Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

If Ann were honest. She hated the hospital, though who would disagree? From the smell to the eternal white walls, and the scrambling nurses. It is a melting pot of sadness and unfamiliarity.

But Ann will do anything for Shiho, especially after she had failed her. Thinking of how scared she was, and the crippling pain without a way of being able to say anything. Ann vows to become stronger for the both of them.

This relentless anger will finally hit its climax once she makes Kamoshida pay. The perverted bastard will grovel on the ground begging for mercy that he never gave others. Even if it's tiring, she will not stop, and with Makoto, Ryuji, and Morgana by her side they'll make the bastard pay.

With her pacing, she noticed she finally arrived in the correct wing and went up to the front desk.

She tried her best for a kind smile, but it's wary, and tired. "Excuse me, I was wondering if I can visit Suzui Shiho?"

The lady at desk nodded before looking down at the computer. Once she's finished she looks back up at Ann, "she's in room 304 down the hall. She's currently being assessed by a nurse so just wait outside until she comes out."

Ann nods and says her thanks before going down the hall. Right at room 304 she stands diligently in front as she tries to pass the time. She contemplates going on her phone when her eyes wander to a neighbouring room. The door was strangely ajar, considering most wanted their privacy. The room looked like any other in this hall. She assumes patients that will be staying long are put in these single rooms, like Shiho.

All she can make out is the lone arm of a person on the bed. In front of them, blocking most of the view was a brunet haired boy. He wore a dress shirt and had a weird briefcase by his side. If Ann was honest, the boy had a weird concoction of an appearance. It was a mix between of a businessman, a grandpa, and a pampered boy.

Ann sniffled a laugh before turning her gaze away. She didn't want to get the boy's attention… that was a conversation she was not looking forward too. Though she can't help but get the feeling she's seen him somewhere, it's a shame she couldn't see his face. 

Ann sighs thinking back to Shiho who she would laugh and gossip to. She abruptly shakes her aggressively, earning some stares by the passing people. She then pats herself on the cheeks as if to wake her up.

She needed to stop thinking so pessimistically, Shiho will love to hear about the strange boy, and even help brainstorm who he is. 

She nods in mock confidence as the nurse leaves the room and spots Ann right in front. She tries to seem not impatient, but she couldn't help it.

The nurse looked a little worn, it seems it wasn't good news. "Are you here to visit the patient in 304? Well... I'll be blunt, she's gotten worse. She's fallen into a coma and it's unknown when she'll wake up. Besides that, her body is healing slowly. You can stay for the rest of the visiting hours; any conversation may help to bring her out."

Ann swallows the sick feeling in her throat and nods as the nurse leaves. She's takes a deep breathe, she's almost scared at what she'll see. As she cautiously enters the room, she hears the running machines before she sees Shiho. The beeping signifying the fact Shiho is still alive. She almost wants to cry, seeing her strong friend covered in wires and breathing by the tube, it makes the rage burn brighter.

She walks forward and adjusts the chair before sitting down. Almost as if she would disappear before her, Ann puts her hands over Shiho's colder ones.

Ann laughs wearily, "I tried not to cry, but I can't help it when it's you Shiho," she wipes the rising tears.

As she stares to her friend's closed, rested eyes, she becomes choked up. She tightens her grip, "you fool. I'm sorry for not noticing before. But I'm here now Shiho."

She shakes her tears away again and tries to smile… she has to fill her in on everything. 

"You won't believe who I saw... I didn't know it was possible for boy our age to look like a modern grandfather. I wouldn't be surprised if I saw him in argyle, considering he's a gramps!-"

Chapter Text

Ann felt empty. Sure she had seen Kamoshida grovel on the ground begging for an undeserving death.  At the moment it was satisfying, to see him weep and admit his wrongdoings.  But now... what did it mean?

It didn't change the fact Shiho was struggling to walk when before she had leapt and ran.  Her innocence and smile dragged to the mud with his filth.  Her voice cut and smothered into the depths as he took her confidence. 

Even if Kamoshida goes to jail, some part of her is numb - angry more isn't done.  Everything he had taken from Shiho and many others should be placed onto him for the rest of his pathetic life. 

But in the end, he will rot in jail.  As Ann helps her dear friend take her first steps again.  She just hopes that this was enough of revenge for Shiho.

Soon that numbing feeling dissipates a little as Shiho looks to her as she holds the two poles for dear life. Ann can tell each step is agonizing, but Shiho tries, if not for herself, she does for Ann. 

"You're doing great Shiho!  This is a lot farther than before!" she reaches to Shiho as she sees the sweat run down her face. 

She stops, her face falls a little when she realizes what Shiho is trying to do.  Like before, she wants to prove something.  Before she believed volleyball was all she had... now, being normal is all she wants.  It hurts Ann to see her friend so stubborn, and it's clear the nurse is concerned too. 

"Miss Suzui, please take a rest. Overworking yourself may prove to harm your progress.  Please rest and then we will stretch."

Shiho's eyebrows were furrowed, but she eventually gave in and moved back in her wheelchair.  The nurse leaves them to rest as the two friends say in silence. 

Ann turns to Shiho with false positivity, "how is it here?  Must be nice not having to worry about exams.  I know Ryuji totally failed it!"

Shiho has a dead look in her eyes that rarely glows.  It takes Ann aback to before her fall --something she could have prevented.

"Oh... it's alright," Shiho murmurs back, "they try to put people like me together to talk."

There's silence before Shiho quietly murmurs as she clenches her hospital clothes, "Ann be honest.  Will I ever get better?"

She stares at Ann very intently to which Ann replies, "of course Shiho.  All the progress today proves you will get better.  We will be buying crepes together in no time!"

The grip is lessened as Shiho turns to the other patients in the room, Ann’s eyes following hers.  They both land on a black-haired boy Ann had not seen yet.  He too was struggling on the walking beams, though he looked to doing better than Shiho.   When she turns her gaze back, Shiho has a faraway look in her eyes. 

"What if I don't fully recover?" she says, "what if the pain continues.  What if I can walk but unable to run.  What if after this I'll never be normal."

Ann is speechless, she wants to say positive words, but Shiho speaks some truths of a possible reality.  There is always the possibility, and as confident as she is that Shiho will walk.  What if it wasn't pain free or limited?  If that was the case the sport she had adored are nothing but a dream. 

"The black-haired boy, he was in a similar case as me.  During group, he told us he's been here since he was 14," Shiho turns to Ann with scared eyes.  "He's the same age as us Ann.  2 years stuck in here, because his condition is unstable.  He hasn't seen past the fenced wall in years.

What if that's me?  I don't want to be tempted with lies.  If I had to remain here in these white wall Ann.  I don't know what I would do..."

Ann grabs Shiho and punches her in the shoulder.  Before Shiho could even react, Ann is holding her tight, afraid she'd slip away.  Tears streamed down her cheeks, "please Shiho.  I know it's scary to fear for the worse.  But please have hope!  You're the strongest person I know! I would never have been able to cope with everything- Just because things aren't progressing as fast, doesn't mean you'll stay like this forever.  Some of us are just slower than others, you of all people should know that, considering who is your best friend."

She backed away, before giving a little chuckle at Ann's joke.  It almost feels normal again as Ann wipes her tears away.  Shiho rests by her shoulder, she seems to consider her words carefully. 

"Maybe you're right Ann.  I'll keep trying for you.  So, you owe me all the crepes!"

Ann nods happily as they look off at the raven-haired boy Shiho had mentioned.  He almost made it to the end and looked to be contemplating doing another exercise. 

Shiho hums, "his family name is Kurusu.  That's all I know.  From the rumours they say his case is one of the oddest they ever had, since they don't know anything about it, they don't want to risk Kurusu's health."

"Must be lonely..."

"From our session, he seems like a nice guy," Shiho remarks, "a lot more positive than I would be.  I'd think you'd like him.  He says he has a friend that visits a lot, just like I have you. Oh- speak of the devil."

Ann looks to see the grandpa brunet from before and immediately goes on red alert, smacking Shiho with unnecessary urgency.

"That's him!  The geezer guy!  And oh my god he's wearing argyle!" as Ann rambles on, the brunet finally turns face forward to Ann as he talks to Kurusu.  He looked a little ticked, probably scolding the raven.  Though she imagined he probably has permanent fake smile plastered most times.

Ann rubs her chin, "there is something so familiar about him... I can't put my finger on it..."

Interrupting her thoughts, Shiho laughs, throwing Ann completely out of the loop.  Shiho almost has tears in her eyes, and Ann is almost secretly glad she's making a fool of herself.

"I can't believe it!  You called Akechi Goro an old man!  The elderly detective prince! Careful Ann, you're riling up the wrong fans," Shiho huffs out.

Now Ann isn't known for her quick thinking, but she will not lie when she says that Shiho's comment took longer to process than usual before she exploded. 

"Huh?!" Ann whisper shouts, "that's the detective prince?"

Ann began to scrutinize the brunet and suddenly everything was clicking in.  The Detective Prince did have a 'unique' sense of style.  The briefcase Ann probably saw before was probably that iconic one with his initial.  Once it came crashing down, Ann groans in her hands as she hears Shiho laugh. 

Peaking through her hands, she sees Shiho's face in pure joy, something that had been lost for so long.  Ann smiles to herself -- perhaps making a fool of herself was worth it.

She pops back up with rejuvenated energy before pointing to the laughing Shiho, "you can't blame me!  I didn't see his face clearly at all.  I mean who knew the Detective Prince would have such an… uh…old style choice?"

Shiho's laughter begins to dissipate as she wipes the tears.  She has a soft look on her face as she turns to Ann again, "I haven't laughed like that in so long... It's nice for things to be like they used to, even for a little bit.  Thank you, Ann."

Just as Ann opens her mouths to reassure Shiho there was a loud scream.  Of course it brought everyone's attention as they turn to the noise.  The boy, Kurusu had collapsed and was being held in a very awkward position by Akechi.  From here, Ann could hear the distress cries and orders for a bed.  The nurse in charge of Kurusu managed to help Akechi as they reached for their walkie-talkie, asking for help.

Ann contemplates on helping, but thinks better of it when she sees a nurse bringing a bed in.  Shiho and Ann just watch as the three of them carry the unconscious boy on the bed.  Akechi was careful and reached for the fluids attached by the IV -- Ann didn't notice that before -- to the metal stand.  With everything on the bed, the boy was rolled off into one of the many corridors. 

After moments of silence, the room returned to normal with doctors and nurses assuring their patients.  Though the somber mood had soured her and Shiho's chance of normalcy.

Shiho was concerned, it was clear she was worried over the boy she briefly met.  "I hope he's alright," she mumbled, staring in her lap. 

Ann reaches for her hands and squeezes it tight, "I'm sure he'll be fine.  They helped him pretty quickly."

With the conversation ended, they waited until Shiho's nurse returned.  The lady seemed a little panic at the turn of events but of course tried her best to seem calm. 

"Miss Suzui?  Sorry for the delay, let's begin your stretches."

Shiho nods to the woman who goes to grab the back of the wheelchair.  Before they are moving, Shiho turns to Ann. 

"You don't have to be here for the stretches, how about you get us a snack?" Shiho suggests.  Ann wants to retort, but even she has no real reason to stay, and sighs.

Ann nods, "alrighty then, I'll see you in your room."

What that said they head their separate ways, leaving Ann to the endless white halls. 

Even though she has been here for a long time, the turns all look the same.  Eventually she crossed the rooms by accident and notices Akechi looking sombrely at the door.  With the way he's clutching his briefcase, Ann wonders if he's contemplating murder.  Who was Kurusu to make Akechi so stricken? 

It makes her wonder if Akechi feels the same about Kurusu to how Ann feels about Shiho -- the feeling of the whole world dangling on a thread. 

The brunet is taken away from his anger though when he notices Ann.  She tries to avert her eyes but the boy turns with a hand in the air, and a fake smile plastered.  Ann groans, she shouldn't have been lost in thought. 

"Oh hello!" Akechi smiles, the crows feet by his eyes tenser than usual, "are you a fan?  Normally I don't indulge in this during private occasions, but you have been staring a lot."

Ann immediately pulls up her acting as she can feel the nervousness rise up.  Should've known the detective would've noticed her staring those occasions before.  Seems her luck had ran out today and he decided to confront her.

"Oh... Uh.. I'm not a fan..." Ann croaks out, she wants to facepalm, maybe Ryuji was right her acting sucks.

Akechi smile faded a bit and his tone changes a tad as if going for the kill, "oh?  Then how can I help you with?  You do know it isn't polite to stare."

Ann is scrambling, she doesn't know what to say.  She obviously cannot just ask what's his relationship with Kurusu is, that would be uncalled for.  Neither could she ask why he was so angry, or hell why does he care so much?  There was literally nothing Akechi could do to help, and now she was put in a metaphorical corner.

"I- uh..."

Akechi smiles, but it looks too cruel to be sincere, "it's okay.  Speak up, I want to hear you."

It's clear Akechi is picking a target for his rage, and Ann cannot escape without looking like a fool.  Normally she isn't offended, but considering Akechi is famous and how Shiho is friendly with Kurusu, she cannot screw this up. 

Ann gulps, looking up and down at Akechi's lacklustre clothing.  Before she can stop, she vomits her thoughts out as they enter, "you have a horrible sense of style.  You look an old man with your clothing.  Are you trying to impress someone by looking 'grown up'?"

Suddenly the room is silent, she turns her head to see she had blurted that out rather loudly, so the whole room was silent.  Akechi looks stricken, he clearly wasn't expecting that response. 

Ann quickly says her goodbyes and heads to the main floor with that same speed as she was escaping a collapsing palace.  She prays to whichever god that everyone forgets that embarrassing declaration and hope Akechi forgets her face.  She shakes her head in grief, who knew she'd fall to Ryuji's level of idiocy. 

As she reaches the snack bar, she sadly takes as many as she can to try to forget everything.  Just as she goes to the cashier, her phone pings. 

Ryuji: yo, are we going to the Palace tomorrow?  We are about half was there, best to get it done fast.

Makoto: if everyone is free, I think it's best we should.

Yusuke: I am free, though I need money for the fare... And food.

Makoto: ...Alright, I'll bring some snacks.

Ann begins to type back while trying to hold up the snacks.

Ann: I'm all good to go for tomorrow.  Let's kick Madarame's butt and save Yusuke! I also totally need to distract myself by beating up shadows.

Makoto: is something wrong with Shiho?

Ann: no no!  Shiho is fine.  Just well... Nvm it's not important.  Let's just focus on saving Yusuke!!

There is only one person Ann would ever tell this to and it's definitely not Makoto.  Besides, it’s not like they really care or know who Akechi is.  Her tragic encounter with Akechi will stay buried.  Perhaps she can also beg to Shiho to make sure if she ever visits Kurusu, Akechi won't see her....

With her snacks checked out and bagged, one final ping hits her phone, before she ventures to Shiho's room.

Yusuke: thank you everyone.  Let us end this.

Chapter Text

Ann supposes with every good thing, comes the bad.  They managed to expose Madarame and helped more people gain their voice.  In turn, for their increased popularity they gained the attention of Akechi Goro, the TV's Detective Prince.  Though Ann agrees with some of his logical points, his active negative views could pose a problem, especially since he asked for Ann's ID.

Of course Ryuji instantly hated him, it didn't take much past the idea of the Phantom Thieves being criminals.  While Makoto had some kind of grudge against Akechi.  When the two of them had told Makoto of what happened, she had that look... the one before she murdered shadows....

To make matters worse when Akechi had met her again alone at the TV station, her faint hope crashed.  She had thought she was in the clear when Akechi had cheerfully introduced himself in the hallway at the TV station.  But when he offered his hand, Akechi purposely tightened his grip when Ann had returned the greeting... he definitely did not like Ann..

And now with Akechi sticking his nose into Phantom Thieves business, Ann has to inform any information she has on him, including the embarrassing encounter.  

Which is what lead to their meeting in the walkway...

Ryuji laughs loudly, earning some glares from the team and the surrounding people.  

"Haha!  You really showed that Akechi guy!  Man I didn't know you had it in you!" Ryuji has a shit eating grin, that Ann has no other response besides sighing deeply.  

Yusuke nods, with his hand posed in a frame looking off into the distance, "that's a very interesting observation Ann.  He does indeed wear clothes typical of older men, especially business men.  Though the thought of him wearing such to impress others, is a ploy I had never thought of..."

Makoto just shakes her head, "well this isn't the best case scenario.  With his hostility already on you and your advocation of the Thieves.  It's almost certain he'll be keeping an eye on you for suspicion.  Not only that but the rumours from the Kamoshida case will most certainly aid in his case.  Everything is piled against us.."

Mona pops out from the bag, "Queen!  I'm sure Lady Ann didn't mean it!  Besides he would've had a lot of suspicion already with Yusuke in our time.  I mean we aren't the most subtle group!"

Ann pats Morgana, earning a meow in delight.  "I appreciate you trying to defend me," she says crossing her arms, "but that doesn't really matter right now does it."

Makoto nods as she places her hand on her chin in thought, "with the pressing issues of the Mafia blackmailing students, the issue with Akechi will be pushed to a later date.  Though I would ask Ann if she can possible scout for information when she visits Shiho.  Considering she's our only viable connection to Akechi, even if there is negative tension..."

"Huh!?  You want me to try getting information out of Akechi?  The guy already hates me!  How about you Makoto, you said you have a uni prep with him!?"

Makoto shakes her head, "it be too suspicious if I start interrogating him, when I barely talk with him.  With Shiho being friends with a friend's of Akechi, you can easily come into communication with him.  He also know you're a fan of the Phantom thieves so his thoughts regarding us should come out eventually."

Ann wants to retort, but Makoto explanation is as sound as ever.  Ryuji nods, "that makes sense.  Good luck to you Ann.. make sure to throw in another insult for me!"

Makoto gives him a look to which gets  Ryuji steps back as she scolds him.  Yusuke is brought out of his ponder and looks to Ann, "Makoto's reason does make the most sense."

"Meow!  You'll do great Lady Ann!  Just think it being for the benefit of the team!"

Ann signs again, she seems to be backed up in a corner, "alright.." she answers reluctantly.  

Makoto claps her hands, bringing an end to the conversation about Akechi.  "Now let's talk about the blackmail that's been happening..  I've gotten the name Kaneshiro Junya..."

~~~

Ann was so tired.  With them closing in on the Kaneshiro case, all she wanted to do was see Shiho and laugh about some stupid stuff.  As amazing as it was to see Makoto riled up, doing palace runs just back to back was exhausting. Thankfully Makoto had heard their plea, and today was a break as she and Yusuke went venturing for inspiration.  Ann is just glad the inspiration isn't her anymore.

She walks carelessly to the front desk, meeting the same woman from before, although they alternate, Ann always meets them again eventually.  The lady seems to recognize her and immediately begins to talk.

"Oh Takamaki-chan.  Suzui-chan is just with the doctor, she should be done soon.  You can wait outside her room if you'd like.  It's shouldn't take too long."

Ann gives her thanks and heads to the familiar hallway.  She pulls out her phone and begins to play with it.  In her absent thoughts she comes with a revelation.  There's a chance - a high chance- that she will encounter Akechi again and she is so not ready to talk to him, let alone interrogate him.  She sighs deeply, trying to go through different scenarios to get clues from Akechi.  Though in conclusion, she ends up drawing nothing.  

Leading to her walking right into Akechi as she passes the corner.  She nearly body checked him, before being able to stop.  Though her way of stopping her fall clearly brought Akechi's attention to her.  

The brunet tucked the phone in his pocket and gave a strained smile.  Ann quickly followed suit and shoved her phone in her pocket with little care.

"Oh.... it's you," he stops a bit and gives her a look, "are you here to tell me how the Phantom Thieves are just or insult my attire again?"

Ann stumbles on her words, unable to come up with a reply.  She twirls her hair in distress, "uh.. look Akechi-san... I think we maybe got off on the wrong foot..."

The conversation is interrupted by the clacking of wooden crutches smacking the floor.  They both turned to see Kurusu hobbling his way over, with the previous IV missing from his arm.  Ann could see the light gleaming on his sweat, indicating the difficulty in the task.  

Akechi seems prepared for Kurusu and pushes the wheelchair Ann hadn't seen to Kurusu.  The black haired boy, simply heaved a sigh and accepted the offer.  He was assured down with Akechi who then expertly maneuvered the crutches to the back of the wheelchair.  

It was then that Kurusu noticed Ann staring and rolled over before Akechi could reprimand him. 

Ann debates if she should run now, and pretend she hadn't seen him.  But before a decision is made, Kurusu is before her with a displeased Akechi.  

"Oh who's this?  Are you friend's of Goro?" he asked which got Ann to look sheepishly while Akechi's glare grew hotter.  

Kurusu started to study her intently.  Ann was going to stop him until he slapped his hand to his pants in revelation.

Kurusu has a cheshire cat grin as he says the next few words, "blonde pigtails, blue eye.  I know you!  You're the one who insulted Goro!"

That got Ann to deflate and surprisingly, Akechi to groan.  Kurusu continues his cheeky comments, clearly taking pleasure in both of their reactions.  "I never knew someone could bluntly insult Goro's clothes.  I'm kinda glad there's someone so honest in a world of fakes.  I mean the best part was how much he complained to me!"

Kurusu laughs happily with Akechi continuing to want to seep into ground.  Kurusu hunches forward on Ann's surprised face and has a sweet smile that makes her heart melt.  

"I'm sure you and Goro will be good friends.  Even if you guys can't see it now.  I was wondering if we could too?  It's nice to have more friends.."

Ann sighs, and gives a smile back.  Maybe Shiho was right, Kurusu was very likeable, though she did not agree Akechi and her would ever get along.  Even if she was willing, it seems Akechi would never move on.  "I'd love too.  I'm sure you know my best friend Shiho?  I'm the Takamaki Ann she probably talks about a lot"

Kurusu nods happily, "ah! That's why Goro says he sees you here all the time.  Yes, Suzui-chan does talk about you a lot!.  She is a great friend, and I can see why you two are so close.  I hope I haven't worried her... I've been... inactive for awhile now and I've just come back...." With his trailing thoughts, Kurusu tone took a nosedive and the atmosphere grew depressing.  Even Akechi who had been silently cringing, was now actively reach out a hand to Kurusu who reached back.  They gave each other a look, though Ann couldn't see Akechi's face, the sad smile on Kurusu's face broke her heart.

Ann decided to not press on Kurusu's current health, and decided to reassure him.  "It's alright Kurusu-kun, I'm sure Shiho will be delighted to hear you're here now." Upon saying that, Ann realized Kurusu hadn't formally introduced himself.. making it even more awkward into how she knows his family name.

Kurusu didn't seem to mind or really care and turned his attention back to her.  "I'll make sure to speak to her as soon as possible.  Though on the other hand, I don't think I've properly introduced myself, it's Kurusu Akira.  Call me Akira, and make sure to tell Suzui-chan as well."

Akira then gestures to Akechi, "I'm sure you know but just in case.  This big lug is Akechi Goro, he's my servant."

There was ding that went off, causing Ann to freeze.  If it was she thinks it is.... Ann begins to panic, wondering if the other two heard her phone, but when she looked again, the two seemed to be continuing as normal with Akechi about reply to Akira's statement.

He scoffs, "servant?  More like a slave, at least servants get paid.  All I get is you disobeying the nurses and sneaking off to walk on your crutches, which gives me a headache."

Akira laughs, "so you do care!"

Ann lets out a sigh, she could feel her heart trying to slow down.  It would've have been extremely bad if the Phantom Thieves number one enemy started to question what the Metaverse is.

"I-I'll make sure to tell Shiho, though I'm sure she'd want you to return the favour.  You can also call me Ann, Takamaki makes me feel old!"

Akira looks back and nods, "alright Ann.  Goro and I need to head off right now, it was nice to know who was the face of Goro's greatest enemy, excluding the Phantom Thieves.  Tell Su- I mean Shiho-chan my greetings as well!"

Akechi starts to push Akira as he waves at Ann who replied back with her own wave.  She made sure to watch them fade into the distance before rushing off to a random empty corner of the hallway.  

She brought out her phone urgently, almost dropping it in the process.  Once she opened the phone it begins to speak the words Ann hadn't expected it to.  

"Candidate found"

Akechi Goro.  Ann didn't know what to think..  Sure Akechi was against the Phantom Thieves, but his words seemed reasonable that even Ann believed them.  It only caused confusion to see such righteous words contradicted with the fact Akechi had a distorted view upon life.  

Obviously Ann did the next reasonable thing and called Ryuji.  Ann hadn't wanted to call Ryuji, but she knew the other two were busy and so Ryuji was the only logical person to complain to.  

"Heyo!"

"Ryuji?  It's Ann, I got some 'important' news." Ann didn't want to risk saying the 'Phantom Thieves' out loud least someone listen in on them.  She hopes Ryuji gets the message.

"What- oh!!  Okay tell me!!"

Ann takes a deep breath before, speaking, "I think Akechi has a Palace."

She begins to pace as Ryuji then yells out, she has to bring the phone away from here ear least she goes deaf.

"I knew it!"

Ann sighs, she's beginning to regret calling Ryuji and he continues to yell.  

"Only a jackass like him can have a palace!  We have to find out his code words!!"

As Ann was walking with her phone a few centimeters away from her ear, she accidentally bumped into an older man.  

Ann quickly straightens her self out before apologizing, "I'm so sorry!"

The old man is hunched over and is wearing some very tacky clothing.  He has a reassuring look on his face as he brings his hands up in assurance.  "No problem kiddo, just make sure you watch next time."

As the man walks away Ann makes sure she bows in apology before bringing the phone back in her ear. 

"Ann?"

"Just cause we found out Akechi has a Palace doesn't mean we are going to focus on him right now.  We still have Kaneshiro to deal with right now."

Ryuji sigh, his next words lose their intensity, blessing Ann's ears, "alright.  I'll let the rest know later.  You go hang out with Shiho."

Ann says her goodbyes before rubbing her head.  She's beginning to regret even calling Ryuji..  Perhaps texting would've been more efficient.  It's just Ann had been pumped up and wanted to talk to someone, though she ended up getting an ear full from Ryuji.  Ann just hopes the unease she feels in her stomach was just bad food.  

She walks back to the corridor to see Shiho and her nurse coming in to her room.  "Shiho!" she calls getting the girl to turn and smile brightly as she gestures for Ann to come forward.

The two then begin to talk all missed stuff as well as Ann's encounter with Akira.  

"You've met Kurusu-kun?  I'm glad he's okay.  He had missed a lot of day."

Ann says, "he also wanted to make sure you call him Akira.  Though I also told him you'd want the favour returned."

Shiho nods, "well you're right about that Ann.  Kurus- I mean Akira missed our crafting activity.  I know he was excited to do it... Wait I know!  Let's make something for him!"

~~~

Goro's strides were long, yet slow as they journeyed down the surprisingly empty hallway.  He stops in front of the window showing the scenery of Japan and puts Akira in front as he stands beside him.  

"You wanted to get away to talk.  So what is it," Goro asks impatiently.

Akira doesn't look at Goro, but rather at the flowing leaves of the trees when he replies.  "You know what Goro...  We both know what that chime was."

Goro crosses his arm, "those fools won't be able to find the words.  Besides, their hands will be occupied, they won't have time to look."

Akira grabs Goro's hands and squeezes it tight making the brunet gaze turn to his.

"It's my fault I shouldn't have said your full name..  I hadn't known... Just... Please be careful."

Goro's gaze softens, though his words still contain the same bluntness, "even if they get in, they won't be able to finish it.  I'm sure we both know why."

Akira nods, "I know I know.  Just be careful..."

"I will.  Even if I'm not, you will make sure I am."

The raven haired boy laughs, before giving a smile, "of course, you're too reckless.."

A bird then flew by the window, gaining both of their attention.  It was like any other bird, but to Akira, it showed a world he was unable to touch.  

He reached for the glass as he stared at the world behind the glass wall.  "I sometimes wonder, how the world feels again..  all I see is white around me, and all I smell is the cleaning chemicals.. but.. how does grass feel like again."

Goro is silent as he watches Akira study the way nature moves. Something which he ignores on a daily basis, while Akira craves it.  

"I thought grass was nothing more than a glorified kazoo," Goro says in attempts to cheer up Akira.  It gets a sad laugh, as he sees Akira clench his hands.  

"You don't appreciate something until it's gone.." 

There's silence for a bit as Akira blinks a few times and Goro gets ready for the inevitable as he crouches down to his knees.  Once his blinking slowed down, Akira turns to Goro with a sad smile, "I'll see you soon."

The next time Akira blinks, his eyes are shut as he slugs down the wheelchair a bit, though not completely falling.  Goro waits, just as he had before with clench fists and a heavy chest.  

When Akira's eyes open, their lifeless, no longer does it hold the shining gleam of Akira's mischievous nature.  But rather just his grey eyes.  He's like a doll waiting to be moved.  Akechi heaves out the breath he had been holding and gets up.  His face is stoic, yet holds many emotions that are unable to be deciphered.  

He once again grabs the back of the wheelchair and pushes Akira forward through the empty halls.

"It doesn't get easier to see."

Chapter Text

Makoto was extremely stressed.  It seemed that every problem they finished another come up right after.  It made gathering resources a pain, especially with the amount they had used during Kaneshiro's Palace.  Which lead the team here in Mementos..

Ideally, Makoto wouldn't want to push the team to do Mementos when there is still a Palace to focus on, but their funds ran out.  If the team decided to enter Futaba's palace with what they had, Makoto was certainly they would be spending more time avoiding enemies, rather than solve anything.  

So they were here to do some requests as well as get enough yen so Ryuji can buy new weapons and armour.  

"Woah!  Queen be careful!  My face!" Mona cried out when Queen had made a sharp turn in the midst of her thoughts.  It also got a lot of cries from behind her.  

Queen presses on the brake and stops the car to check on everyone.  They all looked very... uncomfortable.  "Oh- uh sorry everyone.."

"Don't you dare move Skull!"

"I'm not-"

"I seemed to have broken my conté," Fox ponders while looking at his sketch book.  Queen sighed as Fox completely ignored the other two in favour of looking at the scenery.  Makoto doesn't understand what Yusuke even looks for..

She sighs and turns back to the steering wheel and starts the car going again.  Not bothering to wonder if they're ready.  Queen didn't want to waste any time and with the target located right on this floor, she had no time to lose.  

Queen almost feels bad when a shadow in front of her gets barrelled at without hesitation.  

"Skull, Fox and Panther on me!  Mona provide support!" she yelled out as they were launched out of the Mona bus to ambush the target.  

The enemies were fairly weak, being Nekomata and High Pixies.  Queen is almost certain they can eliminate them without letting the enemy strike.  

Queen quickly executes a nuclear attack with Johanna, getting all the High Pixies down before Ryuji strikes them with lighting.  

With that, they strike with an All Out attack, effectively killing them all.  Queen sighs, she predicts their whole journey today will be as lacklustre as this battle.  

As the team was walking back to enter the Mona bus, they suddenly felt the rise of shadows from beneath the ground.  

"Reinforcements!  Get ready!"

Queen was very nervous, never had reinforcements appeared so late after the battle finished.  It made Queen uneasy, and it seems she wasn't the only one 

Mona cried out, "huh?!  There shouldn't be any backup now!!"

The shadows finally manifested, and it clearly shocked the team.  There were four shadows, all of them winged, if Makoto had to guess they were suppose to be angels.  They had never seen these types of shadows before... and the power level they had..

Skull took a step back in shock, "holy shit!  How are we going to beat them?  It'll be hard to beat even one, let alone four!!"

"Queen?! What's the plan?" Panther asks, clutching the whip tightly.  It was clear they had no chance of leaving out of this without casualties, so Queen did the next rational thing.  

Going through her items, Queen pulls out the Vanish Ball out and quickly uses.  "Let's go hurry!" she says as the others trail behind her.  

Just as she was going to say for Mona to transform, the four shadows appeared before them again.  

Fox gritted his teeth, "it seems these aren't the typical shadows.  They clearly want a fight."

Skull rolls his neck and tightens his grip on his weapon, "oi!  If they want a fight, let's give it to them!"

"Be rational, consider your safety before anything else.  Focus on one first!" Queen ordered as she gets an item out to provide a defence boast for the team.  

"Alright here we go, Carmen!" Panther strikes enemy holding a flower with fire, it does some damage but hits no weakness.  Queen fears none of them can effectively down an enemy without using technicals.

The figure retaliates with a bless attack that renders Ann at half health.  "Shit Panther!" Skull calls out as he brings out a Takemi's medicine to heal her.

Fox then takes the opportunity and attack as well though it barely scratches the shadows.  

The figure holding the spear then casts a technique on Skull, causing Mona to cry out.  

"Careful Skull!  Your stats are all low!!"

The sword user with shorter hair then casts a buff on the spear user, increasing all stats.  Following that the last figure launches an almighty attack.  That instantly wipes out the team, the only reason Makoto still stands is because Ryuji had jumped in to take the attack.  

It left her the only one standing at the frontlines with Mona in the back still as support.  "Queen!  Are you alright??" the monster cat cried.  

"Yes.. I'm fine... But I'm unsure for how long.." Queen groans out.  There's a fear in her that cripples her..  never had they been in a position where they were not able to overcome.  It's seems now their luck had run out..

Queen contemplates reviving one of her teammates, or healing herself.  As beneficial as having one of her team back, there was a chance the female angel with the flower wipes them out completely.  Everything would be based on chance...

Eventually though, Queen didn't have to make a choice.  As the shadows then dissolved away one by one until only her and the bodies of her teammates remain.  Queen could almost swear she saw someone in the distance, but puts it off her mind as she and Mona begin to heal their teammates.  

They later intervene in the safe room of Mementos where they begin to discuss what had happened.  

Ann depressingly starts, "we were completely overwhelmed.  We didn't stand a chance.."

Yusuke nods as he leans into the chair, rubbing his chin, "yes.. had they not retreated I fear we wouldn't be here.  But the strangest thing is how they were even in on this floor of Mementos.."

"Yeah!  Those shadows were totally over-leveled for us!  We haven't even reached the depths!" Ryuji complains clearly annoyed.

"I wonder..." Mona began as his tail moved back and forth, "I don't know if you saw Queen, but I think I saw a figure in the shadows.. perhaps they orchestrated the sudden ambush.  Though that then begs the question, can persona users control shadows.."

"Woah!  Do you think we could make an army of shadows working for us?" Ryuji asked.

Ann quickly shoots him down, "that's what you're focusing on?  This could be the black mask intruder Madarame and Kaneshiro were talking about."

"This would be alarming if a Persona user can actively order shadows for their bidding.  That would makes them no different than Palace owners.. but Mona said himself that Persona users are unable to have Palaces." Yusuke offers his thoughts to which Makoto continues.  

"If we go by Mona's rule, then that figure could be a stronger shadow..  though wouldn't they have a Palace?  There is so much we don't know right now... It could be either options.." Makoto trailed off, she was in a slump.  As their leader, she had hoped to be more helpful but with their limited information, all she could do was provide possibilities. 

Ryuji leaned back on the subway chair as he kicked the floor, "mannn.. this is getting complicated.  Though shouldn't we know based on their clothes?  I mean persona users have masks right?  Palace holders don't?"

Makoto shakes her head, "that's true in most cases, but probably not all.  If a palace users distorted desire is some kind of spaceship, even they will have a helmet.  Just because they have a mask doesn't mean definitively that they're persona users. Even our clothes are quite bizarre, since it's a representation of our rebellion."

"Besides, the guy was in the shadows!! How are we suppose to tell if they're wearing a mask or not.  Everything just looks dark!" Mona huffs out.  

There's a bit of silence as the team contemplates.  It's interrupted when Yusuke sits down and offers concern, "what are we to do if this were to occur again?  We could not even escape..."

Makoto's face was grim as she began to think intensely, "if I were to be honest.  There is nothing we can do besides get stronger.  There are too many unknown variables to account for.  Our best solution is either hoping for good luck or pause on Mementos completely until we have reached an adequate level.

I'm almost certain, they will not be able to reach us in Futaba's Palace since it's been separated from the greater conscience."

Ann shakes her head in disagreement, "sure it's safer.. but what about the people on the Phan-site?  We can't just leave them suffer?  Besides Mementos is a large place, the chances of us encountering them again must be slim." 

"But to risk our lives for it?" Mona murmured out.

Makoto takes a seat and sighs in contemplation, "everything we do is unanimous.  So the same thing will be done with requests from the Phan-site.  If we agree to the risks, we will take their heart.  We will only stay for the target and leave right after.  As leader and advisor, I'm banning Mementos unless of the reason stated before... That's until we get stronger."

"That's sounds reasonable."

"Great idea Queen!  I'm glad we can still help them!"

"That's all good with me!"

"Wise decision."

"Good to hear," Makoto nods following their agreement, "I'll make sure to stock up for our inevitable trip to Mementos, even if it's not used we can still use it for the Palaces."

Makoto then sighs, she seems distraught getting Ann to question her.  "What's wrong Queen?"

"It's nothing.  Well.. I guess it's just that we are losing our main source of income for awhile.. we should have enough for at least Futaba's place with what we have today... Though I'm unsure about the next palace after that.. I'm just planning out part time jobs I could take to help with the funds.."

"I didn't know how much Mementos have for us... Guess I was a little naive..  how about we help you for the time being Queen!?  It's currently summer so we won't be that busy, with the four of us, I'm sure we can get enough for the next time!" Ann suggests cheerfully.

Ryuji groans, "aw man!  Summer was suppose to be free time.. though I guess Ann is right.."

"I haven't worked before, but I'll try my best."

"Meow!  I'll support you Queen!!  Though if there isn't Mementos, should we keep training in between at the gym?" Morgana asked

Makoto nods, which then gets Ann to sigh about laziness to exercise while, Ryuji became more pumped up.  

Makoto gets up and puts her mask back on, "alright.  Since we have gotten our goals for today let's head back.  Rest up, we will be going to Futaba's Palace soon." 

The team agreed and made their way out of Mementos with great speeds.  Unknown to the wandering eyes watching them leave.  

It was cold in the distorted subways.  The whispers of the shadows were the only things heard before he stepped out of the shadows revealing the stripped clothing he wore.  "They didn't stand a chance against the four angels...  It won't be enough."

He sighed, "let them squander to their deaths.  Perhaps they can defy the odds."

The sounds of rustling chains cut through the air, hearing it shake louder as it approached.  The figure was uncaring about the looming threat and continued to ponder.  

"Wait.. Futaba?  Do they mean Sakura-san's daughter?"

The train of thought was interrupted by the reveal of the Reaper aiming for an attack.  The figure dodged swiftly, and called out for Micheal.  

"I guess this can be a good warm up."

~~~

By the time Akechi arrived at the hospital, the sun had begun to set.  He doesn't even bother talking to the lady at the front, and heads straight to Akira's room.  He notes visiting hours are almost over and wonders if he should stay the night.  Anything was better that the empty apartment he stayed at, especially since things were getting worse.

Once he reached the door he gave a couple of knocks before entering.  It had become a habit to tell Akira he was here, but most times, he knocks to nothing but an unconscious boy.  

He opens the door, to see it was exactly the same as any other.  With the white walls and the smell of chemicals.  Even though Akira had been here for years, he was never awake enough to care about his room.  Though there were little knick knacks at his bedside. 

Akechi sighed, feeling the heaviness of his briefcase.  He puts it on the armchair, noting that will probably be his bed today, before sitting on the stool next to the bed.  

Akira had fallen back into his coma shortly after being in his dazed state for a few days.  The doctors say that even Akira regaining some conscious even though he's not mentally present is progress.  While Akechi only sees a doll waiting to be moved and told.  He suppose the occasional time when Akira is fully awake are something he should be thankful for.  Yet... he fears this is as far as Akira will recover.  

The guilt sinks and rises to his throat almost choking him.  He puts a hand so his head, he can already feel the onslaught of a headache.  He can almost hear the harsh whispers of words and their cold touch on his skin.  It's all jumbled, yet their meaning passes through Akechi and he can only receive their words.  

After awhile it stops, and all Akechi can feel is tiredness.  He grabs Akira's hand for comfort, hoping he will suddenly wake up.  Though that is only wishful thinking.  He wonders if he should go the Metaverse..

"I- it's getting worse.. I think I'm getting auditory hallucinations...  I can't sleep a night sometimes." Akechi confesses to the sleeping boy.  

He shakes his head and regains his composure, "never mind about that...  He's getting more aggressive with them.  Even if they don't do anything, their popularity will rise.  Of course before it crashes down."

Akechi then looks to Akira's rested face and only tightens his grip, "the CEO of that burger chain seems to be the next target.  Normally it's no matter, he's a cruel man, yet he has a daughter.  I don't know how I feel robbing that again, yet I must for everything we want to succeed.." 

He gives a chuckle, "then I'll make my grand debut as a Phantom Thief.  I'm sure you're looking forward to that.  Though..."

"Kid?" a voice calls out while knocking.  

Akechi is surprised to see Sakura-san at the door with his same old tacky attire and almost wants smack himself for being unguarded.  Good thing he had been talking fairly quiet.  

"Sakura-san?  What brings you here so late?" Akechi asks bringing his mask of pleasantry. 

Sakura-san merely rubbed his neck awkwardly, "geez kid I told you to call me Sojiro or even Boss.  I was a little busy doing stuff at home and almost forgot to visit today, but I managed to make it."

He then holds up a neatly wrapped bento box, "had a feeling you'd be here, good thing I brought extras."

Akechi quickly became flustered as he raises his head to deny the food.  "Ah Sakura-san it's no matter!  I already ate so-"

It was at that time, that Akechi's stomach betrayed him and made a fairly loud growl.  It got Akechi to get red in the face while Sakura-san chuckled.  

"No need to be modest, they're leftovers.  Help yourself."

With no possible way to deny the offer, Akechi grabbed the bento in shame and used the rolling tray for the patient to sadly open the bento box.  

As he was opening it, Sakura-san decides to walk in beside Akira's side as he looks at the boy.  

He tries not to laugh at Akechi as the kid tries not to scarf down the curry he brought.  Upon being noticed, Akechi visibly chokes a bit before slowing his bites.  

"I'm guessing you didn't have a lot to eat," he questioned.

Akechi manages to finish the curry with one last spoon.  He quickly gulps the food down before smiling awkwardly, "haha, yes I was quite busy today so I hadn't had much to eat."

Sakura-san shakes his head, "you have to take better care of yourself.  If not for you then do it for Akira.  How are you suppose to care for others if you can't care for yourself." 

He gestures to Akira which gets Akechi to have a solemn look on his face.  He nods slowly in understanding.  It was then that Sakura-san took a good look at Akira.  "He's looks healthier, that must mean he's been awake more to eat and move."

"Yes.  He's been awake in that dazed state more often now, but he still is rarely mentally conscious.  Akira was awake awhile back, he had wanted to talk to you about coffee making."

"I see.  Well if I don't see the kid awake next time I visit, tell him he'll need to get stronger before he's making any type of coffee."

Sakura-san then checks his phone, "it's already so late.  I should head back soon.  Take care of yourself kid.  Make sure to bring a blanket next time." 

Akechi then began to help Sakura-san pack the empty bento box before realizing what he had said.  "Huh?  How'd you know I was staying here?"

With the things packed Sakura-san shakes his head, "you have that look on your face.  Also you never visit this late unless you plan on sleeping here." 

Akechi blinks before smiling, "your quite perceptive in your old age Sakura-san."

"Who you calling old, brat?" he replies with no bite.  They share a small laugh before Sakura-san leaves, leaving Akechi along again.  

Looking at the time, Akechi presumes someone will stop by to check later leaving a short time to which he could rest.  He decides to sleep by Akira's side until the nurses comes by.  

He rested his head on the side of the bed and held Akira's hand tightly.  Just as he closed his eyes he utters words only he will ever hear.

"I'm sorry."

Chapter Text

With the sun setting on the beach.  Their mood grew sombre as Futaba unveiled her struggles and her desire to find her mother's killer.  

"I hope you're okay with me joining..?" Futaba murmured.

The team adamantly agreed and offered their happiness in her joining.  Only Morgana seemed a little sombre in a side remark before smiling again.  

"Hey Futaba?" Morgana started, "how'd you even know we were the Phantom Thieves?"

Yusuke nodded, "Morgana does bring up a point.  Even if you had bugged Leblanc, we never went there until after you contacted us."

"Yeah!  You were a literally shut in, how'd you do it?" Ryuji questions while crossing his arms.

Futaba brings herself forward as if she's telling a secret and brings her finger up, "easy.  I'm sure you know Sojiro, I bugged his phone and overheard him yelling about Palaces."

She gestures to Ryuji who sputtered from everyone's glare.  Futaba continued, unbothered, "of course it peaked my interest.  I obviously proceed to hack through the hospital network to find Ann's information and saw your chat log."

"Wow Futaba.. that's amazing.  I'm really glad you're on our side," Ann says with relief, "though through the hospital network??  When did Ryuji go to the hospital?"

Futaba huffed, "didn't you hear my whole explanation?  It was through your phone Ann.  Sojiro had walked past you or something and I heard Ryuji yell through your phone."

Ann stops to think, before remembering the occurrence of finding Akechi had a Palace.  "Oh!!  Yeah that was Boss I saw, it was awhile ago.. it took some time to process."

Morgana shaked his head, "the real problem is people hearing Ryuji yell through a phone.  It's not even overhearing a conversation.  You're seriously too loud Ryuji!!" 

"Shut up you stupid cat!"

"What you-"

"Enough," Makoto's voice rang getting the two to shut up.  "Futaba do you know why Boss went to hospital?  It seems a little strange."

Futaba played with the sand with her foot as she replied, "I don't really know.  I never really questioned it, since I never went out.  But from the basic details I got, he's visiting a boy about my age.  I didn't listen to that many voice logs so I don't know the name.  Though I remember hearing a familiar voice..  hmm who was it?"

Ryuji visibly falters, as he sighs, "dude you seriously need better hobbies."

"Oh I remember now, he came to Leblanc!  Akechi Goro, that Detective Prince!" Futaba exclaimed.  

"Akechi?" Yusuke says in shock, as he looked to the others.

"Man I feel like everything is connected to that Akechi guy.." 

Makoto put a hand on her chin in contemplation, "that makes a lot of sense now.  Considering when he came to Leblanc he was very casual with Boss, almost friendly.  Do you know how long Boss and Akechi knew each other?  Perhaps we can get more information on Akechi.."

Futaba shakes her head, "I told you I don't listen to Sojiro's phone that much.  Most times it's really boring.  Though I got curious when I heard Ryuji say 'Akechi blah blah Palace.'. I'm pretty sure it had to be after mom died...  I don't remember him visiting anyone before.. well I locked myself in my room."

"Hey!" Ryuji brings up, "what if we ask Sojiro 'bout Akechi.  Maybe we can find his keywords?"

Makoto disagrees, "no that would arise too much suspicion.  I think we are going to have to rely on Ann again."

Ann takes a step back again, "huh again?!  Come on guys you know he hates me!!"

"No you won't have to necessarily talk to Akechi this time, but rather Sojiro.  Since Kurusu is friends with Shiho, you have a legitimate reason to question Akechi as well as Kurusu.  I have a feeling Kurusu will be vital to Akechi's Palace."

Futaba quickly shakes her hands to stop to conversation, "woah woah woah!  Hold up!  Too much information!  Akechi has a palace, I kinda got that.  But Akechi and Ann feud, Kurusu?  Fill me in!!"

Yusuke takes the honour and gives a small chuckle, "well I'm sure this will be an interesting conversation.  It's starts like this.."

~~~

Okumura's palace proved to be quite stressful, Ann remarked.  She would think that with Mona back their united force would be easier, but it still proves extremely tiring.  Ann can only assume that with the absences of practicing in Mementos, they were a little weak.  

Ann can't really complain, when there's a possibility of them getting stuck in an inescapable battle.  They had tried to ask if Futaba could assist them to warn them prior to an attack.  But even she seemed skeptical that it would help.  Even Oracle's powers were limited to those strange shadows. 

This obviously lead to them taking Okumura's palace slower than usual, which is why Ann was at hospital during one of their breaks.  

As much as Ann wants to visit Shiho today, she's on official Phantom Thieves duty.  Futaba had informed them that from tracking Boss' phone, he was in the hospital visiting Akira.  Which prompted Ann as the follow up to ask questions.  

Ann had tried to avoid this, considering the possible encounter with Akechi, but was ultimately denied.  Futaba had explained she couldn't get anything on Akechi because he had made sure to use only his network as well as a VPN.  She says it's was suspicious and a little overly cautious of Akechi but not unsurprising.  Though it made getting information almost impossible for Futaba, it was like a needle in a haystack.  Which ultimately puts it to Ann.  

She's sighs while twirling her hair, she needed to act natural.  She waited for awhile until the door opened and out came Sojiro.

He was wearing his white suit again with the fedora making him stand out. He instantly spotted the two blonde pigtails and made a surprised face.  

"Huh?  Takamaki-chan?"

Ann chuckles awkwardly like, she has a weird tone in her voice just like the other times she was acting.  "O-oh hey Boss!  Why are you here today?  Did you just come out of Akira's room?"

Boss seemed to raise his brow at Ann's tone before sighing.  He deems the conversation safe enough to breach, "what a pain.  Guess now that you've seen me there's really no point in hiding." 

He gets a serious look in his face, "I'm only telling you this because you helped Futaba, and she's probably worried why I leave all the time." Once Ann nods in reply Sojiro carefully shuts the door behind him and moves them aside.  

"I'm sure you've know of Kurusu Akira, considering you're using his given name.  Just like you I only knew about him from his time at the hospital.  

It was about two years ago...  Futaba had only recently come into my care and was very malnourished... I was worried about her health, especially the first time she slept for so long.  So I brought her here..  I had left to smoke, but in my panic I had forgotten where I was and what floor Futaba was on.  Man I must've looked very distressed because a teenage no older than how old Futaba is now, rolled up to me." 

Sojiro has a soft smile on his face as he continues, "damn kid was in a wheelchair and the first thing he does is help someone.  The kid helped me figure out what floor she was on before falling over.  Scared the life out of me, one second he's talking the next I'm catching him.  Of course that's also where I met Akechi whom I think you've probably seen considering he never leaves Akira's side.

After the whole incident, I came back to see how the kid was.  From then I found out Akira had no family or friends besides Akechi.  So I decided to continue to visit, especially since he reminded me so much of Futaba.."

"Boss..." Ann murmurs.

He then shakes his head, "two children all alone..  never mind that.. from then on I became acquainted with Akechi and learned more about Akira's health..

It's strange.. it's almost as complex as Futaba's.  Akira cannot stay up for long, in the beginning he could only stay up for 15 minutes before falling back into a coma.  His first time waking was surprisingly the first time we met.  Over time, he's been staying up for longer and has begun to stay awake in a non responsive state.  Though he always falls back into a coma..  Occasionally Akira will get injured when falling if he isn't too careful.  As well as problems breathing for the first day.  With those issues, the hospital cannot allow Akira to leave far from the vicinity.. hell I don't think he's even allowed outside because of possibility of Akira getting brain damage.

He's so young, it's a tragic he has to suffer so much.  All we can do is continue to visit him and support him.  I'm sure you'll do that though.."

Ann smiles brightly, "of course!  Akira is a good friend of me and Shiho!"

"How is your friend?" Boss asks.  

Ann perks up, "oh she's been great!  Doctors said-"

"Sakura-san?" 

Their attention is then brought to the door to Akira's room opening revealing Akechi in a hoodie.  Ann was a taken back, she swore she actually took a step back.  Never in her life would she think Akechi would wear something so... hip?  Akechi is clearly as taken back when he notices Ann there.  If Ann looks a little carefully, she would think Akechi was embarrassed.  

He cleared his throat and turned back to Boss, "I though I heard your voice still.  I was wondering why you hadn't left.  Though now I know who kept you busy."

He smiled to Ann but it lacked warmth, which got Ann to look sheepishly.  This doesn't go unnoticed by Sojiro who sighed.  

"Is this some sort of new tactic for dating?" Sojiro asked.

This gets both of them quite red and they both adamantly deny it as they wave their hands desperately.  This gets Sojiro to smirk, "I'm just pulling on your legs.  Though you've got this old man curious about how Akechi Goro could be so hostile to a sweet girl like Takamaki Ann?"

There was just awkward silence as Sojiro looked between the two.  Ann didn't particularly want to tell Sojiro, and Akechi clearly wanted her to get to say it.  So there was this standoff with Sojiro stuck in between.  

Sojiro sighs, "whatever.. I don't really care.  Just get your act together when you're with Akira.  Kid is only awake for so long.  Try and get along then."

"You said it Boss," Akira murmured groggily.  It sounded like he had just woken up.  

Akechi immediately did a 180 with the other two trailing behind to see Akira looking sleepy.

"Akira!" Akechi yelled out before clearing his throat, "er- I mean.  How are you feeling?  I'm surprised you woke up so soon after.."

Akechi trailed off.  From what Ann got it seems there is a certain time frame to where Akira is up.  Ann would think this is a good sign, but Akechi still looks a little worried.

Sojiro pats Akechi on the shoulder and smiles to Akira, "lightening up kid.  Akira is getting stronger as the days go by.  It seems lady luck was on my side, I got to properly speak to you."

Akechi nods, and the tension from his shoulder leaves as they turn to Akira, who was trying to sit up comfortability.  It looked like Akechi wanted to assist but Akira denied it and managed to sit up with a shaky hands.  His breathing was heavy as he took all the oxygen he can through the oxygen tube.  

"I hope you and Goro made up. You guys seem like you would get along quite well.  I heard from Shiho you like sweets Ann?  Goro knows a bunch of places, perhaps you two can go." 

Before Ann could retort, Akechi smiled happily.  Ann was a taken back considering his smile as he turned to her.  Though the smile was really forced, and looked something right out of his interviews.  "Yes we have.  I've been planning to ask Takamaki-chan for her chat ID."

"Er- uh," Ann wasn't prepared for anything.  It seemed like she was forced to concede to Akechi's plan even though two seconds ago he was giving her heated looks.  Least of all they disappoint Akira who was looking at them like a little doe, Ann was truly backed against the wall.  "Y-yeah!  We are trying to start a clean slate."

With Akechi holding out his phone Ann had no choice but to send her ID in front of Boss and Akira.  

"Perfect.  I'll be sure to invite you to a famous crepes shop." 

Boss grinned, "taking my advice to heart I see.." 

Akira smiled back, "I'm glad.  If you guys don't mind, I wanted to talk to Boss for a bit, I haven't seen him in awhile."

Sojiro looked shocked before sighing and sitting down on the chair.  Akechi and Ann nodded happily as they made their way out the door.  With it firmly shut, Ann wonders if Akira did this on purpose to force a conversation between the two.  

Akechi played with phone before stuffing it in his pocket and turning to Ann.  "I'm sure this will be a good experience for both of us," Akechi said, which threw Ann off.  Akechi was acting different know, like he remembered his goal.  "As unbearable as you are right now.  Perhaps Akira wishes will come true.  You should be happy.  A chance to eat sweets, and call me a brown noser."

Ann sighed, "look Akechi what I said before I didn't really mean it.  Okay I kinda of did especially with your choice of clothing.  But I realized I shouldn't judge people based on their appearance.. and I apologize."

Though Ann wasn't planning on it, maybe this was a good way for them to get information on him and his Palace.  

Akechi stared at Ann, as if looking for a lie before nodding.  "Alright... I suppose.  This is favourable for me."

Ann quickly grew confused and decided to ask.  She just hope it wasn't that Akechi was suspecting them.

"Oh," Akechi smiled wickedly, "you didn't expect I just accept your apology without compensation?"

She haphazardly heard him walk away about getting a drink before it fully hit her.

Ann steps back, "huh!?  What do you mean compensation?!"

Chapter Text

There were no words spoken when Goro shot Okumura.  The wailing man just fell over before Goro did the finishing shot.  Okumura and his bleeding wound disappeared as if nothing happened amidst the collapsing palace.  

This is where he is supposed to feel guilty or even happiness.  Yet the pain staking numbness, continues to cover him.  

"You've really gone to far Goro.. no emotions after killing a man, leaving his helpless daughter.." Goro says to himself as he puts the gun away as stared at the spot where Okumura died.  He almost believes if he stares hard enough, he can see the blood from where Okumura's shadow was form a puddle below.

His thoughts were interrupted with a cry from behind him, "my daughter.."

Goro turned to see Okumura with black blood bleeding from his eyes and mouth, his eyes rolled so only the whites are seen.  It's how Goro imagines he will look like when he dies on camera.  Just like all the others.

Goro is taken back, as Okumura walks forwards like crazed man.  He isn't fast enough though, as Okumura grabs his arm tightly and falls to his knees.  His white eyes staring at Goro intently.  

"I changed...  My daughter... All she wanted was her father.." Okumura groans out.  

Goro quickly throws the man to the side as he stumbles back, "stop with your pathetic excuses!  You asked for this!" Goro yells out, though there are hints of nervousness from Goro as he looks all around him.  "You're not innocent!"

"My daughter... She's so young.  I have to be there for her... Futaba.." 

Goro can feel a shiver go down his spine as he recognizes the voice.  Just out of his peripheral vision, he hears a figure stumble forward from behind him.  

When he turns his red eyes upon her, she was just as he last saw her.  A bullet wound at her neck, almost decapitating her.  If Goro was in his right mind, he'd question how she could even speak.  

With each step closer, her wounds got worse.  Bruises appeared all over, blood trickling down her limbs.  Bones began to twist is different ways, just as she had as she was hit.  Just like Okumura, her eyes remained all white with black fluid escaping through every exit.  Isshiki Wakaba was a nightmare come true with the bloody trail she left as she walks towards Goro like a zombie.  

Goro is stricken, he feels nauseous, and the numbness he felt before retaliated with a crushing pain in his chest as he was suffocated with guilt.  He clenched his hands tightly, had his gloves not been there, he probably would've pierced his skin. 

Isshiki raised her broken arm as she continued, her groans becoming louder in Goro's ears.  

"I promised her.. Futaba..  I have to be there for her... I can't die here.. Fuuutaaaabaa."

Before Goro could say anything he was then tackled to the ground.  His mask was instantly thrown away by his assailant, before they came to rest on his neck.  With nothing in between, Goro could feel their hair trailing his cheek as he heard the deep breathes they were taking.  Before opening his eyes, the person tighten their grip on his neck.  It was very tight, that Goro could feel the nails imprinting on his neck as well as feel the figure shaking from the amount of tension.  

He grabbed at their arms with clawed hands.  He didn't care about the bloody wounds he was causing in his need for air.  When he finally managed to lightly pull on their grip to breathe, it was then he saw.  

With familiar brown hair cascading down, Goro could only see her face above him.  In his shock Goro almost slipped his grip.  It wasn't common to see one's dead mother.  

She looked just as she had hanging from the noose in the living room.  From the dress to the blue tint of her lips.  Though his mother now had a face of pure anger.  It's how Goro imagine she felt all those years during his birth.  The child who ruined her life.. he can almost imagine her debating on murdering him in the womb.  

Her bright red eyes that Goro had forgotten gleamed at the sight of blood from both his neck and her arm.  "You wretched child!  If I never had you, I would've been happy!"

She pushed further, and Goro lost control of the weight.  He gritted his teeth as he tried to get air, clawing his way out.  But all he could see was the red rage of his mother's eyes... Is this what his mother felt when she hung from the noose?

The pressure is then gone, as well as the weight on his stomach.  Goro almost has whiplash from everything changing so fast.  He coughed a bit before managing to get up and look around.  

No longer was he in Okumura's Palace, but rather a grassy cliff with the most beautiful flowers Goro had his eyes on.  Upon inspection, all the figure had disappeared.  Leaving Goro amidst the tall grass.  

"Goro!  Come on!" a voiced called like a siren calling its prey.

Just as he blinked, the familiar raven headed boy was in front of him, young and happy before everything happened.  He bore a big smile at Goro who then stood up and began walking towards him.

"Good you're coming!! This is where it begins," he said cryptically.  

Goro's heart immediately sank as the raven haired boy stood fully facing him, with his back against the cliff.  "No.." Goro began to say as he then rushed forward with his arm stretched out.  

The boy continued to smile, as he closed his eyes with arms out.  He then began to lean back against the dark pit.  

Just before Goro could reach, his hands slipped by as he fell rapidly.  Goro could only watch as he fell once again.  

With another blink, Goro saw his ceiling.  He let out a gasp of air as he realized it had been a dream.  He can feel the sweat soaking the sheets as he gets out of the bed.  He barely makes it to the bathroom before he vomits his dinner.  

"Shit.. it's getting worse..." Goro murmured as he flushed the toilet.  The loud noise of the toilet drowning out the words from his dreams.  

Goro thought he had peace, until a chill down his spine.  He swears he feels someone glaring at him, daring for the murderer to commit one more task... himself.  He immediately clutch his head, from the headache he gets, as he stumbles out of the washroom.  

He managed to find his prize in the shape of a pill bottle.  He shakily opens the bottle and gets his desired pill, to drown the judgemental glares.  He swallows the pill and waits on the side of his bed in silence.  

"It's time the executioner pays for his sins."

~~~

"Goro~" Akira calls out.  He couldn't see anything since Goro had insisted on having him shut his eyes, including the extra measure of putting hands over his eyes.  

All Akira knew was Goro was taking him somewhere.  "You know I basically know this place by the back of my hand right?"

He hears Goro sigh, "Akira just be patient." 

They make a bunch of turns until they hit a straight away.  That was when Goro paused and Akira felt gust of wind.  He let out a gasp when he felt the air of nature, and smell the breeze.  "Is this where I-"

"We're almost there," Goro interrupts.  He continues to push Akira's wheelchair into the unknown.  

Akira can hear the sound of cars fade into the distance, as the road gets bumper.  The sound of birds are louder the farther they go, and Akira thinks they entered a grassy area considering the sound the wheels make as they go.  

It's so strange, Akira hadn't felt all of nature in over two years..  It was amazing..  from the feeling of the sun, to the breeze.  Akira felt he was living again.  

They then stop close to what Akira hears to be a tree by the way he hears the leaves rustle.  Goro lets go of the chair and the sound of his feet crush the grass is all he can hear.  

There's a rustling of clothes and hands are placed in his knees.  "You can open your eyes now.  Though I'm sure you know where we are," Goro murmurs out like a pray.  

And then Akira eyes open, first it's a little bright but soon after it was everything he had missed.  Akira swears he hasn't seen so much green and blue in his life.  He almost wants to reach his hand out to reach for the clouds.  

It's strange, Akira had always seen this from a window or from a balcony.  Yet being out here after two years of the white walls, was a whole different experience.  

He finally looks in front of him to see Goro kneeled in front of him with a kind smile.  Akira almost wants to cry and what Goro had planned for him.  

"I- thank you Goro," Akira says as he returns the smile back.  

Goro seems to relax again as he looks upon the tree.  "I'm glad...  I know you weren't allowed out, so it took some convincing." 

He then points behind Akira, which makes him turn to see the Hospital at a reasonable distances away.  "Since your condition has been more consistent as of late.  The doctors have predicted that you'll at least stay awake for half an hour.  Giving us enough time to head out.  Of course there's always a chance that things could go wrong.  So the nurses were able to put the equipment in the main floor, and some of the nurses are on standby.  They were as happy to offer their lunch to see you outside.  Then there was the consideration of the time needed to get to the hospital.  I managed to get some temporary equipment like an air tank for you, and got some training to keep you healthy until doctors arrive.  Though this is all precaution.."

Goro grew more nervous as his explanation grew, and he kind of seemed shy.  If Akira was honest it was very cute.  

Akira then made the bold move of grabbing Goro forward and hugging him tight, earning a squawk for Goro.  If Goro felt some wetness trail down his cheek, he didn't say anything about it.  

Akira sniffled, "thank Goro.  I don't know what I would do without you.." 

As Goro escaped the grasp of Akira, he finally sees Akira with an even brighter smile with hints of tears at the side.  It makes Goro's heart melt, he almost regrets having to leave Akira for a bit.. or even...

"I mean if we are being honest... Never mind.." Goro stumbles out, "I wanted treat you with this since I'll be busy for awhile."

This gets Akira to pause in his excitement, "oh?"

Goro continued, "I'll be joining the Phantom Thieves during their school festival.  Though I should be texting Ann to let her know... Considering their.. lacklustre planning, I will likely need to be available for the days prior to the ambush.  So I won't be able to visit.  Also don't think I let you off the hook when you randomly mention how me and Ann get along!"

Akira then smiled cheekily, "I don't know whatever you're talking about detective.  Though you got to admit, I allowed you to spy on them to see how much they know.  With the bonus of you two being friends, look you're even referring to her by her given name!!"

"That's because she wouldn't stop bothering me about address her that way," Goro scoffed, "after the hefty compensation she gave me, I'd say she's a decent acquaintance.  I also found out their group basically have nothing on me considering who she was also trying to get information out of me, before she got side tracked." 

Akira nodded, "that's good.  Ann doesn't seem like the type to be good at lying.  It's best they don't get any ideas..." Akira trails off with an unreadable expression.  

He then perks up, surprising Goro, "well!  Since you'll be leaving me to suffer alone in the white abyss, it's only fair you agree to anything I say!"

Goro groans before nodding, "just be reasonable..."

"Get me all those yellow dandelions STAT!"

"I don't think we are allowed to, it's the hospital property." 

"Grow a spine Goro!  They're just weeds!!"

Goro eventually gets up and scavenges for dandelions.  As Akira not so subtly struggles out of the chair.  He had made sure to lock it, though normally he would be transferring to another chair, not the floor.  

When Goro wasn't looking, he quickly got to his feet to then bring himself to the ground, but he hadn't anticipated how weak his legs were.  

Just as he was crouching down, his legs gave out, and Akira was heaving face first into the grassy fields.  

He prepared for his fate before feeling arms at his side.  When he opens his eyes, he makes sure to smile cheekily at Goro who had managed to grab him with a handful of flowers.  

As he was gently sat down, Goro sat beside him and handed him the bundle of flowers.  

"Here.  Is this enough your Highness?" Goro said.  

Akira shook his head, "no way!  You're getting lazy Goro.  Give this here and get more."

Goro sighs again, and hands the flowers to Akira.  He then makes his way around the field to collect the flowers.  

As he was doing so, Akira quickly gets to work on the flowers.  It had been a long time since he had made one, but the amount of times he did had clearly engraved it into his mind.  He makes quick work of the flowers wrapping and twisting it to his will.  

Just as he finished he heard Goro's steps coming closer and quickly hid the flowers behind him.  

Goro looked tired as he got another bunch and sat down beside him.  "What are you doing?" Goro questions suspiciously.  

Akira laughed and pulled out the flowers and placed it on Goro's head.  There sat a crown of flowers just as he had made before.  

Goro looked shocked before laughing, "I forgotten about this..." 

"Hero prince Go-chan!  Now give me your extras, I want one!"

He raised a brow, but handed it to Akira.  "If I'm royalty here, I should have your head cut off for being so insolent."

"But you won't!" Akira says as he places the finished crown on his head.  "There now we match!  It takes you back doesn't it?"

Goro hummed in agreement as he leaned on the tree.  When he shut his eyes, he can almost imagine seeing them as children running through the tall grass.  

When he opened his eyes again, he sees Akira plucking grass and examining them before chucking them behind him.  

"I'm pretty sure the gardener won't appreciate you doing that," he says.  

Akira shushes him as he finds his prize.  To Goro it looked exactly like any other piece of grass.  He watched as Akira put the grass in between his index figures and thumbs, right at the meaty part.  With his hands together Akira blew into the small crevice in between his thumbs where the grass was.  After some miserable tries, Akira managed to make a noise akin to a kazoo.  

"Haha, I still got it," Akira remarked as he continued to blow on the leaf.  

He then eyed Goro, as if daring him to do better.  It ticked Goro off..  Akira knew Goro had never been able to do it as children, and now he clearly wanted to spite him now.  

Goro aggressively grabbed a piece of grass and blew at it.  All Goro could get was the sound of his fast breath and some spit that he'll need to wash off.  

Akira seemed to be dying from laughter as he watched Goro try and ultimately give up once he couldn't do it.  

As he wiped his tears away, Akira chuckled, "good to know there's still things Mr. Ace Detective can't do." 

Upon seeing him so alive, Goro shakes his head.  He almost doesn't mind it.... Yet the urge for retribution is strong as he tackles the surprised Akira.  

"Wipe your smile off you joker!" he says as the two laugh it out.  It's a sense of normalcy they hadn't had in a long time.  

Chapter Text

"Man F Akechi!" Ryuji yelled out, "first the guy blackmails us, then we find out he's trying to kill our leader!"

The group is sombre as they meet without Akechi in the attic of Leblanc.  

Morgana jumped on the table, "we all knew he was fishy.  He must have been planning this for awhile, considering he suddenly became friendly with Ann.  As well as him having a Palace."

Yusuke turns to the centre, food in hand as he munches it.  After a full he proceeds to speak, "I think the dilemma now is if we continue to finish Nijima-san palace?"

"I think it's best we continue with Nijima-san palace.  We wouldn't want to arose suspicion from Akechi," Haru inputs.  

Makoto nods in agreement, "I think it's best we continue with my sister's palace.  From the sound of the phone call, it would seem Akechi would need a specific day to even have the ambush, so let's try an complete the palace as soon as possible.

I would also like to throw out an idea out.  If we all agree we can do it and the possible plan in the interrogation room won't have to happen, but it'll be draining."

"Well we won't know if you don't tell us Makoto, and I think all of us will be willing to suffer a little bit if its a safer option for you," Ann says getting nods from the group.  

"I propose we try and steal Akechi's treasure.  I think we will be able to finish my sister palace today, so if we agree, let us brainstorm possible keywords."

This gets a loud yell from Ryuji, before Ann smacks him to be silent.  The rest seem to be contemplating.  

Surprisingly it was Futaba so murmured it out first, "I'm okay with it... From the phone call it seems Akechi know information about mental shutdowns... Even if it's a chance, I need to know if he's my mom's killer."

"Futaba-chan is right... If Akechi had use of the Metaverse before, there's a chance he's also my father's killer.  By going through Akechi's palace, we might be able to also find the 'Shido-san' he was talking about."

Yusuke leaned forward to pitch his point, "I don't mean to lighten the severity of the deaths of Futaba's mom and Haru's dad, but isn't there a possibility Akechi himself is a victim?"

Ann nods, "I guess you're right.  I mean I did hang out with him a bit.. he seemed genuine in his care for Akira and his concern for Shiho.  I honestly can't imagine him being a murderer, yet that phone call painted a completely different picture.  Even I'm having a hard time distinguishing between lies and truth.  Though I'm sure either way, we will find out more about who is caused the mental shutdowns." 

Makoto cleared her throat, "then I guess we are in agreement." The other nodded as they looked to each other before back at Makoto.  "As I said before, I would like us you try and find some of the key words before we head into my sister's palace.  Please note we are not entering the palace, so don't activate the nav."

She made a point to look at Ryuji who at least had the audacity to look sheepishly.  Makoto pulled out her phone and placed it in the table to which the Phantom thieves surrounded themselves around with the exception of Futaba.  

"Well.. Ann!  How about you go first, or Mako-chan?  You two probably spent the most time with him?" Haru started.

Ann shakes her head, "we don't really talk about personal stuff.  Besides, considering Akechi, I feel like he locks all of his real emotion in a tight box and only lets out a sliver."

"'lock'.... Perhaps a prison.  Though for some reason I doubt Akechi is a prisoner," Yusuke throws out.  To their surprise it gets a ding from the nav.  

"Woah, nice going Inari!" Futaba praised.  

"All we need now is where?" Morgana meowed out as he paces the table.  

They then begin to throw things out of the way, "umm how about the hospital since he goes there a lot!" Ann's suggestion is denied.  

"Perhaps it's bigger?  He is a celebrity, his influence and feelings are more towards the masses?"

"Tokyo?"

The NAV was silent causing them to groan, "mannn, a guy like him it's probably all of Japan!" Ryuji groaned out.  

When the confirmation is heard, Ryuji could be seen with wide eyes, "for real?!"

"Leader, perhaps we can go in just to look around?  We have a lot of time since we got the keywords fast!" Morgana suggested.  

The team agreed, with them curious to see what the Ace Detective's palace looks like.  Makoto hesitantly pressed 'navigate' and the world began to distort.  

After the initial vertigo effect, the Phantom Thieves found themselves still in Leblanc, though their attire proved they were deemed a threat.  

"Well.. this isn't surprising," Haru says, "though... You'd expect Leblanc to be distorted, since it's all of Japan, and Akechi is accustom with this place."

As Futaba wandered off with Mona, Makoto nodded in thought.  "You're right about that.  But perhaps it's because Akechi cherishes it exactly how it is.  Considering his possible knowledge, he didn't want to distort the cafe."

Ann looked upon Makoto in awe, "wow!  You really are the strategist.  Honestly if we didn't have you, I'm pretty sure it would be a lot harder!"

Makoto blushes a bit at the comment before clearing her throat.  Though she's interrupted by Futaba by the door, with Mona on her head.

"H-hey guys, maybe you should look at this!". her voice was slightly muffed being against the glass door.  It perked their interest to see two of their members so entranced.  

They walked forward, though they couldn't see anything with the two blocking the door.  "Oi! How are we suppose to see if you guys are blocking the door?"

Futaba then opened the door and ran out with a scrambling Mona.  The thieves follows outside before even glancing at the scenery.  When Futaba stops suddenly, the thieves then had the chance to look at everything.  

"Dude..." Ryuji murmured as he the lines of people. 

It was strange, the cramped streets of Yongen-Jaya had become completely empty of any recognizable buildings, except for LeBlanc.  It was basically just a flat land, if one would squint, they could probably see a large building in the distance, bigger than any other.  Though it's wasn't as if Yongen-Jaya was completely bare, there where some occasional buildings that looked like road blocks for inspections as well as numerous extra walls almost to guide the lines of people.  

The people in line all wore the same attire, striped prison clothes, with handcuffs and a giant steal ball.  If the group looked closer they could see even children in the line.  

"His cognition of people are prisoners, which is obvious considering his distortion.  However should prisoners be in a prison?  Why on earth are they all lined up?  All the lines seems to be converging somewhere?" Yusuke informed.  

Futaba mumbled at bit to her self as he played with his headset.  "... Got it.  Judging by the lines, it looks like their converging to a place in the main hub of Tokyo, which I'm assuming is the main distortion.  Just give me a few more seconds to find out exactly where it is in."

Ryuji sighed, "least he didn't have his palace to be in the rural area." 

"While we wait, maybe we should listen in on people?  Or even ask where they are going to get a better sense of what exactly is his distorted desire?" Haru suggested, to which Makoto nodded. 

As Futaba continued to analyze, Makoto and the group went around the lines and the police stops.  

"Shit... Only a few more stops and we enter that hell hole.  Fuck I'm not ready for eternal suffering!" one murmured.  

Another spoke out, this time a woman, "I heard the executioner has no mercy!  Any who enter his prison will die!  Though I heard the prisoners linger!"

"Executioner?  Do you think that's Akechi?" Ann asks.  

Makoto pushed her hair back in reply, "it would seem so.  Though this is a very distorted prison, if all they do upon entering is be executed.  Make some wondering if anyone is alive in his distortion." 

"So these prisoners are waiting their turn to be executed instead of rehabilitation..."

Makoto then walks forward to the prison guard checking the prisoners as they go by the stop.  "Prisoner number #49372 please proceed to stop 3.  Pri- oh Nijima-chan!  I didn't think I would see you here."

Makoto was a little unnerved that the cognition knew her before answering, "uh yes.  I'm sure you know my father was a police officer.  So I wanted to learn more about the prison system here.  Why are they're so many of them?"

"Oh.  It's inevitable.  Hell I'm probably gonna end up in the line soon.  We all will end up being executed.  It's only a matter of time.  Of course some people get to skip the line and head right in.  Some stay in the waiting room for a long time or even get stuck at an outpost.  I'd love to talk more but we are pretty behind, so you'll have to excuse me."

The team regrouped in silence, even Futaba who had been busy checking had stopped.  It was almost eerie how Akechi's distortion has all of the people on death row.  Even the innocent... It was a side they never really expected.  

"Man... I know Akechi was a bastard... But to have a palace where you execute everyone no matter what is pretty f'd up," Ryuji says scratching his head.  

Ann looked down solemnly, "I wonder if I ever even knew Akechi.  He seemed so real with Akira that- wait does that mean he wants to kill Akira too?!"

Ann's comment gets some shocked expression as they begin to consider it.  She continued, "I- I couldn't imagine.  Akechi loves Akira..."

Mona shakes his head, "we can make all the assumptions we want.  But we won't know it's true unless Akechi's shadow confirms it.  Besides our focus should be on establishing a path to the Palace, and get a small layout of it."

"Right.  Oracle what's the location of the main distortion.  Considering this is based on Japan, we should get an exact location.  This will make it easier to navigate the roads," Queen stated.  

Futaba replied, "well it's seems to be close to Shibuya.  If I'm correct it's one of the main hospital there.  Getting there should be fairly easy, though subways a completely gone, and the routes a little different.  But don't worry I'll guide you, all we need is the Mona bus!"

On cue Mom transformed into his bus form, getting the thieves to sort themselves out in the bus, with Queen in the driver sit.  Oracle took the liberty to sit in the front to navigate where Queen should turn.  

As Queen started up the car to drive Panther spoke absently, "hospital... In Shibuya... Do you think it's the same one as the one Akira is at?" she asks to no one.  

Queen makes a sharp turn after receiving Oracle instructions a little late, which in turn jostled everyone.  After a moment of a getting back into place Queen replied, "I would think so.  If Akira is important as you say he is.  Then it would make sense why Akira is a big part of the distortion.  Let's just hope it isn't something negative.." 

The drive was quiet, Queen got use to Oracle's some what sloppy cues on when to turn, so there wasn't that many problems.  The passed some interesting buildings on the way, though the most noticeable where the three almost within walking distance from the hospital.   

The four buildings looked relatively the same, just a building with a single door and caged windows.  The only one that was different was the fifth one that was larger in size, making it seem more important.  All the buildings were some weird mash up between the European medieval period, and a modern prison set up.  Queen makes note of them, especially the names, she believes it'll be important soon.  

"Prison of the Guilty, Prison of the Innocent, Prison of the Burdened, Prison of the Sole Survivor and the last one ...Prison of Loss... those are very interesting titles.  Do you think some of the prisoners also enter these ones?" Fox  asked.

Noir replied, "I don't think so.  With the waiting room right in the middle of all five buildings.  I haven't seen any of them enter any other building except the main building, the so called 'Prison of Loss.' The only thing I see being brought into those other buildings are bags."

"Do you think it's food?" Skull butts in.

"I would hope so..."

Queen finally stops the car right in front of the Prison of Loss, just before the waiting area the guards are allocating the prisoners to.  

The Phantom Thieves get out, prompting Mona's transformation.  Before they step forward, they eye the guards in front.  The guards seem to have no reaction, giving Queen the courage to hesitantly step forward.  With no battle or yelling the rest of the thieves enter.  

They were met with an empty entrance area with no one around.  So they continued to venture, entering the cell blocks.  It was quite strange to see the building have a modern prison feel, yet the actual cells were everything seen in a stereotypical fantasy novel.  What was even stranger was no one was in the cells, it was eerie when they walked.  Their shoes clacking the floor, and bouncing off the walls in echos.  

They finally hit a dark hallway with a single door.  There in front was a familiar boy to Panther.  He was cladded in stripped prison garments like the rest of the prisoners outside.  As well as the same ball and chain and cuffs.  

"Akira?" Panther called out.  

It gained his attention as he turned.  He looked the same as Akira in the real world.  Though he has the faraway look Panther can't decipher.  This cognition of Akira is a lot harder to read compared to the joyful boy in the hospital.  Panther begins to wonder if that is because they're in Akechi's Palace.  

His chained rattled as Akira stepped forward, "oh.. you're here.  I wonder if you'll be able to change things." 

The Phantom Thieves grew confused at his words before Mona tried to explain.  "This is Akechi's palace!  Maybe they're self aware!"

"Akira-kun!  Please rest assure we can help Akechi, just let us through!" Queen explained. 

The boy then took a step to the side, dragging the heavy ball and chain.  The thieves were mildly shocked to see him move without much effort.  "The door isn't locked.  I have hope for you," Akira said cryptically before vanishing.  

Fox murmured out, "this is the first time I've seen a cognition in a place go against the ruler.  Perhaps Akechi wants change..."

With no reply, they took a step forward with Queen in the lead.  She cautiously opened the door, to reveal another hallway.  Though instead of the flat paint of before, cold Stone bricks lined the walls.  

"Dude this is straight out a the medieval ages.."

"Honestly I'm surprised you even know what that is.."

"Hey-" Queen interrupted the conversation with a glare as they paced forward.  She didn't know if the other thieves thought this, but she found the stone interior gave her chills down her spine.  She almost wants to grab Yusuke's leg in case there are ghosts.

They all freeze when the hear the sound of electricity going.  It makes a dreadful buzzing noise down the hall.  Queen doesn't want to think what the sound is suppose to be considering its a prison and Akechi's title was executioner.

Once it stops they continue to walk down the hall.  At the end with only a corner to turn, do the thieves see the room.  Queen is honestly shocked that Skull hadn't yelled out anything.  It proves the shock it managed to shut up the loudmouth of the group.  

The room was about medium sized, it wasn't exactly cramped, but the space could probably only a small amount of people.  The whole room was surrounded in bricks, with an iron gate separating the rooms in sections.  In each section there seemed to be a different murder device.  One a guillotine, another an electric chair, a shooting range... It was honestly horrible, Queen didn't know if she could stomach it.  

But the worst part was in the very back of the room, where a pile stood in an iron gated section.  A pile of heads, the mountain itself was taller than them, and spoke it weight in how many the executioner had killed.  If Queen looked even more carefully, she sees a hatch on the side, and she swallows her spit.  If it was what she believed it was, it made sense why no bodies were actually seen.  

It begged a larger question, why was the heads even here if they had a perfectly good dumping ground?  Queen was confused... was it used as a trophy?

It was then a cry came out.  She looked to see two men at the guillotine.  The prisoner head was through the hole, the man was shaking profusely and his face held unimaginable fear.  He seemed to begging to a black clothed figure, but it fell on deaf ears.  Every once and awhile she can see the prisoner glance at the pile, and his begging grew louder. 

It had become loud enough that even the thieves could hear.  "Please! I-i-I'm innocent!!  I don't want to die!! I have a family!!" He wiggled in his confines as the man stepped to side to release the level.  Never losing his gaze on the trembling man.  

From this new angle, Queen could see his long pointed mask, resembling those plague doctors she had read about in world history.  Though according to the book, these doctors would try to save those of the plague not execute them... Perhaps the mask isn't meant to mimic those doctors, but rather the crows that peck at the dead.  

Queen couldn't see much of his other garments his black cloak covering his entire body and head.  From the sliver poking out of his cloak he could spot the tunic and pants, as well as leather boots all coloured black.  He looked right out of a history text book with his clothes resembling those of the European medieval age.  

She is brought back by the sound of his scoff.  The shadow's gold eyes piercing from the holes of his mask.  The begging grew louder, but it only added fuel to fire as he grabbed the lever with his gloves hands.  

There was a pause, the man beneath stops shaking and looks.  Though Queen couldn't see, the way the man's face showed pure fear was very telling.  Without a word uttered, the Executioner pulled the handle, causing the blade of the guillotine to crash down with a thump.  

Queen could absently hear the cries and screeches of her teammates, but she never blinked.  Just stared in horror and the prisoners head landed on the floor, his face of fear permanently etched on his face.  

She's honestly surprised she hasn't gagged or cried out like Oracle is in the back, but she knows shock shows itself in many different ways.  For her, she became numb, frozen to watch it all happen before it shattered like a teacup falling to the ground.

The shadow seemed to then brush off his clothes, as if the murder was an afterthought.  He then picked up the head and was going to make way to his pile when he stopped.  

Queen hadn't even realized Skull had yelled out something until she saw Akechi's face.  The way his eyes crinkled up in delight, even though his mouth was never seen.  

"Oh~ the Phantom Thieves actually managed to enter my palace...  I'm honestly surprised you haven't stumbled.. though.. I heard the fear of death is a good motivator," Shadow Akechi spoke out in a eerie voice.  Queen was having a hard time deciphering his true intent.

Yusuke took a step back in shock, "you're shameless!  You aren't even trying to hide the fact you are planning to kill our leader!"

Akechi scoffed, "what is there to hide?  There is only one reason why you would prioritize coming here before your possible arrest.  And that is only if you know my plan to kill your leader.  The Phantom Thieves look to have luck on their side with finding the palace and even getting the keywords.  But I assure you.  You won't be able to solve this palace.  Especially if you can't handle the mere heads of the prisoners."

Oracle shook her head, she was trying to seem not confident that what she really was, "d-dont doubt us!  We will steal our corrupted heart!" 

This time Akechi laughed, "I can hear you shaking from here." He shakes his head and there's this sad look in his eyes before it disappears, "you cannot and will not find the truth.  Everything I've done... Cannot be known!"

In his declaration, he flung his cloak back as his clothes began to change.  It was a gradual change, his black tunic melted away to show the imperial military suit.  It was beige in colour with hints of red and gold, and had 8 buttons running down his torso where his belt was wrapped around.  The shoulder guards with a little different, indicating his higher rank role compared to the other outside.  His hat held the letter 'A' in gold with a red strip around the brown hat.  To top it all off, his cape was made with the red colour of blood with hints of gold.  It was long and reached to the ground leaving a trail.  Upon inspection the cape was connected to the should tassels, allowing it to trail a bit off his shoulders.  

Once his garment completely changed, Akechi smirked arrogantly, as he pulled his long blade out of its white sheath.  He got into his stance, with his feet shoulder width apart, as he bent his knees slightly, bringing his two arms to his right side, bringing the blade to his eye level.  If Queen didn't know better, she would've thought Akechi was a master swordsman in the art of kendo.  

"What was even the point of changing your clothes!?" Skull called out bringing his lead pipe out, as the team also went into their stances.  

Oracle quickly retreated into her persona, "don't be fooled.  Akechi's shadow is a reflection of him.  His mask of the people pleaser and one of the executioner.  Clearly he doesn't think we are worth the trouble to show his true self!"

Noir then stood up straight and pointed towards the Shadow Akechi with her axe on her shoulder, "don't underestimate us!"

The golden eye Akechi only chuckled, "I'm sure no one will care about the public incarceration of the Phantom Thieves, after all they are murderers."

With those words he then charged ruthlessly, almost cutting Mona in half had the cat not dodge in time.  Queen was instantly thrown off, she didn't even have enough time to call out orders before he downed Panther.  

The shadow quickly realized that once he brought Panther down, the team had begun to prepare for a counterstrike to which he did not answer to.  He flipped back, causing the cape to trail behind him as he put the distances back between the him and the group.  He then stood tall, yet alert as he brought the back of the blade to the crook of his elbow to clean the blood as Queen scrambles orders to heal Panther.  

Once the blade was wiped he swung down in the air to get out any remaining blood, before daring the thieves to strike.  His cold eyes watching them like a snake preparing to strike.  

"Tsk!" Skull gritted out as him and Fox made to protect Panther as Mona healed her.  Queen and Noir were on both their sides to act as additional defence if Akechi were to attack.  

Queen seemed calm, but underneath she was panicking.  They had not anticipated Akechi's shadow to be so strong that he instantly took Panther out.  She tighten her fists in preparation. 

Akechi suddenly crouched lower as if to sprint again.  Oracle can be heard trying to provide support when Akechi stopped and got back up.  He had been distracted, and though this would've been an opportunity to strike, non of the thieves moved.  They could only hear Oracle's quiet murmurs in her ship.  

Akechi then strangely gave a subtle nod, and spoke something out.  He then let go of his left hand, giving the blade's full weight to his right.  "Shame...  But no matter.  I'll make sure you're unable to solve anything before the 20th."

He then swiped the blade horizontally from left to right.  Instantly the thieves were then pulled out the door by an invisible force.  

"What!?" Fox called out, struggling against the pull.  Even Oracle was taken in her persona.  

The passed the cold walls in a flash before ending outside again in a pile of thieves.  In their recovery to get up, the doors slams shut with a heavy iron lock then appearing.  Sealing the Prison of Loss from the thieves.

"Ugh... Lady Ann.." 

Queen managed to shove Skull off of her as she got up to investigate the door.  Oracle followed suit, having been in her persona, she escaped unscathed.  

She reached out to the lock, it looked like any normal one, she'd even bet Skull could probably break it open with how frail it looked.  But she suspects that's only on the outside, like everything Akechi stands for, there are always two sides. 

Oracle shakes her head, bringing Queen's attention to her.  "It's no good Queen.  Even though it looks like even Mona could pick it, from my readings it says it's almost indestructible and won't open unless you have its proper key."

"Do you know where the key is Oracle?" Queen asked as she hears the rest of the thieves shuffling forward to the two of them.  

Oracle began to look through everything in her headset before she came to her conclusion, "it's no good.  The key would be in the Prison of the Sole Survivor which is then locked by a key in the proceeding area and so forth.  So there no easy way to confront Akechi yet.  Though I'm almost certain we were in the right place, the treasure should be in that building, though even I don't know where yet.."

"I see," Queen murmured, "alright let us head back.  We know where the treasure is and where to start.  We shouldn't waste anymore energy."

Mona took his cue and transformed, and everyone got into place as Queen started the car.  

"Dude I imagined Akechi to be a little messed up, but this is a whole different level!" Skull said.  

Fox nodded in agreement by his side, "yes... I also found it quite disturbing he had such little regard on the corpses of those people.  Do you think perhaps, those were people he's really killed?"

"It's hard to say..." Oracle murmurs, "I think if that many people actually died there would be a massive problem.  We know palace rulers tend to exaggerate sometimes.  Akechi probably believes himself to eventually call everyone in Japan.."

"For real...?"

Panther pulls her mask up and has a sad look in her eyes as she gazed at the window while the rest talk.  It's Noir who notices her dismay and asks, "are you alright Ann?"

Ann is shocked at first being called before turning to a worried Haru.  She shakes her head, "I'm fine.  Well... Not really. I guess its just... I find it hard sometimes that Akechi is actually like this... Such a ruthless person... I see him with Akira and I honestly never would've guessed this was hiding underneath.."

Haru then turns forward, before looking to her thighs, as Ann's gaze follows her.  "I know what you mean Ann.  I had similar thoughts with my father, though his was easier to see.  But don't lose hope yet Ann, until we know for certain... the Akechi who cares so deeply for Akira is here.... Perhaps he just doesn't think he deserves help."

"Haru..." Ann says, "you really are strong.  Even with seeing that before, and hearing the possibility that Akechi could have killed your father.  You have hope that he has reasons.. whatever those horrid reasons are."

Haru then grabs Ann's hands and looks at her eye to eye, "I don't know if I'll ever forgive Akechi.  But something tells me he's a victim too.  So we have to try our best to figure it out."

Ann nods in agreement as the rest of the ride back home was quiet except for Ryuji's outbursts.

Chapter Text

Queen was honestly impressed with the team.  They managed to get through her sister's palace relatively easily.  Sure the solo match was intimidating, but Queen didn't even have to do it.  Akechi had offered to go ahead, and ignoring all protest.  Luckily none of the enemies had curse attacks, and he was able to use items to counteract their weakness.  If Queen didn't know any better, it was almost taunting how easily Akechi did it.  Like he was telling them to not bother fighting against him.  There was a slim chance Akechi finds out about them searching through his palace, especially since it rang during a conversation with Ann.  They just had to bet he thought they were fools bumbling around, or completely forgot about.  It was also why they were trying to complete the Akechi's palace as soon as possible.  Which lead them in front on the Prison of the Guilty.

"Yo Oracle, you sure Akechi isn't stalking us or something?" Skull asked, as he looked over his back cautiously.  

Oracle scoffed, "of course I'm sure.  I made sure to specially track his persona reading while doing Sae's palace.  I'll know exactly where he is at all time.  We would just need to time when he's out of the entrance, use Goho-M, and boom we are out!!"

"We will leave it to you then Oracle," Noir commented, "now that we are here at the entrance of the first area.  Don't you think it looks a little eerie..?"

Queen nodded as she looked over the sad state the building was in.  If she were to compare it with the previous one they had went to, this one had a more sinister energy and was just plain dark.  Even the iron doors looked like something straight out of a horror movie.  Queen honestly was contemplating on grabbing Fox by the arm just in case there were ghosts...

"I mean it probably looks like that 'cause of the name right?  The guilty people probably don't have the best care," Panther brought up.  

"Well we won't know until we get in!  Even though it looks creepy, it's probably just some basic shadows.. I don't think there's any ghosts Queen."

Noir has a puzzled look, "huh?  You're afraid of ghosts Queen?"

"N-nonsense!  Let's hurry up we are waiting time!"

Queen manages to push the door open to reveal a whole mess.  It caused her to step back into Fox who made sure she was alright.  It was filled with cobwebs, dust and looked to have been forgotten for years.  It was clear Akechi didn't care about these prisoners at all.  Queen wouldn't be surprised if these prisoners were all starved by the lack of care.  

Skull marched in, becoming the team designated cobweb swatter, "man this shits everywhere!  'least it doesn't stink though."

The team ventured further passed the entrance room.  They were met with numerous hall ways that looked more modern yet still abandon.  

"Woah careful!  There's a bunch of shadow in this area!  We just have to get past the hallways and we should be in the clear!" Oracle informed.

The team tried their best to steal as much loot as well as maintaining their energy.  The enemies were difficult, and the first line up was losing stamina fast. Queen had to switch the line up to conserve energy least she wastes the coffee so early.  It didn't help that they had a uneven amount of active fighters, but at least Fox or Skull could stay back considering their persona focus on physical damage.  

She was always hesitant for Mona to use too much of his stamina considering he was their main healer.  Though she was secretly glad she had gotten enough money to buy enough medication.  If Queen made risky decisions regarding the teams health, no one mentioned.  It all paid off though once they reached a safe room just before the entrance to the next hall.  

"Gahhhhh..... I'm exhausted, that was like a dungeon spree!" Skull groaned out at the table as Queen started a meeting.  

Queen pulled out the stamina kit from her pouches, "sorry everyone.  I'll make sure to get more energy replenishing items in stock." 

The energy of the stamina kit, easier their aches, and they were back at 75%, atleast for most of them.  

"I don't think I can be in the starting line up still, sorry Queen," Panther apologized.  

Queen shook her head, "it's alright, just rest up right now, Noir you're up with Fox and Skull."

"I won't disappoint!"

"No problem, all that energy is back up again!"

"Very well, I'll help push the vanguard!"

"Hold up Queen!" Oracle called out, "I'm getting weird readings in the next room.  It totally sucks that we don't have a map, but from the readings there looks to be a boss all the way down the hall past the door.  So get ready, we might not have another chance to stock up!"

Queen nodded and began delivering resources to everyone.  "Alright, let's head out."

Thet then breached the rustic door to a very dark cell block.  It was a complete change from the previous room with its chipped stone walls and the irons cages.  

"There seems to be no working light," Fox added as he stops the group from stumbling any further.  

Panther nudges Mona who meowed in surprise, "hey Mona your bus form has lights!  Give us some light!"

"No way!  The second I transform the whole building will come down with us!!"

Oracle that pointed to a distant shape on the wall, "hey I think that's a torch!  Panther light it up!"

Upon further inspection, it did seem to have the silhouette of a traditional torch.  With her doubts verified, Panther called forth agi, lighting the corridor to the horror of the group.  

Around them in the cell blocks were heads piled up like the execution room.  Some were so old there wasn't even skin on them, just bones.  But all of them held the frightful expression of the time of death.  It was overwhelming to see so many piles in each cell, that reach higher than Fox's height.  

The noise though, that was the worst, the groans and pleas of mercy.  As well as the pure screech they heard before it faded away like the skin of the skulls.  

"Fuck.... How many did Akechi kill?!" Skull yelled out, "like I get that some of them might be an exaggeration but I recognize some of these guys, popular tv host who went missing two years ago, that train conductor guy that went berserk...  He caused all of this.."

Oracle could be seen shaking and holding on to Panther, "g-guys I don't like this at all.  The voices, it's so similar to before..."

Suddenly an apparition appeared from the cell, and grabbed what they presumed to be their own head.  Once it placed it back on his empty shoulders, the ghostly figure began to murmur.  

"Damn it.  I knew I shouldn't have trusted him.  Ordered his little executioner on me."

Queen took a step back and grabbed Fox by the cloth of his shirt.  No one decided to comment on the fragile nature of their leader.  

The apparition then began to shake rapidly, earning a cry from the team.  It then dissolved like any shadow and transformed into its true form.  

"R-right," Queen coughed out as she jumped out from behind Fox, "be on guard, this shadow probably won't the last judging by the heads in this cell block!"

True to her word, their venture down the hall was interrupted several times but the heads of the dead.  Thought thankfully, most of the enemies had weakness they could exploit, and if in doubt, it was almost certain bless attacks were their weakness.  Queen was glad she brought bless items to use.  

Their line up was doing quite well, with the majority using physical attacks most of the time, they managed to lightly chip their depleting stamina, only using one of Sojiro's masterful coffees.  

They then reached the end of the cell block where there was a steel door.  Even with the bars, the team couldn't see anything with how dark the other room was.  Even with Oracle's persona, what lied behind the door was a mystery with her.  

"Shall we venture forth?" Fox asked his hand reaching the handle.  

Queen nodded knowing their set up should be okay for a big fight if necessary.  

With a creak, the door opened and the thieves entered the dark abyss.  Just as Mona passed through the door, it immediately shut causing alarm.  Skull ran to the door to move it, but to his dismay it didn't budge.  "Dammit!"

Their only light from the door, was still too dim for any of them to see anything.  Trapping them in darkness.  

"W-waah..  quick! Panther light something!" Oracle yelled out.  

But before any of them could move, the candles lit themselves.  It revealed a relatively large room that was big enough for a fight, which made Queen uneasy.  It was plain, except for the lone pedestal at the end of the room.  It was like all the others, it's decapitated head plastered like fine china.  Though this time, the rest of his laid on the floor in a heap of blood.  

"N-no th-thats..!?" Noir whispered out in horror as she covered his gaping mouth.  

Queen gritted her teeth, she hadn't recognized the corpse do to the dim lighting, but she had a feeling now who it was judging by Noir's reaction.  

"My god," Fox stumbled out, "is it President Okumura..?"

Panther and Skull were a taken back as the two then realized the implications.  "Akechi actually killed Haru's dad?" Panther whispered out.  

"Guys...." Oracle mumured out, as the flames grew on the candles revealing the bullet hole on Okumura's head.  His face in eternal fear, just like the others. 

It began to groan out, creeping the team out.  "I-I've chaaanged...  I was going to confess.  Why did I die?"

Noir replied softly, "father.."

"The sins I have is unspeakable.  But to rob my child of the father she wanted..?  I didn't deserve to die!  I've changed!  Unlike the brat who killed me!  He was no better!  He robbed me of being a good father to Haru!  The Executioner did this to me!  Robbed a girl of a father!" Okumura began to yell out as his corpse got itself up.  It grabbed its head and placed it back in place, though Okumura still retained the bullet wound and the rolled eyes.  

"Father!  I understand your anger!  But please help us!" Noir called out, her hands tight on the axe.  

The corpse began to bleed the same black blood from the day of the press conference, all the same except for the bullet wound.  Okumura began to twitch and shaking, as if changing from this form.  

"No! The Executioner will pay!  He will die here!  He will suffer here!  In the prison of his making!  No change of heart for a criminal like him.  He will be this prison's last prisoner!" 

With that, Okumura began to hunch over and melted into black goo, before reappearing in a large monstrous form.  It's head hung low by a thin vein like cable running from his neck to the rest of the body.  It's body was made of heads of the other inmates with some space to show parts of his cut of limbs.  With the heads as joints, his limbs were long a disproportionate, making a grotesque monster of sin.  

Noir was especially taken back, for she visibly took several steps back in fear.  It was traumatizing to say the least, to see one's father as an abomination to man.  

"Haru.. you understand don't you?  Let him suffer, for what he's done to us.  We could've been happy..." The monster growled out in a demonic version of Okumura's own voice.  

Noir shook her head and heaved the axe forward, getting the thieves to follow forth.  "My father is dead.  As much as I cannot forgive Akechi, we will change his heart and save our leader!" 

Noir then struck as quickly as she ended her speech, severing the head of one of the prisoners.  

Queen stepped up and quickly launched a nuclear attack as Fox and Skull entered the front line.  Surprisingly, the creature stumbled, and it gave the thieves time to do a hold up.  

"Mona, focus on support!  Alright, let's do an all out attack!" 

Their continuous strikes barely scratched the shadow's health.  The rest of the line up prepare for the worst with items increasing defence.  

With their joint effort, the managed to finally strike down the beast with one final attack from Noir, officially killing the multi-headed monster.  

Oracle came down from her space ship to examine the dying Okumura with the team.  Even on its last limbs it begged to the thieves, "stop.  Stop your goal.  Let him die in this prison just like the rest of us."  He then disappeared into dust, leaving a key in its place.  

"This must be the key to the next area," Panther interjected as she helped Skull with his wounds. 

Queen nodded in agreement and went to pick up the item before she was hit with the same dizziness she felt upon coming into the Metaverse.  Upon looking at her friends, it seems she wasn't the only one affected.  

Once the headache stopped she looked around to see she and the thieves were in the collapsing palace of Okumura.  She stood up in shock to see the drastic change in scenary.  

"What in the world?" Skull said, "oi Mona do you know what is happening?"

The cat shook himself awake as he got up as well.  The thieves looked to him for advice as the cat was in deep thought.  

"I wonder...  My best bet is that upon defeating the cognition of Okumura we managed to enter the memory Akechi had related to him.  It is probably why the cognition didn't want us beating the palace..."

Mona was indeed correct, as they looked to see Okumura kneeling on the ground crying, just as they had last saw him.  Noir clearly was stricken, as she was about to see her father's death take place.  

The gunshot rang loudly, as it pierced Okumura chest, forcing him to the ground.  Noir wanted to run forward but froze upon seeing the black figure approach her father.  

"Dude... Akechi is the black mask..." 

Okumura reached out, almost towards where Noir was as he said his last words.  "My.. utopia.." Another shot rang, as it went through the back of Okumura's head.  Okumura's shadow then faded admist the chaos around them.  

It was relatively silent after, Queen anticipated Akechi would be running from the palace, yet he stood there at the blank floor.  

None of them noticed at first, until the loud laughter filled the room.  It sounded crazed as Akechi scratched at his mask before yanking it off.  It left them bewildered as they saw the mad look on his face.  

"Hahaha... You really are something...  Murdering a father right when he was ready to change for his daughter...  It's so familiar and heartwarming... It makes me sick," Akechi spoke spitefully.  

He looked above as the debris rained down upon him.  Akechi looked to have no regard for his own life, as he stared at death in the eye.  "You've really gone to far Goro.. no emotions after killing a man, leaving his helpless daughter...  No regrets...  I truly am a monster.  A little bastard..

It's doesn't matter.  Everything was done for him.  Even if I don't make it out in the end.."

The teams vision blurs, and they are back in the dark room.  Noir and Oracle seem to be the most shaken up as the two comfort each other.  Noir is heard murmuring to the little one about staying strong when they inevitably see what's to come.  It's almost therapeutic for Noir to reassure Oracle for her own health.  

Queen can tell Noir wanted to scream and hurt Akechi, yet at the same time her hearts aches for the unknown burden and guilt he bares.  

"I'm assuming this won't be the last of what we will see," Fox says grimly, "I don't know how to feel...  There is disgust, yet overwhelming sympathy..  whatever path Akechi is going down, he believes its worth his life..."

Mona had a sad look in his eyes, "do you think.. it's for Akira?" 

There was some momentary shock before Panther nodded solemnly.  "If it's for Akira.  I'm sure there's nothing that'll stop him from sacrificing anything..

I don't mean to rub any wounds.. but what if someone is forcing Akechi?  What if he really thinks this is what he has to do?"

Skull replied, "it's hard to say... Akechi always wears a mask, hell even his own shadow probably hiding his true feelings.  What if this pity is fake... I just don't know.  It's just doesn't make sense why Akechi the dick bag who murders people can also be someone blackmailed into this.  I mean his shadow was almost proud!... Man.. the guys surrounded by lies, no one knows the truth.."

"I believe we should head back for today," Noir said, "I'm feeling conflicted..  I just need to be by myself for a bit.. I'll be alright for the next part of palace tomorrow.  I hope this doesn't cause any problems?"

Queen shook her head as she sighed, "I think we all need a break...  Prepare yourselves tomorrow.  I fear it'll get worse.." Her eyes purposely linger on Futaba who seemed to have the same idea as her.  Oracle nods nervously once more before they all leave to think about Akechi Goro.  

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With those final words, vertigo struck the team.  In an instant they collapsed to their feet as the world moved around, until they returned to the cold, abandoned cell holding the abused, hanging mother.  

Fox moves with grace as the limb tried to grab Queen, before being sliced by his hand.  Though it only proved to be temporary.  Fox grunted, "as I was saying.  If we perhaps take a slightly different view upon their stories, we can understand why Akechi's mother transformed into this beast.  If we consider Akechi's mother as this beautiful woman who managed to get a man that is perceived as powerful to love her.  Only to lose it all from someone, and become a vicious beast.  That someone, Akechi believes to be himself." 

Queen nodded in agreement before launching a nuclear attack, getting the monster to stagger, allowing for Queen and Panther to baton pass for increased damage.

Chapter Text

Soon the darkness faded from her eyes and feeling returned to her hands.  As her hands gripped the ground, she could the soil digging into her palms.  All she could smell was the fresh grass that was so uncommon in Tokyo, reminding her of rural Japan.  She focused her eyes around her as he got up and looked around.  

She and the thieves were in a field of flowers and grass.  The sun's gaze was brightening but not blinding, providing small comfort against her aching body.  "Is everyone alright?" Queen asked as she looked around to her fellow teammates realizing the same conclusion she had.  

"Woah!" Oracle jumped up and looked around, "this is seriously straight out of studio Nhibli!" She then proceeded to drag and unwilling Mona to go and look at flowers, putting a small smile on Queen's face.  

She then turned to see Fox holding his hands out like a frame as Panther apologizes to Skull for crushing him.  He brings his hands to aim at the area right beside Queen.  From the looks of it, Fox is greatly appreciating the landscape and is trying to find a good composition.  He nods adamantly as Noir joins Queen, "yes.. this lighting with vivid colours of the flowers to accent the sky.  Yes this is beautiful, I can already ima- oh?" He stops, and his hands fall beside him.

Queen and Noir grow curious and looks in the direction Fox was.  There they spotted a familiar black mop of hair amidst the green.  His back was faced to them, but even from there they could tell he was wearing something different, almost like a school uniform.  Before the two could even think about moving towards the young teen, the rest of the team noticed the cognition as well.

Panther was first to verbalize it, "is that Akira?  Looks like you were right Mona..  Though I don't want to fight him, even if it's a cognition." The other thieves shared the same sentiment.  Their face grim that Mona had completely missed Panther had complimented him.  

Noir shifted her stance and put a reassuring hand on Panther's shoulder.  "Sadly, I don't think we have choice.  Try to remember this is only how Akechi views him, no matter how hard it might be." Panther accepted her words with a kind smile as Skull began to trek forward.

The thieves followed the blond until he decided to call out to the raven when they got close.  "Akira?" he asked, hesitantly. 

The teen turned to the sound, though he sounded confused gestured to himself for Skull to clarify.  The blond nodded, his expression just as confused.  "I think you're mistaken.  My name isn't Akira?  It's Amamiya Ren," the grey eyed boy answered.  

Skull wanted to retort, but was hit in the stomach by Queen's elbow.  The brunette decided to ease the conversation back into their territory.  She smiled warmly, "oh our mistake Amamiya-kun.  We must've misheard your family name from Akechi-kun."

The teen's eyes lit up upon hearing Akechi's name.  "Oh Goro?" he says shyly, "he doesn't come into the prison.  No one does actually, so I'm glad he brought you here." 'Amamiya's' remarks about his isolation in his prison raised some eye brows.  Queen decided to push for answers that only the black haired boy would know.  

"Why doesn't Akechi come here?"

Amamiya is then silent, his eyes not meeting anyone's faces.  For a split second Queen could've sworn a burning smell arose, though it left so suddenly she wasn't certain.  "Why would he come here?  He can't face me without succumbing to his guilt.  I'm a reminder of his mistakes.." just as Amamiya spoke, the sky darkened.  The smell of something burning grew immensely as the surrounding area was engulfed in flames.  

"Woah-" Oracle called out as she leapt into her persona.  Queen could hear her in the background giving panicking visuals on their situation.  Though the brunette could do nothing else besides staring at the teen.  Upon closer look, Amamiya was younger than the cognition had showed itself before.  His clothes were clearly that of a middle school student, with the black collared button up.  He looked very tired in that moment, it was hard to decipher what his intentions were.  

"You will know the truth.  The story of his mistakes and guilt-" with that the flames swirled in a tornado before taking them in. 

~~~

Akechi Goro was a loner.  All the kids in his grade often mocked and threw stuff at him for being the child of a prostitute, or being a fatherless child.  Some parents even looked to him in disdain, and made sure their children never even looked at him.  It hurt him a bit, but he was always grateful to have his mother by his side, with her slowly fading smile.  

So it came to no surprise when Akechi asked the boy if he had mistaken him for someone else.  

Akechi had been walking home, and was planning to hang around just as he usual did if the bullies didn't come to harass him.  On the way he heard a loud noise like a prepubescent trumpet.  He ignored it thinking was a kid trying to get another's attention.  He continued and the buzzing didn't stop.  Akechi grew curious and turned to the sound to see a young black haired boy underneath a tree.  He stopped blowing on his leaf and waved to Akechi.  

Akechi made sure the child hadn't been looking at someone behind as he pointed to himself.  The child nodded eagerly before patting at the grass beside him.  The brunet grew hesitant, fearing it might be one of those kids who acted nice at first before being unnaturally cruel.  Though Akechi's loneliness won, and he walked over to the boy.  He decided to not sit, in case he needed to bolt home.  The boy paid no attention to Akechi not sitting, and scanned the boy.  He then noticed Akechi's small Phoenix Ranger Featherman figure he had attached to his strap.  He had managed to get one using some of his lunch money.  His mother was initially sad, but not for the reason he had thought as she expressed sadness that Akechi had starved one lunch.  Akechi had reassured her he wouldn't do it again.  

He was brought out his thoughts as Akira's eyes sparkled and was spewing out amazement.  "Wow!  You're a fan of the Featherman too?!  Who's your favorite?  Mine is Black Condor!"

Akechi was bewildered for a bit before he regained his cool, "of course I like Featherman.  Also Red Hawk is obviously superior to Black Condor." The kid then pulled him down before going into a long winded speech about how he was correct and that Red Hawk was a cliche answer.  Akechi had then unknowingly let his guard down and say beside the bright boy.  

"By the way.. what is your name Mr. Red Hawk?  Mine is Amamiya Ren," the boy teased as he pulled out another piece of grass, before analyzing its length.  

Akechi looked at him oddly before replying, "Akechi Goro.  What is it that you're doing Ren Ren?" Akechi secretly smirked as the boy wasn't prepared for Akechi's comeback.  He straightened himself out before bringing the piece of grass to his mouth and blowing.  It was alarmingly loud that it brought disappointed looks from those passing.  

Amamiya looked back arrogantly, "bet you can't do that Go-chan?" the nickname did strike a nerve as Akechi picked a piece of grass, unafraid of the consequences.  Amamiya decided to take pity and showed him at least how to hold it before Akechi blew.  

Amamiya's laughter couldn't get any louder as Akechi stared at his hand covered in spit.  He desperately wiped it with his tissues, trying to hide his red ears.  By the time Akechi was finished, and Amamiya had finished laughing, Akechi had realized he needed to leave to make it home on time.  Though he was unable to verbalize it, as he didn't want to leave Amamiya.  His distress was caught by the black haired boy who only nodded understanding.  

Akechi stood up slowly and dusted off his pants.  He went to leave, but stopped, drawing Amamiya's attention.  He then turned, though not daring to look at the boy. "A-are we friends?" Akechi asked quietly.  

Had the brunet been staring he would've seen the boy light up as he giggled.  "Of course we are!" he exclaims as Akechi finally makes eye contact in relief.  "Let's have this tree as our meet up spot, same time tomorrow! Don't be late and maybe I'll show you how to make a crown out of flowers."

Akechi brightened too and nodded happily before waving at the boy.  All be could think off as he headed home was that he had made his first friend.

~~~

Goro was worried.  With his mother busy at home, she told him to head to the hot spring.  Though Goro had different plans today.  Knowing his mother often asked him to leave on Fridays, Goro had informed his friend if it was possible to meet up later in the evening.  He made sure to inform the boy that he couldn't always leave, so he was to leave after 5 minutes of Goro not appearing, especially since it was late in the evening.  The younger had told him it wouldn't be an issue, as his parents often didn't care where he was, and stated he would show up every week much to Goro's concern.  

Which is why Goro was worried when the child hadn't appeared in over 10 minutes.  He knew Amamiya would always be early because he could, unlike Goro.  So it was unusual that he was late.  The brunet knew it wasn't his fault, as he appeared by the tree at the correct time.  So he waited, hoping nothing happened to the young boy.  He would even forgive him if tomorrow afterschool the black haired boy confessed to have slept early.  

Almost 20 minutes after, he saw Amamiya walking slowly, cupping his face.  With a call the younger boy looked up stunned, as if he hadn't anticipated Goro being here today.  In the moment, Amamiya turned his face away as Goro approached.  The brunet grew restless as Amamiya kept evading his gaze.  It got to the point Goro grew frustrated at his friend's evasion and grabbed his arms so he could face him.  

"Amamiya-kun?  Just tell me what's wrong?" Goro asked, staring at his hesitant grey eyes.  Right as the boy was going to retort about Goro using his last name.  The brunet took the opportunity to yank his arms down to reveal a bluish bruise starting to form.  In an instant Goro's anger rose like an erupting volcano.  Though he held it in as Amamiya looked at him hesitantly.  

"It's nothing," Amamiya said, "it was a mistake.  Dad was just anger today and I pushed his buttons.  He normally isn't like this, I just happened to be there at the wrong time."

Goro grew serious as he held him at arm's length, "has this ever happened before?" Goro knew Amamiya's parents never wanted him.  He said that his parents never cared where he went and were more addicted to work than spend time with the young boy.  Goro hadn't anticipated that Amamiya's father would ever lay a hand on him though. 

The raven shook his head, "no.  I told you it was my fault.  I kept asking for him to spend time with me, even though I know he was busy.  I didn't shut up so he hit me and told me to leave him alone like I normally did." 

Goro could only watch as Amamiya's eyes grew sorrowful, making his heart hurt.  For all the bullying Goro went through, he at least had a loving mother.  Amamiya didn't.  A child his age would be wondering why his parents don't spend time with him, and had begun to crave the affection of a parent.  He was punished for a normal child necessity.  Goro then pulled the boy into his chest, much to the shock of the younger one.  He held tightly in an embrace and felt Amamiya shakily returned the favour.  "Amamiya.  This isn't and will never be your fault.  Your parents are fools for not wanted to spend time with you, and should've never dared to lay a hand on you.  It's inexcusable.  If you're ever lonely, you can come to me." 

It was quiet for a short bit before he felt Amamiya tighten his arms.  The raven decided to finally removed his face from Goro's chest and looked up with a beaming smile.  "Thank you Goro," he says, "and I've told you.  Call me Ren."

Goro gave a soft chuckle, his anger vanishing amidst the bright smile.  He looked down at the shorter boy, "hmm... I guess I should if I'll be meeting your bratty self more often."

The younger took Goro's teasing with a light punch to the older one's chest.  He stuck out his tongue, to which made Goro push his face out of their hug.  The raven paid no mind and laughed.  

All Goro could think of was desperately wanting to protect Ren's smile from the cruel world.  

~~~

Akechi was numb, so very numb.  Things passed in a blur as the police came and took his mother's body as the others tried to calm him down.  But Akechi couldn't see, couldn't hear.  All he had were the raging thoughts, and feeling of happiness being stolen away.  

His mother was a masterful liar.  Her promise of being together was so beautiful, Akechi hadn't seen when it became a lie.  Still he loved her anyways, from her warm touches to her tired smiles.  She just could not love Akechi more than she loved that bastard man.  

His life was in shambles now, he knew for certain none of his relatives would take him.  He had heard what they said behind his back, the disappointment he posed to the family as they called his mother a whore.  Which meant the only next logical place for him to go was child services.  He was no fool, he knew they would put him in foster care and hope with their flawed system that Akechi grew up perfectly fine.  It didn't take a genius to know Akechi will suffer, no matter how much child services insisted they will 'care' for him.  

He knew those greedy adults, where they act nice and neglect the child behind the screen.  Or worse engage in physically and mental abuse.  Akechi could hope his foster parents will be kind, but with his already stained reputation of being a bastard child, he knew it wouldn't matter how kind he is, they will hate him.  Pass him around like a fucking doll to play with it and then leave to catch dust.  

Akechi would endure, he would endure it all if it meant he could still see Ren.  He was the only thing left in the wretched world, and Akechi had to protect him from those corrupt adults.  

But fear ached in his stomach as he was transported into the car of child services.  He didn't have to be a genius to know they wanted to make sure he was okay and healthy before kicking him out to the nearest money hunger bastard.  He was mostly zoned out until keywords were blasted into his ear.  

Possible relocation.

They were going to move him out of this rural town to the big cities where there found be more foster parents willing to take him in.  Logically it made sense, everyone here was more old school, and the population was smaller.  But Akechi didn't care about things being logical.  

With adrenaline pumping through his veins, Akechi took off his seatbelt and moved to the door.  He ignored their distress in the front and quickly unlocked the child safety on the door.  His shaky hand grabbed the handle and pushed out.  Luckily the light was red, so they were in a complete stop, but that also meant the drivers could quickly put him back.  So as soon as the door fully opened, he rushed out ignoring the yells and honks of cars that stopped.  

It was fortunate Akechi had grown used to the area, unlike the men behind him.  He also made use of his small stature to get into small crevices to slow down or evade his pursuers.  Akechi at this point was going off pure memory from the days he left his home late at night.

Soon he was back on family grounds as he sees Ren by their tree.  The younger boy had been spending more time there following the incident.  His parents didn't care that Ren didn't return until late at noon, and had even been willing to offer higher allowance so he could eat if he was hungry after school.  So it was no surprised to see Ren snacking on something as the sun began to set.  

The boy finally noticed Akechi and waved before showing visible confusion at how disheveled Akechi was.  Akechi quickly grabbed the boy by the hand earning a surprised 'yelp'.  He quickly dragged him into this small crevice between the bushes that wasn't very noticeable.  He then placed a hand on the raven's mouth as he waited for their voices.  For a short bit, all that was heard was Akechi's heavy pants before some yelling in distance washed away the breathing.  If they listened close they could hear the men asking for Akechi as well as describing his physical appearance.  It seems to go nowhere and the men agree to split up, as their voice fades away.  Once it is silent again, Akechi let's go to see a worried Ren.  

"Goro?  Are you alright?" Ren asks.  

It's such a simple question, yet it shatters Akechi's being.  From Ren it sounds so sincere and full with weight compared to the empty, hollow condolences the adults made.  Ren would never pretend to care, all his words hold meaning and are said with care.  So to hear Ren ask such a question, Akechi words get caught in his throat.  

Ren doesn't rush him, he waits patiently as Akechi comes to term with everything.  The brunet could tell Ren wanted to say something, yet he held his tongue because he knew Akechi need time to breath, for the adrenaline to fade.  

He releases a sigh, "my mother killed herself." When he looks up he sees Ren eyes widen, before he grabs his older friend in a bear hug.  Akechi doesn't cry, he's broken so he just stared aimlessly as Ren whispers words of sorrow for him.  

Ren had never meant his mother, only through word of mouth.  Yet Akechi knew his mother would love him, he can imagine her gentle smile as he talked about Ren and her teasing him in return.  Akechi wished his mother could've meant him before she couldn't stand him anymore.

Ren, as if reading his mind, kept saying things like 'it wasn't your fault', over and over while his mind yelled back that he caused his mother's death with his birth.  Yet he never spoke a word, and Ren could only do so much, Akechi was stubborn when he can be.  

The older boy decided to switch the topic, to get Ren to stop speaking about the cause of his mother's death and how firmly the raven believed to have not been his fault. So he spoke of his situation and the more pressing issue (no need to grieve-).  "I'll be going with child services since no relatives would want me.  They might move me to Tokyo where there are more people willing to foster a child like me," he says quietly.  

He could tell Ren wanted to retort Akechi about his comment of himself, but he picked his battle and decided to address the more pressing issue.  Ren's eyes softened, "is this why you ran?"

"Yes.  I-I needed to get away, to think, to figure out what I am going to do," Akechi confessed.  "I don't want to be alone."

Ren looked pessimistic about the prospect, just liked Akechi.  But the boy forced a smile as he got the brunet to look at him.  "Listen Goro.  I know we don't have the power the change what adults want.  But we can try our best, even if it sounds optimistic.  Here, I'll write my address down and when you return, you know where to find me.  I'll also come here everyday until you return to the town.  So have hope."

Akechi frowned, "there are many plot holes in your plan.  First you could move out of this town, your parents are financially stable to do so.  Second, you probably won't be able to make it to our spot once your older with other priorities.  Last, you will probably forget me.  Realistically, you will out grow me.  I'm only a small portion of your life, in the end if I leave, I'll be forgotten." 

Ren shook his head adamantly, before hitting Akechi in the shoulder.  "No! I won't allow it!  I'll find a way.  It'll take time, I'll ask for a phone, my parents probably won't care.  I'll figure a way to contact you in child services, I'll even beg to them that it's too early to move you! I'll figure it out Goro!  Believe me!"

Akechi wanted to refute the statement, but with the way Ren looked at him with eyes burning with the determination, he could only sigh.  It was endearing to see the lengths Ren went for him, even if it's temporary.  Akechi had no choice but to surrender to his optimistic views.  He gave a soft chuckle, "only you Ren..  Fine I'll believe in you."  Ren was confused before he smiled, seeing the slight grin from the brunet.  Ren marked it as a win as he went to make a crown out of the surrounding weeds. 

It wasn't until into evening that the social workers found Goro.  Surprisingly they were understanding and had even said they would keep Goro in the town until highschool as to not stress him, unless he chose otherwise.

Even with his horrid reputation, he was found a foster parent.  They were awful, but Goro endured, for everyday he saw Ren's bright smile, which removed all worries.  

His first day back in school, Ren gave him his phone number.

~~~

Goro wasn't religious.  God had failed him with his bastard father, and his sorrowful mother.  Everything he had now, which was only Ren was pure luck.  However when his and Ren's school trip to Tokyo ended in a horror filled subway station, he thought otherwise.  He was explaining Ren the English term 'memento' after hearing a tourist pass by.  Ren had repeated the word several times, attempting to get the English word correct with his thick Japanese accent.  

For some reason, 'mementos' was the word that had brought them into the mutated subway.  Like the middle schoolers they were they tried to find a way out.  It was unnatural and almost disgusting as the veins pulsated and groans filled the air.  While running from those foul beasts, they encountered a familiar face amongst the red.  A boy in the same grade as Ren, who teased and bullied countless kids.  It had transformed into a horrid monster and had attempted to attack Ren.  By some gift of a non existing god or bored demon of hell, he was granted a power to stop that beast.  Cladded like a princely hero of his mother's tale, he struck and scared the shadow.  

Everything blurred after that, as the adrenaline faded.  When he came to, Ren had informed him it was the afternoon.  The teachers had been worried, but Ren had provided a logical explanation and took Goro to their hotel room.  He also explained to Goro that the same boy they saw transform had to recollection of their encounter in that wretched realm.  Strangely, seemed almost fearful and didn't make any comments at the two.  

With that, Goro shot up and checked his phone and saw the same app he deleted earlier stare at him.  A quick investigation, he saw the very word Akechi had been teaching Ren, and everything cemented to place.  

It was clear it concerned Ren, as Goro laughed loudly about the prospect of the power he had obtained.  Perhaps god existed, or some demon who took pity on Goro's horrible life.  

"Goro?" Ren asked worried, he tried to get the boy to lie down, but the older one shrugged him off.  

He then turned to Ren, as if in a trance, an almost deranged look.  "Don't you understand what this mean now Ren?" he asked, "this 'gift' be it from God or some devil, can achieve my dream!  Don't you see?!  I can bring down that bastard down!  If what you told me is right, this is a power to effect the cognition of people, their moral, their beliefs!  I can make him realize everything he's done to me and my mother!  Have him grovel in at my feet and beg for forgiveness!"

Ren looked shocked before he regained understanding.  The raven decided to voice his concerned as he saw Goro spiral in anger, "how do you plan to do that Goro.? You saw those beasts that manifest from the cognition.  This could kill you!  Goro think reasonable, you fainted fighting a boy our age who's ambition was to be stronger than all the other kids.  If such a childish ambition was that strong, what about one that festered for years?!"

When Goro stared back, Ren almost faltered against the harsh glare.  "Don't pretend you understand how I feel!  You know how much that fucker ruined my life!  I have to do this!  For what me and my mom went through!"

The younger boy's gaze lowered as be sat on the bed and sighed.  As the tension faded, Ren breached the topic again, "you're right, I don't understand how you feel, and never could.  But I care about you, and I don't like how your revenge has blinded your vision.  But at the end of the day, I know I can't stop you and I won't try. I know this means a lot to you, and I'll have to accept it and support you.  Just promise you'll be safe and rational, get stronger so those things don't hurt you."

Goro was silent as he took in Ren's words.  He then realized that Ren was right, revenge had blinded him for a second, and he lashed his anger at Ren who was looking out for him.  "Alright," he says, "I promise to be careful. I-I'm sorry for lashing out.."

Ren smiled gently as he hugged the boy, "it's okay.  I'll always be by your side, even if the whole world is against you."

~~~

Akechi overestimated himself.  When he returned home from the trip he buried himself into learning everything about that cognitive world.  He learned that mementos was the world's cognition while this separate 'palaces' were for those who's desires festered to its own place.  His father had one of these palaces.  Every day he went to mementos, getting stronger, learning.  He eventually knew how time worked, to make sure he left early enough to go to school tomorrow, but late enough to still converse with Ren in the afternoon.  

The raven was forgiving when their time was cut shorter and always brought a hearty meal before Akechi left to mementos.  He even assisted Akechi in figuring out the keywords to the bastard's palace after realizing they need specific words defining his twisted desires. 

Then Akechi was brought with an idea.  With how much he knew of the cognitive world, he could gain the trust of Masayoshi.  By providing valuable intel, scaring off competitors, Akechi could left the man up before pulling the rug from beneath him.  When he informed this to Ren, he was met with worry.  The younger boy acted as the devil on his shoulder and helped fortify his plan.  

Ren was still worried he would be hurt in the cognitive world, but Akechi promised to get stronger until he was confident enough to bridge that trust.  

He then initiated the plan. He was to contact one of the bodyguards Shido had and instill commands of his presence in the cognitive world.  Soon enough Akechi was brought right up the man's desk as he campaigned in the town.  Shido knew of the cognitive world from a Psientific Researcher.  He was smart to not trust Akechi and informed him that he would consider this if he killed the researcher.  If he failed, Shido would kill him, after all no one would miss him.  

Akechi was silent as Shido escorted the boy out.  All Akechi could think of was dread.  Killing had come to his head of things that he would have to do.  He thought he prepared for it, but as he watched woman interact with her child on the way home, Akechi lost the resolve.  How could he kill an innocent mother, desperate to care for her daughter.  He didn't want that child to end up like him, bitter of the world.  So Akechi realized he had messed up.  

He was grateful he had thought some things through as he initiated all cellular contact with Ren through a burner phone.  When they met it was always a different place, with Akechi moving there via mementos.  To everyone's knowledge, Akechi and Ren grew distant, never talking to eachother.  Ren became a social butterfly, with Akechi the loner.  

So with that, Akechi grew confident that at least Ren wouldn't be harmed from his stupid lack of resolve.  The raven was right, he had let revenge blind him, at the moment he swore anything was possible, yet killing a mother so loving like his own, crushed his spirit.  So Akechi packed everything he need and grabbed as much cash as possible.  With one last stare at his phone he smashed it, hoping Ren would forgive him.  

Akechi left.

~~~

Akechi was a fool, an utter fool.  No matter how well he hid, or how fast he ran, Shido would find him.  Akechi had been expecting that, though he had some hope maybe Shido would leave him to rot on the streets.  But he did not, he found Akechi three months later.  

Akechi didn't remember much from his days running for his life, but he was always fulfilled knowing Ren was okay, even though the boy was hurt.  That all shattered when the light hit his eyes and he was on the roof of his middle school.  There in front of him was Ren held by his arms via two men in black.  Upon seeing him, Akechi tried to lash out, but the strong grips on his arm were bruising as the held him down.  

"Shit you bastards!  What the fuck are you doing?!" Akechi yelled out as Ren stared back and tried to fight against the men.  

The final fifth man said nothing but pulled out his phone, dialing a number on speaker.  Akechi could feel the dread fill his stomach as the person picked up and out came Shido's voice.

"I will say.. you thought this through more than some of the low lifes I encounter.  But you were naive to think I wouldn't see through your plan.  You talked big in my office, but clearly you're still a child who can't come to terms with killing.  That's fine, I'll have to give a little push then.  You should be grateful, normally I'd kill a vermin like you.  But your gift is one of a kind, and I want it.  So you get the chance to redeem yourself, of course not without a little incentive.  Let's hope for your sake he lives." 

With that the man shut the phone as Akechi began to understand what exactly Shido was planning to do.  "No!  You fuckers, let him go, I won't let you!" Akechi shouted desperately.  The men beside him grew tired and struck Akechi in the face, to shut him up, but that only made him louder.  

Ren was looking at him with scared eyes for only him to see.  He fought against them with all his might and had even managed to bite one guy to let go.  Though the other male just grabbed him by the neck.  Ren scratched desperately leaving bloody wounds in streaks as the need for air and freedom grew, but the man just walked forward until Ren's body was at the edge.  He then let go of the boy who struggled to breathe before pushing him over.  

Akechi can remember Ren's expression vividly, how his tired face contorts to shock as he looks to Akechi.  The raven looks to want to say something, but his body just falls rapidly.  Akechi didn't even realize he was yelling as he ran to the edge just to hear a loud splat.  Akechi almost pukes seeing his friend's mangled body on the ground.  His neck was twisted, with his legs and arms bent in unnatural ways.  He could see the blood seeping from his head and how it pooled around.  

Without further thought, Akechi ran.  He raced down  the stairs uncaring of the teachers surprised expression.  He must've been saying something concerning as they all stared and him, some even following him.  

Time moved so slow, each step feeling weighted and his chest heavy with guilt.  He finally reached the bottom to see a small crowd of people around the boy, some already calling the ambulance in distress.  But Akechi paid no mind as he tore through everyone to kneel by Ren's side.  

He was breathing, though barely.  His eyes glazed and every inhale gets shorter as well as invokes a cough.  Akechi didn't know what to do besides apologize.  He didn't even dare to touch as he didn't want to invoke more pain upon the innocent boy.

"Go...ro," Ren huffed out for only Akechi's ears to hear.  It was then Ren's eyes finally saw Akechi.  He stared with forgiving and sorrowfully eyes, though not sorry him, but the pain he caused Akechi.  

Akechi could only cry harder as Ren's eyes faded. The sound of sirens filled his mind.

~~~

Akechi hated himself.

He did this.  Amamiya was lying into be bed with tubes and casts all over because of him.  The life support currently letting him live was also because of Shido.

Shido made sure Amamiya lived.

He could remember the nurse clearly speaking to him in amazement as she told him a nice diet member had offered to keep Amamiya alive, completely freeing his parents from financial burden. 

It made Akechi sick.  Amamiya was used as good PR to boost his votes, for this shit show of a town to vote for Masayoshi Shido.  The man who tried to kill the very boy he saved.  

Akechi knew it was futile when he tried to explain the bruising on Amamiya's neck as evidence that this was attempted murder.  But the doctors looked at him and told him he was insane, and delirious from the grief. Leaving him with boiling anger as he stared at the bright marks that were obvious signs of strangulation.  

Shido was powerful.  He paid off the entire hospital, and decided to physically confront the grieving boy.  He walked in with poise, and an arrogant smirk to Akechi's hollow eyes.  "I have to thank a brat like you, helping me sway the people to me," he mocked, "you should be grateful, I brought the boy back from the dead for you.  Now I expect Wakaba dead before the end of the month, or else Amamiya dies of a cardiac arrest.  This is your last chance, don't be stupid."

With that he turned and left Akechi to stare the white engulf Amamiya's body.  His smile so bright, covered by the tube down his throat.  The skin a sickly pale, as if he was a dead man walking.  The only think that told Akechi he was alive was the loud breathing that coincided with the stable heartbeat monitor.  

Akechi was a liar.  Promising to protect the very boy now alive from the machine helping him breathe.  He should've been protecting Amamiya from himself.  Afterall, Akechi was a cursed child.  His father didn't want him, his mother killed herself because of him, and Amamiya is dying because of his choices.

Akechi was a wretched child.

Chapter Text

It was like awakening from a vivid dream.  Almost like deja vu except they had seen Akechi memories of Ren.  From the first encounter to his most traumatic past.  Strangely though, no memories appeared after the incident. 

Still it struck a nerve to the whole team who felt his joy, anger and anguish.  Akechi Goro had it all and lost it all.  He who wanted revenge for his mother, only to fall deeper into the clutches of the corrupt man.  It brought only pity and sadness seeing the boy.  Watching as his only friend crumble to the ground for his mistakes.  

Queen knew now, that Akechi was wronged.  Though not completely innocent, he was also an angry child who never got over the cruel world.  Adults with dangerous desires had drove Akechi onto an unhealthy path and forced him to become the monster he hated.  It was clear that Ren's incident was the strongest point of the palace, and the place where his guilt slowly consumes it.  Akechi never steps foot in the final prison because he doesn't want to hurt Ren anymore.  Doesn't want to burden the boy of his attempted murder.  To remind him, Akechi did this, the boy he trusted.  

With that, Queen gets up and braces herself as the flame dies down.  The other thieves are beginning to do the same as those grey eyes stare back.  The boy was tired, maybe even emotionless as he spoke to them.

"Do you understand why Akechi must die?  This place will eat him alive, after all he's done to me.  I told him not to, and trusted he knew what he was doing." 

Panther called out, stepping forward, "you're wrong!  Ak-Ren in real life cares for Akechi a lot!  You're just a personification of Akechi's guilt.  Unable to move past Ren's final year of middle school."

"You're right," cognitive Ren pauses, "I'm only a copy." His face stares at the ground in a small moment of sadness before he returns to stare back.  "Goro believes he should die of painful guilt, it's why I exist here in this palace.  Therefore he will die here, as he wishes.  You are not to interfere." With a snap of his fingers the thieves were falling into these grand velvet chairs.

Once they were in, they were cuffed to the chair quickly, even their mouths were covered, leaving loud muffled noises.  Ren pulls out a revolver from thin air before pushing out the chamber and dumping all the bullets.  He catches one and puts it back into the chamber before he spins it.  The sound the chamber makes echoing in the new room.  

"I decided I don't want a boring fight," Ren said as he took a seat at the head of the table, ignoring the way the team jerked at the restraints.  "All the fun would've gone to waste.  So let's play some Russian roulette.  Six chambers, one bullet.  Don't worry your death will be temporary. I'll even let your remaining friends revive you.  Ideally in a normal game you would want to avoid getting shot.  But this game is different.  If I get shot, then you all die here. Of course, this isn't fair, so for each member shot, they are removed from the round until there is only me and the last member."

He cocked the revolver and the bindings disappeared except for the ankle cuffs.  With this the gags were released, the thieves looked to each other in distress, unable to speak even when given the power to.  This was a game that wasn't physically demanding, but rather mentally taxing.  

Even Queen was hesitant as the fear of death crept up on her.  She hasn't ever died in the mementos.  She also made sure none of her members did, sure they have gotten close and fainted, but none of them died.  Queen always tried to avoid death, even though the items and skills they had, the trauma of death did not need to be added onto the stress of the metaverse.  Yet here they were, nervously looking at each other as Ren smiled unnervingly.  

Without a warning, Ren put the gun to his head and shot. There was a loud yell among the team, even though the hammer hits nothing.  The team was shocked and stunned by the shadow's quick stunt.  He then slid the gun across the table to Queen who stared at it intently.  

"Go on," the imposter said, "spin it and shoot."

Queen shakily raised her hands to the table, unable to look at her team knowing the fear in their eyes.  Her hands trembled as she touched the cold muzzle of the gun to her head.  Ann stared across, with a distressed expression, wanting to look away but also wanting to support her.  

Her breath caught her throat, and she felt like she was suffocating.  Queen almost wanted to just stop and leave the palace and never return.  But she thought of Akechi and the real Ren, hell, she even thought about saving herself.  So she pulls and the hammer hits the empty chamber.

Ann visibly relaxes from across, and Queen almost felt bad Ann almost had to witness her possible death.  Yet here they were, all of them were going to witness another die.  

Ren grinned, hunching forward on the table with steeple hands, "come on.  We don't have all day, pass it."

Even with Cognitive Ren’s words, Queen’s hands froze. The gun heavy in her hands as she stared at her friends, each with varying degree of fear. But as she stared across at Panther, the blonde girl’s fearful face is masked with a forced smile. The way her eyes crinkles up in reassurance, even though the fear of the gun is ever present.

Strange how they handled model guns in the metaverse yet directed towards themselves the gun becomes heavy and weighted with guilt and fear.

Queen takes a breath before she slides the gun towards Panther, the sound of the metal sliding echoing in her mind. Just as she had done it, Ann clutched the gun with two hands. The weight of the revolver surprising her, as her hands give slightly. Her hands are shaking showing her unease, the rattling of the components elevating everyone’s heart rate.

Ann stares back at Makoto, she brings the gun under her chin instead. Her eyes tear up, finally showing the façade of strength she had before. She almost wants to speak, to say final words, yet this isn’t real, Ann will be revied, but what if she wasn’t… She turns to the cognitive Ren and how his eyes are shaped as crescents, his face no longer human, but humanoid enough to be recognizable. If Ann stared longer, she would’ve noticed the blood dripping from his facial orifices.

“Come on now, we don’t have all day… If you take so long I might as well kill you now,” he coos out, as the blood drips down on the table. Ann gives one last look at the Glasgow grin Ren has before she shuts her eyes and pulls the trigger.  

It was sudden. One second Ann was there with tears streaming down her face, the next an ear piercing bang and numerous screams. When Makoto opened her eyes again, she almost wants to gag, as she drowns out the screaming in the background. Ann is slumped over, though her face is free of injury besides the blood dripping down her face, her head is a different story. The top of her head where her beautiful blonde locks are, there is a hole, it isn’t a clean hole, but rather ragged from the explosion. Her hair is frayed and parts of it fall as it no longer had a root. Around them, parts of Ann’s head are littered. Just in front of Makoto is piece of Ann’s skull with part of those hairs. If Makoto looked to her left, she would’ve seen Haru reassuring Futaba while also crying seeing part of Ann’s brain on Futaba lap.

“You sick fuck!” Ryuji yells out as he tugs on his legs in vain. He’s almost green in the face as tears stream down his face.

The cognition pays now mind, his grin almost widening in joy. The wound of his Glasgow grin opens, revealing the sides of teeth covered in blood. “I don’t know why you fear this so much. You’ve seen just as worst in Akechi’s memory. Honestly you should be glad you don’t experience this more often in the metaverse, considering all the shadows becomes puddles of goo. I imagine you wouldn’t be here if the shadows died, so… human like.

Now come on, onto the next one. Since Ann is dead, I’ll pick.”

Yusuke called out in outrage, “do you have no feeling?! Even as a cognition do you not care about Ann? Akechi must know how much the real Ren cares about Ann. How can you go on as if this isn’t her corpse in front of you?!”

Cognitive Ren turns, though his grin has fallen. “Of course, I care, just as Akechi and Ren care. But at the end of the day, I am a cognition, and I must do what Akechi asks of me. Just as he has done for the real Ren. Akechi is willing to sacrifice everything, I must do so as well.”

The team is silent, as the imposter brings up Akechi. The brunet must have had to do the same, all for his cause, this sick game was just a recreation of his journey in a sick twisted way.

This time, Futaba’s timid voice carries over the silence. “W-we can revive her right?... Do it now, “she begs as tears fall continuously.

Cognitive Ren returns his mask of madness, and smiles. “Hmm," he fake ponders, “I did say that. I changed my mind. I’ll bring her back later.”

“You just can’t go back on your word!” Ryuji calls out in outcry.

Ren just continues, “why not? What could you even do about it? My jail, my rules. Now continue the game.”

“At least cover her…” Haru says softly as she stares at Ann’s lifeless corpse.

The cognition rolls his eyes, “if you shoot yourself next, I’ll think about it.” He takes the revolver from Ann’s lifeless hands and brings forth a bullet. He elegantly puts it in, before he spins the chamber. He stares directly into Haru’s eyes as he slides the gun over, her face impassive, but her eyes reflect in fear.

The air is cleared when Haru pulls, and the hammer hits the empty chamber. Though none of the thieves are happy, knowing they will see one another die. The cognition doesn’t provide a cover for Ann.

Ryuji is next.

It hits air.

Yusuke.

Miss.

Morgana cannot hold the gun to his head, so the cognition pulls the trigger before the cat could even speak in protest. It misses.

Futaba is last. She is unable to hold the gun. Her small hands shake, and her eyes are covered in tears as her whole-body shakes. The thieves plead to the cognition, but he is unrelentless even as Futaba murmurs under her breath about Sojiro and how this Ren was a fake.

So the imposter is merciful to Futaba. He calls her name, in a soft voice, unlike the crazed tone he had before. The child looks up with wide eyes and fear in her eyes. She isn’t able to say anything as the fake Ren shoots her in the forehead.

There was a bullet.

Futaba’s head snaps back against the chair as a piercing scream echoes the bang. Parts of her head are on the backing of the chair, the blood blending in with the red velvet. Her lifeless eyes stared above with her bullet wound in full view of the remaining team. The blood drips from the wound, covering her eyes and glasses before she falls forward on the table in a splat. Her eyes constantly staring at Ryuji who was to her left.

Ryuji is unable to keep his food down and vomits to his left. The rest of the team are taking deep breathes as they try to calm themselves even as the tears fall faster. The cognition merely walks around the Phantom thieves and picks up the abandon revolver as if he hadn’t just killed Futaba. He sits back down, with his legs over the arm rest, as repeats the process of preparing the gun.

“I figured Futaba wouldn’t be able to do it,” cognitive Ren murmured, his eyes softening again showing his compassionate side amidst the madness. Before anyone could say anything, the cognition brings the gun back up to his side and pulls, the hammer hits the empty chamber.

Makoto is next and its misses.

Haru falls over with her eyes open as the bullet flies by Makoto. Her blood splatters on Makoto, but she can only swallow as she stared at the boys.

The gun is reset.

Ryuji pulls and lives.

Yusuke does as well.

Yusuke pulls for Morgana on the cognition’s instructions. Yusuke kills Morgana. The monster cat’s brains were much larger and prominent. The bullet also hit the cat’s eye leaving a gaping hole in his left eye.

Yusuke throws the gun away like it burnt him as he gags to the side, shaking even with the comforting words of Makoto and Ryuji.

The gun is spun, the hammer hits and the cognition grins.

The hammer hits, and Makoto falls to the side, the bullet clipped her ear and left her head from the top. The stray bullet hits the cognition in the leg, but the man only widens his grin. Makoto stares at Ryuji as he pulls.

He lives.

Yusuke pulls.

He lives.

The cognition pulls, he lives.

Ryuji pulls again with shakier hands.

He lives.

Yusuke is next, and he has a 50% chance.

So he stares at Ryuji and speaks soft words as if his death is real. Mostly his words are encouragement, to continue, but to not look at their friend’s bodies littered around them.

Ryuji nods with false bravado.

Yusuke isn’t lucky and dies with a fake smile contrasting the red on his face.

The cognition takes the gun and spins the chamber and stares into Ryuji’s eyes.

Ryuji can only glare, his eyes never straying from the cognition.

The cognition pulls, but it misses.

Ryuji yells and pulls.

He misses.

Then the gun is back in the cognition’s hands. As the gun is beside his head, the impostor speaks.

“You lost,” before the bullet goes through his head.

He does not fall, however, his face itself becomes a red mask with darkened eyes and his nails grow into talons. With a swipe of his hands, his team is brought to life with loud gasps. But Ryuji yells instead.

“You cheated!” he calls out, “you knew the bullet was there before you pulled!”

The humanoid monster laughs in a screechy pitch, as the team get their bearings about the situation. “I always knew. You were never going to win. Just like life, this was rigged. You were never to win.

However, this game was never a game about winning.”

With a blink, the cognition was human again back in his middle school garment, his eyes empty and sad like Ren’s the day he fell. “This was a test of endurance,” the cognition said, “while I serve Akechi, I am also a cognition of Ren, the one he holds dear. Ren wants Akechi to be Goro again, but not anyone could do that. Because Goro is broken, and you must understand and push through his barriers to save him…”

Makoto got up from the chair hesitantly, as the team took in everything. Some needing to comfort one another, but Makoto pushed at the cognition. “Y-you wanted us to suffer to see if we would back out. To experience pain like Akechi…”

“That’s still fucked up!” Ryuji yelled out and punched the cognition before he backed up into Ann’s embrace as he cried into her shoulder.

The cognition remained on the floor, but his eyes soften. “You’re right, but life was never fair. I needed you to understand, and to see if you would save Goro. Or else this would be an unworthy betrayal.

I know you hate me, but don’t take it on real Ren or even Goro. I’ve evolved as a cognition… It might be the fact Goro treasures real Ren so much it gave me independent thought with memories and emotions of both Goro and Ren. In the end, I grew to want them to be okay again, to be happy just as those days as children.”

He looks up to Makoto with tears in his eyes, though they never fall. His form begins to fade as he reaches his hand out. Makoto hesitantly reaches back and the boy’s smile becomes so genuine and happy it almost hurts Makoto.

“Save them for me in my stead. Take this as well, it’ll help you with your encounter with Akechi. I wish… we could’ve met during better circumstances.”

With that the boy faded to light. In Makoto’s hand, numerous featherman keychains, one of each member of the team.

Chapter Text

Akechi Goro, a child of sin whose madness and guilt has bound you in blood. You who was wronged and twisted to fit the needs of others will die today. You will repent upon those sins and discard those binding chains of guilt leading to destruction. Prepare yourself. From The Phantom Thieves.

Makoto’s eyes linger on her palm. The brightly coloured figures in her hands felt weighted, its burden heavy as stone. The team is obviously shaken up, she can tell by their accelerated breathing and the way they tremble. Even though Ann was first to die, she acts in kindness and aids the team in deep breaths. If the team clutches each other tighter this time around, no one says anything. “we… we have each other,” Makoto murmurs hoarsely.

The team looks up and stare each other, almost worried another will fall over. It’s with their gaze that they hold a painful smile. Futaba, ever to try to be brave, brings her shaking hands and grabs the green featherman figure in a tight grip. “F-feather T-toucan is-s m-mine!” she grimaces in an attempt at a smile. Soon each member is taking a small figure, the innocent toys stained with their deaths.

“S-shit! I don’t even want to see this!” Ryuji yells gripping the figure so tight, he still looks pale and almost green in the face. “Yet. I can’t let go. We’ve come too far, and shit… if this is what Akechi’s mind is willing to do, we have to save him.” It was strange to hear such conviction from Ryuji, but as traumatized as the boy was, he understood that helplessness. He felt it when his legs didn’t move as before, and he lost everything. His mind swirling in dangerous thoughts, another asking for air. While Ryuji always had his mother, Akechi only had darker and darker thoughts. In a way this experience let them grow, but once he was out of here he’s punching Akechi in the face-

Mona meowed, “that was surprisingly mature Skull.”

“What you say you damn cat!?”

It brought a soft smile, bringing the mood back up. It pushed Queen to move everyone forward to their last destination. Akechi himself. “Everyone. Make sure you keep these… Cogitative Ren said these were important.”

“How can we be sure this isn’t a trick?” Fox said as he put his mask on with one hand.

Noir shakes her head, “we don’t. We can only trust the cognition was sincere…”

“We have nothing to lose,” Queen said, “you remember what happened last time we encountered Shadow Akechi. He used a unique poison while quickly casting mute. If we didn’t get sent into this prison, I don’t think we would be alive. If that is what Akechi can do with a small amount of effort… what’s to say he can’t do worse?”

The team looked to each other before all nodding. Mona perked up, “whatever you do leader, we will follow!” With renewed confidence, the Phantom Thieves walked out of the prison, and were met with utter silence.

It was strange. Normally the prison had some noise, either from the guards moving around, or the prisoners’ moans as they wait in line for their designation. But it was quiet, no one was in sight. It was a sign; Akechi was waiting for them.

Queen only clutched her fist tighter, before attaching the keychain to her outfit. Its weight almost pushes her to go the final building where Akechi would be. They had no need for a safe room, as cognitive Ren had healed their aching bones. All that was left was to steal the treasure.

“Oracle, Mona, quickly leave and send the message. Meet us in the final prison. We don’t have much time; we have to presumably beat the shadow and get the treasure before real Akechi enters his own palace.”

The girl salutes in reply and dashes away in the mona car as the rest of the thieves head through to meet Shadow Akechi sitting proudly atop a mountain of corpses. The previous décor was no longer there, leaving the room relatively empty besides the obvious mountain. He did not bother with his façade as his long black coat, which was now stained red at its tips, flowed over the corpses. His golden eyes continued to pierce their souls. Even with the long mask, they could tell Akechi was smiling eagerly.

Akechi finally gets up and brings his arm out as the giant scythe lands in his hands. Under his feet, the corpses rearrange themselves, so their severed torsos provided a path for Akechi to step on. As he reaches the floor, he takes a head as if inspecting it. The decapitated head is pale, face sunken in as black blood trickles from his eyes. “Now… you didn’t think it would be so easy to get my treasure, did you?” with a smirk he throws the head behind him back into the pile. With a snap of his right hand, the pile of body becomes a pyre of fire. The smell of flesh grew, and the overwhelming heat caused the Phantom Thieves to cover their faces.

“You are a fool to think you will escape here alive. You may have avoided death before, but that only prolonged your inevitable suffering.” He quickly dashed forward catching everyone off guard except Yusuke who managed to bring the sheath of his blade against the long scythe. Akechi’s eyes gleam against the blade as he puts his full force against Fox. He then twists and kicks Fox in the stomach as Skull tries to come forward with his weapon. He then calls forth cursed magic against Skull, which knocks him down, giving Akechi space.

“I’ll have you mewling on the floor,” with his outstretched hand he calls forth a spell that brings the familiar burning feeling. Though it abruptly ends like a cooling ray on them, and Queen can almost feel a gentle gaze upon her. Shadow Akechi was clearly not expecting this response as his eyes widen behind the mask. His face then twists in deep rage as he realizes what exactly was happening.

Skull smirks, putting his mace on his shoulder as he taunts the stunned shadow, “that shit don’t work on us anymore!”

Anyone could’ve told Skull it probably wasn’t a good idea to taunt shadow Akechi, but majority of them were equally as stunned to react. Though Skull’s comment obviously did not settle well for Akechi as he sneers out.

“Y-you! You pieces of human trash killed him!” his free hand forms long claws and his eyes glow brightly. “I’ll fucking kill you all! Make you beg for mercy as I gouge your eyes and tongues! You might think that this saved you, but he might as well have given you a harsher death!” Before they could blink, Akechi casts wind causing them to shut their eyes as he dashed forward again, however this time, he was unhinged like a beast.

When Skull opens his eyes, its to the bright gold eyes and long claws aiming at his face. Noir who was close by tries to bring down her axe but Akechi’s scythe clips her and would’ve cut her if Panther didn’t push her out the way. Skull wasn’t as fortunate as he tried to move his head back only for the claws to scratch out his face and eyes. The cuts were deep enough to completely cuts his mask to shreds and bring out a painful scream.

“Shit-“ Ryuji yells out as he stumbles back, his face dripping with blood the deep wounds. He can’t open his eyes, though he tries only to be met with agony. Akechi tries to take the opportunity by bringing his scythe over, but Noir quickly casts tetrakarn while Panther holds her. The spell provides a barrier for Ryuji as the scythe make contact only to bounce back and do damage to Akechi. The shadow only grunts as he jumps back and prepares casting an almighty.

“Mona! Quickly heal Skull and stay back! You too Noir! The rest of us guard up! This will hurt!” Queen ordered bringing her arm up as Mona guides the blind Skull to the back.

Akechi brings down a hail of blades, one of those blades managed to pierce Queen in the foot as she wasn’t able to dodge fast enough. Luckily Mona, Skull and Noir were unharmed from the onslaught. “Watch out! Those blades will burn up!” Oracle yells out as the blades began to turn bright red. Queen managed to yank the blade out of her foot as Yusuke struck against Akechi. Queen barely felt the pain as she felt Hecate’s cooling rays.

In the corner of Queen’s eyes, she sees Skull run up to front line with a fully healed face and his mask in hand. “Eat shit!” Skull calls out as he charges his attack to strike with his mace. It does hit Akechi, but it also gets Mona yelling about just healing him. Skull’s attack manages to distract him from the team long enough for Noir to use psi. Akechi stumbles back enough for Panther’s whip to clip the side of his mask and for Fox’s katana to pin his shoulder to the ground.

“Tsk-“ Akechi’s mask is cracked to the side, breaking off to show part of his face. His skin was oddly shiny like it was porcelain. With part of his face revealed, Yusuke can clearly see the ugly sneer on his face as he grabs on to the blade. “Did you really think it be so easy to kill me?” His hand then inches up to grab Yusuke’s wrist, pulling him down. Yusuke falls forward and allows Akechi to use his other hand to pull at the blade. When the blade is finally out of his shoulder he throws Yusuke to the thieves, but he manages to regain his balance.

With Yusuke’s blade in hand, he throws it like a javelin and uses the opportunity of them dodging the blade to swing his scythe. The team manages to avoid getting sliced as Queen pulls out her revolver. For a second her hands shake as the gun reminds her of seeing Ann’s dead corpse in front of her. Her hesitation provided an opportunity for Akechi to dash forward with his sharp claw.

“Watch out Queen!” Panther yells out as she pushes Makoto out of the way to take her hit. The claws pierces Panther’s stomach and she stumbles as Akechi’s grins widens. As Queen is falling, the gun is heavy in her hands. Seeing Panther fall gets Queen to tighten her grip on the magnum and shoot while she falls.

It was a lucky shot.  Queen even closed both her eyes when she shot. Yet, the recoil and her failing form had aimed the gun in the perfect direction towards Akechi’s head. It was like cutting a string of a puppet, Akechi instantly collapses to the right, his claws ripping out of Panther’s body in his fall. His body hits the concrete hard, and his face is captured in eternal shock.

Queen just freezes. Even when Mona runs to frantically use samarecarm on the dying Ann. Even when Oracle screams in horror. Even when Skull and Fox try to shake her to respond. Even when Noir just stares at Akechi’s body. Even when those gold eyes stare at her… She killed Akechi.

“-ey! Queen! Are you alright?!” Skull asks in panic.

Her vision clears from those gold eyes and she sees Skull and Fox staring at her in concern. Panther seems to have recovered completely as Mona and Oracle tend to her. Noir’s eyes still cling to Akechi’s form. Her mouth feels dry as she speaks, “I killed him…”

Akechi’s face is completely shown. The bullet pierced the side of the mask and completely shattered it. But it also left a bullet hole to the side of his head. Queen doesn’t even question the weird shine on his face.

Noir then steps into Queen’s field of vision. She kneels and holds the side of her arms, “breathe Makoto.” She does. It’s a deep, ugly breath, but she’s beginning to feel how her body shakes, and the numbness fades. Haru stares into her eyes with kindness, “it’ll be alright, deep breathes…”

Makoto goes to speak, but Futaba beats her to it. “Wait guys!” she says urgently as she points at Akechi’s body, “he’s-“

“What are you doing on the floor? Get up! Fight! That is your job as the executioner! Least I kill him for good this time! You worthless puppet! KILL THEM!” The voice echoes across room.

Like a puppet, Akechi’s body is stringed up by his joints before he lifts his head. His porcelain face has a manic smile, even as it cracks at the eye. His scythe fades away and his claws are formed on both hands. The strings on his joints and neck reach to the ceiling, its strings never breaking even as it hits the ceiling.

With a jerk of the strings, Akechi pushes forward with his claws, yet it was strangely easy to avoid. Each strike was different then before. Akechi was calculated before, cruel but efficient. This wasn’t him. It was chaotic, and unlike Akechi’s controlled mania. Akechi was a puppet to higher person, made to do what they will, because they have Amamiya. Under everything, Akechi’s own shadow wasn’t free, constantly bound and molded under cruelty. Each swing, broke a bit more of his porcelain skin, revealing a haggard Akechi. Tired and angry.

It didn’t take much to stop this puppet Akechi. While he was basically indestructible in this form, he was clumsy and chaotic. Oracle quickly realized that they had to cut Akechi’s strings, and with Fox’s masterful skill, Akechi collapsed.

“You fools,” Akechi chuckles dryly, “this won’t ever end. You think you can stop the warden? The only way this ends is with my death.”

Queen gets up as gracefully as she can. She was still shaking a bit at the thought of almost killing Akechi, but she hides and walks up to him.  “Give us the treasure.”

Akechi’s tired eyes looks to her before he goes into a full laugh, “haha! Did you think this would be easy? All you did was by time. The warden will tie his strings again soon enough. Even if you kill him, he will come back. Even if you take the treasure nothing will change! The treasure will return here. After all, we are connected.”

This got the Phantom Thieves to look at one another in confusion. “What do you mean?!” Skull asks.

“Sure, I will disappear after you steal my treasure, but this palace will not collapse. After all its bound to another palace. I will just return within a week and my real counterpart will remain the same and eventually die to this palace. So congrats you beat me, but only temporarily.” Akechi begins to fade even as the strings attempt to tie him again. The thieves only cut them again, before the strings can bring puppet Akechi back.

“How do we beat you?” Queen asks to see Akechi’s dejected face stare back at her.

“Who knows…? He has tried many times. He tried everything, from stopping the warden, killing the warden, taking the treasure from me, to even killing me. It doesn’t stop unless they are both taken. Perhaps you must steal his heart too.”

Akechi then fades away completely, and the strings that tried to bind Akechi fades as well. All that is left is Akechi’s shattered porcelain face, which Mona confirms to be the treasure. As they take it, the palace is eerily quiet. It doesn’t collapse like the others which meant that the shadow was telling the truth. While they stole his treasure, it was still here, as if it was put on pause.

As they walked to the main entrance of the palace, they began brainstorming about what exactly Akechi meant. Queen is only silent, as her mind goes back to her teammates corpses and Akechi’s dull eyes on her. Eventually the team stops just outside and turn to Queen, who finally noticed they stopped.

“Makoto… I know I can’t just tell you it wasn’t your fault, because you would try and refute it. But I want to let you know that it was an accident and that Akechi isn’t dead. You didn’t kill him,” Haru says softly.

Makoto heaves a heavy breath, “but I did for a short bit. Just as I did with you guys…”

“What do you mean Makoto?” Ann asks, “you haven’t hurt us at all.”

Makoto just shakes her head in disagreement, “I may not have done it directly. But if I was better I could have avoided the whole situation with cognitive Amamiya.”

That gets Futaba and some others to flinch, Makoto doesn’t blame them. Skull looks especially distraught. However, Skull looks up to her seriously, “It wasn’t your fault Makoto. We knew this going in. It wasn’t exactly what we expected, but we accepted we wanted to help you. And… I don’t regret it. Sure Akechi is a piece of shit, but this just shows why what we are doing is so important. I don’t blame you Makoto, I don’t think any of us do.” The thieves nodded in agreement which brings a soft smile to Makoto.

“However, I think I need a shit ton of therapy now,” Skull says with a laugh, which gets a soft chuckle from the group.

Just as Fox was going to reply, he notices the cognition of ‘Amamiya.’ However, after encountering the real cognition, this left the thieves curious as to who this was. It was especially alarming as all the other cognitions had disappeared, but only ‘Amamiya’ remained.

The thieves edged forward, which gets the cognition to turn, his chains clacking against each other when he turns. “You are not the cognition,” Queen states, “you are an enigma, you answer to the name Kurusu Akira and here you remain even when we have taken the treasure. What are you?”

‘Amamiya’ just blinks and his eyes turn gold, signifying he was a shadow. “I am Kurusu Akira. Or rather the shadow of Kurusu Akira. I’m sure you are not dumb so I will be straight forward. While I am a shadow as you call it, I am conscious. I’m not some personification of my truest desires, I am myself. I’ve known you were the phantom thieves since the second your phone chimed Ann. I’ve watched you fumble in the metaverse and hid you travelling to Goro’s palace.”

Mona jumped in surprise, “y-you were that persona user in the metaverse! The strips! You almost killed us!”

Kurusu only stared impassively, “I wasn’t going to kill you. I was testing your strength, which I will say was dreadful at the time. I was almost sure you would die in the metaverse, especially when you stopped coming to mementos. But you have defied my expectations, which is why I am before you.

Steal my heart. Free me from being trapped in the metaverse.”

“Trapped?” Futaba questions as she walks up to the boy who Sojiro looks to like a son.

“After I fell, I became trapped in the metaverse. Every time a sleep I am in the metaverse. I’m in a limbo of life and death, the metaverse doesn’t know what to do with me. So I am unbound in the metaverse. I can roam mementos and other palaces even though I should be bound to my palace. I can’t control when I enter the metaverse, I didn’t even believe I could even enter the real world until I woke up one day.

As long as I am here, Goro will never be free. All I can do is help him in the metaverse, but that doesn’t do anything when the real problem revolves around my body. I caused him to develop his palace, and I can’t even remove his suicidal guilt and desires because his palace is bound to my existence of the metaverse. I can’t save him because I am a shadow whose palace is bound to his. So this is my request, save Goro.”

“What was even the point of testing us?” Fox asks but it is not Kurusu who answers but Oracle.

The young teen drags her foot in thought, “it’s because even if you ask for help. You still will fight it. Everyone always fights change.”

Kurusu smiles sadly and nods in agreement. “So Phantom Thieves, will you take my request?”

Chapter Text

It was silent, dreadfully silent. There were no pleas in his ear, no seeing his mother dangling body, no seeing Ren splattering on the pavement floor. Akechi knew the Phantom Thieves had taken his treasure. He had some slim hope his cognition had killed them after they sent the message to him. But the silences solidify the fact they succeeded, and that Ren lied to him. He knew that gut feeling he felt was his palace being changed, but Ren had never abused his trust. He let himself be fooled by the one person he thought wouldn’t.

Akechi barely contained his anger as he clenched his fist hard enough to draw blood if not for the leather gloves. But he smiles and nods, Shido doesn’t suspect anything. He pretends to hear the dirty bastard but he doesn’t care, it’s all the same drabble of murdering Niijima-san sister. The most pressing thought is the fact Ren betrayed him and that he needed to enter his palace quickly to eliminate the Phantom Thieves permanently before they even dared to enter Ren’s palace.

It didn’t make sense. Why did Ren hide this from him? They both know what could possibly happen if the Phantom Thieves takes his treasure. Is this Ren’s martyr complex in action again? He promised. He promised he wouldn’t leave. There is only one reason why Ren would even dare this, especially knowing this betrayed his trust. Ren found out his palace would kill him. Ren was clever, he would know seeing the added aggression from the prisoners. As much as Akechi told him he was fine, he suspected Ren had always known. And now, Ren had the means of helping Akechi in the form of the Phantom Thieves. At the end of the day, Ren would sacrifice anything to ensure Goro lived, even at the cost of his own life.

When Shido finishes speaking, Goro does his fakest smile to the geezer and promptly walks out. He barely makes it out of the diet building before he pulls out his phone. The nauseating feeling brings a familiar comfort even when he encounters his palace.  

The place is completely deserted, not even the sound of the wind can be heard. In the distance he can see the buildings, especially the main one where his counterpart is, where Ren’s hospital is located.

Normally Akechi dreads the walk to his palace, most time choosing to enter palace by the hospital, but now the silence allows him to collect his thoughts. The Phantom Thieves are gone, he entirely blames Shido wasting his time completely, he had immediately wanted to leave to metaverse upon getting the message, but Shido had already planned a lengthy meeting minutes after the text. The whole meeting was absolutely useless, just him pandering over facts Akechi knew. He knew the whole operation to kill Makoto like the back his hand, but Shido insisted that there be no mistakes and broke down every measly thing. Hours passed by with Akechi hoping, before the silence confirmed it.

When enters the building he is met with his pathetic copy slumped on the floor, the wires lying limp beside him. The shadow’s golden eyes raised to his and all Akechi can do is sneer at him. He walks up towards the pathetic thing and punched it hard, watching in satisfaction seeing the copy gaining another bruise on his cheek.

“I would kill you if you weren’t myself. You gotten beaten by a bunch of children acting as if they understand what they are doing,” Akechi yells out.

The shadow grins, “is that really my fault? I am you. Perhaps the reason I was so easy to beat was because you wanted it-“

“Shut up!” Akechi screams back and kicks him, “do you understand what you did?! Ren will die because of you!”

The copy merely widens his grin, even as black sludge drips from his mouth, “look at you. Hit me all you want, I am you. This was all caused by you. Your weakness. Your desire to be loved. In the end you won love, but at what cost? They all leave you.”

Akechi roars in anger as he steps and breaks the shadow’s leg, before straddling the shadow. He takes the clawed hands of his suit and claws at the thing. The stupid stupid stupid stupid-

It merely laughs in his voice and smiles with his face.

By the end of it, the shadow retains none of Akechi’s features, it makes talking to him a little easier for Akechi. The doppelganger smiles knowingly, which gets Akechi to sneer.

“Only a monster like you would get their Shadow to antagonize himself. A psycho would have their shadow grinning being mauled. You truly are sick. The truth stings a lot more coming from yourself.”

Akechi barely restrains himself from harming the thing again, its unrecognizable face makes it easier to speak to it. “Akira helped the thieves, didn’t he?”

The shadow stops its grin before scowling, “yes he did. Even managed to get the thieves into Ren’s room. Those bastards killed him!”

It then sighs, “seems both Rens have bleeding hearts… I can be angry at them, but never at him… The thieves were taken directly to his palace by him, they are most likely fighting him as we speak. Go on now, you didn’t have to visit me to know where the palace is.”

That gets Akechi out of his rage as he turns to leave his palace. That is until its voice continues and Akechi turns back to see his face again on it.

“Sometimes the only thing we can do it is watch him leave,” he says in his voice, “and trust he returns. He was always a free spirted trickster.”

Akechi doesn’t respond as he turns back and leaves the shadow in his silent prison.