Ace In The Hole

by eiranerys

Shido has barred the Shadow Operatives from action for two years. But when the Phantom Thieves appear, Mitsuru decides that they have to take action. Luckily, there's a certain former member Shido doesn't seem to be aware of: Ken Amada. But when Ken meets the Phantom Thieves in person, he can't help but agree with their goals. He can't help but befriend them. Phantom Thief!Ken AU.

51. 50: Even The Mighty Can Fall

Chapter 50

Even The Mighty Can Fall

---

"Yes… yes, we're looking into it now."

Akechi had failed. It had taken all of Masayoshi's willpower to keep a neutral face as he watched the clip from his tablet.

Did these pathetic thieves really think that they could make him cower? The mere thought made Masayoshi want to snarl. And Akechi would pay for his failure.

He set aside his tablet and pulled out his phone, dialing Akechi's number. He absentmindedly fiddled with a nearby pen with his free hand as the phone rang. But it immediately went to voicemail. In the past, Akechi often told that was because he was in the other world.

Was the brat hiding from him now? Masayoshi grinded his teeth at the mere thought of it. He wouldn't weasel his way out of this!

He would deal with Akechi with his failure later. He had to handle the Phantom Thieves first. His eyes narrowed at his tablet which was playing the clip.

It didn't matter how many of them were, He would destroy them—

"…Wait a minute. Just how many of them are there?" Masayoshi thought to himself, narrowing his eyes.

A conversation he had with Akechi suddenly came to mind…

"Okumura's daughter has joined their ranks, sir."

"They keep adding to their ranks… they're multiplying like rats. How many are there now?"

"Including Okumura's daughter? Nine."

There were nine silhouettes standing in the video. And that meant Kirijo and her dogs had lied.

This was just unbelievable. To think that Kirijo thought she could manipulate him like this. He couldn't help but think of what her lapdogs had forced him to do…

"It's simple. You let Ken go free and keep the hell away from Mitsuru and the rest of us... and we will keep this recording our secret."

"You think that this will stop me? The leader of the Phantom Thieves will die! By one of my men's hand!"

"This is about the Shadow Operatives; you made a mistake messing with one of us! Those are our terms!"

A loud crack suddenly drew Masayoshi's attention.

"S-Sir?"

Masayoshi scowled before casting the now snapped pen into the wastebasket. He was just lucky that the ink barrel had remained intact, he supposed.

Kirijo had made a fool out of him. For the last time. He would crush her and everyone associated with her.

"But perhaps I'll first present her with the corpse of that brat—the one who kept defying me," Masayoshi mused to himself.

Those insolent eyes… that look in his eyes was burned in Masayoshi's mind. Even when he was literally at Masayoshi's mercy, he'd fire off a smart comment. He wouldn't even back down at the face of torture.

To add salt to the injury, the brat summoned that power with his hands literally tied.

"Sir, what's wrong?"

Masayoshi glared at the man who spoke.

"I want Kirijo crushed! Absolutely!" he growled out. "She'll be begging for mercy."

It was nothing more than that thorn in his side deserved. He had no patience for a weak little bleeding heart. She had a one-track mind.

"Now, sir?" his employee asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.

"Not now, you fool!" Masayoshi snapped with an irate glare. "We'll deal with the Phantom Thieves first. And besides that—I want you to deal with Sojiro Sakura. The leader of the Phantom Thieves is under his guardianship. I want our men to wrench any information you can from him. I don't care if you have to beat it out of him."

"Y-Yes, sir!" came the stammered reply.

"Don't stand there gaping! Go already!" Masayoshi snarled out.

As the man scrambled to follow his orders, Masayoshi slowly stood.

"Fine… if that's how you want to play it," he spat out. "I'll crush you underneath my heel."

---

Ren's heart was pumping the entire time they raced to the chamber where Shido's Shadow would be waiting for them.

He stood near the back of the room with his back turned.

"Shido!" Ryuji yelled. "You're gonna pay for everything you've done, you bastard!"

"Oh? You think you can threaten me?" Shido drawled out, slowly turning to face them. "Where did you lowlifes even obtain that power?"

Ren growled at that, his hands clenching into fists. That bastard… he had some nerve calling them lowlifes with all the crap that Shido's pulled over the past few years.

Shido then shook his head. "Not that it matters. Though I suppose since you've come all this way… I can hear out what you have to say to me."

Ren tensed at that. He was mocking them.

Ken stepped forward before locking his eyes with Shido. "Did you know that Goro Akechi was your illegitimate son?"

Shido suddenly smirked. "It was a clever trick, trying to change his identity before he came to me. It might've worked… but he reminded me too much of that woman."

"All of those people dead…and for what?"Haru said mournfully.

Futaba's mom, Haru's dad, not to mention all the targets Shido ordered Akechi to go after, and the innocents caught up in the storm… they had died for nothing. And those that didn't die, their reputations are tarnished forever. Ren's stomach churned at the mere thought.

"That woman?" Ryuji repeated before glaring at Shido, his hands formed fists. "Did she mean shit to you?!"

Shido merely shrugged at that.

"Yes, that woman," Shido repeated sarcastically before his expression morphed into pure disdain. "Beautiful like all the others that came falling at my feet. They were attracted to my power. But just like the others, she was useless in the end. All of them, snarling little wolves hungry for money and ensnaring their betters. She thought she could lord herself over me by trapping me into a marriage just because she was carrying that boy. Pathetic…"

"Trapping? Wolves? You think the whole world is selfish like you?" Yusuke repeated tensely, his entire form becoming rigid.

Shido let out a chuckle. "She was always so eager to please me. But it was clearly a lie. Everyone always wants something from the powerful, the parasites that they are. Though… her sister was always so annoying. She had a mouth on her."

Shido really did like to project himself onto everyone else.

Ken tensed at that comment, his grip on his spear tightening. Makoto grimaced, placing a hand on Ken's arm.

"She hated me for something so stupid… for not being 'good' enough for her sister." A twisted smirk suddenly appeared on Shido's face as he stared directly at Ken. "She was just jealous that her sister was smarter than her for spending time with someone worthwhile instead of whatever loser she ended up tied with to make you..."

Ken had gone frozen, but Anne's hands clenched into fists. "You… You—"

But Anne was suddenly interrupted by Ken.

A growl abruptly tore out of Ken's throat and both Makoto and Yusuke had to grab Ken before he could lunge at Shido's Shadow.

"Don't you dare talk about my mom like that, you sick bastard!" Ken snarled out, practically spitting nails.

"Ace, calm down!" Yusuke admonished.

Well, in all fairness, you just don't talk about someone's mom like that. Even now, Ren probably would've decked someone who had the audacity to talk about his mom like that.

Ken slowly exhaled, relaxing slightly. But he wouldn't stop glaring at Shido. Yusuke and Makoto hesitantly released Ken and Ken continued to scowl at Shido.

"You really see everyone as nothing but your playthings, don't you?" Ren demanded.

He couldn't help but think of that night, that fateful night that led him down his now current path.

Shido shrugged, his expression becoming bored. "No I don't see you as playthings. Tell me, do you ever stop to think about every ant you step on as you walk down the sidewalk?"

"You despicable little…" Makoto glared at Shido before her hands clenched into fists.

Anne growled, her hands wringing at the handle of her whip. "We'll see if you think the same thing when I plant my foot up your a—"

Shido snorted derisively at that. "Children are all so emotional, aren't they? That's why I was able to shape Akechi into a tool. He was wasting his potential before that. If anything, he should thank me."

"He should thank you for having him ruin people's lives, if not kill them?!" Haru exclaimed.

Ken suddenly laughed. "You're that delusional, are you?"

"Ace…?" Yusuke questioned in a low voice.

"Stop your mumbling, brat. Speak plainly." Shido scoffed in annoyance.

Ken just snorted, folding his arms over his chest. "Akechi came to you. He offered his services, to allow you to take down your rivals and anyone else who got in your way? You wouldn't have the power you wield now if it wasn't for Akechi. It's you who needed Akechi, not the other way around."

Shido scowled at Ken.

"Insolent brat!"

"I'm right, aren't I?" Ken flung back, his eyes narrowing at Shido.

Shido huffed. "You are all so naive. My ascension to the throne was mandated by God himself!"

"You would dare…?" Yusuke questioned before his eyes hardened. "You're truly deluding yourself into believing that you're God's chosen one?! You're utterly selfish! You were the one to use foul tricks because you're simply unable to win by honest means!"

"A cruel person like you has no right in leading the citizens of this country," Makoto spat out. "You're nothing but a criminal who rose over others by climbing a staircase of sin."

"And you used everyone who got in your way as stepping stones," Ren spat out.

Futaba nodded vigorously at that before she clenched her hands into fists. "You stole my mom's hard work! You ordered her to be killed!"

Shido simply scoffed, waving a careless hand. The simple gesture irritated Ren but then he opened his mouth and Ren's aggravation increased tenfold.

"The life of a nation as opposed to a few sacrifices? The decision was so easy to make."

"Few?!" Haru's voice rose with indignation. "Countless people have died for the sake of your ambition. You used my father… and you killed him in the end! The moment you decided that lives were a 'worthy' sacrifice is the moment you forfeited the right to be in any kind of position of power!"

Her face grew mournful; she was probably thinking of how her father was using his employees for the sake of his own ambition as well… Ren couldn't help but feel a twinge at that. That was still their greatest failure…

"Noir…" Morgana muttered out, his voice soft with sympathy.

Shido just sighed, shaking his head. But the condescending expression on his face just pissed off Ren.

Shido commented, "You refuse to see the big picture, I see. The ignorant masses are so easily distracted too. Just look at how your changing of hearts got their attention."

"It was not a distraction!" Ryuji hissed, clenching one hand into a fist. "We were trying to help people!"

Shido's voice turned patronizing. "If that's how you really see it then you're more foolish than Akechi. But your claim of trying to 'help' people is meaningless, truly. The ignorant masses are only concerned with their own personal happiness. I'm striving to give them that."

Then he turned to face them completely. A disgusting smirk was on his face. Ren's hand clenched into a fist. How he would love to smack that expression off Shido's face...

"That is the social reform that only I, as the chosen one of God, can enact!" Shido proclaimed.

"I can't believe that you'd think of everyone else so lowly…" Haru uttered, shaking her head.

Anne glared up at Shido. "I'd rather die than follow a despicable slimeball like you!"

Ryuji scowled. "You claim that it's for the 'good of the country' but you're just a selfish bastard who wants to mold Japan into what you want it to be!"

Ren added. "To hell what everyone else feels, right?"

Shido suddenly chuckled. "Then why was I chosen? Why are they surrendering the seat of prime minister to me? Everyone denies the value of hard work. Instead, they seek to effortlessly gain wealth."

Haru just sighed as her expression grew downcast. But then her face hardened.

"That's just an excuse! You're trying to eliminate all of your rivals so the position can be yours!" she said hotly.

"You truly misunderstand. Japan has grown weak over the past few decades. I must reestablish this mighty country. One that does not waver… one that others bow to."

"Mighty, my ass!" Ryuji scoffed before he swiped his arm. "That's just a crooked country built up by a crook!"

"We will not allow you to do this," Yusuke said. "You're a disgrace to Japan. So we will take your deranged heart."

"Hmph…" Shido leaned onto the podium, his eyes boring into them. "Those who oppose me must be eliminated. However…"

"However?" Ren didn't like the sound of this…

"Given how useful Akechi was, it would truly be a loss to eliminate you all. If you pledge to devote yourself to me and my social reform, I will grant you anything your heart wishes for."

"You tried this trick with me once!" Ken spat out. "The answer will always be no!"

Ren nodded. "You ruined my life… there's no way in hell that I'd ever bow to you!"

"There's no way we'd follow you!" Morgana seconded.

Shido sighed deeply, looking away. "It seems you remain determined to seem ignorant, a pity."

Rage began to bubble inside Ren once more.

"You're the one who's ignorant!" he snarled out.

That man ruined lives within a blink of an eye because of small inconveniences. His sense of self-importance was really pissing Ren off.

Shido let out a hefty sigh. "It seems that I will have to eliminate you after all. What a shame. I was sure that we could've forged a great partnership. But as is… you're nothing but pests. But even the smallest pests can become a problem over time… a small leak could sink a great ship. Great nations have fallen because of such lenience. I will not make that kind of mistake!"

At that, cognitions suddenly popped up from the seats, applauding Shido. Ren gritted his teeth as his friends looked bewildered.

It reminded him of their first visit to Shido's Palace, where apparently anything Shido had said would be supported 100%. Shido would turn Japan into a complete dictatorship. There was just no way that he'd let that happen!

But Shido waved off the applauding sycophants with a smug smirk. The stage suddenly started to rumble, lifting Shido high into the air. The ceiling began to open up, a mechanism in the wall breaking them apart and forming layers. The layers were slowly closing in, covering the area where the stage once stood.

Yusuke was the first to move, taking a running jump and climbing onto the first layer.

"Come on! Make haste!" he said before continuing to climb.

Ren nodded before running after Yusuke. His friends started to follow suit, save for one.

"I don't know if I can make the jump!" Futaba said, her voice growing panicked.

"Oracle, c'mon!" Ryuji tried to urge her.

Futaba stomped her foot. "You know exercising is my weakness! My Achilles' heel! My—"

"Mona, give Oracle a boost!" Ren commanded.

They didn't have time for this. They needed to get where Shido was before it was too late.

"Waitwaitwait, what?!" Futaba squawked out.

She then shrieked as Morgana suddenly sent both of them flying in the air with a burst of wind. She grabbed onto the edge and Ken and Makoto pulled her up.

"Thanks for the warning, Mona!" Futaba griped.

"More climbing, less complaining!" was Morgana's retort before he started to climb once more.

They managed to make it just in time for the layers to join together with a soft click. They weren't quite on the top of the ship but significantly higher than where they had been just moments before. Ren had barely been able to catch his breath before Shido spoke up again.

"Allow me to make myself clear… do not think of me as my foolish followers, who you crushed so easily."

Shido began to ascend something… golden. Ren wasn't entirely sure what it was.

"It's your turn to be crushed!" Shido declared, even as dark energy pulsated around him.

"You patronizing little…" Yusuke hissed out, his hand grasping at his katana's hilt.

Shido whirled around, revealing to be wearing a black military uniform. Several golden medals were pinned at the front. A white cape draped over his shoulders. On his head was a white mask, with five points at the top.

"Die without further delay!" he barked out.

"Our leader's been through shit cause of you!" Ryuji jabbed a finger at Ren and then at Shido, his eyes narrowed. "It's on!"

The golden thing that Shido was now standing on… was a lion. Ren realized with a jolt that its body was made of people. Ren's stomach churned. He felt sick… Shido truly viewed people as nothing but stepping stones.

"I'll erase any who stand in my way!" Shido declared from his perch on top of the golden lion. "There is no need for petty thieves in my mighty country!"

The lion suddenly slammed down his paw, creating a huge crater in the floor. His friends scrambled back to get out of the way, but Ren just glared up at Shido.

"You were the one trying to get us to work for you!" Ren snapped. "We don't wanna be your tools so you think we should be tossed away, huh?"

Shido just sneered. "Only I, and those who revere me, are needed in this new country!"

"We'll knock you off your high horse," Makoto growled out, both of her hands clenched tightly.

"Yeah! Risking our lives to stop rotten adults… that's why we're Phantom Thieves!" Futaba exclaimed from within Prometheus.

"Hell yeah!" Ryuji pumped his fist. "Let's beat his ass!"

"I'll do my best to support you!" Futaba said.

"Fan out, everyone!" Ren ordered, making a sweeping motion with his hand.

He summoned Titania. She pointed at Shido, a red glow surrounding his entire form. Ken quickly followed up by casting a Marukunda spell.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Anne charging up her magic with Concentration. Ren could feel power surge through his veins as Ryuji cast a Matarukaja spell.

"Kamu Susano-o!" Yusuke exclaimed, tearing off his mask.

Kamu Susano-o attempted to slam into Shido but a translucent shield popped up, reflecting the attack back at Yusuke. The force was strong enough to knock Yusuke right off his feet.

"Fox!" Futaba shrieked. "Someone heal him! He's really low on health!"

"Hang on, Fox!" Morgana exclaimed, before summoning Zorro to heal Yusuke.

"Oracle, was that a counter?" Ren asked.

Yusuke had that ability too; it was useful for when hard-hitting Shadows attacked him with how the attack reflected right back at them.

"No… he reflects physical attacks completely! Guns too!" Futaba let out a frustrated growl. "Ugh, this is so annoying!"

"Stick to magic spells, all of you!" Ren shouted.

"Magic, huh? Let me give a try, then!" Anne exclaimed.

She jumped backwards as Shido turned his attention on her, slamming down one paw. Morgana quickly diverted Shido's attention by summoning Zorro. Zorro blasted Shido with a powerful gust of wind, making him whirl around to find the source. While he was distracted, Anne took the opportunity to tear off her mask.

Hecate's neon eyes glowed brightly before twin bursts of fire exploded from the jaws of the dogs that accompanied Hecate.

"Quetzalcoatl!" Ren quickly followed up on Anne's attack, the winged snake flapping its wings, stirring up a powerful gale. The gale combined with Hecate's flames, creating a fiery gale that struck Shido right in the face.

Shido countered with a spell that weakened their defenses, but Ren summoned Cu Chulainn, to negate the spell with Dekunda. They couldn't afford to let Shido have any type of advantage. Shido growled at that but was quickly blindsided by Makoto attacking with a Freidyne spell.

The ground shook violently from the explosion, but Shido quickly shook it off. But then Ken followed up with a Kougaon spell, aimed right in the eye.

Shido attacked blindly, swinging around wildly. Everyone jumped back so Shido wouldn't land a hit. Morgana summoned Zorro to unleash a powerful gale just when Shido made a recovery.

Shido growled at that before slamming down on Morgana.

"Astarte, please!" Haru suddenly cried out.

A translucent shield suddenly popped up, protecting Morgana from the blow.

"Thanks, Noir!" Morgana thanked.

As Shido recoiled from the reflected attack, Yusuke hastily summoned Kamu Susano-o. The Persona's sword became coated with ice. It slammed the blade into the ground. Ice began to spread on the floor before finally crystallizing at Shido's feet. Ren couldn't help but grin at that. It was pretty effective against Akechi.

Shido struggled to tear himself free, giving them an opening to launch their attacks.

Morgana managed to strike first, followed up by Ken. Ren took the moment to charge up his next magic spell, while Makoto summoned Anat to launch a Freidyne spell.

"Seiryu!" Ren called forth one of his new Personas; he had spent over an hour fusing Personas in the Velvet Room earlier today, in order to prepare for this fight with Shido.

Seiryu opened its jaw and suddenly the temperature dropped significantly as Seiryu breathed ice at Shido. Shido recoiled backwards, only to be struck by a double attack. Astarte and Seiten Taisei's attacks landed within seconds of each other.

Ren managed to get in another attack with Arsène just as Shido managed to tear himself free. Due to the constant attacks, Shido looked worse for wear.

"You low lives!" Shido snarled out. "I hope you know what it means to turn your back on me!"

"It means we're doing the right thing!" Ren growled out as his blood started to boil.

The nerve of this arrogant bastard…

"Yeah! And I don't wanna understand!" Futaba yelled.

Shido let out a growl at that. "Then you shall perish! You shall regret your actions… in the afterlife!"

The lion suddenly jumped up, spinning in the air. Golden wings sprouted from the lion and Shido was suddenly hovering in mid-air.

"I will destroy you!" Shido promised.

"That's funny… that's my line," Ren growled out.

"Wait… it seriously changed?!" Futaba gasped. "Hang on, I think its attributes have changed! Gimme a sec to be sure!"

"Zorro, come!" Morgana barked out, summoning his Persona.

But Shido just shrugged off the blast of wind that Zorro summoned.

"Huh?!" Morgana sputtered out.

"Oracle, is he resistant to wind now?" Ren demanded.

"Give me a sec! Keep him busy!" Futaba replied.

Shido divebombed at them so they quickly scrambled to get out of the way. Yusuke quickly summoned Kamu Susano-o. The Persona swiped through the air, icicles forming; they struck at Shido's wing, but Shido seemed to shrug it off with just a couple flaps of his wings.

"Thor!" Ren shouted.

Electricity sparked from the hammer Thor held up before it surged forward. Tyr suddenly appeared, swiping through the air, and summoning several blades of light. The two attacks combined, making the golden blades of light crackle with blue lightning.

But Shido seemed to be hardly bothered by the attack. But then the lion opened his jaw, breathing out fire.

"Astarte, help!" Haru cried out.

A shield appeared over Yusuke just in time, reflecting the flames.

"My thanks, Noir!" Yusuke said.

"Ugh… this is so annoying! I think he's resistant to all magic!" Futaba suddenly reported, her voice growing frustrated. "But the good news is that he won't reflect physical attacks anymore!"

"What a pain," Anne groused with a scowl.

Of course, Anne wouldn't be a fan, given how she was one of their magic hard hitters. But now Ren knew better on how to handle this. Already a plan was formulating in his head.

"Queen, Panther, Mona—fall back! You're on support duty! Use your weapons when you can, but I want you to focus on keeping everyone's energy up!" Ren shouted.

The drawback with physical attacks was that your health dwindled down so fast. Morgana was their best healer, but Ren didn't want his energy too drained. Anne and Makoto would be able to help with that.

"Noir, Ace—stick to gun attacks! Fox and Skull—hammer him with your physical attacks!"

Ren then tore off his mask, calling forward Siegfried. When he had fused this Persona before they went into Shido's Palace the second time, he actually had to pay a little extra cash to fuse him. But it was worth it—Siegfried hit hard.

"Super move! ULTRA CHARGE!" Futaba exclaimed.

Ren grinned as he felt a surge of power fill his veins, making his skin tingle for a moment. Ryuji joined in boosting their power, by casting Matarukaja.

Siegfried jumped forward, slamming down with his sword. Right when Siegfried attacked, Ren fired his gun. As Shido staggered from the blow, Ken and Haru struck at once; their Personas fired bullets rapidly at each of Shido's wings.

Ken and Haru jumped back, letting Ryuji and Yusuke team up too. Seiten Taisei crashed into Shido's side, sending Shido tumbling to the ground. This made Shido easy pickings for Kamu Susano-o, who slashed at Shido several times. Ren then switched to Thor. Thor swung his hammer into Shido, making him grunt with pain when the blow landed.

As Morgana healed them with a Mediaharan spell, Anne and Makoto shot at Shido with their guns. Shido countered by throwing a Bufudyne spell at Anne. She skidded back with a pained cry. Shido started to laugh as Anne struggled to get up.

But then electricity crackled around Shido before aiming it right at Morgana.

Ren tore off his mask, summoning Thor to shield Morgana. He wasn't going to let Shido knock down Morgana too. He nervously glanced at Anne, who had finally managed to get up.

"You'll pay for that!" she swore before she summoned Hecate to heal herself.

Yusuke then cast Masukukaja, allowing them to move a bit faster. They kept hammering at Shido, using their guns, weapons, and their Personas' abilities.

"Hold still!" Shido hissed at them.

"How about no?" Ryuji retorted before summoning Seiten Taisei once more to attack Shido.

Ren summoned Norn to launch him in the air, twirling his pistol on one finger. Once he was high enough in the air, he shot three times in quick succession. They all hit their mark, making Shido growl.

The air temperature suddenly spiked as Shido's lion opened its maw, fire glowing from within.

"Tyr!" he heard Ken shout before the tell-tale bang sounded.

Ken's attack hit its mark, making Shido reel. The fire spell flew right past Ren, striking the wall behind him. Ren quickly landed, letting out his breath. Damn, he was glad that Ken was so quick.

"Thanks, Ace!" he called out.

Ken nodded. "Of course."

Shido quickly recovered, flapping his wings hard and whipping up a hurricane. It slammed right into Ryuji, sending him flying.

"Skull!" Futaba squeaked out. "Hang in there!"

Ryuji's only answer was a groan.

Ren quickly scanned the area. Morgana was further away, fighting with Haru and Yusuke.

"Ace—"

"On it," Ken interrupted before running over to heal Ryuji.

Shido took the opportunity to summon a Freidyne spell, aimed at Haru. Yusuke suddenly whipped around, pushing Haru out of the way. Haru stumbled backwards, falling on her backside. The spell suddenly exploded, and Yusuke was caught up in the explosion.

"Hang on, Fox!" Morgana exclaimed before summoning Zorro to heal Yusuke.

Haru looked over to Yusuke before her expression grew stony. She then pushed herself up before looking to Morgana.

"Mona-chan, give me a boost!" Haru exclaimed.

Morgana cocked his head at that, but he nodded. He then summoned Zorro, a small burst of wind sending Haru in the air. She had her grenade launcher in her hands and she fired away. The blast actually knocked Shido from his perch, sending him tumbling to the air.

"Nice one, Noir!" Futaba crowed.

Haru smiled in acknowledgement of Futaba's compliment but then she glared at Shido.

"That was for Father!" she spat out.

Shido climbed back up on the lion, glaring down at them.

"To think you've made it this far… You really are impudent brats! Why don't you stop resisting?!"

"Because we're not helpless sheep who will mindlessly follow just anyone!" Anne said hotly.

"Why don't you understand?! The nation I strive for is the ultimate realization of the public's happiness!"

"You're wrong!" Ken spat out. "You've just deluded yourself into thinking that because you think this will make Japan 'strong'! And besides that… we have minds of our own! How can you think that you know the hearts of every single person?!"

"You're nothing but an arrogant tyrant!" Ren seconded. "I would never be happy under the rule of someone like you!"

"Then you're a fool!" Shido snarled back at him.

Shido's mount suddenly transformed yet again, this time into a golden pyramid. It was still formed of the people that made up the lion before but the only sign of Shido himself was his 'crown' on the tip of the pyramid.

Futaba's voice cracked. "It changed again?!"

"As long as there aren't thirteen forms, I'm good," Ken droned out.

Anne cried out, "Don't jinx us, Ace!"

Ren gritted his teeth. Okay, this was really starting to get aggravating. He just hoped that Shido didn't have thirteen forms like how Ken said Nyx had. Ken better not have jinxed them like Anne said.

But then Shido's next words just made Ren glare at him.

"The weak must be sacrificed for the sake of grand ideals! That is the natural order of this world!" Shido proclaimed.

"That isn't a world I wanna live in!" Ryuji shouted back.

"How arrogant… to have such an ideal of strength," Yusuke sniffed in disdain.

"Oracle! Scan Shido again!" Ren ordered.

They didn't know if Shido's affinities had shifted once again. Better safe than sorry.

Futaba exclaimed, "You got it! You know what to do then!"

Morgana summoned Zorro, creating a burst of air that launched him in the air. Morgana brandished his scimitar, slashing down. Shido grunted at that but then a cannon suddenly emerged from the pyramid. Ren could only watch in horror as Morgana was blasted by the cannon. He hurdled through the air, as helpless as a ragdoll.

"Mona!" Ryuji yelled, his voice growing panicked.

Ren quickly broke into a sprint, before leaping in the air to catch Morgana. He cradled Morgana to his chest as he landed on the ground, biting his lip as Morgana let out a pained groan. Ren hastily summoned Titania to cast Diaharan on Morgana.

"Thanks, Joker," Morgana said as Ren set him down. "That completely caught me off guard."

"I'm just glad you're safe, Mona," Ren said.

"Joker, Mona, look out!" Yusuke shouted at them.

They quickly jumped out of the way as Shido shot another cannonball at them.

"I'm sensing no resistances!" Futaba reported. "Go all out, guys!"

Ren nodded. "Thanks, Oracle!"

Ryuji summoned Seiten Taisei, casting Matarukaja. Ken followed up on that with Marakunda. Yusuke was next to summon his Persona, who struck Shido with his sword. Kamu Susano-o jumped backwards as Haru and Anne's attacks landed within seconds of each other; Astarte's Psy spell sent Shido reeling for a moment before Hecate's glowing flames hit their mark. Makoto then summoned Anat, unleashing a powerful Freidyne spell.

Shido countered by shooting rapidly at them. They were forced to sprint in order to get out of the way. They were able to get some hits in but only just a few.

That cannon was going to be a serious problem unless he managed to figure out something…

Haru and Ken quickly summoned their Personas and opened fire. The dual attack made Shido's attack falter. Anne whipped out her gun, firing madly. Ryuji and Yusuke combined their elemental attacks, the flurry of snow crackling with electricity as it slammed into Shido.

They were lucky to have Futaba though. She would heal them so that Morgana and Ken could focus more on attacking, as well as giving them a boost. She focused on agility, so they'd be able to dodge the attacks Shido threw at them further.

Ren ripped off his mask, summoning one of his new Persona: Black Frost. Black Frost just let out a snicker before blasting Shido with a Megidolan spell. Makoto quickly followed up with a Freidyne spell.

"Keep it up, you guys!" Futaba encouraged them.

She then boosted their attack power, allowing them to deal some heavy damage. But then Shido's cannon shifted, angled higher in the air.

"I've had enough of your interference, little girl…" Shido growled out.

"Wait, he wasn't seriously going to—?!" Ren thought with a panic.

Shido suddenly fired, and Ren could only watch in horror as it hurtled straight towards Prometheus.

He had to do something but what?

Futaba's scream of pain suddenly rattled in Ren's ears, snapping him out of his haze of panic. Prometheus's lights flickered dangerously for a moment.

"Oracle!" Ken shouted, his voice growing panicked.

Makoto and Ryuji reacted almost at the same time, summoning their Personas. The electric bolt from Seiten Taisei struck right in the middle but Anat's Freidyne spell landed right at the cannon. It was lucky timing though—Shido had just fired his cannon again when Anat struck.

The two attacks cancelled each other, the nuclear attack making the cannonball explode. Ren coughed for a moment as smoke billowed through the air. Ren quickly summoned Quetzalcoatl to dissipate the smoke with a Garudyne spell.

Ren clenched both hands into fists as he glared at Shido. Anger started to bubble inside of him. That was a new low, even for Shido. This was three times that Shido had hurt Futaba now.

Ordering the kill on her mom. His men shooting Futaba and holding her captive during the escape of Sae's Palace. And just now.

"I need to stop that cannon," Ren thought, frowning. "There's no stopping Shido from trying to shoot Oracle again like that."

A plan began to formulate in Ren's head. He needed to get up on that pyramid.

He switched his Persona to Arsene. Dark energy flared around Arsene before exploding, the blast striking Shido.

"Go all out!" Ren yelled, pointing to Shido.

He skirted to the right before switching Arsene out for Norn once more. Norn produced a small burst of wind which launched Ren into the air—high enough for Ren to latch onto the pyramid. The pyramid gave a strong tremor, trying to shake him without a doubt, but Ren stubbornly clung on.

"Joker?!" Anne cried out to him.

Ren shouted, "I'll be fine! Keep him busy!"

He caught Morgana's eye. But in that moment, Shido gave an even stronger quake and Ren's grip loosened.

"Zorro, help him!" Morgana shouted.

Ren was caught in a blast of wind, launching him near the top. Ren grabbed onto the pyramid once more and continued his climb up.

His friends stuck to elemental spells—probably since physical attacks would've made Shido's entire form shake more. He was just glad that they had faith in him, even though he couldn't voice his plan.

His friends formed small groups, combining their attacks in an all-out assault.

Makoto and Anne were pure devastation, combining nuclear and fire spells. Ryuji, Yusuke, and Morgana teamed up, creating a hurricane crackling with electricity and ice. Haru's Psy spell even held Shido still for a moment, giving Ken an opening to attack with Kougaon.

Ren latched onto Shido's 'crown', taking a moment to tear off his mask. Black Frost appeared once more before breathing ice at the cannon.

Diamond Dust was especially draining to use but it was even more powerful than Bufudyne. And Ren could only watch in triumph as ice quickly crystallized, completely engulfing the cannon.

"Rrgh! Damn you!" Shido raged.

Ren just smirked before taking a leap. He landed with a roll before he jumped to his feet again.

"You should've thought about that before messing with Oracle!" he growled out before whipping around to face his friends. "This is our chance! Let's go all out!"

Shido was trying to rapidly fire his cannon to try and shatter the thick sheet of ice now. Shido would be easy pickings for them now!

They quickly opened fire on Shido, elemental and physical attacks all flying at Shido.

"Tyr!" Ken was first to strike, Tyr rapidly shooting at Shido.

He didn't stop there, either, whipping out his gun and firing several shots.

Makoto unleashed her bullets on Shido as well before falling back to allow Yusuke and Ryuji to attack together, sending Shido reeling from their powerful physical attacks. When Kamu Susano-o and Seiten Taisei pulled back, Makoto summoned Anat to fling a Freidyne spell at Shido.

Morgana and Haru worked together, combining their elemental spells to create a devastating dual attack.

"Shall we, my lady?" Ren called out to Anne.

He already knew what Persona he wanted to use against Shido, for the final blow.

Anne looked to him, her eyes burning with determination. "Let's do it!"

He ripped off his mask, Arsene appearing again.

Fire and darkness melded together, slamming against Shido. The pyramid gave one last tremor before finally collapsing. Shido tumbled to the ground with a groan.

Prometheus lowered to the ground, depositing Futaba back to safety.

"Oracle!" Makoto gasped before rushing to Futaba.

She walked gingerly over to Makoto. Makoto immediately summoned Anat to cast a healing spell on Futaba.

"Oracle, are you okay?"

"Yeah." Futaba winced, clutching at her arm. "Sorry I couldn't help at the end."

"Don't say that," Ken admonished. "You were shot."

"I'm just glad that you're okay," Ren spoke up.

At least Futaba wasn't as hurt as she could be but… Ren was still furious that Shido had the audacity to shoot at Futaba like that.

"Useless! The masses are completely useless!" Shido suddenly spat out before he stalked over to them.

"So once you're losing, it's suddenly the masses' fault?!" Ryuji demanded.

"What happened to being 'chosen' by God himself?" Yusuke questioned, staring scornfully at Shido.

Shido scowled to himself. "It appears that nothing ordinary will stop them."

He sounded like he was talking to himself.

"Ordinary?" Makoto asked, eyes narrowed.

Shido suddenly snapped his fingers. "Akechi! I have another mission for you."

A pool of darkness began to form besides Shido. A figure rose from it, taking on the form of Akechi. He was dressed in that tan peacoat of his but there was a black masquerade mask on his face.

"Oh you have got to be kidding me…" Ken groused, his entire form growing tense.

Ren winced. He knew what was coming too…

"Akechi." Shido's smile grew cold before he pointed at Ren. "I have a new target for you. Annihilate the Phantom Thieves… starting with their pesky leader."

"As you wish, Shido-san," Cognitive Akechi stated with that fake pleasant smile of his.

But then his lips suddenly twisted into a dark smirk before drawing his pistol and pointing it right at Ren.

Ken reacted first; he grabbed his spear, lunging forward. He stabbed Cognitive Akechi right in the shoulder, but the cognition looked at the injury with impassive eyes. Ren was starting to get creeped out…

"I see… you wish to die first," Cognitive Akechi said, the pleasant smile back on his face.

He just switched his pistol to his other hand. Ken quickly yanked back but Cognitive Akechi was too fast on the draw. Ren could only watch in horror as Ken dropped like a rock, clutching at his shoulder and his face contorted with pain. Already red was staining his white glove.

"Ace!" Makoto cried out, rushing to him.

She immediately started to heal him; Ken tried to assure her that it's not bad, but Ren couldn't help but feel pissed. Ken got hurt because he was trying to protect Ren. Ren growled at the thought before tearing off his mask, summoning Arsène. An orb of shadowy energy pulsated in Arsène's hands before his Persona flung it forward. Cognitive Akechi was lightning fast, dodging the spell.

But as he jumped backwards, Morgana caught him up in a gale. The cognition quickly recovered though, leaping to his feet within a blink of his eye. He suddenly raced over Morgana, ripping Morgana's scimitar out of his hand before slashing several times at Morgana before finally knocking him to the ground.

"Mona!" Ren couldn't help but feel worried as Morgana struggled to get back up.

He scowled before summoning Siegfried. His Persona jumped forward, slamming into the cognition. He shook off the blow quickly but now turned his eyes on Ren.

Cognitive Akechi was all but a blur, firing his pistol rapidly. Haru threw up a shield around Ren for some breathing room but it didn't last for long. Ren grabbed his own pistol to try and fire back.

But then Yusuke quickly intervened with several Bufudyne spells. He ended freezing Akechi's hand solid. Ryuji then followed up with summoning Seiten Taisei, slamming the cognition to the ground. This attack also made him drop Morgana's sword. While they were attacking the cognition, Ken had rushed over to heal Morgana. Anne and Makoto provided a distraction by unleashing their powerful elemental spells, the attacks momentarily distracting Cognitive Akechi.

Ren couldn't help but feel troubled as it became apparent that Cognitive Akechi didn't care about the others, barely giving them a glance even when they unleashed powerful attacks on him. His eyes were affixed on Ren.

The real Akechi's eyes were crazed, filled with hatred. But this cold, impassive look just unnerved Ren. He was a cognition… but Ren couldn't help but think that Shido saw Akechi nothing as his killing machine, a weapon.

Futaba did their best to support them but even with her buffing their attack… the fake Akechi was crazy strong.

"Keep your distance, guys!" Ren shouted before tearing off his mask.

Black Frost appeared, breathing ice at the cognition. Ren was hoping to make the fake slip and slide, but he just took his gun, and shot at the ice, it shattered instantly.

Haru and Ken quickly teamed up, unleashing their gun attacks. Ryuji and Yusuke followed up with their Personas slamming into Akechi. Kamu Susano-o followed up with a powerful slash of his sword.

Another disturbing thing about the fake in comparison to the real Akechi, he never talked much. The real Akechi kept trash-talking them and cursing at them, but this silence was unnerving. And the real Akechi used his Personas, not just his brute force.

But they were slowly wearing him down. He was slowing down.

He tried to grab Yusuke's sword, but Yusuke anticipated his move, slashing sideways. The slash tore at Akechi's peacoat, distracting him briefly. Yusuke sheathed his sword before pulling his gun and firing twice.

Morgana snuck up from behind, leaping up and grabbing Akechi's gun with both of his hands.

"You—" The fake finally spoke up again, but Tyr quickly flung a light spell right in Cognitive Akechi's face.

Akechi flung his arm in front of his eyes, letting Morgana scamper to safety.

"Dance, Hecate!" Anne cried out before summoning her Persona.

Red shimmered around her for a moment, thanks to Ryuji, before she blasted the cognition with powerful flames at close range. The attack singed Akechi's clothes, burning his gloves even.

The false Akechi gritted his teeth, struggling to get up from Anne's powerful attack. But that was the opening Haru needed.

She swung her axe at him, three times. Akechi was struggling to recover but then Haru blasted him with her grenade launcher.

"Queen! Ace! Let's finish this!" she exclaimed.

"At your call, Noir!" Makoto said.

Ken just nodded, his expression filling with determination.

They lunged as one, Haru sending Akechi flying like a ragdoll with a well-placed Psiodyne spell. Tyr's gun attack and Anat's nuclear spell connected at the same time.

Akechi wasn't able to handle the full-on assault and he crumbled away, bursting into dust like Shadows did when they died.

"What?" Shido gasped. "NO!"

"Huh… doesn't that mean it was like the cognitions of Shido's VIPs?" Futaba pondered.

"That doesn't matter," Ren hissed out. "That just means the bastard has no more meat shields."

He was tired, tired of Shido trying to get away from his rightful comeuppance. He wanted Shido to go down hard.

"Even Akechi was useless… foolish boy!" Shido seethed, clenching both of his fists. "It seems that even thieves shouldn't be taken lightly in great numbers."

"Oh, shut the hell up!" Ren snarled out, feeling his temper flare at how Shido dismissed them. "We beat your 'weapon', fair and square!"

Despite everything, Ren was pissed. Akechi was no saint but the way that Shido saw Akechi was nothing but a tool to eliminate 'problems' angered Ren.

Who was Shido to decide that lives were just little chess pieces to use as he saw fit?

Shido scoffed under his breath before looking straight at Ren.

"So… you're the one uniting them?"

Ren gave a scoff of his own. He may be their leader but everyone standing here was present because of their convictions. Though he guessed that Shido would never understand that.

"A touching reunion, isn't it?" Anne's voice had a mocking edge to it now.

"When you crush a foe, I suggest you do it in a more certain manner," Yusuke said dryly.

Futaba huffed, cracking a smile at last. "Not that there will be a next time for you! You're going to face your crimes, no matter what!"

Shido stared hard at Ren, his expression turning confused. "You… you're more than just a member of the Phantom Thieves, aren't you?"

Ren lifted his head, peeling away his mask.

"Long time no see," he drawled out.

But Shido continued to stare, his expression baffled. Ren clenched his hands into fists as the realization hit him. Did Shido… seriously not remember?

"The nerve of this bastard…" Ren seethed to himself.

Ryuji suddenly smirked, folding his arms over his chest. "This ain't the first time you failed to finish him off!"

And yet, Shido continued to have a blank look on his face.

"Unbelievable…" Makoto uttered before her hands clenched into fists as well. "You took him to court, and you don't remember him?!"

Shido suddenly blinked. "Wait… could you be the one from back then…?"

Now that Ren thought of it, it was nearly an entire year since that incident. Ren had stayed out late, messing with his so-called friends since the third semester had just started up. In a way, it was really a twist of fate that Ren happened to stumble upon Shido. But still, Ren was disgusted about how Shido had just ruined his life and probably didn't even lose a wink of sleep.

Ren watched the realization finally dawn on Shido's face. It was kind of funny… if he had never encountered Shido that night, he wouldn't have come to Tokyo. And it was because of his probation that he was here today, confronting Shido.

Maybe some things were just meant to be.

"You…" Shido hissed out. "You're that damn brat who showed up and stood against me when I was with that woman!"

Ren clenched his jaw. "Yeah, that's me. It's kinda funny… because of you, I was told to keep my head down, stay out of trouble. But I realized that I would never regret my choice that night."

He had thought of it momentarily but the way the cards fell… standing meekly aside was never an option.

He had made up his mind to steal Kamoshida's heart the moment he saw Anne break down in tears. Ryuji may have decided that Kamoshida had to be stopped when Shiho tried to commit suicide, but Ren's mind had been set when he heard from Anne what Kamoshida had put her through and how she was so frightened for her friend. Shiho definitely added fuel to his fire that Anne helped ignited for his motivation to bring Kamoshida down. But Anne was still the spark that set it off for him.

Nobody should feel that scared, especially of someone who was supposed to protect them—to keep them safe.

Shido started to chuckle. "So it really was you. What an interesting turn of fate."

Ren scowled. He sounded so casual about all of this. And Shido was still laughing for whatever reason.

But… something was wrong. Ren could feel it in his gut. Shido himself hardly had a scratch on him, though his clothes were a bit singed from Haru blasting him with her grenade launcher from before.

"But your efforts will be all for nothing in the end," Shido said with a chuckle.

Ryuji glared at Shido. "The hell you talking about?"

"Small sacrifices are inescapable for those who wish to be competent and powerful leaders." Shido just shook his head. "I thought I told you earlier… would you ever reach your destination if you stopped to count every single ant you've crushed along the way?"

"Are you saying that the people you ordered to be killed deserved it?!" Haru exclaimed.

But Shido just ignored her, suddenly cupping his chin. As aggravating that comment was, his next remark was even more infuriating—making several of his friends gasp in outrage.

"Take Mitsuru Kirijo for instance. She was born to wealth and influence, but her bleeding heart prevents her from grasping true power. She throws away money to uplift the poor but what good does that do her? It just reduces the resources she can draw from."

It was people like Shido… who let the people slip through the cracks. Ren remembered that he hadn't thought too highly of Mitsuru-san at first, because of what the Kirijo Group had done in the past. Knowing Shido, the bastard would probably approve of what Kouetsu Kirijo wanted to accomplish using Shadows.

Makoto bristled at Shido's comment. "Of course you'd find it a weakness for wanting to help someone."

"And Mitsuru-san is one of the strongest people I know," Ken hissed out as his hand tightened around his spear. He then glared at Shido. "Though I suppose you wouldn't understand the meaning of atonement. The Kirijo Group had been responsible for too many deaths."

Ken's expression darkened at that before he stared down at the ground; Ren wouldn't be surprised if he was thinking of his mom right now.

Then Ken lifted his head, his eyes flashing. "But that's why Mitsuru-san wants to help as many people as she can! It won't bring back the people who died but she wants to use her power and money to help uplift people. You're just like her grandfather—of course you wouldn't understand Mitsuru-san's mindset! You're just a greedy bastard who's deluded enough to think that you're helping people! The only person you care about is yourself."

Shido clicked his tongue in disapproval. "It's a pity but I'm not surprised that the ignorant masses of this country don't understand."

Something in Ren snapped.

"Stop calling us part of the 'ignorant masses'!" Ren hissed out, glaring daggers at Shido. "Just because we don't agree with you, means that we're ignorant? You're the one who wants to steamroll the country into doing whatever you want! That's not how our country works! I refuse to let you drag down Japan like this!"

This fight wasn't over. Shido wasn't beaten.

But Ren was prepared to take on Shido once again.

"Are you willing to stake your life on it?" Shido's lips curled into a nasty smirk.

He suddenly reached up, tearing off his cape and military jacket. This exposed his bare torso, and he was way more ripped than the cleaner. There was this… weird harness strapped all over him though.

"Because I don't intend to lose!" Shido declared. "I'll crush you like I've done to everyone else in my way!"

"We don't plan on losing!" Ryuji yelled.

Ren spat out, "Come at us, Shido!"

---

Sae was just relieved that she managed to convince her superiors that Ren had done something to her when she was interrogating him rather than that she had aided in his escape.

But still… she couldn't relax. She had no allies here. The police station had been a madhouse ever since the Phantom Thieves—at the hands of Futaba Sakura, no doubt—had hijacked the airwaves to broadcast their calling card.

She couldn't help but wonder… if Akechi-kun had seen the calling card. His last message just… left her so confused. She couldn't help but feel disappointed that morning, waking up to see Akechi-kun having disappeared without a trace. He had folded the blanket she had given him, with her father's clothes on top.

She wanted to know where he went but it seemed that Akechi-kun had simply… vanished. There had been some mutterings about Akechi-kun's whereabouts later that day and the day after, but that had been thrown out of the window once the calling card had appeared.

She sighed. The hiragana on the paperwork she had been working on were starting to swim off the page and she could feel a small headache coming on. Maybe it'd be best for her to slip out quietly. Best to sneak away while everyone was panicking.

She slipped the manila folders into her bag before stepping outside. She shivered as she was greeted with a frigid winter wind, stepping outside of the building. But a sudden commotion instantly had Sae on the alert.

"Stop dragging your feet already!"

Sae blinked before rubbing at her eyes.

A handful of men were escorting Sakura-san and Aragaki towards the police station. The leader—Police Sergeant Ikeda—paused at the sight of Sae.

"Are you leaving for the night, Niijima?" he asked, his voice brusque.

Sae hesitated before flicking her eyes over to Aragaki and Sakura-san. For some reason, Aragaki was glaring at one of the men in particular. With a jolt, Sae realized that the man in question was sporting a black eye. But Sakura-san had… a look of defiance to him.

"I was but…" Sae trailed off, doing her best to keep her voice neutral. "Might I ask why you've taken these gentlemen into custody?"

Ikeda huffed, folding his arms over his chest.

"They're not gentlemen but… the older one is under suspicion of harboring the leader of the Phantom Thieves… the one you let get away."

Sae winced before pressing a hand against her forehead. "I-I'm sorry, my memories were so fuzzy, I didn't realize that—"

"But with him, we can bring the Phantom Thieves to justice," Ikeda cut her off, his voice turning condescending.

Sae lowered her eyes to the ground to hide her irritated expression. But Sae's mind was racing. They had arrested Sakura-san on trumped up charges. That was as clear as day.

"I see…" She refused to let any emotion in her voice slip. "I'm surprised that you managed to secure a warrant of arrest so quickly, Ikeda-san. After all, the Phantom Thieves' leader had revealed himself just tonight."

She infused a bit of surprise in her voice before raising her eyes. It appeared that her act was making Ikeda nervous, judging by how stiff he was.

"And what of him?" Sae gestured to Aragaki.

Ikeda scowled. "We took him into custody because he assaulted Shinoda."

He nodded at the man sporting a black eye, who just winced. Sae's eyes traveled over to Aragaki, who simply scowled in response.

"I see." Sae wet her lips with her tongue.

She needed to figure out how to get Sakura out.

"But—with how the Phantom Thieves have already made fools out of the entire Tokyo PD, wouldn't it be wise to ensure that you have the right man? Do you have any hard proof that he's been housing the leader of the Phantom Thieves?"

Ikeda scowled at Sae.

"Why are you so intent on interfering, Niijima?" His stare then grew suspicious.

Sae tried to subtly swallow. "I just don't want us to be further questioned. We're already under suspicion because of how the Phantom Thieves leader has come out in the opening. It brings our competency into question. We cannot afford another hit."

Sakura-san looked shocked and Aragaki… was that a glimmer of approval in his eyes?

Ikeda looked unconvinced. "Hmm… I know that we realized that the leader had done something to you but perhaps we can determine more of his methods if we bring you into questioning."

Sae's jaw dropped. "E-Excuse me?!"

"Sir, I don't think that's a good idea…"

"She is so invested in ensuring that we recover from the blow that the Phantom Thieves have dealt us… surely some questions won't hurt?"

Damn him… Sae fought the urge to grind her teeth.

He was backing her into a corner. Well, she would just have to work with the cards she had been dealt with.

"I… very well." She all but had to force the words past her lips.

"But first, we question Sakura," Ikeda said, a triumphant smile on his lips.

Sae would pay good money to be able to slap that smile off his face. She had never liked the man to begin with but knowing that he was in cahoots with Shido just amplified her dislike.

"Take the other two to the bottom floor. We'll get Niijima when we're ready to question her."

Sae was just glad that they hadn't humiliated her by cuffing her. They led Sakura-san in a different direction, while Sae and Aragaki were brought into a spartan room—but not before Sae's belongings were confiscated.

Sae pursed her lips. Everything had happened so fast that her head was spinning a little.

"You didn't have to do that," Aragaki said.

"Was I supposed to just walk away?" Sae shot back.

"I said you didn't have to do it." Aragaki suddenly paused before looking straight at Sae. "I didn't say I didn't appreciate it."

Sae couldn't help but feel taken aback by it. Aragaki continued to surprise her with his behavior. Sae awkwardly cleared her throat, unsure of how to respond to it. So, she decided to change the subject.

"Do you mind telling me why you gave Shinoda a black eye?" Sae asked dryly.

Aragaki looked away from her. His voice suddenly grew sullen. "Sakura—the younger one—identified him as one of the men who kidnapped Ken back when we went to rescue him. They were trying to drag Sakura away on bullshit charges, and it just… happened."

"Oh," Sae said weakly.

She admittedly didn't have all the details regarding the incident. Makoto didn't speak of it and Sae had no desire to pry it out of her. The same went with Amada-kun, but doubly so.

She didn't know how she would react, seeing Kaneshiro again with the knowledge that he would've forced Makoto into prostitution or who knew what… if the Phantom Thieves hadn't stolen his heart in time.

She couldn't really fault Aragaki for reacting the way he had even though Shinoda wasn't exactly… the best person to punch.

"It's… whatever. I shouldn't have lost my temper like that," Aragaki muttered out, glaring down at the ground. Then he huffed out. "Wonder if we'll get a single phone call."

Sae scoffed, fighting the urge to roll her eyes. "That happens in America, Aragaki."

Aragaki just grunted in response. "Sakura isn't scared. He's positive that Shido's lapdogs will get what's coming because of… well, you know."

Makoto and the others were stealing Shido's heart as they spoke… but Sae couldn't help but feel a little worried. She didn't want Makoto to come home and discover that she was in police custody.

Unfortunately… all she could do was wait and see what would happen.

---

"I shall win this game!" Shido declared.

"This isn't a game!" Yusuke snapped back before gripping at the hilt of his sword. "Lives are at stake!"

Shido growled at that. "Silence! You understand nothing!"

"This power…" Futaba trailed off before shaking her head. "Be careful, guys. Those muscles aren't for show!"

Ren looked at Futaba before nodding. "You be careful too, Oracle."

Futaba nodded vigorously before summoning Prometheus and disappearing inside.

Shido suddenly rushed Haru, knocking her down with one blow. She stumbled a couple steps backward with a pained cry before falling on her bottom. She clutched at her stomach as her face contorted with pain.

"Noir!" Futaba gasped. "She's barely hanging on!"

Shido chuckled to himself, but his gloating was suddenly cut off as Kamu Susano-o appeared behind Shido; Kamu Susano-o swiped at Shido, forcing him to stumble backwards. Ken came at Shido from his left, swinging his spear. He stabbed at Shido's shoulder, making Shido swear loudly.

Morgana quickly healed Haru as Yusuke charged forward, brandishing his katana. He struck from Shido's right, making Shido whip his head towards Yusuke. The moment Shido was distracted from Ken was when Ken swung his spear once more, smacking Shido hard in the face.

"Get 'em, Fox and Ace!" Futaba encouraged, before charging their attack power.

Makoto forced Shido on the defensive by shooting several bullets at him. Shido dropped to the ground before his body began to glow. His body flashed red, purple, and then lastly green.

"I don't think so!" Anne cried out before summoning Hecate.

Hecate quickly cast Dekaja to negate Shido's spell, making Shido glower at Anne.

"Two can play at that game!" Futaba exclaimed before casting the same spell on all of them, boosting all of their stats.

Ren grinned before calling on Siegfried to charge up for the next attack he planned on throwing at Shido. While he did that, Ryuji and Morgana both attacked. Zorro whipped up a powerful gale with a slash of his rapier, while Seiten Taisei slammed into Shido.

Shido had just recovered from both blows when Siegfried came crashing down, slamming down his sword.

Haru and Ken's Personas opened fire, several bullets striking at Shido. While Shido was under the barrage of bullets, Makoto summoned Anat to cast Freidyne.

Shido let out a frustrated growl before slamming his fist into the ground. The force actually made the ground split, creating a fissure.

"Stay in groups!" Ren shouted.

They had kept up the pressure on Akechi by constantly combining their attacks. Ren sensed that they would have to do the same here.

His friends quickly followed his orders; Yusuke and Ryuji paired up, as did Morgana and Anne. Haru, Makoto, and Ken stayed together in a group of three. Ren decided to stay with Morgana and Anne.

Shido charged forward but Ren hastily summoned Black Frost. Black Frost aimed a Bufudyne spell right at Shido's feet, freezing him to the ground.

Fire suddenly surrounded his fist, and he punched the layer of ice, quickly melting it. He then rushed at Ren, his hands a flurry of fists. Ren jumped backwards but Shido caught him off guard at the very last second, landing a blow at his stomach. Ren doubled over in pain, letting out a little gasp. He dropped to one knee as he pressed a hand against his stomach; ugh, there was definitely a bruise forming.

Shido snickered.

"This is what you should've done in the first place," he sneered with that annoying smug smirk of his.

"I will never bow down to you," Ren growled out, glaring up at Shido.

He seized his dagger before he gave a sideways slash, making Shido howl in pain. His strike had made a shallow gash in Shido's leg. Ren took the moment to get away. He summoned Titania quickly to heal him. While Shido was still distracted, Anne followed up with several lashes from her whip.

Morgana jumped onto Anne's shoulder, using it to launch him higher in the air. He slashed down on Shido's shoulder, making Shido hiss out a profanity. He kicked at Morgana, but Morgana quickly darted out of the way.

Ken summoned Tyr before blades of light appeared, the flare blinding Shido for a moment. Yusuke seized the moment to swipe at Shido's back with his katana.

Shido growled before once more punching the ground, the shockwaves knocking them all off their feet. Ren quickly pushed himself up, scanning the area to see how his friends were doing. Most of them were already getting up, save for two. Both Haru and Morgana were keeled over, shivering for some reason.

"Noir and Mona are down! Shido hit them hard and now they're afraid!" Futaba reported.

Ren quickly summoned Titania, grateful that he had fused her with the ability to cure ailments. A cool blue aura surrounded her before that same light settled over Haru and Morgana. Morgana was first to react, his head popping up and his eyes now filled with clarity.

"Sorry about that… how embarrassing!" he said before jumping to his feet.

"Thank you!" Haru chimed in.

Ice started to crystallize in a circle around Shido. Shido suddenly smacked his fist into his open palm. The ice crystals seemed to explode, striking them all. Ren gritted his teeth as the ice spell cut right through his clothes. From beside him, Anne let out a pained cry. She had fallen, struggling to get up.

"Panther!" Futaba squeaked out.

Shido chuckled before he took a leap. Electricity started to spark from his fist. Without thinking, Ren threw himself in front of Anne to shield her from Shido's second attack.

"Wait…" Futaba suddenly spoke up. "Hang on, guys, I think there might be a pattern! Keep him busy!"

Shido was definitely a force to be reckoned with. But he wasn't about to give up, not when they were getting so close. Shido lunged towards Makoto; she jumped backwards but Shido managed to clip her in the shoulder. She dropped down, clutching at her shoulder. Shido tried to kick her but then a translucent shield appeared, protecting Makoto from Shido's attack.

The recoil was strong enough to make Shido shout in pain.

Shido was distracted long enough to let Ken quickly heal Makoto. Makoto then jumped to her feet, summoning Anat. The Freidyne spell that Anat produced was strong enough to send Shido flying off his feet. He hit the wall with a loud grunt.

Anne and Morgana took the opportunity to double up on an attack, Hecate's flames intertwining with Zorro's gale beautifully before slamming right into Shido.

"Keep it up, guys!" Futaba encouraged.

"I won't… lose!" Shido spat out.

His form flickered with red before he rushed at Anne and Morgana. Anne quickly grabbed Morgana, diving out of the way.

Wind whipped around Shido, striking at all of them.

"Astarte, help me!" Haru cried out before a shield sprung in front of Ryuji in the nick of time, repelling the wind spell back at Shido.

Shido growled at that before he cast a Masukunda spell; Ren immediately felt his limbs grow heavier.

"Keep your agility up! He's trying to attack your weaknesses!" Futaba shouted before casting a spell to boost their agility back to normal.

Yusuke followed up with another Masukukaja spell in order to increase their speed further.

"Burn him to a crisp, Hecate!" Anne cried out, tearing off her mask.

Hecate's eyes glowed brightly before hurling twin fireballs at Shido, striking him right in the chest. He hunched over for a moment, but that was exactly the opening Ryuji needed.

Seiten Taisei's attack sent Shido flying, making him crash into the wall.

"Great team-up!" Futaba encouraged.

Ren darted over to Shido, pulling out his gun. He managed two shots before Shido managed to pull himself up with a frustrated growl.

"Anat!" Makoto cried out, ripping off her mask.

The nuclear attack knocked down Shido once more, making Ren crack a smile. Haru added to the attack by firing her grenade launcher.

"Kamu Susano-o!" Yusuke called, tearing off his mask.

The temperature dropped significantly as Kamu Susano-o cast several Bufudyne spells to freeze Shido to the ground. Shido growled in frustration before his fist became wreathed in bright red flames. He then slammed it into the ice, melting it within moments. But Ren was ready for him—he didn't want to give Shido a centimeter.

"Arsène!" Ren called forth his Persona.

Arsène flapped his wings hard, the blast of wind making Shido stagger a couple steps backward. Dark energy exploded from Arsène, making Shido give a small grunt.

Shido managed to climb to his feet, his eyes boring a hole into Ren.

He unleashed a nuclear spell and then a Psy spell in quick succession, downing both Makoto and Haru. He then slammed his fist into the ground, the shockwave knocking out Haru.

"Queen! Noir!" Anne exclaimed.

"Mona! Heal Queen!" Ren shouted before he summoned Titania to revive Haru.

"Got it!" Morgana shouted before rushing over to Makoto.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Anne and Ryuji teaming up on an attack again—this time using their elemental spells. Ken and Yusuke followed up with a gun attack and physical attack respectively.

Once Haru was back on her feet again, Ren turned back to Shido. He switched back to Arsène, who hurled another Eigaon spell at Shido. Shido quickly braced himself by crossing his arms in an X over his chest.

Ren narrowed his eyes before sprinting over to Shido.

"Joker, wait—!" Futaba cried out to him.

But that was when a golden light flared around Shido.

Ren's eyes widened. "Shit! That's a—"

The spell struck Ren down, and he landed hard. The spell had hit him right in the face and it hurt—

"Joker!" Anne cried out.

Ren found himself struggling to get to his feet. His limbs just wouldn't listen, trembling with the effort to try and move.

Shido stalked forward, a smirk on his face. His fist began to glow with a golden aura. Ren couldn't help but gulp. He could only pray that this attack wouldn't knock him out cold—

"TYR!"

Tyr loomed over Shido before swinging his arm cannon right at Shido. Shido stumbled slightly from the blow before Tyr blasted him right in the face with One-Shot Kill.

This sent Shido tumbling backwards a meter or two. Ryuji followed up by summoning Seiten Taisei, electricity crackling from his entire form. Morgana, perched on Ryuji's shoulder, jumped up and fired his slingshot. Both times Morgana managed to nail Shido right in the face.

But even now Ren struggled to get up. His limbs just felt so heavy; he could hardly move.

"Joker, don't push yourself," Ken scolded, dropping down to Ren's level.

He then ripped off his mask, summoning Tyr to heal Ren.

"I've got it!" Futaba exclaimed. "His elemental attacks have a pattern—Fire, Ice, Lightning, Wind, Nuclear, Psy, Bless, and Curse."

"Do his affinities change along with it?" Makoto asked, looking up to Prometheus.

"No. You just have to be careful with what spell he's firing at you!"

So, with that in mind, Ren knew which members to keep in the forefront and which to keep back—so Shido wouldn't be able to nail their weaknesses. Ren would also know what Personas to use, based on Shido's attacks.

"Take this!" Shido shouted before a Maeigaon spell ripped through the air.

Ken didn't even flinch, still concentrating on healing Ren. Ren winced; Arsène did resist curse magic, but it still stung a bit. Ken then grabbed him by the hand, pulling him up.

"Thanks," Ren muttered out.

But since Shido had just fired a curse spell… His head whipped over to Yusuke.

"Fox! Fall back!"

With that strategy in mind, Ren jumped back into the fray—as did everyone else. It took a while to chip at Shido, but they finally cornered Shido. He was down on one knee, panting hard.

"Now's your chance, guys! Nab his Treasure!" Futaba exclaimed.

Shido burst out laughing before rising to his feet once more. "Don't think you've won! The power held by the most elite is what rules over our society! How annoying that I have to use it on some foolish brats…"

Ren narrowed his eyes. So that's what he thought, huh? It wasn't like Japan was a democracy in his eyes or something.

Shido suddenly clenched his hand into a fist. "But I will educate you through and through!"

"Go ahead and try!" Anne snapped back.

Ryuji goaded, "Yeah, bring it!"

"I can't believe it… he's still coming at us?!" Futaba exclaimed.

"Let's take his heart!" Ren jabbed a finger at Shido. "You've gone way too long getting away with your crimes! We will take you down, no matter what!"

"We're with you, Joker!" Haru said.

"Yeah! Did you hear that, Shido?!" Futaba demanded.

Shido started to chuckle before he flexed his arms. His muscles rippled before the harness snapped.

"Holy shit…" Ren thought.

He didn't know how it was possible, but Shido was even more buff than his previous form like he downed steroids every day to get those muscles. His veins were super visible as he flexed his arms. His entire form had turned bright red; at least it wasn't as weird as Kaneshiro, Madarame, and Kamoshida's Shadow forms. Those three had been… out there.

"Absolute Alloy Alchemist called… they want Major Abstrong back," Futaba said flatly.

Ren couldn't stop himself from snorting at Futaba's quip.

"I have decades of experience over these brats…" Shido growled out, clenching one fist as he stared them down. "I won't lose!"

"Just means it's up to us to take you down, old man!" Ryuji hollered back. "Your time's up!"

Futaba cautioned, "Be careful though… I think he's finally at his full strength!"

Shido made the first move, his body shimmering red, green, and purple. Then he lunged forward, slamming them all with a powerful attack.

The attack downed both Yusuke and Anne. Ren couldn't help but stare, horrified. Shido just snickered, smirking.

"Panther! Fox!" Futaba gasped.

But then Ren gritted his teeth as determination welled up inside of him. So this was Shido's true power, huh?

"Mona! Ace! Revive Panther and Fox!" Ren ordered. "And if possible, stay back!"

They couldn't afford to have anyone down for this fight but especially not their healers. Ken and Morgana nodded before rushing over to their unconscious teammates and started to cast Samarecarm. Ren was grateful that they both knew that spell—it was a bit taxing on them, but they needed everyone at their full health.

"I won't lose!" Shido swore before summoning an inferno, aimed at Yusuke.

Yusuke quickly threw a Bufudyne spell to try and reduce the flames, but the flames swallowed up the Bufudyne spell all too easily. Yusuke let out a pained gasp as the flames hit him and he dropped like a rock. His hands were shaking horribly too.

"Fox!" Anne rushed over to Yusuke and immediately began to heal him. "He's burned—Noir, help me!"

With the two girls focused on healing Yusuke, Ren turned his attention to Shido. Ryuji and Morgana teamed up, by combining their elemental attacks—creating a hurricane with electric sparking inside. Shido staggered a couple steps backwards when the combined spells hit him.

"Anat!" Makoto shouted, tearing off her mask.

Anat's Freidyne spell knocked Shido off his feet, leaving him an easy target for Tyr's bullets.

Ren tore off his mask. "Surt!"

The flames surrounding Surt's swords glowed brightly before streaming to Shido.

"You little—!" Shido hissed out before lunging towards Ren, his fist glowing with power.

Anne's whip suddenly wound itself around Shido's fist. Shido strained to free himself but Anne stubbornly dug in her heels to keep him immobilized. Shido was helpless to Haru's grenade launcher; the force of attack was strong enough to send Shido crashing into the wall.

"Kamu Susano-o!"

Kamu Susano-o leapt forward, making a sweep of his sword. Shido let out a snarl as Kamu Susano-o slashed at his shoulder. When Shido lunged at Yusuke, swinging his fist, a translucent shield popped in front of Yusuke, reflecting the attack. While he clutched at his shoulder, Yusuke took the opportunity to use Bufudyne on Shido.

"Black Frost!" Ren followed up on Yusuke's attack with Diamond Dust.

The temperature dropped at least ten degrees when Black Frost snapped his fingers, dropping several icicles on Shido.

Shido growled before casting his own ice spell. Ren quickly switched to Surt, countering with Inferno. The fire spell met the ice spell head on, cancelling each other out.

But then Shido clenched his fist. "I will make you pay!"

He moved insanely fast, calling forth lightning bolts—downing Morgana. Then a powerful gale that brought down Ryuji to his knees.

"Skull! Mona!" Futaba exclaimed.

"Panther, Fox—cover for them!" Ren shouted.

While Yusuke and Anne rushed to follow his orders, Ren tore off his mask appeared with a flash. Forseti raised his staff, summoning several blades of light. Shido threw up an arm to cover his face, grunting as the Kougaon spell hit its mark. But he quickly shook it off.

Ken took the moment to heal everyone with a Mediaharan spell, but Ryuji and Morgana were still struggling to recover from the attacks. Shido then unleashed a powerful nuclear spell but Yusuke quickly summoned Kamu Susano-o; he cast a Bufudyne spell, erecting an ice wall to protect Haru at the last second. Ren hastily summoned Black Frost in order to aid in Yusuke's endeavor.

The ice wall smashed to pieces as the nuclear spell crashed into it, but an idea suddenly struck Ren. Ren switched to Quetzalcoatl. Blades of wind whipped through the air as Quetzalcoatl flapped his wings hard, sending the ice flying back at Shido.

Shido growled as the ice shards struck him multiple times.

"Seiten Taisei!" Ryuji's voice rung out as he summoned his Persona.

Morgana shouted, "Zorro, come!"

Zorro slashed through the air with his rapier, summoning several gusts of wind. Shido braced against Zorro's assault, only to be sent flying as Seiten Taisei slammed into him.

"Nice!" Futaba crowed out. "Way to make a comeback! But let me give you a boost!"

Prometheus's lights pulsated before a white light shimmered over everyone. Ren could feel power surging through his veins. Ryuji followed up by casting Matarukaja.

"Anat, come!" Makoto cried out, tearing off her mask.

Anat raised her hands, a nuke spell pulsating between her hands before hurling it right at Shido. Shido got to his feet quickly for Hecate's flames to hit him head-on.

Shido quickly countered with an almighty spell, the force of the attack knocking down both Morgana and Anne. Shido's face broke into a smirk before he rushed towards Ren. The force of Shido's punch was hard enough for Ren to see stars. He hit the wall hard, banging his head against it. He coughed, struggling to sit up. He could feel blood ooze from his bottom lip. He wheezed for air, making even more blood dribble down his chin.

"Someone, cover for Joker!" Futaba squeaked out.

"Tyr!"

"Astarte!"

Ken and Haru's attacks landed within seconds of each other, striking Shido from behind.

"Why you…!"

"Take this, you bastard!" Ryuji yelled out.

Ren dizzily registered his friends attacking Shido before he realized Ken was kneeling in front of him. Ren keeled over, clutching at his head.

"Joker, look at me!" Ken urged.

Ren blinked hazily at Ken. Ken pressed his lips together before pressing his fingers against Ren's temple. There was a sudden blue glow and Ren's headache began to fade.

"Ow…" Ren grumbled out.

"I think he gave you a concussion back there," Ken muttered.

Futaba's voice suddenly cut through the air. "Ace, Joker—look out!"

Ken gasped before shoving Ren away from him. He tumbled for a few moments.

Wind swirled around Shido as he rushed towards Ken. Ken skirted around him before swinging his spear, low to the ground. Shido stumbled over Ken's spear, giving Ken the chance to plant his foot right in Shido's abdomen.

Shido was growing more sluggish so he began to rely more on elemental spells. But even with his slowing movements, he specifically targeted everyone's weaknesses.

He managed to down both Ryuji and Haru in quick succession before unleashing a Megidoloan spell.

"NO!" Futaba screeched out.

A green barrier slammed down, shielding everyone.

"Thanks, Oracle!" Ren quickly thanked while Morgana quickly healed everyone.

Shido was panting heavily.

"These lousy brats… thinking they can get the better of me!" he hissed out.

"We don't think—we know!" Anne retorted.

She then summoned Hecate, blasting him with a torrent of flames. Yusuke and Ryuji's Personas slammed into Shido, with Seiten Taisei succeeding in knocking Shido down. Shido struggled to get back up, panting heavily.

"Joker! Let's finish this!" Ryuji bellowed.

Ren nodded before clenching his fist. "Mona! Panther! Are you with me?"

"Always!" both Morgana and Anne cried out.

They charged together before Morgana summoned Zorro. Zorro whipped up a small cyclone; it engulfed Shido. Seiten Taisei hovered above, unleashing several bright yellow electric bolts.

When Shido finally tumbled to the ground, he was greeted by Hecate's burning bright flames and Arsène's burst of dark energy.

"Eat this!" Ryuji yelled.

He crashed his club against Shido's back, jumping back to let Anne unleash a barrage of bullets.

Ren and Morgana then attacked as one, wielding their bladed weapons. They then jumped backwards, shooting down Shido simultaneously.

They nailed him right in the face, making him yowl in pain.

"To think… you'd put up this much of a fight," Shido seethed, suddenly hard of breath. "You bastard… I won't let you have this!"

Shido suddenly unleashed a powerful Megidoloan spell, one that sent everyone sprawling. Ren barely dodged it by throwing himself to the ground. He then summoned a tempest, throwing everyone together in a pile of limbs. They were still struggling to untangle themselves, when Shido's fist suddenly became engulfed in flames once more. He then slammed it hard into the ground. A fissure formed, splitting the ground. A wall of flames erupted, separating him from his friends.

"JOKER!" he heard Anne scream.

Ren turned his head to the direction where Anne's voice came. But Shido suddenly rushed him, forcing Ren's attention back to him. Ren dove to the side, wincing slightly at the sight of the crater in the ground.

"I never would've imagined… that impertinent brat from so long ago, managing to get in my way this much!"

"Fox, use a Bufudyne spell! Anything!" Haru cried out. "Joker is there, all alone!"

"I can't!" Yusuke's voice became frustrated. "I used too much energy during our fight with Shido…"

"Maybe I can—" Morgana began.

"No! It won't blow out the flames. If anything, it'll probably make the fire even stronger," Makoto said grimly.

Ren grimaced but he looked back to Shido. He was staring at Ren with such animosity, hatred burning in his eyes.

"I should've finished you long ago…" Shido said with a scowl. "It seems that I, too, have been naïve."

Ren glared back at him. "You tried. Multiple times. But I will always get back up."

Despite his exhaustion, Ren felt ready. Ready to take on the bastard who tried to ruin his future and the one who tried to arrange for his death.

"You won't be so smug soon enough," Shido swore before clenching one hand into a fist. "I will not stumble over mere minutia like yourself!"

Shido then lunged forward. Ren quickly darted away, doing his best to keep a distance.

Ren stuck with using Norn. Shido would swap between using elemental spells and trying to lunge at Ren.

Ren gritted his teeth as Shido's Inferno spell brushed against his shoulder. He dropped to the ground, clutching his arm. Ugh… Shido burned him again.

With his good hand, he ripped off his mask to summon Titania. As Titania cast her healing spell to take care of that, Shido's hands sparked with electricity as he lunged towards Ren once more. Ren quickly dismissed Titania, switching to another Persona.

"Siegfried!" Ren yelled.

Siegfried jumped forward, slamming his sword down on the ground, making it quake. Shido stumbled, giving Ren the opportunity to summon Forseti. Forseti slammed his staff against Shido's side, knocking him to the ground.

But as Shido looked up, his face was pure fury as he stared down Ren.

"You've been a thorn in my side for too long! This time… I'll be dead certain to seal your fate. I'll grind you to the ground… until you're nothing but dust!" Shido snarled out.

Ren narrowed his eyes, his grasp on his pistol tightening.

"You're welcome to try!" he taunted.

He was ready. To take down this bastard. Shido was the one to set him on this path. He wouldn't have awakened to Arsène if it wasn't for Shido. He wouldn't have become a Phantom Thief. He wouldn't have crossed paths with his friends.

Ren didn't particularly believe in fate. He didn't like the idea that things were set in stone, that you were powerless to change things. But Shido forcing him into probation was ironically better for Ren in the long run. Even after the sleepless nights Ren had spent, frightened with 'what-ifs' about the plan and feeling overwhelmed with his self-doubt, Ren felt free to his true self.

It had lit a fire in him.

He wasn't going to let anyone break his spirit, no matter what. He could still hear his friends talking about how to get through.

Ren shouted, "I'll be fine, guys! I need to do this!"

"But—!" Anne began.

"Panther, Joker's right," Ken suddenly interrupted. "It's been… a long time coming. Let him face Shido."

"I… okay," Anne got out before raising her voice to a yell. "You better get him good, Joker!"

"We have faith in you!" Haru called out to him.

"Finish this, Joker!" Morgana encouraged.

"Kick his ass!" Ryuji shouted at him. "Give him hell!"

Ren couldn't help but smile at his friends' faith in them. But Shido just sneered at him.

"Too bad that you won't be able to fulfill their wishes. Because I will crush you under my heel!"

"You'll have to catch me first!" Ren shot back as a plan started to formulate in his head.

He had made smoke bombs in the past to flee from Shadows—but what if they had another use?

"Only one way to find out!" Ren thought, slipping his hand into his pocket.

Shido lunged forward but Ren darted to the right; he had to keep some distance in between them for this to work. His fingers curled around one smoke bomb. He yanked it out, hurling it with all his might at the ground in between him and Shido. Black smoke billowed from it, making Shido cough and sputter. Ren rushed him, summoning Seth. Seth divebombed at Shido. Ren then made a grab for his dagger, his hand clenching around the hilt before he made a swipe.

"That's for ordering all of the psychotic breakdowns and mental shutdowns!" Ren yelled at him.

Shido growled before lunging towards Ren once more. But Ren summoned Norn, and she produced a burst of wind that launched Ren into the air.

While he was in mid-air, he summoned Siegfried once more. Siegfried came crashing down, slamming the hilt of his sword against Shido's head.

Ren landed on the ground seconds later, and he glared at Shido.

He hissed out, "And that's for all the innocents who got caught up in your scheming! All the lives you screwed up!"

Shido's fist became surrounded with a golden aura as he lunged forward. Ren quickly crossed his arms over his chest, softening the blow. Ren was forced a few steps back, but it hurt less than he had expected. He whipped out his gun, firing three times.

Ren then summoned Titania, giving him a quick heal. He was running low on energy—he needed to end this decisively. And he knew how exactly he wanted to end this. Ren reached up, tearing off his mask. After all, Shido was the reason why Arsène was born.

It felt too fitting to end this with Arsène.

"Arsène!"

The ball of shadowy energy Arsène conjured up was quickly joined by a bullet. They hit Shido within seconds of each other, right in his face.

"This can't be…" Shido gasped out, a hand pressed to his heaving chest. "Losing to a brat like him?!"

Shido was panting heavily, swaying dangerously before finally faceplanting into the ground.

He… he had done it. Ren's knees suddenly gave way and he fell down to one knee. Shido had finally fallen.

Holy crap, he felt dead tired.

"Joker!" Morgana called out to him.

Ren's eyes widened; that was right, his friends! He forced himself to get to his feet even as exhaustion started to settle over him.

"Stay back! You especially, Panther!" Ren warned before summoning Black Frost.

Black Frost breathed ice at the wall of fire, slowly reducing the flames.

Anne led the charge as his friends ran over to him. Anne then threw herself at him and Ren caught her, giving her a tired smile as his arms encircled her waist. He took a moment to inhale her sweet scent, savoring it. Anne buried her face into his chest for a moment before looking up at him.

"I was so worried," she confessed.

"Sorry about that, didn't mean to get trapped by Shido like that," he joked with a tired smile.

Shido suddenly spoke up. "How… did I lose?"

The man looked utterly baffled, like he couldn't even fathom the idea that Ren could've defeated him. Ren snorted, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Shido sure had a chip on his shoulder.

"You underestimated Joker's tenacity," Morgana said, hands on his hips.

"It's not just that," Ren said, shaking his head. "I am strong… because of the people around me. They gave me a reason to keep fighting in what I believed in."

"The feeling's mutual," Ryuji said with a wide grin.

"I lost… I can't believe it…" Shido said feebly; he honestly looked pathetic. "W-What will I do…?"

"You will admit to your crimes," Makoto said, her expression hard as she stared at Shido. "For causing countless mental shutdowns and psychotic breakdowns in others, you will atone… with your life."

"I'm just glad it's over…" Ken said somberly.

Shido just stared down at the ground, his shoulders shaking slightly. But he stayed quiet.

"Hey!" Ryuji barked out, making Shido jump; he then pointed to Ren. "Don'tcha got something to say to our leader before you go passin' out?"

A soft sigh escaped Shido before he reluctantly looked up at Ren.

"I… I acknowledge that I incriminated you on false charges. I did it to protect myself. I'm so sorry for what I've done. It feels as though it's been quite some time since I have felt sincerely apologetic…" Shido trailed off at the last part, his eyes growing distant.

Honestly? Ren didn't really want a damn apology. Not from a twisted bastard from him, who saw everyone else as tools or playthings. He just wanted Shido to own up to his crimes and pay the price for them.

The apology almost felt like empty words. What would words fix? Shido had destroyed Ren's life and had turned his parents against him.

On top of that, Shido had personally hurt three of his friends. Would Shido apologize to Futaba for being a twisted bastard and making her down spiral in mental health? Would he apologize to Haru for trying to paint her as a scapegoat for her own father's death? Or apologize for how he had planned Okumura's death to begin with? Would he apologize to Ken for torturing him? For tearing apart his family before he was even born?

No… words would not fix this.

Ren looked Shido squarely in the eyes.

"Prove it. Atone for what you did and confess to your crimes. All of them," Ren said flatly.

Shido slowly exhaled. "Atone…"

The shadow then shook his head, a weak laugh escaped him.

"You really are tenacious. And so… I've been defeated…"

Broken laughter escaped from the prideful man, reduced to his knees.

---

Masayoshi's head felt like it was going to split into two. He hunched over, clutching at his forehead with one hand and bracing the glass window with the other.

"Sir!"

Masayoshi panted heavily.

"Was this—no!"

They couldn't have actually managed this! The Phantom Thieves were nothing but sniveling brats!

"No… did they really succeed?" he rasped out.

But then determination suddenly swelled up inside of Masayoshi. He turned back to his men, still bracing his hand against the window.

"Hey!" he barked at his head scientist.

"Y-Yes sir!" he all but squeaked out.

"Will I really be able to kill the Phantom Thieves if I take that?" he demanded.

The scientist swallowed hard before giving a small nod. "According to Wakaba Isshiki's research… temporarily collapsing a Fortress will take down anyone inside it as well. The abrupt nature of the collapse means they will be unable to escape without extreme luck."

That was exactly what he needed. He needed to stop the Phantom Thieves from destroying his Fortress, no matter what. He would not allow for them to steal his desires.

"B-But sir…" The scientist spoke again, this time more tentative. "The only way to purposely a cognitive world is by halting biological activity."

He hastily raised his hand, uncurling his fist to reveal two tiny white pills.

"In other words—this medicine will temporarily kill you. So I think it's best that we at least bring you in to monitor you—"

Masayoshi grimaced as pain exploded in his head once more. "There's no time for that! They'll escape with my desires!"

"But sir—"

"Give me the damn pills!" Masayoshi shouted before snatching the pills from him.

He swallowed them dry, ignoring the bitter taste on his tongue.

"How reckless…" muttered one of Masayoshi's sponsors.

But Masayoshi didn't care. What mattered was that the Phantom Thieves were eliminated.

"Now… they're done for…" Masayoshi rasped out.

But even then, his vision began to blur. He pressed a hand to his forehead before he fell forward.

Then everything went black.

---

"We need to get the Treasure," Yusuke said.

Yusuke pointed to the shimmering golden steering wheel above their heads. Anne cocked her head as she stared up at it.

"A wheel…?"

Shido looked up, his eyes filled with determination.

"Of course, a strong ship needs a skilled captain to steer it, just as a proud country needs a powerful leader to guide it!" he rasped out. "If I didn't, who would?"

Yusuke's lip curled with disgust before he looked away.

"He really has a chip on his shoulder," Ken muttered, not even bothering to hide the disdain in his voice. "It's impressive that he can walk through the door with that ego of his."

"Like father, like son," Ren thought sardonically to himself.

As much as Akechi would rather eat glass than admit it, he and Shido… bore some similarities. Such as their huge pride as well as their narrow-minded attitude about achieving their goals.

"I-I… suppose that doesn't matter anymore. My plans for this coun—RGGGAH!" Shido screamed out in pain, only to… collapse then disappear.

"What the—?!" Ren thought in disbelief.

"W-Where did he go?" Haru stammered out.

The entire Palace suddenly shook violently but it didn't feel the same as the previous instances. They hadn't even come close to touching the Treasure.

"The hell?" Ryuji gaped at the spot where Shido once stood.

The ship rocked once more, throwing them off their balance. Yusuke had to steady Haru, so she didn't fall down.

"Are you okay, Noir?" Yusuke asked.

"Yes—" Haru answered, only to be cut off.

There was a loud boom, as if there was an explosion. Futaba let out a squeak, grabbing onto Ren's arm for reassurance.

"What… why is there an explosion?" Anne questioned.

Makoto looked up the sparkling wheel, her eyes wide with bewilderment. "We haven't even touched the Treasure!"

"We'll talk later! Let's just grab the Treasure and run!" Morgana said briskly.

Ren nodded before giving Morgana a boost to grab the golden wheel. He then took the Treasure from Morgana, tucking it under his arm. They turned on their heels, running out of the assembly room. Since they were higher up, they were stuck in the hallways.

"Which way do we go…?" Ken said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Another explosion suddenly rocked the boat, but they all managed to stay on their feet.

Ren muttered out, "Seriously, what's going on?"

"Yeah, why is the ship exploding?" Ryuji demanded.

"No time for that! We need to find a way out!" Ren snapped.

They couldn't just stand there—that would basically make them sitting ducks. They would be doomed if they didn't do something.

Ren quickly ran down one hall. The ship would occasionally shake violently, which didn't exactly help Ren's nerves. Their paths were slowly being eliminated with water flooding it.

Ren was starting to grow really frustrated but he forced himself to press forward. Finally, they managed to burst out of the ship, standing on the deck. The sight made Ren's breath catch into his throat.

The ship was slowly sinking, with smoke billowing out of the engines.

Futaba was freaking out, babbling about how she didn't know how to swim. Ken was trying to calm her down but with limited success. The ship suddenly shook once again, but this time much more violently. The force sent Futaba stumbling into the wall. Futaba whimpered, sinking to the ground.

"Is this it?" she asked bleakly.

"Oracle—" Ken began but Ren interrupted.

"Calm down, Oracle!" Ren snapped. "We are not going to die. Not here!"

Futaba froze at that before giving a small nod. Makoto then bent down, helping Futaba up.

Ren chewed on his bottom lip, scanning the area. They had to get out of there, but the question was how? Was there nothing they could do to get to safety?

"Joker, there!" Yusuke suddenly leaned over the railing, pointing.

A lifeboat. Ren felt hope swell up in his heart. That was probably their best shot!

But… how could they get up there?

"But it's so high up…" Haru fretted, wringing her hands.

But suddenly, Ryuji stiffened. His hands then balled into fists.

"I got this," he said, his voice determined.

Anne blinked. "Huh…? Skull?"

Ryuji turned to look back at them. "Hang tight. I'll nab the boat!"

Without another word, he took a leap, landing at the railing of the boat. He lowered himself into a familiar position before breaking into a sprint.

"Skull, you…" Morgana seemed to be floundering for words.

"GO SKULL!" Anne and Futaba cheered him on.

"You can do it, Skull!" Makoto chimed in.

Ren snapped back to attention, and he looked towards the water. The ship was still sinking. He looked towards his friends.

"Come on, let's get down. Skull should have the boat ready for us soon."

Ren glanced back to Ryuji, his bleached blond hair making it too easy to spot him. He was taking a running leap, scrambling to push himself up. Ren couldn't help but wince as he watched the engine continuing to explode. Futaba still looked a little wary, so Ken ended up carrying her on his back before jumping down.

"Skull!" Yusuke gasped. "Please… don't do anything that'll get you killed…"

Ryuji was now climbing the ladder. He jumped, pulling a… switch? That lowered the boat; they all cheered at Ryuji's success.

"Come on, let's hurry. Before this ship completely sinks!" Ren said.

They hastily climbed aboard. Ryuji flashed them a thumbs up. Yusuke was messing with the engine on the lifeboat.

"Hang on, guys!" Ren said.

The engine roared to life and Yusuke gave a satisfied smile.

"We're moving!" Yusuke exclaimed.

"Hang on, Skull…" Ken muttered out.

They had barely started moving when the ship started to explode again. It wasn't safe for Ryuji to drop down on the ship.

"Hurry, Yusuke!" Morgana urged. "We have to get Skull before—"

That was when the loudest explosion rung in their ears, rocking their little lifeboat precariously. Futaba grabbed onto Makoto, wrapping both arms around her waist, like it was a lifeline.

"Skull…" Anne suddenly uttered.

Ren looked up, praying desperately that Ryuji was still miraculously hanging on.

But he was gone… The entire ship had gone up in flames, slowly sinking into the water.

Ren looked desperately in the water. Had he fallen into the water?!

"Skull! Sku—Ryuji! RYUJI! HEY!" Anne was screaming now. "Answer me dammit!"

Her voice cracked at the last part, but Ren's attention was at the murky water. Ryuji might be underwater, right? He had to be! He couldn't be gone! Was this some kind of sick joke?!

Ren's fingers curled around the edge of the lifeboat, preparing to jump in, but Ken suddenly grabbed him, yanking him back. Ren squirmed in his grasp.

"Let me go! LET ME GO DAMMIT! I have to find Ryuji before it's too late! Ryuji! RYUJI!" Ren didn't care if he screamed until his voice was hoarse.

"Ren… don't do this to yourself." Ken's voice suddenly cracked. "We can't lose you too."

Ren stared at the burning ship, slumping against Ken. He had always thought when they defeated Shido, they would feel triumphant—at the top of the world.

But now… he just felt empty.

---

The return to the real world… was silent. But then Futaba suddenly started to sob, breaking the silence as she buried her face into her hands.

Ren just felt… numb. Utterly numb.

"Ryuji-kun…" Haru sniffled, wiping at a tear from her eye.

Haru uttering Ryuji's name suddenly sent everything crashing down for Ren. His legs turned into jelly, and he fell to his knees.

"No… Ryuji…" he choked out, feeling hot tears sting at his eyes before spilling down his cheeks.

He couldn't… he's not dead!

He felt Anne wrap her arms around him, but Ren hardly registered it. Or Futaba and Haru's quiet sobbing.

Ryuji was with him from the very start. They had gone into the Metaverse together, just the two of them. Despite his original hostile attitude, Ryuji had wanted to protect him from Kamoshida.

Ryuji had been the first person to believe his story.

"I feel like we're gonna get along just fine as troublemakers."

He still could remember Ryuji flashing that lopsided grin at Ren.

How many days had they spent together, just goofing off? Ryuji had been for him, thick or thin. No matter what.

And Ryuji was suddenly ripped away because he was trying to save them.

The tears couldn't stop coming. Ren ripped away his glasses, so the tears flowed freely. He couldn't help but let out a sob. Why? Why? Why was it after they finally secured a victory against Shido… they had to lose Ryuji?

He turned, burying his face against Anne's chest. He clung to her, desperate for the reassurance that he hadn't lost her as well. He could feel Anne's tears sprinkling in his hair as she cried for their lost friend as well.

Slowly he raised his head. Yusuke looked in complete shock, but he had an arm around Haru's shoulders as she quietly wept. Futaba was crying too, her face red and blotchy, but Makoto was trying to comfort her; she had her arm around the younger girl, even as tears silently trickled down her cheeks.

Morgana had his back turned away from everyone with his small frame hunched over, he didn't make a sound the whole time.

"It's like Minato-san."

Ken had a haunted look in his eyes.

"Ken…?" Makoto took a step towards him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"It was during the final battle against Nyx. Nyx's mere presence was crushing us, but Minato-san went to go fight Nyx by himself. We couldn't do anything." Then Ken's hand clenched into a fist before he squeezed his eyes shut, a single tear escaping his eye. "And we couldn't do anything to help Ryuji either! I should've gone instead!"

"No, please, Ken-kun… don't feel bad!" Haru pleaded, pulling away from Yusuke. "It would've been just as bad if we lost you! Ryuji-kun… he wouldn't…"

She suddenly pressed a hand against her mouth, her eyes becoming glossy before a fresh wave of tears came. She dropped her hand before she started to sob once again.

Ren swallowed hard. "Haru's right. Ryuji took the jump because he loved us and wanted to ensure our safety. It's not right to second guess that."

"W-What about the Treasure?" Morgana finally spoke up, his back still turned away

Ren slowly unclenched his fist. A golden pin glimmered in his palm. It was tiny… maybe six or seven centimeters.

"A legislator's pin," Makoto murmured out.

Ken muttered, "You have got to be kidding me."

All of this… for a stupid pin…

Ren was tempted to drop the pin and crush the stupid thing under his heel. He didn't give a shit about what made Shido the person he was today. But that pin was a reminder of all the innocent lives snuffed out—people who got caught up in the backlash of the mental shutdowns and psychotic breakdowns, Futaba's mom, and Ryuji.

But destroying this pin wouldn't bring back Ryuji. The thought just made Ren want to break down all over again.

Yusuke grimaced. "I'm just… concerned about telling Sakamoto-san."

Just mentioning Ryuji's mom made Ren feel sick. How could he face her with the news? Ryuji always talked about how much his mom loved him. How could he break her heart with the news?

Makoto bit her lip. "I don't even know what to say to her…"

Would they even have a body to bury? Ren didn't even know if he wanted to see the body. How would it even look? Would it be too charred for them to recognize Ryuji? The mere thought made Ren want to throw up.

"Ryuji was a hero," Anne sniffled and raised a hand to wipe at the tears in her eyes. "I'm just sorry that he won't know that…"

Morgana's ears drooped as he looked to the ground.

Morgana finally turned around to face them. His blue eyes were filled with sadness.

His voice was sorrowful when he spoke up once again. "I never said it… but sometimes Ryuji could be pretty cool."

Futaba gave a little nod. "Yeah…"

Morgana started to sniffle a little as Futaba bent down to scoop him up and squeeze him. He was obviously too sullen to protest at how tightly Futaba was hugging him, pressing him right against her chest.

Ren made a small sound but then a familiar voice suddenly gave him a heart attack.

"Can I get that in writing?"

"RYUJI!?" Anne sputtered out.

Ren whipped around to see that his best friend was very much alive and well. Though there were scratches on his face. Ren's heart pounded hard against his chest—he couldn't breathe. Ryuji… he made it out okay? He was alive?

Ryuji blinked at Anne before scratching the back of his head. "Huh? Why are you crying? You look like a total mess. Did someone die or what?"

Anne's eye twitched for a moment and Ren could see the moment when Anne's temper snapped.

"Ryuji, you insensitive BASTARD!" Anne screeched out, stomping up to him.

She seized him by the lapels of his blazer, shaking him hard, hard enough to make him resemble a bobblehead. Ryuji's face had gone pale, but Anne wasn't done.

"We thought you died, and you go and make stupid jokes like that?!" she ranted, still shaking him hard. "You're such a dummy! You IDIOT!"

Anne would've probably kept shaking him if Makoto hadn't come to Ryuji's rescue and pried Anne's hands away, drawing the still fuming Anne from Ryuji. But Ryuji looked shell-shocked.

"Huh?! Why did you think I died?!" Ryuji sputtered out.

"Ryuji, you're such a jerk! You make fun of us for crying but it was for you!" Futaba was suddenly in Ryuji's face—at least the best she could with her being over a head shorter than him.

"How could you be so thoughtless?!" Haru cried out.

"Guys… help?" Ryuji begged as the girls (minus Makoto) continued to yell at him for his dumb joke. "Yusuke? Ken?!"

"This is your punishment," Yusuke said gravely.

"I'm not touching this with a three-meter pole," Ken deadpanned, folding his arms over his chest.

"Traitors!" Ryuji whimpered out before looking desperately to Morgana. "Come on, you think I'm cool now, right?"

"I ACTUALLY SHED TEARS OVER YOU, ASSHOLE! HOW DARE YOU SCARE ME LIKE THAT, INCONSIDERATE JERK!" Morgana shouted as tears were still flowing freely.

"So you DO care, Mona?" Ryuji snickered, only to gulp as the girls glared dangerously at him.

"SHUT UP!"

"So Mona's a traitor like the rest…" Ryuji muttered out, only to look at Ren with hopeful eyes. "But RenRen, you'll save me from their wrath? Right?!"

Ren slowly raised his eyes to meet Ryuji's. He moved, pushing the girls aside.

"Thanks dude—" Ryuji began to say only to sputter as Ren suddenly threw his arms around Ryuji.

"You idiot… you goddamn idiot!" Ren squeezed Ryuji even tighter. "Don't you dare put us through that crap again, got it?!"

Behind him, Morgana let out a cough. "Um… Ren? Ryuji's kinda turning blue."

Ryuji gasped for air as Ren finally released him. "Jeez, I didn't think you'd miss me that much."

"Of course we'd miss you, you idiot!" Ken suddenly pushed Ren out of the way, seizing Ryuji by the lapels. His expression was dead serious. "You're our friend! If you died, there would be a gaping hole that nobody else can replace!"

He remembered the way that Ken had talked about Minato-san—how they had assumed that Minato was safe and sound after sealing Nyx. He wondered… if Ken thought about that night a lot.

"Ken…" Makoto said quietly.

"Okay, okay, just don't choke me!" Ryuji begged. "I'm sorry! I just thought a joke would lighten things up!"

Ken finally released him but Ryuji wasn't safe from a tongue lashing. Oh, far from it.

"You thought wrong! That kind of joke isn't funny!" Anne snapped, glaring at Ryuji.

Ryuji backed away from her, cringing slightly.

"Okay, okay! Just stop yelling at me!" Ryuji yelped.

"I'll yell at you for as long as I want! Don't tell me what to do!" Anne snarled at him.

She suddenly tackled him with a hug, squeezing him tight. Futaba then latched onto the two of them. Ren joined them. Then Haru. Then Yusuke. Makoto. Ken. Even Morgana curled around Ryuji's neck.

"G-Guys…" Ryuji sputtered out.

"Don't ever forget how important you are, Ryuji," Ren said quietly. "To us."

"…I won't," Ryuji promised, unusually serious.

Yusuke tilted his head. "How did you even survive that?"

Ryuji frowned at that. "I dunno, man. The blast knocked me off the ship. Next thing I knew, I was lying on some grass."

"You survived… by sheer dumb luck." Ken let out a strained laugh.

"Of course, he did." Morgana chuckled.

"Hey… it wasn't dumb luck!" Ryuji protested.

They eventually let go of their group embrace and Morgana jumped down. But then the cat sighed.

"So… it's back to the waiting game, isn't it?" he asked.

Ren then took in a shuddering breath before giving a nod. "Yeah, but at least Election Day isn't too far away."

"Let's go home," Makoto sighed. "I don't know about you, but tonight's been so exhausting."

All they could do was nod in agreement.

---

Ken was developing a headache. And it had nothing to do with the intense fight with Shido.

It was Minako-san and Junpei-san speculating if he was a 'furry' or a 'weirdo in a tux and cape'.

"Ken, why are you making such a weird face?" Futaba suddenly piped up.

Ken grimaced. Futaba would not let it go if he fessed up.

He was walking with Ren and Futaba back to Leblanc, since Shinjiro-san should be around there to keep an eye out on Sakura-san. It was a relief to do so, though he could go without his senpai talking about what he was wearing in the Metaverse.

"Must've been something funny," Ren mused.

Ken glowered at Ren for the crack, but Morgana suddenly coughed.

"Come on, Leblanc is just ahead! Sojiro has probably been worried sick!"

Ken's gaze flicked back and forth. He wondered where Shinjiro-san was. Maybe in the actual café?

Futaba pumped both of her fists. "Let's go! Maybe Sojiro can whip up some curry for all of us! A victory meal!"

"You and your bottomless pit of a stomach," Ken sighed.

Futaba pulled a face at him before crying out, "Last one to Leblanc is a rotten egg!"

She broke into a run.

"You're not partaking in this, are you…?!" Morgana let out a yowl as Ren started to sprint.

Ken snorted to himself before chasing after his two friends. He did feel… lighter, knowing that Shido would soon confess to his crimes and they had ensured the safety of everyone.

He and Ren had made it to Leblanc within seconds of each other. It took Futaba a bit longer to make it and she gave them a sulky look.

"Cheater!" Futaba grumbled out in between her pants.

"If anything, we gave you a handicap, Futaba," Ren said teasingly. He then opened the door, calling out, "Hey Sojiro, we're b…ack."

Futaba gasped loudly at the sight before their eyes.

Cafe Leblanc was a complete mess. The containers Sakura-san kept his high-quality coffee beans in were thrown to the ground, the coffee beans spilling out. There were some smashed up plates lying on the floor. Stools overturned. It looked almost like the place was ransacked.

"What the hell happened?" Ren asked, his eyes widened.

"Sojiro!" Futaba whimpered out, wringing her hands; she suddenly grabbed Ken's sleeve, her eyes wide with fear. "Ken, what about Shinjiro-san! You said that he'd…"

Ken had a sinking feeling that… something had happened to Shinjiro-san too.

Morgana said urgently. "Ken, try to call Shinjiro! Maybe Boss told him to get out?"

Ken bit his lip before he nodded. He pulled out his phone. He had just pulled up his contacts when he heard a voice behind him.

"I still don't know how we got released but I sure as hell ain't complaining."

Ken whirled around. "Shinjiro-san!"

Then he stopped and stared. He didn't expect Niijima-san to be here as well.

"What… what's Sae doing here too?" Morgana sounded flabbergasted.

Sakura-san let out a weary sigh. "Uh… we might have been caught in some trouble. Niijima was kind enough to offer us a ride back."

"Some trouble?!" Futaba squawked out. "First Ryuji and now you?!"

She then threw her arms around her adoptive father and squeezed him in a hug. Sakura-san looked taken aback at that, but he patted her on the head with an awkward smile.

Shinjiro-san frowned. "What about Sakamoto?"

"Never mind that!" Ken snapped. "What happened?"

"Long story short—Shido's men tried to arrest me. Aragaki tried to help me but ended up decking one of them. So they arrested him for assault and battery and took me into custody for questioning," Sakura-san sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.

Ken's mouth dropped open. "You got arrested?!"

"Was bound to happen," Shinjiro-san said dryly, folding his arms over his chest. "Besides, Shido's toadies deserved it and more."

"Shinjiro-san!" Ken rubbed his forehead; he could feel a headache coming on. "Don't joke about that kind of thing!"

Sakura-san cracked a smile. "He has a mean right hook. Gave one of Shido's men a pretty impressive black eye.

"Asshole deserved it…" Shinjiro-san muttered.

Ren let out a low whistle. "Damn. Makes me wish for a picture."

Sakura-san just chuckled, shaking his head.

"You and me both." Then Sakura-san looked at Niijima-san before rubbing the back of his neck for a moment. "Though I was surprised that Niijima did try to vouch for us."

"You tried to get Sojiro and Shinjiro-san out of jail?" Futaba gasped, her eyes growing wide.

Sakura-san just nodded before giving Niijima-san an apologetic smile. "Sorry that you ended up getting arrested too."

Niijima-san simply shook her head before a smile twisted at her lips. "It was the least I could do. After all the grief I put you through…"

Sakura-san just gave a wave of his hand before cracking a smile. "It's all water under the bridge now. Especially with how you tried to help us."

"But how did you get out?" Morgana asked.

"That's the weird thing," Shinjiro-san said, rubbing his neck now. "Things were going a little crazy, people were panicking 'bout something to do with Shido, and they just… let us go. Said they had bigger fish to fry. Whatever… it got us free at least."

Ken frowned at that. Were they worried about Shido's change of heart? Were they truly that desperate to just… let them go?

Futaba scowled before stomping her foot. "Don't joke about stupid stuff like that! Ryuji joked about that stupid thing and now you?!"

"Sakamoto-kun?" Niijima-san frowned. "Did something happen?"

Ren sighed. "Something went weird with the Palace. It was self-destructing before we even touched the Treasure. Ryuji risked his neck to get us to safety and we thought he had died when the ship exploded."

Niijima-san let out a little gasp, pressing a hand to her mouth. Sakura-san's breath hitched before his eyes lowered to the ground. Shinjiro-san glanced at Ken, balling his hands.

"Is he okay now?" Shinjiro-san asked.

Ken rubbed the back of his neck. "I think the girls put the fear of God in him but otherwise… he's okay."

Morgana snorted. "You should've seen him, begging for help."

"I'm glad to hear that." Niijima-san paused for a moment. "A-Ah, I meant that he's okay, not that the girls apparently frightened him…"

Shinjiro-san rolled his eyes. "We get it Niijima."

Niijima-san glared at him briefly. "But anyways, I should get going. I don't want Makoto to wait any longer for me. Please excuse me."

Without another word, she hurried out of the café. A part of Ken wondered if she was running off so fast because she was worried about how Makoto was doing. If that was the case, he was glad. He hoped Makoto wasn't worried about Niijima-san; she had been stressed enough already.

"Helloooo? Earth to Ken? Have you come back from lala-land?"

Ken snapped to attention at Futaba's voice. He winced.

"Sorry… was just thinking."

"You must be pretty tired," Sakura-san commented. "I think you should hit the hay."

Ken blinked. "Shouldn't we help clean up?"

Sakura-san just waved a hand in dismissal. "Nah, it's fine. I have these two to help me."

He gestured to Ren and Futaba, but Ren snorted.

"So we're just free labor, huh?" he asked.

"Three people is enough to clean up this mess, quit whining about it," Sakura-san said with narrowed eyes.

Shinjiro-san rolled his eyes before turning to Ken. "Let's go home then, Ken. Since Sakura says he'll be fine with this."

"See you, Ken," Ren said, raising a tired hand.

He removed his glasses, wearily rubbing at his eyes. Ken didn't blame him for being tired.

"Bye Ken!" Futaba seconded.

"Get some rest!" Morgana added. "You deserve it."

Ren put his glasses back on his face, shooting Morgana an amused smirk. "Ah, the return of Mom-na."

"Shut up, Ren!" Morgana grumbled.

"Sheesh, he's worse than both Minako and Iori," Shinjiro grumbled as they stepped outside.

Ken huffed. "At least he's not as bad as Teddie-san."

"Ugh, there's nothing worse than those stupid bear puns," Shinjiro-san groused.

The door slammed behind them, and they started to walk towards the station. The icy wind stung at Ken's cheeks and he drew his blazer tighter around him. Shinjiro-san tugged at his scarf, adjusting it so that it fit more snugly around his neck.

The walk to the station was quiet. He wondered if Shinjiro-san was more bothered by his arrest than he was letting on.

"Um… Shinjiro-san? Are you okay?" he asked tentatively.

Shinjiro-san was silent for a moment.

"Yeah… it's just been a tiring night. It was really nerve wracking, just waiting to see what would happen."

Ken slowly exhaled. "I'm sorry. I asked you to come here tonight."

"It's fine, Ken. Besides the men were threatening Sakura. It'd be… wrong to ignore it," Shinjiro-san said in a low voice.

He was speaking quietly because he assumed that there might be other of Shido's men, lurking about. Shinjiro-san slowly turned to look at Ken.

"I've had a lot to think about, since you insisted on taking… Mitsuru's request. That it's wrong to just… look away. I was willing to do that if you didn't want to take the mission."

Ken swallowed hard. "Shinjiro-san…"

Shinjiro-san sighed, rubbing the back of his head.

"With you getting involved with… your friends, it made me realize that if you want change, it has to start with you." He then awkwardly cleared his throat. "But uh, come on. It's cold. Let's get you home."

Without another word, he adjusted his scarf and picked up his pace. Ken had to hasten to keep up with Shinjiro-san but it was better than how he had to run to keep up with the others when he was a kid.

Fortunately, they had come at the right time, and they were able to board the train in Shibuya within minutes of their arrival. It wasn't long before they arrived at the station and could walk home. It was quiet though, which Ken was grateful for. Maybe Shinjiro-san was keeping quiet because of how tired Ken was.

Koromaru's joyful barks greeted them as they entered the penthouse. But then Koromaru stopped short at Ken's feet, and he sat down, letting out a small whimper.

Ken let out a tired laugh, kneeling to pet Koromaru on the head.

"I'm okay, boy. Just worn out, that's all."

Shinjiro-san looked at him carefully as Ken slowly rose to his feet.

"How did it go exactly?" he inquired.

Ken sighed, rubbing at his face. "Well… it was certainly a hard fight."

Ken pursed his lips, pondering how to phrase the next part.

"He had… a cognitive Akechi. It was bothering me earlier on why we hadn't encountered Shido's cognition of Akechi but… I have my answer now."

His mouth went dry as he recalled the fight with the cognitive Akechi. His mind drifted to the real Akechi. Was he even aware of what they had done?

He was glad that Akechi hadn't tried to interfere. They had their hands full enough with trying to fight Shido.

But even so… he couldn't help but wonder where Akechi was. Had Shido found him?

He absently rubbed his shoulder, the one where he had been shot. Fortunately, it had been in the Metaverse, so his shoulder was just sore.

"Okay… what's bothering you now?" Shinjiro-san asked, eyebrow raised.

Ken sighed. "I'm just… thinking of where the real Akechi is. The next step is trying to find him right?"

Shinjiro-san just shook his head, clicking his tongue in disapproval. "Don't let your imagination go wild like that. You beat Shido—that's enough for now."

Ken managed a small smile. "I'll try, Shinjiro-san."

Shinjiro-san nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Don't want you to get gray hair outta stress."

Ken snorted. "Aren't you always complaining how Minako-san will give you gray hairs?"

Shinjiro-san smirked at that. "Well with how you talk about Amamiya, Sakamoto, and Sakura—you're already getting some gray hairs. Just trying to prevent more from happening."

Ken let out a chuckle. "Yeah, yeah…"

Koromaru tilted his head at Ken as he stepped around the shiba inu. But then he paused at Shinjiro-san's next words.

"But seriously, Ken, are you okay? Sakura mentioned something with Sakamoto…"

Ken bit his lip before slowly turning to face his guardian.

"Like we said… we thought Ryuji had died." He then tried to force a smile on his face. "But he's okay! He somehow survived…"

"It doesn't mean you still can't be scared, Ken," Shinjiro-san said.

Ken sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead. How could he begin to describe the pure terror that had spiked in him when the ship exploded?

Thinking that Ryuji had died in the Metaverse, blown to smithereens.

"It was just… scary. Thinking that we had lost him, and we couldn't do anything about it," Ken said finally.

Shinjiro-san slowly exhaled.

"This is about Minato."

It was a statement, not a question. So all Ken could do was give a nod. At his confirmation, Shinjiro-san gave a sigh.

"Ken… things won't turn out like with Minato. You'll be able to relax once Shido has confessed. So try not to stress yourself out with this shit."

Ken tried to force himself to smile. "Okay, Shinjiro-san… I'll try."

Shinjiro-san nodded. "Good. You should get some rest, alright?"

Ken just nodded. "I'll try."

The election was just a few days away… He hoped that Shido would confess to all of his crimes soon…

"Sir! Sir!"

Someone was calling out to Masayoshi.

He blinked several times, his vision slowly sharpening. He looked up to see several men looking at him, all of their faces filled with worry. The man in the lab coat was nervously wringing at his hands.

They were all his allies… seeking some of the power that Masayoshi had sought.

Everything that he had done for the past two decades suddenly crashed down on him. Guilt suddenly twisted in his stomach; he felt nauseous.

"W-What have I done?" he choked out.

All of those lives he had snuffed out… they were gone because of him.

The others began to talk in rapid-fire. They were talking about some medicine and taking him to a hospital… but Masayoshi didn't care about that.

He needed to fix this, atone for all of his mistakes!

Masayoshi couldn't help but let out a muffled sob. His allies' conversation faded away. All he could focus on was his horrible guilt.

What kind of monster had he become?

He didn't even care as he was forced to stand up. His secretary was talking about something regarding a hospital stay, that Masayoshi wasn't feeling well…

"Of course I don't feel well! You know what I've done, haven't you?" Masayoshi demanded.

His secretary blanched at Masayoshi's words and he swallowed hard. "S-Sir, you're sick. You don't know what you're talking about."

The assemblyman clicked his tongue. "It's even worse… we can't let anyone near Shido-san!"

Nobody was listening to him. Was this karma for all of his horrible deeds?

A plan began to formulate in his head… If they wouldn't let him speak up his crimes now, he would just wait. At his speech for when he wins the election. That was just a few days away… he had just to bide his time until then.

---

Saturday, December 17th, 2016

---

Ren was feeling restless. There was only one day left until the election…

"What are we going to do today?" Morgana asked.

Ren tried to think. He had… nothing to do really. Maybe he could spend some time with Anne or something today…

With that thought in mind, Ren began to descend the stairs. Sojiro met his eyes but before either could say anything, the elderly customers' conversation caught Ren's attention.

"Didn't the Phantom Thieves die? I thought we were safe from them now."

Ren's hands had been stuffed in his pockets because of the chill in the air but Ren was doubly glad now—he could mask his hands now balled into fists.

The elderly man was still talking. "And then, there's that calling card… Shido-san denied any of it was true though."

The elderly woman sighed. "I wonder if Shido-san is okay… I'm worried, with the elections so close."

He knew that Shido hadn't confessed yet but what the hell?! Ren couldn't help but feel troubled, especially with how callously the man was talking about how the Phantom Thieves being 'dead'.

The elderly man then let out a gusty sigh. "I don't know what to believe anymore."

Sojiro suddenly leaned in close, a conspiratorial smile forming on his face.

"You should've seen everyone's faces. They lost it," he said in a whisper.

"But Sojiro… just listen to them!" Ren whispered, unable to stifle the wave of anxiety that hit him.

What if… their work had been all for nothing? What if they were still in danger from Shido and his conspiracy?

He… didn't want to fail everyone. They were counting on him.

Sojiro frowned. "Ren, try to relax a little. Shido hasn't confessed yet."

Ren took a deep breath. "…Okay."

He really hoped Sojiro was right. They needed Shido to go down so that everyone could be safe.

Maybe… it wouldn't hurt to look around, though.

He ended up wandering through Yongen-jaya and what he heard… wasn't good. He hid behind a wall as he listened to a different older couple discuss Shido.

"It's surprising to hear that the Phantom Thieves had actually targeted Shido," the man said.

His female companion let out a little hum. "I'd say Shido's odds of winning are eighty to ninety percent. There's no way he'd lie."

Ren bit his lip.

"I knew you'd agree. Just by looking at his eyes, you can tell that he's trustworthy. Who can we believe in, if not him? What the Phantom Thieves were claiming is nothing but nonsense."

"Isn't it strange though? I thought the leader had died."

"Who knows? I feel I can't trust anyone but Shido…"

Ren clenched his fists before turning on his heel. He had heard enough.

What was with this garbage?! Did everyone in Tokyo believe this?!

Were their efforts all for nothing after all then?

"Ren! REN!" Morgana shouted. He had poked his head out of Ren's bag and was staring sternly at Ren now. "Ren, you're panicking about something that's not even true."

"But—" Ren squeezed the strap of his bag like it was a lifeline. "Morgana, I don't want everything to be all for nothing."

"It's not going to be. Look, Shido will have to face the music. He will turn himself in."

Morgana spoke so surely. But Ren looked sadly at him.

"I hope you're right, Morgana," he said.

They couldn't afford for Morgana to be wrong…

---

TYR

Arcana: Justice

Level: 66

Elements: Bless, Gun, Healing

Blocks: Bless

Resists: Psy

Weakness: Curse

Spells: Makougaon, Kougaon, Mediaharan, Diaharan, One Shot Kill, Marakunda, Bless Boost, Samarecarm

---

Happy 2022 everyone! So sorry about the wait. Writing the last part of the fight went through a couple drafts, so it took longer than I expected. And yes, I decided to move Shido's cognition of Akechi to his boss fight. I felt it makes more sense. And Cog!Akechi has a black mask, to fit what the game establishes of Shido and his Palace.

As always, many thanks to my beta, angelrin89. She made some nice tweaks in this chapter. I don't know what I'd do without her!

I also adjusted the part with Sojiro a bit, I wanted to emphasize Sae's change of heart. And speaking of tweaks! I adjusted the infamous Ryuji scene a lot. It was aiming to be more slapstick but it comes off as tonedeaf. I hope you like my version better than the original. And the last scene was inspired by some NPC dialogue you can eavesdrop on after beating Shido.

I also decided to move the Shido confession to the next chapter. I feel it fits better and will let you guys breathe a little. I also plan on showing Akechi's reaction to the aftermath of this chapter in the next chapter! But Chapter 51 will still cover a big chunk of the Mementos arc! We're in the home stretch guys!

I would like to note that I will be writing for Shuann Week, as per usual, so things will be a bit slower. But I have the next chapter outlined so I hope to update again before Shuann Week runs during April. Until next time guys! Would love to hear your thoughts on the chapter to help motivate me ;)