2,001Mugen Kagemaru: Chapters come out once a month as close to the end as I can get it.
welltall44: Thank you, and yeah it is an important thing. To get Haru into the fold and for Ryuji, something Ren was trying to AVOID if he could.
ScarletEmperor: And that was 100% on purpose. Ren told Morgana what happened and how it happened... and Morgana is a BAD ACTOR. He stuck to the script even though it didn't make sense, it was a bit of in character writing. ... Also we relised we fucked up half way through writing the scene to end where we wanted it, so we adjusted our plans and used that character aspect.
StevieBond: For now...
Diran The Ultimate Autist: Well he did it on purpose. Was a plan between Mona and Joker
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Wanna give her the biggest of hugs. And sorry, forgot to put the break on. *the light on the blue box beeps*
Here are some reviews answered by Ghost:
Obiki Doragon: You'll have to wait a while then. Grey and I are busy with life.
Tony Anderson: Just you wait. We've got plans for those two.
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: She greatly appreciates it. Ryuji doesn't. I was wondering why a police box was floating about the place recently. Also, these chapters were written in advance before Des Shinta's P5R reviews, so, I feel more remorse to how we've written Ryuji.
Neo Infinity: Yeah, we know. Plus, we have plans for Noir's cafe, should it appear
Diran the Ultimate Autist: You'll have to wait and see.
StevieBond: Just keep reading, we might surprise you.
welltall44: Glad you've been enjoying the vhapter. Hope you enjoy this next one.
Mugen Kagemaru: Glad you've been enjoying our story, sorry about the spelling errors, but autocorrect and different spellchecker systems are a bitch when you write a lot and use lots of different words.
Disclaimer: We do not own Persona 5. That belongs to Atlus.
Co-written by GhostKaiser23
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Once again we have returned with another fun and chaotic chapter!
And hope you all enjoy this chapter!
Persona 5 New Game Plus, Joker's Second Chance
Chapter 56
Trying To Fix The Broken
The Group were all back together, back in LeBlanc... minus Mona of course, but also this new 'Beauty Thief'.
Why did Mona get a newbie involved with someone so dangerous?
"Oh, hey." Ann spoke, catching everyones attention
"Bet you're tired." Futaba commented.
"I haven't felt this exhausted since awakening my Persona." Yusuke agreed.
"What've you been looking at this whole time?" Shiho asked Makoto.
That caught the others attention, the group moving in to hear Makoto's response "Nothing really. I didn't just want to stand around and wait." Makoto admitted. "The burglary at Okumura Foods is circulating the news again."
Walking in sluggishly was Ryuji as he looked exhausted. "Dammit, why'd they only keep coming after me? And why didn't they go after 'Ms Beauty Thief'?"
"Well, it's a Bio-Metric door." Futaba answered. "So someone close to Okumura?"
The group pondered that, though Ren knew the truth.
"We were told she was a Persona User, correct? Do you believe it's true?" Yusuke asked.
"Well, she was dressed like one." Shiho groaned as she was lying on the bed.
"Did Morgana betray us?" Futaba asked.
"I don't think so." Ren said confidently.
"You think so?" Shiho asked.
"It makes sense to me. If he wanted to go on the offensive, he would've exposed our identities." Makoto agreed.
"Either way, how the hell's Morgana related to that Beauty Thief?" Ryuji asked, leaning back to catch his breath.
"Considering her tone and physique. She seemed to be our age." Yusuke answered.
"... I feel like I've seen her somewhere." Makoto pondered. "She's definatly very familiar... And she was very flustered."
"For real? Where at?" Ryuji asked as he seemed to perk up.
Makoto pondered this for a moment as she focused. "At school. I think." she admitted
"Wait, what?" Both Ryuji and Shiho asked in confusion.
"Wait. Now that you mention it. I think I've seen someone like her before." Shiho admitted.
"Is she a student of Shujin?" Yusuke asked, since he didn't go to their school.
"I just feel like that's the case. She did have a mask on after all." Makoto responded. "The registry is in the student council's room has pictures of every student, we should check tomorrow."
"Meaning if we find out who Beauty Thief is we'll be able to talk to Morgana again!" Futaba realised.
"Futaba and I should further probe into Okumura Foods. It'd be best if we investigate how they're connected to the mental shut downs." Yusuke added.
"We're gonna take them down!" Futaba agreed as she fist-bumped Yusuke.
"We better start it tomorrow. I think we all deserve a break." Ren informed.
"Are you sure? We can stay-" Ann offered.
Ren shook his head. "It'll be fine. Okumura doesn't know yet that we're after him."
"I mean, are you going to be alright on your own?" Ann responded.
"I'll be fine. Don't worry." Ren answered.
As the group left, Ren at his desk as he felt his exhaustion seep in and began to work on some more Thief Tools.
*Time Skip*
Ren had stayed up most of the night, toiling away at the Thief Tools and working on his homework. He had to distract himself even more since Morgana wasn't there, he missed his best cat buddy. As he rode the train to school he struggled to stay upright and 'resting' against the inside of the car. Ren's eyes felt a little heavy, holding his bag close to his chest as his head bobbed with the motion of the train, almost like it was lulling him to sleep.
"Did you see the Phan-Site? Okumura Foods are at the top of the list still." A person spoke, which Ren could hear despite the muttered hubbub.
"Apparently they're really shitty to their employees." Another person commented.
"They never pay overtime, yet they work so hard that someone actually died." A third person commented.
'Black Companies... god.' Ren thought to himself, horrified by that practice since it was ingrained into their culture.
"I also heard that a pissed-off former employee trashed their corporate office." The first added.
"There's even rumours that they strong-arm any competitors." The second added.
"Christ, I just ate there yesterday." The third answered.
Ren sighed heavily as his head rested against the wall of the train car. 'Noir...' Ren continued to listen in on these rumours, only waking up as the train pulled into the station which woke him up and he headed to school.
*Time Skip*
Ren was in class, trying his best to focus as he felt his phone vibrate and the group, mostly Ryuji, were commenting about 'Beauty Thief' and how she was able to open the gate and if she was an 'amateur'. He just told them to 'Stay on their guard', it was the most he could say right now. His mind had to be focussed on 'finding out' the identity of Noir- 'Beauty Thief'.
BING!
BONG!
"Oh, that's our time for the lesson." The teacher spoke up. "I'll see you next lesson."
Ann and Ren noted each other and walked out of the room, headed to the Student Council room, there they were sure that Makoto might've gotten the student ID books right now. If not, they could get them out when they get there.
"Oh hey, you're here." Makoto spoke as she saw Ren and Ann enter.
"Hnn, where'd you want these, Makoto?" Ryuji asked, carrying three large books.
"Over here." She instructed as Shiho was there, bringing chairs for everyone to sit at.
"Hmm, I don't think we've got enough chairs." Shiho admitted. "Let me go find some more."
"Thanks, Shiho." She responded. "This really helps."
"We've got the other table. Might help if we're all together." Ann added as Ren dropped his bag to the side and helped her extend their work ethic.
As they connected the tables and brought open the books, they all contained pictures of female students...hundreds of them. "Well, ready to start?" Makoto asked.
"Let's do this." Ann nodded as they looked at the first pages and tried to scan and imagine the 'Beauty Thief' and the girls in the book.
Time ticked on as they looked for the girl. But their attention was getting distracted.
"Whoa! This girl is cute!" Ryuji commented. "... Argh, crap, she's younger than me."
"Ryuji, focus." Shiho quickly glared at him.
"No way! She's the same age as me? She looks like my dad's friend!" Ann double-took as she broke the 'focus' rule.
"Get back to work." Ryuji snarked.
Makoto sighed as she made a note of the page she was on. "Why don't we take a break? It's no surprise our concentration is waning. Ren?"
Ren was resting, sitting up while looking at a page, where he found Haru.
"Ren!" Shiho called out.
"Huh? Wha-?" He snored awake as he felt his body jolt with adrenaline.
"You fell asleep. Another late night?" She asked.
"I'm. Yeah. I'm okay, don't worry." He lied. "I think I found her."
"What do you-?" Shiho asked.
"Wait, it's her!" Ann looked at the book and saw Haru.
"Haru. Okumura. Oh my god." Makoto gasped.
"Wasn't the Beauty Thief like this too? With the fluffy hair?" Ann suggested.
"That's gotta be her! Way to go, buddy! Half-asleep and you still manage to find her!" Ryuji praised.
"It'd also explain that biometric reader door in the Palace." Makoto added. "It's worth looking into."
"Why was she at the Palace?" Ann asked as Shiho sat next to Ren who was awake again.
"We could just get her to spill the beans herself. It's worth a shot." Ryuji commented.
"She might've already gone home, we'll pick this up tomorrow." Makoto answered.
"Well, alright." They all answered. "See you later."
Ren nodded as he felt that forcing himself awake as he left, thinking where Haru would be... dang it, this lack of sleep was messing with his memory. As he left, Ren walked to the entrance... where he saw Haru struggling with a heavy trolley filled with topsoil. "H-hnn. Come on. Oh, shoot." She frowned as she couldn't push it on her own.
"Are you okay, Haru?" Ren asked as he saw her.
"Huh? Oh, Ren." She spoke.
"Need some help there?" He asked.
"That'd be great, thank you." She smiled and nodded. "If you can help me unload these."
"No problem." He reassured. The two carried the topsoil over to the nearby gardens and felt relief, this only did two trips and not more. "Here we are." Ren strained as he put the soil down.
"I can't thank you enough, Ren." Haru commented.
"No problem. How's your garden growing?" He asked.
"It's going well, thank you." Haru answered. "Are you okay? You look exhausted. Have you been working hard?"
"I'm coping. You're not the first person to ask me that." Ren answered.
"Haru Okumura." Makoto saw this and walked up.
"Yes? Can I help you?" Haru asked.
"Care to explain why you were in your Father's Palace?" Makoto asked.
'Wow, just... go for the throat.' Ren thought with a deadpanned thought
"Oh, you know about that?" Haru asked. "I can't believe you figured it out in a single day. I have to say, you look cool in that biker gang outfit!"
"Um. I. Let's not talk about that." Makoto asked.
"Agreed." Ren smirked playfully.
"Ahem. So... why did you become a Phantom Thief?" Makoto asked Haru.
Haru frowned and looked away in shame, collecting herself as she felt the weight of her family's pressure. "My father's highly regarded as a manager, but I had various... doubts about him. Things have grown quite serious lately. That's why I want to make amends, even though it's for my own satisfaction."
Ren and Makoto gave a quick glance to each other as they heard that, despite knowing that Haru was in over her head, it was clear she didn't mean to harm anyone.
"But I wonder if this is running from the problem?" Haru pondered to herself as she sat on the plant wall's edge.
"Where did you meet Morgana?" Makoto asked.
"It was pure coincidence. I found a lonely-looking cat in front of our office building." Haru explained, Ren gulped a little since this was still part of their plan, but he didn't like lying to his friends.
"And that was Morgana." Makoto clarified.
Haru hummed in agreement. "I followed him and I ended up in the Metaverse. I couldn't change my father's company, but by becoming a Phantom Thief, I thought I could be able to change him."
"Isn't there anyway we can work together?" Makoto offered.
Haru frowned and shook her head. "I can't cooperate with people who don't know what they want to do. What you're doing is creating an unnecessary stir within the public. Besides, the Phantom Thieves, who should be helping the weak, can't help their own teammate."
Ren and Makoto felt guilty about that. Realising they should've spoken up about all that was said days ago.
"I just. I want my father to atone for his crimes. And help Mona who gave me this chance." Haru continued.
"We could work together." Ren offered.
"Thank you, but no. Mona and I will be able to do this on our own." Haru reassured.
"Alright. Thanks, Haru." Ren sighed as he and Makoto walked off, his mood dropping a little.
"She hit quite a sore spot." Makoto whispered.
"Yeah, I know." He agreed.
"'We don't know what we want to do'. I guess we can't get her cooperation, meaning we'll have to tell the gang about our next move. And we can't forget Morgana either." Makoto followed up.
*Time Skip*
We arrive in a mansion, large and imposing with large glass windows that look to double as doors. In walked Haru, who looked crestfallen as she heard her father on the phone. Her father was a powerful man, dressed in a black suit a white button shirt, beige trousers with a red and orange checkered ascot, brown shoes, swept-back black hair, and rectangular thin silver framed glasses.
"I'm home, Father." Haru spoke gently.
"Drive them away." He ordered through his phone. "That's right, make it a priority."
Beep!
"I finally get a foothold into politics and this happens." He grouced. "'Phantom Thieves'? Hmph!" He turned to Haru with an intense look. "Did the media ask you anything?"
"No, not at all." Haru answered, crossing her arms nervously. "Um... What's this about the Phantom Thieves?"
Her father sighed and sat down on the couch. "It seems I'm ranked first in this idiotic forum for these 'Phantom Thieves'."
"Is it because of the news coverage?" Haru asked in concern.
"It's jealousy of the successful." He answered, brushing the concerns off. "Nothing but the barks of the masses who lack the resolve to sacrifice what's needed for their well-being." He took a moment to contemplate as Haru stood there. "Both the young and old are overjoyed with these foolish idols. This country has no future."
Haru frowned at the harshness of her father, wanting to fix this. "What if they do exist? What if they really steal people's hearts?"
He leaned back on the couch and looked at Haru with an inquisitive look. "Are you still having doubts about me?"
Haru backtracked herself and gulped "No."
"More importantly, I hope things are going well with that young man." He asked, inquiring about Haru's 'arrangement'.
"Yes, father." She answered, tucking her hands behind her back.
He softened up at that, seeing her knowing the path he laid out for her. "Very well then. He may not seem like it, but he's the son of a very influential politician. Be cordial with him. He'll eventually become a necessary connection for the company, or rather, for me."
Haru flinched a little but agreed. "I understand. I will do the best I can."
"Good." He got to his feet. "That's how a daughter of Okumura should be." And with that, he went back onto his phone, ignoring Haru as his mind went back to his future and work.
Haru saw her father's back and headed off to her room.
*Elsewhere*
Ren was back in his bedroom in LeBlanc, this whole day was a drain on him emotionally. And faking looking through those books but falling asleep was a concern. These days without Morgana were making him anxious and his mind was racing.
Buzz
Buzz
"Oh, it's the guys." He muttered as he looked at his phone and saw the group going back and forth with their conversation about Haru's identity and her being involved with the Phantom Thieves. He rubbed his eyes under his glasses and sighed. "I knew this was a bad idea." He whispered to himself. "This doesn't get easier."
These past few days had seemed to blur all together for Ren.
He was losing sleep, his mind was still active from worry. He felt alone again, despite having his friends back. It felt wrong to lie to his friends to help coerce Haru to join the Phantom Thieves. Hell, he even felt his attention span getting sloppy. What was he to do? The stress of lying, no Morgana by his side, he just wanted this to be over so they could be a team again.
"I. I need help." He whispered to himself, just soft enough so Futaba couldn't hear as he went to his desk and worked again, making whatever tool he had the pieces for. "I need to help."
Scritch, scritch
Tink, tink
*Time Skip*
Day three.
Or was it four?
Ren was almost shambling his way downstairs into LeBlanc as he had only three hours of sleep last night.
"Morning Ren, whoa. You look rough." Sojiro spoke as he saw his charge.
"Late night." He mumbled. "I'm. Alright." He waved off.
"Are you sure? I can contact the school and say you're not feeling well." Sojiro offered supportively.
"N-No. I'll perk up. Soon. It's okay." Ren reassured, almost lying to Sojiro, but he could get through this day just for a little while longer.
"Alright then, but don't fall asleep on the train, you might miss your stop." Sojiro commented.
"I won't." Ren answered with a small smile and walked out.
"What about breakfast?" He called out.
"I'll grab something on the way." He responded.
As Ren left for school, Sojiro was worried. He didn't want to see this kid who had been doing so well, fall onto his face in exhaustion. "What am I going to do with him?"
Ren had taken the train to school, he didn't even feel the motion of the train as he just swayed with the crowd as he disembarked and held his bag to his chest while in the cramped compartment. As he left and walked through the streets next to the school, he heard other students discussing the Phan-Site. And how Okumura is at the top of the list.
"Isn't it a little strange that Okumura is the top vote of the Phan-Site?" A student asked.
"I mean, there are tons of different companies the same way." His friend responded.
"Maybe they're singling him out for all the praise he gets?" The first pondered. "Besides, there's a bunch of strange rumours starting to surface for the company."
"You mean all the stuff with the competitors?" The friend asked. "Don't tell me that you buy into that occult BS. I'm sure it's a coincidence."
Ren clapped his cheeks to wake himself up, he had to be ready for the first lesson of the day. Inside, he saw his English Language teacher, Ms Chouno who was chipper as always.
"Hi! How's everyone doing? Worn out from your trip?" She joked. "Come on, you're young! Hawaii doesn't even count as going to a foreign country. It's full of Japanese tourists. I bet you could speak Japanese all you wanted."
Ren sighed as he leaned on his desk, it wasn't too bad listening to her. But he didn't know what to focus on.
"Some shopkeepers will speak Japanese just to pressure you into buying things that your life depends on it." Mr Chouno commented, feeling proud at this next part. "I'm used to it though, so I actually speak English to haggle with them."
'Is that right?' Some of the students thought to themselves.
"Mr Amamiya! Show me how much your English has improved." She asked.
"Huh, what?" Ren gulped, being put on the spot.
"We have a saying: A skilled hawk hides its talons. What hides its claws in English?" Ms Chouno asked
'Claws? Hiding? Err...' He thought to himself, waking up and began to think... before he realised the answer. "A cat."
"Wonderful! 'Cats hide their claws' is the saying." She informed and applauded Ren. "There are many sayings that involve cats." And she began giving examples.
The students around him were in awe on Ren's knowledge, as the Phantom Thief himself gained a little knowledge.
Ren sighed gently as he continued to go throughout the day at school. Not really paying attention to his surroundings. He felt his eyes fall heavy and the world just passed him by with each little-.
Blink
He was in his second lesson in class, listening to his teacher drone on about history. Ann was behind him and could hear faint groans coming from his desk. "Ren? Are you okay?" She whispered.
He didn't answer, feeling pale as he couldn't focus.
Blink
Lunchtime, he didn't have anything with him. Not that he cared, his stomach was in knots and couldn't think straight.
"Ren, are you okay? You look terrible." Shiho asked.
"Just. Water. I'll be. Fine." He whispered, almost delirious, stunning his friends as he seemed really out of it.
Blink
"Now, who can tell me what the answer *here* is?" Ms Kawakami asked, in Ren's... third? Fourth lesson?
Ren's mind became heavy as he felt sweaty. Before-
Thud!
Clatter!
"Oh my gosh!" Ann gasped as she heard Ren collapse and scatter his things to the floor.
"Mr Amamiya! Get him to the nurse's office!" Ms Kawakami ordered as Ren's consciousness didn't hear her.
*Time Skip*
Ren was unconscious lying on something soft as opposed to stiff. He felt the cotton fluffiness of a pillow under his head and the embrace of a thinnish quilt on top of him. He slowly opened his eyes, noticing that his glasses were gone and felt a wave of relaxation come to his weary body. 'What happened? Did I pass out?' He thought to himself, groaning as he moved his hand, which grabbed the attention of someone.
"Ren." Shiho whispered as she saw him and pulled out her phone.
"Shiho? Where-?" He asked.
"The nurse's office. You passed out when you were in Ms Kawakami's lesson." Shiho explained.
"Oh... yeah. I did didn't I?" He sighed heavily and felt worthless. "What have I done?" He whispered to himself.
"Ren, have you not been sleeping well?" Shiho asked as she held his hand.
"No, I haven't." He admitted. "Since Morgana left, I. I have been up until five. Four or five in the morning. Getting nothing for sleep." He admitted.
"Why didn't you say anything?" She asked.
"Because I was proud. I didn't want to let you worry." He admitted.
"That was selfish of you." Shiho frowned as she heard that. "We're a team, you saved our lives. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be here."
Ren frowned at that, realising his selfishness of being alone had cost him... and it only made him sick and exhausted. "I'm. I'm sorry, Shiho. You're right."
She smiled gently as she held his hand, squeezing it a little. "Thank you, Ren. For helping me so much."
Ren gently squeezed her hand back. "You helped me just as much, Shiho. I'm glad that you're here with us." Ren whispered as he felt his eyes getting heavy again as he fell unconscious.
Shiho frowned and gently held his hand, her fingers running against his palm gently "I'll help you get home today. It's what a girl-no, it is what a friend would do."
"You really are a great friend... Shiho." he mumbled with a smile, falling asleep...
*Time Skip*
Shiho smiled as she held Ren's shoulder and arm, gently leading him into Le Blanc as he leaned against her slightly "You didn't have to walk with me all the way back." Ren teased.
"And let you fall unconscious again? Not likely." Shiho teased.
"Fall unconsious? Something I should know?" Sojiro asked in concern and a frown, looking like a productive papa bear
"Nothing a good nights sleep and a day of relaxing won't fix." Shiho stated with a frown, making a clear statement to Ren as she helped take him to the stairs and leading him up towards his room
'Note to self, always listen to my girlfriends.' Ren thought to himself as he walked upstairs... and his room was almost cluttered with Phantom Thief Tools hidden away in the boxes he tried to hide from Sojiro.
"Wow." Shiho whispered as she saw all the tools just slightly peaking out from the boxes.
"Yeah... I couldn't sleep." He admitted.
"I never realised how much I relied on Mona before now..." He mumbledz slipping into bed
"Shh, it's okay. We'll get Mona back and we'll move past this." Shiho shushed him gently to help him get to sleep.
"Thank you, Shiho." Ren yawned. "I guess you haven't seen this side of me before."
"What? Sleeping? Or being vulnerable?" She teased, taking his glasses off before stroking his cheek.
"Both?" He smiled. "Is there anything-"
"Don't speak." She stopped him talking with a tap from her finger on his lips. "Just relax."
Ren nodded, trying to relax as he rested in his bed and looked at Shiho. "I. Owe you. A date." He whispered.
"I think I owe you more than that." She smiled. "But. Something simple. And something sweet."
"Not turning into Ann, are you?" He teased. "Good night." His eyes slowly fluttered closed, sleep taking the trickster
Shiho waited for several long, long, minutes. Making sure he was asleep before acting
"Ren... Thank you." Shiho whispered softly, stroking his hair "I know you don't think so... But you saved me. From who I was. But what I wanted to do. You and Ann... You saved me. From him and from myself. I... Thank you. Thank you for everything. I wouldn't be who I am without you." Her thumb brushed his cheek gently, shifting herself on his bed lightly "I'm stronger than who I was. I don't know what would have happened but... Thank you. I love you." She whispered gently as she kissed his forehead. Feeling a powerful glow from within her heart
Within their hearts, a whisper of a voice spoke.
"I am thou, thou art I
Thou hast turned a vow into a blood oath.
Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion
and break the yoke of thy heart.
Thou hast awakened to the ultimate secret
of the Lust, granting thee infinite power..."
Ren relaxed as he felt that connection, resting with a small smile on his cheeks.
She felt her own power bubbling and flowing as her Persona emerged in the real world, the power flowing around her as she began to warp and change. Circe's natural appearance began to glow and was encompassed in an orb of blue and white light. And with a bright FLASH! she had transformed!
Circe's bronze body had turned into a vibrant spring green, her braided hair became entangled as vines and golden as the sun, her eyes were covered by a white cloth that flowed down her back; on her shoulders were tree branches that sprung from her body, down her body was a red and green bikini designed as leaves and vines. Her feet were no longer human, becoming the roots of a tree; her left hand and arm were a colossal snake, with ruby-scaled skin and a half-open mouth beating its fangs if briefly. And finally round her neck was a red scarf with tattered ends, decorated with golden lettering and an apple choker.
'I feel like, this is my new power. I've been given this chance!' Shiho thought.
"Well done, my other half."*The Persona spoke.
"What do I call you?" Shiho whispered.
"You may call me 'Eve'." Shiho's Awakened Persona spoke kindly.
"Eve." She smiled gently.
LUST: RANK 10
*Time Skip*
The group were on their phones, having their conversation to meet up and get into the Palace. 'Alright guys, we'll meet up.' Ann informed as she finished the thread.
"Alright, time to talk to Mona." Shiho whispered to herself in he room.
The group all got together, heading down to the train terminal while keeping their voices to themselves.
"How's Ren?" Yusuke asked as they were together.
"Still in bed." Shiho answered.
'God, how bad is he?' Makoto pondered.
"Jeez, it's a shame he couldn't be here with us." Ryuji commented.
"Grr! This is all your fault, Ryuji!" Shiho snapped.
"Gah-hck! What did I do?" Ryuji defended.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe, the fact you scared Mona off?" Ann followed up.
"You. I." Ryuji tried to respond.
"Do you know how much Ren relied on Morgana? He was exhausted during this past week." Shiho continued.
"I. Is that why he fell asleep during-?" Makoto asked.
"Yeah." Shiho nodded.
"That's not my fault." Ryuji tried to deflect it.
"Oh I'm sorry, who was the one who was yelling at the cat?" Shiho remarked.
"Okay, okay. That is enough." Yusuke tried to calm everything down. "We can settle this later."
"Don't defend him, Inari." Futaba frowned.
"I'm not defending him, but I don't want to bring unwanted attention to our situation." Yusuke answered.
"Thanks dude." Ryuji deadpanned.
"The fact is, we need to find Ms Okumura and Morgana." Yusuke answered. "They have a right to know."
"Do you think they'll listen?" Ann hoped.
"We can only try." Shiho answered.
"Well, into the Metaverse we go." Futaba piped up as she readied her phone.
"Let's go find them." Makoto agreed as they all vanished into the Metaverse. They were dressed in their Thief Attire, starting at the entrance of the first floor, they had to find Haru and Mona before anyone got hurt down here.
"Alright, we've got to stick together and try and get through here without arousing the Shadows." Queen instructed
"All the more reason we need to find Mona and Beauty Thief." Panther agreed.
"We still calling her that?" Skull asked.
"Yes." They responded as the ventured into Mementos... and begrudgingly felt slow without Mona driving them around.
"Anyone else feeling stones in their feet?" Oracle groaned.
"It's turned up pavement, Oracle. We've all got stones in our feet." Panther responded.
'Remind me to thank Mona when we see him again.' Dove thought to herself.
"Anything on the map, Oracle?" Fox asked.
"Gimme a sec... wait. Yeah, someone's nearby." She answered. "Not a Shadow."
"Let's hope that Mona and 'Beauty Thief' are willing to listen." Panther hoped as they could hear the sounds of a car's tyres running along the tracks.
"Here they come." Fox spoke as he readied himself in case of a Shadow attack.
Vrrrr!
Approaching them was Mona in his bus form, with Beauty Thief driving the cat bus. "The Phantom Thieves!" Beauty Thief called out as she saw them.
"Beauty Thief." Queen spoke. "May we speak?"
"Um, I. I suppose." She answered as she stepped out of the cat-van and Mona transformed back.
"Nya! So, what's going on?" Mona asked as he saw them.
"Mona." Panther whispered as she saw him, wanting to make sure that she got the words right.
"It's Joker." Dove informed.
"'Joker'? The one in the black cloak?" Beauty Thief asked.
"What's wrong with Joker?" Mona inquired.
"He's sick and exhausted." Dove answered.
"Beauty Thief, could you give me a moment?" Mona asked to get some privacy.
"Yes, of course." She nodded as she waited by the side.
"What do you mean he's 'sick and exhausted'?" Mona asked in concern.
"After you left. Joker has been staying up late until the morning." Dove explained.
"He's what?" Mona screamed in shock.
"Is everything okay?" Beauty Thief asked.
"Yes, they're fine. They're just talking." Queen informed but got some glares from Beauty Thief.
"He's exhausted? Gah, that guy." Mona sighed, feeling guilty. "Always needs someone to help him sleep."
"That's kind of the point. Joker's pushed himself so much he collapsed in school." Panther added.
Mona's jaw dropped as he heard that. He knew Ren tended to stay up late; but to keep himself awake for that long? Was this a defence mechanism? Was it just his own body clock not letting him sleep? Was it just him? 'God... what've we done?' He thought to himself.
"I want to ask, are you working on the Phantom Thief requests? Such as helping people here in Mementos?" Fox asked Beauty Thief politely.
"I mean... we're doing our best." Beauty Thief answered.
"The police will track you down easily if you don't cover your tracks. And then the police will be coming after us next." Fox continued.
"That's not what we intended." She explained. "But... that would be my fault."
"I'm not good with machines. I'm truly sorry." Beauty Thief bowed as she apologised honestly.
"Why're you apologising?" Mona asked.
"Please, can't we just put this behind us and come back?" Panther asked.
"I'm the one you're here for?" Mona asked, hearing the sincerity in their voices. "You need me after all? Is that it?"
"Please come back, Mona." Oracle pleaded.
Skull sighed as he stood up. "Eh, I guess we can still use you."
"RYUJI!" Dove and Panther snapped.
"We're sorry too, Morgana. We should've spoken up sooner." Panther apologised.
"Lady Ann." Mona whispered.
"Sh-shouldn't we be using codenames?" Beauty Thief asked.
"Ryuji didn't really mean what he said, you know? He wants to apologise." Panther continued, nudging Skull in his side to speak up..
"Well... yeah. It's like. Kinda my bad too." Skull grumbled. "I mean, I don't mind if you're not human or useless."
"What a douche." Oracle grumbled.
"Ann's setup was completely ruined." Fox agreed.
"Oh, is that right?" Mona asked, his feeling genuinely hurt. "So I AM just some 'useless cat' to you! Huh?! If that's how you're gonna treat someone who helped bring you all together! So full of yourselves but not even having the skills to back it up!" Mona leapt into the air, transforming into his van form again. "Try and catch me then! Get in Beauty Thief!" Mona called out.
Beauty Thief looked at Mona and then at the group, giving a quick apologetic bow before boarding the van.
VRRR!
"If you can't do this, don't count on me ever coming back!" Mona threatened as Haru drove him deep into Mementos.
"Hey, wait a minute!" Skull called out. "That damn cat! Does he know how long he-"
"RYUJI!" The group yelled at him.
"What. The absolute. FUCK were you thinking?" Dove snapped at him.
"Do you even think before opening that big mouth of yours?" Panther agreed.
"C-Come on, guys. Fox, back me up here." Skull asked.
"I am afraid that you're on your own, Ryuji. Words like that do not instil camaraderie." Fox apologised
"For real?" He groaned.
"Gurwarrrrgh." The sounds of Shadows lumbered towards them as they were causing raucous noise. They had grabbed the denizen's of Mementos' attention!
"We've gotta get out of here!" Oracle called out, needing to get back to the real world.
"GURWAAAARGH!" The shadow roared as it lumbered faster and attacked them.
"Looks like escape isn't an option, Oracle!" Queen commented. "JOHANNA!"
"Grrrr! We aren't getting out of here easily!" Panther snarled "At least like this! HECATE!" Erupting from the two were their Persona, almost roaring out as their energies pushed the Shadows back.
"Take them out! FREILA!" Queen called out as she attacked with Nuclear energy.
"AGILAO!" Panther called out as she created flames to attack the Shadow. The Shadows screamed in anger, shuddering within the caverns of Mementos as they were engulfed in the magical attacks.
"Fox, on your left!" Skull called out, trying to help.
"Hmm." Fox hummed as he pulled out his assault rifle and fired. The shots fired straight and peppered the Shadows, causing them to vanish while leaving some items on the floor.
"Come forth! EVE!" Dove cried out as she removed her mask, throwing it into the air The Phantom Thieves looked on in awe at Dove's Awakened Persona, stunned as the Bless energy radiated from her.
"Wh-when did she-?" Oracle asked as she saw the new power Eve was giving off.
"My word. It's like looking at a religious piece." Fox praised Eve for her appearance, taking it in as an artist.
Eve smiled at that as she attacked. "MAKOUGA!" Both she and Eve proclaimed as they attacked their enemies, shooting them with darts of light. The Shadows shattered into pieces, giving the Phantom Thieves time and the means to escape.
"Come on, move!" Oracle called out, finding the location of the exit.
The Phantom Thieves rushed out of Mementos, as Mona and Beauty Thief remained in Mementos, letting the least experienced Phantom Thief get some experience... while Mona was internally wrestling with the knowledge about Joker.
'Joker. We'll meet again.' He thought...
Fool: Rank 10
Magician: Rank 10
Lovers: Rank 10
Chariot: Rank 10
Sun: Rank 10
Lust: Rank 10
Strength: Rank 9
Hierophant: Rank 8
Devil: Rank 8
Death: Rank 7
High Priestess: Rank 7
Emperor: Rank 7
Hanged-Man: Rank 7
Temperance: Rank 6
World: Rank 6
Fortune: Rank 6
Tower: Rank 6
Star: Rank 6
Hermit: Rank 6
Moon: Rank 6
Empress: Rank 5