"So what do you say?" The man with slicked back brown hair asked. His words echoing across the barren room, with only four people occupying it. The white walls masked the horror of the nature of the place. Ren found the man's goals similar to the god they had defeated earlier but this was even worse to him. Brainwashing everyone by making it seem like they had achieved their perfect world, their destiny even.

But it was all fake, and Ren couldn't stand it. It made him sick to his stomach, seeing Sumire brainwashed into believing that she was her deceased sister. Seeing Futaba's mother brought back just to be another puppet in the grand scheme of things. Witnessing the happy gleeful expressions of Makoto and Haru as they saw their fathers alive again. Yusuke seeing his father figure as a good person and living the life he wanted, happy and successful. Ann and Ryuji having what they lost in highschool and even seeing Morgana turn into a human. But alas, it was all lies.

But why? Why did they eagerly believe it without question? They simply accepted the turn of events without any gander into why? Why did they fight to reform the world and control their own fates if selfish desires outweighed their own morals? It boggled his mind. It gave him a throbbing headache that he couldn't resolve. He spent the week trying to see if they would realize what the true reality was but he knew he couldn't push them into it. They had to break free of their own natural accord, that was true freedom.

The doctor didn't consider pain as something someone overcomes. He only saw it as something that no one should have.

"We're not going to let anyone determine our fate ever again Dr. Maruki." The boy said solemnly, making eye contact with the doctor. It proved to be a deadlock of sorts, until the doctor looked down and signed.

"It looks like we still can't come to an agreement huh." The brunette asked rhetorically, knowing that he couldn't change the ravenette's mind.

Goro has been awaiting the boy's answer and knew what it was going to entail before the words left Ren's mouth. Adopting a more bloodthirsty grin, he spoke.

"It looks like your plans are no longer feasible. I suppose there's no other way to settle this then." He grabbed his helmet and made sure it was firm. Similarly, his rival stabilized his gloves and got ready to fight.

Both the teens legs were about to move forward but they stopped when they saw that Sumire had shifted her position. She rubbed her eyes awake and stood up, but her expression was fearful. It was like seeing a deer caught in headlights, seemingly lost as her red orbs met Ren's blues. Her lip quivered as she tried to speak, resembling a whisper. There were no other sounds in the room so her voice had a definition.

"D-did y-you s-say no?" She barely got out as she shaked. Her body was trembling with overwhelming emotion and he badly wanted to reassure her. He wanted to hold her and make sure that she was okay. Ren couldn't bear to see her like this, so so scared. Even if he had gotten to know Kasumi and not her, he didn't want her to have to pretend anymore.

The teen wanted to know her and help her be the true Sumire, even if he didn't know who that exactly was. She stepped forward, slowly as each footstep resembles a mouse's pace. She seemed to get more crestfallen as she got closer.

"This isn't good." He thought in his head

Ren had to give his answer, he hoped that it would reach out to her or even do something to calm her nerves.

"I'm sorry Sumire, but we can't live in a world like this. He's using us to accomplish his self-satisfactory goals. Please understand." He pleaded the last part, his confidence felt like it was about to shatter. Maybe it was his heart. He couldn't tell anymore as she raised her head to meet his face again.

Goro ignored the exchange all together but he hadn't seen his rival (his best and only friend but he wouldn't admit it), this tore up. He paid attention only to see the ravenette's expressions, perhaps this was another side he hasn't seen yet.

"I-I can't go back to being S-Sumire!" She exclaimed, her outfit changing back to her metaverse one. She drew her sword, still somewhat shaking.

I'm s-sorry senpai…" Her lips resembled a small frown but what hurt him most was seeing the tear droplets build in her eyes. God. Just a few days ago, they were so at ease. He remembered being with her at the shrine, so happy, so hopeful. But now, she was ready to fight to go back to pretending. She couldn't return, she was too scared too after being brainwashed for so long.

The boy pleaded, just one last time. "Sumire…"

"NO! That's not who I am senpai, I'm Kasumi, remember?" She affirmed without confidence. She got closer, almost inches away from him. Her sword in the proximity of his body if she dare swing fast enough.

Goro growled as he saw that he didn't want to interrupt this. The detective knew that if he got involved, he might kill the girl and his rival certainly wouldn't accept that. Furthermore, he knew that the leader needed to stop her himself. It was a hurdle for whatever conflict was brewing inside his head, hence why it was up to him to resolve it without any help.

"I'm assuming you don't want her hurt so I'll let you handle this. Make it quick, we still have a madman to deal with." He growled as he stepped back, keeping an eye on the doctor that grew silent. Was he enjoying this little experiment he concocted? Seeing two people pitted against each other, one fighting to hide while the other fought for the truth? It disgusted him the way the doctor just watched on, but he just kept his gaze afloat.

Ren reluctantly picked up his weapon but he had no intention of hurting her. His eyes were still locked on her shivering figure as she got ready to strike. Sumire felt compelled to do this even if her emotions were hurting her as she tried to attack someone so dear to him. Someone she-

No…

She couldn't think of him like that right now, no matter how much her heart wanted to admit it.

She had to get her weak self to fight, she couldn't bare to go back to being Sumire. Kasumi was the one everyone liked, the one everyone adored. Kasumi was the one that would have a chance of being with her beloved senpai, not the weak pathetic Sumire that couldn't do anything right. All those sweet moments with him…

They were all as Kasumi.

Sumire was dead.

The redhead kept swinging at Ren, over and over without making a single bit of contact with flesh. He effortlessly parried most of her attacks, some he even dodged without moving a step. All of her movements were sloppy, each easy enough to read and anticipate. The Phantom Thieves leader easily could have struck back but he didn't want to. He genuinely couldn't hurt her. The only way for him to beat her now was to let her tire out and try to sooth her feelings then. It would have been pointless to appeal again during this conflict so he kept it up.

"Senpai, please. I can't go back to being her, I can't." Sumire cried out. Her swipes became even sloppier as she began to feel overwhelmed in emotions again. Her sword faltered in her hand and it felt like she was about to drop it.

"This can't go any longer." The boy thought in his head. He closed the distance between the two, her figure still shaking.

He embraced her, trying to ease the suffering she was going through but the girl flinched.

Her sword, it-

It finally penetrated his skin. Her reflexes were overcome with the fear and it wasn't of her own accord. The metal went through his leg as it produced a painful pulsating sensation, it throbbed as soon as it went through. But he didn't stop, he kept holding onto her as she slowly calmed down. She didn't even notice what her hands done at that point, she was too in shock about holding onto Ren.

"It's going to be okay Sumire, I'm here for you." He whispered while in immense pain. He bit his tongue to hide the anguish he felt but the redhead seemed more at ease. Her fatigue finally set in and she fainted in his arms, the sword still stuck in his right leg.

He made sure she was okay with one hand and tried to pull out the sword with the other but it was to no avail. However, Goro had walked up right next to him and pulled it out without any hesitation. He couldn't even make a sound with how quick the detective removed the metal, simply just feeling the sensation pass and go within seconds.

"Your needless kindness is going to get you killed before I do. Letting yourself get stabbed just to reach out to someone, pathetic. You better not hold anything back against me or this psychopath." He said curtly.

Ren nodded, quickly healing himself as he carried the girl to the side and placed her against the wall. She was still exhausted but he hoped that she would feel a little more rested when she awoke.

Their attention was now poised towards the doctor, who simply sighed.

"I suppose you aren't going to accept my world." The doctor frowned as he uttered the words.

"No, no we cannot." The ravenette replied.

"I must apologize for what I am about to do then. Persona." With that, some strange horrifying tentacle creature emerged behind Maruki. The two teens were in shock, both making their thoughts known as they glanced at each other.

"He has a persona?" They exchanged through their eyes.

The man's persona grabbed the girl who was asleep, jolting her awake. Her expression was more so confused as she looked around her surroundings, the same place she fell asleep in except she was… Floating?

Sumire looked around frantically for Ren, the only person she could trust and believe in now. Her eyes pleaded as she spoke with only a few words coming out as Maruki's persona hoisted her in the air.

"Ren, please…" Her eyes were so sad and scared, it made him want to scream.

Electricity jolted through her body as he watched her become unconscious again. Maruki said he wouldn't hurt her but it seemed that no one upheld their promises anymore. After the shock, the doctor used his persona to bring Cendrillon into the fray. Providing some sort of support, Sumire's persona was powered up thanks to the weird tentacle creature. It summoned two minions of sorts and it looked like it was going to be a mountain to climb with only two people.

Goro sighed as he got ready to battle.

"Let's end this." The ravenette spoke, his words were full of silent anger and resent for the doctor.

After what felt like ages of fighting with just the two of them, the two managed to defeat the minions and got Cendrillon to the edge of death. They looked as they were about to fall before Maruki summoned more minions and absorbed their life to refuel the persona creature.

"You've got to be kidding me." The detective cursed out. After all of their efforts, the monstrosity could simply heal? The chances of making out of this looked slim but Ren still had hope. Hope that his friends would arrive and change the tide of the battle. He told Morgana where he and Goro were going to be, someone had to come right? At least one of his friends had to realize what they fought for, what they bled for, what they valued so highly.

The truth of controlling your own fate.

"We're here!" is what Ren imagined coming out of the room before they stampeded in there to help but no one came. But there wasn't a sound. There were no other sounds besides his rival and him gasping for air out of exhaustion. No one came. No one cared. They preferred the world where they had everything they dreamed of.

"Where the hell are your so called friends?" The brunette gargled out as he applied some healing items to the two. They managed to get a quick break by using the debris to their advantage. Goro had summoned Loki to destroy three pillars and used the atmosphere to buy some time.

Ren looked down, applying a soma to the both of them and tried to compose himself. "I don't know." His words seemed… Lost.

He didn't know anymore. Were they even his friends at this point? Did they truly care? If they did, then why weren't they here? They abandoned him. Just like before, he was alone.

But no, he wouldn't give up. The ravenette looked back at his only other ally that could fight and adopted a small sad smile. It seemed like they were the only ones willing to fight for the real world.

"I guess you were right Goro, friends huh." He spoke with even more mixed emotions. They were both truly alone in this hellhole but they weren't going to die like this.

"Good, now nothing can hold you back. I'm not going to live like this Ren and neither will you. I have an idea to finish that creature off, follow my lead." The detective reaffirmed.

The two managed their showtime attack and finished off all of the monsters, without anyone else's help. Maruki watched on, still not saying any words or expressing anything. It was impossible to tell what the doctor was thinking with the lack of expression. After Cendrillon was defeated, Sumire was released and Ren caught her to make sure she wasn't hurt. He checked to see if her pulse was there and she was doing okay besides the shock.

"I told you, I have no intention of hurting any of you. Please, reconsider my offer. Come back on February 3rd." The man disappeared, leaving the three alone.

"'No intention of hurting anyone', bullshit." Goro muttered as he stared at the scene of the fight. Everything was in ruins and the doctor simply left when he pleased. A nonchalant attitude and a displeasing agenda. It made him want to hurl with how ludicrous it all was.

Ren placed Sumire on his back and she was now sleeping, somewhat peacefully he hoped.

"Let's head back to reconcile. We need to make a path to the treasure,

"with just the two of us." He finished, looking at his friend.

"That's how I'd prefer things regardless of all your appeals of friendship. They didn't work here and it certainly won't work in the future."

The ravenette nodded, simply keeping pace with the detective as they made their way out of the metaverse.

"In fact, even when you defeated all of your enemies, did you truly need them?" The brunette questioned the Phantom Thieves leader as they came to a standstill at the end of the palace. One more step and they would return to the real world but Goro had to ask. Did his rival finally realize that he really didn't need all of his shallow bonds?

"I don't know." He said, unsure of himself. He wanted to still believe that they would awaken to the truth but the more he thought about it…

"Hm, I see. I'll speak with you tomorrow but I'd take another look at the way your so-called friends are treating themselves in this fake world. They don't seem like the ones to sacrifice their own happiness for yours." He ended off.

The two continued walking, with only the light snores of Sumire keeping the silence from dissipating. Ren had a lot to think about but for now, he just wanted to make sure she was safe. They reached the real world and Goro bid him farewell.

Sumire stirred in her sleep as she grabbed onto Ren even harder for support. Eventually, she began to gain consciousness again and spoke some discernible words.

"Are you okay Sumire?" He asked.

"O-oh um y-yes!" She stuttered before departing from the makeshift bed known as Ren's back.

She was blushing red as she looked down, still quite shy and nervous after being so close to her beloved (but he didn't know that).

He smiled at last. After everything that he went through, seeing that he didn't let her down was a relief. God, he was exhausted. But this gave him the energy he needed to keep going the rest of the day.

"I-i'm s-sorry senpai, I don't k-know w-what came over me. I was so scared, I didn't know what to do. I-"

"It's not your fault. I'm just so glad you're okay now Sumire." He said sweetly, making sure to remain close to her for support. His smile lifted her spirits as she felt relaxed again, everything he did just made her feel like it would all be okay. Seeing him happy made her heart flutter and she looked down again as her confidence wasn't there yet. she didn't mind though, he was overjoyed to see Sumire. The real Sumire.

"T-thank you senpai."

"Let's get you home for now, maybe I can speak with your father about how often you talk about me." He said teasingly, eager to make the mood a little less serious.

It worked. She cheered up at the little flirting even if she froze trying to respond with stammers coming out.

"She's adorable." He thought in his head. The two made their way to the girl's house before she turned to the boy.

"S-senpai, u-umm. Can w-we talk after school tomorrow?" She whispered.

"Of course, I'll see you then Sumire. Good night." She smiled and if she was Kasumi, she would've hugged the boy and confessed how much she adored him but she wasn't there yet. She wanted to reach out towards him and show any affection but all she could do was smile. She felt guilty but the redhead didn't realize how happy the boy was to see her grin and her eyes full of hope. It made it all worth it.

He started walking back as the lights made Tokyo gleam. Everything felt dark to Ren though. Nothing made sense besides the two people he had bid farewell. He understood Sumire's position, she was brainwashed and couldn't understand what she was doing. She was okay now though, she seemed to be herself again. Goro was the same as usual, he clearly didn't want a bullshit world and he fought for what he believed in, no matter the obstacles in the way.

But his thoughts went back to his friends, what did they believe in? When they were fighting a god, it was a life or death situation. If they won, they got to live. If they lost, they would perish. Now, someone else had changed the two outcomes. They made an offering almost: you can either achieve all of your goals selfishly and not of your own freewill or you can control you own fate. Ren knew what he would pick along with Goro. But his other allies…

He didn't know anymore.

The ravenette kept walking, with no real destination in his mind but his body knew the route. It was back to his home, no. It was Leblanc, a cafe that he slept in, not a home. All those Phantom Thieves meetings were just gatherings of people fighting for life or death. He felt broken after Goro had betrayed him, but all of his friends? It tasted bitter, worse than anything he'd ever felt.

As he arrived at the cafe, the old warm jovial spirit it once held was no longer there. It was replaced by unease as he didn't want to enter.

He proceeded, seeing Futaba's family joyfully cheering on the girl as she was playing a game. Sojiro and Wakaba were arguing, seemingly like a parental dispute while the orange haired girl just laughed at the scene. Ren looked at them curtly before heading upstairs. He saw Morgana on the couch, waiting for the boy to arrive.

"Hey how'd it go with Akechi? You guys have been a lot closer recently, you seem a bit distant though Ren." The cat turned human pondered.

"Fine. You're happy, aren't you Morgana?" The ravenette asked back. The cathuman laughed at the strange question but he answered without hesitation.

"Of course! I have all of you guys and I couldn't ask for a better world. Maybe one where Lady Ann and I are together though." He said jokingly but Ren didn't laugh nor smile as the boy did. Morgana did so without noticing his friends expression. He felt hollow now and kept a monotone face. He realized that even humanity's hope was selfish.

The entire world was selfish weren't they? They aspired for their own goals without regard for carving it out themselves.

Ren turned into his bed, simply just staring into the ceiling.

"Wishes huh." The only thought in his head lingered and only grew larger. It felt like it was about to burst with the way it repeated inside. They all wished for themselves, to feel happy, to feel free. Oh the contradiction in such freedom!