bopdog111: Well this came as a suggestion by our artist friend StardustLive5.
Ulrich362: True, and not only has he helped us a lot the idea was actually a pretty interesting one.
bopdog111: We will also be included Royal elements in it too AKA Crow survives, and Sumire stays in the team.
Ulrich362: True, Bopdog has said before that he dislikes Crow's ultimate fate and it is possible he does survive somehow... at least it seemed like he did.
bopdog111: Along that Sumire wasn't present cause she had practice during the events of Strikers.
Ulrich362: True, well with that said let's get started with this one. Enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimers: We don't own anything but OCs.
It was a peaceful evening in Shibuya. It had been 1 year ever since the Phantom Thieves had defeated the AI known as Emma who had become the Demiurge, and managed to rescue Society once more from ultimate corruption. Right now everyone is gathering at Cafe LeBlanc for a surprise party for Akira's next return.
They include Ryuji Sakamoto, and Ann Takamaki, two Graduates who are some of the founding members of the Phantom Thieves, Yusaku Kitagawa, the group's Calling Card expert, Makoto Niijima, and her sister Sae, both a skilled strategist, and attorney of law, Futaba Sakura, there skilled hacker, Haru Okumura, there leading specialist towards big shots, Sojiro Sakura, Akira's caretaker, and Smurie Yoshizawa, there Athlete Trainer along with Zenkichi, and his daughter Akane along with a surprise visit by Kuon Ichinose, and Sophia.
Now their all setting up the large party to celebrate Akira's next return back to Shibuya to figure out what to do next since Akira made a decision to move out of his hometown, and move to somewhere but decided to stop by in Shibuya before heading down as it is an hour away from where his new home will be at.
"He should be here any minute right?" Ryuji asked.
A ping on Kuon's phone showing Sophia had been announced, "Akira's signal has been reached by me. He just got off his train. It won't be long before he comes."
"It's been too long since we've all gotten together." Haru smiled. "It's just like old times, only even better."
"That's true, I wish I could have gone with you on your trip across Japan but well... I had to keep up with my practice." Sumire admitted.
"Ah no worries they had me, and Sophia here." Zenkichi assured her with a smile. "Besides I owe a lot to them for helping me out."
"You, and me both." Kuon agreed with a nod of her head.
"Hey ma-" Ryuji froze seeing who it was.
It wasn't Akira. But someone else as he stepped forward asking, "Sorry, is there a spot for one more guest?"
"Akechi-kun?" Sumire asked shocked seeing him.
Indeed it was Goro Akechi who is wearing his Detective Prince Uniform as he greeted with a smile, "It's been quite a while Phantom Thieves, and I can see the new allies you had made while I was gone."
"Wait, but I thought you died after we took back our own reality... you vanished after the battle." Makoto recalled.
"Well yes, I thought so too... but as it turned out, I did survive after the mess in Shido's Palace." Akechi confirmed with a nod. "I didn't come sooner cause I ended up facing doing time, and gotten rehabilitated. I even scheduled a therapist even if he was skeptical about it but I managed to talk to him about my past, and told me that I'm ready to face the music with you all."
"I see, well I'm certain he would be very happy to see you're doing well." Makoto nodded at that.
Akechi nodded before turning noticing the new guests, "Oh, I believe you must be the new allies in the Phantom Thieves."
"Indeed, welcome back. I'm Zenkichi Hanisegawa, one of the new members." Zenkichi introduced to him with a smile.
"And I'm Kuon Ichinose, the creator of EMMA." Kuon said with a smile.
A ping on Kuon's phone had her turn it allowing Akechi to see Sophia. "Please to meet you Akechi-kun, I'm Sophia."
Zenkichi then gestured over in front of him at the booth. "And that's my daughter Akane."
Akechi turned over seeing Akane as he bowed politely to her, "Well good to meet you Akane."
"Haru, do you mind lending a hand getting the coffee ready?" Sojiro asked her. "We have more guests than I was expecting."
"Of course, Boss." Haru nodded walking behind the counter helping Sojiro.
While she was busy Akechi turned back saying to them, "Well I guess we have quite a bit to talk about right?"
"Maybe another time, this is to celebrate Akira coming back." Makoto answered.
They all nodded eagerly awaiting Akira's arrival.
Meanwhile...
A young man stepped out of the train holding a bag, and phone in one hand. It was Akira who is now back at Shibuya coming in for a night before moving to his new hometown. He looked around smiling before asking his bag, "Even after a year like before, nothing has really changed. Has it Morgana?"
"That's what makes it feel like home." mentioned a voice from his bag. "I wonder if boss is expecting us."
"Knowing the events from last year, I don't doubt it." Akira said walking while remembering the directions from his memory from his first time living in Shibuya.
Just then a tune was heard as he looked seeing a large screen displaying a alternate reality as a flashy announcer called, "Can't wait to take Dueling to the next level! Then head over to the Den City extravaganza event where Link VRAINS will be showing the fantastical duel between the top two Charisma Duelists Gore, and Blue Angel in one epic match of the century!"
A tanned man with a gold harness, and a white dressed blue haired angel girl was displayed in poses with a timer showing 2 days away while Akira stared at it.
"Another advertisement, those two are almost as famous as we were." Morgana admitted.
"And just think Den City is also gonna be our new hometown." Akira agreed at that before saying, "Well I'm just glad that this Link VRAINS isn't the Meta-Verse or we would call the Thieves all over again."
"Once a Phantom Thief always a Phantom Thief." Morgana mentioned with a grin. "Besides, don't tell me you don't miss exploring the Metaverse."
Akira only made a tch with a grin as he kept walking. Eventually he arrived at the ally turning a corner, and blinked seeing something quickly dived into Cafe LeBlanc. That was before he grinned saying to Moragna, "Looks like we have guests with us."
"Then let's not keep them waiting." Morgana grinned.
Akira walked over arriving at Cafe LeBlanc looking at the entrance, and smiled before taking the door handle, and opened the door. "Hello?"
"Welcome back." Ann smiled as everyone waved seeing him.
Akira smiled to everyone as they walked to him before Zenkichi smiled to him, "Hey, it's nice to see you again."
"Hello to you two Zenkichi-san." Akira said with a smile nodding over before looking over seeing Sojiro at the counter, and smiled, "Sojiro-san, I can see your still keeping this Cafe running well."
"I was running this place before you showed up you know." Sojiro smiled.
Akira nodded before noticing the surprise guest, and widen his eyes, "Akechi-kun?"
Akechi smiled walking over while the other Thieves parted ways for him to walk over. "Well it's been a while Akira. I can see you been doing well yourself."
"You too…" Akira admitted looking slightly shocked before smiling. "It's good to see you."
Morgana got out of the bag looking over Akira's shoulder. "Yeah, we sure are glad to see you again too."
"You as well Morgana-chan." Akechi nodded with a smile to him, "Well I figured this day would be the day I reunite after all the trouble we had. My therapist made sure I was ready for the day."
"Well I'm glad to make sure what I saw was true before I left back home." Akira admitted with a smile too him. "Or rather former home right now since I am planning to moving someplace, and LeBlanc is only an hour away from it now instead of like half a day."
"Well you're here now so we can celebrate." Ryuji grinned.
"Indeed, let us begin the festivities." Yusuke agreed with a smile.
Boy did everyone let that happen. Everyone celebrated together starting from Akane showing everyone a card game she made centering around the Phantom Thieves while also promising to have one made for Akechi which he appreciates, and tries to refuse the offer but Zenkichi convinced him otherwise. Next Sojiro presented a new curry recipe for Akira, and shared it with everyone after Akira gave a clear good verdict. Then Sophia, and Kuon told Akira all they had been doing so far including to try looking into Sophia getting an interactive body. And Futaba had set up a video for Akira voicing all there appreciation for them while Yusuke shared that his art piece is getting sold worldwide. At the end of it Haru, Ann, Makoto, and Sae all pitched in at a large cake made for the celebration.
At the end everyone was exhausted but feeling good about it all the same. Then the subject came to Akira's new hometown where he will be living in for now on.
"So the place your staying at... it's called Den City right?" Ryuji asked Akira.
Akira nodded at that with a smile, "That's the place. It's suppose to be home to a new Virtual Reality Network known as Link VRAINS operated, and created by SOL Technologies."
"A virtual reality network?" Futaba asked clearly interested.
"I've heard a little about it, it's apparently incredibly popular in Den City." Kuon noted.
"Well it's suppose to be a Virtual Reality centered around the card game Duel Monsters." Morgana voiced while laying on the table, "Akira here knows a bit about that game, and said that it's suppose to take it to the next level. Not to mention these Charisma Duelists that were displayed on a ad while we were heading over here. There almost as famous as the Phantom Thieves."
"Oh yeah, isn't the entire city based around that game? Are you going to be ok there?" Ann asked.
"Yeah, I'll be alright." Akira reached in his back pulling out a Deck of cards with a smile, "I happen to have this handy when I was younger. Besides I'm also applying for a job at SOL Technologies or if that doesn't work out, I have more options."
"Oh, I have an idea." Haru smiled. "If it's only an hour from here why don't we all help you get settled after the party?"
Akira smiled hearing that nodding agreeing to that notion. "Of course. It'll be just like old times sakes."
"Indeed." Yusuke smiled.
Sojiro at that crossed his arms saying, "Well I'm sure you all have a lot to talk about but it's getting late, and it'll be a pretty big day tomorrow. So why don't you all head back, and come here early in the morning to help him getting situated in Den City?"
"Indeed." Sae nodded standing up, "Some of us got to be at work early tomorrow anyway."
"Well sorry, I can't be there but I wish you luck Akira." Zenkichi smiled over to Akira with a wave. "Good seeing ya again, and by the time your address is finalized be sure to send it so we can drop in to visit alright?"
"Sure, I still have everyone's contact information." Akira smiled before everyone but Akechi left.
"Do you have a minute?" he inquired.
Akira looked over to him curious, "Yes Akechi-kun?"
"I never had the opportunity to personally thank you for changing Shido... my father's heart. I suppose better late than never." Akechi admitted. "So, thank you Joker."
Akira smiled to him before saying, "No thank you for the aid you help us with on Maruki, Akechi. And call me Akira." He offered a hand to shake.
Akechi looked at it before nodding and shaking his hand. "Oh, and don't think I've forgotten about my glove, we'll settle things one day. After all you are my rival."
He smirked before leaving Leblanc. Akira stared on before he gave a grin himself, "I'll be waiting Akechi."
"Alright, time to head up and get some sleep. You're going to have a big day tomorrow." Sojiro told him.
Akira nodded walking up, and placing his bag with Morgana down on the bed beside him. "Well here's to a new life Morgana."
"That's true." Morgana nodded.
Akira laid down closing his eyes to get some peaceful sleep.
(Cue Theme: Aria of the Soul)
Akira then suddenly felt a shift. Blinking he looked around only to see a familiar blue room. He sees a prison around with a long nose man, and a blue dressed girl with a large book in her arm. Unlike the last time he was here at the start he isn't in a cell or wearing prison clothes.
"Welcome to the Velvet Room." the long nosed man stated with a grin.
"It's been a while my trickster." the girl added with her own smile.
"Igor-san. Lavenza-chan." Akira greeted with a smile himself.
Igor said to him, "Sorry to have brought you here but not to worry, you aren't a Prisoner of Fate for a third time. I summoned you here for a different reason."
"Is everything alright?" Akira asked him.
"At the moment things are. However news chains are being unshackled cause pretty soon a new guest will make his presence here." Igor answered, "A prisoner of fate like yourself however his own heart has been closed off by his own merit."
"Closed by his own merit?" Akira asked surprised. "What do you mean? A Palace Ruler?"
"It's something worse." Lavenza said to him before explaining. "At the moment he has no Shadow, no hidden side on horrendous acts. However his heart is closed cause of a experience he was too young to experience himself, and he closed it off due to feeling like his life is shorter from the experience."
Akira blinked before nodding. "Then, should the Phantom Thieves try to help him?"
"Indeed cause I fear that if this continues his future will be forever lost." Igor said to him before saying, "Right now he is working on revenge against those who done the experience to him but I trust you aid him opening his heart. He is full of potential but unless you get him out of his mindset he will be lost as a Prisoner of Fate."
"I'll do whatever I can." Akira nodded.
"Good. As always our services are open whenever you need them." Igor nodded before saying, "And of course Lavenza will be keeping track of the Personas you made."
"I wish you luck my Trickster. I love you." Lavenza smiled to him.
Akira smiled as the room slowly faded.
The next day...
"So wait, now we have to drive someone out of there shell?" Ryuji voiced on a large bus on the way to Den City after Akira informed them of what he was told.
"If Lady Lavenza said so it must be important." Morgana pointed out.
"So this means we will be staying more then a day." Yusuke said at that before nodding, "Well with the exception of Zenkichi, and Sophia we're all gathered to assist you out in this endeavor."
"Well I'm sure if we need their help they'd try and come." Haru mentioned.
"That said will you be alright Akechi, Sumire? You are out of practice." Ann asked the two worried.
Akechi nodded saying. "Don't worry, I had been keeping my skills sharp in other ways, and besides I still got a score to settle with Akira."
"As for me, I might not have been working as a Phantom Thief but I've been keeping in shape through my gymnastics." Sumire added.
They nodded before then Haru asked Akira, "Well do you know who he is?"
Akira frowned shaking his head. "No, and that's gonna make it hard to find him."
"Just look for someone who's particularly antisocial." Akechi answered. "If what you were told is true and this individual's heart is closed off from others it should be a simple matter to locate him."
"Well that'll be a bit hard to pinpoint since chances are he'll be at school, and will be unavailable most of the day." Ryuji said with the shake of his head.
Before more can be said Makoto announced, "Oh look, I think I see Den City!"
Hearing that they all turned to see the city. They see a pretty average city with a large tower at the center.
"Nothing seems out of the ordinary." Yusuke noted. "Though I am curious what that tower is used for."
"Attention passengers we are arriving in Den City." the Buss Driver announced as they pulled up.
Exiting the bus they looked around walking together seeing it resembles Shibuya a bit but nothing much along with several large screens displaying Link VRAINS.
"That looks pretty intricate, but I wonder if they've planned for people to hack into their network." Futaba noted seeing the screens.
"Knowing the reputation of SOL Technologies, I think there ready in case it happens." Makoto admitted to them as they walked around.
Suddenly a smell entered Ryuji's nose.
"Oh man, what's that smell?" Ryuji asked with a grin.
"We can check after we help Akira get settled." Makoto told him.
"Well I'm sure we need to build our energy so I'm sure we can get something to prepare before then." Akira said to them at that.
"Alright." Ryuji grinned.
They all walked eventually arriving at a food truck where they see two people. One is a blue haired goatte man wearing an apron that is cooking with the name Cafe Nom while the other is a blue haired teenager wearing a school uniform seemed to be working on paper.
"Allow me." Akechi mentioned walking up. "Pardon me, may I ask what you're selling?"
"Hm?" the older man looked up seeing him as he smiled, "Oh new customer?" At Akechi's nod the man answered his earlier question, "Hot Dogs, Coffee Browines, and Coffee. And sometimes when the mood strikes I prepare a special too. I'm in the mood now since I feel it will be a good day today."
He then cleared his throat before saying to him, "Sorry, welcome to Cafe Nom, I'm Cal Kolter, the owner of this Cafe Truck."
"Just nine hotdogs then, how much will that be?" Akechi inquired.
"That'll be 20.70$." Cal smiled to him before asking, "You want any special toppings, or something to drink?"
"No thank you." Akechi nodded. "Do you mind if we sit and wait for the food?"
"Not at all. Maybe give Yusaku some company. He can use it." Cal said gesturing to the blue haired teenager.
At the mention of his name the teenager, Yusaku, looked over at Cal giving him a look before turning back to the paper to keep working.
"I actually have a large group already." Akechi mentioned turning to the others. "We should wait, it won't be too long for the food and then we can get back to moving Akira in."
"Well I'm kinda surprised that a Cafe is in a food truck. Though nothing can compare to LeBlanc, amirite?" Ryuji asked the Thieves.
"You've got that right." Futaba agreed. "Sojiro's curry is the greatest no doubt about it."
"I have to agree, it's delicious." Sumire smiled.
"Well that being said it'll still good to have something close to LeBlanc here." Akira admitted to them.
Just then Morgana jumped out of Akira's bag saying, "Maybe but it wouldn't be the same as Boss's own Cafe works. In theory, but not at all." He then looked over at Yusaku curiously eyeing him as he focused on his work before he asked, "Hey Futaba?"
"Yeah?" she asked curiously.
"I have some suspicions about that guy over there." Morgana said to her turning over, "Unless I'm mistaken what he's writing are what seems like hacking codes."
Futaba's eyes widened. "Should I check?"
"Yes but be careful. He looks on guard." Morgana informed her.
"Just leave it to me." Futaba smiled walking over to him. "Um, excuse me?"
Hearing her he turned over where Futaba sees Yusaku has green eyes looking at her before he turned back to the paper, "Can I help you?"
"Well, hopefully. My friends and I are helping our friend move to the city but we don't really know our way around. I was wondering if maybe you could tell us where to find this place." she mentioned handing him a piece of paper with an address on it while taking the opportunity to check what Yusaku was writing on his own paper.
Yusaku looked checking the piece of paper before he then said, "That's the address where I live at. I can guide you all there." He then asked her, "Now why are you interested in my work?"
"Huh, what are you talking about?" Futaba asked him. "You mean those numbers and letters? It's all greek to me, thanks though."
With that she walked off back to the others. Yusaku stared off suspiciously at this before shrugging getting back to work. Seeing his expression Cal while cooking asked him, "Is something wrong Yusaku?"
"Something about that girl seemed odd." Yusaku admitted to him before shaking his head, "No matter the case, it isn't important either way. We got the Hanoi to worry about."
"Yeah, I know what you mean. But still you might need to let out your shell." Cal said to him. "Or else the Phantom Thieves might come into it."
Yusaku sighed at this before saying, "The Phantom Thieves only target the hearts of people who hidden away lives of crime. Going after someone like me will be against going what they fight for. If they want to change the hearts of criminals they should target the Hanoi. But the Hanoi is our own priority, not their's."
"Still it would help if we get them with us." Cal admitted finishing up. Putting on a smile he announced to the large group, "Order up!"
Akira walked over hearing that before smiling. "Thank you very much, it smells delicious."
"Ah no worries. Come back next time." Cal smiled to him before turning over, "Hey Yusaku, now your turn to be a guide."
"Just make sure my notes don't go anywhere." Yusaku said getting out of his seat, "The address isn't far. Come with me."
They nodded following him. They followed Yusaku around a road. Eventually they arrived at an apartment complex as he turned over to them, "This is the place. See the receptionist for your room number."
"Right and thanks again." Akira mentioned as they walked in and he approached the receptionist. "Excuse me, I'm here to move in. Akira Kurusu."
The receptionist looked up seeing him as he nodded, "Oh, we were expecting you Mr. Kurusu. Here sign here."
He handed Akira a clipboard showing a piece of paper that shows of an agreement between them. Akira took the pen and signed before handing it back.
"Okay your signed in." the receptionist smiled before then saying, "By the way, I noticed you were with Yusaku Fujiki. Are you a friend of his?"
"He was just showing me the way here." Akira answered. "Do you know him?"
"Yes I do, oh the poor lad." the receptionist looked sympathetic. "I let him stay here after he left the orphanage following what happened to him."
"Orphanage?" Makoto asked. "What do you mean?"
The receptionist looked at the entrance before he said to them, "Don't tell him I said this but more people need to know his pain cause he needs friends after what happened. He got involved in a incident 10 years ago when he was only a child. He was kidnapped."
Akira's eyes widened at that. "I... I see, well thank you for letting me know."
The receptionist nodded before handing Akira his room key. "Please help Yusaku move forward. He's been like this ever since that day."
"I'll do what I can." Akira nodded as the group walked up to his room. "Well, looks like we found him."
"I knew there were some suspicions about that guy." Morgana said to him before frowning, "Although, just saying he was kidnapped when he was young isn't much info. Something else must've happened for him to be closed off like that."
"That's true, but we're dealing with a real genius hacker. I only got a brief look but he knows what he's doing." Futaba admitted. "Even I would have trouble tracking him down from the outside."
"Not to mention that Link VRAINS might be included." Yusuke added with a nod. "If we're gonna be dealing with Yusaku then we need to be careful in our steps even more unless people can quickly recognize us."
"Agreed, so what's our next move Morgana-sempai?" Sumire asked him.
Morgana looks puzzled at this before he then shrug, "Well right now, as we don't have the Metaverse we need to take our operations into Link VRAINS. As long as we cover our tracks we should be good."
"Does this mean we will have to learn dueling?" Makoto asked hearing that.
Akira shrugged before saying, "Well Link VRAINS is more then a Dueling Network but I can say that part can't be avoided."
"In that case I'll do my own investigations." Akechi mentioned calmly. "In the meantime perhaps you should get in contact with Kuon Ichinose and Sophia was it? They might be able to provide some advice from their end."
With that he walked to the door only to pause. "The more information we can gather before heading in the better, and the more we can learn about Yusaku the more likely we are to survive his palace."
"His Palace?" Ryuji asked hearing that confused, "But didn't Lavenza said he doesn't have a Shadow, or a hidden self? Then wouldn't that mean he doesn't have a Palace?"
"Well technically but Maruki had a Palace himself despite that so it might be possible Yusaku does have one." Morgana admitted to them. "Still never hurts to check."
Hearing that Ann took out the nav. "Yusaku Fujiki who lives in Den City."
The nav at that searches around before it then chimed, "Candidate Found."
"He's got one, so... now we just need to figure out what his palace is and what the distortion is." Yusuke noted.
They think around before Haru soon gets an idea, "Oh. Maybe his distortion could be he sees something as the same place where he was kidnapped at?"
"It's worth a try." Ann admitted.
"But where exactly was he kidnapped at?" Yusuke asked cupping his chin.
"Futaba can you try to look it up?" Akira asked turning over to the hacker in the group, "I'll call Sophia, and Kuon to see if they can find anything."
"Leave it to me." she grinned taking out her laptop.
While she's doing the time Akira called Kuon dialing her number. Ryuji at that stood up, "Well while you do that why don't we start getting his room situated?"
"Well it beats doing nothing." Ann shrugged.
"I'll be sure to make it aesthetically breathtaking." Yusuke declared.
Meanwhile...
A blue-haired man in a suit was talking to three giant chess pieces.
"So your sure that everything will be ready for tomorrow Zaizen?" the Bishop Chess Piece asked the man as it glowed from speaking.
"Yes, Blue Angel and Gore are both prepared for everything." he nodded. "The duel should go off without any complications."
"Good. And are you making sure nothing, not even the Phantom Thieves are able to access the mainframe?" the Queen Chess Piece questioned him.
"The Phantom Thieves haven't been active for over a year." the man, Zaizen, mentioned. "The last they were heard of was the program EMMA if memory serves but since then its been silent with no record of them."
"Still it doesn't hurt making sure. They been silent before the situation with EMMA popped up so it's possible they might return." the Bishop Chess Piece said to Akira before saying, "Do not disappoint us."
He frowned at that as the chess pieces vanished. "The Phantom Thieves, how am I supposed to anticipate them?"
He walked out just as a woman was waiting as she looked at him, "Mr. Zaizen? Is something the matter?"
"Apparently we're to be on guard in case the Phantom Thieves arrive." he answered frowning. "The inner council believes they might be a threat to Link Vrains."
"The Phantom Thieves? Why would they try to target SOL Technologies or Link VRAINS?" the woman asked confused hearing that.
"I have no idea." he frowned.
"Well I know that you can protect this company from an attack! I believe in you!" the woman voiced over to him confidently.
"I hope you're right." he sighed looking at some screens.
"That being said everything is still looking alright for tomorrow's duel between Gore, and Blue Angel." the woman voiced over to him too, "We're also keeping an eye out for the Ignis."
Akira nodded calmly at that.
Meanwhile...
Akechi was walking for his own leading investigation before noticing Yusaku, and sat down somewhere where he won't be seen intending to listen to a conversation. He was correct in his instincts cause he begins to hear Cal talk to him, "Your being quiet today Yusaku. Is something wrong with you?"
"I am just thinking. It's already been 10 years ever since that incident, and there are still no signs of stopping." Yusaku voiced over to him. "The Hanoi are still at large even if we aren't getting close to figuring out there involvement in the Lost Incident."
"Yeah, Jin's still at the hospital trying to recover but I'm pretty sure you learned about what is his condition." Cal agreed before sighing, "You know I worry about you Yusaku."
"You shouldn't." Yusaku told him simply before stating, "The Lost Incident cut my life short, and now I need to get revenge on the Hanoi for robbing me of my life. Until then I have no future. That's all I am living for."
"Man Yusaku you always tell me how much this means to you." Cal said to him before saying over to him, "But hey can't you at least look forward to what will happen if we do managed to get the Hanoi?"
"It's irrelevant." Yusaku stated simply to him. "I won't lose until I get my revenge. It's all I have because I have no future."
"Alright don't tell me this again Yusaku. Just be careful out there." Cal stated to him which Yusaku stayed silent making Cal sighed while there both unaware Akechi is listening in.
Akechi frowned at that before walking away from them before looking around as he activated the nav.
"Yusaku Fujiki, Hanoi." he whispered.
"Candidate found. Please say the name of the location." the Nav voiced over confirming his suspicions.
"Den City." Akechi stated.
"No candidate found." the Nav said at that.
Akechi frowned. "Lost Incident."
"No candidate found." the Nav said again from that which frustrated him before he takes a breath before his phone starts ringing.
'It can wait a second.' he thought only to notice the screen as his eyes widened. "It couldn't be... Link VRAINS."
"Candidate found, please stand close for navigation." the nav voiced as the world distorted before returning to normal.
Akechi frowned before answering the phone. "Yes?"
"Akechi-san, we checked over the building used for the incident after we found it's called the Lost Incident but checking the Nav it came as negative." Akira voiced over to him before asking, "Any luck on your end?"
"I have all three keywords, though apparently I need to be closer in order to begin our infiltration of the palace... whatever that means, I'm on my way back as we speak." Akechi told him.
"Alright what are the keywords?" Akira asked him with a smile.
"Yusaku Fujiki, Link VRAINS, and Hanoi." Akechi answered.
"Wait Link VRAINS is the location?" Akira asked hearing that before then asking, "And Hanoi? I don't think I heard of that before." He then said to him, "Whatever the case, I'm sure you'll tell us when you arrive. Get here soon Akechi-san."
"Like I said I'm on my way." Akechi told him before hanging up.
Meanwhile...
Akira hanged up before he turned to the Thieves, "Okay so... apparently the location is Link VRAINS itself."
"Wait, so we need to be in this Link VRAINS place to get to the Palace?" Ryuji asked him.
"It's possible." Makoto nodded.
"But the distortion is what confuses me. Akechi-san said it's something called 'Hanoi'." Akira admitted to them.
"Futaba-chan?" Haru asked her.
"Already checking in." Futaba checks over them before blinking, "Huh? Well... Hanoi is not a thing... it's a them."
Hearing that the Phantom Thieves all moved to see what she meant. She turned them where they see a large picture of white robed identical men wearing different colored masks often assaulting various Link VRAINS players often riding on large red mechanical dragons throughout the servers while under the name 'Knights of Hanoi' with several theories, and questions often regarding what there for, and why they are hacking the Link VRAINS servers.
"That's terrible." Ann cried seeing that.
"Those assholes, if anyone needs a change of heart it's them!" Ryuji snapped.
"I get what you feel Ryuji but right now it's Yusaku that needs help from Lady Lavenza's instructions." Morgana reminded him, "We will settle with these Knights of Hanoi another time, right now we need to free Yusaku from his inner shell." His ears then droop. "Although... it can be difficult as we need to access Link VRAINS to even get into his Palace."
"There's an event of some sort tomorrow correct?" Yusuke asked. "Perhaps we could use that as an opportunity to get inside, I'm certain someone would be willing to help in that regard."
"Those Charisma Duelists that were advertised before? It's worth a shot, celebrities like them must have fans in this city." Morgana nodded.
"Well we have time, and my parents gave me enough money for me to use." Akira said to them before he then smiled, "I can get us all enough Link VRAINS equipment for us to go into Link VRAINS all that's left are accounts, and Avatars."
"Right, we'll leave that to you then leader." Ryuji grinned.
"Well equipment wise but you all are free to design your avatars, and accounts." Akira said before he then grinned, "And plus since we're gonna be in Link VRAINS anyway why don't we have our avatars look like our Phantom wear?"
"You expected any different?" Ann asked with a smile. "It wouldn't feel right to look any different."
"Though what about Morgana-chan?" Haru asked worried, "He'll be all by himself since he can't access the VRAINS without one."
"I guess that means I'll have to stay out here and be your guide in the real world." Morgana admitted. "You guys should be able to handle things without me though and I'll be right here if you need anything at all."
"Will you really be alright by yourself?" Makoto asked him.
"I'll be fine, don't worry about me." Morgana smiled. "Besides, I can't always babysit you guys in the Metaverse."
"Well that's because there is no Metaverse this time." Futaba admitted with a shrug, "But hey it just means we can adjust accordingly to adapting."
"Alright, when Akechi gets here we'll figure out our next move." Akira mentioned calmly. "Hopefully we can help Yusaku."
Soon after a minute Akechi arrived back at the room where they informed him that Morgana will be sitting out of this Palace Investigation, and all they need are headsets for the Thieves to access Link VRAINS while also telling them of the Knights of Hanoi while he fills them in about what he heard.
"Wait his life is cut short?" Ryuji asked Akechi confused while Ann, Akira, and Yusuke went out for the headsets.
"Apparently, though if I were to guess it would be more accurate to say he lost part of his life from this incident, though the only way to know for certain is to explore his palace directly." Akechi noted.
"Though what did the Hanoi kidnap him for?" Haru asked feeling sorry for Yusaku.
"We could throw out all kinds of possibilities, but we won't know until we find out for ourselves." Makoto answered frowning. "Hopefully we can help him though."
At that the door was knocked, and Ryuji opened allowing the three with all the headsets, and stuff to be used to access Link VRAINS which is a lot of equipment.
"Whoa, we need all this stuff?" Ryuji asked in shock.
"Well it's only Duel Disks but I figure the headsets would be needed." Akira admitted to them. "Alright lets all test this out, and then create our accounts, and avatars. Though I don't need to say we need to go by our codenames."
They all nodded at that as they put on the equipment. At that everyone readied up calling, "Into the VRAINS!"
Suddenly they feel limb as Morgana blinked seeing everyone basically fell into a hibernated like sleep as it watches.
Meanwhile...
Everyone's brains feels like there being transferred from there minds before eventually they all find themselves in a server looking around seeing themselves in a large white room before screens appeared in front of them asking for there Email Address, and names to use in Link VRAINS. Blinking they all put in their information along with their code names.
Just then they hear music going off before they see white figures with spread arms slowly spinning with options which they realize it's avatar creation.
Seeing that they began creating their avatars to look like their Phantom Thief outfits only for Makoto to pause. "Wait, we might want to alter our avatars so it doesn't look like we're the actual Phantom Thieves... we did show ourselves during the incident with Shido remember, we need to avoid unwanted attention."
"Is that even something to worry about though? We don't reveal our real identities to the public, and besides we would draw attention either way." Ann asked her at that.
"She does have a point though, what do you think?" Akechi inquired turning to Akira.
Akira gives some thought before he eventually shrugged, "We should risk it. It's not like anyone would be able to recognize us right away."
Makoto looked hesitant but nodded as they finished their avatars. After that everyone was transported where they looked around seeing there in a meadow like server.
"Wow, this is... actually really beautiful." Panther admitted.
"Well it's about to get ruined by the Palace." Skull shrugged before turning to Crow who's in his Black Mask form, "You want to do the honors Crow?"
"I'm activating the Nav as we speak." Crow answered.
"Then say the Keywords, Crow-kun." Joker nodded over to him, "We'll go on your mark."
"Yusaku Fujiki, Link VRAINS, Hanoi." Crow stated calmly.
"Beginning navigation."
(Cue Theme: The Vengeful One)
The area around everyone distorted before suddenly something like an Earthquake is felt by the Thieves startling them.
"What's going on?" Fox questioned looking around.
Suddenly Noir notices something, and widen her eyes, "Hey over there!" She pointed in front of them.
Hearing that they all looked where she was pointing. Something was emerging from the ground rising up in front of the Thieves. Eventually when it stopped they blink what there looking at. It seemed to be an abandoned facility building that's built into the ground with some windows, and curved chimneys while there are some stairs, and a road. To make it more ominous it started to rain.
"Well, I'd say we found our Palace." Crow noted.
"What the shit is it though?" Skull asked looking at it confused, "The place looks deserted."
"That's probably the look it wanted to have." Panther shrugged at this.
But Oracle soon gasped, "Hey wait I know this building!"
"Oracle?" Joker asked turning to her. "What is this place?"
Oracle turned over before saying to them, "This is the same building from the news article about the Lost Incident! As in this must be the same building where Yusaku's kidnapped into!"
"So that's it, he was kidnapped and lost a huge part of his life because of that." Skull frowned. "Those assholes."
"Well let's head in, and see what's waiting." Queen said to them readying for this investigation.
"Keep your guard up for Shadows." Joker stated to them as they walked entering the building.
When they walked in almost right away they heard something.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
That sounded like a boy's scream. A scream of pain, agony, and despair.
"What was that?" Queen asked nervously.
"It sounded nearby! Come on!" Noir said as they ran down.
They entered down a lower level eventually they find a large glass window connected to a room. When they looked in there hearts jumped at what their seeing.
It looked like a young roughed up Yusaku wearing a brown jacket, and a headset in the room grunting while sweating profusely. He then gasped in horror as they hear a robotic voice saying, "You lose." Before there very eyes he got electrocuted screaming all the while before collapsing quietly crying.
Seeing that Skull pounded on the window. "Damn it, what the hell are they doing to him!?"
They watch as Yusaku slowly rose up staggering in his step pulling off the headset as something hovered in front of him as he looked seeing all it was is a juicebox. Fighting back tears while seeing this Yusaku quickly pulled the headset back on. Then a different scenario played where Yusaku cried in relief as the voice said, "You win." As he pulled off his headset. The same tray lowered down where instead of just a juicebox is also a tray of preserved food.
Yusaku quickly crawled over eating the food on the trap feverishly like a rapid animal like he was really hungry with tears in his eyes.
"That... he only got food if he won?" Panther asked in shock.
"It would seem so, we should keep moving we have a treasure to find along with his Will Seeds if memory serves." Crow told her. "As painful as that looks we can't change the past."
With that with heavy hearts they pulled away as they quickly lowered down more. During the way they find five more rooms. Four of them are in silhouette with the only other one having hair like Cal's, and upon closer look they see he sorta resembles him. He gave a smile reaching towards something from seeing in the headset before suddenly screaming largely in fear.
Another was a young boy at least by the shape where he screamed from losing, and held his head, "No please! No more! No more Despair from the Dark!"
Another is what is a pig tailed shaped girl screaming from electrocution but managing to win a duel, and eat quietly like her resolve is not stopping her.
Another is another young boy who only started laughing from the torture he's going through like he's gleefully welcoming it.
The last is another shape of a boy doing this quietly while sniffing afraid while dueling where they see he gets electrocuted the least out of the five others.
"This... this is sick." Skull snapped. "Hey, there's a Shadow in here right so come out and tell us what the hell's going on!"
"Skull be quiet your gonna make a scene!" Panther snapped to him with tears like him.
"I don't care! I want to know what the hell those assholes are doing to them! There... there just kids!" Skull screamed with tears in his eyes.
Noir quickly slapped Skull's face yelling, "We know how you feel but please calm down! Yelling isn't gonna help Yusaku!" She then sighed with tears in her eyes. "...We need to keep moving. We won't do anything standing around here."
"The sooner we do this the better. Our answers should be on the next floor." Fox suggested over to them.
Nodding they all continued walking though with heavy hearts after what they had seen.
Ulrich362: ... Is there anything to even say?
bopdog111: The Lost Incident is being played out in there eyes from this.
Ulrich362: True, the worst six months of Yusaku's life... but what else could be waiting in his Palace? And where are the Shadows?
bopdog111: Well it looks like that can be revealed next chapter.
Ulrich362: Makes sense to me, see you in the next chapter.
bopdog111: Be sure to review!