I just set this story up on a whim but nice to see this getting such a response. Thanks to XepadAugustAtax for the reviews.
XepadAugustAtax: I'm glad you like the story. As for that particular subject, I did have an idea of who Namine would fall for later when I started this fic. That might change but...we'll see.
Namine barely concentrated on the walk to school, just going through the motions as her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Specifically, the Velvet Room.
Igor had explained a bit more about the ruin he mentioned. It did indeed relate to the Metaverse. The man himself didn't know how the ruin would take place but he was certain it had to do with something deep in that realm. Something he believed to be the source of all the distortions affecting numerous people out there. It seemed he suspected that one of those people could be used to cause the ruin. It was almost as if them becoming an official team was fated...
Caroline and Justine had admitted to being given more leeway to help her, with the former calling it a few services that would make her grow stronger. Namine had learned about Persona fusion and more about the Confidants, the special bonds or connections she had with certain people.
Her mind had immediately drifted to her friends as the facts fell into place for her. After thinking it over, she knew she actually had one with Igor and Takemi as well. The Confidants would be empowered and help make her heart grow stronger and so she had been advised to spend some free time with them.
''...where have you been exactly? The guy's a complete sleazebag!''
The girl blinked at the voice, looking at the two students walking nearby. The speaker continued ''It might have been mysterious and weird, but I think Kamoshida had it coming. The things he said in that assembly made me want to throw up.''
''I can see where you're coming from. It really is weird right?'' The second student cocked his head. ''I never would have thought he'd be like this...but how'd they make him come clean?''
''Who cares, man? I'm just glad he's out of our hair. We're definitely better off this way.''
''Can't argue with that...''
Morgana poked his head out of the bag ''Looks like we really caused quite a stir around here.''
''I'll say...'' Namine agreed.
The day went fairly normal, though there was no denying the buzz of activity and talk caused by the Phantom Thieves. This was something Ryuji was pretty happy to see and he wasted no time telling his friends as much when he joined them at lunch.
''It's great, you should have heard it before, so many people are glad he's done.'' The former athlete finished.
Ann gave him a look ''You did hear those girls wondering if you and Mishima forced him to confess somehow when we came in, right?''
''Yeah, but who cares what they say?'' Ryuji waved it off. ''Anyway, who should we target next?''
''Lower your voice, idiot!'' Morgana hissed. ''Don't just go talking like this, remember where we are. Don't take it so lightly!''
Ryuji seemed annoyed but Ann spoke up before he could retort, tapping her phone's screen ''He's right. We can't just go with anyone. Especially with how ridiculous most of the requests on the site are.''
Namine craned her neck to look at the screen, noticing how one request asked to change the heart of a person who hadn't returned money he had borrowed two days ago. The requests were indeed more or less about petty grudges and little trouble that could easily be resolved without their interference.
''Yeah, let's just wait for a bit. We have to be careful.'' She ignored Ryuji's groan. ''I wonder who made the Phan-Site though. It's going to be pretty useful for us...''
''Definitely.'' Morgana concurred.
''Oh, so you did see it!'' Mishima approached the group. ''That's good. What do you think? You like it?''
''Yeah, it seems pretty good...'' Ann was curious to see where he was going with this.
''Great! To tell you the truth, I'm the one who made it.''
Ryuji blinked ''Really? I know you're good with computers and stuff but that's impressive.''
''Hehe, thanks! I wanted to help.'' Mishima stated. ''The Thieves really helped us out so I wanted them to know that. It's already working...I mean, it's been you guys all along, right?''
How had he...?
Ann struggled to find her voice ''W-what're you talking about?''
''Yeah, we just...just found out about it by chance, that's all!'' Ryuji said.
Morgana held back a groan, really? They were completely obvious!
Namine was thinking along similar lines but she kept to herself, partly because she wasn't sure she could keep the pretense up better than them at the moment and also because she didn't see the point in trying now.
As they expected, Mishima wasn't affected in the least. ''It's okay...I know you can't talk about this now. The Phan-Site's a way for people's voices to be heard, I set up a poll too.''
''Oh yeah, that thing about people believing in the Phantom Thieves?'' Ryuji clarified.
He nodded ''It's already at six percent. You saw how a lot of people thanked you for stopping Kamoshida, it just shows how much your efforts meant to us all. That's just all the more reason for me to want to keep this thing going!''
Namine gave an amused look ''Just do what you want, Mishima-kun. Somehow I don't think we'd be able to stop you.''
''All right, I'll keep supporting the Phantom Thieves then!'' He returned brightly.
I am thou, thou art I
Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion
That breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Moon Arcana,
I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and a new power...
Sojiro looked back to see Namine coming out of the kitchen, having finished cleaning it all up. ''Thanks for the work, you didn't have to do all that.''
''It's okay, I don't mind.''
''Actually, since you're here...'' Sojiro took out a key and gave it to her. He had been meaning to do this for a while. ''...I keep spares for the cafe just in case. No need to wait for you to come back everytime, I think you can handle a little more responsiblity now anyway.''
''Oh, thanks.''
''Well, for all the bad reputation you get, you're much like Yuri and Itsuki told me.'' Sojiro remarked, thinking he was just being fair. ''Speaking of which, sounds like you did real nicely by your friends and that Suzui girl. Good going, I'd say that had to take some real guts.''
''I'm just glad it all worked out, thanks again.'' Truthfully, the incident had been rather nervewracking as Namine was afraid she would fail to talk Shiho out of it. But she couldn't stand back and do nothing either.
''Someone might as well say that,'' He said with a shrug. ''It sounds like the school's just all too happy to play ostrich, including the news going about now.''
''Got it in one.'' She hadn't really been expecting thanks or anything of the sort but the way they handled the situation was disappointing. The principal really seemed to just care about Shujin's reputation more than the students. Things shouldn't be that way.
''Anyway, kid, with you doing all this around here, I think it's time for a little exchange. How about I teach you to make the perfect cup of coffee?''
Namine blinked, clearly not expecting that. She smiled after a moment ''Sounds great.''
I am thou, thou art I
Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion
That breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Hierophant Arcana,
I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and a new power...
Ann had decided to stop at a supermarket before going home. She paused to check her inventory and nodded to herself ''Well, this should...''
The blonde paused, seeing a familiar face working to organize some items near the counter. ''...Namine?''
The girl blinked and turned ''Oh hey, Ann!''
''I was wondering why you didn't answer my texts...so you found a part time job after all?''
She nodded, seeming curious ''Texts?'' The girl took a moment to pick up her bag and take her phone out. ''Oh...sorry, we were kind of busy.''
''Ah, that's okay...'' The blonde waved off, pausing to pay for her purchases at the register.
''Friend of yours, Hyakuya-chan?'' The cashier asked, earning a confirmation from the girl in question. ''Well then, how about you go hang out?''
''Is that okay now?'' Namine inquired.
''Sure, your shift's almost over anyway and you've done a real good job today. You've earned it.'' He assured, giving her payment then. Namine thanked him and picked up her things before going out with Ann.
''That was nice, looks like you're working hard.'' Ann remarked.
''Well, I try. There's no point in any of it otherwise.''
The girls began walking through the street, with Morgana meeting them around the corner, to Ann's surprise.
''Did you get in trouble when they saw you or something?'' She couldn't help but ask.
''One of Namine's co-workers is really allergic to cats.'' Morgana replied. ''I tried hiding out before but we figure this is the better choice.''
''I guess it would be...'' Ann paused. ''...you know, it's funny, I never really noticed just how much of an effect we caused by changing Kamoshida's heart until I saw the Phan-Site. There were a whole lot of people thanking us. Shiho and her family were happy to hear that he was gone too...I kept wondering why people just took this lying down but then I was the same. If I had been strong enough to do something about him back then...''
''Don't blame yourself for his actions, Lady Ann!'' Morgana cut in. ''Kamoshida's a disgusting, egoistic pig. Remember what happened when you awakened Carmen? He wanted you to feel guilty.''
''He's right, Ann.'' Namine concurred. ''And you were strong enough to help deal with him. You fought with us to make him stop. That's definitely worth something. You said it yourself, you chose to continue being on our team because you didn't want to forget what you learned, you're keeping it to heart. I'd say it means you made the most of this mess.''
''...You know what, you're right.'' Ann smiled. ''Thanks, you two. It really did feel like I learned plenty. That's why I decided to strengthen my heart.''
Morgana looked at her curiously ''Oh? That sounds good, Lady Ann!''
''Yeah, Carmen's going to grow stronger with it too, right? Well, I think I'll start maybe by trying out some new foods, or maybe taking less sweets...''
''Um, Ann? That doesn't really seem right.'' Namine offered.
''It definitely isn't that simple.'' Morgana muttered.
Ann looked from one to the other ''Well, then, how do we do it?''
''Hard to say but how about we figure it out together?'' Namine returned. ''I think it would be good for all of us, actually.''
''I'm in!'' Morgana chriped.
Ann's smile returned ''Sounds like a plan.''
School passed with little incident the next day and soon the thieves had gotten together, taking refuge in a park. Ryuji had tried, with little success, to get his teammates to choose a target.
''Would you just be patient?'' Morgana demanded irritably. ''This isn't something we can decide on a whim.''
''You guys are just overthinking this. The Phan-Site has requests we can pick.'' The blond grunted.
''More like you're not thinking enough. How are you taking any of those things seriously? It's not that we're picky but come on! One of them even asked to change a girl's heart because she hasn't returned the money she borrowed just two days ago.'' Morgana scoffed. ''It's ridiculous!''
''But people are going to forget about us at this rate!''
''Not likely, we're not going to be a one-hit wonder.''
''Relax, Ryuji, it's only been a few days. We all want to keep this going too. Anyway, I'm not so convinced people are taking us seriously, from the looks of those posts.'' Namine admitted. ''I think it's important to take things carefully especially since we're just starting out. Our actions now could easily affect us later.''
''As expected of our leader!'' Morgana smiled approvingly. ''I couldn't agree more. It's like those people think we're genies for hire or something...''
''Hey, guys.'' The three looked at Ann, who had been searching on her phone. ''I found something. There's a post from a girl called Hachibara Kitana asking us to help stop her ex-boyfriend. It looks like he's stalking her. We've got to help her.''
''We will.'' Namine returned, glancing at the other two, who nodded. ''It's decided then.''
The four left the park to find a secluded area they could use to head into the metaverse.
''I still think you guys were being too picky. If we had done at least a couple of requests, we could have raised that poll.'' Ryuji remarked.
''You mean the one about people believing in us and all that? This isn't the time to pay attention to it.'' Ann sighed.
Morgana rolled his eyes, thinking that the former athlete was too stubborn ''Ryuji, if you see a gym that advertises all sorts of equipment and services but it doesn't deliever even half of those promises, what would you think of it?''
''Eh? Well, it'd be a waste of space. Why?''
''Apply the same logic to the Phantom Thieves. He's saying we need to set the foundation to our team and make sure we stick to it.'' Namine offered. ''We're out to stand up for the weak, those whose voices aren't heard. We need to set our values in place now. Nothing would make those stick better than the right actions.''
''Oh...I get it. You guys should have said that before...''
''You weren't exactly listening.'' Ann retorted. ''Anyway, Morgana, we've got the guy's name but nothing else to get to the Palace.''
''Ah, about that, I have a suspicion...Lady Ann, can you put in the word Mementos?''
''All right...Nakanohara Natsuhiko, Mementos...'' She muttered, entering the words in the navigator.
The area around them began to distort, soon clearing to reveal that they were in a big, dark hall. Closer inspection revealed the new place to be similar to a train station.
Skull blinked, not missing that they were all in their thief gear ''What, so this guy's Palace is a station?''
''Not quite.'' Mona hopped on a ledge and turned to face them. ''Looks like I was right after all. Mementos is different from what you saw before, it's everyone's palace.''
''What does that mean?'' asked Panther.
''I think this place is connected to the Metaverse's core. It expands to cover a really big area and that's why there are many Shadows in the lower levels. That's where we'll find our target.'' The cat stated. ''People whose desires are distorted but not strongly enough to form a Palace wind up in Mementos.''
''Wait, what? But you said Kamoshida's desires created the Palace...''
Joker remembered then ''You also mentioned something about desires going way too strong and out of control, right?''
''Exactly, Joker!'' Mona led them to the entrance to the lower levels. He continued as they descended the stairs. ''That's just how it is. The people we find here are those whose desires haven't gone that far yet, so this'll be all the more easier.''
''That's good and all but how are we going to get there? This place seems pretty big.'' Panther pointed out.
''I've been waiting for this.'' The cat stated. ''Now...Morgana, Transform!''
He jumped into the air and flipped, the next thing they knew he had disappeared and was replaced by...
''A bus?!''
''No way!''
Mona laughed as the black and yellow bus landed on the ground ''Surprised? This is just one of my abilities!''
''That makes no sense! How can you do that anyway?'' Skull demanded.
''It's all about cognition. For some reason cats changing into buses is a common concept for the populace.'' Mona returned. ''Anyway, come on, one of you take the wheel so we can go!''
Skull blinked ''Take the...can't you drive yourself?''
''I'm a bus! How would that work?''
The three exchanged looks before Joker spoke ''I'll try. We might as well get to it...you're going to have coach me through this, Mona.''
''No problem!''
The teens came to agree that Mementos was rather eerie The walls were almost pitch black and red, they could see strange vein like structures every now and then. There was clearly no one around these parts besides them and the Shadows.
It was after they were well on the way that Skull decided to ask about something he had been wondering about ''Say, Joker? How come you tried to look up more stuff before?''
''Good question. Was there something about the request?'' Mona added.
''No, nothing like that. I was just thinking...looking back, I was just too careful. I just thought we shouldn't jump into the situation when we know that little about it.'' The girl admitted. ''For all we know, there might have been more going on...is what I might have said but now it just seems a little too much...''
Mona groaned, surprising her ''I didn't even think of it like that! We really could have been in for trouble...''
''Don't worry about it, Joker. You're just looking at this from every angle.'' Panther remarked. ''You worry that much because you care. I say it makes you more of a reliable leader if anything.''
''Damn straight!'' Skull agreed readily.
Joker laughed a bit, stopping when she saw a reddish black spiral up ahead.
''Go right in, Joker. Our target's over there!''
The spiral took them to a new, big room. There was a man in a gray buisness suit, surrounded in a reddish black aura. He was somewhat hunched over, muttering to himself.
''Kitana's mine...all mine...'' He uttered. ''...no one's going to take her from me. She'll always be mine...''
Panther scowled ''Shut it! She's her own person. You can't treat her like this!''
He looked up, his golden eyes narrowed dangerously at the sight of the four ''Who are you?!''
''Your ex asked us to help.'' Skull returned. ''Leave her alone already! What you're doing is just messed up.''
''Shut up!'' Shadow Nakanohara retorted. ''What do you know?! You're just here to steal Kitana. I won't let you!''
A number of Shadows appeared around him before he turned into an Incubus. He immediately flew to attack Mona, who jumped back to dodge. He then noticed the Silky flying at him but it was too close so he did the best he could to guard. The Incubus side stepped Panther's whip and tried to burn her, but the spell did little damage, leaving it to recoil in surprise.
Skull took advantage of this and hit the enemy on the head with his club before summoning Captain Kidd to use Zio and Panther hit home with her weapon. Meanwhile, Joker kept the shadows off the two blonds' backs by summoning her recently acquired Mandrake Persona to confuse them, making a few even attack each other. She used the resulting chaos to her advantage and kept forcing them back with help from Mona till they defeated them.
The Incubus returned to attack again, flying about and lashing at Skull and Panther. ''Are you supposed to be some kind of heroes?! You're coming and hassling me but you don't do a thing about Madarame! Everything is his fault!''
''Who?'' Panther wondered.
''What're you talking about?'' Mona demanded.
''Don't act like you don't know!'' He snarled, attacking again.
Panther frowned ''Seeing as he clearly won't listen...Carmen!'' The dancer appeared behind her and summoned her flames at the girl's command.
''Zorro, Garu!'' Mona followed up, the combined attack causing greater damage.
''Have some of this!'' Skull and Joker hit him with a few bullets, sending the Shadow to the ground.
It was surrounded by a dark aura, which then revealed Shadow Nakanohara on his knees.
''What's...what's so wrong about what I'm doing?! I just don't want to be alone again!''
Joker frowned, the info she had been able to glean on the man wasn't all clear but it did mention something about him being ousted in the art world a while back. As Mona told them before, Shadows couldn't lie or hide their feelings. To her, he sounded sad...desperate, even.
''...You should try telling Hachibara-san how you feel.'' She decided at last. ''She asked for our help. It wouldn't really be strange, would it? People do things they might regret when backed into a corner. She just wants this to stop, you really scared her.''
''...I didn't mean to...I just don't want to be alone again. I can't stand it. After what Madarame did...''
''Yeah, who is this guy again?'' Skull inquired.
''A famous artist.'' Shadow Nakanohara replied. ''If you took Kitana's request then please, at least consider mine. Please stop Madarame! He's caused so much pain already...this'll just keep going if something isn't done.''
''We'll work on this.'' Skull assured. ''You should set things straight with your ex.''
''I will...thank you.'' He faded away in motes of light.
Mona led the three teens to a lower level, which was blocked by a huge wall. The cat explained how even this area was blocked from him before and it seemed the way to get around in Mementos would be for them to increase their reputation, gaining recognition from the people. Since Mementos was everyone's Palace, the more people became aware of them, the more paths they would gain.
The quartet returned to the real world afterwards, all agreeing to return to their homes.
''So you've been trying to get to the lower levels so you can do something about whatever changed you into a cat?'' Ann clarified. Namine wondered if it had to do with what Igor mentioned.
''Right, Lady Ann.'' Morgana confirmed. ''I just know the answer's down there somewhere.'' He tilted his head a bit. ''...I keep thinking back to what Nakanohara said.''
''Me too.'' Namine admitted. ''I found a newspaper clipping online that mentioned how Nakanohara-san was caught making doubles of famous paintings and selling them on the black market.''
Ryuji's eyes widened ''Are you serious?''
Morgana frowned a bit as a thought occured ''Let me guess, the guy who caught him...''
''...was Madarame.'' Namine nodded. ''It mentioned how there were more than a few people involved in the whole thing. According to that clip, Nakanohara-san was apparently a particularly big deal because he was Madarame's student. He was pretty much blacklisted in the art world after that.''
''Whoa...'' Ann let out. ''...but going from the Shadow's reaction, there's more to this than we know, right?''
''Yeah, this situation is looking kind of twisted...'' Ryuji trailed off.
Morgana nodded ''...Let's start investigating. At this rate, we might be looking at our next target.''
And I'll stop here...
Well, how was it? I wanted something to wrap things up from the first arc and leading to the second. I was going to set the start of the Hierophant Arcana a bit later but I felt it fit good here.
So I sort of came up with that scandal thing on the fly but I really don't want to just stick to canon so I tend to improvise at times.
From what I understood, Madarame somehow got most of his students somehow blacklisted so I figure a scandal like that would be a fitting reason. It will be explained later but I'm pretty sure most know, it's a sham. It's just that Madarame has so much fame and rep, people were just bound to believe him.
So next time we'll really get started on the second arc of the story. I have to say, this all started out because learning about Persona 5 gave me a bunch of questions and I just took it from there, so this is pretty fun.
Confidants:
Sakamoto Ryuji (Chariot, Rank 2)
Morgana (Magician, Rank 2)
Igor (Aeon Rank 1)
Takemi Tae (Death, Rank 1)
Takamaki Ann (Lovers, Rank 2)
The Phantom Thieves (Fool, Rank 1)