Chapter 12

"The moment we cross over, we'll treat each other like phantom thieves, so I hope you're ready."

Ren flinched at the name. He was going to be just like the man who took all of Naoto's belongings? The man who called himself the phantom thief? It may have been only the servant of Naoto's grandfather, but the intention of the phantom thief was for there to be a sort of nemesis for Naoto. This time, it wouldn't be for practice or reinvigorating Naoto's passion. If he did this, he was going to be a real phantom thief, a real nemesis against the Detective Prince.

Ryuji looked down at Morgana. "Phantom thieves?"

Proudly, Morgana swayed side to side. "Those who covertly sneak in and stylishly steal Treasure- That is what we become!"

Ren itched his head. "I see." That servant wasn't stylish at all, maybe the terms were not so similar after all.

Grabbing his shoulder and giving it a twist around its socket, Ryuji nodded his approval. "That sounds kinda cool! So, we just gotta say the school, Kamoshida's name, and… castle? Then we end up in bizarro world… How the hell's all this work? Someone make it?"

"I dunno." Ren shrugged, but the image of a certain long-nosed man came to mind.

"That's kina creepy, but eh, it seems useful enough. We'll show that effin' Kamoshida!"

With a hop, Morgana signaled the two to start. "Let's go!"

Ren pulled out his phone and tapped the eye icon. With a quick press of the screen, he was in his history where he hit 'start navigation.' Immediately the world around them began to warp and change. The school molding and growing into the castle they once escaped from. It loomed over them, a red sky with crimson clouds moaning from above.

The trio stepped out of the alley and stopped at the drawbridge. Ryuji grinned, "All right! Time to bust on through!"

"What is this!?" Everyone jumped and spun around.

A stunned Ann was staring in abhorrent awe at the demonic structure. The only one who wasn't completely thrown off by her presence was Morgana, but the hearts practically popping over the cat's head didn't make him appear collected. Ren pinched the brim of his nose. Why were they so careless? He forgot about the whole deal about the app bringing others into the Metaverse. Yu's memories of having to physically bring someone into the other world override that bit of info. Apparently, Ann was just close enough to be drawn in. Though, if anything, she was probably following them knowing they were going to do something.

Ryuji flustered, "T-Takamaki!?"

"That voice… Sakamoto!? And… are you Amamiya-kun!?"

"Sup." No point in denying.

"You are way too chill for this!" Ryuji snapped at him. Returning to Ann he stomped his foot. "Wh-why are you even here!?"

"How should I know!? What's going on? Hey, where are we…!? Isn't this the school!?"

Shaking off the love struck high, Morgana tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I see. Perhaps she was dragged in because of that app thing. If multiple people can enter with the person who uses it, it stands to reason it'll pull anyone nearby."

"For real!?" Ryuji looked over at Ann.

Not something new to Ren. In Yu's memory, he could enter the television, but his friends couldn't until he dragged them in with him. Kind of like a disease, it'll spread to others, but to anyone who didn't have it there were no symptoms. A rather chilling example, but he couldn't think of a better analogy.

"Wait, so THIS is related to Kamoshida!?" Ann summarized.

Ryuji ruffled his head. Obviously, they couldn't just answer that question. "Anyways, you gotta leave!"

"No!"

With a worried gaze toward the castle, Morgana waved at his two new protégés. "The shadows are going to find us if you make a scene."

"No way!" Ann stared at the cat, her visage paling. "It talked!? Oh my god, it's a monster cat!"

"Monster?" Morgana looked like someone had just stabbed him.

"You better explain what's going on! I won't leave until you do!"

Ryuji sighed, looking over at Ren. "Looks like we gotta force her. But… how're we supposed to do that?"

"Just take her back to where we came in. That's how it worked last time, right?" Morgana pointed to the alleyway.

"O-oh yeah. Can you lend me a hand?"

Ren sagged, blowing a raspberry. He stood back up and slowly began strolling to Ann, pulling the gloves on his hands tighter over his palms.

Ann took a step back. "What are you-."

"Sorry, Ann. It's too dangerous for you." Ren took one arm.

Ryuji came up and took her other. "We'll explain after everything's over!"

Were they? Without mulling over Ryuji's promise, they began pulling her toward the alley.

Morgana came bopping up and began pushing on her legs, eliciting a small gasp from Ann who glared at the cat. "Hey! And just where are you touching!?"

Morgana stopped and stepped back smiling sheepishly. Ren scoffed. Just like Teddie and Rise. Teddie was more profound in his perversions though. Morgana just seems to be accidental. However, the similarities stuck barbed wire through his heart. He grabbed the girl's shoulders and turned her around. Then with a shove she went topping into the alley way, vanishing from sight.

Ryuji blinked at the empty space. "Eerie." Then sagged down with a sigh. "We better be careful."

"You should've checked the tools you used! Why do I- the one who was just watching- know more about it than you two!?"

"Sh-shuddup!"

Ren spun around on his heels and marched up the drawbridge. Damn cat! He does know how it works! He was just not paying enough attention to his surroundings. He was in a bad mood already. There's no need to hear someone gripping him about such a stupid mistake! He stopped in front of the wooden doors looking up at the castle. There looked to be an open window, but he didn't know how to get up there. Not to mention it wasn't a good idea to just go wandering in a new infiltration point. It would be better to find it as an exit after getting some idea of what the inside was like… Man, he really was thinking like a thief.

His fists clenched and he bared his teeth. He had to do this, he had to. There were no other options. If there were, he would've taken them. They would understand, right?...

Morgana and Ryuji rushed up behind him as he made his way toward the ventilation entrance. The cat tapped his leg, catching his attention. "The shadows have noticed us. You better brace yourselves. We're counting on you, Joker!"

"Joker?" Ryuji raised a brow. "That a nickname?"

"Don't refer to it in such a lame way. It's a code name. What kind of stupid phantom thief would use their real name!? I'm not down for that!"

Was it good Ren felt better for not thinking of that? Or did that make him stupid?

Morgana continued, "And there's no telling what kind of effect yelling our real names will have on the Palace. It's just a precaution."

"So, why's he Joker?"

Yeah, Ren was wondering that too. He joked sometimes, but that moniker didn't really match the mood he has in this world.

"Because he's our trump care when it comes to fighting strength. Remember what he did by himself?"

Ren grimaced. The experience of Yu kind of exuded out of him those times. He didn't want that kind of attention, even if these two would keep it a secret. He didn't want anything to do with Yu anymore. Just as he was about to voice his thoughts, he saw a flicker of concern on Morgana. The cat's eyes eyed him closely, watching his every move for what he'll do next.

Ren's jaw seized, his eye twitching. Last time he was here, he yelled at Morgana, and he didn't hold back. The little guy was scared of him, especially since he recognized the talent and power Ren possessed. Morgana was only a step above an amateur himself in terms of combat. All the 'non-cat' had was proper fighting techniques, useful but nothing like actual experience. So, he probably really wants Ren's help, but is afraid of the pain he'd endure if Ren lost his cool. Maybe he thought he could placate Ren's anger by giving him something the 'non-cat' thought was cool.

Guilt plucked Ren's heart, filling his stomach with lead. He was only hurting that day; he didn't hate the little guy. Sure, he reminded him of Teddie, but he knew Morgana wasn't. Now he's some evil overlord to the cat who was trying to offer an olive branch.

Loosing his words Ren looked away, nodding. "Sounds good."

The relief on Morgana's face was instant. "Great!" He turned to the other teen. "Next up is you, Ryuji. You'll be… Let's see… 'Thug.'"

Ren had to quickly turn away, placing a fist in his mouth to suppress a snicker.

"Are you pickin' a fight with me!? I'll choose it myself!" Ryuji stepped back, eyes cast skyward in thought. "Hm… When it comes to me, it's gotta be this mask. Honestly, I actually kinda like it. What if we named me after this?"

"Fine…" Morgana withered. "Why not 'Skull' then?"

"Ooh! That sounds awesome! I'm Skull!" Nodding, Ryuji stepped back, tossing a foot at Morgana. "What do we do about this one's code name?"

Ren looked down at Morgana. He wasn't one to give nicknames. He always liked calling people by their real names, so this was going to have to be an adjustment. As much as he would love to extend an olive branch of his own, or more of an apology gift, nothing came to mind. The only mindful thing he could think of was to ask, "What would you like to be called?"

"Anything's fine. Whatever you want." The strained smile on the little whiskered face didn't make him feel so inclined.

"How 'bout 'Mona'?" Ryuji offered.

"Well… If Joker's okay with it, then I'll go with it."

Why? Ren held back a sigh. "Looking forward to working with you, Mona."

"Right back at you, Joker."

"Don't forget me." Ryuji pumped his fist.

"I'd never, Thug."

"It's Skull!"

"Okay, sorry." Ren wasn't sorry at all. "Come on, Skull. We've got a Palace to infiltrate."

\|/

The pixie quivered under the three surrounding it. Skull was casting a dubious gaze toward Mona who was just staring in disbelief at the shadow on the other side of their guns. Joker looked over at the cat, waiting for what he should do next. Their 'teacher' had originally told them to get a jump on a shadow and hold them up to get money or items as a trade for sparing it. However, the shadow they picked seems to have neither. With nothing to offer there was no trade.

Mona blinked. "This isn't how I was planning this to go. Uh… Anyway, it can't be helped if that's the case. Time for you to go to hell." Mona pulled back on his slingshot.

"W-wait!" The shadow shivered on the floor.

"Sorry, but we're in a hurry."

"No, wait up! Can't we work something out? Don't kill me, please! Won't you let me go?"

It was pleading to him. Ren's structure collapsed as he stared at the terrified creature. Yu's never seen a shadow beg for its life before, he's always wiped them out before they could talk. In Inaba it was always a fight where one party was going to die unless one side retreated and escaped. To be honest, that did give the impression some of those shadows did not want to fight nor did they wish to die.

Ren dropped his gun groaning in frustration. "Fine. Get out of here."

"Dude?" Ryuji looked over at him, shotgun still trained on the pixie.

The little shadow blinked, then a bright smile spread across its face. "Really? You're so merciful."

Blue fire. That's what first came to mind as a blue mist began expanding from Joker and the pixie. The mist flowed toward each other as if by some magnetic force. The pixie's eyes glowed brighter as it's face relaxed. "Whoa, I feel different! Something's happening!"

Mona lowered his sling shot, taking several steps back. "What the…!? What's going on!?"

Joker felt his body warming up, something inside readying. Another recognizable sensation. As Yu. A part of him recoiled at the memory, unsure if he should accept it, but regardless his arm outstretched toward the shadow as it began floating into the sky. It took another look at him with a gleeful grin, laughing heartily. "Oh yeah, I remember now! I don't belong just to King Kamoshida. I'm an existence that drift about in the sea of humanity's souls. My real name… is 'Pixie'! I'm Pixie! From now on, I'll live on inside your heart! I am thou, thou art I."

A ball of blue light condensed the pixie's form and then a white mask appeared floating in the air. It spun around and sped right into Joker's outstretched hand. He pulled it toward him and placed it on his face. Power pulsed from him and in a flash of blue light everything was back to normal.

Mona was beside himself jumping up and down. "What was that just now? What happened!?"

Skull looked between the two of them, lowering his shotgun. "Wh-what the hell was that about? The enemy got sucked into Joker's mask!"

"I-I have no idea! I wasn't expecting that either."

"Intruders!" The three of them spun around and an armor came charging at them. "Halt!"

Joker snatched off his mask and tossed it in the air, "Pixie!" The pixie from earlier came flying out in a blaze of blue fire. She charged at the shadow before it could transform. Lightning bellowed from her hands and struck the armor. It flew off its feet and crashed into the ground. Joker slid up on it and plunged his large knife into its neck. With an explosion the shadow vanished from sight.

Skull and Mona just stared, equally slack-jawed. Joker sheepishly grinned and shrugged. "I… have a new persona?"

"Wait. What about your other one?" Ryuji got out.

"Arsene!" Joker stretched his hand out to Pixie who was swallowed in flames to then immediately be replaced by Ren's first ever persona. Arsene floated over them, his hand placed in front of his face as if nothing had changed.

"Does that mean you can wield multiple Personas?" Mona looked him up and down.

"H-hey, Mona! What was that about!? What did Joker do?"

"He sealed the enemy's appearance and powers into his mask, and made it his new Persona." Mona tentatively stepped toward Joker, looking closer. "I've never seen anyone do that before… didn't even know it was possible!"

He was exposing his knowledge again. Joker rested his hand behind his neck and swayed his head side to side, popping the ache nestled there. "Is this… good?" How else was he to seem oblivious?

Mona didn't seem to buy it. He just nervously looked the teen up and down. "Well… of course. Only one heart exists per person, so normally a person can only have one Persona. So, this is… is incredible. That ability will give you a huge advantage in battle." He didn't sound very enthusiastic. "C-can you try and do that again? If you can, of course. You help too, Skull."

"Hell yeah! We'll hold every last one of 'em up!"

Joker was pretty sure he couldn't carry every single shadow they met in his heart, but knowing he does have the ability to hold many Personas puts him at ease. Sure, they're not very powerful, but knowing how everything works he'll get the chance to create stronger ones soon. If that 'Igor' will help, of course.

Joker rushed over to the door and opened it. He peered in and ran down the hall seeing it was clear. Mona zoomed past him and looked around the corner. "Shadow spotted."

Joker grinned. He zipped around the corner and hid behind the seat on the wall. The shadow turned around and stepped toward the chair. Joker peeled round it, jumped on top of the armor, and seized its mask. Tearing it off he jumped off. The shadow began convulsing. Despite resisting, it transformed within seconds. The two jack-o-lanterns looked around in a daze.

Ryuji stole their attention by landing in front of them holding his shotgun. Mona then shot two wind attacks. Both shadows fell. Joker sliced one of them into mist. Then all three of them surrounded the last. All guns drawn. The shadow sweated.

With a smile on his face, Joker lowered his gun. "How 'bout a little chat?"

\|/

The three Phantom Thieves jumped through the door and closed it behind them. Skull stretched his back. "Man. Aren't there even more shadows here than before? Just getting' this far's been a real pain in my ass!"

"Yeah, but it's been a great boon." They've fought several shadows now and Joker has been able to claim a Jack-O-Lantern and one of those horned horses, a Bicorn.

The former track runner blinked over at the multi-persona user. "How're you still goin'?"

Well, that's probably because he's done this far too many times in Inaba. It's been so long, but he remembers running through the other world collecting as many personas as he could. He kind of turned it into a game of 'gotta catch them all.' Margret was kind enough to list all the personas he's caught. By the end of that year, he had gotten every persona he could. He was a bit prouder than he should have been. The Investigation Team were with him for a short while, but they lost the vibe since he summoned so many, they forgot he had a limit. Still, he enjoyed it. He may be starting over, but the way he's collecting them now was totally different. It has him excited.

Rather than admit of his past life, Joker shrugged. Feigning ignorance was for the best. It didn't really matter how he has the energy, just as long as he can use it to get to the treasure.

Looking up at Skull, Mona crossed his arms. "To answer your question. It's because you guys' provoked Kamoshida. Still… he seems to be awfully on guard."

"Anyways," Skull redirected, "how're we supposed to steal that treasure thing?"

"Don't be so hasty. First, we'll need to secure an infiltration route."

"A what?"

Joker replied. "A secure path to the treasure. The fastest and safest one, preferably."

"Really? What if there's only one, though?"

"Then that's the fastest, safest path."

"Oh, right."

Mona looked down, sadly. "Honestly, I think we'll need a little more manpower in order to accomplish this. Even with Joker's special powers. At the very least, one more person would be nice."

Joker sighed, clutching the back of his neck and cracking it to the side. He can hear the praise in Mona's voice and it felt so out of character. Did he scare the cat that much? He was on the verge of begging the cat to forgive him.

Skull glared at the cat. "Hey, you say you don't have your memories and all, but somehow you still know about that kinda stuff?"

Huh? Joker blinked. Lost his memories? Did they talk about that? Mona has amnesia? Since when? The image of Teddie came fluttering back to the front of his mind. There's been so much comparison between Morgana and Teddie he's beginning to forget they are separate people. He's been doing the same with Ryuji and Chie. Having a constant reminder that they were not the same was a slap in the face. It didn't help that his innerlogue criticizes him for being so delusional.

With Joker's struggle going unnoticed, Skull turned to him. "Do you think this thing's really got amnesia?"

Joker looked down on Mona, the cat looked up at him with a panicked look. Teddie came back to mind and he had to shut his eyes. "I believe him."

Relieved and happy, Mona grinned. "A-at least you're a step above that moron."

"Don't call me a moron! You sure talk big, but what if it turns out you're just some stray cat in the end?"

"That can't be…"

Marching armors could be heard from behind the door. The three thieves turned, hands on their masks ready to summon their personas. The shadows didn't enter, instead their voices echoed through the door. "Still, why was the princess in such an odd place?"

"Princess?" Skull whispered.

Mona strolled up to the door, planting an ear against the oak as the shadow continued. "I could have sworn we were pursuing the readings of an intruder."

A second shadow snapped. "It doesn't matter now. We must take her back to King Kamoshida!"

Skull looked over at Joker. "Who's this princess they're talkin' about?"

"Repunzel?" He offered.

"Is she even a princess?"

Ignoring them, Mona opened the door and shuffled out. "I should probably look into this!"

Skull grumbled as the cat left. "And yet another question goes unanswered." He looked back at his friend. "Stuff like the castle and that navigation app are mysterious… but Morgana's got 'em both beat."

"Mona. Code names, remember?"

"Crap, sorry!"

Can't blame him, Joker's almost called Mona Morgana, and Skull Ryuji a few times. Still adjusting.

"What was I again?... Oh yeah, Skull!"

Crisis averted. Bemused, Joker casted a coy grin toward Skull who just smiled with a shrug.

The door burst open and Mona came toppling in. "This is bad!"

Skull staggered back. "That was fast!"

"Your friend… Lady Ann! She's been taken by Shadows!"