[Scene Change: Shibuya – Okumura Residence (Nighttime-Balcony)
Theme of Past Love: Velvet Room ~ Moonlight from Persona 2: Innocent Sin (PSP)]

Beneath the glow of the full moon, The ethereal form of Milady with Haru's visage stood on the balcony, her beautiful dress flowing in the gentle breeze and her hands clasped at her chest.

For a moment during that battle with Lilith, Milady thought it was all over once again. That she would be submerged within the sea of souls, waiting to be reborn. Before, it had been a peaceful experience.

But since her death at the hands of Loki, her heart couldn't bare it again. "Milday," A voice called from behind her. Milady turned around and let out a soft gasp.

Captain Kidd, wearing Ryuji's visage, leaned against the balcony door, his captain's suit, along with his face, barely had any color, making his ethereal clothing blend in with his actual form. "My Captain…." Milady whispered as she took a step forward, her gloved left hand touching his cheek. "You look so weak…."

Captain Kidd smirked and leaned into her touch. "I'm sorry…." Captain Kidd apologized. "But I no choice to use it again…."

Milady frowned. Her brave captain didn't need to tell her what he had to use again. "Arsène is going to be upset that you used it again," Milady murmured as she looked up into his faded electric yellow eyes.

"It's either that or have Ryuji die again," Captain Kidd said. "And if I had to choose….I'd rather be cut off from him…"

"I understand, Dear Captain," Milady whispered as she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his midsection. "Things have gotten so much harder," Milady told him. "Haru….She died today. We were both at the Sea of Souls…."

Despite not needing to, she heard Captain Kidd take a sharp intake of breath. "Are you for real?" Captain Kidd asked with a horror in his voice she hadn't heard since Arsène was….

"I am, my love," Milady answered. "It was thanks to Eilistraee that I was able to come back. She knew recarm…."

"Which is lucky for us that we have someone that knows it but now….It'll make it that much harder if you go down again," Captain Kidd whispered as Milady felt his arms tighten around her. "I need you to be safe, Milday….I don't think I have it in my heart to watch die again…."

"I know," Milady whispered against his chest. "But I can't see you like this either. Looking as weak as you were when we first met….I can't bare it…"

Captain Kidd nodded and Milady felt his hand on her cheek, prompting her to gaze up at him. "As long as this crazy plan of hers works, and Arsène is able to keep Ren on the right track, we'll make it out of this alive. Until then, let's keep each other safe."

Milady placed a hand on top of Captain Kidd's, her pink eyes glowing with affection. "I don't think that's up to use anymore. It's a new world, a new group. With loves of their own…"

"You kidding, right?" Captain Kidd chuckled. "So far, these idiots are exactly like us. Ryuji and Haru may not be close, but I don't doubt that they'll protect each other until their last breath. The same way all of them would. Things might be very different, but who they are at their cores will always remain the same, no matter what world they are in."

Milady smiled. It was funny, seeing Captain Kidd as the one giving inspiring speeches when Aresene once did. It was funny, but it made her feelings for him deepen even further. "But for now, I'm tired of talking about them…" Captain Kidd whispered. "Right now, while we still have the chance….Let me be with you…"

Milady smiled and whispered, "As I told you, Dear Captain, in this lifetime or the next, I'll always be with you…." And without any words spared, the two souls shared a soft kiss beneath the full moon.

[Scene Change: Shibuya – Okumura Residence (Nighttime-Rooftop)
Theme of Past Love: Velvet Room ~ Moonlight from Persona 2: Innocent Sin (PSP)]

Carmen, dressed in her persona attire while wearing Ann's visage, stood in front of Arsène, their lips connected in a deep kiss while both of their arms were wrapped around one another as tightly as they could.

"How long have they been like that?" Zorro asked, wearing Morgana's visage with his persona clothing while Goemon watched on in amusement.

"From the moment Arsène appeared on the rooftop," Goemon answered with his back leaning against the wall of the doorway. "You shouldn't tease them, this is the first time they've seen each other since….Well…"

Zorro nodded with a somber expression as memories of Carmen crying over Arsène's grave, and her withering away to a furious, suicidal, husk of a woman filled his mind "Yeah….They deserve to spend this time together," Zorro agreed. "She was broken when it all broke down….It was hard to watch."

Goemon nodded in agreement.

To take his mind off of the dark memories of that day, Zorro looked around and noticed something. "Where are the newbies?" Zorro asked.

"Ching Shih's presence is weak after the reversal she experienced. Eilistraee and Boudicca left for somewhere. As for where they are, I do not know," Goemon shrugged. "But I have to say, watching them kiss beneath a full moon like this gives perfect inspiration. I think I'll give it to my young apprentice when I decided to withdraw back into his soul."

Zorro frowned and plopped down beside Goemon and asked, "Do you think Necronomicon and Johanna are safe out there?"

Goemon frowned and stared at the moon. "While I can't answer for Johanna, Necronomicon is still trapped in that pyramid of hers, unable to help Futaba, slowly returning to the shadow she was before we saved her….I may not be able to sense her while she's away like this, but I know is suffering. The sooner we can help her, the sooner she can be free. And back within my grasp…."

"It must be hard, knowing that someone you love is trapped back in that prison," Zorro murmured.

"It's heart-rending," Goemon admitted as he clutched at the spot above his heart, his voice portraying his heartache. "A part of me wishes that my apprentice down there would save her and stop focusing on Yūki-san. Even if he does not know why he does….But we were warned when we took on this burden that they would be different people with different hearts and souls than ours….I can only hope he leads his Futaba to the light, even if it isn't in the light I desire it to be…."

"Still," Zorro murmured. "It must be nice to at least know your light is there, waiting for us. I never even had a chance to experience it…."

Goemon reached down and placed a hand on Zorro's head. "You will, one day. And if not you, then perhaps your apprentice can show you what that light looks like…."

Zorro hummed and looked at the full moon.

"Yeah….I hope so….."

[Scene Change: Shibuya – Niijima Residence (Nighttime)
Theme of Past Love: Velvet Room ~ Moonlight from Persona 2: Innocent Sin (PSP)]

"Are you sure you want to do this, Boudicca?" Eilistraee asked with concern as she and Boudicca hovered over the Niijima residence. "You're only hurting yourself more."

"I know," Boudicca whispered. "But I have to try. Before the sun rises…."

Eilistraee nodded and then glanced at the moon. "We don't have much longer. If you're going to do it. Do it now…." Eilistraee warned.

Boudicca nodded and floated down into the building, where she phased through the ceiling in Makoto's room. She watched as Makoto tossed and turned in her sleep while Shadow Makoto watched from the corner, her eerie yellow eyes glaring hatefully at the sleeping girl.

"Joha—"

"You shouldn't be here, Boudicca," Shadow Makoto hissed as she turned her attention from Makoto to her.

"You know I had to come here," Boudicca told the shadow. "How long have you been like this? Stewing in your misery and self-hatred?"

Shadow Makoto rolled her eyes and pushed herself off the wall. "I don't need your preaching," Shadow Makoto scoffed. "If I wanted that, I'd go to Ching Shih."

"I didn't come here to preach," Boudicca argued. "I came here to try and talk some sense into you. I came here to see if there was anything left of you. Of the girl I—"

Shadow Makoto turned away, clearly angry but heartbroken as well. "You need to go, Boudicca…." Shadow Makoto told her. "My mind is made up. She wants to be blind, then she can die blind…."

"You're not even going to offer her the chance to awaken to her justice? You're going to kill her and banish you both back to the Sea of Souls?!" Boudicca exclaimed.

Shadow Makoto looked down away from her. Boudicca let out a sharp gasp of hurt before she floated down to Shadow Makoto and took her face into her hands. "Where are you, Johanna? Where is the girl who never gave up? The one who sought forgiveness from me after everything went wrong? Where is she?"

Shadow Makoto stared at her and then finally bowed her head and whispered, "She died the day Loki stabbed you in the heart….Just to watch Carmen and I suffer…."

Boudicca stared at Shadow Makoto with sympathy and sadness in her eyes. "Makoto is blind. Blinder than I once was…." Shadow Makoto continued. "She will not see reason, even after I prodded and prodded at her. Her fate is sealed. And so is mine…." Shadow Makoto grabbed Boudicca's wrists and slowly pulled the persona's hands from her face.

Boudicca offered no resistance.

"You all can find a replacement," Shadow Makoto said. "I can feel a few of them now. They'll always be more…."

"But none like you," Boudicca whispered as she floated back away from Shadow Makoto. "I'm sorry….But I can't give up on you. Not yet. She will see reason. And if you're going to give up, then Shiho, Ren, and I won't. We will find a way."

"The sun should be rising soon," Shadow Makoto told her as if she hadn't said anything. "You should get going…."

Heartbroken, Boudicca floated up to the ceiling and phased through it back into the night air, where Eilistraee waited for her. "Let's go," Boudicca whispered.

Eilistraee nodded and together, they flew off.

[Scene Change: Shibuya -Yoshizawa Residence
Theme of Past Love: Velvet Room ~ Moonlight from Persona 2: Innocent Sin (PSP)]

Shadow Kasumi watched with pain in her blue eyes as her sister wept. She had been weeping for days since the truth was uncovered. Days of wasting away in bed. She had known this was the fate that would befall her once she stripped away the lies that the man had forced upon her.

To the shadows' surprise, her sister did not deny it, or try to fight it. All she did was weep. She knew that her parents were worried and that at any moment, they would send for that man. But she wouldn't let that happen.

She would protect her from him and his strange power. She would endure the crushing sadness her sister was going through. And she would make sure her sister would become stronger than this.

"It's okay, Sumire…." Shadow Kasumi whispered as she rubbed her sister's hair as she cried into her lap. "I'll protect you from all that may harm you….It's okay…."

But she knew that she couldn't do it alone….

There was only one person that could help her sister now….

Professor Violet: This was a toughie to write. So, all of the hints Blues and I have thrown as finally led to this chapter and a reveal as to who the personas are now. Sadly, they could only come together once every full moon. But what happens next? Find out next time! Class is dismissed.