Welcome to part 2 of Royal Second Chance! I hope you enjoy it. :)

Prologue: Call to arms!

February 20th, 2017

"It's no surprise that his disappearance has rocked the political world. Whether it is due to illness, an accident or something worse, all we know is that rumours are spreading fast." A TV news broadcast echoes in a well-kept room in the Diet Building, with two people watching with different expressions.

"If I might ask, how much longer do you think you can handle this?" A woman asks, sitting on the grand desk while looking over her nails. "I was assured I'd be fine, but the flies have already started buzzing around me."

"Oh, there's nothing for you to fear." An old gentlemanly voice answers her. "This will all be over soon enough. He'd have to defy us to stop us, and we both know that won't happen."

"HA! That's certainly true." The woman remarks, fiddling with a ring on her hand. "With all that in mind, I trust matters on your end are proceeding smoothly?"

"Indeed. The agreement is going exactly as arranged. It went more smoothly than I imagined since Yoshida vanished. All our dreams will be within our reach soon enough. We merely need to hold out a bit longer."

"Yes…It will certainly be a dream when that day comes!" She gives out a laugh as the older man leans in his chair. He did have to wonder, though…

Where did he go?

"We're baaack! Oooooh, cooold!" Futaba shudders as she, Sumire, Ann and Shiho enter Café Leblanc.

"Ah, welcome back!" Haru replies as Ren and Hifumi come out from the bar.

"Hey, you four. Hold up, we'll get some coffee brewed for you quickly." Ren tells them as the two adopted siblings get to work.

"Oh, I'm saved! I was worried we weren't going to make it for a bit… I mean, just look at Mona!" Futaba indicates, pointing to the cast as he lies curled up on the table.

"Awww, he's all curled up in a ball." Shiho coos as she comes near him.

"Yeah. Don'tcha just love it when cats do that?" Ryuji asks, giving Morgana a few pokes. Waking up a very grouchy cat.

"Quit poking me! And I am NOT a….dammit…" Morgana relents. Ever since the hassle with Maruki, he had begrudgingly accepted that he was indeed a cat. Earning a good chuckle from the Thieves as Ren and Hifumi pass the coffee around.

"Thanks, Ren-senpai. It was freezing out there." Sumire says, keeping the beverage between her hands.

"It has been snowing hard lately. It feels unnatural." Hifumi comments.

"Whenever it's cold outside, people want to stay indoors. And not just the shut-ins." Futaba comments, taking a sip of her coffee.

"That's just natural." Mishima replies, sitting next to Shiho. "But, it does feel bad that Boss won't get any customers."

"At first, I felt happy that we got the place to ourselves, but now I feel kind of bad." Ann comments. "By the way, where is Boss anyway?"

"He said he had to pick some things up from Tae's. Not sure what, though, but it has been a while since he left." Ren comments. "Which is strange. It shouldn't take this long…"

"Perhaps he got held up by something at the clinic?" Yusuke remarks.

"Somehow, I don't see Sojiro helping Tae with her experiment." Makoto replies, shaking her head. "What she put Ren I and through was more than enough. Still, I'm glad that we helped cure Miwa-chan faster."

"By the way, Makoto-senpai, do you know where Sae-san and Akechi are?" Sumire asks.

"The last message I got was that they were nearing Yongen-Jaya. So hopefully, they are in the area." Makoto replies, checking her phone.

"I'll go out and check then." Morgana offered, and he was out the door before anyone could stop him.

"He's one brave cat." Mishima replies with a chuckle. "Diving into that cold outside."

"Not a cat." The rest of the team says before delving into a fit of laughter. Before they finally managed to calm down.

"I enjoy these moments." Haru comments, leaning into Yusuke. "Even if they will be harder to plan."

"Indeed, the third years will soon be graduating, and Makoto and Haru will go to college." Yusuke comments, wrapping an arm around her. "On the bright side, none of us are leaving Tokyo, so we still have opportunities to meet up."

"Yeah." Ren replies, returning to the coffee maker before glancing at the TV.

"And now our report on Toshiro Kasukabe: The authorities' investigation into the Diet Member's apparent disappearance continues. Considered by many to be a strong candidate for Prime Minister, alongside Toranosuke Yoshida, who is also missing. Where could they have gone with the election so close?"

"A fair contingent of voters look to him as the fresh, new face of national politics, so his absence is concerning."

"Yes, ever since Kasukabe entered the Diet, his support from the public has only grown. It's no surprise that his and Yoshida-san's disappearance has rocked the political world."

"Whether it is due to accident, illness or something worse, all we know is that rumours are spreading fast."

"Man, the internet is going crazy about him. There are around half a dozen different conspiracy theories on the internet. Maybe even more." Futaba remarks with her phone in her hands.

"Still, I'm worried about Yoshida-sensei." Makoto remarks, looking at her boyfriend. "He didn't say anything before he vanished, did he, Ren?"

"No. Yoshida-sensei didn't say anything." Ren replies, shaking his head. "I asked Minato and Yu if they heard anything, but nothing. They and their teams are keeping an ear out, but it's worrying."

"Why do I get the feeling trouble is brewing?" Hifumi asks, cleaning a few cups.

"Haven't we been through enough?" Futaba asks with a groan. "Now we have to go through some DLC?"

"As the investigation continues, we will bring you any updates on Toshiro Kasukabe as they—are—released-…"

"Hm? What's wrong with the TV?" Mishima asks, drawing all eyes to it.

"It—is now—six—o'clock—is now six—is now six—six—six—six—six—six."

"Oh, come on…we just got that." Ren groans as the TV starts to sputter, with Ryuji trying to give it a few whacks to fix it. Haru grabs the table remote and tries to change the channel, but nothing happens.

"Even the remote? What's going on?" Shiho asked before her cup started vibrating with everything else in Café Leblanc.

"Earthquake?" Sumire asks before everyone was suddenly and violently flung about as the entire building shook. Sending bean containers to the floor, cups and utensils flying into the air while the group tries desperately to hold onto anything.

Before, just as suddenly as it happened, it stopped, with the entire café locked in a blue hue while all the flying objects were frozen in mid-air.

"Is everyone okay?" Ren asks, rubbing his head.

"I think so…" Ann comments before finding out she had landed on her boyfriend. "Ohmygod! I'm so sorry, Ryuji!"

"Hey…better me than you." He comments, standing up as the group stands on shaky legs.

"Wha-Wha-Wha-WHAT THE WHAT!?" Futaba suddenly shouts as she kneels in front of a floating cup and saucer.

"Did someone turn off the gravity!?" Mishima asks before jumping up a few times, earning a giggle from his girlfriend, Shiho. "Then again, maybe not."

"But, what's going on?" Sumire asks as Yusuke kneels down next to the cup, with Haru shaking her head at her boyfriend's antic.

"It's floating? No, it's frozen in place!" He says, just as a golden glow from the door grabbed everyone's attention. Not only was there a bright light coming from behind it but also a cog-shaped symbol with a bullet on it.

"Dude, what's up with the door?" Ryuji asks as Ren gets close to it.

"And why is it so quiet outside?" Shiho asks, hearing nothing from the walls.

"It's also dark outside as well." Haru adds.

"Guys, as much as I hate to say it but…" Ren breathes, turning back to everyone. "But it looks like we are back in the Metaverse." The group look at each other uneasily.

"I want to argue with you, Ren, but there is no denying this feeling is a little too familiar to the Metaverse." Makoto reluctantly agrees, rubbing her arms.

"But, the Meta Nav is gone. So, how did we get here if we are in the Metaverse?" Hifumi asks as all eyes turn to the door.

"I don't know. But something tells me we will get our answer through that door." Ren replies, reaching a hand out before stopping. A chill running down his spine. "Why am I getting a terrible feeling about this…"

"Don't worry, bro, we're right behind you." Futaba says, giving him a pat on the back. Appreciating the gesture, Ren opens the door. Filling the café with light. Before finding himself in an enormous plaza with a giant statue of someone holding a flag. A castle loomed over them, and a city surrounded them on all sides.

"I don't know what I was expecting. But definitely not this." Ren comments before noticing his hands have red gloves on them. But not just any red gloves. He was back in his Phantom Thief attire!

"So, we have entered the Metaverse after all…" Yus—Fox comments, glancing around the area with narrow eyes.

"But where the hell are we?" Skull asks, looking around.

"It reminds me of a European city from the Renaissance era." Shadow remarks.

"Not only that, we are in our Phantom Thief attire." Queen points out, with the team looking themselves over in either shock or surprise.

"Waaah!"

A scream from an alleyway drew the Thieves' attention as a group of short…hat people?... rushed out in a panic. Being chased by more hat people dressed as French soldiers from Napoleon's army.

With the soldiers opening fire on the fleeing hat people. Hitting them all in the back.

"What the hell!? Outlaw shouts, reaching for his gun.

"This is just like The Streets!" Violet shouts, reaching for her own gun.

"We've got more rebels over here!" One of the troops shouts, pointing at the Thieves before they approach like predators stalking their prey.

"Wuh-oh! We've been spotteeed!" Oracle helpfully points out as Joker pulls out his gun.

"Everyone! Find cover! If this is anything like The Streets, then we'll have to rely on our guns!" He calls, ducking behind a marble wall before firing at the troops as they, too, duck into cover and return fire.

I hope Mona is having a better time than we are!

Earlier.

"Thank you for the help, Sojiro. Been having a lot of customers lately." Tae remarks as the two leave her clinic in heavy winter clothes.

"It's no problem. Just happy to help." Sojiro replies, glancing around. "Still, today sure is quiet all of a sudden."

"Well, we have the weather to thank for that." Tae remarks, giving out a shiver. "I know I would rather stay inside than go out here." Sojiro nodded at her before turning his head around the corner when the sound of snow being crushed underfoot grabbed his ears. Before smiling at who it was.

"Well, look who it is. The Lawyer and the Detective." Sojiro jokingly remarks as Sae and Akechi walk up to them. "Good to see you."

"A pleasure to see you again, Sojiro." Sae replies. Under her coat was her new blue lawyer outfit. "And I have Minato to thank for helping me get my new badge. Although, I'm not taking cases just yet. I'm planning a few joint cases with Minato to get a feel for it before making my own mark."

"If you are anything like you were as a Prosecutor, Sae-san, I am confident you will be fine." Akechi replies before giving Sojiro a handshake. "Good to see you again, Sakura-san. And you to, Takami-san."

"A pleasure to see you again too, 'Pancake Boy'." Tae replies with a smirk while Akechi shakes his head at the nickname. Why they decided to suddenly call him that, he will never know. At least he still enjoys pancakes.

"There you are!" Morgana's voice echoes as he approaches them, paws deep in the snow and shivering, giving Sojiro a pointed look. "Everyone is wondering where you are!"

"Sorry about that. Had to help Tae here with some supplies." Sojiro replies as Tae leans down to give him a stroke. "Still, it's surprising you came out here. I thought you would still be curled up in a ball at the Café."

"I was. Until Ryuji and Shiho decided to poke me." Morgana pouts as the four humans chuckle at his predicament. "Anyway, let's get back to the Café and get warmed up. My paws are freezing here."

"I support that. It is starting to get very chilly." Akechi remarks as Tae picks the non-cat up, saving his paws from the snow as he tightens his jacket around him. Before he noticed, a few of the icicles above Tae's shop started to vibrate. "What is-?"

Before he could ask, the entire area suddenly erupted into a violent earthquake, sending all five of them to the ground. Right before, a golden glow enveloped them all.

"Urgh… Who ordered a sudden earthquake?" Tae asks, rubbing her head before noticing something alarmingly different. "And who turned up the heat?" With a groan, Sojiro pushes himself up before looking around at their unique surroundings.

"What the hell? Are we in France?" He asks as the two stand up before turning their attention to the others. Only to gasp in shock.

"Ooow… That was not fun…" Mona says, pushing himself before rubbing his big head. Only to pause and jump back, looking over himself in surprise. "What the!?"

"Mona? Why are you in your Thief form?" Crow asks, pushing himself before noticing his arms. "Wait… Me too?"

"It would look like I am as well." Athena remarks, standing up. "And that means only one thing."

"We're back in the Metaverse…Again…" Mona groans before looking at Sojiro and Tae. "And you guys have gotten dragged along."

"But what caused this? I thought you guys had managed to seal off the Metaverse." Tae asks, glancing around.

"So did we. But it looks like someone has figured out another way." Crow replies, going into detective mode. "But the question now is…who?" Athena hums in response as Mona folds his arms.

There were any number of potential suspects it could be. All of them being supporters of Masayoshi Shido. Well, the ones who were not caught anyway.

"Halt!" A voice rang out behind them as a group of five French-like troopers approached them. Complete with hats from Napoleon's time and muskets. "You rebels are under arrest!"

"Arrest? For what?" Tae asks as Sojiro stands in front of her.

"For being outside during curfew!" The lead trooper replies, as the ones behind it aim their rifles at them and open fire at them. Bullet scream past, slamming into walls and potted plants as the five take cover behind some stone walls.

"Damnit! What do we do now!?" Tae shouts as a bullet zips over her head.

"Athena! Mona! If I'm right, this place is like The Streets! Don't focus on getting close. Fight with your guns!" Crow shouts, bringing out his laser pistol and firing at the troops. He manages to hit one that falls to the ground in a daze as the others quickly get behind cover.

Some were tall enough to protect their bodies, others only reaching halfway up.

"They're behind cover!" Mona shouts before grinning. "But I can solve that! Diego! Garudyne!" Mona unleashes the spell on their foes by summoning his other self to the field.

Only… the spell that came out wasn't Garudyne. Instead…it was a low-level Garu that he shot out. But even though it was a weak spell, it managed to land between two of the hiding troops, sending them flying out into the open before them, with Athena shooting both of them with her guns.

"Mona! What's wrong?" She shouts, noting the wide eyes on his face.

"I don't know! I tried casting Garudyne, but it came out as a Garu!" He replies, bringing his sling shout out and letting a stone fly. Hitting a trooper in the head but not sending him to the ground.

"Then let me try. Maeigaon!" Crow shouts, Hereward forming behind him. But, just like with Mona, the spell came out completely different. Even if it was a Megido spell, managing to deal more damage to the exposed troopers, it was not the high-level curse spell he was expecting. "What is going on?"

"Did we somehow lose our strength coming here?" Athena asks, taking a few shots at the remaining troops, clipping one in the shoulder.

"This is not good. We're pinned down in a new place, with weakened Personas in a gunfight." Mona groans as a bullet zips past Sojiro. Just as more troops fill the area, a cloaked figure dashes right into them with a spear. The troops fly back, unprepared for the sudden attack, as the figure throws their cloak off.

Revealing themselves to be a young woman with lavender hair covering her right eye, while her other was a deep ruby red. They are wearing what could be called a worn-out general's outfit, with a torn red knee-length skirt and armour on their left leg.

The troops look at her in shock as she spins her spear around, impaling one before taking out an automatic pistol and firing into the remaining forces. Knocking all of them out before looking over to the trapped Thieves.

"Follow me! It's too dangerous here!" She calls out to them before rushing to a nearby alleyway. While confused, the group of five followed her into the alleyway as the troops started coming around. The troops try to chase after them, only to get lost in the alleyways.

The five Thieves and their saviour had vanished like shadows.

"We should be safe here." The woman says before turning to the others, noting that two of them are panting hard. "Are you two alright?"

"Just…out of breath…" Tae remarks before stretching herself out.

"I…don't remember…the last time…I had to run…so far…" Sojiro remarks with deep breaths. While Crow and Athena sweat-dropped at the two, Morgana walked up to their saviour.

"Thank you for saving us. We thought we were done for."

"Don't mention it. We appear to share a common enemy." She says, hand on hip, with a smile. "After all, it's not like you three were going to abandon them, were you?"

"Of course not." Athena replies. "We would never abandon them." The woman nods before glancing at the ground.

"You were lucky I got there. Marie's forces are great and powerful. To say nothing of the tyrant herself. We've never been able to defeat her head-on." She remarks, kicking a pebble in frustration.

"I see…it sounds like you have quite a history with her." Crow replies. "But, before we ask any further, it would be prudent to exchange names. And what this place is."

"Ah, right. In all the excitement, I forgot…" The woman replies with a smile while rubbing her head. "My name is Erina, the Rebel Crops leader. Who are all of you?"

"My name is Mona."

"You can call me Athena."

"And you can call me Crow."

"Sojiro Sakura."

"Tae Takami."

"And we are members of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts." Mona proudly declares.

"Members? There are more of you?" Erina asks with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.

"Yes, there are. However, I think it would be prudent to discuss this in a safer location." Crow admits.

"Well, I won't argue against that." Erina asks. "Follow me, I'll show you our hideout." She tells them before walking down the path. With no other option left to them, the team followed after her, wondering where the others were.

Meanwhile, in the castle in the city centre, a giant lady with pink skin wearing a custom wedding gown looks over the town with an expression of pleasure.

"Ahh. It won't be long till I have you in my grasp, Erina. Then, this city will be mine."

"Lady Marie!" One of the troops shouts, rushing into the room. "We have a report! Erina had been spotted but escaped when our troops were fighting more masked rebels!"

"I see…more masked people, huh?" Marie says, turning to the trooper with a wave of furious anger all over her face. "Then why are you still here!? Go out there and hunt them down now!"

"Y-Yes, ma'am!" The trooper replies before rushing out of the room as Marie gives off a huff.

"Just as the ceremony was falling into place, the vermin start crawling in through the walls…" She remarks with annoyance. "All I need is the perfect wedding, then everything I've ever wanted will be in my grasp! Until that moment comes, anyone in my way will regret it." She spins around, looking into a part of the room covered in shadows. "Oh, playthings!"

At her words, eleven figures wrapped in a pink aura appear in the shadows, their visages clouded. Only their outlines could be seen.

"I think I'm in the mood to try out my new little toys. Apparently, a few more rats out there that need to be cleaned up. You are to find them and bring them to me alive. Got it?" She tells them with a smug smile as all eleven figures immediately reply to her in an echoing, monotone voice.

"Your wish is our command, Great Lady Marie…"

The stage is set, the Thieves are here. But it would seems things are not going to go well for a while...