Catch-22: The Terms of Engagement
By: M14Mouse
Summary: The thieves are going in to save their Sensei. Not as easy as it appears to be but lucky for them, they have help…ish.
Disclaimer: Don't own them.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much" -Helen Keller
Futaba-chan and Morgana were right.
This palace was easy to find. It was almost like it was waiting for them as Morgana drove them to the spot. That fact put Ren's nerves on edge.
"It changed," Morgana said.
"How so?"
Futaba pointed to the weird motif surrounding the opening.
"That wasn't there before. It was just a hole in a wall last time."
"Although, the steam coming out of the vents is still there. I don't know if that is a good thing," Morgana said as he looked down the tunnel. He followed his glance to see steam pouring from the vents along the walls. In the distance, he saw a flashing red light coming from down the tunnel.
"We know that palaces and Mementos can change with the shift of cognition. So, that could explain the change," Makoto said as she examined the doorway with Yusuke.
"The style of the motif is European. My guess is Ancient Greece since they are known for this design," Yusuke said.
"I wonder why."
"Does it matter? We have to save Sensei, not look at some dumb art on the wall," Ryuji said anxiously.
"Yes, it may matter. These designs may provide valuable clues to what is inside!" Yusuke snapped back.
"Guys…stop for a moment. I hear something," Ren said as his head lean toward the sound. His eyes widen when he heard the faded Hee Hoo.
"Black Frost?" He said.
"Toothless is in there?" Futaba said.
"Crap, he probably went down to look for Sensei," Ryuji said.
The group looked at each other before running down the tunnel. Once they reached the end, he saw Lila, Nom Nom, Daito, and Black Frost by what looked like an emergency door.
"Okay, we have tried eating it," Lila said as she wrote something on her clipboard.
"Taste bad," Nom Nom said with a pout.
"We tried having Daito slip under the door."
"No FiT," Daito said sadly.
"Black Frost tried freezing the door."
Black Frost sniffed.
"Don't feel bad. Hopefully, when the others get back, we will be able to open the door!" Lila said.
"Lila!" Ann shouted.
Lila turned to them and frowned.
"Where have you been?! Sensei is trapped!" Lila said as she put her hands on her hips.
"We just got back from our school trip. Oracle just told us the situation," Makoto said.
"Oh…you told me about this school place and this trip. Once we rescue Sensei, you tell us about your trip?"
"Of course. What is the situation?"
"Nom Nom said that Sensei didn't leave with you guys. He still sensed him down here. So, we thought that Sensei stayed behind for us, but we found this door. Sensei would never go to a place without us! We have been taking turns trying to break down the door. Ivy is going to ask Odin if we can use his spear. Ume, Takeshi, and Takeo are going to ask Surt if he could blow it up." Lila said.
"Maybe, you can pick the lock, Joker. It looked like the locks we see on treasure chests," Morgana said as he examined the lock on the door. He moved closer to the door and examined the lock. He took a lock pick from his jacket pocket and, carefully, he worked the lock until it popped open.
He removed the lock and pulled it off the door. Slowly, he pulled the door opened and his mouth dropped.
"Holy crap," Ryuji said behind him.
The area was filled with gravestones. In the distance, Ren could see a giant tree with rows and rows of tombs, gravestones, and statues leading up to it as far as he could see. There were also other, smaller, dead trees littering the grounds. Moss hang from them and Ren could have sworn he saw a crow or two among the branches. The flashing red light gave the place just an eerie feel.
"That was definitely not here," Morgana said softly.
"It reminds me of the lower levels. We don't like going down there," Lila said softly.
"SCaRey!" Daito said.
Ren turned around to see the shadows huddle close together.
"You could stay behind if you want," he said.
"No, Sensei needs our help," Lila said as she stood tall.
"Guys. I sense something ahead," Futaba said.
"Can you tell us what it is? Is it Sensei?" He asked.
Futaba shook her head.
"No, but it is definitely powerful."
"Let's move with caution. Follow behind me. Any shadows up ahead?"
Futaba shook her head no again.
The group moved silently through the graveyard. He felt tension build in his shoulders as he hid behind another tombstone. While Futaba couldn't sense anything, it didn't help the flashing red light made every tomb and tree look like a shadow.
He had to use third eye a few times to remove the distracting red light.
Slowly, the giant tree came into full view. It reminded him of those giant redwoods in the States. It stretched to the sky and the branches radiating out to cover the sky. He could make out something underneath it. It looked kind of human but with golden lion head. The creature leaning into the tree like it was his throne.
"Guys be careful. Something is coming up that is really strong," Futaba said into his mind.
"Welcome, Phantom Thieves. Come forward! You have nothing to fear as our game hasn't started," The lion faced shadow said.
He glanced over at the others, waving them to follow him. Finally, he rose his hand to stop.
"Welcome, Phantom Thieves of Heart, welcome. My name is Saklas, the keeper of the well," Saklas said.
"He looks like that got kicked out of Hot Topics for stealing all of their belts," Futaba mumbled.
Ren coughed into his hand to prevent himself from laughing. She did have a point. Belts of all different sizes and shapes were strapped across Saklas's body like decorations.
"He looks like that he went to one of those clubs…and took everything they said to heart in a really bad way," Ann said softly.
Futaba snickered.
"I wonder what he meant by the keeper of the well?" Morgana wondered.
"Ah…a wonderful question. This is the well. It is my garden that I help grow. With every desire and whim, it grows and grows. It is beautiful, isn't it?" Saklas said as he spread his arms.
Out of the corner of his eye, he watched Yusuke examine their surroundings.
"It's needs more color," Yusuke commented.
"There is always a critic," Saklas said.
"Stop with your stupid talking. Where is Sensei?" Lila said with a huff.
"Awww…yes, your Sensei. You see, you have been stealing treasure and changing hearts for a while now. It has created a little trouble for me. So, I decided to steal something precious from you."
"Well…give him back or I will make you."
Saklas laughed at Lila. Lila's eyes narrowed. If looks could kill…
"Oh, no. I can't have that. It would ruin the game. You have four obstacles to overcome in order to free your Sensei."
"Fuck you." Ryuji shouted.
"How impolite," Saklas said as he clapped his hands and one of the tombs nearly fell onto Ryuji.
"You son of a bitch," Ryuji cursed.
"Your game begins now. You have four obstacles. If you pass all four, you get your Sensei. Leave or give up. No more Sensei. Understand? Good!" Saklas said as he clapped his hands again.
In a blink of an eye, they went from the graveyard to… an abandoned building? It looked like they were at the end of a dark hallway. Ren could make out dirty windows with some of the panels of glass missing or cracked. He saw trash littering the floor and cobwebs hanging from the ceiling. Down the hallway, there was another flashing light. He could swear he heard giggling somewhere.
It kind of remind of him of a horror film.
Oh….crap. Makoto…
"Is everyone okay?" He asked as he turned around.
"I am going to eat him, and he will taste awful," Nue said with a groan.
"DaitO wIlL HelP," Daito commented flatly.
"No eating until I stab him in the eyes," Lila added.
"HEE HO!" Toothless said with his hands on his hips.
"Man, you forgot about us. We wanted to help too," Ryuji added.
"Where are we?" Ann asked.
"It looked an abandon building. Ooo…maybe, it is haunted!" Futaba said in excitement.
"DON'T SAY THAT!" Makoto shouted in a panic.
"Maybe, it won't be that bad, Queen," Ann said nervously.
"Famous last words because I'm scanning the area now," Futaba added.
"Urgh!" Makoto shouted.
"Shh…everyone, we need to be quiet. We have no idea what this guy has planned," Mona said.
"Right. I did hear giggling earlier," He added.
"Giggling?!" Makoto's voice got even higher.
"So awesome…a real haunted house….Guys, I can sense a ton of shadows here!" Futaba shouted to the group.
"Okay, Mona, you cover our rear with Oracle and Queen. Panther, Fox, and Skull are with me," Ren said.
"What about us?" Lila asked.
"I want you guys to listen and watch out for anything."
Lila tapped her chin for a moment then nodded.
"Okay. Sounds good."
She turned around to talk to the other shadows.
"Okay, we are helping the others until we find Sensei then we stab stupid lion head's eyes out, okay?"
"Ok!"
"Nom Nom like the idea."
"Hee Hoo!"
He wasn't too surprised. It is good to know where their loyalty lies.
"Where are the shadows, Oracle?" He asked.
"All around us. They seem to be waiting. Wait…wait…I sense something else.
No…No…Sensei? Support Buddy?"
"Oracle, where is he? Is he alright?" Makoto asked.
"Shhh….I'm listening. He's fine. He says that he has a little headache. He is in the middle of negotiation with GOMP"
"GOMP?" Ann asked.
"Grumpy Old Man Persona."
There was a silence between the groups.
"A negotiation? Can he even do that?" Ryuji asked.
"He is Sensei. I'm not surprised that he could do it," He added.
Actually, he was surprised that Sensei hadn't done it sooner. He knew any shadow would trip over themselves to be Sensei's persona, but he was strangely content working in the background. Sensei seemed happy training them and talking to his shadow friends. Of course, there was the matter of Sensei's other persona. According to Futaba and Morgana, he is scary beyond belief.
"How is going?" Yusuke asked.
"Terrible. Support Buddy thinks that they will be at it longer."
"That is just great," Ryuji added.
Is everyone well?
"Sensei!" Ann said in relief.
"We're fine. We're trying to find a way to you. Some guy named Saklas said he captured you. He said that we had to solve four obstacles before we can rescue you," Morgana explained
Futaba snickered.
"What is it?" He asked.
"GOMP said that the redwoods are crap. You should be able to shatter it into matchsticks."
Where are you?
"It looked like an abandoned building. Right now, we are in some hallway. According to Oracle, there are ton of shadows in the area, but they haven't move to approach us. Oh, I keep hearing this giggling noise."
There was a long silence.
"Sensei?"
Probably the dolls.
"Dolls!?" Ryuji and Makoto shouted.
That isn't the worse of it.
"How can it be worse?" Makoto said in a panic.
There might be a giant baby involved as well.
Suddenly, the lights went off and the giggling noise came closer.
Shit
End of The Terms of Engagements
Next Chapter: The Ways
A/N: See? I promised. This palace is my homage to the Persona games. You will get all sort of Easter eggs in the coming chapters. I don't know if I should say that I am sorry or smile to my reviewer who read until 2 in the morning. I am glad that you enjoyed it. Rose, I don't know anything about Starbucks coffee (I drink tea). So, I will take your word for it. Anyway, thank you for the reviews, kudos, favorites, etc. You guys rock.