Another chapter before the month ends? Who am I? Truthfully, this chapter was immediately on my mind the moment I finished the previous chapter, but college exams kicked in and took some of my time away. This chapter is more of a slice of life as Ren finally seems to be getting a break, and seems to be getting more people on his side. I really hope you guys do enjoy this story, I love writing it.
Tyrwaz: Yes he has! I have big plans for this new change in canon, I can't wait for you guys to read it. Thanks for enjoying the story! Means a lot to me!
Guest: I've gone over this before, but I'll do it again. Ren is boundless in strength, Persona-user are stated to have no limit. The strongest person he has gone against so far can only destroy a city.
Blankow: Yup, Kamikoto seems to just never have a chance of happening, but hey, Ren and Saten are going to try their damndest. The group chat idea is fun, more and more people will join. I plan to make something very special happen. Thanks for enjoying the fic.
Wendel Santana: I don't encourage this, but the Toaru discord server has a google file for every novel, so that's how I read it. If you ever wanna reach out to me by the way, this applies to everyone, join the Kamachiland server. I go by the same name there as I do here.
Xiao: I get that, I'll try to find a way to not make it seem like that.
Thetruetrickster/Joker/The Fool: I'm assuming you're the same person because the names and timing of the reviews are just too close to not be a coincidence. I'll give you some great advice: If you don't like the fic, don't read it.
Fgoff: I currently have no plans for her, but if you think you have an interesting way of integrating her into the story, please PM me.
BlueJack22: I still haven't beaten it, but I really do like the game.
Masify: The Level 5's in this fic will be a great part of the story and I will eventually flesh out their involvement. Igor will always be there when you least expect him to as well.
craytherlay: I kind of worked it similar to Misaki's power, which is why Ren states for Touma to not touch his head lest the power would no longer work on him. Ren's arrogance is something widely known when he switches over to his Joker persona, in the heat of the moment, the two really didn't care because Last Order was of utmost importance. Yes he did, will he do so to others? Hmm...
Disclaimer: I do not own Persona 5 Royal or Toaru Majutsu no Index.
"Man, you should've seen the look on your face!" Ren said with a howling laugh.
"It's not funny! Why didn't you say anything!?" Touma shouted.
Well, technically, Ren didn't know either. He only just found out when his Third Eye alarmed him that the footsteps belonged to Kakine and wasn't all that surprised that the boy was integrating into everyday life. It was most likely from Ren's experiment with something before they defeated Kakine. After learning that the Metaverse was not a thing on this planet, but that AIM Fields and Personal Reality were somewhat its substitutes, Ren thought that he would be able to change someone's heart if he was given a chance to come into close contact with an Esper. Ordinary people would be unaffected considering they have no Personal Reality, so this hypothesis could only work on Espers.
Ren knew that there would be nowhere for Kakine to go after the defeat. Judgment or Anti-Skill wouldn't be able to hold him, killing him would never be an option, and who knew how far FORMULA ran as they might've killed him. The only thought Ren had to save Kakine was to change his heart, well, Personal Reality in this case. If he made Kakine believe he was a good person and was capable of doing good, he could be free in a normal society. At the same time, Ren could easily be able to keep an eye on him if FORMULA decided he was disposable.
"I didn't know!" Ren said, holding his hands up, trying to look innocent.
"Why the hell is he here?!"
"Because I told him to come."
Touma looked at Ren with a blank stare.
In truth, Ren didn't want to reveal what he did. He thought that Touma would disagree with his methodology of forcing a change of heart in a person. This case was different, though; Ren saw this as the only option. He would have to lie, and as much as he hated lying, it was to protect Kakine and others that would be at his mercy if he didn't change.
"Are you stupid or something?" Touma deadpanned.
"I'm not kidding. When he passed out, I sent him a message in his head that if he didn't be a good boy and behave in normal society, that I'd have just have to humiliate him again."
"I honestly can't tell if you're joking or not."
"Just forget it, he's our teacher's assistant now. There's nothing we can do."
"I guess so. I just hope Accelerator and Misaka don't find out."
"What do you mean? I already put him in our group chat."
"YOU DID WHAT?!"
Touma looked at Ren in horror and looked as if he wanted to punch the boy with glasses. Instead, he took out his phone to see if it was true, to which the spiky-haired boy saw that it was, in fact, false.
"Stop playing with me you idiot!"
"I'm sorry." Ren said, laughing again.
The boy of extreme misfortune took a deep breath before finding his following words.
"Aaaanyway, what do you think we should cook tonight?"
"Oh yeah, I forgot we promised Index a big buffet of food. I mean, when's the last time she's had curry?"
"Is that all you can make?"
"It's the best thing you've had in your life though, isn't it?"
"I... I can't disagree."
Ren and Touma were walking on their way to the grocery store and Ren had forgotten entirely. His legs were on autopilot the entire conversation and he needed to decide what else to make other than curry.
"I could probably make some mean hamburgers and french fries," Ren said. "I'd need to find the proper blend of beef and pork and make a great patty. Also need to find the best potatoes. What do you plan on making?"
"I was thinking of attempting sushi and homecooked noodles. I think that sounds good."
The boys walked into the grocery store and bought everything they needed for the feast that would come later tonight. In what seemed like a miracle, Touma was finally able to pay for his share of the groceries and Ren felt a hint of relief. Touma had been eating up the money in his wallet and Ren needed to sell some of the extra treasure he had stored just in case money ever became a problem.
"You think we should invite Misaka and Accelerator?" Ren asked.
"You think they would get along?" Touma said with some sass.
"Not now, but relationships can't improve if people always try to avoid each other."
"I… guess you're right. Let's invite them then; I think we bought too much food anyway, so some extra stomachs would probably help us."
Ren continued walking and suddenly had a thought cross his mind.
"What about Sogiita? We never did get a chance to repay him for helping us during the Daihasei."
"Oh yeah, you're right!" Touma said. "I don't have his contact information though. Do you?"
"Yeah, I asked for it during the Daihasei, but I never actually bothered contacting him," Ren said with a neutral expression. "I hope it isn't weird that I'm texting him after a while."
"He might ask for a fight… I really don't feel like going up against another Level 5." Touma said weakly.
"Maybe you can convince him not to fight, but if push comes to shove, I'll take him on."
Touma heard his phone buzz and took it out to check it.
"Oh, it's Misaka. Perfect timing, I'll just text the group chat while you text Sogiita."
"Since when do you and Misaka text each other?" Ren said with a grin
"I'll choose to ignore what you're implying." Touma said, rolling his eyes.
"Anyway, just do what I said before you forget with all that love on your brain."
"Sounds like a plan," Ren said, chuckling.
Both boys took a bit of time to send their messages and stopped by to get a quick drink at a stand as it was strangely really hot outside. Touma looked at his phone again and put it back in his pocket.
"It's getting kind of late. Let's head to the dorm."
"The amount of food here is going to take some serious guts to finish!"
"Why is this idiot here? As a matter of fact, why the fuck am I even here?" Accelerator barked.
"We're here because we got invited Misaka says as Misaka tries to be very hospitable."
"I'm happy you invited me, I hope that after this you'll give me a spar!"
"Once we finish eating, and with this amount of food, I feel like it'll take some time." Ren said.
Everyone who was currently present at Ren's dorm included Touma, Index, Misaka, Sogiita, Accelerator, Last Order, and himself. It was a bit cramped but was still large enough for everyone to have a seat and pick from the variety of food they had.
Mikoto felt bad that both Touma and Ren had cooked everything, so she brought mashed potatoes and fried chicken to show that she wasn't a freeloader. Ren also started up a fresh pot of coffee as Accelerator had specifically asked for one just for himself.
"Nice to see you Sogiita, how are you doing?" Mikoto asked.
"I've been great! Thanks for asking."
"Hey, short-hair!" Index shouted. "Thanks for bringing more food!"
"Would it kill you to use my actual name?"
"Since you did something so nice, I guess I can call you Mikoto." Index said hesitantly.
"Eh!?" Misaka said with confusion on her face. "Was it really that easy?"
"Good to see you two getting along," Touma said. "Makes me glad that all of us are getting closer."
"Cut the sappy shit hero," Accelerator cut in. "It's making my coffee taste bitter."
"You're drinking it black, I don't know how much more bitter it can get." Ren retorted.
"Did you really have to ruin the moment Misaka says as Misaka shows just how disappointed she is?"
"Tch, damn brat."
Ren was tending to the food and serving everyone a plate of what they wanted. When everyone had their plate of food and drink he began to hit his silverware on his glass to get everyone's attention.
"Before we eat, I just had a few words to say," Ren started. "First off, thank you all for coming on short notice, we made a lot of food and we're glad that none of it will go to waste. Secondly, I'd like to welcome Sogiita to our group. He will always be welcome and I hope we can all get along really well."
Ren raised his glass as did everyone else except Accelerator.
"To a great feast!"
"To a great feast!" Everyone repeated. Accelerator, of course, did not repeat it.
As everyone began to dig into their food, Touma and Sogiita began to talk to each other as Ren assumed Sogiita wanted to know how a Level 0 like Touma had the ability to stand on equal footing with him in the battle at the Daihasei.
Last Order and Misaka seemed to be talking to each other and enjoying the other's company. Last Order really needed to speak to other people besides Accelerator. It was good to get her out and let her socialize with others.
Index was too busy swallowing her food whole to be speaking with anyone and Accelerator seemed to just be enjoying his coffee all by himself. Ren decided to sit next to Accelerator and strike up a conversation to make sure he didn't feel left out.
"You doing alright?"
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Just making sure," Ren said. "After what Kakine tried, I'd understand if you were a bit shaken up."
"Me? Shaken up? Don't make me laugh coffee boy."
"It could always be the people you least expect, doesn't hurt to at least try."
"Tch, you're starting to sound like that damn hero."
"I'm no hero," Ren said with a stoic face. "I just happen to be at the right place at the right time."
"Doesn't mean you don't go out of your way to save people."
"I do it because it's the right thing to do, but you already know what that means." Ren said with a small smile.
"Oh yeah? How?"
Ren looked at Last Order and back to Accelerator.
"As much as you try to deny it, or say that you're incapable of being a hero, you're already a hero in her eyes."
Accelerator sat in silence as he looked like he was thinking deeply about the words Ren was saying. The white-haired boy had never been one to listen to any crap related to heroism, but the four-eyed boy was different. He radiated something different than any white coat bastard and even the damn hero himself. His extraordinary charisma was something that shouldn't even be humanly possible, even if it was an Esper ability or whatever his Persona power was capable of, it somehow felt genuine.
"I'd like to know something coffee boy," Accelerator said. "Where do you find the will to keep going and being a hero? That shit doesn't benefit you at all."
"It's not about whether it benefits me or not. I don't expect anyone to feel indebted to me, I don't do it for fame, and I don't do it to feel loved. I do it because it's simply the right thing to do."
"And how do you know it the right thing to do?"
"I don't. Right and wrong are two sides of the same coin. What I think is good could be detrimental to someone else. I stick to my convictions and hope that everyone benefits. If someone suffers from my choices, then it's my job to help with that too."
"What if people don't want your help?"
"I'll try and convince them, but if they are adamant about it, I'll let it go. Forcing good intentions on others is no different than being evil to them."
Both of the boys didn't realize that everyone else had stopped talking and were listening to their conversation. Even Last Order, who was talkative beyond belief, remained quiet and was listening to what the Trickster and the Number One were saying.
"You guys are really having such a deep conversation," Sogiita said standing up from the floor. "Both of you have a lot of guts!"
"Can it seventh-string." Accelerator snarled.
"Do you really think saying that stuff is really going to make us stop?" Mikoto said.
The albino boy began to redirect the surrounding air toward Mikoto and the girl could feel the slight breeze as her hair began to wave.
"No, but I can make it so that you'll be scared to do so."
"I'd like to see you try." Mikoto said with a threatening gaze.
"Tch," Accelerator spat. "I'm sorry."
Wait what? Did everyone just hear that correctly? Did the first ranked Level 5 just willingly apologize? No, there was clearly something evil at work right now, there's no way he just apologized. Did God really exist? Was it His doing, or was it the Devil himself? There were too many questions and no one had any answers.
"Did you really just apologize Misaka asks as Misaka cannot believe what just came out of your mouth?"
"Whoa." Misaka and Touma said at the same time.
Ren looked at Accelerator and gave him a small pat on the back. The white-haired boy remained quiet and looked like he was occupied in his own thoughts.
"That's a good start." Ren whispered to Accelerator.
"I'm going to be totally honest," Mikoto said. "That was pretty creepy, but I do appreciate it."
The albino boy stayed silent and began to get on his feet.
"I'm leaving." Accelerator said quietly.
"Wait! We haven't even gotten to the desert yet!" Index shouted.
"I'm not hungry, let's go Last Order."
"Misaka doesn't want to leave Misaka shouts trying to exclaim her desire to stay with everyone!"
Accelerator scanned the room and ultimately made eye contact with Ren. In a show of an answer, Ren flashed his red irises and nodded his head as to tell Accelerator to sit back down and enjoy the company.
The white-haired boy let out a sigh and went to head back to where he was seated. He cracked his neck and crossed his legs as he sat back down on the floor.
Everyone let out a small smile and decided to continue with the eating party.
"Who made these hamburgers?" Mikoto asked.
"That would be the cooking master," Touma said, pointing at Ren. "I swear he can cook just about anything. Did you teach yourself?"
"No, I had a great teacher though," Ren replied. "Maybe if we're lucky, you guys could come and visit my Earth."
"What did you say?!" Sogiita shouted, jumping from his spot.
"Oh shit, I forgot he didn't know." Ren said with a chuckle.
"You mean to tell me you're an alien?! Is that why you're so strong? Is that why you have so much guts!?"
"Somone please such the idiot up." Accelerator said, rolling his eyes.
Ren explained his situation to everyone once more and added more details about his adventures with Palaces and how his life was almost ruined by Shido and by almost all of the Diet from his version of Japan.
"That's… really crazy." Mikoto said.
"Do you guys have religion on your planet?" Index said with a very curious tone.
Ren was taken aback at how sudden and random the question was. He would still answer it of course, but the nun was somewhat in her own world.
"Yes we do," Ren replied. "I mean, my planet is practically identical to yours, other than the fact we don't have an Academy City."
"I honestly couldn't imagine life without this city," Mikoto said. "The memories I have here are great, so it's hard to think that I wouldn't have met any of you if the city didn't exist."
"You got that right," Touma said. "My life, although full of misfortune, is still great because I got to meet all of you guys."
"Oh! I have a question!" Sogiita said, raising his hand. "If you guys don't have Espers, how do you have powers?"
Ren wanted to carefully word his response as to not confuse the rest of the group. Saying a fake god wanted to see him fail would probably be a bit unbelievable.
"I was chosen by a higher being to guide humanity out of what was essentially the end of the world. According to the higher being, I had extreme potential and was gifted the power to use Persona's."
"That sounds like a heavy responsibility," Mikoto said. "Did you do it alone?"
"Thankfully I didn't," Ren said with a smile. "I had a group of other Persona users that helped me with the journey."
"A group of people like you?" Mikoto continued. "That just seems like overkill, having all of those Persona's and the ability to change them to different affinities seems so convenient."
"Actually I'm to only one who can do that," Ren said, summoning Alice for everyone to see. "I was granted the power of the Wild Card which allows me to summon various Persona's. My friends were only limited to one."
When Ren finished his sentence, he switched over to High Pixie. As long as he remembered the Sea of Souls and what Persona he wanted, he could summon any of them without the help of the Compendium.
"So even on your planet, you're special…" Accelerator said, only audible to Ren.
"I'd like to meet your friends," Touma said. "If they're anything like you then they are probably some of the coolest people to exist."
"I'd like to meet them too," Mikoto said. "Based off of what you're capable of, I'd say Persona-users are probably some of the strongest people on the planet."
"I'm sure they'd love to meet all of you guys," Ren said with a heartfelt smile. "I think Makoto would really like you Misaka. Your attitudes are somewhat similar, and you guys have an identical voice, it's honestly scary."
Mikoto flinched as she didn't really expect that.
"So you're basically the strongest of your group because of that right?" Accelerator said.
"I guess so? Honestly, if I were to go against all of them at once, I probably wouldn't lose."
"How many people were in your group?" Sogiita asked.
"Excluding me, my real group has seven other members, nine if we're counting other Persona-users that joined us for a brief stint."
"And you think you can beat all of them in a one versus nine?" Touma said with a bit of fear in his tone.
"Honestly, no, but if used my full potential, I could probably give them a run for their money. I felt bad doing so, but I memorized everyone's fighting patterns and their weaknesses. Brainwashing was a thing in the Metaverse, and I had a contingency plan for everyone just in case they couldn't return to normal..."
Ren looked down at the ground, he didn't even want to think that his friends would be capable of betraying the Phantom Thieves, but the leader part and tactical part of his mind knew he had to be ready for anything.
"Ok, just for reference," Mikoto said, clearing her throat. "From what we've seen you do, what percentage of your power would you estimate you've been using?"
Ren had paused for a bit as he really didn't want to scare them off. The hardest he had fought was during the Daihasei, and even then he didn't even use his Persona's to attack. He did want to be honest though and gave a rough estimate.
"I'd say a good fifty percent."
Everyone in the room gave him a blank stare and remained quiet. He had been on par with most of the Level 5's and looked to be even stronger than them, and for him to say that he had only been using half of his power? It seemed like a sick joke, but Ren didn't seem like the type of person to lie.
"Ok!" Sogiita shouted after the prolonged silence. "Let's spar in order to prove this!"
Mikoto had led the group out to a grassy plain on the other side of a lonely bridge. Cresting the dyke and walking down into the meadow, she gestured to the open field before them.
"The floor's yours, just try not to make too much mess, okay?" She said, trying to sound responsible. Both Ren and Sogiita gave her a nod, although the latter was much more pronounced. Ren chuckled a little at his antics. Something about guts and giving it your all. It reminded him a lot of Ryuji and his never-ending quest to become manlier.
He missed his brother.
Shooting the seventh Level 5 a glance, Sogiita reciprocated with a toothy grin befitting of a manga hero as they both took positions opposite of the other about ten feet apart. The two settled into fighting stances, Sogiita planting his feet firmly on the ground, while Ren crouched on the balls of his feet, getting low to the ground.
'I don't want to use a Persona just yet. I don't know how well he'd adjust to something like that, not to mention that his limits are completely unknown to me right now, Ren thought, eyeing Sogiita. Then again… I also just want to have fun with this too!'
As if reading his mind, Sogiita rushed forward with the speed of a thunderclap, getting in Ren's face. Throwing a right cross, Ren brought his left up to counter. He winced at the dull pain of the blow, gauging the hit.
'He hits hard…! Even without enhancement!'
Ren wasted no time responding in kind, using the opening to hit the other boy with a swift jab to his ribs. Drawing his attention with the light blow, Ren moved with a left-handed feint. Surprisingly, Sogiita took the hit.
'He took that? That was a pretty basic setup, for someone like him to take a hit like that…' His eyes widened in realization. 'He was gauging me as well?'
"You're smarter than you let on, huh?" He said, breaking away from the brief exchange.
Sogiita grinned. "Guts aren't just in here," he gestured to his chest. "But you gotta use the guts up here from time to time!" Pointing to his head, he laughed an inspiring laugh. It was infectious, seeing someone taking such joy in something.
"That was a good hit. You move fast, Ren Amamiya." Without another word, he rushed forward again, but this time, Ren met him in the middle.
Ren knew that without Persona enhancement he was physically weaker than Sogiita. Speed and cunning were what had pulled him through the majority of his earlier fights. He ducked from left to right, taking advantage of whatever open space he could find. Shifting his footwork, he stepped back and to his right, guiding Sogiita's brazen right hook past his shoulder. The Level 5 responded in kind, lashing out with a backheel kick, using his palm as a mount to keep his momentum alive. Sogiita knew that Ren was wily, so he had to mix things up too. Just one exchange of many that the two shared, ducking in and out of the action in intervals. But they were just testing each other. It was time to kick things up a notch.
"You're good, but… It's time to get moving for real now." Sogiita stepped back, the pressure in the air seemed to thicken instantaneously. Both Touma and Mikoto, watching from the sidelines, stepped back up onto the dyke above.
Index was off to the side, somewhat mesmerized by the scene.
Accelerator was sitting down on the ground, while Last Order was cheering Ren on as loud as she could.
"This can't be good," Touma mumbled to Mikoto. She nodded in response.
Ren seemed to catch Sogiita's hint and responded in kind. "Arsène."
Although his first and main Persona, Arsène was considerably the weakest of his stock. When it came to thieving and stealth, however, Arsène would always be his go-to as his mindset was truly something marvelous.
Both fighters were sheathed in a mighty aura as Sogiita seemed to "charge up," so to speak. His aura burned brightly, yet fading away as quickly as it came. Cracking his neck, he gestured at the bespectacled boy across the way. Meanwhile, Ren's casual clothes burned away in cerulean flame, replaced with his signature flowing trench coat and domino mask. In a flash, he reached up and ripped it off, the menacing figure of a familiar gentleman thief appearing behind him.
Ren wasted no time taking the initiative this time, charging forward with his Persona backing him up. Sogiita raised his guard, ducking under Arsene's lashing kick and attempting to strike at the Phantom Thief with a riposte. The attack, while vicious, met nothing but air as Arsene's wings of retribution flapped flush, shooting Ren back. The Level 5 wasn't intent on letting him go, however, as he followed after him.
Stepping into Ren's guard, he threw blow after blow, which Ren deflected or dodged with relative ease. Still, his power was undeniable as he could feel the pressure behind his enhanced strikes. He had to go on the offensive while he still could. Even if he was holding back, there was no doubt that if he had encountered someone like Sogiita when he was less experienced, he would be having a way tougher time than right now.
"Gimme some space! Eiha!" A blast of angry red and black curses forced Sogiita on his back foot, the bolt impacting the ground between them, which allowed Ren his opening. He jet forward with a boost from his Persona, his leg slamming into the Level 5's hastily erected guard. Knocking him off balance, he struck three times, putting a jab into his face and stomach respectively, before ending his combo with an enhanced cleave that knocked Sogiita back further.
Leaping back into the fight, Sogiita perpetuated their back and forth by sweeping with a wild hook that sent dust flying in every which way when it connected with the ground. Ren was dazed for a moment, but that moment was all Sogiita needed to close the distance and plant a firm strike into his stomach. Winded, the Phantom Thief skidded along the ground, rolling back onto his feet.
'He's not joking around with this, so it's time to start pulling out the stops.'Dismissing Arsene, he reached back into the wellspring of power that backed him. "Yoshitsune."
A Japanese warrior materialized behind him as he shook the kinks from his neck. Shaking off the dust from Sogiita's haymaker, Ren pumped himself up. Now, he would be going beyond what he had typically been fighting with during his stint here in Academy City if only to test the waters of this world's inhabitants. He needed to make sure that if he was forming a new team, they would have what it takes to face any being that stood against them. After all, someone like Sogiita Gunha was beginning to show just how much guts he really had.
His eyes took on a devilish glint as varied powers twirled around him in a vortex of energy. Sogiita took the hint and began to "charge up" as well, his aura growing to a point that rivaled Ren's own. 'This has to be his upper limit. Even so, he's keeping up with Heat Riser, which is good. I need someone like him on my side.' Ren was satisfied with Sogiita's skill, however, he still wanted to see this one through. With a snap of his finger, Yoshitsune drew his long sword, the blade that earned the general his legend in human history.
Sogiita, not willing to be left behind, took a step back into a crouched stance, placing his weight onto his right leg. Digging in, he cocked his right fist back. With wordless affirmation, both Ren and Sogiita rushed forwards at the same time, with Ren leaping to meet the Level 5's wild strike.
"AMAZING…"
"Yoshitsune! Hassou-Tobi!"
"...PUNCH!"
Powered fist met ethereal steel as both attacks met in the center of the field. The resulting air pressure sent shockwaves rippling across the plain and making the ground quake beneath them. Sogiita struggled against the force of Yoshitsune's attack, various lacerations running down the length of his forearm as the wind whipped at the both of them. Back on the ground, Ren braced himself as well, standing against the torrent.
Breaking apart, Sogiita wasn't deterred whatsoever as he kept the heat up, feinting with his injured arm and using the momentum to swing his left leg around, his heel smashing into Ren and Yoshitsune's guard.
"AMAZING KICK!" The explosion of energy flashdanced the both of them in a clap of bright light, forcing the two back again. 'So he's still going strong, even at max power…? His reactions are faster, and he reads the terrain and atmosphere like nothing!' Ren observed, dancing around Sogiita's 'amazing' strikes. Not to be outdone, Ren sent Yoshitsune forward, barrelling at the other boy in a series of strikes.
One slashed at the boy's face, nicking his cheek. Yoshitsune's second blade, a wakizashi, came up in his left hand and scored a near-miss on Sogiita's shoulder. Forced on the defensive, Sogiita ducked under a horizontal slash that would've taken his head off. Yoshitsune moved in for the kill, having boxed him in with those blows. Having his escape routes cut off, Sogiita had no other option other than to-
"SUPER AMAZING PUNCH!"
-take the threat head-on. Yoshitsune aimed a powerful thrust of his katana at Sogiita's collarbone, but the blow was countered with his most powerful blow yet. Blown back by the sheer volume of the strike, Yoshitune dematerialized as an uppercut made an impact with his chin. Ren could feel the strain placed on his Persona as it faded away. That was a strike that had surpassed all of Sogiita's previous attempts at dealing damage. It had actually forced him to disengage his Persona. 'Well then, it's gonna suck, but time to put a damper on things.'
Letting go of Yoshitsune, he reached back into his mind, pulling out another mask.
"Allilat!" Ren knew when he was beaten, and he was certain that Sogiita Gunha had him pinned in the physical department. As far as human opponents went, his prowess was second only to Akechi in this regard, a thought that caused Ren to grin uncontrollably. However, while he was the Gentleman Thief at heart, in moments like this, he had to let his true rogue shine through. Allilat, quite literally an unshakable pillar representing the Empress, one that protected all under its banner.
Once again, Sogiita paid no mind to the change in enemies as he heaved deep, heavy breaths. That last Super Amazing Punch had put considerable strain on him, and both he and Ren recognized that. Ren wasn't about to let go of his advantage. "Marukukaja," he muttered, feeling the strange sensation of the air around him harden. Properly reinforced, he went on the offensive, barreling into the still-recovering Sogiita, he planted his own right hook into the boy's face.
Grimacing, Sogiita was sent whirling- "Diamond Dust!" A sprinkling of sparkling dust was sprayed into the air by the ominous pillar, coating the ground in a layer of permafrost that froze Sogiita to the ground. Rooted in place, Ren laid into his target, and for all his bobbing and weaving, the Level 5 could only dodge so much punishment. Bruises formed all over his face as Ren refused to let up, his ruthlessness on full display. It didn't look like he minded however, as soon, Sogiita began to do nothing but block the strongest blows and take the weaker ones gracefully, merely dampening the attacks by rolling with the punches. To the untrained eye, it would look like he was giving up or tiring, and while the latter may be the case, to fighters like Ren, he could see what he was doing.
'He's concentrating,' Ren realized. Directly after, Sogiita's right leg began vibrating immensely before he burst through Allilat's ice with a thundering "crack" of an explosion. Flipping backward, Ren could feel the pressure on his chin as he landed a safe distance away. Wasting no time, Sogiita freed himself by smashing the ice coating his other foot and leaping backward as well. Battered and bloody, the Level 5 stood tall once again, wiping a small dribble of blood from his upper lip.
"I'm not tapping out just yet, Ren Amamiya. You have some real guts," he said, settling into a pose that screamed 'finality.' His left hand was stretched out before him as if beckoning Ren. His right fist fell back as his legs spread apart, both planting themselves firmly on the ground while he lowered his center of gravity. His headband, all throughout the fight, had remained its stark white color as if representing his unbreakable will.
The wind began to swirl around his feet and dust was kicked up in vortexes caused by the change in pressure. Ren narrowed his eyes as a mental image of a multitude of powers raging with Sogiita was revealed to him. This would be his final, most powerful strike. One that even the defenses granted to him by his Persona wouldn't be able to withstand, which shocked him at first glance, but he soon saw the reason behind it. 'This attack is more than just physical. The energy caused by a strike like this would surely rip any of us to shreds!'
This was his cue, as he dismissed Allilat. Drawing from his wellspring once more, he materialized his final mask.
"To my side, Lucifer!" A man bearing a multitude of wings appeared in a flash of unholy glory at Ren's behest. The training wheels were off. If the others were so insistent on seeing him at his best, then Sogiita better be prepared to take it on the chin. The sheer presence of such a being was enough for Touma and Mikoto to take an apprehensive step backward, though they both eyed the space between the two with uncertainty.
Lucifer shared a glance with Ren, who communicated a simple message with his Persona. "I'll take those chains off you. Show me your true power."
The devil floated in front of his master, hands raised. Sogiita took this as a challenge and Ren could feel the aura all the way from where he was standing. His feet had formed craters that were growing deeper and deeper by the second, the energy in the air spilling off his body in crashing waves that made Ren's mental vision fuzzy at the edges. That's it. That's fine. He had been itching to let loose for forever now.
Lucifer rose above him, allowing Ren to step forward with a clear line of vision of Sogiita. Likewise, the form of Sogiita Gunha rotated his shoulders, his right fist disappearing behind his back. Imagining the torque that a blow like that was certainly something Ren would like to see, but alas, he would have to end things here. If Sogiita was giving him his all, it was only right that he gave him a piece of his too.
A bolt of almighty energy appeared in the sky above his head as his mask was incinerated in blue flame once more. Both man and Persona raised their right arms as one, the bolt falling cleanly into their hands. "Morning Star."
One last attack from both parties. They both knew that was the only outcome of this fight.
Without another thought, Sogiita rushed forward. Time seemed to slow for all involved as Sogiita took that first step. All eyes were on him. Ren was poised with his Morning Star, vision tunneled on the boy before him. Unknown to both parties, another boy had already started moving.
"SUPER MEGA ULTRA HYPER ULTIMATE AMMMMAAAAAZZZZZIIIIIIIINNNNNG…!" Sogiita reached the halfway mark, Ren took aim. "PUUUUUNNNNNNCCCCCCHHHHHHHH!"
Thwap. Krssssssssshhhhhh! Sogiita's final attack was caught by something and the sound of shattering glass permeated the air. At the last moment, a third figure appeared in front of Sogiita. Eyes widening in a bit of surprise, Ren jerked his entire body to the right as the blazing bolt of energy veered off its course and off into the sky, whizzing by the new figure's head by a scant few inches.
Unfazed, Kamijou Touma stood there with his right arm outstretched.
Caught in it was the hyper-powered fist of Sogiita Gunha.
"Are you guys trying to blow up the damn city?" Touma shouted, a hint of rage in his voice.
"No," Ren replied. "But I figured you would step in eventually."
Ren raised his hand towards Sogiita, who was bleeding profusely, yet seemed to still be in peak fighting condition. The boy had considerably tired, but Ren was shocked that the boy's guts had taken him so far. He cast a Diarahan spell, which alleviated every wound that was on the seventh-ranked Level 5's body.
"Lucifer, return." Ren said.
Considering he used the Devil himself, Ren thought that he would be getting a bit of stares from the rest of the group.
'Wait... is Index here?'
The following day was a school day, so waking up early in the morning was quite unwelcoming for the frizzy-haired boy. The usual routine of showering, changing into uniform, putting on the fake glasses, and making breakfast was pretty much an autonomous movement. Ren was going to attempt to recruit Kakine to this team today and do his best to explain to the others how he had turned a 'new leaf'.
Heading to school alone was also something that was normal to him, normally he'd walk with Touma, but the gluttonous nun seemed to have different plans for the spiky-haired boy every morning.
Walking into class, Ren began to strike up a conversation with Himegami and Fukiyose who were already talking with each other.
"Amamiya," Fukiyose said. "What grade did you get on our last test? Himegami and I barely passed, so we were wondering how other people did."
"Oh, I got a perfect score," Ren said monotone. "What part did you guys struggle with?"
Himegami and Fukiyose began to bombard Ren with questions and he happily explained everything and made sure that they were taking notes in order for them to not forget anything that he had said.
After some time had passed, Touma had walked in and started talking to the Delta Force and Ren had said his farewell to both Himegami and Fukiyose.
"Amami-yan!" Tsuchimikado said quite loudly. "I heard you and Touma threw a party without me. How could you!"
"It was on really short notice, and besides, I don't have your contact information."
Tsuchimikado immediately pulled out his phone and sent his information to Ren's phone. The dirty blond boy immediately sent him a message and Ren looked to see what it said.
Necessarius needs your and Kamijou's help. Something big is coming and we're going to need everyone we can.
Looking back at Tsuchimikado, he had a big grin on his face and looked as if the message he sent had no weight to it whatsoever. Ren was glad that they were coming to him for help and was hopeful he could turn Necessarius into a group of allies.
"Do you guys mind telling me what you're talking about?"
All four boys jumped and turned to the voice that said that. Kakine walked up to them and the look on his face yelled that he was genuinely curious as to what the boys were saying.
"Oh, don't worry about it, teacher!" Aogami said. "You really wouldn't be interested in our conversation!"
Looking at Aogami, he was probably fantasizing about his fetishes and was so absorbed in them he most likely thought he had said something out loud to them.
"Actually, Mr. Kakine?" Ren said.
"Amamiya, yes?" Kakine said in a strangely calm tone. "Just call me Kakine, no honorifics."
Ren grinned and pushed up his glasses.
"Would you mind giving me your contact information, I have information that I think you'd find… interesting."
Feel free to leave a review, comments, suggestions, or any ideas you guys have. Don't hesitate to tell me off if you don't like something.
I will do my best to update as much as I can. Please bear with me if I take the time to upload a new chapter.
Huge shoutout to Healthcare for writing the fight scene. I asked him if he wanted to write it to see if he was capable of it, and honestly, he went above and beyond.