Catch-22: The Bittersweet Sympathy
By: M14Mouse
Summary: Yu has a few days to explore this new world. It left him with a bittersweet feeling but also made him very pissed off.
Disclaimer: Don't own them.
Life at best is bittersweet.-Jack Kirby
Yu has a few days to explore.
According to Lavenza, the doctor seemed to issue a time limit to Ren. He had some choices. First, he is going to see what the doctor has done to this world then explore Mementos for a bit. Depending on what he found, he could help out his…no these thieves.
Or just destroy the palace himself depending on how things go.
Most of all, time limits make him uncomfortable. It reminded him too much of the tv world.
He started walking the streets to listen to his surroundings. At first, it appeared normal. Normal chatting. Normal people moving back and forward. Normal people working in their stores. Slowly, he felt the tension in his shoulders and his hands in his pockets turn into fists as he listened to their words.
"You know that I quit but you needed me to come back. So…"
"That agreement is a little bit…"
"I know that you wanted me to go here…."
"I'm so happy to…"
He looked at each stranger's face as he walked past. He saw smiles on their faces but their eyes….
Their eyes were glazed over.
Hollow.
False.
Fake.
Laddie…let go before you cut something.
It's like the fog.
A little but it is worse, Isis.
Worse?
Izanami wanted to carry out humanity's true desires. In her mind, it is everyone in their own world. Their own fog. This….This is one man's desire. He doesn't care about their happiness.
It is his own.
So, what are you going to do?
I…need to do something.
He was very lucky that he had some yen on him from Mementos. His shadow friends like to bring him money. According to Black Frost, it was shiny. According to Mint, it could be used to commit murder.
Well…she wasn't wrong.
Then there was his credit card. Well…he wasn't sure if he could use it. He really didn't want this world self dealing with his bills.
Carefully, he counted the amount. Yes, he had enough. When he returned, he can gather some more funds for his stay in this world. Quickly, he constructed a plan. He needed some clothes and a ticket.
He was going home for two reasons.
-P4P5P4-
The train ride to Inaba was tiring one.
He should be sleeping. The tension refused to leave his body. Instead of napping, he listened to the conversations around him. He could easily tell that the doctor's power wasn't infinite. He could make out the cracks. Conversations…mumblings…that sound hitch in their voices…confusing tones and memories.
It was quicker than the fog but its nature was the same.
It took every bit of his control not to turn around, go into the palace and tear it down himself.
You could do it. You have the power. Yabby is dead here.
He paused in thought.
No.
….Is there a reason?
Yes. I could open myself to someone else that I don't know on the board. No telling how much information that Shido left behind. If I'm going to do this, I'm going to make sure that it is done for good.
….
How?
I'm not sure. Not yet.
And coming here?
To see what he has done. I want….
Isis whispered into his ear.
You want to see their happiness…even if it is fake.
Partly.
He nodded.
The rest of the trip was nothing but his own thoughts and silence.
Once he arrived, he threw the hood of his hoodie over his head and slipped a scarf over his face. There was one benefit coming here in the middle of winter. No one can say anything about keeping his head and face covered.
He started walking.
Inaba's streets were different with more stores being open and people talking and gossiping outside. Even with the cold, the local housewives couldn't stay away from their local dose of gossip.
"Did you hear that detective girl…."
"The one that came into town to solve that case?"
"Yes, she solved another case."
"….didn't she get an award too…?"
…..
Laddie?
…
He pulled the hoodie closer to his body as he walked past.
He passed by one of the food vendors whose radio was blasting. Probably to keep the vendor awake until after the lunch rush.
With her new movie and the soundtrack being a huge hit, it seems that Risette can do no wrong. It has been number one on the charts for a month now.
But the biggest news, it is yet to drop.
From the rumor mill, she might be announcing a mega tour which has this radio personality excited!
It is good to be a Risette fan!
He shook his head as he tuned out the rest.
Master?
I can imagine if I visit Yukiko's inn that it will be much the same.
Happiness?
No, the status quo.
….What does that mean?
Rise realized that she liked performing but she had to step away. The same goes for Yukiko in running the inn.
The detective?
Acceptance of her and her work. I can imagine that if she didn't work for it that she would be upset about it. The same goes for Kanji.
They wouldn't be overjoyed?
No….
They would piss them off.
I don't get it, laddie.
….
He walked past Kanji and his mother's little shop. It has fabric, stuffed plushies, and other toys in the window. A group of kids were giggling and pointing at the window.
…..
Laddie…I hate to point this out but they seem happy.
For now.
?
Come now, Veles. You heard them in the city. The doubts. The feeling of fakeness to it all. They aren't totally under his influence.
Aye, humans…while some like to live in ignorance, some rebel against it.
Just like you.
He heard Lucifer snorted.
I rebelled against my father for putting them on a throne and wanted us to bow to these humans.
And yet, you formed a contract with laddie over here.
Because he rebelled against the lies and false truths. He is much like me.
A rebel.
A rebel who hasn't tried to kill a million or turn into demons…or shadows depending on your mood.
You are one to talk.
Enough.
High Pixie whispered softly.
This place is bad, Master. Your friends are living in some happy fantasy world. Why? Why are we here?
….
He walked past the liquor store with a delivery truck outside. He could make out Saki-san outside helping with the delivery.
He pressed on. He walked through Junes where he caught a glimpse of Teddie and Yusuke in the produce section….being…Teddie and Yusuke in the produce section. He could catch a glimpse of Chie in her police uniform cheering in front of the biggest screens in the electronic section. Probably because it was playing one of her favorite kung fu movies. He passed his uncle and little sister's home. He could make out a female figure in the window.
He didn't need to see anymore. Finally, he made his way to the park where he took a seat on the sheltered table by the river. He has so many memories here.
He waited.
He didn't need to wait long.
He watched as rain started falling from the sky.
Oh, no…Master.
Hee Hoo.
He leaned over, put his elbows on the table and folded his fingers together. He stared out into the horizon.
….
Are you sure about this?
Laddie is sure and that scares me.
….
You are quiet, Izzy.
…..
Sure enough, he saw the fog started to roll in.
He waited until he felt something approaching.
He could almost feel Izanagi tense up in her presence.
"It has been a while, Izanami," He said without breaking his eyes from the horizon.
"Ah, yes, it has. Although, you aren't of this world," She said behind him.
"No, I'm not. From what I gathered from Igor, too many forces move at once and I ended up from my time into this one."
"A man out of time," She said amusedly.
"Truly," He said as he glanced over his shoulder to see her in her gas attendant.
"That begs to differ. Why did you come to me? And not, your friends?" She said.
"I would have to do a lot of explaining. There will be panicking and phone calls. Most of all, I'm not sure how long it would take to break them out of…this. I have a feeling that time is essential."
"You are correct. I feel it in the air. It twists of change in the air," She said as she waved her hand.
You sure isn't your fog, Immy?
"Ah, Veles. Got in trouble again?" She said amusedly to Veles.
A little here…a little there.
She chuckled.
"Ah, yes. The god of the underworld who can't keep himself out of trouble."
Life would be boring without a little trouble. You should know, of course. Stirring up trouble for what? A couple thousands of years now because you and Izzy need marriage counseling.
Veles….
"How dare you speak of things that you don't know."
Lassie. I'm just as old as you are and unlike you, I don't forget.
He could hear thunder in the distance.
"Enough. You like to know why I am here, correct?" He said.
"Yes," She snarled.
"I have a plan. I need someone with experience in these matters on how to carry it out," He said.
"Oh? You would approach your enemy for this information? How interesting," She said as she made her way around the table and sat across from him.
"I don't think of you as an enemy. Shido. I think of it as an enemy. You? I think of you as the opposite."
"Hmmm….go on," She said with a tilt of her head.
"We have different views on humanity. I don't think that one of these is it…" He said as he waved his hand.
"They are happy."
"Are they?"
She paused for a moment.
"It is stagnant. It is a false sense of happiness."
He nodded.
"I don't agree with this heathen has done. Humanity didn't wish for this. It was force on them but…I do not give information for free."
"I don't expect it."
"Then a game…," She said with a grin.
"What type of game?"
"Blackjack is an easy enough game."
"Wonderful. Lucky for you. I brought a fresh deck," He said as he pulled a pack of playing cards from his pocket and set it on the table.
He watched as Izanami's smile slowly disappeared.
Slowly, he removed the plastic from the deck and opened the box.
"You planned this."
"Of course. You like your games as much as the next god. I wanted to be prepared," He said as he pulled the cards out.
"And yet, you are willing to play."
"Only because you are."
He started shuffling the cards.
"If I said no?"
"It changed nothing. I'm not sure if I can depend on my students. They might be under the influence. I would have figured out myself or wait until the doctor gave me an opening. It would require time that I may or may not have."
He dealt her two cards and he dealt himself two cards.
He set down the deck on the table.
"Your students…are the latest persona users?"
Quickly, he glanced at his cards then put them down on the table.
"Not in this world but my world, yes,"
"Hmmm….that is a half-truth."
"Close enough to the truth without getting into the complications of dimension travel."
She laughed.
"I never liked it myself. It tends to be more of a mess. I wish to stay with this hand,"
He snorted.
"That nearly folds away after a mess until it is forgotten. Draw," He said as he took a card and flipped it.
"Sometimes, it is a good thing."
"It really isn't."
"You disagree with Igor."
"I disagree with him on a lot of things. This is just one of them. Show."
She grinned as she revealed her cards.
20.
"Impressive."
"I thought so myself."
He flipped over the king then the seven, and then four.
21.
"Equally impressive. You won. What do you need from me?" She said with a smirk.
He leaned back.
"I can't steal his heart. His palace is on lock down. No one can get in or out until he is ready for them."
"Go on."
"But I can still cut off his "source" of power. In a way, I'm taking a page out of my students' book. Instead of heart….
Well…I'm just going to steal Mementos."
End of The Bittersweet Sympathy
Next Chapter: The Reveal of Everything (and Nothing)
A/N: Plot Twist! :D Like the old saying goes, "A enemy of your enemy is your friend." It will be interesting how plays out. Originally, I plan for some of the IT to remember but I realize that it might drag on this arc longer than anyone would want (mostly me because I hate this arc with a passion.) So, like Yu, I left them be. I'm sorry that it took so long. Planning out Royal Arc has been a pain in the butt, I didn't want to write the arc word for word. I wrote pages of scenes and dialogue and threw it. Finally, I planned it out. Anyway, thank you guys for your support and reviews! :D You guys are wonderful.