Hey guys, so been playing Persona 5 again and almost done with my first full playthrough! I still have to get P5 Royal but funds are kinda tight with... This virus crap and whatnot. But hey, I've seen enough of Royal and Scrambled to have a clear idea on what to pull from those games into this fic. It's a proper crossover of the themes/worlds/etc from Star Vs and Persona 5, but you don't need to be exposed to either to enjoy this fic.

I highly recommend the track 'Beneath the Mask' (hehe) to listen to while reading this chapter.

Present Day

The many moons of Mewni shined down on the vibrant streets of Echo City, the nightfall usually joined by quiet crowds exploring the city streets. But instead, a sea of police cars drove through the roads, onlookers looking at them in confusion. They just surged through the traffic, eventually parking in front of a courthouse, some of them even getting their guns ready.

Coming out one of the cars was a woman with dark blue hair, having eyes that could send fear through any poor soul. She simply took out her own gun, a scowl on her face never leaving. Leaning behind a pillar, she carefully gestured her men to explore the area as people been reporting gunfire and oddly enough, glass breaking.

The part that utterly baffled the woman, was that no one was in the courthouse tonight. Yet, it was like a party was happening inside the place from what people told the police. With two of her men going on ahead, she carefully took some steps forward, blue eyes locked onward. Just as she took another step, a loud shattering of glass got everyone's attention, with a young man landing gracefully in front of them without a care in the world.

"Freeze!" She ordered him, firing on the spot, but he rolled away from the gunfire, taking out a weapon of his own and firing careless shots at the police. They scattered, giving the young man time to leap into the air and grab a nearby ladder. The woman couldn't take her eyes off him, as he looked so familiar. Scruffled brown hair and a roguish smile reminded her so much of… Her eyes went wide, realization hitting her like bricks.

She was going to order her men to stop firing but they landed a shot on the young man as he was making another leap toward a rooftop. He stumbled hard toward the ground, his landing being far less graceful than before. The woman saw him slowly force himself up, her men surrounding the criminal. The woman ran over to the scene, wanting to confirm her suspicions on who this young man was, a hardened look in his masked brown eyes pinning her in place.

"You… You are no different…" The young man almost mumbled, standing tall and fixing his spiked fists. "I… I will crush you…" He charged forward, landing a deadly blow on one officer, so much so some teeth went flying. Another cop charged into the young man, pinning him to the ground. The young man cursed loudly as he got cuffed, eyes locked on the woman walking toward him. "Moon…" He mumbled before his body gave out on him.

Moon held up her hand, causing her men to back off the young man. She just gently touched the young man's face, a hardened frown refusing to leave her face. "I'll take him to the station, keep looking for his teammates. He likely left himself open so they could escape." The officers nodded, with one spitting on the young man before leaving. The officers gone, she just watched in awe as the young man's attire just vanished, leaving the battered and beaten form of Marco Diaz.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, picking up his body and after walking to her police car, gently strapped him in the back seat. Moon made an audible hiss in frustration before slamming on the gas. By the time they made it to Echo City Police station, rainfall was coming down and painting the streets in blue. Moon opened the doors to her car, gesturing her men to take Marco into an integration room stat, thankful they were complying with her. But something she didn't account for, was family showing up.

Her little sister, Star Butterfly was standing in the soaking rain, watching with widen eyes seeing Marco being carried into the station. Moon couldn't look at her sister, seeing the utter look of despair on her eyes. Moon was no fool, having a feeling her little sis would be allured by the 'mysterious' stranger. But that look in her blue eyes, filled with sadness and regret, shifting into almost loathing the moment they landed on Moon… "So, you finally caught the 'P-Phantom'?" Star asked as her sister walked closer to her.

Moon put away her umbrella as she made it inside, taking a deep sigh before replying. "And you were his accomplice," Star didn't answer, eyes narrowed like daggers. "We are looking for them as we speak, sister."

Star said nothing, as she yanked the umbrella from Moon and marched out of the station. Moon rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. Ignoring the building annoyance, she marched onward, the grey halls of the police station suffocating like they always were. Making a turn down the hall and walking down a flight of stairs, she finally came to the interrogation rooms.

A door at the far right opened, with two officers grinning ear to ear about something. She narrowed her eyes at them, the effect going lost on them as they passed right by. Moon clenched her fists, having a feeling at their sudden shift in mood. Going into the room, she got her answer; Marco Diaz badly beat up and a needle on the floor, it's vail empty. She was going to open her mouth, but her eyes drifted to the camera watching the boy's every move.

Moon simply sat across from Marco as he slowly woke up. "M-Moon?" He coughed, some blood coming out of his mouth. His attentive eyes quickly read the room, narrowing toward Moon as he got to his feet. "I… You caught me."

"Yes, I have," Moon answered, her voice monotone as could be. "You and your friends…" Marco sat upright on the seat across from Moon, eyes glazed with sadness.

"...And Star. She… She needs to stay out of this," Marco covered his face, Moon noticing his teeth gritting. "You're family to her, keep her out of my mistakes." Moon simply nodded, causing Marco to let his guard down. "...I assume you want answers."

"You are correct, I want answers," Moon could bearly contain her rage, slamming the table. "You lived under my roof, how dare you commit these crimes under my watch!" Marco simply smirked at her, causing Moon to blink. He simply leaned forward, earning her ire.

"Your roof? You…" Marco violently coughed, hands gripping the table for support. "...Your roof, the one you ignored for days at a time?" Moon simply glared at Marco, letting him continue. "You… You didn't watch me enough, clearly."

"...Noted." Moon coldly replied, taking a case file and slamming it on the table. "You know what this is?" Marco took the file, looking through it despite himself. He closed his eyes and nodded. "That's right, your case." He put the file down and she took it back. "The one that will lock you away for a lifetime."

"...So?" Marco replied, Moon's eyes nearly dilating at this point. "I have the information you want and if you just slam this saying 'your screwed' like every asshole I've dealt with, I won't share it." Moon folded hear arms, pondering what to say next. "...I am willing to talk if you promise to let my friends walk free."

"Like your story will give me that much," Moon wanted to laugh, but Marco's shit-eating grin refused to leave his face. "...What could you offer me?"

Marco leaned back in his chair, eyes seemingly lost as they followed something. They eventually landed on the locked window, rain splashing across it. Moon coughed, getting his attention. Marco rubbed his forehead, his body apparently feeling the effects from his earlier beatings. "...The truth. T-The real killer, how we changed people's hearts, you name it."

"I'm listening," Moon replied, arms still folded and eyes softening. She watched as Marco struggled to keep his eyes open, not seeing the Phantom Thief leader. But a young kid. A young kid she failed to take care of.

"My… My story may be a bit strange, but I need you to trust me," Marco looked up at Moon, his eyes earnest as could be. "I… I really hope you aren't like the others…" Marco looked at his lap, poker face now completely gone.

Moon reached her hand out, taking Marco's and brushing a finger over it. "Let me listen. But we don't have much time, so please, you have the floor." Marco nodded and closed his eyes, memories of the past year play in his mind.

?

It was a simple walk to the store, getting some bread and milk for his family. Nothing more, nothing less. Marco Diaz even looked both ways before crossing the street, being safe as could be. The young man, fixed his slightly oversized red-hoodie, looking across the street. His home, a modest apartment complex, he smiled at the idea of eating his Dad's amazing nachos as a desert.

Wiping the drool from his mouth, Marco was only mere feet away from his door before he heard a loud scream. "Huh?" He put down the bags and ran toward the voice, hoping it wasn't Janna breaking into another house again. "I sware, you can't just…" He was already ready to scold his friend but paused when he saw it.

A grown man beating up a young woman. Her face had a nasty bruise mark, body nearly shaking in fear. "Scram kid, this doesn't concern you." Said the bald man, who had a fit-looking figure all things considered. Marco noticed he wore a suit and eyes narrowed instantly once he put the dots together. He stood before the woman, acting as her shield. "...Playing hero, I see."

"I dare you to land another punch," Marco hissed, fists clenched into thick balls. A strong surge of anger came over him. The man landed another blow, but Marco pushed the woman aside and made a counterstrike at the man, sending him flying toward his fancy black limo. It started going off, causing enough rucks to get the attention of neighbors. "Hey! Don't just watch, help her, she got hit by…"

"Yourself, bold of you to admit to your crimes, no matter how horrid." Marco blinked, eye nearly twitching hearing this. "Isn't that right, Danelle?" He turned toward the woman, who looked between Marco and the man. Marco wanted to scoff at this, no way would she…

"Please, get me away from him!" The woman nearly screamed at Marco. He just stood there, dumbfounded at it all. His mind just shut down, unable to even react to anything. Not his family calling out for him, Janna haggling with the cops for a deal for him, or even getting cuffed and put into a police car. Even going to court for his case and being sent to juvie for three months felt dull to Marco.

But one memory never left Marco's mind. The almost gleeful grin from the man as he watched Marco get his life taken away from him.

March 11th

The warm sunlight of Fallen Peaks welcomed Marco as he left his home, almost washing the bitter memories away for the time being. He scoffed at how 'friendly' his parents were to him, wishing him good luck on the trip to the grand city of Echo Creek and asking him to 'be a good boy'. As if I wasn't one before doing the 'wrong thing'. Marco spat in his mind, grip on his suitcase tight. Taking his time walking to the train station, he tuned out all onlookers gawking at him simply casually walked down favorite sidewalks filled with years of his footprints.

"Can't believe you're leaving this dump, wish I could join you," Marco turned to his right, seeing his 'favorite person' having her usual snarky smile. Janna Ordonia, childhood friend or as Marco referred to her 'annoying pest that is sometimes cool to talk with', has always kept an eye on him. "If it counts, I would have slugged that creep too."

"No, you would have hexed him, stole some snakes from the pet shop down the street and shoved them in his pants," Marco smirked, Janna elbowing him in response. The two walked in silence for a few minutes, Marco wondering if anyone would miss him. Granted, he wasn't the most popular kid in town, but he at least hoped Sensei and Oskar would miss him. Pausing his walking, his eyes drifted toward train tracks. Did I walk here that quickly? He turned to his left, and whistled, seeing his train coming into the station. Janna stood next to him, holding out a book. "What's that?" Marco asked, with Janna nearly throwing it at him.

"It's my book of spells. Use it to mess jerks up for me," Janna held out her fist, with Marco holding his out for a fist bump… Only for her to harshly punch his arm. "See you around dork." Marco watched as Janna ran off to do whatever. Smiling at the mental image of her pulling her usual pranks on a new sucker… victim, made Marco realize there was a bright side to leaving this town.

Fixing his hold on the suitcase and book, Marco went into the train and found his seat, pleased to find one for once. Fallen Peaks usually is more of a 'small town' than a major city, but Marco remembers trying to head out to Echo Creek with Janna and her that one time. Sighing at how great that escapade turned out, he flipped through the book Janan gave him and tuned out the world.

To Marco's surprise, the book wasn't a spellbook at all, but rather it was one about spirits. He flipped through it, seeing the various image of ghostly-figures linked with different 'signs'. Arcana? I guess that's an element of some kind. Marco figured. Years of gaming and watching anime helped him get this picture somewhat. Turning the next few pages, Marco found a page discussing something called 'Wild Card'.

Reading the page, it read:

The Wild Card is a being that cannel multiple masks, hiding from the world around them while also embracing the true natures within us all. Forging bonds and connections enhance this power and make one the joker of any deck.

"How does this relate to spirits?" Marco asked aloud, scratching his head in confusion. People around him on the train gave Marco dirty looks, making the boy mouth 'sorry' before they ignored him like before. "Maybe Janna stole this from someone…" Marco mumbled before putting the book into his suitcase.

His brown eyes drifted to the window, seeing the train slowly bring Echo Creek City into view. Marco's eyes went wide, amazed at how huge this place was. Billboards advertising movies and games, people clustering around massive city blocks like organized ant colonies, and specific energy emitting from the city. Something Marco couldn't put his finger on…

The train stops caught Marco out of his thoughts, standing up and rushing out to avoid being trampled. Seeing the city's center building, he couldn't help but gawk at how tall it was. Fixing his hold on his suitcase, Marco took a step forward but bumped into someone. "Sorry sir, I didn't…" But Marco didn't hear an insult as he expected. Everyone stood still, like statues, even the flying birds were frozen in the air.

So you are ready…

Marco jumped at the voice, it sounds like a demon wanting something from him.

You need motivation, but the time will come soon.

A blue butterfly slowly came into Marco's view, landing in his open palm.

Great power is within you, unleash your inner self.

The butterfly exploded, causing Marco to fall to the ground and the ghostly figure of a man in a top hat greeting him, before vanishing in an instant. "W-What the heck was that?!" Marco shouted, but he was harshly kicked by someone behind him. "Sorry, sorry!" Marco shook off both his newfound pain and annoyance, rushing to the address his parents told him about.

The busy streets of Echo Creek confounded Marco, with the many roads forking into various paths. It's like I'm a mouse in a maze. He thought in good humor. Looking around, he didn't see the usual frowns and glares aimed at him unlike how things were back home. He was another fish in the endless ocean around him. Like it should be. His eyes darted around however, wondering just where this apartment was. It was by the police station…

"Get back here!" Marco jumped at the sound of an angry policewoman with blue hair rushing toward him. Rolling toward the nearest alleyway, he avoided her line of vision, worried about getting in trouble again for doing nothing. Peeking his head out from the corner, he just felt confused at the sight. It was a boy around his age, wearing a red headband on his forehead and having odd horned armbands on his torn-up school uniform. "My sister doesn't want to see your face, Thomas." Her voice was icy cold, making Marco shiver. Please don't let that be the person taking me in. He begged in his mind.

"I was just saying hello!" Thomas shouted back, his voice not thuggish as Marco expected. "She is my friend." The woman just glared at Thomas, the boy's confident resolve shrinking every second she kept her glare going. "...I-I'll leave. Sorry Moon." The boy ran off, with a mess of blond hair coming out of the building behind Moon. Marco blinked at the sight of the girl. Wearing a bright blue dress with a narwhal of all things at its hem, she had a denim jacket with various pink hearts on its sleeves on as well. The thing that stood out to Marco was her odd-colored leggings and tall purple boots. She's really pretty, guessing that guy was her ex or something. Marco figured, his vision lingering on the girl. Her blue eyes turned toward Marco, pinning him in place. Shit, she saw me!

"What is it?" Moon asked, getting the girls attention. She pointed to the alleyway, with Moon taking out a taser from her jacket. "Come out, I have a permit." Marco walked out of the alleyway, hands in the air. "...Wait, that mole. Are you one of the Diaz's?"

"Y-Yes ma'am," Marco said shakily. He slowly walked toward Moon, hands still in the air and people watching him. Great, everyone knows I'm a problem child now. Ugh… "Is this the right a-address?" Marco handed Moon the address slip his parents gave him, the woman looking it over.

"Sis, stop scaring him." The girl stated, taking the taser and shoving it into her pocket. "Hello! Name's Star." She held out her hand, having an inviting smile on her face. Marco relaxed somewhat, shaking Star's hand and proceed to have his arm nearly dislocated. Finishing the handshake, Star dragged Marco into the house as Moon watched the two of them with a baffled expression. Being tossed into the couch, Marco groaned in pain. Looking at his right hand, he was surprised at still holding his suitcase. Moon walked into the door, folding her arms and giving Star an expression screaming 'let me talk to him'. Star pouted in annoyance but walked up to the nearby set of stairs regardless.

"I-I promise to not do anything," Marco started, fear coursing through his body. Moon blinked, a warm smile present on her face. "Y-You likely heard from my dad about…" Moon simply sat down on the couch, hands resting on her lap and eyes firmly locked on Marco.

"I know your situation, and understand that what you did, isn't something in your character," Moon said carefully, causing Marco to raise an eyebrow. "I only have you for a year Marco, until you are sent back home. And… I have a lot on my plate here, watching over my sister and ensuring our recent case goes well." Marco blinked, surprised at how open Moon was being toward him. There is a catch I'm guessing… Sensing Marco's thoughts, Moon sighed as she stood up. "If you can, keep an eye on my sister and keep out of trouble." She started walked toward the stairs, pausing and giving Marco a stern glare. "If you try anything with my sister, I will chase you out like that demon child."

"Yes ma'am, I mean Moon," Marco saluted, with Moon giving a small smile as she walked toward her room seemingly. Letting out a held breath, Marco looked around his new home for the year, surprised at how different it felt compared to his home. Getting out of his seat, he took in the living room's blue walls and cool colors, a stark contrast to how bright his home's walls were painted. Driving his vision toward a picture nearby, Marco picked it up. It was of his family of all things, posing with a younger Moon holding a baby version of Star. To his surprise, he saw another woman standing between the two of them, her warm smile nearly matching his mothers.

Putting picture down, he formed a thin line on his lips. So… I get it. Marco rubbed his arm, looking toward the stairs in front of him. Picking up his suitcase, Marco slowly walked up to the stairs and looked around for his room. As he was looking around for more information on his new 'family', he heard a loud bark, making him jump in the air. He entered a combative stance, something Sensei drilled into his skull whenever danger was around… But his eyes drifted toward the small black pug studying him. "Huh… Hello, doggie." Marco bent down, holding out his hand. The pug slowly walked over toward it, sniffing his hand before his aggressive eyes turned friendly. "Didn't mean to bump into you. You are kinda small pal."

"Watch where you're going next time champ," He heard the dog say… What? Marco blinked, his free hand lightly slapping his cheek to wake up from this seeming delusion. But he only saw the dog bark again. ...I need to sleep. He pet the puppy again before going into the empty room down the hall. The puppy followed Marco, his beady eyes studying as he flopped on the bed and groaned in exhaustion. Hopping on the free spot in the bed, the puppy huddled between Marco's arms and closed its eyes. "Night talking doggie."

Unaware of the both of them, Star was watching through a crack in the doorframe. Slowly coming inside, she held up a finger to her lips, telling the puppy to go back to sleep. Finding a nearby sheet, she covered Marco and gave a warm smile before leaving the room, slowly closing the door.

"Wake up inmate!" A loud voice shrieked, making Marco jump out of his new bed… Which was oddly metal for whatever reason. Rubbing his head, he groaned as he got out of bed, but his eyes dilated at the sight of chains on his arms. As his vision trailed down his person, he saw a torn up stripped uniform, not unlike…

Memories of that time flashed rapidly in Marco's mind. The beatings from his cellmates, the horrid shit they called food he was forced into eating, the labor he was forced to complete, and... He rushed toward the bars and yanked at them, body nearly trembling at the violent memories overcoming him.

"Why am I in juvie?! I served my time already!" Marco shouted. A knowing laugh got his attention though, Marco's eyes drifting to a blue man sitting behind a desk. His nose was pointy, though that was the least 'odd' thing about the man. Long ears like an elf, yellow-ish business suit covering his short body and even an odd pink gem on his forehead stood out like a sore thumb. Marco was going to shout at the man for putting him here but a shock coursed through his body. He fell on his knees, gritting his teeth in pain.

A hooded figure in blue stood before him, holding out some kind of teaser object. "Don't disrespect your master or you will be punished insect." The hooded figure uttered. Female warden? Usually, the juvie has male wardens and guards. Marco forced himself up, trying to stand tall and hoping this nightmare will pass. Seeing Marco's calmer posture and expression, the hooded figure scoffed and turned toward her 'master'.

"You will be familiar with me in due time, but I just wanted to introduce myself before the game can begin," The blue man started, a smile worming across his small face. "I am the owner of this Velvet Room, known by many as Glossaryck of the Arcana. But that's not important." He waved his hand casually, making Marco raise an eyebrow.

"...So this isn't prison or juvie?" Marco asked, with Glossaryck simply smiling in response. "Well, what is your deal then? Is this some kind of fever dream? A dog DID talk to me before I went to sleep."

Simply clasping his hands, Glossaryck leaned forward, causing the hooded figure to walk toward him. "Kindly give our guest a key, he is going to need it. Or not, who knows. He has to wake up first."

The hooded figure simply threw it at Marco like a baseball, Marco ducking as the key bounced off the wall behind him. "You trying to take my eye out?!" Marco shouted, but the hooded figure laughed like a trickster or something. Marco huffed in annoyance, walking toward the blue key and picking it up. "This feels… Powerful." Marco walked toward the cell bars, opening his mouth about to ask something. But a sudden sensation of tiredness came over him, making Marco fall on the ground and pass out cold. The last things he heard were something about a wild card…

"Why did we take him in sis?" Star asked, munching on some eggs and toast that Moon was kind enough to make. Moon simply sipped from her coffee mug, mind invested in papers neatly scattered across her end of the table. Star pouted, this happening often the past three years. Come on sis… Star thought in annoyance, lightly kicking her sister's heeled legs. Moon made a slight jump, blinking at Star's action. "You know you can't ignore me."

"We took Marco in because his family is good friends of ours, you know this Star," Moon closed her case file, leaning forward and raising an eyebrow. "But… He needs a second chance, and I'm willing to give that if he behaves." Moon leaned back into her chair, having another sip of her coffee. "If he gets in trouble, it's on you."

"What? Come on, don't be 'mom' again," Star folded her arms, with Moon giving a weak smirk in response. "We won't get in trouble… I don't even know him yet."

"Yet, once you become friends with him, I'm sure you will be tempted into going through that 'rebellious' phase again." Star gave a genuine frown, with Moon having a worried look in response. "Star, your grades suffered from all that goofing around. We can't…"

"Yeah, I get it. Be the boring good girl and whatnot. Guess that's why you keep kicking Tom out whenever he says hi." Star spat, clearing off her plate and rushing out of the kitchen. Star bit her lip in self-frustration, but she couldn't help herself. I am trying sis… If only you saw that sometimes. Star rubbed her arm, eyes drifting to toward the stairs. Guess sleeping handsome better wake up soon. Rushing up the stairs, she kicked open Marco's door, hoping to surprise him… But she found a neat room and a shirtless Marco trying to put on his school uniform. "Uh… H-Hi."

"...Hi?" Marco said dully, continuing to put on his shirt and ignoring Star's bright red face. H-He has abs? Star quickly patted her cheeks, calming down the odd nervousness coming over her. "Sorry if I grossed you out or anything. But knock next time, okay?"

"Yeah, no prob," Star swayed back and forth in place, blue eyes studying Marco getting his thing together. "You know, sis made some grub for us." Marco smiled, holding up some food of his own.

"I didn't want to bother you guys. Besides, brought some food from home. Mom makes some good sandwiches." Marco sat down in his desk chair, one that Star remembered… No, this is the guest room, not her room. "...Are you okay? Got quiet for a sec there."

"Just thinking about how fun it will be to show you around town!" Star replied, her warm tone making Marco send a warm smile back in response. "I'll be ready to head out in a bit, so don't leave without me buster."

"Sure thing." Marco made a mock salute, with Star giggling and leaving the room. He seems cool. Star smiled at the thought, thinking a great friendship would blossom.