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Chapter Text

"Damn bitch, I'll sue!" It echoed through my mind, the more and more I thought about it, the more scared that man made me. How could one person have so much power... "-you even paying attention?" I snapped out of my daydream. "If you get in trouble again, I won't bail you out of it. This is what you get for pushing your nose into adult business." I looked out the window of the car, others piled the highways up and down. "I-I told you... I didn't do it..." I told him as I adjusted my glasses. The man sighed "Look kid, it doesn't matter now if you did or didn't, you're on probation, so if you try and be a hero again you'll be locked in juvie." He honks the horn "The light's green!" he shouted in annoyance. "You're taking the subway from now on, got it?" He grumbled, turning my way "Y-Yes sir..." I mumbled nervously. "I d-don't think it'll be t-too hard... to g-get used to my new school..." I noted, though slightly unsure. The man sighed once again. "Just Sojiro, ok kid?"

After labyrinths of traffic, Sojiro parked near his home and we headed back to the Café where I'd been sleeping, the cool spring weather making me shiver as Sojiro opened the door to Leblanc. "Get to bed girl, the last thing you want is to be late on your first day at a new school." I nodded and headed upstairs. The room I was staying in was thick with dust, nearly making a fog when you moved something. Just walking in would make your nose tingle with the musty smell. The storage room in Leblanc was surprisingly large however and may not actually be half bad to live in... once I cleaned out the dust. Sojiro said he didn't want me in his house, which I thought was fair, since he just saw me as a trouble-making felon. "I should clean a bit..." I muttered to myself as I grabbed the mop and broom from downstairs.

I found a lot of random things, but most odd was. "Adoption papers?" He definitely didn't like me enough for that, but it wasn't my business so I just shoved it away into some corner. I kept cleaning the room until mostly everything was cleared, or at least put away and tidy. I even found an old CRT which I set on a nearby table. Though the room was still thick with dust and an odd odor, I felt as it was good enough for the night. "Ugh... that took forever..." I took out my phone, hoping to relax with something before bed, it was just then that I saw a strange app on my it. "What the heck?" It was some creepy red eye, having no clue what it was, I decided to be safe and just delete it before going to bed.

~{Aria of the Soul}~

I woke up in an unfamiliar, dark room. "Wha-What?!" I panicked, wondering if Sojiro did something to me while I was asleep... I seemed to be in some sort of dark prison cell with my clothes changed. "H-Hello?! Anyone?!" Just as I call out, something bangs on the cell door, causing me to jump. "Quiet inmate!" A high-pitched voice yells from the bars. "Wh-Who are you..." Though I was frightened by the situation, as I looked closer at the source of the voice, I saw that it belonged to a very young girl, likely around ten or eleven. "Welcome to my Velvet Room..." A deep and commanding voice sounded from outside the cell. "This will mark the beginning of your rehabilitation..." I slowly walk towards the cell door. "R-Rehabilitation?"

~{Aria of the Soul}~ [END]

I woke up with a sudden jolt. "W-What was that dream..." I wondered to myself, before realizing that I was almost late. I jumped up and got dressed in my Shujin uniform. Tying the bow while I headed downstairs and nearly out the door. "Hey kid, come over here!" Sojiro shouted from his cooking pot, so I headed over. "Y-Yes sir- erm... Sojiro?" He walked over to the counter. "Eat up." He placed a plate of curry down. "O-Oh, thank you... you're very kind..." I said as I sat down. "Flip the sign to Open when you leave." I nodded and he went back to cooking.

After exiting Leblanc, I flipped the sign to open, ready to head for the train station. Heading down the street, I heard an old man listening to some political station, though I ignored him since I try to avoid politics. As I neared the station, I feel a sort of unique calmness walking between the trees and plants. I entered the station and got on the train. After waiting for my stop, I headed out.

I stepped out on the street, I suddenly felt a raindrop hit my head, so I stepped under a store umbrella as the downpour began, most students around me just trying to outrun the rain. There was a girl that same idea as me and judging by her uniform, she was a Shujin student the same as myself. As I looked at her, I heard a car pull up. "Hey girls." The driver said, a man sitting in a cheap looking car. "Would you like a ride?" The girl next to me wordlessly got into his car. "What about you, doll?" He asked me. I got an odd feeling of discomfort from him. "Erm... n-no, thank you..." so I declined.

The man drove off and I got ready to run to school through the rain when a boy near my age bumped into me, knocking me to the ground. "Goddamn Kamoshida!" I yelped as I fell to the ground onto my backside. "Ah shit, sorry!" The boy apologized. "You need a hand?" I looked up at him, some blonde boy with a punk t-shirt on. I took his hand and he helped me up. "That shithead... freakin' asshole!" He said, glaring at the car that drove off. "Th-That's... a little rude i-isn't it? H-He was just being nice... offering her a ride..." I knew I shouldn't be running my mouth, especially on probation, but this boy was being rude. "The hell you mean? He's the shitty bastard usin-!" His expression suddenly changes to one of confusion. "Wait, are you new? I don't recognize you." He asked quizically and looked at my blazer. "A third year?" He sounded even more confused. "I-I actually... just transferred..." I answered and his gaze softened slightly. "No wonder you don't know him."

He looked away. "That was Kamoshida, the volleyball coach. Come on, I'll tell you on the way." I nervously got ready to follow him, he didn't seem all that bad, though he certainly had a... colorful vocabulary. "Girls like you should just stay away from that dickhe-" he suddenly stopped talking and looked up "What the hell?!" He nearly shouted. The school looked like it had been replaced by some ancient castle. "We didn't come the wrong way..." He said to himself "A-Are you sure...?" I asked. "W-We made a wrong turn... m-maybe?" I said nervously. "No, this is the same way I've always gone." He assured. "W-We could go in... and j-just ask maybe?" I suggested. "Better to do it then just skip, I guess..." The boy agreed.

We walked into the school and it looked like a fantasy king's décor, with multiple large and bright chandeliers, red padded chairs lining the floors near the walls. I bump into someone as we look at the large main hall. I turn around to apologize, but the person was tall and dressed in a knight outfit of some kind. "Ahh!" I shouted and fell backwards, the blonde boy turned around "Who are you? A student? Your costume is impressive..." The boy asked as another person in matching armor came up to us. "Take them away!" The man commanded loudly. "Hey, you guys are freaking me out..." The blonde boy stated as the armored people surround us. "Run!" The boy said as he started to take off, only to be slammed to the ground by the armored man's shield. I yelped in fear as he was struck, I was so completely stunned that I couldn't move, one of the armored men struck me on the head and I blacked out.

I awoke in some kind of dungeon jail cell. Bricks stacked in the corner with wooden beds and chains hanging from the ceiling. I huddle myself in the corner while I try and get my bearings. "Hey! Assholes! Let us out!" The boy from earlier yelled as he slammed on the bars. "H-Hey... c-calm down please..." I whispered quietly as he yelled. "H-He likely won't listen..." I muttered. He kicked the cell door. "Fuck! Dammit..." He turned to me. "Help me find a way out of here!" I turned away. "I-I... don't think there even is a way out..." I say with a nervous voice.

~{Tension}~

"Goddammit..." He cursed. "I-I'm sorry..." I say solemnly. "What's your name?" He asked while walking closer. "E-Emily..." I answer. "I'm Ryuji. Come on, we gotta get out-" He starts, but we both hear footsteps approach our cell. "Our Lord has sentenced you to death for trespassing!" Ryuji turned and whispered "Oh fuck this..." After the guard opened the door, Ryuji ran at him and shoved him down. "Come on Emily! We're getting out of here!" He yelled just as more guards entered the room and slammed him to the floor, holding him down. I yelp and ball up in the corner. "Let go of me assholes!" Ryuji shouts when suddenly, a man walked into the room. "You think you can disrupt the order of my castle?!" I thought I recognized the voice, but from where... "Kamoshida?!" Ryuji shouted. "Ah, Sakamoto... I've been hoping to get rid of you!" Kamoshida said proudly. "Guards, execute him." I gasp at his words. "Don't hurt him!" I shouted, surprising even myself with my sudden outburst. "D-Do you have no empathy?" I whimpered, causing him to take his focus off Ryuji.

~{Tension}~ [END]

~{Desire}~

"Well... aren't you fiesty." He said after looking at me. "I haven't seen you before, have I?" He ordered his guards to pull me to my feet and hold me against the wall. "No no no... I would've remembered you... a young, beautiful flower..." He said while rubbing my face. I turned away with disgust. "Hey! Let her go you piece of shit!" Ryuji shouted, making Kamoshida turn towards him. "And what are you gonna do about it, Sakamoto?" Kamoshida laughed and turned back to me. "I may be convinced to not kill the punk..." Kamoshida whispered into my ear while reaching towards my chest. "But you'll have to convince me!" Kamoshida whispers, making me tear up. "I said let her go, goddammit!" Ryuji shouted and the room went dark as the nearby torches were snuffed out by a sudden shockwave.

~{Desire}~ [END]

~{Awakening}~

As Ryuji stood, the room felt like it was charged with currents of electricity, as if some kind of static shock had infused the air. Suddenly, a circle of electricity appeared around Ryuji and a sort of skull mask formed on his face. His clothes morphed into a leather jacket with a metal spine on the back. "R-Ryuji? Are y-you ok?" I asked worried as he tore the mask off his face, ripping his skin off with it as blood dripped down his face. "I told you... leave her alone you asshole!" Ryuji shouted as an apparition appeared behind him, a skeletal pirate with a broadside cannon for a hand. "Let's get him, Captain Kidd!" He screamed in anger as the pirate shot a bolt of lightning from it's cannon arm at the guard near Kamoshida, instantly turning it to ash.

~{Awakening}~ [END]

A ring of keys dropped from the floating ashes, which I grabbed and ran out with. "C-Come on Ryuji!" I shouted as the pirate behind Ryuji disappeared and his clothes turned back to normal. "Yeah, right behind you dude!" He said as he ran out, letting me lock the door behind him. "How dare you peasants?!" Kamoshida yelled as we left him behind in the cell. We ran as quick as we could, passing more cells and rivers going between the walkways. After making some distance, me and Ryuji stopped for a breath. "Holy shit dude! Did you see that?! I was badass as hell!" Ryuji whispered excitedly. "What was that..." I whispered back. "I dunno dude! But it was totally sick, right?!" Ryuji beamed. "I-I guess it was... i-interesting..." I said slightly dejected.

We continued to walk through the dungeon, looking into cages hanging above the water. "A-Are those..." I gasp and cover my mouth. There were students from our school, beaten and tortured, some of them had still bleeding wounds. "Son of a bitch... that bastard's gonna pay!" Ryuji yells angrily. "Hey! You two! Help!" We hear a voice calling from one of the cells out of sight and go to check. As we cross the corner we see... "A cat?" Ryuji says surprised. "I'm not a cat! But I can help you two escape, just bust me out!" The strange creature said. "O-Okay, how do we get you out?" I replied. "Woah woah, how do you know he ain't one of them?!" Ryuji asked angrily. "W-Well he's locked up... j-just like we were... and plus... even if he's one of them... i-it's likely that he's cut any allegiance with them..." I explain. "Exactly! Now let me out!" The cat says. "Erm... whatever, fine, let him out!" Ryuji relented.

I use the key I picked up earlier to open the cell door. "H-Here you go..." I say as I unlocked and open the cell door, letting the cat out. "Ahh! Freedom!" He said as he left the cell. He jumped up, grabbing a statue of Kamoshida and activating a hidden lever, lowering a nearby bridge. "The name's Morgana. Come on, let's go!" He orders as we follow. We start running, but out of nowhere a guard slams open a door. "Ah shit!" Ryuji shouts as I hide behind a box nearby. "You amateurs!" Morgana shouts just as Ryuji's clothes change again. "Hey! It's back!" Ryuji says excited as he electrocutes the guard, letting Morgana finish it off with his own power. "I never would've thought that someone slow as you would have a Persona!" Morgana laughs. "What's that supposed to mean?!" Ryuji shouts as his clothes change back. "Huh... seems like you don't have full control of it yet." Morgana states.

I left my hiding spot. "H-Hey guys... d-don't you think we should... get out of here...?" I mumbled. The other two nodded and we ran down a torch-lit hallway back to the area me and Ryuji were in earlier. He lead us past the room, into a nearby hallway. "We're here!" Morgana says as he opens a door to yet another connected room. "Where are we supposed to get out from here?" Ryuji spouts angrily. "S-Some... kind of vent m-maybe?" I suggest quietly. "Exactly, red head!" Morgana chuckled teasingly. "Oh shit dude, you're right!" Ryuji shouted as he jumped up to a grate and hung on it for a second before it gave way and fell. "Ugh... Oww..." He grumbled as I ran to help him up. "A-Are you ok?" I asked worried. "No problem, let's just get out of here!" Ryuji said, jumping up to the newly created hole he made. I turned towards Morgana "Come on, I'll help you up..." I offered, but to my surprise, he refused. "No, this is where we part ways, I have something I still need to do!" I thought for a second, worried for his safety. "Just go! I know what I'm doing!" Morgana shouted, making me jump. "O-Ok... be safe little guy..." I said as I climbed out of the window that Ryuji made.

~{Suspicion}~

Me and Ryuji ran back to the block we originally saw Kamoshida at. "Did we make it?" He asked. "RETURNED TO THE REAL WORLD, WELCOME BACK!" He jumped, hearing the sound from my phone. "I-I guess... we did..." I managed to say between heavy breaths. "What the hell was that shit?! The castle a-and Kamoshida?" Ryuji shouted, I had no idea so I just shrugged in response. Though, that castle seemed to be the least of our worries now. "What's with that yelling?! Cutting classes, are we?" A police officer, just what we needed. "No! We were going to school and ended up at some weird castle!" Ryuji shouted, making me cringe slightly, I knew they would never believe that. "What? Hand over your bag, you better not be doing drugs..." The officer ordered threateningly. "Are you his friend?" The officer said after turning to me. I've had a rocky relationship with cops, so I had to be careful. "No! I-I'm his girlfriend!" I said as I grabbed onto his arm. "He was super sick last night, so this morning I went to help him out! W-We just ended up a little late is all!" I said, smiling cheerfully as I turned to look at him. "Isn't that right honey!"

"What the hell was that back there?!" Ryuji shouted as we were walking through the alleyway we used earlier to get to school. "I-I think it's called lying..." I muttered humorously. "Not that! The lie, how could you come up with that so quickly?!" He shouted surprised. "I-I..." I looked away shamefully. "D-Do you really want to know...?" I asked looking him in the eyes with a sad expression on my face. "Yeah... kinda." Ryuji answered. "Well... l-lets just say... I-I've had to get used to it... L-Lying to police... that is..." I said looking away from him. "And the boyfriend stuff?" He teased. "O-Oh, never..." I said quickly. "N-Not that y-you're unattractive or a-anything! J-Just... like... you know... n-not my... t-type..." I looked at the floor with embarrassment.

~{Suspicion}~ [END]

The two of us get to the front of the school and entered. The school was silent as a graveyard, giving both of us an anxious feeling. Ryuji turned to the right and I went to the left, nervously trying to think of an excuse for being late on my first day. I walked to the faculty room as I was ordered to on my first day and waited for my teacher Kawakami. "Oh god..." Speak of the Devil. "You're over 3 hours late..." She scolded. "I-I'm sorry..." I said softly making Kawakami look at me sympathetically. "Alright, follow me to class. The period just ended." I got up, ready to follow her. Walking through the hallways, I could feel everyone's eyes on me. Some gossiping, a few eyes are... a little lower... "Is that the transfer girl?" One girl said. "I heard she dressed cute to make people lower their guard." Another girl said. "Woah, really?" A nearby boy said. "M-Ms. Kawakami? A-Are people normally like this here..." I avert my eyes bashfully and turn to look at her. "Just ignore them." She said sternly.

"This is Emily Smith, she'll be joining our class today." Kawakami calmly explained. "H-Hello everyone... I-I'm glad to be joining you..." I said shyly, noticing many of the students whispering to eachother. Kawakami sighs. "You can have the seat in the corner, Emily." I nod and head to it, I walk between the seats, hearing whispering from both sides. "Lies..." I hear from a girl to my right, who turns out to be the girl who got into Kamoshida's car from earlier. I look down and sit in the empty seat behind her.

After class, I leave the room and I bump into Ryuji again. "Oh hey dude!" He raises his hand for a high five just as I heard Kawakami call for me. "I need you to go check some books out at the library, for class. It's on this floor, just down the hall." Kawakami told me. "Meet me on the roof..." Ryuji said to me and walked off. Kawakami sighed. "Please don't get involved with him, he's nothing but trouble." I turned away from her. "I-I don't think so... he helped me find my way here..." I said calmly. "It's just better that you don't." Kawakami said as she walked away. I decided to check the library as Kawakami told me before meeting Ryuji.

As I entered the library, I walked up to the girl at the main desk. "H-Hello... K-Kawakami sent me..." I said nervously. "Aren't you that transfer girl?" I was about to answer her, but she continued. "Maybe it's best if you stay out of the library... the people here will probably be frightened of criminals like you..." She said as she handed me the books. I headed towards the roof and checked the time on my phone. Just then, somebody ran into me and knocked me over. "Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" The boy said. I started to stand up. "N-No, I should be apologizing..." I checked my phone for damage. "If only one first impression... wasn't r-running headfirst into someone..." I said. "I'm glad you're alri-" He starts. "Mishima! Hurry up!" He's cut off by a teacher yelling for him, making him jump. "Y-Yes Mr. Kamoshida! I'm sorry. I have to go..." With that he ran off, leaving me thinking about what just happened.

I neared the top of the stairs and opened the door to the roof to greet Ryuji. "I keep thinking about the students he was abusin'!" He said angrily. "It was certainly disturbing..." I replied, trying to hide my own frustrations from him. "We gotta save them, Kamoshida can't get away with this!" He bellowed. "Yes... I agree... b-but how could we help?" I asked him. "We gotta get back there..." Ryuji said. "W-Well I knew that... I-I kinda meant after... that..." I said nervously. Ryuji had me follow him to the first floor, down to the school gates.

~{Break it Down}~

"So, it was your phone that said we got back here, it's probably the thing that will get us back in there!" Ryuji explained proudly. "It's gotta have some kinda search history!" He extended his hand. "I-I'll check myself..." I said nervously as I clicked on the app with the red eye. "DESTINATION MARKED, PALACE OF SUGURU KAMOSHIDA LOCATED" The app from my phone sounded loudly. "Hell yeah! Let's go in!" Ryuji exclaims. "Erm... If I can suggest... something?" I asked. "L-Last time we went in there... we... almost died..." I say in a serious tone as I look at him. "If we enter ill prepared... th-that could..." I shiver. "Well... y-you know... he ordered our executions..." Ryuji looks to contemplate my words. "Yeah... freakin' son of a bitch!" He punches the gate, making me jump. "Why does he get to do whatever the hell he wants, while we gotta fight for scraps?!" Ryuji says angrily. "L-Look on the bright side... if we're prepared... we'll be able to kick his butt easily!" I said trying to raise his spirits. "Yeah, that makes sense." Ryuji chuckled. "By the way, you don't gotta keep muttering and whispering around me, I don't give a shit what you say dude." He said as he grinned widely. "O-Oh... sorry..." I apologized, pushing up my glasses. "Don't worry about it!" Ryuji's stomach rumbles. "I was so pissed, I forgot I was hungry!" He laughed and scratched the back of his head. "We should get lunch before it ends, see ya later." He turns to walk off. "W-Wait..." I ask calmly. "I don't... have a-any friends here..." I muttered embarrassed as I looked at the ground. "You don't mind bein' labeled as the new troublemaker by hanging with me?" He says, not so much as a question, but as a statement. I nodded with a smile. "Then sure, come along." He says casually. "Th-Thanks Ryuji..." My slightly hunched posture still showing some nervousness. "Don't worry about it, my friends won't take shit while I'm around!" He puts his fist out and I flinch momentarily, after realizing what he meant, I fist bumped him. Ryuji looked confused at my reaction, but said nothing.

~{Break it Down}~[END]

"Smith! Are you paying attention?!" The teacher yelled at me. "Don't be daydreaming during class time!" He says as he throws a stick of chalk towards my head, only just missing as I react barely in time to avoid it. "Hmph, kinds these days..." He muttered before continuing the lesson. "Who can tell me the name of the fictional character, the so called "gentleman thief and master of disguise?" A silence befalls the classroom, I notice an uncharacteristically devious smile on the teacher's face. "Smith?" He called on me. "Erm... i-if I recall..." I nervously adjust my glasses. "The character w-was named... Arsène Lupin, authored by Maurice Leblanc..." I nervously muttered under pressure from the entire class. "That's right!" He said, trying to suppress his surprise. I started hearing whispering all around the class. "How'd she know that? We weren't even studying it." "Isn't she that girl who assaulted someone?" "No way! How would a felon know something like that?" It seemed as if the whole class was whispering. "Quiet down!" The teacher yelled and the classroom quickly silenced after that.

I was walking to my final class, but for some reason I felt unusually lethargic, as if I was carrying a fifty pound weight in my bag. Suddenly I heard a call for a student over the school's intercom. "SHIHO SUZUI, YOU ARE NEEDED IN THE PE FACULTY OFFICE" I had a thought run through my head, it seemed like a strange time for a PE meeting. Ryuji gave me his number during lunch, so I decided to message him.

EMILY: Did you hear that announcement?
RYUJI: Yeah why?
EMILY: They mentioned the PE Faculty Office. What if Suzui's a girl on the volleyball team? If that's the case, it would likely be Kamoshida calling for her.
RYUJI: Oh shit! Nice one! I'll go try to listen in on their talk.
EMILY: Please be careful, you'll get in a lot of trouble if he catches you eavesdropping.

I waited for a response, but nothing popped up after that, so I just went to my final class hoping Ryuji ended up fine. Though I couldn't really focus, since all I could think about was if Ryuji got into trouble. About halfway through class, I felt another buzz.

RYUJI: I heard a little bit, so Suzui is Ann's closest friend ever since her first year.
EMILY: I apologize, I'm not familiar with anyone named Ann.
RYUJI: Takamaki? Remember the girl who got in Kamoshida's car?
EMILY: That was her? I'll admit, I've heard unsightly things, though I assume them to be false.
RYUJI: Exactly, all bullshit. But she can help us with info on Kamoshida!
EMILY: You really think she'll help? I think it's us against the world in this case.
RYUJI: Totally! I know her and she'll be willing to help!
EMILY: I hope you're correct, I believe in you.

"No phones Emily, turn it off." The teacher ordered. "S-Sorry... i-it was my dad..." I said nervously, though he seemed skeptical. "Oh my god!" I heard a scream from the right side of my classroom. "She's gonna jump!" My eyes widened, without thinking, I had already bolted to the other side of the classroom. "Stay in your seats!" The teacher ordered. "Shiho!" Ann screamed. I reached the window outside the classroom door and saw a girl jump from the roof. "Holy shit!" I heard to my right and it was Ryuji. He was about to run downstairs when he saw me. "We gotta see of she's alright!" I was in a panicked state, but ready to run downstairs.

We eventually got outside and saw the girl who jumped being carried away on a stretcher. "Oh my god! Shiho!" Ann called out to her, as paramedics carried her away. I could hardly even think, horrified at the sight in front of me. "Hey, did you see that?" Ryuji asked. I tried to calm down and look around me, but I couldn't see anything, so I shook my head to his question. "That guy ran off, I think he knows something..." Ryuji said angrily. "I tried asking him earlier about Kamoshida, but he stayed quiet. His name's Mishima, I don't care if he wouldn't talk anymore. We're gonna make him talk!" Ryuji said as he walked towards where Mishima ran off to.

I heard a slam as I walked around the corner. "You DO know! And I'm sick of waiting for answers!" Ryuji shouted angrily at a student. "Ryuji?!" I shouted in surprise and ran up to him. "Wh-What are you doing to him?" I asked nervously. "Getting some answers!" He responded in a rage. "L-Let me talk to him..." I move Ryuji away. "Fine..." He grumbled "W-We won't tell anyone you talked... he won't be able to hurt you anymore... I p-promise..." I said sympathetically. "H-He's... in the PE faculty office... follow me..." Mishima said, but it seemed like Ryuji wasn't waiting and ran off immediately. "Oh no..." I said as me and Mishima started to chase after him.

~{Tension}~

"It's just ahead, to the right!" Mishima told me as we both ran towards the faculty office. "DON'T PLAY DUMB WITH ME!" We heard Ryuji shout as we heard a loud clanging sound the room. We opened the door and saw Ryuji facing Kamoshida. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER!" Ryuji said. "He ordered me to call Suzui here... I can only imagine what he did to her!" Mishima said. Kamoshida stood, towering over everyone in the room. "You're going on and on about things you have no proof of... You're just making these claims because you can't be a regular on the team!" Kamoshida taunted. "Even if it is exactly as you imagine, hypothetically speaking... what can you do?" He mocked. "We just got a call from the hospital, Suzui's in a coma. How could someone like that make a statement?" He said in a cocky tone. "There's likely no chance of her getting better, I hear... What a poor girl." Kamoshida continued. "You goddamn!" Ryuji gritted his teeth and raised his fist. "This again? Do we have to have another case of "self-defense?" Kamoshida taunted. "Shut your mouth, son of a bitch!" Ryuji said defiantly as he punched Kamoshida right in the face. I gasped "Ryuji!" I shouted in fear. "Oh... you just made a big mistake..." Kamoshida said angrily. "All three of you will be expelled, I'm reporting you all at the next board meeting!" Kamoshida said sternly. "Who would listen to scum like you? Especially you Mishima, you act like you're a victim, but you're the one who leaked her criminal record, it's all over the internet." He said angrily. Ryuji turned to him. "Mishima...?" He asked as Mishima fell to his knees. "He ordered me to... I didn't have a choice..." He said teary eyed. "Now get out of my sight. You're expelled!" Kamoshida said as he started laughing loudly. "I can't believe this asshole's getting away with this!" Ryuji shouted angrily. "He won't..." I replied. "Oh yeah! We have that!" He replied with a cocky grin.

~{Tension}~[END]

I set my bag on a table in the courtyard. "We gotta beat the shit out of that asshole in his castle! Someone almost died, we gotta do something!" Ryuji shouted as he punched a vending machine. "Q-Quiet... p-people will hear!" I whispered loudly to him. "It sounds like you could use some help..." A muffled voice sounded from out of sight. I looked around, just to see a black cat jump out of my bag on the table nearby. "Seems like I can help!" The cat... talked? "What?!" I yelped. "D-Did I... just hear that?" I asked confusedly. "I did too..." Ryuji replied. "Are we going nuts, dude?" He asked. "No, I could talk in the Metaverse after all." The cat said. "Is that..." I thought as I inspected the cat further. "M-Morgana?" I asked shocked. "Of course it is, who else has the skills to track you down and hide in your bag without notice?!" Morgana said cockily. "So that's why it was heavier..." I thought as I questioned Morgana. "H-How do we... get back there? We need to talk to him. B-But he won't talk to us here..." I told him. "Then we need to steal his heart!" Morgana answers. "Uhh what?" Ryuji asked.

"So, if I understand correctly... If we go into his palace and steal the treasure from it, the real world one... will change into a good person?" I confirmed with Morgana after his lengthy explanation. "Close." He replied. "When the palace's treasure is stolen, the owner of it will have a change of heart. Which will, in a way, make them lose their distorted desires." Morgana explains. "Ok... got it..." I smile. "One more time?" Ryuji asks, causing Morgana to grumble in frustration. "I heard you two are being expelled." Me and Ryuji turned around quickly to a voice behind us. "What do you want Ann?" Ryuji asked. "I heard you two were planning payback on Kamoshida. I want in." She said seriously. "N-No..." I replied. "What?! But I can't just stand around and do noth-" Ann started explaining. "She said no, ok?! We don't need your help!" Ryuji shouted. "R-Ryuji?!" I yelped and turned to Ann, but she was already gone. "That was harsh..." Morgana replied. "I know we were both thinking it, we can't bring her there! She'd get hurt! I don't wanna involve more people than we have to." Ryuji said sternly.

~{King, Queen, and Slaves}~

"Here goes nothing..." I tap my phone, making us enter the Metaverse. "Ok, let's do some reconnaissance first. Just enough to be able guess where the treasure might be." Morgana says. "U-Um... can I ask s-something?" I started politely. "W-When will I get the... power you two have? I want to help." I ask Morgana. "I can't say. You'll need to summon the spirit of your rebellion, and only you would know what that is." He answers. "I-I don't know... any ideas?" I asked him. "The only help I can give is to just think about how you go against society." Morgana said. I thought about what could work as we walked through the palace. On and on I kept thinking... "The spirit of my rebellion? What could that even mean?" My train of thought was broken when we happened upon a room that was oddly distorted, it looked as if it had been put behind a wall of water or funhouse mirror of some kind. "A safe room!" Morgana said happily. "There are rooms in palaces that the owners don't really think about, like janitor's closets or tech rooms or something. These rooms allow us to plan or rest without any problems!" Morgana explains. "Hell yeah, I was just thinking about sitting down, my legs are tired." Ryuji commented.

~{King, Queen, and Slaves}~[END]

We walked through the main hall once again, but this time it felt different. I had a chill, a feeling like I was being watched. We headed through a doorway, when suddenly. "Stop in the name of Kamoshida!" ~{Desire}~ A shadow jumped from out of nowhere, ambushing us. It morphed into a set of some kind of horse, ram combination and slammed into Morgana and Ryuji, knocking them flat. After pinning them to the floor, we see the one this is all for. "Well, well... How easily the mighty fall!" The shadow Kamoshida said, him entering the room with some girl in a purple cheetah print bikini and blonde twin tails. "Argh! Get off me, you son of a bitch!" Ryuji shouted, trying to get the shadow holding him down off of him. "Execute them! And bring that one to my chambers when you're done. I have plans for her." Kamoshida said pointing at me as he left the room. "N-No! Please! Don't hurt them!" I beg for Ryuji and Morgana's lives. The shadows ignore me and raise their swords. "No!" I shout as the swords come down.

~{Desire}~[END]

~{Awakening}~

"You're just going to let others control you?" I hear a feminine voice say as a humid feeling permeated the room... a watery fog surrounded me and it felt like time had slowed. "Walked on for so long... a desire for independence... for the right... to live your own life..." It felt as if I was getting brain surgery without anesthetic, like someone took thousands of red hot fire pokers to my head. A debilitating pain seared my skull as I saw Ryuji and Morgana dead on the floor. "This is not the end. You can still be your own person... You can still save them. I am thou... Thou art I..." The pain ceased, and my mind felt clear, just as a mask appeared on my face. I gripped the edge... pulling as I felt my skin stretch and peel until it tore...

~{Awakening}~[END]

~{Will Power}~

As my own warm blood soaked my face, I spoke up. "I summon you... Juliet!" I yelled and my Persona finally awakened, a powerful shockwave blew the shadows across the room. Juliet's power coursed through me. I tore blood from my own heart. Covering Ryuji and Morgana with a red mist, binding the fatal wounds on both of them. Hearing them gasp with life, hearing the deep breathing of two that were dead not long ago filling the hall. "H-Holy shit?!" Ryuji shouted. "Wh-What happened..." Morgana started. "You're not dead yet! So help me fight before that changes!" I shout with adrenaline coursing through me. Ryuji and Morgana jump up and run to my side. "Took you long enough, newbie." Morgana teases. The two shadows I blew away earlier ran towards us. "Ryuji, shock the one on the left! Morgana, aim your wind at the right one's legs, then focus attention on the closest one!" Morgana and Ryuji nod and listen, Ryuji shocking his target, finds out it's weakness to his lightning as it disappears into ash. Morgana knocks the other off it's feet with his wind ability. "Come on everyone! Let's take it down!" I shouted and we all focus our attacks to finish it off.

~{Will Power}~[END]

~{King, Queen, and Slaves}~

"Holy shit dude?! What did you do?" Ryuji asks, shocked at my abilities, but as well as the fact that he was now covered in blood. "She resurrected us from the dead..." Morgana said. "Duude..." Ryuji replied. "I-I..." I froze at their questions. "I don't know what I did..." I looked at the floor, just now noticing that my outfit changed. "W-Woah... what am I wearing?" I checked myself over as much as I could. "It's some kind of... dress." Ryuji said. "I think she figured that part out." Morgana replied with a chuckle. "I'm more surprised at those orders, you were like an army commander!" Morgana complimented. I blush in embarrassment. "I-I don't know... it just... happened..." I mutter. "Theeeere's our Emily!" Ryuji comments sarcastically.

~{King, Queen, and Slaves}~[END]

~{Have a Short Rest}~

Back at the safe room, I look in the mirror and I'm surprised at what I see. "A... masquerade dress?" A light blue, form fitting, frilled masquerade dress with white embroideries, matching heels as well as a matching mask with a royal design. An odd contrast to her light orange hair and blue eyes. "So. This is your..." Ryuji stifled a giggle. "...rebellious spirit, eh?" Ryuji asked sarcastically. "Th-This is so embarrassing..." I said with a flushed face. "I think you look great Emily!" Morgana compliments. "Th-Thanks... I guess..." I responded.

I rubbed my head, feeling a slight aching. "We need to discuss Emily's abilities." Morgana says seriously. "You brought us back from the dead, that's nothing I've ever seen from a Persona before." Morgana explained. "R-Really? A-Am I... somehow unique?" I asked. "I'm unsure if it's just how your spirit is, or if it's some power unique to you, but we should keep a close eye on your Persona though." He said. "I feel... light headed..." I explained. "You said it was blood you used, right?" He asked and I nodded in response. "It may be that you use your own body's blood to heal others." Morgana thought. "If so, we need to be careful how we use it." He said curiously. "You know Emily? Bein' dead was... weird... it felt like my I didn't exist..." Ryuji said seriously, but shook it off quickly. "I'll find a way to thank you!" He said happily. "W-We should leave... I... don't think we're ready..." I rub my eyes and the others agree.

~{Have a Short Rest}~[END]

We exited the Metaverse just as the sun started to go down, ending up at the school's gate once again. "Hey Morgana? Where are you gonna stay?" Ryuji asked. "With her." Morgana answered immediately. "D-Don't I get a say in this?" I asked nervously. "Well he can't stay at my place, my mom's allergic. Sorry dude." Ryuji said. "I-I live in a café... but I-I guess... I'll just have to try..." I start thinking of excuses for Sojiro. "See you tomorrow, we'll prepare and then get that asshole!" Ryuji said excitedly. "Y-Yes... w-we will..." I said as we went our separate ways.

As we rode the subway home, I kept thinking about that man. "Damn bitch! I'll sue!" Rolling around in my head, again and again... "-ly... Emily!" I snap out of my daydream, noticing I'm at my stop. "S-Sorry..." I step off and head to Leblanc, noticing that it had started raining again.

~{Beneath the Mask -rain, instrumental-}~

"It's been..." I start as I release a long yawn. "...a long day..." I say as I reached the front door. "Ok... stay in the bag and k-keep quiet... c-come out when I tell you..." Morgana nodded and slipped back into my bag. RING RING "Oh, you're back." Sojiro said. "I heard you were four hours late to school today... and here I thought you left on time!" He said angrily. I got my best sad face ready, for the lie I'd been thinking out in my head. "Th-There was th-this..." I sniffled. "S-Some pervert on the subway..." I lowered my head. Sojiro sighed. "I... I'm... sorry to hear that." He pulled his wallet out and grabbed eight thousand yen. "Take it, use it to buy something for self defense." He said as handed it to me. "I... c-can't take your mo-" His gaze softened. "Just take it." He shoved it into my hands and steeled himself. "You want more, get a job." He finishes and leaves the shop.

"Y-You're good." I tell Morgana and he pops out. "Freedom! Fresh air!" He says as he gets out of my bag. "Wow, you weren't lying, you do live in a cafe." He said as I headed upstairs. "Hey, wait for me!" He runs up after me as I kick my shoes off and lie on the bed. "Hey, you know, I'm not gonna live here as a freeloader!" Morgana started. "You let me live here and I help you with any palace infiltration! Pretty sweet deal, huh?!" He said. "Can I... g-get changed?" I asked him, making his eyes go wide. "Uhh... su-sure... I'll... erm... look at the wall..." Morgana said flustered. I kept an eye on him, making sure he didn't try to sneak any peaks. "I think I can actually feel you checking. I won't peak, a gentleman has his honor after all!" He stated proudly.

I got changed into a soft t-shirt and some shorts. After quickly going to the bathroom, I checked my phone and sat on my new bed... well "new" was kinda pushing it. "Hey can you text Ryuji something for me?" Morgana began. "Ask him if he knows anywhere you can get guns that look real." I would've questioned, but I just did what he asked, he hadn't led us astray so far.

EMILY: Hello, could I ask a favor of you?
RYUJI: What's up?
EMILY: Do you know a place that sells gun that aren't real, but look real?
RYUJI: Yeah actually, why?
EMILY: No idea, Morgana told me to ask.
RYUJI: No problem, I'll show you tomorrow, k?
EMILY: Thank you!
RYUJI: No problem.

"Tomorrow, it begins!" Morgana said excited. "Hey, what's tha-" I only now heard the footsteps. "I knew I heard meowing. What did you bring it here for?!" Sojiro came back and heard Morgana. "I-I..." I panicked. "I-I'm sorry... I just... he d-doesn't have a home... I found him in a box..." I said. "Nowhere, huh..." Sojiro said softly. "This is a business no pets allowed!" He looks angry, but I can see a sadness behind his eyes. "R-Really...? I-I couldn't just leave him in the rain..." I said, looking up at him with pathetic, sad eyes. "Don't let it downstairs, if I see it, I'm throwing it out. And I'm not taking care of it, that's all on you." Sojiro said and left downstairs, finally exiting the shop.

~{Beneath the Mask -rain, instrumental-}~[END]

I turn off the lights and get ready for bed, grabbing my stuffed bear and closing my eyes.

Chapter Text

~{Aria of the Soul}~

My eyes opened slowly, as I felt a damp and cold nip in the air, I was back in that prison cell. "Is this... s-some sort of lucid dream?" I asked myself. A bang on the cell door made me jump out of my skin again, but definitely grabbed my attention. "Listen up inmate! Our master wishes to speak to you." The young girl from last time said. I shuffled to the door and the same people were here from yesterday. Now that I could think a little clearer, I noticed the man looked odd... inhuman even, he had a nose like a bird's beak and long, disheveled white hair, bald on the top of his head and had an almost impossibly thin body. "To your right is Caroline, to your left, Justine..." He explained calmly, his voice sounded deep and controlling... otherworldly in ways. "Wh-Who are you? D-Do... you want to hurt me?" I asked fearfully. The man laughed, a loud and deep sound. "Hurt you? I would never, for your rehabilitation would fail if I did." The man laughed again. "You may call me Igor. You awoke to an incredible power yesterday... I would like to see more." Igor said creepily as he laughed. "W-What do you want?" I nervously asked. I felt a sharp pain in my hand from Caroline striking it. "He just told you inmate!" The girl to my right, Caroline said. "You won't last long being this stupid!" She said sternly.

~{Aria of the Soul}~[END]

I jolt up in my bed, panting nervously and out of breath. I look around the room, noticing I awoke from the nightmare. "Are you ok?" I heard from the foot of my bed, making me jump and fall of my bed accidentally. "Bad dreams?" Morgana asked. "Y-Yeah... it was weird..." I replied and checked my phone for the time. "Oh no! We're late Morgana!" I yelped and jumped up. "Wait really? You didn't set an alarm?!" He asked surprised.

I got changed super quickly, getting dressed into a sweater and skirt. Once I'd finished, I turned to Morgana and saw him quickly jerk his head to the side. I glared at him until he turned back to look at me. He was greeted with me looking flustered and angry. "I'm sorry..." Morgana apologized bashfully. I grabbed my bag and opened it, my expression not changing. He hopped in. "L-Looks like the cat's in the bag!" Morgana tried to quip. "You're lucky the bag's not in the river..." I mumbled in response.

I headed downstairs, checking my phone for texts from Ryuji. "You're finally awake." Sojiro said. "S-Sorry, I'm late for something..." I muttered quietly. "What? You on a date or something?" Sojiro said with a smirk. "N-No! It's o-only a shopping trip..." I replied. "Calm down kid, I'm only messing with you." He said back. I left the cafe and headed for the train station. "Hey, I really am sorry for earlier..." Morgana apologized. "You shouldn't peep on girls... it's weird..." I replied in embarrassment. "But I accept your apology. Just d-don't do it again..." I told him. "Yeah... thank you..." Morgana said awkwardly as we arrived at the train station, I took out my phone and texted Ryuji.

EMILY: I'm so sorry! Where are we meeting?
RYUJI: Oh, you're finally up? The place is in Shibuya, just let me talk to the guy, I've heard he's kinda scary.
EMILY: Loud and clear, I'll be there shortly.

~{Tokyo Daylight}~

"Hey, you sure that Ryuji's got this?" Morgana asked me. "H-Hey! Don't talk, we're on the subway!" I whisper quietly. "Don't worry, nobody will understand me!" He said cockily. "Can you shut that thing up?" An old man next to me said. "S-Sorry sir..." I apologized. "Kids these days..." He said angrily. Morgana chuckled. "See?" He said teasingly. The train slowed as we approached our spot. I left the train car and opened my phone to text Ryuji. "Hey dude!" I jumped as Ryuji greeted me. "Y-You gave me a heart attack!" I yelped. "Sorry, I forgot you were so jumpy. But hey, I got your attention! Let's go." Ryuji said as he ran up the stairs of the station, right to Central Street.

"It's just up the right here." Ryuji said as he jogged up next to a store. "It's to the right up her-" He turned to me to see me running up behind him, I finally caught up. "*pant* Don't... *pant* run ahead... *pant* so much..." I said out of breath. "We only ran a block." Ryuji replied. "I'm... pretty... out of shape..." I said. "Then we gotta get you in shape dude!" Ryuji laughed as I finally caught my breath. Morgana popped out of my bag. "We need stuff that looks real Ryuji, get something you can handle!" He said quickly. "I know! Don't worry about it!" Ryuji said nonchalantly. "As I said, it's down here." He turned right down an alleyway, I followed and saw a green sign that said UNTOUCHABLE. "I d-didn't expect... this." I said nervously. "As I said, I'll talk to him, just watch!" He said confidently.

~{Tokyo Daylight}~[END]

~{Layer Cake}~

We entered the building and it was decorated like a doomsday bunker, cans of food and packages of MRE on the shelves. The walls were covered in camo with posters of guns lining them. Despite the look, it had an oddly professional feeling about it, even if the shopkeeper was reading a magazine with his feet on the counter. Ryuji approached the man and struck up conversation. "You lookin' for recommendations? I dunno, just buy whatever looks interestin' to you." The man at the counter said. "Ugh, some customer service..." Ryuji complained. "Fine, whaddya want? An automatic? A revolver?" The man asked. "Erm... automatic...? Dude, why're you talkin' about cars now?!" Ryuji asked annoyed. "Listen, this here's an enthusiasts shop. My regulars'll be mad if I let someone like you hang around. Just buy something and leave." The shopkeep said in a frustrated tone. I took a deep breath and walked up to the counter. "Hello!" I said in a cheery tone, trying to hide my nervousness, the man already looked done with me. "Could I get one of your pristine bolt-actions?" I asked politely. The man cocked an eyebrow. "Oh..?" He replied with a smirk. "You a collector?" He asked curiously as he looked me up and down. "What're they payin' you?" He replied, a response I hadn't anticipated. "E-Excuse me?" I replied nervously. "The two guys outside, they give you a stack and tell you to look for anything suspicious?" The man asked. "N-No! I just... like guns, anything wrong with that?" I said back. His eyes could've bored holes through me. "Any cops catch you with them, you don't know me." He said seriously. I grimace at the mention of police. "Between you and me, I hate cops..." I said in a frustrated tone. He chuckled. "I think we're gonna get along just fine." He said with a small smirk.

I looked around, noticing that the display guns looked like real guns, but any savvy gun owner would notice they're fake. "O-Ok, as I said earlier... got a bolt action that has a smooth and fast pull?" I asked him. "We got plenty, check the catalog." He reached under the counter and passed a book to me. I smiled happily and he rolled his eyes. I waved Ryuji over and he pointed at a shotgun. "Oh that looks sick! I want that!" He said, giddy as a kid in a candy store. "Ok, I'll get it." The storekeeper said and went into the back. As I looked for the gun I wanted, he came back with two model guns, one shotgun and a rifle. "Here kid." He said as he handed the shotgun to Ryuji. "And you girl." He looked at me. "I like you, so here." He handed me the rifle. "This was a custom order from a client, but they canceled last minute, so you get it for 20% off." He said seriously. I cleared the chamber of it out of habit, making the shopkeeper laugh. "Remember kid, these ain't real. This isn't The States where I can sell a kid a gun." He laughed and sat back down. "It'll be nine thousand for both those." I grabbed my money out of my bag and only had the money from yesterday that Sojiro gave me. "Dang it..." I said annoyed. "Don't worry dude, I'll pay half!" Ryuji said and handed the guy four thousand yen and I paid five thousand for my half.

Just before we left, the man said something to me. "Hey, girl." He said, grabbing my attention. "You're welcome anytime." He told me and I smiled back. "Th-Thank you sir!" I said politely and left.

~{Layer Cake}~[END]

After we exited, I let out a huge sigh and took some deep breaths. "So... when were you gonna tell me you were a secret agent?" Ryuji said. "W-What?" I replied nervously. "Seriously dude! How does a girl like you know so much about guns?" Ryuji said shocked. "The guy did mention "The States." Morgana said. "Are you from America, Emily?" Morgana questioned. "The l-last name Smith didn't give it away?" I replied. "For real? You ain't from here?" Ryuji asked. "The b-blue eyes... didn't say anything either?" I asked. "Well, it is very helpful to have an American buy our guns." Morgana joked. "Yeah, I guess it ain't really important where you're from." Ryuji said. "Hey, it's still early. Wanna grab a bite to eat?" He asked. "S-Sure thing..." I replied. "Awesome! I know a great place!" He said.

We sat down at the counter of a noodle shop and waited for our food. "I never thought about it, but you never told me anything about yourself. Now's the perfect time, don't you think? What made you move here?" Ryuji asked me. I thought a little bit. "A-Are you sure? I-It's... not the happiest story..." I told him. "Don't think it's worse than what I've done, c'mon!" Ryuji said supportingly. I took a deep breath. "O-One night... I was walking home from school..."

It was late and I was way behind time, the streets were dark and cold, but strangely calming. As I turned a corner, almost at my house. "Just get in the car!" I heard a man nearby shout. "Stop it!" A woman then responded.

I started running to where I heard them. "Let me go!" The woman said with tears in her eyes. "Don't give me that shit!" The man, likely drunk, replied. I walked up to them. "The police are my bitches! Incompetent fools like you just need to shut your mouths and follow where I steer this country!" He yelled at her angrily. "H-Hey! Let her go!" I said to him, causing him to turn to me. "Or what?" He threateningly spoke. "I-I... I'll hurt you!" I said stepping closer, a clear bluff that I'd hoped he didn't see through. He grabbed my arm and pushed me against a nearby power box. "You should keep your nose out of things like this little girl. It could get you hurt!" He said menacingly as he grabbed my wrist and pinned it to the wall. I tried to push him away, but couldn't. Luckily, I noticed the powerbox hadn't been locked, so I swung the door to it open, hitting the man in the face. He stumbled back slightly and tripped, smashing his face on a railing, breaking his sunglasses and opening a wound in his face.

"Damn bitch! I'll sue!" He shouted angrily. "I-It's our word against yours." I said as we heard police sirens. "You're fucked now!" The man said to me and turned to the woman. "You! Tell them she attacked me! Or I'll ruin you!" He threatened her.

~{Confession/Secret}~

"That's w-why I'm here now..." I said through a disappointed voice. Ryuji's face started to get red with rage. "What the hell is wrong with that piece of shit?!" He shouted angrily, causing some people to turn our way. "Q-Quiet Ryuji! It's i-in the past..." I whispered quietly. "Are you for real? If it was me, I wouldn't calm down until I punched that dick in the face!" He asked angrily. "I l-like to look towards the future... W-We can't change the past..." I said solemnly. "It's still bullshit..." He grumbled and shoveled noodles into his mouth. After a moment of thinking, Ryuji chuckled. "You know, we might be more alike than I thought." He stated. "H-How so?" I asked. "It's how we get treated like we're a pain in the ass by people around us, like we don't belong." He replied. "Y-Yeah... I know how that feels..." I said and hunched over. "Not like it matters how we're treated, I got your back like you got mine from tomorrow on!" Ryuji said happily.

We left the noodle shop and Morgana popped out for some fresh air. "I... I'm sorry you two..." I said sadly. "For what?" Morgana asked. "I didn't do anything... u-until... you two were dead..." I spoke regretfully. "Hey, don't worry about it dude, you saved us anyway, so no problem!" Ryuji smiled. "I do think it would've been better if you acted earlier, but as you said, it's in the past!" Morgana said encouragingly. I smiled at that. "I'll try to be m-more... decisive... in the future..." I said calmly. "You think we're ready for the palace?" Ryuji asked. "Yes, definitely." Morgana answered quickly.

~{Confession/Secret}~[END]

We arrived at the front of the school and I opened the app on my phone. "Everyone ready?" I asked and the other two nodded. We entered the Metaverse and prepared to enter the palace. "What is this?!" We heard a girl yell. "Takamaki?!" Ryuji yelled. "That voice... Sakamoto?!" Ann asked in surprise. "How are you here?!" Ryuji yelled in surprise. "What's going on? And what happened to the school?!" Ann yelled. "I see." Morgana started. "Perhaps she was dragged in because of the app." Morgana theorized. "Anyways, you gotta leave!" Ryuji ordered. "No! Explain what's going on, I won't leave until you do!" Ann said. "Looks like we gotta force her." Ryuji sighed. I nodded and the three of us threw her out, not wanting her to get hurt trying to help us.

"We should be more... c-careful in the future..." I commented. "We're counting on you Joker." Morgana said as he looked at me. "Joker? That a nickname?" Ryuji asked. "Don't refer to it in such a lame way. It's a code name!" Morgana said. "What kind of stupid thief would use their real name?! I'm not down for that!" Morgana stated annoyed. "So, why's she Joker?" Ryuji asked confused. "She's our trump card. When it comes to fighting strength, that is. Since she can resurrect us." Morgana answered. "I-I'm... not a huge fan..." I replied. "I don't want my code name... w-well to be a hint of what I can do..." I commented. "Well, I got nothing then." Morgana said. "What about Princess?" Ryuji teased. I looked at the ground. "W-Well... it's better than Joker..." I replied. Though a harmless sounding code name would be helpful.

"So, we're Princess, Skull and Mona in the palace, got it?" Morgana said in confirmation. "Hell yeah! We're gonna kick that piece of shit's ass!" Ryuji said happily. "Let's change his heart!" I said excited as I reached for my bag. "W-Wait? Wh-Where's my bag?" I yelped. "Hey calm down!" Morgana replied as he pulled a pistol from seemingly nowhere and handed it to me. "Just imagine you have it in your back pocket and pull it out!" He said with a big smile. I reached back, imagining pulling my bag out and next thing I know... "H-How'd you figure that out?!" I yelped in shock. "It's called Hammer space. Apparently, a lot of people in the real world think others can just pull something out of thin air as long as it's behind your back." Morgana said. "Hammer... what?" Ryuji asked. "You know in cartoons... w-when someone pulls a giant hammer out of nowhere?" I said. "Ohh! I gotcha!" Ryuji replied.

~{Desire}~

We entered the palace and as we neared the main hall, we heard Kamoshida giving a speech to his soldiers and we eavesdropped. "I can't allow that trash to ransack my castle! Your orders are kill on sight!" Kamoshida ordered. "Oh, but if you can... spare the cute redhead and bring her to me!" He adds on top of that, I felt myself shudder in disgust. "You're just an object to that son of a bitch!" Ryuji loudly whispered. "Can't we just go kick his ass?" He stated quickly. "Don't you see all the guards? It'd be suicide! Besides, there's no point. We need to steal his treasure! If we kill his shadow, the real one will die." Morgana clarified. I took my rifle out and aimed through my scope. "You got a shot on that asshole?" Ryuji asked. "I'm not looking for one." I replied. "I'm looking for any possible high ranking soldiers." I finished seriously. "Is it just me, or is she kinda scary when she just... talks?" Ryuji asked. "I get what you mean..." Morgana said back. "She's like a different person when she's focused." Morgana continued.

"No possible target..." I said frustrated as I put my rifle away. "S-Skull, Mona?" I said to them. "W-We need to keep an eye out for any shadow that... v-visually stands out... it could help a lot." I told the two. "Alright dude." Ryuji answered. "Got it." Morgana replied as well.

~{Desire}~[END]

We walked through the palace a little further, back to that safe room we saw earlier. "I-I have a theory..." I started as I looked at the map. "Mona... you t-told us how the treasure is... usually guarded?" I asked. "Yes." He replied. "M-My guess... is that it's at the top of the castle..." I said. "I see." Morgana said. "That would be the hardest place to get to. Good plan, Princess!" He complimented. "Hey, I've been working on this, it would be a perfect time for some field testing, don't you think?" Morgana said confidently. He attached the device to my arm. "It's a grapple, we can use this to quickly scale large heights." I thought for a moment and opened a nearby window. "What are you thinking, Princess?" Morgana asked confused. I lean out the window and shoot a hook into a place out of sight. Then quickly get pulled up by it. "Woah! Wait up, Princess!" Ryuji shouted as he and Morgana readied their own grapples, following me soon after. The two see me scaling the castle with the grapple quickly. I hook onto a scaffolding and pull myself up to a higher room's window. I sway back and forth, using the momentum to swing into the room.

~{King, Queen, and Slaves -another version-}~

After landing, I get my bearings and check the map we picked up, I notice I swung all the way up to the master bedroom, just one floor under the highest room. "Ok, I better go get Ryuji and Mor-" I hear a sound from the window I entered from and point my rifle that way. "Emily!" I heard Morgana yell, I lower my rifle and he jumped in. "Warn us before you jump out of a window next time!" Ryuji said as he jumped into the room. "Where the hell even are we?" He asked. I showed him the map and pointing at the master bedroom and smiled widely. "Holy shit, good job dude!" Ryuji complimented. "Great instincts Princess, the treasure's possibly in just the next room!" Morgana said impressed. I opened the door slowly and checked the hallway. We head out and open a huge set of doors, leading to a big room with upper walkways on each side and a large throne in the center. "So this is where that asshole sits all day." Ryuji said angrily. "We need to go..." I muttered while I looked at the map. "Up th-there." I pointed at the staircase behind the throne.

Ryuji bashed open the door with his Persona, smashing the lock and revealing a bright light. "The treasure!" Morgana said happily. Me and Ryuji looked into the room, confused. "Come on guys! Seriously!" Morgana said. "You're looking at it!" He said. "Th-That... glowing thing?" I asked. "Yes, simply finding the treasure isn't enough. We'll need to make it materialize before we can steal it." Me and Ryuji looked at him confused, which caused Morgana to sigh. "We need to make the real person aware that their desires are in fact a treasure. Once they're conscious that their desires might be stolen, the treasure will appear." He explains. "I-I hate to interupt... but... h-how?" I asked. "We warn them." Morgana started dramatically. "Tell them, "We're going to steal your heart." He finished. Ryuji's face lit up. "So we're gonna send a calling card?! That's totally what a Phantom Thief would do!" He said excitedly. "All that's left is to send the calling card in reality, then come back to steal the treasure! Once we send the card, there's no turning back!" Morgana explained.

~{King, Queen, and Slaves -another version-}~[END]

~{King, Queen, and Slaves}~

We backtracked to the safe room from earlier and got ready to leave. Just as we exited the safe room, we heard a woman scream out. "Is this some kind of filming?! Who's in charge here?!" She yelled out. "That was Takamaki's voice?! She really followed us in here after all huh." Ryuji said annoyed. "We g-gotta help." I replied. "Follow me... a-and stay quiet." I said as I took cover on a wall. I peaked around a corner into a storage room and saw a shadow, it turned away and I fired my rifle into it's unprotected neck. I racked the rifle and moved to the next piece of cover. I motion with my hand for the others to follow and see them confused where they're standing. I break out of my maneuvering mindset and walk back to them. "O-Ok... you two... wait here alright?" I tell them and the two nod. I head back to where I was previously.

I quickly cross a pathway and hide out of sight, checking the hallway ahead and spotting a shadow, I take aim and shoot it in the neck, just like the last one. "That's it." I go back to the others. We head through the hallways of the palace and come upon a fork in our path. I take cover and peek around the corner. "No one." I say and walk through. "Look, I'll apologize for touching the armor without permission!" Ann said. "Through here." I lead the other two past the open door and cracked the door open, seeing Ann shackled to a wall. "What's all this about?! I'm gonna call the co-" Ann's cut off by a bullet firing through a shadow's neck. Ann screams as the shadow disintegrates. I aim at the other shadow near her and fire. CLICK "W-Wait...? This thing can run out?!" I whispered to Morgana. "Don't look at me. I didn't know!" He replied.

~{Blood of Villain}~

"Surround the prisoner!" Kamoshida ordered as he stood in the corner of the room with that girl from yesterday, which I only then realized, was a copy of Ann, just... very different. "And to the intruders, don't get any closer unless you want her dead!" Kamoshida threatened. He turned to Ann with a mocking smirk on his face. "It's your fault she jumped you know? You were so reluctant to throw yourself onto me that I had her take your place." He mocked. Ann's face turned red with anger. "You bastard!" Ann yelled. Kamoshida turned to us. "Just sit back and enjoy the show. Maybe I'll start with her clothes..." Kamoshida said. "Eheehee... you're such a perv!" The other Ann said. "D-Don't listen to him!" I shout as I move up. "Slaves like you should behave, or do I need to teach you too?!" Kamoshida said angrily. "I've had enough of this... You've pissed me off you son of a bitch!" Ann shouted passionately.

~{Blood of Villain}~[END]

~{Awakening}~

The room felt hotter as flames appeared at Ann's feet. She screamed in anger and writhed in pain, before stopping momentarily. "I hear you... Carmen..." She whispered quietly. "You're right, no more holding back!" Ann said confidently as a cat mask appeared on her face and a fiery heat engulfed the room. Ann tore away the shackles binding her and ripped the mask on her face with little resistance. Her clothes altered into a red, skin tight, latex bodysuit. She ran towards a shadow and disarmed it with ease, using it's sword to kill the other Ann. "I'm not some cheap girl you can toy with... you scumbag!" She said angrily. "Bitch!" Kamoshida said angrily. "You took everything from Shiho... You destroyed her... Now it's your turn!" Ann yelled viciously. "How dare you! Enough of your insolence!" A nearby shadow said as it morphed into a demon.

~{Awakening}~[END]

~{Will Power}~

We all got ready to back Ann up as she summoned her Persona and lit the thing ablaze, knocking it over with the force of her flames. I used the time I had to reload my rifle. "Skull! Fire at it's chest with your gun! Mona, engulf it's feet with your wind, try to knock it off balance. I'll focus fire on it's head!" The team follows their orders, Ryuji's shots aimed wide and mostly missed, but it distracted the demon for long enough. Morgana took it off it's feet with his attack however and I finished it off with a shot to it's head. "Outside of school, he's nothing but a pathetic loser!" Ann mocked as the life left the creature's eyes, leaving it to disintegrate.

~{Will Power}~[END]

Kamoshida was already long gone by the time we killed it. "Why'd you come back here, man?! And more importantly, how?!" Ryuji asked angrily. "Hey! Is that how you speak to a woman?!" Morgana said angrily. "W-Well... in this context..." I started. "Are you alright, Lady Ann?" Morgana asked. "L-Lady Ann?" "Lady Ann...?" Me and her said simultaneously. "W-Wait, what is this thing? How can it talk?" Ann asked confused. "And... where are we?!" She continued. "We'll explain once we get out of here!" Morgana replied.

~{Alright -elp version-}~

Ann sat contemplatively after our explanation in the subway near our school. "Which one you want?" Ryuji asked while walking up with two bottles of soda, one with a red liquid, the other with a yellow one. "Whichever's not carbonated." Ann replied. Ryuji stood awkwardly. "Uh, they're both actually." Ann sighed and grabbed the red one. "Here ya go." Ryuji said casually as he handed me the other one. I felt a shifting in my bag. "What about me?" Morgana spoke as he popped his head out. "Huh? But you're a cat." Ryuji said confused. "Have you calmed down yet, Lady Ann?" Morgana asked, ignoring Ryuji's question. "Morgana, right? I really am talking to a cat..." She said, still slightly confused. "Oh, sorry! You're not a cat, right?" Ann asked to confirm. "It's only natural that you're confused." Morgana replied in an uncharacteristically soothing tone, prompting stares from me and Ryuji. "Demanding that you understand all of this right after what you went through is asking too much." He calmly said. "Honestly, I still can't believe what happened... that power... my Persona..." Ann said to herself. "It's the will of your rebellion, Lady Ann. With it, you'll be able to fight in that other world." Morgana explained. Ann stopped to think for a moment. "Is it really possible...? Can we actually force him to confess his crimes?" She asked determined. "Goin' all in on this plan is the only choice we got." Ryuji replied.

After a short discussion, I chimed in with my own opinion. "We should let her join..." I said, joining the conversation. "I trust her... a-and she's clearly capable..." I said nervously hoping the others would agree with me. "You ain't wrong about that..." Ryuji sighed. "I agree as well. We are lacking in man power, after all." Morgana said confidently and I giggled quietly to myself, prompting the others to look at me confused. "Oh... j-just..." I giggle again. "Man... power." I blush in embarrassment and look at the floor. Ryuji and Morgana groaned at the pun. "Well, I bet your glad to have another girl on the team!" Ann said excitedly. "Fine... I guess you're one of us." Ryuji said reluctantly. Ann gave each of us her number and left to go home. Morgana sighed happily. "What a kind girl... Such admirable consideration for others and the innocence to cast herself into the jaws of death to achieve her goal. She cares about her friends and she's beautiful to boot... What a girl! She's captured my heart..." Morgana gushed. Me and Ryuji looked at him and internally cringed. "Dude." Ryuji said after a long pause. "Wait. She has the power to bring us back to life, but the girl that throws fire at others is the one who's compassionate?" Ryuji asked with incredulity. "That... does seem odd..." I stifled a chuckle as Morgana tucked himself away in my bag.

~{Alright -elp version-}~[END]

We headed to the school, we were off today, but I wanted to check on Mishima, the other boy threatened with expulsion by Kamoshida. Since the volleyball team had a meeting today, it was perfect timing. I left Morgana to explore the school in the Metaverse, confirming our infiltration route. Me and Ryuji walked through the hallways separately, we split up to search for him separately. I checked the time on my phone and bumped into someone. "Oh, I-I'm so sor-" I looked up and my eyes widened in fear.

~{Desire}~

"You." Kamoshida said angrily. "What are you doing here? It's your day off." His voice was lined with venom. "I-I... w-was... erm..." I stammered fearfully. "You can't do anything about it. It's just a matter of time." Kamoshida mocked. I was frozen in fear and teared up. "Oh don't cry." Kamoshida said as he cupped my face. "Maybe I can make an exception for you..." He said in a flirting tone. "I'll let you stay here and not get arrested..." He starts as his hand snaked down to my hips. "If you make it worth my while, I can keep you here." Kamoshida smirked. "D-Don't..." I whimpered meekly and tried to push his hand away. "Oh don't be like that, do you really want your life to be ruined like this?" He mocked. "Just once, dear..." His hand snaked lower.

"Get your hands off her, you piece of shit!" I heard Ryuji shout as footsteps hurriedly approached. I turned around just as he threw a punch at Kamoshida, which he avoided and punched Ryuji in the stomach, knocking him to the floor. "Ryuji!" I shouted fearfully and knelt by him. Kamoshida shook his hand after the punch. "You're lucky you don't get that as well, bitch!" He said angrily as he walked away.

~{Desire}~[END]

"Wh-Why'd you do that Ryuji?!" I asked with a watery voice. "Ah fuck..." He groaned as he sat up. "He was grabbing all over you!" Ryuji shouted angrily. "I-I'm sorry..." I said as he looked at me, my eyes red. "W-We'll change his heart... I promise..." I said hopefully and Ryuji stood up. "We'll kick the shit outta that dick!" He said and offered his hand. He picked me up and since it was getting dark, so we decided to leave the school.

~{Beneath the Mask -instrumental version-}~

Me and Ryuji took our own trains home and I entered through the door to LeBlanc. RING RING "Ah, you're back." Sojiro greeted in his typical way. "How was the date?" He joked. "Wh-What?!" I blushed with embarrassment. "You leave the place at eleven and come home at eight?" Sojiro smirked. "I'm old. Not senile, girl." He chuckled. "B-Boys are gross..." I replied, trying to hide my embarrassment. Sojiro got a sudden look of seriousness on his face, like he'd just recalled something. "You did buy something for defense, right?" He asked. I opened my bag and pulled out the pistol Morgana had earlier. "What?! Where the hell did you get that?!" He shouted angrily. I pulled the trigger and nothing happened. "I-It's fake... j-just a bluff..." I explained and Sojiro sighed. "Ever heard of pepper spray?" He said as he grabbed the bridge of his nose. "I guess if it get's the job done..." Sojiro sent me up to the storage area.

Morgana pushed his head out of the bag. "Boys are gross?" He asked while laughing. "I th-thought being honest... w-would be an issue..." I replied. "Hey, some boys are truly gentlemanly." He said jokingly. I was about to reply when I felt my phone buzz.

ANN: Who's going to write the card?
RYUJI: Leave it to me!
ANN: Why?
RYUJI: Why wouldn't be me?!
ANN: This is important. Are you sure you can handle the pressure?
EMILY: We could all write it together, perhaps?
RYUJI: Just lemme write it, c'mon please?!
EMILY: I don't see too much of a negative from letting him.
ANN: Ok, if you say it's fine, then I'll agree.
RYUJI: I've got a hundred things I wanna hurl at that bastard!
EMILY: You should be careful about what you say precisely. It could reveal who wrote it.
ANN: Yeah, just don't make it obvious
RYUJI: I know, I know

I put my phone down and turned to Morgana. "Ryuji's... g-got the calling card under control..." I notify him. "Let's hope he doesn't screw it up..." Morgana said. "I-I believe in him..." I replied.

I got dressed in my pajamas and sat on my bed. "Tomorrow's the day Emily. We'll steal his heart." Morgana said excited. "Y-Yeah... I..." I paused. "I-I'm a little scared..." I admitted. "He... touched me earlier... a-and I just... froze... Ryuji got hurt... t-trying to help me..." I said to him. "We're gonna change him, mark my words!" Morgana said determined. "Th-That's why I believe in Ryuji..." I clarified to Morgana.

I was about to get some sleep, but that's when my phone rang. "Who could it be at this hour?!" Morgana said annoyed. "Oh I forgot!" I said in surprise and answered the phone. "Who is it-" I put my finger on Morgana's mouth. "Hey mom..." I greeted as I felt a wave of comfort wash over me. "Hello dear, how's the new school?" She asked. "I-It's... alright..." I lied, knowing I could never tell her the truth of what I've been doing. "That's nice honey." She said back. "H-How's..." I took a deep breath. "How's dad?" I asked. "Don't worry yourself sweetie, it'll be okay." She said as I heard a door close in the background. "I have to go Emily, be safe." She said as she hung up. "It'll be ok?" Morgana asked as I put the phone down. "I guess... I-I can't hide much from cat-like ears..." I said jokingly. Morgana laughed as he sat at the corner of the bed. "My dad is..." I wince. "H-He's sick. Mom told me... sh-she'd call every Sunday..."

~{Beneath the Mask -instrumental version-}~[END]

I explained and Morgana nodded. I got under my blankets, hugged my bear and closed my eyes.

~{Aria of the Soul}~

"Hello, Trickster." I opened my eyes, I was back in the prison cell. "Wh-What do you want?" I asked cautiously. "This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter. It is a room that only those bound by a "contract" may enter." Igor looked around. "Still, this is most odd. The room reflects the state of your heart. A prison... how quaint." He laughed, his voice echoing off the walls. "In the near future, ruin awaits you." He said simply. "R-Ruin? As in... d-death?" I asked frightened. "The end... to everything." His voice boomed in the empty room. "However, there is a mean to oppose such a fate. You must be rehabilitated. Rehabilitated towards freedom... That is your only mean to avoid ruin. Do you have the resolve to confront the world..." He paused for a moment. "And come out victorious?" He asked with a large smile on his face. "I... want to help people... e-everyone I can..." I answered honestly. "Then we can help you, but first, you will help yourself. Deal with the demon of lust... and we will continue your rehabilitation." Igor said cryptically. I stood in silence for a moment. "Ok..." I answered and Igor snapped his fingers. "We'll speak soon." He said as an alarm started in the prison.

~{Aria of the Soul}~[END]

Chapter Text

I woke up to my alarm on my phone. "The same dream again..." I mumbled to myself. "What's it like?" Morgana asked. "O-Oh nothing... I-I got to get ready..." I said as I got up and dressed into my uniform, ready to head to school.

Ann walked over to us from the bulletin board with Ryuji's calling card plastered all over. "Not bad, eh? I looked up a bunch of stuff for reference." Ryuji said proudly. "I know what you wanted to say, but it sounded like an idiot trying to be an adult." Ann criticized. Just when I was about to tell him what I thought... "Who's responsible for this?!" Kamoshida yelled nearby. "Look at that, a predictable reaction for someone who knows what we mean by distorted desires." Morgana laughed. "Are you two responsible for this?!" Kamoshida yelled angrily at me and Ryuji. "I w-wish we'd come up with something so funny..." I mumbled. "What garbage..." Kamoshida spouted. "Not like it's a problem, you'll both be expelled soon anyway." Ryuji gave me a thumbs up for my quick excuse.

~{Life Will Change -instrumental version-}~

We entered the palace after school ended. "Wait!" Morgana said. "We need a code name for Lady Ann!" He said quickly. "A code name?" Ann asked confused. "Judging by your costume..." Morgana started. "I mean, she's got that tail and stuff, so..." Ryuji said. "Why not catgirl?" He suggested. "Wait! Is that what you're going to call me from now on?! I am so not down with this!" Ann said embarrassed. "What do you wanna be called then?" Ryuji asked. "Maybe... Panther?" Ann suggested. "That sounds pretty cool, doesn't it?" She asked. "Alright, let's go steal his treasure, Panther!" Morgana said excited.

We opened the large double doors to the treasure room and Morgana gasped. "The treasure!" He yelped as he leapt towards a huge crown that had appeared and hugged it as if the thing could fly away at any time. "Uhh... M-Mona?" I asked him. He continued holding the crown as he started... rubbing himself on it?! "Okay!" I shouted awkwardly. "Th-That's enough treasure for you..." I pulled him away from it and put him on the ground. "Oh, um... forgive me for the insolent display ladies." Morgana apologized in embarrassment. "Time to get it outta here!" Ryuji said as we all got ready to carry the treasure out. We carried the crown out and through the throne room. While we hauled the crown, it was suddenly slammed out of our hands by a volleyball. We turned and saw Kamoshida standing confidently as two girls in bikinis rushed to his side, the cognitive Ann and... "I-Is that... m-me?!" I said shocked. Kamoshida's cognitive form of me had a collar and a headband with dog ears on it. She then handed him a leash to the collar. "M-Master? You... c-can't leave me alone... I'm too weak w-without my big... strong... master!" The Cognitive Emily pleaded to him. "Good girl..." Kamoshida said mockingly as he grabbed her chin. Our group had looks of disgust on each of our faces, though none as disgusted as Ann. Like all it would take to make her vomit was a strong stench. "What the hell is wrong with you... disgusting son of a bitch!" She shouted angrily. "Don't you get it? Every pathetic slave under me willingly protects me, so we're all able to profit from my power!" Kamoshida shouts proudly. "You could all serve me and get the easiest scholarships you could ever think of!" He spouted, as if he truly believed what he was saying. "M-Master... you sh-should... show them... y-your true power..." The Cognitive Emily said. "You know what? I think you're right." Kamoshida said as his form melted into a kind of black tar.

~{Life Will Change -instrumental version-}~[END]

~{Blooming Villain}~

He morphed into a giant imp-like creature with an enormous tongue and sharp teeth, towering over our group reaching almost fifteen meters tall, he even grew two extra arms. He carried a giant knife and fork, with a golden trophy in front of him. "I'm allowed to do whatever I want!" He continues angrily. "No!" I shouted angrily, causing the others to look at me surprised. "N-No one should be forced to help you just for their own benefit!" I continued. "Y-You're... sick!" I spouted angrily and Kamoshida laughed. "Ah, the little puppy has found her bark! Looks like it's time for some discipline!" He said possessively. His shadows started rushing towards us and Ryuji ran ahead to take them on. Kamoshida swung a large knife towards him, cleaving his guards in two. "Has he lost his damn mind?! Those were his own guards!" Ryuji shouted. "Die, pathetic worms!" Kamoshida shouted angrily as he swung his knife towards Ryuji. Thinking on my feet, I use some blood and throw it at Kamoshida's eyes, blinding him. "Argh! You bitch!" He shouted angrily. "Panther! Heat that blood up, it could force it to dry!" I ordered and Ann followed. "Dance, Carmen!" She shouted as her Persona posed and used her fire to heat up the blood, not drying it, but instead boiling it.

Kamoshida screamed in anger as he felt the fluid in his eyes heat up, constantly boiling, until his eyeball popped. "You'll pay for that, bitch!" He shouted with vulgarity as he wrapped his tongue around my body. I yelped in fear as he hoisted me towards his disgusting maw. "S-Skull! Electrocute his tongue!" I ordered, knowing the moisture on his tongue would act as a conductor. "Captain Kidd!" He shouted as his Persona shot electricity at Kamoshida's tongue, electrocuting me and Kamoshida, forcing his tongue to go limp and drop me. After hitting the ground, the electricity expelled from my body and I felt my muscles tense as I stood to my feet. "Damn you uppity little brats! How dare you go against your KING!" He shouted angrily as he chugged some liquid from the trophy in front of him, removing the harsh burns and reforming his eye. "No way! He healed?!" Ryuji shouted. "Your attacks mean nothing!" Kamoshida bellowed confidently. The cognitive versions of me and Ann walked up to him and handed him a large volleyball. "Thanks, beautiful." He chuckled. "Let's see if you brats can handle the trick that earned me the gold!" He shouted and launched the ball in the air. "E-Everyone! Brace your-" I started as the ball struck the ground, creating a huge shockwave.

I got up and tried to shake off the pain. "A-Are you all..." I stood taller and winced, feeling a sharp pain in my ankle. Kamoshida laughed. "I'm going to make this a lesson you'll never forget! You'll learn what happens to anyone who dares defy me, where slaves like you belong!" He said angrily. I summoned my Persona and spread blood across everyone nearby, healing all their wounds. "You can't stop us that easil-" I took a step and collapsed, realizing that my ankle was possibly sprained. "Princess?! Are you okay?" Morgana asked concerned. "I-I'll... be fine..." I stood, putting more weight on my left foot. "What do you rats think you're doing?" Kamoshida struck a pillar near me with his knife, only barely missing me. "Stop chittering and let me destroy you!" Kamoshida shouted with rage as he stabbed the ground and cracked the floor open, creating a dust cloud. "Take cover!" I ordered as we all huddled behind a nearby pillar. "We need a plan, I hate to admit it, but that bastard's way too strong." Ryuji said angrily. I turned to Morgana with a risky idea in my mind. "Mona? Climb high and get ready, on my mark take the crown." I ordered, Morgana looked confused, but nodded to what I told him. "Panther and Skull, you two stay here." I said, Ann and Ryuji were hesitant, but stayed in cover behind the pillars and waited.

~{Blooming Villain}~[END]

I neared Kamoshida and put my arms up. "Wait! M-Master..." I said, trying not to cringe at myself. "I-I surrender... h-how can I... serve you... m-master Kamoshida..." I knelt and looked at the ground. "Oh, it took you long enough to realize that fighting is futile." Kamoshida said in frustration. He gripped his knife harder and leaned close to me, seemingly intent to grab me. I quickly shot up. "Juliet!" I shouted as I sprayed a gust of blood into his eyes. "You bitch!" Kamoshida shouted angrily. "Now, Mona!" I shouted as he leapt from his vantage point and knocked Kamoshida's crown off. "Everyone! Focus fire!" We all take our guns out and free fired at Kamoshida. We nearly unloaded a stockpile of ammunition. "Stop that, you... ingrates!" Kamoshida shouted angrily as he reverted back into his "human" form.

~{Regret}~

After changing, he immediately ran to pick up his crown, accidentally running into a corner and trapping himself. Ann summoned her Persona and held a fireball in her hand. "N-NO, STOP! PLEASE! DON'T DO IT!" Kamoshida begged pathetically. Ann threw her fireball at Kamoshida, narrowly missing him. "ISN'T THAT WHAT EVERYBODY BEGGED YOU FOR?!" Ann shouted angrily. I yelped and ran in front of her. "W-What are you doing?!" I asked. "D-Don't kill him... p-please... he's surrendered..." I pleaded. "Y-You don't have to-" I start until I'm cut off. "Kill me..." Kamoshida said solemnly. Causing me to turn to him, I walk up to him and kneel. "I-It's not too late... y-you can make up for it..." I said calmly. He looked up at me. "Kill me here, and you kill me in the real world..." Kamoshida said, almost orderly. I turn to Ann, trying to plead silently. "If I kill you, there'll be no one to prove your crimes..." Ann clenched her fist. "I understand... I'll return to myself and confess my crimes..." He disappeared in a dim flash. I picked the crown up and stuffed it into my bag. I turned to Ann. "You... did the thi-" I was quickly cut off by the castle starting to rumble and shake after Kamoshida disappeared.

~{Regret}~[END]

"Holy crap, this place is falling apart!" Ryuji shouted. We all got ready to run, but when I took a step, I collapsed. "W-Wait!" I shouted, making Ryuji turn around to check. "Oh fuck me!" He yelled and ran over to me, picking me up and running with me. I used my Persona to rejuvenate everybody, keeping their stamina up as they ran out of the building. "We're almost there!" Ryuji yelled motivationally. We exited the Metaverse and Ryuji almost dropped to the floor in exhaustion. "Dude, I thought we were goners!" He said in relief. "I-I... think I figured out..." I said, trying to stay awake. "...why my... P-Persona has such powerful healing..." I said. "Really?" Ann replied. "I... can't heal... myself with it..." I contemplated. "Kamoshida's attack hurt my ankle... and I-I sprayed my blood on everyone... b-but it didn't heal my own injuries..." I explained. "That's problematic. We'll need to find a way to work around that." Morgana said. I rubbed my pained ankle and looked towards the school, spotting a person dart away. "H-Hey!" I yelp out, causing the others to turn to where I was looking. Ryuji ran out and looked both ways. "No dice, they're long gone." He said dejectedly. "Oh right! What about the treasure!" Ryuji asked excited. I reached into my bag towards where I put the crown and took out... "A-A medal?" I asked quizzically. "No wonder he lost it when we took it from him." Ann said. "Bastard was clingin' to his past glory." Ryuji said angrily. "W-We changed his heart... r-right?" I asked Morgana nervously. "Probably." Morgana replied. "Whaddaya mean "probably?!" We'll be expelled if he didn't!" Ryuji spouted angrily. "We just have to wait and see what happens." Morgana explained. "This blows man..." Ryuji said dejectedly.

Ann left shortly after to try and calm her nerves, but just as I was about to head towards the train station, I heard Ryuji call for me. "Hey Emily, you mind trainin' with me?" He said with a wide smile on his face. I frowned, disappointed. "I-I can't... r-remember..." I gestured to my ankle. "Shit, right." He looked at the floor, only to quickly find a smile again. "You wanna keep me company?" He asked, I figured that I might as well, since I wasn't up to anything else that day. I went to the bathroom first and checked my chest, since I felt a pain. There were massive cuts where I pulled blood from. I buttoned my shirt again, thinking to not show anyone.

I never noticed how nice the courtyard of the school could be, the calm wind and nice, orange sky. I was inspecting the medal that we got from Kamoshida's palace. "Ugghhh..." Ryuji stopped right in front of where I was sitting. "Damn, my legs're all tight..." He said with a grimace.

~{Confession/Secret}~

As I held the medal in my hand, I spoke to him. "M-Maybe you should take a break..." I suggested, but noticed he was staring at the medal as well. "You know... he went after me especially." Ryuji said upset. "He knew I was the kinda guy who'd fight back." He stated. "Th-That's... horrible..." I responded. "If my time dropped even a little, he'd cuss me out. Then on top of that, he brought up my parents..." Ryuji said sadly. "You haven't... t-told me about them... are you ok?" I asked, looking up at him sympathetically. "Truth is, my mom's all I got. All my dad did when he was around was drink. Sometimes he'd even beat me, or my mom." Ryuji kicked the ground lightly. "I dunno how that bastard Kamoshida found out, but he told the whole damn team..." He was about to continue, but he heard me sniffle and looked down at me. I looked up at him with tears in my eyes. "Ah shit, I didn't-" He started, just before I practically jumped on him with a hug. Ryuji pat my back awkwardly. "Erm... there, there?" He said unsure at what he was doing. I separated from him and shuffled, a little embarrassed. "S-Sorry... I-I just thought... y-you'd want a hug..." I said quickly. "Hey, it doesn't matter now. That's all in the past! I'm only thinking about the future now! We gotta think positive now, dude!" Ryuji put his hand up, prompting me to do so in reply. He slapped my hand, knocking it back slightly.

~{Confession/Secret}~[END]

RING RING "Ah, you're back." Sojiro greeted. "Something came for you earlier today, I put it on the stairs." He explained. "Th-Thank you..." I walked past him, limping slightly. "Hey, are you alright?" Sojiro said, noticing my limp. "I-I twisted it earlier..." I explained and he sighed in response. "There's a doctor I know about around the corner, the last thing I want is people talking about a girl living with me having a limp." He said seriously. I left LeBlanc and headed down the street. "A doctor, huh?" Morgana said as he popped out. "We could get some medicine for The Metaverse." He explained. "W-We'd have to lie..." I said apprehensively. "I'll think about it..." I told him and he grumbled. "How're you gonna be in the Phantom Thieves when you're such a goody-two-shoes?" Morgana asked, annoyed. I turned left and saw a dip in the wall, I headed to it and noticed some stairs to a door.

~{Butterfly Kiss}~

I opened the door and was greeted by bright lights with an odd smell. It smelt almost sterile and housed a bland décor, as if it were purely for function over fashion. "Hey there, need something?" I jumped to a voice and turned to the source, it was an older woman around her thirties holding a magazine and dressed in a lab coat, with a dark greenish-blue dress underneath. "Jumpy, aren't you. Don't worry, I don't bite." She chuckled softly. "H-Hello ma'am... I-I hurt my ankle earlier..." I explained nervously. The woman put her magazine down and gestured towards a door to my right. "Head in, I'll meet you in there."

I opened the door and stood in the room, a small examination room with a bed in the corner and a few chairs near where I was standing. "What seems to be the problem?" The woman asked as she sat down in a swivel chair. "I-I twisted my r-right ankle..." I said to her. "Please sit on the bed, I'll take a look." I did as she asked and let her take a look at my foot. "Not many kids around here, what's your story?" She asked me. Just before responding, I noticed a doctor's badge on her. Her name was Tae Takemi. "W-Well... I'm living here... temporarily..." I phrased to not give away anything unnecessary. "Oh, you're the kid Sakura took in." Takemi stated. I stayed quiet, afraid to give more away. Takemi let go of me and grabbed a clipboard. "It seems you pulled a muscle. It feels worse than it is, I'd just recommend keeping off it as much as possible, you'll be fine in a few days." She explained. "Th-Thank you... w-what do I owe you?" I asked, only for her to shake her head. "I just looked at it, don't worry so much." She said. "O-Oh... is there a-any way... I can help then?" I asked politely. "If you really want to pay me in some way..." Takemi started as she grabbed a vial of liquid. "Drink this." She handed the vial to me. "I-If it's to help..." I muttered as I took it and chugged the liquid quickly. Takemi's eyes widened. "Huh?!" She said with surprise. "I can't believe you actually drank it..." The liquid tasted disgusting, almost like if you puked and then swallowed, but without the aftertaste of that. "I-It tastes..." I started, but felt light-headed, passing out right then.

My eyes fluttered open to an aching from the bright lights of the clinic. I realized that I was lying on a bed and got up, seeing Takemi writing on her clipboard. "Th-That was disgusting..." I told her. "I'm glad I don't have to conduct an autopsy just to see how it killed you." Takemi chuckled. "Th-That was a possibility?!" I said panicked. "No, not really." She chuckled. "Do you remember anything from the moment you took the medicine until now?" She asked. I racked my brain to try and remember. "I'd say you don't." She replied quietly. "Are you out of your mind? Only an idiot would've drank that." She scolded. "I-I... want to help people..." I explained. "So you are crazy. Well all that matters is that I was able to get some good data, thanks to you." Takemi stood up. "I have one more question for you." She asked seriously. "What i-is it?" I asked nervously. "There are no cuts or lacerations on your body, correct?" She asked. "N-No... why?" I asked with fear. "Then can you explain why you're missing 10% of the blood in your body?" Takemi asked as she looked at her clipboard. "Wh-What?" I asked again. "Ex-felon that's missing 10% of her blood? Are you sure you just want to help?" She asked. I panicked and thought of an excuse. "I-I..." I started sweating, when I finally found my excuse. "D-Don't tell anyone... b-but I... cut myself..." I said dropping my head shamefully, though actually feeling shame from lying. "Wh-What?!" Takemi asked in shock as she stared at me. I realized, she probably didn't believe me, so I blushed in embarrassment and showed her my new chest scars. "Oh my god..." She said and handed me medicine for the cuts. "You're going to see me from now on, every Sunday." She ordered.

~{Butterfly Kiss}~[END]

~{Beneath the Mask}~

RING RING "That bad huh?" Sojiro asked, prompting a confused look from me. "You were gone for almost an hour, I was waiting forever." Sojiro said as he walked past me. "I'm going home, try not to burn the place down." He said as he closed the door. "Self harm was your excuse?" Morgana asked. "I feel terrible... I... don't like lying..." I responded. "I guess you couldn't really come up with a lie that you could prove, but technically, that wasn't lying." He stated, prompting a confused look from me. "You do hurt yourself to heal." He reassured me. "Thanks... I g-guess." I replied. "At least we can get medicine now!" Morgana stated happily.

I headed to my room and realized I had forgotten about the thing in the mail from earlier. It was an envelope on the stairs. "Oh! What do you think it is?" Morgana asked curiously as I opened it carefully. I took a letter out with about ten thousand yen inside. "I hope you're having a good time at your new school. I needed to send a letter like this to support you. Stay strong honey, it'll only be a year and then you'll be out of this mess. From: Mom." I smiled and put the letter away. "She sounds like a great mom!" Morgana complimented. "Yes... she is..." I said sadly. "T-Turn around..." I told Morgana. After I got dressed for bed and sat down, Morgana jumped up and looked at me. "Do you mind if I sleep up here?" He asked. I shook my head. "No problem... I don't mind, a-as long as you keep your..." I realized what I was about to say. "...keep your paws... to yourself..." I joked at him. "I would never! I am a gentleman!" He said almost offended. I chuckled softly and put my head down on my pillow, grabbing my bear and closing my eyes.

~{Beneath the Mask}~[END]

"No please!" I screamed as I felt his hand strike me. I jolted up, awaking from my nightmare.

~{Aria of the Soul}~

"Hello, Trickster. Night terrors?" Igor said almost mockingly. "Y-Yeah..." I turned away. "He is truly a paragon, isn't he?" Igor said in a joking tone and I turned to him quickly. "H-How do you know about him?" I asked. "You don't think you could hide something so trivial from me, surely." He spoke confidently. "Do you think you could... not r-read my mind?" I asked. "I could say yes." He started with a chuckle. "But would you believe me?" He finished with a hearty laugh. "Listen well, inmate!" Caroline emphasized with her baton striking the bars of the cell. Igor chuckled. "Why don't you introduce our Trickster to herself." He said to the guards. Justine turned to me in a professional manner. "Hello Trickster, do you mind if I just call you Emily?" She asked politely. I blinked in surprise, she knew my name? Though I decided not to push for an answer. "N-Not at all..." I answered nervously. "So Emily, your ruin has been foretold by our master and we're here to assist you." Justine explained. "It's funny, you're not only our first visitor to not be represented by The Fool, but also the oldest, if I recall correctly." Justine chuckled softly while checking a clipboard with a stack of pages on it. "You are registered as Judgement." She explained before releasing a small gasp of surprise. "This is most unusual..." She said, my eyes widened slightly in anticipation. "It is reversed..." Justine's eyes were labeled with confusion. Caroline stomps her foot impatiently. "Are you saying we have to teach this idiot to be decisive?!" Caroline barked. I stood back slightly, not wanting to frustrate her further. "Calm yourself Caroline. It simply means we must guide her into confidence." Justine calmly explained. "Agh!" Caroline banged the cell door in anger. "You better thank us, inmate! We're really sticking our necks out here!" Caroline ordered. Igor laughed at their antics. "It's a big day tomorrow, you better get some rest." Igor stated and sounded the alarm.

~{Aria of the Soul}~[END]

I opened my eyes to see Morgana slapping me with his paws. "Wake up! I can't turn your alarm off!" He said annoyed. "I-I'm up..." I muttered and stood from my bed, turning my alarm off swiftly afterwards. After getting dressed I checked the time, there was still roughly an hour before classes started, I put my phone in my blazer pocket and picked up my bag. "Wanna come with...?" I asked nervously, not wanting to bother Morgana. "It's not like I have anything else to do." He answered and I let him hop in.

EMILY: I need to meet up with all of you before today's assembly.
RYUJI: What's up?
EMILY: It's important, let's meet on the roof.
ANN: Sure thing.
EMILY: I'll be waiting.

I sat contemplatively as I heard the door to the roof open, Ann and Ryuji both walking through. "What was so important?" Ann asked curiously. "You two r-remember how I can't h-heal myself... with my Persona?" I asked the two and they both nodded. "I... also use my own blood..." I said. Ann and Ryuji looked at each other fearfully. "So you're telling me, that you can kill yourself with this thing?!" Ryuji asked. "Y-Yes..." I replied, concerned for my wellbeing.

I stood in the gym, nervous about what may happen, since tomorrow was the board meeting. "I-I'm scared Ryuji..." I said nervously. "Don't worry man. I know we changed that bastard's heart!" Ryuji said confidently. "N-Not that..." I clarified. "I'm worried... we k-killed..." I said quietly. Ryuji frowned. "Even if we did. That bastard deserved it." He said angrily. "I-If we did... I..." I said fearfully. A door in the gym slammed open loudly. "Pardon me principle..." Kamoshida interrupted as he took the stand. "I have been... reborn..." Kamoshida said as he looked out to the audience.

Chapter Text

I sighed in relief, taking in the fresh air from the rooftop. "Let's check how much this medal can be sold for." Ryuji said while checking his phone. "It'd be better if we pawned it off ASAP." Ryuji stated calmly. Just then, his eyes widened. "H-How much is it worth?" I asked him.

~{Layer Cake}~

"Thirty thousand." The store manager said. "How's that sound girl?" He asked, surprising me at his willingness to buy it. "Th-That's fine sir..." I said nervously. "Just Iwai kid, okay?" He said. "Alright..." I replied. Iwai handed me the money and as I was counting it, he handed me a paper bag. "Here, take this with you. It's a thanks for sellin' me that medal." Iwai's face went slightly more serious. "Best to not open it. Just bring it back next time you come here." He asked calmly. "N-No problem..." I responded and tucked the paper bag into my own bag.

The door opened and two men in suits came in. "Munehisa Iwai, yes? There are some things we'd like to discuss with you." One of the men said. "Sorry kid, shop's closed for now." Iwai said to me. I walked past the two men and looked back to Iwai, wondering what was happening. "Hey, you!" One of the men turned to me. "What's in your bag? Show me!" He ordered angrily. "Do you have a warrant?" I asked angrily. The man's face paled slightly. "Y-Yes! Of course I do!" He answered. "May I see it?" I asked back quickly. "No! It's official business!" He said quickly. "Then you may not." I said with a smile and walked out.

~{Layer Cake}~[END]

As I exited the shop, Morgana popped out of my bag. "How did you keep your cool like that? You normally stutter your butt off." He asked with a slight chuckle. "I-I hate cops..." I said calmly and Morgana made a noise out of confusion. "I w-will not elaborate further..." I finished.

EMILY: I sold the medal.
RYUJI: Really? Who the hell bought it?!
EMILY: That's a secret.
RYUJI: For real? Buzzkill...
ANN: So how much was it worth?
EMILY: Thirty thousand yen, just like you said Ryuji.
RYUJI: Hell yeah! We gotta celebrate!
ANN: I got a place, I'll text you two the address tomorrow.

I smiled widely at the thought of my new friend group. Surprised at how quickly we've bonded.

EMILY: Hey Ryuji. Are you free today by any chance?
RYUJI: Yeah, why?
EMILY: Well, I have the free time as well as the fact that I'm hungry. I'll be paying.
RYUJI: What's the place?
EMILY: I honestly don't know, I'll let you choose.
RYUJI: Why not ramen again? No problem with that, right?
EMILY: None at all, meet you there!

I arrived at the ramen place and looked around for Ryuji. Just as I take out my phone, he greets me. "Hey, what's up!" He asked happily, but also quite loudly. I jumped at his words, but smiled. "H-Hello, how... do you do that?" I asked with a light chuckle. "Y-Years of ninja training?" I asked with a smile. "Heh, maybe." Ryuji responded with a chuckle as we walked into the ramen shop.

~{Alright -elp version-}~

Ryuji slurped his noodles loudly as I slowly ate my own. "Light soup like this really gets your body goin' again after a good run, y'know. This shit's the best man!" Ryuji said with a wide smile on his face. "We used to come all the way out here after practice and..." He started, but a frown quickly formed on his face. "Uh, I guess that's all in the past... I've seen Nakaoka around a few times, but for some reason, it don't look like he's gettin' along with the others." He finished. "I-Is that someone... on the track team?" I asked. "Yeah, the other day, he told me how the track team was puttin' up with Kamoshida's shit, and how I effed it all up for 'em... I think he was right. They don't even got a club room anymore." Ryuji said disappointed. "It's good they're keepin' their heads low though, don't want 'em endin' up like me." He said, almost satisfied sounding. "It's t-terrible to be an outcast like that... through no fault of your own..." I replied. "Probably sucks hearin' all those rumors n' shit." He said with scorn. "Heh, we really don't fit in anywhere... but now that I think about it, tryin' to fit in is a real pain in the ass." He chuckled. "For real though, it's been a shitton of fun!" He spouted happily.

~{Alright -elp version-}~

RING RING I opened the door to LeBlanc. "Oh, you're back." Sojiro greeted in his typical way. "Hey, Takemi said she wanted you to see her again." He notified me. I tensed up. "Wh-Why? D-Did... she tell you?" I asked fearfully. "Calm down, you look like you just witnessed a murder." He chuckled. "She said that you would know." He stated. I turned out the door and nervously walked to the clinic. "Ooooo, busted!" Morgana said jokingly, only to see that I was shivering. "Hey, are you alright?" He asked. "I won't say another excuse... I-I'm telling the truth..." I replied. "Well, good luck with that. I'll be outside LeBlanc if you survive." Morgana joked as he hopped out of my bag.

~{Butterfly Kiss}~

Takemi sat across from me, but right after she opened her mouth to start speaking, I started. "I'm sorry..." I said ashamedly, prompting a confused look from her. "I-I... lied to you..." I started. "I... don't self harm..." I said, not even realizing that I now needed a new reason for why my chest was cut open. Takemi seemed lost in thought. "I-I was too... embarrassed to say the actual reason..." I explained. Takemi seemed to be curious. "Why'd you come back then?" She asked. "I... just wanted to help..." I replied as the door to the examination room opened and a police man walked in. "I've told you before, Officer. If you want to investigate me, you need to show me a warrant." Takemi told him. "We received a report, I'll need to see a detailed statement of medical expenses and full medical records. I bet you-" I cut the police man off. "Don't you have anything better to do?" I asked angrily. "Excuse me, young lady?" He asked. "Don't you have criminals out there? Why are you harassing a doctor?!" I spouted. "Calm down." Takemi said. "Here you go." She showed her computer screen. "This kid is my only patient today." She said confidently. "That "report" is fictitious. It's nothing but an attempt to harass me." Takemi finished calmly. The officer turned to me. "You don't look sick, are you trying to help her cover something up?!" He asked seriously. "You don't have to be sick to see a doctor, have you ever heard of injuries?" I asked sarcastically. "Do you also have a warrant for disclosure? If not, I'd be happy to report this." Takemi said with little patience. "I'd expect nothing less from "The Plague." The officer said as he left the room. "Scum... a-all of them..." I said after he left. "You yelled at him like it was your job." Takemi joked to me. I looked down. "S-Sorry... you had to... see that..." I blushed in embarrassment. "Don't worry, kid. I'm over this as well." She said as I was excused from the room.

~{Butterfly Kiss}~[END]

~{ Break it Down}~

Ryuji took a giant bite out of the steak on his plate. "Damn that's good! The real stuff is so much better!" He said. I looked at the buffet that Ryuji grabbed for our table. "Are you sure... we needed th-this much?" I asked, nervously thinking about if we could even finish everything. "Come on! It's not everyday we get to come to posh buffet like this!" Ann said happily. Morgana popped out of my bag. "Hey! Save some for me!" He angrily yelped. "I-I'm gonna go get some stuff for m-me and Morgana..." I said as I excused myself from the table. "Oh oh! Get me some fish!" Morgana said as he popped out of my bag. "Shh! S-Stay in there... no pets, remember?" I reminded him. I grabbed two plates, one smaller and got myself steak and vegetables, getting Morgana a ton of different fish on the smaller plate. I headed back to the table and sat down. "Come on dude, we're at a buffet and all you get is that?!" Ryuji said, sounding like a disappointed dad. "I-I don't need that much... and I-I'm not a big fan of sweets..." I said, making Ann choke on some cake. "How can you not like sweets?!" She spoke with incredulity, as if I had just stabbed her parents. "Th-This is all I need..." I spoke calmly.

Ryuji grabbed his phone with a big smile on his face. "I almost forgot! Take a look at this!" He showed us his phone. PHANTOM AFICIONADO WEBSITE. "Someone m-made a website...?" I asked nervously. "Yeah! There's tons of people thanking the Phantom Thieves!" Ryuji said and his eyes suddenly shot open, rapidly changing topics. "Wait, if we don't eat all this food, they'll charge us for what we didn't eat! We gotta eat all this in half an hour!"

Twenty minutes and one hardcore stomachache later, we managed to eat the entire thing. "This is a victory... for all of us..." Ryuji said with a croak. "Wh-Why... did... you get... so much..." I uttered with a whimper. "I feel s-sick..." I muttered as I got up and was about to head for the restroom. "Hey, I'll come with you!" Ann said quickly as she tagged along with me. I leaned on her as I tried to keep the food in my stomach. "Are you alright? You ate even more than Ryuji..." Ann said concerned. "Mmm hmm..." I grumbled as she opened the door for me. After kneeling over the toilet, I mentally prepared for the worst.

~{Break it Down}~[END]

Thankfully I didn't puke, even though I nearly did, I merely let out a burp. We left the bathroom and headed towards the elevator. Just as the doors opened, a group of men shoved past us. "Have they opened a daycare service since I was here last?" An angry looking bald man spouted as he walked into the elevator. "The standards of this hotel have changed..." The man said frustrated. "What a jerk." Ann said in a slightly angry tone. "He... seemed familiar..." I said to myself. "He's some politician, I can't remember his name though." Ann replied.

After going back to the table, once me and Ann sat down, I asked a question. "Hey Morgana? Does... e-everyone have a palace?" I asked curiously and Morgana popped out of my bag. "As long as they have a strong, warped desire, yeah." Morgana answered. "Well... I was thinking... a-about Kamoshida, that is..." Ryuji turned to me with a curious look on his face. "What if... we kept ch-changing hearts?" I asked the group. "I was actually thinkin' about that too." Ryuji replied. "I want to keep doing this as well." Ann said. "W-Well then everyone... h-here's to our first job!" I said as I raised my glass. "Hell yeah! To the Phantom Thieves!" Ryuji cheered.

After heading to school the next day, Mishima approached me. "Hey, have you seen that "Phantom Aficionado Website?" Mishima asked and I nodded. He got closer. "I'm the one who made it!" He said proudly. "P-Personal bubble please..." I said as I backed away a little. "Congratulations... b-but... why tell me?" I asked. "You're one of them, aren't you?" He asked. "Why..." I asked. "...is there... a bounty on them?" I glared at him. "What? Why would I do that? Kamoshida used me... and I did horrible things to you guys. People can post their problems on the Phan-Site and you guys can handle it! If there's anything I can do to help, just let me know!" He said determined. I thought for a moment. "If you ever catch wind of a-abusers... I'm the first to know... ok?" I ask him. "No problem!" Mishima said happily and ran off. I took out my phone.

EMILY: Can we meet on the roof during lunch?
RYUJI: Sure thing, is it big?
EMILY: Yes, it very much is.

Once lunch time arrived, I headed up to the roof to wait for the others, only to see they were already there. "So why'd you ask us here? You up for a little fun? Maybe a little Phantom Thievery will tickle your fancy?" Ryuji asked. "Ryuji!" Ann said with annoyance. "Mishima... w-well for one... he made the "Phan-site..." a-as he calls it..." I explained. "Woah, really? The Phan-Site is Mishima's?" Ryuji asked in surprise. "He also... knows I-I'm a Phantom Thief..." I said to them. "Wait, he knows?! Isn't that a bad thing?" Ryuji asked. "H-He wanted to help... and it s-seemed to me he was sincere..." I said just as we heard the door to the roof open. "What are you doing up here?" The girl asked. "What do you want?" Ryuji asked her casually. "You all had a history with Mr. Kamoshida, is that right?" She asked. "E-Excuse me... may I ask y-your name?" I asked the girl nervously. "That's the student council president." Ann told me. "Makoto Nijima. It's a pleasure." She spoke as if she was trying to get something out of us. "The roof is off limits, I don't know if you're aware." Makoto spoke in an angry tone. "You want something else." I spoke up. "What is it?" I asked. "E-Excuse me?" Makoto asked, taken aback. "You heard me." I responded. "I'm simply here to explain the rules, now if you would all leave..." She said. "Gladly..." I said as I walked past her.

While we were all walking down the stairs, Ann and Ryuji kept looking at me, but not saying anything. "I-I got a really bad feeling from her... we should k-keep our distance..." I told everyone, just as Morgana popped out of my bag. "Emily, show me the map on your phone!" He said and I followed. "S-Sure... but... why?" I asked as Morgana pointed to the subway just next to Shibuya and I marked it. "I have got to show you this!"

~{Mementos}~

Morgana hopped along happily. "This is Mementos, the Palace of the masses!" He said proudly. "That big castle isn't typical. It takes an idividual with a powerful warped desire to birth one of those. Normal people don't have that, but they share one enormous palace with everyone else. That's Mementos!" Morgana explained to everyone. "S-So... we just look for this t-target blindly?" I asked as I checked my phone for the target's name again. "Not exactly, we'll be able to sense any target as long as they're nearby. Now watch this!" Morgana said happily as he waved his arms through the air. "MORGANAAAA! TRANSFORM!!!" He shouted and then turned into a small bus. Ryuji's eyes widened. "How the hell'd you do that?!" He asked in confusion. "For some reason, cats turning into buses is an extremely widespread cognition amongst the general public." Morgana said. "Who's driving?" He asked in a jokey tone. "Ok Princess, hop in!" Ann said cheerfully. "Wh... Why me?" I asked nervously. "You're the oldest and our leader. It only makes sense!" She explained. "O-Ok... I'll try... I-I don't have a l-license though..." I said as I hopped in the driver's seat.

~{Mementos}~[END]

I slowly drove down the railways, narrowly missing the shadows walking around. "Hey Princess! Crash me into one of them!" Morgana said. "A-Are you sure? I d-don't want to... hurt you..." I asked. "Just do it, trust me!" Morgana said, allowing me to swerve into a shadow, knocking it over. The shadow morphed into a small pixie and fluttered near us. "Hey Princess, shoot this thing to the floor, I'm gonna show you something!" Morgana said. I took aim and shot at the pixie's foot, since center mass with a rifle would probably kill it. The creature fell to the ground and we all ran up to it, aiming our guns at it's face. "Ok! Give us your money!" Morgana shouted. The shadow looked up at Morgana. "I... I don't have any..." It said disappointingly. "Ok, then it's time for you to go to hell!" Morgana said nonchalantly. "W-Wait!" The shadow said quickly. "Let me help you!" It said as it flew into the air and morphed into a mask, flying towards my face. Just before hitting me, it disappeared. "Woah, what the heck happened?" Morgana said in surprise. I felt a slight headache, but it subsided quickly. "I-I... don't know..." I replied in confusion. "Well, when you knock a shadow down, you can typically take some money from it, they'll give it up since they don't wanna die." Morgana explained calmly. "W-Wait?! They don't want to die? Have we been killing sentient beings?!" I asked fearfully. "No, they're like if a robot was told to "fear death" so the creator didn't have to fix it." Morgana replied. "Oh thank god..." I sighed in relief.

We arrived at some sort of red portal. "Ok everyone, the target is just beyond this point." Morgana said. "This is the guy who was stalking his former girlfriend. Are you ready to head in?" Morgana asked me. "Let's do this..." I said determined and we headed in.

The shadow targeted eveyone with it's powerful abilities, knocking nearly everyone down. "Ahh shit... this is bad..." Ryuji said in pain. I tore more blood from my heart to perk everyone up once again. "I can't keep healing everyone like this!" I shouted, afraid we'd have to retreat. Though suddenly, I heard a voice in my head. "Remember, I gave you my power to use how you please..." I heard in my head. I rubbed my head and tore my mask off to summon another Persona. "Pixie!" I shouted as I released the Persona. "Woah!" Morgana shouted as a bright, holy light burned the target, knocking to to the ground. We all ran up to beat it with everything we had.

The shadow's fighting form disintegrated after our fight and the target apologized for their wrongdoing, promising to make amends. "O-Ok... was t-there anythi-" I started before Morgana shouted. "You have another Persona?! You can use more than one?!" He asked with shock. "Oh... y-yes... I can..." I responded. "You have a truly incredible power then, not only resurrection, but you can hold multiple Personas within yourself." Morgana explained surprised. "It's rare... then h-how did I get it?" I asked confused. "I don't know really. But I do say we should make use of it!" Morgana said determined. Just after he said that, a faint glow appeared near the target. I grabbed it, seemingly something useful. "Oh, a treasure seed! If left alone, we could've had another palace on our hands." Morgana said with a smile. "So if we kick their asses, we get rewards? I'm in!" Ryuji said excited.

RING RING "That Takemi lady said she wanted to see you." Sojiro explained. I nodded and turned around to leave. "H-Hey, Morgana? Can you stay with me? I think I need s-some emotional support..." I chuckled. "Sure thing, but you're gonna pay me with tuna!" He ordered. "Sure thing." I replied with a smile.

~{Butterfly Kiss}~

I opened the door to the examination room and sat on the bed. Just as I sat however, Takemi locked the door. My eyes widened in surprise immediately. "Ok kid, admit it." She ordered. "Wh-What?" I asked. Takemi tapped her foot impatiently. "You're working for the police, tell me how much they offered." She ordered in frustration. "I-I'm not... I hate police!" I said with anger. Takemi's eyes focused on mine. "Prove it. Show me that "injury" again." She asked, thinking it was actually just good makeup. I unbuttoned my shirt, showing the tear over my chest. She got closer and inspected my chest, noticing that it's definitely a real injury. She checked my back as well to be thorough and gasped. I noticed Morgana peering out of my bag as well, both Takemi and Morgana gasped. They saw my back covered in bruises. "Did... Sojiro do this?" Takemi asked. "No, not at all!" I quickly defended him. "He... barely even talks to me..." I clarified. "Where'd you get the bruises?" She asked quickly. "Th-The bed I sleep on... it's r-really tough..." I said.

Takemi heard a knock on the door and told me to get dressed, leaving the room and talking to someone in the other room. I opened the door and got ready to leave. "-itely not good. You should go to a bigger hospital." She said to an older man in the waiting room. "We've been going to a bigger hospital in East Shinjuku!" The man said with despair. "I'll pay you anything! Just please examine her!" He pleaded with desperation. A girl on the waiting room couch then coughed harshly. "Doctor... my chest hurts..." The little girl said. "Don't worry... you're in good hands..." I said to the girl. Takemi turned to the man. "Have you told me all of her symptoms?" She asked and the man confirmed.

After a lengthy examination, where I helped Takemi help the girl, the languid doctor told the man his charge. "F-Free?!" The father asked in shock. Takemi giggled to herself. "Y-You're so kind... Takemi..." I said. "You're not off the hook, I expect to see you here first thing after school!" Takemi ordered. "N-No problem..." I replied.

~{Butterfly Kiss}~[END]

Chapter Text

~{Interrogation Room}~

Sae rubbed the bridge of her nose. "You don't expect me to believe that, do you? Palaces, distorted desires... and on top of all that, a talking cat told you this?" She asked. "Well..." Emily started. "I-If you care about helping..." Emily replied quietly. "Fine, tell me about your next target. The now infamous painter, Ichiryusai Madarame and I'll decide if I believe you." Sae said seriously. "W-Well... it all started... just as we were walking to school..." Emily said. "And who is this "we?" Sae questioned. Emily looked up at her. "I-I told you... Skull, Panther and Mona..." She explained and Sae glared at her.

Ryuji jumped in front of him. "Hold it! Who do you think you are? You've been following us!" He yelled at the strange man. "Would you kindly step out of the way?" The man said and walked up to Ann. "I want you to model for my painting! Your incandescent beauty will make the best piece in history!" He spoke with an oddly fiery passion.

Sae grumbled. "Did this man have a name?" She asked in an annoyed tone, seemingly anticipating Emily's response. "Much l-like my friends... no." Emily answered, prompting a frustrated groan from Sae. "What happened after he asked for a painting?" She asked. "That's w-when we saw him..." Emily answered.

"Master?!" The young man shouted at an older man in the car that drove up. The older man chuckled softly. "You seem to have found a perfect model." Ann gasped at the older man. "I-Is that?! Madarame?!" She shouted. "Mada... who-now?" Ryuji responded. "I'm flattered to know a young lady like yourself has recognized me! I'll meet you back home." Madarame said as he ushered someone in the front seat to drive away.

Emily looked down. "Fox introduced himself... he went to another school and worked close to Madarame..." She explained. "Earlier... we had heard the same name from a target in Mementos... and that's why we targeted him..." Emily said, making Sae visibly angry and sigh in frustration as if she "knew" Emily was lying.

"So what happened after you..." Sae paused. "Changed Nakanohara's heart?" She said as if she was deciphering a joke. "You did so right after your official formation of The Phantom Thieves." She finished. "H-He was the one... who told us to go after Madarame..." Emily explained. "A-After that... he returned to the real world... but we c-couldn't sit idly by... while s-someone was being hurt..." Emily told her. "Once we were topside... we went for Madarame..."

~{Interrogation Room}~[END]

Ann rang the buzzed the intercom. "Who is it?" Yusuke said on the other end. "Uhh, this is Takamaki..." Ann said into the speaker. "I'll be right there!" Yusuke said through the speaker and the door flew open moments later. "Takamaki! I'm so gratefu-" Yusuke cut himself off after seeing me and Ryuji. "Oh, you two as well." He said quietly. "Is it true Madarame's plagiarizing his students? Abusing them too?" Ryuji asked quickly, showing Yusuke his phone. Yusuke immediately started laughing. "Nonsense. If he detested children enough to abuse them, why would he willingly let them live with him? I am the only one living here besides Master Madarame. I say there is no abuse. Therefore, it's true." Yusuke explained quickly. "You could be lyin' to us!" Ryuji shouted quickly. Yusuke's face went angry momentarily. "I live here and can say it's completely untrue!" He closes in on Ryuji, getting in his face. "That should be good enough for you. But sensei has raised me into what you see now, so if you continue what you're doing, I'll make you pay!" Yusuke said loudly. "Yusuke?" We heard from the house. "What's wrong? I rarely hear you shout." The source of the voice said as he came outside, it was Madarame. "These people are slandering you with rumors!" Yusuke said angrily. "Forgive them Yusuke." Madarame said with a smile. "They must have heard some bad rumors and came in worry for their friend." He said calmly.

Madarame smiled widely. "I doubt an old man like myself would be liked by everyone!" He spoke calmly, with a constant harmless demeanor. "I apologize for my outburst." Yusuke said ashamedly. "Why don't you all come in? We can get to know each other." Madarame said. Yusuke got close to Ryuji. "Do you still think a man like that is capable of abuse?!" Yusuke asked with frustration. Ryuji looked conflicted and Yusuke sighed. "Come with me, I'd like to show you something." Yusuke said with determination.

~{Confession/Secret}~

Yusuke flipped through pages of an art book. "This is what I wanted to show you." He said calmly as he turned the book towards us. "This is sensei's masterpiece, Sayuri!" He presented the painting as if it was a priceless piece, not able to be criticized. "This painting inspired me to become an artist." Yusuke looked down to the floor in sadness. "But the original is gone. Stolen long ago..." Yusuke said with longing. "Sensei took me in after I was orphaned and raised me as his own. I have nothing but respect for him." He spoke calmly and carefully. Soon, his phone sounded. "I apologize, but I must go assist Madarame, though I hope that we can speak again soon." We all left the house just after that.

"It seems like Madarame is a good person after all." Ann said with relief. "It's easy to see that Kitagawa genuinely respe-" I cut Ann off. "No." I said with a bubbling anger. "E-Excuse me?" Ann asked confused. "He's guilty as sin... there's no doubt in my mind." I said and took a deep breath to calm myself. "For real? How do you know?" Ryuji asked. "H-He's kind... reassuring a-and most of all... happy... or... that's what he w-wants you to think..." I explained. "Abusers often have good excuses... for why they aren't abusing... and use a kind, e-even friendly facade to look like they could never..." I said. "J-Just think... Yusuke said all these good things about him... did you hear one complaint?" I asked. "Holy shit dude... yeah, now that I think about it." Ryuji said. "Yusuke is... scared..." I said with sadness. "We need to target Madarame... one hundred percent..." I said with determination.

~{Confession/Secret}~

Sae looked at her watch. "What happened after that? What did Madarame's Palace look like?" She asked, seemingly humoring me. "It was eerie..." Emily answered. "It towered over us… it was some kind of..."

"A museum?!" Ann questioned loudly. We gazed up in awe at the building. "W-Well... I put "gallery" in..." I said. "Aren't some of Madarame's works already in museums?" Ann questioned. "He already has a ton of public respect. Why bother imagining a gallery when he's in museums?" Ann questioned curiously. "Wait!" Ryuji said quickly as he turned to me. "Ain't a museum a must for Phantom Thieves?!" Ryuji asked with excitement. "We should be careful... who knows what could be waiting inside..." I said nervously.

~{A Woman}~

After grappling up to the roof, I cracked open a window and dropped in. I motioned for everyone else to follow and Ryuji started climbing down, when suddenly a guard entered. "W-Wait!" I whispered loudly. Ryuji turned and saw a guard, after failing to climb back up, he dropped down, falling on me. "Who's there?!" The guard shouted, but left after seeing nobody. "Argh... shit!" Ryuji whispered loudly. I groaned and looked at Ryuji, only to see him stabbed through the leg. "O-Oh no... I'm sorry..." I said, surprised at his wound. "You must have... f-fell on my rapier..." I said frightened as I saw him bleed more and more. "J-Just stay calm... I'll pull it out..." Ryuji nodded. "Just b-breathe..." I said and pulled the sword out of his leg, it turns out, it pierced an artery. As his leg bled more, I had to act fast. I tore nearly half a pint of blood out of myself and focused it just over Ryuji's wound, mending the bleeding area. "Shit, good as new. You're awesome, man!" Ryuji complimented as he stood and tested his weight on his newly-patched leg. "L-Lucky that my blood-type is O- huh...?" I joked as I stood up myself.

We spotted strange, distorted paintings on the walls, eventually happening upon one of... "Nakanohara?" Ryuji said in surprise. "The work doesn't have a title, the plaque just says his name and age." Morgana said. "A price tag as well..." I said, pointing at the top of the painting. 60,000Y “W-Wait... there’s one of Yusuke?” I turned and looked at the other. This one’s price tag said, 320,000Y "Do you think-" I began, but was cut off by a laugh, loudly echoing through the hallways. We quickly snuck through the area, dashing past guards and security lasers. Eventually, reaching the entrance from the inside and grabbing a map, seemingly covering half the building.

~{A Woman}~[END]

We took cover on a wall beside a room with a giant golden statue, spotting Madarame's shadow. "One measly excuse and they forget why they came after me at all!" Madarame's shadow laughed. We hid nearby and waited for him to speak more. "Plagiarism? Abuse? What's wrong with that? My disciples offer their art to me, for my guardianship! But lately those wretches have been quick to leave!" Madarame said angrily. "That's why I need you, Yusuke." He said to a cognitive Yusuke across the room. "Yes master Madarame, I will defend you whenever. I am forever in your debt." The cognitive Yusuke bowed. "Thank you, Yusuke, you are always so kind." Madarame said with a laugh.

We left the building to discuss what we'd found so far. Ryuji kicked a railing angrily and punched the air. "We can't let that bastard take advantage of him!" He yelled angrily. "Why didn't he say anything? He has to know what's happening right?" Ann said confused. "Who cares?!" Ryuji said. "He's in debt..." I mumbled, making Ryuji and Ann look at me in confusion. "Or... a-at least he thinks that..." I clarified. "Abusers... often gift the victim things... s-so the victim will rationalize the abuse as tough love..." I said, rubbing my eyes. "The victim th-thinks "H-How could he be bad? H-He's been so good to me..." that's wh-what abusers... rely on... self doubt and debt..." I look at the ground. Ann's eyes widen momentarily. "Emily? How do you know so much...?" She asked, but I never replied. "Ok! We have to do this then!" Ann shouted with determination. "We sh-should... re-enter and scout a little..." I said. "I second that." Morgana replied. Everyone agreed and we headed back in.

The guard sounded it's whistle as it spotted Ryuji, he ran past a corner and the shadow followed. Just as the shadow rounded the corner, it got beaned in the head with my rifle, knocking it out cold. "Damn, the security's already tight and we haven't even sent the calling card yet." Ryuji said with a pant. "Which is proof there's an amazing treasure inside!" Morgana said excitedly. "Impatience will only exacerbate things..." I warn carefully and lead the group through the building. We arrived at automatic doors, leading to a sort of garden with electric fences. We all discussed what we found out about the big door in the area, but it turned out that all of us came up with no way to open it. "P-Plan B then..." I said as I walked up to the fence and bashed the metal part with the butt of my rifle only to get fifty-thousand volts through my body. I landed on my butt and rubbed my head. "A-Anyone have a plan Z?" I muttered as I stood up. "It doesn't look like there's much we can do. At least from here." Morgana said. "What does that mean?" Ryuji asked curiously. "It means we need to come up with a plan." Morgana replied with a wide smile.

We all went home for the night and started brainstorming any kind of plan we could think of. I checked the time as I took the subway home. "S-Seven P.M?!" I nearly shouted in surprise. "I'm late for the meeting with Takemi!" I yelped nervously. Once the doors to the train opened, I bolted to the clinic and nearly smashed open the door. I collapsed on the ground in exhaustion. "I... s-so... sorry..." I panted loudly as I tried to catch my breath. "S-Something..." I tried to explain myself, but that's when I passed out.

~{Butterfly Kiss}~

My eyes opened slowly and just then, I noticed that I was lying on the exam room bed. I sat up slowly and felt a slight pain in my arm. After looking at the source, I noticed a bandage on the inner part of my elbow. "Sorry about that, I had to draw some blood." Takemi said. "Anemia and loss of motor function... Is Sojiro feeding you right?" She asked. "Y-Yes, just fine..." I responded. "How about school, do you eat proper meals there?" She asked quickly after my answer. "Yes... I'm eating fine..." I answered calmly. "Then tell me." She asked. "Why are you hurt and tired every time you come in here?" Takemi's face went serious. "The first day, it was your ankle. The second, your chest was healing from cuts. Yesterday, you had bruises all over your back. Finally today, you passed out from exhaustion. It's not often that happens to someone." Takemi's face softened as she placed a hand on my knee. "If you admit it, he won't be able to harm you anymore." She said calmly. "Sojiro is not hurting me..." I answer. "He's j-just distant..." I finished. "Then explain." Takemi asked calmly.

"I..." I begin, ready to tell her everything, just then however, a man walked into the room. "Chief Oyamada." Takemi greets coldly. "There was a medical conference nearby, so I thought I'd check on you." Oyamada turned to me. "Who's this girl? Doesn't look like a patient." Oyamada asked. "What do you mean?" Takemi asked. "She's pale, tired and dizzy. She looks like a patient to me." She said with frustration. "Wh-Who's this Takemi?" I tried sounding more tired to sell Takemi's story more. "Shoichi Oyamada, Chief Director. A pleasure." He bowed, clearly showing up. "With all due respect, you could do a lot better than this back-of-the-alley place." Oyamada said as he handed me a card. "N-No thanks... I-I like Takemi... sh-she's very sweet..." I said, declining Oyamada's offer. He turned to Takemi. "First stealing my patients, then brainwashing our poor, innocent youth." Oyamada stated with frustration. "This is your final warning... shut this place down and resign your medical license." He said angrily to her. "Y-You're just jealous!" I said with anger as I sat taller. "Th-The patient only left because you didn't care to help!" I shouted angrily, making myself feel even more light-headed. I even stopped talking from a headache it induced. Oyamada chuckled. "Why don't I tell you a little about the woman you've grown to be so fond of." He said. "She's a monster who tortured a patient with unregulated medicine! Terrible, isn't it? She was such a brave girl, always smiling..." He said. "Was?" Takemi asked. "She passed away." Oyamada said heartlessly and turned to me once again. "Perhaps you'll suffer the same fate. Your doctor is "The Plague" after all." He laughed and left the clinic.

"Miwa's... dead?" Takemi said in disbelief as she fell to her knees. "But she's all I've been working toward, all this time... curing her was my only... there's no way... what have I been doing..." She muttered quietly to herself. "You can... still help others..." I said quietly. "I'll be fine..." Takemi stood up. "Ugh. I wish I hadn't shown you that side of me..." She said, almost ashamedly. "It's fine... everyone gets like that..." I said calmly. Sadly, or perhaps luckily, we ran out of time, so I couldn't tell her about my injuries. I went back to LeBlanc, feeling much more tired than normal.

~{Butterfly Kiss}~[END]

I set my bag down on the table and started to get changed. "Wait... Morgana?" I asked nervously, to no answer. "S-Stay in there!" I ordered. I finished getting dressed and told Morgana he could come out. "M-Morgana?" I asked. He stayed silent, so I went to check, he wasn't in my bag... I rushed downstairs, but Sojiro was already gone. I slipped my shoes on, ready to run outside when suddenly. "Hey, where are you going?" Morgana asked from one of the booths. "Wh-Where were you?!" I asked. "Out." he responded. "I-I meant... specifically..." I clarified. "I got our plan worked out!" Morgana said proudly.

We all arrived at the courtyard for our team meet up. "I know how to get into that door in the palace!" Morgana said proudly. "I left last night to check Madarame's house and I spotted a door with the same design as the one in the palace, with a hefty lock on it." Morgana said proudly. "But don't we wanna be openin' the door in the palace?" Ryuji asked confusedly. "Yes, and we'll do that by opening the real one in front of Madarame's eyes. Basically, we're going to change his cognition that the door is unopenable." Morgana said proudly. "There's still that hefty lock on it in the real world though, right?" Ann asked. "Leave tha-" Morgana started. "I-I can pick locks pretty well..." I stated. "Really?! Is there anything you can't do?" Morgana asked. "C-Cook... math... be in high places... sing... stand up to others..." I answer jokingly. "We just need a plan on how we're gonna get in there..." Ryuji said.

"And what did this plan of yours entail?" Sae asked. "It... wasn't my idea... but actually Skull's..." Emily said.

"Just ask, "I really need it to be tomorrow..." Somethin' like that?" Ryuji said with a chuckle. "Do I really need to be the bait?" Ann asked nervously. "It's just modeling... you already do that, correct?" I reassured her. "I mean... i-it's not like you'll have to go nude or anything..." I said jokingly.

"Nude?!" Ann yelped. "Oh..." I said nervously. "E-Erm... can I use the b-bathroom?" I asked. "Oh yes, it is just down the hall to the right." Yusuke said. Ann looked at the floor. "I'm embarrassed, could you look the other way?" Ann asked and Yusuke obliged. I walked next to Ann. "Give me one minute... a-and I'll be in..." I whispered determined as I left the room. "Oh! It's so hot!" I heard Ann say as she walked out of the room. "W-We really can't use any other room..." Yusuke said nervously.

"This plan really worked?" Sae asked, surprised. "Did we change his heart?" Emily asked rhetorically. "So what did you and... Panther do next?" Sae asked.

~{Tension}~

Ann walked up to the door, only to see it open. "It's unlocked?!" Yusuke yelped in surprise. Just then, the front door opened. "I'm home." Madarame announced, calling out for Yusuke. Ann quickly ran into the room, pulling Yusuke in with her. "What are you doing in there?!" Madarame shouted angrily. "A-Ann... look..." I showed myself and revealed copies upon copies of the very painting Yusuke said was stolen. "Sayuri?!" He asked in confusion. "Why are there so many of them?" Ann asked curiously. "I have no idea..." Yusuke responded. "Sensei, what is the meaning of this?" Yusuke asked. "I suppose I can't keep quiet now that you've seen this... truth be told... I'm in severe debt. I handmade these copies and have been selling them through a special connection of mine..." Madarame said quietly. "Excuse me, Madarame?" I asked confidently. "Yes?" He replied. "Care to explain this?" I said as I pulled a sheet off a nearby canvas. "This... This is the real Sayuri! But you told me it was stolen!" Yusuke said surprised. "Sensei... don't tell me..." Yusuke said nervously. "It's fake! Just a counterfeit! I heard there was a counterfeit around, so I bought it!" Madarame quickly clarified. "So you're telling me the actual artist bought a counterfeit. That's pushing it." Ann shot back. "Please just tell us the truth..." Yusuke said slowly. "You too?" Madarame said and pulled out his phone. "I've reported you to my private security company!" He said cockily. "Please, wait! Let's talk about this!" Yusuke said desperately. "You can talk all you want to the police." Madarame said, without a regret. "Run, Ann!" I shouted as I ran out of the room with her. "There's no point! They'll be here within two minutes!" Madarame shouted angrily. We ran into the other room and I opened the Metaverse nav. "L-Let's get out of here..." I pressed the button. "Takamaki!" Yusuke shouted as he ran into the room after us.

~{Tension}~[END]

Suddenly, I found myself falling into the very room that Ryuji and Morgana were waiting for us in. Yusuke fell first and luckily caught Ann, but seemingly forgot the other person in that room. I yelped as I fell right on his head. "Ok... in the future... don't enter from elevation..." I said as I rubbed my back from the fall. Ann walked up to Yusuke on the ground. "Who are all of you?!" Yusuke asked as he looked around. "Calm down, it's me!" Ann replied. "Takamaki? That means you two are... What is this place?" He asked, confused. "We're inside Madarame's heart." She replied quickly. "Inside... Sensei's heart? I'm sorry Takamaki... but are you feeling ok?" He asked, thinking the fall may have hurt her head. "L-Let's just show him." I suggested.

We walked through the gallery to get back to the entrance. "So... this is the inside of Sensei's heart?" Yusuke said in disbelief and turned to one of the many paintings on the wall. "This painting!" Yusuke said, shocked at what he was seeing. "These were... his pupils. But why are there paintings of them?" Yusuke asked. "Madarame saw them as objects, so that's what they are in here... oh, and uh... we found yours too." Ryuji said to Yusuke, who remained quiet.

"Just through here..." I whispered as I led the group out. Just as we were about to exit however, shadows appeared and blocked our exit.

~{Desire}~

"Oh, Yusuke! Perfect timing." The Shadow Madarame laughed happily. "Sensei? This... This is all one big lie, isn't it?" Yusuke asked, hoping that this was all just one big misunderstanding. "Of course, Yusuke." Madarame said, but just as Yusuke was about to let out a breath of relief, Madarame continued. "My ragged attire is nothing but an act. I even have another home... under a mistress's name, of course." He spouted proudly. "What a pig!" Ann shouted. "Don't make me laugh, you wish you could have what I have!" Madarame spouted. "If the Sayuri was stolen, why was it in the storage room?" Yusuke asked. "If it's really you... please tell me!" Yusuke pleaded as he walked up to Madarame, only to be grabbed and quickly taken hostage by his guards. "Foolish child. You still don't see? "I found the real painting, but it can't go public... You can have it for a special price, though..." Madarame explained. "Art is nothing but a tool... A tool to make money and fame!" Madarame shouted with vigor. "It's not too late to come back Yusuke, if you come back now, I'll forget this ever happened. You know you're better than these... uncultured savages." He said, motioning towards our group. "Come now, you're my prized cash cow! I took you in to exploit your talent, rather, to harvest your talent! To raise you like livestock, who's only purpose is to be led to the slaughter!" He explained with a wide smile.

Yusuke's eyes filled with tears. "How dare you!" Yusuke whimpered with a watery voice, Madarame slapped him harshly in response. My eyes narrowed as I raised my rifle with anger. "What's wrong with you!" I rack the bolt and aimed at Madarame. The shadows reacted and closed in. "Any closer and the old man's brain paints that sculpture!" I threaten and the shadows falter. "Now, listen to him, any more hitting and I’ll blow your fucking head off!" I threaten as I focus through my scope. Everyone’s eyes turned to me in shock at my anger. My crosshairs were nowhere near him, hoping he fell for the bluff. Madarame laughed. "Come now child, you don't scare me-" He started, but was cut off by me shooting his topknot off and glaring angrily at him. Madarame then ordered his guards to give our group space. "Now, Yusuke..." I said softly to him and he stayed silent for a few seconds. "How many lives have you destroyed? How many dreams have you auctioned off?" Yusuke asked as tears fell from his eyes. "Who cares? Do you forget how many pupils I had before you? It's not like I kept count!" Madarame laughed. "My eyes were truly blind. Blind and unable to see the true self behind this one horrible man!" Yusuke shouted with a mix of anger, pain and betrayal.

~{Desire}~[END]

~{Will Power}~

Suddenly, the room felt cold, extremely cold, like a fridged tundra inside of a freezer. Yusuke writhed with a raging headache and fell to his knees, scraping his fingernails on the ground. A sort of kitsune mask appeared on Yusuke's face and he stood, blood dripping from his fingertips. "Come, Goemon!" He shouted as he quickly ripped the mask from his face. A freezing blast let out around him, freezing the shadows nearby. "Everyone, focus fire on the frozen ones." I order as I fire a bullet straight through a shadow's chest, shattering it to pieces. Ann summoned her Persona, setting one alight, but the blazing flames just unfroze another shadow nearby. "Panther, careful with that fire, you'll thaw them out!" Ann nodded back to me. Ryuji tried shooting a frozen shadow, only for his gun to click. He swung his pipe at it's head, shattering it and making the shadow disintegrate. "Skull! Take my rifle!" I yelled and threw my rifle to him, using my Persona to cover a nearby shadow in blood for Yusuke to freeze. Ryuji fired my rifle quickly and wildly. "How the hell do you aim with this damn thing, Princess?!" Ryuji shouted angrily as his final round struck a wall near a shadow. "Oh, screw this!" He said angrily as he grabbed the gun by the barrel and swung it right at a shadow's head.

~{Will Power}~[END]

The aftermath of the fight left only disintegrated remains and bullet holes. Madarame escaped while we dealt with his shadows. Yusuke tried to stand, but had a gash on his leg from a shadow's attack. "H-Hold still..." I whispered reassuringly to him, hoping to calm him down. I summoned my Persona and tore blood from myself to heal his injury. "This is your... power?" Yusuke asked curiously. "Y-Yes..." I responded, feeling light-headed from the blood loss I got from the fight. "I can't heal it fully... c-can you walk?" I asked calmly. Yusuke tried pushing off the ground with his still injured leg, but fell down quickly after. "S-Skull, can you carry him?" I asked, knowing me nor Ann could. "Just lean on me, we'll getcha out of here." Ryuji said reassuringly.

~{Alleycat}~

We paid for food at a nearby diner and talked while we waited for it to be done. Yusuke started the conversation. "I turned on the only person who's ever cared for me..." He said with almost regretful sadness. "He d-didn't care for you..." I responded, prompting a sad exhale from Yusuke. "Isn't it strange how, still, I cannot believe it?" Yusuke replied. "I never knew my father. My mother died in an accident when I was three. That's when Madarame took me in." Yusuke said sadly. "I don't know what to do. What am I supposed to do?" Yusuke asked rhetorically. "J-Join us... maybe?" I responded. "The Phantom Thieves of Hearts..." Yusuke said calmly. "For the sake of those whose dreams and futures he stole. Please allow for me to join you!" Yusuke asked politely.

~{Alleycat}~[END]

~{Beneath the Mask -rain, instrumental version-}~

"Yo Emily, you mind ordering some drinks for us? The adult kind." Ryuji asked playfully. "Wh-Why me?" I yelped. "Why not? You're a third year, so you're the oldest, you could prolly just walk up and get some no questions!" He spouted excitedly. "A-Are you sure? I-I look the youngest here... I-I think..." I replied quickly. "She does have a point Sakamoto." Yusuke replied. "She is rather... adorable." Yusuke said with an amused chuckle. "E-Excuse me?" I turned away in embarrassment and muttering to myself. "E-Even if I could... I wouldn't..." I replied. "Buzzkill..." Ryuji said sadly. Our food arrived and the waitress put each of our plates down and we passed each to the one who ordered it. "By the way, what is that?" Yusuke asked as he looked at Morgana. "It's a cat." Ryuji responded nonchalantly. "But it's talking?" Yusuke asked with curiosity. "Try not to dwell on it too much." Morgana answered. Ryuji looked at me and chuckled. "Hey Emily, are you not gonna eat?" He asked jokingly. "I'm praying..." I replied quickly, as to not focus on distractions. "I didn't take you for the religious type." Ann said, almost sounding shocked to learn that. "What god ya' prayin' to?" Ryuji asked quietly. "His name is "please be quiet while I'm praying..." I said, slightly frustrated.

After leaving the diner, a thought hit me. "Wait... Yusuke doesn't have a c-code name..." I tell the group. "It's gotta be kitsune!" Ann said joyfully. "You're the leader of this group, yes?" Yusuke asked me and I nodded in response. "Then may it be what you come up with." Yusuke says calmly. "For real? You're giving her waaay too much power!" Ryuji said quickly. "Wh-Why not Van Gogh?" I giggled quietly. "Alright then." Yusuke replied. "W-Wait! I was joking!" I yelped in slight panic. "Why not?" Yusuke replied. "D-Do you know how he... n-nevermind..." I stopped myself from bringing up how that painter's career ended. "Why not Fox?" Morgana popped his head out of my bag. "I don't mind it." Yusuke replied. We all then welcomed Fox to The Phantom Thieves.

RING RING "Ah, you're back. I'm giving you a spare key to the place, I can't keep waiting for you to come back." He tossed a spare key towards me. "Just no boys after hours." He joked as he left LeBlanc and I locked the door behind him. I headed upstairs and placed my bag down, making sure Morgana didn't sneak a peek. After getting dressed, I laid down on my bed and grabbed my bear, ready to sleep after a long day...

~{Beneath the Mask -rain, instrumental version-}~[END]

~{Aria of the Soul}~

I awoke in the dark prison cell once again, this time, noticing new things. The cell door had a large padlock on it, my arms and legs had chains on them as well. "Did you d-do this...?" I asked Igor cautiously. "As I said before, this room is a reflection of your own mind." Igor chuckled. "So why don't you ask yourself?" He said with a large smile. "Though, the bonds you have reeled in are quite intriguing. They have all been labeled by society and are standing up against it. Your heart seems to inspire theirs..." He paused for a moment. "These bonds will become the strength behind your rehabilitation, and I... look forward to it." Igor explained calmly. "It's almost time... We will speak again once you defeat the fiend of greed." Igor said with a chuckle as he snapped his fingers, returning me to my restful sleep.

~{Aria of the Soul}~[END]

Chapter Text

I sat on my bed, thinking about what I said the previous day. I felt like everyone was... silently judging me about it. So I decided to talk to everyone.

EMILY: Hello everyone, do you all remember yesterday?
RYUJI: What about it?
EMILY: Well, I didn't realize it at the moment, but I said a rather... vulgar phrase, so I wanted to apologize.
ANN: What? No way, that was cool!
YUSUKE: I agree, it actually inspired me to stand up to Madarame in the first place.
RYUJI: Yeah! It was so badass! You caught us all by surprise!

I smirked at my phone, happy to have such a supportive friend group. I asked the group to meet up during a big assembly at our school so we could talk more. "Wh-Why have this now?" I asked the others curiously. "Probably another PR thing." Ann said in a bored voice. We all chatted and looked at the Phan-Site while waiting for the end of the assembly. Suddenly, I heard something that made my ears perk. "...of a therapist. The floor is yours, Doctor." The principal said calmly as a man walked onto the podium and took the attention of everyone in the audience. "It's nice to meet you all." He said with a calm smile. "My name is..." He started, but then started fiddling with the microphone. After he finished messing with it, he finished his sentence. "My name is Takuto Maruki. Thank you for welcoming me to your school." Maruki bowed, but hit his head on the microphone in front of him. After regaining his bearings, he started speaking again. "No need to be formal with me though. You can even call me Doc, if that helps you feel more comfortable." He said calmly, with a wide smile.

Everyone left the gymnasium and our group calmly chatted in our typical spot. "Yo, you ever expect this place to care about our mental health?" Ryuji asked curiously. "Well... maybe it's just as Ann said earlier? Just a PR thing?" I stated curiously. "And Doctor... what's-his-name. Wasn't he just basically clownin' it up on stage? You really think he'll do us any good?" Ryuji asked dejectedly. "Ryuji..." Ann said nervously as Maruki walked up right behind him. Maruki greeted us with a wide smile. "Hey there. Sakamoto, Takamaki and... Smith, right?" He asked all of us. "How d'you know our names?" Ryuji asked quickly. "Well, I was asked to talk more to those with previous interactions with Kamoshida. It must have been especially tough for you Smith, after having just transferred here." He turned to me with a sympathetic look. "J-Just Emily... please..." I responded nervously. "Oh, my apologies..." Maruki said as he looked to the ground, like he was a puppy that had just been scolded. "So, whaddya want with us?" Ryuji asked quickly. "Would any of you be interested in counseling?" Maruki asked with a smile. "Nope, not at all." Ryuji answered instantly. "But if you come to my office, you can have free snacks! How about it? There's pleanty to be had." Maruki said, excitedly. We all weren't conviced, so we stared between each other. "I know that asking you to be open with a stranger is a lot." He said in a sympathetic tone. "But who knows, you may actually enjoy something completely new." Maruki said with a small smile. "There's also snacks..." He said, really trying to sell the snack angle. Ryuji turned to me. "Which way are you leanin'?" He asked curiously.

~{Ideal and The Real}~

"Welcome! Thank you for coming." Maruki said happily as I entered the room. "I've... never done this before..." I replied as I sat down. "No problem, just tell me as much or as little as you want." He smiled reassuringly. "Well... since you kn-know about Kamoshida... I can assume you know about... my transfer?" I asked nervously. "Yes, the school gave me a rundown." He replied. "Well... I-I know a lot of criminals say this... b-but I'm innocent." I said in a sad tone. "I know." Maruki said and I looked at him in confusion. "You don't need an 8 year college education to see that a roughly fifty-two kilogram girl couldn't do that to a seventy-five kilogram man." Maruki chuckled. "You saw injustice and sought to correct it, that's very noble." Maruki said, sounding impressed. "I-I... just want to help everyone..." I replied. "I'm working on a project like that myself. Learning more about people's metaphorical hearts. What they think, how they feel. If I get far enough with it, I think it'll be able to help a lot of people! So...?" Maruki left his sentence quite open-ended, though I knew what he meant. "Yes..." I replied with a smile. "I could teach you some tips for mental training." He said excited. "No need... I just want to help." I said quickly and Maruki smiled, seemingly very happy to have gotten help from someone who really cares.

~{Ideal and The Real}~ [END]

"And this Doctor..." Sae started. "What was his name?" She asked calmly. "I told you... Doctor..." Emily responded with a smile. She sighed in frustration and moved on to the next question. "So what happened after securing the route to the treasure? And how did you steal it?" Sae asked, seemingly curious.

Madarame glared at the man who brought the calling card and took it for himself to read. "To the sinner of greed. The elders of our community should be there to pass the torch and guide our youth into their prosperous future. Though, you have abused and plagiarized your students for a large portion of your long life. Robbing their futures for your own selfish gain. For these crimes, we've decided that one cannot sit idly by. We will steal your heart. Come Saturday, you will confess your sins with your own mouth. With best regards - The Phantom Thieves of Hearts." Madarame read the card aloud. "Where'd you get this?!" Madarame asked the other man angrily. "It was posted all around the area, we have no clue who sent it!" He said apologetically.

"That was it, right?" Yusuke asked curiously. "Yes... we should b-be able to get it now..." I answered. "This'll be a piece of cake, he'll never know what hit 'im!" Ryuji said proudly. "Ok..." I said nervously. "This is our one chance... Let's do this..." I said with a determined look.

~{Life Will Change -instrumental version-}~

We re-entered the palace and walked through the giant courtyard again. "Hey, I know this ain't really the time, but what are there so many paint buckets around here?" Ryuji asked curiously as he kicked one lightly. "Perhaps he wishes he could still paint his own masterpieces." Yusuke said contemplatively.

After reaching the treasure room, I attached my grapple to Morgana's back. "You ready?" I asked him. "We could just use the crane." He said back. "It's too loud... plus, this reels faster..." I replied. "Heh, you're the boss." Morgana chuckled. The lights went out, so I lowered Morgana onto the treasure. He swiftly took it and I pulled him back up. "Nice Mona, let's go!" I whispered loudly.

"See ya! You crazy d'bag!" Ryuji shouted proudly as we all ran across the rooftop to safety. "Our exfil route didn't cover this!" Morgana said, slightly panicked. "D-Don't worry... I have an idea..." I said as I latched my grapple onto the edge of the building. "What is that, Princess?" Yusuke asked curiously. "S-Skull didn't give you one?" I asked, prompting a shake of the head from Yusuke. "Skull!" I yelped, shocked at his lack of carefulness. "Dude, I forgot! Don't yell at me!" Ryuji responded. "F-Fine... we improvise..." I said quickly. "Everyone, secure your hooks, Fox, hold onto me." I ordered quickly. We all quickly desended the building, but as we nearly reached the ground floor, my line snapped from the weight. Me and Yusuke crashed to the ground, me falling on him again. "A bit of déjà vu." Morgana joked as he descended to us. I only noticed in that moment that it was the same courtyard that we fell into with Yusuke at first. "Let's check our treasure!" Morgana said happily as he set the painting on the ground. "What?!" He yelped in annoyance. "This is the treasure?" He said. I looked at it and it appeared to be a sort of doodle of a face. "I-I thought it'd be the Sayuri..." I mumbled to myself. Suddenly, I heard a slight noise from the painting. After looking at it closer, I noticed a dim, red light through the canvas. "Watch out!" I kicked the painting away and it exploded, knocking me to the ground.

~{Life Will Change -instrumental version-}~ [END]

~{Blood of Villain}~

Madarame appeared with two guards. "Is this what you're looking for?" He asked as one of his guards held up a painting. "Is that-?" Ryuji asked confusedly. "Sayuri?!" Yusuke yelped in surprise. "It the last work of a female student of mine. The only self portrait she ever painted." Madarame explained. "Female... pupil...?" Yusuke said fearfully. "Mother?" He asked Madarame. "Precisely. Knowing she'd die any day, she painted her last wishes into this. A symbol of love for her son to inherit." Madarame explained happily. "How could you... just steal something like that?!" I yelled in surprise. "I'll paint over any work that gets in my way!" Madarame said happily as he laughed loudly. "Paint over any work that gets in your way..." Yusuke repeated. "Did that include my mother?" Yusuke asked as he looked at the floor. Madarame laughed. "She was in such poor health. One day, your mother suffered a seizure in front of me. "If I don't call for help and let nature take her. The painting would be mine! No strings attached." Madarame said, gleeful of his monstrous plan. "Why exploit adults for their work, when useless brats won't talk back? It's all thanks to you, Yusuke!" Madarame shouted with his own happiness. After a long pause, Yusuke stared laughing, shocking everyone in the room. "I should thank you..." Yusuke started. "Any reason to forgive you has now vanished without a trace. You're not simply an untalented artist. You're a monster!" Yusuke said angrily.

~{Blood of Villain}~ [END]

~{Blooming Villain}~

Madarame quickly melted into a dark puddle, only to reemerge as a collage of paintings, matching his facial features. Two paintings for eyes, a nose and a mouth. "I am the god of the art world!" Madarame shouted angrily and moved to bite Yusuke, narrowly missing. Ryuji ran up to Madarame. "God, my ass!" Ryuji shouted as he swung his pipe at Madarame, but Madarame caught the pipe in his wide maw and bit the thing in two. "Oh shit!" Ryuji shouted as Madarame laughed at him. "Don't think you can stand against the great Madarame!" He shouted proudly. "Everyone, shoot everything you got at him, I've got an idea." I ordered loudly and the team followed, each summoning their Personas and attacking Madarame with all they had. Their attacks slowed and the paintings making up Madarame's face showed heavy damage. "You can't beat me! I am the greatest-!" He started. "Not so great anymore!" I shouted as I threw a nearby bucket of paint on him, soiling the paintings and making him dissipate into the ground. Ann flipped her hair. "Wow, that was a lot easier than I expected..." Ann said, surprised.

A big puddle appeared in the room and reformed the collage of paintings. "Heads up!" Ryuji shouted and shoved me out of the way as Madarame lunged forwards. I fell to the ground, but Madarame bit Ryuji's arm. "Argh, let go asshole!" Ryuji shouted angrily as Madarame bit down, tearing through Ryuji's leather jacket and eventually, his entire arm off. "Ryuji!" I shouted fearfully as I ran towards him and pulled him behind a bush. "Ugh... fuck this hurts..." Ryuji said, writhing in pain and trying to blink away tears. "Th-This'll take a lot..." I summoned Juliet and ripped blood out of myself and stopped the bleeding. "D-Do you know your blood type?" I asked Ryuji. "Why the fuck would I know that?!" Ryuji said, painfully with anger. I took a deep breath and tore as much blood as I possibly could without killing myself. After feeling like I tore a gallon out of myself, I focused all of it onto Ryuji's severed arm. I had planned on trying to ask Ann or Yusuke to possibly use their blood to heal him. "W-Well... I have O- but if you don't match blood with another donor... it could kill you..." I explained, though the blood loss stopped, so I left Ryuji in safety and rejoined the battle. "Stay there, Skull!" I ordered and came back just in time to see Yusuke slash the third painting down, only one eye and the mouth left. "You stole everything from me! But not anymore..." Yusuke said as Goemon readied himself for a powerful overhead slash. "...and as so, the curtain falls." Yusuke flourished as he slashed the final paintings into two.

~{Blooming Villain}~ [END]

Madarame morphed back into his humanoid form trying to stand tall, he got ready to start talking to us. Just then, Ryuji punched him in the back of his head with the very arm that was bit off minutes ago, knocking Madarame to the floor. Unable to accept defeat, Madarame started crawling to the Sayuri on the floor. "You lost, just-" I started, but fell over.

~{Aria of the Soul}~

"Wake up, inmate!" Caroline shouted and I stood, nervously. "You have defeated the repulsive fiend of greed." Igor chuckled quietly. "Well done. I am glad to see you've devoted yourself to your rehabilitation." Igor said appraisingly. "You are not worthy of such praise, I suggest you treasure it." Justine said calmly. "How unfortunate that you've missed what the painter said." Igor laughed audibly. "I will tell you this much, however. It is an individual with powers very similar to your own, but all too different." Igor said cryptically. "Could you... give me more to work with?" I asked. Caroline smacked the cell doors once again. "Don't try to make us feel pity inmate!" She shouted angrily. I realized, I still don't really know if this is actually a dream or not, so I decided to test the waters. "Or what?" I said to Caroline. She shot a mean look at me and smacked me on the head through the bars, sending sharp pain into my skull. "Not a dream..." I muttered to myself. "Calm yourself, Caroline." Igor ordered. "She asked for it!" Caroline barked back, making Igor chuckle. "May we speak again, after your next step." Igor said, snapping his fingers.

~{Aria of the Soul}~

I opened my eyes slowly, the strain from a blinding light stopping me from opening them fully. I rubbed my eyes and finally opened them, only to see that I was in a hospital. I looked around the room, seeing light blue cornflowers next to me on the counter. I rubbed my head and looked around for my phone, finally noticing an IV in my arm. I checked the clock on the wall. "Only nine PM? I thought we were in there way longer..." I coughed loudly, my throat felt dry and sore, like water had been illegalized. "Emily!" I heard a loud, high pitched voice from across the room as Ann practically jumped on me with a hug. "You're finally awake!" She said happily. "F-Finally?" I responded. "You were unconscious for three days!" Ann said, happily giggling. "Y-You're... about to... kill me..." I joked as her hug got tighter and tighter. "Oh, sorry..." Ann said, quickly taking her phone out and texting the others. "Wait... three days?" I asked fearfully. "Uh huh, the doctors said you were lucky to live..." Ann said seriously. "Don't worry, we just said you have a rare heart condition that made you bleed worse." I groaned. "Do you have a glass of water?" I asked quietly. "Oh yeah, I'll tell the doctors you're awake." Ann said and left the room.

A woman came in with Ann, who handed me the water I asked for. "You gave us quite the scare, you're lucky your friends got you here so quickly." The doctor said calmly. "You should be careful walking alone at night." She scolded. "But thankfully, your blood levels have returned to normal." She mumbled. "Wh-What happened?" I asked nervously. "You lost nearly 40% of your body's blood." The doctor explained. "On top of that, the complication of your blood type being O-." She calmly stated. "I'd say this was one in a million." The doctor said, scared for my safety.

After the kind doctor left the room, Ann approached me, ready to tell me everything that happened. "Well, after you passed out..."

Yusuke grabbed Madarame's throat and held his blade to it. "W-Wait no, Yusuke! Please don't kill me! Please forgive me!" Madarame begged as his eyes filled with fearful tears. "Return to your real self and confess your sins." Yusuke threw Madarame to the ground. "Swear to me!" Yusuke threatened as he picked up Sayuri. Just then, the palace started rumbling. "Hey, Emily! Wakey wakey!" Ryuji shouted at her nervously. Yusuke reached down and touched her wrist. "Her pulse is nearly gone, we need to leave!" He shouted as Ryuji picked me up and ran out with everyone else.

"We need to get her to a hospital quickly!" Ryuji said, panicked. Ann checked the map on her phone, seeing a hospital barely two blocks away. Ryuji sprinted with all he had, dashing through the doors and getting everyone's attention. "She's lost a shitton of blood! She needs it now, or she's gonna die!" He said urgently as paramedics rushed out. "Do you know her blood type?" One of the paramedics asked. "Ahh shit!" He stomped angrily as he tried to remember. "Oh yeah, O-! That's what she said." Ryuji said desperately.

"We got here a bit after he did, but we weren't allowed to see you." Ann chuckled. "Ryuji said you couldn't die. That he said something bad as his last words to you." Ann chuckled happily. "W-Well... I'm glad I didn't die..." I muttered humorously. "Wh-What happened with Morgana?" I asked curiously.

Yusuke, Ryuji and Ann headed to Yongen. "Are you sure this is the place?" Ann curiously asked. "This is where she always stopped." Ryuji explained. "Oh hey, let's ask him!" They approached an older man walking home. "Excuse me?" Yusuke got the man's attention. "Do you know where a woman by the name of Emily Smith resides around here?" Yusuke asked calmly and directly. "Who's asking?" The man responded. "Oh, I am her associate, though these are her friends." He gestured towards Ann and Ryuji. "Well, she's in the hospital right now, but we needed to get into her room." Ann explained calmly. "We got her cat, but no food for 'im." Ryuji explained and the man sighed. "Follow me." He said calmly as he walked for a short time, leading them to a cafe. "Ley... Blank? Dude, we don't need coffee!" Ryuji said angrily. "No, this is where she's staying. The name's Sojiro, but everyone just calls me "Boss." Sojiro said as he unlocked the door. "Just get that cat's food and then I want you outta here." He stated and followed them upstairs.

"That's also where your bag is..." Ann said awkwardly. "So we don't have your phone." She stated as the door opened. "Hello Emily, I hope you're feeling well." Yusuke greeted kindly as Ryuji also walked into the room, slumping over. Ryuji walked over to the bed. "Hey man... I'm uh... sorry for being a dick earlier." Ryuji said, kicking the floor. "I forgive you..." I responded almost immediately. "For real?!" Ryuji shouted with incredulity. "Just like that?" His voice cracked. "Yes... of course..." I answered nervously. "D-Did you expect something else...?" I asked quietly. "Well... yeah..." Ryuji said awkwardly, expecting to be chewed out. "Where's... Morgana?" I asked curiously. "No pets allowed. So he's walkin' around the place." Ryuji answered. "W-Wait..." I thought about what Igor said to me. Everything about "what the painter said," so I decided to push a little. "Did Madarame... say anything important?" I asked everyone. "He did mention a man in a black mask. Telling us he was afraid he would be killed." Yusuke said curiously. I thought carefully, did this mean there was a person we didn't know of who could also sneak into palaces? Or was Igor just trying to mess with me?

~{Beneath the Mask -instrumental version-}~

I led everyone back to LeBlanc and opened the door. RING RING "Oh, you're back early." Sojiro said as he walked in from the kitchen. "And you brought... friends..." He sighed. Yusuke stepped forward and bowed. "I personally promise to not make a noise, we are your humble guests." Yusuke said politely. "Eh why not, just wait down here Emily, I need your help with something." Sojiro said as the others walked past, grabbing a hot pot and some cooking supplies and heading up the stairs. Sojiro turned to me. "So, these are the friends you made?" He asked calmly. "Y-Yes..." I said back. "Only here a week and you have three people willing to feed your cat in the middle of the night for you." He said with a proud smile. Morgana popped out of my bag. "Someone call?" He asked cockily. "Can Yusuke stay here? For... a-a few days?" I asked nervously. "The tall one? Why, he your boyfriend?" Sojiro asked teasingly. "D-Didn't I tell you boys were gross...?" I joked. "Oh come on, he seems like a good guy. Smart, soft spoken and courteous? A hell of an upgrade from blondie." Sojiro chuckled with a smirk. "Anyway, I just wanted to talk for a bit, it's been a slow day." He said as he waved me upstairs.

"How the hell do you even sleep on this thing?" Ryuji asked while lying on my bed. My eyes widened as I looked at my bed. My stuffed bear was just barely out of view. I would get laughed at for years if they knew their "fearless leader" still slept with a teddy bear. I tried to get to my bed without drawing their eyes. "I-I never had... i-issues..." I said as I walked over to my bed. "S-Sorry for the mess..." I said as I shooed Ryuji off and straightened the sheets, tucking the bear under a pillow. "Ann's been cooking something this whole time, dunno what though." Ryuji said casually. "Well, no more mystery anymore!" Ann said proudly as she took the lid off the hotpot with a flourish. I looked into it only for my glasses to fog up from all the steam. Ryuji stifled a laugh as I sat there with an annoyed expression.

"I'm stuffed..." Ryuji said as he pat his stomach. "That was delicious! Thank you Lady An-" Morgana said, only to realize she was asleep. "Let's leave her be, she has been quite busy today." Yusuke said calmly. While Ann softly snored, our attention went to chatting with each other about various topics.

~{Beneath the Mask -instrumental version-}~

~{Confession/Secret}~

"Emily?" Yusuke asked me. "I realized you haven't told us much about your past. You know my life story, Takamaki's and Sakamoto's. But we still don't really know what drives our leader." Yusuke calmly stated. "Oh..." I replied nervously, I'd hoped to avoid a talk like this. "W-Well... in middle school... I was bullied... a lot..." I replied and took a deep breath. "Because of that... I defended myself..." I said shamefully. "Really? That it?" Ryuji asked confused. "The only thing is... I... did so with fear... I became the bully..." I continued. "Hurting others... ruining their days... just to make them hurt like I did..." I paused for a moment. "I would harm them... berate them... a-and even... threaten hurting p-people they cared about... just to make myself feel better..." I said. "But I hated that... I now want people to look at me and feel safe." I said with determination. "But... I-I don't think I can... a few good deeds. They don't make up for a lifetime of hatred..." I said with a regretful sorrow. "Damn..." Ryuji said shocked. "Of all people..." Yusuke muttered. I felt silently judged by everyone at the moment, like people who weren't even there were talking about me. I was continuously fearful of what they'd say next. "You?" Morgana said in disbelief. I looked at him with confusion. "You? The stuttering, "let's help everyone," short girl... was a bully?" Morgana asked in surprise. "Yes... it is... the most shameful part of my life..." I replied. "So that's why you cussed out Madarame." Ryuji said calmly. "Remind me not to piss you off." Ryuji joked quickly, trying to relieve the tension. "Wait!" Ryuji said loudly, seemingly having a big idea. "Do you remember what the guy looked like? The one who got you into this shit." Ryuji asked quickly. I was surprised he even thought of that, I hadn't thought of that. "S-Sadly no... it was dark... a-and so long ago... unless "pale, bald, man" is helpful..." I replied.

Ann sat up slowly. "You never told us that." She said quietly. "All of us are so alike in so many ways. We only met a week ago, but it feels like we've known each other for years." Ann said happily. "Except for me..." Morgana said sadly. "I don't have memories to look back on..." He looked down with sorrow. "Whaddya mean?" Ryuji said with a wide smile. "We could search the whole world and we wouldn't find a bigger misfit than you! The reason we're going into Mementos is to get your memories back!" Ryuji said happily to Morgana, who turned away, pridefully trying to hide his smile.

~{Confession/Secret}~ [END]

~{Beneath the Mask -instrumental version-}~

"Sojiro s-said you can stay..." I smiled. "I won't be able to sleep unless I take a bath..." Yusuke said, thinking to himself. "Th-There's a bathhouse across from LeBlanc... you could use that..." I said nervously. Yusuke headed out and Ryuji kept me company. "Hey, I was thinkin'... girls have this way of just knowing things. So... what do ya' think Ann thinks about me?" Ryuji asked. I didn't really understanding the question however. "I'm s-sure she thinks you're a... valuble ally..." I responded nervously. "No, not that! Like... y'know?" Ryuji asked again. "I... erm..." I stuttered, nervous about being mean. "Come on, don't spare my feelings!" Ryuji spouted impatiently. "A-Alright... I think... she likes you... as a very close friend..." I said nervously. Ryuji sighed. "I was expectin' it and I'm still disappointed." Ryuji said dejectedly.

Yusuke got back and Ryuji left. "Hello Emily, I must thank you once again for letting me stay here overnight." Yusuke said happily. I sat on my bed and turned on my phone for the first time in three days.
7 MISSED CALLS: MOM
5 MISSED MESSAGES: MOM
"Y-Yusuke? What day is it?" I asked nervously. "I believe it's Monday, why do you ask?" He answered calmly. "Oh no..." I groaned. "Don't worry about it..." I said as I reached into my bag of clothes. "Do you mind... erm..." I said to Yusuke and Morgana. "Why not simply change in the bathroom?" Yusuke asked. You know... I strangely never thought of that.

After changing, I heard someone knock on the door to LeBlanc and I quickly answered it, only to recieve a tsunami of kisses. "Oh honey, you had me so worried, are you ok?" She asked. "Yes mom... I'm ok. Just... overworked..." Mom seperated from her hug and started looking at my face. "I'm so glad your beautiful face survived, honey..." She said, knowing the compliments would fluster me. "Mom... I-I have a friend over..." I said embarrassed. As if on queue, Yusuke came downstairs to check what was happening, with Morgana on his shoulder. "A boy?" Mom said in surprise. "He's got a cat." She noted, before a wide grin appeared on her face. "You never told me you're sharing a room with someone gay." She joked. "MOM!" I yelped and covered my face in embarrassment. She chuckled and hugged me again. "Still trying to help people, that's my girl." Mom said happily as she handed me an envelope. "Remember, only one year, Emily." She kissed me on the forehead and left. I walked past Yusuke and Morgana, happily making my way upstairs and sitting on my bed. "That was quite a show." Morgana said with a chuckle. "So that was your mother." Yusuke stated. "I'm sorry... sh-she likes joking... like that..." I said, embarrassed as I stared at the missed messages on my phone. "Truly beautiful, the bond between a mother and her child." Yusuke said as his face suddenly became much more focused. "Can you hold that position?" He asked as he put his hands up, seemingly measuring me. "Hmm... this could be the catalyst for my new work, showing the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child!" Yusuke said proudly. "I-I'm not removing my clothes..." I replied jokingly. "No need to worry, this piece will not require that." Yusuke reassured with a smile.

I turned on my side, trying to hide my bear as I set in to sleep. Finally ready to rest in my own bed and end this long day.

~{Beneath the Mask -instrumental version-}~ [END]

~{Aria of the Soul}~

"Wake up inmate!" Caroline said with a hard smack to the cell door. I rubbed my head in frustration and looked to the center of the room, but Igor wasn't there. "Wh-Where's Igor?" I asked Justine. "Our master is currently servicing another, he will be back." She answered calmly. "Anyways, inmate! We needed to tell you the new step for your rehabilitation!" Caroline said. "There are numerous spots in your world that incite our curiosity. So for the sake of your rehabilitation, you will take us to them." Justine explained calmly. "Erm... alright... no problem..." The girls smiled. "Thank you, Emily." Justine said with a smile. "Don't think you can just slack off though!" Caroline said loudly. "I won't..." I chuckled quietly, finding the girl's clashing attitudes quite entertaining. "What are you laughing at, inmate!" Caroline yelped angrily. "I-It's just... you two are... quite adorable..." I said nervously. "Sh-Shut up! Know your place, inmate!" Caroline barked, embarrassed. "Meet us outside of the weapon store you visit, tomorrow." Justine said calmly. "Now get lost!" Caroline shouted quickly.

~{Aria of the Soul}~ [END]

I was happily playing in my room, gleefully jumping around, without a care in the world. Just as I grabbed my teddy bear and started to dance, I heard it, a painful cacophony of reminders. I hid in my closet, too scared to move, intimidated by the overwhelming noise. I covered my mouth, trying to slow my breathing and just like last time, I couldn't manage. It got louder and louder, as I got more and more scared... terrified of living. Then, the closet door jerked open quickly.

"Emily!" I shook awake quickly, only to see Yusuke standing above me. "Are you alright? You were breathing quickly and even shaking." Yusuke asked, concerned. "I c-can handle it..." I said nervously as I got up from my bed. I took a glance at my phone, it was five thirty. "S-Sorry I woke you..." I said apologetically to him. "Don't worry, this is around when I normally awaken." Yusuke said with a satisfied smile.

Arriving at school, I was approached by the student council president again. "Good morning." She greeted me casually. "You've been spending a lot of time with Sakamoto and Takamaki." Makoto said. "Yes..." I started. "You may not be familiar, but they're called friends." I said angrily. "Excuse me?" She responded. "I said that I have friends..." I spouted angrily as I boarded my train.

EMILY: I just spoke with our most lovely president.
ANN: Why?
EMILY: Expect her to come to you, she clearly thinks she knows something. But all she knows is that we're friends.
RYUJI: Ok? What does that mean?
ANN: Oh my god, I'll explain it to him.

I scowled in anger, I've always hated people who went against people doing the right thing. Teachers who never helped. Police fighting to save their own corruption. Every time I saw them, I got a surge of confidence to talk back, a longing for a world that would never exist. Those who were big enough to change the world, do so to line their pockets, I couldn't just ignore that while I still stood. I would never forget their injustice.

Once school was over, I headed to Untouchable to meet the girls. After a long wait, they still hadn't arrived. "Hey, you still have that bag Iwai gave to you, don't you think we should return it?" Morgana suggested. "Oh yes, we should..." I answered calmly as I headed to the door. "Don't you think we should check the bag first?" Morgana asked. "He... explicitly asked me not to..." I answered. "Aw man..." Morgana said in disappointment. I took the bag out and it tore open, a gun falling out of it instantly. I gasped, quickly grabbing the gun, but noticing quickly that it was just a model gun. "Woah! This guy means business!" Morgana complimented as I opened the door and walked up to the counter.

~{Layer Cake}~

"What can I-" Iwai started, his expression changing after spotting me. "You again?" He asked, seemingly shocked to see me come back. I shamefully placed the gun and torn bag on the counter. "I see..." Iwai said disappointed. "I had a customer that was interested in it. You helped by smugglin' it outta here so I didn't get caught by those detectives. You're an accomplice now, so don't go snitchin'." He ordered. I turned away from the counter, we needed some upgrades. After looking around, I spotted a light bolt modification for my rifle. I gasped and took a step up to it. "Erm... Iwai?" I asked nervously. "You're always so damn starry-eyed when you're here. Wanna talk in the back?" Iwai asked calmly, so I followed him to the back room of the store.

"Who the hell are you?" Iwai asked in an accusatory way. "A g-gun collector...?" I said confusedly. "At your age?" Iwai asked with a doubting glare, staring threateningly into my eyes. "Wh-Why else would I clear a gun?" I asked him. "Ya' got a point there... I guess you got the heart of an enthusiast. You're a strange girl, you know?" Iwai said with a chuckle and smiled. "Thank... you?" I said back, making him chuckle again. "I ain't a bad dude, I've been known to compromise. For example..." Iwai said as he got closer. "You help me out with my "business..." and I give you access to my special menu." Iwai spoke seriously, I knew instantly that he actually meant this. I smiled at him. "I get to work with guns and get better prices? Where do I sign!" I said excitedly. "You should expect people to think you're a cop, talkin' like that." Iwai grumbled.

~{Layer Cake}~ [END]

"You had significant skill with firearms and their intricacies. Far beyond that of "Just an avid collector." Where'd you acquire that skill?" Sae asked demandingly. "We're getting there..." Emily answered, almost to that very explanation.

I waited for the girls, longer and longer amounts of time passed, until the sun started setting, I decided to walk home and explain tomorrow, but on the way back, I heard an attention-grabbing politician. "We must create a country that can give birth to life. And we must create a country that can nurture that life!" The politician said determined. "You're listening quite attentively. Are you interested in politics?" He asked me. I figured this could be a potential new target, I just needed to get him talking. "Oh me? Yes, very much!" I smiled widely. "I'm delighted I could captivate someone your age. I am Toranosuke Yoshida." He said with a smile. "Would you like to attend some of my speeches? I need the power of the youth to change this country." Yeah, sure you do... "Of course! Every adult has trouble truly connecting with today's youth." I said with an even wider smile. "The lines of what's considered right and wrong have been blurred. We make decisions based on our selfish wants and desires." It took willpower of the gods not to leave, I had to see if Yoshida was a target, or just another fledgling political speaker. "This created self-centered people who delight in taking advantage of the weak." Yeah, yeah... the good old "it's not me, it's them" idea, heard it a hundred times. "However, it is imperative that we act in the best interests of all." His sudden shift surprised me, like a jumpscare in an action movie. "A world where it's acceptable to trample on the rights of others for your own benefit... A world where the young are only used to be exploited... is a world that must be changed!" His speech actually made me... kind of like him? "How about you just leave it in the hands of the Liberal party?" An annoyed man from the audience shouted. "You musn't base your decision on whom to support merely according to the party they belong to." He shouted passionately. I actually felt myself being oddly inspired by his words.

"Well, what did you think of my speech?" Yoshida asked calmly. "I... don't know..." I replied, my entire goal was to see if we should target him, but now I was oddly conflicted. "I have grown quite accustomed to those types of reactions... Regardless, no matter what others think, I must continue on." Yoshida said with determination.

RING RING "You're back? That Takemi lady asked if you had free time today. I think she likes you." Sojiro said with a smirk. "I..." I started, only to silently walk upstairs. I saw Yusuke standing up and looking at something. "What... are you looking at?" I asked him. He turned around. "Oh, Emily, I found this stuffed animal on your bed and was wonderi-" I cut Yusuke off by snatching my bear out of his hand. "No, sorry..." I said as I placed her back on my bed. "You didn't even..." Yusuke started, before dropping the topic. I quickly settled into bed and hugging my bear, as if she'd fly away at any time.

Chapter Text

Sae flipped through the pages on her clipboard. "After nearly dying, you decided to look for more targets?" She asked, cross-referencing the reports with my testimony. "We can't ignore criminals..." Emily replied confidently. "Around this time was your field trip, is that what lead you to your next target?" Sae asked impatiently.

RYUJI: Yo man, me and Yusuke have a bet.
EMILY: Do I really have to be the one to assist in this?
YUSUKE: You do not, but I hope you agree to settle this.
RYUJI: So you know how Ann got you those flowers in the hospital.
EMILY: Where are you going with this?
YUSUKE: Would you have preferred red roses, since women tend to like those, or a pink lotus, to represent your feminine beauty?
EMILY: I personally liked the flowers Ann bought, they're my favorite color.
RYUJI: We know! We wanna know what you would choose between those two!
EMILY: I guess the pink ones, I'm not a huge fan of roses.
YUSUKE: I believe you owe me 1,000 yen.
RYUJI: Dammit...

~{Life Goes On}~

I chuckled at my phone and checked out a book from the school library. I headed down the hallway to the courtyard, hearing whispers from every direction. "That's the transfer girl..." "No way! I heard she keeps a knife on her." Two girls gossiped quietly. "No way that's her dude, she's way too cute." "No man, I swear, she's the one! I heard she dresses like that so you'd never know she was so crazy!" Two boys whispered as I walked past. I sat in the courtyard and read my book, the story of Cendrillon. I was hoping to learn more about other double lives, like mine had become so quickly.

"Hello!" A younger girl, seemingly a first year, said happily as she approached me. "Hello..." I responded. "That's one of my favorites." She said kindly. "Oh? I-I... thought it looked interesting... do you want it?" I asked, handing her the book. "Oh, no no no!" She quickly explained. "Truth be told... I was told to stay away from you." She said. I sighed in response. Another person who just instantly believes whatever they hear. "Not interested then." I said as I started reading the book. "Oh, I actually wanted to say that I find you kind of inspiring." The girl explained, making me look up at her again. "I heard some of my classmates gossiping about you. You surely have heard the rumors, but you don't let them bother you." She said with a happy expression. "What were all the crimes I'd heard? Burglary, murder and elephant tusk trafficking, was it?" She said sadly. "I also shot a pixie the other day..." I replied with a smile. She giggled. "Even I can tell you're joking." She said with a smile. "I just realized, I haven't even introduced myself yet!" She said, flustered. "Kasumi Yoshizawa, happy to meet you!" She said with a smile. "E-Emily Smith..." I replied nervously, hoping this could maybe be the start of a nice friendship.

"-MAID! Who will do anything for us!" I heard Ryuji shout happily around the corner. "Why would we... need a maid?" Mishima replied. "You're a guy, right? You know what I mean!" Ryuji said in a goofy tone. "Some guy on my floor moved out, so there's a vacant apartment we can use." Ryuji explained, proud of his plan. "A... maid...?" I asked curiously as I placed my book on a nearby table. "Oh uhh... we were just..." Ryuji kicked the floor awkwardly. "I... I can help..." I responded. "Wait, you wanna help us call a maid?!" Ryuji asked in surprise. "Who's... not into m-maids?" I replied jokingly. I didn't really want to, but I figured if anything can save these guys from ruin, it's me.

~{Life Goes On}~ [END]

"Already?! She's five minutes early!" Mishima panicked. "You handle the rest! We've got your back... just... from the balcony." Ryuji said, slightly panicked as well while they rushed out to the balcony. Leaving me with the maid about to enter. "C-Come in!" I called out and heard the door click. "I'm glad you welcome me home with such kindness, Mistress!" The woman said, sounding very... rehearsed... I nervously faced the corner of the room. "I'm here to fill your tired heart full of loving energy!" The peppy woman said. "You look young, Mistress... Are you... in high school?" She asked playfully. "N-No... I'm a mother of six..." I said sarcastically. "Wait a minute..." The woman said. Just then, we heard a loud yelp from the balcony. "Busted! Run Mishima!" Ryuji shouted fearfully as two bangs sounded through the sliding glass door. "Sakamoto?" The maid asked, her demeanor completely shifted. "Emily?!" She asked shocked. "Do I..." I asked, racking my brain as to who this was. "Haha..." She deadpanned sarcastically. "Keep this between us, ok?" She asked calmly. I have a bad case of face blindness, so my brain was blank. "I... really don't know... who you are..." I stated honestly, but she seemed to ignore me. "I can't believe I got caught by one of my own students..." She muttered ashamedly. Suddenly, my mind cleared. "M-Ms. Kawakami?!" I asked, completely shocked and taken aback. "It was Ms. Chouno, wasn't it?! I'll get in big trouble if you tell on me." Kawakami said, seemingly working out the situation in her mind. "Don't wor-" I started, only to get cut off. "I could clean your home for you." She suggested. "Th-There's rea-" I was quickly cut off again. "I'll let you cut classes!" She yelped desperately. "No!" I shouted, quickly covering my mouth. "S-Sorry, Ms. Kawakami... I just... don't want anything... I-I'll keep your secret..." I explained quickly.

~{Life Goes On}~

Last time I checked, cats couldn't talk to most people, so telling Morgana seemed fine. "That's a shocker... Ms. Kawakami?" Morgana asked again. "I-I know..." I replied confused. "D-Don't tell the others... ok? I just... I promised I w-wouldn't tell anyone..." I told him as I walked through the halls. "I can't believe it, why would she need the money so badly?" Morgana asked. I was about to answer, but then I heard a person yelling from around the corner. "You barely even attend the faculty meetings!" I heard a woman yell. I turned the corner and saw Ms. Chouno yelling at Ms. Kawakami. " Hello... M-Ms. Kawakami?" I got their attention. "Ah, my best student!" Ms. Chouno said proudly. "Uhh... I can't wrap my h-head around this... c-could you help?" I asked, prompting Kawakami to use the opportunity to pull me away. "Let me guess, you want an explanation?" Kawakami asked, I nodded curiously and she sighed. "Call the service at night and request "Becky," I'll explain everything." She explained as she walked back to her classroom.

After class finished, Mishima flagged me down. "Did you hear? People are blaming The Phantom Thieves for the mental shutdowns!" Mishima said angrily. "M-Mental shutdowns?" I asked in confusion. "All kinds of public transportation are crashing and some people just kind of... turn off, like a coma." Mishima explained nervously. "Sounds like something you should keep your eye on." He said calmly.

As we made our way down the hall, Mishima brought up another topic. "Are you excited for the field trip?" He asked happily, though I looked at him with confusion, I hadn't heard of any field trip. "To the TV station? Oh yeah, you weren't here." Mishima chuckled to himself. "There's a field trip to a big TV station soon, apparently there's going to be a celebrity that will talk about The Phantom Thieves!" Mishima said excitedly. "A c-celebrity? Who?" I asked curiously. "We don't know, but it'll be great PR!" He said proudly.

~{Life Goes On}~ [END]

"Tell me about your next target?" Sae asked forcefully. "Junya Kaneshiro was completely different from the previous targets, a big player. So how'd you do it?!" Sae asked loudly.

Me and Mishima went our separate ways and I was feeling hungry, so I decided to go to that noodle shop Ryuji took me to. I took the stairs down and felt eyes on me, I turned, but saw no more people than I normally do. As I left the school, I still felt that odd feeling of being watched. I kept looking around nervously, I felt like I was losing my mind, but that's when I took a wrong turn and retraced my steps. I accidentally bumped into a girl from my school. "Oh. You..." It was the student council president once again. "I thought I had a bad feeling." I said annoyed. "Wh-What do you mean?" Makoto asked curiously. I sighed and decided to keep an eye on my back in the future. I really had no proof, even to myself, that she was following me.

I saw a TV ad at the noodle shop. "Goro Akechi: Ace Detective!" Seemingly a TV show about some teenager, so I ignored it. I suddenly heard two men talking a seat over. "You mean with the track team, right?" The one on the right said. The one on the left then replied. "It'll be the rebirth of the team that found themselves in the depths of despair! The public will love it." He said proudly. "Amazing, Yamauchi! You're going to pretend to coach, while someone else does the hard work." The left man chuckled.

EMILY: Does the name "Yamauchi" mean anything to you?
RYUJI: Yeah, that's the new coach of the track team.
EMILY: I overheard him talking, he's a fraud, this is all some kind of PR stunt. He's trying to get famous over the success of the track team.
RYUJI: Oh, the hell he is!

~{Confession/Secret}~

I met him back over at the school, since he'd asked me to after the text. It was nearing sunset when I finally found Ryuji. We started making our way over to where the track team normally was, but that was when we overheard someone yelling. "Is it true you told secrets to Kamoshida just to avoid his hazing?!" A boy with a headband yelled at another boy in a track suit. "Hey!" Ryuji shouted, getting their attention. "Yamauchi's playin' you, he's trying to pit you guys against each other." Ryuji explained calmly. "Why should we trust you? You got proof?" Headband boy said. "Emily's word." Ryuji responded. "She's all the proof I need." He said confidently, the gesture was nice, but it's kinda obvious they wouldn't accept that. "This is the guy who went snitching to Kamoshida about your family!" Headband boy yelled at Ryuji. "So what?" Ryuji said with a big smirk. "It doesn't matter anymore. All that crap with Kamoshida is done, it's about time you guys let it go too." Ryuji said happily.

"Make a new team, but just you guys. Don't trust that asshole." He finished calmly. "Forget it!" Headband boy yelled. "Not as long as the traitor's still around! I can't give in, not while my dad is still proud of me." He said pridefully as he pointed at the one he was yelling at earlier. "Who are you living for? Your dad? Your teachers? Society?" Ryuji asked. "You gotta stop lookin' at them and look at you. Are you proud of yourself? Cause if you're not, you're doin' it all wrong!" Ryuji shouted angrily. The ridiculed boy started speaking. "I was scared of losing the place I belong. That's why I did what he told me." He said sadly. "It's not that scary, really. Not knowing where you belong. What I'm scared of is lying to myself, being that crappy person." Ryuji said confidently. "I probably shouldn't talk, I bet you all wanna hit me..." Ryuji chuckled. "Well, go on, I'm right here!" He said. Hoping to get all their anger out, the group approached Ryuji and he tripped backward, falling straight on his butt. "W-Wait!" I yelled out. "Harming another... it will just make you feel guilty in the future..." I said to the team. "Only through forgiveness can you truly move forward..." I explained calmly. "All war is a symptom of man’s failure as a thinking animal..." I quoted, hoping to avoid violence.

I reached down to Ryuji with a smile. "Need some help?" I asked calmly, just after the track team bloodlessly left. He took my hand and I pulled him up. "You got some magic word machine that makes people like you or somethin'? It ain't fair." Ryuji chuckled. I had a warm, heartfelt feeling in my chest, it felt like... me and Ryuji could conquer the world if we fought it together.

I suddenly heard a voice in my head.
"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 chains of thy heart."
As soon as I heard it, it was gone. I realized that my help probably meant the world to Ryuji. "Hey anyways, let's get some food, I'm starvin'!" Ryuji said happily.

~{Confession/Secret}~ [END]

I was knocked out of my thinking by Ryuji. "Aren't you gonna eat?" Ryuji asked and I shook my head. "No thank you, I ate earlier." I said with a smile. "For real? Ugh... you're killin' me, man." Ryuji said, thinking it was awkward to eat alone. He slurped his noodles as I thought about how happy I was to help the track team out. "Hey, I've been wonderin' something?" Ryuji asked. "What is it?" I answered back to him. "Are you into me?" He asked nonchalantly. "E-Excuse me?!" I yelped. "Oh, nevermind. I just noticed you weren't stuttering around me anymore, but nah, looks like I fixed ya'!" Ryuji chuckled. "I kept thinkin' to myself, "why's this girl spending so much time with me? Is it just cause she doesn't have anyone else?" Ryuji said, slurping his noodles. "But I think I figured it out." Ryuji said calmly to me. "You saw yourself when you looked at me." He chuckled. "That's... actually quite spot on." I replied. "Aww yeah! Ain't I badass!" Ryuji responded proudly.

~{Beneath the Mask -rain, instrumental version-}~

I couldn't get that politician out of my head, it was strange, I never had one get into my thoughts so much. I headed back to listen to another one of his speeches. After some time of him talking, we heard a squabble between two men. "Watch where you're going!" An older man yelled. "You ran into me, you old bastard!" The younger man shouted back. I was about to speak up, but before I could... "Good citizens, please stop fighting!" Yoshida asked just next to me. "What's with this guy?" Another man said after he approached. "Enough of your arrogance, No-Good Tora! As if anyone would actually vote for you!" The man said with frustration. "Are you planning to embezzle funds again?" He said angrily. Finally, I thought to myself, I had to wait two days for his other side to show, much longer than with most politicians.

"I've gone and done it again..." Yoshida said while looking at the ground. "What? Stolen from innocent people?" I said with frustration. Yoshida looked genuinely remorseful after I said that though. "I was very inexperienced twenty years ago, both as a politician and a human being. That inexperience led me to be involved in major political scandals. My blunders... "No-Good Tora's three strikes." Yoshida said with a frown. "First, taking a personal vacation and missing a legislative meeting. Then, I was accused of embezzling a large sum of money. Finally, I called a voter an idiot at an open forum and that was strike three..." He said regretfully. "Do you really want guidance from the man before you?" He asked. I looked at my feet, feigning sympathy. "No... I won't..." I said to him. "I'm sorry to hear that..." He said, looking me in the eyes. "Though I hope to change your mind, I cannot force you." He said regretfully.

Finally, I could put his name in the Meta-Nav and change him into an honest man. TORANOSUKE YOSHIDA. Enjoy your last day of embezzlement. I smiled as I clicked the button. "TARGET NOT FOUND." What?! I checked the spelling multiple times, even going so far as to look him up online. I typed the name again, making sure not to misspell it. "TARGET NOT FOUND." The app said again. He... really didn't have a palace? "How the..." I muttered, confused. A politician that's... good?

I headed home, confused and even slightly scared. Luckily, Sojiro had already headed home, so I hiked upstairs. "I'm back Yusuke." I announced, only to see him gone. "Y-Yusuke?" I asked nervously. "Morgana?" He didn't answer, since he wasn't in LeBlanc and neither was Yusuke. Why was I so rude to him yesterday... I probably drove him and Morgana away, yelling at him over a teddy bear, what kind of scumbag am I? I should be checking if I had a palace... I sighed heavily. Well, the past is in the past, I can't do anything about it now... I might as well get some sleep... I grabbed my bear and went to bed.

I dreamt about my parents that night. My mom, her sweet and kind nature. My dad... and his... nature...

"A damn teddy bear? How old do you think our kid is?" He shouted angrily. "It means a lot to her." Mom responded. "Especially since she just lost the tournament." Mom said, trying to soothe his anger. "So you punish it. You don't reward failure!" He shouted angrily. "If a kid wants to fuck up, you let them, you don't just baby them." He stated. "You know how devastated she was, how much she trained for that." Mom said calmly, as dad continued to rant. "How do you lose a shooting competition to a girl?" Dad angrily growled as he grabbed a pamphlet for a military school. "Here, or nowhere." He told mom angrily.

I woke up and got ready for school. Unsurprisingly, in a slightly poor mood. I saw Morgana on my walk to the station. "Wh-Where were you last night?!" I asked fearfully, sounding like a concerned mom. "With Yusuke. He said he needed a feline edge for a painting we was making in his dorm. He's been trying to get used to life on his own." Morgana said calmly. So... Yusuke didn't just leave out of anger... I opened my bag. "W-Wanna come?" I asked and Morgana quickly hopped in, my fuzzy partner in crime.

"Today, we'll be observing the recording of a real talk show." Kawakami explained. "If you help out, you'll get extra credit, but if you don't want to... just don't misbehave." She said, sounding bored out of her mind.

While standing around for the trip, a man approached me and Ann. "Hey there, you girls wanna be on TV?" He asked confidently. "You two got some niiice bods. You'd work great together, one hot and one cute." He said in a skeevy tone as he handed us cards of his. "I'd greatly welcome you two." I handed the card back. "N-No thank you..." I said nervously. "Greatly welcome, my ass." Ryuji grumbled. "Do these rotten adults care about anything other than looks?!" He said angrily. Kawakami walked up to us. "I know you're bored, but please don't cause trouble, okay?" She asked, annoyed. "Don't worry... we won't..." I answered quickly while I looked through the Phan-Site, seeing a boost in followers after the Madarame scandal. Our approval was boosted to 10.7%, not very good, but also not bad. I was glad to see that some people took the injustice of society seriously.

Our group was soon walking down the hallway. "We gotta sit through more of this tomorrow?" Ryuji asked in slight frustration. "No flaking, Ryuji." Morgana ordered. "I know, I gotta be a good boy." He said jokingly. "I can give you a treat for being good..." I joked back. "Oh, eff off..." Ryuji said and we both chuckled. "Woah, did I miss something?" Ann asked, surprised at my calmness. "Nothin' important, she just stopped me from gettin' my ass kicked, with some ancient philosophy shit." Ryuji explained calmly. "S-Steinback, Ryuji..." I scolded. "That's a new experience?" Morgana snickered. "We get to go home now. Why don't we check out some shops?" Ann suggested happily. "I did see a nice steakhouse..." I said, my mouth already watering. "Oh, that's my vote!" Ryuji said excited. "Is meat all you two think about?!" Morgana said angrily. "Why not go to that pancake place? It looked delicious!" Morgana said excitedly. Out of almost nowhere, a young man stepped into view. "Excuse me, are you students of Shujin Academy?" He asked calmly. "Yes, we are." I smiled and stepped forward, just barely cutting Ryuji off. "It seemed polite to greet you, we'll be filming together after all." He said with a calm and soothing voice. "Are you going to have cake now?" He asked us, immediately making us all confused. "I thought I heard something about delicious pancakes." He said confused. "No, nothing of the sort. We were just going to have some steak." I replied cautiously. "That sounds incredible! But sorry, I must be going." After clearing the misunderstanding, the boy smiled and walked away. "Wow, you talked to a person without stuttering, impressive." Morgana chuckled. "He was a cop..." I explained quietly. "He was what?" Ryuji asked loudly. "Did you not see his badge?" I said, thinking about what he may have really been after. "Woah, good eye Emily, that's why you're the leader." Morgana said encouragingly.

Many people sat in the filming room for the station, almost seventy total. "It's time for our special guest, Junior Ace Detective, Goro Akechi!" The female host said with a big smile. "Goro Akechi? Who the hell is that?" Ryuji asked me, confused. "I saw an ad... I just thought it was a sitcom or something..." I answered. "Well, I guess we'll figure out soon." Ann said back.

Akechi walked into the room and sat down on the couch in front of the camera. "We've been told you're handling quite the case right now. Are you available to share?" The host asked. "The scandal involving the master artist Madarame." He said with a calm demeanor. That made my ears perk up, he was investigating Madarame, so we now needed close eyes on him. "Do you believe the infamous Phantom Thieves were responsible? They seem to be the talk of the town right now." The host asked curiously. "If they truly are heroes of justice, I sincerely hope they exist." Akechi said with a smile. "So you do not doubt that they exist?" The host asked quickly. "There's a part of me that still hopes Santa is real. Although if he did, I'd have to arrest him for breaking and entering." Akechi answered with a peppy grin, making the audience laugh. "But honestly, if there are people who manipulate other's minds. I believe they should be tried in a court of law." He said with his typical calmness.

"Some believe The Phantom Thieves are helping their victims, such as Madarame, abandon their wicked ways." The host replied. "What Madarame did truly was an unforgivable crime. However, by playing judge, jury and executioner, they're taking the law into their own hands." Akechi explained. "Well! Now it's time to get some foresight from our lovely audience!" The host said excitedly. A woman walked next to me of all people and shoved a microphone my face. "Excuse me, what do you think of The Phantom Thieves?" She asked me. "With all due respect to Akechi... I think they're only really jury in this case." I said. "Oh?" Akechi said with a curious expression. "Care to elaborate?" He asked. "They only make the criminals confess... they don't convict them, nor punish them... isn't it your job to gain evidence for if a criminal does confess?" I asked calmly. "What a bold answer." Akechi said back. "Let me ask you a question now. Let's say that someone close to you experienced a very sudden change of heart. Would you think this was the work of The Phantom Thieves?" Akechi asked with a carefree tone. "Don't take the bait." I heard Morgana whisper loudly. "I would wait until said person was proven guilty... if so... they'd keep my support..." I answered calmly. "I have a question for you all to ask yourselves. It's the matter of how they change people's hearts." Akechi said. "For example, the mental shutdowns that have been happening, seemingly at random. All purely hypothetical, but the threat still stands true, if they are the culprits behind this, they pose a threat to everyone." He said confidently.

After they cut for the day, our group met up to talk. "He made it sound like we're the baddies. I don't like it." Ryuji said in frustration. "He had a point..." I replied. "Whaddya mean?" Ryuji asked, slightly annoyed. "Think about it... you're a random person in the public and someone just... collapses... additionally, you've heard that "Phantom Thieves" are "stealing hearts," sounds like a link to me..." I explained calmly. "You got a point... but we just gotta kick some more ass and prove ourselves!" Ryuji said excited. After some talking, Akechi approached us. "I'm glad I found you. I wanted to thank you in person." He said with a happy smile. "Advancement cannot occur without both thesis and anti-thesis." Akechi stated. "But in an emergent synthesis which reconciles the two." I answered. "Uhh... what?" Ryuji asked, making Akechi chuckle. "It seems like you've done your homework, unlike your friend here. A truly a fascinating man, that Hegel was..." Akechi praised. "I can understand why you'd support The Phantom Thieves in this world of corruption. It's possible they are truly acting with good intentions. Since they have special talents, I assume their hearts must be burning with a sense of justice and duty..." Akechi said, almost jealously. "But that justice is merely a façade, concealing their true lack of strength. If a truly powerful opponent were to corner them, they would flee without a second thought." Akechi explained. "What was that?!" Ryuji asked angrily, but I held him back. "Is that not a good idea, however. Act weak when you are strong, and foolish when you are smart." I said calmly. "Hm. A truly learned response." Akechi said, almost proud. "You really are intriguing. If it's alright with you, would you continue sharing your thoughts with me?" He asked as he extended his left hand for a shake, I took it. "Thank you, I sense something quite different in you." Akechi said happily.

~{Beneath the Mask -rain, instrumental version-}~ [END]

"So why did you take..." Sae rolled her eyes and sighed. "Crow's offer?" She asked curiously. "He was looking into us... alone... a good way to gauge private opinion..." Emily responded seriously.

Akechi gave me his phone number and left us be. "I can't stand that high and mighty attitude!" Ryuji said angrily. "But now... we have connections to the police..." I said proudly.

RING RING "Hey, the doc said you had to come over, she really needed you for something." Sojiro said. It looked like I couldn't avoid the inevitable forever... I slowly walked to the clinic and opened the door.

~{Butterfly Kiss}~

"You know why you're here." Takemi said calmly. "You can leave, there's nothing stopping you." She explained. "Just remember... p-patient confidentiality..." I said carefully and Takemi nodded. "My dad beat me..." I said, making Takemi's eyes widen. "Not Sojiro. My bio dad..." I said honestly. "He... never hit mom... just me..." I stated calmly. "You can call the police." Takemi stated. "No I couldn't... bruises aren't enough... he doesn't leave them often..." I answered her quickly. "Every time I'd call... he'd get away with it... police don't care about people... they only care about their paychecks..." I said angrily. "You know that confidentiality doesn't apply when it comes to patient safety." Takemi explained and my eyes widened with fear. "Please don't..." I asked. "He'd come for me if police encountered him..." I pleaded. "Sojiro's not hurting me... I'm safe..." I explained. "You come here with one more injury and I call the cops." Takemi said, determined and I breathed a sigh of relief.

I helped Takemi out with her usual patients, but we were less efficient than previous days, so I asked her why. "Several of my suppliers have stated that they're going to stop selling to me. They're probably being pressured by Oyamada to stop doing business with me. So I figure it's over." Takemi said sadly. "What about the medicine... for people like Miwa?" I asked, concerned. "I can't get anything to make it." Takemi answered. I frowned sadly, getting an idea. Right at that time however, Takemi chuckled to herself. "I was a sickly child too... I was always in the hospital and rarely well enough to attend school. Medicine was all that kept me alive, that's why I became a doctor. So I could save people like I was saved." Takemi said, her heart filled with sorrow. "You can go home, I don't need you to test medicine anymore." Takemi explained and I grabbed my bag, leaving soon after.

~{Butterfly Kiss}~ [END]

While I walked home, a thought occurred to me. "Hey... Morgana?" He popped out of my bag. "What is it?" He asked slowly, seemingly having heard everything with Takemi. "You said... everyone with a w-warped mind can have a palace?" I asked and he nodded in response. I opened the Meta-Nav and typed a particular name. EMILY SMITH. "That won't work. It has to be a bad person, plus, Persona-users can't manifest a palac-" He started confidently. "TARGET LOCATED IN MEMENTOS!" The app stated loudly. "Woah." Morgana said in shock. "Do you... want to do this?" He asked me, seemingly actually willing to go along with whatever I choose. I typed one other name. SHOICHI OYAMADA. "TARGET LOCATED IN MEMENTOS!" The app declared. "Looks like we've got some targets."

I went to bed early, hugging my teddy bear and lying on my pillow.
We had a big day tomorrow.

Chapter Text

~{Aria of the Soul}~

"Good morning, inmate." Caroline said annoyed. "Where have you been? We told you days ago to meet us and yet we've waited hours for you to show!" Caroline said angrily. "I-I haven't seen you... sorry..." I said, a little shaken since I only just woke up. "Was it too dark for you, I've heard humans have poor vision in low light." Justine asked. "Wait... have you two... been waiting at night?" I asked the girls. "Yes, of course!" Caroline answered. "Humans... aren't nocturnal..." I explained. "What?" Caroline said. "It is said that humans tend to avoid uncomfortable situations, yet they are most active during times when it's the highest level of heat?" Justine asked curiously. "I don't know... ask people why that is..." I answered. "Very well, I will be gracious and let you choose a time inmate." Justine answered. "Eight thirty... meet me then..." I said to the twins. "Eight thirty exactly, don't be late, inmate!" Caroline said angrily.

~{Aria of the Soul}~ [END]

~{Beneath the Mask 0instrumental version}~ [END]

As I woke up, I picked up my phone and typed in the group chat.

EMILY: After school, we meet at LeBlanc, don't be late.
ANN: What's wrong?
RYUJI: Alright, any time.
YUSUKE: It seems important, I'll be there.
ANN: Okay...

I could hardly focus during classes, everything running through my mind multiple times and looping in on each other. I had a warped desire? I didn't even know... I kept thinking about what could happen, were our targets like this? After class, Kawakami approached me. "Hey, is everything alright? You weren't answering many questions today?" Kawakami asked, concerned. "Oh... i-it's nothing... just... a long night... you know?" I asked calmly. "Oh do I..." Kawakami responded and left the classroom. Ann came over shortly after. "Hey, what was that message about earlier?" Ann asked curiously. Before I could answer, Morgana popped out of my bag. "We located some targets in Mementos, we'll tell you more at the meeting later." Morgana explained quickly.

The group met in my room at LeBlanc, all curious on different levels as to what I had in store for today. "First target, Shoichi Oyamada." I said, letting Morgana explain. "This is a corrupt doctor, harassing a private physician and trying to run her out of business." Morgana explained, once everyone in the group approved, we moved to the next one. "Next target..." I took a deep breath. "Michael Smith." I said, trying to keep a shake out of my voice. "Smith?" Nearly everyone said in unison. "Is this... your father?" Yusuke asked. "Yes..." I responded sadly. "What'd he do?" Ryuji asked angrily. "He's going to be there, trust me." I responded quickly, though not answering his question. "Final target. Morgana?" I asked and sat back, ready to answer any questions. "Emily is our final target." Morgana said sadly. "I don't know why, be we got a hit when we used the Meta-Nav, Emily's got a shadow in there somewhere." Morgana explained, somewhat confused. A long time of silence passed, until Ryuji eventually broke it. "How? What kinda desire does she even have?!" He asked curiously. "I don't know... but I can't let this slide... I can't let myself hurt people..." I said, slumped over. "Is everyone ready?" Morgana asked, the group agreeing to enter Mementos.

~{Beneath the Mask -instrumental version-}~ [END]

I typed my father's name into the Meta-Nav, only for a big surprise to surface. "DESTINATION MARKED, PALACE OF MICHEAL SMITH LOCATED" My eyes widened. "Palace?!" I shouted fearfully. "B-But I was..." I started. "No matter, we'll go after him tomorrow then." I said angrily as we entered Mementos.

~{Keeper of Lust}~

We jump through the portal to a target, jumping out of the Mona-Bus, we spot one of our targets. "That's the shadow of that doctor, Oyamada." Morgana said. "Let's take him down." I said as we approached the shadow. "Everyone is trash!" The shadow said angrily as we approached. "You should be grateful I have the compassion to fix you trash." Oyamada said gleefully. "You're a scumbag." I said to him. "Hey, you're the blood girl, don't you think you should be resting?" The shadow said confidently. "Did she quit being a doctor yet?" He asked cockily. "You should quit." I responded angrily. "I'll blame your death on Takemi then, see how she'll avoid that!" He said, sounding almost excited. He melted into a large, black puddle, emerging as a vengeful, angry shadow. I took out my rifle and aimed it at his stomach, quickly blowing a hole into it. "Nice try!" He said as he took a syringe out and jabbed it into his chest. The hole instantly filled and his body started glowing. "I'm invincible! You can't touch me!" He shouted with vigor as he fired icicles at us, narrowly missing many, but one striking Ann's leg, knocking her to the floor. "Oh, that's one down!" Oyamada boasted as he fired more towards Ann. "Fox!" I shouted at him. "On it!" Yusuke replies, quickly summoning Goemon to destroy the icicles mid-flight. I knelt down and pulled the icicle from Ann's leg, after, I tore blood from myself to fix Ann's wound. "Why don't you just give it up! I'll even pay you if you stop now!" Oyamada laughed. "Skull, electrocute him, then Fox, freeze him." I ordered as I threw blood into Oyamada's eyes, blinding him with the viscous liqud. Once Ryuji electrocuted him, I covered him with my blood to aid Yusuke in freezing him solid. "Let's go team! All at once!" I shouted as we rushed towards the target, hitting him with everything we had.

~{Keeper of Lust}~

After beating Oyamada senseless, he reverted form, back to the pathetic man he truly was. Once he changed, he started... crying? "How come... I'm not... good enough..." Oyamada sobbed. "Takemi... was so creative... she had all these ideas. She was... extraordinary..." He said jealousy. "That girl... Miwa... she's alive..." He explained, making my eyes shoot open. "Of course... transferring to another hospital makes ours look bad. She doesn't have much time though... I hope Takemi can do something about it..." Oyamada said before returning to his real self. "I can't believe it... Miwa's alive!" I said happily as we left the room.

We then found the next target... "Do you... want us to wait out here?" Ann asked sympathetically. "No, I don't want to hide things from my friends anymore..." I said with a slight sadness. "Are you sure about this, Emily?" Ryuji asked. "Yes, I have to." I said with determination as we entered the portal.

~{Alleycat}~

We approached the shadow version of myself and everyone stood ready. "How have you been, you piece of shit?" Shadow Emily said, surprising everyone but myself. "Why... have you formed?" I asked curiously. "Oh come on, are you really that stupid?" Shadow Emily said back. "If you don't learn, you may even bully someone into suicide again." She stated angrily and I instantly knew why she formed. "S-Suicide?" Ann said, shocked. "Oh, that's right." Shadow Emily stated. "This bitch bullied a poor, defenseless girl until she couldn't do anything but try to kill herself! She also used her status and grades in school, to get away with it!" Shadow Emily shouted with rage. "I... warned her parents..." I said back with a watery voice. "Oh! Look at the hero!" Shadow Emily shouted sarcastically. "Bravo! You told her parents that you bullied her so much she wanted to die, so suddenly you're a good person!" She yelled angrily. "Shut your damn mouth! You're just bein' a bastard." Ryuji yelled. "Me? You mean us?" Shadow Emily replied. "I am based on her, thusly, we're both the "bastard," you so call us." She said. "It's all true..." I replied. "I... bullied a girl... j-just because she liked me..." I said slowly. "Did you all hear that? Harsh. She bullied a girl for being romantically attracted, for having a crush. How low could you possibly get!" Shadow Emily barked harshly. "But... I-I'm not like that anymore! I... I think..." I said back. "Oh good job, you are just barely good enough to qualify as human!" Shadow Emily said. "Shut the hell up! We're here to kick your ass!" Ryuji said angrily. "No we aren't. She won't fight us." I replied. "What?" Everyone shouted in surprise. I told everyone to follow me out.

"What the hell was the point of that?" Ryuji shouted angrily. "I wanted to know why I had a shadow... it seems like we know now..." I chuckled humorlessly. "Was all of that true?" Yusuke asked. "Yes... every bit of it..." I answered shamefully. "So, your shadow was formed by guilt..." Morgana started. "Just because the girl was attracted to you?" Ann asked. "I had... a lot of self-image issues... I was insecure and immature..." I answered her question with sorrow tainting my voice. "She... left a suicide note in my locker... a-and I told her parents..." I explained. "I... could hardly live with what I'd done... and... I wanted to do it myself..." I said with a tear falling from my face. "But I couldn't... I was scared it'd be slow..." I chuckled at myself. "Ironic huh... I judge others... but not myself..." I said with sadness. "I don't know if I can... but I have to try to... forgive myself." I said determined.

~{Alleycat}~

~{Butterfly Kiss}~

After leaving Mementos, we all went our separate ways, but I had a mission. After almost hours of asking around, I found the crucial information I needed, the acquisition of this news brightening my day tenfold. I opened the door to the clinic, over the moon that Miwa turned out to be alive. "Takemi!" I shouted happily. She jumped in her chair slightly. "What are you doing here?" She asked, slightly irritated, but still happy to see me. "I need to show you something." I said and told her to stay in the waiting room with me. "You know, I thought I told you to not come back here?" Takemi asked, just then, the little girl we had helped a few days ago came in. "Doctor! Doctor!" The little girl said happily. Her father smiled at her. "There's great news! Oyamada turned himself in! He's been ruining things for great doctors all along, it's been everywhere!" The father said happily. "I haven't seen it..." Takemi said contemplatively. "Oyamada surrendering himself... at such a convenient time..." Takemi asked herself. "You... wanna know something good too?" I asked Takemi calmly, prompting her to look at me. "Miwa didn't die, she's alive!" I said happily. Takemi seemed like she couldn't believe it. "She's right, it's all over the news." The father said. I smiled at her. "Need some help?" Takemi turned to me. "Yes, of course."

Takemi had me chug another vial of medicine, this time luckily, I didn't immediately pass out, it largely had no effect on me. "Sorry the other tests hurt so much, we had to move quickly today." Takemi said apologetically. I chuckled. "Some people pay to get hurt by women like you." I said with a smile. Takemi's eyes widened. "Well, consider yourself lucky to get paid for it then." Takemi chuckled back. "You can go home now, I'll clean up the rest." she said, but before I left... "You're welcome anytime, here's my number, call me if you need a house visit." She smirked and handed me a piece of paper, waving me out the door.

~{Butterfly Kiss}~

It was slowly reaching nightfall, I thought more and more about the people I'd hurt in the past. I made a promise to myself to make it up to them. Who was someone I was terrible to in the past... I thought to myself, nobody I could meet up with, that's for sure... until suddenly, someone came to mind.

"Passing on the societal ills we have created to the next generation, is not right!" Yoshida shouted passionately. "It will take time to solve this problem. However, we must start by making small changes!" He spoke with conviction and will. He stepped down from the box he set up and approached me. "What brings you here? Did The Phantom Thieves give you a change of heart?" He asked humorously. "I actually did ask them to target you..." I admitted and his eyes widened. "They... s-said they wouldn't... that they only target criminals..." I said nervously. "I told them about the embezzlement and they... basically told me it wasn't possible..." I said quietly. "So... I came to give you another chance..." I admitted shamefully. "You really... spoke to me... but I was bigoted towards politicians... w-will you forgive me?" I asked, hoping I could help his cause. "Yes." Yoshida replied with a smile. "For a desire of change, is an aspire of greatness." He stated proudly. "Get the hell outta here, No-Good Tora!" The man from last time shouted. "Why don't you? What's wrong with a man expressing his opinion?" I said angrily. "Hm, whatever." The man said angrily and walked away. "My apologies. We're done for the day." Yoshida said regretfully.

I checked the time as I headed over to Untouchable. 8:30 Wow, right on the dot. I was pretty close, so I didn't need to worry.

~{Break it Down}~

"Where were you, inmate!" Caroline shouted as he hit me with her baton again. "Ow... What's... wrong?" I quietly muttered as I rubbed my head. "You were a minute late for our scheduled meeting, please be more timely in the future." Justine stated calmly. "But anyway, we have heard of a place that many young people visit to see fiction flash before them. We hear there are a variety of fantasies available there for any one person's perusal." Justine explained. "Well inmate? We gotta check this place out." Caroline exclaimed. "The... movie theater?" I asked curiously. "Lead the way, we will check for ourselves." Justine said. It turns out there was a horror movie playing, a devious thought of slightly petty revenge popped into my head.

Some time after the movie ended, we left the theater and started talking outside. "That was rather enjoyable, inmate. We won't underestimate the human mind again." Caroline said with a smile. "Your screams told quite a different story. It's no wonder that woman asked if Emily was our guardian." Justine said calmly. "You were just as scared Justine!" Caroline said as she blushed from embarrassment. "Why is it that humans make such elaborate fabrications to begin with? Isn't just imagining of these things satisfying enough?" Justine asked me curiously. It was a difficult thing to answer, at least to her. "Well... it's to share your ideas with others... or to spark inspiration..." I answered carefully. "So, it's an alternative connection of minds and strengths?" Justine asked. "Don't tell me your trying to get strong enough to escape, inmate!" Caroline shouted. "I'll bet you were planning on blowing the door open!" She spouted angrily. "Don't consider such crassness, Caroline." Justine said afterwards. "Then how would you do it Justine?" Caroline asked, annoyed. "I would dig a hole in the wall and cover it with some distracting image." Justine answered calmly. "Just use a bazooka and blast that thing open!" Caroline said with a smile. "Inmate?" Justine grabbed my attention. "Which method would you utilize to escape your confines?" She asked calmly, with a curious look on her face. I thought for a moment about the options. "The digging sounds good... but you two always stand close... so you would easily hear it..." I started. "Because of your proximity... an explosion would not only surprise you... but also possibly daze you for long enough to run..." I answered. "Yes! I told you Justine!" Caroline said cockily, like a big sister taking the last slice of pizza.

Despite the surprisingly good day I had, I was still focused, no more distractions. First thing after school tomorrow, we were going to head to my dad's palace. But for now, I just had to get home.

RING RING "Hey, I heard your cat meowing loudly up there earlier. It sounds like he had a heart attack." Sojiro said jokingly, so I headed upstairs calmly. I saw Morgana on the bed, sleeping soundly. I smiled and went into the bathroom to change. Sojiro went home and conveniently I just remembered what Kawakami had asked me at school earlier. I dialed a number on the old rotary phone in LeBlanc. "Thanks for calling Victoria's Housekeeping!" A male voice on the other end sounded. "H-Hello... I'd like to make a request?" I asked politely.

"So this is your room, huh?" Kawakami asked "What's your deal? Why actually call the maid service?" She asked curiously. "I was curious..." I answered. Kawakami started cleaning my room and answering the questions I had. She spotted the flowers Ann got for me at the hospital. "You like flowers?" Kawakami asked curiously. "Oh yes... I do..." I responded nervously. "There's a garden in school we've been trying to restore, there's only one girl right now, a third year like yourself." Kawakami explained. "I... thank you... I'll think about it..." I responded.

After cleaning my room, Kawakami plopped onto my bed, waking Morgana. "What the-?" Morgana yelled as he jumped and took a dash for the stairs. "You didn't tell me you had a cat..." Kawakami said in a tired voice and groaned loudly. "Are you ok?" I asked, concerned. "I'm exhausted... on my off days I have to prepare quizzes and homework. Today, I had to clean bathtubs and walk dogs before coming here. There's no time to rest..." Kawakami answered quietly. "I was surprised when you requested me. I didn't think you would. You don't have a thing for maids, do you?" She joked quietly. "W-What?! No! I-I would... never!" I said with an embarrassed blush covering my face. "Sorry, just give me five minutes..." Kawakami said. "Maybe ten..." She said slowly and seconds later, I heard quiet snoring. "I didn't know you were into maids." Morgana teased. "I'm not!" I squeaked out with embarrassment. "Whatever you say." Morgana chuckled.

Ten minutes passed and Kawakami was still sleeping on my bed. "M-Ms. Kawakami?" I asked as I lightly shook her shoulder. Her eyes opened and she stood up quickly. "Before you know it, times up! Thank you very much!" Kawakami spouted with a fake smile. "Since you can afford a maid service, I assume you make a lot." She said kindly. "I work two jobs..." I said jokingly. "Really? Are you sure you can handle that?" Kawakami asked sympathetically. "I can choose my hours..." I replied. "I should ask for your job." Kawakami joked back and I smiled sadly. "Are you struggling a lot?" I asked, concerned. Kawakami turned away and frowned. "It's... for my little sister." She said sadly. "She's sick, so I need money to pay her medical expenses..." She looked to the floor, almost looking ashamed. After a moment, her phone rang. "Not enough? But it was the same amount as last week!" Kawakami said, shocked. "Are you alright... Ms. Kawakami?" I asked again, concerned for her safety. "Don't worry, mistress!" Kawakami said with faked pep. "Don't... call me that..." I said, slightly uncomfortable. "Yeah, alright..." Kawakami replied, embarrassed.

~{Break it Down}~ [END]

I lied in bed and thought about the shadow version of myself. "Morgana?" I asked him casually. "Am... I a good leader... have I done you wrong?" I asked, curious of his answer. "I'd say so, you haven't lost us a fight yet." Morgana answered honestly. "At least I'm doing something right..." I replied as I grabbed my bear and closed my eyes.

Mom was away again, normally a dream for children. Being watched by dad without the rule of your mother and the chill attitude of a father, not this time. "Hey! Get your ass down here!" He shouted angrily. I quickly made my way downstairs and into the living room. "Grab me another beer." He mumbled as he watched a movie. "M-Mom said... y-you should t-try and cut down..." I said sadly, concerned for his mental state. "Well she isn't here!" He yelled angrily. "Go and get it or I'll beat your ass." He ordered. I grabbed the beer and gave it to him, quickly heading for my room. "Hey!" He shouted at me. I froze fearfully. "I love you." He said with a smile. "Yeah..." I replied as I walked up to my room.

I knelt down and clasped my hands together. "Please... I hope you give me the strength to get through this... I still love him... I just want him to love me... please Lord in Heaven..." I said quietly and snuck out the window.

I awoke to my alarm sounding, it was time for school again. Morgana hopped into my bag and waited patiently for me to get changed. Once I finished, I started looking for the library book I got the other day. "Hey... Morgana? Have you... seen the book on Cendrillon?" I asked calmly. "Nope, why?" He asked in response. "I see... I'll just ask the principal..." I said as I picked up my bag.

Heading to the principal's office, I heard two people talking as I approached the door. "-tom Thieves yet?" The principal asked, sounding quite outraged. "If I may ask, why are you investigating this?" It sounded like Makoto in there. "It's best for you not to know, only that The Phantom Thieves are a danger to this school." The principal said back. I started hearing footsteps near the door, so I acted like I was just about to reach it. "No problem!" I shouted to no one, just as the door opened. It was Makoto, I put on an angry face as I looked at her and walked past to report the missing book.

Classes felt longer today, longer than they ever had previously. Though, they eventually ended and our group met up in the courtyard. "So we got the police involved now, what a pain in the ass." Ryuji grumbled. "Not just that... I overheard the student council president... she's helping the principal find us..." I said cautiously. "What, why?" Ann asked curiously. "I don't know... but she's smart... keep your answers short and to the point..." I responded, but soon heard footsteps approaching. "...because you tend to overthink... Ryuji..." I added. "Is something worrying you?" Makoto asked as she rounded the corner. "You can always ask me for help." She said, trying to mask her digging. "No need... we're just helping Ryuji get his scores up..." I replied. "How noble..." Makoto responded as she walked away. "You have to be careful Ryuji... mentioning The Phantom Thieves could be bad news for our group..." I explained. "Sorry... it just sucks how we gotta be stuck in the dark!" Ryuji said with annoyance.

EMILY: Remember, today's the day, everyone be ready.
ANN: Ready as ever.
RYUJI: We'll kick that dick's ass!
YUSUKE: Let justice be swift.

I put my phone into my bag and got up, ready to leave for the day. "Emily, the student council president wants to see you." Kawakami explained. "I-I... have something important... can we reschedule?" I asked nervously. "She says there was a lost item, so she needed you." Kawakami responded. I sighed and made my way to her.

EMILY: Remain on standby, I'll be late.

I clicked send, hearing a few notifications after and opened the door to the student council room. "Earlier than I expected." Makoto said. "I'm a woman of punctuality." I responded. "Have a seat." Makoto said as she sat across from another chair. Once I sat down, she took out her phone and set it on the table. "Mr. Kamoshida and Madarame. Won't you tell me what you know about The Phantom Thieves’ involvement?" Makoto asked.

~{Tension}~

She definitely needed help on her interrogating. "Mr. Kamoshida was a bad man, the same with Madarame, so The Phantom Thieves must only target bad people." I said calmly. "Good answer, of course there's no way you'd admit to this." Makoto answered and she turned on her phone, pressing something and placing her phone back on the table.

"-she's smart... keep your answers short and to the point..." "You have to be careful Ryuji... mentioning The Phantom Thieves could be bad news for our group..." "Sorry... it just sucks how we gotta be stuck in the dark!"

Makoto stopped the recording. "What could this all mean?" She asked me with a stern expression. "We screwed up..." Morgana whispered in my bag. "How do you corner someone into confessing?" Makoto asked curiously. "Won't you tell me how you did it?" She asked confidently. "That tape proves nothing." I replied. "Excuse me? This is recorded proof!" Makoto said, trying to hide her frustration. "Recording someone without their consent is illegal." I replied. "Another thing, I also never said that I'm associated with them, just that mentioning them would be a bad idea." I responded confidently. "You'll still be arrested, it's just that I'd be punished as well." Makoto said calmly. "If you wanted to report me, you'd have done it. So what is it?" I responded angrily. "Let me meet your group." Makoto asked with a cocky grin. "Hypothetically, I'm a Phantom Thief. My crimes, thievery and coercion. Those give me roughly five years." I state. "Now yours. Coercion, stalking, harassment, unlawful recording and blackmail." Her eyes widened. "Exactly... so if you want to talk to The Phantom Thieves..." I started with an angry look. "You talk to me." I readied myself for her to talk.

~{Tension}~ [END]

Chapter Text

~{Suspicion}~

Everyone sat in LeBlanc, nervously waiting for me. RING RING "Ah, you're back early." Sojiro said casually, as walked up the stairs. "What happened?" Ann asked curiously. "Change of plans..." I said, frustrated.

I explained the circumstances and what we had to do before dealing with my dad. "We deal with him and nobody's stopping us." I said, determined. "This guy sounds important though, it'd suck trying to get info on him." Ryuji replied. "Don't worry, I have a plan for that. He targets children, like us." I said with frustration. "What a truly horrible man... how do you plan to deal with him?" Yusuke replied. "Give him a target." I replied, angrily.

Makoto joined me on my plan. "Why are you here?" I asked angrily. "I wanted to see for myself if the information I gave you was accurate." Makoto answered. Just as I was about to tell her to leave, a man approached us. "Hey, you two got some time?" The man asked. "You want an easy job? Just a quick delivery." He finished. "By delivery, do you mean that of suspicious materials." Makoto asked, making me mentally slam my hand through my face. The man shot a suspicious look at Makoto and walked off. "He dodged the trap I laid down." Makoto said annoyed. "I can see why you needed help." I replied, prompting a look from her. "You're too confident, you need to look weak to bait them. Good lord, you're useless." I said in frustration.

Sae looked at her curiously. "What caused you to be so hostile to Queen? I thought you were friends." She asked. "We eventually were... but... I was only helping her then to avoid the police... though... we would have gone for Kaneshiro later... even if not for Queen..." Emily answered, feeling ashamed of how rude she had been.

Makoto looked at the floor and I told her to watch what I do. I walked up to the man about ten minutes later. "H-Hello sir...?" I asked, feigning nervousness. "You were with that girl earlier..." He said cautiously. "I-I know... sh-she's my step-sister... we both g-got stressed after dad left..." I told him. "Uh huh..." The man said. "Sh-She's kinda d-disconnected to people..." I said softly, making the man pay a little more attention. "Mom... sh-she's working two jobs... a-and we just wanted to help..." I finished, giving a fake sniffle, hoping he'd fall for it. "You know... you're pretty special." The man said with a wide smile as he brushed my hair over my head. It took everything within me not to throw up. "Th-Thank you sir..." I replied. "Boss man'll like you." He said as he walked away. "Here, tomorrow, same time." He said and disappeared into the alley. I looked around for Makoto, only to see her walking away from me.

~{Suspicion}~ [END]

The next day, I waited in the alleyway for him. Luckily, I didn't have to wait long before a small black car pulled over. "Hey beautiful, get in." The man said and I followed, getting into the car, ready to head straight to Kaneshiro himself.

"So you got on the inside to meet him face-to-face." Sae questioned. "A girl your age, you could have gotten hurt, or worse. Why did you orchestrate such a risky plan?" She asked. "I didn't care if I got hurt... it didn't matter to me... at the time that is..." Emily responded shamefully.

~{Desire}~

We arrived at his "office" and headed in. "Wow, she is cute, good job." A man sitting on a large couch complimented. "S-So you're the boss?" I asked curiously. "Junya Kaneshiro, at your service." He said confidently, I was surprised he gave his name so carelessly, we had enough to target him now. "I-I... think this... was a bad idea... can I go?" I asked, hoping he'd be as careless as he just was, enough to let me go at least. "I don't think so." He snapped his fingers and his men grabbed hold of me. "Why would I let an adorable thing like you go?" He mocked and handed me a bottle of whiskey. "Drink it." He ordered.

Emily sniffled. "That was the first time in weeks... th-that I actually... felt scared." Emily admitted to Sae. "I... didn't want to... but... I had to..."

He slapped me after I refused. "I said drink it, bitch." He shoved it into my hands, I blocked my nose and drank from the bottle. He took a photo of it as I did. "Ok, so this is what's gonna happen... Emily." Kaneshiro said intimidatingly. "You're gonna walk to a corner every night, and ask nice, rich men to pop your cherry. After a few weeks, you should have a couple million and you'll be free to go." He said calmly. "Pretty easy. Especially for a girl like you." He explained with a smile. "My boys found your ID and phone number in your bag, such a cute name, Emily." Kaneshiro said tauntingly. "They also spotted a bible in your bag, so that means you're probably a virgin too, that'll be pretty expensive to the right man." Kaneshiro smirked as he extended his hand. "Come on, Emily. Won't you shake a sinner's hand?" He mocked.

~{Desire}~ [END]

"I went in there fearlessly... only to be the most scared I have ever been..." Emily chuckled humorlessly. "Talk about irony..." Emily explained nervously as Sae sat there, speechless. "I... never thought he'd try to force that..." Emily explained. "The last thing I expected... was for my friends to bust through the door..."

"Who the hell're these people?" Kaneshiro asked as my friends ran through the door. "What the hell are you doing to her!" Ryuji shouted angrily. "Three million yen by next week. Maybe you can get your boyfriend to pay it." Kaneshiro ordered as he threw me towards Ryuji and snapped another photo. "Good luck, hot stuff, you'll need it." Kaneshiro mocked again as he laughed.

"It was only then... I noticed Queen with them as well..." Emily explained. "She explained that she helped everyone find me..." Emily said, trying to calm herself. "Ann explained what happened later..."

"Ryuji! Get a taxi, I wrote down the license!" Yusuke said quickly. The car drove past. "Agh shit, he ignored me!" Ryuji said annoyed as he saw another approaching. "Dammit I said stop!" He yelled as he jumped in front of the oncoming taxi. "Hurry up and get in!" Ryuji yelled and everyone piled inside.

"So he was planning on indebting you to himself with blackmail?" Sae asked. "Yes... we needed to act fast..." Emily replied nervously.

"I'm so sorry, Emily..." Makoto said. "I didn't mean to drag you in like this, I was stupid..." Makoto said ashamedly. "I must agree, you should've imagined this happening." Yusuke said. "No... it's my fault..." I replied nervously. "I was... impatient..." I explained. "You got his name though, that's all we need to target him!" Morgana said confidently. "I agree... we can definitely target him now..." I said calmly. "Um... are you okay?" Makoto asked me. "You've become a target of his. That means we can give a good old counterpunch!" Morgana said excitedly. "Let's do this..." I said with a smile. Makoto waved her hand in front of my face. "Are... you alright?" She asked me. "Oh yeah... just a talking cat..." I responded with a joking tone. "Okaaay..." Makoto responded with confusion.

~{Disquiet}~

We all stood near central street, it was getting late, so we needed to be quick. "If we can figure out what the palace is, we may be able to guess where it is by association." Yusuke explained calmly. "What are you doing?" Makoto asked curiously. "Maybe somewhere he's got control over? Like a garden?" Ryuji suggested. "NO CANIDATES FOUND." The Meta-Nav sounded loudly. "He likes money, so what about a money bath?" Ann said with a smile. "NO CANIDATES FOUND." The Meta-Nav stated again. "How about it, Emily? Can you think of anything?" Yusuke asked me calmly, but before I could speak, Makoto suggested something. "Maybe a bank?" She suggested. "DESTINATION MARKED, PALACE OF JUNYA KANESHIRO LOCATED." The Meta-Nav stated loudly. "Okay... that's a hit!" Yusuke stated proudly. "So he thinks of some place in this city as his own bank." He asked curiously. "Now, what location would Kaneshiro think of as his bank?" Morgana asked curiously. "Us?" I asked hypothetically. "Wait a second!" Yusuke shouted, seemingly having a revelation. "The place that Kaneshiro thinks of a bank is... all of Shibuya." He stated confidently. "BEGINNING NAVIGATION." The Meta-Nav sounded loudly.

Makoto blinked and looked around. "What on earth? A rat?!" Makoto yelped as she looked at Yusuke. "I'm a FOX, thank you." Yusuke replied. "W-Wait... Smith?!" Makoto yelped as she turned to me. "Pipe down, you'll bring a pack of shadows down on us!" Morgana explained in frustration. "A talking cat?!" Makoto said surprised. "Princess, in the future... let's just explain the Metaverse." Morgana said, annoyed. Makoto grabbed her head. "Give me a moment to process all of this..." She grumbled.

~{Disquiet}~ [END]

After explaining the Metaverse to Makoto, she had only one question. "Why Princess?" She giggled. "That's your only question?" I asked curiously. "N-No forgive me..." Makoto said, trying to calm her giggle-fit. "P-Princess..." Makoto said as she got her laughs out. "I don't think it's the best idea to anger someone with a gun." Yusuke said calmly and Makoto's eyes widened. "Don't worry... I won't shoot you..." I started. "Even if you are annoying..." I muttered with a pout. "Not that... THAT." Makoto said as she pointed towards central street. "Walking ATMs?" Ann yelped. "This must be how Kaneshiro views people. His desires are so warped, the distortion affects the whole area." Morgana explained.

"I got a little... distracted... this was the first time I'd been outside at night while in the Metaverse..." Emily explained to Sae, a little embarrassed. "Maybe it was a... spider sense..." Emily joked with a chuckle. "Curiosity struck me... and I gazed up to the stars..."

~{Price}~

Morgana glared back at me. "Hey, Emily! We need to look for the palace!" He called, slightly annoyed. "No, we... very much do not..." I said, almost in awe at the structure I was looking at. Everyone else followed my gaze, spotting a giant flying object in the sky, sucking up infinite amounts of money, like a giant vacuum cleaner. "It's flying?!" Ann asked in surprise. "Now that we know where it is, let's crash the joint!" Ryuji said excitedly. "And how're we gonna do that?" Ann asked sarcastically. "Hey Mona, you can't change into a helicopter or anything?" Ryuji asked curiously. "No, only a car!" Morgana said in a frustrated tone. "I assume you... can't grow wings Ryuji... can you Makoto?" I asked jokingly, but suddenly, a giant ramp extended down to us and a voice sounded over a loudspeaker. "Emily, what a surprise. Got my money already?" Kaneshiro mocked.

We had Morgana drive us to the top, only to see a big name on the building at the top. "Kaneshiro Bank..." I mumbled. "Hey, what'd he tell you to do?" Ryuji asked, fearful of the answer. "I... h-he told me to... w-work a corner..." I said, almost in a whisper, making Ann gasp. "Work a corner? Like a carwash?" Ryuji asked curiously, only for Ann to slap him. "H-Hey! What the hel- oh..." Ryuji responded, seemingly getting the implication only then. I took a deep breath. "Let's head in." I said, determined.

Once we entered, a couple guards accosted us. "State your business." The guards ordered quickly. "We wish to speak with your president." Makoto said from behind me. "Do you have an appointment?" The guards asked. "Our friend wishes to pay her debt." Makoto responded. "Right this way miss." The guards led us through the entrance hall, behind the teller booths and finally to a hallway that led to a reception room with a big TV and mountains of cash on the table. "I know you aren't here to pay." Kaneshiro's voice echoed from the TV after it turned on abruptly, showing him sitting in a big office. "Unlawful entry, disturbing the peace and other annoyances. Now you're up to six million yen!" Kaneshiro said cockily.

"Not even our lovely Emily would be worth that much." He spouted with a proud grin. "I could offer a loan, with a mere ten percent interest a day." He said with a confident laugh. "You've planned this from the start, I'm sure?" Makoto said. "How very astute of you... Makoto Nijima. Young sister of Sae Nijima, the very lovely and talented public prosecutor." Kaneshiro said with a wide grin. "What?!" I yelped after a long silence. "She hadn't told you? How rude, Nijima..." Kaneshiro said with a disapproving tone. "How unfortunate that you've been duped." He continued. "Not surprising though. Young women are so helpless and stupid. It's almost as if they exist to be devoured by the powerful." Kaneshiro said with a loud cackle. "Just you wait, you bastard! We'll steal your treasure and make you eat those words!" Ryuji threatened. "Don't make me laugh." Kaneshiro said as he shut the TV off.

~{Price}~ [END]

~{Last Surprise}~

Suddenly, Kaneshiro's guards burst into the room. It was two big looking demons, one slightly taller. "Skull, watch out!" I shouted, allowing him to just barely avoid an overhead slam from a shadow. "Protect the president, she can't defend herself!" I ordered. "Got you!" Ryuji repositioned in front of Makoto to guard her. "Fox and Panther, focus on defense. Me and Mona will focus on knocking one over!" I ordered, me and Morgana focusing our assault on the larger shadow. I blinded it with blood and Morgana tried knocking it off balance with wind, after knocking the large demon to it's knees. "All out attack everyone! Focus!" I shouted as everyone jumped towards the larger demon, laying into it with everything we had. Once we beat it enough, I fired a shot into it's head, killing it. "That's one! Don't falter now!" I shouted encouragingly. "Skull, distract it with lightning." I said over my shoulder. "Got it. Captain Kidd!" He shouted with excitement as he struck next to the shadow. "Nice shot dumbass!" The shadow taunted. "I know!" Ryuji responded, as I fired into a now unarmored spot on it's neck, killing it.

I took a deep breath. "Let's go, final stretch!" I ordered and we all made our way through the previous hallway, past the tellers and nearly out the entrance hall. "Come on everyone!" I shouted and spread my blood over them, revitalizing them for the last run. Only for shadows to appear in front of us, blocking the door.

~{Last Surprise}~ [END]

"Did you honestly think it'd be that easy to escape?" Kaneshiro mocked as walked up behind us. "Stop this!" Makoto ordered. "Don't worry, I won't kill you, a prosecutor's sister disappearing would be hard to cover up. I'll probably keep your friend alive too, an untouched cutie like her'd give me the big bucks." Kaneshiro mocked. "Just be a good girl and it'll all be over soon." Kaneshiro said.

~{Awakening}~

Suddenly, the room felt hotter, but not like earlier with Ann. This felt warm, controlled, or even subdued. Like the entire room was a nuclear power plant. Makoto suddenly screamed in pain as she grasped her head. The room kept getting hotter and hotter, going from feeling like a sauna, to feeling like being in the blast radius of a bomb. A mask appeared on Makoto's face, she screamed and swiftly tore it off. "Come, Johanna!" Makoto shouted, making a motorcycle appear beneath her. She drove it into one guard and released a giant explosion near Kaneshiro, wiping out his guards as he fled to his office. Makoto rammed the front door of the bank with her Persona, splintering the wood and letting us all run out.

~{Awakening}~ [END]

After leaving the palace, Makoto sat down with us near central street. An awkward silence befell us, as seemingly everyone was thinking of what just happened. "Ok... I'll ask it..." I decided after nearly a minute of silence. "Is your sister really a cop?" I asked. "A public prosecutor." Makoto answered. "Should we be worried?" Ann asked. "I wouldn't be, a normal investigation wouldn't lead them to something like that." Makoto explained. "I'm honored to help you in any way I can." She said with a proud smile. "Hope you don't mind takin' orders, Emily's a friggin' war commander." Ryuji joked. "I don't mind..." Makoto giggled quietly. "Princess..." She joked.

RING RING "Ah, you're back." Sojiro greeted. "Takemi asked for you again. Said she wanted to reward you." He explained. "I've been... helping her... a lot recently..." I replied. "I don't know what "rewarding" is when it's two women, so I'd expect anything." Sojiro smirked.

~{Butterfly Kiss}~

I left LeBlanc and made my way over to the clinic. "Hey, I'm going to take a walk." Morgana said as he hopped out of my bag. I walked into the clinic and placed my hands on the counter. "I'm going to meet someone in the park. Wanna come with?" Takemi asked. "Sure." I said with a wide smile.

"Excellent. Then the rest is up to you." Takemi said to another doctor. "So this is her? The kid from your study?" The other doctor asked. "Yes, my little guinea pig." Takemi joked. "That is slander, I'm much more annoying..." I joked nervously, making Takemi and the other doctor chuckle. The docter parted ways and Takemi turned to me. "That was the doctor treating Miwa. I have to thank you again. All this is thanks to you helping me." Takemi complemented. "I... know I haven't said this, but I'm extremely glad I could help you and Miwa." I said with a smile. Takemi chuckled. "Now the bad news... next month the clinic will be gone." Takemi said calmly. "Wait, why? You've helped so much with the clinic." I asked sadly. "Are you really that upset about it?" Takemi teased with a wink. "I'm kidding. I'm not closing down, you can't get rid of me that easily." Takemi chuckled softly. "I was pretty concerned when you kept coming back with injuries, but I do have a question." She said calmly. "Why did you keep coming to me?" Takemi asked curiously. "I liked seeing you." I replied with a smile. "Really now? Why was that? Don't tell me you're in love with me." Takemi asked teasingly. "Clearly..." I said sarcastiacally. "Don't make me have to let you down gently." Takemi chuckled. "How have I been doing? Have I been helpful?" She asked curiously. "I guess you've helped my injuries quite a lot." I replied. Takemi winked. "For The Phantom Thieves." Takemi said confidently. My eyes widened slightly. "Erm... no officer?" I replied. "Oyamada being arrested right when he did... was pretty convenient for me." Takemi said. "Are... you going to report me?" I asked nervously. "Without you, I never would've finished the new medicine." Takemi said happily. "The Phantom Thieves save people in need, just like doctors." Takemi said with a smile.

I heard the voice from earlier in my head again.
"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 chains of thy heart."
Just like the previous time, the voice disappeared suddenly. I already knew Takemi was happy with my help, but now I saw it in a new light. "I guess you now know why I was injured..." I replied. "I'm pretty impressed with the lie you told, not everyone could've come up with that on the spot." Takemi said. I wanted to tell her the truth, but I thought she'd see it on the news soon. We walked to the clinic and we went our separate ways.

~{Butterfly Kiss}~ [END]

~{Beneath the Mask -rain, instrumental version-}~

I walked home and saw Morgana near the door to LeBlanc. "What are you doing out here?" I asked curiously. "Waiting for you." Morgana replied. "Oh.. sorry..." I replied as I opened my bag, letting him hop in. RING RING "Hey, you got a minute? Somethin' I wanna ask you." Sojiro asked calmly. It was odd, but Sojiro felt strangely unapproachable. "Ok... no problem..." I said nervously. "Hey, how's school? You're not causing trouble, are you?" Sojiro asked. "N-No... sir..." I said nervously. "If you could help around here, it'd be a great help." Sojiro explained. "N-No trouble... sir..." I said nervously. Sojiro looked at me annoyed. "I thought I told you to drop the "sir" crap." Sojiro said. "O-Oh... sorry..." I answered. "Quit the mumblin' too." Sojiro asked calmly as he left the cafe.

I sat in my room, talking with my mom. Updating her on my life, but without the whole I'm a criminal bit. I also thought more about dad as I got ready for bed, calmly clutching my bear.

It was finally the day. "Dad! Dad!" I giggled happily as I jumped on the bed, waking him up. "Hey kid, what's up?" He asked with a chuckle. "Daaaad! It's my birthday!" I said annoyed. "Oh yeah, how old are you again? Twenty, twenty one?" He joked. "Ten dad!" I replied happily, but that was when I got a little nervous. "Hey, is everything alright?" He asked me calmly. "I... have to tell you something..." I started nervously.

My alarm sounded loudly and I spotted a text from Mishima.

MISHIMA: Hey, I saw a newspaper mention that they'll pay anyone who will give them information on The Phantom Thieves.
EMILY: That's bad news...
MISHIMA: I was thinking you could pretend to be an informant. Paint them in a good light, she may even help you find new targets.

I groaned in frustration. That would have been nice to know YESTERDAY!

EMILY: Thanks, I'll check it out.

She was apparently only available at night, so I decided to keep myself busy until then.

~{Beneath the Mask -rain, instrumental version-}~ [END]

EMILY: Is everyone available to enter the palace today?
RYUJI: Ready as ever!
YUSUKE: I have no issues.
MAKOTO: I actually have something at school.
ANN: I have an appointment today as well.
EMILY: No problem, I'm free if anyone else wants to do anything.
YUSUKE: I actually would enjoy your company for the day.

Once I arrived at the underground walkway where Yusuke was waiting, I approached him. "Hello... how has your day been..." I asked as a pretty weak icebreaker, though you could never really be too careful with Yusuke. "I am having a hard time grasping the true beauty of the heart. How does someone begin to understand such a complex matter?" Yusuke asked calmly. "You... could try... Mementos?" I said randomly brainstorming. "I see!" Yusuke shouted, making me jump slightly. "You have such a unique perspective." He complimented.

~{Mementos: Upper Area}~

We stood in Mementos, me aiming my rifle all around, keeping attention for threats. "Could you calm yourself please? I can't focus." Yusuke asked calmly. "Do you... know where we are?" I asked with slight annoyance. "The birthplace of human desires." Yusuke replied before jolting upwards. "Inspiration has struck!" He shouted passionately. "Such brilliant composition. My heart races!" Yusuke shouted once more, attracting the attention of shadows. "I shall cut you down for interrupting my work!" The shadow morphed into a blob of mucus. Yusuke got an angry look of disgust on his face. "The beauty of art shan't be disgraced by your horrid appearance!" Yusuke shouted as he nearly cut the shadow in two, though it ran off before we could finish it. Yusuke took a deep breath. "It seems I've become too passionate. I'm glad you were here. You were like Theo." He praised. "I'm... your brother?" I asked jokingly. "More so my supporter. There aren't many who are willing to deal with my... eccentricity." Yusuke said happily. We left Mementos shortly after and Yusuke said he'd contact me when he finished the painting.

~{Mementos: Upper Area}~ [END]

Night quickly approached and Ryuji took a train with me to Shinjuku. "I'm glad you listened..." I said to Ryuji, happy he changed out of his uniform for this. "Yeah, I'm pretty good at that, you could say, the best." Ryuji joked, making me chuckle. "So, what're we doin' here?" He asked curiously. "Mishima said there was a woman around here writing news stories." I answered. "Uhh... ain't that a bad thing?" Ryuji questioned. "Not if she's writing for us." I said confidently. "Shit, nice dude!" Ryuji praised.

~{Crossroads}~

As me and Ryuji walked through the streets, we finally found the place we were looking for. CROSSROADS. "Looks like a dump." Ryuji commented as we walked in, it was pretty run down, but the bright lights were enough to distract from that. "Are you two old enough to be in here?" An older woman asked us. "Sorry Lala... they're here to see me!" A young woman said, slightly slurring her words. "Just make sure they don't drink." The older woman said.

We met the younger woman in a room at the back of the bar. "So, how do you two know about The Phantom Thieves?" She asked curiously. "Me and lil' sis here are actually helpers!" Ryuji said casually I looked at him curiously, but figured it was a pretty good cover. "Yeah! Big bro is just like... tooootally the smartest!" I said, playing it up. "Oh is he? Well just be sure to help your big sis Ohya some time." Ohya slurred drunkenly. "Calm down lil' sis, you're gonna scare her off!" Ryuji said and gave me a noogie. "Big bro! Come oooon! That's embarrassing!" I said out loud, before whispering. "You watch your butt, I'll get you back." Ryuji quickly let me go after. "That's why it's so fun though!" He said jokingly.

~{Crossroads}~ [END]

After sharing information with her, me and Ryuji left the bar. I rubbed my head. "You didn't have to do it so hard..." I mumbled. "It made our cover pretty good though, huh?" Ryuji said happily as we walked back to the station. "Since when could you come up with stuff like that, Ryuji?" Morgana asked curiously. "I dunno, maybe Emily rubbed off on me!" Ryuji said with a grin.

"You expect me to believe Makoto joined you?" Sae questioned angrily. "Who's Makoto?" I asked back, prompting an annoyed look from Sae. "Stop playing dumb, we both know you're talking about her." Sae asked impatiently. "I have no clue what you're talking about." Emily answered kindly.

Sojiro asked me to work with him, so I put on an apron and walked to the counter with him. "A-Are you... sure about this?" I asked him nervously. "Since you're gonna be working in my store, I'll need to hammer home the basics. You know what it is?" Sojiro asked. "Isn't it... just... making coffee?" I asked slowly. "Yup. Glad you understand that much. I'm real particular about how we make coffee here. When you run a shop, you get all sorts of customers." Sojiro explained calmly. A man walked through the door right after his short lesson. "It's been a while, Sakura. I heard you opened a shop. It wouldn't have hurt to mention it to me though." The man asked, seemingly wanting something. "Your order?" Sojiro asked sternly. "This smell, sure brings back memories. You're still making that curry, huh?" The suspicious man asked. I could tell he was a nuisance to Sojiro, so I decided to get involved. "Your order, sir?" I asked sternly, prompting a look from Sojiro. "I just stopped in to say hi today, but I'll be back." He said with a smirk and left. "I didn't need your help." Sojiro scolded, but just as I was about to apologize. "Thanks, I'm gonna teach you how to make the best coffee around." Sojiro said with a smirk.

I headed upstairs to get to bed. I lied down, grabbed my bear and slept the night away.

Chapter Text

I curled up in a ball, looking up at him fearfully. "You know I love you, right." Dad said calmly, with an undertone of anger. "Y-Yes... I-I do..." I answered, scared. "It's tough love, I only hurt you to teach you a lesson." He said with a frown. "Y-Yes... I know..." I said again. "Don't tell anyone, seriously. I'll get you something for your trouble later." Dad said as he left the room. "I love you." Dad said as he left the room. "Yeah..." I replied sadly.

~{Suspicion}~

I woke up again, ready for the day. We'd find the treasure and take Kaneshiro down. I thought to myself, finding it sort of funny how every criminal eventually gave us a harsh deadline to deal with them by. A few months ago, it was Kamoshida with his expulsion threat. Then it was Madarame, with his legal team. Now, a fat guy sitting on his butt all day... I checked my phone after getting ready.

YUSUKE: Emily, I remember you mentioning that you were praying just before one of our meals together.
EMILY: Yes, that is correct. Do you have any particular reason to bring this up?
YUSUKE: There is a church in Kanda, I thought you might want to know if you were Christian.
EMILY: Thank you very much Yusuke. I've kind of just been using my room as one, I'll visit it sometime soon.

After school, everyone was heading to meet up and at LeBlanc once again. Before anyone else, Makoto arrived in my room. "I was expecting... more color." She said as her eyes examined the room. "It is a storage room..." I replied nervously. "I wasn't expecting you to actually live in a cafe. I thought it was just written like that as a technicality." Makoto said, sitting down shortly after. "Hey... I'm... really sorry... about yesterday..." I said, sitting across from Makoto. "I was... pretty dead set on another criminal... but... I shouldn't have been so... horrible to you..." I said ashamedly. "You can make it up to me by beating Kaneshiro into the dirt." Makoto said, determined.

"Hey, what do we call Ms. President?" Ryuji asked. "Wait, I got it! Shoulder Pads!" He suggested confidently. "I still wonder how you came up with that plan yesterday..." Morgana complained. "Why not ask our leader?" Makoto suggested. "I don't know... Queen? For our president... a... regal name?" I suggested. "She your mom or somethin'?" Ryuji joked. "At least it's better than Shoulder Pads." Ann replied with a chuckle. "Are you attempting to create a hierarchy?" Yusuke joked. "A Queen and a Princess, sounds like quite the fairy tale." Yusuke said with a smile. "I like it." Makoto responded. "Queen it is then!" Morgana confirmed. With that, our newest member was solidified.

~{Suspicion}~[END]

We made our way into the palace again, making it all the way down into the basement. There were many traps we easily made it past, until one thing stumped me. "What kind of criminal... makes their passcode... algebra?!" I mumbled in frustration as I tried to figure out the code, before just giving up. "You do it, Queen..." I said in annoyance. "I'm with you." Ryuji replied. "It's just algebra." Makoto said, questioning both of us. "The creation of Satan..." I said sarcastically. "How is the second smartest here stumped by math?" Makoto asked hypothetically. "You're the... math and plan girl... I'm the battle strategy and infiltration girl..." I said quickly, just as Makoto bypassed the system.

~{Price -another version-}~

There was a number of doors between us and the treasure's likely location. We opened a door to a sort of control room. "This seems important." Yusuke said as he opened a file on the computers. "Childhood, Early Adulthood and Adulthood. What could these mean?" Yusuke asked as he clicked on the Childhood file. The file failed to open and instead put a password on the screen. "Princess, do you have any clue?" Yusuke asked, the password was four letters and case sensitive, it also only gave us three guesses total. "What if they're the passwords to the doors?" Makoto suggested. I sat on a chair nearby and typed RICH into the password box. "PASSWORD REJECTED!" We each grumbled in annoyance, trying to figure out the right password. Eventually, we actually managed to figure out the right one. I typed REAP into the password bar and it opened a video.

"I was only eight, it's kind of funny." Kaneshiro sat in a small room. "The way people grow, it's only a matter of time until they turn sour." A man burst into Kaneshiro's room and pulled him out to the living room. "It was nearly every day. You think that's funny?" Kaneshiro said while the older man forced him to do things against his will. "Well, now I'm the one holding the cards. I'm the one with the power... and I'm not letting it go." Kaneshiro said as the video went black.

After figuring out the next password, GOLD, we opened the Early Adulthood file.

Kaneshiro stood on a corner, skinny and tired. A man passed by him and Kaneshiro handed the man a small wad of cash, with the suspicious man handing him a small bag. Kaneshiro headed towards a low income neighborhood and tied a sort of makeshift tourniquet around his arm. After slowing the blood flow in his arm, he injected a needle. Time passed as he sat on a dirty, germ-ridden couch, looking up at the stars. Deeply sighing as he thought about his life. Kaneshiro suddenly heard footsteps approaching. "Wh-Who's there?!" He shouted loudly, covering his fear with anger. "Hello there. You want some work?" A man in the shadows asked. "That depends. What kind of work?" Kaneshiro asked as the video went black.

We only had one more video left, through the method of elimination, we knew this password without any work needed, RICH.

Kaneshiro sat at his desk, his new suit just tailored and his shoes just cleaned. "I won't be that pathetic little worm any longer. I got money and power. And nothing is gonna take that from me." Kaneshiro said as he counted his money. He got a call on his phone. "Yeah?" Kaneshiro said as he answered it. "Hey, boss, you know that private school, Shujin Academy?" A man asked over the phone. "What of it?" Kaneshiro asked. "Well, that place is pretty expensive now. So, why not check the place out?" The man suggested. Kaneshiro thought for a moment before a wide grin appeared on his face. "Looks like it's open season." Kaneshiro said happily as the screen once again faded to black.

~{Price -another version-}~[END]

"I... feel a little bad for him..." I said shortly after. "Yeah, a little..." Ann quietly responded. "Nevertheless, he's still a criminal." Yusuke replied quickly. "I agree, he's still hurting people." Makoto said, determined. "Yeah, you can feel bad after we kick his ass!" Ryuji said, seemingly hyped up for our victory. I found it strange, I genuinely felt bad for him and hoped that stealing his heart could actually help.

We passed through another area, Makoto accidentally walking over a laser tripwire and getting shot in the thigh. "Argh! More traps..." Makoto growled angrily as she tried to stop the bleeding. "Ngh, I think it hit an artery!" Makoto shouted angrily, putting pressure on her leg, but also trying to stand. "Calm down, Queen... Juliet." I whispered as I sat her down and tore blood from my chest to heal her. "Wait, do you use your own blood for this?" Makoto asked, surprised. "Also... for attacking..." I replied as I filled her wound with my blood, patching it quickly. "Doesn't that hurt?" Makoto asked, concerned. "The wound does... but not the... extraction..." I replied as I covered the hole in her leg with a little more. "Good as new..." I said happily and pulled her to her feet. "What a fitting ability." Makoto said, seemingly unraveling something in her mind. "What... do you mean?" I asked curiously. "Skull's is powerful, loud and brutal, Fox has a beauty and graceful strength to his. And Panther's show's her fiery spirit." Makoto explained. "What's your point?" Morgana asked. "It seems Princess' Persona sacrifices her own wellbeing for that of her friends." Makoto explained calmly. "Oh..." I rubbed my arm. "Not that it's a bad thing, but I'd suggest using less of that ability, you could bleed to death." Makoto explained. "We've... actually already had to... deal with that..." Emily said nervously, chuckling awkwardly. "Well if you can still bring us back from death, I don't mind." Morgana said. "You can do what?!" Makoto yelped.

We arrived at the treasure room and Morgana loudly gasped. "Treasure!" He yelped happily as he lept towards the glowing orb. "That was easy!" Ann shouted happily. "It was..." I replied. "Expect the worst... when we get back, that is..." I said cautiously. "Care to explain?" Yusuke asked. "Well... Kamoshida had an ambush... Madarame trapped his treasure... and... this room looks... small..." I explained, noticing the room was essentially just an entryway to a giant vault. "True, why would the treasure be in front of the vault?" Makoto asked. "Exactly." I replied. "I agree with Princess, we all should expect the worst when we get back here." Makoto explained and everyone agreed.

~{Beneath the Mask -instrumental version-}~

We left the palace for the day, but it was still light out, so we each went our separate ways. While I was walking through Shibuya, I overheard something on a nearby TV. "Vanguard of my Togo Kingdom... go forth to the front lines! Trample upon them all!" A young girl shouted with vigor. She seemed to be playing professional Shogi. "Wow, she's intense." Morgana said, almost proudly. "Yeah..." I replied with a smile. "It's kind of endearing..." I giggled as I continued to watch. "You think to protect yourself with that paltry defense? Hahaha. It's useless!" The girl spoke like a high, almighty queen. I smirked at her roleplaying, hearing a couple boys next to me speak. One wore a tracksuit while the other actually went to Shujin like me, judging by the uniform. "She's so hot, man." The tracksuit boy said. "We gotta find out where she hangs out, we could totally ask her out." The uniformed boy responded. "Ugh, let's leave Morgana..." The boys kind of ruined the show unfortunately. Though, while I continued down the street, I got a text.

AKECHI: Hello, I have spare time today, would you like to meet for some billiards?
EMILY: Yes, of course! But may I ask where this location is?
AKECHI: Kichijoji, don't be late.

I chuckled. "A little... pushy..." I said. "Stay quiet." I told Morgana. "Why?" He responded. "A cop wanting my time? It sounds like a stick up... I need you to listen..." I explained nervously. "Ok! Will do, captain!" Morgana responded jokingly. I entered the train station and waited for the next stop when I felt my phone buzz.

MAKOTO: I couldn't stop thinking about how Emily's Persona feels like a bit of a bad omen.
EMILY: What do you mean by that?
MAKOTO: Well... Juliet did commit suicide at the end of the play.
YUSUKE: Maybe she did it not for love, but for a sense of control, perhaps? That's how I've heard many people interpret it after all.
EMILY: To be completely fair, the real Captain Kidd was publicly executed and put on display as a warning. I don't think we need to worry about the fates of our Persona.
RYUJI: I DID NOT NEED TO KNOW THAT!
EMILY: Carmen would also seduce men to abuse their money or status, only to ultimately leave them. That's nothing like Ann.
ANN: I don't think I needed to know that either...

~{Beneath the Mask -instrumental version-}~[END]

I giggled at my phone while I got off the train and searched for Akechi. "Hello, Emily." Akechi said as I nearly passed him. "Hello, I'm glad you could meet me." I said kindly. "Let's head in." Akechi said, with his seemingly trademarked smile. The place was called Penguin Sniper, an odd name. Perhaps... fitting for Akechi. We hiked up the stairs and stood in front of a cashier, I started digging through my bag. "Oh no, let me. What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn't pay for a lady?" Akechi said kindly. "How chivalrous." I stated with a smile.

~{Kishijoji 199x}~

We stood by the billiards table, I was surprised, I saw myself quite excited for this. Granted, since I enjoyed playing it quite a bit, it wasn't too shocking, but still. "Are you always so busy?" I asked calmly. "It's my policy to spend my time in meaningful ways. Now, let's play a game. You've played before, correct?" Akechi asked curiously. "I'm fairly rusty, but don't go easy on me." I said with a smile. "I would never." Akechi responded quietly as he aimed his shot to break. The game was nine ball, pretty simple, so I wasn't too shocked when Akechi pocketed the nine ball on his break shot. "Oh, my apologies. A break ace." Akechi said with a confident smile. "Good shot, your accuracy is pretty solid." I complimented, half genuine, half brown nosing. "This game won't count, it was just a coincidence." Akechi said calmly. "Don't worry, this is a competition. One to zero." I said with a smile as we racked the balls again.

Akechi tried a risky shot, leaving the ball near the pocket. "Oof... bad move on my part. If you get this next one, I'm in trouble." Akechi said with a step to the side. I shot the ball he missed into the pocket, then quickly pocketed another. "Not bad, everything's riding on this next shot, though." Akechi said with a smirk. I took my stance and shot the nine ball carefully, though it landed just next to the hole. "Dang it..." I said as Akechi took my place and pocketed it. "I win." Akechi said proudly. "That was a close one, though. It would have been embarrassing to lose as your senior." Akechi said with a wide smile as he adjusted his grip on the cue. "You used your right hand?" I asked. "Yes, what about it?" He asked with a slight shift in his demeanor. "You shook my hand with your left." I pointed out. "I told you not to go easy on me." I pretended to be upset by crossing my arms with pout. "I'm honestly impressed you noticed. That's right, this one's my dominant hand." Akechi said while presenting his left hand. "Going all out against a junior just seems a bit gauche." Akechi said, slightly embarrassed. "We're the same age..." I deadpanned. "Ah, but do you fight evil for a living?" Akechi said with a chuckle. "Duh, I took down Capone..." I answered sarcastically. "How impressive, eighty years before your time." Akechi joked back with a quiet chuckle. "But I confess, you've surprised me. Frankly, I didn't expect you to see through it." Akechi said calmly. "Next time, you play me for real. Next time, I beat you too." I said with a cocky smile. "A fine idea." Akechi said with a smile. "If you manage to win against me, then I will face you with everything I have. You have my word." Akechi said in almost a whisper.

~{Kichijoji 199x}~

I arrived at LeBlanc and sat in my room. "I get what you mean, he was definitely suspicious." Morgana said curiously. "He was nice... but he felt too nice." I replied. "We should definitely keep an eye on him looking forward." Morgana agreed confidently.

As I changed and got ready for bed, I thought for a minute. "How do you think Kawakami's doing tonight?" I asked Morgana curiously. "Tired, I'd guess." Morgana quickly replied. I went down to the phone, Sojiro was gone, so I was safe to call Kawakami.

There was a knock on the café door, I headed over to open it. "Hello... Ms. Kawakami..." I let Kawakami into LeBlanc with a smile, though she looked much less... happy. "I thought I told you not to request me again." Kawakami said sternly. "You... said no such thing..." I replied nervously. She stared at me and I smiled. "Uhh... I-I have a surprise for you?" I said, curiously and led her to my room. "A nap..." I said calmly. Kawakami stared at me, almost angry. "Your paying me to sleep?" She asked. "Yes... I am..." I replied, barely finishing before she plopped down onto my bed. Kawakami hardly even lied down before she was already asleep.

Kawakami woke up about half an hour later. "I'm going to be in trouble if I don't get more shifts." She mumbled to herself. "I... can request you more..." I suggested, genuinely concerned for her health. Strangely, just as I said something, Kawakami jumped, as if she forgot she wasn't home. She got a phone call before she could answer me. She stood up and walked to the other end of the room to answer it. After a small pause, I heard an illegible shout from the other end. "What? How much?! I can't..." She said in shock before a short pause. "That's true... Yes, I understand, it's my responsibility after all..." She muttered and headed over to me. "Yeah... I'm a little behind on my sister's medical bills." Kawakami said embarrassed. "Can I... do anything?" I asked nervously. "You're my student, I can't keep relying on you. Ugh... what am I going to do..." Kawakami muttered as she walked down the stairs. I wanted to help her, since pawning stuff from the palaces got me more money than I could ever need.

I fell asleep, clutching my bear as I thought about the past, just like every healthy adult.

I heard mom gasp happily. "You're back, honey!" She ran up to me and hugged me tightly. "W-Where's dad?" I asked fearfully. "Don't be scared sweetie, he'll be back. He said he had some errands to run." Mom explained obliviously.

"What did he do to you, Emily?" The policeman questioned carefully. "Y-You'll catch him... right?" I mumbled fearfully. "Yes, he won't be able to hurt you if you tell us what he did." The officer said kindly. "O-Ok..." I whispered before taking a deep breath.

After clearing things with the officers, he ran up to my room. "I told you, to not tell them anything!" Dad said angrily as he slapped me. "Why did you talk!" He asked furiously. "I-I... didn't know it was you..." I said with tears in my eyes. "Don't bullshit a bullshitter, it's all your fault!" Dad yelled in my face. "Tell your mother we need to leave when she get's home, I'm gonna tell my regulars." Dad said angrily as he slammed the door behind him.

I woke up today with a terrible headache. I decided to push through it as I headed to school. I had Makoto handle the Calling Card placement, since she told me she'd handle it before school. Patiently waiting for classes to end, so I could settle the score.

Once school ended, spoke for a short time to confirm. "Trust me, there's no way he didn't see it." Makoto said confidently and we entered the palace. "I..." I took a deep breath as we walked into the bank once again. "I hope you're right Queen..." I said, hoping that Kaneshiro had seen the card.

~{Blooming Villain}~

We reached the treasure room and saw Kaneshiro standing in it, the treasure from yesterday not here. "I hope you're all ready to work as slaves for the rest of your lives." Kaneshiro shouted gleeful as he started to morph, but not like the other targets, it was like something out of a body horror movie, where he grew wings and his eyes morphed into that of a fly's. "Come get some!" He taunted as he flew up to the vault door and opened it, revealing a giant, metal piggy bank. "A pig?!" Morgana yelped out of surprise. "It ain't a pig, yo! This is my palace's swine-defense mechanoid, Piggytron."

"Piggytron?" Sae asked. Emily sighed, knowing how it sounded. "I assure you... I'm not stupid enough to make that up..." Emily stated with annoyance.

"Queen! You're the fastest here, try and draw it's attack." I ordered quickly. "Got it!" Makoto responded and revved her motorcycle. "Skull! Focus on the eyes, try to short them out! And Fox, try and freeze the ears, those seem like exhaust ports." I said loudly as Ann, Morgana and myself tried breaking the legs to distract it.

Piggytron suddenly morphed into a ball shape. "I'm gonna roll all over ya'!" Kaneshiro taunted loudly. "Everyone! Separate!" I ordered and got ready to dodge the attack. It started rolling towards me, but just then, I got a piercing headache and dropped to the floor. It was about to crush me, but that's when Makoto rode in and pulled me away. She carried me on her motorcycle and dropped me off with everyone else. "Be careful, Princess!" Ann shouted. "Won't happen again!" I answered back.

Makoto continued to pelt it with explosions as I covered it with blood, trying to short out it's power. Each of us taking it's attention by constantly attacking. Ryuji got a good hit on it's eyes, knocking part of the targeting system out. Kaneshiro angrily growled at his robot's constant failing to stop our barrage of attacks. "Stop hurtin' my Piggytron, you damn brats!" Kaneshiro yelled angrily as we slowly took the machine down. Yusuke froze over the exhaust ports, finally causing Piggytron to break down. Kaneshiro finally left the safety of his robot.

"That ain't all I got, ya dig?" Kaneshiro said as he called over guards of his. "You ain't gonna rob me while these two are breathin'!" Kaneshiro spouted confidently as two anthropomorphic flies covered him, a small flying one with a baton and a big grounded one with two riot shields. "Queen!" I shouted. "On it!" Makoto rode Johanna to ram the guards, but the big one formed a large ramp and launched Makoto off. "Dang it, change of plans, keep distance and annoy, just keep them on the offensive." I ordered quickly. "What's wrong, kids? Scared?" Kaneshiro mocked and snapped his fingers, making tons of coins drop from above. "Head's up!" I shouted as gigantic coins fell on our heads. Each member took a lot of hits, knocking them around harshly. "Everyone! Spread out, focus on mobility!" I ordered loudly. "Kill their leader! They ain't shit without her!" Kaneshiro shouted while pointing at me. "Queen! I need some help!" I shouted as I took aim for the airborne fly. "Why not take a cash payment!" Kaneshiro said, dropping coins above me. I was about to dodge them when Makoto grabbed me, pulling me onto Johanna. "Get those girls, that's your payday!" Kaneshiro shouted again to his guards. "Change of plans Queen, no more attacking, we just need to avoid them." I whispered into her ear. "Got it!" Makoto answered, dodging the coins Kaneshiro launched at us. "Don't worry, I got enough to make it rain!" Kaneshiro said cockily. Dropping barrage after barrage on our heads. "You ain't gonna-" He started once more, just as a small coin hit me in the head. "He's out of money to throw around!" I shouted to everyone just as his guards left immediately. "Good job buyin' friends asshole!" Ryuji mocked as Kaneshiro looked around frantically. "Phantom Thieves, with me!" I shouted aggressively as we all rushed Kaneshiro, hitting him with everything we had and quickly knocking him out.

~{Blooming Villain}~[END]

After Kaneshiro transformed back, Piggytron exploded and the treasure fell out, giant golden bars covered in blood. "Sorry... my bad... hehe..." I said, realizing my blood must have seeped through some cracks. "You guys don't have any tact. These palaces could net you loads of cash! You could do whatever you wanted with people's hearts!" Kaneshiro said angrily. "We want to help people..." I said calmly. "But you just want to exploit them!" I shouted angrily at him. "Where do you find meaning in that naïve sense of justice? There's a criminal using other people's Palaces to accomplish whatever he damn well pleases. He doesn't care about the psychotic breakdowns, anything goes." Kaneshiro mocked with a wide smirk. "Is that the same person Madarame spoke of?" Yusuke asked curiously, looking at Ryuji. "Spill it! Who're you talking about?!" Ryuji asked angrily, prompting Kaneshiro to chuckle quietly. "Don't bother, you're nothing compared to him. A chance encounter could prove fatal." Kaneshiro mocked as his shadow disappeared.

"We didn't have much time... we needed to get out quickly." Emily explained. "Who was this "man in the black mask?" Sae questioned seriously. "I... don't know... we never crossed paths... but I will find out..." Emily said seriously.

As we drove out the front door and to the ramp, we came to realize. "Wait, there's no road!" Morgana shouted fearfully as we fell to the ground. Luckily, we survived, since exiting the Metaverse stops your momentum.

~{Life Goes On}~

Ryuji groaned. "I think I cracked my ass..." Ryuji joked. "I broke my everything..." I mumbled as I sat up. "Ann, are you all right? Is yours cracked as well?" Yusuke asked quickly. "Isn't it supposed to be though?" Makoto asked jokingly. "Morgana!" I yelped as I spotted him in the middle of the road. I ran into the street and grabbed him, along with the treasure.

We all went back to LeBlanc to celebrate. But the real life treasure was a code-locked briefcase. After trying the code for the doors from the Palace, we spent a lot of time trying different combinations. "Maybe it's "money" in binary?" Ann suggested. "Screw this..." I said impatiently as I grabbed a knife from downstairs and jammed it in the lock. "What are you doing?" Yusuke asked. "Locksmithing..." I replied as I grabbed my rifle. I grabbed Ryuji's hand and placed it on the knife. "Hold this." I said with a smile. Ryuji casually grabbed the grip of the knife and I bashed it with the rifle's butt, forcing the lock open. "Holy shit, dude!" Ryuji shouted, surprised. After finally opening the crate, we saw the money was stained with blood. "How poetic..." I said with a deep sigh. "Seems we literally stole blood money." Yusuke replied with a chuckle.

~{Life Goes On}~[END]

"After realizing the money was fake... we eventually just sold the case..." Emily explained calmly. "It kind of sucked though... it would've been... a couple million each..." She said, slightly annoyed. "So you've used the money you stole?" Sae questioned. "Mostly for gear... guns... armor..." Emily replied.

Morgana hopped up to bed with me. "That Kaneshiro was truly an evil stain on society. Still, there were people around them who noticed their terrible deeds, why would they just turn a blind eye?" Morgana asked curiously. "They're probably too scared..." I said sadly. "So it's because they don't have the courage? Humans are so weak." Morgana said out of annoyance. That struck a nerve in me. "What do you know about humans?" I asked angrily. "I guess... not much..." Morgana replied sadly as he lied at the corner of the bed.

I turned away and grabbed my bear, ready to sleep.

"Our master wishes to speak with you, inmate!" Caroline shouted loudly. I walked to the door of my cell. "You've defeated the repulsive fiend of gluttony this time. Well done." Igor praised with a chuckle. "Do you recall the whispers about that strange man?" Igor asked. "The... one in the black mask?" I asked curiously. "This man visited your shadow and harmed it. Not enough to kill you. But no matter, it nearly lead to that, did it not?" Igor said calmly. "So... he was the cause of those... headaches?" I asked. "I suggest you deal with this mystery man, or your shadow... before one does so to you." Igor said confidently as he snapped his fingers.

I woke up and saw a text on my phone.

KANESHIRO: I'm calling off the debt, I hope you didn't do anything to pay it off.
EMILY: Expect to see me soon, I'll be visiting.

I looked around for Morgana, but he wasn't here, I got worried because of what I said last night. I decided to keep an eye out at school and look for him after school, but for now, I had to tell the group the good news.

EMILY: Kaneshiro called off my debt just now.
RYUJI: Hell yeah!
ANN: We have to celebrate!
YUSUKE: I agree with Ann.

I walked downstairs and Sojiro had made food for me, so I decided to eat before the bus to school. RING RING. "Hello there." I turned my head to the voice, it was Akechi. "I'll take a blend please." Akechi asked calmly as he sat, investigating a chess board. "Would you like a game, Emily?" He asked curiously. "I have school." I answered calmly. "Oh please, if I have time for a game, I'm sure you do." Akechi said with a smile. I agreed after finishing my breakfast. Akechi set up the board and and timer, setting it for two and a half minutes each as Sojiro brought his coffee.

"If it doesn't sound intrusive, could I ask why you're so invested in The Phantom Thieves? It seems like you don't even view them as unjust." I asked curiously. "Their results aren't problematic, their methods are. I'm gathering intelligence about them and before long, I will reveal them." Akechi said calmly as he moved his piece. "Ever heard of the king out of the castle?" I asked curiously. Akechi shook his head, his expression turning to that of confusion as I sent my king ahead of all my pieces. "An... odd strategy for sure." Akechi chuckled after I clicked the timer. After some time of baiting aggressive plays, I eventually forced Akechi into an awkward position where he had minimal pieces and a low amount of time. Sojiro chuckled. "Well, well... you're in trouble." Sojiro said to Akechi. Akechi meanwhile, focused on his pieces while his timer had only nineteen seconds left. "I fear I've realized your plan too little too late." Akechi said with a smile. I smiled back at him, knowing that nobody expects you to beat them from a time out. Akechi's timer hit zero and he reached out to shake my hand. "How devious of you. Winner by time out." Akechi smiled kindly at me. "Take your opportunity when you get it. Fight as Athena, not Ares." I said with a smile as I grabbed my bag and left LeBlanc.

On my walk to school, I saw a familiar black cat. "Morgana! I'm soo sorry!" I yelped, making him jump into the air. "Woah! Why are you so loud?!" Morgana said in frustration. "And why should I believe that you are?" He said annoyed. "Well... you shouldn't... but I was out of line... could I explain at LeBlanc tonight?" I asked apologetically. Morgana seemed strangely unbothered. "With some fatty tuna!" Morgana said with a smirk.

After a long day at school, I arrived back home, or at least nearly back. "Why don't you join me for the evening?" Akechi asked kindly. "Just let me get changed, ok?" I said back, intending to speak with Morgana before Akechi, but Morgana wasn't here yet, so I got dressed and left LeBlanc.

We sat outside of a dessert café under an overhang. "The cake here's fairly popular. I've been wanting to try it for myself." Akechi said. "Are all detectives fans of sweets?" I joked casually. "Well, I don't hate sweets, but I'm not exactly partial to them. So I'm more curious about it's popularity than it's taste." Akechi answered calmly. "Hey look! Isn't that him?" We heard a couple of girls gossiping nearby. "He's with a girl though, are you sure we should be bothering him?" She said quietly. "We should go." Akechi said in annoyance. I smirked as I took off my sweater and glasses. "Hey what are you-!" Akechi asked, just before being cut off.

I sat back down, Akechi sitting in thick glasses and a baby blue sweater, with his hair pulled into pigtails. "Quite the handsome devil." I said with a giggle. The girls around us soon dispersed, thinking they just missed Akechi. He took the sweater and glasses off, reorienting himself as he fixed his hair. "A very strong prescription." Akechi said with a chuckle, blinking quickly as he handed my glasses back. "I can't believe you actually did that. I suppose I'd better watch what I say around you." He said. "I'd say it was an upgrade." I joked in response. "Is that so? Well, there's no knowing things unless you give them a try." Akechi answered as he fixed his hair. I gasped. "Now we just need you in a dress!" I said with a smile. "Over my dead body." Akechi said, chuckling back.

~{Sunset Bridge}~

After some discussion, I headed back to LeBlanc and up to my room, spotting the one and only familiar cat. "Hey Morgana... I'm sorry for what I said yesterday..." I said as I placed a bowl of tuna on the floor. "Apology accepted!" Morgana said happily as he started eating. "No... what I said was... terrible... I used your insecurities against you..." I said ashamedly. "I didn't mean it... but I still shouldn't have said it..." I explained nervously. Morgana had stopped eating and started focusing on what I was saying. "I... was very angry when you said humans were weak... well... because we are... I was never strong enough to stand up to my father... I'm not even strong enough to heal myself..." I said sadly. "Hey, you lead our team to victory again and again, I think you could become a better leader than me!" Morgana said happily. "You know, with enough time." He finished with a smirk. "I... thank you, Morgana..." I smiled as he ate the tuna, thinking how funny it was that he didn't really seem like he was actually upset from that. More like it was a way to scam a can of tuna from me. "What if... you aren't human?" I asked, more so brainstorming than anything. "Actually... about that." Morgana said sadly. "When I touched the treasure in Kaneshiro's palace... I got some memories back... I may not be human after all." Morgana said doubtfully. "Maybe... you don't need to be human?" I replied nervously. "Humans suck..." I chuckled. "Assuming you're actually a talking cat... I think that's pretty cool..." I said as I smiled at him. Morgana averted his eyes, trying to keep a little of his tough guy persona intact. "Maybe, I guess talking animals are kind of cool." Morgana replied as he lied at the foot of my bed.

~{Sunset Bridge}~[END]

I lied down and grabbed my bear. "You mind if I replace that bear for the night?" Morgana asked with a cocky grin. "It'll be a cold day in hell, big guy." I said as both of us fell asleep with wide smiles.