Chapter 8

The trio burst through the doors, making a straight line toward their exit on the other side of the foyer. They all skidded on the carpet, stopping while cursing to all the heavens. In front of them armors turned and stared them down. One of them even wore golden plating. Yu's eyes kept wondering over the new armor. Back when he entered the TVs, all the shadows looked the same. Seeing one blatantly different makes him want to smack his head to make sure these flimsy eyes were seeing right. If he was a betting man, he'd bet this was a much stronger shadow than the others. A gut feeling crying out in a siren to not engage.

Shadow Kamoshida growled at the sight of them. "You knaves again? To think you'd make the same mistake again. You're hopeless!"

"The school ain't your castle!" Ryuji stepped up, head held high. "I've memorized their faces real good. You're goin' down!"

The shadow snickered. "It seems it's true when they say 'barking dogs seldom bite.' How far the star runner of the track team has fallen."

"The hell are you getting' at!?"

"I speak of the 'Track Traitor' who acted in violence, ending his teammates' dreams. Oh, I can only imagine the pain of the others who were dragged under with your… selfish act."

No response came from Ryuji, he only grunted, flinching at the shadow's words.

Yu kept his eyes on the enemy, but addressed the downtrodden teen. "Don't listen to him, he's only trying to get in your head." Adachi tried the same when he and the others confronted him inside the TV back in Inaba.

"What a surprise. So you're accompanying him without knowing anything at all?"

"You provoked him, he tried to take a swing, you hurt him claiming 'self-defense.' Then used the situation to justify shutting down the team." Yu didn't even blink.

Ryuji's head snapped to him while Shadow Kamoshida's grin faded. It wasn't that much of a gamble. The unbridled hatred toward Kamoshida, the silent insinuations from the real Kamoshida, and the time he spent with Ryuji helped garner some understanding. If Yu hadn't figured that out by now, he'd been a failure of leader for the Investigation Team.

"So you're willing to run around like a fool with such a selfish delinquent? His so called teammates are in the gutters while he still carries on as carefree as ever."

Ryuji raised his fist. "That's not true!"

"Ryuji!" Yu snapped at him, but the teen wasn't listening anymore.

"You just love bringing in others just to crush them under your foolishness. It's so pathetic I would laugh if it weren't for you soiling my castle." The 'king' turned around, facing his back to them. "Go. Kill them all. Don't sully my castle with garbage."

The shadows stepped forward, gunning for Ryuji, the blond teen just frozen in place.

"Ryuji, move!" Morgana leapt up, ramming into the teen's side. An armor then grabbed the cat's tail and pulled him up. Then the armor smashed him back into the ground. A second armor darted forward and kicked Morgana across the room.

The golden armored one rushed Yu. Yu stumbled back. He raised his hand and yelled, "Persona!" His fist crushed the air. But there was no power bursting forth and flowing around. The realization hit him just as the golden armor slammed it's shield into the teen. Yu fell back, stars zipping around his head. The golden armor grabbed his foot. Then it spun him around. Yu was slammed into the wall then catapulted up and slammed into the ground. He was then flung across the room. He landed next to Morgana.

Kamoshida stomped his foot onto the cat. Morgana growled, clawing at the ground. "You piece of-." Kamoshida stepped harder, stopping the cat's words.

Shaking the vertigo from his head, Yu planted his hands on the ground to get up, by the leg of the golden armor slammed him back down, whipping the wind from his lungs.

Kamoshida dug his foot into his new footstool, smirking toward the last victim. "I bet you simply came here on a whim and ended up like this. Isn't that right?"

Ryuji dropped to his knees, wavering eyes shifting between his two friends helplessly. "No."

"What a worthless piece of trash, getting emotional so quickly. How dare you raise your hand at me. Though it was only temporary, have you forgotten my kindness in supervising track practice?"

"Wasn't no practice-" Ryuji pounded the floor, head bowed to the ground. "It was physical abuse! You just didn't like our team!"

The shadow sneered. "It was nothing but an eyesore! The only one who needs to achieve results is me! That couch who got fired was hopeless too. Had he not opposed me with a sound argument, I would've settled it with only breaking his star's leg."

Yu looked up, his breath nearly caught back. "'Sound argument?' Did you literately just say-. Ack!" The golden armor pushed on him harder.

The 'king' shot him a look. "Silence you pest!"

Ryuji didn't seem to be paying them any mind, his eyes were too unfocused, distracted by what the Shadow Kamoshida said before. "What?"

"Like it matters. How about we just break your other leg? The school'll just claim it as self-defense anyways."

"Dammit… Am I gonna lose again? Not only can I not run anymore… the track team is gone too 'cause of this asshole!"

Morgana's expression softened. "So that's why…"

Kamoshida stopped the cat's words, pressing on his back, before continuing, "Once these two are dealt with, you're next." Laughter built up in his throat, his face morphing like sadistic clay.

Morgana shut his eyes, "Ryuji!"

"Are you going to let him win?" Yu growled, trying to push back the armor on him. "Let him take from you more? Fight, damn it!"

Ryuji's eyes opened, his head lifted off the ground. "You're right." He slowly got up on one knee, eyes set on the vile 'king' before him. "Everything that was important to me was taken by him… I'll never get 'em back!"

Kamoshida's smile faultered, but he kept pushing. "Stay there and watch. Look on as these hopeless scum die for nothing because they sided with trash like you."

Ryuji got up onto his feet. "No… That's what you are. All you think about is using people… You're the real scumbag, Kamoshida!" Ryuji began stomping toward the man.

Shadow Kamoshia faltered, "What are you doing ? Silence him!"

The armors began marching over to Ryuji, but the teen stood there and shoved a finger at his bane. "Stop lookin' down on me with that stupid smile on your face! Aaaagh!" Ryuji's pupils shrunk, his hands flying up to clutch his head. He dropped onto his knees, sweat dripping from his brow whilst he writhed on the floor. The screaming echoed in the hall, the voice of the damn bellowing from his once silent throat.

Morgana looked on in utter horror, but Yu's grin was plastered over his face. He's been through this. He knew what was happening. It was a gamble, but the pay out was clearly going to be worth it.

In a flash of blue flame Ryuji's face disappeared underneath a black skull mask. The teen glared through it, his eyes deranged as he dug his white knuckles into the carpet. The armors stopped in their tracks, sensing the buildup of power from him.

The golden armor huffed at the sight. "What can you do? Cower in fear and watch!" It raised it sword, ready to strike Yu beneath it.

Ryuji immediately got up, snagging at the sides of the mask and tore it from his face. Crimson red gushed into the sky and the teen roared with pain. Blue filled the room, a pillar of fire bolting to the ceiling. The chandeliers bounced on their chains and the nearby armors flew off their feet. The golden armor staggered away.

The white flash faded and Ryuji stood there, hunched over and in a dark, thick jacket, a red scarf wrapped around his neck. Over him a ship floated overhead, a pirate with a cannon for an arm and skull for a head stood on it like it was surfing with it on the open air. With a deep breath the blond teen looked up, a deathly grin exploded with a sense of confidence.

Shadow Kamoshida, sneered. "This one as well?"

Ryuji looked down at himself, a cry of excitement within his voice. "Right on. Wassup, persona. This effin' rocks!"

Yu and Morgana leapt to their feet and slid to their comrad's side, all plating before them quivering.

Ryuji stepped forward, cracking his knuckles. "Now that I got this power, it's time for payback. Yo, I'm ready." No more smiles, the teen inclined his head. "Bring it!

The golden armor slammed its sword into the ground. "Don't mock me, you brat!" In an explosion it changed. A red knight with large ox horns on its head riding a horse came out.

Ryuji shoved his finger at the knight. "Blast him away… Captain Kidd!" His persona aimed its cannon and a bolt of lightening boomed. The Red Knight flew back and struck the wall. The other armors exploded and turned into horses with large ram-like horns. The horse rams charged. Ryuji aimed his finger at them and Captin Kidd fired again. Within seconds the bolt disintegrated them.

Taking on the distraction, the red knight charged Ryuji, sword drawn. The blond teen froze as the blade came in. Morgana leapt in. He deflected the blade with his own. Yu's feet collided with the red knight. The knight toppled over. Zorro and Arsene dropped down and slammed into it. Curse attack and wind attack thrust into the enemy. In moments it turned into mist and was gone.

Ryuji planted his hands on his knees, panting. He looked back up, lifting a fist toward the 'king.' "How 'bout that!?"

With the threat gone Morgana stood in awe of the teen. "Whoa… So Ryuji had the potential too."

"Even if you apologize now… I ain't forgivin' you!"

Even without his guards the Shadow Kamoshida smirked. "I told you that this is my castle. It seems you still don't understand."

Yu, Morgana, and Ryuji turned their heads in unison, their eyes wide as a silhouette stepped out of the shadows. It was the foreign looking girl that called Yu a liar yesterday. Except… she was in a bikini? And had cat ears? The only thing that could be described as normal was the slippers on her feet, and those were glittering.

Ryuji shook his head. "Wh- Takamaki!?"

"Is… she a stripper?" Yu blinked.

Morgana stared at her with a taken expression. "Wha… What a meow-velous and beautiful girl!"

Yu mind froze, the world darkened around him. The pun echoed into his head. The world swarmed and the image of a bear came into focus. 'Beary good.' 'How grizzly.' 'Bear with me.' The cheery voice of his lost friend echoed in his mind.

"Takamaki! Say somethin'!" Ryuji broke through Yu's strife.

Yu came to, looking around. Nothing much has changed, but he didn't know what happened. How long did he zone out?

"Calm down, Ryuji!" Morgana snapped. "It seems that girl isn't the real one. She's the same as those slaves- a being made from Kamoshida's cognition of her!"

The 'king' snickered. "Are you jealous? Well, I'm not surprised. Women aren't drawn to problematic punks like you."

'Like you.' Yu, eyes lost color, shoulders sagging. Naoto…

Ryuji's body trembled, his glare only intensified. "Dammit!"

Shadow Kamoshida raised his head and shouted, "Clean them up this instant!" More shadows burst into the room.

Morgana stepped back. "We're outnumbered. Let's scream before we get surrounded."

Ryuji balked at the cat. "We're not gonna do anything and just run!?"

Yu trembled, fighting back the tears in his eyes. "Just… shut up and run!" He grabbed Ryuji's arm and yanked him to the side.

Only slightly surprised, Morgana rushed after them. They burst through the door. Yu pulled of his mask and tossed it toward the door on the far side. Arsene exploded out and kicked down the door while the three zipped into the storage room. Morgana closed the door as the armors zipped passed them and through the busted down door. The three then clamored out of the ventilation shaft and dropped into the front.

Ryuji dropped his hands to his knees again, panting. The effects to awakening to a persona must be getting to him. Morgana bobbed up to the blond teen, looking surprisingly concerned. Ignoring them, Yu staggered over to the drawbridge and leaned a wary hand on the side. His mind clouded over, he couldn't focus.

'Women aren't drawn to problematic punks like you.' Those words echoed in his mind. What was he? A criminal. A delinquent. Everyone expected him to do something wrong. To be a monster. That wasn't Yu. Yu saved Naoto from a life of solitude. He brought her out of her shell and told her he loved her. He jumped in to save her from a threat he thought would end her. He solved a murder case and protected the world. Now he was Ren.

What of Naoto now. She's stopped looking for Yu, she wasn't going to find him. Did she move on?... Did she move on with Kanji? Yu could tell the guy had a crush on her. Knew for a while. It's why he was all the more thankful she chose him instead. Chose Yu, instead. If those two tied the knot… he should be happy. He should be happy Naoto was happy. But why couldn't she be happy with him?

Gagging, Ren planted his hand on his face. As if the palm would shove these wet streams back into his eyes. Why now? Why did he have to be so pathetic? So powerless? So worthless? He couldn't even summon his persona properly. He botched it up and nearly got killed for it. He wasn't Yu! There was no way he could be! Memories were just like a movie. Anyone has them, that doesn't make them his.

His fist colliding into the wall, Ren stepped back. He just wanted to go home.

"Dude. You ok?" Ryuji's voice came closer.

Ren sniffed and stood up straight. He didn't need someone pitying him. It's the last thing he needed right now. He just nodded not bothering to look back.

"Alright." The cheery Morgana butted in. "I guided you two as promised. It's your turn to cooperate with me."

Ren, cocked his head. What was the cat talking about?

"That's why I was super nice about teaching you idiots everything." Morgana's words made Ren seethe.

"Huh? Cooperate?"

"Don't you remember? I originally came here fro an investigation. I need to erase the distortion from my body and regain my real form!"

Real form? Ren dropped his head back, looking to the sky. Real form. It made him think of Teddie again. Is this damn cat going to look human too?! No! No way is he going to waste his time spending it with some cat who'll just remind him of a friend it turns out he never had! This wasn't even mutually beneficial! All he got out of this was the realization that he was an idiot. He was a moron! For thinking that he was some grand hero who saved the world. For thinking he actually could have friends! He was nothing but a low life, futureless, gutter rat who is nothing more than a wannabe!

"…Uh." Morgana blinked. Ryuji just stood there next to him. The two of them just stared at Ren.

Sensing their gazes he just spun around. "WHAT?!"

Morgana staggered back while Ryuji raised his hands. "Nothin'. Just… who're you callin' a gutterrat? I thought you mighta' been talkin' about yourself."

"Zip it, idiot!" Morgana hissed.

Ren's whole body shook. Was he talking aloud? Did they hear everything? Ren spun around and marched down the ramp.

"Wait!" Morgana dove down the bridge. "What about our deal? You still haven't helped me!"

Ren stopped, and rounded on the cat. He grabbed him by his scarf and brought the cat up to his face. "Go pester Ryuji! I don't want to hear it!" Morgana curled up in terror before getting tossed back up toward the castle. The cat landed in a heap and quickly rushed behind a stunned Ryuji.

Ren jumped onto the street, pulling out his phone. With a tap of the screen the distorted world vanished around him, and the normal street came into view. In his school uniform, the teen stopped inside the alley and rested himself on the wall. He shut his eyes, and pounded his forehead into the bricks.

That was very unnecessary. The guilt built up inside him, eating away at him like acid. Maybe he should go back and apologize to Morgana, but the anger was still present. If he did he might just explode in the cat's face again. Especially if the cat tries to use the opportunity to recruit Ren to this 'mission' he was on or whatever.

A hand landed on his shoulder, bringing Ren back to Earth. Ryuji looked him up and down, concern etched all over his body. "You ok?"

"Yeah." He stood up from the wall, pushing in his glasses. "Just… give me a moment. I lost it back there."

"It's fine. I dragged you around. Sorry, man."

"Not your fault. What that Kamoshida said… it hit a nerve. I shouldn't have let him get to me. Especially when I told you to ignore him."

"He does that. Can't blame ya… How did you know about me tryin' to… you know."

"Hit him?"

"Yeah."

Ren looked at Ryuji. "Just a guess. Kamoshida wouldn't have brought it up unless it was something like that. I'd like to think I got to know you well enough, too."

The blond teen stepped back, a hand rubbing his hair as he appraised Ren. "Man… you're wicked smart… You actually wanna get to know me?"

Swallowing, Ren nodded. "It's like you said yesterday. We're not that different."