Chapter 4: The Chariot

Ω • Ω • Ω

•Akira•

Captain Kidd laughed, firing a beam of lightning out and electrifying the knight. The Shadow grunted, before commanding the other guards to attack, after which they all transformed into the Shadow horses.

He sent Arsène forward, cleaving at one of the horses and slashing it in two, while Morgana leaped to safety and pelted another horse with five shots from his slingshot while Zorro swept up another with Garu. Ryuji stepped forward and commanded Kidd to blast another horse with lightning, causing it to screech and fall back while flailing. "They're weak to lightning, Ryuji, focus on the regular horses! Morgana and I'll take care of the big one!"

"Got it! Let's get 'em, Captain!"

As Ryuji and the Captain blasted away at the horse creatures, he and Morgana attacked the horseman. The horse reared back and charged at them, with the guard on top of it spinning its lance and striking at him. He deflected the blow with his dagger, grasping his handgun with his free hand to blast the horseman's armor. The bullets pinged off of it, only a few punching through, and the Shadow whacked him aside with the handle of its lance.

He turned his fall into a roll, using the distance he'd gained to aim this time and fired the rest of his magazine, sending the bullets flying through the slits in its faceplate. It clutched at its head in agony and its horse shifted under it, not sure what to do, giving Morgana time to strike and dig his curved blade into one of the joints in its armor before jumping away, letting him get in a curse blast with Eiha before ducking back and recalling Arsène, reforming his mask.

The horseman was strong, yes, stronger than any of the other Shadows individually, but it didn't have any backup. Well, it did, but Ryuji was mopping them up, and killing the last one. With just one enemy, they could focus on dodging and counter-attacking, and that was just when they weren't on the offensive. The horseman seemed to sense this, its horse retreating a few steps before the sound of a gun went off and the horseman reared back in pain. Ryuji walked up, pumping a shotgun and grinning. "Man, this thing is badass!"

"Enjoying yourself?" He questioned, keeping an eye on the Shadow.

"Hell yeah I am!" He twirled his gun and it vanished like Morgana's slingshot did when the cat wasn't using it before he drew a bat covered in chains from nowhere. "Now, let's finish this guy off!" Ryuji was being reckless, but he understood why. The rush of Awakening and feeling energy pumping through your veins, plus the knowledge that he was finally fighting back against Kamoshida was likely intoxicating. He'd be there to pull him back if he overextended, but he'd let him indulge.

The horseman snarled and tried to impale the blond boy, but Ryuji simply jumped around him, rearing back and smashing his bat into the Shadow's side. The horse stumbled from the strength of the blow, and Akira was quick to capitalize. "Everyone," he called, twirling his dagger, "All-Out Attack!"

Morgana and Ryuji quickly followed his lead, striking and dodging and striking again, not giving the Shadow any time to think or retaliate. Ryuji was the one to land the final blow, bashing the knight's head clean off its shoulders, before slamming into the ground and scrambling to his feet to try and keep his composure. The horseman, meanwhile, stood in place for a single moment, before black blood spurt from its head, and it fell over, dissolving into a puddle of formless ooze all while Ryuji gave a toothy smirk and made the Sign of the Horns with his hand. "Freakin' Boring!"

As the adrenaline began wearing off, Akira could see the fatigue suddenly slam into Ryuji. After all, when first Awakening to a Persona it put a heavy strain on the body, and somebody would feel incredibly fatigued afterward. The only reason he'd been able to get out of the palace the first time they'd been trapped was simply because of the adrenaline energizing him whenever they came across a patrol.

"Hah… haha…" Ryuji straightened up and grinned, wincing through his exhaustion. "You like that you son of a bitch!?"

"Whoa… so Ryuji also had the potential…" Morgana looked at the boy with wide eyes, while he just chuckled. He wasn't sure what the criteria was for people having the potential, just that it required a strong will of rebellion. And with how much heart the blond had, it wasn't much of a surprise to him.

The skull mask appeared back on the blond's face as Captain Kidd dissipated, and he saw the blond wince as he almost stumbled. He bit the inside of his cheek, looking at Kamoshida who still seemed confident, even with his guards dead. Either he was just incredibly stupid, or he had more guards. Maybe both.

Probably both, yeah.

Either way, Ryuji wouldn't be able to fight again with his fatigue settling in. Alongside that, he was injured, so he didn't want to risk another extended fight. However, even with his exhaustion, Ryuji took a step forward. "Even if you apologize now… I ain't forgiving you!"

"I told you that this was my castle… it seems you still don't understand." Akira narrowed his eyes at the King. Understand what? That he had more guards? He understood that alright, but with them nowhere in sight, nothing was stopping them from beating the crap out of the Shadow right then and there.

His answer came a moment later when a familiar-looking blond girl came running out of a side room, giggling like an airhead. It was Takamaki-San, although she looked… well… Akira was very thankful that his mask covered his blush. Instead of the Shujin uniform and her red tights, she was wearing a tacky purple and black leopard-spot two-piece bikini, and a tiara with cat ears on her head. He felt something rise and quickly clenched his legs together.

Nope.

Nope nope nope.

"Wha— Takamaki-San?!" Ryuji questioned, staring incredulously at the girl. He also had a slight blush, hidden by his mask, but he was able to hide it under layers of confusion.

"O-oh! W-What a meow-velous and beautiful girl!" Akira snapped out of his embarrassment to glare with disgust at Morgana for the pun so bad, not even his father would have made it.

"W-whats going on here?" Ryuji asked, swinging his arm.

"I think…" he looked closer, thinking. "She's probably just another cognition. I mean, she doesn't seem to like him in the real world, so she wouldn't act like this, but in here, it's what he sees her as. Like how he sees the volleyball players as simple slaves, he sees her as some kind of toy, a doll."

Disgusting, Arsène growled within his head, agreeing with him.

"Oh… yeah, I get it!" Ryuji nodded happily as he understood, before apparently realizing what that meant. "Wait, so he sees her like a toy?!"

"Apparently…" although, thinking about it, how did he know what she looked like under her clothes? He hoped that the man simply had a very good imagination.

Kamoshida ignored them, and cupped Ann's face, causing Ryuji to growl and ready his bat. "Hey, let go of her, you perv!"

"How many times must I tell you until you understand? This is MY castle—a place in which I can do whatever I want. Everyone wishes to be loved by me." Shadow Kamoshida scowled. "Everyone, that is, besides slow-witted thieves like you."

Morgana was still staring at Cognitive Ann, so he quickly smacked the cat on the back of the head. "Focus, Morgana. We have to be ready in case more guards show up."

The king sneered at them, having heard the byplay. "Are you jealous? Well, I'm not surprised. Women aren't drawn to problematic punks like you."

He barked out a laugh at that, staring the Shadow in the face with a sneer on his face as he spoke his mind to the perverted bastard. "Really? You're asking us that? The man that can only get laid in his disgusting fucking imagination? Oh please! You call yourself a king, when you're just a pathetic excuse for a man. Hell, I'm willing to bet money that you're still a virgin! What woman would want to touch you, or your small dick, you bastard of Lust?"

Shadow Kamoshida's features grew more and more enraged during his short rant, while Ryuji and Morgana stared at him in awe-stricken amusement from the tongue-lashing he'd handed out. "How dare you…! CLEAN THEM UP THIS INSTANT!"

"Oh shit." He quickly began to regret his tirade as several more guards suddenly burst from the ground in showers of ooze, while Morgana hissed and jumped back.

"We're outnumbered! Let's scram before we get surrounded!"

"We're not gonna do anything, just run?!"

"We'll kick his shit in another time, Ryuji! Right now we have to go!" Morgana began running, and Akira grabbed Ryuji's arm and pulled him after them. "Live to fight another day!"

"Damnit… we'll expose what you're really like, Kamoshida! You better be ready for us!" He finished yelling and pulled his arm free, running after them.

"I was beginning to get bored torturing the slaves already here! Come at me whenever you want! If you don't care about your lives! That is if you can even get out! Don't let them escape!"

"Come on!" He shoulder bashed a door open, only for a guard to be standing on the other side. "Shit!" He ducked under its blade, before jumping up and jamming his gun under its mask and emptying all eight bullets into its shadow face. It fell back, losing its form, and they continued running. Before they could get to the room with their secret exit, more guards rounded a corner and blocked them off. He looked behind them and saw the other guards closing on their rear. "Damn it!"

"We have to lose them!" Morgana yelled.

"Through here!" Ryuji motioned from another door that led to a separate hallway, and they quickly ran through it. They could hear the clank of armor behind them, and Akira grit his teeth.

"We're completely lost, where do we go?!"

"I don't know!"

"Whaddya mean you don't know?! You've been exploring this castle longer than we have!"

Akira interrupted their argument by stopping and spinning in place. "Akira?! What are you doing?!"

"Buying time!" He ripped his mask off and summoned Arsène, commanding him to blast the center of the hall with an Eiha, causing the guards to scramble to a stop lest they have their bodies ravaged by the energy blast. "Go, find us an exit, now! We can't die here!"

"But—"

He glared at them, blue flames licking up around his eyes as Arsène stood vigil. "GO!"

"Shit… we'll be back, promise!" With that Ryuji and Morgana ran, searching for an exit. He turned back, eyeing the guards that were approaching now that the plume of energy had faded. He pulled his glove tight, which seemed to be a forming habit, and cracked his neck.

"Let's hold the line, Arsène."

"With thy blade and my power, they shall not pass us!"

The first guard swung its sword at him, and he rolled back, sending Arsène forward and Cleaving it in two. The body fell to the ground leaking ooze from its wound, while the other guards charged him and ignored their fallen ally. He deflected a sword with his gun, stabbing it in the neck, before kicking it back and knocking over two others.

One of the guards transformed into their true form, revealing a fairy-like creature fluttering her wings. She suddenly summoned sparks between her fingers and blasted a Zio at him, knocking him back a few steps and locking up his limbs as he processed the electricity. "S-Shit! Arsène, Eiha!" The fairy girl was ripped to shreds by the curse attack, giving him time to let his limbs loosen. He didn't have long, with the other guards charging at him, ready to skewer him.

He dodged one thrust and jumped up to grasp the knight's shoulders and flipped over it, landing behind it. Another knight tried to slash at him but he rolled to the side, causing it to strike at its ally. Another knight transformed into its Shadow self, becoming an imp and swiping at him with sharp talons. He blocked with his arm, wincing as it cut through his trench coat and drew blood, before stabbing up and severing its head from its body.

A burst of flame burnt his back before Arsène slashed at the Shadow responsible for the attack and dissipated it. Akira fell to his knees and grunted, feeling the burning heat wash over him. Thankfully, the odd reality that gave birth to the massive castle and his Persona seemed to enhance his strength and endurance to levels beyond what he'd normally be capable of. He still preferred a fast-paced fighting style, ducking and diving while delivering strikes only when he knew they'd land, but now his strikes landed harder, and any attacks that did hit him didn't do nearly as much damage as they'd do in the real world.

Still, he'd fought his way through the castle dungeons earlier with only Morgana, and before Ryuji had awakened he'd gotten his shit kicked in. He was practically running on fumes now, and the downside of using Personas was they drained you physically whenever they attacked with a strike, and mentally when they used their magic. He stumbled back and recalled Arsène, the flames around his face finally dying as his mask reappeared while he twirled his knife. There were still about a dozen knights, and he was too weak to keep using Arsène without causing permanent damage to his body.

The guards began closing in, several transforming into Shadows, and he grit his teeth, backing up. Was he going to die there? If so… then as long as Ryuji got to safety and exposed Kamoshida for the bastard he was, it was… not acceptable, no one wanted to die, but he'd get revenge from the grave.

Thou art giving up?

He grimaced as Arsène spoke from within him, his other self feeling all he felt, but expressing it openly rather than pushing it down to face his death with at least some dignity.

I lent my aid, on the belief thou would always fight, even when it was to the bitter end, but thou stand there, blade and gun in thy hand, yet uninterested in continuing thy last stand.

Damnit Arsène, even if he had more energy, he couldn't exactly battle his way through this many enemies on his own! Ryuji was exhausted from Awakening, and Morgana wasn't doing much better than he was. He absolutely loathed the thought of dying here, but what else could he do but buy them more time?!

Keep fighting… I am thy other self, the power of thy heart and soul… but thou hast another power. Thou must reach in and unleash it, show thy rebellion to the world! The strength of thy mind!

What other power? Mind? Rebellion? Morgana only ever told him of Personas. Was there something more he could do? He tried reaching into himself like he did when summoning Arsène but found nothing. Damn it, the hell was his other self talking about?! He ducked back from another Zio before a sword clipped his shoulder and drew blood. "Shit!"

He fell, grasping his shoulder and hissing. Fuck! Fuck, damnit! This was…!

He was going to die!

An untransformed Shadow lifted their sword, ready to strike him down once and for all.

No…

NOT LIKE THIS!

He heard a roar in his head, felt his heart pumping, the warm blood under his hand, and he snarled viscously. He was not dying there! He pushed hard, reaching through his mind until he heard something similar to the snapping of a lock. For a moment he wasn't sure what exactly happened before he felt a rush of energy. His rebellious spirit flowed through his entire being, and silver, red and black energy crackled around his fingers and hands.

It was in his blood, rushing through his veins, overflowing! It was way too much! He had to let it out! He looked up at the falling sword and pushed it all through his arms and into his hands. The words appeared in his brain instinctively, and the air crackled as he unleashed the blast. "Rebellion Ω!"

He was thrown back, and the backlash of energy ripped and tore at his skin. "Fuck!" The flesh on his hands was flayed, his arms hurt when he moved them, and the only reason he could even see the damage was because the red gloves that he loved were torn apart. He would need to have Morgana cast Dia on him before he went back to the real world, but at least his gloves and suit were already beginning to regenerate. He slowly got up and gaped at the damage he'd caused. None of the shadows were still alive, either disintegrated or blown apart by the rays of red, black, and silver.

"Akira! We found— Whoa! What the eff?!" Ryuji rounded a corner and blinked at the destruction that greeted him.

"Was this because of your Persona?" Morgana questioned, right behind him.

"I… I don't…" he didn't know, and Arsène had fallen silent. Perhaps he was just as exhausted as him, but couldn't physically show it. Either way, he had no answer.

"W-Whatever, we need to go!" Akira nodded at Ryuji's words, stumbling as he tried to walk. The blond grabbed him and began hauling him along, towards the exit.

Ω • Ω • Ω

The escape from the castle went smoothly after that. Once they lost their pursuers within the twisting halls and made their way to their exit and entrance, Ryuji lay him on the ground and Morgana used the last of his energy to cast Dia on him, healing his wounds.

He had removed his regenerating gloves, and they watched as his muscles and skin knit back together. Once he was fully healed Morgana drooped from exhaustion, and he slipped back on his red clothing items. "Well… I'd say you owe me one for that!"

"I do," he admitted with a nod. "Thanks for healing me like that, Morgana."

"Mwehehe! It's nothing for someone with my level of skill!"

"Uh… ain't you panting and out of breath right now?" Ryuji pointed out.

"D-Don't… no, I'm completely fine!"

"Yeah… anyways!" Ryuji looked down and held his arms out. "I don't remember changin' into this!"

"That's what you focus on?" His lips twitched into a smile and he chuckled. "Well, it does look good on you."

"Kinda looks thuggish, so I don't know if I should be happy about that…" Ryuji grinned and elbowed him, "Then again, it ain't as bad as yours, you look like a magician cosplay."

"You take that back," he poked Ryuji in the chest before they both began chuckling. The sounds of the guards suddenly reached their ears, and Morgana hissed for them to be quiet.

"Did you find them?!"

"No, keep searching!"

When the guards finally were out of earshot, Ryuji scratched his head. "So what's going on? I'm completely lost, man!"

"I told you before," Morgana spoke while shaking his head. "When a Persona-user opposes a Palace's ruler and becomes a threat to them, this happens. It's to prevent you from being affected by distortions."

Ryuji reached up and felt around his mask, "Whoa, is this… a skull?"

"Your appearance reflects your inner self. It's the rebel that slumbers within."

"Yeah. Like I'm a thief. Not a magician."

Morgana continued as if he hadn't interrupted. "Not that you'll get it."

Ryuji snorted. "Nope."

"Then stop asking questions and accept what you see for what it is."

"Man, that's easy for you to say…" Ryuji suddenly gasped. "Wait! Oh man, we're in deep shit!"

"I said to be quiet!"

Ryuji ignored Morgana and continued. "We might've gotten away here, but we're still screwed with Kamoshida at the real school!"

"Shit, you're right," he cursed.

"That's pretty sharp of you, Ryuji! For being an idiot." Morgana waved his paws, "Relax, the Kamoshida in reality can't possibly know about what happens here. A Shadow is the true self that is suppressed— a side of one's personality they don't want to see."

"So we're okay?"

"Did the Kamoshida in reality remember about the execution?"

"He didn't," he murmured, Ryuji nodding along.

"There you have it."

Ryuji grinned. "Well then, now that we know that, all we've gotta do is—"

"Wait! I guided you as promised. Now it's your turn to cooperate with me."

"Huh?"

"What are you talking about?"

Morgana scoffed and crossed his paws. "Why do you think I was super nice about teaching you idiots everything?"

"Cooperate?" Ryuji asked.

"Don't you remember? I originally came here for an investigation. I need to erase the distortion from my body and regain my real form! That's why we must delve deep into Kamoshida's mind, and—"

"Whoa, hold up, what are you goin' on about? We never said anything about helpin' you out!"

Morgana let out an 'eh?' sound, waving his arms as he stared at Ryuji. "Don't tell me… are you not going to repay the hospitality I've shown you?!" He turned away from Ryuji and pointed around him, "Especially you! You're going to up and leave, even though you're already a part of my master plan?!"

He sighed, kneeling. "Listen, thanks for the help and all, but we kind of have the issue of Kamoshida abusing everyone and getting away with it. We'll help you out once we expose Kamoshida, but for now, we've gotta go."

"Wha— the nerve of you! Is it because I'm not human…? Because I'm like a cat?! Is that why you're making a fool of me?!"

"We're busy," Ryuji cut in. "Now quit it! Ugh, look, thanks for everything, cat. You've got some real guts, bein' a cat and all. See you around!" Even though Ryuji had been attempting to comfort him, his words just made Morgana even more infuriated.

Ryuji nodded at him and they turned and jogged away, leaving behind splashes of red and purple liquid as Morgana raved. "Hey! What the hell?! Ugh, seriously, why are you both leaving like everything's all hunky-dory?! He…" he couldn't hear any more of the cat's words, Because as they crossed the bridge and made their way for the alleyway across the street the world shifted, and they were suddenly back in the real world.

"You have returned to the real world. Welcome back." He glanced down at his phone as it spoke, before slipping it into his pockets. He was a bit disappointed he didn't have his trench coat anymore, but maybe he could buy one for the real world… Ryuji was leaning against the alley wall and sighing, rubbing his forehead.

"Thank god… we're back."

"As much fun as that place is, I'll admit I feel a bit of relief," he chuckled.

"Yeah… hey man, I dragged you around a lot today, didn't I? Sorry man…"

He chuckled and elbowed him. "Nah, no worries."

Ryuji grinned, before sighing. "Man, I'm dead tired… how you holdin' up?"

"I'm pretty tired too. Could use a nap… don't worry though, it seems like it's just the first time that really takes it out of you."

"Gotcha… but man, a nap does sound pretty good. Still… Damn, if what we saw was for real, this is gonna get good!" Ryuji did a fist pump, the excitement clearly overpowering his fatigue. "I totally remember the faces of the guys Kamoshida was treatin' like slaves! Once we make 'em fess up to any physical abuse, Kamoshida will be done!"

"Sounds good to me," he replied with a dark smirk.

"So…" Ryuji rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment. "I know I already asked you to come with me today, but… want to help me look for those guys or any witnesses?"

"Well, it's probably safer than fighting for our lives inside a magic castle."

"Ha, now that's what I'm talkin' about!" Ryuji nodded, before looking away. "Hey, so… if you're thinking of laying low now 'cause you got a record, I don't think that'll help…"

"Yeah," he sighed and thought back to all the gossip he'd heard while in class and the halls. "Seems like everyone already knows. They think I'm going to knife them if they look at me funny."

"Yeah, they've already got you pegged…"

"And let me guess who's fault that could be…"

"Exactly." Ryuji nodded, crossing his arms and scowling. "Kamoshida. The damn bastard opened his mouth! I mean, no one besides a teacher coulda known about your record, and it doesn't matter if it's a student or a club, if he don't agree with it, he wrecks it! Just like he did to me…!" They both glanced down at Ryuji's bad knee.

He suddenly punched Ryuji on the shoulder, "Hey, that asshole's gonna get what's coming to him. Mark my fuckin' words."

Ryuji laughed softly, a melancholy tint to his voice. "No one'll take anything I say seriously. But with two of us, maybe we've got a shot. Plus, after seeing Kamoshida's distorted heart thing in person, there's no way I can just sit back!"

"You know what I think?" He adjusted his glasses and offered his hand. "I think you can count on me."

"Hell yeah! I'm getting all hyped up about this! Kamoshida's goin' down!" Ryuji clasped his hand in a bro-shake and grinned, matching his smirk. His heart swelled at Ryuji's eagerness, and willingness to stay by his side.

He is a good ally… One who shalt never betray our trust. He smiled, agreeing with Arsène's words within his psyche.

A bond of trust was formed between the two of them, alongside a vow to take down Kamoshida.

I am Thou. Thou art I.
Thou hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the Wings of Rebellion
that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Chariot Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing that
shall lead to freedom and new power…

Chariot Arcana, Ryuji Sakamoto: Rank One

In Akira's heart, chains were broken with a booming 'SMASH!' With the shattered chains, his bond With Ryuji Sakamoto of the Chariot Arcana was formed, and Ryuji became his new Confidant. Only Akira noticed, however, frowning slightly at the noise and feeling of power welling inside him, separating as Ryuji clutched his stomach after it began growling.

"Oh right… I haven't eaten anything since lunch."

"Doesn't help that we were working off a hellish amount of calories in there," he spoke while inclining his head towards the school.

"Yeah. Well, it'd be weird splitting off now, so why don't we grab a bite somewhere?"

"I don't know any places around here besides a crappy little coffee and curry place, so you'll have to show me that famous Japanese cuisine."

Ryuji grinned and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Leave it to me, man! I mean, hey, I still haven't learned anything about your past, but you pretty much heard it all in there."

"Pay for my food and I'll give you all the info you could want on the Akira lifestyle," he chuckled, following the boy as he thought of the chains and voice that had echoed in his mind. Was this what Igor had meant when he spoke of forming bonds…?

Ω • Ω • Ω

•Ryuji•

"Aw man, that's such bullshit!"

"Please, tell me more about the various types of shit while I'm eating and slurping on some noodles." Ryuji winced as Akira's sarcasm washed over him, and he rubbed the back of his head embarrassed.

"Ah, sorry dude."

"Eh, it's fine. And I completely agree. It was several different types of fucked up." Akira stared into his bowl and Ryuji saw his normally calm expression turn angry for a moment before he went back to bored. "But, I mean, there's nothing I can do about it."

"Geez, I don't know how you can be so calm about it… if it were me I'd be ranting and raving!"

Akira shrugged at him, poking at his ramen. "Yes, well, I'm usually a quiet person. I don't normally let… hm, I suppose the right word would be passion? Yeah, I don't let passion overwhelm me. Besides, with how much sway that man seemed to have, raging about it would just make it worse for me. Better to just bottle it up."

"That's not healthy, dude." He slurped up some more noodles as Akira rolled his eyes, before continuing. "But you're 'usually quiet?' Then explain that rant you shot at Kamoshida! Man, that was effin' awesome!"

Ryuji saw Akira's cool demeanor fade into embarrassment for a brief second before the ravenette shrugged. "I think it's because I feel so free in that place. Summoning Arsène, being able to take out my frustration on Shadows… I can be more confident and express myself. I guess."

"I mean, I don't really get that, since I usually say what's on my mind without really thinking about it…"

"And how much trouble has that gotten you into?"

He punched Akira in the shoulder as they laughed, "but I guess if I looked at it from your end, it makes sense." They continued eating, while he looked at Akira out of the corner of his eye. He'd only known him for a couple of days, but already he was closer to him than anybody in the school. Sure, it was because he had transferred and hadn't known anything about his bad reputation, and they'd been together to witness Kamoshida's castle, but even though he didn't have any obligation to continue exploring, and could have just ducked his head and made it through the year quietly, he decided to stick his neck out and help him without hesitation.

"Hey, Akira…" The boy looked up at him, and he licked his lips as he thought about his next words. "I know that you already agreed to help me with this, but… why?"

"Why?" Akira blinked and shrugged. "Well… for one, Shadow Kamoshida nearly killed us, so I'm getting revenge for that." That was fair enough. "Two, I was just really curious about that world and wanted to explore more of it." Also fair, even if he didn't understand much about it, he was still fascinated with the place. "Three, it was… the right thing to do. At first, we didn't know that those slaves were just cognitions, so I wanted to save them all. But then after we found out that they just reflect what Kamoshida thinks of them in the real world, and we figured he was doing something similar? I couldn't just leave someone to be abused like that. It wouldn't be right."

"That's a pretty cliche answer you know. Doing something just because it's right." He grinned as Akira flipped him off.

"Shut your mouth, lightning boy. And four…" There was a fourth reason? "You asked for my help."

"Huh?" He wasn't expecting that, that was for sure.

Akira shrugged, eyes meeting his for a moment. "You asked," he repeated. "Back in the dungeon, you tried to sacrifice yourself for me, even though we weren't friends, and you barely knew me for more than ten minutes. You're a good guy, Ryuji, and Kamo-shit-a is the reason you have such a shitty rep as a delinquent. Since I'm the only one who can see past that, I'll stick with you and prove that asshole's a piece of garbage."

"Dude…" he rubbed his eyes and grinned. "You know… I think we'll get along just fine as troublemakers. This year might not be so bad as long as you're here."

"Yeah, you'll have to show me around Tokyo as well."

"Heh, maybe we should pick up some chicks!"

He watched as Akira choked on his food before he began chuckling. "Who the hell says that? 'Pick up chicks?' What are you, my dad?" He just laughed with him, understanding he wasn't laughing at him.

"I dunno, if your dad says stuff like that he's probably a cool dude!"

Akira faltered for a single moment before he snorted and rolled his eyes. "No, trust me, he's happy with mom. But whenever he tried to get me to get a girlfriend he phrased it in that way, and threw around gang signs or some shit to act 'hip.'" He shuddered, although his lips did quirk into a smirk.

"What, you never had a girl before? I guess I've gotta teach you some of the Sakamoto charms!"

"Sorry, I don't want girls running away from me." He choked on some noodles at how quick he'd fired back, before laughing. Man, he hadn't had a conversation like this in… forever! "And besides, I was always more interested in studying and the small clubs I was in. All the rest of my free time was spent reading or playing video games."

"Well that won't do, we've got to get you out there, make you some more friends! I'm sure you're missing all the ones from back home!" Akira grimaced a moment, and he quickly realized he may have just had another moment where his mouth spoke before his brain did. "Ah shit dude, I didn't mean to make you feel—"

"No, it's fine. It's just…" Akira stared into space, his eyes occasionally slipping to him, before going back to nothing. "…it's something I've dealt with for a while, but I'm not really comfortable speaking about it, I guess…"

"Oh, so… you're not sad about leaving anyone behind?"

"No, I mean, I miss my family, but missing friends…?" He shook his head. "Sorry, but… I don't really feel like explaining that right now. Sorry if I brought the mood down."

"Hey man, don't apologize! I'm usually the one that has to do that after I run my mouth!" He nudged him, before grinning. "Come on, let's finish the ramen before it gets soggy!" He began chowing down and Akira did the same after chuckling a moment. As they did, Ryuji thought about what Akira had said. He may not have been the brightest apple in the bunch, but if the clues were clear enough, then he could decipher a puzzle! Akira hesitates when talking about his dad, even though he clearly loved him, and he didn't talk about any friends, or at least, didn't allude to anything about them, like being sad he'd leave them behind. What exactly did that mean? Did he have no friends back home? He was pretty cool, besides the serious or calm demeanor he usually wore, so he had to have been friends with someone.

…nope, couldn't figure it out. Maybe eventually he could, but right now they had bigger fish to fry. Namely, Kamo-shit-a.

Holy hell, he'd just noticed that wordplay Akira came up with. How had he not thought of that?!

Once again it's the fourteenth, and so the next chapter comes out. Almost time for the Royal! Chapters involving Confidants will probably have a large part of the chapter dedicated to the Confidant because of how the story is dedicated to bonds. Ah, and PSI! I didn't want to make Rebellion anything special, so it is the same as Rockin', Hope, or Despair, but colored red, black and silver to match the color scheme of Persona 5. More unique PSI will appear for Akira to wield soon.

More will be explained about Joker's life back home, but that'll be later. There's a reason the last part of the chapter was from Ryuji's POV so that he could wonder and not have the answers. Y'know, I got introduced to Persona through a crossover fic, and I remember thinking that the writer was taking way too many chapters to get through Kamoshida's castle... but no, the beginning of this game is just long as hell. Now that I'm writing, it just really makes it sink in how long the beginning of this game is lol.

In any case, leave a review on everything you liked in the chapter or just a 'nice.' Both are always great to read. See y'all next time.