The Phantom Duelists (UP FOR ADOPTION)

by I Am The Prophet

After painstaking efforts, the Phantom Thieves were on the verge of getting their leader out of prison. Before the day of his release, Ren's forgotten past catches up to him. The next thing they know is that they are dragged into an interdimensional war decided by card games.

4. Down the Rabbit Hole

The Phantom Duelists (Persona 5/Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V)

Chapter 4: Down the Rabbit Hole

[~][~]

The morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting long shadows across the room and illuminating the warm, inviting atmosphere of the Nijima sisters' apartment. Makoto, the younger of the two, was engrossed in her phone, her fingers tapping rapidly across the screen. Sae, on the other hand, was quietly reading a book, a thoughtful expression on her face.

A traditional Japanese breakfast filled the air: the savory aroma of miso soup, the tang of pickled vegetables, and the delicate scent of steamed rice. Makoto, a typical college student, was already reaching for a toast. Still, Sae gently nudged her toward the table. "Try some miso soup, Makoto," she said. "It's good for your digestion."

As Makoto reluctantly took a spoonful of the miso soup, Sae smiled. "Remember, a traditional Japanese breakfast is based on the philosophy of eating savory, hearty dishes that are easy to digest and not too filling. It's the perfect way to start your day."

Makoto took a spoonful of the miso soup and hesitated before biting. "Sis, you're right," she said, finally swallowing. "It's pretty good." She smiled, taking another spoonful. "I guess I've been too focused on Western food lately."

Sae returned Makoto's smile. "It's important to appreciate traditional Japanese cuisine," she said. "It's a part of who we are."

Makto Nijima is the stoic and intelligent student council president and third year of Shujin Academy. Of course that didn't say she was popular back then. Her fellow students labeled her as an arrogant, selfish control freak. Being a student council president gave her no real authority at Shujin, with the position making her a glorified tool for rotten adults.

All of that changed when she met the Phantom Thieves of Hearts. They helped give her the strength to stop being nothing other than a tool for higher authorities. Makoto vowed to fight for what she believes in. She's done with being the 'exemplary honor student' image and decides to be more honest with herself.

Her sister, Sae Nijima, is her legal guardian and a public prosecutor. While they were young, their mother died. Three years ago, their father was murdered by being run over by a truck in the line of duty, forcing the elder sister to juggle between handling cases in court and raising her. This has led her to do whatever it takes to keep her 99% conviction rate. She would even go as far as to rig cases with a guilty charge against her will. When Makoto found out about this, she wanted desperately to heal her heart.

Makoto is more than happy to say that her efforts paid off. Now her sis is working on what could be her last case as prosecutor—proving Ren Amamiya's innocence. He is in the Juvenile Detention Center on a trumped-up assault charge. After everything they've been through, they couldn't let that stand. Since then, everyone has been working to prove his innocence. Today is the day that he'll be released.

"I can't believe it, Sis," Makoto said, her voice filled with excitement. "Ren is finally free."

Sae nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "It's a miracle. I never thought we would be able to get him out of that place. We did it Makoto. We proved his innocence and brought justice to the real culprit. It was a long and difficult battle, but it was worth it."

Makoto's eyes filled with tears. "I'm so relieved. I…everyone was so worried about him."

"I know," Makoto," Sae said, gently patting her sister's hand. "But now we've ensured that he's free—safe and sound. We can finally rest easy."

Makoto's thoughts drifted towards her fellow Phantom Thieves. They were no doubt waiting for the news. She would message them, and they would meet at Café LeBlanc later to wait for Ren. Just as she was about to send a text message, Sae's smartphone rang. Sae answered it. Her face became pale in shock and disbelief.

"What's wrong, Sis?" Makoto asked concern etched on her face.

Sae's voice was barely audible. "It's the Youth Detention Center…"

Makoto felt her phone drop out of her hand when she heard the news which made her heart sink.

[~]

Futaba Sakura stirred awake, her eyelids fluttering open to reveal the soft glow of morning sunlight filtering through her curtains. She stretched lazily, her body feeling pleasantly heavy with the promise of a new day. As she sat up in bed, a wave of contentment washed over her.

"Good morning, Futaba," Morgana's voice greeted her from the end of the bed. The cat was curled up, his tail twitching lazily. His eyes, a vibrant blue, were filled with a sense of peace and contentment.

"Good morning, Morgana," Futaba replied, her voice filled with warmth. She reached out and gently scratched behind the cat's ears, earning a contented purr in response.

"You know, Morgana," Futaba said, her voice filled with amusement, "You've been so accepting of being called a cat lately. You are even acting like one."

Morgana's eyes narrowed. "I am not just a cat," he declared, his voice filled with dignity. "I am the one and only Morgana."

Futaba giggled. "Yes, yes, I know. But you're still a very cute kitty."

Putting on her glasses, Futaba swung her legs out of bed and stood up, stretching her arms above her head. "Well, time to get ready. Sojiro's probably at Café LeBlanc. Why not get some curry for breakfast?"

Morgana yawned and stretched. "Sounds go," he said, his tail flicking lazily. "I'm hungry."

Futaba slipped on a pair of comfortable jeans and a cozy sweater, her fingers brushing against the soft fabric. She then carefully adjusted her glasses, making sure they sat securely on her face. Finally, she sets her headphones around her neck.

As she got dressed, Futaba couldn't help but reflect on how much her life had changed. Just two years ago, she had been a shut-in, refusing to leave her dark room brimming with trash. She had spent countless hours working on her computer and eating junk food, all because of her mother's death.

But thanks to her friends, she was no longer that girl. She was confident, outgoing, and ready to take on the world. Soon, she would be going to Shujin Academy as a first-year student, joining the same school as most of her friends. It was a prospect that filled her with excitement and anticipation.

After getting dressed, Futaba stepped out of her room. She descended the stairs, her footsteps echoing through the quiet house. As she reached the bottom step, she slipped on her shoes and took a deep breath. With a final glance around the familiar surroundings, Futaba opened the front door and stepped out into the bright morning sunlight with Morgana following at her heels.

As Futaba stepped through the gate of the Sakura residence, a cold breeze swept across her face, carrying with it the faint scent of pine trees and damp earth. The winter sun, a pale orb in the sky, cast long shadows across the quiet streets of Yongen-Jaya. The neighborhood, a charming blend of traditional Japanese architecture and modern amenities, was bathed in a soft, ethereal light. The air was crisp and clean, the silence broken only by the distant chirping of birds and the occasional rumble of a passing car.

Futaba's footsteps quickened as she approached Cafe LeBlanc, the warm glow of its windows beckoning her inside. The cafe, a cozy and inviting establishment, was famous for its signature coffee and curry, both of which were Futaba's favorites. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and simmering spices filled the air, tantalizing her senses and making her stomach rumble. As she stepped through the door, she was greeted by the familiar sight of the cafe's warm, inviting interior.

As Futaba made her way to the front, she noticed Sojiro Sakura, her foster father, talking to a police officer. Sojiro was gesturing animatedly, his face etched with concern. When he saw Futaba, he paused mid-sentence. "Futaba," he said, "you're here early."

"Yeah," Futaba replied, her voice filled with curiosity. "What's going on?"

Sojiro sighed. "There's been a break-in," he explained. "When I came to the cafe this morning, I found the door glass broken and the door unlocked. So far, nothing seems to have been taken."

Futaba's eyes widened in alarm. "A break-in?" she echoed, her voice trembling slightly. "That's terrible."

"The only thing that's out of place is the attic," Sojiro continued, his voice filled with worry. "It's a mess like someone has been rummaging through everything."

Futaba's heart skipped a beat. "The attic?" she repeated, her voice barely a whisper. "Ren was staying there."

"Yes, the kid was staying there," Sojiro replied, his voice filled with concern. "I just can't understand why someone would want to break in and mess with his room."

The police officer stepped forward, his expression serious. "Even though nothing was stolen, this is still a serious crime," he said. "Breaking is a violation of someone's property rights."

"I'll talk with the officer for a while," Sojiro said to Futaba. "You should go inside and wait. I made some curry on the counter. Figured you'd want curry for breakfast."

Futaba nodded, her voice barely audible. "Okay," she replied, her heart heavy with worry. She stepped inside Café Leblanc, her footsteps echoing in the quiet café. Morgana, who had been following closely behind, leaped onto the counter and looked up at her with seriousness.

"Why would someone break in just to mess with Joker's room?" Morgana asked, his voice filled with confusion. "It doesn't make any sense."

Futaba sighed, her eyes filled with worry. "I don't know, Morgana," she replied. "But it's not a good sign."

Then something occurred to her. "Wait…there's something we can do. I set up a few bugs around the café."

Morgana's eyes widened in surprise. "You bugged Café Leblanc?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with mock horror. "And you've been doing that for how long?"

Futaba laughed. "Don't worry, Morgana," she replied. "It's just for emergencies."

Morgana sighed, shaking his head. "Have I told you how much I'm glad you're on our side?" he asked, rolling his eyes. "And don't we need your laptop or something?"

Futaba groaned, remembering that she had left her laptop back at the Sakura Residence. Before she could get up to retrieve it, her phone buzzed, signaling a notification from the group chat. Makoto had sent an urgent message, calling for an emergency meeting at Leblanc.

"Why can't she just tell us over IM?" Futaba muttered to herself, her curiosity piqued. Her fingers typed in that exact question.

Makoto's reply was immediate and ominous. "I can't say it over IM," she wrote. "You need to be here."

Futaba's heart pounded in her chest. The tone of Makoto's message was unlike her usual calm demeanor. It was as if she was struggling to hold back tears as if the news she had to share was unbearable.

What's going on?

[~]

The Phantom Thieves gathered in Leblanc, their faces etched with concern as they awaited Makoto's news. The atmosphere was tense, a palpable sense of dread hanging in the air.

Makoto took a deep breath, her voice trembling slightly. "It hasn't made the news yet, but the Youth Detention Center was broken into," she began, her words halting. "Many of the inmates are dead."

A gasp erupted from the group. Haru Okumura's eyes filled with tears, while Yusuke Kitagawa looked away, unable to bear the sight of his friend's suffering.

"Some of the bodies haven't been found yet," Makoto continued her voice barely a whisper. "But they've been replaced with cards bearing the inmates' images. The bodies that they were able to recover…well let's just say it isn't pretty."

A wave of horror washed over the group. This was a cruel and twisted act. Could it be a message from a serial killer? If so, what could they want with the missing bodies?

"The worst part," Makoto said, her voice barely audible, "Ren is one of the victims. He's…he's…"

Makoto couldn't bring herself to finish that sentence. But the Thieves could guess how it would end. The news was a devastating blow, a cruel twist of fate that no one could have anticipated. Ryuji Sakamoto's face contorted into a mask of rage.

"What the fuck?" he roared, his voice filled with anger. "How could this happen? Ren was supposed to be safe!"

Ann Takamaki's eyes were filled with tears. "Is everything we did to get him out all for nothing?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

"I-It wasn't Lady Ann…" Morgana tried to assure her. But he sounded unconvinced of himself.

The other Phantom Thieves stood in stunned silence, their hearts heavy with grief and disbelief. Even if they didn't have the Metaverse or any other special powers, they could still change reality. If they didn't do that at the very least, they'd be betraying their vow to oppose the injustices of this reality of their strength. Everything they've done until now was to get Ren out of juvie. But now this happened. What was worse is that Makoto told them that today was when Ren would become a free man. Now the cruel hand of fate just snatched the reward for their efforts out of their waiting hands.

Then came the telltale ring of the bell as the door swung open. Sumire Yoshizawa burst through the door of Café Leblanc, her face flushed and her breathing heavy. She's the last person who received the IM but had been a little late. Her hurried steps and apologetic expression conveyed her sense of urgency.

"I'm so sorry I'm late," she said, her voice filled with concern. "What happened?"

The Phantom Thieves filled Sumire with the devastating news, their voices filled with sorrow and anger. When she heard that Ren was dead, Sumire's knees buckled, and she would have collapsed to the floor if Yusuke hadn't caught her. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to process the horrific news, her mind racing with disbelief and despair.

"This can't be true. Senpai…Ren can't be dead," Sumire whispered, her voice barely audible. Tears streamed down her face. She was the one who got them to get Ren out of jail and to pitch in. The Phantom Thieves could only share in Sumire's sorrow, their hearts heavy with grief.

Futaba, her heart heavy with grief, retreated into her shell, her headphones blocking out the world around her. She fiddled with her laptop, her fingers dancing across the keyboard as she tried to cope with Ren's tragic death. She delved into the audio files recorded by the bugs she had planted in Leblanc, hoping to at least find out who broke into the café. As she listened, her eyes scanned the screen, her mind racing. And then, she heard it. A faint sound, a whisper that seemed to come from nowhere. It was a voice, a familiar voice.

It was Ren's voice.

"Holy shit!" Futaba exclaimed, her eyes wide. She yanked off her headphones, her voice filled with excitement. "Ren's alive! He was here last night! I have the codex entry to prove it!"

The Phantom Thieves, who had been sitting in stunned silence, were jolted from their deep funk by Futaba's outburst.

"For real?" Ryuji asked, his voice filled with desperation. He and the Thieves crowded around Futaba, looking over her shoulder. After making them give her a wider berth, Futaba played the audio file.

"I'm sorry about this boss," came the voice of Ren on the speakers of the laptop followed by the sound of glass being shattered. Everyone is listening attentively to the recording. The girls are struggling to hold back tears, especially Sumire. For they recognize the sound of Ren Amamiya anywhere. None of them spoke up so they wouldn't interrupt the recording. They heard the sound of rapid footsteps with a rhythmic sound telling them he went upstairs. The rest is followed by broken sentences.

"Come on, where is it? Where is it?" Ren said, followed by the sound of objects being shuffled around. He sounded desperate. "My Duel Disk…Seems like I'm going to duel the Duel Soldier…Feels strange when I say it like that…the briefcase…"

There wasn't anything else, so Futaba stopped the recording. Everyone's hearts are pounding with excitement and relief. It was all the proof they needed to be assured that Ren, their friend and leader was alive.

"Ha! I knew it!" Ryuji yells with a fist bump. "I knew Ren was alive!"

"Never doubted you, Joker," Morgana said confidently.

"Yes…I can't believe it," Ann whispered, tears streaming down her face.

Yusuke clenched a fist, his eyes willed with relief, and declared, "Our efforts were not for naught."

Haru nodded, her voice filled with hope. "He could be out there right now. We should go find him."

Makoto, her eyes filled with a mix of relief and concern, spoke softly. "But there's something that doesn't add up. Why would Ren break into Leblanc?"

"Let's not mention that to Sojiro. He'll probably activate his berserker skill," Futaba warned. "But I'm wondering that myself. Before the rest of the party came here, Sojiro mentioned that the only thing out of place was the attic. Somebody made a mess."

"And that someone is Ren," Sumire said as she recalled the details of the audio recording. "It would make sense. We all know that he's the only one who lives in the attic. Perhaps he broke in because there was something in Leblanc that he needed. He mentioned a Duel Disk. What's a Duel Disk?"

"It's a device that duelists use to play Duel Monsters," Ryuji answered. Everyone turned their heads to stare at him. "What? I read the Yu-Gi-Oh! Manga and anime. I figured that's what it meant."

"Yu-Gi-Oh?" Sumire asked.

"It's a popular trading card game where you use cards to summon monsters and cast spells," Futaba explains. "So popular it got its anime. Each of the series presents a new summoning method.

"Honestly Ryuji," Ann shook her head in disappointment. "Our friend is missing, and you want to talk about a card game?"

"Well, what do you think he meant when he said, 'Duel Disk'?" Ryuji challenged heatedly. "It's the only thing I could think of and I'm sure as hell that's what he meant."

"Absurd as it is, it does seem plausible," Makoto said as she held her chin. "But what does a card game have to do with all this?

"Pardon me."

Someone else had entered the café. When the Phantom Thieves turned to see who it was, they jumped. Stepping through the door is their former counselor at Shujin Academy, Takuto Maruki. In one of his hands, he held a briefcase, its contents a mystery.

"Dr. Maruki?" Sumire couldn't help but ask. Maruki greeted the redhead with a smile.

"Yoshizawa. It's been a while. Although I'm not much of a doctor anymore," Maruki said. He addressed the rest of the Thieves. "As well as the rest of you. I'm glad to see you're all doing well despite what I put you through."

The Phantom Thieves stared at Dr. Maruki. It wasn't that long ago that Maruki attempted to overwrite reality with his vision of a world without pain. It stemmed from the murder of his fiancée's parents during a home invasion. While they could sympathize with his situation, the Phantom Thieves rejected this ideal world as it would rob people of their free will and trap them in a fake mirage in exchange for happiness. Sure, they will experience pain and loss, but it's a part of living. As well as overcoming them with their strength.

"The same can be said for you Dr. Maruki," Makoto greeted. Before his brief takeover of reality, he had been the best counselor that Shujin Academy had. He was set straight after they defeated him. They didn't have time to wonder about him as they were busy with getting Ren out of jail.

"I told you, I'm not a doctor anymore. Nowadays, I'm just your average taxi driver."

"So, what brings ya here?" Ryuji asked. Maruki's face became solemn.

"I overheard your conversation about Amamiya," Maruki said, his voice calm and collected. "About how you all thought he was dead, only to discover he's alive."

The Phantom Thieves exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued.

"I came here because it's the most likely place to meet all of you…to tell you that it's true," Maruki continued, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "I saw Amamiya last night, alive and well."

A collective gasp escaped the Phantom Thieves.

"Really? Where did you see him?" Sumire asked, her voice filled with excitement.

"During my shift as a taxi driver," Maruki continued, his voice becoming low and intense. "He was running like the devils at his heels. Like he was being chased by something."

The Phantom Thieves felt their breath hitch. Their earlier relief about Ren's living status ebbed away somewhat. They remembered what happened at the Youth Detention Center. The fact that Maruki had seen him last night was proof that Ren escaped. But what was he running from?

"Did you see who was chasing him?" Haru asked.

"Yes," Maruki said with a nod, his voice filled with gravity. "But what I'm about to tell you might sound unbelievable. It's almost as big as the Metaverse."

The Phantom Thieves exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued.

"I recorded the whole thing on my phone," Maruki continued, reaching into his pocket and pulling out his device. "I want to show you."

Futaba got up from her seat, walked up to Maruki, and took his phone. Walking back to her laptop, she connected it to her laptop. Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she accessed the video file. She clicked play, and the screen filled with the grainy footage captured by Maruki's camera. The Phantom Thieves leaned in, their eyes fixed on the screen, their hearts pounding with anticipation.

The video showed Ren facing off against a guy in a deserted construction zone. The guy facing Ren is clad in a worn and battle-scarred blue uniform, standing tall and proud. The helmet was adorned with crystals of red, yellow, and green, their colors dull and faded with time. The guy's stance was defiant, his eyes locked on Ren as if daring him to challenge him.

"Who's that guy? And what the hell is he wearing?" Ryuji wondered out loud only to be shushed by Ann as Ren spoke up.

"How's this Mr. Duel Soldier? We can duel here without interference."

"Now you're talking. Even without your Duel Disk, carding you right away wouldn't be much fun. I promise that it's going to be slow and painful for the hell you put me through.

They could make out the twitch in Ren's eyebrow, but he said nothing. Instead, he lifted his left arm and activated a device attached to his arm. Ryuji recognized it right away.

"Hey, that looks like Duel Disk from Yu-Gi-Oh!"

"Hush Ryuji!"

Ryuji clammed up as both men in the video declared 'DUEL'. They watched in stunned disbelief as Ren and the Duel Soldier were somehow summoning monsters to fight their opponent. Any initial disbelief evaporated. What Maruki said before the video was true. They had to see it to believe it.

"How are they doing that?" Yusuke asked, staring in awe at the incredible spectacle being displayed. "The design is so lifelike."

"Be quiet and watch the duel Inari!" Futaba snapped over her shoulder. But her eyes are twinkling with interest at what is being shown in the video. Like Ryuji, she had seen the Yu-Gi-Oh! Anime. To see it happening on video, in real life, is unbelievable.

They watched the duel in silence. Futaba and Ryuji would take opportunities to get a quick Yu-Gi-Oh! Fact in whispers to not disturb the duel. When the Antique Gear Golem got summoned, they got worried when they saw its attack points. If it weren't for the first turn, Ren would've been down by 3000 Life Points.

But they felt it fade away when Ren turned the tables on him. Not only did he summon a monster that became stronger than the Gear Golem, but he was also able to destroy it. With the Duel Soldier open, Ren launched a direct attack. It would've been a massive blow to the Duel Soldier's life points if he hadn't had that trap card, Fusion Trench, out. It prevents monsters other than Fusion monsters from attacking.

Futaba and Ryuji explained that Fusion monsters are monsters that are created by combining two or more monsters. But during his turn, the Duel Soldier didn't summon a Fusion Monster. Instead, he summoned an Antique Gear Hound Dog to inflict direct damage on Ren. Ryuji swore that a monster like that doesn't exist, and the guy has got to be cheating.

Makoto realizes that regardless of the case, it meant that while he couldn't attack, the Duel Soldier could still inflict damage. They also didn't miss the fact that Ren looked like he was in pain from the monster's effect. Nor did they miss the look of sadistic glee on the Duel Soldiers' faces.

During his next turn, Ren simply strengthened his defenses with another monster and a spell card. When it was the Duel Soldier's turn, the thug summoned another Antique Gear Hound Dog to inflict twice the damage on him. Sumire had to stifle a cry at seeing Ren in pain. Ryuji had to be restrained before he could punch the bastard's onscreen smug grin. All the while all Ren could do was take the pain while trying to plan a counterattack.

Then the feeling of dread returned when the Duel Soldier Fusion summoned Antique Gear Ultimate Golem. A monster like that could end a duel in a single blow. But the Duel Soldier purposefully attacked Ren's stronger monster so that Ren would get one more turn. The sadistic bastard wanted to savor Ren's despair.

But instead of despair, they saw Ren give the Duel Soldier pure unadulterated rage. In a single turn, he turned the tables again. He brought out his fusion monster, Arcana Knight Joker, to the field. After returning Antique Gear Ultimate Golem, Ren proceeded to attack. After slaying the Duel Soldier's last monster, Ren splits Arcana Knight Joker into his three components and attacks the Duel Soldier directly. Do the math, and it's an overkill victory in Ren's favor.

"This is for my counterpart!" Ren yelled as each of his monsters attacked. "This is for my classmates! And this is for everyone else you've carded and killed you bastard! Viva la Rebellion!"

Futaba took the opportunity to pause the video as the café erupted in cheers. At one point, the duel had taken a turn that could've been his downfall, but Ren had managed to turn the tide. He defeated the Duel Soldier and emerged victorious.

"Never doubted him for a second!" Ryuji bragged. "But damn, he can duel! I didn't know he could play Yu-Gi-Oh!"

"I'm getting more interested in this Yu-Gi-Oh game now," Morgana said. "I bet I'll be as good as Joker."

"Okay, but I doubt you'll be able to duel," Ryuji states. "I mean, the game is meant for human hands, not a cat's paws."

"You wanna bet?" Morgana growled. Ann interposed between the two before they got into another one of their spats.

"Knock it off you two," Ann said. "Quick question. Am I the only one who picked up on what Ren and that Duel Soldier fellow were discussing?"

"You are not the only one," Makoto said. "That Duel Soldier talked about a war. Someone called a Professor that he thought would be pleased when he presented his collection. There was also something about…carding the wrong guy."

"I'd bet he's the one responsible for what happened at the Detention Center," Haru added a look that could kill. "Somehow, Ren escaped and ran for his life."

"I'd say that it's safe to assume that Amamiya is familiar with the Duel Soldier," Maruki spoke up with a frown. "I'm sure 'friendly' would be a term way too lightly."

"I'd say that unfriendly would better suit the relationship," Morgana said growling. "But wait, what happened to Joker? Shouldn't he be with you?"

"That answer lies in the unbelievable part of this video," Maruki pointed out. "I mean, it hasn't finished yet."

"Hey, he's right! The quest isn't over," Futaba said, noticing that the bar has a few more minutes. She pressed PLAY again. They watched as Ren frisked the Duel Soldier. He took off the Duel Soldiers Duel Disk and removed a deck of cards. As he shuffled through them, a sorrowful look crossed his face. Then he placed the cards in a neat pile on the Duel Soldier's chest. Then, he proceeds to smash the Duel Soldiers Duel Disk underfoot. Futaba squeaked at the brutal destruction of such technology.

When the Duel Disk was reduced to bits and pieces, Ren approached a briefcase. They recognized it as the same briefcase that Maruki carried. He took out a card and inserted it into a card reader. The briefcase opened and a small screen appeared. Ren hesitated for a moment before he pressed on the screen. The Thieves were floored when a red portal appeared with a loud boom. Ren looked behind him. It's as if he's trying to look at something.

"I'm sorry everyone…this isn't goodbye."

It was then everyone realized he was speaking to them. They watched as he turned around and ran straight into the portal. When it closed, the video ended. The Thieves struggled to comprehend what they witnessed. Maruki finally spoke to break the silence.

"When I went to investigate, I found that the Duel Solider had more of those cards. The ones with people on them. There were a lot of them. I realized that Ren was making it clear that he was the guy who attacked the Youth Detention Center. He left him for the cops."

"And then Ren left through that portal," Ryuji snapped. "You were there! Why the hell didn't you stop him Maruki?"

Everyone had that same question. Maruki sighed. "The truth is I wanted to. But something stopped me. Maybe it was the counselor part of me that made me realize that something was up with Ren. At the end of the duel, I realized that with all the talk about war and rebellion is something personal to Ren. Something that he couldn't let go. Something that he needed to face."

Maruki lifted the briefcase. "Maybe I was supposed to ensure that I get this to you guys. So that you could help him. Here, you'll also need this."

The former counselor held out a card which Sumire took. She recognized the card from the Duel. It's the card that helped him achieve victory.

"Arcana Knight Joker."

"I saw Amamiya unlock the briefcase with it," Maruki said. "I got to go back to my shift. Whatever he's mixed up in…please do your best to help him."

Maruki stared at them for a moment before he exited the café. The Phantom Thieves looked on in silence. Then, Sumire picked up the briefcase and placed it on a nearby table. With Arcana Knight Joker in one hand, Sumire inserted it into the card reader.

"Access granted," an artificial female voice spoke as the light turned green and the lock clicked. Opening it, Sumire saw complex machinery within the briefcase. At the center, a projector aperture opened. The aperture projected a holographic screen.

Activate Interdimensional Transporter?

Y/N

"Activate Interdimensional Transporter," Futaba read aloud. "Interdimensional…guess that means this town portal leads to another dimension?"

"If it weren't for the video, I would be asking how well you can accept it," Makoto said.

"Why wouldn't we Mako-chan?" Haru asked. "Maruki doesn't seem like the type to make something up. He was honest with us when we infiltrated his palace."

"And I know CGI when I see it and his video is most definitely not," Futaba declared with absolute certainty. "What we saw is real. That means we saw actual Duel Disks being used in a Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel. And we witnessed Ren jumping into a portal to unexplored territory."

"I'd say that sums up everything," Yusuke said as he combed his fingers through his dark blue hair. "What's our next move?"

"Ain't it obvious?" Ryuji asked. "I say we use the transporter and jump in after him!"

"Are we sure?" Ann asked. "We still got school to worry about. How are we going to explain our absence?"

"You think that shit matters when Ren's life could be in danger?" Ryuji argued hotly. "We didn't give a shit about that when we're busting our asses trying to get him out. I wasn't much of a model student anyway. I bailed on him, WE bailed on him, during that mess with Maruki and it'll be a cold day in hell if I'm going to do it again."

"I don't believe anyone is saying we're abandoning him," Yusuke cuts in. "It's clear that we're going to be walking into uncharted territory. We don't know what may happen."

"Remember what Ren said at the end of the video? How he said that it isn't goodbye," Haru pointed out. "Even if we didn't go, I believe he has every intention of coming back to us."

"But what if he doesn't come back?" Sumire asked in quiet worry. That question cut all conversation in the making. "Everyone, you all saw him enter that portal. But we don't know if he'll be able to come back from wherever he went."

That horrid thought made the temperature drop cold. Dread settled in their hearts. It was bad enough that Ren had to get himself arrested to fake his death. Then he had to go to prison to make sure Shido got charged. Now they might never get him back.

"Damn it!" Ryuji pounded the table. "Why the hell did Ren run off?"

"I'm sure that he has his reasons," Sumire assured them. "But whatever problem he's facing, he's just one man. It took all of you to save me from erasing myself with only my sister's identity. And it took all of us to defeat Maruki and return reality to normal. Wherever he is, he's going to need all of us."

Sumire fixed the Thieves with a hard stare. "When has anything stopped you from doing what's right? If it's all the same, I want to go after Ren. Find out why he left and help him if I can. It'll be more than enough for what he's done for me. We'll always have school, and we can deal with the repercussions of our absence when it comes to it. Ren is irreplicable for me…and everyone."

Her words stirred something in their hearts. Something that happened back when they returned to reality to find Ren in jail. When Sumire suggested they do everything they can to get him out. To face life's adversities and overcome them. Everyone looked at each other, confirming that they were sharing the same thing.

"Our mission remains," Morgana declared firmly. "Get Joker out of jail and home. As far as I'm concerned, we still haven't fulfilled that mission. And it would smear the Phantom Thieves' name if we just sit on our butts and hope for the best. So, let's put it to a vote. All in favor…"

[~]

Late at night, Futaba finished stuffing everything that she'd need into her adventurer's pack. Just the essentials nothing more. Cup Noodles, Snack Packs, an alarm clock, and her trusty laptop. She didn't have a sleeping bag to pack due to her previous occupation as a reclusive shut-in. Hopefully, she can ask the others if they've got a spare.

"Futaba."

Morgana looked over her shoulder to see Morgana walking up to her. In between his teeth is a key on a ring. "I managed to get the chief's key."

"Alright," Futaba cheered as she took the key from him. "Acquire the key item condition is complete. Did you leave the note?"

"Yep," Morgana nodded. "Let's go!"

Futaba slung the duffel bag straps over her shoulder and followed the feline thief. Carefully, she used her sneak skill to slowly tiptoe down the stairs without waking up the elder Sakura. While she wouldn't admit it out loud, her stealth skill is a little low. If it weren't for Morgana, she'd still be having trouble putting on her shoes without light.

When she was ready, she opened the front door slowly and carefully as she could. Her breath hitched when she heard the door creak. Looking over her shoulder, she waited for a bedroom door to open and for Sojiro to come down, demanding why she was going out this late at night.

She'd hate to do this. They haven't told him about Ren missing in some far-off place.

"Sorry, Sojiro. I'll be back soon. I promise."

With that, she walked across the threshold while closing the door behind her. The streets of Yogen-Jaya are quiet at this time of night. Ren told her that he would come out after hours and do some activities. Like work a late-night job, play a game, or go to the neighborhood onsen. She never had the pleasure of experiencing those things for herself until she was out of her recluse phase.

The thought of Ren made her depressed, but she quickly quashed it. After two weeks, she's going to see Ren again. It may not be exactly how they planned it, but no matter.

Futaba found herself standing in front of Café Leblanc. Sojiro had covered the door's broken glass with tape after the break-in. Hopefully, she could think of a security system to install to help Ren make it up to Sojiro. Taking out the key, she inserted it into the lock and twisted it. Her objective to unlock the Café is a success.

"Now that we no longer have a use for it, I'm gonna take it back to the Chief," Morgana said, lifting his head expectantly. "He'll freak even more if he didn't have his key."

Nodding, Futaba hands over the key. Morgana didn't waste any time in scampering back down the street they came from. Carefully, Futaba stepped into the Café and turned on the lights. Then she took a seat at the counter and waited.

After several minutes, the door opened. Ann walked in with a backpack slung over her shoulder. Seeing Futaba, she asked, "Am I the first to arrive?"

"Yep," Futaba said with a small pop. Ann nodded and took a seat next to her. They waited for several more minutes before the door opened faster than Ann. Ryuji stumbled in, breathing heavily. On his back is an overstuffed backpack.

"This is the second time I've had to make a mad dash," Ryuji spoke out of breath. Futaba and Ann's sweat dropped at him.

"Are bringing that much baggage?" Ann asked.

"Hey, we don't know how long we'll be gone," Ryuji defended. "Where are the others?"

"You're the second party member to arrive," Futaba said. "Morgana just putting the key back in its chest."

"Someone says my name?" Morgana asked as he made his presence known. He slipped in earlier when Ryuji opened the door. The feline thief hopped onto the countertop and gave Ryuji a quizzical look.

"Guess somebody overpacked."

"That's easy for you to say! You don't have to pack shit!" Ryuji snapped. Before another argument could escalate again, the door opened. This time, Yusuke came walking in with a small bag. The artist looked around the room.

"I'm the fifth to arrive?" Yusuke asked. "I must say that it's fortuitous."

"That's all you're bringing?" Ann asked. "Compared to Ryuji, you looked under-packed."

"I only packed the essentials and a change of clothes," Yusuke said. "I didn't know how long I would be gone so I packed the same way when we went to Hawaii."

"You mean that's what you brought during your school trip?" Ryuji asked before realizing something. "Did you at least bring a raincoat or an umbrella?"

"I have," Yusuke nods as he brings out the aforementioned items. Before he could take a seat, the door opened again. This time, Makoto and Haru came in. Including the backpacks on their back, they held two paper bags in each hand. When Makoto noticed the other Thieves and their bags, she sighed in relief.

"Thank goodness you had the sense to not pack a suitcase," Makoto said with relief. The Thieves looked confused.

"Why would we pack a suitcase?" Ryuji asked. "It's not like we're going on vacation or anything."

"It's not you, it's me," Haru said with a sigh. "I didn't have any other bags aside from my school bag. I had to go out and buy another one. I even got Mako-Chan one while we were out shopping."

"We have some extra snacks and essentials to share with everyone," Makoto said as she set her bags on the table and began passing their contents out.

"Did you get sleeping bags?" Futaba asked to which Haru nodded.

"We also got tents," Haru said, holding up two bags. "One for us the other for the boys."

"Speaking of which, the only one left is Sumire," Morgana pointed out. As if right on cue, the door opened for what could be the last time. The ringing bell heralded the last of the Thieves to arrive.

"Sorry I'm late," Sumire apologized, a bag slung under her arm. "It was difficult to get away from my dad."

"No one's asking you to apologize," Morgana said. "But what did you tell your dad?"

"I told him that I will be going with my coach for remedial lessons," Sumire said. "Before you ask, I asked her to help me out. Told her I needed to help Ren, and she was on board. How is everyone going to explain their absence?"

"I left my mom a note explaining a few things and that I promise that I'll be back," Ryuji said.

"My parents aren't around much," Ann said, leaving no room for further explanation.

"I've been living in the Kosei dorms ever since Madarame got arrested," Yusuke said.

"I left a note for my Sis to read," Makoto said with a little worry. "I hope she won't be too mad when we get back."

"I'm sure she'll understand, Mako-chan," Haru assured her. "For me, I told everyone I wanted to be alone to mourn my parents. That it'll be the first time I'm celebrating Valentine's Day tomorrow."

"Shoot, I forgot about that," Ann yelped. "Did anyone bring their chocolate?"

Everyone but unsurprisingly Yusuke did. After getting their gear in order, the Thieves went upstairs to the attic. Earlier in the day, they cleaned it up to make it look presentable. They wanted it to be in the same state that Ren left it when he came back. When they bring him back.

It also left them room to set up the interdimensional transporter. The briefcase sat innocently at the center of the floor. Futaba knelt and unlocked the briefcase. Once again, they are greeted by the sight of the holographic screen.

Activate Interdimensional Transporter?

Y/N

Her finger hovered over the screen before stopping. Futaba looked back at the others for confirmation. They already made their decision. But the screen is all but telling them that once they do this, there may be no coming back. Seeing that they made no distinction of changing their mind, herself included, she pressed the 'Y' on the screen. The screen disappeared as the transporter began to hum. The noise grew in intensity, electricity sparking as it did. Everyone backed away from the transporter as the light flickered for a few seconds before letting out a loud boom. As expected, the red portal opened above the transporter.

Everyone stared at the portal as if registering it for reality. Once they jump in, there would be no going back. But everyone is determined to see it through.

"Alright, I'll go first," Morgana said as he stepped forward. Before he could even approach the portal, Ryuji stepped in front of him.

"Hold on, the charge commander should go first," Ryuji declared in a tone that booked no room for argument. Morgana stared at him before backing away. Ryuji took a couple of breaths before with a wordless yell, he ran headfirst into the portal. Everyone watched as his form disappeared into the red void. Without a word, Ann followed after Ryuji with Morgana at her heels. Then came Yusuke, Futaba, Makoto, Haru, and lastly Sumire. Everyone followed Ren down the rabbit hole.

Wordlessly, she prayed that Ren would stay safe. They're coming for him.

[~][~]

Greetings and Bienvenu readers.

I apologize for taking so long to update this fanfic and for making this chapter short. Circumstances rarely allow everything to go as planned. I wanted to get this out of the way before the month's end. The next chapter will be as long as my regular quota.

As you can see, the rest of the Phantom Thieves are finally joining the story. Without a moment's hesitation, they followed Ren down the rabbit hole. What role they will play in the interdimensional war you will have to see?

Thank you all for reading and have a happy Halloween.

Until next time.