Chapter 3; Awaken Arsene

Location; Leblanc, Yongen-Jaya

In the morning, Ren woke up and was ready for school. He was going to leave Leblanc, but Sojiro stopped him and said. "So, you're actually going to school. Huh?"

"Of course."

"Well, here. I'll feed you. Just make sure you finish it before the customers start coming in."

"Curry…?"

"What's that reaction for? Just eat it." Sojiro said before Ren ate it. The curry had a complex flavor with bold spiciness. After Ren finished the curry, Sojiro said to Ren. "It's time for you to go."

"That was delicious."

"Thank,.. Hurry over to school. You'll end up late if you get lost on the way." Sojiro said as Ren left for school. As he went to school, he heard people talk about the accident or people asking about the accident. Back at Leblanc, Sojiro was serving a man in a suit. "Oh man… Did it say it was going to rain today?" The man in the suit said to Sojiro. Sojiro then said to him. "Huh? It's raining outside?"

"It just started all of a sudden… This is why I hate the early spring."

"That reminds me.. Did he take an umbrella?"

"Hm? Who're you talking about?"

"Don't mind me. So, what'll it be?"

"One house blend, please." The man in a suit said and Sojiro made him his coffee. The man then listened to the news and it was about the accident. The man in a suit then talked to Sojiro about the accident, even if Sojiro didn't listen to him.

Location; Shujin Academy, Aoyama-Itchome

Back with Ren, he was almost at school when it started to rain like crazy. Ren took cover under a store umbrella, pulled out his phone and saw that app again, but this time it was active. He was going to delete it again, but stopped when someone joined him under the umbrella. That someone was a girl about his age, wearing a version of his school uniform, and had blonde hair in a pigtail style with blue eyes. She did notice Ren, but she didn't say anything to him. So they stayed silent, until the school's PE teacher drove up to them and said. "Good morning. You want me to give you a ride to school? You're gonna be late."

"Um, sure. Thank you." The girl said before she walked to the car. He then said to Ren. "Do you need a lift too?"

"No, I'm good." Ren said before the girl entered the car. As the PE teacher rolled up, Ren got a feeling like the girl didn't want to go into the car. After they drove away, a boy about Ren age, wearing his school uniform and had blonde hair with brown eyes. The guy then said kicking a can. "Dammit… Screw that pervy teacher."

"Pervy teacher?" Ren said and the words not only caught the kids attention, but activated the app too. The kid then said to Ren. "...What do you want? Are you planning on ratting me out to Kamoshida?"

"Kamoshida?"

"Huh? In that car just now. It was Kamoshida. He does whatever the hell he wants. Who does he think he is-king of a castle? Don't you agree?"

"The king of a castle?"

"No, I mean… Wait. You don't know Kamoshida? Are you for real? You're from Shujin, right?"

"Actually I'm a transfer student. Today is my first day."

"Oh, what year are you?"

"Second."

"A second-year, huh… We're the same grade then. This rain ain't too bad now. We better hurry up, or we'll be late." The kid said before for some reason, both of them felt light-head, but that didn't stop them from going to school.

Location; Integration Room

Sae stopped Ren from telling her his story and told him. "...There was a terrible subway accident that day. You remember it, don't you?"

"Yes."

"I assume you know of the uproar that the public calls the "psychotic breakdown incidents."

"I might."

"You say that like it's none of your business. It was all over the news, and one of the victims included a teacher at your high school. I've no doubt you heard about it. On that day… were you still an "ordinary" student?" Sae said and Ren stayed quiet. Sae then said to him. "...Let me change the question. You transferred to Shujin Academy, correct?"

"Yes."

"An ordinary prep school that could be found in any city… That's what it should've been. What happened around that time? Tell me everything-truthfully."

Location; Castle of ?

Back in the past, Ren didn't notice the app was working or that they were entering a different world. Until they reached the castle Aqua was trapped in. "We didn't… come the wrong way though… Yeah, this should be right… What's going on here? I guess we'll just have to go and ask." The kid said as they entered the castle. Inside the main hall changed to the school entrance, even if it was just for a second. The kid then said looking around. "Th-that's weird… Where's the school?"

"Where are we?"

"This SHOULD be the school… I think…" The kid said before he pulled out his phone. He then said to Ren. "Out of service? Where'd we end up? The sign was for the school, right?"

"Yeah."

"Right!? You saw it too!" The kid said as a knight appeared. Not knowing the danger they were in, the kid said to the knights. "Geez, you freaked me out… Who're you? You a student? Man, your costume is impressive… Is that armor real? C'mon, don't just stand there. Say something." The knight stayed silent and another one appeared. "...H-Hey, what's going on?" The kid said and Ren said. "I don't know, but let's get out of here."

"R-Right." The kid said as they tried to run away, but like Aqua, more knights appeared, attacked them and dragged them away, leaving their bags there. Elsewhere in the castle, all of Aqua Pokemon were looking for her. [Seriously, who has a dungeon this big?] Brionne said, as they found another empty cell and held a sleeping Phanpy. [Yeah, does he think anyone is his enemy?] Fletchinder said, holding a clock for Aqua. Soon the sound of knights walking at them. [Quick hind!] Brionne said as they hid in an open cell. They watch as the knight passes them by with Ren and the kid getting dragged away. Fletchinder then got out of hiding and was going to follow them, but Brionne stopped him and said. [What are you doing?]

[If we follow them, they might show us where they are keeping Aqua.]

[Ok, but keep quiet and get ready to attack.] Brionne said as they followed the knights, hoping to find Aqua. In a cell, Aqua woke up and as she was going to get up. She heard the sounds of footsteps, so she laid down and closed her eyes. She then heard the cell door open and something getting thrown in. The cell door closed and heard them leaving. Aqua opened her eyes and saw Ren and the kid in the cell with them.

"Hey are you too ok?" Aqua said getting closer to them. "Uh, what just happened?" The kid said getting up. Aqua then said to him. "You were attacked and put into this cell with me."

"I know that? I mean where are we and who are you?"

"First of all, I don't know and secondly, save the intros after he wakes up." Aqua said, shaking Ren. "Please stop." Ren said, waking up. Aqua let go of him and he said. "Who are you?"

"I'm Aqua Kangofu. And you two?"

"I'm Ren Amamiya." Ren said before the kid said. "I'm Ryuji Sakamoto."

"Nice to meet you all. Now help me open this cell." Aqua said, grabbing the sheets off the crappy bed. "What are you going to do? Use a window that we don't have." Ryuji said and Aqua said putting the sheet in between the lock and the cell door. "No. Seeing how worn down these cells are. I think with enough force, we can break the lock and get out of here alive."

"Alive?" Ryuji said as he and Ren started to get worried. Aqua then said as he put the sheet in the hole between the lock and door. "Yeah, the punishment for entering this castle, without the king's permission, means death."

"DEATH!" Ryuji yelled and the screams of other people in the dungeon screamed. "Yes, so if you want to live, a little help would be nice." Aqua said finishing with the sheets. Ren and Ryuji grabbed one end and Aqua grabbed the other. "Ok we pull on 3. Ok 1… 2… 3!" Aqua said as they pulled with all of their strength. But, the sheet ripped before the lock broke. And they cause all of them to fall down. Then knights appeared and one of them said. "Be glad that your punishment has been decided upon. You all are charged with "unlawful entry." Thus, you will be sentenced to death."

"You weren't kidding!" Ryuji said and Aqua said. "What made you think I was kidding!?"

"Why would she kid? No one's allowed to do as they please in my castle." A new voice said from behind the knights. The voice belonged to Kamoshida, but he looked different. Instead of the track suit he was wearing a clock that had hearts on it, a crown and his eyes were gold now. Ryuji got up and grabbed hold of the cell. He then said to Kamoshida. "Huh? Wait… Is that you, Kamoshida?"

"Who's Kamoshida?" Aqua said as she and Ren got up. Kamoshida then said to them. "How could a toy not know about my greatness?"

"I am not a toy!"

"And I thought it was some petty thief, but to think it'd be you, Sakamoto… Are you trying to disobey me again? It looks like you haven't learned your lesson at all, huh? And you brought a friend this time… because you can't do anything for yourself."

"This ain't funny, you asshole." Ryuji yelled at Kamoshida. Kamoshida then said to Ryuji. "Is that how you speak to a king? It seems you don't understand the position you're in at all. Not only did you sneak into my castle, you committed the crime of insulting me-the king. The punishment for that is death. It's time for an execution! Take him out!"

"I won't let you!" Aqua said, stepping up and Ryuji stepping back. The knights open the cell and one of them grabs Aqua. Ryuji then ran right into the knight holding Aqua and knocked it down. "I ain't down for this shit! C'mon, we're outta here!" Ryuji said and they tried to run out of the room, but the knights punched Ryuji and kicked Aqua. Soon they all were pinned, minus Ren. Ryuji then said to Ren. "Just go! Get outta here!"

"Yeah, just run and don't look back!" Aqua said hope her Pokemon would find them soon. Ren didn't listen to them and tried to help, but two knights pinned him to the walk. "No will be escaping." Kamoshida said before he started to beat up Ryuji. After he was done, he said, spitting at Ryuji. "...Hmph. Where'd your energy from earlier go? A peasant like you isn't worth beating. I'll have you killed right now."

"Have you lost your mind!" Ren yelled at Kamoshida, catching his attention. Kamoshida then said to Ren. "What? Don't you dare tell me you don't know who I am. That look in your eyes irritates me!" Kamoshida then kicked Ren and then said. "After the peasant, it's his turn to die."

"You can't do this!?" Aqua said, trying to get up, but the knight didn't let her. Kamoshida then said to her. "Shut up, or you will join them." Kamoshida then laughed with joy as Ryuji beage for his life. Soon a mysterious female voice said to Ren as a blue butterfly appeared only to Ren. "This is truly an unjust game… Your chances of winning are almost none. But if my voice is reaching you, there may yet be a possibility open to you."

"What's the matter? Are you simply going to watch? Death awaits him if you do nothing. Was your previous decision a mistake then?" A mysterious male voice started talking in Ren's mind. "It wasn't." Ren said, catching Aqua attention. Ren and Aqua then saw Ryuji get ready to be killed. The voice then said to Ren as his body started to riven in pain. "Very well… I have heeded your resolve. Vow to me. I am thou, thou art I… Thou who art willing to perform all sacrilegious acts for thine own justice! Call upon my name, and release thy rage! Show the strength of thy will to ascertain all on thine own, though thou be chained to Hell itself!"

"Execute him!" Kamoshida said before Ren yelled. "That's enough!"

"What was that…?" Kamoshida said as they all looked at Ren. The knight let go of Ryuji and Kamoshida said to him. "You desire to be killed that much? Fine!" Then a knight hit Ren with his shield, knocking off his glasses. The two knights holding Ren then pulled out their spears and pinned Ren. Both Aqua and Ryuji tried to help, but they were powerless to stop him. Kamoshida then told a third one to deal the finishing blow and then before the sword even went down, Ren released a pulse wave. When the wave stopped Ren was now wearing a white mask. Ren then had a feeling to remove it and when he did, blood started to drip down his face. Ren then cracked a wicket smile as a blue flame started to surrounded him. Everyone took a step back and Ren appeared out of the flame with a new outfit. Now he was in a black clock, red gloves and had a bracelet that looked like Aqua's minus the crystal and the blue flames turned into a man in a red suit, red top hat, demonic face and was wrapped in chains. Ren then broke the chains and the man released his wings and a pulse wave. That pulse wave was stronger than the last one. It sends all of the knights flying, even the one standing on Aqua. As Kamoshida crawled away in fear, Ryuji and Aqua were awestruck. The man then said to Ren. "I am the pillager of twilight- "Arsene"! I am the rebel's soul that resides within you. If you so desire, I shall consider granting you the power to break through this crisis.

"Give me your power."

"Hmph, very well…"

"Who the hell are you!?" Kamoshida said before Ren said. "I'm Ren Amamiya, the man that will take you down!"

"Guards! Start by killing that one! You'll learn the true strength of my men!" Kamoshida yelled as the knights turned into monsters that had pumpkins for heads. Then Aqua grabbed Ryuji and said. "Awestruck later. We need to get behind him. Ren good luck."

"I won't need it." Ren said, pulling out a knife from his outfit. Arsene then said to Ren. "This power of mine is yours! Kill them however you want. Run wild to your heart's content!" Ren then touched his mask and a move's name appeared in his mind. "Eiha!" Arsene then made a spiral of red and black lights appear under one of them, destroying it. Ren then killed the other with great speed and his knife. The rest of them were then attacked by a stream of bubbles and a bird that was too fast to see. "What's going on!?" Kamoshida said before something rang over him. What was going on was Aqua Pokemon defeating the rest of the knights. Phanpy then said crying and running to Aqua. [AQUA!]

"Phanpy!" Aqua said as Phanpy jumped into her arms. [I was so worried about you.] Phanpy said crying in her arms. Aqua said, rubbing Phanpy back. "I wasn't worried, because I knew you all would find me."

"What are those things?" Ryuji said and Ren said. "Question later. Grab the keys and let's get out of here."

"Y-You mean this!?" Ryjui said as he grabbed the keys. After everyone was out, Ryuji locked the cell and said to Aqua. "Now what are those things!?"

"You bastards! You think you can get away with doing this to me!?" Kamoshida said, getting up and grabbing the cell door. "Talk later, run now." Aqua said as she put on the clock and Ren turned back to normal, but he still had the bracelet. [Follow me.] Fletchinder said, leading the way out. After Aqua returned Brionne and Phanpy to their Pokeballs, they all ran for the exit. But they stopped at a drawn up bridge, with the status of Kamoshida. Aqua then said to Fletchinder. "Please tell me, crossing this bridge isn't the way out?"

[Sorry Aqua, but the way out is across this bridge.] Fletchinder said, before Ryui said. "What did it just say?"

"First of all Fletchinder is a guy and second, we need to cross this bridge."

"Ok, but how do we lower it?" Ren said before a new male voice said to them. "I know how to lower it." They all looked around and the voice said. "Over here in the last cell." They all went to the cell and saw a cat on two legs, his fur was white, with black fur like a thief's outfit, a yellow scarf and a bracelet on his left arm too. Ren then said as Aqua and Ryuji were surprised to see him. "So you can lower the bridge?"

"Yeah, that's right!? If you get me out of here, I'll lower the bridge." The cat said and Aqua said taking the keys from Ryuji. "Ok."

"Wait! How can you two trust this thing? IT could be an enemy." Ryuji said before Aqua unlocked the cell. The cat then said to them. ""I'm locked up here, so how can I be your enemy!? Help me out!"

"Will all of you quite down." Ren said, noticing they were making too much noise. The cat then said to them. "I'm begging you; you have to help me!"

"I believe him, plus if we don't want to get caught again, we shouldn't argue with someone trying to help us." Aqua said as they heard the sound of knights. Ryuji then said, pulling out his phone. "Fine, because there's still no service."

"I'm glad you understand." Aqua said, opening the cell. The cat then said stepping out of the cell. "Ahhhh… Freedom tastes so great…"

"Now, lower the bridge, you monster cat!?"

"Don't call me a cat! I am Morgana!"

"Well Morgana, can you please lower the bridge?" Aqua said before Ryuji yelled at him. "How can I say no to a kind lady?" Morgana said before he got ready to lower the bridge.

Location; Faculty Office, Shujin Academy

"...It's fourth period already." Kawakami said, looking at the time. Kawakami then said, pulling out her phone. "Sakuar-san said that Amamyia-kun left the house this morning. Should I contact the police? No, that'll just be more of a hassle…" Kawakami said, putting her phone away. She then sighed and said. "What did I do to deserve this?"

Castle of ?

"And there it goes." Morgana said as the bridge was lowered. Aqua then said to Morgana. "So the lever was in the status?"

"Yeah, it was pretty obvious."

"How were we supposed to know that!?" Ryuji said and Morgana said. "Hmph, amateur. Come on, let's keep going!" They all ran across the bridge and ran into a knight on patrol. "A-ahh! Shit… Shit, it's them!" Ryuji said, falling back. As Aqua helped him up, Ren's outfit changed and Morgana said taking the lead. "Tch… You amateur! You two stay still! Hey, you! You could fight? Let's go! Come… Zorro!" Morgana then summoned a swashbuckler in a black outfit. Ryuji then said to him. "Y-You got one of those things too!?"

"Ask later. Fletchinder, can you help them?" Aqua said and Fletchinder said stepping up. [Like you need to ask?] The knight then turned into a monster, one like the ones Ren defeated and a demon. "Hmph, we will promptly shut them up!" Morgana said as they got ready for battle. Morgana then said. "Damn Shadow… they've taken up intercept positions!" Morgana said and then Aqua said. "Is that what these knights are?"

"Don't focus on that. Focus on the fact that they are not looking to capture us. They are out for blood. Don't worry. I'll back you up, so fight like your life depends on it! Let's go!"

"Ok, Arsene Eiha!" Ren said as he touched his mask. Arsene appeared and hit the demon with a red light. And Aqua said to Fletchinder. "Fletchinder, Flame Charge." Fletchinder body then was encased in fire and he attacked the pumpkin guy. The demon took a hit, but nothing happened. Morgana then said to them. "Hmph, I knew you two were an amateur. This is how you fight! Garu." Morgana then unleashed a wind attack at the pumpkin monster. The pumpkin monster then fell down and had chickens around its head. Aqua then said. "What just happened?"

"Strike at an enemy's weakness to knock them down! Use that opening to strike again!"

"Then why did my attack do anything?"

"Some Shadows have resistance to certain attacks. That's the most basic of basics! Remember it well!"

[Then let's try this, Peck!] Fletchinder said attacking the pumpkin monster again with it's peak, but this time, the monster roared and disappeared. Morgana then said. "Yes, like that. Come on, let's hurry and get through this! Garu!" Morgana said, defeating the demon. Morgana then said to Ren and Aqua. "Not bad. Your Persona's pretty powerful. So is your pet bird."

[I am not a pet.] Fletchinder said before using Peck on Morgana's head. Aqua grabbed him and said to Morgana. "Sorry, Fletchinder hates being called a pet. Also, what is a Persona?"

"Yeah, what was that thing that came outta you guys all dramatic-like?"

"You saw Frizzy Hair ripped off his mask when he summoned it, right?" They nodded yes. "Well, everybody wears a mask deep within their heart. By removing that…" Ren's clothes then turned back to normal. Ryuji then said. "Huh? He turned back to normal…"

"Morgana what is going on?" Aqua said letting go of Fletchinder. Morgana said to Ren. "Hm, it looks like you don't have full control over your power yet. The transformation shouldn't normally dissolve like that. After all–"

"Rrgh, that's enough! This crap doesn't make any sense!" Ryuji said and Morgana said. "Can't you just sit still and listen for once, Blondie!?"

"Don't call me Blondie! My name is Ryuji…" Ryuji said and Aqua said. "I'm Aqua and that's Ren. Now if we all want to get out of her alive, let's go. Which way is it, Fletchinder?"

[This way!] Fletchinder said flying off. The others then went after him. "Hold on a second!" Ryuji said as he stopped in front of a bridge. Aqua then said to Fletchinder. "Return Fletchinder."

[Ok.] Fletchinder said, turning around and landing on her right shoulder. Aqua then said to Ryuji. "What's wrong?"

"I feel like I've seen what this dude's wearing before… Dammit! I'm too flustered! I can't remember anything right now!"

[Think about it later, we are still running here.] Fletchinder said, grabbing Ryuji. Ryuji didn't understand him and said getting Fletchinder away from him. "Let go of me, damnit!"

"Fletchinder right. We need to go fast!" Morgana said, surprising Aqua. Ryuji then said to them. "But… who are these guys?"

"I understand Ryuji, we will help them, but not now. We are under equipped and the place is on high alert. If we wait around here too long, we will get caught." Aqua said as knight appeared in front of them. "Like that." Aqua said as Ren's clothes changed. Ren then said to Morgana. "Let's fight."

"I'm glad you stick to your guns." Morgana said as the knight turned to a pixie. "Looks like it's raring to go too!" Morgana said before Ren attacked. "Eiha!" Ren said summoning Arsene at did big damage and Aqua said. "Now Fletchinder uses Quick Attack!" Fletchinder then attacked the pixie with great speed. It then was destroyed, Morgana said. "All right! Let's get away before more show up!"

"Hold on, we can't just leave these guys here!" Ryuji said and Morgana said. "You really don't get it, do you? Hrgh… There's no time to explain. Look, I'm going. If you don't want to follow, be my guest!"

"Dammit… Fine, I'm coming!" Ryuji said as they ran after Morgana. They then found the entrance hall and tried to exit, but it was locked. Aqua then said to them. "Now what do we do?"

"Follow me, I know where another exit is." Morgana said, taking the lead. And before they left, they all grabbed their backpacks and Morgana took them to a storage area. Morgana then said to them. "We're here!"

"This isn't a way out! D'you trick us, you jerk!?" Ryuji yelled and Morgana said. "Don't jump to conclusions! The exit is here."

"Where!? There aren't even any windows!"

"But there is a ventilation shaft." Ren said, pointing to a really big ventilation shaft on top of the shelves. Morgana then said to Ren. "That's right! As I thought, you're a natural at this."

[Then let's get out of here, Steel Wing!] Fletchinder said as he's wings glowed and he destroyed the clover on the ventilation shaft. "Whoa! Holy crap! The enemy didn't hear us, did they?"

"Let's not find out. Return Fletchinder." Aqua said returning Fletchinder back to his Pokeball. She then jump onto the top shelve and gave the others a hand. "Seriously, we're finally getting outta here!" Ryuji said as he crawled through the vent. Ren then joined him and Aqua said as Morgana didn't do anything. "What are you waiting for?"

"I'm staying here."

"Why?"

"I still have things I need to do."

"Ok, just don't get caught again." Aqua said as she followed Ren and Ryuji. After they were all gone, Morgana said to himself. "Those three seem useful… Especially the frizzy and aqua colored hair ones, if my judgment's right…" Morgana then left the room and soon all of them would meet up again.