bopdog111: The Phantom Thieves are getting a first eye view of the Lost Incident.
Ulrich362: True, six innocent children tortured and potentially denied food... it really is horrible. Though that one child, who would laugh about that?
bopdog111: Well right now there focus is on Yusaku.
Ulrich362: Agreed, but what else is in store for them? I guess there's only one way to find out, enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimers: We don't own anything but OCs.
It filled the Thieves with heavy hearts as they continued down the Facility after seeing the torture the children of Yusaku's cognition are suffering. Right now there more then determined to find the Treasure, and learn more although not really thrilled to learn more info. Right now down on another level they arrived where they see a large computer room filled with computer logs along with a hologram of one of the Knights of Hanoi they seen from the picture Oracle found at the corner of the room with papers on a table.
"What's he doing?" Crow questioned seeing that.
Queen walked over taking a piece of paper as she stared, "'The necessities towards finding the hideout of the Knights of Hanoi still remain a failure. Even if me, and Unnamed encountered them, we still failed to obtain information regarding the Hanoi Project to see if they are the culprits truly. I won't stop, not until I get my revenge for what they had done, and after that Unnamed won't be useful to me anymore with our revenge complete. It be better if I don't drag him down after my future got taken away from me'."
"Unnamed?" Skull questioned. "Dammit, none of this is making any sense."
"Oracle, can you sense the treasure at all?" Fox asked. "We haven't found anything even resembling a map of this palace yet or a single Shadow... it's unnerving."
"Give me a sec." walking to a console Oracle started to type in.
"Still that's really sad." Noir wiped her eyes. "I can understand why he would be consumed with revenge... he never let this incident go. But what was it all for though?"
"Well it doesn't seem like the answer is here. Looks like he, and 'Unnamed' are stuck on that topic." Queen said looking over before she then blinked, "Huh?"
"Did you notice something?" Panther asked curiously.
Queen takes another piece reading it. "'Otherside from myself, and Unnamed this is also revenge for Unnamed's brother Jin Kolter. He also suffered the same treatment as I do, and four others. But he took the torture too much, and has become reclusive much more then me. Whatever they done to him... They won't get away with this'."
"Jin must have been one of the people we saw." Joker frowned.
"That boy that wasn't a silhouette with Yusaku when we seen what's going on." Fox said cupping his chin in thought disturbed. "He did appear to be happy for a second before then looking completely terrified. This could mean that Yusaku is going after the Knights of Hanoi for more then just revenge. It's also for Jin's sake."
"Hey... is this really the right thing to do?" Panther asked them. "If we change his heart it could hurt Jin... or the others who went through the same thing Yusaku did."
They looked at each other before Crow stated to them, "He won't move forward if we don't do anything." They looked over to him as he turned over, "Like how I thought only of revenge for Shido, I almost lost you all. I know the dark path he is going through. It's best to stop him before it's too late, and besides he seems like a individual who has justice in him even if his thoughts of revenge are cleared up. We stop his thoughts of revenge, and he will have a more clear head when looking for the Knights of Hanoi only for answers of his past." He then looked around, "From all this investigating it doesn't seem he has any solid answers why he's put into this hell."
"I agree." Joker nodded.
"That said Oracle did you find anything?" Violet asked turning over to the navigator.
They looked over to her as she then grinned, "Ah ha! Found the Treasure! Looks to be down in the level below here!"
"Doesn't this seem to easy though? Why aren't there any Shadows?" Skull asked suspicious, "We haven't even seen a Cognition of a Scientist yet."
"I agree, but maybe it's just going to be easy this time?" Noir suggested hopefully.
They looked unconvinced before Panther shook her head, "Well we best keep our guard up." She then turned over, "Lead the way Oracle."
Oracle nodded as they exited the room heading down a lower level. They looked over seeing 6 metallic doors with labeled names. They are listed as:
1. Yusaku Fujiki
2. Jin Kolter
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
As they looked around Oracle walked, and stopped in front of the door with Yusaku's name, "The Treasure is through this door right here. Now give me a sec this will take a while to crack." She starts tapping into the keycode to hack through.
"So he doesn't know the rest of the kids but Jin?" Skull asked confused.
"They likely were kept isolated from each other." Crow pointed out. "It stands to reason he only learned Jin was involved after the incident came to an end... well the physical incident at least, the memories and damage it's done to him clearly are still very much a part of his life."
Skull shrugged before the keypad pinged, and Oracle cheered, "Woohoo! We're in!"
"Be on your guard, we have no idea what's behind that door." Queen told them.
They nodded as Oracle opened the door. They entered seeing it's a small room that's cramped for them but it looks like a white room with a formless orb at the center with only a cot in place of a bed.
"This... haven't we seen this before?" Skull asked.
"This is the room where Yusaku was being electrocuted." Fox realized as Noir covered her mouth in horror.
"But where is he?" Violet looked around not seeing the cognition of Yusaku's younger self in the room.
"Wait, didn't this happen before?" Skull asked. "With you Oracle."
Oracle stared at the formless Treasure before she nodded, "Yes, I think... I think his Treasure is pretty much his Shadow... or least his cognition of his younger self. In a way it means with all the talk of his life being severed his Treasure is that life the Hanoi took."
"Then it seems our work here is done and now all we need is a Calling Card." Crow noted calmly. "I assume we'll leave that to Queen and Joker?"
They nodded as they tried to walk out but stop when they hear something from the speakers in the room, "Hey."
Freezing they all looked around hearing that. They see nothing but they hear a boy's voice, "Hey... don't give up. Just think of three things."
"Three... things?" the Thieves hear the voice of young Yusaku asking, and from the sound of his voice sounded so weak that it hurt the girl's hearts.
"Yes... just think of three things why you have to keep fighting. Three things why that you won't give up now." the voice said in response.
"Three reasons... to keep going..." young Yusaku repeated to himself before the voices faded.
"That... someone helped him?" Panther whispered.
"We can talk with Yusaku himself once we change his heart." Joker mentioned as the others nodded and they exited the Palace before logging out of Link VRAINS.
(Cue Theme: Beneath the Mask)
Morgana was waiting anxiously for the Thieves as he stared ahead wondering how the progress is going. Just then his ears perk when he noticed them moving as he said to them, "Oh you guys finally came back!" He then asked them, "So how did it go? What did you learn?"
"A lot." Akira frowned. "There weren't any Shadows in the Palace... but Yusaku, he was tortured."
"What? Tortured?" Morgana asked in shock with widen eyes. "Tortured for what?"
"We're not sure, an experiment of some kind and it wasn't only him. Five other children were also tortured... all four of them were, one almost seemed to enjoy it." Akechi answered him. "One of them though is apparently named Jin Kolter and Yusaku's trying to find out what happened in order to help him... on top of his obsession for revenge."
Morgana's ears droop down hearing that looking down. "Aww... poor guy... I can see why he is obsessed with revenge after something like that." He then looked up to them asking, "Did you manage to learn anything good at least?"
"Well... in the room where the Treasure's in we heard a voice. Someone told him to think of three reasons to not give up." Haru answered as she placed a hand on her chest where her heart is looking about to cry.
"Think of three reasons to keep going?" Morgana asked confused hearing that, "That's... definitely a way to look at things." He then widen his eyes, "Wait you guys already found the Treasure? I mean, I get no Shadows but I thought you have some trouble reaching it."
"Physically it was no trouble, emotionally on the other hand... and I have a feeling we only saw the tip of the iceberg and things were much worse for them." Akechi admitted.
"Well once we send the Calling Card he can move passed his trauma." Makoto said to them before turning to Akira, and Yusuke, "That means we got work to do to make sure he gets it. Let's get ready for tomorrow, and help him move passed the Incident."
The others all nodded at that.
"And I probably don't need to tell you all that once the Calling Card is sent be on guard. Even if there aren't any Shadows you can see some difficulty." Morgana said to them with a smile. "I can't be there like before but I wish you all luck."
They nodded ready.
That night Makoto, and Akira wrote out the Calling Card while Yusuke designed it to make it genuine like before. Overall everyone is hoping for a foolproof operation like the last few times ready to help Yusaku to get over his emotional trauma. Soon the Calling Card is ready to be sent after getting approval, and they turned in for the night.
The next day...
Akechi was sent to deliver the Calling Card by having Cal give it to him under the guise that the receptionist asked him to give it to Yusaku. He wonders if Yusaku can take it seriously otherwise it can hinder the progress, and Yusaku won't get over the Lost Incident. As he thinks that he arrived at Cafe Nom where he finds there target writing hacking codes on paper like yesterday while Cal is busy cooking hot dogs.
"Pardon me, your hotdogs were quite good could I purchase another one?" Akechi asked getting Cal's attention.
"Hm?" Cal looked up confused but smiled, "Oh it's you from yesterday! Of course, coming right up!"
Cal cooked, and prepared one placing it in a bag, and handed over, "That'll be 2.30."
"Thank you." Akechi smiled only to notice Yusaku. "Oh, is he a part time worker here?"
"Hm?" Cal looked over seeing Yusaku before he answered, "No... he's just a friend of mine. We're both partners for a while. I manage this stand, and he does his business behind the scenes. Of course, I worry about him. I sometimes wonder if the Phantom Thieves can help him out even if they don't target people like him." He then looked over to Akechi. "You know what I mean right?"
"Stranger things have happened." Akechi shrugged. "You know about the Phantom Thieves? Well I suppose they were famous for a time."
"Well yeah. I mean they take down criminals from behind the shadows, and beyond there heist they dealt with the EMMA App." Cal shrugged to him from that. "I wonder if there still around even if they helped us come to our senses."
"Who's to say, oh but on my way here the receptionist at our apartment asked me to get this to Yusaku... it might be a letter from someone but I didn't pry." Akechi mentioned handing some papers to him. "Do you mind giving them to him, I would stay but I need to get back and help Akira unpack things. He only just moved and we're helping our friend get settled."
"Hm?" Cal looked curiously before nodding to Akechi, "Right, I'll let him know."
"Thanks." Akechi smiled walking off, and silently moved to a spot where they won't see him so he can know if the Calling Card's effect worked.
Cal looked over the papers, and found a blank envelope making him raise an eyebrow. He turned over to the boy, "Hey Yusaku!"
"Hm?" Yusaku turned walking over, "What is it Kolter?"
"This letter came for you." Kolter handed the letter as Yusaku takes it curiously looking at it with a raised eyebrow. "That guy earlier said the receptionist told him to give it to you."
(Cue Theme: Suspicion)
"Hmm..." Yusaku stared at the envelope before opening it pulling out a red, and black familiar looking card as their eyes both widen.
"No way! Is that-!?" Kolter asked in shock seeing the card.
"I have my doubts. First, there was a period where Calling Cards like this one were sold in large numbers. Second, I have no crime I've committed to warrant their attention. And third, the Phantom Thieves haven't acted in over a year which means this is most likely a prank." Yusaku answered though despite that he turned the Calling Card over to read what it said.
Looking over Cal read it aloud for them to hear:
"Sir Yusaku Fujiki, the Wrathful Prisoner of History. Through no fault of your own you've allowed your life to be run by a tragedy from your past and in doing so have cut out all others from your heart and chosen to act only in vengeance. Even those closest to you serve only as a means to an end and as such we have decided to steal your distorted desires with our own hands. From, The Phantom Thieves of Heart"
After reading it Cal leaned back before looking to Yusaku, "Yusaku... is this about the Lost Incident?"
Yusaku stared at it before then saying, "I don't know... They only target me cause I don't want to waste anyone's time?"
"Hey it sounded as though they want to help you." Cal tried to tell him.
"I don't need anyone's help. This isn't any of there business. The Hanoi is our own business." Yusaku said with a angry expression looking on-guard.
(ALERT: 100/100)
Either way this is the type of reaction Akechi was hoping for.
'Time to get to work.' Akechi thought heading back to meet up with the others.
He arrived back where the Thieves looked over with Ryuji asking, "So how did he take it?"
"He's on his guard, which means the treasure has likely materialized. So shall we steal it?" Akechi asked calmly.
Akira smiled before telling everyone, "Alright everyone... Let's steal us a Treasure!"
"You all be careful!" Morgana told everyone as they nodded.
Everyone gathered there Duel Disks before they all called, "Into the VRAINS!" It glowed as there consciousness were transferred into Link VRAINS.
(Cue Theme: Life Will Change -Instrumental-)
All the Thieves but Morgana, Sophie, and Zenkichi appeared in front of Yusaku's Palace now ready to free Yusaku from his inner torment, and change his heart for the better. The Phantom Thieves all exchanged a glance before running into the Palace again. Like before there were no Shadows around only young Yusaku wasn't at the window like before they saw him in. They ran down the next level in the control room where they see nothing out of the ordinary again as they went down the next level where Oracle ran, and cranked on the keypad hacking for the code. After a few seconds it pinged as she said to them, "Okay we're in!"
The door opened as they checked.
In the room at the corner was the cognition of Yusaku's younger self curled up with his knees into his chest, and his arms around them looking worn out from the treatment he endured. Hearing the door opened he looked over with widen eyes seeing the Phantom Thieves.
"Hey, are you ok?" Panther asked walking over and kneeling down as she offered her hand. "It's alright, we're here to help."
Cognitive Yusaku stared at her hand before looking up at her. "Who... who are you people?"
"We're the Phantom Thieves." Skull grinned.
Cognitive Yusaku looked before getting up but dropped to his knees noticibly weakened from the treatment. Seeing that Joker walked over before picking Cognitive Yusaku up and carrying him on his back. "I've got you."
Cognitive Yusaku looked before he wrapped his arms around Joker's neck.
"Alright the Treasure is secured!" Oracle grinned seeing this.
"Now we got to get out before anything pops up!" Fox told them all.
"Right." Violet nodded as they started heading out of the Palace.
They all ran together up to the next level.
They arrived the control room all making sure Cognitive Yusaku is still secured with Joker only to hear a voice, "So you are the ones who trampled in the lab."
"A Shadow?" Noir questioned.
(Cue Theme: Desire)
They looked over seeing in the center of the control room was what looks like the back of a scientist before he turned over. His face isn't visible that it's blacked by a shadow but they don't see yellow eyes that it isn't a Shadow, "So you had come to take away one of my subjects."
"This kid ain't some tool you can use!" Skull snapped to him.
"You used him for whatever sick agenda you have!" Panther yelled to the scientist, "Electrocuted him, and starving him... what are you thinking!?"
"Tch... All I am doing is creating the key... the key towards humanity's successor..." the scientist started but the rest of his words are silent as he kept talking.
"Hey wait's he saying?" Noir asked seeing he's silent his voice.
"Yusaku didn't have all the answers... so maybe the Cognition of the Scientist that trapped him knows the answers but since Yusaku doesn't know all he's hearing is silence." Queen suggested the reason why.
"But... humanity's successor?" Skull asked confused, "What does he mean by that? We... CAN'T have a successor can we?"
"Of course not." Panther answered.
"No matter."
They turned back to the scientist who said to them, "It makes no difference. I'll dispose of you all, and get back to work. You know too much." A black aura swirled around him at that as Cognitive Yusaku whimpered burying his face in Joker's back afraid from what's happening.
"Don't worry, it'll be ok." Joker reassured him.
"Joker's right, come... Hereward!" Crow cried ripping off his mask.
What appeared was Crow's Third Tier Persona showing of a black suited archer ready for battle.
The scientist eyeing the threat closed his eyes before transforming in front of them while the lab broke apart around them.
(Boss Theme: Blooming Villain)
Boss Fight: Cognitive Kiyoshi Kogami/Cracking Dragon
As they stared up at the transformation Cognitive Yusaku stared up his head raising, "Ahhh..."
The transformation finished where the cognition of the scientist transformed into a large red mechanical dragon as it screeched loud above the field.
"What the hell?" Skull questioned seeing that.
"It's enormous!" Fox cried in shock.
"Oracle, any weaknesses?" Joker asked quickly.
"Checking now!" Oracle jumped up entering Al Azif which is a triangle shaped alien hovercraft checking over with her mask gone.
The Dragon, Cracking Dragon, started by charging a large blue plasma blast firing it over at the Thieves which they all jumped landing in different spots on the field with Joker keeping a tight hold on Cognitive Yusaku as they looked over before the Leader of the Phantom Thieves called over, "Skull see if you can short it out!"
"Right, let's do this William!" Skull called. "Ziodyne!"
A biker jacket skeleton holding a large cannon in one hand, and riding on a shuttle like spacecraft appeared before blasting lightning which dealt little damage towards Cracking Dragon. Annoyed from the attack Cracking Dragon fired a wave of wind over where Skull dodged the attack before Violet charged forward ahead calling, "Let's dance, Ella! Sword Dance!"
A pink dressed dancer like woman appeared slashing with blades which grazed Cracking Dragon's armor but it didn't damage it before it slammed it's tail onto her side transferring the pain to Violet who groaned placing a hand on her head while Ella vanished.
"Physical attacks won't work." Fox frowned.
"It's worse then that." Oracle voiced over concern dripping in her voice, "It's strong against every element! Even Almighty!"
"What, how is that possible?" Crow questioned.
They didn't have time to think as Cracking Dragon charged more blasts firing it which they all dodged, and tried attacking which dealt little damage from able to resisting all elements of the attacks while they use there weapons, and gun skills too but those aren't good enough either.
"Damn, what can we do...?" Joker grunted trying to think of something.
Cognitive Yusaku watches the fight from his back looking over Cracking Dragon as the Phantom Thieves tried to fight it off. Soon he notices something which he tapped Joker's back to get his attention.
Jokier blinked turning to him. "What is it?"
"Look over there." Cognitive Yusaku was pointing at something which Joker looked over.
From Joker's focused vision he can see what Cognitive Yusaku had seen; what looks like a weak spot in Cracking Dragon's armor around it's head that looked to be it's central unit. Seeing that he smirked. 'Just like with Maruki.'
"Guys, look at its head."
"Huh?" Hearing Joker voicing they all looked over all noticing the weak spot.
Oracle meanwhile analyzed it as she whooped, "Oh yeah, that's it's weak point! How did you see that Joker?"
"I didn't, Yusaku did." Joker answered before pulling off his mask as it vanished in blue flames. "Come, Yoshitsune!"
A samurai in red armor appeared above him.
"Hassou Tobi!"
The Samurai charged in as Cracking Dragon turned trying to chomp on him but Yoshitsune dodged before launching multiple slash attacks at the weak point striking it, and this time getting a solid response from Cracking Dragon as it collapsed.
"It can't resist anything now! Wail on it!" Oracle told everyone seeing this as a chance to go all out.
"Right, let's take this creep down." Skull grinned as they charged in.
"All-Out Attack!"
They all charged in launching attacks from all directions damaging Cracking Dragon before Panther, and Queen pulled off there masks summoning Célestine a black suited woman with red long pigtails with dummies around her, and Agnes a large bike with gold grills at the front respectfully attacking Cracking Dragon together as it stumbled from the two attacks.
Not willing to give it a chance to fight back Fox pulled his own mask off, "Gorokichi! Take this, Bufudyne!" A man looking fancy wearing a panther dotted coat with bling appeared firing a large blast of ice freezing part of Cracking Dragon keeping it from moving before Noir charged forward summoning Lucy a large golden dressed woman with no head, and a mask on a stick as eyes as she called, "Get them, Lucy! Psiodyne!"
Lucy fired a psychokinisis attack at Cracking Dragon breaking apart the ice while Crow jumped up summoning Hereward, "Manifest! Rebellion Blade!" Hereward fired a arrow which slashed down Cracking Dragon weakening it down as it lowered down exhausted.
"Finish it off senpai!" Violet called for Joker.
"Right, hold on tight!" Joker grinned holding Cognitive Yusaku tight as he charged forward pulling off his mask, "Raoul!" His Third Tier appeared showing as a red suited gentleman with mechanical wings before he jumped up while Cracking Dragon looked up before Joker grinned down to it, "Eigaon!"
Raoul fired a large blast of curse energy at the weak spot striking it, and triggering an electrical output on Cracking Dragon as they landed turning over just in time to see Cracking Dragon collapsed defeated.
(Cue Theme: Victory)
The lab returned to normal while Cracking Dragon reverted back to the cognitive scientist who weakly rose up, "How... how can a couple of brats manage too stop me?"
"What you did to those kids is unforgivable!" Panther snapped at him.
"Your using them for some sick experiment for a successor of humanity!" Noir snapped with her.
"Tch... it's clear you won't understand... one day humanity will be in danger of becoming extinct, and if our memory is trapped in flesh all our deeds will be forgotten..." the scientist said to them weakly, "Can you say that you want your own deeds to be forgotten? Is that what you want?"
His words only confuse the Thieves as they looked at each other.
"That won't happen." Skull told him simply.
"Tch... hopefully that optimism will keep..." the scientist said before closing his eyes vanishing away having been killed by the Thieves.
"Where... did he go?" Cognitive Yusaku asked surprised from the disappearance of his tormentor.
"Somewhere he can't hurt you anymore." Noir reassured him gently.
They all turned over as Skull grinned flexing his arm, "Hey if you haven't found that weak spot we all would've been toast so thanks."
Cognitive Yusaku looked shy burying himself into Joker's back. "Uh... I didn't do anything..."
"That's not true, you were a huge help." Violet smiled.
Cognitive Yusaku blushed from the praises before then realizing something, "Hey wait!" They blinked as he said to them, "What about the others!? The other five! We gotta go back, and help them!"
They all turned to each other from where even if there saved it wouldn't matter as there only cognitions of what Yusaku sees them, and it'll only effect Yusaku before Queen softly told him, "I wish we could... but we need to get out now."
"Yeah after that battle we were surly attract security." Fox softly agreed to him, "We will rescue them soon enough but now we can only get you out of here."
Cognitive Yusaku looked saddened looking down before he then softly nodded, "Okay... we will rescue them another day right?"
Joker knelt down and took his hand. "I promise, one day all five of them will be safe. You have my word."
Cognitive Yusaku looked before nodding before Crow then said to to them, "Well who agrees on saying we should get the hell out of here?"
"Agreed." Queen nodded.
With that they all moved out exiting the controller room, and out of the first floor exiting the Palace. Just then the nav on the Thieves announced, "The destination has been deleted."
The Palace glitched in front of them surprising them before it then transformed into 1s, and 0s vanishing in front of them. The only remnant that survived the deletion was Cognitive Yusaku who is still holding Joker's hand.
"Well... I guess it was just a part of the program." Oracle admitted.
"So... how do we get him out of Link VRAINS?" Skull asked looking over to Cognitive Yusaku.
They all turned over as Cognitive Yusaku looked over to them before he smiled, "Thank you all... for rescuing me... I'm sure that my present self will move passed the Hanoi Project. And I have a gift." He offered a hand to Joker.
Blinking Joker took his hand.
Cognitive Yusaku glowed blue before turning into data being absorbed into Joker surprising them. When the absorption was finished Joker glowed for a few seconds before fading just as his Duel Disk announced, "Installation complete. App VRAINS Navigator now operational."
Joker looked over. "It's... a detailed app on Link VRAINS. It also has several firewalls... now SOL Technologies won't be able to try to delete our accounts if they try, and effectively cover our steps."
"And summoned a guide." a voice erected surprising them as Joker looked at his Duel Disk seeing a face was on it as it smiled, "Greetings Joker, I am the true form of the cognition of Playmaker's younger self. My name is A-X-I-S."
"That'll definitely come in handy, but we should let the others know what happened." Joker mentioned. "Whoever that scientist was... and whatever he meant by humanity's successor I have a feeling Zenkichi or your sister would want to know about it Queen."
"We should probably have A-X-I-S be with Kuon, and Sophia too. He could be a help to us if he's helping us keep SOL Technologies off our trail." Queen agreed looking at the screen on Joker's Duel Disk. "But let's head back for now we got to wait for the Change of Heart."
The others all nodded as they logged out of Link VRAINS.
(Cue Theme: Beneath the Mask)
Morgana was laying down on Akira's chest waiting for the Thieves to finish there Palace Heist before feeling something, and looked up to Akira's face.
"Hey Morgana." Akira smiled. "Sorry you couldn't come with us."
"Oh it's alright." Morgana smiled as he jumped up asking them all, "So how did it go? Were you successful?" He then looked around, "And where's the Treasure?"
"Right here." a voice was heard from Akira's Duel Disk.
"Whoa, what the?" Morgana questioned hearing that only the voice only heard meowing.
"Oh, one moment." the voice seemed to do something before saying, "Okay, the translators are online. Now I can hear what your saying for real now."
"That's incredible." Ann whispered. "Normally you need to hear Morgana talk in the Metaverse before you can understand him."
"But Link VRAINS is the Metaverse though." the voice said much to the shock of the Thieves but it then said, "Joker-san, mind if you let Mona-san see me please?"
Akira nodded taking off his Duel Disk and showing it to Morgana.
Morgana watched as a face popped up which is a basic face that has a smile as it greeted, "Greetings Mona-san, I am the true form of the Treasure of Playmaker's Palace. My name is A-X-I-S, an AI programmed by SOL Technologies to serve as the VRAINS Navigator that got scrapped."
"A navigator, then does that mean Yusaku's palace wasn't the only one in Link VRAINS?" Morgana asked hearing that.
"Indeed there are multiple Palaces within Link VRAINS that can be accessed." A-X-I-S answered that before saying, "I wasn't sure how I ended up as the Treasure of Playmaker's Palace but I know that I was placed there for a reason if I came into contact with the Phantom Thieves. For my gratitude, I want to enlist my full abilities as the VRAINS Navigator to your services."
"Thank you very much Axis-san." Sumire smiled.
"...Axis?" A-X-I-S asked confused hearing that since he refers his name as separate letters.
"Your name, it's Axis isn't it?" Sumire asked. "Plus isn't an Axis something related to computers Futaba?"
"Basically an axis is a fixed reference line for the measurement of coordinates." Futaba answered at that.
"Oh, I never been called that before. Sir King usually refers to me as A-X-I-S." A-X-I-S now Axis admitted before he smiled, "But thanks for the new name. I won't let you all down."
"Well, shouldn't we check on Yusaku now?" Akechi pointed out. "To make sure he had a change of heart."
"I have Playmaker's location set in the map of Den City." Axis voiced over to them before opening a map showing a marked location on the square where Cafe Nom is usually stationed.
"Right. Let's go." Ryuji grinned.
"Hey wait a second, didn't you all notice that Axis-san isn't saying Yusaku's name?" Ann stopped them all directing there attention to something she caught.
"Oh yeah, why is that?" Haru inquired.
"Oh you all don't know?" Axis asked before answering that question, "Playmaker is the VRAINS Identity of Yusaku Fujiki, a really skilled duelist using Cyberse Monsters."
Akira frowned at that. "Well, just in case he wants to keep that secret we should call him Yusaku outside of Link VRAINS. Think of Playmaker like his code name."
"Of course just like you all refer to each other as your codenames outside of Link VRAINS." Axis said as his eyes glowed moving as if loading before he pinged, "Loading complete, memory has been updated. Refer people outside of Link VRAINS by there real names instead of VRAINS Player Names."
"If he's anything like Sophia he'll take a while to get used too..." Yusuke admitted as Akira takes his Duel Disk as they all headed out.
They all walked arriving where Cal was by himself cleaning off the tables with the Cafe Truck closed.
"He's not here?" Yusuke inquired noticing Yusaku was missing.
"It's just like the others, maybe we need to wait a few days." Ann suggested.
"Hm?" Cal turned over seeing them before saying, "Oh if your here to see Yusaku, wait a little bit. He just left telling me he'll be back."
Akira frowned at that before pausing. "Actually, do you have a minute for us to talk? Privately?"
"Well we are here privately." Cal said to him curiously, "Shops closed, and there aren't much people around here at this time. What do you like to talk about?"
Akira glanced at the others before frowning. "Jin Kolter."
(Cue Theme: Disquiet)
Cal's eyes widen shocked asking, "What? How do you know that name?"
"It's a long story, can I step inside?" Akira asked calmly.
Cal stared at him before looking at the other Thieves before he looked back at Akira, and gestured to follow him in the food truck. Akira nodded following him into the food truck. Cal opened the back as he, and Akira walked inside while Cal closed the door.
Akira widen his eyes as he sees multiple computer monitors over the wall at his right with two rotating chairs wondering how he missed those the last few times. Cal walked taking a seat in one chair, and looked up at him, "So... you know the name of my younger brother?"
"That's right, and you must be Unnamed." Akira nodded.
"You know pretty much. Then I don't think I need to guess if you know Yusaku's other name too?" Cal asked him with crossed arms.
"I do." Akira nodded though Cal noticed he wasn't using it. "Though I'm guessing it's not something either of you want being made public knowledge."
"You'd be right. We been covering our tracks, and making sure our moves are as stealth as possible without SOL Technologies bringing down our door." Cal confirmed with a nod before asking, "But how do you find out about us?"
"Simple, I'm the leader of the Phantom Thieves." Akira answered. "And Yusaku was our latest target."
Cal narrowed his eyes hearing that. "Never thought the leader of the Phantom Thieves was some kid. And I knew something was familiar about your group when I first laid eyes on you all yesterday." He then stood up asking him, "But answer me this: What did Yusaku do that made you all target him? Last I check, you all only target criminals in the shadows, and as I know, Yusaku hasn't committed anything to be a target."
"We don't just target criminals." Akira answered before getting up and offering a hand. "We'll keep your secret, if you keep ours. Deal?"
Cal stared at his hand before looking at Akira seeing sincerity in his eyes before reaching, and take his hand shaking it. "Alright. But you better explain everything to me."
"Right." Akira nodded.
"Starting off since you know about me, Yusaku, and Jin do you also know about what they gone through 10 years ago?" Cal asked him.
"Torture, electrocution, and starvation." Akira answered.
"Yeah that sounds about right." Cal nodded at that. "All of the Hanoi Project from those bastards the Knights of Hanoi." Face contorting with anger he punched the wall, "For what they done to Jin, and Yusaku, they will pay."
Akira frowned at that.
A bit later...
Cal, and Yusaku talked more while introducing him to Axis talking before the door was knocked as they turned over where Ryuji's voice is heard, "Hey sorry to interrupt your talk but... Yusaku's back."
Akira nodded. "Right, thanks Ryuji."
"Well let's see if the Change of Heart had any effect." Cal said standing up as they went out.
(Cue Theme: I'll Face Myself (non-Battle))
They exit the food-truck looking over where they see Yusaku is sitting down waiting for them before he looked over noticing them while on the table in front of him is what seems like a wrapped up gift.
"Yusaku?" Cal asked concerned walking over with Akira beside him.
Yusaku stood up looking at Cal, and the older man widen his eyes slightly seeing that he doesn't see the cold, and apathic look that Yusaku usually sports instead now gentle, and warm looking at him. That was before Yusaku bowed to him, "Cal please forgive me for never taking the time to get to know you. Your brother went through the same treatment as I but instead I only pushed you away for my own personal vendetta. I hope you can still be my partner."
Cal widen his eyes staring at shock by what he's seeing in front of him. Is this really Yusaku? Well it has to be now that his thoughts of revenge are cleared up from the Change of Heart. He turned over to look at Akira if this is real. Akira just nodded calmly.
Cal at that turned over back to Yusaku before he smiled placing his hand on his shoulder which Yusaku looked up to him. "Hey, no sweat Yusaku. I wouldn't want to split up with you. Guess our own personal vendettas turned us away from each other. I'll be glad to still be your partner for our quest on the Knights of Hanoi."
Yusaku gave a soft genuine smile that Cal haven't seen him ever got. That was before he turned handing something to Cal. "Then here."
Cal raised an eyebrow looking at the gift box before asking Yusaku, "What's this?"
"A gift for always having my back since we met." Yusaku answered with a smile.
Cal looked down before unboxing, and widen his eyes pulling out a sports jersey, "Yusaku? I..."
"You gave up on sports for your brother." Yusaku explained to him. "But since my life is now back thanks to certain people..." He looked up giving a wink to Akira before turning back to Cal with a smile. "It means that once we get our answers from the Knights of Hanoi, you can go back to doing sports like you wanted."
Cal stared at him stunned before having slight tears, and walked hugging Yusaku which the younger man hugged him back with closed eyes while the Phantom Thieves, and Axis watched the exchange.
"How sweet." Haru smiled gently.
"Well guess this means mission accomplished." Ryuji grinned over to Akira before smiling, "And now that we done it Lavenza can stop worrying about him now since his heart's no longer closed off."
"But I think Yusaku knows we are the Phantom Thieves..." Ann admitted from the way Yusaku winked at them.
"He probably does, and I don't think our job here is done. We promised to help the others after all." Akechi reminded her.
Axis at that voiced, "Indeed, Yusaku's Palace is only the beginning. There are still Palaces at large for us to take down."
They smiled at each other before they notice Yusaku, and Cal walking over to them.
"Is everything alright you two?" Makoto asked them.
Cal wiped his eyes, "Yeah..." He smiled to them. "Everything's now okay."
"I didn't ask you all to change my heart." Yusaku said before he bowed, "But I thank you for it." He raised before smiling, "I honestly forgotten how good it feels to be free after all my thoughts of revenge on the Hanoi are all gone. But we will still be looking for them for answers regarding the Lost Incident. But..." Yusaku at that offered a hand to Akira. "Let me, and Cal join you two in the Phantom Thieves. We're not as experienced hackers as you are but we know a few tricks, and I can handle myself in battles."
Akira smiled. "You two are more than welcome."
Ulrich362: Yusaku and Cal are joining the Phantom Thieves... this should be interesting. Oh but for the curious no this won't change Yusaku's actions against the Knights of Hanoi... what it will change is his motivations. Right Bopdog?
bopdog111: Indeed. His sense of justice is still there but now his motivations, and goals won't be based on revenge. Now he, and Cal are looking for the Knights of Hanoi for answers on the Lost Incident.
Ulrich362: True, and just in time because a very... important character will appear next chapter.
bopdog111: You all should pretty much know. Along with that is a awakening, and the start of a Social Link.
Ulrich362: Sounds fun, see you in the next chapter.
bopdog111: Be sure to review!