Persona 5 Royal: tmdrago Special Edition
By Tayla Drago
Episode #5 – Keiko Amamiya – Joker
From meeting Keiko with another student like her name Ryuji to finding the school...only to come across a weird looking castle to be there instead...well, other than not looking so normal to not be in the real world right now. Or rather not in Tokyo, Japan at all. Fallen deeper within the rabbit hole to be trouble for them to get into – going back and forth from the room between a big castle, to the entrance to the school itself.
Keiko: Ah...I have a feeling we're not in Tokyo anymore.
For Keiko to not get what it was, and so did Ryuji.
Ryuji: Th-That's weird...Where's the school...?
Keiko: And where are we?
I don't think either of them don't know where they are at all.
Ryuji: I don't know, but I'm sure this is a way to the school. I know it! It should be…It said "Shujin" on the gate…What's goin' on here?
He checks his phone to get no service from it at all, nor was Keiko's cell phone.
Ryuji: Out of service? Where'd we ended up...?
Keiko: I don't know...I thought you would know.
Ryuji: The sign was for the school, right?
Keiko: Yeah, I have a feeling it is the school, but it isn't...right now...
Just then...some strange person dressed up as a guard type of armor knight thing with a weird looking mask on its face to be approaching them. That's not normal at all.
Keiko: Who's that?
Confusing Keiko, this made Ryuji jump a little.
Ryuji: Geeze, you freaked me out...Who're you? You a student?
Ryuji walks up to the strange person for Keiko tells him not to go up any further.
Keiko: Ah, wait...you shouldn't approach someone we don't even know...!
Ryuji: Its fine, it's just a dungeon and dragons fan I bet.
He talks to the person...
Ryuji: Man, your costume's impressive...Is that real armor? C'mon, don't just stand there. Say somethin'.
And then...two more of them show up to surround both Keiko and Ryuji with nowhere else to go or to run, they were real life soulless knights from the looks of it. With real armor, a sword, and a shield to not be messing around with anyone.
Keiko: More of them?
Ryuji: ...H-Hey, what's going on?
Keiko: What is this...?
Feeling scared to stay close to Ryuji, he or Keiko didn't know what was happening.
Ryuji: Whoa, babe-! I mean, girl whatever...I don't know. I think...this shit's real.
Trying to move up closer to Ryuji and Keiko, they now know that this wasn't a joke anymore, this was getting very serious.
Ryuji: C-Calm down! Time out, man!
So they had to go with one option left...
Ryuji: We gotta run!
Keiko: Ah...Okay! Got it. (Less questioning, and more saving ourselves first!)
Ryuji: Yeah, its best if we didn't mess with them. Go!
And then three more appeared from behind to stop Ryuji and Keiko from going anywhere else.
Ryuji: What's with these guys?!
Ryuji gets hit from behind by one of the knights using its shield to put the hurt on Ryuji to fall to his knees.
Ryuji: Gah! Oww…Y-You're gonna break my bones, dammit! The hell you think you're—Aagh!
Keiko: Stop it-!
Trying to defend Ryuji for Keiko to step in to try to be a hero, only to get hit in the head to go out cold afterwards to fall by Ryuji's side and then sees everything going black. Allowing the strange looking knights to carry off the two somewhere.
Guard: Take them away!
They sounded very weird, huh? What was going on here?! For Keiko to be out of it from the hit she took from the head, must've hurt. Ouch...As for one woman to be walking by as she sees the two hearing her leader's orders to tell the other knights on what they have to do.
?: Intruders in our king's castle. How shameless. Alright, boys...take these troublemakers away. Don't care what happens to the boy, so says our majesty.
Ryuji comes around first as they were in a prison cell of some kind, to then checking on Keiko to look cute to him when seeing her sleep, although in this time of issue to try to getting out is more important to not sleep at a time like this for him to try waking Keiko up next.
Ryuji: ...Hey. Hey! Wake up!
Keiko finally wakes up to see they were in some prison cell together.
Keiko: Ouch...My head.
She sees Ryuji standing right next to her.
Keiko: Were you watching me sleep in the mess we're in God knows what?
Ryuji: Huh?
This made him blush.
Ryuji: I was just making sure you were still breathing! That's all...Look, are you all right? You can at least answer back.
This made Keiko worried to have someone like Ryuji stare at her beauty out of nowhere.
Keiko: Oh, okay...And yes. I'm fine. And you?
Ryuji: Yeah, more or less. My name is Ryuji Sakamoto. Just in case you wanted to know my name.
Looking around the room to be very real and no dream they were in at all.
Keiko: That's good. My name is Keiko Amamiya by the way. From the room we're both in...
Ryuji: I know. Looks like this ain't no dream...What's going on?!
He goes over the cell gates to knock on them and demands for the two to leave.
Ryuji: Hey! Let us out of here! I know there's someone out there! Dammit, where are we?! Some type of TV set...?
Soon, they started to hear a voice of someone screaming in pain to be not too far from where they were in.
Keiko: Someone's screaming?
Ryuji: The-The hell was that just now...?
Hearing more of someone screaming from the other side of the room.
Keiko: Someone's in trouble!
Ryuji: Whoa…Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa…You're shittin' me, right…? This is real bad...! Isn't there some way outta here!? C'mon, we gotta do something!
Keiko: But there's no way out.
Soon they hear something else to be drawing closer.
Ryuji: Huh? You hear that?
From hearing someone in trouble and being someone from a nightmare that has come to life, the two then see more knights coming to their cell room next. Lots of them.
Keiko: Lots of soldiers...
A strong whip was close to hurting Keiko's hands to move away from it, for this woman was...another Keiko Amamiya? Huh?! But this was being a sexy slave type of girl to whip anyone in anger and her enjoyment to love it a lot; from all hearts of gems, covered in black like a bikini, long boots with heels, long gloves, and a butterfly mask to enjoy it a lot. This was getting weird.
Fake Keiko: Oh no you don't, other me...Hmm...Nah, you don't look as sexy as I do.
Keiko was left speechless.
Keiko: What is this?! Another me!? (I would never act like this faker!)
Ryuji: Wait...! There are two of you?!
Keiko: I don't know why!
Whipping again to get their attention. One thing about the fake Keiko is she dresses all sexy like to be mean, with no feelings for others, and acts like a real trouble maker.
Fake Keiko: Hey, kiddies! You might want to hear what our king has to say about your fates. Oh, boys...
One of the knights talked to them.
Guard: Be glad that your punishment has been decided upon. Your charge is "unlawful entry". Thus, you two will be sentenced to death.
Keiko: Death?!
Ryuji: Say what?!
The two were shocked to hear that both were going to die for real. To make matters worse, they saw someone who was in charge of the place to look and sounded familiar to Ryuji and for Keiko to see a bit more in person besides the other bad Keiko...Well, sort of in person. To be a king to have it all but a speedos to be wearing with a robe and a crown only.
?: No one's allowed to do as they please in my castle.
Shocking to see it was the gym teacher at the Shujin Academy high school Suguru Kamoshida. But...He was much more different and a lot nastier for this one. Was this really Suguru? Or someone else entirely?
Fake Keiko: My King, look what we've caught. And one who looks like a dorky me, so I spare her looks a little to your liking. Just a little.
Ryuji: Huh? Wait...Is that you, Kamoshida?
From this, Suguru for Keiko remembers the man from the car who picked up Ann earlier today.
Keiko: This is Kamoshida himself? But he was wearing a gym uniform in his car and such...I don't get it.
Yeah, this was getting very confusing for them. For the Fake Keiko was a servant and helper to her king only to enjoy her company for fun.
Suguru Shadow: Thank you, Mistress, you've done well for me again. Well now, I thought it was some petty thief, but to think it'd be you, Sakamoto...Are you trying to disobey me again? It looks like you haven't learned your lesson at all, huh? And you brought your cute friend this time...She's nice looking, but I prefer her as a my servant type of slave for this one. I already have someone I truly love.
Now this other Suguro was trying to hit on Keiko to hate people like him besides seeing her other messed up version, but it was still creepy to say things to other girls to like someone else to be in the same mess – but probably much worse.
Keiko: Ew! No thank you! Saying sweet things aside and having my...faker! I would never become your slave!
Any harsh words, this 'shadow-like appearance' of Suguru won't take it so likely.
Suguru Shadow: How dare you speak to me, the king with such harsh words, young lady. Well, it doesn't matter. Either way, Sakamoto, having someone like this one to help you out...because you can't do anything for yourself.
Ryuji: Don't talk to Keiko like that! And this ain't funny, you asshole!
For Ryuji to talk back at Suguru to really have a grudge against the man for some reason to even defending Keiko well, for him to hate Ryuji more to really want him killed.
Suguru Shadow: Is that how you speak to your king? It seems you don't understand the position you're in at all. Not only did you two sneak into my castle, you committed a crime of insulting me – the king. The punishment for that is death.
Things get from bad to worse for Suguru Shadow commands his knights to kill Ryuji off the most to deal with Keiko on the other hand.
Suguru Shadow: It's time for an execution. Take him out! As for the girl, I'll give her a swell punishment type of beat down to the body, but not to the face on what I do to all of the ladies. And you, Mistress, go play with the other slaves for me. Do so and I'll let you whip the other boys twice as much for today.
Seems like the Fake Keiko leaves Suguru Shadow alone to carry out with the other task at hand, for she had other plans in mind in the end.
Fake Keiko: Yes, my king. Bye bye, losers. Don't die too soon just yet.
There she goes to be really mean, and mess up. For this was really bad to have this happening to both Keiko and Ryuji.
Keiko: Ryuji...I don't think this isn't a TV show or a dream...! (And the other fake feelings and looks are all really real!)
Ryuji: S-Stop it...! ...Goddammit...! Hragh!
Well, there was some fighting with the kids, including Ryuji to push one knight aside to try making their escape and fast.
Keiko: AH! (He really beat one down...Not bad.)
Ryuji: I ain't down for this shit! C'mon, Keiko, we're outta here!
Trying to make their getaway...things get much worse when another knight shoves Ryuji hard to the ground to get out of it.
Keiko: No, Ryuji! Stop this right now!
So she tries to pull one of them to keep away from Ryuji to save his life, but he was more worried about her than himself.
Ryuji: Nngh...Owww... (Keiko?) Just go! Get outta here...! These guys are serious!
Keiko: Stop it! I'm not leaving you behind to end up dead like this!
Strong words for a girl like Keiko to help out someone she barely knows of from Ryuji until today.
Suguru Shadow: Oh? Running away, are we? What a heartless friend you are to a poor girl like this one.
Ryuji makes something up to protect Keiko.
Ryuji: She ain't a friend.
He tells Keiko again to escape and leave him behind.
Ryuji: C'mon! Hurry up and go!
Suguru Shadow: What's the matter? Too scared to run away? Hmph, pathetic scum isn't worth my time...I'll focus on this one's execution first...
With Suguru Shadow grabbing hold of Ryuji by the shirt to start hurting him first.
Suguru Shadow: Take this!
He beats Ryuji up a lot to mess with him to have the anger on the man to be enough to call the king to hurt the poor guy.
Suguru Shadow: What's wrong? Lowly scum! Useless pest! *spit* You had the energy to be mad at me from earlier, and now you have nothing? How sad...I'll kill you right here and now.
Just then, Keiko gets mad to step in for Ryuji to try to save him right away no matter what it takes.
Keiko: Stop it! You leave him alone; you dumb ass king!
Now the shadow of this person gets close to Keiko after what she just called him.
Suguru Shadow: What was that? What did you just call me? "A dumb ass king?" ME?! Don't you dare tell me that you don't know who I am. With a cute face, but the look in your eyes irritates me!
With the king pushing Keiko to the walls to hit her down hard to try killing Ryuji the most first.
Suguru Shadow: Hold her there...After the peasant, it's her turn to die. Quick and painless for the girl, but Sakamoto's other matter.
Keiko: Don't-!
The knights hold Keiko to the wall from going anywhere to watch Ryuji get killed by the other person look-a-like right before her eyes. For Suguru Shadow was laughing to be winning again as ruler and to see his enemies suffer.
Ryuji: I don't wanna die!
Suguru Shadow: Hahaha!
Now what's going to happen? How can Keiko and Ryuji get out of this mess and away from Suguru Shadow? By the way, that's what I'm calling them to make things easier for me too. Keiko wanted to do something more to save others from bad people like before, only to save a life who won't die in real life...Just then, Keiko hears a voice from within her mind to help her out. Who was it? Either way – I hope there might be some hope left. It sounded like a little girl in the butterfly form for Keiko seeing it for the first time besides telling the story right now.
?: This is truly an unjust game...Your chances of winning are almost none. But if my voice is reaching you, there may yet be a possibility open to you.
Keiko: (Wait...Voices? What's wrong with me...? All I want is to live a normal life to save others who are in danger, what's so wrong with that?)
Wait, was there as the child said there would be? Seems like it. Because this whole thing was scaring and confusing Keiko, she hears another voice that sounds like a gentleman to her for this person was a real lady's man who wishes to help the young girl out.
?: What's the matter...? Are you simply going to watch? Are you forsaking him to save yourself? Death awaits him if you don't do anything. Was your previous decision a mistake then?
Was it...? Rethinking about it all for Keiko was defending someone who was in danger from the drunken man to try saving the woman's life and herself from him being a perverted to end up getting arrested to know what was right and wrong to see from that part of the deed to not let someone die at all.
Keiko: (What? Who is this person? And who was the little girl?) Huh? What do you mean? It wasn't a mistake at all!
Seeing the dangers Ryuji was in from the hands of Suguru Shadow, she struggles to fight back somehow for her powers to slowly be awakening for this strange voice to see the process to be going so well to see her answers.
Keiko: Please...Help me save him...! I want to stop those who hurt innocent lives!
?: Very well...I've heeded your resolve.
From Keiko's pleading and the voice to do something to her entire body next. For her heart started to pound harder to feel something to be in pain all over her entire body, for whatever's happening was a slow and painful power up to flow through her. Keiko was sweating and screaming in pain.
?: Vow to me. I am thou, thou art I...Thou who art willing to perform all sacrilegious acts for thine own justice! Call upon my name, and release thy rage, beautiful Keiko Amamiya!
Now Keiko was really feeling the pain all over course through her entire body very fast.
?: Show the strength of thy will to ascertain all on thine own. Though thou be chained to Hell itself!
For Keiko to finally feel stronger, this was her chance to stop Suguru Shadow from killing Ryuji.
Suguru Shadow: Execute him!
Keiko: That's enough!
She does it to save Ryuji just in time for the king has his eyes on Keiko now 'to not know what type of power she has awakened to'. This allows his knights to let go of Ryuji.
Suguru Shadow: What was that? Your desire to be killed that much...? Fine! Hmph…
Suguru Shadow's knights put a hit, pin to the wall, and hurt Keiko now to see her dead quickly before killing off Ryuji next. Losing her glasses has a strange feeling to create a powerful gust of wind to push everyone else aside. And just as Keiko was slowly tilting her head back up, she had something on her face...a strange looking mask. Trying to take it off to have blood all over her face, Keiko has her powers flowing through her body to start to flame up all over. Showing the chains of her so call Persona being a man in a red suit, a hat, and a mask to change Keiko's clothing as well; from her black hair to be long down, to wear some gloves, a mask covering her eyes, having clothing to cover her body in black all over to look even hotter, and she wasn't afraid to fight back this time as an entire person.
Keiko: Hiya, boys, nice to meet you all. But I'm afraid I can't allow you to hurt on others, it isn't right...So prepare to meet your maker. Let's do this, Arsène!
Tayla: Persona #1 – Arsene
Arsène Lupin is a fictional gentleman thief created by Maurice Leblanc. He was known for targeting criminals or those who were much worse than himself, making him an anti-hero of sorts within his own stories. He might have been partly inspired by the French anarchist Marius Jacob.
A powerful shock wave pushes the knights aside to have Suguru Shadow to move away, and having Ryuji left speechless from Keiko's new looks.
Ryuji: Wha…What the...?
Yep, Keiko gives it her all to use a long knife, her strong gloves for psychical attacks, the power of darkness, having some knife type of sword, a long type of gun to fire at her enemies, and Arsene himself.
Arsene: I'm starting to like you already, Keiko, having a female partner like you must've been destiny for us. For I am the pillager of Twilight - "Arsene"!
Cool, she gets a gentleman thief type of Persona weapon. But why a dude if it's not a girl for Keiko? Just wondering...Not that I care really. What do you fans think? As Ryuji was still confused about all of this – as well as finding Keiko to look even cuter in her new battle mode she was wearing.
Ryuji: Keiko...Damn girl, holy crap! That's awesome! And not only that, but you're super-hot!
Keiko: I'm still myself, Ryuji. It's just...Wearing a very strange type of outfit.
With a lot more to say about it since Keiko and Arsene are now working together...
Arsene: I am a rebel soul that resides within you, Lady Keiko. If you so desire, I shall consider granting you power to break through this crisis.
Keiko still couldn't believe this really happened right now to be very real.
Keiko: (Amazing...I mean, I got something to do on what's right. I know now it's not a dream.) Yes, Arsene. Please give me your power and save us both.
Arsene: Hmph, a woman with courage, I like it...Very well then.
For Suguru Shadow was confused on what his prison was up to have such strange powers.
Suguru Shadow: Who the hell are you...?!
He gets his guard back to fighting again.
Suguru Shadow: Guards! Start by killing that one! You'll learn the true strength of my men!
Tayla: Persona #2 – Pyro Jack – (Jack O'Lantern)
In Japan, Pyro Jack is named after the fabled figure Jack-O'-Lantern. According to the earliest accounts of the tale, "Stingy Jack" was an Irish farmer who persuaded the Devil not to take him to hell. When he was refused entry into heaven, he wandered the earth as a turnip-headed (or pumpkin-headed) soul who would come to be called "Jack of the Lantern," or so says the legend. Jack-o'-lanterns are carved by children and enthusiasts alike on Halloween, though the tradition of carving gourds dates back probably to the dawn of mankind, and is not endemic to any particular culture. The tradition can also be thought to help guide the lost soul himself.
The legend, however, goes back further than the term itself. Jack-o'-lantern or some variation thereof was at the height of usage in 17th century Europe. Simply put, it meant "the guy with the lantern." Later the term would almost exclusively be used as slang in reference to the will-o'-the-wisp phenomenon, or ignis fatuus, due to the appearance of a far-off person carrying a lantern.
Giving it her all to fight off with two guards to appear to be Shadows/Personas. From Arsene having the power to burn his enemies with the will power given from Keiko and some darkness powers too, and using her blade to become her weapon type of sword to slave the rest of them down.
Arsene: Yes, use my powers for they are your own, Lady Keiko. I'll do anything to kill those who stand in your way. Burn them, crush their hearts, do it however you pleased, and use the blade to slice the last of them to bits. With my help, we can stop anything from these floe creatures. Detest the enemies before you! Change that animosity into power...and unleashed it!
And Suguru Shadow's knights are all gone 'besides the Fake Keiko leaving the scene'. After the fight Keiko checks on Ryuji next for Arsene to disappear until she could use him again when they have to fight with other Shadows in battle. 'Which will still not know what they are yet'.
Keiko: (That was...different, but it did save us.) Ryuji, are you hurt?
Ryuji: What...
Keiko checks her new looks to feel different for a full-grown woman.
Keiko: I still have this thing on? It feels weird.
Ryuji tries not to stare so much at Keiko's body to have her nice butt and breast to be a bit bigger with the suit she was wearing from the shape of it.
Ryuji: Forget that! What was that just now...?
Trying to figure it all out, but before escaping next to Suguru Shadow not looking so happy.
Suguru Shadow: You little...!
Ryuji: No!
Suguru Shadow: Aagh!
This time, Ryuji helps Keiko out by pushing the king aside to the ground.
Ryuji: You like that, you son of a bitch?!
This then gives Keiko an idea.
Keiko: Ryuji, grab the keys!
He sees it...
Ryuji: Y-You mean this?!
Keiko: Yes, hurry!
Ryuji grabs the keys for both him and Keiko make a run for it and get out of the jail cells right away. And using the keys to lock the cell doors to keep the king, his mistress, and his goons busy 'just in case'.
Ryuji: Okay, it's locked!
Now Suguru Shadow was really mad to have trouble getting out 'for the time being' since Ryuji threw the cell keys into the waters of the castle's basement.
Suguru Shadow: Damn you!
So Ryuji needed to ask Keiko about the power she used to fight back.
Ryuji: Hey! What was that just now?! And...Your hot-! I mean, your clothes...!
Soon for the flames to appear again, Keiko's clothes were back on her.
Keiko: It's gone!
Ryuji: Whoa, it went back to normal...?!
Keiko: They are, it just happened.
Enough with that 'for now', the king wanted out to make the two jump by surprise.
Ryuji: Waaaaah!
Suguru Shadow: You bastards!
Ryuji: God, this I effin' nuts! Anyways, let's scram! Keiko, you lead the way! Hrah...!
And so, they make a run for it 'as Ryuji throws the keys in the lake of the castle' for the king wasn't done with the two at all to have more in store.
Suguru Shadow: God damn thieves...!
He gives his men an order to stop them both right away while the rest free their king.
Suguru Shadow: After them! Don't let them escape! Y-You bastards! You think you can get away with doing this to me?
It's chase and escape time...Does that mean Keiko has to try to use her strange powers again to fight back in order for her and Ryuji to get out of this mess alive? I sure hope so! Arsene as Keiko's new partner of power and a Persona was their last hope left from escaping out of the weird world of the other bad king of Suguru himself.
Ryuji: I don't give a shit! I aint's down for any of this! C'mon, let's get outta here!
Keiko: Right, Ryuji!
And whatever was happening to other people like them to get tortured by Fake Keiko's doing from the sound of it.
Suguru Shadow: You petty slaves can't seriously hope to leave my castle alive!
With them making a run for it...For the two stayed close to jump across through the other side of the cages since it was a bridge of water to be a running stream.
Ryuji: Yeesh...Can we really get across this?
Keiko: I'm afraid we have to.
Ryuji: On the other hand, there's nowhere else we can try...Alright, Keiko, let's get to hoppin'.
Keiko: Just don't fall down.
Hopping from one end to another works out for Keiko and Ryuji to make it across...Well, Keiko almost fell if Ryuji didn't catch her staring at each other for a few seconds.
Ryuji: ….! Sorry! (She's friggin' cute up close!)
Keiko: No, it's fine. Thank you for lending me a hand.
Ryuji: It's nothin'. C'mon, let's try finding a way outta here.
Keep on going for these two.
Keiko: Right! Let's go, Ryuji.
Enough to stay close like this 'just not too close on that part', they try to get out of this nightmare. Well, unknowns to them yet – but another living being 'of some kind' was in one of the jail cells to feel other humans who've entered for 'him' to await for them to arrive where he was at, for this was no ordinary type of human to be a small creature.
?: Well, what do you know. I'm not the only human in this God forsaken hell hole. They could be my only way out of here.
Hmmm...I guess we'll see our new character in the next part.