Catch-22: The Phone Call

By: M14Mouse

Summary: Ren listens to their adventures over the phone.

Disclaimer: Don't own them.

The most important thing in life is not knowing everything, it's having the phone number of somebody who does! - Unknown

"So, London is loud, noisy, and wet." Morgana said over the phone.

"So just like home, but without the rain?" Ren said as he feed his plant. He got up early to talk to Morgana before school.

Morgana huffed a laugh.

"Yes."

He laughed.

"You know how you like to wait to last minute to go to school. You better be getting ready."

"Yes, mom," Ren said as he threw himself onto his bed.

Morgana stumbled out some words.

"Thanks, Morgana. I promise to go. So, when did Sensei catch you?" He asked as he flipped over to lie on his back.

"Apparently, he and Theo knew in the airport. Teddie can't lie to save his life and Lila made a note about sushi. They would make terrible thieves," Morgana said.

"Excuse me?" Lila said from the phone.

"You would! Luckily, you are a decent⸺ OUCH!"

"Honestly, you will never get anywhere with Ann with that kind of talk."

"An…Lady Ann…What are you talking about?!"

"I'm Sensei's secretary. I know everything."

"You don't everything you…you⸺ OUCH! Put me down! I'm telling Sensei!"

There was a long moment of silence then mumbling.

"Morgana?"

"I'm back. I'm fine. Lila just had said something. Stupid Lila," Morgana grumbled.

"I HEARD THAT!" Lila shouted.

"I KNOW!"

In his head, he could clearly see Morgana sticking out his tongue at Lila. He tried really hard not to laugh.

"Umph! Anyway, they make terrible thieves. I can't forget Teddie's awful outfit. He sticks out like a sore thumb. He says that it makes him feel comfortable fighting shadows. Honestly. On the other hand, Naoto would make an excellent thief if she wasn't a detective. She had plans, maps, and theories. It is remarkable. She is remarkable. She could make Akechi eat her dust. Sadly, she is leaving after we wrap up this palace." Morgana said mournfully.

"Thank you, Morgana. Your words are very kind," A female voice said.

"It is nothing. You're amazing, Naoto!"

Someone has a little crush. It's kind of cute.

"You must be Ren. Yu and Morgana have been telling me a great deal about you."

His face flushed. He was glad that she couldn't see him.

"Naoto! Morgana! We have tea…Oh! I'm sorry…" Another female said in the background.

"It's fine, Yukiko." Morgana replied.

"Hello," Ren said.

"Oh, Ren! Yu and Morgana have told me so much about you."

He wondered what Morgana and Sensei said about him.

"Come, Yukiko. Let Morgana finish talking to Ren," Naoto said.

"Oh, right. Nice to meet you, Ren!" Yukiko said.

"The same," He said.

He heard some mumbling then the sound of a door closing.

"Yukiko is super nice and wise. We went to this sushi place. It was so good! We have to go there when we come here. Anyway, she has been teaching me about tea and tea houses. She says that it is a good idea for a gentleman thief to know."

"I bet. When were you guys doing this?" He asked.

"When Naoto and Sensei are at work. Naoto is still working with the police and Sensei has been trying to find a way to send the calling card."

"Oh?"

"The palace belongs to some foreign diplomat, Yuto Beppu. On the surface, he appears to be a normal diplomat. Nothing to note in his private or personal life that waves any red flags until Naoto did some digging. He is scum. Worst of all, he is untouchable under some immunity thing. Not anymore. His security is tighter compare to the others. So, we can't just drop it into the mail or sneak up on him. On that note, the palace is really strange."

"Stranger than ours?"

"Yes. Sensei and I think that the palace is dematerializing."

He gasped.

"Dematerializing?"

"Yes…that's why Naoto was having so much trouble. The sewers were only part of it. She showed me a few when we went down there. Dead end after dead end. When we traveled up, we came to a burning bridge. Yukiko says that it is modeled after the old London Bridge. Apparently, before it become a real bridge, it had a ton of houses on it. Why would someone put a house on a bridge? Humans are weird."

"I don't see how that makes it falling apart?" Ren questioned sitting back up on his bed.

"How do I describe it. It's like a set of two puzzles got mix up in a box and someone tried to put it all together."

"That sounds crazy even for a palace."

"Dead ends…path just disappearing then reappearing somewhere else. There aren't many shadows either. Of course, the few that is in that world, Sensei had to make friends with one of them. They don't reappear after we pass through an area. It is wild. I have never seen anything like this. We have some theories."

"What are they?" He asked.

"The desire and cognition are there but just isn't strong enough. The treasure of palace is caught in between."

"In between?"

"Rise could sense half of it and Sensei can sense half of it. We hope that the calling card will shake it loose somehow. At least, that's the only solution we can think of right now," Morgana said with a sigh.

"Mr. Morgana, would you like cookies with your tea?" Theo asked in the background.

"Yes, thanks Theo."

"It would be wise to wrap up the conversation. We will be leaving soon, and Mr. Ren has school."

"Okay…Okay…a few more minutes…geez…"

"Leaving?"

"We tackle the palace at night since security isn't as bad."

"Oh…makes sense. How is Sensei doing?"

"Sensei is doing great. He is going to be a great addition to the team. I'm kind of in awe. Their experience speaks volumes. Their teamwork is so fluid and effective. I…I…."

"We have been working together for years. It shows. You and the others will be the same after some time," Sensei said.

"EEEEEEKKKK! Sensei!" Morgana shrieked.

"Wow…Sensei! You really have become a ninja. Teach me!" Teddie said excitedly.

Sensei chuckled softly.

"Of course."

"YAY!"

"Now, Morgana…."

"I know! I know! I will talk to you later and tell you everything about the palace, okay?"

"Sounds good," Ren said with a small chuckle.

"Bye!" Morgana said with a mumble.

"Bye, Morgana."

"Before you go, Ren, can you do me a favor?" Sensei asked.

"What is it?" He said as he got up from the bed.

"Keep an eye on Haru for me."

He frowned in confusion.

"Of course. Is there a reason?"

"Oh, no reason at all. I thought that it would be a good idea," Sensei said cheerfully.

"Sure…okay."

"Thank you. Have a good day at school."

"Thanks. Bye."

"Bye."

He heard a familiar click then he hit the button on his phone to end the call.

Why did have the feeling that he just missed something?

End of The Phone Calls

A/N: This was fun chapter to write once I got it down. As for Mona, of course Ren knows where he is. This isn't Persona 5 where Mona runs off to be stupid (Yu stop that hot mess quick.) Currently, I am playing Royal and I am not impressed. (I just finished Futaba's palace) Anyway, thank you guys for the reviews, kudos, favorites, etc. You guys are what make this fic so great. Read and review if you wish.