Chapter 5

Pre-chapter notice: I'm afraid I may have confused some of my audience. I know it may sound strange, but I'd like to remind everyone that this is a fanfic, as such my story only works when I stretch out the rules of the Persona Series. I'm no genius, I'd like to think my story is good enough to satisfy the general fans, but I can't swear to it. I kept things cryptic since this is part mystery, so I'll share a little (without giving too much away) to clear up confusion.

For starters, I have to preface that in this world Ren and Yu are one and the SAME. Ren's personas are Yu's (this is important and does come into play much, much later). This story plays out with the idea Yu did experience the unfair court system and false charges, his memory was just not active at the time. However, as one reader pointed out, it appears fate is more the cruel factor in his life, not society. I accounted for that by adding the article with Naoto's comment on giving up on the search. That way there is this hint of feeling betrayed and abandoned. Though he knows this isn't true, that feeling can't just be dismissed. This will add to the unfairness of society from his perspective (notice the stretching? Coulda pulled a muscle with that.).

Another thing I should say, Yu's personas are locked away. I know I mentioned my inspiration was having Yu's ultimate persona in the beginning but think about what losing everything would do to him. He would be in denial and the point he does start coming to terms with it, it turns into an identity crisis. Holding on to this doubt saying he is in fact not Yu but instead Ren. I tried expressing that by going back and forth with his various names. When he feels that he is Ren I call him Ren and the same goes for vice versa. If he doesn't believe he's Yu then he's not capable of tapping into his true self. With that in mind, I felt it'd be impossible for him to have those personas at first. Later he does gain them, but only once he comes to terms with what's happened to him.

I planned on making three stories, like novels. The first is him coming to terms with what he lost and where he's at now so he can regain the personas. As such, in the beginning anyways, he will have Persona 5 personas. The second and third 'book,' however, will deviate by a large margin as the mystery begins to unravel.

I hope this clears up some confusion, let me know if there's still some uncertainty or possible contradictions. I'm sorry for the confusion. Let's continue the story now.

"I am the pillager of twilight- 'Arsene!'" The persona's hand hovered over its face, staring upon the enemies quaking below. Yu looked up at his new friend as it spoke, "I am the rebel's soul that resides within you. If you so desire, I shall consider granting you the power to break through this crisis."

Yu gazed at cowering 'king' and narrowed his eyes, "Give me your power."

"Hmph, very well."

The Shadow Kamoshida stepped back. "Guards! Start by killing that one!"

The last armors leapt to their feet. In an explosion of black and red the armors vanished, replaced by floating pumpkin creatures holding a lamp in its only hand. From his memory, Yu knew them as a persona he's used, Pyro Jacks, they drained fire and were weak to ice attacks. They were not strong in the flimsiest definition of the word, this was going to be easy.

The Pyro Jacks flipped around in the air and began converging toward him. The 'king' chuckled, "You'll learn the true strength of my men!"

Arsene glowered, "Detest the enemies before you! Change that animosity into power… and unleash it!"

Yu outstretched his palm and crushed the air. Darkness coursed from the ground and engulfed one of the jacks. It shrieked and writhed while its brother rushed in. Yu cursed as he side stepped. He brought down his fist on his attacker. The shadow smashed into the ground. Yu twirled. Smashing his foot into the floating jack. Then he pointed toward the last jack on the ground. A curse attack surrounded it. It's remains vaporized into dark mist.

Yu sneered at his less than remarkable performance. The shadows didn't instantly die. He forgot he was only as strong as his own persona. That lack of foresight almost got him hit. Did he really have to build his strength back up to what it once was? Even though- It was strange, he felt… more energetic and lively than when he first awakened. Using Arsene's power hardly put a dent on his reserves. Physically weak but ultimately vigorous? What was happening?

"What…?" The blond boy stood up, keeping himself against the farthest wall.

Yu reached back to scratch his chin, how was he supposed to explain this? The answer never came, instead he seized upon seeing the sleeve and gloves on his person. He quickly searched his person studying the attire encasing him. He was like some mysterious, magician, goth, opera attending gentlemen. Yes, all that in one. It was that weird… and that cool strangely enough.

"What was that just now?" The boy finished uttering.

The 'king' stormed over to Yu, "You little…!"

The blond boy bolted and slammed into the shadow Kamoshida, sending it to the floor. He then laughed at the shadow's display, "You like that you son of a bitch?!"

"Grab the keys!" Yu ran for the exit.

The boy blinked after the costumed ally before laying his eyes on the glimmering keychain on the floor. "Y-you mean this?" He snatched them up. He darted out and slammed the cell behind him. A metalic 'click' echoed out as he twisted the key in the lock. "Okay, it's locked."

The Kamoshida shadow slammed against the door. "Damn you!"

Ignoring him the boy turned to Yu. "Hey! What was that just now? And… your clothes!"

Before Yu could think his body erupted into azure flames. The costume he wore vanished leaving him behind in his school outfit. His bag and glasses returned to him as if he were still walking to school.

"Whoa, it went back to normal!?"

Yu shook his head, giving the vulgar boy a halfhearted shrug. Is this where he talks about his powers? Sure, he's had his persona before, but his clothes never changed before. The only consistency he could find was how tired he felt right now. The little hiccup of awakening to such power; it takes a lot out of you. Maybe the clothing was the representation of his inner self just like his persona is the embodiment of his inner voice? In short, a direct link to his power. If he grew too weak he couldn't access it. Hopefully it was like adrenaline. He could still summon everything, just too tired to have it on constantly.

The cage beside them rattled, "You bastards!" The shadow was trying to get out.

They both leapt away, almost tripping into the river behind them. Yu stared at the water as it flowed deeper into the dungeon. Out of the cell he could see everything. The best thing he could compare it with was some swampy underground, abandoned prison. A roaring river tearing down the way, stone surrounding them everywhere cracking and molding, and rusty iron bars blocking paths everywhere. How the 'king' navigated here without drowning was absolutely perplexing.

"God, this is effin' nuts!" The blond mumbled. "Anyways, lets scram! You lead the way!"

Makes sense, but he really, really didn't want to. Where were other persona users when he needed them?

Yu spun on his heels and tore down the path. HE heard the boy grunt and toss something in the river but he didn't dare look back. No one needs to see the screaming, raging royal douche bag in a cell.

Yu dove into cover when it was available, checking every corner before poping out. Listening for the sound of metal stomping and irate damned voices of shadows. Without knowing his condition there was no way of knowing if he could fight. Normally to avoid a fight he would just run around the slobish creatures plaguing this world, but these shadows had actual legs and could run. So they had to get out as stealthily as possible. Caution is paramount.

They jumped over the river to the other side and rushed through open gates when available. One they had to duck into a cell and crawl through a large hole in the wall. Out the other side he darted up some stairs. Darting over boxes chained in the river. Following the river down in desperate vain for an exit.

Along the way the vulgar boy behind him was mumbling profanities and irritations toward 'that Kamoshida,' sometimes even narrating their actions like a dubious sheep.

Yu shoved open a door and waited for the blond to push past him before closing it shut. There have been no armors so far. Exfiltration thus far, successful. As success goes, it has a tendency of tricking people into complacency. This critical moment can go south in seconds, especially since they had no idea where to go. Being spotted could be an automatic failure.

"H-hey, look." The boy spoke.

Yu followed his companion's eyes to a cell dangling over the river. Inside the racid, rustic iron ruin stood a teenage boy whining and pulling on the bars. A raged Shujin uniform torn and worn plumeted Yu's heart into his stomach.

The blond boy shook his head. "We really did hear people screamin'… so we ain't the only ones captured!"

"Is, uh… is he ok?" A heavy sigh escaped Yu's mouth. People were being pulled into this world? Why weren't there missing person reports? That was one of the first things he looked into. Instead, everything was about those psychotic breakdowns. Damn, there was no time for this! He grabbed the boy's shoulder, "Let's go."

"But-."

"If we can't help ourselves we can't help others. We're barley holding on as is and we don't have the time to figure out anything else."

"… fine." The boy slouched.

Yu patted his shoulder and raced on. This wasn't the first time he's made this call. When Chie first got her persona she could barley stand, let alone fight. They were racing to save Yukiko and it felt like they were so close, but due to Chie's week condition he and Yosuke would have struggled severally. It ended out okay, but he dreaded that decision till the day and the team pulled Yukiko back home. The only thing he could do now was come back later. If he can figure out how he got here, that is.

The two raced away coming up to some bridge, but it was lifted refusing access to the other side. Yu eyed the statue sitting to the right of them. It appeared to be a simple stone bust of a cockily coy Kamoshida. The image made his blood curdle. Swallowing the lump in his throat he stepped closer to it. This was too unique to be random architecture. His gut kept whispering 'there has to be some connection to this bridge.'

"C'mon man! We can't go that way!" The boy ran past him.

Yu cursed and followed. Why couldn't he be more like Naoto? He couldn't figure out puzzles off the fly and on the go like it were random notes he took in class. Her face appeared in his mind, rubbing the underside of her chin in thought, puzzling over mysteries plaguing the group. He shook the thoughts out. Life or death situation here.

He caught up to the blond who was staring numbly at the wall in their way. "Another dead end? Dammit! How the hell're we supposed to get out of here!?"

Yu lifted his finger. "Shh."

The boy grumbled, but relented, bowing his head as a silent apology.

A soft voice came over their ears. "Hey, you there."

Huh? They looked around but no one was there. Not even in the cell next to them

"Blondie! Frizzy Hair! Look down!"

They both complied, then collectively recoiled.

It looked like… a cat. A cat standing on its hind legs, hands clutching the bar with a solemn expression on its face. If anything, it reminded Yu of a cartoon character. After all, it didn't even have any notable fingers or toes on its hands and feet… scratch that. It didn't have hands or feet, just stubs that somehow functioned like hands and feet. The only clothing on it was the yellow bandana strapped around its neck. In fact… the cat… reminded Yu of…

The blond boy recovered first. "What is this thing?"

The cat ignored the question, waving a 'hand' at them. "You're not guards of this castle, right?! Get me out of here! Look, the key's right there."

Yu turned his head. There was a hook on the wall with a key dangling from it.

The blond boy rounded on the cage. "We're trying to get the hell out of here! I mean, you obviously look like an enemy too."

Maybe if you weren't used to the other world, that was true, but Yu's had to deal with a certain shadow bear who was actually pretty friendly… after accusing him and Yosuke of being murderers of course.

"I'm locked up here, so how can I be your enemy?! So help me out!" The cat pulled on the bars of his cell.

Yu cocked his head, the sounds of footsteps were not too far off. Based on the other boy's expression, he could hear them too. Yu bent down to the cat, "Do you know the exit?"

"Let me out and I'll take you there. You don't want to be caught and executed, right?" The cat's eyes were brimming with hope.

Yu stood and reached for the key.

"Hey. Wait a minute. This thing sounds like it's all talk."

The cat thing scowled. "If you guys think you can get out on your own, then be my guest."

The blond turned to Yu, a silent plea for an explanation. The sounds of more feet came over their ears causing him to jump. He growled and turned to the cat thing. "Are you seriously not messing with us?"

"If you don't hurry, they'll catch you."

"F-fine."

With that consent, Yu tore the key off the hook and inserted it into the cell. His hand grabbed one of the bars and shoved it open. The cat hopped out with a smile stretched out over his face. It stretched its arms out to the ceiling with a loud sigh. "Freedom tastes so great."

Face twitching, the blond stomped his foot. "Now, where's the exit, you monster cat?"

"Don't call me a cat!" The thing twirled around and jumped up. "I am Morgana!"

Yu stifled a chuckle. This 'non-cat' may not be like Teddie, but the contrast was so ironic he had to be called a foil. Teddie embraced his 'bear self' and would make as many puns about it as he could. Even in human form he considered himself a bear.

"Shuddup and hurry it up!" The vulgar boy waved a fist at Morgana. "You wanna be locked up again?!"

"A-all right, sheesh. Follow me, and stay quite." Morgana rushed off toward the drawbridge.

Yu and the boy looked at each other, but rushed up to the bust again. Yu silently damned himself to hell. So he was right, the bust was something to do with the bridge.

Exasperated, the blond boy shook his head. "What're you doing?"

Morgana looked back with a smug grin. "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm lowering the bridge."

Yu crossed his arms, watching the 'non-cat' closely. This would be a good lesson for future reference… Unless Morgana turns to him and says, "You, Frizzy Hair. It seems you pick up on things faster than our Blondie here. Try checking around the mouth of the statue, ok?" Then rushed behind him and push on his legs to usher him toward the subject in question.

Yu groaned, pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. Did he have to? He was hopping the cat would just show him. Why's he got to do everything? Sighing, he leaned closer to the mouth. His eyes caught strange lines around the teeth, as if the parts were separate. Humming curiously, he reached for the jaw and pulled it down. It was like the statue was opening its mouth before its eyes flashed yellow. The bridge lowered down with a crash.

Yu blinked. Just as planned… so why the hell was he so surprised?

The blond rounded on Morgana. "How were we suppose to know to do that!?"

Morgana shook his head. "Amateur. Come on, let's keep going."

The two teens rushed across the bridge, but stopped as a suit of armor came walking out of the door in front of them. The blond fell back, "Aah! Shit… shit, it's them!"

Yu immediately summoned his persona, in a flash of blue flames he was in costume again. Morgana tsked, jumping over the panicking blond and landing in front of the shadow. "You armature. Stay still. Hey, you." Morgana looked up at Yu. "You could fight, right? Let's go. Come! Zorro!" A pillar of blue flames boomed from Morgana and a figure came out of the light brandishing a sword.

Yu grinned. It was another persona. A Spaniard one at that, wearing all black with a mask and cape. Definitely similar to the Mexican fictional hero, Zorro. Though it looked more weightlifter than lean, athletic sword master. No complaint. Yu wasn't fighting alone now.

The blond boy dragged himself back staring up at the new persona. "Y-you got one of those things too?"

The shadow before them melted away and two monsters came flying out of the mist. Another Pyro Jack and an Incubus, a mischievous demon looking thing. Another rather weak one, lucky.

Morgana danced back and forth on his legs, "A Jack-O-Lantern and an Incubus. You ready?"

A what?... Did he mean the Pyro Jack? It has another name? When did it get another name?

"Heh. I figured you were an amateur." Morgana tossed his paw at the Jack-O-Lantern and a wind attack came flying at it. It became dazed and the cat immediately attacked it a second time, vaporizing it. "Find a weakness, exploit it, and move in for another attack."

Yu flared his nostrils. He knew how to fight, damn it. The names were just throwing him off.

'Sensei.' A high pitch voice echoed in his mind. Teddie's cheerful expression upon seeing him… thinking the world of him. Now he was dealing with the exact opposite. A cat who 'wasn't' a cat and saw him as some inferior fighter.

He grounded his teeth together and charged. In a flash he was on the Incubus. Morgana fell back with a yelp. Yu rammed his elbow into the incubus' head. Then tossed it into the air where Arsene appeared and crushed it into the ground. When Arsene pulled away Yu's foot smashed into the demon. It vanished from sight with a scream.

Yu panted, eyes brimming with fire. Morgana stepped back, eyes looking him up and down. "Oh…kay. Maybe you're not an amateur."

Yu flinched at his words. That was not a compliment to hear. It wasn't Teddie. It wasn't his friends. He was in the other world with strangers who would never understand him. He bolted forward, even as his costume vanished.

"Hey! Wait!" Morgana called out.

Yu ignored him. He just wanted out. Just to get out. Get back to his life. Get back to his friends. Wake up from this damned nightmare. Why was that asking for too much!? He didn't care where he went so long as he got out of this hellhole.

He dashed through a corridor skidding to a halt in front of another bridge. He stomped his foot, cursing under his breath before bee-lining toward the statue right next to him.

"Hold up, man!" The blond boy shouted to him.

Yu tossed his head back, a groan bellowing out. He turned around and crossed his arms. The two following him were sporadic with their words, talking to each other. Morgana mostly, "As I said, he summoned it by ripping off his mask."

"That doesn't make any effin' sense! How's a mask doin' all that?!"

"Will you just-!"

"Why does his get up just disappear?"

"Stop with the questions already! He's probably not use to his powers yet!"

What are they talking about? His persona? His costume? The cat knows more about it? How? Why? This was supposed to be the one thing he was good at and now he's going to have to play student to a cat?

Shivering, Yu turned back to the statue and yanked on the jaw. The bridge lowered and the teen walked up, ready to cross it.

"Hold on a sec."

"What now?" Morgana snapped.

Yu spun around and glared at the blond boy.

The teen didn't seem to notice, he only walked up to some bars looking at a boy lying there wearing some red sports wear. "I feel like I've seen what this dude's wearin' before."

So!? Yu took a deep breath and walked over to him. He needed to calm down before he snapped.

"Dammit! I'm too flustered! I can't remember a damn thing!"

"Come on! Let's go." Morgana waved him over.

"Hold on, dammit!"

"What is it?! We need to go, fast!"

"But… who are these guys?"

"Do you really think you have the time to worry about other people right now? Besides they're-."

A cry came from behind, "There!" A shadow was rushing at them over the lowered bridge.

Morgana pounded his leg into the ground. "You should have listened to me!"

"Let's go!" Yu dashed forward, costume flaming back on him.

The shadow exploded and two monsters came out. Two pixies, or whatever they're called now. They were just some small female humanoid creature with fluttering wings keeping it airborne.

Yu tossed his hand out to the side. Arsene appeared and a curse attacked struck one of the shadows. It vaporized instantly. The other was stunned. That gave him the chance to send a second attack. It died just as easily.

Morgana blinked as the shadows fully vanished from sight. "Are you… sure this is your first time in a palace?"

"A palace?" Yu turned around, his brow raised. In a flash, his school uniform returned.

"Seems like a no, but I could've sworn…" Morgana trailed off, rubbing the underside of his chin.

Yu turned away, fixing the position of his glasses. He needed to hold back. Even with the bizarre cast following him in this abnormal world, explaining his true origins was stupid. He'd still sound crazy and that's him just talking to a 'non-cat' shadow creature that can summon a persona and possessing a deep understanding of a world Yu has been in longer.

"Hey! What about these guys?"

The two of them looked over at the blond boy who was kneeling in front of the cage with the downed teen. Morgana shook his head, a scowl pressing down on his brow. "You really don't get it, do you? Hrg... There's no time to explain! Look, I'm going. If you don't want to follow, be my guest!" The cat took off across the bridge, passing a flustered Yu.

"Dammit…" The teen boy growled, jumping to his feet and dashing after the cat, "Fine! I'm coming!"

Yu let him pass before following right behind them. They ran through the door and across the hall. It was the foyer they entered through. Giant staircase and everything. Rather than go to the front doors though, they ran to the other side of the room and went through the other door. Morgana turned left and entered a separate room where Yu and the blond boy leapt in and shut the door behind them.

Morgana jumped up and down. "We're here."

The blond boy gawked, "Where are we supposed to get out from here?! There aren't even any windows!"

Yu looked around. It seemed like a small storage place. Not much was here. It was more like empty bookcases. The far corners were caked with dust and adorned in spiderwebs. It looked abandoned.

Morgana frowned. "Uhg… amateur. This is the most basics of basics."

Yu looked around once more. If that were true, then he needed to think like some thief. Casting a look up over the shelves his eyes spotted something. "A ventilation shaft?" It was some sort of mesh, but he could see the sky through it.

Morgana beamed. "That's right! As I thought, you're a natural at this. It leads all the way outside."

…Yu's heart plummeted. He was a natural at this? Not that he can figure out what a thief would do, he just naturally knows how to be a thief? But he's not a thief. He was supposed to be a detective. He has a badge and everything… had… right. He had a badge. The spot in his pocket was burning.

The blond boy sprinted to the shelves. "I see. Then we just gotta get that metalic mesh off." He clambered up the wooden accessory and grabbed the metal mesh. "And a one, and a-." With a bang the mesh flew off, sending the teen over the side crashing onto the floor in front of them.

He seethed on the ground before pushing himself back onto his feet. "Oww… crap. The enemy didn't hear us, did they?" After a moment of silence his flinch flickered away into a grin. "Seriously, we're finally getting' outta here!"

"You should wait on celebrating until you actually get out." Morgana pointed to the new opening. "Now get going."

"But… what about you?"

"There's something I still have to do. We're going our separate ways." Morgana turned to Yu.

The teen could hardly comprehend what was being said. The only thing his mind accepted was the look of disbelief on his uncle's face. On Naoto's face. Everyone's faces. Their leader… nothing more than a thief. Might as well. He… he wasn't in his body… he had a different name. He wasn't… Yu anymore.

Ren blinked back the tears, raising his hand to scratch the side of his head. "Th-thanks." He nodded to the cat.

Morgana nodded back, "See ya."

The blond boy jumped up and crawled out through the grate. Ren slowly pulled himself up and then out into the air where he ran toward the open draw bridge. Down into the road and then directly back into the alley they where they first found the castle. Ren didn't look back. He couldn't bring himself to do it. He could only continue running forward in this dark, unknown alley.