Chapter 12: The Museum of Vanity/The Masked Outlaw
May 20th, after school…
Ann and Yusuke, inside Madarame's storage room, found the painting of Sayuri, but it wasn't just one but many of them:
-"Is this that painting, 'Sayuri'? Why there are so many copies?"-Ann asked confused.
-"I have no idea…"-Yusuke said with the same confusion.
-"Why did you enter in here!?"-Madarame asked as he achieved to get in.
-"Sensei, what is the meaning of this?"-Yusuke asked Madarame as he pointed at the copies of 'Sayuri'.
-"..."-Madarame stood silent.
-"Sensei…?"-Yusuke insisted.
-"Forgive me, Yusuke."-the old man said with a serious expression on his face to the confusion of both teenagers.
Meanwhile, in his subconscious, Ace and Skull ran into the security guard that blocked their way:
-"Intruders!"-the guard exclaimed.-"Those attires! You must be thieves who threat Lord Madarame!"
-"I like how popular we are in this world."-Ace smiled in sarcasm.-"It makes things more exciting…"
-"Do not step any further! This place is on the total dominion of Lord Madarame or else, face death!"-the guard said as he transformed into a giant yeti with red eyes, a creepy smile, tiger-pattern fur and a snake as tail.
-"You guys got nothin' on us!"-Skull said.-"I'm honestly more afraid of screwin' it up and havin' Ann yell at me!"
-"Arsene!"-Ace exclaimed as she used Sukunda to lower his agility.
-"Take this!"-the yeti attempted to smash Skull with his fist but he avoided it.
-"Too slow!"-Skull exclaimed as he attacked the Shadow with Kidd's Headbutt.
-"Time for my new Persona, Hua Po!"-Ace summoned the dark skinned fairy.-"Agi!"
-"Gah!"-the yeti was hit on his weakness to fire skills and got knocked down.
-"Skull!"-Ace exclaimed as she ordered an All-out attack by the two of them making more damage.
-"You!"-he used garu on Skull blowing him away towards a wall.
-"Skull!"-Ace got distracted and the yeti hit her with his fist using an attack called 'Skull cracker' against the floor.
-"Agh. That hurt…"-Skull stood up after being hit with his Persona's weakness.-"You bastard…"
-"Let's go, Captain!"-Skull made his Persona to rampage on the yeti hitting it multiple times.-"Are you ok, Ace?"-he helped Ace to stand up.
-"That's going to leave a bruise…"-she complained as she took position.
-"You don't like fire, huh? Let me burn you alive!"-Ace said angry as she took off her mask ordering Hua Po to use agi on it once more.
-"Take this too!"-she shot bullets at the yeti until it vanished.
-"Damn…"-Skull said as if he saw Ace's show off of no mercy.
-"Here, Skull."-she used Jack Frost's Dia to heal them.-"Now, let's go for that control room.
-"Y-Yeah."-he nodded.
In the real world, Madarame was looking at the gullible teenagers as he came up with his long prepared speech:
-"Truth to be told. I'm in a severe debt."-he said as he looked down.-"I handmade and sell these copies of Sayuri through a special connection of mine…"
-"But why…?"-Yusuke asked.
-"The real 'Sayuri' was stolen by one of my students long ago...I assumed because he begrudged my strictness…"-Madarame explained.-"That event left me on shock and lead to my current artist block…"
-"Because of that, my students gave me their ideas for time to time…"-he continued.-"I couldn't keep that up and attempted to recreate Sayuri more than once but it ended up in replicas…"
-"That's when someone, knowing that they were not the original, bought them to me and I reached a point where I couldn't stop making them for money."-Madarame was still looking down.-"I used that money to further your talents. I ask you to please forgive your cowardly teacher."
-"Sensei, please look up…"-Yusuke said ashamed. It wasn't his intention to make his master beg forgiveness.
-"Hold on."-Ann interrupted.-"If the real Sayuri was stolen, how come you could make replicas of it?"
-"I'm its original artist so I can remember every detail of it."-Madarame excused.
-"If that is true, then why is every Sayuri here considered a replica as you just said?"-Ann asked.-"I don't know too much about art but aren't the experts in art supposed to have a keen eye for replicas?"
-"What do you know!?"-Madarame exclaimed.
-"I know that something's off and you are lying!"-she replied.
-"Lady Ann! There's a painting here thst is different!"-Mona whispered to Ann from behind a dorbe. Ann uncovered a painting behind her and it ended up being another 'Sayuri'.
-"Is this the real 'Sayuri'!?"-Yusuke said in shock. He could recognize that painting above any copy.-"I don't understand...Sensei, you just said that it was stolen…"
-"That's a fake, a counterfeit!"-the old man excused.-"I heard it was roaming around and I bought it!"
-"The original artist bought the counterfeit of his own painting? That's really pushing it."-Ann said serious as she crossed her arms.
-"Just tell us the truth, sensei."-Yusuke said in hope that it was a misunderstanding.
-"You as well?"-Madarame sighed as he took his old flippable phone.-"I am reporting you to my security company!"
-"What!?"-Ann said in shock.
-"Wait, sensei. We can talk about this..!"-Yusuke said as he noticed the old man wasn't thinking straight.
-"You can talk all you want to the police, Yusuke."-Madarame said.-"They will be here in two minutes."
-"Lady Ann, let's run!"-Morgana meowed and they ran away from the storage.
-"Takamaki-san!"-Yusuke, in the rush of not being arrested, went after her.
In the Metaverse, Ace and Skull ran away towards a safe room close to them after deactivating the security system of the door. It was almost time they met the others:
-"Noooo!"-they heard Ann's scream from the sky and she popped out from a distortion portal along with Mona and Yusuke. Before she fell on the floor, Yusuke rescued Panther in a princess fashion, which was ruined by Morgana bouncing on his head and falling on Ace's breasts.
-"A safe and comfy landing…"-Mona whispered relieved.
-"Back off, you cat."-Skull aparted him annoyed by taking him from the neck.
-"I thought I was gonna die…"-Panther sighed and noticed that Yusuke was still holding her.-"Hey, will you let go already!?"-she pushed him.
-"Ugh."-he was knocked out immediately.
-"Oh no! I didn't mean to push you so hard!"-Panther felt guilty for that.-"Are you ok? Get up!"
Ace kneeled and shyly touched his forehead. No reaction was found from Yusuke:
-"He's out."-she said.
-"Guess we have to wait for him to recover consciousness…"-Panther sighed.
-"More importantly, why did you bring him for!?"-Skull exclaimed as he released Mona.
-"I had no options; Madarame sent the police after us!"-Panther said.
-"This is bad! The Shadows get more unstable when a common person comes in Metaverse; we have to get to the entrance!"-Mona said and his loud voice woke up Yusuke.
-"Ah..?"-he could see Ace first.
-"You woke up. What a relief."-Ace smiled and he stood up and looked around to the masked faces.
-"Who are you people!?"-he exclaimed confused.
-"Calm down, Kitagawa-kun!"-Panther said.-"It's me!"
-"Takamaki-san?"-he recognized her voice and looked at Ace and Skull.-"So that means you two are…"
-"Indeed."-Ace affirmed in advance.
-"I don't recall seeing a cat costume before though…"-he said as he looked at Mona.-"What is this place?"
-"How can I explain…? Right now, we are on Madarame, your sensei's unconscious."-Ace said.-"This reality is how he sees the house you two are living right now."
-"This pukable place is sensei's unconscious…?"-Yusuke was confused.
-"She ain't lyin'. This is how that old geezer sees it. That bastard is just a greed-fueled money-grabber."-Skull said, provoking the boy's anger.
-"That's nothing but rubbish!"-he exclaimed reluctant.
-"Kitagawa-kun. Didn't you see how Madarame was acting strange?"-Panther said.-"I know you're not going to believe it now but this is his true nature."
-"That's…"-Yusuke put his palm on his face in pain.-"If everything you are saying it's true, then the sensei I know never existed…"
-"Truth is always crushing, isn't it?"-Ace murmured to him with a sad expression.
-"You gotta snap out of it."-Skull added.
-"Just, who are all of you?"-Yusuke asked.
-"Les Blues Rebelles. You can say that we're a group who changes the hearts of rotten crooks."-Skull said.
-"You said it right this time!?"-Mona said in shock.
-"Sensei is a rotten man…"-Yusuke murmured.-"Still, he has kept me safe for the past ten years! My gratitude for him will not vanish for something like this!"
-"Kitagawa-kun…"-Ace said worried that he was so reluctant to accept the truth.
-"So you're just going to forgive him like that!?"-Skull exclaimed.-"At this rate…"
-"Ugh!"-Yusuke fell on his knees with his hand on the chest.
-"Are you ok?"-Panther approached to his aid.
-"I'm trying to be rational about this but my emotions are overwhelming me…"-he explained.
-"The Shadows are getting closer! We don't have time to dawdle!"-Mona exclaimed.
-"Can you stand, man?"-Skull said to him but Yusuke didn't really answer.-"Here. I'll lend you a hand."-he forced Yusuke to accept his help by taking his arm over his shoulders.
-"Let's run!"-Ace said as they started to run.-"We have to avoid any clash with enemies if we want Kitagawa-kun to be safe…"
-"My apologies for causing you trouble now."-Yusuke said to her.-"Still, this is really Sensei's heart? This vain museum…"
-"..."-None of the thieves dared to say a word.
They stopped in the second exhibition room when Yusuke recognized the faces on the paintings:
-"Why there are paintings of them here?"-he asked to the thieves as he stepped off from Skull's aid.
-"Do you recognize them? These are his other pupils..."-Panther asked.
-"Basically, those are not paintings of them but the pupils themselves."-Mona explained to him.
-"Madarame sees them as tools and so that's why they're here."-Skull said.
-"We also found a painting of you here."-Ace added.
-"It doesn't beat the real deal though…"-she murmured for herself.
-"Did you say something?"-Yusuke asked as he thought he overheard that.
-"N-Nothing! It's nothing!"-Ace exclaimed embarrassed.-"Anyways, we can explain everything once we get out!"-she went ahead.
-"Did I do something wrong?"-Yusuke asked to Panther and Skull.
-"Don't worry. That's how she usually is."-the blonde girl reassured him as they followed her.
They went towards the room with the Infinite Spring statue and before they could head out to the other exhibition room, two security guards stood on their way:
-"Oh no…!"-Ace said as they backed off.
An evil old laugh was heard from behind them and they saw two security guards accompanying Madarame, not the real one but his Shadow. He was using an extravagant golden kimono, a shogun haircut and makeup.
-"What the…!?"-Panther reacted in disgust.
-"Talk about bullshit clothes. First a king now some kinda shogun!"-Skull commented.
-"Welcome to the museum of the master artist Madarame!"-the Shadow said like a theater announcer.
-"Huh…?"-Yusuke looked at him with a serious confusion.-"Sensei, is that you? That attire…"
-"This is just one big lie, isn't it?"-Yusuke said in disbelief.
-"I hate to say it but that is his true nature. The side of your sensei who he refuses to accept yet dominantes his actions and thoughts."-Ace said as she put her hat on place.
-"Exactly."-Shadow Madarame said with a twisted smile.-"Those ragged clothes are nothing but an act, just like that shack. I have a luxurious house, but under a mistress' name, of course."
-"That's quite a set up you got."-Ace said unsurprised. That explained her initial doubts about Madarame.
-"And it worked so perfectly that it makes me laugh."-Shadow Madarame laughed.
-"Sensei, if this is really you then tell me!"-Yusuke asked as he was like begging.-"Why was the real Sayuri in that room? Why did you make copies of it?"
-"Yusuke, you foolish child. You still don't see it?"-Madarame said as he denied with his head the hopelessness of his pupil.-"The painting being stolen was just a false rumor I spread! It was all staged!"
-"What do you mean…!? For what end!?"-Yusuke asked.
-"For what end? For money of course!"-Madarame said.-"Imagine the faces of those art snobs when they thought they bought a painting that was supposedly stolen!"
-"No…!"-Yusuke felt an inner rage that filled his body with anxiety and he fell on his knees.
-"The worth of art is just subjective, thus this is a legitimate business transaction!"-Madarame said.-"I'll be surprised if you could come with a scheme like this."
-"You keep babbling about money this, money that."-Skull said pissed off.-"No wonder why you ended up with this disgusting museum!"
-"You are a recognized artist! Aren't you ashamed of plagiarizing others!?"-Panther exclaimed.
-"Art is nothing but a tool to gain money and fame."-Shadow Madarame affirmed with a greedy smile.-"I can't be more grateful to you for helping me achieve that, Yusuke…"
-"You old bag!"-Ace said enraged.-"How you dare use a boy who believed in you like that!?"
-"You were going to feed his illusions just so you could throw him out when you didn't need him, am I right!?"-Ace pointed at Madarame.-"Just like you did with all your other pupils…"
-"...You talk so high for being just a brat."-Madarame said as he laughed low at her.-"I'll tell you this alone to you, Yusuke."
-"If you want to succeed in this world, you must not rise against me like all the others."-Madarame said to him and Yusuke heard it clear.-"Otherwise, I'll hold you down and you will never find success. Hahahahahaha."
-"To think I was under the care of this wretched man…!"-Yusuke said as he still held the anxiety of his body.
-"What? Did you thought I took you under my wing as a good-hearted act?"-Madarame buffed.-"Talented yet problematic pupils like you are the ones who provided me with the most profitable paintings."
-"I can't believe this…"-Yusuke said.
-"Well, believe it. There was nothing more promising than stealing the futures of children who can't fight back."-Madarame said which pissed Ace off more than it should. It reminded her of that disgusting woman.
-"But enough of this little chat, guards…"-Madarame proceeded to order his guards to capture them.
-"Hahaha…"-Yusuke stood up in front of Ace.-"How amusing…"
-"Kitagawa-kun? Wait, get back!"-Panther said.
-"So, you're paying me my generosity with this, Yusuke? What an ungrateful pupil you ended up being."-Madarame said displeased.
-"I always wanted to believe that it wasn't true…"-Yusuke said after he laughed in disbelief.-"But I just ended up blinding myself from the fact that I was under the care of such an horrible man. Let me be clear, I won't forgive you! Not for lying to me but also for how you have disrespected the art I live for!"
-"Have you finally come to your senses?"-Yusuke heard the shadowy gallant voice of a man inside his head and an unbearable pain filled his head as his eyes turned yellow.-"How foolish you averted your eyes from the truth…"
-"Kitagawa-kun…?"-Ace thought as she saw him banging his head back and forth in pain.
-"A deplorable imitation indeed. Best you part from that part of yourself."-the voice kept saying.
-"Graaaghhhh!"-Yusuke fell on the floor and tried to stood up yet his hands were trembling.
-"I will…I will hold true to my conviction… No mortal desires should chain me to this low scum…"-Yusuke replied mentally to the voice as he was scraping his nails against the floor until they bled.
-"Then, let us now forge a contract. I am thou, thou art I. The world is filled with both beauty and vice…"-as the voice said this, a white and red kitsune mask appeared in Yusuke's face.-"It's time you teach people which is which!"
-"A mask?"-Mona said surprised.
-"Very well."-Yusuke got up and took the mask with his bloody hand.-"Come, Goemon!"-as a light drum could be heard in the background and from a blue aura surrounding Yusuke when he took of his mask; a robust man with a red short shirt kimono, a blue vest over it, red pants, a diamond pattern scarf under his shirt, wood sandals with exaggerated sharp heels, black and red belts tied to his chest, an Elvis haircut, theatre make-up and holding a large white pipe on his right hand, appeared beside Yusuke whose attire changed to a blue outlaw outfit with a white tanuki tail attached to his belt, light blue gloves, white boots and a katana sword case holding on the side.
Yusuke took a step back and stroke a kabuki pose as he said with his eyes closed:
-"A breathtaking sight…"-he opened his eyes.-"Imitations they may be, but together they make a fine spectacle…"
-"Though the flowers of evil blossom...Be it known. Abominations are fated to perish!"-he exclaimed as he moved his hand forward making his Persona, Goemon, use an ice wind that froze the guards alive, leaving Madarame in disadvantage.
-"So gallant…"-Ace looked at him with sparkles on her eyes. The cold strike that Yusuke gave to his enemies totally fitted his handsome appearance.
-"Who do you think you are? The price for your insolence will be death!"-Madarame said angry.
-"Where are my guards? Kill them all!"-to his call, three security guard shadows appeared from the floor.
-"Skull! Panther!"-Ace called them to the front to fight along with Yusuke.
-"The children who adored you as 'father'...
The prospects of your pupils…
How many did you trample upon?
How many dreams did you exchange for riches?"-Yusuke recited as he looked at Madarame's vicious smile. He, then, proceeded to extend his hand as a sign of challenge.-"No matter what it takes, I'll bring you to justice!"
-"Show us what you're made of!"-Ace told to him as she adapted a combat pose.
-"Very well. Bring it on!"-Yusuke said with a confident smile as the security guards transformed into masked tengus and a large demon with one leg and using the outfit of an craftsman.
-"You're in the presence of Lord Madarame! On your knees, Intruders!"-the craftsman demon said.
-"I learnt so much from you Madarame. To reach true authenticity, one must be dispassionately realistic."-Yusuke put his kitsune mask back.-"With Goemon by my side, I can now accept your true self without any reservations."
-"Take this!"-Yusuke ordered Goemon to use his pipe to slice the craftsman demon making him on a side while Ace approached to the confused minions.
-"Jack Frost!"-Ace said as she looked at the five tengus.-"Ravage them!"-and used Mabufu, a multiple range attack, killing them on the instant.
-"Hee-ho hee!"-Jack Frost laughed joyfully after killing the enemies.
-"Panther, lower his attack!"-Ace said as she high-fived with her.
-"Roger!"-the girl said as she used Tarunda on the enemy.
-"You gotta hit him harder if you wanna reach your teacher!"-Skull said to Yusuke as he used Tarukaja to power him up.
-"You brats!"-the demon attacked Yusuke with his mace, hurting his fragile body.
-"Do it, Kitagawa-kun!"-Ace cheered him up to attack.
-"So, the public has spoken!"-Yusuke said as he touched his mask.-"Goemon, strike!"-the giant slice ended up in a critical hit and the demon was knocked down.
-"Don't stay still, rookie! It's time for an All-out attack!"-Mona said.
-"Let's do it!"-Ace said as she went ahead of Yusuke and he followed her and the others defeating the demon with Yusuke posing behind him with a Japanese style background with a dragon and an ink description saying: 'IT WAS FUN UNTIL IT LASTED. GOOD BYE.'
With the demon defeated, Yusuke's eyes focused on Shadow Madarame:
-"You have now dumped your bright future down the drain…"-the old man said coldly.-"I'll destroy every chance you ever had of becoming an artist, Yusuke…!"-that said, Madarame vanished in the shadows.
-"Wait, you…!"-Yusuke tried to go after him but he fell on his knees exhausted.-"Ugh. Why can't I move?"
-"It's fine. That is what happens the first time you fight in this world."-Ace said as she kneeled to his height.-"Even if you want to continue, you are terribly exhausted…"
-"What a disgrace I am…"-Yusuke lamented himself to hear that.
-"It's not like that…"-Panther said.-"Come on. Let's sit somewhere safe."
At Panther's suggestion, the five of them sat down in one of the waiting seats of the reception:
-"You did know about this for a long time, didn't you?"-Panther asked Yusuke while Ace gave to him a yakisoba bread she took from her pocket.
-"I was no fool."-Yusuke replied as he opened the package.-"Strange people came and left from time to time and plagiarism was something you saw everyday."
-"But, who would admit that they own their lives to such horrible man?"-he said.
-"Why did you stay, Kitagawa-kun?"-Panther asked.
-"He's the painter of 'Sayuri' after all. That painting inspired me to be who I am. Besides, I owe him a great debt…"-Yusuke said and proceed to eat the bread.
-"Is it about your mother?"-Ace asked to his surprise.-"We heard that she passed away from one of Madarame's pupils…"
-"Yes."-Yusuke replied.-"I never knew my father and I was told my mother died in an accident when I was three. Sensei took me in after that; I heard he helped my mother while she was still alive and that she raised me alone…"
-"Why do you mean by you 'heard' it?"-Skull asked.
-"To be honest, I don't remember much about her."-Yusuke frowned sadly as he finished his bread.-"I did everything for sensei because I thought of him as a father…"
-"You have been through a lot, huh?"-Skull said.
-"When you talked about his plagiarism, deep down, I knew it was all true."-Yusuke said as he faced Skull.-"That's why I vehemently denied you because I was running from the truth. I'm sorry."
-"I understand how you feel."-Ace smiled at him.-"There's someone who I refuse to see as evil, even when I saw his actions with my own eyes."
-"Ace…"-Mona murmured worried as he thought it was related with the family doctor that Takeo mentioned.
-"My apologies."-Yusuke closed his eyes as sign of resent for upsetting her.-"Still, I'm grateful for this chance to face what I've been denying all this time."
-"You're way too serious, man."-Skull smirked.-"That's why you get your head stuck in just one place. Look at me! I just go with the flow."
-"For real."-Panther agreed.
-"The real question is what are you going to do now?"-Mona asked the boy.
-"I don't know…"-Yusuke said.
-"We can't change the fact that Madarame's gone and changed."-Skull said to him.-"But, we are go to change his heart and make him pay for his crimes."
-"Since you have the same power as us, wouldn't you like to help us, Kitagawa-kun?"-Ace asked.
-"..."-Yusuke thought about it but before he could answer, some guard shadows appeared.
-"Looks like we have to save the chat for later!"-Panther said and they ran away towards the entrance.
Later, in the diner at Shibuya, Kazumi and the others finished their explanation to Yusuke about how they became Phantom Thieves:
-"I see… So this PE teacher got a change of heart…"-Yusuke said.-"To think the rumored Phantom Thieves really exist…"
-"It's fine if you find it difficult to understand, it wasn't easy for us either…"-Kazumi said.
-"No. I believe it. There's no point in common sense after seeing a world like that with my own eyes."-Yusuke said.
-"Moving on, you're planning to change Sensei-Madarame's heart, right?"-Yusuke said.-"Let me join...as a member of the Phantom Thieves."
-"I know I suggested it earlier but, why?"-Kazumi asked surprised.
-"If I'd faced reality sooner, this could have been avoided. It is my responsibility to put an end to his twisted desires and avenge the futures of the pupils that were robbed from them."-he said with a serious look.-"That is the most civil thing I can do for someone...who in some manner was my father."
-"Sounds fine to me. We are going to go for Madarame anyways."-Ryuji said.
-"Madarame might suffer a psychotic breakdown once we steal his treasure. We have methods to avoid it but they are not play safe."-Morgana meowed.-"Will you still do it?"
-"Madarame's influence in the world of art will most likely end any attempt I can do to raise my voice against him."-Yusuke said.-"This is my only option."
-"Then, it's settled! You are now a member of Les Blues Rebelles!"-Kazumi said as she put her hands together.
-"It's nice to have you around, Yusuke."-Ann said.
-"Don't slow us down."-Ryuji said with a smirk.
-"I'll do my best."-Yusuke said quietly.
-"Oh, and no more attempts of nude paintings, ok?"-Kazumi added smiling.
-"I haven't give it up on that yet, though."-Yusuke admitted bluntly.-"That reminds me, Takamaki-san said you were interested in modeling for me, if the opportunity arises…"
-"N-No thanks. I want to get married."-Kazumi cut him out.
-"She meant that you have to give it up!"-Ann added.-"Anyways, I wonder what happened with the real Madarame."
-"I called him before coming here and he still thinks that I am pursuing you."-Yusuke explained.-"And just like you said, he doesn't remember anything about the Shadows."
-"He also mentioned that he will take legal action against everyone."-Yusuke mentioned, referring to all of them.-"I doubt it will be soon as he prefers to avoid any scandal before the exhibition is over."
-"Guys. Can we please do a mission without putting me on risk of getting in jail permanently?"-Kazumi sighed.
-"A skilled Phantom Thief will act over any risk."-Morgana said to her.-"That only means our deadline hasn't changed. We have to change Madarame's heart before the exhibition ends."
-"By the way, what is this?"-Yusuke asked getting his attention on Morgana.
-"That's Morgana. He looks like a cat now but he says that he was once a human."-Kazumi explained.
-"Sounds preposterous."-Yusuke said trying not to laugh.
-"You got a problem with that!?"-Morgana said offended.
-"Not really."-Yusuke said.
-"Why not?"-Ryuji asked surprised. After all, Morgana was the most weird thing above everything they have seen.
-"He's just on another wavelength."-Ann explained.
-"Do you want to draw me? I advert you, I will only accept my best profile."-Morgana said with pride.
-"Humm…"-Yusuke approached closer to the cat. He thought he was going to touch him but instead, Yusuke picked up a black bean from the bowl in front of Morgana.-"I was thinking about ordering some black-bean jelly."
-"I bet he got the idea from a 'black cat'"-Ryuji said.
-"Oh, but I didn't bring any money."-Yusuke realized after he checked his pockets.
-"I can buy you some for today."-Kazumi smiled to him.
-"It's fine! Asaka-san, you already had been generous with me lately."-Yusuke refused.
-"Never mind, he's just weird."-Ann said as she realized Yusuke was a hopeless airhead.
After that, Kazumi returned to LeBlanc and texted the others to gather tomorrow after school in the station so they could go to Mementos as it was wise that Yusuke received some training.
May 21st.
In the morning, Kazumi finished reading the book 'The Alluring Dancer' and learnt how to be more charming.
*Kazumi's charm is now Head-turning*
After school, she went to buy improved equipment for Yusuke and reunited with the others on their hideout in the walkway:
-"So, what exactly is this Mementos?"-Yusuke asked.
-"It's a Palace for the collective unconscious."-Morgana explained.
-"It's pretty deep and it seems to have a lot of walls blocking our way so we proceed with it slowly."-Kazumi said.-"Today, we are going to go as deep as possible and clear a request from the Phan-site."
-"Request?"-Yusuke asked.
-"There's a blog called the Phantom Aficionado Website where people post the names of the ones they want a change of heart. An acquaintance of us texts our leader about which request really needs a change of heart."-Ann explained.
-"That's how we initially target Madarame."-Ryuji added.-"One of his pupils, who we triggered a change of heart, requested a change of heart for him."
-"We were hesitant at the beginning when we went to investigate him in person…"-Ann said.-"But, I guess we did the right choice."
-"I suppose you can say it in that way."-Yusuke said.
-"Alright. Let's go."-Kazumi said as she got the Nav ready and they were transported to the entrance of Mementos.
Already in there, Ace gave Yusuke a Gunto sword and a Black Assault rifle that she bought for him to fight. After that, she explained the request:
-"Our target is Daisuke Takanashi. He seems to be a bully that targets other students at the alley nearby our school."-Ace explained.
-"Yeah. I've heard that he takes the money of other students and even blackmails them…"-Skull said as he recalled the name of the target.
-"Guess we have to punish him before it gets worse."-Panther said as she moved back one of her ponytails.
-"I see. How do you find his Shadow in this place?"-Yusuke asked.
-"The MetaNav pinpoints his location and Mona can sense it too."-Ace said.-"It seems that it is passed the door we opened before…"
-"Let's go! Everyone aboard!"-Mona said as he ran towards the rails and transformed into a bus.
-"Woah!"-Yusuke exclaimed impressed.
-"Shocking, isn't it?"-Panther said to him.-"But don't worry, you'll get used to it."
-"Perhaps, I see no reason why I shall enter in denial."-Yusuke replied.-"This cat believes that he's a human and becomes a bus… Such an intriguing creature…"
-"Don't treat me like a weird bug!"-Mona-bus complained.
While Ace was driving towards their target, Skull looked at Yusuke, who was next to him because Panther was Ace's copilot today:
-"Oh, yeah. Hey, girls we haven't decided on a codename for our new member!"-he said.
-"You're right!"-Panther said as she turned around.-"You see, Yusuke, we call ourselves by codenames in this world."
-"Mine is Panther, Ryuji is Skull, Morgana is Mona and our leader is Ace."-she said.-"How do you want to be called?"
-"Da Vinci should do."-he replied serious.
-"No way."-Skull said.
-"Why not?"-Yusuke asked in shock.
-"It sounds too cool; You may end up standing out way too much."-he explained.-"Well, with that mask and that weird tail...Abarage is perfect!"
-"Are you kidding? Everyone will made fun of that name!"-Panther said.-"Ace, any ideas?"
-"Hm?"-Ace stopped the Mona-bus in a closed area of the map.-"I was thinking about Kitsune."
-"Not any better but, what do you think, Yusuke?"-Panther asked.
-"I'll go along with it."-he said.
-"...That's definitely a no."-Panther said as she thought that Yusuke will accept any codename.-"If you two are going with foxes, let's just call him Fox and that's it. It's on the same wavelength as our codenames."
-"What do you think, Fox?"-Ace asked as she looked to him through the mirror.
-"I don't mind it."-he agreed.
-"Ok, then."-Skull said with a sign of disbelief.-"Are we close now?"
-"Just a bit more."-Ace said as she looked at the Nav.
-"If you guys are done there, can we go fast?"-Mona-bus said.-"Not to be a party pooper but if we stay too long in one of the areas, a powerful Shadow will come to get rid of us. I think 'The Reaper' is its name."
-"T-The Reaper!?"-Panther said scared.-"What are you doing, Ace? L-Let's get this done!"
-"I know! Don't panic if you don't want us to crash!"-she said as she tried to maintain control of the Mona-bus.
They finally got to the distortion portal leading to Takanashi's Shadow:
-"Hey, Mr. Bully."-Ace said while smiling.-"I heard you were taking the money of others…"
-"Huh?"-Shadow Takanashi turned around and saw the five thieves.-"It's not my fault! It's their fault for not standing up for themselves."
-"You're not reasonable. How can it be their fault if you don't give 'em a choice to begin with!?"-Skull said with his thug attitude.
-"You're the lowest of the low! Taking money from the ones who can't fight back!"-Panther exclaimed to him.
-"The hell!? Are you guys ganging up to me now? Are you Phantom Thieves some kind of gang?"-the shadow said with a sarcastic smile.
-"How foolish of you to mistake us for vulgars."-Fox said.
-"Playtime is over. We're going to change your heart."-Ace said as she fixed her right glove.
-"Then, so be it. Come at me, bro!"-Takanashi said as he transformed into a… Jack Frost?
-"A giant Jack Frost!?"-Ace lost her concentration after seeing it.
-"I told you I didn't do anything wrong! Listen to me, dammit!"-the elf said as he was smiling funny.
-"That's not me-ho! Beat the hee-imposter, ho!"-Jack Frost exclaimed angry in Ace's mind.
-"Sorry. I just lost it for a second…"-she apologized putting her hand on her hat.-"Anyways, if it's a Jack Frost, his weakness must be fire, right Mona?"
-"I don't see a weakness, really."-Mona analyzed.-"It must be coincidence that it looks like one."
-"It can't hurt to try, right?"-Panther said.
-"You thieves are gonna fight or what?"-the Jack Frost asked impatient.
-"Well, let's do this!"-Ace changed her mask to Berith.-"Persona!"-and made him use a skill called Double Fangs.
-"Zorro!"-Morgana summoned his Persona to use Garu on him as soon as Ace's attack landed.
-"Hee-ho!"-the Jack Frost used the bufu skill on Yusuke but it didn't really do much damage.
-"Take this!"-Fox counterattacked using his new sword.-"Panther!"
-"Now, it's our chance! Carmen!"-Panther summoned her Persona to use Agi on him but it didn't knock it out.
-"Fire didn't work… now, what?"-Panther asked.
-"Well, there's a way to deal with bullies."-Ace said and she smiled a Skull.-"What do you think, Skull?"
-"Oh, I see. Leave it to me."-Skull said as he touched Fox's shoulder.-"Let's go wild, buddy."
-"...Agreed."-Fox replied a bit uncomfortable.
-"Here I go!"-Skull went ahead of Fox and hit the target with his heavy pipe in the head.
-"Berith!"-this was continued by Ace using cleave to send the Jack Frost flying and being impacted by Morgana's slingbow beads.
-"Fox, finish it off!"-Skull exclaimed and he jumped and cut in half making it vanish when it fell on the floor.
-"Alright!"-Panther clapped at their teamwork although she couldn't participate at all.
-"Ugh...It hurts…"-the Shadow went back to the form of Shadow Takanashi.
-"So now you get how it feels to be bullied, don't you, asshole?"-Skull said as he stretched his neck.
-"I didn't have another option...If I didn't do it, they were going to hurt me. I don't want my money to be taken anymore either!"-Takanashi said in angsty.
-"Oh, I get it. There's an even bigger bully ordering this guy around- who's behind all of this."-Panther said.
-"Hey! Didn't you just said it was people's own fault for not standing by themselves?"-Skull incriminated Takanashi.
-"Leave him alone. It must have been how he felt about himself."-Ace said to Skull.
-"Please, help me!"-Takanashi said as he kneeled down to them.
-"Oh, geez, what to do?"-Morgana said as he crossed his paws.
-"Please, I begging you!"-he said in regret.-"I promise not to be a bully anymore."
-"All right. We'll try and do something about it."-Ace said to him.-"You better apologize to those who you bullied."
-"You will? Thank you! It's a promise so don't forget it!"-Shadow Takanashi said as he looked up to them and disappeared in white light, leaving a treasure behind.
-"Pay attention, Fox. This is our reward."-Mona said to him as Ace took the item, a bottle of protein shake.
-"Protein…?"-Fox asked confused.
-"I'm sure it will be useful for Palaces."-Ace smiled at him.-"No need to get greedy of what people think is a treasure."
-"What people think as a treasure, huh?"-Fox said as he crossed his arms.
-"Interesting concept… I'll like to paint that but before…"-his mood rapidly dropped as he remembered Madarame.
-"..."-Ace had a hunch that it was the case.-"Anyways, we haven't finished here."
-"To the next area, we go!"-Morgana said as he transformed into a bus and the others went inside.
The Thieves progressed all the way to the end of their current zone, Aityasbus, and returned as the door there was locked. After that, they returned to the entrance and Ace suggested the others to go ahead on the real world:
-"What are you going to do?"-Fox asked curious.
-"I will stay with Mona. There's something I need to do."-she looked at the distance, though, she was actually seeing Victor and the entrance to the Velvet Room.
-"Ace will reach us soon. She might need to do something with her Personas."-Panther said as she touched his shoulder.
-"See you outside!"-Skull said as he activated the app to get out.
There was a little silence before Morgana saw Ace fell asleep in a corner and went towards her:
-"Good grief…"-he sighed.-"Why do you decide to space out here of all places?"
-"..."-Mona looked worried at her.-"I hope the human me was just as strong and kind as you…"
-"So, I could protect you when you feel weak…"-he didn't realize what he meant by that and slapped himself.-"Idiot, me! I'm devoted to Lady Ann, after all!".
Meanwhile, in the Velvet Room, Kazumi saw the twins with a smile full of pride:
-"Jack Frost has Mabufu now!"-she said excited.
-"Impressive and in a short amount of time…"-Victor said.
-"Whatever, don't get too cocky just because you passed the first request!"-Will said as he crossed his arms.
-"Victor, what's the next request?"-Will asked.
-"You are very impatient. Don't you plan on give our culprit a reward for her efforts?"-Victor scolded his twin.
-"I know! I just forgot it!"-Will exclaimed back and then, looked at Kazumi.
-"Well, for beating the first request, we are giving you a new aid."-Will said.-"It's the Group Guillotine. With it, you can fuse more than two Personas in order to create superior ones."
-"What about it? Very useful, huh?"-he presumed.
-"I think so…"-Kazumi said insecure. Watching fusions wasn't really amusing and now that they could be even in great numbers made her feel even more guilty.
-"You don't seem grateful, culprit."-Victor pointed out.
-"I am! I am!"-she insisted.-"Aside from it, would you two stop calling me culprit?"
-"Is there a problem with that?"-Will asked annoyed.
-"Well. Since you are supposed to be my lawyers, referring to me by my name or client will be more appropriate."-she explained.
-"If you say so…"-Victor said with doubts. She was actually making a valid point about how they referred to her improperly.-"We shall call you our Client for now on."
-"Why do you agree to such petty petition, Victor? It's just a name!"-Will said.
-"Because she is right. As lawyers, we shall treat the culprit as a client whether is guilty or innocent."-Victor replied.
-"Is this your first time being a lawyer?"-Kazumi asked to them and they stayed quiet.
-"I can't remember…"-Victor murmured.
-"Me neither…"-Will said.
-"It's fine. I'll keep trusting on you two about my rehabilitation."-Kazumi said trying to cheer them up.
-"Heh."-the twins seemed to agree to her trust and care.
At this action, the Strength arcana got a second star.
*Group Guillotine unlocked*
-"What is the next task then?"-Kazumi smiled.
-"Arcade. Take the attendants to an Arcade."-Victor read.
-"...Pardon?"-Kazumi excused as she thought she heard that wrong.
-"Wait. You mean, you and me...going outside of the Velvet Room? With our client!?"-Will exclaimed in shock.
Take Your Time.